AN: All reviews and alerts mean a lot to me. Thank you! I'm really happy you like this story so far : )
Special thanks to isis . mama and treewitch703 for editing this chapter.
DISCLAIMER: I DON'T OWN TRUE BLOOD OR SVM. MOST CHARACTERS WON'T BE MINE. THEY BELONG TO HBO AND CHARLAINE HARRIS.
Chapter 3
Out of the Frying Pan and Into the Fire
GPOV
Fortunately Sookie was seated or she might have fallen after hearing my proposition.
"Excuse me?" she asked and glared at me. I couldn't blame her. She probably thought I had gotten rid of Compton only to get my hands on her. That might be true, but I had the best of intentions. My child was calm on the outside, but inside he bombarded our bond with feelings of betrayal and anger.
"Let's speak in private," I suggested calmly and pointed in the direction of my office. Sookie huffed, annoyed and marched that way with her head raised proudly.
"No!" she said the second Eric closed the doors. I hadn't expected anything less from her.
"How about you listen first and then decide?" I recommended softly. Sookie's cheeks were flushed and her breast heaving. She looked lovely while angry. Eric was watching her chest like someone had hypnotized him and I wanted to roll my eyes at his fascination.
"Decide what? To trade one vampire for two? I don't think so!"
I was observing Sookie very carefully slightly surprised by her hostility. Eric raised an eyebrow and smirked faintly.
"Hon känner sig kränkt," he told me suddenly. Could that be? Of course...I was ashamed that I hadn't paid attention to her feelings. Had I closed myself off in my own shell so long that I had not noticed such obvious signals?
"I apologize, Sookie...I realize you might find such proposal offensive."
"Might?" she spoke through gritted teeth.
"We will not demand anything from you. It will only be an official statement – for your protection."
"What?" Eric slipped. My child was watching me with clear shock. Sookie frowned and looked at him and back at me.
"Just a... fraud of some kind?" she asked slowly. I nodded. My child sent me pissed emotions flaming through our bond and Sookie looked thoughtful.
"Ha tålamod," I whispered to him so quietly that Sookie didn't hear me. Some understanding appeared in Eric's gaze.
"I don't understand why you are willing to do this?" She was completely confused by now. I offered her a chair and she sat down with a small sigh. Eric was observing both of us with interest, visibly curious.
"I think you know why..." I told her gently. "You helped me find... a new purpose." I felt surprise coming from the bond with my son. After all, we hadn't had a chance to talk about why I was in the Fellowship of the Sun church, in the first place. Discussing it now would be reckless though – I was unsure how my proud child would react when I told him about my suicidal plans. "When we had that conversation in the basement, when you told me about Bill Compton and your story, I was so deeply ashamed, that one of my kind is using someone as good hearted as you." Her gaze become softer and she wiggled in her chair. "I have been conflicted for a very long time. I can confess that I am conflicted still, but that short interaction with you showed me… how useless I am." My child and telepath opened their mouths in sync, evidently to deny but I raised my hand to stop them. "Please, let me finish. I am over two thousand years old and during all this time my only accomplishment, the one I am truly proud of, was turning Eric." My son flooded me with a wave of his satisfaction and love. "Other things? Sookie, I was doing nothing! I have been watching silently the cruelty of both the human and supernatural world and I did nothing to stop it."
"Oh, sweetie…" Sookie looked at me with a very warm expression and spoke with deep sadness in her voice. "…you can't save everybody."
"I know. But I can at least try to save few…" I leaned forward in my chair and folded my hands on the desk. "Fellowship, drainers – I would like to start with them."
"And where will you stop, Master?" My child was observing me with skepticism.
"On abusive vampires… Don't pretend you aren't aware of the pets and masters culture."
Sookie jumped in her chair. "What?!" she exclaimed with a shocked expression on her face.
"It's sad, but true Sookie. Some vampires are… training their humans. Some humans are willing to act… submissively, but others are simply forced into this."
She shook her head, golden locks bouncing fast. "That's…I don't wanna imagine what they are doing."
"Everything…" my son murmured grimly. Thankfully, he has never been into such acts, the story of me and my vampire master still loud and clear in his head.
"I would rather die than be treated like…a slave," whispered Sookie.
I nodded at that and decided not to tell her that her relationship with Bill Compton would surely have led to that. There was something more in the young vampire, many things that still need to be investigated further. He was only a pawn and where there is a pawn, there is a queen. I clearly underestimated Miss Stackhouse, though because she smiled sadly and asked.
"You think Bill would treat me that way eventually, right?"
I looked at Eric, who gritted his teeth and moved closer to her. I watched, fascinated, seeing my child kneeling in front of a tiny woman.
"Don't worry, lover. I would never let him."
"I am not your lover..." she murmured but I saw her eyes getting softer.
"Sookie, your amazing ability would be... irreplaceable. I would be overjoyed if you agreed to help me."
I believe the right phrase is 'catching flies'. Well, Sookie's mouth was hanging open and her eyes had become round. "Excuse me?"
"First," I leaned more comfortably in my chair "I would like both of you listen to my plan." The more I spoke, the more shocked they were.
"That's bold…" said Sookie, partly shocked, partly intrigued.
"That's risky." My child's face was like stone. "Master, you will endanger Sookie greatly." The telepath bit down on her lower lip and glanced at Eric from the corner of her eyes.
"I will do my best to keep Sookie safe. I hope you will assist me."
Eric was pacing the room for a moment, deep in thought. "I will have to resign from my position as sheriff to assist you."
"My child, I would never force you to…"
"Master," he turned to me with anger. "Do you think I'm putting that Sophie bitch above you?"
I smiled at him shaking my head gently.
"Who's Sophie?" asked Sookie frowning.
"Don't worry, lover," whispered Eric, leaning closer to her ear. "She means nothing to me."
Sookie turned to me and I had to fight with my laughter seeing her face. She was positively murderous. "I will stab him one day..." she said surprisingly calmly and turned back to Eric. "And you better pray it isn't something wooden."
My child winked at her, definitely very smug and pleased with himself.
"To answer your question, little one, Sophie Ann is a vampire queen. She resides in Louisiana."
"First – you have Queens! How?!"
"Bill really told you nothing about vampires, did he?"
"Well, I didn't even know what your blood could do to me! I suspected there was some power structure among vampires after I met Eric, but... Queen? We live in the United States!" I smirked hearing her outrage.
"Yes, technically our monarchs – King or Queen in each state – are in charge of the sheriffs," I explained and Sookie raised her eyebrows, catching my slightly disrespectful tone.
"Technically?"
Eric snickered and answered. "Yes, it looks good on paper. It is true that most monarchs are spoiled children. They would be lost without their underlings. Not to sound too cocky..." Sookie rolled her eyes at him. "... but sheriffs like Godric and I are very...desirable."
She was observing him for a few moments biting her lower lip.
"And the Queen of Louisiana...is she older than you?" she asked Eric.
"No, she isn't."
"Smarter than you?" she teased. Eric's lips twitched.
"Definitely not."
"Then why aren't you a King if you are so...superior?"
I watched Eric, amused. My son was, let's say... authority phobic. He only agreed to be sheriff so he wouldn't have to listen to other vampires he believes to be weaker than him. And most of the New World vampires were weaker than my child. The same applied to me - I don't wish to rule, only to have enough authority to be left alone most of the time. Eventually we both agreed to pledge our loyalty to neighboring states to have easy access to each other. Eric was unlucky to be Sophie's underling, though.
"This may surprise you, Miss Stackhouse, but I am not power hungry," he said, finally, with a smirk. Sookie frowned hearing that.
"This may surprise you, Mr. Northman, but I believe you." She turned to me with some kind of resolve on her face. "How, would this thing…work? If I say yes!"
I allowed myself a small smile, behind Sookie's back, Eric was licking his lips and filling our bond with intense emotions – he must be picturing our telepath in some carnal act. I will have to talk with him seriously later. Eric will have to get used to some rules I will explain to him, or he won't be a part of the plan at all.
"I heard what Eric told you earlier. It's true that some vampires will try to capture you. I am almost sure that Bill Compton was sent to your town to do just that. It's highly possible that the queen is behind this. Your immunity to glamour was an obstacle Compton didn't expect."
She gulped and I could almost see the track of her mind in her eyes. She was aware that someone titled 'Queen' has to be a serious threat to her.
"You can't be glamoured, as you explained to me earlier, so he was forced to improvise…"
"He used his blood," she added in a whisper.
"Logical…" murmured Eric. "But they could just kidnap her. Sookie would vanish without a trace if Sophie Ann wished her to."
I glared at my child. Sookie was scared enough; there was no need to upset her even more. He only raised his eyebrow and shrugged, like saying 'what, it's true!' And it was true, unfortunately.
"Yes…but I believe that a telepath who doesn't want to cooperate is – I apologize for my harsh words, Sookie – useless."
"Yeah…I would simply lie about what I heard. Or not say anything about it at all."
"Exactly. But I noticed the way Bill Compton was looking at you…I think he developed some feelings for you." I wanted to reassure Sookie a little bit. I wasn't surprised seeing dedication in the young vampire's eyes, Miss Stackhouse was a lovable creature.
"That doesn't mean much…" she said coldly. I sighed lightly.
"I will claim you, to block other vampires from approaching you."
"And Eric?" she pointed my son with roll of her eyes. "Why is he in the equation?" Eric scowled at her and clenched his jaw. They deserve each other.
"I have to stay here for some time to put my sheriff's duties in order," I explained. "If you agree to help me with my… atonement, then we will consider our options. Firstly, if you agree to stay for some time and help me with the Fellowship issue, I would be in your debt. They recruited Hugo, so who knows how many humans in my nest are involved with their organization?"
"Wait…" My child frowned and I smiled at his hopeful emotions. "Are you moving to Louisiana?" asked Eric with hope. I send him my love through the bond.
"I am bored with Dallas," I shrugged. "And, I believe that Sookie needs some time to acclimate. You will protect her until I…"
"Hey!" We both looked at Sookie who was fuming with fury. "I didn't say I agree, you highhanded…vampires!"
"I apologize…" I send her a smile which sometimes was helpful with females. "I got carried away…Please, consider my plan."
"I have life you know…a job."
Eric snickered at that and Sookie glared at him. I will have to discuss with my son the reason for his… aversion towards Sookie's job.
"If I agree to be yours, I will be able to keep my life to some extent, but agreeing with your other plan worries me far more…" She gulped and I heard a soft crack when she twisted her fingers.
"Sookie, don't worry about this until I have a detailed plan ready. For now, I would like to know if you are willing to stay here for a week or two."
The telepath moved in the chair, visibly uncomfortable. "I think…I would like to help with Fellowship, but I have to speak with my boss."
"Of course." I smiled brightly at her, my heart full of hope. "Take your time, little one."
She sighed with relief and I noticed my son watching her carefully. Eric's emotions were full of worry. It was touching how much my child careed for this human.
"Well…" Sookie cleared her throat and stood up hesitantly. "I'll go grab something to drink…" Both Eric and I nodded shortly, watching her leaving the room. When she closed the door, Eric turned to me in question.
"Master?"
I knew what he's asking about. "I was tired Eric…" I explained softly. Now when we were alone my son wasn't hiding his emotions. I felt my heart breaking when I saw and felt how devastated he was.
"Would you leave without saying goodbye?"
"I thought it to be better…"
"Stop!" Eric was fuming. "Don't talk about it…"
"My child…"
"Don't." He shook his head. "Just tell me you won't ever think about this again."
"I have new purpose my son…I understand I was wrong." I knew that we would have a hard conversation about my plans, maybe Eric will even snap one day and I will have to face his fury, but for now I respected the fact he decided to stay in denial. I sensed my child needed to ask me something and I encouraged him through our bond.
"Are you lusting for her?" I stayed quiet considering my options. "Master, I can feel you… like her very much. If Sookie's companionship is what you need now I will stop teasing her. She's all yours."
I was shocked how much Eric hurt telling me this. I felt my mouth hanging open at his heartbreak. My child looked at me, shame evident on his face. I knew he felt something for the telepath, but the force of his emotions was unexpected.
"Eric," I started slowly.
"I want to fuck her. Please, leave it…" he interrupted with a grimace. Now he was acting like an teen, but I once again respected his desire to be left alone.
"Sookie is beautiful and enchanting," I answered his original question. "I would be fool to not desire her one way or another."
Eric sat back on a chair and rested the side of his hand in front of his mouth. That was an unmistakable sign he's deep in thought. "I believe I could share her with you, if she were willing, that is." My child wasn't convinced though.
"Will she be willing?"
Eric snorted and shook his head. "She was raised in a Christian spirit and you know how they treat sexuality."
I leaned back more comfortably in my chair. "We have a lot of time. Maybe one day she will be more open to… pleasure."
"Hmm…" Eric smiled. "We can try. But…" He became more serious. "We have to take care of this worm, Compton."
"Sookie didn't agree to be ours."
"Master, you heard him – he threatened her. If he was sent by the queen Sookie may be in trouble. That bitch will not let it go…"
"Do you still have your spy in her court?"
"Of course."
"Find out as much as possible. I will have to deal with Nan. She announced her visit for tomorrow and I want to use it as a chance to receive permission to deal with the Fellowship."
Eric had a little frown between his eyebrows. "Sookie…"
"I will keep her involvement a secret. If my plan is to work, one day I will have to inform Roman, though."
"If Sookie agrees…"
"She will," I told him with conviction. "She is a humanitarian and deep, down inside she feels underestimated and she looks for an opportunity to spread her wings. I am more than willing to help her accomplish that."
My son was clearly happy with my explanation and I sensed that he agrees with me.
"Please," I sat more comfortably "tell me what you know about Miss Stackhouse, my child."
So Eric did. I was pleased with his knowledge about the telepath, but we both were aware that there were many more things we would soon learn on our own.
AN: Details of Godric's plan will be revealed sometime in the future. I always thought that Sookie's wasting her talent and I want for her, just like Godric, to 'spread her wings'. Hopefully, working together will bring the three of them closer, but for now, I don't want her to start a relationship right after Bill's betrayal.
So, did you enjoy this update?
