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Chapter 55: Time bomb

Eric

Eric guided Sookie down to the lobby and he led her to the restaurant. He told her to wait and the motioned for the hostess telling her he was waiting for a pickup.

Sookie looked at him and said, "You didn't have time to eat, so I ordered whatever you have been eating typically when you wake up."

Sookie gave him a dazzling smile that made him want to do these things everyday.

"Eric, that was thoughtful. Thank you. I am kinda hungry after being ravaged so thoroughly last night."

"Yes, I thought it was only fair since you fed me last night."

She blushed and he chuckled as he took her hand and guided her out of the restaurant with her food in his other hand. Eric led her into the first meeting and sat her down at a table along the back wall and set her food down in front of her. He then placed the napkin on her lap and handed silverware to her.

"Eat. We have a little time before the meeting starts," he said as people began filtering in and the presenters were setting up.

"Eric can I talk to you about Jake? I know Bill seems to think it's not worth lookin' into, but I think there is somethin' brewing there."

"Something brewing here? What makes you say that?" he asked.

"Just the way the human thinks. And look at the guy sometime. He is depressed and pissed off looking all the time," she said as she ate a bagel with cream cheese.

He nodded and replied, "I will ask around about him."

She nodded and said, "Otherwise, there is only one other concern. A human was thinking about how her vampire lover wants to absorb Louisiana in order to expand their kingdom."

Eric nearly bit a hole through his tongue and asked, "What?"

"Yeah, umm I think the vampire's name was Felipe who was from Nevada. Las Vegas."

"Yes, Felipe De Castro. Very good Sookie."

She smiled and popped the last bite of the bagel into her mouth. She then grabbed the banana and peeled it as she sipped out of her water.

"So tonight we are going to meetings all night again?" she asked in a bored tone.

"No, we have two meetings then we can either go to trials and watch Py judge or we can go sightseeing or we can go and relax in the room. Then we have a formal event at the end of the evening for dinner and dancing."

Sookie smiled and said, "Ohh, what do you want to do?" she asked.

He looked at her in surprise. "Nobody has ever asked me what I wanted to do."

She looked surprised and said, "Well, then it's your choice tonight."

"And if I want to stay in and fuck you all night?" he asked.

"Not on your list. You have to pick from one of the aforementioned events."

He mock pouted and she smiled as she bagged up the trash for her food.

"Well I would love to take you around town. Shall we do a little sight-seeing and then come back and relax before we have to get ready?" he asked.

"Sounds good to me," she said, standing. She walked her trash over to the trashcan and he led her to seats near the middle of the room so she could hear easily. He kissed her hand and then released it so she could hear more clearly.

She pouted and clasped her hands in her lap. She then fell into the zone listening in and Eric immediately fell into a strategizing. The news about De Castro was huge. Eric took his phone and sent Bill a text. Sookie has info. Meet you before formal to discuss.

Eric didn't receive a text message back so he assumed that Bill had was fine with the plan.

Sookie was now rubbing her temples and he grabbed her hand, giving her momentary silence. She looked to him with relief in her eyes and he whispered, "Are you okay?"

She nodded, "It's getting busy in here," while tapping her finger to her head.

He kissed her forehead and she sighed. "I better get back to work."

She released her hand from his and she went back to flicking her eyes around the room as she followed each thought. Eric whispered, "Make sure to keep special note on the one's regarding De Castro and even Jake and Abby. They are our primary concern."

Sookie nodded and glanced around the room for her targets, but many of the humans and the vampires they belonged to were already dispersing. Sookie's stomach rumbled and Eric realized the entire session was over. They had a half hour break where Eric would be feeding Sookie and then finishing with a 'social session'.

As the vampires presenting were wrapping up, Eric stood and helped Sookie to her feet, guiding her out of to the hall.

Eric noticed Nora standing near a large fireplace with her eyes trained on them as they exited and Eric knew from her expression that she needed to talk to him and possibly Sookie. Eric nudged Sookie and she followed his gaze to Nora. "She needs to see us."

Sookie nodded and followed him over to her. Nora gave Sookie a small smile and said, "Eric is it alright if I speak to you in private? I wouldn't ask if it wasn't important."

Sookie surprisingly shrugged her shoulders and looked to him to see if he was okay with this. He made to grab his phone to call Pam, but Sookie stopped him and said, "I will be fine on my own for a bit. I will stay here in plain sight."

He hesitated and Nora said, "We can go over there where you can keep your eye on her."

He finally relented and left Sookie, which went against every instinct in his body. She gave him a reassuring wave and sauntered to a table with some fruit and cheese that were complimentary for the humans. He saw her approach the woman who she had called Amelia and they began chatting.

Eric calmed and sat with Nora in a quiet and dark corner and said, "Make it fast."

"Fine," she replied in Old Norse.

Her use of his dead language indicated that she didn't want any to understand her. Few used it. She also spoke so low that only Eric would be able to hear her.

Her eyes constantly scanned the area and she said, "As a member of the Authority I could be killed for the information I am going to relate. They are watching Sookie and you as well. They suspect something, but they don't know what it could possibly be. They think there is more to the love triangle between you, Compton, and this backwater waitress than meets the eye and they intend to find out. They believe the rising body count of supernaturals around this girl is fishy. Now I am under surveillance because of my connection to you. I am also being considered to be used as a spy to ascertain the information. As you can tell, I am blowing my cover so you are aware of what's going on. Be careful," she said as she stood.

Eric stood with her just as he felt alarm and fear coming from Sookie. He eyes shot towards her, but nothing seemed wrong. But her spine was stiff and he could see her muscles tensed. She had been standing near the fire with Amelia and she was talking lowly to the girl.

The girl suddenly panicked and screamed, "BOMB!"

Eric whizzed to Sookie and the lobby was in a panic. Vampires and their humans and wereguards were everywhere, scurrying to get out.

Eric called Pam to his side as he grabbed for Sookie, but she evaded his grasp swiftly, trying to keep her drink still.

Did she not understand what was happening?

"It's in the can Eric," she said, her voice shaking.

She was holding a can and Eric reached for it immediately, but she stepped away from him, holding it gingerly. "Stay away."

"Sookie, give it to me immediately," he said.

"No."

"Sookie now is not the time to be stubborn or brave. I am much more durable."

"Not against fire. Stay away from me."

He could see her fingers begin to clench the can a little more tightly and he panicked, "Fine, I am staying over here. Relax, darling."

She nodded and gave him a weak smile.

"I can't leave you anywhere," he teased as the hotel manager came over to them, furious.

"This is not funny. I will have you kicked out of the hotel for this Miss," he snarled out.

Eric slowly walked to him and said, "Get the fucking bomb squad here now. Evacuate your hotel before I take that can and shove it down your throat."

The man paled as he towered over him and Sookie clucked her tongue, "Eric, honey, I need you to stay calm if I am gonna stay calm."

Pam was then there, and looking at the three of them curiously. "Go," Eric barked to the man.

He scrambled off and Pam asked, "What'd I miss?"

Sookie can't stay outta trouble even when she is behaving!

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