Chapter Two:
I couldn't stop thinking about him.
Not once during the two days after our...exciting little meeting, could I rid my thoughts of that vampire. Eric Northman. His named just seemed to roll off my tongue. I was ashamed to say that I liked saying his name, thinking it even. His face would flash before me at the oddest times. Like when I was in the middle of showering, or while I was dreaming. It was uncomfortable, and yet there wasn't a thing I could do to stop it. Maybe it was my subconscious telling me that I should go back to Fangtasia, that I should see him again. But that was just ridiculous. Because under no circumstance would I ever let my friends talk me into returning to that bar. And there was no chance in hell I was going to go myself.
So then how the hell did I found myself standing outside of Fangtasia two nights later?
If it was at all possible to have black outs without ingesting any alcohol, then I would plead my case. What was I thinking, coming here? It had been stupid. At least I hadn't come alone. Sarah and David wouldn't have allowed it. Ashley had accidentally slipped up and told her parents about her extracurricular activities and was banned from going even remotely close to the vampire bar. I wished I had accidentally told my mother. Maybe she would have locked me up in my room so I couldn't act like an idiot like I was tonight.
Dear lord, what are you doing to me?
Had I used too many of my brain cells last semester? Was that it? Was I now a complete and utter idiot?
That must be the reason. Why else would I be here? And in a dress in the middle of winter! Warmer winters in Louisiana or not, it was still freezing cold and my legs were shivering as we stood before the building, hesitant to get any closer.
"We can still leave." David pointed out.
"No no." I shook my head. "We've come this far."
"Why are we here, anyways?" Sarah questioned with a raised eyebrow. "You lectured me about coming here, and now you want to do this for a second time? Something's off about this."
"I was...intrigued." I used her own excuse.
Sarah sighed but just shook her head and grew silent.
"Well if that's the case, can we at least get in line? It's getting busy out here."
"Geez, it's a friggin Sunday night, aren't people supposed to be home in their warm beds?" I muttered to myself as we shuffled to the back of the long line. It wasn't nearly as long as it had been Friday night, but it was bad enough for what was supposed to be the holy day. So much for God! Though I could use some praying right about now.
"We're here." David pointed out.
"Well I could have come alone."
"Not a chance." Sarah shook her head seriously. "You can't ever come here alone, Savannah. I know you lectured me about it, but I never once was stupid enough to come here alone."
"I know, and I appreciate that you two came with me tonight. Even if I don't know why we're here." I frowned staring up at the building as if it would give me the answered I sought.
"Well you were staring at the owner a lot Friday night." A smirk suddenly appeared on the blonde's lips. "Could it have anything to do with that?"
I let my auburn hair fall into my face, blocking my blushing cheeks from view.
"Is that who was staring at you the other night, Savy?" David asked curiously.
"Whoa, wait, he was staring at you?" Sarah's eyes grew wide as she grabbed me by the arm. "Eric Northman was staring at you?"
"Uh, well maybe?" I cheeks were a dark shade of red by now. "How did you know I was staring at him all night?"
"Well you just admitted it." she snorted. "Don't worry about it; everyone has the same reaction when they first see him."
"Even you?"
"Well no, but I'm immune to the hotness of men. I'm a scientist, remember." She winked and tapped the side of her head. "Unless I can physically prove the chemistry, it doesn't exist."
"You and your logical brain." I rolled my eyes.
"Journalism needs cold hard facts too." Sarah pointed out.
"I know that, but you know how I am. I go by instinct."
"And you're heart." She nodded. "It's what got you into trouble your junior year of high school."
"Hey, Brad was a good guy! He was a little geeky and awkward, but he was nice!" I defended my relationship choices of the past. Of course, it was high school; no one could really hold it against you for who you dated. I think it was expected of you to make a few bad decisions. That's what high school was all about.
David snickered beside us before going uncharacteristically quiet. I glanced at him with a raised eyebrow before Sarah tugged my arm, pulling my attention to the approaching vampire. It was the same woman who had checked our I.D's at the door Friday night. She wore another tight black leather number with the same blood red painted lips. Her hair was flowing across her shoulders however, glistening in the moonlight. Her eyes were just as icy cold, though there was a hint of amusement in those orbs that worried me.
"Well don't you look delectable tonight." her eyes roamed over my attire while licking her lips. Her fangs were extended again tonight, and they looked just as threatening as they had two nights ago. "He's been expecting you."
"Huh?" Sarah looked between the vampire and I. "What is she talking about Savy?"
"I ah...I don't have a clue." I began fidgeting nervously.
The blonde vampire snickered to herself as she planted her hands on her hips. "You have a reserved table."
"I do?" My eyes grew wide.
"I was told to let you right in. I didn't think you'd show. Shame on me for doubting someone as...delicious as you."
"Savannah..." I felt David's hand on my elbow, the man tensing beside me. He didn't like this anymore than I did. This vampire gave me the creeps. But the owner of the bar seemed intrigued by me enough to wait for my arrival, though he wasn't sure if I would ever show up, and even reserved a table for me. She couldn't kill me, not unless she wanted to answer to him. And by the throne sitting in the bar, I knew he was someone important, more than just a mere bar owner.
Dangerous, just like I thought he was.
But also incredibly sexy.
Damn it.
"Alright." I nodded, taking a step forward. "Come on guys, let's go, it's cold out here."
"I was only told to allow you to go in. you're friends will have to wait in line." The vampire shook her head, her gaze falling on both Sarah and David for a moment before resting her orbs on me.
"I'm not going anywhere without them." I shook my head. This was how all the badly made horror movies started out. The main character was always separated from the pack before they died. Yeah, that was so not going to be me, not tonight anyways. If I was going to choose how I would die, it wasn't going to be by some crazy vampire who wanted to drain me of my blood. I'd rather a nice death by chocolate. That sounded a hell of a lot better.
"Sorry sweetheart, but Eric asked for you personally." Without even seeing her move, her hand grasped tightly around my upper arm.
I tried to tug out of her tight grip, but it was impossible. She was at least ten times stronger than I was. Probably even more. I tried to call back to Sarah and David for help as she dragged me along the line and to the front entrance. I may have left the bar and stood out in the parking lot alone the other night, but entering a bar filled with vampires because a certain vampire wished to see me again, that somehow felt much more terrifying.
Sarah and David were helpless though. They couldn't do much against a vampire to help me, and while they yelled and waved their arms around, there wasn't much else they could do. I was helpless as I was tugged into the bar, all but shoved into the building by the blonde.
"Well aren't you charming." I muttered under my breath, but if what I had read was right, she would have heard me as clear as day.
"Oh you have absolutely no idea, sweetheart." She flashed me a wide smirk, her fangs baring down as me.
Once we were standing in the not nearly as crowded, but still jammed pack bar, the blonde let my arm go, but still expected me to follow as her heels clicked on the black painted floor. I weighed my options, and decided following her was the way to go. If I tried to run away, she'd only catch me. They were faster than a speeding bullet after all. And I didn't think running away would go over all that well. I was stuck in here alone until my friends finally got through the line, and just my luck, it would go exceptionally slow tonight, just to drive me insane.
I tried to keep up with the female vampire while looking around the bar. I caught sight of the empty throne, not even an erotic dancer dangled around the pole in front of the stage. Where was he? Where was Eric? If he had been waiting for me to show up, to come back, then where was his royal highness? If I had come here and didn't even get a glimpse of him, I would be mighty pissed off.
"He'll be along shortly." The blonde must have read my mind, which I knew for certain wasn't something a vampire could do. she came to a stop in front of a booth in the very back of the bar, within viewing distance of the throne but more secluded from the rest of the bar. I was almost thankful for that fact, not wanting too many vampires and fangbangers huddled around me when I was alone and helpless.
"Ah, thanks." I tried to smile at the vampire, only to frown and pale as she raised a hand, twirling a strand of auburn hair around a finger.
"If Eric doesn't want you, I wouldn't mind a taste. You smell delicious."
"Pam, don't scare my guest." That voice spoke before I could even process what the blonde had said.
I glanced over my shoulder immediately, my face flushing as I took in the appearance of Eric Northman. He wore all black tonight. His jeans were darker than Friday night, and instead of the t-shirt, he wore a black tank top, outlining his very large and broad shoulders. I gulped, and I could have sworn I even began to sweat, as I took in his muscles. If at all possible, he was even more gorgeous tonight than the first night I met him. This wasn't going to turn out well for me if I had to look at this all night long.
"Share a little, Eric." Pam let my hair fall back over my shoulder, though her smirk had widened at the interruption. "She very desirable."
"Go." Eric waved her away.
"You're selfish, keeping the pretty ones all to yourself." Pam pouted but took the hint and began back towards the entrance of the bar.
I longed to go with her, just so I could find my friends again.
"I was sure you wouldn't come." I felt Eric's gaze on me.
I snuck a glance up at him, but found that he was staring down at my outfit, and more importantly, my long legs. Or at least, the illusion was of long legs. The heels I had stuffed my feet into were helping with that. I was really beginning to regret the dress choice however. I wasn't against dresses. In fact, in the summertime, I quite enjoyed wearing the occasional summer dress. But tonight I felt nearly naked and wanted the comfort of my friends at my side. Or maybe the stuffed teddy bear I kept on my bed even though I was in my twenties. Hey, we lived in a big bad world; sometimes we needed the little things to comfort us.
"Please, sit." A smirk grew on his lips, and I wondered if they felt as soft as they looked.
Oh shit, this was going to be impossible!
"Do I frighten you still, Savannah." The way my name just rolled off his tongue was enough to do me in. if we were alone, I would have spread my legs for him right then and there. God I needed to get out of this city pronto before I did anything else that was stupid. I wasn't this girl. I was a well educated, path driven girl who had her future planned to a T. I liked my plans; I liked the life I was creating for myself. Nothing was going to derail that, not even some nice looking vampire. I had given up on a love life, at least for now. I needed to prove that I could do this, that I could graduate and become the best damn journalist possible. I wasn't going to let a man, or anyone else get in the way of that.
So what had changed?
Oh right, I went to a vampire bar stupidly and met a gorgeous vampire.
Stupid stupid me.
"You're annoying me, that's what you're doing." I settled on grumbling as I slipped into the booth, making sure I kept my legs firmly together. I glanced at the door through the mass of bodies and desperately prayed that Sarah and David appeared sooner rather than later.
"Still as feisty as I remember." Eric chuckled as he slid in across from me, that smirk playing on his lips. As nice as it looked, I had a feeling I would want to slap that smirk from his face by the end of the night.
"Why am I here?" I questioned as if he had been the one to ask me here tonight. Well in a way that was true, but he never expected me to show. I had come here all on my own accord.
"Oh you came all on your own, Savannah." He leaned back, that smirk of his only growing wider as he laid his arm across the back of the booth. "So why don't you tell me, why did you come here tonight?"
"I...er..." I didn't have an answer. If I did, I'd be the first one to want to know it. "I don't know."
"Could it be perhaps you couldn't go longer than two days without me?" he was enjoying this.
"I don't even know you." I pointed out, crossing my arms over my chest.
"But you're attracted to me." he leaned forward, his striking blue eyes dancing in the dim light over the table.
"I'm not." I tried to deny. "I didn't even know you're name until my friend told me."
"And yet you couldn't take your eyes off of me two nights ago." He reminded. "There's no point in lying to me, Savannah. I can taste your fear, but I can smell your attraction to me."
I fidgeted in the booth, not sure what to say to that. How could I argue when he was right? I did fear him. He was a vampire after all, no matter how good looking he was. But I felt the same way as I had last night, knowing that he wouldn't hurt me. I didn't know why I felt that way, but for some reason I did. And I followed my instincts, just like I had said to Sarah only minutes ago. So if my instincts weren't flashing red and sending out alarms, then I would try and relax. At least until Sarah and David arrived, then I would be ready to just dart out of here.
"You are attracted to me, aren't you, Savannah?" he wanted me to say it, to admit that he was right.
"Do you want me to proclaim my undying love to you while we're at it?" I rolled my eyes, hoping I sounded as confident as I tried to portray. I could tell by the look on his face that he saw right through the act. But I wasn't about to crumble. Especially when I knew he was right. So I was attracted to him, sue me. He was a good looking man, and he just happened to be a vampire. Big deal.
"If you'd like to, yes." He was amused by me. Well at least he didn't look like he wanted to eat me, that was a plus.
"Well aren't you arrogant and cocky." I snorted.
"More than you know." He winked and I groaned.
"For a vampire, you're very annoying you know."
His fangs extended with a click, though he continued to smirk at me. "You're still frightened of me."
"I'm starting to rethink that." I mumbled, eying his fangs closely but knew deep down that Eric wouldn't hurt me. I was still confused as to why I felt that way. He seemed like the kind that wouldn't care about others. He probably used women like he did underwear, and I didn't even want to think about the amount of humans he's likely killed. So why didn't I think he would hurt me?
"Tell me about yourself, Savannah, you intrigue me." he tilted his head to the side, his orbs searching mine.
"Only if you tell me something about yourself." I shot back. I wasn't an idiot. I wasn't about to tell him my life story. It would be so much easier for him to track me down that way and kill me when I was least expecting it.
"You are a hard egg to crack...that's what humans say, is it not?" he raised an eyebrow.
I chuckled, I couldn't help it. I didn't know how old he was, but hearing that phrase leave his mouth just sounded humorous.
"How old are you?" I asked curiously after a moment.
"I'm the one asking the questions here, Savannah." His smirk faltered, and I could tell that he didn't like not being in control.
"I was always taught never to talk to strangers. You're a stranger." I shrugged. "I don't even want to be here..."
"And yet here you are." Eric motioned around. "You can leave at any time, Savannah, and yet you don't wish to. You came here. I only hoped that you would. I never threatened or demanded it, though you know I could have. You're here all on your own accord, and we both know why that is."
"Oh, and why's that?" I raised an eyebrow.
"You want to have wild and passionate sex with me." he leaned back, crossing his own arms confidently across his chest, a smug look crossing his face as if he was the king of the world. Probably in his mind, he was.
"I'll take a rain check." I rolled my eyes and shook my head.
"But not a no." And now I did want to smack that smirk off of his face. Damn vampire.
"I think it's time that I left." I went to slide out of the booth, only to find Eric standing beside me, blocking my path. "Eric, let me leave. You said I could leave at any time."
"Maybe I was lying." he laid one hand on the back of the booth and the other on the table and leaned forward, trapping me in the corner of the booth. I gulped as I shifted as far from him as I possibly could, and unfortunately that wasn't far enough. I hated my hormones however, for flaring as he drew even closer, his cool unnecessary breath falling on my face as his eyes bore into mine. I tried to look away, but he clasped onto my chin with just enough force to keep me perfectly still. I wanted to look away, but for some reason, I couldn't. That same foggy haze from the other night began seeping into my self consciousness, and as much as I tried to struggle, I couldn't quite break the connection this time. I cursed myself for looking into those eyes, a mistake I shouldn't have made twice. What would this vampire make me do? Cluck like a chicken? Have sex with him?
But before he could utter a suggestion, I felt control of the situation again, the fog slowly beginning to fade until I stared into those blue orbs with nothing but my attraction for him. I sighed in relief, but my body remained tense as he slowly drew away from me. He was frowning, not looking happy one bit as he stood, pressing down the imaginary wrinkles in his shirt.
"If you want to leave, then leave." He waved his hand towards the door, stepping to the side so I could slip out.
I quickly did so, pushing down the hem of my dress, not wanting to flash the rest of the bar. I tried to scurry away, but Eric caught my arm and held me beside him. His lips dipped down until they were nestled in my hair, just lightly brushing over my earlobe.
"There's something about you, Savannah Kingsley, that I can't quite put my finger on, but I will figure it out." He vowed. "With or without you accepting my invitation to return."
I shuddered as he lightly kissed my neck before his hand left my arm, the vampire suddenly just disappearing. I let out a heavy breath, looking around for any sign of him, and was surprised when I found him sitting in his throne, his eyes once again boring through me. I forced myself to look away and quickly began towards the door, wanting to leave immediately. I spotted Sarah and David just coming throughthe entrance and I grabbed both by the arm and dragged them back out of the bar.
"Is everything okay?" Sarah asked worriedly.
"Did something happen?" David questioned, his body tensed as I pulled them passed Pam and the line of waiting fangbangers to the car we had all driven in.
"I just want to go home." My voice wavered. "It had been a bad idea to come here."
"Are you alright?" Sarah asked as we came to a stop beside her car. She pulled me around and wrapped her arms around me. I melted in her embrace and returned the hug.
"I'll be fine once I'm home." I admitted, my gaze falling on the bar over Sarah's shoulder. The blonde vampire, Pam, caught my eye, and she winked in my direction before escaping into the bar. I shuddered as I closed my eyes and tried to understand what Eric had meant.
"There's something about you, Savannah Kingsley, that I can't quite put my finger on, but I will figure it out. With or without you accepting my invitation to return."
What did he mean by that? What could he possibly be intrigued by to the point that he would all but threaten me? I didn't even bother to ask how he knew my last name. Pam had seen my I.D. the other night and must have told him. That should have bothered me, but it didn't. I was too focused on what he had meant. He would figure out this little mystery of his even if I never returned. I didn't doubt his methods. I was sure he would go to great lengths for his little projects. But why me, why now? Was he bored, and picked on the first girl that caught his attention? Or was there more to it?
"Come on, let's go home." Sarah tugged on my arm.
I nodded and slid into the backseat, still lost in thought. I glanced out the window as Sarah pulled out of the parking lot, and I could have sworn I saw a pair of vibrant blue eyes in the shadows. But my mind was only playing tricks on me, right?