AN: Thank you for the reviews everyone! Second last chapter here.
The next evening I woke alone. I felt vampires in the house and came downstairs to find half a dozen of the older vamps we'd met at the meeting house the night before all standing around in the largest living room. Eric was mid-conversation with a tall black-haired vamp so I just nudged him through our bond in greeting and made my way to the kitchen for my 'breakfast'.
As I sipped on the blood I listened in on the conversation and thoughts in the vampires' heads. Eric was formalising the sheriff positions. The vampires next door were all pleased. They all seemed to respect or at least fear Eric - which I took to be a good thing. There were a lot of dead vamps in Louisiana and the only sheriff holding over from Bill's reign was the vampiress from Area 2. She was almost starting to feel like a friend I'd eavesdropped on her so often. The thought made me a little bit guilty.
Something all the vamps were thinking about, some with approval others pretty sceptically, was that Eric had promoted Pam to his old position in Area 5. Two of the vamps thought she was too young, one was jealous because he'd been hoping for Eric's old stomping ground – Shreveport was apparently pretty rich pickings - and a third didn't seem to give a shit. The Area 2 vampiress meanwhile was impressed that Eric was entrusting two of his areas to women. Sophie-Anne had only had male sheriffs, and Bill had only begrudgingly given her Area 2 because of her age. I withdrew from the vampire. She seemed decent enough and I didn't like snooping when there was no need.
I could feel my maker's pride and pleasure at her appointment. She was in a great mood. Pam was going to make an even more badass sheriff then Eric had. I almost pitied the poor vamps of Shreveport.
A sudden thought occurred to me. Pam was my maker - would I have to accompany her to Shreveport?
I sat worrying for a few minutes until I felt a tug from Eric. It wasn't like when Pam 'called' me, but it was something sorta similar. More of a polite request than a command. I finished my blood and headed out to him.
He looked up and gave me that look as I entered the room and I was painfully aware of everyone staring at me. I felt like a dorky teenager. Everyone in the room save Tara was at least a century old. Most were several centuries old. I made no effort to see into anyone's head. I didn't want to know what they were thinking about me. Eric held out a hand to me and pulled me close, pressing a kiss to my cheek in greeting. There was a tall blonde vampire standing next to him. He was almost as tall as Eric.
'Sookie.' Eric said. 'This is Haakon, newly appointed Sheriff of Area 1 and recent arrival in the beautiful state of Louisiana. Haakon – this is my bonded, Sookie.' I managed to stop myself reaching out to shake his hand just in time. The big blonde vamp had that frosty 'very old' vibe going on.
'Nice to meet you Haakon.' I said with a smile. I dipped briefly into his head. He was thinking in some language that was kinda similar to what I heard in Eric's. I wondered vaguely if they were like, Viking buddies or something.
Haakon took my hand and bowed to me. Actually bowed. Like I was the queen of England or something. 'The honour is mine Sookie Brigant.' he said, actually making it sound like he meant it.
I hoovered awkwardly, totally put out by his over-the-top greeting. A part of me wanted to giggle like a schoolgirl and the rest wanted to say what? Eric just smirked. 'I was fortuitous enough to see you when you faced King William.' Haakon continued. 'To see a newborn stand up to him was most amusing. Almost as amusing as watching Eric tear out his throat. You are a credit to your maker.'
'Well, I must admit I did try and impersonate her a bit when I was talking to Bill.' I said. 'My maker has a real way with words.'
'She certainly does.' Eric deadpanned.
I glanced up to see Pam smirking at me, listening in on the conversation with glee.
The tall vampiress sheriff of Area 2 that I'd been snooping in on so much made her way to stand beside Haakon. 'Your majesty,' she greeted Eric. 'I would consider it a great honour to be introduced to your bonded.' She gave me a smile.
'Of course. Sookie, this is Bridget, Sheriff of Area 2.' I returned her smile and nodded my head.
'Nice to meet you Bridget. You were one of Bill's sheriff's weren't you?' I asked.
She seemed pleased that I remembered her. 'That's correct. I'm glad to be serving Eric however.' I knew enough from my snooping to know that was true. She wanted a strong monarch so she didn't need to worry about political upheavals messing up her business.
The other four sheriffs, not including Pam, all got introductions. I read them as best I could, figuring Eric would want an update on their trustworthiness. I couldn't read one of the other men, a black-haired vamp, since he was thinking in what I thought was French. Eric was on his own as far as he and Haakon were concerned.
Maybe an hour later Pam tried to get Eric to change into a suit, but he was having none of it, so the King of Louisiana ended up heading to his first press conference dressed in jeans, a t shirt and a leather jacket. The Sheriffs were accompanying us to act as security, however since Senator Avery had called the Press Conference and Eric would be something of a surprise speaker, we weren't expecting trouble.
We made our way in a motorcade comprised of the usual assortment of flashy cars vamps favoured. A Mercedes, a Bentley, a Porsche and other more exotic and very expensive looking cars I didn't recognise. Each Sheriff brought their own car and had their seconds with them, save Pam and Tara who rode with Eric and I.
I could feel Eric's anxiety. He was not looking forward to facing a room full of reporters. I knew Eric could turn on the charm like nobody's business, but I still thought it'd be a miracle if he didn't eat anyone.
The conference was being held at the Ritz-Carlton and I was a little bit in awe of the place from the moment my door was opened for me when we pulled up. The ushers and the valet didn't even react to the fact that we were vamps, which was saying something considering what had been going on over the last couple of weeks. Eric took my arm and we strolled into the lobby. It was early still, so there were plenty of people milling around. I did my best to ignore their thoughts, many of which were real unkind, as we waited for the rest of the sheriffs to join us.
One of the Senator's aides and the Lieutenant Colonel from the night before led us to the conference on the second floor. I guess cause it was such a big deal, they'd needed a big room. It was a ballroom and it was pretty packed considering. There were camera crews and photographers everywhere, and the moment they realised a bunch of vampires had strolled into the room they were snapping away like crazy. We ignored them.
A couple of minutes after we arrived the Senator got up and stood behind the podium set up at one end of the ballroom. He patiently waited a minute so that all the cameras that had been pointed at us could be aimed in his direction.
He started off thanking everyone for coming, being all charming and whatnot but he eventually got to the point. He talked about how the situation had been handled and how the criminals responsible for the deaths of many innocents had been brought to justice. He was real vague though. I peeked into his head and saw that he was gonna leave it to Eric to fill in the blanks. Apparently they'd discussed it over the phone and that's how they'd decided to do it.
He introduced Eric as 'The Vampire King of Louisiana, Eric Northman.' Eric's face was utterly still as usual but I could feel his apprehension. I squeezed his hand before I let it go. Eric strolled up to the podium like a rockstar. He was by far the tallest, handsomest man in the room, dead or alive, and he had quite the effect on the women in the crowd. And didn't he just know it. I restrained the urge to roll my eyes.
Eric may have hated it, but he sure was good at - as Pam had once put it - 'mesmerising the vermin'. He told them exactly what they were expecting to hear, calling Russell and Bill extremists, religious fanatics and talking about small minority trying to 'demonise' vampires. But then he told them what they'd wanted to hear but hadn't realised.
Sure people had been talking about imprisoning Russell and Bill, but that wasn't really what they wanted. Eric gave it to them. With that one sentence, 'For their crimes against both vampire and human law, they have been executed.' The mood in the room shifted. I heard the humans thinking to themselves 'yeah, they got what they deserved.' When Eric added that any vampire found to be a member of the sanguinista movement would face the same punishment they were pretty pleased. It wasn't fair that vampires should face such medieval punishment in comparison to their human neighbours, but it went a long was to reassuring the humans that Eric was telling the truth. When he apologised for human lives being lost due to a failure of vampire law in Louisiana, they pretty much became his biggest fans.
The highlight of the evening was probably when a reporter asked how Russell and Bill been executed and Eric had nonchalantly responded with 'I staked Russell and tore out Bill's throat.' When they realised that Eric had 'executed' Russell and Bill himself, I think a few of them fell in love.
He answered questions for a good half hour, managing not to kill anyone, even when people started asking him things like if he was single and did he colour his hair? He charmed them with the ease of a thousand years spent enthralling people for dinner.
He managed to keep his cool all the way down to the lobby, where we had to wait for the cars to be brought around.
Some of the more persistent reporters were still trying to get a soundbite or short interview. The fact that Eric was holding my hand drew a lot of inquiries. The sheriffs grouped up around Eric and I, but since we were attempting to improve vampire-human relations, they couldn't do much more than glare at the media. After five minutes he had had enough. 'Pamela handle this. Sookie and I will meet you at the house.'
Pam sighed. 'I'm keeping a tab your majesty.You owe me an entire couture wardrobe so far.'
Eric smirked, 'Well technically you are a vampire princess now aren't you? I suppose I'll have to buy you nicer things.'
Pam's eyes lit up almost comically. It was obvious she hadn't thought of it in those terms before.
Tara rolled her eyes. 'Great. Here we go. Princess Pam.' She shot a glare at Eric. 'She gonna make me call her 'her highness' now instead of ma'am I hope you realise.'
'An excellent suggestion my child.' Pam purred, smiling like the cat that got the cream.
Eric and I attempted to make our way to the door. Reporters and camera men were intentionally getting in the way. I could feel Eric and the sheriffs losing their tempers. There was a lot of internalised swearing going on around me. The last thing we needed was Eric on youtube throwing someone across a hotel foyer or something. I stopped and floated upwards a foot, tugging at Eric's hand. He smiled. 'My brilliant Sookie.' he said. 'So clever.'
He joined me and we shot upwards to clear the crowd. They went wild of course. Seeing Eric fly did that to a person, I knew from experience. Since the hotel was so fancy, the door was real high so we could just fly straight on out. Eric indicated the exit. 'Shall we?' In answer I dropped his hand and shot outside at vamp speed - as fast as I could. I felt him on my tail straight away. Once we were clear of the street and high enough that no one would overhear, I heard him yell out behind me playfully, 'I'm going to catch you my little fairy!'
Only minutes after the sun set the next evening we received visitors.
Being interrupted when he was happily naked in bed with me did not put the king in a good mood. Especially when Pam informed his it was one of the newly appointed chancellors of the Authority. He flounced downstairs with a raging case of sex-hair dressed only in only a pair of jeans.
The house was one of the older ones in the quarter and it had obviously been decorated to sorta match the age of the house. It was a bit at odds with what I knew of Eric's taste, but it had been lovingly restored (or maybe maintained? Who knew how long Eric had owned it?) and it was really lovely. Nothing like Sophie-Anne's decorating scheme or the gothic 'vampire' style I'd seen in other vamp hangouts. As such Eric's office was wood panelled, lined with bookshelves and paintings in gilt frames and contained the biggest desk I had ever seen. It was pretty intimidating. A family of six could have comfortably eaten dinner around it.
Of course Eric chose to receive his guests there instead of in the big lounge with the comfy couches and the paintings of southern pretty belles hanging on the walls. (I'd spent awhile inspecting them one evening and I wasn't sure if they were human or vampire, one of them looked an awful lot like Pam, save that she was smiling.)
Pam, Tara and I took up position around Eric as we had done in the meeting with the humans. I stood beside him and Pam and Tara on either side.
'Mr Northman. The Authority has been attempting to confer with you for over a fortnight.' The vampire who was doing the talking had been turned when he was maybe thirty, had sandy brown hair, and was wearing an expensive suit. All in all he looked like a vampire stock broker.
Eric was lounging in his big chair like a bored teenager. 'As I am sure the Authority is aware, I have been rather occupied.' he said. 'Firstly having my skin slowly removed by Chancellor Compton, then of course, growing it back. Naturally in between those two I had to find time to actually kill the chancellor, so I have been quite busy. I find the entire experience has left me somewhat disillusioned with the VA'
I read the vamp. He was thinking in English, he was probably around Pam's age. He'd been sent to more or less spy on Eric, to find out his strength and weaknesses in his current position, both politically and physically, and to get him to kow tow to the authority like all good little vampire kings and queens were supposed to. It was all pretty much as Eric had expected.
'Mr Northman, the Authority is willing to accept you claim to the throne of Louisiana, provided you give them your full cooperation.' he said.
Eric stilled and shot the Chancellor a glare. 'I don't give two shits what the Authority thinks of my claim to Louisiana.' he hissed. 'It is already mine. A done deal. After the cluster fuck left by Sophie-Anne, Nan Flanagan and Bill Compton, all co-signed by the Authority I might add, my hand was forced. It was either clean up your fucking mess or cut my losses in Louisiana.' He paused and sat back, his voice lowering again. 'And I have been here over a century, I have many investments in the area.'
The guy didn't look scared, just annoyed. 'Northman, you won't last a month without the Authority's approval.'
'You are saying I don't have it?' Eric asked. 'That there is some other vampire more suitable for the role?'
I delved into his head. There wasn't. A few monarchs had expressed interest in expanding their territory to include Louisiana, but Eric was by far the 'best' candidate for the job. They just wanted him brought firmly under their control.
The chancellor pursed his lips in irritation. 'Let me be clear, the Authority isn't going to try and take you down Northman, but without the backing of the VA, without the threat of reprisal for unlawful take overs, you won't last. It will be open season down here.' He was telling the truth. He really thought Eric needed the VA to keep Louisiana.
Eric laughed. A deep belly laugh. It went on for quite a while. 'You think I need the Authority to keep my crown?' he said, smiling. 'You imagine there will be a line of would be usurpers lining up to take me on?'
Again I delved into the chancellor's head. He was thinking of the monarchs who'd expressed interest. None were anywhere near as old as Eric. In fact with Godric and Russell gone Eric was one of the oldest vampires left in the USA. The chancellor didn't think any of them would be interested in trying to take Louisiana. I felt a huge wave of relief. I had been half convinced there was another Russell waiting in the wings to ruin everything.
'Who?' Eric continued. His voice was serious once more.
The chancellor floundered. 'It's not only a matter of age. Many ancient and powerful vampires have met their ends at the hands of much younger rivals.'
Pam's sarcastic drawl responded. 'You are talking to the vampire who ended Russell Edgington. Only a fool would take my master on, and fools are easily dealt with.' From her tone of voice it was clear she would happily deal with him too.
'Enough.' Eric's patience, never a virtue of his, was long gone. 'Chancellor, we are done here. You may inform your masters that if they do not interfere in my business, I will have no cause to interfere in theirs.' He indicated the door without standing. I felt the chancellor take offense at being so dismissed.
'Tara, escort our guests to the door.' At Pam's direction Tara shot forward and took the chancellor by the arm.
'Right this way sir.' she said sweetly.
Eric tugged my arm and I let him pull me into his lap. I could sense he did it out of a both a desire to be close to me, and to further insult the chancellor. I obligingly wrapped my arms around his neck and snuggled closer to him. His hair was ticklish against my nose, but I liked it longer. I'd never had the chance to play with it when we first met. By the time I was in a position to he'd been wearing it short. I was pulled out of my musings on his hair by Eric kissing me. As always, I forgot about everything but him, even our audience. As such I was a little disorientated when he pulled back and glared over my shoulder.
'Why is he still here?'
'Mr Northman, I can understand your anger after the Lilith fiasco, but I do not understand why you would put yourself at risk by denying the Vampire Authority.' the Chancellor said. 'I agree that you yourself have little to fear - I doubt many will think to take you on - but your women are young and easy targets.'
Pam short forward, fangs out, but Eric stopped her with a gesture. 'Sheriff Beauford is hardly a fledging Chancellor, and as for her progeny…' He tilted his head and regarded Tara. 'Tara, the Chancellor has worn out his welcome. Remove him from the premises.'
Tara grinned. 'Yes sir!'
The Chancellor looked down at Tara in confusion. 'This child is what, a month old? Two? You honestly think…' The rest of his words were cut off on account of Tara hauling his ass outta the room. I felt his shock at her strength as she dragged him to the front door. His human guards ran off after them.
'That will keep them wondering. No doubt they had assumed Miss Thornton was weakest of our bloodline.' Eric sounded almost proud. 'I would not wish for you or your child encountering any difficulties in Shreveport Pamela.'
Pam was smiling happily. 'Now they'll be hard pressed to decide which of us is the soft target.' she said.
'Tara will be most helpful to you in your duties as Sheriff.' Eric said, his voice thoughtful. 'I almost wish I had turned her myself.' I wasn't sure how I felt about that. I didn't want Eric giving his blood to anyone else.
Tara returned with a big grin on her face. 'That was fun! Anytime you want someone thrown out on their ass Eric, I'm your girl.'
'I am sure Pam will be able to provide ample opportunity for you to do so at Fangtasia.' Eric replied.
Tara's eyes widened in anticipation. I couldn't help myself, I snooped a little. She was looking forward to being at the top of the food chain for a change. /No more bartending and waitressing. I'm the Sheriff's child and her girlfriend to boot. Not to mention the King's kinda my vamp grandpappy. He ain't half bad when you ain't a breather./She met my eyes/and don't think I can't tell when you is reading my mind Sookie Stackhouse./ I backed away in embarrassment. 'Sorry T.' I mumbled.
'Hmph. I suppose I forgive you.' she returned.
Pam glared at me. 'Don't make me command you not to read our minds Sookie. It's come in handy in a pinch so far, so I haven't, but if you don't control yourself I will.'
Eric's grip on me tightened. 'You will do no such thing Pamela.'
Pam crossed her arms and stared him down. 'Oh it's okay for you, Mister-I-Think-In-Norse, but the rest of us aren't so keen on it.'
Eric's voice was artic cold. 'You will not compel Sookie in any way Pamela. That is final.' Ah. It was Pam's hold over me that Eric hated.
'Wait Eric, she has a point.' I said. 'I mean, it would actually be nice to not have to worry about accidentally reading Pam or Tara. Relaxing in fact.' I glanced at Pam, 'And you could undo it in a pinch right?'
She nodded.
Eric was still super tense behind me. 'Well Eric? Can we try?'
He was silent for a long moment. 'If it is truly what you wish.'
I shot Pam a wide grin. 'I'm game.'
'Sookie, as your maker I command you not to read my or Tara's minds unless we ask you too.'
I gasped a little as I felt the compulsion within me. It was weird. Not pleasant, but not painful, just, freaky.
Tara was looking at me curiously. 'Did it work Sook? Try'n read me.' I did. I tried to delve but I got nothing. I turned my attention to Pam. It was the same. It was like trying to read vamps back when I was human. They were voids. Little black holes.
'It worked! I can't read either of you at all!' I practically bounced in my seat, but seeing as how my seat was the King of Louisiana, I restrained myself.
Pam's voice broke into my revelry. 'Sookie, read my mind.' There was no compulsion, but she'd clearly asked me too. This time when I reached out I could sense her thoughts. She was curious about her hold over me. She quite liked the thought of being able to lord me over Eric to a certain extent. Then all of a sudden I got a glimpse of Pam, Tara and I in bed together. I gasped and scrambled outta her head. Pam was smirking at me evilly. 'Pam!' I gasped in embarrassment.
She laughed. 'Oh Sookie dear, I was just teasing.' She shot a pouty look at Eric, 'Eric refuses to share you.' She paused. 'He claims he has 'dibs'.'
I turned to look at Eric. 'Dibs? You actually said that? Like I was the last slice of pie?'
He didn't even have the good grace to look abashed.
My unlife seemed to move much faster than my breathing one had. Before I really knew what was happening a month had passed since Eric had killed Bill. The situation in Louisiana had more or less died down, but there was still heaps of anti-vampire stuff around. Far more than when they first came outta the coffin in Louisiana.
But Eric seemed unconcerned. He said a lot of the bad publicity had to do with human political campaigning and would die down once the voting had taken place. His position as King was secure. The Vampire Authority had come to some sorta agreement with him, i.e. they ignored each other. This suited Eric just fine.
Eric had assembled a 'court'. It was nothing like I remembered Sophie- Anne's being like. Mostly it was half a dozen vamps he trusted that helped him run the state and made sure no one staked us or anything. He was a pretty hands off king though as far as I could tell. He'd carefully picked his sheriffs, and he was trusting them to do their jobs so he didn't have to. We were still in the Garden Quarter mansion. I actually really liked it. As far as city living went, it was real nice and I sure as heck didn't want to ever see Sophie-Anne's palace ever again.
Eric was already planning on ways to capitalise on his new status. I was sure he'd open a bigger fancier vamp bar in New Orleans. If he could draw a crowd as a Sheriff, he'd draw a zip code as a King. He also talked about a vamp hotel and a casino. He included me a lot in what he was doing. I think he was worried I'd get bored. Truth be told after years of one crisis after another, I was actually enjoying just doing nothing much. I knew I'd find something constructive to do with my time eventually, but for the time being I was treating myself to something of a holiday. A holiday that involved laying around in Eric's bed naked a lot. It was an exclusive destination.
I decided to accompany Pam and Tara to Shreveport when they left for a week or so. I wanted to see Jason and Sam and the rest of my human friends in Bon Temps. I'd been bad and I hadn't called anyone. I knew Jason at least would be worried about me, but I just didn't want to have to explain everything over and over again.
Eric had not been overly pleased with my decision to visit home, but he was aware that I wasn't quite as delicate as I had been a month and half before seeing as how I was dead now.
Pam, Tara and I drove down in a Mercedes. After we parked I realised it was different to the other two I'd seen. 'Just where exactly do these cars keep coming from Pam? I mean, there was the silver one, the black one, and now this one?'
'I have one in each colour so I can coordinate my outfits.' she replied breezily. I honestly couldn't tell if she was joking.
The club had been vandalised, but Pam had overseen it's refurbishment from New Orleans. It looked the same from the outside, but the inside had been given a bit of a face lift. It was definitely more 'Pam'.
It was still done in over the top vampire style – all black and red - but there were chandeliers now and nicer tables and stools. Like a vampire-dominatrix's bedroom. Which was pretty much Pam's public image in a nutshell really.
I left Tara and Pam to 'enthral the vermin' and took Eric's corvette from the garage. I was gonna drive it back to New Orlean's for him. He was really attached to the ridiculous thing. I think he'd actually missed it, had separation anxiety. He'd spent a good half hour explaining how I was supposed to drive it. I got it more or less. By the time I was half way to Bon Temps I wasn't even grinding the gears anymore.
It was 10:30 on a Friday night when I pulled into Merlotte's. Walking through the door as a vampire was surreal. Suddenly it was obvious just how changed I was. I could smell the different types of spilt beer, the oil in the fryer, (boy did it need changing!), the mix of sweat, perfume and aftershave of the customers, and of course, the people themselves. It was pretty gross actually. I wondered how Jessica had handled it for so long.
Nothing dramatic happened when I walked in. The crowd didn't go still and turn to stare at me or anything. Compared to the effect Eric had when he walked through the door it was almost disappointing. I guess I just wasn't as impressive as him. I didn't draw attention to myself the way he did. Probably cause I wasn't a 6'4 Viking.
I smelt Sam before I saw him.
He didn't smell like 'dog' as Pam and Eric always said, but he definitely had a sorta wild animal smell. It wasn't unpleasant, but it certainly didn't make me want to bite him or anything.
He knew straight off I was dead. He froze and looked at me from across the bar. His face sorta crumpled. And his voice was almost heartbroken sounding when he spoke. 'Sookie.'
I straightened my shoulders and mustered my inner strength. I didn't want end up a crying mess. I gave him a big smile. 'Sam!' I walked at human speed over to sit at the bar in front of him. 'I'm so glad you're okay. Did you and Luna and her little girl get out alright?'
He nodded. 'Yeah, it was a complete nightmare though.' I felt him holding something back. He felt guilty. 'What it is Sam? Whatever you had to do that night to keep them safe, I sure as heck ain't gonna judge you.'
'I didn't do anything, it's what I didn't do.' I tilted my head in confusion. 'Eric helped me out that night, and later on when we were running, well, I saw that Bill had him and I didn't do anything.'
The only anger I felt was directed at Bill. 'Sam. There wasn't anything you could've done. You just would've died, and maybe Luna and her daughter...'
'Emma.' Sam supplied.
'Emma would've died too, and I'm sure glad you didn't.' It was the honest to god truth. 'Besides, I left him there too and I owe Eric a hell of a lot more than you do.'
I was trying to keep my shields up, but I could tell Sam was relieved I wasn't angry at him. I could also feel he was working himself up to pitch a fit over me getting turned though. 'You want a trueblood Sookie?'
'Sure. I'll have AB+ if you have it.' Trueblood really was pretty terrible, but tt'd give me something to sip at.
Sam disappeared out back to hunt one down for me.
I smelt Arlene as she approached me. She always wore White Diamond by Elizabeth Taylor and with my vamp senses I could have smelt it a mile off. 'Sookie?' She sounded nervous and scared half to death.
I turned to her and gave her a little smile. 'Hey Arlene.'
'Oh My God Sookie!' She pressed a hand to her chest like a southern belle with the vapors. 'I was hoping I was wrong but it's true! They finally got you! You're dead! Oh god!'
I wasn't sure how to react to Arlene's meltdown. She was attracting a lot of attention. 'Terry and I saw you on the television with that big blonde vamper, and I said to Terry you was real pale but oh lordy.' She broke off and took a step back. 'Please don't eat me.'
Now everyone had gone quiet and were staring at me. Great. I kept my shields up but they were all thinking so loud a couple of thoughts got through. /always knew she'd get herself turned./ /..and Tara Thornton turned too. That's three of Merlotte's girls./ /… fucking vampires, what she expect? One of em of bound to kill her sooner or later./ /oh god I hope she doesn't eat me./
I managed to keep my face more or less calm. 'Arlene, I would never touch you. You can rest assured I ain't gonna be biting you,' I looked pointedly around the bar, 'or anyone else.'
'I should motherfucking hope not hooker.' a familiar voice drawled theatrically. Lafayette had come out of the kitchen to see what the all fuss was about. After the last time I saw him I wasn't really expecting him to you know, welcome me with open arms, but I decided to try anyway.
'Lafayette. It's good to see you.' I gave him a smile, no fangs of course.
He raised an eyebrow and looked me over head to toe. 'Wish I could say the same bitch.' He pointed a finger at me posing with his usual flair. 'You is dead.'
I rolled my eyes before replying. 'Tara sends her love. She's gonna be living in Shreveport with Pam. She wants you to come visit some time.'
Lafayette looked conflicted at the mention of his cousin, his façade cracking a little.
Sam returned and plonked my trueblood down on the bar. 'Here you go Sook.'
I smiled. 'Thanks Sam.' I made a show of taking a sip and pretending to enjoy it. Comparing it to donor blood was like comparing tofu to icecream. Comparing it to Eric's blood it seemed more like dirt. Still I sipped gamely. Besides, I didn't want to get hungry. I hadn't had any problems so far, but that was most likely cause I hadn't been hungry around humans much and they weren't that appetizing compared to Eric.
Lafayette and Arlene had both vanished. I could smell them out back, avoiding me I guessed. Well, that was their right. Sam was busy for a few minutes pouring drinks, but then he came back to me. 'So, you wanna tell me how it is you've lost your pulse and gained fangs Sook?' I could tell he was trying to be diplomatic about it, but I knew he wasn't gonna like my explanation, that it was my choice.
I knew the other folks were listening in, but I didn't much care to be honest. It was clear I wasn't gonna be welcome in Bon Temps anymore, so what did it matter what people thought of me?
'When Eric was cursed we made what vamps call a blood bond. It meant I could feel him a bit, in my mind.'
Sam frowned. 'Eric gave you blood in an exchange?'
'Yep.'
'That's pretty unusual." he replied slowly. 'In fact it's really unusual. Vamps don't form blood bonds with just anyone.'
I shrugged. 'He had amnesia and was hopelessly in love with me at the time.'
Sam raised an eyebrow. 'Well I guess that explains that.'
'So after we got away from Bill, I felt things. From Eric. What Bill was doing to him.' It was a struggle to keep my voice calm and my face smooth. My memories of Eric's agony, my hopelessness, were still real fresh. 'On the third day, he was gone. I'd gotten used to feeling a little bit of him in my mind, and it was gone. I was certain he was dead.' I sipped at my foul trueblood and tried to maintain my composure. Sam reached across the bar and squeezed my hand. That simple gesture bought me more comfort that I can say. 'I went to Pam. She was a mess. She thought that Eric was dead too, we were both certain. I knew then I was living on borrowed time. Bill was insane. Well, he wasn't really Bill anymore. And he'd had my blood…'
'So he could track you down whenever he felt like it.' Same concluded.
I nodded. 'Yep. So I asked Pam to turn me. She didn't want to. She only did it cause she knew Eric would have wanted her to help me.'
Sam frowned. 'Why didn't you come to me chere? Or Jason? Or that werewolf, Alcide even? We would've protected you.'
'I know.' I agreed. 'You would have tried to protect me. And you would have died, just like Tara did.'
'You don't know that Sookie!' Sam exclaimed. 'Bill was just a vampire in the end, we could have gotten him during the day or something.'
'I couldn't Sam. I couldn't let anyone else die for me.' Sam didn't respond. He looked mad as hell. 'You know I'm right Sam.'
He pursed his lips. 'Fine, let's just ignore the whole you getting turned thing for now. Finish your story.'
'Bill caught us, Tara, Pam and I. He was real angry that he wouldn't have the chance to drain me and turn me himself. He kept us silvered for a few nights then dragged us out in front of pretty much ever vamp in Louisiana to make an example of us or something. Pam and Tara fought him, but with Lilith's blood in him it was like he was 3000. He was so strong, we didn't have a chance.' A few people had sidled up to the bar to listen in, pretending to be looking at the flatscreen . I ignored them. 'Eric wasn't dead. Bill had drained him. Apparently it was a popular form of torture a few thousand years ago. He was so weakened that Pam and I didn't even recognise him for a while. Bill had flayed him and chained him in silver and then nailed him to the wall above his throne.' I tried not to remember what he'd looked like up there.
Sam's eyes widened and I heard a few gasps from my not so subtle crowd of hangers-on.
'I managed to free him and gave him some of my blood. Bill tore off one of Pam's arms and tried to get at me. I figured we were all gonna die anyway, despite Eric being alive, I didn't see how he'd be much use to anyone in his current condition. Except, well,' I paused wondering how best to explain what happened next. '…you know how Eric's a Viking?' Sam nodded. 'Well turns out he was, like, a beserker or something. When Bill hurt Pam and tried to hurt me, Eric went on a serious rampage. He tore maybe a dozen vamps apart with his bare hands, and then Pam gave him his sword. Lilith's blood or not, Bill didn't stand a chance after that. Eric disembowelled him then tore out his throat.'
Sam looked a bit excited, like he was sorry he'd missed the fight. 'So that's how he ended up king.'
I nodded. 'Pam knelt down and swore fealty to him, and all the other vamps in the room were real eager to do the same.' I smiled a little. 'Eric was so pissed when he woke up and found out he was vampire king of Louisiana.'
Sam took my empty glass. 'Well, I can't say I'm pleased that you're a vampire, but I am glad Bill was dealt with. You know that two faced bastard tried to drain me? Before he drank the Lilith blood stuff?' Sam shook his head.
Before I could reply I smelt Jason. It was weird smelling my own brother like, well, food. He was in his uniform and from the way he burst into the room and looked around, I could tell someone had called him about me.
'Jason.' I stood and he walked over to me. He looked me over in disbelief and horror.
'Oh no sooks.'
I didn't feel like doing this with an audience, so I linked my arm through his and steered him towards the door. 'Let's get some air and talk outside okay?'
Jason mutely let me led him down into the carpark. I wasn't sure where to start. 'Jase, I'm sorry I didn't come see you sooner, but to be honest I was scared of what you'd say. You're all the family I have left.'
'Oh Sook. Ma and dad were right. They warned me, told me I had to protect you from them vampers but I left you on your own. This is my fault.' Jason was looking at me oddly. Wild eyed. On the verge of tears. I remembered his odd behaviour the last night I saw him.
'Mom and dad Jason?' I asked.
'Which one was it? Who killed you Sookie? I'll stake the fucking bloodsucker for this!' I stepped back.
'It was my choice Jason, so don't you go threatening to stake anyone you hear?' Jason turned to the side as if he was looking at something. I could only see thin air. 'Jason?'
He looked over my shoulder. This time when I turned I could see what he was looking at. Eric's corvette. 'It was that fucking Eric wasn't it?' he growled.
'No, it wasn't actually.' I took Jason's hand. He flinched.
'You're cold sookie.' There were tears in his eyes. 'You're dead. My baby sister's dead. You ain't Sookie no more. You're a vampire, just like the one that killed our parents.' He stepped back from me. I felt like my heart was breaking at his words. 'You're wearing my sister's face, but you ain't her. She's gone.'
'Jason! I'm still me!' I said. 'How can you say these things?' I was crying. Jason stared at my bloody tears in revulsion.
'You ain't her! You ain't Sookie no more!'
I stepped towards him, reaching out with hands. He darted backwards and pulled his gun on me. I stared at it dumbfounded. My own brother was pointing a gun at me.
'This here is loaded with wooden bullets. You come near me I'll kill you.' I delved into his mind. He wasn't bluffing. He really seemed to believe all that crap about me not being myself anymore. His mind felt fuzzy, as if he'd been glamoured.
'Jason! Please! Listen to me!'
He fired the gun. My vamp reflexes saved my life. Before I knew what I was doing I'd shot way up in the air. Below me Jason was looking around the carpark for me. I stayed where I was until he got in his cruiser and left. I was crying like a child. My last living relative had tried to kill me. My own brother. I could feel both Pam and Eric's concern from our respective bonds. I pulled out my phone and quickly tapped out a message saying I was fine. The last thing I wanted was for my maker or my boyfriend to feel obligated to come rescue me.
I drove to my house without saying goodbye to Sam.
I walked through the old farmhouse feeling like a ghost in my own home. I sat on my bed. It didn't feel like mine anymore. I slept in the cubby. It hadn't been used in ages. I could still faintly smell Eric in the bedding. He'd slept, bleed and burnt in the little room when he was cursed. I curled up died for day comforted by the memory of his presence.