A/N: I know it's taken FOREVER for me to update, and for that I apologize. I've had a cold and I haven't done much of anything but sleep. If you haven't checked out my Ginger Snaps/ True Blood crossover, go check it out. I'd also like to take a moment to remember Ryan Dunn who died Monday morning in a horrible car accident. For those of you who don't know who Ryan Dunn was, he was my personal favourite Jackass boy. Rest in peace Dunn, we'll all miss you. =[
We arrived in Dallas about an hour and 15 minutes after departing from Shreveport. We landed at a private terminal with barely any people around. There was a baggage cart, and a limo waiting for us to arrive. When we all stepped out of the plane and into the cool air, I breathed a sigh of relief. I hated plane rides, not because I was afraid of planes, but because I hated staying in one place too long. Bill turned to Sookie and told her that him and Jessica were going to check our baggage, and that we were to stay in the same spot until he arrived in a few minutes. We reluctantly nodded, knowing it was best not to argue with Bill.
"So this is Dallas! I've never been anywhere outside of Louisiana. This is nice." Sookie said looking around, a big grin plastered on her face. She had drank ten of the single serving liquor bottles on the ride here and I couldn't help but laugh at her. She was pretty drunk.
I smiled at her before noticing a man standing beside the limo holding a sign reading 'Compton Party'. I grabbed Sookie's arm before leading her towards our ride. The man was sweating profusely, the beads running down his balding head. There was something odd about this man, but I couldn't put my finger on it.
"Are you the Compton Party?" He asked, his expression unchanged.
"Yeah, I'm Sookie Stackhouse and this is Rayne Crassus." She said extending a hand and nodding towards me.
"Well, why don't you ladies wait in the limo and I'll get your things for you." He said. He looked... nervous.
"It's okay, we'll wait until Bill comes back," I said, eyeing him suspiciously.
"Please, get in the limo, I insist." He repeated.
I wasn't sure why he was so persistent that we hurry up and get inside the limo.
Goddammit, just get in the limo you stupid bitches!
"Sookie!" I screamed before he had his arms on Sookie's shoulders, pushing her into the car.
Within seconds, Bill appeared and had his hand around the man's throat.
"Make a noise and it will be your last," he threatened, extending his fangs to intimidate further. The man looked up at him, fear swimming in his eyes.
"Bill you know I can't run that fast!" Jessica said, huffing to where we were all standing. "What's going on?"
Bill turned toward her, his hand still around the man's neck, and shook his head. Me and Sookie just giggled. Bill threw the man in the limo, and stepped in behind him. Me, Sookie, and Jessica followed suit until we were in the limo with our abductor. I shifted in my seat next to Jessica while Bill and Sookie sat directly across from the shady man. Bill leaned towards the man and caught his gaze. From my experiences with Vampires, I knew Bill was attempting to glamour our would-be abductor. My suspicion was confirmed by the comforting words Bill spoke to the petrified man.
"What is your name?" Bill asked calmly, looking into the man's eyes.
"Leon," the man answered.
"Alright Leon, no one is going to hurt you," Bill assured. Leon loosened up and let himself relax. I had never seen a vampire use glamour for unselfish reasons, and I had to admit, the whole process was intriguing.
Bill turned to Jessica and asked if she would like to try glamouring. She giddily accepted and Bill motioned her over.
"Lean in close so you can catch his gaze," he said, his eyes still locked on Leon's. "Just let everything go. Let yourself be dead. You feel it?"
Me and Sookie watched intently at the display. Bill's gentle teaching was calming, and it almost made me feel warm and fuzzy inside. Alright, I said almost.
Jessica nodded at kept her focus on Leon. Now is about the time I'm glad I can't be glamoured. Jessica looked like she was having way too much fun with this.
"You're empty," Bill continued. "You're a vacuum. Now you can pull his mind into yours."
"Everything's gonna be okay." Jessica said calmly, still holding Leon's gaze. "There's nothing to fear."
Bill moved back and took a seat next to Sookie. I smiled at the whole display. I almost felt like I could glamour someone with the impeccable directions Bill was teaching. It took my brain telling me that was foolish to resist the urge of trying to do just that. Sookie and Bill whispered quietly to each other, Sookie complimenting Bill on his gentle handling of Jessica.
"He was sent to abduct the both of you," Bill said, speaking aloud now. "Which means someone knew you were coming."
"Who do you think is behind it?" I asked.
"You think it was vampires?" Sookie added.
"Too sloppy. Maybe that church."
"Bill, they may be crazy but they're still a church." Sookie argued. "They're not gonna kidnap anybody."
"I don't know Sook, I'm no vampire, but I know of the things that 'churches' have done throughout history. It's not impossible that they would try something like this."
We all were at a dead end. The idea of the Fellowship of the Sun being the ones who attempted to kidnap me and Sookie didn't sound too far fetched. The only question was how did they know we were coming? We all sat back and watched Jessica, who was still assuring Leon that he was in no danger. It didn't take long for us to reach Hotel Carmilla. I was excited, though not exactly certain why. Did it have something to do with the fact that Eric was probably waiting for us? I didn't understand it, but the thought of this made me sweat. I shook it off and stepped out of the limo, helping the bellboy load our baggage before stepping into the hotel lobby.
The hotel was unlike anything I had ever seen. Sure, there were plenty of vampire hotels in New Orleans, but I had never seen one from the inside. I had no reason to stay in one. The lobby was gigantic, and filled with humans and vampires alike. There was a bar off to the side, with neon signs displaying the 'Tru-Blood' insignia. I giggled when I saw a poster behind the bar advertising this beverage that read, "Friends don't let friends drink friends." There was a line of humans -both male and female- on one side of the lobby dressed in skimpy clothing, all with the same display of fang marks covering their necks and torsos. I was taking a guess and thinking this was the vampire continental... dinner? I shrugged off the distaste for humans who give their bodies up like that and continued my inspection of the lobby. I was still looking around in awe before Sookie came up behind me and nudged me towards the front desk. Jessica had sat down with Leon on a vacant black leather couch, their eyes still fixed on one another while she continued muttering comforting words. Sookie and Bill stepped up to the desk while I trailed a few feet to the left. The blonde woman behind the counter smiled and asked routine questions. I hardly paid attention and continued looking off into space.
"I have you down for a room with no bed?" She asked, looking up from the computer to Bill.
Sookie looked surprised and Bill rolled his eyes. "Eric."
Sookie did the same and smiled at the concierge. "No, we need a bed," she laughed.
"Of course! I do have a light-blockable room with a king sized bed. It's a suite. Double soundproofed." She smiled
"With an adjoining room for my, uh..." Bill turned to Sookie confused and asked her, "What should I call her?"
"Isn't there a vampire word?"
"Progeny."
"I know! Call her your ward!" She smiled giddily at her cleverness. I chuckled also. "You have a ward like Bruce Wayne!"
"Alright, all set. And you Miss?" She asked, looking at me.
"I'm Rayne Crassus. We should all be on the same bill." I said, smiling at her.
She continued to tap away on the keyboard before looking up again at me. "I have you down for a room similar to theirs on the same floor with an adjoining room as well?"
I looked at Sookie and Bill quizzical and they shrugged. Neither of them had any idea who's room was adjacent to mine.
"That sounds fine, but who's the adjoining room?"
She tapped on the computer again and said, "A Mr. Northman?"
I gulped and Sookie and Bill just snickered. I shot them both a glare. Eric was going to have access to my room whenever he pleased and that made me nervous. He might not be able to glamour me, but I wasn't entirely sure what this vampire was capable of.
"These accommodations are being covered by a third party, right?" Bill asked, still stifling a chuckle at my situation.
"Yes, it's all being taken care of by Mr. Northman." She said assuringly.
All of a sudden out of nowhere, Leon screamed at the top of his lungs, "Vickie Hughbanks is a stuck up whore who let Jace finger her in the church!"
Jessica was laughing hysterically and I couldn't help but snort. "Jessica!" Bill growled. Jessica continued laughing and even Sookie was chuckling.
Bill turned back over to the receptionist and smiling, trying to cover his embarrassment. "She's new."
We got our keycards and continued upstairs, Leon and Jessica in tow. We found Sookie and Bill's room quickly and I was astounded by the size. It was much larger than I had anticipated, and everything inside seemed top of the line. The TV was a large flat screen, the bathroom was pristine, and there was even a small fireplace in the center of the room. I could only hope my room was just as nice. We all sat down with Leon except for Jessica, who ran off to her room next door. Bill sat next to him while Sookie and I sat across.
Bill looked into Leon's eyes and resumed glamouring him. "Leon, look at me. Look at me, Leon." Bill said calmly but firmly. Leon hesitated a moment before turning towards Bill. "Everything is going to be okay."
Leon looked scared. He stared up at Bill, a frightened expression playing his face. "No it's not. My worst nightmares."
"Jessica what on earth did you do to this man!" He yelled, turning towards Jessica's open door.
"I'm on the phone!" She screamed.
Bill turned around again and Sookie took this opportunity to try and help. "Maybe if you put your hand on his shoulder. Sometimes touching helps me hear their thoughts better."
I had to admit I was surprised by Sookie's clever idea. I didn't know if it worked the same with glamouring as it did with telepathy, but I figured it was worth a shot. I wasn't completely able to handle my telepathy just yet, but I did have that experience before when I bumped into Andy Bellefleur at work and heard some thoughts I didn't want to hear. It was clearer, almost like someone moved a TV antenna to the right spot.
Bill took Sookie's advice and set his hand on Leon's shoulder.
"Who sent you?"
"Fellowship of the Sun," he immediately answered.
Bill turned his head towards us and we both gulped silently.
"Are you a member?" I asked.
"No they hired me." He said, looking towards me.
"Who specifically?" Bill growled.
"I'm not sure, it was over the phone. Money was put in a locker for me at the Greyhound station." He said, blank expression still on his face.
"And they hired you to do what exactly?" Bill asked.
"Abduct the humans with the Compton party and bring them to the church."
"Did you know our names?" Sookie asked. She looked extremely tense, just as I was.
"No ma'am, I didn't even know you were going to be women. All I know is the vampires are using humans to find a vampire named Godric."
"Do you know where Godric is?" I asked, shooting up.
"No ma'am I do not." He said. I was hoping this would be as easy as that. He could tell us that Godric was at the Fellowship of the Sun, and we go fetch him back. It could've been that simple, right? What could humans do to a couple vampire. Well, except stake and silver them. Then we could go home and I could return to my simple life of not almost being kidnapped and working at a small town bar in Bon Temps. Then my biggest problem would have to be who ordered what drinks. But no, I had to deal with vampire hunting, crazy bigot churches, and having some weird power manifest what seemed like every single day. I should have just stayed in New Orleans.
Bill sighed and turned back towards Leon, gently pressing the palm of his hand on the top of his. "You did very well," he smiled. "I'm sure your employers will be pleased."
Leon swallowed and slightly smiled. "Think so?"
"Of course! What could you do?" Bill assured. "We never arrived it's not your fault."
Leon had a big grin plastered on his face and I couldn't stop myself from smiling too. It was like a cloud of happiness flew into the room. "Yeah!" He said, "The flight never arrived!"
"No," Bill assured, "We just weren't on it."
Leon breathed a sigh of relief, the grin still there, "I got so nervous over nothing!"
All of us were smiling like Barbie dolls. I'm sure from the outside we looked like basketcases. We were all smiling and laughing, making Leon feel more comfortable.
We sent Leon out, Bill telling him to return to his employers and give them the news. Bill had made a call to Eric after he had left, informing him of the events that occurred in the last hour. I decided to go to my room, letting Sookie and Bill have the alone time I could see they needed. I smiled and waved goodnight, before heading out the door and down the hallway.
I found my door with a little trouble. Hotels had always confused me for some reason, every door looking the same, the numbers the only difference. I had passed my door twice before I stopped in front of it and slid the keycard into the handle. I reached for the light switch and switched it on, shutting the door behind me.
The room was similar to Sookie's but with a few differences. The room reminded me of the style of my room at home. Antique furniture, a huge canopy bed with velvet sheets, plush sitting chairs. I was surprised how close a hotel room could look like home. I smiled to myself, wondering if Eric had done this on purpose. He had mentioned before how he liked my taste, maybe this was his way of making me feel more at home while I was working for him. I shrugged it off. This was a vampire we were talking about. Ruthless, manipulative, and heartless. But that wasn't entirely true, was it? I could see from the way they looked at each other, that Bill loved Sookie just as she loved him. So maybe vampires weren't entirely incapable of emotions. I still couldn't see that in Eric though. He probably thought this would make me want to sleep with him. I frowned and set my bags down, deciding there was no point in unpacking. I plopped down on the bed and immediately felt myself relax. The mattress was like heaven the way it formed to my body, and I made a mental note to find the same kind and buy it for my own house. I took off my shoes and laid down on the comfortable bed, the down feather pillows cradling my head as my hair fell around me in soft waves. I tried to think of who could have told the Fellowship of our arrival, but I couldn't. All my thoughts were pulled away as I began drifting off on the plush bed, The only thing running through my head was the vampire staying next door and how -whether he did it maliciously or not- he arranged this room for my pleasure.
A/N: There you go. Once again, sorry about the wait. Also, I've been trying to decide on whether or not I'm going to have Godric commit suicide or not. I can see the pros on both sides of him staying and dying. I'm not a huge Godric fan (I'm still stuck on the book version, Godfrey, who bathed in the blood of babies) but I'm starting to warm up to him. You're reviews might alter my final decision! *nudge nudge* XD