AN- All characters are the property of Charlaine Harris.
Eric opted to enter through the front of Fangtasia because he wanted everyone to see the beauty on his arm. He wanted there to be no doubt who Sookie was with. As soon as Eric exited his car, all eyes were on him. Normally he found this dull and only entered through the back to avoid such attention. He moved around his car smoothly and opened the door for Sookie.
He leaned down to her so he wouldn't be overheard, "I never have anyone on my arm Sookie. This crowd is likely to react in an unfavorable manner as you are 'taking me off the market', I believe the phrase is. This would not effect a normal human, but I am well aware that your telepathy will work against you here. Do not hesitate to inform me when you have had enough of the 'noise'."
She could already hear the voices clamoring in head. They all wanted to see who the Master had brought. She couldn't help but giggle, "They call you Master."
His eyebrow lifted, "That is who I am Sookie."
"Gooood," she purred.
He suddenly felt her arousal strongly through the bond. He only needed to glance at her neck to remind himself he needed to practice control of these intense emotions. He chose to pull her out of the car and kiss her passionately. He could hear the crowd gasp in shock. He smiled into Sookie's mouth. "This is going to be fun, I have not antagonized them this badly in a long time."
She laughed, "They are very jealous. I must say, I have never been this envied or despised."
He looked at her carefully, "This does not bother you?"
"Everyone desires you," she directly into his eyes, "and I have you."
He looked at her carefully, "Do not let the vampires hear that love. They would think me easy prey." He hopes that she will understand this and not place them in danger.
"I was married to the chief's heir. I understand power struggles and the importance of being the woman behind the man." She paused as if debating internally. "Though I am seized by a strong desire to tell you to 'go fuck yourself'."
He laughed loudly, "You continue to amaze me lover." He paused and looked at her seriously, "That reminds me. I do not think it would be wise to reveal the nature of our relationship just yet. Do not, however, doubt my love for you for one moment. I simply desire to manipulate the situation to our advantage." He is grateful that he can use a different language when communicating things like this to Sookie. Which was exactly why he had insisted that Pam learn it.
Sookie nods her head to Eric. She understands his need to assert his dominance. He has a position of power and he must maintain it. She also recognized that by coming here, she has directly tied her future to his.
Eric put his arm around Sookie and led her into Fangtasia. She looked stunning and he was proud to have her at his side. The crowd gave way in front of them as murmurs spread throughout the bar. He had to resist the urge to grin like a fool. He looked at Sookie and noticed that she had a very solemn expression, dignified even. He focused instead on scowling at those that were slow to move. Fear was always a good motivator.
There was always at least one person foolish enough to ignore their instincts and approach him. He almost welcomed it. Sure enough, despite the fact that he was holding Sookie closely, a fang-banger not only approached but threw herself at him. She clung to his leg and started babbling incoherently. She was skinny and pitiful. He glared down at her with fire in his eyes. Before he could extricate himself, Sookie placed her foot on the fang-banger's shoulder and shoved her away. The girl fell back on the floor gazing up with wide eyes at her assailant. He could feel Sookie's rage building as she approached the fang-banger. He watching in amazement as Sookie bent down and swiftly backhanded the girl. She had used just enough force to send her message, but not enough to draw blood. It was magnificent.
Sookie straightened herself up and calmly turned back to Eric's side. She understood the importance of Eric dealing with vampires, but humans where another matter. Humans would show her the proper respect. That girl had acted like Sookie wasn't even present. The things she was imagining where repulsive. She didn't even feel the need to address the fang-banger because she knew that she would not be heard. The kick hadn't even registered in her tiny brain. She would not forget Sookie now. She held her head high as the continued moving through the bar.
Eric had work to attend to but he needed to quell the crowd first. He made his way straight to his chair with Sookie in tow. As he sat down he pulled Sookie into his lap. Through the bond he felt that something was bothering her. "What has you distressed my love?," he asks in their language.
"It is a lot to block out. They are practically yelling at me," she replies in a strained voice.
"That is something that I can help with." He smiled wickedly, "Watch this."
Starting on one side of the room, his gaze fell on the humans. He waited until he had all of their eyes and slowly moved across the entire bar. When they were all enthralled he heard Sookie let out a sigh. He needed to release the crowd however he could not hold them this way forever. There were vampires here as well and they where the ones he was worried about. "Sookie is mine!," he announces in a loud voice, "and you humans will show her the proper respect." The bar suddenly sprang back to action as everyone went back to whatever they were doing.
"Is that better?," he whispered into her ear.
"Much better, thank you. They are back to a normal volume that is much easier to control." She relaxed into him.
For the vampires in the room he had claimed Sookie as his and for the humans he had made it clear that Sookie was above them. It was a fine line. It was uncommon for a vampire to elevate their pet. But it was not completely abnormal. Sookie was far more than a pet to him, but he would have to hide that carefully.
They sat together for awhile, simply watching the crowd. It was the first time that he had actually found such an activity peaceful. His fingers played with her hair and she lightly stroked his arm. He looked up to see Pam motioning toward his office.
"I have some business to attend to Sookie." In his secret language he added, "I have a task for you while I am in my office." She nodded her assent. "I would love it if you could listen in on the humans here and inform me of any illegal activities on my return. I should not be gone long."
"Yes Master," she replied with a wink only he could see.
Eric escorted her to the booth that only he used and instructed the waitress to bring Sookie whatever she wanted. His hand trailed up Sookie's neck as he retreated to his office. He was delighted to see her shiver in response.
Sookie watched Eric leave. She could not take her eyes off of his exquisite back side. It rippled as he walked away. She could not control her lust for him and he felt it. She watched as he turned slowly and winked at her. She pursed her lips and waited for him to turn again. Then she felt something she had not expected, love. It took her a moment to realize that it was not coming from her. It was coming from Eric. He was sending her his love through the bond and it was staggering. It warmed her heart in a way that could not be explained. She reached back through her memories and gathered up Aude's love. Then she combined it with her love and sent it all to Eric in one big blast.
Eric was almost to his office when Sookie's message came through the bond loud and clear. He had never been more grateful to be out of sight as he crumpled to the floor. Pam came rushing out of the office, a worried look on her face. All he could do is look up at his child and laugh. Sookie had so easily brought him to his knees and he found it hilarious.
Sookie could not suppress her grin as she heard a loud crash down the hall. Followed up by roaring laughter. She realized that maybe that wasn't the nicest thing to do to him, but it sure was satisfying.
Sookie ordered a gin and tonic and set about listening to the various minds around her. Thanks to Eric, they weren't all focused on her now. That had been beyond ridiculous. She had almost begged him to let her go home. Now she found that she was enjoying herself. She was glad she had a task or she may have become bored. Eric was in his office for an hour. As the minutes wore on she could feel his building aggravation. When he finally returned to her he was fuming. She got up as he approached and let him slide into the booth first. When she sits down he wraps his arm around her and pulls her close.
"Tell me what is wrong my love," she asks him secretly.
"Someone is stealing from me," he growls in her ear. "Did you hear anything out here?"
"Is that what you wanted me to look for? I only found a mess of underage kids. Whoever is at the door has their head up their ass." She was disappointed that she couldn't tell Eric who was stealing from him.
Eric waved Pam over. "Where is that underage group?," he asked Sookie.
She pointed to them and couldn't help but laugh, "One of them has a particularly ridiculous name on his fake ID."
"Pam, relieve whoever is at the door and send them to me," he said when Pam arrived at the the table.
Pam left to carry out his orders. "Which one of them has this ridiculous name?," he asked as he nibbled on Sookie's ear.
"The boy with the black hair and the glasses," she indicated with her chin.
Eric looked at the boy to whom Sookie was referring. He made eye contact and beckoned him over with a finger.
Sookie laughed and swatted Eric lightly, "You almost gave him a heart attack. He's pissed himself now." She couldn't stop laughing as the terrified young man approached their table trembling. Directly behind him there appeared a tiny female vampire. She had huge doe eyes and it was apparent that she was from India. She bowed her head to Eric.
"Indira, I am disappointed with you," he rumbled. He turned to the boy, who had jumped at the presence of the small vampire behind him. "Show me your ID," Eric demanded of the human. He couldn't get his wallet out of his pocket however, he was shaking violently. Eric motioned for Indira to retrieve the boy's wallet. She wordlessly handed it to Eric. He flipped it open and slipped out the identification.
Sookie was right, this ID was particularly ridiculous. He let out a laugh as he showed it to Indira. "You mean to tell me that McLovin here from Hawaii failed to raise any red flags for you?"
"Forgive my incompetence Sheriff. I know little of these thing, I am only covering for Maxwell tonight." She bent at the waist this time.
"Take him and his companions," he thrust his finger at the table, "out of my bar." Before she could leave he added, "When you are done, you will come back here and you will take the pole for the rest of the night." Eric pointed to the pole that was in front of his throne.
Indira looked like she would resist for a moment. "Yes Sheriff," she begrudgingly agreed as she left.
Suddenly Sookie's head shot up. "Bill's here," she hissed.
"Delightful. I think we should go back to my chair." She nodded and he followed her out of the booth. He fell down into his throne and pulled Sookie on top of him. He crushed Sookie into him and latched on to the top of her breast that showed above her dress. She sighed and arched her head back showing the whole room what he had done to her neck. It couldn't have been timed more perfectly. Over her shoulder, he could see Bill staring daggers into him. Sookie was performing beautifully. Her hand played with the front of his pants. If Bill wanted to stay, then he would be forced to watch Eric enjoy Sookie.
He leaned forward slightly, "Take my suit coat off Sookie." She stood up silently and did as he instructed. He took the coat in one hand and pulled her back to him with the other. His eyes flared, "Attend to me." He sent Sookie a wave of love through the bond so that she would understand that he wasn't being cruel.
"Yes Master," she sent her love back to him. She knew that Bill was behind her, watching them closely. Part of her felt sorry for him, another part wanted him to watch. Wanted him to see that she was committed to Eric. Sookie knelt down in front Eric and felt him drape his coat over her. She quickly unzipped his pants and went to work.
Eric looked right at Bill and smiled.
Bill couldn't believe how swiftly Eric had bent Sookie to his will. The Sookie he knew would never play pet to vampire. Yet here she was, being ordered to debase herself in front of a room of onlookers. He was sickened by this display. Eric had obviously done simply to annoy Bill. And it was working. Bill got up to leave. As soon as he turned his back, Eric shouted out unnecessarily as he climaxed. Bill ran out the door, not turning back.