RUMOURS

Sarah felt her cheeks flush as she snapped her legs shut, righting her dress. All she could see were Eric's shoulders, his body set with rage, his fists clenched tight as a growl ripped from his chest.

'Pam, why did you let her in? You knew that we wanted some private time; after all, you saw us come in here.'

She shrugged with a smirk on her lips. 'She insisted.'

Knowing his progeny was enjoying herself far too much to be of any use, he turned his attention to the red head with wandering eyes. He stepped back, careful to make sure she couldn't even take a peek at Sarah as she covered up. 'Sophie-Anne, I'm going to rip your head off, and I'm going to enjoy it. Thoroughly.'

The Queen rolled her eyes, waving perfectly manicured fingers as she stepped further into the room, Pam closing the door behind them. 'Oh please, I'm here to help Eric,' she said, settling herself into one of the chairs that had been pushed aside.

'With what?' he growled through clenched teeth, fangs still bared at her.

Sarah stepped down from the table, standing with Eric, just behind him as she looked at the Queen. She had met Sophie-Anne a couple times in the last year, and each time she hated the uptight little princess even more.

Sophie-Anne smiled at Sarah, that dirty gaze she always carried trailing down Sarah's body, only making it to her hip before Eric tucked her behind him, only her head peeking from behind his shoulder, shielding her from view.

'Stop it Sophie-Anne. Sarah is mine,' Eric nearly hissed, his shoulders so tight that Sarah actually reached up and rubbed them gently, trying to get him to calm down before the impromptu meeting turned bloody.

A pout. 'Fine, you big spoil sport,' she said, 'but you really should listen to what I have to say. I mean, I do know that your little blood b–'

'I'm sure you mean to say fiancée, right?' he asked, 'not blood bag?'

'Of course,' she said, leaning more comfortably into her chair, 'I have something interesting for you though. A fantastic little morsel of information about your fiancée that I'm sure you would love to hear.'

Eric just stared, waiting.

Obviously, Sophie-Anne wasn't going to get the drum roll she was waiting for, so with another roll of her eyes she said, 'I know she's not human.'

His hand was gripped tight around the Queen's throat before Sarah could blink. The chair the red head had been parked in tipped over as her back was slammed against the wall. She slid high, her heeled feet dangling but her expression was not one of surprise or fear, it was of amusement.

'Put me down you drama queen,' she said, waving her manicured fingers again, 'I'm not going to do anything to hurt her, just like I'm not going to lay a finger on Bill's precious Sookie. I'm here to warn you.'

'About?'

'There are rumours flying around, lots of them,' she said, 'and they're all about a little fire bug that killed the Newlins.'

'Drop her Eric,' Sarah said, feeling her heart kick up a notch, 'we need to hear what she has to say.'

He growled, but he did listen. He always listened to her. 'She's got two minutes,' he said, stepping back to Sarah, wrapping his arm tight around her.

'Guess she'd better get talking then,' Sarah said, gaze as icy as Eric's.

Sophie-Anne righted the chair and took her seat again. 'There is talk, about the Newlin event. It seemed very convenient that all the evidence that could possibly have led to a culprit was erased, so one of the deceased – who enjoyed burning things down – was blamed for the fire that turned such a large area to ash. Interesting, considering they couldn't find any traces of his trademark gasoline that was found at every other site of his crimes,' Sophie-Anne said, 'oh, and he'd never been a murderer.'

'People change.'

'Humans are creatures of habit, Eric.'

'I guess he just snapped then.'

Sophie-Anne showed a flash of irritation. 'I know it was her. I know you were kidnapped, and I know that she went missing at the same time. Unless Pam or your little werewolf bitch–'

'Alcide.'

'–have picked up a few new talents that involve being able to conjure fire, then I'm pretty sure the only logical conclusion I can come to is that your blo– fiancée is not human.'

Oh great.

Sarah stepped forward. 'Where is this all coming from?' she asked. 'Everyone who was at the compound was either glamoured or killed. No one could have passed on any information.'

'So you admit that you're the "little fire bug"?'

'No,' Sarah said, trying to choose her words carefully, 'I'm just saying that it's not possible for there to be rumours in the first place. No one got out.'

A smirk re-appeared on Sophie-Anne's lips. 'Someone must have, because the rumours are spreading, and people are beginning to look for the little woman who can wield fire with her fingertips.'

'Shit,' Eric and Pam said.

The Queen grinned. 'Did I touch a nerve?'

'This isn't funny,' Eric said, 'have you told anyone else about this?'

'No, Eric. Your little play thing is safe.'

A growl ripped from his throat. 'She's not a play thing. She's my fiancée and you will do well to remember that.'

Sophie-Anne pouted, gaze wandering again. 'It's no fun that you won't share anymore.'

'I don't want to be shared,' Sarah said, arms folded over her chest, 'even if I were into girls, I certainly wouldn't want anything to do with a stuck up, snooty bitch like you.'

Sophie-Anne shot out of her chair. 'How dare you! I am the Queen Louisiana and Mississippi. You little human, you do not dare speak to me like that.'

'I'll speak to you however I like,' Sarah said, 'I don't take lightly to being called blood bag and treated like trash just because you've got a stick up your pompous ass.'

Her fangs flashed. 'You're begging for me to drain you.'

'I'd love to see you try.'

Eric grabbed her arm, pulling her back. She didn't even realise she'd been stepping forward.

'Sarah.'

She turned to him. 'You know I can kick her ass, so if I have the chance, I'm bloody well going to put her in her place,' she said, 'and showing her just how quickly I can grind her into the dirt would certainly make her think twice about betraying us.'

'Personally, I'd love to watch,' Pam said, a smirk lighting her lips as she stared at the Queen.

Eric frowned, but Sarah kept staring, holding his pale blue gaze. 'Come on, Eric. If I can kick your ass then I can take her easy.'

Eric still held her arm tight, but his grip eased the longer she looked up at him, fire – literally – in her eyes. This was her choice, her fight, and right now it wasn't his place to say no, not when he would enjoy watching Sophie-Anne humiliated by a human, a being that she placed so beneath her.

Sarah turned on her heel after a quick smile that only Eric saw. All three followed, taking a back door out of the club. Within minutes they were in the woods, only slivers of moonlight breaking through the dense leaves. Sarah led the way, Eric beside her as they walked towards a clearing that she knew well, one that she and Eric had practiced in many times when she had been learning to master her powers. Pam bitched about her shoes as they dug into the mud, but it was half-hearted at best: she was far too excited to see the impending fight.

'You don't have to do this,' Eric said, taking her hand.

'And miss the pleasure of burning all of that hairspray out of her hair?' she said, smiling a wicked smile. 'Never.'

He withheld a laugh, glancing up as they entered the clearing. Sophie-Anne was confident, walking straight to the middle, attempting to stare her down. Sarah took a moment to step from her heels, handing them to Eric before she joined Sophie-Anne. They were ten feet apart, Sophie-Anne flicking her hair, flashing her fangs, hoping to intimidate, but Sarah was too focused. She was channelling, feeling the power that flowed around her, feather light against her skin as it coiled around her legs and arms.

With closed eyes she held her hands low, palms facing the ground. A soft breeze caressed her skin, her hair floating with it as a slow current drifted around her. Sophie-Anne watched, waiting and hissing, her body coiled to fight. She was expecting a direct attack, one of contact, but Sarah would not give it to her.

She grew impatient, launching forward in a blur of white and red. She masked her surprise well as Sarah sent her flying off course with a burst of wind, knocking the Queen back with every attempt until Sophie-Anne stopped for a moment, a scowl on her face, her hair no longer falling perfectly on her so-called-royal head.

Sarah just smiled, feeling the energy of the earth beneath her feet as she drew it into her body. She raised her palms, watching the Queen as a whirlwind of fire came to form a ball, floating just above her palm. In quick succession she threw them at the Queen, the trees becoming ashen as they took the first hits. Sophie-Anne dodged, almost graceful in her quick movements, but fireballs were a warm up for Sarah. More power filled her and her eyes filled with fire. She raised her hands, aiming straight for the Queen as jets of fire streamed from her palms. The Queen dodged but too late, a growl tearing from her throat as she tore the singed white jacket from her shoulders.

'That was one of a kind!' she screamed, tossing it aside. 'You're going to pay for that with your blood.'

Sarah laughed, 'come get me then.'

The Queen went to take a step, moving mere inches before she stopped. Her eyes widened, her lips pursed as she pushed against the invisible wall. She gasped as her hair whipped at her face, her feet lifting from the ground. Her shoes were ripped from her feet, her necklace following, Eric and Pam grinning as she tried to snatch at them with curses flowing from red lips.

'Put me down!' she cried, flailing uselessly against the whirlwind that trapped her, 'now, you stupid human!'

'Sorry, I can't hear you,' Sarah said, mocking the Queen, 'must be all this wind, it's really strong at the moment.'

Eric laughed, Pam not far behind as Sophie-Anne growled and bitched, powerless.

'You little bitch,' Sophie-Anne screamed, 'I'm going to tear your lungs out, you flat chested blood bag!'

And that was the last straw.

'Apologise.'

'No,' the Queen growled.

Sarah's eyes narrowed. 'Now.'

'Never.'

A rumble built in the air, soft at first. The ground shook as the rumble turned to a low roar. As Sarah's hands rose to the sky, so too did water from deep in the earth. Drops and trickles turned to streams, slowly combining with the whirlwind of air until nothing but water surrounded the Queen, trapping her within the whirling torrent. Her insults turned to drowned screams as the current grew so strong she spun uncontrollably, flailing with terror.

With a splash, Sarah finally let her drop in a sodden heap. The water was quickly absorbed by the dirt as the drenched Queen rose to her feet, her lips – no longer that outrageous red – opened to resume their harsh words, but only screams emerged as the water that drenched her turned to steam, burning, hotter and hotter until her body began to blister.

'Are you done?' Sarah asked, her hand still raised, fire twisting up her arm in slow coils of red, yellow and orange as the Queen continued to steam.

'Yes!' she screamed, writhing.

Sophie-Anne dropped again, agony written on her face as the wounds slowly healed. She was slower to rise this time, her lips pursed tight as she stared, eyes fixed on the fire that coated Sarah's arms but did not burn her.

'What are you?' she asked, her voice harsh even as her pretty face healed fully, 'what are you?'

'I don't know,' Sarah said, dousing the flame to reveal unscathed pale skin, 'I don't have even the faintest clue. I just know that I can wield fire, water, any element. I can use the power of the earth in every way imaginable, but I can't explain it, and despite the power that I could easily use to kill you, I'm not a monster. I use it to protect myself and those that I love.' She glanced to Eric. 'I let you live, Sophie-Anne, because you have not harmed my family or friends, but if you spread your knowledge, if you even whisper to one single soul that you have a little rumour to pass on, I will kill you.'

She clenched her teeth. 'You have my word as the Queen of Louisiana and Mississippi, my lips are sealed.'

'Can you do something for us?' she asked. 'We need help.'

'With what?'

'Research. I want to know what I am, where these powers come from,' she said, 'can you help us with it, quietly?'

Sophie-Anne nodded. 'I'd quite like to know myself,' she said, 'now if you'll excuse me, I have a delectable Spanish pool boy waiting for me at home.'

She disappeared into the forest, the scorched remains of her jacket the only evidence that she had ever been present in the clearing. Sarah took a deep breath, feeling Eric's arms wrap tight around her. She leant into his chest, inhaling the delicious masculine scent that always sent her knees knocking. She was satisfied with herself, taking Sophie-Anne down a notch whilst also gaining her help. With three sets of eyes – Eric, Bill's and Sophie-Anne's – all searching for answers, maybe she'd know one day soon what she was, if not just a little more than human.

'I wish I had recorded that,' Pam said, smirking as Sarah washed her feet with a quick burst of water before she put her heels on.

'Go back to Fangtasia,' Eric said, never taking his eyes off Sarah, fingers tucking stray hairs behind her ears, 'we're going home.'

Pam turned on her heel, saying something about a new pair of shoes before disappearing into the woods. As soon as she was out of sight, Eric swept Sarah into his arms, ignoring her small protests. 'Don't you ever do that again,' he said, kissing her forehead, 'even if it was incredibly entertaining to watch the Queen being humiliated.'

Sarah laughed as she ran her fingers through his hair, 'you enjoyed it just as much as Pam did.'

'Oh yes,' he said, grinning, 'despite how much I hate seeing you in any danger, I must admit that watching you fight – especially in a dress like this one – does make me rather…horny.'

Sarah smirked, trailing her fingers over his chest, teasing in her touch and her gaze. 'You know what else makes you horny?' she asked, her voice low, as sultry as her eyes as they glanced low, watching as she gently burned through his top to reveal his broad, pale chest. She kissed the skin she revealed, feeling his body shiver, waiting until his arms moved to wrap around her.

She felt his hands on her hips and shot back with a burst of wind, turning to sprint into the woods, twisting through the trees. She revelled in the air as it whipped through her hair, the skirt of her dress flowing behind her. She could hear him, could feel his touch brush her skin when her feet touched the ground, but they never stayed there long.

She manipulated the wind, used it until she felt as though she could fly, Eric always just behind her in a chase that made his blood heat with desire. She felt it too, loved the thrill of knowing he wanted her as much as she wanted him, needed him in her life. Every day she could feel his love deep and strong, buried in her soul for eternity.

Sarah couldn't run anymore; she needed to be in his arms, to be tucked tight against his chest, safe and warm in his embrace. She stopped, turning. He wasted no time in sweeping her feet from beneath her, carrying her bridal style as he lifted them gently into the air. They floated above the trees, the moonlight streaming down as he claimed her lips, still somehow guiding them home. He touched down at the door as she gently twisted the knob, pushing it open. He kissed her, savouring the smile that lit her lips before his kiss trailed to her cheek, then to her ear. He smiled like a fool as he stepped over the threshold and kicked the door closed behind them, carrying her to the bedroom.

He lowered her onto the bed, settling his broad frame beside her. His hands trailed up her thigh, following the split that had teased him so thoroughly all night. He brushed her dress aside to bare both of her legs, silky skin so soft beneath his fingers.

Still he kissed her, enjoyed the little gasps that left her lips as his fingers found fine curls, so glad that he'd torn her panties earlier as he delved between the delicate folds, finding her sex slick and wet, just waiting to be enjoyed with every part of his being. He resumed that taunting caress that had been so rudely interrupted, circling the excited bud, his body aching with need as she writhed beneath his touch. She moaned, fingernails almost imbedding in his arm.

He stripped her dress, tossing it across the room. He launched himself to the end of the bed, stripping in seconds before slowly climbing up her body, kissing or caressing every inch of her beautiful skin. He paused, tongue circling a rosy nipple, feeling her arch as his fang grazed the excited flesh. He felt a wicked smile cross his lips as he shifted his hips, rubbing against her, feeling her shiver with excitement as the head slipped between her delicate flesh, the heat of her core enticing him to enter. He refrained, enjoying her moans as he tried a teasing thrust, slipping to rub against her clitoris.

Frustrated, her hands slid down his back to grip the toned cheeks that she enjoyed so much, arching her body, desperate to feel his thick length inside her. It only took one, slight tilt of his hips and, with a growl of pure pleasure rolling from him he was enveloped by her heat.

Her body tightened around him, her low moan vibrating through him as he pulled back, enjoying her body slowly. He lowered himself to her, chest to chest, her arms wrapping around him as their bodies melded. His hand wandered to her leg, easing it up, holding it as he found the angle that made her writhe with need. He loved her passion, loved the little moans and sighs that filled his ears with every thrust as he found that sweet spot deep inside her that he knew so well.

He gripped her thigh tighter, burying himself deeper within her heat, her body welcoming him, so slick and soft despite how tight she gripped him. His fangs sharpened as he brushed his lips against her neck, grazed his fangs oh so gently over her pulse. Her gasp as her body tightened around him was all the invitation he needed, his fangs sliding into her flesh with ease. It was always so sweet, so luscious, the blood that slowly rolled over his tongue and sent his senses wild. He thrust a little faster, making sure to rub all those sweet spots that made her moan his name, revelling in the sounds of pleasure that filled his ears and the tantalising taste that filled his mouth as he drew gently on her neck. He released his bite as she tightened around him, a deep moan vibrating from his chest, her nails digging deep into his back as she came, tight, tighter, body arching with her climax.

He claimed her lips, feeling every moan that escaped her body as if they were his own, joining her in climax, the release of pressure exploding through his body in waves. He threw his head back, a cry wrenching from his lips, his whole body shaking with the pleasure that filled them both.

She still held him tight, but slowly, her arms wrapped around him, drawing him to her. Their bodies were close, pressed together in the darkness, their lips meeting, soft and tender as his fingers brushed gently against her cheek. He cupped her head with his hand, stroking her hair before he lowered his head to her chest, listening to the strong, quick beat of her heart.

She kissed his head, wrapping her arms tight around him.

'I swear, you glow after sex,' he said, nuzzling into her chest, still listening as the beat of her heart became a little steadier.

She laughed, eyes closed, her head on the pillow as she enjoyed the tingles that crept all over her body. 'I think you're just imagining things.'

'You really are glowing.'

She smirked as Eric shifted, his head no longer resting on her chest. 'Or maybe you're just high on endorphins.'

'Sarah, open your eyes.'

As soon as the lids parted, she saw the eerie glow that filled the room, lifting her head to look down, nearly screaming as she stared at her arms. She shot up, sitting, arms before her. 'What the hell is this?' she cried, glancing at Eric as if he could explain, though the rational part of her mind knew that he couldn't. 'How…how is this possible?'

'Shh, it's okay Sarah,' he said, cupping her cheeks in his hands, forcing her gaze to meet his, holding her in his pale stare, 'the glow's stopped, you're alright, you're fine.'

She didn't realise that she was gasping in air, gulping in panicked breaths. She forced herself to calm, a soft breeze floating gently around her for a moment as she reached up to hold Eric's hands to her face. Calm washed over her slowly, her erratic heartbeat finally thudding back to a less dangerous pace.

Eric brushed her hair back, tucking it behind her ear. 'Let me look,' he said, coaxing her to slowly lower her arms into her lap before he reached to turn the bedside lamp on, letting her see. The glow had ceased but some sort of pattern still remained, etched white in her skin like an old scar. He traced it gently.

'What is it?' she asked, following the movements of his fingers as they traced the fragmented symbols that had appeared on each arm.

'I don't know,' admitted in a soft voice, 'I've never seen anything like it before, not in my entire existence, but I have a feeling it's related to your powers.'

She met his gaze. 'The fight with Sophie-Anne,' she said, 'it's been a year since I used that much power, but even then…they've never appeared before, no matter how much I've used my powers.'

'I know, but I can't think of anything to explain it,' Eric said, 'but this is a good thing. This may be the clue we need to find out where your powers come from.'

She glanced at the pale pattern. 'You think?'

He nodded, leaning to kiss her forehead. 'I think this is the best clue we could possibly have. It might help us shift through all the lore and find more specific, solid history of where your powers originate.'

She felt a smile twitch on her lips, a smile lighting his as well. 'We'll be okay.'

'I know,' she said with a quick nod. 'I just can't see how I'm going to hide it from people.'

'It's barely noticeable, but if you're worried, wear long sleeves or just cover it with makeup,' he said, stroking her cheek. 'Either way, this is a good thing.'

Finally, there might be some progress. She was closer than ever to finding out why she had powers, and yet all she could think about was marrying the tall, broad, amazing man that pulled her back, laying her across his chest as he coiled his arms around her.

Researching the symbols could wait. All she wanted to do this week was get married.