Up All Night: Chapter 13

Charlaine Harris owns almost everything. I own the rest.

NSFW. Again. Happy Friday!

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Chapter 13

Sookie’s POV

“You’re awfully quiet,” Sookie said as they pulled into a parking spot outside a restaurant.

Eric opened his mouth, as if he was going to say something, and then closed it, then opened it again. Nothing came out.

Uh oh. “You’re making me nervous.” A tight smile tugged at her lips.

“I’m not going to be dining with you.”

She rolled her eyes. “Obviously.”

“No. I mean I won’t be sitting with you. I brought you here to meet someone. Someone important.”

“Who?” Shock made her frown.

Eric glanced at the entrance and then at the clock. “He’s here already, I’ll let him explain. You’re not in danger. Don’t worry.”

She followed his line of sight trying to figure out who he was, but no one waited outside for them. “What’s going on?”

“You’ll see.” He opened her door and led her inside; wrapping her shall over her shoulders to cover much of her exposed skin.

The restaurant was filled with dim light, coming from a candle arrangement in the center of each table. Muted conversations drifted toward her. The hostess wore a white dress shirt and black tie and slacks, with her hair perfectly twisted into a bun. “Two?”

“We’re meeting someone, the old gentleman…” he replied.

The hostess nodded and smiled. “Yes. Right this way.”

Sookie frowned and gripped Eric’s arm tighter than before. They wove around tables, following the hostess until she saw him: tall, old, and immeasurably beautiful.

He stood to greet them. “Eric.” He nodded deeply.

“I’ll leave you,” Eric replied before turning to Sookie. “I’ll be waiting outside.” He spoke through his fangs which he usually only sported for food, sex, or a fight.

Ruling out the first two, Sookie tensed and scanned the group of people, not letting go of Eric’s arm. “Don’t leave me.” She focused on the strange man, trying to listen to his thoughts and jerked back at the high-pitched squeal emanating from his brain.

“You’re in no danger,” the man said.

“Eric?” she pleaded.

“I can’t stay.” His eyes dilated and fixed on the man. He kissed her cheek quickly and wrenched his arm out of her grasp.

Sookie watched him retreat. She wasn’t sure if she should be curious or afraid, and then the man spoke.

“Sookie, it is so lovely to meet you in person.” He took her hand in his. His skin was soft and smooth, like glass, and it glowed slightly, making him bright in that dark room. “My name is Niall Brigant.”

“How de-do Niall Brigant.” She pulled away from him and narrowed her eyes while she sat. “How do you know my name? Why did Eric bring me here? What’s going on?”

Niall laughed, a musical sound that drew the attention of the patrons dining around them. “I know everything about you. Eric set up this meeting at my request. I thought it was time that we met.”

“Do I know you?”

“No. I’ve only met you once, when you were too small to remember, but I’ve been watching you.”

She grimaced. “That’s not creepy at all,” she said under her breath.

Another laugh. “You are my great-granddaughter. I have every right to watch your progress as you grow.”

She shook her head. “I’ve seen pictures of my great-grandfather. Lyle Stackhouse.”

“No.”

She thought for a minute. “I can’t remember my maternal great-grandfather. Hang on a sec, it’ll come to me.”

“No. It’s a lie.”

Just then the server came and placed a dish in front of her and another in front of Niall. She frowned and almost complained about how presumptuous he was to order for her, but when the aroma of her meal hit her, she salivated. He’d ordered her favorite.

“What do you mean, it’s a lie?” she whispered as the server retreated.

“Your grandmother, Adele and my son Fintan had two children together. Your aunt Linda, and your father, Corbett.”

“My gran’s husband was Mitchell. He fathered two children.”

“Fintan was the father.”

“That’s not true!” she shouted. A woman at the table next to them frowned at her. “You’re telling me that my gran cheated on her husband!”

“Yes. That’s what I’m telling you.”

“I’m not going to sit here and listen to this.” She gathered her napkin and tried to stand, but Niall’s hand fell on top of hers, somehow anchoring her body in her chair.

“Please listen. I know this must be difficult for you, but there is much to discuss.”

“There’s more?” She huffed. “My night just keeps getting better. What next, are you going to tell me my mom cheated on my dad too?” She glared at him.

Niall chuckled and removed his hand. “No. You are Corbett’s daughter, which is why you have your gift.” He touched the side of his head.

“Gift?” She let out a bitter laugh.

“When Fintan found out Adele was pregnant with his child, his friend Desmond shared his gift of telepathy.”

“Telepathy is not a gift. Besides, I’m the only one who has it. Why didn’t my dad, aunt Linda, Jason, or Hadley get it?”

“Desmond’s gift only works in those with the essential spark.”

“I have the spark? Just me. Great.” Her shoulders slumped.

“So far.”

That sounds ominous! “So I’m all sparky, which means I got the gift of reading minds. Where is this Desmond person so I can thank him by punching him in the face?”

Another tinkling laugh spilled out of Niall’s lips. “I’ve always liked you.”

“Great!” She feigned excitement. “That makes everything all better!”

“There’s more.”

“You keep saying that, but I’m not sure I want to hear more.” She was so riled up she wasn’t sure she could stop herself, despite how rude some of her words were.

“I’m not human,” he whispered.

While the news didn’t exactly shock her, it wasn’t what she thought he’d say. “What are you?”

“Fae. I am Prince Brigant, I am a sky fairy.” He paused, letting it sink in. “We live for thousands of years, although we are not immortal. There are certain dangers to living in your realm, which is why I don’t visit often.” He tucked his silky blond hair behind his pointed ears and waited for her reaction.

“Dangers, like what?”

“Vampires, for one thing. They cannot resist the smell of fairies. You saw that tonight with Eric. Usually, I mask my scent around him, but I thought you would be coming in alone, so I didn’t bother.”

“So, if I’m part fairy, does that mean I’m irresistible too?”

Niall hesitated. “Somewhat. You definitely inherited the beauty of the Fae, as did your father, aunt, brother, and cousin, but the Fae scent is only detectable in your blood.”

Sookie’s eyes widened. “Eric said I tasted different.”

“He has had your blood?” Niall said, making a statement more than a question.

“Yes.” She looked away, trying to hide the blush at the memory of him feeding from her during sex. And then she thought of something. “Your son, Fintan, is he all fairy?”

Niall shook his head. “No, he and his twin brother are the result of my affair with a lovely human many centuries ago.”

“So I’m an eighth fairy?” She touched her ears: round and human. “I have an essential spark. And a half fairy grandpa out there somewhere.”

“Used to. He died recently. Being a sky fairy descendant, you love the sun,” he said, patting her tan arm.

She laughed.

“You are also strong and healthy. Illness doesn’t affect fairies and some of that stays with our human offspring.”

“But there are other dangers in my realm,” Sookie said, getting him back on topic.

“Iron, lemons, and limes.” He stretched a hand out toward her. “I wear a thin protective layer over my skin, like a glove, for my body. There is enough iron in the air to cause problems over time, there has been ever since the industrial revolution.”

She touched his slippery skin and pushed on it. The top layer moved slightly. “Oh.”

“Eric has been my ally for centuries, and when I discovered you were together, I naturally went to him. I have asked him to protect you.”

“Protect me from what? Lemons?”

Niall shook his head. “No. You know as well as I that lemons and iron don’t harm you. There are other things, sinister forces, which are dangerous. I’m taking a risk meeting with you right now. I’m being watched, which only draws attention to you.” He picked up her hand and kissed it. “I’m sorry. It was the only way to tell you the truth.”

“Is someone here, watching us? Is someone going to come after me?” The hairs on the back of her neck prickled.

“No, not here. In Faerie. There are portals that connect our realms. I have many enemies, which is why I needed to tell you everything. I fear that they will come for you next.”

“Enemies? Who?” Her heart thudded against her chest.

“Breandan is organizing an army of water fairies. He believes that when fairies mate with humans, it drains our magic. He thinks human-fairy hybrids should be put to death. All of them. He has fought me before, centuries ago, but his father, my dear friend, was alive then and was able to talk some sense into him. But now … no one can control him. And because I killed his son during the last uprising, he wants revenge. Not just against me.” He became solemn. “He plans to take out my entire line.”

Sookie thought for a minute trying to see the family tree in her mind. “Fintan, his brother, me, my brother, and my cousin, that’s all that’s left of your line.” She sighed.

“Not Fintan’s brother. Dermot is on their side.” He spat out the name and his jaw tightened. “Also my fairy son Dillon and his three children, Claude, Claudine, and Claudette are in danger. Breandan will stop at nothing.”

“So you came here to warn me, but in doing so, you let Breandan know where I am so now he’s going to kill me,” she said, summing up. “Great.”

“He’s going to try. Eric will protect you. I’m going to set up a meeting with Breandan.”

“You said no one could talk sense into him!” She scoffed.

Niall conceded, “It’s true, but I have to try.”

Lost in thought, she finished her meal. Too numb to taste it.

“Sookie, my child, there is one more thing you need to know.” Niall inhaled sharply. “Your parents…”

“Yes?” Her eyebrows drew together.

“They were the first casualties.”

Her mouth hung open. “But… But their car went off a bridge.”

“It did. At the hands of water Fae.”

Anger welled up deep inside her, overshadowing her shock. “They killed my parents?”

Niall nodded, sadness filled his beautiful green eyes, which seemed to stretch for miles inside his face.

“Does my gran know?”

“No. Also, Breandan is not aware of my knowledge. I plan to use it to prove that we are now even.”

She let out another bitter laugh. “This isn’t a game! These are people’s lives!” Tears welled in her eyes as she thought of how different her life would’ve been if her parents had been alive.

“I know,” he whispered, patting her hand. “I am doing all I can. I will send someone to protect your house.”

“How will I know if they’re on the good side or the bad side?” The idea of dangerous, beautiful fairies swarming her property terrified her.

“I have three grandchildren who live near you, I will ask them.”

Sookie rubbed her temples and sighed. “This is a lot to take in.”

“I know. But knowledge is a powerful weapon.”

“What about Jason? Does he know?”

Niall shook his head. “No, and he can’t know. This information needs to stay between us.”

“Can I tell Eric? Or my gran?”

“Eric already knows but Adele must not know.”

“Can I at least ask her about Fintan? Give her a chance to explain herself?” She still couldn’t believe that her grandmother would’ve had an affair. There must’ve been some other reason. Something.

“I’ll allow it. But you mustn’t speak of Breandan or his plans.” He stood, glowing like a pillar of light in the center of the room. “I’ll be in touch.” He slid a business card across the table with a phone number written across it in beautiful calligraphy.

Sookie nodded numbly while she stood, and then she tucked the card into her purse.

Niall took both of her hands in his. “It has been a joy to watch you grow into the lovely young woman you are today. I look forward to seeing you more.” He smiled and then ushered her outside.

Sookie waved at him and headed toward Eric’s car, but when she turned around to get another look at him, he walked through an invisible door, vanishing without a trace. She frowned and walked toward the area of the quiet parking lot that had swallowed him whole. Nothing seemed amiss. Crickets chirped and her footsteps clacked against the pavement, but she didn’t disappear.

“What are you looking for?” Eric said from behind her.

Sookie clutched her chest and breathed heavily. “You scared me! I’m looking for Niall. He poofed. Right here.”

Eric inhaled. “Mm. I can still smell him.” He took a step closer to her and inhaled again. “It’s you.” He bent his head over her body, sniffing her like a hound dog on the scent of something good.

“Stop it, I’m trying to figure out where he went.”

“I can’t help it. When you smell like that, I just want to fuck you and bite you and rub myself all over you.” He licked the side of her neck.

She closed her eyes, trying to ignore him, and put her hands out. Sure enough, tiny vibrations rippled through the air in the doorway Niall had gone through. Portal. That’s the word he used. She could feel it every time her hands passed through it. How many of these have I walked through without even noticing?

Eric licked her again and sucked on the side of her neck. That time, she couldn’t ignore him. Desire stirred in her, replacing the emotional rollercoaster that had dominated her brain for the last couple of hours.

“He said the scent was irresistible,” she mumbled as her brain liquefied. “We need to get out of here,” she added. The thought of making out in front of her great-grandfather mortified her.

Eric gripped her ass and started tugging her dress up. It took every ounce of her strength to stop him.

“They could be watching.”

“Let them,” he growled, pulling her body firmly against his. He looked directly at the invisible portal as if he, too, could see it.

“Not here.”

He grunted and then picked her up, carrying her like a bride to his car. “My house?”

She swallowed hard. “Yes please.”

The second Eric pulled into his driveway he attacked her, his hands and mouth moving everywhere all at once.

Sookie moaned and begged, “Inside.” In the blink of an eye, he got out, came to her door, and yanked it open. She stepped out, smiling as his gaze fell between her legs, and then she was in his arms again, being carried faster than she could follow down the hall and into his room, where he deposited her on his bed.

He undressed her quickly, and licked her entire body, removing any trace of Niall that clung to her skin. He unbuttoned his pants and pulled his cock out, stroking it roughly. She had never seen him so impatient or hungry.

She touched his hand gently, slowing down his movements. “Don’t hurt me.”

Her words seemed to snap him out of it. His eyes focused on hers. “Never.” To prove his point, he buried his face between her legs and sucked and licked, turning her into a writhing mound of flesh. His tongue moved at the same frantic pace his hand had, sending her careening over the edge of oblivion.

Her heart hammered against her chest and she struggled to hold onto consciousness. Through the haze of euphoria, she watched Eric slid up her body, rubbing his dick against her quivering lips. Too impatient to get undressed, he pushed inside her. She arched her back and cried out, “Yes!”

He moved hard and fast, barely giving her time to catch her breath. She wrapped her legs around his ass, spurring him on. His fingers wrapped around her shoulders, holding her steady while he fucked her. She moaned and watched his dick disappear with each thrust, and then his mouth latched onto her neck, silently begging for permission.

“Bite me,” she said, giving them what they both wanted. He opened his mouth and slid his fangs into her flesh at the same moment Sookie came, filling her with a deep gratification and aching. Heavenly oblivion washed over her, but eventually, her mind focused on the unpleasant task ahead of her.

She sighed. “I need to go.”

Eric frowned. “I was hoping to keep you for the rest of the night.”

Sookie blushed. She kissed him gently. “I need to talk to my gran. It’s important.”

He pulled out of her, making her shudder. “Of course. I will take you home.”

She tightened her grip not letting him go. “Do you really like my idea?”

Eric’s eyes danced. “Yes.”

“Next time?” She blushed as she thought of tying him up and having her wicked way with him.

“I won’t let you forget.” He kissed her and then helped her back into her dress before taking her home.

Niall’s story filled her mind as Eric drove. How could any of it be true? Lost in thought, she didn’t realize they were parked outside her house.

“See you soon?” he asked.

“Yes.” She squeezed his hand. “Thank you for tonight, it was … enlightening.”

“I love you,” he said as he kissed her one last time. She slipped out of his car into the dark night. As he drove away, a shuffling noise came from the back porch. When she approached, she found Jason fiddling with the swinging latch that kept the back screen closed.

Sookie gripped her shawl as she approached him. She sighed. “Geez, you scared me. Does Gran know you’re here?”

Jason frowned and looked at her from head to toe. He looked like he might bolt for the woods at any given moment.

While she waited for him to talk, she noticed his bare feet and the empty beer bottles on the ground outside the door. “Long day?” she asked, assuming the worst. Sometimes working construction turned him into a drunken fool.

Jason just stared at her blankly, so she patted his arm and walked past him into the house. “Come on in when you’re ready.”

She put her purse on the table and hung her shawl up next to the front door.

“You’re home a lot earlier than I thought you’d be,” Gran called out from the living room.

Sookie took a deep breath and held it. “We need to talk.” She exhaled.

Gran turned the T.V. off and faced her. “What did you want to talk about?”

“I met Niall tonight.” She paused, waiting to let the words sink in. “I’d like to talk about my grandpa: Fintan.”

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Oh snap! Shit’s about to get real!  On to Up All Night: Chapter 14