The Far Reach (Southern Vampire Mystery)

Chapter 17 - The Upwind Mark

Nautical Note: When racing, there is always one leg of the course that is an upwind mark. It requires all your skill and strategy to maintain headway and gain as you tack endlessly back and forth, fighting for forward progress.

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'How quickly we become accustomed to pleasant things,' Eric thought as he lay in bed. Once his awareness had awakened, he knew Sookie was not beside him and he had a moment of panic. Then he felt her, muted in a way that told him she slept. It was like feeling a warm breeze blow through him. He could tell she was nearby and that she felt comfortable although not quite enough. He knew he would have to wait until fully awakening to find her, but just her presence helped. This was the part of the bond that differed from the one he held with Pam and Karin. It was the sensation that when they were not in proximity that his world was somehow muffled. He remembered a time when his ears would fill with water and he would seem to feel a little distanced from his surroundings. It was similar to that. When she was near him everything was clearer, brighter. Then he had a stray thought. What if this sensation was not the bond? What if it was because he was in love with her?

Eric spent this time as he did all his twilight time in work mode, mentally reviewing the conversations and proposals that his team had made the prior night. Tonight the meetings would be cut short, and there would be the inconvenience of the interview that the New York woman had arranged with the 'Good Morning New Orleans' television show. Everyone seemed to think that taping a conversation with a vampire to show on a morning segment would pull ratings. Eric was doubtful. Twy had prepped him yesterday and he had been provided an advance copy of all the questions. There would be time wasted while they applied makeup so that he appeared more attractive under their lights and he knew the publicist had already pre-approved his wardrobe. He was still not happy that Sookie would not be at his side, but at least she would be standing in a place where he could see her. Eric understood the need of building relations and a recognizable presence in the city. He was more interested in appearing as an upstanding citizen with whom people wanted to do business, and less a side-show novelty. He was not convinced that this interview would help.

Eric's thoughts did not seem to want to obey him tonight. His mind kept returning to the fact that Sookie would be leaving in the morning and be gone for days. He dreaded that his time apart from her would be difficult, but there was much to keep him busy.

Eric had decided to bring both Thierry and Jane to the Zeus Summit. That would bring his contingent to five, including himself, Sookie, and Thalia. He knew he would have to speak with Max tonight. There was only a month until the Summit and travel plans needed to be made now. Eric had considered Thierry's remarks about leaving Jane behind, but in the end decided that she should come. Even if Sandy Seacrest was only able to spend a little time with his people at this gathering, it would be an introduction made under pleasant circumstances. Stan would certainly be available as well. Both vampires had an interest in energy production, and this could prove a valuable opportunity to talk and set a preliminary agenda for future cooperation.

The information that his team had provided last night had been exciting. According to the surveys Eric had seen of his controlled areas, the potential for natural gas production could prove to yield even better results than the estimates he had seen for Oklahoma. This could solve short term cash needs, but in his heart, Eric did not feel that this energy process was a long term strategy. The cost to recapture and the potential for lasting damage to both land and reputation was high. No, this was a fast means to an end and Eric's plan would be to transition to renewable energy production, at the earliest opportunity.