Awesome reviews... which I truly appreciate. I am very flattered that you are enjoying the story.

Disclaimer: The True Blood Characters in this belong to their respective owners. No copyright infringement intended.


"THE NEXT DAY"

Chapter Eleven

It was morning when she heard the noise, a light tap at the door that shot throbbing waves of pain through her temples. It opened a little and Dickson came in with a guest.

Elliane lay as though she was asleep on the bed; but had not in fact slept since she awoke with Pam and Eric from her fever. Her mind was too busy sorting and collating the information and it had so overloaded her thoughts, that she was rendered incapable of doing much else.

"Hello Elli," said the soft Louisiana accent.

Sookie entered and stood beside the bed for a moment, while she looked around for a spot to place the vase of flowers she had brought with her. With not much choice but the fireplace mantle she carefully placed the vase down with as little sound as possible.

She turned back to Elliane. "I am sorry to hear you are ill," she whispered softly.

Elliane opened her eyes. "...not ill, just... mental overload." She uttered.

Sookie reached to take Elliane's hand and quickly flinched back at the touch. Elliane was broadcasting clearly. Hundreds of images flashed rapidly into Sookie's mind.

"Oh my god…" gasped Sookie softly. She was intrigued and bewildered by the process. "Are you reading something?"

"Not anymore," whispered Elliane. "I've already read it. Processing information now - so it can be stored."

"How much information?" asked Sookie.

"Too much," she sighed. "Previously I've processed about ten years in a day. I am now having to do about five hundred years a day."

Unsure what to say, Sookie frowned. "I shall go and let you rest. I've left my number in case you need me."

Elliane gave her a gentle smile. "Thank you Sookie, and thank you for coming."

"It's a pleasure," Sookie replied quietly. She smiled anxiously at Elliane as she walked away.

Elliane allowed herself to relax after Sookie was gone. She was as comfortable as she could be at present. As promised, Pam had brought to her another beautiful nightgown; which she had assisted Elliane into wearing.

Made of champagne coloured silk, it was loose fitting with deeply ruffled sleeves that came to the elbow. The hem reached below her knees and the wide loose neckline was drawn in with a silk ribbon. It resembled an old fashioned chemise. The texture and quality of the fabric felt cool against her skin and it was a rare pleasure to wear.


It seemed that many people saw her throughout the day. An hour after Sookie left, Dickson returned with an elderly woman in tow.

The woman approached the bed cautiously. "My name is Beth," she said. "I was called last night to come and assist you with your spiritual and psychic defences."

Elliane wanted to give the woman her full attention, but was still struggling to function appropriately.

"Remain on the bed, while I place some protections around you."

Elliane nodded.

Beth spent about an hour in the room. She created a protective circle about Elliane and then, using ceremonial daggers, chalices and other implements, set up wards and protections on the quarters. Dickson remained in the room and watched her carefully as he had been instructed to do.

Elliane was glad when she left. Although the witch had been fairly quiet, the longer periods of intonations and soft chants had distracted her from getting the mess in mind sorted out. As it happened, the sorting process became a bit easier after the witch had gone. The sharp migraine in her head had dimmed to a dull steady throb and Elliane wondered if the witches wards and protections had actually aided her in some way.

A few more hours past and Dickson returned with a small glass table and placed it beside the bed. He then set a teapot on it with a tray of food. It occurred to Elliane that since arriving here she had not actually spoken to Dickson at any length.

She gave him a worn but genuine smile. "How long have you worked for Mr Northman?" she asked.

Dickson looked surprised that she had spoke. "About eight years now," he answered.

The sudden strain of having to make polite conversation made the dull throb in her head pound painfully. She winced as she continued.

"Is he a good boss to work for?"

Dickson smiled. "I certainly think so. He is an excellent Master. I take care of four properties from the many that he owns. One is tenanted and the others are usually vacant most of the year. Apart from this - I run occasional errands. My job is easy."

Elliane was thoughtful and she simply nodded.

Dickson lifted the teapot. "Would you like some tea, Miss?"

Elliane propped herself up a little with the pillows. "Yes, thank you."

Dickson poured the tea and set the cup and saucer into her hands. He moved the vase of flowers from the mantle and placed the irises so they could be view by Elliane on the table beside her. He then left the room, after seeing to it that she had anything else she needed.

Elliane did sleep for a while then. She didn't wake until she felt a twinge of pain in her hand. The doctor had arrived and was in the process of altering the intravenous drip.

"Who are you?" asked Elliane.

In confusion she attempted to sit upright in bed as she noticed a glare coming from a strong light that was held over her.

"I am Dr. Ludwig," came the crisp reply. "And you should remain still. I am giving you another shot to reduce your fever."

Curious that she was finally meeting the infamous doctor, Elliane forced herself to become more alert. She was relieved to see Dickson nearby out of the corner of her eye.

Dr. Ludwig injected something directly into the drip and Elliane was disconcerted to discover that she was a dwarf like woman, wearing a strange eyeglass-like contraption of many lenses on her eyes.

"Did Pam really save my life?" her croaky voice asked the doctor softly.

"Absolutely!" replied the doctor in a brisk tone that made Elliane wince. "Your brain would be fried for sure had she not got you into that pool."

Elliane's eyes flickered as waves of pain throbbed against her temples and she regretted talking to the doctor at all.

"Now," continued the doctor. "I want you to tell me the events leading up to your fever yesterday."

Elliane in a hush tone explained everything as well as she could. She told the doctor about her 'gift' and how she was often left 'out of sorts' for a few days after performing a reading on an object. She also explained, that the object she was currently dealing with was extremely old, and that she suspected it was the overload of information that had made her so burnt out.

"Well, that makes sense," said the Doctor. "I've been trying to find an indication of a viral contaminate, but I sure all you have a serious inflammation of the brain."

Elliane nodded numbly.

"You will have a nasty headache and more fevers for at least a week, unless you take some blood."

Elliane's eyes widened at this. Blood? "Blood blood? or vampire blood?" she asked

"Vampire blood of course," the doctor responded. "Now I have a vial of it here, I keep it snap-frozen from when it is harvested."

Elliane's eyes grew more round. "No! I won't take vampire blood."

Dr. Ludwig looked amused. "I'm sure you have had some before."

"I haven't," Elliane replied with a slight hiss. "I will not take vampire blood."

The doctor huffed. "Well, there is not much else I can do for you. I can give you some medication for the pain, and I will check on the drip over the next few days. Otherwise, I can only suggest you keep your fluids up."

Elliane remained silent while the doctor packed up her things, turning off the lamp with a snapping click of the button. She turned back to Elliane.

"The nerve endings in your brain may well be fried and until they heal - if they heal; your mental focus and motor skills will be greatly reduced. I really do suggest you take the blood."

Elliane shook her head adamantly. The doctor snorted and placed a bottle of pills on the glass table and shrugged as she left. Dickson seemed to linger for a moment before following her out.

After they left, Elliane grab a handful of the pain medication pills and washed them down with cold tea. Waiting until some of her strength returned, she was pleased to find her head clearing a little. She climbed carefully out of bed, and on shaky knees retrieved her laptop from under the bed making sure it was plugged in at the power socket. Not the easiest of tasks as the power socket would also happen to be under the bed at the wall. She cleared the small table of the teapot and tray and placed her laptop on it. Booting it up, she opened it to a text file and started typing.

She couldn't write as fast as she normally did, but it was still faster than had she written by hand. Her eyes often blurred and watered as she strained them over the computer screen. She found overall, the process therapeutic. The information was sorting itself through her mind at a speed more rapid than she would have preferred, but she was confident at getting through it all eventually. It would just take some time as the information packaged itself into mental files.

She furiously kept typing and it was only when she noticed tears slipping down her cheeks that she took a break. The emotional pressure of the reading was also taking a toll. She took a couple more pills and let herself relax on top of the bed. Her eyes were closed when she heard the door click open.

Aware that she hadn't heard the brief tap that Dickson used before entering, she opened her eyes and saw Eric at the doorway. He was dressed to go out; in black pants, shirt and a leather jacket. His clear icy gaze was emotionless as he looked at her. His posture straight and his head tilted back slightly. Elliane closed her eyes again, trying to shut out the arrogant image of his foreboding presence.

When she opened her eyes moments later, he was beside the bed, right beside the glass table. She looked up briefly and saw the same impassive stare.

"Where is Pam?" she asked in her soft lilting voice.

"She is at Fangtasia tonight," he smiled. It was that slight smile which felt strangely menacing to Elliane. "I will be staying here with you."

Elliane closed her eyes. She was really wishing Pam was here. "I'm afraid I will be poor company for you then. I am still quite incapacitated."

She felt the mattress sink as he perched his weight on the edge of the bed beside her. And sensed his two hands leaning into the mattress either side of her shoulders. Opening her eyes she saw his sculptured face looming at foot away from her own.

"You have been crying.." he said.

Her hand rose to touch her wet cheeks. "Yes, well I am very exhausted… I..."

"Shhh…" he whispered. He swept away the remnant tears with his thumb. "You need to clear your mind Elliane. Let it rest itself a while."

Elliane nodded and tried to relax. She dropped her vision to the collar on his leather jacket. Eric's presence unnerved her and combined with the jumbled information she was trying to sort, she felt that her sanity was only hanging together by mere threads.

"Relax Elliane," his soothing voice commanded. Its tone seemed to wash over her sinking into her bones. She closed her eyes again.

He spoke her name again, this time in a whisper. "Elliane" Her eyes flicked open to meet his - and they locked.

Eric felt a wild shiver run right through him. He held her gaze cautiously. There was no smirk upon his face as one might have expected. He had her now. Her defences were crumbled and she was under his power. She was glamoured.

He allowed his vision to take her in. She was beautiful. Even in her exhausted state, she was still exquisite. Her silvery eyes shone like stars in the delicate, noble face. Full sensual lips and high cheekbones featured strongly amidst a creamy complexion; her dark golden hair flowing like water over the pillows.

Vampire glamour was a delicate process. More than what one might have assumed. It required consistent prompts and emotional control from the vampire to maintain it successfully. Elliane's will was very strong and even now, as she was weakened, Eric could feel her mind pull away from him.

"You are safe with me Elliane," he said gently. It was important that his demeanour matched his voice and facial expressions. His voice now commanded assurance and safety. "No-one can harm you now."

He watched as her brows relaxed and the stress around her eyes slowly departed. Her face softened and she breathed slowly through her slightly parted lips. Her breath, warm and sweet was like a desert against the cold skin of his neck.

"No-one?" she queried gently.

"There is no-one here. Nobody else,… but you and me." He paused. "Just you and me… Elliane."

Elliane was more relaxed now - falling deeper into the glamour and Eric continued to hold her gaze. His eyes flicked to her lips and temptation got the better of him.

"You want to kiss me, Elliane."

A slight frown creased her brow and her voice came out husky. "I do?" she asked.

"Oh yes. You want to kiss me… ever so softly." His voice lowered so that it was audible whisper.

Her steady gaze seemed to falter slightly and she hesitated before reaching up with her good hand and placing the palm against the side of his neck. Although Eric didn't need to breathe, he often did so unconsciously and he did so now. A breathe of anticipation as her eyes lowered and darkened with desire as they glanced at his lips

She pulled herself forward, gently bringing his face down to meet hers as she brushed her lips softly over his. As she pulled away, Eric wrapped his arms beneath her and moved her carefully, rolling so that she sat astride his waist. He raised himself upright enough to shrug himself quickly out of his leather jacket letting it drop on the floor; and then he loosened all the buttons on his shirt so that it fell away from his torso

He pushed up the fine silk of her nightgown so it flowed over her hips and he could admire the view of her slim thighs. And now… he could delight in the feel of her naked flesh against his. He leaned back into the pillows.

Her eyes had returned to the locking gaze of his glamour and he slowly stroked one of his hands down the silk upon her back to rest at her hip.

"Kiss me again," he whispered to her. "You want me bad.."

There was a silver flash in her darkened eyes and again she hesitated. "I do?"

"Yess…" he hissed huskily. His voice constrained. "You want me real bad..."

She raised herself on her knees; stretched and balanced herself with her hands on either side of his head. Her mouth reached his and she placed a slow sensual kiss on the bottom lip first; then the top, before she slipped her tongue between them and captured his tongue within her mouth. She sucked on it slowly and he moaned, gripping her hips suddenly with both his hands.

Then she lifted herself away and sat back - straddled against his waist. Her eyes seemed to glitter momentarily in a sensual yet haughty gesture. And, as she dragged the fingertips of her good hand down his chest, Eric would swear that he saw the slight twitch of a smile at the corner of her mouth. His fangs protruded as he let out a ragged breath and he wondered for a moment, who exactly here, had been glamoured.

He clutched at her hips, raising her so he could slide the length of his torso down between her thighs. His face was directly beneath her, inhaling her sweet scent which seemed to hit him like wall of raw desire. Then he repaid to her in kind, her previous action; sensually kissing the lips of her sex. First one, then the other, and her thighs trembled about him before he plunged his tongue deep within her, sliding it up her silken folds before sucking on the nub between them.

A bolt of desire shot through Elliane and she immediately arched backwards, a shuddering breath emitted from her throat. Eric continued his assault; holding her hips in place as she writhed above him. Finally, with a soft outcry she reached a point of climax, and he felt her walls flutter about his tongue as her nectar flowed freely.

He was panting; he had to stop now - before he took this notion too far. He met her gaze, which seem to mirror his own astonishment and awe and manoeuvred himself so that he knelt before her.

He hesitated; a pain ached and burned within him. He did not want to loose the hold he had over her, but then - he savagely bit into his wrist. He presented the wound to her, though her eyes remain focused on him, waiting his command.

There was a strong note of regret in his voice and he knew it would soon be over. "Drink Elliane," he whispered hoarsely. "Lick at the blood."

She frowned and her eyes became wary; confused by the command that conflicted with his tone. She glanced briefly to his mouth, to his threatening fangs, and he saw her shiver. He forced gentleness to his voice.

"Drink Elliane! You want it, you desire it. Taste the blood."

She returned her attention to his wrist and leaned over slowly to bring her mouth closer to red liquid there. Eric looked away with an inner groan as he saw her pink tongue dart out, and it flicked against the wound hesitantly before she covered it with her mouth.

Eric hissed through his fangs. He pulled on the fine ribbon that enclosed the neckline of her gown allowing it to loosen. He was surprised when she pulled away from his wrist to gaze back at him expectantly. His blood was like a drug and most people drank until they were forced away. The silk garment she wore, slid off one shoulder, and he tugged at the neckline, letting it loosen further to reveal a perfect, tawny tipped breast.

It would be over soon. He felt a panic grip him and he reached for her hand, pulling out the intravenous drip. He ignored her sudden gasp and grabbed her by the waist, tossing her against the pillows. He latched onto the beautiful, exposed peak and sucked on the nipple greedily. She raised her hands to his head, threading them into his hair and sighed.

It only took a few moments, for his blood to course rapidly through her body and connect him to her. He felt the connection with an emotional jolt and continued to flick the nipple her held between his teeth with his tongue. Wild desire was running rampant through her only to be replaced by a growing confusion. She stiffened beneath him and began to struggle. Ever the optimist, Eric held on to the slim hope that she would allow him to continue. With sudden strength she pushed him away and stared at him stunned.

"Eric! What are you doing?!" her tone was frantic. "Oh my god… What am I doing?"

Elliane was beside herself. She sat up and looked around in a wild fervour to make sense of the situation.

Eric sat back from her quietly; waiting for her to speak again.

Elliane felt strange, alive… incredible. Her mind was free of pain and the previous overabundance of images, which had torturously moved through her thoughts, now flickered through with ease. She felt a tingling on her hand. The drip was gone and she watched as the bruising that was there, dissipated before her eyes. It clicked and she remembered everything up to the moment he had taken control of her. Her eyes darkened and she looked at him.

"You have glamoured me…" she stated simply. Eric didn't answer and she saw the lingering hunger in his eyes and she repeated herself.

"You glamoured me… didn't you?" She started to breath rapidly.

"Yes."

"You fed me your blood." she looked at him accusingly.

"Yes."

He felt it before it had even visibly hit her. A huge wave of black rage swallowed every other emotion as she launched herself at him, to smash two slim fists against his chest. He caught her mid flight. She sagged suddenly as she trembled with fury.

If there was ever a look that could kill, this was surely it. She met his eyes squarely and he felt pure hatred pour from her and almost devour him. She was so angry she could hardly speak, but she did so anyway, in a voice that was broken.

"You… Are… Despicable..."