Eric:
This wasn’t like me. It had never been like me. Sitting awake in the middle of the day worrying about a human. I could still feel her. Feel all of her rage and pain but it was mixed with a deep sadness. Hurt. I’d felt it all night and it hadn’t lessened throughout the day. I shouldn’t have cared. Yvetta was nothing to me. Less than nothing. Regardless of what she must’ve thought, she was simply a stripper for me to fuck so I wouldn’t be so hellbent over Melanie. Much like I was now.
I should’ve been thinking about Russell Edgington. His revenge plot against me. Preparing to fight him and come up with any plan to kill him but I couldn’t. I couldn’t stop thinking about what I’d done to her and that was more dangerous than any 3000 year old vampire.
The door of my office swinging open caught my attention. Sookie stormed in followed by Pam who half-heartedly tried to stop her.
“She insisted.” She shrugged.
“She always does.”
I nodded for Pam to leave and she turned, shutting the door behind her to give us privacy. Sookie stood confidently, hands on her hips as she looked down at me.
“Where is she? She won’t answer me.”
“If she wanted you to know, she would’ve told you herself.”
“You hurt her didn’t you? That’s why she’s not here. That’s why you’re awake. I knew she was over her head getting involved with you.”
I stood abruptly, frightening her at the sound of the chair hitting the ground. “Don’t pretend like you know anything about our involvement.” I growled, leaning down to face her. “About what I have for her – what I feel for her. This is about Bill. Deep down you know you shouldn’t trust him. That’s why you’re here.”
“Okay.” She admitted, her voice seemingly less in control. Her eyes darted to my lips lustfully as I hovered over her tiny figure. “Tell me why.”
“That’s between you and Bill. Melanie and I -” I paused, trying to think of what I actually wanted to say. “There are forces beyond even my control and if I meet the true death without having seen her smile one more time – that would be my biggest regret.”
Her hand reached up, cupping my cheek softly as she looked up at me with concern. “Why does it sound like you’re saying goodbye?”
“Because I am.” I stepped back, standing straighter as I looked at her.
“I get it, she’s irresistible and intoxicating, but keeping things from me does not help your cause. She doesn’t know what she is. She could be in danger. Tell me why I shouldn’t trust Bill.”
She did have a point. If Russell found out before her, she’d have no way of defending herself.
I opened my mouth to speak but the door opened and Pam came in. “Blah blah, vampire emergency, blah.” She mumbled motioning for me to follow her out.
I looked down at Sookie before walking out and shutting the door behind us. “This better be good.”
“You’re too busy signing wills and sulking over your precious Melanie instead of seeing the opportunity in front of you.” Pam whispered harshly.
“There is no opportunity.” I shook my head. “It won’t work.”
“We know Russell wants Sookie. Give her to him to save your own skin.”
“No.”
“He’s going to get her anyway, sooner or later. Then he’ll go after your human too. Who cares if she’s upset. At least this way you can be alive to protect her.”
“No.” I replied again. “I won’t do that to her. She’d never forgive me.”
Pam’s eyes filled with tears as she crossed her arms over her chest. “You’re choosing a human over yourself, Eric? Over me?”
“Your lack of sentiment has always been your most admirable quality. Do not disappoint me now!” I seethed, getting more and more angry by the second.
“You would have said and done anything to save, Godric.” She defended. “I have no interest in inheriting your farm on Irlande. That place is a windy shit hole. If you’re not going to give him Sookie, at least figure out how to use her and fast.”
She turned to storm away from me. Something I’d gotten a lot of on the last 24 hours. Yet she did have a point. I’d give away Sookie for Melanie anyday. Edgington still had no idea who Sookie’s sister was. If I could get him to think the other Stackhouse was overseas, maybe he’d gladly accept Sookie and go off elsewhere looking for her.
But I’d already hurt Melanie enough. There would be no turning back from having her sister killed. I truly was between a rock and a hard place, but I couldn’t let Sookie out of my sights until I could figure out what to do.
“Where the hell have you been?” She asked as I entered my office.
“I needed to think.”
“I am not some kind of prisoner you could just lock up anytime you feel like taking off.”
“Actually you are.”
I smirked seeing the confusion in her face before throwing her over my shoulder. She screamed, punching my back as hard as she could but she knew it was no use.
“I knew I shouldn’t have trusted you!” She screamed trying to hang onto anything she could get her hands on.
“You were right.” I dropped her on the floor in the basement before locking one of the metal collars around her neck.
“Eric!” She screeched as I walked upstairs, locking the door behind me.
Melanie:
Two days sulking at Sam’s had been enough. He’d been kind enough to give me the days off and not push for me to open up. Something I wouldn’t have gotten at home. Not with Sookie constantly trying to read me. I knew she’d tried to make contact but I couldn’t. I needed to be away. Away from that whole group with their never ending drama.
I didn’t trust Bill and I thought I could trust Eric but I was severely mistaken. He’d broken something inside of me that I never even knew I had. Words couldn’t explain the feeling I had that night. Tears couldn’t wash away the pain. Yet somewhere in the back of my mind I had still tried to rationalize it. Eric Northman was never mine. We’d never discussed being together. He was the one who had claimed me but who knows how many other woman he’d claimed. Clearly that other woman had thought he cared for her, look how that turned out.
I was better off alone anyway.
Maybe it was time to talk to Sook again. I knew her trying to trash Eric wouldn’t make me feel any better but being around my family would. Except when I entered our house there was nobody there. No Tara. No Sookie. No Jason or Lafayette. The house looked completely abandoned. Where was everybody?
Taking a seat on the couch, I tried hard to concentrate.
“Sook?”
“Help.”
Shit. I felt panic rising inside of me again.
“What is it? Where are you?”
“Fang -”
Something was wrong. Her thoughts were weak. I could barely hear them. I ran out to the car as fast as I could, the tires screeching as I pulled off down the road. It was already dawn, if vampires were holding her, now would be my chance.
Approaching the lot, an overwhelming smell of burning flesh surrounded me. As I got closer I could see Sookie running out the front door before stopping in front of two bodies on the ground. The car was barely in park as I ran out of it to join her before I came to the realization that it was Eric on the ground. Eric burning right in front of my eyes while Sookie was fine. All anger left my body as I saw him dying before me.
“What the fuck happened?!” I screamed as I kneeled beside him. My arms quickly sliding out of my jacket as I threw it over him.
“He chained himself out here to die with Edgington.” Sookie replied as she tried to pull off the handcuffs.
Both men groaned at the pain of silver yanking at their skin.
“Melanie-” Eric groaned breathlessly. “Get out of here.”
“Sook, help!” I ignored him as I tried to pull apart the chains. We were running out of time. Eric would vanish in no time just like Godric did. I stood up quickly and concentrated all of my energy on the chain and just like previous times, a ball of light shot out, breaking the cuffs.
“My my – she’s the missing sister isn’t she.” Edgington laughed maliciously behind me. “You were hiding her the whole time.”
His laugh sent shivers down my body but I couldn’t get distracted now. Using every ounce of energy I could, I grabbed Eric’s arms and dragged him into the shade. Sookie opened the door behind me so I could bring him inside.
“Oh thank god!” Pam rushed over to us as I dropped to my knees, resting his head on my lap.
I’d never seen him as weak as this moment right here. I stroked his hair back as he tried to speak but lacked the energy.
“He needs blood. Human blood.” She looked between Sookie and I. “He’s two weak to drop fang.”
“I’ll do it.” Sookie offered, raising her arm to Bill.
“No. You’re a fairy. He won’t be able to control himself.” He protested.
“He’s drank from Melanie before. He’s never drained her!”
“For fucks sake.” I said, fuming at their bickering at a time like this. I raised my arm to Pam and she quickly punctured my wrist. Placing it against his lips, I rubbing his cheek gently. “Come on drink babe. Please just drink.” I whispered.
His hand soon wrapped around my wrist, holding me closely as he drank.
“What is all this about Sookie being a fairy?” I turned to look up at them.
“You are too. Apparently somewhere down our bloodline, one of our ancestors had sex with a fae and now we’re half fairy. That’s why we can read minds and do that light thing with our hands. That’s why Edgington was after us. That’s why vampires have found us irresistable. It’s our blood.”
Bill growled as kneeled down beside us. “And that’s why I cannot comprehend why you are saving him. He knew and look what he did.”
“What did he do?” I raised my head to look at him.
“He basically served your sister to Edgington on a silver platter.”
“To save all of us!” Sookie defended. “I didn’t see you jumping to my defense. You are just as guilty as him.”
Eric stirred from under me while Sookie and Bill continued to argue.
“Mel -” He whispered, leaning up on his arm.
His free hand rested on my neck, his thumb brushing my cheekbone as he looked up at me apologetically. My lips met his instantly. As angry as I was, almost losing him put everything into perspective. His wounds healed before my eyes and he was okay again. Nothing else mattered.
He sat up, pulling me onto his lap as his arms roamed my body holding me against him. “I love you. I’m so sorry.”
“Shh. I love you too. This was the stupidest fucking idea you’d ever had!” I dug my face into his neck, unable to let go.
Everyone got quiet looking at us. Eric pricked his finger to close the holes in my wrist before turning his attention to them.
“Where’s Russell?”
“Outside.” Sookie answered.
“We have to bring him back in.”
“What?” I pulled away looking down at him.
“Are you insane? Why?” Bill questioned.
He returned his eyes to me. “Godric appeared to me and asked me to spare Russell.”
“You are insane.” He scoffed.
“Sookie -” Eric pleaded.
“You want me to go get the guy who wants to kill us all and bring him inside? Really?”
“Eric, do the world a favor and let that little fuck fry.” Pam intervened.
“Why can’t Melanie do it!” Bill argued.
“She’s been through enough!”
“And Sookie hasn’t?!”
Both their fangs dropped as stood toe to toe.
I sighed, “For the love of god. We’ll both do it.”
After dragging him in, Eric tied him the the stripper pole with chains. He hissed only to have his fang fall out into his hand.
“You’re a fool for not killing him.” Bill shook his head. “He’ll kill all of us.”
“Oh, he won’t be doing any more killing.” He smirked, as he continued to tie the chains.
“Eric, who the fuck are you right now? He killed your family. Rip off his fucking head!” Pam argued.
“Melanie, come hold these chains. together.”
As soon as my hands grabbed the metal, Edgington’s remaining fang dropped excitedly.
“Don’t even think about it.” Sookie stepped forward.
“Are you kidding me? It’s all I’ll think about ever again. I only wish I’d gotten a bite out of her. She smells much, much sweeter.”
“Enough.” Eric punched him in the side and he coughed out smoke. He removed his gloves and wrapped his arm around my neck to pull me close again.
“You should go to ground.” I looked at them. “We’ll stay here and watch him.
“I’m not babysitting this psycho while they take a nap!” Sookie protested.
Eric looked down into my eyes, his hand twirling a loose strand of hair on my neck before turning to look at Sookie nodding. “He can’t glamour you two. Ginger’s coming in later. He would glamour her in a heartbeat. Pam, make one of the guest coffins available for Mr. Compton.”
“I’m staying out here with Sookie.”
“Suit yourself.” He shrugged, before cupping my cheeks in his hands. “If you need anything – anything – you come get me.”
“I will, rest up.” I leaned up to kiss him.
“I’m not leaving you alone with him.” Bill continued.
“Well I really don’t want to look at your face right now. Or any of your faces for that matter. Go crawl back into your holes you creepy, cold freaks.”
I rolled my eyes at Sookie before walking behind the bar to pour myself a drink.
“You.” Eric pointed at her after making a phone call. “Don’t stake him.”
OOO
Eric and Bill went to bury Edgington. Sookie insisted on us going back home, repeating over and over again how done she was with them. I was still stunned on the fact that we weren’t human. That we were fae? How could our parents never have told us? Who else knew?
We’d both showered and changed once we got there. It felt good to feel like myself again. Being at Gran’s always made us feel better. I let my hair air dry, changing into a pair of shorts and a loose tank again. All I wanted to do was talk to Eric. We had to figure out what happened. What we were. The lines may have been blurred before but that kind of uncertainty made our lives even more dangerous.
I heard a faint knock on the door downstairs, Sookie and Bill’s voices followed but no Eric. My curiosity got the best of me and I walked down a few steps to see them going into the living room. Sookie always acted like such a hardass until he came crawling for forgiveness. After all the shit she’d been talking earlier, I had to see if she’d hold her ground.
“Russell is gone.” He said.
“Thank God for small favors.” She said cooly.
“Eric as well.” My ears shot up as I stepped down further. “I ended him.”
“What? Why?” Sookie asked softly.
“You did what?!” I ran down the rest of the way to confront him.
“He tasted you.” He looked up at me. “He knew what you two were. Even if Sookie and I were to go our separate ways, I would make sure you two were safe.”
“Eric would never -” I shook my head, taking a step back from him. My heart raced as I tried to hold back tears at the thought of him killing Eric.
“Bill Compton.” Sookie stood, still in disbelief.
“Sookie -” He interrupted her. “Most vampires are not like me. Even if holding themselves back occurred to them they would probably not be able to.”
“That’s a lie!” I yelled again, feeling the wetness of tears down my face. “Eric had drank from me. Not once has he pushed the limit. He’s a thousand years older than you, if anyone could control themselves it would’ve been him.”
Sookie’s face softened like she was actually believing him and he got up to stand in front of her. “I’m not taking any chances. I intend to bring the true death to all that know what you are.”
“Russell, Eric -” She mumbled.
“Pam, the queen. And any who discover it in the future.”
“Sookie – are you listening to this bullshit!” I threw my arms up in the air in defeat. There she went again, falling into his trap.
“I will do anything to keep you safe. Even if it means me not being part of your life.” He continued. “This I swear to you.”
“You’re a fucking liar!” I screamed out, unable to listen to his lies anymore. “Leave. Leave while you still can. Leave before I fucking stake you!”
“Mel!” She yelled, grabbing me from attacking him.
“I have never loved nor will I ever love as I have loved you.” He looked at her before turning to walk towards the door.
“Wait – don’t!” Sookie went to run after him, eyes full of tears.
The front door flew open forcefully and we saw Eric coming up our steps coated head to toe in cement. I ran past Sookie and Bill to approach him but froze, noticing his demeanor. With his hands shoved deep into his pockets, he held his calm composure though every fiber of his being wanted to lash out and tear Bill apart.
“Did you tell them you were originally sent by the Queen of Louisiana to procure them because of what they might be?” He said with a smirk.
“What?” I asked, stepping forward to get a good look at Bill.
Sookie did the same. Her eyes watching him carefully as he stared at the ground regretfully trying to come up with something to say.
“I did not know why she wanted you.” He looked at her. “As I grew to know you, I purposefully kept you from her.”
“Were you ever going to tell me?” She asked, not able to take in what he was admitting to.
Eric turned to look down at me, his hand resting on the crook of my neck as his eyes met me. “That’s why I didn’t want you to trust him. I had tried to warn her but she wouldn’t listen.”
“I hoped to someday.” Bill answered. “I swear it.”
“What about you letting two psychos beat her within an inch of her life so you could feed her your blood the night you met?” Eric chimed in again. “Think she’ll forgive you for that?”
Our eyes widened thinking back to that night. He looked murderously at Eric before turning his attention back to a horrified Sookie.
“Is it true?” She asked, looking up at him.
“Sookie -” He took a step closer.
“You son of a bitch.” I seethed but Sookie demanded to hear the answer from him.
“Yes.” He lowered his gaze.
“He tried to silence me tonight so you would ever know.” Eric looked between my sister and I. “He doesn’t want to protect you. He only wants to protect himself.”
“Get out of my house!” She screamed out. His body was involuntarily pushed out the door as he tried to hold onto the frame. “Don’t you ever call me. Don’t ever talk to me. Ever! You manipulated me into falling in love with you.”
“It is who you are, Sookie, not what you are, that I love, and will love always until I meet the true death.” He tried but she wasn’t having it.
“LOVE?! You don’t even get to use that word! I rescind my invitation!”
“NO!” He yelled as he was flung off of our porch.
Eric stared at him coldly as he dusted himself off. “Oh, and I want my phone back.”
After another stare down with Sookie, he disappeared into the night. She looked between Eric and I as tears started flowing down her cheeks.
“Sook – “ I sighed but she shook her head and took a few steps back before turning to run up the stairs. The slamming of her door confirming she was in her room.
“I should go -”
“Don’t.” Eric took my hand, pulling my body against his. “She’s a big girl, she’ll be okay.”
I nodded hesitantly, but followed his lead down the steps. His fingers laced with mine as we walked down the dirt path. There was a lot of information to process but this – this felt nice.
“I – I’m sorry.” He said, breaking the silence. “Yvetta – she meant nothing. She was before. Before I knew what these feelings were. When I was trying to figure out what they meant and trying to push you out of my head. I’ve never had feelings, much less any as strong as this. I didn’t know what it was.”
“I know.” I sighed, looking up at him. “I know I had no right to be mad. We’re adults, it was never official. It just fucking sucked seeing her there. Knowing she had feelings for you. Knowing she had shared your touch, your lips, your body.”
He stopped us from walking and stepping in front of me. With his hands cupping my jaw softly, his eyes gazed into mine.
“You will never have to share me again. I am yours and you are mine for as long as you shall have me.”
“Is that a promise?” I whispered, leaning my head into the comfort of his large hands.
“It’s more than just a promise.”
Footsteps running past us caught our attention and we turned to see Sookie running madly towards the cemetery. She’d usually visit Gran’s grave when she was upset. It made sense for her to go after finding out about Bill.
“For the record.” He spoke again, watching Sookie disappear into the trees. “I never would’ve given her to Russell.”
I opened my mouth to speak but the woods suddenly became brightly lit by a ball of light coming from the cemetery before it simply disappeared, darkening everything again. Panic rushed over me as I started to run.
“Sookie?!” I called out breathlessly as my eyes wandered around the area.
Eric quickly checked the surrounding woods before coming back to me.
“She’s not here.” He shook his head.
How could that be? What was that light? It was like she had vanished into thin air.
“Sookie!”