Trouble Maker
A/N: Hi, everyone. I have some disconcerting news, I am sorry to say. I will be taking a few weeks off from posting. Currently I am working my full time job, putting in my hours for my apprenticeship, and am renovating a house. Not to make excuses, but I just wanted to let you know that it is not a matter of laziness, or lack of inspiration. I am, literally, devoid of extra time to give this story the attention it needs to be good. I have several parts written, but without plenty of overviewing, it will suck, and I would be very unhappy with that. Hopefully, after this last bit of installations, my surplus time will increase, which should be over the next three weeks.
Unfortunately, I am leaving you with a short chapter this week. I wanted to avoid any cliffhangers with my sabbatical looming, so the chapter got cut up.
As always, great thanks to Nerdygirl for her editing skills. She went above and beyond this week, and I cannot thank her enough for taking her role as my beta so seriously! She makes me wish I could afford to pay her!
-Andi
Chapter Eleven: So Long Shadow
Eric set the bags of groceries on the countertop of his kitchen, and Sookie quickly went about putting everything away.
"Am I coming with you to the club?" She asked as she put a half-gallon of milk in the fridge along with some more yogurt and small tub of cottage cheese.
"I would prefer if you did not." Eric told her seriously, "The less the Magister has in contact with you, the less likely he is to ask questions."
"How are you going to explain discovering Long Shadow's misdeeds without bringing up my telepathy?" She asked curiously as she put away a few cans of peaches and pears.
"I will state the truth. One of my employees saw him glamouring Ginger and overheard his command." Eric shrugged. "I will just not state that it was a telepathic witness."
"Won't he want to interview the employee?" She pressed.
"The Magister takes little note of humans. He does not care what they have to say, glamoured or otherwise." Eric answered, "Do not fret over this, Lover, you need not worry the slightest bit over this bit of politics."
"If you say so." Sookie sighed, putting away the last of the groceries. Eric smiled at her. "How long should this take?"
"Not long,perhaps an hour or two." He shrugged.
"Guess I can spend time exploring the house. After all, I've only ever seen the den, kitchen, bedroom, and master bath."
"There is a study down the hall where I keep all of my books. I know that you enjoy reading. There is also a sitting room with a fireplace." He told her, "It is a rather simple layout. I have little need for many rooms. Although there is a guest room for when Pam is forced to stay with me or in the event that Godric were to visit. Though, he has not done so in all the time I have been in Louisiana."
"Gotcha." Sookie nodded. "Settling in with a book for a few hours sounds good." She agreed with his suggestion.
"However, I am not due at the club for another two and a half hours..." Sookie knew that look. That look told her she wouldnotbe getting a head start on her reading.
Eric closed the distance between himself and his lover. Reaching across her body, the vampire slowly untied the string that secured the wrap around blouse and opened it just as gradually. Sookie took a deep breath as he stared down at her body as he exposed it. Her hands rested behind her on the counter as she gently tilted back to give him a nice view of her cleavage. Eric purred as he reached for her breasts, pushing them together for a moment before massaging them sensuously. The telepath let her head fall back as he plucked at her nipples through her bra before undoing the front clasp.
Careful to enjoy every single moment, Eric gently pushed the straps and shirt from her shoulders, kissing them away down her left arm. Humming at the action, Sookie used a, now free, arm to reach around Eric's neck and direct his face to her own for a kiss.
As their lips fuzed together, Eric quickly unbuttoned the skin tight jeans his Lover wore and began peeling them from her body. Once her bottom was bare, he lifted her onto the counter and yanked the pants the remainder of the way off along with her panties.
Eric spread her legs wide as he dove between them, devouring her already dampening pussy. She moaned and giggled as he alternated between pleasuring her and tickling the inside of her thighs. Eventually he stopped his teasing and got down to business, snaking his tongue around her clit in a devilish way that only he could manage, and coaxing her juices to flow with his fingers inside of her, massaging that pleasure spot within.
"Ah, mmm, Eric!" She arched against the marble counter. "Oh! Oh!OOoooh!"
Eric grinned at her noises, enjoying every little yip and every long cry. Most of all he enjoyed the way his name tumbled from her lips like a plea. Whenever she called his name, it reminded him that what she cried for was not more pleasure, but more of him.
When he had brought her to climax, Eric leapt onto the counter with all the grace of a jungle cat and spun his lover on her hip so that she lay lengthwise on the kitchen counter. Lying on their sides, facing one another, Eric put one of his hands beneath her head to cradle it, and the other drew her available leg over his hip. With her leg resting there, Eric drew his knee up to open her wider for his entry while his now free hand was able to guide his cock home.
When does he take his pants off?Sookie wondered deliriously before she no longer cared and succumbed to the sensation of him filling her.
Grabbing her side to hold her close, Eric began to rock gently against his lover as he sought out her lips to kiss them. Their bodies moved together languidly, unhurriedly, just enjoying their natural rhythm for as long as they could.
Taking the muscled globe of one beautifully sculpted cheek in her hand, Sookie kneaded it before giving Eric a rough tug to deepen his stroke. She gasped at the sensation and her leg rose higher along Eric's side in response.
"You want me deeper inside of you, Lover?" Eric asked in that intoxicating bedroom (or kitchen) voice.
"Yes! Eric, deeper!" Sookie panted.
The vampire complied quickly and was soon on his knees while Sookie remained on her side. She only had a moment to wonder at how her leg could bend like it now was, as Eric straddled her left leg and pushed her right at a perfect 90 degree angle from it. She did not have even a second to wonder as he pounded deeply inside her and stole all inquisitive thoughts from her head other than:How is it possible to feel this good!?
Eric kissed and nibbled her ankle with passionate lips and blunt teeth as he began to feel Sookie's channel spasm in the familiar way that preluded an intense orgasm. With an almighty clenching of her internal muscles, she let out a passionate scream as those muscles released and fluttered violently around his cock. Soon, Eric received his own orgasm and thrust sporadically against her.
Gently returning her legs into a neutral position, Eric slid back alongside her on the counter, turning her onto her other side so that he could spoon up behind her. Kissing the exposed shoulder in front of his face, Eric then licked a spot to taste the light sheen of sweat that had built up.
"You are marvelous, Lover." He murmured.
"Mmm, you are too." She sighed contentedly.
Petting her hair gently, Eric decided it was time to get his lover somewhere more comfortable. Jumping off of the counter, he carefully lifted her up and took her to the couch in the sitting room. He made quick work of lighting a fire before sidling up behind her between her and the couch back.
Returning to his previous action of caressing her, Eric wondered if he dare leave her naked on the couch with a fire burning if she were to fall asleep past the time he had to leave for his meeting.
"Mmm," Sookie crooned sleepily, "this is nice..."
"Yes, My Sookie, this is very nice." He agreed.
"I love you, Eric." She shimmied back against him, trying to let herself be absorbed by him.
Eric smiled happily to himself, "And I, you, Sookie." He kissed the back of her head.
"Will we do this still when I come over?" She mumbled.
Eric knew, despite the jolt of excitement it gave him, that Sookie had not actually made a decision. He, unfortunately, knew that with all the talk about Bonds, vampires, and their future, that, in her half asleep mind, she was just babbling and not considering her words carefully. But what a feeling it gave him!
"Yes, my Little Lover. Every evening before dawn, I will hold you like this." Eric whispered back and her breathing evened out as she slipped away into a pleasantly, dreamless sleep.
Going into "down time", as Sookie called it, Eric absentmindedly stroked her side as he thought about how euphoric it would feel to die for the day with Sookie clasped firmly in his arms, and to rise in exactly the same position. Right now, he could not even truly hold her at the end of the evening and beginning of day for it would be too difficult for her to unravel her way from his arms when she awoke the following afternoon. Therefore, for the time being, Eric had to be contented by an arm lazily draped across her body. By the Gods how he hoped that, soon, she would rest from dawn to dusk with him.
As the evening drew closer tomidnight, Eric went to the kitchen to retrieve his clothing before choking out the fire he had built. He wished he could leave Sookie in its warmth, but since it was not a necessary source of heat, and her safety was far more important than an aesthetic display, such as a roaring fire- out it went.
Before he left, Eric lifted Sookie up and tucked her into their bed. She stirred slightly, but quickly turned onto her side and settled. Kissing her head, Eric gave her one last longing look before leaving the house.
Deciding that he would rather fly and be able to return to Sookie all the sooner, Eric took to the night sky with relish. The cooler air at a higher altitude snapped him back into reality, firmly placing "badass Sheriff" Eric back into action. Lovesick Eric was back to the sidelines of his mind, and only making minor objections to his new spot in the lineup.
"Master, the Magister is already here." Pam nodded to Eric as he landed next to her at the employee entrance of the club. "We are now only awaiting Long Shadow's Maker."
Eric gave a single nod before entering the back of the club and going to the basement where the Magister stood, staring with dark amusement at the silver bound vampire.
"I don't like being kept waiting, Northman." The Magister did not look at him as he said this, still reveling in the sight of Long Shadow's sizzling skin.
"I was detained." Eric said firmly.
The Magister could smell the sex and sweet, human scent on Eric, but given just how good this mortal smelled; he chose not to call Eric out on it. Ifhehad found a human that delicious, it would have, certainly, detained him for a little while as well.
"When is Hot Rain due to arrive?" The Magister asked instead, "I am very busy, and you are lucky I had time to stop by for a single trial on such short notice."
"My Child says he will appear at any time now." Eric assured.
"If he does not get here in the next five minutes, you may end this one." Replied the Magister.
Eric grinned evilly down at Long Shadow, "But who would return my money?"
"I will bill Hot Rain if he doesn't get himself here on time." Eric nodded slowly. Three minutes later, the other vampire grew impatient and said callously, "You may kill him now. I am through with waiting."
Long Shadow's eyes widened and he began to writhe painfully against his restraints. The Magister handed Eric a stake and took a single step back to avoid the blood that would be making a messy appearance.
"Wait, I am here!" Hot Rain came zipping down the stairs, "I am here!" He said again.
"Too late. You were told to be here atmidnight. It is now12:02. Obviously, you care nothing for your progeny's continued existence, and given the fact that he has stolen from his own Sheriff, you will reimburse Sheriff Northman the total of missing funds with an additional 10%. Is that understood?" The Magister sounded bored, and Hot Rain looked frantic. "If you choose to make another progeny, I suggest you either hold onto them longer for training, or wait until you are older to control them more properly."
Long Shadow looked to his Maker beseechingly as Eric pulled back his arm and sunk the stake through his heart. Hot Rain grabbed his hair, pulling it slightly, a frantic look on his face as he witnessed his Child disintegrating before his eyes.
The Magister left the other two vampires, ready to get a move back onto the road and to his other trials that needed to be overseen. Eric only remained a moment longer to look at Hot Rain. He did not like the way the other vampire made him feel. Seeing this reaction only made the older vampire ache and worry about if he ever lost Pam or Sookie.
Shaking his head, Eric went back upstairs. He would have to stay until Hot Rain left, to be certain he would not try something in his club.
"Any problems tonight, Pam?" Eric asked as he came from the basement and found his Child waiting.
"Just the usual. A few attempted public feedings and a couple vermin that needed some glamouring." Pam shrugged, "Where is your Sookie?"
"Asleep at home."
Pam's eyebrows rose, "She went back to Bon Temps again?"
"My home." Eric rephrased, making Pam's eyebrows rise, still, higher.
"You are sharing your nest with her?" Pam asked.
"Are you questioning my actions, Child?" Eric asked, his voice light, but his eyes were stern.
"Of course not, I was curious. Forgive me, Master." Pam bowed her head slightly.
"Have you found a replacement for Long Shadow?" He asked, changing the subject.
"I have, but it will be about a month before he can make the transfer. The King of California has detained him for the time being." Pam explained.
"You got us a bartender from California?" Eric's eyebrows rose.
"He wanted a change of scenery. I've known Chow for a couple decades now. He's about four hundred and former Yakuza. He should make for an interesting addition. He also does not mind working shirtless." She added.
"Why is this a benefit?" Eric rolled his eyes.
"He was Yakuza. You remember their remarkable body art, yes?" Pam grinned, "And the vermin so do enjoy a tattooed vampire." She inserted.
"This is true. I still remember the fawning women throughout the ages have adorned Godric with." He smirked at the memory, though, if they had known the origins and circumstances behind those tattoos- it might have cooled them off on the lust and replaced it with the respect they deserved. "Do you know why he is being held by the King of California?"
"Confidential, but I am assured it is business and not anything for us to distrust. This comes from the secretary of the King's estate."
"Do we have anyone to cover until he arrives?" Eric was sitting at his desk going through the mail and some paperwork now.
"How about your Sookie?" Pam suggested, "She worked in a bar for five years, I'm sure she knows her way around one. It would only be for a month."
Eric shook his head, "I do not want her in a position where she cannot focus on her real purpose for being here."
"Or where you cannot have her in your lap, correct?" Pam asked as innocently as she could, which came out quite devilish. Eric just grinned at her.
Pam shut the office door behind her and flopped onto the leather sofa against the wall. She watched her Maker intently as he worked, knowing that he wanted to speak to her aboutsomething.
"Pam, how would you like to have a mistress?" Eric finally asked when he had looked through all of his papers.
Pam's lips quirked, "You intend to turn her?" She caught the meaning behind the word "mistress" and it surprised her beyond all comprehension.
"If she chooses. I wanted you to be prepared if she does." Eric explained.
"She is entertaining. Also, very enjoyable to look at." Pam shrugged, "I do not know that her personality is compatible with this lifestyle, though."
"She would be marvelous." Eric smirked, "She would be different, for certain, but still wonderful. With the Great Revelation and the rise of the Fellowship of the Sun, I believe having a vampire with a kinder face and disposition might be good for our cause."
"You wish to make her the face of the "new vampire"?" Pam sounded doubtful.
"Not quite so plainly." Eric shook his head, "Only, she would be one of very few new vampires that chose the existence for something other than the glory of vampirism."
Pam froze, "You are going to-"
"If she chooses." Eric stopped her from saying the word. "What is your view on it?"
Remaining quiet for a moment, Pam shook her head. She knew that no matter what she said, the decision was not hers, but she would speak her opinion since her Maker was asking for it, "I do not like it." She admitted, "It will be a great weakness for you to have her like that."
Eric nodded, "I agree."
"And should her gift not remain after the change, she would be any other... Child." Pam pointed out.
"I am not planning on changing her for her gift." Eric told her.
Pam did not like that, and he could feel it. She was apprehensive, but not jealous. He was grateful for that much. After a little over a century of hearing that love was a weakness, and should be avoided at all costs, Pam was displeased with her Maker's sudden affliction with it. Not only did he put himself, his potential progeny and his current progeny in danger, but he also risked Godric's well-being if he were killed. If Eric were to fall, one of the oldest vampires on the continent would have lost his entire bloodline, for Sookie would soon fall, and many would do away with Pam for vengeance against the ended Viking. A most promising bloodline would be destroyed. Godric had built a reputation and was in line to becoming the most respected and revered bloodline on the continent, and now Pam's Maker was on the precipice of complicating that.
"If she makes the decision to join us, I will introduce her to Godric beforehand, and accept whatever conditions he lays down for this situation." Eric tempered her fears with this statement.
"It will be a very delicate situation." Pam agreed.
Eric nodded as well, "Am I needed further here?" He asked.
"No. I can close up the club tonight, and I will have a temporary bartender in place by tomorrow night." She assured.
"Good." Eric rose from his desk and paused as he passed his Child, "You will always be my first." He told her, running his finger down her cheek affectionately.
When her Maker had left, Pam finally uttered, "But no longer your favored."
TBC
A/N: REMEMBER TO REVIEW, EVERYONE!
-ANDI