Recap: Sam reveals to Sookie that he has an "understanding" with Eric concerning her safety. Sookie and Eric reaffirm their blood bond in a much less than elaborate way, and Sookie hears something she doesn't think she should...
What the fuck why can't I get around this house god damn maybe that roommate of hers is a fucking freak too what the hell...
Giving Eric a push, I shot up sharply and strained to hear more of the intruder's thoughts, relieved that Amelia's wards still held up. My eyes darted around the room and I whispered to Eric that someone was trying to get in. Wordlessly, he nodded and glided out the window, possibly to get this attacker from behind.
And as he left, I heard him thinking about whether or not he should kill the man. I let out an exasperated breath and tried to steady myself; that conversation was just going to have to wait. After bonding for the first time I had caught a little of what he was thinking, so I wasn't too worried about it, but we had just made the blood bond stronger so it might last a little longer.
Thankfully, I discovered Eric had decided not to kill the man when I went downstairs. Eric, always crafty, had him tied up to one of my kitchen chairs with some rope he must have found on the porch. The man was squirming, red-faced, and projecting horrible, cruel thoughts at me; purposefully or accidentally, I wasn't sure.
"I suggest you question him before I break his neck," Eric said nonchalantly. Despite his calm demeanor, I could tell he was angry- his face was hard, his lips set in a firm line. He was leaned up against the wall, arms crossed over his chest, but I could tell his fists were clenched.
Cautiously, I reached over to the wiggling man and went to rest my hand on his shoulder. He howled, turned his head and snapped his jaws, inches away from biting me. "Don't you touch me, you fangbanging whore!'
The minute he began to speak Eric appeared next to him and gave him a good backhand. With any man other than Eric, the action would have seemed ridiculous, but I knew the cool marble and strong force of the slap was worse than a fist to the face. Blood trickled from the man's lip and Eric leaned down to look him in the eye. "You do not talk to her like that. If not for her, you would be dead." Eric paused for dramatic effect. "You will cooperate," he ordered, "And you will be respectful to Sookie, or I will torture you."
A series of responses ran through the man's head, his favorite being spitting on Eric. Thank god for him, he decided against it and just nodded.
Again, I reached out to place my hand on his shoulder, and was met with no threats. Protectively, Eric stood next to me, sending soothing, calm feelings through the bond.
Within seconds I had plucked out plenty of information. I relayed it to Eric. "Clark Halloway. Thirty-two. Wife, Annie. Two kids; Eliza, six, and Brad, three. Has had four affairs," I shot Clark a dirty glare, "And is a member of the fellowship."
As I gathered more information I let out a gasp. "His most recent mistress was Arlene; she told him about me and my uh.. handicap. He hasn't told any of the other members. But they know I'm connected to you."
Eric nodded, urging me to go on. Clark shifted in his bindings and groaned a little. "Oh god... oh, Eric, they want you to.. oh god," I moaned and swayed on my feet, removing my hand from Clark's shoulder so quickly you'd think he was made of fire. Eric caught me before I fell, concern written over his features.
"What's wrong, dear one?"
"They want to convince you to meet the sun."
After revealing the fellowship's plans to Eric, I was too exhausted to stand and wait as he decided what to do with Clark. Eric had helped me back to my room and into bed, then returned to the kitchen to call Pam and deal with Clark. Because he had kids, I didn't want him to die; Eric had sensed this and reassured me that he would be glamored so heavily that not only would he hate the fellowship and all it stood for, but he would devote his love to his wife and children. No more affairs for Clark Halloway. It was such an un-Eric thing to do- saving a marriage and a worthless life- but I was grateful that he did it for my benefit.
After maybe two hours, I heard Pam leave with Clark in tow, and Eric slipping into bed with me. Thinking I was sleeping, he spooned me, draping one pale arm over my waist.
"I'm so sorry, lover," he whispered softly before nuzzling his face into my hair.
Well, that was weird. No way was I going to let that go. "For what?"
He didn't jump, but I could tell he was surprised I had responded. "Tonight did not go as I planned. I wanted our renewal to be glorious, as it should have been the first time we bonded. Instead, it was just as before; rushed due to unfortunate circumstances."
I just shrugged and turned in his arms, snuggling into his hard chest. "I thought it was fine. It was still... pleasurable," I purred. "We can make it a whole big thing next time, if you want."
"Will there be a next time?" he asked. I didn't have to look up to see that he was grinning like the Cheshire cat.
I mumbled a yes. Another idea popped into his head and he questioned, "Did you see the kitchen table?"
When I woke up this morning and went to make my coffee, I had almost been scared to see what was left of my grandmother's kitchen table; the one Eric and I had broken in a round of nookie. But when I rounded the kitchen corner and saw it, my breath had stopped in my throat. It looked perfect; the broken shards of wood were back in place, and upon further inspection I had noticed you couldn't even tell that it had been broken in the first place. "Oh, I forgot to thank you for that! It's perfect. Thank you so much."
His chest swelled with pride. Ever the arrogant vampire, he said, "Yes, it does look even better then before, doesn't it?"
I snickered and nodded, then remembered how I had heard him earlier, so I quickly asked him about it.
"Ah," he breathed out. "It is possible you will be able to, if we continue to reaffirm regularly. It might just be my thoughts, because we are bonded; or it could be all vampires. Remember that shared gifts are sometimes a circumstance of bonding, Sookie: if you are able to hear me, I will be able to hear you, too."
The thought was kind of creepy. The reason I liked being around vampires so much was because I didn't have to hear their thoughts; it would complete silence, bliss, all the time. Eric sensed my hesitation and tried to send relaxation through the bond.
"Don't worry so much, Sookie. There is a very small chance of that happening; let's not think about it unless it happens."
Don't worry? Not only was there a possibility that I would soon be able to hear his thoughts, but there was a possibility the fellowship was going to kidnap him and force him to commit suicide: vampire edition.
"I can't not worry, Eric. That's a huge thing. Plus, in case you forgot, the fellowship is after you. That's a lot to worry about," I reminded him.
He let out a pft sound. "Hardly a concern, my sweet."
"Hardly a concern?" I repeated, pushing away from him. "Hardly a concern?! Eric, you could leave me for good!"
At this he shot upright, pulling me with him, his head ducked to peer into my eyes in the darkness. "I am more concerned that they are using you to get to me. Because of their tactics, Sookie, they will be dealt with immediately. I will keep you safe. Worrying about me is pointless; I will be fine. You must sleep now, lover."
But the adrenaline from arguing was still pumping through my veins. "You know, that's another thing, I don't like you calling me lover. I am a wo-"
He cut me off. "An argument for another time, Sookie. Sleep, please," he almost begged. With a sigh I complied, lowering myself to the mattress. He followed suit and I cuddled against him, trying to brush away my anxiety as I closed my eyes.
