5 - Rumors & Bonds

Disclaimer: The Southern Vampire Series, and all characters from it, is owned by Charlaine Harris. The original characters and plot from my fan fiction are mine. I am in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.

June 2013 - Updated

This story was originally published on 3/19/09. Any mistakes left are my own.

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Eric's POV

Things had been busy for me since the takeover. Mountains of paperwork had to be handed over to the new regime and playing host to Felipe, Victor, and Sandy really wore me thin. The whole process shouldn't have taken more than a week and a half, but since we were limited on time to come to agreements and make decisions because of sleeping during the day, one and a half weeks' worth of work had turned to three.

The last time I had seen my bonded was when Pam and I had gone to Merlotte's to tell her the new king was giving her formal protection. It was a brief encounter, much too brief for my taste. I wish we could have had more time to talk, but as things stood, I had too many eyes on me. I had to be careful and seven days later, when I received an unpleasant visit, I realized I was right to be cautious.

•Oo•Oo•Oo•Oo•Oo•Oo•
FLASHBACK 7 days after
seeing Sookie at Merlotte's
Inside Eric's office at Fangtasia
•Oo•Oo•Oo•Oo•Oo•Oo•

"So, Sheriff," Victor practically hissed as he held up some documents in his hands. "These are all the financial statements of your district? I gather we gave you enough time to put everything in order?"

"Yes. You will find everything in order. If you require any further assistance, I have two human accountants and a financial adviser, who deal with this kind of transactions, ready and available twenty-four hours a day."

"Very well then. I see your financial matters seem to be in line. What about your personal matters?"

"Excuse me?" I knew very well what Victor meant: Sookie. However, I was not going to give him the satisfaction of giving him any information about her. I still did not know too much about this new regime, nor did I trust Victor's intentions with Sookie. I needed to be careful and logical about every step I took around him.

After all, it was still fresh in my mind how I was the only Sheriff left under Sophie Ann's old regime. Although I made a lot of money for the king, I realized I was not indispensable. Probably the only thing keeping me alive right now was the fact Sookie had saved Felipe's life by running over Siegbert, and the reason she saved him was because she was Blood Bonded to me.

"Yes, Sheriff, your personal assets. Specifically, your Blood Bonded—Sookie Stackhouse?"

"Oh, of course. My child and I saw her last week at her place of employment to let her know His Royal Highness was offering her formal protection."

"I see," said Victor. "And Miss Stackhouse still works there—wasn't it the place the King was attacked at? The bar run by a shifter—Merlotte's?"

"Yes, the same," I replied rather coldly. I did not know where he was heading with all these questions, but they were irritating me and keeping me from my nightly meal.

Victor chuckled. "So the rumors are true, I gather?"

"What rumors exactly?" I inched forward in my chair and straightened my posture.

Victor straightened in his chair as well, letting me know he was not intimidated by me in the least. Well, I would have to put a remedy to that, but not now. It was still too soon. Right now, I had to tread carefully.

"Well, Sheriff. There are rumors your Blood Bonded is very obstinate and hardheaded. There is talk she can't be controlled. There are also rumors Miss Stackhouse was actually given large sums of money for her services to ensure her cooperation or otherwise she would not have bothered with us. Even more disturbing, are the rumors you follow her around like a lovesick teenager, showering her with gifts, and that you go out of your way to visit her in Bon Temps. Those rumors." Victor slid back on his chair, acting as if he had left a present on my desk and was saying, "Okay, how do you respond to that?"

I knew my answer would surely be scrutinized for weakness, so I did what I always do when cornered. I laughed—loud and booming. "A lovesick teenager? Really, Victor, is that what the rumors state?" I let my laughter slow to a chuckle.

Victor did not seem amused.

"Victor, Miss Stackhouse is my bonded and as such, I treat her as one of my highest assets. She has come in handy several times—especially in Rhodes. I'm sure you've heard of her invaluable work. The rumors she is hard to control are just that . . . rumors. She heels nicely when called upon by me. The payments she receives are gifts in appreciation for a job well done, nothing more." I made sure to keep my voice as cold and calculated as possible.

"I see. So you have no romantic interest in her? I mean the Blood Bond is purely for business purposes?"

Victor was really irritating me, but I hid it well. "Whatever transpires between Miss Stackhouse and I behind closed doors is not the kind of information I feel the need to divulge. As a gentleman, I don't kiss and tell."

"Very well, Sheriff. The King merely wanted to know where things stand as of late. He is not happy about the fact that someone, whom we offer our formal protection to, lives so far from her bonded and is forced to work at such a menial job. Of course, when we asked around, it seemed everyone said the same thing."

"And that was?" I asked.

"They all say you cannot control her and make her come live with you or near you. Of course this troubled His Highness because how are we to uphold our word?"

I leaned forward and steepled my hands on my desk.

Victor continued, "So, Eric, I hope you are taking steps to correct this matter, or should I tell His Highness to take things into his own hands? Perhaps he can convince her, after all, he is quite popular with the ladies."

I stood up from my chair and immediately knew I should not have, but when it comes to Sookie I rarely do the right thing. "That will not be necessary, Mr. Madden. As I stated before, Miss Stackhouse heels very nicely when I call on her. As a matter of fact, in two weeks' time I will send for her. Tell His Royal Highness she will be taken care of, and she will be living with me."

"All right, old sport."

I raised my eyebrows at his lack of respect. Victor was really pushing his luck.

"I will inform His Majesty on this. But why do you have to wait two weeks, Sheriff?" Victor asked.

"Well, old sport, it seems I have been living a bachelor's life and my current home reflects that. Two weeks should be plenty of time to buy a home better suited to my highest asset."

"Oh, so you are buying a love nest? Has your bonded tamed you already?" Victor snickered.

There was a knock on the door and I knew who was on the other side. I sat down. "Pam, enter."

"Master, I brought your nightly meal." Pam leered and exchanged glances between Victor and me. She had brought in three brunette girls in their mid-twenties, all dressed in black leather—the usual Fangtasia fangbanger attire.

"Tamed me, Victor? Nothing could be further from the truth. Now if you'll excuse me, I must feed my appetite . . . s." As soon as I said the extra S, the girls all started to giggle and gasp in anticipation.

"I see, Sheriff. I am surprised your bonded allows such an arrangement. I always thought human females required monogamy in their relationships. How progressive of her. Certainly the King would find this a most interesting bit of information."

"It has nothing to do with being progressive, Victor. I control her and she accepts whatever relationship I offer her. I don't even have to call her or make my presence known to her in order to control her. She knows who she belongs to."

"I see. Very well, Sheriff, I will leave you to your meals." Victor left the office chuckling to himself.

•Oo•Oo•Oo•Oo•Oo•
END OF FLASHBACK
•Oo•Oo•Oo•Oo•Oo•

Fucking hell! It seemed I was slipping in my old age. I tried to lay low and away from Victor as much as possible after that conversation. I chastised myself for making two mistakes in one night. First, I rose in a defiant pose to a superior and then I made it seem as if Sookie knew about my feeding routine. Of course Sookie didn't know.

As a matter of fact, there were several things Sookie didn't know. One of those things was the true nature of the Blood Bond. That information was something I could never tell Sookie because I know once she found out the truth, she would make it her life's ambition to end it. And that was something which did not suit my needs at all.

Blood Bonds were the equivalent of the last resort when it came to making a human submit to your will. It was a procedure which was not to be taken lightly, and so few of my kind ever entered into one because they were permanent arrangements. They stayed in effect for the remainder of the human's life, which could be extended a few hundred years if you fed them your blood regularly. They were the last resort because not many vampires liked to be tied down or remain in long-term relationships.

Still, there were two valid reasons for entering into a bond. The first was for business or practical purposes, and the second was that idiotic emotion humans labeled as love.

In the first instance, if a vampire found a human with invaluable talents such as being an artist, engineer, or one which had a special ability like Sookie's telepathy, then they would enter into the bond with a business or practical arrangement. Everyone would be happy in their own little world and there would be no relationship except that of Master and servant. As a Master, you would offer your protection to the human and grant them a longer life without the human having to give up the sun. Since both parties benefited from the arrangement, it made for an ideal partnership.

But there was also a strong advantage to be gained by the vampire when entering this type of business Blood Bond. A vampire could easily control the human for a longer period of time without letting their brains turn to mush like glamouring did. There were only so many times you could glamour a human before you left them like a vegetable, so the Blood Bond along with ingesting regular doses of the Master's blood allowed a vampire to keep the human's skills intact, and you were able to make them submit utterly to your will by the power in your blood. It was unfortunate I could not test this on Sookie, since she rarely took my blood.

Vampires employed the second reason of the Blood Bond when they became enamored with a human who did not return their feelings. Glamouring would only take the relationship so far and would only be a temporary fix. So, these lovesick saps would force the human to enter into a Blood Bond to control their feelings for a longer period of time without the aftereffects of the glamour. This type of relationship often included monogamy, which increased the intensity of the magic in the bond.

When I entered into the Blood Bond with Sookie, I told myself it really was the last resort, and I hoped to control her with my blood. Sookie was nothing if not stubborn and strong willed. The only time she bent to my will was when I stuck my cock inside her and fucked her senseless. But even that only worked for a short while because she still resisted my will and influence. This fact became apparent when at the first chance she had, she left my side and took up with that miserable tiger at Rhodes.

The rumors had really taken off then. No matter whom I split in two, the rumors continued to grow. Most circulated on how a human girl was able to resist my charms and stood up to me—the Mighty Eric Northman. That's when they started saying I was in love with her and sent her gifts with love notes no less.

I was still trying to live down the fact that on the night of the takeover, I left my people and went straight to her. I know that was a stupid thing to do from a leader's point of view, but she was an asset that needed to be protected. However, my explanations did not convince many, and the rumors grew behind my back.

But I have had enough. It was finally time to deal with Sookie. Things could not have worked out better for me when the takeover took place. That night marked the end of Sookie's involvement with the worthless tiger since he betrayed her. His betrayal saved me the time and effort of finding a way to kill him without anyone suspecting me.

This time; however, I had the upper hand and I would control her. My two weeks were up and I had to deal with Sookie tonight and convince her to come to live with me in Shreveport. I could already hear her protests about keeping her job with the shifter and staying in her home.

However, I was not without any tricks. I had been using the Blood Bond to make her more pliable to my will. I had been sending her messages of me. Images actually, of what to expect when she stays with me. I wish I could have seen her face when I sent her my thoughts full of lust and desire. I had been sending them daily to her when she first woke because that was when her mind was more susceptible to my call. But even then, I could feel her fighting me, resisting me. I am beginning to wonder if like glamour, she is also resistant to our bond.

I will have to start giving her my blood regularly, hopefully that will make the difference. Nothing will give me more pleasure than to see her kneel before me and call me Master. Today, I bombarded her with my image several times so when she heard from me tonight, she would be salivating and panting for me to take her.

No more would I play the part, of how did Victor phrase it, the lovesick teenager and the enamored gentleman caller I knew she enjoyed seeing me in. I had enjoyed it as well—for a time. It was all part of the game of seduction I loved playing with Sookie so I could make her feel comfortable around me, but I was done playing that role.

I still remember the night of the takeover when I smelled her bed and all the memories of our time together rushed into me. I was devastated. Had I really acted like such a fool? If I could, I would have thrown up after remembering how I told her I would give up everything for her. I hid my face in my hands in shame. I quickly composed myself and then told her what she wanted to hear. It seemed like she had bought that my time with her had been the happiest time I had in hundreds of years.

Yes, tonight I will make Sookie heel nicely and bend to my will. I will show everyone who Eric Northman is. Not even her Prince great-grandfather could save her from my control. I will make him see Sookie cannot live without me and not even he can interfere with my plans.

I looked up when I heard Pam knock on my office door. "Enter."

"And who are you thinking about, Master, who has put such a big smile on your face? Let me guess, blonde, big tits, and answers to . . . oh yes, no one."

Normally I would engage Pam and laugh at her comments, but I was not up for jokes tonight. I gave Pam a cold stare letting her know not to push the matter further.

"Has Compton left to pick Sookie up yet?"

"Yes, Master. He left at a quarter after seven. He called a little after eight, saying he had arrived."

"Eight? Why didn't you let me know?"

"You were in the middle of having your meal, Master, and I know how you don't like to be disturbed."

Oh yes, the two redheaded twins and the brunette. "Oh that reminds me Pam. Let's cut back on redheads for a bit."

"Why is that, Master? Are you finding yourself preferring blondes now?"

Pam never knew when to quit. "I have my reasons; that is all." I still could not forget the sensation I felt earlier tonight. I thought I had heard Sookie calling out to me, and her voice made me stop attending to my meals. Had I been human, I would have surely broken into a sweat. I was filled with an overwhelming feeling of need and being on the cusp of climaxing, then abruptly stopping. A wave of guilt came over me then, making me throw my meals off my cock when they started sucking on it and I stopped them from touching me. Where was this guilt coming from? From Sookie? I quickly dispatched the blood sacs as I had already fed my blood appetite for the night.

"And what is that reason? The same reason you made me glamour them to forget they had been with you?" Pam continued her tease.

I completely ignored her snide remark. "What time is it, child?" I stressed the last word to let her know to drop it.

"It's eight forty-two, Master."

Of course she stressed the last word as well. "Well, has Compton not made contact with Sookie, yet? What did he say when he called at eight?" Goddamn Compton. What the hell was he up to?

"He said Sookie was not out in the main floor. When he asked the bartender, he said she was taking a ten-minute break and would be out shortly. He also said there was a large crowd of people and things seemed very busy."

"Call him on his cell. I will speak to him."

"I already tried that, Master. It seems he either turned off his phone or he is out of range."

"Call the shifter's bar. I will talk to her myself."

Pam dialed and handed me the phone.

"Merlotte's, Terry here."

"Is Sookie Stackhouse working tonight?" I asked into the receiver.

"Yes, who's calling?"

"Eric Northman." Could the damn shifter not afford caller I.D.? I had to pull the receiver a bit from my ear as he yelled over to Sookie.

"Yo, Sookie! Phone call!"

I heard her reply, "Hold on, Bill. Who is it, Terry?"

Goddamn Compton what the fuck was he doing? Well a few hours wrapped in silver would surely make him think twice before disobeying my orders again.

"Oh, I forgot. Oh wait. Who is this again?" Terry mumbled into the phone.

"Tell her it is her Lover. She knows who I am," I said wickedly. I wish I could see the look on Compton's face when this idiot told her that. Where did the shifter find these people anyway?

"Well that's mighty personal, sir. How about I just tell her your name?"

Idiot! "Fine! Eric. Eric Northman!" It was like talking to a brain dead zombie.

"Okay. Hold on. Sookie, it's Eric Northman."

Finally! By the gods, I felt surrounded by morons.

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A/N: Ever since I read the first book, Dead Until Dark, where Sookie looks into Eric's mind (right before he kills Longshadow), I had always been wary of Eric. You know when Sookie reads in his mind how Eric could make her do whatever he wanted as long as he threatened to hurt one of her loved ones, but he was trying to mainstream and didn't want to kill anyone unless he had to. And then, Sookie likened his mind to a pit of snakes—devious and dangerous.

Of course, I set aside my caution after the whole Hallow-curse-sex-marathon in Book four, but what girl wouldn't? I mean who the hell could say no to Eric the sex god? Then there was Bill's constant remarks that Eric was not what he seemed and would hurt our Sookie, too. Tsk tsk. Hmm. Maybe that's why Sookie resists Eric the way she does. In either case, this is just how I think the real Eric is: devious and always looking out for number one. Plus, he'll never admit how much he really cares for Sookie as he sees this as a weakness. If only he would come to grips that Sookie has him wrapped around her little finger! LOL Just love that Viking ;)

It's a shame Charlaine Harris never lets us see what (or whom) Eric is doing when Sookie isn't around him. I wish she would make a series just on Eric!

Thank you all who took the time to review! Your reviews really make my day and inspires me to write faster.