Chapter 7
The scent of fairy exploded into the room as they disappeared. My lover knows what is coming so she stands up, trying to escape. I pluck from her brain that she wishes we had more time… I can be quick.
With vampiric speed, I seize her and fling her on the bed. She jumps right back up and because I wasn’t expecting her to resist so vehemently, she evades me.
“Eric, believe me, I am happy to see you too, but we got to get Pam an’ Bill an’ get this over with.”
“We have time, my lover.”
“If you weren’t all hopped up from huffing fairy you wouldn’t be so horny.” She scolds me.
“That is not true. Yes, the overpowering aroma of fairy so soon after I rouse does add fuel to the fire, but I promise that I am always burning for you, especially when I wake.” I say equally sincere and seductive.
“Baby, right now we have to get out of here, but I promise I will make it up to you later.” She says throwing clothes at me. Well, if she is trying to get me dressed, she must be serious.
“I think we better go to Pam and Bill before they come over here, I don’t want them gettin’ all fairie-fied too.” She was right.
“That is a good idea; it was risky for them to come here. Had Niall not accompanied her, Claudine would have been detected and we would be in trouble.”
“Why?”
“They were unapproved visitors to one of the King’s most secret hiding places. Should the vampires and the fae go back to war, they know his resting place. They would not have been welcome here.” I watch her face tighten, and I know I should not have said that. She is anxious enough. I try to push calm through the bond, she needs to relax. As wound up as she is, she will be a hindrance.
“Oh God, I didn’t think of that, you don’t think they know do you?” She asks as I take her in my arms. She smells so wonderful, and it has nothing to do with our recent visitors.
“No, lover. Niall possesses extremely powerful magics; I don’t even understand the entire scope of his abilities. I do know this, if he were not absolutely certain that he could come here safely, especially with Claudine in tow, he would not have. The fae are too rare now to be haphazard.” I can tell she is settling down.
“Ok, good. The last thing I need is something else to fret over right now.” She replies with a relieved smile.
“Sookie, I think you should have my blood tonight. You are the only one among us with no protection. I want you to be as strong as possible.”
“Yea, I think you’re right. Go ahead an’ call Pam an’ tell her we’ll meet them in their room, I really don’t want them comin’ over here right now. Especially if we are gonna swap blood.” She is really adjusting well to this. I am always prepared to coerce her, but I have not needed to do so nearly as often as in the past.
“You want to exchange blood? I planned on giving you mine, not taking yours.”
“Your blood will make me feel incredible, and I know you prefer me to the bottle. You need to be strong too, baby. Besides, won’t it make our bond stronger? That can’t be bad, right?”
“Yes lover, it will reinforce our bond, and I am very excited to explore that. I could not be more pleased that you are the one to suggest this.” I never believed that Sookie Stackhouse would embrace our bond so quickly. She amazes me more and more each day.
I took out my cell phone and called Pam. That taken care of, we can begin.
“Sookie, my love, please come to me.” She did. I kiss her, loving the taste she leaves in my mouth. I am instantly aroused. She is the only woman that can excite me with no effort. I lift her shirt over her head, and she gives me a skeptical look. “Trust me lover.” I whisper in her ear, as I continue to remove her clothes and then my own. I scoop her up into my arms in the “Scarlet and Rhett” fashion I know she adores. I lay her on the bed, and hover over her supported by my forearms.
“This will be memorable.” I smile down at her. I lean and grab the pocket knife off the bedside table. I steal one more kiss, and then I cut my neck. Without instruction she begins to suck, and I bite down on her in return. Her blood tastes sweeter than any confectionary memory I can entertain. She can feel my enthusiasm as we drink of each others life and she raises her hip to meet mine. The desire pulsating through our enhancing bond is undeniable. I enter her slowly, but we finish quickly. I kiss her again and our blood blends in our mouths. This is perfection. Sookie is mine, and I am hers.
She leaps off the bed like a vampire and again she throws me my clothes. We dress quickly and our scarves hid our wounds.
I knock and Pam opens the door quickly. I motion for them to follow us.
I wish that one of the other vampires could fly. We would be much less obvious if we could arrive by flight, but I can’t carry all three of my companions. The temptation to drop Compton would also be a lot to endure. We hail a cab.
“What did you find out?” I ask Bill.
“They seem to be indiscriminate. The have not ended anyone remarkable. No one of power, of course someone of note would be missed, and they would be exposed.”
“Sookie is of note. If they know enough of her to want her dead, they know she would be missed and avenged.” Pam replied.
“That is true, but I am still not convinced they wanted to kill her.” I remind them.
“Who would they have been after, you or Niall?” Bill asks. He wisely did not mention himself.
“They are in the Fellowship, so if the orders came from those idiots, it would have to be me.”
“They do have a lot of reason to want me dead all on my own, maybe they just wanted to make it slow.” Sookie says looking insecure.
“That is a possibility, but as Pam said you would be avenged, so they could have been taking care of two problems with on assault. If I came after them, they could justifiably stake me.”
We come to a stop and I have Pam glamour the driver, he has heard far too much.
“It’s about fuckin time; they are starting to come to.” Jason spits at me, and I wish I could kick him in the head like a fangbanger.
“We came as soon as we could.” I reply but Sookie is looking at her feet. I know she feels guilty.
I assume the bear couple had shifted at some point because they are chained up to their staircase naked, gelatinous folds of skin hanging this way and that.
“What have you discovered?” I ask Amelia and Jason both.
“Well, at one time there were about twenty shifters in their group, but according to the records here there are seven left.”
“Soon five.” Pam states.
“No Weres. There was the bear family and the rest were less impressive. Foxes and horses mostly.” I motion for her to continue, I could not care less what they change into.
“Well, they all joined the Fellowship of the Sun about a year ago, but they were killing vamps before that. They have even killed a demon.” Amelia said grimly.
“Any information on why they wanted me?” Sookie asks.
“Hell yeah.” Jason says.
“Well then?” I glare at him, he is especially irritating tonight.
“They got a big ol’ grudge against you little sister; they think you are like the damn antichrist or somethin’.”
“So it was me they wanted, Kennedy did want to kill me.” Sookie stated holding back tears. She is always betrayed by those she trusts. I will make up for all of it. Seeing her in my dream made it very clear what I must do. She is mine, and I am hers, and she will be made whole again. I wrap my arms around her and kiss her behind the ear. Compton can stare all he wants, I will comfort her and protect her and he will have to adjust. She was never really his to begin with. She knew that as well as I from the first time she entered Fangtasia. She has always been mine; it just took me over a thousand years to find her.
“That’s right you stupid cunt, and that corpse draped over you is exactly why you need to meet the sun. Strapped to one of those abominations, we will watch you burn.” The female shifter laughed maliciously. Pam broke her nose.
“You will not speak of my mistress that way, you will be gracious you vile animal.” Pam said. I have never told her to call Sookie her mistress; it is good to know she will accept our union.
“I have no decorum to spare for common trash. Any woman who dates vampires has lost all use in polite society. And your mistress over there not only fucks vamps, but she chooses them over humans.”
“Humans never had any decorum for me in the first place; besides at least when the vamps make me bleed they get something out of it. I can’t say the same for you heathens.” Sookie asserted. I kiss her on the forehead and let Pam know I want to switch positions. She obliges. Now I crouch in front of the werebitch.
“Sookie Stackhouse is not a whore. She is not a fangbanger. She is my bonded, and you will not speak ill of her in my presence. Should you not heed my advice, you will not live long enough to regret it. Your son could attest to my swiftness and he had more than one companion.” I look at her to make sure she registers what I am saying. She tears up, just as I intended. “Now you will tell me who sent you after my love, and you will tell me everything.” I say using my influence, I see her eyes begin to widen.
“Steve Newlin. He wants her. He wants to strap her to a vampire we have chained up in the house of worship. She needs to pay, she has sent him underground. She interfered in Rhodes. He thought he was rid of her in Jackson but she is like a cockroach.”
I slap her and her mouth drips blood.
“Be more respectful.” I bellow.
“Sorry, she, she just won’t die. She is harder to kill than a vamp.” She said humbly.
“If someone in your faction had succeeded in killing this woman, you would have a lot more to worry about than vampires.” I say.
As if on cue, Niall, Claudine, and Claude appear in the corner of the room. I nod to them and when I turn back the male has come to. He has already begun his transformation, and he slashes me with his claws. I rock back on my heels and land on my ass. I regain my faculties and lunge for him.
The woman is transforming now as well, Claudine is now in front of Sookie and Amelia. Pam, Niall, Bill and I are ready for attack; I assume Jason is the panther at my right.
The two bears break their restraints easily and the male lets out a deafening roar. Jason matches him in ferocity.
The vampires and the fairy begin to circle the bear couple to trap them in a ring of certain death. I steal a glance at my beloved and she is protected by a wall of fairy. Claudine must know tai-chi. She is crouched in front on the two women very low to the ground. Her right knee in bent so that her thigh is almost parallel to her torso, the other leg parallel to the floor, her right arm is extended in the air like she is reaching for something and the other arm is in front of her body. She is prepared for attack. As we begin to tighten our circle, Jason acts prematurely and lunges at the smaller of the bears. She slashes his neck and the pair leapt past him, crashing through the window. They jump off the fire escape and take off down the sidewalk. I am glad I don’t have to explain that.
“Meet us in their hotel room.” Niall commands before vanishing with the humans.
“Let’s take the elevator. No need to look culpable.” I say.
“Should we take him to the hospital?” I ask, worried as hell. Jason is lying on the floor of the Holiday Inn buck naked, bleeding profusely from his neck.
“No, granddaughter, I will see that he survives.” My great-grandfather replies.
“Can you heal him?” I ask, if he can I wonder why he has never done this for me, but I banish that from my head, now is not the time for jealously.
“Calm yourself, Sookie. You will need to have a clear head to plan your next attack. Your brother is foolhardy. We could have killed them easily had he not jumped the gun.” That expression sounds very out of place coming from his lips.
Claudine is stroking my hair trying to comfort me, but honestly the only thing stopping me from climbing the walls is Eric. I can feel that he is close. He will be here any second.
Jason makes a sound a lot like gurgling and I shoot out of my seat. I am pacing because Niall won’t let me anywhere near Jason. It’s almost like he has a force field around him. For all I know he does.
Eric and the rest of our motley crew burst through the door and he embraces me hard and quick. He looks at me thinks ‘she is fine.’ – I wish I didn’t know that- then moves on to Jason. Niall’s barrier does not seem to affect the vampires as they all encircle my wounded brother.
“Did you do this?” Eric asks my ancient relative.
“He needs healing.” Niall replies.
“Should I call Dr. Ludwig?” I ask.
“No, my love, we can heal him. Pam will stop the bleeding and seal the wound. She may need to give him a bit of her blood, but I doubt it. He is two-natured now and will heal well. It is not as bad as it looks, I promise.” That makes me feel better. He makes me feel better. A year ago Pam having Jason’s blood would have made me very nervous, but now I trust her. Kind of.
“Okay.” I sigh.
I am seated in Eric’s lap in the desk chair. Jason is sitting up on the bed – in pajama pants- drinking water. Claudine and Niall are on Amelia’s bed, and she along with the other vampires are on the floor.
“Why did you come today?” I ask the fairies.
“This is bigger than you realize my dear.” Niall replies.
“How so?” Amelia asks before I have a chance.
“I cannot say, but you will soon find out. Take care, we must go now.” Niall says cryptically. Big shocker.
“Bye everybody, you vamps play nice now, especially you big guy.” Claudine says with a wink at Eric. They are gone, and the vampires can sure tell.
“Don’t start, not one of ya.” I say with force.
I can see the vampires are trying their hardest to restrain themselves, but fairies are to vamps like crack is to a junkie.
“Look Jason needs to rest, and we all need to think about our next move. Will they be safe here tonight?” I tell everyone, and ask Eric.
“Pam, do you feel up to staying with them until it is time for you to go to ground?” Eric asks her.
“Absolutely.” Pam replies with a smile.
“And can you refrain from any unappreciated deviant behavior?” Eric asks her with a cocked eyebrow.
“I have never forced myself on anyone. I will be on my best behavior I assure you.” Pam replies demurely. You would never know how kinky she is looking at her now. Amelia has visions of threesome dancing in her head and I am ready to get the heck outta here.
“They are all grown Eric, what they do amongst themselves is their own business, let's get back.”
“Pam, return after dark, we will all meet up tomorrow.” Eric instructs those that are staying.
In the elevator I find out why Pam gets a night out and Bill has to come back with us.
“Compton, I need you to find out EVERYTHING about the Fellowship here in Indianapolis, Newlin and where he has been since Dallas, how many are left in the demented were group and any other pertinent information you can glean.”
“What are we going to do?” Bill asks.
“We will formulate a plan once you have assembled what I ask.” Eric replies.
“I will do what I can.”
“You will do what I ask.”
There is a pregnant silence, and then Eric hits the stop button just as we are above the lobby.
“I cannot risk Sookie being seen out and about. You take a cab back; I am going to fly her. Call me when you reach the King’s estate, and again when you have something worth hearing.” Eric commands as he pushes the button. Bill nods.
Flying with Eric is always exciting and kinda terrifying. The crisp air bites at your skin, but you barely notice until you land all red with wind burn. Eric loves it. I can feel his glee through the bond, and that does wonders to relax me. His strong arms hold me tight to his chest and I can see the youth in his eyes. Eric always looks younger when he’s soaring. I barely register that we are high above Indianapolis, all the day's events wash away and all that is left is us. I fall in love all over again.
We land so smoothly it’s hard to believe we were just in the air. We check in with the King’s security, Eric asks if we can get to our room from outside. We follow a path around the mansion, and find ourselves in a beautiful garden. Now I know what the lake looks like from above, it is beautiful. There are two dual passenger paddleboats docked near a small pier, and I giggle thinking of Russell and Bartlett in one. It’s hard to imagine. Seeing this estate makes me believe that theirs actually was a love match, though I would never ask. I look at Eric and find his eyes already on me. They are so blue. They sparkle in the fairy lights of the garden and I have to look at him. As beautiful as the landscape is back here, it doesn’t compare to my Viking.
“I saw you in my dream, Sookie.” He croons.
“Vampires dream?” I ask.
“No, not really.”
“But you saw me, during the day?”
“Yes, and you were beautiful.”
“What was I doing?”
A smile creeps across Eric’s face, and if I had any doubts about him they are gone now. There is no leer in his expression. It, well I don’t know how to describe it, but it makes me want to never let him go. If I man can look like that while he is thinking of me, I want him around.
“Eric, come on what was I doing?” I ask pulling at his sleeve ever so lightly. I might have been swaying a little too.
“We will discuss that my lover, I promise. But there is something I must tell you first.”
“Okay. Do you want to stay out here? It's so pretty.”
“No, what we need to discuss is private, but maybe we can come back to talk about my dream.”
“Let’s go in then… where is the entrance again?”
“Over here, in the gazebo. I think we are supposed to sit down on the bench.”
I examine the gazebo, and there are a couple security cameras on top of it, but that’s not unusual for a property like this. We sit down on a gorgeous hand carved bench, and there is a mirror directly across from us framed in a brass made to look like ivy. A moment later the floor opens up to reveal another staircase. At the bottom we find yet another little office, with another demon.
“Hello Mr. Northman and Miss Stackhouse, my name is Efstathios; I am the chief of security.” He says with a heavy Greek accent.
“Hello” we reply simultaneously.
“Are you in for the night?” Efstathios asks.
“No, but we will remain on the grounds. Has Mr. Compton returned yet?”
“Not- oh, wait. Yes, he is at front security now.” Efstathios says, I guess he gets a report on that thing in his ear.
“Thank you.” Eric says with a nod.
Efstathios returns it and we make our way to our room. This entrance is much closer to our door than the bathroom one. Eric unlocks the door and I sit down on the bed.
“What did you want to talk about?”
TBC
Friday, January 9, 2009
Shimmer Chapter 6
Chapter 6
As I watched Jason and Amelia walk off to find the Enterprise desk, I almost ran after them. I hated pulling them into this. Situations like this are what hospital bills are made of, and for once I actually wished I was the one being charged. I tried to tell myself it will work out, but when you start out this way they never really do. I had to remind myself that Amelia is a formidable witch and think of the ectoplasmic reconstructions, the power it took to pull those off. Then I think of Bob; powerful - yes, perfect - no.
Eric looked down at me and kissed my forehead. “No harm will come to them here, my lover, I promise you they will be protected.” He whispered into my ear so softly I barely made out what he is saying. I don’t ask questions, it is better that I don’t know.
“What time are we being picked up?”
“About midnight.” Eric answered.
It’s only 11:15 and I’m famished. I looked around for a directory of the airport. I noticed that weren’t too far from some delicatessen and I turned to walk back and tell them I was going to get a sandwich, but Eric was right behind me.
“Hungry, my lover?”
“Very, all I’ve eaten since breakfast is a cinnamon pretzel.”
“Did you want to go to that deli your finger was on?”
“Sure.”
“Let’s go then.” Eric motioned for Pam and Bill to follow us and we headed for the deli. While Eric and I ordered my sandwich Pam got three Life Flows - sub par- from the vending machine in the corner. There was a microwave next to the machine and Pam warmed the bottles before passing them out. We got back to the table about the same time.
“Sorry Bill, they only had A.” Pam said as she sat down. He shrugged. I ate my sandwich and didn’t realize how great it was until it was gone. I have to get another on the way back. As I popped the last of my pickle into my mouth someone in a dark suit approached our table. He had a little glow so I knew he was a vampire. I assumed he was our driver, but I was still on alert.
“Mr. Northman.” The vamp said with a nod. Eric returned the gesture and we all stood.
“I am Kristofer, I have been sent by Mr. Crowe to escort you to his estate, are you ready to leave?"
“We are.” Kristofer commandeered our luggage rack and we all followed him. I remembered our trash and looked back at the table, but someone was already bussing it. I felt a little guilty, but oh well. Eric took my hand and soon we were in a limo, headed to the manor of a King. Well, two Kings to be exact.
Indiana’s estate was huge. I have no idea how someone could acquire so much real estate in such a populous city. At first I thought we were just entering a gated community, but when I read the lettering on the gate I realized I was wrong. 'Crowe and Edgington Estate' was displayed prominently in beautiful gold script on the rod iron gate, backlit so its grandeur could be appreciated by nighttime guests. Of course, nighttime was when it really mattered.
“Will Russell be here, too?” I ask no one in particular.
“I am told he is not here tonight, but a visit is planned for this week.” Eric replied. Well, someone told him wrong. As we entered the house, Edgington was waiting for us.
“Miss Stackhouse, how wonderful to see you again.” The King of Mississippi greeted me from an elegant wing back chair in the grand room. He stood up and made his way over to us, just as his husband was entering from the right. I wasn’t expecting to be greeted by a King in the ‘entryway’ (though this particular one was a big as my entire first floor) much less this King in particular.
“Eric, I am so pleased to have you and your party here during my visit.” He said as he nodded at Pam and Bill. Bartlett took Russell by the arm and asked us all to follow them. The grand room had the highest ceiling I have ever seen and there was a spiral staircase on either side leading up to the second floor. We followed the Kings through an archway to the next room, then down a short wide hallway ending in a room with a long table in front of a huge bay window. I had to make a conscious effort to keep my jaw off the floor. The Kings sat with their backs to the window, motioning for us to take our seats as well. Eric and I sat directly across from the two kings, Pam on his left side and Bill on my right.
I rested my hand on the table and Eric placed his over mine and smiled at me. I was surprised at this gesture given the company. Russell took all this in and didn’t make it a secret.
“Miss Stackhouse, every time we meet you have a new paramour. Considering his masquerade in Mississippi, it is understandable that you have taken up with the sheriff.” Russell remarked. I'm not surprised he realized Leif and Eric were one in the same. You don’t stay King for over a century by being unobservant. He must really think I am a supernatural slut: Bill, Alcide, Quinn, Kennedy, and now Eric... well maybe I kinda am.
“Yes sir, I have been fickle in the past, but I believe I have met my match.” Eric beamed at me and I think I caught Bill gritting his teeth.
“Eric, your King said it would be best for you to fill me in on your business in my state.” Indiana stated. I guess he wasn’t interested in my love life. Eric told him everything, and Bart was surprised to hear about Kennedy’s affiliation.
“I knew such groups existed, but I had no idea they had such a stronghold in my state, right under my very nose. You are doing me a great service. If there is anything I can do to return the favor, do not hesitate to ask."
“I assure you I will not, for now your hospitality is all we require. If you have no other plans, my companion is very tired.”
“Of course she is, this young human is strong, but she obviously needs her rest.” Russell remarks. “Bart, I’ll call Libby to take them below.”
Below? What does he mean below? Russell pressed a button on the intercom by the window and soon a female vamp entered. She couldn’t have been turned very long ago, and she looked to be about seventeen. Her hair was cut into a short bob and was electric blue. She had big brown eyes, a sharp nose and her arms were sleeved in tattoos. Her voice was angelic; I’d like to hear her sing. She guided us out of the conference room and into another hallway. We went through a normal doorway into a normal bathroom. She walked over to a floor to ceiling mirror and just stood there. Why on Earth did she drag us all in here to watch her stare at herself?
Just as I completed that thought the mirror slid to the side into the wall and revealed a staircase. She walked down and brought us to a small office to check in with a demon. He took all our pictures with a Polaroid camera and pinned them to a cork board, saying we could come and go unaccompanied now. Demons are hard to read but I caught that we must be in a lot of danger if the King is letting us stay down here.
Libby told us that we were below the lake behind the main house. No one could get here without security manually opening a door. All the rooms have individual keys and are always locked. Only the chief of security has a spare key to any room. Eric was right, this is some serious security. She also said that there are many pumping and backup pumping systems in the unlikely event the lake begins to breach the roof.
Eric and I have a room and Bill and Pam are sharing the one across the hall. Libby gives us our keys and leaves. Eric tells Bill and Pam to get settled and meet in our room in an hour.
The room is beautiful. There is a big bed with a mint green comforter and brown accents. Everything in the room complemented it. Our luggage was sitting between the closet and dresser. I was also pleased to see there was a bathroom.
I looked up at Eric and he attacked me with his mouth. His kiss was deep and urgent. His hands were all over me and before I could protest (not that I wanted to) we were both naked. He held me up and my legs automatically wrapped around his waist. My arms were around his neck and he held me where my butt meets my thigh. Normally he prepares me for his ‘gracious plenty’ so the first plunge was shocking, but the slight pain subsided into pure pleasure almost instantly. My back rubbed against the wall as he moved within me, I arched and my agonizingly hard nipples grazed his chest. I let out a breathy moan and wrapped my legs around his thighs so that my feet met his knees. This allowed him to go even deeper and I could feel my muscles contracting. Never pulling out, he turned and made his way to the bed.
He laid me on my back and let my feet rest on his shoulders, He used both his strong hands to press my thighs together and the increased pressure was amazing. The sensation was so intense I started screaming his name over and over uncontrollably. He began to thrust vigorously and I got louder and louder. He took my right breast into his mouth and I shook all over when he drew blood. As I felt the surge of climax approaching I rolled my head back, “Look at me lover, I need you to watch me!” Eric commanded and we locked eyes. We both peaked at the same time and he yelled just as loud as me, only I did in English. He laid on top me for a moment kissing my collarbone then he slid down my body to clean me with his skillful tongue. I released all over again.
Having sex three times with no shower is where I draw the line. We still had 15 minutes before Bill and Pam would be rapping on our door and I was gonna put them to good use. Of course Eric had to wash me, but he knew that was all we had time for. I dressed and put on my moisturizer and pajamas at record speed and I was brushing my hair when I heard the knock. Eric let them in as I pulled my ponytail tight. Pam had a definite smirk on her face to contrast Bill’s definite scowl. Well, I guess our rooms aren’t sound proof. Poor Bill, he knew as well as I did he could never make me scream like that.
“I see you didn’t get much unpacked.” Pam couldn’t help but point out with a snigger.
“Sookie and I had business to attend to before your visit." Eric said as he positioned himself on the bed. I sat down in front of him and he pulled me between his legs so my back was against his chest, Pam sat down on the bed facing us. Bill stood for a moment and was about to sit in the lone chair across the room but Eric pointed to the empty patch of mattress next to Pam, and Bill reluctantly complied. Who besides me ever finds themselves underground, in a bed, with three vampires?
Eric got out his prepaid cell phone and called Jason. He made sure they were ok and had everything they needed. He asked them to call me as soon as they set up the meeting. Everything seemed to be taken care of so he hung up. They never exchanged names. Eric then told us he had gotten Alcide to contact the local packmaster about Kennedy. He was sickened by the group’s behavior and was more than happy to provide Jason and Amelia with much needed day time protection. The Were had tried to run them out of town several other times, but had been unsuccessful. He was grateful for our help as well. Eric wasn’t asking for any favors in kind. Peculiar. Eric told Bill to gather as much information about vamps known to have been killed by Kennedy and his cohorts as possible. He reminded Pam that she must stay inside until the meeting is over with, and told her to help Bill. She looked even more bored than usual.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Fuck, fuck, fuck, fuckin’ shit. How in the hell did I get roped into this? I am gonna be skinned alive by a goddamn bear in an apartment above the fuckin Mason Dixon. Geez. Sook, you better be right about this lil’ ol’ gal. She sure don’ look like much trouble to me, but she is packin’ a whole bag full a’ shit. I guess I was right, if a woman’s gotta carry a purse that big, ain’t nothing but trouble in it. If she ain’t got her shit together then we are S-C-R-E-W-E-D. I can’t change whenever I fuckin’ feel like it, and evens if I could, I doubt I could take on two bears. I musta lost my everlovin’ mind. Why did I agree to this, probably that fuckin’ vamp Sookie’s got in her bed now. She kept her knees shut twenty-five fuckin’ years just to fuck a bunch of vamps. He probably hypnotized me and this girl here just to get us killed so he can have her all to his ownself. SHIT! Don’t look cocky, don’t fuckin smile. Get it togther Stackho…
“Hello Sir, my name is Jason Stackhouse. This is Amelia Broadway. May we come in? I’m ‘fraid we got something to talk about.” Gran. I hope I’m doin’ ya proud, lord knows I’m tryin’.
“Alright, but like I said on the phone, we ain’t got all day now, son.” Shit he’s big, I bet when he shifts he is huge, what is he a goddamn polar bear? Oh fuck, she ain’t small neither. We are up the creek without a fuckin' canoe!
Well at least Amelia is keepin’ her trap shut, I like her alright, but her mouth could sure make this go from bad to dead. “Thank you for having us on such short notice-why is the furniture covered in plastic? - I am sorry to say so, but we come bearing some bad news."
“All right, Mr. Stackhouse, please tell us what you have to say.” Her voice is higher than I thought it’d be. She sounds kinda shook up too. Maybe they don’t know.
“Well ma’am, like I told your husband on the phone, I am a supervisor on a road crew down in Renard Parish, Louisiana. You son Kennedy, well Ken, he worked for me see.”
They both nod at me to go on. “Well Kennedy hadn’t shown up for work in a couple days and well there ain’t no bears to speak of round our parts, so I knew him outside a work too. Well he hadn’t shown up for that neither. I got real worried, so I checked to see if he’d been arrested or hospitalized, and when nobody heard of him, some of our group went out to trackin.’ We found him and some others in a house in Monroe, and I dunno what all went down in there, but nobody we saw was livin’. –aw shit his momma’s cryin’ they didn’t know they better be right about this shit- Well anyways I’m real sorry. I, uh, I thought you might like this.” I hand the box and my handkerchief to his momma, she needs it more that his daddy.
“Thank you, Mr. Stackhouse. Thank you so much. This is a real nice gesture. The police down in Monroe called us after they found the bodies, but we appreciate you coming all this way to do this yourself. That speaks volumes.” His daddy said to me.
“Well Sir, Ken wasn’t just on my crew or with my pack, he was my friend.”
“It’s nice to know he wasn’t alone. We worried about him being so far from his kind.” His momma sobbed at me. Amelia’s lookin’ a little green over there...
“May I use your restroom please?” Amelia spit out quickly.
“Honey, I hate to rush you off but we really gotta get ready for work, and with Mindy all shook up like this. Well there’s one right below us in the laundromat.” Daddy replies.
“I dunno if I can make it.” She says cupping her mouth.
“All right honey, past the kitchen, to your left.” Momma replies quickly. I guess she don’t want no chunks on the plastic.
Aw fuck, I can smell whatever she is doin’ in there and OH SHIT ! They are fuckin shiftin’ shit shit She’s got the fuckin’ guns what am I gonna do? FUCK!! Oh no fuckin’ way, they are frozen. They are frozen mid fuckin shift. Kodiak bears. Wow.
“Amelia! Amelia! It worked! Get your behind out here before they unfreeze or whatever!”
“Of course it worked, and they won’t unfreeze until I unfreeze them. Jason, what the hell?”
“What, yea I know they are fuckin’ huge, what are we gonna tie them to?”
“No, not that, you…you have paws and you’re kinda furry.”
“You musta left your marbles in that bathroom woman, I can’t change unless it’s a full moon.”
“Well somebody better tell your hands that because they are confused.”
“Oh shit! You’re right.” She just rolled her eyes at me.
“Well I guess I’m gonna do the pad locks then, do you think you can manage the chains?” She said.
“Well I can try.” I replied as I walked over to her. I managed alright but she did have to do the locks. Well, I guess if I am scared to the point of shitting my pants I can shift. Good to know.
We got them tied up to the staircase in their apartment. If they wanted to they could break out, but Amelia anticipated that and had a HUGE needle full of some kinda tranquilizer. She shot them both up.
“Well they might be groggy, but they should stay put for at least a bit.” She smiled.
“You got them guns?” She tossed one to me, sure enough sawed off shot gun with silver bullets. She sat down Indian Style and pulled some little bottles out, lit a candle. Started chanting and then that smell came again. She blew out the candle chanted something else. Oh fuck.
“What is the meaning of this!! You come to tell me my son is dead and then you tie me up?” Daddy growled through fuzzy lips. Mom don’t look so lively, and well Daddy’s starting to fade now. I guess that tranq is working. I’m sure glad Amelia’s on my side.
“What do you want with Sookie Stackhouse?” Amelia asked with authority. That girl has balls of steel.
“We want her to go to hell strapped to a vampire, and not the one she is fucking either.” Mom said, wow she don’t sound so grief stricken now.
“Why the hell do you want that?” Amelia growled at her. If I didn’t know better I would think she could shift.
“She is heathen scum. She parades her sinful ways, and shows no remorse. She destroyed our prophet’s base, interfered in his righteous plans and has forced him into hiding. She undermined our attempts to save the souls in the Pyramid thus sentencing them to eternal damnation. We will not let her continue to corrupt souls.”
Alright, there is a lot I don’t know about my sister, but I doubt she is sending people to hell. None of this makes any fuckin’ sense.
“None of this makes any fuckin’ sense Amelia, are they high?”
“Nope just crazy. It’s almost dark. I’m calling.” She said. Sook and I have a lot to talk about tonight.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
The phone was ringing. Eric was sleeping. My great-grandfather and fairy godmother were sitting with me on my bed in the home of a vampire King, right alongside my daytime-dead vampire boyfriend. If this bed could talk, I would have to buy it off.
Claudine handed me the phone, since she was closest to it.
“Hello.” I say trying not to sound worried, but I really hope it is Jason or Amelia that talks back.
“Girl, you are not gonna believe this, but these jackasses are in the Fellowship of the Sun.” Amelia says.
“Like Were spies for the Fellowship?”
“No, they were there for the kool-aid.”
“No way.” She was right, I don’t believe it. Eric started waking up. Claudine looked nervous, Niall didn't.
“Eric is waking up, are they under control?”
“Oh yea, I tranqed their asses. I didn’t do another stasis because I want to search the place.”
“Good thinking.”
“What is who thinking?” Eric asks, seeing our company and looking utterly confused. I put my hand over the phone so Amelia doesn’t think I’m talking to her.
“Amelia and Jason have Kennedy’s parents chained up and tranquilized. They are in the Fellowship of the Sun.” His eyes get wide.
“Hang up. Tell them to maintain the situation and we will arrive within the hour.”
“Keep up the good work; we’ll be there in the next hour.” I relay to Amelia.
“See you then.” She hung up.
“My lover, why am I in a bed full of fae?” He didn't sound entirely upset about it.
“Well, they sensed my concern and here they are.” I smiled.
“What have you done?” Eric asks my grandfather.
“Jason was not the best choice for this mission. He nearly lost control while the witch was casting the spell, and if it were not for her speed and my intervention, he would have lost his life.” The Prince of Fairies replied, looking less than thrilled with Eric.
“Jason was our only choice if wanted any hope of a covert operation. How did you intervene?”
“I gave him the power to change if his life is in danger. He also would have changed into a true panther. This will not last. It will fade by the next full moon. I will need you to glamour him for me.” My great-grandfather tells my naked lover. This is weird.
“Thank you, Niall. We appreciate your assistance. Of course I will glamour him for you.”
Poor Jason. His head is going to be a black hole by the time we get home.
“Northman, I know that you love this woman- that’s more than I knew-. I know that you would give your own life to save hers. I have not met another vampire I can say the same for. I would not have selected this for her, but she has selected you for herself. Do not disappoint me.”
And then they disappeared.
TBC
As I watched Jason and Amelia walk off to find the Enterprise desk, I almost ran after them. I hated pulling them into this. Situations like this are what hospital bills are made of, and for once I actually wished I was the one being charged. I tried to tell myself it will work out, but when you start out this way they never really do. I had to remind myself that Amelia is a formidable witch and think of the ectoplasmic reconstructions, the power it took to pull those off. Then I think of Bob; powerful - yes, perfect - no.
Eric looked down at me and kissed my forehead. “No harm will come to them here, my lover, I promise you they will be protected.” He whispered into my ear so softly I barely made out what he is saying. I don’t ask questions, it is better that I don’t know.
“What time are we being picked up?”
“About midnight.” Eric answered.
It’s only 11:15 and I’m famished. I looked around for a directory of the airport. I noticed that weren’t too far from some delicatessen and I turned to walk back and tell them I was going to get a sandwich, but Eric was right behind me.
“Hungry, my lover?”
“Very, all I’ve eaten since breakfast is a cinnamon pretzel.”
“Did you want to go to that deli your finger was on?”
“Sure.”
“Let’s go then.” Eric motioned for Pam and Bill to follow us and we headed for the deli. While Eric and I ordered my sandwich Pam got three Life Flows - sub par- from the vending machine in the corner. There was a microwave next to the machine and Pam warmed the bottles before passing them out. We got back to the table about the same time.
“Sorry Bill, they only had A.” Pam said as she sat down. He shrugged. I ate my sandwich and didn’t realize how great it was until it was gone. I have to get another on the way back. As I popped the last of my pickle into my mouth someone in a dark suit approached our table. He had a little glow so I knew he was a vampire. I assumed he was our driver, but I was still on alert.
“Mr. Northman.” The vamp said with a nod. Eric returned the gesture and we all stood.
“I am Kristofer, I have been sent by Mr. Crowe to escort you to his estate, are you ready to leave?"
“We are.” Kristofer commandeered our luggage rack and we all followed him. I remembered our trash and looked back at the table, but someone was already bussing it. I felt a little guilty, but oh well. Eric took my hand and soon we were in a limo, headed to the manor of a King. Well, two Kings to be exact.
Indiana’s estate was huge. I have no idea how someone could acquire so much real estate in such a populous city. At first I thought we were just entering a gated community, but when I read the lettering on the gate I realized I was wrong. 'Crowe and Edgington Estate' was displayed prominently in beautiful gold script on the rod iron gate, backlit so its grandeur could be appreciated by nighttime guests. Of course, nighttime was when it really mattered.
“Will Russell be here, too?” I ask no one in particular.
“I am told he is not here tonight, but a visit is planned for this week.” Eric replied. Well, someone told him wrong. As we entered the house, Edgington was waiting for us.
“Miss Stackhouse, how wonderful to see you again.” The King of Mississippi greeted me from an elegant wing back chair in the grand room. He stood up and made his way over to us, just as his husband was entering from the right. I wasn’t expecting to be greeted by a King in the ‘entryway’ (though this particular one was a big as my entire first floor) much less this King in particular.
“Eric, I am so pleased to have you and your party here during my visit.” He said as he nodded at Pam and Bill. Bartlett took Russell by the arm and asked us all to follow them. The grand room had the highest ceiling I have ever seen and there was a spiral staircase on either side leading up to the second floor. We followed the Kings through an archway to the next room, then down a short wide hallway ending in a room with a long table in front of a huge bay window. I had to make a conscious effort to keep my jaw off the floor. The Kings sat with their backs to the window, motioning for us to take our seats as well. Eric and I sat directly across from the two kings, Pam on his left side and Bill on my right.
I rested my hand on the table and Eric placed his over mine and smiled at me. I was surprised at this gesture given the company. Russell took all this in and didn’t make it a secret.
“Miss Stackhouse, every time we meet you have a new paramour. Considering his masquerade in Mississippi, it is understandable that you have taken up with the sheriff.” Russell remarked. I'm not surprised he realized Leif and Eric were one in the same. You don’t stay King for over a century by being unobservant. He must really think I am a supernatural slut: Bill, Alcide, Quinn, Kennedy, and now Eric... well maybe I kinda am.
“Yes sir, I have been fickle in the past, but I believe I have met my match.” Eric beamed at me and I think I caught Bill gritting his teeth.
“Eric, your King said it would be best for you to fill me in on your business in my state.” Indiana stated. I guess he wasn’t interested in my love life. Eric told him everything, and Bart was surprised to hear about Kennedy’s affiliation.
“I knew such groups existed, but I had no idea they had such a stronghold in my state, right under my very nose. You are doing me a great service. If there is anything I can do to return the favor, do not hesitate to ask."
“I assure you I will not, for now your hospitality is all we require. If you have no other plans, my companion is very tired.”
“Of course she is, this young human is strong, but she obviously needs her rest.” Russell remarks. “Bart, I’ll call Libby to take them below.”
Below? What does he mean below? Russell pressed a button on the intercom by the window and soon a female vamp entered. She couldn’t have been turned very long ago, and she looked to be about seventeen. Her hair was cut into a short bob and was electric blue. She had big brown eyes, a sharp nose and her arms were sleeved in tattoos. Her voice was angelic; I’d like to hear her sing. She guided us out of the conference room and into another hallway. We went through a normal doorway into a normal bathroom. She walked over to a floor to ceiling mirror and just stood there. Why on Earth did she drag us all in here to watch her stare at herself?
Just as I completed that thought the mirror slid to the side into the wall and revealed a staircase. She walked down and brought us to a small office to check in with a demon. He took all our pictures with a Polaroid camera and pinned them to a cork board, saying we could come and go unaccompanied now. Demons are hard to read but I caught that we must be in a lot of danger if the King is letting us stay down here.
Libby told us that we were below the lake behind the main house. No one could get here without security manually opening a door. All the rooms have individual keys and are always locked. Only the chief of security has a spare key to any room. Eric was right, this is some serious security. She also said that there are many pumping and backup pumping systems in the unlikely event the lake begins to breach the roof.
Eric and I have a room and Bill and Pam are sharing the one across the hall. Libby gives us our keys and leaves. Eric tells Bill and Pam to get settled and meet in our room in an hour.
The room is beautiful. There is a big bed with a mint green comforter and brown accents. Everything in the room complemented it. Our luggage was sitting between the closet and dresser. I was also pleased to see there was a bathroom.
I looked up at Eric and he attacked me with his mouth. His kiss was deep and urgent. His hands were all over me and before I could protest (not that I wanted to) we were both naked. He held me up and my legs automatically wrapped around his waist. My arms were around his neck and he held me where my butt meets my thigh. Normally he prepares me for his ‘gracious plenty’ so the first plunge was shocking, but the slight pain subsided into pure pleasure almost instantly. My back rubbed against the wall as he moved within me, I arched and my agonizingly hard nipples grazed his chest. I let out a breathy moan and wrapped my legs around his thighs so that my feet met his knees. This allowed him to go even deeper and I could feel my muscles contracting. Never pulling out, he turned and made his way to the bed.
He laid me on my back and let my feet rest on his shoulders, He used both his strong hands to press my thighs together and the increased pressure was amazing. The sensation was so intense I started screaming his name over and over uncontrollably. He began to thrust vigorously and I got louder and louder. He took my right breast into his mouth and I shook all over when he drew blood. As I felt the surge of climax approaching I rolled my head back, “Look at me lover, I need you to watch me!” Eric commanded and we locked eyes. We both peaked at the same time and he yelled just as loud as me, only I did in English. He laid on top me for a moment kissing my collarbone then he slid down my body to clean me with his skillful tongue. I released all over again.
Having sex three times with no shower is where I draw the line. We still had 15 minutes before Bill and Pam would be rapping on our door and I was gonna put them to good use. Of course Eric had to wash me, but he knew that was all we had time for. I dressed and put on my moisturizer and pajamas at record speed and I was brushing my hair when I heard the knock. Eric let them in as I pulled my ponytail tight. Pam had a definite smirk on her face to contrast Bill’s definite scowl. Well, I guess our rooms aren’t sound proof. Poor Bill, he knew as well as I did he could never make me scream like that.
“I see you didn’t get much unpacked.” Pam couldn’t help but point out with a snigger.
“Sookie and I had business to attend to before your visit." Eric said as he positioned himself on the bed. I sat down in front of him and he pulled me between his legs so my back was against his chest, Pam sat down on the bed facing us. Bill stood for a moment and was about to sit in the lone chair across the room but Eric pointed to the empty patch of mattress next to Pam, and Bill reluctantly complied. Who besides me ever finds themselves underground, in a bed, with three vampires?
Eric got out his prepaid cell phone and called Jason. He made sure they were ok and had everything they needed. He asked them to call me as soon as they set up the meeting. Everything seemed to be taken care of so he hung up. They never exchanged names. Eric then told us he had gotten Alcide to contact the local packmaster about Kennedy. He was sickened by the group’s behavior and was more than happy to provide Jason and Amelia with much needed day time protection. The Were had tried to run them out of town several other times, but had been unsuccessful. He was grateful for our help as well. Eric wasn’t asking for any favors in kind. Peculiar. Eric told Bill to gather as much information about vamps known to have been killed by Kennedy and his cohorts as possible. He reminded Pam that she must stay inside until the meeting is over with, and told her to help Bill. She looked even more bored than usual.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Fuck, fuck, fuck, fuckin’ shit. How in the hell did I get roped into this? I am gonna be skinned alive by a goddamn bear in an apartment above the fuckin Mason Dixon. Geez. Sook, you better be right about this lil’ ol’ gal. She sure don’ look like much trouble to me, but she is packin’ a whole bag full a’ shit. I guess I was right, if a woman’s gotta carry a purse that big, ain’t nothing but trouble in it. If she ain’t got her shit together then we are S-C-R-E-W-E-D. I can’t change whenever I fuckin’ feel like it, and evens if I could, I doubt I could take on two bears. I musta lost my everlovin’ mind. Why did I agree to this, probably that fuckin’ vamp Sookie’s got in her bed now. She kept her knees shut twenty-five fuckin’ years just to fuck a bunch of vamps. He probably hypnotized me and this girl here just to get us killed so he can have her all to his ownself. SHIT! Don’t look cocky, don’t fuckin smile. Get it togther Stackho…
“Hello Sir, my name is Jason Stackhouse. This is Amelia Broadway. May we come in? I’m ‘fraid we got something to talk about.” Gran. I hope I’m doin’ ya proud, lord knows I’m tryin’.
“Alright, but like I said on the phone, we ain’t got all day now, son.” Shit he’s big, I bet when he shifts he is huge, what is he a goddamn polar bear? Oh fuck, she ain’t small neither. We are up the creek without a fuckin' canoe!
Well at least Amelia is keepin’ her trap shut, I like her alright, but her mouth could sure make this go from bad to dead. “Thank you for having us on such short notice-why is the furniture covered in plastic? - I am sorry to say so, but we come bearing some bad news."
“All right, Mr. Stackhouse, please tell us what you have to say.” Her voice is higher than I thought it’d be. She sounds kinda shook up too. Maybe they don’t know.
“Well ma’am, like I told your husband on the phone, I am a supervisor on a road crew down in Renard Parish, Louisiana. You son Kennedy, well Ken, he worked for me see.”
They both nod at me to go on. “Well Kennedy hadn’t shown up for work in a couple days and well there ain’t no bears to speak of round our parts, so I knew him outside a work too. Well he hadn’t shown up for that neither. I got real worried, so I checked to see if he’d been arrested or hospitalized, and when nobody heard of him, some of our group went out to trackin.’ We found him and some others in a house in Monroe, and I dunno what all went down in there, but nobody we saw was livin’. –aw shit his momma’s cryin’ they didn’t know they better be right about this shit- Well anyways I’m real sorry. I, uh, I thought you might like this.” I hand the box and my handkerchief to his momma, she needs it more that his daddy.
“Thank you, Mr. Stackhouse. Thank you so much. This is a real nice gesture. The police down in Monroe called us after they found the bodies, but we appreciate you coming all this way to do this yourself. That speaks volumes.” His daddy said to me.
“Well Sir, Ken wasn’t just on my crew or with my pack, he was my friend.”
“It’s nice to know he wasn’t alone. We worried about him being so far from his kind.” His momma sobbed at me. Amelia’s lookin’ a little green over there...
“May I use your restroom please?” Amelia spit out quickly.
“Honey, I hate to rush you off but we really gotta get ready for work, and with Mindy all shook up like this. Well there’s one right below us in the laundromat.” Daddy replies.
“I dunno if I can make it.” She says cupping her mouth.
“All right honey, past the kitchen, to your left.” Momma replies quickly. I guess she don’t want no chunks on the plastic.
Aw fuck, I can smell whatever she is doin’ in there and OH SHIT ! They are fuckin shiftin’ shit shit She’s got the fuckin’ guns what am I gonna do? FUCK!! Oh no fuckin’ way, they are frozen. They are frozen mid fuckin shift. Kodiak bears. Wow.
“Amelia! Amelia! It worked! Get your behind out here before they unfreeze or whatever!”
“Of course it worked, and they won’t unfreeze until I unfreeze them. Jason, what the hell?”
“What, yea I know they are fuckin’ huge, what are we gonna tie them to?”
“No, not that, you…you have paws and you’re kinda furry.”
“You musta left your marbles in that bathroom woman, I can’t change unless it’s a full moon.”
“Well somebody better tell your hands that because they are confused.”
“Oh shit! You’re right.” She just rolled her eyes at me.
“Well I guess I’m gonna do the pad locks then, do you think you can manage the chains?” She said.
“Well I can try.” I replied as I walked over to her. I managed alright but she did have to do the locks. Well, I guess if I am scared to the point of shitting my pants I can shift. Good to know.
We got them tied up to the staircase in their apartment. If they wanted to they could break out, but Amelia anticipated that and had a HUGE needle full of some kinda tranquilizer. She shot them both up.
“Well they might be groggy, but they should stay put for at least a bit.” She smiled.
“You got them guns?” She tossed one to me, sure enough sawed off shot gun with silver bullets. She sat down Indian Style and pulled some little bottles out, lit a candle. Started chanting and then that smell came again. She blew out the candle chanted something else. Oh fuck.
“What is the meaning of this!! You come to tell me my son is dead and then you tie me up?” Daddy growled through fuzzy lips. Mom don’t look so lively, and well Daddy’s starting to fade now. I guess that tranq is working. I’m sure glad Amelia’s on my side.
“What do you want with Sookie Stackhouse?” Amelia asked with authority. That girl has balls of steel.
“We want her to go to hell strapped to a vampire, and not the one she is fucking either.” Mom said, wow she don’t sound so grief stricken now.
“Why the hell do you want that?” Amelia growled at her. If I didn’t know better I would think she could shift.
“She is heathen scum. She parades her sinful ways, and shows no remorse. She destroyed our prophet’s base, interfered in his righteous plans and has forced him into hiding. She undermined our attempts to save the souls in the Pyramid thus sentencing them to eternal damnation. We will not let her continue to corrupt souls.”
Alright, there is a lot I don’t know about my sister, but I doubt she is sending people to hell. None of this makes any fuckin’ sense.
“None of this makes any fuckin’ sense Amelia, are they high?”
“Nope just crazy. It’s almost dark. I’m calling.” She said. Sook and I have a lot to talk about tonight.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
The phone was ringing. Eric was sleeping. My great-grandfather and fairy godmother were sitting with me on my bed in the home of a vampire King, right alongside my daytime-dead vampire boyfriend. If this bed could talk, I would have to buy it off.
Claudine handed me the phone, since she was closest to it.
“Hello.” I say trying not to sound worried, but I really hope it is Jason or Amelia that talks back.
“Girl, you are not gonna believe this, but these jackasses are in the Fellowship of the Sun.” Amelia says.
“Like Were spies for the Fellowship?”
“No, they were there for the kool-aid.”
“No way.” She was right, I don’t believe it. Eric started waking up. Claudine looked nervous, Niall didn't.
“Eric is waking up, are they under control?”
“Oh yea, I tranqed their asses. I didn’t do another stasis because I want to search the place.”
“Good thinking.”
“What is who thinking?” Eric asks, seeing our company and looking utterly confused. I put my hand over the phone so Amelia doesn’t think I’m talking to her.
“Amelia and Jason have Kennedy’s parents chained up and tranquilized. They are in the Fellowship of the Sun.” His eyes get wide.
“Hang up. Tell them to maintain the situation and we will arrive within the hour.”
“Keep up the good work; we’ll be there in the next hour.” I relay to Amelia.
“See you then.” She hung up.
“My lover, why am I in a bed full of fae?” He didn't sound entirely upset about it.
“Well, they sensed my concern and here they are.” I smiled.
“What have you done?” Eric asks my grandfather.
“Jason was not the best choice for this mission. He nearly lost control while the witch was casting the spell, and if it were not for her speed and my intervention, he would have lost his life.” The Prince of Fairies replied, looking less than thrilled with Eric.
“Jason was our only choice if wanted any hope of a covert operation. How did you intervene?”
“I gave him the power to change if his life is in danger. He also would have changed into a true panther. This will not last. It will fade by the next full moon. I will need you to glamour him for me.” My great-grandfather tells my naked lover. This is weird.
“Thank you, Niall. We appreciate your assistance. Of course I will glamour him for you.”
Poor Jason. His head is going to be a black hole by the time we get home.
“Northman, I know that you love this woman- that’s more than I knew-. I know that you would give your own life to save hers. I have not met another vampire I can say the same for. I would not have selected this for her, but she has selected you for herself. Do not disappoint me.”
And then they disappeared.
TBC
Shimmer Chapter 5
Chapter 5
Eric’s house was NICE. Of course I had expected as much, but it was different when you saw it. He showed Amelia and I where we’d be sleeping and said to make ourselves at home. He was going to Fangtasia, but he said he just had to catch a few things up then I would have his full attention. That was something to look forward to.
I heard his Corvette pull onto the road as I made my way through the house. It wasn’t huge or too flashy, but everything thing is new and top of the line. He had a gourmet kitchen, and I have to wonder what for. He told me once that he had this house built so I know it wasn’t because it came with it. His furniture was modern but comfortable. Nothing ornate, solid colors and clean lines are the theme. He had snow white carpet in his living room that made me shudder; if he spilled any blood he would have to tear it up. His tables and stands were all black and he had a midnight blue couch with golden-yellow accent pillows. His love seat was golden-yellow with midnight blue pillows and there was a blue recliner with yellow trim. Three of the walls were a lovely shade of eggshell, and the fourth looked like blue suede. That wall held one of those glass fireplaces you can look through to see the next room. The mantel above it was simple and black. I walked up to look closer at the trinkets atop it. Okay, maybe not everything in this house was new. They were different metal odds and ends that looked old and Nordic. I glanced around at the paintings on the walls and was astonished to find they were authentic. Van Gogh, Velasquez, Monet and some I hadn’t heard of were scattered throughout the home. One painting in the living room was by Van Gogh and was titled Night Stars; I noticed the color scheme of the room was pulled from the canvas. The Velasquez in the den showed a beautiful little blonde girl in a full blue gown that looked Elizabethan to me, but I don’t really know.
Eric had great taste; his entire home was decorated with great care and skill. It was beautiful. I wonder if he did it himself or hired an interior designer. Amelia walked up to me just as I was admiring his indoor pool. It wasn’t huge, but it was big enough, and it was heated.
“Hey, let’s go for a swim.” Amelia said, her eyes gleaming.
“It’s December and we are going north. I didn’t bring a suit.” I looked at her like she was crazy.
“So?” Amelia folded up her khakis and sat them on a nearby chair. She left her panties on, but took her bra off and dove in with barely a splash. She glided below the surface to the other side. “Come on, the water feels great.”
I’m not as modest as I used to be, but I still had to think twice before I finally followed her lead. I jumped in ass covered, boobs not. I’m glad I opted for bikinis tonight and packed my thongs instead. We swam around some and decided to race. The pool was shaped like a tear drop (at least I am calling it that) but there was enough room for us both to push off from the vertex and race to the arc and back. I won the first, she won the second, and we were about to go for a third when Eric walked in. His fangs showed a little when he noticed our apparel -or lack thereof- and I had to laugh. Just then, Amelia was conveniently overcome with drowsiness. She said she would see me in the morning and collected her clothes on her way out. I stayed in the pool, dipping myself beneath the surface and then rising to my feet, arching my back as I smoothed my hair. I knew he enjoyed the show I was giving him.
“Would you like me to join you, my lover?” Eric asked, his accent a little more apparent than usual.
“Well, they do say you shouldn't swim alone.” I smiled up at him.
“You should never swim without me, my lover. You look too delicious dripping in just your underthings. If anyone else saw you this way, I would have to kill them.” He looked down, just a touch of seriousness in his tone.
“Eric, Amelia just saw me.” I grinned up at him knowing full well that is not what he meant. Before I realized what was going on, Eric had me pinned to the tile wall of the pool and was kissing me hard in all his naked glory.
I don’t know why sex underwater was so much fun. The water seemed to eliminate some of the friction and the details of our bodies weren’t quite as apparent, but I loved it anyway. Maybe it’s because you could change positions so effortlessly, not that it was that hard anywhere when your partner was a vampire.
After we were dried and dressed we went to his room; it was almost four and I was getting tired. We showered together and his bathroom was as extravagant as I expected it to be, all the way to the double showerhead and waterfall. I tried very hard not to think about the scores of other women he had undoubtedly shared it with. I figured this was the perfect time to let him know what I considered commitment.
“Eric, I don’t want you with any one else.”
“Nor I you, my lover.” He replied easily enough, but I wanted to make sure he got my drift.
“I know at the bar you, well, you know, appease the clientele, and I am just not comfortable with that. I want to be the only one you taste as long as we are together.” He smiled down at me.
“I would not expect anything less of you, Sookie, and I promise to commit myself to you in every way. I will not penetrate anyone else in any manner.” He said it with such complete conviction I knew he was sincere.
“Wow, I didn’t think you would take that so easily.”
“There are plenty other vampires to 'appease the clientele' as you say, and I have no desire to drink from a common whore when I have my very own delectable lady waiting for me,” he said again with complete honesty.
“That won’t cause problems?” I was concerned not only for his business, but for his appearance to other vamps.
“I lost my taste for fangbanger some time ago, it has not been a problem yet.” That surprised me.
“What do you mean?” I couldn't believe that Eric Northman had been living on bottled blood.
“I find that the trash who jumps from vamp to vamp dying to be bitten has come to taste, well, bitter to me. Like they are tainted. Ever since Rhodes I have found little pleasure in drinking from them. I completely stopped about a month ago. My lover, your sweet nectar has spoiled me,” he said as he patted me dry. I guessed that was a compliment and I stretched up on my tiptoes to kiss him. His room had ample artificial lighting recessed into the ceiling, and I knew that he would stay in the bed with me come dawn. The idea excited me; I was never able to wake up for my day next to Bill.
We settled into his bed and I was relieved to slide into Egyptian cotton, not silk. Ever since I saw his silk boxers I had worried about Eric’s sheets, not that I really had a right until now. We enveloped each other and I felt a rush of sheer bliss. This was perfect, and that was my last thought until ten the next morning.
I woke up still in my Viking's embrace, and although I knew he couldn’t feel it I stroked his hair and kissed his face before I slid out of bed. I couldn’t help but straighten the covers, even with him under them. Old habits die hard.
I opened one of my bags and grabbed my clothes and makeup. After I was presentable I found Amelia in the kitchen looking positively refreshed. She had gotten up around eight and swam some laps. She said Eric had coffee, croissants, fresh fruit and orange juice. I couldn’t believe it.
After breakfast Amelia and I decided to go shopping at Pierre Bossier Mall. We enjoyed each others company as we wandered about lazily and picked up a few things here and there. On our way to Sweet Scents N’ More, we passed David’s Bridal and the most stunning dress I had ever seen was in the window.
Ivory colored satin and tulle with metallic beads and embroidered lace, it had the most beautiful chapel train. The sales lady said it was an asymmetrical pick-up gown with a pleated surplice bodice. I didn’t know what that meant but it was strapless and rounded over each breast, the pleated material crisscrossed and flared out at the waist where the tulle began. The shoes were ivory strappy heeled sandals with rows of rhinestones across the toe and foot. I loved them, too. The necklace on the mannequin reminded me of Gran’s pearls. I wanted to look just like that when I married Eric. Whoa, I think I’m getting a little ahead of myself, I better get outta here before I mosey on over to Zales and buy some rings.
Amelia took my wedding fantasy in stride and didn’t say a word about it. We soon decided that we had better get back to Eric’s so we could make sure we had everything we needed for the trip. It was almost four-thirty and he would be rising very soon. Traffic wasn't bad and we made it back to his house by five. I went into his room and slipped my new goodies into my larger suitcase before sliding into bed with him. I wanted to be with him when he woke up. Cuddling as close as I could, I threw my limbs over his. A few minutes later he began to stir and his eyes glistened when they found me.
She smells so delicious. I have to have her, I have to taste her, I love waking up to her. Maybe I could convince her to live here. Doubtful, but I will try.
I kissed her deeply as I ripped the clothes off her. I was already naked. I had my way with her twice before we forced ourselves out of bed. I had never been so enamored in all my years; I just wanted to bite her and fuck her over and over until the end of time. When it came to Sookie, I couldn’t find my fill. I convinced her that there wasn't time to shower and we dressed for our trip.
“I wish you hadn’t ripped my clothes, I only brought so many and those jeans were new.” She wasn't actually upset, only worried about having enough clothes for the trip.
“My lover, it will be my pleasure to replace them once we reach our destination.” I threw her one of my t-shirts and smiled. She was covered with my scent and wore my clothes; I was sending a very effective message to her former lover. I knew she would want to tell Bill about our relationship herself because she thought I would gloat. She was right. I know she will get indignant when I tell him she is mine. That can wait, but I want him to know she is off limits. I will enjoy his reaction.
I watched her walk into the bathroom with her little make up bag. She tied my shirt in a little knot above her right hip and I had a tremendous view of her ass. I preferred her without the sparkly eye powders and such, but I knew it made her feel more confident. She hadn't yet realized her own radiance. When she was ready we collected the witch and made our way to the driveway. My Corvette wouldn't hold us so I called Pam; her sensible Toyota would do fine. I stowed the luggage in the trunk and joined Sookie in the backseat.
We were already seated on the plane when Bill arrived with Jason. Our coffins were in place along the side wall and Sookie and I were in one row of three with Amelia sitting in the row in front of us with Pam. Sookie’s tomcat brother couldn't pass up sitting between the witch and my child, so that put Bill with us.
"Compton. How nice of you to join us. Please make yourself comfortable." I gestured towards the only available seat as if I was granting him a great gift. The effect was not lost on him as he responded, his voice icy.
"Eric." He stiffly nodded at me in greeting as he sat. "Sookie, you look well, considering all that has happened."
She turned to look at him and the movement caused her scent to explode throughout the cabin. Sookie didn't notice anything, even though I could tell by the slight flare of his nostrils and the way his pupils dilated just a bit, but Bill smelled me all over her. "I'm just fine, Bill. How are you doing?"
I was curious to hear his answer, and since she was turned away from me I took the opportunity to steeple my fingers and raise an eyebrow at him. "Fine, Sookie. I'm just fine."
The engines started up and Sookie grabbed my hand in panic. She looked at me apologetically as she explained, "I hate take-off and touch-down. In flight I'm fine, but the beginning and the end scare the crap out of me."
"It's okay, my lover. You know I would never let any harm come to you. Hold on as tightly as you need to, I won't let go." She squeezed her eyes shut and gripped my hands as if her life depended on it. Bill noticed and stared at me over her head. I leveled a look at him and mouthed a few words at him, knowing he could read my lips.
'She is mine and you will not touch her. Do not test me on this.' He jerked his head in a miniscule nod before turning away to brood. I dismissed him from my thoughts and focused on Sookie. I kissed just below her earlobe and felt her loosen her grip on me a fraction.
When the plane had leveled off, Sookie released my hands and I asked the three in front to rotate their chairs so that we were all facing. Now was the time to formulate a concrete plan.
“Pam, Bill, Sookie and I are going to be staying with the King of Indiana at his home in Indianapolis. It has extensive security; we should be out of harm's way. Amelia, you and Jason will be staying at the Holiday Inn Express at City Centre. I know it is not much, but in case you are followed I want them to think Jason is paying for the room, no offense of course.” I said this for Sookie’s sake. I couldn't have cared less what he thought, if he thought at all.
“None taken man, I’m not ashamed I ain’t rich, if I was paying for this trip I would have picked Holiday Inn over The Hilton.”
“Good. Now tonight we will leave the airport separately. I have rented a mid-sized car for you two, you will leave first. The rest of us will leave thirty minutes later; someone from the King’s estate will be picking us up.”
I paused to make sure they understood. No one spoke, so I continued.
“Jason, tomorrow you will contact Kennedy’s parents and arrange a meeting with them whenever they are both available. At this meeting you will tell them what you know to have happened and present them with his death certificate and the necklace he was wearing at the time of his death. Everything you will need is in here.” I handed Jason an envelope and an oak box engraved with the bear’s full name “Kennedy Lee Johnson” in gold leafing. The inside of it was lined with burgundy velvet and the top was a frame for the certificate, below his necklace was presented on a raised surface so that it would stay in position. “I have provided you with an expense account, it is a credit card solely in your name, nothing can be traced back to me or any other vampire. Amelia, this card is for you also, anything you need should be charged to it. In the envelope you will find your rental car agreement, the hotel accommodations, the expense account information, the address and telephone where of the bears and a telephone number. It is to a prepaid cell phone where you can reach us, it is registered to Calvin should anyone look it up.”
“How did you get the death certificate? I didn’t think it was reported yet,” Sookie asked.
“I called last night and left an anonymous tip from a nearby payphone.” Pam answered her.
“Then I reported him missing last night. I told the police I ran the check to see if he had been arrested, and since he hadn’t I went ahead and reported him. This morning they called to say he was found dead. When I said I wanted to tell his folks, they offered me the necklace and certificate. When I called Eric he sent someone to pick it up an' all.” Jason finished, and I was impressed he was smart enough to cover his ass about the background check.
"Amelia, have you acquired everything you will need for the spell?”
“Yes I have it all with me and it all fits in my new Coach bag, so no one should be suspicious.”
“Good, what is your plan?” I was concerned that the weres would maul them before she had completed her sorcery.
“Well, I am going to excuse myself to the restroom as soon as Jason finishes. While I am in there I will cast a stasis spell on everything except Jason. They are pretty quick, so it should take effect before they catch on. While they are frozen, Jason and I will restrain them with these," she reached into the designer tote and presented very strong chains and pad locks, "then I will cast the truth spell and break the stasis. I also have two sawed off shot guns with silver bullets in case things get, uh, hairy.” The witch giggled a little at her pun and I was impressed with her thoroughness.
“Good thing oversized bags are in style,” my beloved remarked and I gave her a smile.
“So what do we do with ‘em after they spill the beans?” Jason asked.
“That remains to be seen. I would like to deal with them personally, but until we know the extent of their faction we will have to lay low. Keep them restrained and contact us as soon as possible. If it is daylight, you may have to bearsit a while. Do you believe you can handle that?"
“With her bag o' tricks I think we’ll be alright,” Jason replied. I hoped his cocky attitude was merited.
TBC
Eric’s house was NICE. Of course I had expected as much, but it was different when you saw it. He showed Amelia and I where we’d be sleeping and said to make ourselves at home. He was going to Fangtasia, but he said he just had to catch a few things up then I would have his full attention. That was something to look forward to.
I heard his Corvette pull onto the road as I made my way through the house. It wasn’t huge or too flashy, but everything thing is new and top of the line. He had a gourmet kitchen, and I have to wonder what for. He told me once that he had this house built so I know it wasn’t because it came with it. His furniture was modern but comfortable. Nothing ornate, solid colors and clean lines are the theme. He had snow white carpet in his living room that made me shudder; if he spilled any blood he would have to tear it up. His tables and stands were all black and he had a midnight blue couch with golden-yellow accent pillows. His love seat was golden-yellow with midnight blue pillows and there was a blue recliner with yellow trim. Three of the walls were a lovely shade of eggshell, and the fourth looked like blue suede. That wall held one of those glass fireplaces you can look through to see the next room. The mantel above it was simple and black. I walked up to look closer at the trinkets atop it. Okay, maybe not everything in this house was new. They were different metal odds and ends that looked old and Nordic. I glanced around at the paintings on the walls and was astonished to find they were authentic. Van Gogh, Velasquez, Monet and some I hadn’t heard of were scattered throughout the home. One painting in the living room was by Van Gogh and was titled Night Stars; I noticed the color scheme of the room was pulled from the canvas. The Velasquez in the den showed a beautiful little blonde girl in a full blue gown that looked Elizabethan to me, but I don’t really know.
Eric had great taste; his entire home was decorated with great care and skill. It was beautiful. I wonder if he did it himself or hired an interior designer. Amelia walked up to me just as I was admiring his indoor pool. It wasn’t huge, but it was big enough, and it was heated.
“Hey, let’s go for a swim.” Amelia said, her eyes gleaming.
“It’s December and we are going north. I didn’t bring a suit.” I looked at her like she was crazy.
“So?” Amelia folded up her khakis and sat them on a nearby chair. She left her panties on, but took her bra off and dove in with barely a splash. She glided below the surface to the other side. “Come on, the water feels great.”
I’m not as modest as I used to be, but I still had to think twice before I finally followed her lead. I jumped in ass covered, boobs not. I’m glad I opted for bikinis tonight and packed my thongs instead. We swam around some and decided to race. The pool was shaped like a tear drop (at least I am calling it that) but there was enough room for us both to push off from the vertex and race to the arc and back. I won the first, she won the second, and we were about to go for a third when Eric walked in. His fangs showed a little when he noticed our apparel -or lack thereof- and I had to laugh. Just then, Amelia was conveniently overcome with drowsiness. She said she would see me in the morning and collected her clothes on her way out. I stayed in the pool, dipping myself beneath the surface and then rising to my feet, arching my back as I smoothed my hair. I knew he enjoyed the show I was giving him.
“Would you like me to join you, my lover?” Eric asked, his accent a little more apparent than usual.
“Well, they do say you shouldn't swim alone.” I smiled up at him.
“You should never swim without me, my lover. You look too delicious dripping in just your underthings. If anyone else saw you this way, I would have to kill them.” He looked down, just a touch of seriousness in his tone.
“Eric, Amelia just saw me.” I grinned up at him knowing full well that is not what he meant. Before I realized what was going on, Eric had me pinned to the tile wall of the pool and was kissing me hard in all his naked glory.
I don’t know why sex underwater was so much fun. The water seemed to eliminate some of the friction and the details of our bodies weren’t quite as apparent, but I loved it anyway. Maybe it’s because you could change positions so effortlessly, not that it was that hard anywhere when your partner was a vampire.
After we were dried and dressed we went to his room; it was almost four and I was getting tired. We showered together and his bathroom was as extravagant as I expected it to be, all the way to the double showerhead and waterfall. I tried very hard not to think about the scores of other women he had undoubtedly shared it with. I figured this was the perfect time to let him know what I considered commitment.
“Eric, I don’t want you with any one else.”
“Nor I you, my lover.” He replied easily enough, but I wanted to make sure he got my drift.
“I know at the bar you, well, you know, appease the clientele, and I am just not comfortable with that. I want to be the only one you taste as long as we are together.” He smiled down at me.
“I would not expect anything less of you, Sookie, and I promise to commit myself to you in every way. I will not penetrate anyone else in any manner.” He said it with such complete conviction I knew he was sincere.
“Wow, I didn’t think you would take that so easily.”
“There are plenty other vampires to 'appease the clientele' as you say, and I have no desire to drink from a common whore when I have my very own delectable lady waiting for me,” he said again with complete honesty.
“That won’t cause problems?” I was concerned not only for his business, but for his appearance to other vamps.
“I lost my taste for fangbanger some time ago, it has not been a problem yet.” That surprised me.
“What do you mean?” I couldn't believe that Eric Northman had been living on bottled blood.
“I find that the trash who jumps from vamp to vamp dying to be bitten has come to taste, well, bitter to me. Like they are tainted. Ever since Rhodes I have found little pleasure in drinking from them. I completely stopped about a month ago. My lover, your sweet nectar has spoiled me,” he said as he patted me dry. I guessed that was a compliment and I stretched up on my tiptoes to kiss him. His room had ample artificial lighting recessed into the ceiling, and I knew that he would stay in the bed with me come dawn. The idea excited me; I was never able to wake up for my day next to Bill.
We settled into his bed and I was relieved to slide into Egyptian cotton, not silk. Ever since I saw his silk boxers I had worried about Eric’s sheets, not that I really had a right until now. We enveloped each other and I felt a rush of sheer bliss. This was perfect, and that was my last thought until ten the next morning.
I woke up still in my Viking's embrace, and although I knew he couldn’t feel it I stroked his hair and kissed his face before I slid out of bed. I couldn’t help but straighten the covers, even with him under them. Old habits die hard.
I opened one of my bags and grabbed my clothes and makeup. After I was presentable I found Amelia in the kitchen looking positively refreshed. She had gotten up around eight and swam some laps. She said Eric had coffee, croissants, fresh fruit and orange juice. I couldn’t believe it.
After breakfast Amelia and I decided to go shopping at Pierre Bossier Mall. We enjoyed each others company as we wandered about lazily and picked up a few things here and there. On our way to Sweet Scents N’ More, we passed David’s Bridal and the most stunning dress I had ever seen was in the window.
Ivory colored satin and tulle with metallic beads and embroidered lace, it had the most beautiful chapel train. The sales lady said it was an asymmetrical pick-up gown with a pleated surplice bodice. I didn’t know what that meant but it was strapless and rounded over each breast, the pleated material crisscrossed and flared out at the waist where the tulle began. The shoes were ivory strappy heeled sandals with rows of rhinestones across the toe and foot. I loved them, too. The necklace on the mannequin reminded me of Gran’s pearls. I wanted to look just like that when I married Eric. Whoa, I think I’m getting a little ahead of myself, I better get outta here before I mosey on over to Zales and buy some rings.
Amelia took my wedding fantasy in stride and didn’t say a word about it. We soon decided that we had better get back to Eric’s so we could make sure we had everything we needed for the trip. It was almost four-thirty and he would be rising very soon. Traffic wasn't bad and we made it back to his house by five. I went into his room and slipped my new goodies into my larger suitcase before sliding into bed with him. I wanted to be with him when he woke up. Cuddling as close as I could, I threw my limbs over his. A few minutes later he began to stir and his eyes glistened when they found me.
She smells so delicious. I have to have her, I have to taste her, I love waking up to her. Maybe I could convince her to live here. Doubtful, but I will try.
I kissed her deeply as I ripped the clothes off her. I was already naked. I had my way with her twice before we forced ourselves out of bed. I had never been so enamored in all my years; I just wanted to bite her and fuck her over and over until the end of time. When it came to Sookie, I couldn’t find my fill. I convinced her that there wasn't time to shower and we dressed for our trip.
“I wish you hadn’t ripped my clothes, I only brought so many and those jeans were new.” She wasn't actually upset, only worried about having enough clothes for the trip.
“My lover, it will be my pleasure to replace them once we reach our destination.” I threw her one of my t-shirts and smiled. She was covered with my scent and wore my clothes; I was sending a very effective message to her former lover. I knew she would want to tell Bill about our relationship herself because she thought I would gloat. She was right. I know she will get indignant when I tell him she is mine. That can wait, but I want him to know she is off limits. I will enjoy his reaction.
I watched her walk into the bathroom with her little make up bag. She tied my shirt in a little knot above her right hip and I had a tremendous view of her ass. I preferred her without the sparkly eye powders and such, but I knew it made her feel more confident. She hadn't yet realized her own radiance. When she was ready we collected the witch and made our way to the driveway. My Corvette wouldn't hold us so I called Pam; her sensible Toyota would do fine. I stowed the luggage in the trunk and joined Sookie in the backseat.
We were already seated on the plane when Bill arrived with Jason. Our coffins were in place along the side wall and Sookie and I were in one row of three with Amelia sitting in the row in front of us with Pam. Sookie’s tomcat brother couldn't pass up sitting between the witch and my child, so that put Bill with us.
"Compton. How nice of you to join us. Please make yourself comfortable." I gestured towards the only available seat as if I was granting him a great gift. The effect was not lost on him as he responded, his voice icy.
"Eric." He stiffly nodded at me in greeting as he sat. "Sookie, you look well, considering all that has happened."
She turned to look at him and the movement caused her scent to explode throughout the cabin. Sookie didn't notice anything, even though I could tell by the slight flare of his nostrils and the way his pupils dilated just a bit, but Bill smelled me all over her. "I'm just fine, Bill. How are you doing?"
I was curious to hear his answer, and since she was turned away from me I took the opportunity to steeple my fingers and raise an eyebrow at him. "Fine, Sookie. I'm just fine."
The engines started up and Sookie grabbed my hand in panic. She looked at me apologetically as she explained, "I hate take-off and touch-down. In flight I'm fine, but the beginning and the end scare the crap out of me."
"It's okay, my lover. You know I would never let any harm come to you. Hold on as tightly as you need to, I won't let go." She squeezed her eyes shut and gripped my hands as if her life depended on it. Bill noticed and stared at me over her head. I leveled a look at him and mouthed a few words at him, knowing he could read my lips.
'She is mine and you will not touch her. Do not test me on this.' He jerked his head in a miniscule nod before turning away to brood. I dismissed him from my thoughts and focused on Sookie. I kissed just below her earlobe and felt her loosen her grip on me a fraction.
When the plane had leveled off, Sookie released my hands and I asked the three in front to rotate their chairs so that we were all facing. Now was the time to formulate a concrete plan.
“Pam, Bill, Sookie and I are going to be staying with the King of Indiana at his home in Indianapolis. It has extensive security; we should be out of harm's way. Amelia, you and Jason will be staying at the Holiday Inn Express at City Centre. I know it is not much, but in case you are followed I want them to think Jason is paying for the room, no offense of course.” I said this for Sookie’s sake. I couldn't have cared less what he thought, if he thought at all.
“None taken man, I’m not ashamed I ain’t rich, if I was paying for this trip I would have picked Holiday Inn over The Hilton.”
“Good. Now tonight we will leave the airport separately. I have rented a mid-sized car for you two, you will leave first. The rest of us will leave thirty minutes later; someone from the King’s estate will be picking us up.”
I paused to make sure they understood. No one spoke, so I continued.
“Jason, tomorrow you will contact Kennedy’s parents and arrange a meeting with them whenever they are both available. At this meeting you will tell them what you know to have happened and present them with his death certificate and the necklace he was wearing at the time of his death. Everything you will need is in here.” I handed Jason an envelope and an oak box engraved with the bear’s full name “Kennedy Lee Johnson” in gold leafing. The inside of it was lined with burgundy velvet and the top was a frame for the certificate, below his necklace was presented on a raised surface so that it would stay in position. “I have provided you with an expense account, it is a credit card solely in your name, nothing can be traced back to me or any other vampire. Amelia, this card is for you also, anything you need should be charged to it. In the envelope you will find your rental car agreement, the hotel accommodations, the expense account information, the address and telephone where of the bears and a telephone number. It is to a prepaid cell phone where you can reach us, it is registered to Calvin should anyone look it up.”
“How did you get the death certificate? I didn’t think it was reported yet,” Sookie asked.
“I called last night and left an anonymous tip from a nearby payphone.” Pam answered her.
“Then I reported him missing last night. I told the police I ran the check to see if he had been arrested, and since he hadn’t I went ahead and reported him. This morning they called to say he was found dead. When I said I wanted to tell his folks, they offered me the necklace and certificate. When I called Eric he sent someone to pick it up an' all.” Jason finished, and I was impressed he was smart enough to cover his ass about the background check.
"Amelia, have you acquired everything you will need for the spell?”
“Yes I have it all with me and it all fits in my new Coach bag, so no one should be suspicious.”
“Good, what is your plan?” I was concerned that the weres would maul them before she had completed her sorcery.
“Well, I am going to excuse myself to the restroom as soon as Jason finishes. While I am in there I will cast a stasis spell on everything except Jason. They are pretty quick, so it should take effect before they catch on. While they are frozen, Jason and I will restrain them with these," she reached into the designer tote and presented very strong chains and pad locks, "then I will cast the truth spell and break the stasis. I also have two sawed off shot guns with silver bullets in case things get, uh, hairy.” The witch giggled a little at her pun and I was impressed with her thoroughness.
“Good thing oversized bags are in style,” my beloved remarked and I gave her a smile.
“So what do we do with ‘em after they spill the beans?” Jason asked.
“That remains to be seen. I would like to deal with them personally, but until we know the extent of their faction we will have to lay low. Keep them restrained and contact us as soon as possible. If it is daylight, you may have to bearsit a while. Do you believe you can handle that?"
“With her bag o' tricks I think we’ll be alright,” Jason replied. I hoped his cocky attitude was merited.
TBC
Shimmer Chapter 4
Chapter 4
Hotshot gives me the heebie jeebies. Yeah I know why things are the way they are here, and I kinda understand it. Calvin has been nothing but nice to me, but as soon as I hit that barren crossroads I get a chill.
We pull up to Calvin’s neat home, and Eric opens my door, than Amelia’s. He is trying. I get out and on kiss him on the cheek. Jason is already here; his truck is right in front of our car. The swirls remind me of Eric’s get up at the orgy and I laugh out loud. Eric looks at me with confusion and I tell him I just remembered something funny. I left out that funny thing was him. Calvin answers the door, nods to Eric and hugs Amelia and I. I can feel a small twinge of jealousy in the bond, but Eric does not show it at all. We join Jason in a room I haven’t been in before. I guess you could call it an office. It has a battered but sturdy old oak desk with a phone, computer and fax. I never figured Calvin to be a home fax kinda guy.
He pulls up some message board that appears to be exclusively for the two-natured. He had a specific page bookmarked. It was about a werebear family in Indiana. Jason is fumbling through his bag trying to pull out a stack of papers. Jason and Calvin are sitting in wooden swivel chairs on either side of the computer monitor; Eric, Amelia and I are directly across from them on a couch. I am the filling in a witch /vampire sandwich, with assorted werepanther garnish. Eric reaches down and takes my hand.
“Well, what have you found?” Eric asks.
Jason is first to answer, I don’t think that Calvin minds. “I don’t normally run out of state background checks, and since Ken was clean here in Louisiana I went ahead and hired him. I ran this last night, glad nobody’s reported him missing yet or it would look awful funny.” Jason handed Eric the stack of papers, and I did mind but only a little. Eric offered them to me and we examined them together, Amelia was looking over my shoulder too. She was the first to speak.
“Holy shirt Sookie, he’s killed ten vampires.” Amelia blurted.
“Yes, that the state is aware of, I am sure there are those who have gone unreported.” Eric replies.
“I’m not a vampire, what was he gonna do to me?”
“I am not sure Sookie, but I think someone needs to find out. This website talks about him and he does not work alone.” Calvin says in a very heavy tone.
Eric walks to the computer, plants both hands on the desk and leans so he can see the monitor easily. He lets out a sigh of exasperation and turns to me.
“According to this, he is a member of two-natured supremacy group. Apparently, they find humans tolerable but all other supernaturals are regarded as unholy and must be destroyed.”
“So he knew I was part fairy and wanted to torture and kill me due to my inferior bloodlines?”
“Did you tell him you were fae?” Calvin asks.
“Wait, wait, your part what?” Jason asks. He is shocked and confused. Oh Shit!
“You and Sookie are actually one-eighth fairy, we do not have time to get into the specifics with you now, but you two can discuss it later.” Eric tells Jason. Niall specifically told me not to tell Jason, this is not good.
“Did he ever meet Claudine, or her brother?” Eric asks me.
“No I never told him and he met Claudine once while we were at her store but I didn’t explain our relationship. I just gave her a hug, introduced them, and then we left. She was working.”
“Then he would not have known. Such a small fraction would not have been apparent in your scents, especially when he is in human form.” Calvin said with confidence.
“Ok, well I don’t know why I was a target then.” I say feeling deflated.
“As I told Sookie last night, I don’t believe they wanted to kill her. I think she was a pawn in a larger plot to draw out someone more powerful that she is affiliated with, someone who holds her dear or considers her as an asset. This confirms my suspicion that the bear was not after you or the Were Herveaux. I believe he was after The King, Niall, or me.”
“I have no clue what ya’ll are taking about, why is my sister an asset to all these people?” Jason asks, Amelia looks at me and rolls her eyes, but Eric looks Jason directly in his. I should be more upset that my boyfriend is altering my brother’s mind, but it really is for the best. Niall didn’t want him to know, I shouldn’t have opened my mouth. In a jiffy Eric has Jason convinced that he needs to go to his truck and call Catfish about taking some time off. Now I am the one who is confused. As soon as Jason is out of earshot Eric springs into action.
“Sookie, we need to go to Indiana to find out what is happening. We must be prepared, so that whoever they want is ready for the attack. Jason will go to inform the bear’s parents that he is dead, it would be nice if you could accompany him to read their minds, but I do not want to risk you being recognized, maybe we could borrow Barry Bellboy.” Eric said and Calvin nodded.
“Jason was Kennedy’s superior and a part of the community he changes with so he would be an acceptable choice to deliver such news. We will just need to think up a story they will not find fishy.” Calvin said.
“Great, I will call Joseph assuming he is still over Texas and ask about Bellboy.” Eric said as he reached for his phone.
“Eric, I don’t think that’s a great idea, Barry and I parted on not so great terms, and I hear he is dating Quinn’s sister so there is no guarantee he would actual be helpful, especially if he is forcibly loaned out.” I say, knowing Eric won’t like to hear it.
“I could go with Jason, I seriously doubt they would recognize me, a were can’t smell a witch and I can cast a truth spell to find out what they are up to.” Amelia said trying to not look too pleased with herself.
“That is an excellent idea.” Eric said truly delighted with what she had proposed. Amelia beamed, and then I could practically see her wheels start turning again.
“About a story, why can’t we just tell them the truth? Of course we can leave out the part about them holding Jason’s sister captive, but say that he tracked him to some house in Monroe full or dead furries.” Amelia said, this time unable to hide how proud she was.
“That would work. If he didn’t show up for a couple days it would makes sense for Jason to go looking for him. They probably already know what happened so if Jason lies they will know something is up.” Calvin said.
“Very well then we have a plan.” Eric says.
“Amelia, I will provide you and Jason with a hotel room, Sookie, you and the rest of our party will take shelter with the King of Indiana.”
I attended Indiana and Mississippi’s wedding back in Rhodes, but we are by no means buddy- buddy, I suppose Eric has a good reason for assuming Indiana will put us up, but I’m gonna ask anyway.
“Eric, why would Indiana do that?” I ask.
“Because, my lover you are under the protection of our King, I will inform him of the situation, and he will arrange our visit with Mr. Crowe.” He smiled at me.
“Will we owe Indiana anything?” I ask, not looking forward to doing him any favors. I have nothing against him or his husband, but doing vamp favors tends to get me beat up.
“It’s possible but unlikely. Providing a safe place for us to stay is a small favor to ask, and we dealing with a serious problem in his state, which he will surely be grateful for.” Eric said.
“Is there anyway to leave Jason out of this?” I ask, hopeful, I don’t want Jason in any danger on my account, and I don’t want to spill anymore secrets.
“No.” Eric and Calvin both reply firmly.
“Alright then, when do we leave?” Amelia asked brimming with excitement. She gets bored in Bon Temps.
“Tomorrow shortly after full dark, I will book us a flight on Anubis shortly.” Eric looked like he was thinking about something then pulled out his phone. “Actually I’ll just get Pam to do it now.” He said to us as he hit a number on his speed dial.
It is expedient for Pam to do the booking. She has access to one of my credit cards and I have to tell her she is coming with us anyway, may as well kill two birds with one stone. Some fangbanger answers the phone.
“I require Pam” I bark, purposely not providing my identity, if they do not know their master’s voice they do not deserve to serve me.
Whoever she was had been trained well and my child was on the phone very quickly, I can hear the amusement in her voice.
“How is panther land?” She asks without interest, and I ignore her.
“I need you to go to my office, get the black card and book six open-ended roundtrip tickets to Indianapolis three humans and three vampires. To depart tomorrow night, of course.” I inform her.
“8:00 pm depart 11:00 pm arrival ok?” She asks
“Yes that would be ideal.”
“Booked, am going as well?” Pam asks, she sounds hopeful. Her hope has nothing to do with it; in a battle she will be valuable.
“I will see you at Shreveport Regional tomorrow at seven-thirty then. I don’t believe we will be gone more than three days, but be prepared. We will be guests of Indiana so bring something formal.” I say then hang up. She doesn’t have to be told to bring the boarding passes.
“We will depart tomorrow at 8:00 pm from Shreveport Regional Airport, and should arrive at Indianapolis International by 11:00 pm. We must go so that you ladies may pack. Thank you for you assistance Calvin.” I nod at the panther and wait while he hugs my woman; she hugs far too many people. Then we leave to find her brother looking dazed in his ostentatious truck. I address him before Sookie has time to, she will likely feel slighted, she has said very little tonight, but we have much to do and little time.
“Jason, were you able to negotiate a vacation with you supervisor?” I ask the fool.
“Yeah, I was just trying to remember why; I am not feeling so hot right now.” He replies as I suppress a smirk.
“We are leaving for Indiana tomorrow night, you need to meet us at Shreveport Regional Airport no later than seven-thirty tomorrow evening, and the flight departs at eight. You and Amelia are going to tell Kennedy’s parents he is dead, and she is going to cast a truth spell to find out why they kidnapped Sookie. We can go over the details tomorrow on the flight.”
“Ok than, do I need to bring anything special?” At least he had the sense to ask.
“Bring several changes of your normal clothes and something formal. Nothing special is planed but we must be prepared.”
“Alright, I reckon I better say goodbye to Calvin, then get home to pack. I’ll meet ya’ll there tomorrow night, what airline?”
“Anubis.” I enjoyed the look on his face when he registered he will be riding on a flight for vampires. After the women became situated I began to drive what Sookie tells me is a car back to her home.
“If you beautiful ladies do not mind, I think it would be best for us to stay at my home in Shreveport tonight. I live alone and have a spare room you could sleep in Amelia.” I have things I need to tend to before taking off, I have to pack and stop by the bar. I would be foolish to leave Sookie alone, and she would have to come to Shreveport tomorrow anyway.
“I am scheduled to work tomorrow, but you can go on home and we can pick up Jason and all ride to the airport together.” Sookie says to me. I hope she can’t detect my irritation. She is far too loyal to her shifter boss, and her boss is far too fond of her. At least he can afford her some daytime protection. The witch jumped in before I had a chance to, an annoying habit but this time it is appreciated.
“Come on Sookie, Eric is right and you know Sam won’t mind. You still look like hell anyway by the time we get back your bruises will be healed.” Amelia says bluntly. I do admire her honesty; most humans do a lot of pussyfooting. Having a powerful father must furnish nerve.
“Alright, Eric can I use your phone? I left mine at the house.” She seems to be taking things in stride. This is going much better than planned.
“Of course my lover.” I say as I hand her my phone. She takes it and gives me a sly smile. Tonight I will have her in my own home. My bedroom is lightproof so I will not have to leave her as dawn approaches. I will take my rest with her clutched to my body, and she will wake up in the morning next to me.
I can hear the entire conversation she has with Sam Merlotte.
“Hi Sam, it’s Sookie, umm I don’t think I can come in tomorrow.” She says to him and I can feel her guilt.
“Oh, really, you feelin’ bad Sookie?”
“No, that’s not it, I am a little banged up though, but Eric, Jason, Amelia, Pam and uh, well we’re all goin’ to Indiana to find out why Kennedy kidnapped me at all. Apparently he is like the were equivalent of a neo-Nazi.”
“Sookie, that doesn’t sound good, can’t the vamps handle it themselves? He asks her. He should not be undermining my decision to my woman.
“No, actually we really need to be there, so can I have some time, I promise to make it up when I get back.” She returns graciously, I don’t like to sound of that.
“If you really have to go you can have the time, I’ll find somebody to fill in. You need me to get your mail and check on the house?” He replies.
“Sure, you know where I keep the key.”
“Yeah, I remember. Sookie you take care of yourself and make sure you come back alive.” I don’t think Sookie caught the meaning of that but I certainly did, I am going to have a talk with that damn dog.
“Ok, I have the time off and he’s gonna tend to the house while we are gone.” She announces to no one in particular.
“Wonderful.” I reply.
“Hey Eric, you think the King will foot the bill for my supplies?” The witch asks.
“I will pay for them and submit it for reimbursement.” I tell her.
“How uh businesslike.” She remarks.
“Vampires have to be enterprising.” I say.
I take Sookie’s delicate hand in my own, I never tire of her. We are almost to her house. I cannot wait to get her in the shower.
“Eric, is Bill the third vampire?” She astutely asks.
“Yes.” I knew that this would be a problem.
“Why?” She asks me.
“Well, he is very skilled with a computer research and could be very effective in the event of an attack, also if I am unavailable I know he will protect you.” I also know that given an opportunity he would fall right into bed with her, and I will enjoy his envy.
“Amelia is good with a computer too.” She says with a tone akin to begging.
“Witch, can you rip a man limb from and uproot a tree to make it look accidental, all with your bare hands?” I ask with a completely serious tone.
“Umm not last time I checked though it has been a while since I tried.” She sarcastically replies.
“Bill it is then.” I say triumphantly and smile as Sookie, who is not smiling back.
We are pulling behind her house now, and we should continue this conversation in private, I know Sookie does not desire Bill. I know that Bill hurt her deeply, but she will need to be comfortable around him. I thought that she had gotten over this.
I open her door and take her by the hand; Amelia had practically leaped out before the care even stopped. We go to Sookie’s room and she sits on the edge of her bed, I kneel in front of her.
“If this is truly a problem for you, I will bring another vampire, and leave the research to Amelia. I do want you to know I believe Bill is the best fit for the requirements however.”
“I know honey, I do. It’s just the idea of sitting and staring at him for three hours with nowhere to go is not something I am not looking forward to. On the ground I can make an excuse and leave, up there I’ll be stuck.”
“Well if you plan on staring at Bill Compton the entire trip, I am doing something very wrong.” I say with a smirk and she punches me in the arm.
“Fine, you go call Bill; I’m gettin’ in the shower. She says and stands. I do not.
I push up her soft chenille sweater and kiss her tanned stomach. I move my hands down to her hips caressing her as I work my way to her firm ass. I undo her button with my teeth and glance up at her face with a smile that shows a lot of fang. I feel her longing burning in our bond. I push her panties and jeans down with one motion and lightly push her back onto the bed. He smell is intoxicating. I kiss my way down her right leg nipping at her as I go, while I remove her boots and bottoms. She moans and removes her own top to reveal the gorgeous bounty beneath. I work my way back up her left, and put my tongue to work. Her intense pleasure pulsating through the bond fuels my own. As she is about to achieve orgasm I bite down on her inner thigh and draw from her femoral artery. She tastes so sweet I am tempted to take more than necessary, but I know she needs her strength. When I finish I can feel her writing in bliss below my face, I stand and adeptly remove my own clothes, within a few moments I am atop her and her knees are on my shoulders. She encases me like a second skin and I am delirious.
TBC
Hotshot gives me the heebie jeebies. Yeah I know why things are the way they are here, and I kinda understand it. Calvin has been nothing but nice to me, but as soon as I hit that barren crossroads I get a chill.
We pull up to Calvin’s neat home, and Eric opens my door, than Amelia’s. He is trying. I get out and on kiss him on the cheek. Jason is already here; his truck is right in front of our car. The swirls remind me of Eric’s get up at the orgy and I laugh out loud. Eric looks at me with confusion and I tell him I just remembered something funny. I left out that funny thing was him. Calvin answers the door, nods to Eric and hugs Amelia and I. I can feel a small twinge of jealousy in the bond, but Eric does not show it at all. We join Jason in a room I haven’t been in before. I guess you could call it an office. It has a battered but sturdy old oak desk with a phone, computer and fax. I never figured Calvin to be a home fax kinda guy.
He pulls up some message board that appears to be exclusively for the two-natured. He had a specific page bookmarked. It was about a werebear family in Indiana. Jason is fumbling through his bag trying to pull out a stack of papers. Jason and Calvin are sitting in wooden swivel chairs on either side of the computer monitor; Eric, Amelia and I are directly across from them on a couch. I am the filling in a witch /vampire sandwich, with assorted werepanther garnish. Eric reaches down and takes my hand.
“Well, what have you found?” Eric asks.
Jason is first to answer, I don’t think that Calvin minds. “I don’t normally run out of state background checks, and since Ken was clean here in Louisiana I went ahead and hired him. I ran this last night, glad nobody’s reported him missing yet or it would look awful funny.” Jason handed Eric the stack of papers, and I did mind but only a little. Eric offered them to me and we examined them together, Amelia was looking over my shoulder too. She was the first to speak.
“Holy shirt Sookie, he’s killed ten vampires.” Amelia blurted.
“Yes, that the state is aware of, I am sure there are those who have gone unreported.” Eric replies.
“I’m not a vampire, what was he gonna do to me?”
“I am not sure Sookie, but I think someone needs to find out. This website talks about him and he does not work alone.” Calvin says in a very heavy tone.
Eric walks to the computer, plants both hands on the desk and leans so he can see the monitor easily. He lets out a sigh of exasperation and turns to me.
“According to this, he is a member of two-natured supremacy group. Apparently, they find humans tolerable but all other supernaturals are regarded as unholy and must be destroyed.”
“So he knew I was part fairy and wanted to torture and kill me due to my inferior bloodlines?”
“Did you tell him you were fae?” Calvin asks.
“Wait, wait, your part what?” Jason asks. He is shocked and confused. Oh Shit!
“You and Sookie are actually one-eighth fairy, we do not have time to get into the specifics with you now, but you two can discuss it later.” Eric tells Jason. Niall specifically told me not to tell Jason, this is not good.
“Did he ever meet Claudine, or her brother?” Eric asks me.
“No I never told him and he met Claudine once while we were at her store but I didn’t explain our relationship. I just gave her a hug, introduced them, and then we left. She was working.”
“Then he would not have known. Such a small fraction would not have been apparent in your scents, especially when he is in human form.” Calvin said with confidence.
“Ok, well I don’t know why I was a target then.” I say feeling deflated.
“As I told Sookie last night, I don’t believe they wanted to kill her. I think she was a pawn in a larger plot to draw out someone more powerful that she is affiliated with, someone who holds her dear or considers her as an asset. This confirms my suspicion that the bear was not after you or the Were Herveaux. I believe he was after The King, Niall, or me.”
“I have no clue what ya’ll are taking about, why is my sister an asset to all these people?” Jason asks, Amelia looks at me and rolls her eyes, but Eric looks Jason directly in his. I should be more upset that my boyfriend is altering my brother’s mind, but it really is for the best. Niall didn’t want him to know, I shouldn’t have opened my mouth. In a jiffy Eric has Jason convinced that he needs to go to his truck and call Catfish about taking some time off. Now I am the one who is confused. As soon as Jason is out of earshot Eric springs into action.
“Sookie, we need to go to Indiana to find out what is happening. We must be prepared, so that whoever they want is ready for the attack. Jason will go to inform the bear’s parents that he is dead, it would be nice if you could accompany him to read their minds, but I do not want to risk you being recognized, maybe we could borrow Barry Bellboy.” Eric said and Calvin nodded.
“Jason was Kennedy’s superior and a part of the community he changes with so he would be an acceptable choice to deliver such news. We will just need to think up a story they will not find fishy.” Calvin said.
“Great, I will call Joseph assuming he is still over Texas and ask about Bellboy.” Eric said as he reached for his phone.
“Eric, I don’t think that’s a great idea, Barry and I parted on not so great terms, and I hear he is dating Quinn’s sister so there is no guarantee he would actual be helpful, especially if he is forcibly loaned out.” I say, knowing Eric won’t like to hear it.
“I could go with Jason, I seriously doubt they would recognize me, a were can’t smell a witch and I can cast a truth spell to find out what they are up to.” Amelia said trying to not look too pleased with herself.
“That is an excellent idea.” Eric said truly delighted with what she had proposed. Amelia beamed, and then I could practically see her wheels start turning again.
“About a story, why can’t we just tell them the truth? Of course we can leave out the part about them holding Jason’s sister captive, but say that he tracked him to some house in Monroe full or dead furries.” Amelia said, this time unable to hide how proud she was.
“That would work. If he didn’t show up for a couple days it would makes sense for Jason to go looking for him. They probably already know what happened so if Jason lies they will know something is up.” Calvin said.
“Very well then we have a plan.” Eric says.
“Amelia, I will provide you and Jason with a hotel room, Sookie, you and the rest of our party will take shelter with the King of Indiana.”
I attended Indiana and Mississippi’s wedding back in Rhodes, but we are by no means buddy- buddy, I suppose Eric has a good reason for assuming Indiana will put us up, but I’m gonna ask anyway.
“Eric, why would Indiana do that?” I ask.
“Because, my lover you are under the protection of our King, I will inform him of the situation, and he will arrange our visit with Mr. Crowe.” He smiled at me.
“Will we owe Indiana anything?” I ask, not looking forward to doing him any favors. I have nothing against him or his husband, but doing vamp favors tends to get me beat up.
“It’s possible but unlikely. Providing a safe place for us to stay is a small favor to ask, and we dealing with a serious problem in his state, which he will surely be grateful for.” Eric said.
“Is there anyway to leave Jason out of this?” I ask, hopeful, I don’t want Jason in any danger on my account, and I don’t want to spill anymore secrets.
“No.” Eric and Calvin both reply firmly.
“Alright then, when do we leave?” Amelia asked brimming with excitement. She gets bored in Bon Temps.
“Tomorrow shortly after full dark, I will book us a flight on Anubis shortly.” Eric looked like he was thinking about something then pulled out his phone. “Actually I’ll just get Pam to do it now.” He said to us as he hit a number on his speed dial.
It is expedient for Pam to do the booking. She has access to one of my credit cards and I have to tell her she is coming with us anyway, may as well kill two birds with one stone. Some fangbanger answers the phone.
“I require Pam” I bark, purposely not providing my identity, if they do not know their master’s voice they do not deserve to serve me.
Whoever she was had been trained well and my child was on the phone very quickly, I can hear the amusement in her voice.
“How is panther land?” She asks without interest, and I ignore her.
“I need you to go to my office, get the black card and book six open-ended roundtrip tickets to Indianapolis three humans and three vampires. To depart tomorrow night, of course.” I inform her.
“8:00 pm depart 11:00 pm arrival ok?” She asks
“Yes that would be ideal.”
“Booked, am going as well?” Pam asks, she sounds hopeful. Her hope has nothing to do with it; in a battle she will be valuable.
“I will see you at Shreveport Regional tomorrow at seven-thirty then. I don’t believe we will be gone more than three days, but be prepared. We will be guests of Indiana so bring something formal.” I say then hang up. She doesn’t have to be told to bring the boarding passes.
“We will depart tomorrow at 8:00 pm from Shreveport Regional Airport, and should arrive at Indianapolis International by 11:00 pm. We must go so that you ladies may pack. Thank you for you assistance Calvin.” I nod at the panther and wait while he hugs my woman; she hugs far too many people. Then we leave to find her brother looking dazed in his ostentatious truck. I address him before Sookie has time to, she will likely feel slighted, she has said very little tonight, but we have much to do and little time.
“Jason, were you able to negotiate a vacation with you supervisor?” I ask the fool.
“Yeah, I was just trying to remember why; I am not feeling so hot right now.” He replies as I suppress a smirk.
“We are leaving for Indiana tomorrow night, you need to meet us at Shreveport Regional Airport no later than seven-thirty tomorrow evening, and the flight departs at eight. You and Amelia are going to tell Kennedy’s parents he is dead, and she is going to cast a truth spell to find out why they kidnapped Sookie. We can go over the details tomorrow on the flight.”
“Ok than, do I need to bring anything special?” At least he had the sense to ask.
“Bring several changes of your normal clothes and something formal. Nothing special is planed but we must be prepared.”
“Alright, I reckon I better say goodbye to Calvin, then get home to pack. I’ll meet ya’ll there tomorrow night, what airline?”
“Anubis.” I enjoyed the look on his face when he registered he will be riding on a flight for vampires. After the women became situated I began to drive what Sookie tells me is a car back to her home.
“If you beautiful ladies do not mind, I think it would be best for us to stay at my home in Shreveport tonight. I live alone and have a spare room you could sleep in Amelia.” I have things I need to tend to before taking off, I have to pack and stop by the bar. I would be foolish to leave Sookie alone, and she would have to come to Shreveport tomorrow anyway.
“I am scheduled to work tomorrow, but you can go on home and we can pick up Jason and all ride to the airport together.” Sookie says to me. I hope she can’t detect my irritation. She is far too loyal to her shifter boss, and her boss is far too fond of her. At least he can afford her some daytime protection. The witch jumped in before I had a chance to, an annoying habit but this time it is appreciated.
“Come on Sookie, Eric is right and you know Sam won’t mind. You still look like hell anyway by the time we get back your bruises will be healed.” Amelia says bluntly. I do admire her honesty; most humans do a lot of pussyfooting. Having a powerful father must furnish nerve.
“Alright, Eric can I use your phone? I left mine at the house.” She seems to be taking things in stride. This is going much better than planned.
“Of course my lover.” I say as I hand her my phone. She takes it and gives me a sly smile. Tonight I will have her in my own home. My bedroom is lightproof so I will not have to leave her as dawn approaches. I will take my rest with her clutched to my body, and she will wake up in the morning next to me.
I can hear the entire conversation she has with Sam Merlotte.
“Hi Sam, it’s Sookie, umm I don’t think I can come in tomorrow.” She says to him and I can feel her guilt.
“Oh, really, you feelin’ bad Sookie?”
“No, that’s not it, I am a little banged up though, but Eric, Jason, Amelia, Pam and uh, well we’re all goin’ to Indiana to find out why Kennedy kidnapped me at all. Apparently he is like the were equivalent of a neo-Nazi.”
“Sookie, that doesn’t sound good, can’t the vamps handle it themselves? He asks her. He should not be undermining my decision to my woman.
“No, actually we really need to be there, so can I have some time, I promise to make it up when I get back.” She returns graciously, I don’t like to sound of that.
“If you really have to go you can have the time, I’ll find somebody to fill in. You need me to get your mail and check on the house?” He replies.
“Sure, you know where I keep the key.”
“Yeah, I remember. Sookie you take care of yourself and make sure you come back alive.” I don’t think Sookie caught the meaning of that but I certainly did, I am going to have a talk with that damn dog.
“Ok, I have the time off and he’s gonna tend to the house while we are gone.” She announces to no one in particular.
“Wonderful.” I reply.
“Hey Eric, you think the King will foot the bill for my supplies?” The witch asks.
“I will pay for them and submit it for reimbursement.” I tell her.
“How uh businesslike.” She remarks.
“Vampires have to be enterprising.” I say.
I take Sookie’s delicate hand in my own, I never tire of her. We are almost to her house. I cannot wait to get her in the shower.
“Eric, is Bill the third vampire?” She astutely asks.
“Yes.” I knew that this would be a problem.
“Why?” She asks me.
“Well, he is very skilled with a computer research and could be very effective in the event of an attack, also if I am unavailable I know he will protect you.” I also know that given an opportunity he would fall right into bed with her, and I will enjoy his envy.
“Amelia is good with a computer too.” She says with a tone akin to begging.
“Witch, can you rip a man limb from and uproot a tree to make it look accidental, all with your bare hands?” I ask with a completely serious tone.
“Umm not last time I checked though it has been a while since I tried.” She sarcastically replies.
“Bill it is then.” I say triumphantly and smile as Sookie, who is not smiling back.
We are pulling behind her house now, and we should continue this conversation in private, I know Sookie does not desire Bill. I know that Bill hurt her deeply, but she will need to be comfortable around him. I thought that she had gotten over this.
I open her door and take her by the hand; Amelia had practically leaped out before the care even stopped. We go to Sookie’s room and she sits on the edge of her bed, I kneel in front of her.
“If this is truly a problem for you, I will bring another vampire, and leave the research to Amelia. I do want you to know I believe Bill is the best fit for the requirements however.”
“I know honey, I do. It’s just the idea of sitting and staring at him for three hours with nowhere to go is not something I am not looking forward to. On the ground I can make an excuse and leave, up there I’ll be stuck.”
“Well if you plan on staring at Bill Compton the entire trip, I am doing something very wrong.” I say with a smirk and she punches me in the arm.
“Fine, you go call Bill; I’m gettin’ in the shower. She says and stands. I do not.
I push up her soft chenille sweater and kiss her tanned stomach. I move my hands down to her hips caressing her as I work my way to her firm ass. I undo her button with my teeth and glance up at her face with a smile that shows a lot of fang. I feel her longing burning in our bond. I push her panties and jeans down with one motion and lightly push her back onto the bed. He smell is intoxicating. I kiss my way down her right leg nipping at her as I go, while I remove her boots and bottoms. She moans and removes her own top to reveal the gorgeous bounty beneath. I work my way back up her left, and put my tongue to work. Her intense pleasure pulsating through the bond fuels my own. As she is about to achieve orgasm I bite down on her inner thigh and draw from her femoral artery. She tastes so sweet I am tempted to take more than necessary, but I know she needs her strength. When I finish I can feel her writing in bliss below my face, I stand and adeptly remove my own clothes, within a few moments I am atop her and her knees are on my shoulders. She encases me like a second skin and I am delirious.
TBC
Shimmer Chapter 3
Chapter 3
I know he wants me to speak but I can’t form the words. I don’t know what I want to say anyway. So here I am, naked as the day I was born, staring up at a fully clothed Eric who had just poured his heart out. I am so dizzy I think I might throw up. I know he is tuned into my feeling and he looks worried. Who would have thought a barmaid from Bon Temps, Louisiana could rattle this ancient being. Not me that’s for sure. When Eric is in his right mind, he is always the essence of confidence, yep this is new territory. Breathe Sookie breathe. Why me? How did I make this stunning, powerful vampire fall in love with me? It must be the fairy blood.
“Eric, I just don’t know how to respond.”
“That is not the reaction I anticipated.” He said his voice even.
“This is all a little much for me right now. I want to deal with us I really do, but it’s a lot to consider all at one time. I mean a few hours ago I was my ex-boyfriends prisoner, then you came and saved me, and now you are professing you undying love. I can’t wrap my head around everything right now.”
Eric looked thoughtful and maybe a little ticked. It was 4 am and the sun will rise around 7:15 so we still have sometime, but not enough for me to comprehend all of this.
“I understand my lover. We still have about three hours until sunrise, you rest for an hour of so and I will wait in the living room. I am sure once you have had time to collect yourself, you will come around to my way of thinking.” Eric said oozing confidence, and I could tell from the bond it was genuine.
“Ok, I could use some rest, but please stay with me. Wake me up in a while we’ll go from there.”
Eric effortlessly removes his shirt, and my pulse shoots through the roof. His body is unbelievable. There should be statues of him in museums. Sleep is now about the farthest thing from my mind, but he makes no advance. He just pulls me close and holds me against him. He is cool, but I don’t mind, my quilt is warm. I know he feels my desire as he settles his hand on my stomach. I can feel him trying to calm me down, but I know he is suppressing his own want too. In his arms I feel tiny and protected. I know no one can harm me when I am in my Viking cocoon. I know I am in the embrace of a man who loves me. Maybe the only one who ever truly had? I had told Quinn I needed to be first, and I knew he could never provide that. It wasn’t something he could help. I can’t fault him for protecting his family, but that’s not the life I want. Eric may have a big part of Louisiana to govern, but every time I needed him he was there. He had put me first, even before himself; something I didn’t think was possible. If I had been paying attention I would have seen that a long time ago. This won’t be easy. We have a lot against us.
I turn over and look Eric in the eye. His brilliant blue orbs shine down on me and I know I was making the right decision. I kiss him deeply and after a moment we find a nice rhythm. Eric has had lots of practice and it shows. The whole world stands still. I feel his pants straining against my legs, and it takes every bit of will I have to release his mouth. My lips are swollen and red. My skin is flush. His fangs are down and his eyes are blazing. I have about two seconds to get this out before I loose all control and jump him.
I breathe deep. “Eric, I love you, and I do not want to see anyone else. I want to be with you too.”
I guess Eric figured he had already said enough. He leaned over me and pressed his lips to mine. Our tongues begin to dance and he shifts so he is on his knees between my parted legs. I can feel his rigidity against me. As I run the tip of my tongue across his fang he lets out a moan and starts to grind against me. I want him so badly I think I am going to explode. I reach down to fumble with his button but he flattens his body against mine and lowers his head to my chest. The pressure of his body on mine is pleasurable, not daunting, and he almost sends me over the edge from mouthing and kneading my breasts alone. As I am about to peak, he returns his mouth to mine and the anticipation begins to build again. I reach down again and his pants practically open by themselves. He rubs his tip against my nub and his hands explore me below as well. As his fingers fill me I find myself again on the boundary of orgasm. He pushes me over and as I am losing all control as he plunges in and thrusts with purpose. He isn’t rough, but he is determined. Before all is said and done, I climax three more times.
“Mmmm, that was even better than I remembered.” I purred.
“That is because it was better my lover.” He replied lazily.
“Huh?” I looked at him; I am still a little fuzzy, mind numbing sex and all.
“Since we have bonded everything we share will be more intense.” He stated as if I should have known.
“I am still a little confused about this whole bond. The heightened senses have faded but I can still feel you just as strong as the day it happened. Will it always be this way?”
“No, there are two separate paths we can take my lover, and they will depend on you. If you are satisfied with our connection it will mature; we will be powerful allies and take great comfort in one another. Should you come to resent our tie, it will not sever but will become warped and be a great encumbrance to us both. As I said you may come to hate me. I hope that does not happen. Even if we separate, we will always sense the other in our tie, we will always discern the others emotions, and we will always have a void if we end our relationship.”
“That’s really uh, intense. No wonder you said we were tied to closely to suit you.” I remember holding that soda can bomb all too well.
“I did not mean that I regretted what I had done. I said that for your benefit. The tiger thought I had arranged the whole situation with Andre to gain greater control over you. He believes I wish to turn you. I was trying to convey that I cared, but did not wish you to be mine. Of course, that was not the case.”
I knew Quinn hated my tie with Eric. I knew Quinn did not trust Eric either. He did think Eric wanted to turn me and had practically said as much. He was always worried I would leave him and go to Eric; I guess he sensed my true feelings, even as I repressed them. I really did like Quinn, and I told myself I wanted more, but I was really lying to myself.
“Do you want to turn me?”
That is a loaded question, and I am conflicted. Sookie’s humanity makes her fragile and she will age. Her fae heritage and a regular infusion of my blood will make the years kinder to her, but she will ultimately wither and fade. I will remain unchanged until my end. I do not know how Sookie will react to the change should I bring her over. This is a issue I have often pondered. She would remain young and beautiful, but I am not certain her zeal would withstand the transition. Sookie has very human values, and no matter what comes to pass, I do not believe she would every truly give them up. This would make her uncertain about coming over and will affect the vampire she would become. Vampires do not normally pair for long, but we are bonded so it is possible we would prevail. She would finally have the physical strength and resilience to compliment her courageous spirit.
“I would not turn you unless I knew it to be you sincere desire.” That is the truth. If she wanted to join me, I would indulge her.
“Eric. Do you want me to be a vampire or not?” She was a touch indignant.
“I am indifferent. I will continue to love you in either case.” That is at least half true.
“How can you be indifferent?” She asks and I sense her indignation growing. She wants me to have conviction, she is offended. That is amusing.
“Sookie my love for you is passionate and unfaltering. There are compelling arguments for you to remain as you are and to join my kind. I have not yet found a definite victor. The choice is ultimately yours, and so I will no longer burden my thoughts with something I have no control over.” I reply. She seems satisfied.
She yawns, arches her back and stretches her arms above her head. I can feel myself begin to stir. My appetite for her is insatiable, but she is exhausted and has a long day ahead. I have waited many nights; I have had her once, I can wait for tomorrow. I kiss her forehead and draw her to me. She needs to rest, and I tell her so. I lie on my back and she rests her head on my chest I wrap my arms around her and our legs entwine. This is as at should be. Soon I will have to crawl into that repulsive crack Bill constructed in her other bedroom. Tomorrow we will discuss light proofing that entire room. I detest crawling into the ground and I know she will not leave her home. Our union will be difficult for her. The community will ostracize her, again. She will become boorish and I will have to work doubly hard to please her. I am not familiar with working at all for companionship. Women fling themselves at me nightly and I do as I wish. Sookie makes me work, and for some reason I am willing.
Tomorrow we will go to Hotshot and deal with the inbred panthers and her substandard brother. I will find out why, once again, my Sookie has been seduced, for someone else’s malevolent purposes. Whoever is responsible will rue the day they were made. It is not apparent who they were attempting to get to, employing my lover as a means of warning. She is linked to the Packmaster of Shreveport, the leader of the werepanthers in Hotshot, her great-grandfather the fairy prince, the King of Nevada (Louisiana and Arkansas) and of course myself. As the bear sought out hunting privileges with the panthers, it is unlikely Calvin was the intended recipient. Of the others, she is dearest to me, than Niall. The king is indebted to Sookie but does not know her value; her loss would not pain him as it would the fairy or I. The packmaster desired Sookie, and they pretended to be involved for a short time, but there is little significance to their association. If the attacker is clever, it could only have been aimed at Niall or me.
I am also wondering who has the power to employ a werebear. They are extremely rare, and it is unlikely that they would risk their existence without substantial compensation. Sookie said that she thought he was from Indiana. Tomorrow I will see the background check Jason ran on the fool and find out as much as possible. I don’t understand how someone could have Sookie and not fall in love with her. She is completely enthralling. I cannot wait to apprehend the one responsible for her pain.
I woke up at eleven to find Eric gone. I guess he got in the hidey-hole sometime before dawn. He will be up around five thirty and then we’ll head to Hotshot. I slide out of bed and straighten it up. I go through the motions of my morning routine, and even though I am very sore and bruised, I feel pretty good. Eric. I sense Amelia’s brain pattern in the kitchen and am excited to tell her about Eric and I. She is just about the only person who will be happy for me. Everyone else will be upset I have another dead boyfriend. Well tough, Eric is the best man for me and they will just have to get used to him.
Amelia is doing the sudoku puzzle from the Times-Picayune she has delivered now. I get some coffee from the pot she made and put some toast in the toaster. She is about to burst she wants to know so badly. I smile as I spread the jelly than pop into the chair across from her and now I am beaming.
“Sookie you had sex!” she proclaims. I should be annoyed but I just can’t I am too giddy.
“Yes and Eric and I are an item.” I almost said Eric was my boyfriend but that just doesn’t sound right.
“It’s about damn time.” Amelia smiles at me. Apparently she had been rooting for us all along.
“He is in the hidey-hole and tonight we are going to go to Hotshot and talk to Calvin and Jason about Kennedy’s background.”
“Yea, Pam told me last night he was going to stay here while he and Bill were talking.”
“Oh, did Bill have anything useful to say?”
“I dunno, he and Eric didn’t say much to me. Pam was chatty, I think she was relieved that you finally were dealing with what’s between you and Eric.”
Pam has said Eric was making things difficult, so Amelia is probably right.
“Oh shoot. I better call Sam!” I know he was worried, and I didn’t bother last night.
“He knows you’re safe, Eric called him while you were in the shower. You have the night off too, you’re lunch shift tomorrow.”
“Oh, ok. That’s perfect.” That was very considerate of Eric. “Well, I guess I’ll call Jason and Calvin and set something up for tonight then.”
“Hey, you think Eric would mind if I tagged along? I might be helpful.” Amelia asked.
“Sure you can come, believe me it isn’t like a date or anything.” I told her as I washed my plate and mug.
“Ok then, I will get some basic stuff together just in case.” She smiled and ran up the steps.
I had some errands to run so I grabbed my keys and headed for the car. People in town were polite and said they were glad I was home safe, but I knew from their heads no one was surprised. I guess Sam and Amelia reported me missing. I can’t believe they didn’t call Eric. They know about our bond, so they knew he could track me. Maybe they were scared he was upset I was seeing Kennedy. I could tell from tie that much was true. He came anyway. He will protect me and be true to me. Well actually we hadn’t gotten to how true I expect him to be. Tonight I will make sure he knows that servicing fangbangers in any manner is unacceptable. Sookie Stackhouse and bottled blood are all he’s getting from now on and he better like it.
By the time I exchanged my library books, went to the bank, the post office and the Piggly Wiggly, it was nearly five. Eric will be up soon and I was eager to get home.
I got to the house just as he was rising; he had me again on my former bed. I am so glad Octavia went back to New Orleans. When we were finished I told him Jason was going to meet us at Calvin’s at eight. He agreed having Amelia along is a good idea. We all got ready and took my Malibu. Eric drove, but I know he hated the car. He was contemplating smashing it into something just so he could buy me a new one.
TBC
I know he wants me to speak but I can’t form the words. I don’t know what I want to say anyway. So here I am, naked as the day I was born, staring up at a fully clothed Eric who had just poured his heart out. I am so dizzy I think I might throw up. I know he is tuned into my feeling and he looks worried. Who would have thought a barmaid from Bon Temps, Louisiana could rattle this ancient being. Not me that’s for sure. When Eric is in his right mind, he is always the essence of confidence, yep this is new territory. Breathe Sookie breathe. Why me? How did I make this stunning, powerful vampire fall in love with me? It must be the fairy blood.
“Eric, I just don’t know how to respond.”
“That is not the reaction I anticipated.” He said his voice even.
“This is all a little much for me right now. I want to deal with us I really do, but it’s a lot to consider all at one time. I mean a few hours ago I was my ex-boyfriends prisoner, then you came and saved me, and now you are professing you undying love. I can’t wrap my head around everything right now.”
Eric looked thoughtful and maybe a little ticked. It was 4 am and the sun will rise around 7:15 so we still have sometime, but not enough for me to comprehend all of this.
“I understand my lover. We still have about three hours until sunrise, you rest for an hour of so and I will wait in the living room. I am sure once you have had time to collect yourself, you will come around to my way of thinking.” Eric said oozing confidence, and I could tell from the bond it was genuine.
“Ok, I could use some rest, but please stay with me. Wake me up in a while we’ll go from there.”
Eric effortlessly removes his shirt, and my pulse shoots through the roof. His body is unbelievable. There should be statues of him in museums. Sleep is now about the farthest thing from my mind, but he makes no advance. He just pulls me close and holds me against him. He is cool, but I don’t mind, my quilt is warm. I know he feels my desire as he settles his hand on my stomach. I can feel him trying to calm me down, but I know he is suppressing his own want too. In his arms I feel tiny and protected. I know no one can harm me when I am in my Viking cocoon. I know I am in the embrace of a man who loves me. Maybe the only one who ever truly had? I had told Quinn I needed to be first, and I knew he could never provide that. It wasn’t something he could help. I can’t fault him for protecting his family, but that’s not the life I want. Eric may have a big part of Louisiana to govern, but every time I needed him he was there. He had put me first, even before himself; something I didn’t think was possible. If I had been paying attention I would have seen that a long time ago. This won’t be easy. We have a lot against us.
I turn over and look Eric in the eye. His brilliant blue orbs shine down on me and I know I was making the right decision. I kiss him deeply and after a moment we find a nice rhythm. Eric has had lots of practice and it shows. The whole world stands still. I feel his pants straining against my legs, and it takes every bit of will I have to release his mouth. My lips are swollen and red. My skin is flush. His fangs are down and his eyes are blazing. I have about two seconds to get this out before I loose all control and jump him.
I breathe deep. “Eric, I love you, and I do not want to see anyone else. I want to be with you too.”
I guess Eric figured he had already said enough. He leaned over me and pressed his lips to mine. Our tongues begin to dance and he shifts so he is on his knees between my parted legs. I can feel his rigidity against me. As I run the tip of my tongue across his fang he lets out a moan and starts to grind against me. I want him so badly I think I am going to explode. I reach down to fumble with his button but he flattens his body against mine and lowers his head to my chest. The pressure of his body on mine is pleasurable, not daunting, and he almost sends me over the edge from mouthing and kneading my breasts alone. As I am about to peak, he returns his mouth to mine and the anticipation begins to build again. I reach down again and his pants practically open by themselves. He rubs his tip against my nub and his hands explore me below as well. As his fingers fill me I find myself again on the boundary of orgasm. He pushes me over and as I am losing all control as he plunges in and thrusts with purpose. He isn’t rough, but he is determined. Before all is said and done, I climax three more times.
“Mmmm, that was even better than I remembered.” I purred.
“That is because it was better my lover.” He replied lazily.
“Huh?” I looked at him; I am still a little fuzzy, mind numbing sex and all.
“Since we have bonded everything we share will be more intense.” He stated as if I should have known.
“I am still a little confused about this whole bond. The heightened senses have faded but I can still feel you just as strong as the day it happened. Will it always be this way?”
“No, there are two separate paths we can take my lover, and they will depend on you. If you are satisfied with our connection it will mature; we will be powerful allies and take great comfort in one another. Should you come to resent our tie, it will not sever but will become warped and be a great encumbrance to us both. As I said you may come to hate me. I hope that does not happen. Even if we separate, we will always sense the other in our tie, we will always discern the others emotions, and we will always have a void if we end our relationship.”
“That’s really uh, intense. No wonder you said we were tied to closely to suit you.” I remember holding that soda can bomb all too well.
“I did not mean that I regretted what I had done. I said that for your benefit. The tiger thought I had arranged the whole situation with Andre to gain greater control over you. He believes I wish to turn you. I was trying to convey that I cared, but did not wish you to be mine. Of course, that was not the case.”
I knew Quinn hated my tie with Eric. I knew Quinn did not trust Eric either. He did think Eric wanted to turn me and had practically said as much. He was always worried I would leave him and go to Eric; I guess he sensed my true feelings, even as I repressed them. I really did like Quinn, and I told myself I wanted more, but I was really lying to myself.
“Do you want to turn me?”
That is a loaded question, and I am conflicted. Sookie’s humanity makes her fragile and she will age. Her fae heritage and a regular infusion of my blood will make the years kinder to her, but she will ultimately wither and fade. I will remain unchanged until my end. I do not know how Sookie will react to the change should I bring her over. This is a issue I have often pondered. She would remain young and beautiful, but I am not certain her zeal would withstand the transition. Sookie has very human values, and no matter what comes to pass, I do not believe she would every truly give them up. This would make her uncertain about coming over and will affect the vampire she would become. Vampires do not normally pair for long, but we are bonded so it is possible we would prevail. She would finally have the physical strength and resilience to compliment her courageous spirit.
“I would not turn you unless I knew it to be you sincere desire.” That is the truth. If she wanted to join me, I would indulge her.
“Eric. Do you want me to be a vampire or not?” She was a touch indignant.
“I am indifferent. I will continue to love you in either case.” That is at least half true.
“How can you be indifferent?” She asks and I sense her indignation growing. She wants me to have conviction, she is offended. That is amusing.
“Sookie my love for you is passionate and unfaltering. There are compelling arguments for you to remain as you are and to join my kind. I have not yet found a definite victor. The choice is ultimately yours, and so I will no longer burden my thoughts with something I have no control over.” I reply. She seems satisfied.
She yawns, arches her back and stretches her arms above her head. I can feel myself begin to stir. My appetite for her is insatiable, but she is exhausted and has a long day ahead. I have waited many nights; I have had her once, I can wait for tomorrow. I kiss her forehead and draw her to me. She needs to rest, and I tell her so. I lie on my back and she rests her head on my chest I wrap my arms around her and our legs entwine. This is as at should be. Soon I will have to crawl into that repulsive crack Bill constructed in her other bedroom. Tomorrow we will discuss light proofing that entire room. I detest crawling into the ground and I know she will not leave her home. Our union will be difficult for her. The community will ostracize her, again. She will become boorish and I will have to work doubly hard to please her. I am not familiar with working at all for companionship. Women fling themselves at me nightly and I do as I wish. Sookie makes me work, and for some reason I am willing.
Tomorrow we will go to Hotshot and deal with the inbred panthers and her substandard brother. I will find out why, once again, my Sookie has been seduced, for someone else’s malevolent purposes. Whoever is responsible will rue the day they were made. It is not apparent who they were attempting to get to, employing my lover as a means of warning. She is linked to the Packmaster of Shreveport, the leader of the werepanthers in Hotshot, her great-grandfather the fairy prince, the King of Nevada (Louisiana and Arkansas) and of course myself. As the bear sought out hunting privileges with the panthers, it is unlikely Calvin was the intended recipient. Of the others, she is dearest to me, than Niall. The king is indebted to Sookie but does not know her value; her loss would not pain him as it would the fairy or I. The packmaster desired Sookie, and they pretended to be involved for a short time, but there is little significance to their association. If the attacker is clever, it could only have been aimed at Niall or me.
I am also wondering who has the power to employ a werebear. They are extremely rare, and it is unlikely that they would risk their existence without substantial compensation. Sookie said that she thought he was from Indiana. Tomorrow I will see the background check Jason ran on the fool and find out as much as possible. I don’t understand how someone could have Sookie and not fall in love with her. She is completely enthralling. I cannot wait to apprehend the one responsible for her pain.
I woke up at eleven to find Eric gone. I guess he got in the hidey-hole sometime before dawn. He will be up around five thirty and then we’ll head to Hotshot. I slide out of bed and straighten it up. I go through the motions of my morning routine, and even though I am very sore and bruised, I feel pretty good. Eric. I sense Amelia’s brain pattern in the kitchen and am excited to tell her about Eric and I. She is just about the only person who will be happy for me. Everyone else will be upset I have another dead boyfriend. Well tough, Eric is the best man for me and they will just have to get used to him.
Amelia is doing the sudoku puzzle from the Times-Picayune she has delivered now. I get some coffee from the pot she made and put some toast in the toaster. She is about to burst she wants to know so badly. I smile as I spread the jelly than pop into the chair across from her and now I am beaming.
“Sookie you had sex!” she proclaims. I should be annoyed but I just can’t I am too giddy.
“Yes and Eric and I are an item.” I almost said Eric was my boyfriend but that just doesn’t sound right.
“It’s about damn time.” Amelia smiles at me. Apparently she had been rooting for us all along.
“He is in the hidey-hole and tonight we are going to go to Hotshot and talk to Calvin and Jason about Kennedy’s background.”
“Yea, Pam told me last night he was going to stay here while he and Bill were talking.”
“Oh, did Bill have anything useful to say?”
“I dunno, he and Eric didn’t say much to me. Pam was chatty, I think she was relieved that you finally were dealing with what’s between you and Eric.”
Pam has said Eric was making things difficult, so Amelia is probably right.
“Oh shoot. I better call Sam!” I know he was worried, and I didn’t bother last night.
“He knows you’re safe, Eric called him while you were in the shower. You have the night off too, you’re lunch shift tomorrow.”
“Oh, ok. That’s perfect.” That was very considerate of Eric. “Well, I guess I’ll call Jason and Calvin and set something up for tonight then.”
“Hey, you think Eric would mind if I tagged along? I might be helpful.” Amelia asked.
“Sure you can come, believe me it isn’t like a date or anything.” I told her as I washed my plate and mug.
“Ok then, I will get some basic stuff together just in case.” She smiled and ran up the steps.
I had some errands to run so I grabbed my keys and headed for the car. People in town were polite and said they were glad I was home safe, but I knew from their heads no one was surprised. I guess Sam and Amelia reported me missing. I can’t believe they didn’t call Eric. They know about our bond, so they knew he could track me. Maybe they were scared he was upset I was seeing Kennedy. I could tell from tie that much was true. He came anyway. He will protect me and be true to me. Well actually we hadn’t gotten to how true I expect him to be. Tonight I will make sure he knows that servicing fangbangers in any manner is unacceptable. Sookie Stackhouse and bottled blood are all he’s getting from now on and he better like it.
By the time I exchanged my library books, went to the bank, the post office and the Piggly Wiggly, it was nearly five. Eric will be up soon and I was eager to get home.
I got to the house just as he was rising; he had me again on my former bed. I am so glad Octavia went back to New Orleans. When we were finished I told him Jason was going to meet us at Calvin’s at eight. He agreed having Amelia along is a good idea. We all got ready and took my Malibu. Eric drove, but I know he hated the car. He was contemplating smashing it into something just so he could buy me a new one.
TBC
Shimmer Chapter 2
Chapter 2
I walk into my room and glance out the window to find Eric, Pam and Bill all talking near the tree line in my yard. I guess Eric called Bill to see what he knows about Kennedy and why he would attack me. Smart. I expect as much from Eric. I just hope he doesn’t expect me to let Bill in here. I really don’t have a reason not to (at least not a new and pressing one) and if he is going to help it would be polite, but I don’t want to be polite. I want to take a shower, talk to Eric (have mind-numbing sex) and go to sleep. Well I think I will cross one of those of my list right now. I walked into my bathroom, shucked the rags that used to be my clothes, started the water, and with a reluctant sigh flipped the lock. The little lock on my bathroom door wouldn’t stop Amelia much less Eric if they really wanted in, but I know he won’t bust in without a serious reason (she might be another story). Naked in the shower is not how our conversation needs to begin, as much as I would L-O-V-E a replay of our first shower together.
Kennedy had whipped both my back and my legs when I was restrained and the hot water stung the open lacerations, but I had to get clean. My grimy hair was stuck in the wounds, dried blood was everywhere and I was just plain dirty. I washed and washed and washed until Eric knocked lightly on the door and asked if I was alright. I decided I was as clean as I was going to get and cut the water off. I told him I would be out in a minute and he seemed to find that answer sufficient. I combed out my hair and put it in a bun on the top of my head. Not attractive and not my norm but I didn’t want to risk hair sticking to those wounds again. I slipped on my nylon robe, put on my moisturizer and wished I had thought to grab underwear on my way in. When I entered my room I was relieved and surprised to not see Eric in it. I grabbed some panties out of my drawer and awkwardly shimmied into them. I decided to forgo a nightgown, at least for the moment as the thought of getting into one was too much to bear.
I peeked into the hall and discovered Eric, Pam and Amelia all in the living room. I walked out and they all stood. Amelia announced that she was going to bed and all but skipped up the stairs. Pam leered at me for a moment and I realized I hadn’t pulled my robe quite tight enough and it was obvious to all I skipped the nightgown. Oh well they have both seen me before. She told me to stop getting kidnapped and with a “tomorrow boss” to Eric she was out the door.
And then there were two.
I looked at him and he looked at me and for a moment it seemed as if neither of us could move. There was so much to be said. So many wrongs, Eric was mighty ambitious if he thought we could “accomplish” anything tonight. I am not convinced that we will be able to stop staring at each other. As if he heard my thoughts Eric moved but did not break his gaze. His brilliant blue eyes were fixated on me and I was exhilarated and terrified. I know how I feel about Eric, but I have never said it aloud, and he will know if I am lying. I will have to be honest. Even if I didn’t have to be, hadn’t he earned it?
She is breathtaking. Well if I had any breath she would surely take it. Standing there in that thin sheath she is the most stunning creature I have ever encountered. Wet coiled up hair bruises and all. I knew she was nervous, even frightened. I knew she enjoyed looking at me as much as I did her. I knew neither of us wanted to stop, but we have matters to attend to. I could not take my eyes off her but I forced myself to move. I walked to her and took her hand in mine. “Dear one, would you like to sit her on the couch or would you be more comfortable in your room? I promise to be a gentleman, at least until we have completed our discussion.”
“Well if you really can keep your hands to yourself, I would like to talk in bed; I am exhausted and really want to snuggle up under my quilt.”
“Of course” I reply but I know she can feel my desire.
She starts to climb into her high bed but I know that she is in pain so I lay her in it and make sure she is comfortable. As I slide in next to her I am aware of the wounds on her back and decide that I need to inspect her thoroughly. I would have done so while she was showering but she locked the door and I didn’t want her to think I was intruding. I feel her lust and apprehension as I disrobe her.
“Hey there I thought we agreed no funny business” she says with a sharp look.
“Lover I assure you I am not being funny I simply have not seen the full extent of your injuries and would like to have a more through look.” I reply, which is mostly honest. I have often fantasized seeing her naked again but not under such circumstances. Dr. Viking MD I hear directly from her brain. I wonder how my telepath would feel if she knew about my occasional glimpses into her psyche. I will find out soon enough I suppose.
“Fine” she submits and rolls to her left so that I can slide the nylon off her shoulder. If only she were always this obedient.
I could not suppress my grimace as I see the extent of the whips use. I know she can feel my fury rising. I kiss her between the shoulder blades and force myself to regain composure.
“Oh Sookie, I am so glad they are all dead, I only wish that last had truly been at my hands. Turn over my lover so that I may see your front.”
“How bad is it?” She asks with genuine curiosity.
“I do not believe they intended to kill you. This is obviously a message, but to whom? My dear, you are far too entrenched in supernatural politics to suit me.”
“Me too” she replies, immediately regretting it. She feels guilty. She knows my rank, and does not want to alienate me further. She is so endearing.
“Who is this Kennedy and how did you come to be his woman?” I ask without thinking, that mistake will set me back; Sookie Stackhouse is nothing if not her own woman.
Her annoyance is immediately apparent. She can be very immature, which is disconcerting but I will appease her quickly.
“I am my own woman and you well know it Eric Northman” she tried to scold me as I repress a grin.
“Please enlighten me of your most recent liaison, my dear Sookie” I say with the most remorseful smile I can collect, I am not pleased she was seeing yet another man after we have been bonded.
The ethereal creature lying beside me inhales deep, and I cannot help but observe her exposed chest. I remember her taste all too well. This will be a challenge.
“Jason says that Kennedy moved here about six months ago from someplace up north, Indiana maybe? Anyway, he took a job under Jason on the road crew, and of course they both knew they were weres.”
This is not pleasing; she would rather date a pawn of her simpleton brother than me. I clench my jaw and give a look meant to indicate continue. I conceal my emotions to the extent of my control. Something slipping through the bond or from my lips could antagonize her again. That is a hindrance I can ill afford.
“Well after Crystal lost the baby, Jason and I patched things up, and he introduced me to Kennedy around the end of October. It wasn’t serious. He was just fun. He took me dancing and out to eat. He kept me distracted.” She gave me a rueful look and than broke our gaze.
“Sookie, I do not fully understand why you needed to be distracted from my attentions, but we will address that after I learn how you became detained in Monroe.”
“All right. Well Kennedy and I didn’t have any plans but he showed up at my house the day before yesterday and said he had a surprise for me. I feel so stupid now; I was an accomplice in my own kidnapping. He told me he didn’t want me to see where we were going because it would give away the surprise, so he blindfolded me with a scarf from my own damn drawer.” This time she released her air with a “huff” and the effect was just as enchanting. I averted my eyes. I didn’t murmur a syllable. I wanted her to finish.
“Well, I guess I was caught up in the romance of it all. I figured he was takin’ me to the theater in Shreveport or somethin’. I mean his brain was a lot foggier than any other were I know, but I could still get snippets and it was clearer when we touched. I guess I figured that since I could read his mind being blindfolded wasn’t a big deal. Boy was I dumb.”
“Sookie, you are many things, however dumb is not among them.” I look at her, she constantly underestimates herself. Well with the exception of her own humanity. She tends to risk her own life more often than is requisite.
“Well when he stopped the car I knew we weren’t in Shreveport, the ride wasn’t long enough. I knew there were other weres there, wherever he had taken me, but I didn’t sense any danger until he took me inside. When I tried to balk, he seized my wrists hard and kicked me in the back of the knees. Than that girl who, umm, shot herself ripped off the scarf and hit me over the head with a cast iron pot. The next thing I remember I was cuffed to a toilet, gettin’ whipped and praying you knew I was uh, callin’ you.” Her accent was stronger, maybe because of all her emotions. Mmmh, why do I find that erotic? No time.
“You habitually choose the wrong men my love. I plan to remedy that tonight. It seems that any knowledge we may glean about your attacker’s purpose will not come tonight. Tomorrow we will call your brother, and find out as much as we can. As his employer he will have access to his records and from them and the panthers in Hotshot we will find out as much as we can. I assume the bear hunted with the panthers? “
“Yes. As soon as Kennedy moved here he met with Calvin and attained ‘hunting privileges’ or whatever.”
I nodded. I reached into my pocket and pulled out my phone to call Pam, I took Sookie’s hand to imply my words are as much for her as my second.
“I will not be returning tomorrow. My presence is necessary here.”
“No, you are not required nor are anyone else. Should I require assistance, you will be the first to know.”
“You also.”
I returned the phone to my pocket and my full attention to my beloved.
“I guess that means you want to talk to Calvin and Jason.” She said, a little irritated.
“My lover, I want us to speak to Calvin and Jason. I sought to express this under different conditions, but you avoided me with great determination, so now it shall be. I want to be with you Sookie, and I intend it to be very serious.”
She looked shocked. She began to tear up. I gathered her to me, wishing I had not been so courteous to put on a fresh shirt. I wanted to feel her skin on mine. I had felt frozen in her absence, and she was initiating a thaw. I felt some of her insecurity melt away as she accepted my mouth and drew my lower lip between hers. I felt my fangs run down and my urgency swell. Grudgingly, I pulled away, but I took her face in my hands, so she knew it was not in rejection. She is so delicate. It is obvious her apprehension, at least in part, was because she did not believe my feeling when I was cursed were true. Wrong, wrong, wrong, silly woman.
“Eric, when you stayed with me, everything was so easy.”
I raised my eyebrow. There had been a war an few attempts on her life and a murder, not what I would consider uncomplicated.
She whispered a giggle and elaborated.
“Between us. It was easy for you to love me, I was all you had of your own. You were told that you were powerful and had many assets, but I was all that was tangible. I was your, uh, lover. That was easy too. We always had chemistry, with all your politics out of the way I could let you in, and I guess your, um, taste didn’t change with your memories went missing. And I was here; ya know proximity and privacy made it easy too.
“That that you were the one around and are immensely attractive may have been why I fucked you, I am nothing if not opportunistic, but it is not why I loved you, why I still do.” She was silent; well I have more to say.
“I knew there was something about you from the first time you walked into my bar in that dress with the red flowers, I hated that you were with Bill. You looked gorgeous and I found him unworthy of such a prize. I tried to influence you, at that point it was purely lust, when I discovered you were immune to glamour, you became a fascination. I knew that I had to find a way to keep you around. When I learned you were telepathic, I had a reason to summon you. You challenged me Sookie, something humans just don’t do, you would not obey me unless it was on your terms, that is a quality I could not ignore, though it brings me great frustration. Money had nothing to do with my staking Long Shadow. I have followed you everywhere you have gone to ensure your safe return, and because the more I knew you the more I wanted to be near you. After my curse was broken I could barely think of anything but you. I did not know that I loved you, but I ached for you. I was vacant. At our exchange is Rhodes, I realized, though I still did not remember being at your home. When I found Andre trying to force you it was immediately apparent, and I knew bonding in such a way could work against me, but it was necessary. I feared the tiger would be a setback, but when you came and saved me and my child I knew you loved me as well. It was not the bond that made you come to me. I was resting and unable to sense the danger, you came on your own accord. I knew then that you would be mine, but I waited so you could come to that realization on your own. When I regained my memories I was not surprised, it only made my patience that much harder to maintain. Sookie, if I seemed distant I did not intend too, I was merely attempting to give you space.”
Still no response, I know she loves me as well, but she is conflicted, why? Have I not established my merit countless times? Have I not been there to rescue her when the numerous inferior suitors left her in abandon? She is bewildering and infuriating. She refuses to heel and will make me appear weak to my kind. She is adolescent and wavering. She will surely be my end. Yet, she has made me experience in ways no other had in a century of nights. She has saved me from an eternity of contentment and opened me a whole new array of emotions; she has showed me love and given me ecstasy. She will mature, she is worth the nuisance.
TBC
I walk into my room and glance out the window to find Eric, Pam and Bill all talking near the tree line in my yard. I guess Eric called Bill to see what he knows about Kennedy and why he would attack me. Smart. I expect as much from Eric. I just hope he doesn’t expect me to let Bill in here. I really don’t have a reason not to (at least not a new and pressing one) and if he is going to help it would be polite, but I don’t want to be polite. I want to take a shower, talk to Eric (have mind-numbing sex) and go to sleep. Well I think I will cross one of those of my list right now. I walked into my bathroom, shucked the rags that used to be my clothes, started the water, and with a reluctant sigh flipped the lock. The little lock on my bathroom door wouldn’t stop Amelia much less Eric if they really wanted in, but I know he won’t bust in without a serious reason (she might be another story). Naked in the shower is not how our conversation needs to begin, as much as I would L-O-V-E a replay of our first shower together.
Kennedy had whipped both my back and my legs when I was restrained and the hot water stung the open lacerations, but I had to get clean. My grimy hair was stuck in the wounds, dried blood was everywhere and I was just plain dirty. I washed and washed and washed until Eric knocked lightly on the door and asked if I was alright. I decided I was as clean as I was going to get and cut the water off. I told him I would be out in a minute and he seemed to find that answer sufficient. I combed out my hair and put it in a bun on the top of my head. Not attractive and not my norm but I didn’t want to risk hair sticking to those wounds again. I slipped on my nylon robe, put on my moisturizer and wished I had thought to grab underwear on my way in. When I entered my room I was relieved and surprised to not see Eric in it. I grabbed some panties out of my drawer and awkwardly shimmied into them. I decided to forgo a nightgown, at least for the moment as the thought of getting into one was too much to bear.
I peeked into the hall and discovered Eric, Pam and Amelia all in the living room. I walked out and they all stood. Amelia announced that she was going to bed and all but skipped up the stairs. Pam leered at me for a moment and I realized I hadn’t pulled my robe quite tight enough and it was obvious to all I skipped the nightgown. Oh well they have both seen me before. She told me to stop getting kidnapped and with a “tomorrow boss” to Eric she was out the door.
And then there were two.
I looked at him and he looked at me and for a moment it seemed as if neither of us could move. There was so much to be said. So many wrongs, Eric was mighty ambitious if he thought we could “accomplish” anything tonight. I am not convinced that we will be able to stop staring at each other. As if he heard my thoughts Eric moved but did not break his gaze. His brilliant blue eyes were fixated on me and I was exhilarated and terrified. I know how I feel about Eric, but I have never said it aloud, and he will know if I am lying. I will have to be honest. Even if I didn’t have to be, hadn’t he earned it?
She is breathtaking. Well if I had any breath she would surely take it. Standing there in that thin sheath she is the most stunning creature I have ever encountered. Wet coiled up hair bruises and all. I knew she was nervous, even frightened. I knew she enjoyed looking at me as much as I did her. I knew neither of us wanted to stop, but we have matters to attend to. I could not take my eyes off her but I forced myself to move. I walked to her and took her hand in mine. “Dear one, would you like to sit her on the couch or would you be more comfortable in your room? I promise to be a gentleman, at least until we have completed our discussion.”
“Well if you really can keep your hands to yourself, I would like to talk in bed; I am exhausted and really want to snuggle up under my quilt.”
“Of course” I reply but I know she can feel my desire.
She starts to climb into her high bed but I know that she is in pain so I lay her in it and make sure she is comfortable. As I slide in next to her I am aware of the wounds on her back and decide that I need to inspect her thoroughly. I would have done so while she was showering but she locked the door and I didn’t want her to think I was intruding. I feel her lust and apprehension as I disrobe her.
“Hey there I thought we agreed no funny business” she says with a sharp look.
“Lover I assure you I am not being funny I simply have not seen the full extent of your injuries and would like to have a more through look.” I reply, which is mostly honest. I have often fantasized seeing her naked again but not under such circumstances. Dr. Viking MD I hear directly from her brain. I wonder how my telepath would feel if she knew about my occasional glimpses into her psyche. I will find out soon enough I suppose.
“Fine” she submits and rolls to her left so that I can slide the nylon off her shoulder. If only she were always this obedient.
I could not suppress my grimace as I see the extent of the whips use. I know she can feel my fury rising. I kiss her between the shoulder blades and force myself to regain composure.
“Oh Sookie, I am so glad they are all dead, I only wish that last had truly been at my hands. Turn over my lover so that I may see your front.”
“How bad is it?” She asks with genuine curiosity.
“I do not believe they intended to kill you. This is obviously a message, but to whom? My dear, you are far too entrenched in supernatural politics to suit me.”
“Me too” she replies, immediately regretting it. She feels guilty. She knows my rank, and does not want to alienate me further. She is so endearing.
“Who is this Kennedy and how did you come to be his woman?” I ask without thinking, that mistake will set me back; Sookie Stackhouse is nothing if not her own woman.
Her annoyance is immediately apparent. She can be very immature, which is disconcerting but I will appease her quickly.
“I am my own woman and you well know it Eric Northman” she tried to scold me as I repress a grin.
“Please enlighten me of your most recent liaison, my dear Sookie” I say with the most remorseful smile I can collect, I am not pleased she was seeing yet another man after we have been bonded.
The ethereal creature lying beside me inhales deep, and I cannot help but observe her exposed chest. I remember her taste all too well. This will be a challenge.
“Jason says that Kennedy moved here about six months ago from someplace up north, Indiana maybe? Anyway, he took a job under Jason on the road crew, and of course they both knew they were weres.”
This is not pleasing; she would rather date a pawn of her simpleton brother than me. I clench my jaw and give a look meant to indicate continue. I conceal my emotions to the extent of my control. Something slipping through the bond or from my lips could antagonize her again. That is a hindrance I can ill afford.
“Well after Crystal lost the baby, Jason and I patched things up, and he introduced me to Kennedy around the end of October. It wasn’t serious. He was just fun. He took me dancing and out to eat. He kept me distracted.” She gave me a rueful look and than broke our gaze.
“Sookie, I do not fully understand why you needed to be distracted from my attentions, but we will address that after I learn how you became detained in Monroe.”
“All right. Well Kennedy and I didn’t have any plans but he showed up at my house the day before yesterday and said he had a surprise for me. I feel so stupid now; I was an accomplice in my own kidnapping. He told me he didn’t want me to see where we were going because it would give away the surprise, so he blindfolded me with a scarf from my own damn drawer.” This time she released her air with a “huff” and the effect was just as enchanting. I averted my eyes. I didn’t murmur a syllable. I wanted her to finish.
“Well, I guess I was caught up in the romance of it all. I figured he was takin’ me to the theater in Shreveport or somethin’. I mean his brain was a lot foggier than any other were I know, but I could still get snippets and it was clearer when we touched. I guess I figured that since I could read his mind being blindfolded wasn’t a big deal. Boy was I dumb.”
“Sookie, you are many things, however dumb is not among them.” I look at her, she constantly underestimates herself. Well with the exception of her own humanity. She tends to risk her own life more often than is requisite.
“Well when he stopped the car I knew we weren’t in Shreveport, the ride wasn’t long enough. I knew there were other weres there, wherever he had taken me, but I didn’t sense any danger until he took me inside. When I tried to balk, he seized my wrists hard and kicked me in the back of the knees. Than that girl who, umm, shot herself ripped off the scarf and hit me over the head with a cast iron pot. The next thing I remember I was cuffed to a toilet, gettin’ whipped and praying you knew I was uh, callin’ you.” Her accent was stronger, maybe because of all her emotions. Mmmh, why do I find that erotic? No time.
“You habitually choose the wrong men my love. I plan to remedy that tonight. It seems that any knowledge we may glean about your attacker’s purpose will not come tonight. Tomorrow we will call your brother, and find out as much as we can. As his employer he will have access to his records and from them and the panthers in Hotshot we will find out as much as we can. I assume the bear hunted with the panthers? “
“Yes. As soon as Kennedy moved here he met with Calvin and attained ‘hunting privileges’ or whatever.”
I nodded. I reached into my pocket and pulled out my phone to call Pam, I took Sookie’s hand to imply my words are as much for her as my second.
“I will not be returning tomorrow. My presence is necessary here.”
“No, you are not required nor are anyone else. Should I require assistance, you will be the first to know.”
“You also.”
I returned the phone to my pocket and my full attention to my beloved.
“I guess that means you want to talk to Calvin and Jason.” She said, a little irritated.
“My lover, I want us to speak to Calvin and Jason. I sought to express this under different conditions, but you avoided me with great determination, so now it shall be. I want to be with you Sookie, and I intend it to be very serious.”
She looked shocked. She began to tear up. I gathered her to me, wishing I had not been so courteous to put on a fresh shirt. I wanted to feel her skin on mine. I had felt frozen in her absence, and she was initiating a thaw. I felt some of her insecurity melt away as she accepted my mouth and drew my lower lip between hers. I felt my fangs run down and my urgency swell. Grudgingly, I pulled away, but I took her face in my hands, so she knew it was not in rejection. She is so delicate. It is obvious her apprehension, at least in part, was because she did not believe my feeling when I was cursed were true. Wrong, wrong, wrong, silly woman.
“Eric, when you stayed with me, everything was so easy.”
I raised my eyebrow. There had been a war an few attempts on her life and a murder, not what I would consider uncomplicated.
She whispered a giggle and elaborated.
“Between us. It was easy for you to love me, I was all you had of your own. You were told that you were powerful and had many assets, but I was all that was tangible. I was your, uh, lover. That was easy too. We always had chemistry, with all your politics out of the way I could let you in, and I guess your, um, taste didn’t change with your memories went missing. And I was here; ya know proximity and privacy made it easy too.
“That that you were the one around and are immensely attractive may have been why I fucked you, I am nothing if not opportunistic, but it is not why I loved you, why I still do.” She was silent; well I have more to say.
“I knew there was something about you from the first time you walked into my bar in that dress with the red flowers, I hated that you were with Bill. You looked gorgeous and I found him unworthy of such a prize. I tried to influence you, at that point it was purely lust, when I discovered you were immune to glamour, you became a fascination. I knew that I had to find a way to keep you around. When I learned you were telepathic, I had a reason to summon you. You challenged me Sookie, something humans just don’t do, you would not obey me unless it was on your terms, that is a quality I could not ignore, though it brings me great frustration. Money had nothing to do with my staking Long Shadow. I have followed you everywhere you have gone to ensure your safe return, and because the more I knew you the more I wanted to be near you. After my curse was broken I could barely think of anything but you. I did not know that I loved you, but I ached for you. I was vacant. At our exchange is Rhodes, I realized, though I still did not remember being at your home. When I found Andre trying to force you it was immediately apparent, and I knew bonding in such a way could work against me, but it was necessary. I feared the tiger would be a setback, but when you came and saved me and my child I knew you loved me as well. It was not the bond that made you come to me. I was resting and unable to sense the danger, you came on your own accord. I knew then that you would be mine, but I waited so you could come to that realization on your own. When I regained my memories I was not surprised, it only made my patience that much harder to maintain. Sookie, if I seemed distant I did not intend too, I was merely attempting to give you space.”
Still no response, I know she loves me as well, but she is conflicted, why? Have I not established my merit countless times? Have I not been there to rescue her when the numerous inferior suitors left her in abandon? She is bewildering and infuriating. She refuses to heel and will make me appear weak to my kind. She is adolescent and wavering. She will surely be my end. Yet, she has made me experience in ways no other had in a century of nights. She has saved me from an eternity of contentment and opened me a whole new array of emotions; she has showed me love and given me ecstasy. She will mature, she is worth the nuisance.
TBC
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