Everyone was nervously socialising. I could see they were all doing it for me and Eric who had shared some pretty threatening looks with the vamps around the room. The panthers seemed equally as uncomfortable however they would glance at me and plant a fake smile on their face. I managed for a second to slip away from Jason who was happily oblivious to the potentially explosive energy around us as he smiled and laughed talking to Claudine, Amelia and Alcide. The only sign of unrest were the occasional suspicious looks being thrown between the vampires, the panthers and Alcide. Any moment this building could explode. I quickly grabbed the arm of Sam and Calvin dragging them into the corner, which earned me a snarl from a panther that was quickly shut down by my own menacing glare as he turned his eyes to the floor.
"Are you two absolutely insane!?" I whispered loudly, my anger coming full force. Unfortunately, this was not the place to lose my temper, everyone in this room (besides Claudine, Amelia and the two humans) have a nature that feed on aggression.
"I'm so sorry Sookie but Jason was unpersuadable" Sam said begging me to forgive him, his voice soft but apologetic
"And you thought bringing all your panthers here, of all places was a good idea?!" I turned my attention to Calvin, my voice a whisper but my tone conveying the threat.
"I had no choice, he was insistent. He wants us to be family and due to the last time they got on your bad side you have my whole pack on eggs shells scared of pissing you off. Especially with everything we have learned about you since meeting you" Calvin explained, his voice soft and hurried. I just glared at him so he continued "most believe that by annoying Jason they hurt you and given your sensitivity when it comes to your brother" I lifted an eyebrow at his words but said nothing "I cant say I disagree" I did want them to fear me, it was safer for Jason if they believed there to be repercussions to their actions and honestly even if Jason does something really bad while in were form, I don't see myself letting Calvin handle things his way. They may be his pack but he's my blood. "Look I'm no happier about this then you but I have to think of the welfare of my pack and…" he paused "My daughter" he finished looking over to where Jason sat with a very uncomfortable Crystal
"Are you serious?!" I blanched rolling my eyes "Your daughter is the safest person in this room besides Jason. She's carrying Jason's child, my niece or nephew, MY BLOOD" I snarled at the implication that I would allow harm come to my her, she was under my protection now, that meant Eric's as well. She was almost safer than Jason as she was carrying his child, something Jason himself would give his life for. Calvin said nothing looking down a bit ashamed but I got from my brain his relief and joy at his daughter being safe. So I needed to remind him that this situation was not resolved in my eyes "However, that does not include HER extended family" I stepped forward in a clear threat. Calvin audibly gulped, fear wracking his brain
"Sookie please calm down" Sam said, taking my arm, but quickly releasing it, his eyes moving to something over my head. I felt Eric fighting the compulsion to join me when I was having strong emotions but Sam placing a hand on me, even one that was not a threat but meant in comfort was still not acceptable to Eric and he could fight the urge no longer. Standing at my back with what I could assume was a menacing glare
"Eric" I said calmly, pushing my reassurance through the bond.
"Watch where you put your hands mutt" Eric snarled and I turned to him, feeling the electricity of violence in the air
"Eric, its fine, he didn't mean anything by it" I placed my hand on his chest "Please let me handle this" He glared at Sam but nodded none the less, moving to a not very far away table of vamps, clearly still listening. I turned back to a very frightened looking Sam "It's okay Sam, he's just protective. But perhaps not more touching" I offered him a small smile and he nodded nervously, still glancing over my shoulder occasionally "Look you two are the ones I need to help me keep these two part of my life separate" I explained, desperation creeping into my voice "Sam, you care for Tara and Lafayette just as much as me, you wouldn't want to see them in our world would you?" I asked looking at him. He shook his head looking ashamed "And you" I turned to Calvin "You're the pack leader, act like it! I don't care if they don't like what you have to say. And yes Jason will always have a free pass and you'll take it up with me if you want that to change but you need to teach him. Tell him about the hierarchy. Tell him about how dangerous this situation is. One argument starts here and then you all change, the vamps lose their temper and BOOM! If I cant get to them in time, both Crystal and Jason will be dead and if any harm comes to Jason you know exactly what will happen; there will be no more stray panther sightings in this area" I threatened and he nodded
"Sookie, why haven't you told Jason?" Sam's question caught me off guard and I froze
"What?" was all I could say, scrambling for something to say that wasn't the truth
"Well you know he cant escape some of the truths of this world and you know just as much as we know it. So why haven't you told him" Same asked, curious his eyes watching me carefully, I turned my eyes to a glare
"I don't need a lecture on how to be a sister right now" I sneered "Just try to keep everyone alive for the night okay" I growled out, turning and walking to the bar. I leant on it closing my eyes. Why hadn't I spoken to Jason yet, he needed to know and with stuff like this happening it was clear my ability to protect him completely was being compromised. I blew out a lungful of frustrated air, took my drink and found a table in the farthest corner of the bar, dark but I could see everyone. I stood there watching. So far it was okay. Everyone playing along with their roles. Jason was telling everyone about his impending husband and fatherhood. I sighed.
'great the more people who know, the more people who know I have a weakness' I sighed and leant my head on my arm. This party got really complicated, really quickly.
"Not enjoying your party" Godric's smooth voice spoke from beside me, I lifted my head offering him a sad smile
"This is why I don't have parties" I replied, sipping my drink
"It doesn't seem to be going too wrong… yet" he replied, standing in next to me, watching the crowd
"key word being 'yet'" I mumbled "Only reason its working so far is because everyone is lying to Jason for me" I sighed. I didn't like it. Especially my closer friends being dragged into my lie.
"And why are we lying?" he asked, not accusatory but I could feel him trying to push a lesson through under his words, he did that a lot.
"Because Jason is everything I am not" I stated truthfully, looking to my oblivious brother and smiling gently before my smile turned sad, I could see Godric looking at me questioningly "He's sweet and innocent and kind. He hasn't been tainted by the horrific nature of the world we live in. he sees the good in everyone. He has such a short lifespan and you guys have lived much longer then him and yet he has more life in him then anyone I have ever met. He has nothing but love for everyone. He's naive and reckless and so human that I don't want to ruin it by showing him this blood-soaked hell of a world he has been dragged into" I explained truthfully. I didn't say it much but I envied Jason. In truth he was everything I had wanted to be, had I not been pulled from that life at such a young age. Godric was quiet for a moment, placing his hand on mine, I turned and met his sympathetic eyes
"You should treasure that feeling" he said and I furrowed my brows not understanding "it is proof that your own humanity is intact when you can see the value of that humanity in someone else" I smiled gently squeezing his hand softly "but your brother is no longer human" I went to go off on a rant how it wasn't his fault and the panthers did this to him but he stopped me "Whether you like it or not it is a reality that he is a part of this world now. And a fact you know better then anyone is in our world, knowledge is what keeps you alive, knowledge is your greatest asset. I know you don't want to hear this but you are putting him in more danger by keeping him uninformed" Godric's voice was soft and quiet, speaking a truth I didn't want to hear or believe but knew deep down was true. Tonight was proof of it. I stayed quiet or a moment before speaking
"He wants to do presents now" I mumbled a moment before Jason's voice hollered my name across the bar. I breathed in deep, plastered a smile on my face and went over to the table where Jason and all my guests stood waiting expectantly.
I smiled and took the seat at the head of the table
"Open mine first" Jason said excitedly, handing me a box. His excitement was reverberating from his thoughts and I couldn't help but smile. I slowly opened the small badly wrapped box to reveal the most beautiful plain cross necklace. It had a sparkle of familiarity around it "Do you remember sook?" he asked but I just looked at him, wracking my brain. I knew this necklace, I knew it well but how I did not know "It was mums" he said simply and I turned my eyes back down to the cross, gently running my fingers over the metal "You used to beg to wear it every time we went to church but mum always said you were too small and would lose it. I thought it was lost in the crash but I found it a few years back cleaning out grans stuff" his mind turned sad and I placed my hand on his, smiling softly
"I love it" I said simply leaning in and kissing his cheek, he smiled brightly
"Its real silver and everything" he stated happily and my eyes shot to Eric who lifted an eyebrow
"Wow" I said placing it back in the box carefully "I'll wear it on special occasions" I said smiling at his kind gesture while simultaneously trying to cover the silver as quickly as possible. Placing the lid back on the box and placing it to my side away from my vamps.
"Mines next" Amelia called excitedly and handed me a gift bag "Handle with care" she said quietly giving me a wink. I smirked. I opened the bag carefully to see a plethora of vials. I left them inside knowing they were different potions and not wanting to draw more attention to the strangeness of this crowd. I pulled the envelope from the bag and read the note attached.
A few little gifts for you and your vamp, use with care, very powerful and very enticing.
I smirked up at her and she winked "They double as message oils" she said as she leaned in winking again. I fought the smirk and blush that overtook my face. I didn't look around, I didn't want to see the faces of those around me but I felt Eric's interest and amusement through the bond. One other thing was in the envelope. It was a bus pass, the same bus pass I had bought for her to escape her father
"You kept it" I said surprised, she nodded smiling softly
"Turn it over" she said gesturing for me to do so. There was writing on the back and I read it aloud. Stupidly
"Still the best kiss I ever had" I read and laughed loudly, pulling Amelia into a hug. She was always such a fun person to have around. I ignored Eric's intrigue. I could fill him in later "I better be" I smirked and retook my seat as we laughed.
I opened other people's gifts. Pretty normal stuff, gift cards, random jewellery ect. I had noticed that Godric and Claudine hadn't given me gifts but I didn't really expect anything. They were from a time when you didn't really celebrate birthdays like this. After gifts Pam brought out a small cake, I smiled at her.
"I apologise if there is not enough, we were not expecting so many people who eat" she explained, trying to be polite. I enjoyed her efforts
"Make a wish sook" Jason said kneeling at my side. I look at him. I didn't know where to start so I just blew out the candle and smiled at him
"What did you wish for?" Amelia asked taking over and cutting the cake, which from the look on her face Pam was thankful for. I didn't know what to say but thankfully Jason unbeknownst to him saved me
"she cant tell you or it wont come true, right sook?" he said elbowing me softly, I just nodded. I honestly had no idea how these things worked but id take his word for it. While everyone was eating and talking I took that moment to slip out. I once again picked the lock and snuck into Eric's office, for some reason I then opened his closet and sat on the floor, closing the door. Hiding, I was literally hiding like I was 6 again. I sighed as I hugged my knees to my chest. This is why parties aren't for me.
