Spellbound

Thank you all so much for reading and reviewing. I apologize that some of the readers didn't get the update that I was going to change the name of the story. Forgive my slight but hopefully you've found the story and you continue to read. Thank ya'll for your time. I hope that you enjoy.

As Eric drove to his meeting with André, he thought of why the vampire needed to see him so urgently. André has had very little contact with the council members or others in the vampire community since his bout with silver poisoning. He's stayed hidden because the poison has weakened him; almost beyond repair. From what Eric has heard, André's skin is gray and it's more than obvious that he's not doing very well. His walk is stooped and he's not the same vampire that he once was. He has been adamant about no one on the council seeing him in such a deteriorating state but now he's requesting to see Eric? André has always worked very hard to keep his position and his presence strong and now there's something so awful that he can't risk involving the other council members but he can see Eric.

Why?

It was something that he and Sookie discussed this earlier tonight as they showered.

"I don't understand why he didn't speak with Sophie Ann about the reasons we need to be in New Orleans. She's his second. She's supposed to be able to handle anything that comes their way," Eric said as he washed Sookie's back. "Why me? Of all of the vampires that are at a higher rank than I am, why me?"

"I know. What is he up to?" Sookie asked. "He has sheriffs and lieutenants. They can do his bidding. There is absolutely no reason at all why he should have to call you. I don't trust this, Eric." She shook her head no. "I don't trust this at all."

He kissed away the beads of water on her back before answering. "Everything's going to be fine, lover." He didn't believe that for one second. André has never needed anyone else to handle his affairs; not even his sheriffs and lieutenants. He has always prided himself on being able to handle any and everything that comes his way.

Since coming from Paris many, many centuries ago, André has made a very powerful vampire of himself. Upon his arrival, he claimed many American territories and at the time, he didn't have to stake claim to any of the areas that he'd taken as his own. There was no one to fight him. Once he'd taken what he wanted, he gave his most trusted vampires positions of power in the territories throughout America but he made sure not to give them too much power. To be sure of that, he established what is formerly known as The Authority; most commonly known as the council. For centuries he had complete control. He was the voice of all vampires; that is until there was an uprising.

His most trusted vampires, ones that he gave seats to on the council, were killing one another for control of the most fertile territories and taking what they wanted. Children were being made without regard to the vampire laws. They were then being abandoned and left to fend for themselves. Before they were known to exist, baby vampires were killing humans for fucking and food. And because André was too busy worrying about his territories and all that he could possibly lose, law and order no longer existed. It took him some time for him to realize that he could no longer do it alone. It took the death of his maker for him to ask for help.

That is when he contacted the AP. She is the oldest and the most respected of all vampires. André's most trusted vampires were soon replaced with knowledgeable and respectable vampires; vampires that are no nonsense and rule with an iron fist. She took hold and gave seats to vampires that feared and despised dishonor. Many were glad to see her in the position of power because she's fair. She changed the way the council works. One vampire no longer decided the fate of the entire American vampire coalition. The laws that were put before the board were voted on.

And before any laws are passed, they have to go through André, the AP, Russell Edgington, Bartlett Crowe, and Cyndee Danvers. No children can be made without a request being put in. If a new vampire was left alone, their maker was killed … right along with the baby vampire; unless an elder decides to take the baby as their own. Humans could not be fed from without their permission; before or after the vampires were known to exist. A king and/or queen were assigned to each state and the laws were to be followed to the letter. The AP did not and does not tolerate disobedience. It was also her idea to improve relationships with other races. Unlike André, she could see the benefit in them coexisting and working together. André did all that he could to shoot that idea down but because the AP had the backing of the other members of the council, the idea came to pass.

Though vampires are the only ones on the council, other supes can come to them if they need help or protection. The AP decided that if they are to thrive as the superior race, they needed to work together. From that day on, they did and they flourished. They all flourished. Because of the council members; especially the AP, the contract with the faeries was accepted.

They are allowed to live in peace with each other. There will be no feeding from faeries without their permission. There would be no more vampire or faery wars. No faery could kill vampires for sport. They couldn't slip into their chambers and kill them as they died the day away. Vampires could no longer drain faeries for food. They could no longer fuck them to complete exhaustion thus leading to their deaths. The marriage between the vampire and the fae made it possible for all of them to live together in the human realm without fear for their lives. The idea of Eric and Sookie representing all races with the human government was the AP's doing as well. The united front of a vampire and a fae made for good publicity in their world. That's what she said so that's what the others believed. The rest was history.

Before he realized it, Eric was in front of André's house. He stepped from the car and he looked as handsome and as elegant as ever. Sookie selected a navy blue suit with a starch white shirt and paisley print tie. She beamed from ear to ear when she stood back and admired her husband.

"Nothing says power like a sharply dressed man," she said. "Plus, you need to look like the leader that you are. André won't see it that way. He's too egotistical. He'll believe that you're trying to impress him. Arrogance will be the death of him."

Eric smiled.

Sookie then said, "I shall call you Arrogance." She kissed him and sent him on his way.

A smirk played across his mouth as he thought of her; Eric stood tall and proud. He wanted André to feel smug and arrogant. He wanted André to think that he'd keep his seat on the council. He didn't want André to fear him; to know what they were up to. As far as he and Sookie were concerned, André had to believe that in their eyes, he is and will always be a very powerful vampire.

As he walked along the walkway, his musings were interrupted when a female vampire suddenly appeared at his side as he walked past the grove of magnolia trees. She closed her eyes and inhaled. "You smell absolutely divine." She began looking around. "Is this what she always smells like? She smells so sweet. Where is she? Where is the faery princess? I heard that she was coming. Will she be joining us this evening?"

Eric studied the vampire. He had never seen her before. She was a baby. It was possible that she hasn't been educated on how to address him or his wife. It was possible that she didn't realize that speaking of Sookie in any manner could lead to a very painful punishment.

After staring at her for a few seconds longer, Eric decided that she didn't know any better but he would make sure that she'd know for future references. "How old are you?" he asked her.

"I'm 18 in human years but 6 months old as a vampire. My maker dropped me off here and she never came back. She was supposed to come back for me after she was done hunting but," she said as she ended with a shrug. "André has been letting me stay here with him."

He nodded. "Do you want to live longer than your 6 months?"

She looked at him wide eyed and fearful. Her head bobbed up and down.

"Don't concern yourself with my wife."

She continued to bob her head up and down.

"Jade, you fucking idiot, return to your post at once," Kenden replied.

She bowed to Eric and scurried away.

"Sorry, Eric," he replied. "She's new. If I ever find the fucking idiot that turned her, I'm going to stake her myself."

"I can end her for you if you prefer," Eric offered as he pointed in the direction of Jade.

Kenden sniggered. "I've wanted to do that for quite some time but André is partial to her. He says that there's something about her but you won't have to end her. I fear that she won't be with us too much longer. She's not very … shall we say, bright? If I didn't call her in from the dawn, she would surely meet the sun."

Eric laughed as he continued to walk away.

"The old man's waiting for you," Kenden called after him. "The backdoor's open."

Eric walked into André's home through the backdoor. When he entered, the younger vampires recognized him immediately and bowed to him as they stepped out of his way. He walked past the many vampires that were scattered throughout. Eric shook his head as he glanced at each of the vampires. All of them are underlings … no power, no strength. They had nothing to offer a vampire of André's stature. He never understood why André surrounded himself with weaklings.

"He sees you as a threat, my dearest love. Be careful of him." Sookie's voice echoed in his mind.

He knew that she was right. Eric knew that it was his strength, his intelligence, and his power that made him the obvious choice to marry the faery princess. His qualities were also the reason for André's hasty summons. Whatever it was that André needed, he can surely guarantee that it wasn't going to be good.

As Eric walked down the hall to André's office, a young vampire emerged from the crowd of underlings and stared him down. He wasn't has weak as the others but he was no match for the Viking. The underling was doing his best to look intimidating, aggressive.

Without hesitation or consideration to the younger vampire's feelings, Eric looked into his underling's eyes and laughed at him. The laugh brought forth anger and humiliation in the young vampire's eyes; especially when his fellow vampires chuckled right along with Eric. He continued to buck up at Eric; doing everything in his power to appear just as threatening and as deadly as the elder vampire. Eric continued to laugh.

The underling shoved himself into Eric's space as a growl built into his chest.

With a frightening smile on his face, Eric stepped in closer; towering over the vampire. "You wouldn't survive it."

The underling could see the promise of death in Eric's eyes. The growl dissipated and his posture went from strong and confident to cowering and unsure. Eric's fangs were drawn and he was ready to kill but because he wasn't the master of the house, he couldn't kill the underling unless the underling made physical contact first.

When he realized the underling wasn't going to do anything, Eric left him with a warning. "Recognize your betters, boy and know your place. I promise you this; the next time you won't be so lucky."

"Eric!" Gervais called out. "How are you?"

"I am well, old friend." Staring at the underling, Eric added, "I see that André has taken to surrounding himself with idiots that have a death wish."

Gervais laughed. He stood by Eric and said, "You see that, too." He looked at the underling and shook his head. "Compton, what are you doing here? Get the fuck out of here and find something better to do with your ineffectual self."

Compton continued to stare at Eric as he did as Gervais ordered. Eric could see that danger lurked behind the dead eyes of the vampire. He watched the underling until he had disappeared around the corner.

"André's waiting for you. He's in his office."

"I've heard."

"Tell me," Gervais started. "What did that wife of yours say to André last night? He has been pissed off since she called him."

Eric beamed with pride. "My beloved reminded him of the contract. She told him that I'm not to meet with him without her. Sookie was quite vocal with André; to say the least."

Gervais stopped walking and proceeded to look around. He returned his attention back to Eric and asked, "Am I missing something? She's not with you so you are meeting with him alone."

Eric shrugged; unconcerned. "He's in his office, you say?"

Gervais' normally emotionless face was now in a frown. "Where is she?"

Eric ignored Gervais' comment and slapped him on the back as they walked to André's office, Eric got right down to business. "What's going on here? Why did André call me in the middle of the night to handle a problem that you could've handled? Does this impromptu visit have anything to do with the missing humans?"

Gervais raised an eyebrow. "I can honestly say that I have no idea. Since the silver poisoning, he hasn't been the same." The vampire shook his head. "Something isn't right with him anymore, Eric. He's up to something." He barely spoke above a whisper.

Before Eric could respond to Gervais, he heard his name being called.

"Eric." André appeared in the doorway of his office.

"André."

Gervais took that as his queue to walk away.

He gave Eric an insincere smile when he saw that he was alone. "Where's Sookie?"

"She's in New Orleans. She's with me."

"I see," André said. "It's always a pleasure to see you."

Fucking liar, Eric thought.

It also didn't go unnoticed that André's voice isn't as weak as it has been. He even had a little more color in his cheeks. The grey tint to his skin was almost gone. He was still suffering from the effects of the silver poisoning but he looked quite healthy.

Stepping aside, André ushered Eric into his office. "Please have a seat."

Eric walked to the chair in front of André's desk.

After closing the office door, André asked, "Where in New Orleans is she? I expected her to come with you. She gave me such shit last night; it surprises me that she isn't here." He closed his eyes and inhaled. "Her scent is quite strong. I can only guess you've enjoyed the pleasures that she offers you before coming to meet with me. Is that what she had planned for the two of you … a sharing of the flesh … a quick fuck?" he asked vulgarly.

"Be careful of your words, André. She is my wife."

André looked intrigued. "Are you threatening me, Northman?"

"I've never threatened anyone in my life," Eric replied calmly but with a hint of anger. "But be mindful of how you speak of her."

André walked to the leather couch and sat down. "It was only yesterday that you couldn't stand to be in her presence. What has changed, Northman? Has the faery princess weakened the murderous and cunning Viking? Has she altered your mind?" With a smirk on his face, he asked, "I'd bet everything that I have that you're addicted to that sweet faery blood and that even sweeter faery pussy. You were the first, weren't you?"

Before responding as the possessive vampire that he is, Eric heard Sookie's voice. "He's up to something, baby. We have to be careful."

He then realized what André was doing. He was trying to goad him into a fight and he'd almost fell for it. André had almost distracted him and that could have been a deadly mistake. It could have cost him everything. Calming himself, Eric stared at the vampire that is going to change his and Sookie's life. Though he wanted to reach out and choke the undead life out of the weakening vampire, he didn't. He remained seated. He remained calm.

Instead of reacting the way André wanted him to, Eric surprised him and laughed. "Yes," he said. "Yes. I am the first and the last lover that she'll ever take." He then rested his ankle on his knee and said, "I am a vampire in love but love has not weakened me in the least. My mind is still strong and the murderous and cunning Viking is still alive and kicking … so to speak." He was still smiling.

André almost folded into himself when he didn't get the reaction the expected.

"If I may ask," Eric said. "Why are we here in New Orleans?"

He didn't answer Eric's question right away. "You and your wife didn't take my private jet. Why is that?"

"There was no need."

"I'd sent a driver for you at the airport. You weren't there."

Eric smiled. "Again, there was no need for you to send a driver for us. We are more than able to navigate our way through New Orleans. We've been here before. Your hospitality was greatly appreciated." He waited.

"I've made arrangements for you and the lovely Mrs. Northman to stay here. Will you be joining me tonight?" André asked.

"We will not. We've made other arrangements." As an afterthought, Eric added, "We're staying at the Greek Palace but thank you for the offer." He wasn't going to tell André of the home that he and Sookie have in New Orleans. André would have them followed for their entire visit. He'd definitely have them followed as soon as Eric leaves.

André stared at Eric with dead, flat eyes. "The AP's old haunt."

"Yes," Eric responded. "She was adamant that we stay there. She said that we would receive the best service there." Nodding, he added, "She was right. They are treating Sookie and me like royalty."

André smiled graciously. Finally answering Eric's earlier question, he said, "As you've probably heard we are having a problem with the humans. Some girls are missing. They've been known to frequent vampire bars and to fuck vampires. Needless to say, the human authorities believe our kind is involved."

Sookie forewarned him as he brushed her hair. She'd told him everything that she and Claudette discussed today. They'd even devised their own plan. They were ready for whatever André had to offer them.

"Because these girls, these humans, are missing, the police are involved. They're now deeply involved because Copley Carmichael's daughter is among the missing. They have completely lost their minds if they believe that a vampire would risk everything because of a human. We don't have to steal them anymore. They come to us willingly."

André's voice faltered as he chuckled. He tried to cover it up with an unnecessary cough but he was too late. Eric noticed it. He even noticed the slight tremble of the vampire's hands and how he shifted in his seat.

"Do you need to feed?" Eric asked. He knew what the answer was going to be before André said a word.

He shook his head no. "Fucking silver poisoning; it's getting the best of me."

Eric believed that there was more to it than what André was trying to make him believe. There was more to his changing demeanor other than silver poisoning. "May I ask you a question, André?"

"Please," he replied.

"You never told us how you were infected. What happened?"

From the look on his face, André didn't expect that question. "It doesn't matter now, does it?"

"I guess not," Eric replied. "You still haven't told me why I'm here."

Inhaling unnecessarily, André said, "A faery is missing. It is believed that she was a friend of the royal family. If it gets out that a faery is missing, everything that we've worked for will be destroyed."

Showtime

"Sookie read the papers today. She's contacted the heads of the families in the realm and no one has been reported missing. All faeries have been accounted for. From our understanding, many of them are returning home," Eric replied.

André raised an eyebrow. He almost looked disappointed. "Faeries are retreating?"

"Yes," Eric answered as he nodded. "They're going home to mourn the loss of their queen. Sookie believes that to be best; at least until things have been resolved here. If faeries are in danger, they need to be kept safe. Don't you agree?"

André looked like the young vampire from earlier as his head bobbed up and down.

"Which faery is supposed to be missing?" Eric asked.

"I can't recall her name." André gave Eric a dismissive glance. "Maybe she wasn't full fae if all faeries have been accounted for."

Eric raised an eyebrow as he watched for André's reaction. "Should Sookie contact the AP and let her know of your concerns with the faeries? As you know, they've become quite close. I know that if anyone can help, it'll be the old lady," Eric added playfully.

For a brief moment, something fearful and sly appeared in André's eyes. "No. There's no need to involve her just yet. You know how she can blow things out of proportion sometimes."

"No," Eric said.

"Well …," André said as he trailed off into nothing.

"Sookie said that Copley Carmichael is very powerful and has very close communication with high ranking members of the human government. She believes that we need to work with the police." Eric stared André in his eyes. "She also believes that will work in our favor. She thinks that we must show unity with them in order to get to the bottom of what's going on. I must say, I agree with her."

André's demeanor changed once again. Eric could see the vampire for what he truly was; hateful, deceitful, backhanded, and untrustworthy. He and Pam were wrong. André has never been a friend to them.

"We don't involve the human police with anything that involves our kind. We are more than capable of handling something like this." He looked at Eric and shook his head in sudden disappointment. "If I'd known that the faery princess would have such control over you, I would've done everything in my power to deny your marriage. I liked it better when you two weren't so united."

Eric looked surprised at André's sudden explosion. "What is with the hostility? We've only suggested that we work with them; show them that we are not the monsters that they believe us to be. I see no harm in that." He then shook his head. "I'm surprised at your distaste to my marriage to Sookie. We've only done all that we can to make our world better. We've always been a friend to you."

André's fangs snicked into place; the vampire was pissed. He didn't like being one upped by an underling; especially not the Northman.

"When you came to this country many centuries ago, I should have sent you packing but the old lady had; has a thing for you." His eyes narrowed down to slits. "I should've killed you when I had the chance."

Eric gave the sickly vampire a pitiable look. "You seem to have a lot of fight left in you for one so weak." He stood to his full height and stared down at André. "Are you well enough to stand by your former wish?"

André looked up at the 6'5 vampire and knew that he'd gone too far; especially since he's not up to fighting. He may be older than the Viking but he wouldn't survive a fight with him; not now. He looked into the eyes of his adversary and didn't like what he saw. He saw Eric for what he was; a threat to his very existence.

Eric was smirking. His and Sookie's plan worked. André was up to something and in time it will be revealed. His time will come.

"Don't patronize me, Northman. You will regret it."

Remaining calm, Eric pretended to be appalled by the ancient vampire's words. "You are the one that threatened me. The silver poisoning must be affecting your mind, your way of thinking. Your memory doesn't seem to be functioning at its best. Do you not realize that my wife and I are members of the council? In case you don't realize what you've done, let me tell you. If I take your threats of my life to the floor before the council members, you will surely be put to death."

"Are you threatening me?" André asked.

Eric's voice deepened as he spoke. "As I said to you earlier tonight, I don't make threats."

André only stared at the vampire. Hate was seething through him.

"Now, should Sookie and I contact the AP and ask if we can work with the human police or will you approve it? It doesn't matter to us which route we must take to get to the bottom of what's going on and to find these missing girls."

André's fangs snicked down. "Meet with the police and find out what they know. Get the fuck out of my office."

Eric's voice was cheerful as he bid André goodnight. "I hope to see you once all of this is resolved, André. Goodnight."

When the door closed behind Eric, André said, "Arrogant prick."

Eric filled the hallway with laughter.

André knew that he'd met his match with the Viking. He'd always known that if anyone could take his seat on the council, it would be the Northman but he had plans for him. He had big plans for the Northman.

André went to his office door and said, "Compton."

Compton suddenly appeared. "Yes, sir."

"I have a job for you to do."

I can't say it enough. Thank you for reading and reviewing. Updating the story keeps my mind from wandering.