Ch. 41 To The Hilt
"Oh my god," I grunted after wiping my nose again. It must have been the twentieth time that night and I was sick of it. No pun intended.
It was terrible timing to get sick but the coven Ava was friends with had just arrived in Louisiana. I had called Sam Merlotte asking him if we could use his bar as sort of a meeting place. He had no problem with the idea and said to come over once the bar was closed.
"Violet?" Eric called.
"I'm in the bathroom!" I hollered and sneezed.
"Darling are you still not feeling well?" Eric asked me anxiously as he wrapped his arms around my waist. I leaned back into his chiseled chest. He had a cotton white shirt on so I couldn't feel the coldness of his body completely.
"Yes I am. I think I need to go to the doctor."
Eric unwrapped his arms from me and turned me around. I wasn't sure what he was going to do and I felt a little nervous.
"You should go see Dr. Ludwig."
"It's just a common cold thing. I just need to go to a regular doctor." I explained and went to walk past him. Apparently Eric found this a little annoying and grabbed my arm bringing me back.
"Oh no you don't." He said and brought me back so I was standing in front of him again. I looked irritated and tried to wiggle out of his grasp.
"Let me go!" I demanded but Eric only brought me up so my legs were around his waist, and he locked his arms around me.
"Violet, you're not a regular girl anymore. Do you honestly think you're going to go to a regular doctor? I won't let you." He was absolutely serious and I was about to freak out. It's not like I was a fricken alien or anything! I just wanted to go to a damn normal doctor for crying out loud!
"Are you shitting me right now?" I questioned in disbelief while trying to break out of my Viking's grasp.
Usually this would be no problem but I guess me being sick meant that I would loose my strength considerably. In fact I felt completely human.
"You're going to Dr. Ludwig and that's that."
Eric might have laid down the law but I was going to see a regular doctor whether he liked it or not.
"You know what's really funny honey?" I asked while relaxing my body in his grasp. Slowly Eric's demanding nature faded while with my eyes I looked from his lips back up to his curious blue orbs.
"What love?" He purred and leaned in to caress my bottom lip with his tongue.
I pulled back smug. "You actually think I'm going to do what you say."
Eric's reaction was priceless as he pulled back and growled at me.
The drive to Merlotte's was quick. Not quick enough however for Eric and I to not bicker about what was wrong with me (health-wise) and what doctor I was going to.
"Just stop it please. This coven is a pretty big deal." I said and walked up to the front door of Merlotte's. Eric opened the door for me and we both strutted inside.
I was quite surprised at how many members of the coven were there. I counted twenty but also saw Caine, Sam, Alcide, Jessica, Bill, and of course Pam. Max and my mom were nowhere to be seen however.
Pam nodded to Eric and winked at me. I shook my head a little while I smiled and said hello to everyone else before the witch in the front came forth. She was beautiful. Her hair was dark, long, and she was very tall. Her skin was pale and she was wearing a pair of jeans with a Kiss rock shirt. I liked her already.
"Hello. I'm Leona, and this is my coven." Leona stuck out her hand and I gladly shook it.
"I'm Violet, and this is Eric." I smiled.
"We know who you are. There's no mistaking it. The thousand year old Viking and the child of Athena. You are known throughout the world, and you are quite powerful."
"Thanks." I blushed and we all walked over to sit at a bunch of tables put together to create one large one.
"It is come to us, that Eris is wanting to end the world." Leona stated.
I nodded. "There is a door not too far from Bon Temps that is the gateway to hell. My mother told me that there was a prophecy in which the door will open, and only the blood of Thor can close it."
The room was absolutely silent before my mother and Max showed up right behind me. I jumped a little out of my seat while the whole coven got up and bowed to my mother.
"Mom! You scared me!" I breathed.
"Sorry I'm late. It has come to my attention when Eris will have the blood of Thor to open the door."
"When?" Sam asked scared.
"August twenty second."
"That's only two months away!" I blurted.
"This is the time when we really need to gather up our forces and figure out who is on our side and who will die." Caine proclaimed.
"That's why we are here. We are with you, and from the battle field or wherever else, we can summon the energy and the magic from all the covens that are willing to be on our side. There are at least thirty in England that have already sided with us. We're still waiting for a few in Egypt, Madagascar, Spain, France, and Belgium." Leona informed and I thanked her.
"What about you Alcide?" I asked the strongly built man.
"You have my pack and two packs from Mississippi and Georgia. I'll make a few calls to the west coast. Plus in Minnesota there are some ruthless son of a bitches that will be with us I reckon."
Again I nodded and turned to Caine and Sam.
Caine spoke first. "There are a few ancient brotherhoods that are itching for a good fight. No doubt they'll say no to me."
"I'll start making some calls to a few shifters." Sam hurriedly said.
"Eric and I-" I started but something shot through the window and smoke began to fill the room.
I was knocked to the ground and my head collided with a rock hard boot. "Eric!"
"Take that one!" I heard some gruff voice command and the next thing Leona was yelling for whoever to let her go.
"Oh for the love of-" I spat trying to get up but the smoke was so thick I began to see black spots.
Oh no! Oh no! Don't you dare black out! You have to get Leona! Oh shit!
Someone picked me up and I completely didn't recognize him or her. I couldn't tell because the person was dressed in all black with some sort of face mask on.
"Let go of me!" I screamed and in return I was struck on the head.
A roar erupted and then I was dropped and landed on the floor in a heap. Damn that hurt. I let out a whimper of pain but sucked it up as I dragged my self to behind the bar. I was so scared that I was completely defenseless. Completely human it seemed.
"You are the one she wants!" A venomous voice announced. I looked up and saw another totally covered person in black with a face mask come at me.
I tried to scoot back and froze when Eric grabbed the person from behind the neck and ripped his head off. Blood completely sprayed Eric all over and I completely blacked out.
When I woke up I was in Eric's office laying on his couch. He was no longer covered in blood and patting a damp washcloth on my forehead.
"Where is Leona?" I croaked and Pam came over to give me a glass of water. Man did I feel like a baby.
"We were attacked. I don't know who sent them, but they did take Leona. They tried to take you and that's when I ripped the man's head off before you blacked out." Eric explained softly.
I struggled to get up but took the water and thanked Pam.
"We have to go find her!" I urged and made my way to the door.
It opened before I could reach it and one of the other coven members, a young man, came in breathing hard.
"We just found out that Merlotte's wasn't the only place hit. Ava's shop was too. They took Ava!" They young man cried and my face went white.
"No! No! She wasn't supposed to be here anymore! She was supposed to go to a safe house or something! Why didn't she listen to me?" I sobbed.
Eric pulled me into his chest and stroked my hair.
You don't have time to cry Violet! You have to go get her! You still might be sick but you know Eris has her! I pep talked myself and began to make my way to the door.
"Violet I know what you're thinking and you're not going anywhere!" Eric bellowed and grabbed me. I had just enough juice in me to make my skin hot. Eric hissed and let go pulling his hand back while I escaped. I ran to the door that would lead outside but Eric tossed me over his shoulder and took me way back through the crowd with me screaming.
Everyone in the bar was looking at us like Eric was about to kill me or something. I swore at them and got a good dose of déjà vu from the last time I was in this position. Except we weren't going back to Eric's office, we were headed to his…basement?
"Do not bring me down there!" I demanded and felt all the super strength leave my body. I couldn't produce one little lick of fire and sneezed.
All the way into the basement we went. It was dark, dank, and flat out cold. I continued to struggle before Eric brought me over to a wall that had shackles built into it.
"You can not be serious!"
I was scared now. Forget about anger. Cold hard fear plastered itself all over me.
Eric didn't say a word to me once he sat me down on the ground and put each of my hands in a shackle. My breathing became raged and I saw Pam, Max, and Caine come down. Max looked shocked while the others were straight faced.
"Kinky," My demigod friend awkwardly said.
"I like this look on her," Pam seductively smiled while Caine didn't say anything at all but glared at Eric.
"Eric if you don't get me out of these things right now I swear when I get out of here I am going to kill you!" I threatened and lunged at my fiancé but the chains only went a little far out so I didn't get to grab him.
"This is for your own good." Eric announced and turned away to leave. "I won't have you go on a suicide mission."
"Pam! Max! Caine! Please help me!" I pleaded to each and everyone of them. Pam shook her head while Max said he was with the big man on this one. Caine however looked like he wanted to help me.
"I'm sorry Violet. Even though I am stronger and older than Eric, you are his and I can not interfere."
They left leaving me speechless.
"Godric why am I hurting?" I asked him as we sat down on a bench. He was all in white and the two of us were at a park. The trees were still but a cool breeze wisped by.
He took my hand and looked at me kindly. "You're sick. You just need to go to the doctor."
"Eric doesn't want me to go to a regular doctor." I stated grim. "It's like he is treating me like a child or something."
"Eric cares for you very much. I think he is just scared for you."
"You're probably right," I admitted and leaned my head against Godric's shoulder. He pulled me in close like he used to and held me tight.
"I'm pretty sure," Godric smiled.
"Is it going to get easier?" I asked.
Godric looked down at me. His eyes gave me the answer before he even said anything. "No."
"Am I going to die?"
He didn't answer my question. Instead he just whispered, "You have to leave now. Wake up Violet. Wake up."
My eyes snapped open and I realized I was still in the basement shackled to the wall.
"Son of a bitch," I hissed and sat up. Slowly I leaned back against the wall and tried to create some sort of flame. Nada. Absolute zilch. "Fuck."
Strong foot steps made their way down the stone stairs. It was my hubby. Oh yeah…
"You're awake. Are you feeling less suicidal?" Eric asked snidely.
"You apparently are," I shot back.
"Feisty."
"Well I'm chained to the wall, sick, cold, and I just want to go to a fucking hospital. What did you expect?" Yes, I was highly feisty.
Eric bent down in front of me and tried to place a kiss on my lips. I turned the other way in disgust. He sighed and hung his head before unshackling me.
"Fine. We'll go to a regular doctor," He caved.
"Great. Let's go now you jerk."
Don't get me wrong, I am totally thankful for doctors and nurses, but I hate hospitals. They just give me the wiggins!
I let Eric hold my hand as we followed the nurse into the small hospital room. She told me to sit up on the bed with the crinkly paper underneath and took my vitals.
"The doctor should be right in," She smiled and closed the door behind her.
"I hope the doctor hurries," I rushed and then began coughing up a storm.
Eric zipped to my side. "Are you alright?" He asked worried. I guess Godric was right. Eric was just really worried for me…
"I just need some water or something," I choked out and Eric patted me on the back a few times. It helped some.
"I'll go get you a big bottle of water since there isn't a sink or anything in here."
"Ok. Thanks."
Eric left and a minute later and a oriental looking man with a white coat on came in with a clip board. He had the stethoscope around his neck and a name tag pinned to his coat said "Dr. Lee."
"You must be Violet."
"Yep that's me."
Dr. Lee looked down at the clip board and started writing stuff down.
"So what symptoms are you feeling right now?" He asked and I gave him the run down.
"Ok. Well do you honestly think you and that Viking are going to be able to stop this war?"
"What?" I looked at Dr. Lee and his eyes were completely black. He threw the clipboard down and lunged at me. I screamed and tried to jump off the bed but he pinned me down.
"Eris sends her regards," He hissed and started to choke me.
I clawed my way all over his hands but he just wasn't budging and I was going to loose consciousness any second. "E-E-E-" I tried to yell for Eric but no sound was coming out.
Eric! Help!
I sent all the panic signals I could to my Viking but I was still being choked. All hope was fading until I saw the pen in Dr. Lee's jacket pocket. As quickly as I could I grabbed it and jammed it into Dr. Lee's left eye. He roared in pain and threw me against the wall.
While gasping for air on the floor Eric finally made it and killed Dr. Lee by ripping his head off. I guess he really liked to do that as a killing technique.
"Wh-what took you so long?" I gasped and Eric picked me up.
"I was attacked."
"No more normal doctors, I promise." I confirmed and Eric nodded taking me to Fangtasia.
When Eric and I arrived at Fangtasia the place was empty except for Caine, Max, Pam, and Dr. Ludwig.
Eric handed me over to her and it immediately brought back the painful memory when I almost died because of Eric being all lovey dovey towards Sookie. Eric read my thoughts and instantly kissed me full on the lips just as Dr. Ludwig was about to check out the bruising on my neck.
"I love you," He stated with so much intensity that I almost fell off the bar stool.
"Yes we know! Now get over there Northman!" The tiny doctor snapped and Eric walked over to the rest of the guys.
"So what happened?" Max asked.
"I got attacked by a Dr. Demon Jet Li."
"So was I, but there were at least seven sent after me," Eric added.
"Another assassination attempt. Well it looks like Eris knows you're not up to full par," Caine breathed.
"We got a lead on someone who knows the location on where Leona and Ava got taken. The only thing is she'll only talk to Eric." Pam informed and I almost jumped off my stool.
"What's her name?" Eric asked.
"Lady Ellaine," Pam answered and both Max and Caine gave her a 'are you serious' look while Eric just stood there rigid.
"Who is Lady Ellaine?" I asked impatient. No one was saying anything and it was really pissing me off. There wasn't time for this!
"Take two of these a day for three days and you should be good as new. Good night." Dr. Ludwig advised and handed me a little green clear bottle of small pills.
"Is someone going to tell me who she is?" I asked specifically to Eric and elbowed him in the side.
"She said to bring your pet too…" Max whispered.
Did he just say pet?
"Eric doesn't have a pet." I proclaimed and folded my arms. I was beyond exhausted and my throat was killing me.
"Technically she doesn't recognize you as Eric's fiancé. She only believes in vampire marriages, so therefore you are his pet to her." Max tried to say gently and shoved his hands into his pockets. Pam nor Caine dared to say a word.
"Oh you mean I'm his dog. His fucking toy." I was feeling beyond livid and would have killed to be asleep at that moment.
Pam finally broke her silence. "She still owns the whore house in New Orleans. She wants you to be there tomorrow night and to bring Violet with you."
"There is no way I'm going to a whore house."
"I can not believe I'm going to a whore house," I wined to myself the next night. Eric was driving the car and kept on looking down at my body. Gee I wonder why? Maybe because Pam dressed me like a total slut! My dress was made of this see through black light material specially designed to see one's underwear and bra. Pam tried to get me to wear a thong but I put my foot down. My ass was not going to be showing anymore than it needed to be. To top it off I was wearing red stilettos, but not my engagement ring. Pam thought I shouldn't. For what reason I have no idea…
For the first time during the car ride Eric spoke. "For your safety don't speak until you are spoken to. Lady Ellaine is not known for her patience, rather her cruelty and business nature."
"Great," I stated sarcastically. Eric placed his hand on my thigh and began to rub. "This is so not the time." I warned and looked out the window. Of course Eric did what he wanted, and that was to continue to stroke my thigh. Even I smiled a little to myself.
When we arrived at Lady Ellaine's in New Orleans, the whore house looked like a very well kept French mansion with a gate surrounding it.
"Nice digs," I said while Eric led me through the gate as the valet took the corvette around back.
When we came to the door a woman in only a see through night dress, short blonde hair, and a fake tan answered the door.
"Eric Northman," she purred.
"Hello Chelsea."
"Lady Ellaine is in the leather room. Would you like me show you the way?" Again with the purring. What is her deal?
"No. I know my way," Eric plainly said.
Oh really?
Not right now lover.
I stayed quiet and followed Eric in. You can believe me when I say the whole place drooled with sex. My mind was already starting to ache from all the feelings that were coming to me. My skin was practically painted with it.
The walls were a dark red vintage velvet wallpaper. I would have stopped to look at it if I wasn't disgusted with all the noises I was hearing. Moaning, groaning, even the occasional scream. Along the way a girl here and there would come out with her fangs showing and blood dripping down their chins.
Ewwww…
Please be quiet my love.
Just don't let me be someone else's sex slave and we're good.
Eric stopped and I froze when he knocked on a black door. A faint voice said to come in. Swiftly Eric turned the knob and we made our way in. The room was a nymphomaniacs dream. Two black leather couches, more toys than you would want to see in a box in the corner while leather spiked collars with matching leashes laid on the bed. It made me shiver with the creeps.
"Eric," A velvet voice chimed.
The woman in front of us got up from the couch. I could tell she was a vampire because her fangs were showing and her skin was ivory. She was a red head like no other and the dress she was wearing was a dark green. The silky material trailed to the floor. She was stunning, but lethal.
"Lady Ellaine."
"Please Eric, just Ellaine. We've known each other far too long to be formal." Lady Ellaine smiled and held out her hand for Eric to kiss. He gladly took it and lightly grazed his lips on her skin.
Lady Ellaine motioned us to sit. Though when I went to sit on the couch she told me I was told to sit on the floor by Eric's feet.
Are you fucking serious?
Honey please. If we are going to get your friend and Leona back we need to go along.
I'm going to kill you.
"Doesn't your pet know her place?" Lady Ellaine giggled.
"I guess she forgets once in awhile. I'll have to remind her when I get home," Eric smiled evilly. It made me cringe and I looked away to hide my face.
I tried to tune out the weird conversation they were having by counting little specks of blood I was finding on the wall. Disturbing I know.
Somehow I guess twenty minutes must have flown by until I heard Lady Ellaine suggest I was a whore.
"I'm not a whore," I whispered angry.
The conversation stopped between the two vampires. "What?" Lady Ellaine asked in disbelief.
Violet don't!
I stood up. "I said I'm not a whore."
Lady Ellaine zipped to stand before me and slapped me beside the face hard enough that I hit the floor. I clenched my jaw but didn't make a noise.
"Northman you're whore doesn't know when to keep quiet!" Lady Ellaine raged.
When I stood up Eric didn't do anything. Lady Ellaine came at me once more and struck. This time blood dribbled from my bottom lip. Again I didn't make a sound. Before another thing could happen Eric got us out of the house and into his corvette.
I turned away every time Eric tried to touch me to assess the damage done to my face. Whether it was just a finger or look, I flinched away from him.
When Eric pulled up in the parking lot of Fangtasia I told him I was going to a hotel for the night.
"No, come home. Come home with me…please."
He begged me with his eyes to stay but I pulled away and drove off.
I got to my room on the twelfth floor and was about to clean myself up when a knock sounded on my door.
"Eric I told you I wanted to be left-" I stopped when it was Caine at my door. "Alone…"
"Sorry, but I hope I can still come in," Caine quietly pleaded.
I stepped to the side and let him through. It felt a little strange having Caine in a room with just me and him but I shrugged it off and went to go sit on the bed.
"What happened to you?" He asked concerned and I gave him the run down.
Caine listened intently and when I was done he went to the bathroom and came back with a cool cloth. I sat still on the bed when he took a seat next to me and began to clean up my lip. He was gentle.
"So what's your story Caine?"
The ancient vampire stopped and looked me in the eyes. "I'm as old as dirt and I'm one to be feared." He smiled at the end and I cracked a giggle.
"No, really. Who are you?"
Caine went back to my lip and began his tale. "I was a husband once," His masculine voice admitted. He instantly had me captivated. "A long time ago I was born in a place that was next to what is now Rome. Although I don't remember what the name of it was anymore. I had two sons. They were quite the handful." Caine gave a light laugh at the memory and I held in the tear threatening to fall.
"Sounds nice," I breathed.
"One night I came home from fishing and there was a man, or vampire actually in my house waiting. He killed my two sons before me in a blink of an eye. I lunged myself at him but he flung one arm out and I was on the floor. I felt like my whole right side was broken. That's when he made me watch as he drained my wife and turned her into a monster. He wasted no time doing the same to me. However when you turn into a vampire, there is a choice one makes in keeping their humanity. I chose to keep mine, my wife didn't. Another dark night came and she decided to go after two little boys, much like our own. Our maker commanded me to join her in killing them, but I somehow resisted… Just in time I stopped her, but I had to kill her… A night doesn't go by that I don't think about it…" The tone in Caine's voice was too much for me to bare. The tears finally flowed and Caine wiped them away for me.
"Caine…" I chocked.
"Don't cry for me Violet. It was a long time ago," He whispered and I couldn't help but shake a little.
"It's just so sad."
"I also want to apologize for my behavior lately." Caine admitted.
"What do you mean?" I asked confused.
Caine shifted a little on the bed and then stood up. "I'm sorry for being the way I was towards you a few weeks ago. Being asleep for a long time didn't do me too much good. But I had to get away. I was sick of living…"
"Well as weird as it may sound, I'm glad you're here. It's nice to have someone to talk to," I confessed.
"Violet we need to talk."
I turned around to look straight at my mother.
"Mom! You have got to stop that!" I yelled scared. Caine put his hands in his pockets and nodded at the goddess.
The next second Eric came through the door.
"Hello Eric," Caine said bored.
"Not now," My mom threatened the two ancient vampire men that were sizing each other up. "Violet, you and Eric need to go to Paris to retrieve the hilt that is apart of a sword that can kill Eris! You don't have much time! You must leave tonight!"
I threw up my hands. "Ohhhhhh greeeeaaaaattttttt!"