I'm getting a bit of a soft spot for Lucio, at first he was just the guy sent to sign up Eva but I'm thinking significant character?
Sat here in a toothpaste and cucumber facemask hahahaa, and I finished reading Cosmo so I thought, start chapter five? I think so.
Toothpaste in your eyebrows? Not nice but this stuff is magical.
On with the chapter!
Eva wished more than anything in the world she didn't have to put on a dress and heels and swagger around for the best part of the night. Her stomach ached incredibly and her face was sore, while she still felt lightheaded. Unfortunately she could hardly ring in sick…
She lolled in bed, watching her toes wiggle, the only part of her body it didn't ache to move. I'd happily lie here all night staring at my own ten toes, she thought lazily as the phone began to ring. Someone human, thinking me? Oh my! She mused, rolling over to answer.
"Hello?"
"Eva?" whispered a familiar voice. Her almost carefree mood evaporated immediately.
"What do you want?"
"Just seeing if you are okay…"
"Oh I'm peachy, just wonderful, yeah? Thanks for asking."
"No need for sarcasm Eva, look I'm sorry, I mean…"
"Excuse me?" She declared, fuming with anger. "You're sorry? I'm not sure you understand the scale of what you've done. Did you or did you not try and abduct me?"
"Not me personally, look Eva I was just worried about you, I care about you."
"You have a funny way of showing it," she retorted, "Can I ask exactly what you intended to do once you'd bungled me in a van?"
"An intervention of sorts…"
"Like tape me to a chair and force me to watch videos of happy human scenes?"
"Not quite, look can I talk to you in person, I can't explain on the phone."
"Well tough, because this is the most conversation you're getting out of me," Eva snapped, before slamming the phone down. She didn't want to relive her betrayal the previous night, or think about the reasons for it. There was so much hate in the world for vamps, and a lot of it was pure ignorance. Eva huffed and dragged herself out of bed to get dressed and look as god damn beautiful as she could manage with a purple face.
…
Eric had an ominous feeling about the night ahead. He stood with Sookie and admired her subtle beauty. She wore a brown pant suit tonight, the blouse dipping low into her perfect cleavage. He felt her awash with calm and security in his presence and yet felt her worry as she picked up on his anxiety. This sharing of emotions was all due to the blood bond of course. His now leapt at her arrival and she dreamt dreams of Eric she daren't relay to anyone.
Wherever they were, they would yearn for one another. Of course there'd been a sexual tension and closeness between them before, but now it was so intensified they sometimes felt there was nothing they wouldn't do for one another.
Despite all this, their minds were allowed to wander to their feelings for others now and again. That particular night Sookie was thinking about Quinn, worrying about him. While Eric thought about the daring brunette he'd gathered in his arms and dragged to safety while her attackers were ripped and drained around her. He wondered how she was today, and wondered why the vampires had showed no mercy to her attackers. Vampires were known to be brutal and bloody but there was a fierce intent when the vamps jumped to her aid last night. Two vampires he did not recognise, then the King of Mississippi. What contact had the former waitress had with them, he wondered. She probably wouldn't come tonight, he reasoned, she'll be at home licking her wounds. No, Eva wasn't a licking her wounds kind of girl. Just a night of recovery. He had learnt she had quit her job the night before last, which led to the question of what she was doing at the hotel last night.
…
Eva wondered what she was doing at the hotel that night. You get harassed and scared and quit one night, next night you get hired then attacked, the next night here you are Eva, back again, she thought exasperatingly. She had taken the opportunity however to wear her beautiful new gown. Normally feeling uncomfortable in fancy clothes, she felt almost happy to be in them tonight. The dress hugged her somewhat rounded figure, and the neckline swooped to her upper chest in its expensive cut. Someone had an eye for sizing and flattering dress shapes. Eva was a size twelve and occasionally a fourteen. Working around size eight and ten for the previous year had taken a serious knock on her self esteem, who could wear any clothes and look amazing. She had to pick and choose her clothes carefully for fear of looking like a heifer.
She'd pulled most of her hair back tonight, into a bun that weighed heavy on her head due to the thickness of her hair. Several locks fell lazily round her face, and she blew them out of her eyes quickly when she thought no one was looking.
No waiting around tonight, the moment she walked in Lucio nodded to her from across the lobby, brandishing a toothy smile at her.
"I thought I'd catch you before you were swept off by anyone else," he said as greeting as she walked to him with as much grace as she could muster in heels.
"Are you my vampire guardian now?"
He wove his arm through hers and led her towards the ballroom, where the vamp elite we're discussing the current world and vampire leaders for another night.
"Somewhat, I'm sure you'd rather you didn't have a different vampire meeting you each night?"
"No," she sighed, "You're right. I mean, I'm terrible with names."
Lucio gave such a sudden snigger Eva almost jumped.
"I was too you know, I thought, I'll have to watch myself in this business. I'll have to write the names on my hand. When I was turned that didn't seem the case, good old vampire brains."
He gazed off into the distance as they walked now, as if reflecting back. Eva felt instantly curious.
"So you are a young vampire? How did you end up working for the king of Nevada?" she asked.
"That is a story for another time," he whispered in reply as they arrived at a small party of people.
The woman we're breathtaking and the men dashing and Eva felt overwhelmed. It must have been obvious on her face because Lucio bent down to whisper to her again.
"You look breathtaking," he said close to her ear. His breath was cool against her skin and smelt delicious. She smiled at him in reply as the party turned to acknowledge them.
"Miss Hunter! We meet in person," greeted a suave voice, and as Eva turned she was met by a tall man with a commanding presence. Vincent stood at his right hand side, a light brunette and petite vampire on his arm with a deadly and possessive gleam in her eyes.
"Hello," she said curtly, a bit dazed by the sudden attention of the collective group of vamps.
"Felipe De Castro, my and now your employer and king," Lucio announced tactfully.
King? Eva sniggered mentally. I have a King? Next I'll encounter Robin Hood shall I?
"Pleased to meet you," she stated swift fully.
He flashed her a creepy smile then turned back to the other vampires, assumedly his 'entourage'.
"I hired the young human girl through Vincent and our Lucio the previous night. An effective move you will discover soon."
Eva did not like the sound of that, but she kept a pleasant smile plastered to her face despite her hands shaking. Lucio noticed as her arm was still hooked on his, and looked at her inquiringly. Vampire comments probably didn't unnerve him as they did her, of course due to being one of them.
Eva ignored him and beamed around the group of deadly looking creatures. She was moving way out her comfort zone now, but she'd spent the past three nights adapting her attitude. Was I not attacked by humans not vampires, and saved by vampires not humans? She thought rationally.
Some vamps nodded in greeting and then like the other who ignored her completely turned back to their chit chat. She breathed a sigh of relief though some still looked at her curiously. Victor walked up to her casually, the vampire female still clamped to his arm.
"Victor Madden, you remember? Good to see you again Eva."
"And you," she said, apparently a bit too perky as the females eyes immediately narrowed.
"I am Natalie," she purred. Her hair had newly applied highlights in neutral blonde shades that made her face look paler. She had a face that was considered sexy by some, but just plain menacing to Eva.
"Hello, I'm Eva." She almost held out her hand for a handshake but stopped herself just in time.
"I hope I understand why Felipe hired a human soon," she hissed, a mocking smile playing on her lips.
"So do I," Eva replied curtly as Lucio and Vincent sported amused smiles.
Vincent led his ornament away for a drink and Eva looked at Lucio questioningly.
"Natalie is Vincent's child," he explained, "She was his human lover and learnt a little too much about the affairs of the Nevada authorities. Felipe was merciful and ordered him to turn her to keep her loyal. She acts like the dominating one with her possessive attitude but don't be fooled, Vincent is the dominative in the relationship, just subtly. Don't be afraid of her vamp show, she's just young and hormonal."
Eva paused and was quiet for a moment while she took all this in, then turned to Lucio again.
"That was merciful?"
"Turning her? Yes. Ordinarily she'd be killed. But Vincent Madden is important to the king and as her lover, she was shown mercy."
"You are kidding me," Eva stammered slowly.
"I'm afraid not."
Eva retracted her arm from Lucio's and stared at the floor while she regained even breathing. Lucio appeared confused.
"I've said something to upset you?"
"I'm sorry, I forget you are a different race of people, and I forget you have a different idea of compassion or basic value of life. I just need a minute to calm down now I realised I'm probably going to die soon," Eva hissed in a low voice.
"You go take as many minutes as you like," Lucio sighed patiently. Giving him a wary glare, Eva walked off to find a bathroom or a quiet spot. It was dawning on her just how much trouble she was in now. She wondered if she'd see the year out alive, and human.
Giving up on finding a bathroom nearby in a vampire hotel, she settled for a quiet moment on a unoccupied seat at an empty table on the edge of the ballroom.
She quietly imagined herself white and pale, she imagined herself baring her fangs at a shaky human much like her now. She imagined the blood and shuddered in horror. The image had a certain thrill to her, at the same time it scared her silly.
Quiet moments didn't last long with Eva nowadays and when she looked back up, Eric Northman was sat in the seat opposite her, forehead creased as he gave her a hard look.
"You are here again," he said bluntly.
"Yes, and so are you, sneaking up on me again," she replied simply.
"You are not here for me I'm sure; our meetings are a by-line to your visits to this place. What business are you conducting with my kind?"
"Too be honest, I am not sure what I'm here for. I don't know why I'm needed, I don't know why vampires show interest in me or what they can use me for, but there seems to be some hidden motive in it all."
"Who are you're employers?"
Eva was quiet for a moment, not because she was being secretive, she was just tired and taking a moment to wonder why Eric showed an interest in her.
"Mississippi?" he asked suddenly.
"What?"
"You've been employed by Mississippi?"
"I've never even met Mississippi, but what makes you say that."
"The king saved you last night."
"Oh so he did," Eva remembered Lucio telling her. "I still need to thank him."
"You do not need to," Eric stated bluntly. Eva glared at him.
"I will thank whom so ever I wish to thank."
Eric glared back fiercer. Sookie was anxious about something therefore he in turn was anxious to find her. On the other hand he wanted to find out who had employed Eva, and needed to stress how she was just finding trouble nowadays.
"You introduce yourself to Russell Edgington and you are attracting the attention of yet another as deadly as myself, do you understand?" Eric said it slowly, in a low voice that was more sexy than urgent. His eyes were locked in Eva's, and she stared back into them, her breathing growing more audible. The moment was passing slowly, yet intensely and Eric tensed his arm as Eva failed to respond. "Do you understand?" he repeated, with a slight authority.
"Oh…yeah, I do,"
"Good," Eric replied, standing up with his gaze still on Eva's "I must find someone now, but if you value your life you will heed my words."
He turned to walk away and something tugged in Eva. In an immediate rush she wanted him to stay, sit with her. At the same time, she was curious. Why was he so interested in her? Why did he seek her out each night she visited the hotel.
"Wait…"
Eric stopped and slowly turned, eyebrows raised in question. In his tall stance he was looking down on her, and Eva felt almost vulnerable to both his physical person and his charm. Yet she still called out to him and walked to stand near him.
"Thank you for the dress."
"What about the dress?"
"You didn't send it to me?"
"No, would you like me to send you a dress?"
That would be quite nice actually, Eva thought mischievously.
"No never mind."
Eric waited a moment longer, realising she wasn't finished talking to him. He was also glowing in the fact for once he was walking away from a conversation and she had called him back.
"I don't understand," she finally said slowly, looking up. She was taller than the average girl, and in heels, bringing her to total height of five foot ten inches, and yet she still just peaked at his strong shoulders. Her eyes would just meet his sculpted jaw line until she looked upwards. "What's your interest in me? Why do you seek me out, make a point of finding me at some point each night? Why question me on my motives like we're old friends?"
"Why do most men show interest in woman?"
"If you want sex, why don't you just glamour me?"
"Glamouring a women gives me no joy. It is like a shortcut, a weak mans way. I enjoy the hunt."
Eric curled back his upper lip ever so slightly and his fangs snapped into place.
"You're teasing me," Eva said breathlessly.
"I am not."
"Eva!"
Eva stepped back from Eric as if she was guilty of something, and turned to face Lucio who was stood several metres away. He looked tense and his eyes were angry, and also fixed on Eric like he would happily tear him limb from limb on the spot.
"We we're just talking," Eva mumbled, again as if she were guilty of something.
"Walk away child," Eric hissed, a leering smile played on his lips. Lucio didn't move, but kept his cold hard gaze firm on Eric.
"Don't bother standing there facing each other off on my account," Eva groaned then turned to Eric. "I'll see you around."
She began to walk towards Lucio, reminding herself he was her employer and friend. Immediately awash with rage, Eric recognised the situation as a rejection. Rejection wasn't in his vocabulary.
Grabbing Eva's arm and pulling her back, close to his body, he bent to her ear slowly. His touch on her arm gave of emotional sparks on her skin and Eva resisted the urge to sink into his arms completely.
"If you are treated ill, if you are in danger or trouble or any kind – I am here."
With that, Eric Northman let go of her and stood tall to watch her unsteadily walk towards Lucio. Eva gave a small glance over her shoulder as she walked away from him, and felt a rush of lust, emotion, and somewhat gratitude. Gratitude for his strangely comforting watch over her. She suspected it was a simple show of influence over her in front of Lucio, or a complex act to seduce her. Like he said, he enjoyed the hunt.
Of course he'd plucked her from trouble once before and as she returned to Lucio's side she remembered him poised on top of her in his hotel room, eyes passionate and on her.
Lucio took her hand roughly and pulled her away, his fangs apparent in his annoyance. Eva took a last peek back to see Eric watching Lucio with hate written on his face. Becoming a vampire must intensify the testosterone, Eva thought grimly.
"You smell of Mr Northman," he said immediately, as Eva was marched out the busy ballroom.
"Jeez, he was only sat with me," Eva retorted.
"I warned you."
"Oh stop, it's hardly like I was all over him."
Lucio glowered even angrier, as Eva remembered something.
"Thank you for the dress."
"It's very nice, I was going to comment. But I have never seen it before." He snapped, and Eva knew he wasn't completely angry at her; otherwise he wouldn't be dropping her comments.
"You didn't give it to me? Or any of the other Nevada vampires?"
"Hmm, no not that I am aware of. It was probably Mr Northman…"
"No, it wasn't him either…" Eva mumbled confused.
"You have attracted another admirer," he accused, not asked. His fangs were still on show.
"It seems so, but don't take it out on me."
"You must be doing something," Lucio retorted. It was Eva's turn to see red.
"Look you, I don't dress like I'm easy, I don't flirt or tease, I don't even talk to men I don't know if I can help it, so don't you dare accuse me of anything."
Lucio nodded, unballing his fists. He regretted speaking to her like that, and retracted his fangs in a sign he was calming.
"I suppose this is a bad time to inform you Felipe wishes you to stay with the Nevada vampire's round the clock during the Vampire Summit…"
Eva looked up slowly at him, almost panting in sheer anger.
"We will provide you with a room and clothes, all on our expenses, and you may roam from the hotel for a few hours in the day if you wish if you are accompanied by one of our day men…" he continued.
"Fuck you," Eva growled. Lucio was taken aback, but struggled to keep calm.
"We are thinking of your safety, you we're attacked once, and daytime is a green light for the fellowship."
"Safety my arse, you just want me under your thumb and under your watch."
Eva turned to stalk off, but Lucio leapt to her like a wolf leaps to his prey. Eva stumbled onto one of the lobby sofas and Lucio crouched over her, moving close to her face until his fangs we're inches from her mouth.
"I am thinking of your safety and welfare whether you believe me or not Eva. You attract trouble like a moth to a flame and for some god forsaken reason I feel compelled to put some form of effort into keeping you alive."
Eva shook beneath him, staring at his fangs and hearing her heart thud in her ears. He had caught her off guard and while she was a strong girl, the moment would scare any girl.
Then the fangs disappeared from view and when she reassessed what she could see, Lucio had been thrown across the lobby.
"That was me being gentle," Eric growled, appearing behind the sofa Eva was slumped on. She wondered how he'd tossed Lucio from that angle, and then remembered he was a vampire…
"They're like children aren't they?" mused a cool indifferent voice from the other side of Eva.
"Leave," hissed Eric.
"Oh, but two men engaging in a fight? That's a dream to me, and I imagine to this young lady in the lovely dress."
"No…I…" Eva began to protest, but she found her words slurring over each other. The beating grew louder in her ears and she grew dizzy. She lolled her head to the side to see a smallish sharply dress man with a long crooked noise smiling pleasantly at her as if they were at a dinner party.
"Barbaric Viking!" Lucio roared, rolling to his feet with an inhuman ease and crouching as if to pounce.
Eric laughed, making a bigger display of his fangs in doing so. The on looking vampires watched enthusiastically, fangs all round.
"This should be fun, providing that blonde brick of a man just toys with him. With his age he could rip him apart within seconds…I mean in that sense it's hardly a fair fight…" the man commented, thrilled by it all.
Eva opened her mouth to protest again but the colours blurred into one smear of the red of the lobby and white of the lights and with one involuntary gasp she began to sway and collapse of the sofa to the floor.