CHAPTER 19: Off with HIS…
Pam POV
All I could hear was the incessant beeping of the monitors as I watched Eric through the window in the door. There were only two hours until dawn and it was highly unlikely he would wake from this blinding intoxication, fucking idiot I thought before remembering the way Sookie looked in his arms. The fairy did have it coming… but he should have waited, made him suffer longer, it should have been slow and painful.
Karin had taken off at the compound and feeling the rage still coming through our bond, I wasn't expecting to see her soon. I assumed she was still in the desert hell bent on finding Castro as was the wolf Porter. When I checked Eric's phone, he had sent a message telling him he was "gonna run the dirty fanger down" before asking about "boss" Sookie. I responded advising he check in with Eric after the council meeting. There was still so much to do, and I knew what Eric would be expecting but I couldn't seem to tear my eyes away from them.
"That vampire really does love her doesn't he." The fairy Lannister smiled propping himself against the wall.
"Like I have never seen him love anything."
"I saw it in his eyes at the compound when he took down that first vamp. We all heard what they were saying, what they planned for her…" He paused dropping his head. "Anyways, Killian sent me to grab you, I think he needs backup and since the Viking is currently…"
"Fucking dead to the world?"
"Yes," he laughed. "The wolves are starting to huff and puff. Papa wolf is up there wanting to see Brigant, howling for the Viking, and demanding to be told what happened." He grinned glancing to Eric momentary. "I'm not sure how happy he would be coming down to see a passed out naked vamp wrapped around her. They got history or something… The wolf and Brigant?"
"Fucking Alcide… He wishes they had history" I scowled with a raised brow finally taking my eyes off Sookie and Eric. "He is still in love with my little fairy friend, never got over the fact she would always be Eric's and he can't stand him because of it. His nephew is carrying on the Sookie torch… Eric secretly wants to kill them both."
"Vampires and wolves, Brigant's got interesting taste in lovers."
"Oh the wolf wasn't a lover, but the fucking tiger was." I blurted out watching the fairy's mouth fall open. "But that is a whole different story. Eric doesn't hide wanting to kill him."
"We have to continue this conversation, I would love to hear more about my queen and this other life she has lived, but I am afraid I have to get you up there. Killian is not handling this situation well, the way his sister was found."
"I am sure she will show you everything when she wakes up if you ask, fairy zap it right into ya. God, I hope Eric doesn't ask her to see what happened while she was gone." I absently mused following the fairy when I noticed the slightest pause in his movement. I knew then I may have said something I shouldn't have.
Walking off the elevator, I could already hear Alcide and Killian arguing.
"Tell me what fucking happened to her, why can't I see her. You fairy assholes are no better than the bloodsuckers. Where the fuck is Northman, I want to see him NOW," the wolf growled as I entered the dining room.
"Calm down, I have told you. We recovered Brigant she is in the infirmary for treatment and the Viking is... by her side." Killian told him flatly before the pups started snarling.
"Get me Eric Northman now" he growled as Sookie's fairies silently watched from a distance.
"What do you want to know wolf" I hissed getting Alcide's attention before he turned to me. Fucking rage and love I could see it all over his face and I hated him for making this all about what he wanted. It was time someone set him straight. This game of his was played out.
"Everything Pam, the fairies whisked us away when we could have helped. Where the fuck is Eric and why can't I see Sook?"
"The situation was under control, there was no need for your assistance. Trust me, it was better you weren't there… Even I wish I could unsee what was waiting for us. You would have lost your shit Alcide…"
"You're not fucking answering my questions Pam."
"Well gee wolf let me bust out my laptop and print a complete report for you, since I have nothing better to do. Here is the fucking breakdown so listen close I will only say this once… Sookie managed to get a tracking device on the skye commander, ERIC picked him up shortly before we headed to your location. Before we got there ERIC had his spy put a tracer on the vampire Jefferson, I don't have to tell you what happened to him but because of ERIC we got her location and stormed the compound…."
"No" Lannister interrupted dryly. "Again, that was the Viking that stormed the compound, we were just unneeded backup. HE was also the one that secured Brigant."
"AND…." The wolf hissed taking a step forward as if his intimidation tactics had any effect on me.
"And fucking what Alcide?" I yelled before noticing the Edgington, Roman, and the gladiator's progeny had joined our little party. "Do you want to hear how Eric found Castro fucking her? Or maybe you want to hear about the train they were planning to run on her? Wait… perhaps you want hear what her beaten, bloody, raped, almost drained lifeless body looked like in Eric's arms when he carried her out, oh and lets not forget about all the knife cuts… those are a hard thing to forget seeing. Or possibly you just want to hear about the pain, agony, and heartbreak Eric felt seeing the woman he loves practically fucking dead." I sneered in disgust as his head dropped in shame and the pups followed suit.
"Eric isn't up here giving you the 411 because he not in his right fucking mind. He gave her blood; she is healed but in a coma. He lost it when she didn't wake and took his rage out on the fairy Xavier. Let's just say he got the beating of his life before being drained, so right now Eric is passed out on fairy blood laying naked with Sookie. Do you still want to go down and see her, see them both? After all this is all about ALCIDE getting his way isn't it?"
Alcide shook his head no, while a couple of the fairies chuckled but I wasn't done with the wolf yet.
"Until Eric wakes, I am the bitch in charge and while I appreciate what you have done, it's time for you to get back to Shreveport. The fairies will take you and don't bother arguing it's non-negotiable. There is nothing you can do here but you can back home. Tell me has the Louisiana were community signed an alliance with the fae realm yet?"
"I know the fairy prince has met with the panel of elders, but I'm not sure if they've actually signed the treaty yet." Alcide scowled.
"Well get back there and find out, if our little fairy is the ruler of the realm, we need that alliance. Once we have it Eric Northman liaison to the realm demands red moon. We want Felipe de Castro alive to answer for his crimes against Sookie and we are willing to pay handsomely for it OR any information leading to his capture."
"Edgington and Roman, the fairies will also take you to your respective states. The Eric would like you to continue your efforts running down leads on Castro as well as any information you can find about the damn prophecy. I'm sure he would want you to know that the state of Louisiana will be grateful for your continued support and loyalty in our time of need. We will schedule a meeting for tomorrow when Eric is feeling more like himself."
Killian ordered the fairies to start transporting passengers to their homes, before the room began to bustle with activity. I was about to review the reports when I noticed Lannister motioning to the fairy Gavin before they quietly ducked down a hallway entering a room. Slowly creeping behind them I stopped at the door listening intently to the words on the other side wondering if we had traitors in out midst.
"The vampire's child as much as said she had the sight; she worried the Viking would ask to "see" what happed to Brigant while she was gone."
"Are you fucking sure Lannister?"
"It's MORE dead magic that somehow Brigant has. Think about all the tales we've heard; the one true queen has always been described as the most powerful fairy in the realm, plus the fucking vamps, wolves, fairies, and oh yeah the tiger… she fits the description in every way."
"Then why isn't she waking up, you fucking know what the window is… we all do. That had to be one hell of a dose they gave her, she's halfway to redline. She has the pure grace of 3 clans and should be stronger than ever. Do you think if she had Julius's it would make difference; shit is there even a way he can give it to her?"
When I opened the door, the fairies jumped, "No hiding in the fucking shadows. Talk to the witch find out if this grace shit can be gifted and I want you to gather all these "fairy tales"… but first tell me about this window of time or I will snap both of your necks."
"It's 12 hours. Brigant set the record but we stopped testing high dosages after that, even she didn't think she would come back from the dark side that time, but you won't find that on the report." Gavin spoke up.
"Lannister get with the witch and see what you can find, I want a briefing ready by dusk. Gavin follow me" I ordered leading him to the office where Edgington and the vamps had been working. I snatched the reports from the desk reading the tiger's first before handing it to the fairy. "What's not in this report."
I watched the fairy skim the page before looking up. "The tiger had a tracking beacon we removed onsite. Killian thinks he may be working for the prince he has real um, interesting feelings about the creature."
"You mean he fucking hates Quinn, we all do. He has a history with Sookie that he just can't let go of and I don't trust him." I scowled before reading the T94X report thinking it's probably a good thing Eric was out of it. This fairy drug was no joke, not only did it incapacitate the target it left them completely conscious while enhancing the pain receptors. I wanted to vomit thinking about Sookie laying there awake as those animals treated her like their personal sex doll. "What isn't in this one fairy" I demanded waiting as he glanced at the sheet.
"The window, the fact Brigant is halfway to redline and dark side." He paused... "It is the shadow realm; you go there when you're under like she is. The higher the dose the harder it is to hear the world around you which makes it harder to come out. It's blackness and silence when it's not playing its game with you, but when it is shadows trick you with your memories to keep you there. We discovered it by accident while we were testing the dosages and building up an immunity to the drug. The last time she was under 12 hours and 23 minutes, we call it redline. At that dosage she no longer heard the whispers of the world, she fell into the dark sides games and believed the world it created for her. The incident report says she was at a farmhouse with her grandmother for what felt like two months before she caught on to the trick. A man showed up that shouldn't have been in that memory and she fought like hell to come back. Just before she pulled out, we all heard her whisper "my lover" as she awoke. Killian told us to never to mention it, she wouldn't talk about the man even he didn't know the details."
"Eric…" I grinned confirming the answer to his unasked question. Of course, he wouldn't be in her in a memory with Adele, she had already passed before their time together I thought pondering the real depth of their connection when Killian walked up.
"Well Viking child, it appears your maker will sleeping his bad decision off and we still have an hour before dusk, what do you think about having a little fun of our own?" He grinned devilishly before placing his hands on my shoulders teleporting us outside a doorway and I could only hope Spencer fucking Sandoval was on the other side.
"You better not be playing with me fairy", Eric wasn't going to like this I thought but instantly remembered the image of how Sookie was found before my fang dropped, fuck it.
"Oh no soon to be niece, this is no trick just don't act like your father and kill the fucker."
"Niece," I groaned in disgust hitting the fairy with a serious side eye as he busted out laughing.
"Well I'm her brother, you're his child so that means I'm going to be an uncle. Or would that be step uncle?" He grinned like an idiot while clapping his hands and I couldn't help but think, this right here, was the reason I fucking hated fairies… always so damn happy, it was disturbing.
"Get tough fairy and follow me." I scowled retracting my fangs before opening the door to see that dirty mother fucker grinning silvered to what I could only describe as a standing table anchored in the center of the room. When I glanced around, I realized what the fairy meant when he ordered the room fully stocked. From the drugs to the silver knifes and various other torture devices there were a thousand different ways to make Sandoval pay for what he did, all while Castro felt it. Eric was going to love this I thought.
"Ah Pamela, how long has it been?"
"Not long enough Spencer, but I see you haven't changed a bit… still a spoiled child breaking his toys."
"Ah yes," he grinned. "Guilty as charged but sadly I didn't get to break that one, she was remarkably resilient. I did have fun trying though."
As the words left his mouth Killian pounced swiftly breaking his nose before regaining his composure. He was too fucking emotional I thought watching his hand shake wondering if this was going to be problematic.
"Since when do you need fairy backup" he laughed as the blood streamed down his face before his nose healed. "Tell me where is your maker? I was sure the Viking would pay me a visit before dawn. I guess Castro must still be working over that bitch pretty hard. I must tell you that fairy takes it like a fucking champion."
Killian landed two more blows to the vampire's face before I grabbed the gloves from the counter. Putting them on slowly I grinned at Sandoval, "Oh I didn't introduce you, that fairy he is her brother and I am guessing he doesn't appreciate what you have done."
"Oh" he raised his brow. "He might want to leave the room then; he's really not going to like what I say next… I mean after all I did blow that fairy's sweet little box out." I held my arm out stopping Killian in his tracks while Spencer continued telling us every graphic detail of his time with Sookie. He took pleasure watching the fairy tremble with rage as each act was more heinous than the last, but I stood there emotionless absorbing every word before he finished.
"Well that was a disturbing picture you just painted Spencer," I coldly smiled grabbing one of the silver blades before walking up to that fucking pig calmly, it was taking everything I had to push my rage deep down and focus on not killing him. Cutting the top of his pants, I ripped them open exposing the thing he called a dick.
Taking a step back I couldn't contain my laughter before the fairy joined in pointing at Spencer's less than average member hanging there shriveled and limp. "That dick couldn't even blow out flexi straw" Killian howled.
"Take a good look fairy, I know you want some of this just like your sweet sister did. Mmmm she was fucking tasty, see… look what just the thought of her body does to me..." he glanced down to his stiffening flesh, which was still less than impressive. "We could do some brother sister tag team action, you want to fuc…"
Before he could finish his sentence, I grabbed his now rigid penis slicing with the knife removing the appendage from his body while he hollered in pain cursing me in Portuguese. Holding what left of his manhood, I glanced up to him with wide unsympathetic eyes "whoopsie, it looks like I too like to break toys." I laughed before shoving that fucker down his throat rather enjoying the gurgling sound he made as I forced it in.
"Castro is going to make that fairy bitch pay for what you just did, I promise the next time the Viking sees her she will be broken and bonded to Castro begging us both to fuck her." he coughed gagging.
"I highly doubt that. You wondered where Eric was why he didn't come to see you himself, he is busy with HIS fairy who is alive and well. You clearly underestimated them both." I paused watching his eyes fill with fear as he took in the meaning of my words before he started vomiting blood and cock meat. "Eric will surly be into see you sometime after dusk you can count on that."
I threw the knife on the counter before removing the gloves and exiting the room as Killian followed. "Remind me to never get on your bad side. I was not fucking expecting that!"
"I'm going to check on Eric." I said coldly walking away leaving him standing there silently watching me.
When I got to the infirmary door, I forced myself to walk in the room.
I watched him holding her praying for his sake she would come back from this fucking shadow realm, if we rose and she was still out that would put her 6 hours or more past this "redline" I thought. Losing her was bad enough the first time, but a second time and so soon after they found each other again would kill him.
Eric POV
When I woke with Sookie in my arms I momentarily forgot where I was, but the sound of the machines and monitors reminded me instantly. Looking down at her beautiful face I pushed a wisp of hair behind her ear before kissing her forehead feeling the lingering effect of fairy blood in my system. If I were human, I would likely have a hangover but fortunately for me that wasn't the case.
Tonight, was going to be a busy night I thought.
Grabbing my pants from the floor I retrieved my phone noticing it was already after 7 and there was a message from Beni thanking me for his new accommodations. I had the fairies set up Sookie's house outside of town and him and Elizabeth were getting settled in. The council meeting was in a couple hours and the demon should be here anytime. Quickly dressing I looked down at my lover when the knock came at the door.
"Enter"
"Northman" Killian said with a cold edge. "I have Becker set up in conference room 1 and Julius is back in 2, Gavin is in there with him now. Amelia said the lawyer was inbound and will be here with in the hour, BUT we should…."
"Yes, we should talk" Pam growled pushing past the fairy as she stared down at Sookie with a look of concern I had not seen before. "She has not woken up?"
"No, she has not but I know she will, I have told you both Brigant has pulled out of this before."
When Pam's face turned to the fairy in disgust, I knew there was something I fucking needed to know. "Pamela?"
"She has passed what they call redline" as she spoke, I watched the fairy emotionlessly while he turned three shades whiter. "It is what they consider their point to no return, 12 hours and 23 minutes is the longest she has been in a place they call the shadow realm. It will trick her with her memories to stay, she barely made it back last time." She paused glancing down to Sookie while my eyes did not move from the fairy. "They also think Quinn is a spy."
"Almost all true. I guess we are going hard and fast tonight so I should tell you something too Northman, Pam cut of Sandoval's dick and made him eat it." the fairy raised his brow sticking his tongue out at my progeny. "I think this is the perfect time to remind you that "Killing her bother – that is me Brigant's brother Killian – is unforgiveable" just so it is fresh in your mind. Now… Yes, she has passed redline, but that's only the point we stopped testing it not the point of no return. All that we really know is after redline it becomes increasingly difficult to return. Listen we don't know what dosage she was given so we can't predict how long she will be out for."
"What the fuck is a shadow realm?" I growled at the fairy.
"It's an illusion that makes you feel like you are living life as normal, but you are really trapped in a dark endless game. You must find the "key", it's the glitch or a reminder of the truth."
"I don't fucking understand fairy."
"Gavin was entirely better at explaining it." Pam sneered, "They found it accidently while testing the drug. Think of it as a dream coma thing. The last time she was in this shadow realm she was back in Bon Temps living with her grandmother for what felt like months, before you guys where a thing. Yet somehow you showed up to the farmhouse at a time you shouldn't have been there, in a memory where you never existed. You Eric were the key that brought her back to reality. It's the one thing I see as a good fucking sign."
"Brigant is stable, Elaina's going to clean her up before we move her to the master. We fixed the room while you vamps were dead… it will be more comfortable for her, both of you up there…" Killian paused watching Gavin enter the room handing Pam a stack of papers before she followed the fairy into the hallway.
"Fine," I glared "Now what of Quinn."
"The tiger had an active tracking beacon, although his injury appears to have been caused by a sword, his comatose state was unexplainable. It wasn't until Portia ran tests that we determined his condition was drug induced he should be awake sometime before dawn. He could either be a traitor or the beacon was planted there in the hopes of tracking us."
"I will say this only one-time fairy… Do not play your fucking games with me. When I say I want to be kept in the loop, think of me as the fucking loop nothing happens that I don't know about and all information goes through me." I growled snatching him by his shirt as Pam returned with Gavin.
I dropped the fairy when she handed me the pages before reading the contents.
"Well, Let's go see this fairy prince."
When I walked into the conference room alone, the earth prince was visibly shaking. I wasn't surprised after our last encounter, but I needed him to settle down and trust me. "Listen Julius, the past is the past and there is nothing we can do to change that. You are not your brother just as you are not responsible for his actions. Tell me why your father thought she was special."
"His great grandmother told him before her passing into the summerlands called her Sokaria. Said she felt a connection to her, but the woman wasn't all there in the end. Started talking about fairy tales, and the 5th clan saying the blood lines were thinning, claimed it still existed scattered across the realm. She was bat shit crazy… I mean she met the Sookie one time in a fairy suit."
"That is interesting" I raised my brow. "Did your father feel a connection to her?"
"Yes, oddly he did."
"Do you feel a connection to her? Did Anton?" Only now did I realize that the blood work I ordered from Elaina was completely warranted. There was something deeper at play with these "connections".
"I think I do, but the love I feel for her clouds it. Anton on the other hand was adopted its something no one knows. He felt nothing but his own need to own her."
"I am not sure what you heard about the princess" I frowned clasping my hands together wanting to fucking kill him for admitting he loved her but stopped myself. "We have recovered Sookie, but she is not whole. She is trapped in a place her team call the shadow realm. It is believed that with a deeper connection to your clan, say by absorbing your grace as she has done with fire and water now. It would allow her to more easily leave her "prison" and return to her body."
"What do I have to do Viking," he grinned. "My father would kick my ass in the summerlands if I didn't help the fairy turned princess my kin thought was special… after all it appears, they were right."
"Amelia, my lovers witch will force her orb to appear. You will need to swear a blood oath and fealty to Sookie allowing your grace to be absorbed by her. The witch has written the words for you, but we need to go now, she has already been in this realm past what her team calls redline, the point of no return." I raised my brow knowing Killian had assured me that it was not the point of no return, but the prince didn't need to know that.
"What are we waiting for then?" he exclaimed jumping up from his chair as Pam entered the room.
"There is one more thing, when you are finished you are free to go but I need to question your fiancé. There is a chance she could be involved with this, or possibly her friend… We will need her here later this night. I have to cover all the bases I hope you understand."
When he nodded in agreement I turned to Pam. "Sookie is upstairs with the witch and Killian, the Lawyers in the office waiting for you, and the council meeting is in less than an hour."
The fairy said nothing before we suddenly were transported to the bedroom.
Moving into position I nodded to Amelia who handed the prince a notecard before she started her incantation. When Sookie's orb appeared hovering above her chest, I watched the prince drop to his knee as he took a strange looking blade from the witch. A part of me hated watching him, hated knowing he was helping her when I couldn't, but I would do anything to get her back even if it meant having to take a step back and let someone else save her.
Cutting his hand, the prince dripped the blood across the glowing ball that was colorfully swirling causing all movement within to stop before he started. "I Julius Brinton prince of the Earth clan have come before you to offer our blood, pledge our fealty, and present you with our grace in order to serve the one true queen and ruler of the realm." We watched frozen as the golden-brown aura of earth fae combined with Sookie's at lightning speed before the colors began swirling now blue, gold, white, and red. When the orb disappeared, we stood there silently waiting for her to wake up, but she did not move.
"I'm sorry Eric, but you have to see the Lawyer it's 8:30pm and he said it was imperative" Pam whispered.
"Fine" I growled. "Watch her, let me know the minute anything changes."
When I got to the office, the demon was pacing the floor. "Damn Northman you are cutting it close, I'm in a hurry but I wanted to warn you. I had time to look over that contract with the vampires and fae. There is one contingency that I found interesting. Sookie is technically the ruler of the realm but in the event of her death the fairy prince will gain control of everything. I would watch out for the him… There are a few other things I need to verify but right now I must run. I'm tracking down a book Fintan left for the girl. It was a gift in the event her station would rise above Niall Brigant and now that she has the pure grace of three clans, I would say she needs it."
"What if she had all of them?" I hissed watching his mouth drop open.
"Well that does change things. She would be a queen, the ruler of the realm. Watch her Viking I don't yet know enough of this prophecy, but I know just the man that will. Now that I have evaded the skye prince I can make contact, he's also the keeper of the book. I will be in touch" he grinned before popping away.
As I prepared to leave for the council meeting, I checked on my lover praying that she would be awake but entering the room my heart sank. Leaning down I kissed her forehead whispering "kom tillbaka för att bli min lilla valkyrie. Jag är inte klar med dig min kärlek. (Come back to me my little Valkyrie. I am not done with you my love)." Before I begrudgingly left to see what Niall fucking Brigant wanted.
Sookie POV
It was the same day over and over again, repeating itself in an endless circle making me want to beat my fucking head against the wall.
The first time living it wasn't bad. I woke up in our bed with my vampire next me, went through my daily routine, even took a swim before my lover joined me after sunset. It was almost perfect until he kissed me, and I felt it… nothing, no chemistry, electricity, or connection.
It wasn't until I spoke to him in Swedish that I understood where I was and the memory of Spencer Sandoval injecting with a second batch of that poison came rushing back. The shadow creature pretending to be my vampire sat there and said nothing, it couldn't because it did not know the language. I knew right then I had found the glitch in this illusion as fake Eric watched me climb out of the pool before entering the house.
When I got to the bedroom, I locked the door, and couldn't help wondering what in the hell Castro was doing with me in this state. Check that I didn't fucking want to know what he was doing to me I thought when the knock came at the door. Maybe I should be happy I'm so drugged up that I can't hear the whispers of the world around me.
"Sookie my love is there something wrong" its voice wined and cracked as I could hear the unmistakable differences from the man I love, my Viking god.
"Go sleep on the couch skugga varelse (shadow creature), I know exactly where I am and what games you are playing." The creature only laughed as it went back downstairs and that first night, I slept with one eye open waiting to see what the dark side had in store for me.
But that was then…
Today is day 96 I have been here for months, well in reality closer to 20 hours which means I am in fucking deep. Every day the same as the last and I can't help but wonder if Karma was punishing me for Freyda. It is Groundhog Day… I wake up, rip the place to shreds, attempt to leave 100 times and threaten to kill the shadow creature which that one I am inches away from doing. I wanted to kill him, I really did but no matter how many times I tried I just couldn't bring myself to do it. It was a little pathetic, but his face was a reminder that I had something waiting for me that was real.
Exhausted from yet another failed escape attempt I laid in grass panting. Gazing at the stars in this illusions backyard I wondered what Eric was doing, how he was taking all this. I hoped he hadn't killed Killian yet, and they had found Xavier. I imagined 1000 different ways they rescued me none of which involved finding Castro or Sandoval fucking me I thought as the universe exploded into colorful meteor shower that painted the night sky in shades of gold, silver, ruby, and topaz.
It was the oddest thing I had ever seen, and I couldn't peel my eyes away from it debating just what kind of game the dark side was playing this time. Not one person on the team has reported an occurrence matching this, I had been under more than anyone and this was completely new.
As the embers fell to the ground I sat up, watching as the illusion that surrounded me melted away revealing a hazy gray war zone reality. There was a pain and sadness that hung in the air like a thick fog. I didn't know what had happened here, but the sight of the scorched ground and leveled buildings told me this place was hit by a serious assault. Judging from the size of the area it appeared to be a small village I noted before my attention was pulled to the distant tree line and the sudden sound of rustling leaves.
I watched the small goblin walk towards me stopping just feet away, the creature eyed me shaking his head. "We were wrong about you, fairy with the blood of our enemy but here you stand a descendant of the one true queen. The reincarnation of the princess Sokaria last of our royal bloodline reborn a Brigant. The irony of it all…" He shook his head again. "Maybe both our clans misinterpreted the prophecy when it was spoken but the signs cannot be denied."
He spoke in a language I knew was foreign, yet I completely understood his words.
"We have seen your memories. A simple human who against all odds ascended to skye royalty has now transcended to become the one true queen, the rightful ruler of the realm. Our hope had died with the princess, but you carry her spark. You have a destiny child, one that was foretold many millenniums ago. You will restore our people to their rightful place within the realm and end this forsaken curse. Take heed my queen, you cannot trust the skye king even if you share his blood, Brigant's have insatiable lust for power and control. One more challenge awaits you the final rune, just as each time you have been to this dark realm you must find your key."
"Who are you?"
"Ghosts, memories of a lost clan trapped for eternity on a plane you call the shadow realm. We are bound to this dark forsaken place that was once our ancestral home by the prophecy and a curse. Seek out the Knight's and find your key" he grinned glancing to the sky disappearing just as the voice rang out from above.
It my beautiful vampire calling me home. "kom tillbaka för att bli min lilla valkyrie. Jag är inte klar med dig min kärlek. (Come back to me my little Valkyrie. I am not done with you my love.)" he whispered as everything around me went black.
When I heard Killian's voice, I knew I made it back from the dark side and opened my eyes taking in the familiar cozy Veil bedroom. They fucking saved me I thought wanting to know every detail of my rescue, almost bummed I missed it until my brother's words caught my attention.
"Pam stepped out to grab a true blood and Northman Just left for his council meeting with the skye prince. Watch Brigant, with the earth clans grace she should have been awake by now I don't fucking understand it." Killian ordered before Elaina slipped in the room and I closed my bond to Eric. I wondered if that light show I witnessed had anything to do with the fact Julius somehow connected our clans with his grace.
I watch as Elaina walked in plopping down in the corner chair before looking in my direction immediately noticing my newly awakened state. "Shhhh" I whispered watching her wide eyes as a huge smile covered her face before she jumped into the bed with me.
"Damn it girl I was fucking worried about you, you are 8 hours past redline EIGHT. Your vampire is a hot mess, it's pathetically sexy" she quietly giggled twirling my hair. "He drained Xavier last night and then stripped down naked in front of us all before crawling into your bed blubbering your name before he passed out… all I got to say is your boy is packing some serious heat."
"Oh yes he is but hands off that one is mine." I winked.
"Already tested him, he passed with flying colors… disappointingly uncharmable."
"So, if he drained the commander, I would assume that means he was violently angry."
"You can stay that." She smiled, "when he gave you blood, and you didn't wake up he kind of lost it. Beat Xavier to a bloody pulp before vamp sucking him dry. He was pretty out of it himself after that."
"I will need a complete report of the rescue operation as well as my medical intake. Just hit me with it, how fucked up was I?" I asked not really wanting to know, but needing to know.
"Well," she paused desperately trying to find the words before she just blurted it out. "Girl it was as bad as it could be but if you want all the gory details, I will put it together for you."
"Great, I want to see it as soon as I get back the last thing, I remember is Spencer Sandoval injecting me with a second dose and everything went black after that, I can't even see it when I look." I grinned before bouncing out of the bed snapping my fingers changing into something more suitable.
Glancing back the look on her face said it all, I wasn't going to like the gory details… catching herself she smiled, "yes we have heard you got the sight you sneaky lil bitch, your Vikings hot progeny let it slip to Lannister and you know how he is." She rolled her eyes, "I am in love with you without the fairy suit! You are one spicy number but are you planning on going clubbing right now?"
"No." I turned to look in the mirror thinking the black leather mini dress and pointy stilettos were perfect as I snapped my fingers adjusting my hair and makeup before adding a crown the crown Niall had given me for that first council meeting, "a symbol of the realm". I opted for a high messy bun, a seriously smokey eye, and a pale pink lipstick. When I brushed my hand down the dress, I noticed my ring was gone… "Of course, I'm not going clubbing, and if I were you would be coming with me!" I winked to my fairy friend. "What this does not say Queen of the realm?"
"Oh hell no slut, your looks says I want to make my hot vampire boyfriend with the perfect ass drool… or bit bite me."
"So what" I giggled before changing to a fitted black Channel pantsuit that was still sexy. The jacket was buttoned, and I wore nothing under it exposing my tan skin as it dipped audaciously low between my breasts. "I need you to cover for me but if Killian finds out I am gone tell him to find my ring, have whiskey ready, and I want a complete operational report ready and waiting."
"Killian is going to be fucking pissed"
"Is there anything I should know?"
"We got Sandoval downstairs" she grinned wildly.
"Excellent, I will be sure to drop in later and say hello."
"Brigant are you sure you're ok?"
"Absolutely" I smiled before popping away.
When I arrived at the vampire council, I watched the stunned receptionist pick up the phone frantically dialing a number before the door to the closed meeting chamber slowly opened and the guard rushed out. I could hear Niall demanding to see me, enraged by Eric he threatened to strike him down in the name of the realm for treason while my Viking scoffed refuting his authority on this matter while insisting to the council that I was live, well, and in charge.
"This is a private meeting miss…" the guard whispered.
"Tell the council president that Sookie Brigant, queen of the fae realm wishes to address the council on this matter, as well as several others."
Eric POV
I hardly noticed the first time the door opened but when the guard scurried up to the president whispering in his ear I sat up and took note.
What the fuck was Niall Brigant up to I thought silently recalling the last 10 minutes we spent arguing. His insistence on seeing Sookie and taking her back to the realm unnerved me instantly reminding me of her letter and it's cryptic warning of an agenda. I would need to speak with Becker when I returned, I thought as the president nodded to the vampire and he scurried away.
"It seems we may be able to resolve this issue immediately gentleman. Tell me skye prince, does the fairy who ascended known as Sookie Brigant now possess the pure grace of every clan?" he asked raising his brow waiting impatiently for Niall Brigant to answer and I wondered where the fuck he was getting his information from. "Has she transcended to what your people would call their one true queen?"
"At this time, she does not possess the final clan," the fairy prince grinned laying his charm on for the council. "But that does not change the fact that this vampire does not have my great granddaughter. My ruling on the realm is firm in her absence and I demand to see the fairies Killian and Becker as they are being charged with treasonous acts against the realm and his failure to produce them makes him a traitor as well."
That's when I fucking saw it, the lawyer his interesting fact and the way Niall fucking Brigant was ready to roll up and take charge, he knew these two fairies stood in his way. Edgington had said that the prophecy was interpreted many ways most ending in her death and now I knew his fucking end game. Her own kin was banking on her death in order to seize control of the entire realm and I could see it in his eyes.
"Fucking lies, I witnessed the earth prince declare for her myself this very night in a ritual. Have Brigant produce his orb and we will see the truth." I growled glaring at the prince wanting to end him where he sat. "Prove me wrong Niall Brigant."
"That will be unnecessary Northman" the council president grinned waving towards the door that was now opening again. "We will all see the truth tonight; it appears the fairy queen herself would like to speak on these matters."
My eyes darted back to the doorway and I watched as a woman that looked like my lover strolled into the chamber. She was practically glowing as the charm rolled off her while she glided towards us with a confidence that stunned even me. Searching my bond there was nothing… I had a feeling in the pit of my stomach her team had planted a decoy. Was I looking at the snake charmer in a "Sookie-suit" I questioned suspiciously watching her every movement.
When the fairy sat next to me I scowled at her emotionlessly before leaning in sniffing for a scent I easily found, "Turn it on, or I will not believe it is you my fairy vixen" I whispered into her ear before feeling the jumble of emotions flood our bond.
The president cleared his throat "Is there a problem?"
"No gentleman there surely is not; my fiancé just misses my face when we are not together, and he is sad we are not yet wed." she grinned causing the council to laugh as the prince's eyes narrowed on her. "Maybe my great grandfather is mistaken in his old age, but as you clearly see I am alive, well, and completely capable of speaking for the realm." She told them as the orb appeared hovering in front of her.
"There will be no need to explain any further your excellence" the president purred smiling like the Cheshire cat. I thought I hated the way he looked at her before, but the way he called her "your excellence" like she was the fucking pope irked me. I wanted to snatch him up when I felt her hand on my leg instantly calming my building rage. She was so damn relaxed on the outside I thought placing my hand on hers, but I could feel her inner struggle as she tried to burry her emotions far away from me.
"Now that we have concluded that, there are urgent matters the realm needs to discuss… Privately, as they are delicate affairs that are of no concern to skye fae at this time." I watched the Niall's face as she spoke, her eyes never leaving the council enraged him as he glared through her silently blaming me.
"You are excused Niall Brigant, and your matter has been concluded. Unless the Queen wishes to declare the fairies, you seek traitors" the council president looked to Sookie who pursed her lips shaking her head no. "Then you are dismissed skye prince."
Niall Brigant said nothing turning to the council before nodding and popping away. Squeezing her hand, she looked over gazing into my eyes before giving me that perfect sexy pouty grin and in that moment everything felt perfect. She was awake, alive, and seemed on the outside her normal charming self, but I feared what was hiding behind that. I saw what they did to her and feel her emotional turmoil.
Placing her other hand on my cheek she smiled, "it is just a lingering effect of the drug my love, it will go away."
I peered into her eyes desperately wanting to believe her words.
"A moment please?" I asked the council who all turned to the president before he bowed his head, and I turned to Sookie.
"Är du ok min kärlek? Du behöver inte göra detta, inte ikväll. Förbered ett uttalande så klarar jag det. (Are you ok my love? You do not have to do this, not tonight. Prepare a statement and I will handle this.)"
"Behandla mig inte som om jag var trasig Viking. Jag sa till dig att jag är okrossbar. (Don't treat me as if I were broken Viking. I told you I am unbreakable.)"
"Jag skulle aldrig göra det Sookie, men jag kan inte hjälpa att jag oroar dig min kärlek. (I would never do that Sookie, but I cannot help that I worry about you my love.)"
"Kanske har du rätt Eric, ett uttalande skulle vara lättare för oss båda. Dessutom behöver jag en jävla. (Maybe you are right Eric, a statement would be easier for both of us. Besides, I need a fucking drink.)"
Snapping her fingers as she stood the statement appeared in front of me on top of the others. Leaning down kissing my cheek and I felt her emotion… she was sorry. Apologizing profusely in her mind for the pain this had caused me, worried this would make me look at her differently… love her less before she shut the bond off. I wanted to grab her, shake her, and profess my undying love but I knew with the council's eyes on us this was neither the time nor the place.
"Gentleman, I am feeling slightly under the weather surely you will understand why after reading every horrifying detail of my imprisonment and torture. As you can imagine it was quite the ordeal and I am still recovering. At this time, I ask that Mr. Northman continue without me as I must take leave."
"Of course, your excellence" the president frowned before glancing to me.
When she popped away, my eyes were drawn to the cloud of glitter that hung sparkling in the air before disappearing as she had. That was something new I thought glancing to the president who seemed equally fascinated by the occurrence. After that "Mr. Northman" shit I knew I had to get through this meeting as quickly as possible but as I glanced down reading her statement it took everything I had not to tear this whole fucking place apart.
"Tell me Northman" the council president interrupted my thoughts. "When did you recover your fairy and why did you feel the need to cut Niall Brigant out of the loop?"
"Only hours before dawn," I said coldly watching their eyes dart to one another. "The decision to cut communication with the prince was a direct order from Sookie, her team called it "whiskey tango protocol"."
"Her team?" another member asked.
"Yes, my future wife has put together what you could call a fairy swat team that are loyal to only her." I grinned as another member glanced to the president smiling.
"The girl is smarter than we gave her credit for. She is wise to not trust the skye prince, after all it's always been a Brigant behind this endless war we've had with fae going back to the beginning of time."
"Bring us those statements Viking and tell us what the demands of the realm are." The president motioned waving me forward. When I deposited the papers on the table, I watched their eyes widen, glancing from each sheet taking in every grizzly detail with notable shock but it wasn't my lovers' statement that that caused them to gasp it was mine. "She has no memory of her rescue."
"No," I winced thinking of the pain it would cause her knowing how I found her. "As you can see the skye commander, Jefferson, Sandoval, and Castro have all committed treason against the realm, blood crimes." I growled unable to control myself. "The fairy Xavier and the guard Jefferson have been dealt with, but we would like the council to strip the Felipe and Spencer of all titles, lands, and financial holdings. We ask their accounts to be immediately frozen and their assets seized. The realm would like the fugitive Felipe de Castro turned over along with anyone who has assisted him in evading justice. His progeny is currently being held for questioning at an undisclosed location."
"Questioning," he laughed. "I'm assuming they also want the right to dispense their own justice, if they were to say torture Sandoval or capture Castro themselves. Perhaps you want vengeance Viking, not one of us would blame you… in fact I am sure we can all agree you are owed it." The president scowled before glancing down at Sookie's statement for a second time before placing all the papers into a neat stack.
"Indeed, that would be ideal."
"The realms request is granted I don't think any deliberation is needed." He glanced to the other members who were all shaking their heads looking down unwilling to meet my eyes after what they had just read. Spare me your fucking pity I thought before feeling Pam's bond close. "Reading what was done to your fairy was difficult to say the least and I speak for all of us. You have our condolences, now leave and take care of that girl… she is special. We'll be in touch very soon."
I nodded as I turned walking out of the chamber as calmly as possible before wondering why in the hell Pam had turned the bond off. When I was out of that room, I took to the sky flying at a speed, I didn't know I was capable of desperate to figure out what in the hell was going on now.
When I got back to Veil my progeny was waiting, we said nothing as I silently followed her to the elevator but as the doors closed, I saw the look in her eyes.
"Pamela?"
"Sookie is in with Sandoval alone."
"What?" I hissed pounding the wall until we reached our floor. As the door opened, I flew down the hallway noticing Killian standing at the door while the sound of classical music poured from the room. Beethoven symphony 9… pretty dark shit I thought attempting to push past the fairy.
"Northman wait," he scowled. "Let her get it out of her system. The first two hours after waking up are dark for Brigant. In an hour she will be back to normal."
"Will she fairy?" I growled snatching him by the collar tossing him to the side before opening the door.
I could only stand there and watch partially filled with lust as my fairy danced around the vampire like a martial arts ballerina slicing the naked Sandoval with each methodical movement she made. Blood spray spattered her white leggings and sports bra while she twirled and dipped delighting in the pain she caused the vampire. It was fucking beautiful I thought as he howled in agony begging her to stop while she laughed cruelly taunting him with her words.