Goddesses and Monsters

Chapter 3

A/N: A big big thank you to all who have read and reviewed previously. I'm glad you enjoyed the last chapter. It's Sookie's turn now and she's about to get a nasty shock...

p.s I should also say that I do not own the SVM or TB.

Sookie

As I emerged from the portal into the darkness, I had to take a moment to steady myself. The feeling of lightness I experienced for a split second and then the heaviness of the air I now breathed was disorienting. Shaking my head to clear the haze, I cautiously observed my surroundings. It was night here and the moon cast an eerie white glow through random gaps in the dense woods I was now standing.

I had never seen such a place and the smells bombarded my senses like nothing I had ever experienced. The intoxicating smell of nature filled my lungs and I relished the moment. Until moments ago, I had never been outside the walls of my chamber in Faerie and now standing in the open air, surrounded by trees and earth was overwhelming. Tears of joy were tinged with sadness as I realised that this was a bittersweet pleasure, the sadness I felt for leaving my beloved Grandpa brought me to my senses.

Looking around the woods, there were no signs of life but the creatures of nature, no habitation and no people. I couldn't hear any minds nearby and decided there was no point standing around in the woods; I had to find a populated place where I could find the contact my Grandpa had given me. I hoped I would find a kind-hearted soul who would help me. Walking briskly, keeping alert for danger, I emerged into what looked like a resting place for those that had passed on. Although such resting places didn't exist in Faerie, I had read about such places and recognised the stones that marked the bodies buried there.

Although confined to the solitude of my chamber, my grandpa had supplied me with many books and they had been my saviour over the years. The range of books was mostly human, a detail I never questioned before I found out my true heritage, but now fully understood their significance. As well as human books, I learned the ways of the Fae and other supernatural creatures. Books gave me an imaginary world to live in and I lost myself regularly in the pages of magic, romance, war, history, languages and human science.

Glancing over the worn stones of the grave markers, I felt drawn to the far eastern corner of the cemetery, to a stone that was old and weathered. As I touched the lettering to remove some vegetation that obscured the script, a tingling sensation travelled through my fingers. It was a pleasurable sensation, like comfort from a loved one and I felt an odd connection to the soul that rested there. I read the inscription aloud.

"Here lies Adele Stackhouse, founding family member of Bon Temps and beloved Grandmother to Jason and Susannah Stackhouse, may she rest in peace."

I frowned, not understanding the feelings coursing through my body; I didn't recognise the feelings or the names, even though one of the grandchildren shared mine. It was as if I was somehow meant to mourn this person when not knowing who they were. I shook off my confusion and stood in front of the grave for a moment, saying a silent prayer for this stranger, wishing her peace. As I glanced over to the next grave, which I noticed was much less aged, I saw that it was of the aforementioned Grandson, Jason Stackhouse who had died recently. There was no marker for the female relative mentioned and wondered if this woman was still alive.

My skin prickled as if sensing danger and I whirled around to see a dark figure a small distance away. I tensed, my skin tingling with anticipation and fear at the strangers presence. Although dark, I could tell the figure was male from the height and build, his face was pale and glowed strangely in the moonlit night. The silence between us was palpable and as the tension grew, the need to speak overwhelmed me as I strained to hear his thoughts.

The sounds coming out of my mouth felt unusual. Although I had read the language of humans, I had never had the need to speak it before, only having spoken Sylvan in Faerie.

"Hello." I tilted my head, as if asking for a response when none was given immediately.

His gaze was intense as he stared at me, his nostrils flaring slightly. The stranger seemed to collect himself, still focussed on me intently as if studying me. The intensity of his gaze made me nervous.

"Good Evening. My apologies for startling you just now but I do not normally come across others when out walking at this time of night." His voice was deep and the sound of his words unusual, the tone seemed harmless enough.

Gathering my courage, but still wary of the stranger, I remembered the manners groomed into me.

"Good Evening to you, Sir."

"I am Bill Compton and may I ask your name Miss?" He seemed well mannered as he bowed slightly.

I panicked for a moment, not knowing whether my identity should be secret or not. Thinking quickly, I decided on a hash of her name and the name on the grave stone next to me.

"My name is…Sookie Brighthouse." Well, that was it, I was stuck with the name now, and not being sure whether Brigant was a recognised name in this realm or not, I did not want to bring attention to myself.

"Well, Miss Brighthouse, may I ask what brings a lady such as you out to a cemetery in the middle of the night?"

His voice almost seductive, which was his intention judging by the smile that turned up one corner of his mouth. I appraised his appearance before speaking, cautious that I should not be taken in by pleasantries. He was a stranger after all and there was an oddness about him that made me wary in spite of his manners. His face was handsome but looked as if he had seen hardship and his dark hair and eyes gave him a sinister air. The smile he was beaming at me softened his dark features somewhat relaxing me enough to reply.

I had to improvise again, not having the time before leaving Faerie to come up with a plausible identity and background.

"I…I was coming to visit a friends grave. I couldn't sleep and thought it best to ease my restlessness by using the time to pay my respects." I hoped this effort in subterfuge was working as I desperately wanted to get away and find Mr Northman.

Mr Compton looked at the grave I was standing next to with a puzzled look on his face. "You knew the Stackhouse family?"

Once again, the lies materialised, coming only a little easier now that my brain had time to get used to the newly spoken language coming from my lips.

"Not well, but enough to offer my prayers." It was an ambiguous reply.

I knew it from the suspicious look in his narrowed eyes. He obviously knew something about this family that I was unaware of and doubted my sincerity.

"In the middle of the night?" He took a step towards me, enough to reduce the distance to a body's length.

As I hesitated, I could feel an odd sensation pushing at my brain as he gazed at me. The hairs on the back of my neck stood up and I started to doubt that he was really the gentleman he appeared to be. My hesitation was too long and he moved with abnormal speed until he was right in front of me, only a hands width between them. The sudden movement startled me and I stepped back, only to find his hands painfully gripping my arms tightly to my side.

Trapped and speechless, I had no idea what to do. My magic was still a mystery to me and there was nobody around to call for help. To add to my predicament, it was as if he could smell my fear and gripped me tighter as he leant forward. He inhaled close to my neck as if he was smelling me and then I heard a 'click'. Terrified now, in flashes I recalled the lessons grandpa had given me on supernatural creatures and the realisation that I was in the grips of a Vampire chilled my blood.

So much for meeting a friendly human!

He grabbed a fistful of hair as he forced my head back, hissing in my ear. "What are you really doing here…Fairy?"

His grip got even tighter as he pressed his body close to mine. I could feel the menace positively dripping from him as he ground his hips disgustingly and pulled my face directly in front of his. I winced as I felt his obvious arousal hard against the thin material of my gown.

"How…do you know?" I stuttered out, terrified that this vile creature was going to end my freedom before it had even begun.

"Apart from the fact that you not only look and smell delicious my dear, you materialised from thin air."

My eyes widened in the realisation that he had been watching and following me intentionally. I was terrified and at a loss for what to do as I had no fighting skills to speak of like other Faeries learnt from an early age. I concentrated hard on my magic and after a moment I could feel a tingling in my fingertips when I tried to push the Vampire away from me. I could smell burning flesh as I realised that the burst of energy from my fingertips had burnt him. It was not enough, however, to incapacitate him and he lunged at me in a blur, sinking his fangs into my neck.

I heard my own scream echo out around the silent graveyard, accompanied by feral grunts and groans as the Vampire sucked greedily at my neck. Tying hopelessly to push his head from my neck, I felt myself weakening, my legs buckled under his weight and I slumped in his grasp. He pushed my body to the ground, causing my head to hit something stone with a sickening crack accompanied by a sharp pain that shot through my skull. As my vision blurred and the moonlight started to fade, the weight of the Vampire abruptly left my body and I heard the sound of more growling reverberating around the cemetery. The Vampire was shouting at another and I tried fruitlessly to push myself up to see who had come to my aid, but was losing consciousness fast. Before I could see the fight before me, I sunk into blackness.

Pam

I felt my Makers call as I was sat in my office scanning property websites for the new business venture. It was a task that I enjoyed; shopping was shopping at the end of the day, whether it is property or shoes. Eric's eventual change of mood due to his revelation about his growing distaste for Fangtasia was a welcome relief. I had felt his sulk for too long and it was starting to impact on my social life. His moods put me off my dinner and that made me one unsatisfied and cranky bitch. Well, more cranky than usual anyway.

Rising quickly and entering Eric's office, he requested I pay a visit to that weasel Compton who had failed to provide him with the latest Vampire database needed for the tasting night. Groaning and pouting, I earned a severe look from my Master.

"Can't you send Chow, or Thalia? I can't fucking stand 'Beeehl." I whined, mimicking Bill's exaggerated Southern accent. He'd lived years in Europe with Lorena for fuck's sake; everyone knew he'd lost the harsh twang of his vocals many years ago. It was all part of his act, the quintessential Southern Gent. What bullshit!

"Pam, you will do it. I want you to show him what happens when he ignores my orders." He firmly and calmly stated.

His signature smirk appeared along with a glint in his eye. He knew I hated Bill and that dishing out his punishment would actually be akin to a shopping expedition.

Dropping the whiny act and clapping my hands together, I gave a little jump for joy. "Oh goody….how much can I hurt him, can I torture him?" A girl could dream, couldn't she?

"Now now Pam, don't get too excited. He is 'family' to our Queen after all. Just 'rough him up' a little." Eric smiled mischievously.

Eric hated Bill as much as I did, but for completely different reasons. To me, he was an arrogant, woman hating, pussy-whipped cretin who deserved clean the human bathrooms in the Queens palace. Eric felt equal disdain for him thinking Bill disrespectful, deceitful and a limp wristed wimp that hid behind his Makers skirts.

"You're no fun any more…" I sighed and flounced out of his office, excited by the prospect of my little outing.

"Have fun Pam!" Eric laughed as I sped out of the building to my car and jumped in the driver's seat.

Tearing out of Shreveport in my BMW convertible towards the backwards shithole that was Bon Temps, I thought about Eric's plan to go upmarket and smiled with satisfaction. He was right, we did need a change. Fangtasia had gone stale. Since 'the Great Revelation' (purrrlease, what a joke the GR turned out to be), it had been easier to move among humans, to feed and enlarge our wealth, but it was getting boring. Humans used to throw themselves at us, literally, begging to be bitten, fucked and petted. They used to be such amusement to pick fun at but now the humour was gone. Although I and Eric still tormented the vermin, the numbers were fewer and the laughs were less. You know that they say, 'quality not quantity'? Well I'd give anything for some quantity right now because amongst quantity there's bound to be some quality. All we had now was offal when what we really craved was filet mignon.

Pulling up to Bill's dilapidated shell of a house, I heard an ear piercing scream in the direction of the woods. I raced towards the scream and my nostrils flared as I picked up Bill's scent. Stopping suddenly I saw a young woman in Bill's arms, frantically trying to push him off as he fed violently from her as he ground his tiny dick into her stomach.

I hated seeing a woman taken by force and illegal feeding such as it appeared Bill was engaging in, was my area of expertise and my responsibility to punish. I smiled at the double whammy of justice I would dish out to Bill tonight for disobedience and 'fang-rape' and hoped he didn't intend to use said tiny dick any time soon after what I intended to do to him later.

Speeding over to Bill and wrenching him off the woman I flung him into the nearest tree, hoping that he'd get impaled if I was lucky enough. Glancing down quickly at the woman he'd been feeding upon to check if she was still alive, I could her heart was weak and she was unconscious. There was a deep head wound and the punctures at her neck were ragged and pulsing fresh blood all over her unblemished skin. I had to stop myself mid scent as her sweet smelling blood filled my nostrils. Controlling the bloodlust was excruciating, but deep down I had a feeling that this woman was more than just a breather to be fed upon, she was special and for the first time in my undead life, I felt compassion.

Bill could have walked up to me in that moment and ripped my head off and I wouldn't have noticed. I couldn't take my eyes off the angel in front of me.

Fortune had decided to shine on me as I forced myself out of the haze; Bill had been impaled on a split branch and was grunting in frustration as he struggled to free himself. I licked the punctures at her neck quickly, desperately ignoring the ambrosia of her blood. I bit into my wrist and forced the woman's jaw open, allowing my sacred blood to pour into her mouth. As Bill's victim was unconscious, I had to massage her throat to get her to swallow. Her eyes fluttered open briefly, fixing on mine and she forced a smile before losing consciousness again. Now that I knew that she would heal, I lay her down gently behind a cluster of gravestones, out of Bill's sight. He had watched me heal the woman from the tree he was pinned to and the sting of his stolen meal showed in pure hatred on his face.

"SHE WAS MINE, HOW DARE YOU TAKE HER FROM ME!" Bill roared as I stalked towards him.

I stopped several feet away from him, hand on hip and snorted in disgust. He really was a Neanderthal! Just then, imagining Bill in a loincloth, club in hand, dragging his woman by her hair back to his cave, didn't really seem like such a fantasy. He couldn't even charm a woman to let him feed on her, his behaviour was primitive.

"Yours Bill, really? Is that why she was screaming in agony, wounds all over her? It hardly looked consensual Bill. Do you really find it that difficult to get a fuck and a feed from a woman without having to assault her?" What a loser, I thought with disgust.

Bill glared at me, furious at my insinuation that he was less of a man, less of a Vampire. "Get me down from this tree or I shall report to the Queen that you have unnecessarily injured a member of her family!"

I grinned and raised my eyebrows, amused at how readily he hid behind the Queen. It was well known that she despised him and would probably reward me for ridding her Queendom of such a royal pain in her ass.

"I think the Queen wouldn't care me to interrupt her life for the likes of you Bill. She probably has much more pleasurable matters to attend to…like your Maker." I giggled, not able to help myself.

Bill was seething now and his struggle to free himself had left a large wound through his abdomen which was now large enough to push himself free. He slumped to the ground, too weak to get up and argue with me anymore. I pulled out some leather gloves from my jacket along with a suede bag that contained some silver cuffs and a gag. Before Bill could register my action, his arms were cuffed behind him and his mouth gagged. His muffled protests just made the scene more amusing for me.

"The gag is necessary Bill, I can't stand to hear another tortured vowel emerge from that foul mouth of yours. Get the fuck up! I'm sure Eric will be fascinated to hear why you not only disobeyed his order to provide your database update, but why you are openly feeding and physically abusing women in his territory."

Bill's eyes widened for a second before he stood up shakily, his face defiant. I knew there was no love lost between the two of them and that Eric would relish the opportunity to rub Bill's brown nose in his own shit. He wouldn't be able to get the Queen or his Maker to help him now; he had to man up and take his punishment.

I pushed Compton through the cemetery back towards Bill's house where I had left my car and called Eric on the way to report my findings. He answered on the first ring.

"Pam, I trust matters are going well?"

"Master, I need Chow here with the van to transport Compton back to Fangtasia, Bill's been rather a naughty boy. Oh and by the way, I'll be bringing a date home."

Before Eric could question me, I hung up, needing a free hand to keep Bill in line. I opened the trunk of my car and pulled out some large silver chains, wrapping them around his body and pushed him into the empty space.

In a flash, I was back at the cemetery where I'd left the woman. She was still out for the count but her neck and head wounds were healing well, although she looked pale from blood loss and would probably need a transfusion. I dug out my phone again and sent a message to Dr Ludwig explaining that she was required at Fangtasia within the hour. I knew I'd get an earful from the sharp tongued doctor for the short notice, but as I looked down upon Bill's victim, I knew it would be worth it.

In all my years of existence I had never given my blood to another, never cared for another apart from my Maker and never felt compassion or empathy for anyone or any cause. Something strange tugged at the newly formed bond between me and the damaged woman in my arms, the bond that had been forged when I healed her with my blood. I felt protective and concerned for this woman and it confused me, why did this woman affect me so? Shaking my bewilderment away, I lifted the woman up gently into my arms, only just noticing her appearance. She was dressed in the most exquisite full length gown of gossamer silk, it clung to her curves deliciously and enhanced a full bosom above a high empire waistline. Her hair was pale blond and flowed down to her waist in gentle waves. From what I remembered of the brief glimpses of her eyes, they were aqua blue. She was a beauty and I couldn't help but stare at her face and full lips as I walked at human speed back to the car.

As I opened the car door to lay the woman down, I noticed a velvet pouch secured with a ribbon that was looped around her wrist. It had tightened in her struggle and could see that it was reducing the circulation. I loosened the ribbon and opened the pouch, stunned as I saw what was inside. It seemed bottomless and I cautiously slipped my hand in, wary of what I might find. There were some old and unusual looking books, a small amount of jewellery, some clothes and a folded piece of paper. It was like something from Mary Poppins and I half expected to pull out a hat stand and a potted plant next. Puzzled at what kind of person would have such a magical bag, I absentmindedly opened the paper and began to read.

If my heart could have stopped, I would have been dead (again) from shock. For on the paper written in beautiful swirling script were words for my Master.

Eric Northman, Fangtasia

I protected your blood once, now you shall protect mine. Our debt is even.

F.B

"What the fuck is going on and who the fuck is FB?" I whispered to myself as I looked between the woman and the note, only looking up when I heard a van coming up the drive.

Please review if you enjoyed this chapter. Our favourite Viking is up next, I'm sure you've been missing him...