Twenty
Not An Ordinary Normal Family
Two days had gone by without any incident.
James did not seem to be focused on Rodney's case any more. The data that he had received from Bill was left in his laptop. He did not print it out; he did not even open the laptop. Cooper wanted to wait for Colin, he said; and he thought it would be better that way. He did not know that Rodney person and talking about a person that he did not know was not useful at all.
James and the Hounders spent their days by playing football or riding their bikes. James was eager to learn everything about his new friends, too eager for Sookie's taste. The Hounders taught him how to recognize the sound of their howling, the way they rounded up their enemies and even their body language. James had to pay attention on their gestures and mimics because every movement on their faces usually represented their emotions. "Werewolves don't talk much," as Cooper put it, "We show what we think on our faces and gestures,"
"Don't you worry, Miss Sookie," said one of the Hounders. His name was Larry. A tall heavy built man with long brown hair. "We will take good care of Little Brother."
Still, the way they played football, how they bumped their massive bodies against James' slim figure hurt her more than James; especially, when James 'flew' to the air and landed on the grass. Her bones were painful seeing it.
"You have a son, Sookie," Eric said in the evening when he saw the bruises on James legs. "He should learn about roughness. He is a member of a pack, after all. What he got from his own pack is nothing compares to what he will get from other packs,"
Eric talked as if the word 'pack' had the same meaning with 'tribe'. Maybe it was the same for him. His eyes shone brightly when he was saying it as if the memory of his human life came back to him at that very moment. He had been a member of a Viking tribe somewhere in Europe for more than one thousand years ago. He knew what that kind of life could mean and he was not surprised or shocked to see that a werewolf pack had almost similar way of life.
However, James was a modern child living in a modern time. He was neither a werewolf nor a Viking. He was just a normal ordinary American child or Sookie wished him to be. Sookie did not mean with his physical appearance, which was everything else, but ordinary. With a vampire as a father and a human with faery blood as a mother, James could not be called 'normal', let alone ordinary, but at least, he could have a normal life such as going to school, hanging around with boys at his age and not with a group of werewolves.
Sometimes, she had the feeling that James knew something more than what he was willing to admit it. Sometimes his head said, "concentrate, remember what Godric said, concentrate and pretend that you don't know,"; many times he deliberately avoided her gaze as if he did not want that she looked into his eyes and found out what he hid in his mind.
Maybe what Alcide had said was true. James had a strong aura towards werewolves that no werewolf would be able to refuse what he wanted or they were like under a strong spell that their instinct to protect him was stronger than anything else was. Turning them into dogs, that's what Alcide said. Sookie did not know what it meant for a werewolf to be turned into a dog, but from the sound of it, it was not exactly a compliment.
Sookie left James at the mansion with the werewolves that morning. She wanted to ask Lafayette to cook for her or send some food to the mansion. Had she been alone with James, she could simply take him downtown for dinners, but with additional six persons, it would not be that easy. Besides, she needed to hear their opinions without having James beside her because her conversation one or the other way around would be about James.
Lafayette could not come to cook, but he would somebody to deliver some food to the Mansion. "That boy should learn how to keep his mouth shut," he said when he heard what James did to Bill. "You or Eric would not be there forever – well, maybe Eric will, and one he has to face his own shit because he can't just shut the fuck up. What is so important about this Rodney guy anyway? Okay, maybe it is important for his gang..."
"...pack…"
"Whatever...but not as important as his own ass! Sweet Jesus, from where he gets that arrogant behaviour...oh I forget, his father has the biggest mouth of all!"
Lafayette pissed of. And Sookie could not blame him. He loved James like his own son and if James had been there with her, he might get some slaps on the back of his head.
"Say, Sook," he decided to talk about something else. "You heard about Simon?"
"Yes, I did. Alcide had called me,"
"Poor thing," he said. "He was so young. It's just no life,"
Somehow, it was not. Simon would be forty-five this year, according to Lafayette, just five years older than she was. It was definitely no life.
"Where is Joseph, by the way? I don't see him around,"
"He's in Dallas," said Lafayette. His face was stern. "Family meeting. His father called him the other day and told him to go there. He said it had something to do with FOTs," Lafayette said the word FOTs with a disgusted tone. You know what, they have a new leader and his name is Steve Newlin the second, jeez, as if there was no other name than Steve, and Joseph said that this new Steve is more aggressive than his grandfather. He's been almost every day on tv, preaching against vampires and god knows what else. Just be careful, Sookie. If their power is stronger and it will be, the day will come when you have to choose between join them or against them. I would prepare myself, if I were you. Mentally and physically,"
From Lafayette's place, Sookie went straight to Grace Stones' place. Grace was her secretary who had been working for her for the last fifteen years. She was what the people in her office called 'old school' secretary. She was around 60 years old, a head shorter than she was and slim built. She wore water buffalo horn black framed eyeglasses; her white hair was always rolled behind her head and wore many times an old-fashioned buttoned up blouse.
Sookie liked her. Grace was a kind of secretary who would provide everything that she needed daily without being asked. She organized the appointments, prepared the paper that she needed and most of all, she spoke out her mind. If there was something that she did not like or agree she would tell her without any hesitation. She had to admit, it had not been always a good feeling to hear somebody criticizing her bluntly like that, but at least she always knew where Grace was standing.
Grace Stones – like many women in her generation, hated computers. Computers in her eyes shared the same value with mobile phones. "I don't need mobile phones," she said. "If I want to be reached, I will make sure that I am reachable. I am not a slave with a calling button hanging around my neck. Besides, who needs a phone, which can make pictures, send news, receive television programs, but has small buttons; so small that only babies can operate it!"
Sookie had tried to persuade Grace for how many years she did not remember any more that she should use computer, at least for the letter template form, so that she did not have to type the same words again and again, but only last year she had managed to do that.
"Oh, I don't know, Sookie," she said. They had been calling each other with their first names as soon as they had entered their second year of working together. "This computer thing here is so vulnerable. Oh...I don't know. I know where all the letters are, they are arranged and organized so that you can access them easily, when I am not in the office of course,"
Grace was correct. Her archives were super. She never had any difficulty to get the paper she needed. They would be there on her table some minutes after she had asked about it. Grace had always managed to find them.
Besides all her old-fashioned ways of arranging documents at the office, Grace had a passion in history and architectures. She knew the details of Louisiana History like the back of her hands. Sometimes Sookie asked herself why Grace did not teach at Louisiana State University or at Centenary College of Louisiana in Shreveport, since Grace knew a lot about it. But that woman who had been born in Shreveport more than sixty years ago said, "History is my passion, documents are my job. They are something completely different,"
Grace might know what the blueprint from Colin was about. It could be a modern building, but it could also be an old building. If it was an old building, then she might have a chance to find out the location of the building. If it was a modern building, then she had to go to an Architect office.
Grace was happy to see her at her place. She did not like sitting around at her apartment the whole time. She wanted to work again as soon as possible. A month time that Sookie had decided to stop working made her angst, she said. She was too old to look for a new job and Sookie had made it sound as if she closed down the office completely or she had been fired.
"It's just a little vacation, Grace," she said. "Baton Rouge agreed that I moved down here and took some time off, you know, with school vacation and all. Besides if they want me again, they will call and surely I will ask you to help me,"
By 'they', she meant The Queen and her people. Her office in Baton Rouge worked solely to track down the property of vampires or their next of kin, just in case the next of kin or still existed and to claim it back.
"Actually, it is one of the reasons I come here. I need your help, Grace," Sookie took out the blueprint. "It is a work; I'll pay you. Take your time, but the sooner you get the information, the more I will pay,"
Grace's eyes were getting bigger when she saw what Sookie had in her hands. "Is that what I think it is?"
"Yes, it's a blueprint of a building, but I don't what kind of building it is or where,"
"Let me see," Grace took the blueprint. Her eyes moved fast upon the drawing and made comments such as "very typical", "possible", "I wonder", "interesting". Soon Grace was drawn in her own thought and completely forgot that there was somebody else in the room. She took a piece of paper and started making a note.
To be honest, Sookie could not even make a picture of what the building could be. The clients who came to her normally brought old pictures or stories with hints what the property could be. Then, she would start searching the names of the family, going to the civil office or record office and 'building' her case from there. She had never received a blueprint before. Maybe she should take some classes in 'architecture' so that in the future, if she received such a drawing she could make a picture what the building might be.
After awhile, Grace said, "I think I know what it is, but I have to go back to Baton Rouge and take some books,"
"Well, can you at least tell me now what you thought?"
"You know the Tabasco factory at Avery Island?"
"Yeah," Sookie thought the whole Louisiana knew about the Tabasco factory that was located on the Avery Island. She had gone there once, when she had been in High School. It was one of the School Travel programs, if she was not mistaken: Visiting Avery Island and Learning How to Make Tabasco. The pupils learned how the peppers were picked, mashed and then placed in salt. To keep the taste original, according to the brochures, the salt was originally mined on the island. The peppers would be put in white oak barrels up to three years, before they were bottled and sold as Tabasco.
Sookie, like many other teenagers, had not paid any attention to neither to the building nor the Tabasco process, but more to have enjoyed the sightseeing and being free from the parents for a day.
"Oh, all right." Grace sighed. It was obvious for Grace that Sookie had no idea what she was talking about. "The style of the Tabasco factory building is called "Romanesque Revivals". You see these parts here?" Grace showed her round and semi round shapes. "These round and semi-round arches are typical for Romanesque Revival buildings, buildings that were made like the building from the ancient Rome. Anyway, the Romanesque Revivals are simpler," and Grace continued comparing the styles. She would have gone on forever if Sookie had not stopped her and asked her what was so important about this style.
"One of the pioneers of this style was Henry Hobson Richardson, one of Louisiana's finest sons. Yes, Ma'am. H.H Richardson, raised and Born in Louisiana. He built many beautiful buildings in States. If you ever visit The Trinity Church in Boston, you would not believe how beautiful that building is!
The strange thing is, Richardson never made a building in Louisiana. Some rumours said he did. Now, if what I see here is like what I think it is, it could be that this building is designed by Richardson. It meant that this building was made around 1870 – 1888. If it was a Richardson Romanesque, then I have to search further.
Don't worry, Dear. It won't take long. There are not so many buildings in Louisiana that used that style. Pity, I have to say. Those old building are beautiful and magical, not like those cold square match boxes they called 'high-art'."
Grace Stones did not like modern buildings and she never hesitated to tell anybody who was willing to listen.
Sookie returned to the Mansion with a better feeling. She knew she should not put too much hope on Grace's search, but at least she could see some directions to go. The findings might or might not have anything to do with the murder cases, or with the attack, but that building must have meant something. At least, the owner of the building would give her a sheer of light on the horizon because to be honest, she was utterly confused for the moment about what she should do.
Colin was in the kitchen when Sookie entered the house. He nodded to acknowledge her presence. His face looked ragged and his hair was sleek from sweat and fat. He had such a strong body odour of sweat and musk, which strangely did not bother her at all. Some people had strong and disturbing body odour that made the others avoid them, but some – like Colin, had strong and yet nice and made the others feel comfortable to be around them.
Sookie put her bag on the table and sat down. "The police are looking for you," she said.
"Yeah? What for?"
"Industrial espionage,"
Colin looked at her in disbelief. "Are you sure it is me whom they are looking for? I am a rancher, Sookie. I don't care so much about any other things except my cows and our meat production. My brother Jake looks a lot like me; you won't be the first person who thinks I am Jake,"
"You were at Fangtasia, some nights ago, weren't you?"
"I was. Visiting Fangtasia is not yet a crime, is it?"
"The one who talked to you – he was a werewolf, wasn't he? (Colin nodded) He was murdered soon after your meeting; you could be the last person who was seen talking to him,"
"He's my cousin," Colin said. "I came because he asked me to. He said he had heard something about Jake," he touched his nose. "I wanted to know what it was, I guess, I would never know what it was,"
"I am sorry, I didn't know,"
"We can't even bury him properly now because the police are holding his body for autopsy," he took a deep breath. "It is a shame for a werewolf to be cut open like that, but I am willing to let them do it so that we can find who his killer was and deal with it,"
The sound of his voice made Sookie feel uncomfortable; his voice was emotionless as if he took it as something usual, something they dealt daily, like cutting a loaf of bread for breakfast.
"When did they ask you about it?"
"Some days ago," said Sookie. "There was a photo of you and some other guys. One of them showed you or your brother Jake with a man, somewhere. Maybe when Sam can get the photos, you will be able to recognize the man,"
Colin nodded. "Or finally I can get an idea my brother's whereabouts," he said. He took something out of his trousers' pocket and handed it out to her. Colin handed her a piece of paper. On it was a list of the Grey Hound member or what left of it. There were not so many any more; fifty pure blood and around twenty-two second generations. "Most of us do not remember who we bit any more," Colin said.
"Seventy-two members only? It is almost nothing, isn't it?"
Colin shook his head. "From the seventy-two, only a quarter of us are able or still have the chance to have children, pure blood children, I mean."
Only a quarter? That made...eighteen. "Eighteen members?"
Colin bit his lip. "Six of them are here,"
"Jesus," she sighed. "That's not a lot,"
"No. We are a dying clan, Sookie," he said. "And the situation nowadays does not give us many chances either,"
"What are your chances among the werewolves?"
"Not so big, if you understand what I mean. We are a strong clan with a small number. Some clans still can see us the way we used to be, but some start to challenge us into a quarrel. We could not answer the challenge most of the time because the loss of a member will be a great loss to us. The more often we refuse the challenge, the worse our reputation become. We have to swallow our pride to protect the clan, what else can we do?" Then he laughed. "I don't even know why I am telling you this." he ran his fingers through his hair. "James must get it from you, this thing; you know, that makes people feel comfortable telling you stories,"
Sookie smiled. As far as she could tell, perhaps Colin was right because Eric might give James something; friendliness, however, was definitely not one of them.
Sookie decided to come clean with Colin. This man was desperate to save the existence of his clan; she thought it would only be fair if he knew what he was facing by 'adopting' James.
"You know that James is not a werewolf, don't you?"
Colin took a deep breath. He seemed to hesitate when he said, "I know,"
"Why did you choose him to continue your leadership?"
"He is young and comes from a good family," he said, stretching his legs; a pair of long and strong legs. "I know about your brother, Sookie," he added as if he wanted to correct his first sentence, which Sookie understood it as a compliment actually. "He is well-known among the ladies," he smiled. "But that was not the reason. I sensed something special, something strong in him. If Alcide had not claimed him first, I would have done it. If I didn't respect Alcide, I would do it still," His dark grey eyes flickered. "You have a very special son, Sookie. I can understand why Alcide wants him to be his own. Your son is strong and confident, too confident for a boy in his age, but it's just like many young wolves, they believe in themselves too much. I don't know whose blood is running in his vein; nevertheless, I have a great respect towards him and if I have a chance to meet him, I will show him my gratitude,"
Sookie had a great urge to say that Colin could do that when Eric woke up, but she managed to keep her mouth shut in the last second. "I'll tell him," she said finally. Eric would be happy to hear that.
Colin nodded. "There will be a meeting in our clan this week. I want to take James to Beaumont to introduce him to the pack," he said. "I would be very grateful if you allow him to go with us or you want to come with us, perhaps?"
Sookie opened her mouth, but nothing came out. This invitation was too sudden. "I don't know," she said after she managed to control herself. "I am collecting information about the blueprint that you gave me; I don't know if I can leave Bon Temps,"
"He can go alone; you trust us, don't you?"
James had asked her several times if he could go to Dallas to see Godric and she did not give any answer yet. "I have to think about it," Sookie said. "This is too quick, Colin,"
"I know. The elders had just heard about James and they want to see him. I should have called, but I think this news is too important to talk about on phone,"
"You're right and I appreciate it; but still, I need time to think about and to talk about it with James,"
"I know," Colin said. He got up. "Do you think I can take a shower somewhere? I want to freshen up a little bit before I talk to the Sheriff,"
*****
After dinner, Sookie told Eric, James and her guests about her conversation with Grace. The werewolves did not seem to have a clue about what she was talking about.
"I've been to Avery Island, yeah," said one of the werewolves. "Never paid attention to the building so much. It's old and just like any other old buildings,"
Sookie was glad that Grace was not there. Otherwise, that man would hear a long and wide speech about the history of architecture.
"I can look around," Sam said. "Buildings like the one on the Avery Island must be easy to find."
"What was the name of the style again?" James asked.
"Romanesque Revivals," Sookie said.
James typed the name on the keyboard and soon he found some pictures of red building.
"Hey, I saw that old courthouse in Natchitoches once," said one of the werewolves – who was called 'Doc' by the others. "I think I even married there,"
Doc was a red-haired huge man. His arms were as big as Sookie's legs if not even bigger and covered with tattoos. "Nice girl," he said.
"You mean that crazy bitch that kicked your ass out of your own house when she caught you..." the sentence of the werewolf was stopped when he caught Sookie's eyes. Sookie could imagine what kind of flowery language those werewolves used, but the imagination that she would hear it in her own house in front of James had never come to her head. "Pardon, Ma'am," he said.
"You are very quiet, Sheriff," said Colin, made everybody turn their heads to Eric.
Eric, sitting at the edge of the table, wearing black top tank, did not open his mouth since the dinner was over. His long blond hair gleamed under the lamps' amber light. "Cecco would know," he said. "I believe some of his old books are still at his house,"
"Who is Cecco?" asked Colin.
"Somebody I knew," Eric said. His voice was cold, but Sookie could see he held back his emotion. His eyes were narrowing and his mouth moved as if he was biting his tongue. James stopped whatever he was doing with his laptop and looked at him. His blue eyes were bigger. He looked like me?
Sookie was shocked hearing James' thought. The wine glass that she was holding fell. The sound of the broken glass filled up the room, but not as loud as the sound of her pondering heart. It was so loud that she felt her heart had become alive and jumped out of her chest. James could hear Eric's thought. Sookie grabbed her chest. James could hear vampires' thought. The room started turning.
"Sookie, are you all right?"
Sookie heard somebody calling her name, but she did not know whom. A pair of cold hands touched her back before she was completely out of balance. Eric was behind her.
You listened to my head, James' head was loud and clear. You promised not to eavesdrop!
"You didn't tell me," Sookie said. "All this time and you didn't tell me,"
"What, Lover?" Eric's voice was soft in her ears, but it didn't ease her feelings.
"You should have told me!"
You didn't tell me either!
"But I am your mother!"
Eric's hands on her shoulder were stiff. He knew to whom she was talking. Sookie believed everybody in the room now knew or were able to guess to whom she was talking. James closed his laptop and he must have wanted to leave when Sookie heard Eric growling,
"You stay where you are,"
The kitchen became quiet.
Sookie had already sat down. Her head was on Eric's cold un-beating chest. She realized how careless and stupid her reaction had been, now that the werewolves' eyes were on them. Sam tried to smile but he failed. He seemed to know or maybe he could guess what had happened. James was standing beside the table, avoiding any eye contact with anybody.
The sheriff acted as if he was the father of the boy, Sookie heard Colin talking in his head. Why Sookie let him do that? And why does Little Brother obey him? He's not afraid of him, is he?
"This is not the time for having personal matter interfering," Eric said; his voice was as cold as ever. "We have a bigger matter to deal with and I advise everybody to focus on that matter. James, are you able to concentrate on your brothers' problem or do you still want to leave this room?"
"I'll stay," James answered without looking at Eric.
"Good. Take your seat."
Slowly James sat down.
Eric kissed Sookie's head and said, "Francesco was a dear friend of mine. He was an architect just like this Richardson. If I am not mistaken, all his books and works must have been stored at his place. Some of you can go there by day and I will try to go there by dark,"
"Where is his house?"
"At Jardin Buffon,"
"Jardin Buffon?!" Sookie straightened her body. Not that god forsaken place again!
"You seem to know that place, Sookie," said Colin.
"Yes, I do and so do all the werewolves in this area," said Sookie. "I don't think that anybody will go there, day or night," she looked at Eric. "I am not sure that you will be welcomed too, Eric,"
Eric lifted his eyebrow. "Godric and Godric's son are always welcomed to enter the woods,"
"Didn't he tell you?" Sookie was surprised.
"Who is Godric?" asked Colin.
"The Sheriff of Dallas," said Eric. "A friend," he continued with his eyes fixed at James, who was opening his mouth ready to answer. "No, he doesn't say anything about Francesco's place. I might as well ask him,"
"It would be very helpful to know if your friend Cecco knew anything about the building," Colin. "It would be such a great loss if we weren't able to get any information from the blueprint that my brother Jake had stolen. My gut told me, my brother was harmed from his action," Then, he was quiet. There was something that he hid, but Sookie didn't want to listen to his head as she saw James giving her a warning look not to.
"You can count on us, Sheriff," said Doc. "Whether the Long Tooth chooses to put their tails between their legs or not, we are ready for you,"
"I can go there tomorrow," said James. "I can take my laptop with me and compare the books with the pictures,"
"Modern technology will not work there," said Sookie. She wanted to say that she did not want James to enter the woods, but she knew if she forbade him in front of everybody, it would only be lowering his self-esteem.
"Then I will print out the pictures and take them with me," James looked at Eric, "If that's cool with you, Sheriff," his eyes were big and full of hope. Something told Sookie, James was playing his card as Eric's son, trying to soften his father's non-existing heart. She clenched her teeth. Like father, like son.
"We'll talk about it," Eric said.
"Now?"
Eric's eyes were narrowing. "Don't you have something about Rodney that you want to show your captain?" He gave Sookie a very calculating look as if he wanted to blame her for James' behaviour. Sookie threw him the same look. He's your son, don't act as if you were surprised!
Suddenly James stood up. "I'll print this out," he said and then ran out of the kitchen.
Doc followed him with eyes and grinned. "He is a hot blooded young man," he said. "I have to admit, I was in doubt when I heard that Colin chose a Long Tooth to be our brother. Then, I saw him at that café and I thought, with that face and his smell – which I admit he has such a strong one for a young man, he could break my marriage record,"
"No offence Doc," one of the werewolves grinned. "If it was about your face only, it would be very easy to break your marriage records,"
The werewolves laughed. Sookie could not help but grin. She admired the way these Hounders mocked themselves.
Not so long, James returned with some pieces of paper. He had made three copies of the data about Rodney, which was to Sookie's surprised, was written on three pages. What had Bill written about him?
James gave a copy for Colin, one for Cooper and the last one for Sam. Then, he gave Eric and Sookie a sign that he was ready to talk to them. "I want to go to Texas," he said as they went to upstairs. "I want to see Godric's place! He told me nice things about it, I can't wait to see it!"
Eric opened the window as soon as they entered Aude's room.
"Wow, this is a big room," James said, looking around. "I would put a huge flat screen TV if I were you, there beside the mirror. This room..." Before he could finish his sentence, Eric grabbed him and Sookie and flew through the window. Sookie grabbed Eric's arm, closed her eyes and screamed. Eric should have told her that he wanted to fly; at least she could prepare her heart!
Sookie did not know where Eric had taken them. When she opened her eyes, she saw nothing but darkness. The wind blew strongly and there were noises around them, like two objects stood close with each other, and moved against each other. As her eyes were adjusted, she realized they were on a branch of a tree.
James was sitting on another branch in front of her. "What are we doing here?" he asked.
"We'll talk," Eric said. He sat beside her, which she appreciated very much; otherwise, she would have gotten a panic attack.
"On a tree?!"
Sookie would like to know too.
"Werewolves and shifters can hear very well," Eric said. "I don't want them to hear anything that we are about to say,"
"I have no secret in front of them,"
"You should,"
"I don't want to,"
"You should have something for yourself, a little secret that only you know it. It will keep a mysterious eerie around you, make people respect you and make you unpredictable. You will have enemies, my son, whether you want it or not because you cannot and will not please everybody. I respect your wish to be a part of a werewolf pack as we talked about and I respect your wish to live the way they live. You are not a vampire and as long as you wish it, I will not turn you into one. It will break my heart because one day as your mother will do, you will leave me.
But my son, you have to be an individual to be accepted as their leader..."
"I am not their leader," James cut Eric's sentence. "I don't know anything about them,"
"You are wearing their leader's necklace and covered yourself with his blood," Eric sniffed. "One way or the other, they or other werewolves will take you as their leader,"
"What should I do?"
"Listen and learn," said Eric. "Challenging somebody who is stronger and older than you is also not a wise decision,"
Eric meant Bill.
"I don't like him," James said. "He cannot stop thinking about Mom. It bothers me when somebody else thinks about Mom the way he does. Except..." Sookie could not see James' face, but she was sure that he was blushing now. "...you..."
Sookie felt her knees weak. James could listen to vampires' mind, she was sure now. It explained his behaviour around Eric. He was not afraid of him; he did not feel comfortable listening to what his father thought about his mother. Knowing Eric, he must have thought some sexual things about her. It also explained from where James had known that the murder victim at Fangtasia had been a werewolf.
"You can hear what we say inside our heads?" Eric asked. His voice was deep and growling. It sounded as if he wanted to keep his emotion under control.
"Yes. Since I was a child. Godric told me not to tell anybody because no vampire will like it if they find out what I can do,"
"He's damn right!" said Sookie. In her heart, she cursed Godric for not telling her.
"It had not been so clear like lately," James said. "It was more like coming and going...you know, like you are listening to a radio, which is not really tuned. I could only get a part of the thoughts. But after I drank your blood, I could hear everything. It's like they are talking to me,"
Sookie and Eric looked at each other. Was it bad or good? Sookie could not say. It was bad enough for her that she could hear the human thought. Now her son could listen to the vampires' thought. What would happen if they found out, by 'they' she meant human and vampires. How long would James be able to keep this secret to himself?
"Please, say something," James pleaded. "I feel like a freak,"
"Don't say that," Sookie said, sadly. "You are my son, hey you must get some of my bad things too," she tried to make a joke.
"Your mother is right," Eric said. "She has a lot of bad things that drive me mad,"
"Yeah, right," James said, possibly rolling his eyes. "That's why you can't stop thinking about her,"
"If one day you do the same, conquer that woman. Do whatever it takes to make her yield to you,"
"That is a very bad advice for your son, Eric," Sookie said, annoyed.
"You didn't seem to disagree with the way I made you yield to me," Eric smirked.
"If only you knew..."
"Guys, hello? We are on the top of a tree now, can't you stop arguing? Can we continue the conversation on the ground, like a normal family?" Then, James laughed, nervously. "We are not exactly a normal family, are we?"
Sookie smiled. No, not exactly.
"What else had Godric said?" asked Eric.
"That I should concentrate and pretend not to understand anything,"
"Then listen to him and do what he said," slowly Eric rose. "We have to return now. We don't want to make the werewolves suspicious that we are not in the house,"
Eric grabbed them both and with what Sookie felt like one leap, they landed on Aude's room again.
"Does it mean it's okay if I go to Texas?"
"Yes, you may..."
"Tack, Papa!" James held Eric tightly, he seemed to ignore Eric's next words, "...if your mother allows you..." Sookie did not see any other chance, but to agree. James freed himself from Eric and ran downstairs. Almost screaming he said, "Cooper, I am going to Texas!"
"That boy..." Sookie sighed.
"Godric will watch over him," Eric said. "Don't worry,"
They went to downstairs. Sookie tried the best she could to act the same, but the thought about James' ability was heavily wedging her mind, made her unable to think about anything else. She did not realize that James was now standing beside Colin with an unpleasant look. Bill was there in the kitchen. He looked as hard as James did.
"André Paul is expecting you, Sheriff," Bill said in an official manner. "He is waiting for your invitation to enter your house,"
*****