Dark Desire – Chapter 19
The next evening around ten o'clock, Katy, Judith and Sookie were in Katy's sitting room talking while Eric, Bill, Daniel, Pam and the other vamps were in his office holding another meeting. Something big was going on that Eric didn't seem to want to share with Katy. He had shut their blood bond down once again. She tried earlier that night after they made love to get him to talk about it, but he wouldn't. Before he shut their bond down on his side, Katy had the distinct impression that whatever it was, it involved her and the men who were chasing her.
Katy was furious as she stomped out of the bedroom, yelling at him, "Why do you do that? You know I really hate it when you shut down your bond; I hate it when I can't feel you! I know you are up to something. It would be a lot easier if you just tell me what is going on. I am not a child and I don't like being treated like one. I don't like being kept in the dark!"
Katy was afraid that she sounded like a petulant child, but Eric's highhanded way of shutting her out when he wanted to was getting to her. She wished she could do the same thing from her end once in a while, just to let him know what it felt like, but she couldn't.
Eric did not want Katy to know that he had several humans killed last week because he considered them a threat to Katy. He planned to kill the rest of them soon. He also did not want Katy to know how much danger she was in from Gaetano Califano. He was sure he could keep her safe at the palace. After everything was over, he would tell her what was going on...maybe.
Earlier tonight, Daniel had found out from Gwen Jameson that Dante Capelli and Gaetano Califano were arriving in New Orleans later tonight. After using his sources, Bill found out that Califano had plans to visit the palace with Nan Flanagan from the American Vampire League and with the Magister. Eric was stumped by this move by Califano; and he wanted all of his vamps to be on the alert.
Suddenly, Katy asked Judith, "What is it like to be a vampire? Do you like being one?"
Judith was startled by the question. "Why do you ask? I thought you knew I was turned against my will. I would give anything to be human again. Do, I like being vampire? No, but it is what I am, I can't change that."
"I've asked Eric to turn me after we are married." Katy told the two women with her.
In unison, both Sookie and Judith said, "No!"
"Don't let Eric do that to you, I beg you, Katy. You will regret it. You have no idea what it is like to be a monster. That is what you will become if you become one of us," Judith cried out.
Sookie seemed angry, "Did Eric convince you to let him turn you? He wanted to turn me too, but I refused. That bastard!" she proclaimed loudly.
Katy was surprised by the passion in both of their voices. She replied hotly to the two of them, "First of all, Sookie, I asked Eric to turn me. He has never said anything to me about it. Second, do you really think of yourself as a monster, Judith? Do you think that Daniel, Bill or Eric are monsters for that matter? I sure don't."
"All vampires are monsters, Katy. Whether we want to be or not, we are monsters; we can't help ourselves. We live on human blood; we have all killed humans to live. I have killed humans, so yes, I am a monster too." Shame and remorse filled the small vamps eyes.
"No, Judith. I don't know when or even why you killed before, but I know that you are not killing humans now. I know about the store of donated human blood in your basement. I know that you still feed from humans from time to time, but I also know that your donors are willing. You are one of the most gentle people I have ever met, vampire or human. You are not a monster. I will never believe that," Katy defended her friend ferociously.
"As for you Sookie, you made a choice not to become vampire. I respect that, but I am making a different choice. I love Eric, and I don't want to lose him. I want to be with him forever," she continued.
"But Katy, vampires don't stay together; they can't unless one totally enthralls the other. I know you don't want that. You have a better chance of keeping Eric if you stay human," Judith warned her. She was alarmed by what she heard her friend say.
"I am already eight years older than Eric in human years, I don't want to get any older. How long will he find me attractive if I do? I don't want to chance losing him. I know that you think vampires can't stay together, you have told me that before, but I know you loved Bill, and I know that you love Daniel now. Are you completely sure that you wouldn't have stayed with Bill, if he didn't love Sookie? I have heard of a few vampire couples who stayed together for centuries, and it is not because one is in thrall to the other. Eric has told me sometimes a vampire has a special gift that makes other vampires want to stay with them. I will just have to take my chances with Eric. It is worth the risk," Katy said firmly.
Sookie shot back, "But Katy, don't you want to have children someday? Don't you want to walk outside in the sun? Don't you want to eat food and do the things that humans can do? Don't you get it that you have to die to become a vampire. Don't you want to be alive?" It chilled her to think that Katy would willingly give up her life to be with Eric. It also made her feel envious that Katy was willing to do so, when she could not even imagine it, even to be with Bill.
"When Richard and I were married, we talked about having a family some day, but it was never a pressing issue with either of us. So, frankly no, I don't really care about having children. Besides, you won't be having children of your own if you stay with Bill, either. Are you planning to leave him because he can't give you a child?" Katy asked.
She went on, "Sookie, I can understand your decision: you have a reason to live. You still have living family who want you to stay human, but I am the last living member of my family. I have no one to care if I am turned or not. The other things don't matter to me; I think I will be gaining more than I am giving up. Judith, I really believe that you and Daniel truly love each other. I believe that you will stay together for as long as you want. Look, you two; human relationships often break up, so there are no guarantees there either. I love Eric, and I want to stay with him, it is as simple as that. This is something that I have given careful thought to; it is not a sudden whim on my part." Katy said softly to the two other women.
Sookie shook her head to protest more, but then she stopped. She looked as if a light bulb went off in her head. "You know maybe Katy is right about Daniel, Judith. Ever since I met him, I have sensed he is different from most vampires too. I have been wracking my brain trying to figure out why. You know that Bill has fae blood, Judith, don't you? Well, now I realize that what I have sensed in Daniel is fae blood too; it is faint, but it is there. I wonder if that will make a difference..."
Judith was thunderstruck, she opened her mouth to speak, when a knock sounded at the door. When Katy opened it, Tommy Lee Larson stood there. "Eric wants to see you in the throne room, Lady Kathryn," he said.
The three women got up and followed him downstairs. In the throne room, Eric sat on his elaborate chair. The room was filled with his security vamps; there were no humans in the room, except Katy and Sookie. Katy walked up to Eric, who stood up, embraced her and kissed her.
In front of the throne stood four vampires that Katy didn't know. Two of the male vamps were dark haired and olive skinned; they looked looked like they were of Mediterranean descent. One of these vamps, a short, stocky male with an ugly pock marked face, looked at her with decadent eyes that were filled with hatred. He seemed to reek with danger and evil, and it made Katy shiver. To one side of him stood a taller, handsome and obviously younger male. His hard brown eyes were merely filled with curiosity.
A third male was was thin and less than average height. He was of indeterminate age, but he seemed old and gray; not just his hair, but his skin. His black eagle eyes looked contemptuously at her, he had the look of power and authority. If possible, he seemed even more evil than the first vamp; his very presence made Katy quiver in fear. The fourth strange vamp was a hard looking, skinny, middle age blonde female who reminded Katy of many the female politicians she had met. It was clear that she was afraid of the gray vamp beside her.
"Miss Flanagan, Magister, Mr. Califano and Mr. Capelli, I would like to present my future wife, Katy Dumont. Katy, Mr. Califano is here to demand that I turn you over to him. He claims that you have harmed him. He brought the Magister and Miss Flanagan to bolster his case. What do you think of that?" Eric said in a calm but deadly voice. His voice was so cold that it contrasted with the hot anger and menace radiating from his every pore. Katy had never seen him look so dangerous.
The Magister spoke in a cold, bored voice, "King Eric, Gaetano Califano is a major financial supporter of the Vampire Authority. He has made serious charges against you and that woman to the VA and to the American Vampire League. Califano claims that woman has tried to clear her father's name by shifting the blame for his sickening crimes to him. We cannot let a vampire be slanderedby a human that way, especially now with the VRA up in the air. King Eric, Califano claims that you have killed other vampires that were in his service."If it is true about the woman, she must be handed over to him to do what he wishes with her. It is only fair. As for you, vampires killing other vampire is a serious offense, especially over a mere human. Even kings can not get away with that. We are here to ask you some questions. We are here to determine the truth. Did you kill vampires in service to Gaetano Califano?"
"What, I don't understand..." Katy started to say.
The Magister turned his cold, dark evil eyes on her, his contempt growing moment by moment. "Shut up human! You are not to speak unless spoken to!"
Califano jumped in. "Northman, I know you have been killing humans and you have killed my vampires. It's all because of that bitch! Let me have her, I will get the truth out of her. " He began screaming invectives at her in Italian.
"I suppose you have some proof of these wild accusations, Califano ? Why on earth would I want to kill humans? Why on earth would I want to kill your men?"
"Because she was going to testify against me. She was going claim that I was behind that sex scandal with her husband and father in law, not her father. She was going to claim that her father was just an innocent victim of circumstance. She was going to lie and perjure herself on the stand with her wild claims about me. I am a legitimate businessman, but her claims have cost me millions of dollars in lost revenue because of it. I …?"
"I don't know what you are talking about. I don't know you. I never met you before in my life, so how could I testify against you?" Katy moved closer to Eric and grabbed onto his hand. She hoped her voice did not show the fear she felt.
"Gaetano Califano runs the sex trade business in California, Katy. He arranged those "sex" trips your father, Richard and his father took. In fact he arranges a lot of trips like that for human men all across this country. Since your story came out, he has lost a lot of his business because his customers are afraid to be exposed. That's why he is so angry. He was behind those attacks on you when you were with the federal marshals," Eric snarled; his fangs were fully extended. He was clearly in battle mode as were Daniel, Bill and the other vamps.
Nan Flanagan and the Magister turned to look at Califano. Surprise and disgust was evident on their faces. "Oh, he didn't tell you that did he, Magister, Miss Flanagan? I have irrefutable proof. What do you think humans will do whey they find out that one of your biggest supporters is a pervert who deals in human trafficking and the sex trade? How do you think that will affect the VR?" Eric asked them.
"He is a liar! I am a legitimate business man. I had nothing to do with that, no matter what that bitch told him," Califano sputtered.
"Don't bother to deny it, Califano. I have your human intermediaries on tape. I have the federal marshal who was selling Katy out to your man on tape. Tapes that will find their way to the media, if you don't back off." Eric pointed a big finger in the direction of Dante Capelli and snarled at him. The much younger vampire flinched.
Katy burned with fury and hate as she remembered the day her ideal life came to an end. That was the day she looked at the incriminating pictures and tapes of her father, Richard, and Mr. Wakefield. That was the day she suffered a near fatal beating at the hands of her "loving" husband, Richard. She remembered being shunned by her community and the harassment and threats she endured at the Wakefields' hands. She remembered her father killing himself and her mother because he couldn't live with fear of James Wakefield and the guilt of what he had done. She remembered Richard's pursuit of her, and the beatings, and the years of running and hiding in the Witness Protection Program. She remembered her aunt dying old and alone in some godforsaken hospital. She remembered how afraid she was when gunmen shot at her in New Orleans; she had barely escaped with her life. She lost control.
With her fingers curled into claws, Katy forgot what Califano was and launched herself at him. She wanted to tear his eyes out; she wanted to kill him. Eric was faster; he stopped her before she could get more than a few inches. Katy was kicking and clawing at Califano. She was cursing, using words she never used before, as Eric pulled her back and threw her into Bill's arms. Bill pushed her behind him, but not before she screamed, "You dirty, rotten pervert, Califano. I hope you rot in hell!"
At the first sign of Katy's movement, Califano snarled; his fangs were fully extended. He started toward Katy, and with a vicious swipe of his hand, he tried to rip out Katy's throat, but several vicious punches from Eric knocked him across clear the room. Several of Eric's vamps led by Tommy Lee were on him in a flash, dragging him back to face Eric, the Magister and Nan Flanagan. Daniel and another vamp were holding Dante Capelli by both arms. He couldn't move.
Nan Flanagan looked shocked speechless. The Magister simply stood by and watched as this all went down. "Answer the question, Northman. Did you kill other vampires? Was this woman going to testify against Califano?" he said again.
"No." Eric lied smoothly. "I would like Califano to show you proof of his claims. Perhaps his men simply disappeared because they are disgusted with that pervert, but you are welcome to search the palace and its grounds." He knew that his torture room had been thoroughly cleaned. There was no clues to what happened to the four vamps who tried to sneak into the mansion, and Daniel's men had left no evidence in California either.
Katy spoke up again. "I didn't know Califano was involved in anything. I didn't even know he existed. The only people I really knew anything about was my father, and the Wakefields, so there is no way I could have testified against him. I have a letter from the FBI stating that I am no longer needed as a witness for the prosecution. I can show it to you; besides, I don't even know if the trial is even on anymore. I understand that most of the humans charged in the case are dead."
"I've seen the letter Magister," Eric spoke up. Judith and Daniel stepped up and said that they had seen it too.
"I think I still need to question this human," the Magister replied.
Eric flew in front of the old gray vamp, and snarled. "If you ever touch my woman, you risk a war with me and Niall Brigant, Prince of the Fae. Is that what you and the Authority want, Magister? Is that what the AVL wants, Miss Flanagan?"
The Magister and the AVL representative looked back and forth at each other in astonishment. "Do you know who you are speaking to? You can't talked to us like that; I will have your fangs!" Nan Flanagan snarled, her own large fangs glistened in the light, so did the Magister's.
"Oh yes I can. There are many vampires who think your efforts at getting the VRA passed have been ineffective to say the least, Miss Flanagan. There are many of us who think the Authority is less than useless when it comes to vampire affairs, Magister. There are many of us who would be more than happy to be rid of you both. Don't threaten me or my human, or you may start something you can't finish. I am serious when I tell you that you will not only have to contend with me, but with the fairies as well. I have a common defense treaty with Niall Brigant. You may ask his great grand daughter; she is standing right here." Eric pointed to Sookie Compton who had stepped up to stand beside Katy with Judith on the other side.
"He is telling you the truth, Magister. The treaty exists. If you go to war with Eric Northman, you go to war with all the fae too." Sookie said firmly.
The Magister and Nan Flanagan looked shocked and closed their mouths tight.
"On the other hand, if you leave this piece of garbage to me, I will dispose of it for you," Eric said slyly as looked directly at Califano. The old Italian vamp looked petrified.
"Excuse us for a minute, Northman," Nan Flanagan said. She and the Magister walked to a far corner of the room and spoke for a few minutes. The Magister was stoic as he stood, but Flanagan's arms and hands flailed in the air as she talked. They walked back to where Eric and Katy stood.
"We have come to an agreement, King Eric. We will close this investigation on two conditions: One: We will expect large donations to both the AVL and the VA from you within the week. Two: since she is to be married to you anyway, we want you to turn this human tonight; we will witness it. If she is a vampire, there can be no question of her testifying against another vampire in a human court, can there?" Nan Flanagan smiled falsely at Eric and Katy.
"No." Katy said. "Not tonight!"
All eyes turned on her. Eric had a shocked and disappointed look in his eyes.
"Why not tonight?" Nan Flanagan asked suspiciously.
"Will you deny my betrothed the dowry he is due as my future husband? I have asked to be turned by Eric, but not until our wedding night. If I am turned now, Eric may not receive that dowry." Katy looked at Judith and nodded significantly.
"What are you talking about?" Nan Flanagan said angrily.
"Katy is right. She told Sookie and me tonight that she wants to be turned after she is married. She is the only living heir to her parent's and her aunt's estate. She will receive her parent's estate sometime next week, if, and I stress the word if, she is still human. Her aunt's estate estate has to finish probate before she gets anything. That won't happen for another four weeks at least. If she is turned now before any funds are released, she won't be able to inherit either as a vampire," Judith spoke up loudly so everyone couid hear.
"I don't care about that Katy; I love you," Eric started to protest, but Nan Flanagan nodded. She said, "That is right, Northman. That is one of the things we are trying to change with the Vampire Rights Amendment."
"Eric, I am the only living relative of Harold Thorsson. Do you know who he was?" Katy asked him. Eric nodded in shock. Of course he knew who Harold Thorsson was. His name was all over freight containers and several companies including an investment bank. At one time, he had been one of the richest men in the country.
"Between my aunt and my parents, I will inherit over five hundred million dollars after taxes are paid. After we are married, except for my father's estate which is about one hundred million, half of everything I own will be yours, but I actually have to get it first. I planned to tell you that after we were married. It is my wedding gift to you. Surely we can wait. I love you. I say here before everyone, I want you to turn me on our wedding night," Katy said simply.
The throne room was so quiet, you could have heard a pin drop. Then everyone seemed to gasp at the same time; the room began to buzz with excitement. Eric was the most stunned and surprised of all; he was completely speechless. For the first time in his long life, the tall, golden viking did not know what to say. He could not get his head wrapped around what Katy was giving to him as a dowry; his own personal wealth paled by comparison. He never once considered asking about her wealth.
Pam, was speechless too. For the first time since she found out about Katy, she began to see the tall, thin blonde in a new light. "Maybe she does love Eric. Maybe I can learn to like this woman," she thoought to herself.
"What will happen with your father's estate?" Nan Flanagan asked.
"His entire estate will go to create a foundation to help sexually abused children. You know the kind of kids that my father and husband, his father and that monster over there hurt for so many years. I can't think of anything more fitting to do with his money." Katy said quietly. "Of course, Eric and I will be more than generous with any donation to the AVL and the VA after we are married, and after I am turned. Say five million dollars each;is that right Eric?"
"Oh, at least five million dollars each, love," Eric found his voice as he embraced Katy and pulled her close to him. He was smiling as Califano looked on struggling futilely against his captors.
The Magister spoke up, "That seems more than satisfactory. Of course, you will invite me to perform your vampire wedding ceremony and to officiate at the turning, won't you Northman?" His voice was oily and so, so friendly now.
"Of course, Magister. We will be honored to have you. Miss Flanagan, we will be glad to have you as an honored guest also," Eric spoke quietly, but with heavy sarcasm in his voice. Both the Magister and the AVL representative nodded solemnly. They both turned to leave.
The Magister said, "Come Califano. You have not proved your case against King Northman and his bride to be. Be on your plane and leave New Orleans tonight. If I ever see your face or those of your vampires in Louisiana again, I will have you silvered for the perverted creature that you are. Do not think you can continue in your preferred trade, or your own Magister will give you a call. Vamps like you harm our cause with the human population."
It didn't take a genius to understand that the Magister didn't give a damn about humans, even the children who had been sexually exploited, but money was a whole other thing. It showed in his dry, cold emotionless voice. His greedy eyes gleamed in anticipation of the handsome donation the VA would receive; it would enhance his position within the VA. Nan Flanagan's manner and looks showed she was in complete agreement. The four vamps marched out of the throne room.
Four hours later, around two thirty in the morning, a private business jet took off from a small private airport just outside of New Orleans. Gaetano Califano and Dante Capelli were inside with two other vamps. Califano was cursing Katy Dumont, Eric Northman, Nan Flanagan and the Magister. He had been defeated tonight, but he would live to fight another day. Capelli sat quietly and looked at his boss with scorn, but he was careful not to show how he felt about the pitiful, useless vamp that was his boss. He planned to leave his employ as soon as they returned to California.
The plane was in the air less than a minute, when Eric Northman, Bill Compton, Daniel Brady, Pam and Tommy Lee Larson erupted out of the cargo hold. In total silence and in less than thirty seconds, the four vamps and the two human pilots were dead.
Bill killed Dante Capelli with one swipe of his hand tearing off the younger vamps head. Daniel finished one of Califano's guards off by tearing out his heart. Eric took pleasure in staking Gaetano Califano. He made it last as long as possible. He held the stake against the other vamp's chest for a moment and grinned ferally, as Califano opened his mouth to scream; but no sound came out. His black, evil eyes showed his terror. Then Eric pushed hard and the old vamp was gone. Tommy Lee finished off the vamp that was closest to the cockpit with a stake. Pam wrenched open the door and killed the two humans inside just as quickly.
While Eric and Bill waited in the passenger cabin, Daniel and Tommy Lee set Semtex plastic explosives in strategic places throughout the cargo hold and the passenger cabin. Opening the passenger cabin's entry door, five vampires jumped out into the night and flew toward the ground. Three minutes later, out over the waters of the gulf, the plane exploded into a fireball, disintegrating completely. The five vampires who were safely on the ground by now, watched as pieces of the wreckage fell into the water. There would never be any clue as to what happened, even if the black box was located. The vamps and the humans did not even utter a sound during the whole tihng.
"Let's go home boss; three more humans to go, and it is finally over," Daniel said to Eric.
Eric nodded silently. He knew the remaining humans were of no consequenc; they would die quickly. At last, Katy would no longer be in danger. At last, she would not have to stay penned up at the palace. At last, the two of them could start living a normal life. Eric was happy with this night's work; he opened the bond between him and Katy and let his love for her pour through.
Katy was Judith and Sookie. The three women were waiting in Katy's sitting room for their men to come home. When Eric opened the bond, Katy shivered; she felt his love swamp her, and she gasped with joy. She sent her love right back to him.