Chapter Ten
Bill watched the city of New Orleans pass by him through the dark limo-tinted windows of the big, black SUV as it slipped unnoticed through the night. He was dressed in a tailor made Italian suit, he had to give The Authority some credit, when he was being fitted for it he couldn't help but feel slightly amused… the outcome of a Tribunal such as his could easily be meeting the True Death but at least he'd look damn nice before he died!
All too soon they were turning into a secure parking structure that from outside looked just like many others in the area. Once the heavy metal door closed behind them, things were radically different. The inside of the roll-up door was faced with silver and the level they drove to was ringed with guards all of whom were in full SWAT regalia but Bill knew the truth of what a human wouldn't see. Their weapons were loaded with lethal rounds capable of killing human and vampire alike and the human to vampire ratio within their numbers were most assuredly vampire heavy. Bill also knew that all of the vampire guards would be older than him by decades at the very least. It was just one more precaution The Authority made sure was to their advantage. Once the SUV came to a stop, Bill was whisked inside and deposited into a rather luxurious, but functional holding cell with highly comfortable leather chairs beside a sizable mahogany table.
There he was met by his counselor for the Tribunal, Lord Drustan DeBusaery and even though he was around 600 years old, he'd been turned when he was just shy of thirteen years of age. And while looks could be deceiving, Bill had complete confidence in him. He was wicked smart with an eidetic memory, a rare holdover from his youth. There was nothing he couldn't recall, cite or refute with amazing accuracy. Few in the world could afford him and luckily for Bill, Mr. Garth was among them.
After greeting Lord DeBusaery with a deep bow, his Lordship motioned for Bill to take a seat and then began to go over the plan of action. More than an hour later, Bill was still listening intently. The two men were in deep discussion when there was a knock at the door. The Lord called out, "Enter."
The door opened and two smartly attired Authority guards stepped inside, both bowed quickly to Lord DeBusaery and one said quietly, "It is time for us to bring the prisoner to his place."
Both men stood and Drustan placed a hand on Bill's shoulder and gave it a squeeze. "You'll be home soon Bill, do not fear for your existence."
Bill nodded then stepped toward the waiting guards, arms extended and they quickly snapped softly padded cuffs upon him. They were of a substantial amount of silver but humanely covered to prevent skin contact and burning. Bill was not considered a flight risk and his impeccable manners and demeanor had awarded this small kindness.
Together with Lord DeBusaery, he was led to an elevator and taken to the room where the Tribunal would be held. As Bill expected, it was elegantly understated while still remaining opulent. The dais held assorted heights of seating with a large half circle which hid the bottom halves of the intricately carved high-backed seats. It took Bill a moment before he recognized the wood as Madagascar Ebony.
As Bill's guards removed his cuffs, he studied the front piece of the solid Judge's bench which was Parana Pine found in the Brazilian Rainforest. Bill knew that both woods were critically endangered now but had been plentiful when these trees had been felled. Bill lips curved upwards slightly as he thought of how much useless knowledge a mind was capable of remembering at his age.
Bill glanced at his wristwatch and at 12:00 sharp one of the Honor Guard struck the floor with the bottom part of his staff. All those present either stood and bowed their heads or knelt as a door to the left opened and the Officiator stepped through the door followed by 16 members of the Vampire Ruling Class and One True Authority. Two of the Honor Guard moved to either side of the door and as the first Lord of the Tribunal walked forward they stepped behind him and stood behind his chair, the same show of respect followed with the second Lord and then three Honor Guards took their places as the Lord High Minister entered the room. He slowly walked to his seat, his vivid, indigo violet, jewel encrusted robes sparkling in the muted light. The Lords on either side had their heads bowed and as the Lord High Minister took his seat the others then followed suit.
They seemed calm and unhurried, typical older vampires, their faces serene giving no sign that the proceedings were to determine if Bill would meet the True Death. One of the Lords didn't appear quite as serene as his counterparts. He seemed to view Bill disdainfully but before Bill could give it much thought, the Lord High Minister nodded his head once and all in the room took their seats or got up off their knees. As was required, Bill and Lord DeBusaery remained standing.
The Officiator stepped forward and called the Tribunal to order. He then read the charges against Bill, which included twenty-one counts of mayhem and murder against human beings by inciting Alienna to lose her fragile control regarding humans. Basically, the charges boiled down to Bill 'loading and aiming the gun' so to speak with an unproven and highly questionable method of treatment for an allegedly, unstable vampire. When the Officiator finished speaking, the Lord High Minister asked if Bill would be offering forth his request to meet the True Death at that time.
"No, you Lord High Minister I am not guilty of the accusations against me."
"Very well, Lord DeBusaery are you ready to provide this Tribunal with arguments to convince all gathered here that Mr. Compton is indeed not guilty?"
"I am." DeBusaery bowed his head.
"Proceed."
For the next hour, DeBusaery laid out the facts as Bill believed them to be. After the start of the second hour, he called forth members of The Authority asking and getting answers to their roles in the approval (and disapproval) of what Bill had proposed to help troubled vampires. Throughout the questioning one of the Tribunal Lords often interrupted, asked unrelated questions of those being questioned until the Lord High Minister gently placed his hand lightly on the Lord's forearm, silencing him wordlessly. Bill on the other hand tried to figure out if he had ever done anything to or against said Lord. It seemed quite obvious that in his eyes Bill should meet the True Death and the faster the better. As the questioning continued, Bill had to admit, things were not moving forward in the way he'd expected. He mused to himself that were he sitting on the panel he would be far from looking at an acquittal at this point.
A short time later, there was a slight commotion from the back of the room. Just seconds before the double doors were pulled open and there stood Mr. Garth resplendent in a black robe with scarlet embroidery and studded with what could only be diamonds and rubies. When he entered, the entire body assembled stood and bowed some at the waist while those of the Tribunal bowed their heads. As he greeted one and all he stepped aside, extending his arm to Sookie as she stepped from behind him and slid her tiny hand into the crook of his arm.
Bill stared at his wife in utter amazement; she was wearing what was obviously a designer gown that looked as if it had been painted on. It was a deep, scarlet red satin and her every curve was accentuated, the dress flaring just above her knees the back showed an opera length train. At her throat she wore an exquisite ruby necklace with the largest stone almost the size of a pigeon egg, her earlobes sparkled with diamond and rubies and in her hair a tiara of rubies stood out in her elegantly coiffed blond hair, her makeup dramatically done. Standing beside Garth, they were the perfect complement to one another and Sookie looked absolutely regal. As they walked forward toward the dais, the Lord High Minister stood and with a diplomatic smile and tone spoke. "Good evening Great Temragobeshib and welcome. We are honored by your presence but I must ask; do you have a reason to grace us this night?"
Garth bowed his head graciously and took a step back and Sookie stepped forward. She spoke in a clear and unwavering voice. "I asked him to escort me here before you…"
She was interrupted when the Lord that had been sitting on the left of the Lord High Minister stood quickly and stated loudly, "I protest most forcefully… this human woman has no place here!" he practically spit the words out.
Bill felt great pride in the fact that Sookie did not so much as flinch by his outburst, but also couldn't help but notice the corner of Garth's mouth lift ever so slightly and he realized that the Lord had made a grave error. He wasn't sure what, but if it got the slightest reaction from Mr. Garth it wasn't good.
"Oh but I do, your Lordship."
"And what would that be?!" as he sneered contemptuously at Sookie.
"I request a Court of Osiris."
The Lord sputtered and began to rant at Sookie but the Lord High Minister said one quiet word.
"Sit."
He did.
"On what basis do you make your request?"
"I ask as it is my belief that my husband is falsely accused, and innocent of all charges."
"I see," The Lord High Minister pursed his lips and closed his eyes for a moment as he mulled Sookie's words over in his mind. When he opened them he addressed Sookie once more, "Mrs. Compton as a mortal woman this request would be dismissed immediately. But as the Great Temragobeshib's chosen daughter I must ask, do you intend to present additional information or witnesses that would change or shed light on these proceedings?"
"I do."
"Mrs. Compton I hereby grant you a Court of Osiris."
Buryakov came unglued and The Lord High ordered him removed. He then stood and added, "We will reconvene in one hour." And with that he left the room followed by all but Garth, Lord DeBusaery, Sookie and Bill. Bill's advocate and Garth sidled away to give the couple some privacy.
Bill caught Sookie when her knees gave way and sat her up against the large table he and the Lord DeBusaery had been sitting at. "What are you doing here?!" as he held his wife's trembling hands.
"What do you think?" she gaped.
His eyes took in her face and then he leaned in and bumped his forehead against hers, "Oh my sweet darling wife… what do you have up your sleeve?"
Sookie gave him a winsome little smile and said, "You aren't going to believe it!" Bill pulled her to her feet and as he glanced down she heard his sharp intake of air when he saw her dainty feet were clad in the five inch high stiletto's she only wore in the bedroom. "Yeah… I wore them just for you…" she whispered wickedly.
Bill scooped her up in his arms and was about to zip her somewhere private when she laughed lightly and said, "Put me down sweetheart, we have a lot to cover and we've only got an hour."
Bill groaned and set her down as Bob clapped a hand on his shoulder and said, "You'll be coming home with us in a couple of hours and then she's all yours young William."
XxXxX
One hour later on the dot, the members filed back in and the Lord High nodded at Sookie now standing beside Bill.
"Do you intend to present your case or will you be working with Lord DeBusaery?"
"I have asked him to conduct the presentation of evidence and witnesses, your Lord High Minister." Sookie answered solemnly.
"Very well, let us proceed with the Court of Osiris being granted to the Great Temragobeshib's Chosen Daughter Sookie Compton."
DeBusaery stood and said, "We will begin with questions for Aileana Macleod."
The Lord High Minster merely lifted his index finger from where it rested on the table and the side door opened and two men dressed in fine suits entered with a woman wearing a simple black dress. They led her to a small dais set apart from the other and she took her seat. Sookie was surprised at her appearance. She silently chided herself, what had she expected? A drooling, slobbering lunatic? If anything, Sookie saw a touch of natural, not exactly beauty per se, but Sookie thought Aileana in her time she would likely have been described as a handsome woman.
But Sookie did not let that fool her, Aileana was lying and her lies could end her husband's life and that just wasn't going to happen. DeBusaery stood and walked toward the witness stand, Sookie noticed that Aileana kept her head tilted down but could tell that she was aware of every movement the Lord made as he neared.
"You are aware that you are being questioned in a specially convened Court of Osiris and not the trial of Mr. Compton, is that correct?"
"Yes." She replied quietly.
"And you are further aware that in addition to the testimony you were to have given you are now open to questioning from additional persons present?"
Aileana looked up for the first time, a small measure of confusion on her face, "I am?"
As DeBusaery answered in the positive, Sookie noticed her eyes darting to the sitting Lords of the Tribunal and then to Bill before dropping her gaze back to the floor. It seemed to her that Aileana looked either worried… Or maybe a better term would be, frightened. But that made little sense why would she be afraid of answering questions? Then something occurred to Sookie and she quickly made the connection and more so, the importance of Eric's testimony.
"Aileana, we are here tonight because we need to get to the bottom of a prickly issue. You attacked a farm house near where you reside and killed twenty-one humans including children, is that correct?"
"It's his fault." As she gestured vaguely towards where Bill sat.
"That's not what I asked you. I asked you if you killed twenty-one humans without thought or care!" Even Sookie started a bit as DeBusaery said forcefully. Aileana however had actually jumped. Sookie glanced at Bill and he seemed unfazed but she could tell he'd noticed Aileana's reaction too.
"Yes." Aileana answered so quietly Sookie barely heard.
"Why!?" practically a yell.
Aileana looked confused for a split-second and then the lines of her face hardened and her eyes glittered ominously. "I was fine until he came. I had slips from time to time but once he began his questions and his talking and his ideas and, and, well… I just got confused and turned around and then Garth's men," She made the mistake of looking Garth's way, John and Frank on either side of him and her words lost their force and the defiant look faded and she simply stopped speaking, looking down once again.
DeBusaery waited a beat before asking, "You say that in addition to Mr. Compton, the Great Temragobeshib's men drove you to the attack on the humans."
She nodded, but DeBusaery told her to answer out loud and she did. "What did they say?"
"I don't remember but it made me mad. That one," she pointed towards Frank, "he told me Bil… Mr. Compton was wasting his time on me and that I should be staked."
Sookie didn't look Frank's way, Bill had told her of the general discord between Frank and Aileana and while it hadn't exactly helped Bill, she was simply using Frank as an excuse. Bill had also made sure Garth was aware of the same thing. But Sookie suspected if it had happened over something other than it being for Bill and by default her, Frank wouldn't be around anymore.
"So you were angry about something said by a hybrid so you went out and murdered innocent people? Women? Children even? That seems beyond the most rudimentary logic, in fact, it seems quite ridiculous to me." DeBusaery's voice growing more powerful as he spoke.
"I object to that statement! It puts undue burden on the witness." Lord Buryakov stated forcefully.
DeBusaery turned to look at the Lord's and awaited the response by the others. The Lord High Minister contemplated a moment before saying in a thoughtful and pleasant reply, "I must disagree Lord Buryakov, what say you, Lord Ashmont?"
"I agree, for the Court to be effective, these questions must be asked and answered. However, perhaps with less personal interjections Lord DeBusaery?"
"Absolutely your Lordship." He said as he bowed his head slightly. He looked back at Aileana and said, "Answer the question."
"It wasn't like that exactly…"
"Then how exactly was it Miss MacLeod?"
"I was confused, he said I couldn't shape or fix the world…"
"Who said that?" he interrupted.
This time she pointed at Bill. Sookie frowned and looked at Aileana's face, trying to see anything that could show her words were lies.
"So, were you trying to fix the world?"
"No…"
"What do you mean then? You had more than your fair share of slips haven't you? Massacre's that had to be hidden, covered up and you always had excuses didn't you? And now you're excuse is that the man trying to prevent you from doing it again actually made you do it again?" He stood before her and finished at a yell.
"No! Wait, yes! I don't…"
"WHY? Answer me!"
"I did as I was told!" She fired back at DeBusaery. Her eyes shining with defiance, her hands in tight fists.
"By who?!" he roared.
"I… I, I don't know…" she stammered, her defiance deflating instantly.
DeBusaery placed his hands softly on top of hers and said quietly, "You don't know or you can't say?"
"I can't say." She replied with so much defeat Sookie almost felt sorry for her.
Without missing a beat DeBusaery turned away from the witness and looked at the panel before him, "We would ask to hear testimony from Eric Northman at this time."
Sookie had expected a certain response but the one that occurred took her by surprise. The Lord High Minister raised his eyebrows, Lord Ashmont dropped his jaw and Buryakov stood so fast his large, heavy chair slammed onto the floor with such force Sookie felt the vibration of it in her feet.
"Eric Northman has met the True Death! That happened half a decade ago! And if he's not, he is a fugitive and as such may not be questioned without his own trial being concluded!"
Before he could continue, the Lord High Minister placed his hand on Buryakov's arm and said with breathtaking menace, "Sit down and say not another word further."
Sookie shuddered and Bill reached over to take her hand and hold it securely and more importantly, comfortingly as he felt her fear flood his senses. Sookie looked at Buryakov and suddenly realized where she knew him from. He had been the very unhappy Lord at their wedding. She was glad Bill held her hand as she wondered just what else was going on here.
Buryakov motioned to one of the guards and they set his chair upright, and then seated himself immediately.
For a moment, the silence of the room was overwhelming and it stayed so for at least a full minute and a half before the Lord High Minister spoke quietly, "This Court has quickly become an unprecedented event. If we allow for the fact that Mr. Northman is still in existence, he too may petition for a Court of Osiris, so in essence, we must decide before that point to conclude the matter at hand, move back to the original trial or begin a new Court if Mr. Northman so desires…"
At that moment Garth stood and was immediately motioned by the Lord High Minister to speak, "I can alleviate some of your concern," he began as Buryakov rudely interrupted.
"This is preposterous! If Northman is present he should be executed forthwith! He no longer has standing as anything other than a fugitive!"
Sookie thought if she were ever in a position to see a vampire suffer a stroke, it would be now. More than that was he obviously was so wrapped up in his argument that he did not see the others staring at him in horror. But in the moment that Sookie processed these thoughts the Lord High Minister had him by the throat and held him off the ground as his words bored into all of them like titanium drills.
"Lord Buryakov your conduct tonight has been abysmal at best. Which leads me to believe there is something oddly amiss with these proceedings. Therefore," he stood Buryakov on his feet before giving the guards a nod. They moved faster than Sookie could track and had him in heavy silver cuffs, "I am ordering you be taken into custody and if you so much as whisper a sound I will pronounce the True Death upon you and stake you myself."
Sookie hadn't realized that it was possible for a vampire to go pale but that was exactly what happened.
The Lord High Minister turned to Garth, "We must speak privately." Garth gave a single nod and both men left the room. The guards still held Buryakov and with minute movements Sookie smelled the silver charring fresh flesh. She was oddly surprised that the manacles weren't covered. Further stunned when she noticed that Aileana was rocking silently back and forth on the chair in the witness box, with the strange events of the last few seconds Sookie had forgotten she was even there.
Just then, Garth and The Lord High Minister returned to the room and both took their seats. The Lord High Minister waited a moment before speaking. "As I stated previously, this has been a night to remember… something never before seen. Great Temragobeshib has explained much and therefore I have decided the following actions will be taken. First, Miss Macleod will be taken into custody," She was seized instantly, "Second, as I believe there is much to be decided I will herein judge this matter by myself." He nodded at Lord Ashmont who stood, bowed his head and turned to take a seat among the others present. Lord Buryakov didn't move quite as fast, but move he finally did. "Finally, I will hear from Eric Northman without the benefit of him asking for his own Court. Great Temragobeshib has informed me that Northman will acquiesce to this demand of mine."
There was a pause before he continued, "It is my belief that there are some very serious and long-reaching decisions to be made and information to be learned that will address all such issues." With almost a sigh, he nodded at the guards and silently Eric Northman entered the room accompanied by Mekahoomblek from the back and was seated where Aileana had been previously.
Now it was Bill's turn to be shocked by Eric's presence, he sat silently stunned while some others present murmured quietly. The Lord High Minister cleared his throat quietly and the room was deathly silent in an instant. Amazingly enough, Bill was further dumbstruck when The Lord High Minister nodded at Sookie and his wife stood and walked slowly toward Eric as Lord DeBusaery took his seat. They hadn't told them she'd be doing this part of the questioning, even knowing it was her Court.
When Sookie reached halfway, she took a deep breath and began, "Mr. Northman, where have you been for the last five or so years?"
He gave her a tiny, soft smile before answering, "I have been enslaved in my Master Mekahoombleck's home realm."
"I see. Why were you asked to participate in this proceeding?" she said.
"Because I am here to right many wrongs with my knowledge."
"What knowledge Mr. Northman please explain." She slowly walked back toward the table and stood near Bill.
"If I may explain in detail?" Eric looked at the Lord High Minister who nodded his assent.
"Many years ago I tried to hurt both Mr. and Mrs. Compton out of sheer foolishness that grew into a deadly spiral of madness. I was allowed by Great Temragobeshib to either meet the True Death at the hands of the One True Vampire Authority or live the rest of my days in exile in a demon realm as a slave to my Master Mekahoombleck. I chose the latter."
Eric paused and looked directly at Bill and added, "William Compton, I am grievously sorry for the wrongs I caused you and your beloved Sookie. I beg your forgiveness and also say this, I will not ask for a Court of Osiris, in fact I will offer myself for the True Death upon the end of my testimony if you see fit to demand such a judgment." Eric bowed his head slightly toward Bill and Bill slowly gave a nod in return.
Again Eric looked at the Lord High Minister who simply nodded for Eric to go on.
Eric spoke then, his voice strong and clear, "I would ask at this time the Aileana name her Maker."
Every head in the room turned to look at her and she seemed in great pain when she answered with a painful plea, "I cannot say!"
Eric then said, "She has been commanded by her maker, the Lord Buryakov whom I believe has instructed her unable to answer your questions. I know that Aileana was likely ordered by her Maker to commit the murders in an effort to discredit Mr. Compton because Buryakov in turn wanted Great Temragobeshib to be disgraced…"
Buryakov erupted, "There is no…"
His words died on his lips as he was held by guards while the Lord High Minister held an elaborately carved stake mere inches from his chest. Sookie was shaking as he said, "I will end you this minute if you so much as blink."
Bill reached up and snatched Sookie off her feet and sat her in the chair beside him, his arm wrapped protectively around her shoulders. The Lord High Minster stepped back nodding at Eric to continue but added, "Get to the point Northman."
"Before the Compton's were married, he was… unhappy with his standing in The Authority and the AVL. He hired me to cause, 'problems' but I took it too far. But after Great Temragobeshib named Mrs. Compton his own, Lord Buryakov was livid."
"You know this how?" DeBusaery said, knowing Sookie's ability to ask the question was an impossibility.
"My Master Mekahoombleck told me after I entered his realm."
"Why did you feel compelled to be here tonight?"
"Because when Great Temragobeshib explained what had happened, I knew that Lord Buryakov was behind it. I explained how it all began and that Mr. Compton had unknowingly fallen right into Buryakov's plans."
"How is that?"
"Because I am the only vampire that knew he was Aileana's Maker, and that he wanted to not only disgrace Great Temragobeshib but establish himself firmly and higher up in The Authority and the AVL. So I have no doubt he ordered Aileana to commit the heinous murders."
"I see," DeBusaery said smoothly, "and you are sure of this how? Seeing as she cannot say one way or the other who her Maker is or if she were given instructions to commit murder at her Maker's behest."
"Because I know the human that serves him. He passed on the orders to Aileana."
"Even so, he's human correct? As such wouldn't the Lord have simply glamoured the information away?" DeBusaery queried.
"Yes," Eric smiled a soft smile as he looked at Sookie, "but Mrs. Compton is able to reach behind a glamour and read the truth from their minds."
This time there was an audible gasp as all eyes turned in Sookie's direction. The Lord High Minister looked at her too and said quietly, "Is this true Mrs. Compton?"
Sookie had no idea how exactly she managed but she said in a clear, steady voice, "Yes it is."
"And would you be willing to attempt this action?"
She nodded.
The Lord High Minister looked at Eric and asked, "Who is this person and how long will it take to get him here?"
Eric returned the gaze and said, "I believe he is already here. He is registered at the Black Dagger South, he arrived here with Lord Buryakov."
The Lord High Minister looked to the head of the Authority's representative and said, "Get him here!" He stood and then pointed to Aileana and Buryakov. "And throw them into Dead cells!"
Buryakov's eyes bulged and he shouted, "No!" as the guards swarmed him and Sookie was stunned to see him struggling to get away but in seconds he was bound in heavy silver chains and he began whimpering as his skin smoked and burned and he was swiftly removed from the room. She sagged against Bill and didn't realize how shaky she was until she tried to speak.
"B-b-bill, what's that mean? D- d-ead…"
He held her closer and whispered, "It's a cell that is made entirely of silver, floors, ceilings, walls," he swallowed, "and they're placed inside them naked and the only light is UV."
Sookie blanched and then said, "What if I can't read him?"
DeBusaery leaned back in his chair and said, "It will likely mean the True Deaths for more than one this night."
Sookie was only too aware that he had not excluded Bill from that statement.
XxXxX
Sookie, Bill and DeBusaery had been ushered into a small private sitting room to wait the arrival of the man she would have to read. More than an hour later, remembering how they had intended to use Decebal to help her read the last glamoured human Sookie asked who would be helping her and was stunned when DeBusaery told her it would be the Lord High Minister himself. She was sitting on a small comfortable couch with Bill and at that she sank against him almost lifelessly against him.
Bill pulled her to him sliding her so she was seated on his lap and carefully bumped his forehead against hers, "Dearheart… look at me please," Her eyes opened and met his, "There is no way this can fail."
"Sweet baby Jesus Bill! If I screw this up we could all die!" she whispered vehemently.
He moved his arms so he could place his hands on either side of her face looking deeply and lovingly into her eyes, "Sookie, the only beings that may die tonight are those that deserve to."
She nodded slightly and then said, "What about Eric?" She bit her lower lip and Bill could see doubt there. He wasn't surprised.
"I believe his apology was sincere, we can make that known." He reached up to tuck a stray lock of her hair behind her ear. "How do you feel about it?"
"Ah," she glanced away from his eyes and Bill pretty much knew what she'd say, "If he wanted to go back, that would be okay I guess."
"You wouldn't want him to return here though would you?"
With a sigh she answered, "I wish I could but not even so much for me but for Pam… she'd be devastated if he were allowed back here. Don't you think?"
True to form his wife took him by surprise and he wasn't even sure why. "Agreed my darling, it would be best for Eric not to be in this realm." He kissed the tip of her nose and a soft knock was heard. "It's time."
XxXxX
Within minutes they were seated in the courtroom and there had been significant changes made during the break. When Aileana and Buryakov were led in. They were covered with simple, cotton robes and they limped on badly burned feet, the skin of their heads and arms were crusted with open and weeping burns and Sookie almost swooned when the smell of them hit her senses. They were made to stand in a silver-barred cage that had been moved in while the room had been empty. Sookie also noticed there seemed to be far more vampires in attendance than previously, she had a feeling a great deal of phone calls had been made during the last hour or so. There was soft whispering going on that Sookie couldn't discern but it ceased the moment the Lord High Minister stepped into the room.
Without a pause he explained to all present how Sookie's gift worked, he explained that he would be helping Sookie in her task. Then the man was brought into the room and Sookie recoiled involuntarily. Everything she had expected to see in Aileana she saw now. If there was a picture beside a description of 'homicidal manic' it would be his. He was the spitting image of everyone's worst nightmare.
First off was his size. He was not a lot smaller than Garth. His brows were heavy and thick, his skull slightly misshapen, his eyes were small and piggy, his lips thick and fleshy. The thought of having to delve into this man's head made Sookie queasy. Feeling her fear and revulsion Bill squeezed her hand and whispered she would be fine.
She had no choice but to believe him, because if she couldn't her husband may be forced to pay the price. They clipped the scary man's handcuffs into a large ring on a table in front of the place where the highest dais had been. With a small motion of his hand, the Lord High Minister beckoned for Sookie to move forward. She was suddenly calmed when she felt Mr. Garth standing beside her. She walked forward and sat in front of the man and the man leered at her openly.
Sookie knew in a split-second he was going to say it and she couldn't help but feel the minutest bit of guilt because she knew what was coming.
"Well here I thought it was gonna be a borin' fucking night but things are looking up cupcake, how 'bout I throw a fuck int'a 'ya and give 'em all a thrill?"
The words had barely left his mouth before Garth smacked him in the back of the head with a ham-sized hand. The look on the guy's face was priceless and Sookie relaxed instantly and turning to the Lord High Minister said, "It will help if I can touch his hand." She tried hard not to smile when the thug thought briefly about lipping off again but then thought better of it. Sookie placed her hand over his and then quietly explained what she wanted to know. As expected, there was clearly a void as she searched his mind for memories of any contact with Aileana. Sookie told this to The Lord High Minister and he asked her what he should do, she had him begin to glamour the man as she fought to get behind Buryakov's glamouring. Explaining as she did so and within moments, the voids fell away and they had all the proof they needed.
Under glamour, he relayed all of Buryakov's instructions including those given to take the lives of all at the dairy during those early morning hours. What he further revealed took everyone by complete surprise. The reason Buryakov had begun all of it, figured all the way back to some of Sookie's very first work for Mr. Garth… Decebal the Collector was Buryakov's Maker.
The Lord High Minister ordered the man be taken away and Sookie had a hunch he would never be heard from again. You could have heard a pin drop as the Lord High Minister slowly turned to the cage where Buryakov and Aileana suffered. Bob led Sookie back to Bill and stood aside them. He'd already made his wishes known to the Lord High Minister so he had a fair idea of what was to come.
"Aileana MacLeod, you are hereby sentenced to the True Death and Sookie was stunned when she realized Aileana had been removed from the cage and staked before she could track the movement. With the stake still in his hand he looked to Garth. Garth spoke nearly silently to Bill and Bill shook his head. Garth gave the Lord High Minister a slow and deliberate nod and the stake was laid aside.
In a flash Buryakov was on his knees before the Lord High Minister, and as he looked down at Buryakov he said. "Your actions are reprehensible in even the lowest species of the world's eyes and you do need to meet the True Death." Buryakov's eyes fluttered closed slightly before a small sigh escaped his lips.
The Lord High Minister however wasn't done yet. "Someday." He added ominously.
Buryakov's eyes flew open wide as the Lord continued, "Until I deem such a day in the future, you will spend your time waiting in a Dead cell."
"NO!" Buryakov screamed but in seconds, the guards had him out of the room and his cries were silenced.
The Lord High Minister turned to face the room and more importantly, Bill. "Mr. Compton you are hereby free of any and all allegations against you and I hope you will forgive us our foolishness in believing Lord Buryakov." He turned to Sookie and with a smile he reached for her hand and taking it in his said, "Mrs. Compton it is easy to see why the Great Temragobeshib has claimed you as his own. You are quite remarkable and I hope you will forgive us our mistake." Sookie smiled and nodded and with that, the room cleared quickly.
Lord DeBusaery shook hands with Garth, Bill and even Sookie and then planted a chaste kiss upon her cheek. Sookie felt herself blushing as he did, he reminded her of a teenager with a crush. Then he too was gone in a blink and then Sookie said, "Oh! What happened to Eric?"
Mr. Garth looked at her and cupped her face gently, "The Lord High allowed him to return with Mekahoomblek. I am sorry not to have asked you what you thought, child. It was unfair of me to speak for you."
Sookie leaned her face into his large, warm palm and smiled, "I'm fine with that, will Mekahoombleck ever allow him to return to this realm?" When Garth shook his head, she smiled and said, "Then I'm good."
XxXxX
Bill and Sookie were silent as they held hands in the back of the limo on the ride to the airport. Not surprisingly, Garth had a jet ready and waiting for them so they could take some much needed down time at Halé Nohea. Once onboard and after takeoff, Bill stood and gave Sookie his hand and when she stood he scooped her up and carried her back to the richly appointed bedroom and laid her gently on the bed.
Her eyes glittered with unfallen tears as he slowly took her ankle in his hand and slid the red shoe off her foot. Kissing the top of her foot before sliding his hand upward, caressing her leg and luxuriating in the feel of the silk hose over her warm skin.
"Bill…" she whispered as a tear slipped down toward her ear but never reached it because he caught it with his fingertip before it could.
Bill gathered her into his arms then whispering her name, he said, "No tears dearheart, no tears." Between whispers of love, soft sighs and passionate moans, they stripped away each other's clothes and Bill made love to his wife as if it were the first time. His lips skimmed across her skin leaving a trail of fire across it. His teeth nipping gently here and there and when he took her pert nipple in his mouth, his fingers caressed her silken center and her breath became ragged with desire. Her body arched off the bed as she reached to touch him, to worship him with her tongue, her hands… but her desire to do more was eclipsed by the explosion of her climax.
As it did, Bill pulled her onto his body and held her as he moved ever so slowly, entering her as she pulsated around him and she cried out at the feel of it, his hardness catapulting her into a second release. She dug her nails into his chest as the intensity had her gasping and moaning at the same moment.
He moved his hips as he sat up so she could ride him, their eyes centimeters apart as the depth of their love and devotion poured through them. Slowly they moved together, their skin alive with sensuality, each movement a whisper-like thrill that coursed through them like the heat of glowing embers. As they moved they fought for control, fought to keep from finishing in a frenzy… so their passion built and Sookie gasped for breath, her hands fisted in Bill's hair as her deep chocolate eyes plumbed the depths of his blue and when his fangs snicked into place she threw back her head letting herself go as he pierced her throat and her blood began to flow she screamed his name as they detonated together… each lover overwhelmed by the fervor and the incredible intensity that crested like the surf, flowing like the water that kissed the sand.
Neither was aware of when they had begun to cry. But their tears streamed down their faces and it was passion, love and happiness that caused them. They slid down into the bed and Bill pulled the covers up over them and as the plane made its way west; they slept, safe within each other's arms, content and more relaxed than they had been in quite some time.
To be continued…