I am so very sorry for such an egregiously long delay in updating. I don't want to get your hopes up that I'll have another chapter up soon, but I am on winter break so anything is possible! I hope you all have a happy holiday!
Here's a little recap of the story so far:
After returning home from Dallas, Bill is called in front of the tribunal for attacking his maker, Lorena. He is sentenced by the Magister to spend six months with her. Begrudgingly, Bill asks Eric to watch over Sookie much to her disdain. However, Eric has much more on his mind than Bill's punishment. He is certain that his maker, Godric, wants to meet the true death. Eric confides this with Sookie, who he asks to talk to his maker. Sookie agrees, but doesn't know what to say. In the end, Godric does greet the sun. The following night, Eric tells Sookie that she's his lifemate, which is a very rare bond between vampires and humans. The rush of information caused Sookie to warily agree to form a blood bond with Eric. She immediately regrets her decision to further bond herself to Eric. Sookie rescinds her invitation for him, wanting to keep her distance for a while. Eric seeks counsel in Pam for a way to woo Sookie. Bill breaks free from Lorena for just one night to see Sookie. She tells him about the bond. Bill seems immediately defeated and tells Sookie he will no longer see her, which leaves her confused and alone, but not for long. She soon finds Eric winning her heart little by little. Later on, Sookie finds herself facing Lorena in a battle for life. But being the fighter she is, Lorena met the true death. His maker's death prompted a visit from Bill, however, it didn't go as smoothly as he had hoped. Eric had Bill reveal why Sookie ever met him-it was a direct order from the queen, Sophie-Ann, to watch over her because she knew Sookie was a telepath. Her first romance tainted by vampire politics, Sookie vows to never see Bill again. Time passes and Eric has a surprise for Sookie. He arranged a visit from Sookie's estranged cousin, Hadley, as part of an agreement with Sophie-Ann. Seeing as Hadley is the queen's favorite, Eric was enlisted to sell V to help ease the queen's substantial debt. Hadley's visit was going well until she revealed that Sookie could be caught in more vampire politics, which included the employment of werewolves. A little while after Hadley's visit, Sookie is finally able to visit her young cousin, Hunter. Of course, Eric wouldn't stand for Sookie just trotting off to a home of someone unknown. He remedied this by calling on the help of one Alcide Herveaux. Alcide had been roped into this outing as a result of his father's debt, which Eric agreed to pay off in exchange. While visiting Hunter and his dad, Remy, Sookie learned that Hunter was indeed a telepath like him. She offers as much help to Remy as she can give, which he accepts gratefully. After the visit, Sookie visits her Gran's home while it is being renovated. During her visit she is ambushed by some werewolves…
Big yellow eyes came closer to my face. I could see the sinister and malice intent as they grinned at me. In the darkness, I saw a hand-like shape reaching towards me. But, the hand suddenly halted as the eyes turned upon hearing the sounds of warning calls coming from the wolves. I heard a mocking laughter followed by a charging roar-both of which I knew well.
I sat up and saw only a flash of the brawl that was leaving the spare bedroom into the living room. I scrambled out of the hidey-hole and raced out of the room to the sounds of glass shattering and wood snapping. Upon entering the room, I saw Pam finish off the second wolf. She looked so satisfied as she tore into the remaining Were. He didn't last long either. Pam shrieked with delight upon examining her quick, effective kill. She gave me a bloody smile as she bounced on the balls on her feet. All of it seemed so off with Pam in a bright pink tracksuit with her hair tied back in a ponytail. She looked ready to go pick up the soccer team from practice. But given the choice, I think Pam would rather take silver to the skin.
I would have suggested for her to take the bodies out before even more blood seeped into the floors. However, I was interrupted by a crash in the dining room. I ran over to see Eric pinning the last Were, in his human form, on the remnants of my 100 year old table.
"Who sent you?" Eric bellowed.
"Fuck you. I ain't tell no deader nothin'," the brazen Were spat.
Eric picked him up by the shirt collar and threw against the wall. The Were crumpled to the floor and Eric was soon hovering over him. I saw him raise his leg and bring it down upon the wolf's leg. I cringed upon hearing several snaps. He howled in pain and spewed a string of curses in an order I had never heard until now.
"Do you want to talk now?" Eric inquired.
"I was…sent by…one of…yours," he wheezed.
"Who?" Eric's voice was like ice.
The Were jerked his head away. Eric rolled his eyes and then sunk his fangs into the wolf's neck. He pulled back and I saw blood and arteries dripping from his mouth. I twitched slightly.
"I think the remodeling will take longer than four months," my big Viking joked.
"Uh...yeah, I think so," I nodded, a bit numb.
"I like it. This house could use some more red. And less, whatever this is," Pam said from behind us.
Eric had a small grin on his face, but his tone was warning, "Pam. Play nice."
"What? Sookie knows I like her," she shrugged, walking next to me.
Well, I do now, "So, what happens next?"
"We get someone to clean this place up," Eric said as he pulled out his phone and tossed it to Pam.
She walked off towards the kitchen. Eric's arms were soon wrapped around me. I let out a relieved sigh. He kissed the top of my head before pulling away just enough to look me in the eyes. I'd appreciate his gesture more if there wasn't a bloody lip print on my forehead.
"You are unharmed?" he asked.
"Fine. Just…a little shaken up, that's all," I squeezed him tighter, "I'm really happy you got here so fast. And that you brought Pam too."
"I could not fail you again," Eric replied seriously, "Are you sure you're all right? You're shaking."
I didn't notice until now.
" Yes, I'm sure. Don't worry, you were here now. That's what matters," I assured him.
"You're what matters," he smiled.
"Infatuated twat is not one of your best sides, Eric," Pam called from the kitchen.
"She's a terrible progeny," I laughed.
Eric's grin widened, "Only when she gets impudent and even then I couldn't ask for a better child. Are the cleaners on the way?"
Pam emerged from the kitchen. She handed the phone back to Eric, "Yes. They said they're charging extra since this is short notice."
"Fine," Eric said unenthusiastically.
"Greedy fuckers," Pam added.
I nodded in agreement. Then again, I'd charge a premium to come clean up someone's bloody mess late at night.
The two vamps and I settled in the living room. I remembered having a couple of TrueBloods in the fridge, but I was certain that they were expired by now.
"So when he," I nodded towards the dining room, "said he was sent by one of you, did he mean Russell Edgington?"
"It makes the most sense," Eric paused, "We should dispose of the bodies."
"Graveyard?" Pam suggested.
"Yes."
"You can't just dump their bodies," I protested.
The two vamps stared at me, but waited until I finished.
"They have families," I continued, knowing what I just said meant very little, "Plus, wouldn't it look suspicious if three members of a clan…pack…whatever, went missing?"
"Russell will know regardless. It wouldn't be wise to leave the bodies out in the open, which would inevitably involve human law enforcement. No need to draw excess attention to this. Plus, who do the police look at now if there are any suspicious deaths?" Eric reasoned.
"Right, I got it," I said.
"But the bodies shouldn't be next door either. Pam, take Chow and dump the bodies in the cemetery near the highway," Eric instructed.
"Fine, but we're using Chow's truck because I don't want to get blood in the upholstery of my car," Pam stood up and pulled out her cell phone.
While Pam called Chow, I took Eric's hand into mine. He seemed deep in thought, trying to work out our next move.
"Russell's gonna know that we're on to him if the Weres don't show up with me, right?" I asked, my voice hushed for some reason.
Eric nodded, "Yes. Edgington will send trackers in to find you."
"Trackers?" my brow rose.
"Weres or vampires with the exceptional talent of discerning one specific scent from all others and track it to its owner," Eric paused, thinking, "We'll fly back to Fangtasia and I'll make sure Pam crosses a body of water before reentering the club."
"You're going to owe me another pair of shoes then," Pam said, coming back into the room.
"Of course," Eric said, "I'm going to fly back with Sookie. Stay here, wait for the cleaners, and Chow."
Pam nodded.
"We'll meet you back at the club," he added.
"You can leave your credit card by my purse," Pam replied with a grin.
Eric obliged. I ran back into the bedroom and grabbed my bag of clothing. Stepping outside, I found Eric waiting for me. He scooped me up and we were off into the night sky. I saw the corrugated steel roof pass by us as we landed on asphalt parking lot. I felt slightly off when my feet hit the ground, but Eric steadied me. Fangtasia was still hopping when we got there. I supposed some other vamp was running the show, I hoped. I couldn't imagine Ginger doing anything but scream.
We got into Eric's Corvette and headed for home. Although Eric hadn't said anything, our bond alerted me of his continual frustration.
"We'll figure this out," I tried to assure him.
"I hope you're right," Eric muttered.
"What about Alcide? Maybe he could help us," I suggested.
"No, I'm not mixing business with Weres," he said definitively.
"Then let's kill Russell," I said after a moment.
Eric nodded, "I would love nothing more."
As Eric drove, I tried to piece together a plan. Yet, everything I thought of was too over the top. It's not like Eric and Pam could storm Russell's house with guns a blazing and call it a night. It didn't take long until I was thinking in circles.
"Did Bill ever mention Sophie-Ann to you?" Eric asked, seemingly out of the blue.
"No, can't say that he did. Why?" I asked.
"If Sophie-Ann was truly interested in you she might not be so nonchalant about Russell after tonight," Eric elaborated.
"That's great and all, but she wants to drain me within an inch of my life. Or dead, if it suits her. I don't consider her an ally," I argued.
"This is war, Sookie. An ally is just someone who isn't shooting in your direction at the moment," Eric replied with a heavy sigh, "Maybe bringing the money to Sophie-Ann will distract her longer."
I was surprised to hear that Eric was able to sell all the blood so quickly. My shock must have traveled through the bond because Eric stiffened with what I read as guilt.
"How did you get the money so fast?" I asked, neutrally.
"I've had Pam offer it to certain patrons at Fangtasia. But, most of the stock went to dealer I know," he said vaguely.
"And I must know him too or else you wouldn't be so cryptic," I added, "Who is it Eric? Remember, our pact in telling the truth no matter now much either of us don't like it?"
"Yes, I remember that very well, Sookie," Eric replied, "It's Lafayette."
"Oh Eric, really?" I groaned, "Even after you kidnapped and tortured him for selling blood on his own?"
"I was looking for Godric, I thought he knew something," Eric said defensively, "Sookie, I did this for you. I am not blaming you. I never would. Sophie-Ann would have made me sell the blood at one point or another. It was just easier for her now because I was in need."
"Can you promise Lafayette will be safe from the Magister?" I asked.
"No, I can't," he said honestly.
"Well, we better kill Russell soon then," I muttered.
We both fell silent. Our house soon came into view. Eric shut off the engine but neither of us made a move to get out.
"I don't know whether we should go to Sophie-Ann now or tomorrow," Eric said.
"Tomorrow. That way we can regroup with Pam and figure out how you're going to present this to her. But maybe call her tonight and let her know there's been trouble," I suggested.
Eric nodded, "There are going to be some rules about tomorrow night though."
"Like?"
"You can't just speak what comes to your mind. Sophie-Ann regards humans as being below vampires. Speak only when allowed to do so," Eric began, "And if she so desires, Sophie-Ann can take you as her own. If she does this, you can't fight her. Sophie-Ann will kill you in an instant. She always gets what she wants."
"But, I'm yours," I argued.
"She is my Queen. She holds power over me," he replied.
"Literally she can over power you or more out of respect of rank?" I asked.
"Sophie-Ann is close in age to me so her physical strength is close. But, it is more out of rank," Eric explained, "If Sophie-Ann wanted to see if she could daywalk tomorrow I cannot stop her."
"What if you tell her we're lifemates? Won't that mean anything to her?" I continued, growing more anxious.
Eric shrugged, "Perhaps. I've never known her to be much of a romantic though."
"So I could die," I finally realized.
"No. I won't let that happen," Eric assured me.
He took my hand and gave it a light squeeze. Eric cupped my face with his other hand. His thumb caressed my cheek.
"I can't live without you, Sookie," Eric said quietly, "I will not allow anything to happen to you."
"But, you said it yourself that you can't stop her. How can you say that you won't let anything happen to me if it's out of your control?" I asked, with faint desperation.
Eric gave me a serious look, "You will just have to trust me."
"Is that all you're going to say?"
"You do don't you? Trust me, that is."
"Yes," I said without hesitation.
He pressed his forehead to mine as he brushed his lips along my own, "Let's go inside."
"All right," I agreed.
We left the warm cabin of the Corvette and headed for the house. Inside, I dropped the bag of clothes by the steps to go upstairs. Eric phoned Pam and told her to come back to the house instead of Fangtasia. I went into the kitchen to grab a drink and then settled on the couch with Eric. I kicked off my sneakers and rested my head on his shoulder.
"Are you going to call Sophie-Ann when Pam gets here?" I asked.
"Yes. You'll need to be there tomorrow night," he said.
"All right," I agreed. Not that I couldn't.
"You'll have to dress up as well," added.
My brow creased, "Why?"
"You're meeting the Queen," Eric said with a tone that said it was ridiculous to even ask, "Would you not want to look presentable if you were meeting Queen Elizabeth?"
"She's not my queen," I replied.
"Sookie…"
I sighed, resigned, "Yes, I would."
"We will go shopping tomorrow before the meeting," he added.
I don't know if that prospect was supposed to have cheered me up. Decidedly, I think not. Regardless, maybe a new outfit would give me a little confidence boost before meeting Her Royal Majesty.
"You might want to wait until Pam's done with your credit card," I reminded him.
"She never goes overboard."
The security system chirped, which alerted us to someone entering the house. I heard the faint sound of the front door closing.
Eric sat up and called over his shoulder, "Pam, please don't track any mud in. I just had the carpeting in the hallway cleaned."
Pam silently entered the living room with her ruined pumps in hand. Mud clung to her calves. She crossed her arms, "The bodies have been disposed and Chow is over seeing the cleaners at Sookie's house."
"Thank you, Pam," Eric replied.
"Also, expect a charge of five hundred and sixty dollars from Jimmy Choo," she added.
"Fine."
Pam disappeared for a moment, but soon returned with a dampened towel. She sat with us and wiped down her legs.
"Have you called Sophie-Ann yet?" she inquired.
"We were waiting for you," I answered.
Eric stood up, "Let's move to the office."
We made our way down the hallway and entered Eric's office. He took a seat in his chair. Pam sat in one of the armchairs that faced the desk. As I went to do the same, she stopped me.
"Sookie, you should wait in the hall," Pam instructed.
"Why?"
"Sophie-Ann will be able to hear your breathing this close to the phone," she explained.
"We'll keep the door open so you can hear," Eric assured me.
"Fine," I agreed.
Leaving the room, I sat myself down outside the double French doors. And so began a night of conspiracy.
Well that's that! Let me know what you think. And thank you so much for sticking with me!