Another long one…
Chapter title comes from A Fine Frenzy song The Beacon.
Right so there's a splash of lemon at the beginning, which I really had no intention of putting in when I started constructing this chapter in my head. But the Viking and his fairy are horny little devils if y'all didn't notice yet.
Also incorporated more of that lovely dialogue from that dream sequence we all love, like I did in the last chapter.
…
The energy in Godric's nest was much different than it had been the previous night. There were a few more vampires and humans mulling about and more were supposed to be arriving within the hour.
Sookie hadn't thought it possible but Esme was even more hyper than last night. She had been surprised that Esme hadn't hugged Godric on seeing him what with the way she was acting. But they were vampires; they didn't really do that.
Esme had enough energy and attention to still find the time to fuss over Sookie and Jessica. The latter she scolded Eric about not bringing around sooner since the baby vampire seemed so 'precious'.
Someone was being sent to fetch Hoyt, which was all that Jessica could really ask for at the moment.
The group from the church would have very little time to recuperate before everyone else arrived.
Sookie was led to one of the upstairs rooms where she could shower and change into a new dress that Esme provided for her. The dress was black and shorter and tighter than Sookie would have picked out for herself, but it was beautiful nonetheless and probably cost more than the entire stay at the Hotel Carmilla judging from the name on the label.
Sookie wrapped a towel around herself and wasn't surprised to find Eric sitting in a chair when she came out of the bathroom. She had felt him close before she even turned the shower off.
Sookie was just a little surprised that he was there. Though she wanted to do a little happy dance that he was so close, she felt his concern for Godric, which was about equal with Eric's concern for her. She was a big girl and didn't want to be selfish.
She walked over to the bed where her under things were, very aware of the large vampire's eyes on her. As she pulled her panties on and fastened her bra she wondered if they'd be spending the night there. Eric obviously would want to be close to his Maker. Sookie should have asked to have some of her things brought along with whoever went to pick up Hoyt.
There was a pewter brush and comb set on the nightstand by the bed. She grabbed up the comb and begin to work out the tangles in her wet hair and finally turned to look at Eric.
"I'm fine." She gave him a smile and pushed at their bond to reassure him. "You can go be with Godric. I know you're going to have other obligations and whatnot tonight. I mean it, I'm fine."
Eric sat up straighter in the chair and Sookie kind of got distracted in her combing by how his arms looked in that razor back tank. She quickly looked away to see if she had any split ends.
"Godric is content with being left alone for now. He will not have much time to himself tonight."
None of them would.
Eric almost wanted to tell Esme to call off the get together, which seemed to be anything but little, that was getting started downstairs. But word had already spread of the Sheriff's safe return and though Godric might have wanted to forgo any festivities as much as Eric, he knew what was due to the vampires in his Area. They needed fears assailed and a medium to decompress in.
"Besides…"
He didn't need to finish the sentence. She knew he wanted to be near her and again she wanted to do a little happy dance. It was more than just the fact that he was always compelled to be near her though.
His emotions were mostly locked down and a bit murky to her but she could pick up on something else that went hand and hand with his worry.
"Stop that."
She put the comb back on the nightstand and walked over to stand between his parted legs. She didn't say anything about his eyes automatically going to her chest. The little bit of lust that was seeping through the bond was better than what else he was feeling.
She put her hands on his shoulders. His eyes lifted back up to her face and he noticed that the left side was puffy and was beginning to take on the shade of a ripe plum.
The lust disappeared and his eyes turned cold.
"Seriously, stop it with the guilt." She pushed on him. "I meant it. I'm fine."
"You were hurt. I should have never—."
"It could have been a lot worse. It almost was." She moved one of her hands to cup his cheek. "I volunteered, Eric. I knew the risks going in. You can't blame yourself."
"I regret putting you in that position."
"I know you do. But you'd do it again, because it was Godric."
Her voice wasn't accusing or full of hurt. Still he averted his gaze and she quickly worked to push away the new waves of guilt that cropped up.
"And I'd let you do it, Eric. And I'd take the same risks all over again too."
Sookie leaned to rest her cheek on his head. One of her hands moved to stroke his hair.
"I kind of get that I can't even begin to imagine the bond between a maker and child…"
"Perhaps one day you'll find out."
He felt her irritation at his words. She stood back up to her full height and pulled away so she could look him in the eyes.
"We are so not having that conversation right now. Least of all because Esme's probably going to come up here soon and start threatening to kill people if we don't get our butts downstairs." This was most likely true.
"Seriously stop with the little blame game you got going on with yourself. It's gonna do nothing but piss me off and I'll probably just end up ruining the party with my bad attitude and then Esme will probably want to drain me."
This was also true.
"I know you like to think you're nothing but cold, hard stone and empty inside, but there's love in you. And you shouldn't be ashamed of it or what it makes you do for those you care about."
He didn't tell her to not use that word and there was not that prickling in the bond like there normally would be because she said it.
Instead his hand tugged through her still wet hair as he pulled her down for a kiss. He clicked his fangs down and cut his tongue before pushing it into her mouth.
She almost didn't want him to heal her. The sting of the bruise reminded her that she was human and alive, but she knew how it wounded him to see her like that.
Like what always happened when he gave her his blood, or really it could've just been from the kissing, a fire started building in both their veins.
Eric seemed content to let it go but Sookie knew they had to get moving. She tried to pull back but he wouldn't let her. He growled into her mouth (the sexy one) and pulled her down onto his lap.
His jean-covered erection was making it very hard for her to think about anything else, what with the way he was thrusting up against her.
Sookie broke the kiss to gasp and to get in some much-needed air. He began to kiss along her jaw and down over her throat.
"Eric…" Yes she was panting. "We…don't have…time." Though her body didn't seem to agree, since it was rubbing against him. "They're…probably all waiting for us."
He kissed his way down to her cleavage.
"I don't care," he said. Again with the sexy growl.
He had retracted his fangs and pulled down one of the cups of her bra to expose her breast. He bit at it, not even enough to break the skin but hard enough to make her whimper like that.
He moved swiftly to press her against the closest wall. Her panties were pulled to the side and his jeans were opened and pushed down. He entered her in one strong move.
"Oh god, Eric!"
She arched her back but couldn't do much more than hold on.
He sucked roughly at her neck as he pounded into her. There was no fear of leaving any marks as they would heal, just the like the bruise on her face, from his blood in her system.
With each hard stroke he hit her g-spot and it wasn't long before her walls started clenching around him. Her head fell back and she yelled his name again as her climax crashed through her.
She was still shuddering with her high while he hammered into her, harder and faster and a few moments later her own name left his lips, as well as some choice words in Swedish, and she felt him exploding within her.
Sookie was a little wobbly but was able to stand. She was sure the only reason she could do so was because she had just had some of Eric's blood.
They cleaned themselves up as best they could. Neither had time to shower.
Sookie grumbled as she slipped into the little black dress.
"Oh good. I'm going to a party in a house full of vampires and I'm going to smell like sex."
"Hmmm…I think it's very good."
His scent was covering her even more.
She stuck her tongue out at him, annoyed at his further show of marking his territory.
"Careful, lover. Next time you do that, whether we're alone or not, I'll bite that tongue."
Yep. Things were back to normal. For them at least.
…
Eric waited for Godric to give him permission to enter after he knocked before he went into the room.
The little vampire had changed and was looking out the window when Eric stepped into the room. Godric didn't turn to look at his child as he spoke.
"Esme is losing her mind no doubt and sent you to hurry me along."
"I'm sure she was about to, but she's gotten sidetracked in dressing up my progeny and sniffing over Jason Stackhouse."
"The Stackhouses are sure to be a popular pair tonight and not just for their smell I think. They are both brave and have shown themselves to be loyal to our kind." Godric turned from the window. "I do not think you like the brother much though."
"He's an imbecile. And he's not as loyal as you seem to think he is."
"He is not graced with much wisdom and is therefore easily manipulated. But he has a good heart. And he does love his sister." Eric didn't even have to see his Maker smile to know what was coming. "Something you have in common, I think."
Eric choose not to comment on this and instead changed the subject.
"I arranged for an AB- human for you."
"Thank you, but I am not hungry." Godric moved to sit down in a chair in front of an unlit fireplace.
Eric stepped further into the room. He made his voice sound light but they could both feel the strength of his concern.
"You'll have to eat eventually. I doubt the Fellowship had much to offer you."
It was Godric's turn to change the subject. He knew if he did not speak Eric would bring up the incident at the church and he did not wish to discuss that now.
"I think I would much rather spend these last few minutes of peace talking with your Ms. Stackhouse. You left her out in the hall?"
Eric was frustrated and troubled by his Maker's refusal to talk about what had occurred earlier in the evening, but he knew better than to push.
"She's nervous to properly meet you."
Godric became puzzled.
"Whatever for?"
"Something about meeting parents or some such human thing. I wasn't really listening."
"I doubt that. She seems to be the only human you do listen to."
Godric almost smiled he was so amused by his child's irritation. He had taught Eric too well about the importance of controlling ones emotions. A mistake, he was now sure.
"She's not completely human," Eric said.
"Whatever else she is, she is human foremost." Godric felt a stirring in their bond from Eric. "You cannot think I am laughing at you."
"Not out loud."
"I am amazed and in awe. You might not want to admit it but you are changing, because of her. I can feel it, see it. It is a good thing I think and I am glad I was able to see it."
Another quiver in their bond but before Eric could speak Godric asked him to bring Sookie in.
"And perhaps you should place a phone call to Pam while Sookie and I speak."
Godric knew that the telepath would most likely speak more frankly if Eric was not in the room.
Eric stopped before he opened the door. It wasn't a command but they both knew he'd follow it. He yanked the door open and waved Sookie in.
Godric stood from his seat and Sookie stepped into the room and gave Godric an anxious smile. He returned it with a more tranquil one and Eric felt her relax a bit.
"Good evening… Might I call you by your first name?"
"Oh, yes. Of course."
"Then good evening, Sookie."
He motioned for her to sit in the chair across from his and when she did he took his own seat back.
"Do I call you Sheriff or…"
"You may call me Godric."
"Oh, okay. Well, good evening, Godric. And might I just say you have a lovely home."
"Thank you." Eric was still hovering over by the door. "Don't you have a phone call to make?"
Sookie sat up and raised an eyebrow in question.
"Yes, Godric," Eric grit his teeth. "Unless you would be uncomfortable being left alone here, Sookie."
Sookie looked back and forth between Eric and Godric. She seemed to get what was going on.
"Oh, no. I'm just peachy."
Eric narrowed his eyes at her and she had to bite her lip to keep from laughing.
He left the room, slamming the door behind him. Sookie did laugh at this.
"I don't think he likes you very much right now," she said to the little vampire sitting across from her.
"He has been more upset with me for much less," Godric said.
"I guess he thinks you're going to do the equivalent of taking out baby pictures to show me."
Godric raised an eyebrow.
"I do not understand."
"Oh. I mean he probably thinks you're going to tell me embarrassing stories about him."
"I do not think we have enough time for that before we have to go downstairs. I think he will be more embarrassed about what you might tell me." Godric gave her another smile and it did not quite reach his eyes. "You care for Eric?"
She didn't hesitate.
"I love him." Godric's smile widened a little and his eyes seemed to brighten. "He doesn't really like when I use that word though. I mean he kind of does. I can tell cause the part of him in my head gets kind of warm but it also gets all bristly, when he's irritated."
Sookie didn't know if Eric had told Godric about the blood exchanges and even if he hadn't Godric showed no shock to hearing about it.
"I think I can take some of the blame for that."
"I don't know. Eric's pretty much himself." Though Godric probably did know him better than she.
"Yes, he is. I do not think he even understood that word very well in his human life."
Sookie didn't really know what to say to this but Godric saved her the trouble of thinking of a reply by speaking up again.
"Before we have any further discussions, you must allow me to convey my deepest apologizes for everything that has happened to you since you have come to my Area."
Sookie shook her head.
"I already kind of had this conversation with Eric. I wanted to help. It could've been so much worse and it's nobody's fault. Except maybe the Fellowship of the Sun."
Godric looked away and Sookie had that overwhelming urge again to hug the tiny vampire. She controlled herself though.
"Godric…?"
His gaze returned to her face and she almost chickened out.
"I know it's probably not my place to ask or anything. And you've probably already talked to Eric about this, but he's still worried about you…"
"You want to know why I wouldn't leave the church."
He saw that she was taken aback that he could know her mind so well. She was very much like Eric, though the two of them probably didn't see it.
She nodded and he looked away again. He didn't speak for so long that she thought maybe she had overstepped her bounds and she should just leave. Finally he spoke.
"Do you believe in God?"
His gaze was still focused on the empty fireplace in front of them.
"Yes."
She didn't know where this conversation was going or even why it had started but Godric needed someone to talk to apparently and she would be there if he needed it.
"If you are right, with all of the things I have done in my long life, how would He punish me at the end of it?"
Sookie tried not to show how this talk worried her. She was sure Godric would not want Eric to come back in the room and hear this conversation.
She licked her lips, which suddenly felt very dry, before answering.
"God doesn't punish. He forgives."
He looked at her then.
"I do not think I deserve it. But I hope for it."
Sookie's throat felt very tight.
"We all do."
Again Sookie found herself at a loss for words.
As quickly as the theological discussion began, it seemed to end as Godric stood up. He gave her a smile that was a bit less melancholy.
"Eric has most likely finished with his phone call and the guests have no doubt all arrived. Come."
Sookie let Godric lead her out of the room.
He hadn't said anything but she was sure that their conversation, at least the last half of it, should be kept in confidence.
…
Sookie was sure that if Esme ever wanted to leave Godric's nest she could make a successful career as an event planner.
The spread the little French vampire had worked out was of course amazing. And it wasn't just for humans. Sookie was pretty sure that one of those fountains was not spouting cherry kool-aid.
As it was Sookie was considering stealing the little fountain that was spurting chocolate all for herself. She could really use it.
Sookie almost jumped out of her skin when Eric was suddenly beside her. She had thought he was in the other room with Godric where that line of vampires and humans were filing in to give their congratulations for the Sheriff's safe return; Jason, Jessica, and Hoyt were all in there.
"Are you avoiding me?" he asked.
"What? No." Yes.
"Why would I be avoiding you? You're my boyfriend. I mean we can't go two seconds without seeing each other? I mean sheesh, Eric. I'm mingling. Meeting new people and all."
"Sookie, you're standing here in the corner, alone, staring at the desert table." And she was rambling.
She looked at him for a second before throwing up her hands.
"Fine. Okay. I'm avoiding you. Not because I want to. Though okay, avoiding you means I kind of do want to… but its complicated."
He stepped closed to her and she had to crane her neck to look at him.
"What's wrong?"
She looked around. This was not the best place for this conversation.
"Did you… get a chance to talk to Godric about what happened at the church?"
He quickly looked around the room and seemed to agree with her assessment that this was not the best place for this.
He lowered his voice.
"What did he say to you?"
"Nothing. I mean I know I probably shouldn't of asked but I know you're still concerned about it and I thought it was a little weird too. But he didn't say anything. He just asked me whether or not I believed in God."
Eric's face became a mask and his emotions became foggy. She was sure if they were blood bonded she would be able to tell what he was feeling with greater precision. This wasn't necessarily a good thing though. She was already freaking out enough on her own all by herself.
"Don't worry about it," Eric finally said.
"But…"
"I'm sure it's nothing, like you said. Godric's become fascinated with religion over the last couple of decades." He bent down to kiss her forehead. "Don't worry. Just enjoy yourself."
"My thoughts exactly." They both turned to see Esme standing a few feet away.
She obviously had only heard the last bit of their conversation as she seemed to be in high spirits. She was done up impeccably again, this time in a business dress suit made if some sort of shiny gold material.
Esme walked closer to them so that she was able to poke Eric in the side.
"Quit hogging the telepath. Everyone wants to meet her. And like you haven't had enough of her already tonight." Esme took a loud sniff in Sookie's direction and the human flushed a bright pink. "Seriously Northman, you're an animal. She almost dies tonight and you decide it's okay to maul her?"
"Esme!" Sookie hissed, blushing even more.
"Oh Sookie dear, don't do that. It makes you smell even better. We don't want Eric here getting into any fights because some of the younger vamps are too stupid to control themselves." She turned to Eric and stuck a finger in his face. "You get into a fight with anyone or disrupt my party in any way and I will silver you."
Eric looked rather bored at her threat.
"Isn't it Godric's party?" he teased.
"Oh shut up. Go make sure that Maker of yours doesn't try to sneak off. He seems to be amused by that male Stackhouse, but really who wouldn't be? The boy may not be the brightest star in the heavens but he is a perfect specimen to drool over. Seriously if your brother walked around without a shirt on I'm sure I'd think everything that came out of his mouth was gold. What's with this family, Northman? They're like vampire catnip or something."
She didn't realize how close to the truth she was.
Sookie didn't really know what else to say expect, "Please don't sleep with my brother."
Esme made a 'pshaw'.
"Well if you're going to be such a stick in the mud about it… He's not my type anyway. I suppose you don't want me to drink from him either?"
Sookie blanched and Eric glared at Esme.
"Fine. I'll leave him alone. He's a vampire virgin anyways isn't he? I'd chew him up and spit him out. Maybe I'll introduce him to Sienna. She's barely 150. She'd be a much more safe fit. Plus then she'd owe me."
"Cut it out," Eric said. The little French vampire rolled her eyes.
"Oh, you know I'm only joking," Esme said. "Come along, Sookie. I'll find you more civilized company."
…
Hoyt leaned over to whisper to Jason. "Who is this guy again?"
They were in line with both humans and vampires waiting to give their best wishes to Godric on his safe return. Or at least Jason was. Hoyt was still unclear of what was going on.
Jason and Jessica had tried to explain everything to him, but they continually talked over each other and neither was the best storyteller. Basically they just ended up making everything sound like some big inside joke between the two of them.
"It's Godric. Don't you listen to anything your girlfriend even says?"
"I know that," Hoyt said. "But who exactly is he?"
Being taller than most in the room Hoyt could see the little vampire clearly where he sat in a comfy, if modern looking, chair. Jessica was lounging on some large pillow thing off to the little vampire's right, looking like some kind of princess in that rust colored dress of hers. And that large vampire of Sookie's had come back into the room and took a position standing just behind the pale redhead. He was surveying the room with disinterest.
"He's the Sheriff," Jason said, as though that made any sense to Hoyt.
"Uh…okay. I thought Mr. Northman was the one who was a Sheriff."
"Yeah, in Louisiana. This is Texas."
"Which would explain all the cowboy hats," Hoyt said.
"Yeah, I know. Weird," Jason replied. "I didn't think people here actually wore those. We'd probably get our asses kicked back home if we tried that."
Though maybe he shouldn't have spoken up, even as softly as he did. That big mean ass vampire from the church, who seemed to like cowboy hats, was standing a few people in front of them in line.
He couldn't do anything in front of Godric though right?
Jessica caught Hoyt and Jason's eyes and smiled and waved at them. They both waved back and she smiled wider. She then made a funny face at the two of them.
Though Godric seemed to think this was funny he still only raised his eyebrows. Eric obviously wasn't as amused and Jessica quickly stopped when she realized that this wasn't really the vampire thing to do. She tried to school her features into a mask like the other two vampires did.
"Dude, you're girlfriend is awesome. Back in the church, she was like Buffy or something." Jason didn't seem to get how wrong what he just said was. "Seriously. She's so cool."
"Yeah, I know."
Though Hoyt didn't really get how Jason was seeing her. Jessica was the most gentle, funny, loving girl he had ever met. Yes she was a vampire, but she sure didn't seem to want to act like one, at least around Hoyt.
They were next so they both took a step forward.
Jessica's smile reappeared. She leaned over to whisper to Godric.
"The tall one's the guy I was telling you about. My boyfriend, Hoyt."
Godric looked on the young vampire with kind eyes, while Eric rolled his.
Jason nodded at the three vampires.
"Hey, y'all," he said. He smiled then quickly got a serious look on his face. "I didn't get a chance to say it before, Godric, but I'm really sorry for everything the Fellowship put you through, man."
Jason elbowed Hoyt in the side.
"Ow! What it's not like I had anything to do with that." He realized though that he probably should say something. The little guy was important to Jessica in some way. "Uh…I'm glad you're okay and everything too. And…um…Nice house?"
Jason gave him a funny look. Like he was any more eloquent though.
"We'll just get out of your hair," Jason said, pushing Hoyt to move. Godric was obviously a busy man… vampire.
Godric's voice stopped the two.
"Your concern is appreciated." He looked between the two of them and then let his eyes rest on Jason. "Your actions helped save many lives tonight, Jason Stackhouse."
"He's a regular hero," Eric said mockingly.
Jason obviously did not pick up on Eric's sarcasm and got a goofy smile on his face.
"I'm no hero." Though he seemed to like the sound of the title.
Jessica couldn't help smiling into her hand, knowing Eric's true feelings. Jason really was a bit clueless sometimes.
Godric ignored his child's patronizing quip.
"Please know that you have friends in this area when ever you visit."
Jason smiled and Godric gave him a reserved one in return.
"Thanks, but I don't think I'll be coming back anytime soon. Not that it's not… I mean your house is nice and y'all know how to throw a party. But I kind of miss Bon Temps."
No one who lived in that little hamlet ever thought to utter such words, Jason included.
Jessica leaned over once again to speak.
"Can I maybe go hang out?" she asked. She got that pleading puppy dog look in her eyes that Eric hated.
"Quit making that face. And you don't need to ask permission, Jessica."
"I don't? Sweet!"
She hopped up and took hold of Hoyt's hand and started to pull him out of the room to the main one.
Jason started to follow but turned back to the other two vampires. Something was itching at him and he figured he might as well get it out of the way now or he might never do it.
He didn't get a chance to speak up though as a female vampire he had never seen before stepped purposefully into the room, hauling a man by the collar of his sweat and blood stained shirt.
Sookie had been in the other room facing the door while talking to Esme and another vampire and human. Until she had seen Isabel dragging Hugo into the house, Sookie had completely forgotten about the man. Unluckily for him the vampires had not.
Like everybody else in the house, Sookie moved to get a better look at the proceedings. Esme came to stand at her elbow and even Jessica and Hoyt backtracked their steps to see.
Isabel's eyes were rimmed red and her cheeks were streaked with blood. Her voice when she spoke sounded choked.
"Here is the one who betrayed us."
Isabel kicked Hugo so that he fell to his knees.
Godric looked at the human male before lifting his eyes to his second.
"Hugo. He is yours, is he not?" Though he already knew the answer.
"Yes," Isabel said, her voice laced with bitterness. She could not meet Godric's eyes. "You are my Sheriff. Do with him as you will."
"Do you love him?"
Isabel met her Sheriff's gaze at that.
Esme made a soft noise, which Sookie only heard because she was right next to the vampire. She didn't look at her friend but instead turned her gaze to Eric. His own eyes were already fixed on her, but after a few seconds he shifted back to watch the drama being played out before them.
"I…I thought I did." She worked to quench the sobs that were trying to work their way out of her throat. "But I know my duty to you."
That was her ever constant, even as a human; her sense of duty. She had married a man she didn't love for her it.
Even with the baser urges of a vampire she worked to hold herself to a higher standard.
"You did not answer my question," Godric said.
Isabel looked down at Hugo, who was quietly sobbing.
"Yes…" Her resolve broke and her face contorted into shame and sorrow. "I do love him. I'm sorry."
Jessica, who was still very much a child and a new vampire, bit her lip until she tasted blood. Hoyt kept his gaze on the floor, not really understanding what was going on. Jason's eyes bounced around the room for a couple of seconds before landing back on Godric.
Isabel got control of herself.
"His life is yours though. Do with him as you wish."
The Spanish vampire bowed her head, ready to hear her Sheriff's verdict.
Godric looked at Isabel for several seconds before turning to Hugo.
"You are free to go," he said.
A quiet murmur went through the crowd until the little Sheriff raised his gaze to look around the room. Everyone quieted, except for Stan.
"What the hell?" he growled.
Godric looked right at his other lieutenant as he spoke.
"The human is free to go."
Stan stepped away from the wall he was leaning against.
"This is bullshit."
"This is my verdict." Godric's voice took on that cold and dangerous edge. He looked back to Hugo. The man's face was equal parts shock and relief. "Do not return. It will not be safe for you here."
"Eric," Godric called to his child, who stepped into view. "Escort them out. Make sure they leave unharmed."
"Yes, Godric."
Eric didn't exactly agree with his Maker's ruling, but he would complete the task given to him without complaint.
Eric hauled Hugo back onto his feet, a little more roughly than needed, and started to shove him toward the door. Isabel bowed to Godric and thanked him, bloody tears streaming down her face, before she followed.
The others in the room began to scatter outward to other areas of the house, murmuring amongst themselves.
Esme had disappeared somewhere else when Sookie turned to look, but before she could see where, Jason came to stand by her.
"That was pretty intense," he said.
"Yeah."
They both walked out into the larger open space and Sookie found herself drawn over to the window.
…
After putting Hugo in a car and glamouring him to drive until he hit Mexico, Eric turned to go back into the house. He could see Sookie and her idiot brother at the window.
He stopped though because Isabel was still standing at the curb, watching the headlights fade into the night. She was still crying.
"Isabel, get back into the house."
Yes he was being more callous than he needed to be. She was a vampire for fuck's sake. Over 400 years old. She should have better control over herself by now. And she had made Godric look weak in front of others. Over a fucking human who was not worth the blood she had obviously given him.
Isabel wiped at her cheeks and took an unneeded deep breath before she turned around.
"Eric…"
He knew an apology of some kind was coming, which he would shut down. Otherwise he might really do some violence to her.
"Just get back in the house," he growled, continuing his own advance back to the nest.
…
Sookie was waiting for Eric when he came back into the house. Isabel came in a second after and only hesitated a moment when looking in Godric's direction, before heading toward the stairs.
"Is she—?" Sookie began to ask.
"She's fine," Eric grunted.
Sookie was skeptical and a little angry at his manner.
"Uh…hey," Jason said, sidling up to them.
"Jason, whatever it is, this isn't really the time," Sookie said.
Jason ignored her frustration with him, like he usually did.
"Look if I don't say this now, I never will. So…"
Jason looked over at Eric, and Sookie suddenly caught on to what her brother had in mind. Eric felt a bit of shock, which was quickly replaced by hilarity, coming from Sookie. He shot t he brother a cold glance.
"…Is there somewhere we can talk in private, Mr. Northman?"
Sookie had to bite her lip to keep from laughing. Maybe she should stop this. Especially since her amusement at it only seemed to irritate Eric. Still, it was sweet of her brother.
Sookie gave Eric a hopeful and pleading look.
He glared at her but finally he sighed.
"Fine. We can talk out back." He gave Sookie a look that said 'stay put'. Like that would happen.
As soon as Eric and Jason were out of sight she headed for the stairs.
There was nobody else on the upper level of the house so it was easy to find Isabel, since she was the closest void. She followed it to Isabel's office.
Sookie came to a stop in front of the partially opened door. She could hear weeping from within.
Sookie hesitated. Maybe this wasn't such a good idea. No vampire, especially Isabel, would want a human to see him or her like this.
But then she remembered how Isabel had looked at Hugo; both the first time Sookie had met him and then downstairs just a few minutes ago. How broken and twisted up Isabel seemed now.
Isabel was no doubt feeling even guiltier than Eric and Godric about everything that had happened.
Sookie knocked softly on the open door before taking several steps into the room. Isabel's was sitting at her desk, the chair facing away from the door, looking out the window.
The vampire knew who it was without having to turn around. She wiped at her cheeks and took a deep breath before speaking, her back still to the little telepath.
"Sookie. Is everything alright?"
"I thought I'd come and ask you that same question."
Though the obvious answer was no, everything was not alright.
Sookie came around the desk and stopped just a few feet from the vampire's chair. She could only see Isabel in profile.
"I'm… You should go back downstairs. Eric is probably waiting for you."
Isabel refused to turn to look at the human.
"It's okay. He's talking with my brother."
Isabel flinched in surprise at this news. She had spoken briefly with the Stackhouse brother and did not believe that Eric Northman speaking to that boy for any amount of time would be 'okay'.
"I'm pretty sure Eric knows I'm up here anyway," Sookie said.
He knew how she was. How she felt the deep need to help another living creature in pain.
Isabel sat staring out the window for a full minute before she turned her chair to look at the human. Her face was not clear of all the blood and her eyes looked so mournful and even darker.
Sookie made to speak, not really sure of what she would say, but Isabel spoke first.
"Eric would not let me apologize, but I feel I must do so. Please know that I deeply regret all that has happened to you. I cannot—."
Sookie cut her off.
Maybe all that suppressing emotions led to guilt complexes?
"There's really nothing to forgive. You didn't know. Hell I didn't even know until it was almost too late."
"I should have known," Isabel said, her voice and face tight.
"Because you're the mind reader? I know more than anybody how people can hide themselves, especially from those they love."
Isabel's face crumpled and her eyes dropped to her clenched fists.
"That was not love. Not on his part."
"It was," Sookie said. She knew what she said next would probably do more harm than good, but it had to be said. "Even when we were locked in the church, he professed his love for you. And he believed it. It consumed him."
"That just makes what he did worse."
Sookie nodded.
"I don't know. I don't think people all love the same. There are different degrees, I think. And maybe no two couple has the same… way about it. Even the ones that hurt, they give you strength. Teach you something…about yourself. Which is what I think loving somebody is all about."
Isabel looked up then and her face took on a gentle setting.
"You really love Eric, don't you?"
Sookie took a step back and blinked in surprise.
"You probably think it's stupid now. Vampires and humans, what with everything that's happened."
"No," Isabel said. Her voice took on an almost uplifting quality. "It gives me hope. You are right. Love…is not just about looking at someone else in a certain way. It should teach you something about yourself. Whether it is good or bad." Isabel smiled but it was forlorn and small. "I think you are very wise for your young age. And very kind. I can also see why Eric cares for you like he does."
Sookie gave her own, brighter, smile.
"You should go back downstairs," Isabel told her. "If for no other reason than to save your brother from Northman."
Sookie hesitated a moment but then Isabel shooed her off again, saying she would return herself in a few minutes.
As Sookie made her way around the corner of the hall leading back toward the stairs she stopped short, almost running over Esme who was pushed back against a wall.
"Esme?"
The little vampire had obviously been eavesdropping. Sookie was just about to tell her off when the vampire raised her dark eyes and Sookie saw that they were filled up red.
"Oh, Esme." Sookie's voice came out softer. She knew better than to try and touch the vampire.
"I never liked the human."
Sookie guessed correctly that she meant Hugo.
"It's not like I knew he was a little traitor or anything. I just thought…Isabel could do better." Esme sniffled and blinked her blood tears away. "I am sorry that he proved me right."
"Maybe you should be telling Isabel all this," Sookie said.
Esme looked at the human for a second, then nodded. She walked the way Sookie had just come but stopped. She didn't turn back around as she spoke.
"I do think you are too good for Eric," Esme said, before continuing on.
…
"Okay, so…" Jason began, once they cleared the house.
Eric stopped him.
"Stackhouse, I'm humoring your sister here. She's obviously already took off to go and check on Isabel, so she can't see or hear us. How about we skip the talk and just tell her we had it."
Jason looked taken aback, but to his credit he didn't fold.
"No, look. I gotta get this out. I need to apologize and I need you to forgive me."
Jason was obviously being sincere, for once in his inbred hick life, so it would be rather detrimental to his moral growth spurt if Eric laughed at him.
"Look, Sookie loves you and you obviously love her."
Sookie would be more than mad if Eric crushed her brother's larynx at that moment, so instead he just listened with itching hands.
"And there isn't a reason you shouldn't be allowed to. I just let my own stupid ignorance stand in the way."
"Yes, well you mental defects aside. All things considered I think we can call it even."
Jason released the breath he had been holding and smiled. Eric leaned forward and Jason's grin fell away.
"What you did for Godric, not withstanding, cause your sister even the tiniest emotional or physical pain again, and you will not get the chance to apologize."
Jason swallowed. He was pretty sure the big guy was joking. Sookie would probably be very upset with her boyfriend if anything happened to him, right?
"Yeah." Jason laughed but Eric didn't waver in his cold stare. "And all that stuff in the church. It was the least I could do seeing as how I kinda fucked everything up in the first place. I am so not looking forward to having that talk with Sookie."
Eric was actually hoping he could be in the room when she had that talk with her brother.
"Really though…" Jason got a mournful look on his face. He really needed to wrap his little speech up before Eric decided to glamour him to do something completely humiliating. "I'm sorry it just took me so long to see everything."
The brother was an idiot, but he did care about Sookie and seemed genuine in his change of heart.
"It's…fine, Stackhouse."
Jason seemed to be trying to hold back tears and Eric had to hold back an eye roll at this. Then Eric had to hold back the urge to break Jason's neck as the human launched himself at Eric and wrapped him in a hug.
"Stackhouse," Eric growled. "Get the hell off me."
Jason pulled back, looking sheepish.
"Sorry, man."
"You ever do that again, I will rip off both your arms."
Jason looked scared at the threat; smart boy.
"Right, no hugging. Got it."
He looked so crestfallen that Eric figured he could throw the kid a bone; what the hell was happening to him?
He smiled at Jason.
"Just… try to control yourself." Jason gave him that goofy grin of his. "Now be a good little human and run along back into the house."
Jessica was waiting when the two entered through the sliding glass door. She had obviously seen and heard everything. She waited until Jason went off in search of food before turning to her Maker with a huge grin.
"He hugged you! And you didn't kill him! I got a picture of it on my phone. I'm so sending it to Pam."
"Jessica, behave or I'm not going to tell you about the operation you can get to help with that little problem of yours. The one that crops up every time you want to get physical with that human."
Jessica couldn't get any paler, but her eyes got rounder and her jaw dropped.
"I….You… I knew there had to be something! I couldn't be the only vampire virgin out there."
"Delete that picture and I'll make an appointment with Dr. Ludwig as soon we get back to Area 5."
Jessica bit her lip and looked at her phone.
"Or I could just leave you alone and take away your car, your phone, and refuse to let you see that blood bag."
"Okay, sheesh."
She held up her phone and made a production of looking like she was deleting the picture. In reality she was moving it to a folder. She learned too well from Pam. There was no way in hell she was letting collateral like this go.
"See. Deleted."
He sent her off to find Hoyt, but still let her feel his disapproval and irritation. Really she could get as bad as Pam if he didn't do something.
Sookie was still upstairs and seemed well, if a little downhearted, from whatever she was talking to Isabel about. He would leave her be.
He noticed his Maker, still sitting in the same chair as before, alone. He moved to crouch down next to the little vampire.
"Hugo is dispatched. I put him in a car and instructed him not to stop until he reached Mexico."
Godric nodded.
"You smell like the wrong Stackhouse. Is the brother as affectionate as the sister?"
Was Godric actually teasing him? Eric knew it wouldn't be prudent to tell his Maker to fuck off, so instead he change the subject.
"Have you fed?"
Godric lost all feelings of mirth.
"I am not a newborn. I know how and when to feed."
This did not seem to be the case right now. He was purposefully starving himself. Eric knew not to question him about this further, but it didn't stop him from asking another more important matter.
"Why didn't you leave the church when I came for you?"
Eric could not read Godric's feelings clearly. Godric had kept their bond closed since he had gone missing and though it was slightly open now, everything was clouded.
"They did not treat me badly. Most of them, like Jason Stackhouse, are misguided. Easily manipulated by their fear. We are frightening."
"And that gives them the right to take us and cage us like animals and kill us for sport."
"We treat them as cattle. You have seen as well as I what they can accomplish."
"Their cruelty and ignorance. They can be just as brutal as any of this."
"Yes, but they are also capable of great things. Beauty and reason. All they can accomplish in their short lifespan."
Eric smirked.
"I think you have been listening to Esme's nonsense too long."
"I do not see the harm in treating humans as equals. Our kind has made no progress. If anything we have only become more brutal and predatory. Humans' bodies are frailer than ours it is true, but their spirits and minds are no less weaker. I think you should be able to see this better than anyone now. I could have killed everyone in that church in a matter of minutes. But what would that have proven?"
Godric looked away and Eric knew that this discussion was at an end. He stood and left his Maker to find whatever peace he got in his solitude.
Eric felt like killing something.
The conversation had made perfect sense in English, but there was no fucking logic to the words.
Godric had always been a bit stoic, but there had always been a playfulness about him. He always appeared to have a brightness in his eyes that made him always appear to be the age he was when he was turned.
Now though there was nothing of that. He was diverted and amused for a few moments, but there was no light or real laughter from him. Something was wrong and Eric had no fucking clue where to even begin to make it right.
Sookie had come back downstairs and felt Eric's mood. She almost considered running and hiding in a closest somewhere. Or telling other people to do so. Instead she set her shoulders and made her way over to him.
"Are you okay?"
She wanted to reach out a hand to him but was afraid that might set him off.
"Was it something Jason said?" She already guessed what this was really about.
"No," he gritted out.
"Godric."
He didn't answer.
"What can I do?"
This time she did reach out to take his hand.
"Nothing. Just forgot it."
He could feel her distress and a little anger.
"Well you're obviously not going to. And I'm not going to either, as long as I have to feel whatever you're going through."
"If it's such a bother I can block it out for you."
Her presence calmed him like always, but not enough. And it didn't help when she was suffering from his fit of temper.
"What do you mean? You can block the bond?" she asked.
She had a feeling he was able to do this, but she was shocked he would suggest it.
"Don't you dare, Eric," she warned. "That's not what I meant. I want you to talk to me. Not close me out."
"Talking about it is not going to help, Sookie."
She narrowed her eyes at him and her anger flared more at his tone.
"Fine. I think I'll go find Jason."
That's right. She'd rather talk to her brother than be around him right now.
"When ever you're done having your temper tantrum come find me and maybe I'll offer to help. But well, I wouldn't hold my breath on that."
She flounced off to find her brother over by that chocolate fountain.
Eric glared after her.
Shit.
This is what happened when you treated humans as equals.
Esme and Isabel came to stand next to him. Isabel noticed his foul mood and decided not to comment, Esme was either too stupid to refrain or she just didn't care.
"What'd you do?" Esme asked. "Seriously, I meant what I said. Do not ruin this party, Northman."
"Esme," Isabel cautioned.
"What? I'm not afraid of him." She was a little; she wasn't that stupid. "And he deserves whatever he's got going on. He's being an asshole to you too."
Eric swung around to tower over the French vampire, who gulped. She had thought she had a bigger hand to play yet.
"Eric," Isabel spoke up. "Just ignore her. She's trying to needle you. We're all still high strung. That bitch Nan Flanagan's going to be coming around as soon as she can get out…"
Isabel trailed off as she spotted something off in the distance. A splash of color.
"Eric," she said.
He immediately turned to follow the Spanish vampire's gaze.
"That's not who I think it is, is it?" Isabel asked.
Esme sent up a little prayer that she was no longer the object of the Viking's wraith. She was curious though.
"What? Who?" Esme asked. She followed the two older vampires' gazes. "Who is that? I don't think I recognize her. She's trying a bit too hard with that dress."
Eric stalked off without a word.
"That was rude," Esme grumbled.
"Esme," Isabel said. "Go alert Godric."
"What?" Esme was really confused. Really a couple of gatecrashers were to be expected. "Who is that vampire, Izzy?"
"No one we want in our nest."
…
Sookie noticed the shift in Eric's mood but kept her back to him. He was still angry but now he was more…alert.
Then she noticed something out of the corner of her eye. A female vampire had entered the house, dressed in a very low cut red dress.
Jason let out a low whistle as he spotted her.
"Who is that?" he asked.
Sookie supposed the woman could be considered beautiful. She looked a bit on the thin side, even for a vampire. The color of the dress against her pale skin made her look washed out.
Sookie almost dropped the cup in her hand when she saw Eric come up to talk to the vampire. He was obviously on red alert because of this vampire.
"Looks like your boyfriend knows her, Sook."
Sookie left her cup on the nearby table and walked over to where Eric and the female vampire stood talking in low, but harsh tones.
"Eric…"
He turned to look at her but then so did the other vampire.
Sookie's insides churned and her spine locked in fright as the female looked at her. Her eyes. So cold and something else. A look that no normal person, vampire or human, had in their eyes.
"Go back to your brother," Eric commanded.
She almost followed his order without question, from his tone of voice alone not even considering what was going through their bond.
But then the female spoke. She had as thick a Southern accent as Sookie.
"Aren't you going to introduce us, Sheriff? Is this the little human you got dragged in front of a tribunal for?"
Sookie could feel Eric's shock at the woman's words. He didn't show anything though.
"How would you know about that, Lorena? Seeing as how your progeny was in front of that same tribunal… and he's in no place to return your calls. Not that he seemed to want to before he was placed back in Sophie-Anne's capable hands."
The predatory grin the vampire, Lorena, was giving Sookie fell away. She shifted her gaze back to Eric.
"Anything he was caught doing was under the orders of that bitch of a Queen. She'll get what's coming to her."
This was Bill Compton's Maker? That kind of explained some things.
Eric just shook his head sadly at the smaller vampire.
"I don't see how you're in a position to make such threats. Seeing as how you were banned from Louisiana. At the behest of your child I believe."
Lorena's lips pulled back into a snarl.
"You would do well not to talk about my progeny in such a way to me."
Was she really that insane?
Well she had carried around a torch for Bill Compton for all these years, so apparently.
Eric's smirk disappeared and his face became stony. Sookie was becoming alarmed.
"Lorena, I don't know what friends are feeding you information, but I'm betting they wouldn't be too happy about you being here. I could really care so much less about what you are doing here. Whatever business you think you have here, drop it and get the fuck out."
Lorena composed herself a bit better. Her eyes still kept that mad glint though.
"I do have business, some that I think you would be very interested in, Sheriff. My friends, as you put it, keep me very well informed."
Lorena lowered her voice and her smile made all of the hairs on Sookie's body stand on end.
"There are forces in play right now that you cannot even imagine. You could be lucky enough to be a part of it. As I want my dear William to be. And seeing as how I can't get to him and you were only to happy to help put him in his imprisonment—."
Sookie couldn't keep quiet any longer.
"Are you kidding me?" Sookie scoffed. She turned to look at Eric. "Seriously Eric, who is she?"
She turned back to Lorena who looked shocked that a human would even think of talking to her or any vampire in such a manner.
"Look lady, I don't know what you heard or what you're deluding yourself about…" Eric figured he should stop her, but he really did get a kick from watching Sookie go off on someone. "…but your child, Bill Compton? He did what he was accused of doing. He's got nobody to blame for his predicament but himself." Sookie looked Lorena up and down, sickened. "Although, maybe you're to blame a little as well."
Lorena's fangs clicked down and she made to lunge forward. A stupid move.
Eric grabbed her before she even moved one step and threw her across the room into a glass coffee table. The sound of glass shattering made all eyes that hadn't already been trained to the heated tête-à-tête turn in the direction.
Jason stepped toward his sister and Isabel moved away from the wall toward Lorena.
Lorena picked herself up and snarled but before she could do much more she was grabbed around the throat.
Godric squeezed his hand tighter around the female's neck.
"Retract. Your. Fangs," he ordered. "Now."
Lorena did as she was told. Godric did not loosen his grip on her.
"I neither know nor care who you are. In this Area I am the Authority. Do you understand this?"
Lorena's voice came out shaky.
"Yes, Sheriff."
Godric released her throat and she rubbed it. He looked back over in the direction of his child and the telepath.
"The human you were set on attacking, I know you could not be so ignorant to notice that she belongs to another vampire that is both older and stronger than you. What's more , she has proven herself to be a courageous and loyal friend to our kind. And you treat her as though she was an insect."
A look of disdain crossed his face.
"You are an old vampire, I am certain. You have had hundreds of years to better yourself. Yet you are no better than this. A savage."
He raised his voice so everyone could hear.
"I fear for us all, human and vampire, if this behavior persists."
Godric turned back to Lorena.
"She provoked me," Lorena groused.
"And you provoke me. You have disrupted the peace in my home."
He stepped closer to the female and though she was taller than him she shrank away from the look he was giving her and the sound in his voice.
"I could snap you like a twig but I have not. Why do you believe that is?"
Lorena could barely look him in the eye as she spoke.
"It is your choice."
He gave her a small smile, as though she was his pupil and had finally gotten the right answer to something.
"Indeed it is."
He called for Isabel.
"Escort her from the nest." He spoke to Lorena. "I want you out of my Area by dawn."
Isabel grabbed the younger vampire by the arm and did as her Sheriff commanded, quickly and efficiently as always.
"Jesus," Jason said. "Are you okay, Sookie?"
"I'm fine."
She spared her brother a quick look before turning her eyes back to Eric.
"Jason, can you give me a minute. I just need to talk to Eric."
Jason as always was oblivious to everything. He took words at face value and believed that Sookie was fine if she said so.
"Sure…Yeah."
Sookie made to speak but Eric stopped her.
"Not here."
There were still too many eyes on them, including Esme's, Jessica's, and Hoyt's.
They moved out into a nearby hallway.
"What the hell was that? Who was that, Eric?"
"Lorena Krasiki. Bill Compton's Maker."
Sookie shrugged in exasperation.
"Yeah, I got that much. What the hell was she doing here? The Queen didn't send her did she?"
"Seeing as how Sophie-Anne banished Lorena from her Queendom almost fifty years ago, I do not see that being a possibility."
He looked Sookie over. She was more inquisitive than fearful at the moment.
"Why would she be here then?"
"She's obsessed with Compton. Even though she released him over 70 years ago."
Eric wondered why she had ever let the other vampire go if she was so enamored of him. She was insane, so nothing she did should make any real sense. Thinking that Eric would want to help free Bill Compton in any way from the Queen just proved it.
"Lorena Krasiki is considered an animal even to her own kind. For the better part of a century she and Compton left nothing but blood and bones in their wake."
The same could be said of Eric and Pam but they at least were discreet about their killings and knew how to clean up after themselves. Like the Authority wanted.
"And she thinks you'll help her in some way?"
"Or help someone she is working for."
Like Compton, Lorena seemed to have value as a minion to those older and more powerful than herself. She was mad as a fucking hatter but she was obviously well informed by somebody.
Sookie took his hand in hers, breaking his train of thought.
"This is something bad, isn't it?"
He gave her a smile.
"It's nothing to worry about." At least for now.
Sookie shook her head.
"Every time we get out from under something, it seems something else crops up."
He let go of her hand to embrace her. He spoke into her hair.
"I promise things will get back to normal soon."
Sookie smiled.
"As normal as things can be seeing as how you don't have a pulse and I can read minds."
He was going to make a joke as well but she tensed and pulled out of his arms. She stared back down the hall toward the main room.
"What?" he asked.
"I don't know. Something's up with Jason and…"
She stopped talking and hurried back into the room.
She stopped dead a few inches from one of the couches and Eric followed.
There was a boy near the sliding glass doors calling for everybody's attention. The male, Luke McDonald apparently, unzipped his coat to reveal his upper body was covered in chains of silver, with both wooden and silver bullets hanging from them, as well as something that had a flashing red light on it.
Sookie mumbled an 'oh god' and it suddenly clicked where Eric had seen the human before: the Fellowship of the Sun Church.
…
Yep. Kept the bombing. And fit Lorena in with a bit of a peek at season 3 plotlines. Yay!
Working on the next as we speak so here's a little peek.
Blood bond will so happen in the next chapter…but it will be a little less mushy than the last two blood exchanges.
Nan Flanagan shows up. She is of course her HBIC self. I don't know how I could even make her anymore awesome than she is. Even though she was a total bitch to both Godric and Eric I still forgave her. That is how awesome the lady is.
Somebody gets a healthy dose of vampire blood…
Oh…and I guess you all get to find out whether or not I'm going to off Godric…
Yeah so maybe I'll stop typing this and go work on the next chapter.
Until next time.