Trigger warning: implied suicide
Song lyrics in this chapter: Get It While You Can by Janis Joplin
Uniformed bodies poured into the Fangtasia crowd. The band stayed put on the stage and started shouting; some vampires immediately fled, leaving the unlucky audience members to shriek and struggle against the Shreveport police force. But it all played to Eric's plan. He knew the raid was coming, his informants had told him about it a week prior. The Sheriff just had to let things play out to get the upper hand he needed.
Yet, there was one wild card he needed to subdue to ensure his strategy would succeed.
Eric had been watching Grace like a hawk since her first performance, trying to determine what she was and her intentions. The Viking quickly labeled her an adversary after she threatened to work for Bill and did everything he could to learn more about her and gain an advantage. He offered her contract amendments and a new car as concessions to keep her around, spied on her using the Fangtasia security cameras, tracked her location via her company-issued iPhone and requested regular updates from Pam about her interactions with others. Eric even stopped by a practice session once and hid in the shadows to watch Grace perform and find any clues about her powers.
He guessed she wasn't fully human, which would go against his King's decree about hosting hybrid events, yet he didn't care. He'd pay the damn fine. Eric would even hide her from the Authority if she caused too much trouble. It was well within his Sheriff's responsibilities to discipline her actions within his Area but he was too intrigued to hold her accountable. That and he told himself there wasn't enough evidence to build a real case against her yet.
But the hunt was an obsession gone awry. Eric spent every waking moment thinking about her. What kind of woman was this? How would she strike against him? And the most frustrating part was that he still wanted her. Badly. He couldn't get her untamed, natural scent out of his head. He barely slept; he had blood stains in his bed from regularly staying up past sunrise wondering what it would be like to taste her. Eric told himself he was under her spell and that was it, but it didn't lessen his jealousy. He knew she was controlling Leon somehow getting him to spend a shit ton of money and that she'd left a dive bar stinking of sex and werewolf. He hated that she was giving her attention to others but stood firm that he needed to keep his distance. Especially if werewolves were involved, she could be planning something with them.
And so, as soon as the police bust in, Eric disappeared from his dais and materialized in the backstage wing where he knew she'd be. He had to make sure the temptress wouldn't throw a wrench in things. The Viking needed to assert his dominance and control against his opponent. But he didn't expect to find Grace huddled in a corner, a shell of her on-stage persona. Her eyes were glazed over; her arms were wrapped around herself. Despite her sex kitten makeup and tousled curls, she wasn't confident. She looked absolutely defeated.
Eric's instinct told him this was a ruse - a trick that she was playing to avoid the cops or wrap him around her finger and do whatever she was planning behind his back. He knew she was up to something since Pam reported that Grace was being uncharacteristically well-behaved and assumed it meant she was covering up her attack plans. It's what he would have done.
But as the vampire watched her eyes lift to acknowledge him and immediately return to the floor as she forced calm breaths, he felt his prey drive soften for the first time. This didn't appear to be a strategy. It seemed hauntingly authentic. He'd been around for over a thousand years and experienced too much, he prided himself on knowing the difference by now.
"I'm a good girl," she whimpered, still avoiding his gaze. "Please don't punish me."
Eric blocked the chaos around them and lifted Grace's chin to focus her attention; she didn't resist, fluidly moving where he wanted her to go. Her green eyes looked right through him - dazed and detached - and Eric felt an unfamiliar panic flood his senses. Something wasn't right. The singer was normally a feral beauty and a force to be reckoned with. He savored her challenges against him, they made the hunt more entertaining. But now she was acting like a domesticated abused animal, waiting for the next blow to strike and making no attempt to stop it.
"Grace," he said gruffly, trying to snap her out of it. She blinked several times but didn't return to her usual self as he'd hoped. Eric finally reached out, gripped her arm and lightly shook it to encourage her to respond.
"This wasn't me," Grace eventually whispered. "I didn't manipulate the cops to come here." He moved to say something but was immediately interrupted.
"HANDS WHERE WE CAN SEE THEM!"
Five police officers rushed down the hallway towards them, guns drawn and ready to shoot; Eric assumed they had wooden bullets in them. He raised his hands obediently, stepped away from Grace and tried to hide his glee. They were using excessive force just like he'd expected and he would soon turn it against them. Grace, on the other hand, didn't move. Her eyes were on the floor again.
"HANDS UP!"
"NOW!"
Grace still didn't act. Two officers rushed over and grabbed her arms to cuff them behind her back and Eric's fangs instantly dropped. Fuck no, they were not going to hurt someone that was his. One of the humans quickly pointed his gun at Eric's chest to deter him. The Sheriff growled and considered taking out the entire group of cops around them but ultimately held himself back. He would need to let things go according to his plan and killing humans, especially cops, would throw his entire strategy out the window. Grace ultimately submitted and the officers cuffed both her and Eric to take them down to the station. They led the pair out the back door to the parking lot - Eric never taking his eyes off Grace while she did her best to put one foot in front of the other - and loaded them into a van with the rest of the band, Vincenzo and Pam.
"Well, it's a party now," his second-in-command smirked as Eric sat beside her. He nodded in acknowledgment, but his attention soon returned to Grace. She was squished between Jin and the side of the van with a stunned expression.
"When this is over, you will take her straight home and get her whatever she wants. That is an order," Eric muttered harshly to Vincenzo, sitting on his other side. His third-in-command dipped his head in agreement.
Once they arrived, the cops threw open the van doors and shouted at them to unload; the vampires shuffled to do as they asked, still cuffed. Eric watched Grace stumble out last and the slit of her asymmetrical dress revealed a tasty bit of flesh he longed to kiss. And bite. Her thick thighs drove him crazy and he wanted nothing more than to sink his teeth into her femoral artery. But Eric chastised himself for acting like such a newborn and focused on the task at hand. He needed to remain cool, calm and collected through the booking process.
The cops continued their power play by releasing the band and Vincenzo without charges and keeping Eric and Pam for further questioning. The Sheriff and his progeny were placed in separate rooms but each remained silent, having gone through prisoner's dilemma game theory tactics many times before. While Eric particularly enjoyed infuriating the officers in his room by ominously tapping his fingers against the metal table, he still thought of Grace the entire time.
This wasn't me. I didn't manipulate the cops to come here. It was the first time he'd heard her truly reference her powers and he yearned to know more. Yet instead of fixating on how she could still be his enemy, Eric felt his thoughts pivot to concern for her crushed wellbeing as if he'd truly claimed her already. He was protective and wanted to battle her demons. What darkness was she holding, how could he help break her out of it? He didn't want her to suffer. It was a foreign headspace for the warrior and made him uncomfortable.
But the ordeal was soon over. Once his lawyer showed up, posted bail and freed them from the bullshit accusations that they were involved in criminal activity, Eric walked out of the precinct to find Pam standing near the curb smoking a cigarette with Vincenzo.
"I thought you gave those up," he remarked.
"It's his, technically," she grinned, pointing to Vincenzo. Eric gave her a soft smile but dropped it when turned to the other vampire.
"Status," he barked.
"Miss Williams is home," Vincenzo answered. "She asked for Xanax."
"And you gave it to her?"
"Yes. Per your orders."
Eric exhaled deeply, venting his frustration. While he appreciated Vincenzo's loyalty, Xanax could be dangerous. It would make her even more emotionless. He looked up at the sky and prepared to fly to her house but stopped when his phone buzzed in his pocket. After reading his King's message, he swore to the Gods under his breath.
Report to Bon Temps. Immediately.
"I know that sneer. It's Bill, isn't it?" Pam sassed.
"You," he turned to Vincenzo. "Stand guard at her house. And give me your car."
The vampire looked confused momentarily but still gave him the keys to his Escalade. Eric zipped over to the car, slid into the driver's seat and started the engine. He left his lieutenants in the parking lot to fend for themselves and barreled towards Bon Temps. Fucking Bill. Why did he have to get in the way? Everything was under control. He didn't need to stick his nose in the Sheriff's business. Once Eric was out of the Shreveport city limits and on the open road, he turned on the radio to find some music to distract him from his contradictory thoughts. He finally settled on a classic rock station, catching a raspy female voice mid-song that reminded him of Grace.
Don't you know when you're loving anybody, baby
You're taking a gamble on a little sorrow
But then who cares, baby
'Cause we may not be here tomorrow, no
A figure wearing loose linen clothing slowly materialized in the passenger's seat next to him, a boy with a much older soul. Eric immediately recognized his maker. He hadn't seen Godric's full form since burying Russell in concrete but remained silent in protest. He didn't want to be near him.
And if anybody should come along
He gonna give you any love and affection
I'd say get it while you can, yeah
Hey, hey, get it while you can
Hey, hey, get it while you can
Don't you turn your back on love
No no no, no no no no no
Eric slammed a button and turned off the music. He couldn't take it anymore.
"I rather like that song," Godric remarked.
"Why are you here?" he growled.
"Why are you driving?" his maker countered. "You could fly."
"Bill can wait. I need to think," Eric answered darkly. He wasn't confident he would remain calm in the King's presence.
"Then you know why I am here," Godric said, a ghost of a smile tugging at his lips as he looked out at the road ahead. Eric was reminded of one of the movies Ginger constantly watched back when they owned a video store; he hated that his maker still visited him like a menacing Jiminy Cricket.
"Go. Leave me in peace."
"Peace, yes. That is what you deserve. Tell me, why are you so troubled?"
"You have no right to ask that," the Viking spat. Godric sighed.
"So you are angry. With me." Eric slammed his hand against the steering wheel. This is not what he needed right now.
"Of course I am!"
"But you must not hold onto your hate. It will consume you. Are you able to forgive me, my child?"
"Forgive you?" Eric grunted and almost crashed the car out of spite. "For meeting the sun and leaving me? In fact, commanding me away from you so I couldn't be by your side when it happened? Never."
"Forgiveness is love. It will heal you. I know you are not incapable of love." Godric turned his attention from the windshield to Eric's face. The Sheriff stubbornly kept his gaze ahead, not acknowledging him.
"I don't know what that word means."
"I believe you do. There are centuries of faith and love between us." The same words he'd said on the roof of the Hotel Camilla when Eric was crying blood tears and begging him to reconsider. "And I know you love Nora as well."
The comment about his sister stung and he refused to open that door to explain that Nora had chosen the Authority's promise of power over him. Yet another reason he wanted to burn it to the ground.
"Fine," the Sheriff grumbled. "I loved you. But you chose to throw that away."
"I yearned for peace and chose one path to find it," Godric admitted, hanging his head slightly. "You do not need to do the same to achieve my goal. There are other ways."
"So what should I do instead," he said through his teeth. "Do tell."
"Love, Eric. Consider Miss Joplin's words, 'get it while you can'. You are over a thousand years old. You know that change is the only constant - nothing lasts forever, not even me. But continue to love anyway. Do not run from it, even if you know it may end."
"No." Eric was firm. "Love is a weakness."
"It is not, my child," Godric corrected him. "It is a strength. It nourishes the soul. It will keep you alive."
"You forget I'm already dead."
"But that does not mean you cannot live."
The Viking remained stoic.
"Love is a liability. And easily exploitable."
"Are you afraid because it is too painful when it ends?" Godric asked. Eric paused his tirade and gulped. He hated how the ancient could easily cut through his anger and hit the bullseye after so many years together. "Ah, now we see the truth. You fear loss after love. Grief. I know you have experienced it in your existence. Your human family, your maker … Even with romantic love for Sylvie and Sookie, it seems.
Eric took a moment to consider his following words carefully, unsure how Godric would pounce on them and force the true issue to the surface.
"... I don't think I truly loved Sylvie or Sookie."
"And why do you say that?"
It was a simple enough question, but Eric knew what he was fishing for. He growled and put his foot on the gas pedal in frustration. The Escalade sped up and barrelled down the dark country road in silence as he resisted answering his maker's question. He didn't want to admit it out loud, doing so would make it real. Couldn't Godric just read his mind and know his true feelings?
"Eric, answer me." The Viking continued to defy him. Godric turned in his seat and gave him an intimidating look. "As your maker, I command you to answer me."
He knew those words had no actual power over him anymore. Godric was gone, he wasn't really here next to him. He was just a figment of his imagination. He couldn't make him do anything. But the familiar phrase was still embedded in Eric's psyche and he finally obeyed his maker as a conditioned response.
"Because it's different with her. It's not just an addictive attraction like the others. It's more after seeing her tonight. I don't want to control her for my gain. I want her to be happy."
The Sheriff took his foot off the gas and the car slowed to a reasonable speed as his anger simmered down. Godric sat back in his seat, pleased.
"So you do love Grace. Tell me … are you afraid to lose her?"
His maker's prodding questions finally went too far and hit his deepest nerve. Eric immediately withdrew as a defense mechanism and avoided entertaining his feelings for her. She became an enemy again in his eyes.
"It's not real," he grumbled. "She has me under some sort of fucking spell."
Godric paused for a moment and exhaled audibly. His hands formed a soft prayer gesture and he patiently looked up at the ceiling. Eric forced himself to keep his attention on the road.
"What do you believe she can do? Tell me everything you've learned, liten krigare." Little warrior, the Swedish name Godric had given him shortly after he turned him. It brought back memories of the early days when his maker savagely commanded him to spy on their enemies and present the intel he'd gathered to fuel their attack plans.
"I believe she is a witch," he began but quickly backtracked when his confidence waned. "Of sorts. She controls emotions and behavior, but I don't know precisely how. The evidence is too scarce and I haven't found any totems or signs of spellwork. I've only seen it happen when she performs, but not every time, so it seems she has a way to turn it on and off. Or at least, release it with different levels of strength." Eric knew his maker would pounce on his next observation. "She may be a novice or a hybrid because her influence wears off. Pam's infatuation has settled to reasonable levels. I have noticed Leon already following suit."
"And you?" Godric asked, raising an arched brow. Eric remained stubborn and silent. "Don't make me command you to address it."
Eric didn't want to answer; he'd avoided the thought for weeks once he noticed Pam's interest soften. He should have been over Grace by now, but he was still infatuated with her. In fact, even more so after seeing her despair tonight. He felt a connection to her that he'd never experienced before. But the thought of admitting that he loved her on his own without her influence was too much and he decided that this conversation needed to end. Immediately.
"What is with all your questions tonight? You aren't Godric, Godric is dead. This conversation doesn't even make sense. None of this makes sense! You are just in my head. Gods, leave! LEAVE!" Eric roared.
His maker sighed and placed his hands in his lap.
"I will leave you, my child. As you wish. But there is something I must say first. Do you recall I told you and Isabelle about when I met Miss Joplin? She was growing up in Port Arthur, Texas at the time." Eric did remember his maker's exact words in Dallas, just before he passed. But he still looked forward, ignoring him. "I knew she was wild from the moment we first spoke at a deserted playground that night … she had a fire in her that I will never forget. But I saw that she was trapped, society's chains injured her feminine intuition. I did nothing to help her because I did not know how. I let her go … and while she recorded the wise words you heard tonight, Miss Joplin eventually self-destructed. She overdosed at twenty-seven, like many other artists gone too soon at that exact age. Human popular culture has made it an infamous club … Tell me, how old is Grace?"
Eric knew exactly where this was going. His foot slammed on the brake; the Escalade immediately skidded to a halt in the middle of the open road, crossing both lanes and whipping him forward. The Sheriff panted after his body settled back into his seat. He needed Godric to stop. He couldn't go there.
"Don't say it. Don't you dare say it."
"You know she could join the twenty-seven club on her current path. So love her. To save you both."
Eric finally turned to look Godric in the eyes but found the passenger seat was now empty. He froze, still stopped in the middle of the road and unsure of what happened. Hearing one random song on the radio had sent him into a tailspin - insanely hallucinating his maker and dragging up his most significant traumas - which was very unlike him. It felt unnerving. He threw open the car door to step onto the concrete, paced back and forth and muttered obscenities, cursing every God he knew of. It started to calm him, but he still felt buzzy and on edge.
The Viking eventually spied headlights in the distance and got back into the car to move it to the side of the road and let the other driver pass. He then decided enough was enough. He needed to get his head straight and deal with Bill. And driving certainly wasn't helping. Eric stoked his anger, thinking about how much he hated the vampire, and assumed his warrior mentality again. He got out of the car, looked up at the sky and flew the rest of the way to Bill's remodeled palace. Vincenzo could get the car later and clean up his mess.
"Eric!"
When he entered the home, a familiar redheaded vampire wearing a floral midi dress zipped out from the main room. Jessica squealed and hugged him, excited to see him again. The Viking stiffened and didn't reciprocate as his nemesis followed behind her. He looked him up and down. Bill's formal black suit attempted to project authority, but Eric still thought of him as the lowly vampire he'd caught feeding on prostitutes at Pam's San Francisco brothel many decades ago.
"Is this a social call or is there another reason for your summons?"
"Jessica's presence is merely a coincidence," Bill answered, turning on his Southern charm. His progeny let go of Eric but still beamed at him. Even though she was a brat during the first few weeks of her undead life, she still appreciated his guidance and the fun he let her have. "But now it's time for her to go."
"Awww, can't I stay?" she pouted. "I want to hear about Fangtasia. It's been so long since I visited."
"Give my best to Hoyt," Bill smiled before kissing her on both cheeks and subtly pushing her out the door. Once she finally left and they were alone in the foyer save for a few guards, he rounded on Eric and hissed. "We would have avoided that encounter if you had arrived on time."
"My apologies, your majesty. Something came up," the Sheriff deflected as he followed the King into his office. He closed the door behind him.
"Something came up?" Bill asked incredulously as he sat in an oversized chair behind his desk. Eric continued to stand. "What could be more important than informing me of the police raid on your place of business tonight?"
"I was tying up loose ends," he replied. Which was partly true.
"I should have punished you the moment you let that band protest on stage." Eric controlled his fangs from dropping but still felt rage. It wasn't that long ago that he had control over him. "The AVL is trying to win back human popular opinion to pass the VRA and your performance will make that difficult now that the police are involved."
Eric paused before he did something stupid, like challenging him. The monarch still had so much to learn and it made the Sheriff realize that he could be a better King of Louisiana if he wanted to. But he felt his fury finally settle. Becoming King was one of the last things Eric wanted. He hated dealing with Nan Flannigan and the Authority. Fuck them all, he just wanted peace. Bill could have the pompous position.
"On the contrary," Eric sneered. He still would enjoy showing him he could better play the game. "It will advance our interests."
"And how pray tell," Bill glowered, "will that happen?"
"I can now provide evidence that the Shreveport police department has a pattern of violating civil rights. Excessive force, discriminatory arrests, hiding behind invalid search warrants, crowd control tactics that infringe on free speech … Not just on vampires but humans as well. Therefore, I will forward this information to the AVL and my contact in the new Justice Department. He accepted my bribe -"
"You mean you glamoured him," Bill interjected.
"A magician never reveals his secrets, Bill. You know that," Eric said with a charming smirk. "Regardless, he will fast-track the proceedings. The incoming Obama administration is eager to combat injustice alongside us."
"That means nothing," the King growled. "They can't do anything."
"I thought a Confederate such as yourself would understand the authoritative power of the Federal government. I guess I was wrong," Eric couldn't help but jab. He rejoiced when Bill bristled, slowly dropped his hands to his lap and narrowed his eyes with scorn. The fucker deserved it. "The Justice Department will file a civil suit to enact a consent decree and draft a legally enforceable list of reforms, starting with removing the Police Chief who is the biggest thorn in our side. They will replace him with a candidate who will enact further corrections in our favor."
"This does nothing to pass the VRA," Bill countered.
"We use this strategy to help pass the VRA. Public opinion will turn when humans see us working with their leaders within their rule of law to advance their rights alongside our own. And if we meet resistance, we use them as a shield." Eric felt his sneer return. "As long as humans are affected and stand with us as we protest, the Federal government will act in our interest when the police go after their own."
Bill fumed as he digested the Sheriff's logic; Eric stood tall, loving every moment.
"I see," the King finally relented. "I will inform Nan of this plan." And no doubt take credit, Eric surmised. But it didn't matter. Seeing Bill squirm was reward enough. "You may go, sunrise will be upon us soon." The Sheriff nodded with mock respect and started to back out of the room, but Bill made a last remark. "Oh and Eric, I have a favor to ask. I want you to reserve a table front and center for Jessica and her human at your New Year's Eve cabaret. You will cover their tickets of course."
"Trouble in paradise?" Eric replied smoothly, even though he was annoyed. It would take away from his profit, reserving one of his highest priced tables for free.
"I want them to be a shining example of mainstreaming and unity," Bill countered. But Eric still felt something was happening with Jessica to warrant such a request.
"Of course … your majesty. Pam will take care of it."
"Good," Bill smirked. "You are dismissed."
Eric swiftly turned and stormed out of the palace; he couldn't wait to get out of there. He hated being under the younger vampire's thumb and longed for the days when Bill had to do what he said. It was so easy to get a rise out of him, all the Sheriff had to do was threaten to control Sookie and the vampire went crazy … which gave him an idea. He looked across the Bon Temps cemetery, caught a small glimpse of her old house and felt a wicked smile spread across his face. He would stop by his real estate agent's house tomorrow evening and put his new plan in motion.
He was going to buy Sookie's house. Not because he loved her, but simply so Bill couldn't have it.
However, his contentment quickly faded. Just briefly thinking about Sookie brought Eric back to his earlier conversation with Godric and his apprehension returned. A knot formed in his stomach and he knew there was only one way to remedy it. So instead of going straight home to his nest, the Viking decided to make one more stop for the night even though his instincts told him not to. He checked his watch to determine how much time he had left before he needed to go to ground, rocketed into the sky and straightened his black leather jacket once he landed on the lawn just outside Grace's house.
Initially, he tried to convince himself that he was just there to give Vincenzo his car keys back, but once he saw the vampire standing next to the front door, Eric knew that was a stupid fucking lie. He desperately needed to see if the singer was ok.
"Status?" he asked, his voice cracking slightly as he prepared for the worst.
"She took the Xanax, she's asleep," Vincenzo replied. "I can hear her heartbeat from here. It's within normal levels."
He paused to listen and confirmed his third-in-command's assessment. His tension faded slightly but a big part of him still wanted to see for himself. Eric considered going inside to watch her sleep for the rest of the night to personally make sure nothing else would happen to her. The house had a secret underground room where he could rest to continue his duty as soon as the sun went down again. Because as much as he hated to admit it, Eric wanted her green eyes to sparkle again. He couldn't bear the thought of her joining the infamous club.
But he immediately kicked himself for being so fucking soft. He was Eric Northman, a Viking warrior and vampire Sheriff of Area 5, and he was not ruled by love. Gods, he didn't even love her, this was likely just some side effect from her first performance where she practically claimed him on stage. Because you're mine. That was why he was feeling protective over her, the only reason. Fuck, he had to continue to keep his distance to prevent the situation from getting worse. It was embarrassing. She could die and he wouldn't care. It would just be another day in his undead life.
"Your car is just outside of town," Eric grunted as he threw the keys at Vincenzo. "Get it tomorrow, there isn't enough time to deal with it before sunrise. If it's damaged or stolen, buy a new one."
And with that, he tried not to think about the flesh underneath the slit of her dress again and flew home.
Author's note: ahhhhhhh, the feels continue. Side note, maybe someday I'll do a Godric/Janis one-shot to do that paragraph some real justice LOL.
I'm still not 100% confident with my writing (it's been awhile!) and especially not when writing Eric. We'll see if I come back and tweak this.
Also, I came across Sixtine Rouyre's SI swimsuit photos, especially the ones with monstera leaves as clothes and SHEESH. Grace in her pure form. That is all.
Next update will be soon. Please review in the meantime! What's your favorite part so far?