Amelia and I finished our dinner while we chatted about the things that girlfriends do. It was nice just to “be,” and not worry about all of the troubles I’d been dealing with since falling back into my bizarre life in vampire/fairy land. Things only got interesting when we tried to leave.
The waiter kindly informed us that our tab had been paid and pointed to a dark haired man with his back to us at the bar. Normally, this is the time I begin to panic, but in an instant I realized who it was. In that same moment, the gentleman turned toward us and focused his bedroom eyes directly on me.
Amelia gasped, “Oh my sweet Lord, Sookie! Who is that man and where can I get one? Wait, is he a vamp? Who IS that?”
I couldn’t hold it anymore and I burst out laughing. Seamus walked over with his TrueBlood and grinned. He moved his eyes to Amelia and I could hear her rampant sex thoughts as I introduced them. I shook my head, I hadn’t really thought about how fast I’d left the house. I should have known Eric wouldn’t let me go out unchaperoned with everything going on. Seamus pulled his eyes from Amelia’s and addressed us, “Ladies, I don’t mean to intrude on your evening, just merely making sure that two such beautiful women remain safe and sound.”
“Thanks Seamus. I guess I knew better than to think we were really alone.”
“And I am glad to see that you are not upset. Eric warned me that you left in such a hurry with your friend that he could not tell you I was meeting you here.”
“Oh, no, it’s okay. These day’s I actually do feel safer knowing there’s usually a vampire in my shadow. Well, I guess it depends on whose side the vamp is on, but you know what I mean.”
“I understand. I am as they say, at your beck and call, this evening. Will you be continuing on to another venue?”
I glanced at Amelia, who was blatantly staring at Seamus, and I knew she was trying to come up something to say so that he would stay with us longer. I threw her a bone, knowing full well that nothing was going to happen between them, since he was pretty tight with Ellsey these days, “Yes actually, we’re going to the Wharf for a martini and then home.”
Amelia blinked a few times and nodded vigorously.
“Wonderful. I shall follow you to the bar and then over to Eric’s. If you don’t mind I may come in to see what decisions have been made about the bartender.”
“Sure. Thank you for dinner Seamus. You didn’t need to do that.”
He grinned, “I didn’t, Eric gave me a credit card.”
--------------------------
By the time we walked in to the Wharf I was regretting my decision and had to pull out my bitch card for a second, “Amelia – you need to pull it together. I am blocking you as best I can but you are projecting seriously pornographic images to me about a man that I know has a, well, girlfriend, and is part fairy so he sends out sex vibes to every woman he meets.” She was looking at me like I was insane. “Welcome to crazy town Amelia – this is my life. He is hot as hell, but things are not going anywhere with him and I cannot listen to all of the ways you want him to take you for one more second.”
“Alrighty then,” she said with a bite. “I guess I’ll need a real martini now, not a fruity one.”
“I guess you will. Too bad Fangtasia is still closed, we could have gone there so you could hit on Pam for a while.”
“Sookie, I’m with Tray these days. I don’t know why you think I’m interested in Seamus or why I would flirt with Pam.”
I was just looking at her, like, seriously?
“Well, I mean…. I guess I know why you think I think those things. I just…I wouldn’t have acted on any of those thoughts.”
“I know you wouldn’t have. And I also know that hitting on Pam would probably be just foreplay ‘til you got home to Tray. It’s all good Amelia. You were just getting a little carried away. It’s the fairy in him.”
---------------------------------
When we got back to the house Amelia headed straight home. We had agreed that I would come out to Merlotte’s on Wednesday to check out Sam’s new girlfriend and I could tell that she was anxious to get home. Seamus had her all sexed up and she was heading back to Bon Temps to find Tray.
Eric was back from Fangtasia and said they were still on schedule to open tomorrow. Bill and David were watching Gladiator on the flat screen and things were all just a little surreal. I was waiting for some kind of news about Gill or the plans for David, but no one was talking.
Eric came to stand behind me and put his arms around my waist. He breathed in the scent of my hair and sighed so quietly I wouldn’t have heard it if he wasn’t right next to my ear. “Lover,” he thought, “We need to strategize. I have an idea about helping David now that Gordy is coming, and I've decided how we'll deal with Gill.”
“Do you want me to go?”
“No lover, you are a part of all of this whether I want you to be or not.”
With a nod of his head the others knew to join us in the kitchen. We sat at the table and Eric told David that Gordy was on his way. If he hadn’t been a vampire I would have sworn he got emotional about it. He just kept blinking like he was trying not to tear up. Finally he cleared his throat, “You mean he’s not dead?”
Bill answered, “I spoke to him last night in Manistique. He’s headed down and he is not happy with Gill.”
David shook his head a couple of times. “I called out to him and I tried to get messages to him. I figured if anyone could help me it would have been him, but I gave up. I saved money and figured I had to do it all on my own.”
“He thought you were dead as well,” Eric supplied. He cocked his head, “Why did you think he would be able to help you? No other maker has been able to help an employee of Gill’s.”
“Well, Gordy is part of this kind of mid-west alliance. They used to trade businesses and homes every 15 or 20 years and kind of rotate around. Now they still do it when they feel like it, but with the Reveal they’ve all sort of found their place that they want to be right now. There’s about 20 of them up there. They own everything from doughnut shops in the UP to clubs in downtown Chicago. Anyway, I figured somewhere in that group they could find someone to trade for me. Someone that could work for Gill in a bar or restaurant, and not be whored out. I thought if Gordy knew what was going on he would get me back. He’s just that kind of guy – you don’t mess with him, or his children.”
“I believe you underestimate your trade value,” Eric said shaking his head.
Seamus was shaking his head as well, “Bill’s research indicates you’re about 200 years old – is that correct?”
“Yes. I was turned in Hungary and then made the trip to America with a group of stowaway vamps, including Gordy. He was truly a father figure to me, I was only 18 when I was turned. In the old country I should have been married and had children, but I was living hand to mouth in the capitol, what is now Budapest. The country had been at war for so long, I knew nothing but soldiering and stealing -and then I was starving during the long winter. Gordy found me in an alley on deaths door. I think I wanted to die then, but he turned me and taught me over the next few centuries that life was so much more than I had seen. Sorry, I just never really lived when I was actually alive... I’ve worked in restaurants and bars since we came to America. I found I liked the larger cities, while Gordy wanted solitude. After a while, when he started his connection with the other vamps in the mid-west, I worked for the people he knew and we kept in touch.”
“How did you end up working for Gill?” I heard myself ask.
“Hmmph,” he shrugged. “It’s a story that replays itself over and over in history Miss Sookie. I wanted to get rich quick and he promised me the moon. Like I said, I didn’t know much of people except for killing them and stealing from them overseas. When I came to America I learned that people aren’t always honest, but I’d never really been scammed the way I was with Gill. He gave me assignments that seemed like promotions, but they were really just to promote me to future clients. I worked VIP sections and private parties and had no idea what I was setting myself up for. ”
“So what’s the plan?” I asked Eric.
He looked around the table and shrugged, “Believe it or not, I think I’m going to let this go through the chain of command.”
Bill and Seamus looked shocked and I was confused. Eric didn’t usually need an excuse for shedding blood – even vamp blood- so I was sure he was getting ready to fight. “I’m sorry, what?” I asked.
He laughed, “I think it is time that Gill was handed over to the authorities properly. Nothing like this has happened since the Reveal, or at least that we know of. What he is doing to David is akin to slavery and that is between Gill and Gordy – but attacking my bar – that happened in my territory. Times have changed since the Reveal and we are held to a higher standard – his issue with me was business related – it didn’t warrant violence in the least. I am the Sheriff and the 2nd in Command for the State of Louisiana - he has just stepped on a hornets nest. I think going to tribunal in Louisiana or Georgia will have consequences for Gill that he’s not ready to deal with. It will be the beginning of the end of how he has run his business,” he paused, “Mind you, if he shows his face anywhere near me outside of a tribunal I will send him to his final death…”
Seamus said it, he’s the only one who could have gotten away with it, “Are you getting soft Eric?”
Eric’s eyes hardened and his stare bored into Seamus, “I would gut you, but I know you are being facetious. I do not hesitate to raise my sword.” He looked around at all of us. “In my new role I will have to balance my authority - to show my strength and my understanding of the politics. I have thought long and hard and I think that in this instance, the politics outweigh my desire to spill blood. Understand - I do not come to this conclusion easily.”
“What about me?” David asked. “You said that’s between Gill and Gordy?”
“I don’t believe the Yooper would come here without a plan. And if he didn’t have one before he left, he’s working it out on the trip down. He may choose the same route I have, given enough people to substantiate his claim that Gordy blocked you from him and that he came to believe that you were dead,” he shrugged, “Or he might just kill the bastard and save us all a lot of trouble.”
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Dead on New Years Chapter 22
I repeated the chant, “Blessed be the fairy Kings - the Earth, the wind the water.
Mask my scent, but hold my heart, protect your loving daughter,” and opened my eyes. Luc was standing there pursing his eyebrows and I knew, rather I felt, that he couldn’t smell fairy anymore. He looked a little like Alcide, but you can never be too sure, Eric had taught me that. I cracked the door, but left the chain hooked and asked to see his ID. It read “Lucien Herveux” and gave his address as Oil City, Louisiana. Before I could ask, he handed me a note from Alcide.
In his chicken scratch handwriting he explained that he had been arrested under suspicion of involvement in the attack on Fangtasia last week. The police had seen him around the building the day after the attack and had flagged his license plate. They had seen his car outside or driving near the bar several times in the next few days and since he did not have any jobs on record that were anywhere near Fangtasia, they were suspicious. They were also just generally suspicious of Alcide these days based on his history – remember the dead body he and I were found with a couple of years ago? Yeah, it doesn’t give you a good reputation. Barry had told the police that he was a friend to the bar, but since they had not been able to speak with Eric yet they were holding Alcide for questioning. I had a feeling Eric would want to make him suffer…but hoped I could convince him to contact the police immediately. He would be waking shortly, and I knew he would want to hear the story from Luc himself. I smiled as I read the last line of the note, “Don’t let that Bastard make me wait too long.” I shook my head a little and invited Luc in.
We sat at the dining table drinking sweet tea and waiting for Eric. I felt him wake up and stretch his mind to figure out why I wasn’t in bed with him, naked. Horny vampire. I made sure he understood that we had company, but was not shocked to see him come out of the bedroom in nothing but a pair of unbuttoned jeans.
He grabbed a True Blood from the refrigerator and put it in the microwave before acknowledging our guest. “Were…I smelled you from the other room. What can I do for you?”
Eric sat with his beverage as Luc began to explain Alcide’s situation. When he finished Eric was angry, but still amused by the thought of Packmaster Hervuex behind bars. “So let me get this straight,” he asked, “Barry explained to the police that he was speaking on my behalf and they still arrested your cousin?”
“Yeah. Apparently, no one felt that they could risk believing Barry. They felt that if he wasn’t really speaking for you that they would all be dead, or wish they were.”
Eric grinned a little at that, but continued, “Do you know if Barry showed them documentation of his status as my daytime man?”
“No sir. I’m not privy to that kind of information. I just know that they spoke to Barry more than once.”
“Stupid bloodbags,” he thought. “Sookie, it is a miracle your human police ever solve a crime.”
“Yes, well,” I said, “what are you going to do for Alcide?”
He was shaking his head and flipping open his cell phone as he said, “I’m calling the local vamp detective to see where he’s buried his sense.” After a few seconds he began speaking in super-fast vampire voice and I had no idea what he was saying. He would pause occasionally and I would hear maybe the first word as he started into another tirade. There were a lot of “No’s,” and a few, “Never’s” throughout the conversation. Then suddenly he closed his phone and it was over.
He didn’t look like he was going to explain, so I had to ask, “OK, what did you find out?”
He sighed, “Eben, the vamp detective that consults with Shreveport P.D. was out of town over the weekend. By the time he got back to town the police had decided that Alcide was a good suspect no matter how many times he explained to them that they needed to listen to Barry before Alcide or I sued them.”
“Will they release him now?” Luc asked.
“He’ll be out first thing in the morning. All charges will be dropped and nothing will appear on his record. Eben asked me to have Barry fax over the document indicating that he is my daytime man so that it can kept on file for Fangtasia.”
Luc was relieved, but I knew that Eric had not even asked to get him out any sooner. Ah, well, we had enough going on around her tonight dealing with the David debacle (word of the day – how fitting?). Luc thanked Eric several times and left quickly. I’d never met him before, but Were’s and vamps are not the best of friends on any occasion, so I’m sure he just wanted to get out of there. Eric chuckled at his hasty retreat, but didn’t do anything to encourage him to stay.
I stood and went to sit on Eric’s lap. He sighed and held me in his arms. “Lover,” he said quietly, “I swear our lives will not always be this complicated.”
I laughed and kissed his neck, “Sure thing Sheriff.”
He laughed back and was pulling my shirt over my head when the doorbell rang. I had finally realized that some people didn’t have to use the intercom at the gate about a week ago and Eric explained that Bill and Pam and Barry had the combination, as well as a few others, like Chan and Seamus and Bran. They could get on the property, but not into his home without his permission. So with the doorbell ringing, I knew it was a friend. Eric was muttering and trying to hide his erection as I answered the door. Bill was outside, giving me a nasty look because I’m sure he could smell my desire for Eric. But he came in and kept his mouth shut and went straight to Eric.
He gave a report on Gill’s business holdings and his key employees and guards. But the biggest news was that he discovered who David’s maker was and that he was on his way to Shreveport. Apparently he was living in northern Michigan and had no idea that David was still alive. He had called for him twice, but when he didn’t come, he figured that the bad feeling he had in his blood confirmed that his child was dead. He had found someone to supervise his 24 hour coffee and doughnut shop in Manistique and was on his way. Bill said he talked funny, saying, “Yah,” and “You betcha,” a lot, but was expected by tomorrow. Apparently Gordy was pretty fired up. He told Bill that David was his “Kin” and that Gill was a dirty city slicker that had earned what was coming to him.
Eric was grinning and I was trying hard not to laugh. Eric had told me about a secret Supe getaway island up that way in Michigan and we had watched “Escanaba in da Moonlight” so that I could see how much snow they get. I had been most amazed however, by the Yoopers, that’s what they call people who live in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, who are oddly similar to Cajuns. They are an amazingly hearty bunch who hunt, fish, camp, drink beer, live and breathe hockey - and they are a breed apart. Yoopers look out for their own and don’t take well to trolls (people from below the Mackinac bridge) interfering. I could only imagine that a Yooper-vamp was super territorial and Gill was about as big of a troll as you’d find.
David was heading in from the backyard and Eric explained that Bill would be staying at the house with him while Eric went to the bar to check on progress. They were planning to open tomorrow and wanted to be sure everything was ready.
I was debating what to do when Amelia called to say she was coming to take me for dinner. I changed clothes wondering if there was a problem, or if Amelia was just lonely. She hadn’t stayed on the phone long enough for me to read her – but I’d know as soon as I got in the car – her mind was an open book.
-------------------------------
I rode with Amelia to a restaurant owned by a witch she knew in Shreveport. Many of her friends had scattered after Katrina, and she hadn’t seen Saturnalia in quite a while. (No I didn’t make that up, it’s really her name.) The restaurant specialized in organic and vegetarian foods, but I was sure I could find something I liked. Amelia was trying to small talk about absolutely nothing and finally I just told her to stop.
”Fine – I’ll just tell you, because I don’t want you peeking around in my head like you do,” she harrumphed. “It’s Sam. I’ve been working at the bar a lot and I think he has a new girlfriend.”
“Well, that’s good.”
“Yes, but…Sookie, there’s something not right about her.”
Oh, Lord. I want Sam to be happy. “I’m sure it’s nothing.”
“It is NOT nothing. She has the strangest aura I’ve ever encountered. I mean, Sam’s is kind of more animalistic than most, but I’ve seen that before. But this girl- she is off the charts weird.”
I grinned, “Ok, so she’s not right because she has a strange aura?”
“Yes. And I want you to come to Bon Temps and try to read her.”
With everything else I had going on there was really no time for a trip to Merlotte’s. Not to mention I apparently wasn’t going unchaperoned any time soon. Maybe I could get Pam to come along. I had a feeling that Sam was dating a new shifter and that she just wasn’t reading right. Maybe she was purebread. Sam was going to be pissed too if I went out there to listen to her. I was going to have to call him first and warn him so he didn’t think I was spying on him. I sighed, “Amelia, if you’re really worried about it I’ll come out one night this week and give her a listen.”
“Oh Sookie! You would do that?”
“Of course,” I said. Of course I will go and sift through one of my best friends new girlfriends’ minds… What are friends for? If I’ve learned nothing in the past few years, it’s that friends are some of the most important people in your life and you have to do what you can to help them out.
Mask my scent, but hold my heart, protect your loving daughter,” and opened my eyes. Luc was standing there pursing his eyebrows and I knew, rather I felt, that he couldn’t smell fairy anymore. He looked a little like Alcide, but you can never be too sure, Eric had taught me that. I cracked the door, but left the chain hooked and asked to see his ID. It read “Lucien Herveux” and gave his address as Oil City, Louisiana. Before I could ask, he handed me a note from Alcide.
In his chicken scratch handwriting he explained that he had been arrested under suspicion of involvement in the attack on Fangtasia last week. The police had seen him around the building the day after the attack and had flagged his license plate. They had seen his car outside or driving near the bar several times in the next few days and since he did not have any jobs on record that were anywhere near Fangtasia, they were suspicious. They were also just generally suspicious of Alcide these days based on his history – remember the dead body he and I were found with a couple of years ago? Yeah, it doesn’t give you a good reputation. Barry had told the police that he was a friend to the bar, but since they had not been able to speak with Eric yet they were holding Alcide for questioning. I had a feeling Eric would want to make him suffer…but hoped I could convince him to contact the police immediately. He would be waking shortly, and I knew he would want to hear the story from Luc himself. I smiled as I read the last line of the note, “Don’t let that Bastard make me wait too long.” I shook my head a little and invited Luc in.
We sat at the dining table drinking sweet tea and waiting for Eric. I felt him wake up and stretch his mind to figure out why I wasn’t in bed with him, naked. Horny vampire. I made sure he understood that we had company, but was not shocked to see him come out of the bedroom in nothing but a pair of unbuttoned jeans.
He grabbed a True Blood from the refrigerator and put it in the microwave before acknowledging our guest. “Were…I smelled you from the other room. What can I do for you?”
Eric sat with his beverage as Luc began to explain Alcide’s situation. When he finished Eric was angry, but still amused by the thought of Packmaster Hervuex behind bars. “So let me get this straight,” he asked, “Barry explained to the police that he was speaking on my behalf and they still arrested your cousin?”
“Yeah. Apparently, no one felt that they could risk believing Barry. They felt that if he wasn’t really speaking for you that they would all be dead, or wish they were.”
Eric grinned a little at that, but continued, “Do you know if Barry showed them documentation of his status as my daytime man?”
“No sir. I’m not privy to that kind of information. I just know that they spoke to Barry more than once.”
“Stupid bloodbags,” he thought. “Sookie, it is a miracle your human police ever solve a crime.”
“Yes, well,” I said, “what are you going to do for Alcide?”
He was shaking his head and flipping open his cell phone as he said, “I’m calling the local vamp detective to see where he’s buried his sense.” After a few seconds he began speaking in super-fast vampire voice and I had no idea what he was saying. He would pause occasionally and I would hear maybe the first word as he started into another tirade. There were a lot of “No’s,” and a few, “Never’s” throughout the conversation. Then suddenly he closed his phone and it was over.
He didn’t look like he was going to explain, so I had to ask, “OK, what did you find out?”
He sighed, “Eben, the vamp detective that consults with Shreveport P.D. was out of town over the weekend. By the time he got back to town the police had decided that Alcide was a good suspect no matter how many times he explained to them that they needed to listen to Barry before Alcide or I sued them.”
“Will they release him now?” Luc asked.
“He’ll be out first thing in the morning. All charges will be dropped and nothing will appear on his record. Eben asked me to have Barry fax over the document indicating that he is my daytime man so that it can kept on file for Fangtasia.”
Luc was relieved, but I knew that Eric had not even asked to get him out any sooner. Ah, well, we had enough going on around her tonight dealing with the David debacle (word of the day – how fitting?). Luc thanked Eric several times and left quickly. I’d never met him before, but Were’s and vamps are not the best of friends on any occasion, so I’m sure he just wanted to get out of there. Eric chuckled at his hasty retreat, but didn’t do anything to encourage him to stay.
I stood and went to sit on Eric’s lap. He sighed and held me in his arms. “Lover,” he said quietly, “I swear our lives will not always be this complicated.”
I laughed and kissed his neck, “Sure thing Sheriff.”
He laughed back and was pulling my shirt over my head when the doorbell rang. I had finally realized that some people didn’t have to use the intercom at the gate about a week ago and Eric explained that Bill and Pam and Barry had the combination, as well as a few others, like Chan and Seamus and Bran. They could get on the property, but not into his home without his permission. So with the doorbell ringing, I knew it was a friend. Eric was muttering and trying to hide his erection as I answered the door. Bill was outside, giving me a nasty look because I’m sure he could smell my desire for Eric. But he came in and kept his mouth shut and went straight to Eric.
He gave a report on Gill’s business holdings and his key employees and guards. But the biggest news was that he discovered who David’s maker was and that he was on his way to Shreveport. Apparently he was living in northern Michigan and had no idea that David was still alive. He had called for him twice, but when he didn’t come, he figured that the bad feeling he had in his blood confirmed that his child was dead. He had found someone to supervise his 24 hour coffee and doughnut shop in Manistique and was on his way. Bill said he talked funny, saying, “Yah,” and “You betcha,” a lot, but was expected by tomorrow. Apparently Gordy was pretty fired up. He told Bill that David was his “Kin” and that Gill was a dirty city slicker that had earned what was coming to him.
Eric was grinning and I was trying hard not to laugh. Eric had told me about a secret Supe getaway island up that way in Michigan and we had watched “Escanaba in da Moonlight” so that I could see how much snow they get. I had been most amazed however, by the Yoopers, that’s what they call people who live in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, who are oddly similar to Cajuns. They are an amazingly hearty bunch who hunt, fish, camp, drink beer, live and breathe hockey - and they are a breed apart. Yoopers look out for their own and don’t take well to trolls (people from below the Mackinac bridge) interfering. I could only imagine that a Yooper-vamp was super territorial and Gill was about as big of a troll as you’d find.
David was heading in from the backyard and Eric explained that Bill would be staying at the house with him while Eric went to the bar to check on progress. They were planning to open tomorrow and wanted to be sure everything was ready.
I was debating what to do when Amelia called to say she was coming to take me for dinner. I changed clothes wondering if there was a problem, or if Amelia was just lonely. She hadn’t stayed on the phone long enough for me to read her – but I’d know as soon as I got in the car – her mind was an open book.
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I rode with Amelia to a restaurant owned by a witch she knew in Shreveport. Many of her friends had scattered after Katrina, and she hadn’t seen Saturnalia in quite a while. (No I didn’t make that up, it’s really her name.) The restaurant specialized in organic and vegetarian foods, but I was sure I could find something I liked. Amelia was trying to small talk about absolutely nothing and finally I just told her to stop.
”Fine – I’ll just tell you, because I don’t want you peeking around in my head like you do,” she harrumphed. “It’s Sam. I’ve been working at the bar a lot and I think he has a new girlfriend.”
“Well, that’s good.”
“Yes, but…Sookie, there’s something not right about her.”
Oh, Lord. I want Sam to be happy. “I’m sure it’s nothing.”
“It is NOT nothing. She has the strangest aura I’ve ever encountered. I mean, Sam’s is kind of more animalistic than most, but I’ve seen that before. But this girl- she is off the charts weird.”
I grinned, “Ok, so she’s not right because she has a strange aura?”
“Yes. And I want you to come to Bon Temps and try to read her.”
With everything else I had going on there was really no time for a trip to Merlotte’s. Not to mention I apparently wasn’t going unchaperoned any time soon. Maybe I could get Pam to come along. I had a feeling that Sam was dating a new shifter and that she just wasn’t reading right. Maybe she was purebread. Sam was going to be pissed too if I went out there to listen to her. I was going to have to call him first and warn him so he didn’t think I was spying on him. I sighed, “Amelia, if you’re really worried about it I’ll come out one night this week and give her a listen.”
“Oh Sookie! You would do that?”
“Of course,” I said. Of course I will go and sift through one of my best friends new girlfriends’ minds… What are friends for? If I’ve learned nothing in the past few years, it’s that friends are some of the most important people in your life and you have to do what you can to help them out.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Dead on New Years Chapter 21
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.”
“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.”
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.”
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