Spellbound
Thank y'all so much for reading and reviewing the story. Thanks for making it one of your favorites. Your time is much appreciated. The story idea belongs to me but the main characters belong to Charlaine Harris.
As he watched Gervais walk towards him, Eric wondered if the vampire knew anything of their murdering brethren. He wondered if he could possibly know where the girls are being held; if they're still alive. He wondered if the vampire knew that each of the girls is part fae. He wondered if it was at all possible that Gervais is involved. Maybe it is his way of moving to the top. He does know that André is suffering for silver poisoning. He knows that André has weakened. He could be doing this to make it look as if André can no longer do the job. This could be his chance to be the head of the council. This could be the perfect opportunity for him to be someone important in the vampire community.
Just as quickly as the thought entered Eric's mind, it was gone. He stared at the vampire and he knew instantly that Gervais wasn't that type of vampire. Gervais was content with being the head of André's security team. He didn't have the urge to be a vampire of vast power and great wealth. He was a simple vampire with simple needs. Plus, he had his human to think about. He wouldn't risk his life for that reason alone. Carla meant too much to him.
He'd been feeding her his blood and it's his blood that has kept them together for well over eighty years. His blood is what has kept her as young as the day that they met. If he stopped feeding her, she'd age and die in no time. No. He wouldn't risk anything if it meant that he would lose Carla. She is just as important to Gervais as Sookie is to Eric.
Eric continued to watch the vampire as he approached him. "Good evening," he said.
Gervais nodded before speaking. "Why did you need to see me tonight? It must be awfully important for you to be here instead of with your wife." A gleam flashed in his eyes. He could smell the sex and the blood on Eric.
"I wouldn't be here if business didn't call. Sookie more understands the life of a vampire. I have a question for you and I need for you to answer it as honestly as you can. It's going to be beneficial to our investigation."
Eric knew that the word 'our' would put a more determined and welcoming look on Gervais' face. Eric knew what he was doing and what he had to say in order to keep Gervais on their side. He had to make the vampire believe that they were working together and based on how his stance suddenly changed, Gervais was on board.
With a frown on his face, Gervais said, "It can't be good if you've come to me instead of going to André. Is it a vampire that's doing the killing?"
"Possibly," Eric answered cautiously. "The cops believe they have evidence to prove that a vampire is involved but they've found nothing concrete. They have no bodies so they believe that they girls are possibly being held captive." He purposely and conveniently left out Sookie's vision. They need Gervais but he's not sure that they can trust him completely just yet.
"Draining them slowly?" Gervais asked. "But why? If it is a vampire, why wouldn't they just feed from the girls and let them go? Humans are easily glamored. If it's a vampire that's behind this, he could easily heal the bite marks and let them go. Why keep them?"
Eric nodded in agreement. "That's my concern as well. We believe that they have a hidden agenda; whoever has taken the girls has a hidden agenda. Have you seen any new vampires hanging around?"
Gervais frowned but didn't answer the question. It was almost as if he didn't understand the question.
With his backside resting against his car and his arms folded across his chest, Eric asked his question with a little more subtlety … a little more detail. "Are there any other vampires with any status, any power … a vampire with any age to them that knows what's going on with André? Do you think that a vampire has come to New Orleans take what belongs to your master?"
Gervais' face suddenly went blank.
Eric could see that the thought of another vampire coming in to take over never occurred to his underling. The thought that another vampire would come to their territory to hunt and feed was never even an option. Gervais is a smart and competent vampire but he hadn't prepared or counted on that one important possibility. A feeling of pity filled Eric as he looked a Gervais.
The vampire is reliable and capable but he has no imagination. He has no insight on what could possibly be happening right under his nose. He doesn't look outside the box. That alone makes him weak. It's more than apparent that he didn't think that another vampire would take his human subjects. That's why he would never be anything more than André's head of security. Eric began to think that maybe he shouldn't even hold that position.
Finally answering Eric's question, Gervais said, "There are no new vamps here. The only ones are the ones that have been turned and abandoned by their makers. We have three baby vampires. We keep the babies on the compound and under close observation. They don't leave without any supervision. And I haven't seen any new vampires in the area. All heads of state have to report here whenever they come into New Orleans. It's an edict. They're not even allowed to visit without checking in with André first."
Eric only stared. He couldn't believe his ears. All edicts are not followed; especially when there's a chance that someone can take the head seat of the council. He should know. That's his main goal.
Gervais shook his head as he continued to talk. "And with the baby vamps, many of them are no more than five years old. It can't be the baby vampires. It's not possible." He frowned. "Why do you ask? What do you know?"
"I could smell the scent of a vampire when I visited the scene of Connie Babcock's disappearance. The scent wasn't that of a powerful vampire but he is strong." Pausing, Eric added, "Something has troubled me, old friend. Why did you never go to the scene; particularly if it's believed by the human police that vampires are involved? I would think that André would want that."
He shook his head. "André wouldn't allow it. That's why it surprised me to see you here. He didn't want any of us going; not one member of the security team was allowed to anywhere near the crime scenes. He said that it would look suspicious. He kept saying that if we keep our distance, they'll leave us alone. I tried explaining to him why that wasn't a good idea but he wouldn't listen." Slowly, he added, "He was adamant about it."
Eric only nodded. "Sookie and I are going to speak with some of the friends and family members of the missing girls. I will find out what's going on but we need your help. You're the head of André's security team and you know the city better than we do. If we work together, we can solve this. Are you with me?"
"Fuck, yeah," Gervais said with wide eyes. "I'm with you on this. This is my home. These are my humans. Whatever you need from me," he finished.
"We have to work together and keep the things that we find out quiet. We don't know who we can trust." Eric paused before speaking again. "That includes everyone."
Gervais understood the meaning behind Eric's 'everyone' comment. That everyone included André. It did seem all of a sudden odd since he could now see the situation through another vampire's eyes. André didn't want anyone near the crime scene but he calls Eric in to handle the case of the missing girls. He allows Eric to speak with the police but he's keeping his local vampires at bay. Why? What is he hiding?
Before he could stop himself, Gervais opened his mouth to say something else but abruptly closed it.
"What is it? Tell me what you think is going on."
Gervais moved in close to Eric and said, "When I saw you, it didn't sit well with me. After you told me why you're here, I felt that you were going to be used as the scapegoat. Why would he send for you when he has a full security team? Why would he send his private jet to get you when everyone's fully aware that you have one of your own?" He shook his head and said, "Before it was sent to pick you and wife up, I tried to get on that plane but couldn't get past airport security.
"I told them that I needed to make sure that the plane was safe for you and your wife but they wouldn't let me near it. They said that it has already been secured. It's a set up, Northman. I don't know why I think this but I believe that it's a set up."
Eric and Sookie have always believed that André has plans for him and they knew that the plans weren't good. Setting Eric wasn't up beneath André. "If you feel that this is true, this is why we need to keep things quiet."
"You have my word," Gervais said. "Did the cops tell you anything?"
"No, nothing that we can use to prove that vampires aren't involved," Eric replied. "They don't matter anyway. We don't need them anymore … for now, we'll keep them at bay. We'll use them when we need them. I'll keep you posted on what I find out."
Gervais nodded. "The next crime scene that you return to, I want to go with you. I want to see if I know the scent that you caught. If I know him or her, we can find out what's going on."
"I'll call you."
With nothing left to say, Eric spun around and walked to the driver's side of his car. Gervais was already gone back inside his house before he had a chance to pull away from the curb. Things are now falling into place and pretty soon, they were going to find out exactly what is going on in this city of New Orleans.
0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0
When Eric went home it was 3:00 am and Sookie was still awake. He could feel her happiness as it flowed freely through the bond. He'd assumed that it was because of their adventurous lovemaking and the progress they'd made tonight. He thought that it was the anticipation of seeing him but it wasn't. When he walked into their home, he didn't expect to see her sitting on the floor in the living room playing a board game with another man; the faery that Pam doesn't trust. He stood in the doorway and watched them.
She looked as if she was having the time of her life. She was laughing with the faery as she'd only ever laughed with him. Her face was light and carefree. She looked happy. The faery was watching her face intently as she laughed at the things he'd said to her. He watched her every movement. He looked as her in the same way Eric does. The look didn't go unnoticed.
"You know that's not a word!" she exclaimed. Her voice sounded like beautiful bells as she talked to him.
"Flot's not a word?" he asked. He looked moderately confused.
She laughed even harder. When she was able to control herself, she answered him. "You know just as well as I do that flot is not a word. Flot isn't a word and neither is tupe. What in the world is a tupe?"
The faery laughed and shrugged his shoulders. "It's an instrument that has hair on the bottom of it. It has one button and it's really hard to play. I think that they only have them in Finland."
She was laughing so hard that she grabbed at her side.
The faery then asked, "So, I guess I shouldn't try and use the word plotrition then, huh?"
Sookie's eyes widened and giggles erupted from her once more. That's when Eric made his presence known.
Anger seethed through him and he didn't try to hide it. The harsh, coldness in his eyes was there for all to see; especially the faery. Sookie looked in the direction of the doorway when she felt his emotions and the giggling stopped. She quickly stood up from the floor and walked over to greet her husband. His jealousy coursed steadily through the bond. She knew that his emotions were running high because of Antony and she had to calm him. A beautiful smile spread across her face.
When he saw that Sookie was going to Eric, Antony stood up from the floor. He wasn't smiling when he saw the vampire. If anything, he looked impassive.
"Hi, my dearest love," she said. "I've missed you."
For a fleeting second, Eric took his eyes off of the fae guard and stared into his wife's eyes. Her love for him was more than evident. "My lover," he said as he stroked her cheek. "I expected to find you sleeping."
She shook her head. "No. I wanted to wait for you. I wanted to sleep with you. I have a meeting tomorrow morning with some shifters in the area and I'll be gone most of the day and little past dusk. I wanted to spend a little more time with you before I have to go."
He leaned down to meet her kiss. Once they'd broken the kiss, Eric's eyes went back to the faery guard. They were filled with fury and death. Needless to say, Sookie noticed.
"Eric, I'm sorry that I didn't introduce you two sooner. I've only just met him a few days ago but he's been one of my guards for a little over three years, he said. Anyway, this is Antony." Staring up at her husband, she said, "Antony, this is my wonderful husband, Eric Northman."
Antony bowed to Eric.
Eric only stared at him.
"Pleased to meet you, Mr. Northman," he said. "I've heard only wonderful things about you … from your wife. She is your biggest fan."
Still, Eric said nothing.
"Eric?" Sookie said.
His eyes remained on Antony.
"Eric?" she repeated.
"Yes, my lover," he answered stiffly. He looked down at Sookie. "If you don't mind, I would like to speak with Antony alone."
Whispering in only a voice that Eric could hear, she said, "He's only my guard, Eric. Nothing happened. He wasn't inappropriate with me at all. He never touched me. I wouldn't allow that." She placed her hands on his chest and said loud enough for Antony to hear, "I love only you."
Eric hugged her to him. "I know. I only want to speak with him. I won't be long."
She nodded. She stepped out of Eric's hug and looked at Antony. Sookie then bid him goodnight. "I enjoyed your company this evening. I've learned a lot. The Scrabble game was fun. If I may make a suggestion," she said.
"Yes, my princess."
"If we ever play Scrabble again, you need to do better." She gave him a small smile. "Your word choices leave much to be desired. Good night," she said. Turning to look at Eric, she said, "I'll meet you upstairs." She kissed him once more before popping herself to their room.
Once she was gone, silence filled the room. The vampire and the faery stared each other down. The tension in the room was high and the need for male faery blood was extremely strong. Antony decided to break the ice.
"Is there a problem, Mr. Northman? I sincerely hope not. I'm only here tonight because Pam and Claudette said that I needed to come here and prepare the house for your wife's return. I needed to manage the fae guards; make sure they were on alert because of the rogue vampire from tonight. I hope that …"
Eric raised him hand and stopped the faery before he could finish. "When did you come here?" His voice was cold and hard. "Why am I just meeting you tonight? I've met every other fae guard under our employment but never once have I seen you. You've been here for three years and we've never crossed path? I find that hard to believe."
As he spoke, Antony's voice never faltered. "I've always been here in the earthly realm. My direct services weren't needed until the attack on Princess Northman and Lady Brigant while they were dining at the Essential Spark. Before working for your wife, I used to serve in the fae army with Colman, Claudine's mate. He helped me get the job as a royal guard."
Eric took in the faery guard's words. He didn't believe anything that had escaped his twisted mouth. Just like Pam, Eric didn't trust Antony either. There was something about him. He and Pam needed to compare notes as soon as possible.
He had ever inclination to kill the guard; drain him dry but he didn't and he couldn't. He wanted to fire him and send him on his way but he couldn't. He didn't have any authority over the fae guards. They only reported to Sookie. He could tell her to send the guard back to Faery because he's suspicious of him. Eric could ask her to release Antony of his service and she would do it because she loves him. But in the end, he wouldn't ask that of her. He needed to keep the guard close. He needed to watch him. He's a faery. Most faeries can't be trusted.
"So you came here after the death of Adele?"
Antony shook his head no; the self assurance that was oozing from him earlier was not as strong as it was before. Frowning, he answered Eric's question. "No. As I said earlier, I've been here for awhile; a little over three years. The fae guards were ordered to protect the Brigant bloodline after the attack. This has always been law in Faery; protect the bloodline. They needed us during their time of mourning. Their emotional states made them fragile and open for anything."
"I don't trust you."
Antony appeared to be shocked at Eric's statement. So shocked, in fact, he chuckled. "Why not? I've done nothing to warrant this reaction from you. Is it because we were playing Scrabble? It was at her behest."
Eric smiled at him. "You play the victim well."
"I don't know what you mean, Mr. Northman. I'm not playing the victim. I'm only here to protect her from any dangers that may arise." He stared unevenly at Eric.
"You don't fool me, Antony. I noticed how you were watching her tonight. I saw the yearning in your eyes." Eric smiled at the faery. "I saw it because I have that same look in my eyes when I'm with her. The only difference is that you're not me. You are meant to keep her safe from our enemies. Her emotional state has never and should never be a concern of yours. She has me to comfort and care for her. I am her husband. I am all that she needs."
Antony walked in Eric directions. His eyes were as falsely innocent and his face. A smirk played across his deceptive mouth. "You are mistaken in what you've seen. I am her protector; nothing more. And don't get me wrong, Mr. Northman. I don't doubt that you love her but when it comes to the princess, only one of us is actually capable of giving her the comfort that she needs."
The faery stopped dead in his tracks because Eric blurred to where the faery was attempting to go. A feral growl escaped him. His hands were clawed and his eyes were blazing. "Are you trying to goad me into killing you? Is that what you want?"
"Of course not, Mr. Northman," Antony answered; smirking even more than before. "I am only speaking a fact. I am fae. You are not."
With his lips drawn back and his fangs threatening to make an appearance, Eric moved in closer to Antony. The two men were now standing toe to toe. "That means nothing to me. There is something that you don't seem to understand. Sookie belongs to me. She is my fate, my wife. I am everything to her just as she is everything to me. She will never need or want you, faery. There is only one thing that you can do for her and that's die, guard."
Antony's back stiffened. "There is no doubt that I will die for her but I'm more than a guard. I'm of her people. We are of the same blood, the same people. We feel better when we are close to one another. We feel better when we are with our own. The blood is strong. The connection is there. As I said before, Mr. Northman, you are not fae. You can't make her feel as I do."
The normally cool vampire was gone. Eric lost control; all reasoning. He grabbed the faery by his shirt collar. His fangs were exposed and ready to pierce Antony's flesh. The thought of draining him, consumed Eric's mind. With his mouth open wide, Eric went in for the kill.
Antony was smiling.