Chapter 36
Sookie's POV
It had been four hours since we shimmered back to Bon Temps and sent the rest of our nest to retrieve Michelle's brother, Mika, from Hades realm. I took the opportunity to have a quiet nap as the day had gotten the better of me and I was walking around like the dead.
I was sure I had only just put my head on the pillow when my mind swirled and I found myself standing on a cliff face looking over a dark landscape of spot fires and pillaged stripped earth. The ground under my feet started to pulse and vibrate as I noticed something shinning bellow me in the valley. I carefully moved forward to gage my surroundings, and found myself looking down on Aurora, Gerard and Kellan. I called their names but got no reaction from them. I even tried to pick up a rock to throw it down to get their attention, but my hand passed straight through it. I was there, but I wasn't. I noticed Aurora look up in my direction, but it wasn't at me. I don't know how I'd missed it but Stark was on the ledge just bellow me, holding his bow ready to fire. It was at that moment I realized I had somehow connected with Aurora and I was watching them in Hades realm. It was a surreal feeling. I could hear Aurora taking slow steady breath as they waited for something, anything to happen.
"How are you doing up there my beautiful Angel?"
"I'm loving the view, you're providing, but this place is not one of my favorites. I can't believe you are now their ruling god, Aurora."
"Hey, be nice. It is not my father's realm but I'm not hating it, can you see this damn Elemental?"
"Nothing, do you think she'll show?"
"Stark, keep your eyes open, she's coming and trust me she's not coming alone, remember the plan, you cover us from above. Kellan and I decimate anything that gets in our way, Gerard goes for the grab, gets Mika, and you and he head straight for Bon Temps. As soon as you're both clear, Kellan and I'll be following closely behind."
"I got it, I mow the road, we get the were and we're home before we know it. I have to say, I've missed this, we really need to start getting Sookie and the Viking to pick a few fights."
"Stark has a point Aurora, not since the night you and I danced for dominance have I felt the pleasure of battle flow through my veins." said Gerard
"Well, if we're saying our peace, god this feels good. I didn't realize how much my senses have been dulled living a semi human existence, this feels amazing." stated Kellan
I watched the demon stretch out his hands and where his fingernails had been, he now held long silver like claws. He growled as he looked straight ahead. All four of them became more alert as the small spot fires tripled in size and on the distance black smoke started to billow into the sky.
"Ladies, get your game faces on, it's play time." said Aurora.
I could see them now, my breath caught in my chest as I saw what looked like close to one or two hundred semi human looking soldiers, marching behind a female looking creature. On her left I could see the werewolf that must have been Mika, he looked dazed and confused by his surroundings. Her grip on his arm was tight enough I believe if he wasn't a sup it would have snapped completely off. This elemental was strange looking. Instead of skin, her body was covered with some kind of pearly black scales. Her hair was short and spiky and it seemed as if her arms had two sets of elbows. Her stature was shorter than Aurora's, but I could see she believed herself as much a creature of power, if not more than Aurora. Silence fell as the two groups came face to face.
"So, am I to bow to you, Goddess of our realm?" spat the Elemental.
"I care little what you do. Just give me the werewolf and I'll let you live." ordered Aurora.
"He came to me willingly, why should I release him?" asked the Elemental.
'He does not belong here and you know it. You are breaking the rules Elemental, be a good girl and give back what is not yours to keep." said Aurora.
"And you're going to kill me if I don't? I am as rare as you are, daughter of the water god. Is this pathetic werewolf worth risking our lives over?" asked the Elemental.
Aurora actually laughed as she said "Please, if the likes of an elemental becomes a threat to me, I'll become your blood whore and give up my titles to you." This really pissed off the Elemental. She threw Mika off to the side and his body crumpled on the ground like a rag doll.
"And the rules of this engagement, if I win will you give me this realm?" mocked the Elemental.
"No rules, you had your chance, this is where you get your ass kicked now." said Aurora.
The sound of Stark's arrows flying through the air made the soldiers look up as the sky was covered with sparking flashes. I was amazed with his speed and accuracy. One by one I watch soldier after soldier fall to their deaths. The Elemental screamed 'KILL THEM' as the two groups raced towards each other. There were screams and growls as body parts and sprays of blood spread across the valley in front of me. Gerard was making a line through the soldiers directly for Mika, as Stark's arrows cut down anyone trying to attack him from behind. Aurora and Kellan where vicious and brutal, the demon slashed with his claws and his strength was phenomenal. I watched him rip a soldier's head clear off his body one handed. Aurora's blades sliced effortlessly through soldier after soldier. I knew her goal instantly, she was going after the Elemental but the coward was hiding behind her army. When I heard Gerard roar, I knew he'd reached his goal, I looked in his direction and as expected he had Mika and signaled to Aurora to finish up and get out. I watched Gerard, Mika and Stark shimmer out of the realm. I expected Aurora and Kellan to follow, but they kept fighting, roaring with pleasure at every life they took, Kellan shouted ' WHO'S NEXT TO DIE' as he threw a soldier's torso at an approaching victim. Aurora was taunting the Elemental, 'why are you hiding, you know I'm going to find you and remove your head BITCH'. One after one the soldiers fell. It truly was horrifying to watch. There were more soldiers' bodies covering the ground than there were standing. Kellan's long white hair was covered in the blood of his victims and Aurora was even cutting down soldiers trying to run from her. I'd seen enough, I started screaming out to Aurora to stop, there was no point to all of this. Gerard had Mika and she was meant to leave. Over and over I begged her to stop. My mind hazed over as I felt a pair of hands grip my shoulders and shake gently. The next thing I knew I was back in my bed and Eric was looking over me with concern written all over his face.
"Lover, please come back to me." pleaded Eric.
I took a couple of deep breath the steady myself, before I was able to reply.
"Are they back?" I asked.
"Who are you talking about lover, do you know where you are?" asked Eric.
"Of course I do, I only had a nap Eric, I was asking about Aurora, Gerard, Stark, Kellan and Mika." I said.
"Sookie, you have been unconscious for two weeks now, Niall has been here with his healers ever since we where unable to wake you." said Eric.
"Eric, if this is some kind of joke, it's not funny." I said.
"Lover, in the last two weeks I have contemplated ending my long life if you didn't come back to me. Nothing that I have had to think about in this time remotely comes close to being humorous." stated Eric.
"Where's Aurora, Eric?" I asked.
"There is nothing to worry about Lover, Gerard and Stark returned the were safely to his family." said Eric.
"Eric, where is Aurora?" I asked.
Before Eric could answer, Pam, Godric, Yannick, Bastian, Niall, Quinn, Stark, Gerard and both Saxon's came rushing in the bedroom door.
"Thank the gods, you've returned to us my great great grandchild." said Niall.
"You scared the crap out of me Sookie." barked Pam.
"Thank you all for your concern, but someone please tell me why Aurora is not is here showing her concern?" I asked.
Everyone looked around between themselves, not one of the cowards made eye contact with me.
"Ok, Gerard man up. I'll tell you where I think she is and you just confirm or deny. You and Stark did as planned, you battled a few soldiers and got Mika, shimmered out of Hades realm, and this is my favorite part, Aurora and Kellan were meant to follow straight away but they didn't."
"I don't know how you know that, but you have half the story young one. Stark and I did as planned, we collected the were and returned to this realm. Aurora and Kellan held back, making sure we were safe before they shimmered out, but we didn't expect anyone to follow us. And there in lies the reason Aurora is not in the room with us?" said Gerard.
"So she left?" I asked.
"Yes, she left." said Gerard.
"I hate to break up this debate, but we really should have the healer look at Sookie." said my great great grandfather.
I gave a nod and let myself calm down a little. Knowing Aurora was out of that realm stopped my heart from beating out of my chest. My next problem came when I tried to get off the bed, I was HUGE! My stomach had to be five times the size it was when I laid down for my nap. It hindered my movement and I had to look at Eric for help to move into a sitting position.
"Is someone going to explain this?" I asked as I waved my hands over my stomach.
"Sookie, your size is normal for a fae pregnancy, our females only gestate for around two months before they give birth." said Niall.
For the love of everything holy, I was about to throw a nice little hissy fit, but was pulled back by a deafening boom, which caused Pam and Eric to roll their eyes and Gerard, Yannick, Stark, Bastian, Godric and the Saxon's to excuse themselves and leave the room.
"Ok what was that?" I asked.
"Let's let the healer look at you then we will answer all your question Lover." said Eric.
I sat in silence as a friendly fairy poked and prodded every part of me. The only thing that stop me from becoming hysterical was the fact I could over hear Eric and Pam whispering in the corner of the room.
"The other compound is far enough along that if Aurora or Yannick did some alterations magically it wouldn't be too obvious to most humans." said Pam.
"We can't risk it, Yannick thinks the workers are already noticing that every day when they leave they come back to the house further along than they left it." said Eric.
"And you don't think the fourteen sups strolling around the yard aren't noticeable?" asked Pam.
"We have never been safer than we are now, and Aurora and Kellan have the more volatile sups under control but I see your point. There is also the matter of the summit we are to attend in two days. I'm not even sure Sookie will be able to make the trip in her condition, we also need to make arrangements for the arrival of my sons." said Eric.
"Excuse me, but could you please repeat the part about there being fourteen sups strolling around the yard, why don't they just come inside?" I asked.
"Ah Sookie it's a little cramped in the house as it is, our nest plus fourteen sups, makes the house like a tuna can." said Pam.
"Hold your horses, if I do the math we have Aurora, Gerard, Yannick, Stark, Bastian, and Quinn, that's six. Then these us three, as well as Godric and the brothers, that's another three. With Kellan, Michelle, Mika and Dartagnan we round out to sixteen, I'm not counting Niall and Rahni Jay because they come and go, as do Jason, Calvin and Alcide. That's only four extra bodies, we did ok before they got here." I said.
"Sookie there are a few more than just us sixteen, when I spoke of the sups in the yard, I was talking of fourteen new additions, our numbers are closer to thirty odd." said Pam.
And here it comes, the panic attack I was keeping under control came bubbling over as I considered Pam's words, Eric rushed to my side as I tried to get my breathing under control.
"Lover everything is ok, I think you will be excited with some of our new additions." said Eric.
"Please tell this woman to stop poking at me and tell me what the hell is going on out there." I begged.
Eric asked the healer if she was done and when the fae confirmed, he asked her to give us a moment.
"Lover as you said our numbers where around sixteen when you went to rest, but since that time, the remaining mail men have arrived as well as a few additions. When Aurora and Kellan left Hades realm, they were followed by a few sups that wished to vouch their loyalty to their new goddess. Then we also had a visitor or two who heard of the Hades realm battle that come to see for themselves and decided not to leave." said Eric.
"Please tell me what the hell they are?" I asked.
"At last count we have three Angels, Five Fairies, two gate keepers, and two wraths." said Pam.
"Do I even want to know what the last two things are?" I asked.
"I think the funniest thing is the fairy with the limp that Aurora keeps making fun of." said Pam.
"And why is that funny?" I asked.
"She gave him the limp and you were meant to of given her permission to drain him dry." Pam laughed.
"Why is he here, I thought he was meant to be watching the gate to the Fae realm?" I asked.
"He requested Niall allow him to be assigned to Aurora and being training with her." said Eric.
"Ok, I think I'm taking all this pretty well, but I need two questions answered for now. What the hell was the deafening boom and why hasn't Aurora come to see me? I know you said we have all these new sups around but it's not like her." I asked.
"One of Kellan's abilities is to release a sonic boom to disable his enemies. He and Aurora have been working on a way for them to break it down and keep it continuous like a wall instead of one burst. They're there doing quite well, the last I saw they had it up to ten feet." said Eric.
"Great for them, and the reason she hasn't been in to see me?" I asked.
"Enough of this Eric, she wants to know and it's not as if we can keep it a secret now she's awake. Sookie, Aurora has been a little volatile toward you and the babies ever since they start growing over the last week. It was decided after we found her standing outside your bedroom door with her blades out, she was to keep as far away from you as possible." said Pam.
"Lover, it was a divided decision. I believe she never would have hurt you, but the pain she has endured has been beyond anything we could have imagined. Gerard and Niall said if she lapsed and hurt you it would damage her already shattered control, so we never leave her unattended and she has taken to feeding outside this realm." said Eric.
I just sat silently and took in what I had been told. I was having a little overloaded moment. I was the size of a small family car and counting down days instead of months before I gave birth and one of my best friend has been suffering so my children and I are safe. When this is all over there will be nothing I can do to thank Aurora for all she has done for us. Then it hit me like a slap in my face.
"Pam, I hate to ask but can I have a moment with Eric?" I asked.
Eric and Pam looked at each other before she nodded and left the room for us to speak.
"Lover, I can't express how happy I am that you have come back to us, please don't be concerned with our new additions, it really is going very well. Our number allows us the privilege of knowing we are to strong enough to protect you and our children if anyone decided to attack." said Eric.
"Eric, I know you will do everything you have to, to keep our babies safe. What I want to talk to you about is Aurora. She has done more than any of us could have asked of her and it seems as I was sleeping, she suffers for our happiness. I want to ask if you would have a problem with us naming one of our sons after Val in thanks to everything she has done for us?" I asked.
Eric was silent as he looked into my eyes and let a smile dance upon his lips, a red tear fell from his eyes and he whispered ' I think that sounds like a fantastic idea lover.' He kissed me gently before he helped me out of the bed to see our new additions.
Gerard's POV
I was on a knifes edge when I returned to the backyard to make sure the demon and Aurora hadn't harmed themselves, I was glad the hybrid was awake and well but what this would mean to Aurora far outweighed my concern for Sookie. Ever since we had returned from Hades realm and the vampire's children had begun growing, Aurora was returning to her true self. The vampire and the hybrid had to realize our kind killed and fucked. We are feared because of these facts, we may love and be more protective than any race or creature, but true immortals aren't wired like the creatures they are used to dealing with. It has torn me in two to see my princess suffer while the vampire's children grow and thrive. But Aurora has been ravaging in her desire of me, Stark was always her go to mate for just about everything, but now she is returning to her true nature, there is not a moment that passes she does not hunger for my contact or presence.
As I find her in the crowd of sups, I see her laughing with the demon. The back lash of the sonic boom had thrown them into the tree line of the surrounding woods and the crowd was finding their failure entertaining.
"What is that, the sixth or seventh time you and Kellan have kicked your own ass?" I asked.
"Actually I'm thinking it's more like twelve or thirteen." coughed Aurora as she dusted herself off and got back on her feet.
I watched the demon pull a twig out of his hair as he shook his head and said 'what a rush'. Aurora was laughing, letting her amazing smile drift me into bliss when it happened again, one moment she was strong and vibrant the next minute her nose started to bleed and her body started to convulse throwing her to the ground. Kellan was at her side instantly screaming out for Eric as I pulled myself together and rushed to my princess, as always Eric rushed to Aurora and took her from the shaking Demon wrapping her in his arms. The first few times this happened it only took seconds for Aurora to calm from Eric's touch but as the episodes grew, the time for Aurora to recover became longer and longer. Like a loyal army devoted to nothing but protecting their goddess, all the sups in the yard moved into protective stances, scanning the area making sure nothing got close to Aurora until she had regain her strength. Eric held Aurora close as Stark, Bastian, Yannick, Quinn and I looked on helplessly. The only thing to break our concentration on the situation going on in front of us was the gasp coming from the back porch. There looking on in horror, was Sookie. She stumbled as she grabbed the rail of the back stairs and started towards us. Godric and Pam rushed to help Sookie as I heard Aurora moan and ask for me.
"How bad was it this time?" asked Aurora.
"Not even a bump on the radar." I said.
"Because I know you lying to me, Echo how bad?" asked Aurora.
"It is as the Merman said my Goddess, not even a concern. Are you well enough to stand, I'd offer to help but with my foot as it is…" joked the Fairy.
"This is why I like having you around, Fairy." said Aurora.
Eric turned Aurora's head and looked into her eyes, studying her before he gave her a wink and helped her get on her feet. Stark put his arm around Aurora's waist and walked her towards a shaded area telling her it was book time. Eric gave Sookie a smile as he walked towards me.
"How is she?" I asked
"Weak, she has not completely recovered from the seizure." said Eric.
"Excuse me?" asked Sookie.
"Lover, are you sure you're well enough to be out of the house?" asked Eric.
"I'm really fine, was that normal and how often does it happen?" asked Sookie.
"Maybe this is not something we should be discussing so soon to you wakening Sookie, but be content that Aurora is doing everything she can to make sure you and the children are safe and well." I said.
"Gerard, just tell me if she is ok. Forget that she is protecting my children, just tell me how my friend is please?" asked Sookie.
"She's happy to be surrounded by supernaturals that are more like us and understand our ways. The demon makes her smile constantly and our compound that was formally the Compton estate is almost complete, which brings her pleasure. So to answer your question, she doing quite well and as soon as the children are born we expect her to return to her full strength. It's only a few days now Sookie, she can do this." I said.
"Can I talk to her? I know you're worried but I know in my heart she won't hurt me or the babies." said Sookie.
" I think that would make her very happy. Bastian is about to start reading to her, why don't you go join them." I said.
Godric and Pam accompanied Sookie over to the blanketed area under a shady tree, and I was pleased to see Aurora smile at her approach but she didn't try to make contact with Sookie she remained safely wrapped up in Stark's arms with Bastian, Yannick, and Quinn watching closely.
"Do we know an exact date of when Sookie is to give birth?" I asked.
"Niall said we are looking at four days maximum. He believes it would be best for Sookie and Aurora that when we leave to attend the summit he should take Sookie to the Fae realm until she gives birth." said Eric.
"But how are you to be at the summit as well as be with Sookie in the Fae realm for the birth of your sons." I asked
"Niall said the fae women are the only to be present at the birth of their children. Even the male Fae go into a frenzy when their children are born. He believes if anyone from our nest was remotely close, even myself, we would go mad and kill until there was no one left or we ended ourselves." said Eric.
"Does Sookie know of this? She is not going to be happy you are not going to be with her at this time." I replied.
"She will understand. Do you know she wants to name one of our sons after Val?" said Eric.
"This is a great honor Eric, I know I can speak for my king and Aurora that we could not think of anyone else worthy enough to hold Valiant's name." I said.
This news would make Aurora happy beyond words, to know she had suffered for the child that would hold her brother's name would make this all worthwhile.
Sookie POV
I couldn't believe it but I was actually nervous to approach Aurora. She was snuggled up against Stark, listening to Bastian read out loud. Kellan had pulled her feet onto his lap and was mindlessly rubbing them as he listened to Bastian read, she acknowledged my presence by smiling at me but at no point did she try to get up and approach me. Godric placed his hand in the middle of my back giving me a gentle push, saying 'you're both still the same, she loves you like a sister Sookie'. He was right, I took the last few steps and lowered myself onto the blanket with my nest mates. I had so many questions, why where they up and out in the sun light? Why was I able to follow her to Hades realm? So many questions but I just wanted to be with my friend.
"What are we reading today?" I asked.
"Austin as always." said Stark.
"So what's been happening while I've been napping?" I asked jokingly
"We train and grow strong, our new allies have enhanced us to new levels." said Yannick.
"How's Mika doing?" I asked.
"He grows stronger by the day, but he must be watched closely." said Gerard.
"I hear the old Compton house is moving along well?" I asked
"We hope to be in the compound within the week, Terry has done every well." said Bastian.
"What you're all moving out?" I asked.
"Sookie, your little ones will be here soon. Eric and you need to enjoy this time, we and the other sups will move into the compound and only be across the cemetery. You'll still be completely safe." said Quinn.
Everyone seemed calm and relaxed except Aurora, she hadn't answered one of my questions and if I didn't know any better she seemed to be trying to move as far away from me as she could.
I reached my hand out to touch Aurora's leg that was resting on Kellan's lap, and as I said her name, the next few moments will haunt me forever. As soon as my fingers made contact with Aurora's skin I realized my children where slowly killing Aurora. Kellan and Stark threw themselves on my friend's thrashing body as she coughed up large amounts of blood, Godric grabbed me from behind and pulled me away, Gerard ripped open his his wrist and he and Stark struggled to keep Aurora's head still enough to allow his blood to enter her mouth. Kellan struggled to keep Aurora's body from pulling itself apart, Yannick actually turned and snarled at me.
"If we lose her Hybrid, there will be no place your children can hide that I will not find them." threatened Yannick.
"Enough Yannick, Sookie would no sooner hurt Aurora then we would." barked Quinn.
What was I doing, was this worth risking my friend's life? Gerard screamed for Eric but my Viking was already trying to make as much contact with Aurora as he possibly could, but every time Kellan loosened his grip on Aurora to allow Eric more contact, her body twisted almost to the extent of breaking. I clutched at my stomach and begged them to stop, I loved my children and wanted them safe and well but they had to stop. I was pulled from my thoughts when I heard Gerard say Aurora was drinking, slowly her body stopped convulsing and she whimpered asking if I was ok. She was concerned with me after everything she had been through, it was all too much and I broke down. I lowered to my knees and let the tears flow freely, there had to be something I could do, I looked around there was someone here that possibly could answer my questions.
"Echo, how can I make this stop?"
"Sookie, our goddess is strong but even I think it's time for you to join my prince and finish your pregnancy in the homeland." said Echo the fairy.
"And that will help her, it will stop her pain?" I pleaded.
"Once you are with the female Fae that will guide you through bringing your children into this world they will take on the burden of the power drain the goddess now suffers. Your great great grandfather has selected the strongest of our females to help you in this time, Rahni Jay is one of them." said Echo.
"Let me talk to Eric and then he and I'll be ready to go." I said.
"Sookie, the vampire cannot go with you, this is something you must do alone. The goddess may have shielded you from the quickening but this part of your journey you must do alone." said Echo.
It was time. I wanted more than anything for Eric to be there when our sons came into this world, but it was time for me to be their mother.
As if he knew what I had planned Eric appeared at my side, he looked down at me and lowered his head.
"You know don't you?" I asked.
"Niall told me the time would come that you would have to leave us to bring our sons into the world." said Eric.
"It'll be great, you and the rest of the nest go to the summit kick some ass and when you get back you can meet your sons." I said.
"Lover, I don't like you being away at any time but this makes me feel human that I cannot help you." said Eric.
"You are helping, take care of our family on this side and I'll do the same on mine. I can do this Eric, you have to let me do this please, tell Aurora thank you and I can never thank her enough." I said.
I kissed Eric on the lips for the last time until I returned with our sons and we begin our life as a true family.