Chapter Thirty Four: Didn't Even See The Dust
"How do I let you talk me into these things?" Quinn groaned as we sat in his truck that was parked in an alley nearly a block away from Fangtasia early the next evening. The sun was just about to set, and from my calculation, Victor and Bill, or any of their men, wouldn't be in until an hour or so after sunset. So we had an hour to get my plan carried out. Hopefully a lot less, because I so did not want to get caught inside of Fangtasia by Victor and Bill.
"Because you're my bodyguard, you have to do these crazy schemes with me." I shot him a grim look. "I need you to be in this a hundred percent Quinn. I know this is a little crazy but..."
"I know I know, all of our lives are on the line. I don't want those assholes to try and own you any more then Northman does." Quinn sighed. "Alright, so tell me the plan again."
"I've told you a hundred times, Quinn."
"Humour me here." He sent me a long look.
I rolled my eyes but turned my gaze towards the window, eying what I expected to be Weres patrolling around Fangtasia, as if they were expecting trouble. "I'm going to take care of those two Weres, using my nifty little powers, and then we're going to sneak in, you're going to sniff out if there's anyone in the bar, and then we find Pam and get the hell out of there before Victor and Bill show up."
"Are you sure Pam is in there?"
"That's what Eric says, and I trust the power of blood bonds, even if I was an idiot and broke mine."
"See, told you." He nudged me in the side before gripping the steering wheel tightly. "I'm still not sure this is safe..."
"Of course it's not, but it's the only plan I have. And we have to do this soon, before Eric and Godric figure out that I'm not at Sookie's." I grasped onto the door handle. "See, it's a good thing I don't have the bonds or else they would be trying to stop me."
"Maybe someone should." He muttered to himself, earning a slap to the back of his head. He shot me a glare as he rubbed the spot I had slapped him before grunting and grumbling under his breath and getting out of the truck.
I followed suit and pulled my hair up into a pony tail, not wanting my long locks to get in my way tonight. I glanced around the corner of the alley, watching as the Weres stopped at the side of Fangtasia to chat with one another. I chose that moment to outstretch my hands, holding my concentration on the two supernatural creatures, before curling my hands into fists suddenly. Quinn and I watched as the Weres suddenly stopped, grabbing at the collar of their jackets as if they were choking them. And that's exactly what was happening. I held my fists closed for a few moments until I saw them become faint and fall to the ground unconscious from the lack of oxygen. I released my hands only seconds later, not wanting to kill them.
Or at least, dead bodies would arise questions anyways.
"What now?" Quinn whispered to me.
"One second." I waved my hand, and watched happily as the bodies were shuffled by and invisible force further into the alley beside Fangtasia and out of view. Unless someone walked into the alley, they wouldn't spot them at all. And that's what I wanted. I didn't need our plan to be ruined by someone walking by and alerting Victor and Bill that someone had slipped passed their guards. I just needed a few minutes to get in, get Pam, and get out. I gave myself an hour to do all of this; I just hoped to god it was long enough.
"Let's go." I nodded at Quinn, leading the way quickly across the street and to the entrance of Fangtasia. Quinn kept a look out as I slipped in the key I had stolen from Eric after he had fallen into a dead rest. I had promised to lie with him until he had fallen asleep before returning to Sookie's. It was more for my benefit, so I could sneak out with the key to Fangtasia then anything, but I had to admit that it felt nice to lie in his arms again. I never realized just how much I missed it all until I had Eric back in my life. "Got it. Quinn, you're up."
Quinn nodded before slipping into the bar as quietly as he could. Even in his human form he'd be able to smell out if there were any other Weres or shifter, or god even knows what else Victor had working for him. It couldn't possibly be this easy, right? Unless Victor and Bill just never thought anyone would had the gull to do this, to go against them. Well he certainly didn't realize just how hard headed and determined I was. I wanted him dead, I wanted him out of my life, both of them, and I would do whatever it took to make sure that happened. And to keep everyone in my life safe. Even if that meant acting like some spy from a movie and sneaking into Eric's bar to free his progeny. It was absolutely insane, and I was sure Eric and Godric were going to give me an earful. But if I was able to pull this off swiftly and smoothly, saving Pam without a single hitch, well then I would be forever thankful to whatever god was on my side.
I needed a little luck in my life.
I jumped as I heard a ruckus in the bar. My eyes grew wide as I quickly slipped into the bar, closing the door behind me as quietly as I could. I was surprised when I found a tiger sitting in the middle of the bar, licking at his razor sharp incisors as naked men laid perfectly still on the ground, blood protruding from the wounds on their bodies.
"Holy shit Quinn." I hissed, slowly drawing closer to the tiger and collected his clothes along the way. "Weres?"
The tiger nodded as he began walking in the direction of the door beside the bar. I looked at the bodies left in the middle of the bar and I tried to think of what to do with them all. We couldn't just leave three naked dead mean lying around. It would look suspicious the moment Victor and Bill arrived and immediately they would know one of us had infiltrated the bar. And while he would assume the same thing once he found Pam to be gone, the less evidence there was, the better.
I was jostled out of my thoughts however, from a low roar from beside me, Quinn's teeth latching onto the leg of my pant and began tugging me towards the door. I frowned as I shooed him off before following on my own, opening the door and letting him pass. I followed him as he sniffed along the hallway, and I was surprised when we met no one else. Quinn must have taken care of all the guards in the bar. I was surprised by how brutal he could be. Quinn seemed so sweet and caring when I was around him. But then again, when someone was threatening your life, you did things you never thought you would have to. I never thought I could ever kill another being, and I couldn't even remember the number of vampires or Weres, and even witches that I've killed for self defence.
"She's in the basement, isn't she?" I asked Quinn softly as he came to a stop at the basement door.
He sniffed the door before nodding and I walked over and yanked on the door. When it didn't budge I sighed and pulled out the set of keys I had taken and quickly found the basement keys and slid it into the lock. Before long, the basement door was open and Quinn had taken the lead once again into the basement. I wasn't sure if Pam was awake yet, I just hoped to god she was. It would make all of this quicker and easier if she was awake and aware of what was going on.
And not badly injured.
"Pam?" I whispered to the female vampire as I squinted my eyes to search for the vampire being held captive in the middle of the room in the same position Chow had been. I felt my stomach churn as I remembered what had happened the last time I had been down here, the basement still reeking, the blood still staining the floor and walls. Part of me wanted to turn around and run away, but I knew I had come here for a reason. I needed to free Pam quickly or else we would all be doomed.
I sighed in relief when slowly Pam's head began to rise, her eyes opening as she came out of her dead rest. Her eyes didn't need to adjust to the dim light emitting from the hall up the stairs, and instead bore right through me, a hint of surprise in her ice blur orbs.
"Well this is a pleasant surprise."
"Hello to you too." I walked over to her and jostled at the silver chains holding her captive. She hissed in pain, baring her fangs at me. "Sorry."
"Just get me the hell out of here. Victor is a real bitch."
"I'm not sure how to...oh I got it." I hadn't thought of how exactly I was going to help Pam escape whatever had been holding her captive, and I was just thankful for the idea that popped into my head. "Now don't move an inch Pam...This might get a little hot."
"If you burn my hair, I will never forgive you." She warned me with narrowed eyes. "And this dress cost me a fortune."
"I'll try my best." I assured her as I grasped my hand around the silver cuff around her wrist. I closed my eyes while Quinn sat a few feet away, watching me curiously. It didn't take long until I felt that familiar warmth in my chest, spreading up my arm and to my hand. There was a light red glow emitting from the palm of my hand when Pam suddenly hissed in pain. "Hold still, Pam."
She glared at me but I tried my best to ignore her. I had to concentrate or else I would accidentally set her on fire, and burning her to a crisp was not my intention. Instead, I just squeezed my eyes shut and felt the heat increase on the cuff to the point that it nearly burned me. My hand was starting to shake but I forced myself to ignore whatever pain I was feeling to free Pam. After a moment, the silver cuff melted enough that I was able to yank it right off of Pam's wrist. I opened my eyes in amazement as I watched Pam holding her wrist gingerly to herself, the bloody wound slowly beginning to heal.
"Well aren't you impressive? Mind getting me out of here now?"
"You're rather demanded to the person who is saving your life right now." I shook my head with a snicker as I followed the same process with the other silver cuff. It didn't take as long as it did the first time, and soon enough Pam was entirely free. She rubbed her wrists as she stood to her full height, yanking off her broken heels. It was amazing how she still towered over me as her fangs retracted.
"I suppose I owe you a thank you." She didn't sound happy at all at having to say those words.
"Let's just get out of here first." I suggested, glancing over at Quinn who was now nowhere to be seen. "Where the hell did he go?"
"It reeks of blood upstairs." Pam frowned, staring down at me suspiciously. "What did you do?"
"I didn't do anything, it was all Quinn." I defended before we began up the stairs. I noticed Pam was moving at a slower pace, and I wondered if there were any injuries that I couldn't see. "Pam, are you..."
"I'm just hungry." Pam answered, licking her lips as she looked me up and down. "I don't suppose you'd like to offer a treat?"
"Not a chance in hell." I shook my head.
"Was worth a try." That smirk of hers returned to her lips as we reached the back hallway of the bar and I returned the basement door to how I found it, slipping Eric's keys into my pockets. "Eric doesn't know you're here, does he?"
"Do you think I'd be here saving your ass if he did?" I raised an eyebrow at the vampire.
She snickered but continued to lead the way into the bar. We both came to a complete stop however, when we found Quinn and a vampire I wasn't exactly excited to see glaring holes through one another.
"Eric?" My eyes grew as wide as saucers.
If there was someone who could possibly be worse than Victor and Bill showing up, it was Eric. He looked furious. He looked beyond furious. He looked like he was going to rip Quinn's head off before doing the same to me. And if I hadn't shot across the room and put myself in between the shifter and vampire, I was almost certain that a fight would have ensued. And we couldn't let that happen. There were already bloodied bodies lying around. We didn't need to add our own.
"Stop, both of you." I looked between the two men. I was thankful when I realized Quinn had changed into his jeans, and not displaying his body for the world to see. I don't think that would have made the situation any better. "Let's just get out of here, please."
"I'm furious with you, Ellie." Eric growled, but stepped further away from Quinn before turning towards his progeny and flashing over to her. I knew Eric would be angry, I had been expecting it when I decided on going through with this plan. But I promised Eric that everything would be okay, and he would have tied me down if I had told him. The only way we could have gotten Pam out of here alive was to do so as discreetly as possibly. And when Eric Northman got pissed off, he didn't do a damn thing discreetly.
It was however, a touching sight to see Eric raise his hand to cup Pam's cheek, a single red tear appearing in the corner of his eye as he inspected every inch of her body with his gaze, ensuring that she was perfectly fine. Once he had assured himself, he laid a soft kiss on her forehead before taking a step back, the two nodding at one another, not a single word needing to be passed between them. It was sweet to see that Eric Northman did care about more than himself. He loved Pam. She was his child, and in a sense, almost like a daughter to him. He had created her over a century ago, and I'm sure despite a few years here and there, they had spent that entire time together with one another. Pam may drive him insane some days, and I had seen her do just that. But she was fiercely loyal and the two would always love one another, to the point that they would die for the other if necessary.
"We need to leave." Quinn voiced, though there was a slight growl to it as he slipped on his shirt and jacket.
"What about the bodies?" I asked, gazing at the bloodied bodies.
"We'll deal with them. Just leave. And you will go straight to my home here in Shreveport, am I understood?" Eric sent me the darkest glare. "Your shifter friend will leave the moment your inside of the house."
"Eric..."
"I'm very furious with you Ellie." He didn't give me a chance to argue before storming into the back hallway.
"He'll get over it." Pam rolled her eyes, waving us towards the door. "Leave."
"You're welcome." I shot behind us as Quinn guided me out the door.
"Yeah yeah, whatever you annoying little Phoenix." She muttered from inside the bar as Quinn held open the door.
It was completely dark out now as we stepped into the cool night. I pulled my sweater around myself tightly as we hurried across the street and to where Quinn had parked his truck. Neither of us spoke as we slipped into the truck and he started the engine. The only words spoken were directions as I directed him to Eric's. I was pleased that we had gotten Pam out alive, that she was safe and sound. But I was worried over what would happen when Victor and Bill found out. Because they would obviously figure out she was missing. And we were all the likely subjects. Would they come after us again, picking us off one by one until there was nothing left for us to do but to bow at their feet?
"So..." Quinn tried to break the silence as we drove into the residential area of Shreveport.
"I never knew you were a fighter." I shot him a look of surprise. "What you did back there..."
"I did tell you that everyone was damaged." He gripped onto the steering wheel tightly and I could tell by the haunted look on his face, he didn't want to talk about it. "Ellie, I..."
"I understand." I nodded in understanding. "We're all damaged, we all have a past."
We didn't talk the rest of the way to Eric's. Once he drove into the driveway, we just sat there, his truck still running. I hoped that this idiotic plan of mine hadn't ruined our friendship. I knew there was a lot about Quinn that I didn't know. He knew just about everything there was to know about me, but I hardly knew anything about him. Where did he work? Did he have a family? What was his past like? It was obvious tonight that a part of his past had been trust into the present, and I felt responsible for that.
But I mean, we had gotten drunk and slept together. If that couldn't ruin our friendship, this couldn't.
Right?
"I'm sorry for dragging you into doing this tonight." I blurted out. "It was stupid, and dangerous, and you never asked to be thrust into this war. So I'm sorry and I can understand if you just want to ride off into the sunset and never see one another again."
Quinn just laughed.
He laughed.
That was all he did.
He just burst out laughing. I stared at him in shock, trying to figure out why this man beside me was just laughing.
"Ah, Quinn? Have I driven you to insanity? Because I did warn you about that." I jostled his arm.
"Sorry." He snorted, trying to calm himself down. "Sorry, you're just a little bit insane yourself sometimes."
"I'm not disagreeing with you on that one. Are you okay? Are we okay?"
"Of course we are, babe." He assured me, flashing me a grin. "Tonight...it just brought back some of the past that I tried to forget for so long. But I would do it all again if I had to. Like I've told you a thousand times, I would do anything to keep you safe, Ellie."
I sighed in relief as I reached across the truck to embrace the man awkwardly. He returned the hug, kissing the top of my head as he rubbed my back.
"We're good, babe." He sent me a warm assuring smile. "You just worry too much."
"Well of course I do." I rolled my eyes before pulling away from the shifter. "I better go before Eric comes back and finds us touching. God forbid!"
"He just loves you. It's a good thing he's jealous." He winked at me. "It means he truly does care."
"Yeah I guess so." I nodded before opening the door and slipping out. "Thanks again, Quinn."
"I'll always be your backup babe. Let's just try and keep the dangerous ideas to a minimum, alright?"
"Sounds good to me." I chuckled, closing the door and waving at Quinn as he slowly drew the truck out of the driveway, honking before taking off down the street. Despite my worry, despite the fact that I knew Eric was going to give me an ear full, I couldn't help but smile, glad that Quinn and I were able to accomplish what we had set out to do.
"I would wipe that smile from your face, Elizabeth." Godric's cool voice came from the porch.
I groaned as I slowly drew my gaze up to meet his.
"You have a lot of explaining to do."
"I'm getting a headache." I muttered to myself, rubbing my temples as Eric and Godric ranted on and on before me. Neither of them were even listening to one another, or me for that matter, as they listed off everything stupid I had ever done. I tuned them out eventually. I mean, believe me, I knew I had made some idiotic choices in the past. But I had done so every single time to save someone that I cared deeply about. And perhaps Pam and I had never had a close bond; in fact, we pretty much hated one another. But she was Eric's progeny; she meant the world to him. If she was ever in danger, and there was a chance that I could help her, well then I would damn well do it. Because I knew how destroyed Eric would be if Pam ever died, and I never wanted him to go through that kind of loss. I knew what it was like to lose those that you loved, those that you shared blood relations with. And while he too had lost his family, it had been over a thousand years ago. Pam and Godric, they were his new family now, and I wasn't so sure he could take losing either one of them.
"We should tie her up."
"We can't do that Eric."
"Are you sure?"
"...Perhaps we can."
"See, that's what I'm saying. She can't get herself in trouble if she's tied up."
"That's very true."
I raised an eyebrow at the two. Well they were finally listening to one another. And talking to each other.
About tying me up that is.
Not good.
"Okay, before you practically lock me up for an eternity, can I just say something please?" I pulled myself to my feet, waving my hands in the air until both vampires ceased talking and glared at me.
"What?" Eric snapped, not pleased at all at being interrupted. "What could you possibly have to say?"
"I saved Pam's life." I reminded him. "Yes, it was stupid. And yes, it was beyond dangerous. I could have gotten myself killed, except I can't die. I could have gotten us all killed, and believe me, I realize the risk I was putting us all at. But I still saved her. I came up with a plan, and instead of whining about it and destroying furniture, I did something. I went in there, saved your progeny, and didn't get myself killed. We weren't caught. We're all fine. So please, can we just stop shouting at me, I'm getting a headache."
Eric narrowed his eyes and stepped towards me, only Godric stopped him and placed a hand on his chest.
"You were acting immature and idiotically." Godric shook his head at me. "Don't you understand the..."
"Save me the lecture Godric, I know it off by heart by now." I rolled my eyes. "I'm sorry, alright? I'm sorry for not telling either of you. I'm sorry for worrying you. But I'm not sorry for what I did, because it saved Pam's life without forcing Sookie and I to be theirs. I solved our problems, and I seem to be the only proactive one of the bunch."
"Don't you think we want to rid Louisiana of Bill and Victor?" Eric hissed.
"Of course I know you want that. But it's been days and nothing has been done."
"It doesn't work that simply, Elizabeth." Godric sighed.
"It can. It can work that simply if we just sat down and figured out how to do this." I pointed out. "I get the whole, slow and steady approach. But you didn't have to stand in that basement and watch Chow die. I did, Godric, and it was horrible. I have nightmares over it every single night. So don't preach to me about taking a slow approach, because I can't, I just can't. I want my life back. I want to be happy. I want to have amazing mind blowing sex with Eric, but I can't when I'm scared to death that we may not all get through this alive!"
I was breathing heavily as I finished my rant, both vampires staring at me with raised eyebrows. Eric of course, held a wide smirk on his face when I declared that I wanted to have sex with him. And it certainly wasn't a lie. Of course I wanted to have wild passionate sex with him. He was amazing in bed, and when I was around him, it was all I could think about sometimes. But I just couldn't focus on having sex, on really figuring out my feelings at all for Eric until this damn war was over and done with.
"For future reference, if you believe it to be stupid, don't act it out." Godric gave me one of those pointed looks, looking so much like an overprotective father scolding his daughter for doing something stupid like partying or getting drunk.
Well then again, he had already done that.
"I promise. Well, sort of. I can't completely promise I won't do anything stupid in the future. You both know how I am." I shrugged. "But I'll try and keep it to a minimum."
"That's all we can ask for." Godric shook his head with an eye roll. "You are a handful sometimes, Elizabeth."
"Sometimes?" Eric raised an eyebrow. "She's a handful all the time."
And there they went, discussing how much of an idiot I was.
Again.
"Try and not get yourself into any trouble, Ellie." Eric as we stepped up onto the porch of Sookie's house the next night. Eric and Godric had insisted on keeping their eye on me the entire night, ensuring that I didn't go out of my way to do something stupid. And then they refused to let me leave during the day, Eric demanding to drive me back to Bon Temps as I didn't have my car there. I pointed out that Quinn could have stopped by to pick me up, but Eric didn't seem keen with the idea.
And he didn't seem very happy that I wouldn't spend the night in his resting place either.
We had quite a long argument over that one, and I was surprised that he didn't just force me down there, always needing to get his way. But at some point, and a few pointed glares from Godric, Eric and I came to the agreement that I would sleep in my own room, my own bed, as long as I waited until the sun set to leave. The day was long and boring, and I ended up lying in bed trying to figure out the cluster of thoughts in my head. I just couldn't decide what to do about Eric. I loved him; there was no question about that. But did I love him enough to forgive him for all that he's done? Any sane person would have said no. Any sane person would have run in the other direction the moment Eric returned.
Then again, a sane person wouldn't have gotten involved with him in the first place.
Obviously I wasn't all that sane.
I did love him though, and while he had still quite the ways to go to prove to me that he's here for good, that this time our relationship is for real, I still found myself leaning towards forgiving him. I knew I couldn't make a decision until Victor and Bill were taken care of. I didn't want to cloud my judgement on either issue and I wanted to know that we'd both be alive when I gave myself to him for a second time, or was it the third or fourth? I had lost count of our failed relationships.
So what would be different about this time?
I had gotten nowhere by the time Eric woke up and drove me over to Bon Temps, the ride completely silent. And now that we were here, about to part, I actually found that I didn't want him to leave. But he had been summoned by Victor tonight and he couldn't exactly fall through on his word. We both knew it had to do with Pam's sudden escape, and I was worried over Eric's safety.
"I'll try only if you promise not to get yourself killed." I turned towards him as I chewed on my bottom lip nervously.
"If you hadn't of acted so stupidly in the first place..." Eric smirked down at me as he raised his hand and brushed the hair out of my eyes.
"Hey, I saved your progeny, remembered." I reminded him.
"I would have found a way."
"Well now you don't have to. All done."
He shook his head, drawing himself closer until my nose just about hit his chest. I had to crane my neck back to stare up into those gorgeous blue eyes of his.
"Please try and be careful, Eric. I could go with you..."
"No." He answered quickly. "I will not have you near him, not anytime soon."
"I can take care of myself you know. I was doing fine without you." I pointed out.
"Perhaps, but it would give me peace of mind while I'm there to know that you're safe." He sighed, the mask falling from his face as the worry showed through. "So please, do me a favour and keep yourself safe so I'm not worrying about you. I don't like knowing that you could be somewhere hurt. It pains me. And you know how much I despise feeling."
I couldn't help but chuckle softly as I nodded at him. "I'll do nothing but just sit on the couch, I promise."
"Good." He dipped down until his lips were just ghosting over mine. "Goodbye, my love."
I closed my eyes, expecting the kiss I knew was coming. Except it never came. That cheeky bastard's snickers vibrated against my lips before he drew himself away, teasing me as he slowly stepped down off of the porch and began across the yard.
"Ah, you do know your car is that way right?" I raised an eyebrow at the vampire as he started towards the woods.
"Oh I know." He stopped to glance over at me from over his shoulder. "I'll return after my meeting with Victor, to assure you that I'm fine. Perhaps we can have sex to celebrate neither of us getting ourselves killed."
I laughed. "Keep dreaming Eric."
"You do realize that your silly sex bans have never worked, right?" he shot me a smirk.
"This isn't a sex ban." I rolled my eyes. "This is me waiting until we kill those cocky bastards so I can figure out if I even forgive you."
"Details, details." His smirk widened before suddenly he had vanished from the yard.
I snorted as I shook my head and turned around, intending on entering the house. I jumped in surprise however, when I found Quinn leaning against the doorway, a wide smirk on his lips as he stared at me.
"So you beat me here, huh?" I stuck my tongue out at the man. "And don't say a word."
"You are so going to end up forgiving him." he shook his head with a chuckle.
"Shut up, you don't know that." I slapped his arm.
"It's written all over your face babe, it's almost sickening."
"Oh leave me alone. I can't help it. It's horrible that I still love him, but I do." I frowned. "I shouldn't. I mean, he's hurt me so much, Quinn. He doesn't deserve a second chance."
"You can't help who you love." His smirk twisted into a warm smile. "It wouldn't be easy if you didn't love him, if he didn't love you."
"Yeah I guess." I sighed heavily. "I just..."
I never got to finish my sentence however, as a howl sounded from the woods, the trees rustling just on the edge of Sookie's property. Quinn and I shared a glance before moving off of the porch to get a better look. I couldn't see a single thing, but Quinn had heightened senses and right away could smell the many Weres that had surrounded Sookie's property inside the woods.
"Ellie get inside." Quinn ordered.
"But..."
"Ellie, I said get inside." He shot me a look that told me not to argue as he started to strip his shirt off.
"Okay, naked Quinn." I quickly covered my eyes as Quinn undressed himself.
I mean, I had seen the man naked, I had slept with him, albeit I was drunk; I really didn't think I had to look away as he undressed to shift.
A growl sounded at my feet and I knew it was safe to look. I stared down at the tiger that was circling me, as if trying to tell me to get inside already. But I just stood there, my arms crossed as the tiger stopped and held my gaze.
"I'm not going inside, Quinn." I shook my head.
He roared lowly before sniffing the ground and picking up a scent. He back trotting across the yard and I slowly followed after him. Halfway into the backyard and Quinn halted, glaring at me in his tiger form.
"Which one of us here can't die?" I reminded him. "Oh right, that's me. If you go in there alone, you're as good as dead, Quinn. Just let me go with you. If a big bad comes jumping out at us, I'll run in the other direction, okay?"
He just glared at me, baring his teeth. When I didn't move a muscle, he sighed in defeat before trotting back over to me, bumping into my legs before we both started towards the tree line. My heart was beating rapidly and I did what I could to calm myself down. A racing heart would only alert vampires and Weres to where I was, and that was the last thing I wanted. I couldn't see a damn thing as we first entered the dark trees. The moon was nearly full in the night sky, and only dimly lit the forest ground when there was a break in between the bunches of branches. I was glad that Quinn didn't leave my side, my hands lightly trailing through his fur as I used him to guide the way. I knew this was an act of stupidity, one that Eric asked me not to do. But if I had let Quinn walk into these woods alone, the Weres that were hiding would have killed him. He may have been an excellent fighter, but even the strongest can be overpowered. At least if I was with him, should anything happen, I could help him, either with my powers, or if worse comes to worse, I could heal him. I hoped it didn't come to that, but it was better to be prepared, right?
I jumped for a second time that night as a ringing filled my ears. I cursed as I yanked the phone out of my pocket to cease the noise.
"Hello?" I whispered as I continued to follow Quinn through the woods. I knew by how far we had been walking that we would come across the cemetery soon, and I would have a better chance of seeing my surroundings.
"Tell me your inside."
"Eric? What's wrong, you sound worried?" I frowned as I tried to keep my voice down as best as I can.
"Why does it sound like your whispering? Where the hell are you?"
"I'm ah...I'm inside obviously." I lied right through my teeth.
"Damnit Ellie, you better be."
"Eric what's wrong?" I asked him for a second time.
"It was a trap. Victor set me up."
"What?" the blood drained from my face as I came to a sudden stop. The cemetery was just in the distance and I could see the moon lighting up my surroundings. I searched for a Were or vampire in sight, but only found Quinn at my side.
"It was a trap. Fangtasia was closed. He had his men waiting for me."
"Oh my god, are you okay?"
"Victor doesn't seem to remember that I'm a thousand years old. His pathetic men are no match for me. But I'm more worried about you, Ellie. The trap was set for you."
"W-what?"
"Lock the doors, Ellie. Lock the fucking doors and find somewhere safe to hide. I'm on my way. Whatever you do, do not leave the house."
My phone, as if the universe hated me, died. I looked down in shock as the battery flashed before it died all together. I cursed under my breath as I slipped it back into my pocket and looked down at Quinn in horror.
"Quinn, I think we need to go back. I think we need to go back now."
"What's the rush, Miss Cole? You'll miss the party."
My heart nearly stopped as Victor appeared in the cemetery only a few feet away, his strides short as he began towards us. I saw the vampires in the distance, just standing there waiting to be given an order. Weres began approaching us from either side, and the only way out seemed to be to run in the other direction. But Quinn and I both knew that running wouldn't get us anywhere. Quinn may be able to narrowly escape, but I had never been a skilled runner. And even if I had been, vampire speed would always be faster than the fastest human.
"What do you want, Victor?" I slowly began to back up, my hand clutching a patch of Quinn's fur. He didn't seem to mind as he moved alongside of me.
"Ah, the tiger, I was hoping you'd be together, my two intruders."
I froze at his words. He knew. He knew that it hadn't of been Eric who had broken into Fangtasia. He knew Pam hadn't found a way to escape herself. No, he knew that it had been us.
"I was quite impressed, I must say. Especially by you, Tiger. You killed three of my Weres. Impressive. Perhaps I won't kill you after all. You may be useful in the future." Victor had that wide smile on his face as he stared down at Quinn's tiger form.
Quinn didn't seem to have the same self control that I did, and suddenly he just leapt at Victor. Except he never reached the vampire as a Were came out of nowhere and knocked him right to the ground. Two other Weres were on him the moment he met the ground and they began attacking his ferociously.
"Now now boys, he's not dinner, just a light snack." Victor scolded the Weres.
"Quinn!" I stepped forward, raising my hands to help him.
"Now, Mr. Compton, if you don't mind."
I was confused by what he was saying, and I went to turn around to face the vampire that I could now feel behind me. except I never made it all the way around before I felt something sharp pierce my neck, sliding into my pulsing vein. It wasn't a fang however, and it wasn't some sort of weapon. But instead, as it was slowly drawn out of me moments later, I realized that it was some sort of needle. I twisted around completely and with my outstretched hands I sent Bill flying straight into the trunk of a tree a few feet away. I was about to summon my powers to finally set him on fire once and for all when suddenly I began to feel weird. It was like suddenly someone had just wiped the strength right out of me. My vision became a blur and no matter how many times I tried to blink and focus my eyes, the black dots just wouldn't fade away. my legs were growing numb and could no longer hold me up any longer, and before I knew it, I was collapsing right on the ground. I tried to crawl away as I watched through my blurry vision as Victor slowly drew towards me until he was so close, all I could see were his shoes.
"Don't try to fight it, Phoenix." He knelt down, his wide grin coming into view. "When you wake up, we're going to have so much fun you and I."
I tried to struggle, I tried to fight back, but whatever Bill had injected into me, it was slowly beginning to shut down my organs, at least for a brief moment until finally, my consciousness slipped away from me completely.