Chapter 10

Felicia left with a clear understanding as to what I needed her to do. I returned to my interrogation of Amelia. The witch had all but grown catatonic as she sank to the floor. I signaled for Pam to lift her to a sofa and sat in a chair opposite her. Taking a deep breath, I made my voice as non-threatening as possible.

"Did Sookie ask you to break the bond?"

She nodded her head almost imperceptibly.

"Why?'

A nervous hand pulled on a silver chain. The pendant was in the shape of a teardrop. "She was scared" she whispered.

"Of what?"

"Madden had learned something about her. I don't know what it was but it terrified her. He had been blackmailing for some time and she'd done everything he asked for."

My blood burned and I had to quell the rage from my voice. It was obvious that this woman was near the breaking point. "When did this 'blackmail' start?"

"DeCastro had been hosting a conference of the kings of the Southern regions. He'd insisted that Sookie attend to show her off but was most proud when the Ancient Pythoness showed up unexpectedly. He saw it as a validation of his reign but Victor was smart enough to realize that she did not come for DeCastro but for Sookie. He followed her and was witness to a conversation that they had. Apparently, she had seen something in Sookie's future that interested him greatly."

He knew. I had to attack before he came for my child but I would not leave without my bonded. Pam felt my anxiety and went to guard Adele in her bedroom. I was left alone with Amelia.

"Did Sookie help Madden bring down DeCastro?"

The witch looked away. I was skilled enough to smell the guilt in her. "You will tell me."

A sob. "It was all my fault. After what happened to Trey I wasn't okay and then you and her disappeared for so many months."

I had no time for recriminations. "Get to the point"

"I was so miserable and Felipe seemed so charming. I thought I could have what you and Sookie did. I wanted that connection"

Few things can surprise me about humans anymore but this was one. "You bonded with DeCastro?"

"No, he did not want to bond. He wanted me as his human pet and I accepted it. When Sookie came back she tried to get him to release me since I was so messed up but he wouldn't so she helped Madden in his takeover of Lousiana to save me. She read the minds of his accountants and learned that he was hiding assets from whomever kings have to report to and that he was going to make a move for Georgia in the near future. Victor had those humans interrogated and recorded so that a judgment was rendered against DeCastro and he was executed. Since Victor had turned him in he was declared King of Louisiana but not of Nevada. We thought that this would make him angry but he was satisfied with the ruling."

Something about that did not make any sense as Nevada was twenty-times the moneymaker that Louisiana was even with the tourism. Why would a money-hungry vampire like Madden settle for Louisiana when he could rightfully ask for Nevada instead?

"At first he was nice to Sookie and even allowed us to return to Bon Temps but then he began to call her to New Orleans until one day she just didn't come back. I went to find her and that's when she asked me and Octavia to break the bond with you."

If Victor knew about Adele what was the purpose of bonding with Sookie? It would be easier to try to take her from me. Had this been a ploy to get me to return to Louisiana knowing that I would bring my daughter as well? "Did she say why she wanted to break the bond?"

"No, she said it was best if I didn't know. A long time ago she'd asked me and Octavia to research a way to end it but she had not said anything since then. I thought she was happy being connected to you even if you weren't around anymore." She looked up at me accusingly but I kept my expression blank and she went on. "It took a lot of concentration and some really old magics but we managed. She said she felt the bond shatter."

"As did I" I murmured.

The witch paused to consider my admission. Something told me that she hadn't thought of any ramifications of her spells beyond the obvious. "Sookie was sick but Victor has fed her his blood three times since the break. Yesterday she woke up and she was feeling a lot better. Victor said that the power behind his blood had no problem overriding the effects of your weaker stock."

Bastard. "I see."

"I don't think that's what happened though" She was catching on quick. A thoughtless revelation could destroy everything. I made a decision then.

"Adele" I called quietly but she heard me. Amelia was back to looking confused but her expression changed rapidly when the door to the room opened and my daughter walked out.

"Yes poppa?" my child looked at me expectantly. I motioned to the witch who had gone pale from shock.

"My dear this is a friend of your mother's, her name is Amelia Broadway. I thought you should meet her."

My daughter smiled prettily "Nice to meet you Ms. Broadway, I'm Adele Northman" she said with a slight curtsy. Amelia extended a hand to touch Adele's face.

"I didn't know…she never said anything."

"This is how we planned it; Adele was to be protected at all costs. I wanted you to see her to know that no power in the world could ever destroy the bond between me and Sookie Stackhouse, you would be foolish to try again."

There were tears in the witch's eyes. "I understand and I'm so sorry. You look just like your mom Adele." She said earning her a smile.

"Thank you ma'am, my poppa says that she is very pretty and he misses her a lot you know"

Amelia nodded and looked at both of us in sympathy. "Would you like to see a picture of what she looks like now?" she asked Adele.

"Oh yes please"

The witch fumbled with her bag and removed a small cell phone. She flipped through the options until she found a picture of my beloved. Adele squealed in pleasure and I felt my heart clench. The picture showed me a Sookie that was smiling delicately into the lens. The blond hair was combed into a braid like Adele's and her blue eyes glimmered softly. Her face was much more defined as all trace of youthful fat had banished from her cheeks and there were small lines on the corners of her mouth. Amelia handed the phone to Adele. "Your mom sometimes gets this faraway look in her eyes and I always wondered but know I know that she is thinking about you both."

Adele nodded and she went off to show Roderick her mother's picture.

The witch dried the tears that had been falling continuously. "I get it. I thought you were a heel and had abandoned her, never in a million years would I have guessed the truth."

I assumed as much but I could not blame her. "There was no other way. Her powers are unique and I'd rather have spared her from what is coming but I need to kill Madden. I believe that the Ancient One has unintentionally revealed Adele's existence to him and he will not stop until he has her in his grasp."

Amelia gasped. "What are your plans?"

"I cannot attack while Sookie is in the mansion. I need to see her safe before I go any further. Can you give her a message from me?"

"Yes."

"Good. Tell her to wait only a little longer as I will be coming soon for her. She's not to trust anyone besides Felicia and Indira. Also tell not to be a martyr. We both love her and need her with us."

"I will."

"Thank you Amelia. I gather I can call on you to assist us when it's time."

"Of course. Sookie is my friend and you are protecting her daughter."

I nodded my thanks, glad to have one more ally in my corner.

TBC.

Sorry that we have yet to leave Pam's house but hopefully this chapter cleared up a little as to the why Sookie acted the way she did. I promise next chapter we finally see some sort of action and very likely the Eric, Sookie, Adele reunion. Thanks for the wonderful comments and keep them coming.