Spellbound

Here's the chapter that I'd promised ya'll. I hope that ya'll enjoy this and I especially hope that you are surprised. I hope that the next chapter will be up and posted by Sunday. If I can't get it done by Sunday, I will try to get it posted by Tuesday. I have been working extra hard to make up for the time that it's taken me to get this story completed. Thank you for reading and reviewing. I appreciate each and every one of you. And again, thank you all so much for sticking around and reading.

This story is mine but most of the characters belong to Ms. Harris.

The first thing that the Northman told the AP is that he'd learned that Thalia wants to be a council member. "She wants to bring honor and truth back to where it belongs," he proclaimed. "She believes that our race, the supernatural race, can and will better if she is on the board. She has been by my side for many, many years and she's always been of great character. Many of our kind should strive to be as she has always been."

The AP sat in silence for a moment before speaking … staring at Eric as she thought of what he'd said to her. "And you vouch for her?"

"I do," he answered. "I stand with her. I will stand at her side."

The AP narrowed her eyes at the Viking. "Will you die at her side?"

Eric nodded. "I would."

"Then so be it. Bring her forth and let her speak," the AP announced.

Flanked by two of the handmaidens, Thalia was presented to the AP. "Mistress," she said. She then kneeled before the AP and kissed her ring.

"Stand child, and tell me what you want," the AP ordered.

"My place, Mistress," she proclaimed as she stood before her elder. "I want to take my place in our world. I have earned it."

"And so you shall have it," the Mistress announced.

Thalia stood before the AP with her head held high and her back straightened as she vowed to bring her most valued qualities with her as a council member; honor, honesty, valor, and fairness. The vampiress had not an ounce of emotion on her face. She looked as if she was bored out of her mind and that the entire process was keeping her from doing something that was so much more important. But her insides, they were telling a completely different story.

She was filled with joy and pride. She's always known that Eric and Sookie believed her to be honorable but to know that the vampiress of all vampiresses believes her to have those characteristics made her happier than she's ever been. She was proud that her brethren believed her to be the epitome of what their council is supposed to represent. She's always prided herself on being the best that she can be. She's always believed that in order for a chaotic world to make it, they needed law and order. And while under the rule of André Paul, the vampire world was chaotic but no more. Those days are gone. She was going to make sure that law and order returns to her race. She was going to do everything in her power to make sure that it happens.

"I swear on the blood," she promised the AP.

"Hand me the blade," the AP ordered of her handmaiden.

Slicing the blade across the palm of Thalia's hand as well as her own, the handmaiden held the challises underneath the bleeding wounds. Once the wounds had closed, the maiden mixed the blood of the AP and Thalia before handing the AP the golden cup.

"Before you are seen as a member, you must drink of me," the AP stated loudly … clearly. "It is a symbol of trust, honor, and truth. You vow these things … you give me your word that you will honor the blood and the eternal life that has been bestowed upon you. Break your word and you lose everything that makes you the vampire that you are and that includes your life."

Bowing to the AP, Thalia proclaimed proudly, "It is a vow that I proudly take."

"Stand tall and drink, my friend," the AP said.

Thalia and the AP shared blood before their peers thereby sealing their bond.

Cheers were heard from everyone.

Handing the challis to the maiden, the AP stood by Thalia's side, the she announced, "Welcome our new council member, Thalia Leventis."

As the crowd of vampires cheered for her, a chair was placed at the council table for her. The council members stood up and continued to clap for her as she walked to the table to take her seat.

Still not smiling, Thalia bowed to each of them. She bowed to the vampires that were proud of her … happy for her. She unnecessarily sighed as she looked at Eric. He stood the tallest and clapped the loudest. He was the proudest and it pleased her.

And so, she smiled.

"Congratulations, sister," Shiloh said to her. "Welcome."

Thalia thanked her. She thanked them all. And she then took her seat.

"Now to begin," the AP called out.

The applause and praised stopped instantly.

"Now, Northman," she called out. "Stand before me and tell me what you know."

Eric buttoned his suit jacket as he made his way to the center of the stage. He looked at the council members and gave each of them a slight bow. He looked at the kings and queen and bowed deeply to them. He went to the AP and got down on one knee and took her hand and kissed her ancient ring.

"You may stand and begin," she said to him. A ghost of a smile appeared on her face.

"Wait!" Felipe yelled as he ran down the aisle. "I'm here! I'm here!"

The AP gripped the arms of her chair as she sat taller. "Stop!"

Felipe stopped mid stride.

"Why are you late?" she bellowed.

"It's not my fault, Mistress," he declared. "My flight …"

She raised her hand in the halt motion as to quiet him. "Is he needed?" she asked.

"No, Mistress," Eric stated.

Felipe may have been at André's house the night that Claudia was murdered but he had nothing to do with her death. He also didn't have anything to do with the killings of the halflings. He was as oblivious then just as he is tonight.

"He can be updated at a later date," Eric replied.

"Leave," the AP said as she looked at Felipe.

His eyes were wide and his mouth was agape. It devastated him to know that he'd be left out. He didn't like being excluded. If he weren't in front of his equals, he would've had a temper tantrum. In better company, he wouldn't have been above throwing one. So instead, he tried to explain away his tardiness. "But I'm here now," he said. "I had no control over the flight. I did all that …"

"Leave or be punished!" the vampiress ordered.

Felipe bowed and left the room without another word being said.

Once the door had closed behind him, the AP returned her attention to Eric. "You may continue," she said.

"As you all know," Eric began. "My wife and I have been working closely with the NOPD in solving the case of the missing girls. There have been quite a few surprises that we've learned along the way. The first surprise was that on the night of our first visit to the police station, Sookie discovered that the missing girls were halflings. Each of them had fae blood coursing through their veins."

He expected surprise from the vampires in attendance and that's exactly what he got. There were whispers and some chattering but it didn't go on for long.

"Quiet," the AP said as she blindly looked out at the audience. Once silence had taken hold, she looked at the Northman and asked, "How did she learn of this? How did she come to learn that the girls were halflings?"

"The pictures called to her," he said. "She traced her hands along the faces of the girls and she could feel them as they moved through her."

"Was there anything else that supports this claim other than pictures?" the AP asked.

Eric nodded, "She was visited by her cousin, Bridget while we were at home … the night that we came to New Orleans," he started. "Bridget let her princess know that she'd been taken by vampires and drained of her life. She told Sookie that she wasn't the first one. Bridget told her that there were others." He thought of the pain that his wife felt that night as she realized that her kinsmen were being murdered.

Salome said, "What does that have to do with the vampire community? They were halflings … so what? They held no standing in our world."

"So what?" Claudette asked as she stood from her seat. "They had fae blood running through their veins. They were not to be touched without their permission. They were drained of their life and you sit there and say so what? Your callousness is quite disturbing, Queen." Anger consumed the faery's face.

Salome glared at Claudette but remained quiet.

"I agree with the faery. Regardless of their status, they were of our world. They were to be under our protection and not just Sookie's … our protection," Shiloh repeated. "And most importantly, Salome, Copley Carmichael gave a press conference stating that he knew that vampires were involved. Do you not watch the news? I guess if there's no TV between the legs of some blonde, red head, or brunette, you don't bother with it."

"Fuck you," Salome said.

"Maybe later," Shiloh replied with a wink and a smile. "But this comes first."

The AP eyed them both with contempt but before she could say anything, Shiloh raised her hand in surrender. "Forgive me, Mistress," she said. "It won't happen again." Looking at the Northman, she asked, "Eric, why do you tell us this … that the girls were halflings? Is it pertinent to why they were taken?"

"It is," he answered. "Because of Copley Carmichael, we had been put in the spotlight." Looking at the AP, he said, "If you'd indulge me for a few moments."

"For a few moments," she said.

Just then, Selene, Chow, Clancy, Indira, and Maxwell Lee began to bustle about on the stage. They'd set up the pictures of each of the girls that were now dead and gone. The pictures were of them with their families. They were laughing and enjoying their lives in those pictures, just as they should be doing now. They'd planned their futures. They were happy. They were alive.

"Because Bridget didn't believe in taking pictures, we don't have one of her," Eric announced. He then looked at Claudette and beckoned her to him. "The Lady Brigant will help in giving each of you the heritage of the young girls."

Just like everyone else, Claudette presented herself to the AP before speaking about the girls. "Hello, Andromeda," she said as she kneeled to the ancient vampiress. "It is always a pleasure to see you."

Even though it seemed impossible, the vampires in attendance, all of the vampires in attendance, were even quieter. They'd never seen anyone call the AP by her given name to her face and live.

"And I you, dear girl," she replied. "I give you my condolences. I am sorry for the death of your grandmother. Adele was always a dear friend of mine."

"Thank you. And she loved you as well," Claudette stated as she stood. Staring at the AP, she asked, "May I proceed?"

The AP nodded her permission.

Starting with the first picture, Claudette said, "This is Cecile Parker … her birth name was Cecilia. She was a halfling. Her father was a member of The House of Pretlow. She was a member of the elf bloodline. She had no extraordinary talents but her father was a long standing member of the Royal Fae Army. He was a lieutenant before he'd met his demise. She didn't have the gift of the fae but it does not negate the fact that she was a halfling. New Orleans is not her birth home. She moved here in order to have an adventurous and a better life. Sadly, it never came to pass. Her elf family kept it quiet that Lt. Pretlow was with a human but they knew of her. Their shame of having a human in their family kept them from keeping her protected."

Moving on to the second picture, Claudette told everyone about Connie Babcock. "Now Connie was a member of the house Kelly. She was part sprite." Smiling, she said, "Can't you tell? She was so petite … so small … so beautiful. She had no extraordinary powers but she had fae blood coursing through her veins. Her mother was a midwife in our world. Because of her status in our world, she gave the child to her human friend. She kept tabs on the girl until she died from iron poisoning. Connie wanted to be a nurse. She wanted to dedicate her life to saving others. Just as her did. She never imagined that she'd lose hers." She swiped a tear from her eye as she moved on to Elizabeth Henderson's picture.

"She was a mom," Claudette stated. "She was also a member of the house of Murphy. They were your run of the mill, everyday faeries. Just like the others, there was nothing too extraordinary about her. She had a family. She had a son and she wanted to show him that she was a good mom. She wanted a better life for him but it never happened."

Sighing, she moved on to the last pictures. "These two here are siblings and their names were Tara and Benedict Thornton. She was of fae ancestry. She was a member of the elf clan, Breathnach. They are the oldest of the elves, the most powerful. She had the gift of touch which means that she could take on the emotions of others. But her brother," Claudette said as she stared at his picture. "He as well was of fae bloodline but had no gifts that we know of. He was killed because he was looking for her and because they were the last of their human family. There was no reason to keep him alive. Their mother, too, was part fae but only an 1/8. She died many years ago. They never knew their father but he knew of them. He lives in Faery. He was just notified of the death of his children."

"And then there's Bridget," Claudette concluded. "She was full fae. She was our cousin. She was a member of the House of Brigant. Royalty coursed through her veins. She had many talents ... many gifts. She was brave and she was strong. Because she was full fae, she was able to let Sookie know what happened to her and who'd killed her."

Russell crossed his legs and asked, "Who killed her?"

"A vampire," Claudette answered simply.

Salome laughed. "There's no proof of that," she said. "We have been at peace with the faeries since the marriage of the Northman and the Princess took place. There is no cause for one our own kind to kill a faery." Glaring at Claudette, she asked, "Are you trying to start a war or do you have another hidden agenda?"

"Explain," Claudette ordered.

Salome stood from her chair and said, "It's strange that you are here with the Viking and his wife is not. You two seem awfully cozy this night and from what I've heard, many other nights. Is it not true that you two were in the park together? Was your head not resting on his shoulder?"

That's when Salome snapped her fingers and one of her many underlings ran onto the stage. She handed her queen several gold envelopes before she'd disappeared.

The queen opened the top one and removed pictures from the envelope as she passed them to her fellow monarchs. Smirking, she stated, "You two look awfully cozy, don't you think? Or is it a normalcy for you to be this loving with your princess's husband?"

Vampires were stunned at the insinuation that Eric may be cheating on his wife with her most beloved cousin. It's not unheard of for vampires to take on other lovers when they marry but it never occurred to anyone that the Viking is sleeping with the lady in waiting. During the last meeting that was held, Sookie more than threatened the life of anyone that came in between her marriage and love to Eric. Had she lost him to her cousin? Had arrogance cost her the love of her life?

Laughing as he looked at the pictures, Russell exclaimed, "This is quite surprising. I must admit, I found it to be quite odd to have Claudette with you tonight and not your wife." Pointing at them, he asked, "Does this mean that the contract of marriage has been transferred from one Brigant to the next? Is that the reason for this meeting?"

Vampires could be heard mumbling amongst themselves. Has the contract of marriage been transferred from one faery to the other? Needless to say, everyone was waiting for answer. Sadly, they weren't going to get one. The vampire and the fae refused to dignify the question with an answer.

Claudette lovingly looked at her cousin-in-law. When she looked at him, she didn't see a lover. She didn't see a potential lover. She saw him as her brother … her family … one of her dearest and best friends. She placed her hand to her heart smiled at him.

Eric looked at her and he too placed his hand to his heart and smiled at the faery. He didn't realize it until that very moment that he loves her … as family because that's what she is to him. She is his sister and one of his most trusted friends.

The AP looked on without saying a word.

Salome laughed heartily. "I guess we have our answer."

Eric and Claudette looked at her before turning their focus to Bartlett. He had his hand raised. "Yes," Claudette said.

Frowning, he asked, "Tonight, there were only four missing girls … and one man presented before us. I thought that the Broadway girl was among the missing. Whatever has happened with her? Has she not been found?"

Claudette looked at Eric over her shoulder as to give the floor to him.

"Amelia's situation was complicated and heartbreaking," he said.

"What happened to her?" Shiloh asked Eric.

Russell spoke up instead. "I can answer that. If I may?" he asked the AP.

"Certainly," the AP replied.

Eric began walking back to his seat but the AP stopped him. "Remain standing, Eric."

"Yes, Mistress," he said.

Russell tugged at his expensive suit jacket as he stood from his seat and began pacing the floor. "From what I've gathered from the news conference, her father had something to do with her kidnapping. It's believed that he had a hand in all of the deaths of the girls, including his daughter."

"That makes no sense," the AP stated as she frowned. "Why would he kidnap and kill his own daughter? The deceitful man went on TV and announced to the world that vampires had taken her … had killed her. From where do you get your information?"

"And I saw the news conference," Sandy announced. "And I saw nothing on there that was said that he had a hand in his daughter's death. They said that he'd lied about knowing the other girls when he'd met them but nothing about him kidnapping his child. I'm a vampire and I wouldn't even kidnap my own child."

Russell began to nod in agreement. "We are vampires, my dear. We are the superior race. We would never put our bloodline at risk … if we can help it. We are more evolved than the humans. I can't begin to explain the way the human mind works. They are a mystery to me." He shook his head and sighed. "They will forever be a mystery to me."

"So how do you know?" Eric asked. "How do you know that Carmichael had his daughter kidnapped and murdered?"

"It was all for power," Russell answered. "It was for money and power."

Eric walked to where Russell was standing and stopped in front of him. He began to shake his head in disagreement. "Carmichael is already a very powerful man, Russell. He has friends in high places. He has friends in every branch of the government … all over the world, as a matter of fact. I can't see him risking his daughter's life for a few measly dollars or just a bit more power."

Salome decided to speak up. "I agree with Russell. I can see the power hungry Carmichael wanting more and more. Have you seen his garish home? It's fucking ridiculous that one man needs a home that size. He's always been the type to live a large life. I don't see why it's impossible for him to want an even larger one." Looking out at the sea of vampiric faces, she said, "We've all heard of Carmichael. We've all seen how devious and underhanded he can be. I seem to remember the time he destroyed his brother's company just because he wanted to. There was another time when he'd bought his mother's home right from under her just because she was behind on the mortgage and then he sold it to the city and they tore it down to rubble."

Bartlett began to laugh and said, "Yeah. If not for the work that Eric and Sookie did, he was going to try and shut down the blood banks for the orphaned vamps."

The sea of vampiric faces were soon nodding in agreement with what Salome said. They all suddenly began to recall the sneaky ways of Copley Carmichael.

"So, you see," Russell said. "It's not too farfetched to believe that Carmichael did this to his daughter." A look appeared on his face that he tried to hide but it was a little too late.

Eric saw it. He was waiting for it. He needed it.

"What do you know, Russell?" he asked.

Russell glanced at the AP over his shoulder.

"Speak," she exclaimed. "Tell us what you know of this tragedy."

"Yes, Russell," Salome stated. "Tell us what you know."

He looked at her and nodded. "I know that I should've come forward sooner but there was no way that I could betray our leader. He has done so much for our race."

Salome crossed her legs as she leaned back in her seat. "Are you saying that André is involved with whatever Copley has going on?" She shook her head no. "I refuse to believe that."

"I know how this pains you because you two are so close," Russell said to Salome. "But André and Copley were working together. They were harvesting faeries so that they could corner the market with their blood."

Vampire fangs dropped from all around. The very thought of faery blood being made available to the vampire community was every vampires dream come true. The sweet, intoxicating taste coating their throats would be heavenly.

"No!" Salome exclaimed as she jumped up from her seat and ran at Russell. She dropped the envelopes on the floor. "No! André would never do that! He is an honorable vampire! He is our leader! Don't ever speak like that about him again!" Bloody tears streaked her pale, white face.

The faery looked at the vampires as she shook her head. And the best actress of the night award goes to ...

Russell then took Salome into his arms and cradled her to his chest. "Hush, child," he whispered into her hair. "It's true. Everything that I've said is true. It was André's plan to market the blood of the halflings but it didn't go as planned."

The world's driest ham award will definitely go to Russell. Claudette almost giggled but she caught herself.

Claudette, remaining composed, stood behind Russell and asked, "How did he find them?"

"Give me a moment, Claudette." Russell kissed Salome's head before he released her. He walked her back to her chair and sat her down. Kneeling before her, he asked, "Are you going to be alright?"

Salome dabbed at her eyes and nodded. "I will be fine. It's just too much for me to handle."

"My dear," he said to her. "You've seen the evidence. I've shown it to you. You and Bartlett were notified. We discussed what needed to be done about André. Since this discovery, you have refused to believe it."

Salome said, "I can't believe it. I won't believe it."

"Give me the envelopes," he ordered.

The vampire queen shook her head no. "I can't."

"You must," he whispered.

Salome took the envelopes from the floor and reluctantly handed them to Russell.

Russell proceeded to hand an envelope to each person in attendance. Looking at the AP, he said, "I didn't know that you were coming or I would have had one on hand for you."

"Don't worry about it," the Mistress said. "I have one."

That's when the handmaiden appeared and gave the AP a copy.

Russell almost looked surprised but caught himself. He finally gave his attention to the faery. "Please forgive my rudeness, Claudette. Ask me your question once again."

Stepping in closer to him, she repeated, "How did he find them?"

Still putting on the performance of his life, he sighed and turned his back to her. He then bowed his head and feigned angst and guilt before replying to her. "William Compton," he finally said as he dramatically turned to look at her. "William was dating Amelia and that's how he found the halflings. If you read through your documents, you will see that research was done by André and he learned that each of the girls had faery blood. The research was done by a couple of André's underlings and human that lives in his area."

Keeping a firm grip onto her files, the AP slid to the edge of her seat and glared at the vampire. "You knew of this and you said nothing?"

Russell said, "I did but I could not turn on André. He is our leader. What was I supposed to do?"

"Honor the blood," the AP announced loudly. "You were supposed to honor the very blood that keeps you here! You have committed treason of the highest form! Do you realize what you've done? You've put our very existence in danger. You've betrayed each of us. You've put the sacred marriage in jeopardy and you stand here as if you've made a disturbing discovery?!"

Shaking her head as she stood, she glared at Russell with her blind eyes. "You are just as guilty, if not more than, your so called leader!"

Russell didn't expect that. His plan didn't go as expected at all. He believed that if he'd thrown André under the bus, he'd be given Some leniency. He figured that he'd be punished for not reporting his former lover but never did he expect what he'd received. He's a king for pity's sake! Plus he did what he had to do. He could protect André no longer. He didn't even warn him or Salome about the emergency meeting until last night. Hell, he didn't even tell them. Eric made the fucking call!

"What was I do?" he asked once more. "Tell me what I was supposed to do!"

"Did you contact me?" the AP asked.

"No," he answered.

"Did you contact the vampire or the fae?" she asked.

"No," he repeated.

"Then you are as guilty as André," she proclaimed.

"How can you say that?" Russell yelled at the AP.

When he yelled at the AP, her guards and handmaidens moved in closer to him. "Lower your tone, boy," the elder warned him. "Or I'll kill you where you stand."

Dropping down to his knees before the AP, he said, "Forgive me, Mistress. But please know that whatever André was a party to, I had no hand in. I did nothing wrong."

"Liar," Thalia said as she stood from her seat. "You're a fucking liar."

Russell was soon on his feet and glaring at the vampiress. "How dare you?!"

She smiled at him.

He ran at her at his full speed but he was unable to cause any damage. Thalia punched him in the chest and he went flying across the stage. He landed with a loud, crashing thud.

Just as he landed on his ass, she was standing over him. "Tonight, old friend," she said. "You will die for your crimes."