Chapter Fourteen

The fire was quick to spread and in seconds the whole far wall was a blaze. My biggest concern, however, was the thick cloud of silver that was floating down from the ceiling towards the vampires. I knew it would kill them the second it touched them. The fire was just insurance. If the silver gas didn't get them then they would burn.

I leapt onto the stage where I had the best vantage point and I began cleaning up. I held my hand up and a strong wind blew the gas back up as far as it could go. I held the wind in place like a blanket over the vampires.

"Brace yourself y'all it's gonna get very cold in here." I held my other hand up and a blue mist floated through the room. Ice formed on every surface as the mist travelled through the grand hall. When it touched the fire the orange flames were immediately extinguished.

I clicked my fingers and the burnt and crumbling back wall was repaired. I figured we needed the barrier in case the FotS were on the other side. I hoped, for their sakes, that they had fled. I looked up to the silver cloud and tried to figure out which power would most safely dispose of it. I had figured the ice would work but at the last minute I had kept the blue mist under the wind in case it turned it to liquid and began raining silver. I doubted this audience would thank me for that. I closed my eyes and willed the gas to disappear. When I opened my eyes it was gone.

"Now for the really hard part," I said to the inanimate audience. Just as I was about to shut my eyes and will the spell to be undone Athena appeared in a white tunic. She skipped along the hall as if there was nothing unusual before her and beamed at me.

"Hey sis. What you doing? Are you trying to save all these dead things? After they just insulted you as well. I would have let them burn." I giggled.

"Athena what are you doing here?" I said cheerfully giving her a hug. "I am not that petty either," I added just to clear that up. She laughed heartily at me.

"I know. It's a shame though because punishing transgressors is a hoot. Thor and Seth said that you were going to call and I thought I would drop in before they got here. I know we are family but sometimes those guys do my head in." I burst into hysterical laughter.

"Athena you're a gem. You are older than I care to know and you use modern slang like 'hoot' and 'do your head in'. I was going to call actually, but first I need to undo this spell. Although part of me is with you. I much prefer the peace and quiet when they are like this." I gave her a conspiratorial wink as I snapped my fingers and all the vampires came 'back to life' ha ha – or so to speak. "No Body move!" I ordered and then turned to look at Eric. "Except you sweetie." He smiled at me with that smug grin and jumped up to give me a hug and a kiss.

Athena cleared her throat and I pulled out of Eric's rather passionate kiss.

"Right, sorry. So I guess y'all will want the ones responsible for this. Athena would you mind rounding the troops. I want to talk to everyone together."

"Your wish is my command," she said bowing to me and vanishing in a clap of thunder.

"You're a god!" The mean vamp said looking at me stunned. I noticed everyone, not at the Louisiana table, was wearing the same expression.

"No. Actually she is much higher than a god," Eric was bragging. "What was it you were saying about 'know your place' and 'remove her' I would like to see you try!" He scoffed.

"Eric," I whined. "Don't be so nasty they can't help it. I remember you saying similar things not so long ago."

"Yeah, but you re-educated me." I smiled up at him.

"Here's the deal. We are facing an APOCOLPSE and the only way to stop it is to all work together. We are going to start by forgetting this little attack ever happened and letting the bastards get away. Killing them will only create fear and hatred which will result in lots more killing and I know you vamps love to kill." Eric nodded emphatically making me giggle. "But you don't love it so much when you are the ones getting done in."

Athena arrived beside me in another clap of thunder and I frowned at her.

"Boys are having some sort of power contest and won't come unless you call for them." She shrugged as if to say 'boys will be boys'.

"Oh for goodness sake!" I moaned. I had never called them to me before but I knew what to do and I didn't want to do it. It made me sound powerful and in charge, which I was but I didn't like appearing that way.

"GODS I CALL YOU FORTH. KNEEL BEFORE ME AND HEAR MY WILL." My voice boomed and the earth shook slightly. I felt very bossy and very stupid but I figured I had tried to be subtle and they had thrown it in my face. Athena dropped to her knees as Odin, Seth, Thor, Frigg, Isis and Venus appeared on stage. They were all on their knees.

"Now if you had just come before I wouldn't have had to do that!" I moaned. They all laughed. "Well get up off of the floor. You know I hate that!" They laughed at me again.

"How can we serve you sister?" Thor said giving me a hug. I hugged each of them before I answered.

"The apocalypse. I am asking that all gods be here and promote peace and life. If you see fighting I want you to stop it. I know you can't prevent the whole thing but if you can reduce the casualties that will be a big help."

"You want us to stop fighting?" Venus asked.

"Yes, why?"

"Well are you going to tell Ares because I don't want to!" I laughed. I know many of you like a good fight as much as this lot," I cast my thumb at the vampires who were watching our exchange with wide eyes, "but this is only for a short time. I just want some help keeping things quiet for as long as possible. I doubt you can do much really but if you can prevent nuclear blasts and things like that I would appreciate it. I will just have to live with the smaller stuff. "

"We will do our best to serve you sister. You ask us to help and we shall in any way that does not affect the cosmic balance." Odin was inadvertently reminding me that they couldn't really do anything because this was meant to happen. I already knew that. I just wanted the vamps to see that the gods were taking orders from me. I could get them to stop fighting but first I had to give them a reason to do as I told them.

"Thank you," I nodded to each of them and then, as fast as they arrived, they were gone.

I was starting to feel very weak and I really didn't want to make a big drama out of this but I know I didn't have much of a choice. Vampires love their drama and I had to be sure that they would listen to me.

Sookie would you like me to wrap this up. I can feel you're tired. I kissed him as I projected into his mind. Yes please. God I love you! He projected back a little mental chuckle and I love you too my divine.

"So as it has been demonstrated. My wife is rather extraordinary. If she says we should not fight then we should not fight. If she says we should not kill then we should not kill. Does any here challenge her word?" Eric was speaking with that booming voice he used when he was talking to subordinates. No one said anything. Eric turned to the High Council. I moved back to our table and sat down as I was really tired. Pam patted my shoulder to show her approval. I noticed as I sat that all of the vamps on stage were smiling widely. Eric gestured to the mean vamp to speak.

"We can all agree to your Queen's superiority Northman. I hereby decree that, under order of the vampire high Council, all must offer fealty and worship Sookie Northman. As she is against us hunting the FotS then we shall merely defend rather than attack. I would also like to thank you, my lady, for saving all of us from certain peril." With that all of the vampires, excluding Eric, on the stage got down on their knees. I was stunned when I turned my head and saw all of the vampires in the hall on their knees. Eric was beaming with pride.

"Thank you. Now please get up," I said a little hotly. I was getting tired of people falling to my feet. Pam and Bill were howling with laughter at my reaction while Eric came down and kissed me again. I felt Pam roll her eyes at him behind me and it made me giggle.

Twenty minutes later and everyone in the room was lining up to speak to me. I was perched on Eric's lap and desperately wanted to go to bed. Someone had fetched me a drink for which I was very grateful.

"My lady, I offer you fealty as will all in Arizona," Said the King of Arizona. I just smiled and nodded.

"I believe my wife is weary." Eric explained to the vampire as he watched me yawn with deep curiosity.

"Is there anything I can do, my lady?" Asked the Queen of Iowa (who had ignored me wonderfully in the conference room).

"No thank you," I sighed. Eric was elated. He was lapping up the attention and pride was seeping out of him.

You are enjoying this far too much.

Yes lover, I am. It's just nice after having them all ridicule me for marrying a human to see how special you are. This was the hardest part of keeping your talents a secret. Every time they offended you and snubbed me I wanted to inform them of their error but now the truth is known and they will give us the respect we deserve. I patted his leg and he rumbled, nuzzling my neck.

I am sorry that you have to speak to them though. I know that you want to sleep. You have used a lot of energy tonight. I nodded delicately to him.

Eric, I want to go home. I think he could hear the longing in my thought because he moved his arms from my sides and wrapped them around me tightly.

The night dragged on but after speaking to everyone and being offered many gifts Eric took me back to our suite. He laid me on the bed and took off my boots, giving me a foot massage.

"Sleep lover and I promise that when you open your eyes you will be in our own bed." He kissed me lightly on the lips and I fell into a deep sleep. Finally surrendering to the exhaustion I had been trying to suppress. Eric kept his word.