A/N Thanks for the words of encouragement. I've never done this before, please bear with me as I find my way.
Eric's Demons
Chapter Two
Thick smoke filled the hall as Eric's home was consumed by the fire. Flames licked out along the ceiling. The fire was spreading.
Blood dripped from the bat as Eric held it up in front of him, ready. His bare feet padded on Italian tiles as he passed the burning room, heading for the back door. The laughter had stopped.
In his mind the war drums were beating. Eric knew this enemy, had faced it before. He embraced the fear he felt, it would keep him alive. Regretfully he realized that probably his entire household were now dead or taken. No-one had come to his aid, and this night he would not be going to help them.
Outside all was quiet. Somewhere out there they waited, more of the beautiful humans. Eric was surprised to find no enemy waiting beyond the door. Standing still he let his senses become accustomed to the warm night air.
Over the roar of the fire raging behind him he heard them coming. Lots of them. He had to survive this night, he had a role to play in the struggle that would come, one that had been set for him nearly a thousand years ago.
Eric took to the air where he knew this enemy could not follow. As he scanned the ground below he could see them moving in the shadows. He started climbing for all he was worth when he saw what many of them held.
"Crossbows. Bastards!"
Already silver tipped bolts where flying through the air around him. They whistled close, but none hit him as he climbed out of range. The house was really ablaze now, the flames casting an eerie red light to the tiny figures on the ground below.
Like looking into Hell, he thought.
Shame almost overwhelmed him as he turned his back on the friends who had most definitely died to protect him. He longed to go back, to wreak his vengeance on the intruders, but he knew he could not. Duty to his race had to come first. Revenge would come later.
Pam was waiting for him at the back of the bar. Hands plunged deep into the pockets of her leather trench coat she paced back and forward by the door, anxious to see Eric. Something had really rattled the big Viking, if it had been anyone else she would have thought he was afraid.
Nothing could frighten Eric though, could it?
From above she heard him coming, all haste no finesse. She grinned. He wasn't like that all the time. What she saw in the pale emergency light took her grin away.
From head to foot Eric was covered in drying blood, and what might be brain tissue. Still clutched in his hands was the bat which he had used so ruthlessly. He hit the ground hard.
Then she saw his eyes. Even in the pale light she could see it, a mixture of shame and rage. The sinews of his neck and arms were taught, beneath his jacket she could see every muscle, every vein. Involuntarily she stepped away from him, terrified.
"What happened?"
"The house is gone, I was attacked," he told her. His look defied her to suggest he had run away,he was no coward.
"Who?"
"There is no time. I need you to fetch the queen and the magister, tell them to come at once," his voice was urgent, not at all the Eric she knew.
"They won't come for me, she'll certainly not come if it's for you, or it will be in her own time," Pam knew everything the queen did was to suit her own schemes.
"Then tell her I command it," he roared.
Once again she stepped back from him, afraid. Pam nodded knowing her voice would betray her if she spoke.
Only when he turned to walk away did she find her tongue again.
"What will I tell them?" she wanted to know.
"Tell her whatever you like, but tell the magister that our enemy has broken his bonds. He'll know what you mean."
"Where are you going?" she asked him.
"To get Sookie, I need her here," he told her.
"But Bill...," Pam knew exactly what Bill would think of that idea.
"Then I will kill him. I need her here." His voice was soft now.
Pam shuddered. He was serious.
Eric strode away from her, he needed a shower, but it would wait.
Raised voices in the next room woke Sookie out of her sleep. Two men were arguing, and at first she thought it was part of her dream.
She bounced out of bed, ready to flounce in and tell them both to shut it. How dare they waken her. But as she reached the door she heard Bill say her name, so she stopped to listen. They were arguing about her.
"It's over Bill, she comes with me tonight!"
Sookie knew Eric's voice. Arrogant, commanding, so alpha male, so damn sexy. She'd been dreaming about him when she heard his voice. Involuntarily her hand brushed her cheek.
"No, she's mine, you damn well know that!" Bill's voice was softer, as if he was less keen for her to hear.
"Don't defy me, Bill. She has to come tonight, she is needed."
"No, she's mine. She's stays here!"
She has a mind of her own, Sookie thought, and that mind is going back to sleep. She was getting angry now, two of them arguing over her as if she was their possession. Temper flared as she reached for the door.
"Your deal with the queen won't help you Bill. She is no longer yours. Your scheme is over." Eric growled those last words. In a minute they would be fighting.
Sookie backed away from the door. What deal with the queen? What scheme?
"On who's authority? How dare you? I'll go before the magister," Bill was furious.
"You won't leave this room Bill," Eric promised him quietly. "I've stood by and held my tongue while you and your mistress manipulated the girl for long enough. It's over Bill, and don't doubt I'll kill you if you stand in my way."
"Why now?" Bill asked quietly.
When the door opened it was Eric. Sookie looked into the room beyond, but there was no sign of Bill. Looking back at Eric she saw the dried blood, it matted his hair, streaked his face. Ran over his perfect chest, down his torso. His feet were bare. There had been no sound of struggle, Bill was simply gone.
"I'm going nowhere with you," she told him.
Eric held out his hand.
"I'm staying here. Where's Bill?" she stood with her hands on her hips. The action pulled the cotton nightie tight.
"Gone. Dress, you come with me dressed or as you are," he told her.
"I told you I'm going nowhere."
"I need you," he told her.