Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters that appear in ANY of the Charlaine Harris books, everyone else is MINE.
A/N: There's just a few explanations I have but they will be best saved for the end of the chapter. Enjoy.
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Chapter 21
Darkness surrounded them as they lay in the coffin. Eric woke with a smile on his face and wrapped his arms around Sookie's still body. He tilted his head down so that he could bury his nose in Sookie's hair. He let out a low moan as he exhaled. 'God she smells amazing.' He thought to himself as he continued to breathe his wife in.
"Lover, wake up." He purred as he rubbed his hands up and down her back trying to gently stir her. He thought that they were leaving the dream realm together but maybe she stayed back for some reason. He didn't want to jolt her awake so he continued to rub her back and kiss her head. Even in her sleep Sookie's body always responded to him. This time it didn't.
"Lover?" He called her gently as he gave her a little shake. Sookie still did not stir. "Sookie?" He said this time giving her a little harder shake. She continued to lie there completely still against his body. She didn't even moan and try to turn over mumbling about five more minutes as she did sometimes when he woke her before she was ready. She was still, motionless, lying like the….
It couldn't be. Weren't they told that she couldn't die? Yet here she was lying like the dead, not responding to him at all. He put a hand over her closed mouth and waited to see if he could feel her breath but there was none. He just realized that there was something missing, but that couldn't be. He pressed his hands against her back and waited…but there was nothing. Her heart was not beating. Eric began to freak out.
"Sookie!" He yelled. He didn't care that the sound of his roaring voice was being magnified in their small confined space. If anything that would be better because maybe it will just be what he needed to wake her up. She still did not stir. "Please Sookie, wake up for me." Eric said as he began to really panic now.
He shook her body as hard as he could and even though her limbs were hitting the sides of their coffin she didn't respond to any of it. He held her lifeless body close to his chest and let out a loud agonized roar. He had to see her. True enough that he could see just fine in the pitch black but he didn't have enough room to lay her out so that he could check on her properly.
Eric didn't bother to flick the secret latch to open his coffin from the inside. He let Sookie's motionless body lay peacefully on his chest as he as he let his limbs connect to different places of the tiny enclosure.
The door burst open and all the guards plus Bill and Pam ran into the room just in time to see Eric's coffin explode around him and Sookie. Pam had opened Bill's coffin but he had refused to move and to be honest, he really didn't know how. He couldn't make his body respond to anything that Pam was saying to him. She had opened his mouth and began pouring blood down his throat and he swallowed on reflex but that was the only response his body made to anything. He just lay in his coffin seeing nothing at all as he stared off into space.
The guards were acclimating themselves around the massive suite as they drunk from the cases of blood that Pam had ordered. She had made sure that there was a man posted on the inside of the main door and then also one on her and Bill's doors and then two on Eric and Sookie's. Joseph was sitting on the couch speaking on the phone when they heard Eric call Sookie's name. They looked to Joseph who shook his head, telling them to stay where they were.
Bill sat up in his coffin knocking the blood from Pam's hand. He knew that tone…and that was not a good thing. He met Pam's eyes and they were in agreement at the same time. He knew that she could feel her makers anguish. They were the first to move.
That's when the most gut retching, anguished scream erupted from Eric. All the guards froze in place and in the next second they too where flinging themselves at Eric and Sookie's door. Everyone burst through the door just as pieces of coffin was going everywhere. There Eric stood with Sookie's limp body in his arms and his face buried in her hair.
"What have you done?!" Bill bellowed but Eric didn't respond, he just moved to the bed and lay Sookie's body down.
"Master what's happened?" Pam asked. She was the only one willing to step towards him, not even Bill with all his indignation dared to move forward. "I can't hear her heart beat."
Eric didn't answer but a low growl did emanate from his chest as Pam finally reached them at the bed. She reached to stroke Sookie's hair but Eric growled harder at her. "Don't touch her! She's mySookie." Pam retracted her hand and watched helplessly as Eric crawled into the bed with Sookie's body and began to stroke her face as if there was no one else on the planet, let alone anyone else in the room.
Pam couldn't leave but she didn't want anyone else to be a witness to her master's grief. "Everyone get out now." She ordered them.
"What does this mean?" Joseph asked as his guards began filing out of the room with their heads down. "Is she dead? Is she finally dead?"
"Get out now!" Pam screeched. She was falling apart and she didn't know how much longer she was going to be able to keep herself together. It was important to Joseph's health that he leaves now. "I will be out in a moment." She grudgingly added when he looked as if he were about to protest again.
Bill didn't move as Joseph closed the door behind himself. Pam looked at Bill but she didn't ask him to leave, she already knew that he wouldn't, and besides he had as much of a right to be there as she did. He loved her too. Pam went down and grabbed Bill's hand and pulled him to the side of the bed where they both fell to their knees and looked at the silent angel of a woman before them.
Eric stroked her face and hair disbelievingly. He reached for their bond but didn't feel anything. He reached to her mind but got no response. As ironic as it is this gave him hope. He didn't feel a loss like the absence of the bond but just as if it was closed and not responding. Besides he had faith in his gods…angels…whatever. He had faith in what Gabriel told him because he stood side by side with Freyja and Odin. Though they were angels and not gods, they still looked out for him and guided him and he would trust who they trusted.
Okay Eric think, think, think, think. He chanted to himself. This was no time to panic. Come on Eric, they said she couldn't die until she was called home. You are missing something. What are you overlooking? Think! If she were truly dead then you would truly be able to feel it. You wouldn't feel nothingness you would feel loss and pain. Just get a hold of yourself and try to see all sides. Don't panic now; you're a freaking Viking for crying out loud! He angrily wiped the golden tears from his eyes and began rolling everything through his mind. What had Gabriel said to us?
'You are still a vampire and you need to sleep the day just as Sera will need to sleep eight hours to be refreshed…Sookie you will have inhuman strength that your body just can't handle until you transform. Eric felt as if he were close if he could just get…SHIT! Eric looked over to where his coffin used to sit before he destroyed it. He heard Gabriel's voice as if he were standing right next to him. 'You have to understand that as exceptional as you are, you are still human…Other than that, you will still be quite human…'
Fuck fuckity fuck-fuck-fuck! Eric berated himself. "FUCK!" He growled out loud.
Pam and Bill both jumped at his sudden outburst and looked at him inquiringly.
"Master what is it?" Pam said warily. She was hoping that this sudden outburst meant that he had figured something out to save their Sookie.
"Fucking shit!" Was the only response Eric gave.
"Eric, it's not your fault." Bill said as he stood. He looked miserably at Eric and he couldn't help but feel compassionate towards him. At the moment they both were in the same boat and there was no feeling good about it. Sookie was gone and soon he would be too though some part of him had to make sure that Eric and Pam didn't follow the same route. Sookie wouldn't want that and because he knew that he would make that his last deed. He would watch out for Eric and Pam until he was sure they were going to go on in life; once he was sure of that he would join his beloved. "There was no way to know Eric, this is not on you."
Eric finally seemed to hear Bill and he turned to meet his gaze that was full of misery. "It is my fault Bill." He said simply. "She's still human. No matter what gifts or powers we were given, she is still human."
Bill didn't understand him though; of course she was still human, that's how they killed her. Pam's head snapped up though and Bill looked over to her.
"Humans…" She began but then her voice fell off.
"Say it Pam, I know you see where this is going." Eric said. He was using the time to come up with a solution. Sookie was not dead but she was still unresponsive, could awakening her be so simple?
"Mahogany Woodson Cas-casket." Pam stumbled.
"The elite casket maker?" Bill asked.
Pam nodded. "Eric had his casket specially made. It was a foot taller than needed and one and a half times the width so that he would have plenty of room, it was heavily padded and completely…."
"What!" Bill said completely exasperated.
"Air tight," Eric answered for Pam. "It was completely airtight."
Bill's eyes widened as bloody tears began to well in his eyes. He realized that the love of his existence suffocated in her sleep.
"Do not cry for her Bill," Eric said in a voice softer than he had ever used with Bill. "She is not dead."
"Eric she's not breathing," Bill protested as he fought to keep his voice steady. "Her heart is n-not beating anymore. She is dead."
"She's not dead." Eric repeated though this time he was surveying Sookie's body speculatively. "We were told that she can't die. She isn't dead."
"Told by whom?" Pam asked as she finally stood up.
"Gabriel." Eric answered though he was only half was listening. Sookie wasn't dead, she had just run out of oxygen and Eric was positive that when that was solved Sookie would be back.
"Gabriel," Bill said. "Who is Gabriel?"
Eric wasn't listening. He bent over Sookie's still form and took a deep breath, inhaling her scent that was still very concentrated; he made sure to increase the energy he was putting out to compensate for Sookie putting out none. The last thing he needed was the distraction of Bill or Pam losing their control. He placed his fingers over her nose and then pinched making sure that the air actually made it into her lungs.
He used his free hand to tug on her chin, opening her mouth. With a silent prayer he put his lips to hers and slowly blew the unneeded air from his lungs into hers. He repeated this action twice and then waited to see if there was any difference.
'Come on Sookie, wake up for me.' He thought to her frantically.
Just as he was about to give up waiting and try breathing into her again he felt a jolt. It wasn't her heart or her body, but her mind. He reached for where the bond should have been and pushed all his feelings toward her while he began thinking to her. 'Lover, come back to me. Our time is not over. Lover, come back to me. I need you to survive.' He kept chanting those same thoughts to her as he felt her mind stir, but there still was no heartbeat so he figured that she needed more.
He repeated the same actions twice, each time her mind gave a greater and greater response. She wasn't really thinking words but he began to make out thoughts. He kept up his continuous chant. He could hear Pam and Bill's voices calling to them but he didn't speak back to them, he only had eyes and ears for Sookie.
He saw a vivid picture of himself float through her mind. He was smiling at her and his eyes were full of love. He felt a tingle in the bond…love.
He couldn't restrain himself any longer and he once again pressed his lips to hers but this time he wasn't breathing into her but kissing her with all the love and passion he could muster. Though her mouth was still closed he let his lips tell her of the joy he felt, but in the next moment all the picture thoughts and the tingling he felt in the bond were suddenly cut off. He stilled for a moment in panic but then it all exploded around him. Her heart began to explode over and over again as it regained the beat the rhythm that he had set his life to since the day they met. The bond burst open with her love and joy and happiness, and it filled his undead body to the brim.
Sookie gasped as her body jerked forward knocking her directly into Eric. Eric was so surprised that he didn't stop his body from flying backwards until he was on his butt. His eyes were huge like saucers as he watched his bonded heave great breaths. The room was utterly still as Sookie looked into the crystal blue eyes of Eric. She had always thought that his eyes were like bottomless pits but gold flecks seemed to make his eternal eyes fathomless. She could just gaze into them forever and be perfectly content.
"Sookie." Eric breathed as his hand gently cupped her cheek. She leaned into his gentle touch.
"I love it when you bring me back to life." She smiled.
Eric couldn't help but smile as she repeated his words back to him. She watched the sadness leave his eyes only to be replaced by his elation.
"Sorry I worried you." She said as she closed her eyes and concentrated on his touch.
"Pam and Bill and everyone else were losing their minds, but I wasn't scared at all." He lied with an easy smile.
Sookie giggled a bit but then looked him in the eyes again. "You weren't were you?" She asked skeptically as she played along.
"Na, you know I'm not the worrying kind."
"So you say…"
They fell silent as they gazed into each other's eyes communicating all that they wanted to say. They weren't sure about how long exactly they sat there like that but after a while Pam's voice broke in.
"Uh, Master?" She called tentatively.
They looked over to see that she and Bill were waiting outside a silver barrier. Sookie's enclosure had exploded from her when she regained consciousness.
"Oh sorry." Sookie said and then she closed her eyes and concentrated on pulling her enclosure in. Not a second after it was stored safely within her bond did Pam land on the bed wrapping Sookie in what should have been a bone shattering hug. "Need to breathe Pam."
"Oh sorry." Pam said and pulled back. She settled herself next to Sookie on the bed and wrapped her arm through Sookie's.
"Geez Pam, what's with all the emotion?" Sookie teased. "You're becoming such a girl."
"Shut up Sookie, I think you've been rubbing off on me without my knowledge."
"And what kind of fun was that for you?" Sookie replied with a mock-sympathetic look.
Pam rolled her eyes but laughed, Eric and Sookie joined her for a moment when she realized that Bill was keeping his distance.
"I'm okay Bill." She said softly. He didn't speak but nodded his head in a short jerky movement. "Come here please."
Bill stared at her but he didn't move towards or away from his spot. Sookie opened her mind to find that his was whirling in chaos. He wanted to die he wanted to live he was glad she was alive but he was sad that she was still alive because now they won't be able to spend eternity together. Then he was berating his self for feeling the way he did and he really just wanted to crawl up somewhere and die. Out of all the crazy thoughts that he was having they all came back to the same thing…that Bill wanted to die.
"No Bill." Sookie said. This time she wasn't mad, she was just hurt. "Please give me a chance."
This broke up Bill's stoic façade, he burst into a fit of harsh laughter that wasn't the least bit amusing. "A chance for what?" He asked though he didn't wait for an answer. "I'm glad that you are okay, I can't tell you how it makes me feel; but both you and I know that there is no longer a place for me."
"You're wrong," Sookie replied stubbornly. "There is a place for you here. It may not be the place that you want but there is a place here for you."
"And exactly where would that be?" Bill scoffed. His voice remained low and emotionless. Neither was getting carried away with their emotions and that seemed to make their conversation all the more ominous. "Me watching the love of my life love another man who is my boss? Or how about I watch from afar as one of the most ruthless vampires I know get everything that I ever wanted. You want me to live with my mistakes but can't you understand that I don't want to live through the pain of those mistakes. I don't want to get over you, that's not even a possibility.
Eric moved to the side of Sookie and mimicked Pam's position. He gazed steadily at Bill though he kept his face clear of all emotion. He also threw up the block for his mind so that she could be alone with her thoughts.
"I can help you. I just need you to give me time to help you." Sookie stood firm.
"I don't want your help Sookie. I just want you to let me go. Please let me do what it is that I want to do; you may not agree with it but it's what I want."
"You say that it's what you want but that's only because you haven't tried to let go. You haven't tried to get over me you haven't tried to do anything but get me back when I was clearly already gone." Sookie was beginning to lose her patience so she stopped and she took a deep breath before she continued. "Let me make you a deal Bill. Let me try, just try to help you. Just give me the chance to help you once. If it doesn't work then I won't stop your plans."
"If I choose to end my life you will not stand in my way?"
"No, if that's what you choose then I won't stand in your way. I will even be there for your end like I was there for Godfrey. I think that that would be the least that I could do for you."
Bill regarded her for a minute. There had to be a draw back because this is not the Sookie he knows. He couldn't see a down side though. He could give Sookie a chance and if it worked then he would be happy again (with her)-or at least normal again, if it didn't work then he would be free to end his miserable existence. Goodness, how did he get so bad? How did he get to the point where he could no longer deal with his pain? How did he get to the point where a human, a special human that may be, would have the power to cause him so much pain that he couldn't even bear to live with it. Now that was the question, could he live with this gaping pain long enough to give her the chance to try?
"Please Bill?" Sookie pleaded. "Just make it back to Louisiana and that's it. If you can just make it back to Louisiana I know that I can help you…just please…" Sookie didn't look into his mind as he contemplated her words. In truth it really didn't matter what his answer was because one way or another she would have her chance. It could either be with or without Bill's consent. She was not above locking him back into his coffin and then shipping him home. Actually that may be a good idea because she would have all the time in the world to figure out how to help heal Bill.
"Okay." Bill agreed. "I will give you the chance you want. I promise I will not willingly allow myself to be killed. You have my word."
"And if by chance I cannot heal you then I promise to not stand in your way if by chance you decide to still end your life; and if you decide to end your life then-then I promise to witness it for you." Sookie choked back a sob and forced herself to continue. "It-it's the least that I can do for you."
"Then we have a deal." Bill replied. He hesitated for a moment and then walked over to the bed. He leaned over and grabbed her ankle, just to reaffirm that she truly was okay, and gave a little squeeze. Her skin was warm and her pulse was strong. "I really am glad that you are okay, Sookie." He gave as genuine of a smile as his shattered insides would allow.
"Thank you Bill." Sookie replied.
There was a loud rap on the door and Bill went to answer it.
"What's going on Compton?" Joseph asked. "That's Sookie's voice that we hear but how can that be?"
"Even I don't know that Joseph." Bill replied coolly. Joseph took a step forward as if he was going to try to come in but Bill blocked his way. "The Sheriff and his bonded are not decent yet, but they will be out in a few minutes."
Pam appeared by Bill's side. "That's correct, besides we all need to get ready for our audience with the king."
Joseph seemed to want to say something, being number two to Stan meant that he was used to getting his questions answered fully and that was just not happening.
"We will be out in a moment Joseph." Eric spoke up and with that Pam and Bill followed him away from the door.
As soon as the doors closed Eric was on Sookie, kissing her with all the intensity he possessed. Sookie's body reacted instantaneously as she curled her hands in his thick blond mane and pulled him ever closer. Eric ran his tongue urgently across Sookie's bottom lip begging admittance, which she happily granted. Their tongues danced an impossible dance that consumed them both. She moaned into his mouth and he pulled her lower onto the bed so that her head was on the pillow. She molded her body to his as they reaffirmed the presence of the other.
It took the strength of a thousand years for Eric to finally move away and break their kiss. He pressed his forehead to hers as they stared into each other's eyes, willing their breaths to be even (at least Sookie was, Eric was just mimicking her motions but if he had to breathe he too would be breathless).
"We have to go." He said when her breathing was once again normal.
"I don't want to go." She replied. He smiled at her but didn't answer so she took it as a chance to run with her statement. "Why don't we just grab Pam and Bill and just go? We will only take what we already have in our luggage and then buy whatever else we may need. You can show me the world. We will retrace your steps and you will tell us the stories behind your journeys. We can live peacefully. We don't have to fight. We don't have to kill. We don't have to do anything except love one another."
"You speak too well Lover; what would Michael and Gabriel say?"
"Michael would say 'Seraphim, as long as you are happy I am happy. I will happily take up the reins so that you can run off with your bonded. It would be my pleasure.'" Sookie replied trying to imitate Michael's strong voice. "'Sera, I'm glad you are finally leaving that hole in the ground you call Bon Temps.' Gabriel would say. 'Go see the world. I will even throw you a going away party.'"
Eric laughed lightly. "Yes Lover, I see that you are right. That sounds exactly like the men that we met. You go and get Pam and Bill and I will grab our bags."
Sookie laughed too and rolled her eyes but then got serious. "Do you ever think that we will be able to be that carefree?"
Eric sat up on the bed with his back against the head board and then pulled Sookie onto his lap. She instinctively laid her head on his shoulder nuzzling his neck; and Eric wrapped her tightly in his arms.
"I think that our position will be able to afford us some comforts." He said slowly. "Will we ever be able to just run off at the drop of a hat without a word? No, we have responsibilities now. Whether we like it or not, we have to act like grownups now."
Sookie giggled at the fact that Eric would ever use the term "grownups". He was glad to be able to make her smile in this serious topic.
"I think that we will be able to be carefree to an extent because we are king and queen. It's up to us to choose how we rule. Some rule with iron fists, others are more lax but I think that we will need to find what is right for us." He paused for a moment so that his words could sink in before he continued. "What kind of queen are you?"
That was a big question, and it didn't escape her mind that he said '…we are king and queen.' and 'what kind of queen are you?' but she tried to think about the actual question and not what wrapping he put on it.
"I don't know Eric." She finally admitted. "I just want to be me. I want to help those I can and protect those who can't protect themselves. I want to heal my state. I want to be the type of queen that would be worthy to stand next to a king like you."
"Exactly my point Lover," Eric said. He began to rub her arms slowly in a comforting motion. To Sookie it seemed to be an unconscious thing so she didn't comment or joke about it. "That's the best kind of ruler you can be, just be yourself. You've always wanted to earn your keep and protecting our subjects and healing our kingdom will be a full time job. No matter what happens you will always be worthy of standing by my side; it is I who has to strive to be able to stand by yours."
"You're just trying to make me feel better so that I will go and get changed." She accused jokingly.
"That and because it happens to be the truth."
"Thank you."
"Anytime Lover, besides there really is no need to worry. There will be many to help you along the way; you will not have to learn to be queen in a day."
Sookie laughed at this as the weight of her worry grew a little lighter. She sat up on his lap so that she could gaze into his eyes and she kissed him sweetly. When she pulled back there was a gentle smile on his face. She hoped that she would always be able to put it there.
"It's time to get ready now Lover." He said as he shifted her around on his lap so that her feet were now dangling a few inches from the floor. "Go and hop into the shower and I will get our clothes ready so that there will be as few delays as possible."
A shower sounded wonderful to Sookie. She didn't get to shower after the banquet last night and spending so long in Eric's coffin made her a little stiff. She didn't like dying-going into hibernation-shutting down-or whatever the hell happened to her when she ran out of oxygen. It made her feel stiff and her chest had a dull ache like she used to get for a while when she was a kid and the doctor told her parents that she had childhood asthma. Her chest used to ache for a while when she overdid it during play and she ran out of breath. She would have to take breaks and puff on her inhaler but as she got older the less trouble she had with it until finally she didn't have any problems at all.
A nice hot shower would be nice…even if she had to hurry. She kissed Eric once more quickly and then hopped off his lap and towards the door she assumed would be the bathroom.
Eric watched her close the door behind her and once she was out of sight he threw up a silent prayer of thanks. He felt sudden warmth in his chest so he figured that someone had heard him. He began to open their bags and pull out his own clothes and then he rummaged through Sookie's to find her something.
He decided to lay out a black pinstripe pants suit for her. The pants were straight legged and would brush the floor with her red heels that she paired with the outfit. He suspected that she had a secret fascination with mobsters because she had chosen this outfit after she forced him and Pam into a movie marathon. They both had been dreading it but it turned out not to be bad at all when they learned that she had chosen The Godfather Trilogy for them to watch. The next think he knew she was picking out this black three piece pantsuit with white pinstripes with a vivid red long sleeve dress shirt to go underneath the vest. She stole one of his black silk ties because she liked it better than what they had found in the stores. There was even a matching pin striped hat to go along with it that had interchangeable bands that went around the base of hat, though he knew she wouldn't want to wear it into the meeting with Felipe. He secretly hoped that she would though because that hat on her did pleasurable things to him….
Sookie came out of the bathroom with a towel fitting snugly around her supple form. She was proud that she could shower, shave, brush her teeth, and wash her face in less than twenty minutes. She came out to see that Eric had laid out what she called her mafia suit, she smiled.
"I thought that after the banquet a dress wouldn't be high on your list." Eric said with a sly smile.
He wasn't fooling her though. When she first bought it she decided to model it for him with only the hat, vest, tie, a pair of her favorite black satin boy short panties, and a pair of black four inch heels. Suffice to say that those panties were a distant memory now.
She raised an eyebrow as she looked at him skeptically though she couldn't keep the slight smile off of her face. Eric leered at her and then disappeared into the bathroom with vampire speed. She dropped the towel and applied lotion to her entire body before donning her brand new black satin bra and boy short combo that Eric bought to replace the ones he destroyed.
Eric came out of the bathroom and began to dress and Sookie went back into the vanity with everything that she needed to do her hair and makeup. She blew out her hair but then pulled it back into a tight bun. She kept her makeup light, because Eric liked her best natural, with smoky red eyes that were not nearly as dramatic as she would usually do and light tints of red on her cheeks and lips.
She walked back out to see Eric sitting on the edge of the bed putting on his shoes. He was moving at human speed for her; though she never said it she secretly loved it. His eyes roamed over her body slowly and when they finally made it to her face he stood suddenly and took two steps toward her. Before he could get any further he stopped himself and took a deep breath before moving to the door with great speed saying, "Sorry Lover but if I don't leave now then we won't ever make it out of the room. Come out when you are dressed and we will go." He didn't even wait for a response as he shut the door behind him.
Sookie laughed and then went to the bed and grabbed her clothes. She really did love her outfit. Eric had insisted on her getting the matching skirt and a second traditional vest along with the vest she had first chosen, a vest halter top. She tried to protest but he stood firm and she gave in. The skirt was cute…and short. It was pleated and stopped four inches above her knees; but Eric was right when he laid out the pants instead of the skirt. She was not in any mood for a dress or a skirt.
She began to dress and was not even surprised that Eric chose the halter vest for her to wear. She put it on with a smile and made sure that her red dress shirt collar hid the strap of the halter that was going around her neck. She was going to leave a few buttons undone but quickly discarded that idea and buttoned her blouse all the way before adding Eric's black silk tie. The last thing that she wanted was an eye fuck from Felipe or Victor.
She heard a knock on the main door but didn't bother to scan to see who was knocking on their suite because Eric was out there and he would alert her if there was something wrong. So she pulled up the long legs of her pants so that she wouldn't step on them as she moved to sit on the bed to put on her black heels. She put on the jacket but left it open and then went back to the vanity in the bathroom to take a final look at herself.
She had to admit that she looked completely hot. She couldn't see herself from head to toe but what she could see worked very well. She was the sexiest mobster that she had ever seen. Maybe this could be her power suit? She felt sure and in control. She felt powerful and confident. She felt like a conqueror "You can do this Sookie." She told herself. "It's your responsibility to meet your destiny head on and not run like a coward."
She put on her hat and looked at the full effect and smiled before turning away. She made a mental note to buy more suits like this. She loved seeing her inner Michael Corleone in the mirror. She walked into the sitting area and stopped in her tracks when she saw who had joined the party.
Sandy was sitting in a chair opposite Eric with several large files in her hand.
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Meanwhile at Felipe's Mansion
Stan went straight from the airport to the mansion. He was calm, cool and collected as they approached Felipe's palace. As they passed through the gates his phone vibrated, it was Joseph telling him that they had made it to the hotel.
He wasn't sure about Eric and Sookie but he couldn't shake the nagging feeling that he should help them; that he should protect him. Stan was older than he cared to remember and though he had nothing on Eric's age he was old enough to know that you don't dismiss certain feelings. He prided himself on being a true vampire, though he was no monster. Humans were there to sustain his life, to satiate his lust, and nothing more. Every so often he would come across a gifted human, but they were few and far between. When he did cross a gifted human he made sure that they were in his employ, like Barry. As far as humans go, gifted humans that is, Barry wasn't so bad. He had learned quickly the ways of service to Stan. He did his job and he did it well and without complaint. That was big in Stan's mind and he didn't shy away from showing his appreciation to Barry.
As great as Barry was, he was no Sookie. Though she had worked for him just the one time, she had been using her talents far longer than Barry and that made her stronger and shrewder in her assessments. Barry was good, but Sookie was the best. He had not intended to ever let her leave Texas once he saw how valuable she could be but then he had a feeling that he should leave it alone…at least for that moment. Besides, she had left him an unintended present when she let slip about Barry's existence, so he could afford to bide his time as he waited for an opening.
Then Rhodes happened. The first time he had met Sookie he was just a Sheriff but then he was king. When he went to greet Sophie-Ann and Sookie was in the room with her he had been overjoyed at the confirmation of her presence. When she and Barry excused themselves he began bargaining with Sophie-Ann for Sookie. She had been adamant about Sookie staying with her though he thought that she really didn't have much room to stay so obstinate. Her kingdom was in shambles and she needed money badly. True she had acquired another kingdom but it wasn't much further off than the one she already had. Stan had money to spare.
They sparred for quite a while over Sookie. Sophie-Ann contended that even if she were of mind to part with Sookie, which she wasn't, there would be no way that she would willingly leave Northman. Though they were not together they had formed quite an attachment and she couldn't see either of them letting the other go. Eric was her biggest money maker at the moment and it was in her best interest to keep him happy.
Stan could understand this but all it really did was spur his intentions further. If he had to gain a Sheriff, especially one as profitable as Eric, in order to gain an asset like Sookie then so be it. He let the matter drop. He would approach Eric and Sookie on his own. He had heard of, and witnessed firsthand, Sookie's stubbornness and her determination to be independent. He could grant her that as long as she willingly did his bidding. Maybe acquiring Eric will give him leverage on keeping her in line.
He didn't like her loud mouth or her feistiness or her unwillingness to learn her place but he could teach her…he would teach her. Right after the bombs exploded Barry and Sookie proved how valuable they were together. He had to take unwilling but forced time to regenerate because he was hurt, but he had come to a decision then to do whatever he had to do in order to acquire Sookie.
He listened to the little voice when it cautioned him. It told him to not steal her. It told him to wait. He wasn't sure what he was waiting for but his intuition had never let him down and he didn't see a reason to doubt it now. When Barry was taken he cursed himself and thought that someone else saw the same value in having both Barry and Sookie together. He used all his resources to find if there was an unknown plot, but there wasn't. He was happy to get a call from the one person he knew would do all she could to get Barry back…Sookie. Or he should say Sookie's camp. It didn't matter because it had the same result. He also wanted to confirm whether she was okay or not. If she too was missing then he would have his answer and because of their bonding then Eric would be the best person to track both captives. But, she wasn't missing and she agreed to come to the banquet he had offered her bonded in her name after Rhodes.
He understood why Eric had refused him because of the takeover. When word of the takeover had reached him he was livid; the only thing that kept him from destroying his house was the information that both Eric and Sookie had survived. That only made his need to have her in his state and under his protection even greater. He wished that Eric would accept the banquet because at the very least he could offer his protection to them; at least that would be like a foot in the door to convincing them to move to Texas.
So much had changed in so little time. Is this why his intuition cautioned him? Sookie was no longer anyone's pawn or asset. She was a powerful being in her own rites now. He couldn't believe what he saw when she and Eric got staked. It was only outdone by their reappearance. When they came down from the heavens he knew that he had been playing with fire and he was glad that he listened to his intuition because it kept him from getting burned.
Now she and her bonded were his allies. They had confirmed a suspension of his. He didn't know why he believed their words so easily but the same feeling that told him to wait had told him to believe and just like then he listened. He still wasn't sure about how he felt knowing that she could read his thoughts but there wasn't anything he could do about it but accept it.
Stan's car pulled up to the front of Felipe's palace to be greeted by douche bag number one, Victor Madden. He never did like Victor and was glad that his days were numbered as sure as Felipe's.
"Good evening King Stan." Victor said with a brilliant smile that made Stan want to knock his fangs out. He bowed his head respectfully.
"Madden." Stan replied. He barely even moved his head in acknowledgement of Madden.
Victor turned to walk back into the palace and Stan's guards closed ranks around him as they moved as one unit behind Victor.
"His Majesty is happy that you have arrived though he wishes that it could have been under better circumstances." Victor went on. "I am glad to see that you made it out unscathed from that brutal attack at the banquet."
"As did you it seems." Was Stan's only response.
"Indeed." Victor replied but then fell into silence. He led Stan into a grand sitting room. It was completely opulent and almost gaudy…it was very Felipe.
"Can I ask you how you managed to escape?" Victor asked suddenly. Stan didn't respond but cocked an eyebrow and Victor hastened his explanation. "It's just that I was barely able to escape it myself, it was very overwhelming. I even thought that I had lost Sandy but she showed up to our hotel later. I had already called Felipe and he summoned us back. We left that same night. Sandy said that it was awful and that she had barely escaped with her life. She was severely wounded but fed on her way back to the hotel but even then I could see that she was weak."
Stan sat in silence as he listened to Victor. He knew that Victor thought that something was fishy but probably couldn't quite put his finger on it. He didn't know what all Victor saw before he'd escaped and he wouldn't be the one to let the cat out of the bag. Besides it was highly inappropriate for him to be questioning a king anyway. Victor needed to learn his place and Stan hoped that it would be him to teach that particular lesson. He decided to answer but kept it short.
"Those of us who stayed fought. We had losses but were able to come out victorious."
He could tell that Victor wanted to say something else but was restraining himself. He kept his eyes steady on Victor silently challenging him to doubt his words. There was no need because a minute later Felipe entered the room.
"King Stan it is so nice to see you." Felipe said cheerfully as he strode across the room. "These are not the best circumstances, but hopefully they will be better by the time you leave."
They both bowed their heads respectfully to each other.
"Thank you." Stan replied. "I would like an update upon what's happened so far. Marcus has not checked in with me since the night of my banquet." He had summoned Joseph back, who made it about an hour before the banquet started, and had Marcus continue in conjunction with Felipe to find Barry.
"Of course." Felipe replied. He seemed to register Victor's presence all of a sudden. "What are you doing here Madden? Where is Sandy?"
"Her secretary came to me and said that Sandy had stepped out and that she hoped that I would be able to greet King Stan upon his arrival."
"Do you know where she went?" Felipe asked. Though his voice was calm everyone could feel his rage.
"Sorry sir, she left no word." Victor replied. "May I be excused so that I can continue my duties?"
They shared a look that Stan didn't miss, but then Felipe waved his hand dismissively. With a low bow to Felipe and a respectful bow to Stan, Victor left the room. They sat in silence for a few minutes as Felipe seemed to be deep in thought. Stan didn't know what that strange look was between Victor and Felipe but he knew that it made him feel uneasy. He locked eyes with the head of his security in a silent signal to be on full guard because something was not right.
Just as Stan was about to speak Felipe seemed to snap out of his reverie, "Oh excuse me Stan." He said. "That's just so unlike Sandy. I hope that nothing is too wrong with her."
Though Stan was sure that Felipe meant to come off caring and concerned he just came off cold and slick, like he was trying to cover something. Stan sat stiffly, on full alert. He silently commanded his guard to do the same. It was situations like this that made him happy that his extra talent as a vampire was silent communication.
"But that's neither here nor there." Felipe continued when Stan didn't reply. "As to our search, we are unable to find any trace of your telepath anywhere in the city. I widened the search to the entire state but there was still nothing. I just don't know where Barry could be, but it's clear to me that he is not in my kingdom."
Stan saw Felipe stiffen for a millisecond and then relax again. There was no doubt that he saw the fire that was burning in his eyes. He couldn't tell whether or not Felipe was lying or not but it didn't matter right now. What mattered right now is that there was still no Barry and now Marcus hasn't checked in though he's always normally diligent to do so.
"And Marcus?" Stan asked. "He has not checked in with me, has he been here?"
"No he hasn't." Felipe answered. He was cool as a cucumber and Stand didn't trust him one bit.
"That makes two of my subordinates that have disappeared in your state, Felipe." Stan said coldly. "That would make most people very suspicious. Wouldn't you agree?"
Felipe recognized the not so veiled implication, and he smiled slightly. "I have no problems with you Stan, if that's what you're implying. Your subjects hold no value to me."
"With an asset like Sookie you can see no value in holding two telepaths that work so well together?" Stan said in a tone that clearly indicated that he didn't believe a word coming out of Felipe's mouth.
"I find that Sookie is more than enough for me." Felipe tried to assure him. "I will not lie and say that I don't see the value in having two telepaths, especially after how they worked together in Rhodes; but it would not be worth war with another state to gain it."
"Still it seems that subjects of other states are not as safe as they may have thought here in this Sin City."
"Your words hurt Stan." Felipe said trying (and failing) to look stung. Stan didn't know what kind of game he was playing but he didn't like it one bit. "I run a very tight ship I can assure you-"
"Yes that's what Barry and Marcus tell me." Stan snapped. He stood up and drew himself to his full height. "I assure you Felipe that I don't take this development lightly. If my security guard and my telepath do not show up soon there will be a major problem on your hands." Stan began to move to the door. Every part of his being was screaming for him to escape this place and he didn't want to wait another minute. He knew that there was danger that had yet to show itself and he would feel better if he had more than ten guards to defend him.
His phone beeped and he looked down to see that there was a text from Joseph that there was a major problem with Sookie and that he needed to call him back 911. That would have to wait; it was time for self preservation right now. He would worry about Sookie when he was away from this place.
He was almost to the door when Felipe spoke again. "I can honestly say that I do understand your frustrations, but threatening me will not solve your problems. Let me make it clear, I do nottake it well when people threaten me, and I won't stand for it now…not even from you." Felipe was starting to lose his cool but held on long enough to continue speaking. "Sheriff Northman and my telepath have just arrived here tonight. I can assign them to this case. Surely no one would look harder than a friend of Barry's. Since they are here, they can make themselves useful."
"I know that they are here. I gave them a ride." Stan informed him. That uneasy feeling was overtaking him and his guard closed tightly around him. The guard closest to the door was about to reach for the handle when Felipe spoke again.
"Oh, is that right?" Felipe said. His eyes blazed for a second before all life died from them.
"Yes, I'm sure that Sandy and Victor informed you that I offered them my protection." Stan said. In his agitation his voice was colder than usual. "I was already coming here and they informed me that they had been summoned so I offered them a ride on my private jet. Is that a problem?"
"Oh, of course it's not a problem Stan." Felipe answered. A full smile spread across his face. "It's not a problem at all."
"Then if you will excuse me I have some pressing matters to attend to." Stan said. He didn't wait for Felipe's response. He and his guard were through the door in the next second. They quickly made their way to the front of the palace as fast as they could without looking as if they were fleeing.
They reached the front foyer but before they could reach the door Victor appeared.
"Sorry to interrupt your retreat but my king would like for you to stay a little while longer." Victor said with a blinding smile. "If you wouldn't mind, just step this way please."
Stan's entourage reacted immediately. They all instantly tensed and then crouched ready to pounce. Roars erupted from them all.
"It is in your best interest to move Victor before we move you." Stan growled
Victor nodded in head as if in agreement but Stan knew better and he was proven correct and in the next second they were completely surrounded.
'Fuck!' Stan thought. He and his guard produced their weapons. Stan turned slowly around doing a quick count. They were outnumbered five to one, and that was saying something because between the limo and the town car Stan's number was seventeen including him. He felt his phone vibrate but didn't answer it, now was not the time.
All of his fighters were strong and able, and they certainly had a harder time at the banquet but this was a little different. At the banquet it wasn't a group completely concentrated on them specifically. His vampire senses told him that there were even more forces waiting out of view. They were trapped and he knew it.
"Like I said King Stan, King Felipe would like for you to stay a while."
Stan barred his teeth. He remembered how Eric said that if he needed help just to call out and so he did. 'Eric I don't know if you can hear me or not but this was a trap, we are surrounded.' There was no time to wait for an answer. No other words were needed and he brought his sword up to the ready position. He gave silent direction to his guard so that they were all on the same page and then Stan and his sixteen did what they did best and attacked.
****************************************************
Back at the hotel…
Eric eyes dilated slightly when he looked at Sookie fully dressed. Though her eyes were taking in the scene before her, the feelings that Eric was sending made her blush. There was a make shift grouping of the chairs so that everyone could sit and see each other. Eric was the natural head sitting on one side of a love seat. Bill, Pam, and Joseph were sitting on a luxurious couch and Sandy was sitting in an armchair opposite Eric.
"Come on in Lover; it seems Sandy has something she would like to discuss with us."
She walked over to Eric and took off her hat. "Well don't you look delectable Lover?" Eric purred as she reached him.
"Thank you." Sookie blushed he was glad that she had left her jacket undone so she could just sit. Pam's eyes seemed to sparkle as she took Sookie's appearance in and Bill actually licked his lips. Well, at least her outfit was a hit.
"Yes Don, please join us." Pam smiled. Sookie rolled her eyes as she took the open seat next to Eric.
Eric turned back to Sandy. "Now that we are all here you can start."
Sandy nodded her head and took an unneeded breath. She seemed to need the time to calm herself and gather her thoughts. Sookie thought about just reading her mind so that she will know what was going on.
'I've already done that Lover.' Eric said. 'I think that you should hear her out as she tells it. She has quite a story.'
They waited in silence as Sandy gathered her thoughts. Sookie had never seen Sandy so, so, so less than perfect. She didn't seem like the cold heartless ice queen that she had met before. Eric's words had made her even more curious but she trusted Eric and she patiently waited for Sandy to say what she had to on her own; besides if she wasn't satisfied at the end then she could just dip into her mind then.
"I am a great worker." Sandy began. "I do my job, whatever is required of me by the king. I keep my professional life professional and my private life private. That's the way I work and that's the way I prefer to keep things.
"I have many to satisfy my needs, men and women. I try to keep from forming attachments with any of them and I have been very successful, except with one, Delilah. I found Delilah eight and a half years ago. She was getting off from work at a hospital and walking to her car. Before she could reach it she was attacked by five thugs. They drug her into an alleyway and began to beat her and rip her clothes off. By the time I walked by the alley she had been raped by three of the five men. Her body was broken and she was bleeding badly. Her blood is the reason I was drawn there.
"Usually I would just drain everyone and be done with it but when I got to her there was something familiar in her eyes and face. Her eyes were the same rich brown as my best friend; and though her face was already beginning to swell she reminded me of my servant's daughter Rochelle. Rochelle was my best friend as a child. Though she was black and was not allowed to be taught she was still nice and fun to be around. She was my best friend and when we were of age, she became my personal servant. I didn't like her servitude to me so I treated her like family. She was more family to me than my real mother and father.
"Anyway to shorten this story, that was the reason why I chose to save her instead of drain her. I healed as many of her wounds as I could before I took her to the hospital. I stayed with her through the night. She lost consciousness and they put her into a drug induced coma because her internal trauma was so bad. I glamoured them into letting me stay by her side. I debated about turning her, but every time I looked in her face I saw my childhood friend and I just couldn't do it…not without her permission.
"It took two months for them to bring her out of her coma and then it took another six and a half days for her to wake up. She asked me if I was her angel and I laughed and then explained to her what I was. I was surprised when she wasn't afraid of me. When I asked her about it she said that even if I wasn't an angel I was still her angel and she could never fear someone who she owed her life to. I helped her heal and she stayed with me. We traveled together and we became lovers as well as friends. Though she shied away from men completely, I worked with her until she could stand to at the very least be in the same room with them without having a panic attack. She is no lover of men.
"She's been well enough to attend some parties with me when King Felipe has hosted events." She took a deep breath to steady herself and Sookie could see the bloody tears tint her eyes though she didn't let them fall. "Felipe has desired her from the first time that he saw her. I explained that she is mine and that she is no lover of men and he seemed to let it go. He sent Victor and I to the banquet in Texas. I thought that it would be a good chance for Delilah to get out of the state for a while, but I was commanded to come alone. He said that it would be pointless to bring a companion because our entire nights would be spent working. He didn't want us to be distracted by anyone or anything. I am dutiful to my king and I accepted his command without complaint.
"We were summoned back to Las Vegas the same night of the banquet. When we were released to go home I found Delilah on the floor in a huddled mass. My nose was instantly assaulted by the scent of her blood. She had been raped. Her womb was torn and though she had been cleaned up I could still smell his scent. I asked her what happened and she said that she went to Felipe and she seduced him. He told her no and that if she wanted him then she would have to leave me and go to him officially. She came back to our home and she washed herself off."
Sookie gasped and her hand covered her mouth as she put two and two together. Her eyes began to water silver as her heart broke for Delilah all over again. Sookie would not have described Sandy as warm by any sense of the word but she seemed to be just was Delilah needed. Sandy smiled at her bitterly.
"She is not a lover of men." Sandy repeated. "She had to drink quite a bit from me in order to heal her wounds."
Eric wrapped his arms around Sookie before he spoke. "I can sympathize with what you are feeling Sandy; but why is it exactly that you are here? What can we do for you?"
"I want to be granted immunity into you kingdom with an order of protection for my lover." She said slowly as she looked Eric directly in his eyes.
"I am not king, Felipe is." Eric said. "I do not have a kingdom."
"I am not stupid Mr. Northman." Sandy replied. "At the banquet when everyone was attacked I was there. I fought and unlike Victor I didn't run. I am no coward. I saw you and your bonded get speared. I saw you and you bonded descend from the sky in a great gold and silver orb. I was still there when the two of you began to fight. I finally left and made my way back to my hotel. Victor was already there. My mind was racing with all that I had seen. I dared not tell Victor what I saw because I didn't want that leech to take all the credit for something he was too cowardly to witness himself. Too much was going on when we met Felipe to tell him what I saw. It was too close to sun up and I had to get to the safety of my home. That's when I found Delilah's violated body on the floor.
"I cannot leave Felipe's employ, I know too much about too many things."
"I can understand that Sandy but I have to ask you again what makes you think that I will be king. You yourself just admitted that Felipe knows nothing about the power that Sookie and I wield." Eric pressed. He already knew the answer but he wanted her to say the words.
"I could kill him, but then I would be killed and it will leave Delilah unprotected and I can't have that. I cannot leave because I know too much and he will think that I will spill his secrets, and again I will be killed and leave Delilah unprotected. You are my best option. What if I told you that this whole visit is a trap to kill you, your bonded, your child, and your loyal Mr. Compton?"
"I would say that you have my attention." Eric replied.
Sandy pulled a large briefcase from the side of her chair. She pulled out several large files and rifled through them. She came to a big one and then stood and handed it to Eric.
Eric opened it to find page after page of everything that pertained to him; all his holdings and assets. This included Pam, Bill, and Sookie.
As he looked through the file, with Sookie over his shoulder, Sandy continued to speak. "I am in charge of gathering information. The night of the banquet Felipe was visited by a seer. She told him that basically he would have to bow to a rising power. She didn't out right say your name but with the other information she gave it led him to believe that it would be you that he would have to bow to. She told him that the window was getting smaller and that if he didn't kill you before you acquired your new power then it would be too late and there would no longer be a choice. He ordered everything I had already gathered on you and that's when he summoned you. You are here to die."
"Wow," Eric said as he finally closed the file. It wasn't all his assets but about half of them. Still it was very impressive that Sandy was able to dig up that much of them. "This is all very impressive Sandy I must say; but why do I have a feeling that there is more?"
"Because there is," Sandy replied. "Louisiana was just the first step in Felipe's grand plans." She pulled out more files. She handed a thick one to Joseph. "This one concerns you." She told him.
Bill and Pam both grabbed files and began to look through them. Sookie didn't bother but opened her mind to them all so that she could hear what they read and she was in complete shock. Felipe had been a bad, bad boy.
"Since Louisiana Felipe has had me gathering all the information I could on every state." She said as she began to arrange the files into different piles. "This pile are the ones that are viable for the next take over and your file belongs on this pile." She pointed to Joseph. Joseph's whole body stilled with rage as he tried to process the words from Sandy's mouth. He whipped out his phone and began to text furiously.
"I was supposed to be there to meet with King Stan when he arrived tonight but I thought that this was my only chance to get to you." She looked back at Eric. "You may not want to be king but please, please reconsider. I saw you, you can kill him. Some of these I know are friends of yours Eric. Will you be loyal to your friends or to the king that I assure you will try to kill you."
'What do you think Eric?'Sookie asked.
'I don't find any deceit in her mind.' Eric replied. 'And these files can be a big help with the rest of the vampire community. No one can fight the logic that Felipe was a threat to everyone's peace.'
'I agree with you. I want to rip his balls off and hand deliver them to Delilah.'
'Then we are agreed.' Eric replied. "It seems that you have compelled us to act."
"Has Stan called you back?" Sookie asked Joseph. "If his state was at the top of Felipe's list then he may be in danger."
"He has yet to respond to me." Joseph responded and then he got up and began to pace around the room looking at his phone, just willing it to ring or vibrate.
Eric and Sookie shared a look. 'It could be too late for him.' They thought at the same time.
"We will act." Eric stated.
"What do you need from me?" Sandy answered immediately.
"Do you have these files saved to a disk?" Sandy nodded. "Make three copies for me. Other than that stay as clear as you can of Felipe. Be ready, I will call to you when I need you."
"Do you need my cell number?" She asked as she began closing up her brief case.
"I won't need it. My call to you will be unmistakable." Eric replied. "Is Delilah well enough to travel?"
"Yes." Sandy said as she quirked her head to the side.
"Get her on a plane now to Louisiana. I will have a guard meet her at the airport and they will guard her until you come to her after this is all over."
"I cannot," Sandy protested. "She is even more skittish around men, she will not do well with them…even if they don't touch or speak to her."
"I will make sure that the guards are women." Eric nodded to Pam who pulled out her phone and began making calls. "Go now, and stay out of sight. Stay as mobile as you can once you've completed your tasks."
Sandy turned for the door but then paused and turned back to look at Eric and the Sookie. "Thank you." Before they could respond, she was out of the door.
"Anything Joseph?" Eric asked.
Joseph growled "No!"
"We need to go, try again." Eric said. "Pam, Bill are you prepared?" They both nodded and stood.
Pam was dressed beautifully in a simply lilac pantsuit. Bill had on khakis with a simple white dress shirt. The first two buttons were undone. They both looked simply dressed but from the pictures in their head as they mentally tallied their weapons Sookie knew that they were both heavily armed. Sookie and Eric stood too and she finally noticed that he was wearing the Armani shirt he had tricked her into choosing. Honestly who knew that a simple shirt could cost two hundred and fifty dollars?
Joseph growled in frustration when he tried to call Stan this time but still got no answer. "Fuck, it went straight to voice mail!"
"Let's go!" Eric ordered and immediately all the guards were standing behind him and Sookie. Bill and Pam gathered all of the files in their arms. Sookie replaced the hat onto her head and they all headed for the door.
They piled into the freight elevator and were going down. Eric's mind was gearing up for battle while Sookie thought more about Stan. He was their first ally and she didn't want to lose him. Would they ever be bosom buddies? No, but that didn't change the fact that he didn't hesitate to stand by their side and that's exactly what she was going to do for him.
"Eric do you think that we could do a net to try and find Stan?" Sookie asked Eric as the elevator continued its slow descent.
"It's worth a shot." Eric replied. He grabbed her hand and they closed their eyes and began to slowly throw their minds out around them. They hadn't gotten very far when they reached the lobby and had to walk again. "Fuck, we will try it again in the car."
"Should we alert the others to the situation?" Bill asked as they approached the front desk.
"I've got it." Eric replied to him before turning to the clerk. "I am Eric Northman, there should be a car waiting for me."
The clerk was about twenty one or so with black shoulder length hair that had the top pulled into a bun and the back hung down with a slight curl. She was slim and attractive, even if she did wear slightly too much make up. Sookie wasn't trying to dip into the girls mind but she was a strong broadcaster.
'Sweet merciful God that man is sexy.'She mentally drooled. "Eric Northman, I see it right here. It will just be a moment please while we bring your car to the front. If you wouldn't mind signing here for it?"
Eric signed the paper after a quick scan. "Thank you sir, if you will just hold a moment I will alert you to when your car is here." Eric nodded but then turned his back to the desk and pulled out his cell phone to text Arsinoe.
'Man I would love to have just one night with him. Hell I'd drink his bath water.' She continued to broadcast as Joseph repeated the same sequence Eric went through to get his car. 'I wonder if he's available. Who gives a shit? I don't want to marry him I just want to lock him up for a good decade and fuck his brains out.'
It was then that Sookie stepped forward. The clerk jumped slightly as she just barely registered Sookie's presence. Sookie smiled conspiratorially at the girl and looked pointedly at Eric. The girl smiled back and licked her lips.
"I want one of those for Christmas." The girl muttered to Sookie as she shifted her gaze around to make sure no one heard her.
It was then that Sookie realized that the girl didn't realize that Eric and the others were vampires. She's got to be new to town…
"I better stop looking or my husband may catch me." Sookie whispered back.
The girl giggled. "That's too bad for you. I don't have a husband and I don't want one. What I want is him for a few rounds."
"Trust me it's worth it." Sookie said nodding her head emphatically. "At least that's what I've heard about vampires."
They clerks eyes grew wide as saucers. "He's a vampire?"
"Of course honey didn't you know?" The girl shook her head. "They all are."
The girl squealed with delight. "I can't believe it, my first week on the job and I have vampires." The phone gave a loud ring and it spooked the clerk making her jump slightly. She answered it. "Gentle men all of your cars are waiting out front. Please have a good night."
Everyone began to walk off leaving Sookie at the desk. Eric stopped and turned back. With an easy smile that made the clerk forget to breathe Eric held his hand out towards Sookie. "Would you care to join me?" Sookie had to stifle a smile when she heard the clerk gasp.
Sookie looked back to the girl. "Screw it. If anyone asks you haven't seen me. I'm bagging me a vampire tonight." Sookie winked at the astonished clerk before practically jumping to Eric's hand.
"What about your husband?" The clerk called after her.
"What he doesn't know won't hurt him." Sookie replied before disappearing outside.
Outside Sookie saw Identical SUVs' parked out front. "Wow Eric what are those?" Sookie asked as he opened the door to the backseat for her.
"They are Mercedes-Benz GL 450's. Do you like them?" He asked with a curious expression.
"Not nearly as much as I like my Navigator but it's still nice." Sookie said.
"Yes I too prefer the Navigator but it's good to change it up every so often." He replied then closed her door.
There was a guard driving with Joseph in the front seat and Pam, Bill and a second guard took up the third row. Eric slid easily in next to Sookie.
"What did Arsinoe say?" Sookie asked as she took off her hat for the ride.
"You didn't hear?" Eric teased. "Where you too busy tormenting the poor clerk? You really should learn to multi-task Lover."
Sookie rolled her eyes. "Just tell me what she said please."
"Well since you said please." Eric nodded at her as if that had made all the difference in the world. "She said that they are mobilized and will await my call."
Sookie nodded her understanding. This was really it.
"Would you really leave your husband for a vampire?" Eric asked innocently.
"For the one I saw in the lobby?" Sookie paused to pretend to ponder the question seriously. "In a heartbeat…just don't tell him I said that."
"Your secret is safe with me." Eric assured her with a sly look and a flirtatious smile. Sookie was glad that Eric was joking with her because it really helped clear some of the tension she was feeling.
"Oh can you two please give me a fucking break already?" Joseph heaved out of frustration. "My king is probably dead and you two want to walk down fucking lovebird's lane?"
Sookie winced at the accusation in Joseph's biting tone. She was feeling guilty that others thought that they weren't serious about the task at hand. Though she also felt quite pissed that Joseph would say such a thing, hell they were all in this together. Both of these feelings were swirling around her fighting for dominance and all the tension that Eric's playful banter seemed to crash right back down on her.
Eric growled and then quicker that Sookie could have imagined Eric had pulled a dagger and placed it at Joseph's throat with the blade pressing into his skin.
"Listen to me you loud mouth fuck." Eric growled. "Don't you ever again disrespect my bonded in such a manner. She does not deserve your hostility. If you weren't such a self centered fuck you would be able to see that she has never been through anything like this before and that makes her nervous. So if I want to calm my bonded down with playful banter then so fucking be it; and if you ever speak to us like that again you will get this same speech with less words and more cuts."
Sookie laid her hand on Eric's shoulder and tried to push calm towards him in the bond; but that's what made Sookie shiver. Eric was already perfectly calm and in control, and he was perfectly serious.
Joseph growled again and then nodded his head with a slight jerk. None of the guards even flinched in their seats at Eric's outburst.
Eric sat back in his seat and after another moment he stowed his weapon once more. Sookie grabbed Eric's hand and squeezed it twice. "Maybe we should try to find Stan again." Sookie suggested.
Eric just nodded his assent and the gripped each other's hand slightly tighter. As they began to reach out and net together all the minds of the city around them they both gasped. Not because they had found Stan, they hadn't. They gasped because he had found them.
'Eric I don't know if you can hear me or not but this was a trap, we are surrounded.' Stan's mental voice sounded in their minds.
Both Eric and Sookie let go of the net and tried to focus on Stan's voice but could no longer hear anything. They began to see pictures of the many faces that surrounded Stan's group. Victor was there. They heard Stan divvy up their attackers before his mind went blank. They had attacked.
"Fuck!" Eric said as they tried and failed to pick up on Stan's mind again. "Step on it!"
"What did you find?" Pam asked because no one else had the balls to do so.
"Stan called out to us to tell us that his meeting was a trap and that he was surrounded." Eric replied.
Joseph growled harshly and pounded his fists into the dash…effectively breaking it. "Is he still alive?" Joseph asked though Sookie could see that in his mind it had almost killed him to ask.
"We don't know. His mind has gone blank." Sookie answered. "The only reason I can think of for that would be because he was either knocked out or…dead." She didn't want to say the last word but she had to bitch up and spit it out.
"Or he could not be thinking about his actions and just fighting on instinct." Eric offered as he felt the twinge of sadness when Sookie thought about Stan's possible death.
The driving guard literally put the pedal to the metal as they sped out of town towards Felipe's compound. In what should have taken them thirty minutes to drive took them only ten and then the palace was in sight. The buzz of minds swirled around Sookie the closer that they got.
She squeezed Eric's hand as they neared the residence and she threw up a shield. She had already heard what all the minds were thinking on. They were wrapped up in their blood lust. Most of them were thinking about relief and small orgies began popping up all over the palace. Unfortunately none of the minds inside were thinking about the outcome of the fight or what had happened to Stan and his guard.
Eric didn't shy away from the thoughts of other vampires like Sookie did. It wasn't painful to let so many in though it was not particularly that comforting. He let the thoughts flow through him as he had once taught Sookie so that he could use her gift on vampires. He was looking for one person in particular and he found someone who was number two on his hit list…Victor.
As they neared the gates they opened for them upon approached. Sookie did what came natural to her in a situation like this; she began to count the beings inside.
"There are four groupings underground, one of twenty, one of fifteen, and two with ten. Above ground there are several large clumps but I count seventy total vampires, thirty seven were's and around a hundred or so humans…give or take a few." Sookie determined shrewdly.
Eric flipped out his phone and sent a quick text message. Sookie saw from his mind that it was to Arsinoe relaying Sookie's count. He knew that she was secretly pleased that he hadn't mastered the art of counting different minds.
There was an ominous feel in the air. Though they could feel all the different brain patterns that were circling the mansion, there was not a soul in sight, not even the guards who are supposed to be posted at the gate to screen callers.
Eric quickly sent off another text to Arsinoe before stowing it in his pants pocket. Their SUV slowly wound its way up to the mansion. Sookie knew that what she was seeing was quite lovely and extremely impressive but she could not see the beauty in the building. This building was Felipe's crown jewel and that alone made it ugly. She felt disgust and dislike flow through her with an intensity that she had only felt whenever she thought about the initial takeover of Louisiana.
Felipe was a monster. He held no respect for anyone life but his own. He couldn't even be loyal to those that swore fealty to him. Maybe this was just a self fulfilling prophecy. Maybe if Felipe would not have decided to kill them to keep from having to bow down he would have found that she and Eric had no interest in becoming king and queen. Truthfully they could do what they were called to do without being king and queen. It certainly would've made it easier to travel around to bond with the different supernatural groups because they wouldn't be tied into one place.
All of that was neither here nor there because it really didn't matter anymore. A small smirk played across Sookie's mouth as she sat a little bit straighter in her seat. Though she was still in the car she slid her hat back onto her head. She reached beside her and took Eric's hand in her own. She opened the bond as far as she could while keeping their explosive energy intact. She could feel Eric doing the same. They both turned their head slightly and looked one another in the eye.
'We've come.'Sookie stated.
They both looked out to Sookie's side of the SUV as they came to a stop in front of Felipe's palace. The guards from the second SUV quickly surrounded the first in protective postures.
'We see.' Eric replied with a smirk of his own.
"We will conquer." They said to each other out loud. Everyone inside and outside the cab looked at them.
"We will conquer." They repeated.
TBC
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A/N: I am aware that some of this may seem redundant to some but I still have to say them. Like I know that I am putting off writing the actual confrontation with Felipe and E/S because I am afraid to write it. Fight scenes makes me very nervous when its time to write them. Though because I have virtually walked E/S to Felipe's front door, there's no way to avoid it anymore *sigh*. Just a few other things:
1) Sookie's body went into a kind of hibernation when Eric woke. In the absence of the air her body needed, her body just shut down in order to protect itself. It was an accident but it was still pretty irresponsible of both Eric and Sookie. They are both weak from their ordeal not to mention all the emotional trauma with Bill and their bodies needed to regenerate and for Sookie that would include oxygen, but as I said it was accidental. They both just needed to rest and the fact that his coffin was air tight is not something that Eric thinks about from day to day. And before you ask no the lack of oxygen will not have a lasting effect on Sookie (beyond the stiff feeling in her limbs I mean). The stronger and more control of her powers she has then the less time it will take for her to regain consciousness if it ever happened again.
2) You guessed it. When Andre saw the determination Stan had to gain Sookie it made him think. He knew that Stan would do absolutely anything to get Sookie. He decided to solve that problem. THIS is the reason Andre tried to bind Sookie to him with a blood bond.
3) I dressed Sookie the way I did because I had just finished watching The Godfather Part II and I was still in a Godfather kind of mood when I was writing. Sookie likes the outfit because it reminds her of Michael Corleone and Michael Corleone represents power and level headedness (is that a word?) and is the picture of someone who is in control. Eric laid this outfit out because he knew that that's the type of thing she needed to feel at the moment.
OKAY I THINK THAT IS EVERYTHING STAY TUNED FOR THE BATTLE. I HAVE BEEN SHOWING A LOT OF ERIC'S SOFTER SIDES BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT SOOKIE SEES, BUT MAKE NO MISTAKES HE HIS STILL A RUTHLESS VAMPIRE AND A TIGER CAN'T CHANGE HIS STRIPES. SO LOOK FORWARD TO MORE OF A BAD ASS ERIC IN THE NEXT CHAPTER.
I KNOW THAT I'M THROWING A LOT OUT SO PLEASE ASK QUESTIONS IF YOU NEED TO. I WILL BE MORE THAN HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTION THAT YOU MAY HAVE.
REMEMBER REVIEWS HELP ME WRITE SO THE MORE REVIEWS I GET THEN THE FASTER THE WRITING PROCESS WILL GO. THE FASTER THE WRITING PROCESS GOES THEN THE FASTER THE NEXT CHAPTER WILL BE OUT FOR YOUR PLEASURE. SO REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!