Chapter Eighteen: Let's Get Lost

Eric was closing in on Batista. Batista could only fly for short distances. He had to stop on several occasions and fall to the ground, as if it was something he was trying out. It slightly worked in his advantage however. Eric didn't know exactly when Batista would drop.

All of his men were dead. Eric left a trail of their blood behind. The hunt was thrilling. However, what Eric wanted more was to finish it. He had had quite enough of this charade. He lunged himself and caught Batista by the collar.

"No more running. Turn and fight me, face your death." He commanded as threw him to the ground.

Batista turned and flashed an unreadable smile. He tilted his head. "You're not going to kill me."

Eric slightly raised his brow. "There is nothing that I'd love more. Why wouldn't I?"

Batista smiled as his eyes began to glow. His tall, hard body began to shrink into a smaller one. His hair grew long and soft. His light, cold eyes became warm and dark. Eric watched in uncertainty as the vampire he hated turned into the human he loved.

"You won't kill me because you're infatuated with me. You love me." The voice turned from Batista's to Layla's.

He hadn't expected this. Eric tried to not let it get to him, but it was quite strange.

"In all my centuries I've never encountered shifters that could turn human, only heard of them. Now I encounter two in the span of a month, in Texas no less. Where did you come from? But more importantly, where is Batista?"

The demon shifter shrugged as it sat down on the ground and crossed its legs. "How would I know? I'm just here to distract you."

"Tell me or I'll kill you."

"You vampires are all the same….Do this, or I'll kill you! Tell me what I want to hear or I'll kill you." The shifter laughed. "But you're not going to kill me when I look like your human."

The shifter was right. Eric couldn't bring himself to attack it.

"Why did Batista send a shifter and not himself? Is that how you got away from the chains?"

"Chains?"

"Since silver does not affect shifters?"

"What chains?"

Eric understood now. The shifter was just a distraction. Batista was actually here, somewhere in El Paso, probably pursuing Layla.

The shifter laughed again. "Feeling confused?"

Eric seethed as he advanced towards the creature. It smelled nothing like Layla, and the skin was cold to the touch. The arm he grabbed began to turn colors nervously.

"Listen chameleon, I don't care what you shift into, you're not Layla. And I have no problem killing you." Eric bared his fangs and bit into the creature's neck.

The shifter began to take another form of a man about thirty. He was plain looking, but plenty stout. He nodded towards Eric.

"I was just doing a job…stop, I don't want to die."

"For not wanting to die, you sure aren't being very open." Eric cringed in distaste. The blood also tasted of demon, only remotely human.

"All I know is he hired me and my brother. The King, he wanted me to come here and distract you while he did something with your human."

Eric immediately concentrated on Layla. He felt nothing, which was strange; he needed to get back to her.

"You used to work for Dameon Oxley?"

The shifter swallowed.

"Tell me now, or I'll take your head. I have had enough of playing Batista's games. I'm in no mood for tight lips."

The shifter nodded. "There was a massacre there. I woke up in the middle of the woods and ran back to the estate. My brother was there, the only one alive. We were about to run, when the King arrived."

Eric pondered this for a moment. This was the very same shifter that had posed as Maddox. He'd glamoured him to stay in the woods in front of Dameon's.

"He forced you to swear fealty to him?"

"We had no choice,"

"Fenley…" Eric spoke slowly.

The shifter jumped in surprise. "How do you know my name?"

Eric picked himself up from the ground and floated in the air. "Never mind that."

"What are you doing?" The shifter shook nervously.

Eric ignored this. He had no use for the shifter and much more important things to kill.

…

"A demon shifter?" Layla asked inquisitively.

"Yes," Corvan began. "Like a shape shifter yet it can take on any form, human or animal. It happened because of cross-breeding. Demons bred with shifters, one of the only successful cross breeding between different types of supes. Though they both despise the notion, cross breeding was forbidden. But you know, there is always an anomaly…Illicit attractions and such."

Layla thought back to when she was on Dameon's lawn. There was a shifter that looked just like Maddox. Eric warned her that it was just a shifter, and not Maddox.

"So that's the thing at Fangtasia posing as Eric?"

"Most likely."

"Is it, dangerous?"

"To you maybe, and other humans. Not a serious threat to us vampires."

Layla refrained from rolling her eyes.

"It's possible that was a shifter threatening you, instead of Batista." Corvan announced.

Layla furrowed her bow in dismissal. "No, that was Batista."

"Batista knows better than to come in my area."

"All due respect, I can't say I agree. Batista doesn't have a whole hell of a lot of sense whatsoever. I believe his words were- "You honestly don't think I have people that live here, just to keep track of what's going on?"

Corvan seemed outraged by this. As if some sacred code had just shattered.

…

Corvan's house was only a few miles from his arena. Unlike Matius' estate, Corvan's was far more modest. It was still quite large and impressive, but nothing one would think an ancient vampire would live in.

It looked more like miniature version of a plantation. It had large white pillars in the front and a wrap- around porch. There was a porch swing that sat two or three and the lawn was pristine. The home was three stories high but stretched out almost in a ranch sort of style.

The inside was even more fascinating. There were massive squares of black marble laid out as the floor. A glorious fountain with the Greek god Aries was in the middle of the entrance. There were stairs on both sides of the house that both wrapped to the middle to meet each other on the second floor.

Layla was instructed to go settle in her room and get some rest. But as beautiful as everything was, she was in no mood to rest. Layla sat on the edge of the bed and searched the large room. By the door there was an antique 1920's-esque phone. Layla ran to it and quickly dialed.

"Yes…?" Pam answered urgently.

"Pam, did you make it to my house?"

"I did." She sounded a little despondent. "Where is Eric?"

Layla sighed, "I don't know. I was hoping you did…But I found out that thing pretending to be Eric is what you call a demon shifter."

"Whatever it was came in your house. It broke right in, cocky thing. I killed it, but the blood was disgusting. Especially after having yours…"

Layla decided to ignore her compliment. "It's apparently a cross-breed between a shifter and a demon. Are you okay?"

"Gross, and I'm fine. I think it was just hired to keep an eye on me." Pam commented. "So, Eric?"

"Well we were at Corvan's ….club or arena thing and while Eric was talking to Corvan I went out to the arena. On my way to get some fresh air I was ambushed by Batista."

"His reappearances are quite maddening."

"Yes," Layla agreed. "Long story short he ran upon the arrival of Eric and Corvan. Eric went after him out of the club. Now I don't know where he is and Corvan brought me back to his home."

"Are you safe?"

She pondered that question for a moment. "I don't really know." Her emotions were getting the best of her. The panic of not knowing Eric's location was highly upsetting.

"If something were wrong with Eric, I'd know." Pam spoke assuredly. "And so would you for that matter."

"I can't feel the bond." She blurted.

The line was silent for a moment. "I wouldn't worry about Eric. Even if he was tangled up with Batista for a bit, he'll be fine. Having said such, I feel we've underestimated the cunning of Nunez. I think it's time we've up-ed our game."

"Agreed."

"If you haven't noticed already, vampires are quite self-serving. Keep that in mind whilst dealing with the ever multilayered Corvan."

"I will," Layla was surprised on how comforted it made her that Pam was okay.

"You're my only female friend Pam, please stay safe." She blurted suddenly.

"Stop flirting with me Layla, and take care of yourself." Pam spat back as she hung up the phone.

Layla laughed slightly as she put the phone down. Just in time for a knock on the door.

"Miss Oxley, Corvan would like you to meet him on the front porch." A burly man in a black suit informed her.

"Thank you." Layla nodded as she followed him.

…

Corvan was rocking on his porch swing. He was staring out into the vast darkness. He rose as Layla came out. She admired his respect, not many vampires acknowledged such customs.

He rejoined her on the swing.

Layla wanted to start with asking if he'd heard anything from Eric, but she refrained for a moment.

"Thank you for having me." She spoke softly.

"Miss Oxley, do you gamble?"

She was a little taken aback by his question. "I do own a casino." Saying that out loud felt funny. Being she hadn't been to work in what seemed like forever.

"Sam's Town."

"That's right." She spoke guardedly.

"But that doesn't answer my question. When I say "gamble" I speak more of risks. Do you take risks in your affairs? In your life?"

"Not terribly often, not unless the risks are at least somewhat calculated."

"I assume that's wise, being such a fragile creature. Also being that you're so popular amongst the undead, it is smart to be careful."

Layla didn't like where this was going. He seemed very pensive about something.

"Are you a gambler, Mr.…Corvan?"

He shook his head. "The first few centuries I was alive. Probably the first thousand years. I didn't need anything from anyone or anything. I took what I wanted and never considered the fact there might be repercussions."

"Like what?" She swallowed.

"Losing my brother," He looked over to her. "We were unstoppable. He was my brother in our human life and in this one. We traveled together two thousand years."

Layla knew Batista had killed him. But Corvan didn't need to know that.

"What happened to him?"

"Long ago we had a conflict that embroiled us with the perfidious Batista though; he still went by Cabeza de Vaca then. Batista, with the help of several others overpowered my brother."

"I'm sorry."

Corvan shook his head. "And now I'm told that he is alive."

Layla turned to him quickly. "What?"

"I'm told my brother lives; he's in Texas in fact. In captivity"

"I don't understand."

"Miss Oxley, I've made a deal with Batista."

Layla's heart sunk. Every sense in her was suddenly heightened and on edge.

"What do you mean?"

"He came to me just before you and Erik arrived this evening. I was ready to kill him until he repeated a phrase to me, a phrase that only my brother knew. We repeated it often. I had no choice but to listen to his proposal."

Layla clasped her hand so tightly on the handle of the wooden swing; small blisters were beginning to stab her hand. She could feel the anger rising in her.

"Why even tell me?"

"You cannot run away. There's no point in concealing it from you."

"What was the deal exactly?"

"You, for my brother."

"Naturally."

"Can you blame me? My brother who I've thought dead for centuries is alive."

"No, you can't betray Eric, he trusts you." Layla implored.

"I deeply regret this. I am not one to go back on his word. But there are extenuating circumstances…"

"No, how could Batista keep your brother from you? You know his blood. He would have alerted you he was alive."

"Batista has always kept close with him members of the Heid."

"What?"

"Witches, he has used magic to sever the bond between us- Much like he has done with you tonight with Erik."

Layla froze. She wanted to fight, she wanted to run. But neither or those would do her any good. Corvan was far too powerful and strong. She wouldn't stand a chance.

"Okay," She started slowly. "I halfway understand. I know I don't mean anything to you and it wouldn't matter one bit if I lived or died…but you have to think this over. You can't trust Batista."

"Of course I cannot. Yet, I must gamble Miss Oxley. I have to take the chance that my brother is alive."

"Why don't you just force Batista to take you to him?"

"He is the King of Texas. I cannot cross there."

"But he can cross here?"

"The truce is shaky. I will not take the risk of being seen. If I do, the Magistor, the authority and everything will return here and try to take over. I've been in enough wars."

Layla rubbed her face. "How long until he gets here?"

"Soon."

Layla seethed. Pam's warning of how vampires were entirely "self- serving" was becoming more and more apparent.

Then it hit her. She was going to have to serve him as well.

"Corvan, what if I were to tell you I could get you your brother?"

Corvan let out a deep roar of a laugh.

"I'm serious. I know where Batista lives. I can go and get and/or find your brother."

"I don't have much faith in the talents of one little…"

"I can glamour vampires."

Corvan stared at her strangely. "You cannot."

"I can. That's, one of the reasons Batista wants me so badly. If your brother is not at Batista's, I can find him for you."

Corvan pondered this for a moment. "Prove it; prove to me you can glamour, glamour me."

She shook her head. "Younger vampires. I can almost glamour Eric, but not quite. So I could glamour Batista since he's younger."

"He's almost Erik's age."

Layla shook her head. "I can do it."

"Why else does Batista want you?"

"I'm sure Eric told you some things."

"He told me surprisingly little, though it's not that surprising. Neither Erik nor Batista want to tell me why they want you so badly."

Layla shook her head. "Where is Eric?"

Corvan sighed.

Layla tried to swallow her panic. "If you've hurt him…"

Corvan laughed. "He's fine. He's on a wild goose chase is all."

"Meaning…?"

"He's chasing a demon shifter that looks like Batista."

She sighed slowly. "Where is Batista?"

"He's on the outskirts. I told him to wait there for a while before coming."

"Corvan, please,"

"Miss Oxley, forgive me if I don't believe your ramblings."

"They're not ramblings. I have no reason to lie to you…"

"You have every reason to lie to me…I'm threatening your freedom. And yes they are. Glamouring a vampire is impossible. You do not have any special abilities, except maybe being a naïve adorable little human."

"That's nice you thank so, but I don't have the luxury of naivety. I might be a human that's only lived twenty some-years but I've been through a hell of a lot. I don't understand why you're being so senseless."

"So you're going to insult me! How do you think this will help your cause?"

"I know you haven't survived all these thousands of years without entertaining the notion that you're sometimes wrong. Look, I do have certain abilities that if you allowed, would lead to finding your brother if he is in fact alive."

"Okay, let's say that's even remotely possible, what are your terms?"

"Just what Eric asked you; facilitate it to where we can kill Batista. Then find a replacement."

Corvan slowly shook his head. "I'm sorry Miss Oxley. I just can't…" His body suddenly became fully alert. He looked out into the darkness. Batista must have been coming.

"You have to believe me, just…please, at least if you won't believe me, just make sure Eric is safe."

Corvan looked at her strangely. He made a throat-clearing sound. His burly suited man came out and grabbed Layla's arm.

"He'll be fine. Remember your bond is masked by magic. He doesn't even know where you are."

For a brief moment, she wished he did. She wished Eric could appear and sweep her up into the sky. This was bad and no matter what happened, she couldn't find her way out of this predicament on her own. As much as she didn't want to admit it, she needed to be rescued. She then remembered her flashback to Pam on the phone, when Pam talked about her blood. Pam had had her blood; she could very well tell when she was in danger. Layla concentrated with all her might. Maybe Pam could tell Eric where she was.

The man had dragged Layla inside and sat her on a chair in the foyer. Corvan came in and looked down to her.

"You saw me heal that woman with my blood. You know I'm not lying to you. You have to entertain the fact that I'm right."

"I'm sure he has." Batista stood at the doorway. Corvan nodded for him to come in.

"He probably realized quickly that your only talent is a quick tongue. You're quite witty under pressure, and cheeky." Batista patted her cheek. Layla flinched.

Corvan glared at Batista. Batista cautiously took a step back, but quickly tried to regain his composure.

"We had an agreement. I don't see my brother."

"You have to understand, I have to assure my safety, that you would uphold sustantivo."

"He just wants to get away; he won't tell you where your brother is. It's the only clout he has over you."

"I'm giving you your human, so take her."

"Alright…" Batista nodded as he grabbed Layla, they started towards the door."

"You misunderstand, I said take the human. Kill her. Right now."

Batista smiled nervously. "I have been waiting for this one for a long time. I'd like to enjoy it at my leisure."

"What do you want this human for Alvar?"

"She has been an irritation to me. I would like to exact my revenge."

Corvan remained placid. He gave a glance to Layla. "Fine, but if you betray me…"

"I won't. You can end me. May I meet the final death."

This couldn't be it. Her desperation was sinking in. "What he really means is after he exploits me for his own purposes and gains. He wants to use me to gain power. Most likely he has designs on making Apperio Terras a part of his reign again. Fuck Batista…listen to me."

"How could he do that with you?"

"You overestimate yourself Layla, let's go." He started to pull at her.

"Like hell Batista," Layla struggled frantically. "Corvan, please, drink my blood. You can…" Batista clamped his hand over her mouth, which was quickly replaced with a handkerchief he tied and gagged her with.

"We've had quite enough of your tedious words…Chains!" Batista called to one of his men. The man quickly slipped work gloves on. He walked over and wrapped the chains around Layla. The silver began to burn through her skin.

She sunk to the floor, they were entirely heavy. Corvan watched in awe. Layla looked up to him and gave him a pleading nod.

"I'm sorry about this." Batista started. "She is full of spirit, all of which I will thoroughly enjoy breaking."

Corvan's glance was indecipherable to Layla. Either way, he was just standing there. She closed her eyes as she could feel them burning. She would not give Batista the satisfaction.

She kicked him as hard as she could and ran to the opposite side of the foyer. He'd caught up to her in a flash and laughed.

"Now where are you going?"

It wasn't in her nature to not fight. But the silver made her weak. She couldn't believe this was happening; she was beginning to lose consciousness. She chided herself for not sustaining the silver; it seemed as if the stress of the night was too much. She felt so ridiculous. She even imagined a flash of blonde burst through the door. There was no way; Eric didn't know where she was. This last coherent thought passed before black surrounded her eyes and she grew limp.

But Eric had plowed through both Batista's men and Corvan's guard as well, though he'd assumed he was Batista's, he'd killed it nonetheless.

It took him a second to assess the situation. He first glanced at Corvan, then to Batista, who was holding a limp Layla.

"What is this?"

Corvan looked to him. "I'm sorry. I've made a deal with Batista for the girl. But you will not be harmed." Corvan assured.

Layla's eyes fluttered open. Eric glanced at her, then to Batista. "You didn't make a deal with me." He shrugged as he advanced to Batista. Corvan intervened and stepped in between the two, with his back to Batista, he faced Eric.

"I'm sorry. It's not personal Erik. Please accept my apology." He held his hands right under his chest. His fingers pointed to his left pocket. It was stuffed with a pair of leather riding gloves.

"So the girl is incapacitated by silver, how strange?" His eyes also moved over to his dead bodyguard. The bodyguard had various weapons sticking out of his bloody jacket.

Eric moved fast. He slipped on the gloves and grabbed the wooden stake from the bodyguard. He advanced to Batista, who quickly caught wind of what was happening. He used Layla as a shield as Eric came towards him. He thwarted his advances.

"A little help would be nice." Eric started towards Corvan.

"I can only watch. I can't be a part of it. I made a truce, I will not break it."

Eric murmured something in Swedish.

Layla tried her best, but could barely move under the weight of the silver and Batista's grasp. She tried to lift her arms but the chains were far heavier than the ones earlier.

"Give Layla to me."

"You want her?" Batista teased. He abruptly lifted her arms and threw the chains over Eric's head. Layla's arms flew around him and the chains wrapped around her neck. Eric grunted in pain.

Batista took the stake from Eric's hand as Eric struggled to hold both his and Layla's weight. He lunged toward Eric but Layla jumped to the ground out of the way. Batista watched as they fell.

Eric managed to use the gloves to throw the chains off his neck…he quickly unwrapped them off Layla's arms and removed the bandana from her mouth.

"Are you alright?" He stroked her cheek gently. Layla nodded as she took a few shallow breaths.

Corvan growled. "Alright, I guess I'll have to help…" He took a few steps forward. "That's enough Nunez… The show is over now…" Before he could finish his words, Batista took the stake and thrust it through Corvan's chest.

Eric and Layla stared in shock as body and internal organs of the millennia's old vampire disappeared. He was replaced with a pool of red mush.

Batista looked over to Eric and Layla. A feral grin spread across his face.

"What did you do?" Eric spoke placidly.

Batista laughed. "I made a point, Northman. Corvan was one of the oldest, most powerful vampires in the world, yet he met his end because he was careless and sentimental. Now, hand over the girl."

"Corvan's death changes nothing. Layla isn't going anywhere with you."

"Sheriff, I have gone to great and unnecessary lengths to obtain her, I'm going to give you one last chance."

Layla could feel her bond working. But this time it felt different. It wasn't with Eric, but Batista. He was planning something. She looked up towards him as he and Eric were exchanging words, then back to Eric.

Batista's attention shifted to her. He closed his eyes and smiled. "I can feel you Layla. You're very intuitive."

Eric had an unreadable glance on his face. Without further contemplation, he'd pinned Batista to the wall. The stake he held fell to the floor. Layla fumbled to grab it and ran behind Eric.

"There's no time for that I'm afraid. What will you explain to them when they come, Northman?"

"What are you saying?" Layla voiced, she beyond confused.

Eric's fangs were completely out. His eyes were burning with rage.

"Ask your Viking; he seems to of figured it out."

"Eric, please kill him!"

Batista laughed. "He can't Layla."

Eric looked down to her and shook his head. "Please, trust me." He murmured.

There was a long silence that seemed an eternity. Only a few seconds passed but not much more. Eric quickly grabbed Layla's side and pulled them out of the door into the night sky. Batista followed them out to the porch and watched as they flew away. He was laughing.

"I could have killed him." Eric was furious. "He was right there…"

"Why didn't you?" She could feel a lump in her throat. Anger was rising within her.

"A war is going to start, a war of which we want no part of. We need to go very far away. It's the war that Corvan was afraid of, some shaky truce and Batista just broke it…except,"

"He, he's making it look like you did it." Layla nodded. "I just don't understand his endgame."

"His endgame is I'm out of the picture and he has you as his. I misread the lengths he will go to have power. He probably did it for many reasons, mostly because it was an opportune moment. But mainly because he's insane."

Layla relaxed and clasped to his chest tightly.

"I'll kill him." Eric assured. "But we don't want to be involved in taking on all of Corvan's territory. If we stayed, Batista could very well have framed me."

"Batista was no match for Corvan whatsoever. But he had just ended him; without thinking, without forethought."

"I wouldn't say that. I'm sure it was planned. He's too old to be impetuous," He paused for a moment as he settled them down to a roof. "I need to check your arms." He informed her.

Layla shrugged. "I'm okay."

"I can't feel our bond." He spoke quickly. His voice was somewhat jumpy. Layla was a little startled. His usual demeanor was partially shaken.

"Pam called me and said you'd called her from Corvan's. I'm sorry I left you. I shouldn't have trusted…"

Layla shook her head. "You didn't know. Don't apologize for trusting someone you thought was an ally."

"I knew better, I know better."

"That's not true," Layla relaxed into him. "Eric that's not true. Don't say that, you're not alone."

"How did you know I was thinking that? Can you feel the bond?"

Layla shook her head. "I'm just familiar with the emotion. I used to think it, but it's not true you have me, I'm here with you."

"I've failed you."

"You just saved me. If you hadn't showed up I would've been long gone."

"You always manage to understate your role in rescuing yourself. Is that to make me feel better?"

"It's my job to build you up. That's what you do in a relationship."

"Even one as unusual as this?"

"Yes. Because if I lead a regular life I would have never of met you."

"All of your circumstances are extenuating. It's not your fault you had an unstable adopted brother." Eric bit into his wrist. "Here."

Layla looked up to him. She really was okay, just a little sore. But it seemed Eric was feeling insecure. He wanted their bond to return.

"Corvan said that Batista used witches somehow to block our bond. But it doesn't change how I feel about you."

"But I cannot tell. I don't know what you're feeling."

"That's a regular relationship Eric." Layla grinned.

"I love you. It makes me both irrational and uncomfortable."

"I love you too. I feel bad for only thinking about you right now, after all that just happened. I just wanted..."

"Don't feel bad. When you think of it, in a sense of prioritizing…survival and the survival and safety of your mate are pretty high up there. We can be selfish because we're really that all that matters."

That wasn't exactly the Christian way to look at it. Layla mused but quickly replied "…And Pam."

"Of course."

"And…well,"

"Rob doesn't count." Eric started.

Layla sighed.

"I won't pretend I'm not in awe that he killed Corvan. Corvan was a great vampire, he will be thoroughly mourned. Unfortunately tonight you probably got a glimpse of a massive change. Something catastrophic will come out of this. But…" He started. "I don't want to do anything more than have you to myself tonight…somewhere where no one can find us. We should go somewhere out of state; out of both Texas and Louisiana." Eric kissed her head.

"New Mexico?"

"Somewhere remote..."

Layla nodded as she clenched him tighter. "Do a lot of vampires live in New Mexico?"

"Mostly Were and other shifters, on account of the mountains, it will be perfect."

"You should have some of my blood, so you can be alert during the day…Not that this is going to be a regular thing, I just don't want to be without you."

Eric grinned. "Fine with me of course my lover. But you do realize I seem to still ardently love you and we're not bonded by the blood?"

"I realize. And I still seem to want to jump your bones just as much. It's all very illuminating."

Eric laughed.

"So how long can you fly? Don't you get tired?"

"Yes but I'm not ready to land and start driving as of yet. When one flies, they don't leave trails."

"Good point."

"We should go to Ruidoso." Eric noted. "We'll have the bond between you and Batista blocked. Many witches and wiccans reside there."

"Hallelujah."

…

Ruidoso was fairly quiet. It was a beautiful town. Eric seemed to know exactly where to go. A little cabin was illuminated on the side of a hill. He pulled them down and landed on the doorstep.

"Sadie?" Eric called out. "Sadie Waits?"

A tall woman in her fifties abruptly opened the door. She rubbed her eyes angrily as she roared.
"What!"

"Eric Northman. I require your services."

"Well require them tomorrow night. It's too late today."

"I'll pay you double."

"Come on in." Sadie shrugged as she held the door open for them, suddenly more alert.

Eric and Layla sat down at the woman's dining room table. It was a bright yellow and white tablecloth with an ashtray in the middle.

Sadie was around six feet tall, a challenging figure. She was extremely skinny and had dark, leathered skin. She lit a cigarette and inhaled before speaking.

"Northman, it's been a few. What can I do for you?"

"We need a blood bond removed, or at least masked so the opposite of her bonded cannot track her."

"I can defer the tracking, removing it altogether will take a few hours…tracking a few minutes."

"Let's do tracking then." Layla decided. "We'll do the bond later."

"Bad boyfriend honey?" Sadie inquired.

"Bad wannabe boyfriend."

"Stalker huh? Damn vampires." She grinned and winked to Eric. "Alright, let's see your hand and take some blood."

Layla held out her hand, Eric held her other. Sadie tried to be gentle as she cut Layla's palm and poured the blood in the ashtray that turned out not to be for cigarettes.

"Alright, when he looks for you, where do we want to send him? Somewhere you've been before, but somewhere where no one you love will get hurt if he goes…and somewhere you're not actually going to be."

"Um…the Ft. Worth Zoo?"

"Creative!" Sadie laughed as she began to pull down some potions. "You know there was a shifter that lived amongst the Galapagos turtles there? He lived there for ten years as one of those giant things. When the last one died, he decided it was time for him to be human again. He shifted back and walked right out of there."

"That must have been a sight!" Layla mused.

"Speaking of sight, picture a particular location you remember standing at the Zoo."

Layla closed her eyes. She thought about standing at the tiger cages, hoping if Batista showed up the tigers would eat him.

"Good." Sadie spoke with her eyes closed. "I see you."

…

A few minutes later, Sadie had mixed a concoction she poured on Layla's wounded hand. It almost immediately sealed up, as if it had been healed by a vampire.

"That should do it. Well, except for the part where you pay me and never tell anyone what I did."

Eric pulled out his wallet and paid her. "Thank you Sadie."

"I would've done it for regular price. I'm not a bitch. It's just that my boy needs braces. That metal shit is expensive."

"I'm sure." Eric agreed as he nodded. "As for our bond, another witch has apparently blocked it…Layla is mine…my girlfriend and we'd like it returned."

"You're killing me Northman." Sadie joked and popped her knuckles. "Well sit back down…let's fix that. This is going to be a bit more complicated." Sadie searched her drawers and pulled out a rusty but beautiful knife. She took out bronze plate and some sort concocted some sort of mixture. "This is what we call a tricking nature my friends. Miss your heart is going to stop beating."

"What?"

"The potion and the blood will bring you back."

"What? Her heart is not going to stop beating."

"It's only for a second, it's not like we're turning her or anything. She'll be fine. It makes her heart slower between beats. It won't even be enough for her body to notice. I said this was more complicated. If you are in such dire danger, your bond will be helpful to have, but it's up to you, it's only for a minute or two."

Layla mulled it over. Batista had wanted the bond removed; it was most likely beneficial that they do the opposite of his design. Layla slowly nodded. "Alright."

"Okay, drink this and we'll see you in a few." She handed Layla a cup. Layla took it and looked at the cup nervously.

"You don't have to do this. It seems a bit extreme, I understand."

Layla smiled at Eric. They'd both become softer towards each other in the past few weeks. She'd thought this was mainly because of the bond. But now she knew it was something more.

"What the hell…" She shrugged as she drank the strong elixir. For a second she didn't feel anything. Then she began to feel extremely tired. She began to feel faint, as if everything was blacking out. Her pulse was getting weaker.

Eric began to panic. "She's dying, stop this."

"Relax," Sadie assured. "It's just your bond coming back."

Eric could feel her fear, her desire to live.

"Eric," Layla voiced weakly. Then everything went black. Her body slipped from the chair. Eric caught and gathered her up in his arms.

"When can I give her blood? We need to hurry." Eric looked down to her. He could no longer feel a heartbeat. At that moment, Layla was gone. Eric was in shock. A tear of blood fell down his cheek.

"Sadie, when?"

"You have to let the potion settle a few more minutes. Plus, this will be a bonus because the vamp bonded with her will think she is dead."

"She is dead!" Eric growled. "Sadie…"

"Eric, the potion will bring her back. Only then you can give her blood, just wait it varies with the person."

…

When her eyes opened she saw that the sun was bright and she was lying by a stream. Layla sat up slowly. Her clothes felt foreign. She wore a long pale blue dress with slits cut throughout to move with her body. It was the most beautiful place she'd ever seen. The mist from the stream gently sprayed her feet as she walked along what seemed to be a forest. The temperature seemed perfect. There was a cool breeze that gently blew her hair. Here, she felt completely safe.

In the distance she could hear laughter. She walked past the brushes and scoured the area until she came to a clearing. There was a little girl playing with various trinkets in the green grass. Layla went to kneel beside her. The girl was building a castle with various plants and things she'd found in the forest. She looked to Layla when she arrived. Something about her was painfully familiar. Then it suddenly hit her, this was the same girl she'd dreamt about at Matius'. This was Eric's daughter.

"Do you remember me?" She asked. "I'm Layla."

The little girl took Layla's wrist and tapped on it.

"Yes you gave me that…oh what was it called…Viking symbol?"

The girl crossed her arms and stared at Layla impatiently.

"Helm of Awe…" She remembered.

The girl nodded happily and continued to work on her castle.

"It saved me from being bitten by a really bad vampire, thank you."

Yelena. She grabbed Layla's wrist once again and showed it to her.

"What, it's supposed to do something else?"

The little girl nodded.

"This would be so much easier if you talked."

Yelena chided. She placed her finger on Layla's chest.

"I get it; I'm supposed to figure it out."

The little blonde rolled her eyes. She tapped once more on Layla's chest. Layla looked down to it. "Oh my heart…I'm dead?"

The girl giggled.

"So all I have to do is…?" Layla held up the symbol to her heart.

…

Layla gasped as her back arched. Air quickly returned to her lungs. She coughed a few times before realizing Eric was holding her. He smiled in genuine shock. She could tell from his eyes he'd been crying.

"Where…?" She looked around and suddenly remembered. She was in Sadie's house. Sadie was a witch, a witch that had just killed her for a few brief moments.

"I saw Yelena again."

Eric looked at her pensively. "What happened?"

"She was in a forest this time…"

"Building a castle?"

Layla nodded. "She showed me my wrist and had me put it up to my chest. I think the jolt brought me back to life."

Eric and Sadie exchanged glances.

"What?" Layla spoke in confusion.

"I don't know what it was, I'm so sorry…the potion didn't work. It wasn't supposed to kill you, it was only to slow your heartbeat, I'm so sorry." Sadie clamped her hand over her mouth, trying to suppress her tears. "Miss I am so sorry."

Eric hadn't released Layla from his grasp. He was cradling her in his arms. Layla tried to move free.

"I can't let go, not just yet." He informed her and then looked up to Sadie. "You didn't tell me this. You were reassuring me that she was fine." His fangs extended. "I knew she was gone too long."

Layla could already feel the bond slightly working again. But it didn't exactly take the bond to figure out Eric wanted to kill this woman. He wanted to kill Batista and all of his men. He wanted to kill Corvan for betraying him, even though he was already dead. That was a lot of killing.

"Eric let's go."

"She killed you." He stated coldly.

"Well, accidents happen." She slid her hand to the side of his face. He looked down to her.

"Let's go Eric."

He slowly nodded and lowered her to the floor. Though he kept a tight grasp around her, he wasn't ready to let go.

The night was a little cold. Fall was coming, and it was much more prevalent in the mountains. The air seemed to rush through Layla's lungs. Every sense was intensified. And everything seemed so beautiful and fragile, especially her own life.

"The bond is working." Eric murmured. "At least she accomplished that. But you're feeling troubled."

"I was dead." She spoke in awe. "I had no idea of it, but I was…dead." Her voice was ghostly, monotone without emotion.

Eric didn't really know how to respond. He'd been turned so long ago, but it really didn't seem the same.

…

A hotel seemed to be the best option. They needed to take shelter and Layla was definitely out of sorts. Eric was as well. His mind was racing. He had to find a way to kill Batista, and end all of this madness.

Layla had gotten in the shower. Her feeling of vulnerability and despondency was upsetting. Eric went in after her. He removed his clothes and got in with her.

"There was no one waiting for me on the other side. No one but…" Layla laughed. "…Your daughter." Tears fell down her face. She looked up to him. "What the fuck does that say?"

"It wasn't your time. There will be people waiting for you Layla when it's your time, I promise." He spoke quickly trying to comfort her. Though the thought of her dying was not something he wanted to discuss.

"I'm just empty." She surmised. "Maybe Batista was right. I don't care about or have anything but you."

"I don't feel anything but our bond Layla. That and…how I feel for you."

Layla swallowed. She looked up and reached her hand around the back of his neck. She kissed him like she'd never kissed before. It was hard and desperate, desperate for his response. He grabbed a hold of her and pulled her to him. She breathed heavily in reply to the jolt. Her body pressed against his, their chests firmly plastered together. She kissed him more, feeling the avarice in his reciprocation. He moved himself inside her without warning. Already a few steps ahead, pleading for her to respond. She'd abandoned everything. There was no longer any question about things. The comfort of them being together brought a smile to her face.

"Too long," He announced. "I have missed you being naked."

"I've missed you being naked too." She grinned and moaned at the same time. Eric was almost too good at sex. The stimulation from his thrusts and all the other little movements were so practiced and perfect, it could only be the thing of gods.

The cold marble of the shower was a sharp contrast to the water and Eric's body. Layla laughed as they began to slip around. Layla bounded underneath him, causing Eric to moan and slip a little. The shower was far too small for him horizontally. "It's a pleasure to be inside you." He whispered to her, which made her shiver with excitement. "But let us try a dryer climate." Without warning they lifted into the air. The sensation was unreasonably pleasurable. All Layla could do was hold on. They were soon by the bed, but his landing was a little shaky. The bed frame knocked hard on the wall. The person next door yelled in anger for them to keep it down. Eric grinned as he collapsed upon her.

"And boom goes the dynamite." Layla laughed.

"I don't understand your references, but I suppose I know what you're referring to, my sentiments exactly."

He took great joy in examining her body. The water glistened on all the right parts. Eric made a point of kissing most of them.

Her mind and body were more relaxed now, swimming in pleasure.

"It's kind of sad that sex fixes everything…I'm not very deep I suppose."

"Of course you are, but that was pretty marvelous. One has to feel better after that."

"…though I am a little shaky from our aerial acrobatics."

He laughed as he lay on her chest, revealing his glistening teeth. "We can fix that, let us exchange blood. I'd like to have our bond back."

"It's already back Eric."

"You did say it'd be good if I had your blood." His eyes peered into hers, displaying both devious and innocent intent.

"Oh hell, if you insist." She teased.

"I really do." He grinned as he flashed his fangs. He lifted her wrist up to his mouth.

"This feels like you're doing it for sustenance."

"Partially that's true lover, but I'd be happy to oblige several other locations. But really…" He started. "I'm more concerned about having my blood in you."

"That's rather insecure of you."

"Yes, I'm possessive, selfish, and greedy. I want all of you and I'm not sharing you with anyone. You know all these things."

"And yet they don't repel me."

"You possess the same qualities."

Layla sighed. "I believe you're right."

"So we're at an impasse, who shall go first?"

"Me of course," She winked.

"That's mighty selfish of you, and yet I'm not repelled… quite the opposite in fact." He bit into his wrist and held it to her mouth. Layla drank aptly as Eric bit into her wrist.

Exchanging at the same time was quite a strange experience. She found it a little gross but she kept thinking it was all for the sake of the greater good. Whatever the hell that was.

…

The night grew on and Layla soon fell asleep. She rested in Eric's arms as he lied awake. Layla was safe for now. She was right there with him, but tomorrow brought new and dangerous consequences. Batista had deliberately planned it all. He was making it where Eric would be framed for the murder of Batista. There was no more asking for help. He'd have to kill him for good on his own and own up to it. But he had to be tactful.

"We need to get Corvan's brother." Layla murmured. Eric didn't even realize she was awake. "Corvan's brother," She repeated. "What's his name?"

"Castiel is dead." Eric assured.

"He's alive." She corrected as she maneuvered her body to face his. "Before the bond between me and Batista was broken…he spoke of Corvan's brother. He's alive, he wasn't lying."

Eric mulled this over. "I will not rely on the help of any other vampire."

"Think about it, Batista wants to frame you for the death of Corvan. All the rogues will be furious; they'll turn to Batista…unless we rescue Castiel. Castiel will take over Apperio Terras and we can kill Batista."

"I surmise he's in Austin. There are a lot of locked doors in Batista's house. We go there during the day and look around. We can kill any supe guards or any regular guards he has. Even if he's not there, we can get a clue as to where he is." Eric smiled. "How very calculated Layla…but I won't risk you being seen. Batista thinks you're dead. It's best he continues to think that."

"He's not going to see me during the day. Plus, we can go incognito." Layla smiled. There seemed to be a light at the end of the tunnel. "And leaving me is out of the question. I can glamour; it will be helpful to us finding some answers."

Eric gave her a pensive look, it was a great plan, but it was their only plan. Both their livelihood's and even lives hung on the hope that this plan would work.