A/N: This is a continuation of the last scene from the previous chapter. Short and sweet from Nikki's point of view. Nikki isn't quite ready to just let bygones be bygones. But, it's hard to stay resolute when you have a major walking temptation in your room.

Chapter 12

The Walls of Jericho

Gods, could he kiss! Nikki felt herself melting. A few more seconds and she would be a puddle on the floor. Or, flat on her back with her legs spread wide on that huge four-poster bed. Fuck! Why can't he be a crappy kisser? You know, one of those that require a drool bib.

Nikki flung off Eric's arms and stepped several feet away from him. That vampire was like a black hole. He sucked her in every time. Nikki squared her shoulders. Not this time, buddy. She was aware of his tricks. No come hither look or bad boy smirk was going to work this time. Not even one of those soft, deep kisses where his tongue delved into her mouth and danced with hers. Nope. Not going to happen. She had to wipe off the traces of that kiss on her lips and out of her mind. That spectacular kiss that she knew was only the warm up for more exciting things to come. Stop thinking about having sex with him. You have other things to worry about. Such as your fucking fairy light. That light changes everything. How the hell did my light get inside of him in the first place? Was it all of my blood that he had drunk? Or, did those light bolts go astray? Oh, shit, was Mab going to be mad. A vampire with fairy light? That was just wrong on so many levels. That's all I need right now is for the fairies to come after me for this…this travesty. Well, they could just take a number and get in line. Fuuuuck!

Eric took a step towards her and Nikki backed up a step and held out her hand. "Stop, right there. You are intentionally making it hard for me to think straight," she said.

Eric stopped and remained where he was. He was motionless, except for that smug smirk that played across his lips. "It's the only way, Nikki."

"I have other tricks up my sleeve," replied Nikki.

"I hate to burst your bubble, but you are hardly Russell's type."

Nikki resisted the urge to flip him off. It was a childish impulse, but somehow, she felt that it might make her feel better. "There are other vampires here."

Eric frowned and said, "But, none are stupid enough to risk Russell's wrath and help you."

Nikki conjured up an illusion and before Eric's eyes she changed. In her place was a girl with hair as dark and glossy as a raven's wing. Piercing green eyes the color of jade stared back at him. Her clothes altered into a long, flowing gown of golden silk. Shit, thought Eric. He had forgotten about that little talent of hers. He needed to think of something quick.

"Impressive," he replied. "But, how long can you hold this appearance? And, you still have to get past the werewolves who use their sense of smell as much as their vision. "

Eric sniffed the air and smiled. "You still smell the same. So, unless you can sprout fairy wings and fly away, you are trapped here."

Eric watched as the expression on the dark haired girl faltered. Before his eyes, the illusion melted away like the morning mist of fjords of his homeland. He should have been happy about dashing her hopes and making her acknowledge the reality of her precarious position. But, strangely, he wasn't.

"You're a real downer, sometimes," Nikki muttered.

Nikki felt the beginnings of tears that threatened to fall. Don't cry and show him your weaknesses. Nikki whirled around and stared at the wall. It was then she noticed that the walls were covered in medieval weaponry. Maces and axes. Long, scary swords and shields. Who the fuck decorates their guest bedrooms like this? Vampires, that's who, she answered herself. As she fought to regain her composure, she felt Eric's hands on her shoulders. She wanted to shrug them off. But, his hands were soft and gentle, and, oh, so familiar. Her skin felt warm and tingly under that knowing touch. Any moment that warm, tingly feeling is going to flow to those girly parts. And, lust will make you a silly idiot without a brain. No wonder, lust was considered to be one of the seven deadly sins, Nikki thought.

"I'm not ready to concede defeat," Nikki said, in hushed tones. "There has to be a compromise that will get us both out of here."

Eric's hands moved to caress her upper arms and she could feel the closeness of his body. All she would have to do is lean backwards and she would fall against his chest. That perfectly formed chest with his perfect pectoral muscles. His shirt had dipped low enough to tempt her with the sight of that male heavage. She was just the right height to turn around and lick at one of his nipples. He always made a little noise at the back of this throat when she did that. She could almost feel his nipple between her teeth. Stop it, dammit! It's those hands of his. They are cutting off my brain signals and turning me into mush. Nikki stepped away from him and those brain-dousing hands.

"I'm not drinking your blood," she said. She crossed her arms in front of her and tried to look firm, even though her girly parts were sending signals of their impending mutiny. Traitors! "And no nookie, either," she added.

Her loins were on the verge of rioting. Nikki steeled her shoulders. I'm in charge here. My brain makes the decisions, not my pussy. I will not feed you that delicious Viking vampire no matter how much you beg for it.

"You have to drink my blood," countered Eric. "Russell won't consider you as mine without that bond."

"Yeah, that's just what you want," replied Nikki. "Don't think that I have forgotten my imprisonment. Nor, have I forgotten about all those effects from drinking your blood. The dreams and the lust. And, let's not forget that your blood is like your own personal LoJack tracking system that will lead you straight to yours truly."

A finger of worry inserted itself into her brain. He had managed to find her. If she didn't have his blood, how had he accomplished that feat? Then, the realization of how he had done that swept over her. It didn't reassure her any more and it probably made her even more nervous.

Nikki bit her lower lip. "Besides, there is already a connection between us. My light will fool Russell into believing that we are blood bound."

A slight frown appeared on Eric's lips. Hah! He just expected me to crumble to his will. Poor baby, thought Nikki. Is he going to pout now? Then, she reminded herself not to get to smug. There was still the problem of her light. She was still in deep doo-doo. Fuck, don't let him find out what that means.

"I need to stay in this room with you," said Eric.

"Alright, but you keep those vampire hands to yourself, along with your other vampire parts," said Nikki, trying not to think of those other vampire parts.

"And, I have to feed on you," said Eric.

Nikki unconsciously pulled the hem of the pajama top down. Major snag to my plans, she thought. His fangs made her weak in the knees. And that wasn't the only parts of her anatomy that those fangs affected. Was it her imagination or was there a slight smirk on his face? Damn him!

"Fine," muttered Nikki, trying not to look at him.

"We have an agreement then," he said. "I'll get ready for bed."

With that her vampire nemesis sauntered into the bathroom and Nikki did her best to keep from peeking at his ass. He knows when you do that, she told herself. Vampires have eyes in the backs of their heads. Nikki heard the shower come on and turned her attention to the bed. It was huge, but was it large enough for the three of them? That's right, three. Eric, me and my mutinous libido. Nikki busily got to work on shoring up her flailing defenses. She, then, found a book and crawled into her side of the bed. Eric appeared from the bathroom with his hair still damp and wearing a robe. His feet and bare calves were on display. Nikki nibbled on her lower lip. Was he naked under there? It was just like him to fight dirty.

Eric turned his attention to mound of pillows that divided the bed in half. He raised an eyebrow. "Are these pillows the Walls of Jericho?"

"Is that your attempt at humor?" retorted Nikki.

Eric gave a smile. "I can sense your anger. Are you sure that sexual frustration doesn't have anything to do with that?"

"You aren't my shrink."

"No, I'm your lover," he said. "Even though, you want to deny it."

Under Nikki's gaze, he slowly untied the sash of the robe and began to slip his shoulder free of the confines. His movements slow and sexy. Nikki felt trapped in his smoldering gaze. Crap, did my panties just incinerate? Fucking tease. Nikki tore her eyes away from his and stared at her book. She did her best to keep her hands steady. Sheer willpower kept her from peeking to see if he truly was naked as a jaybird underneath that robe. Of course, she had seen him naked. Pale skin that looked flawless in the bedroom lights. Lean muscles that felt soft and firm at the same time under her exploring fingertips. Long legs that didn't stop. She was a sucker for the tall ones. And, a cute little butt that begged for her touch or maybe a spanking. What? You're doing it again, dummy. Stop daydreaming. Was she drooling? Nikki reached up a hand as if to tuck her hair behind her ear and checked for drool on her lips. She felt the bed move as Eric moved onto it and slipped under the covers.

She almost breathed a sigh of relief, until Eric said, "I'm hungry."

Her trembling fingers grasped the book. "Wh-What?"

"Blood, pet," he said, far too smoothly. "I need blood and you need to be marked."

Marked? Designated as his property, thought Nikki, grimly. There was no other way. Eric was right about that. So, Nikki haltingly moved her wrist over the mound of pillows between them. Eric took it in his large hand and his fingers trailed over her skin. When he lowered his head to the inside of her wrist and kissed it, Nikki realized that her heartbeat was pounding. He could hear it and realize his effect on her. Maybe, he would think that it was just nerves. She lay there expecting to feel his fangs at any moment, but Eric didn't bite her.

"I'm afraid, pet, that this won't do," he said.

"I don't understand."

"Let me explain it to, Sweetness," said Eric. "The wrist isn't exactly an intimate spot that lovers would use. Now, that delicious vein in your groin happens to be my favorite, but Russell wouldn't see my fang marks there. Unless, you take up the habit of traipsing around the mansion in your birthday suit. So, that leaves your neck."

"It's like a brand, isn't it?"

"It's necessary," replied Eric.

The Walls of Jericho began to tumble as Eric pushed the pillows aside to reach her. The bed dipped again as he moved next to her. His fingers reached out and turned her chin so that she faced him. In the dim light from the bedside lamp, his eyes were a midnight blue shade. She didn't know what lay behind those eyes. Would she ever know? Was it her imagination or could she see a faint twinkling of her light in those depths? Like the flickering of the stars in a black velvet sky. He slowly leaned down and Nikki was sure that he was going to kiss her. She couldn't turn away. Something inside her longed to feel his touch and she moistened her lips in anticipation. Did she just sigh? Just before his lips touched her, his hand began to turn her head to the side and expose her neck for him. What the hell? She heard a snick and then his fangs plunged into her neck. She felt a moment of pain and then pure liquid sex. This might feel like sex without the foreplay, but it still felt pretty damn good. His lips made a seal over the bite and, with a soft growl, he began to suck vigorously on her neck. The low vibrations of his growl easily transferred to her body and they made a swift trip downward. Her girly parts stood up and took notice. Not you again, thought Nikki. With Eric's fangs on her neck, her willpower didn't have a fighting chance against those wanton girly parts. Eric's hand snaked across her waist and her body screamed for it to move lower. She clenched the pillow to keep her hands occupied. But, Eric twisted his head against her neck and she felt his tongue slide over her neck before he resumed sucking on her. Her hips no longer recognized her control and they tilted upwards. Seeking. Wanting. Needing. Eric sucked even harder.

"Oh, yes!" Nikki sighed. Yes, yes, yes! More, please! Nikki shivered and not from the cold. She wanted. Oh, how she wanted. But, Eric's hand firmly grasped her waist and held her in place. And then, it was over. She felt his tongue licking her neck as he removed the traces of her blood. He was always tidy that way. Nikki shuddered and tried to rein in her responses and hide her embarrassment over what had just happened.

"That should do it," said Eric.

She felt the bed move as Eric moved back to his side of the bed. But, he quickly returned and began putting something around her neck. She looked down and saw it was the necklace that he had given to her. His hand trailed over the jewel before withdrawing.

"You left this when you ran away," he said.

Just when her foolish hopes began to rise at such a gesture, he said, "Russell will understand the significance of this necklace. Goodnight Nikki."

He began to rebuild the Walls of Jericho and Nikki lay silent. Then, without preamble, he flipped off the bedside lamp and darkness surrounded her. Her body and mind were a mire of frustrated thoughts and desires. Who would have thought that he would play hard to get? She had been practically begging for it. She closed her eyes and willed herself to sleep. For a brief moment as he placed the necklace on her neck, she thought that she had seen something in his eyes. Or, maybe she felt it. Were the lights playing tricks on her? Nikki rolled over and fell asleep holding the necklace in her fingers.