A Light in the Darkness
Chapter 20- Apologies and offers.
Eric sat with them for a while before being called back to his office to work. His left with a polite request that Sookie meet with him later to discuss a proposal. She had agreed to hear what he had to say with a sweet "Sure."
As the evening drew on, Sookie became increasingly tired and her headache didn't seem to lessen. She decided that once she had all the business for the night cleared away that she would ask to go home. She didn't have long to wait.
Pam approached the booth with a mix of trepidation and remorse. She knew she couldn't fuck this up. If she made a mistake there would be no hope left for her. If Eric didn't kill her then Godric would. She also had to admit, if only to herself, that she had actually liked the telepath. She was smart and funny. Plus, it was good to have another woman around. She prayed that she would be forgiven and that they could find some form of friendship.
"Hey, Pam," Sookie sang with a smile before the vampiress could speak. The look on her face filled Sookie with sympathy and forgiveness.
Pam bowed to Godric and Sookie, speaking in a soft voice. "May I join you?"
Sookie briefly glanced at Godric, her eyes shooting towards Eric's office. He knew what she wanted, but he couldn't bring himself to leave her while she was in pain, especially with a vampire who had tried to kill her only days before. "You may join us, Pamela," he stated calmly. He didn't miss the way she flinched at his cool tone. From that action he relaxed. He had always had a good relationship with his child's child and he could see she was hurting now that it was damaged.
Pam gracefully slid into the booth. Sookie marvelled at how she moved so easily while wearing her work 'costume'. The four inch heeled boots, leather mini skirt and corset could not be easy to move in without revealing a little too much. Sookie had a great deal of respect for the woman who pulled this look off every night while secretly longing for pastels and couture.
"I like your nails," Sookie complimented, causing the vampiress to smile and glance down. She was wearing a deep red nail polish that she had only recently acquired.
"Thank you," Pam spoke softly and with great care. There was a long pause before she spoke again but when she did her eyes rimmed with red and her gaze caught Sookie's. "I am so sorry for what I did, to both of you," she glanced briefly at Godric. "I swear upon my blood that I shall protect you for the rest of your life, Sookie Stackhouse. As the one true mate of my grandsire, you are my mistress and I shall serve you in any way you need. I beg that you forgive me and that one day we can be friends once more."
Sookie couldn't stand it anymore. The sight of Pam falling apart in front of her, hurting, was just too much. She never really blamed her for what happened, not really and she hated seeing her suffer. Launching herself around the corner of the booth in record speed, Sookie gave Pam a big hug. "Of course we are friends! I forgive you. Just warn me next time you want to have a snack, kay?"
Pam was frozen, unsure how to react to Sookie's hug, until she made the joke. A small smile and quiet giggle escaped her lips. "I promise, my telepathic friend." Sookie pulled back, sensing that Godric was going to speak and make everything serious again. She wasn't wrong.
"I am glad you have learnt your lesson, Pamela and that you can find an amicable relationship with Sookie, however this doesn't change the fact that you owe restitution for your actions. Nor doesn't change what will happen if you bring any kind of harm to my bonded again." Godric's voice was cold and detached. Sookie had never seen him so deadly before and it made her grateful that he wasn't normally like other vampires.
Bowing her head, "I understand, master. I offer this as restitution, is it acceptable?" She slid off a small platinum ring from her middle finger. The edge was carved with words of a language long forgotten and it was set with a large ruby in the centre. It was her pride and joy.
Gasping in surprise, Godric nodded. "That is more than acceptable, child." Godric took the ring from her and place it on Sookie's hand.
Once the ring was in place, Sookie felt a warm current go through her body. The lettering on the ring became illuminated for a moment, before fading once more. Sookie gasped, too. "What is this? I can feel the magic within it, it's calling to mine."
Pam answered with a warm smile. "That ring was made millennia ago by a group of fairies. It is said to enhance the wearer's own powers, but its true value lies in it's history. It was claimed by a vampire in one of the earliest battles between the fae and vampires. Ever since then it has been passed from one vampire to another. It's most famous owner was Dracula. He had it for centuries before passing it on to one of his children. The fae have tried many times to reclaim it so they can once again harness it's power, but they never succeeded."
Sookie gaped. She knew how important Dracula was to the vampires. He was a legend to them, an idol. "You can't give this to me! It's too important to you. How did you even get it, anyway?"
Pam answered firmly, "I must and I have. It is now yours. For the first time in thousands of years it belongs to a fairy. I hope it serves you well."
"I can feel the magic moulding with mine. It's wonderful! My headache is completely gone and my shields are working again." Sookie smiled, enjoying the relief she felt from Godric over the bond as much as her own.
Godric smiled at the two ladies across from him. He longed to pull Sookie into his lap. "I am pleased, lux mea. This will help you as you learn your abilities. Where did you acquire it, Pam?"
"It was a gift." The statement was short, sharp and obviously not something she wanted to talk about. "If you will excuse me, I have tables to tend to." With another small bow she slid out of the booth and returned to work.
Sookie gulped down the last of her drink before crawling over to Godric once more. "Miss me?" She teased with a flutter of her long eye lashes.
Godric growled before picking her up and placing her forcefully on his lap, causing her to shriek in surprise. "You can never be too close to me, love. I always miss when you are out of reach." He didn't give her chance to respond before swooping down and giving her a soul rendering kiss. Their lips locked, Sookie wrapped her arms around his neck and began to play with his hair as his hands clutched her to him.
Just as they were both starting to heat up, Godric pulled back. There was a sour look on his face. "What is it?" Sookie queried, placing a hand on his cheek.
He frowned. "Eric is calling me, I assume us, to his office. I think he must want to speak with you now. I hate it when he does that."
Sookie frowned too, confused. "But you do it to him all the time?"
Godric smiled at her, showing off his teeth, all of his teeth. "Yes, but I am the sire." Giggling at his reasoning, Sookie let Godric pull her out of the booth and lead her to the office. They passed several scowling fangbangers on the way, but Sookie didn't hear a thing.
Eric was sat at his desk typing up an email when Godric and Sookie came in. Godric led Sookie to the couch, rather than the chairs by the desk, where he quickly sat with her in his lap. Spinning his chair to face them, Eric had to supress a laugh at the look on his maker's face. Godric was clearly annoyed at his method of communication, but he was also feeling very pleased about something. Eric guessed Pam's apology had gone well.
"Make it quick, Eric. I want to make my announcement so we can go home."
"Of course, Godric." Eric turned his head slightly to cast his gaze on the telepath. "I wish to offer you a job."
Sookie frowned. "Me? What? Why?" Completely confused, Sookie waited for Eric to explain with a feeling of unease.
"You were right about how we view the humans here. You were also right that something must be done. I would like to make you a manager here. You know the business better than most of my staff and you can judge who is worth keeping and who to hire as a replacement. What do you say?" Eric leaned forward in his chair slightly, eager to hear her response. He could feel gratitude coming from his maker which made him relax. At least he hadn't over stepped.
Sookie sighed. She didn't want to work for Eric is some dark and depressing vampire bar. "I'm sorry, Eric. I appreciate the offer and I promise I will read all your staff and help you sort them out. I will even arrange a suitable manager, but I don't want this."
Eric frowned, "So what do you want?" He was surprised by her rejection. It seemed Godric was, too, but the matching frown on his face.
Sookie felt herself blush and tears sprang to her eyes. "I don't really know yet, but I know I don't want this. I want to enjoy the daylight and be around normal people. I want to do something that helps people and makes me happy." She hiccupped as Godric wiped away her tears with kisses.
"We have time, remember. There is no hurry." Sookie nodded to her vampire and snuggled into his neck.
Godric looked over Sookie and spoke to his child. "Sookie has agreed to help you sort this matter and we shall return tomorrow in order to do so. Have some interviews arranged for the end of the night so that it can all be done in one go. There shall be no more said on the matter."
Eric nodded, "Yes, Master." He glanced at Sookie with concern. He had never meant to upset her. He had honestly thought she would have been as excited by the idea as he was.
"It's not your fault," Godric whispered so only Eric could hear. "She is struggling to adjust." Eric nodded in understanding and gave his maker a supportive smile.
"Shall we return to the bar?" Eric suggested.
"Yes, I need to get this done before we leave tonight." Godric scooped Sookie up bridal style and began to head for the door.
Sookie looked up and began hitting Godric's chest. "Put me down! Put me down right now! I can walk on my own!" Both vampires laughed as Godric complied and Sookie stalked out of the office and into the ladies restroom. It was clear her annoyance wasn't going away easily.
"Let's get this over with," Godric suggested, motioning to the entrance to the bar.
Eric and Godric quickly settled themselves on the thrones at the heart of the bar. It didn't take long for the vermin to appear before them, either, but it was easy to ignore. Eric signalled to the DJ and the music was cut causing a hush to spread over the crowd in anticipation.
Eric stood and spoke out just as Sookie climbed into Godric's lap. "Good evening, everyone tonight marks an important occasion. I hope that you feel as honoured as I to bare witness. Please allow me to introduce my maker, Godric."
There was a murmur of excitement as the older vampire placed the blond on his throne and stood beside her. He took her hand in his, giving her knuckles a quick kiss before he spoke. "I am Godric and I claim this woman, Sookie Stackhouse- princess of the fae- as my bonded, my one true mate and my wife. This is a union blessed by the queen of Louisiana and one which all shall recognise. Let it be known that she is protected and, as is fitting her birth right, is to be treated with deep respect. All those who oppose this claim may now speak."
Godric scanned the crowed with his eyes as Sookie scanned with her mind. None spoke. Returning to his chair, Godric whispered in her ear, "all done." The vampires in the room quickly headed to the front of the bar to greet the telepath, as was custom.
After half an hour, every vampire in the area had welcomed Sookie and pledged to protect their bond. Eric was impressed, but Godric didn't seem surprised. He was old enough to know that even vampires knew when to seize an opportunity. His age, the queen's support, Eric's position and Sookie's rank all meant this was a wonderful chance to be a part of history while ingratiating oneself to a powerful ally.
Pressing her head to his shoulder, Sookie spoke softly. "I've had enough, Godric," Sookie yawned. "Can we go home now?"
Chuckling, "of course, my love, nothing would make me happier."