Disclaimer: Charlaine Harris owns all.
Rated M for several reasons.
Chpt 13 The Corner of My Eye
EPOV
I have formed my first blood bond.
Against my will and against my every instinct.
And I have thrown my net out wide, looking for anything and everything that will free me from this unnatural burden. I know the Queen will do very little to help me, she will simply rely on my centuries of skill to keep the telepath alive, no matter what the cost to me and my existence. Money she will pledge, but her practical support? Not unless it is called on in a dire situation. She will quickly forget this blade hanging over her head as she does every other. How she has survived as a monarch so long would be a mystery if it were not for me. I am the reason. Fear of me is all that stays another monarch's hand. And they do not just fear me for my age and strength, not even the ones who outrank me in such ways.
Who is it then that was confident enough to place the Queen and I in this position. To even garner the support of my Maker, of Godric.
His loss is a deep chasm in me I am unlikely to ever fill.
I would have sought his council on this situation but I have no council now but my own and everything I have learnt.
I have learnt to survive. And I have mostly avoided any and every situation that would make that difficult. And those situations I could not avoid I have controlled and turned to my advantage, be it by strength or cunning. I will not give up hope that the same cannot be said of this one.
I was pleased to discover that the bond I did not want would impact on me so little, but also intrigued. I have never submitted to it before but like every well raised vampire I have a good knowledge of what it entails. Not being able to access my once bonded without her permission is definitely other than anticipated. And interestingly, though she is a telepath with strong mental, though untapped, powers, the bond is blood magic, it should not be circumvented in any way. And never has been to my current knowledge. This is also something I will need to investigate although I accept that it is likely to be a result of the fact that she is not actually human. Though she smells it and tastes it. Her blood was sweet, sweeter than any I have ever tasted. And I can taste it still as I prepare for my rest. Exquisite.
Damn her. Vampire Bait.
Though I had wanted her since I had first laid eyes on her I was loathe to touch her this night. I had to force myself over to the couch and even then I would have gladly welcomed any interruption that could have prevented her joining me. Exchanging blood with her was necessary to ensure others would accept that she is my property, a Sheriff such as I does not play at it like Compton, but if I could have achieved it by using a cup and a knife I would have done so. Perhaps I would have been less reluctant if I had not already known the warmth and softness of her body against mine, the arousal of her lush scent filling my head, the glorious agony of her hot mouth pulling my blood from me.
The blood exchange was excruciating torture. I have never wanted to be buried inside a woman more than I did Sookie at that moment. I am painfully hard just with the memory of it.
I had thought she was sent to destroy me, this perfect woman. Now that I know the truth of it I still cannot fathom the why. Or the who.
I have many enemies. Many of them as patient as I am. But one who knows me well enough to use her? Only Godric and Pam. I will not believe it of either. I cannot. If it were Pam who desired such and end for me I would know. And if it were Godric?
The mere concept threatens to rob me of unnecessary breath as the day begins to pull me under.
I cannot sense her, just my blood in her, roughly where I would expect her to be, in Bon Temps. I am a little more aware of it than I would like but it is not impossible to ignore. Of her well-being, thoughts and emotions I can feel nothing. And I am cognizant that, despite my aversion, if she is truly my enemy then this is not a good thing . . . .
…..
I do not wake in the traditional sense of the term. One moment and I am dead and the next I am not. It is always so.
So to wake to a blinding explosion of light and find my body arching off the bed, my mouth frozen into a silent scream, was disconcerting to say the least.
Other than that the only thing that was different was the Bon Temps blip of the non-human.
I can do the math and so I did not start my night in a good mood.
And the three Fangbangers I had in my office at Fangtasia did not improve it much.
I was left, wanting . . . .
And lacking a distraction. Area 5 is quiet at the moment. Something I usually enjoy. It gives me a chance to devote energy to other parts of my life than simply vampire politics and the attendant bullshit. Though I have grown to enjoy it I use it primarily as a means to keep me and mine alive and in possession of all their requisite body parts.
The blood traitor Eddie was the last excitement in my Area. And he proved woefully easy to catch and punish. It is not that I do not like a little trouble, it keeps me on my toes, keeps the blood flowing so to speak, but the situation with the non-human could very well turn out to be more than a little trouble. In addition to the whys and wherefores I must consider the practicalities. If she is to be protected then I must assume that whoever has done this knows what from and there is a very real danger. And danger to her is now danger to me and mine.
Intolerable the Queen called it.
I have Thalia following the non-human during the hours of darkness. She is one of the oldest and strongest vampires I know and in theory more than adequate to the task, but like me, she would do a better job if she knew what we were guarding the non-human from. She abhors humans and if she has an opinion on me bonding with one she has wisely decided to keep it to herself. I have great esteem for Thalia, who was a nestmate of Godric's at a time before I was made, and I do not like needlessly exposing her to risk.
Then there is Pam. Out of simple respect I informed her that I would be bonding with the non-human, she was surprised and amused. Pam has kept many pets over the years, they entertain her and see to her every need, she is lazy my child. She could see the sense in claiming such a valuable asset and tasty morsel, as she describes the non-human, and she accepted without question that the Queen had decided to let me keep the telepath rather than take on the responsibility herself. After all an asset of mine is by extension an asset of the Queen and I could not refuse a request for her services.
It galls me however that I am being forced to keep secrets from Pam, that is not our way, and it is yet another reason why the non-human's days are numbered. Just as soon as I am free of the noose that has been placed around my neck. A cruel smile curls onto my lips as I allow myself a few minutes to imagine all the ways I will enjoy bringing about the non-human's eventual demise. It is purely imagination of course, I do not brutalise women, but I will enjoy draining her dry of her sweet blood and every single one of her secrets. Very much. It is good to have goals.
Something I have never felt before, but with an echo of a Maker's call, roars through me, snapping me to my feet before I can attempt to contain it.
The vermin cower back as fury pours over me in hot slow waves, like lava.
Apparently the non-human is seeking my attention.
Intolerable. But since our lives are, for the time being, inextricably linked, I cannot risk ignoring her. She will pay for this however, and pay dearly.
"Pam."
"Master." She is at my side in an instant, probably already on her way when she felt my rage.
"I must leave."
"Do I need to be concerned?"
"No. I am still learning my new human, she appears to be in difficulty."
Pam actually smirks. "Master you will soon get the hang of it. Even though you have picked one who will probably always be in one difficulty or another."
"Pam." I warn.
"Enjoy it Master. They are always incredibly grateful if they think you have saved them from something."
I bite back a retort. Better for now that she believes a part of my interest in the non-human is for the pleasures of the flesh.
In the back lot I look around to ensure I am unobserved and take to the skies. Not every vampire is gifted but I have the power of flight. Sophie Anne inspires loyalty in her progeny, they never leave her. One of my old nestmates had limited power of telekinesis. Allegedly The King of Luxemburg can glamour whole crowds and The King of Singapore can ingest human food. Our gifts are random at best. Pam can spend money, I do not agree with her that this is a gift.
It does not take long to reach her decrepit farmhouse in the outskirts of Bon Temps. Thalia is waiting for me at the end of the pockmarked driveway, the main reason why my Corvette will never be coming here.
"Report."
"Master. Your woman." I wince inwardly. "Returned from work early with brown dog."
Thalia can speak any language she learns like a native but perversely insists on mangling whichever one is required.
"Compton came. Did not hear speech. He left. It leaked, nosily. It still leaks. Is waiting for Master on steps."
I incline my head and she blurs away into the trees, sword as tall as she is strapped securely to her back.
Indeed it is leaking I can see as I approach, fury not abated by the sight.
Her blue eyes are huge and red rimmed. Her smooth cheeks stained by dried tear tracks. Her knees are drawn up to her chest and her arms are wrapped tightly around them. Pathetic.
I raise my eyebrow as I stop a few feet in front of her.
"Bill was here."
"I know."
"You have to find him."
"I am not responsible for organising your romantic life." I observe coldly.
"Romance has got nothing to do with it." She snaps, lifting her chin defiantly. I like it when she does that. It shows spirit. "He said you were going to be attacked."
I blink in surprise. Again. Already trying to compute the trap.
"You will tell me everything." I order.
"Yes sir." She growls sarcastically, climbing to her feet and heading inside, tossing my invitation to enter over her shoulder like a bone to a dog.
Deliberately I wait, allowing her several steps inside the house before I surge up behind her, eliciting a small scream of fear.
"Do you have to do that?" She huffs, recovering quickly.
"You will tell me everything." I repeat.
"Yes Eric I will tell you everything." She mimics.
And she does as we regard each other warily across her kitchen table.
Compton is still being economical with the truth it seems but at least one of my suspicions has been confirmed. He expected me to go to the Queen, wanted it even though the consequences for him could have been very severe. Because he thinks whoever else is after the non-human would not risk starting a war by attacking Sophie Anne. But someone else, someone who knew Godric, has already intervened and insisted she be placed under my protection.
Why?
Unfortunately there are many possible answers to that question. None of them good for me, although it does not sound like an attack is imminent.
An oath. His mission from the Queen to procure the non-human.
Blood. His Maker? A Maker's command would ensure he could not reveal information and if that is the case he has been resourceful in finding a way round it. But why? I still do not buy affection for this woman as a reason, despite evidence to the contrary.
If it is a Maker's command torturing him will do nothing but confirm it. But if he is playing another game, possibly it will prove beneficial. The Queen will not object, under the circumstances. And I will certainly enjoy it.
I stand.
"What will you do?" She asks.
"Find Compton, as you instructed me."
"And then?" There is a trace of nervousness in her voice. For an erstwhile lover, or an accomplice?
No matter.
"I will deal with it."
"I don't think this is his fault." She murmurs.
"And?"
"Don't hurt him, please."
"Do you think he will tell me the truth otherwise when he would not tell you?"
She shakes her head.
"Then what would you have me do?" I ask, curious about her response.
"I don't want you to die because of me." She whispers, drawing another unwarranted blink from me. "I don't want anyone else to die because of me."