AN: It was a long break but I am back with new chapter.

Thank you for a great feedback and as always, big thanks for my beta, keiman and kei for fixing my mistakes.

Enjoy!


Chapter 18

Calm Before the Storm

SPOV

This is so uncomfortable, I thought bitterly when we drove into another hole in the road.

"Are you comfortable?" asked Godric at the same time and I wanted to raise my eyes to the sky and ask God, what kind of sick sense of humor He has.

"I still think we can get a ticket…" I mumbled but Eric only shrugged and drove into another hole causing me to jump on Godric's lap. I was starting to suspect he was doing it on purpose.

As ridiculous as it sounds, we were on our way to the orgy, driving Eric's tiny Corvette. Two seated Corvette, mind you, which resulted with me sitting on Godric's lap and breaking a few basic traffic and safety regulations in the process.

"I know you did that on purpose," I hissed at Eric when we jumped into yet another breach and I collapsed on Godric's chest. Both vampires chuckled.

Assholes.

"We should be there in a minute…Turn there," I said, just ignoring them and Eric followed my instructions without a word. If only he could be so obedient under different circumstances.

Two hours earlier he had been less than docile.

"Godric, she will end up in trouble, she always does!" Eric told his Maker and I wanted to throw something at his smug face. That was so untrue!

"Beg your pardon?!" I exclaimed, shocked by his tactless comment.

"Sookie…" Godric stopped me, putting both hands on my shoulders and holding me in place. I was already on my way to Eric, or rather his calf which I was about to kick silly. "Eric just voiced his worry about you. Going to the orgy is definitely outside your comfort zone." He was true – it was. "We will be there with you and…" He turned to Eric and glared at him. "… we will keep you safe."

"That is, keep her out of trouble," murmured Eric and I gasped. What a jerk!

"Enough, my child," said Godric sharply and I glanced at him. His face became stone-like and that was very… awe-inspiring when Eric instantly became more humble. "I know you feel hurt that Sookie asked shifter for help instead of asking you." This time that serious gaze ended at me and I mimicked Eric's submissive stance. Let me tell you something - being at the receiving end of Godric's admonishment wasn't fun. "Anyone would think that Sookie still doesn't trust us."

"I do…" I started weakly but Godric raised his finger and I shut up.

"That's fine, we are going to prove ourselves to you tonight once again, Sookie. We are going to do so as many times as needed, hoping you will finally find us worthy."

Now I felt like a bitch. I really haven't considered how Eric could feel about my choice of company. He has been nothing but kind to me for the last few days and I should have came to him with all this orgy party… Oh God, Godric was right - I think I hurt Eric's feelings.

"I'm sorry…" I whispered, risking a tentative look at Eric. He raised an eyebrow, challenging me, but I swallowed my pride and continued. "I should have asked you first instead of Sam." I apologized sincerely and I was instantly rewarded with a shit-eating grin from the Viking.

"Apology accepted, Lover. You should've known that I am better company than a dog; I have more experience in this field," he as much as purred, smiling at me and I felt a rush of blood flowing into my cheeks.

"Oh stop it!" I hissed, lightly punching his chest. "That's the reason I said nothing. You're going to mock me now!" I argued.

"Mock you? Lover, it's not mocking, it's a delicious promise!"

"Idiot!" I gasped.

Eric gasped right back, putting a hand over his heart. "Godric, did you hear that? She's calling me names! Please, make her apologize!" He was shamelessly laughing at me and I stomped my foot when Godric's lips quirked.

"Jerk!"

"Again! Unbelievable… Where are your manners, Sookie?"

I thought I heard Godric murmuring. "Worse than children." under his breath but I wasn't sure because Eric walked over to me and threw me over his shoulder. Just like that. What the Hell is wrong with this man?

I squealed, surprised. "Put me down, you giant ass! The era of Viking pillaging is over!"

"Come Lover, I will help you to pick out some proper orgy attire." Eric taunted and actually patted my butt gently. I was left speechless.

"There's no such thing!" I screamed when he took me away to my room, dragging me with himself like a sack of potatoes.

"And you're an expert?" Eric asked and patted me again.

"Touch my ass again and you're going to regret it!" I warned him and I felt a vibration when he chuckled.

"Fine, we'll leave it for later," he threatened me. Or maybe promised?

My God, what have I gotten myself into?

EPOV

I took a turn at top speed, causing Sookie to crash her chest into Godric's face. He will be thanking me for that later.

"You're evil…" she hissed and I only smiled more broadly. I couldn't stop smiling, it was getting a little annoying.

Godric's words were painfully true – I felt bad when Sookie chose a dog as her escort. Either she doubted my ability to keep her safe or worse – she preferred him over me. It was immensely pleasurable when I heard her calling him and saying she would be coming with me. She even said magically, "I will be perfectly safe with Eric." which caused a strange sensation in my chest.

I didn't remember the last time I'd had so much fun. My Master was back and actimg more like his old self than ever. He was mischievous and playful, just like he used to be centuries ago when he was rapidly getting us into trouble. We had a long conversation about his nature once upon a time and Godric admitted that he acts immature from time to time.

"It's more like an itch," he murmured. "Like something in my brain is forcing me to say or do something inappropriate."

I opted for the reason of such behavior to be the age he was turned into a vampire. There was still an immature teenage part in him that even thousands of years couldn't erase. Godric has been dwelling on the darker side of his nature but I was relieved, seeing that he's willing to relax a little.

"We're here." announced Sookie and I stopped my car at the end of the long driveway, giving the house a critical once-over. What a hovel!

The infamous party had already started and I saw at least a dozen people laughing and drinking alcohol. They were acting in a quite civilized manner and either Maenad's madness was diminishing or they were just boring folks. This thought had barely crossed my mind when I heard loud laughter and I saw two very naked, very obese people running across the lawn.

Sookie gasped, covering her eyes and Godric tilted his head, observing them running. Eventually he turned to me with a revolted grimace.

"That wasn't very appealing." I summed up.

"Are they gone?" I asked Sookie quietly and I bit back a smirk.

"They are, Lover." She slowly uncovered her face and took a tentative glance at the house. "You are aware that soon they will all be naked, right?"

"I hope we'll be gone before that happens!" she huffed.

"Do you remember what we are here to do, Lover?" I asked, getting back to business. Joking around was fun when we were in the sanctuary of our own home but we had a killer to find. A killer who can be a real threat to Sookie.

"Yes." she said with a roll of her eyes and my hand jumped forward to stop her fingers from touching the door handle. Sookie skipped a little and turned to me. When I saw her gulping, I knew that she had caught onto my serious mood.

"And?"

"And I'm not letting you out of my sight, preferably I am not leaving your side at all." she said obediently. If only she was always so obedient.

"And?"

"And, if somehow, by some miracle, we get separated, I am screaming like my life depends on it, no matter how safe I am." I opened my mouth but Sookie raised her hand. "Seemingly safe – I won't be safe with Maenad-influenced people." she corrected herself. "And, of course, if someone so much as tries to touch me, I can kick, bite and scratch - doesn't matter what body marks I'll leave because my offender will be ripped to shreds either way when you get there." She recited the last part with an eyeroll, definitely taking it as a joke. It wasn't a joke though. I had all the intentions to murder anyone who will threaten Sookie in the slightest.

"So…" We got out of the car and Godric took hold of Sookie's hand, smiling at her gently. "Are you ready to participate in your first orgy?" he joked and Sookie paled.

"We're not participating, right? I mean…" She put her lips in a tight line and averted her gaze. "Of course you could, theoretically, but I…"

"I was joking, Sookie," he hurried with his explanation and smiled broadly. He felt very, very smug, I wondered why?

"Okay. Good!" Sookie smoothed her modest green dress and smiled. "Onward to the adventure!" she said with false excitement and marched up the front lane.

We were right on her heels and I took the opportunity that she couldn't see our faces and leaned closer to Godric.

"What pleased you so much earlier?" I asked very quietly, keeping my gaze fixed on the back of Sookie's head.

"She wasn't enjoying the idea of two of us participating, my child."

I smirked. Of course she didn't, she wanted us.

So far, the orgy didn't look much like any of the orgies I used to take part in. And being a vampire, I had had plenty of chances to participate. My kind treated sexuality with an ease and liberty. Sex was a part of negotiation, fights and celebrations. The truth was that we were fucking every chance we had and, when I was thinking about this now, it was, for some reason, a little depressing.

"Oh my…" I heard an exciting squeal and I barely stopped myself from running. The red-haired woman was circling me like a shark who was evaluating her victim. I turned to Godric for some assistance but he was already far away, with Sookie safely tucked under his arm. He turned to me and winked. I was being ditched, I realized.

"Hello." I greeted her politely.

"My name's Arlene and yours?" Her fingers lingered on my chest and I bit down the need to break her arm. In one way or another, this woman was connected to Sookie and I doubted my little telepath would've taken it kindly if I had started to break limbs around here.

"Eric." I murmured and turned my back on her. I tensed when I felt a hand closing on my butt cheek. Being threatened in my bar where I felt like a God, I wasn't used to humans beings so bold with me. Talk about feeling like a piece of meat... My fangs ran down and I needed to close my eyes to calm myself. Playing along and getting information was the plan for tonight, I reminded myself. Let's flirt a little with this fake-haired bimbo.

"Haven't see you before. Ya new in town?" she purred and I turned to her, smiling a little.

I was completely dumbfounded when she screamed bloody murder and literally ran away from me. What the Hell?

Sookie and Godric looked at me worriedly and I glanced at them, shrugging. Seriously- I did nothing wrong.

"Arlene doesn't like vampires," giggled Sookie and Godric cracked a smile as well.

I vamped over to them and decided that there was no point in commenting on this crazy bitch's behavior.

"So, I guess it's time to follow up with our plan and talk a little with these people, hm?" asked Sookie, her eyes still shining with mirth.

So, along with the plan we went.

The first person we were talking with was a man, Mark Spencer, the host of the party. I hated the way he was looking at Sookie; he was literally undressing her with his eyes. Mark was giving us sideways glances, obviously uncomfortable with two vampires watching him like hawks.

He looked genuinely relieved when someone called him from the inside of the house.

"I don't think he was involved with Jane's murder." Sookie sighed. "Also, I don't think we will learn anything when you're both going to look at people like you're planning to eat them." she added sharply.

"We would never," I assured her. They were all smelling repulsively.

"They don't know that so just let me speak with them without you sta…"

"No!" Godric and I answered her just as sharply.

Sookie pinched the base of her nose. "I wanna be out of here before the real party starts. Godric can feel me… Damn, you have bat hearing, you can hear me and get to me in a second! Come on…" She looked at me, her big eyes pleading with me.

I risked a glance at Godric who was standing nearby with a gloomy expression. Sookie was, of course, right; no one's going to talk freely with us on their tails.

"I don't like this idea," I told her, nonetheless, and Sookie smiled sweetly at me. It was strange…

"Please?" she asked me with pleading eyes and I felt uncomfortable by her unusual behavior. I needed a moment to realize she was trying to influence me. "Gonna be a good girl and scream your name when I need you?"

Well, that was an opening line for a lot of opportunities… "Fine," I said simply. I was a wise vampire and I was picking my fights deliberately after all. "We will keep an eye on you though."

"Of course!" she exclaimed and instantly waved her hand at a red-haired woman, catching up with her. "Hello Arlene, nice party, right?" she chatted lightly.

So far, everything seemed to be peaceful, almost boring even (except for those nude runners) but, of course, Sookie Stackhouse had joined the party, so the shit was about to hit the fan. And when it did, I really wished I had never brought Sookie here!


AN: So, do you enjoy it? Please, leave a review :)