Chap 17

EPOV

I slept for about six hours. I usually sleep for about 10 on average. I turned my head to my right and beheld the most beautiful thing ever created. Her angelic face was peaceful. I turned to fully face her, moving a strand of her golden, blond hair out of her face. I knew she needed as much rest as possible in order to endure everything that we were about to face. I can not even imagine what may be going on in her mind. Not only did she have to fight for her own life against some assholes who were not content with the power they already had, but she also has to carry our children. Our children. Just the thought of her on the porch of her farmhouse, waddling from the swing to meet me at the top of the stairs, filled with so much joy. As I thought about that wonderful image, she smiled in her sleep.

I blinked out of the bed to the desk, which was across the room. I opened my laptop, entered my passwords and fingerprint scan, and went through my emails. There were 368 messages, so I scanned through them to pick out the ones that needed my immediate attention. I had received emails from all five of my sheriffs, concerned that I had been out of touch and in need of coddling. The only reason why I was going to do it was because I need all of the vampires in my state to be ready for battle. I also thought that this would be a good time to weed out the defectors. Whoever was leading this force against us had to have some moles in place, ready to report our every move once we returned. I also receive a message from Godric. He was finally embracing technology, so most of our non-direct communications were through email. He said that he was going to follow Pam's example and check in on Arkansas. He would return tomorrow night and left Jessica with us. Dammit. I guess I would have to put her on Pam. I was happy in that moment that Pam was a Queen and had her own fortune to burn up instead of mine.

The last email that was of any importance to me was from Sinclair. He said that one of his close allies in Europe had come upon some information that could lead to the identity of our enemy. I quickly replied that we would be there within a few hours. Next I need to have a conference with my sheriffs so I grabbed my cell and the laptop and blinked upstairs.

I sat in my throne and suspended the laptop so I would be comfortable. I sent them all a text to be online in 10 minutes. That was all the time I needed to speak to Pam.

"Master" she said in greeting after picking up on the first ring.

"Pamela. How is Nevada doing this time of year?" I always love the deserts there. Sookie and I go to the hideaway she conjured for us at least once a year.

"Same as usual, filled with sex and money. My two favorite things." And that they were. It didn't take her long to amass a fortune close to my own after her turning. I gave her the tools and she ran with them.

"Sookie and I will be back in Louisiana in a few hours. We need to gather everyone to discuss our next steps. Sinclair may have some useful Intel, so we will need the best scouts from all three states to be in attendance." I said, filling her in.

"Ok. I have met with my sheriffs and gave them orders to start ridding us of dead weight. I want to make sure that if we go Code Red, everyone on our side is loyal" I smiled like a proud father, knowing she could not see it.

"Good. I expect that Godric is doing that now in Arkansas." I said absentmindedly.

"Did Jessica go back with him?" she asked. I could hear the excitement in her voice. Jessica and Pam had the same mindset about spending money, unlike Sookie who lived a frugal life as a human and continued to do so now in many aspects. I have been able to coax her into getting some big-priced things that I knew she wanted, since she would not let me buy them. She was more willing now that she had her own fortune.

"Yes, but I warn you. If we have a repeat of New York, there will be consequences." Three years ago, I took us all to on a family vacation of sorts to the NYC. I made the mistake of letting both of them loose in Fifth Avenue. Needless to say, after a call from the Queen of New York and a trade of some of my favorite Picassos, we had to leave after two nights.

"Yes, Master. I promise to be on my best behavior." She said this sarcastically, but I could feel that she knew I was serious.

"How is our Fairy Queen doing?" she asked. She always had some smart-ass nickname for my wife. But my Sookie did not fret as she would have in the past, but gave it right back. And boy did she know how to hit below the belt.

"She is resting. That reminds me. Call Dr. Ludwig and have her meet us with the others. Tell her that I do not care how much her time costs, but to be there." I was going to need the good doctor's help to make sure Sookie was taken care of properly during the pregnancy until we went to Faery for the birth. We had not spoken of it to anyone, but I knew that we would have to tell the group tonight.

"It's funny how much I miss the former telepath when we are apart." She had no idea. And I said as much. I ended the call, seeing as the 10 minutes were up and logged online to the encrypted video chat room to address my sheriffs. When all five of them were visible, I opened the channel.

"Your Majesty" they greeted in unison.

"Thank you for your promptness. We have a threat against our state and the freedom of our kind en route. Last night, I and my family were attacked in London. I am ordering a mass check on all vampires in the state. You all are to detain and interrogate anyone who you deem as a security threat to yourselves, me, and any in my family. Know that you each were chosen because of the loyalty you showed when I was Sheriff of Area 5. If there are any issues that you have with me, let them be known now. For if I discover any treachery from any, especially from of you, the true death will be a gift I bestow upon you. Am I clear?"

"Yes, your Majesty" they replied again.

"If you come upon any information that could pertain to this matter, contact me immediately. I will be back at the palace in a few hours. You are dismissed." They all bowed their heads and I ended the video feed. I blinked the laptop back to my desk downstairs and just sat there. The speed at which I processed the many scenarios and potential plans of action surprised me. The outcomes were so clear and I knew the best reaction for each. I also found that I had intimate knowledge of beings that could turn out to be part of the threat. Once we get back home, I planned to set our group out to contact their allies to discover the current activities of these individuals.

I was so deep in my thoughts that I did not sense my wife as she crept up on me. When my focus cleared, I opened my eyes to see her kneeling, sitting on her heels, in front of me.

"Do you know how sexy you look when you are glowing?" she asked.

"What do you mean?" I asked, intrigued by her comment.

"Just now, you were glowing with a blue flame. It surrounded your entire body. It was by far the most amazing thing I'd ever seen." She rose to her knees and placed her hands on my legs, gripping my thighs. I immediately started growing hard. She smiled as she noticed this as well.

"It cannot compare to your light. It is like the sun is embodied within you." I said to her as I leaned forward to cup her face. She stretched and met my lips. Her tongue passed my lips, seeking entrance, which would never be denied to her. I had scooted to the edge of the throne in order to cup her plump, round ass, when I was forcible pushed back.

I did not even get a chance to utter a word. She unleashed my manhood and covered it with kisses. My head fell back and a deep, guttural moan escaped me. She used one hand to stroke me as the other cupped and massaged my balls. I looked down at her and reveled in her beauty. Her eyes were closed as she concentrated on her task. Staring into my eyes as her mouth descended onto my shaft, I watched as the twinkle in her eyes grew brighter and spread out behind her sockets. When her lips made contact, I had to grip the arms of the throne. The power of the ecstasy I was feeling was incredible. I was paralyzed with pleasure. It is hard to put into words. She twirled her tongue around me while holding me inside her mouth. The motion made me involuntarily reach for her blond tresses. She began to moan as I rubbed her scalp, my grip on the left arm of the throne caused it to buckle under the pressure. The strokes of her hands and mouth started to increase and I began to glow. It was weird to see my entire right arm alight in an almost neon blue flame. The sight of the stands of her hair intertwined in my fingers initiated my ascension to oblivion. I growled and snarled at her.

I roared into the air as I exploded in her mouth. Her fangs pierced my shaft ever so lightly and I came again. I pulled her head away and my dick popped out, demanding to be inside of her. I snatched her from the floor and slammed her into my throne. Her back hitting the chair almost tipped it back, which is a feat since it was solid gold. Her legs were hanging of its arms.

"You have on too many clothes, lover." I said as I stalked her. I had not bothered putting on anything when I rose, so now I was cocked and reload with plans of returning the amazing experience she just gave me. I kissed and licked all over her body, tasting her skin. I wrapped my hand around her waist to her ass and pulled her up to meet me as I stood before her. I entered her immediately. She inhaled harshly as if she had been under water and was just taking her first breath. She moaned and screamed as I slammed into her again and again. Without stopping, I grabbed her by the throat and kissed her with all the passion and love I feel for her. I tried to show her how thankful I was to have her, so I sent her my feelings through our bond and tapped into her mind.

"You are mine, my love. Eternity is you at my side. Nothing else exists without you. You are my sun." As I spoke to her mentally while staring her down just as she did me, tears began rolling down her cheeks. Her body lit up in a light that was so bright, it hurt. I refused to let it deter me as I continue to ram into her, the throne moving about a foot from its original position.

"Bite me, Eric. Come with me" was her reply in my mind as she screamed my name out loud. I pulled her to my chest and bit into her neck. The only way to describe that moment would be that we became one, but on a higher level. Was this a god-like level? What was happening to us and how will it affect our children? I still don't know the answers, but what was happening right was beyond imagination or comprehension.

As we came together, two unbelievable things occurred. The first was that a beam of light shot out of Sookie's eyes and mouth , covering the ceiling with what looked to be a mixture of the sun's rays and fairy dust. Along with this, two orbs rose out of her mouth, hovering just above our heads. The second was that the force of our orgasm caused me to release her throat and emit blue flames in the same way that she was emitting her light. When my flames were immediately drawn to the orbs and lit them. There was a burst, almost like a miniature explosion, within the orbs and then the retreated back down Sookie's throat.

We collapsed on the floor. When I opened my eyes, she was just doing the same. I was still buried inside of her as she still clung to me. We just stared at each other, panting.

"We have to tell the others about the babies. And we have to do it tonight." I breathed out.

"Yea, I know. Do you have any worries about the reaction we'll get?" she asked in just the same manner.

"No. I care nothing about other's thoughts unless they are against us. I believe that those that await us are loyal and will give their lives to protect us and ours." I meant that with all of my heart. Plus, we would be able to tell if anyone had an issue.

"What about our 'evolution'? That's what I'm calling this. They are going to want to know if there is need to worry. So far, the ladies have been up front and open with me. It would hurt us if we do not do the same." Oh, how the wolf was wrong. He told her that she was becoming more like me, when it was obviously the other way around. I agreed with her, much unlike my high-handed days of old.

"I think that we should give them a scaled-down version of what we have become. Our family will know the truth. That is all that matters." I replied. She kissed me softly. We both knew it was time to return home, so I blinked us to the shower. We washed each other and I noticed that her waist was about an inch and a half wider than before. I remembered what AP told us as to what to expect, so I wasn't alarmed.

Once we were both dry, she conjured our clothing. She thought it would be funny for me to wear my Viking King garb while she wears her Royal Faery robes. I raised an eyebrow at her and she busted into hysterical laughter. She worked her magic again and it was much better. I was dressed in my favorite, black jeans, my Doc Martens, and a black button shirt with my Viking crest on the left breast. My wife decided on a white, strapless dress that hugged her body like a glove with a pair of silver stilettos. Around her neck, she wore a long silver chain with Briggant family crest as the pendant.

I pulled her into my arms, rubbing my hands down her back and over her round ass. With her hands on my chest, she popped us back to farmhouse. I knew it was easier for us to go there, and then go to our home as this was our normal routine. The farmhouse was vacant since she was in between tenants at that the moment. My attention was immediately drawn to the fireplace, the very spot that we started our relationship. She turned my head so that my gaze fell back onto her and she popped us to our home.

It was 9:00pm when we appeared in the foyer of the palace. There were four guards in the foyer at the time, so they immediately dropped to their knees and bowed to us. Waving my hand, they rose and I was given a status report. All of our guests, including Pam and Godric were in the grand conference room. After dismissing them to return to their assigned posts, we made our way to the room.

Pam and Godric were standing outside of the closed doors. When they saw us, they both visibly relaxed. Godric took a couple steps towards us and the three of us looked at each other intently.

"I notice several changes in both of you. Do you see it, Pamela?" he asked my child.

"Yes. Not only can I see it, but I can feel it. I feel stronger than I ever have before." she said astonished.

"As do I, Pamela. And my dearest Sookie, not only has you power changed but there has been a change in you appearance. It is very slight, but it is there." he said, looking her up and down.

We looked at each other. "Should we tell them now or with the others?" she sent to me. I debated and concluded, "With the others. Telling them here, we'll be overheard anyway." I replied. She nodded.

"We will explain some of the changes you both are noticing once we are all gathered." I declared. They both nodded and Pam turned to the doors, throwing them open.

We all entered the room and everyone took their seats. We walked to our seats, Godric and I on the right side of the large mahogany conference table with Sookie and Pam on the left side. Pam and Godric took their seats facing each other at the edge closest to us. I held Sookie's hand as she sat in her board chair and then I took mine.

"Welcome to Louisiana." I began. "I hope that you are all comfortable staying in our various homes. We know that you have many questions; however, there are a couple things that we need to tell you that may provide some of the answers you are seeking." Sookie reached for my hand which I took without looking.

"First, we want you to know that there is no reason for anyone of you to be alarmed by the changes in our appearance." my wife began. "Eric and I have evolved, which is the easiest way to describe it. Because of this, you all have obviously noticed the changes in our eyes and our lights." She paused so that we could gauge everyone's acceptance of her statement. Three hands rose immediately. I looked at her and she nodded, so I pointed to the first raised hand which belonged to Vayl.

"I, like everyone here, has noticed the changes in both of you since we first met in London. Based on my memory, I am curious if your changes are in any way associated with the Gods." Vayl spoke confidently and as non-threatening as possible. His wife, Jazz, sat next to him with their hands joined much like ours.

"Yes, they are. They are associated with the God Odin and the Goddess Freya to be exact" I answered. The next person with a raised hand was the one referred to as Shotgun Suzie. It was hard for me to accept that as her name. There was much about her that reminded me of myself. Her deep distrust for others, her lack of compassion, even the way she hid her true feelings for John. One could tell just by looking at the disfigured side of her face that together, she and John had faced tremendous adversary throughout their relationship. I pointed at her, ready for whatever was to come out of her mouth.

"So...these changes, as you both chose to call them, what are they exactly? I mean, since you two are in a 'sharing' mood." Her tone was condescending and accusing. Yep, just like I was in the old days. John, who rolled his eyes in exasperation much like I do with Pam, spoke next.

"I sincerely apologize for my wife's...attitude. I think I speak for everyone when I say that we greatly appreciate how forthcoming you both are being right now." His usual calm demeanor was in full effect, but his mind was rattled at the possible retaliation her threatening tone may have caused.

"We feel that if we all are to be victorious we must become family. If we are to expect honesty from all of you, why wouldn't we do the same? Perhaps a demonstration would better answer Suzie's question." Sookie looked at me, waiting for my cue to continue and I surprised myself in that I agreed with her.

"I agree, lover. Are you willing to join us over here, Mrs. Taylor?" I asked. Sinclair and Betsy looked at Suzie stunned by their connection in sharing a last name. John leaned over and whispered something to her as he held her hand. She yanked her hand from is grasp.

"Yea, yea, yea." she said as she rose from her seat and marched to the head of the table.

Everyone shifted their chairs so that they were both in full view of what was about to happen and farthest from it at the same time. John also rose and leaned against the wall. In his mind, he was preparing his gift to attack us if we did anything unwanted towards his wife. This brought a smile to both me and Sookie's faces, which he noticed immediately.

Once she was standing in between our chairs, we turned to face her and each other.

"Suzanne Barker-Taylor, we know many things about you." I began. "We know that you are the result of a rape your mother sustained at the hands of stranger on her way home from work. We know that she was on a subway train when she gave birth to you, alone in the train car with no assistance. She did not know that that particular train car had brought her to the Nightside and that is how it was to become your home. We know about your torture at the hands of your brother."

Sookie continued, "We also know of your skills and abilities as the Nightside's most notorious bounty hunter and the many battles you and you husband have survived. And we know how you were disfigured." Suzie's stance had been arrogant and defiant up to this point. When Sookie finished that last sentence, a rage began to build in her that was stronger than either of us had expected. John started to move towards us, but he was cut off by Pam and Godric. Godric laid a hand on his shoulder and gave him a knowing look and he stopped.

"We know the power that you have yet to unlock. The reason you have not come into it is because of your unwillingness to let go of the pain you have suffered at the hands of others. You believe that if you hold onto it, it will make you fight harder and defeat any enemy. Know that this is false. Your husband knows this, but his love for you and willingness to not interfere where you may not want him to do so has allowed you to continue in this way." I said and rose from my seat.

She stared up at me for a moment, and then punched me in the face. My nose shattered, blood oozed down to my lips and I licked it. I tasted different. I raised my power and burst into my blue flame. Sookie's white light took over her as well and she stood in front of Suzie, baring her fangs. I knew my wife was just as amused as I was and did not plan on hurting Suzie, but she was unaware of this. She almost faltered in her defiance, but stood strong.

I placed a hand on Suzie's left shoulder and Sookie did the same with the right. With our combined power, we changed her. I removed the knowledge of pain she felt from everything she had gone through; the physical, emotional, and mental strain of it disappearing as if it had never been. Sookie healed her body of all wounds, whether internal or external. Before everyone's eyes, the bones and muscle of her face contorted under her skin. We lowered our power, returning to our normal state of being. When we took our seats again, everyone in the room marveled at the beautiful, blond bombshell, clad in leather with her signature fully-auto shotgun at her back. As the light and flame retreated from her eyes, Pam and Godric moved and John ran to her side.

"Suzie? Suzie? Are you alright?" he asked her. He was shaking her by the shoulders, trying to rouse her out of the trance she was in. Her eyes focused and she looked at her husband in a way he had never seen. She cupped his face and kissed him. He staggered a little with the force of her affection, but recovered and swept her into his arms. I think we all heard her laugh for the first time.

John escorted her back to their seats. All eyes were locked on Suzie. Me being me, I could not pass up the opportunity to be an asshole. "Now that we've answered your question, can we and the rest of the group stop referring to you as Shotgun Suzie?" I asked nonchalantly.

"I guess. But if you two come to the Nightside, can you please call me that? I have to keep up appearances, you know." We all erupted in laughter. Once it subsided, I looked at the person who had also raised their hand. I was not surprised as I knew he would have something to say about all this. I nodded at him to proceed. In all his military fashion, Raoul rose from his seat to address us.

"With all of your new powers, as well as the powers of everyone in this room, does anyone have any idea as the identity of our enemy? I would like to know where to direct my scouts." Jazz and Dave sat at attention as their 'commander' spoke. He was much like their maker as Godric was mine. He was the one that gave them their powers as they agreed to give their lives to protect all living beings from any threat to its survival.

"I believe that Sinclair may have some information for us in that respect." I said and all eyes turned to him. Betsy shifted in her seat as she did not know what I was talking about and her irritation at this began to rise. He looked at her and they had a telepathic conversation that ended with her giving him a heavy sigh and crossing her arms across her chest.

"My European allies have informed me that a meeting was called amongst all of the monarchs by the EVA. In this meeting, three monarchs presented those in attendance with a plan to take control of the AVL in order to control all of the monarchs in this country. There was no connection provided as to if there were any others in league with these three or if there was any other plan at play."

"And do you know who these three vampires are?" asked Vayl. As if he could read my mind.

"Yes. The individuals were Salome Herod of Austria, Tomas de Mada of Spain, and Lucrezia Borgia of Italy." Sinclair replied. "I am not familiar with them, but my contacts say that they are gaining momentum in their pursuit." I was also not familiar with two of them, but one of the names sounded familiar.

I looked at Pam and used our maker/child bond to get her attention. When we made eye contact, I mentally told her to bring Compton to the palace. I have been keeping him safely hidden from both Sophie-Anne, before her execution, and Sookie. I knew that she planned to find and kill him, but I wanted to be the one to bring him to her feet as tribute. What better way than in celebration of our children. She nodded and left the room.

"One of those names sounds familiar." Vayl said to his wife. She nodded and looked directly at Raoul and her brother. They gave her knowing looks. Something very few beings knew about vampires is that there are quite a few historical and notorious figures in our ranks. The name reminded me of a young girl, who at the hands of her incestuous father and brother, in a desperate situation. She was a good girl, but turned into the most prized bargaining chip for these power-hungry men. Could this be the same girl? Who turned her? What has happened to her over time? I hope that the bastard's computer program will have the answers to these questions.

"I think it's time that we convene and get dinner. Who's up for dancing?" Sookie asked the group. All the women went wild with glee, even former downer-girl, Suzie.

"Well, I guess the majority as spoken." I said. "Vincent!" I bellowed. Within five second, the scrawny vampire who was turned in the 1600s at the ripe age of 18 appeared at my side.

"Bring the cars around front. We're going to Fangtasia." Another 10 minutes, on our way.

Author's Notes:

They have made it home and shared half of their news. Do you what do you think the reaction will be to the new additions?

*All characters in this chapter belong to their respective authors. Thanks to Charlaine Harris for SVM and Alan Ball for TB.

**I OWN NOTHING**