Veil of Midnight

Chapter Ten

Veil of Midnight

True Blood Fanfiction

Singingfrogs

No copyright infringement intended

He hated the idea of being confined to the hotel. Hated its eternal pockets of uncomfortable heat from the heating system. Hated its endless tangle of long analogous corridors that spanned dozens of levels. Hated its smell of humanity; all he wanted was to smell the convivial aroma of pine trees, hear the barking of deer and the rustling of leaves. Nevertheless above all else he wanted to observe the powerful pack of wolves stalking through the undergrowth in search for their prey.

The ancient vampire begrudgingly allowed his eyes to fall over the cream walls and shield covered lighting fixtures as he paid no attention to his squabbling companions; his mind falling back to the constant ache that symbolized Robyn’s agonizing presence. His time was running out, his body was yearning to protect his lover as her pain grew by the hour and with the continuous mind-numbing bickering he knew ultimately it was up to him if he was to retrieve Robyn and her kidnapped colleagues.  

However, he was in no state to just storm the church; that would result in his death and if he could he would avoid that unthinkable possibility. He needed to plan his break-in and if he was to suggest several proposals with Stan and Isabel he would be planning for days and he knew with disconcerted certainty that Robyn didn’t have days. He needed to conserve his energy and force himself to sleep. He also knew that he needed to speak with Bill for Sookie was in as much danger as Robyn. He found it unnerving by his lack of appearance when both he and Isabel had felt their human counterparts panic; surely Bill had felt the same thing? Why was he not as eager as he was to storm the church to collect Sookie? Was something holding him back? All these questions needed answering but as Eric moved along the corridor that held the room he shared with Robyn he was abruptly pulled from his troublesome thoughts when Stan was snarling to Isabel.

“Maybe the little rats have run off, joined the Fellowship themselves.” Stan snarled darkly, his obscure eyes boring into Eric’s back before he briefly fluttered his eyes down towards Isabel who seemed to be the only one to rise to the bait. 

“Careful. Hugo is mine and Robyn belongs to Eric.” Isabel retorted childishly, her face moving to look directly into his smug expression as the trio continued down the corridor.

“Oh please. If you cared about him so much, we’d have been in that church hours ago.” 

“With no plan, not exit strategy. That’s why you’ll never be Sherriff Stan, you don’t think.”

"And you're too chickenshit to act" Stan grumbled as they turned their final corner. Eric shot Stan a brief look, his eyes hard with emotion as he struggled to compose himself. It seemed Isabel had not failed to notice his sudden predicament and refused to comment. The Viking simply reached into the inside pocket of his jacket and removed the card key. "Which is why we've been getting Godric's coffee for the last 40 years. And you" Stan started as he pulled his attention towards Eric. The vampire continued to unlock his hotel room door, his sensitive hearing understanding every word, his eyes turning ice cold in the process. "The Fellowship has your Maker, your Progeny, your telepath and your lover and still you do nothing" Stan taunted causing Eric to finally loose his temper.

Everything seemed to happen so fast; only a moment before Eric was calm and composed, the next his impassive features contorted with dangerous fury as the ancient vampire flung his hands to Stan’s chest, shoving him to the concrete pillar as the Viking held the nestling by his throat in an unbreakable grip. Strength really did come with age it seemed.