Chapter Four: The Other Side of Down
"I hope you know this is illegal." Alcide whispered as he looked around before holding up the yellow crime scene tape.
"Oh I know." I ducked below it and entered the mansion grounds. I had seen the scenes on TV, but being there at the bombing site in person, it was just unreal. Everything was destroyed. There was hardly even a structure left. There were pieces of the mansion strewn here and there, everything charred and smelling horrid. My nose scrunched up as Alcide and I began walking through the wreckage. It smelt terrible, and if I wasn't on a mission, I would have ran back over to Alcide's truck where it was safe from the stench.
"We don't have to do this." Alcide's nose twitched, and I knew the smell was just that much worse for his heightened Were senses.
"You don't have to be here." I reminded him for the fifth time. "You can sit in the truck."
"I'm not leaving you alone." Alcide shook his head. "You're a magnet for trouble."
"Never my intention." I defended myself as we began climbing over some of the rubble. "This is just...insane though. What I saw on TV just did not do this justice. How could someone do this?"
"There are some sick minds in the world, Ellie, you know that better than anyone." He shrugged.
That was truer than I wished it was. "I know, it just seems so...unreal I guess. Where should we start?"
"You're the one who wanted to come out here, you tell me." Alcide looked around. "There's not much here."
"Sadly, you're right about that." I frowned. "I've never been here before so I don't even know the layout of the place. Sookie did."
"I know it well enough unfortunately." Alcide grunted, shaking his head at the prospect of being in a mansion with vampires. "And I have to say, this place was completely destroyed. You can barely even make out what room is supposed to be what."
"This kind of sucks." I chewed on my bottom lip. "I need some sort of sign to point me in the right direction. Hell, I don't even know what I'm looking for."
Alcide sent me a look of sympathy as we just began looking everywhere and at everything. We split up, still within eyesight, but allowing us to scout out a larger space in a shorter amount of time. It was nearing dawn, only an hour from the sun rising, and the temperature was absolutely freezing. I had to stop a few times to rub my hands together and get the feeling back in them before continuing. But I wasn't going to stop. I couldn't. I needed to find something, anything that would lead me to Godric. He might not have been here, but there had to be some sort of clue that could help me in some way. Maybe if I could figure out who was behind this whole mess, then I could begin to understand what had happened in New Orleans. Because that was the next mystery on the list. This was obviously a planned attack on the Queen. It wasn't random to choose New Orleans and Jackson. These were the hubs for Sophie-Anne's territories. But why would anyone want to attack the Queen? What were their motives? Who were these people to begin with?
"We should call it a night." Alcide wandered over to where I was standing, a yawn emitting from his lips. "We're both getting exhausted."
"I'm fine." I assured him, or at least tried to before a loud yawn replaced my words.
"Come on, we can come back here if you really want to after we talk with Rolland." He promised, laying a hand on my shoulder and steering me towards the end of the property where we parked the truck. "You're going to need to rest in order to deal with his charades."
I really had no other choice. Soon the sun would rise and people would notice us sneaking around. And I was tired. I had hardly slept on the ride to Mississippi from Bon temps, and I was still riding the adrenaline from working tonight. Needless to say, I was beyond exhausted. I was working on fumes right now and I knew eventually I was just going to drop. All we could do now was rest and pick back up tomorrow night.
I could only pray that coming here to Jackson wasn't a complete waste of time.
He could smell her the moment she crossed over city lines. He had always been able to distinguish her sweet smell from those of ordinary humans. Even from across the city he knew Ellie was there. Why, he wasn't sure, but Eric knew it wouldn't turn well for his sweet Phoenix. He had discovered enough about the bombings to know that she would find herself in danger if she continued to dig into a mess that didn't concern her. And that worried Eric. He may have left, he may have walked away, but he still cared about her well being, he still loved everything about her. So to know that she could be at risk, it absolutely killed him. He wanted to go to her, to urge her to turn back home. But he couldn't. He couldn't show his face. He couldn't appear to her. He had promised to stay away, to keep his distance from her for as long as necessary until he found himself over her. He wasn't sure if that would ever occur, but he needed it to be so. It would be easier for them all if that were to happen.
"Ellie." He murmured with a shake of his head as he stared out the window of his large penthouse suite. It was just one of his many homes he had bought over the years, ensuring that no matter where he may find himself, he would always have a safe home to return to during the day. Despite the many windows littering the walls, black out curtains were ready to cover the windows the moment the sun began rising. And just like clockwork, the moment the sky began lightening, the curtains automatically descended from the ceiling, masking the room in near darkness.
Sighing, Eric turned and began to his room, using his heightened eyesight without needing to put a single light on. He couldn't help himself as his thoughts were drawn completely to Ellie. The smell of her blood was driving him insane, and he knew he would need to drink a bottle of True Blood before he rested for the day, or else he would find himself unable to control himself once he woke. And he couldn't let that to happen. He couldn't let his urges take over, for him to find Ellie. He had to keep a safe distance, at least until she was out of the city. He only hoped that would be sooner than later. She was only at risk here. Eric didn't even understand why she was here in the first place. Had she lost her mind? She would only manage to find trouble, and Eric knew that should that ever occur, he wouldn't be able to stop himself from going to her, to protect her from the dangers of the world.
"Be careful, my sweet one." He whispered to himself as he turned towards the kitchen to grab himself a bottle of blood.
"Look we need to get something straight." Alcide grabbed my arm as we began to leave his apartment the next night. I looked up at him innocently, knowing he was going to lecture me on being safe and not stirring the pot. I wasn't an idiot though. I knew going to a bar full of Weres was just as stupid as going to a bar full of Vampires. But if putting myself in a little bit of danger would help me find Godric, then I didn't care. I could take care of myself if it came down to it, and I would have Alcide there.
"I'm not going to do anything stupid, Alcide, I promise." I assured him.
"You say that every time." He gave me a pointed look.
"Trouble finds me, not the other way around. Except this time." I couldn't help but chuckle. "But I promise, no stupid stunts. In and out, I swear."
"I'll get you into the bar and scope the place out for him. If everything looks good maybe I'll even introduce you. But that's it, alright? You and Rolland, you're going to be chatting without me there." He reminded me of our deal.
"Just as long as you're nearby, just in case." I nodded. "I can handle myself. I've been in worse situations, remember?"
"I know, but I've never been responsible for you before." He sighed. "At least not like this."
"I'll make it easy on you, don't worry." I patted his arm.
"Thanks for the consideration." He grumbled while shaking his head. "Alright, let's go."
"So what's this bar called anyways?" I wondered as we left the apartment and began towards the elevator.
Alcide looked around for any possible eavesdroppers before glancing back down at me. "Hair of the Dog."
"Hair of the Dog?" I raised an eyebrow, trying desperately to stifle a laugh. "I'm sorry, that's just..."
Alcide sent me a dirty look and I did my best to compose myself.
"Sorry, I'm all good." I held up my hands in defence, though I was bursting out laughing inside. What was it with the supernatural community naming their bars outrageous and rather hilarious names? And they were just so defensive! I teased Eric about the name of Fangtasia a dozen times in the past, and every time he would give me this sour look and act like a moody five year old for the rest of the night. Hey, if you didn't want the teasing, you shouldn't have named your bar Fangtasia of all things.
The short trip to the bar was silent between Alcide and I. I would glance over at him every so often and see him gripping the steering wheel of the truck. He wasn't happy about this, that much I knew. He was worried and nervous about what was going to happen. I didn't need Sookie's telepathic abilities to know that one. But he didn't have anything to worry about. I wasn't looking for trouble. I wasn't going there to start something. I just wanted information, that was all. Because my best friend was missing, maybe even potentially dead, and I needed a lead I could count on. Now I was sure the majority of Rolland's story was going to be overdramatic and not at all real. But there had to be some truth I could find that could help me in any way. There just had to be, or else I had come all this way to Jackson for absolutely no reason. And not anywhere nearer to finding Godric.
I was surprised by the look of Hair of the Dog. It was an old worn down brick building that looked like it was completely abandoned by the appearance. But I knew better than to judge a place by its appearance. As Alcide parked in the back lot, I noticed the motorcycles that lined the majority of the back wall. Werewolves seemed to cling to motorcycles for some reason. I wondered if Alcide was a fan of the metal death traps, or if he would rather drive around in his truck all the time. Though as I looked Alcide up at down, I realized he was much better suited behind the wheel of a truck than on a motorcycle.
"So this is Hair of the Dog?" I raised an eyebrow as we walked through the beer can and cigarette littered parking lot and alley way until we reached the front.
"Doesn't look any better than that vamp bar." Alcide defended.
Well I suppose he had a point there. I nodded as we continued to walk until we were only a few feet from the door. I felt this odd feeling overcome me, as if there was some force that was telling me to turn away. However, it wasn't strong enough to stop my feet from moving, though there was a chill rising up my back that I didn't like at all.
"It's a Go-Away spell." Alcide explained, noticing the change in my demeanour. "They hired a witch to put a ward around the place so humans wouldn't just walk in. I guess you can feel it huh?"
"Kind of." I nodded with a frown. "It's sort of like glamouring I guess. I can tell when it's trying to be done, but I'm able to push through it and fight it."
"You're not exactly human, now are you?" Alcide offered a small smile.
"Not entirely." I winked to try and lighten the tense mood. "So, shall we?"
Alcide nodded, the smile wiped from his face as he remembered why we were here. He sighed before taking me by the elbow and leading me to the main entrance. I held my breath as he opened the door and pulled me through. The spell was growing thicker, and despite the fact that I was a Phoenix, it was starting to have a negative effect of me. I felt absolutely vile, and I hoped this evening wouldn't take long at all because I wasn't sure how long I would be able to force back the rising need to vomit. I don't think doing so in this bar would make anyone willing to talk to me.
"No humans allowed!" a very young and agitated voice nearly screamed as a girl leaped over the bar in a move that only a Werewolf could manage without injury. I raised an eyebrow and stared up at Alcide, who didn't look at all pleased that now the entire bar had fallen silent and was staring at us curiously. Some were shooting dirty looks in my direction, while others must have known I wasn't entirely human and was just intrigued as to who I was.
"Get your human ass out." She demanded, crouching down as if she was ready to fight at any moment.
I looked the girl over, and she couldn't have been more than 21, possibly even younger. She hardly wore any clothes, wearing tightly bound leather across her chest and bottom. She probably thought she looked menacing that way, but I had been around vampires and fangbangers a bit too long to possibly find myself intimidated by this little girl.
"Why the hell did you bring a human in here, Alcide?" the girl growled angrily, inching closer.
I didn't bother to move or utter a word. One wrong step and I could easily take her out. But I was trying desperately not to do that. I didn't want the local Weres to think I was a danger. I was just here for some information, that was it. I didn't want to interrupt their night; I didn't want to cause a scene. I just wanted to find my best friend.
"Oh come on, Janelle, can't you tell?" a deep voice halted the girl, both her head and mine swivelling around until we found a man at the bar turning to watch the scene unfold, a friendly grin spreading across his face. I was amazed by just how handsome the man was. Now I was deeply in love with Eric, and forever would be. But I could appreciate the good looks of others. And this mysterious man certainly fit that bill. His head was shaved, giving him that foreboding look. But it worked well with his muscular build and sharp facial structure.
"What?" She snapped, though she looked just as entranced in his beauty as I was.
"That's Elizabeth Cole you're threatening." He nodded at me, his dark eyes catching mine. I was surprised he knew who I was. I would remember meeting someone like him before. How could you not remember meeting a tall handsome stranger? But as I racked my brain, I couldn't place him at all. So how did he know my name?
"So?" the girl crossed her arm, sending me the dirtiest look possible. If a look could kill, I was certain I would be 6 feet under right about now.
"She's the Phoenix." The man's grin widened, and I couldn't help but relax as I stared into those pits of warmth. I could tell he was a shifter, but his aura didn't feel the same as all the others. I knew we were surrounded by Weres, and it wasn't only because we were in a Were bar. But this man, while he felt two-natured, I couldn't pin point for sure what he was. Much like with the Hot Shot shifters when they had come into Merlotte's.
There were gasps in the room as the man spoke this. I almost found myself gasping as well. Was there some sort of newsletter that went around, informing everyone of my existence? We had tried so hard to keep what I was a secret, but it seemed after all the hassle and fighting that had gone on, it was impossible to continue to do so. I wasn't sure if that was a good thing or not. On one hand, if people knew who and what I was, maybe they would rethink ever attacking me. I was powerful; they must have all known that. I could kill a witch, burn her completely alive. And I could have done so to each and every one of the patrons in this bar if I wanted to. But then again, the more people that knew what I was, the more potential threats that would be lining up at my door. And I had enough problems on my plate.
"Relax, Janelle, she's a friend of the pack." A Were that looked vaguely familiar came waltzing over, laying a hand on the young girl's shoulder. "She's always welcome in my bar."
"Amanda." Alcide nodded at her. "It's nice to see you."
"I haven't seen you in awhile. How have you been? Amanda, one of the Weres I remembered from the war against the witches, directed the question at both of us.
By that time, the interest must have died down because the chatter started back up in the bar and the peering eyes looked away. I sighed in relief as I offered the woman a smile.
"I've been better."
"We all have, unfortunately." Amanda nodded with a smile of her own. "But we all have to make do, right?"
"Of course."
"Is there anything I can help you with, or are you just here for pleasure?" She wondered, sending the young girl away.
"We're looking for Rolland actually." Alcide explained, a strained look on his face. "Ellie here has some questions for him."
"About the bombing." Amanda guessed.
"I'm hoping to find something to help me find Godric." I explained. There was no use hiding my intent.
"Most of what Rolland says is garbage." She rolled her eyes. "But if you're going to find out anything, he's your best bet."
"Is he coming in tonight?" Alcide glanced around the dimly lit bar, searching for the Were in question.
"Not yet, but we're expecting him. Patrick Furnan is here actually." Amanda looked over her shoulder to a dark back corner of the bar, though by the looks of it, there were many dark corners.
"Great." Alcide muttered. "I suppose I should go say hello."
"Probably." Amanda offered a sympathetic smile. "Well I better go make the rounds. You two enjoy yourself. And if you need anything, Ellie, just give me a shout."
I appreciated her hospitality and nodded at her with a friendly smile. She returned it before turning on her heel and heading off across the bar.
"So who's Patrick Furnan?" I asked as quietly as I could.
"He's challenging my father for the packmaster title." He explained in a low grumble.
My eyes grew wide. His father was trying to become packmaster?
"I should stop by his table." He ran a hand through his hair with a sigh. "I'll leave you at the bar, if you don't mind."
"I'll be fine, don't worry." I nodded, though I spotted the young girl at the very end of the bar. "Just don't leave me anywhere near that chick. She looks like she wants to scratch out my eyes."
"And I hear you don't do well in cat fights."
I was surprised by his attempt to lighten the mood and shot him a mock glare.
"I'm a good Texas girl, I don't cat fight!" I defended as he led me over to the bar, and as I noticed, closer to where the mysteriously gorgeous stranger was sitting.
"You just kill people instead." Alcide snorted.
"Eh, those witches had it coming." I shrugged with a smile as I slid onto a bar stool. "Go go, I'll be fine. I'm a big girl."
"I'll keep an eye on her, don't you worry Alcide." The man only a few stools down winked.
I felt myself blushing as his gaze penetrated right through me. I was in love with Eric. I was in love with Eric. I just needed to keep telling myself that. Because that man certainly was drop dead gorgeous. Minus the dead part.
"She has a knack for finding trouble." Alcide warned the man, causing me to blush even more.
"Not my fault." I muttered, though neither seemed to hear me.
"So I hear." The man's grin only widened. "I'll keep a close eye on her then."
Alcide nodded before turning and heading off to where I presumed Patrick Furnan's table was. I found myself shy for the first time in god even knows how long. I wasn't normally a shy person, at least I hadn't been in the last few years. I suppose since being thrown into the supernatural world, I've certainly grown as a person. You couldn't be shy around vampires; they would just eat you right up if you were. You had to be strong and confident, and after awhile, that's exactly what I had become.
"The rumours don't do you justice, sweetheart." I felt the man's eyes roaming all over my figure that was enhanced by the little black dress I had brought along to Mississippi. I thought it wouldn't matter as in a Were bar how much skin I was showing. But perhaps I had been thinking the wrong thing.
I pulled myself together, trying to hide my embarrassment, and turned towards the man. He was still grinning at me kindly, not in some leering kind of way like I felt some of the men in this very bar were doing. And that grin only comforted me, relaxing me in a bar full of Weres. I didn't even know who this was, but I felt oddly safe and comforted in his presence.
"Quinn, by the way." He held out one of his large hands. By the looks of it, he probably would match Eric in height, a feat that I had thought to be impossible.
I couldn't help but smile at him in return as I slid my hand into his, amazed by how warm it was. It was such a complete shock going from the ice cold touch of a vampire to the warmth of a shifter or Were. It was a nice shock however, one that even I could admit felt appealing.
"It's nice to meet you. You already seem to know who I am."
"You've been quite the talk of the town these past few years." He nodded, sliding over the few stools so he was sitting beside me.
"Oh, so you're not some crazy stalker then? " There was an odd sparkle in my eye as I spoke. I didn't even know this guy and he was bringing out a side of me I thought had been completely damaged once Eric had left. Maybe there was still some hope left for me.
"Only on the weekend." He winked with a chuckle.
"So you're the one then." My smile widened. "Well at least you don't look like a complete psycho, so I guess I'll accept it."
"I appreciate that, babe."
I couldn't help but laugh as I shook my head and caught the eye of the bartender. After ordering myself a drink, I glanced back at the shifter, wondering what this large and handsome man could possibly turn into. He wasn't a Were, but I just couldn't imagine him being something like a cute little bunny.
"You're not a Were, are you?" I decided to be blunt and just ask him. We were in a Were bar, it wasn't like I was exploiting him or anything. And he did seem to know a great deal about me.
"You're good." He mused while nodding. "I'm not."
"Didn't think so." I tilted my head to the side. "What exactly do you turn into, if you don't mind me asking?"
"And if I did?" his lips twisted into a smirk.
"Well considering you're my weekend stalker, I think I deserve to know a little bit more about you."
"Point taken." He laughed. "I'm a Were-Tiger."
My mouth dropped open. If I thought being a panther was amazing, being able to turn into a tiger, that was just friggin brilliant!
"Seriously?" I was just amazed.
"I get that reaction a lot, I have no idea why?" he teased.
"Sorry." I tried to close my gaping mouth. "That's just...extremely cool."
"I'm honoured. The great and all mighty Phoenix thinks I'm 'cool'." He held a hand over his heart dramatically. "I can die a happy man."
I let out another laugh as I rolled my eyes. "You're something else."
"Why thank you." He leaned over the bar, grabbing a bottle of whiskey without the bartender knowing, and poured himself another glass. I watched in amusement as he did so. He was just unlike anyone else I've ever met. He had an arrogance about him, that was for sure. But it was different than with Eric. Eric knew he was like a god and he expected everyone to treat him in that manner. But Quinn, he seemed inviting and kind, and I wasn't sure he would appreciate the same admiration that Eric received. Quinn, from the two minutes I've known him, seemed much more down to earth than really any other supernatural being I've met besides Sam. even Alcide seemed to think he was above others at times, or at least vampires in his mind.
"So what is a Shifter doing in a Were bar anyways?" I wondered, resting my elbow on the bar as I placed my chin in the palm of my hand. "I thought Weres looked down on shifters."
Quinn shrugged as he took a sip of his drink. "Weres look down on everyone."
"Even vampires." I nodded.
"There's a hierarchy that the Weres and vampires consider themselves part of." Quinn shook his head in amusement. "Essentially it's high school all over again."
"So who thinks they're at the top of the food chain?" It was interesting to hear this from a different perspective. Eric thought the vampire's were the greatest thing since sliced bread, and Alcide thought the same about the werewolves. Sam, well he didn't have a care in the world about either grouping. He just wanted to run his bar, make love to the woman he loved, and leave a peaceful life in the small, but trouble attracting town of Bon Temps.
"Depends on who you're asking." He grinned at me. "The vamps think they are and the Weres think they're far better."
"And what does a Were-Tiger think?" I raised an eyebrow.
"I don't really give a fuck, excuse my language." He winked and my smile only grew. "But of course, Vamps and Weres have nothing on you sweetheart?"
"What do you mean?"
"You're a Phoenix, that's the closest thing you can get to a goddess walking this good old green planet." He shrugged. "You're one of a kind, and could probably kick everyone's ass in this joint."
"Probably right about that one." I didn't deny it. Of course, I would never attempt it. I hadn't tried to use my powers to such a degree before, and wasn't sure what would happen if I did. No, I'd rather be safe and use them wisely. I didn't want to find myself brutally wounded because I was an idiot.
"Sorry to break this up, but Rolland is here." Alcide rejoined us, interrupting the surprisingly pleasant and enjoyable conversation, something I hadn't found myself having in quite a long time.
"It was a pleasure to meet you, Ms. Cole." Quinn, who I suspected was a complete gentleman, took my left hand in his and lightly brushed his lips across my knuckles. A blush rose on my cheeks as he did so, and I was kicking myself for putting my hair up in a ponytail so I couldn't hide my embarrassment with my long locks. "You aren't by chance single and available, are you?"
"I have a..." I had to stop myself before I said the word boyfriend. I didn't have a boyfriend, that was the thing. I desperately wished I had Eric, that I could call what we had a relationship. But unfortunately I couldn't. Because the man I loved had to be an asshole and walk away, leaving me absolutely broken and in a pile of pieces. "I have a complicated life right now."
"Don't we all." His smile widened charmingly. "I hope we meet again."
"Me too." I nodded in agreement, truly hoping we did cross paths in the future. Quinn was someone who I found myself wanting to be around. And I hardly even knew the guy!
"It was nice seeing you, Quinn." Alcide nodded at him as he laid a hand in the middle of my back once I had stood. "I'll see you around?"
Quinn raised his nearly empty glass of whisky at us as Alcide began leading me away from the bar and towards the back. There was a smile still plastered on my face as I set my sites on the corner booth I realized we were heading towards. I was surprised by the Were that was supposedly Rolland. He didn't look anything like I was expecting. Actually, he sort of did look like the sneaky cheat Alcide described him as. But as a Were, a supposedly tough ferocious creature? He looked anything but that. He was short, I could tell that even as he was sitting down. The hair that remained on his head was slicked back with a bit too much product, and he wore what I could only describe as a snake skin suit. It was horrendous, and I was starting to wonder if Weres didn't care at all how they dressed. Firs the girl in the barely even there leather, and now this guy.
Surprisingly, Vampires were the better dressers.
So were fangbangers.
It was the end of the world, it had to be.
I shook the thoughts from my head as we approached the table. Rolland stood, a smirk sliding across his face as his beady little eyes roamed over me in a much different fashion than Quinn had been doing only minutes ago. I felt uncomfortable, wrapping my arms around myself as I stood there feeling like he was undressing me with his eyes. And he probably was too. Gross.
"Rolland, this is Ellie. Ellie, this is Rolland." Alcide introduced, but there was annoyance in his voice, and I didn't blame him one bit. I was already annoyed with this Were and he hadn't even spoken yet.
"The real Phoenix, it's an absolute honour." His voice was squeaky, the complete opposite of Quinn's. How did this guy even make it as a Were? "Please, have a seat."
I glanced at Alcide and he shrugged his shoulders. "I'll be at the bar when you're done."
I was beginning to kick myself for making that deal with Alcide. I really didn't want to be left alone with this slime ball for longer than I had to. But I didn't have much choice. I needed to find Godric. Time was ticking down and the more days that passed, the less likely it was that I was going to find him. And that couldn't be an option. I needed to locate my best friend, and pronto. So I slid into the booth across from the leering Were, hoping to god this wouldn't be a waste of my time.
"Alcide mentioned you wanted to know about the bombing." he sat back in the booth, his hands resting behind his head.
"He told me you...survived it." Though surviving wasn't really the right term if technically he hadn't been inside at the time. But insulting my only lead wasn't exactly a bright idea.
"I did." His smirk turned into a toothy grin, and I was disgusted to find his teeth yellow and actually one missing in the front. "That dang bomb wasn't about to take me alive, darling."
I shuddered as he called me darling. He didn't sound pleasant at all. Maybe I should have listened to Alcide.
"So, what exactly happened?" I questioned.
He looked at me oddly, and I knew right away he wanted something for his story. I frowned, realizing that my attempt to sway him with the fact that I was a Phoenix wasn't going to work.
"I don't have much." My face fell, hoping I would still get something out of this character.
"Hm, well I could think of a thing or two." He was looking at my chest now.
I cleared my throat but his gaze remained on that one area. "I'm taken."
"That doesn't matter to me, darling." He reached a hand over the table and towed with the ends of my ponytail that had fallen over one shoulder. "You're a pretty little thing, aren't you?"
"Look, I'm trying to find my best friend who was in the New Orleans palace when it was bombed." I slapped his hand away, my eyes narrowing. "The bombings were related, and I want to know everything that you can tell me so I can find him. So please, anything that you know..."
"I'm sorry sweetheart, I don't do anything for free." He winked at me. "Maybe we could go in the back and talk more about this."
I was getting annoyed now. I had come all this way, and this slimy ass was trying to have sex with me? I wasn't going to have it at all. Godric has been missing for a month now, Eric was off in Sweden or wherever not giving a crap, and my frustration level was through the roof. If this guy didn't start talking, I swear I was going to break the hand that was slowly inching towards me.
"I don't operate like that." I snapped at him.
"Are you sure, because I wouldn't mind a piece of that..."
Before he could finish however, I growled and reached over the table to grab him by the collar. I didn't realize my own strength as I yanked him over the table so our faces were mere inches away. I was pissed off right now. I wanted information, and I wanted it now. I didn't care if I was starting to make a scene. If this slime ball made one more pass at me, I was going to flip.
"Look you asshole, I'm not asking for a lot here. You either tell me what the hell you know, or I'm going to fry your ass like it was the friggin Fourth of July, got it?" I growled into his face, my hand gripping his collar so tightly, it was starting to choke him.
"Okay okay." He held his hands up in defence and I slowly let him go. He slumped back in his seat and I crossed my arms as I waited for him to start. "But I..."
"Start talking." I ordered.
Rolland didn't look happy one bit, but he also looked scared. Maybe he wasn't a complete idiot after all. He must have known that if he fucked with me, there would be major consequences.
"Look, all I know is what I saw, okay?" he began fidgeting nervously, his eyes darting all over the place. "As I was walking out, I noticed a vamp coming in and he looked sketchy."
"Sketchy?" I raised an eyebrow. This guy was commenting on sketchy? "Sketchy how."
"He didn't look right." Rolland shrugged his shoulders. "He didn't look at anyone, didn't say a word. He just walked right in."
"And then what happened?"
"I was at my car when the place just exploded." He explained, shaking his head at the memory. "That shit wasn't a thing like in the movies."
"And that's it? That's all you know? Some sketchy vampire walked in and then the place went bomb?" I was realizing that coming here had been a mistake. This wasn't anything new. This wasn't anything useful at all.
"Hey, that's all I know."
"Useless." I muttered under my breath, but he must have caught it because as I was sliding out of the booth, he grabbed onto my arm tightly.
"Hey bitch, I told you everything I knew. I think you're forgetting something." His eyes darkened.
"I don't think so. You told me nothing helpful." I shoved his hand away and stood, throwing the Were a dirty look.
As I was turning to walk away, he reached over and slapped my ass. I twisted around, ready to just beat the living hell out of this asshole, but I was surprised when someone had beaten me to it. There Quinn was, holding Rolland up by the scruff of his neck, nearly twice the height of the slimy ass.
"I think you owe this lovely lady an apology, Rolland." Quinn tightened his grip on the back of Rolland's neck.
"The bitch was asking for it." Rolland tried fighting against Quinn's grip, but it seemed as a Were-Tiger, Quinn was quite strong.
"She was only asking you a few harmless questions, that hardly requires sexual harassment, don't you agree?" Quinn shook the short Were until he was practically shaking in his boots.
Rolland wasn't saying a word, but after another jolting shake, he finally began blurting out every possible apology in the book. I admit, I started to laugh only to stop myself and just nod at the annoying little man.
"See, that wasn't so hard now, was it?" Quinn was grinning now as he let Rolland fall to the ground with a thump. "You alright, babe?"
"I'm fine, thank you." I smiled at the shifter before an unwelcoming voice sounded from behind me.
"What the hell is this bitch doing in here?"
Of course, because when I thought my night could not possibly get any worse, Debbie Pelt just had to stroll into this very bar. Fantastic.
A/N: and Quinn has arrived! I've been promising this new character for ages and I'm finally delivering him! if you've read the books, then you know who Quinn is. I absolutely love this character and he will be used a great deal in this fic. I am changing some things about the guy, like the baggage he has in the books. there's enough baggage going around that Quinn doesn't need to have any lol. I hope I'm doing him justice. I see him as the perfect gentleman who just has that charm and spunk about him. oh, and if you also have read the books, Hair of the Dog is technically in Shreveport, but I decided to take creative license and move it to Jackson.