Disclaimer – Since last time we met I still haven't acquired the rights to True Blood.
Part 36 – Pinpoint
Eric's POV
The meeting, if it could even be called that, went much better than I had expected. Sookie was the main reason for this success: Godric agreed that her gift would be useful and Sookie's feistiness dealt quickly with Compton's objections. The only obstacle to getting Adrienne back now was time, we had to wait for Sookie and Hugo to visit the church before we could take any action.
"There is nothing to stop us from killing them all right now," I commented to Isobel. The two of us were standing at the apex of a hill that afforded us a good view of the Fellowship's grounds.
"They have a lot of public sympathy," Isobel reminded me in a flat tone. "To move against them without proof could have disastrous consequences and strengthen their cause."
"I know she is here," I reiterated in a steely voice. The statement was true, I could feel her. Reaching out with my mind I could sense her somewhere below the main church. A basement perhaps? Focusing my attention on her, I took inventory of her condition. She was in pain, probably restrained by silver and she was terrified. Focusing hard I concentrated on her mind. 'We are coming,' I thought. The hope and relief I felt flow through her let me know that my message had reached its intended recipient.
"Far be it from me to refute the instincts of a one thousand year old vampire, but we really need more concrete evidence."
Nothing further was said and silence reigned as we continued to survey the scene before us. I didn't know what the vampire beside me was doing, but I was counting the number of humans who were patrolling the buildings and noting all of the exits.
"You are interested in Sookie," Isobel commented suddenly.
"She is valuable," I conceded.
"What about Mr. Compton?" she pressed.
"The fool thinks himself in love with her," I sneered in disgust.
"Perhaps he does, he is very young," Isobel mused noncommittally.
I couldn't stop myself from snorting in response. "And you, do you love your human?"
"No," she replied. "He is like a science experiment. Humans feel emotions so much more strongly than we do and their lives are so fleeting, it's fascinating to watch them grow old and die."
The silence between us grew until we turned to return to the nest. My thoughts were consumed by Sookie and Adrienne. What would I do if Adrienne did not survive this? What would I do when Sookie succumbed to old age and perished? If I made her vampire would she retain her gift?
Forcing these thoughts from my mind, I focused on the here and now; I knew from experience that I could torture myself for centuries over the 'what if' scenarios that my mind conjured. Quickly texting Pam the promised update I left Isobel to her own devices and headed to the Hotel Camilla to ensure that Sookie wasn't having any second thoughts.
xxxxx
"You will need to be strong and alert tomorrow," I counselled. Perhaps you should take some of my blood to strengthen you?"
"She will do no such thing," Bill predictably ground out from between his clenched teeth.
"Um, Eric, that's nice of you to offer, but I have had plenty of Bill's blood," Sookie stumbled over her refusal. "I'll be strong enough."
"Ah, but my blood is over one thousand years old and infinitely strong," I pressed, noting with carefully concealed interest that Bill appeared to be giving the girl a great deal of his blood.
"Need I remind you that Sookie is mine?" Bill interjected. "I will be able to locate her if she is in trouble."
"Oh course," I conceded, smiling to myself over the exchange. I had been painted as the far more reasonable, Bill appearing to be a possessive fool. "I was just trying to help."
Conceding this battle, for it would clearly do nothing to further develop my relationship with Sookie. I made a tactical retreat from their hotel room vowing that I would get some of my blood in her soon. This conversation hadn't gone as I had planned and I still had to speak to Lorena before returning to Godric's nest.
xxxxx
When I arrived back at the nest, it was nearly dawn and I found Godric in his study.
"We should retire," Godric informed me without looking up. "You may take shelter in my room unless you would prefer to sleep in your travel coffin."
There was no need to respond, Godric was well aware of my feelings with respect to travel coffins. Following him into his room, I quickly she my clothes before folding them neatly and stretching out on the side of the bed he had indicated. I was surprised that my Maker had offered me the side closest to the door until I realised that he had reserved Adrienne's side of the bed for himself; even after all this time traces of her scent still lingered.
"We will find her," I told Godric with conviction, "I have a good feeling."
"I usually trust your instincts, my Childe," Godric told me forlornly. "But she has been missing for so long and I cannot think of a reason for the Fellowship to keep her alive all this time."
Up until now I hadn't realised how affected by Adrienne's disappearance Godric had been. In hindsight I probably should have had some inkling given how interested he had been in her when he visited my home in Shreveport; Isobel had after all reported a vast improvement in his demeanour since Adrienne had arrived in Dallas.
Leaving back against Godric's pillows I silently cursed Isobel for taking so long to contact me. Adrienne hadn't been drained this time so I would have had no trouble tracking her location; she could have been recovered days after her abduction. Even though concealing our true relationship, that of Maker and Childe had been a carefully considered strategic decision; I was regretting it for the first time this morning.
As the rising sun sent me into unconsciousness, I felt the bed dip beside me as Godric too lay down. My last thoughts were of contingency plans for what I would have to do if Adrienne met her final death; I suspected that my Maker's reaction would not be a positive one.
A/N: Bare with me, we're infiltrating the FOTS next chapter.
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