Hope you are enjoying the story so far, still loads to come....Big Thank you to Pheonixrose.... for being my awesome beta. HUGE thank you to everyone who takes the time to review nearly at that 100 mark whoop whoop!!!
Dead And Back Again
Chapter 10
Eric's POV
The next night I rose with the sound of someone in the house. I was still clutching my Bonded's tee. The noise was coming from the kitchen, I made my way there; sniffing the air a human female scent filled my nose.
It was the witch, Amelia she shrieked "Oh my Goddess, Eric you scared the bejesus out of me" her heart was hammering in her chest.
"Where's Sookie? She said she would have dinner for us when I got back. Her car's not out front, it's not like her and I sent like a million texts, never got one back" she rambled.
"Sookie is in Fae" I knew I would have to explain the situation to her, but I was hoping I may be able to avoid it.
"Shut Up" exclaimed the witch.
Oh good she didn't want to hear I was in no mood for talking anyway, I grabbed a bottle of blood from the fridge and heated it in the microwave. Drinking it down I sat at the table. I missed the smell of the old kitchen I ramdomly thought to myself. She kept looking at me as though she expected me to say something else-humans.
"So spill" Amelia said enthusiastically thinking Sookie had gone on some holiday. I explained the situation to her about Sookie's mixed bag of DNA and how the essential spark in her seemed to be very strong. I noticed she grew very quiet; tears welled up in her eyes and rolled down her cheeks.
"Which coven did you use?" she croaked after I told her everything.
"Ravens Claw- Shreveport" I replied. She nodded as she ran her hands through her hair pausing at the back of her head she let out a sigh. "Their good if Audra was there, Sookie will defiantly be at Morgana le Fay's. I can't believe she real, that's like...Wow!"
"Believe it, She is a formidable foe, She has made grown men weep with her beauty alone" I answered.
"Shut Up"
"Quit telling me to shut up witch" I snarled I had had enough of her rudeness.
She took on a more sombre look the tears seemed to increase. I did not like when human women leaked. "I shouldn't have gone back home, I left her and she needed me I was so wrapped up in my own world, I didn't notice what was going on with her, I was supposed to be her best friend-I've let her down" she wailed.
"We all did" this was meant to sate her, but she just cried harder. I was feeling very uneasy at the witches crying. I went take a shower just to get the hell out of there, I let the water run down over me. I just stood under the hot torrent as though the water would absolve me of my sins. I needed to strategise and formulate a plan on how to handle Felipe. Unfortunately, due to his invitation, he would need to handled sooner rather than later.
I dressed in last night's clothes, made the bed Sookietook pride in her homeI thought. When I came out of the room the witch was in the sitting room. "Eric do you think Sookiewould mind if I stayed here while she's gone, it's just I was meant to stay here...before you know"
"No. Stay, it's what Sookie would want" I said as though I had become authority on what my 'enigma' wanted. "When you leave can you ward the house again? Can you arrange for all the household bills to go to Fangtasia So I can take care of them?"
"Sure will, you really do care for her"
"I always have"
On the way to Fangtasia I called Pam. Madden was apparently in the area so I would need something good for a cover story. I had the time it would take me to get Fangtasia for once I stuck to the speed limits, buying me extra time.
I arrived at Fangtasia 45 minutes later and put my game face on. Pam greeted me as soon as I came in. Tellingme in hushed tones that Victor Madden was out front refusinganything to drink. I sniggered.
"Once bitten twice shy" Pam interjected. We wouldn't get away with a poisoned donor twice.
"Give me ten minutes, then show him in" I tell her.
I got out my sword and sharpened it storing in easy reach just in case. What can I say, I would have made a good boy scout –dib dib.
"Madden, to what do I owe the pleasure?" I asked. I nod for Pam to stay so we are on the same page.
"Sheriff Northman, I was in the area" he lied. Smug, smarmy bastard.
"What may I do for you?" I inquired hoping to get this over and done as soon as possible.
"The King has requested the presence of your Bonded, the lovely Miss Stackhouse, for the ball he is holding in her honour. I thought I'd confirm the arrangements personally since I was in the area. Also, I have another matter to discuss."
"Well it's not my intention to disappoint his Majesty; however I am afraid Miss Stackhouse's recent ordeal duringthe Fae war left quite the scar. I have sent her away to recuperate, Neave and Lochlan have left others in ribbons; her mental health has suffered greatly after all she is merely human, torture doesn't agree with them." It pained me to talk about her like this, but I could not let him know how much she meant to me.
"Sent her away? Where to? Why did you not inform the King? he questioned.
"I will inform the King as soon as you leavemy office, Sookie's mental health became an issue last night; so getting her the help she needed was my priority, as to preserve the King's asset. I apologise for not informing his Majesty sooner." I hated all this bullshit. I thought my answer had just the right amount of ass kissing. "He did offer her his protection I took that to include her mental wellbeing as well." I added.
"Yes, yes of course you must preserve the asset" he agreed. "Where has she been sent too?" he asked. As if I would tell Madden.
"I will inform the King of her where about's, be assured she is safe and in a very exclusiveretreat, almost impossible to get to." How impossible you will would never know.
"How was it she became in broiled in Fae politics again?" he inquired. Asshole I thought.
"She's Supe bait" Pam laughed. I shot her a looked.
"Supe bait?" Victor repeated tiltinghis head towards Pam who now had his full attention; not quite sure what she meant.
"Yes, Sookieis such trouble. Other Supes can't help themselves when she around." Pam added looking bored.
"Sookie has some Fae blood this is common knowledge, well it was in the court of Sophie Ann."I paused allowing the dig to sink in. "Brendan's people where trying to wipped out any humans with Fae ancestry, this was all in my report." I seethed.
"Yes I read it. Quite the fairy tale" he laughed at his own joke. Dick wad.
"Please help me to understand why Brendan would sent his most skilled assassins for a mear human with only trace of Fae blood. Why do you think that would be, Northman? Hmmm?" his voice like silk soaked with poison.
"You would have to ask him that yourself" I retorted. Knowing fine well I had seen to it that Brendan would not be answering any question ever again. "You had other business to discuss" I steered him, in an effort to persuade him of the topic.
He looked thought full for a minute then his face turned grave. "Stan lost six, last night, in an attack."
Both Pam and I sat up, so this was news to Pam too.
"Fellowship?" I inquired.
"This is why I have come; the attack was orchestrated by entirely new group the'Sisterhood of Light'"
"Sisterhood of light?" I repeated, it couldn't be "Where the attacks supernatural in origin?"
"Yes, how did you know?" Madden answered, looking surprised.
"Because they are not new, in fact they are older than I. If it is indeed them, I will need to speak with the King immediately. Also, the Ancient Pythoness should informed." This was bad; really bad. I thought they were all but wiped out.
"If they are older than you, how come I have not heard of them?" Victor sneered.
"La fraternité de lumière" I suggested, Pam fixed me with a look, that just said 'Oh fuck'. Victor's face was totally blank, clearly not up on his Vampire history.
"About 80 year after I was turned, my maker and I were in a French village, making our way to what is now Paris. Five other vampires were also at the village. In those days we never were out in numbers, so this was unusual to find so many in one place. They told us of a girl in the village that was exceptionally beautiful but every Vampire who went to her never returned so far seven of our kind had not returned."
"What does this have to do with Stan's six finally dead Vampires." Victor demanded.
"That night every one cleared the streets all doors were locked even the inn was closed. At midnight a stunning girl about fourteen or fifteen years of age stepped into the square in a white robe. In her hand was a sword, she had long black hair which hung down her back and violet eyes. We all watched her as she slipped the robe of and it pooled at her feet"
Victor and Pam where now leaning forward. Pam's fangs had run out.
"She stood naked before us, her hand on the hilt of her sword. 'Je suis la vierge de fraternité delumière' she called in to the night 'I am the virgin of the sisterhood of light meet the dawn with me and I will pray for your souls attempt to take my purity I with slay you and shed no tears' the other Vampires began to circle but my maker held me back, teaching me an important lesson never be the first to go in with an unknown enemy" I laughed.
"The first to attack her was a femalevampire -about six hundred years old. She went straight for her, but before she reached her she was stopped about meter away from her by an invisible shield, like the kind of magic that protects a mortal's home. She lifted her sword and cut off her head yelling 'Je suis la volonté de dieu 'I am the will of God'. She lay to waste most of the rest in much the same manor.
When there was only two left they came at her from both sides. She knelt down and prayed. She cried tears of blood, it was one of the most beautiful sights I have ever seen. As she looked to the heavens and her blood red tears hit her alabaster breast, her long black hair lightly whipped in the wind. Then she Spoke 'Dieu pardonnera vous rencontre l'aube avecmoi'- God forgives you. Meet the dawn with me. The two Vampires knelt beside her and began to pray. I wanted to meet the dawn so much the need drew me like a makers call. My makers also felt it, but due to his age was able to resist. He carried me from there. Later went back and burnt the village to the ground."
The bodies of the vampires never disintegrated, but remain as though in human form. She was as fast as us, clearly possessed great magic." It was my one and only encounter. The Ancient Pythonessordered their complete eradication. I thought they had been all wiped out.
"Well Viking inform his Majesty, tell him what you know. I don't need to tell you to be watchful. All the Vampires were found with the bodies intact but finally dead. Stan's child Mellissa was among them. He knew she was finally dead, he felt it. Her heart had been cut out." Victor explained.
"How did they know it was the Sisterhood of Light? Did anyone survive?" Pam asked. Good question.
"They left calling cards on each of the victims. Inscribed with the 'Sisterhood of light' that was all that was them."
"I will take my leave of you now I need to inform the others sheriffs. I trust you will contact the King as soon as I am gone and inform him of your bonded's he is extremely fond of her."
An image of slicing his head off fills my mind making it easier to say "Of course Victor and as always it's been a pleasure" walking him to the door.
I phoned the King informing him of what I knew, he had also heard of them. So we are not run by total imbeciles that's good to know. The hard part was telling him of Sookie. I began by telling him what I was about to say should remain secret. I told him she was in Fae; a long lost relativehad stepped forward to help her. They would return her when she was well again. The King was deathly silent as I told him this. I told him I did not want to risk war, throwing his own words back at him. (The same words which had prevented me from being the one to save her.) As this Fae claimed kinship to her.
He was not happy, but also did not want to risk war with the Fae. He did not want to be known as the King who broke the truce.
He also asked . "Is what you meant when you told Victor that forces outside your control would be set in monition if anything happened to Sookie on the night of the takeover."
I simply replied. "Yes your Majesty". With that he had hung up the phone, I guess to use the human term; I was in the dog house.
I could hear someone coming into the hall from the staff entrance. There was a knock on the door, I glanced at Pam, who went to the door. I heard one of the waitresses saying we should switch on the news- as the Fellowship was all over it.
Pam switched on the news on the flat screen TV on the wall. Rev Steve Newlinswas being interviewed saying that God had answered their prayers. By sending them a choir of Angels, to drivethe evil of vampires off the earth. He was claiming it was a miracle. Pam flicked the channel to another news station. A brunette reporter stood outside a warehouse in Dallas.
"This is site where six Vampires met their final death, in the early hours of yesterday morning. 'The fellowship of the sun' are claiming this very ground of first miracle of the Sisterhood of light. An alleged group of 'Angels' who will save us from our Vampire Citizen".
"Switch it offI've seen enough." Fuck, this is bullshit.I hope AVL (American Vampire League) are gonna be all over this. This is a fucking PR nightmare.
"I will inform everyone of our new threat, Master. I have also taken the liberty of transferring all your day stuff to Mr Cataliades temporarily; while I sent up interviews for a new Day Man." Pam offered.
"Good, I will also need to compensate Felicia"
Turning Bobby had not really been fair, but the way I see it, everyone here would be finally dead during the takeover. If they had not sworn fealty to me- they owed me, but I didn't need to be a bastard about it. That's was not how I inspired loyalty.
"How much shall I write her?" Pam inquired.
"Something with at least six zero's on it. Pam. Be generous"
Just then a huge crash came from the bar; both Pam and I ran to see what was going on. Thalia was straddling Ricardo on the bar telling him that she was going to rip his dead heart from his chest if he ever touched her again. Ricardo was bucking his hips asking her to move a little lower also if she was as turned on as he was just now.
All the tourists had ran for the door, but the Fangbangers where clearly loving it. Cheering either Ricardo or Thalia. Pam grinned for all of two seconds, till she realised they had caused damage to the bar. I cleared my throat before Pam had shit fit. Ricardo and Thalia stopped immediately.
"Stay on opposite sides of the room, from now on." I commanded but I really just wanted to laugh, it was the first funny thing I'd seen in the last two nights. I went back to the office; I could see Pam was livid, as she ordered the tidy up.
The next three weeks passed quickly with more attacks including eight Vampires that had met the sun apparently of their 'own' accord. The closest attack had been in New Orleans. I had everybody on high alert. So far only one member of 'Sisterhood of Light' had been taken out. She had taken four of my kind with her.
The Vampire PR machine had kicked into high gear, all of us had been asked to be seen helping out in the community. The president had been inform that Sisterhood was a Supernatural group and should be treated as a terror group on US soil. We were still awaiting a public reaction, from the God fearing President.
Bobby had risen with major disappointment when he realised Felicia was his maker and not me. I kept him in my employment and he trained the straight talking, Cassie Ortega a small Hispanic woman. She had been a Hollywood PA for last 20 years. She was extremely efficient and so far I had been impressed. At her interview she had said, "Just don't show me where the bodies are buried. See no evil, hear no evil....I can speak no evil." Then she laughed. That had clinched it.
I was sitting in my office listening to two Vampires discuss their grievance when I felt it. It started like a small hum deep inside me, I clasped my hands over my heart. Pam stepped in ushering the two men out of the office straight away.
"Master, I could feel you calling me" she waved her hand in front of my face, as I starred blankly. "Eric, are you okay?"
"I feel her Pam, I feel her," I could feel Sookiefor the first time in over 3 weeks- she was alive. She was alive, it was faint but it was still there. My relief was immense. I had thrown myself into my work to stop myself from thinking of her every waking hour. In my excitement grabbed Pam and kissed her.
"Master you know this would be called sexual harassment, I may need to sue" unable to keep the grin of her face. "So the telepath lives this is good, this is very good indeed," she smiled.
Sookie's POV
I awoke screaming, it was a scream pregnant women give when they bear down. It was a scream of being born and that's just what it was.
"Hush, little one," soothed a voice it was calming, deep yet feminine.
I tried to focus my eyes but had trouble opening then, my body was covered in a layer of sweat, all of me hurt, most of all my head.
"Drink this," putting a glass to my lips, she held up my head, a sweet liquid filled my mouth. The second I swallowed it down it burned, like a son of a bitch.
"Urgggh" it was disgusting. I felt her sit on the bed and stroke my hair. She was singing in a language I had a vague memory.
I drifted in and out of consciousness. It was dusk by the time I opened my eyes and could focus on anything.
"Hello, welcome to the land of the living," smiled a breath taking woman with long auburn hair, which hung in sheets either side of her head held away from her face with intricate braids and fine silver threads and pearls. Her pointed ears visible through the curtains of hair. But it was her eyes that were mesmerizing, green-blue in colour, they had a jewel like quality. Her facial features were fine and her lips full and sensual. She looked like the kind of woman that could turn straight women gay I wanted to kiss those lips.
"Can you tell me your name?" she gently urged.
"Of course I can it's....it's...Erm" it was right there on the tip of my tongue but it just didn't want to come out to play. "It's...it's" I tried again. "Why can't I remember my name? What's wrong with me?" I huffed, somewhat frustrated.
"I am not sure why you can't remember your name, but your body bears the scars of a warrior. I have healed the most recent battle wounds, except for one on your stomach; it was too deep to reverse. I had to regrow your hair, it was charred when you dropped naked out of the sky."
Instinctively I put my hand up to my hair pulling at to get a better look. It was long and thick reaching to my waist, the colour was of spun gold.
"Dropped out of the sky, what do you mean by that?" still checking my hair, which looked fine other than needing a wash.
"Just that, I was out by the lake speaking with some of the Selkie, when you fell from the sky in a cloud of paper, your hair was charred. Most of the paper was on fire, the only thing to survive was this card it was in your hand.
The card was all burnt around the edge, it was heavy felt expensive. I read it and read it again.
Dear one,
You are the breath; I do not need to take,
You are the beat, my heart does not need to make,
You are the sun; I do not need to live,
Yet you are everything, you are my blood.
Please return to me, for I am nothing without you.
All My Love
E
"Sounds like a riddle," I observed. Trying to work out what or in this case who didn't need sun, has a heart that doesn't beat and doesn't need to breathe- weird.
"I think its romantic this 'E' clearly loves you if there's something I know its men, no man writes poetry unless his heart is stirred." Her eyes twinkling and a smile playing at the corner of her mouth, she had the look of a naughty school girl who was up to no good.
"How long have I been here?" Lookingaround the room. Which was beautiful, no scrap that stunning.
"Only a few days, you were very ill. Surrounded by goblin magic and witches magic. You are in the quickening, you're about to come of age" she smiled brightly, clearly excited. "You will still be weak for some time, but if you continue to drink your medicine, which I made for you, you'll be on the mend.'
Just then my stomach made itself known; I looked down running my hand over it.
"I'll get you something to eat," my hostess said, rising to her feet.
It suddenly struck me that I didn't know my hostess' name "What's your name?" I called after her.
"Morgana" she called laughing. Moments later she returned with a tray laden with food. I clapped my hands together in excitement; boy, was I hungry. I had shifted so I was now sitting up in bed, this had taken a real effort.
"Wow this looks amazing, you didn't need to go to all this trouble" my eyes bugging at the mouth watering array on the tray there was fruit in every colour imaginable, a bowl which looked like porridge but smelt like heaven. Small round breads which were freshly baked, tall glass of water and a plate with little cakes.
"No trouble you are going to need your strength to recover as your trials begin" she smiled. " I am that afraid without your kin they will be extra hard, I will help you as much as I can. You are very human in fact it is amazing that you are even going through the quickening. The gods must favour you."
"The quickening? What is that?" I asked in between mouthfuls feeling like I'd not eaten in years, stuffing food in my mouth with both hands.
"It's a special time in any fairy's life were you meet your kin, those who walked before you, they cross the vast ocean from Summerlandto come to you. They bestow their knowledge and wisdom. Your thoughts become one with them and the land. Your magic begins to flow and weave its way into your being," her eyes sparkled as she reached out and cupped my face with her hand. "With their knowledge, they teach you how to wield your magic-nature's life force," she said reverently.
"Trials that you mentioned, what are those?" I asked, speaking with my mouth full. I was so hungry and this was the most delicious meal I had ever had, not that I could remember any others.
The trials are rituals witch test your worthiness to the magic that is bestowed upon you; the more you pass the stronger your magic will be. Duringyour trials your casteis decided. Although I suspect that yours will be the Warrior Caste.
"Warrior Caste? What does that mean? I feel like I am giving you the Spanish inquisition here. Do you mind me questioning you?" I questioned mid-bite, looking up at her.
She laughed her whole face lit up and she glowed. "You are nothing like the Spanish inquisition, my dear. As to your question, the Warrior Caste are the protectors of the realm they are also the ruling caste only they may rule these lands. Next is the caste of Cleric's we" she paused "I am of this caste we are the spiritual leaders of Fae. Last but by no means least, is the most honourable of our caste; the Worker Caste they keep our lands honest and bountiful."
I let out a big yawn, stretching my hands over my head, feeling over whelmed with tiredness. "Oh I feel I could sleep for a hundred years"
"You don't want to do that dear Aurora, did she was awful upset when she woke. It was her Fairy God Mother's idea of saving her from dark magic," she shook her head and tutted. She had a faraway look in her eye.
Surely she didn't think that I could sleep for a hundred years? She bent over and kissed my forehead as I shuffled down the bed. Clicking her fingers, the tray with disappeared.
"Goodnight sweet child" she whispered as she left. I felt loved and at peace.
"Goodnight" I mumbled sleepily.
Anyone else know who Aurora is better known as? Answer with next chapter.
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