Thank you everyone for your reviews/favorite story adds/story alerts! =D

Enjoy Chapter 3!

I stood motionless outside that vampire bar. Why should I have a reason to feel so nervous? I try not to think of vampires as bloodsucking predators but rather as people, as they were once human beings like you and me. Plus, the idiotic college kids who were standing outside the front door dressed in clothes from Hot Topic who smeared their faces with black lipstick and eye makeup were just too comical to be afraid of. So why was I still so apprehensive?

Dru looked down at me, apparently sensing my distress. "Come on now! There's nothing to be afraid of." Her sing-song voice tried to put me at ease.

I quickly forced a smile. "Of course, nothing at all. Lets go inside."

Dru smiled and grabbed my hand, which caught me off guard. Then, she pulled me to the door.

"Is she over twenty one?" said the mean-faced bouncer.

Dru looked at me, anxious for my reply. She didn't know my age.

"Yes I am," I responded, pulling my wallet out of my purse and showing the bouncer my driver's license.

"Very well," he said in his deep Southern drawl, then stepped aside to let Dru and I in.

The interior of Nosferatu was exactly how one would picture a vampire-themed bar. The lighting was dim and the walls were painted a dark blood red and covered in vampire-related pictures and knick-knacks The music coming out of the speakers at a temperate level was a mixture of hard rock and metal. I can live with that. The sofas and chairs were cushioned with cozy black leather, making it more of a Gothic lounge than your average run-of-the-mill bar. I guess vampires love their decadence. The bar itself was pretty normal looking, stocked up with alcohol, decorated with festive string lights, and featuring a flat screen television anchored to the wall. The clientele featured halfwit men and women around my age dressed in their finest cheap Halloween costumes and tourists who decided to come here for a little "excitement." Scattered all over the bar, I could make out the real vampires from the fake ones. There were only about a handful of them. This place didn't seem dangerous at all, but rather quite campy.

I thought I could kick my feet up and relax, so to speak, until I glanced over to the right side of the bar. All of my anxiety came back at full force when I laid eyes upon the most beautiful creature I'd ever seen. Beautiful doesn't even begin to describe him. He was more ravishing, alluring, exquisite, stunning. His milky white skin and cropped chestnut brown hair seemed to glow and shine in the dim light. He sat in a throne-like chair, willing "fang-bangers", or vampire groupies, at his feet, wanting nothing more than to give themselves to him. But he looked as though he wanted none of it. He seemed disinterested, as if he was lost in his own little world. Then, he glanced over in my direction, probably sensing me staring at him. I quickly looked away, my cheeks red and burning, feeling absolutely mortified. But I just had to gaze at his intense beauty again, so I stole another look, this time much more subtle. He continued to watch me. I don't think he ever looked away.

"You look like you could use a drink," Dru said, snapping me out of my reverie.

"I sure as hell can!" I replied with a tense laugh, still feeling his eyes on me.

Taking my hand again, she led me to the bar.

"Good evening, Isabel," Dru said to the brunette, who bared a slight resemblance to Penelope Cruz, working behind the bar.

"Hi, Dru," the woman named Isabel said, speaking with a Hispanic accent. Then, she looked at me. It wasn't your typical, condescending vampire look. It was more curious. "Who's your friend?"

"This is Annabel. She just moved here from Louisiana."

"Nice to meet you," I said with a warm smile.

"The pleasure is all mine. I hope you enjoy Dallas as much as we do."

"Thank you very much."

Isabel propped her hands up on the bar. "What can I get you two?"

"My usual," said Dru. "A Negative." My guess is that she referred to TruBlood.

"I'll take a Bud bottle."

Isabel handed our drinks to us. "I think Godric is summoning you two."

Dru turned her head around and so did I. That gorgeous man was still staring.

Dru practically hopped out of the bar stool that she sat on. "You're going to meet the sheriff!"

"I'm going to meet the who?" I asked stupidly, still in a daze.

"Him. Over there." She motioned to that man, then grabbed my hand once again and dragged me in his direction. I almost tripped on the leg of the bar stool. Nice move, Annabel.

I almost considered protesting but that would be useless against a vampire. Instead, I took a huge swill from my beer for courage.

"Don't be so jumpy!" Dru lightheartedly stated. "He probably just wants to know who you are."

I tried to hesitate, but her grip on me was too strong. "But he seems a little… intense."

"That's because he is two thousand years old. He is the oldest vampire in the New World."

I stared at Dru. "Wait a minute. Two thousand?!"

"Yeah. He was made during the Roman Era. He doesn't talk much about his past life, though."

I was so scared, I could hurl. I hoped to God I wouldn't. "Are you sure this is such a good idea?"

"When an old and powerful vampire such as Godric wants to meet you, you can't say no to that." The sudden hardness in her voice was a departure from the lighter tone that I had been accustomed to.

What had I gotten myself into? Suddenly, I found myself wishing that I should have stayed in the comfort and safety of my bed, instead of venturing out into Dallas in the middle of the night. My heart started to beat faster and faster with every step I took.

As we approached this striking example of masculine beauty, I finally saw just how young he looked. He couldn't have been any older than me. Well technically, he was older than me. By two thousand years.

"Hello, Sheriff," Dru said when we appeared in front of him. Every human around him dispersed. She released my hand.

He looked up at her and then stood up. He wasn't very tall for a guy, but he still had a good five inches on me. Despite that, he just exuded superiority. I felt so small and inferior. "How is everything, Dru?"

His voice was as smooth as silk and his eyes were the most dazzling pale green I had ever seen. I also noticed his tattoos. Let me tell you that I am extremely attracted to tattoos. They are such a turn-on. One was barely visible through his gauzy white shirt that was unbuttoned to show off just enough of his muscular chest. It snaked around his collarbone like a tribal necklace. The other two were on his biceps, revealed by his rolled up sleeves. One looked like a series of ancient runes and the other was a zigzag pattern.

His head turned in my direction.

"Just fine.," Dru replied. I'd like you to meet my new friend, Annabel."

"Laroque," I said, adding to her sentence. I almost considered extending my hand for a handshake, but I remembered that you can't do that with a vampire.

"I'm pleased to make your acquaintance, Miss Laroque." I was surprised when he gently took my hand in his and kissed it. The sensation of his lips on my skin sent a surge of energy through my body. I thought I might pass out.

"Please, call me Annabel," I said breathlessly.

"Of course, Annabel." A slight smile formed at the corners of his perfectly formed lips.

I stared down at my feet, unable to look at him. "I'm sorry for my attire," I said, remembering my sweatshirt/sweatpants/sneakers outfit. "This excursion wasn't exactly planned."

Godric smiled again, but this time it was bigger. It sent my heart fluttering. "Please don't feel a need to show remorse. I see no problem with what you are wearing." He leaned in closer to me. "If you ask me, it's a refreshing change from the outfits most of these patrons wear."

I smiled, becoming more at ease. Godric wasn't as threatening as he looked.

"Annabel is new to Dallas," Dru added.

He looked curious. "Where do you come from?" I could detect a faint accent in his voice but I couldn't place it.

"Bon Temps, Louisiana."

This piqued the interests of both vampires.

"Forgive me for asking but isn't that the site of those horrible and unjust murders not too long ago?" Godric asked.

I grimaced, thinking of the murders that shook my sleepy little town. Four women, including Sookie and Jason's grandmother were killed in cold blood as part of a violent scheme against those who associated with vampires. The worst part was that Rene, Arlene's fiancé whom I thought I knew so well, was the murderer. Rene wasn't even his real name. He used a fake identity to carry out his terrible crimes. It still hurt to think about those events.

"Yes it is."

Godric apparently could sense my emotion. "I apologize. I can tell that it hurts you to think about it. I shouldn't have asked." He looked away, ashamed.

"Oh, don't worry about it. Really."

He changed the subject. "So what may I ask brings you to this wonderful city?"

"A job offer from the marketing department of the Cowboys football team."

"Ah, you look much too young to be out in the workforce." He glanced down at the half-empty beer bottle in my hand. "And too young to drink alcohol."

You should be the one to talk. "I'm actually twenty two. I graduated from college just a few months ago." Even vampires must think I'm only a teenager.

"You don't look that old." His translucent green eyes twinkled. "But I can tell that your spirit has wisdom and liveliness beyond your years."

I grinned, speechless. I almost forgot to breathe for a moment.

"Annabel, would you do me the honor of sitting with me?" he asked.

"Yes, of course." Damn it. I sounded way too eager.

As if acting on some unseen gesture, Dru picked up a small leather chair from one of the tables and set it down next to Godric's "throne." I followed her with my eyes, finally seeing that every single person in the bar was staring at us. I didn't notice before because I was too busy being cast under this ancient vampire's spell.

"Thank you Dru," I said to her as I settled into the chair, setting my purse on the floor next to me.

"You're welcome." Her eyes scanned over me and then over Godric. "I'll be leaving you two alone now. I have to discuss some business with Isabel."

Godric nodded and she walked away.

My heart sank, then it came back up and started to beat even faster than it did before. Don't leave me all alone with him!

I ignored that nagging voice in the back of my head and smiled politely at Godric, remembering to sit up straight and put my hands on my lap.

I couldn't wait to tell Sookie about this!