PAM
After my Master dismissed us, we left the mansion, Bill, Remy and I on the premise that we were going into the city to visit some of the casinos. King de Castro's limo driver dropped us off in front of the Bellagio as we had asked.
After it disappeared around the corner, we hailed a cab and went to the memorized address. There was not much time to get what we needed and get back to the mansion.
"Do you know how we're going to get this stuff back through the gate?" Remy asked, concerned.
"Yes, I have a plan for that. Bill, we are going to need your sports jacket before we get back; yours too Remy."
They looked at me like I was daft, but I knew exactly what I was doing.
It wasn't hard to find the house in question and we asked the driver to wait for us. I knew he was nervous driving around with three vampires in his cab, and wanted to get out of there as soon as possible, but I had given him a rather large tip to stay.
We spent all but ten minutes in the house and gathered up a few swords and a couple of daggers.
Before we left to get back into the cab, I told them both to stand still.
Bill was not happy with me, and I could have cared less. I was under strict instructions and they would just have to deal with it.
"Here's the deal. I need to make it look like you two were in a fight."
They both frowned at me. "Are you serious, sugar?"
"Remy, don't call me sugar, and yes, I'm serious. Hold still."
I sized each of them up and began ripping their jackets in strategic places. "Take the jackets off."
Once they took them off, I ripped their shirts some as well. It was rare that someone understood my sense of humor, if you can call it that. So I was not surprised when they had a hard time understanding why I thought this next part was funny.
"Good. Now you two need to hit each other."
They looked at me in complete and utter shock as I laughed at their expressions. Vampires could be very expressionless when they needed to be. Then there were times like this when one need not be a telepath to know what they were thinking.
"Go on. Do it now, or I will do it for you, and you know I can."
They both looked at me and then at each other. I was surprised as hell that Bill took the first swing. I was sure Remy would.
Remy followed suit and before you knew it, they were beating the tar out of each other. I could see the bloodlust in their eyes, for it was in my eyes too. Bill definitely looked like he was working out some anger issues.
"Stop now. That's enough." They didn't hear me, so I raised my voice. "STOP!" I held out my hands between them and they threw one last punch at each other.
Most of their wounds would heal before we got back, but there was blood on their respective shirts now. Even with healed faces, they would still look like they had been in a fight.
I wrapped the swords in their jackets and slipped the daggers into my purse.
As we climbed back into the waiting cab, the driver turned and I swear he looked paler than we did. "Boys will be boys," I laughed, but he still stared at us in disbelief.
"Just drive." I glowered and gave him the address to the mansion.
As we approached the entrance, the guards stopped us. I rolled down the window and they eyed us suspiciously.
"My companions got into a tussle and we had to come back earlier than expected. We didn't want to bother calling the limo back, so we took a cab."
The lynx gave us the once over and saw the bloody torn shirts. Luckily they still had a few deep scratches on their faces, even though they would heal before the party. The lynx paused a moment and then waved to the other guard to open the gate. We were home free.
************************************
ERIC
We stood in Felipe's office waiting for him to enter. I turned to Sookie and her hands were fidgety. She was twisting her ring around her finger over and over. I stilled her hands with my own.
"Everything is going to be fine, Sookie. Just let me do the talking." I leaned over and gave her a peck on the cheek just as the door swung open and Felipe walked through.
I bowed out of respect and urged Sookie to do the same.
Felipe approached her first. "Miss Stackhouse, how wonderful it is to see you again. How have you been?"
He stopped in front of her and his mouth dropped open, literally. He looked directly at her belly and was silent for about a minute or two.
Before she could say anything, he answered his own question. "Well, I can see how you are doing."
"I'm grateful that you could take the time from your busy schedule to meet with Eric and me, sir. As you can see, I am pregnant, which is why we wanted to talk with you before the festivities this weekend."
Even though I could hear trembling in her voice, she responded perfectly. Maybe this would go better than expected.
"Come and sit down." He motioned for both of us to sit on the couch, while he sat across from us in his chair.
He looked at me rather than Sookie. "Will you explain to me what is going on?" Why was I not informed of this, Eric?"
"Please don't be mad at Eric, King de Castro. I asked him to not tell anyone. It wasn't that I wanted to keep it from you, but it was a sensitive, personal issue. There was a high risk of me having a miscarriage in the first trimester, so we waited to tell anyone until we knew the threat had passed."
I was shocked for two reasons; one -- that she would speak out like that when he was addressing me; two –- that she came up with an explanation like that so quickly. Had she been thinking about what to say all along?
"Sookie and I are getting married." I held up her hand with the ring. "I knew she wanted to have a family, but mating with a vampire, it would have been impossible for her to have children. After much discussion, we opted for the best solution, which was using a donor for an in vitro procedure."
De Castro mulled over Sookie's and my words carefully. "You would let someone else impregnate your bonded Eric? I am surprised to hear that."
"As I said, I knew how much having a family meant to Sookie, and I did not want her to have to give up that dream. It was Niall who helped us find someone. The donor is a distant relative of Niall's from a different part of his lineage. He is half human and half fairy. We thought it was best to find someone with qualities that would closely match Sookie. We meant no disrespect in keeping this from you, Felipe. As Sookie mentioned, we were not sure if the procedure would take, and wanted to wait until it was safe. It just passed recently, which is why we wanted to meet with you separately."
Felipe was very pensive about what I said. He looked like he was about to say something and then changed his mind.
"As Eric said, sir, we meant no disrespect. I have always wanted a family, and after much discussion between us, Eric agreed to the procedure. It was just a fortunate happenstance that Niall provided us with a donor. Eric and I both consider this child our own, and will raise it that way."
We sat in silence for a few minutes before he finally spoke out.
"While I am unhappy that you did not tell me this was happening, I do understand your concerns. You do realize that this is unprecedented. Eric, I believe you will be the first vampire Sheriff in the area, perhaps the country, to have a wife and a family."
A wave of relief brushed over us both, as we realized that he had bought our explanation.
"Yes, I do realize that. I am not sure if this will make us more or less of a target. I am hoping it will be the latter."
"I suppose that the offer of formal protection I am announcing Saturday evening should now extend to the child. Do you know when the birth is going to take place?"
Sookie looked like she was counting in her head. "Sometime at the end of summer/early fall. Unfortunately, these things can never be exact. I know it is an honor for you to announce your protection of me. I am grateful that you have decided to include our baby."
"Miss Stackhouse, you have served the vampires well, and will continue to serve us in the future. I do expect that when the child is born, you will inform me if it has inherited any of your abilities."
"Of course, King de Castro. As soon as we know if anything manifests, we will let you know."
While we were talking, I was reading between the lines of conversation. I knew that Felipe did not know about Victor's machinations. I still debated whether to Felipe or not about his whereabouts last night, and wanted to do this alone.
"Felipe, there is something I would like to speak to you about privately." I turned to look at Sookie, hoping she would excuse herself.
"Of course, Eric. Miss Stackhouse, you are excused. Again, my sincere congratulations."
He stood to bid her goodbye, but she just sat there. "My apologies, sir, but I believe I know what Eric wishes to discuss with you. I would like to stay since it involves me."
I was not sure if he was angry, but he was definitely annoyed. He turned toward me for answers. "Eric?"
I was disappointed and I knew she could feel it, but instead of chastising her for being stubborn, I conceded. Perhaps it would be better if she were here to corroborate the events.
"If you would like to stay Sookie, you may. Yes, this does have something to do with you, and I should have assumed that you would want to be here when I told Felipe."
Felipe sat back down in his chair. "Someone needs to tell me what is going on right now." He was getting mad, which was not good for us. I started by asking a simple question.
"Felipe, were you aware that Victor came to Shreveport as the investigator after my child's kidnapping?"
"Yes. He spoke to me about it just before he left. Sandy was going to send another investigator, but for some reason, Victor felt it was necessary to go instead."
"Did he tell you why he chose to come himself, sir?" I flashed a frown at Sookie for interrupting and gave her hand a gentle squeeze.
"I was wondering the same thing Felipe." I said in order to cover her faux pas. Sookie should have remembered that this was one of those times when she was to submit to my wishes and not her own.
"Frankly, it is not for you to question who is sent, only that someone was being sent. I did not care if it was Victor or anyone else. What is your interest with Victor, Eric?"
I felt Sookie's hand begin to shake and I gave her a reassuring smile.
"May I ask where Victor is this evening?" I was hoping Felipe would say Shreveport, but I imagine that was not where he was supposed to be.
"He is away. He has been conducting business in Reno for the past several days and will be returning tomorrow evening for our meeting. What is this all about?"
I heard Sookie take a deep breath and start to speak. "Maybe I should tell you what I have observed and what happened to me last night."
Felipe listened intently as Sookie explained her feelings of being watched, and the car that was following her. I felt a mix of disgust, anxiety, and courage flowing from her as she told him about last night. I knew she was struggling to find the right words that would not embarrass her, when she told Felipe that someone was touching her intimately, like a lover would do. She said that she assumed it was me, but that it couldn't have been because I had called from the bar. That is when I intervened. She had been through enough and did not need to rehash every sickening detail.
"When Sookie explained her feelings of being touched, I made her lock herself in my office until I got home. As I entered the house and consequently our bedroom, I knew another vampire had been there. I identified the scent immediately once I reached the bed. It was Victor's scent. I trailed it out the back door and down to the dock behind our house where it disappeared."
Felipe's face was paler than I had ever seen. "Are you telling me that Victor committed laid his hands on your bonded? Eric, you realize that this is a grievous offense you are accusing Victor of."
We both nodded in agreement. Felipe's eye dilated with controlled rage. "Miss Stackhouse, I am sorry that you had to endure that. If you would please leave, I must discuss certain matters with Eric."
"Yes, I understand. Eric, I'll meet you back in the room when you are done." She got up and bowed a bit awkwardly before leaving.
*************************************
SOOKIE
When the door shut behind me, I breathed a huge sigh of relief. Firstly, because Felipe had accepted our explanation of how I became pregnant. Secondly, because I had gotten through telling him about Victor's crime without breaking down.
Whatever they had to discuss I was glad to have left. I'm sure Eric would tell me later what was to become of Victor.
Instead of going right back to the room, I decided to wander and check out where the cocktail party was going to be. People were scurrying all around me putting final touches on tables and adding last minute decorations.
I turned to leave and one of the workers practically ran me down. "Oh, excuse me Miss. I'm sorry, I didn't see you there." He had a huge bouquet of flowers in his hands.
When he set them down next to us, the first thing I noticed was the logo on his shirt, E(E)E. I should have realized. Who else would a vampire with clout like the King call when he wanted to throw a fancy shindig? I didn't have to wait long for my answer.
I saw Quinn out of the corner of my eye. He was too busy to notice me, having to oversee the final touches on tonight's event. He still looked as good as ever, but with a wearied look on his face. Quinn was a few inches taller than Eric, but much broader in the shoulders, and he had a shaved head. I guess you almost expected him to have a physique like that since he turned into a tiger.
His back suddenly stiffened as if he picked up on something, and his head turned toward my direction. Luckily, I was still hidden by the idiot who almost knocked me over. That gave me ample opportunity to slink backwards into the room across from me. I just hoped no one was in there.
Not that I needed to hide from Quinn, but I didn't feel like hearing him call me babe, nor did I want him to ask me how I got pregnant, and if I was still dating vampires, yada, yada, yada.
I listened toward the darkness of the room, and thankfully, I was alone. I flipped on the light and saw I was in another office. At the moment, I didn't care whose office it was. It was providing me an escape from having to explain my condition once again.
I wandered over to the heavily curtained windows behind a beautiful antique wooden desk. The curtains looked like black velvet, and I knew they were heavy enough to block out any daylight. I peeked out the window and there was a lovely little flower garden with a couple of benches. There was a door to the right of the curtains which lead to the garden. In another time and situation, it might have been nice to bring a book there during the day and read.
Pushing the curtains shut, I turned on my heels and as I passed it, I casually glanced down at the desk. I stopped short and backed up, glancing down again.
My eyes widened and a flash of fear brushed my subconscious as I realized I was in the one office I shouldn't be in…Victor's.
It was his signature that caught my eye as I walked past. A wave of relief passed over me when I remembered Felipe saying that Victor would not be back until tomorrow evening. Curiosity got the better of me, though, and I sat down in the chair and snooped. There was no other word to describe what I was doing, except snooping.
I sifted through a few pieces of paper on the desk, but nothing jumped out at me. There were drawers on either side of the desk, so I tried opening them. The top left one opened up, but there were only office supplies in there. All the others on that side were locked. I tried opening the ones on the right and most of them were locked as well. I did manage to open the middle one.
I flipped through the paperwork, trying not to disturb anything I touched. I was just about to give up on finding anything that would incriminate Victor on something shady, when the last file folder caught my attention. The label on it read simply S.S. I pulled it out and laid it on the desk, opening it up.
My hand went over my mouth, and I don't know if I was shocked, angry, disgusted, or a combination of all of them. All I knew was that Victor had definitely gone way too far, further than any of us had suspected. I gathered up the file and was about to get up when I heard a noise behind me and a breeze at my back.
I jumped up with the file in my hand and ran around to the other side of the desk just in time to miss a pair of hands reaching for my shoulders. Well, they were more like claws than hands. I stumbled against the visitor chair and spun around.
There he was, half glaring at me for being in his private sanctuary, half savoring the fact that he probably had me right where he wanted me.
"Miss Stackhouse, I would say it was a pleasure to see you, if it not for the fact that I just caught you rifling through my private files."
I was stunned to say the least. I had been caught, yes; but he hadn't been expected back until tomorrow evening. The only word that came to mind was crap!
I tried to think of something to say, and the first thing that popped into my head was, "Victor, I didn't realize this was your office. I was just looking for a phone to use to make a private call."
Okay that was a lame excuse, and I could see he knew it. "I see. Is there a problem with your cell phone?" He was eyeing my small clutch purse and the file still in my hands.
"Um, yes, actually. I forgot to charge it, so it's dead." Of course it was just my luck that the blasted thing went off announcing I had a text message.
"It seems to be working fine to me." He took a few steps towards me. "Now, why don't we sit down and you can tell me the real reason you're here…and why you have one of my files in your hand?"
I stood still, trying to think of my next move. Maybe I should have taken less time than I did because it gave Victor momentum he needed to reach out and grab my free arm.
"Why don't we cut to the chase, shall we?"
I tried wrenching my arm out of his hand, but it was impossible. Even the youngest vampire was stronger than the average human. "What are you talking about, Victor?"
"Don't play dumb with me. You are far more intelligent than that. Judging by the look on your face, you know what is in that file, hmm?"
I took a deep breath. I was tired of this. I was tired of being intimidated by this person or that person. I was tired of being in danger, of fearing for my life, of everything. Victor had just stepped on my last nerve.
"Victor, I don't know what kind of game you are playing with me, but it's going to stop right now. I know you had me followed. I know what you did to me last night in Eric's house. My brain has been trying to wrap itself around why you would do all this. Seeing this file, it just confirms my thoughts that you are a twisted and perverted vampire who deserves nothing less than final death."
Victor released my arm in sheer astonishment at my words. Whatever he was expecting me to say, it wasn't that. In fact, I was a little astounded myself. But in that moment I found my chance to try to get away. I ran towards the door, but Victor must have recovered quickly as well. He jumped at me from behind and grabbed hold of my arms which caused me to drop the folder
Something again deep inside of me took over. As if by instinct, I stomped on Victor's foot with my two-inch spiked heel. He reeled back, still holding me, but I felt his grip lessen somewhat. I bent myself to the left and shoved my elbow back as hard as I could.
"Oof." Victor released me and stumbled backwards, but didn't fall. He shook his head and his steely eyes bore into me. His fangs were fully extended and he charged for me.
I reached out my right hand and arm and made a sweeping motion, sending him spiraling back into and over his desk. Without thinking I flung my hand again and pushed the desk against the windows.
I reached down and picked up the file and ran as fast as I could out of the office and down the hall. I needed to find Eric, fast. Heck, I would just like to find anyone from Shreveport at this point, but I knew the rest of them had gone out to the city.
Victor was catching up to me fast and as I rounded the corner, I ran straight into Sandy.
"Miss Stackhouse, what's the meaning of this?" She looked put out that I had almost caused her to fall on her butt.
"I'm so sorry. I have to get out of here, now."
As I made a break for it again, Victor rounded right behind me and ran into her too. This time, I noticed she did fall on her butt, but I couldn't stop. I had to keep going. If Victor caught up to me, there was no telling what he would do to me.
I stretched my mind out to Eric and hoped he could find me. It wasn't long before we ended up back in the grand foyer leading up to our rooms. I made the mistake of looking back and tripped over the Persian rug in the middle of the floor. I didn't fall, and the only thing that saved me from crashing my belly directly into the wall was my arms.
The file slipped from my hands and scattered all over the floor. I twisted around and Victor was there in an instant, pinning me to the wall.
His face was millimeters from mine, and he hissed at me. "I know what's inside of you. You can't fool me. Come with me, and I will keep your little secret. All you have to do is say yes, and no vampire will ever know the killer that you're going to unleash on the world."
"You're mad. You're insane if you think I'll ever go anywhere with you. What you did to me last night was beyond depravity."
Victor just laughed in my face and his tongue ran down my jawline to my neck. By then we heard voices coming down the hallway at a hastened pace. Victor's head jerked up and his fang accidentally scraped my chin hard enough to cause blood to trickle down.
He spun us around so he was behind me, but I was still pinned in his grip. His left hand had my left hand pinned behind my back and his right circled around mine. I saw that he had pulled a knife out from somewhere and was pressing it into my stomach.
The voices grew louder until three bodies appeared before us -– Eric, Felipe, and Sandy.
"Victor, what do you think you are doing?" I could see Felipe was seething.
"Come one step closer and I'll kill her."
Eric's eyes settled on the blood that was dripping from my chin. His rage was reaching a boiling point and I could feel every molecule of it. I think it was affecting my blood pressure because I was feeling light-headed and dizzy.
I swayed back and forth in Victor's grasp. "Don't do it, bitch. Don't you dare faint on me. I'll kill you if you do."
"Victor, put the knife down and let Miss Stackhouse go."
Eric took a step forward, but Felipe cautioned him back. Although it was Eric's right to come after Victor, we were in Felipe's house. It would be better for all of us if he took charge of the situation.
Eric knew that as well, but he didn't like it. He wanted Victor dead by his own hands, and I could see how hard it was for him to relinquish control of the situation to Felipe.
As scared as I was, I was trying to keep a level head about everything. I kept looking around the room for different objects I could use. If only I could free one of my hands.
There wasn't much of anything for me to use, that is, until I looked up and saw the crystal chandelier. The sharp glass points might not kill him, but it would wound him enough for someone else to finish the job.
I looked at Eric and then up to the chandelier. I did this a few times until he understood what I was trying to say. He shook his head no.
I was just praying that the baby and I would not be too hurt. It was either this, or let Victor stab me. I saw no other choice. Victor was not going to back down and neither were they. There was no way they were going to let Victor and I leave this room.
By now, more people had come into the foyer and were surrounding us, including some of Felipe's guards, and Bill, Pam and Remy.
"Eric…"
"Shut up." Victor pressed the knife a little harder into my stomach.
"Sookie, don't do it." Eric was pleading with his eyes, but I saw no other way.
"Everyone is going to back out of here, slowly, and she and I are leaving."
I could see from the mirror on the wall that Victor's eyes were wild looking. He urged me forward until we were almost in the middle of the room. I looked at all my friend's faces. Everyone had their fangs out and was poised to attack.
"Get back everyone, please!" I begged frantically. I knew what was coming and I didn't want anyone else to get hurt.
"Miss Stackhouse…" I looked over at Felipe, "Please."
Everyone seemed to sense something bad was about to happen because they all took a few steps backwards, except Eric.
I closed my eyes for a moment and tried to take a few deep breaths. It wasn't exactly easy with a knife pressed against you.
When I opened them back up, they were glowing white. People jumped back even further at the sight of me. I began shaking and somehow managed to wriggle my right arm out from Victor's grasp. Since he had the knife in his hand, he wasn't concerned so much with pinning it to my body.
I tilted my head up toward the chandelier and stretched my arm above me. At first no one knew what to make of the scene playing out before them. As the chandelier began to shake and tremble, they realized that it was going to come down. Finally, they all started backing up against the walls…again all except for Eric.
He just stared at me and kept shaking his head no. I knew he was trying to figure out some other way to help me, but I didn't want both of us to get hurt. I whisked my hand gently in front of me and Eric slid backwards a couple of feet.
Victor was trying to figure out what was going on, since he couldn't see my face. He reached up to grab my hand to pull it down, but it was too late. No one said anything for several minutes, but they all heard it, we all heard it. It was the unmistakable cracking sound that something big was about to fall.
A couple of the crystal shards broke off and plummeted towards us. I tried directing them toward Victor, hoping that I wasn't going to get too hurt in the process. I just wanted this to be over with.
A few human workers were screaming, but I couldn't break my concentration. The first shard struck Victor's left shoulder and he flinched. He still wouldn't let go of me though. Another crystal sliced through his white shirt and imbedded itself into his shoulder and he cried out in pain, finally releasing my arm.
I reached up with my now free hands and grabbed at the chandelier. I needed it all to come down. Even with the knife still pressing into my belly, I curled my hands as if I was grabbing the base of the massive piece and yanked down as hard as I could.
In some respects, it felt like one of those movies that show everything in slow motion, when in reality, it was only a few seconds.
Victor looked up in agony as glass pieces jingled and crashed together, shattering towards our heads. Instead of pushing me out of the way, he pulled me against him. If he was going to finally die, he was taking me with him. I leaned forward and threw my hands over my head clutching my hair at the base of my neck. Protect my body and my head; protect my body and my head. That's the only thing that was going through my mind.
I felt another pair of arms reach for my elbows and pull me forward.
Victor was not letting go and so we both ended up stumbling forward.
I could feel pieces of glass slicing down my bare shoulders. The pain was searing and I cried out. In one moment I felt like my body was on fire, and the next moment nothing.
**********************************
ERIC
I begged her not to do it, but once she had something in mind there was no stopping her. I watched, feeling utterly helpless as she stretched out both of her arms and yanked down.
The chandelier began tumbling downwards, the crystals clinking and smashing together. She would be cut to pieces if I did not do something. I watched as she leaned forward to protect her head and her body It was my only chance.
I grabbed her elbows and pulled her to me. Victor was not letting go, and he came with her. She screamed as glass slid down over her bare shoulders, and then she fainted. Fortunately, Victor was over her back and took the worst of it.
I watched as he wriggled around on the ground among broken shards, wiring, and metal. His white dress shirt was beginning to stain with dark splotches of red, and I knew he was bleeding out. The vampires in the room, including me, could not help but be aroused by the blood seeping onto the floor.
Felipe was the first one to step forward. Victor looked up at him in terror and anguish. As hurt as he was, he was cowering backwards. But he was not quick enough. I watched as Felipe bent down and took Victor's head in his hands. I swear I saw Victor smirking at me just before Felipe twisted his neck. We all heard the snap, and Victor's body went limp.
Apparently this was not enough for him though. One of the guards handed him their sword and he kicked Victor over onto this back. Felipe ran him through the heart with the steel blade.
We all watched as he disintegrated before our eyes. When Victor was nothing but ash, Felipe turned to me and finally spoke.
"She needs medical attention. Take her back up to your room and I will send for the doctor. Then you and I need to speak."
Whatever the consequences, Sookie and the baby needed tending to first. I laid her on her side on the bed, since she was not able to lie on her stomach anymore. I had just gotten her situated when there was a knock at the door.
I opened it and Dr. Ludwig was standing there with her bag in hand. "Where is she?"
"She is over here. I do not think the glass penetrated deep enough to cause a lot of damage." I guided her into the bedroom.
"Humpf. I'll be the judge of that."
She looked over Sookie's back with careful attention. Then she pulled out some large pinchers. "Fetch me some wet and dry towels. Hurry vampire."
I came back in a few seconds with what she requested, and she had already begun to pull out pieces of broken glass from the wounds. It did not take her long, and she took the cloths from me.
She wiped the wounds clean and patted them dry before dripping some liquid into them. "This will help prevent infection. Nasty bit of luck with glass. You can never be too sure what they'll do to flesh and bone."
Before I could say anything, there was another knock at the door. This time Felipe was standing there with another doctor.
"Ah, Sabrina, come in." Dr. Ludwig looked at me. "This is Sabrina Douchet. She is a colleague here in Vegas, and will check Miss Stackhouse's fetus for any complications."
Felipe excused himself and told me he would be waiting in his office for me when I was done.
The other doctor went around the bed and began by chanting something in what appeared to be Creole French. She put her hands on Sookie's belly and Dr Ludwig glared at me to not interfere. The woman continued mumbling and rocking back and forth until she finally removed her hands.
She looked over at both of us, "The baby has not been harmed, although it is feeling distress from the evening's events. I would suggest she stay in the room tonight and get plenty of rest. She will need it."
"I agree." Dr. Ludwig came over to me. "I can bandage her up if you like, but I assume you'll want to take care of that yourself. She would heal more quickly with your blood."
"Yes, I will take care of that. Thank you for coming."
"Don't thank me. I'll send you my bill in the mail. I will also include Dr. Douchet's services as well."
I nodded in agreement as they both vanished from the room.
I needed to get down to Felipe's office, but first I had to heal Sookie. As I lay down with her back to me, I could hear her breaths were deep and even. Good. This might be painful to her and I did not want her to feel anymore pain.
I pierced two of my fingers with my fang and gently ran them across the big and small wounds on her shoulders. Since she already had my blood in her, they began knitting themselves together fairly quickly.
Once they were healed to my satisfaction, I went about stripping her of her dress and redressing her in one of the new nightgowns I bought for her. I tucked her under the covers and called Pam to the room.
"I need to meet with Felipe. You will watch her until I return."
"Of course, Master."
______________________________
Felipe was sitting behind his desk when I was given entrance into his office.
"Sit down Eric. We obviously have more to discuss." I bowed politely and took a seat one of the two visitor's chairs.
"Do you have anything to say to me?"
Truth is always the best in these types of situations. "Sookie has acquired a new ability. She is telepathic, as you know. However, not long ago one of her fairy abilities came to light. She is now telekinetic."
"Yes, I saw that for myself. Eric, do you enjoy keeping things from me? Because you seem to be keeping a lot of things from me lately. I am, ah, disappointed. And I do not like to be disappointed in my employees…especially ones that work as hard and as well as you do."
Without letting me answer, he pushed a file toward me. I opened it and some of the papers had little tears in them, presumably where glass had cut into them. I scanned each document carefully, as well as several photos.
"Victor was having her followed and photographed?"
"I must tell you, I have not been pleased with Victor for quite some time. He has been very secretive and scheming. I believe he was trying to gain favor in order to oust me from my position. The final feather in his cap, I believe that is the phrase, would have been to acquire Miss Stackhouse for his own. Despite all that, I cannot ignore what is in this file."
It was all there. Somehow, Victor had gotten hold of her medical records from Dr. Sullivan, including the sonogram photo. Also, he had pictures of her at the dojo while she and Eva were practicing.
"Now, would you care to explain to me again how Miss Stackhouse became pregnant, or do I have to resort to other methods for the information?"
Before I could answer, there was a knock at the door. In a clearly agitated voice, Felipe bellowed, "Enter."
It was one of the guards. "A Niall Brigant is here to see you, your majesty."
"By all means, send him in. Perhaps we will finally get to the truth of all this." Felipe looked eager to see him. I was not.
Niall strode through the door and greeted Felipe properly. He acknowledged my presence, but barely. Niall was offered the seat next to me.
For the next hour, all three of us sat there and rehashed the lies and concealment that had occurred. Felipe just sat there with an expression that would have rivaled stone.
I was surprised that Niall took full responsibility for the lie about how Sookie was with child. I was impressed by his words, but that did not diminish my part in the deception.
"Eric, you may leave, but do not go far. I wish to speak to Niall alone for a moment."
I bowed before walking out the door, but instead of going anywhere, I rested against the wall further down the hall. So many scenarios went through my head of what Felipe could do to me or to Sookie. My plan for Victor and her safety was nullified, but that did not mean we were completely out of danger.
I cannot recall how long I was waiting, but I was summoned back into the office. I bowed again, not forgetting where I was, and again sat in my seat next to Niall.
Felipe drummed his fingers on his desk as if pondering his next sentences carefully.
"Niall has explained everything. While I appreciate his honesty, it does not take away the fact that you kept all this from me. I do not have time to deal with your punishment for your actions at the moment. But rest assured there will be consequences."
"Whatever you decide." I had no choice. I just hoped it would be quick.
"I am disappointed in your actions, Eric, but I do understand your reasoning. I am not without compassion. You will not be able to hide her new ability from others. Too many people saw her use it this evening and word will spread whether I want it to or not."
"I understand. We knew at some point it would come to light."
Felipe pointed to the file still open on his desk. "Victor was planning on using this new ability to his advantage. Unfortunately, it worked against him, to his final detriment."
We all nodded in agreement.
"Now, about the child. Once you learned it was a dhampir, you should have informed me immediately. After much negotiating with Niall, I have decided on the following action. I will not reveal the true parentage of the child. I will not needlessly put myself or others in my employ in jeopardy. I will still afford Miss Stackhouse my formal protection. However, I cannot in all consciousness, extend it to the child. To that end, Niall has said he will extend his own protection to the child once it is born.
"To that end, I believe Niall and I have a cocktail party to attend. Eric, I will excuse you from your obligations this evening to attend to your bonded. However, your retinue is expected to attend."
I bid him good evening and walked back toward our room. In order to get there I had to pass through the foyer where the incident had occurred. There was no trace of glass on the floor; however, the ceiling had a big gaping hole where the base of the chandelier rested.
I entered the bedroom and excused Pam to join the others in my stead. After removing my clothes and putting them back in the bag, I slid in behind her and wrapped my arms around her.
I was in downtime until I felt her stir. "Eric?"
"I am right here, lover." I pulled her against me.
"Ouch!" I saw her wince with pain.
"Sorry, I know you are sore. Can you sit up?" I tried coaxing her up.
She winced again. "Yeah, I think I can."
I sat up and pulled her between my legs. "I want you to drink from me. Dr. Ludwig was here and attended to your cuts. I was able to heal them earlier with my blood, but this will heal you more and will help you regain your strength."
I bit into my wrist and offered it to her. Without hesitation she closed her mouth around it and drank deeply. As hard as I fought it, my arousal was straining against my boxers. But this was not the time for anything physical.
As the blood flow almost stopped, she gave it one last lick and rested back into me gently. I also gave the wound a few licks to heal it.
"I guess we missed the party, huh." She turned her gaze upwards to look at me.
I stroked her hair. "I do not care. Besides, Felipe excused us for the evening." We sat in silence for a few minutes.
"So, are you going to tell me what happened or are we going to play twenty questions?" She entwined her one hand with mine.
"Play what?" I did not know that turn of phrase.
"Never mind. I'll explain it later. Just tell me what happened and how I ended up here in bed? Please tell me the baby is okay!"
I relented and told her everything that happened, including the discussions I had with Felipe and Niall. I could have kept that part out of it, but I knew Niall would talk to her about it eventually. Better that she heard it from me now, than someone else later. The only thing I did not reveal was the punishment I was to receive tomorrow.
"I'm just glad it's all over with. Or is it?" She looked a bit worried.
"I have to think it is, for now. Considering our luck though, there is always going to be trouble lurking around the corner. You should get some rest. I have something special planned for you tomorrow morning and I would like to have you well rested."
"Really? What is it?"
"If I told you, it would not be a surprise, would it?" I laughed at her feeble attempt to get to me let slip my plans, and kissed the back of her head.
She laughed as she slipped down under the covers again and closed her eyes. Yes, tomorrow would be a very eventful day…for both of us.
*******************************
SOOKIE
When I woke up the next morning, I felt better than I had over the last few days. My shoulders were stiff, but there was no pain.
I sat up and stretched and yawned. Eric was lying next to me completely still as usual. I was so tempted to just curl back up next to him and sleep for a few centuries, but then I remembered his words from last night. He had something special planned for me this morning.
I swung my feet over the edge of the bed and stood up, shuffling my way to the bathroom. After taking care of my needs, I washed my hands and face. When I looked up, there was a note attached to the mirror.
Lover,
Last night did not go as expected, but the result was nearly the same. I am sorry you had to go through all that, but I cannot be upset that Victor met his final end. I have ordered breakfast for you, and someone will be here to pick you up at 10:00am. Dress casually
All my love.
E
Hmm, cryptic but sweet. That was Eric. I heard a knock at the door and threw on my robe. Luckily there was a living room area separate from the bedroom, so I didn't have to disturb Eric by opening the door and letting light in.
One of the servants wheeled in a cart for me and left. Eric outdid himself this time. Breakfast was wonderful. There was fresh fruit, French toast with syrup, fresh squeezed orange juice, my special drink, and yogurt with fruit and granola. No way could I even finish all of it. What was he thinking?
Now that I felt stuffed, I showered and brushed my teeth. I threw on a pair of jeans and a blouse just as there was another knock at the door.
This time it was one of Felipe's daytime people, who informed me that the limo was waiting for me. I grabbed my jacket and followed her to the carport. "Well, here goes nothing." I muttered under my breath.
Since I wasn't very familiar with Vegas, I had no idea where we were going. So I don't mind telling you I was completely blown away when we pulled up in front of Spa Bellagio.
As soon as I stepped through the front doors, I was treated like royalty. Eric had gotten me something called the spa splendor package. They told me that although it included their famous Watsu massage, since I was pregnant, they substituted the expecting mother massage. I didn't care what they substituted it with, as long as it was a massage.
First came the massage. Talk about heaven. Any aches and pains I was experiencing seemed to melt away. In between treatments, I stayed in the meditation room, relaxing to soothing music, and was given anything I wanted to drink or snack on…that was healthy of course.
Next came the hand, foot, and scalp treatment. Wow, I didn't know how much more of this I could take. It was shear unadulterated torturous bliss. The last treatment was a gentle exfoliation and body polish. I was glowing so much, if you turned off the lights, you could probably stand next to me and read.
Finally a break came in the form of lunch. I had cold chicken breast on a salad bed, with a pineapple slice on top, some Hawaiian crackers, and very fresh fruit.
I was so relaxed when I stepped out of there and back into the waiting limo, that I might have collapse from jello arms and legs before I got there. I was whisked back to the mansion in no time at all.
By the time I got back to the room, it was mid afternoon. I was feeling so relaxed that all I wanted to do was crawl into bed and take a nap.
Eric would be rising in a few hours and he would have to go to his meeting. If it didn't last all evening, I hoped that maybe we could go to one of the casinos or something. I wasn't a gambling woman by nature, but when in Rome. I removed all my clothes and threw on a sleep t and slid in next to Eric for a much deserved nap.
******************************
ERIC
I turned over in bed and my arm brushed against something warm. My eyes popped open and I was staring directly into my lover's face. She always looked beautiful, but she looked especially so after her day at the spa. I knew it was the exact thing she needed.
Not wanting her to wake up just yet, I carefully slipped out of bed. I had to be down in Felipe's chambers in about a half hour. Not bothering to shower yet, I pulled my hair back into a low ponytail and washed up a bit. I put on a pair of black pants and a button down red silk shirt. Before I left, I set Sookie's alarm and left her another note.
Felipe's meeting chamber was next to his office. As I got there, I greeted some of the other Sheriffs from Louisiana and Nevada. There were only a few missing, and once they had sauntered in, Felipe began the meeting.
Most of it was boring drivel that I had heard before, but I tried to look interested. Felipe also told them of Victor's disloyalty to both his kingdom and to my bonded, and that he had met his final death as his sentence.
This was the perfect segue into my punishment. He did not go into too much specifics, except to say that I had been disloyal by concealing important information from him, and it was information that could have brought harm to him and to an asset of his. My reprimand was 10 lashes with the silver whip.
I stood up and walked over to a small staging area to the right of the room. I removed my shirt and folded it over a nearby empty chair. The expression on my face was like granite. I wanted everyone in that room to know that I had accepted what I was about to receive and I was not going to cower from it.
Two vampires entered from a side door and pulled down two ropes from the ceiling. They looped each rope around my wrists and pulled tight, so I was immobile and lifted onto my toes.
A third vampire came into the room wearing large gloves and carrying the whip in question. It looked like a cat that was used on pirate ships long ago.
Felipe stood in front of the others. "Hear me now, I do not tolerate any amount of disloyalty or deception in my kingdom. What Eric Northman did was an offense against me and he was judged by me. Ten lashes to be served out immediately."
He sat down on his throne facing the other Sheriffs and turned toward me.
I braced myself as the vampire whipped his arm forward and the silver struck my back. My body jerked forward in response, but I did not say a word. The arm whipped forward again and my body reacted the same way.
The expression on my face never changed. I could have screamed out, but I would not give anyone the satisfaction of seeing me react to the pain. Lashes three, four and five were swift, but equally as hard.
Thankfully, by then, the first welt had already begun to heal. However, each subsequent lash was reopening parts of the previous slashes.
By the seventh lash, the unmistakable odor of burned flesh wafted through the air. Some of the younger Sheriffs were wide-eyed that I had not flinched even a little.
I was tempted to retreat into downtime, but instead I retreated to a place in my mind I knew I was safe from harm or pain. I never felt lash eight and nine. When the last lash hit my back, it was harder than the others had been, and drew me out of that peaceful place.
It was then that I grimaced from the pain. It was the only expression my stone-like face had shown through the entire ordeal.
After it was over, I was released from my bondage and allowed to gather my shirt and leave. On my way back to the room, I stopped in the foyer and looked over my shoulder at my back. Most of the welts had healed and turned into pink lines. The last few were on their way to healing. Thank God that was over. I was now on to more pleasant events.
****************************
SOOKIE
I heard Eric leave the room. He thought I was asleep, but I woke up not long after he got out of bed. I didn't want him to think he had woken me up, so I stayed in there until he left.
I rolled over and shut off the alarm and picked up his note.
My love,
I hope you enjoyed your spa day. I have more surprises in store for you this evening. Please call this extension when you get up. I have laid out something for you to wear tonight. I hope you like it. The limo will pick you up in two hours. Please be ready. Until later, my lover.
E
Extension 237
Of course I loved my spa day. It was just what I needed. Throwing on a pair of sleep shorts, I dialed the extension on the note. A woman answered and when I told her who I was, she said she would be right up.
I wasn't really dressed for company, but I didn't have time to change, so I threw my robe on over my sleep clothes. When I pulled my robe off the chair in the bedroom, that's when I noticed the garment bag carefully laying over the back of it. It was the same garment back that had a lock on it. The one Eric said was a surprise.
A knock at the door told me the woman was here. She was a tall blond vampire with her hair pulled back into a ponytail. She was wearing casual clothes and some kind of smock. Another, shorter, brunette female vampire followed behind her with a large case in her hands.
Fleur, the blond, sat me down and told me she was here to do my hair. She had a very pronounced French accent as she spoke. Marianne was the brunette and she was here to do my makeup, nails, and toenails. She spoke with a plain American accent. It was nothing I could recognize to tell where she was from. Apparently I had no say in how I wanted anything tonight, as it had all been arranged.
Marianne got started on my toenails and fingernails, while Fleur combed through my hair. By the time Marianne got to my makeup, Fleur was just about done fixing my hair into a French twist. My nails were painted a light pink color, and my makeup was done very subtle to bring out my natural skin tone. The final touches were put on my hair when Athena weaved baby's breath through the twist. She also left a couple of tendrils surrounding my face.
Just before they left, Fleur turned to me and handed me a small key. I knew immediately what it went to. I shut the door and practically ran back into the bedroom. My fingers trembled as I unlocked the zippers and tossed the lock aside.
Why I was nervous to see what was inside, I don't know? Eric had already given me so much; I couldn't imagine what it was. I hung the bag on the hook inside the closet door, and slowly unzipped it.
As the garment bag fell to the floor, I stumbled back and dropped down onto the bed. I was definitely shaking all over now. No, no, no. It couldn't be. He wouldn't have.
I stared at the dress more. But he did. I fought back the tears, not wanting to ruin my just done makeup and took some deep breaths.
I was then startled by a voice coming from the doorway. "I'm here to help you, and it looks like I'm just in time."
I snapped my head around to see Pam standing there in a beautiful pale blue dress with a deep v in front and matching shoes.
"Pam, is this for real?"
She smirked. "As real as it is going to get. Now, let's get moving. We don't have much time."
She held out a strapless bra and matching lace panties for me. "I'm not changing in front of you Pam."
She sniggered. "Well, then go into the bathroom and do it, but do it quickly."
She handed me a pair of scissors. "What are these for?"
"I don't intend for you to mess up your hair, so you will have to cut your t-shirt off. You should have worn something button down."
I looked surprised that she would even suggest that.
"It's either that or I rip it off." She licked her slightly extended fangs.
In a huff I grabbed the undergarments and scissors and went into the bathroom. I hated to ruin a perfectly good sleep shirt, but it was either that or my hair. A few minutes later, I came back out wearing them and carrying a cut shirt.
She sat me down and helped me slip into a pair of thigh high stockings. I stepped into a garter belt and she fastened it to the stockings.
"Sookie, stop fussing. We're almost done." She pulled out something from her purse and handed it to me. I knew what it was and put it exactly where it needed to be.
"I can't help it. I'm so nervous."
"Well don't be. You look beautiful…for a pregnant human."
I rolled my eyes. "Oh, thanks Pam. I appreciate that."
She carefully lowered the dress over my head and made sure it was straight. She then handed me another Tiffany box. I was going to have to talk to Eric about buying such expensive jewelry for me, but now was not the time.
The box contained a platinum necklace with a drop pendant of four round pink sapphires alternated with smaller round diamonds. The earrings were smaller versions of the pendant. I slipped into a pair of off-white low heeled shoes and stood in front of the mirror.
It was a simple but elegant off-white strapless dress. It was made of some kind of silky material. The high bodice was accentuated with braiding made of Swarovski crystals. Just staring in the mirror made me want to cry again.
"Please don't start leaking. I don't want to have to tell my Master that your makeup was ruined because I let you leak all over the place."
I shook my head at Pam. "Okay, I promise not to leak." I fought back the tears again and she handed me a little off-white clutch purse just as we were leaving.
Once situated in the limo, I had to ask her. "Did you know he was going to do this?"
"Of course. Who do you think helped him get everything together? He forbade me to tell you anything about it, and I could not disobey him."
We sat in comfortable silence until finally, the limo stopped. Pam was out like light lightening and opening up my door to help me get out.
As I looked up, I saw the neon sign above the door beckoning me to enter. I was happy to do so, since I knew what waited for me beyond the door.
Pam and I entered into the small lobby and we were greeted by a middle-aged woman with a smile on her face a mile wide.
"Excuse me Sookie, I need to join Remy and Bill now."
Oh my God, Remy and Bill were here too? Was I the only one that didn't know about this?
There was no time to ponder everything that was happening. Just as Pam left, the woman handed me a bouquet of ivory and pink silk flowers. I heard a familiar song playing from the other side of a closed door.
"It's time my dear."
The woman opened the door and I finally got my first look at Eric. He was standing at the end of the aisle in one of his new Armani tuxedos. Now I understood what he meant when he said he needed two tuxedos, and my lips curled into a smile as I slowly marched toward him.
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AN: I have added a picture of her dress, engagement ring, and the diamond and sapphire necklace and earrings to my profile page.