Chapter One:

1 year and 8 months earlier

"I can't believe I haven't even been home for more than a couple of hours and I'm already sneaking out with you." I rolled my eyes at the blonde as I slipped into her car. I shot a glance up at the dark townhouse I had just snuck out of and sighed. I would much rather be in bed curled up with a good book than on my way to some vampire bar my friends were dragging me out to.

"Lighten up; you'll have a blast tonight." Sarah Jennings, my closest friend, flashed me an assuring smile. Her lips were bright and glittery and nearly made me want to vomit.

I went to Yale; glittery lipstick wasn't exactly a norm.

"I don't know about tonight." my hands were fidgeting in my lap as Sarah turned the car around and took off out of the quiet little neighbourhood.

"Come on, you've studied your ass off this past semester. It's time to have a little fun." She nudged me before reaching over and turning the radio on.

I rolled my eyes and couldn't help but smile as our favourite song began blasting from the speakers. I shook my head and glanced out the window, watching as the houses passed by before entering the downtown sector of Shreveport, Louisiana. It felt odd coming back here after spending so many months of the year in a different city. I had grown up here in Shreveport, and the first opportunity I had, I escaped the city. It wasn't that I didn't like Shreveport, or even Louisiana, I just needed a change of pace. And my acceptance letter to Yale had been my key to what had been missing in my life. Now I was living a nice peaceful life in Connecticut, studying more than I slept, all so I could find myself in New York City one day as a journalist to one of the top newspapers in the country. It was a dream, a set goal of mine, and it had been since I had gotten over my rock star faze. Of course, that had been when I was seven, but still. This was what I had worked so hard for, and I was only a semester away from achieving it.

But first, I had to survive Christmas break at home, surrounded by the friends I hadn't seen in over a year, and oh yeah, going to a vampire bar.

I wasn't sure how they had persuaded me to go. I think it was more along the lines of whining and complaining over the phone until I agreed to meet Sarah outside my house once my mother had gone to bed. It wasn't the first time I had snuck out, and as I was 21, I didn't even need to do that. But my mother was all I had left, and I didn't want to worry her sick.

Though I had left a message in the kitchen saying that if I didn't show up by breakfast, that I was probably drained of blood and lying dead in a ditch somewhere.

What can I say, I was a writer; I had a way with words.

I didn't know what to expect out of a vampire bar. I hadn't even met a vampire while away at Yale. Apparently they didn't flock to Ivy League schools. I couldn't fathom why not. Louisiana seemed to be a hot spot for them though, as Sarah and my mother had told me countless of times. My mother, working as an emergency room nurse, had seen more vampire bites than she cared to ever see, and had warned me time and time again to be careful. She didn't want the next victim walking in to be me. I'd have to be careful tonight to make sure that didn't happen.

Sarah on the other hand, was ecstatic about the vampires. She wasn't a fangbanger, a term that seemed to float around those that spent a bit too much time around vampires. Otherwise known as whores and sluts, but fangbanger seemed to be a nicer term. Hell, she was wearing cowboy boots to a vampire bar; she was far from a fangbanger. I think, with her scientific brain, she was intrigued by them, by how it was all possible. I couldn't even begin to understand how a person can die and wake up as a vampire with no beating heart. They were the undead, and it was completely impossible. But here they were, roaming around amongst us. It made you wonder what else was out there in the world. Werewolves? Witches? Unicorns? Well the latter seems unlikely, but who knows!

"So tell me again about this place?" I asked nervously.

"It's called Fangtasia..."

"Fangtasia?" I raised an eyebrow. "Are you serious? Please tell me you're joking. That's the cheesiest name in existence..."

"It's called Fangtasia..." Sarah shot me a pointed look and I rolled my eyes but kept quiet. "It's exactly what you would expect if there was a vampire version of Disneyworld."

"Well that sounds...lovely." I snorted. "How many times have you been here before?"

"A few times a month." She answered softly after a minute, stealing a quick glance at me. "Maybe once or twice a week since I turned 21."

"Sarah!"

"What?" She tried to appear innocent. "I can't help it, alright?"

"Do you have a death wish or something?" I shook my head, not believing that Sarah hanged out at a vampire bar probably more times than I saw the inside of my own apartment.

"I'm just...I'm just intrigued by them." She shrugged. "I can't help it. They're vampires, Savannah. They're supposed to be fictional characters in books and movies. They aren't supposed to be real, but they are and I'm intrigued."

"Curiosity killed the cat, Sarah." I reminded her. "I don't want to get a phone call from my mom saying that you came into the hospital one night with a vampire bite and didn't leave the next day. You're my best friend and I love you, I just want you to be..."

"There's no biting allowed in the bar." She pointed out, trying to make it seem better than it sounded. "It's all real safe, really it is."

"It's a vampire bar, Sarah. It's never entirely safe." I sighed.

"You haven't even met a vampire."

"Because I don't want one to eat me or do that mind thing to me." I defended.

"Not all of them are like that."

"I'm sure you're right. But I've seen the news, there's been more vampire related deaths in the past year than anything else. I don't want to have to be the one to write an article about your death." I felt the tears stinging my eyes at just the thought.

Sarah sighed loudly as the car came to a stop at a red light. She reached over and grasped my hand, squeezing it gently. "I know I'm being stupid and careless. I know you're going to be worried about me now because you're that kind of friend, and I love you for it. Just, try and reserve judgement until after tonight, alright? I thought the same thing until I went and now I..."

"And now you're addicted. It's like a drug."

"Maybe you're right." She nodded. "But I never go alone, and I've yet to have a vampire try anything with me. I think the fangbangers are the worst!"

I wasn't convinced. Vampire and vampire bars were just a bit too out of my comfort level. But Sarah was a smart girl, and I had to believe her. At least until I saw it all for myself. And then I would most likely hightail it out of there.

"Here we are." Sarah announced after a few minutes.

I peered through the windshield at the bar before us. The parking lot was packed, and there was a line nearly a block long to get in. If nothing else, it was a popular bar. I wasn't sure yet if that was a good thing or not. But if people tended to never leave the bar, then the people wouldn't flock here. Right? I hoped so.

"Ashley and David are already waiting in line." Sarah nodded out the window, pointing out the couple near the front of the line. "Come on, let's go."

I gulped as I slowly undid my seatbelt, taking as long as possible to get out of the car. Sarah was out in only a second, tapping her foot impatiently as I took my time. After a few annoyed comments, I finally slipped out of the car, closing the door behind me and wishing that I had never snuck out in the first place. But I was here now, and unless I wanted to hail a cab or trust the sketchy bus system at this time of night, I was stuck here, at least for now.

"I feel overdressed." I commented as I glanced at the long line, taking in the appearance of those sending us dirty glares for skipping most of the line.

"Oh stop it, you look great!" Sarah rolled her eyes, tugging me along to where David and Ashley were waving us over.

I stared down at myself self consciously. What did you wear to a vampire bar anyways? From what I was seeing, I could have worn a bra and panties and still would have felt overdressed. I had thrown on a pair of skinny jeans that Sarah had insisted made my legs seem endlessly long when I first bought them. Well they better; they had cost me a fortune. I paired the jeans with a leather jacket I may have stolen out of my mother's closet, and a flowing red and purple shirt that seemed to fit the theme of a vampire bar fairly well. I had thought about wearing heels, but knew I wouldn't have lasted the night, and instead wore a black pair of boots that came up to the top of my calves with only a slight chunky heel. It was doable, and if it had been any other bar, I probably would have fit in perfectly.

"You seem just as excited as I am." David rolled his eyes as we reached the pair. I saw the doubt and fear in his eyes, and I knew mine reflected his perfectly. It was good to know that I wasn't the only one who didn't want to be here.

"Don't be a party pooper." Ashley grinned at us, clinging to David's arm like usual. "Tonight will be a blast."

"I'll reserve my judgement." I shrugged.

"She's just worried." Sarah tossed her arm around my shoulders as the couple in front of our group made their way inside. "But like I said, you have nothing to worry about."

We stepped up to the woman checking I.D's, and the first thing I noticed were the stark white fangs glistening in the starry night. My heart began racing, and I knew by the look the blonde vampire flashed me, that she could hear it as clear as day. That only caused my heart to erratically pound in my chest even more as I shakily handed over my I.D. she licked her blood red lips, her gaze falling over me a touch longer than the others.

"Well aren't you a cute little thing." Her voice rang in my ears as she handed my I.D. back, her icy blue eyes boring into mine.

I gulped and clutched onto Sarah's wrist as Ashley and David led the way into the bar. I glanced over my shoulder at the vampire who was following us with her eyes, a wide smirk on her lips as she winked at me. I shuddered as the door closed behind us, trapping us inside of the loud, crowded bar. I kept at Sarah's side as the three began to push their way through the crowd and across the large room to the bar. My eyes were darting from side to side, but there were just too many bodies packed into the small space to see anything.

Sweaty bodies that is.

Naked flesh brushed against my arms as we pushed through the mass of bodies, and it sent chills down my spine. Regular old bars weren't like this; at least I didn't think so. It wasn't like I had all that much experience. And after tonight, I wasn't so sure I would want more experience. It wasn't that I was afraid of vampires. Alright, that was a lie. Part of me was afraid. Vampires were a scary thing. They could rip your heart out with only a flick of the wrist. That thought was frightening. They needed blood to survive, and despite the synthetic blood that was created, it was no secret that vampires desired human blood. So yes, I was petrified by vampires.

But in a way, I guess I was also intrigued by them. The vampires in Fangtasia were the first I had ever seen with my very own eyes. It was unnerving, and I was afraid to admit that there was a small bit of an adrenaline rush.

"See, this isn't all that scary." Sarah had to yell into my ear in order for me to hear a word she was saying.

I kept my comments to myself however, and was relieved when we finally reached the bar. Ashley and David were already sitting at the only available seats, drinks in their hands. I was fine with standing though. It was easier to escape if I was on my feet. Scared witless? Surely not me.

"Let's get a drink into you." Sarah laughed as she ordered a round of vodka shots.

I gladly took the vodka shot she offered, knowing that if I was going to let loose and have some fun tonight, if that was even possible, then I was going to have to need a good deal of alcohol in my system. I downed the first shot and the next was already being pushed into my hands. Two shots later, and I was already feeling the effects of the strong alcohol. I clung to my sobriety, not wanting to get into a sticky situation because of it, but I let my guards down as Sarah began pulling me towards the small and crowded dance floor set in the middle of the bar just in front of a small stage. I glanced at the stage out of interest, and almost wished I hadn't. On the shorter stage of the two, there was a woman nearly naked dancing around a pole. I was disgusted and went to turn away, only to catch sight of the most beautiful creature I had ever laid my eyes on.

I knew he was a vampire right away. It was impossible to be that pale, to hold yourself in that arrogant manner, and not be a vampire. He was just draped in that large throne as if it was made for his large stature. I knew he was tall; it was evident with those long legs. He looked like something out of an old Nordic myth. If you were to look up Nordic Gods, I was certain this vampire's face would be plastered everywhere. His hair was a golden blonde and slicked back out of his face. His eyes were what first caught my attention. They were such a deep vibrant blue that I found myself almost star struck. They were beautiful and striking; it was the only way to describe them. I pulled my attention away from the vampire just long enough to catch glimpses of others in the bar, both women and men, staring at him in admiration. The looks on their faces sickened me, some licking their lips in lust, others staring at him like he was a piece of meat. I prayed I didn't look that ridiculous.

"Savy?" Sarah shouted into my ear, shaking her hips from side to side as she danced beside me.

I flashed her an apologetic smile and turned my attention back to my friends, letting the alcohol set in. As I began losing myself into the beat of the music, my body growing relaxed, more relaxed than it should have in a vampire bar, I couldn't help but gaze over at that stage every so often to catch small glimpses of the handsome vampire. He was drop dead gorgeous, literally, and he seemed to know it. There was just an aura around him, one radiating arrogance and cockiness. He knew there were women ready to throw themselves at him, and he enjoyed every second of the attention. He was usually the type of men that I stayed far away from. They would break your heart, that's what my mother always told me.

It was hard to find myself afraid of someone so arrogant, so annoyingly beautiful.

I tried to ignore him the rest of the night, but it was difficult. Every time I flung my long cascading pin straight auburn hair over my shoulder, I would catch a peek at his throne, at the lovely body draped in it. When I turned this way and that, my hips following suit, I would sometimes turn directly towards the stage and find myself just watching him before quickly turning and resuming dancing. I was almost thankful when Sarah and Ashley hurried off towards the bathroom, leaving David and I to push our way back to the bar. I tried to catch another glimpse of the vampire, but with the hoards of bodies between the bar and the stage, it was impossible.

That was probably a good thing.

"What are you staring at?" David asked, an odd look on his face.

"What? Nothing." I shrugged, nursing my rum and coke in my hands. "Having fun, David?"

"We're smack dab in the middle of a vampire bar, Savannah." He rolled his eyes while leaning against the bar. "What do you think?"

"Stupid question, huh?" I snorted. "It's not as bad as I thought it would be."

"Expected some sort of blood orgy?" A smirk crossed his lips as he took a sip of his beer.

"Something like that." I couldn't help but laugh. Maybe I had been wrong. I wasn't exactly comfortable dancing in a vampire bar, but the evening had turned out better than I had been expecting.

"You look like you're enjoying yourself." David mused.

"It's not so bad." I shrugged. "I was expecting the worst."

"I guess it's not..." David trailed off.

I frowned as I shot the brunette a confused look. I found his eyebrows furrowed together as he stared across the bar. I turned, trying to find what he was looking at, and I nearly choked on my drink when I found the vampire sitting in the throne staring right at us. I quickly twisted back around, my back straight and stiff. I clutched onto the bar so tightly, my knuckles began turning white.

"Savannah?" David laid a hand on my shoulder. "You look like you've seen a ghost."

"I-I'm fine." I tried to flash him a smile, though I failed miserably.

Had the vampire noticed my stares? Was he angry? He seemed like the sort of person who would welcome the attention, or would feel insulted if he didn't have hoards of women fawning all over him. So then why was he staring directly at me? I felt a chill run up my spine, my body tensing even more. I could feel his gaze on me the entire time.

"I need to get some fresh air." I quickly paid for my drink before pushing myself away from the bar.

"Are you okay?" David asked, chugging down the rest of his beer before straightening.

"I'm fine; it's just getting too stuffy in here." I nodded in assurance, though I was lying through my teeth. I wanted to escape the stare of that vampire.

"I'll come with you." David suggested.

"I'll be fine, I'm a big girl." I patted his arm. "You stay with the girls. I'll only be a few minutes."

David looked hesitant but eventually nodded. He knew I would get my way eventually. I wasn't an idiot. If anything, I was extremely paranoid tonight. I wasn't about to throw myself into a heap of trouble. I just needed to breathe for a few minutes, away from all the sweaty bodies and the alcohol stench. After a few minutes, the vampire would find a new focus, and I would be able to slip back in for the remainder of the night.

It was almost a relief to have the cold wind hitting me in the face as I slipped from the bar. The line had shortened, only a few left waiting to enter. The blonde female vampire was no longer outside, and instead a vampire who looked more interested in a red head than his job. I shook my head as I scooted through the parking lot, coming to lean against Sarah's car for a bit of privacy. I sighed heavily as I looked up at the night sky, the stars shining, the moon only half full. I was lost in thought, something I would regret later, as I never heard any approaching footsteps, not until an unexpected voice sounded from behind me.

"Hasn't anyone ever told you that you shouldn't be wandering around alone at night?" a velvety smooth voice took me by surprise.

I twisted around so fast, I stumbled over my own two feet. Thankfully I was able to steady myself as I craned my neck up to stare at the vampire I had only been admiring moments ago. My cheeks flushed a bright shade of red, and I was glad the parking lot was nearly encased in total darkness. Then again, he was a vampire, he would have been able to tell if I was blushing or not even if there weren't flickering street lamps lighting the parking lot. Damn it.

"Staring isn't polite." His hands were slipped into his jean pockets as he stared down at me. Those eyes were an even more vibrant shade of blue than I had thought they were. They were exquisite. I could have stared into those blue orbs all night and never once get bored.

But then I suddenly began felling a tug at my consciousness, at my self control. It felt like a foggy haze began clouding my judgement, and I had to shake my head to regain control. I frowned as I stared up at the vampire, though I made sure to not look directly into those orbs. I had read everything I needed to know about vampires on the internet. It had been silly of me to stare into those eyes once; it wasn't a mistake I would make again. I wasn't about to let this vampire hypnotize me, even if he was drop dead gorgeous.

"You don't strike me as someone who cares if he's being stared at or not." I pointed out, though my voice wavered and I knew I didn't sound nearly as brave as I was trying to portray. He may be handsome, and the most beautiful man I've ever laid my eyes on, but that didn't mean he wasn't dangerous, that didn't mean he wasn't a blood thirsty vampire that wouldn't mind sneaking a taste. I was keeping myself as guarded as I possibly could. The weak ones always died first, at least that always happened in the books and movies. Life was a whole lot more complicated than that though.

But I was supposed to be an aspiring journalist; I was supposed to be calm and collected in every possible situation. Better start testing that theory out now.

"Only by beautiful women like yourself." He smirked down at me. I felt cold just staring at him in his dark green t-shirt that clung to his body like it was a size too small. I almost caught myself wondering what could possibly be underneath that shirt, but shook the thoughts away. So not the time for drooling over the pretty vampire. Maybe later when I was safely tucked into bed. "What's your name, tiny human?"

"Savannah." I wrapped my arms around myself.

"A pretty name for a pretty girl." He mused, using his long legs to close the gap between us. "You were watching me tonight."

"It's a bit hard not to notice someone sitting in a large throne. Are you trying to compensate for something else?" I didn't know where the words came from. It just all spilled right out of my mouth. I had a knack for saying inappropriate things at the wrong times. Maybe I was just nervous. Yeah, that was probably it. I mean, I was alone outside with a vampire who was oozing sex and danger.

I hadn't decided which one I would rather.

Somehow I realized it wasn't the danger.

Which only left one option.

"You're a feisty one." His smirk grew as he raised a hand up, brushing the hair off of my shoulder. I tensed beneath his touch, though I never looked away. "Are you afraid of me, Savannah?"

I felt horribly embarrassed that I blushed at the way he said my name. I was acting like a thirteen year old girl. I mean honestly, I went to Yale. Get yourself together girl! Being afraid of him seemed to be the better option; at least it would turn me into a speechless idiot instead of a blushing one.

"You're pulse is quickening." His fingertips brushed lightly across the base of my neck. He licked his lips, his fangs extending with one loud click. My breath got caught in my throat, and this would have been a fantastic time to start screaming bloody murder. But as I looked around, there wasn't anyone in sight. The line had faded outside of the bar, and even the vampire and his red headed interest had left. It was only this vampire and I. Somehow that wasn't comforting. "You must be afraid of me."

"It would be naive of me to say you were as dangerous as a cute fluffy bunny rabbit." I managed out, still fighting to keep my composure. I was fighting a losing battle though.

"Aren't you a spunky one." A chuckle rumbled in his chest. "I like my humans spunky."

"I'm not your anything." I tried to lean away from him.

He grew even closer, pressing against me with his glorious body that didn't go unnoticed by me. Damn it, I was probably close to my death and I was still fawning all over this vampire. If I lived through this night, I was going to have to get out of the library more often and have some sort of social life. The lack of one was messing with my head.

"Would you like to be?" He whispered huskily into my ear as he dipped down, his lips brushing across my earlobe, his fangs grazing over my pulsing vein.

I didn't have a chance to answer however, as voices began to waft through the parking lot. I sighed in relief when I heard the familiar voices of my friends. Miracles do exist!

"I'd like to see you again, Savannah. I hope you return to my bar." He whispered into my ear one last time before suddenly, he just disappeared, leaving me utterly speechless in the middle of the parking lot.

My mouth dropped open as I straightened, staring at the spot that he had only been occupied seconds ago.

"Savannah?" Sarah reached my side, an eyebrow raised as she looked at me oddly. "Everything alright?"

"Y-yeah I'm fine." I nodded, running a hand through my hair and trying to make it seem like I hadn't just nearly met my death at the hands of a very gorgeous vampire. "Do you know who the owner of the bar is?"

"Yes, why?" Sarah frowned.

"Just wondering." I shrugged.

Sarah exchanged glances with the others, who shrugged in response. If they asked, I would plead intoxication. I wasn't about to scare them all by telling them the truth, that I had nearly been attacked by a vampire. And yet, as dangerous as he felt, a small part of me knew he wasn't going to bite me, that he wouldn't hurt me. I couldn't understand it, and I wasn't entirely sure I wanted to.

"Well..." I coaxed, wanting to know more about this mysterious disappearing vampire.

"His name is Eric, Eric Northman."

A/N: okay, so yes, I started a new fic. after finished 5 fics and ending the Eric/Ellie series (at least for awhile) I meant to focus on my Godric fic, but I just couldn't find any inspiration and I got this idea. and I already have some wicked plans set for this fic. it's set in between season 3 and 4, during the year that Sookie had disappeared. I will be crossing into season 4, and I'm excited to write an amnesia Eric eventually, but that won't be for a bit. yes, this is a Eric/OC/Godric...I dabbled with the idea of it in the Eric/Ellie series, but I've always wondered about what it would be like for the two to share one girl. Sookie won't be too big of a part, so those who don't like her, have no fear! thanks to everyone for the feedback already, I'm glad I've already caught some interest :) as always, it's going to be a crazily insane bumpy ride, so hold onto your hats!