CHAPTER 54
"What are these orange things, Sookie? Surely you don't intend to eat them?" Eric asked.
He had picked up one of the Cheetos from the bowl on the table, eyed it speculatively and then raised it closer to his face to sniff. The look of distaste on his face was disquieting to say the least. He set the Cheeto back in the bowl and then looked at his orange stained fingers. I pulled him to the kitchen and turned on the faucet so he could wash his hands.
"They're for Mr. Cataliades. He likes them. Diantha does too."
"Oh, well, in that case," Eric said, as if to imply that a demon would eat just about anything.
"It's polite to serve things your guests will like, Eric. I put out the fruit and nuts for the Britlingens. Grace said she thinks that pretty much all of the races will eat those, except vamps of course. I'm not sure about beverages though, but if they don't drink coffee or tea, there's always water. I know they don't care for coke. They call it the 'burping drink'. I have wine and beer too."
"Even vampires can drink water, Kjære. It is one of the main components of blood after all."
"Wow! I didn't realize that. I've never seen any vampire drink anything but blood."
"I'm not saying we would want to drink it, but we could if we were trying to pass for human. It wouldn't hurt us."
"You learn something every day, that's what Gran always said."
Eric was hovering, following me around the house as I got ready for our company. I was beginning to think that he might be jealous that I was so excited about seeing anyone but him. I had been out so little and seen so few people since the baby was born, that I had been looking forward to this for days. Eric would probably be happy if I never left his side for a moment and had no interest in any one but him and Claudine.
I grabbed the pitcher of tea from the fridge and turned around, almost running into my vampire, since he was standing silently right behind me.
"Eric, why don't you go play with Claudine or something? Don't you have work to do?"
"Yes, but I would rather be with you. Our angel is asleep."
I set the pitcher down on the counter and walked into Eric's embrace. His chin rested cozily on the top of my head and his arms encircled my waist.
"What's the matter? Are you hungry, sweetie?"
He seemed to consider that carefully before he answered.
"Not really, although I suppose I am always hungry where you are concerned. Sometimes…"
He hesitated, and then turned his face away for a moment, as if he was embarrassed by his thoughts, but it wasn't exactly lust he was hiding.
"Sometimes what, sweetie?"
"Our guests will be arriving soon I think, Lover. I will let you prepare while I check on the baby," he said and left the room.
Whatever he had been thinking, he had been careful to shield it from me. I wasn't sure how much he could shield his thoughts, but I had a feeling he had a little more control over our bond than I did, and had learned how to guard against my telepathy too. Well, I wasn't going to probe if he wanted to keep something to himself. I had enough trust to believe that he would tell me when he was ready. Vampires had random thoughts, just like humans did. If I judged by what people thought rather than by what they did, everyone would be considered a criminal.
I carried in the tray with wine glasses and set it down on the table in the living room. We had never had this much company before, and between all the guests and the family, we would go through most of the crystal in the china cabinet before the night was over. But the table looked nice with everything on it. There were the small bowls of snacks, glasses for the drinks, the snickerdoodles that Grace and I had baked that afternoon and a nice arrangement of flowers. The food wasn't fancy, but it would be good, and this was supposed to be a business meeting, not a dinner party.
Eric was sitting on the couch, apparently in down time, but looked up as I entered.
"I chilled the white wine. Do you think I should put it out now, or wait to see if they want it?"
"I have no idea, Kjære. Whatever you are doing is fine. They are not coming for the food."
"Well, thanks a lot buddy. I went to a lot of trouble, you could at least be enthusiastic."
Jan walked in then, with Mr. Cataliades and Diantha. Diantha looked radiant as always, in a hot pink tank, yellow leggings and some diaphanous green material that resembled a tutu around her middle. She was barefoot as usual. Jan looked pretty fancy himself, carrying a big sword, and loaded down with weapons, including a shoulder holster and pistol, an unusual choice for a vampire.
"My dear, how very nice to see you," Cataliades said, nodding his head to me and then briefly to Eric.
"Mr. Cataliades, Diantha, I'm so glad you could come. Won't you sit down?" You couldn't say I wasn't versed in Southern hospitality. I waved a hand to the sofa and the lawyer took a seat. Diantha, mumbling something like, "Nicetoseeya", found a place on the floor and sat down Indian style.
The rest of our guests followed close behind, surrounded by a pack of suspicious looking vampires. The whole family had insisted on being indoors for this meeting, and additional vampire security had been hired to maintain yard patrol.
"Batanya! Clovache! What a pleasure to see you again," I said to the two Britlingens as they came into the room.
"Mrs. Northman, my pleasure," Batanya said and extended her hand. At least four swords were drawn quicker than I could see movement, but at a nod from Eric, they stayed lowered.
Not intimidated in the least by my over protective family, I extended my hand to Batanya and Clovache in turn. They nodded to Eric, who gave them a nod back and signaled with his hand that they could sit. They didn't exchange pleasantries, but neither did they show any open animosity. I had learned that a nod was just as good as a handshake between vamps and other races.
"May I offer you a drink? I have wine, beer, coffee and tea," I said, hoping that we could start this out politely and comfortably. Eric appeared a little tense, as did the other vampires. Considering I had seen one of the Britlingens virtually decapitate a vampire with a throwing star in Rhodes, I could understand that this wasn't like having humans over for a visit. But I had been under the impression that when you hired them, they were loyal to your side and shouldn't be considered a threat.
"A glass of red wine would be very nice, dear," Mr. Cataliades said and the Britlingens nodded their heads to show that that would be fine. I poured three glasses, poured myself a glass of tea and asked if the vamps or Diantha wanted anything. They all declined.
"Perhaps we might get straight down to business," Eric said perfunctorily. "I understand from Cataliades that no Guild contract has been agreed to. Is that correct?" This was all news to me.
Batanya, being the senior, nodded and spoke. "Yes. A negotiation took place for the fees for our transportation of course, but since this was only a consultation, the Guild has agreed to consider this leave for a short vacation from our duties. Since a debt is owed to your wife, we wished to repay it in this small way."
I wasn't sure why they owed me a debt, but I didn't interrupt. I guessed they were referring to my warning them that the bombs were about to go off in Rhodes. That had allowed them to get themselves and their client, King Isaiah, out of the building without injury.
"While that is appreciated, we must be assured that this meeting will be held in the same confidentiality that a contractual meeting would be held in. Nothing that is discussed here tonight must leave this room unless I authorize it."
"That has been agreed, and it is on our word. The Guild honors that as equally binding as a financial contract."
I was watching this exchange, noting how Eric seemed to relax as soon as he heard that Batanya and Clovache's word had been pledged. Apparently their word was as good as anything on paper. Mr. Cataliades looked unconcerned, and had already found the cheetos. He looked up at me and smiled, as if pleased that I had remembered his fondness for them.
"You may have heard that my wife and I have a child," Eric continued. "Sookie, perhaps you might bring in Claudine now."
"Sure," I said and went up to the nursery to get Claudine. She was still sleeping, but I scooted my hands under her gently and she didn't wake. I carried her down the stairs over my shoulder and was surprised to see Batanya stand up from her seat on the couch when she saw the baby."
"An angel! It's true then!" she said, staring with her mouth gaping open.
Clovache looked equally amazed, her eyes opening wide. "Wondrous!" she said.
"What have you heard?" Eric asked, resting his hand on my leg as I sat back down next to him.
"Only that your wife had been blessed with a child. There is of course speculation about the father, but there are many ways to get with child. About the angel? Only that Niall Brigant had been working for generations to bring them back. Everyone believed that his hopes rested on his granddaughter Claudine though. I see that he has met with success."
"What do you mean my…?" I was cut off when Eric's hand squeezed my leg. "Ouch!" I squeaked.
Batanya focused her attention on me, noting Eric's hand, but said nothing.
"Perhaps you might elaborate on the rumors that you have heard concerning the fairy?"
I was dying to ask questions of my own, but Eric must have sensed that and kept a slight pressure on my leg. He obviously did not want me to mention that Niall was my great grandfather, since it wasn't common knowledge.
"There have been many rumors, but perhaps the most persistent is that the Brigants have been sending members of their family here to your world for many generations, trying to find any remnants of the angels. They hoped that one would have joined with a human and they could find a descendant of that race to breed with. They have also worked with their magic to evolve one of their own to that state, for there are stories that the original angels were an evolutionary state, not a separate race."
Clovache was still staring at Claudine, and when the baby shifted position, her wings fluttering slightly, Clovache's hand reached up, as if she wanted to touch her. Thalia's sword was almost instantly lifted in front of the Britlingen, not dangerously, but definitely in warning. Clovache sat back in her seat, folding her hands on her lap.
"So there really are, or were, angels?" I asked.
"Oh yes, at least according to the legends on all of the worlds. At one time, there were legions of angels. They were the great messengers and guardians of peace and goodwill between the worlds. They could cross freely into any realm and were welcomed. It is said that wherever they went, men dropped their weapons."
"But what happened to them?"
"That is not known. It is said the demons that inhabit the underworld were once angels, and that there was a great schism. Those that were banished underground became something else. Gradually the sightings of angels became rare and then they were gone. Occasionally someone will claim that an angel has appeared to them, but in a spirit form, non corporeal. So perhaps their souls are still alive."
Here, Batanya looked at Mr. Cataliades, to see if she was offending or if perhaps he had something to add on behalf of the demons. The half demon was listening with great interest, but apparently was not taking her story as personal insult.
"The demons have the same legends. But they consider the sightings of angels to be hallucinatory. They do not believe that even their souls have survived," he said. "And as to the banishment, that is greatly disputed."
I wondered why the lawyer hadn't mentioned any of this when I had asked him what he knew about angels. Maybe he thought old legends weren't really something to be taken seriously? He was a lawyer after all, and always seemed careful about what he said, rarely speculating about anything without at least some evidence.
"Do the fairies know about this child?" Clovache asked. "All of the portals were sealed by the Prince we had heard."
"As far as we know, they have no knowledge of this. The portals were closed before it was known that my wife was with child. There is no way to determine if they still communicate with anyone from this world."
"Just as well, perhaps," said Batanya. "The prince would certainly have taken her already."
"He might have tried," Eric said menacingly.
"Yes. He might have tried," Batanya conceded, not wholeheartedly, registering her own doubt about the outcome.
I was not comfortable with this conversation at all, and what it said about my great grandfather's motives in fostering a relationship with me. I was also realizing I might have been hasty about having Jason speak to Dermott about all of this too. Although surely Dermott wouldn't be in communication with Niall. Niall had been very adamant that he couldn't find Dermott before the portals were going to be closed.
"In what way did you think we could be of assistance with this?" Batanya asked, pressing the discussion forward.
"Our concern has been primarily to protect the child from the humans, who might interpret her physical shape to be some manifestation of their darker Christian beliefs. My wife, having noted your ability to disguise yourselves with invisibility, thought you might offer some knowledge of a magic we could use to disguise her wings. If she could be presented as a human child, we would be more likely to keep her safe and unharmed."
The fact that I had "seen" them when they were supposed to be invisible registered with the Britlingens, and I thought it took them by surprise. I guess that ability was not generally known.
"We would be happy to do whatever is in our power to protect the child. An angel would be a great treasure to all of the worlds, and would be honored in most of them." She glanced at Cataliades as she said this, as if in doubt that the demon's world would give Claudine the same reception. "The humans, with their indiscriminate breeding, have become a scourge and a threat to all of the other races. They must not be allowed to injure this child."
"Human here," I interjected. Ten pairs of shoulders shrugged dismissively, as if to say who was I trying to kid.
"Do you think your 'cloaking device' as Sookie calls it could be used for disguise?"
Bob came in about this time and began sniffing around the table. The smell of the cheetos must have been appealing since he put his front paws on the table. Diantha snatched him away from the table and placed him on her lap. The cat, distracted from the tempting snack, seemed happy to find someone in the house besides me who would give him attention and began to purr happily when Diantha stroked his fur.
"That is an interesting question. Can we assume that the promise of confidentiality goes in both directions?"
Batanya glanced around the room until each person had nodded in agreement before she proceeded.
"The magic that is involved is complex. It is the work of some of our most powerful witches. The spell is stored in a small orb, and it is released when called for with a special incantation. The orbs have a limited lifespan and must be renewed frequently. Perhaps the spell could be modified to make only her wings invisible, but that would be a question for the witches. It is generally not detectable when in use."
They both eyed me when Batanya said this. I guess I was the exception to that rule.
"So, if they could do this, you think they could teach a witch here to do it?" I asked.
"If they were willing to share the skill, and if a witch could be found that was powerful enough. Who did you have in mind? The witch that transformed that cat?"
So they could tell that Bob was not a real cat. That was interesting. Maybe they had some kind of amulet that detected magic or something. I hadn't thought that they themselves were magical creatures, but then how would I know?
"Who we would employ would be a discussion for another time," Eric said. "First we will have to determine if it can be done."
"You would give us leave to discuss this with our superiors?"
"On your assurance that only those involved would be informed and that they would contractually agree to her safety as they would any other client."
"Agreed."
"Then our business is concluded until you have discussed this with your superiors. Any discussion of financial arrangement will be handled by Cataliades," Eric said.
I was sure that I had more questions, but somehow I couldn't think of them right then. It was like my mind was reeling with their assurance that Claudine was a real angel. All of my ideas about angels had been so intertwined with my ideas of God. God made the angels and then he sent them as his messengers or as guardians or warriors. There were stories about them in the Bible. How did that mesh with what Batanya had said? It seemed like the legends weren't very specific about where the angels came from originally? And what did this have to do with my cousin Claudine, because I was sure in my heart that she and her baby had influenced what my baby had become.
The atmosphere lightened considerably as soon as all of the business had been concluded. I hoped that our company wouldn't just get up and leave, since I sort of liked the Britlingens and I had hoped to get to know them a little better. I wanted to show off Claudine too, who was stirring and would wake up before long. Angel or not, she was my little girl and I was proud of her.
Thomas, who never stood on ceremony for long, headed into the kitchen and brought back a True Blood a few moments later. This seemed to be the signal that it was time for refreshment, and Batanya and Clovache helped themselves to a cookie.
"These are very delicious," Clovache said.
"It's the cinnamon," Jan said, and Clovache looked at him closely as if he had just said something profound. Her eyes lingered for a moment on his face and then moved steadily downward as if taking stock. She seemed to like what she saw and gave him a warm smile. Jan's eyebrow went up for a moment and then he returned the smile, a hint of lust in his eyes.
Both of the women were wearing what I thought of as their uniform, but without quite the amount of armor they had been wearing in Rhodes. They carried a fair amount of weaponry, including a small crossbow that Clovache wore on her sleeve. I didn't doubt that they carried an equal amount that wasn't visible. They were the most muscular women I had ever seen, but they were still obviously women, and their tight clothing left little of the muscle or anything else to the imagination. Jan certainly seemed appreciative.
Cataliades seemed to have struck up a conversation with Pam, and was asking about the Halloween party which was scheduled for the following night. I listened attentively, since Eric had been so secretive, saying it would all be a surprise for me.
"Angels and Demons," Pam was saying. "So you can come as you are." She and the lawyer both laughed. So that must be the theme, I thought. Well, how very appropriate. Eric glared at Pam, but the cat was out of the bag. It made me really curious now to see what Eric would be wearing.
"You are hosting a party for All Hallows?" Batanya asked. "I have heard of this celebration."
"Perhaps you and your beautiful companion would like to be our guests, if you are not leaving this evening?" Jan offered gallantly. I guess I could see where this was heading.
"Perhaps we might. We are on vacation after all," Batanya replied and began to size up the men in the room.
Her eyes fell first on Thomas, obviously the oldest and most powerful male person in the room, besides Eric of course, who was not on the market. Thalia was no fool, and she stepped closer to Thomas in a possessive manner. Batanya, too wise to take on something like Thalia, quickly moved her glance to Daniel. He gave her a small nod and she sat back looking speculative. Okay, that was surprising. I would have thought most women would have looked at Jordun first, but to each his own.
Claudine, who had steadily become more restless, decided that it was time for her dinner. Her eyes opened and she began to screw up her face, ready to kick up a fuss. I got up to excuse myself to go feed the baby and was met with a protest.
"You don't need to leave the room because of us," Clovache volunteered. "We are not humans that would be offended by the sight of a child taking nourishment."
I looked at Eric to see what he thought. It had never occurred to me to breast-feed the baby in front of company, but he just smiled, letting me know that he was happy with whatever I was comfortable with. Regardless of what we did in the bedroom, Eric saw breast-feeding as the only normal and natural way to feed a child, and had been shocked when I had told him that it offended some people. I wasn't sure how Mr. Cataliades would take it, but I doubted he would feel any differently. The vampires were family and Diantha looked like she was asleep along with Bob the cat.
I figured what the hell, and lifted up my shirt. Claudine nuzzled and rooted for a moment and then settled down contentedly for her meal. Eric put his arm around my shoulder and kissed the top of Claudine's little head. He looked for all the world like the proud papa.
Daniel offered the ladies another glass of wine. They accepted and soon the vamps and the Britlingens were talking about Halloween customs. Not being a custom in their world, the two women seemed intrigued by the idea of costumes and trick or treat. I explained about setting out jack-o-lanterns and how much fun it was to get big bags of candy, then had to relate what kind of tricks were liable to be pulled. Jason's trick of throwing a roll of toilet paper onto someone's trees or shrubbery seemed to baffle them, but then I'd always thought it was pretty stupid myself.
I found myself really enjoying the evening, the first real social event that we had hosted in this new house. It made me feel so normal, just another wife hosting a social night for her husband's business associates, or just any married couple having a night of drinking and conversation with their friends. Looking at who the guests were, and the family for that matter, I knew that this was not your average cocktail party, but it was probably as close as I was ever going to get.
When Claudine had finished eating and had managed a nice big burp over my shoulder, I asked if Batanya would like to hold her. She seemed elated with the idea and as soon as Claudine was in her arms, she broke out in a smile bigger than I had ever seen on her face. Claudine returned the smile and Batanya laughed out loud.
"She is beautiful, don't you think, Clovache? And I see that she has already been provided with a demon mark of protection," Batanya remarked. I guess she was able to see that bit of magic too. She nodded approvingly to Mr. Cataliades.
The other woman was so obviously waiting her turn to hold the baby, that I suggested that Batanya pass her to Clovache. Clovache had the same reaction, and both of the Britlingens sat happily, stroking Claudine's wings and beaming. For two such ferocious looking warrior women, it was a strange and irresistible tableau.
"There can be no doubt," Batanya said. "You can feel her magic. She will be a blessing for all the worlds."
That seemed a heavy burden for such a small creature to me. I was more worried about getting her to puberty than on how she was going to affect the rest of humanity or any of the other races. But if she could bring this much happiness to even our small group, then she was indeed a blessing.
"If you are not in a hurry to be anywhere, perhaps you would enjoy a swim," Daniel suggested when I had resumed possession of the baby.
"That would be very enjoyable," both women agreed.
"I probably have a couple of suits that might fit," I offered doubtfully. My size eight frame (okay, sometimes a ten) seemed a bit more well rounded than the two females on the couch, especially in the bosom department.
They both shrugged, not concerned about whether a swimsuit was available and stood up, apparently ready for anything.
Mr. Cataliades and Diantha gave their excuses and offered to have a car sent whenever the Britlingens were ready to leave. Eric assured the lawyer that any necessary transportation would be provided, and the demons took their leave, with many thanks on my part for arranging the meeting.
The men lead the ladies out to the pool, grabbing enough towels for everyone. Thank goodness for Grace. There were plenty of clean towels. I should buy stock in a bed and bath store, I thought. The business from this household alone would keep a store going.
"Would you care for a swim, Lover?" Eric asked me.
"It might be a little cool outside for Claudine," I answered, but sensing that he would enjoy being with the rest of the family, I offered to sit and watch. I bundled up the baby in a blanket, clad myself in a light sweater, and headed out after Eric.
Everyone was already in the pool by the time I got settled in one of the chairs along the side. Eric, in keeping with the prevailing attire, pulled off his clothes and threw them in the pile that had accumulated on the deck.
Striding in all his glory onto the diving board, my vampire launched himself up into the sky, then turned mid-air to come plummeting down into the water. A laughing group of vampires and Britlingens dove to the side as he streaked into the pool. He popped up a moment later, golden hair streaming with water and pale skin glimmering in the moonlight. His face was filled with laughter and abandon and I was sure that it was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen.
