Goddesses and Monsters
Chapter 9

A/N: Thank you so much to everyone who has reviewed, I really appreciate your comments

BRUJA6110 is a BIG, HUGE, MASSIVE CONTRIBUTOR TO THIS CHAPTER - PLEASE SHOW HER MUCHO APPRECIATION BY REVIEWING.

Ok, big revelations coming up...hold on tight!

p.s. I do not own the SVM or TB.

Eric

Since the "Great Revelation", fang-bangers have come up with a list of stupid questions that they all ask when they come into the club. Pam keeps telling me that we should just post an article on our club web-page with the "dreaded" questions and answers with stipulations stating that if we hear "Do you really sleep in a coffin?" type questions, they will removed from the club, no questions asked just for their shear stupidity. I must say, although, the majority of the questions are truly stupid, one question that is very rarely asked is "What does it feel like to die for the day"? Knowing the answer is as simple as "it feels like blinking" is the last thing they want to hear, so we show our fangs and growl at them so they would just go away, but the reality is that "blinking" is an appropriate term when trying to describe it.

For newer vampires and those not fighting to stay awake, they could be awake, walking, and talking... and then sun rises and they completely turn off. For example, those who are up fall down; those who are talking, stop mid-sentence; and for those who are smart and pay attention to their 'inner clocks' and are in bed awake, close their eyes.

No matter the situation, we die; we do not move. However, once the sun sets, we continue where we left off. Whether it be mid-conversation (until they realize they died in the middle of it hours earlier) or mid actual blink. It is when our eyes open.

For vampires, there is no in-between phase of tired and awake. For us, it is as though there is a switch in our minds that literally turns off at sunrise and back on at sunset. So as I said…blinking.

The reason I explain this, is because this morning, I died for the day as normal in my light-tight bedroom. However, what I am currently feeling is... indescribable... not normal. The sensation of being between the inanimate state of my 'day-death' and waking was one that I had not experienced for over a thousand years. Oddly, I can feel the gradual moving of my arms and legs beginning to move, each seeming to wake at their own times. It is something that I had not experienced during my vampire life.

But what is truly beginning to worry me, is the heat I feel on my body. My bedroom is climate controlled, I should not be feeling heat on my skin and I definitely should not be feeling a breeze either!

I was waking gradually, which for a vampire is odd; but the conditions that I'm starting to notice enveloping me is making me weary of my surroundings. I know the bed I laid in this morning was cushioned and covered with furs, but now my fingers feel like they are grabbing strands of grass while my back is leaning against something rough and hard. Busy taking a mental check, I finally notice that instead of my eyelids seeing dark, I notice light... light on my eyelids... heat on my skin...

OH SHIT! THE SUN!

Jumping up and opening my eyes, I quickly realize that I was right, I am in the sun! Covering my face with my arm as quickly as possible, I wait for the pain the sun will cause by burning me. I was leaning against what I could only guess from my quick glance was a tree, but for some reason I was not burning. I uncovered my sensitive eyes slowly, reached my hand out in the direct sunlight, only to have nothing happen. Standing up, I walked slowly into the sun for the first time in a thousand years.

What the hell is going on here?

With my eyes closed, my arms extended, and head back, I just stood in the sun. I did not know if I should laugh, cry, or thank the Gods, but a thought hit me... where the hell am I? Where the hell is Godric?

The only person new that could have gotten me out of my room would have been Sookie and from the feelings I was receiving from her last night and this morning, she would not have betrayed me and Godric would she?

Be at peace Viking.

Looking around for the owner of the bodiless voice; I realized that there was something familiar about it. It nagged at the back of my head for a few moments until I recognised it as Fintan's voice. His words echoed in my mind. How was he mentally talking to me? If he was able to talk telepathically to me, I decided to try and do the same.

Fintan?

His body slowly took form in front of me. Fae never cease to amaze me... It did not matter how many centuries go by, they always look the same. Fintan stood with a smile my father would give my siblings and me, when we would ask questions we had already known the answer to. His smile was making my temper begin to burn. I do not enjoy being unaware of things happening around me.

Yes Viking, it is I. How fare you?

Fintan, where the hell am I? How the hell did you get me out of my house? Where is Sookie? Did she help you get in my house?

Be at ease Viking, you are still safe in your home. It is only your mind... your memories that are here. Susanna has no knowledge that I have brought you here. And I would prefer for her not to. Also, you have no worry about her betraying you or your resting place; she would risk her life again to ensure you are safe.

Fine, if my body is there, then where the hell am I? And what do you mean again?

You are in the 'in-between'. It is the only way I can communicate with you and Susanna. I can not leave the Fae realm right now, so this is the only way you and I can speak.

The only way we can speak? What in Odin's name is that old goat on about? Is he thinking about taking Sookie back? Is this his way of asking me to bring her back to a portal so he can have her? My mind began racing through endless possibilities until a loud growl came from my throat and I grabbed him around the neck and held him against the tree I had been leaning against.

You will NOT take Sookie from me! If what you have to say leads to me being separated from her... then I do not want to hear it. I will rip off any one's head that tries to take her away from me!

That idiot faery just smiled wider at me... He really just kept smiling! He was lucky that he finally opened his mouth to talk because I was about to rip his head off.

Viking, I have not come to discuss taking my granddaughter back to Faery. It is truly too dangerous for her there as long as my father is still on the throne. I have come because I have something to...return to you.

This damn faery must have been hit over the head too many times in battle for him to think that he actually had something of mine. I narrowed my eyes while staring at him; trying to figure out if this was an elaborate trick.

You...? Have something of mine? Fintan? I highly doubt it. The last time we crossed paths was before the middle ages and I do not think even you would hold on to anything that long. Especially something that you deemed important to a vampire.

I should have known that he was up to something. However it was not until I heard him say "We shall see", then hold up a hand that glowed to my face; that I wondered exactly what that 'something' was.

The sudden onslaught to my brain was more than overwhelming. It felt like multiple camera flashes were going off in my head. Whoever said that vampires could did not get headaches lied. Trying not to fall to my knees in pain, I was able to direct my pain and now anger in the direction where it came from... Fintan. With my fangs out, I growled, "What have you done?"

My anger was rising further when I saw that his smile still had not left his face. I was about to attack him when his words finally met my mind again.

Tell me Viking, look around, does none of the area around you look familiar?

Not wanting to be tricked into turning my back on him, I very carefully took in my surroundings. Looking around, I saw my village... and what looked to be a younger me walking into a barn with a redheaded servant. My shock at the sight must have been transparent because I heard Fintan chuckling.

Shaking his head, I heard "follow me" before he moved from my grasp and followed the two into the barn.

I knew what he was going to find when we walked in there; this was the servant that I had been 'in-lust' with. Smirking, I looked to Fintan as though he should have known better than to expect any different. But once again, he decided to knock me off kilter with his next comments.

Have you never wondered why you remember your life with such vibrancy, but memories such as these are blurred?

Looking around at the scene, I noticed what he was talking about, but I refused to acknowledge his comment. Shrugging my shoulders, I said the only thing that I could think of.

I have lived over a thousand years Fintan. A few blurred memories are expected are they not?

Not if they truly happened Northman.

That was an unexpected. What was he trying to say? Of course they happened. I remember them... Do I not?

What are you trying to say Fintan? I remember this happening. This and many other 'events'.

What you are experiencing are memories that have been fabricated. This is what the memories those whom you have glamoured, look like to them. The fabricated memory is always blurred... never clear.

Glamoured? I was never glamoured. I had never experienced a vampire before I met my maker.

We will get to that shortly, but to answer your question. Yes, in a way glamoured. More like the original memories were taken from you and replaced with the ones that are blurred. But you are correct in your thoughts that vampires are not to blame for these. This is what I am returning to you... The memories that were stolen.

I was beginning to think that he had lost his mind due to whatever event had caused him to send Sookie through the portal alone. But I could not dismiss that something was standing on the edge of a precipice in my mind, waiting to fall over into my consciousness.

If these memories are false, then show me the true ones. You say that you are returning memories, well show me the ones you are returning. I challenged him.

I watched him take what looked like a glowing crystal from one of his pockets. Muttering some strange words, the crystal grew so bright that I had to turn my head to keep from being blinded. When the light finally died down and I looked around us, I was more curious than ever.

We were surrounded by forest. The trees shadowed the sun in the sky, but not so much that I could not see around me. Just as I was going to say something to that damn faery, I heard foot steps. Turning quickly to hide behind one of the trees, I saw what looked to be a younger me walking through the dense growth around me. Comparing the boy I saw, to what I see daily in the mirror, I looked to be in my mid-to-late teens. Confused, I looked to Fintan who stood in the open watching my teen self walk by before he stated mentally.

He can not see you, so there is no need to hide. You said that you wished to regain memories, so that is what you are doing.

I am sure that I had a baffled look on my face. One would think that he'd leave me to think about what was being remembered, not walk me through them. But I had a sinking feeling that something in these memories warranted him being here. So I did the only thing logical at that point... I nodded to him and then followed myself.

Dipping into my memory and seeing the box the boy carried, I realized he was heading towards the bathing pond. Drawing closer, the sound of splashing water could be heard, putting my teen-aged self on alert. Quietly sneaking behind some trees so he could see who was in the pond; I remembered that the villagers would have still been working either in the fields, near the shores, or in their homes. No one should have been out here... it was one of the reasons why I came when to the pond when I did. As one of the chieftain's son's, I never had peace and quiet except when I snuck away for my baths.

Quietly hiding behind the mask of the dense trees, I glanced and saw what looked like white clothes lying by the side of the pond. My attention to those did not last long as a head burst through the water, coming up for air. For a few moments, all I saw was blond hair until the person turned around and I remembered seeing the face of an angel. Although my mind felt as though it was playing catch-up to what I was seeing, I realized that angel was in fact, a very teen-aged Sookie. From what I could see of her, she wore a golden circlet crown on her forehead and arm bands that had not been removed as she bathed, which was the norm for quick baths. The teen-aged version of me could only stare at her, knowing that he had never seen her before; however, my current self turned to Fintan.

She lied to me? She told me that she had never been outside of her chambers in Niall's castle.

My quickly rising temper was suddenly put on hold once I saw the look of despair on Fintan's face.

She did not lie to you Eric.

How can you say that she did not lie to me? Fintan, you said that this is a memory that was 'taken' and there she is in front of me. So how can you say that it is not a lie?

Would you consider something that you could not remember to be a lie? Have you given thought that maybe you were not the only one whom had their memory stolen? Do not cast blame so easily vampire.

I hated to admit that he was right. I did not consider that she could have also been a victim to what took my memories. So instead of admitting anything, I turned to continue watching the scene in front of me.

Watching myself hide behind a tree to 'peep' on a bathing female was almost humorous. Even at that age I had already had more than my share of lovers. But the sobering thing was that as I watched the scene unfold, I was also remembering it. I remembered hiding from her, being in awe of the woman as she so sweetly hummed as she swam and bathed. At the time, I was so engrossed in watching and fantasizing about her, that I was unaware of being caught or to what clued her to my presence until I saw her staring in my direction. Now knowing about Sookie's telepathy, I wanted to smack my younger self over the head because of his thoughts that clued her in to his peeping.

My thoughts that were playing catch-up, decided that moment to remember exactly what happened next, as both human and vampire versions of myself watched with full attention as she emerged nude from the pond. In my human days, nudity was a fact of life; but women never walked nude around men that were not their husbands unless they were slaves or sex thralls.

Even if I did not know her or her family at the time, the golden crown circlet across her forehead and golden arm bands she wore, told the story of her high station, saying that she came from a royal house such as mine, so she was not supposed to be out here by herself but I did not see her ladies maids or guards. Imagine my humiliation as I watched as my human-self's eyes widen as his mouth opened and closed like he was starved for air; enthralled as she stood with an eyebrow lifted and her hands on her hips, still naked in front him. Unaware that for supernatural beings, nudity is common; he stood stock still like an untried boy his first time.

As the vampire however, I growled, not caring if it was me I growled at or that he could not hear me. The only thing the vampire inside of the man understood at that moment, was that he was not alone with his woman; someone else was near and seeing her glorious body. All thoughts were frozen in place when she started walking towards us, talking in a language that even at my age, I did not understand. My teen-aged self, having finally come out of hiding, replied in Norse that he did not understand her. Tilting her head to the side, she furrowed her eyebrows in confusion as her eyes flashed an almost glowing blue before returning to their normal colour before she answered him back in perfect Norse. When the two began to talk, I turned to Fintan wholly confused.

What language was she speaking and how did she suddenly learn Norse? And what was that thing with her eyes?

The language Susanna spoke, was Sylvan, the language in Faery; however when you replied in Norse, that 'thing with her eyes' as you called it, is something that is inherited from another part of her bloodline. Susanna can instantly understand or read any language, both currant and ancient. No one truly understands how it works, but I learned the hard way when she was a child and I tried to speak with my father in a different language believing she did not understand... or at least I thought she did not understand until we were finally alone and questions began to arise. There have been no languages that I had tried, to which she had not been able to understand.

This reminded me of the night before, when I spoke to her in Norse and to my surprise, received an answer in a language that had been dead for centuries. She truly did not understand how she knew it; the knowledge was just there, waiting for her to use it. Returning to the matter at hand, I saw she was finally dressed and was trying to leave when he grabbed her arm and practically begged her to meet him again by the pond after night fall. She had hesitated briefly, staring into his eyes with a look that I now know to mean that she was reading his mind before finally agreeing and then ran into the woods, leaving him alone by the pond.

Seeing the look on his face was very telling. It showed of a man who was enamoured by a woman and could not wait to see her again... hoping that he would see her again. I think the truly frightening thought was that over a thousand years had passed and I know I still have that look on my face when I think about my Sookie. Turning to Fintan, I saw him taking the crystal back out of his pocket, I was about to say something to him, but before I could, the crystal lit up again; leaving us in the same place but in the dark.

What is so important about our meeting in the dark that you need to show me Fintan?

Viking, I believe it is time to show you exactly how loyal my granddaughter is to you. You asked what I meant about her risking her life again. Now you must watch and learn.

I turned to see my teenage self had just lit a fire and was waiting for Sookie to show up. I was getting irritated because my memory was slow to bring up facts about this night; it was almost as if it did not want me to remember. Trying to push memories forward about what I was watching only gave me a feeling of dread. I was about to ask Fintan the reason for waiting here when suddenly I saw a blur race in front of me. That blur was a vampire that had come up behind my younger-self and was attacking him with vigour.

All I could do was stare at the sight in front of me and remind myself that there was nothing I could do but watch. Seeing me as a boy attempting to fight off the vampire with every bit of strength he had, was quite sobering. I had to remind myself that I was turned when I was older, and that this vampire was not my maker, but I knew something was about to happen that interrupted his feeding and saved me. As I was watching myself trying to fight this unknown vampire, I was becoming restless. Attempting to search my memory about how I survived, I was granted a reprieve when what sounded like a lion's roar echoed in the near distance. Looking around, I tried to grasp any logical memories from that sound, but before I got too far in my own mind, I saw an almost five-foot white lioness jump at the vampire feeding from me.

Thankfully, in the process of knocking him off of me, the momentum slid my human body away from the gruesome scene happening in front of me. I watched as my younger self quickly scooted back to the nearest tree, holding his hand to his neck to try and stop the bleeding. Memories began flooding my mind like scenes from an old fashioned movie. Thinking back, this had been the first time I had seen a lion; these noble beasts were mostly viewed on royal family crests, but never alive and certainly never attacking anything. Staring on in disbelief, both me and my younger-self watched the scene play out. Watching the large white lioness and the vampire circle each other; each was a predator, stalking its prey. I was beginning to wonder how an animal not common to this part of the world arrived here, when it began to glow.

In a thousand years, I have seen a lot of different creatures and experienced countless things, however what I was seeing now... this was a first. If I was still human, I probably would be as worried as my human counterpart looked. At that moment, I truly did not know which sight was more frightening... The vampire who had already attacked my human form or the almost five hundred pounds of pissed off lioness... or what ever it was, that was still giving off an unnatural glow.

Suddenly, the lioness lifted on its hind legs as its glowing form burned brighter. The sight changed and looked like millions of fireflies surrounded the glowing form as it altered itself into a body that I recognised as Sookie in her human form. I wondered how she could shift back with clothes on, as the shifters I knew were always naked when changing back. Pushing this thought aside, I decided to ask about it another time.

I was prepared to question Fintan about what I was seeing when I noticed that he was just as engrossed as I was. Returning my attention back to the scene in front of me, I worried when I saw the now significantly smaller Sookie, still stalk this vampire. Although my instincts were screaming at me that she was, somehow, the stronger predator, I could not help but watch with rapt attention. Their banter continued until a very pissed off Sookie's eyes burned a bright white and fangs grew from where human 'canine' teeth were supposed to be.

The vampire stated his name was Appius Livius Ocella and made his intentions of making me 'heel' on my knees, while he taught me how to be a vampire, very clear. I knew that one wrong move and this sadistic vampire would have been as my maker as I suffered through my unlife. As I listened to his plans for me, the gratitude I felt that Godric found me and became my maker was outstanding; even at my most stubborn of times, he was always patient and caring with me.

Sookie laughing at Appius was what finally broke his tempered exterior as he lunged at her. Before both my human-self and I could've moved to stop him, she lifted a hand and threw what looked like a lightening bolt at him, reducing him to nothing but ash.

I watched in shock as my Sookie carefully walked to my human-self; her once glowing white eyes were turning blue again as she squatted beside him, trying to speak as softly as she could with her fangs still showing. Speaking as carefully as a person would to a scared child instead of the seasoned warrior I was.

"Erikir, are you well? Will you please allow me to tend to your wound?"

He stared at her wide-eyed as though he did not understand her words.

"What was that... thing! And what in Odin's name are you?"

My dead heart almost broke when I watched in silence as a tortured look crossed her face for a moment before I heard a whisper come from her lips.

"An abomination"

Both the boy and the vampire could not understand how such a treasure as she, could call herself an abomination. Although confused about what I just saw, it was clear to me that she was no abomination; she is a gift from the gods. Even the human boy I remembered being, knew how special she was and although I was unaware of any punishments she would receive because of her acts, I knew the seriousness about her killing to protect me. She not only killed another supe, but also exposed herself to a human. An act that even for vampires before our 'Great Revelation', was against supernatural laws; she disregarded her own safety against a vampire, just to save a boy... to save me.

Scrutinizing the woman in front of him, he watched every move she made as she lifted a glowing hand to his injured throat. Thankfully, it seemed as though she was giving him some much needed mental privacy as she healed his wound before getting up to leave. Memories began filling the blanks as he disregarded the awkwardness of being saved by a woman and took chase after her, asking her not to leave him, but to stay and talk to him.

My mind began filling up with knowledge learned from that conversation; things that I was not even aware that I knew. Some things that my thousand year old brain considered old, although most things I was able to mentally file away as new; but more importantly, I remembered that this was the night that we learned about each other. Among the things I gained from my mental enlightenment, was that Fae have ways of altering memories. When she asked if I wanted to forget about the attack, the possibility of someone removing these events from my mind came to the forefront, reminding me how someone had done exactly that; they removed everything about the attack and more importantly, they removed everything about her.

Thinking about what I have seen made me realize that even without the memories, some how the vampire attack ingrained itself in my mind, making me work harder as a warrior. I went into battle when I became a man at twelve and even years later as the boy I watched talking to her, I was already honed in battle; but that vampire taught me that I was too cocky. I can admit that something changed me; at the time I might not had been able to remember what, but it taught me that I needed to become a better warrior.

Turning to Fintan, I watched as he stood to the side watching the two very young versions of Sookie and I getting to know each other.

I miss her very much. Although it has only been a short while in the human realm since she has come to you, for me, it feels as though she has been gone forever.

Unaware how to react, I watched as he pulled the crystal once again from his pocket; although this time I knew to close my eyes, but when they reopened, it was still no less unnerving to watch a version of myself from the sidelines every time that thing came out.

This time when the light cleared, I could have been hit over the head with bat and would not have noticed because of shock of what I was seeing. The scene in front of me was different but in some ways still the same. I could tell some time had passed since I saw the last version of myself. The boy's hair had grown, his shoulders had grown wider, his body had more mass, and although he stood at our normal six and a half feet, for a boy in his mid-to-late teens; he seemed more... imposing. If his face didn't look so young, I would have thought I was looking at myself near the age I had been turned.

I was truly beginning to wonder the differences in time between Faery and the human realm because although there were some changes in Sookie, they were no where near as drastic. She simply seemed maybe a few days older where as my human counter part looked to be closer to a year or so older. If my new memories served right, the scene I was viewing was actually over a year after we had met. My father was pushing me to marry, but I refused because Sookie was the woman I wanted, and she was being hesitant. She worried more with each of our visits about being caught by her great-grandfather in the human realm. The reality of the situation being that her first visit to the human realm, was the day I found her in the pond; after she discovered by accident how to 'disappear' from her chambers. She had no idea about her mother's blood line, what ever it was, but it allowed her the opportunity to appear and disappear at will; not needing her Fae maturity after-all in order to 'pop' to locations.

This day however, I felt how special it was. The snow from the past winter had melted and spring had come; the smell of nature awakening was in the air as I watched our teen-age counterparts stand by the pond, swearing oaths before the gods, tying us together as husband and wife and then presenting each other with ancestral swords. Knowing how big I was already, I remembered telling her to not worry about a ring for me, because I did not want to lose it if I grew again. Sookie smiled as she brandished a dagger and sliced herself, mixing together her blood and a piece of gold in her hand. After saying a few words, I watched as the blood was absorbed into the gold, which had been turned into an arm cuff, and the absorbed blood, had turned into rubies rooted firmly in the gold. Looking down at my hands, I realized that I still wore the remnants of that cuff as a ring on my left middle finger. During hard times, the gold was melted down and was used as money, but something within me refused to let it go entirely; so I had the ring made.

Seeing how she shared a part of herself so that she would always be with me, I remembered wanting the same. I asked her to help me use my blood to make an identical marriage cuff for her before I finally passed it to her on the hilt of my sword. Beginning to feel like an intruder to their 'ceremony', I watched them drink the traditional Viking bridal ale together; then in the tradition of the Fae, hand-fasted to each other with a cord that seemed to magically absorb into their... our joined hands. As soon as they were done he grabbed her head and kissed her. Closing my eyes, I held fast to the memories of what happened next. The odd flashes of my human life when I thought of Sookie, now made sense.

Solemnly gazing at the couple in front of me, I saw myself kissing her then gently lay her down on the furs that I had brought from the longhouse. The patience and care my younger-self showed her was something that women in both my human and vampire lives never wanted and I never showed. But this was his... my Susanna... my Sookie... she was different. Remembering that she was a virgin, my human-self was gentle as he took her maidenhead, making love to her in the meadow; it all seemed surreal. Every flash I had since meeting her had been real. We consummated our marriage in that meadow, with the stream trickling in from the mountains that ended in the pond where we met; it was all real.

It all seemed like a scene from one of the romance novels that Pam read. That was until at one point Sookie opened her eyes to show that they were glowing blue again. While they might not have been something new to my human counterpart; to me a thousand years later, they were going to take some getting used to. As a vampire, it seemed almost humorous when I saw Sookie's fangs grow just before she sank them into my shoulder, but the burning feeling I remembered on my wrist was anything but funny. Sookie withdrew quickly, slapping her palm over her mouth in shock over what she had just done. My human-self gently felt the closed bite on his shoulder that had already scarred, then looked to see a circular mark with four half-moon like symbols that appeared to be burned on both of their left wrists.

"I am sorry Erikir; I do not know why I did that."

"Susanna, what is this? What does it mean?"

"I... I think they are mating marks. My grandfather used to tell me tales of beings that in the beginning of time were ripped apart from their other half's... their mates. But when they finally joined together again, marks would appear to show others that they belonged to each other and could not be separated. I did not know the stories were real. I did not mean to mark you like that without your consent. I am truly sorry."

Interrupting her before her tears could leave her eyes, he smiled and quickly replied.

"Susanna, I am glad you did. You said these are mating marks. That we are mates that can not be separated. I told you that we belonged together and you just proved that I am right."

Sookie was... is my wife. Not only my wife, but my mate also. Everything deep within me knew what I saw was true. I rubbed my now bare wrist wondering where the mark went. But now knowing the truth, I wanted to know why she left. Did she abandon me? Where had she been all this time? Although I could tell that the woman I married and the one I had recently 'met' seemed like two different women, the question still arose making me wanting to know why. But before I could vocalize the questions, Fintan already had the crystal out and the scenes were changing.

Before you ask questions that you should know better than to ask Erikir, I will show you the answers and switch the language so you can understand what is said. It would be better for you to see the truth for yourself. I, however, can not watch what happened again.

Turning away, Fintan pulled out the crystal like before, but this time when the scene settled, the only one watching was me. Fintan had put his back to the scene, obviously refusing to see what transpired. Which after a few moments, Eric understood why. It looked as though at some point during the night, Sookie and my human counterpart had dressed and wrapped themselves in furs to keep the chill of spring away while they slept. From out of no where, the Prince of Fae, Niall and his royal guards popped next to the sleeping newlyweds. Niall's face showed nothing but rage as he grabbed Sookie by the hair, pulling her from my arms and screamed.

"WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?"

My younger-self leapt from the furs, ready for attack, only to be quickly grabbed by Fae guards. Seeing Niall as he screamed and beat his own great-grandchild like he was, ruined any positive thoughts that I, at one-time might have had for the faery. This Sookie seemed used to the treatment, as she took every hit the prince gave as she cowered before him.

Standing by, watching the scene play out was difficult. It seemed as though Niall had originally thought the guard he came with was enough to hold them both, so I was proud when my younger-self managed to give the four Fae men that were meant to hold him, a fight that relinquished their hold on him more than a few times. The fight my younger-self gave the guards was nothing compared to what he gave them when he heard Niall call over to one of the Fae that were holding Sookie and gave the order to 'Get rid of that... thing growing inside of her'.

Reliving this memory seemed harder than anything else seen so far. The moment they both understood the meaning of the order could be seen on their faces. Niall's words could only mean that they had conceived a child at some point during the night; a child they conceived out of their love. That the order was given to murder their unborn child gave them both the will and strength to keep struggling against their captors.

"Preston, do something to stop her before she hurts someone and you can have her once she reaches her maturity." Niall ordered mercilessly.

Watching in horror, I watched the younger faery repeatedly hit her until she was bloodied and she was rendered unconscious. Whilst unconscious, he shot light from his hand into her belly where our child grew. Both versions of us watched every move Niall made as he went over to Sookie and held his hand to her head, saying a few words then turned around and looked to my younger-self.

"Now that she will not remember you, what am I to do you with you boy?" The look of malice on the Prince's face caused the boy to increase his struggles, obviously in fear for his life.

Suddenly I watched another version of Fintan 'pop' in front of the Sookie that was passed out on the ground and crouched down to check on her. Rising suddenly, an angry Fintan shouted at his father.

"What is the meaning of this? Why has Susanna been treated like a beaten animal?"

Niall grabbed Eric's wrist hard and snorted.

"How dare you raise your voice to me! I found them together and mated. They managed to procreate but luckily, I was able to get rid of the abomination growing inside of her."

Watching Fintan's face distort in disgust; I was expecting him to agree with his father about their mating when the opposite happened.

"They mated? Instead of leaving them be like a mated pair should be, you separated them and had her beat? As rare as young are in Faery, you killed theirs? Are you insane father? How could you?"

On an normal day, watching Niall's face turn red might had been funny, but this was nowhere near a normal day... after watching him give the order to have her beaten... his own great-granddaughter; and to destroy the 'abomination' growing inside of her... her child... his child... OH SHIT...my child!

The knowledge of what transpired in front of me made my chest ache. If my dead heart could still beat, I was sure that it would be shattered. Through my millennium on this earth, I had met many vampires who had lost their families and I was at a loss as to how they still mourned them after so many years. In a way, I was now one of them. My woman was alive, but taken; my unborn child murdered and the realization of it all made me feel... anguish. I was so wrapped up in what happened that I almost did not hear Fintan still talking to Niall.

"After treating your blood so harshly, what are you planning to do with the boy?"

Niall let out a 'humph' before replying "Dispose of him of course".

Fintan moved as though to stop him when suddenly a woman screamed "STOP!"

Turning towards the sound of the voice proved to be my downfall because the voice belonged to my mother Åsa. I could not believe that after a thousand years I was seeing her. The distinct look of horror on her face at what she saw as she ran to the clearing made me wonder what she would think of the man I had become.

"NO!" She screamed. "You will not harm my child!"

"Åsa?" Fintan questioned. "Where have you been? It was said that you were lost?"

Once again I was confused. I wanted to ask Fintan how he knew my mother but I did not want to miss anything happening in front of me.

"Fintan. Niall. I was not lost, I fell in love and married and had children. One of which you are threatening to kill."

Sneering, Niall of course could not keep his mouth shut. "You mean you married and birthed the spawn of a human?" The word human sounded like something he wanted to spit out of his mouth.

Staring at my human-self, she gently smiled as she replied "Yes. Yes I did."

The boy looked confused at the scene, as if he was wondering how his mother knew Sookie's family. He knew that they were not normal people like he and what he thought his mother were. The savages that were taking her from... Me.

Grabbing the boy by the hair, Niall once again grabbed his wrist with his free hand and spit out, "Your... abomination mated with my great-grandchild. She will be coming back to Faery with me." Abomination? That is what Sookie called herself the first night I met with her. She called herself an abomination because she was not a pure-blooded faery?

It seemed as though everyone spoke at the same time when Niall made his intentions known. I was still in a bit of shock knowing that my mother knew faeries, so as she spoke to them like she was an equal; my mind truly began to spiral.

"Your highness, I understand the astonishment in finding out our children mated, but do you not think that removing your great-grandchild and the killing of mine is rather excessive?"

Growling in frustration, Niall's sharp teeth slammed down making everyone aware if his displeasure.

"No" he growled out. "It is not. If you believe so, what would you do if you were I? Prince of a realm with a disobedient great-grandchild who mated with one not of her kind?"

Having the feeling that he was only asking because of her presence, I saw the side of her mouth tip up slightly in a small smile. She was every bit a chieftain's wife. Beginning the short walk to check on me, she began to speak.

"Your highness, we are all aware of the situation. However, murdering Asec's grandchild would only bring friction among the clans. My people have always been neutral while the Sky and Water clans fought. Please, let my child go. Do not bring more war on your people. It might be different here, but you know that Asec would never let his grandchild's murder rest." Asec? My grandfather Asec? How would he been able to go to war with Niall?

Aggravated, Niall crossed his arms. "I will not let this go. Again, what would you have me do Åsa? I will not allow Susanna to remain here. She is too powerful and could be a liability to your village and clan. The fact that she has yet to mature and has had the ability to be sneaking here unknown proves that she can not be controlled. My guards struggled to contain her until she was brought down and her memory cleared. And your... child was no less troublesome."

The minute a grim look shadowed over her face, I knew I had found my answer about how my memories were lost. Closing my eyes in dread, I listened to her reply.

"If you were able to influence the memory of your blood, then you could do the same for mine. In fact, with his human blood it should be easier. They will progress through life oblivious of the other and we will still be able to keep the peace between us all. Does that sound agreeable?" There it was again, the way she said 'human'. She said it like she was not one. Niall called me an abomination... just like Sookie. If I was an abomination, the spawn of a human, then what the hell was my mother? What the fuck was I?

The yelling I heard brought my attention back to the matter at hand. Hearing my younger-self protest, yelling at his mother to not allow what was transpiring, went on deaf ears. Fintan could be heard trying to speak in defence of Sookie and I both, but was ignored. I opened my eyes as I heard Niall one last time.

"So be it."

Nodding his head to one of the guards holding my younger-self, I watched as the fae-man behind me used the butt of his sword to knock him over the head as Niall came over and began chanting.

My previous memories of that day always puzzled me. I remembered waking in that field covered in my furs, but could never explain why I was there, had a bladder of ale, my family sword, or where the second sword came from. I remember wondering if maybe Freya had left it for me while I slept. And although I took and used my family sword after my turning, I made sure to sneak into my village so I could take the other; only finding out centuries later that the second sword was a special made faery sword, which only added to its mystery.

Rubbing the aching pain in the centre of my chest, I hoped there was no more to see. I had seen enough. My memories were filling in and meshing with the ones that I assumed were 'real'. But still having so many questions, I mentally began speaking to Fintan.

Was this all of it? Everything you needed to show me? Memories to return to me? Where had Niall kept her? What was allowed to happen to her once she was returned? She is a Princess of the Fae. Surely Niall spoiled and treated her as such in front of his subjects.

I knew I was being an ass, but faeries are tricky beings. Fintan might be the only one I had met with honour, but I knew that if I did not push the issue, I would never find out what I wanted to.

With his back still turned the area, he turned his face to me and mentally replied with a haunted voice.

What was ALLOWED to happen to her? ALLOWED! Viking, I would have thought you had more sense. Susanna was stolen as an infant, because my father could feel her spark... the power that radiated from her. Threatened to murder not only my love, but also my family if I tried to take her back. He kept her 'prisoner' in her own chambers. Some of the things you saw her do are still unknown to my father. Åsa and your father Wulfgar would allow me to see you when you slept to ensure those memories were kept buried. I knew that she must have been sneaking away for a while because she would have never fornicated or mated with you otherwise. If my father found out what she was capable of doing... I do not want to think of what he would do. With the help of the elders, he already tried to remove her powers so he could absorb them, thankfully without luck. For some reason they chose to enter me instead so then he bound what Fae powers she had and would receive during her maturity. Son, she was not treated kindly.

Son? He called me son? I could only snort at his 'son' remark. Starting to pace, my temper stirred as my thoughts continued race in different directions. I had seen Niall beat his great-grandchild. But the woman in my home seemed as though he allowed more than to have her beaten. She was skittish if the conversation turned sexual and I remembered how she acted in the car when she saw my thoughts about the fang-banger...her reactions were not what one would call normal. As though Fintan was able to read my mind, he whirled around to face me. His once haunted look was now angered.

So... You would like an idea of what I had to see my father 'allow' inflicted on my granddaughter? Alright... Let us compare your lives shall we? What ever spell my father used to mask your memories, somehow also masked your mating mark but it could not remove whatever part of Susanna's essence that had already conjoined with yours. Have you never wondered how you were able to survive all that you had, both before and after you were turned? As a human, it took a DIRECT mortal wound to injure you to the point of death. That, Viking, was a Susanna's essence keeping you alive. I will not even bother going through your millennium of what you would call 'feed and fucks', but how about you see directly what my child has endured as recently as her Fae maturity not ten moons ago?

Grabbing me by the shoulder, it felt as though the ground fell out from under my feet. When I was able to steady my footing and look around, I noticed that Fintan took me to a place I had never seen before. The rooms seem filled with books; there were no lights, just old fashioned lamps and candles. Tapestries covered parts of the painted stone walls that were not covered in thick drapes. The floors reminded me of the old stone and wooden floors from the castles Godric and I visited during the middle-ages. Checking for escape routes if needed, the only visible exits were the two sun filled windows and the main door. Preparing to address Fintan's newest trick was put on hold when I saw him pointing to something in another part of the chamber.

Proceeding cautiously to the area directed, what I found took my breath away. Sookie was lying limply face up in a white wooden four-post bed. If I had not seen her chest moving to breathe, I would have thought she was dead. She was wearing a light blue and white dress made of faery cloth that flowed to her ankles. A delicate golden crown that had small leaf's set with diamonds and pearls circled her head as her blond hair gathered around her as though she had fallen back suddenly.

I was beginning to wonder why she would have fallen asleep the way I observed, when a blond man came in the room, locking the door. Saying a few unknown words with a smirk, he leaned against the wall crossing his arms over his chest. Fae-men were surprisingly larger than humans; so when I saw he stood close to my height of six and a half feet, it was not surprising. Coming off of the wall, he walked around her bed, taking in her form from each side. It was not until I saw him picking a goblet off the ground that the realization of her being drugged, struck me. In my long life, I know I have done distasteful and horrible things; but never once have I drugged a person so I could use them. Reaching deep in his pocket, he took out what looked like ropes, using them to tie her hands; each side being tied to the post under the bed. When he was done, he did the same with her legs so she would be spread-eagle. Using what looked like clear gloves that one of Niall's scientific research companies produced, he unsheathed a knife that was fixed to his belt and cut Sookie's dress directly down the centre. Seeing her molested and being unable to help her was driving me mad, but when he climbed on top of her still smiling and started hitting her face so she would wake up, is when I felt like a berserker holding on to my sanity by a thread.

It took a few moments for her to shake the grogginess caused by what ever he slipped into her drink, but when she did and she saw him sitting on top of her, with her dress cut open wide, exposing what was underneath, her eyes opened wide as she tried to pull on the bindings holding her arms and legs. Smiling at her, he leaned down and spoke in her ear.

"Hello Princess. I know you were told that you were going to be my breeding partner; but did you know that you were given to me? Given to me so I could do what ever I desire to you."

Still fighting against her bindings, she managed to reply, "Great-grandfather told me that I was to do my duty to the race, but never did he say that I was given to you. And why have you bound me? Exposed me?"

Back handing her so hard that her head whipped to the side, his smile finally disappeared.

"Listen closely you little bitch. I am your master. You do not question me. You will do as you are told without question. But I will answer you this time. I exposed you because I wanted to see what I am playing with and bound you because I enjoy your struggling."

Licking blood from her lips, she stared at him with a look of hate and defiance.

"You are not my master. Your purpose is the same as every breeding male in Faery... to breed with fertile females and produce healthy young for our race. That is all. My Grandfather will hear about this. I have not chosen to give myself to you..."

Interrupting her with a punch to her mid-section this time, he laughed, "You actually believe that? Our race might be in need of young, but saying that I am like the others is where you are wrong. I will not be breeding with you only when you are fertile; I will take you when ever and where ever I please for as long as you survive. Your look of defiance will do you no good. I placed a spell for silence on this room and can use and torture you and no one will know. So by all means... Scream."

When he mentioned a silence spell, the fear in her eyes could be seen from where I stood at the other side of the room. Leaning against the wall for stability, I was in my own personal hell. Initially, I was hoping to have her explain things in time. Never did I expect to have to see it. Noticing for the first time that although I had seen depraved acts before, watching this was much more difficult because I cared for the person it was happening to.

Having just blindfolded her, he ran the tip of his knife in between her breasts. Taunting her. Scaring her. Trying to make her scream. Quickly removing his clothes, and then cutting the dress completely from her; he climbed on her body, forcing himself inside of her unprepared. Thrusting roughly into her, he used his free hand to begin choking her. Unable to take much more, I moved forward trying to stop him. Part of my rational mind knew that nothing I did would affect the scene in front of me; the other part demanded I try.

Her screams rang in my ears. Begging him to stop, but each plea was answered with more torture for her. At one point, when I heard what I believed to be her pelvic bone break, I thought he would finish with her; but he did not. Restraining her, he magically rearranged the bindings on her arms and legs allowing him to flip her over. The few seconds needed to move her, was all time I needed to see the blood left from the faery's rough treatment, on the white bed sheets. I could feel her pain deep in my soul.

Straddling her broken from, he produced a pair of thick leather gloves from thin air. After placing them on, he summoned a small pouch and his knife then leaned close to her ear to whisper, "I think I am going to enjoy watching your lovely skin sizzle princess".

My horror peaked when I realized what he planned and I was vehemently forced to watch as she found the strength to struggle harder through her pain.

"LAY STILL! If you do not, I shall not hesitate to make you suffer worse", he stated.

Sookie froze in place, obviously terrified. I could hear her small muffled whimpers coming from her buried face. Preston opened the pouch painfully slow, building the anticipation; torturing her, but also making me want force Fintan to stop this vision. The fae-man poured what looked like silver granules in a controlled stream onto Sookie's back. When his eyes widened in shock I realized that they were supposed to be iron. His face furrowed in anger as he started to scream.

"WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU? YOU FREAK! WHY DO YOU NOT BURN LIKE THE REST OF US? If you will not burn the natural way, then I will make you burn my way".

Removing one of the gloves, he lifted his bare hand and aimed it to her back as a white-light shot from it; scorching her skin and setting fire to the powder much the same way gun-powder ignites.

I could not see the pattern he drew on her skin, but I was not even interested in it. What consumed me at the moment was the look of twisted pleasure that showed on his face. Covering my eyes with my hands and squeezing them shut, I wished that I could rub or wash the images away. Looking down at my blood-tear covered hands, a sick feeling washed over me; a feeling that chilled me to the bone as he finished his work with a flourish, just as Sookie passed out from the pain.

I couldn't bare to see Sookie suffer anymore; I wanted this thing to end. After seeing a fraction of what she endured at the hands of the animal made me wish I could return to her and hold her at this moment... Seeing movement from my side, I turned quickly to see Fintan standing at the entrance to the room. The expression on his face was clear; he was suffering. His voice in my head rang as clear as his granddaughter's screams.

This was the eve of her maturity completion. My father knew that if I heard her screams, I would come to her so he allowed Preston to raise the spell for silence. Nothing from inside of the room can be heard on the outside.

Knowing that Fintan was unaware of her torture and unable to help, kept my urge drain him dry at bay.

Have I seen enough Fintan? Having to listen to her screams and being able to do nothing about it, have you not tormented me enough?

Taking a deep breath as he walked towards me, I heard "I am sorry Viking, but not yet" before the ground fell out from under me again.

I was not given time to gain my footing when I heard her screams again. Turning towards the voices, I moved just in time to see him pushing her towards the end of her bed, turning her around by her shoulders.

"Turn around. I do not wish to see your face!" he spat at her.

Falling down, she tried to catch herself with her hands to keep from toppling forward on her face when he grabbed a handful of her hair; pulling with such force that I was surprised her neck did not break. Pushing her face first into the mattress as he applied his body weight to cage her in; rubbing his erection against her the entire time. Her tears fell freely as she struggled against him; her ailing body toiling until he whispered threats against Fintan.

Tears fell from my eyes and my dead heart broke as I was forced to watch her preparing to be violently penetrated. Her little hands fought to grab at anything possible while she squeezed her eyes shut. Still boxing her in with his body weight, Preston lifted her dress before returning to unbuckle his belt with a smile on his face when Fintan appeared behind him; releasing a roar that would have made a berserker proud. Observing the fight that ensued was eye-opening as I realized that Sookie's telepathy must be a well hidden secret; Niall and Preston thought to ward the room for noise but not preventing teleporting.

The beast inside of me screamed to be released as I watched a terrified Sookie scrambling to the top of the bed. Barely hearing the words yelling in the background, my attention was quickly reverted when I watched in shock as Fintan threw a yellow of ball light at the beast; leaving nothing behind but faery dust. My shock was short lived as I watched Fintan comforting Sookie; the realization of the incident dawned on me, finally understanding why he had to send her through the portal alone.

If any words were spoken past that point, I would not have known; I was too deeply lost in my own mind. Rubbing the middle of my chest, I tried to stop the ache I felt, but it was in vain. I knew nothing I did could change the past or how I felt about it. Niall's yelling voice was added to the discord as I watched Sookie scurrying around the room stuffing things in a bag. Everything began to fade into the background as a sombre Fintan walked to my side and the scene before me changed to the same sunlit grassy place where this quest began. Rendered speechless for the first time in centuries, I was relieved to hear Fintan's sad voice in my mind.

Despite what you might think, you were not shown her torture as a punishment. You were shown for your own knowledge. Do not tread too carefully around her, but help her heal. Help make her strong. For as long as she could remember, I have been her father, her friend, and her confidant; however, it is now your turn. She was made for you as you were for her. Help her grow.

Nodding my head in acknowledgement, there were no words that could describe what I experienced. Nothing that my words could say to him.

Viking, one last thing I will give you before you to proceed on your journey.

Eyeing him carefully, I was worried that he was going to zap me somewhere else that I did not want to be; but he did nothing more before something small appeared in his hand. Closing his eyes, I heard him call out, "Erikir, come to me".

Baffled by his words. My initial confusion was short lived as a ball of light appeared at his side, slowly transforming into glowing, ethereal child. Astonished, I silently watched as the boy looked at Fintan for what looked like an answer to his unspoken question; then quickly ran to me, throwing himself into my arms with an excited "FAR!" erupting from his lips.

As I held the small mystery boy who called me father in Swedish, I noticed he had beautiful pale blond hair identical to Sookie's; but it was the distinct blue of his eyes that were an identical match to my own that gave his identity away. I knew instantly who he was... he was my son...our son. Smiling, he grabbed my face with his little hands and locked his piercing blue eyes on my own as he rubbed his nose with mine and whispered softly.

"Far.. not worry. Me home soon...promise." then he kissed me on the cheek and disappeared.

Stunned, I could do nothing but stare at Fintan as he smiled back at me.

What...? How...? Why...? My thoughts seemed to be unable to form a complete sentence.

Seeming to understand what I was trying to ask, Fintan answered happily.

It is not common to be able to speak to those in the Summerland. And from what I understand, yes; he will be returning to you some how. As you are aware, Susanna is currently not with child; so somehow this will transpire in the time ahead. Fate promised you both your child and even my father can not tamper with fate. With that knowledge, when the time comes... do not doubt that the child is yours. Once he is born, there will be no question as to who is his father. The only thing I am sure of is that the answer to his conception lies within Susanna. Finally, Viking, this last journey I can not walk with you. This is something for you to experience alone.

Nodding my understanding to Fintan, he took the crystal out one last time. Unlike the times before, there were no blinding lights; this time however the area around us crackled with unexplained energy as a shimmering oval appeared in front of us. Guarded about what opened in front of me, I was about to ask a question when he was already giving me the answer.

It is a faery portal. Do not worry; remember your body is still where you went rest at. Nothing through the portal will harm you. You will observe as before, however this is something that you are able to seek retribution for as you see fit.

Mentally acknowledging his words, I began to walk towards the portal. Right before I walked though, I heard him call my name one last time.

Erikir. Know that you hold my most precious belonging in your grasp. I know you will good to her. Good journey old friend.

Be well Fintan. I answered as I walked through the portal, into what looked like a graveyard at night.

Upon hearing somebody approach, I slunk back under the cover of the heavily moss veiled trees. As the person came closer I could make out the figure of a man strolling the night with his hands in his pockets. With every step he made coming closer, his features became clearer. Compton!

It was now clear that Fintan had intended for me to watch Compton's attack on Sookie. He understood my growing need for vengeance and knew that seeing the crime first-hand would allow me to carry out my wrath without consequence. Thank you Fintan.

I couldn't help the snarl that emerged from my throat, making me wish that I wasn't just witnessing the past so that I could rip that fucker to shreds right here and now. Instead, I followed behind him, my fists clenched tightly, my fingers cracking under the pressure of my repressed anger.

Our gazes simultaneously followed the sudden sound of a beating heart. A heart-beat that belonged to a briskly walking Sookie, who appeared to stop, not fifty feet in front of us. She looked to be studying an aged gravestone and as she looked away from it, came eye to eye with Compton.

Sookie looked leary as she stared at him from a distance. I realised that she was probably trying to read his thoughts and after reading the gravestone, trying to understand what language to speak and possibly didn't know what he was. Compton, however lived up to his vampire nature, he sniffed the air and surreptitiously rubbed himself. Although his actions turned my stomach, I could understand his reaction from a vampires point of view. Sookie's scent, even though not as potent as a full Fae, was still delicious and carried fragrantly on the warm night air.

Already knowing the details from Sookie's version of the events made watching their conversation play out almost surreal. Trying to ready myself for the moment he would attack her had me vibrating with fury, Making me wish I had been there so I could've stopped his attack.

Not believing her story, he grabbed her by the arms and pushed his groin against her body, obviously aroused by her fear and her scent. Sookie's terror could be seen on her face as Compton tried to immobilize her before he grabbed a fist full of hair and pulled her head roughly to the side, preparing to bite. His rough treatment of her was allowing me further grounds to punish him; however, when I heard him say the word 'Fairy', I knew that he definitely would not be leaving my basement 'alive'.

It seemed that neither were aware of her power until her fingers started to glow and she burned Compton, causing him to release her. Forgetting the gravity of the situation, I grinned as he was momentarily stunned.

My humour quickly dissipated when Compton sprang back at her, fangs down and proceeded to savagely rip into her throat. I could only roar in fury at the sky as I listened to her screams and watched her struggling body as he drained her slowly, rubbing his disgusting erection in to her. I heard Sookie's pulse slow as she went limp in his hold; the sad excuse for a vampire then threw her body to the ground and latched back on continuing to drink, and while preparing to rape her.

Unfortunately, when he threw her down, her head landed on a nearby broken gravestone, most likely cracking her skull and cutting deep into the skin.

Pam suddenly appeared, flinging Compton into the nearest tree. I grinned in morbid satisfaction at Pam's rescue and at the uncomfortable position Compton was now in, pinned to a tree through his gut.

Proudly, Pam fought her urging bloodlust and speedily attended to Sookie; still seemingly in awe of Sookie's limp form, watching as Sookie briefly opened her eyes and tried to smile at her savior. I couldn't blame Pam, Sookie looked like an angel dressed in a flowing white gown with her hair loose. She emitted a glow that must be a residual effect of coming through the faery portal and in the moonlight she looked ethereal.

Smartly laying Sookie little further away, partially shielded from Bill's view by a row of gravestones and turned her attention to Bill who was screaming about the theft of his supposed possession. Barely listening to their argument, I moved to a position closer to Sookie, watching the ragged wounds Compton inflicted on her, slowly heal and her pulse strengthen minutely. I could tell she had lost a great deal of blood, she was a great deal paler than what she looked when Pam arrived with her to the club. Even though I knew she'd be well again, the anguish I felt as I looked upon her battered fragile body, knowing that she almost died, caused my bloodlust to rise.

My fury rose further as I plotted what agony I could inflict on Compton as soon as I could get back to Fangtasia. That bastard was going to experience my thousand years experience in torture until his body can no longer heal itself.

Pacing the graveyard at vampire speed, I was so livid with rage, I could almost feel my blood boiling. I'd had enough of this roller-coaster ride of reminiscing now and closed my eyes in frustration. In my current state of 'in-between' I couldn't release the anger and I feared that when I rose that night, something would not survive my fury. All of a sudden I felt that same sensation as when Fintan took me from one vision to another and my eyes flew open.

As soon as I registered that I was back in my bedroom, I sat up quickly and roared in anguish waking Godric from his rest.

"Eric, be calm!" Godric gripped my shoulders and tried to look into my eyes.

If it wasn't for his Maker's command I would've most likely thrown him off me. As it was, it took me a few minutes to calm myself enough to speak.

"Sookie." Was all I could growl before Godric's grasp of my arms loosened and he slumped back into his resting state.

Snatching up my phone, I stared at the clock that said it was 5.30pm, which meant the sun was still up. How the hell was I awake so early? I could, because of my age, wake around thirty minutes before sunset, but over two hours?

Never.

What the fuck was happening to me?

If you enjoyed this chapter, you know what to do - REVIEW (pretty please?). Be prepared for Pam next, plus Sookie and Eric have a heart to heart...