A/N Thanks for staying with me this far
Eric's Demons
Chapter Nine
Two of the huge warriors fell into step behind them as Eric and Sookie left the club. It was empty now, the Magister and Sophie-Anne having long since departed and taken their supporters with them. Only the soldiers remained, some alert and guarding, others resting. All acknowledged Eric as he passed. There was a sense of readiness, of tension.
"How long have you known these men?" Sookie asked.
"A lifetime," he answered, smiling at her.
Their destination was a large house in town. Bright white paintwork, flower pots, carefully tended lawns, it felt homely and cheerful even in the dark. Someone took a lot of pride in this house. Eric strode up the steps onto the porch, gesturing for his guards to wait below for him. When Sookie hesitated he took her hand, brought her to join him.
Three smart raps on the door, then they waited. From inside Sookie could hear someone approach slowly.
"Who's bothering an old lady in the dark?" a voice called from inside.
"It's me, Eric."
Inside a bar was pulled on the heavy front door and it opened to reveal a brightly lit hall. The woman in the doorway was ancient. She was tall, taller than Sookie, with long gray hair that flowed over her shoulders. Her simple black dress covered her from neck to ankles and she had black gloves on her hands. When she spoke there was a lilt in her voice that Sookie couldn't place.
"I'm sorry I had to call you Eric," she said, "won't you come in and be welcome in my home."
Eric led Sookie into the hall, waited for the woman to shut the door.
"It's been a long time, Nula," he said.
They embraced, and when she kissed him Sookie could do nothing but stare. Right in front of her Eric wrapped his arms around this ancient woman and kissed her like a lover. Sookie's mind reeled, a mixture of rage and confusion, with an extra helping of betrayal.
"You'll not begrudge me that one for old times sake," the woman told Sookie with quite the filthiest smile, when she finally let Eric go.
Without waiting for an answer she led them both to a room at the end of the hall. Inside there was coffee on the stove, the smell adding to the homely welcoming atmosphere that pervaded this woman's house. She poured mugs for herself and Sookie, grinning mischievously all the while at Eric.
"My word you still look good enough to eat. And who is this pretty little thing you have with you now, smelling like she just left your bed?"
Sookie's cheeks flushed scarlet. She so wanted a minute with Eric to ask what the hell was going on here, but it was clear she wasn't going to get it. Nula was stroking his forearm wistfully, gazing up into the big viking's eyes.
"Nula, can I introduce Sookie," he said, gently pulling away from her.
"Is she the one we talked about?" she wanted to know. Eric nodded.
"Child this vampire, this warrior of legend, is a very bad man, and a very good lover, isn't he. He and I know each other well," Nula's accent was almost sing song, and it made her very easy to listen to. Almost Sookie forgot how this strange woman had embraced her lover. Almost.
"Why are we here?" Sookie demanded.
"Patience child, and manners. When you get to my age you lose the urge to rush, or be rushed."
"But Eric said..."
"Forget what he said, I needed him to bring you here, I know who you are. And I know who you will be," Nula told her.
"Now who forgets their manners," Sookie bristled. "Is it fair to play this game with me, either of you?"
Eric's smile was gentle as he turned to face Sookie.
"No," he told her, "it's not."
For a moment Nula studied them both, raising an eyebrow at Eric. When he smiled again and shrugged the old girl's face split into a huge grin.
"Really Northman, with this one?" she asked, indicating Sookie.
Sookie was growing very fed up with these riddles.
"Really what, Northman?" she asked.
"Never mind, little one, never mind," Nula told her.
"I've had enough of this, time you two did some explaining!" Sookie felt she was being mocked, and she didn't like it one bit. This would stop now or they could manage without her.
"Okay, come sit here and I'll tell you what he hasn't, big oaf," she giggled like a young girl as she offered Sookie a seat at the table.
"What hasn't he told me?" Sookie wanted to know.
"You had the dream, the one with the battle, Eric, the blue men?" she waited for Sookie's nod before continuing.
"Was he not magnificent, your viking, dashing into battle and leading his men to victory? We were good together then he and I." Nula paused and waited for Sookie to stop choking on her coffee.
"Poor girl. I sent the dream, I needed to see if I could reach you. Everything you saw was real, just as it happened. And yes it was me at his side when we fought the Nephilim. After the battle the Enemy were taken from the field, imprisoned for all eternity. Or so we thought. Part of the deal that was done was that those of us who defeated them would come here, to the New World, where we could be held in reserve in case somehow they would escape. Eric and I were very happy together.
"But then I started to get old, my body aged while his did not. One day I woke up beside my beautiful Northman lover and realized it was no longer fair that I should keep him. Poor fool to fall in love with a mortal, even one as long lived as me. Much as I loved him I sent him away, back to Godric, for no woman who looks as I now do should lay claim forever to a creature as fine as he. I knew if I did not, then one day he would resent the old hag I was becoming. You have no idea how much it hurts when you gaze on one as beautiful as he, and all you get back is pity."
Sookie still didn't understand where she fitted in all of this, and she said so. It was Eric who told her.
"It's common knowledge in vampire circles the ability you have Sookie. Without trying you read surface thoughts all day long. It's part of your heritage, a legacy of your forefathers if you like. I need to harness that ability when the time comes to banish the Watchers again."
"But I don't know how to harness anything," Sookie protested.
"Not yet," Nula told her, "but I can teach you."
"Are you like me then?" Sookie was growing more confused.
"No child, you are Fae, my lineage is far removed from yours. My father was Azazel, one of the Nephilim. That's why I'm so long lived, older than your vampire. And it's why I can teach you to help Eric when he goes out to kill and bind the Enemy. I just wish I was young enough to fight alongside him, but my dear I will help you to be everything that I was."
"I love him still, just as strongly as you do. I'll make sure you don't fail him when he needs you."
Sookie reeled. Not for a moment did she doubt the things she was being told were true, but she did doubt that she would be able to fight alongside Eric. She'd seen his work, both in the dream and at the club, and doubted Eric was good to be near when he was waving that sword about.
"Of course there is a price you might not like," Nula told her.