A/N - True blood and SVM Characters belong to Mrs. Harris, Alan Ball and HBO. Original characters and story line are my own. I love your feedback, thank you for taking the time to comment.
Chapter 11
Scene 1 - SPOV - You can call me...
Queen Sophie-Anne Leclerq was the main attraction in a few of my nightmares and right at this moment it appeared that her blonde boy toy would be co-starring. His human age flashed warning signs. I couldn't imagine eternity caught on the hormonal cusp between adolescence and adulthood was good for the mind.
Right now Mr. Forever a Teen Psycho was in a stare down with Eric after throwing his weight around.
"No" Eric finally answered.
"I do assure you Eric, I am here with the blessing of your Queen, would you refuse her edict?" Andre asked his tongue flicking snake like across his lips.
"If the Queen wishes the services of Ms. Stackhouse I would be willing to sit down with our lawyers and hammer out a contract. I am sure we could come with something mutually agreeable to both parties." Eric replied without hesitation.
"Eric, in light of recent incidents the Queen made the decision to consolidate her assets, one of which is the Telepath. Your constant interference is causing her patience to wear thin. I am to remind you, if needed your fangs would make lovely earrings." Andre had edged a bit closer to Eric.
"I'd like to see you try," snarked Pam from the corner.
Eric barely flicked an eyelash before Pam bowed her head to him then exited the room. Now there were only four of us remaining, Eric, Andre, myself and the so far silent Bill.
With Pam gone, Andre changed his tactics, I think he forgot I was part of the audience because he started to pace in front of Eric's desk. He flung his arms around like a French cartoon and his accent adjusted accordingly. "Why do you continue to push the boundaries Eric? You claim to have no wish for the throne, but when issued a direct command you balk. You know with the death of her husband Sophie-Anne has now doubled her responsibilities. Why do you add to your Queens burden?" he questioned ending his rant leaning over Eric's desk.
Eric had shifted and relaxed into his classic pose, one leg crossed over the other at the knee, elbows on the armrest and hands at chin height with finger pressed together.
"Andre, I fear we are dealing with a bit of miscommunication. Perhaps you misunderstood the relationship between me and Ms. Stackhouse. She is my human, bound to me by a thrice blooded bond. By our laws she is mine, not the Queen's, to do with as I please."
My face was still one of frozen disinterest but internal Sookie was cheering Eric on.
Bill decided that it was time to step forward into the lime light. "That is not true; the bond cannot be permanent, not so fast. She was in the first stages only days ago."
Eric ignored Bill as he addressed his comments to Andre. "You are here because of the words of this worm?" he asked tilting his head at Bill.
Andre straightened and switched his gaze to a now squirming Compton. "Mr. Compton appeared at Court two nights ago claiming Ms. Stackhouse was back home but in danger due to her ignorance of our laws since she denied his claim. He said he had heard other vampires discussing her availability. He said while she had applied to you for protection, you were not in a position to provide for her care."
He didn't say it outright but I could tell that Andre was well aware of Eric's former 'health' issues. I thought Eric's display of physical authority had been quite impressive when Bill had dropped by, so I believed Andre was working off of intelligence gathered by a different source. From the barely banked rage that was flickering in the bond, Eric did too.
Eric stood, hard muscles sliding and coiling beneath his leather vest. He just oozed strength and vitality.
"Mr. Compton was wrong, as always," Eric held his hand out to me and I walked over to his side. "Sookie has accepted my protection, our bond is permanent and any contact with her or her family will have to go through me." He sat down and pulled me into his lap. I froze for just a moment then relaxed at the feel of his hidden fingers rubbing circles in the small of my back.
When I didn't protest Eric's handling, Bill eyes snapped to mine as he snarled, "She seems to heel well."
"So it seems," murmured Andre with a thoughtful expression. "While the variables may have changed, I am afraid the end result is still the same. Northman you will be coming to New Orleans with your bonded. I hereby relieve you of all..."
The office door slammed open and another strange vampire strode through the doorway before Andre could finish.
"Northman is not going anywhere," the stranger announced.
The vampire was short, barely taller than I was, although his Grateful Dead t-shirt and dark jeans highlighted a well muscled body. His hair and eyes were dark, almost black and his nose was the definition of 'Roman'. His lips were full with a slight pout and he stood with the weight of centuries on his shoulders. I don't know how I knew, but like Thalia, this vampire was old, old enough to make my teeth ache.
Eric stood and set me behind him, holding a slightly protective stance when he addressed the new comer, "Ocella, I did not know you were in the area."
At the same time Andre blurted out, "Who the hell are you?"
Ocella answered Eric first, "Last minute decision Viking." Eric inclined his head then sat back down, gesturing for me to resume my former seat on the couch.
Appius replied as he switched his gaze to Andre, "I am Appius Livius Ocella, but you can address me as Magister."
Both Andre and Bill blanched taken by surprise by the announcement.
"Your child Pam informs me that congratulations are in order," Appius said to Eric before giving me his full attention, "You may call me Appius when we are not in the middle of vampire politics, as Eric once did before he earned the right to use Ocella." His lips twitched in a wry grin. I smiled; perhaps this wasn't the bogey man after all.
I glanced at Eric for permission and he nodded. "Thank you," I hesitated hoping I was getting it right, "Magister." Apparently I had because Appius beamed at me and a pulse of relief came through the bond from Eric.
"Now back to business, I am here to discuss some outstanding issues with Eric in regards to his area. You claim to be the envoy of Sophie-Anne?" Appius asked Andre.
"The Queen is in Mississippi, she has given Louisiana into my care as her second," was his answer.
"You are her child?"
"Yes"
"How unfortunate for you," Appius said with a straight face.
I watched in fascination as Andre's right eye began to twitch and a snarl twisted his lips.
"You will remain for the discussion then; the rest of you may leave." Appius said in obvious dismissal.
Bill was really stupid, just as I released a sigh of relief his voice rang out in denial.
"We cannot just leave what about Sookie and the Queen?"
"Bill are you really that dense?" Eric snarled dropping his mask for a split second. "What do you not understand about 'Bonded?'?"
With an upraised thick bushy brow Appius inquired, "Is there a problem here?"
Eric told him about the Queen's edict and the apparent miscommunication between the palace and her various associates, indicating Bill and Andre with a pointed glance. After Eric finished our version of the story, Appius asked Andre a few questions then seemed to deliberate for a few minutes.
"The solution is simple. Our laws are quite straight forward and easy to interpret. Mr. Northman and Ms. Stackhouse are bonded; the human stays with her vampire. As the Authority wishes Northman to remain in control of Area 5, I see no need for further discussion." Appius spoke directly to Eric, "The paperwork registering your bond to this human has been filed?"
Eric nodded.
"Excellent, then let us move on to more important matters." Appius said as he sat down in one of the chairs across from Eric, signaling Andre to do the same. "Ms. Stackhouse, Mr. Compton if you would excuse us?"
I didn't need Eric's push of urgency to get me off the couch and out the door. I had no desire to remain in the room anymore.
I had started to cross the dance floor, heading for Eric's booth in the corner, when Bill grabbed my arm and spun me around.
"Sookie you are in way over your head..." he started to say but before another word passed his lips he was flung across the room to land with a crash against the platform. My jaw dropped in surprise when I saw Thalia crouched over him, her hands squeezing his throat. "You do not touch what belongs to the Master," she hissed.
I looked around frantically for Pam. I found her blonde head pushing through the crowd until she was next to Thalia. She whispered in her ear, and Thalia stood then picked up Bill and threw him over her shoulder. I watched as they exited through the front door. Pam nodded at me before returning to the hostess podium, the Bill situation had been dealt with. I prayed that he would finally get the hint and stay away.
I jumped in surprise when I found Indira waiting patiently behind me. 'Right this way Ms. Stackhouse," she said as she led me over to my original destination, Eric's booth. When I was seated she slid in across from me without a word. I guess I had acquired a body guard for the evening. Belinda dropped off a gin and tonic for me and a blood for Indira shortly after.
Since small talk was obviously not part of Indira's charm, I lowered my shields slightly and returned to scanning the bar. The fang bangers were seriously turned on by the recent show of dominance. When Thalia walked back into the bar and took her turn on the throne she was swarmed by admirers. She snarled and hissed at them, even leaving a few with bruises. They didn't seem to care, always returning for more. They were definitely getting their monies worth tonight.
It was getting late and I was beginning to nod off when Pam appeared in front of me. "Come on Sookie, time to go," she said.
I glanced around at the mostly empty bar. The employees were preparing to close.
"What about Eric?"
"He is still locked in the office," she explained, "He sent me a text to take you home so you can rest."
"Ok I guess," I said as I gathered my things and followed her out the door. I was a bit disappointed. I had been looking forward to spending more private time with Eric.
We had been traveling for ten minutes when Pam took an unexpected exit.
"Where are we going?" I asked.
"To Eric's house of course," she said glancing over at me with a smile.
"Oh," was all I could say.
"You didn't think I was driving all the way to Bon Temps did you?" Pam poked at me and laughed.
"Well ya," I responded. "I did not think Eric would want me in his home without being there."
"He has been trying to get you there for months," she snickered. "A little incident with the Queen is not going to interfere."
I was surprised when she pulled up to the entrance of a gated Community. This middle of suburbia is the last place I would picture Eric. You could enter using two methods. One way meant entering a pass code that would lift the gate for the vehicle. The other way was past a guard shack. Pam stopped to speak to the guards instead of using a pass code.
"Todd," Pam said calling the guard by name. "This is Sookie Stackhouse, she will be a frequent guest of Eric Northman would you please arrange for her badge and pass code? She will need it by tomorrow."
"Sure thing Ms. Pam," he said. "Have her sign here please," he passed over a clip board and Pam had me fill out and sign some paperwork. Basically information about what kind of car I drive, my driver's license number, main contacts, that sort of thing. When we were finished Todd let us through and Pam drove to the furthest corner of the community.
The homes around us were typical family homes with landscapes that were manicured within an inch of their lives. I could picture kids playing ball and skateboarding on the sidewalk. It seemed a really odd place for a vampire to take up residence, which I guess was the point after all.
I got my first glimpse of Eric's place when Pam pulled into the drive way. The house was of field-stone and set back on the property on a slope. I was impressed that Eric had found a way to have an underground lair. A few lights were lit on both floors of the home, giving it a welcoming feel. I saw the garage had enough room for four vehicles when Pam opened it with a remote. It was completely empty, not a rake or a lawnmower or a trash can in sight. We parked in the garage and Pam closed the door behind us then exited the car.
I followed Pam through the back door into a small but well designed kitchen. The color palette was neutral with terra cotta floors and creamy granite counter tops. The coffee pot and microwave, heck all of the appliances were top of the line. This was a personal chef's dream. There was a breakfast nook and stools set around the island leaving plenty of space for entertaining. I guess a dream kitchen added to the resale value.
I set my leather clutch on the counter top and slipped off my shoes. I had watched Eric run around my house barefoot in the evening so I figured that was his preference.
"The kitchen is fully stocked if you are hungry. Eric gave me a list of things to pick up, along with what I remember you eating." Pam waved at the fridge and cabinets.
I was touched by their consideration. I figured I would be lucky to find TV dinners in the freezer.
'Come on, let me show you the rest of the place," Pam was practically vibrating.
The next room was the living room, and if the kitchen could be called bland, this living space was anything but. Rich sapphire covered the walls, accented with white decorative molding. The carpet was soft and thick, a treat to my feet and the furniture a heavy dark and sturdy wood, perfect for a man of his build and size. The pieces were eclectic and upholstered in jewel tones, some in brocade or intricate patterns. Eric's surprising love of color and design was very apparent.
Just as Pam had startled me with her choice of casual wardrobe, so had Eric with his departure from his standard fare of black. I had glimpses a time or two of a different taste, like the sweater he had worn in Mississippi or the blue of his tracksuit, but nothing quite like his house.
Pam dragged me through the rest of the house, also decorated in primary colors each room taking on a particular theme. There were three bedrooms on the second floor with two bathrooms, each thankfully with a working toilet. Pam told me that all the windows were sealed at dawn and reopened at dusk. I guess the neighbors didn't think it was strange.
I figured I had to choose one of the three rooms to sleep when Pam tugged on my arm. "Come on, there is one more level."
I was nervous; Eric staying at my place was one thing. Eric letting me into his bat cave was something totally different. I wasn't sure how to deal with that level of trust.
Pam led me down a set of half stairs and paused to type on a keypad. I hesitated when the door slid open.
"Pam are you sure I should go in there?" I asked my voice shaking.
Her stare was one of confusion. "Why not?" she asked. "You have had plenty of opportunities to send us to our true deaths if that was your desire. You will not hurt us"
"No, I would not harm either of you. But what if someone tried to use me to get to you guys during the day?" I would fight tooth and nail before I would let that happen, but everyone has a breaking point. Just because I hadn't reached mine yet did not mean it did not exist.
"Entry is not allowed during the day. You would be able to leave Eric's room if you wished, but once you came to the main floor you would not be allowed to go back in until he or I rise. The system would seal itself behind you," Pam explained.
"Alrighty then, let's go."
The sub floor featured another suite. There was a living space, a library that also served as an office and three bedrooms with ensuite baths. Each bedroom had separate security pads for entry. The guest room apparently had been Godric's for the shirt which he had left behind was framed on the back wall. Pam's room reflected her taste, decorated in pastels with dainty furniture. Her bathroom was the smallest of the three, probably because her closet seemed to be larger than everything put together.
"Wow Pam, that's a whole lot of clothes," I whispered in awe.
"Not really," she deadpanned, "I have tons in storage and spread around the other houses."
I remembered something from when I first met Bill, "Hey didn't you used to stay with Chow?"
"Some times, remember we rotate from location to location."
Honestly I had forgotten, so I guess this wasn't Eric's main pad.
"This is Eric's favorite though," she admitted apparently sensing my disappointment.
"Come, I can see you are tired." She pushed me toward the last room.
Of course this was Eric's and walking inside felt like being transported to a whole new place. The walls were navy and the trim and wood furnishings were a burnished gray with a texture you could only get from years spent being pounded by wind and rain. Each piece of furniture was heavily carved with runes. The paintings on the walls were of the ocean whipped to a fury by storms. The carpet was deep with a pattern that mimicked waves upon a shore.
His bed was king sized and the side tables were piled with books and other items. The bed's coverlet was a forest green and the linens appeared to be fine Egyptian cotton. You can guess what his bathroom was like, just take mine and double it. Pam tossed open the closet door and gestured inside with a wide grin.
I expected the wall of suits and shelves of jeans and t-shirts. I didn't expect to see some of my things hanging and folded on the right side. Pam stepped aside so that I could walk in and I flipped through my clothes. There was enough there for a few days, and for every possible occasion including two Merlotte uniforms.
"When did he do this?" I asked in confusion.
"He had me return to your house to pick out a few things when you agreed to stay," she answered with a smile.
I remembered Eric sending Pam away earlier.
"Thank you."
"You really are lacking in wardrobe essentials Sookie," she lectured me. "I have decided that I will be your personal shopper. I have left some catalogs for you at your home, examine them and let me know what styles are to your taste."
"Pam..." I began to complain.
"Eric approves, I was told you have agreed to compromise?" she asked. "I believe he said your wardrobe allowance was only ten thousand when mine is normally five times that."
"My wardrobe allowance? Gah, I am sorry Pam. I think I am just too tired to deal with this tonight." I could feel my head begin to swim with the information overload.
She patted me on the shoulder, "I understand. I will say good night then. There is a mini fridge by the entertainment center in the other room. There are sandwiches and fruit as well as some juice if you are hungry. Here is the code for Eric's room, and the codes for upstairs. Remember, once you leave for the main floor, you will not be able to return unless we accompany you."
"I'll remember, thanks Pam. I think I'll just stay down here."
She left me alone and I decided to take a shower to get rid of the club perfume. Once I was feeling all clean and shiny I located the fridge and ate a ham sandwich with some fruit and juice.
I was wearing one of Eric's t-shirts and a pair of panties when I crawled into Eric's bed.
He woke me with kisses but it was too close to dawn to get into some serious hanky panky so we just cuddled and talked instead.
"You will stay another night?" he asked as disappointed as I was to have missed out on the evening.
"Yes, I don't have to work until the evening shift on Monday, so I can stay two more nights if you want."
"I want," he smiled slipping in another kiss. "You are returning to your old work schedule?"
"Uh huh, I make more in tips on the evening shifts."
"You could work for me," he stated thinking he already knew my answer but testing to see if I had relented.
I smiled when I gave him the unexpected answer, "I want to talk about different job opportunities, just not right at this moment, ok?"
"You would quit the shifters?"
"I said later Eric..." I warned then changed the subject. "What did Appius want and what happened with Andre?"
"Appius used to be a friend of Godric's," Eric volunteered. "The powers that be decided that the next Magister needed to be able to deal with someone like Russell so they asked Appius if he wanted the job. He is here to take over where the previous Magister left off, including the investigation into drainers and 'v'."
"Are you in trouble?"
"No, he knows that I was following orders. Which is why he wanted to speak to Andre, to warn him so that he warns Sophie-Anne that she is being watched," he explained.
I sat up slightly and he shifted with me. "Eric is Andre a King now?" I asked anxiously wondering if I had a third royal to add to my hit list.
He chuckled and pulled me back down to rest against his chest. "No he is just upper management, a floating Sheriff if you will. This is why I was able to dismiss his demands. I am his equal at least in the hierarchy."
"So you can kick his ass if you have too?"
"Of course,' he smirked, "Even if he wasn't centuries my junior, Andre is not a warrior. He just pretends. He likes to bully. Andre is on his way back to report to Sophie-Anne. If he returns it will be for a different reason."
I yawned and cuddled closer.
"Go to sleep little one, we will speak more when I rise." I heard him say before I floated away into a dreamless sleep.