Chapter 31
SPOV
I had to let Eric take a shower by himself. I needed to talk to Pam before he we had to take our own.
"Pam. I love you and you are the closest thing I have to a sister, regardless of me being your 'mom'." She smirks at me and turns to fully face me. "I am going to need you close the next couple of days. We are going to need you." I look into her eyes and mind.
"We are a family – Eric, Godric, you, me and any hybrids you two have. My life belongs to my family." She is staring at me just as fiercely. Before either of us can say another word, we hug.
"And I love you too" she whispers, her cool breathe tickling my ear. I can admit that it causes a twinge of lust to run up my spine, but I blame that one the hormones. We continue to hold each other. I pull her into my mind, as I was already in hers, and we both bask in our love for Eric.
With the connection and the power of our feelings, I begin to engulf both of us in my light. Although I know this is happening and who knows what it will do to us, I just don't care. I love Pam and I know, without a doubt, that she loves and accepts me. I could never imagine us being like this in our 'past'. She was spoiled and I was naïve. She was a vampire. I was a human. If Eric hadn't had feelings for me, it would've been no contest as to who'd win.
Eric separates us by cuddling in between us, so that we're now hugging his head. "My women and my babies…what more can a man ask for?" He kisses her forehead and me on the lips. We rise and head in different directions; me to the bathroom that Eric just vacated and Pam to the one in her room.
I had just pulled my nightie over my head when I feel the naked body of my Adonis pressed against me.
"Don't start. That is why we didn't shower together" I warn him. He steps back and leans against the counter.
"If I can not touch, then I will most certainly watch." I guess I wouldn't need Mari and Kaitlin right now.
One hour later…
We enter to living room to find it filled. I hadn't realized until then how many people have become a part of our lives. They spanned the country – the Cullens from the West Coast, Betsy and Sinclair from Minnesota, Vayl, Jazz and their trust from Ohio, hell that includes John and Suzie from as far as London, and decided that we were important enough to help save the world from Bayou. This is what we are trying to maintain for all. We just have to get rid of the opposition first, and those fuckers aren't playing fair.
All conversation and movement stops as the three of us enter the room. With each of us at his sides, he addresses the room.
"The time has come. For the next three nights, I will infiltrate one of your enemy's strongholds to retrieve our comrades. Once I locate them, I will immediately return them here. We will have your belongings brought here, as I would like the nest together during this time. I will only allow them to hold me the set amount of time."
Everyone's thoughts were examining the plan, picking it apart to ensure there were no loopholes. Before anyone could ask the obvious 'elephant in the room', he continues.
"In the unlikely event that I do not return unharmed, then we will attack. Sookie will be in command. She will know my location. We have all come together because we believe that our efforts are necessary to ensure the future of all. We must prepare for the fight."
They all nod in agreement. With a look to Pam, he signals her to retrieve our prisoner and prepare to leave. She disappears. Moments later, Vayl and Bergman approach.
"Eric, Bergman has something for you."
"Ok. To give the short-hand version, this little thing is multipurpose communicator. It records video and audio. It's also undetectable by anything as of right now." The actual device looked like a mole that had been ripped off someone's face. I guess that is the point. I took the fake mole, balancing it on my finger tip and I look at my husband's beautiful face. I put under his right ear. That way, anyone we was familiar with him would realize something foreign on his face. He gives me a chaste kiss in return.
"I thank you both. Record everything. I will present it to the Council when the time is right." Both men wished him luck and walked away. We turned towards the foyer and slowly headed that way, hand in hand. Instead of the two guards that usually man the door, Sinclair and John were waiting.
"I hate to intrude on your quality time with each other, but Elizabeth wants to be there. She is very…committed to seeing the end of this particular vampire." Although he was asking on her behalf, he thought he knew the answer already.
"Of course, we understand. Tell Betsy that she can ride with us" Eric told him. They shook hands, Sinclair telling him to hurry back.
"I told you that you would not regret venturing out of the Nightside. Was I wrong?" Eric asks.
"No, you were right. I don't like this part, but it is what must be done. You do remember my gift, yes?" John replies. Normally, I would have been able to pick it out of his mind, but he was the only one in our nest that gave made me reading him most difficult.
"Yes, I remember. Sookie will let you know what I need. Until then, my friend…" they grasp each other's hand "…watches over my family and our nest. I will return soon." John nods and walks off back to the living room to find Suzie.
We walk out the front door; two black SUVs are waiting for us. The first one was for us while the second was to transport our prisoner. He holds my hand and helps me into the vehicle, Pam and Betsy already seated. Minutes later, we're on the road. The silence was heavy. We all sat there, trying our best not to stare at Eric. He is our sacrificial lamb.
"I am sitting in a SUV with three of the most beautiful women in the world and you are all sad. I will be back in a couple of days." He tries to lighten our moods, but we are women. Something as serious as this can't be overshadowed by a joke.
"Eric…that's still sounds weird…anyway, you are officially my hero. You are willingly doing this and have the nerve to be concerned with our happiness? Sookie, you are truly blessed." She looks directly at me as she says that last part.
"I know it. And I will make sure he comes home." I retort.
"Betsy, please stay close to my love. She will need strong women by her side. Otherwise, I fear her wrath may affect the outcome of this mission." I wish I could have argued with him, but I know he is right. I have to learn control over my emotions. I'm happy none of them know what's going on in my mind. I need to take in the precious moments with him, so I just stare at him as he talks to Betsy and Pam.
"We'll be like conjoined twins. I do need a favor though…" she pauses waiting for his cue to continue.
"Ask away."
"Save de Mada for me. He took Marc. I will not let that slide. If he'd taken my Jess, then not even your wife could stop me from going berserk." Everything about her body language said that she was deadly serious.
"I like you a little more with each encounter." Pam says this as they both remember she is there.
"I know. It's a gift" Betsy says cockily.
"And ballsy? Are you sure you are happy with your current sexual orientation?" My Pammy, always the sex fiend.
"I'm beyond sure. But if I ever get the urge, I'll make sure to think of you first." Their laughter is heart-warming, like an audible hug. However, I just can't relax. I love him with everything that I am or will become. And now we are taking him to the drop-off location for him to surrender. I look out the window and realize we are about 15 minutes away. There's one more thing I have to do before we stop.
I throw out my mental net and register that Lucrezia is in the back of the second vehicle, two guards sitting across from her. The bitch has the nerve to be smiling, confident that their plan was going smoothly. It was the same vibe I got from her on when watching her on the rock face.
"I'll be right back." I tell the three of them and I pop next to the prisoner.
EPOV
"Holy shit! That is so awesome. That power would have saved so much of my wardrobe, especially my shoes." May the Gods protect me if I am ever caught in a shopping expedition, I do not think I could survive it.
Before I can say as much, Pam hears mention of her said addiction and they are now engrossed in deep discussion about designers. While they are distracted, I open and push on Sookie's. She has dimmed the bond, but I cannot be angry. At least she did shut it off.
She allows me entrance without hesitation.
SPOV
I materialize with that familiar POP in the seat next to Lucrezia. The guards were startled for a second, and then bow their heads in greeting. I acknowledge them with a smile and a nod, but I now must make this quick so my attention is immediately drawn back to her.
Her reaction to my arrival spoke volumes. She vamped back into the door, a slight trembling takes over her body.
"Oh, you must have thought I was joking." I used my psychokinetic power to squeeze her throat and crippling her mind. I made sure that she is still capable of thinking clearly. I scoot closer and run my fingers in between her breasts. Her eyes begin to rim red with tears of fear.
"I know everything you know and a little more about the outcome of this. War. Destruction. It will not just be a race, but everyone. You have chosen which side you are on. I am here to tell you that you picked wrong. And now you have no choice. I claim you as my slave for your crimes against this realm. You will watch and protect Eric or you will meet the true death. I've already explained that to you. Do you remember?" I loosen my hold on her throat and she nods adamantly. Good.
"When he instructs you to do something, you do it. The punishment for non-compliance is the true death. Do you understand?" She nods again, tears running down her porcelain cheeks.
"You will heal any of our nest mates' injuries at the hands of you and the rest of those motherfuckers. The punishment for non-compliance is the true death. Do you understand?" She responds appropriately, both in mind and body.
I release her and straighten my clothes. I nod to the guards who were silent the entire time. They bow their heads again and I return to my husband.
EPOV
She appears next to me again and I am frozen. I still cannot believe that she is mine. The most beautiful smile spreads across her face; my undead heart beats again in this moment. As we stare into each other's eyes, we have no need to speak out loud.
"Do you know how much I love you?" I say in her mind.
"Yes. It equals my love for you. You are my everything. There is no universe without you" she tells me. I snatch to my chest and claim her lips. She is life, my life. I am nothing without her. I must make this trip shorter than three days.
As we taste each other, I send all my love to our children. I feel the bond grow and blaze with love, it is like nirvana. Sookie gives herself over to our combined love for her. I can even feel her spirit sending me love. The power of the four of us together is unimaginable. I never fathomed that this type of force could exist.
In that moment, Sookie's fears and doubt over my departure dissolves. There is no doubt in any of us that I will return of my own volition. We pull back at the same time. We also remember that we are not alone in the car and the fact that we have stopped outside of the Lafayette Cemetery entrance.
Pam and Betsy have watched our interaction. Their minds replay what they witness; Sookie and me staring at each other silently, then me pulling her forcible to me and kissing her deeply. To my surprise, Sookie's stomach begins glowing like a rainbow, spiraling light in every possible shade. I pull out of their minds.
"Let's do this" Sookie says. Rasul and Karedon exit the front of the vehicle and each takes one of our doors, opening them simultaneously. Sookie and I exit on the curbside, Pam and Betsy in the street. The both vamp in front of us.
I hold my wife in my arms and revel in the feeling of being whole. "Three days" I tell her in a voice I know only she would hear.
"Three days" she replies and cups my face. "Be safe. And come home, my love." She kisses me sweetly.
I deepen it for just a couple of seconds before I release her. Karedon reopens the car door and Sookie get in. Before the door closes, I vamp within inches of her face, "I love you my wife."
"And I love you my husband." And with a quick peck on the lips, I close the door to rejoin Pam and Betsy.
Author's Notes:
Thoughts?
*The characters in this chapter belong to their respective authors.
**I OWN NOTHING**