The Far Reach (Southern Vampire Mystery)

Chapter 27 - The Plotted Pattern

Nautical Note: When searching for something at sea you plot out grids on a chart and then make assignments to those who are sailing with you. When seen from above, and well executed, it makes for an inspiring view of precision and seamanship.

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Eric swung down the hallway, Charles moving swiftly behind him. Eric was making an effort to control his speed so he wouldn't outstrip the guard, but his irritation was making it difficult. 'Niall!' Eric could see the face of the Fairy ruler, smug and condescending, as if their troubles were not pressing enough!

Relations between the Viking and the Prince had never been cordial. They had first met when Eric was still with his Maker. While the first encounter had not been unpleasant, the Viking was well aware of where the Prince placed him in any pecking order, and it wasn't at the head of the line. Fae and vampires tolerated each other reasonably well, as long as the interactions were out of doors. In confined spaces and without some form of blocking magic, the scent of fairy mixed with vampire reminded Eric of a television show he had seen once on the effect of combining blood and sharks. Fortunately, or unfortunately, the Prince was able to control his scent and so they had never found themselves locked in mortal combat.

Of course Eric and the fairy prince had fought, sometimes against each other, but more recently on the same side. When Sookie was taken by Niall's enemies, Eric had ignored his own boss' orders, taking sides with the Sky Fae in what was a Fae conflict. It had been the final nail in the coffin between Victor Madden and himself. Eric and Victor had danced around each other after that, both feigning courtesy, but Eric knew that his actions in siding with Niall and saving his wife had signed a final death warrant. The Viking was happy that it had turned out to be Victor's final death and not his own.

With the many twists and turns of his long life, being related by marriage to Niall had never entered his mind as a possibility. Eric couldn't help the grim smile that tilted his lips. Of all the creatures he could have chosen as a father-in-law, the Fae Prince did not make the top twenty. Twisty and devious were words he associated with Niall. Who knew how a fairy thought? The Viking's steps were besieged by woes: financial, personnel, infrastructure. Finding himself dogged now at each turn by the Prince's agents made the entire enterprise unbearable. Eric realized he was growling when the elevator doors slid open.

Eric thought about this latest demonstration of the Prince's interference. The Viking had met Finn in past. They had been on the same side of several trade deals, but their interaction had been brief. Rumors of Fae presence on the tall, red-headed King's lands were longstanding. The connection between Nebraska and the Fae supposedly dated back to Finn's origins in Ireland, but Eric had learned that without firsthand account, taking these stories at face value was a risky business. Eric couldn't keep the sneer off his face. Only the Prince of the Sky Fae would have turned Nebraska into a messenger boy! His own choice of Sheriff, Jane, being revealed as some form of agent was more salt in the wound. Eric was still surprised at his forbearance. Jane should be finally dead. He couldn't think what impulse had stayed his hand, and then he did. She was involved with Niall, Eric was now inextricably involved with Niall, and Sookie's essential presence in his life involved a fairy price tag. Eric growled more loudly.

As they exited on the right floor, Eric was grinding his teeth. Owen took one look at the King's face, moved the key to the lock, and swiftly twisted the handle.

The door swung open and the smell enveloped Eric, overwhelming all his defenses. His fangs dropped, his cock stiffened, and he was salivating. Fairy! He could see Sookie's shocked face turning to him from her place on the sofa. She went pale when his instinctual reaction slammed through him, and then through the bond into her. It was everything he could do to pull himself back into the hall. "Slam the door," he gasped. He leaned against the far wall and waited for his reaction to decrease.