Dreaming Of The Dead
My version of Season 4/Book 4: Sookie finds herself torn when she comes across a helpless vampire, the one she has come to hate. Follows the TB Finale, Rated M for language and adult themes, Eric/Sookie.
Chapter titles are songs and will be listed at the beginning of each chapter. They will relate and will enhance your reading experience if listened to, I swear!
DISCLAIMER: All characters are owned by Charlaine Harris and Alan Ball.
WARNING: La-La-Lemons!
AN: I am sorry in advanced. 0:-)
Chapter 43: A Modern Myth (by 30 Seconds to Mars)
SPOV
"Bubba has found her, but he could do nothing else,… he said she'd been glamoured a few times. She's staying at Felipe de Castro's mansion."
"That doesn't sound good at all."
"It isn't."
Eric had called in Bubba to spy in the Vegas area for Hadley. It had been a few nights, and we finally got word back, but it left a pit in my stomach. Her big mouth was my main worry.
"They could have glamoured information out of her,… about the Queen,… about Hunter,… about me?"
"I know,… and it could be any of those things, or all,… or nothing. I told him to try and find out what they wanted from her."
I nodded, trying to ignore the feeling that I was in huge trouble. I didn't need more monarchs coming after me, fangs bared, thank you very much. I was finishing up getting ready for work for the dinner shift. I had one more day after this then I would be done and retired! Dr. Ludwig had given me another check-up today, and said the baby was very strong and growing fast again. We'd probably only have another month or so, left.
"Lover, you should stay home. I don't feel good about this," he said as he stopped me by the front door.
"Eric, it's fine. Sam will be there, and Amelia warded my car as well as the bar. No one who want's to harm me can get to me. I will be fine."
"Sookie, why do you always have to be so stubborn? I want my wife and child home, and safe with me. Is that too much to ask?"
"Eric, why do you always have to be so damn over-protective and paranoid? Would you feel better if you drove me there and back?"
"I'd feel better if you just stayed home."
He was so stubborn! "Well, too bad. Drive me or I'll drive myself, I gotta go!"
"I'll drive you."
We headed out and he dropped me off. I was walking inside to the bar, when I felt a sort of shiver. It wasn't cold out, but I still had a chill. I shook it off and continued inside, awaiting my fun filled night of slinging beers and burgers.
EPOV
I watched her walk inside, when my cell rang. I picked up and was immediately bombarded by Pam's voice.
"I can't find Amelia,… she won't answer either of her phones,… she was supposed to be here an hour ago." It was Pam, and she was frantic.
"Where does she live? I will see if she is there." Pam gave me the address and I headed in that direction. Hopefully she was sleeping or forgot her phone or something stupid. Pam in distress, though, worried me.
I arrived at her house quickly, finding her front door wide open. I hurried inside, preparing for an attack. She was alone, and glamoured into a stupor.
I sniffed the air around me, and growled as I caught the familiar scents. Madden and the tiger.
"Amelia, look at me," I reversed the glamour affect and she came back to herself. She burst into tears and grabbed onto me.
"Amelia, what did they do?"
"We have to get to Sookie,… now! NOW, ERIC!" I picked her up and flew us to my car. We sped to Merlottes, as I suddenly felt fear and confusion through the bond.
SPOV
"Sooks, are you,…?" Lafayette looked at me funny and circled his finger towards me, pointing at me.
"What?"
I heard a bunch of thoughts around me, sort of hushed even in their minds, but it didn't make sense. Who were they all talking about? I looked around and saw everyone looking at me. Huh.
I frowned and looked back to Lafayette, "Did I forget my pants or something? Why are they all starin?"
"Sooks, what's with the tummy? Is this like,… a joke or something? Is that a padded thing, or whatever?"
What was he saying? "What?"
"You got the whole Prego thing goin on, you weren't like that the other day, what gives?"
I felt my heart drop to my stomach, and my lungs froze. I felt my eyes tear and I croaked out, "What?"
He pointed to my belly, and I looked down. Sure I saw it everyday, but was he seeing it too? Was the spell not working? Oh my god, it made sense now, the thoughts.
'That skank, look at her knocked up, no husband, didn't even know she was seein anybody,'
'I saw her yesterday, she wasn't that big then, was she? I'm getting old, can't remember,'
'Damn, I wanted to tap that ass, preggers chicks are hot too though, maybe,'
"Oh my god." I ran to Sam's office and locked the door, then turned to him as he said my name.
"Sookie, what's going on- whoa,… uh,…"
"I'm pregnant, I had hidden it with a spell, but now it's not working. Everyone saw, help!"
"Shit, okay, just calm down, Chere, here, sit down, okay?"
I started to cry, "Oh my god, oh my god, what am I going to do? They all know,… shit, fuck, I have to call Eric," I shut my eyes tight and begged for him to come back as I searched in my bag for my phone, blindly.
"Sookie, whose baby is it?"
"Eric's,… long story, but now I'm gonna be in trouble, if any vamps find out now, they'll hunt us!"
I felt Eric getting closer, and he was seething with rage. At least he was coming, I had to get the hell out of here.
"Shh, shh, it's alright, use my phone to call him, okay?"
"No, he's coming, he'll be here any minute, I just need to breathe. Maybe he can glamour them all, will that work? Oh my god, make sure no one leaves!"
"Okay, okay! Stay here, alright?"
I nodded, and just then Eric burst through the door. So much for locking it.
"What's happened?" He said, coming to me and sitting on his knees in front of me.
I shuddered, breathing out, "The spell broke."
His face turned deadly, fangs running out, as he looked back to the doorway. Amelia was standing there, crying and holding her arms over her chest.
"I'm so sorry, they glamoured me,… they knew though, they already knew,… I don't know how, I don't know, I'm so sorry!"
Eric gripped the arms of the chair and indented the wood. I spoke to him softly, "Eric,… who is she talking about?"
"Victor Madden and John Quinn. They attacked, and Madden glamoured her. They probably bugged your fucking house when you let that tiger inside. Heard every fucking word we said. This is worse than if the Queen found out, you understand that?"
He was angry,… and at me? I cried more and nodded my head, shaking. He tried to reign in his anger and closed his eyes.
Sam spoke up, "Eric, can you glamour the bar patrons? They saw her,… I'll make sure no ones left yet,…"
Eric nodded and stood up, following Sam out into the bar. I looked at Amelia and we cried silently. She felt awful, but it wasn't her fault. It was mine. I let someone onto my property and into my house without knowing them. It was so stupid of me.
"It's not your fault, Meels, it's mine," I sobbed, holding my arms out to her. She came to me, hugging me and crying onto my shoulder.
"I'm so sorry, Sookie,… they told me they knew everything, about you and Eric, the spell I did,… I denied everything but they told me to break the spell,… I said no but they glamoured me, I'm so sorry! I'm so sorry!"
"Shhhh, it's okay,… we don't blame you, sweetie, okay? We will figure this out," I said, more to reassure myself.
Eric came back, looking still mad as ever. He didn't even look me in the eye, he just barked, "We are going to my house. I'm having someone search yours."
I croaked out, "Okay."
He grabbed my hand and yanked me up, pulling me along behind him. Amelia followed and we drove off to his house, leaving my car behind. We were silent the whole way, me and Amelia still crying quietly, Eric still seething. I put my hands protectively over my belly, and I closed my eyes and prayed we would all be alright.
Eric's phone buzzed, and he answered curtly, "What?….. Yes?…..unnngg, Fuck! Alright, …. Yes, thank you." He hung up and growled, slamming his fist on the steering wheel.
I looked at him, but he kept his eyes on the road as he spoke, "Victor was waiting for us in the woods by the house, it seems. After he left, Clancy searched the house. Found microphones on the perimeter of the house, by windows and such. The tigers scent was on them, of course."
I was crying more, trying to catch my breathe, "I'm so sorry, I had no idea, I'm so stupid,…I'm sorry," I sobbed. He turned to me, his face still hard, then back to the road. He clenched his jaw tight and released a few times, but he remained quiet. I looked down and cried harder, not being able to control myself. I was terrified. Eric was angry and scared and worried and wanted to murder our enemies. Amelia kept thinking Eric wanted her dead too, because of the spell. The baby kicked softly, and I rubbed over the spot, hoping she was not in tuned to mine and Eric's feelings. They were not good feelings for a baby to experience.
We arrived at Eric's house and we went inside. Me and Amelia sat down on the couch while Eric made a few phone calls. Pam arrived a few minutes later, blood tears streaking her face.
"Hey, we'll get through this, don't worry, okay?" She told me and Amelia as she hugged us both. She sat between us then, holding our hands and trying to calm us down. Eric came back in, off the phone, and glared at us. He was still furious.
"Eric?" Pam asked. He took a big, unnecessary inhale, and then spoke.
"We need to tell the Queen. It's the only way to protect us from another monarch. I have no other ideas, other than to fucking murder them all, and become King of the entire fucking world." He was dead serious. No pun intended.
"But, what will the Queen do with this information?" Good question, Pam! All I could think of was, 'King of the Universe sounds promising.'
"I am hoping she will see it as it is, an exciting addition to her retinue, which she must keep safe. It is better than what Felipe has planned. He will most likely kill me, my child, and then try to bond and impregnate Sookie with his demon spawn."
I gasped and covered my mouth, shaking my head. That was horrible!
"I am not even exaggerating, Sookie, we are deeply fucked right now. Even more, they probably know I am a day-walker now. Probably the only reason they haven't acted upon that yet is because they know I'll fucking kill any Were army they send at me."
I closed my eyes tight, trying to rid the images of my husband and child being taken from me. I couldn't bare it.
I felt Pam's hand on my knee, rubbing softly. It was helping me to focus and calm down.
I took a deep breathe, and said quietly, "And they have Hadley as well?"
"They do. They've started bonding to her and have been raping her. They think since she is your cousin and shares your fae blood, perhaps it will work. A guinnea-pig test, if you will."
"Oh my god,…" I sighed and put my hands over my face. I mumbled then, "They must have heard about Hunter, too,… they will look for him. They've heard where he lives,…"
"The Queen can protect that too. She'd love another telepath, especially the son of her beloved pet." I couldn't tell if his voice was sarcastic, or just angry and amused about how much trouble we were in. It was kind of terrifying though, either way.
"Tell her then, quickly. Unless you can figure something else out," I whispered loud enough to hear.
He dialed his phone again, staring at me as I looked up. He began to speak when the line picked up.
"I need to speak with the Queen, it is Sheriff Northman. It concerns the telepath and her pet Hadley,… They are being sought after by the King of Nevada. Thank you,… Your Majesty,… yes,… alright,… we will be there shortly." He hung up. I guess we were going to New Orleans again. Ugh.
We took a plane this time, a private one that Eric had gotten from someone who owed him a favor. We got there quickly and were walking into the Queens office. She was sitting down, expecting us.
"Have you found Hadley?"
"King Felipe de Castro has kidnapped her. She had fled to Las Vegas,… Your Majesty, there are some things we need to tell you."
She inhaled, eyed my stomach, and frowned before motioning for us to continue.
"First, Hadley ran away because she was afraid for her son. He is a telepath, but is four years old. She does not wish for him to be involved with the supernatural world." Her eyes were wide as she listened to Eric speak. He had to admit to everything now, before the Nevada vampire's had a chance to rat us out.
"She had gone to Vegas, not knowing about the King there. She was simply hiding out, trying to make money,… they kidnapped her and we rescued her son. We returned him to his father. He will be needing protection,…" Her brow arched up, as Eric continued.
"Aside from Hadley,… Sookie is with child,… my child." The Queen's mouth dropped open before she spoke.
"How is that possible?"
"She had been chosen by the Fae to be a breeder of supernatural beings. She will live forever, and was supposed to be producing fae children. Our bond somehow made it possible for her to conceive my child,… whatever, the point though is that the King knows, and wants her. The King must have heard in passing about Sookie's ability, so he sent John Quinn, the Were Tiger, to come to mine and Sookie's home and plant bugs around the house. He has found out about the pregnancy,… the spell we used to hide it, about Hadley's son and his whereabouts, everything. Victor Madden was waiting for us to come home, probably to abduct Sookie. He has also been bonding to and raping Hadley, to see if he could impregnate her,… My only options were to come to you, or kill them all and become King of Nevada, which I do not want."
I noted that he left out everything about his day-walking. I wouldn't mention it either.
"This is a fucking joke, right?" Her eyes were filling with blood, probably at the idea of someone else hurting Hadley.
"No, your Majesty. I wish it were."
She sighed, "Of course, I will protect you, as much as I can. You are both great assets to my kingdom,… and now a fucking sight to be seen with this child,… but we must get Hadley back. You will stay here the day, and I will send out my Were's to retrieve Hadley. Hell, I'll fucking kill Madden and Felipe. What's one more fucking territory? And a lucrative one at that, too."
I breathed a sigh of relief, but I felt it wasn't over yet. At least she was on our side, though. She called to Andre, and he came in with two very large body guards. They looked like brothers.
"Andre, Felipe de Castro has Hadley. We need to send an army of Were's to retrieve her, as well as back up for the night, in case they fail to get her back. I give them permission to kill all of the Nevada vampires, if need be. Now, go!"
"Yes, Your Majesty," he gave a bow, as did the two brothers/guards. She sighed and closed her eyes, rubbing her forehead. She pressed a button of her phone intercom and called, "Send Mr. Compton in here, please."
I gulped and looked at Eric. He sent reassurance and strength through the bond. Amelia and Pam huddled closer to me, helping to make me feel safer. I wanted to barf right now.
Bill came in, bowed to the Queen, and peeked over at us. He looked shocked to see us, but faced back to the Queen, "Yes, Your Majesty?"
"Find Hadley's Ex-husband and son and bring them here. Keep them safe, and happy, please."
Bill frowned, but nodded. As he turned away from her to leave, we made eye contact. His eyes traveled down my to belly, and he looked sad,… He looked up then and gave me and Eric a slight nod, and then left.
I cleared my throat and asked, "Why are you sending Bill, if I may ask?"
The Queen looked at me, and answered politely, "He knows where they live and he is my best procurer. You were his only failure."
"Oh." Well. I didn't know if that made me feel good or not, but whatever.
" I will show you to your rooms, I can only imagine how spent you are."
"Thank you, your Majesty. We greatly appreciate your help and protection," Eric said, bowing to her.
"No, thank you, Sheriff. You have found my Hadley, and she will be returned to me. You have also enlightened me and made me more able to protect those in my retinue. I do not like threats against my people."
She led us to two separate suites, one for Pam and Amelia, and the other for me and Eric. We settled in, and she bid us good night, or good morning, rather, since soon the sun would be up. Eric could pretend to sleep during the day tomorrow, or today,… whatever. I slumped down onto the bed, feeling the exhaustion take over. My brain and feet hurt. Eric sat down next to me and stroked my hair back.
"That went better than I expected," he said quietly. I nodded and slipped my shoes off, sighing with relief, but still feeling the ache. Eric got off the bed and suddenly I felt his hands massaging my soles. Oh, that felt amazing!
I moaned softly, and relaxed into the mattress. He continued to rub my feet, as I drifted away to sleep. I dreamt of nothing, and it was peaceful. I awoke later, and Eric was sitting up next to me, watching me, with blood tears on his cheeks.
"Hey," I whispered, getting up to move closer to him.
"I'm sorry I yelled at you," he said quietly. I felt his guilt and sadness and fear.
"It's alright, I did wrong,…this is all my fault,… I should have known better than to invite him in."
"You didn't know,… I was just so scared,… and angry,… I still am but, I am hoping Sophie Anne will deal with it now. She has more power, and more underlings. She cares greatly for her people,… and her shiny toys," he winked at me, trying to make a funny. We both still felt sad and worried, the joke worked for like one second.
"What time is it?"
"Noon."
"I'm kinda hungry,… do they have human food here?"
He nodded and said, "Amelia texted me before, she will take you around the palace to get food and hang out. I will go to sleep here,… you will be safe. You will have a guard with you."
"Okay."
Eric had laid down and tried to sleep while I got ready to get Amelia. I went next door, and she was ready. We were met by a Were guard, and he brought us to the kitchen where a human chef was on duty. He made us a bunch of delicious food, and we ate it up quickly. I hadn't eaten since last night, before my shift!
We finished up and took a tour of the palace. It was really cool, especially the 'day room.' It made the vampires feel like they were outside in the daytime, when they weren't. We got to stick our feet in the pool a little, and just relax. It was nice.
It was around 5, an hour till sunset, when we heard a commotion. Suddenly, a few Weres and some of the human 'pets' were rushing in,… carrying my cousin!
"Hadley!" I yelled, running over to them. She was unconscious and covered in blood. They took her away, leaving us and the other humans behind, worried. At least they got her back, they probably could heal her.
Night fell and we went back to our rooms. Eric was in Pam's room, as we filled them in on Hadley's arrival. We decided to try and find out what happened, and if she was going to be alright. We were leaving our rooms, when we saw Bill, followed by Remy and Hunter. Remy was glamoured, but Hunter was terrified.
"AUNT SOOKIE, UNCLE ERIC!" He ran to us, clinging to Eric's leg. Eric scooped him up and hugged him tight, as I spoke to him.
"Hunter! Baby, are you okay?"
"Mr. Bill told us we had to come here to be safe, but my daddy's brain is all funny, thank goodness you are here!" He clutched to Eric's shirt, as we glared at Bill.
"He cannot be glamoured,… like you. I didn't know what else to do but leave him confused. He'll get over it," Bill said, looking annoyed and ashamed. So, twice he failed. Nana nana boo boo!
"He is just a child, Bill, you could have at least tried to make him feel safe or distracted him or something!" I said, exasperated.
Eric arched his brow smugly at Bill, still holding Hunter, "It isn't that hard, Mr. Bill." Pam and Amelia snickered behind us. It was kind of funny.
"Whatever, you can deal with him then, what do I do with this one?" Bill said, pointing at a blank-faced Remy. I shrugged, but Eric moved forward.
"Remy, you and your son are safe, with us. We need protection, there is a threat to our entire family, but we are safe here. They have found Hadley and are taking care of her. You have nothing to worry or fear about."
Remy nodded at Eric, coming back to himself slightly and sighing. He looked at me then and asked, "Where is here exactly? And who are we running from?"
"We are in New Orleans,… in the Vampire Queen's home,… she is on our side and will protect us from the Nevada vampires, the ones who kidnapped Hadley. See, Queen Sophie Anne and Hadley are very close,… and Eric and I work for the Queen. We are safe here."
Remy sighed and closed his eyes, then nodded, "Is it still Thursday?"
I shook my head, "No, it's Friday night, Bill has been watching over you two since last night,… you may not remember much,…"
He looked exhausted, and Hunter was already asleep on Eric's shoulder. We showed them to their room and settled them in for the night. They were calm and safe and that's all we could ask for, for now. We continued our way to find the Queen and Hadley.
Bill trailed along with us, unfortunately. He spoke softly to me, "Sookie,… I am deeply sorry for my actions, and everything that has ultimately led you here,…"
"Bill, it's been done, and you can't un-do it,… besides,… other than being in grave danger, me and Eric are happy. I would have never met him if it weren't for you." Bill's expression remained sad as he nodded, and I felt Eric put his hand on my lower back, rubbing softly. I'd have to just deal with Bill being here, and try to forgive him for being a stupid, jerky liar.
"Tell me, Bill, why are you here anyways?" Pam asked, playing with her fingernails as we walked through the palace.
"I lived here before my assignment, and have returned, since my assignment had failed," he said, stiffly.
"Ohhh, so the whole, 'mainstreaming-return-to-my-family-home' thing was a crock of bull too?"
He cleared his throat, and said, "Yes."
"Just clearing things up, is all. Thank you for enlightening us. At least the main-streaming thing was a lie, it was quite ridiculous to even think of," Pam was grinning like the cat who caught the canary. She was loving this.
We finally reached the office, and Rasul let us inside. The Queen was pacing around, and stopped when she saw us all.
"We stole her away from the day-time guards,… I had to turn her," she said, biting her lip.
Oh,… well. Shit.
AN: Ohhhh, boyyyy!
