A/N: Last chapter's response was wonderful. Guess we all are getting tired of Sophie-Anne and her bull-crap. Thank you all for your reviews and hope I didn't offend anyone with Sophie-Anne's speech impediment. I tried to talk with one side of my mouth sagging and then spell the words how they sounded. I tend to agree with 'svmfan1' that she was a cross between 'Elmer Fudd' and 'Baba Wawa' from SNL, anyway I hope I made some of you laugh.
One thing I would like to say is how much I appreciate the readers and reviewers out there that have stuck with this story and even had the courage to read my other ones. I can't tell you how rewarding it is when I see a review from a completely new reader. Also I see that some of you are taking the plunge and starting stories of your own. I applaud you all and wish you good luck. I think the most difficult part of beginning a story is the description and then the first chapter. The description is what gets the readers attention, but if that first chapter doesn't keep their interest you lose a whole audience that would probably enjoy your story if they took a chance. I think we all should take a chance and read past that first chapter. I know I do and I am always pleasantly surprised at how intelligent we all are. Enough preaching…..on with the story.
Chapter 21:
Eric:
As Nick rushes to find Hadley I can't help but feel relieved that maybe our nightmare is over. Maybe this will be the end of our problems. As I cradle my lover I am so lost in the feel of her warmth and softness I momentarily forget what has just happened here. Sophie-Anne's entire force of 'Men in Black' were wiped out by Sookie's great-grandfather, who happens to be a Fae Prince and an illustrious member of the Supernatural Council. Our little vamp/human/Fae band of mercenaries was definitely a force to be reckoned with.
"Sookie wake up." I whisper in her ear as I begin to softly kiss around her ear and down her neck. "Please lover." Her heartbeat is strong, but her skin is damp and clammy and I can smell that she has been throwing up. In my human life, my wife Aude became violently ill with each child. I was gone most of the time and didn't pay much attention to her illness. Now that I think back, she was a very strong woman who bore me beautiful children. There was no love or passion, but we did what was expected of us by creating new citizens to replenish our clan.
As was our tradition, nine nights after the birth of a child, he or she had to be recognized by the father of the household. I remember with each child that I would place them on my knee while sitting in the high seat. I would sprinkle water on the child and he or she would be given their name and then they were admitted to the family. Life and traditions have changed so much since my human life, but I still cling to the Deities of my time. Now I look forward to holding our child on my lap and admitting him… or maybe her to our family. I give a silent prayer to Freyja and continue trying to wake up my wife.
Even though I am now a vampire, the human part of me fell in love with this child and together our love made a baby. Where there was no hope to give my wife a child, Freyja took pity on my plight and gave us one. I will never again allow creatures such as Sophie-Anne and Andre near her. She will never again be put in the position of vulnerability. I grasp my Mjöllnir and the wedding ring waiting behind it. Since my fingers are new and fully formed, I need to have my wife place it on my ring finger again. This woman/ child has been the only person in my entire life time that has evoked such emotions in me. Right now I feel completely helpless and panic is building. I would give her my blood, but what if that harms her and the baby. "Lover, please wake up…we are going home."
I find myself rocking my wife as if she were my baby, I truly feel helpless. I just know I can't lose her. The room is dark except for the light that is coming in from the hallway. All of a sudden the doorway is filled with bodies. A group has gathered and is standing and watching me as my worry becomes more and more evident.
Nick speaks first, "Eric, she needs a doctor. From what I have read a Dhampir will need special care. Your child is very rare and knowing what I know of the world of hunters, Sookie's life and that of your child's will be in constant danger if the knowledge of her condition gets out. I know you all have special doctors, so I suggest you get Sookie out of here as fast as you can and find one! Like I said earlier Eric, Sookie means the world to me and if something happens to her, I will be hurting as much as you."
"Are you sure you're just a human? You amaze me because every time you act or react your knowledge and skills are way beyond your human years." Nick's words pull me out of my worry and I slowly, carefully pick my wife up to leave this God forsaken place. As I rise I nod to Nick in appreciation and there is that smirk again.
As we leave this bathroom prison and enter the hallway, I notice a very handsome Faeman beside Nick. This must be Niall's son. Linda is clinging to Hadley as Nick and the Faeman walk in front of us. Nick is constantly at attention and once again I marvel at his training. It has been my belief that vampires are far more superior to humans and I have enjoyed my years of immortality because of that superiority, but Nick is a force to be reckoned with. I know he would probably never agree, but he would make an awesome child. I suddenly shudder as I remember how my maker marveled at my expertise and beauty. He could not see me grow old and die, so in his own sick way he wanted to preserve what he called a 'human masterpiece'. His words…not mine. Once again I am thankful now, but thinking about doing the same to Nick to preserve a masterpiece sounds all too familiar and scary. The good thing is however, the option is there for him if he so chooses.
Sophie-Anne and Andre are writhing in pain under the silver net and if Sookie were not my priority this moment I would love to add to their pain. Silver spears would prolong the pain, but I have no time for fun. I nod to Pam and even though we cannot read each other's thoughts as apparently Sookie and I can, she understands what I want her to do. Pam will stay behind for the time being to continue holding our fallen royals.
As soon as Niall gets a glimpse of his beloved son he runs to him and they tearfully embrace each other. "Father I am so sorry I didn't come to you sooner. I thought I could take care of my children myself." Fintan looks down at the two smoldering vampires and spits. "My daughter was abused by these two so badly, she was near death. I have never attempted a healing before, but with the help of Hadley and Susanna, we were able to bring her back. She just needs to go back to her life and eat good food and forget about what has happened here."
"Father may we speak alone just for a minute?" Fintan nods towards us as if to apologize.
"Anything my son. I am just so relieved that you are still living and perhaps now we can be a family again. I wish to meet your family and when Susanna recovers, I need to speak with her." Niall and Fintan walk back into the hallway for a private conversation.
When they are out of vampire hearing range Fintan begins, "Father, Sophie-Anne and Andre cannot be allowed to live. They must not be allowed to go to trial. They found out the secret of our blood. My blood is more pure than Linda's or Hadley's, and they found they could stay up longer during the day. I don't think they attempted to go out in the sun, but it was only a matter of time until they figured that out too. I have a feeling that Susanna's blood is more powerful than my other children's. The Viking has experienced some of the affects, but neither Eric nor Susanna know about our secret. They should be told, just because Eric needs to be there for the baby. Together they have a very powerful strength and we should nurture it." Before they start to go back to the others, Fintan says, "Hadley's companion was a hunter. He is a good man, but he said something that upset me. The other reason we cannot allow Sophie-Anne and Andre to survive is they know about Susanna's child. Nick said that she would be a target for the hunters and we cannot allow that. The Viking cannot protect her alone. The two bastards must die!"
When the two return to us I voice my urgency in finding a doctor for Sookie. They agree and I rush to the elevator to fly her home. Just as the doors begin to close I hear what Niall and Fintan have planned. I nod to them in agreement. I only wish I could be the one to administer the final stake in their hearts, but Sookie's health takes priority.
Pam calls to me, "Eric don't go to our home. The three baby vamps are there and even though they love Sookie, I don't want them to see her like this."
"Our mountain retreat is where I am headed. Please give the address to Dr. Ludwig and we should be there in less than ten minutes. Tell her money is no object and I need her as soon as she can get there!" The doors close and I hope Pam causes them so much pain that they will beg for death.
Pam:
If my worry for Sookie hadn't been so strong, I would have enjoyed the battle more. I am so proud of Nick, if I weren't so damn gay I would jump him right now. I respect his love for Hadley and just standing beside him in battle is enough for me. I also sense his respect for me. He would make an amazing vampire. Perhaps when the time comes he will be open to that gift.
The man named Fintan is quite beautiful. I can see where Sookie and Hadley get their good looks. Thank God he is still able to cloak his scent, because my bloodlust after killing and feeding from the Were's is still affecting me. It has been so long since my master and I have been in a battle that I went a little overboard on the feeding frenzy. Glad Eric had the willpower to not feed. Now that I see the condition Sookie is in his mind needs to be strong and not crazed.
Niall and Fintan take over as they remove the silver net and pick Sophie-Anne and Andre up. The net and silver arrows have weakened them considerably and Sophie-Anne's face is so fucking funny! They drag them to what looks like a throne room. Even in a hidden bunker, the bitch felt the need to build a throne room. They place Sophie-Anne on her throne and Andre at her knees. Sophie-Anne is not able to sit up on her own so I am given the privilege of using silver spears to attach her shoulders to her God awful throne. Her screams only add to our need for justice.
Niall begins his speech so that Sophie-Anne is aware of what she has done to warrant her final death.
"As the vice-chairman of the "Grand Supernatural Council" I, Prince Niall Brigant hereby decree that you, Sophie-Anne Leclerq and your only living child, Andre Paul are sentenced to your final deaths. Your crimes against my family," that caught Sophie-Anne's attention. She did not realize that she had been abusing a royal family. She was so caught up in her addiction, she actually didn't care who she was abusing. All she cared about was the thrill Fae blood was giving her. Now she was about to lose everything she had worked for these past centuries. She had not only lost Wybert and Sigebert, now her precious Andre and she were going to lose their lives. Immortality was no longer her future. Too late to realize her mistake and make it better. Now without a doubt her life was over. Niall's words slowly brought her mind back to reality….. "cannot be excused and you will never have the opportunity to divulge any knowledge of my kind or the fact that my great grand-daughter is carrying a very special child to another soul."
As silver spears held Sophie-Anne on her throne and silver spears kept Andre attached to his maker, Niall nodded to Fintan and Nick. Nick escorted Linda and Hadley toward the elevator as I joined them. We reached the top of the bunker and walked out of the cave. As soon as we were clear of the bunker entrance we heard two things simultaneously. There was a distinct "bang" as Niall and Fintan joined us on the surface and all of a sudden the whole bunker blew up.
We all breathed a sigh of relief as we realized that Sophie-Anne's reign of terror was over and Eric would not longer be her prisoner. Hadley could now live in peace with Nick and Addy without ever again worrying about being abducted. With Fintan's magic, Linda will be able to regain her health and forget everything that happened to her while Sophie-Anne held her captive.
Niall and Fintan embraced once again still not able to believe that they were together again. Nick decided to take the BMW that the 'Men in Black' look alikes drove to the bunker to take Linda and Hadley home. It was decided that since it was so late they would leave Addy with Caroline Bellefleur until morning and then Linda would finally meet her grand-daughter.
Niall and Fintan would first teleport to Nick's house to make sure the surroundings were clear and safe and I decided to go and check on my three youngins' before I joined Eric and Sookie at the mountain retreat.
Eric never let me believe that my soul was lost when he gave me the gift of immortality, so I continue to pray to my God. I give a silent prayer that Sookie will not have to suffer in the pregancy. The miracle of her condition alone should be celebrated and I pray that she and Eric will be together forever. Our only hope right now is Dr. Ludwig's knowledge of Sookie's unique condition.
A/N: I hope Dr. Ludwig gets to Sookie in time. Just when everything is going in the right direction, Eric cannot lose his family. Will Eric be able to stay with his wife? We shall see. Next chapter hopefully…Sookie wakes up and gets to reunite with her husband.