I'm going to change the dynamics of Jade's and Eric's relationship. You'll find out where I'm going with this by the end of this chapter. It is still a Eric/Sookie pairing, but it will come later in the story.
Enjoy and tell me what you think!
Chapter 3
Jade moved silently in the dark streets, barely making any noise with her steps. She felt a knot in her stomach as she reached Fangtasia, the dread overwhelming her. She had not seen Eric Northman for many centuries. She remembered their last encounter was not pleasant. Their past was a tangled mess of alliances, betrayals, and hidden desires. When they met, she was in a bad state of mind, emotionally and mentally. He sensed that moment within meeting her.
They initially started hanging around each other and having a grand old time, as two vampires could. Then things turned for the worse when her friend Godric decided to pay her a visit. All he wanted was to check up on her, and make sure she wasn't falling back into her old habits. Eric noticed this of course, and he suddenly started acting differently; more possessive and territorial, which confused Jade.
Like, why? Did he realize they weren't even together? Did he know I only saw him as a friend?
So much drama ensued between Eric and Godric, she had opted to stay out of it and let them have their little competition. However, that may have been a bad move. When he decided he had to rid himself of potential competition from her life, she became enraged. With that, she had decided to turn down his offer of companionship, especially after he sat and let Godric die. Afterwards, Jade never saw him again after that. She had chosen to walk a solitary path, and she had been haunted by that decision ever since.
Well, she never regretted turning down Northman, but meeting the man in the first place. She should have turned, walked away, and left it at that. Alas, that did not happen. She was too curious and drawn to his charisma, to that spark of desire she felt for him. If it weren't for his actions caused by his jealousy, Godric never would have met the true death.
She had a bad feeling about coming here. As Jade walked across the parking lot of Eric's business, she could not help but feel a sense of trepidation. Jade continued walking on, noticing there was a lengthy line of scantily clad women dressed head to toe in black leather. Almost as if this was some kind of gothic club. Jade rolls her eyes at the cheesiness of it all.
Someone has a horrid sense of humor.
Instead of waiting in line with the desperate masses, she walked straight to the front, approaching a tall, blonde female vampire. Her hackles rose, and her spine tensed as a familiar scent wafted off her. She was Eric's progeny, and she was checking IDs at the door.
Not too old either. She is somewhere between 80-100 years old.
The female vampire sizes Jade up, lust filling her gaze when her eyes land back on Jade's face. "You're new here."
Jade nods her head. "I must look very obvious." She replies with a nervous chuckle. "Yes, I have a meeting with Eric Northman to check into his area." Pam raises an eyebrow, almost sneering at Jade in disgust.
"You are the Jade Valentine? The one my Master covets?" Jade scoffs, nearly laughing at her words.
"Wow. Didn't realize I was a topic of conversation between you and your maker. And covet is an understatement." Jade retorts with a smirk. She could sense this Pam didn't like her very much. She even seemed outraged that she would deny her master.
Oh goody, another female worshipping the ground he walks on. Where does he find these chicks?
"I am Pamela. You may call me Pam." She gestures inside the building. "You may enter, he's waiting for you." She purrs. Jade refrains from rolling her eyes. She suppresses a sigh and walks into Fangtasia, the doors swinging behind her. The smell of stale alcohol, lust, and smoke assaults her senses, making her feel nauseous. The loud metal music blares through the speakers, making her wish she could puncture her eardrums with pencils.
How can anyone listen to this garbage? It makes me want to bang my head against a brick wall till my skull cracks open.
Jade continues towards the bar, feeling eyes on her. She already knows exactly whose it is.
The crowd brimmed with activity. Eric sat on his throne bored with it all, ready for this night to be over already. He was hidden in the dark, his tall and powerful form barely visible. He turned his attention to the entrance, sensing her arrival, her familiar smell reaching his nose. He made a grumbling sound, attracting some admirers nearby. A faint smile played on his lips, anticipation filling him. He was pleased to know that she was planning on living in his area.
Jade Valentine is here.
He knew it the moment she entered the property. He knew it the moment he smelled her delicious scent. His piercing blue eyes bore into Jade as she entered, heading to the bar for a true blood no doubt. He watched her while she had her back turned. She exuded an aura of power that sent a shiver down the spines of the men who were also watching her. Her eyes surveyed her surroundings with a mix of curiosity and indifference, and then she turned back as Longshadow approached her.
"I'll take a true blood. A-negative." He quickly places a blood into a microwave for a few seconds, at the ding he takes it out, gives it a shake, and places it in front of Jade.
"You here to see the sheriff?" He asks her. Jade gives a nod, sullen. By now, she was stalling for time before she had to face Eric Northman. "He's ready for you." Longshadow points behind her. She turned her head in the direction Longshadow gestured to, and there he was…sitting on his freaking throne like he was some kind of King. Frustration fills her, resisting the urge to growl in displeasure.
Eric, adorned in his usual black tank top, black jeans, and boots awaited Jade; he crooked his fingers in a come-hither motion. As she approached him, a faint smile played on his lips, anticipation filling him.
"Jade Valentine," he purred, his voice smooth and seductive as ever. "Welcome to Fangtasia. I'm delighted to hear you seek permission to reside in my territory." Jade's gaze locked with Eric's. Her expression unimpressed by his arrogance.
I just bet you are, you arrogant jackass.
"Indeed. I have claimed a place for myself already. I'm ready to start filling out paperwork." He rises from his throne, towering over Jade. She had no desire to stay here longer than necessary and had arranged the purchase of a property in Bon Temps before she even came to this state.
"Let's finish this in my office." Jade inclined her head in a nod, her raven-black hair cascading over her shoulders. He walks past her, heading towards his office in the back. As they made inside the office, Eric went straight behind his desk sitting down. He props his feet up, crossed at the ankles on top of the desk.
"Maxwell." he says, without raising his voice. A vampire appeared next to Jade, handing her a clipboard with forms. She looked up with a smile, admiring Maxwell's good looks. He had hazel eyes, short spiky brown hair, with a five o'clock shadow. He gave her a wink before speeding away, leaving Jade to chuckle with amusement.
Eric growled low, not liking Maxwell's attention on Jade. She scoffs, rolling her eyes at his obvious jealousy.
"Seriously? Really, Eric? You haven't changed at all have you?" Instead of responding, he remained silent. He was watching her as she quickly filled out the form. Jade keeps her eyes firmly on the form, ignoring his gaze on her. She desperately wanted this to end already, but it felt like everything was moving slower than usual.
Eric leans forward, his fingers steepled as he regarded her. "You know, Jade, I've always admired your independence," he said softly. "But it's been centuries since you turned me down. Perhaps it's time to reconsider my offer."
Jade sighed, she couldn't help but feel a chill run down her spine. She had hoped that Eric had moved on from their shared past, but his words revealed that he still harbored a desire for her…even deep resentment. It was a resentment she understood all too well. But it was for a different reason.
"I made my choice long ago, Eric," she replied, her voice steady. "I've grown comfortable with my solitude."
Eric's eyes darkened, and his jaw clenched. "Comfortable, yes," he said, his tone laced with bitterness. "But you've also grown cold and distant. You could have had power, and companionship, but you chose to walk away."
Jade sighs again, her gaze dropping to the floor. "Eric, we can't change the past," she said softly. "I made a decision based on what I felt was right for me at the time."
Eric leaned back in his chair, his anger simmering beneath the surface. "Very well, Jade," he said, his voice taking on a frosty tone. "If you choose to reside in my territory, you will be subject to my rules, my authority. And don't think for a moment that I've forgotten your rejection. It will color our interactions, whether you like it or not."
I was afraid of this. Of course, he's going to make this harder than it should be. But what did I expect? He'll always be a petty bastard.
"Duly noted." She replies dryly. Eric smirks, making Jade irritated.
"Here are the rules, you have to come here three times a week and let the customers see you, like a showcase in a zoo. All vampires in Area 5 have to do this...you can wear what you want as long as it's black. There is no biting on the premises, or you will face serious consequences. Do you have any questions?"
"Yes, one: what kind of tribute will I be paying?"
"40 percent tribute is to be paid." Jade drops her jaw at the high number. Tributes are usually between 10-15 percent, 20 tops for larger territories. 40 percent is just greedy. Jade decides to remain silent though, not wanting to make any waves.
"Well, this little meeting has been...interesting, but I have other things to do before dawn, and I'd like to get it done before tomorrow evening. Is there anything else you need from me?" Jade asks, as she rises from her chair, handing the forms over to Eric.
He grabs them, "Well, not unless you want to..." he purrs, trailing off. Jade interrupts him.
"No, I don't. Have a nice evening, sheriff," she replies with a sneer. She vamps out of Fangtasia, disappearing from his sight. Eric smirks to himself, stroking the arm of his chair. He feels excited for a change.
Things always get interesting when she's around. She will be in my bed soon enough.
She couldn't get out of there fast enough. After she got a reasonable distance away from Fangtasia, she slowed down and walked aside the road. Jade couldn't shake the sinking feeling in her chest. She had known that living in Eric's territory would be complicated, but she hadn't expected just how sour their history would make their relationship. With every passing moment, it became clear that her decision to consider this territory as her new home might come at a price, one she was not willing to pay.
As she left Fangtasia that night, Jade couldn't help but wonder if the shadows of their shared past would forever haunt her, casting a dark pall over her future in this territory.
What do you think? Review!
What do you think? Review!
