Chapter Eighteen:
Unrolling the last curl in my hair, I looked at Eric in the reflection and smiled. He was curled round and spooning a pillow. It was the only thing I could get so I could get up and shower. I had grabbed a spare pillow, spun round with it, cuddling it tightly to my chest, and then used my teleportation to escape. Slightly surprisingly, he just remained fast asleep and thought the pillow was me. Light sleeper my ass. Totally Dead as a Doornail.
I smirked and fluffed my hair, checking my make-up in the process. I had eyeliner, mascara, a bit of blusher and a pink coloured lip gloss. I had my hair in the wide spirals once more, but this time I pinned my fringe back and curled it in with the rest.
I pushed the chair back quietly and stood up neatening my clothes. I was wearing dark denim skinny jeans with a pyramid belt draped carelessly across my hips. I had a pink v-neck t-shirt on underneath a black waist coat, revealing my tanned stomach and a nice amount of cleavage that wasn't too slutty. I pulled out a few chunky black bangles and put them on my left wrist whilst looking at my shoe collection. I didn't know whether I wanted to wear trainers or heels to add some extra height.
I went with my large black and pink trainers, slipping my feet in them and walking out to eat the Danish pastry and make myself a coffee. Sookie will probably knock on the door any minute now and we can plan what we will do today.
As if on cue, there was a knock on the door and I opened it, taking a sip of my coffee. She smiled brightly at me, wearing a pair of denim shorts, a beaded strap top that flowed around her torso prettily. Her hair was still a neatened version of the curls. I nodded with a smile and she just grinned walking in after I had stepped aside.
"So, Bill doesn't think it safe to leave the hotel and prefers we don't leave the rooms either," she started and I rolled my eyes at Bill's protectiveness, "So I was thinking we just relax in the rooms and pick our outfits for tonight?"
I drained the rest of my coffee and nodded, refraining from making a face or comment that I thought it was stupid for Sookie to do whatever Bill said…
"To be honest with you Sook, I was just going to wear this outfit, but have boots on instead of trainers," I shrugged and I saw her pout making me laugh, "I could help you with yours if you would like? Then we can order room service and watch some silly chick flicks?" I suggested making her smile brightly.
"I suppose during the day, until plans have been made, we're on vacation?" We laughed together and she licked her lips, "Oh Hayley, do you have a lip gloss I can borrow? I didn't have a shade I liked and you always have the nicest ones on you."
"Oh sure! I know the nicest shade of pink, in fact it's just on my dressing table, I'll go get it-" I explained, placing my mug in the sink of the kitchenette before Sookie cut me off walking towards my room.
"Oh no worries, I'll get it!" she called out as she entered my room and I froze up, biting the corner of my bottom lip. A small shriek was made and a red faced Sookie marched back out. I gulped nervously as the blonde gave me a very unimpressed and disappointed glare. I raised my hand and began to attempt to explain, but nothing came out.
"Erm…well… you see…" I sounded like a boy going through puberty with the squeaky sounding voice.
"Why is Eric spooning a pillow in your bed?" She placed her hands on her hips and I chuckled nervously, scratching the back on my head, "I don't think this is a funny situation Hayley. Are you crazy?"
"Incredibly," I sighed and leaned on the kitchenette. I looked at the floor to see it was some kind of grey tile. What was wrong with me? I screwed Eric… Five times. Five! And it was all because I couldn't push him away again… Even though I bloody explained to him about my situation! Sleeping with him has complicated things incredibly! Even more so now that I let…him…bite…me…
"Fuck…" I muttered, sliding to the floor.
"Hayley Butler, you watch your mo…you just swore," Sookie had started to tell me off for my potty mouth and then realized that fact. She was in front of me within seconds; hand on knee, the other on my forehead, "Hayley, are you okay?" I looked up and nodded, pulling on a smile. No one else had to know that I let Eric drink my blood. No one would know. Eric walked around with the aura of strength and stuff… he never really revealed his strength so no one would notice. It didn't do anything physically visible, at least it never did to Darren, so all will be fine. No one has to know.
"I just realized that I have a lot of stuff to fix once we are done here," I laughed nervously, "It was just a one night stand and that's all it will ever be." I nodded to myself, but from the look Sookie was giving me, she didn't seem so sure.
"Well okay. Lets watch some films and talk about it okay?" and that is exactly what we did. God Bless you Sookie Stackhouse.
During the boring scenes of films, Sookie tried to ask me questions about Eric in the bedroom.
"Come on Hays, what's he like?" she leaned in, full on curiosity. I felt my face heat up as I shook my head. I don't care if Eric was Dead to the World right now, for all I knew he could hear everything! I know I'm paranoid, but if he could stay awake for two hours after sunrise, then who knows what else he can do…
"Nu uh Sook… I'm not saying." I muttered, hugging my knees tightly. She just laughed. The questions about it stopped after a little while. I didn't get angry, Sookie just gave up saying I was being 'no fun', but she soon understood after reading my mind…
That evening Eric and Bill had rented cars and drove us to the Sheriff of area nine's private residence. We were greeted by a tall, olive toned woman who was dressed in a white dress suit with her dark hair pulled tightly back. She had introduced herself as Isabel.
Isabel brought us into the open plan lounge and dining area with windows to view the back yard. I noted there were shutters to block out the sunlight. Smart.
I stood next to Sookie, who we decided to dress in this patterned red halter-neck dress that had thick-ish straps and a draw string round the waist to give her shape. Her hair was in succulent waves accessorized with daisies.
Bill was looking fairly relaxed compared to the pacing edgy Eric. I just crossed my arms and tried to stay quiet.
I saw a tall, broad male appear next to Isabel and had to bite my tongue at the site of him. He might have been dressed in completely black, but that didn't stop the man from looking like the classic Texan cowboy with the boots, the shirt, tight jeans and the large belt buckle. Compensating much? Oh I think so.
"You should have told me Eric hired a couple of fucking humans, Isabel," he commented loud enough for us to hear and I shifted my weight onto the other foot, arching an eyebrow at him and clenching my jaw. I had to bite back my comments. We weren't here to have an argument with the Dallas vampires; we were here to find their Sheriff that Eric seemed to care about so much.
"Now wait just a minute," Sookie spoke up, causing Bill to tense.
"Respect them," he almost growled and I gave him a sweet smile whilst Sookie said 'thank you'. I pushed some loose curls over my right shoulder discreetly before crossing my arms once more. With Sookie here, I might be able to disguise my heritage. Score!
The tall male leaned back and held his buckle, thumbs slipping behind it in the process, as he and Isabel argued quickly. I learned his name was Stan. Eric cut them off during his pacing.
"Are you certain that Godric was abducted by the fellowship of the sun?" he didn't stop pacing… it was making me uneasy. He's being too tense about this whole situation that it actually made me worry… not to mention… I felt nervous by it. Eric was unpredictable at times and when in a tense moment like this… He could do anything.
"Yes.", "No." Stan and Isabel spoke in unison and I rolled my eyes. Oh dear. This might take all night. Should I get comfortable or will I be over-stepping my boundaries…
"They are the only ones with the organization and manpower," Stan explained in a bored tone. Isabel crossed her arms in an annoyed fashion.
"But they are amateurs, it doesn't make any sense!" she turned to address us, "this is Godric we're talking about, Two thousand years old."
My eyes widened. "Whoa…" I muttered.
Eric was around a thousand so maybe they were acquaintances for a while? Maybe?
"Old don't make you smart," Stan commented and I shifted my weight once again. This guy was definitely beginning to annoy me with his attitude. Not only was he rude, he was a moron. 'Old don't make you smart'? Gosh someone shut him up…
"Besides, there's no proof," Isabel spoke to Stan once more. It seemed like they have had this conversation a few times already.
"If they got him, I'll hear it. That's my job," Sookie took a step forward and I nodded sharing a smile with her before looking back emotionless to the two vampires in front. From what I have seen so far, Isabel seemed to be rational whereas Stan… I just really didn't like him. Leave it at that.
"There's no reason to wait. We need to take these fanatics down, full out attack," he seemed to half glare at Sookie, making my brow arch once more. "Exterminate them like the vermin they are-"
I decided this was the best time to cut him off, "Now what is that going to achieve then huh? A Vampire-Hating-Church suddenly annihilated in the middle of the night. Oh I wonder who did it? Hmmm. Oh this is a toughie." I shrugged my shoulders with a false smile as I patronized him. He glared at me and I crossed my arms arching a brow and cocking my hips to the side, challenging him. One false move Stan. I dare you. I may have a smirk tugging on my lips…
"I sincerely doubt the King of Texas would approve of the destruction of our international political agenda," Bill cut in, just in time; thank you Bill Compton for having a brain that didn't surround Sookie permanently. Well done old chap. Have a gold star.
"Fuck that," Stan muttered, "The great revelation is the biggest mistake we ever made."
"Don't use Godric to make your own little power play," Isabel had turned to Stan in anger. Yes, I definitely liked her. She was smart, cautious, something you needed with this.
"You're completely incompetent!" Eric growled, making me and Sookie jump, "What's happened to Godric, that he surrounds himself with clowns?" Oooh, ouch Eric… not cool man. Isabel was not impressed at all by his sudden outbreak.
"We invited you as a courtesy. This is not your territory, you have no voice here," Isabel had taken a few steps before him and she was forcing a calm voice. I could tell by the way her jaw was clenched slightly. Wait a second… Invited? This… this wasn't a request from them?
"Yeah, Sheriff," Stan provoked, "Why don't you run on back down to Louisiana. We don't need you or your puppets."
Oh snap. No he didn't!
"Now hang on a second, we are not puppets you over sized moron," I spoke up taking a step forward and placing my hand on my hips. How dare He!
"I'm certainly no puppet," Sookie added in an undertone of disapproval, also shooting Stan the dirtiest look I had seen her give. I do love it when dear Sookie speaks her mind… I tried to stifle a smile.
"What we need is a plan," Bill Compton said in to change the conversation before things got ugly. I'm getting more impressed by him.
"I have a plan," Stan turned his face up and I scoffed, rolling my eyes.
"You're plan is completely ridiculous and will give Vampires a bad name!" I knew my voice had risen by a notch and I saw Stan's hands clench. "As Isabel said, we have no idea if that the poor excuse of a church have your Sheriff, so for us, or you, to go in and cause a flipping massacre is… well it's simply injudicious!" I knew I was right, darn it, and no… Texan cowboy pansie was going to tell me otherwise! Sookie had to force down the grin as I used a word from her word of the day calendar from the day we left. Injudicious simply meant lacking in judgment or discretion, or basically foolish and moronic, but I wanted to try and use that word in a sentence today. Hurray for me!
"Idiots," I heard Eric growl. I crossed my arms to stop myself from running a hand through my hair and risk ruining my curls I spent time creating in my hair earlier.
"You have no idea," Stan faced me full on, "It's completely obvious and we can take them all out at once." I felt a growl in my throat as I stood a step forward to fight back when Isabel spoke up.
"Of course, so the government can bomb us back into the middle ages," Isabel cut him off and I placed a hand on my forehead, blocking out the argument between the two feeling kind of glad I got cut off. These two were a mess together it seems. Maybe they only got along when their Sheriff was here? Or maybe when Stan was never here? He was all about the brawn whereas Isabel was all about the brains, it seems. They needed to meet each other halfway and I'm guessing Godric was that level ground. He was the grey area for Stan's black and Isabel's white. Maybe he actually wore grey clothes. That would be amusing.
The sound of smashing made my head shoot up to see Eric shouting at the two. I didn't really take much of it in because… well, Eric was quite scary when angry and he was never this angry with me thank God. Bill and Sookie joined in, mentioning that there must be a traitor within their nest and that they were the only ones knowing about mine and Sookie's arrival. It just started off another argument between the two.
"Look, if Y'all keep on arguing I'm either going to fall asleep or start screaming, so this is what we're going to do," Sookie spoke with authority, shutting everyone up and making me have to bite my tongue to hide my smile. "I will infiltrate the fellow ship of the sun-" And welcome back protective Bill Compton!
"Absolutely not," he spoke and I nodded in agreement.
"I completely agree. Not without me you won't," I walked up and winked making Sookie gave me a smile. I could feel the confused gazes from the two Dallas vampires and the objective one from Bill. Oh dear Bill, you need to loosen your leash on Sookie…
"I cannot allow this," Bill half pleaded, but Eric cut him off.
"Let her speak," he seemed interested, looking at her intensely. He had calmed down, somewhat, thank Lord.
"Since Bill and Hayley glamoured the guy, they don't know who I am. We'll pretend to join the church and I can check out their thoughts," she explained and I nodded, liking this idea. Made sense. She could pose as an older sister or a cousin…
"No. During the day, none of us can help you," Bill turned to her completely.
"I can," I spoke up and Bill looked over Sookie's shoulder with an arched brow, "I mean, no, I don't have your strength or your ability to glamour, but I have my own secrets."
"Teleporting will only get you more trouble Hayley," Eric spoke up and I pouted when he gave me a half concerned look. "I cannot afford you getting weak."
"Hayley won't need to use her abilities; it'll only take a little while. It's so simple no one will get hurt," Sookie explained and looked to me, "And I completely agree with Eric."
I wanted to stamp my foot like a child so badly right now. This was unfair! Completely unfair! I opened my mouth to complain by then decided against it and bit my tongue. Hard. What's the bloody point in having my water if I wasn't going be of any use! UGH! Besides, Teleporting has nothing to do with it. Empathy plays a much larger part. It's a perfectly good influence with no one suspecting it! I mean, it'll be during the day so I cannot be suspected of being a Vampire, not only that it's not obvious at all! It's subtle! Plus… I can fight. Kind of. Okay so I may be a little rusty, but the knowledge is still there!
I felt the two hungry yet confused gazes from the Dallas vampires and had to bite the inside of my cheek to stop looking at them. Well there goes my concealment theory. Phooey.
"Waste of time," Stan muttered as he stormed out, not before giving me and Sookie a strange look on his way. I glared at his retreating back with the want to just throw a vase at it… If only Eric hadn't thrown the only one I had seen when we got in here…
"There's no easier way to find out it if they're involved," Isabel started, distracting me from glaring at the doorway that Stan had exited, she was wringing her hands nervously. She was agreeing with Sookie. I saw Eric step forward saying they'll do it. I could tell Bill was thoroughly annoyed at this and pulled Eric to one side for a few words. I walked up to Sookie and saw Isabel doing the same thing, addressing her, asking about her relationship with Bill. Not my conversation, so I turned away to face the garden. Couldn't see much of it, but so not the point…
"And you?" Isabel had placed a hand on my shoulder making me jump, I spun around and she backed away a few respectful steps. "Why are you here as well?"
"Just to help keep Sookie company during the day," I shared a smile with Sookie released a breath as I saw a somber Eric and a calm Bill return to the room. Bill went straight to Sookie's side and I have to admit, I felt strange having Eric stand behind me with a hand on my shoulder. I hope this was something I won't have to get used to. It makes me feel… weird.
I felt my phone vibrate and I flushed a deep red, apologizing as I pulled it out to see Darren. I was about to press the decline button when Eric gently squeezed my shoulder.
"You may go. We need to discuss tomorrow."
I nodded and walked out of the room answering it with a bright 'Why are you calling me silly!'
I spoke with Darren about the situation at hand so far as I leaned against the wall out front. I smiled and laughed with him after making a few comments about the brute Stan and had hold back a grin when he explained that Stan could probably hear me. Whoopsie. Not.
"So what, I could take Him." I commented before frowning at Darren laughing.
"No you can't."
"Yes I can. Stan is all about brute force. He may have strength and speed of a vampire, but I have the brain and tricks. Give me five minutes and he would be injured on the floor needing bed rest and blood for months."
"I really hope he doesn't take you up on that offer." he commented, I could tell he was smiling.
"I kinda do after this whole thing is over. He's a dick who wears tacky clothes." Darren laughed
"So what's the hotel like?" he asked me when he finally sobered.
"I have to say it's lovely. Light tight as well so I'll be sleeping a lot and not because I have to," I giggled when he laugh.
"Room service any good?"
"It's okay. They cater more to vampires though," I shrugged, even though he couldn't see. I told him about the rest of the hotel, leaving out the other telepath and Eric, especially Eric. He was not ready to hear about that, "So when are you leaving to do a bit of travelling?" I asked standing to walk a little bit round the driveway.
"In a few minutes, that's why I am calling," he sounded a bit upset and I pouted.
"That means I won't see you when I get back!" I whined making him laugh.
"I know, how will you survive?" he was teasing me knowing I would retaliate.
"Oh, I don't know. I won't!" there was a short pause before we both laughed, "Don't do anything silly, kay? I need my Dare-Bear," I whispered.
"I know you do 'Lee. I do miss you."
"Don't you get soppy on me Shields or I will slap you as soon as I see you," I grinned when he chuckled. Eric walked out the front door with Bill and Sookie behind. I missed out on the plan. Poopy, "Dare, I gotta go. Have fun on your trip alright? Love you." I smiled at his goodbye and flipped the phone shut, turning to follow them to the cars as I slipped the phone into my back pocket. I was about to follow Sookie to slip into the back seat of their car when I felt Eric place his hand on my lower back and guide me to his car. It wasn't as nice as my car for instance and certainly didn't go as fast, but it was temporary. I guess…
I got into the car and pulled my belt on as he began to pull out of the driveway. I notice his grip on the wheel was going to dent it, but I was unsure as to say anything. He looked pretty tense and… mad. Did the meeting go that bad?
"Eric, calm down, you'll wreck the steering wheel," I spoke softly, carefully. His jaw clenched before he relaxed a fraction, "Are you okay?"
"Fine."
"Did the plan for tomorrow get sorted?"
"No."
"Am I going to get these one-worded answers the whole car journey?" he just grunted causing me to lean back, cross my arms and watch the road for the rest of the journey home. If I wasn't going to get an answer out of him then I won't bother asking. I sighed and rested my head back, closing my eyes. Maybe I could actually get some sleep tonight then?
"They are imbeciles," I heard him state and I nodded in agreement.
"Stan's a buffoon, and Isabel is lost without her Sheriff," I kept my eyes closed so I didn't see a reaction from him.
"Godric is a good sheriff."
"I don't doubt this by the way those two were bickering. It was like children."
He chuckled at this and I smiled, turning my face to look at him when I opened my eyes. We were near the hotel, "How do you know him?"
Eric was silent. He didn't talk, even when he handed the car over to the valet and helped me out of the car, guiding me to the elevator. He pressed the call button and turned me to face him, his large calloused hands stroking my arms. He leaned down, his lips mere inches from my ear
"He's my maker," he half whispered and my brows shot to my head, my mouth forming an 'O'. I nodded understandingly. As he went to stand straight he placed a chaste kiss to my cheek.
"I'll do my best with Sookie tomorrow," I didn't look up, but my head was just under his chin tonight. He briefly pecked my hair and took a step away from me seconds before the doors opened. I gave him a soft smile as I walked in and pressed my floor number. He wasn't coming so I am guessing he has more business to attend to.
He remained stood there as the doors closed and when they did I leaned against the wall. Holy Crap… Godric is Eric's maker! It made complete sense, but still. My phone vibrated and I pulled it out to see a text for Darren.
I forgot to mention. Be on your best behaviour. No hook ups for you whilst I'm not there ;D
Love you. Dare x
Fudge. Carrot Sticks. Mother Trucker. Ass Biscuits. Shit.