Chapter 34

Speaking Of That Son of a Bitch Bill Compton

The voices were muffled but I knew them to be Eric and Quinn. How in the world had we all ended up in the same place in the afterlife? My brain was fuzzy, it hurt so bad it almost tickled. I kept my eyes closed, afraid that if I let any light in, my cranium would explode. I felt movement nearby and heard another familiar voice in my ear.

"Pretend you're still out, it may be the only way you'll get the whole story from either of these males. And by the way, your fainting probably saved both of their lives."

It was Pam. I was growing more fond of her by the minute.

"So you are telling me that Bill sent a weretiger to kidnap Sookie. Why would he do this?"

"It was all by chance, actually. My aunt recognized the girl the minute she had opened the door to her. Please understand that she felt like Sookie was in trouble, the word that had gotten around to anyone with vampire or were connections was that this human was sacred to the Queen and that someone had taken her hostage in an attempt to usurp Sophie-Ann's authority. All she knew was what she had been told and she was trying to help."

"Why would Bill go through all this trouble? He knows where Sookie stays and he would be able to sense her return through the blood bond."

"Bill has overstepped his bounds with the Queen and fallen out of favor. She has stripped him of much of his responsibilities. One of those responsibilities was keeping Sookie close in case the Queen should require her services. He failed to do that and it lessened him in Sophie-Ann's eyes. Right now he's desperate to find any way to win back her faith. He was ordered to leave Sookie alone but then this whole thing with the claim on her and you taking what was his happened. The Queen was intrigued by this little scandal of yours. However, once Bill realized that Sookie would more than likely stand up for you at trial, he knew his case was over and there went his chance to impress Her Majesty."

"But if somehow Sookie wasn't able to speak on Eric's behalf, he would win and my master would face the stake." Pam was on the ball.

"Bill was counting on the fact that you would do something to piss Sookie off and she would return to her home. He called that one pretty fair. He really fucking hates you, Northman." Quinn seemed amused, I wonder what all Bill had had to say about Eric.

Eric laughed and it sounded like a bark. "And what was it that changed your mind about aiding Bill in his plan, Quinn?"

"I had planned on taking Sookie from her house, it seemed the easiest way. The only person close enough to hear a scuffle would be Bill and he was in on it. So I went to her house after Compton called to tell me she was home. I found her on the front porch, barely conscious. The sun was just coming up and I couldn't help but stare at her as the light hit her face. She was stunning to say the least. But then I saw her skin start to blister. I did the only thing I could and that was cover her up with an old blanket from my truck. I was just about to load her up when I heard another car coming."

"It must have been her brother." Eric was sounding angrier by the minute. I knew I should speak up and let him know I was listening but I felt I didn't know the whole story. Just a minute or two longer...

"Yes, and I was under orders to accomplish this with no witnesses. It was either drive around the back of the house and hide or kill whoever was coming. I don't relish the thought of taking an innocent life. I agreed to help Bill because he promised to talk the Queen about an early release from my servitude. I couldn't forgive myself if I murdered someone for such a selfish reason. So I decided I would use my aunt as an excuse to call Sookie. No one was more surprised than me when she beat me to the punch."

"I think our little Sookie here was trying to make some big bad Sheriff jealous." Pam was laying it on thick with the baby talk. It was hard for me to stifle my giggle.

"This plot of Compton's is exactly why I did all that I could to prevent her from going home. Had I been able to keep her with me, you would never have gained access to her." I heard Quinn make a sound that may have been half defiance and maybe a little shame. "You have no reason to feel that you have failed, weretiger. I thank you for protecting Sookie from the sun and sparing the life of her brother. He is a human of extreme ignorance but she loves him and to lose him would devastate her."

Something Eric had just said hit me like an iron skillet. I can't explain how this part of the conversation had skipped over my thought process before, but Quinn is a weretiger?

What the holy Christ-on-crutches is a weretiger?

"You really love this human, Northman? How can you know for sure without a beating heart?" Quinn seemed to be challenging Eric's feelings for me. Probably not a smart thing to do but I'd gathered that he wasn't that scared of vampires.

"I know I feel love for her because I would gladly die a thousand final deaths so that she may go on breathing." His voice was fierce, I could almost feel the fire from his vehemence. "I know because I will destroy anyone or anything that tries to part her from me again."

"I believe you, Sheriff. But you should know that if things were to ever not work out for the two of you, she would find me knocking on her door. I can promise you that." Okay, time to wake up and save Quinn for the second time tonight.

I sat up slowly and three heads snapped around to look at me. I realized that we were in the back of Fangtasia in Eric's office.

"I appreciate your help Quinn, and I'm flattered by your attention, but I wouldn't bet the farm on that happening anytime soon. I plan on sticking with my irrational, hot tempered ancient Viking Vampire beau for as long as my heart beats."

Pam smiled and turned to Quinn. "I think now would be a good time to go. You probably don't wanna see whats about to go down, although I personally would give my right fang for a front row seat." She sighed wistfully and led Quinn out into the bar. I smiled to see that he had to duck quite a bit to get out.

Eric was beside me in the blink of an eye. His hands were in my hair and his mouth was on mine, setting fire to my body. I breathed him in and caressed his back. I wanted him urgently, I started to pull his shirt over his head. He grabbed my arms and stopped me.

"Sookie, there are things we must resolve...."

"Later Eric, I need to feel you inside of me. I want your mouth on me, everywhere. I need you.."

"Sookie, please. I want to say this before either of us has an orgasm so it will count."

Damn me and my stupid mouth. I sat back petulantly, sulking.

"Min alskarinna, you know that I am a vampire and you know the nature of what being vampire means to a certain extent. But I need to be sure that you have full knowledge of what being with me means."

"I don't care Eric. I told you I love you no matter what. I'll never leave your side again."

"Yes you will." I started to protest but his hand covered my mouth. "I will do something to make you angry because I am a thousand year old vampire and have much to learn about liberated women. You will defy me, anger me and frustrate me because you are a young woman who knows nothing of the ways of my life as a mortal. Though I have been vampire for a thousand years now, I have had no need to change my ways in dealing with the female species. But even when you leave, you will come back. I am in your blood and you are in mine."

I nodded and he lowered his hand. He wasn't through so I held my tongue and listened.

"I am a killer by nature. Everything within me is constantly fighting the urge to consume your blood until every last drop is gone. What I feel for you goes against every instinct I have as a vampire and I struggle with it more than I could ever tell you. So you should know that it is my plan to end that struggle by somehow convincing you to allow me to turn you."

I had entertained thoughts of being turned by Eric, so I wasn't that shocked by his admission. I just didn't know how I felt about it at this moment. He continued.

"I would never do so without your consent, you must believe me. But I will never stop trying to make you see that it would be the best thing for both of us. You are so young in your mortal life but already I feel dread when I think of your life ebbing away as all human life eventually does."

I started to speak but he held up a finger to silence me. "One last thing, please. I am a man and am set in my ways. My ways are for the most part from a time too long ago to think of. I know that my domineering side upsets you and I vow to make an effort to treat you as my equal. Just allow me some room for error and know that if I act that way, it's because I am too used to getting what I want by demanding and expecting it. It is not because I don't view you as my equal and match."

My eyes were full of tears and I had a huge frog in my throat. I tried to speak but my voice cracked. I cleared my throat as Eric kissed my tears away.

"Eric, I am a stubborn, whiny, pig-headed southern girl who is so inexperienced at life. I have, for the most part, been crippled emotionally by my telepathy. I am strong-willed and always seem to sabotage every chance I have at happiness. I have a tendency to jinx any situation that I am involved in and I have the village idiot for a brother. I'm not glamorous, sophisticated or rich. I can see no good reason for you to love me but I surely am glad that you do. I promise you that I will do my best to keep my foot stomping and running away to a minimum as long as you promise to always let me back in when I finally come to my senses. I know what you are and what you're capable of and in some sick and twisted way, knowing that you could end me at any given moment really rev's my motor. So, with all that being said, can we please go home now because I want to have some really hot make-up sex with the man I love.

"Yes, Sookie, we can. Please ignore the current state of the house however. I've decided to redecorate."