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.
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Dead on New Years Chapter 18
I got up before Eric as usual and made coffee while checking my voice-mails. I had an hour and half, maybe 2 hours to myself to relax. Message one, Sam warning me to be careful. Message two, Amelia warning me to be safe. Message three, Alcide telling me to stay close to Eric and be alert. Weird, but he knew I was coming to the trial. Message four, Barry, “Call me. Immediately.” Oh, no, that’s bad.
I dialed and he answered on the second ring, “What’s up Barry? That was a cryptic message.”
“Sookie! Dude. Listen, we’ve had some problems here over night. I need you to have Eric call me as soon as he wakes. No fooling around in the shower or on the breakfast bar or anything you crazy kids normally do first thing. I need him to call me.”
I was a little surprised at how accurate he was about where Eric and I liked to fool around, but I didn’t want to get into that with Barry. “Is everyone okay? Where’s Pam?”
“Everyone is okay, even the humans, which I can’t believe. But I think Pam will probably sleep in a little tonight. The bar‘ll be closed for repairs.” He was sighing and I could imagine him shaking his head, his shaggy hair flying. “It was nuts, Sook. These vamp dudes came in the bar just before closing and messed the place up. Like dirty freakin’ Harry. You should see the surveillance footage. You know how Pam always says, ‘carnage’? That’s what it was. Man, I got this crazy call from Felicia to wake my sorry ass up and get down there, but like what am I gonna do against the vamp mafia or whatever they were? I called 911, cuz it still scares some of the vamps to have the cops show up. Then I called Dr Ludwig and headed out. Carnage Sookie – crazy bloody gooey vamp carnage.”
“So were they after anyone in particular? Or just taking advantage of Eric being gone?”
“That’s what’s crazy; I think they were after David. You know, the bartender that thinks he’s a freakin’ Greek god? I mean, they TORE UP the part of the bar he was working.”
“Is he okay?”
“Yeah, he had a couple of nasty wounds and holes, but with a good sleep in the ground the doc said he’d be okay.”
“Barry, I’m not getting it… holes, like bullet holes? Did they have guns?”
“Did they have guns? What do you think I meant when I said mafia!? They had guns, tire irons, baseball bats, silver chains…”
I interrupted him, he could go on sometimes. “So they weren’t trying to kill the vampires? Just mess up the bar and stir everyone up?”
“I guess. I don’t know what they wanted, but I’m freakin’ scared. Dude, when I got home I like triple locked the doors and shut Thor in the bedroom with me – and that dog scares the crap out of me. I’ll tell you what, that David dude, he can fight though. I think some of the chicks got hurt because they were distracted watching him.”
“Okay, just hang tight. I’ll have Eric call you as soon as he gets up.”
“No hanky panky.”
“Right. I’ll have him call you.” I chuckled to myself, for some reason I think “hanky panky” is one of the dumbest phrases on the planet. And it always reminds me of Long Duck Dong in Sixteen Candles saying, “No yanky my wanky.” I love the 80’s, I can’t help it.
So much for my two hours of relaxing. I could soak in the tub or watch TV, but I wasn’t going to relax, and I had a bad feeling that I was not going to be allowed to go to the trial tonight. I decided I had better get dressed, grab my key and phone and get out of the room before my Viking put me on house arrest.
It was around 2:30 in the afternoon and I hadn’t eaten yet. I knew I was pushing it being out in the open, but I really figured last night was about David, so I tried to stay close to the hotel. I found a little place to order a shrimp po’boy and washed it down with a coke. New Orleans is quite a place to visit, no matter how many times you’ve been here. I didn’t really think about where I was going, but ended up in my favorite place, Jackson Square. If I was going to get a moment of relaxation, it would be here. Between the Mississippi River and the great Cathedral I just sat on a bench and breathed. I felt better after a few minutes, and then I smelled heaven. My sense of smell had definitely improved with the blood Eric and I were sharing. I knew I should head back, but my feet took me straight to the smell - Café Du Monde. Mmmmmm….chicory coffee. I didn’t have room for a beignet after the po’boy, but I always had room for café au lait. I ordered 2 to go and headed back to the hotel.
I set the spare coffee down and made my way into the bedroom. Eric’s cheek was twitching a little bit, I loved to watch him wake up. I sat down on the window seat and sipped the coffee while I waited for him to move a little more and start to stretch. He sensed me, stretched and sighed, “I do not want to know lover.”
“I think you do.”
“No, I do not want to know why you are not naked and in my bed.”
His naked body was seriously, seriously, inviting, but I held it together. “I don’t think we have time for that right now. You need to call Barry as soon as you can function. There was a problem last night at the bar.”
He rubbed his face a little and rolled onto his stomach and looked at me, “A problem involving money or blood, humans or vamps?”
“Blood and vamps. Well, and a few human patrons, but everyone is okay. Call Barry. It sounds like the attack was aimed at your new bartender.”
“The male?”
“Yes, his name is David.”
He huffed a little and rolled for his phone, thinking to himself that running a bar was a gigantic pain in the ass. I went back out in the living area and drank my coffee while reading the newspaper that had been outside our door.
A few minutes later Eric wandered into the living area, still naked, and still on his phone. “Yes, thank you. We’ll see you shortly.” He hung up and sighed as he grabbed a blood and put it in the microwave. “Lover, we’ve had a slight change in plans.”
“Are we going home?”
“That is very much what I would like us to do lover, but no. The King is dismayed about what happened in Shreveport, but he wants me to stay here as planned through tomorrow.”
“He wants you to stay?”
“No, lover. He wants us both to stay. However, he is concerned about the possibility of something happening this evening and wants you to stay at the hotel during the trial. I’m afraid that I have to say that I agree with him.”
I nodded. “I kind of figured after I talked to Barry.”
He glanced at my coffee, “Yet you went into the city for a coffee run?”
I smiled, “Yup, took full advantage of my freedom. I got a sandwich too.”
He laughed and sat next to me on the couch. “Lover, I am sorry. I have been worried about your coming to the trial. There will only be a handful of humans there and I was afraid that some vamps might be upset with your presence, but I was sure we could handle it. With this added threat though, we cannot risk having you there. Ellsey is going to stay with you. You can go to the spa or the gym, or just wait here. It’s up to you as long as you stay in the hotel. It will be the safest place.”
I nodded, it wasn’t really worth fighting about. “So, is the King sorry he was so rude to me last night?”
Eric just looked at me blankly for a second; sometimes he forgot that small slights were stored in the human mind so easily. “I’m sure he is lover,” he tried to cover; “He has been greatly enjoying flaunting his superiority as King here in Louisiana. He meant nothing by it.”
“Sure. So, you’re going to have to go soon, how long will everything take?”
“I will meet everyone at the warehouse in an hour for the final preparations, then Simon will have Booker moved to meet us there. Depending on how many people Felipe has found to speak against the captain, it could take an hour or two. Remember though, there are a few other cases that will go first. The King decided he wanted to host a full tribunal of cases in the area while he was here.”
“Power trip, much?”
“Sookie. You must learn not to say such things.”
“I don’t say them to anyone but you.”
He put his arms around me and laid me back on the couch. “Yes, but you might have a slip of the tongue someday,” he said into my ear as his own tongue began slipping in and around my ear and his hands worked the buttons on my shirt.
“You have to get ready to go.”
“I’m fast, remember?”
“Yes,” I sighed as his tongue found my breast, “But maybe it would be faster if we did this in the shower?”
“Mmmmm…I like the way you think lover.” He pulled me up to standing and finished removing my clothes. He was already naked, so he put me over his shoulder and took me to the bathroom so we could fully appreciate the rain water showerhead and each other.
--------------------------------
Ellsey and I spent a few hours in her room looking over catalogs to order new inventory for her shop. Around 2am there was a knock at the door and I excitedly thought Eric was back, although I couldn’t hear him thinking out there. But no, the door opened and Ellsey was swept into Seamus’ arms and a hot kiss. After a moment I cleared my throat. I didn’t want any “hanky panky” starting until I could get out of there to give them privacy.
Seamus stepped back, still holding her in is arms and his eyes searched for the noise. He found me and grinned, “You are a serious cock block, woman.”
I laughed and followed him as he led everyone toward the couch and sitting area. “So is it over?” I asked.
“All but the crying,” he joked. “Yeah, the tribunal was fast, but nasty. They came up with some new punishments.” He shuddered and continued, “The Viking should be back soon.”
“How was the trial part?”
“The sea dog? Well, his maker showed up and let’s just say that didn’t go over well.”
“His maker showed up to defend him?”
“Ah, no, she wanted to kill him.”
“Felipe?” Ellsey gasped.
“No, Booker. She said she would not be responsible for this or any future infractions that the fool was to make. After a little pushing and shoving to get her to the front and then some yelling and finger pointing it all worked out. Felipe was quite pleased that she was so upset with her child.”
“What did they decide to do to him?” I asked.
He winked, “Super secret vampire politics.”
“They’re killing him? Sending him to the sun?”
“Something like that. I think I’ll let Eric give you the details as he sees fit.”
Just then there was a knock on the door. Eric came in and I met him near the door. He pulled me into his arms and kissed me fiercely. Whoa. Lover, I need you. NOW. Let us go.
I turned to say goodbye and noticed that Seamus had Ellsey on the couch and was beginning to take her clothes off. Okay then. I grabbed my room key and phone and led Eric out of the room. Luckily our room was only at the other end of the hall, because my shirt was shredded by the time we got there.
We were barely inside the door when Eric had me on the floor and was ripping at my clothes. His pants were open and he was inside of me in an instant. He was biting me all over, taking little nips and sips and muttering in that ancient language I still didn’t know. Then he sank his fangs into my jugular and we both came. I was shuddering and Eric was growling as he drank. When we could breathe again he began brushing the hair out of my eyes and gently feathering kisses on my eyelids and nose. He looked me in the eye for a moment and then sat up a little, drawing his fingernail across the tight skin on his chest. I held his eyes as long as I could and then moved forward to drink. He moaned a little and began moving slowly inside of me again. I licked at his wound and matched his slow rhythm. We took our time and I came again as I felt his body tense for his own release.
He carried me to the bed and sighed as he put his arms around me. “Eric, is everything alright?”
“Yes lover. This whole weekend has just reminded me of what my life used to be like and I had to get back to you and know that what we have now is real.”
I held his hands and tightened his arms around me, “It’s real Eric. I’m not going anywhere.”
“Neither am I lover. Neither am I.”
We lay like that for a while, just being together. Finally, I rolled over and faced him. I put my hand on his cheek, “Tell me what happened tonight at the trial.”
He looked me in the eyes and smiled sadly. “What did Seamus say?”
“He told us the Booker’s maker showed up to kill him, but that Felipe wouldn’t let her. He didn’t tell us the outcome of the hearing. He said that it was up to you to give me the details.”
“Yes. Felipe was pleased that Seychelle showed up to reprimand her child, but he would not give her the glory or the power to finish things. After a number of people testified against him, Booker began to look worse and worse. It sounds like he is the one that brought Lars into the plan. The King called him a traitor and a terrorist and announced that he would be sent to meet the sun, chained to a tree in the bayou. That way either the sun or the gators will finish him.”
“That is disgusting.”
“Be glad that I was not assigned to guard him to be sure that he meets his final death. Simon was given that task.”
“Eew – you guys are brutal.” He chuckled a little and leaned over to kiss me. I heard his cell phone start ringing in the other room with our abandoned clothes. Guns N Roses “Sweet Child of Mine” was blaring. I sighed, “That’s Pam’s ring tone. You’d better go get it.”
I dialed and he answered on the second ring, “What’s up Barry? That was a cryptic message.”
“Sookie! Dude. Listen, we’ve had some problems here over night. I need you to have Eric call me as soon as he wakes. No fooling around in the shower or on the breakfast bar or anything you crazy kids normally do first thing. I need him to call me.”
I was a little surprised at how accurate he was about where Eric and I liked to fool around, but I didn’t want to get into that with Barry. “Is everyone okay? Where’s Pam?”
“Everyone is okay, even the humans, which I can’t believe. But I think Pam will probably sleep in a little tonight. The bar‘ll be closed for repairs.” He was sighing and I could imagine him shaking his head, his shaggy hair flying. “It was nuts, Sook. These vamp dudes came in the bar just before closing and messed the place up. Like dirty freakin’ Harry. You should see the surveillance footage. You know how Pam always says, ‘carnage’? That’s what it was. Man, I got this crazy call from Felicia to wake my sorry ass up and get down there, but like what am I gonna do against the vamp mafia or whatever they were? I called 911, cuz it still scares some of the vamps to have the cops show up. Then I called Dr Ludwig and headed out. Carnage Sookie – crazy bloody gooey vamp carnage.”
“So were they after anyone in particular? Or just taking advantage of Eric being gone?”
“That’s what’s crazy; I think they were after David. You know, the bartender that thinks he’s a freakin’ Greek god? I mean, they TORE UP the part of the bar he was working.”
“Is he okay?”
“Yeah, he had a couple of nasty wounds and holes, but with a good sleep in the ground the doc said he’d be okay.”
“Barry, I’m not getting it… holes, like bullet holes? Did they have guns?”
“Did they have guns? What do you think I meant when I said mafia!? They had guns, tire irons, baseball bats, silver chains…”
I interrupted him, he could go on sometimes. “So they weren’t trying to kill the vampires? Just mess up the bar and stir everyone up?”
“I guess. I don’t know what they wanted, but I’m freakin’ scared. Dude, when I got home I like triple locked the doors and shut Thor in the bedroom with me – and that dog scares the crap out of me. I’ll tell you what, that David dude, he can fight though. I think some of the chicks got hurt because they were distracted watching him.”
“Okay, just hang tight. I’ll have Eric call you as soon as he gets up.”
“No hanky panky.”
“Right. I’ll have him call you.” I chuckled to myself, for some reason I think “hanky panky” is one of the dumbest phrases on the planet. And it always reminds me of Long Duck Dong in Sixteen Candles saying, “No yanky my wanky.” I love the 80’s, I can’t help it.
So much for my two hours of relaxing. I could soak in the tub or watch TV, but I wasn’t going to relax, and I had a bad feeling that I was not going to be allowed to go to the trial tonight. I decided I had better get dressed, grab my key and phone and get out of the room before my Viking put me on house arrest.
It was around 2:30 in the afternoon and I hadn’t eaten yet. I knew I was pushing it being out in the open, but I really figured last night was about David, so I tried to stay close to the hotel. I found a little place to order a shrimp po’boy and washed it down with a coke. New Orleans is quite a place to visit, no matter how many times you’ve been here. I didn’t really think about where I was going, but ended up in my favorite place, Jackson Square. If I was going to get a moment of relaxation, it would be here. Between the Mississippi River and the great Cathedral I just sat on a bench and breathed. I felt better after a few minutes, and then I smelled heaven. My sense of smell had definitely improved with the blood Eric and I were sharing. I knew I should head back, but my feet took me straight to the smell - Café Du Monde. Mmmmmm….chicory coffee. I didn’t have room for a beignet after the po’boy, but I always had room for café au lait. I ordered 2 to go and headed back to the hotel.
I set the spare coffee down and made my way into the bedroom. Eric’s cheek was twitching a little bit, I loved to watch him wake up. I sat down on the window seat and sipped the coffee while I waited for him to move a little more and start to stretch. He sensed me, stretched and sighed, “I do not want to know lover.”
“I think you do.”
“No, I do not want to know why you are not naked and in my bed.”
His naked body was seriously, seriously, inviting, but I held it together. “I don’t think we have time for that right now. You need to call Barry as soon as you can function. There was a problem last night at the bar.”
He rubbed his face a little and rolled onto his stomach and looked at me, “A problem involving money or blood, humans or vamps?”
“Blood and vamps. Well, and a few human patrons, but everyone is okay. Call Barry. It sounds like the attack was aimed at your new bartender.”
“The male?”
“Yes, his name is David.”
He huffed a little and rolled for his phone, thinking to himself that running a bar was a gigantic pain in the ass. I went back out in the living area and drank my coffee while reading the newspaper that had been outside our door.
A few minutes later Eric wandered into the living area, still naked, and still on his phone. “Yes, thank you. We’ll see you shortly.” He hung up and sighed as he grabbed a blood and put it in the microwave. “Lover, we’ve had a slight change in plans.”
“Are we going home?”
“That is very much what I would like us to do lover, but no. The King is dismayed about what happened in Shreveport, but he wants me to stay here as planned through tomorrow.”
“He wants you to stay?”
“No, lover. He wants us both to stay. However, he is concerned about the possibility of something happening this evening and wants you to stay at the hotel during the trial. I’m afraid that I have to say that I agree with him.”
I nodded. “I kind of figured after I talked to Barry.”
He glanced at my coffee, “Yet you went into the city for a coffee run?”
I smiled, “Yup, took full advantage of my freedom. I got a sandwich too.”
He laughed and sat next to me on the couch. “Lover, I am sorry. I have been worried about your coming to the trial. There will only be a handful of humans there and I was afraid that some vamps might be upset with your presence, but I was sure we could handle it. With this added threat though, we cannot risk having you there. Ellsey is going to stay with you. You can go to the spa or the gym, or just wait here. It’s up to you as long as you stay in the hotel. It will be the safest place.”
I nodded, it wasn’t really worth fighting about. “So, is the King sorry he was so rude to me last night?”
Eric just looked at me blankly for a second; sometimes he forgot that small slights were stored in the human mind so easily. “I’m sure he is lover,” he tried to cover; “He has been greatly enjoying flaunting his superiority as King here in Louisiana. He meant nothing by it.”
“Sure. So, you’re going to have to go soon, how long will everything take?”
“I will meet everyone at the warehouse in an hour for the final preparations, then Simon will have Booker moved to meet us there. Depending on how many people Felipe has found to speak against the captain, it could take an hour or two. Remember though, there are a few other cases that will go first. The King decided he wanted to host a full tribunal of cases in the area while he was here.”
“Power trip, much?”
“Sookie. You must learn not to say such things.”
“I don’t say them to anyone but you.”
He put his arms around me and laid me back on the couch. “Yes, but you might have a slip of the tongue someday,” he said into my ear as his own tongue began slipping in and around my ear and his hands worked the buttons on my shirt.
“You have to get ready to go.”
“I’m fast, remember?”
“Yes,” I sighed as his tongue found my breast, “But maybe it would be faster if we did this in the shower?”
“Mmmmm…I like the way you think lover.” He pulled me up to standing and finished removing my clothes. He was already naked, so he put me over his shoulder and took me to the bathroom so we could fully appreciate the rain water showerhead and each other.
--------------------------------
Ellsey and I spent a few hours in her room looking over catalogs to order new inventory for her shop. Around 2am there was a knock at the door and I excitedly thought Eric was back, although I couldn’t hear him thinking out there. But no, the door opened and Ellsey was swept into Seamus’ arms and a hot kiss. After a moment I cleared my throat. I didn’t want any “hanky panky” starting until I could get out of there to give them privacy.
Seamus stepped back, still holding her in is arms and his eyes searched for the noise. He found me and grinned, “You are a serious cock block, woman.”
I laughed and followed him as he led everyone toward the couch and sitting area. “So is it over?” I asked.
“All but the crying,” he joked. “Yeah, the tribunal was fast, but nasty. They came up with some new punishments.” He shuddered and continued, “The Viking should be back soon.”
“How was the trial part?”
“The sea dog? Well, his maker showed up and let’s just say that didn’t go over well.”
“His maker showed up to defend him?”
“Ah, no, she wanted to kill him.”
“Felipe?” Ellsey gasped.
“No, Booker. She said she would not be responsible for this or any future infractions that the fool was to make. After a little pushing and shoving to get her to the front and then some yelling and finger pointing it all worked out. Felipe was quite pleased that she was so upset with her child.”
“What did they decide to do to him?” I asked.
He winked, “Super secret vampire politics.”
“They’re killing him? Sending him to the sun?”
“Something like that. I think I’ll let Eric give you the details as he sees fit.”
Just then there was a knock on the door. Eric came in and I met him near the door. He pulled me into his arms and kissed me fiercely. Whoa. Lover, I need you. NOW. Let us go.
I turned to say goodbye and noticed that Seamus had Ellsey on the couch and was beginning to take her clothes off. Okay then. I grabbed my room key and phone and led Eric out of the room. Luckily our room was only at the other end of the hall, because my shirt was shredded by the time we got there.
We were barely inside the door when Eric had me on the floor and was ripping at my clothes. His pants were open and he was inside of me in an instant. He was biting me all over, taking little nips and sips and muttering in that ancient language I still didn’t know. Then he sank his fangs into my jugular and we both came. I was shuddering and Eric was growling as he drank. When we could breathe again he began brushing the hair out of my eyes and gently feathering kisses on my eyelids and nose. He looked me in the eye for a moment and then sat up a little, drawing his fingernail across the tight skin on his chest. I held his eyes as long as I could and then moved forward to drink. He moaned a little and began moving slowly inside of me again. I licked at his wound and matched his slow rhythm. We took our time and I came again as I felt his body tense for his own release.
He carried me to the bed and sighed as he put his arms around me. “Eric, is everything alright?”
“Yes lover. This whole weekend has just reminded me of what my life used to be like and I had to get back to you and know that what we have now is real.”
I held his hands and tightened his arms around me, “It’s real Eric. I’m not going anywhere.”
“Neither am I lover. Neither am I.”
We lay like that for a while, just being together. Finally, I rolled over and faced him. I put my hand on his cheek, “Tell me what happened tonight at the trial.”
He looked me in the eyes and smiled sadly. “What did Seamus say?”
“He told us the Booker’s maker showed up to kill him, but that Felipe wouldn’t let her. He didn’t tell us the outcome of the hearing. He said that it was up to you to give me the details.”
“Yes. Felipe was pleased that Seychelle showed up to reprimand her child, but he would not give her the glory or the power to finish things. After a number of people testified against him, Booker began to look worse and worse. It sounds like he is the one that brought Lars into the plan. The King called him a traitor and a terrorist and announced that he would be sent to meet the sun, chained to a tree in the bayou. That way either the sun or the gators will finish him.”
“That is disgusting.”
“Be glad that I was not assigned to guard him to be sure that he meets his final death. Simon was given that task.”
“Eew – you guys are brutal.” He chuckled a little and leaned over to kiss me. I heard his cell phone start ringing in the other room with our abandoned clothes. Guns N Roses “Sweet Child of Mine” was blaring. I sighed, “That’s Pam’s ring tone. You’d better go get it.”
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Dead on New Years Chapter 17
I woke up and discovered we were in a parking garage underground. I shook my head a little and looked at Eric, “I fell asleep?”
He just smirked, “You closed your eyes because you didn’t want to see how fast everything was flying by as I drove.”
A man dressed in black from head to toe opened my door and helped me out of the car. I swiveled my legs out first just like Pam and Ellsey had taught me, so I didn’t flash anyone like Lindsay Lohan, and stepped carefully in my new stiletto heals. Eric had been busy at the bar for the last week getting things ready for our absence and dealing with the New Orleans vamps to get ready for Felipe’s arrival. Pam and Ellsey had acted as my personal wardrobe consultants and had sent me on shopping trips during the day so they could critique my purchases each night. It was like my own personal episode of “What Not to Wear,” hosted by a soccer mom/latex queen and a lingerie store owner. Eric had been quite impressed with their make-over on me and I was a little afraid we wouldn’t make it out of the house when I stepped into the living room this evening.
We entered the lobby and I hung back a little while he went to register us at the front desk. As I waited I took in the goth décor and the array of people waiting in the lobby - Supes, vamps, humans and a few people who must have been the same type of being as Dr. Ludwig, although I still wasn’t sure what that was. I didn’t see anyone I knew, even though Bill, Chan, Ellsey and several other vamps I knew were planning to come over for the events. Suddenly I realized that someone was watching me, I knew it was a vamp because I couldn’t hear a thing, but I felt the eyes boring into me. Eric was still charming the girl at the front desk when I realized that a tall vamp dressed in a very expensive suit was mesmerized and beginning to walk across the lobby towards me. I was nervous but didn’t want to cause a scene, so I tried to pretend I didn’t see him coming. When he stood directly in front of me, he cocked his head and took a huge sniff of the air around us, sighing as he exhaled. OH SHIT.
Eric arrived just as the man reached to take my hand. He stepped in between us and glanced at the man and then laughed, “Seamus. I see you’ve sniffed out Sookie.”
The man seemed to snap out of it and glanced at Eric. He made a huffing noise and looked at me again for a second and then back at Eric saying, “I should have known.” He purposefully took my hand and kissed the back of it, “You and I will need to speak later.” He winked at me and walked away.
“Umm, what just happened?”
“That was Seamus, he….it’s a long story. But he is right, you will want to speak to him this weekend.”
“Okay, strange. He smelled me though, so am I sending off a smell to attract all of the vampires?”
“No, I think you are still alright. Seamus is a special case. You and I have been exchanging blood regularly, so hopefully you mostly smell like me.” He glanced around, “Come lover, let’s go to our rooms. They are bringing our bags up.”
We walked to the elevator and I heard Eric start thinking about the elevator in Vegas. I started to breathe a little quicker and felt myself getting hot and wet. We stepped through the door and both realized there was an elevator operator inside that would be riding with us. Damn, Eric thought. He stood behind me and I could feel his arousal. I was licking my lips and already imagining the feel of him inside of me.
We made it into the room before Eric got his pants open. He pushed me back against the door, spinning me around so my face was pressing against the emergency exit instructions. It would have been funny if I hadn’t wanted him so badly. Pressed against the door like that there was not much I could do but let him have his way with me. My skirt was around my waist and my underwear flying across the room in an instant. I could feel him pressing against my back as he spread his legs to even our heights. I pushed back against him with my butt and he ran two fingers through my wet folds. I whimpered and he spread my legs and speared into me. One hand came up under my shirt and he was assaulting my nipples and breasts as he pounded from me from behind. “Oh God, Eric. Yes, ohmygod, fuck me. Oh, yes, oh…” His hand moved from my breast to press against my clit and I came in spasms. If I thought he was pounding into me before, my orgasm seemed to send him into another gear. After a minute or so I could feel the heat building again and he leaned forward to bite my neck and we both came.
I was still breathing hard when he carried me to the bed. He pulled my skirt off and moved to take his pants the rest of the way off. I got my shirt and bra off and went to remove my shoes when he growled, “Leave them. Get on the bed. Now.”
I did as I was told. I didn’t usually like to be ordered around, but he knew that I was more inclined to let it slide when sex with him was involved. He stood over me and ran a hand down the length of my side as if contemplating what he was going to do to me. His fangs were still down and his eyes were glazed over with desire. He grabbed the sheet and tore two long strips from it. Before I knew it one arm was tied to the bedpost and he was working on the other one. I was a little nervous, but I knew deep down he wouldn’t do anything to hurt me. As soon as he was finished with the second knot I was aware of how vulnerable I felt. I was in nothing but black stiletto heels, laid out like a buffet for him. He must have heard that thought, because the next thing I knew he was between my legs, lifting my hips and leaning forward to rub his face across my stomach and down to my very center.
I could not have imagined the power of the desire to put my hands in his hair. With my hands tied I was overcome with thoughts over everything I wanted to use my hands for. I arched my back and spread my legs to give him more access. He paused what he was doing and looked me in the eye. Sternly he said, “Do not move.” I moaned a little and he continued to look at me, placing a hand on my stomach, “If you move, I am finished. Do you hear me?”
I almost nodded my head, but caught myself. “Yes,” I managed to say.
“Yes, what?”
“Yes, Master.”
“Very well,” he said and returned his attentions to my wet heat. He ran his tongue the length of my folds over and over. He moved with vampire speed, using his tongue to lap up my wetness and his fingers flicking across my clit while occasionally plunging his tongue into me, making me gasp. I was mumbling incoherently. I wished that he had tied my legs as well because I was having a hard time concentrating on not moving them. Eric laughed at that thought and asked if I wanted him to stop.
“If you stop I will kill you.” Of course, that backfired on me and made him stop. He pulled slowly himself up my body, rubbing himself against me the whole way. He moved to kiss my mouth and then simply licked across my lips. He began kissing my neck and licking my breasts. His shaft was teasing my thigh and I thought I was going to burst into flames.
“You can move now lover, but I won’t be untying you for a while.” I arched my back and used my stilettos to brace against the bed. He laughed as I moved my hips against him, pushing myself closer to the edge. He inserted just the head of himself into me and met my eyes before he thrust completely in. He kissed me, setting his tongue to the hard and fast pace of his hips and it didn’t take long before I was ready to come. As I arched my back as far as I could and stopped grinding against him for release, Eric slowed himself to an agonizing pace and strung me along. I began moving my hips again, forcing myself up to meet him trying to speed things up again. “Lover, do you want me to go faster? What do you want?” he said, enjoying torturing me.
“Faster yes, oh god, faster please.” And because he could, he began moving at a pace no human man could even dream of. Within seconds I was having the most amazing orgasm. I could feel my muscles clenching and drawing him into me. It went on for what seemed like forever and he was growling and staring into my eyes. He leaned down and bit my breast and plunged into me with all of his power. He was making a roaring sound in my ear and I felt him coming, shooting straight to my core. I either came again, or the first orgasm caught a second wave, and I screamed. When I realized what was going on he had already licked my wounds clean on my breast and was reaching up to untie my wrists.
I cleared my throat and tried to stretch a little, “You didn’t kill me did you?” He looked at me strangely, “Because I can’t feel most of my body.”
He smiled and untied my other wrist. I managed to put my arms around him, but it was quite clumsy. He began rubbing my arms, “No lover, you’re not dead, you’re not even undead.”
“That’s good,” I murmured, eyes beginning to close.
---------------------------------
The phone was ringing beside the bed, after 3 rings when Eric didn’t answer it I realized I was alone. I grabbed the phone and managed a groggy hello. “Lover, you have 2 hours to get ready for Felipe’s reception.”
“Reception. 2 hours.”
“Yes. You will want to call room service because there will not be human food available.”
I was starting to fully wake up. “Reception, 2 hours, food.” I cleared my throat again, “Where are you?”
He laughed, “I’m in the lobby. I met with Felipe and am getting ready to take him to Victor’s old compound to inspect the security around Booker. Can you meet me in the front lobby in 2 hours?”
“Yeah. I’ll meet you there.”
“Good lover, I cannot wait to see what outfit Pam and Ellsey selected for this event. Oh – and Sookie, if you leave the room you must bring you keycard with you, even if you are coming to meet me. The hotel is very strict about only allowing guests only in certain areas.”
I was finally awake, so I said, “Right. Reception, 2 hours, food, key. Anything else?”
With all seriousness, he said, “Do not wear any underwear.”
-----------------------------
When I got to the lobby I didn’t see Eric anywhere, but I saw Ellsey and she immediately pulled me into the ladies room. “Sookie, I don’t know how you do it…”
“Do what?”
“You either look like the girl next door or a hooker. You cannot seem to find the middle ground when it comes to cosmetics.” I was a little embarrassed, but she was too quick for me to stop and was already wiping off my lipstick and moving for my eyelids. I don’t know how she had all of the supplies in her purse that she needed, and I certainly don’t know how she fixed everything in 2 minutes flat, but I did look a lot better. She was mumbling to herself that we were going to have to have make-up lessons when we got back to Shreveport. She looked me up and down and seemed otherwise satisfied. I was wearing a long black satin floor length straight skirt with a corseted top of red satin overlaid with black lace. It was sexy and appropriate, but still Sookie.
Eric was in the lobby when we came out of the restroom and he smiled at my outfit. When he saw my bare skin through the corset laces in the back I felt his reaction against my hip. I raised my eyebrow at him and took his arm to head into the large ballroom. Even though this weekend would culminate in a trial, Felipe was taking every opportunity to flaunt his status as King and enjoy some southern hospitality. Eric reminded me not to speak to Felipe unless spoken to, although he expected that at some point the King would come speak to me. The crowd seemed very lively and there was a head table set up for Felipe to lord over his minions. It was very odd since he was sitting there by himself and there were no other chairs on the dais with him, just security guards and a velvet rope. Eric mentally shushed me, as if I would have said anything out loud, and directed us to our table.
The evening was full of speeches. Felipe had invited a representative from every Area in the State and several Sherriff’s from bordering Areas attended as well. Oddly, the human Governor of Louisiana had come to welcome the King and reach out an olive branch to the Vamps of the State. I was beginning to yawn when the music began. Eric led me to the dance floor and began to spin me around to an old fashioned love song. When the song finished I noticed that one of Felipe’s body guards was waiting for us. Sure enough, he stepped to Eric’s side and said, “The King requests your presence Northman.”
We went over the Felipe’s table and waited, basically in a line, to speak with him. Eventually he glanced at me and rudely told Eric I was not needed. Sigh. Eric tightened his grip on my arm before I said something and quietly told me he would meet me in the lobby bar. “As you wish,” I said with a nod of my head; knowing Eric would recognize it as a quote from the “Princess Bride” and not a sign of my acquiescence.
Luckily since the hotel served humans and supes as well as vamps, I was able to get a gin and tonic in the bar while I waited. Ellsey wandered in and sat next to me, splurging on some imported blood and telling me funny stories about anyone she recognized. Suddenly I felt like I was being watched again, but when I found Seamus in the crowd he was narrowing in on Ellsey, walking towards her, their eyes locked. He was black Irish, with dark hair and eyes on top of a body that would not quit. Whatever was going on with him and Ellsey was an odd, slow-motion kind of situation, but I couldn’t turn away from watching. As he brought her hand to his lips I cleared my throat, “Seamus.”
Ellsey laughed and pulled back, “He gets me every time!” she said, slapping at his hand.
“Sookie, it is not nice to ruin the moment when a man is moving in to seduce a beautiful woman.” He reached for Ellsey’s hand again and kissed the back of it.
I looked between them, “What is going on here?”
Ellsey grinned, “You don’t know Seaums? Oh, you two HAVE to talk!” She kept smiling and walked away, leaving me more confused.
“Why do I have to talk to you, Mr.----?”
“Flynn, Seamus Flynn. I suppose you and I need to talk, because I used to be you.”
“You used to be a blond waitress? Really?”
He barked a laugh, “No child, I used to be a quarter fae in love with a vampire.”
“What? You’re like me? Why didn’t anyone tell me?!”
“I said I used to be you. If you haven’t noticed, I’m a vampire now.”
“OH! How did that happen?”
“Really, Sookie?”
“No – I mean, I got the impression that I don’t have to turn. I mean, I…” I’m sure I looked totally confused. I couldn’t believe there was someone out there like me! I didn’t know how much I could tell him and I was just struggling to process everything.
He laughed again and sat down next to me at the bar. “I’m assuming several things about you. One, that you are bonded to the Viking and two, that you are probably soul-mates. I’m also going to guess that you are part of a Royal family, based on the fae smell. Am I close?”
I tried not to confirm anything, but asked why he would make those assumptions about Eric. He sniffed a little, “Because nothing less would have pulled that one into a relationship. He has been wandering for centuries, a King without his Queen. When I heard he had fallen, I knew it was for eternity. But as I said, it’s just a guess. So if I am correct, you will not need to be turned. You’re right about that. It doesn’t mean your life together will be easy by any means.”
I smiled, “You sound like Eric.”
“That’s a compliment, to be sure. See, my case was different. The vampire I loved was not my soul-mate. To ensure eternity together, I asked her to turn me.”
“Oh, I see. Is she here?”
“I haven’t seen her in decades.”
“Oh. That can’t be good.”
He cocked his head a little, “I think it’s for the best really. No one warned me that vampire couples find it very difficult to stay together. In the long run we were much happier apart than together. And now as part fae and vampire, I lead the most amazing bachelors’ life.”
He signaled the bartender to get me another drink and sighed. “What do you know about your family?”
“Not enough.”
“You’re good,” he said with a head shake. “You’ve picked up a lot from him. Anyway, your family is not entirely trustworthy and will have a hard time with your union with the Viking.”
“And this is based on my scent?”
“No, this is based on the fact that your great Grandfather is a piece of work.”
“So you know who I am?”
“Yeah, I heard about you, but I didn’t connect you with Eric’s woman until today. Plus, you smell so much like Claude and Claudine it isn’t funny. Anyway, I heard through the grapevine that they were going to start training you. If you ever need help, or you have questions about the fae world, give me a shout.”
As he finished speaking I felt Eric’s cool hand on my back. “Seamus, you’re not filling her with lies are you?”
“Ah... Viking, why would I do such a thing?”
“Because you already figured out you can not seduce her.”
“Quite true, but her friend Ellsey and I go way back. I think I shall keep her busy this weekend.” He grinned and stood and took my hand. “It has been a pleasure. I meant what I said, if you need any advice or help in terms of the fae, call me.” He kissed the back of my hand and walked off.
“So lover, you met the vampire Don Juan.”
“Yes. He was, interesting. Where’ve you been? What did Felipe need?”
“He wanted to finalize plans for tomorrow evening. Trey and Simon have everything in order, but the King felt it needed my stamp of approval as well.”
I finished my drink and smiled, “Are we done tonight?”
“Yes lover, let’s go upstairs. We need to talk about the plans for tomorrow evening, and then I need to get you out of those clothes.”
He just smirked, “You closed your eyes because you didn’t want to see how fast everything was flying by as I drove.”
A man dressed in black from head to toe opened my door and helped me out of the car. I swiveled my legs out first just like Pam and Ellsey had taught me, so I didn’t flash anyone like Lindsay Lohan, and stepped carefully in my new stiletto heals. Eric had been busy at the bar for the last week getting things ready for our absence and dealing with the New Orleans vamps to get ready for Felipe’s arrival. Pam and Ellsey had acted as my personal wardrobe consultants and had sent me on shopping trips during the day so they could critique my purchases each night. It was like my own personal episode of “What Not to Wear,” hosted by a soccer mom/latex queen and a lingerie store owner. Eric had been quite impressed with their make-over on me and I was a little afraid we wouldn’t make it out of the house when I stepped into the living room this evening.
We entered the lobby and I hung back a little while he went to register us at the front desk. As I waited I took in the goth décor and the array of people waiting in the lobby - Supes, vamps, humans and a few people who must have been the same type of being as Dr. Ludwig, although I still wasn’t sure what that was. I didn’t see anyone I knew, even though Bill, Chan, Ellsey and several other vamps I knew were planning to come over for the events. Suddenly I realized that someone was watching me, I knew it was a vamp because I couldn’t hear a thing, but I felt the eyes boring into me. Eric was still charming the girl at the front desk when I realized that a tall vamp dressed in a very expensive suit was mesmerized and beginning to walk across the lobby towards me. I was nervous but didn’t want to cause a scene, so I tried to pretend I didn’t see him coming. When he stood directly in front of me, he cocked his head and took a huge sniff of the air around us, sighing as he exhaled. OH SHIT.
Eric arrived just as the man reached to take my hand. He stepped in between us and glanced at the man and then laughed, “Seamus. I see you’ve sniffed out Sookie.”
The man seemed to snap out of it and glanced at Eric. He made a huffing noise and looked at me again for a second and then back at Eric saying, “I should have known.” He purposefully took my hand and kissed the back of it, “You and I will need to speak later.” He winked at me and walked away.
“Umm, what just happened?”
“That was Seamus, he….it’s a long story. But he is right, you will want to speak to him this weekend.”
“Okay, strange. He smelled me though, so am I sending off a smell to attract all of the vampires?”
“No, I think you are still alright. Seamus is a special case. You and I have been exchanging blood regularly, so hopefully you mostly smell like me.” He glanced around, “Come lover, let’s go to our rooms. They are bringing our bags up.”
We walked to the elevator and I heard Eric start thinking about the elevator in Vegas. I started to breathe a little quicker and felt myself getting hot and wet. We stepped through the door and both realized there was an elevator operator inside that would be riding with us. Damn, Eric thought. He stood behind me and I could feel his arousal. I was licking my lips and already imagining the feel of him inside of me.
We made it into the room before Eric got his pants open. He pushed me back against the door, spinning me around so my face was pressing against the emergency exit instructions. It would have been funny if I hadn’t wanted him so badly. Pressed against the door like that there was not much I could do but let him have his way with me. My skirt was around my waist and my underwear flying across the room in an instant. I could feel him pressing against my back as he spread his legs to even our heights. I pushed back against him with my butt and he ran two fingers through my wet folds. I whimpered and he spread my legs and speared into me. One hand came up under my shirt and he was assaulting my nipples and breasts as he pounded from me from behind. “Oh God, Eric. Yes, ohmygod, fuck me. Oh, yes, oh…” His hand moved from my breast to press against my clit and I came in spasms. If I thought he was pounding into me before, my orgasm seemed to send him into another gear. After a minute or so I could feel the heat building again and he leaned forward to bite my neck and we both came.
I was still breathing hard when he carried me to the bed. He pulled my skirt off and moved to take his pants the rest of the way off. I got my shirt and bra off and went to remove my shoes when he growled, “Leave them. Get on the bed. Now.”
I did as I was told. I didn’t usually like to be ordered around, but he knew that I was more inclined to let it slide when sex with him was involved. He stood over me and ran a hand down the length of my side as if contemplating what he was going to do to me. His fangs were still down and his eyes were glazed over with desire. He grabbed the sheet and tore two long strips from it. Before I knew it one arm was tied to the bedpost and he was working on the other one. I was a little nervous, but I knew deep down he wouldn’t do anything to hurt me. As soon as he was finished with the second knot I was aware of how vulnerable I felt. I was in nothing but black stiletto heels, laid out like a buffet for him. He must have heard that thought, because the next thing I knew he was between my legs, lifting my hips and leaning forward to rub his face across my stomach and down to my very center.
I could not have imagined the power of the desire to put my hands in his hair. With my hands tied I was overcome with thoughts over everything I wanted to use my hands for. I arched my back and spread my legs to give him more access. He paused what he was doing and looked me in the eye. Sternly he said, “Do not move.” I moaned a little and he continued to look at me, placing a hand on my stomach, “If you move, I am finished. Do you hear me?”
I almost nodded my head, but caught myself. “Yes,” I managed to say.
“Yes, what?”
“Yes, Master.”
“Very well,” he said and returned his attentions to my wet heat. He ran his tongue the length of my folds over and over. He moved with vampire speed, using his tongue to lap up my wetness and his fingers flicking across my clit while occasionally plunging his tongue into me, making me gasp. I was mumbling incoherently. I wished that he had tied my legs as well because I was having a hard time concentrating on not moving them. Eric laughed at that thought and asked if I wanted him to stop.
“If you stop I will kill you.” Of course, that backfired on me and made him stop. He pulled slowly himself up my body, rubbing himself against me the whole way. He moved to kiss my mouth and then simply licked across my lips. He began kissing my neck and licking my breasts. His shaft was teasing my thigh and I thought I was going to burst into flames.
“You can move now lover, but I won’t be untying you for a while.” I arched my back and used my stilettos to brace against the bed. He laughed as I moved my hips against him, pushing myself closer to the edge. He inserted just the head of himself into me and met my eyes before he thrust completely in. He kissed me, setting his tongue to the hard and fast pace of his hips and it didn’t take long before I was ready to come. As I arched my back as far as I could and stopped grinding against him for release, Eric slowed himself to an agonizing pace and strung me along. I began moving my hips again, forcing myself up to meet him trying to speed things up again. “Lover, do you want me to go faster? What do you want?” he said, enjoying torturing me.
“Faster yes, oh god, faster please.” And because he could, he began moving at a pace no human man could even dream of. Within seconds I was having the most amazing orgasm. I could feel my muscles clenching and drawing him into me. It went on for what seemed like forever and he was growling and staring into my eyes. He leaned down and bit my breast and plunged into me with all of his power. He was making a roaring sound in my ear and I felt him coming, shooting straight to my core. I either came again, or the first orgasm caught a second wave, and I screamed. When I realized what was going on he had already licked my wounds clean on my breast and was reaching up to untie my wrists.
I cleared my throat and tried to stretch a little, “You didn’t kill me did you?” He looked at me strangely, “Because I can’t feel most of my body.”
He smiled and untied my other wrist. I managed to put my arms around him, but it was quite clumsy. He began rubbing my arms, “No lover, you’re not dead, you’re not even undead.”
“That’s good,” I murmured, eyes beginning to close.
---------------------------------
The phone was ringing beside the bed, after 3 rings when Eric didn’t answer it I realized I was alone. I grabbed the phone and managed a groggy hello. “Lover, you have 2 hours to get ready for Felipe’s reception.”
“Reception. 2 hours.”
“Yes. You will want to call room service because there will not be human food available.”
I was starting to fully wake up. “Reception, 2 hours, food.” I cleared my throat again, “Where are you?”
He laughed, “I’m in the lobby. I met with Felipe and am getting ready to take him to Victor’s old compound to inspect the security around Booker. Can you meet me in the front lobby in 2 hours?”
“Yeah. I’ll meet you there.”
“Good lover, I cannot wait to see what outfit Pam and Ellsey selected for this event. Oh – and Sookie, if you leave the room you must bring you keycard with you, even if you are coming to meet me. The hotel is very strict about only allowing guests only in certain areas.”
I was finally awake, so I said, “Right. Reception, 2 hours, food, key. Anything else?”
With all seriousness, he said, “Do not wear any underwear.”
-----------------------------
When I got to the lobby I didn’t see Eric anywhere, but I saw Ellsey and she immediately pulled me into the ladies room. “Sookie, I don’t know how you do it…”
“Do what?”
“You either look like the girl next door or a hooker. You cannot seem to find the middle ground when it comes to cosmetics.” I was a little embarrassed, but she was too quick for me to stop and was already wiping off my lipstick and moving for my eyelids. I don’t know how she had all of the supplies in her purse that she needed, and I certainly don’t know how she fixed everything in 2 minutes flat, but I did look a lot better. She was mumbling to herself that we were going to have to have make-up lessons when we got back to Shreveport. She looked me up and down and seemed otherwise satisfied. I was wearing a long black satin floor length straight skirt with a corseted top of red satin overlaid with black lace. It was sexy and appropriate, but still Sookie.
Eric was in the lobby when we came out of the restroom and he smiled at my outfit. When he saw my bare skin through the corset laces in the back I felt his reaction against my hip. I raised my eyebrow at him and took his arm to head into the large ballroom. Even though this weekend would culminate in a trial, Felipe was taking every opportunity to flaunt his status as King and enjoy some southern hospitality. Eric reminded me not to speak to Felipe unless spoken to, although he expected that at some point the King would come speak to me. The crowd seemed very lively and there was a head table set up for Felipe to lord over his minions. It was very odd since he was sitting there by himself and there were no other chairs on the dais with him, just security guards and a velvet rope. Eric mentally shushed me, as if I would have said anything out loud, and directed us to our table.
The evening was full of speeches. Felipe had invited a representative from every Area in the State and several Sherriff’s from bordering Areas attended as well. Oddly, the human Governor of Louisiana had come to welcome the King and reach out an olive branch to the Vamps of the State. I was beginning to yawn when the music began. Eric led me to the dance floor and began to spin me around to an old fashioned love song. When the song finished I noticed that one of Felipe’s body guards was waiting for us. Sure enough, he stepped to Eric’s side and said, “The King requests your presence Northman.”
We went over the Felipe’s table and waited, basically in a line, to speak with him. Eventually he glanced at me and rudely told Eric I was not needed. Sigh. Eric tightened his grip on my arm before I said something and quietly told me he would meet me in the lobby bar. “As you wish,” I said with a nod of my head; knowing Eric would recognize it as a quote from the “Princess Bride” and not a sign of my acquiescence.
Luckily since the hotel served humans and supes as well as vamps, I was able to get a gin and tonic in the bar while I waited. Ellsey wandered in and sat next to me, splurging on some imported blood and telling me funny stories about anyone she recognized. Suddenly I felt like I was being watched again, but when I found Seamus in the crowd he was narrowing in on Ellsey, walking towards her, their eyes locked. He was black Irish, with dark hair and eyes on top of a body that would not quit. Whatever was going on with him and Ellsey was an odd, slow-motion kind of situation, but I couldn’t turn away from watching. As he brought her hand to his lips I cleared my throat, “Seamus.”
Ellsey laughed and pulled back, “He gets me every time!” she said, slapping at his hand.
“Sookie, it is not nice to ruin the moment when a man is moving in to seduce a beautiful woman.” He reached for Ellsey’s hand again and kissed the back of it.
I looked between them, “What is going on here?”
Ellsey grinned, “You don’t know Seaums? Oh, you two HAVE to talk!” She kept smiling and walked away, leaving me more confused.
“Why do I have to talk to you, Mr.----?”
“Flynn, Seamus Flynn. I suppose you and I need to talk, because I used to be you.”
“You used to be a blond waitress? Really?”
He barked a laugh, “No child, I used to be a quarter fae in love with a vampire.”
“What? You’re like me? Why didn’t anyone tell me?!”
“I said I used to be you. If you haven’t noticed, I’m a vampire now.”
“OH! How did that happen?”
“Really, Sookie?”
“No – I mean, I got the impression that I don’t have to turn. I mean, I…” I’m sure I looked totally confused. I couldn’t believe there was someone out there like me! I didn’t know how much I could tell him and I was just struggling to process everything.
He laughed again and sat down next to me at the bar. “I’m assuming several things about you. One, that you are bonded to the Viking and two, that you are probably soul-mates. I’m also going to guess that you are part of a Royal family, based on the fae smell. Am I close?”
I tried not to confirm anything, but asked why he would make those assumptions about Eric. He sniffed a little, “Because nothing less would have pulled that one into a relationship. He has been wandering for centuries, a King without his Queen. When I heard he had fallen, I knew it was for eternity. But as I said, it’s just a guess. So if I am correct, you will not need to be turned. You’re right about that. It doesn’t mean your life together will be easy by any means.”
I smiled, “You sound like Eric.”
“That’s a compliment, to be sure. See, my case was different. The vampire I loved was not my soul-mate. To ensure eternity together, I asked her to turn me.”
“Oh, I see. Is she here?”
“I haven’t seen her in decades.”
“Oh. That can’t be good.”
He cocked his head a little, “I think it’s for the best really. No one warned me that vampire couples find it very difficult to stay together. In the long run we were much happier apart than together. And now as part fae and vampire, I lead the most amazing bachelors’ life.”
He signaled the bartender to get me another drink and sighed. “What do you know about your family?”
“Not enough.”
“You’re good,” he said with a head shake. “You’ve picked up a lot from him. Anyway, your family is not entirely trustworthy and will have a hard time with your union with the Viking.”
“And this is based on my scent?”
“No, this is based on the fact that your great Grandfather is a piece of work.”
“So you know who I am?”
“Yeah, I heard about you, but I didn’t connect you with Eric’s woman until today. Plus, you smell so much like Claude and Claudine it isn’t funny. Anyway, I heard through the grapevine that they were going to start training you. If you ever need help, or you have questions about the fae world, give me a shout.”
As he finished speaking I felt Eric’s cool hand on my back. “Seamus, you’re not filling her with lies are you?”
“Ah... Viking, why would I do such a thing?”
“Because you already figured out you can not seduce her.”
“Quite true, but her friend Ellsey and I go way back. I think I shall keep her busy this weekend.” He grinned and stood and took my hand. “It has been a pleasure. I meant what I said, if you need any advice or help in terms of the fae, call me.” He kissed the back of my hand and walked off.
“So lover, you met the vampire Don Juan.”
“Yes. He was, interesting. Where’ve you been? What did Felipe need?”
“He wanted to finalize plans for tomorrow evening. Trey and Simon have everything in order, but the King felt it needed my stamp of approval as well.”
I finished my drink and smiled, “Are we done tonight?”
“Yes lover, let’s go upstairs. We need to talk about the plans for tomorrow evening, and then I need to get you out of those clothes.”
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Dead on New Years Chapter 16
I awoke to the feel of Eric’s arms sliding around me. “Mmmmm,” I murmured. “You’re home.” He loved it that I was already calling his place home. I turned in his arms and met his mouth for a kiss. He was naked and ready, but enjoyed feeling my body against his and kissing me to wake me up. This mind reading stuff was seriously hot.
I was wearing a little black silk nightie that was suddenly ripped down the middle between my breasts so that Eric could put his mouth on my nipples. He licked and suckled them, bringing them to tight peaks that strained towards his mouth. I had my hands in his soft blond hair and was holding his mouth to my chest. We were lying so that I was able to grind myself against his side. I could feel how wet I was and knew he could feel it too. He shifted slightly and brought his hand to my moist center. He ran a finger along my folds and sighed out loud. He matched the rhythm of his finger to that of his tongue on my breast and pushed me towards release. “Eric!” I cried out as he slid two fingers into me and reached for my most sensitive spot. He worked me endlessly, stroking my center and using his mouth on my nipples. He was licking and biting and teasing and I thought I might come just from the way my breasts felt. When I felt his fangs sink in on either side of my nipple I screamed and my body began clutching his fingers.
I felt like I was out of my body, floating above us when he licked my two little wounds. He looked into my eyes and moved slightly to enter me while our eyes were locked. He had pulled me up and put the back of my legs against his chest and held on to my ass for leverage. “Yessss,” he whispered as he slid himself to my womb and I saw his eyes almost roll back in his head. Feeling Eric inside of me brought me back to my body and made me start to burn all over again. He began to push into me and pull me against him to meet his thrusts. I was leaning on my elbows and trying to push myself towards him to take him as far in as I could. And then I was just trying to keep my balance as he was pounding into me with driving force. His lips were pulled back to reveal his fangs and if he had to breathe he would have been panting. “You…are…mine,” he growled, and then he reached one hand around to my clit and I threw my head back and came. He just kept pumping and flicking my clit and drawing out my orgasm until tears were running down my face. Then I felt his hand clench on my ass and could see in his face that he was ready. With one more forceful thrust he buried himself in me and ground the base of his cock against my flesh, spilling himself in me and howling at his release.
We rested briefly and he grinned mischievously, letting me know he wasn’t finished with me. He pulled me across the bed so my chest was on the mattress and my feet were on the floor. He gave me a long lick down my back and grabbed my hips. He used one hand to open my folds and pushed in as slowly as possible. I felt myself stretching around him like it was in slow-motion. I started to push back against him and he held me still, taking control and making me whimper. I don’t know how he kept himself calm enough to continue the slow pace. I wanted him to move faster and pound into me striking my womb and vibrating my whole body. But he didn’t. He moved in and out of me at a snails pace, pulling fully out of me each time and rubbing himself lightly over me to tease. I had started to beg him to move faster when he grabbed my hair and whispered in my ear, “Do not speak. You will get what you want but you will wait patiently for it.”
I don’t know how long it went on. Minutes? Hours? I was in agony, twisting my own nipples as hard as I could, whimpering and moaning but not daring speak a word in case it made him stop. When I thought I couldn’t bear it anymore and was almost ready to cry “uncle” he pulled out one last time and leaned forward so his length was hot and wet against my sweaty back. He whispered in my ear again, “You have been patient lover.”
I was shivering when he stood up and abruptly flipped me over to face him. In a breath he slammed into me and that was all it took. My body was so ready that I lost control, grabbing his hips to slam him into me, wrapping my legs around his waist and crying out, arching my back and gasping for breath. It only took a few more thrusts and Eric was holding on tight to my hips and coming himself and collapsing almost on top of me. After a moment he pulled us onto the bed the rest of the way and rolled us over so he was spooning behind me and holding me.
“How was your trip?” I asked when I caught my breath.
“Mmmm. Chan wants to buy out Cardona to own his own cleaners again. Bill is annoying. I appointed a new Sheriff and imprisoned a few zealots.”
“Um, Okay. That was the short version, wasn’t it?”
He laughed into my ear, “Yes. It all went well and we were able to confine the leader of the group that followed Victor, along with several of his supporters.”
“Why did he get behind Victor? What was wrong with having Felipe as King?”
“Well,” he sighed, “They didn’t believe that they should be ruled from across the country. I’m sure Victor convinced him that if Louisiana was ruled by Florida there would be a place for them in local leadership.”
“Where are they now?”
“Confined in chambers inside Victor’s compound.” He did not elaborate on the fact that they were chained by silver and allowed only a few feet of movement within the cells. He also didn’t mention that they would not be allowed to feed until the trial. “Lover, let us speak of more pleasant things. What did you do while I was gone?”
I smiled a little as he kissed the back of my neck, “Hmm…I beat Barry at Cooking Mama on Wii a lot. I think it’s all of the years I spent prepping food at the bar. Barry just couldn’t get the hang of it. Let’s see… I called Ellsey just to talk, but I just got her voicemail, so I drove down to see Amelia and get a few more things from the house. I grabbed a couple of my favorite things from the kitchen, you know, stuff that was Gran’s that I would use here.” He rubbed my arm, knowing it was still hard to think about my Gran being gone. “I didn’t go to Merlotte’s or anything. I knew you would be worried. I made sure to check in with Barry, when I left, when got there, all of that.”
He gave me a squeeze, “Lover, you should still visit your friends. All of the things Niall said, I think we have time before it becomes a problem. But I am glad that you are being safe.”
I rolled over and faced him, “I know Eric, I have lifetimes to spend with you – I just don’t want anything to cut it short.” I took his face in my hands and kissed him sweetly. His eyes were getting heavy and I realized it must be close to dawn. It was easy to lose track of time in his dark safe room. I closed my eyes and gave in to sleep as well, knowing I would be awake in a few hours to face another day while he slept.
********************
After a day of pampering myself in the tub, super conditioning my hair and giving myself a mani/pedi. I climbed in bed to wait for Eric to wake-up. His cheek was twitching and he began to blink a little as I snuggled into his chest. “You smell beautiful lover. Did you have a good day?”
“Yeah, I just pampered myself,” I said, wiggling my toes and fingers at him. He grinned and took two of my fingers into his mouth. I just laughed and pulled them out. “What’s the plan tonight Viking?”
He rolled to his back, “Tonight I must go to Fangtasia lover. I am to sit in the bar for the followers to worship.” He was looking at the ceiling and then he turned to me, “Will you join me?”
I rolled over and sat up on my elbows, “I will go anywhere with you Eric.” He smiled and tucked some hair behind my ears. I knew if I didn’t go in another room I’d be in the shower with him. So I sighed, “You get ready and I’ll grab some dinner.”
As I stood and went to the kitchen he was thinking I was a coward and laughing at me. I thought back, “Yeah, I live with a 1,000 year old vampire, I’m such a coward.”
******************
We walked into Fangtasia around 9 pm and, after checking his messages, Eric went out to sit on his throne in the bar. I went to talk to Pam and Felicia and had a gin and tonic. The girls were telling me about a new hunky bartender that started while Eric was in New Orleans. Felicia seemed to think that Eric would be jealous of David, (yes, David like the statue, I’m still not sure if that’s his real name, I doubt it) but Pam said Eric would realize he was good for business. He was a vamp and no one really knew much about his past. He had tended bar in several major cities and always left with great recommendations. I was intrigued, but when he walked in I did a double take. Even by my standards, which compare everyone to a Viking, this guy was hot. He wouldn’t even have to glamour people, I bet they’d just let him feed. Eric chose that moment to listen to my brain and started to growl.
I walked over and sat on his lap to reassure him and whispered in his ear, “Viking, there would be something wrong with me if I didn’t appreciate the looks of that vamp.” I gave his earlobe a little suck, “But all I did was look, no other man will ever touch me.” I grabbed his face and looked into his eyes, “I am yours.”
He growled again and began kissing me hard. I could feel his erection against my leg and had to chuckle, nothing was going to happen here on the dance floor and the bar had begun to get full. As he devoured my mouth I heard the fangbangers thoughts whining and cursing me in my head. He eventually pulled back and grinned at me, “Well played lover.”
I smiled. “Do I have your permission to help behind the bar? This is only his second shift and you’re about to get slammed.” He looked at David and then leaned forward to rub his face along both sides of my neck, clearly marking me with his scent. He gave me a nod and asked me to take the section near the waitress station to be safe.
The night was really uneventful, not counting the bras and underwear that were collecting around the bar as women, vamps and humans, tossed them at David. We were selling out of thongs in the gift shop area nothing Felicia or I could do would keep David kept up on the line for drinks at his station. Some women simply didn’t want us to get them a drink. As things began to slow down Ellsey came in and waved hello. I knew the vamps could handle the bar without me, so I grabbed a gin and tonic and slid out to get a table with her.
She commented on David’s beauty and actually turned her chair so he wouldn’t distract her. We made small talk for a bit and she asked about Eric’s trip to New Orleans. I was kind of glad she asked, because I had questions that I wasn’t sure Eric would answer. I explained about Booker’s imprisonment and the new Sheriff. I told her Eric didn’t think we needed to go back until the trial. She nodded and said she was glad they would be cleaning up the city. I leaned forward a little bit, I don’t know why, she had vamp hearing, but anyway, I asked her about the trial – what did it really mean? Where would it be and would we be safe?
She smiled, “Safe is relative Sookie. You have been around vamps long enough to know that no place is completely safe.” She drank some AB TrueBlood and looked around like she was about to tell me a secret. “I have not been a part of a trial like this before, but I have heard about them. It will be very serious. Most likely it will be held in a warehouse or parking structure, somewhere that many people will fit into. It will have a huge audience. You’ve heard about public hangings in American history? It will rival that.” I shivered a little at the thought and raised my lip in disgust. She continued, “Even with the strange location it will be very formal. There will be witnesses called and evidence presented. What you may not understand is that the accused will really have no chance to defend themselves. They will not have a lawyer or any representation. No one will be called in their defense.”
“I don’t understand; why not just execute them if they can’t even defend themselves?”
“It is a demonstration of power. They can’t just execute anyone without a reason, so they use the trial to prove they should and then the King exacts his punishment, which is not always death, but in this case, I’m sure it will be.”
“And will it be dangerous for us?”
“As I said before, every place is dangerous, even here. But the trial will be a spectacle. There will be plenty of vamps from here and Florida and I’ll bet some Texans come over. You run the risk of someone starting a fight in the crowd that gets out of control, or some of Booker’s followers starting an uprising.” She shook her head, “If you’re going, I would stay as close to Eric as possible.”
I was wearing a little black silk nightie that was suddenly ripped down the middle between my breasts so that Eric could put his mouth on my nipples. He licked and suckled them, bringing them to tight peaks that strained towards his mouth. I had my hands in his soft blond hair and was holding his mouth to my chest. We were lying so that I was able to grind myself against his side. I could feel how wet I was and knew he could feel it too. He shifted slightly and brought his hand to my moist center. He ran a finger along my folds and sighed out loud. He matched the rhythm of his finger to that of his tongue on my breast and pushed me towards release. “Eric!” I cried out as he slid two fingers into me and reached for my most sensitive spot. He worked me endlessly, stroking my center and using his mouth on my nipples. He was licking and biting and teasing and I thought I might come just from the way my breasts felt. When I felt his fangs sink in on either side of my nipple I screamed and my body began clutching his fingers.
I felt like I was out of my body, floating above us when he licked my two little wounds. He looked into my eyes and moved slightly to enter me while our eyes were locked. He had pulled me up and put the back of my legs against his chest and held on to my ass for leverage. “Yessss,” he whispered as he slid himself to my womb and I saw his eyes almost roll back in his head. Feeling Eric inside of me brought me back to my body and made me start to burn all over again. He began to push into me and pull me against him to meet his thrusts. I was leaning on my elbows and trying to push myself towards him to take him as far in as I could. And then I was just trying to keep my balance as he was pounding into me with driving force. His lips were pulled back to reveal his fangs and if he had to breathe he would have been panting. “You…are…mine,” he growled, and then he reached one hand around to my clit and I threw my head back and came. He just kept pumping and flicking my clit and drawing out my orgasm until tears were running down my face. Then I felt his hand clench on my ass and could see in his face that he was ready. With one more forceful thrust he buried himself in me and ground the base of his cock against my flesh, spilling himself in me and howling at his release.
We rested briefly and he grinned mischievously, letting me know he wasn’t finished with me. He pulled me across the bed so my chest was on the mattress and my feet were on the floor. He gave me a long lick down my back and grabbed my hips. He used one hand to open my folds and pushed in as slowly as possible. I felt myself stretching around him like it was in slow-motion. I started to push back against him and he held me still, taking control and making me whimper. I don’t know how he kept himself calm enough to continue the slow pace. I wanted him to move faster and pound into me striking my womb and vibrating my whole body. But he didn’t. He moved in and out of me at a snails pace, pulling fully out of me each time and rubbing himself lightly over me to tease. I had started to beg him to move faster when he grabbed my hair and whispered in my ear, “Do not speak. You will get what you want but you will wait patiently for it.”
I don’t know how long it went on. Minutes? Hours? I was in agony, twisting my own nipples as hard as I could, whimpering and moaning but not daring speak a word in case it made him stop. When I thought I couldn’t bear it anymore and was almost ready to cry “uncle” he pulled out one last time and leaned forward so his length was hot and wet against my sweaty back. He whispered in my ear again, “You have been patient lover.”
I was shivering when he stood up and abruptly flipped me over to face him. In a breath he slammed into me and that was all it took. My body was so ready that I lost control, grabbing his hips to slam him into me, wrapping my legs around his waist and crying out, arching my back and gasping for breath. It only took a few more thrusts and Eric was holding on tight to my hips and coming himself and collapsing almost on top of me. After a moment he pulled us onto the bed the rest of the way and rolled us over so he was spooning behind me and holding me.
“How was your trip?” I asked when I caught my breath.
“Mmmm. Chan wants to buy out Cardona to own his own cleaners again. Bill is annoying. I appointed a new Sheriff and imprisoned a few zealots.”
“Um, Okay. That was the short version, wasn’t it?”
He laughed into my ear, “Yes. It all went well and we were able to confine the leader of the group that followed Victor, along with several of his supporters.”
“Why did he get behind Victor? What was wrong with having Felipe as King?”
“Well,” he sighed, “They didn’t believe that they should be ruled from across the country. I’m sure Victor convinced him that if Louisiana was ruled by Florida there would be a place for them in local leadership.”
“Where are they now?”
“Confined in chambers inside Victor’s compound.” He did not elaborate on the fact that they were chained by silver and allowed only a few feet of movement within the cells. He also didn’t mention that they would not be allowed to feed until the trial. “Lover, let us speak of more pleasant things. What did you do while I was gone?”
I smiled a little as he kissed the back of my neck, “Hmm…I beat Barry at Cooking Mama on Wii a lot. I think it’s all of the years I spent prepping food at the bar. Barry just couldn’t get the hang of it. Let’s see… I called Ellsey just to talk, but I just got her voicemail, so I drove down to see Amelia and get a few more things from the house. I grabbed a couple of my favorite things from the kitchen, you know, stuff that was Gran’s that I would use here.” He rubbed my arm, knowing it was still hard to think about my Gran being gone. “I didn’t go to Merlotte’s or anything. I knew you would be worried. I made sure to check in with Barry, when I left, when got there, all of that.”
He gave me a squeeze, “Lover, you should still visit your friends. All of the things Niall said, I think we have time before it becomes a problem. But I am glad that you are being safe.”
I rolled over and faced him, “I know Eric, I have lifetimes to spend with you – I just don’t want anything to cut it short.” I took his face in my hands and kissed him sweetly. His eyes were getting heavy and I realized it must be close to dawn. It was easy to lose track of time in his dark safe room. I closed my eyes and gave in to sleep as well, knowing I would be awake in a few hours to face another day while he slept.
********************
After a day of pampering myself in the tub, super conditioning my hair and giving myself a mani/pedi. I climbed in bed to wait for Eric to wake-up. His cheek was twitching and he began to blink a little as I snuggled into his chest. “You smell beautiful lover. Did you have a good day?”
“Yeah, I just pampered myself,” I said, wiggling my toes and fingers at him. He grinned and took two of my fingers into his mouth. I just laughed and pulled them out. “What’s the plan tonight Viking?”
He rolled to his back, “Tonight I must go to Fangtasia lover. I am to sit in the bar for the followers to worship.” He was looking at the ceiling and then he turned to me, “Will you join me?”
I rolled over and sat up on my elbows, “I will go anywhere with you Eric.” He smiled and tucked some hair behind my ears. I knew if I didn’t go in another room I’d be in the shower with him. So I sighed, “You get ready and I’ll grab some dinner.”
As I stood and went to the kitchen he was thinking I was a coward and laughing at me. I thought back, “Yeah, I live with a 1,000 year old vampire, I’m such a coward.”
******************
We walked into Fangtasia around 9 pm and, after checking his messages, Eric went out to sit on his throne in the bar. I went to talk to Pam and Felicia and had a gin and tonic. The girls were telling me about a new hunky bartender that started while Eric was in New Orleans. Felicia seemed to think that Eric would be jealous of David, (yes, David like the statue, I’m still not sure if that’s his real name, I doubt it) but Pam said Eric would realize he was good for business. He was a vamp and no one really knew much about his past. He had tended bar in several major cities and always left with great recommendations. I was intrigued, but when he walked in I did a double take. Even by my standards, which compare everyone to a Viking, this guy was hot. He wouldn’t even have to glamour people, I bet they’d just let him feed. Eric chose that moment to listen to my brain and started to growl.
I walked over and sat on his lap to reassure him and whispered in his ear, “Viking, there would be something wrong with me if I didn’t appreciate the looks of that vamp.” I gave his earlobe a little suck, “But all I did was look, no other man will ever touch me.” I grabbed his face and looked into his eyes, “I am yours.”
He growled again and began kissing me hard. I could feel his erection against my leg and had to chuckle, nothing was going to happen here on the dance floor and the bar had begun to get full. As he devoured my mouth I heard the fangbangers thoughts whining and cursing me in my head. He eventually pulled back and grinned at me, “Well played lover.”
I smiled. “Do I have your permission to help behind the bar? This is only his second shift and you’re about to get slammed.” He looked at David and then leaned forward to rub his face along both sides of my neck, clearly marking me with his scent. He gave me a nod and asked me to take the section near the waitress station to be safe.
The night was really uneventful, not counting the bras and underwear that were collecting around the bar as women, vamps and humans, tossed them at David. We were selling out of thongs in the gift shop area nothing Felicia or I could do would keep David kept up on the line for drinks at his station. Some women simply didn’t want us to get them a drink. As things began to slow down Ellsey came in and waved hello. I knew the vamps could handle the bar without me, so I grabbed a gin and tonic and slid out to get a table with her.
She commented on David’s beauty and actually turned her chair so he wouldn’t distract her. We made small talk for a bit and she asked about Eric’s trip to New Orleans. I was kind of glad she asked, because I had questions that I wasn’t sure Eric would answer. I explained about Booker’s imprisonment and the new Sheriff. I told her Eric didn’t think we needed to go back until the trial. She nodded and said she was glad they would be cleaning up the city. I leaned forward a little bit, I don’t know why, she had vamp hearing, but anyway, I asked her about the trial – what did it really mean? Where would it be and would we be safe?
She smiled, “Safe is relative Sookie. You have been around vamps long enough to know that no place is completely safe.” She drank some AB TrueBlood and looked around like she was about to tell me a secret. “I have not been a part of a trial like this before, but I have heard about them. It will be very serious. Most likely it will be held in a warehouse or parking structure, somewhere that many people will fit into. It will have a huge audience. You’ve heard about public hangings in American history? It will rival that.” I shivered a little at the thought and raised my lip in disgust. She continued, “Even with the strange location it will be very formal. There will be witnesses called and evidence presented. What you may not understand is that the accused will really have no chance to defend themselves. They will not have a lawyer or any representation. No one will be called in their defense.”
“I don’t understand; why not just execute them if they can’t even defend themselves?”
“It is a demonstration of power. They can’t just execute anyone without a reason, so they use the trial to prove they should and then the King exacts his punishment, which is not always death, but in this case, I’m sure it will be.”
“And will it be dangerous for us?”
“As I said before, every place is dangerous, even here. But the trial will be a spectacle. There will be plenty of vamps from here and Florida and I’ll bet some Texans come over. You run the risk of someone starting a fight in the crowd that gets out of control, or some of Booker’s followers starting an uprising.” She shook her head, “If you’re going, I would stay as close to Eric as possible.”
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Dead On New Years Chapter 15
A/N - sorry - it's all Eric this chapter. Life has been hectic. I'm a pregnant working mom, so sometimes I get too busy to write...I just keep making lists of ideas! Don't worry - E/S will be together in the next chapter. I promise some ESN. :)
************************************************
It was just after dark in New Orleans. Eric and Chan sat at a table in the Cat’s Meow sipping lukewarm TrueBloods and waiting for Simon and Trey to arrive. It was an inconspicuous meeting place as vampires rarely visited the inside of this trashy human bar. They found prey outside in the street; drunk and either flashing their breasts, trying to get someone to flash their breasts, or vomiting in the street. Bill was in the hotel using his computer and Eric was glad to have a break from listening to his incessant rambling. Chan kept him entertained and reminisced about previous trips to New Orleans in what he called, “the good old days.”
“Do you remember how many women I had that night? It was like a buffet!”
Eric pursed his lips a little, “You remind me of your sexual prowess quite frequently, and if I didn’t know better I would think you were overcompensating. But yes, I remember that night. I remember that all of the women were diseased and disgusting.”
“Pah – human diseases mean nothing to me.”
“Yes, well…to each his own.” He shuddered a little bit, grateful that hygienic standards had gone up greatly over the years.
“I am thinking about opening my own store again.”
Eric rolled his eyes, “Chan, are you not saving money and able to send it to your descendents?”
“Yes, of course.”
“Then please, let us not go through this again.” Chan looked a little incredulous, “Every 20 years of so you have some descendent that needs money or to work their way through college. You reopen your own dry cleaners and then what?” he paused. “Your damn relative robs you blind. That’s what happens.”
“It only happened twice.”
“Yes, and I remember the consequences of the last time quite well.” The Asian actually grinned thinking about it, but Eric continued, his face grim, “You showed up months later half starved and then disappeared in Canada. The next thing I heard, you were almost staked – by the King of Vancouver.”
“How was I to know he would be that upset?”
“You got in bed with him and his wife!”
“She said he could learn from me!”
They both laughed and then as if a switch had flipped, Eric became serious and glanced towards the door. A second later Trey and Simon entered the bar and joined them. Eric made the introductions, although he thought perhaps that Chan already knew Simon. They had both spent a fair amount of time in the western US over the years and since the vamp population out there was so small, it was likely they had run into each other.
Trey had been around New Orleans for some time and had worked his way up the ladder of vamps. Before Sophie Anne died he was little more than a gopher. When Victor took over he was given more responsibilities and had proven an effective investigator. He was the kind of man who would prefer to work for a boss he liked and respected, but had been vampire long enough to know how to work for whoever won the fight and be glad to not meet the sun.
Simon had come from the west after Katrina. The vampire numbers had dwindled and they needed some capable investigators to help clean up the riff raff of vamps that began preying on the helpless humans stranded in New Orleans, or the sad people trying to come back and make a home out of the destruction. Simon worked for Victor, but had ambitions of his own. He knew he could make sheriff someday, he just needed the experience and figured New Orleans would look great on a “resume.”
A new waitress stopped by the table and took their drink orders. Eric began asking the local investigators what they knew and what they thought needed to be done. Simon immediately took charge and told Eric that he was concerned about a group of vampires that had taken over the 9th Ward. He had phone records from King De Castro’s staff linking them to Victor and felt that they needed to be “dealt” with right out of the gate. Trey agreed and did not add much else to the conversation. Eric nodded and thought that Bill might actually be right; Simon was the one with the head for the sheriff’s job.
“Who leads this group? Would I know him?”
Simon shook his head and pursed his lips a little, “No sir, I don’t think you would. The leader is called Booker. He is a young vampire, maybe 200 years old?” He looked at Trey and he nodded in agreement. “I believe he came from California originally, he was a sailor, but mostly worked merchant ships. It seems that he continues to live a hardscrabble hand to mouth existence, but he has become a captain of sorts with a group of followers.”
Eric couldn’t believe what a bastard this Booker was. Actually, he could. Booker reminded him a lot of himself before he had understood that survival meant playing the game, at least enough to make it look like you respected the hierarchy. Eric nodded, “How do you propose we deal with them? I have heard that they are boldly discussing their involvement in Victor’s plot as though there are no consequences.”
Trey continued to stay quiet and Simon spoke, looking from Eric to Chan, “We can scare the hell out of them and keep Booker for trial or we can publicly kill him to show them that there is still law here and they will have to obey it or face the final death.” Eric was really liking the way this one thought. However, he knew that killing the vamp was not an option. They would have to take Booker into custody and wait for the King to deal out his punishment.
Eric told them that killing the man would not solve their problems and that he knew that the King would never condone it. Felipe believed that it was his duty to exterminate what was left of Victor’s followers. They discussed the suites that remained in Victor’s compound that could be used to imprison Booker and some other zealots in his crew. Eric agreed that they best form of imprisonment involved silver to ensure that no one escaped. Simon knew what needed to be done and agreed to set up the meeting with Booker.
He left a message for the “captain” inquiring about letting Eric meet his crew and helping them establish their place in the city. Booker called back shortly and although quite cocky, seemed awestruck that the great Northman would come to meet his crew. Was it going to be that easy? To show up at this meeting and take the fool? They agreed to meet that evening at an abandoned church in the 9th Ward.
They drove to the church in Simon’s Hummer while Trey drove a van ready for prisoners. Eric was thinking to himself that this would actually be much like Victor’s own demise. Booker was just too dumb to keep his mouth shut. Sure enough, the meeting began and introductions were finished and not a second later Booker began talking about the plot to overthrow King De Castro. “We stand here tonight being recognized by one of the strongest Sheriff’s in our state because we know that Louisiana can not be ruled by some fool in Las Vegas. We will not be micro-managed from another part of the country. We will find our own way and our own leader.” It went on and on, with some cheers from a few in the audience, but mostly the vamps in attendance were looking at Booker like he was nuts.
Eric knew that the others were taking notice of the vamps that were in support of Booker’s thoughts. He knew that they would have to be taken as well and knew that between Chan, Bill, Trey and Simon they would be grabbed. As Booker wound down his chest thumping, Eric nodded and began to speak, “You are correct, Louisiana should not be lead from a far.” Booker grinned and took Eric’s hand as he reached out to shake it. In a flash he pulled the man towards him so that he had an arm around his neck and a stake to his heart. A few people jumped up, but the crowd was stunned, “That is why the King made me his second in command you fool.” Bill stepped up with leather gloves on and placed silver handcuffs over Bookers long sleeves. Eric’s men grabbed 3 or 4 other vamps that had started towards the pulpit. Eric looked around, and spoke to the rest of the crowd, “Do not underestimate me, or the rules of our kind. Simon is the new Sheriff here and Trey is his second. They will not tolerate your insubordination. DO NOT make me come back to New Orleans to deal with your group again. You will not be punished for believing a zealot – but do not think your involvement in this little group will be forgotten. The King will be here to hold a trial to determine what to do with these traitors. I hope you will all witness the outcome and know that you could very well be on trial as well.” A few people in the crowd actually clapped and on his way to the car a couple tried to shake his hand. Simon was walking out at his side with a blank look on his face and Trey seemed a little pissed.
When they got in the car Eric spoke before anyone else could have the chance, “Simon, I believe you are ready for this job. I will support you in whatever you need.” He looked at Trey in the backseat with Bill and Chan, “Trey, Simon will need your help. He will not be able to straighten up this town without you.” He sat back and checked his watch, “Now, get me back to my car so I can drive home. I do not wish to wake up in a strange place tomorrow evening. I will see you for the trial if not sooner.”
************************************************
It was just after dark in New Orleans. Eric and Chan sat at a table in the Cat’s Meow sipping lukewarm TrueBloods and waiting for Simon and Trey to arrive. It was an inconspicuous meeting place as vampires rarely visited the inside of this trashy human bar. They found prey outside in the street; drunk and either flashing their breasts, trying to get someone to flash their breasts, or vomiting in the street. Bill was in the hotel using his computer and Eric was glad to have a break from listening to his incessant rambling. Chan kept him entertained and reminisced about previous trips to New Orleans in what he called, “the good old days.”
“Do you remember how many women I had that night? It was like a buffet!”
Eric pursed his lips a little, “You remind me of your sexual prowess quite frequently, and if I didn’t know better I would think you were overcompensating. But yes, I remember that night. I remember that all of the women were diseased and disgusting.”
“Pah – human diseases mean nothing to me.”
“Yes, well…to each his own.” He shuddered a little bit, grateful that hygienic standards had gone up greatly over the years.
“I am thinking about opening my own store again.”
Eric rolled his eyes, “Chan, are you not saving money and able to send it to your descendents?”
“Yes, of course.”
“Then please, let us not go through this again.” Chan looked a little incredulous, “Every 20 years of so you have some descendent that needs money or to work their way through college. You reopen your own dry cleaners and then what?” he paused. “Your damn relative robs you blind. That’s what happens.”
“It only happened twice.”
“Yes, and I remember the consequences of the last time quite well.” The Asian actually grinned thinking about it, but Eric continued, his face grim, “You showed up months later half starved and then disappeared in Canada. The next thing I heard, you were almost staked – by the King of Vancouver.”
“How was I to know he would be that upset?”
“You got in bed with him and his wife!”
“She said he could learn from me!”
They both laughed and then as if a switch had flipped, Eric became serious and glanced towards the door. A second later Trey and Simon entered the bar and joined them. Eric made the introductions, although he thought perhaps that Chan already knew Simon. They had both spent a fair amount of time in the western US over the years and since the vamp population out there was so small, it was likely they had run into each other.
Trey had been around New Orleans for some time and had worked his way up the ladder of vamps. Before Sophie Anne died he was little more than a gopher. When Victor took over he was given more responsibilities and had proven an effective investigator. He was the kind of man who would prefer to work for a boss he liked and respected, but had been vampire long enough to know how to work for whoever won the fight and be glad to not meet the sun.
Simon had come from the west after Katrina. The vampire numbers had dwindled and they needed some capable investigators to help clean up the riff raff of vamps that began preying on the helpless humans stranded in New Orleans, or the sad people trying to come back and make a home out of the destruction. Simon worked for Victor, but had ambitions of his own. He knew he could make sheriff someday, he just needed the experience and figured New Orleans would look great on a “resume.”
A new waitress stopped by the table and took their drink orders. Eric began asking the local investigators what they knew and what they thought needed to be done. Simon immediately took charge and told Eric that he was concerned about a group of vampires that had taken over the 9th Ward. He had phone records from King De Castro’s staff linking them to Victor and felt that they needed to be “dealt” with right out of the gate. Trey agreed and did not add much else to the conversation. Eric nodded and thought that Bill might actually be right; Simon was the one with the head for the sheriff’s job.
“Who leads this group? Would I know him?”
Simon shook his head and pursed his lips a little, “No sir, I don’t think you would. The leader is called Booker. He is a young vampire, maybe 200 years old?” He looked at Trey and he nodded in agreement. “I believe he came from California originally, he was a sailor, but mostly worked merchant ships. It seems that he continues to live a hardscrabble hand to mouth existence, but he has become a captain of sorts with a group of followers.”
Eric couldn’t believe what a bastard this Booker was. Actually, he could. Booker reminded him a lot of himself before he had understood that survival meant playing the game, at least enough to make it look like you respected the hierarchy. Eric nodded, “How do you propose we deal with them? I have heard that they are boldly discussing their involvement in Victor’s plot as though there are no consequences.”
Trey continued to stay quiet and Simon spoke, looking from Eric to Chan, “We can scare the hell out of them and keep Booker for trial or we can publicly kill him to show them that there is still law here and they will have to obey it or face the final death.” Eric was really liking the way this one thought. However, he knew that killing the vamp was not an option. They would have to take Booker into custody and wait for the King to deal out his punishment.
Eric told them that killing the man would not solve their problems and that he knew that the King would never condone it. Felipe believed that it was his duty to exterminate what was left of Victor’s followers. They discussed the suites that remained in Victor’s compound that could be used to imprison Booker and some other zealots in his crew. Eric agreed that they best form of imprisonment involved silver to ensure that no one escaped. Simon knew what needed to be done and agreed to set up the meeting with Booker.
He left a message for the “captain” inquiring about letting Eric meet his crew and helping them establish their place in the city. Booker called back shortly and although quite cocky, seemed awestruck that the great Northman would come to meet his crew. Was it going to be that easy? To show up at this meeting and take the fool? They agreed to meet that evening at an abandoned church in the 9th Ward.
They drove to the church in Simon’s Hummer while Trey drove a van ready for prisoners. Eric was thinking to himself that this would actually be much like Victor’s own demise. Booker was just too dumb to keep his mouth shut. Sure enough, the meeting began and introductions were finished and not a second later Booker began talking about the plot to overthrow King De Castro. “We stand here tonight being recognized by one of the strongest Sheriff’s in our state because we know that Louisiana can not be ruled by some fool in Las Vegas. We will not be micro-managed from another part of the country. We will find our own way and our own leader.” It went on and on, with some cheers from a few in the audience, but mostly the vamps in attendance were looking at Booker like he was nuts.
Eric knew that the others were taking notice of the vamps that were in support of Booker’s thoughts. He knew that they would have to be taken as well and knew that between Chan, Bill, Trey and Simon they would be grabbed. As Booker wound down his chest thumping, Eric nodded and began to speak, “You are correct, Louisiana should not be lead from a far.” Booker grinned and took Eric’s hand as he reached out to shake it. In a flash he pulled the man towards him so that he had an arm around his neck and a stake to his heart. A few people jumped up, but the crowd was stunned, “That is why the King made me his second in command you fool.” Bill stepped up with leather gloves on and placed silver handcuffs over Bookers long sleeves. Eric’s men grabbed 3 or 4 other vamps that had started towards the pulpit. Eric looked around, and spoke to the rest of the crowd, “Do not underestimate me, or the rules of our kind. Simon is the new Sheriff here and Trey is his second. They will not tolerate your insubordination. DO NOT make me come back to New Orleans to deal with your group again. You will not be punished for believing a zealot – but do not think your involvement in this little group will be forgotten. The King will be here to hold a trial to determine what to do with these traitors. I hope you will all witness the outcome and know that you could very well be on trial as well.” A few people in the crowd actually clapped and on his way to the car a couple tried to shake his hand. Simon was walking out at his side with a blank look on his face and Trey seemed a little pissed.
When they got in the car Eric spoke before anyone else could have the chance, “Simon, I believe you are ready for this job. I will support you in whatever you need.” He looked at Trey in the backseat with Bill and Chan, “Trey, Simon will need your help. He will not be able to straighten up this town without you.” He sat back and checked his watch, “Now, get me back to my car so I can drive home. I do not wish to wake up in a strange place tomorrow evening. I will see you for the trial if not sooner.”
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