AN: No..No..No..My Stories are not abandoned. Real life is crazy, crazy, crazy and it doesn't want to settle for me at all. I promise that I do write when I can. I am grateful for your continued show of support, and all the continued Reading and Reviews of my work. Thank You!
Please Enjoy the latest chapter of My Viking.
—Present—
I could feel Gran's eyes on me and now that she was fully rested her mind was at full throttle. I turned toward her and smiled trying to reassure her, mentally cursing Jason and his hound dogging habits that lead to my full-blown outing of secrets and lies I've told. My actions, my consequences, best just to saddle up and deal with the fall out.
"Gran, some people are coming out here in a bit. I just want to warn you and prepare you a little. They.. we have a different protocol than regular folks. I will be treated differently than you're used too. Eric is a very important Vampire, the highest ranking Vampire in this area. My behavior will reflect his position."
"You really love him, don't you?" Gran asked finally, she had wanted to ask earlier but decided to postpone her questions until Eric was firmly tucked away underground for the day.
"He was my mentor, then my best friend, and later my love." I explained simply, stepping back from the window, I had been looking outside to where only I knew Eric would rise from later.
"It warms my old heart to know you've fond love. I'm just sad that you found yourself needing to keep so much from your family. May I ask how long you've known his true nature?"
"For as long as I've known him Gran."
"Hmm" she muttered troubled. Her concerns were valid, no good grandmother wanted their granddaughter with a vampire.
"I never wanted my secrets Gran." I reminded her softly of my own ability. A talent she lets slip her mind most days since my mess ups were almost non-existent.
"I know dear-heart, you're a real sweetheart. Hadley…" her mind turned not wanting to dwell on my secrets and focused in on Hadley "do you think she's happy with her new lot in life?"
"She seemed happy and her maker adores her. I think she will be well taken care of."
"I'd like to see her again one day. I very much wish she'd want that too, once she's more settled into her new life."
"Gran" I wanted to warn her, but her mind felt heavy and given insight of her heartbreak I spread a warm smile on my face and choose to give her hope "I bet one day she will too and Eric and her maker can work out the details. I'll contact her or her maker, I'll let them know she can call you whenever."
—- PAST …Sookie age 17…almost 18 —-
"Godric put me down or I swear I'll shock your firm yet beautiful ass" I yelled annoyed and a little distracted by his backside. The ancient vampire paid little to no attention while he ran with me through the forest, heading back to Eric's.
"Stop..stop..stop" I giggled as his cool pale hands ran over my ribs tickling me. "MERCY..DAMN IT..GOD..RIC!" I screamed as he tossed me across the room and onto the large comfy couch. I scrunched my nose and lifted my hands, I felt the power leave me, knocking him into the hallways breaking the banister.
"Run Fairy.. Run" Godric taunted as I grinned wickedly before I popped out of the living room and into my cabin. "Godric is here forth uninvited" I whispered before popping out of the cabin to an abandoned deer stand I had spotted the other day as I moved through the tree line.
"Come out, come out, my sweet girl..I promise not to bite you" Godric sang.
"I don't think so" I whispered popping around him as he chased after me. I did my best to keep my pattern random. I waved tauntingly across the clearing at Godric before teleporting back to Eric's porch.
"What are you doing?" Eric asked a little rudely raising a cool eyebrow, he was finally home from his visit with his child.
"Running from Godric…hump" I groaned turning and pushing my magic out knocking Godric across the yard. Vanishing, I wrapped my scent in tightly, crouched on a branch and steadied my heartbeat. I focused on my magic, concentrating my mind like a map and with a pop, pop, pop sporadically teleported around Bon Temps.
Tired and bruised from landing wrong on Sheriff Dearborn's roof and consequently falling off it and in my fright I had teleported myself back to Eric's living room. I landed wrong, twisting my ankle and letting out a pitiful groan. I found my plastic stake, pissed I pulled in my scent, used my slowly developing shielding magic to muffle my pounding heart. Using the years of physical training Eric had insisted upon I shuffled up the wall, using the bookcases and shadows in my favor. I braced myself, ignoring the straining muscles and burning agony, I waited.
I didn't have to wait for long, my 'vamper' zipped in and I didn't hesitate. I pushed off from the wall launching myself onto his back. I held the fake stake to his chest.
I knew by Eric's startled expression that I finally had their respect. My heart fell as his pride and joy quickly vanished leaving behind a vacant and empty expression.
"Eric?" I asked worried, while Godric put me carefully on the couch.
"I need you to prepare and remodel the spare room across from me, set up a new cell phone account in my name, order furniture, and have a new computer set it up in the guest room. Actually have the wall knocked down between the two adjoining rooms across from me, a new state of the art closet put in. I'll have more instructions later." I nodded dumbly. I wasn't his day person Bobby was. Just like that I was being pushed firmly back into the valuable asset box. It hurt, I didn't need it to be explained to me, Eric my best friend was gone.
"I'll tell Bobby" I said moving to stand, suddenly feeling very heavy.
"No" he hissed.
"I don't work for you" I snapped back, my emotions on edge.
"When are you going to drop that illusion? I own you. You. Are. MINE." He growled, stepping into my personal space.
I felt the familiar boiling of my anger surge through me. I didn't know if I wanted to kiss him or push him across the room, like always my magic failed me. I couldn't hurt Eric. I snarled back at him temper high, hackles shaken, I hated feeling trapped. "You. Don't. Own. Me!" I ground out ragged and breathless. "I don't know what crawled up your ass and died but you need to back the Fuck Off." I jerked myself back, only bringing pain to myself from his sudden grip on my wrist.
"Eric" Godric warned.
I sighed as he let go, moving quickly toward Godric I kissed his cheek in thanks and rubbed my sore wrist. I could feel the sizzling burn my anger and pain was inflicting on my magic, making it crackle and swirl out of its natural rhythm. I hated fighting with Eric.
"Sookie" Eric called out, stopping me in my tracks. He looked weary, troubled and every one of his thousand years.
"I'll do it," I mumbled surprising myself. I was rewarded with my favorite smile. Unfortunately I realized it was time to tell them about my plans. "I think I can get it all done before I leave for my trip."
"What trip?" He snarled, his anger returning full force.
I pushed down my own excitement and the worry I felt anticipating Eric's reaction to my news. I kept my face even and pleasant giving Eric a tight grin "I'm going to Europe." I'm in love with Eric but mature enough to realize I still had some growing up to do and that it would be best, maybe even beneficial for us if I did that out from under his watchful eyes.
"The fuck yo.." Eric stopped unexpectedly cut off by Godric.
"I think it's a wonderful idea. Where do you plan to go?" Godric beamed, his excitement evident for me all the while giving me a knowing smile.
"All over, where ever the wind takes me," I said shrugging, I was going without an itinerary. I had been in contact with a few fairies I had met in New Orleans with Godric; they had been visiting from Ireland.
"I'll rearrange my schedule, take a leave of absence from my company, I'll escort you." Eric offered seriously.
"That would be amazing Eric, truly it would be, but honestly, I want to do this alone." I winced at his dark scowl. "That means no guards, no shadows, Eric." I added as his mind swirled, a heavy layer of swirling nothingness.
"No," he gritted "three guards."
I took in his set jaw line, grim smile and the stern look, I relented, "one" I growled back annoyed, "Alcide, he's practically my brother."
"That you almost fucked…absolutely not." Eric hissed dangerously.
"Then Thomas, but he stays in the shadows, I want to do this alone."
"Acceptable."
I ended up postponing my trip by two weeks to finish the guest rooms that were for Pam's impending return. I picked lush white carpet and a pretty pastel yellow that went with white trim and classic oak furniture. The most expensive renovations were the closet and bathroom.
"It's very nice; this is why I had you do it and not Bobby." Eric stated startling me, I hadn't been aware of his awaking.
"I hope she likes it." I murmured making my way down the stairs.
"You leave tonight, yes?" Eric asked suddenly, almost out of nowhere.
"Yep" I smiled.
"Is your grandmother still angry?"
"Yes, mostly because I won't commit on a return flight." I said shrugging.
"Would you mind if I took you to the airport? I know you asked Godric since I've been unpleasant with the whole idea of this trip." I swirled around and beamed knowing Eric was finally giving me his okay.
"I'd love that" I hugged him tight, taking a deep drag of his unique scent of snowy earth and the salty air of the sea-side blending together nicely intoxicating me.
The drive was mostly quiet, Eric only occasionally talking to make sure I packed everything I needed. My heart squeezed as he led me through check in and he sat with me while I waited for my flight to start boarding.
"Here" he grunted, thrusting a black visa credit card into my hand "have a good time. I mean it, use it a lot, enjoy yourself and maybe buy me a few things."
My eyes were misty at his sweet gesture and I wrapped him in a long hug and as one of the flight attendants called out my seating section I leaned up and kissed him lightly on the lips. My face flushed scarlet as he pulled me in closer kissing me hard, full of want, possessiveness and blood not all my own. I was surprised to note his cool temperature didn't bother me, not even a little and the longer we engaged in our lip lock the warmer he felt.
I pulled back reluctantly, not wanting to leave the moment I had dreamed about for years. My mind reeled coming back to me, I knew the blood hadn't been accidental; he had wanted that to happen. He had my blood and I've had his, what the hell did that mean? I knew I didn't have time to question him or to be angry so I let it go, trusting it to be nothing bad. Eric wouldn't hurt me.
"Be safe Sookie, e-mail me daily and call regularly or I will be on the next flight out." I nodded misty eyed he didn't want me to go but was letting me go anyways. It was the first time I realized my happiness mattered to him.
"I'll miss you" I muttered hugging him one last time before boarding the plane.
Europe here I come.
—– Present at Gran's two hours till sunset —–
"Laurie, Trent where is Alcide?" I asked politely.
"Mrs. Sookie ...Miss Pelts and Alcide were at each other throats again ma'am, real nasty like. He'll be a little late." Trent explained.
"What he see's in that bitch, I don't know." I murmured frustrated. Gran shot me a disappointed frown in which I shrugged off mentally.
Laurie handed me a pile of clothes and Eric's expensive soaps. "I completed everything Eric requested of me, Madam. I hear you adopted a child, may I see him?
"Of course Laurie and it's Sookie here as well. Thank you for your services today and helping me out with these…Eric would be right moody if he had to walk around dirty any longer than necessary." Trent snorted, Eric and Trent had a weird 'friendship' they liked and respected each other, well as much as a werewolf and vampire can. Trent had saved me from a sadist vampire who figured out my abilities and trapped me, but before I could be hurt Trent had found me and staked the vampire.
"There's my little man" I cooed shocking myself at the pure glee and joy I felt at seeing Hunter awake and in Jason's arms. "I'll take him!" I scooped him up and hugged him close.
"He's so small" Laurie whispered standing close. It took me a minute to convince her to hold him. I knew what she had given up to stay with her husband after his tragic turning. "Eddie and I always wanted children. We married right out of high school and we swore we would wait until after college. We had a scare or two but he was turned before our final semester. It's something we've grieved together and moved passed Sookie, don't you worry." I nodded and she knew I understood her pain.
I waited ten minutes before picking up the phone and dialing Alcide "Where are you? I want to figure this out tonight so I can go home Alcide. If I'm stuck out here with creepy Bill Compton I'll hide your Scooby snacks." I threatened him.
"I'm at the turn off to your drive Sooks..Cool your jets" Alcide snipped back.
We moved to the porch leaving Gran and Jason in the house. Alcide pulled up slamming on his brakes and jerking his door open. I could see and almost feel the waves of anger he was giving off with his posture. He needed to get his act together before his new, well established and booming career as the owner of a protection company went to hell. Miss. Pelts was jeopardizing his future. After his fathers passing Alcide merged his fathers construction company with Eric's much larger one doubling his wealth and profits but pissing off the pack.
"We're taking Trents truck. I have a few places I want to nose about. I'm also in need of a full-time guard that needs to document all of my brother's activities for the near future. Someone I can stand please, because he'll be living with me for a while."
"I can't believe you're helping your dipshit brother, he's slower than a bag of rocks and he made you miserable." Alcide growled.
"And I can't believe your messing around with Debbie Pelt…knowing she's no good for you, plus she has more baggage than the international airport." I jabbed back.
"Sook I think she's in real trouble this time"
"Motherfucker… you knocked up the crazy bitch didn't you?" I yelled, scared for him. Alcide was more like a brother than Jason would ever hope to be.
"No…maybe, but worse," my mouth dropped. He had to be kidding me.
"Worse like bad money debt? Your business? Drugs? Breaking the contract with Eric? What kind of bad? You're confusing me," I panicked.
"Eric, all the above," he grunted embarrassed.
"Oh, shit fuck, son of a bitch, damn it Alcide" I cussed throwing my hands in air.
"I don't know what to do Sook…I don't love her anymore, not in a long time but she might be pregnant with my kid so I can't cut her out, yet. Everything so messed up, it went bad so fast that I didn't know until it was too late." I hated seeing him so torn but he wasn't going to break his trust or truce with Eric to protect her.
"Well figure it out" I offered "if she's pregnant then you use your alpha status with the pack and force her and keep clean at all cost. After the child is born you'll have to abjure her, Eric will order her death at worst, and at the very least she'll be banned from his area if she truly has V in her system. You know this, Alcide."
I let Trent and Alcide snoop around Jason's. We checked out a few of his favorites haunts and learned who he hung out with. As planned we made our way to Merlotte's after dark for dinner, since Jason dropped by there most nights for food or drinks. We had barely gotten our party settled when Eric, Eddie, and Pam entered the bar n' grill. Not a single mind picked up on the vampires in the bar. Nope, tonight I was the center of attention, the town's gossip, for bailing my troublesome brother out of jail in the middle of the night. How I had been able to afford it was as much a mystery as who my companions were.
"Lover" Eric greeted before greeting the rest of the table.
"Trent and Alcide both believe someone's setting Jason up to take the fall."
"I've requested for William to watch out for your Gran at night. Also I invited them to dinner." I raised an eyebrow curious at Eric's strange behavior.
"I..she..well, your Gran is good." He grunted picking me up and pulling me back onto his lap. "How's the minds tonight?"
"Boring for the most part" I watched as Jason greeted his friends completely ignoring us. Gran moved closer with Laurie who held a sleeping Hunter.
"Eddie and Stella are going to be his night shadows and Dean and Allen will most likely be his day guards, if Alcide can get them to agree to work for a vampire again."
I froze as I picked up on one of the cruelest, scariest mind I've ever stumbled across. I was frozen as the mind pictured me, focusing in on me. The strangest part was that I couldn't pin point him, it was like he was eluding me. Eric feeling my increasing fear snarled lowly, his chest vibrating anger as he looked around the bar fangs down trying to locate the threat. I almost screamed, his mind chanted my name darkly as he pictured strangling the life out of me.
"Sookie" Eric snapped shaking me, pulling me out of the mind.
"He's here" I whispered in Eric's ear.
"Where?" Pam asked moving to stand, straightening her light blue sweater. "I'll kill him; it would be my pleasure to do this for you Sookie."
I winced "I don't know, his mind is slippery, I can't locate him. It's like all around me not one exact location."
"That's unfortunate" Pam said returning to her chair.
"Eric he knows my name, he knows I'm a fang banger." I hated the term but the monster thought of me as one.
"We're leaving" Eric demand rising, pulling both me and Hunter in close, protectively. "Alcide you know what I expect, full protection" was his parting words and Eddie pulled Jason out of the bar.
Eric gave Gran and Uncle Bartlett the low down and promised to protect their younglings.
"Jason you'll be guarded, watched or protected whatever you want to call it 24/7 until this is figured it. You'll be pleasant and will not cause any trouble. Understood?"
"Yes" Jason agreed respectfully his mind replaying the full lecture Gran had given him earlier.
It took me ten minutes to settle Jason an Eddie in, and Pam had arrived with some clothes for Jason. Pam and Eric shared a few words before parting ways for the night. I couldn't relax I was still a little bit frightened. I checked in on Hunter and ended up rocking him until Eric pried him from my arms and returned him to his crib.
"Let's go to bed my wife?"
"That's your best idea in a thousand years my dear husband" I agreed easily as his mouth touched me right behind my left ear.