Author's Note: Reichsluftfahrtministeriummeans Ministry of Aviation. It was a a government department during the period of Nazi Germany. The Ministry was in charge of development and production of aircraft, primarily for the German Air Force (Wikipedia). For further information, please check Wikipedia or any other History sites.

Thanks to Northwoman for her fast correction and edit.

Chapter Twelve

The Gathering

Three werewolves, four monks and Reuben, the eight of them looked at her and asked the same question she had in her head, what is she doing here?

She had another question, nevertheless. Who are they? Two of them spoke English, one spoke French, two spoke Scandinavian – could be Danish or Swedish, two spoke German...and Reuben. She couldn't tell what kind of language he spoke.

Why was a companion of people from different nations here? Was it because it was a monastery? Why would vampires choose to hide themselves in monastery? And why would the monks invite them in?

When she woke up today, it was already afternoon. The sound of the bells chiming had woken her up abruptly. For a moment she thought, she had been in a kind of bad radio drama, but when there was knocking on her door, she knew, it was reality. She was still at Eric's place. A monk greeted her 'Guten Tag, Fraulein' and put a tableau of coffee, bread and some pieces of black sausage on the table. Still with a smile on his face, he continued, she was expected in the dining room at eighteen o'clock For a moment, Sookie didn't know what he meant. Then, she realized instead of the 12-hour time, people in Germany used the 24-hour time. Eighteen o'clock means six o'clock p.m.

Monastery, Eric's place was a monastery.

Eric... what a man, the more she knew about him, the less she understood. According to Godric, he is a Scandinavian and from the language they spoke, Sookie could only guess that it was an old version of the present languages. The only people who lived in the 'old age' Scandinavian countries were the Vikings. Sookie chuckled, Eric the Viking. Somehow it suited him well. He's tall, blond and blue eyed. Put a helmet and chain armor, and he could be one. Uncultivated, barbaric, rude, selfish... She sighed. She could combine all the negative adjectives she knew, still it didn't change the fact she had dreamed about him. And in her dream, she didn't mind him at all. She even could feel his kiss. She sighed again.

"I wouldn't do that if I were you," said one of the werewolves interrupting her thoughts and bringing her back to the room. "Sighing means you are a breather; a breather means food to them."

Yeah, Eric had said that too.

"Why are you here, Miss?" he said again. "You seem...lost."

"You can thank Mr. Reuben for that," she said.

He looked at Reuben, who answered shortly, in his language.

"English, Reuben," said the werewolf. "Or German, but not Sorbisch."

Sorbisch? What language is that?

"Mr. Eric told me to," said Reuben in English, touching his glasses' frame, shooting a dangerous look at the werewolf.

"And here we are," said one of the monks. "Gathering around the table without knowing what to do or why, simply because Mr. Eric told us."

"True," the second werewolf smirked. Sookie caught a French accent in his voice. "We all owe him one way or another," he looked at her, "What about you, Sookie? What did you owe him?"

"I don't owe him anything," said Sookie. "I owe somebody else."

He tilted his neck. His dark green eyes narrowed. His head was echoing Alcide's name. Was he the one who had sent the letter to Mr. Herveaux? "A nice ring you have there, Miss," he continued.

Sookie looked at Mr. Herveaux' ring. "It belongs to a friend."

"No, not the wolf one," he continued, getting up slowly. "The other one. I saw that one before."

King Russell's ring... instinctively, Sookie covered the ring. She cleared her throat. "Where did you see it?" she asked.

"In my village," the werewolf growled. "When a band of vampire slaves killed my people. I never thought I would see it again so soon." He pushed his chair backward.

"Sit down, Alexandre," Reuben's voice was calm but cold. The eyes behind that black frame were sending a look that sent shivers down Sookie's spine. She didn't know what he was up to; his head was again as empty as before, but she noticed his hands were tensed.

Mr. Herveaux told her King Russell had his people everywhere. She could only guess that each of them wore the same ring as a token or recognition. She knew vampires and werewolves never got along with each other, but she had never thought she would hear stories first hand.

"Whoever they were, Alexandre," Sookie pulled her hands slowly off the table and put them on her lap and tried to keep her voice under control. "I am not one of them. The only reason I wear this ring is because I am looking for a werewolf. Herveaux is the name. His father sends me to take me home."

The werewolves looked at her and scoffed.

"A werewolf sent a human female to track down his son," the first werewolf mocked her. "What did he expect her to do?"

"I am not alone," Sookie forced herself to look straight into his eyes. "I have some friends with me." Who might not know where I am right now, she continued in her head.

I don't know what she is up to, one of the monks said in his head. If her friends do not know where she is now...

You can read minds, too! Without being able to control herself, she screamed in her head and made the monk jump. The coffee mug in his hand fell, made the other monks stand up to avoid the hot liquid.

The monk looked at her and said in his head. Pretend that you can't do it, Miss.It won't end up well for you.

"Thank you, Barry," Eric's voice made everybody turn their heads. "As I suspected," a smirk was on his face directed to nobody, but Sookie knew it was for her. She clinched her jaws. Oh, one of these days, she swore, I would wipe that smirk away from his face!

Barry, the monk, broke a smile. Many have tried, Miss.Many have tried.

He can't be that charming, that nobody is able to do it. She rolled her eyes.

He is, when and if he wants to be.

"It's rare to see Barry smile," a voice made them turn their heads and Sookie felt like a fool. All eyes in the room were fixed on her. She realized, she had revealed her telepathic skill. She looked at Barry. "Thank you," she mumbled cynically. Barry shrugged his shoulder. Sorry.

"Is that why Alcide's father had sent you? Because you can read minds?" Alexandre's claws buried into the table. He let out a laugh. "And you think you will get away with that? Why do you think Barry is here?"

"Now, wait a minute," said Barry. "If you insinuate I am hiding...,"

"Brother Barry," one of the monks covered his mouth. "You broke your vow."

The werewolves scoffed. "Breaking his vow..?"

"Enough."

Like a command, Eric's voice silenced them all. "If I needed women, I'd get them somewhere else," he said, which made Sookie roll her eyes.

"Why are we summoned, Eric?" asked the monk, whose hair was red like a flame.

"You all are indebted to me, and now I am collecting it," Eric sat down. "Afterwards, I consider you all free. Not bound to me, unless you want it."

"What should we do?" asked one of the werewolves.

"First, Jake is here and he's wounded. I need somebody to take care of him."

"How bad is his wound?" asked Alexandre.

"He will need a lot of blood."

"When was he bitten?"

Eric's eyes narrowed. "Two days ago."

"No," said Alexandre. "Count us out and spare the monks if you have mercy on them."

"I'll do it," said the redheaded monk.

"It's a suicide, Leif! He can't be saved!"

"May be not, but he will need comfort during the passage. He will need a friend."

"Eric...," Alexandre looked at Eric. "Don't let him do this."

"He's right, Leif," said Eric. "It's too dangerous for you. He might attack you."

"He will attack him," said one of the werewolves. His blue eyes were slowly turning to yellowish. "I'll do it."

"You and me, Juergen," said Leif. "You and me."

"You bastard," Alexandre swore under his breath. Sookie didn't know to whom he swore, but she could only guess. "You calculated it, didn't you?"

"Who is this Jake, and what happened to him?" Sookie decided it was about the time somebody told her what was going on.

"Jake Purifoy," said Juergen. "He works in a shipping company in Norway, owned by a vampire, and if Eric is telling us the truth, which I believe he is, Jake is bitten by a vampire and let live."

"What does it mean?" asked Sookie. "Will he be turned into a vampire?"

There's a disgusted look on the werewolves' faces. The corner of their mouths tittered.

"Eric?" Sookie looked at Eric.

"If he survives, he will be half werewolf-half vampire."

"If not?"

"He'll die."

"Jake is a strong man," said Leif. "He'll survive."

"And become a halfling? I prefer him to die; he will wish himself to die too, if he still has the right mind!" said Alexandre. "If you have a mercy, you'll kill him, Eric."

"It's not my decision," said Eric. "I don't take the life of a friend."

"And what is the second matter?" asked the werewolf, who had been quiet.

"Father Michael," said Eric.

The monk, who sat beside Leif, licked his lips and loosened up his white collar. "There are some freights coming."

"Where?"

"Pfaueninsel," said Father Michael.

"According to whom?"

"The Director."

Sookie looked at Father Michael. Was he the one who was supposed to meet her? Was he the man from Peacock Island? Or was the Director the one?

"Who is this Director?" asked Alexandre.

"Somebody whom I trust," said Eric.

"That's not enough," said Alexandre.

"You question my judgment?" Eric lifted his eyebrow. His lips formed a straight line. Sookie felt her blood run cold. Something in that look gave a clear warning to Alexandre to be really careful with the words he was about to say.

"No," Alexandre sniffed. "But it's not only my neck, which I'll put on the line. If I have to gather my people, I have to be sure that I give their lives on the right hand."

"He works at the Reichsluftfahrtministerium," said Eric. "Somebody whom Göring trusts and always receives the first hand information."

"Is he... a vampire?" asked Juergen.

"What difference would it make if he's a vampire or not?"

The werewolves murmured. Whoever that person was, he was a high rank officer who worked directly under Hermann Göring, one of the bigwigs in the Nazi organization. However, if he wasn't a vampire, he could be a human or a were. Like any other human, he wouldn't endure any torture if his mask was blown up. And it could mean only one thing: their gathering would also be blown up. The risk was too high. If he was a were, with Nazi werewolves running around, he wouldn't be safe either.

"I don't think we have any other choice, but to trust the information...," Father Michael looked at Eric. "...and Eric. At least, for now, we still can work without noticeable danger."

"I like your spirit, Father," said the werewolf, whose name Sookie didn't know yet. A thick English accent covered his words. "I don't know who that son of a bitch is, but I swear, if he fucks us off, he will get to fucking know me. Pardon the language, Miss," he nodded to Sookie; the sneer on his face told her he didn't mean what he said.

"What do you want us to do, Eric?" asked Juergen.

"Gather as many as possible. I will tell you when we need you. Stay alert and be ready."

"What about the rogues?"

"I'll contact them."

A soft voice from the door made everybody in the room jump to their feet. Godric was standing at the door, already dressed in his uniform.

Eric walked to Godric and stood behind him.

"And who are you?" asked the English werewolf. The sneer was gone from his face. Sookie realized he was in a very tense position. Something about Godric must have awakened his protective instinct.

"This is Godric," said Eric. "A friend."

I have never seen his maker before, said Barry, inside his head. Judging from the werewolves' reaction, he must have been very old.

Sookie looked around. All three werewolves were tense. What Debbie had said must have been true. They couldn't smell Godric; they were afraid of him. That's why!

"The rogues do not trust anybody," said Alexandre. "Especially not a vampire."

"They trust me."

The sound of Godric's voice made Sookie shudder. It was as if there had been an unspoken sentence behind it. Something like, if they don't, I'll make them trust me. "Who are the rogues?" asked Sookie.

"A group of weres, who do not belong to any clan," said Juergen.

"Do you think," Sookie looked at Godric, "Alcide is with them?"

"What? Alcide is here?" Alexandre's face was perplexed. "But... he took the ship at Le Havre! He can't be here! He may not be here!"

"You sent the letter to his father."

"Yes. Alcide said his father would send some help...," he ran his eyes over her.

"I am not alone," suddenly Sookie felt uncomfortable and it wasn't because of Alexandre, but because of Eric, whom she caught slowly walk forward and probably would have been beside her, if Godric hadn't moved his head in Eric's direction. "Sam Merlotte – a shifter, and Debbie Pelt – a werefox are with me. And so are Mr. Kragh and his... companion."

"Moment... Kragh?" Leif's voice sounded choked. "Arne Kragh of Bergen?"

"Yes. How...?"

"That's Jake's boss."

Sookie felt her knees weaken and her head was heavy. Arne was Jake's boss... Jake must have been one of the werewolves she saw on board...Jesus...Sam and Debbie... God, somebody had to go there and warn them!

"I think you'd better sit down, Miss." A warm hand touched her shoulder. It was the English werewolf.

"My friends...," Sookie sat down. "What will happen to them?"

Everybody looked at each other and murmured some words, Sookie didn't quite understand.

"If your host works for your king," Godric's soft voice filled the room, "then there's nothing you should worry about."

In another time, on another occasion, Sookie might have felt better. However, something told her, Godric didn't tell her the whole truth.

"Besides, they are shifter and were," Godric continued. "They know how to take care of themselves."

"Will they be able to be turned into slaves or halfling?"

"For some reasons, the one, who has done all of these, always targets the wolves."

Sookie looked at him and cursed him for the coldness, both in his voice and on his face. It was as if the problems the werewolves were facing weren't his business. If it was, why did he bother to help them or even try to stop whomever behind this? She looked at Eric. Their eyes met. For a moment, he didn't even flinch, but then, he looked away.

"The reasons... what are they?" she asked.

The werewolves' eyes were on Godric.

Slowly, Godric raised his face. "I don't know."

"You lie," said Sookie.

Like a snake, now that face was at her.

But she didn't care. "And y'all accept this?" she asked the werewolves. "None of you is slightly bothered... or are y'all afraid?"

The werewolves looked at each other and then at Godric. They were still in their tensed position, but none of them moved. Godric and Eric stood there unchallenged. She even saw Eric smiling, as if he was expecting something exciting was going to happen.

What ever you are doing, Miss, she heard Barry's voice. I hope you have a reason.You are awaking a sleeping lion.

No, she didn't have any reason. She didn't want to challenge Godric or any vampire. She was concerned about Debbie's and Sam's safety, and nothing else.

"I have a suspicion," finally Godric said. "The werewolves are chosen, because they are wolves. The strongest among the weres, have a straight and clear order, and are willing to die for a cause. And they follow the decision of the Pack Masters' Council. Whatever it is."

Juergen's face was suddenly pale. "Jesus! The Pack Masters' Council! All werewolves in Germany and German speaking countries will be gathered and make a decision...," he looked at Alexandre and then at the English werewolf. "...about the war, whether or not we join and whom we serve."

"That is madness!" said Alexandre. "We can't afford fighting the Nazis and you. This is madness!"

Juergen and Alexandre looked at each and then sank into their seats.

Then the room sank into silence.

The war was closer than Sookie had ever thought. Each and every one of the persons in the room faced it, much sooner than later. She didn't know when or if Germany would invade France or Britain. But they had done it to Poland. She would be a fool to think it would stop. Like many other wars, if nobody stops the first invasion, then there will be the second, the third and more, until all the resources are spent and the people can't take it anymore.

"I have to return home," said Alexandre in a low voice. "I have to tell my people."

"You can't," said Eric. "The war has begun here. Between you and whoever creates the Nazi werewolves."

"Is that how those bastards are called now?"

"At least that's how Sookie calls it," a little smile was at the corner of Eric's lips. "And I think we should use it."

It wasn't her who called them Nazi werewolves. It was Debbie.

"You want to be able to fight them in your land; you have to fight them now. Because if you wait for them to attack you, then it will be too late."

"Eric is right, Alex," said Juergen. "I'll talk to my Pack Master about this."

"Do it in secrecy, Juergen. You don't know who is listening."

Alone in her room, Sookie felt more lost than before. After the gathering and everybody had gone, Eric asked her to go to her room. He had something he wanted to talk to, he said. Waiting for him in a small, damped place like a lamb ready to be slaughtered. She should've been feeling worried or afraid and not lost. Maybe because she couldn't hear anything, not a chanting from a monk, who happened to pass by her room, or the thoughts of the werewolves, which bounced and echoed. Nothing. Not even the sound of her own thought.

For the first time in her life, she was alone. Alone and lost.

The sound of a rusty door made Sookie turn around.

Eric. In his hand was a soft pink cloth. "For you," he said, giving her the cloth. "Just in case you don't want to wear that." He walked to her.

"Thank you," said Sookie, taking the cloth. It was a blouse, made of silk.

"I'll wait outside," he said, then walked away.

"Eric...did you...," Sookie cleared her throat. "Did you know since the beginning that my vampire host has anything to do with this? Is that why you keep me here?"

Eric turned around. His blue eyes flickered. "I didn't. I thought you were one of the girls he...enjoyed from time to time."

"Is that... is that why you were at the Cafe?"

"No. The Cafe is a meeting place for every supernatural being, who lives in Berlin," he said. "When I saw you there, let's just say, I was quite surprised myself."

"What shall I do now? I can't go back to Kragh's house, can I?"

"I am afraid not. If you went back, and Kragh was able to glamour you, he would know everything."

Kragh or any vampires would not be able to glamour her, but she decided to keep it to herself.

"I don't want to stay here," Sookie said. "Among the monks... I don't know, Eric."

"You can stay at my apartment," he said. "Temporarily," a smirk was on his face. "Until everything is taken care of."

"You know I won't," she said. "I can't. I have to find Alcide."

"I'll help you."

She looked at him. "Do you want to help me because of me or because your maker told you to?"

"Are you always this direct, or you do it only to me?" Now, a smile replaced the smirk.

Frankly, she didn't know. She never had had a heart to heart conversation with a vampire before. Heart to heart? Was that what they were doing now? "I...," she forced herself to look at him, only to find herself feeling more uncertain. "I think we'd better go."

"One condition," he said.

"Which is?"

"You do exactly what I tell you."

"Not a chance. If you think you'd be able to take advantage...,"

"Not in sexual matters, Sookie," he walked away with a big smile on his face. He looked so satisfied with himself, Sookie swore, in different time, she would just grab him and shake him until that face fell off. "Even if I want to. But I like my women" his eyes twinkled. "... in charge," he opened the door. "But not this time. You do what I say; everything will be fine. Otherwise, I can't guarantee your safety."