I apologize if I got the order of the nights wrong; I read the book again a month ago but it's with a friend now so I can't really refer to it now. So if the trial, blood bond, etc is in the wrong order, blame my friends ;) Although I suppose this is my story, my take on it. So, whatever :D
The sun was setting and Eva stretched out on her sofa, contemplating whether to call in sick and have a normal night's sleep. She was lucky to still have a job after the previous night though, the disaster in the lobby. It may not be the most interesting or admirable of jobs but she had rent to pay. Plus, the hotel paid well for just waitresses, probably due to the hours.
Eva went to change into a clean white blouse and skirt, and get ready to go serve the vampires that were driving her mad.
…
In the Pyramids of Giza hotel, Eric Northman was rising. He rose slightly ahead of nightfall, mostly due to his impressive age. He woke quickly and looked out the window at the dying sun. With a mischievous grin on his face, he made his way down to the ballroom where Sophie Anne's tribunal was to be held. He wondered what Sookie would wear tonight, how delectable she would look. Bill Compton would be being the entrepreneur he was, safely out the way. Not that Bill Compton could stand in his way.
Eva was arriving through the front entrance; the employee entrance was blocked of tonight. The Fellowship of the Sun was gathering support and their daily (or rather, nightly) protest we're in danger of growing violent. Traitor humans who serve their enemies would be their first targets, cowards.
Therefore, instead of shuffling in round the back of the hotel, Eva strode in through the front door, her heels clattering the marble floors. She didn't have the light footed grace of the vamps walking around her, and stood out like a sore thumb. Nevertheless, she marched onwards to the kitchens, praying and wishing and hoping for a smooth night.
Though the number of protesters where overwhelming by this point and the employee entrance would be a dangerous place to admit the young vulnerable waitresses, it could still have arguably been fate that led Eva back across the path of Eric Northman. He strode down the arched hallways, curious on the nights coming events and intent on finding his little blonde bombshell. At the same time, Eva Hunter strode across the lobby, head held high and hair bobbing round her bloused shoulders.
Eric entered the lobby as she crossed his path, quite literally. She walked past him, hips swaying in a womanly way that made his mouth water instantly. He stopped short as he caught sight of her for the second time, and stood in the middle of the corridor watching her innocently strut by. He swore he could smell, from all the way across the room, smell her feminine scent so strongly.
Eric wasn't the only one watching the young girl attend her job. From the other end of the lobby, Felipe De Castro, king of Nevada, sat most upright on one of the leather sofas, surrounded by his men and a few loyal subjects. He watched Eva with intent, remembering her clumsy accident the day before, but also remembering the way the old vampire who'd caused it was so interested in her. There was something appealing about Eva, something he couldn't put his finger on. She walked out the lobby to the ballroom in sweet bliss, unaware of the eyes following her, wondering about her.
The ballroom was already awash with vamp elite, they sauntered around oozing sophistication and a dark threatening demeanour. It had been set up for the trial of Sophie Anne Leclerq. A few pale heads turned as Eva shuffled through the door, a few mocking toothy smiles appearing. She was proud though, and entered the kitchens, leaving the unblinking eyes on the other side of the revolving door. Though she could handle stares, she still found herself sighing a sigh of relief.
The night was hectic, heaving with people gathering to see whether the queen of Louisiana was found guilty. Eva cared little for vampire politics and served her drinks without making eye contact, smiling or engaging any vamps in conversation. She may lose a few sly tips she normally gets (at the prestigious Pyramids of Giza vampire hotel, tipping the waitress was mostly seen as a thing only done in small town bars), but it was worth it to avoid trouble. She'd already been spotted though, she'd been thrown in the headlights of the vampire's attention and that was rarely a good thing for a young girl like her. She had family and good friends, and wanted nothing more than to find a man to take care of her, love her, and have a family with her. Getting dragged into vampire conflicts was in no way shape or form part of her plan. Though, she did accept a job at a vampire hotel. In fact she inquired and interviewed and hoped for a job at a vampire hotel. While all her wholesome lovely plans were all well and good, she was clearly denying her curiosity for the other half that clearly burned in her.
Eric sauntered across the hall, his eyes dead set on her. Eva held the tray lower so a shorter vamp could take a drink, and as she was quite pleasant, gave her a smile. Eva whirled round, tray still held low.
"You'll have to hold it higher for someone of my stance," he quipped, full in her face as she turned.
"Oh sweet Jesus…" she exclaimed, jumping slightly. Eric simply responded with a low throaty laugh. "I'm sorry, you scared me." She held the tray up to him and he slowly took a glass flute and raised it to her before drinking deeply, keeping his eyes on her the whole time. Eva inwardly sighed; these male shows didn't impress her. As Eric opened his mouth to say something else, she gave a polite nod and spun on her heels to go on her working way. Still gaping in sheer shock of her walking away from him, eyes narrow and angry, Eric swore he heard a chuckle from across the room and he swore it was aimed at him.
Eva found a quiet moment to herself to take a break, and warned off or not, she threw her apron onto the kitchen counter and marched out the employee door for some air. It was a cool night, with a cloudy sky that blocked out the stars. Leaning against the cold brick wall, she inhaled and exhaled slowly and repetitively. There we're plenty of pretty girls knocking about the hotel, plenty of pretty human girls, why did several of the vamp parties continue to trail her every move. Eva wasn't totally naïve and stupid, she could feel their stares boring into her wherever she went tonight. Not the mocking stares she expected after the previous night, she could feel looks that held intent, focus to them. She caught sight of eyes watching her in the reflection of the shiny bar or the metal kitchen doors from time to time. It was tiring her out, putting her on edge. She was just a waitress, she just wanted to do her job and get paid and go home and get some sleep and live a normal day life.
"Eva? What are you doing out here? What's wrong with you? You were warned." The gruff voice snapped behind her making her jump a few inches. She was also sick of being crept up on. Daniel, not quite her boss but still higher than her – being an events coordinator assistant for events at the Pyramids of Giza hotel, stood behind her looking cross. He may be higher than her, but they we're friends and who was he to tell her of for getting some air when she was long due a break.
"I'm sorry, does it look like I'm being bombed, kidnapped or raped? I'm having a few vamp free minutes if that's alright with you." She said it harsher than she intended, but she was in a fully foul mood
"I'm just worried, you don't need to bite my head off," he retorted before going back in and slamming the door behind him.
"Gits," she snarled, slightly out of character, before storming back in herself.
Eric was in an equally grim mood, and was having fantasies of pinning her down and taking a bite out of the little brat. How dare she ignore him? These fantasies were satisfying in more ways than anger release of course. He wondered whether to ignore her completely, she'd miss out on his attentions. No... He was curious about her, intent on her. Her sweet naïve expression yesterday contrasted greatly to the fiery determined girl that stamped out of the kitchens.
Raising his head and catching sight of her, he immediately made his way over to her as she served more drinks to the ever thirsty crowd. Her mouth was pressed into a hard line and she hardly looked the ideal waitress.
Eric put his empty glass down on her tray, with considerable force and Eva staggered slightly with the tray. She looked up and scowled at him, close to bearing her teeth and growling at him.
"You are a terrible waitress," Eric snapped, somewhat pathetically. It was hardly his persona to throw cheap insults, especially out of the blue like that.
"Well you suck," she retorted. It was possibly the worst comeback ever but she held her head and looked fierce nonetheless. From across the room there were a few sniggers.
Eric was close to seeing red, if he were human his hands would be shaking. His fangs snapped into place faster than Eva could count to one and he leaned in close, giving her the full display of them.
"Yes. I do suck," he growled at her in a deep threatening voice. The headstrong girl held her own and stared straight into the fang show, more laughter behind her. Eric was sure his fellow vamps were getting much amusement from the delicate girl's rebellion and Eva was sure her manager was watching furiously. At that moment in time however, neither cared. Both stared into the others defiant face, a deep anger and a deep something else taking place between them.
"Don't bully the young girl Eric," teased a cool voice from across the room. Eric looked up to meet the interveners gaze and Eva took at it as a chance to walk away.
"Young woman," she muttered as she swayed of into the kitchen. Eric looked back to see her walk away from him again and snarled under his breath.
"I quit!" cried Eva, throwing her apron into the laundry basket in the corner. Daniel was stood on the other end of the room flicking through papers on a clipboard. He looked up at her in surprise.
"What happened to two weeks' notice?"
"What happened to the no harassment policy here? You tell that to my manager and see what she says about two weeks notice."
Daniel sighed, he'd calmed down since there quick conflict between them but she clearly hadn't. Laying down his clipboard he walked over and took her hand.
"Stay, calm down, and stay. We can talk about whatever's happening but you don't need to quit."
"Oh I do, I may not be an expert but I know once you've got a vamps attention, you can't just shrug it off. I can see nothing but trouble in this job. I'm sorry."
She squeezed his hand gently then walked away. She carried on walking, past the socialising vamps, through the lobby and straight to the front door. She was about to push the door open when a pale hand extended in front of her, ushering her back.
"I'm sorry miss; can I just have a moment of your time before you so proudly leave?"
Turning, Eva was faced with a tall stony faced vampire with a bony face. He had harsh, angry looking eyes but a smile, presumably false, on his lips.
"A moment, a small moment, yes."
"I am Vincent; I work for Felipe De Castro, King of Nevada. The King couldn't help but notice your entertaining display of defiance."
"Well…I'm glad I amused him."
"You more than amused him, miss." His voice was smooth as glass and just screamed 'menacing authority'. "You interested him, and more importantly you interested Mr Eric Northman, Sherriff of area five in Louisiana."
"The tall blonde who seems to enjoy putting his face to close to mine?"
"The very one."
"What about him?"
"Mr Castro intends to do business with Mr Northman, and a little persuasion wouldn't hurt. A bit of temptation to work with the enemy if you get me?"
Oh the vampire world, it's just all fun and games, Eva thought grimly.
"You're interested in me because the tall angry blonde is?"
"Precisely. Money isn't an obstacle."
"He's hardly interested in me, more like pissed off."
"Oh trust me miss, you've won his attention."
"Well that's nice, but I've just quit one job for fear of getting involved with you lot, no offense, it would be against my better judgement to accept another being used as 'vampire leverage'. I'm sorry."
"None taken and I'm sorry myself to hear that, here's my card just in case you change your mind. Better judgement doesn't pay the bills."
Eva nodded; taking the card he held out to her in his bony fingers and walked out the door, stepping out into the cool night time, dazed and confused.
Thank you for your nice reviews :)