Eric

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Shrinking Walls

California fell. All three kingdoms within it, they fell one after the other. I watched in utter confusion as the stories hit the news stations. The homes of all the royals were set ablaze. Their human pets and employees were not harmed. Some had been kept by force. That knowledge it did not serve to gain sympathy for any vampire that had been ended that night. Again the fellowship was claiming responsibility. AVL was screaming "Hate crimes" because no human bodies had been found in any of the blazes we vampires knew the human law wouldn't look into it. It was well because we knew who was behind it and it was no religious fanatic.

In silence we watched the story unfold in the business house. We couldn't believe what our eyes were telling us was very real. Bertrand and Russell looked beyond distraught.

"We should warn the other states" Stan said. Of all the states here he was the only one that was not part of the territories of Amun. I could see his wanting to prevent the same devastation from befalling states in his territory.

"Be happy that you are here" Isaiah said through his own desolation. He was right. The only reason Stan was here was because there was a history of good faith between us but Isaiah's comment had been uncalled for. Both Pam and I glared at him.

Surprisingly this was the first disagreement we were having amongst ourselves and I would hate for Stan to feel axed by us. I would not insult him by putting this to a vote. No one here would risk our safety to warn others especially against a danger that could swat down kingdoms like flies and ultimately it was my house and I had the final say on who stayed.

I began gently. "Stan" He shook his head to interrupt my preamble.

"It doesn't have to be everyone. I know we cannot save everyone but on their way home the other scouting party will cross several states in my territory. They only have to send a warning to those along their route nothing more" That was not unreasonable. It was not as if he was asking sanctuary for them all. I looked to the others. Russell shrugged. Bertrand nodded. Pam nodded as did Isaiah. Stan was clearly relieved.

"We need to meet with the fairies" Russell said. I had been staving off that encounter for obvious reasons. Any pertinent information was passed from them to Sookie then onto me and vice versa. There was no longer any way around it. Our safety during the day had to absolutely certain. The remaining pack members that did not partake in the hunt patrolled outside the boundaries of the fairy's ward during the day. While I was thinking of what to do I felt pain coming from Sookie. I was by her side without even making the conscious decision to move.

"What is it? What's wrong" I moved to put my arm around her but she waved me away. Her teeth were clenched and her knuckles were turning white from the force she was using to grip the edge of the counter top. She bent forward and cried out a little. I was calling Doctor Ludwig but I had no idea what to tell her.

"Has she been hurt" Ludwig asked.

"No, I don't know what is causing her pain"

"Is she bleeding?"

"No, I can't smell any blood. She is in pain" I growled at her in frustration. I felt helpless and very useless.

"Get her off her feet and keep her calm. I'm on my way" I hung up.

"Lover" I was brushing her hair from her face trying to soothe her. "I need to move you" she nodded.

On our bed she curled in on herself and wrapped her hands around her stomach. I wrapped my body around hers trying to flood her with comfort and calm. After a minute the pain subsided and she began breathing normally.

"What happened?" I asked.

"I think I had a contraction" I could feel she was anxious but she was trying to hide it. We both knew it was much too early for her to give birth.

"It's a good sign that I haven't had another one" Her eyes were on the watch in her wrist. She sounded more hopeful than confident. I did not respond.

Pam appeared in the door way.

"What" I barked. She was unfazed.

"You need to call off your pal's" I was confused until I looked outside the window to find the house was surrounded. The room must have emptied when I left. There were several circles around the house. The vampires of my state formed the outer two. They were followed by those of Pam's state, then Isaiah's, Russell's, Stan's and Bertrand's. The Royals were on my door step facing the house. They were all ready to fight.

I turned to Sookie "I need to go" I felt her anxiety flare but she nodded with a calm expression. She like me has been trying to be strong. Despite how much she needed and wanted me around she never let it show. There have been quite a few nights when I saw her for a few minutes after I rose. Then I would leave and didn't return until close to dawn when she was already asleep.

I held her to me and her tears began to flow. "I know" Her fear was growing and my absence no matter how short a time was robbing her of much needed strength. "Close your eyes" She hesitated but complied. I kissed her tears away. "Count to ten. I will be right here when you open them again" She nodded. Pam remained with her.

I moved with at full speeds to the front door. "Forgive my hasty departure. There is no danger. My wife is having some difficulties" They all waved their hands and their people began to disperse. "Thank you" The words escaped my lips before I had given it complete consideration. It was as much a surprise to them as it was to me. Sophie-Anne was indeed shaking the foundation of the vampire world but not in the way she intended.

I made it back upstairs with two seconds to spare. Sookie opened her eyes slowly almost hesitantly giving me a few more seconds in case I needed them.

"Boo" She laughed. Pam was already on the bed with her. I took a seat on the side with my back against the head board.

"Pam you are making a habit of being in my bed with my wife" she snorted.

"There is barely enough room" She let her leg dangle off the edge for effect. Sookie swatted at her with a pillow but she was smiling. It made me voice a point of great curiosity and minor annoyance.

"Gideon says I am not to mention your size but why is Pam able to?"

"It's different. I don't have sex with her, plus she's a girl" How odd. Pam shrugged her shoulders apparently this logic made no sense to her as well.

"So if you did have sex with her then she would no longer be allowed?" She nodded. Pam offered to test the theory and it got her promptly thrown out of the room. While we waited we talked. Sookie told me something completely shocking.

"I thought about us having a child together the night you drove me to meet Niall" During that time our relationship was still very unsteady and nonexistent apart from the bond. I would have never imagined she would have even wanted me as the one she would share that with.

"I love you" She had left me with nothing else to say. She has wanted me for as long as I have wanted her.

The doctor arrived a half hour after she was called. That was simply not fast enough. I made a note to see what could be done about retaining her.

"Are you in any pain now?"

She asked. Sookie shook her head. "It was sudden but it didn't last too long and that was it"

"Hmm…One of them is here" The doctor said. She had one palm lying flat on the side of Sookie's stomach. There was thirteen inches between one hand and the other. That was how tall that child was "The other one is here" Her hand was directly on the center of my Sookie's abdomen and went to her waist line. That child was a shorter than the first but only by two inches or so. "That's the one that's being a trouble maker and sending your body the wrong signals. I have to move him" I wanted to bare my fangs and growl but I was not sure it was warranted so I wrangled the urge.

"It will not harm the child or her" I asked carefully.

"No, but the babe isn't going to like it" She pulled on a pair of gloves which made Sookie anxious.

I sat on the bed facing her and blocking her view of the Doctor. I took her hand. "Don't. Look at me" She nodded and relaxed. As the doctor worked she tried not to flinch but I knew she was feeling a vast amount of discomfort. I stroked her hair and she kept a firm grip on my hand.

When she was finished I saw Doctor Ludwig to the door. "Give her your blood" She instructed "And no more than three hours of physical activity daily" I nodded.

"What kept you?" I asked. Her small wrinkled face puckered at the tone I used. She was not my employee nor did she treat vampires exclusively. The world of the supernatural all came to her from full goblins that were on this side of the realm to mixed humans like Sookie and everything in between. Despite what I knew I needed her here and I told her as much. I offered to pay whatever she desired to remain here until my children were born.

"I know you know what is going on. As eager as I am to be working with your wife I am a healer" Her eyes circled the premises where many vampires were moving through the night. "The kingdoms that have fallen all had day guards. That was where I have been" Now that I looked closer at her I saw she was exhausted. "It is not the end is it" There was resignation in her voice. I did not answer. For the first time since I have known her. She looked sad by all that she was witnessing. Her frail shoulders were hunched in what appeared to be defeat.

I returned to Sookie despite the crisis and pressing matters I had to attend to. She was the most important thing to me. Gideon, Pam and Tristan could continue in my stead. They would be enough to keep Isaiah from being overly daft.

"I'm okay now" Sookie said. "I know you're busy" My only response was climbing into the bed "I wish I could be with you when you left" For everything I did not say it provided her with all she needed to know.

Our tactics were going to change. We would now have to meet Sophie-Anne on a battle field of our choosing. We had less chance of controlling the situation if she came here. Our assault would begin with Eliza. Even if she did not know the grand plan of her consort she had to die. The dangers she herself posed on a battlefield was too much. A preemptive attack on her was an absolute necessity.

"You have to come back" Her voice trembled. I wanted to assure her that I would but there was uncertainty at every turn. She took my hand and placed it on her stomach. I could feel our children move within her. We lay together for a long time in silence. Her weeping was too was silent.

"I am afraid" I said to her. I had been trying to endyre. It had been nights of planning and strategizing. I had not allowed myself to acknowledge anything that was materializing in me. The truth was I felt like I had the weight of the world on my shoulders without really accepting the responsibility. I felt like I was suffocating because I could not relinquish it. My inner strength was waning. "I am confused" I confessed. "In the deepest depths of my heart there are things I feel that I should not" The words were spilling much too quickly for me to edit them but they had been festering for too long. "Her madness was born of grief and loss of those she loved most that has been our norm but in her world it would not be so. Our children would be safer if there is nothing for vampires to fight over" She turned to look into my eyes. I did not know what she sought or what she saw. I closed them to escape her gaze. "She is right…the world we vampires have created is wrong" I felt shame for seeing truth in my enemies words but as I remitted the thoughts from my body it was like a soothing attar where they had once been. "I am not sure of anything anymore" I looked up and found her eyes still boring down on me. "I have to be" She cupped my face. I leaned into her touch and let her comfort me.

The next night the first scouting team arrived. They all received a gracious welcome. When that was done we sat down with Betty Joe and Jackson they had been the two team leaders. Heidi attended as well because she was an excellent tracker.

"We rested in a bunker in Nevada. When we rose the weres told us what happened. The trail of elves was fresh and we followed it to the borders of Sacramento" Betty Joe had been speaking but this part she left for Jackson.

"They didn't stand a chance" He said solemnly. "I think we only saw the assault team Sophie-Anne herself was part of. Even so they outnumbered them four to one. From the way the kingdoms fell the attacks were coordinated to be simultaneous"

"Tell us about the explosion" Stan said.

"We hid downwind; almost in the water. Sophie-Anne had an elf at her right hand" His voice turned to a mixture of apprehension and appreciation when he spoke of the elf. I knew this elf was a problem. We were all leaning forward in our seats. "He…he threw fire"

"Come again" Bertrand said clearly thinking he misheard. Everyone but Pam, Tristan and I maintained our calm. We had seen this before. Atéyo was an elemental. It was to be expected given his age but an enemy with the ability was most unnerving.

"They marched with a single torch. It was small perhaps the size of a flash light. I thought it was to make them appear human but then the explosion sounded and we hung around a second longer to see as the elf cut a piece of the flames in his hands. He spoke into it and it grew, then he hurled it."

When the shock of that wore off we asked them for any and all the information they had to offer. In the end we decided we needed to do two things meet with the fairies and end Eliza. Some of her numbers had been identified mixed in with those Sophie-Anne created; and she had created many more.

All the other vampires on the complex had been ordered across the lake to give us some privacy. Even our personal guards were left behind to avoid unnecessary tension. The best solution to speak with the fairies and not kill them was to have us remain outside and for them to remain inside their home.

Dermot was sitting on the porch looking perfectly at ease. Clearly he was unconcerned about the advancing vampires. I could see why. In his lap was an abnormal looking bow with no arrows in sight. The first time I saw that bow I was having one of my closest brushes with death in many centuries. Victor had me captive and only six people came for me. He was one of them and that very bow served to save my life. I knew the amount of damage it could do. I knew once he chose a target the bow would not allow him to miss. I also knew he would take being asked to remain in his house to be a sign of weakness. He was being a dense. From what Sookie said I felt I had a good idea of his personality. He was like her; stubborn; prideful and ill-tempered only he was ill mannered as well. In this situation it was a very counterproductive combination.

"Some welcome" Isaiah said. It earned him a glare from the fairy. It did not avoid his notice that Isaiah was closest to Pam. Like she feared he shadowed her every step. Her only escape was the time she spent in my house.

"Dermot we need to speak with Dillon and Lyra" I said. On cue the two exited the house with Claude and Iain behind them. I bit back a growl their behavior was not going to help the cause. It would only serve to further unnerve the other royals.

Isaiah was making the mistake of pulling in intentional breaths to taste their scent in the air. He twitched forward. The movement was subconscious it was following the current of the wind.

With speed that a vampire would envy Dermot drew his bow and already had two arrows in it. They were already pointed at Isaiah's chest. The thought of fairy blood was forgotten and in an instant the atmosphere went from one of unease to pure aggression. Snarls ripped through the night.

"Please vampire, I beg you" Dermot spat. His tone was one of pure loathing "Give me a fucking reason" His eyes were fixed solely on Isaiah. I knew this had nothing with his misstep or a perceived threat. This was about Pam. Isaiah reached for Pam's hand not knowing he was doing exactly what he was asked. Dermot's hand shook. Pam was too wrapped in what she was feeling to do anything to deescalate the situation. Since we got here her eyes were full of pain and they had been fixed on her former fairy lover.

"Enough" I stood in front of Isaiah. Dermot lowered his bow but did not remove the arrows from them. He was the only one who did as I asked. "Stop this" I called the other vampires. I was fighting against the haze of fairy blood in the air and my anger at the poor display of objective from both groups.

"This is who we are to trust our safety to" Russell hissed. I now found myself in the middle with my hands out.

"Yes" I said. "They entrust us with their safety in the night" Bertrand snarled as if they did not deserve it but he stood down.

"Stan" He was the angriest and I knew he was not going to kill for the fairy blood alone. Our very existence was in jeopardy and this was a threat it was as simple as that. "This will solve nothing. You kill them and you kill the wards that protect us all during the day" His fangs retracted but he did not straighten from his crouch. He was beginning to despair. I could understand that but it was causing him to do act with little reason. I reached and placed my hand on his shoulder. The touch was light not to be mistaken for restraint. By no means did he have to take orders from me. I was making a request upon him that he was free to refuse. "Stop" With a parting glower at Dillon he obeyed.

"Do you know of an elf that controls fire?" Russell asked finally getting to our purpose here.

"Prince Nikko" Dillon said. Disgust was evident in his voice.

"Are there more like him" Stan asked. I was glad he too had gained his perspective. Dillon shook his head. They told us all they knew of Nikko and his limitations. They also informed us of the skill set of the fighters they have encountered thus far.

"The ward will it hold against elfish magic" I asked. Dermot nodded.

"This vampire that aides them" Lyra began "She still eludes you" No one answered her. The question wasn't asked for informative purposes it was to irritate us, she succeeded.

"When do you expect your reinforcement?" Pam fired back.

"No more than three weeks" Iain said. That was at least a scrap of good news. We just had to hope our defense would hold if our enemies arrived before then.

0o0o0o

A week passed and we eagerly awaited the second squad that included; Thalia; Nicolas; Alcide and the pack master of Monroe. The day when they were due they did not arrive. Gideon tried to reach them but he got response and they had made no attempts to contact us. Isabel of Texas had gone on the hunt. She shared blood with Farrell who remained behind he did not feel she was hurt. The same was true for Russell's Ron. They had not been harmed but we had no idea what befell them. There had not been attacks that had been reported on the news.

"Your majesties" I said dropping to my knees as did all the vampires around me. The house of Kováll has appeared on the steps of the business house and they had with them everyone that we had been feared missing.

"Young king Eric, please" He gestured for us to rise.

"Eric" Anthony said. "It is good to see you"

"Like wise but I was not expecting you" He gave me look that I could not quite decipher. It could not be that he had seen my call for help. I had been considering it but I had not yet decided.

"Pardon the intrusion but little Cohan insisted on coming" Cohan spoke as if denying Anthony a journey across the world and commandeering our troops in the process was simply not an option.

"Don't think we know why either" Prince Demetrius mused. "He gets off on being all mysterious. Annoys the shit out of me" Anthony flashed him a bright smile but he appeared uncomfortable.

They entered the house with us. The other royals remained but they were too awe struck to speak though they had all been vying for this opportunity. Cohan and his children even made efforts to include them in the conversation it further added to their amazement.

"Where is your Sookie" princess Eráh asked after we had exchanged pleasantries.

"Home, resting"

"Is she well?" Anthony asked. I knew he enjoyed irritating people with his ability and just never shutting up in general but as he sat amongst his family he had not said anything until now. His question was surprising. There was also a heavy note of anxiety to his voice that I did not understand. If she were harmed he would be the first to know or so I assumed. He had sent me to her the night she wanted to run. Then it occurred to me that his ability has some limitations though I did not know what they were.

Cohan murmured what sounded like reassurances to him and took his hand. "I am certain she well" He looked to me to confirm. I nodded.

"Yes, she is in perfect health and she will be happy to see you" She was always happy to see him and it irritated me. That fact had not changed. I stood and indicated for him to follow me.

"I would stay but your friends aren't much for conversation" Princess Negy said. Gideon snorted in response. It was meant to be low but she heard it. I was sure everyone in the room over six hundred years old heard him.

"Eh…Negy looks like someone's got something to say" Demetrius called out in a jeering tone. I turned to intervene; force Gideon to apologize and or punish him to their satisfaction.

"I promise you. Your child is the only one acting his age" Cohan said absently. He waved for me to ignore them and having no other options that was what I did.

Sookie was lying on her favorite piece of furniture in the house. It was a bright sapphire accent piece. It was soft and was set low to the ground. She could get in and out of it without too much of a struggle. Nights when she wanted to wait for me to return it offered her a comfortable position.

"Lover, we have guests" I called from the door way.

"Come in" She said. She looked towards the archway of the living room. She and Anthony were wearing similar expressions. Both their faces were surprised but happy.

"Ah…much better" Anthony said with his usual carefree smile. I remembered just how much I disliked it. He came and knelt by her head and hugged her. "It has been most distressing only seeing your face" The relief in his voice palpable. "It made me afraid" She patted his back they still hadn't released each other. I tried not to frown but I knew she would smell of him. Anthony was her most powerful and he had come to check on her. It pleased me and made me certain of what to ask of Cohan

"You still can't stand not being a know it all" She teased when he finally released her. He laughed. Cohan smiled at his son's blatant disregard for vampire wife/human ownership.

"It is very good to see you are doing so well little one" He said to Sookie.

"Thank you your majesty" He smiled down at her. Then he ran his hand through Anthony's hair and tried in vain to smooth it.

"I will go unless you want me to stay" He told him.

"No I am fine now"

"You don't need anything do you lover?" She shook her head and smiled at me. It erased the annoyance of Anthony and his overall inability to recognize vampire personal space.

Cohan straightened and together took our leave. The team that had returned still had not informed us of what kept them or how their path intercepted with that of Cohan of all creatures.