Chapter 7:
TPOV
When the Northman called, I actually smiled. I knew he would have a vested interest in my companion and I had, in truth, expected his call for the last fifty years. Imagine my surprise when he called because his newest progeny Brandt had apparently become infatuated with the one who walked the night with me. He was short and direct, but I heard the questions he did not ask.
And although I felt indebted to him, that debt kept me from telling him what he wanted to hear. Pam had asked me 50 years ago to fulfill a debt on his behalf. She was clear that Northman knew nothing of this favor, and reminded me that he still had almost 150 years of servitude. That he was in a stasis, and that knowledge of this would only serve to make him despondent and grumpy. A state in which Pam had seen him before. A state that would make him vulnerable.
I held him in too great of a respect to contribute to anything that could make him vulnerable. His safety in his contract with Oklahoma rested in his strength – that was something all vampires were aware of. The Viking had been trapped as a sort of bodyguard for Queen Freyda's kingdom. He would lose all usefulness if he had no impetus to be strong – and the secret, Pam's secret, would zap all his strength.
And so I lied.
"Thalia."
"Northman."
"Brandt said you have a bonded companion."
"She is not my bonded."
"But she is someone's."
"No. She lied. She did not want your child. He was aggressive and she wanted his advances to stop. She assumed that using the word 'bonded' would have stopped him in his tracks."
"He is enamored with her. He is skilled sexually. Why would she refuse him?"
"I do not question my companion's motives, Northman."
"Then I request to ask her my question."
"I refuse to give you access to my companion."
"Thalia, you are not her maker."
"No."
I could almost hear the silent questions swimming around in the Northman's head, but I do not answer questions that have not been asked.
"Will you send her to Oklahoma?"
"No, it is not my place to decide my companion's coordinates."
"Very well." And with that the line went dead.
I scrambled to dial a familiar number to inform of my conversation with the Northman. I said my piece and hung up immediately.
"He may not know why, but he is very interested in Susan."
