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Chapter 22
EPOV
I wake from my day rest and a fond smile stretches over my face as I see Godric and Sookie standing across the bedroom, apparently trying to decide what to wear for this evening's meeting. It all seems so fucking domestic and frankly…adorable. For a moment, I let myself forget all about the immediate threats against us and just lay watching whilst enjoying the closeness of my two, dearest loves.
"You need to be getting dressed too, Viking," Sookie informs me then, turning to lift a brow at me as she holds a shirt up against Godric's chest.
"I don't know, Lover, I think we'd turn more heads if we chose to forgo such formalities," I tease before standing up from the bed in all my nude glory, waggling my brows at my love to bring a snort of amusement from her.
"Eric certainly makes an excellent point, my beloved," Godric teases along with me, making Sookie look back and forth between us with an indulgent smirk. "Besides, I rather prefer having you free of such binding accruements," he adds, tugging lightly at her bra strap to bring a light giggle from our love.
"What ever am I to do with the two of you?" she asks then, shaking her head at us with a small sigh.
"I can certainly think of a few, rather salacious things you could do with the both of us, Lover," I lean down to breathe against her ear, feeling a tremor of desire run through her slight form as her lusts spike through the bond.
"A tempting offer," she answers back throatily, looking up to me with a small smirk. "How 'bout I promise you a raincheck that you can trade in once we get this meeting out of the way?" she suggests as I'm left having to agree with her, knowing just how important this impending meeting is.
"Oh, alright, but don't think I won't be cashing in that raincheck just as soon as this meeting is dismissed," I warn her with a smug grin, earning a grin from her.
"You're on, Viking," she replies with a wink, bringing matching chuckles from both Godric and I before she dresses the three of us in matching, gray colored apparel, apparently wanting to present a unified front to the others, which I suppose, isn't the worst idea in the world, especially given the rather tense nature of the local groups temporary truce.
"Shall we?" Godric soon questions, holding his arm out to our love once we're all dressed and ready for this evening's festivities. Sookie grins at him, looping her arm through his and I proceed to hold my own arm out for her before the three of us are making our way through the house together, each intent on seeing this meeting through to ensure we're able to move on to much more enjoyable activities.
The three of us take my convertible, soon coming to the already packed parking lot of the bar as the bond between us is heavy with grim resolve, all of us equally determined to see this threat neutralized swiftly. Godric and I each take one of Sookie's hands firmly in grip before we're making our way to the backdoor together and step inside the rather tense environment held within.
"Sookie!" is called out in chorus before a group of weres, along with the weretiger, are all rushing towards our love, putting both Godric and I on tense edge as the group proceeds to carefully look over her healed injuries with excited grins.
"I'm fine guys, really, Eric and Godric took good care of me," she assures them, sending her affections through the bond to the both of us before the lot of shapeshifters are looking between my Maker and I curiously.
"Right, of course," Alcide says, looking to us with a grin. "Thank you for taking such good care of Sookie for us. I don't know what the pack would ever do without her," he adds, grinning to our love before a grim visage comes over the Alpha's face. "You heard about Debbie?" he questions softly then, earning a small nod from Sookie.
"Yeah, Ames told me about her dismissal this morning," she answers as Godric looks up to me in puzzlement, apparently just as confused as I about this bit of news. "Thanks for taking care of her Alcide," she tells him as realization sets in. This Debbie must be the one responsible for our love's attack.
"You mean to tell me the were responsible for such a grievous blood offense to our bonded still fucking lives?" I growl out furiously, staring daggers at the Alpha as Sookie looks up to me with a small frown whilst sending waves of calm through the bond that do very little to quell my current ire.
"She's been abjured from the pack, Northman," the proud Alpha informs me, resolutely standing his ground as his broad shoulders set firmly. "Should she so much as return to the state of Louisiana, her life will be forfeit," he insists as I feel both Godric and Sookie working together to send me just as much serenity as possible through our shared bonds.
"Fucking right it will be," I grit out, meeting Sookie's pleading gaze before I'm working to calm myself, having to push down on my building rage before nodding to her. As much as I hate knowing this threat against my love has yet to be properly dispatched, so much more is at stake at this perilous time.
"Thank you for taking care of this matter, Alpha," Godric tells him then, nodding to the were respectively as I proceed to begrudgingly send him a nod as well, needing to smooth things between us, at least for the time.
"Well then, sounds like a round of drinks is in order," Pam sounds from the bar, calling everyone's attention to her smirking face as she and the rest of the Fangtasia staff begin pouring a variety of beverages out over the bar.
"Yes, of course," I agree, sending a grin to my child. "Please, help yourselves," I encourage, glancing at the assortment of supernatural groups, trying my very best to portray the benevolent host. I at least manage to earn a fond smile from my Sookie as she squeezes my hand encouragingly, which is more than enough for me.
"Thank you," she whispers softly, effectively curbing the remainder of my ire before I lean down to press a soft kiss to her temple.
SPOV
I grin up at Eric, thankful he's obviously trying his best to quell his anger about the whole Debbie Pelt debacle and hope we can just put all this unpleasantness behind us for the time. I then proceed to make my way to the bar, intent on greeting the collective assembly.
"Miss Stackhouse," Calvin greets with a genuine smile, his panthers packed tightly around him as they gaze around the bar a bit nervously. "Seems you were right about putting up a strong front against this coven," he muses with a friendly smile before he's glancing over the packed bar that's filled to the brim with our mutual allies.
"I'm just glad everyone was willing to work with us, I appreciate your support, Calvin," I assure him, sending kind smiles to his pack as well.
"Of course, you've proved yourself a loyal asset to my pack, it's the least I could do," he replies with a small smile that I return before he nods to both my vampires and proceeds to lead his packmembers back to their table.
"You've certainly managed to accrue an interesting support base, dear one," Godric whispers, glancing over the collection of demons, witches, as well as the variety of shapeshifters and vampires that are all commingling throughout the darkly lit bar. I give him a small smirk, nodding my agreement before a grin stretches over my face, seeing a most pleasant sight before me.
Maria-Star is standing proudly beside Alcide now, her arm wrapped possessively around his waist and when she turns to wave at me with a shining smile, I have to earnestly return the sentiment. It would seem the benevolent were was a decent fighter after all and at least now I know my were friend finally has a decent woman by his side.
My vampires pull out a stool for me before each taking a seat at either side of me at the bar and soon enough, the collective groups are all settled with their beverages of choice, the earlier tension seeming to be mostly forgotten. Amelia approaches the three of us then, walking closer whilst clutching a large, cylindrical tube under one arm as she grins at me.
"Watchya got there, Ames?" I question inquiringly before she's pulling what look to be blue prints of some kind from the long cylinder. She proceeds to lay the documents out over the bar and my vampires and I begin looking them over curiously together before I hear my witchy bestie calling the surrounding groups to attention.
"Alright, people," she calls out, quickly becoming the central focus of the room. "We're all here tonight because in one way or another, we've all been threatened by this coven that's intent on taking over our town, something that's not about to happen, not so long as we have anything to say about it," she claims with a small smirk, earning low chuckles from the room.
"So what's the plan? We just storm in and start kicking some witch ass?" calls out one of Alcide's wolves. Amelia just grins, shaking her head before motioning for Octavia, her kindly witch mentor, to join her.
"An interesting plan, to be sure, but, unfortunately, it won't be quite that easy," she sighs out, glancing to the overly excited were. "Hallow's coven has managed to put up some pretty rigorous barrier spells around their hideout. But worry not, people, we've got a coven of our very own that will work to bring them down," she says, grinning over to her magical advisor who nods her agreement.
"Myself, along with my coven, will certainly have no trouble bringing down these barriers," Octavia assures us. "And once we've succeeded in bringing down the barriers, we will work to counteract any spells of our enemies once the battle ensues," she explains, earning low murmuring from the gathered horde, who seem to be in agreement of this plan.
"Well, this is certainly going better than I expected it might," Amelia whispers to me with a small smirk as I nod my agreement, a wave of relief washing over me as I realize this threat is likely to be neutralized quite quickly and efficiently. Slow clapping sounds from the back of the bar then and as we turn to find the source, I quickly realize we spoke only moments too soon.
"A very well thought out plan, it would almost work too, though you seem to have forgotten one, very important detail," sounds from a dark, robed figure as her identically hooded cohorts begin filling in behind her, proceeding to line themselves up along the far wall of the bar. Our own gathered troops are on their feet in an instant, all poised for an impending attack as the robed intruders begin cackling eerily, managing to send prickling waves over my flesh. Shit, this can't be good.
"Hallow," Eric grits out as the apparent leader steps forward. She pulls back her dark hood then, revealing a rather homely looking face before she sends a smug grin to the incensed Viking. So this is the witch, this Hallow woman who's intent on taking over our town. Great, just freaking fantastic.
"Northman," she greets with a smirk. I hear Octavia and her coven beginning to whisper lowly then, apparently working to put an end to this fight before it has a chance to begin and a flair of hope sparks within me before Hallow turns to hit the opposing coven with a death glare. She abruptly snaps her fingers then and I'm left gaping in shock as colorful blurs begin streaking across the bar. Oh, holy shit.
Eric's collected revenue of vampires are apparently being coerced by Hallow's covens' hypnotizing power somehow, each now having a leader of our allied groups held securely by their throats throughout the room. My heart is pounding in fear seeing our vampires all snarling viciously and seemingly mindlessly as the coven's eerie laughter is rising up around us once more.
I knew witches were a real threat to vampires, but never did I think they could wield this much power over the undead. I can hardly fathom how these powerful magics are somehow capable of turning our loyal allies into mindless, growling beasts that now look as though they wouldn't hesitate even a moment before snapping the necks of each of the groups' leaders, seeming to need only a slight bit of prompting to do just that.
"One more word, witch, and you die along with all your little friends," Hallow grits out, raising a brow at Octavia, as if challenging her to test her grave threat. An obviously terrified Octavia, who's now being held firmly by the throat by a growling Thalia, presses her mouth shut in a grim line, effectively silencing her own, fearful coven.
"What do you want, witch?" Eric growls out menacingly as both my vampires proceed to stand before me protectively, both seeming to be unaffected by the witches power, at least for now.
"I believe I already told you our intentions for your town, Northman," the witch purrs confidently as both my vampires begin growling low. More malicious laughter rises from the ever confident witch, as she's apparently completely unfazed by my ancient loves' threat. "Though, I must say, I'm rather surprised to see the lot of you here, all working together like this. It's actually kind of…sweet," she muses mockingly as I find myself gritting my teeth in ire. What a bitch!
"You have our attention, witch, now state your demands," Godric growls out as a wide grin stretches over the witch's plain face.
"In all honesty, we had come here tonight in hopes of renegotiating our terms," she explains, tilting her head thoughtfully. "And now, seeing as your ally's lives are all at stake, it would seem you're left with a rather easy decision to make," she muses, raking an appreciative gaze over Eric as her dark eyes twinkle in delight.
"I'm tired of your games, you fucking were-bitch, just spit it out already. What the fuck do you want?" Eric challenges irritably, bringing another round of laughter from the cloaked coven.
"Such a temper," she mocks, tsking lightly and shaking her head as Eric's fangs shoot down in rage. Godric and I each place a hand upon him then, once more sending our temperamental love waves of calm as the witch begins stepping closer. "I'd ask that you…entertain both myself, along with my coven, for seven consecutive nights. Do this and all your associates will be left in peace," she claims as a building anger wells between the three of us, flooding our shared bonds.
"No fucking way, bitch," Eric spits out as a smug grin comes over Hallow's gaunt face. She snaps her fingers once more and I'm left gasping harshly for breath as Eric's large hand is suddenly gripped tightly around my throat. "Sookie," he whispers fearfully, his eyes bulging in fear as I feel him inwardly struggling against the witch's commands, albeit in vain.
"Like I said, Northman, you're left with a rather easy decision to make," Hallow leans closer to purr into Eric's ear whilst rubbing herself along his side. Stars are clouding my vision now and I fear I'm close to passing out from lack of oxygen as I meet the rueful, cobalt gaze of my love. "Come with us willingly or your girlfriend here, along with all the others, will pay the consequence," she threatens before my Viking's golden head falls in defeat.
"Eric," Godric whispers pleadingly as his emerald eyes shine in fear, both for his child and myself as I feel his combating emotions flowing through my oxygen deprived body.
"Fine," Eric whispers. "Let Sookie and the others go free and I'll willingly go," he agrees before his grip loosens and I'm left wheezing for breath. Godric takes me into his arms, leaving me heaving for air as my soulmate holds me close. I look back up just in time to see a triumphant smile stretching over Hallow's face and want for nothing more than to slap that look off her fucking face.
"Come, vampire, we've only a week to enjoy your notoriously pleasurable company," she purrs, curling her finger at the prideful Viking. I try to pull from Godric's arms, intent on arguing with the witch before Eric turns to me. Obvious pleading is shining in his beautiful, cobalt eyes as he shakes his head at me and the message is clear. We can't win this fight, not without losing many lives in turn.
"He is doing this for you, my love, and for myself as well," Godric whispers softly as hot tears are welling within my eyes. "Our Eric is a brave and valiant warrior; we must trust that he will not be broken by these adversaries," my soulmate consoles soothingly, holding me tightly in his embrace as I watch my second love being slowly led away by the group of robed witches.
"Eric," I whisper sorrowfully through my tears before my brave vampire turns back to give me a soft smile. "I love you," I assure him, earning a small nod from him as I push every ounce of love I hold for him through our shared bond.
"And I you, my Sookie," he replies, sending the extent of his affections to both Godric and myself in return. "Take care of one another and know that I shall return to you soon," he assures us, once more being led towards the exit. I watch his towering form disappear from sight and my heart silently breaks for my beloved.
AN: I know, I know, Poor Eric! But know that I have a plan! Worry not for our Viking!