And back to Fangtasia we were, the drive back seeming shorter than the drive to the vampire's house. My fears were in fact confirmed. Hell Hounds are behind this. Whether all of the vanishings were caused by them, I am not sure. But they were definitely behind that one.

The bloodstain smelled distinctly of sulfur, common in Hounds, a dead giveaway as to what I am dealing with. And I feel bad for lying to Eric about whose blood it was, but until I know for sure that they're responsible, I'll have to keep my findings a secret.

I can't have him becoming skeptical of me.

Especially considering the fact that I entered a vampire bar as the disappearances peaked. I can assure you, I have nothing to do with this. Not anymore…

"I think I should stay with you during the day tomorrow," I blurted suddenly, following him through the bar and toward one of the service doors.

"Why?" He asked. "I thought it was pointless to stay here and leave Sookie alone."

I paused. "She'll be fine. You…you're more vulnerable during the day. And if you're attacked again…I'd rather be here with you."

"Very well then," He said.

He waved his hand, urging me to move, and pressed his palm on the small of my back as we left the room. But his hand never fell from its spot, not until we reached his bedroom. It felt awkward in a way, having someone put their hands on me, and not trying to kill me. Generally, it's a protective gesture, but I don't see any reason for Eric to be protective. He's just hurrying me along.

"Do you sleep, Adrian?"

"Uh, yes, I do, actually." I glanced sideways over toward the bed. He wouldn't have me share the bed with him, would he? "But, I'm not a heavy sleeper, though. If anything happens, I'll hear it."

"Good," He said. "The only problem now, is where you're going to sleep."

"I'm fine with the floor."

Eric stayed quiet a moment, his eyes flitting about the dark room. They settled on the large bed. "Why don't you sleep in the bed with me?"

I shook my head. "I couldn't, really, I'll just take the floor."

"Suit yourself," Eric smirked, and pulled his shirt off, revealing a damn near perfect build.

My eyes betrayed me and stayed glued on the creature's body, my eyes drinking up every inch of bared skin he offered. A small chuckle escaped from his lips, and I caught myself, tearing my eyes away from him.

I chewed my lip as I turned my back on him, a certain heat welling in the pit of my stomach and trailing up my body, spreading across my chest, my heartbeat racing more than it usually does. Eric pulled back the covers and slid underneath them, a soft moan rumbling in the back of his throat as he sank deeper into the mattress. A part of me thought he was doing it on purpose, his way of making me want to get into bed with him…or maybe his bed really is that comfortable.

Tempting, I thought, staring at the gorgeous man not a few feet away from me.

A scowled formed on my face. I shook my head and pulled my shirt off, dropping it to the floor along with the rest of my clothes, and shifted. I laid down on the floor. Cold cement. Completely uncomfortable. I raised my body temperature just enough to make the floor tolerable. Eric switched off the lamp on his bedside table.

"Goodnight, Adrian," Eric murmured as he rolled over, getting comfortable.

'Yeah, goodnight, Eric.'

. . .

Hours had past, and I was unfortunately unable to fall asleep. I was still wired from the large amount of blood I had ingested earlier, as well as uncomfortable on the cold floor. Eric was fast asleep, I know, because I've been pacing back and forth on his side of the bed, watching over him. The clock beside the bed showed that it was early in the afternoon, only a little after one o' clock.

The recent discovery left me paranoid that a pack of Hounds would storm the vampire bar and try to kill Eric and Pam. If that were to happen, I would be able to hold them off, even kill them, but it still worried me. And the fact that it even worries me annoys the hell out of me.

I'm one of the oldest and strongest of my kind. What is there that I can't handle?

Everything will be fine.

Exhausted, I leapt onto the bed, careful not to disturb the resting vampire. I curled into a ball at the end of the bed, and rest my head on the edge, facing the door. It was warm, relaxing. Far easier to rest on than the cold floor below. I waited another hour before allowing myself to fall asleep.

. . .

My eyes snapped open.

Someone's here.