Meet the Ancients: Chapter 17

"Erik, why is Sookie hesitant … or fearful of coming down here?"

I shot a glance over at her, "Where did that come from?"

"They're here, Pam is bringing them down and that's what Sookie is thinking."

I could hear them now in the hallway and informed Magan, "This used to be a dungeon. When Sookie agreed to work for me it was on the condition I not kill anyone. This area became empty space – so I had Pam convert it to how you see it now. I do not think she knows about it."

They had reached the bottom of the stairs. I noticed that Sookie seemed relieved – and then she started peering around at what was there.

I asked them, "So, how do you like it?"

Bill replied, "It is very nice."

While Sookie asked, "Does this mean you aren't torturing people any more?"

I laughed a bit and answered, "Yes, it does."

Bill glared at me from behind Sookie. He must think that I did this for Sookie's sake – to try and soften her feelings toward me. Well, that was part of my original intention. Magan had gone to prepare a second glass of blood for me; she brought it over and handed it to me before turning to look at Bill and Sookie.

I introduced her by means of saying, "Bill, Sookie – you remember meeting Magan?"

They both nodded, and Bill tried to charm her with, "I am pleased to make your acquaintance again."

Her only response was to say, "Bill, would put the food on the table while I get an O negative – that is what you drink isn't it – for you."

"Yes it is, thank you." He replied to her.

She went on to ask Sookie, "We have white or red wine; orange, apple, cherry or pomegranate juice; sparkling or bottled water; iced jasmine green or peppermint herbal tea, and milk. What would you like?"

Sookie was still a little stunned and merely responded, "I'll just have whatever you are having."

"Sparkling pomegranate juice it is then."

I accompanied Bill over to the table as he walked over to place the food on it, Sookie following close behind. I sat down in one of the chairs without a place setting and indicated that Bill should do the same. "Both of you sit down."

They did as I suggested and soon Magan returned with Bill's blood and glasses of sparkling juice. I looked over at her and she nodded. It was done.

Magan asked, "Erik, could you please go get a couple of bottles of water while I take care of the food." To Sookie she commented, "I hope you like prime rib, I know I need the iron right now."

She replied, "That sounds just fine."

I got up to do as she asked. The expressions on their faces said that they could not believe that I, Erik Northman and Sherriff of Area 5, would easily do the bidding of a mere human. Tonight should be one of interesting revelations. By the time I returned, Magan had served the food and seated herself. Honey came trotting out of the bedroom to sit between Magan and me, with a simple gesture from Magan she lay down.

"When did you get a dog Erik?" Sookie asked me.

"She is Magan's, along with a pair of cats that are around here someplace."

"Are you staying here with Erik then?" She asked Magan incredulously.

"Yes, Thursday night he asked if I would stay here through Sunday night and I agreed as long as I could bring my pets. The horses are taken care of by a service so I don't have to worry about them."

"Where do you sleep?"

"The door Honey came out of leads to a bedroom suite – so I stay there with Erik."

"Alrighty." This surprised Sookie, but then again she knows I do not keep my meals around.

Bill queried me, "So, you are not feeding from her?" Indicating Magan with a wave of his hand.

Magan chose to answer his rude question, "That was last night," she looked over at me, "though someone fed a little too much."

I smiled at her fondly, "And I needed it."

She smiled back and agreed, "So you did."

Sookie looked back and forth between us – clearly wondering what exactly was going on between us, "So did Erik blood bond you to him or something?"

"I bonded myself to him, it only took my drinking from him once to establish it since Wolf and Godric have the same Sire. That is why he and Alric came by on Thursday to warn me, and to make sure that they approved of Erik as someone strong enough to protect me."

"But why would you do that? I mean really, Erik? Don't you know what he is like?"

"His nature not very different from that of any other vampire I've met – your Bill included. And yes, I do know what he is like, and I did it because there was already some type of bond or recognition of each other in place already. Bonding was just a natural progression between us. The one formed between us is completely unbreakable. We can control each others emotions, I can hear Erik's thoughts, and he should be able to hear mine. However, it's been so long since I figured out how to use my telepathy that I don't remember exactly how I did it. That's actually why Erik called for you to come in tonight. I need you to help me teach Erik."

"You want him to be able to read your thoughts?" She asked in amazement.

"Yes, why wouldn't I?"

"Oh." I watched her and Bill glance at each other, "I guess I could try."

I looked over at Magan and tapped my glass. Do you think that it has taken effect yet?

She glanced at her watch - then at Bill's glass and nodded.

"Bill," I started, "With how strong a telepath Magan is - plus the powers developing between her and I - it would be very, very dangerous for her if anyone were to find out about her - especially the Queen. You haven't mentioned her to anyone have you?"

"No – I haven't talked to anyone about her except Sookie." He looked over at Magan and asked, "How much danger would you be in?"

"Lots and lots", she answered him, "I would be in fear for my life."

"Then we must make sure that no one else learns what you can do; do you not agree Sookie?"

Sookie looked confused but agreed, "Yes, of course Bill."

I relaxed and felt Magan do the same through our bond. We had done what we set out to do. Should I tell them about the possibility of breaking the bond between Sookie and I?

She slightly shook her head and tapped herself.

Did you want me to let you?

She nodded.

Okay

"Sookie, you might be interested to know that we found out yesterday Alric could probably break the bond between you and Erik. It would be as if it never existed."

"Was Alric the second vampire to come in on Thursday to see you?" She asked

"Yes."

"How would he do it?"

"I'm not sure, but all the Ancients somehow turn off the ability to blood bond humans. I never had one with Wolfram, and with all the blood that passed between the two of us we would have if it were possible. I know the reason he can do it is because he was Godrics Sire.

"I would love it if Alric did so, would he be willing to do so?"

"If I ask him to he probably would."

"Will you ask him?"

"I'll ask him next time I see him and let you know."

Bill looked over at me suspiciously, "You went to such lengths to establish that bond with Sookie. I can hardly believe that you would so easily give it up now. What is it that you want from her, or me?"

He is so fun to torment, I will miss that. "Billy I do not want anything. I just find that I no longer care anymore one way or another."

Insolently he demanded, "Since when? You have been after her since you met her."

Now I am angry, how dare he talk to me like that? "Not that it is really any of your business Billy, but it was after Magan left last Saturday that I realized it."

Magan picked then to settle herself on my lap and began kissing me. I began to calm immediately and realized that it was her influence. I allowed the feeling to wash over me, my fangs snicked out and I concentrated on deepening the kiss. She sliced her lower lip open on a fang, permitting me to suck the blood that seeped out. After a few minutes I could feel her begin to pull away, so I licked at the wound to close it up. With one last quick kiss she abruptly got up and said, "We should get down to business."

Then she turned to Bill and warned him, "I don't suggest that you get Erik that angry again tonight. I won't intercede next time."

Bill glared from her to me, "I am surprised that you let your human speak in such a way to another vampire Erik."

With my newfound calm I growled, "Bill you forget yourself, I am the authority here. I have already told my employees to treat her commands as if they come from me. Unless you wish to start a fight – and believe me I will not hold back – I suggest that you follow her advice."

Wisely, Compton sat back in his chair, "I am sorry Sherriff if I offended."

"As one of the vampires in my Area William Compton, I command you to treat Magan's commands as if they are coming directly from me."

Meekly he answered, "Yes Sherriff."

In on of my most authoritative voices I commanded, "Now you will go upstairs and wait in the bar while Magan, Sookie and I get to work."

Compton appeared to be ready to argue with me. However, one look at my expression told him that he had better do as he was told. "Yes Sherriff." He acknowledged, before rising and climbing the stairs.

Sookie seemed alarmed at this turn of events. "Ahem, Erik you only wanted me to help Magan, right?"

She seems to think that with Bill gone I plan on pursuing her for myself. As if I would do that when I have already found the one I will make my mate. But she does not know that.

"Sookie, I assure you that the only reason you are here is for your telepathic skills, now can we begin?"

She glanced over at Magan as if she was going to say something; Magan instead interrupted her, "Sorry Sookie, You've been replaced."

"Replaced?" She questioned.

"Yes, as the stronger telepath I will be the one helping Erik from now on. There will be little reason for your services – unless for some reason there is a need to use two telepaths. Since you are the only other telepath in the area though, I would like it if we could be friends."

Sookie asked me, "Are you okay with this Erik?"

"Of course, I was telling Bill the truth when I told him I no longer care one way or another if you are bonded to me."

Her face brightened with a huge smile. "Well then I would like to get to know you better Magan. I'm hoping that you can help me learn to control my ability better." Turning back to address me she asked, "When did you want to get started Erik?"