Scratches-Chapter 9

(A/N) Miss me? Miss the story? I wanted perfection and I think I got it. Keep in mind that this story is not BETA approved. All mistakes are mine and I own no copyrights to the True Blood or the Vampire Mysteries/Sookie Stackhouse Novels.

V’’V

“Sookie, wake child.”

A soothing male voice calls Sookie back from the darkness. Sookie’s eyelids blink open to find an ethereal light all around her. Gasping, she sits up quickly to take her in surroundings. A four poster bed sits elegantly in a green grassy meadow. White silk is draped over the beautifully carved wood and sways in the slight warmed breeze.

“Where am I?” Sookie mutters to herself. One moment Eric is screaming her name. Attempting to break Godric’s viper like bite to her throat and now…well now she’s in a Barbara Walters filtered dream land.

“I do not know who Barbara Walters is.” Sookie turned to the left abruptly to find a man in his late fifties with long silver blond hair and dazzling blue eyes watching her. A handsome indulgent smile spreads across his face as he observes Sookie.

“Who are you?” Sookie demanded, alarmed at his sudden appearance she shrinks back from the man. Using the bed she had taken a few steps from as an obstacle to the intruder.

Wherever he has taken me, I have to escape. Eric must be freaking the fuck out!

“No doubt the Viking would be greatly upset at your disappearance. In another life, I have seen such repercussions of your absence in his existence and it was most entertaining.” The older man chuckled. His soft looking hair wafting over his ears to reveal graceful points on the upper ridge.

Fairy

“You can hear my thoughts?” Sookie questioned.

“Why yes, and once you are trained in all things Fae, you shall be able to find and connect to my thoughts, great-granddaughter. As well as any other being you wish to hear.”

Sookie massaged her temple in confusion.

“Great granddaughter? Who are you? Do you know Claudia?”

“Of course, my apologies Sookie. Yes, you are my part of my family. My name is Niall Brigant, Prince of the Sky Fae, your great grand-father. And yes, Claudia is also our kin, my grand-daughter, your cousin.” Niall stepped closer to the bed and snapped his fingers, transforming the white bedding and wood beams to a refined, tufted white sofa.

Her fairy great grandfather was dressed in a light three piece gray suit, with a white cane. Sookie doubted very much that he needed staff for walking. She didn’t know why but she was sure it was an illusion to disarm those around him.

“A very astute conclusion, dear Sookie. Please have a seat. We do not have much time.” Niall waved a hand to the now sofa.

“Alrighy.”

Might as well since I’m in fairy fucking Wonderland.

If Niall heard her last thought he ignored it and got right to his point once Sookie took her seat. Turned to face her, the fairy smiled and said. “I wish we had meant sooner, for I have much to teach you about your heritage. You are part fairy Sookie, the magic connection linked from your grandfather, my son. To your father and now to you. I do not have time to go into the family line. Maybe at another time and place we can reminisce.”

Niall frowned but continued. “You have started a bond with The Northman, a vampire. Usually I would not condone such an action of my kin, however.” He cleared his throat. “His magic as allowed yours to come forth from the trappings of your human upbringing. Therefore I shall seek no retribution on his claim to you. But you must complete your bond. Soon.”

Sookie’s head was whirling with Niall’s words. Her family? He was her family? What a bomb to drop and move on from. Yeah, Godric and Eric suspected she was part Fae but to have confirmation. What a mind fuck! Eric has magic to help with my…powers?

“Okay, let’s say I believe you about the family thing. I mean you do look a lot like daddy and Jason.” In fact so much so, Sookie was almost speechless. She knew she had to get as many answers from him before she was back to wherever Eric was now. “When you say magic, do you mean Eric’s blood?” Niall nodded in affirmation.

“But I’ve had Bill’s blood too? First, I mean. Why wouldn’t my powers grow back then?”

Niall growled, showcasing his perfectly square white teeth. “That Compton is a menace, he was never to have gotten near you. If I had listened sooner. I would have stopped his interference into your life. I owe you a debt child. He took your maidenhood and loyalty under false circumstances. He will wish he were finally dead once I find him!”

Pressed into the farthest arm of the sofa from Niall, Sookie sat wide-eyed. This stranger/extended/lost and found family member was deeply upset over her betrayal by Bill. His countenance was terrifying and Sookie had no doubts that Niall meant every word. Lucky for Bill he was still in Eric’s prison basement. Although he might not see it that way.

The Prince twirled his cane in his hand and looked away from Sookie as if to collect himself from his last statement. “Dear Sookie, your powers will grow with each exchange with the Northman. You will be able to read minds of all around you and be able to defend yourself. It will be overwhelming, therefore I will provide a tutor.”

“Claudia?” Sookie’s voice squeaked. Coughing to clear it, she asked. “But Claudia was only in my mind. Wasn’t she?”

“Sookie”

Her head switched focus and followed the sound of her name on the wind. Eric. He was calling her and she couldn’t wait to go.

“She will be available for you after she is cared for. But you must finish the bond. Danger awaits you without strengthening your gifts.” Niall spoke softly, his voice and appearance were starting to fade in the surreal green meadow against the now fading white couch.

“Niall, wait! When will I see you again? I have so many questions!” Sookie tried to stay focused on the Prince as he faded further into the darkness that had suddenly come over them. “Don’t leave!” Sookie called out.

“In time.” Niall’s voice echoed in the dusky gloom before the blackness engulfed Sookie once more.

 

 

…another realm…

At least she was able to be with her Godric for one glorious moment, before she would cross into the Summerlands. Claudia carried more sorrow now, having made a promise to her King that she would never be able to keep. Never would she be well enough to travel to the portal and meet her Godric in the flesh. Her king would never be able to enter this side of the portal to save her.

And there was nothing she could do to change her present circumstances. Creation knows, she tried.

Strapped to a large lemon tree in the center of the village square for the last two weeks. Her message of three days’ time in Godric’s realm would be up in only an hour. He would be waiting for her. She knew it. And he would be destined to wait and wonder evermore.

The bark was not fatal but being surrounded by the poisonous fruit was causing her magic to wane. All Claudia could do was sag uncomfortably against the filament rope and rest her back against a tree that kept her imprisoned.

Forgive me, Godric.

If only she had been able to give her vampire her blood, he might have been able to hear her last words telepathically.

Oh, how she longed to feed him. Perhaps even exchange blood in a lover’s embrace. She was sure Godric would be able to hold himself in check when he tasted her Fae blood. She was mostly Fae, only a small part human. Which she supposed is how she ended up here in the camp of the renegade Water Fae.

Claudia was out riding in the outlands of her Grandfather’s Kingdom without a guard…again. Honestly, she never truly believed they would have caught her. Claudia was careful, aware of her surroundings and not a bad fighter. She had honed her defenses and offences early in life.

Preston had warned her emphatically that she was to mind her King and kin. To do exactly what they advised so that she may continue to stay safe. Preston was a fine male, but her heart was never bound to his.

Then the vision of Godric and herself making love by a spring in a wood was made known to her. And she knew. It was magic. It mattered not to her that they were of different species, sworn enemies. Her vision confirmed in her heart that she and Godric were meant to be.

Having informed Preston of her intent to travel to her kin on the other side and find her soulmate, he laughed. “A vampire can not love and you are mine.” Preston had spoken, but not passionately, merely stating a mating fact. He did not love her in a soul match way, and surly, informing him of her claim for another would weaken his resolve to marry her? But no, he was a fairy male bound by ritual. Their mating was set for the Springtime celebration in a few months’ time and he was determined to see it through.

“Wake up little mongrel.” Neave’s voice was razor sharp to match her teeth.

“Perhaps we have been too lenient. Do you require water?” Locklin asked.

This was a cruel, false kindness. Claudia shook her head. “N-no,” Licking her lips to gain a stronger voice. “No, no more.” She hated pleading, but she needed more time to heal from the last kindness.

“Come now precious, you must regain your strength.” Locklin voice was the poster boy of goodness. “Bring the barrel.” He commanded.

A wooden trough on wheels was carted in front of Claudia for what seemed like the thousandth time. Then the pulley system that held her taught to the lemon tree assisted her limp body as it sank closer to the water.

The lemon water.

Her once luminous multi-colored head dunked into the liquid acid. Closing her eyelids, Claudia remembered not to breathe or open her mouth to allow scream to covey her agony. Her tongue would be coated with lemon water and without freedom from her current hell or healing magic, she was doomed.

Claudia was pulled from the poison to noises of laughter and taunting. The Water Fae despised the Sky Fae. The tribe felt that they had been slighted in the past and now sought to create a pure race of Fairy. That was laughable, there were impurities on all sides of the Fae. In fact, the impurities kept their birthing rates high. At one time, Claudia would be deemed unworthy to mate, even with her partial Royal blood.

Her crossed lineage now was looked upon as attractive. Having given her and her mate the upper hand to conceive and carry many young Fae to term. Goody for her.

The lemon water had eaten more of the partially healed flesh of her face and neck. Her restorative powers had slowed down significantly since being strapped to the citrus tree. If only she was strong enough to loosen her bonds, she would rein terror upon the Water Fae worthy of Hades himself.

“Enough! Leave the prisoner, the Sky army approaches!” Brendon bellowed over the horde that had circle to witness her continued humiliation. Her Grandfather’s forces had been gaining footholds across the Water Fae lands. She knew their days were numbered. Claudia knew that her days were as well.

“Don’t forget about us precious. We shall return after killing your bitch ass Grandfather to give you food.” Neave taunted.

“Fuck you.” Claudia whispered hoarsely. Looking that cunt right in the eye. They would never break her, she would die before they did.

Locklin, held back Neave as she tried to lunge toward Claudia. It was all in show. The twins had no desire to get close to the lemon tree, hence all the fancy ropes and pulleys. Pain and misery were bestowed on her from a safe distance. This must have taken some of the sting from their usual games away, at least that is what she had come to understand about their ways.

“We shall return dear sister, then have your fun.” Locklin soothed the small female.

Following the remaining mob, the twins grabbed weapons and armed themselves as they made their way out of village. For a few hours at least, Claudia could focus her light to heal herself as much as she could. The good news, if there was such a thing was that not one living soul would be around her while she called upon her powers through meditation. The Water Fae numbers were so few, that they needed to send every male, female and young Fae of sword holding age to fight.

Fools.

Time passed slowly, despair enveloped Claudia thinking about Godric never knowing why she did not keep her vow. A Fae’s promise was everything when given. To break that circle was dangerous. Bad magic would follow her now. Maybe it already was?

A rustle near the edge of the tree grabbed her attention. Were they back already? Shit!

“Princess, do not make a sound. Niall sent me. I am here to help.” A deep male voice said low, close to what had been the left side of her ear.

Claudia whimpered low in her throat, this was another trick by the twins.

“Just kill me.” She implored them. No hope of seeing her soulmate, her vampire King, her Godric. The pain was excruciating. As depressed as the weight of her torcher made her feel, she welcomed death. There was no escape anymore. Nothing and no one would save her now.

“Shh, Princess. The guard will hear your cries.” Oh god, she braced herself against the burns she was sure were coming.

The rope holding her to the tree loosened and the male caught her in his thick arms. Claudia was weakened beyond all recognition. Before she could register the male’s next moves, her savor was untangling her from the ropes. Freed at last, she was lifted gently into his arms as he sprinted away from the lemon tree.

The distance kept growing and Claudia could feel her strength begin to return. She was a long way from whole but the relief from the continuous lemon was incredible.

They were deep in the woods adjacent to the village in no time. Her savor was quick regardless of his great size. Looking up to face the male for the first time, her eyes widened in surprise.

“D-Desmond.” Claudia was in awe.

“Yes, Princess. I have come to take you to your kin.” Desmond smiled but kept his eyes alert of any threat. The Demon was a close friend of her Grandfather, the Prince. Someone she had known all her long life, he never ever got involved in Fae politics past an informal legal debate with Niall. Desmond flashed a mouthful of beautifully sharpened teeth at her. The Demon was in full force tonight.

His professional attire set aside for a black outfit that blended perfectly with the environment.

“I must get to the portal. Please.” She spoke up as he ran through the wooded area. Carrying her as if she weighed no more than a crust of bread.

“Indeed. That is the exact location we are headed. I have been told that a certain vampire will keep you safe while you regain your strength.” Desmond winked down to her as he continued to climb the terrain.

“You approve?” Claudia didn’t expect her Grandfather to share her request with the Demon, oh! But how happy she was to being on her way to Godric. Sookie and Eric would be amazing to finally meet and interact with as well. But Godric is who she wanted.

“I do, I am pleased that your cousin came around much sooner to the Viking’s charms before I or my nieces needed to intervene. Perhaps with your presence, she will learn more of the ways of the Fae.” Desmond spoke softly as he continued on his way.

The Demon shot Claudia a look that she understood was an order directly from Niall. “I understand. Tell the Prince, he has my love and devotion, forevermore.” Claudia respected her Grandfather, she was proper with the Royal procedures everywhere but in his presence she was playful and rowdy. And he loved her for that. Of course she would happily train her little cousin, it was as it should be.

“Hold tight. Many guards ahead. I know a shortcut.”

Oh, fuck her. This was going to hurt.

Desmond disappeared in his Demon-style flourish of white smoke that confused any tracker on what or who they were following.

A jarring re-entry later, Claudia clasped her hands to her head. Teleportation with Demon magic was never jolting to her but Claudia done so in a weakened state, left her shaken.

“We are at the Portal. This journey should be easier on you Princess.” Desmond let hope bleed through his voice. Claudia braced herself for the passage, more thrilled to see her King than any dread of the gateway. She had survived so much, she would hang on a bit longer.

The Portal, a circle of colorful water-like liquid circled and pulsed with energy before the pair. The Demon lawyer stepped in bringing the severely injured Princess to what he was sure to be one extremely pissed off ancient vampire.

 

V”V

 

“She said three fucking days. Claudia would not lie about this!” Godric seethed.

“Master, I understand that you believe what she said. However, dawn draws near, we must head back to Sookie or at the very least go to ground for the day.” Eric spoke in a calm, measured voice that did nothing more than piss Godric off further. Sending his anxiety and frustration into hyper drive.

Eric was not to be blamed, but oh, how Godric longed to fight someone or something this very moment. The fear that the Princess was a manifestation of his already clouded mind scared the shit out of the ancient vampire. Truly doomed, since he almost drained his child’s beloved and then dragged a still unconscious Sookie, anxious and worried Eric to a previously unknown fairy portal in Louisiana. Where the two ancient vampires had spent every moment that evening since the sun fell below the horizon.

No, she was real. He simply could not entertain any other notion.

“Fuck!” Godric yelled into the night. Something had happened to his Princess and he was completely powerless to stop it. Had Sookie regained consciousness he might have suggested sending Sookie through the fairy portal to ascertain the situation with Claudia, after all the two females shared a link.

Watching Eric pace and then stop to face Sookie’s location every few minutes was putting them both on further edge. The telepath was not more than two hundred feet away and closely monitored by Pam and Lafayette. Godric had regretted asking for Eric’s assistance when Sookie was not herself, but who knew what would come through the unseen site. Godric would not play the odds if Claudia had a pursuer not far behind her.

Another pacing at vampire speed and a longing, frustrated look in her direction from Eric. Ludwig mentioned in her one of a kind bedside behavior, that Sookie was overwhelmed with the connection that her kin had forged through her blood. The good Doctor barked that she would awaken when she was bloody ready and popped out of Godric’s Texas estate.

Focusing back to where he could sense the magical disturbance, Godric prepared himself for a future with Claudia. He planned to take her to Eric’s secure safe house that they would be leaving for shortly. Eric was right, dawn would be upon them soon and they still needed to collect Sookie and head to the outskirts of Shreveport.

The property was secluded, well over seven thousand square feet. Godric, Claudia, Eric, Sookie, Pam and Lafayette could choose to be together in a larger nest or separate off for some much needed alone time.

“When Claudia is safe, I will devote my time to Sookie.” Eric spoke in a low commanding tone.

Godric nodded when his Viking progeny’s ice blue, determined stare bore into his.

Eric was deep in his plans to consummate the second bonding with Sookie. Godric knew he was responsible for delaying his son’s tactics. That sounded colder than Godric knew of Eric. Since Sookie had awaken his heart, he was a calmer, happier vampire. Even after more than a thousand years, a telepath introduced Eric to a whole new and exciting way of life. Eric was clambering to make their relationship forever tied and bound.

“Call the were, my son. Inform him that his shift will start soon. Were you able to secure another were to guard Sookie?” Godric inquired.

Eric nodded. “Alcide will be here in forty minutes, if he is not needed here because Claudia has shown then he will proceed to the safe house for Sookie’s additional protection.”

Taking out his phone, Eric scrolled through to see any missed calls or texts from Sookie, Pam or Lafayette. Just in case, he did not feel Sookie awaken through their bond.

A crackle and then a pop sounded from behind the vampires.

Godric turned to see a spectacular rainbow whirlpool spinning and twirling vertically in the woods. Two beings emerged from the multi-colored liquid with wetting down the passengers. Once they were cleared of the portal, the fucking thing dissipated. Leaving only the slight magical ozone smell in the early morning air.

A barley conscience Claudia was being carried by the demon lawyer, Desmond Cataliades. Godric and Eric’s fangs snapped down as they growled at the demon.

“What have you done to her?” Godric snarled, running the short distance at vampire speed to reach his Princess.

The demon’s eyebrow raised incredulously as he stepped away from Godric’s advance as flames welled in his iris. “I have saved the Princess from a horrible fate. As of now, I am more than happy to ignore the Prince’s wishes and return with her through the Fae portal.”

Godric stopped just short of touching Claudia, she was here. She was real. Desmond was a demon of his word, no doubt he would take away the only being Godric was dying to hold and protect with his very soul.

Ignoring the threat, Godric’s voice softened as his eyes beheld the woman of his fantasy. “Claudia, darling. I am here.”

Opening her eyes seemed to be a struggle for Claudia. Her lovely skin was paler than he remembered, covered in dirt and dried blood. Open wounds and deep lacerations were present over every inch of her. Some of her beautiful strawberry and caramel colored hair had been burned away, as if she her head was repeatedly splashed with acid. She also reeked of lemon, only a faint intoxicating smell that was uniquely her was watered down by the amount of lemon scent. Just as vampires could be severely injured by silver, fairies were highly allergic to citrus.

“Godric.” Claudia whispered in a hoarse voice. Licking her lips before a small smile appeared on her lips. His name on her lips called him like a siren song across the dessert. Unable to hold back, he looked the demon in the eye willing him to argue his claim. Desmond nodded as he relinquished his precious cargo over to Godric.

“I shall care for her, no more harm will befall her.” Godric spoke to Desmond. “Inform the Prince that she is mine!”

“The Prince is well aware of the claim. Shall I inform him that it is also your wish to be mated?” Desmond leveled a concerned stare.

“Yes.” Godric was rubbing Claudia’s neck lightly in an attempt to calm her.

Desmond’s gaze softened as he looked upon the Princess once more. When his eyes met Godric’s, they were filled with fire. “Others will follow vampire, be on guard.”

He looked past Godric after the vampire acknowledged that statement to find Eric. Including Eric in his declaration, Desmond said, “All of you.”

Eric nodded in reply, he would secure Sookie deep in his high tech safe home. She would awaken to find him wrapped around her as an additional barrier to any threats to his lover.

“The Prince demands for the safety of his beloved kin at all costs.” The demon sniffed the air as the wind changed. His brows furrowed. “A Maenad? Have you sent your offering?” Desmond questioned the Viking.

Eric smirked, “Her preferred offering was to reclaim her long, lost lover. A shifter who owned a local bar, Sam Merlotte. They should be on their way by now.” Eric chuckled at the memory of Lafayette relaying the story of how the Maryann Forrester, AKA the Maenad, threw Sam over her shoulder and took off in the night.

Pam had laughed her ass off when she heard from another vampire that a dog and a pig were seen fucking in the woods near the Texas border. Explaining that tidbit to Sookie was going to be interesting, Eric mused. He missed her so much. It irked him badly that in such a short span of time, Sookie Stackhouse had become his entire world. He supposed that when one finds their better half, that their truly was no other way.

“Very well.” Desmond said before he popped away leaving a light white smoke in his wake. An exceptional tracker could never follow a demon, you would need another demon to find one. Even then, Eric supposed that they had far more tricks than they would ever share in the light of day.

“We need to get safety before dawn, meet you at the safe house.” Godric spoke to Eric without looking away from Claudia. A moment later, Godric flew away with his Princess.

Not wanting to be separated from his Sookie a minute more, Eric took off at vampire speed for Sookie’s home. Pushing urgency to Pam through their bond, he let her know to be ready. They would be departing now and rushing back to his home. They still had forty five minutes before the sun rose. Plenty of time to get all four of them to Shreveport. Pam would have the duty of caring for her progeny, Lafayette could not fly, yet. But he was trying to Master the skill. He was sure he could break Pam’s record and be flying within a year of his turning, unlike Pam’s eighteen months.

Eric still got a thrill thinking of the time she fell head first into the pigpen one night after her failed attempt to keep afloat.

Landing on the soft, wet grass of Sookie’s yard Eric looked around and sensed no other beings around her property. Lafayette and Pam cradling a still unconscious Sookie walked out the front door to meet Eric on the old wooden steps.

Eric’s heart sank, seeing no change in his lover’s condition. Taking his lover from his child, he kissed her forehead. Feeling a thousand times better now that she was in his arms.

“Let’s go.” He nodded to his child and his grand-child. Looking up into the night sky, Eric noticed the fringes of lighting color towards the east as he flew off with Sookie in his arms.

V”V