There, people, the new chapter! First time I actually have advance because I actually have the next one written. I'm just not sure about it but here's this one anyways.
I took some liberties here (you'll understand what I mean when you get to the Bubba part hahahah but I mean it was just so very tempting!) And I'm taking some more liberties in the next chapter so don't stake me just yet and bear with me :D
I love you all very much and I'll try and put some lemons in the next few chapters ! (yess, yess I already have lemons planned! hahahah) By the way would someone bother to explain why the hell this is referred to as lemons? how do lemons have anything to do with sex? LOL zesty? hahahahah anyways, I really hope you'll enjour this!
Please review :D! xoxoxooxoxoxoxoxo (title song: Black Black Heart by David Usher, old but sooooo goooodd and the remix from the video is awesome!)
I didn't even have time to try and understand why the hell my brother was here and why he wasn't yet being snacked on because there next to him stood Sam. Both of them were wearing tuxedos and they were both carrying platters. Since when was Sam doing catering for vampires? In New Orleans? I tried to keep a poker face and just stared at my feet, pointedly.
'Are you alright, Sookie?' Hadley asked. She took my hand in hers and she slipped me a piece of paper. I gazed up at her. What the hell was happening? I checked to make sure the vampires around us were to busy to notice and I unfolded the little scrap of paper. Just a few words had been scrawled on it in Hadley's childish handwriting.
All will be fine.
I frowned at her questioningly but she suddenly spotted Jason and she pressed my hand. I swallowed hard and tried to pretend as if nothing was happening. I tucked the little scrap of paper between the cushion of my seat and the leg of the chair and turned my gaze towards Sophie-Anne. I shuddered in horror when I saw Andre. He was starring at me as if I was the last drop of water on earth and he a very thirsty man. I must have made a noise because Sophie-Anne's head turned to me and she saw my grimace.
'Oh Andre, stop staring at her like this. You'll get a chance to taste her but not today. Now just go open your fucking gifts so we can get to the orgy already…' Sophie-Anne hissed at him. Andre stood and went elsewhere to open his gifts. I had no idea what kind of a gift you gave to a vampire but I wasn't sure I wanted to know either. With Andre gone and Bill strolling away to do whatever, Sophie-Anne started chatting with me.
'Are you liking your room alright? And your clothes? I want you to be comfortable here. I know you don't want to be here at all, but I was never one to treat my guests badly.' She said, waving at a tall vampire woman who was truly dashing. 'That's Irina. We had some mind-blowing sex back in the fifties, but she now lives in Portugal, so I don't see her that often. I heard she took a human lover. A man.' She sneered the last word as if it was the most disgusting thing she could imagine. I turned my head to where she was pointing next and I almost gasped in surprise. Was that really…?
'Oh I see you've spotted them. That's Bubba. Some stupid morgue attendant turned him. He's a total spook.' Sophie-Anne muttered. 'He prefers kittens to humans. I don't know under who's fealty he now is, but he's too stupid to be dangerous. Don't call him Elvis. Makes him go nuts.'
'Oh my god!' I gasped. Dressed in a dazzling white suit stood the King of Rocknroll himself, Elvis un-dead. I stared at the woman he was speaking to and suddenly wondered how many of these Hollywood stars had actually stepped to the dark side.
'Is that…'
'That's Norma Jean. Or Norma. Or Jean. Don't ever call her Marilyn. She bloody hates it. I don't know why, I mean the woman had swag back in the days. I guess she just got sick of it. Oh and don't mention her hair colour. She's a natural brunette and doesn't want any of the peroxide bottle-blond shit.' Sophie-Anne warned me with an air of confidence. I must have looked pretty stunned because I didn't even react when she spoke again.
'Do you want something to eat or drink? I can ask the caterers to take care of it. Quinn is used to these kind of parties.' Sophie-Anne mused, lifting a hand to get someone's attention.
'Who's Quinn?' I managed to say with a good fifteen seconds delay.
'You don't know Quinn?' Hadley asked, stunned.
'Should I?'
'Well anyone who's been hanging out with the supes is bound to have heard of him.' A female vampire chirped next to us. She was a petite woman with a spiky hairdo of crow's wing black hair. She had a very soft face for a vamp and she was wearing a beautiful cocktail dress all in gold.
'I'm Gabrielle, by the way.' She had a vague accent and I guessed she must have been French with a name like that. 'And you must be Sookie! I've heard so much about you. You know you are as close as you can get to being a celebrity amongst certain circles?' She chirped. Sophie-Anne gave her a bored look and turned her attention to some other vampires who had come to chat with her.
'Ah really. Cool.' I muttered, not sure what she meant by certain circles. 'But who is that Quinn you were talking about? I've actually never heard of him.' I replied.
'He's like a celebrity amongst vamps and supes. He's a Weretiger, one of the last ones.' Gabrielle said, nodding her head knowingly. 'And he owns the E(E)E company. That's three Es' she added as if I were dimwitted or something. Sometimes it was quite infuriating how vampires supposed we were stupid because we didn't have fangs or drank blood for supper.
'What's E(E)E?' I asked.
'Is she for real?' Gabrielle asked Hadley. Hadley smiled and turned back to staring at Jason and Sam who were serving martini glasses to vampires. Martinis glasses which surely weren't cosmos, I thought, gloomily.
'E(E)E organizes all sorts of events, parties and celebrations for the Supes. You ought to know that if you're to be Sophie-Anne's pet.' Gabrielle mused, grabbing my hand. 'Come dance with me!' She chirped. Sophie-Anne hissed and Gabrielle let go of my hand immediately.
'Gabrielle, why don't you go play housewife with that charming husband of yours?' Sophie-Anne snarled, her brows furrowed.
'I'm sorry, my Queen, I didn't mean to overstep my rank. I just thought your human would like to dance.' Gabrielle said, bowing and retreating. What a peculiar number, I thought.
Suddenly, Sam was in front of me with a platter. I pretended like I didn't know him and he handed me a plate filled with delicacies. I thanked him and hoped that Sophie-Anne hadn't noticed my anxiety.
We're here to help, Sookie. Don't worry, it's all going to work out…Sam thought at me. I was thankful for him knowing what I could do because I felt jittery and scared. It was one thing for Eric to have to take me out of this mess but it was an entirely new pair of sleeves if Jason and Sam were implicated. What the hell were they doing here anyways?
We're here because your Viking has some sort of a plan. Don't worry, it will all work out.
That reassured me and I smiled at Sam to let him know I'd gotten that. So this was all part of Eric's plan. Suddenly, the room went very quiet. I turned my head towards the door and almost gasped in surprise.
Standing in the doorway, with a dazzling looking Pam at his arm was no other than my Viking. He looked absolutely striking in his black tuxedo. He scanned the room and spotted me. He winked at me very briefly and I had to hold myself back from actually jumping out of my seat and running to him. Pam looked at everything around her with an air of superiority. She was wearing a gorgeous gown in a burgundy satin with a slit on the leg that exposed her long legs every time she took a step on her six-inch heels. Everyone started hissing and muttering, clearly wondering why the oldest vampire in the whole of Louisiana hadn't arrived earlier.
'Eric Northman.' Sophie-Anne said when Eric and Pam finally stopped in front of us. Her guards had moved forward, ready to pounce if Eric tried anything. Which he was way too smart to do anyways. 'And your progeny, Pamela!' Sophie-Anne cooed, giving them both a dazzling smile which was so cold I almost expected to see icicles grow out of her now exposed fangs.
'Your Majesty.' Eric said, his cool voice sending shudders down my spine. He bowed slightly and so did Pam. 'Hadley.' Eric saluted, his face serious as he nodded at my cousin. His gaze then fell on Andre who had just popped out of thin air and was back in his seat, still dressed in his ridiculous suit. 'Andre.' Eric almost spat. Ah right, they hated each other. 'And Sookie.' Eric said, his voice warm when he said my name.
'Might I inquire, Your Majesty, as to why my telepath finds herself in your household?' Eric asked, diplomat. I looked at Pam and she gave me a knowing look.
Sookie, we're putting silver chains on every door and window in the room. Backup is on its way. Sam suddenly thought at me. I kept my eyes on Eric and bit my bottom lip not to smile at him.
'Northman, we had an accord that you had to bring her down to New Orleans once you were free of the curse. I got sick of waiting and her dear cousin went to retrieve her herself. You can use her once in a while of course, but she's mine. By the way, she tastes delicious.' Sophie-Anne added, viciously. I saw Pam's hand squeeze Eric's arm warningly and I felt his anger and rage through the bond. His jaw clenched and he breathed through his nose - even though breathing was all but necessary for vampires – before he spoke again.
'I see. Well we can discuss this later, now is time for celebrations, is it not?' Eric said, giving a grim look at Andre's pathetic figure.
'Why did you invite him here?' Andre hissed at Sophie-Anne. 'You know I despise him.'
Eric simply chuckled and Pam threw Andre a disgusted look.
'He is Sheriff of Area 5, Andre. And a subject of mine.' Sophie-Anne added, cunning as ever.
'Whatever, I hate him.' Andre hissed, not the least bothered by the fact Eric was standing right in front of him with Pam.
'How are you doing, Sookie?' Pam asked me, her eyebrows raised.
Hopefully Compton made sure she could fend off if something goes wrong… Eric thought.
'I'm doing fine. Now that my life isn't at stake anymore, I feel just great.' I said, sarcastically and insisting on the word stake. I hoped really hard that Eric would get the pun and the point. Sophie-Anne gave me a weird look and rolled her eyes. Eric simply frowned, knowingly. He looked mildly puzzled as to why I was telling him this. I slid my hand down my throat towards my décolleté and he blinked, understanding.
'We'll take good care of her, Mr Northman. Now why don't you go enjoy the party?' Sophie-Anne said to him, her Queen of Ice smile back in place.
'Thank you, your Majesty.' At that moment there was a loud commotion and screams and growls erupted all across the room. I didn't understand immediately but suddenly, I caught Jason's thoughts.
Duck, Sookie! Duck now!
I grabbed Hadley by her corsage and pulled her to the ground in a swift move. She yelped in surprise and we were on the floor when chaos erupted. There were guns being fired and I could just tell the bullets were silver from the loud hissing and painful yelps vampires all around the room emitted. Hadley tried to crawl to Sophie-Anne to see if she was alright but neither her nor Andre were anywhere to be seen. Suddenly, the noise stopped and everyone gasped in surprise.
In the middle of the room, a pair of pistols in his hands stood Arthur McAlister, a wide grin on his face.
'Man' he said. 'I haven't had that much fun since the Saint-Barthelemy Massacre!' He chuckled. 'Now if you would all just stay calm, all the doors and windows are barred. Silver. Remain calm and this shall go smoothly.' McAlister said, as vampires all around the room stood slowly, some clutching various injuries. I remained on the floor and crawled towards the wall. I couldn't see Eric anywhere nor Jason or Sam but I was pretty sure they were alright.
'What the hell is going on, Magister!' Sophie-Anne yelled from across the room where Andre and her had retreated. Andre was clutching his arm where dark red blood oozed from a silver bullet wound. Sophie-Anne looked safe and sound but her tiara had gone and she looked mighty pissed. 'How dare you disrupt my celebrations and shoot at my guests!'
'Madam' the Magister said, bowing slightly to her. With the snap of his fingers, he had five of his guards on her and before she could say anything, they had restrained Andre and silvered her wrists. She yelled in pain and swore.
'Oh and don't even try and help this poor excuse of a vampire. She has disgraced our race and doesn't even deserve a trial for her many offences. But seeing as we are all gathered here, why not give it a try?' McAlister said, his gaze falling on me. I shuddered and pulled myself up. Many vampires started complaining and yelling and I didn't hear the man sneak up behind me until his arms encircled my waist and mouth. I yelled in surprise and tried to shake myself out of his hold but the man – who's skin was way too warm to be vampire – murmured in my ear.
'I'm Quinn, don't worry, I won't hurt you, Sookie. Your brother and friend are safe. They left the room once they were done silvering all the doors. They're making sure no human lets the vampires go.' He said. He let go of my mouth and waist and I spun around to stare at him, dumbfounded. He was very tall and quite beautiful in a peculiar way. He had very short dark brown hair, military cropped and a pair of dazzling almost purple eyes. He was easily a good inch taller than Eric and that was quite something in itself since Eric was probably the tallest man I'd ever met, until Quinn that is. Quinn had strong muscles and his skin had a dark tan to it. His face was very masculine and his tuxedo suited him very well. I stepped back, my hand at my corsage, trying to snatch out my stake but then I realized it wouldn't do much good. Gabrielle had mentioned him being a Weretiger. I could definitely picture him morphing into a tiger with this feline air he had in the way he smiled at me.
'How do you know my name?' I asked, still suspicious. I'd had enough of backstabbing for a life-time and wasn't going to trust him just because he knew my name and the fact Jason was my brother.
'Because Northman told me who you were and what you looked like. I must admit his saying you were beautiful was an understatement. You are truly dazzling.' Quinn said, a knowing smile on his face.
I glared at him and then realized how impolite it was for me to not answer.
'Thank you' I said, leaving my stake in my corsage as I looked around the room. The commotion was still at its peak but the Magister's soldiers seemed to control it very well. No one was paying any attention to us.
'Why are you helping Eric? What is happening anyways?' I asked him as he pulled me towards the entrance, keeping us far from any vampire.
'Let's just say Eric just gave the Magister a very good occasion to pounce. The Magister didn't take too well Sophie-Anne's minions murdering humans at Fangtasia and Eric has proof of those murders so the Magister has enough evidence to bring the Queen to trial.' Quinn swiftly explained.
'And you in all this? Aren't you a caterer? And why are Jason and Sam here?' I asked, searching for Eric in the mass of vampires who were chatting with excitement.
'We needed humans to handle the silver. My crew wearing leather gloves wouldn't have been very subtle and seeing as most are werewolves, it would have been a must. Shifters aren't affected by it like weres and Vampires are. And Northman thought you'd be reassured in seeing them. He says you can read minds and you'd probably pick theirs out of the lot.' Quinn said. 'Can you really read minds?' He asked, frowning in concentration at me.
Why are all the pretty chicks always taken? She is gorgeous… Wish I could…
'Yes. I can read minds.' I said, pulling my arm out of his hold. ' And yes, I am taken, so if you'd please…' I said, meaningfully. It wasn't that the man wasn't gorgeous, but I had a boyfriend, who happened to be extremely jealous. And extremely gorgeous too.
'Oh. That's cool. Now Northman told me to bring you to safety.' Quinn said, taking my arm once more to pull me towards the door.
'No way. I'm staying.' I said.
'We can't exactly leave, the doors are all sealed with silver. I meant I have to take you to safety as in protect you.' Quinn countered, his gaze lingering on my breasts. I raised my eyebrows at him. He was really getting on my nerves. The man was about as subtle as an elephant in a China store.
'Well?' I asked, snapping him out of his conversation with my boobs.
'Well I have to keep you safe. You do know I'm a were? I will morph if I need to. But if that happens, I suggest you move very far. I tend to get quite… big, when I'm in my other form.' Quinn added, winking at me. I rolled my eyes exasperated. He was very sweet and all but Jesus was the man direct.
'Hum, okay? But what's going to happen?' I asked, my back pressed on a column.
'A trial. A real vampire trial. It's quite something really.' Quinn replied, gazing at the front of the room where the Magister now stood with Sophie-Anne and Andre silvered to their seats.
I was going to ask for more information but suddenly, the Magister's voice erupted, loud and dominant over the noise of the room.
'Fellow Vampires, we are here assembled today for the trial of Sophie-Anne Leclercq, Queen of Louisiana on the accounts of illegal sealing and dealing of the sacred blood, massacre of humans on public premises, blood-offense and feeding from a pledged human, abuse of power in her function, turning of a human against her expressed will and debt not paid to the IRS, which will deal with you after we're done here.' The Magister added, smirking at Sophie-Anne. He was quite an ugly sight, but the man was really having fun.
I realized the pledged human must have been me, since in the eyes of the vampire hierarchy, I was probably as close to Eric as one could get.
'How dare you insult me in such a way! I am the Queen, you darn ugly prick!' Sophie-Anne spat at him, wincing in pain as one of the Magister's minions tightened her silver chains.
The Magister ignored Sophie-Anne's yells and protests and he spoke once more.
'Will Mr William Compton, Procurer of the Queen, and Mr Eric Northman, Sheriff of Area 5 of the state of Louisiana, please step forward and bear witness to these accusations?' The Magister said. Eric stepped out of the crowd and moved towards the magister, kneeling in front of him in respect. Bill whom I hadn't seen for quite a while appeared in the opposite corner and did the same.
The vampires in the room had gone very quiet the moment the accounts had been stated by the Magister. They sat down in chairs and sofas that were scattered around the room and listened with great interest at what was happening in the front.
'I would also call the human Sookie Stackhouse as she is a crucial witness in this affair. I do know it is not in our customs to settle such matters with human witnesses, but since there has been a blood offense and she was victim of that offense, I do believe we ought to hear her out.' The Magister said, looking straight at me. Many heads turned in my direction and I must have blushed as red as my dress because I heard a few fangs click in place. Eric's head snapped in my direction and he gave me a puzzling look. I walked towards the front, Quinn in my track, wondering what exactly they expected me to do.
'Were, you may rest. We will take it from here.' The Magister said to Quinn, gesturing for him to take a seat or go to hell. For all I knew, the Magister didn't give a horse's ass what Quinn did or didn't do as long as he didn't interfere.
Of course, as clumsy as I sometimes get, it is precisely as I was about to reach the front that I tripped on a discarded shawl and ended up sprawled on the floor, my hand landing on a martini glass which exploded, cutting my hand badly. I yelped in pain and turned red once more from the humiliation but then I realized no one was laughing or mocking me. I looked up and almost whimpered in terror: all around the room the vampires' fangs clicked in place, eyeing the heavy blood flow from my wrist and hand.
'Oh shit.' I whispered.