AN: Writer's block hit hard with this story, but I am finally back and will finish it. There were too many mistakes and inconsistencies for my liking, so I will make some significant edits and repost each chapter.
Victor Madden's eyes followed Eric Northman around the room, his disdain barely concealed behind a mask of professionalism. It was a bitter pill for Victor to swallow, knowing that five years ago, Northman would have met the true death had it not been for Filipe's unexpected leniency. Filipe had taken over Louisiana with surprising ease. Instead of eliminating Northman, who embodied the old regime, he offered him a chance to swear fealty to the new king. Victor had been furious. Filipe's reasoning that he needed Northman's financial contributions, which had been significant under the previous monarch, only fueled Victor's anger further. He could hardly believe Northman was raking in profits from an area he viewed as little more than a backwater.
It was a constant source of frustration for Victor that Northman was paying a higher tribute to Filipe than he was, despite being the sheriff of New Orleans. How was that even possible? Victor had tried to raise the tribute from the vampires in Area 1 but had only succeeded in losing several of them in the process. Filipe, stubbornly blind to the losses caused by the takeover, refused to acknowledge the impact on Victor's finances. On the other hand, Northman had somehow managed to keep all his vampires intact by surrendering and pledging loyalty to Filipe.
Victor harbored no doubt that Northman was padding his tribute with his own finances. He had voiced his suspicions to the other sheriffs, but one or more of them had undoubtedly tipped off Northman, who retaliated by significantly increasing his own tribute. It was a game Victor felt he was losing.
What gnawed at Victor was the realization that, despite his disdain for Northman, the Viking was also a shrewd businessman. When vampires had revealed themselves to the world, Northman had seized the opportunity to open a club in Shreveport and another in New Orleans. He had launched a restaurant, a vampire hotel, and several other ventures that bolstered his income and reinforced his standing in Filipe's eyes. Each new enterprise further complicated Victor's resentment—here was Northman, who he had wished dead, thriving and making the king's court appear successful.
As the years passed, Filipe's trust in Northman grew, and that trust was well-placed. On Filipe's first anniversary as king of Louisiana, Northman had gifted him a cape of historical significance. A cape once belonging to the Spanish king, Rodrigo Díaz de Vivar, the very king Filipe had modeled his own style. Victor couldn't care less about such trivialities, but Filipe's joy was unmistakable. The elation that lit up his face when Northman presented the gift spoke volumes about their relationship.
Each year, Northman's gifts became increasingly extravagant, turning the occasion into a guessing game that both Filipe and Northman seemed to relish. Victor had learned to endure this spectacle, even if it stoked the fires of his resentment.
Finally, Filipe graced the gathering, prompting all the sheriffs to take their seats. Northman sat in the center, eliciting chuckles from those present. It was no secret that Filipe was impatient to learn what Northman had in store for his fifth anniversary as king. "I think we will do things differently today and start from the middle," Filipe announced, drawing more laughter.
"I should have known better," Eric replied with a smile. "But… I really believe it would be best to leave me till last." Filipe's eagerness was palpable, but he acquiesced and began with Victor.
Victor became increasingly anxious as the meeting dragged on, filled with the usual pleasantries and tributes. When it finally came time for Northman's turn, Filipe's impatience was almost comical.
"Eric," Filipe said, barely able to contain his excitement.
"This year, I need a little help securing my gift," Northman announced, instantly capturing everyone's attention.
"What is it?" one of the other sheriffs inquired, his intrigue evident.
"Two months ago, I found a young lady sleeping outside the emergency doors of Fangtasia. Despite the overwhelming scent of drugs, she smelled sweet. My child decided to keep her for her blood, which was extraordinary for a human. However, the girl proved problematic; she couldn't be glamoured." The murmurs erupted in response, with Eric pausing, letting the weight of his words sink in.
"A human that can't be glamoured? Is she by any chance two-natured?" Filipe asked, his curiosity piqued.
"No, Your Majesty, she is entirely human. That's not the point. Realizing she had outlived her usefulness, she revealed that her cousin happens to be a telepath."
Eric leaned back, savoring the shocked expressions from the others and a particularly disdainful smirk from Victor.
"A telepath… how unique and…" Filipe mused, his mind racing with possibilities. The prospect of having a telepath in his court was tantalizing. In a world where betrayal was commonplace, possessing a telepath could deter potential traitors and help root out those already lurking in his ranks. "What kind of help do you need?" he asked, weighing the advantages of such a talent.
"I have spent the last few weeks learning everything there is to know about Miss Sookie Stackhouse. You have the perfect vampire in your court to persuade her to come willingly."
"Why not just take her?" Victor sneered, unable to help himself.
"She is a telepath," Filipe shot back, glaring at Victor. "An unwilling telepath could just as easily reveal a traitor as a loyal subject and a loyal subject as a traitor. If we were to tie her to a vampire, she could learn to master her emotions over time and deceive us." Filipe's voice dripped with experience, a reminder of the dangers that came with such power.
Victor nodded, recognizing the wisdom in Filipe's words. A willing telepath is far more beneficial than a forced one. "Who do you need?" Filipe asked, his interest evidently piqued.
"Bill Compton. I believe he's from Bon Temps and still has a family home across from the Stackhouse'. I'm told he knew their ancestors personally. His last living relative died recently. Under the pretense of mainstreaming, he could get to know Miss Stackhouse and tie her to him. Compton was a procurer under Sophie-Anne; this task should pose no difficulty."
"Someone get me Compton!" Filipe bellowed, a wide grin spreading across his face. "A telepath… Eric, you have truly outdone yourself."
"It's all well and good, but if she can read the minds of vampires…" Alonso, the sheriff of Area 2, began, his skepticism evident.
"It's a chance we have to take. If that proves to be the case, we'll find another way," Filipe said, dismissing the concern with a wave of his hand.
Victor found himself grappling with a new realization. Had he been wrong about Northman all this time? If Victor had found a telepath, he would have used that to his advantage, boasting to Filipe that he had the telepath, forcing the king to pay him for her services. But here was Northman, prepared to hand over such a valuable asset instead. Perhaps the Viking was truly loyal and not just a sycophant.
Meanwhile, Bill Compton was hoping his time had finally come. After aiding the Las Vegas takeover of Louisiana, he had expected more out of this new order. He had served as De Castro's inside man at Sophie-Anne's court, yet he found himself left with nothing after all was said and done. Under Sophie-Anne, he had at least had a significant role; under De Castro, he was little more than a body at court. He had ideas—plans for a vampire database—but those dreams had remained unrealized without funding.
"Bill, I believe you approached me about lending you money for a project you've been working on," Filipe finally said, breaking into his thoughts.
"Yes, Your Majesty," Bill replied, trying to hide his disappointment at the lack of urgency his request had garnered.
"I have a job for you, and upon the successful completion of that job, you can have the money for your project."
"Understood," Bill responded with a slight bow, feeling a flicker of hope.
"I understand you are from Bon Temps…" Filipe began, only for Bill's heart to sink. The last place he wanted to return to was that backwater town.
"Yes, Your Majesty," he managed to say, forcing a smile.
"Excellent."
As Bill packed his clothes with little restraint, he couldn't shake the feeling of dread. He had hoped that the days of tying himself to humans and their emotions would be behind him. Yes, he had known the Stackhouses in his human life, but that was over a century and a half ago. The sheriff of Area 5, Eric Northman, would drive him to Bon Temps that evening. He had two weeks to secure Miss Stackhouse's loyalty and tie her to him. He felt the weight of the task ahead, knowing vampire blood was sacred, and yet monarchs had him giving it out like candy.
"Eric," Victor called as he approached him, trying to catch Northman's attention.
"Victor," Eric replied, barely looking up from his phone. The casualness of his demeanor frustrated Victor even further.
"I will admit I'm surprised by your willingness to hand over such an asset," Victor confessed reluctantly.
"Such a gift is far more useful in court than in a bar in Shreveport. What could I possibly need a telepath for?" Eric answered, his tone dismissive.
"The king asked me to inform you that he will stay in New Orleans until the telepath is delivered." Eric simply nodded in response as Bill walked up to the passenger side of the Corvette and got in without a word.
Bill hated Eric Northman with a passion. He had played no role in the takeover yet somehow managed to flourish while Bill languished at court. The king trusted and favored Northman despite Eric's past loyalty to Sophie-Anne. De Castro believed he could still be trusted, but Compton would never make that mistake. With the two-week deadline looming, he knew he had to approach this situation cautiously; it could easily be a setup.
"I need to speak to the cousin to..."
"Pam drained her weeks ago; the girl was just too much trouble," Eric interjected, his tone matter-of-fact. "I should warn you, Miss Stackhouse, I believe, like her cousin, cannot be glamoured. I would also advise you not to drink from the girl, or you will end up draining her."
"That good?" Bill asked, skepticism coloring his voice.
"Yes," Eric smiled, handing Bill a folder. "Here is the file on Miss Stackhouse."
"Who discovered her?" Bill asked, looking at Eric, but the sheriff remained cryptically silent, leaving the question hanging in the air as his thoughts swirled with uncertainty about the task ahead.