Chapter 33

SPOV

"Sleep, lover. You need to be strong for me and our sons." After the orgasms I've just had, I'll do anything he tells me to do.

"Mmhmm. I love you. Two more days." I send him.

"And I love you too." I can feel his lips on mine and then everything goes black.

EPOV

Every time we do something like that, I become awestruck again at the creature that is my wife and what she has done to me.

I am lying in the bed of my cell. Since it is still early morning, the only people up are the weres that guard the compound and the human servants. Like Sookie taught me, I throw out my mental net and search for our comrades.

The weres at my door are typical mutts who were easily swayed to do my enemy's bidding for the promise of some V. I make a mental note to report their dealings to Alcide. His pack has been itching to rid the world of his kind that pollutes their bodies with "that shit".

The servants reminded me of Ginger; may her overly-glamoured soul rest in peace. They move about like drones, only pausing in their duties to be at the mercy of the V-addicted weres. At this very moment, there are three women being raped by five such wolves in one of the empty cells down the hall.

I continue searching, looking for anyone that could be hostages. To my surprise, I find them quickly. The mind signatures of three beings scream out as their torture goes on.

I knew I was looking for Cole and Marc, but it is the third that makes me angrier than I already am. Tara Thornton. Her mind is just as broken as her body. They have allowed the wolves guarding them to rape and beat her in front of the two men. From their minds, I see that the things they have witness inflicted on her has diminished any hope they had of freedom.

Marc continues to imagine the same being done to Jessica, the one I met shortly before leaving. Sookie will definitely need to work with him to get his mind back to normal.

Cole, on the other hand, is more accepting of what he views as 'his time to go'. He keeps thinking about a young red-hair girl and how he will never get to be with her since he will die before she comes of age. True to his nature, however, he is also planning ways to kill those who took him and the others before his last breathe.

Now that I know where they are, I will wait until this time tomorrow before I free them. I lie back and wait for the mongrels to finish with Tara before I go to them. They need to know that they have not been forgotten and help has arrived.

SPOV

Knock, knock, knock.

I sit up and wipe the sleep from my eyes. The clock reads 1:45pm. Damn, my husband is good.

I scramble out of bed and hurriedly throw on my robe. I know it is my crew, concerned for how I'm doing since I haven't left our bedroom since before Eric left.

I open the door and let them in without a word. They file in – Jazz, Cassandra, Alice, Bella, Rosalie, Suzie and Rachel. I climb back onto our bed and sit up against the headboard.

"Now you know Eric wouldn't want you to be moping around like some weakling, right?" Jazz asks me.

"Yea, I know. That is what I was doing at first, until he helped me get some sleep. I just woke up." I tell them.

"Well, we are here to drag your ass out of this room, but first we have news." Rosalie adds.

"I'm all ears" I say.

It is Alice who takes the floor. "Ok, so Cassandra, Edward and I have been pooling our sight to find out more about the enemy. We learned that there is a fairy telling these vampires what to do."

"Yea, Breandan. He has been trying to kill me for years since I'm what he sees as an 'abomination'." They are all surprised that I know this already.

"Do you know how he found out about you in the first place?" she asks.

I hadn't ever considered that it was important to know. Then again, I was too busy dodging death. I just shake my head.

"Someone told both him and Niall about you and what you could become. This person showed them your future." Cassandra tells me.

"Wait! How did you three figure this out?"

"That isn't important right now. Let us finish." Alice chides and I stop talking.

"When they found out, they argued about what to do. Breandan immediately wanted your entire family killed to prevent your birth, but Niall told him that you could be controlled. He promised Breandan the throne and you as a mate if he agreed not to do anything." What the…

"Hold on, there's more." Alice says quickly as she looks at Cassandra. They have some sort of silent conversation before continuing.

"Niall was playing Breandan because you are from his blood line. What he didn't count on was for Fintan to find out about all this. Your grandfather used all the power and allies he had to hide you from both of them, but Breandan got wind of what he was doing and had him killed. That is why Niall has turned on Breandan for killing his favorite son." I pop off the bed before any of them can register my movement. I begin to pace.

"So what you are saying is that Niall is only after Breandan now to avenge his son's death. But before that, he gave me and the throne to him?" I am barely containing my rage and I dull all the bonds to prevent anyone from worrying.

They both nod in confirmation. "Who showed them the future?" I ask.

"That's the thing." Alice begins. "We have never seen a being such as this. She…"

"SHE?!" I yell, startling all of them.

"Yes. She has to be some sort of demon. All we know is that she has immense power, but we couldn't see what she looked like."

I continue to pace. This revelation about my dear old great-grandpa is disturbing to say the least. Eric would tell me to be pragmatic and patient, plan my attack so that there is no chance of it failing. And that is exactly what we will do.

Although I believe every word they have told me, there is only one seer I trust above all. And I will see the old gal soon, but there is much to be done here.

"Thanks guys. That explains things I didn't know and will deal with them soon enough. How are we on preparations for when Eric returns with our comrades?" I ask the group, switching gears so that I can calm down.

Rachel, being an experienced witch, gave us the rundown of all the magical tools she has at her disposal. Based on what she's told us, we should be able to heal them without the use of vampire blood.

"Ok, now it's time you blew off some of that steam you're holding before you bust" Jazz tells me as she drapes her arm over my shoulders.

"How do you intend for me to do that?" I inquire.

"Oh, I have the perfect fix" Suzie says, finally joining the conversation, and the maniacal grin on her face tells me that I'm in for some crazy shit.

8:30pm…

EPOV

"Are you ready, Eric?" She asks as the minds of 15 vampires become active. She and I agreed that we would fully connect our minds when I meet with my captors.

"Yes, lover." I reply mentally as I release a slight moan of satisfaction at having her with me. I feel her love and encouragement. I genuinely feel better with her in my mind; the knowledge that she is capable of helping me if the need arises is strengthening, although that would only be in a life-or-death situation. And, this was not that. I am the Viking. Granted that I have many allies, but there are only three that would die for me and two of them are more than capable of actually saving me.

I follow the minds of Tomas and two other vampires to my door. The wolves move out of the way as the door opens. He is dressed a little more casual this evening; simple black slacks, pale blue shirt with a grey blazer. His guards are both dressed in black, typical security uniform.

"Good evening, King Northman. I hope you slept well." His mind is full of excitement as images of me groveling as I surrender flutter by.

"I did. Now, you will take me to speak to your associates." I rise up from the bed and vamp in front of the vampire, committing all of his appearance to both of our memories.

"Right this way" he says as I follow him, the guards at my back, through the mansion. The décor is mostly colonially; perhaps this was once a historic site. I can care less. As we pass the other cells, the hall empties out into the foyer from the side of the double stair cases leading to the upper floors in opposite directions. A single set of stairs, in between the other staircases leads to the lower floors, which is were we are headed. They end at a steel door. I pulled the combination, 6-2-5-3, from both their minds before either of them could input it on the keypad.

The door opens automatically, revealing a stone room. At the far end, there is a male vampire perched in a large throne with two smaller thrones on either side of his. To his left sits a blonde female vampire. I remember seeing her in Cole's mind, so she must be the one who captured him in Las Vegas. To his right, Lucrezia sits. Her eyes widen for just a second before she resumes her bored expression. Her mind is full of fear at how this meeting will go down and if she will be able to keep them from harming me. At least she had not taking our threats lightly.

"She better keep you safe or I may not wait another day to come get you." My wife is so sexy when she goes all possessive on me.

"Patience, my Goddess. Let us see what they have to say." I feel her acceptance of this.

I am escorted to the lone chair that sits facing the trio. The two guards just stare at me as I stand behind the chair. They know that they cannot overpower me to sit since I am a thousand years older. With a sigh of boredom, I sit and strike my 'I-don't-give-a-fuck' pose as I wait for someone to start talking.

"Welcome King Northman to New Mexico. I hope that your trip here was pleasant." There are very few monarchs that I am unfamiliar with, but for some reason I cannot place this man.

"Thank you for your hospitality, your Majesty?" The question earns me an eyebrow raise and shocked glances pass through the room. I sense the flare of anger at this and I love it. Just by looking at this vampire, I know that he is not close to my age and he could not best me in one-on-one combat.

"Yes. I am the King of New Mexico. I am surprised you are not more familiar with me, being the infamous Viking and all." The way he says 'Viking' reveals to me why I am here in his kingdom.

"Are just referred to as the 'King of New Mexico' or do you have a formal name?" He is unable to hide his anger this time, but still does not move from his plush seat.

"As you can imagine, I have had many names over the centuries. However, you should know me as Pippin, although I now use my birth name of Carloman." Why did he have to be a significant figure of my human past? Although he soon became the King of Italy after I was turned, his father would eventually lay waste of my homeland.

"At least we have something in common." He raises an eyebrow in question. "I say that in the sense that we were both kings in our human lives and are now again in our vampire lives." He smirks as he thinks on this.

"Yes, I see your logic and am forced to agree. However, I believe any commonalities end there." I guess we are not going to be civil.

"I guess that would be your prerogative. So, what is so important that you felt the need to kidnap several of my nest mates' humans in order to gain my audience? A simple phone call would have sufficed." He stands now and the two guards move closer to me. While the blonde is on the edge of her seat, excited at the potential violence that may commence, Lucrezia is staring at me wide-eyed. Sookie is also now on edge. I send her calm through our bond which does lessen her anxiety.

"A phone call would not have sufficed for if you were to make the wrong choice, then it would be easier to show you the error of your way if you are here in person." His underlying threat is not loss on either of us. Sookie's anger spikes, but she stays in control. Good girl.

"Simply put, the human race is not capable of governing itself. The same can be said for weres and other species. I am part of the regime that plans to bring control to this failed attempt of individuality. The vampire race is superior; therefore, we should be in charge. You are here because of your reputation as someone who many of our kind will listen to. Although, your background proves that this is an error that I will fix in time. Anyway…I am here to officially offer you terms of surrender that I think are very generous."

I scoot to the edge of my seat. "I will entertain you and hear these 'terms'."

"For starters, you will pledge your fealty and that of all states under your influence to me. In return, we will spare the lives of our hostages as well as all of your nest mates. You will be able to continue being the face for your lowly state, but your chosen monarchs will be ousted in return for their freedom. If you do this, then we may be able to discuss you becoming a spokesman of sorts for our regime." Does he really think I would just give up willing based on the threat of the true death? His mind tells me that he did.

"Well, Carloman, if I can refer to you as such?" He nods and I continue. "The 'terms' you have set forth are very…thought-provoking. I would like a night to think on this as many lives hang in the balance. Will this time be granted to me?" He turns back to his throne. Lucrezia nods in affirmation while the blonde does so in negation.

"I have always seen myself as a merciful ruler, so I will agree to give you time to make the right choice. You will be brought back here at this time tomorrow. It is then that I expect to have your answer." I nod and stand. The guards reluctantly move closer.

As we walk back towards the door, I turn to face him. "Just curious, do you normally feed your guests?" He looks up and grimaces.

"Tomas didn't stock your room? No matter. Yes, I will send up some donors for you to enjoy." He waves his hands and I assume that some unseen servant will bring me dinner.

"Some Tru-Blood would also be greatly appreciated." One of his eyes twitches, a sign that I am working his last nerve.

"Of course." As he fumes, I am escorted back to my cell. It is almost midnight so I need to gather as much information about the upper management before tomorrow night.

As we reach the foyer, I am greeted by the second being on my 'kill list'. The weretiger walks in door as if he owns the place. When our eyes meet, a smug smirk comes across his face. Never one to miss an opportunity to provoke an enemy, I decide to not give him the satisfaction of what he perceives as my imprisonment.

"One moment, gentlemen." I say this as I vamp in front of Quinn, total bypassing my guards as if they are nothing. "I knew this moment would come." I muse and close my eyes, knowing that his end is soon to come. "The moment when I would witness, with my own eyes, the depths of your dishonor; it is as I expected it to be."

"I don't give a fuck about you or your moments. The bottom line is that your moment in the limelight is over. You've pissed off the wrong people and they will see you humiliated before you meet the sun." He is shaking as he talks, the muscles in his chest bulging out.

"Keep dreaming that you will ever be half the man I am and have an ounce of my power. There are reasons I have live a millennium. Just accept the fact that you could never beat me or have what I have. You will not even live to see my death, but know I will be the last thing you see." I turn to see that Carloman, Lucrezia, Tomas and the blonde are watching our exchange.

"I know you will try. Just know that I'll be the last things your whores see." I stop my movement, although I have yet to face him. My face is blank. Just as my rage began to build, I felt her.

"No, my husband. I want us to make an example of him. Do what you came for and come home. We need you." I feel her love and loneliness. I let the feelings she is sending me wash over me like a calming breeze.

I send her my love and face him. "Be careful what you wish for" I tell him as I smile at him, baring my fangs.

Just as his eyes begin to glow yellow, his masters reign him in. "Enough. I will not have my guests fighting in my house. We are not animals. Well, most of us are not." I wave my guards along and we continue our trek.

SPOV

Motherfuckers! I can't believe these people. Images of those vampires crumbling to dust as I rip Quinn's black heart from his chest play in my mind. I must calm down. Eric is almost to his room and I need his undivided attention.

"I am safe, lover." I release a breath I didn't realize I was holding and crawl into the bed.

"I miss you so much. One more day." I feel a combination of things from him at once; love, lust and sadness. "I want you home." I slide under the covers and lie back.

"I love you so much. I will be home soon. Nothing will stop me from claiming you the moment I see you." He tells me this and I feel myself getting wetter.

"Are their cameras in your room?"

"Surprisingly, no." Now I'm feeling naughty.

"No, lover. I know what you are thinking and as much as I want you right now, screaming my name" he hits me with a whooping blast of lust "it would not be safe for you or our children. Just one more day, min Gudinna." I'm panting and can't get my fingers deep enough.

"Lova mig."

"Jag svär det." And I believe him, even without feeling his sincerity and conviction.

Author's Notes:

Day Two with the enemy is almost over. Will Eric be able to free himself and the hostages before all hell breaks lose? How does Sookie feel about the terms of surrender? Find out in the next chapter.

Be kind and send me your Reviews.

Here are the translations for this chapter:

Min Gudinna = my Goddess

Lova mig = Promise me

Jag svär det = I swear it

*The characters in this chapter belong to their respective authors.

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