Eric's eyes opened and he quickly removed himself from the makeshift coffin before exiting the room. He could feel Tara nearby. Despite the fact that he knew exactly where she was he decided to let his senses guide him.
He knew she was asleep, he could feel the steadiness of her heartbeat and her emotions were very tranquil. Everyday his connection grew weaker, though, he would have to get her to drink more of his blood soon. He didn't use his vampire speed he walked the length of the house to get to her room and slowly opened the door. He walked to the bed and saw that she was engulfed in covers. She lay on her stomach with her head turned to the side and she looked peaceful.
He was content to watch her for a moment before he sat on the edge of the bed. He felt a strange sense of territorial pride and entitlement watching her sleep in his home. Her face looked so innocent and carefree. He may have inadvertently forced her to come here but he didn't want her to be sad. He'd never cared about humans and their overwrought emotions before but he was invested in hers. Now that she was here he couldn't imagine her leaving anytime soon.
" Min vackra mysterium," he whispered as he reached out a hand to touch her.
"Sir?"
He turned his head towards the door with his hand still stretched out. Novella's expression was blank but appraising.
"Yes?"
He'd given up on telling Novella to address him simply as Eric years ago.
"You have a visitor downstairs they say it's urgent."
"Tell them I'll be down shortly."
She said nothing more and walked briskly out of the room. He pulled his hand back and reluctantly stood. He watched her for a few more moments before stepping away. He hoped whoever interrupted him had a good reason. He sped out of the room and downstairs.
Novella seemed to be trying to calm down a hysterical vamp who's face was covered in blood from the constant stream of tears pouring out of their eyes. The vamp was a dark haired woman with green eyes and skin so pale it looked translucent.
"What's the problem?"
The woman looked at him her face distorted by some alien anguish that he had never experienced.
"Sheriff, you have to help me!"
He held up his hand, "You have to calm down first," he motioned to Novella, "Go get her something for her face."
Novella left the room and he watched the woman closely remembering her as one half of the Raquel and Marco show. They were a Portuguese couple that had come over some years ago and were known for their ridiculous ongoing love saga as much as for their dramatics. He'd found them both annoying on a good day he could only imagine what the problem was now.
"I don't need anything for my face I need you to come with me."
"What's happened?"
More bloody tears fell down her face, "It's Marco! It's Marco! You have to see him!" her accent became thicker the more distressed she became.
"What's wrong with Marco?" he spoke calmly.
Her face became completely still and emotionless as she said, "He's dead."
"Did he meet the sun?"
She shook her head, "I don't know what happened. I woke up and he was dead beside me."
His eyes darkened, "Was he staked?"
She shook her head again her distress seemingly going into a paralyzing shock.
"No. I don't know...I don't know what happened."
Novella came back into the room with some damp cloths and held them out to Raquel who ignored it. Novella took it upon herself to softly wipe her face and clear most of it of the dried blood but it was pointless as more tears fell.
"That's enough. Novella, go get Pam."
Pam was not his official deputy but seeing as he didn't want or need one she was a good stand in for situations like this. Raquel continued to cry and stand stiffly until Pam came into the room buttoning up a silk blouse.
"What's all the fuss about?"
"Lead the way, Raquel."
She nodded in a robotic fashion and left out the door with he and Pam behind. She took off into the air and he followed her every move. They were only flying for a few moments before they stopped at a quaint looking cottage surrounded by wild flowers and overgrown shrubs. Raquel didn't speed inside but took slow careful steps. He stopped her with his hand.
"Where is your sleeping quarters?"
"In the attic. You'll see it down the hall."
"I'll need you to explain what happened. We might have to go to the magistrate with this."
She nodded but made no move to follow him. He went into the house and noticed how human it was. There were portraits and photographs everywhere of them together, smiling. It was sickening. He went down the aforementioned hallway and saw the attic door was already open. He climbed up the steps and the stench of death that he smelled the moment he got there became overwhelming and he could smell something else in the air. The mixture of the two scents were almost toxic.
Laying on the floor next to two coffins was a body that looked like it had been decomposing for a while.
"Jesus, what the hell is that?" Pam walked up behind him.
He walked over to Marco's body and knelt down resisting the urge to cover his nose. Marco's mouth was an O of silent terror. He didn't see any stake or silver. He couldn't see what could possibly be the cause of death, vampires were not easy to kill.
"He looks like he was sucked dry," Pam said in disgust.
"You think?" he asked sincerely, "That would explain him being weakened, but dead?"
"He looks like someone was drinking from him and wouldn't stop."
"Who would be drinking from him that he couldn't fight off?"
Pam said nothing more and held her nose. He tried to come up with some sort of scenario where any of this made sense and came up short every time.
"This is going to set off all types of alarms. If any humans are behind this -"
"It's gonna be a shit storm."
"For their sakes, it better not."
Pam took a huge gasp, "Are we through playing detective, this room is killing me. God, what is that smell? I've never smelled anything like that."
"It's not just Marco, there's another scent mingled in."
"I'm leaving."
He heard her heels click on the plank wood as she descended the steps. He reached out and moved Marco's head back and forth still studying his dried skin. He paused and leaned in closer when he saw something strange. He studied it for a few moments more then he decided to go back down.
Pam was nowhere to be seen so he assumed she was outside. Raquel sat on the couch with her back to him, unmoving. He walked around so that he could face her. Her face still had dried blood on it but she was no longer crying.
"You said you woke up and he was like that?"
She nodded.
"Did you hear or see anything?"
She shook her head then opened her mouth before closing it.
"Were you about to say something?"
"I...I felt something when I was asleep. We're from different makers but we always felt a connection. I didn't think anything of it. I should have gotten up!" her eyes began to rim with blood.
"Did you bite him?"
She looked up at him confused, "Bite him? Why would I bite him?"
He'd heard of vamps that had gone insane who would feed on one of their own to kill them, although it was so rare he'd never actually seen it in person.
"I saw bite marks on his neck, they looked like they were from a vamp. You're the only one here."
Suddenly she was in his face her fangs out.
"Are you implying that I did this? You think I would hurt Marco? My Marco?"
He didn't move an inch or change his expression, "How else do you explain the bite marks?"
"Isn't that your job to figure out?" she grabbed her hair in frustration, "Somebody killed him. Some human or Were or something! He was eight hundred years old!"
Her theatrics were growing thin with him and he just wanted to get to the bottom of this so that he could go back home. He couldn't really identify with her pain he'd never had a companion, certainly not one for as long as they were. The closest companions were Godric and Pam, and he didn't ever think about losing either one of them.
He thought about Tara at home sleeping peacefully and safe. He didn't like the thought of her being in trouble either which is one of the reasons he'd made her come live with him. Anyone else who was stupid enough to harm her in any way would be dealt with, accordingly.
"Who else was here? There's another scent here. What is it?"
"I don't know. I can smell it too. We're the only ones here. I don't know what it is. Marco was sleep. He was sleep and I was sleep..."
He could tell she was babbling at this point and wouldn't get anymore useful information out of her. Still, it was his duty to report this and he knew she would be the number one suspect and most likely killed if found guilty.
"I'm going to call someone in to investigate don't move anything or his body. They need all the evidence they can get. If you're lying to me...you will die."
She sat back down on the couch and didn't reply. He didn't bother saying good-bye as he stepped outside. Pam was on her phone arguing with someone but she quickly ended the call when she saw him.
"Well?"
"Who were you talking to?"
She rolled her eyes, obviously still agitated by whoever she was talking to, "Some idiot is claiming I ordered five boxes of glasses instead of three for Fangtasia," she studied his pensive expression, "What did you learn about Marco Polo in there?"
"Nothing from Raquel. She claims she doesn't know anything."
"And you believe her?"
"After you left I saw bite marks on his neck."
She clapped her hands, "Good, we've solved the mystery. She did it. Let's go."
"How does that explain the smell?"
"Maybe she passed gas. Who knows?"
He watched her in amusement, "Your dedication to any job is overwhelming."
"I'm all about getting the job done, not doing it well."
"We've known them for years, do you really think she would do that?"
She paused to think for a moment, "They were sickening with each other and attached at the hip. Hell if I know. I just don't wanna deal with the magistrate over this."
"We would have to deal with them anyway. A vampire dead in my territory is not good even if it is at the hands of another vamp."
"Please don't tell me you're gonna have me report it in," she pleaded.
"No, I was going to go myself," she sighed in relief, "But now that you mention, I think you're better for the job."
She sneered at him as he prepared to fly off, "Before we go, I wanna know when you were gonna tell me about breaking your rule."
"What rule?"
She smirked, "Human. In. House."
"It's Tara."
"I know. I figured that out when I couldn't smell her blood. You wanna explain?"
"I never have to explain myself."
He took off before she could say another word and landed back at home shortly after. Pam landed beside him in a huff.
"So I'm out of the loop now?"
"You're on a need to know basis and you didn't need to know."
He headed for the door not in the mood for one of her tantrums. She walked beside him quietly and he could sense her mood change from irritated to solemn.
"What's going on Eric? Why does this human interest you so much?"
He pushed open the door, "She's paying off her debt."
"By staying here? She couldn't pay off her debt in her own house?"
"Are you jealous?"
"I don't get jealous."
"Really?" he teased, "You're looking very green."
"I just don't see the point in her staying here if neither one of us will be feeding from her. It's a waste of food."
"Let me worry about Tara and you worry about contacting the magistrate."
He could feel Tara was awoke. She was feeling at peace at the moment which was setting him at ease.
"You want me to do it now?"
"I would prefer it, yes."
She sucked in a breath and walked off. He sped to his room and quickly took a shower not liking the stench of death that still lingered on his clothes and skin. When he was done he let the feel of Tara lead him to where she was. He was surprised when he ended up in front of the library. He eased open the door and stepped inside but didn't see her immediately.
He led their connection guide him again and found her in the back practically hidden at a table lit with a small lamp. There were several books on the table and she seemed to be trying to figure out which one to read. He walked slowly towards her, quietly, and he could feel her tense up.
"Eric."
He raised a brow in surprise, "You know it's me?"
"I always know it's you."
He moved in front of her line of sight and felt something in his chest tighten when she looked up at him with those dark eyes.
"What are you reading?"
She lifted the book up so he could see, "Jane Eyre. I think I can identify a little more with Jane now."
"Jane wasn't forced to live with her employer and left when she thought it necessary. You, on the other hand, have no choice," he reminded her.
He didn't want her to get any ideas about leaving anytime soon.
"You've read Jane Eyre?"
He shrugged, "It's my library."
She looked all around her, "You've read every book in here?"
"When you live for a thousand years boredom occurs, more often than not."
"Did you like it?"
"Like what?"
"Jane Eyre," she said exasperatedly.
"No."
"Why?"
"There are more interesting things I'd rather talk about."
"Just answer the question."
Her eyes glowed in the dim light and he felt the need to oblige her any ridiculous request she might ask for.
"I felt like I was reading a female's diary."
She smiled and he secretly enjoyed the sight, "You were reading a female's diary, sort of."
"I didn't know you liked to read," he pulled out the chair across from her and sat down.
"I love to read, I just don't have that much time to do it lately, but I guess all that's about to change."
"You will be comfortable here and well provided for," he assured her.
"That's not what I'm worried about," she glanced downward.
"What are you worried about, min sköna? If you have a problem I'll handle it."
Her eyes went dark with passion as her mood quickly changed to one of anger, "You are my problem. Are you gonna handle yourself?"
"I'm more interested in handling you," he felt her heartbeat increase as he watched her intensely, "Do you ever tire of so much passion?"
She sat back in her chair and laid the book down, "I tire of you."
He leaned over the table, "Instead of arguing we could be doing something else."
He watched her eyes lower to his mouth and knew that she was thinking about their kiss the night before just as he was. He had never felt the need to bite a human as much as he had last night. Something about her made him want to claim her in every way. He even thought for a moment of turning her which really unnerved him. He had never had the desire to turn anyone after Pam.
He was a little hungry but looking at her was making him famished and he couldn't even smell her blood. He was practically transfixed by her dark skin and restrained himself from throwing her over his shoulder and taking her to his bedroom.
"That's not a good idea."
"Why not? We both want it."
"I don't sleep with vampires."
His voice lowered to a lover's whisper, "I can change your mind."
She leaned toward him and for a moment she looked dazed before she blinked and sat back.
"I wanna know how you changed my mother's mind."
He sat back in his chair, as well, not liking the direction the conversation had taken.
"Did I have to change her mind?"
She narrowed her eyes at him.
"I know my mother wouldn't have been okay with Luther or anyone else coming in her house and taking my stuff out. She definitely wouldn't have been okay with me moving out."
He hesitated for a second before saying, "I glamoured her."
Her face screwed up in confusion, "What's that? Did you hurt her?"
"Would you be concerned if I did?"
He really wanted to know. Her mother seemed to be the bottom of the barrel when it came to humans and he couldn't imagine anyone being attached to her in any way. He didn't want her mother becoming a problem or an unnecessary obstacle for him in the future.
"Of course I would. She's my mother."
"By her own admission she hasn't been a good mother."
"Why would she admit that to you?"
"I told you I glamoured her to cooperate."
She threw her hands up, "What the hell is that? Could you please explain? Did you cover her in glitter? What?"
"It's a form of hypnosis. I stare into your eyes and you are temporarily under my control."
Her eyes widened and sat forward.
"You've glamoured me, haven't you? I knew it had to be something."
"Min vackra mysterium, you cannot be glamoured," he lowered his voice and mumbled to himself, "Jag fruktar det är du som har glamoured mig."
"So you've tried," she looked away for a moment, "Some humans can be glamoured and some can't?"
"I've never met a human who couldn't be glamoured...until I met you," he rested his arms on the table, "You know what else makes you a mystery?"
She watched him intently waiting for his next words.
"Everyone has a scent to their blood whether human or not. The first night I met you, there was blood everywhere," his jaw clenched remembering how close she came to dying, "Yours had no scent."
"Is that normal?"
"I'm starting to think it is, for you."
"What about Lafayette? Does his have a scent?"
"Yes, you are the only one."
She began to become perplexed and even a bit fearful.
"What if it's something wrong with me?"
He watched her carefully not wanting to miss a beat, "You have no idea why you are...unusual..in these matters?"
She shook her head and began to fidget with the book in front of her.
"What if I have cancer or tuberculosis or something?"
His mouth twitched, "I doubt you're diseased. I can always tell when a human is."
"But you can't tell if I am."
He would know more after he got the background check on her. He could tell she was telling the truth and had no idea how confounding she was.
"Do you know who your father is?"
Her face became blank and he could tell it was a defense mechanism. He could feel the sadness wash over her like a tide. The feeling was so intense that he gripped the table.
"Nope. Mama said he was some...john."
He could see how reluctant she was to tell him.
"Are you ashamed?"
He could clearly see that she was but he wanted her to share every facet of herself with him.
"Should I be proud? It's not the most honorable way to be conceived."
"Come here," he beckoned to her.
Her eyes became softer at his tone but she didn't move. He stood up from his chair and walked over to hers. He held out his hand.
"Come."
She swallowed heavily and stared at his hand.
"Where are we going?"
"Nowhere," he grabbed her hand and savored the feel of it while wanting to feel every other inch of her body, "Why don't you try being obedient just this once?"
Her eyes met his fearlessly, "I don't take orders well."
He could tell she wasn't about to budge so he sighed, "Will you come here...please?"
She grinned and stood up, "That was painful for you wasn't it?"
He shook his head, "The only thing that pains me is your stubbornness."
He pulled her towards him but she stopped him with her hand on his chest.
"I may have to pay off my debt for you by working but not that way."
He saw how serious she was but paid no real mind to it. He would never actually ask her to pay off her debt by sleeping with him but he certainly did intend to sleep with her, and hopefully sooner rather than later.
"I never asked you to."
She gave him an incredulous look, "You've implied it."
"Have I?"
"Eric-"
"I won't make you do anything you don't want to do."
She raised a brow.
"Anything else," he corrected.
He knew whatever phobias she had she would soon get over living with him. He wanted her to be completely comfortable with the idea of being with him because with every second that passed he had no intention on letting her go.
"I don't trust you."
"You do," he contradicted her.
He grabbed both of her hands and pulled them to his lips loving the smell of her skin. She gazed up at him intensely.
"Why did you pull away last night?"
"Many reasons."
"Name one."
"I wanted to taste you."
"Even without my blood having a scent?"
He nodded.
"Why didn't you?"
"Because I don't force myself on humans. For some of us it's exciting but I'd much rather have your consent."
"I'm glad you stopped cause I don't want to be a vampire."
"It takes more than a bite to become a vampire."
"Oh."
Her tongue darted out to moist her lips and he leaned his head down and pressed his lips against hers before pulling away slightly. He had to fight the natural urges he felt around her. Right now he wanted to take her and sink his teeth into her at the same time but he wouldn't do either without her wanting him to. Begging him too.
His lips touched hers again, softly, loving the feel of hers. His mouth moved over hers in a silent rhythm as he tried to memorize her taste. He felt his fangs protrude and paused briefly to get himself under control. When he felt he could go forward again he pressed his mouth on hers and pushed his tongue inside. She moaned and melded her body to his making him come alive.
He grabbed her ass and lifted her in his arms. She automatically wrapped her legs around him and he sat her atop the table, knocking the books to the side. He gripped her tightly, kneading her soft flesh as he explored her mouth. He wanted to rip the tiny shirt from her body but instead moved his hands under the material to really feel her heated skin.
The head of his cock felt swollen and throbbed painfully as he grinded against her creating a friction that had them both groaning. His hands balled into a fist and his shoulders tensed as he tried to hold himself back. He didn't know if he could take anymore or if he had the strength. He pulled away and laid his forehead against hers. She was breathing heavily but hadn't released her hold on him.
"I thought you weren't going to sleep with me?" he whispered against her lips.
"We're not having sex, we're just...kissing."
"Is that what you call it?"
"You kissed me."
He smiled, "And you couldn't resist."
She rolled her eyes, "Get over yourself."
He suddenly turned serious and pulled her closer to him so that there was not even air between them.
"If we don't stop now I won't be able to later."
She sighed, "Then we should stop."
Neither of them moved from their positions and Tara began kissing the side of his neck. He laid his hands on the table. When she made a small bite on his neck his fangs popped out immediately. He could feel the edges of the table he was holding starting to crumble in his hand and he lightened his grip. He wrapped one arm around her fully intending to take her to his bedroom or hers, whichever was closest, when a shrill tone came out of nowhere. They both froze.
She pulled away from him and sighed, clearly frustrated. She dug into her jeans pocket and pulled out a cell phone. He took the opportunity to retrieve his fangs and try to get himself under control.
"Hello?" she asked in an agitated voice.
He watched her intently more than annoyed with whoever had called her at that moment. If it was Lafayette he would have to talk to him about calling her when she was with him.
"Hey Sam," he raised a brow, "Yeah I remember and no I was not going," she paused as the other person spoke and her expression became shocked, "What? You sure?" she listened for a while before looking uncomfortable; "That's really sad...I don't know if I can Sam. I'll try, thanks for letting me know. Bye."
She hung up the phone and stared off into space.
"Who is Sam?"
"Huh?" she looked startled that he'd said anything.
"Who is Sam?"
"Sam Merlotte," he continued to watch her waiting for a further explanation, "Merlotte's is the bar where…you know. Sam is the owner. He's my boss."
"What is he doing calling your phone?"
He mentally filed Sam Merlotte's name away and made a note to be mindful of him.
"He asked me to go with him to see Earl today," his face went stony at the mention of that name, "He just called me and told me that Earl killed himself early this morning or late last night."
"How unfortunate," he said dryly.
"I don't know how to feel," she pulled out of his grasp and got up from the table.
He could sense her guilt and didn't understand it. If anything he expected her to feel relieved.
"Why are you feeling guilty?"
She shrugged looking helpless, "I don't know."
He could feel the turmoil roiling inside of her as if it was his own.
"What do you want me to do?"
She blinked at him in surprise, "There's nothing you can do, but thank you, anyway," she suddenly looked very nervous, "I don't think I ever really did thank you for that, not really. You could have left me…you could've let him-"
He put a finger against his mouth to show her nothing more needed to be said.
"You humans are so sentimental."
She rolled her eyes, "Do you have to be a jerk twenty-four/seven? Don't you ever take a break?"
"I'm taking a break right now."
"I guess this is as good as it gets with you, huh?"
She was smiling again and for that he was grateful. He almost felt the need to go and kill Earl a second time. He found his eyes drawn to her lips once again and moved towards her when he felt a presence in the room and a clearing of a throat.
"The magistrate is on his way to the little cottage in the woods and wants you to be there, in case you wanted to know. Hi cupcake, longtime no see."
He didn't even turn to look at Pam but was annoyed that he'd been interrupted, yet again. Tara gave an unenthusiastic wave.
"I guess this means we're roommates now. Maybe we can have a slumber party sometime."
"Pam," he warned, "Go wait outside for me."
He waited until she left the room before he pulled Tara to him for what was supposed to be a quick kiss but ended up lasting much longer. He finally pulled away just in time before his fangs showed, nearly cutting her lip. He said nothing more and left abruptly not trusting himself to have the strength to walk away if he looked into her eyes.
This chapter was a little short for my taste but I was really pressed for time and wanted to get it out sooner than later. Hope you all enjoyed and had a good holiday. :-)
* Jag fruktar det är du som har glamoured mig – I fear it is you who has glamoured me