***Sookie***
I'm supposed to be a christian but right now I felt like throwing Bill, Eric and even Alcide in a sealed bag and tossing them over a bridge. They'd get out sure, but not before they clawed each other up something fierce. Maybe I wouldn't include Bill, since that'd be too nice a punishment. No, for Bill I'd run over him with my car a couple of times and see if he heals from that. Not that I have a car anymore, but someday, if I got a car again I might go looking for him. It really was high time to start planning what I was going to do and who I was going to smack silly. Or throttle to death.
"Sookie?" Gran was standing on the landing of the stairs. The house was old enough that there was a lot of echo; you could hear just about everything. Back when Jason lived here, he always got caught sleeping with girls because the walls were so thin. It didn't take him long to move out when he turned 18 into our parent's old house. Both Gran and I were practically shoving him out the door and tossing his bags out behind him. "How are you feeling?"
"I'm all right. Still too sore to do much and I'd appreciate it if you didn't tell anyone, especially Jason, about the walker. Maybe we can hide it if anyone comes over?" I could hear her cackle and come up the stairs. Gran had delivered the walker right after Alcide left and I wished I'd had it for my bath earlier. She entered the room having already prepared a plate of pancakes with some fruit for me. The tray from last time was still here and she took the old plate and silverware away and placed the pancakes there.
"That doctor made me get that dumb thing and I'm just glad someone needs it right now because I'll be in the grave before you'll see me using that in front of Maxine Fortenberry."
"I know exactly what Maxine would think too, that gossip hound." I rolled my eyes at the thing. She barked out a laugh again. Mrs. Fortenberry acted as though she was the town crier, but not a one person would pay her to fill that position. She was a notorious gossip of the petty variety.
"I'm going to call Jason and Tara and let them know what happened. They'll likely want to stop by, and I'll tell them tomorrow. That alright with you?"
"Yeah, it'll be good to see them. But don't tell them much, I don't want Tara pulling out my teeth trying to get answers I don't have."
"Oh I know how she is and don't you worry, mums the word. Normally I'd disagree, but I think it's best that they don't know everything. I don't want to see you or anyone else hurt." Her expression was one of concern, which I used to rarely see. Now it'd come up several times and I was still uneasy about seeing it.
"My thoughts exactly." I paused. "Gran, it's going to be ok." My voice was soft in an attempt to comfort her. She reached out and patted my hand but said nothing about it.
"I'll go give them a call."
I could hear the conversation from my room.
"Jason… Sookie was in a car accident. She's ok, but definitely out of it. No, Jason, please wait until tomorrow. She's had a rough night and needs sleep. It wasn't all that bad, but she does need some rest. Can you call Tara and have her come over with you? Yes and I think she needs support from ya'll. Thank you Jason, and we'll see you here tomorrow."
G had brought me a late meal before bed consisting of baked mac and cheese with bacon. I wasn't sure myself how I stayed svelte since I wasn't working on my figure at all. Arlene chain smoked to stay so skinny and the rest of the girls at Merlotte's smoked, binged or otherwise mercilessly counted calories. Not me, nope, I eat all the grease I want and stay the same curvy shape.
After dinner, I tried to spend the rest of the night charting out what I was going to do next. My notebook was in front of me, pen in hand as I scratched out what I knew, needed to know and what I could do about these things. About an hour in I started to feel unfocused and dizzy and thought I should rest a little.
I dozed into the night, my dreams pressing around me. They were disturbing, featuring Bill and drinking more of his blood. I thought it was fucking gross, and yet the rest of my body thought it all looked like a good time and that maybe I should try it in real life. It's possible I hit my head during the accident.
Around 2am I was staring at the ceiling. The nasty pulsating in my legs wasn't going away anymore and it had risen to occupy the space in my head where sleep should be. It was all I could think about, and I could feel my body getting hot and cold as it reacted to the swollen torment in my legs. I heard a tap on the windows and I looked over. It was that fuckhead, Eric.
***Eric***
Fangtasia was more boring tonight than it had ever been. Not when there was an attractive female liability laying in her bed refusing my help. I couldn't be bothered to feed and I had pushed a total of 3 women off my stage, used my foot to push away 11 humans and otherwise had glared down all onlookers who dared catch my eye in an attempt to flirt. Pam was having the time of her life watching.
Normally I'd give a few of them the time of day, at least to call them to feed and fuck. But every once in awhile a vampire craves something more wholesome than desperate sweat-laden cattle. And my little liability, Sookie Stackhouse, was a southern home cooked meal just waiting to be devoured.
I left the bar close to closing time, Pam giving me a knowing smirk. She loved the fact that I was waiting on a human and she had reminded me of it several times that night.
"We could have a party welcoming your pet Eric. Longshadow could get you a leash and collar, and I will pay for classes on vampire manners. And if you need some new clothes for her I would be happy to take her shopping, with your card of course."
"I am not above gluing your shoes to the floor Pam. Don't test me."
It went on like that from dusk until I flew away from Fangtasia. Her light was on, and I could see her looking at the ceiling. It was 2am and her eyes were glazed over in agony. Perched on the roof below her window, I knocked on the glass. Watching her head turn as quickly as she could, she grimaced at seeing me.
"Let me in Sookie."
"No! And go away you stupid vampire!"
"Do it. You need me. I can smell infection in you." I could. It was the beginning of one, but it was there. She must be in the beginnings of a fever.
"Yeah? Why not take me to a real doctor."
"A doctor can't help you like I can. Let me in Sookie."
I could see she did not want to. It was calculated on my part that I had waited to visit until she was overwhelmed by her pain.
"Fuck you Eric and your stupid fucking face!"
I waited.
"Oh screw you, Eric, come in then. Quietly! "
That's all I needed. I tore through the house, shutting the door without a sound and was in her room within a few seconds.
"Sookie." I purred. Under all of Bill's blood, she smelled lovely. And the Were had stayed away from her, though his musk hung heavy in the room. Remember to up the Were's pay.
"I'm not inviting you into my bed Eric, so stop looking at me like a piece of meat."
"You are not meat, but you've been tenderized like it. I'll fix that shortly. But you will be mine, eventually, and at that point I'll be the one tenderizing."
"You know, I had this idea that you were helpful since you got me away from Bill. I guess you're honest about your arrogance though, or are you not always this cocky? Maybe it's just me." She said sarcastically. I answered her obvious question anyway.
"It's not arrogance if I'm always right.. Now, you're going to be good girl and take my blood."
"I don't want to and I'm not going to behave like a dog panting for her master. So don't refer to me as a "good girl" or "bad girl". You want that sort of thing you can get a Were for a pet." Her voice was flat. Snap, crackle, Pop. Wouldn't that be nice to have her ask me if she was a good girl and needed a treat. I smirked villainously.
"But you will-"
"Eventually?" She spat. What a hell cat. I moved to the foot of the bed and placed my hands on the edge of it, giving her a possessive look that had felled many a woman.
"In case you didn't hear me the first time, I am not inviting you to have sex with me Eric." I chuckled.
"I'll respect your body and your choice, but you will have me, my blood, inside of you." I could tell she adamantly disliked the way I was describing it. She was most stubborn and seemingly un-seduceable. At that moment I decided to glamour her.
"Sookie, you're going to drink from me. And then you're going to start liking me, despite your reservations. Slowly you're going to give in to what cravings I'm going to give you and come around to wanting me, needing me. I'll ensure you won't regret it."
She looked at me, and she was absolutely pissed off. What?
"Oh, Bill tried that little bit on me too. Do you all say exactly what nasty things are on your mind? I expected more tact from you, the big bad Sheriff."
I was outright shocked. My fangs dropped and I pulled them back in as I caught myself.
"Cat got your fangs?" She drawled.
"You… You still need my blood." Inside I was scrambling to put my thoughts aright. I tried not to show it and in recovering from my surprise, I resolved to work with what I had here. It's not every day you can't glamour a human. I like a challenge and I'll be glad to "help" her look past this error in judgement on my part. I put my face back in order before grinning and crawling towards her on my hands and knees.
"Nice recovery. Not. What's that bonding thing anyway? Because I'm not doing shit until I know what is going to happen as a result. I've been having some crazy dreams, not that you have a right to know, but I think it has something to do with Bill's blood."
"Correct on the dreams. But don't worry about him because soon your dream-self will swoon over me. As for the bond, a single dose of my blood won't form one. It'll only tell me where you are and if you're safe."
"Like a tracking device. That does not sound reasonable and the dreams are not welcome either."
"You know you're sick. There's sweat on your forehead from the fever that's coming over you. You have no other options."
"Hospital-"
"Can't help you. You don't want to be laid up when other vampires come for you, and they will. I assure you I am the lesser of all evils in your life right now. One sip from me won't kill you."
"I'm sure it won't." Her eyes searched mine and she released a loud sigh before throwing her head back on her pillow and looking up at the ceiling. "Fine, but don't get your shoes on my bed."
"You can wash your sheets." I started my crawl towards her.
"No shredding anything! Including my clothes." Her head popped up to chastise me preemptively.
"I'll buy you new ones." She rolled her eyes.
"Don't spill your blood either." I had assumed she would disagree at the last minute, but she didn't. Now that wasn't as hard as I thought it would be.
"I assure you that you'll drink every last drop I give you."
"Oh will I? We'll see. At least I'm making a choice, even if it isn't a real one." I moved and was on her with my nose almost touching hers. Her scent was strong now, and her eyes were a stormy blue with her delicate lips and jaw set to an angry pout.
"You're right. I am sorry for attempting to glamour you." The words were whispered against her skin. I wanted her to feel how sorry I was, even if I wasn't. Her eyes softened quickly before turning arrantly hard again.
"If glamour is that thing where you try and force me to do something I don't want to do, don't you dare try it again. And don't think enjoy this too much Eric. It's not happening again."
Without a word, I tore open my wrist with a crunch and collapsed by her side tenderly bringing it to her mouth. Her eyes dilated and she latched on with fervor.
***Sookie***
Oh… Oh my god, he tastes absolutely amazing. Like chocolate and fruit, but more. Better than Bill. So much better.
I was humiliated at how greedily I drank from him. But I could feel my healing, along with the not unpleasant sensation of being brought to climax. His blood was running through body at break-neck speed and the edges of my vision were a hazy red. It seemed right, but a part of me was yelling in the background to come back to my senses. I managed to tear myself off his arm before I came. My panting was loud, but orgasming would have been mortifying. I opened my eyes to Eric's satisfied smile.
"You see? You do want me."
"Eric! Why don't you take a guess as to who's shit I am totally sick of. Go on, guess."
"It couldn't be me, surely."
"You know can't just say things and then try to make them happen just because you say them. I'm not a toy Eric and I don't want you!"
He was silent and unmoving over me but for his ice blue eyes meeting mine. Slowly his shit-eating grin slipped away and the self assured Eric lapsed into being a very serious vampire.
"I don't want you as a toy." I didn't really care if he looked sincere. Telling me he didn't want me as a toy was soooo nice of him to say, but it wasn't like he said I mattered even if I wasn't on the level of "food". Who cares about a vampire's feelings. They certainly don't seem to care about mine.
Even as he was studying me intently, I noticed my legs felt immensely better. I broke the tension between us.
"I want to see my legs Eric. Move your butt, buster."
Eric got on his knees and carefully pulled the covers down, his shit-eating grin returning. I was in my underwear and desperately tried to cover more of what was between my legs.
"Vampires don't feel the same about nudity as you humans do. You are pleasant to look upon."
"Look. Away. Eric."
"Very well." He stood up, never taking his eyes from my body and walked to the corner corner facing the wall while I grabbed sweat pants and a baggy shirt. I was not up for examination tonight.
"May I turn around Sookie?" That may have been phrased as a question, but Eric had a way of making everything sound like he was going to do exactly what he wanted, when he wanted.
"Yes, I'm decent. You should leave." He moved over to my window to open it before turning around and looking at me.
"But I don't want to. I'd prefer to bring you to where you were when you were drinking from me and then over the edge."
I knew I was turning crimson as he said those words. That fucker. He knew.
"Eric, I rescind your invitation!"
He flew out of the window and I could swear his face still wore his smug smile instead of surprise. He opened the damn window because he expected to get kicked out!
"Ass!" I shouted after him. He paused, suspended in the air before blowing me a kiss and flying away.
I huffed, feeling exhaustion hit me all at once and I collapsed back into my pillow.
"Sookie? Is there someone here?"
"It was just that vampire, Eric. Don't worry Gran, he's gone now." She crept into my room from hers, looking as worn as I must have looked. "Gran my legs are completely healed, but I'm so tired now. I know I never mentioned, but vampires can heal with their blood."
"So why did Eric wait then? You needed help and he didn't even-"
"Gran, it's not his fault! I refused him. I just… I just got stubborn about it." She sighed meandered over to close the curtains on my window and tidy the blanket over me before looking distantly at my door. "It's ok Gran, you can go to bed. I'll be fine. I only need some sleep."
"Sookie I'm going to do what I can about this. I know we can't go to the police or anyone, but I'm going to try and think of something." I didn't try and contradict her, and I hated not having confidence in her. We were in so far over our heads that our collective sanity needed a search and rescue team. "I'm awake now, and I might come check on you in a bit if I have some answers."
I didn't know what answers she was talking about, but far be it from me to stop Gran from something she'd set her mind to. After Gran left my room I laid back and I was out as soon as I closed my eyes.
***Gran***
I needed help for my dear Sookie. I had been sleeping uneasily when I woke up to Sookie cursing from her room. After Eric's visit, there was no getting back to sleep. Fintan had always told me that if anything ever happened to Sookie that put her in mortal danger I was to call for his father by name, Niall, three times. I had held optimism that Niall wouldn't have to be called, but it was time now. I wasn't sure why I had hesitated when Eric brought her home and confirmed that someone knew she was special. Maybe it was because now that she was healed the vampires might expect her to leave with them instead of recovering from her injuries. I went to the garden and stood under the moon. Movement at the treeline startled me and I saw a large brown colored wolf trot out. It looked at me, while I sucked in my breath with fear. I hope that's Alcide.
The dog breathed out heavily and turned back to enter the forest. Calling Niall was more pressing than ever.
"Niall, please come. Niall. Niall!"
I waited for five minutes. Nothing appeared. My senses gave no indication that anything had changed in the air around me. It was time to go back in the house and admit my failure to protect my granddaughter and think about where we could run to. We'd have to leave the house behind. And I hadn't even thought of Jason.
"Adele," Said a kind, fatherly voice. "I am here."
"You are… Fintan's father? And you know my name?" I turned to see a kindly older man with long salt and pepper hair. He had sharp features and still looked fit and lean in his age.
"Yes. Fintan loved you very much. You know he had passed? And am I given to understand from him that he had children?" I knew Fintan had died since he had come to me with what was clearly a parting gift.
"Yes, they have passed but I have a grandson and granddaughter here with me. But it's my granddaughter that concerns me." I started to cry. My son had drowned and my daughter Lisa had succumbed to cancer, having been put into the ground too soon. I watched Niall sniffed the air through blurry eyes.
"Vampire, Were." He said absently. "What's her name?"
"Sookie. What's a Were?"
"Never you mind Adele." He continued sniffing the air and rotating his head as though he could see everything in the treeline and beyond.
"Niall, she's special. She always has been. Sookie can hear the thoughts of those around her. I've never quite-"
"Silence! We are surrounded by those who would hurt her. Do not make the mistake of revealing who she is."
I quaked at his anger. Maybe this too was a mistake.
"Oh Adele." He said tenderly. "I'm sorry for the fright I have caused. I only care for my great-grandchild and am much more aware of the threats that face her. May I see the girl?" He had calmed and looked caring and concerned once more.
"Yes. Please come in."
Niall followed me to the front door and waited for me to show him up the stairs.
***Eric***
Leaving Sookie, I flew Fangtasia reviewing each conversation I had from my calls.
Send 10 donors to Bill Compton's place to start. Yes. Ensure they are not harmed, but provide as many donors as it takes to regrow his arms.
Hello my dearest Queen. I regret to inform you that I had to discipline your procurer for insubordination. Well yes, he hired a young vampire for a task without my say so, injured the life a human intentionally which jeopardized our mainstreaming plans and otherwise denied his reasons while I confronted him about the whole situation. Yes. He's fine. I've sent donors over to help him recuperate from his punishment. I know how valuable he is to you and did not want to hurt him more than was necessary. Well, thank you for your understanding. You are as magnanimous and reasonable as they come.
Bobby, increase the numbers of day crew security at Fangtasia. Contact Alcide about a day guard of 15 Weres for Sookie Stackhouse's home. Send in Weres for tonight as well. I don't care how you find them. Local, out of state, all avenues are irrelevant to me. Yes, pay them whatever they want. Also find out all you can about her. Quietly. Yes Sookie, no not the Queen Bobby don't be a fucking idiot, it's not what I pay you for. And no, do not alert the Queen.
Lorena. Yes, long time no see. I need a favor. Yes Lorena, I'm calling in a favor. The one where I didn't kill you in San Francisco. Well, I'd like you to come to Area 5 and reign in your progeny, Mr. Compton. Oh I know you're done with him Lorena. I didn't ask you to come here and rekindle things. I want you to help me torture him. Mmm. Glad to hear you're interested. Maybe afterwards we can…? Delightful.
I smiled. While I did not want the Queen's position for myself, I did not want her interference in my life. Soon I would have to remove Sookie from the area. I didn't think the Queen would act with aggression based on what I had done to Compton. She knew I hated him as much as he hated me. It was reasonable to her that I would have found a way to punish him. As for Lorena, I had no intention of sharing sheets with that filthy animal.
***Bill***
I lay on the bed, blood plastering the covers. Thankfully my room was light tight already, or I would have burned from inability to close the curtains the night previous. Eric had left me standing over my arms with blood gushing and had snatched up Sookie after she fainted, taking her out and away. Not a word was exchanged after that and I immediately went into sleep from the extensive injuries.
The blood had been drying to a stiffness that only it can manage. There were a great many things I could not do in my condition. Amongst those was call Sophie-Anne. A knock on the door startled me out of my contemplation. My nerves were completely shot with the night's events and my feelings of guilt and loss and I'd been laying here awake for hours.
"Compton? We're here with donors. Are you upstairs?" I didn't bother to answer.
I could hear them lumbering up the stairs. A few of the women gasped as they entered the room and saw the mess in front of them. One of them screamed as she tripped over my arms.
"Ok calm down ladies. I'll make sure to glamour you when it's over." Their handler said. The girls collectively sighed in relief. You'd think humans would not want their mind altered, but a great many could only handle what was assigned to them by forgetting about the bad things. The pay was good for donors, good enough to risk their life. Especially in the middle of Louisiana where the most they could hope for was a job as a clerk or waitress. Vampires always congregated in areas of low income where people desperate for a paycheck could disappear and no one had the money to do anything about it.
The first woman crawled over to my face her legs spread, exposing her femoral artery as she had been directed. I tilted my head back back and nestled myself against her leg before clamping down. Her gasp was satisfying and I pulled a pint and a half of blood from her. She would be tired, but unharmed. I sealed her wound out of courtesy with a lick. Our saliva has healing properties, which had helped hide our kind in the past.
I went through the string of girls in the space of five minutes. My arms were growing quickly, but they were disgusting stubs of bone and flesh; I was an amputee from the elbow down. At least 15 more donors needed. Maybe twenty.
The vampire keeper nodded at me and said he'd be back with twenty. The man was a good estimator of what injuries would heal with how much blood. He was probably Eric's primary punishment handler. Or secondary to Eric's child, Pam.
"I'll be back in an hour."
All of the girls hurried out and into the cars out front. The doors all slammed and the engine whirred out of my driveway.
Another hour, all to myself with my useless arms. It was less painful than the turmoil in my heart over what I had done to Sookie, which was growing worse by the hour.
***Niall***
I walked up the stairs behind Adele. It was true; Fintan had loved her with all his heart. Enough to keep me away from their children. Getting near this family again had required an invitation, which Adele had given me this night. It was late for her to have called me, but it must be dire circumstances. Truly, I had been waiting for this moment since Fintan had confessed his relationship with a human woman. Our kind had suffered losses within the noble ranks of the fae, and with them the energy they exuded to lesser fae. Vampire and Were scents attacked my nostrils while I walked up to my great-granddaughter's room. One of which was somewhat familiar to me that I would try to place later.
"Sookie, I have a visitor for you." Adele placed her hand gently on the door and spoke softly through it.
"I'm so tired… tell them to go away." I gently moved Adele out of the way before she could retort, motioning for her to proceed back down the stairs. Entering the room I carefully shut the door.
"Sookie." I walked to the foot of her bed where she was laying on her side facing her window and away from the door.
"Who are you? Are you Gran's friend?" She rolled over to face me, her body tensing.
"I am your great grandfather, Niall."
"Oh. I have one of those?"
"Yes Sookie. I have been waiting a long time to meet you."
"And where you before?" She looked healthy, stuffed to the gills with vampire blood. There were few things they were useful for, and this was one of the better purposes of vampires.
"I could not come to see you uninvited. But now I am here." I shook my head with regret. Fintan had worried about my designs on our descendents and he wasn't wrong in that. Where he was incorrect was that it was his children's right to make a choice if they had the essential spark. We were too far beyond respecting individual choice if our species was to survive. It only remained to be seen if she could contribute to the fae.
"Sookie, I am here to help you." I closed out the scents around me and looked intently at Sookie. Inside of her, I could see her essential spark's seed spinning like a tiny galaxy. She was absolutely fae, and with luck she would agree to come with me to meet her real family.
"Why do they want me Niall? Do you know?" She looked at him expectantly, wanting a reason for everything that had happened. Help is here, my sweet one, but maybe not in the way you expect.
"Sookie. Now is not the best time to let you know, but do know that I will be watching out for you and caring for you. Nothing will happen to you that you are unable to handle. Believe that."
I sealed the area with shields to stop prying ears, eyes and thoughts. Fintan must have blocked her spark to protect her from being found. It was an old and complicated spell, given that it had been years since the fae had to hide their children in plain site. Children were now so rare they never left the faerie realms. It was too bad that it had been held in stasis. Without it developing on its own, there was no way to tell how powerful or useful her spark was.
"But Niall, someone wants me for… something. The Queen vampire? She sent someone to collect me." I sucked in my breath. That fast. Vampires were like bloodhounds; once hooked to the scent they never stopped tracking it.
"I can take you away from all this Sookie. To a safe place. Would you come?"
"Can Gran come?"
"No, I am sorry. She is not able." I
"I can't leave her and I won't go otherwise. I'm not trying to be impudent, but why can't I be safe here?" So much for being able to slip her away into faerie, where no one without the essential spark could enter. But, now that I'd found her, I wouldn't lose her easily. It was inevitable that she would join her real family.
"You're different Sookie, from Adele and others."
"I know. Do you know what both of the vampires who want me said to me? 'What are you?'. Please tell me how I am different. I think I need to know to stay alive. One of the vampires is offering protection and I don't trust it, but it seems like I don't have a choice."
"If I could tell you, I would." I could tell her, but I couldn't trust her discretion under torture. "Now who is offering you protection?"
"Some Sheriff by the name of Eric." She looked miffed and offended. I sucked in a small breath; that was owner of the vampire scent. I had dealings with Eric and his maker in the past and they were respectable but fierce. It seemed convenient to allow Eric to watch over her at his expense if I could withhold my involvement from it until it became inconvenient. But Sookie would start developing her spark within days and the vampire would start asking questions of his connections shortly after. Eric was as sharp as a silver stake and if he knew her relation to him, he'd never dare harm her, but he would leverage her against me. If I asked him directly to defend her, he would readily agree knowing I owed him a favor. I wasn't in a position to protect her myself; my involvement would only worsen her safety. But she was valuable enough to me to wage a war against the local vampires, and possibly Louisiana in entirety, if anything happened to her.
"Eric is honorable enough. Has he attempted to…?"
"Oh yes, he has tried to get me out of my underwear all lickity split and get me to drink his blood. They can't… do this thing where they tell me what they want me to do. It was almost funny, but... "
Looks like that gift of his line couldn't be contained to her spark and was manifest throughout her life.
"Consider Eric your protection. Should he touch you I will deal with him."
"Even though he keeps hitting on me all the time? Are you fricking serious?"
"By hitting on I assume you mean he has been attempting to court your favor, yes. Even though he is doing that, he is only acting as such because he doesn't know your value."
"If I'm so valuable, why can't you help me on your own?"
"I'm not in a position to, given that I have many enemies. Eric is sufficient and if he says you are under his protection he does mean it."
"I don't trust him! Another vampire betrayed me in an attempt to take me to the Queen, so I don't understand why I should consider myself safe with him, with any of them."
"As loathe as I am to admit that there can be reliable vampires, there are some such as Eric who will do as they say they will. I've had experience with him before and I promise you that he will take care of you even if he is interested in you. Now, when did he give you his blood?" I watched her stiffen in confirmation. "How many times?"
"Once, an hour ago." She whispered and I sighed.
"Sookie. Do not give in to him again. Blood, or sex. Do you understand me? You could die."
"How can you say that? I'm drowning with nothing to protect myself but Eric and I could already die any day now. If you're asking me to consider Eric my protection then I should try and pay him back for it. He saved me, so maybe I should be giving him my blood and accepting it if he chooses to offer it. No sex I can agree to. And I'll try to make sure I don't bond, as they say."
If she had grown up fae, there would have been severe consequences for her insubordination. While I was convinced she would survive a bonding, the experiments we had conducted were not successful. She would manifest all of her abilities before it came to that, I was certain. It was important for her to come to her own without interference. We did not train our children into their gifts; fear and need were the roots to awakening. Sometime soon Eric would no longer be needed to protect her anyway.
"He does not need payment for your care. I trust your discretion regarding their blood. I must go now. And Sookie, you should fear them. It is healthy to do so." I portaled out of her room back to the Fae realm.
***Sookie***
Niall didn't seem like a vampire, but he disappeared from her room like a supernatural creature. When I looked at him straight he looked normal enough; a well dressed old man with long, curly white hair. But it was out of the corner of my eye that he looked wilder. Seeing him in my peripherals wasn't enough to know what I was looking at, though. Never had I encountered anything like him, where I could somewhat see that he was different but not quite.
His mind was there as I reached out, but it was untouchable. I could feel my mind sliding off of him like he was a wet water balloon when I reached out to get inside. The entire encounter was upsetting.
Well how about that. What conflicting information. Eric is honorable enough. But don't touch the vampire and don't let him touch you. But oh yeah, otherwise you can trust him. Nevermind that vampires are 33% blood drinkers, 33% sex and 33% conceited ass clowns. Leaving about 1% for brains. Oh, and I'm leaving you here to fend for yourself with Eric. So sorry.
I heard a tap at the door.
"Gran."
"I didn't know what else to do, I called him here. He's gone? I was waiting downstairs… "
"He disappeared from my room. I'd be celebrating having a great grandfather if things didn't suck so bad right now. I know you brought him to help, and I asked him but he said I'd be fine with Eric."
"He didn't help you. But he said you have Eric?" She looked devastated and beaten standing there in her nightgown.
"It's ok Gran, it's going to be ok. Niall said Eric is safe." Gran still said not a word and started wringing her hands together as tears pushed out of the sides of her eyes.
"Gran, what is he?" Silence.
"I don't know exactly."
"Huh. I assume there's so much out there that we don't know. I don't even have time to fathom."
***Sophie-Anne***
"Eric. I'm calling for a follow-up regarding Bill. I am asking for a special exception in the future for allowing me to handle Bill's punishment." I was not asking, but being polite is a part of distinguishing my rank.
"Yes your Majesty."
"I am making him the investigator for the area. He will manage all vampire crime and will dole out their punishments." The idea was to give Bill independence from Eric. I had to be careful not to put him on even footing with Bill, or Eric would investigate further into Bill's mission, if he already hadn't. I wouldn't put it past Eric to find what Bill was looking for. But he would cede the human to me if he had her. "You will keep your personal hatred for Bill to yourself."
"Yes Sophie-Anne." Chastising Eric was a gamble. His streak for independence was well known. But he had settled here for the first time in a long time, so this was his home. It was also clear that his child was very attached to him. Which was of use to me should he step out of line.
"Thank you Eric. I trust your discretion and cooperation in this matter."
***Bill***
I had to call Sophie-Anne and admit my failure. It was a gamble. Even though I had failed her, if I let the situation continue then the Queen would not have her prize. Northman had always been an asset to her, but a tenuous one. The Queen was aware that Northman could put her down in single combat. Better that she know the time had come to euthanize him.
"Sophie-Anne."
"Ah Bill. I have just finished chatting with our mutual friend Eric. I am making you an investigator of Area 5. You are aware of what those duties entail?"
"Apprehend vampires for crimes against humans and vampires."
"Good. Now to what do I owe the pleasure of this call?"
I told her everything. Every last part, and I did not bother to hide my failure. To do so would invite her to give me the true death, if I hadn't earned it already.
She was surprisingly calm on the other end of the line.
"Something like this was expected to happen with Northman eventually. It is good to have a reason to provide the Council, along with your evidence. While you have failed me, in many ways it was out of your hands once Eric realized you were after her. As you realize, he is much older than you, or I. So we will do nothing for now, and let him think you have not spoken to me on this matter."
"Sophie-Anne. I am forever grateful - "
"Don't grovel Bill. It does not suit you."
"What comes next?"
"You'll see."
***Eric***
I ended the call with Sophie-Anne. This was to be expected. I had a tentative plan to continue guarding Sookie and up security accordingly. Bill would admit to his failure and any plans I may have, if he already hadn't... If Sophie-Anne found out my involvement in guarding Sookie, I would have to say that I thought she was an asset and I was analyzing her in preparation to bring her to Sophie-Anne myself. And that the guards were to keep an eye on her under the guise of protecting her as it was only recently that Bill let me know the details of the mission. If Bill attempted to further throw me under the bus at that point instead of acquiescing to an agreement on a miscommunication between us, I would find a way to take him with me. If it meant becoming King by challenging Sophie-Anne it would be something I'd have to consider.
"Pam." She was there in a blink.
"Eric."
"Please assign a solid team of vampires to guard Sookie Stackhouse at night, for now. Inform the Weres that they will take over daytime shifts and supplement night shifts, and get every pack member possible. This includes local packs. Require them to carry weapons."
"Sundress? Eric, why-"
"Your trust is imperative. And your lack of knowledge in this situation will protect you should anything adverse happen. I won't let anything happen to you on my account."
Pam looked meek. She always did when the threat of losing me arose. But it did make her fight like a monster when I was under under attack. I had trained her in many styles of battle and I was happy to find she was ruthless, quick and had no hesitation. Our relationship was more intimate than many Makers and their children. I was never harsh with her when I did not need to be. I did not command her to do anything anymore; she did it out of respect. I have offered to release her, and she has steadfastly declined. It was good to have her near. She was my enforcer and she performed this duty with great effect.
"Eric, I will take a shift tomorrow night. I assume you are adding security because you anticipate an attack. From who is irrelevant. I will be there."
"That is wise. In the meantime, I will need to have another conversation with Bill, in person. That will have to wait until tomorrow."
***Sookie***
Screw you Eric. Not literally because we've been doing that in my dreams all night. Why oh why couldn't I get a good night's sleep around here without having sex with vampires in my head? The worst thing was how good it had been. Dream Eric was an attentive and almost… kind lover. If it was possible to be kind while he was pushing every button ruthlessly. While I couldn't believe I was analyzing dream Eric's lovemaking skills, it made me shiver to think that maybe it was how he actually was. Kissing and worshiping while wrenching pleasure pleasure roughly from me. I moved away from the wet spot I'd left on the bed.
It was late morning and Gran walked on the creaky hallway to my room to tap on the door.
"I'm awake Gran."
"Jason and Tara are coming by today. I thought… maybe you could talk to them."
"Thank you Gran. I love you." I said that last part desperately. I needed her to know I didn't blame her, that I loved her and trusted her.
"I love you too honey. I'm going to make you a late breakfast if that's all right."
"I'd love that." She flashed me a smile that I hadn't seen in a while and went downstairs to get started.
As much as I loved my brother and Tara, I didn't want them to see me like this. I wasn't physically battered, but my emotions were a mess. And I certainly did not want them to know the extent of what I had gotten into. Jason would howl at me endlessly and uselessly, and when he was done, Tara was going to rip me a new one.
There was a knock and the door opened downstairs and I knew it was Alcide. He exchanged words with Gran and made his way up to my room.
"I'm decent Alcide." Getting that out just before he was going to knock. The door squeaked open.
"I'm here to let you know that you have a lot of security today and that there could be a daytime attack as well."
"I know. More wolves?"
"Yes."
"Can I be an honorary pack member now? I'm surrounded by so many. I don't turn into a wolf but I have a lot of bark and maybe some bite."
"That you do." He chuckled. "Just letting you know, and I'll be on my way for now. You shouldn't see us much unless there's a threat. Glad to see you're better by the by." I smiled at him and he nodded.
"Alcide?" He was turning towards the door, but stopped and looked back at me in askance.
"Thank you for everything. You don't have to be here, but you are and I can't tell you how much I appreciate you're taking care of me." Nodding once more, he left the room and made his way out of the house. Which was just as well, because Jason and Tara came barreling up the stairs a half hour later. I could hear snippets of the conversation they had with Gran, along with hurried angry voices. The word "vampire" was easy to hear, given that it was said multiple times. They shoved my door open and laid into me without even saying hello.
"Sookie god damnit how did you get hit by a car?! What were you doing? Has the other guy been taken to the station?"
"Well Jason, I got hit by a car like many other people get hit by cars. Randomly. In this case, my car had broken down and no, the other driver was not caught." The words were hollow in my mouth as I thought about Bill's punishment from Eric. Yes he'd been caught, and he was in much worse of a state than being held by the police.
"Sook. You still consortin' with vampires?" Jason looked irate when my expression and words confirmed that this was the case.
"I have. And I ain't sure if it's any of your business!" It was Tara's turn now. Jason was fuming, and wanted to say more but was overcome by incredulity and anger.
"Girl, all of what you do is my business." Tara shot back.
"Sook, you need to stop this bull shit right now. Gran is worried sick, I can tell. Hell, I don't even know what's going on with you! And why are you perfectly fine. Weren't you hit by a car?" And there was Jason with the left hook.
He was right. I did look good. My skin was brighter as well as my hair. Generally, I had a bit of a glow.
"It wasn't that bad I guess."
"Gran said you was laid up."
"I got better."
"Sook. It's girl time. Jason? Out." Tara's turn again. Jason was more than happy to stomp away. He dealt with his problems using beer and sex. Like how he dealt with his day to day life.
"You been seeing a vampire Gran said. And you came home all bang'd up like you was in a car wreck. Then you're all better by the time we come over. And don't even get me started on the fact that you ain't telling the truth about some things. You know I can tell."
"Tara, if I tell you, your life could be in danger." Tara's eyes bored into mine.
"Stop being melodramatic. We've been best friends since we went to school together. I don't believe you're involved in something that you can't tell your bestfriend about." A lot of emphasis placed on the best friend part. Please don't let me lose her because of this.
"Ok, I'll try to do a shortened version. Basically vampires have a hierarchy that involves Queens and Kings. Even though they're makin' an attempt at mainstreaming, the Queen don't seem to care. She's coming after me, because I can read minds. But there's more to it. Apparently I am something beyond human. They all keep askin' me 'what are you?' and I don't know what to say Tara. They don't let up or leave off. Apparently I am super attractive to vampires. And then last night someone who said he was my great-grandfather said I was different, but wouldn't tell me what. Then he disappeared out of thin air. And the reason I'm not laid up right now? One of the vampires stopped by and healed me by giving me blood, which has made my body right as rain. My head? Not so much."
"So you vampire perfume, and all of them want a piece of the action."
"Yup. And I have the protection of the most badass of vampires in the area, and while I know he isn't going to just hand me over, he won't leave me alone either."
"You fucked."
"Yuuuuup."
"I'll be here for you. You want me to stay over tonight?"
"I don't think that's the best idea Tara. I think lot's of vampires are going to come tonight. And there's Werewolves in the woods that are here to protect me. Fucking Werewolves Tara."
"Sounds like you need me."
"Tara, if I'm going to die, then I don't want you coming with me. If Gran would leave this house I would ask her to. And please don't tell Jason. He'll just get up in arms but he doesn't have a lick of sense about what to do. You know that as well as I."
"You ain't gonna die Sook. And it sounds like someone wants to keep you alive who isn't the Queen?" She hugged me tight and kissed my forehead. "I'll come back in a day or so and check on you, and I'll call Gran tomorrow. I'd stay, but I have to work. "
Tara left the room and shut the door behind her. When I heard Jason's truck engine, I knew she had left with him.
I cried some more. Wolves in the woods, Eric in my dreams, Niall unable to help. Nothing was going well.
I took some time to relax and eat lunch with Gran before Sam came over. Gran made some simple tuna fish sandwiches, for which I was grateful.
"Gran. I'm sorry for dragging all this into our lives. I should have never let that vampire come over."
"Sookie, it's not your fault. Clearly you're caught up in something that neither of us understands. Life happens. Though this is out of the normal scope, god don't give us what we can't handle."
"Thanks Gran." I teared up again when we held each other, her hand on my head slowly stroking my hair.
"Hello the house!" Sam. I got up to let him in while Adele brought out another table setting for Sam.
"Hello Mrs. Stackhouse." He nodded at her as she walked towards him with arms outstretched.
"Will you be lunching with us Mr. Merlotte?"
"Unfortunately I've already eaten, or I'd be enjoying some of your amazing southern spread. if you ever think about being a chef, you should come work for me." Gran loved this little joke between her and Sam.
"It's just tuna sandwiches today Sam. I'll let you and Sookie catch up while I clean!"
I walked up the stairs with Sam trailing closely behind me. We entered my room and he shut the door before hissing at me.
"You smell like vampire. You drank their blood, I smell it on you. And what are so many Weres doing in your woods? Sookie, fuck. What is going on?"
I did not want to be judged. I thought I had done everything I could to avoid this, but it kept winding up on my doorstep.
"Sam. I will not have from you give me the same rundown I've gotten from Jason. A lot of this I had nothing to do with directly. It's about my disability. I can read thoughts Sam. All of them, everyone's. I can find what they hate, who they love and everything in between. Yes Sam, think about that." This was the first I had openly admitted it, and everything it meant. Sam had an idea, but I think he realized in that moment that I knew how he felt about me. "The vampires want me Sam, and the Weres are to protect me from the vampire who is trying to take me."
"Sookie… I'm sorry for getting upset. But… why did you drink their blood? And why Weres? Who is offering you protection?"
"The car accident. I would have died Sam. I was forced the first time to drink, but the second time I accepted because I felt I had no other choice in order to live through what was likely comin' next. Apparently I need daytime protection as well as night, and the vampire who is offering is Eric. Have you heard of him?" Sam froze for a moment before grabbing my arms.
"Sookie, he's coming here tonight?"
"Yeah. He says the Queen wants me, but accepting his protection doesn't mean I'm his. I'm not letting him in my house again for sure."
"Listen to me carefully. Eric Northman is the most powerful vampire in the state of Louisiana and maybe even beyond. He may not be a Monarch, but that is by choice. Do you understand me? If he claims you as his own, you are safe from everyone else, but not from him." Sam was near to tears, as if I was a terminally ill person. Maybe I was, in a roundabout way. "You need to shower before he comes. If he smells me on you, he will be furious and may come after you and me. Vampires are notoriously possessive and Eric isn't likely to be different."
"Pfffft. I can handle Eric Northman."
Sam bit his lip. "No you can't Sookie. Everyone who has gone against Northman has died or been punished severly. He is feared throughout America."
"Then how do I get out of this?" His fear was spreading to me. Niall had said Eric was honorable, but hearing that the noose of his protection was nigh inescapable was different. I may never walk free, and it was a thought I'd never considered before.
"You don't."
"But there has got to be a way to leave this whole thing behind!"
"Listen. Normally I would never suggest this, but if there are lots of vampires after you and if a strong one is offering you protection, take it." I tried to interrupt. "No, no Sookie, you're not understanding. If the vamps want you, you're as good as theirs. But if one of them is offering to keep you away from the rest, it's better him than all of them."
I got the picture immediately. Sam thought that I was going to be raped. And maybe I was. Maybe it would only be a choice of who. Again I pictured dream Eric and wanted to think it might not be the worst thing, but shook it off when I realized I was fueling a bad case of Stockholms.
"I gotta go Sook. I'm… so sorry this is happening to you. The only thing further I can say is that you have to take that shower and recognize that if he has day and night guards on you, at least he cares about keeping you intact."
"That's great Sam. I'm all protected then. Except the small, itty bitty, tiny issue of Eric Northman eventually jumping my bones. Yup. Everything's just peachy keen over here."
"Bye Sookie." He left like I was dying and this was the last time he'd see me. I saw the tears in his eyes as he shut my door and realized he couldn't take it. I didn't read his mind; seeing his face told me all I needed to know.
"Bye Sam." I said to no one.
***Sookie***
I took a shower that day, as Sam suggested. Night was falling once more and today had been exhausting. Gran and I had a quiet dinner before both of us headed up to bed early. Not much was spoken between us, but a lot was said. She was sorry, and so was I. We were both hurting and loving the other fiercely. Neither of us dared to say that circumstances could come to separate us. We may have to go on the run or something like that. But it wasn't a conversation we had to have yet.
***Eric***
When the sun set I rose and gave all of my vampires their marching orders. Pam, Longshadow, Thalia and a few new vampires went to Sookie's. I went to Bill for negotiations. When I arrived I gave Bill the courtesy of knocking. Contractors had been sent by me to fix his door and some of the interior. This courtesy was more shameful than the havoc I had wreaked on his house and person. By doing this, I subtly declared him my responsibility as a subject to my area.
Bill opened, with his arms fully recovered. His expression was one of apprehension.
"Bill."
"Eric."
"I have a little matter to discuss with you."
"Please do come in."
I walked through to the foyer to his parlor. He had renovated the house quickly. When I had run through I had noticed the elegance but a deeper look showed me how much identity he attached to luxury.
"Bill. Have you checked this room for bugs or have you installed any yourself?"
"If I had, I wouldn't tell you."
"Of course, your gravestone?"
"Acceptable." We both vamped out of the house to the graveyard.
"If you haven't already, you will eventually admit your mistake to Sophie-Anne." His posture changed.
"Oh good, you have already done so? You're such a good little boy Bill." He was on the verge of snarling at me. "Calm yourself. I have a proposition for you."
"What."
"When this is all over, Sophie-Anne will stake you. It will happen, now that she can't trust you. Her most powerful Sheriff, an asset to her, was able to thwart you. Thus making me no longer an asset, and you an accessory to the beginnings of my so-called betrayal."
I could see Bill thinking it over. Not that he had much to think on. I was right.
"So what do you propose."
"Betray your Queen, and when this is over, you will have the crown. You're aware I do not want it." If it was anything that this pathetic excuse for a vampire wanted more of, it was prestige. I could see him show the slightest interest, which spoke volumes.
"I cannot have the crown while my maker has a hold on me. What's my leverage and what methods would you have me apply?"
"I will take care of Lorena. Sophie-Anne will attack soon, as you likely realize. I am ready for her; not one of her people will escape. She will then ask you and I where her vampires are. You will tell her the truth and say that I killed all of them. Sound panicked Bill, not that you will need any acting to do so. Once she tries at night with our kind, she will send a day team. They will die too. As long as there are no bodies we cannot technically be accused of anything. And if I do happen to lose… You are still technically being honest with Sophie-Anne about the deaths of her army. But you'll want to leave the state anyway."
"And what what if she keeps coming?"
"We'll wait for any other move from her after those two attacks occur. She may go straight to the Council, but with no proof that will not go over well. She may have to send her children and call in any favors held. But as you are aware, Monarchs aren't in the favor business. She has no Maker, no siblings, and is not well respected by the other Monarchs or council for her illegal procurement of humans. Everyone knows, but there's no evidence besides her procurer of course. But if you were to go to the Council, they'd stake you too for cooperation. So she needs to be ousted in some other manner, leaving you free to take the throne unencumbered by a record of being against mainstreaming and without a living maker. No, it's her children that have always kept her safe, not much else. Without them she is nothing, which is her not-so-hidden secret."
I could see him process all this.
"Bill, I will do this with or without your help. If you get in my way, I will call in my favors and you will wish you had faced the true death."
"I will help, but I am playing the odds Northman. Tell me more about what you wish me to do."
I was about to detail the plan when I felt Pam's bond twitch with battle-lust. It was happening.
"The battle is here. Stay in your home until it's over."
***Pam***
I stood outside the girl's house. It was early in the evening and there were five vampires attendant. Long Shadow, Thalia and three newer vampires. If anyone was the killing machine in Eric's retinue, it was Thalia. That girl, well, girl-like thing, hated everyone and everything. The humans gobbled it up like candy. Thalia was loved as much as she hated.
The new shift of Weres had showed up finally, stripping off their clothes and shifting into the woods. I could feel Eric moving to Bill's.
The woods were filled with sounds of bugs and small animals chirping. And the graveyard near by was a nice touch to the fog slipping between the trees. I could hear it all. I never stopped reveling in my abilities and benefits as a vampire. The hearing, speed, sight, strength, lust.
I noted the two blood bags in the house, sleeping soundly.
A whooshing was all I heard before they were on us.
