I was actually rather enjoying speaking with Mr. Northman. It was nice to voice my opinions and concerns to someone that was not related to me and very biased. He was a good listener and he did not argue with me. He seemed to just accept what I said. He was silent, completely silent to me, though I could sense his curiosity. I found it comforting. I was skirting around what my abilities were when I felt William Compton getting closer. I had memorized his mental signature after he had harassed me the last few nights. I had been staying at an old family farmhouse for a month when he showed up. He made me feel very uncomfortable. He seemed to want to force his friendship on me.
I couldn't have been more surprised, if I had woken with my head in a bucket, when Mr. Northman took off flying. My instincts were screaming to fight this abduction but my sense of preservation said Mr. Northman was better than Mr. Compton. I was overwhelmed with the whole flying thing and it took me several minutes after we landed to prioritize my issues. He was still holding me as he began descending a dark stairway. I finally found my voice and asked where we were and what he was doing. His answers were as unexpected as the matter of fact way he responded. He has decided to keep me with him. Just who the hell does he think he is!
"Look, Mr. Northman, I appreciate you saving me from Mr. Compton but I could have just gone in my house, it was not necessary to travel here nor is it necessary for me to stay here." He had a very satisfied smile on his face when he responded.
"Miss.."
"Sookie, you can call me Sookie. Sookie Brigant."
"Sookie, my decision to bring you here really had nothing to do with you and everything to do with my inability to part from you. I also sensed Mr. Compton's approach and did not wish for him to lay eyes on you. I am very interested in knowing how you knew William Compton was nearing and just exactly why you would need rescuing from him."
Shit! Caught that didn't he. "I have been staying at the old farmhouse for the last few weeks and Mr. Compton just showed up last week. He has been coming by every evening trying to get an invitation into my home or trying to get me to leave it. It feels like he is pushing himself on me and I have taken to ignoring his attempts. Last night he got really upset and stayed on my porch most of the night. I thought about calling the authorities but I did not want to draw any more attention to my location."
"Alright, and how did you know he was approaching tonight."
"I have my ways, okay!'
"Haa, haa, haaa" he laughed loud and heartily "And I have my ways as well but I thought we were doing so well with talking. I suppose I could use some of my abilities to keep you talking but that seems so unfair."
"I am afraid to tell you." It came out a whisper.
"You should be. However, you should be more afraid of what may happen if you continue to refuse to tell me." How could he still be holding me so gently yet be so harsh with his words? Did he really believe I was helpless against him? I will play along for now.
"I am a telepath."
"You can read thoughts?" he asked alarmed, but masking it well.
"Yes. Humans are crystal clear, but other supernaturals vary. Sometimes I can read supes clearly, sometimes I can only get their overall emotions or general thoughts, and sometimes I cannot get anything from them. It is rare to encounter someone that I cannot read."
"Can you read me?"
"No. It is one of the reasons I have allowed your strange behavior, your silence is wonderful. I only sensed curiosity from you at my home earlier."
"You can read Mr. Compton?"
"Not clearly. Vampires tend to be more difficult unless they are loud broadcasters but I can sense his emotions and they are ugly. He oozes lies and betrayal."
"I would like to make a trial arrangement with you. I wish for you to remain with me. In exchange for your occasional assistance and your submission to me, I will care for you and protect you."
"I just met you, I can care for myself, and what do you mean by my submission to you?"
"In my world what is not owned is taken. I want you to be mine. I want you to agree to be mine. You cannot just run around outside Faery without protection, any supernatural strong enough can take and enslave you. Your home is surrounded by several fae scents, strange vampires keep showing up at your house" he grins knowing that he is included in this group, "and supernaturals are the worst gossips. It is out all over that the prince's granddaughter is missing. You will soon be surrounded by supernaturals wishing to return you to him, take you for ransom, or keep you for your abilities. I will give you until tomorrow evening to decide but for now we shall retire to my lair. Everything you may need until I rise again is down here. There is not any food but there is water and I will see to your other needs when I rise."