A/N: All the rights to the SVM characters are the property of Charlain Harris. No infringement is intended
CHAPTER NINE
Kashmir
SPOV
I was in complete darkness then suddenly the lights clicked on. I was standing in a smallish room with what appeared to be a small kitchenette a bed, toilet, and a small desk with several screens on it. Omigod, a panic room. I sat on the bed trying to figure out what had just happened. I could feel a rush of emotions through the bond; lust, desire, fear, pain, and anguish. This went on for what felt like hours, but I knew it was ten minutes at best. The bond began lull and I felt myself stiffen in anticipation, what was happening? I curled into a ball hugging my knees and closed my eyes tight. Suddenly, I felt a sense of calm.
EPOV
"NOW!" I roared.
Sookie looked confused and terrified. I had seen this look in the final moments of one of my meals. She ran into the closet. It every once of my will not to pursue her. I felt her confusion and relief when she got the door to open. When I heard the clank of the safe room lock I released. I began to tear the room apart breaking the posters on the bed as I bound onto the bed. I writhed on bed rubbing myself in the scent of her, of us. I clawed and ripped at the bed I bit into my wrist and felt my release and the blood oozed into my mouth. I collapsed onto the bed. I could feel her fear through the bond.
'What have I done?' I thought to myself. I sat up on the bed and sat with my head in my hands. It has finally happened. Surely now after this she will realize that her love for him was unnatural and she would fear him as humans should fear all Vampire. His greatest fear other than their deaths. He had lost control and frightened her. Eric sat immobile in that position his mind racing. All this time he had been able to control himself her blood was intoxication and their bond was strong, but tonight had been different. He thought back on what had just happened. He remembered waking up and feeling the comfort of her close proximity through the bond. He began his usual routine holding her tight and inhaling her scent.
Her scent.
Her scent is not what it usually is. She smells the same just more aromatic. The phone in his night stand went off and he knew Dr. Ludwig had arrived.
'Shit.'
He answered the phone.
"Dr. Ludwig to see Miss Stackhouse."
"Enter," I hit the button to open the gate. I just threw on my jeans lying on the floor and went to the door. Dr. Ludwig was at the door and I could see her driver waiting in the black BMW.
"Viking," the little Dr. quipped.
I had only a vague idea of what the little Dr. was. Gossip in the Supe world was impossible. I recognized her as Hobbit. No one knows much about them. They are secretive, do not tend to mix with other creatures, and are not of this realm. I can only recall meeting one. I was roaming the Big Isle of Europe with a young Vampire named Dante Alighieri in 1351 as the black plague was coming to an end. Back then a plague or disaster hit and the world became a smorgasbord for Vampires. We glamoured a maiden we caught at dusk gathering water from a well to let us into her home. We drained her family save herself and her brother, Dante preferred men. We stayed a few days feeding from them, and leaving their deaths to be blamed on the plague. When Dante decided he would keep the boy as a pet. Leaving the village the boy became ill he was too weak to travel so Dante decided to drain him. Taking the boy into the alleyway of a local Tavern we met a drunken Hobbit who introduced himself as Mungo Tussock from Oatbarton . The Hobbit said he was traveling with a carnival of Supes that had set up camp near the village. He wanted to know if he could barter for the human. Mungo claimed to be an Alchemist. He said that he would give us each an Origanum flower pod. I knew what they were and was intrigued. I had heard that the seeds attracted Garden Fae. He said that he needed the boy for 'research.' We gave him the boy and took the pods. We were duped of course since neither Dante nor I have actually seen an Origanum pod. Dante was furious and wanted revenge. We tracked the little Hobbit to the carnival site only to find they had left. Dante was angry enough to pursue the creature. I was not as deeply offended as it had been Dante's pet so we parted ways.
POV
The Viking opened the door looking a bit tousled.
"Viking." I greeted him. As pleasantly as I could. Evening appointments irritated me, but his little Telepath Fae would pay for my retirement at this rate. He stood there looking quite stupefied.
"I have come to examine the girl, may I come in?" All beauty not brains with this one.
"Of course," he moved aside and motioned me in.
"Where is the girl?" I asked growing annoyed.
The Viking shut the door and said that there had been a 'development.'
'Now what' I thought to myself. Then I actually looked at him. There was blood smeared on his face and bare chest and his eyes were wild with what appeared to be fear.
"What have you done Northman? Where is Sookie?" I was trying not to shout, but I had come to like the little danger prone girl. I feared that perhaps her Fae blood had finally over took him and he had killed her. He slumped and proceeded to tell me the events of the evening. He led me to a hidden door in a closet and we descended to his lair. I told him to give me the code to the safe room and to leave.
"I assure you I am in control of myself," He protested.
"Now you are. She may be very afraid of you right now. So please, go upstairs. I will bring her up after I have examined her. He retreated up the stairs. I went into the closet to the safe room door. I could not believe my eyes when the door opened. Sookie lay on the bed in a fetal position sleeping. She jumped up when she heard the door close. I knew exactly what had happened.
"By The Lady of Lórien," I gasped. I could not believe it.
SPOV
I heard the click of the door open and I jumped up. Dr. Ludwig was standing in the doorway.
"By The Lady of Lórien," she gasped.
"Oh Dr. Ludwig where is Eric is he okay?" I could feel the tears starting to pool in my eyes. I could not take losing him. She put her little hand up indicating I should stop where I was. Closing the gap between us she stared up at me like I was the weirdest thing she had ever seen and I know this woman (or whatever she was) knew weird.
"Sookie," she said slowly as if I was the one who'd just had a freak out. "Where is the bracelet?"
"What?"
"Bracelet you had on the other day when I examined you." She held out her hand.
"I have it on." I held up my hand with the bracelet dangling from my wrist. She grabbed my hand closing the gap between us. She eyed the stones on the bracelet carefully then she looked up at me with a look of wonder in her eyes. This could not be good.
"Sit down," Dr. Ludwig instructed. I sat while she examined me. She took a little purple bottle of her bag.
"Drink this," she handed me the bottle. It tasted bitter and awful. I gagged.
"You must finish it," she commanded. We sat in silence for a few moments and then I felt it. It was like I had just put the finest silk robe on my naked body. I had completely forgotten I was naked. And reached for a blanket.
"Dress and meet us upstairs we must speak to the Viking." She turned and punched a code into the panel. The door slid open and I followed her out. She continued up the stairs while I stared at the destruction. Two of the posters on the four poster bed were torn off, and the blankets and mattress were torn to shreds. I grabbed a gown from my drawer and went up stairs. Walking down into the sitting room I saw the Dr. sitting opposite Eric, who stiffened when he saw me.
"Please sit Sookie; the Viking will be able to control himself." Dr. Ludwig motioned or me to sit.
Dr. Ludwig looked from me then to Eric and cleared her throat before she began, " Sookie when I saw you wearing an Animus Stone bracelet it had not even crossed my mind to warn you. After all you are bedding a Vampire and under no circumstances have I ever heard it told of them being anything but sterile, so you can imagine my surprise." She sighed. "Considering your 'unusual' genetics I suppose anything could be possible," She seemed to be talking more to herself at this point.
"What does the bracelet have to do with anything?" Eric sounded a little wound up. The little Dr. seemed to snap out of her ramblings.
"Animus diamonds are from the realm of Kashmir. They are extremely rare and expensive because of this. I have a few in Fae, but this is only the second occasion where I have seen an active stone."
It was obvious to Dr. Ludwig that Eric and I were clueless, because this explanation was met by blank stares from the both of us so she continued to explain. "Armisael are the only beings able to make the transfer and enliven the stones with a soul."
"A WHAT?" Eric and I exclaimed at the same time.
"Another name for Animus Diamonds is 'Soul Diamonds' they are used in Elvin fertility ceremonies," She continued. Kashmir is a dangerous realm and you risk life and limb in a search for such stones, and in the event you are successful they are of no use without the aid of an Armisael Fae or Angel of the Womb, which I assure you, is unlikely. Though powerful, I must assure you that I am quite shocked that it worked with a Vampire. We must set up prenatal visits to monitor this pregnancy very closely..."
Pregnancy.
Did she just say PREGNANCY?
I felt as if I was going to faint.
I tried to focus on rest of Dr. Ludwig's words, but I felt dizzy.
"Sookie, other aspects of your genetic makeup seem to have been activated with conception. Your fae scent is very strong because of the hormone fluctuations of pregnancy. The tincture I gave you earlier will mask your scent for awhile. Hopefully, Eric will be able to acclimate to you your scent as the effects will wear off slowly. If not you can always take more. Well be sure to get lots of rest and try to avoid Lemons, Iron and Garlic. I will send my assistant with some prenatal vitamins. I will have Gertie call to make a follow up appointment and I should now more then. Congratulations." She stood up. "I can show myself out."
Eric and I sat on the couch staring at each other. Pregnant? This was not happening. I felt my eyes begin to sting.
"I am a homeless, telepathic-barmaid, unwed mother," I wailed and collapsed into the sofa sobbing. Eric was next to me in a flash holding me.
"This has been a very dramatic evening Lover." He rubbed my back while he spoke.
I sniffed and looked up at him. I could feel love, and happiness through the bond.
All I could do was cry.
A/N* Please review and let me know what you think so far. I have an outline through CH 15, Do you think I should continue? Please review.
