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

Another Disclaimer: I've created fictional backgrounds to characters where the appropriate background is either lacking or currently unknown.


Chapter 15

"De Sang-Bleu"


Godric was pleased to see Eric.

"My childe, I hadn't expected to see you again so soon," he said to him with a smile.

Eric's clear blue eyes gazed intently at Godric before he lowered his head in respect. "I have brought the rest of Elliane's belongings. They are upstairs in her room." Eric shifted his gaze to Elliane.

"Thank you, Eric," Elliane said, surprised by his odd behaviour and courtesy. She would be pleased to see her laptop. She wanted to go through all the psychometry notes with Godric.

"I have decided to take Elliane to 'De Sang-Bleu'." Godric stated. "The sooner she is introduced the better."

Eric nodded.

"You should attend with us Eric," continued Godric.

"I would be delighted," Eric responded politely and gave Elliane a smug smile. A smile to convey that he was aware she was annoyed with his arrival.

Elliane however looked blank for a moment. "Are we going out somewhere?"

"Yes," Godric turned to Elliane.

"When?"

"As soon as you are ready," he answered calmly.

Isabel came forward from the door. "Come along Elliane. I shall help you pick out something to wear."

Elli went back up to her bedroom, where Isabel slid across some panels on the wall to reveal a walk in closet and dressing room.

Elliane saw that her own clothes from the condo were hanging up neatly here. Also hanging in the closet, was a beautiful selection of garments she had never seen before. All of them were expensive, designer-evening wear.

"These are not mine…" said Elliane in an instant.

Isabel shrugged with an indulgent smile. "They are now. I bought these for you when I saw your wardrobe was seriously lacking in the glamour department."

Isabel glanced at Elliane, noticing her anxious face, and continued to speak to put her at ease.

"As a companion to one of the most powerful of vampires, your importance will be judged by others - according to your importance to him."

Elliane's eyes widened and she now looked distinctly disturbed.

Isabel laughed amusedly. "Perhaps I phrased that wrong. Godric likes to set an example of humans being treated well."

"Oh… I see" said Elliane. Great, she was to become a pampered pet, she thought derisively.

Still amused, Isabel pulled out a dress and handed it to Elliane. "You must wear this one tonight. Now that I have seen your colouring, this will suit you very well."

Elliane looked down at a mass of dark-turquoise velvet and silk.

"Put it on," Isabel turned from her and moved to the door with a thoughtful look. "I shall be back in a moment."

Isabel slipped out of the room and Elliane quickly stripped out of her clothes and put on the luxurious gown. When she saw herself in the mirror, she drew her breath and bit her lip.

The evening gown was gorgeous and the deep turquoise colour did suit her, enhancing her pale-gold skin tone. It was however - extremely revealing. Thin silk straps sat upon her shoulders and the plunging neckline exposed the creamy swell of her breast-line to perfection. There was no way it could be worn with a bra, but it thankfully it had some sort of flimsy support built into the garment.

Her back was completely bare to the lower dip of her hips. The fabric scooped there in a low wide curve. The dress was otherwise long and floaty. It fitted snugly over her hips and butt and then fell to her feet in pool of glorious rich shimmer. As she walked, she noticed slits on both sides at the front that revealed a good length of her slim thighs, which were revealed through a veil of shear, black silk of the under-dress beneath.

Elli sighed. She had admittedly worn much racier things, and somehow this dress seemed to maintain a semblance of good taste, and style. She poked and rummaged through the shoe boxes in the closet and found a pair of silver strappy-heels. They were totally impractical and she smiled to herself, thinking they would match quite well.

Isabel returned with a steaming bowl in her hand. "Do you eat rice?" she queried.

Elli's eyes lit up. "Oh yes. I'm starving…"

"I know," said Isabel, her voice stern. "I heard your stomach growling and you have started to turn pale. You must speak up about these things. Godric has probably forgotten how often humans need to eat."

Elliane nodded, feeling oddly admonished for the second time by a vampire that night.

"There is a selection of prepared human food in the freezer that can be heated up in the microwave." She handed Elliane the bowl of fried rice. "Now let me have a look at you."

Balancing the rice in one hand, Elliane put her arms out and turned slowly.

Isabel's dark eyes took in every inch of the girl.

"Oh my…" she said with a sly smile. "Tonight will be a very interesting evening indeed. Sit and eat, my Dulce, I shall be right back"

When she returned five minutes later, Isabel had changed her own clothes and was dressed in a beautiful gown of dark silver tissue. She came in purposely, armed with a curling wand and a beauty case. Elliane had already finished the rice and was now feeling much more relaxed.

"Ok, let us fix up your hair first," said the vampire.

Isabel worked fast and weaved Elli's hair into an immaculate creation that had all the glamour of the 1940's. The golden waves were artfully swept up and away from her neck and forehead, into an elaborate knot at the back of her head; a single loose curl was left to sit over one shoulder. She opened up the beauty case and leaned close to Elliane to examine her face.

"You have the skin of a child. It is flawless," Isabel said - with a touch of wonder, before narrowing her eyes. "Just how old are you?"

"Nineteen," said Elliane.

The vampire's lips twitched with amusement. "Well, then…"

She dusted over Elli's skin with a light translucent powder and then worked on the rest of her face. She used a liberal amount of black eye-shadow and mascara to create a sultry look that brought out the silver of Elliane's eyes and used a glossy reddish tint on her lips.

Elliane stood when she was finished and viewed the results in the full length mirror.

"Do you like?" asked Isabel.

"Yes…" she answered with a hesitant nod. Elli could hardly believe her reflection. She felt like a screen siren from the era of black and white movies.

"Hmm, are you sure…?" Isabel pursed her lips. "You look worried."

"Well… I'm a bit concerned about the hair. I mean… it looks amazing... But, umm.. do you think it is a good idea having my neck exposed like this?"

Isabel looked blank.

"You know... neck – veins - blood and vampires."

Isabel started laughing.

"My Dulce," she said softly, the mirth still apparent in her eyes. "You will be kept safe - I promise you. Your scent may be exquisite, but it is…" Isabel paused, looking for the right word, "underwhelming."

Elliane was not offended. She snickered under her breath and remembered what Robbie had said only that afternoon.

"Yeah, I'm a bit weird that way, apparently…"

"Come, we should get going." Isabel opened the door and waited for Elliane to exit.

Elli left the rooms and travelled to the curved marble stairwell, where she paused and peered around the bend to look down at Godric and Eric near the door. They were talking in lowered tones, in the same foreign tongue that Elli remembered from the night in the park.

Isabel had stopped behind her and gave her an amused look of understanding. Elliane didn't want to make some sort of grand 'debutant' entrance. The idea of it making her cringe so she descended quietly, and hoped her sneak skills would work, as well as they could, in the impractical strappy-heels.

She got a halfway down the stairs when Eric looked up and saw her. His speech suddenly halting as his eyes lit up with a blue glow. Elliane did her best to ignore the self-conscious feeling invoked by his look.

Godric then turned to face her with eyes that were dark, piercing and unfathomable. He gave her a pleasant smile and stepped forward to offer his hand in a gentlemanly fashion as she descended the last few steps.

"Absolutely enchanting," he said, when she reached the final step and he raised her hand to his lips. Godric then turned back to Eric, whose eyes were raking hotly over Elliane - burning over every inch of her. Eric quickly blinked and looked at Godric.

Godric's smile became a wider grin of amusement and he led Elliane to stand a few feet from Eric before he turned as he saw Isabel descend. A look of mild surprise crossed his face.

"Are you joining us too, Isabel? I thought you hated the place." He said smoothly.

"I do…" she replied.

"However, I wouldn't miss tonight for the entire world," her Spanish accent continued in a soft dry tone.

Godric nodded with a twitch of his lips and turned back to Elliane, glancing at her critically before speeding off and returning a few moments later.

A black velvet pouch was in his hand. He opened the pouch and pulled out an antique chain with an upside down teardrop pendant on the end. It was a beautiful piece of aquamarine. About two inches long and surrounded by diamonds.

"This should suit very well," he said, and he stepped forward to swing the pendant about her throat and then he did up the clasp at the back of her neck. His cool fingertips sending a shiver down her spine.

Perplexed by the sudden gesture, Elliane touched the pendant inquisitively. A flash of vague images entered her mind. White wigs and frivolous lace sleeves. She sensed laughter, joy and generosity. She looked up to see Godric's dark gaze, and Eric's glowering eyes, waiting expectantly, while Isabel had tilted her head, eyeing her curiously.

"This has not been worn in a while," said Elliane softly. "It was owned by a woman of great charm and wit. She was very well loved."

"It belonged to Mademoiselle Jeanne Poisson," said Godric. "She was otherwise known as Madame de Pompadour."

Elliane smiled anxiously and admired the pendant a moment longer, her eyes taking in the beautiful filigree setting and the large number of diamonds. Never in her wildest dreams did she think she would wear such a fine piece of jewellery. She raised her hands to unclasp the chain.

"I can not wear this. It is worth too much and I would not like to loose it."

Godric quickly stopped her wrists with a cool hand before she could complete her task.

"Please leave it on. I've have rarely had an occasion to see it worn and it suits you well." he stated and he turned to his childe. "Do you not agree, Eric?"

Eric nodded smoothly. "Indeed. If she were my pet, I would be keeping her well occupied at home tonight."

Godric grinned and Elliane was surprised to see a sly look of mischief in his face. His voice held a mild reproof. "She is not a pet, Eric. Elliane is my friend and… companion."

Elliane suppressed a shiver as Godric said the word, 'Companion'. There was something about the way he spoke that gave the term a hidden meaning. It rolled off his tongue in a thoughtful manner, as though he had only just considered the notion.

"You can drive, Eric," Godric said and he tossed a set of keys towards him. "I know how much you prefer to."


It was a good forty minute drive through the nightlife traffic, from the north side of Dallas to the south city-side, where the exclusive vampire club 'De Sang-Bleu' was located. Eric was driving with Isabel in the passenger seat beside him. Elliane sat in back seat, right behind Isabel, with Godric on the side behind Eric.

It was unnervingly quiet. Isabel had complained initially about taking the vehicle. Godric had gently argued that Elliane had already been rushed about that evening, and that she should be allowed to relax before going to the club.

Eric was also displeased. He appeared frustrated at the slow speed of the traffic - breaking heavily at each set of lights when he had to slow down. The second time this occurred, the force nearly sent Elliane slamming into the seat before her, despite the use of a seatbelt.

Afterwards, Godric had leaned forward between the two front seats to switch on the CD player and the soft tones of classical music filled the vehicle. He then slide across the back seat to sit right beside Elliane and took one of her clammy hands into one of his.

"Are you feeling anxious, Elliane?" he queried her with a curious tone. A small smile was on his lips, but his eyes were gentle and sympathetic.

"Maybe a little…" she responded, exhaling heavily. She might as well be honest. It wasn't like they wouldn't know.

Besides, if she wasn't anxious before, she was certainly anxious now, with Godric suddenly seated so close to her. His thigh was pressed against hers. The dark interior of the black Bentley suddenly felt hot and stuffy.

"Eric's driving has always been a little wild," Godric continued and he kept her hand in his cool grasp, rubbing the back of it with his thumb.

As he had spoke, his soft breath had tingled over the skin on her neck. She knew she was blushing at the intimate awkwardness of his proximity. Especially with the other vampires in the car.

Elliane peered at Eric, whose vision was focused on the road. But when a passing street light lit up the vehicle, she saw his cool blue eyes watching her in the rear view mirror. The atmosphere became strange and electric; increasingly expectant as the minutes ticked by.

The soft classical music seemed to create a subtle awareness of the silence between all four of them. Elliane felt like she was in a dangerous, yet exciting dream. She was enclosed with three powerful vampires, and should they decide turn on her, she stood no chance of escape.

She focused on the music, closing her eyes and allowing it to relax and distract her. Her bare back was pressed against the cool leather seat and she was acutely aware that Godric had kept her hand within his own. His other arm was stretched over the top of her seat. The smarmy heat lulled her into a brief slumber.

A firm hand stroked up along the back of her knee and achingly up her thigh. A wet tongue appeared and swept over her hip, leaving a shivering trail over her stomach as it continued up and up.

Elliane opened her eyes with a shocked start and she jolted upright. This was no time to be having weird dreams. She was still seated in the Bentley. Nothing much had changed, only the song track; which had just started in another soothing classical piece.

Her skin had come alive with sensation and her breasts were tingling. Her hand remained captured in Godric's and he looked at her with a slight furrow in his brow.

"Is everything alright, Elliane?" he asked in his calm voice.

Elli just nodded. Her pulse was racing rapidly and she was grateful for the darkness that hid her now burning cheeks. Godric shifted the arm from behind her and brought his hand to sit upon her sheer silk covered knee, giving it a slight, almost paternal squeeze which had Elliane drawing a sharp breath as a sudden rush of sensual heat coursed along her leg. It felt like an erotic spell had been cast upon her.

"Isabel, you mentioned earlier that you hated this club?" queried Elliane breathlessly.

She urgently needed to break this strange carnal sensation, and she focused her thoughts on what she knew of this place, which was very little. She had never been there.

'De Sang-Bleu' was an exclusive club to a certain 'class' of vampire and their invited guests. It had no negative reputation and was rumoured to be quite tame.

"Yes, I avoid it where ever possible," Isabel replied. "Although sometimes - I need to go there on business."

"It is full of pretentious relics," interjected Eric. "Most of which are stuck in a by-gone era of high snobbery."

Elliane raised her brows at his comment.

"Do you also hate the place, Godric?" she asked.

Godric gave her the mild smile and removed his hand from her knee to stroke the back of it down the side of her cheek causing her to inhale deeply.

"I'd be better to answer your next question," he said.

"We are going there because the 'pretentious gossips' of the establishment will serve our purpose to perfection," he finished.

"Ahh…" she nodded, only half-knowingly. At this moment, she couldn't give two hoots why they were going to some insipid club that they all apparently hated. She had asked in the hope that it would distract her thoughts. She felt dreamy, warm and languid. Godric's husky voice, his sexy accent, had washed over her in a sea of sensuality. She found herself gazing at his lips, imagining their sculptured perfection brushing over her skin, over her the peaks of her breast.

Eric hissed and braked in agitation as the set of lights changed to red. Startled from her reverie, Elliane gave herself a mental shake and closed her eyes. She had to think of something horrible. Anything at all - to break the arousal of awareness that had threaded itself into her system. She had seen plenty of horrible things in her time and she tried desperately to summon them to mind.

Two cool hands slowly traced their way up her sides as a hot mouth gently and teasingly nipped at her inner thigh.

Elliane blinked rapidly as she shook off the image. Her gaze became hooded and suspicious, and it flicked first to Godric, who was passively looking ahead. She shifted her view to the mirror, where Eric's eyes seemed to flash with annoyance. She quietly huffed and twisted uncomfortably in the seat.

Godric still had her hand still in his and he looked down at her with a steady expression. He turned her hand over so that his thumb now stroked her palm in what Elli assumed he intended as a gesture of comfort.

"It's not too much longer, Elliane. Soon you shall be free of Eric's erratic driving," he said with a nod.

Elliane could hardly dare to speak. She sighed noiselessly, and as his thumb continued to caress her palm, his other hand moved to rest again on her knee. That knee startled to tremble.

Godric looked at her oddly and furrowed his brow in innocent confusion. He released her hand and instead allowed his fingers slip down to her wrist. He gave her gentle smile before he raised it slowly. It seemed to hit her all at once. The music, his closeness, his thigh pressed snugly against hers - the dark, sensual intimacy of the vehicle. Elliane held her breath, almost entranced as a wild and frantic assault of erotic images swept through her mind. Please no, she prayed mentally…. Not here.

Godric placed a gentle kiss on her wrist and a shot of molten heat seared its way to her core of her sex causing her to buckle forward with a soft whimper. Elliane was heady with want. She swayed in the seat as she felt a hot liquid rush. Eric slammed on the brakes and growled.

"This music needs to go," he uttered harshly

Since they hadn't stopped for lights this time, the cars behind them started bleeping their horns. Eric ejected the CD and rapidly flipped through radio channels before he finally settled on a station. "Trapped under Ice" exploded from the stereo, thundering its thrash metal and machine gun beats into the car.

Godric had released Elliane with the sudden stop, bracing her body against the impact of being flung into the seat before her by wrapping both arms around her.

"Maybe I should drive," said Isabel

No one answered. Elliane grateful for the excuse to be looking 'out of sorts' pushed herself closer to the back seat door, where she gripped the arm rest with both hands. She pressed her cheek against the cool window, slightly panting as she gathered her composure.

A sudden realisation hit Elliane and she felt stricken with humiliation. Because she had taken Eric's blood, just the previous day, he was able to feel her thoughts. Everything she had just been feeling, he would have felt as well. And there was Godric too. Could Godric still sense what she was feeling?

Elliane just wished that the ground would open up and swallow her. She remained quiet for the rest of the journey, blocking out the vampire presence and it wasn't until she felt an external tug on her door that she released it and looked up.

They had parked before a hotel lobby and Godric was standing outside before her.

"Come along Elliane," he said to her gently, a small smile flicked across his lips as he offered her his hand, leaning down to reach into the vehicle. "I promise to behave."