Chapter 66
Spellbound
I am going to do my best to finish up this story within the next few weeks. I'm really going to try. I can't promise that I will because of my job but I'm going to do my best. I've been going through editing my mistakes from the previous chapters and I've written a few chapters ahead.
I'd also like to thank all of you for sticking with me during the stupid notion that I could finish up two stories at the same time. I'm sorry. Three stories. I will never, ever, ever do that again. It is too exhausting and complicated.
Anyway, I hope that you all enjoy and I hope that you continue to stick with me and the last two stories that I have to finish. The characters belong to Charlaine Harris but the story idea belongs to me.
Eric's anger filled him to epic proportions. He'd left his loving wife at home alone and in bed for what was laid out before him; a complete and utter embarrassment to the vampire community. He couldn't believe what he was seeing. Vampires were on the dance floor of the bar and they weren't just dancing. They were dancing and feeding from the humans that they were dancing with them. He'd even seen some of them fucking their human companions in the parking lot and in the back allies. Every vampire in the world knew that it was against supernatural and human law to feed and fuck on humans in public venues. Every vampire knew this; even the baby vampires. They're taught that after they've been taught the proper way to feed. But as he looked around the bar, anyone would've thought that the law had never existed.
Eric was even more surprised at who he was seeing doing the feeding. He'd seen more than half of the vampires present at the summits and at mandatory monarchy meetings. They were considered to be high ranking officers to their kings and queens. There were sheriffs and lieutenants. There were regents and their protégés. The spectacle before him angered him.
Eric strolled through the bar and made his way to the owner's office. When he opened the door, the vampire that he knew to be the owner was feeding from one woman while he was brutally fucking another. He looked at the vampire with disgust in his eyes; this Franklin Mott.
Selene had been watching the bar since the night he and Sookie went to the police station. She'd tracked his every move. She went above and beyond the call of duty. She told her master that Franklin never saw her and she was in plain view. The things that he was doing tonight, Selene said that he's been doing for a very long time. Well tonight was going to be his last night. Tonight things were going to change for Franklin Mott. Eric stood there and looked at the vampire before making his presence known.
The vampire was a thin vampire; medium build, medium height. His appearance was just as bland; brown hair, brown eyes, thin lips. He wasn't much to look at but the women seemed to have been drawn to him. It had to have been because he was a vampire. That was the only plausible reason that Eric could come up with.
As he closed the door behind him, Eric said, "You do realize that she's human and from the look on her face, she doesn't know that you're a vampire." Sarcastically, he added, "Maybe you need to work on your technique." He laughed heartily. Franklin didn't.
The Franklin ripped his fangs from the first human's neck and pushed her aside. She fell lazily to the floor. He pulled out of the other human quickly and without his support, she too fell onto the floor and with a resounding thud. He walked from behind his desk and stood in front of Eric with his hands on his hips. Eric could only think that Franklin believed that he was an impressive sight. Amusement flickered behind the elder vampire's eyes as he looked at the underling.
He eyed Eric angrily. "Just who in the fuck are you?" he asked. "You don't walk into my office unless I give you permission, you fucking idiot. So if you want to live, I think that it's best that you get the fuck out of here." He then took it upon himself to poke Eric in the chest.
With the speed of lightening, Eric punched the vampire in the throat. "You respect your betters, vampire or you'll die tonight in this room. And let me give you some advice, you fucking grunt. Keep your clothes on at all times. You should be more than embarrassed."
Franklin didn't hear anything that Eric said to him. He was too focused on the pain in his neck. He was kneeled down on the floor with his hands wrapped around his neck. He'd never known such pain before in his undead life.
While Franklin gripped at his hurting neck, Eric walked over to where the girls were lying on the floor. The one that the thin vampire had been feeding on when he'd walked into the room was barely breathing and it wasn't because she'd been fucked beyond exhaustion; neither of them had. They'd been drained within an inch of their lives. They needed medical attention and they needed it fast. He couldn't risk having two more girls dying with all that was going on.
Eric went to the door and called for the first two vampires that he saw. They instantly heeded his call. Once they'd approached him, he gave them their orders. "Grab those coats and put them on these girls. Give them each a bottle of Tru Blood and glamor the night away from their minds. Take them home once you see that they're going to be fine. Am I clear in my orders?"
Both vampires acknowledged Eric's orders. They each grabbed a girl and threw them over their shoulders.
Before they left the room, Eric said, "If either of you do anything other than what I've told you to do, I will find you and I will kill you. Don't forget, I know who you belong to. After what I've seen you do tonight, you'll suffer for what you've done."
They knew to believe him. They'd seen Eric in action. He's never been one to make idle threats. As far as they knew, he's never made a threat in his life. Again they acknowledged his orders and left the room quickly with the girls covered and thrown haphazardly over their shoulders.
Once they were gone, Eric closed the door and sat down in the chair facing the thin and hurting vampire's desk. He knew that the vampire wouldn't be able to speak clearly. So, he waited for the vampire to regain at least an ounce of composure before killing him.
Franklin, he was now dressed and sitting at his desk and waiting for Eric to meet with him; hoping that his superior was going to let him live. This time, he wasn't disrespectful. He was unable to be. He could barely speak.
Crossing his legs and leaning back in his chair, Eric began his normal protocol when it came to questioning and punishing disobedient vampires. "What is your name?"
"Mott, Franklin Mott," he said barely above a whisper.
"Do you own this bar, Franklin Mott?"
He nodded his answer. He was making noises but hadn't quite gotten to where he needed to be.
"Well Franklin, you do realize our laws, do you not? No feeding on humans in public. If you're caught doing just that, it means the true death. Were you aware of this?"
"Yeah, I knew," he whispered. "What's your point?"
A slow and steady grin appeared on Eric's face. The arrogant and thin vampire from before had made a sudden reappearance. He wasn't too surprised. Selene told him that Franklin was quite confrontational. He loves a fight.
Though he was already aware of this, Eric still couldn't believe the audacity of the younger vampires of the world. They have always believed that the laws of the council are antiquated. They didn't think that they should have to follow the laws because things have changed for them as a race. They no longer had to hide as their predecessors had to and they didn't have to abide by those foolish laws. As far as they were concerned, they were above them. They'll never learn.
"Who are you?" Franklin asked Eric. His throat was beginning to heal and his voice was coming in a little clearer than before.
"Oh," Eric began. "I didn't introduce myself. You must forgive my slight. My name is Eric Northman."
Franklin snorted in disrespect. "I've heard of you."
"Well, I'm flattered," Eric replied with a fake smile plastered to his face. "But I'm sorry to say that I've never heard of you, Franklin Mott." He didn't need to know the truth. It wasn't going to matter much anyway. He wouldn't live past tonight.
"Doesn't matter to me," Franklin said. "Just know that I know who you are. You're the vampire that all of the lowly vampires answer to … all of them but me." He stood up from his seat and walked to where Eric was sitting. He then thrust his chest out as if to challenge the older and more powerful vampire.
Eric laughed. "You don't want to fight me, Franklin."
He sneered at Eric. In a calm and even voice, he said, "You've come into my office and you've taken away my meals and playthings. You question what I do in my bar. You come in here and try to unload your old vampire laws on my shoulders. This bar is mine. I run this. I own this. You don't come here and tell me what I can and cannot do. Get up and take your punishment."
Eric had never laughed so hard in his life. He stood up from his chair and walked out of Franklin's office and went out into the bar. Franklin followed him and looked on as Eric made an announcement. "Every human in this bar leave now," he bellowed.
The humans mumbled and complained as they were hustled and bustled out of the building by the lowly vampires present. The vampires that were out in the bar were the only ones that didn't complain or balk at Eric's order. A few of them Eric had met in passing and they knew of the Viking's reputation. They knew that he was not joking around. The Viking was about to clean house.
Once the bar was emptied of all humans, Eric turned to face Franklin. "This bar is now permanently closed … no longer opened for business … until I decide otherwise. In other words, you're fucked." A blinding smile appeared on his face.
"I'm going to kill you!" Franklin growled.
The other vampires looked on in shock. Franklin had threatened a member of the council. He'd threatened a vampire that was centuries older than he was. He'd threatened a vampire that would surely kill him for his insubordination.
Eric removed his jacket and placed it on the nearest table.
Franklin's expression soon changed. He'd never expected Eric to take him up on the offer to fight. The others didn't. They'd always leave. He was always the winner because he never had to fight any of them. André and Compton made sure of that. Every vampire in the area knew not to cause any problems in his bar. It was his bar.
Eric noticed the look on Franklin's face. It more than amused him. "I'll bet that you're wondering why I've taken off my jacket. Well, let me tell you. My wife bought this for me and I don't want to ruin it. It was very expensive," he added. "So tell me, Franklin. Where do you want to die? We can do it here or either we can take it outside. There's no need to go very far. This won't be a long fight. You'll be dead in less than fifteen seconds."
For the first time since meeting Eric, Franklin knew true fear. He immediately knew that his connections wouldn't and couldn't save him. He could see in the Viking's eyes that he wouldn't live past tonight. He knew that he would be dead within fifteen seconds but he wouldn't and he couldn't back down. So he did what he had to do. He attacked. With his arms raised above his head, he went at Eric using his full speed.
Needless to say, it was futile. Eric grabbed Franklin by his shoulders and bent him backwards; snapping the thin vampire in two. The sounds of the vampire's spine cracking in two and Franklin's screams filled the silent bar.
As he looked at the vampire that now looked like an accordion, Eric had every intention of killing Franklin but he'd decided against it … for now. He glanced over his shoulder at the minions that were watching him and Franklin. "Each of you, get the fuck out of here," he said as calmly as ever. "You will come back here tomorrow night and will party on as you always have been. This bar is now under new management. From this point in, you will not be feeding from humans on the dance floor. You will not be fucking them in the stalls of the bathroom or out in the back alley. You will follow the laws of our council or you will die. Have I made myself clear?"
Yes master was heard from each vampire in the room.
"Now go," Eric ordered.
Each vampire blurred from the building without an argument; without uttering a single word.
Once they were gone, Eric stood over Franklin with his boot hovering over the vampire's face. "Do you want to live a little bit longer, Franklin?"
Painfully and shamefully, he nodded.
"Good," Eric answered. He then walked to one of the tables and grabbed himself a chair. He scooted it over to where Franklin was lying and sat down. He looked at the vampire and it tickled him to see Franklin in such a state.
"Are you going to kill me?" he asked Eric.
"Yes," Eric answered without pause. "I am going to kill you. I can't let you live after the way you've acted. Your insubordination alone gives me the right to kill you; never mind the laws that you'd broken. Plus, I can't let the other vampires think that it's acceptable to disrespect me in any sort of way. You do understand that." He then leaned back in his seat and crossed his arms over his chest. "Is there a reason why I should let you live?"
Franklin squeezed his eyes closed and winced because of the pain. Slowly, he said, "I know things. I can tell you things. Whatever you need from me, I will give to you, master."
Eric laughed heartily. "Now I'm your master? You see yourself at death's door and now you want to swear fealty to me? It doesn't work that way, Franklin. It's never worked that way."
"Please," he begged as he swallowed down the blood that was trickling from his mouth.
"Who's your maker?" Eric asked.
Franklin gradually shook his head. "I don't have one. He met the true death years ago. I have no brothers and sisters. I am the last of his blood. I have no ties in our world."
Eric whipped out his cell phone and called Sal. "I need your help with something. Will you come, my father?" Eric asked.
"Without a doubt," Sal answered.
"I'm at The Coffin," Eric said. He ended the call and placed the phone back into his pocket and looked down at Franklin. "I have a few questions for you and don't even think of lying to me because I'll know, Franklin. I'll know and then I will definitely kill you; only a lot sooner than I plan to."
Franklin groaned as he nodded. The pain that he was suffering was unlike any pain he'd ever known. He wasn't sure if he could answer anything with the pain that he was in. He could barely blink his eyes without feeling as if he was on the brink of death.
"Does André know of your practices?"
As he moved his head from side to side, Franklin said, "Yes. He's always known."
"André knows that you've been breaking our laws?" Eric asked. He only needed a yes and they had André right where they wanted him.
"Yes," Franklin moaned. "He approved it."
"Has he ever been here?"
"Please," Franklin begged. "Help me. I'll tell you anything and everything that you want to know. I mean it. I swear on the blood that I'll do whatever you want me to do. Just please, help me. Feed me so that I can heal."
"Never will you taste my blood," Eric said. He then repeated his previous question. "Has André ever been here … ever … for any reason at all?"
"No," Franklin said. "He's never been here. He usually sends a vampire to come in for him. He always wants a couple of girls but I haven't even seen him."
Though his face was emotionless, Eric was ecstatic. "When was the last time André sent the anonymous vampire here to take a couple of girls? Do you have an approximate date?"
Franklin rocked his head from side to side. "It's been at least a couple of months since I've last seen him."
Eric smiled as he glanced over his shoulder. "Who was the vampire?"
Before Franklin had a chance to answer the question, Sal was standing at Eric's side and he was smiling. He looked down at the folded vampire and chuckled. "I see that you've been playing nice. What could he have possibly done to be folded in half, Eric? He looks like a very unattractive version of a child's toy."
"He wanted to fight me," Eric answered simply. "I think that he got off quite lucky. I could've killed him in fifteen seconds." He then looked at Franklin and asked, "Didn't I tell you that you'd be dead in fifteen seconds?"
Franklin painfully nodded his head.
"See," Eric said. "I was nice."
"What's his name?" Sal asked.
"Franklin Mott." Eric said the name as if it left a bad taste in his mouth.
Sal shook his head in disbelief and placed his hand on Eric's shoulder. "What do you have for me, my son? From the way Franklin looks, I can only assume that it has to be good; considering that he isn't dead."
"Oh, it's good," Eric confirmed. "He thinks that if he tells us what we want to know, he'll live. He's trying to use his information as a bargaining chip. He doesn't seem to realize that I don't bargain with someone who's so willing to betray one of their own." He then went on to tell Sal what Franklin had told him about André.
Once he was done, Sal looked thoughtful. He then began to nod. "You're right, Eric. We wouldn't be able to trust him. He's too quick to tell what he knows on André. As soon as he gets the chance, he's going to betray us."
"My sentiments exactly," Eric replied.
"I won't," Franklin begged. "I will belong to you. I will do whatever you request of me. I swear on all that I am."
That comment really made Eric laugh. "You're a liar and fraud. You willfully break our laws and you swear on all that you are that you won't betray us?" The laughter suddenly stopped. "I should kill you right now."
Eric stood up and hovered his foot over Franklin's face. Before he could kill him, Sal stopped him. "Wait, Eric." Sal kneeled before Franklin and stared down at him. To Eric he said, "Does he have a maker?"
"Long dead," Eric answered.
Sal sighed. With a quickness that no human eye could have registered, Sal had the folded vampire sitting in a chair. Franklin screamed as he was painfully put back into the normal sitting position. Bloody tears fell from the corners of his eyes.
Sal looked at Eric and gave him a quick nod.
Eric smiled. He knew what was coming next.
Sal bit into his arm and let the blood trickle from the wound and glide slowly down his arm. Franklin looked at the blood hungrily. "I am over three thousand years old. My blood will do wonders for you." Sal smiled at Franklin. "Have you ever tasted three thousand year old blood?"
Franklin shook his head slowly; never taking his eyes off of the blood.
"Tell us what you know and I might feed you. I might take you out of your misery. Tell us everything that you've seen and what you've heard and you might live out the night. But heed my words, underling," Sal warned. "What you have to say had better be good and it better be what we want to hear. Am I clear in my orders?"
"Yes," Franklin answered.
Sal licked the wounds on his arm closed and sat in a chair close to Eric's. "Question him, Eric and everything that you can out of him," he ordered. "Once you do, you get home to your wife. I'll take over. You won't have anything at all to worry about after tonight."
The corner of Eric's mouth twitched as he looked at Franklin. "Tell us what you know. Give us everything that we ask of you. Leave nothing out; especially if you want to live."
Franklin nodded. "Whatever you want to know, I will tell you."
Eric and Sal looked at each other and smiled. The trip to New Orleans wasn't going to be a wasted one after all.