Baile Siochanta (Southern Vampire Mysteries)

Chapter 46 - Plain Sight

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When Eric rose that evening, Sookie was lying beside him. She was smiling in her sleep. She seemed to do it often and it made him smile seeing it. Her scent emanated from the sheets. It didn't matter how often he covered her with his, it was her essence that won; sun, wheat and spring wind. He caught sight of his face in the mirror across the room and he saw his Father. 'I'm besotted,' he chuckled, but he didn't wish to change a thing. "What wouldn't I do for you?" he whispered, rolling over just enough to free his hand so he could touch her.

"Bad tempered, ignorant, loyal, brave..." and he couldn't help laughing again. She moved, and he pulled his hand back. "Wife," he finished. He remembered his Father sparring with his Mother. Sometimes their banter turned to fighting, their voices raised in such fury it caused him and his siblings to seek shelter in other houses, though they rarely stayed angry. They were passionate people who lived fully. They might push at each other, teasing and challenging, but let someone else say a cross word and they became a fearsome team. 'Foreplay,' Eric realized. They never said it, but he had no doubt his parents were devoted to each other. 'As I am to you,' he thought, gazing at his sleeping mate.

He was deciding how to wake her. He thought of the steps she would take as she found consciousness. First, she would scrunch her face and try to ignore him. For a moment, her mouth would purse and then, she'd pout. It was his favorite part, when her lower lip pushed forward just a bit.

He was leaning forward when he was interrupted by his phone. It was Kiernan. Eric could tell because he'd had each of his Sheriffs programmed with a different tone, and they knew not to signal him during this hour unless it was important.

With a sigh, Eric rolled over, then stilled while he read the message. 'Your Maker is on an Anubis flight to Dublin."

Sookie chose that moment to sigh, and Eric felt his balls shrivel. 'When?' he texted and within seconds he had the hangar number and arrival time. He had barely an hour to get there and intercept Appius. If he didn't, his Maker would be in the wind and it might take Eric some time to track him down.

'What drew you here?' he wondered. 'You returned to Moscow. You decided against coming here. What changed your mind?' There were many possibilities, but only one made sense. Eric talked too much in Scotland. He boasted of his dealings and relationships and the efficiency of those he trained. It had been so long since he'd seen his Maker, his desire to impress Appius had overcome his better judgement. He'd brought this test on himself. Appius had done it before, shown up to verify what he'd been told. It was his way of making certain his progeny understood the importance of being honest.

Sookie chose that moment to make another sound and Eric stilled. He hadn't been honest with his Maker, not entirely, not about this. Eric shivered. 'It will be well,' he assured himself, but his worry lingered. 'I will defend you.' The words sprang into his mind. His mother had wielded a sword when needed, but he knew his father felt his place was standing between his mate and danger. 'And so is mine.'

Silently, Eric rose and gathered his clothes. He plotted out the next few hours, running through contingencies, his mind racing. Sometimes Appius stayed for a day or two and if that happened, Eric would take him to Ballytyne. With two light-tight chambers, it would be best there.