Adult-FanFiction.org : Books

The Virtue Of Sin	By : camp30 Category: S through Z > Southern Vampire Views: 9864 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 1
Disclaimer: I do not have any right to the Southern Vampire novels, nor doI do not have any right to the character created by Charliane Harris and I make absloutly no money from this fiction

Chapter List
- 14
- 15
- 16
AN: I apologize for how confusing last chapter was in regards to POV’s. Also the quality wasn’t there and I hastily updated. Any way from this point forward until Sookie is reunited with Eric I will have clear markings to show which ship we are on at any given time.
ABOARD THE “MIDNIGHT VALE” SOOKIE’S POV
Captain Sterling stared at her for a long time. An endless time where she counted her heartbeats. The sun set behind them and settled itself in the narrow window. A rough laugh escaped his lips as he shook his head “You’re just a girl with odd eyes, of course I won’t be taking you to Wales. You actually had believing my ma’s stories for a second.”
Sookie’s face fell and the melancholy seemed to make her even more lovely.

ABOARD THE “THE COLD MAIDEN” ERIC’S POV
The Duke of Ravenheart accompanied by his groom Pierre and the crew of “The Devil’s Own” boarded by a series of deaths the “Cold Maiden”. Two men died one pitching over board before he could reach the cannon. The other fell onto the deck. The rest surrendered. Captain Black came from his cabin with a gun in hand.
Gunpowder was thick in the air and icy blue eyes met hot black eyes. Eric shot him immediately because he knew that is a mistake that people often make; instead of taking immediate action against a foe, they decide to talk. The smoke obscured his view though so that he only hit his shoulder when he’d been aiming for his heart.
The black haired man stumbled back and shot blindly hitting one of his own men. “Drop the pistol,” Eric called. “Or I will aim between your eyes next.”
Captain Black slowly shook his head “My name is Horatio Black and you killed my parents,” he said softly over the groaning of the ship’s masts. Then he aimed his gun and shot. Eric moved out of the way but not quickly enough. A ball buried itself deep in his shoulder and he fell back against the railing.
Eric lifted his pistol and dispatched the man. A bullet slugged between his black eyes.
Swiftly silence fell over the ship as men’s weapons clattered to the planks of the deck. Beyond the railing the sea was black and crimson with blood. The sharks circled below devouring the flesh of the dead sailor. Only three men remained of “The Cold Maiden’s” crew and they stared at him and waited to die.
His hand went to his shoulder and touched it briefly before addressing them “I have come for my betrothed, a girl with unusual eyes and great beauty,” he boomed out.
The Duke’s eyes scanned the deck and then rested on the little door of the cabin. He kicked the door open with the toe of his boot. There was no need to look further. By this time he had spent so many days in her presence that he knew before he looked that she was gone.
He whirled to the men “Where is she?” his voice was low and dangerous.
The first mate stepped forward “She was taken My Lord,” he tried not to stammer but there was a telltale tremor to his reply.
ABOARD THE “MIDNIGHT VALE” SOOKIE’S POV
Sookie was trying to still the rapid beating of her heart. “If you don’t mean to return me to my kin in Wales, what is it that you do plan to do with me?”
Captain Sterling smirked pouring wine into their glasses “I haven’t decided yet. Perhaps I will take you to Morocco,” the big captain settled back and brought the goblet to his lips and swallowed.
She digested that quietly as she reached for the wine. The wine slid down her throat like blood and she nearly choked. “Captain Sterling I think you should know that I’m no ordinary girl,” she began.
His gray eyes narrowed “Shut up I won’t have you spouting anymore nonsense. You are no fearie just a girl,” he snapped.
Sookie nodded “Yes but what I was trying to say is that I’m a Countess. My father will pay handsomely for my safe return.”
The captain smiled mockingly “Is that right? Well I’m just a low born American captain with an education that probably seems rudimentary to you Countess but I know this much,” he paused and drank from his glass. “There are men in this world that would pay me far more for a taste of your charms than your father possibly could, Count or no Count.”
She started to tremble and her lush mouth parted “Do you mean to make me a whore?”
He stared back at her with a faint curling of his lips “Isn’t that what you already are? Why shouldn’t I profit since you have already been deflowered?”
ABOARD “THE COLD MAIDEN” ERIC’S POV
Pierre dragged a sailor into the cabin ahead of his master the Duke. He slammed him into a chair as his employer took the chair across from him. “Tell the crew of “The Devil’s own” to keep an eye out on the men out there,” he ordered Pierre.
This ship was far superior to “The Devil’s Own” the ship he’d been on previously. It had been only dumb luck that he’d overtaken it. The wind had been dead and the crew had oared it which had given it the advantage. At the thought of Sookie his groin tightened in longing. To be buried inside her once more. To see her mesmerizing eyes wide with fear that is what he wanted. Eric brought himself back to the present moment.
He flashed the man across from him a quick cold glance “Tell me your name.”
The man blinked dazed eyes “I am Herman Smith, first mate of this ship.”
Eric leaned forward and poured whisky into the two mugs on the table. He shoved one to Herman who took it with a shaking hand. “And were you there when my betrothed was taken?”
Herman nodded and took a deep slug of his beverage “Aye, never have I seen a girl that beautiful. She was like something from a fairy tale.”
Eric smirked and waved a hand impatiently “Yes, yes now do you happen to know the name of the ship that bore her from here?”
Herman scratched his head “Midnight? Hmm, can’t remember the rest,” he muttered.
Eric reached and snagged the tankard from his hand “That’s enough for you. Let me make something clear to you Herman; should you fail to recall the name, things will become quite unpleasant for you.”
Herman began to shake and he nearly pissed himself. The Duke settled back and folded his hands on the table. “Do you happen to remember the Captain’s name?” his voice was calm and carefully controlled. He knew he had to maintain a cool head. To let his rage loose would serve no purpose.
Herman’s head went to the side, his eyes darted back and forth in his head as he tried to recollect “Aye he had a fancy name, which is why I recalled it. Captain Sterling.”
Ravenheart filled his glass once more and took a deep drink “Now let’s work the rest of this puzzle out shall we?”
ABOARD THE “MIDNIGHT VALE” SOOKIE’S POV
Sookie’s eye narrowed at him “You are no gentleman sir.”
Captain Sterling smiled “No I can’t say that I am,” he murmured. “Oh I enjoy a good vintage and stimulating company and fine cloth but a gentleman, never.”
His eyes like flint looked deeply at her; taking in every detail “You are exquisite.”
Sookie rose from her chair and broke her goblet across the back of it. She brandished the sharded glass “I have been raped again and again. I won’t stand for it!”
He sighed deeply and eyed the broken glass in her hand “I got that glass from a Prince of Egypt, there are only two like it in the world,” he sounded mournful. “Put it down girl and I won’t beat you, too badly.”
The Countess gripped it tighter; it was her only weapon and she wasn’t about to give it up. He got up slowly and advanced toward the tiny girl. She moved swiftly and nearly cut him.
Captain Sterling was right in front of her and suddenly his hand flashed out and he struck her. She fell back and gazed up at him fearfully. His expression was dark “You asked for that Countess,” he grated out.
She nodded “I did I apologize sir,” she murmured. Sookie had learned through her association with Eric that it was best when dealing with certain situations to show restraint and respect even if she didn’t feel that way.
ABOARD “THE COLD MAIDEN” ERIC’S POV
In the end the Duke only had to remove a finger before Herman remembered the name of the ship that took his prized possession. Armed with the name of the ship and her captain Eric got the direction it had been headed and commanded the nine fingered first mate to steer a course after it.
He had Pierre tend to his wound with an elementary first aid kit that he’d found in the captain’s chambers. After nearly an hour of struggling the ball was removed and whisky poured over the wound. Pierre used a linen shirt that had once belonged to Captain Black to bind it.
Ravenheart opened the door of the cabin and surveyed the men “Until we overtake “Midnight Vale” all of you are to row. Bring me something to eat,” he ordered the nearest one. At the idea of eating he had to quell the feeling of anxiety inside at the thought that it might have been days since she’d eaten last. You want to beat her to death, don’t you recall? A voice whispered in his head.
Eric scowled and went back to the cabin. He lay back on the bed; weary beyond belief, he hadn’t slept a single moment since she’d escaped. He’d lost track of the days at this point. He regretted that the situation was too tense to indulge in some laudanum; there had been a small amount in the first aid kit.
His pain was bearable. He could withstand great amounts of pain; his father had seen to that. He forced the memories that threatened to come back and dragged himself to a sitting position when a knock sounded on the door.
A cabin boy entered and set a platter of rough food down and departed. Eric scowled looking it over; there was a dried salted meat which tasted of venison. And a trencher of stale bread filled with cold onion based gruel. He ate it all knowing he needed his strength.
SOOKIE’S POV
Captain Sterling pulled her to her feet “I’m not going to rape you,” he said reclaiming his seat at the table.
Sookie sat across from him “You’re not?”
The big man sighed and a frown crossed his lips and he cocked his head as if listening before looking to her “I’m not interested in women if you must know the truth,” he whispered.
Sookie’s eyes went wide “But when you first saw me, you seemed-----
Captain Sterling cut her off “That is just the show I must put on for my men, if I were to show no reaction to your beauty they might suspect something.”
Sookie sniffed the air taking in the unusual scent of disinfectant. Her eyes went to the cut of his clothes and the general cleanliness of the room. It made sense now.
The big man across from her poured wine into his goblet “Oh and just so you know I still have every intention of selling you to the highest bidder.”
Her eyes blinked hugely at him and he laughed “I bet that look has been getting you your way for ages, save it girl. I am a business man and somewhat of a dandy and clothes and fine wine are expensive.”
ERIC’S POV
“The Cold Maiden” was hours behind the ship that bore his Sookie.
After eating Eric set Pierre to guard the door and bolted it from the inside. He fell fast asleep and into memory.
His father had trained him to be an assassin since that had been his trade before his death. Seth had only been forced to kill a few times; the same had not been true of Eric.
He’d been nine years old when he entered the house beside his father. A clock chimed from within the bowels of the house. Through the servant’s entry they entered. His father wore gloves as did Eric.
Once inside he donned a mask and thrust one towards his son. When Eric had questioned him about this evening his father had only said “You’re about to learn what the men of our family have done for centuries, now be quiet and follow me.” Julian moved through the silent house never seeming to bump into anything. When Eric hit a side table his father cuffed him. “One more mistake like that Eric,” he left the rest unsaid.
As they passed through the parlor Eric realized when he saw a family portrait illuminated by a stray beam of moonlight that he’d been here before. His friend Tristan lived here. Eric opened his mouth to say that to his father and then quickly closed it.
Up two flights of stairs they went until they came to the southerly wing. Julian moved like a shadow and his son tried to mimic the silent nature of his movements.
They came to a door at the end of the hall and his father opened it swiftly lest it hiss. Eric felt dread as his father handed him a length of twine. “Put this on her neck and pull,” he whispered.
Slowly he moved to the side of the bed where his friend’s mother lay. His hands shook as he remembered her gentle smiles and her soft kindness to him. Eric’s eyes lifted to his father “I know her,” he said quietly.
Julian nodded “Yes I know.” His father tightened his own garrote and swiftly a crimson line appeared on the man’s neck.
Eric was crying as he looped it around her neck. The whole of his body was shaking when she screamed and began to fight him. Julian leaned over and clamped a hand to her mouth “Finish it,” he snarled.
He used all his young strength to kill her. The twine bit into his hands even through the gloves. Her body thrashed and bucked until it lay still like a blooded doll.
His father dragged him from the house as footsteps pounded up the stairs. They used the main stairs to avoid the servants who were coming to investigate the scream.
Into the night they fled. Once in the grounds his father stopped halfway through the hedge maze that led to the road. “Wipe the tears from your eyes boy,” his voice was pitiless. When Eric made no move to obey his giant hand flashed out and knocked him to the ground.
He crouched before his son “The first time isn’t easy my son, but it runs in your blood to kill,” he said softly. “Now get up,” he ordered.
Eric stared up at him “What did they do to deserve death?”
Julian came to his feet “It’s not my business to question. But know this; every name that is whispered in my ear has done something to bring me to their door.”
He awoke when he heard a voice from above the cabin yell out “I see the ship Your Grace,” it was a look out.
A smile drifted across his mouth and he donned a shirt and stepped out onto the deck.
There on the horizon was a clipper ship that was barely moving as there wasn’t even a puff of wind in the air.
“Gather around men,” he called out. They did and he glanced at their faces “We are going to board the “Midnight Vale” as bloodlessly as possible. Should one hair on my betrothed’s head be harmed I will slaughter whoever is responsible. Swords only if at all possible.”
The men nodded and Eric directed them to continue to row so that they might reach the ship more swiftly.
They came onto them as night fell heavy across the sea. Swords out they scrambled across the rough rope ladder to the opposing deck. The men aboard grappled for their weapons. The song of steel and blood rang in the air. Captain Sterling emerged from the cabin with Sookie being dragged by her hair. A knife gleamed near her throat in the sickly moonlight.
Eric froze for a moment and their eyes met across the distance “Drop the blade,” he ordered keeping his fear from his voice. Sterling smiled like a cat with its tongue dipped in cream. “I don’t think so,” he purred. “Call your ragged crew back and then we’ll talk.”
The Duke of Ravenheart bowed mockingly and waved his hand to his stolen crew “Cease,” he called. The swords caught in mid air and went still. Eric’s hand was never seen to have moved. He was that fast. Captain Sterling the finest gay captain to ever sail the Atlantic fell dead at his captive’s feet.
Sookie gasped and stared at the advancing Duke. “Get away,” she cried as her little feet became soaked in the blood that seeped from the ragged hole in Sterling’s forehead.
Still he came. Dressed in black from head to toe; his ice blue eyes the only spot of color. He wore a cold expression as babies wear their innocence. His evil was as natural as breathing. His dominance prowled across his eyes as he crushed her against him.
“So our little game comes to a close,” he said so softly that only she could hear. Her tears fell wet and light upon his shirt, her shaking thrilled him just as the pain he would soon give her would.
The stars burned and twinkled above and for the first time in days the wind sang its ancient song once more and the sails filled with air and the two shoddily joined ships broke apart. The one bearing the Countess and Duke touched the horizon and disappeared.
- 14
- 15
- 16
You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.
Report Story

The Virtue Of Sin