Chapter 7

She slid into a pair of black wide leg slacks and sandals. Her bright red silk halter blouse made her feel sexy and beautiful. Eric didn't know about this outfit and she couldn't wait to have him take it off her. Sookie stuck her card key, cell phone and some cash in her small black purse and exited the room. Eric would be finished with his meeting at four if all went well and they would have a few hours to be together. She exited the elevator and stepped out into the large main floor. The casino was teaming with people. The lights and sounds assaulted her senses. She oriented herself read the signs hanging from the ceiling. She walked down the brightly carpeted path through the roulette tables until she found a large bank of slots machines. She smiled when she saw the penny slots. She could afford to gamble a dollar! She slid the money in and held her breath as she pushed the electronic buttons. The graphics spun across the screen and she smiled when the lights blinked on the screen. She was up 3 dollars! Her excitement grew as she pressed the button again and watched the images change. She lost. But she still had credits left. She played again and smiled as the credits racked up again. No wonder people were addicted to gambling. She giggled to herself and pressed the button again. She glanced at her watch and smiled at the time 3:45. Eric would be done soon. She went to reach for the button again when a sudden surge of rage swept across her. She gripped the edge of the machine and tried to breathe. Anger and fear threatened to overwhelm her. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. These emotions were not her own. They were Eric's. Something must have happened during his meeting. She stood abruptly and left the machine not caring about the 2 dollars left behind.

She wasn't sure where she was going, but she knew she needed to get there. She rode the elevator to the top floor and exited into the long hallway. She could feel the emotions through the bond intensify and stopped in front of a set of double doors. She couldn't move. The hate and anger threatened to overtake her. She stood stock still for what seemed like an hour staring at those doors. After 10 minutes, one of the doors jerked open and Eric burst forth. Sookie jolted at the sight of him and he stared at her pale scared face. Recovering quickly, he cast a look behind him and pulled the door shut. Without a word, he took her by the arm and led her to the elevator. Once the doors shut, she stared at his face in the mirrored doors. His whole presence was one of fury. His jaw was tight and his hands were clenched in to tight fists at his sides. She wanted to question him but couldn't bring herself to speak. She knew it was a rare chance, but she opened her mind and tried to catch a glimpse of Eric's as she had on occasion.

I will never let her be taken. I'll kill all who try. She is mine.

Her eyes widened in shock and she couldn't stop herself.

"Who's trying to take me?!"

His eyes met hers in their reflection. She absently placed her hand on her heart and then gasped at what she had revealed. She dropped her gaze to the floor and swallowed the bile rising in her throat. The doors opened and he captured her elbow and led her a little too forcibly down the hall. He didn't hurt her, but she knew he was barely maintaining control. Eric angrily swiped his card key and walked her through the door first. She closed her eyes and listened for the door to click shut. She wanted to run. Running seemed like the best course of action. Anything would be better than being the object of Eric's fury.

"How long?" He demanded. He reached forward and squeezed her arms slightly to make her open her eyes. "How long, Sookie?" His voice was even and calm but she could see the current of rage flowing through his eyes.

"I'm sorry."

"You said you couldn't read our minds."

"I can't!" He released her and took a step back.
"You dare lie to me?!"

"No! I mean…I can't read vamps minds…just…just…." He stilled. She met his eyes and could feel the tears slide down her cheek.

"Just mine?"

"Yes." She whispered.

"How long? Since the bonding?" She twitched involuntarily. She wanted to lie to him and say yes. That would explain it. They're bonding had caused such a unique connection.

"Sookie." His voice was stern and a little louder than before. She couldn't stop the squeak that escaped her throat. She took a step back and started to panic. He was inches from her faster than her eyes could decipher. He reached for her hands and held them in both of his.

"Tell me, lover." He had made an effort to calm his tone and hoped to soothe her through the bond.

"Since that night with Long Shadow. When you staked…" She whispered. "But not all the time! It's just been a few quick…I can't read you all…I…What are you going to do?!" She sobbed the last part and Eric folded her into his chest. He didn't know what to make of this.

Why was I the only vampire she could read? How could she even catch my thoughts before the bond?

"I don't know!" She wailed and knew she had messed up again.

"Perhaps you and I are connected more than I thought." He pushed her away enough so he could see her face.

"What are you going to do?" She was frightened. Terrified was more accurate. Eric now knew one of the things she tried to keep secret. A secret she knew could get her killed. Eric leaned forward and moved to kiss her to ease her fear. Unfortunately, her body reacted out of survival. She flinched and started to tremble. Eric stopped an inch away from her face. He slowly leaned forward and pulled her to him. His kiss was tentative and slow. He gently placed kisses along her bottom lip until she responded to him. He deepened the kiss and pulled her hands around his waist.

I'll never harm you, my lover.

She sobbed into his kiss and he tightened his grip around her. He pulled away and felt her visibly relax.

"We can't tell anyone of this." He pulled her by the hand to the sitting area. She sat on the couch and rested her elbows on her knees and all but curled in on herself.

"Who wants to take me?" She asked quietly returning to what had caused Eric to know one of her deepest secrets.
"The King. He would like you to stay here with him." Her eyes flew wide and she screamed.

"NO!" A relieved expression settled on his features.

"Philip will try to persuade you to come to him. Even though we are bonded, he will still try. He told me in the meeting once all the others had been dismissed that he felt you were a great asset and that your protection could be better guaranteed if you were by his side."

"I think I'm going to be sick." She wanted to vomit. This was supposed to be a pleasure trip. She was a special guest. She and Eric weren't going to have to worry about anything. Now she had to worry about being taken by the King of Nevada. She finally looked up at Eric's face.

Please don't let him. PleasePleasePlease. You love me don't you? Please don't let him take me. Eric, Please.

Eric's eyes widened and before he knew it the words slipped from his lips.

"Of course I love you. How can you question my devotion to you?"

It was as if all the air had been sucked from the room. The only sound she could hear was her own heartbeat thrumming in her ears. If it were possible for vampires to pale even more, she was sure she saw Eric blanch.

"How did…." She couldn't finish her question. She bolted to the bathroom and lost what little there was on her stomach.

Eric sat on the couch and tried to reason his way through what was happening. He shifted forward and decided to see just what connection they had.

Are you all right, lover?

-I'm heaving my guts up. What do you think?! This is bad. Bad beyond bad.

We can't tell anyone of this.

-No shit, Sherlock.

You realize this can be to our advantage.

-How? If anyone finds out we can read each others thoughts, I might as well paint a big ass target on my forehead. I'm your worst liability!

No lover, we are our biggest asset. True, if anyone knows of our connection they will try to use you against me, but together you and I are a powerful force.

-I don't want to be a powerful force. I want to…to…hell I don't know what I want to do, but it doesn't involve vampire politics. It involves you. Just you! Why the hell did I have to fall in love with a vampire? A smug, arrogant, powerful vampire! Shit, shit, shit.

She washed her hands and wiped a cool cloth along the edge of her mouth before brushing her teeth. She ineloquently spit the toothpaste from her mouth and found Eric was standing behind her at the sink.

"You love me." He smiled at her reflection. She rolled her eyes and wiped her mouth again before facing him.

"Way to go, mind reader." She mumbled sarcastically.

"Say it. Tell me you love me."

"I love you, Eric." She smiled up at him for a moment before casting him a hard look. "You better not let my ass get hauled off by the King." She turned to poke him in the chest and he nodded.
"Never. I love you too much." She smiled again and allowed him to hug her tightly.

"What are we going to do?" She asked to his chest.

"We'll figure something out."