28
There's Nothing Special About Me … Not Really
Hey! I hope that everyone had a great weekend. The training was been boring as hell but that's government for you. Boring and chocked full of you know what but thankfully it's almost over. Two more days and I'm done! I want to thank y'all for the reviews, alerts, favorites, and especially for reading. It tickles me purple to know that y'all are enjoying my story. In my high pitched voice, I say "Thank ya!". I'd also like to say that Eric had a reason for not body slamming Salome for kissing him. Remember, this is the Viking that we're talking about here. He's always thinking logically. He doesn't jump to conclusions. Don't be mad at him. He did what he had to do.
I would also like to welcome and thank the new readers for jumping on board. Thank you for joining us and I hope that you enjoy the ride.
As always, the characters belong to Charlaine Harris but the story idea belongs to me.
Enjoy!
Eric was right … almost. I was feeling a bit more than nervous. Everything that has happened tonight has gotten to me. I wanted to cry and scream at the tops of my lungs. I wanted to run as far away as I could. I wanted to kill Quinn all over again. I wanted to choke slam my mom for betraying me ... for never being a mom to me. I wanted to give my daddy a good what for for not being a daddy to me. I wanted to do a lot of things but giggling seemed to be the best option. I'm feeling a bit of every emotion that one person could possibly feel. And they slowly faded away into slight giggles and smiles before they were altogether gone. I had to do a few breathing exercises to get my mind where it needed to be but it's there now and it's all good. I'm okay. I really am.
"You're okay now," he said as he looked at me.
"Yes, Master," I whispered.
His fangs snapped into place.
I shivered as I stared at them. I could almost feel them piercing my skin … his lips wrapped around the punctures as I imagined him making …
"Sookie." Salome's grating voice interrupted my moment.
"What?" I snapped. I hate it when people interrupt my fantasies.
"I like you," she shared.
"Okay." What did she want me to do? Jump up and down and do cartwheels? That was not going to happen.
Salome stood in front of me and nodded. Her eyes were on me as she spoke to Eric. "You've trained her well, Eric. She heels to you quite easily. It makes me wonder why she's eager to do as you ask of her and you've never had her. I don't know why but she's enthralling. She's quite captivating … even with the bruises and black eye. There's something special about her." She tilted her as she continued to study me. "Come to me," she commanded. "I mean you no harm."
"No," I said.
She looked at me and beamed. It was the brightest and creepiest smile I'd ever seen. Her beautiful yet deadly fangs were fully displayed once again. I could tell that she didn't like that a human said no to her but she didn't show anger. Instead, she reached out to touch me and once again, I stepped away from her. "Come to me," she repeated.
"No," I echoed.
Salome continued to study my face as I was suddenly in her head. She didn't want me to come to her. She wanted to see if I'd be willing to leave Eric's side. I tensed at the realization that I'd read the mind of another vampire. I was suddenly terrified. Something appeared on Salome's face just as I read her thoughts. I thought that she knew. I dropped my head and breathed calmly and easily. These random vampire thoughts are going to be the death of me. And I'm in no way ready to call it quits.
"Is she okay?" William asked as he stepped forward.
I could feel Eric's eyes on me so I looked up at him and smiled. I said, "I'm okay."
Thankfully, Salome appeared to not have noticed that I'd been in her head or that the king had spoken. She kept talking about me as if I wasn't standing right there with them. "Why are you keeping her, Eric? I don't understand this relationship. I've never known for you to take human lovers so easily. Normally, you'd fuck them and be on your way but this." She pointed at me and cocked an eyebrow. "This thing that you have with Sookie is quite different. I've certainly never known for you to give them your blood. What is it about her, Eric, that has caused this sudden change in you? How long have you had her in your possession?"
"Almost a month," he shared.
William shoved his hands into his pockets as he spoke. "And you've given her your blood? That's a quick step that you've taken, Sheriff."
Salome glanced over her shoulder at the king. "It's unbelievable, isn't it? That the Viking would give blood to a human and he's only known her for a month? It's well known that he's selfish with his blood. He's let his own kind suffer because he didn't want to feed them. It gives me reason to wonder what's really going on here."
Eric stared squarely into Salome's eyes as he talked. "There is no need for you to wonder, Salome. Why concern yourself with something that you can't change? Just know that she is mine. She is not to heel to the will of others because she does not belong to them. She belongs to me."
"Hmm," she said as she studied me. "For now, she's yours."
I looked to the king to see if he had anything to say about what Salome just said but he didn't say anything. He was simply an observer. And I didn't like it.
Eric's body tensed at Salome's words. He pushed me behind him. He stood toe to toe with the vampiress. His fangs descended as he said, "Your deliberate disrespect of her will not be allowed. Though you see a human standing with me, you will not attempt to take her or take what is hers. I have told you that she is mine. She will remain mine … forever."
Salome eyed Eric intensely. "And I am your superior."
"And I have treated you as such, Salome," Eric declared. "Since walking through those doors, you have disrespected me and the relationship that I have with Sookie. You have been deliberate with your words and have shown nothing but contempt …"
I think he said more but I didn't hear him. I was still stuck on the other stuff that he'd said. Did he just tell her that he's mine? Did he just take her to task for disrespecting our relationship? I stood closer to his body as I gripped his hand in mine. The very idea that he's mine and he wants me to be with him forever made my heart pound in my chest. I know that we won't have forever but the idea of being with him while I'm here is something that I can look forward to. I know that with Eric I will have an adventurous life … a happy life … a safe life. I know that I can't get that with anyone else. I thought about the revelation I'd made to him on the way to see the king. I then tugged at the back of his shirt. I didn't care one bit that I was interrupting his conversation with Salome. She could wait. "Master?"
"Yes," he said. He didn't take his eyes off Salome.
"Do you remember what I said to you earlier tonight … about … you know … what I think is happening?"
His back was still to me. "I do."
"I know for sure that I am."
Eric looked briefly at me, arrogance more than apparent on his face. "I am not surprised."
"You should be a comedian," I whispered.
A slight smile appeared on his face. "It has always been a dream of mine."
I covered my mouth to stifle my laughter.
William was watching us with fascination … taking it all in.
Not Salome. She didn't look fascinated or happy about the banter that was going on between me and Eric. She glimpsed over her shoulder in the direction of the king. She began speaking French. "Je la veux. Elle est plus qu'un humain. Ses yeux me disent qu'elle est plus et je la veux. Il ne la mérite pas. Il n'est rien de plus qu'un shérif. Rendez-la ce soir. Faites-en la mine, William." (I want her. She is more than a human. Her eyes tell me that she's more and I want her. He doesn't deserve her. He is nothing more than a sheriff. Give her to me tonight. Make her mine, William.)
I was no longer nervous. I didn't have the urge to giggle. I was angry. I pushed past Eric and I was now standing toe to toe with Salome. "Qui pensez-vous que vous êtes dans le enfer? Vous ne pouvez pas m'en avoir. Vous ne m'avez pas gagné et personne ne va me faire être avec vous. Je collabore avec Éric parce que je suis avec lui. Je suis son et il n'y a rien que vous pouvez faire à ce sujet. Le lien que nous formons est permanent. Personne ne le brise." (Who in the hell do you think you are? You can't have me. You haven't earned me and no one is going to make me be with you. I am bonding with Eric because I belong with him. I am his and there's nothing that you can do about it. The bond that we are forming is permanent. No one is breaking it.)
When I looked at the king, what I'd done dawned on me. He was no longer just staring. Something came over his face as he stared at me. He pushed Salome out of the way and stared down at me. Eric's hand tightened on mine. He was attentive and ready. I was afraid that if something happened with me and the king, Eric was going to respond in a way that would get him hurt or even killed. It would have been my fault. His reminder that I needed to stay quiet popped into my head at that precise moment. It was Salome that I was speaking to. I wasn't mouthing off to the king but if she's his second in command, maybe I should've kept quiet. Maybe I could be a Smart Alec before because the king wasn't present. Regardless, I'd messed up. Just like with Long Shadow, I'd revealed too much and I'd let my anger get the best of me and now Eric was going to be punished because I couldn't keep my big mouth shut. True terror filled me once again and this time I didn't laugh, giggle, or smile. I wrapped my arm around his and rested my head on it. "I'm sorry, Master," I whispered. "I wasn't thinking."
His posture remained firm and he said nothing.
I'd opened my mouth to speak to the king but he raised his hand and stopped me. "Say nothing more and follow me," he ordered. "Each of you."
With Eric stilling holding my hand, we followed the king and Salome to our doom … or to what I believed was going to be our doom. We, at least, had a nice view as we walked down the long and decorated hallway. The artwork was exquisite. The coloring. The lines. The shading. It was magnificent. Some of you are probably wondering how I know about art. A girl from Bon Temps isn't supposed to know that stuff. Well, it's quite simple. My grandpa has taught me a lot about art and many other things. He told me that when I get older, I'd need to know certain things. He told me that they would come in handy one day. He said …
'You're going to lead a fascinating life one day, Sookie. Education is very important. It is imperative that you know as much as you possibly can. People in the supe world, in my world, they will destroy you if they feel that you are beneath them. They will try to use you … hinder you. They will try to use your ignorance of their world, and this one, against you. This, I will not allow. You need to know as much as you can about both worlds but especially my world. The new world that will enthrall you. Whatever you want, because you are my granddaughter, it is yours. You only need to claim your place in this world and your life will change forever. Do you understand?'
I didn't understand but my grandpa's words sent chills through me so I said the first thing that popped into my head. 'I do,' I answered.
'What does that mean to you?' he asked with skepticism filling his voice. 'Tell me what that means to you.'
I could tell that he didn't believe that I knew. And I said before, I didn't. And once again, me being me, I said the first thing that popped into my head. 'That I'm your granddaughter. That I am a Brigant. That I can have whatever I want. I just have to want it bad enough to take it.' As soon as the words left my mouth, I knew that I'd said the right thing.
He caressed my thirteen-year-old head and kissed it. 'Exactly, my love. Your life will be filled with adventure, excitement, and love but know this, Sookie. You will also face hurt and disappointment but in the end, you will find your way. You always will.'
'How do you know, grandpa? What if it doesn't happen like that? What if I want to do something different? What if I don't want to be in the supe world?' I shared my superhero plans with him that day. I used to want to be just like Spiderman when I was girl. I thought that he had the coolest costume. I wouldn't have been Spiderman though. I would have been Spiderwoman. I wanted to save the world.
He laughed at me. 'You won't ever get to be Spiderwoman but you're going to be the best Sookie Stackhouse that you can be. Your new world will give you more than you've ever imagined. I will make sure that you have everything that you need.'
It then dawned on me that he knew that many years ago, that I'd be here in this world. He wanted me here. He knew that this is my destiny. He'd chosen Eric for me. "He knew," I whispered. "He's always known."
I walked into Eric's backside as he, the king, and Salome stopped walking and looked at me. The king asked, "Who knew what?"
I looked at Eric and the vampiress and shook my head. "No one," I replied. "No one knows anything if you think about it. You can ask them something that they're supposed to know and you know what happens? Nothing. They stare at you like you've lost your freaking mind. They can't answer you. It's like they've forgotten what you asked 'em or that you were even talking to 'em. They're all clueless." I didn't know what else to say so I smiled. I apologized to grandpa and the rest of the world in my head for calling them clueless.
The king frowned as he looked at me.
Salome filled the empty hallway with easy laughter. "She is fucking hilarious and she's right. Who really knows anything about anything? I have always thought that but never verbalized it. And another thing," she said. "Do you realize how often things change when you're under the impression that they're supposed to be the same? I've been in this world for hundreds of years and nothing ever stays the same. I guess it's because I never change, I expect everything else to remain as it was."
"Right?" I said as I pointed at her and shook my head.
"It seems that great minds think alike, Sookie."
The king still had a frown on his face as he looked at Salome.
Eric stared. He did nothing but stare. He probably thought that I was nuts.
I, on the other hand, pointed down the hallway. "I'd love to continue this conversation, but we need to hurry along, don't we? We need to get back to Shreveport tonight. We have to get Pam back home."
"You are right, Ms. Stackhouse. Let's get to where we need to be. There is a lot that we must discuss tonight," the king commented. He and Salome turned away from us and proceeded to lead the way.
Eric and I waited behind them for a bit. I mouthed, "I will tell you later."
He nodded and led the way.
It felt like hours before we made it William's office. The long hallway led to the two tallest, cherry wood doors in the history of doors. They looked like the doors at our old, southern Baptist church only these are a bit more elaborate. The door knobs were made of pure brass. They shone so brightly that they sparkled from the light of the chandelier. There were elegant designs carved into the door. As we stopped in front of the doors, I released Eric's hand and traced my fingers over the carefully crafted etchings. It looked like ancient scripture and it was fascinating. The sad part is that I had no earthly idea what any of the etchings meant.
William looked at me and smiled. "Impressed?" he asked.
"Nope," I answered bluntly as I removed my hand from the door and took a step back.
This time, the king laughed.
The king whispered the words 'I have arrived' and the doors sprang open with flair. Two more extremely large vampires were on either side as they held the doors open for us. The office was immaculate. There were paintings that were the length of the walls from which they hung. The carpet was so plush, it felt like I was walking on air. The furniture looked far too expensive for anyone to sit on. If it was in Ms. Fortenberry's house, it would be covered in plastic … double layers. Everything was beautiful but what really caught my eye when we first entered the room was the carving that was etched into the wall behind the king's desk … just above his head as he sat down in his oversized chair.
'Rex est scriptor Latr' (The King's Lair).
Lambs to the slaughter, I thought.
Once we were inside, the vampire guards closed the doors behind them as they left the room. Eric and I were still walking across the room while the king was sitting and Salome stood behind his chair. Eric took the seat in front of William's desk as he released my hand. I didn't know what do to, so I did just as Salome had done. I stood behind Eric's chair with my hands crossed behind my back. The king looked impressed. Eric filled the bond with pride. I could only guess that I'd done the right thing.
Pointing at the chair next to Eric's, the king said, "Please, Ms. Stackhouse, have a seat next to your master."
Before making a move, I looked to Eric. "May I?"
He turned to face me as he gave me permission. "Yes," he replied. The feelings of need and want filled the bond as I did as I was told. I could feel his eyes on me as I took the seat next to him. With my head bowed, I glanced at him and let my feelings for him fill the bond. He briefly closed his eyes before returning his focus to the king.
As they watched us, Salome leaned down and whispered something in the king's ear that I couldn't hear. I know that Eric heard it because he glanced in my direction but remained quiet. He stared straight ahead for what seemed like hours before reaching over and brushing my hair from shoulder. He'd exposed the bite marks on my neck for the vampires to see. I sat taller in my seat and turned my head ever so slightly so that the king and his sidekick could see that I'd been branded with Eric's mark. They were no longer whispering as Eric stared evenly into Salome's eyes. "She is mine," he pronounced.
She scoffed as she looked at him. "How did you find her? Did you steal her? Did you force her to become yours?" She placed her hand on a nonexistent hip. "I can't see someone so strong-willed freely bending to your very whims. What did you do to break her? Did you threaten her family … the people that she loves?"
He dropped fang on her as he leaned forward in his seat. As he spoke, his voice remained calm but icy. "How dare you question my veracity. If I'd forced her to be mine, do you believe that she'd still be a virgin? I would take all of her without question or consequence. How she feels would never be a consideration. She would be mine in every way, Salome."
And from the look on his face, I believed him.
"She yields because it is what she wishes to do," he declared.
And he was right.
Salome was about to speak again but the king stopped her. He raised his hand to her. "Forgive her idiocy, Eric. She knows not what she says because she clearly wants what is yours." He looked at her over his shoulder. "Am I right, Salome?"
If looks could kill, the king would have exploded right there. "Yes, your majesty. You are right."
The king brushed imaginary dust from his desk before placing his arms on it and interlocking his fingers. He glowered at Eric before speaking. "How did you come to have Ms. Stackhouse in your possession? It perplexes me to believe that she just appeared at your doorstep willing to let you claim her." He must have noticed the change in Eric's body because he quickly added, "I don't question your integrity, Sheriff, or your veracity as you so eloquently put it. I would never do that. I just can't seem to get a grasp on how this relationship came to be." He pointed from me to Eric as he continued. "Even you have to admit that Salome is right about one thing. Sookie does not appear to be the type to yield so easily. She has been surrounded by vampires this entire night and she has shown no fear. I'd like to know how you came to have her in your life."
Eric's feelings of anger and rage rolled through the bond though his face remained neutral. "Palomino alerted me to the fact that she'd given you a copy of the help wanted ad but because you are my king, I will verbally explain how Sookie's employment came to be." He glared at the king through hooded eyes. "Pam placed an ad in the local paper looking for a new waitress to work in our establishment, Fangtasia. Ms. Stackhouse, Sookie, put in an application for the job. When I first met her, she captivated me. She has a great personality and a wonderful sense of humor. She's quite intelligent and a great conversationalist. She also showed no fear in the presence of those that should have terrified her." He turned to face me as he spoke. "She didn't see me as a monster and because of it, I wanted her, so hired her."
The king didn't look convinced. "What made you give her your blood?"
Before Eric could answer, Salome blurred from around the king's desk and placed her hands over my ears. I realized what they were doing and I remained seated and calm. I stared straight ahead as William continued to question Eric about our relationship. I wanted to walk around the desk and slap the living daylights out of that so-called king. He was getting on my last nerve questioning Eric's integrity. Those idiots thought that we were lying. Why else would he have his flunky cover my ears? They wanted to make sure that our answers were going to be different. I looked from Eric to the king and they were still talking. I tried looking at Salome but I couldn't move my neck.
The king pointed at me and that was Salome's signal to let me go. "Sookie," William said. "I want you to answer me a few questions. Will you do that?"
I looked to Eric before speaking.
He nodded.
"Yes, your majesty," I replied. "I will."
"You will be honest with me." He wasn't asking either.
"I will," I promised.
"How did you come to bond with the Sheriff?"
Salome was soon standing by her king with her arms crossed over her chest waiting for an answer. I could tell that they were expecting me to lie to them because they already know about me. The king knew about me when he agreed to meet with us. Salome knew about me when she questioned Eric about me. They know what I am. I wanted to know if Eric knows that they know. I searched the bond for a sign of something from Eric and I got nothing so I knew that they knew.
"My grandfather," I said. "He told me that Eric would keep me safe if I wanted to work in the supe world. He said that if I offered to work for any other vampire, they would make me a blood whore and I didn't want that. I don't want that. He had Eric draw up a contract stating that he would protect me at all costs. I agreed because after meeting Eric for the first time, I thought that he was an a-hole. That probably would have turned any other woman off but not me. Even though he was an a-hole, I like him. He was honest and I could see the good in him. After I presented my grandpa's deal to him, Eric said that he'd do it but only after I thought of what it would mean for me."
Salome was soon sitting on the edge of the king's desk. "Are you saying that Eric didn't jump at the chance to make you his? He made you wait?" She looked at Eric and shook her head in utter disbelief. "You're fucking kidding me, right?" She pointed at me and said, "She's a virgin. She smells fucking divine. She's everything that you say she is but you made her wait? And she's a virgin for fuck's sake! We are living in a world where virgins are quite hard to find. You had one in the palms of your hands and you made her wait." She clapped her hands. "Your fucking patience is admirable, Sheriff. I would have had her the first night." She looked at me and licked her lips. "Oh, yes. You would have been mine."
"Salome," the king calmly said. "Quiet and let the girl finish."
"Thank you, your majesty," I said.
"Please," he said. "We are in a relaxed setting. Call me Bill."
I looked at Eric.
Again, he nodded.
"Thank you … Bill." Saying his name left a bad taste in my mouth. It tasted like spoiled milk. Clumpy, old spoiled milk. "Just before Pam was taken, Eric and I began to form our bond. Since knowing him, he's kept me safe and after the blood exchange, things changed that night. I could feel him with me."
Bill scowled. "After one blood exchange, you could feel him?"
I nodded.
Salome's posture straightened as she looked from me to Eric. "Are you sure?"
"Yes," I said as I answered them both. I didn't say anything else. I didn't know what else Bill expected me to say. If he wanted to get anything else out of me, he was going to have to ask flat out. I wasn't going to volunteer anything. Regardless of him letting me call him Bill or helping us to locate Pam, I still don't trust him. He's a sneaky one, he is.
Bill began to laugh and I had no idea why. Salome and Eric looked at each other. I continued to stare at the king. He raised his hand to us and said, "Forgive my laughter. You say that he has kept you safe but look at your face. How could you possibly believe that he is keeping you safe, Ms. Stackhouse? Your eye is black and blue. Your lip looks quite painful. You look as if you've been through a boxing match with Muhammad Ali and you believe that he has kept you safe. If anything, he has failed you."
Eric growled as he gripped the arms of his chair. I reached over and touched his arm. He looked at my hand and returned to his seat. The king and Salome noticed it.
I moved my hand from his arm and focused on the king. "Because he is," I said with a hint of anger in my tone. "What happened to me is not his fault. I was in Merlotte's when I was taken. I had no intentions of leaving the bar until Eric arrived to get me. My assailant grabbed me from behind and dragged me out the backdoor." I was soon scooted to the edge of my seat. "Forgive my tone, your majesty, but this is not Eric's fault. So, in that, sir, you are wrong. If Eric had been there, there is no way that he would have allowed this to happen to me." I pointed at my face as if it was going to prove my point. "Quinn did this to me."
Salome was no longer sitting on the desk. She was standing in front of me. She lifted my face to hers as she studied my bruises, no longer afraid of being punished. Her fangs ran out slowly as she looked at Eric. "Quinn did this to her? He is here in Louisiana?" She looked at Bill over her shoulder and said, "He is no longer allowed in this state for the things he's done in the past. Who has given him permission to come here? We need to find him. He knows that he faces certain death for entering our state. I want him dead! His life is mine!"
I guess her king didn't let her know why we were here. Another point against Bill.
"It wasn't me," Bill growled. "It definitely wasn't me. If I'd known that he was in my state, I would have killed him instantly. Where is he? You did capture him."
"I did not," Eric answered. "I killed him."
Alarm rolled through me. I can't believe Eric has taken the blame for something that I'd done. I wanted to speak up but I remained quiet. He's been around vampires a lot longer than I've been so I let him do what he does best. I let him handle them. "Sookie and I had planned on meeting this evening … earlier this evening at Merlotte's but I was delayed. Victor Madden made an impromptu visit to my bar. He questioned me about Pam before offering his help. He then questioned me about Sookie." Sneakily, he added, "He also questioned your motives, your majesty. He believes that you only offered your help because you have a hidden agenda. I have something that you want."
"Fucking explain," Bill growled as he glanced at me.
As Eric talked, I noticed the looks that Bill and Salome gave each other. That told me that they know more than they're letting on. They have heard something and they're not letting us know what it is. I think I'm going to add Salome to my suspect list just as soon as I get in the car. I don't trust her either. I didn't trust her when she kissed Eric and the distrust has grown. I'm on it now. They are going to regret messing with Sookie Stackhouse.
"I could smell blood in the air and I could feel her fear. And when I reached her, she was lying underneath the were-tiger. He'd ripped her dress open. He was preparing to defile her." Eric looked at me as he continued. "That did not happen. He was dead before he realized it."
Bill and Salome were staring at me as if they were expecting me to break. They expected to see me cry. I stared at them and showed them not an ounce of emotion. That took place hours ago, and it wasn't going to happen again. I refused to give Quinn anymore of my tears or my fear. He wasn't worth it then and he's not worth it now. He's dead and gone. There's no need to dwell on what he could've done when it didn't happen. It's over.
Salome had returned to Bill's side. "You have his body?"
"I do," Eric stated.
"Are you well, Ms. Stackhouse?" Salome asked me.
"I am."
"You're not afraid." She sounded surprised as her eyes widened at the realization.
"I am not. He's dead. There's no reason for me to be afraid. I don't have time for that."
She nodded as she said, "No, you don't."
"Do you know who hired him?" Bill asked.
Eric shook his head no. "That is why we requested to meet with you tonight."
Salome side eyed the king. I was right. She didn't know why we were here and Eric knew that she didn't know. That's why he brought up his call to set up the meeting. She really believed me to be an offering to her king. Bill has moved to the top of the list.
Bill smirked. "If someone calls looking for the tiger, he's our culprit."
"Yes," Eric hissed.
Bill studied me for a long moment. It was like he was going to make me flinch or look away. I didn't do that. I remained as cool as ever … minus the giggling fit that I'd had earlier. There was nothing on his face. There was nothing in his eyes. He just stared. Salome decided to speak up. "What is she, Eric? She's too brave to be a human. Those eyes … they're not the eyes of a human. Her soul is not that of a human. Her will and fight are too strong for that of a human. What is she?"
Eric simply answered, "They're not my secrets to tell."
I remained quiet.
Turning to face the king, Eric said, "But I will tell you something about her. Sookie is an amazing woman. She is valuable to me and it's not because she works for me. I enjoy her company and her friendship. I have noticed that many other supes have noticed that Sookie is a treasure." He glared at Salome for a brief moment as he continued. "They all seem to want what is mine. I cannot allow that. She and her grandfather have put her life in my hands. I am asking that you help me in keeping her safe. If she shares her secrets with you, she must have your protection and your promise to leave things as they are. She will remain mine. The bonding process will not be stopped. Give us your word or she says nothing."
Bill didn't like the idea of being given an ultimatum. He was angry and he didn't try and hide it. He'd balled his fists up so tightly that the palms of his hands were bleeding. Through clinched teeth, he said, "I don't enjoy that you've given me an ultimatum but I can understand why you have done so. I, too, have found that I'm drawn to Ms. Stackhouse. I agree that she needs extra protection; especially if Quinn had been dispatched to cause her harm." He appeared to be thinking of Eric's words before he decided. "Okay. If what she tells me …"
"No!" Salome yelled. "You can't let him keep her! You know what …"
Bill reached out and backhanded the vampiress so hard that her head turned harshly to the right. I could have sworn that I heard her neck crack. "Don't you ever disrespect me," he replied calmly. "I am your king. Know your place, underling, or find yourself finally dead."
Salome slowly turned to face Bill. "Yes, your majesty. Forgive my impudence. It will never happen again."
Bill pulled his suit jacket tight as returned to his conversation with Eric. "As I was saying," he began. "If she tells me everything, she is yours. She has the protection of my strongest vampires, of my kingdom. No one will try to take her away from you. You will be allowed to continue forming your bond with her but know this. If I discover that either of you have lied to me this evening, you will relinquish her to me. Your woman will be mine. Am I understood?"
Eric didn't answer because there was no way he was going to give me to the king. He looked at me. "As I said, they're not my secrets to tell. The choice is yours."
I turned to look at the king. He thinks that he has us over a barrel. He's expecting me to lie to him out of fear. He knows what I am and he's going to try and use my 'secrets' to keep me away from Eric. My grandpa warned me about vampires like him. He's going to try and use fear to make me want to be with him. He's going to try and manipulate me into believing that Eric is not worthy of me. He's so obvious. Since meeting him, he's been saying to me, and quite frequently might I add, how much Pam means to Eric. He's made it a point to repeat that they've been lovers and that Eric loves her. He's hinted at the other relationships that Eric may have had with men. I wouldn't be afraid to say that he put Salome up to that kissing scam to see what would happen. If I didn't know any better, I'd think that he watched the entire exchange happen. He was probably expecting Eric to do something to Salome. Bill would have wanted that, right? She is Eric's superior. I can only imagine what would have happened if he'd taken matters into his own hands. I can damn well guarantee that he wouldn't be in here with me if he had. Does Bill not realize that my grandpa has already told me that nothing in the vampire world is free? Does he believe me to be that naïve? That weak? He obviously doesn't know me.
Straightening my posture and folding my hands in my lap, I calmly asked, "Since we are in a relaxed setting, may I be frank with you, Bill? Without Eric facing punishment, can I be frank and honest with you?"
He nodded. "Please," he responded. "I want nothing more than to have a frank and honest discussion with you, Ms. Stackhouse. Say what you will."
"I'm a telepath," I said. I looked from him to Salome and back to him. Neither of them looked surprised at the revelation. It's just what I expected. "But you already knew that, didn't you? That's what Salome was going to say to you before you slapped the rest of the words back down her throat. You've been playing this game with us all evening, you and Salome, haven't you? You both knew what I am before we got here."
Salome blurred in front of me. She placed her hands on either side of my chair and stared into my eyes. "You can read the minds of vampires?"
"No," I said as I leaned so close to her that our noses were almost touching. "I can read faces and both of you showed your hands when you began questioning us about how Eric and I came to be. Now get out of my face."
She dropped fang.
I continued to stare her in the eyes. Remaining calm, I said, "Now."
She slowly stepped away from me … smiling.
I glared at her before returning my attention to the king. "I can't read vampires but I can read some shifters, Weres, and all humans. I can get a full read on most beings, except for vampires, if I'm touching them. I can also see images if I'm touching the human. I speak several different languages; which you discovered earlier when Salome was speaking French but you already knew that. Oh, and I like art." I looked at Salome and said, "You see. There's nothing special about me … not really."
"You are wrong," Salome replied. "You're very special."
I could see the king's gears turning as he took in what I'd said to him. Bill looked at Salome and shook his head. "I'm quite saddened in what I've learned this evening. Things have been hidden from me that I cannot allow. I can't believe that a sheriff in my area has kept such an asset hidden away from me. I would think that he should've turned her over to me as soon as he found out what she is, don't you, Salome?"
A sneer was clearly displayed on her face. "I do believe you're right, my king. I think that hiding her would constitute a lie." She shrugged her shoulders and said, "It's not a full-blown lie but it is a lie by omission." She smiled arrogantly at Eric. "I recall earlier when I mentioned his human, he …"
"I said, 'Though you see a human standing with me, you will not attempt to take her or take what is hers'," Eric finished for her. "I never said that she was human. You said that. Don't lie, Salome. It's not becoming of you."
Salome hissed as he used her words against her.
Ignoring what Eric said, the king nodded. "You're right, Salome. Eric, you may go. The telepath stays here."
Eric stood tall. "Sookie is mine!"
The king opened his desk drawer and removed a bedazzled stake from it. He glared at Eric. With his voice calm and even, he said, "She belongs to your king." With the tip of the stake pressing into the desk, he said, "It's open for discussion if you like."
I could see in Eric's eyes that he was ready to discuss it. He was ready to fight for me. To die for me. And there was no way that I was going to let that happen. I stood up from my chair as I walked to where Eric was and stood in front of him. "I knew that you couldn't be trusted. I knew that I was right to put you on my suspect list. You talk a good game but you're no different than the cowards that took Pam. You have a forked tongue, Bill. I could see it when you had Hebert killed for trying to glamor me when it was you."
Salome laughed.
Bill didn't. His fangs snapped into place as he blurred from behind his desk and stood before me. "Watch yourself, Sookie. You don't want anything to happen to your precious Viking, do you?"
My grandfather's words replayed in my mind and because of it, I decided right then that this is my world now. I needed to do what had to be done to survive it. I needed to stand up and take my place. "You can't touch him. You won't touch him. You don't have that right."
"I am his king!" he yelled at me. "He belongs to me!"
Whatever you want, because you are my granddaughter, it is yours. You only need to claim your place in this world.
"I am of the sky fae and I am a Brigant," I said as I stepped in closer to the king. "And you are wrong, Bill. Eric is mine."