I woke up, disoriented by the complete darkness around me, and it took a moment for me to realize where I was. Hopefully I would soon get used to waking up in the cubby hole. Reaching out, I felt Eric next to me, and the motion activated lights kicked on. We both lay there, covered just above the waist with a blanket, and completely naked. The memories from the previous night washed over me, causing a stirring of warmth to creep into stomach, and I smile. My body felt deliciously sore, and I stretched as I stood up next to the bed.
Looking down at Eric, the serenity of his features made me smile, and I kissed him lightly on the lips before turning away.
Making my way upstairs, I went straight up to my room, and got a long hot shower. The stiff muscles in my shoulders and legs relaxed under the steamy spray of water, and I sighed in relief at the release of tension. After I turned the water off, I jumped out, and dried off. Grabbing the first pair of jeans and t-shirt that I saw, I put them on, and started to pat my hair dry with the towel.
In the kitchen, I was just starting to make myself something to eat, when the doorbell rang. Leaving my meal, I could see a man in a UPS uniform standing on the porch, with a small box in his hands. Dropping my shield slightly, I peeked into his head before opening the door.
I hope there's nothing breakable in here, since I dropped it that once. Oh wow, this girl is pretty hot. I wonder if she's single.
I smirked at just how wrong he was, and opened the door. "Can I help you?"
"Yes I have a package for a Miss…Stackhouse?" He asked, rechecking the shipping label.
"That's me, but I didn't order anything. Who's it from?" If Eric had bought me something expensive, then I was going to send it right back, since it wasn't right for him to be spending all of his money on me.
The deliveryman checked over the different labels on the box, before shaking his head. "It doesn't say." He handed his clipboard to me for me to sign, and after I did so, he handed me the box and took the papers back. "Have a nice day." I closed the door as he turned to leave, and set the box on the kitchen table.
With a pair of scissors, I cut the tape on the opening, and found a smaller box in foam peanuts inside. Taking it out, I found a small card taped to the side, and set it aside for the moment. Opening the small box, I was shocked to see an ornate glass vial, full of what I could only assume was blood. Who would send something like that to me? Then I noticed the diamond and sapphire necklace that the vial rested on. There was a tag attached to the necklace that read, For the human who shall always be mine. A hint of fear crept into my mind, and I was certain that I who knew who had sent it. Picking up the card on the table, I flipped it open in one hand, and nearly dropped the box as I read the words. Drink this, and be mine again. I demand it. –Bill
Anger rolled through me, dark and malicious, and I felt like I could have stake him if he were standing there. I couldn't believe he had the audacity to try and demand that I become his again.
Taking the vial of blood and necklace, I put them back in the box and closed the lid. Then I set down with a piece of paper, wrote my message quickly.
Bill,
I'm sorry that you can't see it, but I am no longer interested in being with you. I have chosen Eric, and he has chosen me. I ask that you please do not speak to me or call upon me ever again, and if you need to see me, then talk to Eric first. I am his.
-Sookie.
Taping my folded note to the outside of the box, I put my shoes on and walked across the cemetery. One of his guards stopped me at the edge of his yard, and asked for my ID. "I'm Sookie Stackhouse." I stated, and the venom in my voice was evident. "Can you give this to King Bill?"
"Certainly ma'am." He said, taking the package, and I walked back to my house.
I stopped at Gran's grave, and brushed some leaves and dirt off the headstone. "I love you." I muttered, and continued on to my house.
Arriving back into the kitchen, I disposed of the remains of my unwelcome package, and wondered if I should tell Eric. It was nearly three in the afternoon already, and he wouldn't be up for several hours. Finally I decided, No, I wouldn't tell him. It would only make him angry, and it didn't matter now that I'd already handled it myself. Grabbing the food that I had left on the counter, I went to the living room, and switched on the TV as I ate.
Jason came by at five, and I made him dinner. We talked for a while until about six thirty, and he told me he'd see me later as he left. I watched him go out to the truck, and drive away. Looking at the sky, I could see it starting to darken, and a hint of pink started to creep over the horizon. Smiling, I knew that Eric would be up soon, and I went down to the cubby to lay with him until he woke.
As soon as my head touched the pillow, I felt my eyes droop, and I decided that a nap would be a good idea.
When I opened my eyes again, I could feel someone rubbing my back, and before I could react I felt his breathe on the side of my face. One of his arms wrapped around my waist, pulling me back against him, and he kissed me just below my ear. A delightful chill ran down my spine, and I couldn't help the shudder that passed through me. He chuckled slightly, and continued to place kisses along the length of my neck. "Are you hungry?" I asked after a moment, and despite his efforts to hide it, I could hear his fangs drop. Turning my head to give him slightly better access to my neck, I took a deep breath. "Go ahead." I whispered, and he only hesitated for a split second before piercing my skin.
Every pull he made on my blood sent a jolt straight between my legs, and I couldn't help but rub myself back against him. He took slow, gentle sips, trying to prolong the experience, and suddenly his wrist came up to my mouth in offering. I bit as gently as I could, while still drawing blood, and sucked hard on the wound. Eric pressed against me more, and I could feel him rock hard against my backside. A small moan escaped my lips, and it seemed to only encourage him further. I could feel my blood flowing into him at the same time that his entered me, and it was the most incredible thing I had ever experienced.
Bill had explained to me long ago that if I did this three times with a vampire, then every time the bond would get stronger. Then finally, at the occurrence of the third exchange, the bond would become permanent. That had scared me with him, and I had always been sure that we didn't share blood at the same time. But with Eric, I was okay. I wanted this.
I wanted to be his forever, just as he would be mine.
Eric's emotions rolled through me, coupling with mine, and I was surprised that they were nearly identical. He wanted this just as much as I did, and my heart fluttered at the thought of being with him forever. His free arm snaked under me to support my head, and his hand twisted around to caress me through my shirt. A wonderful heat started to build up inside of me, and the pleasure of what we were doing was not lost on him. His fangs left my flesh a second later, and he licked the wound, but didn't heal it. Given the sudden anxiety I could feel from him, he probably thought I would protest, but I didn't. I wanted to wear his mark as a display that I was his, and no on else's. After one more pull I released his wrist, and smiled up at him.
His mouth started toward mine when suddenly his entire body froze, and a growl rumbled through his chest. Searing anger burned through the bond, and I looked at him with concern. "What is it?"
"That filthy Compton is approaching." He sneered, and I gave him a quick kiss before getting up.
"Put some pants on, and I'll go get rid of him." I moved to leave, before he grabbed my arm.
"Wait for me?" His face was a show of pure affection, and I nodded while he pulled a pair of pants out from under the bed and got them on.
Eric stayed in the living room where he could see me, but Bill wouldn't see him, while I went to open the door. Bill was just coming up the steps as I did so, and he smiled at the sight of me.
Reaching behind himself, he pulled something out of his pocket, and revealed the paper that I had written on when I returned his stuff to him. "What is the meaning of this?" He asked in a quiet voice.
"Bill, I'm sorry, but we are done. I thought I explained that to you in my note." I could feel confusion through the bond with Eric, and pushed to send him reassurance.
"But… sweetheart, we belong together. We're soul mates." He pleaded, and I only felt anger within myself. Eric took a step forward, but he stopped his advance as I started to speak.
"Now you listen to me Bill Compton. I am not now, nor will I ever be your soul mate. I have chosen to be with Eric, and if you can't accept that, then I demand that you leave my property." He looked shocked at my words, and opened his mouth to protest. "No." I said simply, and shook my head.
But as I performed the action, it moved my hair away from my neck, and Bill hissed at the fresh marks he saw. His fangs clicked down into place, and he growled menacingly, "I'll kill him for hurting you. You are mine!" He stated in a raised voice, and suddenly Eric was there next to me.
"I am Eric's!" I said before he could say a single word. Bill glared at Eric, who only smiled at him triumphantly, and I felt pride coming through our bond.
With a snarl, Bill reached across the threshold of the house, and took ahold of my hand, trying to pull me to him. Blinding rage suddenly dominated Eric's side of the bond, and Bill's hand left mine. Faster than either of us had seen, Eric had taken Bill's arm, and I thought I heard the sound of his bones breaking. Bill whimpered in Eric's punishing grip, "You will never again touch my bonded." His voice was flat, but I could hear the undercurrent of barely controlled rage, and I hoped for Bill's sake that he left without another word.
Eric threw him back off of the porch then, and Bill landed hard on the ground half way across my lawn. He stood, his arm at an odd angle, and started to back away from my house. "You will be mine, Sookie Stackhouse!" He shouted, before fleeing back across the cemetery.
I wrapped my arms around Eric's waist from behind, and held myself against him. Turning in the embrace, he returned it, and pulled me tighter against him. "Thank you for protecting me." I whispered against his chest.
"With my life." He vowed and leaned down to give me a gentle, warm kiss. I smiled up at him, before turning my head to rest it against him. Lifting me in his arms, he cradled me against his chest, and took me to the living room couch.
"What do you want to do tonight?" He asked, and I thought for a second.
"I need to go to Merlotte's and tell Sam the news. Do you want to go with me, or would you rather go to Fangtasia and I'll meet you there?" I asked, while I wondered what I was going to tell Sam. But more importantly, how would he react?
"I'll go with you."
"Okay, go get some clothes on. I don't want to get there too late." He smiled, and used his vampire speed to disappear and reappear less than a minute later. I don't know how he had the time, but his hair and teeth were brushed, and the clothes he wore were fresh and clean. "I've been keeping clothes in the spare bedroom." His explanation settled my questions, and I could imagine that he'd also put himself bathroom stuff in there.
When we got into the car to leave, Eric turned toward me suddenly, "What note were you talking about with Bill?"
I explained to him what had happened with the package, and even though it made him angry, I could feel how happy he was.
"I'm proud of you." He said, and we sat in comfortable silence for the remainder of the ride. My car spluttered less than it had been recently, and I thought over how much money I had in the bank to put towards a new one. I would need to save another thousand dollars before I could get a car that I was comfortable with.
Merlotte's just had a small crowd inside, but wasn't busy, and I asked Eric to wait in the car while I went outside.
"Sam?" I got his attention, and he smiled at me from where he stood behind the bar. "Can we go to your office? I need to talk to you."
He nodded, and I followed him back the employee's only hallway. "What do you need?" He asked cheerily, sitting down at his desk.
"Sam…I'm not sure how to tell you this, so I'll just say it. I'm quitting." The smile fell from his face, and I hurried to speak before he could, "I got a job offer at a bar in Shreveport and they're going to pay me twice the amount that you are, and I just can't pass it up." I said, being as vague as possible about where I would be working.
He thought for a moment, before sighing, "Alright, I understand." Turning quickly, he filled out a check with my name on it. "Here, think of this as a severance package. I know you need a new car." I hesitated, before taking the check, but he insisted.
"Thanks for being so good about this. I'll miss this place, but my Gran's house needs a lot of repairs, and I just can't afford them anymore. This will really help." I folded the check into my pocket, and took a step back towards the door.
"We'll miss you around here. Which bar offered you the job?" His curiosity seemed to get the better of him, but beyond that I could tell he was nervous about my answer.
I took a deep breath, and looked him in the eye. "Fangtasia."
Anger immediately marred his features, and his voice rose slightly. "Sookie, I don't think that's a good idea. Why don't you stay around here? I'll raise your pay a few dollars…and I'll see if I can schedule you more hours. You don't have to go all the way to that vampire bar." He said the word like it was poison being expelled from his mouth, and I leveled a glare at him.
Looking away slightly, I started to defend myself. "I've made my choice. Eric will be a good boss, and we're going to be fine. I'm going to be behind the bar fulltime, and since he sets on stage most nights, no one would dare to touch what's his." Realizing what I had just said, my eyes widened slightly, and Sam stood up.
"His? Are you saying that you're seeing Eric Northman?" He demanded, and I put my chin up.
"Sam, you have no say in what I do. So don't act like you know what's best for me." I stated, and hoped that he wouldn't push the issue.
"Sookie, he's a manipulative, self-centered asshole who only wants you for your blood and your body. He's going to hurt you, and you might even end up dead. But even if you don't, then I'm sure he'll get bored with you eventually. What then? I've never heard of the bloodsucker having the same woman for more than a week, and he's no good for you. What would your Gran say?"
"She'd say that since you're my friend, you should respect what I want. Why can't you accept him?" I asked, and stared him down.
"Please Sookie, don't do this. What can he give you but death and hurt? He can't give you kids, and he'll never let you go unless you get away now. We could have a family together." He muttered the last part under his breath, and his eyes were pleading.
"Sam, your one of my nicest friends, and you've always been there for me. But I love Eric, and he loves me. I'm sorry that you can't see that." I said with finality, and left him in his office. As I walked down the hallway and around the corner, I was surprised to see Eric standing there waiting for me.
Tears leaked from my eyes at the sorry expression on his face, and he took me in his arms. "Maybe he'll understand eventually, and it'll be okay. I'm sure he won't just abandon you as a friend." He said, trying to reassure me. I glanced around for a second, and took in the faces that stared at us. A few people looked sympathetic, while some seemed not to care, but almost half of them looked angry. The angry ones, with their aggressive anti-vampire sentiments looked away from our display in disgust, and I tried to ignore them all. Eric's silent touch kept me from hearing the thoughts, and he kept his arm around my waist as we exited the bar a minute later.
"Let's go to Fangtasia." I said after a minute, and he obliged me by taking the driver's seat of the car.
We were about half way to Shreveport, when he suddenly smiled, "I think the transmission is going out of this car."
I groaned internally, as I had hoped that he wouldn't notice the problems with my car. "Please don't buy me a new car. I want to get one for myself, and I almost have all the money to do so."
"Are you sure? I could get you a nice BMW to match Pam's, or you could have something else. I'll get you anything you want." He promised, and I didn't doubt it a single bit.
"No thank you." I smiled, and he smiled back. Fangtasia was just opening up when we got there, and a crowd had yet to form outside.
"Good evening Pamela." Eric said as we approached her at the front door.
"Master. Sookie." She said, nodding to us as we passed by her. "Kristen got held up by something in New Orleans, she'll be here before we close tonight." He just nodded, and we continued into the bar.
We went straight to his office, and something seemed to occur to him. "Mark, the man you recommended for me to hire, starts working tonight at ten, and you seem to know where everything is. Can you help him get used to this place? I don't want Ginger showing him the wrong stuff." He said, looking at something on his computer.
"Sure." My voice was slightly muffled as I was changing into a Fangtasia t-shirt. His eyes glued themselves to me as he turned to see me change, and I blushed slightly. I had just adjusted myself in the shirt when suddenly he had his hands pressing against my back to hold me to him. I looked up, about to question him, when his lips met mine in a feverish kiss and I found myself pressed up against the filing cabinet a second later.
Enjoying the attention, I let him continue for several minutes, before finally pushing him back. "You have some work to do." I reminded him, and pushed him down into his chair. "So do it."
"Yes ma'am." He said sternly with a smile, but gave me a pouting expression as I walked out the door and closed it behind me.
Glancing back down the hallway outside his office, I could see Mark coming awkwardly out of the employee lounge. He wore a pair of dark blue jeans, and a simple red shirt. "Mark, I'm going to be showing you around the bar." I walked toward the area in question, and he followed me. It didn't bother me to dip into his head for a moment, and I smiled when I heard him thinking of only his kids and how he hoped this job would work out.
"Don't worry. You'll do fine here, just don't make Eric angry, and keep up with orders." I reassured him, and he smiled at my comforting words. She's a really nice girl; I wonder how she got mixed in with vampires. I heard him think, and smiled to myself. His thoughts about my involvement with Eric weren't menacing like most other peoples, instead he had a genuine curiosity about me, and I hoped he would be a good person to work with.
When we got behind the bar, I sent Ginger out to bus tables, and started to show him everything. "Where should I stay at most of the time?" He asked once he was sure he remembered my instructions.
"Just judge for yourself who needs the most help, and go with your instincts. Ginger will probably need you most, since I am perfectly capable of handling the bar." He nodded; absorbing everything I had to say, and got to work helping Ginger as the crowd started to build.
In less than an hour after opening, the bar was packed, but I kept up with orders with ease. Testing with my shields, I started to mentally drift through the room, touching on different random minds in order to weed out any trouble makers.
This place is great, but that hot vampire everyone talks about hasn't showed up yet.
I wonder if they have coffins anywhere.
That waitress is cute, but he's wearing a ring. Oh well.
What should I get to drink?
Oh no, where's Eric? I was hoping to offer myself to him tonight.
The last thought touched a nerve with me slightly, but I ignored it as best as I could, and continued to scan the bar.
Nothing really seemed out of place until I noticed a man setting in one of the booths farthest from the stage, looking around as though he were scared. With the way he sat, and the message his body language was giving off, I could hear the alarms in my head.
Dropping my shields again, I reached for his mind.
Oh man, this isn't going to work. There's no way that Reverend Newlin will get someone with a silver bomb in here. This place is guarded by that freaky blond fanger at the front door, and there's vamps everywhere. Someone's going to know something's up as soon as we walk in next time. The reverend won't be happy when I report this back to him. What should I do?
I continued to listen to his worrisome thoughts for several minutes before acting. "Pam, I need you." I said at little more than a normal speaking level, and after putting Mark in her place, she came over to the bar.
Seeing the look on my face, she was immediately on high alert. "What's wrong?"
"That guy over there is a spy for the fellowship of the sun." I whispered, and pointed to the man sitting in the booth. "Newlin sent him here to scope the place out, and see how they could plant a bomb in here. They plan on setting it off during the day when they think you and Eric will be sleeping in the basement. His name is Jeffery." Her fangs shot down, and several patrons scurried away from her at the distinctive sound.
"Good job, I'll handle it from here." She sauntered off, mingling into the crowd for several minutes, before slowly walking up to his table. The man's thoughts turned to sheer terror for a moment, before Pam glamoured him, and led him downstairs. "We'll let Eric handle him later." She told me as she returned from the basement, and headed to the front door.
Eric came out a little while later, and gave me a quick kiss before taking his place up on the stage.
It was a little after midnight when the crowd really came in, and I worked at a breakneck pace to keep up with orders. But I was mostly relaxed, and could feel Eric's comforting gaze slide over me frequently. Looking up at him, I smiled brightly, and was just returning to work when I heard it.
This dead son-of-a-bitch is done for. I don't know what they did to Jeffery, but we're gonna find him as soon as this fanger is really dead.
I could see the man, with his hand reaching for his pocket, and he approached the stage. "Eric!" I shouted, dropping a glass onto the counter, and he immediately found the source of my panic.
The man heard me, and pulled the stake out of his pocket, before rushing toward the stage. Eric stood with his fangs bared, and growled menacingly.
NO! I shouted in my mind, and suddenly with a pop I was standing between Eric and the attacker. Without a pause to figure out how I'd gotten there, I lifted my hand, and my light shot him square in the chest. The human flew off of his feet, and landed in the hands of Pam, who immediately disarmed him. For a moment I thought the fighting was over, until I caught the hurried movements in the right corner of my eye. Standing just barely inside the front door of the club, a man with a crossbow raised it, and pointed it up at Eric. I could also see another man with a stake off to my left, who was rushing toward the stage, and I trusted Eric to be prepared for him. Glancing back, he was solely focused on the staker, and I said a silent I love you.
The bar had gone silent, even the music was gone, and most of the patrons lay cowering on the floor. So as I took the step to place myself between Eric and the shooter, I easily heard the distinctive faint sound of the crossbow. Nothing ever struck Eric, who had just moved away from me to disarm the man with the stake, and when he turned around he was horrified.
Looking down, it was almost absurd, to see the arrow shaft sticking out from my chest. I hadn't felt the impact, or any pain, and now I stood there staring down at it as though it were almost a complex joke. Eric was suddenly there next to me, pulling me into his arms, and I smiled up at him. "It was worth it to save you." I whispered, and a single tear rolled down from his eye as dark spots appeared in my vision. I gasped as the pain suddenly hit me, and the effort I hadn't realized I was exerting to keep myself awake came crashing through me. Closing my eyes, I fell back into his arms, and vanished into darkness.