Erikson

Chapter Twenty-Five

Eric…

I rose to Sookie praying at the foot of our bed, her blond head bowed, hands clasped tightly together, her shoulders slumped.

"The healers are here," She whispered evenly, she didn't have much hope left to believe in a miracle.

"Good," I murmured kissing her forehead. I showered, dressed and was slipping on my shoes when Pam knocked at the door.

"They're ready downstairs," she called. I held my hand out to Sookie who grabbed it. I squeezed lightly and lead her down the staircase. We stepped into the living room, our emotions on edge. Pam stood across from Erikson her expression unsure and hostile. A clear example of just how much she has grown to care for Erikson. I could feel her worry and concern through our bond.

I smirked as Erikson mouthed to Pam "I'm fine, stop posturing." Erikson stood in the middle of some large runes drawn with something I couldn't place. He was in nothing but a pair of athletic shorts.

Pam flipped him off then turned her attention to the woman who was trying to talk to her. Pam shook her head and stepped to the back corner of the room, listening rapidly as the woman spoke.

"You're the father correct?" one of the cloaked woman asked, her cat like eyes searching mine.

I am," I said stoically untrusting and weary that I had to depend on someone I couldn't control, that I didn't know. The women each one beautiful with soft creamy skin, soft smiles and trusting eyes. Their looks mattered little to me yet I couldn't help but be apprehensive, worried that their gentle appearance was a ruse. I slowly inhaled drawling in their scent, a bittersweet smell rather unpleasant when compared to the sunshine and honey that rolled off Erikson and Sookie. I knew Dr. Ludwig had insisted that these healers were without a doubt our last chance of recovery.

"I am Eve this is my sister Ava and our dearest cousin Beth." Eve said holding out her hand a custom she knew humans used as a greeting. "We are going to need you to have faith and trust in us on this night, with not only your blood but your child's life as well. We understand that what we are requesting is a difficult task but you need to place your faith and trust with us."

I nodded acceptingly after glancing over at Dr. Ludwig who gave me a grudgingly nod of approval before resuming her task and hooking Erikson up to the monitors.

"Mrs. Northman we're going to need your blood as well, please accompany Ava over to the couch and have the vials drawn." Eve said, her green and yellow eyes reminded me of a cat I had acquired during the black plague.

"You're children. The one born and blessed to you and the one made and turned by you are uniquely bonded, though in what way is yet to be determined. The male, the young hybrids age makes its indecisive." Eve said speaking as she pushed a silver needle under my skin to collect my blood. I hissed lowly at the pain. I respected the fact she didn't even wince or cower at my growl.

"Explain?" I demanded lowly.

"I cannot. Only time and many more coming years will it take to reveal the true magick of their bond." She said without warming pulling the silver from my arm, and I snarled my lip restraining myself against my natural instincts to send her across the room.

I watched as Ava took a basin of water and presented it to Beth who carefully began adding herbs, remedies and blood to the bowl.

My head snapped up and I growled lowly when Eve instructed Beth, "Careful not to much or it will kill him."

"Vampire step back," Ava warned softly towards Pam. "It's a complicated remedy we mean no harm, just a word of caution."

"What's wrong with my son?" I enquired determined, causing the room to go silent as everyone waited for an explanation.

"When a young hybrid is created, their magick is deeply intertwined fae and vampire. During the pregnancy, these bonds are nurtured and balanced by the mother's small consumption of blood of the father. In Erikson's case he was conceived and had the start of these beginning bonds formed but then they were lost. His body, his magick turned closing those bonds that should be open in an act of temporary survival. As he grew older those bonds scared over, his body turned on itself, much like the humans cancer not being able to function accurately… Every single one of us in this room is going to work on reopening the bonds, repairing the damage." Ava said slowly, giving Erikson a small smile making him blush deeply.

"Are you ready?" Beth asked quietly her question directed at Erikson who straightened his shoulders, squared his jaw and nodded firmly.

"Yes ma'am," Erikson whispered.

"Ava is going to perform this ritual; she is the most in tuned with this kind of magic. Her mate was a fae-vampire." Eve explained. "Now everyone gather around."

Ava started by lighting a few old self-created candles. Then she stepped inside the circle with Erikson.

"You will hurt," Ava warned softly touching Erikson cheeks comfortingly, I stiffened, Sookie sucked in a deep startled breath. "Your body is going to feel like it's on fire."

"I can handle it, Go ahead." Erikson spoke evenly his eyes locking on mine. I could feel how frightened he was and I was impressed at how well he hid it from those around him. Then again he was an empath and good at concealing what he knew.

We all stood silently as she bathed him in the water, we could feel the sizzling electricity of the magic working around us. "Lay down child," she instructed softly.

No one spoke as she placed and taped five golden bespelled rocks on him, one over his heart, one in each hand, one on the stomach and the last one on his forehead. I tensed as she dripped our mixed blood on each rock. I was mesmerized with curiosity when the rocks absorbed our blood.

Ava laid her hands over his heart and she bowed her head. "I open the bonds, banish the pains, I command the power to flow through this child's body the way you intended. I demand the nerves be reknit and the bonds be reawakened." She chanted steadily, she seemed to glow with a healing energy and it was breathtaking to behold.

"Join me in prayer and come lay hands upon him," Ava requested. Eve and Beth moved forward and touched his lower legs.

It was instinctual but I placed my hands on his shoulders while Sookie and Pam grabbed his hands and Dr. Ludwig touched his feet. His skin felt hot and his pulse raced. He kept his eyes closed tight. We joined her in her prayer.

I felt the small jolt immediately when the sealed bond that had been almost invisible to me cracked open.

"Eric and Sookie this is when we request you to leave and let us do the second half of the ritual alone."

I was surprised when Pam remained as I followed Dr. Ludwig out of the room as Sookie muttered to herself "just like surgery, I can do this, I can trust, have faith, please, please, please."

"I'd suggest you take the mother out of hearing range," One of the women whispered lowly so that Sookie wouldn't hear. I nodded stiffly and wrapped my arms around Sookie's shoulder steering her out of the house.

Ava P.O.V...

"You're going to feel heat and it's going to grow uncomfortable." I instructed, my heart tugging at the sight of the young hybrid. I never figured we'd run across one again. He reminded me so of my Topher.

"I'll be okay," he whispered the pain already settling in. I smiled, not all of our patients we're so trusting and strong-willed.

"Yes you will, I promise," I stated surprising myself and my sister who glared sharply at me.

"Now pray, pray to the gods that granted his existence." Eve directed stepping forward taking my place as I stepped backwards. I kneeled next to Erikson grasping his left hand. I felt empowered, I felt connected deeply to him, I lifted my other free hand palm upward and began to call upon the gods, the goddess and the angels. I could feel their grace flooding me in a way I had never felt before. I pushed forward calling upon the elements earth, fire, air and water and asked their assistance as well.

I begged and prayed that we restore the child's body to the perfection he was supposed to be.

My eyes snapped open as the screaming began. I smiled with relief, dropping my head next to his hand. The pain would be horrible as the bonds ripped open and his body changed as his vampiric magic intertwined completely with his fae magic.

"The blood," Eve said and the vampire woman handed it to her, her face concerned as she watched the withering boy.

Beth injected the blood in the vital areas, while Eve watched the monitors. Human and their modern science, I mused. His vitals stayed strong, his heartbeat was wild from the intense pain but the gods were on this little ones side it seemed.

"That went much smoother than I had expected." I announced standing, touching the small boys blond head. "The gods answered hastily and tossed their powers upon me, I've never been so in tuned before. This boy is important." I stated to the quiet room.

I washed him with the healing water once again, knowing its numbing qualities would be needed.

"I like you're guys emotions," Erikson rasped popping his pained blue eyes open. "No one has ever been so peaceful, I imagine heaven would be the same."

"Hush youngling," I encouraged. "The second wave will begin soon."

We repeated the process two more times during the night.

Eric P.O.V...

"You may see him now," Eve said pushing open the door to the living room. I had managed to get Sookie out of hearing range before Erikson had begun screaming. Each time the fits would last anywhere from twenty to fifty minutes. I could feel his pain; I pulled as much as I could towards me, into me, without hindering their magic.

We spent most of our time waiting on the backyard swing. I was close enough to hear anything important and Sookie was far enough away so she couldn't hear his cries of pain. It was a necessary evil the healers had work to do, neither Erikson nor Sookie should be exposed to more pain because of it.

"He's exhausted but he wants to see you," Beth said. "He did remarkably well. Mr. Northman, how are you doing?" She asked causing Sookie to look at me startled.

"I'm fine," I said stiffly, a true blood and my lingering pain would vanish. "The bond is weak yet open and active."

"Father like Son," Pam murmured earning herself a sharp look.

"You'll need to strengthen it over time," Beth said sternly her silver eyes sharp.

"Mom," Erikson said groggily from the couch.

"Oh Baby," Sookie said wrapping him up into her arms.

"We imagine he's going to remain mostly the same, his height, weight should improve dramatically. His senses which are already strong will most likely sharpen. Start exercising in a few days after the cramps subside, eat regularly high calorie meals would be best and rest. Otherwise he'll be fine in about a week. His body is fixing the damage that has caused by blocking his vampiric side, his vampire magic is now fully active, not at the fifteen percent it was before."

"Sounds like mini-me is going to be totally kick ass in a few days and not so mini." Pam teased giving Erikson's head a fond rub.

"Thank you," Sookie whispered as Erikson laid his head on his mom shoulders.

I pulled the duo into my arms hugging them. I was relieved it was over, my shoulders shook in relief as I comprehended just how much I had come to love my child, my family.

Pam looked at my funnily before shaking her head and whispering so only I would hear "took you along enough."

AN: Dear Abby says… The polite thing to do is leave a review when you're finished with a chapter. It makes the author muse feel all warm and fuzzy… We hope you enjoy reading this latest chapter as much as we enjoyed making it. Thank you Ilovemysteries for your hard work as my beta!