Spellbound
I apologize for the delay but I have had a busy life in the past couple of weeks but I haven't forgotten about the story. I have broken this chapter into two parts and I will post them four days apart. It could be sooner if I can get the editing done. Anyway, the chapter would've been too long, so I figured that would be best. Anyway, I hope that you all enjoy.
The characters don't belong to me. They belong to Charlaine Harris but the story idea belongs to me.
She'd been sleeping since before they'd left Freyda's home and that was over two hours ago. If not for the sound of her and the baby's strong heartbeats, Eric would have been past the feeling of concern. He would've been fearful but from what he could hear and see, they were going to be just fine. Soon, the fluttering of her eyes told him so.
When she opened them, she looked at him and smiled. Her baby blues sparkled and her smile was just as bright. He couldn't help but return the sweet gesture.
"How do you feel," Eric asked her.
"Wonderful," she answered groggily. "I feel wonderful. I feel better than I've felt in a very long time." And she meant it. Since her pregnancy, she hasn't felt as she felt right then. She felt like the old Sookie again thanks to the essence of the pure absinthe. She could taste the sweetness of the liquid on her tongue. She then sighed as she dreamily looked into her husband's eyes. "You're here. I'm so happy that you're here."
He stared at Sookie as she stroked his cheek. "I'm here," he assured her.
She looked into his eyes as relief rolled through her. "And you're safe," she whispered.
"As are you," he said. "I thought I'd lost you." He leaned in and gave her forehead a lingering kiss. As he leaned back and looked at her, he said, "You shouldn't have come."
"Silly vampire," she said. "I had to. She told me that if I didn't come, as soon as you and Claudette walked through the doors of her home, you were both going to die. I didn't know whether or not she was lying and I couldn't take that chance. She'd already proven herself to be untrustworthy. And as soon as I arrived, I saw that she wasn't lying," she replied. "She had the remote in her hand and the little red lights; they were aimed at your chests. She was going to make sure that you were going to die; both of you. I was going to make sure that you weren't. I can't live without you."
Pulling her closer to him, Eric said, "And I can't live without you. Don't make me." He'd hoped that she understood his meaning; especially when she'd asked him to choose the child over her. Until speaking with Claudette earlier in the night, he didn't realize that when she said she'd make the choice, Sookie meant that she'd choose the baby over herself.
Tears glistened in her eyes. "My sweet darling," she said.
Making sure that she understood his meaning, he said, "You can't make that decision without me. You can't do that."
"Okay," she whispered as she dropped her eyes.
"Look at me, Sookie," he ordered.
She looked up at him and gasped at what was before her. His eyes were sad and lifeless. The sadness in him poured through her. It was more powerful than anything she's every felt from him.
"You've claimed me and you now own me. Promise me that you won't leave me. Don't make me live without you," he begged.
The longing in his voice broke her heart. She wrapped him in her arms and said, "Never. You'll never have to live without me."
They kissed each other passionately … lovingly … longingly.
Sookie slowly broke the kiss as she peppered his mouth with them. Whispering, she asked, "Did you love her?"
"No," he answered.
"How long?" she asked.
"A few years," he replied. "It wasn't anything that was consistent. She was something for me to do. She was not my lover. You are the only one to have ever been my lover. My only lover," he repeated.
She nodded. She knew that he was telling the truth. She's also always known about Selene. "I don't know why I asked. I knew that you weren't a virgin when we first met," she said with a smile. "But it does explain why in the beginning, she wasn't pleased with me. She thought that I'd weakened you; broken you beyond repair."
He shook his head. "She was wrong. You've only made me stronger," he stated.
"My dearest love," she said.
She leaned in and kissed him. Their kiss deepened as they moved in closer to each other. Sookie threw her leg over his as he moved his hand up her thigh and over her bottom. She groaned into his mouth as she pressed herself against his hardness.
"What is up with you two?" Dr. Ludwig asked as she entered the room. "You're always pawing and chewing on each other. Don't you ever get enough?"
They broke the kissed and smiled. "Never," they said simultaneously.
Dr. Ludwig fanned them off and sat on the bed next Eric's leg. She looked at Sookie and said, "You don't listen very well at all, young lady. I told you to remain stress free and what do you do? You're almost get murdered by a deranged vampiress."
"It wasn't my fault," Sookie proclaimed. "Freyda called me and said …"
"I don't care what she said," Dr. Ludwig said. "I told you that if you didn't listen, you'd have to suffer the consequences. I guess you believed me to be joking. To show you that I wasn't, I thought that I was going to have to put you on bed rest for the remainder of you pregnancy. I'd gone so far as to reserve you a private room but from what I've seen in these results," she said as she waved a sheet of paper in the air. "It doesn't look as if I have to."
With a frown on his face, Eric asked, "What do you mean?"
Ludwig began shaking her head. "I don't know what's in that stuff that Fintan gave to her but it's as if I never should've had any concerns at all. Do you feel any differently?"
"I do," she said. "I feel stronger than I have ever felt. I feel amazing and surprised."
Sookie looked at her husband; the surprise showing fully on her face. She couldn't believe that he'd called Fintan to help her. It never dawned on her. She'd assumed that Claudette had saved her life but it turned out that Fintan had helped them once again. She couldn't help but think that it was a sad situation. He could've been this grandfather while Adele was still alive. He had to lose everything in order to see what was right in front of him the entire time. For the first time in a very long time, she pitied him. Not enough to forgive him but she pitied him just the same.
Eric glanced at Sookie and noticed the look on her face but for the moment, he ignored it. His frowned deepened. "Has something happened to our son?"
Again, Ludwig shook her head no. "The baby is great," she assured him. "The tests that I had to perform show no signs of distress for either of them." She threw her arms out and said, "They're fine. They're beyond fine. You know," she began as she looked at them. "I called that selfish bastard to see if he could maybe slip me a bit of that magic potion but he laughed at me before he hung up. Son of bitch never answered my question."
Sookie laughed. Yes he did. He answered her question by hanging up on her. Fae magic is meant for the fae and the fae alone. Fintan will never give Ludwig a drop.
As if they didn't hear the last bit of her rambling, Sookie and Eric looked at each other and smiled. "So, does that mean that I can keep all of my appointments and meet with the council members at the final hearing?" she asked. "I can be there with my husband?"
Ludwig sighed in exasperation. Nodding her head, she said, "I still believe that you need to rest up a bit but since you and that little one are no longer in any danger, I don't see the harm in it. I still recommend laying off of the Viking's blood until after the baby has been born but other than that, you're fine."
Sookie squealed as she wrapped her arms around Eric's neck. "I can go!" she exclaimed.
He laughed as he stroked her back. He loves seeing her happy and excited but he knew that what he was about to say wasn't going to make her happy. Glancing at Dr. Ludwig for a brief second, Eric asked, "Would you excuse us for a moment? I need to speak with my wife in private."
The doctor nodded her head yes as she left the room.
Once they were alone, Eric kissed his wife's cheek. "Sookie, look at me," he said.
When he said that, he could feel her body almost go limp. She released him and stared at him. "What?"
He caressed her cheek and said, "I don't think that you should be involved any further with what's going on. You've done enough. You don't have to keep going above and beyond. Take this time to take care of yourself and our baby." He placed his hand on her stomach when he said that.
"But we're fine," she said. "I won't do anything that will cause me any stress. I'll just let them see what we've done; what we've found out and that's that."
He knew that things aren't as they seem. He knew that more was going to happen. He'd been preparing his vampires for it. Claudette and her most trusted faeries have been preparing for it but not Sookie. Because she's pregnant, he and Claudette agreed that it's best to keep Sookie safe and out of harm's way. The Pythoness recommended it. And he was going to do whatever was necessary to keep his wife safe. If the battle breaks out before he can get her to safety, he would never forgive himself. For he'd feel that would have failed her as her protector and her husband.
Sookie couldn't help but feel his worry as it coursed steadily through the bond. She gripped the sides of his face and said, "Please, we've worked so hard for this. We are supposed to relish in this victory together. This is our chance to change our world for the better. This is your chance to take over that seat and to rule our world."
Scooting in closer to him, she said, "And I want to be there when it happens. I have every right to be there when it happens. I want to be there when you bask in your glory. I have a right to watch you claim what is yours, my dearest love. As your wife, I should always stand at your side."
Fire filled her eyes and lust filled the air. His fangs dropped in anticipation. He pulled her closer to him as he crashed his mouth into hers. His kiss was hungry and demanding. He wanted more of her than he already has. His touch was rough and gentle at the same time. It was full of anger and need. And she willfully returned his longing.
As her arms tightened around him, his kiss deepened. She felt his fangs press against the softness of her lips. She felt the sweet sting of her blood as it began to flow into his waiting mouth. He groaned as he threw his leg over her and began to grind against her. He slid on hand beneath her ass as she moaned into his mouth.
Stopping the kiss for a brief moment, she said, "You know that this isn't going to stop me from being with you. You can kiss me all you want and I'm …"
"Shut up, Sookie," he said. "You talk too much."
She laughed as he claimed her mouth once more. The passion in that kiss, that one kiss; she was lost in it. She was lost in him. The feel of him was everywhere; her soul and her heart. His strong body was soon lying on top of hers. His hands were underneath her gown but only long enough to rip her panties from her body. Her heart began to beat wildly. She smiled against his mouth as she spread her legs for him.
"Dr. Ludwig did say that I am doing a lot better," she whispered. "She doesn't even have to worry about me. I'm the last person on her mind. Isn't that what she said?"
"In so many words, she did say that," he said as he nuzzled at her neck. "I think that it's medically safe for me to have my way with you."
She giggled as his kiss from her mouth to her jaw and down to her neck. He sucked just a little and a soft mewl escaped her once again. She said, "I agree with you, my husband."
Eric got up from his wife's body and began to remove his clothes. He was in the process of removing his shirt when he heard the vibration of his phone going off as it danced across the top of the nightstand. He looked pained because he knew who it was. He'd been calling Eric all night long.
André is the reason he'd turned his phone off earlier tonight but he knew that he had to answer it. He'd heard through the grapevine that André is pissed that he was the last to learn of the progress that Eric and Sookie had made during their investigation. He's the leader of the council. He shouldn't have to hear about the discovery of the missing girls on the nightly news. He especially didn't want to have to hear the news from a bunch of humans.
"Ignore it," she begged as she sat up in bed. "Stay here tonight with me." Believing that it was Claudette and Sal on the other end, she said, "Let them deal with Freyda tonight. Let me deal with you." She let her hand travel up her thigh as she watched him.
The vibration came again. He looked at his wife as he reached for his phone.
"No," she whispered. "Don't answer the call. Stay here with me."
"I can't," he said. "I have to take this."
She looked sad but she understood. It didn't mean that she liked it. Though she was still reeling from the feel of his mouth and his hands, she wasn't angry. She is the wife of vampire with power. It's a part of their lives. She gave him a slight nod and smiled. "Duty calls," she said. "Do what you must do."
Eric quickly picked up his phone. "André," he answered. "To what do I owe this pleasure?"
It never occurred to her that it was André that was calling him.
André snorted. He knew that Eric didn't want to speak with him because he didn't want to speak with Eric. As a matter of fact, the Viking was the last being on earth that he wanted to speak to. Hell, he never wanted to have to deal with the vampire ever again. "I don't believe that bullshit statement for a second, Northman. If I may ask, what are you doing tonight?"
Eric looked at Sookie as he answered his superior's question. "I'm in the midst of punishing a very disobedient child but as far as tomorrow night goes, I'm free. I'd planned a repeat of tonight's activities, but if you need to see me, I'm sure that I can make her suffering wait until my return," he explained.
Sookie sat tall in the bed and stared at her husband.
He mouthed that André is going to set up a meeting.
She nodded slowly.
"I need to see you tonight not tomorrow night," André said. "I need an update on what you and Sookie have learned. I've watched the press conference that the police gave and I was unaware that you and the little lady were almost done with the case. As your leader, you have to realize how that makes me feel; to not know that so much has been discovered and I'm the last to know. I am at a loss for words."
Eric nodded. "Yes," he answered. "We are almost done and it has never been our intention to leave out in the cold, André. We had no idea that the NOPD was going to have a press conference so soon. It is our belief that they've reacted as quickly as they have so that they could give the parents of the missing girls peace of mind. We haven't gotten has far along as it appears. We're still looking for the Broadway girl. She's the key to our investigation and we have yet to find her." Shoving his free hand into his pocket, he asked, "Have you heard anything of her? Have any of the vampires in your retinue been familiar with her?"
André fell silent for only a second before answering. "Not that I'm aware of, no," he finally answered. "But I will be sure to ask them."
"That would be most helpful," Eric stated. "I'm sure that if we find her we'll be able to piece together what has been going on. Tell me, André, have you heard from Bill Compton? We have been searching for him but can't seem to locate him. My sources tell me that he was known to be a former lover of Ms. Broadway's before she'd gone missing. I recall having a run in with him during my first meeting with you. I can assume that he's a part of your retinue … one of your underlings?"
"He is," André answered cautiously.
"Is there any way possible, that we can arrange a meeting with him?"
Sookie sat on the bed dumbfounded. Donnelly had already reported back that Bill is dead. Freyda killed him. It was all on tape … everything. Freyda had admitted that she'd called André and told him that Bill was dead. Sookie couldn't wait to find out what André's answer would be to Eric's question.
"He just left my office," André lied. "But as soon as he returns, I'll be sure to let him know that you'd like to meet with him."
A sly smirk appeared on Eric's face. "And when he does return, please let Bill know that we'd appreciate his willingness to meet with us," he said. "With his help, I'm sure that we will have this case solved in no time. With his support, he may even move up in the ranks. I'm sure that would please him. He seems to be quite ambitious."
"That he is," André repeated. "He is."
Sookie flopped back on the pillows. She had to cover her mouth in order to stifle her laugh. It was funny how much of a liar André really is. Poor fool; he deserves to lose his seat. He's not worthy of it. He never has been. She couldn't wait to see him fall.
"If that's all," Eric stated.
"No," André said. "It is not. Would it be at all possible for me to meet with you tonight? Though you haven't solved the case, I'd still like a complete update."
"But I've told you where we are," Eric stated simply. "There is no need for me to come to you. You have already been made aware."
"I need a full update … in person," André repeated.
Eric nodded. "I will be there."
Pausing for a brief moment, André asked, "Will the wife be with you this evening?"
Eric looked at Sookie and nodded his head yes. "If time permits, she will," he said. "As you can recall, she gave you shit last time about calling a meeting with me and not including her. I'm pretty sure she will want to come with me this time; especially with it being about the missing girls. She's invested so much of her time and energy into this."
An unfamiliar sound escaped André. It almost sounded like a snort. "Yes, I do recall. Hopefully, since she gave me such shit last time, she won't stand me up again. Please let her know that I'd love to see her. It's been far too long," he stated.
"As soon as she's cleaned herself of Freyda's blood, I'll be sure to tell her," Eric replied.
Now that surprised André. He'd heard that she was a lot more willing to kill but he had no idea to what extent. "She is with you now?"
"She is," Eric answered. "And she looks deliciously fantastic covered in Freyda's blood."
"Interesting," André mumbled.
"We meet tonight?"
"Yes. You have an hour," André ordered.
"With the state that we're in, I believe that we need to clean up a bit," Eric said. "Two hours would be greatly appreciated."
"Fine," he barked. With that being said, André ended the call.
As his finger slid across the screen, his wife was staring at him. "So soon?" she asked.
He nodded at her as he made a call.
"What message did he have for me?"
Eric grinned as he put the phone to his ear. "He has missed you and he hopes that you won't stand him up this time. He'd love to see you."
"As I would him." Her voice deepened as she spoke the words.
"Sal, it's time. Get everyone together. Tell them to meet you and Claudette at the designated spot. André has called me and we need to strategize," he ordered. "I'll be there as soon as I can to update you all with what's going on."
Sal perked up a little more. "Is it time?"
Eric shook his head no. "Not quite," he answered. He could hear Freyda screaming out in the background. It was almost as sweet as hearing Claudette's laughter. "Is she having fun?"
"She's ecstatic," Sal replied. "You do know that she's naked. She said that it makes the battle more primal." He stared at her with longing. "I would love to have her but she has called the were-tiger. To be him for one night, I could die a happy and satisfied vampire."
Eric let his eyes travel over to Sookie. He knew just what Sal meant. "You will never be the same," he said. His fangs ran out as he stared at his wife.
As she stared at him, chills ran through her body.
"And I agree with you." He shook himself out of his reverie and took the conversation back to the reason for Eric's phone call. "We will be there," Sal assured him.
"Oh," Eric said. "Make sure that Claudette is presentable."
"Out of the two of us, she is the only one that will be," Sal said.
And in vampire style, he ended the call without saying another word.
Eric put the phone into his pocket and stood by the bed. He stared down at his wife and sighed. He looked into those big, blue eyes and everything that he's ever wanted and needed was in them. "You okay?"
"No," she said. "I wish that I really could go with you. You could let me go with you. I'm sure that I can hide the baby bump. I have a lot of billowy clothes, you know. Claudette and I went shopping and I bought a lot of things. You could let me go with you."
"I cannot."
"If you really wanted to let me go with you, you could," she pouted. "You could find a way."
He shook his head no.
Her shoulders slumped as she stood on her knees in the bed and stared at him. She opened her arms and in he went. She caressed his head as she held him. "I'll wait up for you," she said.
He returned her hug and said, "You won't have to wait for long."
She leaned in and kissed him. "I love you."
"I love you, too," he said.
0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0
When the band of the supernatural world's most loyal and true fighters gathered at Claudette's warehouse, everyone was there and waiting. They were ready to stand at Eric's and Sookie's side and do what has to be done. They were ready to fight. They were ready to die if they had to. They more than understood the risks of fighting a vampire as old as André. They know what it means if he doesn't fall but they didn't care. They were going to do what they'd promised to do; even if it means their very lives. No one knew that better than Luna Garza and Gertrude Lawrence. They, as well as three others of Eric's retinue, have already given up their lives for the chance of a new beginning for the supe world.
Eric looked at his friends and smiled as pride filled him. They are the most unassuming and the deadliest bunch of supes he's ever had the pleasure of knowing. "Good evening," he said as they stood around him.
They bowed to their master, their leader, their friend.
"Eric," Sal called out as he appeared from around the corner. Though the vampire had a little of Freyda's blood still on his person, he looked as impeccable as ever. "I'd hoped to be presentable but alas, I lost track of the time. Claudette will be with us shortly," he said. He then glanced over his shoulder for a brief second. "Claudette is um … busy with the were-tiger. As I said earlier, I'd hoped to be the one to satisfy her but she is a woman of honor."
Eric knew what the vampire meant. When a faery is in the throes of battle, lust fills them. They need the connection. In many ways they are like the vampire. Honor, loyalty, and respect are a major part of what they are. As he looked out at his friends, he realized that they all have a lot in common; regardless of the species. The thought caused him to chuckle.
Before he could begin to let his group know what the plan was, the sound of the warehouse door interrupted him. When the vampire took his place with the rest of Eric's group, he was given an approving nod. "Gervais," Eric said.
Gervais returned the nod, only it was deeper. "Other than his human companion, André is alone," he said to Eric as he sailed across the room.
Since the night André ordered him to throw Amelia over the hill, he has sworn fealty to Eric but has remained a 'dedicated' employee to André and a spy for Eric. He never told Eric why he's jumped ship. He felt that it didn't matter. He did what he had to do and not only for his sake but for the life of his human lover, Carla.
It pained him to discard Amelia as he was ordered to do. He'd protested but his words of protests fell upon deaf ears. He'd begged André to just drain the girl and take her out of her misery. He didn't feel that the she needed to suffer any longer. It was beyond cruel. It was purely sadistic. André didn't want to hear any of what Gervais had to say.
"I've ordered you to do a job and it needs to be done," André growled.
"Put the girl out of her misery," Gervais begged. "If you are too afraid to do it, I will do it. No one will ever have to know what has been done. Don't make the girl suffer any longer."
"Afraid?" André barked. "I'm afraid of nothing. Mind your tongue, underling or I will kill you."
"Forgive me, master," Gervais said as he humbled himself.
"Now, you will do as I've ordered you."
The vampire decided to try a different approach. Maybe André would listen to reason then. "It's too dangerous for me to do that, André," Gervais said. "With Eric working to find out who's taken these girls, what if he catches my scent? I will be the one to take the fall for a crime for which I did not commit. I could meet the final death and I have my Carla to think of. I cannot do what you've asked of me. It's too risky."
André stared intently at Gervais and studied the vampire's words. After a moment, he began to nod. "Hmm," he said. "I see your meaning. I guess I can have someone else get rid of the body. They can also get rid of the other one."
Gervais knew exactly what that meant. His body stiffened at André's words.
André walked behind his desk and pressed the intercom button. He stared at Gervais and ordered, "Send in Elijah. Tell him that I have a couple of jobs for him to do."
Before André could remove his finger from the button, Gervais said, "I'll do it, just leave my Carla alone."
A slow and steady smile appeared on André's face. He knew that Gervais would bend when his human was mentioned but just to be on the safe side he was going to do what he needed to do. "I knew that you'd see it my way but I'm sending Elijah anyway … just to make sure that the job is done," he purred.
When Elijah entered the office, André said, "You will go with Gervais. You will take him to the lab and grab the girl. I want her gone before the night is over."
It was more than obvious that Elijah knew where to go and what to do. He didn't ask any questions. He agreed to his master's orders. "Whatever you say, André."
That's when Gervais knew that he'd had enough of André. He has always done his master's bidding but it was within reason but when it came to his Carla, he would let no one threaten her.
"So, what's up?" Chow asked as his voice interrupted Gervais' thoughts.
"André has called me," Eric announced. "He wants to meet with me and Sookie tonight. He wants an update on what we've learned so far and I believe that he knows that we are on to him ... or he at least wants to know where we stand."
Sal's posture changed. "Why do you say that, my brother?"
Sighing unnecessarily, Eric said, "Because it's André."
"Do we do it tonight?" Clancy asked.
Eric shook his head no. "Not yet," he said. "The AP said that we would know when. I get the feeling that we'll get it done the night of the council meeting; though I'm not quite sure. She said that I have to be ready at a moment's notice. What we are doing tonight, is standing together as a whole, as a united race; supernatural race."
He looked out at the vampires, faeries, Weres, and shifters as he said that. "Together, we will go to André's home. He will see that we have worked together to free the souls of those girls and the hearts of their parents. We will not show him our hand. We will remain submissive to him until I say otherwise. We are going to rule tonight's meeting and together, we will rule that council. Vampires, faeries, Weres, and shifters alike, we will rule together."
There were smiles from everyone. Eric could smell their pleasure. He basked in their delight. The looks on their faces pleased him.
"I've never doubted you for a minute," Claudette said as she sauntered from the back. She looked refreshed and satisfied. She walked to where Eric was standing and stood at his side. Every supe in the room inhaled deeply as she walked past them.
"Magnificent," Clancy mewled as his fangs dropped into place.
"You should see her when she's fighting," Sal replied. "She's absolutely stunning."
Claudette basked in their praise and admiration.
Eric looked at her and said, "I see that you've had a pleasurable night."
"I have," she said as her eyes went to the back of the room. A grin spread across her face as her were-tiger made an appearance.
Quinn didn't look as refreshed as the faery did. He looked as if he'd been through the wringer. His hair was a mess. His clothes were unkempt. He was doing everything in his power to remain standing. It was more than obvious that he's never known the pleasures of being with an extremely aroused faery. His stamina is definitely not up to par.
"Are you well?" Eric asked. His smirk was there for all to see.
Maria started to laugh outright. "It's good thing that we don't have to fight tonight. Quinn would of no use to us. Look at him. She's fucking destroyed him."
Quinn leaned his weary body against the wall. He looked at Maria and gave her the finger. "Fuck you," he panted.
Claudette laughed along with the others.
"I hope that you are satisfied," Chow said as he looked at the faery. "If not …"
"I'll beat the shit out of you if you finish that sentence," Quinn warned. The were-tiger seemed to have gotten his strength back in record time.
Claudette stared at Quinn as she said, "I'm more than satisfied." She then gave her attention to Eric and asked, "Do I look presentable enough for you?"
She was wearing cream colored wide leg pants with a form fitting black long sleeved scooped neck tee. Her feet were covered in a pair of black boots. Her long brown was parted perfectly in the middle and flowed beautifully over her shoulders.
Eric nodded approvingly. "Not a drop of blood in sight," he said.
Claudette laughed as she placed her hand on his shoulder. "And for that, I blame you," she said. "I'd planned on being covered in Freyda's blood for the rest of the night. Thank you for ruining my plans."
Shaking his head, Eric said, "Not a problem."
Selene then walked through the doors. She stood behind Eric and began whispering in his ear. "Thalia has remained with your wife. There have been visitors but they have since been disposed of. Arayleaha is cloaked and covering the grounds. No other visitors have been found. Your wife is outstanding."
Eric facial expression betrayed him. Before he could ask Selene what she'd meant, the smell of Claudette's anger filled the room.
Claudette stared at the vampiress as she stood close to Eric. Though she knew that Sookie had nothing to worry about as far as Selene taking her husband, Claudette was going to leave nothing to chance. The vampiress is not as safe as she once believed her to be.
"Selene," Claudette said. "I see that you've made your way to your master's side once again. Is what you have to say not meant for us all? Are we not all a part of this gathering? Or is it just an excuse to be close to him?"
Maria stared at Clancy and mouthed the word, 'Whaaaaat?'
Clancy looked at her and shrugged his shoulders. He was just as lost as she was.
"Whatever message I have for him, it is meant for my master and my master only," she said as her fangs dropped into place. "I owe you nothing, faery."
Claudette smiled as she took a step in the direction of the vampiress. "I have other clothes in the back," she said. "I'll be more than happy to change if something should happen to these." She'd gotten into her fighting stance; her hands clawed and her silver fangs adorned her mouth.
"Claudette," Eric hissed he pulled her back to his side. "This is not the place."
The others in the room looked around as if the wonder what was going on but no one was brave enough to ask.
She ignored Eric as she stared at the vampiress. "Sookie isn't here, but I am. I am here to protect what is hers."
Selene said nothing to Claudette. She glanced at Sal but he looked away. She then looked at Eric's face and she knew the faeries are aware of their past. She continued to stare at Eric. "Your wife is safe, master," she said.
"Thank you," Eric said.
"Not a problem, Master," Selene stated. She remained behind Eric as she waited along with the others.
Claudette tore her eyes away from Selene and put her focus back on Eric. Returning back to the faery that she was only minutes ago, she asked, "So, I guess I'm covering for Sookie?"
"You are," Eric replied. "No attitude from you when we meet with André, Claudette. Remain calm and on task. You are of no good to us if you are going to be running on emotion."
She thought of all that she'd learned tonight and inhaled. She'd dispelled a bit of her anger but she was still filled with rage but soon, everything would be as it should be. She'd return to her warehouse and she'd go on with playing with Freyda. "You are right," she replied. She looked at Selene and said, "Forgive my approach but know that I meant what I said."
Selene gave the faery a curt nod and nothing more.
"Sal," Eric said as he turned his attention to the elder vampire. "You, Clancy, and Chow will go with us into the house but you will stay close to the front of the home. As I've told you all before, he has several vampires that he keeps around him at all times. They are weak but I need you all on guard. Also, if André sees an older, more powerful vampire with me, he will know what we are up to."
Sal nodded.
"Maria," Eric said. "You and your Weres will patrol the grounds. If you find anything, alert Charlie immediately."
"I'll shift into an owl and remain out of sight," Charlie said. "If anything comes up, I will be there to let you know."
"Do we carry our weapons on us?" Clancy asked.
"No," Eric said. "André has been paranoid and if he even senses that there are weapons, things will happen quicker than we want them to. Quinn will come into the office with me and Claudette. Gervais you will do as you've always done; blend in with André's retinue. Be our eyes and ears. Stay close to Sal if at all possible. Act as if you don't know why we're there." Looking around at his friends, he asked, "Are you all ready?"
Yeses were heard from everyone.
"Alright then," Claudette said. "Let's go."