"YOU WERE DONE WITH YOUR PURSUIT OF SOOKIE STACKHOUSE." Pam bellowed the minute the two entered her home.
"I was." Eric returned in near whisper.
"So, what changed?" Pam sneered. With a grunt, Eric relayed the story of the demise of his human family.
"And you think Russell is responsible."
"I know it, the wolves are proof of that," Eric growled.
"But you didn't know about the wolves before you spoke to Russell. You didn't know about the wolves before you made Jason Stackhouse a target." Pam was barely keeping her anger in check. That reminder brought Eric up short.
"No, I didn't... I saw my father's crown, and I lost all reason."
"So that is your excuse?" Pam scoffed in derision. "Instead of using Russell's interest to get back in Godric's good graces, you used it instead to..." She sighed. "Your maker now believes you have betrayed him. With no concrete evidence that Russell was the vampire that killed your family, you put a target on all of our backs when there was little evidence to believe Russell killed your family. Even knowing about the wolves, changes nothing. Russell could simply be another vampire with Wolves at his beck and call. Europe is full of them. Russell could have killed another for that crown. He could have purchased it. There are a million reasons as to why Russell Edgington had your father's crown, and without knowing how he got it, you put your plan into motion..." She chuckled. "Worse, he had every intention of betraying you. Russell knew there was no way he could get Jason without killing Thalia, Godric, and Sookie. He also knew the minute he killed Godric, he would have to kill you too." As every one of Pam's words slammed into him, Eric without a word staggered out of the door and took to the air.
He had to get to Bon Temps, he had to get to Godric and somehow repair the damage he had done. That is if Thalia didn't kill him first.
It will be a miracle if I don't lose a limb tonight.
He flew faster than he had ever managed as he made it to the farmhouse in no time at all. He landed on the front steps leading to the porch; he could hear Godric and Alcide talking. The conversation abruptly stopped before he could take a step. "It's Eric." He heard Sookie say.
The front door opened and he came face to face with Jason Stackhouse. He wondered if he'd have the chance to explain before someone aimed a weapon at him. "Jason, let him in." A voice he didn't recognize insisted. Jason Stackhouse with a scowl took a step back. "Come in, sheriff." He muttered through gritted teeth. He took a step inside the rather modern farmhouse. He noticed the entire downstairs area had light-tight shutters. Godric had truly found a home with the Stackhouses, for the first time since his maker moved to his area, he found he was truly happy for him. For once he could see past his own wants to appreciate the effects the bond with Sookie had on Godric.
A growl from Thalia pulled him back to the room, the reception could be described as frosty, which in truth was an understatement.
"I do understand everyone's anger, but Russell already knew what my grandchildren were. Yes, Eric here gave him more information than it was necessary to stoke his interest..." Adele raised an eyebrow at him then. "But I doubt anything he did would have stopped Russell's initial plans." Eric had never felt such gratitude in his life. Thanks to the Stackhouse matriarch he was still in one piece.
"What were you thinking?" There wasn't a hint of anger in Godric's voice.
"I wasn't... I saw my father's crown, and I lost all reason. All I could think about was after a thousand years I would finally have my vengeance.
Pam just reminded me of the fact that Russell could very well be not the vampire that killed my family." He admitted with some difficulty. To be so close and yet not have what he truly desired cut him deeply. He wanted it to be Russell, he wanted to have vengeance once and for all.
"He is," Godric answered. "That is why Alcide is here. He confirmed the branding on the wolves as the one belonging to Russell's wolves." Eric nodded relieved that his stupidity hadn't been entirely in vain. "Did you at any point notice Russell make a call or anything close to it?"
"No, he never moved when he sat down, and he didn't sit behind his desk either, so he was in full view."
"He called for the wolves the minute he realized what you two were." Adele mused out loud.
"What exactly are you?" Alcide asked.
"We are mostly human with a little bit of Fairy, but with a host of gifts," Sookie answered.
"Considering what I am I shouldn't be surprised, but I am. Fairies... just... it's just unbelievable." Alcide just stared at them.
"Yes well, now Russell wants Jason, and we all know it's not blood he wants." Sookie groused.
"Actually, it is what he wants the most. He believes your blood will allow him to walk in the sun even if it's just for a few minutes." Eric informed them.
"He really has lost it," Alcide said with a chuckle until he saw the looks on everyone's face.
"It's true," Godric admitted.
"Wow." Was all Alcide managed. "We cannot give Russell the ability to walk in the sun not even for a minute."
"I believe that is the consensus," Thalia answered looking as impassive as ever.
"With his level of desperation, we can expect his wolves to report to you in the morning." Alcide nodded at Godric's words.
"Sookie and I will be there first thing in the morning giving us a chance to..."
"Considering he knows about the telepathy, I doubt we'd hear anything incriminating," Sookie mumbled as Eric avoided eye contact with everyone.
"No, but Russell is well aware of the fact that thoughts can't be used as a matter of proof against him," Godric answered.
"I say we launch a stealth operation and take him out clean. No one will be any the wiser." The whole thing was exasperating Jason, he wasn't a patient guy to begin with.
"As good an idea that is, I'd rather Russell gave us a reason," Eric said surprising everyone. "Russell meeting his true death under suspicious circumstances will bring the AVL on our door, and I'd rather keep them away from us. Believe me, if you think Russell wants you, it will be nothing compared to what the AVL will do to get their hands on you."
"He is right and you will no protection from the council if it comes to that" Godric muttered angrily. "Niall Brigant's chair on the council is still empty, and while you do not have the backing of your own kind on the council, it will be best to keep a low profile." Eric knew the Brigant name, though he already suspected the siblings of being royalty, he had no idea they would be of the ruling house of the sky clan.
"Sookie could take his place." Eric piped up.
"Absolutely not." Sookie retorted. "I have no interest in politics, especially politics involving sups."
"No, I would have thought not." Godric laughed knowing the promises he had to make regarding that just to get her to give him a chance.
Godric walked out of the farmhouse with Eric in tow. "I wish I could take back... there is no point in that." He saw no point wishing to change what can't be changed. "Master, I am sorry, so very sorry... my want of Sookie got the better of me. I realized while Pam was gone that she made me feel inconsequential... she made me feel small. Some fucked up part of my brain felt the need to lower her. In the end, it was nothing Sookie did, it was what I did. I wanted her, and she didn't want me, and you were right in saying I should have changed for her. Instead, I felt the need to lower her to make myself feel better. I am a vampire, what right did a human have to feel superior to me. In truth, it all started from the minute she opened her mouth. I had to apologize, I had to plead with her to take the job, and she continually turned down my advances. I was so used to getting what I wanted, that when a human of all species denied it to me, I lost my head." He made eye contact with Godric to find his maker smirking.
"Your timing is quite impeccable." Godric's smile disappeared replaced by something Eric had only ever seen aimed at others. "Oklahoma is in need of a consort, and at her age, she needs someone older, formidable, and skilled in combat. She asked for you, and I agreed." Eric stumbled backward in disbelief. "I accept your apology as we can part of good terms."
"Godric... master, please no. I can't... please Godric no." Eric had met Oklahoma at Russell's, she tried to make conversation, but Eric was not the least bit interested. Nothing about the female appealed to Eric in any way. Sure, she was beautiful, but not the kind that Eric found attractive. "Godric." Eric collapsed on his knees; his head bowed as he presented his neck to his maker. The ultimate act of submission.
"This will be good for you..." Godric started only to be interrupted by a choking sound from Eric.
"Godric, please, anything but that." Eric sounded on the verge of tears. He heard nothing from Godric and eventually looked up to find his maker close to losing it.
"I believe this is when the humans would say 'gotcha.'" Eric wasn't sure he heard right.
"Oh, Sookie was right, this was far more satisfying than ripping your arm off, and we need you at peak condition with Russell in the shadows." Godric laughed uproariously at the look on Eric's face. "Go home, Eric. I will see you at my home tomorrow night." Godric said as he walked back to the farmhouse.
A state of incredulity kept Eric Northman on his knees. Godric did not just play a joke on him using his worst fears. Being tethered to someone even a monarch in such a way was his worst nightmare, and Godric knew. Over the last century and a half, Godric had fielded several offers for Eric, each had been turned down without so much as a modicum of consideration. To think because of his behavior he could have found himself as a consort to Oklahoma, he shivered at the thought. When Godric had said his timing was impeccable, he meant it. He had delayed in coming to the farmhouse Godric would have contracted him out to Oklahoma. Dear Ares, he really had pushed his maker far this time.
Lesson learned.
"Between the two of us, we can end Russell." Jason blurted out as he pulled his shirt off. Jason had teleported them to Thalia's home in New Orleans for the rest of the weekend as neither of them had to work.
"I know we can, but I believe his offense to the sheriff is greater than his want of you. And I am rather looking forward to whatever move Russell will make. I see this as an opportunity to test your gifts to their full extent. I would also like to see you glamour the wolves that Russell is sure to send to watch you. You can make Russell believe whatever we want him to believe. Hell, were I in your shoes I will make him believe Godric spends hours in the sun. You can send the type of information that will make Russell careless in his desperation. The more you sound appealing through his own spies, the quicker we can end that mad excuse of a monarch." Jason stared at Thalia with a smile.
"You really are cunning," Jason whispered getting close to his bonded.
"Yes, just like you, I would like to see Russell's demise happen soon, but politics demand we wait. Mississippi is too close to our state to allow a war to break out over who gets that state after Russell's true death. We have to have a monarch in place before we make a move."
"I take it Godric has someone in mind?" Jason asked as he trailed kisses down Thalia's neck.
"Sophie-Anne." She answered her neck bared to his lips. He had her clothes off in a blink of an eye and her under him on the bed. "Your speed is improving."
"It will certainly come in handy with a bunch of wolves about to become my shadow." He moaned as he gripped his cock.
"Fuck me." She mewled into his ear. Not that he needed telling, but he complied all the same slamming into her. Taking it easy will come later in the night when he didn't have so much energy.