CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

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     DAKOTA HAD NEVER FELT SO COMFORTABLE IN BED BEFORE. The sheets felt like velvet against her skin and her body sunk into the mattress, as if floating on clouds. The blonde nuzzled into her pillow and let out a satisfied sigh. The heavy arm wrapped around her waist pulled her closer to a cold chest and she let herself be pulled into an embrace.

"Hm," she hummed, smile gracing her features. "Good morning."

Eric kept silent, he just brushed his nose over the exposed skin on her neck and planted a kiss there. His fingers trailed over her hips slowly, and down her upper thigh. Dakota leaned further into his touch as he rubbed small circles on her bare skin. The vampire grinned when he noticed the goosebumps rise on her skin and the tops off his fingers ghosted over her underwear, tracing the elastic band.

"Eric," a breathy moan escaped from between her lips.

He chuckled beside her, brushing a lock of hair from her face with his other hand as his fingers dipped underneath her underwear. Dakota gasped, arching her back and moving her right leg over his own.

"You like that?"

All Dakota could do was nod vigorously as his digits moved between her folds. The blonde latched onto his forearm, another long moan escaping her lips. Sweat covered her body and she wanted the sheets gone, despite the chill of his cold body.

The blonde's eyes snapped open and her body jerked as the plane moved through the sky. Dakota blinked the sleep from her eyes and let out a heavy sigh, feeling as if Eric still had his hands on her. She glanced at the coffin on her left, seeing it was still sealed shut and she was glad of it. If Eric had been awake she was sure she'd never hear the end of it, but he was still dead for the day, though night approached. 

Sookie had not been exaggerating when she said that vampire blood directly from the source gave you crazy sex dreams. Dakota gulped down the glass of water before her and just hoped to land in Dallas soon. She didn't know if she could face Eric after ... that. He'd probably figure her out within seconds.

"Miss, we'll be descending soon." 

It was the pilot and Dakota sighed in relief, thanking him before strapping herself in. She watched as the plane began to descend toward the city below and she admired the view. Flying truly was a thrilling experience and she wondered why she hadn't done it before. The world looked miniature and she enjoyed the feeling of being away from her own life for a moment. Away from all the death and murders.

It took the pilot fifteen minutes to touch down on the landing and Dakota took off her seatbelt, stretching her legs as she got up. The door opened and she let herself out, breathing in the fresh Texas air. Walking down the steps, her eyes fell onto a man to her right, holding up a sign that read 'Northman party' and she snorted.

"Hello," she smiled politely. "that's me."

"You're late." he stated abruptly. His eyes fell on Eric's coffin that was being taken from the plane and Dakota noticed as he furrowed his brows slightly. "You were supposed to be here before sundown."

"We were delayed for take off." Dakota apologised, shrugging her shoulders. "I hope you're not in any trouble."

"Okay, well, why don't you wait in the limo?" he suggested, glancing back at the limousine behind him. He was nervous, she noted. "I got the a.c cracked up."

"I'm good." she shook her head. "I'm just going to wait for my companion to awake before we leave."

"Come on," he tried, eyes moving toward the coffin every now and then. "there's cokes in there."

Dakota frowned, staring at the man before her as she decided to listen to his thoughts. Just get in the goddamn limo, you stupid bitch. Her eyes widened as the man reached for her, grabbing onto her arms and harshly pulling her away from where she stood. The blonde let out a scream and before she could do anything else the man was ripped away from her.

Eric held the man by his throat, pushing him against the limousine as his fangs dropped from his gums. The coffin behind them laid there forgotten as the last of the sunlight had disappeared from the sky.

"Make a noise, and it will be your last."

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"YOU CAN'T KILL HIM." SAID DAKOTA, AS SHE EYES ERIC IN THE LIMOUSINE. The vampire was livid and was very tempted to sink his fangs into the man's throat and drain the blood from his worthless body, undoubtedly making a mess but one which he would be proud of.

Eric had pushed the man inside the vehicle, following close behind as he held onto his limbs tightly, enough to hurt. Dakota had rushed in behind them, slamming the door shut behind her to stop the prying eyes of the airport workers.

"Why not?" he turned to face her, eyes narrowed. "Who knows what he would have done if it was day? He deserves to die."

"Just, wait." Dakota tried, scared for the man's life. "Maybe we just need to figure out what he wants before doing any killing?"

Eric let out a long sigh before giving her a slow single nod, releasing his hold on the man before sitting back against the leather seats. Dakota let out a relieved breath. Eric caught the man's gaze and soon his eyes glossed over, as if in a trance as Eric glamoured him.

"Tell me your name." he demanded, holding his gaze.

"Leon." 

"What is your business here, Leon?" Eric mocked as he leaned toward him with his fangs still out.

Dakota watched from the side as the vampire worked his glamour. It was fascinating to see someone submit so easily to his questioned, he genuinely had no control over himself and he would do and say anything Eric wanted him to do. 

"I am here to pick up the girl." Leon's voice was void of emotion as he let himself be glamoured by the vampire.

"Who send you?" Eric continued, determined to find out who had planned on kidnapping Dakota.

"The Fellowship of the Sun."

Dakota furrowed her brows, she had heard about them before. They were known to spuw hatred for vampires ever since they had been out of the coffin. The Newlin's were running the church and often held campaigns to gain more followers. What did the church have to do with any of this? "Are you a member?"

"No, they hired me." Leon replied.

"Who specifically ?" Eric urged, glaring at the man.

"I'm not sure," Leon admitted. "it was over the phone. Money was put in a locker for me at a Greyhound station."

"And they hired you to do what exactly?" 

"Abduct the human with the Northman party and bring her to the church."

"Do they know my name?" Dakota asked, furrowing her brows.

"No ma'am." he said, eyes moving to meet hers. "I didn't even know you were gonna be a woman. All I know is a vampire's using a human to find a vampire named Godric."

"Do you know where he is?" Eric demanded, voice sharp. Fear this church might have gotten their hands on his maker, but that didn't make much sense to him, Godric was two-thousand years old and incredibly strong.

"No, I do not."

Eric cursed, falling back into his seat. Dakota eyed him with worry and he glanced at her for a short moment before turning back to Leon. "We never arrived. Tell the church we never landed and you were unable to pick us up."

Leon nodded slowly as Eric opened the car door for him and told him to get out. The man did in a hurry as the glamour was dropped and he was free. He slammed the door shut and fled the private airport.

"Do you think the church has taken your friend?" Dakota wondered.

"I do not know." Eric shook his head, closing his eyes in frustration. "I guess we'll need to figure it out, and soon."