A/N- Ok Kiddies...I know I left quite the cliffie at the end of the last chapter. I love the reviews I got and the idea's everyone had about Sookie's fate! The love everyone had for the last round has certainly helped with this wicked writer's block. (yes, I'm from Mass...we say "wicked")
SouthernLady23 is the most amazing woman ever. I sent this Chapter over to her about 3 hours ago...and here we are, posting. She is a BETA Machine...maybe we could get a certain blond Viking to pay her special attention?
Now, good news/bad news folks- 1) Eric has been rescued (that is the good news) 2) He is soooooo not in a good place mentally (yup, the bad news) Please, we have quite a few chapters to go on this journey, so stick with me...okay?
THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU to everyone for the amazing reviews. The last chapter was the highest reviwed chapter by far! I don't have enough time to write the story and reply to everyone, so I'm thanking you now!
EPOV-
I never heard her approaching me, nor did I smell her sweet uniqueness. The only thing I remember was the taste of blood filling my mouth and the unshakable need to feed. The monster inside of me had been unleashed and I attacked blindly, not caring whom or what I had a hold of.
As I sank my fangs into the flesh of the thing I grabbed, I winced from the pain involved in such a simple task. My lips cracked and burned from being so dehydrated, and the sudden movement caused them to split more. As soon as the blood hit my mouth, I groaned in relief.
Soon thereafter, my lust and desire took over me. The first blood I had ingested in as long as I could remember was heaven, and I wanted all of it. I drank greedily, and didn't stop to ponder about the source or the blood's origins.
I vaguely heard screaming in the background...something about needing help. The shrill shouts echoed in my ears, bouncing around as if they were a ball ricocheting off a wall. My only thought was there was someone else here for me to feed from once this one was empty.
As I sucked deeply, my mind cleared and the fog of my pain began to lift. I suddenly realized the being I was holding forcefully to my body was not fighting me, but was instead allowing me to drink from them.
I paused momentarily from my feeding and heard the soft whispering of a voice. I could feel myself getting stronger from this blood alone, and knew I would be able to break free from the chains holding me. The voice...I recognized that voice.
"I'm so sorry...I love you. Eric...I love you."
The female voice was barely a whisper, and I felt her warm, soft lips graze my forehead. It was in that moment I realized why the person was not fighting me-it was Sookie. She was here and I was feeding from her, possibly killing her! I took every last ounce of strength I had and ripped all of the chains left on my body out of their anchors. I softly laid her down and took in the sight before me.
I tore the remaining chains hanging from my body apart with my hands and scrambled to my feet. I fell to my knees and could see her unconscious frame beneath me – the rising and falling of her chest as she breathed shallowly indicating she was still alive.
"What...what have I done?" The blood within me surged, and I instantly felt my child near. "Pam!" I shouted, knowing my senses did not deceive me. "Pam, get over here, NOW!"
I could hear the witch screaming uncontrollably. She walked towards Sookie and I wrapped myself around my bonded's limp body and growled, not wanting anyone to touch her.
"Er...Eric, it's me, Amelia. We need to get out of here, like yesterday! We have less than two minutes to get to the portal, and I have no idea where everyone else is!" She was hysterical as she paced around me like a caged lion.
I glanced from her back to Sookie, lying silently on the ground. I saw the deep bite mark on her shoulder and shuttered, knowing I was the cause. I reached down gently with my mouth and carefully licked the wound, not wanting to cause her more pain. I heard foot steps behind me and immediately jumped up in front of her, protecting her.
"What the hell happened?" Bill shouted, his face full of shock as he saw Sookie laying unconscious. "Never mind right now, pick her up and run!" He turned from me and grabbed the witch, throwing her over his shoulder.
Not knowing what all this talk was of time and urgency, I had no choice but to follow. I cradled Sookie in my arms and ran after Bill. I didn't know where we were going, and the weakness was still evident in my body.
When Bill finally slowed, I saw a large gathering of people and realized it was people Sookie and I knew. Pam stepped out from the group, and dropped to her knees before me. The emotions pouring off her were almost to much to bear given my current state.
"Master, please forgive my failure. I would have come sooner if I had known." I could see the red drops of blood streaming down her face and could feel her inner turmoil. I adjusted Sookie in my arms and held my hand out to her, motioning for her to rise.
There were no words for me to share at that moment, so all I could do was place a kiss on her head. She is my child, I know our connection would have brought her to me if she could have come. She lowered her head and nodded, knowing it was not the time for sharing our mistakes. She looked at Sookie, cradled delicately in my arms and her eyes shot to mine. Just as I was about to growl out a warning, I got the very distinct and offensive smell of Connor.
She saw me go rigid and immediately jumped to stop me from losing my mind.
"Eric, we brought you a going away present." She tipped her head towards Thalia and she then produced a bound and gagged fairy. His eyes were as wide as saucers and his body was visibly beaten. My energy level shot through the roof as I took in the picture before me. How I was going to make him pay-and pay dearly.
"Time is up...we must go-now!"
My head snapped up and I saw Sookie's fairy cousin shouting. As soon as the words left his mouth he grabbed hands with the person on each side of him, who in turn did the same. I could only assume this was to get us back through the portal. I clutched Sookie to my chest tightly, feeling her heartbeat slowly and hearing her shallow breaths.
Before I could close my eyes there was a wooshing sound and we were all standing outside, in a clearing near Sookie's back yard. We were back to our realm and now I needed to deal with what I had done.
"Eric, give her to me." I heard Pam's voice but would not acknowledge her words. "Eric, she needs to be cared for and you aren't in any shape to do this for her. Please, give her to me-now!" Pam's voice was urgent.
She moved to take her from my arms and I growled a warning at her, showing my fangs.
"No! Do not touch her-I will care for her!" I couldn't handle the idea of someone taking her away from me...again.
"Eric, listen to Pam. She looks real bad, she's as white as a sheet, man. She needs help and maybe Pam can take care of her." The shifter pleaded with me and I knew he would rather take her and run off...possibly to have a litter of mutts.
"I will care for her!" I shouted as loud as I possibly could, and I heard the echo through the trees. I ran towards her house and left all of them standing there, looking at me as if I were mad.
SPOV-
I could feel his cool hands caressing my face and I thought it was all a bad dream-the past three months hadn't happened, it was just one long nightmare. I tried to move, but was suddenly aware of how weak my body felt. It was as though I had a thousand pound weight resting on top of me.
I blinked my eyes slowly, not sure of my surroundings, and afraid of what I might see. The last thing I remembered was Eric and the sound of chains breaking. I began to panic, praying we weren't still in that hell. What if we didn't get out in time? Shit-what if there really was a thousand pounds on me and I was now being held prisoner? My body tensed and my eyes flew open, darting around the room. As soon as I saw the sapphire blue eyes I fell in love with looking down at me, I knew we were safe.
"Eric?" His name came out as a hoarse whisper.
"Ssh, not now. We will talk when you are stronger." His voice was quiet and calming, I was grateful to hear him.
I nodded slowly and closed my eyes again, not caring about anything or anyone around me. I felt Eric stretch his body out beside me and I breathed a long, well deserved sigh of relief. I drifted off to sleep and actually slept soundly for the first time in months.
The next time I woke, I could feel the sun streaming through my windows and knew Eric was no longer beside me. It was also the first time I noticed I was in my house and in my bed. The fear of having him gone again ripped through my body, causing me to shiver at the loss. I jumped out of bed, not paying attention to the fact I no longer felt weak and heavy.
I searched my home with my mind for the void which would be Eric and came up with nothing. He was not in the hidey hole, and he wasn't close enough for me to pick up on him. He must have gone back to his house. My heart ached knowing he was so far away from me. I flopped myself back on my bed and cried. I just wanted to hold him and feel him beside me. When he rose for the night I wanted to be the first thing he saw and touched. Apparently that wasn't going to happen.
After a good cry by myself, I decided I needed some coffee more than my self pity. After I had something to eat and some coffee, I could drive to Eric's house and be there when he rose. I would be able to actually hold him and tell him how much I had missed him. It wasn't the end of the world that he wasn't here with me...I'd just go to him. I made my way to the kitchen and found Amelia staring at her mug.
"Hey, are you all right?"
Apparently I had sneaked up on her as she almost jumped out of her seat.
"Holy shit, Sookie! You're awake! You have no idea how worried I've been."
She was talking a mile a minute and I knew immediately I needed to put my shields up to block her out of my mind."What are you talking about? How long have I been asleep?" I knew it was late, but give me a break-I had just saved the love of life.
"It's been four days!"
My face must have turned as white as a ghost because she suddenly realized how it must have sounded.
"You had no idea, did you?" She asked, her eyes back to her coffee.
"No, it feels like I just slept through the night. When did Eric leave?" I asked her, hoping she would tell me he was glued to my bedside.
Amelia became fidgety and started tapping her nails on the side of her coffee mug.
"Um, just a little while ago..." I knew she was lying and I had no choice but to listen to her mind.
It will kill her if she knew Niall had to do it. Fucking Viking bastard hasn't been to see her once. Selfish sonofabitch...I could stake his ass.
Her thoughts made me sick to my stomach. When was Niall here and why hadn't Eric been to see me?
"Amelia, please tell me the truth." I walked towards her and pleaded with my eyes. I watched her shake her head and saw the tears start to fall.
"Sookie, I'm so sorry. Eric hasn't been here since the night you rescued him." She sobbed the words out and watched as I grabbed the chair to sit. "Do you remember Eric grabbing you in the fairy realm and feeding from you?"
I nodded slowly.
"Well, he took a little too much and you became unconscious. He wouldn't let anyone near you or touch you, and we were running out of time. Once we got back to our side, Pam tried to convince him to let her care for you, but he refused. He was like an animal, not letting anyone near you." She reached for my hand as she told me the story.
"So, he was upset about what happened. I can understand why he didn't want anyone to touch me." I tried to defend him, to rationalize the situation.
"But, he ran off to your room and locked the two of you inside. From what I understand happened, he started to get the bloody clothes off of you so he could take care of you. But he caught the scent of another vampire and stopped. When Pam came barging in, breaking the lock on the door, she found Eric just sitting on your bed...watching you. You were dying and all he was doing was sitting there!" Amelia shouted the last part, causing me to jump.
"What happened after that?" I was breathing heavily, not liking where this story was going.
"Pam started yelling at him to heal you, to give you blood so you could recover. He didn't move, he just sat there like a stone. When Pam saw he was upset and not moving, she went to give you her blood and Eric freaked on her. He started screaming that you had the scent of Felipe on you. He pointed to something you were wearing around your neck at the time. I'm not sure what it was because Eric apparently ripped it off."
My hand went to the spot where the antique ring had hung and found it was gone. I thought I was going to hyperventilate-I was so upset.
"He held it in front of Pam and screamed about how much it reeked of Felipe. All Pam could do was look at him. He asked if you had seen the king and Pam confirmed, letting him know you saw him right after he had been thought finally dead. Then he asked her if you still had contact with him and she nodded. Eric went completely mad, not even noticing you were actually slipping away. Pam told him there was nothing going on between you and Felipe, but he refused to listen to her. She tried to get him to help you, but he refused to give you his blood." Amelia was sobbing.
My body was ready to collapse and was shaking with anger and with pain. After everything I had done to save him...he wouldn't help me? He doubted my love for him?
"So if Eric didn't save me, who did?" I had a feeling this was where Niall was going to fit in.
"Claude heard Pam and Eric yelling and knew what bad shape you were in. He contacted Niall and told him you needed him. Before anyone could blink an eye he was standing in the living room and yelling at Eric to back out of the bedroom."
"And Eric did? He left me alone, just hoped whatever Niall did would work?" My voice was weak and sad.
"Oh, hell no! He screamed about not moving until he knew you would live. He threatened everyone he could about anything he could think of. I've never seen him as crazy as he was that night. It was like he was fighting everything and everyone, just to fight. For a little while, I thought he was going to tear the house apart with his bare hands-he was so nuts." Amelia took a breath and made sure I was still with her.
"So, Niall healed me and Eric hasn't been heard from since?"
"Niall gave you something that did the trick, but it obviously knocked you out for quite a while. Eric stayed with you in your room until almost dawn. Things had calmed down pretty much and Eric just curled his body around you, like he was guarding you. That was the last time I saw him..." She blew out a breath and waited for me to come undone.
I stayed silent for quite a while, unsure of how to handle the news of Eric thinking I betrayed him. He was going to let me die? How could he look at me and not help me? After what felt like hours, I finally pushed myself away from the table and got up to leave.
"Thank you for being honest with me, Amelia. I really appreciate everything you did for me the other night-thank you." I walked towards my room and lost it the minute I closed the door behind me.
EPOV-
My cell phone went off alerting me to a new text message. It was from Pam, letting me know the witch had told her Sookie was awake. Thank the gods she was well, I would not have been able to live another day if I had been the one to kill her.
My mind was unable to wrap itself around everything that was happening. Sookie had put together a band of people to come and rescue me. She had saved me from certain final death, and I all but sent her to her's.
When I got her back to her house, I was ready to heal her, even though I had a pulling at my brain regarding giving her my blood again. She had come to me so many times and had seen me in pain and being tortured, yet she ran away each time. Was giving her my blood something I really wanted to do again? I looked at her lifeless body and knew...yes, I did want to heal her.
I began to undress her to make it easier when I caught the scent of another vampire. It was faint, but it was most certainly there. I took my nose to her body and began searching for the offending odor. I came across the little gold chain hanging around her neck, suspending a tiny antique ring, and I knew this was the source of the scent. I held the jewelry to my nose and breathed deeply-Felipe.
My mind went crazy knowing she was wearing a gift from the king! The woman wouldn't allow me to by her coffee, yet here she was, wearing a token of affection from another vampire? I sat down at the end of her bed and just stared at her, not knowing how to proceed.
Pam came storming in, actually breaking the lock on her bedroom door. Seeing her set my anger off further and I hardly registered her demands to heal Sookie. The only thought in my mind was how could she have allowed Sookie to go to Felipe? I began yelling and actually ripped the necklace from Sookie's neck, not wanting to see it there any longer.
Pam confirmed Sookie had in fact seen Felipe, and was still in contact with him. My anger grew to an all out rage. I felt as if I was out of control, like I was something other than myself.
Pam did her best to try and convince me Sookie wasn't involved with Felipe, but how could she explain the necklace I had torn right from her body? Pam quickly abandoned her effort to change my mind and became more concerned with saving Sookie's life. She began yelling orders at me to save her again. Who the hell did she think she was? I might have been gone for a while, but I was still her maker and her Sheriff.
I could tell Sookie was fading away, just by the sound of her heartbeat, but I still did nothing. My body was aching to go to her and protect and heal her, but my mind and my pride would not allow it. Just as I was about to give in and pierce my wrist, I heard Niall's voice echoing throughout the house.
Just what I needed, another fucking fairy getting involved in my life! We traded demands for a moment and I finally granted him access to Sookie's room. I could tell by the look on his face when he saw his great grandchild, he was not pleased.
He took her in his arms and produced a small bottle of liquid. He popped the top and poured it in her mouth, helping her swallow it down. I growled as I watched him handle her, knowing it was him saving her life. Within minutes, her color was returning to her face, but she was still out cold.
Niall just stared daggers at me, all while holding Sookie's hand. When he knew she was safe and out of danger, he rose from her bedside and stood before me without a moments hesitation.
"She went to hell and back for you-and for what? For you to turn your back on her and leave her to die after you have had your fill of her. My child mourned for you as if you died everyday. She cried tears of pain every day...for nothing." He gave one last look over at her sleeping form, and then he was gone.
I collapsed on her bed and held my head in my hands, unable to comprehend the fact I almost let her die. Pam saw the state I was in and wisely decided to leave.
"Eric, just remember she was the one who realized you had not met your final death. She is the reason you are now here. When you are ready, we have the fairy to take care of." She gave me her wicked smile and that did lift my spirits-slightly.
I curled myself around her and watched her sleep, not believing I was with her once again. I had thought I would meet my final death from the hands of Connor, but here I am. I gently brushed my fingers over her face, loving how warm and soft she was. I could feel myself getting stronger by the minute, and I knew I would need to take out my frustrations soon.
I could feel her stir and suddenly her eyes snapped open to look at me. Her heartbeat had tripled and her blood was pumping through her veins furiously. I needed to get away from her before I hurt her again.
"Eric?" She sounded weak and her voice was strained. I didn't want her to talk at the moment, and I was afraid of what I would say to her. I was too conflicted to carry on a conversation.
"Ssh, not now. We will talk when you are stronger." I watched her nod her head slowly and drift back to sleep.
I held her for another couple of hours, just amazed I was with her again and not chained by some crazed fairy. I took in her scent, and basked in it, memorizing every last detail to ensure I would never forget it – not as long as I existed. When it was time, I released her warm, perfect body and made sure she was covered and comfortable.
This was four nights ago...I have not been back since.
A/N- I told you he wasn't in a good place...kind of like me. I'm still trying to get past this block-help a girl out!