Hello, thanks for all the encouragement.
Here is the next chapter.
Disclaimer: The True Blood Characters in this belong to their respective owners. No copyright infringement intended.
Please critique and review. I am here to learn :)
"MIND LIBRARY"
Chapter Seven
Three bags hand been placed on her bed; a large luggage case, a reinforced leather briefcase and her laptop case. Elliane changed into fresh clothes; jeans and a khaki stretchy knit shirt and was thankful to see that all her clothing, including her shoes had been packed. She put on a pair of converse sneakers and checked that the digital security lock on her briefcase had not been breached.
Satisfied that all her belongings were in order, though there was still no sign of the silver studded collar, she slipped the bags under the bed, which appeared to be the only place to put them that was out of sight.
She went back to the kitchen where Carlotta put a steaming bowl of pasta in front of her. Expecting to be joined by the woman, she was disappointed to see her leave shortly afterwards, and although Carlotta promised to return soon, Elliane ate her food quickly and went back upstairs to the room.
She pulled out her laptop and immediately began to format the hard drive. Although it contain no information that was specifically sensitive, it did contain a lot of documents on various work procedures which were still considered classified. And while the computer went through the format processes, she retrieved her things from the bathroom and packed the clothing away in the suitcase.
She also packed away her collection of 'tools'. While the camera pen, lock-pick, credit card and cash went into the pockets of her jeans; the rest went into the re-enforced briefcase that already contained a variety of other equipment. This included small vials of chemicals, computer disks, jewelry and a large sum of money. Suddenly paranoid, she quickly re-locked the briefcase, punching in the twenty-five digit security code and placed in back under the bed.
She then set about re-installing all the basic software required for the running of her laptop. This process seemed to take forever and she was completely pre-occupied with this task when her door opened and a beautiful blonde woman walked in. It was Pam. She entered halfway into the room and stopped.
"Well, hello there sleeping beauty," she drawled at Elliane who was sitting on the bed. A superficial smile was plastered on Pam's face.
Elliane looked up calmly but was immediately on her guard.
"You're looking better - how is the arm?" Pam continued.
"It's much better thanks," Elliane replied quietly. She was cautious of the vampire that she had not dealt with before.
Pam walked over to the bed and looked down at Elliane, her critical eyes examining her Elliane's face. "Eric was right, you're natural eye colour is quite pretty." Pam reached out, and Elliane fought the urge to flinch away as she grabbed a length of her hair and let it run through her hand.
"It took me ages to wash and comb your hair," she stated. "I must have rinsed that dye you had in it, five times or more - before the water ran clear."
Not knowing what to reply, Elliane simply nodded.
"Dr Ludwig said you were suffering exhaustion and that we should make you as comfortable as possible." Pam paused for effect.
"So I hope you don't mind that we gave you a bath."
Elliane breathed deeply feeling the colour come to her cheeks.
"I guess... ah.. Who is we?" she queried.
"Eric and I," Pam answered with a grin. "Though you know what males are like. He watched mostly, while I did all the work."
Quite aware that Pam was trying to provoke her, Elliane took another nervous breath and exhaled.
"Thanks," she replied. "I appreciate your efforts."
A look of boredom suddenly crossed Pam's face. "Your presence is desired downstairs. Eric wishes you to meet someone."
"Okay." Thankful that the conversation had ended, Elliane stood and put her laptop onto the ground beside the bed so that it would continue with the current installation.
Pam left the room and Elliane followed her down the stairs to the lounge room. She was surprised when Pam opened the door for her; she was not surprised by who she saw inside. Eric obviously was as clever as she thought he would be. Her hands positively tingled with anticipation as she saw Eric, Sookie and a dark headed vampire that was vaguely familiar seated on the chairs.
"Elliane, I would like you to meet Mr. Bill Compton and Miss. Sookie Stackhouse." Eric stood as she entered.
A feeling of dread washed over Elliane as she saw the bubbly personality of Sookie come to life.
Sookie jumped up and crossed the room to meet Elliane, "Hi, I am Sookie," she beamed at her and then she cocked her head to one side, her smile fading slightly as she shook her hand. She suddenly beamed a smile again and continued "This is my boyfriend, Bill." Bill had also stood when Sookie arose and had moved more slowly to greet Elliane.
"A pleasure to make your acquaintance," Bill said formally. A polite smile crossed his lips as he nodded in a respectful manner.
Elliane smiled back and directed herself mostly at Sookie. "Thank you. My name is Elliane Sinclair," she replied with an ease that she certainly was not feeling. She hoped that the mental shields she had just erected would hold.
Sookie was eyeing her curiously as Eric suggested they all take a seat.
Elliane sat in one of the unoccupied armchairs, while Sookie and Bill sat together on a couch. Eric sat on another chair that was slightly apart from the others while Pam stayed at the door.
Eric spoke first. "I was just telling Bill and Sookie that you work for the FBI," he said, directing the statement to Elliane. A smug smile crossed his face as he lean back into the armchair.
"That is true in part," she responded. "I am contracted with work from them. I am not an agent however so to speak."
"Does the FBI spy on vampires?" Sookie asked.
"The FBI takes an interest in anyone that conducts illegal operations." Elliane stated. "Especially if the activities are wide spread and could potentially harm a group of citizens."
Elliane could sense now a pressure in her mind, a compulsion to bring to the forefront of her thoughts the information she knew of Eric's activities. She quickly shut down the inclination.
Sookie blinked and gasped lightly. "Are you human?" she asked Elliane.
Elliane was surprised by the question. "Yes.. At least I hope I am." As she idly pondered the thought of being something other than human, she again felt the tugging at her mind. Elliane closed her eyes and focussed as Sookie reached across and touched her hand.
Instantly, it felt to Sookie like she has been transported, although she remained physically in this room.
Sookie was drifting quietly… peacefully. All around her was darkness and the glittering array of stars. As she glided through the cosmos she heard a voice nearby. Beside her was the glowing shape of Elliane who was anxiously frowning as she floated with Sookie. One star in particular seemed brighter than the others and Sookie felt herself drifting towards it.
"What you are doing is dangerous," Elliane said, her silvery eyes wide with concern. "Do you really wish to know all that I know? Knowledge is not always power. Sometimes, it is better to remain in blissful ignorance."
"I was told you were being hunted," Sookie found herself saying in reply. "And I am really sorry for that and I will help you if I can. I have given a promise however, and I am now obligated to keep it."
"I understand." Elliane said as her the glow around her seemed to fade a little. "I too have obligations that I must fulfil. So I shall be doing my best to protect you from what could be dire consequences."
Sookie was hurtling towards the star now, as the form of Elliane seemed to slow and fade away completely. There was pensive look upon her gentle face as she vanished. Suddenly Sookie was in a room. It was a huge room that seemed to extend continuously in a web-like labyrinth of shelves. She was at the centre of the web and on the shelves were books. There were thousands and thousands of books. On a dais in the centre of the web was a huge book. It was bound with a lock and standing at the side of the dais with a sword, shield and helm, was a beautiful ageless woman, with flowing white hair.
"Who are you?" she asked the woman.
"I am the guardian here."
"Here?"
"Yes, in Elliane's mind."
Having not experienced anything quite like this before, Sookie remained thoughtful but only for a brief moment.
"What are all the books?" she asked.
"They are Elliane's memories." The woman replied. "Her thoughts are well organised as you can see. She is naturally gifted with a very strong will."
"Can I read the books?" Sookie walked to a shelf and pulled a book from it.
"Some you can read. Some require keys to unlock them," the guardian responded.
"Do you have the keys to them?" Sookie asked.
"No. Only Elliane has the keys."
Sookie tried to look past the shelves to see the end of the web but found she couldn't. The web seemed to extend indefinitely.
"Why does she have so many memories?"
"There are many years worth of memories here. Not just memories but dreams as well. Some memories are cross-referenced in different books."
Sookie looked at the cover of the book she had in her hand. It was very oddly entitled. "The Silver and Opal Ring of Victoria Johnson."
"Some of the memories are not even her own," the white haired woman smiled mysteriously.
Sookie looked at the book thoughtfully before turning her attention elsewhere.
"So, what is in that book?" Sookie pointed to the huge book that sat in the middle on the dais.
"This is the book of knowledge. That which Elliane already knows, but she has yet to understand."
Sookie sensed instinctively, that attempting to sift through the spiritual and emotional labyrinth of this mind would be a near impossible task. She understood on some level that certain locks would be on specific memories and that these locks could not be opened. She was intrigued by the place. She replaced the book on the shelf and said to the woman.
"I should go now."
"Yes you should" came the reply.
With a jolt Sookie sat back from Elliane as her fingers lifted away from the hand she had touched.
"Wow," she stated in awe, and her face lit up with a smile. "Are you sure you are human?"
"Yes," Elliane replied. Sookie felt that she was not lying. If Elliane was something other than human, she wasn't aware of it.
Sookie turned to Eric. "Her mind is difficult to read. She has great control over her active thoughts."
Elliane looked at Eric who gazing at Sookie with a mild smile.
"So you picked up nothing?" he asked.
"Well, not nothing exactly - but nothing of value to you," she replied.
"Why don't you just ask me what you want to know?" Elliane said calmly. "Sookie if not yourself could probably tell if I am lying. I will choose what I can and will tell you."
Eric glared at her darkly, and she guessed that he wasn't use to being in such a position. He wanted to know what she knew about him, without it appearing important. He wanted the upper-hand.
"Ok then." He said. "Does some sort of file on me exist?"
"Yes," she answered. "Your activities are being reported."
"Oh, What sort of activities?"
Elliane raised a brow. "Are you sure this is the right company and setting to disclose them?"
"Hmm, maybe not," he said and then grinned lightly. "Can I discuss them with you later?"
Elliane shrugged. "I guess. If it helps any, you are considered harmless on the overall scale of things."
Eric frowned horrified and Pam suddenly started to laugh. Sookie and Bill also looked amused.
There was a tap at the door before it opened to reveal Carlotta and Godric. The room went quieter as they entered.
Eric stood and nodded deeply to Godric. Sookie and Bill also stood respectfully.
"Hello Eric, Pam, Bill, Sookie." Godric greeted everyone with a slight nod. He moved rapidly to Elliane, who had remained seated, though not out of deliberate disrespect.
"Hello Elliane," he smiled down at her.
"Hello Godric," she acknowledged him quietly and looked past him to Carlotta with a slight smile.
Godric turned to Carlotta. "You are free to go now. Thank you for coming today."
Carlotta smiled. "You are very welcome. It was a pleasure to assist you Master Godric." Carlotta left the room quietly and Pam went with her.
"Won't you join us Godric?" Eric placed a seat beside Elliane, for Godric to sit in.
"So Eric, I will assume you brought Sookie here, to read Elliane's thoughts?" he asked.
"Yes," he answered quickly. "I wanted to make sure that she posed no threat to us."
Godric nodded.
"How long do you think you will you be hunted for?" Godric asked Elliane.
"I couldn't say for sure. Indefinitely I would guess."
"What exactly did you do wrong?" Sookie asked, unable to help her curiosity.
"It's not so much what I did, but what I know. I have compromised my identity and I know information that should not fall into the wrong hands." Elliane responded.
"Oh. Who is considered the wrong hands? Is that someone like Eric?" Sookie continued.
"No," Elliane grinned. "It's not just the information about people and their business, but information on the operations itself. This combined with the skills they know I have are a threat to them now. Now… that I am a liability. And, even more-so now that you have seen me"
"Me?" said Sookie stunned. "What have I to do with anything?" Sookie thought a moment and then gasped.
"You already knew who I was when you entered."
Elliane nodded and let out a breath.
"So that means. I have a file is that right."
"Yes," Elliane answered. "You are a person of great interest to many people Sookie. You and your skills are considered a great asset"
"So they think that if I get to read your mind, that I will know everything you know."
"Something like that." Elliane replied.
"Does that mean I am also in danger."
"Hopefully not," she stated.
"But how do they know you identity has been compromised?" Sookie asked.
"They know because there is an informer close to Eric."
Eric suddenly looked alert, his eyes hard. "Someone in my employ is also a government agent?"
"I don't know who it is. Moles are agents that work very deep cover."
Eric looked thoughtful "How does the Mole know that I knew who you were? And, how do you know that the informer has informed at all?"
"A friend of mine alerted me to the fact that my cover was blown last night. Something you did or said alerted the Mole to that information. Did you arrange last night for Sookie to come see me?"
Eric nodded slowly. "I did." He did not look pleased.
"So how can I assist you?" Godric asked Elliane. "I can provide you with protection, whenever you wish it."
"It is best that I try to get out of the country. A place that not too remote, where I can blend in easily, where I can become a number"
Sookie shrugged. "Wouldn't it be easier if you just became an asset again?" she asked.
Everyone turned to look at Sookie.
"I have nothing to offer that will make me an asset," Elliane answered.
"But you do… why not tell them about your… umm… gift."
"I don't have any gifts."
"Yes you do." Sookie stated. "You can read objects, perfectly. You are a psychometrist. Surely that is an excellent gift in your line of work."
Elliane jolted. Her heart-beat rapidly rose. Her secret was revealed.
