Stargazers

x

Disclaimer: I do not own True Blood or it's characters. If I did, Eric Northman would be tied to my bed for the rest of eternity. So yeah, I don't own them. They belong to their respective owners.

"Jane! Come on girl!"

Silently, the young woman with the deep emerald eyes, as dark as a forest, adjusted her shimmering blonde hair before yelling back down the stairs. "Yes! Whatever! I heard you the first fucking time!"

The woman downstairs was getting annoyed with the waiting now, tapping her high heeled foot impatiently on the bottom step, and Jane called again-

"Lily, I'm ready yeah? Go wait in the car!"

The bronze headed woman pouted, but listened to her friend and just went out to the little red car that was a tad rusty around the edges. She got in and crossed her ankles, leaning over to the rear view mirror and bought out her vibrant blood red lipstick, putting it on and smacking her lips. There. Just perfect.

She looked once more at her dark sapphire eyes, then felt something vibrate in her back pocket. Lily paused, then pulled the slim black phone out and looked at the I.D.

Oh God... him.

She answered it now, knowing deep in her heart that she had no choice.

"Hello?"

"Don't give me that shit Lily! Where are you! Tell me right now-! You out with that slut Jane again? How many times do I have to tell you to stay away from that fangbanging whore-!"

Lily felt her blood start to run cold at that, her free hand going to the steering wheel where she ran a finger over its smooth dark grey leather.

But after an awkward silence, a pause... the young woman just muttered. "She's not a whore."

"Oh? Then you are with her? I'm gonna come over there right now and-"

Lily tuned her fiances words out, knowing that he was abusing her best friend Jane Willows. But now she was forced to say in a strained voice. "It's a Friday night. I'm just going out for a drink with her."

"I want you home right now! And be thankful for what you have! You ask permission like the wife you are!"

Lily looked down at her bare slender legs, then knew that this man who thought himself God. Then again, he was a God-fearing man who wanted that obedient wife. The wife that he wanted her to be...

The one she didn't want to be.

Sure, she had grown up with a strict Christian family, going to church as often as she could, trying to keep he family satisfied so that she wouldn't be thrown out like her elder sister who rebelled and got herself pregnant. Something their parents forbid.

But then came Riley McCoy. A son of a priest, well respected in the community and powerful. At the age of twenty two, it went by in such a blur- the engagement of her and Riley.

She didn't truly want to marry him... but had no choice. It was either that... or get thrown out for insulting such an important man.

The engagement was rushed through, and the wedding date set for a months time.

But Lily had dutifully accepted the change, but refused to break with her friends. The wild ones that he didn't approve of.

As any good Christian, she remained true to her families religion and remained a virgin until her wedding night.

But now she'd finished her job at the school for the weekend, she had a night out.

"I'm not coming home. I've had a hard week Riley. I need a break."

"You are my wif-"

"No-!" Lily next to snarled, stomping her foot down. "No! I am your fiancee! Not your wife! Not yet! And I saw I am going to spend an evening out with my friend and have some fun! I'll call later and calm down!"

She hung up at that, putting her phone down on the dashboard, feeling furious tears in her eyes at the same time the drivers door opened and her friend slid in, talking about something, but soon stopped when she saw the tears, changing it to.

"Lilyana? What's wrong?"

Lily sighed heavily, then looked in the mirror again and cleared her eyes of running mascara, smiling a little. "Who cares."

"Riley? Man Lil... you can't let that man rule your life! You have your own..."

"I know. But... I'm marrying him in a month, and I have no choice. So, I'm going to do what I do best and that is accept all this."

Jane was disgusted, then looked at her friends outfit- a short little blue chiffon dress with matching heels. She was too beautiful for a man like that. A man who wanted to control her, use her as a trophy... a baby making machine.

"Come on- we're going somewhere different." Jane muttered now, and Lily frowned. "What-? I thought we were going to the Mariners? It's two for one on martinis."

"Ah, how about some vamps for the night? They know how to throw a good party."

Lily spluttered a little at that, then laughed weakly, eyes widening. "Vampires? Jane... you know I cannot do that."

"Lils, vamps are alright. Actually... you've never met one. How would you know? You've never met one! Riley dearest has stopped you! Live a little!"

Lily listened to her friends words, then rolled her eyes. "What if they bite me? He'll know..."

"Nah, not this place. I go here all the time. Seriously... there's some scorching eye candy in there." Jane grinned, winking as she started up the car, pulling away and onto the road where Lily groaned, closing her delicate eyes. "Jane... I'm already in trouble. I don't need any more."

"Trust me sweetie. This bar is boss! It's epic!"

"Oh yeah?"

"It's that one we passed the other day."

"... the cheap sounding one? Fangtasia?" Lily scoffed, looking out of the window- it was getting rather dark by now, and she knew the vamps would be wandering the streets or god knows what else. She had no hate for any of them, not believing that all of them could be completely bad. Sure, some of them were terrible, for it had been on the news...

But you had to have some hope in a world like this.

Jane chuckled. "That's the one. The head honcho is gorgeous. Seriously."

"I'm engaged-!"

"So? You can look." Jane said smugly, and Lily guessed. "You have the hots for him?"

"Oh God yeah-"

"Don't use his name in vain." Lily said, rolling her eyes, and Jane shook her head in disbelief. "I thought you hated God? He's done nothing good for you."

"I know... but I was bought up to believe all that." Lily said in a quiet voice, watching the trees and houses flash by as they headed into the main part of town.

Jane never replied to that, but merely pulled into a parking lot that was free after dark until dawn, then said as she shut of the engine. "Right. Let's party."

Lily shook her head a little, but then got out too, closing the door behind her, hitching her dress up higher over her boobs, pulling her little black leather jacket more around her, the Louisiana night making her shiver a little.

As the pair walked towards the bar, their heels sounding like horses hooves, they chatted about random things. Music, Tv... the usual.

When they reached the generic looking bar, Lily but her lip a little, looking at the place before saying quietly. "Riley's gonna kill me when he finds out."

"Hey- your Southern daddys boy can shove a hot Jesus on a cross up his ass before he finds out." Jane scoffed, holding the door open for her. Lily guessed the woman at the door was checking for anyone underage, and it wasn't these two- Lily was twenty six, and her friend just a year younger.

The music was pounding of course, and they headed straight to the bar, Lily surprised at Jane asking for two martinis in a normal voice.

Oh yeah. Vamps had good hearing didn't they?

The pair took their drinks and went to a corner booth, sliding in onto the leather seats, and Lily looked around- it was much... well, brighter than she was expecting. For some reason, she thought the place would be down in a dungeon, vampires with capes and the whole Dracula get-up...

Oh how very wrong she had been.

Jane now leaned over and whispered in her friends ear, looking across the increasingly crowded room. "That's the guy I was telling you about. He owns the place. Hot huh?"

To be honest, Lily was expecting him, this mysterious vamp who had caught Janes eye, to be of shit taste.

But again she was wrong- pretty much splayed out on a throne like chair was a monster. She could tell that when he stood up, he would easily go past the 6'0 mark. His hair was to his shoulders and a deep blonde. She couldn't see his eyes, but as if he felt the eyes that had been peering at him, he looked up very slightly from the floor he'd been staring at, seemingly lost in thought. He was like some ancient warrior thrust into modern clothes.

Lily met ice colored eyes for the briefest of seconds before his eyes flickered to a woman who had stepped up to him, and he sat back, letting out a deep sigh it seemed. He nodded a tiny fraction, then said something, lips barely moving to the woman who left instantly.

"Gorgeous isn't he?" Jane asked her in a whisper, and Lily couldn't help but admit it- he was. Then she remembered he was a vampire of unknown age.

And that was what scared her.

"He's ok." Lily just told her friend, looking away from the monster, chuckling. "I like this song."

"It's Green Day."

"And?"

"You hate Green Day."

"Oh."

Jane smirked a little, then brushed her blonde hair back with a glance at the vampire, then just said lightly. "Ooh. I think he's calling me."

"How do you know that?"

"Duh. He's giving me that look and beckoning me." Jane smirked, then got to her feet, taking her own little jacket off and left her friend sat there as she wandered over to the vampire.

Lily pouted a little, then looked down to her drink, raising a slim finger and running it around the rim of the glass.

"Hello there. You look lonely."

She looked up now to see a young man stood there, dark brown hair tied back with emerald eyes that was like her friends. Lily now chuckled. "I'm just waiting for my friend to come back."

"Oh?" He smirked, then Lily felt uncomfortable as he sat down next to her, and she sighed. "Please leave. I'm not into this shit."

"Well... maybe I could make you?" He suggested, and Lily suddenly felt a hand on her thigh, creeping upwards.

A cold jolt went through her at that, and she acted on impulse, slapping the man straight across the face. It worked, for he withdrew his hand instantly, then chuckled quietly, darkly. "Big mistake sweetheart."

Lilys eyes widened as he grinned, and she spied fangs.

Oh shit. She'd slapped the first ever vampire she'd had a close encounter with.

He went to lunge forwards now, fangs bared. But before Lily could even make a noise that meant she was distressed, the vampire went flying backwards by the scruff of his neck, smashing into the side of the bar.

Lilys heart was racing against her chest, then heard a male voice say in a low growl. "Are you dumb, or just plain stupid? When I said 'stay out'... which bit did you not understand?"

She didn't dare look up at the person, knowing full well who it would be. There would be only one.

But she now looked to the vampire on the floor who had gotten to his feet, almost glaring. "It's a free bar."

The vampire stood next to her chuckled, and she spied a look, seeing a tall figure and dark grin, looking back to the rougue vampire instead as he went to speak, but the tall monster said in a casual voice.

"Pam, please escort this piece of filth out."

"My pleasure." Lily heard a womans voice say, then as heels clacked towards the vampire, he threw of the hand that was going for him, snapping. "Don't touch me." He sent Lily a dark look that made her blood go even colder, her skin clammy.

The vampire stalked out, and Lily heard hurried footsteps, then a panicked voice. "Lil? Oh my God... are you ok? He didn't hurt you did he?"

"I'm fine..." Lily muttered, and it was the truth. She was ok. But now as the figure went to move away, she spied a look at his retreating back- bloody hell you didn't want to mess with him.

Jane groaned, then looked back over to the vampire and muttered. "I have to go back over. Please. Stay out of trouble."

"Trouble follows me around..." Lily muttered as her friend left once more.

But it was only a few minuets until she returned, looking rather flustered as she said. "He... uh, wants you there too."

"Who the hell does he think he is? Giving orders like that?"

Jane shrugged. "The head honcho. Come on."

Lily groaned, then just got to her feet, walking over with her friend to the man, the vampire who had his eyes fixed on something behind the bar.

As the pair stood before him, Jane just said, sounding nervous. "Lily, this is Eric."

"Pleasure I'm sure." Lily couldn't help but say, but go no response from the vampire. He just continued to stare, but then just said. "Northman."

"Huh?" Lily frowned, and he looked up, meeting her sapphire eyes with his own ice ones. "Eric Northman."

"Oh, um... hi. Lily Harrison." She replied, keeping that steady gaze of his. Good god he was intimidating... and that wasn't including his height.

"You attract trouble Miss Harrison." He just said now, sitting up a little straighter, then finally broke the eye contact to look at Jane and say, the lightest of smirks upon his lips. "Have you considered my offer?"

"Sorry, I can't." Jane said, and Lily didn't have a clue what they meant. But now he cocked his head a fraction, looking her up and down shamelessly. "Then do me the pleasure of another private show."

"Not tonight. I'm just having a break with my friend."

He looked back to Lily now and said, no emotion in his voice. "Oh, she's welcome to join in."

Lily got the gist now and scoffed. "If you think I'm fucking you... you've been 'alive' too long."

Eric actually chuckled at that, then leaned forwards, putting his hands on his knees as he said lightly. "Feisty words for a virgin."

"Huh. Pathetic words for a manwhore." Lily retorted, and Eric raised an eyebrow, then just sat back again, saying to Jane while looking at her friend intently. "Your friend has spirit."

"And an engagement ring." Lily said, almost smugly, trying to boost her confidence and hit this vamp where it hurt. He couldn't touch her.

She thought.

"Is that supposed to mean something?" He smirked now, looking to her left hand and spotted the shiny glint, adding. "Because it means nothing to me. If I wanted to, I would take you here and now. You being engaged would make the whole thing, ah, more exciting."

"Try it." Lily retorted, folding her arms tightly, and Eric chuckled once more, then got to his feet, making her heart skip a beat at how... um, tall he was compared to her 5'4 petiteness. He towered over her, and yet she didn't show fear, knowing it would make her seem weak... which was the last thing she wanted to do.

"I've no interest in the moment to do that." He said conversationally, then looked to Jane and said in the same tone of voice. "You know where I am if you change your mind Miss Willows. Your company is always welcomed." He moved off now, leaving them stood there.

Lily looked to her friend now and said quietly. "You failed to mention you'd fucked him."

Jane shrugged. "What can I say? I'm a sucker for the bad boys."

At that, Lily scoffed, then shook her head, running a hand through her hair as she said. "I've had enough. Let's just go."

"But Lil-!"

"You heard Eric- you can fuck him another day." Lily smirked, then just walked towards the exit, glancing once at the woman as she stormed out.

The car journey back was a strained one, and Lily just said, completely out of the blue. "How can you sleep with a guy like that-?"

Jane rolled her eyes, then shook her head. "Lily... just drop it."

"Humor me."

"He's good." She said lightly after a moment, then chuckled. "I wasn't intending to sleep with him the first time... but he has his ways."

"How much did he pay you?"

"I didn't mean it like that-!" Jane almost growled, and Lily smirked to herself, picking at the hem of her dress, feeling self conscious how that same man had offered to sleep with her just like that.

But now Jane muttered. "Alot."

"Ah- I did wonder where you got the money from to be able to afford that new bed. Did he test drive it with you (?)"

"Yeah (!)" Jane joked, and Lily chuckled as they stopped outside her house, and she sighed heavily, knowing that morning was going to be a shouting fest with her fiance.

"I'll talk to you tomorrow." Jane said comfortingly, and Lily nodded. "Ok. See you." They exchanged hugs, then Lily got out, opening the front door and didn't look back.

Lily got changed for bed in silence, then slid into the master bed with her fiance who was fast asleep, sighing mentally-

What a night...

When morning came round, Lily was the first to wake up, and it was as she was making some crispy bacon and fried eggs that the creak on the stairs meant the other occupant was awake.

Lily looked up from her cooking to him in black shorts and a matching t-shirt, going quietly. "Morning."

Riley McCoy, even though he had his faults, it wasn't reflected in his exceedingly good looks. He was tall, fair haired with baby brown eyes that reminded Lily of a deers at times. He was muscled... everything a woman would want in a man looks wise.

But it was what was underneath that she didn't like too much.

"Morning." He said back, and Lily could hear the contempt of sorts underneath it. His pale brown hair was tousled, then he said in an emotionless voice. "What time did you get in?"

"About half ten."

"Huh. So early?" He scoffed, expecting her to be out longer. Riley just sat down now, sighing heavily as he went to talk, then just groaned as the doorbell rang.

He went over to the door now, and Lily heard an exchange of conversation, and then it shut.

Lily turned to see him walk into the room with a bouquet of lilies in his hand. Stargazer lilies.

"What's all this about?" He asked, tossing them onto the table, and Lily frowned. "I don't-?"

"Why is some man sending you flowers?" Riley growled, eyes blazing, and she set down the pan, walking over to them and picked the lilies, seeing a card among them. She slyly hid the card up her sleeve, then shook her head. "I've no idea. There's no card or anything."

Riley snatched them back, then looked himself. He found nothing. He dumped them back onto the table now, then said coldly. "A shame to waste them. Put them in a vase and in the main room."

"Mmhmm." Lily nodded, then he headed upstairs to get dressed for work.

It was then that Lily chanced a look at the card, heart hammering against her chest once more as she read in elegant letters-

Come by tonight.

She knew the who the sender was straight away from the curled scripture style E at the bottom of the card.

Lily growled quietly now, then went over to the bin, dumping it inside and closed it again, wondering just how the hell the creep had got her address.

But as Riley yelled at her to find his tie, she soon changed her mind-

There had to be some good in this world...

But her own didn't lie in this house of shadows.

First of all, if you're looking for puppies and flowers, sweet kisses and butterflies, this isn't the story for you. This one's dark, sexy and just plain bloody. But if you like that... it's just a new idea that's been in my head for some time, and only now had the motivation to write it up. Hope you like and leave reviews, as I'd like to continue this one and have big ideas planned. Was up before, but had to make a few edits. If I get five or more, I'll continue. Thank you!