A/N: I don't own anything I'm just taking the characters out for a walk.
Sookie's POV
I awoke unable to move once again though it seems that they are hours from waking. It takes a few minutes to pry their fingers and limbs from around my body freeing myself from their protective embrace. I rush into the bathroom and deal with my human needs. The bathroom is still in shambles so grab my things and give them both a kiss as I leave the room making sure the door is securely locked behind me. It's not until I am in the shower, in what seems to be Pam's suite; the water falling gently over my face and through my hair, that I remember what happened last night. It all comes back in a rush knocking me to the ground.
The images and feelings that bombard me are so unlike myself that I have no hope of assimilating them. The water runs cold before I am able to regain my footing and rise; turning off the water and drying myself and then dressing on autopilot. All I can see is Carl's contorted face as his every blood cell collapses and his essence leaves his body and enters my own. How I could murder a human being that way has me dry heaving over the toilet for a few moments. The most shocking and troubling part of this whole thing is that I really cannot find any part of me that isn't glad that he is dead. I should feel sickened and horrified by my actions, but I don't and I have never felt more inhuman in all my life.
I finally make my way upstairs to the kitchen and go about making something to eat using the food in the refrigerator. I am so lost in my own thoughts that as I take the last few bites of the meal I have made: yellow pepper omelette with goat cheese. The ring of the doorbell and accompanying knocks on the front door, which I have never used before, startles me. Leaving my plate where it lays I pad slowly to the door to open it for my personal guard Alcide Herveaux. I can hear him practicing his introduction speech as I make my way over to the door. Stunned by the sight which greets me I let him jump straight into his introduction and let his hand hang in the air a moment too long while I recomposed myself. I closed my gapping mouth and shook the hand of my six foot three very muscularly built dark haired with piercing green eyes bodyguard. Maybe this guard thing won't be so bad after all I thought to myself as I shook my head to clear it of lust cobwebs so that I could carry on a conversation with the man.
"Hi, I'm Sookie Stackhouse. It's nice to meet you. Do you want to come inside?" I introduced myself attempting to cover the effect he is having on my body with my ingrained southern hospitality that Gran spent my entire life instilling in me.
"Sure, maybe just for a moment. It's nice to meet you too Ms. Stackhouse." He said releasing my hand; I could hear straight from his brain that I was not what he was expecting when Eric called him the other night. It seems that Eric hasn't given him much information about me at all.
"Please just call me Sookie, can I get you anything? I was just having breakfast so there is coffee if you want some." I offered wanting to be on at least friendly terms with someone who I would no doubt be spending a lot of time with.
"A cup of coffee sounds good if it's not to much trouble." He said politely while he checked me out wondering what a sweet girl like me was doing mixed up with Vamps.
"Not at all. Have a seat I won't be but a moment." I told him while I continued to listen in as he assessed the room and took up a seat with the best vantage point - at least he seemed to take his job seriously - even if he spent the rest of the time admiring my ass.
I grabbed my plate and placed it in the sink to wash later and poured Alcide a mug of black coffee and topped up my own. I sat down next to him and took a sip, moaning as the hot liquid ran down my throat. It felt like ages since I had partaken in my morning ritual - steaming hot java strong with just a bit of cream - I seem to have gotten my internal clock turned around onto Vampire time. Alcide adjusted uncomfortably in his seat reminding me of his presence. I guess it's now or never.
"So... Since we are going to be spending a lot of time together I guess we should get to know one another a bit first." I suggested still holding onto my mug with both hands like it was my lifeline.
"Uh sure, what would you like to know?" He responded not expecting the question.
"Actually I think it is you that needs to know more about me than what Eric has told you." I told him taking him by surprise when I used Eric's first name, which apparently isn't common.
"I suppose if it will help me keep you safe then that is a good idea." Alcide said unsure of what he's gotten himself into and he finally turned and we faced each other leaving our mugs for the moment.
"Alright well the first thing you should probably know is that I am a telepath." As I told him this be blanched visibly and he swore loudly in his mind. I couldn't help but chuckle at his reaction. He immediately schooled his thoughts rather impressively.
"I should have known Northman wouldn't setup this kind of security for just anyone." He said kicking himself for all the ogling he did hoping I wouldn't let on or he was sure that he was done for.
"Nor does he let just anyone into his home. Can I ask why he choose you for this?" I asked sincerely interested in not only his motives, but also his dedication.
"He called in a debt and here I am." Alcide said clearly not wanting to talk about the reasons for his appointment as my personal guard in any further depth. I heard from his thoughts that it is his father's gambling debts, which Eric owns that put him here. And he is glad that Eric is letting him work off the debt rather than calling it in as it would bankrupt their surveying business if he did.
"Alright well since you're here I guess I can get out and do a few errands without fear of Eric's wrath." I told him and hopped down off my stool. "Let's go meet the rest of the guys first and you're driving - my car is still at home." I told him as he got to his feet pouring the last of his coffee down his throat. As soon as he turned his back and headed towards the front door I magic'ed the dishes clean and put them away. If this stuff can't make my life easier in some ways what good are the downsides? And I didn't even have to wiggle my nose to boot. I looked down at what I was wearing and called out for Alcide to hold up a minute while I changed. I sped off to the powder room, I had explored the house the other day, and quickly changed my clothes into jeans, an off white graphic T and kicks and summoned my purse to me from where ever I had left it.
I grabbed an apple off the top of the fruit bowl on the kitchen island and met Alcide out front. I pulled out the set of keys that Eric had left me and locked the door and followed Alcide to his truck. He helped me up into the cab of his dark blue Dodge Ram pickup and got behind the wheel and started down the driveway. He stopped and introduced me to the two guys at the gate as Chip and Jordan. They were both almost as built as Alcide, but not nearly as good looking though they both put off the same dangerous vibe. After a few pleasantries Alcide rolled up the windows and we continued on our way.
"Where too?" He asked me and I gave him directions to my house. I wanted to head over there and make sure that everything was copacetic and batten down the hatches since I wasn't going to be spending very much time there. We rode in silence until about halfway there.
"So I gotta ask... What's a girl like you doing mixed up with Vampires?" He asked, and I had to give him credit at least he says what he thinks.
"Well it's kind of a long story but basically my first boyfriend was a Vampire and after they found out about my telepathy well things got a little interesting. And now it seems that having a telepath is on everyone's wish list making me target numero uno." I told him more than a little bitterly. I'm working on being okay with my life now but sometimes it still stings the things I've lost.. especially Gran.
"They have a way of assuming they can do whatever they please after centuries. I guess it's good that you ended up with Northman he's about as honourable as Vamps get." Alcide told me.
"You sound like you know him pretty well?" I asked hoping to get more info about their relationship.
"Yeah well he's been..." He was about to say Sheriff but stopped not knowing how much to tell me.
"It's alright I know all about the supernatural world. Telepath remember." I reminded him and tapped the side of my head.
"Oh right, sorry it's hard to remember you seem like such a normal girl." He almost looked like he wanted to blush it was sweet.
"Thanks, I think." I said not really sure if I took what he said as a compliment or not. He seemed to mean it that way.
"You know what I mean. This world isn't a place for a girl like you, it'll chew you up and spit you out if your not careful." He tried to explain by telling me things that I unfortunately already knew first hand.
"You'd be surprised." I told him as we pulled up to my house and I jumped down from the cab onto the gravel driveway. I lowered my shields and all I could detect was Alcide and myself and so I made my way around to the back door. Alcide took the keys from me and unlocked the door and told me to stay put while he checked the place out first.
Ignoring his request I carried on into the kitchen and started going through the fridge throwing out all the stale dated items which was pretty much everything in there. By the time he came back I had half a garbage bag filled and I had started wiping down the inside.
"I told you to stay put!" He whisper yelled at me.
"And I told you there wasn't anyone here. Sheesh!" I shot back at him so over listening to over protective males.
"Someone has been here though looks like a bit of a struggle in the front room." He said and I dropped what I was doing and rushed into the living room and saw that he was right; from the looks of things as I went from room to room, someone had been here snooping and either got caught or coerced someone into letting them in.
"Can you tell what or who was here?" I asked Alcide. He raised an eyebrow and was about to ask what I was talking about. "Alcide I know that you're a Were. All the guards Eric hired are all from the Longtooth pack, right?" I told him my hands on my hips he looked appropriately abashed and finally spoke telling me what wanted to know.
"Smell's like a Human female and a male Vampire that I haven't met before." He said succinctly.
"Oh no! Tara!" Shit I had totally forgotten all about her. "I am such a bad friend." I said to no one in particular. I went about straightening up putting things back where they belonged. Nothing came to me that would be helpful in figuring out what happened to Tara. The only thing I could think of was to uninvite all the Vampires who had ever received an invitation and to invite both Godric and Eric just in case. Alcide raised an eyebrow at me in question and I just shrugged. As I straightened I was checking to see if anything was missing hoping for a clue of some kind to who might have taken Tara. The only thing that seems to be missing is a picture; one taken on my eighteenth birthday with Gran, Jason, Tara, Lafayette and me, which made no sense...
"Jason!" Oh no why hadn't I thought of this sooner. If anything happens to him because of me I will never forgive myself. I ran back into the kitchen and sure enough I had a few messages I pressed the button on the machine and had to listen to them all: Sam, Sam, Sam, Tara, Laf and Sam again, no Jason though. I tossed everything in my purse onto the kitchen table looking for my cell phone and found it dead probably having died hours ago. "CRAP!" Alcide was keeping his distance as I rushed about acting like a crazy person. I ran into my room and found my spare charger and plugged my phone in. I stalked back into the kitchen and practically ripped the phone off the wall in my agitation. Oops I guess I need to watch my strength now that I have been ingesting powerful Vamp blood. I giggled to myself as I dialled Jason's familiar number by heart and held my breath while it rang until his voicemail picked up. I hung up and called again, and again. I finally left a message asking him to call me after getting no answer to my fourth consecutive call.
"We need to go over to his place and see if he's there. I've got a bad feeling about this." I told Alcide and scooped up my purse's contents and hustled him outside and locked the door behind me. We jumped into his truck and I gave him directions and we were jumping out in front of my parent's old place not two minutes later. Alcide went rigid the minute we left his truck his nostrils flaring. "What do you smell?" I asked as I eyed Jason's truck, which was parked where he normally parked it, looking like nothing was amiss.
"Panther." He said before he took off and made a circuit around Jason's place. When he came back I was frozen to the spot and he looked like he had bad news. I checked the place and so I knew that no one was inside already.
"Just tell me." I said cringing.
"The back doors been busted in and I found a panther print in a smear of blood on the dock out back." He pulled no punches I guess he figured I would get them out of his head anyways, which is true I guess.
"Crap, Jason!" I cried out. What has he gotten himself into now? "Do you think this and my Vamp visitor are related?" I asked him trying desperately not to freak out.
"I don't think so. If this panther is part of the Hotshot pack then no; they don't usually mix with anyone but their own." Alcide said thoughtfully.
"Well I guess that's something." I said out loud. "Is the place secure enough?" I asked him.
"I can put up some sheeting over the broken pane for you." He offered rubbing the back of his neck. I tried to stay out of his head while he got to thinking about what could have happened: Alcide had seen a few of these go sideways before.
"Thanks that would be a big help Alcide." I told him and he grabbed some tools from his truck and went around back for a few minutes, which gave me time to gather my thoughts. I followed him back there and used my spare key and we checked inside just to be sure. Everything inside seemed fine, messy but nothing was out of place. I left Alcide to it and walked down to the dock to look at the print for myself. When he finally finished up I had some semblance of a plan. The first part meant dealing with Sam sooner than I had hopped but I guess that would be like ripping off a band-aid: painful at first but at least it would be over with.
Alcide carefully put his tools away and we got back into his truck without a word. "We need to make another stop at Merlottes. You know where that is?" I asked him.
"Yeah sure I know it." He nodded and started up the truck and headed back out to the road.
"Okay good. Hopefully I can figure out what's been going on round here the last few days." I told him.
"Alright." He says agreeably and we are soon pulling into the Merlottes lot and walking in the front door, which I haven't done in years. Everyone's thoughts hit me like a ton of bricks, although it doesn't take hardly any effort to tone them down to a level where they are just background noise. I notice Sam behind the bar and make my way over to him with Alcide right on my heel. They nod to one another and we take a seat and I realize that even though I just ate breakfast I am starving again.
"Hey Sam how's it going?" I say in a friendly tone and I try and offer him a smile but I know it doesn't reach my eyes.
"I'm good, you?" Sam replies completely ignoring Alcide.
"I'm pretty good Sam. Can't complain other than being starving can I get a burger Lafayette and a sweet tea, when you get a moment." I say and can't help but salivate a little at the thought of that burger Laf sure does know how to make a mean burger.
"Sure thing Chere, anything for you Alcide?" So they do know each other! I wonder if all the two-natured know one another or if it's for some other reason?
"That sounds good I'll have the same." Alcide said with a smile in my direction, which rubbed Sam the wrong way. His mind was running wild with all sorts of reasons why Alcide would be here with me. Anything from me dropping the Vamps to the more explicit that they loaned me out as some sort of escort. Eww! I slammed my shields down after hearing that and glared at him, which didn't go unnoticed by Alcide who's low growl was clear in meaning: back off. Sam finally dropped his staring contest with Alcide and spun around to turn our orders into the kitchen. He had no plan to back down unfortunately and came right back and started back up staring Alcide down and most likely speculating wildly as well. I wasn't going to be listening in while this was going one that's for sure.
"Hey, Sam can I speak to you in your office for a moment." I figured we had better get this over with or things were going to get ugly and soon.
"Sure thing, Chere." He replied happily having misread my intensions. Alcide got up right behind me and Sam whirled around barked at him that he wasn't welcome.
"I got a job to do and you're not going to get me murdered for slacking on day one." Alcide told him quietly as he bowed up on the much smaller Sam. I huffed in impatience at their behaviour and stomped ahead of them both. I couldn't care less if either of them followed at this point. They did and Alcide closed the door behind them and leaned against it. Sam ran his hand through his hair mussing it up into a halo of strawberry blond curls and rubbed his hand over his face. He sat down hard in his chair leaning back causing it to squeak in protest.
"Sam when was the last time you saw Tara or Jason?" I asked from my seat across from his desk.
"Tara and Jason? What do they have to do with anything? Aren't you going to tell me what the hell is going on? First you ask for a few days off and you won't tell me why. Then you show up two days late and Bill's nowhere to be found and now you're hanging all over Northman and that young looking Vamp! What gives Sook? You used to be such a good girl, why did you have to go and get caught up in all this Vampire shit? And what's with the wolf you banging him now too?" Sam started in on me loud and angry and stayed that way.
Shocked didn't cover it. I sat mouth gapping at my friend and boss while he looked more and more uncomfortable the longer my silence dragged on. I had no idea what to say to him and I was starting to doubt whether I wanted to say anything in the first place. I finally got a hold of myself and straightened my spine and narrowed my gaze.
"You look here Sam Merlotte. Who I'm with is none of your business you're not my father nor are you my boyfriend. You are my boss and I thought you were my friend. Now when was the last time you saw my brother and Tara?" I said the last bit through clenched teeth and my hands clenched into fists so tight my nails were digging into my palms.
"Shit Sook, you know I didn't mean it like that. I've just been so worried about you ever since that fanger moved into town." Sam tried to backpedal as he realized his mistake in getting me on the defensive and angry.
"My brother Sam!" I yelled and slammed my fist on his desk. He ran his hand through his hair again and sat forward in his chair it's protesting squeak was the only sound in the room until he finally spoke.
"Your hound of a brother left here the other night with some blond as per usual; it was real close to closing. And Tara I haven't seen, ever since that Eggs of hers up and left her a few weeks ago, she ain't been showing up for her shifts or nothing." Sam told me making me realize that I haven't been paying attention to my friends in far too long, as I had no idea what was going on in Tara's life anymore.
"Thanks Sam. Can you keep an eye out for them for me?" I asked him knowing that everyone in town comes through here on a pretty regular basis.
"Sure thing, Chere. There something I should know?" He asked with a hopeful look on his face.
"There isn't really much to tell at this point Sam, but thanks for your help." I said and stood up and walked towards the door, which Alcide opened and we left Sam sitting behind his desk stewing in his thoughts. We took up our seats again and Alcide left me to my thoughts, which kept me busy until Laf brought out our food himself.
"Hey baby girl look at chu looking fine! And who's the tall piece of sexy you brought with you today?" Laf said in his very own vernacular.
"Lafayette this is Alcide, Alcide Herveaux this is Lafayette Reynolds." I introduced them and Laf continued to blatantly eye-fuck my guard.
"Girl you always find the most scrumptious men! Even if he is scarier than the devil himself tall blond and deadly is fine and he knows it. And that other Vamp he had with him the other night. Woowee girl you sure know how to pick em." Laf said with all the appropriate gestures and winks.
"Thanks Laf." I told him knowing that there was no way to get out of it anyways.
"So what happened with you and Bill anyways?" Laf asked the one question that I really wished he hadn't in fact lets go back to Eric and Godric maybe ask me more about them...
"I don't really want to get into it right now but we are definitely over that's for sure." I told him hoping he would get the message and butt out. I also maybe might have been hopping that he would spread the word that we are over so that I don't have to answer the same question from everyone in town.
"Well I'm sure you had your reasons. And I sure do hope you know what you're doing with tall blond and dead though." He sassed giving me a wink.
"Don't worry about me Laf" I told him unable to stop the blush from rising in my embarrassment. At least I knew that Laf wouldn't judge me like all the others. He genuinely cared that I was happy and didn't care who or what made me that way as long as they treated me right.
"Hey Laf when was the last time you saw Jason or Tara?" I asked him before he could slip away back into the kitchen.
"I ain't seen your brother since the other night you'se were all here during your last shift. And Tara that girl done gone off the deep end after Egg's. I tried to straighten her out some, but she just don't want the help." He told me clearly worried about his cousin.
"Thanks Laf if you see either of them you tell them that I'm looking for them okay?" I told him.
"Sure thing baby girl. I'll see you around." He told me and left us to our burgers and we ate in silence for a bit.
"These really are the best burgers in the area." Alcide commented interrupting my pawing through the minds of the patrons of Merlottes looking for a clue to where Jason and Tara might be.
"Hmmm?" I asked him not having heard what he said. He repeated himself and I told him I agreed and teased him with the recipe even though Laf would never forgive me for sharing it. Sam finally came back out and put a damper on our bantering. We finished up our burgers and we were about to leave when I thought of something.
"Hey Sam?" I asked.
"Yeah Sook?" He replied.
"Did you recognize the girl Jason left with?" I asked hopefully.
"Ahh.. Yeah now that you mention it! I think he left with Crystal Norris." He said with dubious expression.
"Calvin's niece?" Alcide asked.
"That's the one. He's a crew leader over at the Norcross plant on the other side of town." Sam confirmed the connection to the Hotshot Panthers. I could hear the two-natured explanations and overtones that went unsaid between them.
"Thanks for your help Sam. I'll see you as soon as my week off is over." I called over my shoulder as we walked away.
"You be careful Chere." He called after me.
"I always am Sam." I turned and smiled at him and then closed the door behind me. Leaving Merlottes behind after the quietest lunch on record even if Sam and I did go at it for most of the time. Not a one person had seen my brother or Tara in days, damn unhelpful lot of them.
We got back into Alcide's truck and I asked him to take me back to my place because I realized that I had left my cell phone. "I'm sure he's fine Sookie. There's a million reasons for the scene at his house." Alcide said trying to reassure me unsuccessfully.
"You don't know my brother. The both of us really... Trouble just seems to find us." I told him a tad ominously although as my personal guard he should probably know this won't be some plush gig watching some chic shop and go to yoga or some shit like that.
Alcide parked around back this time and he insisted on checking the house again before I could go and retrieve my phone even though I assured him that I would be able to tell if anyone was here. With my phone finally charged up I checked my messages, which were completely full. I deleted most of them having spoken to Sam already, and some of them were hang-ups. The last one worried me it was Catfish calling to ask if I knew where Jason was because he didn't show up to work yesterday, and another one from him this morning almost identical.
I hit redial and Catfish answered on the second ring. I asked him if Jason had shown up yet and he told me that he hadn't. He let me know he already sent Dov Beck over to his place to check up on him and found his truck with the door ajar and the back door window smashed. Since I hadn't answered he'd took it upon himself to call it in to the sheriff's office already. Of course Bud told him that he'd probably turn up having spent the night with some girl. I thanked him for his help and concern and let him know that I hadn't seen him either. I listened to him vent over the incompetence of our town's finest for a moment and then I was left with Alcide and the overwhelming feeling that something was terribly wrong.
Alcide read the panic on my face and suggested that we drive out to Hotshot and see if he is there. I don't think I have ever felt so grateful for someone else's help before in my life! I threw my arms around his neck and thanked him repeatedly for being here today. The ride was tense, and my mind was jumping to the worst. As we got closer I felt like we were being watched and sure enough I could feel a dozen minds following us on either side of the highway. They must have been in animal form because I couldn't really get any thoughts from them just feelings and they were definitely not friendly towards strangers in these parts.
The community of Hotshot consisted of a few houses gathered around a crossroads with the homes pushed back a ways. There were plenty of people around but not any we could see and even more eerie was the lack of sounds. Most places like this you would be scared to get out of your vehicle on account of the dogs but there wasn't a dog to be found anywhere. Alcide drove straight up to one of the nicer homes; it was obvious that the owner kept good care of it. The house had new coat of paint and the yard was neat as a pin. We marched straight up to the front door and Alcide pulled back the screen door and I knocked on the door. Not a minute passed before an older man of average height with salt and pepper hair opened the door; he radiated otherness and his eyes were an unusual colour almost yellow.
He took our measure and spoke with an air of authority. "Alcide." He nodded towards my companion before he turned to me. "And you're Sookie Stackhouse right." He said clearly already knowing who we both are.
"I am, and your Calvin Norris? Crystal's uncle?" I replied.
"I am. It's nice to meet you. Now what brings you out here today?" He seemed to take in our countenance and got down to business.
"We are looking for my brother Jason, he was last seen with Crystal and he hasn't been to work and I'm worried about him." I told him truthfully. I heard straight from his mind that he really had no idea where Jason might be.
"Well why don't we go on over and ask her then." He suggested and closed the door behind himself and walked us over to another house across the street. I started to search mentally for Jason now that I wasn't more concerned with watching our backs since Calvin seemed to be in charge around here. As we walked over to Crystal's I saw a man a couple of houses over slink out of a shed and after staring at our group for a moment he disappeared into his home.
Crystal opened the door and let us in. She was not very forthcoming with answers. Until Calvin put her in her place with a paw to the face, that I should not have been able to follow, she adamantly insisted that she knew nothing of Jason's whereabouts. She changed her tune pretty quick and admitted to being there when he disappeared. She claimed to not know what happened but I heard her think that she smelt one of her own that night.
"You recognized the smell didn't you Crystal. You can't lie to a telepath. Who was it?" I said calmly attempting to reign in my anger at the silly girl in front of me. I heard clear as a bell the name we needed, "Felton, it was Felton she smelt. Where can we find him?" I spoke for her and Calvin seemed surprised that Crystal knew anything at all. Apparently Calvin thought that she would have nothing to tell us about my brother and that we would leave. The image of the man I had seen before as we walked over here popped up in his mind and I was out the door faster than any of them could follow.
I found the shed and ripped the lock off and threw open the door. In the dark huddled on the ground was my brother. I ran to him and started to help him up. He cried out "Sookie, Sook is that you?" And then I noticed that he was covered head to toe in bites and only clothed in torn filthy jeans.
"Oh Jason yes it's me, don't worry Jase we've got you." I told him as I passed him off to Alcide. And as I turned I saw that we had acquired an audience, which included Felton and Crystal. Crystal was screaming at Felton and all those assembled started to surround them. I fought against the power that was overwhelming me and I was winning until I heard that this was considered a blood offence and his life was now forfeit. As Jason's proxy his life is mine for what he has done to him.
"You have committed a blood offence against my blood kin and for that your life is forfeit." I raged and I could hold back my fangs no longer. The crowd started to back away as I stalked forward towards my prey. Felton attempted to hide behind Crystal but she is innocent in this. Her only crime is wanting to somehow escape from her lot in life and falling under Jason's spell. I tossed her aside easily and I grabbed Felton by the throat, I paused to look Calvin in the eye as he struggled in my grasp. Calvin nodded in acceptance and I sunk my fangs into his neck. I drank until I sloshed and then twisted his neck sharply breaking it and dropping him to the ground at my feet.
The crowd dispersed slowly most everyone backing slowly away until only Calvin and Crystal were left save Alcide, Jason and I. "I am terribly sorry for Felton's actions I knew nothing of this." Calvin apologized.
"What now? Will he turn?" I asked him.
"We won't know for sure until the full moon. We will take care of him though, we take care of our own." Calvin promised.
"Thank you Calvin." I thanked the were-panther leader and we turned to leave. Alcide nodded to the were and carried Jason back to his truck while I trailed behind.
The sun was setting as we drove out of Hotshot; Jason slumped in the passenger seat leaving me to sit between them. The time of day drove my thoughts away from Jason and what might happen to my Vampires who were most likely already up and furious that I am not there again. I realized that I haven't even given much thought to the bond today. I have been too caught up in my own drama dealing with killing the drainer and then Tara and Jason to even give it a moments thought.
Thinking back to what they told me, what they are asking me to do, what this bond means - and most of all - what this bond is bringing out in me. If I really think about it the thing that frightens me the most is losing them and not having them in my life. I should be concerned that I have changed into something that I don't even recognize, but I'm not. I can hear Alcide and Jason thinking away and they both seem to have come to the same conclusion: I am not Human. Alcide is trying to figure out why I need a bodyguard and Jason is wondering if what happened to me will happen to him too.
I don't know whether I feel that this bond means the same thing to me as it does to them. Maybe it's not something I can understand having been raised as a Human. After spending some time with the Hotshot community I have realized that Supernatural societies are governed very differently than the one I am used to. I am still lost in thought when Alcide asks where we are going and I tell him to drive straight to my place. Thoughts of rings, white dresses and last names swirl in my mind as we pull up around back of the old farmhouse. Alcide comes around and helps Jason from the truck and into the house. Jason still hasn't said anything since we found him in the shed and under the living room lights his bites look even worse. And he smells something awful.
I told Alcide where to find the first aid kit and I left him laying on the couch while I went into the kitchen and filled a bowl with hot water and grabbed some clean rags. I cleaned cut after cut until I could feel my Vampires getting closer and I could feel their rage.
"Alcide! Eric and Godric are on their way. It's probably best to let me talk with them first." I told him barely looking up from my brother. They burst into the room and rushed to my side pulling me up into their arms and crushing me between them.
"I am fine. Its Jason that was hurt not me. I am sorry that I wasn't there when you woke." I rushed to explain and apologize; we can't afford another misunderstanding like the other night.
"Lover what have you been doing today? You smell like Shifter and Were and something wilder." Eric asked his nose buried in my neck.
"Ma Petite you had us worried. It's not safe for you to be here especially after dark." Godric admonished me as they both ascertained for themselves that I was in fact unharmed.
"I know and I'm sorry. I came here with the intention of making sure things here would be good for the week while I stay with you. When we got here we found that someone - a male Vampire - had been here and most likely has taken my friend Tara along with a photograph of Tara, Jason, Gran, Laf and myself. Then we went to Jason's and found he had been taken by a were-panther named Felton. Of course we didn't know that for sure until we got to Hotshot and found Jason in his shed with bites all over him." I explained almost the entire afternoon in two breaths: a world record.
"Well I am glad that you have recovered your brother in one piece." Godric said looking over his unconscious prone form.
"How is Calvin dealing with the blood offence?" Eric asked Alcide who only shook his head and nodded to me. He turned and stared down at me and tears started to flow.
"Shhh Lover. Tell us what happened." Eric asked me gently.
"He is dead. Felton is dead." I told them.
"Well that is to be expected for his crimes against your brother. The Panthers couldn't let him live after this." Eric said not understanding why I am so upset.
"It's not that... It's not that he is dead. It's... I killed him." I finally chocked out through my sobs.
"Oh." He said and pulled me into his strong arms. He sat down with me cradled in his arms still and held me while I cried. I saw out of the corner of my eye Godric speaking with Alcide and then he disappeared and Alcide left the room giving us some privacy.
"I am proud of you Lover." He told me.
"I drained him and snapped his neck. I don't think that is anything to be proud of." I wailed ashamed of myself.
"You did what you had to do. His life was forfeit for his crime and you avenged your brother. It is likely that he will turn at the full moon, Calvin knew this and for that Felton deserved to die." Eric calmly explained.
"Isn't there anything we can do for him?" I asked hopeful that something could be done for Jason.
"I suppose I can call Ludwig." Eric suggested.
"Can you please?" I asked hope stirring inside me.
"Of course Lover." He pulled out his phone and pressed a few buttons and said a few words I assume to the doctor. "She said she would arrive shortly." Eric told me as he ended the call.
"Thank you!" I cried out and launched myself at him and kissed him for all I was worth.
"It looks like things are back to normal. Eric I checked out the intruding Vampire and I followed his scent. He came here from across the cemetery that house has been searched as well. I don't recognize the scent." Godric spoke letting me know that he had returned and now sat right next to us on the couch.
"Neither do I." Eric spoke up regarding my Vampire intruder. I pulled away from Eric and moved into Godric's lap snuggling into him while we waited for the little doctor to see if she could do something for Jason.
"You have had quite the day Little one." Godric teased lightly still holding me close his face buried in my hair.
"And that was all before the sun set." I giggled and he smiled widely in response his face lit up and he seemed an angel: my angel, my Vampire. I kissed him deeply and a small popping noise and a throat being cleared interrupted us. When we disentangled I saw that the doctor had arrived.
"Ah two for one special tonight. It's a wonder you two lived to maturity with no real guidance." She shook her head and put her bag on the coffee table and dug through it and brought out some ointment and swabs. She proceeded to apply the ointment to Jason's bites having Alcide roll him over when needed. Eric had been speaking quietly with Alcide but once the doctor arrived he returned to his seat and the three of us watched as she worked quietly. I pondered her comment and wondered just how much the doctor knew about Jason and I.
She finished and gathered her items and got right down to business. "Are you intending to complete the bond tonight?" She asked and everyone looked to me for the answer, which after a few moments I answered with a small nod. Godric and Eric's arms tightened around me and their emotions exploded with relief and love. "You can't perform this here nor anyplace that anyone may know of. The energy that will be created will be powerful." She warned us seriously.
"I have somewhere that we could use." Eric said and gestured for her to continue.
"Fine, I will take this one for the night he will be changed when he wakes but it is what is to be. I will know when you are ready. Sookie you should be aware that the energy, the white light that is created when you share blood, it is a manifestation of your powers and you can control it, shape it, direct it, bend it to your will." She told us.
"Okay I'll try." I promised not really sure if I would be able to do as she asked; this is all so new to me.
"Good girl, Herveaux will transport your brother to my clinic. You may see him when you have completed your changes and don't worry he will be in good hands." She said and turned to Alcide and started to order him about and they left taking Jason with them.
"Are you ready for this Ma Petite?" Godric asked me staring into my eyes.
"I am ready." I assured them both. They pulled me up with them and they waited patiently while I tidied up and then locked the door behind us. Godric pulled me into his arms and we shot into the sky. I am slowly starting to get the hang of flying with them so at least I can enjoy the ride. The stars are bright in the night sky and the only thing that isn't blurring by us. We land after what seems like forever outside a small log cabin in the middle of nowhere. There is the same electronic security though and Eric has to present his palm print to the scanner to gain access. We go straight to the light-tight room, which looks similar to the Shreveport house's master room: big bed, dark soft fabrics, plush carpet and most likely a ridiculously large bathroom.
Godric places me gently in the middle of the bed and they lay next to me gently rubbing their thumbs into my palms as my heartbeat slows to a more manageable rate. I don't know why I am no nervous all of a sudden? I turned on my side and faced Godric. "Can I ask you a question?" I ask so quietly that I can barely hear my own voice.
"You just did." He smiles impishly back at me.
"I'm serious!" I chuckled and then blurted out my question. "What is your last name?" It had been bothering me that I was about to for all intents and purposes marry this man and I didn't even know his full name.
"Little one I don't have a last name. Even the name I do go by is something that Eric himself gave me. He insisted that I had to have a name for him to call me by as I did not want him to call me Master." Godric told me his fingers under my chin to hold eye contact.
"Lover even my own name Northman is a variation on the north man that became a sort of nickname over the centuries. In our time people were fewer and so there was no need for last names as there is in modern times. When I was human I was known as Erirk Son of Harald or Haraldson is what this tradition has evolved into." Eric said wrapping his arms around me, so that I was tucked into his body his chin resting on the top of my head.
"In my times names were used to show your station, who you were in life, and as this changed many went by many names. When I was turned I left my human life behind and with it the name I held in life. I became known as the boy called death because that is what I wrought. By the time I made Eric I had forgotten my human name." Godric continued still staring into my eyes.
"Lover we don't have to do this tonight." Eric said giving me the opportunity to take more time to think about the bond.
"When ever you are ready Little one. Maybe we can do something else? Have you eaten yet and maybe a movie?" Godric added trying to find something to take our minds off of completing the final exchange, which will form the permanent bond to one another.
"Thank you for being so understanding, and if there is a benefit to having Alcide around it may be that I remembered to eat. I had, an omelette, a burger and a were-panther. But all joking aside I don't need anymore time. If anything is going to convince me that this is the right thing to do it's how you both are allowing me to make the decision for myself." I told them and I meant it.
"Are you sure Ma Petite? With all the preparations and the warnings from the little doctor. I worry that this might be to much, to soon." Godric said sweetly, I could tell he was concerned for me after what happened after the second exchange.
"I am ready. I want to be bonded to you both. I love you and if this is what needs to happen; then I will be fine with how we get there and what I might become once we are there." I promised them.
"Are you are sure Lover? What about your reaction to the were-panther?" Eric asked turning me so that he could see my face as I replied.
"It's not that I killed them or how I killed them. It's that I don't feel remorse, they deserved to die and I'm glad they are gone. I know I shouldn't feel this way and that is what upsets me; makes me feel inhuman and so I am finally remorseful, which make me guilty that it's for the wrong reasons." I admitted my worst fears out loud.
"I understand completely Little one. I too struggle with my guilt and remorse for my actions during my two thousand years of bloodshed." Godric said solemnly his voice heavy with the guilt he feels.
"It has been centuries since you have killed unless your survival was threatened, or mine." Eric said rationally not understanding how he could feel this way.
"The years before I made you were different. I killed so many. My Maker was a cruel master who until his death forced me to commit unspeakable acts in an attempt to make me as sadistic as he was. After his death I continued to torture my victims in an effort to somehow regain some level of power over my own existence. This went on for centuries until I came across a young woman who unlike the others fought back her will to live was impressive and intrigued me. Unfortunately I knew nothing of the healing powers of our blood and her injuries were too great and she succumbed to them. She reminded me of my humanity and so I started to search for another who might bring my humanity back to me. I found Erirk fighting on a battlefield not a dozen years later." Godric told us both something that he had never shared with anyone not even Eric until now.
My tears were pouring down my face as I listened to Godric tell us what his life has been like. How much pain and loneliness he has endured. I couldn't imagine the life he must have had. And for us to fit together now like we do I hope it fills that place inside him that empty place that they fill inside of me. I gently touched my lips to his and I wrapped my arms around him and squeezed with all my strength and sent all my feelings of love and comfort and forgiveness and belonging into him. He let out a gasp and I could feel him return my emotions, I could feel how much he loved me and how much my love meant to him.
We lay there kissing softly sending our love back and forth holding tight to one another until other needs became known and we held tighter and kissed harder our tongues battling for dominance. Our clothes disappeared in shreds, as we started to claw at one another panting desperate to feel closer. With a fierce growl Godric thrust into me in one swift motion impaling me up to the hilt our hips smashing and grinding together. He pounded into me hitting all the right spots so quickly that I came hard and didn't stop cumming. I lost focus of anything other than the feel of him thrusting into me; I think I screamed as lights flashed behind my eyelids. He came with a roar spearing me one last time with a forceful thrust. Godric kept sliding in and out as we rode out the aftershocks and my breathing returned to normal. I finally opened my eyes and the rest of my senses caught up as he withdrew and lay next to me holding me tight and placing kisses all over my face and neck.
"Mmm I love you." I told him kissing him on the lips.
"I love you too Ma Petite." He told me returning my kiss with one of his own I could feel my fangs clash with his. We were interrupted by Eric's low growl and we turned as saw that he still lay next to us and I have never seen him so turned on before. I curled a finger in his direction and he launched himself into us his hands roaming over both our bodies pushing and pulling, stroking and pinching all the right places. My hands traveled down his strong chest tracing along the contours of his abdomen. Finally finding my prize I found Godric already stroking his rock hard length. I added my own hand and together we quickly had him moaning and hissing in response to our combined touch. Eric attacked my breasts suckling them biting and sucking on my already sensitive nipples.
I cried out as he scratched his fangs drawing blood my hips bucked automatically and I felt Eric's tongue dart out to lap up the spilt blood as I lost my hold on Eric and Godric guided him into me. Eric threw back his head and roared the moment his cock was thrust into me. Slowly he entered me fully and pulled out almost all the way and then pounded back inside me. He pulled back slowly and thrust into me so hard I cried out in shock. So tortuously slow yet so much I thought I might explode. Finally he quickened his pace thrusting into me with abandon until we both came screaming each other's name. We lay tangled together my breathing the only sound.
"I love you." Eric finally said the words, even though we knew he had been feeling them, he hadn't said it until now. I picked my head up and I looked straight into his gorgeous blue eyes my hands on either side of his face as I told him "I love you too Eric." He smiled and kissed me his tongue playing with my sensitive fangs. I deliberately cut my tongue on his and let my blood well in my mouth. Eric moaned into my mouth as my blood hit his tongue sucking greedily. He pulled back as the wound heeled and pressed his forehead into mine staring into my eyes.
"The bond?" He asked huskily.
"Yes." I said and I nudged his head with my forehead and turned so that I lay between my Vampires and as they both licked my neck I pulled Godric's wrist into my hand and I sunk my fangs into Eric's neck. He roared his release and then they both struck sending me crashing over into bliss as I pulled mouthfuls of Eric's blood into my mouth savouring his slightly sweet taste. As I readied to bite into Godric's wrist I focused on my love for them both and bit hard his thick sweet blood flowing sluggishly into my mouth. I felt the love I felt for them well up inside me as Godric came and they licked their marks closed and held to me tightly. As I pulled the last mouthful into me I could see the dome of power that enveloped us wavering as I drug ragged breath after ragged breath into my lungs.
I could feel the bond take root, the threads that connected us anchored permanently inside each of us. And their emotions ran roughshod over me breaking my concentration and releasing my hold on my powers. I let out an ear-piercing scream as the room glowed as bright and strong as the sun. As the light snapped back inside of me I hung limply in their strong arms. I could feel their love for me and one another, as well as their fear as they held me murmuring reassurances quietly.
Just as before it took a minute for the changes to begin and this time we felt them coming slowly. My entire body felt like it was on fire but the pain was worst in my back. I held on as long as I could I am determined to withstand what ever it took. The pain proved to be to great and soon it's as if I were watching from above a bystander no one knew was present. I watched helpless as my body slumped and they lay me down gently brushing my hair from my sweaty face. Moments later the little doctor appeared as promised and she approached slowly. Godric and Eric were both growling fiercely not wanting anyone near my body, as I lay unconscious in their arms.
The doctor has to restrain them with magic in order to approach me and she injects me with something in a small syringe and everything goes black.
A/N: Next up Godric's POV for the remainder of the night.