Chapter 3 - Blood Promise
Eric followed after Sookie and entered the house with Gran following behind. Sookie and Eric sat together on the living room sofa with Gran staring at both of them, very upset. It had been a long time since he felt so much distress, he couldn't believe he was about to be scolded, by a human, nonetheless.
Gran waited for an explanation from both, but they remained quiet.
Sookie knew she had disobeyed Gran and there was nothing she could say to explain her behavior. After a long silent moment Gran was the one to speak first.
"Sookie, go to your room," Gran commanded upset and Sookie knew better than to disagree with her. Sookie stood up and stomped to her room, but she didn't get very far when she heard Gran.
"Sookie!" Gran called expectantly.
"Good night, Mr. Northman, good night Gran," Sookie called out to them and went upstairs to her room.
Eric thought that Sookie's Gran was worst than his maker. She surely knew about being strict. He thought the last time he was so afraid of someone was when his maker disciplined him for going against his wishes.
"Mr. Northman, I have a very difficult time with Sookie and you are not making things easy for me," Gran said.
"Would you let me explain?" He asked.
"I'm waiting," she replied.
Eric was about to start giving her his explanation, but a thudding heart nearby stopped him. "Sookie!" He called her and she knew she had been caught. Why did she think she could sneak around when a vampire was present in her house, was beyond her. Sookie descended the stairs knowing she was going to get reprimanded again by her vampire and Gran. Eric only raised his eyebrow and Gran shook her head. Sookie, stood in the middle of the living room and Eric stood in front of her smiling at her wickedly. "I'm sorry Mrs. Stackhouse, but I think is better if she doesn't listen to this part," Eric said as he applied pressure to Sookie's neck and she passed out. He laid her on the sofa. "She will wake up with a headache," he said looking at Gran who nodded.
"Mrs. Stackhouse, I know what Sookie can do and I don't know if you are aware of what my role entitles. I'm responsible for all Supernaturals that are in my area. They are my responsibility and you and I very well know that your granddaughter is not entirely human. Am I correct?" Eric asked cautiously, he wasn't going to impose his rules on her, but even a hybrid, as Sookie, was to fall under his rule. Gran nodded cautiously too.
"I had a conversation with Sookie about Bill. I'm not sure what he is up to, but whatever that is, it has to do with Sookie. He was trying to start a blood bond with her, but he obviously didn't inform her, she was unaware of it." Eric explained with a serious tone, letting Gran know Sookie was in deep trouble.
"What is a blood bond?" Gran asked not liking the tone Eric had been using. She thought that Bill was a gentleman, but obviously she had been wrong.
"There are many types of bonds between humans and vampires, but I'm sure that the one Bill was trying to establish with Sookie was to have control over her. There are more details but I will not go over them with you." Eric replied staring at Gran, waiting for her to assimilate everything he had explained so far. When he saw, she was ready he continued with his explanation.
"I scented his blood in her and that is the reason why I returned, I needed to make sure. I didn't mention it earlier because I wasn't sure. Bill tricked her, it wasn't Sookie's fault." Gran nodded understand that Sookie was not at fault for Bill's treachery.
"Is there a way to break this bond between them?" Gran inquired. If this vampire didn't know a way, she knew Fintan would find a way to free Sookie of Bill's blood.
"I already took care of it," Eric replied, smirking a little he didn't want to over do it with Gran.
'Interesting,' "Why are you doing this for her? You are sure going out of your way to help her after she was rude to you. What is your benefit from all this Mr. Northman, because I'm sure you are not doing this from the goodness of your cold heart?" Gran asked but she wanted to make sure he understood she wasn't a fool. Eric's lips curled up in a smile.
"Like I told Sookie, I usually don't get this involved but Bill is not here acting on his own. He is working for someone and that someone, Mrs. Stackhouse, knows what Sookie can do. Sooner or later someone is going to try to take her from you. I think Bill was trying to persuade her by charming her, but Sookie doesn't like him so that will not work anymore." Gran did notice he didn't answer her question and Gran was very persistent.
"Mr. Northman, I do appreciate your help, but again what do you gain from all of this?" Eric chuckled, he couldn't evade her question any longer.
"I'm intrigued by Sookie. No one has defied me in a long time. I want to protect her if you will allow me," he replied nodding in reverence, letting her know that he wasn't playing. Gran stood up and went to to retrieve a kitchen knife. Eric raised his blond eye brows.
"Very well Mr. Northman, I will believe you if you perform a blood promise to keep Sookie safe. Do let me explain before you make your decision." He nodded. "I'm old, Mr. Northman, and Sookie has kept me on my toes for a long time. She is very independent and doesn't take orders well, as you have seen. She wasn't born to be ordered around, though she does what I tell her because she respects me. I'm afraid my time with Sookie will come to an end soon and I don't want to leave her unprotected. She has a brother, but Sookie does more for him than he does for her. I'm asking you, Mr. Northman, to take care of Sookie if something were to happen to me. I want you to take her with you. I don't want to leave her exposed to those who seek to take advantage of her. Mr. Northman, I am trusting what is most precious to me. Can you take Sookie under your care… will you do this for us?" Eric couldn't believe that Gran was asking this of him.
"You trust me?" He asked incredulous.
She smiled "No, that's why I'm asking you to do a blood promise, but at some level I do believe your concern for Sookie is honest and true." He nodded.
"One more thing, will you tell me what she is?" He asked.
The only reason she agreed to tell him was because she wanted him aware of whom he would be dealing with. Gran knew more about the supernatural world than Eric thought."She is part fae. Do you know Niall Brigant?" Gran asked. Eric closed his eyes, that explained so much about Sookie.
"Yes, I do know the Prince," Eric replied.
"She is a descendant from Niall. Please, I ask that you don't tell her unless he approaches you. I'm sure she will hate me once she learns the truth from him, but I do not have the heart to tell her. I love her too much to hurt her."
Eric nodded and took the knife from her. He cut the palm of his right hand placed it over his heart."I, Eric Northman, swear to protect Sookie Stackhouse, descendant of Niall Brigant, as long as I exist."
Gran's eyes watered. Now she could go at peace if something were to happen to her. She had the strangest feeling lately that she would not live much longer. "Thank you Mr. Northman, you don't know how much I appreciate your gesture and I apologize in advance for all the trouble this might cause you in the future, because taking care of Sookie will be a challenge."
Eric smirked. Yes he was aware of that, but he also knew his boring life, was at an end. "Will you allow me to take her to her bed?" Eric asked and Gran nodded. Eric carried her to her small room. Once she was all tucked in, he sat next to her holding her small hand in his, kissing her fingertips. He had not expected a human to know what a blood promise was, but he was happy knowing Sookie and him were going to be together for many nights to come. He gave her a quick kiss on her cheek and went downstairs.
"Good night, Mrs. Stackhouse."
"Good night, Mr. Northman, and next time please come in through the front door," Gran said.
Eric left to his house not sure how to feel about what had transpired that evening, one thing was for sure, he was not bored anymore. What did he get himself into? Now Sookie was under his protection. He couldn't wait to hear Pam's reaction. She probably would laugh her ass off.
Eric entered the code to his house, Pam was waiting for him in his office chatting on the internet.
"Eric, that took you long enough. Is she still alive?" Pam asked referring to Sookie.
"Yes, she still lives," 'and will do as long as I live,' he thought. Eric wanted to tell her about the blood promise but he figured he would save that for the end.
"What happened?" Pam was very interested. She knew Sookie was going to keep them excited at least for a couple of days.
"When I arrived they were waiting for me. Sookie apologized, I'm sure her Gran made her do it because she didn't look sorry for what she did at all. Her Gran told her to leave us alone and she pretty much told me to leave Sookie alone and practically kicked me out of the house," Eric said and Pam burst into laughter.
"I can just see it, so did you leave?" She knew there was more and no one tells Eric what to do, except his maker.
"I drove a couple of miles away and returned. Sookie sneaked out of the house through the window and we talked in the woods behind her house," Eric said and Pam started laughing again.
"How did you convince her to go with you?" Pam asked.
"I didn't, she knew she would get in trouble but she went with me anyway. After we talked I found out why Compton returned and why he failed to check in with me. He started bonding with her; she didn't even know what he was doing. I gave her my blood to break their bond," Eric replied smugly.
"Aren't you her hero now?" Pam said sarcastically.
"We were just about to go back to her room when her Gran found us outside. That lady would've made a terrific vampire and a maker," Eric said.
Pam raised an eyebrow astonished. It took a lot for Eric to admit that about a human. Pam knew that lady must've caused a huge impression on Eric. "She is more terrifying than my maker, she gave us a dead glare and I thought surely she would stake me." Pam couldn't stop laughing. Now she was curious about Sookie's Gran.
"She obviously didn't, what happened?" Pam asked.
"I told her that Sookie was in danger because of what she can do. I also told her that I knew Sookie was more than human and she admitted it. After we discussed what to do about Sookie, she told me what Sookie is. Can you guess?" Eric asked, "You had one before," Eric offered as a clue. Pam thought about it.
"A faerie?" Pam replied as for of a question since she wasn't sure. Eric nodded.
"Part fae, she didn't go into the details but my Sookie is a descendant of Niall Brigant," Eric concluded.
It didn't escape Pam that Eric was calling Sookie his and knew his little tale was not over. "A faerie princess in your area, aren't you the lucky one," Pam snickered.
"And now she is under my protection," Eric smirked.
"Pardon me?" Pam asked, sure she didn't just hear the last part.
"I made a blood promise to her Gran. If something happens to her, Sookie is to come with me. No one must know this Pam. I want you to research what our friend Bill has been up to these last couple of years. Also, I want you to find out everything about Sookie," Pam was shocked; stunned was a more accurate word. Did her maker lose his head?
"Surely I must have heard wrong, you made a blood promise?" She asked again. Eric turned to look at her and nodded.
"We were complaining our lives been boring. I think not anymore. What if is the Queen who sent Bill?" Pam asked.
Eric had considered that possibility too. "I'm just a sheriff but I am older than her. While I do respect her and I am loyal to her, I do not fear her," Eric replied.
"Now you just have a death wish. Thanks for including me in your latest adventure. I was feeling neglected," she said sarcastically "I will give you all the details of my research tomorrow." Pam said. Eric took his laptop with him and stared at Pam with a guilty look. "What are you up to now?" She asked but knew he wasn't going to answer her.
"I'm going to start looking to buy another house for Sookie and us. I do not think she would be comfortable here," Eric said.
"Did I miss something, is her Gran dying?" Pam asked.
"No. Her Gran is in very good health actually but she is old," Eric walked away he didn't want to talk to Pam anymore. Pam stared at the spot where Eric had been standing, incredulous. What the hell was wrong with him? First he sneaks out with her like a teenager with a crush, then he gives blood to the telepath to break Bill's bond and last he gives a freaking blood promise to this lady. She didn't care that Sookie was a princess. At least she had enough ammunition to tease him with.
Eric sent a few e-mails to his day guy, Bobby Burnham, he looked at a few properties, made an appointment with a realtor and most importantly he hired two body guards for Sookie. That girl had trouble written all over her face. He went to rest thinking what Sookie would do when she finds out he wasn't punished, at least that's what he thought, but he had no idea how wrong he was. He wished he could see her face. He smiled broadly and waited for death to claim him for the day.
Next day in the morning Sookie woke with a terrible headache, it had been so long since she had one. When she sat on the bed Gran came in to her room with breakfast, a glass of water and aspirin.
"Did you rest well dear?" Gran asked. Sookie thought she was in a lot of trouble for sneaking out. Maybe Eric glamoured her or something, if he did she was going to kill him. She rather had Gran upset at her.
"Is everything okay Gran? How did you know I needed aspirin?" Sookie asked taking her pills.
"Everything is okay Sookie, Mr. Northman told me you might wake up with a headache. Sookie, you know you are grounded. You are not allowed to go out until I say so," nope, she wasn't glamoured, that was Gran. "However, Mr. Northman is allowed to come visit you if he wants." Sookie stared at her…disbelievingly. Seriously, did she just hear that Eric is allowed to visit her?
"You didn't punish him?" Sookie asked.
Gran smiled sweetly. "Why would I? You were the one who broke my rules. I told you, you couldn't go out and you sneaked out the window." Gran said very calm.
"But he helped me, and he is the one who asked me to sneak out," Sookie said defensibly.
"If that is true, I might have to talk to him again when he comes to see you." Gran said and Sookie smiled.
"Did he say he was coming to see me?" Sookie asked.
"No, but I'm sure your vampire will not stay away from you." Gran stood and left her room.
'My vampire, huh? I like the sound of that. I wonder if he is coming tonight. If he does I'm going to ask him what he and Gran talked about.'
She ate breakfast, made her bed and went downstairs. Jason came looking smug, like he just won the lottery.
"Good morning Gran, good morning sis," he greeted both women, going directly to the kitchen.
"You look happy." Sookie noticed.
"I am, Andy told me I am no longer a suspect and they can't question me anymore," he informed them taking out a beer from the fridge. Gran and Sookie just stared at each other and sank on the nearest chairs.
"What happened?" Gran asked. Jason sat with them.
"A fancy lawyer shows up while I'm arguing with Andy, and then he hands him a card saying he is my lawyer. He said that they had already questioned me long enough and that if they didn't have enough evidence to charge me then they have to let me go." Gran and Sookie looked at each other again in disbelief.
"Who is the lawyer, Jason, you know we can't afford one," Gran asked.
"That's the best part; he is a very good lawyer from Shreveport and said he took my case pro bono which means I don't have to pay a dime," he replied looking smug, smiling at both of them.
"How did he know about you?" Gran asked. Jason shrugged. "Did he give you his card?" Gran asked. Jason pulled out his wallet and showed them the card. Gran picked up the phone and dialed the number. Jason stared at her.
"Mr. Johnson?" Gran asked.
"Mr. Johnson, my name is Adele Stackhouse, I'm so sorry to disturb you, I just wanted to thank you for helping my grandson, Jason Stackhouse. Won't you have time to stop by for breakfast?" Gran asked with her polite southern accent.
"Please, stop by our house anytime you are close by, you'll always be welcome to have a drink. May I ask how did you find out about Jason?" Gran asked.
"Of course, I understand but I would like to thank this client of yours for his suggestion."
"Thank you so much for your help again." Gran hung up and stared at Sookie.
"What did I do know?" She asked. Then it dawn on her, Eric.
"Guess which of his clients suggested taking Jason's case?" Gran questioned. Sookie blushed and gulped.
"I didn't tell him! You talked to him last night did you tell him?" Sookie asked. Why did it always have to be Sookie? On second thought, he might have heard them when they were talking after Sookie slammed the door in his face.
"Maybe he heard us," Sookie suggested in defeat because she knew it was her fault.
"Who?" Jason asked.
"Eric, Eric Northman," Sookie replied.
"And who is that?" Jason asked.
"He is vampire who owns a bar in Shreveport," Gran said. Jason stood up disgusted by the idea of receiving help from a vampire.
"What are you doing hanging out with vampires, Sookie?" Jason inquired.
"That is none of your business, Jason. You will get used to the idea of seeing that vampire around Sookie. He is interested in helping her because of what she can do; now she has been exposed to other vampires and he is trying to help her." Gran explained and Jason wasn't about to argue with her. However, Jason was concerned about his sister.
"What did you do Sook?" Jason questioned. Sookie was upset.
"I was trying to help my stupid brother out of problems because he is man-whore," Sookie screamed at him, her eyes watered.
"I'm sorry Sookie, I didn't know," Jason apologized. "Come here little sister, I'm really sorry." Sookie went to hug Jason and Gran was glad they didn't continue with their argument. She couldn't stand it when they quarreled.
"I'm going to get ready for work," Sookie said going to her room.
"Is she in a lot of trouble Gran?" Jason asked once Sookie disappeared behind the stairs. Gran nodded.
"Jason, don't trust vampire Bill. Eric said he doesn't have the best intentions," Gran said almost whispering.
"And you trust this Eric?" Jason asked.
"He'll protect your sister of that I am sure," Gran replied with her own smirk. Jason kissed Gran and left.
'I just hope one day he forgives me for what I made him do. He doesn't realize the extent of his promise. Soon enough he will find out but by then it will be too late. Sookie will be is punishment. Fintan agreed he is the one. I'm just glad I can do something to make her life easier. I will miss you so much Sookie.'
Do you think there is more to the blood promise? Or what punishment is Gran talking about? Please review...