Eric just stared at me. He had no response. Times like these were when I really wish I could read vampire minds. I would give anything to know what he was thinking right at that moment. To my horror, I began to cry again, silent tears falling down my cheeks.
At the sight of those tears, Eric finally spoke. "Sookie, you don't know what you are talking about. You cannot love me."
"Well, Eric, I hate to contradict you, but, I do love you. So much that it frightens me. I've been in love before, obviously. But, never in my life have I fallen this hard for someone this fast."
"This is exactly why it can't be true."
"Why, Eric? Why do you honestly believe that I can't be in love with you?"
"How can you love someone you don't truly know?" His mood had instantly gone from anger to melancholy.
"Eric, I do know you. And, if there's parts of you I don't know, it's because you've chosen to keep them from me. Up until recently, I thought I hated you. I thought you were the most evil, manipulative creature to ever walk this Earth. But, going with you to Dallas has ended up being one of the best things that has ever happened to me. Not only because I was able to find Godric, again. But, also because I was able to see a side of you that I don't think I would've ever seen otherwise. You were ready to sacrifice yourself in order to free Godric and me. You were the one who healed me when Bill hurt me, and you allowed yourself to be appointed as my guardian when his treachery was discovered. It's you who has been working so diligently to discover who torched my house. Without even a second thought, you made sure that Jessica would be protected after my home was gone. You've been the one working with my insurance agent to make sure things are taken care of. Godric told me that the reason you were there in the room with us last night, was because something you found out upset you, and that you just wanted to be near me. Instead of granting Luke's request and killing him, you erased his memory of what he'd done and gave him and his family a new life." I raised my hand to caress his cheek. "Eric, just because you feel that you don't understand what it means to love someone, that doesn't mean that someone can't love you."
He turned from me, and walked a few steps away. Then, he just stared up at the moon. "And, just in case you're wondering, I don't expect you to say that you love me back. Yes, I would be the happiest woman alive if you did love me, but, I also know that it takes a lot for a vampire to feel that. And, when it all comes right on down to it, I guess I don't even really need for you to be completely faithful to me." He turned at this, looking speculative. "I want to be with you. But, I also want to be with Godric. I know that it is unfair for me to think that I can have two lovers, and that you both can only have me. But, you need to remember that I'm not the one who chose this. I only allowed my heart to cling to both of you because you kept encouraging it. I'm not blaming you, and I'm not saying you tricked me. If you want other women, fine. But, tell me that. Don't just keep it a secret until I walk into your office and see you with someone else. Eric, you are a very important piece of my life. I don't want to loose you. I will take whatever part of yourself you're willing to offer. And, in return, you will have my unconditional love. Eric, you know that I love Godric very much, but, honestly, it pales in comparison to what I feel for you. And, I swear to God I will stake you myself if you ever tell him I said this, but, when I'm not with him, I miss him, I wish I was with him. When I'm not you, I can't breathe."
I turned my back to him and looked down at my feet. I felt all kinds of embarrassed about what I'd just said. I hadn't realized I felt that strongly until I saw him with someone else. I don't know how or when it happened, but suddenly, my entire world revolved around Godric and Eric. If I didn't have one of them, everything was out of order, as if gravity suddenly changed.
I felt him come to stand directly behind me, his breath on the back of my neck. I wanted him to touch me. I wanted him to hold me, and kiss me. I just wanted him. Just when I had made the decision to turn and kiss him myself, I heard his cell phone ringing. He stepped away from me to answer it. A moment later, I heard my own phone chime that I had a new text message. It was from Godric. It simply said, "Come home now."
I shut my phone and put it in my pocket just as Eric was shutting his. "Keys," he said, his voice full of authority. I tossed him the keys to the civic, and within seconds, we were speeding back towards Shreveport.
"Eric, what's going on? Godric's text just said for me to come home."
"The Magister is at Fangtasia, Sookie. Apparently, he caught wind of what happened to your home, and what was planned for Merlotte's. He is questioning whether or not I'm capable of protecting you." I became overwhelmed just thinking about having to leave Eric and Godric.
He must have felt my fear, because he reached over and took my hand in his, twined our fingers together, and kissed the back of my hand. "Do not be afraid, lover. Godric and I will protect you. No one can take you from me. I've waited too damned long to have you, and I refuse to loose you."
We drove the rest of the way in silence. Just as he turned into the parking lot, he said, "Sookie, he cannot know that you ran from me tonight. Pam told him that you'd had an argument with your brother, and you asked me to take you somewhere private to let off some steam." I just nodded, understanding the implications if the Magister knew that Eric had allowed me to run away from him.
There weren't many cars in the lot, and, I figured that all of the humans had been sent home once the Magister had arrived. Eric took us through the employees entrance, through the hallway to the main bar area. When we passed his office, I looked inside to see Jessica, looking terrified, with another female vampire trying to calm her down. That's when I remembered that this was the man who'd forced her to become a vampire against her will. My terror was driven up a notch.
As we walked into the main bar area, I saw that Pam, Chow, and Godric were all standing against the bar, while a man I'd never before seen, I assumed it wasThe Magister, sat in Eric's 'throne.' He stood as we entered.
"Aww, Sheriff, how nice of you to finally join us." He didn't sound pleased.
"Yes, Magister. I apologize for my tardiness. We were not expecting you."
"But that's the best time to arrive. When you're unexpected. It allows you to see what is really going on, not just what someone wishes you to see."
He slowly walked towards us, and began to circle me. "Sheriff, this is the Telepath?"
Eric nodded, and said, "Yes, sir. May I present to you Miss Sookie Stackhouse."
He was suddenly right in front of me, looking directly into my eyes. "Well, it most certainly is a pleasure to finally meet you Miss Stackhouse. As I'm sure you're aware now, we have been keeping our eyes on you for quite some time. Tell me, how do you feel about this Sheriff being your guardian?"
I wish Eric had prepared me better for this. I had no idea how to respond. "Well, sir, I certainly feel safe when I'm with him." I could tell by the look on the Magister's face, this wasn't exactly the right answer. I tried to fix the situation. "What I mean is that I do not believe that anyone would ever be able to separate us and harm me when he is around. As I'm sure you're aware, he was able to stop two attempts on my life recently."
"Yes, I have heard of the fire at your home, and the bomber at your place of employment. Tell me, Sheriff," he turned his attention to Eric, "Do you have any ideas as to who the arsonist was?"
"I have my suspicions, sir. However, I do not have anything concrete to go on for now."
The Magister looked back to me, and stared at me for a moment. "Godric, do come here, please."
Godric came to stand at by me, so that he was on one side of me, with Eric on the other. The Magister simply watched us for a few moments. "Yes, I do believe this is the solution to our problem. Miss Stackhouse, beside you stands the two oldest vampires in this country. They also happen to be the only two vampires older than myself on this entire continent. If they cannot ensure your safety, then you are truly doomed." He paused for a moment, almost as if he was rethinking what he'd just said.
"The three of you will form a blood bond. I want both vampires tied to this human. As you are Maker and Child, you already know that you are stronger together than apart. You will both exchange blood with her, and protect her as long as she lives." I didn't quite understand everything he was saying, but, it was easy to recognize the depth of what he was telling us to do.
"Magister," Godric spoke. "We have each exchanged blood with her at least once, but, as you know, it takes at least thrice for a bond to be formed. I would request that you allow us to exchange with her in the privacy of our own home this night, and again in two nights time, so as to not weaken her at all."
The Magister simply nodded. "It is done. I will return in three nights to ensure you have done as ordered." He approached me, took my hand in his, lifting it to his face, and smelling before he placed a chaste kiss on my knuckles. "Yes, I'd heard you were quite unique. As I said, it was a pleasure to finally meet you my dear." And just like that, he was gone.
"Pam, lock up. Take Jessica to your home for the day. Godric, Sookie and I are going to need a little privacy, so it would seem." Pam nodded, and Eric turned to me, took my hand in his, and led me back out to the car, with Godric right behind us.
I was still very tense, and confused, as Eric drove the three of us home. No one spoke a word. Once we'd returned home, Eric led us to the bedroom we'd all been sharing, and he sat me down on the bed. "Sookie, do you understand what the Magister has ordered us to do?"
"Um, no, not really. I'm sorry, I was trying to follow, but, he lost me."
"Do you be sorry, darling." Godric said. "This is something that you and I discussed briefly earlier. It is not so very common for a vampire to willingly share their blood with a human. When a vampire and a human have shared each other's blood three times, a blood bond is formed. They can feel each other's emotions, sense danger, and locate each other much more effectively. This bond is permanent, and will only be broken when one of the two meets their final death." I nodded, showing I understood.
"Sookie, once a human has bonded with a vampire, there is no turning back. I am sorry that this has been forced upon you." I was somewhat shocked to hear Eric say this.
"Don't be sorry. It's okay. I don't mind, really." I turned my attention to Godric. "Godric, I should tell you, I had an epiphany this evening. It occurred to me that I am in love with both of you, and now you both know. I understand that, for a vampire, sharing is not easy. I don't expect for the two of you to have to share me, but remain faithful to me, and forsake all others. If you choose to take another lover, that is fine. But, please do not hide it from me. But, also please don't flaunt it in front of my face."
He put his hand on my cheek. "Sookie, I respect your decision. However, I would not feel any pleasure from touching another now that I've touched you. You truly are a goddess."
I looked down, blushing. "Okay then," I looked up at them again with conviction. "So, how do we do this blood exchange thing?"
