Chapter 7
Eyelids struggled to separate as a shrill laugh roused me. I could feel so much of my body aching that I urged to lose consciousness again.
"How are you feeling?" Eric's voice was quiet, as if not to aggravate a migraine. That thankfully, was not one of my symptoms.
I slowly rolled towards the voice, still attempting to clear up my vision. "Where are we?" The room was dark but I could hear party-goers not too far away.
"I moved us to one of the guest rooms upstairs. We won't be disturbed here." I felt the mattress depress in front of me as Eric placed himself alongside my body. "I would like to give you more of my blood so that it may heal you." His face was very close to mine.
Even in the darkness, I could feel the intensity of his gaze. His eyes, that saw through the abyss between us. I knew I must have been a mess. The blood that coated my once gorgeous dress was chill against my skin and I had taken my hair halfway down during the struggle.
The Struggle. Is that what I was going to refer to it as? That time I fought for the life of someone who had warned me of the impending danger by attacking another vampire? Oh yeah, that time.
"I need to be home." I said. The haze around me was causing my anxiety to flare up.
"I'll be happy to escort you out of here, but it would be tremendously helpful for you to have your strength." Eric persuaded.
My eyes closed in an attempt to conceal the hot tears that were forming. "Fine." I breathed. "Just get me out of here." I was breaking. My insides were freezing and I ached everywhere, not to mention the fog that clouded my every thought.
Strong hands guided my body to roll over so that Eric could drape his wrist around at a comfortable angle. "Here." He whispered. His wrist was waiting for my lips to engulf the wound inflicted by his own fangs. I obliged with minimal hesitation.
The taste was much more prominent this time, as could be expected with the increased volume. But there was something more to it. There was a familiarity that made me completely relax as the thick liquid ran down my throat. I gripped Eric's forearm as I lapped the now healing wound.
"That's a good girl."
My hold let go immediately as I turned to face him again. "Don't do that. I'm not a dog."
A chuckle resounded. "It was meant as a recognition of your manners in feeding from me. You are a clean feeder." His thumb and finger held my chin as he delivered a quick kiss. "It's quite convenient."
I stared into the darkness where I supposed his eyeline to be. "Take me home now please."
"As you wish." Eric ushered us out to a balcony at the end of the hall before flying us to my house.
We landed in the driveway and my feet found their way to solid ground. Only, I couldn't seem to hold my own weight. Eric caught me before I even fell, of course. With reflexes like those, it was probably like dealing with a baby learning to take its first steps. "Whoops." I commented.
Before I could try again, strong arms lifted my legs out from under me, leaving my heeled feet dangling, like a true princess.
We made it inside once I retrieved my spare key from under a large jagged piece of quartz. "Thank you. I'd like to go to bed now." I said, wondering if Eric would leave me to deal with the mess that I was, or to try and get something more out of me. My voice was properly conveying my exhaustion and I didn't care if it came out as rude.
Moving into my bathroom, I left the light off. My eyes were still adjusting to the flood lights from the driveway after waking in the dark. I reached up to try and unclasp the button that held the lace around my neck. Tears formed as I fumbled and my breathing became unstable.
Languid fingertips pulled my clumsy hands away and expertly released the clasp. I took a deep breath recognizing my fragility. This was not a good time for the blonde adonis to play white knight. Only, I couldn't find the strength to stop him from proceeding.
No words passed between us as Eric stripped the dress from me. He took my hairbrush from the built in shelf and began disassembling my mass of tangles. He turned the water on before stepping between the mirror and myself. I had been watching him work on prepping me for cleansing wondering if this was attractive to him. Did my blood tinged skin smell delicious or of death?
"Where are you right now?" The mountain before me questioned.
"In my house." I replied without a beat.
A sigh escaped him. "That's not what I meant." A finger was brought up to my chin so that I would meet his gaze. Once positioned, his other pointer finger tapped my temple. "Where are you in here? You seem to have found your way to a very dark place." His eyebrows knitted together.
"Ahh," A sad smile graced my features. "You've never had a blood bond with someone with depression, have you?"
His eyes narrowed. "This is a chronic condition?" His question felt very clinical.
"Yes," I started. "And I wouldn't say near-death experiences are helpful in managing that." I shed my undergarments where I stood before moving under the stream of the shower, all without meeting Eric's gaze. "Con." I breathed into the steam.
I took my time cleaning every part of myself. Even though I was tired, I knew it would be worth it to sleep feeling fresh. Upon exiting the shower, I retired for the night. Eric was not in my line of sight and I didn't go looking for him.
The next three days held a plethora of reminders for me of my experiences at the benefit. Between the heightened senses, added agility, and the dreams that had me unable to keep thoughts away of the one responsible, I was becoming restless.
"Krusty Krab, this is Patrick." Announced Molly through the phone.
I laughed, "I'm in dire need of a night out. You in?"
"Not even a question. I'll pick you up in thirty."
I had expected nothing less, so I tossed the phone onto my bed while I rummaged through my closet for something comfortable to dance in that wouldn't leave me freezing when we left.
Molly was ten minutes late, which worked out well because I was running late too. I couldn't get Eric's stupid remark about always having a weapon out of my head.
"Let's go already!" She called from the front door.
"Be right there!" I called back, eyeing my various silver jewelry. Grabbing a thin chain and the ring I had used in 'the struggle,' I bounced down the stairs to avoid letting myself agonize over my decisions. "I'm ready." I said, grabbing my keys and flicking off the light.
Once situated in the car, I connected my phone to put some electrocore on to get psyched for a night out. "Where to?" I inquired.
"Well," She began in a very drawn out manner. "I thought we might try Fangtasia again."
"What? You know I haven't talked to Eric since he nearly got me killed."
Molly whipped her head to me for a moment before looking back to the darkened streets. The one brief moment was enough to convey her irritation. "And you do realize he is the only guy to ever have enthralled you like that?"
I scoffed. "Oh you mean like how vampires can with their psychic powers? Yes, I'm well aware that he could control my mind."
"But he didn't."
Silence stole the moment. I thought back to my curiosity about the fact that Eric had resisted the urge to control me and how I had fully described that awe to my best friend. "No he didn't." I sighed. "I'm just not sure what he is thinking. Not only did we go through a traumatic experience, but he got a glimpse of my depression and didn't really seem excited about dealing with that. Which... I can't blame him."
"Sounds to me like the best way to move forward is to, I don't know, discuss it like adults. Or just rip each other's clothes off." A big grin filled her face. Yup, she was imagining my 'not boyfriend' naked.
"Did you hear the part about nearly dying?" I questioned.
Molly's shoulders lifted in a shrug. "I did. But you're fine. Better than fine!"
"And you are delusional." I said with finality. "As much as I would like to have a carefree night out, it probably is best to find closure with him."
A heavily tattooed woman manned the door. She was average height but with very tall, jet black hair. Like Kat Von D meets Elvira. "IDs." She demanded with a hand out. She curled her lips ever so slightly at me. Shaking it off as tourism, we both complied and made our way inside. I couldn't help that my eye immediately went to Eric's throne. It was empty, to both my elation and dismay. My emotions were all over the place as I tried to sort out whether or not I actually wanted to see the cause of my restlessness.
"Let's dance." Molly attempted to pull me onto the floor, but I surprised us both.
I mouthed 'shot' and tipped my head to the bar. A cheeky smile filled her face as we shifted direction.
"Two shots of Jager please." I spoke to the bartender. He seemed to appreciate the fact that I didn't shout as he poured the dark thick liquid. His eyes stayed on me all the while donned by a small smile. "Thanks." I pulled the tiny glasses forward and a second of mesmerization had me visualizing blood in its place.The bartender and I exchanged money and Molly and I exchanged sobriety for liquor.
After that, we were focused on enjoying the music and the comfort from dancing in a crowd. As time passed, a few brave souls joined us and we enjoyed another round of shots with the company of a couple that was out on their date night.
"Anything but tequila!" Marsha chimed in.
Louis held her swaying body. "Oh, so you want to remember our new friends?" He laughed. They were good company as we took turns buying rounds in between dancing. As the night passed on, I found myself feeling quite relaxed.
That was, until I felt eyes on me. I had noticed more acknowledgement than normal, which was to be expected with vampire blood in my system, but I had forgotten the most important part.
There was an instant shift of bodies away from me that included any vampire within reach. My heart skipped as I put two and two together. Turning on my heel, I caught blue eyes from across the dance floor. He was filling the entrance to a hallway with his massive frame. It was then that he brought a finger up to curl it towards himself. Without waiting for me, Eric turned to enter the doorway to the left.
I turned back to fill Molly in, but she was already aware of our exchange. "I'll be right back." I said, not believing my own assumption.
Heat filled my cheeks as vampires and humans alike parted for me to move through them. "Excuse me." I said more than once, as if those who could hear me cared.
I closed the door upon entering though the music was still audible. Eric was seated behind a large solid wood desk. Papers, utensils, and a laptop were strewn about its surface. Seeing that there was a seat across from his, I moved to sit but was stopped. A torso appeared before me in vampire speed and I looked up to meet the blues that had called to me from across the room.
"I was starti-" I was rudely cut off by Eric's lips and tongue.
He kissed me with fervor. "Don't talk." He spit out between contact. His hands were roaming over my body and I stood in place, dumb and slow. After a moment he backed away. "You do not want this." He stated but his tone was questioning.
I took a deep breath. "I don't know. I don't even know why I'm here." Leaning back against the door I took a moment to appreciate Eric's usual attire. Black on black seemed to be our theme. My own long tank and leggings were a mirror of his wife-beater and jeans.
"To torment me apparently." He took a seat again. I followed suit and took the chair I had been heading for. "Jo, what am I going to do with you?" He leaned back and kept his gaze true.
"Well, I was thinking we should start with clearing the air." I proposed.
A raised brow was aimed my way. "Alright. Why have you not contacted me?"
His question threw me off guard. "That's a two way street." I straightened my spine. "And I don't recall needing to check in with you. You can already track my person and my emotions, as per your request."
Eric pulled forward. "That was indeed, of my doing. And I'm sure you can attest that you have not been in danger during our time apart. Therefore, I was not needing to act upon my insight to your location."
I relaxed again. "Segueing into my reasoning... You're right. I haven't been in any danger. And that is a good thing. Something I need to give up by involving myself with you."
Any semblance of emotion lifted from Eric's features. "You do not trust me to protect you." There was no question in his tone this time.
"That's not it." I started.
"There is no other way. Either you experience fear or you trust me." The piercing gaze directed at me narrowed. "Take off your silver when you are with me."
I stood, my restlessness building with my anxiety. "That's not fair." I pulled my ring off and unclasped my chain in a dramatic fashion before gesturing to my body. "Saying I'm not allowed to fear pain or for you because you are apparently invincible, is like saying you shouldn't fear for my inevitable death because of your protection." I shook my head, drowning in the convolution.
"I do not fear for your demise. I only wish it to be under certain terms."
A scoff escaped me. "That's what you take away from what I'm trying to tell you?"
Strong fingers wrapped around my wrist, stopping me in my tracks. My palm was brought up to Eric's nose. "You are just as delicious as I'd hoped." He inhaled deeply. "There are many things I wish to savor of your human form." He placed a kiss against my veins and it made my heart race. "Mmh. That is something we will not have to let go of. Our connection will only grow."
"Will I ever be who I was before you?" I asked in a whisper.
Eric eyed me. "I would eventually fade from your system if you went long enough without ingesting my blood." He paused but the subtle tightening of his grip told me he wasn't finished. "I don't intend for that to happen."
"So what, you show up on my doorstep once a week and let me suck your thumb." I asked with immediate regret of my wording.
A predatory smile engulfed Eric's face. "Actually Jo, my plan was to bed you nightly and exchange blood with you as I see fit. It will be much more fun this way."
I was having a hard time swallowing his plans for the future. "Eric, you can't tell me you are going to exchange your bougie club full of lackeys and fangbangers for my lackluster, cabin in the woods lifestyle."
"Of course not. Which brings us to the next phase in our companionship." Hands twirled me to rest my weight against his desk. With trees for thighs, I was effectively trapped. "I would very much enjoy your cooperation in moving in with me." His pride was oozing at this point.
"That's cute. You think if you ask nicely, I'll just give up my life to be your doll?" I asked.
His preemptive satisfaction was dulled. "You've been so compliant up until now."
"You mean, since my life was in danger?" I hadn't meant to sound so snippy.
"You are perfectly safe with me." Eric reiterated.
I stared him down until something deep in me clicked. There were a lot of unknowns for me about that night that we hadn't resolved but one thing had just become completely clear. "It was another test." I said to myself.
Eric's jaw clenched.
"Otherwise, you have no argument. Just admit it." But I didn't give him time before I continued; my revelation spilling out of me. "If I really have nothing to fear, with you protecting me, then why did I need to save your life?" I waited a beat. "Eric?"
After another moment of silence, I pushed the frame before me to try and gain some space. "Let me leave." I demanded.
"It's not that simple."
"In fact, it is. All I need you to do is move." I struggled to shift my weight up onto the desk to swing my legs up and over but I was trapped.
Hands grasped my wrists and shifted my torso to give him my full attention. "This, I could not be honest with you about," His eyes shifted under his brow in a serious fashion. "But you were perfect."
I couldn't look away. I couldn't have heard right. "What are you talking about?"
"Jo, you were meant to be a vampire."
I shook my head. "No." He had said it outloud. He ruined it.
Eric jostled my wrists to straighten me out. I stilled my head and met his waiting gaze. "Not every child is chosen with such care. The fact is, I have been completely satisfied with Pamela as my only progeny for many years." He had my full attention as I listened openly. "And then you walked into Fangtasia and reminded me what potential looks like." A genuine smile spread across his face as he twisted his hold on me to link our fingers. "I will teach you about the pleasures of life as a vampire."
"Did you propose like this to Pam?" I asked, not able to take his words as honesty.
A laugh rumbled through Eric's chest. "I didn't ask Pamela and I'm not asking you." His smile remained but his eyes darkened. "Your cooperation will ensure you the most freedom."
"So how exactly does one sell their soul now that the government has their finger in it?" I leaned back against the contents of Eric's desk. Something poked me in the side so I shifted and removed what turned out to be a stapler. Since I was not receiving a response, I tilted my head back up to see my sire-to-be watching me. "What?" I asked, resting my head back down onto a small stack of folders.
"That's it? You give in?" The question was saturated in skepticism.
"No, that's not it. But I don't really want to fight about it right now so you might as well spin your tale of my happily forever afterlife." I sighed.
Eric grabbed my hands that had been resting on my stomach and pulled me back up to face him. "What is it about this that you don't think you deserve?"
"Eric, you are a thousand year old, rich, gorgeous, vampire with status and power I have never even contemplated. What part of that am I supposed to fit into? How does you having any interest, at all, in me make any sense? Do you see where I'm going with this?" I moved to pull my hands away but the grip on them was true. "Please let me leave." I said, exhausted.
Silence was all I received for a moment and I was starting to wonder if Eric was in a vamp sleep-state. "Eric?"
"You really believe all of that." He mused. "Vampirism does wonders for self-confidence." A soft smile greeted me.
I hung my head before meeting Eric's blues again. "You think you can fix me by turning me." I concluded.
"I think I can grant you strength and the ability to become your true self. The woman who is prepared for everything can do anything." Lips crashed down onto mine again and I complied this time.
After a few moments of relishing in the comforts of contact, I broke away for breath. "And this attraction? Is it a ploy to weaken me to your will?"
"I am fabulous at seduction." A hand slid under my butt to pull me up against his own hips while his other hand pulled my head to the side by my hair. A gasp escaped me. "But I'd be lying if I didn't admit how much I've enjoyed your skin, your curves... the noises you make."
A sharp pang surged through my neck and warmth spread across my skin. I groaned and Eric took his que to cease drinking. "Your turn." He cooed, his wrist at his own lips. After a small crunch, he brought the bleeding wound within my reach.
My stomach flipped as I recalled how good his blood tasted last time. "I just had your blood."
"Your point?" Eric frowned as he watched the puncture marks heal. It was deja vu of my first taste.
"It's just- you said it would take time to leave my system and it definitely hasn't been long enough. So I shouldn't need your blood for a while without losing a connection." I explained.
My captor knitted his brow. "Not everything I do is purely logic." Eric bit his wrist again without breaking eye contact. His own blood dripped from his bottom lip. "Some things emanate from pleasure."
I didn't resist this time. Instead I focused on not reacting to the bliss that began coursing through me.
A hum emitted from the torso before me. "You can't hide the thrill my blood gives you. The way I feel in your veins, burning you up from the inside." Eric's lips took the place of his wrist, letting our life-forces mix.
We broke away and I pictured how we must have looked together. Blood drenched mouths and lust filled stares. "I knew red was your color."
And with that Eric finally backed away, giving me room to flee.
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