In the end I made the decision to sing as if I was the proverbial canary; or to be more accurate have Madden believe that I had divulged all the information to him. I was positive that this was a complete setup. I just was not sure what was being set up.
Sookie and I continued the game, at which I felt Jason's pain with the melted chocolate character. As we played, or if I was being honest, as Sookie beat me, I did ask her questions about the two men on whom she was using her telepathy. As I asked her more questions, I learned that the two men were glamoured. Sookie, as an adult, could determine this with her skills; Sookie, as a child, did not seem to understand what it meant, but when she said their brains felt 'mushy,' I asked more questions and came to that conclusion.
With the knowledge that they were glamoured, I was now certain that this was a test for me as well. Throughout the night, the two men's thoughts never ventured too far from thinking about Cataliades. I even had Pam ask them innocuous questions such as their favorite flavor of ice cream. Even a thought such as that caused their minds to wonder if Cataliades ate ice cream and what might be his favorite flavor.
It was a complete glamour. It would not surprise me if these two humans would no longer be capable of living on their own once they were no longer needed. The more likely outcome of their situation would, unfortunately, be death. I was determined to try to make it otherwise, but I was not sure if I would be able to accomplish that. I did not appreciate the feeling of my hands being tied. I had worked too hard for far too long as a vampire to have such a feeling. I had never wanted to be a king; I had never wanted to surrender my freedom in the way it was necessary in order to be a king.
That was something I had started to reconsider under the rule of de Castro.
Due to the glamour of the humans, Sookie had not been able to pull much more from their minds. I had Pam ask about where they had been kept and what they observed while they were held in an attempt to gather information I might be able to use in what was becoming the inevitable take-down of de Castro and Madden. Every question Pam had asked came back to Sookie hearing the men think about 'the guy with the cat name,' as she put it.
We had completed the game, with Sookie winning as my game piece spent the majority of the time stuck in the mud, or I guess staying in the theme of the game, he was stuck in the melted chocolate. I had stopped asking Sookie questions about the minds of the men five minutes earlier and they had been moved to an area where Sookie could no longer hear them. It should have been quiet in her head, well, with Jason back upstairs she could have heard him, but that at least was a mind with which she was familiar, and one probably not bombarding her with thoughts.
I left Sookie barely awake, but she adamantly refused to sleep on my couch, and chose instead to color with her brother. Before I left the room, I could see that Sookie was drawing a picture of the two of us flying. I could not discern what Jason was attempting to draw. I informed Sookie that I would return in a few minutes and made my way out to the bar to see Thalia to discuss Madden's next visit, when he returned to pick up the two men. Suddenly , Sookie's scent became unexpectedly stronger in the air than it should have been with her safe behind the door in my office. I saw that I was not the only one who noticed as the heads of the beings in the bar who could scent her turned toward the aroma.
It came as no surprise when I found Jason was involved.
He was standing just outside of the women's restroom. He shrugged when he saw me and said, "When you gotta go, you gotta go."
This was likely the one and only time that I wished Sookie had reverted to a time when she needed diapers. According to my sources, Madden was still far enough away, but with the speed of a vampire, he could be there in the blink of a human eye.
"So you thought it fine to allow her go in there alone?" I asked.
He looked at me as if I had suddenly grown two extra heads. "No! Amelia and Pam are in there with her. I'm out here to guard the door."
I was sure the look on my face was a mirror image of the one on his only seconds ago. I knew my child would never place Jason on guard duty in a bar that contained so many vampires. It had to be a title the boy had given himself. I wasted no more time when I felt Sookie becoming distressed in the bathroom.
When I entered, Amelia was chanting something while my child whispered softly to Sookie as if she was trying to comfort her. Sookie was attempting to hold in her tears, but a few managed to escape, trailing down her little face.
I knelt in before her and once she saw me there, her little arms wrapped around my neck. I then started to whisper things into her ear to comfort her while Pam rubbed her back before making her way over to Amelia to see if she could be of assistance to the chanting witch. I hoped her chanting would in some way end whatever was upsetting Sookie. That was something I still needed to clarify.
"What is wrong, Sookie?" I asked her.
"There's a lot," she said into my neck.
"A lot wrong?" I asked, uncertain as to what she could have meant. I had only left her a few minutes ago. What the hell had gone wrong in those few minutes?
"A lot of vampires," she told me while she hugged my neck more tightly.
"While we walked in here, she abruptly her head," Pam started to explain. "Amelia had not extended the spell enough to include the bathroom. When we left your office, she could suddenly hear everyone."
Understanding what had caused Sookie's pain would have made it easy to blame the young witch. The truth of the matter was I could have easily blamed myself. I had not requested the spell be extended to include the bathroom. I never factored in Sookie's human needs, needs that she had more often as a child.
I may have not factored in her human needs, but I had a simple fix in mind to solve our current predicament. I swept Sookie up into my arms, and we were back in my office before she could even ask where we were going! I sat on the couch with Sookie in my lap and began to sing songs to her in my native tongue. It took her close to ten minutes, but she was finally able to calm herself.
"I am sorry," I told her once she began to mimic me in my singing. She happened to attempt my native language better as a child than when she was an adult.
"What are you sorry for?" she asked while her head rose from where she had it resting on my chest.
"That you were distressed in the bathroom."
"That wasn't your fault! You helpeded me feel better!" While that may have been true for her, it did nothing to help me feel any better about the situation. I should have realized Sookie might need the restroom during the evening. That was something that I should have foreseen, a contingency for which I should have planned. I should have made it possible for her to use the restroom without being overwhelmed with all of those human or Supe thoughts.
I did not even want to begin to think of the thoughts she may have heard.
Yet, while I looked down at the little face that looked back up at me, she looked at me with nothing but gratitude. She did not blame me for her distress. She only saw that I was the one who helped her through it. I was the one who blamed myself, whose blame turned into anger, anger that would fester in me. I knew that it had happened in the past. Had that guilt, that anger, had more consequences than I was aware of? Was it really as simple as offering comfort when I could, to be there when she needed me? Was that simply enough?
"Do they want my blood?' Sookie asked in a small voice.
"They will not get close to you," I told her. I attempted to evade the question. The true answer was, yes, the other vampires in Fangtasia that evening would want to drink her blood. That did not make my statement any less true.
As Sookie let out a yawn, I started to tell her a story. It was not a fictional story, but it was also one that would not return any of her memories. I had no idea what effect that might have on her, and I was hesitant to tell her anything that might return any of her memories because of that.
After two stories and with Sookie was just barely awake, I stood to take my leave. There was no other reason to stay. Sookie barely moved her off of my shoulder while I spoke with Pam as we left. "Do not tell him much," I told her. "Tell him that she," I said, motioning toward Sookie, "was not feeling well and I had to take her home, but that I look forward to his phone call."
I was not certain if Pam would be able to say that last portion with a straight face. I also was not positive that Madden would expected her to do so.
I made it out to my car, which I had parked directly outside the back door. Sookie was in the car and carefully strapped into the child's seat Amelia said was necessary for her safety before the door had the opportunity to completely close behind me. I hoped that no one had the opportunity to see her. The area had been checked and vampires were present to ensure I was alone in the back, but one can never be too careful.
The return drive to my house was a silent one with Sookie asleep in the backseat. I did not mind the quiet, as it gave me some time to think and plan exactly what I would tell Madden. In fact, that was where my thoughts should have been; however, they were centered on the tiny sleeping being in the back of my car.
Once home, Sookie remained sound asleep; the car ride had stolen any remaining energy she had trying to stay awake. I carefully put her to bed, changing her into her pajamas. I made sure she looked comfortable, and then I made my way down to my office to await the call I knew was coming. When my phone rang, I answered it quickly; I saw no point in making Madden wait in this situation. I was in no mood to simply make him wait to put on a show. The situation was too fragile at the moment. "I was disappointed to not find you at the bar as we had arranged," he told me. His tone made me rethink my respectful, quick answer of his call.
"I am sure my child explained my reasons for not being there."
"Yes. Although someone should have taught Pam about paying respect to her betters."
I had many statements I could have made to respond to his words, but I was not certain of Pam's specific location at that second. She was not feeling as if she was threatened, but if she was anywhere near Madden, my worry was that could change in an instant. For that reason, I bit my tongue and tasted my own blood because of it, although I will admit I pretended that it was Maddens'.
"You have a great deal of control," he told me and I assumed his words were in reference to the way I did not react to the way he had spoken about my child.
"After a thousand years, that should not surprise you."
"Your propensity for survival does not surprise me, it merely intrigues me." That was one of the things that caused the downfall of Victor Madden. He may have given me credit for being on this planet as long as I have been, but in the end, he underestimated me.
My underestimation of him and de Castro had disastrous consequences, consequences that almost could not be rectified. I would make certain that Madden's underestimation of me would lead to consequences from which Madden and de Castro could not return.
"Are we going to discuss the purpose of this phone call?" I asked. I wanted the conversation over and that could not happen until we started discussing what Sookie had heard, information Madden most likely already had.
He sighed, and then said, "What was it the telepath learned?"
"I would imagine, since the men were glamoured, that you at least already know the topic of the evening."
He was silent for a moment before he asked, "She can determine that?"
"Yes," I stated simply. That was most likely a piece of information he had been looking to ascertain through this exercise. It sounded as if he was not all appreciative of the fact that I had confirmed information he was hoping was false. I did not find it at all enjoyable, giving up information on Sookie, especially to Victor, but it was something that was becoming more known as she and her gift became more renowned. My focus of what to keep hidden needed to shift if I wanted to continue to ensure her safety.
"So what did she conclude about the lawyer? Or is there anything you might care to share?" he asked, rather snidely.
I needed to play this very carefully. I could not hide that I had been in contact with the lawyer as it was becoming quite evident that Madden was at least aware of our contact. I would say nothing that would put any of those I cared for in jeopardy. I would say nothing to put Cataliades in further danger. I would say nothing that would have given Madden any inclination that anything had happened to Sookie.
"You could have just asked me outright if I had had any contact with the lawyer," I told him. I wanted to know how he would respond to that statement.
"You and he were close. We could not expect honesty from you."
"Yet you thought putting me through tests, tests that involve my wife, would be the best way to have me volunteer information?" I realized then what a massive miscalculation they had made. They had planned for my desperation in this situation; their hope was to expose and utilize it.
That was something that would cost them greatly.
There was nothing but silence for nearly a minute. I questioned if he had hung up. The tone in his voice had changed to one of clear anger when he asked, "Well?"
That was as close to a question regarding Cataliades that I would get.
"I knew him when he worked for Sophie-Anne. I had a question for him on a personal matter and spoke with him about that. I knew that our king wanted to speak with him, but if I had been given any indication of how strongly the conversation was wanted, I would have handled speaking with the lawyer in a different manner." That was the truth. I would have been even more careful with my dealings with Cataliades. I reminded myself to continue to refer to him as 'the lawyer' throughout our conversation.
"Do you know where he is currently?" Madden asked, a warning tone clear in his voice. I told him the truth since I did not have to lie. I did not know where exactly Desmond was. His next question was a little more difficult, but I still did not have to lie. "Do you know to where he is traveling?"
Ultimately, I knew that Cataliades would return here, either with or without the demon. Of his travels, however, I had no idea where the trail of the demon might lead him. That was why I could say that I did not lie to Madden once I repeated my previous answer. I would have if I had needed to, but if I could get Madden to trust me, or, what was more likely to have a little less distrust in me, it might have made ending him a little easier.
"If you knew that he had left the area, what did you expect Sookie to discover by reading the humans, the ones you had glamoured, in fact?" I asked, as I was curious about what he would have told me.
He hesitated, which informed me that his answer was one he carefully considered.
Then he lied through his teeth.
"We wanted to ensure that the information we had collected was correct."
I doubted there was any truth in that statement. I might have believed him if he had told me it was all a test of Sookie's abilities. That was something I could have believed, even if it was not the complete truth. Many of my thoughts on Madden were confirmed as there was absolutely no truth to his statement.
I confirmed for him that they were, in fact, employees of Cataliades. I also confirmed that he would be traveling and out of touch for the foreseeable future. These were all things Madden already knew.
He did this to test Sookie's skills. He did this to test what information I would choose to share with him. He did this to try to prove his authority over us as Regent and he would continue to do things in this manner.
He proved that as he said, "I look forward to working closely, very closely, with Ms. Stackhouse in the future," as he hung up the phone.
My phone did not survive the conversation.
The only reason that the rest of my office did was that I did not want to awaken Sookie. In an effort to calm myself, I made my way upstairs and sat by her bed, just staring at her. This was something she might not have appreciated if she knew, but it had been something that I started when I stayed with her after her kidnapping. I had so much anger in me with all that had happened. Watching her achieve peace in her sleep she could not while awake was something in that I took comfort. I knew she had anger; I even knew that some of it had been directed toward me when she thought I did not attempt to rescue her. As she told me in that office, did being with her when I was there, help to diminish the anger? Was that what she needed?
If so, it had to have made my disappearance hurt her that much more.
I sat by her head with my own in my hands until I only had seconds to enter the protection of my bedroom. I was happy that my thoughts could not invade my dreams.
When I woke from my rest, I felt calm. I felt it as it came from Sookie. I felt it all throughout the house. It was something that I was thankful for; it, one night of serenity, was something that we all needed and could appreciate.
I moved to the kitchen where I felt Sookie and the other human inhabitants of the house were. I had never thought I would have had this many humans living in my house at the same time, but the smile on Sookie's face was worth it. Pam had slept at her house the previous evening, but would be traveling here. Unseen circumstances aside, I had not plans of leaving my house that evening.
I was happy and even proud as I walked into the kitchen and heard Sookie as she tried to entice her brother to eat his vegetables. It was to no avail though; the elder Stackhouse was very stubborn about not ingesting anything that was even remotely healthy.
I again found a bottle of blood waiting for me on the table next to Sookie. Fortunately, she had not taken it upon herself to feed the bottle to me since that first evening. She greeted me with excitement, and I, her, but knew that she had to finish her meal before she could leave the table. That was something we had to instill in her.
"Guess what? Guess what?' she said as she bounced around me as soon as she had swallowed her last bite.
"What?" I asked her as my eyes followed as she moved.
"Amelia is gonna take me to an art store tomorrow! She said I could pick whatever I want for my art!"
I did not want my trepidation at this news to ruin Sookie's excitement. I had agreed that she should not be trapped in my house all day. That did not mean I was happy that she would not be trapped in my house, where she was most likely safer, everyday.
"Tell Eric who else is coming with us," Amelia said while she most likely tried to calm me.
"Tray! Tray is coming!" Sookie said as she continued to jump around. "And he's gonna bring three friends." As much as I despised the idea, having a witch and four Weres as bodyguards would offer her much protection.
"I cannot wait to see what you choose!" I told her. I planned to call Tray once Sookie was asleep to ensure the protection was adequate. I tried to put the worry out of my thoughts so I could enjoy my night with Sookie.
I would worry enough once she had gone to sleep.
Eric sure has a great deal to worry about. I do hope you have enjoyed this one. Many, many thanks to my friend MsBuffy and her fantasticalness! Just a reminder that this story is complete over on WP and my next one is a good 11 chapters in. I will finish this one here (if anyone is even still reading it) but it will likely be the last complete story I do here - simply because of the upload issues. I hate to keep you guys waiting.