Godric the Gaul, was revered and feared by the AVL for good reason. He was then somehow instrumental in the utter destruction of Steve Newlin. The rumor was that he was fighting to keep his position in the church. The so-called email released on AVL's website had crashed the site. They'd never had so many visitors, and they couldn't handle the traffic. Roman had called Godric to thank him but had asked for no explanation. He instead sent her to get said explanation under the guise of further thanking the Gaul.
Godric, Eric, Pam, and two humans Nan didn't know joined her at a table near the raised platform that also sat a chair doubling as a throne. She rolled her eyes at the sight when she had first walked into the bar. Fangtasia was a veritable cliché of everything that screamed vampire, except vampires, were far removed from that.
Nan stared at Sookie and Jason, wondering what the to were doing at the table. "She's wondering what we are doing here, so let's clue her in," Jason said with a smug smile. Eric and Pam had learned that Jason wasn't a telepath, nor could Sookie read vampires, but Jason could read anybody's language rather well, and Nan was making it all too easy for him. Eric, however, wasn't entirely sure he believed Jason wasn't a telepath, nor could they not hear vampire minds. He felt Godric did not trust him, and it was a ploy to let his guard down. In truth, neither mattered, as he was hell-bent on earning back his maker's trust.
"Godric chuckled and turned to Nan. "This is Sookie Stackhouse, my bonded." Nan did nothing to hide her surprise at the news. She knew the Gaul was bonded, but she had no idea it was to a human. That is her brother Jason, and he is Thalia's bonded, and they are not human." His smile was a little smug at the look on Nan's face. "Well... not entirely. They are also responsible for Newlin's downfall. My bonded saw you on TV and was not impressed with your performance. If Newlin could lie through his teeth, why shouldn't we play him at his own game, so we did."
Nan cleared her throat unnecessarily. "So, the young lady that called in..." Nan mumbled.
"Oh, Crystal's story was very much true. Sookie figured out who she was from the very beginning. With the exception of everyone at this table and Thalia, no one else knew she was a spy for the church. Everything she witnessed is what takes place as usual. No vampire can pretend to be something they are not for so long, especially so many of them.
"Indeed," Nan whispered. "Roman sends his thanks and offers his help whenever needed." That was what they had been waiting for.
"Well, we do have a problem, and since it originates from our neighbors, there isn't much we can do. A vampire in Mississippi is either selling or giving his blood to the weres. We had a couple come through here, causing trouble for the packs in the area. Someone needs to talk to Russell." Nan looked genuinely scandalized, which surprised Godric because they had already sent the AVL information anonymously, naming Russell as the culprit. It appeared they needed to hear about it from a reputable source to take it seriously. Godric's spy in Russell's camp had also informed them of Russell's substantial donation to the AVL. The donation had come just as they had sent the information; meaning Russell had an ally in the AVL.
"Roman will hear of this as soon as I get back." Russell was now on the AVL's radar despite his attempts to buy his way out of trouble. With nothing to talk about, Nan stood to leave. "How did you know she was a spy for the Fellowship of the Church?"
"That Miss Flanagan is my secret." Sookie smiled. Nan stared at her and then at Jason for a beat before turning to leave.
"She is not going to let it go," Eric muttered.
"No, I didn't expect her to," Godric answered. "With Roman as the head of the AVL, it's not going to be an issue."
"If the AVL does do what I hope they'd do, we can keep Talbot out of this, but let's have a plan..."
"In the bag," Sookie said with a chuckle.
"Yes, let's have a plan in the bag just in case they hesitate." Godric finished with a sigh.
"How do we get to Talbot without Russell knowing," Pam asked.
"From a distance," Jason answered. "We simply need to get Talbot into the open and take him out. I will need a McMillan TAC-50. I will need to make a few changes to the bullet, but it should work."
"Okay," Sookie mumbled slowly.
"It's a 50-caliber bullet designed to go through an armored vehicle. I can shoot from more than a mile away if need be." Jason shrugged at the incredulous look his sister was giving him.
"That would work." Godric smiled. "What do you need to do with the bullet?"
"I'm hoping to get some silver on it. The bullet alone should make mincemeat of his heart, but the added silver should increase my chances."
"Can you make the shot from that distance?" Pam asked.
"I'd have to practice. I've never made a shot at that distance before. Just get me the gun, and we will go from there." Jason stood and stretched. "Thalia and I are headed for New York for a couple of days." With a wave, he was gone.
Sookie was surprised by the ease in which he was willing to kill an innocent vampire. In a way, she also understood it; after all, he was the one Russell was after. Talbot sure as hell wasn't going to turn down the opportunity to walk in the sun if Russell represented Jason.
"I should have the gun by the time you get back," Eric muttered as he got his phone out.
Thanks to Russell, Godric now found himself thoroughly entrenched in politics. He spent the flight back to Shreveport, wishing he could just take a detour into Mississippi and take Russell out. Unfortunately, that would inevitably end his peace and quiet for sure. Despite being an adviser to Sophie-Anne, he was still able to maintain the life he loved so much. Killing Russell would put him in a position that would put his family in danger. He was feared enough as it was, and arbitrarily taking out Russell would have some in the vampire world after him for fear he could come after them. He landed in his backyard just after midnight. It would be a while before Sookie got home from Fangtasia, so he jumped into the shower, washing several hours of political nonsense of him.
He was replying to the AP's email when he heard the distinct pop that hailed Sookie's arrival. She walked into the bedroom with a loud sigh. Her eyes drifted over his naked torso slowly before looking up at him. "I'm going to take a quick shower." She headed to the bathroom. Godric quickly replied to the email and put his laptop aside. He knew that look, well sex was on the cards. Unfortunately for him, his phone rang at that moment. Worse, it wasn't a call he could ignore.
"Roman." He hoped this was the news he was waiting for.
"Godric, Nan will not shut up about you and Thalia's bonded," Roman said with a chuckle.
"They do have that effect on most people." Godric returned.
"We looked at the blood problem in your neighboring state. It seems it was a vampire looking to earn extra money. Russell has assured us he has put an immediate stop to it. Apparently, said vampire is in a silvered coffin licking his wounds, so to speak." Godric shut his eyes in disappointment. It appeared he AVL had blinked.
"Can't tell you how relieved I am that is over with." Godric smiled.
"It was nothing." There was a pause. "Your bonded... what is she? "Roman asked.
"She is the granddaughter of Niall Brigant." Sookie appeared then with a raised eyebrow. For some bizarre reason, the AVL had chosen to simply take Russell's word for it. He couldn't believe Roman was afraid of Russell, yes Roman was young compared to himself and Russell, but still, he was the head of the authority. The only conclusion Godric could draw was that Russell did indeed have an ally in the AVL.
"His seat on the council had been empty for almost two decades."
"Yes, and for good reason. I believe my bonded needs my attention. We will speak soon." He dropped the call before Roman could ask more questions.
"Why did you tell him who I was?"
"Russell has someone in the AVL, someone who has Roman's ear and has blinded him to what is truly going on with Russell. Whoever it is, needs to be made wary of me and mine. If Russell doesn't get Jason soon, what stops him from going to this contact in the AVL. Your family tree will make them cautious, and hinting I might know where Niall is should make them cautious of crossing us. They might be willing to go against me, but me and Niall Brigant... I don't think so."
"It's not a theory I want to test. I think it's time we started with our plan." Sookie pulled on a bathrobe much to Godric's dismay. Godric hoped the phone call with Jason would be a quick one. It wasn't.
"What is the meaning of this?" Russell bellowed.
"Sorry, but I thought you would like to know that the Stackhouse boy is at Lou Pine's as we speak," Michael informed Russell.
"Are you sure?"
"Yes, very, he introduced himself to Hollis as Jason Stackhouse." Russell was gone before Michael finished his sentence.
Russell couldn't believe his luck, what were the chances of the very boy he desperately needed walking into an establishment were all there were loyal to him.
Russell entered the bar to find Jason Stackhouse surrounded by weres. "So, you are bonded to a vampire?" A were asked.
"Indeed, I am."
"I'm surprised she hasn't drained you smelling the way you smell." They believed him, as they could also smell the vampire blood as faint as it was.
"So, how did you land this elusive vampire?" Debbie Pelt asked with a sneer.
"She loves knives, and I am very good with a knife," Jason mumbled.
"Well, show us." Another were asked. Jason was about to do just that when he froze and looked at the doorway.
"Oh, I'm in trouble." He mumbled just as Thalia appeared in the middle of the bar.
"You left the Jackson Police Department several hours ago. If you intended on drinking after your consultation... a phone call would have been appreciated." Thalia's calm demeanor did not bode well for Jason.
"Yes, right... I should have done that. It was a horrifying case, and I wanted to come straight home, but I struggled to pop and thought a few drinks would settle my nerves."
"You couldn't transport yourself across a relatively short distance by your standards?"
"No, tried, but it just wasn't working. Thought a little drink might help." He stumbled when he stood.
"Seems to me, you had more than a little drink." Thalia retorted drily.
"Got a little carried away." Jason swayed on the spot.
With a sigh, Thalia turned to the bartender." Is there anywhere around here I can rent a car?" She had run to Jackson, not expecting to find her bonded drunk.
"I'm afraid not, especially at this time." The bartender answered.
"I can pop now." And he did. He was gone for a few seconds earning gasps from the weres. Unfortunately, he appeared back in the same place. "I think my sense of direction is gone." Jason giggled.
"You really ain't human." Debbie Pelt muttered in shock.
"No, he is not. It is also rather irresponsible of you to get this inebriated knowing the gifts you possess. You could have hurt a lot of people had your powers gotten out of control." Thalia moved forward to catch him as he swayed far too forward. "Russell, could you lend me a vehicle? It will be returned tomorrow evening." Russell was surprised by the request as he was sure Thalia hadn't even noticed him.
"Would it not be easier to spend the night at my home until you can both leave safely?" Thalia looked at an almost passed-out Jason and agreed.
"I will drive you." Debbie Pelt surprisingly offered.
Had Russell Edgington been thinking past his want of Jason Stackhouse, he would have questioned several things. He would have questioned why Thalia simply didn't give him a little of her blood to neutralize the effects of the alcohol. He would have questioned why Thalia wasn't worried about the effects of Jason's smell on the vampires in his home. Russell Edgington was thinking of ways to get rid of Thalia and keep Jason Stackhouse for himself, and it never once crossed his mind this was all too convenient.