I woke up around noon and headed into the kitchen for much needed coffee. I stopped in my tracks however, when I saw Claudine and another woman sitting on the deck. She seemed to sense my presence and suddenly there was a cup of coffee and a bagel with cream cheese on the counter in front of me. Claudine grinned at me and I headed to the deck with my food. “Hello cousin. I wasn’t expecting you,” I said after my first sip of caffeine.
“I know Sookie, but it’s time for your first lesson.” I must have looked a little startled, because she continued right away, “You don’t have to come with me for this one if that’s what you’re worried about.”
“Oh, okay. Um, hi,” I said to her friend, “I’m Sookie.”
She smiled, “I’m Jori. Nice to meet you.”
Claudine laughed a little, “Remember the fairy statue Niall said was in your front yard in Bon Temps?” I nodded. “Well, since you haven’t been staying there we moved her here.”
I nodded again but I was confused, “Wait, are you the statue? I mean, you just turn into a statue and wait in the front yard?”
She grinned, “Pretty much – until you need me.”
“Okay, that has to suck.”
“It’s a special assignment. I am honored that I was chosen to protect you.”
I still wasn’t sure that anyone could enjoy being a statue for weeks or months on end, but I guess if they went into a ‘downtime’ like the vamps did it might not be so bad. Claudine interrupted my thoughts and said, “Jori is here to help us with your first lesson.”
“Um okay. What are we going to do?”
“I’m getting tired of masking your smell for you, so it’s time you learned to do it yourself.”
“WHAT?”
“It’s pretty basic Sookie. You’ll just have to practice.”
“No – what do you mean you’ve been masking my smell? I didn’t think it had changed that much, I mean, the other vampires haven’t really reacted to it….”
“Constant cloaking cousin. Thanks to me. And it’s getting to be spring, which is sort of a busy time in my realm, so I need you to figure out how to take care of yourself – in terms of your scent.”
“I thought.. .but… how? I mean –“
“Sookie, Seamus even sent me a message to step up my game or train you to do it yourself.”
“He did say I smelled like you.”
“HA! He would! So – it’s time to teach you to smell all – blah - human. Are you ready?”
“Yeah, I guess so. Is it like magic or something?”
“It’s just – fairy. You have to remember, the fae incantations are never spoken aloud like the chants Amelia does. Our history must be protected. So I’ll show you the phrase and you have to concentrate and try to connect with the fae realm and then repeat the phrase twice.”
“Easy enough.”
“Yeah, let’s see if you can connect with the fae at all… Think something at Jori.”
“My cousin Claudine is crazy.”
Jori tilted her head a second and said, “Ok, I heard a mumbling. Close your eyes and concentrate. Not on where I’m sitting, but on communicating with ME.”
“My cousin Claudine is crazy.” It took 3 or 4 tries, but then I heard Jori laugh.
“And she’ll kick your ass with the snap of her finger,” she thought back at me with a grin. “Good job Sookie! You’ll have to concentrate very hard to make sure you get through to the fae.”
“I guess I’m confused. Claudine, you and Niall always said that you’d come for me if I called, you didn’t say I had to concentrate.”
“That’s because we’re blood Sookie. The message you’re sending is on a different frequency, if you will. It has to get above the familial communication lines to be heard by the powers that be to work.”
“So how will I know if it works or wears off? I mean, before I get eaten by a vampire.”
Claudine closed her eyes and Jori laughed at me a little, “You’ll just know. You’ll feel it.”
”I haven’t felt it when you’ve been doing it to me.”
“Did you think I wanted you to?”
“Umm… I don’t know, why wouldn’t you?”
“Cousin, you are suspicious, mind you it’s usually warranted, and you’re sensitive. What would you have done if you felt me shielding you?”
“I would have freaked out and told Eric something was wrong.”
“Exactly. So let’s get to it. I’ll show you the phrase you need and you can practice a few times.”
After about an hour, I was getting exhausted and having only moderate success. Claudine and Jori had laughed at me off and on but I could tell Claudine was beginning to get worried. We decided to take a break and she materialized a book that she said I should read. I figured she would give me “Fae Magic for Dummies” or something, but it was just a leather bound black book. As I opened it, sure enough, it was a more sophisticated version of the “for Dummies” series. The book gave a brief history of Fae and Fairy culture and contained information on the basic skills that even a partial fairy should be able to master. “Scent Transmutation” was listed as a beginner task. Nice. I couldn’t even do that. Other things that I would eventually, hopefully, be able to do included “Particle Manipulation,” “Individual Mobility,” and “Atmospheric Influence.” It all seemed a little too Harry Potter for me, but Claudine suggested that I not worry about how difficult things seemed, but focus on the fact that genetically I was more than capable and that my being nervous was just self-defeating. Easy for her to say.
She went out front to talk with Jori for a while and left me in the backyard enjoying the sun, flipping through the book and drinking an endless cup of coffee. I was feeling pretty down about my fae abilities and worried that I wouldn’t get the hang of things. I mean, I know that Claudine would keep helping me, but if this was supposed to be easy I was in big trouble.
The two goddess like fairies came around to the back of the house laughing together and the sun glinted off their hair. They really were amazing creatures. We talked for a little longer and they promised they would come back tomorrow. They made me promise to keep trying today, although Claudine was going to be on alert and promised to mask my scent if needed, and headed off in opposite directions. Jori to her post in the front garden and Claudine, well, she just disappeared as she walked away.
By now it was around 3 pm and I was hungry for lunch. I made a chicken salad and found some fruit. When I came back to the kitchen after showering, someone was buzzing the keypad at the front gate. I checked the monitor and it wasn’t anyone I recognized. I tried to read his thoughts, but they were muddled. Shifter. I pushed the button on the intercom, “Can I help you?”
“Hello ma’m. I hope you can help, I’m looking for Sookie Stackhouse or Eric Northman.”
I had been around Eric long enough to know better than to confirm or deny anything without additional information, “And this is regarding?”
I saw him smile, he probably didn’t realize there was a camera in the monitor, “Alcide sent me, I’m his cousin Luc. He said it was best if I spoke to Miss Stackhouse, but that the message needed to get to the gentleman.”
“I see, and where is Alcide?”
“Ahh, that’s why I’m here ma’m,” he paused and shifted around a little and cleared his throat, “My cousin is in jail.”
Shit. “Come on up.”
I met him at the door and saw his nostrils flare through the glass. I closed my eyes and thought the chant that Claudine had taught me.“Blessed be the fairy Kings - the Earth, the wind the water. Mask my scent, but hold my heart, protect your loving daughter.”
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Dead on New Years Chapter 20
“Sookie, you always think the worst, and you have such a vivid imagination” Bill said with disbelief. Pam looked like someone had poured cold water over her.
Eric raised his eyebrows at Seamus and I, “That is an interesting theory. Is there evidence of Gill doing anything like this in the past?”
Seamus shrugged his shoulders, “You know Gill. I don’t believe his business practices are entirely on the up and up, but I haven’t heard anything like this. But I do think Sookie is right. What kind of references did he give you?”
“I called bars in 3 major cities.” Pam said, “He checked out fine.”
“But none of them were owned by Gill?”
“No. They were smaller bars, mostly human owned by AVL supporters.”
Eric was piecing the puzzle together, “So he moonlighted to put enough money away to escape and build a resume.”
Bill was shaking his head, “How did he think he’d get away with it? We’ve all heard stories about what happens when someone leaves without a trade from one of Gill’s bars.”
I put my hand up, “Sorry to be the human in the bunch, but I haven’t heard the stories. Who is Gill and why is he such a bastard?”
Eric sighed, but Seamus spoke, “He’s a well know club owner in the vamp world. He owned big clubs in major cities even before the reveal. Now they just draw more people – humans and vamps alike. You name it – he’s done it. During prohibition he made bathtub gin and ran moonshine out of the Appalachians. He’s had illegal gambling in a lot of his places, but now he owns a casino in Atlantic City. His philosophy as far as his vamp staff goes is that they are all his children, and he’s a possessive parent. You don’t apply for a transfer, ask for a promotion or quit when you work for him. Gill makes those decisions and let’s you know. If he doesn’t like you he trades you for someone else with another bar owner.”
Pam continued for him, “There’s a story about a waitress that was called by her maker while working his club in New York City. The bar he owned then was in Times Square and it was packed all of the time. You’ve heard us say that you cannot deny it when your maker calls. You MUST go.”
Oh, I knew alright. Bill had abandoned me for that bitch maker of his, thanks for reminding me.
She went on, “The waitress didn’t know what to do but was so drawn by her maker that she left a message for Gill and headed out of the city. His henchmen caught up with her outside of Chicago. After they killed her again he sent money to the Kings of both Illinois and New York State that basically doubled what he would have been fined. At the time we weren’t totally organized, so nothing really came of it at Tribunal – but he sent a message to everyone that he’d rather pay a fortune than lose an employee. By not paying her maker he made a point that his staff owe loyalty to him and that leaving him was not an option.”
Eric ran his hand through his hair, “So losing an asset, like I’m sure he would consider David, in his stable would be quite a blow. He sent me a sign to send him back, or else.”
“Why didn’t he just kill him?” I asked.
“He respects Eric too much. He couldn’t risk killing anyone else in the attack,” Bill answered.
Eric stood, “I believe I must speak to David myself. Pam, I will see you tomorrow night at the bar. Bill, please continue to research Gill’s business practices. I’m intrigued that none of us have heard about this.” They both nodded and gathered their things to leave. Seamus stood and began to follow them, “Irish, it will be good to have you around again.” Seamus gave a little salute and headed out.
“Eric,” I started…
“Yes, lover,” He finished, “I will need to speak to him alone. Vampires are not modest by any means, but I will not ask him to speak the details to anyone else.”
----------------------------
I unpacked and checked my e-mail while Eric spoke with David. I hoped that Eric was not too hard on him and that we could find some way to help. I was tired and really glad to be home. I wandered into the bathroom, the hotel had been nice, but there was nothing like the shower here. I turned on the water and was just undressed when Eric came into the bedroom.
He kicked off his shoes, pulled his shirt over his head and grinned as he let his fangs show, “Would you like some company lover?”
I was considering resisting when he opened his pants to reveal his erection and reason went out the window. I smiled and cupped my breasts, grazing my own nipples with my thumbs. It was all the invitation he needed. In a heartbeat he was naked and stepping into the shower with me. I was ready to be attacked, but he took his time. Caressing my skin and washing my hair. Kneading my breasts and buttocks and kissing me all over. When I tried to reach for him he would push my hand out of the way and continue washing me. His right hand found my center while his other hand grabbed one of mine to hold it over our heads. He was suckling my breast and stroking my core with his finger slowly. Occasionally he would dip one or two fingers into me, but only for a thrust or two. Mostly he continued rubbing the length of my wetness and rubbing my most sensitive spot.
I had my hand in his hair and was trying to keep my balance on weak knees when he dropped down and took me in his mouth. As his mouth worked me he began thrusting his fingers into me over and over. I was riding his hand crying out when he turned his head and drank from my thigh. I hit my head on the shower wall as I came and only continued standing because his hands were on my hips.
I was slowly getting my breath back when he inched his way up my body, licking a path as he rose. By the time his mouth met mine I was panting again and trying to grab his erection and direct it to my core. I couldn’t think of anything I wanted at that moment but to feel him come inside of me. Eric was reading my mind and growling, “Show me where you want me lover.” I was embarrassed, but moved my hand to open myself to him. He groaned in my ear and thrust into me hard and fast. We both sighed and I threw my leg over his hip to get him closer and higher inside of me. He began moving in and out hard and fast and mumbling about my being hot and tight. I didn’t know how he was stringing thoughts or words together while I felt like I was about to burst into a million pieces. He began pulling out to his tip and plunging back into me and after just a few strokes I felt my body tighten around him and liquefy as I came. He grabbed my hips and began to thrust so hard I thought my pelvis might break, but then he was yelling in old Norse and his fangs were sinking into my neck as he came in waves.
When he came back to his senses, Eric helped me out of the shower and wrapped me in a lush black towel. He led me to the bed and began brushing my hair after he towel dried it. I was totally relaxed and just enjoying the feel of the brush on my scalp. He finished and put his arms around me with a sigh, “Lover, it is as you thought. He was used to ‘entertain’ Gill’s wealthy clients for years.”
“Is there anyway to help him? We can’t send him back.”
“There are still some things I need to know before I make definitive plans.”
“Like what?”
“I need to find out more about Gill’s business practices, and I need to find David’s maker. I have several ideas, but I will not risk harm coming to my people.”
Eric raised his eyebrows at Seamus and I, “That is an interesting theory. Is there evidence of Gill doing anything like this in the past?”
Seamus shrugged his shoulders, “You know Gill. I don’t believe his business practices are entirely on the up and up, but I haven’t heard anything like this. But I do think Sookie is right. What kind of references did he give you?”
“I called bars in 3 major cities.” Pam said, “He checked out fine.”
“But none of them were owned by Gill?”
“No. They were smaller bars, mostly human owned by AVL supporters.”
Eric was piecing the puzzle together, “So he moonlighted to put enough money away to escape and build a resume.”
Bill was shaking his head, “How did he think he’d get away with it? We’ve all heard stories about what happens when someone leaves without a trade from one of Gill’s bars.”
I put my hand up, “Sorry to be the human in the bunch, but I haven’t heard the stories. Who is Gill and why is he such a bastard?”
Eric sighed, but Seamus spoke, “He’s a well know club owner in the vamp world. He owned big clubs in major cities even before the reveal. Now they just draw more people – humans and vamps alike. You name it – he’s done it. During prohibition he made bathtub gin and ran moonshine out of the Appalachians. He’s had illegal gambling in a lot of his places, but now he owns a casino in Atlantic City. His philosophy as far as his vamp staff goes is that they are all his children, and he’s a possessive parent. You don’t apply for a transfer, ask for a promotion or quit when you work for him. Gill makes those decisions and let’s you know. If he doesn’t like you he trades you for someone else with another bar owner.”
Pam continued for him, “There’s a story about a waitress that was called by her maker while working his club in New York City. The bar he owned then was in Times Square and it was packed all of the time. You’ve heard us say that you cannot deny it when your maker calls. You MUST go.”
Oh, I knew alright. Bill had abandoned me for that bitch maker of his, thanks for reminding me.
She went on, “The waitress didn’t know what to do but was so drawn by her maker that she left a message for Gill and headed out of the city. His henchmen caught up with her outside of Chicago. After they killed her again he sent money to the Kings of both Illinois and New York State that basically doubled what he would have been fined. At the time we weren’t totally organized, so nothing really came of it at Tribunal – but he sent a message to everyone that he’d rather pay a fortune than lose an employee. By not paying her maker he made a point that his staff owe loyalty to him and that leaving him was not an option.”
Eric ran his hand through his hair, “So losing an asset, like I’m sure he would consider David, in his stable would be quite a blow. He sent me a sign to send him back, or else.”
“Why didn’t he just kill him?” I asked.
“He respects Eric too much. He couldn’t risk killing anyone else in the attack,” Bill answered.
Eric stood, “I believe I must speak to David myself. Pam, I will see you tomorrow night at the bar. Bill, please continue to research Gill’s business practices. I’m intrigued that none of us have heard about this.” They both nodded and gathered their things to leave. Seamus stood and began to follow them, “Irish, it will be good to have you around again.” Seamus gave a little salute and headed out.
“Eric,” I started…
“Yes, lover,” He finished, “I will need to speak to him alone. Vampires are not modest by any means, but I will not ask him to speak the details to anyone else.”
----------------------------
I unpacked and checked my e-mail while Eric spoke with David. I hoped that Eric was not too hard on him and that we could find some way to help. I was tired and really glad to be home. I wandered into the bathroom, the hotel had been nice, but there was nothing like the shower here. I turned on the water and was just undressed when Eric came into the bedroom.
He kicked off his shoes, pulled his shirt over his head and grinned as he let his fangs show, “Would you like some company lover?”
I was considering resisting when he opened his pants to reveal his erection and reason went out the window. I smiled and cupped my breasts, grazing my own nipples with my thumbs. It was all the invitation he needed. In a heartbeat he was naked and stepping into the shower with me. I was ready to be attacked, but he took his time. Caressing my skin and washing my hair. Kneading my breasts and buttocks and kissing me all over. When I tried to reach for him he would push my hand out of the way and continue washing me. His right hand found my center while his other hand grabbed one of mine to hold it over our heads. He was suckling my breast and stroking my core with his finger slowly. Occasionally he would dip one or two fingers into me, but only for a thrust or two. Mostly he continued rubbing the length of my wetness and rubbing my most sensitive spot.
I had my hand in his hair and was trying to keep my balance on weak knees when he dropped down and took me in his mouth. As his mouth worked me he began thrusting his fingers into me over and over. I was riding his hand crying out when he turned his head and drank from my thigh. I hit my head on the shower wall as I came and only continued standing because his hands were on my hips.
I was slowly getting my breath back when he inched his way up my body, licking a path as he rose. By the time his mouth met mine I was panting again and trying to grab his erection and direct it to my core. I couldn’t think of anything I wanted at that moment but to feel him come inside of me. Eric was reading my mind and growling, “Show me where you want me lover.” I was embarrassed, but moved my hand to open myself to him. He groaned in my ear and thrust into me hard and fast. We both sighed and I threw my leg over his hip to get him closer and higher inside of me. He began moving in and out hard and fast and mumbling about my being hot and tight. I didn’t know how he was stringing thoughts or words together while I felt like I was about to burst into a million pieces. He began pulling out to his tip and plunging back into me and after just a few strokes I felt my body tighten around him and liquefy as I came. He grabbed my hips and began to thrust so hard I thought my pelvis might break, but then he was yelling in old Norse and his fangs were sinking into my neck as he came in waves.
When he came back to his senses, Eric helped me out of the shower and wrapped me in a lush black towel. He led me to the bed and began brushing my hair after he towel dried it. I was totally relaxed and just enjoying the feel of the brush on my scalp. He finished and put his arms around me with a sigh, “Lover, it is as you thought. He was used to ‘entertain’ Gill’s wealthy clients for years.”
“Is there anyway to help him? We can’t send him back.”
“There are still some things I need to know before I make definitive plans.”
“Like what?”
“I need to find out more about Gill’s business practices, and I need to find David’s maker. I have several ideas, but I will not risk harm coming to my people.”
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Dead on New Years Chapter 19
Eric was listening as Pam gave him a more accurate run down of the damage and injuries incurred the night before at Fangtasia. I had cleaned up our torn clothing by the door and found something else to wear. Using the hotel phone I ordered room service for a snack and waited to get an update from Eric.
He was just hanging up the phone when there was a knock at the door. I could not hear anyone thinking outside, so I had no idea who it was, but clearly it was a vamp. I stepped to open the door and Eric gently pushed me out of the way. “No lover, I will see who it is.” He was sending soothing thoughts through the bond; apparently he was still on edge with the trial and the attack at home last night.
When the door opened, I was glad that Eric had pushed me away; I couldn’t have been responsible for my salutation (word of the day) upon greeting the King tonight. I was ready to go home and check on my friends, but I knew that we had at least one more event to attend for Felipe before we could leave tomorrow evening. “Northman, Miss Stackhouse,” he said as he entered with his body guard. “I hope that you had a pleasant evening at the hotel miss.”
I was really over him this weekend, but maybe he was trying to be nice, “Yes your highness. It was lovely.”
“Eric, I have some final things to discuss with you before the closing gathering. I need you to come to the board room with me.”
Eric nodded and gave me a quick kiss before following the King out the door. It was about 4am and we had an hour until the closing ceremony or whatever Felipe wanted to call it. From what I could get out of Eric and Ellsey it was basically a toast and nothing more. With Eric gone I was anxious to hear what Pam had to say about last night, so I called her myself.
“Sookie. Are you asking me to repeat myself?”
“Yes Pam. Eric left with Felipe and I just wanted to find out if there was anything I should know?”
“I do not believe that there is anything specifically for you to worry about. Barry seems to be correct that the attack was aimed at David. Felicia is saying it is related to your curse, but she says it may be lifting since no one was killed.”
I asked about the humans that had been injured and Pam assured me that they had been contacted and informed that Eric would cover all of their medical bills. Two waitresses had quit because of the attack, but there was always a line of fangbangers ready to step in. Repairs had begun and she expected David to be up and around the following evening. He was staying in a secret location on Eric’s property and would not be allowed to leave until he had spoken with Eric. She did not recognize any of the vampires, but had already sent security footage to Bill to see if he could identify anyone in his data base.
I let her get back to supervising the contractors and finished getting ready for the King’s farewell.
I’m not sure how much later it was, but the next thing I knew Eric was lifting me from the couch and carrying me to bed. I sighed and muttered something about the toast and he laughed, telling me I had slept through it. He got us undressed and laid down with me, promising me we would go home when we woke up.
-----------------------------------------
We stopped at the bar first to check on the damage and the progress. Several windows were boarded up as we drove past the front of the bar and I could feel Eric’s anger rising. When we entered Fangtasia, he was thoroughly upset about the damage to the bar itself. Apparently he had salvaged it from somewhere in Key West that had been destroyed in a hurricane. It had been a beautiful bar, but now it was being removed piece by piece. Eric was carrying-on to Pam in another language and pointing at things in a catalog. I don’t think he was pleased with some of her decisions, but you had to admit, she had the crews working hard to get the place back open.
After Eric had calmed down a bit we headed for the house. Pam was following us and Bill was meeting us there, he had apparently been chosen to be there when David awoke and to keep him there for our arrival.
We were sitting in the dining area, and Eric was ready to start interrogating David to find out what he knew when there was a knock at the front door. Eric rolled his eyes and Pam got up to see who it was. Seamus stood outside with a shit-eating grin on his face. He gave Pam a hug and came in to the room, “Just checking in Sheriff. I intend to spend some time in your district, so I thought I’d stop by on my way to Ellsey’s.”
“How very proper of you,” Eric said with a slight smile. “You may even be of use this evening. Did you hear about the attack on my bar last evening? It seems our new bartender was the target.”
“I heard a little…” he started, but then he seemed to get a good look at David. “Oh shit,” he said looking right at the bartender, “You are so screwed kid.”
If looks could kill the undead, David would have met his final death right then. Eric was practically fuming. “Seamus – do you know David?”
“I don’t KNOW him. I remember him from a vamp bar in Buckhead outside of Atlanta. That was, oh, 5 years ago?”
“And why is he, as you said, screwed?”
Seamus actually chuckled, “Because if your bar got attacked he didn’t come to you honestly.” He looked at David and shook his head, “You may have covered your tracks, but you didn’t do any research on who hired you. The Viking will kill you himself before allowing you to bring this shit down on him.”
Pam interjected with a look of dread on her face, “What bar in Buckhead?”
“The Bait Shack.”
Eric practically came out of his chair. All of the calm I could send meant nothing. I had no idea what was happening, what this Bait Shack meant, but it was bad. Through gritted teeth Eric spoke to David, “Explain. Now.”
David put his chin up, “I quit, that’s all. And I moved here.”
Eric actually laughed, but it was not a pleasant sound, “You don’t just ‘quit’ working for Gill. How long were you on his circuit?”
Still defiant, David said, “Fifteen years.”
“Then you clearly know that ‘quitting’ wasn’t an option. Why did you leave?”
“I was done.”
“You would rather meet the sun than work for Gill anymore? Because that’s what will happen when he catches up with you.” Eric shook his head, “Did you expect me to protect you? You are nothing to me.”
“I was hoping I wouldn’t get caught.”
Pam spoke up, “I know that Gill believes his staff is his property, but this one isn’t even a great bartender – why come after him?”
David’s shoulders slumped a little and I recognized something human in him. She was right – it wasn’t about the drinks. “What did you do besides work behind the bar?” I asked. His eyes flew to mine and then hit the floor. I think if I hadn’t been drinking Eric’s blood regularly I wouldn’t have seen it. No one else seemed to understand. Eric was thinking about how soon he could turn David over the Gill. Bill and Seamus were searching for something using the laptop and Pam was looking me like I had lost my mind. I put my arm on Eric’s shoulder and told David, “Take a walk outside with Thor.”
“Sookie – What?” Eric started to think.
“We need to talk. You can’t turn him over to Gill.”
“What? Lover, you can’t save him.”
“Eric – send him outside. I’ll explain.”
“Fine,” he thought. “Bartender – go outside with the beast. I’ll call you in a moment.”
David and Thor headed out the slider and everyone looked at me. “You really don’t get it, do you?” I said looking around. “It’s not about the bartending.” Seamus finally seemed to catch on. I could see it in his eyes, but no one else. “If you look that good and you can’t make a great drink – why else would Gill keep him working at the bar?”
“Agh – I can’t even believe Gill would be so low,” Seamus said.
Eric was looking at me like if he stared hard enough he would figure it out. “What?”
“They used him as a whore,” Seamus said.
He was just hanging up the phone when there was a knock at the door. I could not hear anyone thinking outside, so I had no idea who it was, but clearly it was a vamp. I stepped to open the door and Eric gently pushed me out of the way. “No lover, I will see who it is.” He was sending soothing thoughts through the bond; apparently he was still on edge with the trial and the attack at home last night.
When the door opened, I was glad that Eric had pushed me away; I couldn’t have been responsible for my salutation (word of the day) upon greeting the King tonight. I was ready to go home and check on my friends, but I knew that we had at least one more event to attend for Felipe before we could leave tomorrow evening. “Northman, Miss Stackhouse,” he said as he entered with his body guard. “I hope that you had a pleasant evening at the hotel miss.”
I was really over him this weekend, but maybe he was trying to be nice, “Yes your highness. It was lovely.”
“Eric, I have some final things to discuss with you before the closing gathering. I need you to come to the board room with me.”
Eric nodded and gave me a quick kiss before following the King out the door. It was about 4am and we had an hour until the closing ceremony or whatever Felipe wanted to call it. From what I could get out of Eric and Ellsey it was basically a toast and nothing more. With Eric gone I was anxious to hear what Pam had to say about last night, so I called her myself.
“Sookie. Are you asking me to repeat myself?”
“Yes Pam. Eric left with Felipe and I just wanted to find out if there was anything I should know?”
“I do not believe that there is anything specifically for you to worry about. Barry seems to be correct that the attack was aimed at David. Felicia is saying it is related to your curse, but she says it may be lifting since no one was killed.”
I asked about the humans that had been injured and Pam assured me that they had been contacted and informed that Eric would cover all of their medical bills. Two waitresses had quit because of the attack, but there was always a line of fangbangers ready to step in. Repairs had begun and she expected David to be up and around the following evening. He was staying in a secret location on Eric’s property and would not be allowed to leave until he had spoken with Eric. She did not recognize any of the vampires, but had already sent security footage to Bill to see if he could identify anyone in his data base.
I let her get back to supervising the contractors and finished getting ready for the King’s farewell.
I’m not sure how much later it was, but the next thing I knew Eric was lifting me from the couch and carrying me to bed. I sighed and muttered something about the toast and he laughed, telling me I had slept through it. He got us undressed and laid down with me, promising me we would go home when we woke up.
-----------------------------------------
We stopped at the bar first to check on the damage and the progress. Several windows were boarded up as we drove past the front of the bar and I could feel Eric’s anger rising. When we entered Fangtasia, he was thoroughly upset about the damage to the bar itself. Apparently he had salvaged it from somewhere in Key West that had been destroyed in a hurricane. It had been a beautiful bar, but now it was being removed piece by piece. Eric was carrying-on to Pam in another language and pointing at things in a catalog. I don’t think he was pleased with some of her decisions, but you had to admit, she had the crews working hard to get the place back open.
After Eric had calmed down a bit we headed for the house. Pam was following us and Bill was meeting us there, he had apparently been chosen to be there when David awoke and to keep him there for our arrival.
We were sitting in the dining area, and Eric was ready to start interrogating David to find out what he knew when there was a knock at the front door. Eric rolled his eyes and Pam got up to see who it was. Seamus stood outside with a shit-eating grin on his face. He gave Pam a hug and came in to the room, “Just checking in Sheriff. I intend to spend some time in your district, so I thought I’d stop by on my way to Ellsey’s.”
“How very proper of you,” Eric said with a slight smile. “You may even be of use this evening. Did you hear about the attack on my bar last evening? It seems our new bartender was the target.”
“I heard a little…” he started, but then he seemed to get a good look at David. “Oh shit,” he said looking right at the bartender, “You are so screwed kid.”
If looks could kill the undead, David would have met his final death right then. Eric was practically fuming. “Seamus – do you know David?”
“I don’t KNOW him. I remember him from a vamp bar in Buckhead outside of Atlanta. That was, oh, 5 years ago?”
“And why is he, as you said, screwed?”
Seamus actually chuckled, “Because if your bar got attacked he didn’t come to you honestly.” He looked at David and shook his head, “You may have covered your tracks, but you didn’t do any research on who hired you. The Viking will kill you himself before allowing you to bring this shit down on him.”
Pam interjected with a look of dread on her face, “What bar in Buckhead?”
“The Bait Shack.”
Eric practically came out of his chair. All of the calm I could send meant nothing. I had no idea what was happening, what this Bait Shack meant, but it was bad. Through gritted teeth Eric spoke to David, “Explain. Now.”
David put his chin up, “I quit, that’s all. And I moved here.”
Eric actually laughed, but it was not a pleasant sound, “You don’t just ‘quit’ working for Gill. How long were you on his circuit?”
Still defiant, David said, “Fifteen years.”
“Then you clearly know that ‘quitting’ wasn’t an option. Why did you leave?”
“I was done.”
“You would rather meet the sun than work for Gill anymore? Because that’s what will happen when he catches up with you.” Eric shook his head, “Did you expect me to protect you? You are nothing to me.”
“I was hoping I wouldn’t get caught.”
Pam spoke up, “I know that Gill believes his staff is his property, but this one isn’t even a great bartender – why come after him?”
David’s shoulders slumped a little and I recognized something human in him. She was right – it wasn’t about the drinks. “What did you do besides work behind the bar?” I asked. His eyes flew to mine and then hit the floor. I think if I hadn’t been drinking Eric’s blood regularly I wouldn’t have seen it. No one else seemed to understand. Eric was thinking about how soon he could turn David over the Gill. Bill and Seamus were searching for something using the laptop and Pam was looking me like I had lost my mind. I put my arm on Eric’s shoulder and told David, “Take a walk outside with Thor.”
“Sookie – What?” Eric started to think.
“We need to talk. You can’t turn him over to Gill.”
“What? Lover, you can’t save him.”
“Eric – send him outside. I’ll explain.”
“Fine,” he thought. “Bartender – go outside with the beast. I’ll call you in a moment.”
David and Thor headed out the slider and everyone looked at me. “You really don’t get it, do you?” I said looking around. “It’s not about the bartending.” Seamus finally seemed to catch on. I could see it in his eyes, but no one else. “If you look that good and you can’t make a great drink – why else would Gill keep him working at the bar?”
“Agh – I can’t even believe Gill would be so low,” Seamus said.
Eric was looking at me like if he stared hard enough he would figure it out. “What?”
“They used him as a whore,” Seamus said.
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