Never Say Never (True Blood Fanfic - Tara/Eric)

Chapter 17 - Sacrifice

Alcide cursed. There were three nondescript black vans parked along the road leading to Henry's house.

"Turn off your lights and park over there behind those trees," he instructed Yvette. She quickly turned off the headlights of her small SUV and pulled off the road to the cover of trees to her right.

Her eyes were bright with excitement. "How many vampires do you think there are?"

Alcide gave her a sidelong look. "I don't know. Possibly a dozen or so, but I need to get a closer look to be sure. I just hope that Tara's okay."

"You really care about her a lot, don't you?"

"I do. She's a tough girl and a good friend. We've been through a lot together."

Yvette gave him an appraising look but didn't comment any further.

"It'll be easier for me to sneak up on them if I change form," he said.

Yvette nodded. They climbed out of the vehicle, glancing around to make sure they weren't being watched. Alcide quickly removed his shirt and kicked off his boots. As he lowered his jeans, he looked up to find Yvette watching him intently. "Alcide, I've seen a lot of Fae men. Some of them have had marble statues molded after them and bards written to praise their physical attributes, but damn, you are one of the most gorgeous human specimens I've come across."

Alcide couldn't help the flush of heat that rose up to his neck. "Uh...thanks," he mumbled, feeling embarrassed.

She leaned against the side of the vehicle, watching as he discarded the rest of his clothing. Quirking a brow, she lowered her gaze and smiled appreciatively. Amusement danced in her blue-green eyes. "That looks heavy. You need any help carrying it, big boy?"

Alcide chuckled, shaking his head. She was more forward than the women he was used to, but he liked her sense of humor, and it felt good to flirt and be flirted with. "Maybe later, that's if you can handle it."
She licked her lips and winked at him. "Oh, I can handle it, alright."

Alcide cracked his neck from side to side, preparing himself for the change. "We'll sneak up from behind and try to lure a few of those vamps away from the house."

Yvette's expression turned serious again. She pushed away from the SUV and nodded. "No problem. I know exactly how to get a vampire's attention."

His protective nature still had him on the fence about her being in harm's way. "Just be careful, okay. And stay close?"

"Don't worry, Alcide. I told you, I can handle myself."

The energy around him crackled as he transformed into his wolf form. He shook himself and stared up at the beautiful faery. She smiled down at him. "You're even cuter as a wolf."

Alcide snorted and took off towards the back of the house. Yvette followed close behind. The line of trees gave them enough cover to move undetected. They saw two vampire soldiers, dressed in all black fatigues, standing a few yards away.

"Armand, you smell that?" said the smaller, blond-haired vampire.

Armand lifted his dark head and inhaled deeply. "Yes? It smells like the Sandesh desserts I loved to eat back in my homeland, but that cannot be."

"I think it smells like warm apple pie fresh from the oven like my Nana used to make when I was a human kid."

"Where is that delectable aroma coming from?" Armand turned to look at the line of trees behind them.

"Over there, I think. Let's go check it out."

Armand hesitated. "Kevin, it is unwise for us to leave our post."