A/N: Hellooo my little kittens. Here's some action for you, though the first 2/3 is a little boring. Sorry about that. But they had to talk through some things first. And the last part makes up for it, I hope. I will try, try, try to get the next chapter up ASAP. I am so excited to get more done because the plot is swirling around my little pea brain trying to get out. The next story I do, I will have several chapters written ahead of time so it's not such a waiting game. But live and learn, right? Thanks for sticking around and leaving me love notes (i.e. reviews). I am going to try to get better about replying to your feedback, even if it's just once to tell you how I love you and we should have babies and move to Norway. OOh-speaking of-History Channel is coming out with a mini-series? docudrama? Called lol 'Vikings' on 3/3/13. SO that alone made me vow to watch it. Then I did some snooping and saw on the cast Gustaf Skarsgard. Guess who his brother is? Lol, I'm such a stalker. Whatev. So watch it, if you're in to that kind of thing. It looks goooood. Okays? So, on with the show.
P.S. I own none, except Alberik, I have no beta, I love you all, Viking Sheriff kisses.
Ch. 21
Eric stood up and began to pace. "Why did I not think of this sooner?"
"Probably because you've always thought it was impossible to survive being in the Fae realm. To you, it wasn't an option. Like with most tales designed to distract or mislead, it has been spread throughout your world that you would die instantly. It's the same basis around the vampire myths that say you won't reflect in a mirror or you can be banished with holy water and crucifixes." He gave a curt nod.
He paced a few more times in silence, Pam and I giving him his space.
"I must get to him."
"Master, please tell me you would not risk going." The first genuine emotion I had ever seen Pam show and it was fear.
"I am duty bound, Pamela. I would do the same for you." He gave her a look of determination and she nodded in understanding, though her face still belied her trepidation. "That does not mean, however, I am going to charge in without having a full assessment of the situation and risks. We do not know how I would maintain cover, restrain myself from draining a fairy, how I would even get there..." They both turned their heads slowly to look at me. "Pam, leave us."
She did as she was told, though looked none too pleased about it and made sure to stomp her feet a little. When she was gone, he came to me, grabbed my hand and guided me from the chair I had been sitting in, to the couch. "Lover, we have many things to talk about."
I felt my ire kicking up, but bit my tongue to hear what he would say. If he thought I was just going to give up a free pass to Fairy and put my family and friends at risk, he had another thing coming.
"I know this puts you in a delicate position. Despite what you may be thinking, I am not asking for you to grant me access to your realm without advising your kin first. Niall is not someone I want to cross, unless there are no other options. I just need answers and a plan very soon. If we can reach my brother somehow by you and your cousin working a spell to locate him, great. If we can tell your grandfather and he is able to return him to me, fine. But I need this ball rolling and I need him to understand the urgency."
"That brings me to another question I was thinking about today." He stared at me expectantly. "I was thinking about popping in to see my great-grandfather." A mixture of looks flitted across his face in an instant-worry, relief, worry, suspicion, worry. "I was told by Claudine that he did not want me to come there right now, under any circumstances. So, if I went, you would be the only one here who knew. And, I am pretty sure my powers of teleportation aren't strong enough to get me to there. I would need my cousins powers, as well. There is a portal I know of which will allow me to enter without any additional magic. I think I should go. If we can't find him the other way, I mean."
"Why would he not want you there, especially given the nature of the mission he sent you on with me. If you needed to escape, you would need to go home."
"Breandan has been on the warpath from what Claudine tells me. But that's all she will tell me. I don't know if that means they are actively waging war, or if he is causing chaos. I have heard in past wars, the Water Fae, in order to draw us out, have snuck into the villages, killing women and female children. It is killing me not to know and not to be able to help." I wrung my hands and swallowed the lump in my throat.
His hands gently untangled mine and held them in his own huge ones, but his eyes were stern. "Sookie, while I appreciate your efforts to help me, and can definitely understand your desire to defend your people, I can't have you put yourself in harm's way. I would be very...upset if something were to happen to you because of me. Not to mention, if Niall were to find out you returned home against his wishes in order to help me-"
I interrupted, "Eric, believe me when I say, he will have no problem believing I went against your wishes and came on my own." He gave me a smirk. "I don't mind telling you a few concerns, if I were to go back, though." He nodded for me to continue. "I worry I won't be able to come back. If there is trouble and my family needs me, there is no way I can return. Not until the threat is gone. I don't know how long that would be. Would you be okay with that?"
His eyes twinkled at me, knowingly. "Why, Sookie. Are we having the relationship talk? So soon?" He teased me.
"Says the man who suggested I practically move in with him 'to keep me safe'!" I imitated him. "But, I will be woman enough to admit it, if that's what you're teasing me about." I stuck my chin out a little. "We have reached a point where I would like to explore what we have further, and you're full of shit if you imply you don't feel the same."
He threw his head back and laughed. "Woman, I have never met someone such as you in all my years! I simultaneously want to shake and kiss you for your bullheadedness. It seems we are very much alike. In fact, in a lot of ways, you seem like a female counterpart to me. I have a feeling we will be butting heads very often. But in response, no I will not deny I want to know you more in every way. I have waited a thousand years to meet someone like you, I am not giving that up without a fight. And yes, I will be here waiting for you." He kissed my palm and got serious again. "I only ask one favor: that you get word to me as often as you can that you are well." I agreed, though I wasn't sure how that would work. "Which leads me to another line of conversation. Earlier you spoke of blood bonds and you sound like you knew of them and how they worked, roughly." I nodded, wondering where he was going. "You have had my blood twice now, I should be able to feel you. I feel you when you are taking it and for a short time after, but that's it. In fact, I wanted to warn you before the second time you took it that, for us, three times creates a permanent bond. I wasn't anticipating you biting me the second time, my little fairy vampire." He smiled devilishly at me and I blushed to beet red.
"I-uhm, guess I get a little wild during." He still had a shit eating grin. "Oh hush with that! A big part of it is because I know how much it turns you on-" The smile got even bigger. Damn, I was making it worse. "Gah! You!"
Another huge belly laugh and he hugged me, "Lover, do not be embarrassed of what happens between us. As I said, we are similar in many ways. I am beyond pleased you would take my blood, regardless of the reason. But I do not understand why I cannot sense you after two exchanges. "
"I don't know...maybe because of my fairyness? I'm taking a shot in the dark here. But, regardless, I'm glad you told me about the third exchange before we did it."
A glimmer of something flashed across his features. "Yes. I would not have allowed it until I told you."
"So, I have to take it directly from you then? Because you did put some on my leg wound from Long Shadow's claws." "Yes, to be part of the bond process it must be directly ingested Otherwise, every time we healed our puncture marks on a human, we would be at risk of a bond if it was three times."
"True. Guess I won't take it again till we know for sure. I will see if anyone in the family knows. I have quite a few questions, actually. I also wanted to know what happened to my scent block. It was gone once you did heal my leg with your blood or shortly after. Is that significant?" I left out the part about wanting to know why I was so freakishly drawn to him and his fangs.
"Thats a good point. Yes you need some answers. Hopefully they have them."
We sat in silence for a bit."I want to call Claudine. I guess talk of me going back is moot, if we are able to find him without it."
"Please do. Would you like me to leave?"
"No! No." I said sheepishly. I suddenly felt a little clingy. I might be leaving soon and wasn't sure when I would be seeing him. He must have understood as he gave my waist a reassuring squeeze. I pulled my phone from my purse then sat on his lap. I knew he would hear everything she said, but there was nothing I needed to hide from him. I had to remember, however, not to let on my possible visit to Fae to my cousin. We exchanged pleasantries for a bit, then asked me juicy details about my date last night to which I refused to answer. Eric enjoyed my blush and squirming, though. She surprised me by saying "Alright Cuz, whats the real reason for the call. You've got something on your mind."
"Can you, or we collectively, work any magic to find someone who is lost?"
"Lost of their own volition? Or missing due to the ill will of another?"
"Uhm does it matter?"
"Yes. Intent is everything in magic, Sookie, you know that."
"So the answer to that question determines whether or not it can be done?"
"Not if it can be done, just how."
"Ah." Jesus, just answer my question normally! Grr...fairies!
"Is this...being" Eric raised his eyebrow "in this realm or a different one?"
"I don't know."
"That will determine if we can successfully find them then. Do you have something that belongs to them?"
"Yes." I figured I would have to let her in on Eric's secret but not over the phone, though I had a feeling she suspected.
"Is this the someone Eric cares about that is being threatened by Breandan?"
He looked at me sharply but didn't look mad that she knew. "Yes."
"Well, then I want to warn you, he may have some powerful magic around them to block us from doing any type of locator magic. Breandan is no fool and he's very powerful. We will try it, but if it doesn't work, that may be why. I want to help Eric. Then he will be on our side and the sooner the better. I believe Breandan is planning something big, very soon."
"Why, whats happening, is everything okay?" I bombarded her with questions.
"Take a breath killer, everyone back home is okay. But that's all I am allowed to tell you."
"Arrggghhhh"! I wanted to throw the phone in frustration. Eric rubbed my back which did helped a little. I took several calming breaths. It struck me just then that Eric was one of the few people that could calm me. Just wanting off the phone quickly, I said I would be home shortly, to do this "seeing spell" as she called it and we said goodbye. My goodbye was very terse and she knew it, but let me be. As soon as we disconnected, I hopped up and started ranting and pacing. "So they've entrusted me to come here and see what you're up to, a fairy in a vampire's den. But when it comes to whats going on right now, when everyone I care about back home is in danger, they wont tell me shit." I went on for several minutes, ranting and Eric stay silent, letting me have my moment. I ran out of steam and felt a little foolish, so plopped down on the couch. "Sorry for the tantrum. Not very mature and not at all useful, I know."
"Your frustration is warranted. I have been known to break furniture, rip up trees and throw cars in my tirades." I pictured that for a minute.
"Sooo, I guess I'll run home." A thought occurred to me, "I wonder if Claudine could mask her scent like Niall did for me, then you could be there to watch. In case Alberik is being kept somewhere you recognize and we don't. Assuming this works. I would hate for it to be a success, then it's useless because we don't know where he is." I was mostly thinking out loud. "Though I'm not sure she'd be willing. She is a full blood, so the risk would be much greater, her scent stronger, not to mention once we actually conjure the magic..."
"What if you were to silver me?"
I gasped at the thought, "What?! No! I would rather not do it with you there, if it meant that!" He came over to me once more and took my cheek in his palm.
"Sookie, I have endured much torture in my life and much more that a few silver chains for a few minutes. My brother is probably enduring much worse than that as we speak" his eyes got dark. "If your cousin is willing, I am willing. I will heal."
My heart balked, but my mind ran through all the possibilities. "We would have to do it somewhere Claudine felt safe, not here or anywhere surrounded by vampires. I will control the silver. I'm not sure why, but I don't want anyone else controlling that."
He smirked at me, "Possessive are we, my little fairy?" He leaned in closer to me, but I dodged him with a smile and stood up. "Don't get us started please! Maybe I am. But I don't trust them to act with everyone's, i.e. your, interests at heart. And if I'm being honest, their opinion of you is jaded with fear and eons of distrust. They could react instinctively to something and if it were while you were vulnerable, it could...be bad."
He looked at me appraisingly, "Lover your sharp mind never ceases to amaze me. You see all angles and think fairly."
"I try. Okay, let me run this by her in person. I will go there, then call you with the answer, is that fair?"
"Very." He took my by the waist and pulled me in closer. "Have I said how much I appreciate everything you have and will do?"
"Not lately." I crooned as he nuzzled into my neck. I was enveloped by his intoxicating scent. Is this what my scent did to him? I held his head into me and took a deep inhale.
"Do I smell good?"
"Mmm...yes. Like earth and wood and the sea."
He pulled back and looked at me a little strangely. "That's odd."
"What, that you smell like those things?"
"No, that you can not only smell them, but distinguish them. Tell me, have you noticed it only since you've had my blood?"
"Nooo, I noticed the first night I met you." He took that in and looked like he filed it away for further thought. "Okay, well, I need to get a move on." He gave me a kiss that knocked my socks off, it took everything I had to walk away, to not wrap my legs around him and have sex there in his office, like I promised Pam.
On my way out, I saw Pam wasn't in her office, so slipped her present from my bag onto her desk. I didn't bother filling out the little card attached to the bag. She would know who it was from.
I perused the room to think of any last minute precautions. Eric was restrained with silver at his ankles and wrists, using my silver chains, to a chair in my living room. They were the thinnest ones I could find, but the smell of burning flesh still filled the room. And that was even with a piece of fabric padding the area between the chains and his skin. Eric tried to look as though it wasn't hurting but I knew it was. The chains I had on him could be called back to me with only a thought, releasing him instantly if need be. Unknown to my cousins, I had removed everything wooden from the house that could be quickly used as a stake. Yep, if my vampire was going to be completely vulnerable, there was no fucking way any harm, past the silver, would come to him.
I had convinced Claudine to do it at my place. She had originally wanted to do it at the strip club, but I refused. Too many unknown things or people could have access to the area. Claude and Claudine were here, having invoked a masking agent, theirs in the form of a liquid Claudine conjured and they drank it quickly before they even stepped foot into my place. It had taken heavy persuasion to get Claude here. It was only when he was repeatedly reminded this was to help our family and get Eric on our side by freeing him from Breandan's blackmail.
Eric quickly filled them in on the whole story of his brother and I saw Claudine's demeanor towards him soften, though Claude remained unmoved, shocker. "Okay, let's get going. We've got about 5 hours before dawn and I'll not have Eric in silver all night." They raised their eyebrows at my bossy tone. I took the small vial of Eric's blood he had given me and poured it into a small shallow bowl. My two cousins' look of disgust at it didn't not escape me or Eric and our eyes met. He looked weak but tried to reassure me. "I am okay, Sookie." I walked to him and kissed him softly on the lips, and I heard my cousins gasp. I shot them a look daring them to say a word. Claude opened his mouth, but Claudine grabbed his hand and he shut it.
I sat down and placed the blood in the middle of the triangle we formed. Claudine handed me a vial wrapped in Fae fabric-it had the shimmery gauzy look of our realm. "We will chant and summon our magic Sookie. When you see the light enter our triad and begin to form a sphere, add the potion to his blood. As any picture or sights appear, keep your eyes open and memorize every single thing you see in the vision. You may be able to see more than anyone, since the blood we are using to summon Alberik is also in you." How the eff did she know that? I didn't tell her. "Your vampire might not be able to look into such a bright light as ours, or he may not be able to see anything within it. We will keep chanting while you describe what you see to all of us. Also, if Breandan has blocked us from finding ALberik, we will see nothing, so prepare yourselves for that, just in case. Got it?"
"Yep." We grabbed hands and formed our link. We all called our magic out, my cousins had their eyes closed, but I would not so I could keep an eye on Eric. The second I felt, then saw the enchantment swirl up through us, I saw him strain against his chains.
"Undomiel ely siviar êl silah, undomiel ely Sookie, undomiel ely Erîk, undomiel ely Alberîk. Palchelbel Sookie, pachelbel Erîk, pachelbel Alberîk. Crostacht. Muintire. Gaire cabhairrn. Our magic sphere lit up like the sun and swirled, waiting for it's next command. "Sookie, nohren!" I broke my hands from our link, but placed their hands together, so now only they were linked. I took the fairy bottle and poured several drops into the blood. A small burst of white light exploded atop the mixture, then engulfed me. My body absorbed the light and I felt it coarse through me, then mute out. Before I could register that, I heard Eric cry out. In alarm, I quickly looked at him, ready to stop what we were doing if need be. He had stopped straining at his chains. He looked to be in sheer ecstasy. A pulse of light lit him up, the same color as mine had just done, then quickly faded out. When it was completely gone, his eyes opened and he looked gob smacked.
Claudine and Claude were still chanting, eyes closed. "Sookie." Eric rasped, gesturing toward the ball of magic now above all of our heads. A picture was taking shape. There was a man, no a vampire-though his fangs weren't down, completely wrapped in chains, strapped to what looked like a silver chair, with silver manacles on his wrists and ankles. He had gashes, cuts on every visible inch of his body, his eyes were open, but I couldn't tell what color they were, they were so devoid of any sign of life. I suddenly realized his fangs weren't down, because there were gaping holes where they should have been. Someone had removed them. I felt instantly sick. His hair, what wasn't caked in blood, looked blonde-ish and wavy. He was pale, actually, more of a gray color. If he hadn't have made one small movement, I might have thought him finally dead.
"Alberik! Sookie that is him!" Eric began to instantly growl and struggle at his chains, not from fairy lust but in fury. "Eric, ehnio idhû." He calmed. I wanted to bring Alberik here, I knew in that moment, though I wasn't too sure I could, but I was going to try. I suddenly felt a huge rush of magic-not mine, but a foreign magic come over me, more like, took ahold of me. I was no longer in control. I stood up, closing my eyes, palms upward, "O mŏr dreil Alberik! O mŏr anirohn Alberik! O mŏr Muintire, Alberik!" Claudine's eyes popped open, "Sookie, no!" I levitated a few inches off the ground but continued my chant. I felt the magic shoot out every pore on my body in an explosion and I fell backwards on to my butt.
It was suddenly very cold. I opened my eyes and I couldn't see very well. Wait, I could see fine, it's just that it was dark. And cold. And it smelled weird. And I heard growling. I tried to shake off the thick fog in my brain. "Eric?"
I heard a gasp not far away. In a thick Germanic accent "Eric? You know of my brother? He has sent you?"
My eyes adjusted and I saw in front of me, a mere few feet away, Alberik. And we weren't in my living room.
A/N2: I will post the translation on the next chap, running late for a family function and wanted to get this posted.