PROLOGUE

The woman standing at the door to the club was tall. Normally, I figure she would've been only slightly taller than me, but, she was wearing some very high stiletto shoes, which added quite a bit to her height. She was thin, but not the type of disgusting thing that today's models were. She had long, straight, pale blonde hair that was wore in a ponytail high on her head. Her clothing was skin tight head to toe leather. If she were a normal person, she'd probably be sweating to death in the heat of a Louisiana August. Luckily for her, she was a vampire, and vampires didn't sweat.

"Excuse me, Ms. Ravenscroft? I wonder if you might be so kind as to tell me whether or not Mr. Northman is here this evening?

She gave me her full attention, which to anyone else would have been a little disconcerting. I, however, simply met her gaze.

"Kind is not something I'm generally accused of being. I would like to know how you came to know my name though."

"Well, if you would take me to the Sheriff, I'd be more than happy to enlighten you."

She studied me for a moment, and I could tell I had piqued her interest. Humans didn't normally know the names and political positions of their local vampires. Well, little did she know, I was no run of the mill human.

"Mmm, just when I thought tonight would be as boring as any other. Follow me, he's in his office. Let's go interrupt, shall we?"

I followed the vampire as we worked our way through the many bodies tightly packed within the small club. I'd never been to Fangtasia before, but, somehow I hadn't imagined it quite like this. The walls and bar were blood red with black accents. Posters of just about every vampire movie ever made adorned the walls. There were also placards stating the "rules" of the club. Things like Enter at Own Risk and No Biting Allowed on Premises.

She led me down a small corridor before stopping to knock lightly on a door. I didn't hear a response before she opened the door and walked through it, but that doesn't mean there hadn't been one.

My eyes were drawn to the male vampire as soon as I saw him. He was sitting behind a desk, looking over some paperwork. His broad shoulders were covered by long blonde hair. The only clothing I could see on his body was a leather vest, which lay open. He didn't look up from his paperwork even as the female vampire shut the door behind us.

"What is it, Pam? I'm rather busy, and am not currently in need of feeding."

"Oh, believe me, Eric. You'll want to make time for this," she purred in response.

He looked up at the two of us before indicating she should continue.

"As I was working the door, this lovely little human approached me, calling me by name, asking if you were available." His eyebrows ascending slightly were the only sign of his surprise. "When I asked how she knew my name, she said she would explain it all to me once we joined you. So, naturally, here we are."

He stared at me for a moment before leaning back a little in his chair, and propping his feet up on the desk. "By all means then, little human, share your story with us." The tone of his voice made it obvious he was mocking someone. Whether it was me or the female vampire, I neither knew, nor cared.

"Well, Sheriff Northman, as Ms. Ravenscroft said, I'd like to discuss a business proposition with you."

"Really now? Well, first things first. You seem to have me at an advantage, and we simply can't have that. Since you know our names, I believe it is customary to start with yours."

"Very well. My name is Sookie Stackhouse. I have lived my entire life in Bon Temps, which is, as I'm sure you're aware, in Area 5. I am familiar with Supes of all kinds, which is how I know who the two of you are."

The two of them looked at each other momentarily as if having a silent conversation. Maybe they were. "Fair enough," Eric said. "What exactly is your proposition?"

"I would like both your help and permission in killing two vampires. One, a resident of your area, the other, his maker."

I heard the telltale sound of two sets of fangs snapping down, and Eric sat up bolt straight in his chair. Neither he nor Pam seemed amused any longer.

"And just why would I allow this, let alone help you?"

"Because they have broken one of your laws."

"And what law is that?"

"They killed another vampire."

"Who? Another resident of my area?"

"No. A visitor."

"Who? All visitors are required to check in with the local Sheriff upon arrival, and I have only received one such visit, and I know she is still very much among us."

"You may have only been made aware of one visitor recently, however, he had your approval to be here. Many years ago you gave him your permission to enter your area twice a year to visit his human companion."

He looked contemplative for a moment, and then his eyes opened wider with shock. "Warlow?"

I nodded. Hearing his name still caused pain, and I didn't want them to hear my voice shake with sadness.

"Am I to take it you are the companion he was seeing?"

I nodded again.

"And what two vampires are responsible for his end?"

My voice filled with hate and anger. "Bill Compton and Lorena Ball."

He nodded as if he was not surprised.

Before he could say anything else, Pam rejoined the conversation. "You said this was a business proposition. Just what do we stand to gain from helping you?"

"Honestly, since you, Mr. Northman, are the Area Sheriff, I believe you are duty-bound to see justice served. However, Ms. Ravenscroft is correct. I do not expect you to do this without gaining anything. Have either of you ever tasted faery blood?"

"No, I have never had the pleasure," Pam answered.

"I have," Eric said. His eyes were closed, as if he were in rapture. "It is incredibly sweet, better than any other blood I have ever tasted. It also, however, is intoxicating, and can cause a vampire to forget his or her surroundings for a time."

"Yes, but that is only if the blood comes from a full faery. If the faery is also part human, the blood is still as sweet, but has none of the intoxicating effects."

"Intriguing."

"Once you have helped me to end Bill Compton and Lorena Ball, I will present you with a faery human hybrid you may drain."

They both laughed. "I have no plans of starting a feud by draining a faery against their will," Eric said.

"It wouldn't be against their will. This particular faery has grown tired of life, and is willing to allow you to have her."

"And just who is this suicidal faery?" Pam asked.

"Me."