Chapter 4
Sookie's POV
I have two options, run for Aurora and try to block her path or run for Sam and make it dinner for two. I can see in her face the fight between draining Sam dry or shooting up into the sky to get away from the temptation. Her eyes are darting from him to the night sky, but the hunger wins over. With one step, the blue flames running over her body change to red and her wings spread wide catching the tree to her left bursting it into flames.
Eric and Bastian launch with vampire speed trying to restrain her. But as soon as they get close, a white light bursts from her body smashing them back into the trees. Bastian struggles to get to his feet, calling her name but it is as if she hears nothing but the blood pumping thru Sam's body.
I take as step in Sam's direction, maybe she'll stop if I am in her way. I hear Eric scream and in a split of a second he is dragging me away. I beg him to let me go. I can't let Sam be drained for something a silly as grabbing my shoulder. Sam hasn't moved. He just stands there frozen in fear.
I've seen him fight vampires, werewolves, and even the odd witch, but even a shifter as brave as Sam knows when death is staring at him and there is nowhere to run. Aurora is only four steps away from her goal and I know there is no hope. She was created by the gods for battle. Two vampires and a telepath are not stopping her now.
Bastian jumps in front of Sam, calling Aurora's name and begging for her to look at him, but all she sees is something standing between her and her meal.
"Little dove, please stop. I know you'll be upset after you drain the shifter."
"Vampire, I care little if it's you or the dog but I am going to drain something dry. Maybe even both of you."
Bastian's eyes widened with terror. The voice coming from the creature in front of him is not his Aurora. It is a true creature of darkness. She turns her gaze from the two men in front of her to Eric and I then gives a little smirk and licks her lips at me. Eric growls and she just laughs because she knows, as we did, that there is nothing that is going to stop her.
What happens next has my head spinning. She turns her gaze back to Bastian and Sam, lifts her wings up to the air taking another step, when a flash of white light shoots pass Eric and I and hits her on the side. She spins around and growls with fangs popping down. Jesus, she has fangs too.
Something flashes past Eric and I and smashes into Aurora and knocking her into the tree. Everything is a blur of blue and red, as the two keep surging on each other. Bastian grabs Sam and rushes him over to where Eric and I are standing.
Within seconds, Aurora and the glowing blue creature are stalking each other in the open car park. Every time she tries to move towards us the creature moves to block. Is he protecting us or trying to kill her? With a surge of white light, he throws himself at Aurora, pinning her to the ground with big black wings stretching to give him balance. She is screaming, but not trying to get away. Leaning down he kisses her forehead and her flames turn a mixture of blue and red. It is like the two colors are fighting each other for domination.
"Aurora, are you going to try and kill me, sweetheart?" the creature asks.
Screaming with rage, Aurora turns her head and stares straight at us with red tears streaming down her face. She turns back to the creature pinning her down.
"Did I hurt them?" Aurora asks.
"No, baby, you didn't hurt them," the creature says.
"Sookie, is your boss ok? I'm so sorry," Aurora says.
"He's fine, a little shocked, but fine," I say.
Aurora turns her gaze back to the creature sitting on top of her and gives a nod. Her flame turns solid blue. He moves from on top of her and stands, stretching his hand out to help her up. She takes his hand and goes to stand but her flame waves red. Her shoulders drop and her wings vanish as he scoops her up, cradling her against his chest. His wings stretch around covering Aurora's body and their two flames merged together, turning a soft blue. With Aurora wrapped in his arms, the creature walks over, standing in front of us with an angry look on his face.
"So, can someone please explain what happened to my baby?" the creature asks.
Stepping forward and straightening his back, Eric looks the creature from head to toe giving a little growl.
"I think it is you who should explain to us what the hell just happened here?" Eric says.
"What just happened here was me stopping Aurora from draining you all dry," the creature says.
Bastian steps forward, raising his hand, and whispering Aurora's name. She turns her head from the creature's chest and star straight into Bastian's eyes. Her flame ripples red and she turns and buries her face back to the creature's chest.
"I think for now, lover boy, its best you stay back," the creature says.
"Who and what the hell are you?" Bastian says.
"My name is Stark and I'm an Angel. Now let's save the getting to know you speech until I get the blood lusting death dealer fed."
Eric nods and turns us back towards the bar. I reach behind us grabbing Sam's hand but he nods towards the burning trees.
"We can't just leave them burning, Sookie," says Sam.
"Ah, Eric, what are we going to do about the little forest fire we have going here? Sam isn't going to have a bar in about ten minutes," I say.
Just as I was finishing my sentence, the Angel moves towards the now raging fire and looks down at Aurora snuggled into his chest. Giving her a nod, he raises his wings and places her on the ground, wrapping his arms around her waist. Her eyes flash with fire and she leans forward blowing ever so gently as the fire swirls around the tree it wraps itself into a small ball, then leaps into her open hand. She closes her fingers around the fire ball and it vanishes. Raising a finger and waving a stream of white light toward the trees, what is burned turns green and lush. The angel bends down and kisses her cheek as he scoops her up and follows us into the bar.
We are about to walk into the staff entrance as Eric turns to the angel and says one word, WINGS. With a low chuckle and a pop, the huge black wings vanish. Sam directs us to his office, thinking it is better than have a blood crazy goddess in the main bar. Eric, Bastian, Aurora, and the Angel move into the office, while Sam and I go to get everyone drinks.
"Sookie, can you please explain to me how I have two vampires, an angel and one scary goddess in my office?" Sam asks
"Well, the vampires are easy. You know I'm dating Eric and the other one is his brother, Bastian. As for the goddess, she's kind of my roommate, but the angel is a new addition," I explain.
"Please, tell me you are joking and the thing that tried to kill us all isn't living in your house?"
"Yes, Aurora is living in my house and you heard her. She's sorry for what happened, but I think everything going to be ok now that the angel is here. I have a good feeling about him."
"Well, I don't. Since when does an angel have black wings? I think he's as crazy as she is."
"Sam, let's just finish getting the drink and go back to see what they have to say before we make judgements on anyone."
With a "you have to be nuts" look on his face, Sam helps me finish the drinks. I make the angel both a milkshake like Aurora's and a True Blood, better to be safe the sorry. Walking back into the office, I look around to see if things have calmed down. Eric is sitting behind Sam's desk, staring at the angel, while Bastian looks at Aurora, who is still curled up the angel's arms.
I hand Eric and Bastian their bloods and turn to give Aurora and the angel theirs but stop. Can I go near her without getting drained, or even worse dead?
"It's ok she's calmed down. As long as the vampire keeps his distance, you'll all be fine," says Stark.
I place the tray in front of them and he picks up both the milkshakes, handing one to Aurora.
"Which vampire are you referring to and why are you able to calm her down when no one else could?" I ask.
"It's lover boy that needs to keep his distance," Stark says.
"Bastian why?" I ask.
"You ask a lot of question for a fairy, but the answer is simple. My baby here is one big ball of lust for the blood sucker," says Stark.
Aurora looks over at Bastian and he winks back at her, sitting back in his chair with a sexy smirk on his face. Eric nods to his brother with pride and turns to the angel.
"Angel, as my bonded asked, why can you calm Aurora when my brother can't?" asks Eric.
"The name's Stark, vampire, and it's a blood thing."
"Blood thing?" I ask
Stark looks down at Aurora, still snuggling in his lap, and she gives him a nod.
"The blood that's running thru my veins is the blood of her brother, Val."
"How can an angel have the blood of a dead death dealer?" asks Eric.
Aurora shift in Stark's lap, her flame flashing red, and she growls at Eric. Stark wraps one arm around her waist and lifts her chin so she is looking into his honey colored eyes. Stark places a gentle kiss on her forehead and her flame simmers back to blue as she relaxes. It is at that moment I have a good look at the angel. He has long straight brown hair that hangs to his waist, honey colored eyes, and a soft pretty face. He stands a little shorter than Eric and Bastian, but his presence makes him seem much taller. All in all, if I imagined an angel, Stark is pretty close to perfect.
"It's a simple story. On one of Val and Aurora's hunts for Hades's twisted twins, they came across me caged in Hades's palace. I was a trophy of a battle they won and was slowly being drained dry. Aurora refused to leave me, but I was close to death and required blood before being moved. Before Aurora could feed me, Val stopped her, as it would have resulted in us bonding and Val was concerned if I didn't live it would harm his sister. After Aurora gave her brother her puppy look, he had no choice but to feed me himself. As he had already bonded with another, it was safe to do so and I have not been far from her side ever since."
"Please, Stark, it was far from a puppy look," says Aurora
"Face it, baby, you could twist me and your brother around your little finger with a bat of an eye, but that puppy look was Val true weakness."
"I still miss him."
"As do I, baby."
"Sorry to interrupt your stroll down memory lane, but I was almost killed tonight and I want to know what you are going to do to keep Aurora from losing it again and kill the whole town?" demands Sam.
"Dog, you should be honored my goddess wished to drain you, but the question is valid and we only await the vampire to decided if he is prepared for the consequences," says Stark.
"What do you need me to do? I will do anything for Aurora," says Bastian.
"Not you, lover boy. The consequences are for your brother," says Stark.
"What are you talking about angel?" asks Eric.
"I am forever bonded with Aurora because of Val's blood, but, if she is to stay in this realm with your brother, she must bond with him as well. This would transfer for some of her abilities to him, also tying myself, as well as Aurora, to him till his final death. And, I can assure you, there would be many in your world that would not look kindly on a vampire sheriff having at his side a goddess/death dealer and a worrier angel, not to mention your telepath/fairy," says Stark.
"Are you saying that if Aurora is to bond with Bastian, I would be your master angel?" asks Eric.
"No, Eric. What Stark is saying is that he and I would stand at your side as guardians, not servants. But if someone were to move against you, Bastian, or Sookie, as Bastian is your brother, we would bring down a fight that would end this realm and as long as we are at your side you would answer to no one, as we answer to no one. Your Kings and Queens will not command you as we cannot be commanded," says Aurora.
"Bastian, do you wish to be bonded to Aurora?" asks Eric.
"Hold on here. Are you saying that, if Aurora and Eric's brother do this bond thing, Eric is going to have the power of a warrior angel jacked up with death dealer blood as well as a pure blood goddess death dealer?" asks Sam.
"Yes, shifter, I would," says Eric.
"Sookie, this is crazy! He's going to get you killed! Can't you see what will happened when the other vampires find out he holds a goddess and angel at his beck and call? It was bad enough when he had a telepath remember?" Sam exclaims.
"Sam, Eric has been around a long time and he wouldn't do this if it wasn't smart," I say.
Eric turns to Bastian and for the longest time the two just look at each other. God, I hope I am right that Eric won't go power crazy having Aurora and Stark as his guardians.
"Well, Bastian, the choice is yours. I am ready to except any decision you make," says Eric.
"Well, brother, you just became a very powerful vampire. I wish to bond," says Bastian.
Eric nods to his brother and I see the true Viking glint in his eye. Sam just shakes his head and leaves the office. Eric picks up his phone and calls Pam to tell her we are on our way to Fangtasia, as Eric has some area business he has to finish and he wishes us all to stay close until the bonding takes place. As we all stand to leave, Aurora reaches out her hand to me and I know she wishes for me to travel with her and Stark. I give Eric a sassy wink and take both Aurora and Stark's hands. We take a step and shimmer out of Sam office and into the Fangtasia car park. I wish I could have seen his face when we disappeared.
As we make our way around to the front entrance, my phone rang.
"Sookie, can you please explain where the three of you are?"
"Eric, we're at Fangtasia, aren't you hear yet?"
"Very funny, lover, and how did you come to be at Fangtasia?"
"Why, Eric, we just shimmer. It's the only way to travel you know."
This got a burst of laugher from Aurora and Stark and I know the three of us are going to have great fun when it comes to playing games on Eric. Telepath one, Viking zero. I can tell from the growl that Eric is not happy about the three of us making fun of him, so I say good bye and hang up. Turning the corner of the building, I remember that I am still in my work uniform and come to a quick stop.
"Sookie, is everything OK? I'm not going to hurt anyone Stark will make sure," says Aurora.
"It's not that. It's just I forgot I'm still in my work uniform and I know Pam is going to have a great old laugh," I say.
"Well, that's an easy fix, roommate. What colors do you like?" asks Aurora.
I look over to Stark and he gives a little wink as I tell Aurora red. With a flash of blue light, I am wearing a sexy red strapless dress with matching pumps and my hair is curled and running over my right shoulder. Looking between Aurora and Stark, I notice they both have new outfits. He is in black leather pants with a grey shirt and she is wearing black jeans and a blood red leather corset with matching heels. I must have a look of pure joy on my face because Aurora and Stark both laugh and grab a hand each as we turn to walk into Fangtasia.
"Well, look at the three of you. Don't you all look yummy?" said Pam.
"Hi Pam. I know you've meet Aurora, but this is her friend Stark," I say.
"Oh, my little telepath, I hear he is much more than just her friend."
I look to Aurora and she smiles at me then grabs Stark's hand, kissing him on the cheek.
"Your right, Pam. He is much more than just my friend. I consider him to be my true soul, my light in the darkness," says Aurora.
Stark looks at Aurora and both their eyes flash with fire. God, I hope no one saw that. Stark picks Aurora up and spins her in the air while she giggles like a child. I know the connection straight away. I have the same with Jason. It is the love of someone that knew your bad side at its truest as well as your good side. I know she cares for and maybe even loves Bastian, but, it is there in their eyes, she loves Stark as well.
"The master wished for you to sit in his booth until he and Bastian arrive. Oh, and Sookie, he asked you to keep your friends well fed," said Pam.
We move thru the club to Eric's booth and I notice that everyone is staring at Aurora and Stark, even more so than they do Eric. This is something I'm not sure Eric is going to like. Ginger comes over with our drinks and then it hits me I haven't asked why Aurora and Stark mix their blood. Just as I was about to ask, I feel Aurora push into my mind.
"Would you like to try my milkshake, Sookie?"
I am about to answer as a wave washes over me and I know Stark has jumped into our silent conversation.
"Being part fairy you'd probably really like it, Sookie. I know Aurora could pop one right up for you," he sends.
"But why do you mix the blood with milk?" I ask.
"Gods and angels are pure races. We can't consume too many human chemicals, so we mix the synthetic blood with milk to make it more pure," says Aurora.
"Do you really think I'll like it Stark?" I ask.
"Sookie, fairies are of a pure race as well. I believe not only will you like it, you'll love it," says Stark.
With that, Aurora passes me her glass and winks. Can I do this, drink blood? I know I drink Eric's blood, but that is a far call from ordering one at the bar. What the hell? It's synthetic, right? It's not as if I'm biting the neck of a fang banger. I lift the glass and take a sip. God, it tastes great. I feel the giggles in my mind from Aurora and Stark as they both give me a wicked smirk. I motion to Ginger that I want to place another drink order. When she realizes I want three mixed bloods and not two, I can read in her mind she knows she is right, that I am not human and that's why Eric keeps me around. I just giggle and she goes to get our drinks.
Sitting there with Aurora and Stark, drinking our milk shakes, I realize I feel at ease and I like the idea that Ginger thinks I am more than human. I know I am, but to have other realize it is freeing. I know at that moment I am where I am meant to be, in a supe's bar with other creatures of the supernatural world.
"Your Viking is here," says Aurora.
"How do you know that? I can tell thru our bond but how can you tell Aurora?" I ask.
"I can channel your bond. Remember Sookie, I can take any supe's gift and make it my own."
"So, you're now bonded with Eric and me?" I ask.
"By the gods, I hope not. I think having one vampire bond with Aurora and I is going to be enough, don't you?" says Stark.
"Stark is right, Sookie. I can only feel what you're feeling in the bond when we are linking minds, but there is fun to be had with the Viking, if you'd like?" Aurora says.
"I knew I was going to like you two. What do you have in mind?" I ask.
I know Eric has just entered the bar. I can feel him getting closer, even though I have my back to the door. I'd love to make the big bad sheriff squirm a little.
"Sookie, reach out with your mind and call the Viking. Now that you're linked with Stark and I you'll be able to enter," instructs Aurora.
Looking at Aurora and Stark, I reached out to Eric.
"Hello, big boy. How was the drive?" I ask.
I feel the shock of hearing my voice in his mind through the bond, but what I am not ready for is the fact I can see what he is seeing and hear what he is hearing. He's stopped talking with Pam and Bastian about the three of us and is staring at the back of my head.
"Yes, Eric, it's me. So, how was the drive?" I ask again.
"Sookie, how the hell are you doing this?" Eric asks.
"I'm linked with Aurora and Stark," I reply.
"Well, hello there, Viking. What took you so long? Not that I mind. I'm having a fantastic time with the ladies," taunts Stark.
"Angel, you'll get out of my head NOW!" demands Eric.
"Oh, come now, Eric. Sookie, Stark, and I just missed you so much and it was just taking you forever to get to the booth. Oh, by the way Pam is still asking you about what happened in Bon Temps. If you say dog now, she'll never know you're not listening," says Aurora.
When Eric turns back to Pam and says dog, that's the end of us. We all burst to laugher and I almost spilt my milkshake. Telepath, angel, and goddess two, Viking zero. While I am wiping tears from my eyes, Eric, Bastian, and Pam move to stand in front of the booth.
"I see what the angel meant by consequences already and the bonding hasn't even taken place," says Eric.
"We were just having fun Eric. Why don't the three of you join us for a drink before you head off to do your business?" I say.
"Lover, what are you drinking?" Eric asks.
"It's a blood milkshake. Want a taste?" I offer.
Eric, Bastian, and Pam look from me to Aurora and Stark, sitting on the opposite side of the booth, and back to the milk shake in my hand.
"What Viking? She's part fairy and milk is good for humans. It's win-win," says Stark.
"I'm liking this new side of your bonded Master," says Pam.
"Enough Pam. Call Ginger and get another round of drinks," commands Eric.
"Sookie, another milkshake as you call it?" asks Pam.
"Yes please, Pam."
Aurora gives me a wink and I know she and Stark are up to something. I am no longer linked with them, but I can feel that they are still chatting away silently.
"Eric, Stark and I would like to bring to your attention that, after I bond with Bastian, he, Stark, and I will be mind linked, and, as Sookie is a telepath, she can also meld with us. Would you like us to place a bridge between us all so we can communicate at any time?" Aurora asks.
"Would this mean Sookie, Bastian, Pam, and Stark would be able to read my mind?" asks Eric.
"Stark can already read your mind, Eric, without my help, but Sookie, Bastian, and Pam will not. We will only be able to talk to each other when each party wishes," says Aurora.
"Then yes this is something I'd like us to do. It would be a great advantage with our enemies," says Eric.
"Don't you mean your enemies, Viking?" asks Stark.
"But with you at my side, angel, my enemies are your enemies. But enough of this talk, I wish to discuss the bonding," says Eric.
"As would I, brother," says Bastian.
Aurora looks at Bastian who is sitting on the very edge of the booth, trying to keep as must distance between them as possible, just in case she turns again. Stark raises his arm and places it around Aurora's shoulder giving her a nod. She reaches across the table, offering her hand to Bastian. Quicker than I thought possible, Bastian grabs her hand and entwines his fingers in hers, allowing a low growl to escape from his lips. Stark smiles at Bastian and to my shock Bastian smiles back.
"Is bonding with a goddess the same as bonding with a vampire?" asks Eric.
"No, Eric. Bastian and I will not have power over each other as a vampire would with a human. I'm not sure what the procedure is for vampires, but we must have sex during or straight after to close the bond. I need it to be clear to Bastian that he is not only bonding with me, but also Stark. We will be tied by power, pain, and lust. As Stark and I are true immortals, we cannot be killed by any creature in this realm or any realm, other than the last death dealer, Yannick. But if Bastian were to fall, it would cause us great pain and the consequences would be us killing everything and anyone who stands between us and the creature which ended his life," says Aurora.
"Viking, Bastian would become more like Aurora and I. He'd have to mix his synthetic blood to a point. Distance can become a problem. If we are too far from each other for too long, it becomes uncomfortable. The sun would no longer burn or kill him, but we still tend to stay out of it as much as possible. He'll be able to shimmer, but we will not know if he'll hold a white spark, this is the energy we throw. Lust can be a problem at the start. We find that if we keep contact physically it is easier to control, and as you've seen tonight from my baby here, rage can be a problem for us if we're separated or hungry," Stark says.
"Stark, why do you keep calling Aurora baby?" I ask.
"It's something I picked but from Val. He'd call her baby because he believed himself to be her elder brother as he was created first, making Aurora his baby sister. Does your brother not call you his baby sister, Sookie?" explains Stark.
"That and much worse," I say.
I lean into Eric's chest just to be a little closer. Every time I hear Val's name, I think of the pain Aurora, and now Stark, must have gone thru losing him and I don't think I'd survive the pain of losing Eric. I know he can feel my fear because he wraps his arms around my waist and gives a little squeeze.
"Aurora, why did you choose my brother?" asks Eric
"I didn't, Eric. He chose me," says Aurora.
This brings us all up short. We all turn to Bastian, who is still looking into Aurora eyes, and he just nods to everyone.
"Would you care to explain yourself, Bastian?" asks Eric.
"From the moment I saw her, Eric, I knew she was mine and there was nothing I wouldn't do to have her," says Bastian.
Pam and I look at each other and burst into laughter. The Northman brothers, one look and they think they own you.
"Lover, would you tell me what's so amusing to you and Pam?" asks Eric.
"Ah, Eric, that's exactly what happened to you and I. Remember, you said the moment you saw me I was going to be yours," I say.
"As I did, my lover, and now you are," replies Eric.
He brushes his lips along mine and I can feel my body heating up. It is true I am his and he is mine.
"So, Bastian, after hearing what may happen, do you still wish to bond with the dealer?" asks Eric.
"Yes, brother, I do," says Bastian.
With Bastian's words, Eric nods and we all exited the booth. Stark, Aurora, and I decide, since Eric had area business to attend to, we'll head back to Bon Temps. There are only a few hours till dawn and all three of us are getting tired. It is decided that, since Aurora has created a safe room for Eric and Bastian, tomorrow night they and Pam will come to Bon Temps to be with Bastian if the bonding goes bad. I take Aurora and Stark's hands to shimmer home. As I take my step, I realize Bastian and Aurora are bonding tomorrow night and she said it involved sex, but she also said Bastian was bonding with Stark as well. Did I just agree to have a three some in my Gran's house?
A/N I'd like to take a moment to thank my amazing Beta, without you this story wouldn't be transforming as beautifully as it is, Thank you.