Sooooo, I can't really tell you how sorry I am that this, and all my other stories, have been on an indefinite hold while I sorted out "life stuff", but it is Christmas and I thought a good gift to my wonderful readers would be an Eric POV. Honestly, I have no idea where Sookie is. She's just sitting at the terminal in my head staring at the myriad of possible flights. That being said, Eric is about to show up with the wrong telepath.
Eric POV:
I knew that Ocella could feel my rapid approach as I soared over the dense chapparal of Oklahoma. What the hell he saw in this state I'll never know. Just as I'm sure I won't be told how he got in deep with Freyda. Probably he made some sort of mess that the Queen had to take care of, though that didn't sound like my maker at all. I knew very well of the depths of his depravity and he could party with Bacchus; in fact he liked to brag that he once had. However, he was anything if not clean. He did not make waves while in a monarchs area and, in return, he was allowed to be fairly mobile as he clung to the old ways, hardly staying in one place over ten years.
I was distracted from my musings by the telepath getting air sick. He almost covered me in pink vomit, a shade which I found slightly distressing. My ass would be forefeit if one hair on his head was harmed. Of that, I had no doubt. Though if I did enough to be a nuissance, I might end up spending some "quality time" with Stan. As much as I despise being subjected to torture, I internally nodded at the thought, Stan would feel like kittens licking me compared to what Ocella had planned. The demon who was responsible for the telepath was hot on my trail. I made sure of it.
Again, the telepath made a noise like he was going to spatter my favorite suit with that pink gunk. He ended up dry heaving instead sounding like a pathetic snivelling dog. Well he sure was playing the damsel in distress role well enough.
"Please, can we just stop at a gas station or something? I could really use a ginger ale and a chance to pee." I could let myself be caught before getting to the compound, but then I would violating a direct makers command. That would be painful. Extremely painful. I winced at the thought of the first and only time I disobeyed Ocella.
"No, there will be no detours. I've been commanded to bring you before the Queen of Oklahoma."
"Why the hell can't she get her own telepath?"
"Your kind are decidedly rare in this realm. That's why you are so valuable."
"Well I kind of got that, but is this really all necessary?" I struggled to explain just how necessary it was until I finally settled on confiding a bit in Barry. He might be able to get me some leniency with Stan when I was put in a silver wrapped coffin for a hundred years.
"It was either you or Sookie. I bear you no ill will, but I would die before putting her within a hundred miles of my maker."
"What the hell? So just because I'm a telepath that means that you just abduct me to save your girl?"
"Yes"
He huffed about it for a minute before calming back down.
"Ok, I'll play along, for Sookie's sake. She did me a huge favor setting up the deal with Stan. He's not always the cuddliest dude, but he's usually good at protecting me from people who want to exploit or kill me, ya know until you showed up. You could probably make a shit ton of money showing vamps where their security is lacking, ya know?"
That made me chuckle. "I have more money than I could possibly spend in ten lifetimes, though I do enjoy creating business ventures just for the extra influence in the community. That's not a terrible idea Barry."
"Thanks, hey I wasn't kidding about that ginger ale and piss break. Do you think we'll be there soon?"
"We're about five minutes out, as the crow flies."
"Don't you mean the vampire?"
I saw the cattle ranch out in the middle of nowhere. I suppose the Queen liked the cows or maybe the branding irons. Whatever the reason was, it served as an effective deterrent to those who would seek to dethrone her. I had heard of plenty of stories of miscreants and political schemers being sent to "the ranch" and being branded with irons coated with silver. The thought flitted past my mind wondering what kind of branding I'd get... and where.
"Well here we are. Are you alright to stand or should I carry you?"
Barry practically jumped out of my arms and kissed the ground before shakily getting to his feet. He straightened out his rumpled dress shirt and slacks and then nodded.
"I'm ready, but I'd really like to know what the plan is."
"All your involvement requires is for you to be present. Just stay quiet and follow me."
We walked, though somewhat slower for Barry's sake, down the long path lined with trees leading up towards the compound where the lanterns hung. They were probably solar with little fake bulbs. Vampires were not overly fond of fire in any form. Being in front of a fireplace made some of us antsy.
Though the setting was idyllic, I could see the footman and butler waiting to receive us were dressed in the simple finery that denoted their station. As we approached, a portly gentleman stepped forward and bowed deeply in a show of respect.
"Good evening sir. My name is Charles. I was told to expect you and your companion, though I suspect there was a misunderstanding." He was referring to the fact that Sookie should have been there.
"I don't believe so. My esteemed companion has accompanied me as requested by her majesty. Would you please let her majesty know that we have arrived?"
"Certainly sir. I was told that you would need to freshen up before your audience. Please follow me this way to your room."
After washing and changing into tuxedos, we were led back along the corridor that we originally walked down with a number of hunting trophies and animal hides along the walls. This place was created to intimidate and it did a fairly good job of it. I almost laughed when we were brought into the audience chamber to find Freyda sitting in a throne on top of a bear skin rug. Her face looked serene with hardly a show of frustration besides the quick tightening of her mouth into a hard line. It lasted only a second before she plastered on a sacharine smile.
I bowed as deeply as was acceptable which resulted in little more than a slow nod. Barry stood straight as a board next to me.
"Eric, as always it is a pleasure. Welcome to my home. I trust you had a safe journey, though I don't believe I know your companion. I was under the impression that you were bringing Miss Stackhouse."
She turned around to give a reproachful glare to Ocella who lounged in a smaller armchair with another vampire sitting at his feet. It was a young man who appeared to have been turned in his teenage years. There wasn't much very special about him except for the decidedly wild look in his eyes, but when we made eye contact understanding lit up his features and in a moment he was hugging me like a little lost child.
Ocella stood up and looked disapprovingly at the youger vampire. "Forgive me. Where are my manners? Eric, meet your brother, Alexi Romanov."
Wow, so that just happened. I hope you all enjoyed it. I had a fun time imagining what Freyda's compound would be like. I think for once I have an idea where this is going, though who knows? Sometimes my muse just takes me for a ride without any forewarning. Sookie is still sitting at the terminal trying to figure out her dream vacation. Is Hawaii too cliché? Please let me know what you thought of it. Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night! Ho Ho Ho
Love,
PIP
