EPILOGUE
Eric's eyes snapped open a few hours before the sunset. Sookie lay beside him, her chest rising and falling softly in sleep, a peaceful expression gracing her features. Just the thought of her put a smile on his face; she was a beacon of warmth in his otherwise cold existence. Despite the lingering desire to remain wrapped in the comfort of their shared bed, he knew he had to show his face at Fangtasia. Pam wouldn't hesitate to unleash her wrath if he didn't. She had granted them a week of relative privacy for their honeymoon, though it had been a makeshift one, as they couldn't take a proper trip just yet. They had indulged in an additional two days, unwilling to leave the sanctuary of their home just yet.
As he turned on the shower, he heard the soft shift of Sookie's breathing, a sign that she was stirring. He hoped to finish his shower before she woke. They were going to be late, and nothing could be done about that. Well, there was, but fuck if he was going to say no to shower sex.
When they finally walked through the employee entrance of Fangtasia, Pam met them with a scowl that could have frozen a fire. "You know, I have been exceptionally patient. Sookie went twenty-five years without sex; I had to give you some consideration, but you two are taking advantage of my generosity!"
"You're right, Pam," Sookie replied cheekily, "but it's not exactly twenty-five years when you consider the average age for sex starts around sixteen. So, really, it's more like nine years, and I'm sure you've gone longer than that. In the time I've known you, there was that red-haired girl with the… well, let's just say she had assets that made mine look like lemons on my chest." Eric struggled to suppress his laughter as he watched Pam's expression morph from annoyance to incredulity, and the bar erupted in laughter.
"Excuse me, not all of us will just bang anything that walks through those doors; some of us are discerning when it comes to our sexual partners!" Pam retorted, her tone sharp but playful.
"I agree," Sookie said, her smile bordering on smug. "Anyway, I'm sure I have a mountain of paperwork to tackle, and my dear bonded has vermin to enthrall." With that, she sauntered into Pam's office, leaving Eric and Pam to exchange glances.
"Sex has made her bold," Pam said with a grin as they entered Eric's office. "A month ago, she would have been blushing vermilion. Now, can I count on you to leave her alone to get through some of that paperwork? She has even more work now with the opening of Sophie-Anne's just around the corner." Pam asked.
"Hey, talk to her!" Eric protested, trying to sound innocent but failing miserably. "She's the one who won't leave me alone for five minutes. There's nothing ladylike about that woman in the privacy of our own home." He tried to curtail his smug expression, but Pam's knowing look told him he wasn't fooling anyone.
"Yes, you are regularly getting laid. Good for you," Pam said, plopping down in the chair before his desk with a dramatic sigh. "Anyway, Mustapha called; the work is complete."
Eric straightened. "Three weeks ahead of schedule? I'm impressed." He trusted Mustapha and knew the quality of the work would meet his high standards.
"When are we going?" Pam asked, her eagerness evident.
"I think it would be best to have it coincide with the honeymoon. We can attend the opening of Sophie-Anne's and then make the trip to Öland," Eric suggested, a plan already forming in his mind.
Pam, typically unenthusiastic about that windy shithole, found herself oddly looking forward to spending a few days there. "Yes, that should work. I will make the arrangements." For once, this was work she had zero complaints about.
For four and a half months, their four prisoners had remained shackled on metal tables in a warehouse. Eric had them moved to a remote island he owned, not far from Öland. The relocation had been costly, but he cared little, using Victor's personal account to fund the construction of their little prison. Victor had unwittingly facilitated Eric's plans by using Fangtasia's computer to move his money, completely unaware that Eric had a keystroke logger installed. Eric had decided that a larger place on the island was necessary. A home where he and Sookie could escape and enjoy themselves. He made sure it had all the comforts and amenities she would need. Of course, Sookie had a significant input in the design of their getaway, ensuring it was a space they could cherish together.
A lot has changed in the past year. Just three weeks after Eric received the call from the A.P., Adele passed away in her sleep. It was a tough period for all of them, but they honored her memory, celebrating her life as she would have wanted. Thalia took to her role as queen with surprising ease; it was a role that suited her well. She had no patience for idiots and even less for troublemakers. Most of the vampires who had moved from Nevada to Louisiana chose to return home, creating a temporary vacancy in the sheriff positions. Indira became the Sheriff of Area 4, while the other three sheriffs were sourced from their respective areas.
Eric had little regard for Nevada; finding a sheriff for the state proved difficult. To his surprise, Sandy Seacrest wanted the position, but the Council vetoed her for unknown reasons. Felipe's assets were sold off, with most of the proceeds returned to the residents. The Council deemed their contributions excessive, and therefore, rebates were due. The rest would be allocated to the new monarch once one was appointed. A year later, the Council was still running the state, as no one had yet been found to take over. Sandy Seacrest had appeared months later, requesting to speak to Sebastian. Eric sent her to New Orleans, as Sebastian was now Thalia's child. She never went to New Orleans; there was no point; Thalia would never permit access to Sebastian, who was enjoying his new life with Thalia.
Something about her demeanor made Eric cautious, and he monitored her. She was still searching for Felipe, but it was a fruitless endeavor, and Eric had no intention of dissuading her.
Sookie was bundled up in layers that Eric thought were excessive for the weather, while Jason, on the other hand, was dressed far too lightly. He was not about to mention it, though. The helicopter ride to his island was brief, providing a stunning view of their new home before landing on the helipad at the back of the property.
"Fuck, I'll be dead before we make it to the house," Jason groaned as the helicopter doors opened.
"Yep, I told you you needed to wear more," Sookie teased, smiling despite the excessive warmth she felt moments before.
"Can I have that top coat? You're sweating!" Jason pleaded.
"I'm not sweating anymore," Sookie replied, her confidence brimming.
Expecting the inevitable bickering, Pam scooped Jason up and raced him toward the house. Despite Sookie not needing a lift, Eric had no qualms about scooping her up as well, eager to show her their new home.
"Oh, this is beautiful!" Sookie exclaimed as she took in the foyer, which was warm and inviting despite its size.
"Still a windy shithole but with a beautiful space on it," Pam mumbled, looking around.
Sookie quickly peeled off her layers, feeling the temperature rise as they settled in.
Sunlight on the island in winter lasted only seven hours, stretching to eight at most, with sunrise occurring around eight in the morning and sunset just after four. This gave Eric and Sookie ample time together. Still, the journey had drained both Sookie and Jason, prompting them to retire early. Meanwhile, Eric and Pam settled in the living room to watch the sunset. Eric had used glass with a UV coating; it cost a fortune as it was currently too expensive to mass produce. It had taken a large investment in the company to get access to it, and he still had to pay for it. In a few years he would make his money back and more.
Mustapha and Warren joined them, having flown in daily to supervise the build. "It's a brilliant job. Well done. The only downside is we could only get half the amount of concrete we needed, but we could top it with soil. We have an abundance of that after the dig. Other than that, everything else is ready when you are. Nils glamoured the men, and the only memory they retained is the building of this house." Mustapha reported.
"Thank you. This is above and beyond," Eric replied, grateful for their efforts. He compensated them for the inconvenience, but their willingness to see the project through was commendable.
"You are welcome, sir," Mustapha said as they stood to leave.
"So," Pam said after a moment.
"Sundown tonight; we will deal with them and enjoy the rest of the week," Eric said as he sat back to enjoy the sunset.
Mustapha had a roaring fire going in the old cabin, a small room Eric had built with his hands that stood strong despite the island's harsh weather. "Thank you, Mustapha. I am a child of the South; this cold is just wrong," Sookie mumbled, eliciting a few giggles from the room.
"Don't worry; you won't have to venture outside again after we're done," Eric promised, a playful glint in his eye.
"Yes, she can keep my master in bed, making up for all the sex she missed in the last nine years," Pam quipped, unable to resist.
"I really did not need to hear that about my baby sister," Jason groaned. "Can we get this show on the road before Pam has any more wisecracks?"
"Of course," Eric said, lifting the false floor that concealed half the cabin, revealing a scissor lift. "Ladies first." He took Sookie's hand.
"Why, thank you," Pam said, stepping in first and earning a glare from Eric that she shrugged off. The lift descended, taking them to a concrete bunker with four cages built into the corners. Even for a vampire, escape would be impossible. In the center of the bunker, a forge crackled as Mustapha melted rods of silver, the remnants from constructing the cages.
"That's not pure silver, is it?" Sookie asked, eyeing the process.
"No, it contains copper, but it's still mostly silver. I'm heating it to six hundred degrees Fahrenheit, and since it's air cooling, that should also harden it to a good enough strength. In truth, it's overkill," Mustapha chuckled. "But we don't want to take any chances."
"I know the cages would suffice, but that seems too comfortable for my taste," Eric growled.
"It's ready," Warren announced, monitoring the melting silver. The first coffin opened, revealing Bill Compton, who had been entombed for over six months. His eyes darted around, betraying his rising panic. The vampire did not make any attempts to hide his distress as he started crying.
"Hello, Bill… welcome to your new home for the foreseeable future," Eric said, his voice dripping with mock cheer.
Sookie winced at Bill's wailing. "If his crying keeps up, I'm going to lose my hearing," she groaned.
With gloved hands, Eric and Pam lifted Bill out of the coffin, securing him into one of the cages. His arms and legs were cuffed to the four chains embedded in the concrete, and Eric felt a sense of satisfaction as he snapped Bill's neck to keep him still. A cast was placed around his hands and feet, and molten silver was poured over them, fusing the cuffs to his skin.
"Yep, they ain't going anywhere," Jason murmured, eyeing the scene with grim satisfaction.
Next came Victor, who glared at Eric with venomous eyes, but Eric returned the gaze with a wide, mocking smile.
Threadgill, too, expressed indignation over what he deemed excessive punishment, but his protests fell on deaf ears as he found himself in the same predicament as the others.
Felipe was the last to emerge, and as he did, he pleaded, "Eric, this is not you."
"Oh, I almost forgot. The Council declared you as having abdicated the throne. Sandy believes you are undead somewhere, searching for you after the Council deemed her unsuitable to rule. As for this not being me? It wasn't until your decisions and actions led to the death of my child." Eric's voice was low and menacing. "You will die the true death, but slowly and excruciatingly. It's the least you deserve." With that, Eric snapped Felipe's neck.
Sookie and Jason returned to the house while Eric and Pam cleaned up, dismantling what had become a tomb for the four vampires. By the time the bunker was cleared, the four vampires were awake. They quickly noticed bags of blood hanging over the cages with feeding tubes inserted in their mouths. It didn't take long for them to realize the grim reality; their first few hours in the bunker would be spent feeding and restoring their strength while remaining entirely trapped. Any struggle would only result in them ripping their own limbs off. The blood would keep them aware of their surroundings, each other, and their dire situation for a long while.
Eric removed a makeshift light from the wall, ensuring nothing was left to chance. "Oh, Threadgill. It was Jennifer who informed me of your communication with Compton that made all this possible. She is now the queen of Arkansas," Eric said, his smile bordering on the maniacal. Threadgill's eyes widened, a look of utter devastation washing over him. With his mouth around the feeding tube, he could only mumble in response.
"Was it worth it?" he asked, stepping into the scissor lift with Pam. Slowly, the tomb descended into darkness, and all that could be heard was Compton's whimpering cries, too frightened to even open his mouth for fear of losing the feeding tube.
Eric dropped a thick steel plate into the opening, and Warren welded it onto the four I-beams surrounding the entrance. Concrete was poured down the hole to the halfway point. In a week, just before they left, they would fill the rest with the rubble left over from digging out the tomb.
The four stood in the living room, drinks in hand. "A toast to our loved ones, no longer with us," Eric raised his glass, and the others followed suit.
"I'd put my money on Compton killing himself first," Jason piped up.
"That's a losing bet; he was ready to go," Pam interjected, a smile gracing her features.
"Yes, he suffered the most, and rightfully so," Eric added, the satisfaction clear in his voice.
"Do we have to worry about Sandy?" Sookie asked, her brow furrowing. Sandy Seacrest hadn't given up on learning the truth about Felipe's disappearance and was hitting a brick wall at every turn. Eric had dotted all his I's and crossed all his T's. The naming of the casino in New Orleans Sophie-Anne's had Sandy in Arkansas, only to find that Felipe had started the venture rolling.
"No, even if she does find something, she will struggle to prove it. Moreover, we have the A.P. on our side. She's beating a dead horse," Eric replied with a casual shrug.
"Please, had the Council given her Nevada, do you think she'd have given Felipe another thought?" Pam snarked.
"No, the lack of position is why she's driven to find Felipe," Eric added, his confidence unwavering. Sandy Seacrest was no longer an issue in his mind.
He was proven right when Adrian Barone-Ricci was appointed the new sheriff of Nevada. Ricci, a longtime resident, had left a decade ago after Felipe attempted to kill him. Ricci, who could have easily ended Felipe, decided to leave instead as he could not prove Felipe was behind the attack. Now, he returned to Nevada with a contingent of over sixty vampires. All of Felipe's people were relieved of their duties, and Sandy was the only one asked to leave the state, never to return. Eric suspected the Council had orchestrated that decision.
He often pondered what his actions had prevented. Pam strongly believed an all-out war was averted; why else would the A.P. allow him to entomb four vampires, two of whom were monarchs?
Sometimes, a year or two would pass without Eric ever thinking of those four prisoners.
"What has you so deep in thought?" Sookie asked, leaning against the bedroom door, her presence pulling him from his reverie.
"The..." He looked up, struggling to find the words. "Lover, you are simply breathtaking." The words were a soft growl filled with admiration.
"You don't have any breath for me to take," Sookie quipped, her tone playful.
"That should tell you the depth of what you have accomplished." Eric's gaze roamed over her, taking in her beauty and the way the fabric clung to her curves.
She wore a stunning red and gold gown by Zuhair Murad, and he couldn't help but admire how perfectly it showcased her figure. "How did you get into that?" he murmured, running his fingers down the plunge that hinted at her assets but left much to the imagination.
"There's a zip…" She turned to the side, revealing the hidden zipper.
"I see," he replied, his voice low and appreciative. He could not tear his eyes away from his beautiful bonded.
"Pam really outdid herself this time," he added, his pride evident.
"She has," Sookie agreed, her smile radiant.
"Now, I'm sure I was once told it was in bad taste to outshine the bride," Eric said, barely keeping his glee at bay.
"Oh yes, it is, but for this bride, I don't give a fuck," Sookie groused, her confidence soaring.
"Her one instruction to me was, 'I better make that bitch look frumpy,'" Pam chimed in, joining the pair with a triumphant grin. "And you know I love a challenge."
Pam had no intention of attending Freyda's pledging ceremony, but after Sookie's instructions, she was determined to make a statement.
Freyda had been relentless seven years ago when she attempted to court Eric as her consort, and he had firmly rebuffed her. The queen of Oklahoma had never taken no for an answer and had insulted Sookie at every opportunity. Most in the vampire world had scoffed at the idea of the Viking bonding with a human, but Sookie's actions at Rhodes had changed that perception. The A.P. had lauded her bravery in saving lives, and revealing her true heritage silenced many of her critics.
Yet, Freyda remained undeterred. After nearly a year of harassment, she had finally realized that Eric was utterly uninterested.
The invitation to her pledging ceremony had come as a surprise. Eric had no intention of attending, but Sookie had other ideas.
Within minutes of their arrival, Freyda knew she'd made a mistake inviting Eric. She'd done so, hoping she would make him jealous. Instead, his bonded was belle of the ball, and barely anyone was talking about her. Whatever she expected when she finally entered the ballroom could not have matched the reality if her existence depended on it. She struggled to keep her eye off Sookie as the pledging took place. Hell, the king of Missouri was barely paying attention to the vampire in front of him, his attention constantly drifting to Sookie. Eric's amusement was evident to all.
One would think Sookie was the bride as everyone gravitated toward her after the official part of the ceremony was over. The first in line was Marcus, the king of Missouri. Yes, his pledge to Freyda was purely political, but still, his actions were damn right insulting.
"You'd think this was her pledging ceremony," Pam murmured, coming up behind Freyda.
"This is what I get for inviting some piece of trash from some backwater town," Freyda growled.
Pam laughed, the sound sharp and sweet. "How grating it must be that the backwater trash is outshining you so thoroughly while you stand in the corner of your own ceremony, ignored by the very people you invited." Freyda opened her mouth to retort, but no words came. "Yeah, that's what I thought. Worse, we all know how much vampires love to gossip," Pam added, her delight evident as she sauntered away to join the throng surrounding Eric and Sookie.
Keeping track of time was an innate gift for a vampire, made easier by the lack of distractions. "Ten years," Threadgill whispered to himself. What he would give to go back and listen to Jennifer this time.
Ten years, neither Victor nor Felipe had said a word to each other. Victor had spent much of that time picking apart Eric's plan and was strangely comforted by its sheer perfection. Presenting a telepath, one who so happens to live across from the very home Bill built with his own two hands. The revelation of Bill's ultimate betrayal, thanks to Jennifer Carter, made it certain that they would believe whatever Eric fabricated. The lack of trust between him and Felipe. Sebastian's obvious dislike of him. All taken advantage of perfectly by Eric Northman in vengeance for his child. Victor accepted the inevitability of his predicament. There was nothing any of them could have done to stop Northman.
Victor yanked on his left arm with a roar, ripping it at the elbow. Despite a decade without blood, he managed to stay upright. He knew the other three were talking, but their words were drowned out by his singular focus on completing his planned task. He pressed his remaining encased arm against the wall and, summoning all his strength, smashed his head against the silver casing.
The other three watched as Victor Madden crumbled into a puddle that slowly turned to ash.
Compton, who had wished for the true death since this started, found he did not possess the strength to follow suit, and neither did the other two. Worse, Felipe and Threadgill clung to the naïve belief that they would eventually be found, even if it took a century. But they never would. The island would be underwater three centuries later, forever lost to time.