SPOV
I must be in kind of a haze on the ride home because it feels like all I do is blink and we're here. I lower my shields and am thankful to find that Gran is already asleep. Yes, she's been handling everything living with a vampire has thrown at her but a hostage might be a step too far. We aren't even out of the car in the garage before Pam and Godric are in front of us.
"Why do I smell dog?" Pam asks in her dry tone.
"Another kidnapping attempt."
"Maybe I just shouldn't drive in cars anymore. Eric, can you just fly me everywhere?" I ask and hope I don't sound as hysterical as I feel but by the look on the vampires' faces, I fail. I'm still in shock about the whole shooting light out of my hand thing. I should be used to the weird supernatural things that happen to me by now.
"Quid ei accidit?" (What happened to her?) Godric asks Eric and I'm just calm enough to get pissed off their speaking in another language again. I calm down a little when Pam looks put off as well.
"Lux iterum illa usus est. Ego postulo ut contact Nial" (She used her light again. I need you to contact Nial)
"Cur Niall et non alius mediocris?" (Why Niall and not another fairy?)
Whatever Godric said shocks Eric enough to switch to English.
"I did not realize we hadn't spoken about this yet. She's his great-granddaughter."
Oh, now I'm sure they're talking about me and I'm pissed! "Okay, listen here you two. If you're talking about me, you better be speaking in a language I understand. That's just rude."
I emphasize my point by stomping my foot and throwing my arms out toward the ground. I must still be charged or whatever because my microwave fingers go off again. Thank god I was aiming at the ground. I might be mad but I don't want to hurt anyone. I look at my hand in shock again, I really need to get the hang of this bullshit.
"What the fuck was that?" Pam asks. But before anyone responds she inhales to say something else and her fangs come down. It all happens in a span of a blink but by the time I open my eyes Pam is being held back by Eric and she is trying to get to me, looking feral. What the fuck?
"What the fuck?" I speak my thoughts.
"Pam, I command you not to harm Sookie, ever." He lets her go and looks at me. "The smell of the fae strengthens in you when you use your fairy magic."
"She's a fucking fairy?" Pam says when she gets control of herself.
"Yes, Pam, she's about 1/8th fairy but that small part is strong because it's of royal blood."
"A fucking fairy princess?" The incredulity is pouring off of her. For once, Pam and I are on the same page.
"Yes. Now get the Were to the basement. Have some fun with him but make sure he can answer a few questions when I join you."
I shiver at the ruthlessness in his tone but get over it quickly enough, I know who he is and what I was getting into when I bonded with him. I'm a little surprised to realize Godric is touching my arm and trying to get my attention, I must be still a little out of it.
"Huh?" I say with all the grace of a three-legged elephant.
He smiles softly at me. "Have you met your great-grandfather? He and I are… friends."
Even if Eric didn't already hint that they were lovers in the past, the way he said 'friends' gave it all away. "No, I haven't but I'd really like to, maybe he can help me with all this," I say lifting up my hands.
"Hm, I shall contact him for you. Though he lives in a different realm, it might be a while before we hear from him. When I last seen him, a few decades ago he was grieving the death of his son and said he needed to get away for a while."
"Fintan, I guess that's my real granddaddy. My gran and he had my dad and my aunt together."
"I'm sorry, little one. It's always hard to lose a family member."
"Thanks, but I never met him and didn't know he existed until a few weeks ago."
I staunchly ignore the broken and bloody Were as Pam drags him to the basement. That's when I realize I've never been in the basement, I didn't even know there was one. And now I don't know if I ever want to. Eric walks over to me, wraps his arms around me, and pulls me close, he must feel my discontent about the Were, he sends me pride at how I'm handling it and I don't know how I feel about that.
"Oh Eric, some paperwork was faxed here today." Godric sounds kinda ominous and Eric tenses. I don't know what could be so bad about paperwork until I remember that the queen promised to send some soon to hire me.
"What days did she ask for us to come?" I ask.
"Monday through Friday. She also sent the $100,000 check to go along with it."
"What? That's insane and too much!"
"Yes, she is paying you extra but not by much. For travel your contract asks for expenses paid plus 10k and 1k per hour, for 5 days that's 70k. She's giving you extra, trying to entice you with money. She's trying to show you what she can give you. She just doesn't know you well enough to know money won't sway you like your cousin."
"Should I not take it? Will it make me indebted to her?"
"No it won't because she is paying for your service but should she try to give you more then you should reject that unless it's extenuating circumstances."
"O-okay." I might have been brought into shock all over again. The things Gran and I could do with this money, there are so many things in our little farmhouse that needs fixin' and now I can. I want to wake Gran up so I can show her but think better of that idea.
"Sookie, we spoke of this. I told you if you decided to sell your telepathy you wouldn't have to worry about money anymore. Be calm, dear one, all is well." Eric says into my ear, I guess he can feel how unsure I am about the situation. A second later he kisses my forehead and then goes inside, I know he is going into the basement. A big part of me wants to ignore what's happening down there and that's the part of me I want to agree with but a small part of me needs to see what my lover is capable of, if I'm going to be in this life, I can't live with my head in the clouds. I take a determined step toward the door into the house.
"What are you doing, little one?" Godric asks.
"I have to see. I can't live a lie and I would be if I keep pretending what's happening down there, isn't."
He looks at me long and hard. "Fair enough. Come."
I follow him and I feel like I'm walking to the gallows. The whole time I feel Eric's blood lust, and his apprehension. He's worried about how I'm taking all of this. His apprehension grows when he feels my resolve and the bond is filled with anger when the door to the basement opens but I keep putting one step in front of the other. I'm surprised by my lack of reaction when I get to the bottom of the stares. I thought seeing a beaten man tied up with multiple things sticking out of his stomach would disgust me but I feel nothing. So I keep a stoic look on my face and listen to his thoughts.
Eric looks at me a long time, trying to read me but eventually, he looks back to the Were. "Who sent you?"
"Don't know, was called on a burner phone and had money deposited into my account. I never met anyone." Eric feels exasperated so I guess he's been saying the same thing the whole time. I know different from his thoughts though.
"It was the queen. She's trying to show me how unsafe I am with you. Trying to scare me into thinking I'm better with her. Though I have a feeling this Were doesn't realize he was just cannon fodder, she probably didn't think they'd be able to take me, she's just trying to get me uncomfortable, unless she's an idiot anyhow. If for some reason they were able to, they'd take me straight to the queen's compound."
"Is that right?" Eric asks looking at the Were.
"No! That's not right, the bitch is either lying or crazy and making stories up!"
"And why would she do such a thing?"
"I don't know, maybe she's working with this queen and is trying to throw you off her scent."
"That makes no sense, what's more is you know it, you're just trying to weasel your way out of punishment. The thing you don't understand is, that your life has been forfeited since the moment you decided to try to kidnap my bonded. You know the laws when someone tries to steal another's bonded, yes?"
The Were nods his head and I have to block out his thoughts because he is terrified. Terrified and resigned. I did what I came down here to do. I saw the truth about the dark parts of being with Eric and I helped them get the answers they were looking for. I might know what's about to happen but I don't have to watch it. I turn around and start walking upstairs.
"Sookie…" I hear Eric say in a questioning and worried tone.
I turn to him and smile softly at him while sending acceptance and love in the bond. I see his tense shoulders loosen so I continue walking upstairs. I tell Godric a quick 'goodnight' before making my way to our bedroom. It isn't until I'm in my pajamas and lying in bed that I look at the clock and see that it's 3 am Sunday morning. My eyes open wide, we're supposed to be going to New Orleans on Monday which is technically tomorrow. When I wake up I have to pack and get everything ready. With that thought, I decide not to wait up for Eric and try to get some sleep because I have to get up early tomorrow. Well, early for me now anyway, not for most people. As I'm falling asleep I ponder what the attempted kidnapping will change in our plans for the trip, if anything.
When I wake up the next morning I'm cuddled with Eric and I see a note propped up on my nightstand. I enjoy the cuddles for a few moments before reaching for the note.
Min stjärna,
It is unfortunate we must be in such a rush but Sophie Ann is known not to account for anyone else's time other than her own. We must leave when we rise tonight because I want to get there early enough to be able to scope out if there are any threats. I have Bobby packing everything that I need so do not worry about me, pack what you can for you and Adele, and anything there isn't time for we'll buy while there. Do not fret yourself too much over this. All will be well.
Love,
E
My eyes widen, I have to be ready to go tonight?! I jump out of bed, even forsaking my daily butt squeeze, and run downstairs to let Gran know. I almost make it out of the door before I realize I am not dressed to be seeing my Gran, in fact, I'm completely naked. Eric woke me when he came to bed last night. I quickly run into the bathroom and grab my robe so I can run into my room, or I guess what's technically my room since I haven't slept there since the first night here but it's where all my clothes are. I chose a comfortable T-shirt and jeans because we're going to be busy today and then run downstairs.
Gran is right where I expected her, in the kitchen, drinking coffee, and reading the paper. "Hey Gran, did Godric tell you of the fax we got last night?"
"I'm a little confused when a blush comes over her face at Godric's name but I don't have the time to worry about that right now. "No, what did it say, Sookie?"
"You know I told you the queen was gonna hire me soon, well apparently soon is tomorrow, we have to leave tonight."
"Sakes alive, we have to pack!"
"Yeah, just grab what you can, whatever we forget we'll buy."
"Sookie," She said in admonishment, "Just because Eric has money doesn't mean we can be frivolous."
"It's actually all on the queen's dime, it's part of my contract and I don't care anymore, she tried to kidnap me again last night. Plus, even if it wasn't we don't need Eric's money, I got paid already." I say and hand her the check I left on the counter before going to the basement last night. Her eyes widen in surprise.
"Sookie, dear lord, that's a lot of money!"
"I know, right?"
"I knew it was smart to listen to Eric about these things, I told you he knew what he's doing and isn't out to hurt you."
"I know, Gran, I was just worried, I'm glad I listened though. It's a lot of change and not all of it was easy but I think it was worth it and for the best."
"Me too," Gran says with a smile.
I stay quiet for a few moments thinking about all that has changed since the first time I went to Fangtaisia before my eyes widen and I remember what we have to do. "We don't have time for this, Gran, we have to get ready!"
"Cripes, you're right. You go pack your clothes and I'll pack mine, who's ever done first will pack toiletries."
"Okay!"
Gran and I finish packing in record time and she decides to start dinner while I take on the task of calling our friends to let them know that we'll be out of town again. Maxine is a hard call to get through because she's still grieving and knowing who killed her child didn't help much. Calling Tara goes just about how I expect it to, "Stay safe, Sook. You're an idiot for putting your trust in a vampire." Same with Lafayette, "You's one lucky bitch to be able to sleep next to that fine ass every night and I know you ain't just sleeping sister child. You's better keep yo ass safe though."
Now the only call left is Jason and I'm not worried about it because it seems like he sort of has a man crush on Eric now, or at least he's hero-worshiping him a little bit.
"Hey, Sook, what's up."
"Hey Jace, I was just calling to let you know that I got hired for another travel job."
"Oh yeah? Where are we going?"
"New Orleans…" I notice too late that he says 'we' instead of 'you'
"When?"
"We're leaving as soon as the vampires rise."
"Well then, I better get my butt in gear to pack and make my way over to you."
"Jason, what about work? You can't keep missing to come with me to my job."
"It's fine, Sook. I never take vacation or sick days, I have a lot saved up."
"What about a plane ticket? They're expensive." I'm grasping at straws at this point, I know Eric likes Jason, to an extent anyway, but I don't want to invite him along without letting Eric know.
"Don't worry about it, Sook. I was with Eric and Little Man while they were making plans for when you went to the Big Easy, one plan of there's was to get a private plane so they can't track how many people were coming with us and so that they could choose when to come and go. I'll fit."
I work hard to hold back the sigh that wants to come out, "Alright, Jace. Just get here soon, they'll be up in two hours and we'll be leaving an hour after that. We can't be late so we won't be able to wait for you."
"No problem, Sis, I'll be there."
"See ya soon, Jace," I say and finally let my sigh out when the phone is hung up.
Gran, Jason, and I are just sitting down for dinner when I feel Eric wake up for the night.
"I know that smile."
"What smile?" Both Jason and I ask.
"That's the 'Eric just woke up' smile."
I blush because she's right. "Wait, how do you know?" Jason asks.
"Because…" Thank goodness Eric takes this moment to come down the stairs because I don't know how to answer him, I know I don't want to explain blood bonds to Jason. Eric leans down and kisses the top of my head. He must feel my disappointment at the lack of a real kiss because as he's walking to the fridge to get some bagged blood he leers over at me. When he does that I realize I'm grateful for only the kiss on the head because anything more and he'd take it too far in front of family. I feel his confusion when he sees Jason too but he doesn't say anything so I decide to tell him instead of making him ask and possibly coming off as rude.
"I called Jason to let him know we'll be out of town for a few days and he decided it'd be best if he tagged along."
"Is that right?" Eric asks stoically.
"That's right" Jason cuts in, "I know you're worried about the danger in New Orleans so I'd figure it'd be best if I came to watch them during the day on account a' the fact that you'd burn up and die if you did."
I'm surprised when I feel a small amount of grudging pride coming from Eric. "That's good, Jason but you'll have help on that front."
Wait, what? "What do you mean help?"
"I hired Were's to help keep you safe during the day, this is what we've been worrying about Sookie. It was harder for the queen to get you here because everyone is loyal to me but in New Orleans, she's the one with more connections and power. You'll be in danger every minute and I won't apologize for doing what I have to, to keep you safe. I hope they're waisted precautions but if they're needed, they'll be there."
I'm building a head of steam ready to get into a fight about this before I look and see both Jason and Gran nodding their head in agreement with Eric. Are they right? Am I just fighting just to fight? I try to imagine how I'd react if it were Eric who was the one in danger and all of a sudden, I get it. So I let my shoulders slump in defeat, especially when I turned to see Godric looking at me in fatherly disapproval and Pam, well Pam was looking at her nails and tapping her stiletto like she gives absolutely no shit about the outcome of this conversation.
"Alright, whatever, I get it. We're ready to go when you are." Damn, I sound like a petulant child. Thankfully, Eric still smiles at me, walks over, and wraps me in his arms to offer me comfort.
"Yes, I am packed and ready. Oh, Sookie, I meant to tell you, I reached out like you asked, but like I said, I have no clue how long it'll be until I get a response. For beings who have been alive as long as he and I, time moves differently."
"Okay, thanks, Godric."
It doesn't take long until we're all in our cars and on the way to the airport, or landing strip because it's definitely not an airport, there's only one plane and it's ours and the only people here are the people that will be flying the plane and the stewardess. Even though I've been in this situation once before, it still feels strange to me, like I don't deserve this much special treatment.
With a deep breath, I take a step onto the plane to make my way to New Orleans, it'll be a quick flight, almost too quick in my opinion, I'm not looking forward to this. I look around and see everyone I have on my side and realize the queen doesn't know what's coming for her if she thinks she can get through them to get to me.
