A/N: After months of silence, I am back. My computer was on the fritz and kept shutting down on me at random inopportune moments. I've been operating from my phone this whole time. Luckily, Santa brought me a new ultrabook so I can start writing again. I have missed you all so much. I hope that this chapter serves as a proper apology. The story thus far: Eric kidnapped Sookie to get her to admit her feelings for him, she decides she'd like to take him up on his offer of turning her, but he says she needs to think about the consequences a bit more. Before they can get to any real fun, Eric gets a call from Thalia saying that Pam has disappeared. Eric and Sookie are flying the "old-fashioned" way to get back to Shreveport by dawn.
Eric's POV:
After the initial "takeoff" and ascent into the night sky, the journey became a little less bumpy. Sookie commented that it was actually colder above the cloud cover. I never really noticed, but I supposed it was. When it became particularly chilly, I unzipped my parka and brought her closer into my embrace.
Feeling Sookie settle, I took the time to think up some strategy. I could feel my child closer than she should have been in Shreveport so she was definitely in another state further north. I puzzled over which vampire had a bone to pick with me. Rhode Island loathed me, and was constantly trying to pick a fight, but Cornelius was in Prague according to my reliable sources. I wouldn't know who had Pam until I tracked her down. What was odd was the lack of emotion to her apparent abduction. I would have felt if she had been in peril. She would have called to me through our bond. There still was no unusual emotion on her end. That fact made me wary.
There were few that could match Pam's skill in fighting. I had taught her all I had learned in my thousand years on this plane and she adapted to each opponent flawlessly. She was graceful and precise in her dance of death.
I paused to ruminate on whether Pam had any known enemies, that were not finally dead that is. My child had always heeded my warning "when in doubt, take them out." As a younger vampire she could not afford to play puppeteer, as I had learned to do, after a milenia of practice. Unless I ordered her otherwise, she was to take out any perceivable threat. If this rule were not enforced, Sookie would have been dead and in the ground years ago. The thought made me growl. No matter what happened to me, Sookie would be safe always.
I had barely reached the continental United States before I felt my cell phone vibrate in my pocket.
"Northman."
"Eric, I hope I'm not calling you at an inconvenient time." I recognized the voice of the sovereign of Oklahoma, Queen Freyda. I had met her back in the old world, back before my maker released me. What the hell was she calling me for?
"Not at all, Your Majesty. What may I do for you this evening?"
"Actually, it's what I can do for you. I'm having the contract sent to you, but I thought it would be nice if we could chat a little."
"Whatever this is regarding, majesty, it will have to wait for some time. I'm afraid I'm not available for any negotiations at the moment." I had to focus on locating and rescuing Pam.
"Oh, what on earth could keep you away from me, Eric, dearest? Is this regarding the sudden disappearance of your child?" I was shocked that she could know that so fast. Then again, monarchs employed highly trained spies.
"Forgive me, majesty, but yes Pamela has gone missing."
"Well then allow me to assuage your fears, my darling. Your child is here with me in my summer palace. Also another friend of yours is eagerly awaiting your arrival. Would you like to say hello?"
Before I could respond, I heard a voice I had tried to forget for seven hundred years. Even with all the background noise and the wind, I could feel his words make me tremble. "Hello, my child."
"Appius, I'm in no mood for pleasantries or games. What have you done with Pamela?"
"I owe a bit of a favor to Queen Freyda and she requested for you to be her consort. Naturally, I thought you would be thrilled so I brought Pamela here to deal with all the arrangements."
"I don't have time to be somebody's consort. I'm already Sheriff of Area Five, as you well know."
"Nonsense, DeCastro has already given you his blessings. He positively insisted that you move to Oklahoma at once. Your position has already been filled. There's nothing to worry about."
"I have other obligations in the state Appius. My affairs need to be settled."
"Ah yes, affairs such as a certain blonde barmaid? Of course, you're more than welcome to bring her along as well. I imagine she'll spice the donor pool up nicely."
"She is my bonded. I will not place her so below her station."
"Oh, but you must share her Eric. I hear she smells absolutely scrumptious."
I couldn't help the growl that slipped past my lips. "Very well. I can see we both grow weary of the pleasantries. You will come to Oklhoma and marry Freyda, and you will bring the telepath with you. As your maker, I command you."
A/N: Duh Duh DUUUUUUUHHHH! How did y'all like it? I know I'm speeding up events here, but it certainly livens things up. Please review if you have the chance. It's certainly nice to be back.
Love,
PIP
