A/N: Well, here it is! The final chapter! It's kinda long, so plan appropriately. :) Special thanks to Baronessjai for her help in making sure I kept the lemons rated "M" and not "XXX". ;P And to VampLover1, who used her fairy magic (well actually her grasp of the English language and teaching skills) to make this puppy shine. She is the force behind all of my writing, making sure I learn from my mistakes and keeping me motivated, focused, on track etc. Amazing, she is!
Disclaimer: Anything recognizable is not mine, including the characters, who belong to the lovely Charlaine Harris and of course the Kamasutra. (Think that goes without saying…even though my husband once told me that his great-grandfather wrote it, as a way to get me to go on a date with him…Hey, I'm gullible, it was 15 years ago, youngsters in college. He was the T.A. for a complicated engineering class…I wanted a good grade. It all ended well. LOL.)
Something to recall from a couple of chapters ago: A conversation between Sookie and Niall where he mentioned the Great Pythoness having interest in Sookie and leading all races into a peaceful co-existence (ch 19).
Drum roll………
The Kama Sutra is neither exclusively a sex manual nor a sacred or religious work, but rather a guide to a fulfilled life in the Hindi tradition. Kama, in its basic translation, simply means enjoyment of the senses. I hope you have a taste of that below.
Sookie barely felt them touch down, before Eric breezed them inside what she assumed was a house. Her surroundings were without light, without even a hint of the brightness of the full moon. Before she could catch her breath and release her death grip from around Eric's neck, he set her down on a cool, silky surface that felt like butter on the backs of her bare thighs. Then he delicately peeled her off him, running his hands down her arms and then her legs, as he knelt in front of her, arms on either side of her hips.
"Eric?" she asked.
"Right here, dear one," he whispered in her right ear then nibbled gently, causing her to shiver with desire.
"Where are we? I can't see anything other than your eerie vampirey glow!" she said in hushed tones, unsure if he was whispering because they needed to or because he wanted to.
"That's the point, lover," he replied, his lips ghosting the side of her face. She could feel them pressed into a smile and hear the light rumble of laughter in his chest.
"Well, that's not fair! You can see just fine! What are you up to?" she asked, reaching out for him, but he was no longer there. She whipped her head around, outstretching her arms and hands in an attempt to find him, or anything for that matter, around her. "Where did you go?" she asked, slightly unnerved by being alone in the pitch black and in an unfamiliar location.
"All is fair, my lover. I am right here so there is no need to be frightened. I thought we could play a little game, have some fun," he chuckled again.
"Ooo. Kay. Eric, I just barely returned and you bring me to god knows where, and the first thing you want to do is play a game? Has my absence driven you mad?" she laughed, but it was short and uncomfortable. Partly amused by his playfulness and partly flustered by the circumstances, she crossed her arms over her chest in a huff.
"I am only mad for you, dear Sookie. I have brought you home, to our home, or more specifically, our bedroom and our bed -- as you requested. I have thought of little else for the last twelve months. What is the saying… 'Absence makes the heart grow fonder'…something along those lines? It's just – well, I'm curious as to why you acquiesced so easily back at the bar, from what I know of my little spitfire. So, I thought we could test out your new found willingness," he said, suddenly appearing by her left side and breathing his cool breath into her neck. She shivered again.
"Cold?" he asked, smiling again into the soft muscle along her collarbone.
Sookie swallowed the lump forming in her throat, her heart hammering away in her chest. She reached out for him, but again he was not there. She sighed in frustration. "I spent way too much time obsessing over whether what I felt was real, what you may want of me and perhaps what you don't want, while I was with Niall. I was simply relieved to hear your words, that's all," she explained, shrugging her shoulders and looking down at the hem of her dress, trying to hold back the tears that suddenly formed in her eyes. "Your presence calms me, makes me happy – maybe even a bit giddy at times."
"Times like these?" he asked, suddenly appearing in front of her again.
"Times like these make me think that you were really good at the whole 'bump in the night thing'! You're freaking me out a little," she said, a cool shiver running up her spine and making her hair stand on end.
"Yes, I am very good at it," he purred, sliding his hand up the skirt of her dress, caressing the outside of her thigh all the way to her hip where her panties rested. Then just as quickly, he withdrew it and was gone.
"You know, it's not nice to tease," Sookie complained, annoyed by his taunts. "We are supposed to be having glorious and gratuitous makeup sex right now, not playing peek-a-boo!" she snapped.
Eric dropped down beside her with a soft thud. "I am unfamiliar with this term, 'makeup sex', but intrigued," he said. "Explain." He brushed her hair back from her neck and shoulder, to reveal the tender spot containing one of her many delicious arteries. His cool touch made her pulse quicken and her body flush with heat.
She bit her bottom lip, embarrassed to explain. This habit drove him wild with desire. "Well, ummm, it's the really great sex you have with your man or woman after you've had an argument."
"Hmmm," he said in a low growl. "We did not have an argument. I would say more like unnecessary interference by some rather annoying outside forces, which led to some misunderstandings. I do like the part of really great sex with my woman, though," he said, leaning in and licking that special spot behind her ear that drove her crazy.
Sookie turned quickly to capture his lips in a kiss, but he anticipated the move and shifted to her other side. "Boo!" he blew into her hair. She jumped with a startled scream.
"Jesus Christ, Shepherd of Judea, Eric! You nearly gave me a heart attack. Now stop this nonsense and kiss me, damn it!" Sookie demanded.
Eric chuckled before wrapping his hands in the blonde hair that nearly matched his own, "Your command, my wish, lover," he sighed, before pressing his lips to hers. He slid his cool tongue between her lips and she welcomed it like the last bite of chocolate cake.
She couldn't help but moan as their hands skimmed over each other's clothing. His hand snaked back up under her dress, this time tickling the inside of her thighs. She opened them on instinct, welcoming his touch. His thick fingers grazed over her center, alerting them both to her obvious arousal. This time he moaned, but then unexpectedly, broke away from the kiss.
Sookie panicked. "What's wrong?" she asked, clutching to him so he wouldn't disappear on her again.
"Do you know what the five human senses are, dear one?" he asked, running his hand through her hair.
"Sure. Sight, Taste, Touch, Smell, and Hearing. What do they have to do with right now? You're killing me, Eric!" she whined.
"Remember our first night together – when I took you to my 'bat cave,' as you called it -- the part where it was so dark, you couldn't see anything?" he asked.
Sookie nodded, thinking back to that night. So many things happened that night and the following one. It seemed like a lifetime ago. "You said that when one sense is taken away, the others become heightened. You suggested I close my eyes and follow you with my other senses. What are you getting at?"
"What I have planned for us this evening," he growled, nipping at her shoulder. "We are going to explore four out of the five senses. Your sight has been impaired for the most part, so the others have been heightened. It will be…educational…for you," he explained.
"I, I don't know, Eric…" she said nervously.
"Trust me, lover. It will be most pleasurable," he responded, the tone of his voice holding nothing but promise. "Now lie back and close your eyes. Your first lesson shall be in touch," he said, guiding her onto her back.
Lying back slowly, Sookie had no idea what he was thinking or what he planned to do, and it made her nervous and excited all at the same time. "These sheets feel amazing," she said, running her hands around her. "Are they part of my lessons?"
"Just a bonus," he replied, as she felt him lay down beside her. His gentle hand smoothed up her right arm, to her shoulder and then to her neck where he rested it for a second on her throbbing pulse point.
Her eyebrows lifted in surprised as he placed his hands on either side of her face instead of where she wanted them most…her breasts. "I thought of you, of this moment so often, Sookie," he said roughly. His voice was a bit deeper than normal.
"Me too," she whispered, leaning forward trying to capture his lips in a kiss, but he pulled back leaving barely an inch of space between them. "We've lost so much time because of…," her whisper trailed off as he bent to kiss her eyelids.
"I only care of the present, dear one. You are here now, with me and I don't plan on letting you go anywhere." His comment made a shiver slowly snake its way down her spine and curve right around to nestle between her thighs. He did not want to lose her ever again. If there was any way to keep her by his side just like this, forever… guaranteed, he would do anything he could to find it.
Her hands threaded into his long mane and she pulled him hard against her into a frenzied kiss. She raised her hips and rolled to bring their bodies as close together as possible.
"Slowly, my lover," he whispered in her ear. "This is hardly some suck and fuck. The night stretches ahead. Shall we squander it in impatience and haste?" he asked, while reaching around behind her to unzip her dress painfully slow.
He shifted her slightly so that she was now lying on her stomach. Bending at the knees, he leaned over her and began to run his cool tongue down her spine, following the path of the disappearing zipper. His teeth nipped at her flesh where her lower back began to curve down towards her ass, sending goose bumps crawling over her skin.
Desire swirled wildly inside her as he carefully kneaded her lace-covered bottom, while tossing her dress aside. "There are so many erogenous zones on our bodies and with the sense of touch, whether it is with our fingers, lips or tongue, you can be nearly brought to orgasm if done correctly. One sorely overlooked area is the woman's buttocks," he instructed, breaking the silence of the moment. He continued to trace the curves from her lower back, then alternating between firm and light kisses on those cheeks as if they were her breasts.
Then he continued his education by slowly removing her panties, dragging his fingers purposefully against her thighs and down behind her knees, until he reached her calves and finally her ankles. He followed his fingers again with his tongue and lips, paying special attention to the thin sensitive skin behind her knees.
He touched her everywhere but where she wanted it most, and it was driving her insane. She heard herself moan with lust as he slowly turned her body to mush.
"Now it's my turn," he chuckled, leaning back to take off his shirt. Sookie turned on her side and sat up slightly to see if she could catch what he was doing by the light of his ethereal glow. She could feel him slowly shedding his black Fangtasia t-shirt. She reached out to trail her fingers down his bare flesh. He laid down beside her, revealing his taut abs and the shadow of his little happy trail of darker blond hair that led to the deliciousness below his belt. Pulling her towards him, she couldn't help but to flick her tongue across his nipple, closing her eyes, feeling ecstatic at the taste.
As if he could read her thoughts, he explained, "Touch and taste go hand in hand, especially when we use our lips and tongue to do the touching." Then he pulled her up the length of his body until their lips met.
Sookie dragged her fingernails through his scalp as she attacked his lips and neck. She couldn't get enough of him, the scent of him, the heady perfume that was Eric; the exotic, unnameable aroma of his skin, made blood beat at her temples.
He growled with approval as she continued to touch and taste her way down his sculpted frame. "A lover's moan is the most erotic of the senses. It lets you know that you are pleasing them greatly. That is the sense of hearing," he coached, in a gravelly voice.
"Mmmm…" was all she could respond, as she ran her tongue along his lower abs. She began to fumble with his belt buckle and subsequent button and zipper of his jeans. He was so hard that the bulge in his pants was precariously close to busting out all on its own.
Once she finally managed to set him free, (he had gone commando of course), they both moaned but for separate reasons. His was for the relief he felt from having to no longer endure the unpleasant rubbing of the denim's zipper on his sensitive flesh; hers was from the intoxicating smell that was like concentrated Eric, assaulting her nose. She couldn't help but bury her face in the crook between his thigh and groin.
Her sudden attack on one of Eric's most secretly sensitive spots nearly broke his resolve. He fisted his hands into her hair and held her steady, as his eyes rolled to the back of his head. "And now you've discovered smell, my talented lover," he sighed.
This night was all about them discovering the connection they had with one another, about them finally becoming one and moving forward with their sealed destiny. They needed to forget everything that anyone else had told them and just feel, taste, smell, see and hear how much each of them meant to the other.
"Oh, lover, keep that up and you will be experiencing my favorite sense all by yourself. Come -- It's time to experience all of them at once and I'm getting very…hungry," he said, running his tongue over his fangs.
Sookie shimmied her way back up his body, eager for another kiss. Her body was vibrating with want, she was so turned on – her skin was like a live wire – literally, with her magic hovering just beneath the surface. Even if she could have, she wouldn't have been able to see, her eyes were somewhere between open and closed, unfocused from her desire.
Eric wiped a cool, smooth thumb across her bottom lip and she instinctively licked at it as it passed. She instantly noticed the taste. He must have pierced his thumb with his fang before rubbing it on her lip, because it was his blood she was relishing, his rich, thick, sweet, intoxicating blood that was the force binding them together.
The sight of her sucking on her bottom lip and her blue eyes shining up at him like two brilliant stars undid him. He pinned her arms over her head with one arm while his other swept over the front of her body to caress her breasts. He stroked his knee along the inside of her thigh, encouraging her to open herself to him. "Yield to me, Sookie. Tell me you are mine, as I am yours. Say the words…let me hear you, my lover," he ordered, allowing a bit of his weight to settle on top of her, so that their bodies remained in constant contact.
She drew a deep breath, inhaling more of his electrifying scent. She wriggled a bit, wanting to free her hands to touch him, but he wouldn't allow it. So, she hooked her right leg up around his waist drawing him in closer and latched onto his nipple with her mouth. Sookie decided she would take a page out of his book and use all of her senses to explore him as he did her.
Taking slow, steady breaths through her nose to smell him, she used her lips and tongue to taste and to touch what she could reach of his hard chest. She moaned in pleasure, allowing him to hear her, as she rocked against him. He continued impatiently waiting for her response. Then she bit down as hard as she could just beside his right nipple and began to drink from him.
His surprise groan filled the night, while he enjoyed her sneak attack. Once she had her fill, he let go of her hands, whipped her around and grabbed her stomach, lifting her so his rigid length pressed right between the cleft of her ass checks. "You asked for it now," he growled, dragging his fangs across her shoulder blades.
Pleasure speared her as much as he did, in one swift motion. His left hand plucked at her diamond hard nipples while the right reached around to massage her throbbing nub. She expected him to start pummeling her with his greater strength, as a form of retribution, but instead he cuddled her, holding his thrusts to slow and controlled advances and retreats.
"You are always full of surprises and delights, dear one, but I still didn't hear your response," he growled again.
Snippets of their recent past together came flooding to the forefront of her mind. As Eric embraced her in that special lover's hold, paying special attention to her back, hips and breast, all their firsts flashed through her mind. Their first meeting at Merlotte's, the night of their first 'date' (the ride in the limo), their first kiss after she found out he was vampire, their first night together, her first drink of his blood, their first fuck. Sookie had no more of a chance in preventing her and Eric from being together than keeping opposite ends of magnets from colliding.
She needed someone beside her, someone brave, strong, and understanding. She was helpless without him, as he was without her and in that realization, she found that she did indeed belong to him. Not in the way a pet belongs to an owner, but how a heart belongs to a soul. It was Eric who was embracing her, Eric that was giving her such great pleasure, Eric who protected and gave himself to her, literally. She was his!
"Yes!" she cried out. "Yes! I am yours, oh god, yes," she gasped, her chest tightening at the truth to her words.
Pleasure rippled through him, tightening his leg and abdominal muscles. Even his awarding-winning ass checks clenched as he was overcome by his primitive urge to pound inside of her, to claim her as his. "Mine," he growled, "mine." Then without warning, just as she did to him, he sank his fangs into the back of her neck, taking a long, deep drink.
Gods but this woman is tantalizing, he thought to himself. He didn't want to stop drinking, but drain her dry of every last mesmerizing drop. Thankfully, the rational side of him won over and he reigned himself in.
"Ahhh!" she yelled out, slipping in and out of awareness as all her senses went into overload. She continued to scream and cry out, unsure if she had reached her release, but not wanting any of it to end. She wished in that moment that they could stay like that forever.
Eric's touch was cool and amazingly gentle, as he launched in his own moment of ecstasy. When they had regained enough of their sanity, he rolled them into a spooning position, while she continued to try to control her breathing.
"Omigod, Eric. I had no idea that sex could be so intense!" she exclaimed, when she had come down from her cloud. "Where did you learn that? Wait…maybe I don't want to know…," she said, second-guessing herself. The last thing she wanted to hear after such an amazing experience was who else had been with her unforgettable lover.
"It's all part of the ancient Indian practice of love-making and living a fulfilled life. Have you never heard of the Kamasutra?" he asked, gliding his hands all over her silky skin, slick with the light sheen of perspiration all humans get after such intense physical activity.
She nodded her head no, along with an uttered, "utt-uhh."
"Well, it's an ancient text that was written for both men and women, to help provide a guide for a healthy marriage, full of both physical and cerebral pleasure techniques. It has been translated into several languages now and sold in everyday bookstores. Some even have vivid, detailed instructions as well as pictures of the most recommended positions for lovemaking. Remind me to get you a copy, lover," he chuckled, kissing the top of her head and holding her tight against him.
Sookie turned red in embarrassment, thinking of a book filled with pictures of people having sex. Her feelings translated loud and clear through the bond, especially with them being so close and just exchanging blood.
"Sex is nothing to be embarrassed about, Sookie. It is quite natural and how most everything reproduces. None of us would be here, if it were not for sex. Anyway, I had not really planned on you reading about that part. I'd rather show you…," he growled.
"I don't know if I'm ready for any more mind-blowing, ancient Indian sex secrets, just yet. I need a few minutes…maybe a shower…," she sighed. "Exactly how many positions are listed in this book, anyway?"
"Well really there are only a couple of positions, but it's the variations of those positions that make it interesting. Some have been given very amusing names. In fact, I'm thinking of one we can use in the shower right now. It's called, 'Climbing the Tree.' I'll give you a hint," he said with a wink, "I'm the tree."
Sookie had a feeling it was going to be a very long, exhausting night before dawn would come and thankfully claim both of them.
When she finally did awake from her slumber the next evening, she felt nearly like she did when she slept in the Fae realm – as if it had been days, or even weeks. She lay still, with her eyes unopened, committing to memory everything that had happened within the last twenty-four hours. She couldn't put her finger on the feeling humming through her, but decided on joy. Yes, joy was what she was feeling. Sookie had never imagined how wonderful it could be to awaken in the evening, in an unfamiliar place, surrounded by darkness and wrapped in the arms of someone she loved – who just happened to be a scary, thousand-year old, Viking, Vampire Sheriff. It was such a peaceful feeling, a safe feeling. It made the prospect of the coming obstacles they would undoubtedly face, much less daunting, just knowing Eric would be by her side.
He knew the minute she woke up because he had been laying there watching her since a little before sunset. He couldn't keep his eyes off her, appreciating the feelings her return had invoked in him. She made him feel alive, not just undead. It seemed to him that sometimes his heart would actually start beating again; his emotions were that intense. As he continued to admire her, he detected a surge of joy rush through the bond and a smile spread across her face. He surely hoped it was him she was thinking of – wishing he could spend the rest of his days in her sweet surrender. But, then a wave of melancholy hit him. He didn't have eternity with her, provided he didn't get himself staked by Niall or anyone else for that matter, in the near future.
She was human and she would eventually age and die, unless he could convince her to be turned. Sensing his mood, Sookie opened her eyes and caught him staring down at her.
"What's wrong, Eric?" she asked, gently touching her hand to his cheek.
"Nothing, lover. I was just enjoying watching you sleep, listening to your heart beating its song to me," he replied, bending his head to brush his lips against hers.
"You are sad about something. Is it evening-after regret?" she laughed, trying to make a joke and failing.
"You felt that, huh? This bond thing is annoying sometimes," he replied, cupping her face in his large hand.
"Tell me about it! Now, what has you so down? I was feeling on top of the world until about a minute ago," she demanded, but only out of concern.
"I was just thinking about you and your family…your heritage," he said, not being entirely truthful.
"Liar, liar, pants on fire. You were considering my mortality, weren't you," she said, her heart sinking too.
"Be careful, dear one, or I'll think that you can read my mind as well," he said and something in his tone made her believe his underlying threat.
"You don't have to worry about that. I'm just good at making logical conclusions. You were thinking how this is nice but that I'll grow old and die someday. I can tell. It's something I've thought about myself, quite a bit actually. Eric, I don't want to be a vampire – ever. The thought of having to drink blood to survive, of you being my maker and not my love and the thought that you could meet your final death and leave me alone – as a vampire – it's just too much. So, you need to promise me that no matter what happens, you'll never do that. Please?" she pleaded.
"I can't help what I feel, but I agree to that. No matter how much I may want to keep you."
Sookie sighed, thinking back to the conversation she had with Appius. She was nervous to bring all that up now and pop the magical bubble they seemed to be immersed in. "Eric…I have something to tell you. I'm not sure how happy you'll be about it, but it affects you, so you should know."
His arms reflexively tightened a little more around her as he felt her anxiety rise. He arched his eyebrow as if to say 'spill already.'
She took a deep breath and then began, "When I found Ocella, he had quite a bit to say about the bond. I've sort of already told you the gist of it. Apparently, not only could he tell that I was bonded to someone, but obviously, by your connection, he knew it was you. He also explained to me why Niall had him chained down there. It wasn't only to punish him for my great-grandmother's death, but to serve as his personal supply of vampire blood -- the blood that would resolve his mortality issue. Niall has drunk enough of Appius' blood that they are permanently bound. If one dies, so does the other. And, if Niall were close to death, which Appius' would be able to feel through the bond, he could command him through it to continue breathing, living. It's the magic of vampire blood. He claims Niall put us together, to test out this theory further. He claims that you and I have this same connection. We are permanently bound. My aging has slowed to the point where I am actually younger than when we first met, at least physically. And for the most part, as long as you live, so will I – if we continue to share blood – according to Niall's confirmation."
Eric was silent for several seconds, just staring into her eyes. He was stunned. So many emotions, thoughts, were zipping through his mind. On the one hand, he was thrilled at the prospect of being able to keep Sookie, warm and vibrant through the ages. On the other, if he were to get himself killed any time soon, she would die too. And, a world without Sookie in it, seemed meaningless to him.
"Did you know about this before?" he asked in an accusing tone.
"Of course not! I didn't know any of you all existed, remember?!" she answered immediately, hurt that he would think such a thing.
"So, Niall just assumed I wouldn't mind attaching myself to his beloved great-granddaughter in exchange for what?" he said more to himself than her.
"He selected you because of your age and your loyalty to him. He claims he couldn't trust anyone else to try this with. The kicker is, his obsession with fairy mortality led him to all of this – to the synthetic blood, to master-minding the vampires coming out, to Bill's database, to us…," she said, trailing off. She was overcome with that feeling again that their connection was just a manufacture of Niall's and that none of this was for real. She began to cry silent tears, their bubble officially busted.
"None of that, now," he ordered, wiping away her tears. "We cannot go back, we cannot change the future we've been given. We are together and that is how it will stay. I am happy, I enjoy being bound like this and so will you someday. I understand your feelings, for I too feel manipulated. But there is nothing to be done about it, other than perhaps to seek out revenge. In the long run though, it will do nothing but give us short-term satisfaction. One thing we vampires do best is spin what we've been dealt with to our advantage. Together we are stronger than on our own. Never forget that. Now, let us get dressed. I have something to show you," he said, pulling her out of bed with him by the hand.
"I don't have anything to wear, other than my dress, which is god knows where," Sookie complained.
"Not so, lover. I had all your things moved here," he said, throwing open a door and flicking on a light that revealed a sizable walk-in closet. One side held all of his things, mostly jeans and t-shirts; on the other side, all of the clothes Sookie had left behind at the high-rise and by the looks, much more. "Pick anything you like. Claudine informed me, after your little girls' day out, that Pam's choice in wardrobe wasn't quite your style. I hadn't gotten around to having someone refresh them before you left, but obviously I found some time since then," he said with a shy smile.
He only let go of her hand long enough to quickly dress himself in his requisite jeans, tee and boots, and to braid his hair. Sookie stood in fascination as she watched his hands expertly weave the blond locks into such an intricate style, without even using a mirror. "Can you show me how to do that?" she asked.
He shrugged, "Sure. But not right now," he replied, swatting her ass. "Get dressed. We have people waiting on us."
"People? Eric, I need a shower if we are going to meet anyone!"
"No. I want you to smell like me, like our sex. You are mine and it needs to be known."
Sookie rolled her eyes. He sounded like a three year-old with his favorite toy. She quickly found everything she needed and wound up with a white tee, faded and fashionably torn blue jeans, topped off with glittery flip-flops and a pale lavender scarf with tiny flowers silk-screened on it. She threw her hair up into a high ponytail and declared herself ready.
"So, where exactly are we going?" she asked Eric as he led her through his new home and out the back door.
"To Bon Temps," he said without further explanation.
Parked in his driveway was a newer red convertible Corvette. "What happened to your '67?" Sookie asked.
"Fucking Fellowship! They blew it up, just like they did to the levees in New Orleans. They didn't like that we made them look like the terrorists they are after that disaster. Because my face was the one plastered all over the publicity spreads, they came after me and my businesses with a vengeance. That's why I bought this house and sold some of my others, as well as the high-rise. I couldn't take the chance that they would do further damage, not just to me, but to my human employees and any innocent bystanders," he explained.
"But, you opened the bar and it is still standing. Why haven't they attacked the bar?" she asked.
"Let's just say, the tables were turned on them somewhat, and they no longer find acts of terrorism part of their repertoire," he said with a mischievous grin.
"Do I want to know what that means?" she asked, cringing.
"No, you don't. I finally have you back. I don't want you running away from me for something that wasn't completely my decision. It was rather a joint effort and sanctioned by the Council."
"I'll never run away from you," she said, "especially if you haven't run from me yet."
On their way to Bon Temps, they talked some more about things that happened after she left, including how all kinds of vampires across the US and Canada came together to assist Louisiana after the floods. The levee system was repaired and rebuilt to be sturdier than before. City blocks and homes that had been destroyed between the flooding and the bombing that leveled the former Queen's headquarters, had either already been rebuilt or were in the process. All-in-all, about 50 vamps, humans and at least one fairy lost their lives between the bombing at Sophie-Anne's and the levees. Felipe de Castro's takeover of the state was startling, but not completely unexpected since both the Queen and Andre had perished. Sookie had learned that prior to the wedding ceremony that never happened, they had signed a rather lengthy contract that had pretty much sealed the deal with them having ownership of each other's state. Nothing could ever be proven with regards to Breandan's and Felipe's relationship. Eric was still worried that Castro might try and use that against Sookie, once he found out she had returned.
The biggest shocker was how he had all the Sheriffs and their immediate retinues murdered after his acquisition of the state. Eric told Sookie how a meeting was called in Alexandria, a city about the size of Shreveport located in the center of the state. Castro demanded that everyone show up. Luckily, both Quinn and Bill warned Eric that they had heard rumors that something bad was going to go down at the meeting, so he conveniently arrived late to the gathering. By the time he got there everyone was dead, aside from Victor and a few of Sophie-Anne's former staff. But, they had already sworn allegiance to Felipe. By some small miracle, the powers that be decided Eric would be spared as long as he swore allegiance as well. To save the lives of all of his retinue, he agreed and walked away fairly unscathed, other than his wounded pride. His hunch was that his connection to Sookie had spared him the same fate as the others, but he didn't share that piece of information with her.
"Why didn't Victor warn you, Eric? Do you think he was in on the whole thing?" Sookie asked, disturbed by the thought that Eric could have been sent to his final death while she was away.
"He claims he didn't know of Felipe's plan until after the order had been given. Victor has always been out for himself. He probably saw the whole thing as an opportunity to gain more power and authority, since he is now overseeing the state while Felipe stays in Nevada."
"So, Victor is like, acting monarch or something? Is he your boss?" she asked. Victor had been very useful in protecting her while under the Queen's roof, but she wasn't sure if he was completely trustworthy and something about him being present at such a massacre was unsettling.
"Felipe is who I swore allegiance to and he is very forward-thinking. I like that. It took quite a bit of time to learn the new structure, for his is a much larger organization and all of the sheriffs are new to the state. Victor is more Felipe's bitch than my boss. But, he is useful for certain things," he answered in a roundabout way.
The conversation brought them to within the Bon Temps town limits. Eric didn't slow down but kept driving. "Eric, you are going to drive right past it, if you don't stop. Where are we going?" she asked surprised.
"Well, actually we are going to Hot Shot. There is a were-panther community out there that we are going to meet," he explained, keeping his face neutral of expression.
Sookie crossed her arms over her chest and 'hrmph'd', knowing full well that Eric was keeping something from her. But, Hot Shot wasn't far and she supposed she'd find out soon enough what the big secret was.
After passing the lumber processing plant, the reupholstering place and the water department, they came to a crossroads, where Eric pointed the 'Vette south. Either side of the road was pitch black, but thanks to a recent drink of Eric's blood, Sookie could tell it was just covered with weeds as tall as her. It was an eerie, unwelcoming feeling to not be able to see past the road. She recalled stories of the people of Hot Shot and she started to get nervous.
"Eric, why are we going to visit weres in Hot Shot? They aren't supposed to be the kindest people, if what I've heard about them is even slightly true," she said.
"Don't be frightened. I'm with you and you are a formidable person all on your own. Were you not the one who killed your great-grandfather's nemesis, when he failed to?" he asked, grabbing her left hand and kissing the back of it in a soothing gesture. "Besides, they know we are coming and, I would daresay, are even a bit excited to meet the infamous telepathic barmaid from Bon Temps. You are a celebrity around these parts!"
Sookie rolled her eyes, but kept her hand in Eric's, for it did indeed placate her. Finally, after coming across another set of crossroads, she began to see civilization, or so it seemed. There were a series of small, clapboard houses, some with lawn chairs and the standard playthings for little kids, scattered out front. Others just seemed like no one even lived there.
Eric pulled up to the nicest house of the lot and immediately got out and was over to her side, opening the door, before she could adjust her eyes to the blackened sky. As she slid out of the car, she noticed how eerily silent the night seemed to be. No dogs, she thought to herself. Every other town like this usually had about twelve dogs running around, barking at the unfamiliar company, but not this town. She shivered a little and Eric put his hand on the small of her back to encourage her to move toward the front door.
Before she could even raise her hand to knock, the heavily wooded door opened and a man in his forties stood there expectantly, with a hint of a smile. He had a trimmed, salt-and-pepper beard and his hairstyle reminded Sookie of someone who was in the military service. He wasn't much taller than her, with a slight build but with muscular arms that he showed off in his sleeveless t-shirt.
He reached out his hand, "I'm Calvin Norris. You must be Sookie Stackhouse. Nice to meet you. Come on in. You too, Vampire," he said, not in an all too friendly manner.
As soon as Sookie touched his hand, she saw what this whole meeting was about….Jason. "Ohmigod! What do you mean you don't know where Jason is?!" she snapped. She had seen in Calvin's mind that he was nervous about telling Eric that Jason hadn't come back with his niece Crystal last night. Both of them were missing and he suspected foul play.
"Explain," Eric demanded. He didn't care who did the talking, but he wanted to know what the fuck was going on.
Calvin spoke first, while Sookie started to tear up a little. She didn't exactly have great fondness for Jason, especially after his involvement with Claudine's death, but he was her brother and only living relative, besides Niall and his subsequent bloodline. "He and Crystal went out to one of the local bars in Monroe last night. They said they'd be home around midnight, but never came back. I went out there this afternoon, during my lunch break and Jason's truck was still in the parking lot. The driver's side door was left open, keys in the ignition and blood was on the ground. I smelled both his and her blood. And something else – fairy. I don't think it was full-blooded though, more like your smell," Calvin said, leaning in to take a sniff of Sookie.
She cringed and leaned back into Eric, who had been standing behind her. "Dermot!" she exclaimed, rage filling her. "What the hell was Jason doing hanging out with a bunch of shifters? Are y'all insane?"
Calvin narrowed his gaze at Sookie for her comment. He had heard she was more than tolerant of other supes and most likely one herself.
Eric began to explain to Sookie, "As punishment for his involvement with the Fellowship, the Council determined that he should become a supe himself. I knew you wouldn't like him to be vampire, so they decided on were. Calvin here owed me a favor and agreed to oversee your brother's punishment."
"And how exactly does one become a were? I thought you had to be born that way," Sookie asked, getting even more pissed by the second.
"You have to be bitten. Several times, over a period of time," Calvin replied. "I made sure he didn't suffer too much, and he actually seems to enjoy it now that he has had a few full moons to adjust. It seems all he needed was to feel like he belonged and he fell right in line. Him and Crystal took a shine to each other and plan on getting married soon, if she can get pregnant by him."
Sookie was seething. "Why would it matter if she got pregnant?"
"Our numbers are dwindling. We have inbred too much and it's affecting our population as shifters. Any outside help we can get is worth the trouble," Calvin answered.
"Sounds like the fairies…," she drifted off into thought. Then, she turned to Eric and gave him a shove. "I can't believe you were in on this! My brother is a bitten were? He shifts into – into what exactly – a panther, at full moon?" she yelled at him.
Eric growled and grabbed her by the arms. "Settle down, Sookie. What's done is done. I am Sheriff and I have responsibilities, order to uphold. He is responsible for your cousin's death – for about fifty other lives that were lost and countless injuries, including yours and mine. He needed to be taught a lesson."
Sookie wriggled free. "Yeah, well by the sound of it, we've got worse problems now. Dermot is my great-uncle and was part of Breandan's team. So, guess what he is probably doing to Jason and Crystal right now? That will be punishment enough, if we can't find them. I need to get in touch with Niall," she sighed, turning to walk out the door.
Both Eric and Calvin followed her outside and watched her walk out to the crossroads. She stood directly in the middle and began to glow, an eerie white light enveloping her as she waved her hands around in a seemingly nonsensical manner.
Niall and Preston had schooled her in many things while she was in the fae realm. One of the first things they taught her was how to summon them and how to interpret natural outcroppings that could serve as portals for them. Even though crossroads weren't natural by design, they held deep significance in the supernatural world.
Within seconds, Niall appeared before her. "Sookie! My child! What are you doing back in the human realm? And why are you…," he paused to look around at his surroundings, spotting the Vampire with a shifter, standing off the to the side of the road, "…here?"
"Dermot has Jason and his girlfriend Crystal. That's Crystal's uncle over there with Eric. Jason has been turned into a were-panther. Long story, but you have to help me try and locate him, Niall. He's all I have left!" Sookie pleaded.
"And what will you give me in return?" he questioned.
Before she could give his request any thought, a series of black Escalades came barreling down the road. Niall grabbed her arm and pulled her out of the way, just in time. Eric was instantly by her side and even Calvin Norris came to stand with them.
"Well, well, this is quite a sight. A were, a vampire and a fairy prince all standing together over a human telepath. I must say Sheriff, you do keep the oddest company. Meez Stekhuss, pleasure to see you again," Felipe de Castro bowed his head reverently. "I had been informed you were back in town. It's a shame you didn't notify me immediately, Eric. I had to travel across country and then drive all the way out to this shanty town, just to track you down." His words were laced with meaningful threats.
"How in the hell did you know we were out here?" she asked, stepping forward a little bit. Her protectors seemed to step with her, as if she they were tethered together by some invisible string.
"Eric's beautiful child Pam is quite helpful, when encouraged," he replied, whipping around, his cape billowing out behind him. The third Escalade in the line suddenly had movement around it. The backdoor opened and out stepped Victor Madden with Pam dragged out next. She was gagged and chained in silver. Her hair was matted to her head and covered in crusted blood. She had obviously been beaten.
Instead of bursting into tears at the sight, Sookie began to tremble with rage. She had had enough surprises tonight and it was time to take action. Her energy sizzled and crackled around her and she stepped right up to Felipe and grabbed him by the throat, charring his undead flesh. "I don't have time for your bullshit, King," she hissed. "My brother has been kidnapped by a sadistic fairy and is god knows where. You will release Pam or so help me, you and the rest of your gaggle of cohorts will wish you had died in that bombing. Do I make myself clear?" Her voice echoed out into the empty darkness and everyone stood paralyzed by her shocking display of force.
Felipe waved his hand and Victor began ripping the silver chains off Pam in the cruelest way. Sookie raised her unoccupied hand and shot an electric bolt straight out of her finger, so it seemed, right at Victor and he dropped to the ground, rolling in pain and screaming.
"You. Are. Wasting. My. Time," she said between gritted teeth. "What was your point of coming here?"
"I know where your brother is," Felipe gasped, finding it difficult to speak with Sookie's grasp burning through his flesh. "If you come with me back to Nevada, I will negotiate his release."
"Un-fucking believable! What is it with everyone?! Niall wants to make a deal, you want to make a deal, Eric? Calvin? You want in on the deal making? I am not some game-show contestant. You cannot mess with my life this way! You will get me back my brother within the hour – alive and in one piece. No deals. Any of you! You want something from me, perhaps use of my telepathy? You ask and you ask nicely! You don't make demands and kidnap my brother!" she yelled, pointing her finger at the line of cars. Each of their windows and headlights blew out instantly, as if a great pressure had built inside the vehicles.
Sookie was taking her Gran's advice. Both occasions when she had appeared in her dreams, she had told Sookie to follow her heart. Sookie's heart was telling her that if she didn't put her foot down now, with everyone wanting a piece of her, she would never find solace and fulfillment.
"You will stay here with us. Send Victor in your stead and get my brother back to me. I'm not even going to stoop to your level and threaten you with what will happen, if you don't comply. I'm sick of y'alls vampire shit and it will stop tonight! Now order it to be done!" she demanded and let go of his throat. Felipe looked dazed and a bit confused, almost as if he had been glamoured. He snapped his fingers and Victor stood from the ground, smoke sort of flowing off him, like he had been in a burning building.
"Do as she has requested," Felipe barked.
"Oh! And, why don't you bring Dermot, too. Just for shits and giggles," she suggested. "It would be nice to have a little family reunion, don't you think great-grandfather?" she turned and asked.
Felipe's eyes bugged out of his head and Victor audibly gasped. Neither knew the actual connection between the Prince and the telepath. All had assumed that he just wanted her for the same reasons they did. Castro knew he was in for it now. Victor hopped in one of the SUVs and skidded out of sight, with two others following behind him.
Pam sauntered over to the group surrounding Sookie, knelt in the gravel and said, "Mistress."
Sookie looked around to see if Eric, Calvin, Felipe or Niall had any thoughts on how she should react to such a show of loyalty.
"Oh knock it off and get up Pam. It's not like I haven't saved your ass before," she said in a snark. She knew Pam would appreciate her not making a big scene over the display. Sookie held out her hand and helped Pam stand.
"Calvin, Pam needs blood and fast. I suppose you wouldn't have any TrueBlood around would you?" Sookie asked.
"No, but I would be more than happy to donate some of my own, if that is acceptable." Calvin offered, seeming nervous suddenly around Sookie.
"I'll leave that up to Pam. Now, let's go back and strategize. Oh, and we need to do something with him," she suggested, hooking her thumb over at Felipe who was standing still, in a daze.
"Sookie, did you glamour him?" Eric asked, grabbing her hand and pulling her tentatively into him.
Sookie shrugged. "I honestly don't know. I'm still new at all this fairy power crap. When I lose my temper, I just kind of let it take over. What do you think, Niall?"
"I think you are an amazing creature, and I am proud to call you my great-granddaughter," Niall responded. This one, small, seemingly harmless, mostly human girl had surprised them all, but him the most. From the moment he met her, he knew she was special and had altered his plans in order to secure her for himself. He wanted to mentor her and perhaps have her lead by his side in the fae realm. He had hand-picked Felipe to take over Louisiana, once Sophie-Anne proved her lack of worth, hoping that he was formidable enough to scare Sookie into staying with Niall. He had under-estimated her connection to the Viking, but assumed he could eventually sever their connection. But now, it seemed they were stronger together. She had obviously had his blood recently, for she was positively glowing, outside of her special magic.
"Well, thanks, I guess. Now, will you stop trying to convince me to stay with you in the fae realm? I'd be more than happy to come for scheduled visits, but I have my own life to lead and I want it to be here, with Eric and all the other crazy shit that humans have to put up with, understand?" Sookie said firmly. Then she took Eric's hand and started towards Calvin's house.
When they all gathered inside, Calvin took Pam to his bedroom, where she could feed from him in private. Sookie sat Felipe in a well-worn, Lazy-Boy recliner in the corner, while she curled up in Eric's lap, on the dated, family room couch. Niall sat across from them on a pleather ottoman.
Sookie felt completely relaxed now that her Vampire honey held her safely. "Niall, I would like it, if you would take care of Dermot if and when Victor returns with our party. I just don't want anything to do with killing more fairies. My conscience is burdened enough by my past actions."
"Of course, dear. It will be a much fairer punishment, to be back under his father's control, than anything you could render. Believe me," Niall said with a creepy smile. "And what will you do with Felipe and associates?"
"I was thinking of approaching the Ancient Pythoness. Perhaps if I agree to help her with her cause, she can send out some sort of edict that I am available for hire only and under no circumstances am I to be coerced into any sort of service. This Council seems to have sway with just about everyone, why not make it work for me? I don't mind helping out if the cause is just, but I don't want to leave home or have my life and those I care about to be under constant threat. Besides, it would be a nice way to make some money, build my nest egg for retirement and all that. Isn't that the American dream? Become independently wealthy, retire early and play golf somewhere in the sun until you die a peaceful, happy death?" she said, laughing to herself.
Eric tensed at the mention of her dying. "Oh, don't worry, baby. I don't mean literally. We'll have so much time together, you'll wish I would go golf somewhere in the sun for a hundred years," she said, rubbing her cheek against his cool, unmoving chest, while tightening her arms around him.
"What is your immediate plan for Felipe and Victor? Negotiations with the Pythoness might take some time," Niall pointed out.
"Well, I guess I'll have to practice this glamour thing of mine and make them see that threatening me gets them nowhere. I don't want to kill them, for who knows who would take their place, not to mention the upheaval it would cause in all the states they control," Sookie reasoned. "Besides, I don't want Eric to be king and I don't think he wants that either, do you?" she asked, looking up at his beautiful blue eyes.
He seemed rather tense about everything that had occurred. "Sookie, do you think I want something from you?" he asked, obviously stuck on her little jab earlier when she was taking her stand against the bad vampires.
"No, Eric, I don't. That was my temper getting the best of me. I'm sorry for lumping you in with them," she said, feeling remorseful.
"I cannot do this…" he said, waving his hand back and forth between the two of them, "…if you think I am just out for my own interests. Like I said before, we are stronger together. Together," he emphasized. "And no, I don't want to be king or I would have already been king."
Just then, there was a knock at the door. Everyone paused, unprepared for the next course of action. "I guess I'll get it," Sookie said sighing, before hopping off Eric's lap and heading for the door. She peeked through the peephole to see who all was out there. She knew that the vampires needed to be given permission to enter, but Dermot was the wild-card. "Hey, Niall. Why don't you come and stand here, just in case," Sookie suggested.
Niall stood and came to her side. He kissed both her cheeks, in the European fashion and then hugged her tightly. "No need my dear. I will pop on the other side and take care of him from there. Can you see Jason? Is he alright?"
Sookie looked through the lens again. "I'm not sure which one is him, actually. I'm assuming the one who looks beaten up is Jason and the other is Dermot. They look nearly identical. How can that be?"
"Funny thing, genetics is. Fascinating field of study, I say," Niall said cryptically before disappearing with an audible 'pop'.
Sookie waited for another minute, until she heard voices arguing and another 'pop', before opening the door. Eric came and stood beside her, his hands curled into claws, ready to strike if need be. On the count of three, she opened the door and Jason nearly fell in. Sookie grabbed onto him and pulled him into a tight embrace. He cried out from the pressure of her hug, only confirming her suspicions that he had been beaten or tortured.
"Eric, can you take him and lay him on the couch?" Sookie asked.
Calvin and Pam returned at that moment. "Here, let me take him back to the spare bedroom. Any news on Crystal?" he asked, noticing she was not with the others.
Sookie looked at Victor expectantly. Jason sobbed at the sound of her name. It must not have been good.
"The fairies had fun with her first. I'm afraid she didn't make it," Victor confirmed. "Her body is in one of the trucks outside. I thought it would be appropriate to wait and bring her, once you have Jason settled," he said, almost seeming contrite – almost.
Sookie watched Calvin bring Jason back to another part of his house while she contemplated her next move. "What exactly is your role in all of this, Victor? I thought you were a trusted friend," she said with disappointment.
"Vampires first. That's our motto," Victor said with a sly smile. "That and Felipe threatened to send me to my final death if I didn't cooperate. You know us well enough to know we guard our lives jealously, Sookie. Do I regret that it had its ill effects on you? Sure I do, but there is nothing to be done now."
"You could say you were sorry, you spineless son-of-a-bitch!" she snapped and grabbed the sides of his face, searing his skin on contact. "You look into my eyes, Victor Madden. From this moment forward, if someone asks you to do harm to another at the threat of death, you will grow some balls and simply say no, before walking away. No one can make you do anything that deep down inside you don't want to do. Now, you will apologize and mean it! Apologize to Jason for your role in his loss, in his injury; to Calvin for the loss of his niece; to Pam for her injuries and then to me and Eric for being a giant pain in the ass and no good rat-fink. Then you and Felipe will drag your asses back to Vegas, until you can figure out who will manage Louisiana. Because it won't be you, that's for damn sure!" Sookie ordered.
Victor mindlessly walked down the hallway to where Calvin had taken Jason and did as he was told. Pam was giggling uncontrollably. "Sookie, my dear, it will be nothing if not entertaining to have you around permanently. Thank you for saving my ass once again," she said before flashing a very fangy smile. If Sookie were not used to seeing it by now, the sight would have been disarming.
"After Victor says his apologies, will you guys make sure the lot of them are on their way out of here? I need a moment. I need a moment to collect myself and I need one to speak with my brother," Sookie requested.
Eric and Pam both nodded, grinning at each other in silent communication as to how they were going to make sure 'the lot' were given eviction notice.
Sookie wandered down the hallway until she discovered a bathroom and went in to splash some water on her face and center herself. Once again, she had had a traumatic twenty-four hours or so. She sincerely hoped that once she had her chat with the Pythoness, things would settle down. What she wouldn't give for a week of peaceful evenings, alone with her vampire.
Once she heard the voices of Victor, Calvin and Jason subside, she made her way back to the bedroom her brother was occupying. He looked so helpless, laying there covered in blankets. She used her mindspeak to ask Eric to call Dr. Ludwig, the Supe specialist he had used for her in the past.
She sat gingerly on the bed, careful not to stir him. She took his hand in hers and held it gently. "I'm sorry you had to go through this, Jason," she offered. She didn't know what else to say. She was unsure whose fault it truly was. Was it Dermot who involved Felipe and Victor, or was it the other way around?
"It's not your fault, Sookie," he whispered. "They told me that I was a bastard, a freak among freaks and that our family shouldn't be allowed to exist. Did you know that guy was our great-uncle somehow? He looked exactly like me! It was like looking in a mirror. That's why I talked to him at the bar. But, then he followed us out to the truck and others were waiting for me and Crystal. We didn't stand a chance. I suppose this is what I get for gettin' involved with them Fellowship folk. But, they were so cruel…so…" he drifted off, closing his eyes, surely to block out the memories of whatever it was they did to him. Silent tears ran down his face.
Sookie looked up at Calvin. "I'm sending Dr. Ludwig here to check him over, since he's a, well you know, a supe now. She specializes in our kind," Sookie said, laughing to herself that she included herself in the supe world now. She supposed anyone who could glamour vampires and shoot electricity out of her fingers had to be something more than human.
She lightly squeezed Jason's hand to get his attention. "Calvin knows where to find me, if you need anything. For now, just rest and we'll deal with the rest as it comes. You are safe now," she said encouragingly, then stood up up and left.
She walked back to the family room to see Eric sprawled out on the couch in a rather inviting way. "Come on, big fella. Take me home?" she asked, for the second night in a row.
As long as she had Eric by her side, she knew she could face just about anything.
"Anything for you, dear one," he replied, taking her hand and leading her out the door.
As they drove away, headed back to Shreveport, she thought about all the planning and maneuvering that had surrounded her for the last year or so, and at what cost it had all been. She whispered to herself that old Robert Burns poem, " 'The best laid plans of Mice and Men oft go awry, And leave us nothing but grief and pain, For promised joy!' "
Indeed.
-- The End --
A/N: Thank you all for reading, reviewing, your adds/alerts and PMs. This has been an exhilarating experience. I'm hoping to have time over the summer to possibly do a sequel or a side story to fill in some of the plot points I may have left fuzzy. If you are interested, add me to your author alerts and keeping fingers crossed, we'll see these guys and each other over the summer months. If you have read this story and have not left a review up to this point, since its the last chap, I ask -- nay -- plead that you do so and let me know what you thought of the overall story and its conclusion. Individual *Viking Hugs* to all of you. Muah!