Let the Games Begin
Here is Eric's PoV
I had to break the story up in sections because it was too long ... very, very long. I had to go over the chapters several times because I kept finding mistakes and I wanted to try to at least get most of linked in with the books. If you all find any issues, please do not hesitate to tell me. I am always open to constructive criticism. Thank you all so much for reading, reviewing, alerting, and making this story your favorite. I really do appreciate your time.
Please enjoy and review!
Tonight when I awaken, I keep my eyes closed and I inhale deeply. I know that she is not here but Sookie's scent fills the room; the sweetest smell in the world to me. When I open my eyes, I see that she has been like a whirlwind through here. There are clothes strewn all over. My wife seems to be out for the evening. I decide to just lie in bed and think of her. Where is she? I know that she is safe. I figured that she would be. I do not feel any fear coming from her. I only feel sadness … no it's not sadness … anxiety … despair? That is definitely not what I want to feel. What I want to feel is her need for me.
Clearly Sookie is not as powerless or as vulnerable as she appears to be. If last night's fight is any sign of things to come, she will be capable of handling anything that comes her way. I don't understand how but in such a short time her magic is getting a great deal stronger. It's almost as if she has been this powerful for years. Is the cluviel dor the reason for her sudden changes? That is the only explanation that I have for the change in her magic and in her. One would never know that she just started using her magic last night. The storm that she conjured up last night; Bellenos said that no Brigant has the power of the night. Sookie told me that because she is fae and vampire her powers are stronger than the others. She is more powerful than any supernatural that I have ever heard of. I sighed with the realization that I am no longer the protection that she needs. I think that before long, she will no longer need for me to protect her. That would definitely make her happy. She is the most independent creature I've ever met before in my life. What scares me it that I am useless to her.
When I get up from bed, I look on the bedside table to see if Sookie has left me a note and she has. She has gone out to lunch with her cousins and she has taken two guards with her. At least she did not leave the house alone. I wish that she was here with me now. I need to hear her voice. I reach for my cell phone to call her but mine rings instead. "I am here."
"So am I. Are you okay? You don't feel right. Do you need me?" She sounded concerned about me. Have the tables turned? Is she the one that is the protector now? I am supposed to be the one defending her with my life. Last night, she proved that she is my equal. My safety has always been of concern to her. Last night she saved me. Unbelievably, I allowed it. This woman, I trust with my very existence.
"All is well my dearest. I always need you." I have never lied to her and I will not start. I just won't tell her everything; especially about my feelings of her not needing me.
There is silence and I know that she can tell that I am not telling her the complete truth. "Hmmm; if you say so," she said. I can feel her relax a little but the concern is still there. The silence lingers on for a couple seconds before she says anything else. "Thank you for the car. That was a nice gift but you do realize that Ashton's car was fine. How much did that cost?"
"It does not matter. It is for you." I was expecting an argument but once again she has surprised me. My wife is changing. She has freely accepted her place in the vampire world. She is freely accepting gifts from me with no argument. I shouldn't expect anything else. Sookie has always adapted to her surroundings. She has always been self-sufficient, willful, and appreciative. My dear wife keeps me on my toes. She possesses all of the qualities that irritate me to no end and those very same qualities draw me in to her.
"Baby, there's nobody better than you. You always take such good care of me. What would I do without you?" It must have been a rhetorical question because before I could answer she kept on talking. "Guess what? I have so much to tell you when I get home. I met another of my kin but this was a good meeting. Oh, and we just passed an accident on the interstate. There must have been a bad accident. I saw Sam's truck parked on side of the road and he looked awfully upset. I'm thinking that he saw the accident. I must have been pretty bad. There was blood all over."
Ahh, Jannalynne has been discovered. "So Sam was not the one that was hurt?" I will tell her when the time is right for her to know what has happened with Jannalynne. Until then, I will keep it quiet.
"Eric, now you behave yourself. Look baby, I'll be home in about an hour. I'm going to run to the Supr-Sav-a-Bunch. I need to buy some groceries and some blood. We're almost out of everything. Do you need anything?"
"Why are you doing the grocery shopping? You are a queen. I know that your cousins would have done it for you if you had told them to. We need to discuss buying a new home and hiring some staff." She can't be seen walking through a grocery store by other vampires. What would that do to her status?
"Oh, Eric, it's ok. We can do that later. Anyway, we're together. Mel is pushing the cart while Gwyn rides the back." She starts to yell in the background, "You two stop that right now!" Then there is a loud crash. I hear the pixies gigging and laughing. "Mel, Gwyneth … oh my goodness; honey, I have to go. Is there anything that you need before I get home?"
I roar with laughter. "Just you lover," I said. "I love you."
"I'm on my way. Love you." Before she disconnects the call, I hear her fussing at her cousins. She will make a great mother someday.
After hurriedly showering and dressing, I go upstairs to find Mustapha waiting on me in the living room. When I enter he stands and bows to me before he speaks. "Good evening Mr. Northman."
"Mustapha, what can I do for you?" Mustapha is a lone wolf which makes him the perfect day man. He told me that Alcide had approached him several times about becoming a member of his pack but he was not interested. He told me that once the pack members found out that he was working for me, the invitation was rescinded. I hired him for one reason and one reason only. He can keep his mouth shut and he's an ex-marine general. He has killed many humans and Weres alike. He is the perfect guard for my family.
He began to tell me of the human guards and he said that he has come up with a new training regimen that he wanted to run it by me when I have the time. He also said that he wanted to get my approval on the new weapons that he was going to 'order'. His contact has alerted him to a new shipment of weapons that will be coming in from overseas. If I have never said it before, Mustapha is the most sufficient and efficient Were guard that I have ever had. He's the only Were guard I've ever had. "I will let you know when I am able to watch the training session. I trust your judgment on the weapons that we will need. You can place the order. He is aware of how we operate? Is there anything else?"
"Yes sir, he knows" he said. "You also have a visitor in your office. Athius; he said that his queen needs him. I was apprehensive about letting him enter your home. I did not know that he was a resident of your area but Miss. Ravenscroft said that it would be fine to let him in. Will there be anything else that you need?"
"As a matter of fact there is," I said. I tell Mustapha that I have a small errand that I need for him to take care of. After I let him know what the errand is, he gives me a sinister smile.
"Excuse me for saying this but what the fuck took you so long to honor me with such a task?" The Were was filled with anticipation and excitement. "Can Warren come along? He has been itching to get out all day."
"Yes. Enjoy," I said as I proceeded towards the office. There is nothing like happy help. Word gets around quickly in the supe world.
When I entered the office, Pam, Bill and Athius are waiting on me. Pam and Athius were talking as Bill was typing away on his laptop. They each stand and bow to me. I gestured for each of them to take their seats. They all watch me as I stride across the room and take my place at my desk. Once I am comfortable, I asked, "Athius when did you become a resident of our area?" I was looking at Bill when I asked that question. I have told all of my regents that if any new vampires have requested to come to our area, I want to know right away. I will not allow any new vampires to just sit and roost without my knowledge. I have a wife that is unique and I know that some will do whatever they can to try and take her; regardless of our marriage.
Bill realized that the question was posed to him and decided to answer. "I approved his residency after the trial. He approached me and told me that he wanted to move to Shreveport. He filled out all of the necessary documents. I faxed them over. If you don't have the copies that I faxed, I can get the originals." Bill stood to leave but I motioned for him to sit back down.
Looking at my desk, I see that there are stacks and stacks of papers that I have not had a chance to go through. I notice that Sookie has been going through the papers and has even signed a few. She has labeled each stack to let me know what needs to be done. Since we've been home, we haven't been following up with kingdom business as we need to. I can't allow Athius to think that we are not on the job. "I see that Sookie has been taking care of most of the residency forms. There is no need. Thank you Bill. Athius," I said. "You may speak."
Whatever the reason for him coming to Shreveport must be important. Whatever the reason for him coming to our home, it had better be very important. From the looks of him, it is. He can hardly keep still. "I have requested to become a part of your retinue because of your queen. Those of us that know what your wife is have sworn to protect her with our lives. Many will fight with you in this war against her kin. I am here to give her mine. You need only call and the others will do the same."
Just as he said that, Sookie came bounding into the house. I could hear her yelling my name as she ran through the house. "Eric," she yelled out. "I'm home!" I heard her mumbling a few words to the others before she came into the office. When she opened the office doors, she looked right at me. She did not seem to realize that there were others in the room with me. She had a warm blood in her hand and ready for me. She walked over to the desk and handed me the blood. "Hey Eric; I've missed you. I'm so sorry that I'm late. I know that you are hungry." She gave me a smile that is only reserved for me. She was breathing hard; causing her breasts to rise and fall, tempting me. And she was right ... I am hungry.
As soon as she entered the room, I stood. The others followed suit. She looked absolutely stunning. Her beautiful blond hair flowed over her shoulders. Her jeans fit her curves perfectly. The silk blouse molded to her breasts as if it was made especially for her. I've never seen anything more beautiful. Immediately Bill and Athius bowed to their queen. Pam gave her a little wave and smile. "Your outfit is so chic my queen." She is more than chic; she is perfect.
Sookie looked around and is just realizing that others are in the room. Still looking at me, she said, "Thank you Pam. I apologize for entering so rudely. If had know that you all were here, I would have brought you all bloods as well. Would you all like something to drink?" She had to tear her eyes away from mine and look to the others.
"One of the guards would be glad to get you something," I stated. They all said no thank you. She is forever the pleasant hostess but she will not be waiting on anyone.
While I was thinking of making her life easier, she walked over to Athius and stood before him. "Athius, it is so good to see you again. I hope that you are well." She offered him her hand in greeting; so to speak. It's easier for her to read others when she touches them. He looked at me before he touched her. He knows that if anyone touches her without my permission they are guaranteed the punishment of final death. On his face I could see that he desires my queen. He is begging for one touch of her hand with his eyes. That makes me proud. Like the good vampire that he is, he kept his fangs retracted but his desire was written all over his face. I give him my approval. He gently takes her hand and greets his queen.
"It is always a pleasure my queen." As he holds her hand, he inhales her beautiful scent deeply. It's almost as if he wants to take a piece of her with him when he leaves.
Once she is satisfied that there are no hidden reason behind his visit, she takes her hand from his. "Please sit," she said. Athius did as his queen said. She walked over to Bill and took his hand. He took her hand and kneeled before her. "Did you sleep well?" I could feel that she was uncomfortable with him doing this but as his queen and because there is a visitor in our home, she had to allow it. "Did you sleep well?"
"Yes my queen," he said. "As did you I hope."
"Yes," she said. When she got to where Pam was sitting, they gave each other a wink and a smile. As Sookie was walking over to me, I could feel that she wanted to kiss me. She sent me a wave of love. Being the queen that she is, she did not. When she walked over to me, I wanted desperately to hold her in my arms. The entire time she has been in the room, I have not been able to take my eyes off of her. When she reached me, she stood behind me and put her soft warm hand on my shoulder. She is so elegant; so demure. No one would ever believe that she used to be a barmaid from Bon Temps. She has the mannerisms of a true lady. I am extremely proud. Sookie has the temperament to be a great queen. I love to see how she interacts with the members of our retinue. They adore her. She shows no fear and she shows them respect. Even before she became queen, she showed us all nothing but pure respect.
"I did not mean to interrupt your meeting. Please forgive me." Athius nodded to her politely.
"My king, those of us that are aware of what your queen is have come together and have decided that we want to be a part of this battle. She is our queen and we will do whatever is necessary to keep her. I have been chosen to speak on the behalf of the many that she saved while in New Orleans and in Rhodes." That surprised me. Whom did she save in New Orleans? I turned to look up at Sookie as she looked down at me.
"I saved no one in New Orleans." As if she is humiliated, she whispers, "I was too afraid that I would die so I hid." She returned her gaze to Athius. This time she did not look away. She said to him a lot louder than before, "I hid."
At vampire speed Athius was kneeling before his queen. Bill and Pam were up and ready to fight with their fangs down. I pushed Sookie behind me. Athius almost died this night. He realized his mistake and apologized. Still kneeled before her, he said, "Forgive my error my queen but you were the bravest of the brave. Do you remember the Weres, David and Genevieve Thrash? You saved a Were bear couple. You saved many lives at the New Orleans wedding party for Sophie Ann. The Thrashes told lots of supes what you did for them and the other supes at that party. You could've gotten out and left us all behind. You knew what was being planned but tried your best to help as many as you can." Slowly Pam and Bill took their seats. I stood by my wife's side.
"But I hid," she said once more.
Without thinking, Athius grabbed her hand and held it tight. "Oh no my queen, you were no coward. That is why we offer our lives to you in this battle. You knew us not but were willing to give up your own life for us. You warned one couple to go and they passed the word on to others. So what if you hid? You had no weapon to defend yourself but you saved many. Fighting this battle with you; that is the least that we can do for you." After he made his plea, he realized that he was holding her hand. "Forgive me my king. I meant no harm." If not for his loyalty, he would have died that very second.
I could feel pride and pleasure flood our bodies. Speaking my native tongue, I asked, "Är han sanningsenlig?" (**Is he truthful?**)
She nodded her head. "Det är ingen lögn i honom. Han är pålitlig." (**There is no lie in him. He is trustworthy.**)
"Jag vill knulla dig." (**I want to fuck you.**)
Sookie started to giggle.
Pam decided to chime in. "Åh bror," she said. (Oh brother)
Simultaneously, Sookie and I both said to Pam, "Vara tyst!" (Be quiet)
Athius and Bill looked at us with amused looks on their faces. In her sweet southern drawl, Sookie said, "Do forgive us. Athius please stand. You are really willing stand and fight with us? With me?"
Athius stood in front of Sookie and had a look of complete astonishment on his face. "How can you ask me that? You saved so many of our kind as well as the useless shifters. Why would we not do it for you?"
She had the most grateful and surprised look on her face. The fact that Athius and others that she has never met are willing to lay down their lives for her, sends her emotions in a tailspin. For Sookie to put her well-being in jeopardy for others is nothing new to her. She has been doing this all of her life; there was no doubt about it. She has gotten very little in return for her selflessness. For her to be unaware as to why the vampires are willing to give her something that they guard so dearly, is a surprise to her. Humans that she has known all of her life have never been accepting of her and to have supes that have never met her or even know her welcome death on her behalf, fills her with love and gratitude. "I don't know what to say. Thank you; thank you so much."
I look at her and my dead heart fills with love. This is why I love this creature so much. She will stay by my side for all of eternity and I do not want her to be away from me. The life and love that she has inside of her she freely gives to others. We as vampires will not let her suffer anymore. She will be forever surrounded by the protection of the vampires. As long as she has us, there will be never be pain or abandonment in her life again. The light that is within her is all that I see; her goodness, her faith, and her strength. I want her.
"Eric, did you hear me?" she asked me.
"No my queen," I said as I stare into her crystal blue eyes. She is looking at me as if this will be the last time that she sees my face. Oh how I love her. My want … no my need for her is consuming me. I try as hard as I can to look nonchalantly at her but it is a hard task to do.
Pam said, "She asked you what you wanted to do." Pam rolled her eyes at me.
"Yes; what do you want to do? You are my king. Whatever you decide I will do. You are my king and my protector. We will stand together." She gives my hand a firm squeeze. "What do you want to do?"
She does need me. I am her hero. If we weren't in the middle of a meeting, I'd throw her on my desk right now and fuck her senseless. She looks at me and gives me a fangy smile. What this woman does to me. There is no way that I could ever ask for a better mate or queen. She is my eternal life line! She needs me! I am her pillar. I turn back to my regents and Athius. Whatever we decide to do, the situation with the fairies needs to be addressed immediately.
As I am thinking of a plan, Sookie begins to walk away from me. She only gets a few inches away and I need her closer to me. She feels that I want her to stay by my side. She comes back to stand by me and I slide my hand into hers. I have never needed anyone as I need her. Just that one touch of her hand makes me swallow hard. A growl rumbles low and deep in my chest and she shivers under my touch just as she did the first time I claimed her as my own. When I look at the other vampires in the room, they are inhaling the air. They can smell her arousal. The sweet scent of honey and autumn fills the room. She stared at me with those beautiful, big blue eyes and I melted.
I heard Athius mumble, "You remind me of summer time in Greece; my childhood."
I know exactly what we need to do. I released Sookie's hand as I paced back and forth. "Make a list Pam. We need to make calls to each monarch that she saved while we were in Rhodes. She needs protection." Pam jumped up from the couch and grabbed pens and notepads. She handed one to Bill and Athius.
"Athius you write down the name of each person that is under your charge that swore fealty to my queen. Bill, you need to go through your database and get as much info as you can on the monarchs that are the most powerful and the oldest. Once they find out that the fae are coming for one of our own, they will surely help us. They need to be informed that a fellow vampire royal needs their protection." Pam was doling out orders like a pro. She went through the roll-a-decks and began getting the phone numbers to some of our closest associates. I watched them as they scribbled and Bill went to work on his laptop. Pam pulled out her cell phone and began making calls. Sookie was watching me.
"You're here to protect me," Sookie said softly as she stood behind me trailing her hand down my back. Her light overwhelmed me.
I turned and looked at her; never taking my eyes from hers. "Leave," I said to the others. When they all left the office, I took her into my arms and just held her. I did not want to make love to her; I just wanted to hold her. I wanted to feel her heart beating against my chest so I lifted her into my arms and hugged her to me. "My dearest," I whispered into her hair. Her heartbeat is so much stronger than before.
"You want to kiss me," she said. "I want to kiss you." We speak no more. I press my cool lips firmly to hers. She wrapped her arms around me and kissed me back. After we kiss for a few more seconds, she said to me, "You are a wonderful man Eric Northman." She leaned her head against my forehead and said, "This is where I'm safest."
I kiss the tip of her nose and smile, "Sookie." Holding her to me, I tell her how happy I am to be able to call her my wife. She hugs me tighter. The pleasure that is afforded to me to be able to hold her is the greatest gift that I can ask for … well the second greatest.
What felt like seconds was really an hour. "Pam is coming. We need to join the others," she said.
Before we have a chance to leave on our own, Pam comes back into the office. "If you two lovebirds would stop this cuddle shit long enough to follow me, I would really appreciate it. Come into the living room. You need to know where we stand and fill you in on my little idea." In flash, she was gone.
When Sookie and I reach the living room, hand in hand, everyone is there waiting. Sookie was walking a step behind me. I did not care for that. She is my queen and my queen stands by my side. She does not walk behind me. I pull her closer to me so that she is by my side. She is a permanent part of me and by my side she will stand.
When we look around the room, each being in here is as excited as ever; Pam must have come up with one hell of an idea. There seems to be another reason for Pam's excitement. Gwyneth is back. Pam sits by Gwyn and immediately takes her hand and begins stroking her hair. When Miriam died, Pam vowed to never to grow attached to a mortal lover. I knew that she was lying and that was just the grief talking. I did not expect to see her like this for a long time. I love to see my child happy. For many years, she did not believe that it was meant for her to have a lover; especially one that was not a vampire. The mortal lovers are the worst. They usually die and you are left alone to grieve. The thought makes me realize how lucky I am to have Sookie.
"Eric, all is not lost. As you all know, I am an excellent vampire."
When Pam said that, there were mumbles and grumbles that filled the room. I have to back my child on this because it is true. I am her maker. There should be nothing less expected of her. "Yes you are." This time they all roll their eyes. Sookie and Mel giggle. Gwyn looks on proudly.
"As we've all seen thus far, fairies' trying to kidnap our queen is inevitable. Claude and Dermot have their own reasons for getting Sookie into the Realm. Niall is hoping that his plan to take our queen will secure his place in the Realm. Right?"
"Yes," said Sookie and the pixies.
"Well, as we all know he wants his bloodline to always rule. My thinking is that Niall knows that the fae that were left behind are being killed off as soon as they try to take her from us. There seems to be no threat of recourse from him because obviously he does not want them back in the Realm. Now with Niall, when he comes for her, he will not come alone and he will come fully armed and ready. We have to be ready for him but not let him know that we are ready."
Sookie looked at Pam thoughtfully. I can almost see her thoughts turning in her head as she figures things out. "What do you have planned?" Whatever Pam has planned, I can tell that Sookie is trying to figure out a way to use it t her advantage. The excitement flashing across her face is a sign for me to keep an eye on her and make sure that her guards are on full alert. Oh no my little bride, you will not do anything that will put you in danger. She notices me looking at her and instantly wipes her face clear of any emotions at all; too late my love.
I look at my child's excited face. Looking as smug as she usually does, she says, "Are you ready for this?"
There are yeses and nods all around.
"Well in order to keep him in the dark, I think that we need to have a party." Mel and Gwyn were sitting either side of Pam smiling; nodding their heads up and down. Athius looked up from his notepad and had the same quizzical look on his face as Bill. Sookie is just as excited as Pam.
She ran over to the other women and started jumping up and down. "I was thinking the same thing earlier today." Before I knew it, all of the ladies said at once, "A Halloween party!"
Bill, being the ever reasonable vampire that he is, said, "We have three days to plan a Halloween party. There is no way that we will have time to set up the proper security and make the party appear to be regular party. We would have to call a caterer; maybe a couple since we are starting this on such short notice. We have to call decorators. We would need … What?" Bill looked around the room and everyone was staring at him.
The room erupted with laughter. Pam said to Bill, "Aren't you the little lady?"
"No he is not. Bill has been absolutely wonderful. He has been helping me plan our wedding." Mel gets up and walks over to him and kisses Bill's cheek. Mel smoothes down Bill's hair and tells him how proud of him she is. "He has been a great little helper." Bill had a look of embarrassment on his face. "Haven't you honey?" Bill stopped speaking. He only nodded his head.
"Well since the little helper has the experience, he can make the calls to the caterers, decorators, and any other party planners that he needs to contact." I looked at Bill smugly and he only nodded to me. He still hasn't found his voice. "Athius, have you completed that list?"
"Yes my king." Athius handed me list that was filled names from many that belong to the shifter and Were community. Pam told me that she would fill me in later on the calls that she made. I called Mustapha in to join us since he is the head guard and I needed to know if he has completed the task that I assigned him with tonight. He also needed to be aware of any security plans since he is in charge of any and all training that the guards will have to endure.
Once Mustapha came in, he nodded in my direction. I knew that he had done as I asked. After the women have stopped giggling and planning on who would dress as what, I ordered everyone to take their seat. Before we began, Mel and Gwyn went to the kitchen to get bloods and drinks for us all. I had to pull Sookie onto my lap to keep her in here with me. She was determined to be the ever present and pleasant hostess. "Not tonight lover. You will sit here and be the queen that you are. You will not wait on another person. Do you understand me?"
She wiggled her nose and me and smiled. "Yes sir."
When the pixies returned with the refreshments, I began to think about this instant and the reason for this meeting. Niall and Claude have taken it upon themselves to challenge my authority. They are trying to steal what is rightfully mine. We have delayed this planning long enough.
"The big question is how we get Niall here without being suspicious," Gwyn said.
Though we all had fairly decent ideas on how to get Niall to come to a Halloween party that would be mostly attended by vampire, some of them had their weak points. For instance, Mel proposed that we use Sookie to infiltrate the Bon Temps farmhouse. "We will not leave her alone under any circumstances but it would make sure that Niall came to save her. She need only call to him and he will come. For Sookie, Niall will do anything. You have all seen that. That would guarantee that he shows up."
"I can call Niall and let him know of the party before we have the party. I can tell him that we can meet at my house and just talk. I will tell him that I know that he can't attend the party as early as everyone else so I want to spend some time alone with him. I can tell him how much I miss him and how much I need to see him and he will come." Sookie said that as if it's a done deal. That will not happen.
"No," I said firmly.
"I know that you don't like it but how else are we going to stop it? I have the perfect way to get Niall to come to the party. He would never suspect a thing."
"No," I said again. I felt her anger through the bond but she did not say a word. Maybe she remembered the promise that she made that she would not go there, that she would follow through with any plan that I make. "You will not go there."
Bill speaks up and says, "He's right. You will not go there and put yourself in unnecessary danger. There has to be another way."
Gwyneth looked at Sookie and said, "You know of another way. Think about it Sookie."
"Celine," Sookie said. The fact that Celine has made contact with Sookie does not surprise me in the least. She turned around and looked at me. As she spoke she grabbed both sides of my face. "She has offered to help us. She wants to go home to the Realm. She wants to take all of the residents that were left behind back with her. She said that she can make sure that I never have to leave. She said that I am changing and that under no circumstances should I go. She will gladly kill Niall." Sookie said that almost as if she was talking about the weather. "I can tell him that I've been contacted by someone that said she was related to me and that she is really excited to meet me. I will tell him that she will be at the party. She's supposed to call me tonight. I can run it by her then. I'm almost positive that she will do it."
That is a reasonable suggestion. Celine has the power to mask her scent. She will be safe. "Excellent idea Sookie," Sookie smiled at Gwyneth and mouthed the words thank you. Celine has always been a fierce fighter and has always been an advocate for her people. Her readiness to help us only shows that she still has true loathing for Niall. She has been waiting for the day to end him. She now sees that the opportunity has arisen and if she is the same Celine, she will use this to her advantage. "This is the plan that we will follow. Does anyone take issue with this?"
Everyone agreed that they did not. After much plotting and figuring, Sookie said, "You know that I will have to be left alone at least for a little while for the plan to work. Niall is no fool Eric. He will catch on that something is up if he sees that I am being followed and he is being watched." She was nervous and I could feel it but being the person that she is, she hid it well.
"Have no fear lover. You will be fine." With that, I kissed the top of her head.
Mustapha spoke for the first time since he came in. "We can fix that. Warren's wife, Tia, can be with you most of the night. Since she is human, she will not be seen as suspicious. She can look nervous around supes. She has have been an assassin most of her life so she has always lived under the guise of someone new." With that bit of information, Sookie looks satisfied.
Everyone was mumbling and talking about the party and the fairies. "Hey," said Gwyn. "Where are we supposed to have this party? We sure can't have it here. We can't have it at Sookie's farmhouse. We can't have it Merlotte's."
"Why can't we use Merlotte's?" asked Sookie. "Eric and I paid for the renovations. The bastard isn't glamoured anyway. I can go over there and tell him that we need to use the bar for our Halloween party."
Bill looked on. "I think that Merlotte's is too big of a risk for them to take our queen. They would have too far to travel to get her closer to the portal. Niall doesn't have to worry about being closer to the portal. He can just take her away but the other two; we don't know how their magic works. If we expect them all to show up, we have to use the most logical place and I know how we can guarantee that they are going to show up. We have to have the party as close to the portal as possible." He looked around the room. He looked from each us as he waited. When no one said anything, he began clacking away on his laptop.
"What the fuck Bill?" yelled Pam.
He smiled as he slowly looked up from his computer. "Eric, we have gotten several responses and they will be contacting you. Should I make the reservations at 'The Nest'?"
Bill is very good when it comes to working on the computer. "Yes. Great job Bill," I said.
"Fuck Bill Compton. What is your fucking idea?" Pam was getting pissed.
Bill smiled. "We can have the Halloween party by the graveyard behind Sookie's house. The area that is to the left of the graveyard has been cleared." Bill went on to describe the area that can be the site for the party. As Bill explained how the party would flow well with the clearing, I could feel Sookie's excitement. She has not had any real fun in a very long time and she hasn't been home in months. I know that she misses her family home. I want her to be able to her family home. Hopefully, the second leg of my plan that my dear wife knows nothing about, will go without a hitch and she will get her home back.
Pam said, "So we are having the party in the next three nights?" Pam stared at Bill with a sneer. He only smirked at her.
Everyone looked at me and waited for the response. "Yes." The ladies were excited to be able to dress as different characters. We were excited at the idea of a good fight.
About an hour into our planning meeting, Sookie begins to yawn. She climbed back onto my lap and laid her beautiful head onto my chest and snuggled deep into me. I cradled her in my arms. "I am so exhausted Eric. I think that I'm going to go on to bed. If I fall asleep, will you wake me when you come?" She hasn't been getting much sleep. She rested her head on my chest. She has too much going on.
"Yes lover," I said to her. "If it is too close to dawn, I will let you sleep."
"I love you," she said as she kissed me goodnight. When Sookie gets up from my lap to go to bed, everyone rises for her. She hates it but because we have a visitor, she does not complain. "Good night everyone and Athius, again I thank you. Please let the others know that they are much appreciated."
Athius bows to her and says, "You have my word." Once Sookie has gone to our room, Athius tells me that he will now take his leave. "I will alert the others of the plan. Those of us in our inner circle will know to keep certain parts of the plan quiet. Will there be anything else that you need of me my king?"
"Thank you for coming." With that, Athius was gone.
Once I, my regents, and Mustapha were in my office, I begin to tell them of a part of my plan that Sookie knows nothing about. "Right now, we have another issue to talk about. Tonight, I sent Mustapha and Warren on an assignment. We have a fairy in our midst; Claude. He has been secured in an iron cage. He will tell us why he has concocted this plan against Sookie." Pam and Bill drop their fangs. The anticipation of tasting fairy blood has caused them to go into a daze.
Pam said, "The sweetest taste in the world." Pam must remember the taste of the male fairy that she fucked and drained the previous night.
Absently Bill says, "They do have the sweetest tastes. I'll never taste another." Bill goes back to typing on his computer. I know that he is speaking of Sookie. She does spoil you for other women. I cannot be angry with him but I am grateful that she is mine. His only choice is to relish his memories because he will never taste her again.
"The actions that the fairies have taken to get to my wife, have made it obvious to me that they are not going to go away easily. Warren and Mustapha were able to ambush him outside of his club because they were not expecting Weres to be employed by vampires."
Pam looked at Mustapha and asked, "Did you find out anything?"
Mustapha shook his head no. "We were not told to question him. We were told to catch him and imprison him. That is what we did." He is an excellent guard and he is trustworthy. I value that more than anything.
"Take heed Pam. He does as he is expected to do."
She laughed. Pam looked at Mustapha and said, "Ass kisser." Mustapha only shook his head at Pam.
"What do we do about the fucking fairy?" Bill asked.
As Bill and Pam spoke of the many possible things that can be done to Claude, I thought of my wife. She will soon understand why I have done what I've done; why I have killed those that I have killed or will kill. I have had to leave her out of it. If my plans are to happen as expected, a cold and shrewd mind is required. I cannot have her disapproval making me second guess myself. Just as I go into a daze, my cell rings. It is Stan. He has never been one for pleasantries. "I will give you my assistance and expect nothing in return. She is a remarkable young woman. Tell me, what can I do to help you defeat Niall?"
I relay the information to Stan concerning the Halloween party and Celine. As I speak with Stan, I am sure to speak exact. Stan is loyal and fearless, and proficient at noticing any impending imperfections in our plan. Since he did not complain it is obvious that he found none. "And Celine will be joining us? I have not seen her in many years. She is a formidable ally and a relative to your queen. You know what this means to our kind if we win this battle?"
"I do." It will strengthen our standing in the supe world. Sookie and I would be the most powerful couple to rule.
"Texas will back you," and with that Stan disconnected the call. Stan is smart. He knows that helping us will also keep him in good favor with Celine if she is to take her place in Faery. I let Bill and Pam know that we had the backing of Texas.
My next calls came from Alabama, New York, and Mississippi. "Hello Mr. Northman or should I say Leif?" asked Russell. "Your protégé called me tonight while I was enjoying a quiet dinner with my husband. She said that you and your wife are having problems with her fae kin."
I give myself a minute to center myself psychologically. Russell is one for mind games and he never does anything out of the goodness of his heart. I don't know if this vampire had a good heart even when he was a human. I must choose my words carefully. "If you are so inclined, of your own accord, you are welcome to come to the Halloween party that Sookie is planning. She would love to see you and Bart there. She has always been very fond of you."
Russell began to laugh. "You are very smart Mr. Northman. You can tell your dear wife that I would love to come to her Halloween party. I hope that there is only fun to be had this soiree. I hear that our dear Celine will be attending?" Word travels fast in the royal circle of vampires. "No worries Eric. I will tell no others of her arrival." I'm sure that he has already told as many as he possibly can.
If he's nothing else, he's smart. "We anticipate fun to be had by all. Yes Celine will be there. She wants to meet Sookie for the first time and she has accepted the invitation. I will tell Sookie that you will be here." I am smarter than he is. I ended the call with only a friendly invitation. How can I be held responsible if he decides to join in on the battle?
I receive several calls from many vampires and shifters. David Thrash called to say that Athius had filled him and his wife in on the plan and they will be there. They will pass the word to members of their pack. "Since I am the Long Claw pack leader, we will make a standing with you and your wife. You have our word."
After the call has ended, we discuss the many calls that we have had. We are beyond belief of the amount of help that is being offered. While we are talking things over, I get one more call from a potential ally.
"Your majesty," the voice says.
I say nothing.
"I hear that your wife needs me," said the king of California, Matthew Greene.