Chapter One

"Three can keep a secret, if two of them are dead." -Benjamin Franklin

Sookie

I hyperventilated as I drove to Fangtasia, which wasn't like me. However, Eric being cagey about some gigantic secret that had Godric pissed wasn't normal. The fact that the ancient vampire didn't endorse whatever endeavor his child was doing only made me more apprehensive. I was getting answers whether Eric liked it or not. I'd even donned a white sundress with scarlet flowers that he claimed was his favorite of all my outfits.

Strangely, the parking lot appeared to be deserted. To say that wasn't a good sign was a massive understatement. I took in a deep breath and exhaled in a loud whoosh. I could do this, and hopefully Eric would forgive me for butting into a situation he didn't want me involved in.

When I entered the bar, Eric was arguing with blond vampire woman dressed quite fashionably in a white dress that bared massive amounts of cleavage. From her arrogant pose, I ascertained that this was Sophie-Anne, the Queen of Lousiana and a constant pedantic thorn in my boyfriend's side. Even if the vampire queen hadn't plotted to procure me, I doubted that she would have trusted Sophie-Anne. She was the sort of person who would vow eternal loyalty one minute and plot your demise the next.

Flanking Eric were his child Pam, who intently examined her manicured nails, and Godric, Eric's maker and closest advisor. Godric noticed my presence first and faintly smiled in greeting. He was pleased that Eric and I were involved, and claimed I was an excellent influence on Eric.

Sophie-Anne turned and pursed her lips as though I were a dog who just peed all over her new Persian rug. "And who is this?"

I curtsied, just as I'd been tutored to by Desmond Cataliades, who served as both my lawyer and mentor. "I am Sookie Stackhouse, Eric Northman's pet," I said. "It's so nice for you to stop by this evening. Especially, since Eric's area is a little out of the way."

My flattery worked as Sophie-Anne grinned like a vampire Cheshire Cat. "Well, I thought it would be lovely to visit my favorite sheriff. Isn't that right Andre?"

It was then that I realized that another vampire accompanied Sophie-Anne. I surmised that Andre was shorter than Eric, but taller than the average height for men. His hair was a surprising red, and his brown eyes disquietingly examined me head to toe. He must have decided I wasn't a threat as he focused his gaze back on Sophie-Anne. "Anywhere you are is a lovely place Mistress."

"Andre here is my child," Sophie-Anne explained. "He has always been such a big help to me."

"I live to serve you Mistress," Andre replied sycophantically. However, I noticed that he seemed troubled, although by what I couldn't say.

"Wait outside Sookie until I've finished this meeting," Eric ordered, glaring daggers at me.

"Of course," I replied, although I only heeded his command, because the last thing my boyfriend needed was to appear weak before the queen.

After what seemed like an eternity, Sophie-Anne and her child departed Fangtasia. Eric strode into hallway, looked pissed off. I was definitely in the dog house now. Fortunately, Godric trailed behind him, so hopefully the Celtic vampire would support me.

"I told you not to come tonight," Eric hissed.

"I came, because I'm concerned, you're in over your head," I countered.

"I'm too busy juggling uncovering who that werewolf who attacked you works for and Sophie-Anne's illicit orders to protect you. If need be, I could stash you in a remote location where you won't get into mischief, but I respect that you prefer to be free."

"There's no need to be angry Eric," Godric soothed. "She's only worried about you. You can't hide this from her forever."

"As long as she remains ignorant, then the Magister won't have an excuse to put her to death," Eric countered.

"The Magister may still decide she's guilty by association," Godric pointed out.

Suddenly, everything clicked into place regarding what Eric was doing and why it earned Godric's ire. "You're selling V. Are you insane?!"

"You didn't sound that pissed when you're annoying friend was doing the same."

"I still gave Lafayette a lecture about it," I replied. "And I'll do the same for you, because I love you and don't want to lose you."

"Believe me, if it weren't for that selfish tart Sophie-Anne, I wouldn't sell V," Eric declared.

"And you can't report Sophie-Anne to the Magister for it?" I queried.

"If I did that, I would meet the True Death for betraying my monarch," Eric explained.

"Well, you could always kill Sophie-Anne," Pam suggested.

"Then I would have to become King of Lousiana and you know perfectly I detest paperwork," Eric replied.

"You may have no other choice Eric," Pam pointed out. I knew the situation was dire if Pam referred to her Maker by his Christian name instead of as "Master".

"We can discuss this another time," Godric said. "For now, I think it's time for us all to close up since we clearly aren't going receive any customers tonight."

Eric muttered something about lost profits, but acquiesced to his maker like he always did. He didn't kiss me good-bye, but at least he didn't tell me to get lost. Pam departed with him, leaving only myself and Godric.

"I'm sorry," I said. "I knew Eric didn't want me to come tonight."

Godric gently embraced me. "Don't worry too much about it. My child merely requires some time for his anger to cool."

I nodded in gratitude, before I sauntered out the door and back towards my car. I never made it, as a force crashed into me. "Let go!" I hissed, stomping on my attackers' feet hard.

I heard a feminine yowl of pain; my assailant was forced to loosen her grip on me. "This is for your own good," she hissed. "You should be among your own kind. Not these evil vampires."

"Shut up!" I screamed, praying that one of my vampire friends would hear my yells for assistance. I also dug my nails into the woman's arms, and broke free of her hold. I raced back towards Fangtasia. Unfortunately, I recognized that she would overtake me before I could pull out my key and unlock the front door. Therefore, I turned and launched my Fairy light at her.

As she fell to the ground, I observed that her hair was a dark black. "You don't have to do that," she pleaded. "I'm on your side."

"If you were truly on my side, you wouldn't be attempting to abduct me," I countered.

The woman attempted to tackle me, but a combination of living with a brother who taught me how to throw a punch and Cataliades' training, meant I managed to knock her down again. Suddenly, I heard a whirling sound and everything faded into darkness.

…

Valeria

Fairies are so fucking annoying. While some like my deceased husband Fintan, possessed some level of decency, most of them are arrogant and deceitful. And of course, Claudine had to butt in and attempt to kidnap poor Sookie. The fairy was fortunate that Sookie's vampire boyfriend hadn't intervened and drained Claudine dry. At least Sookie appeared to be fine, apart from a couple of bruises. She really was a proficient fighter, and unlike my daughter Drusilla, Sookie actually set aside time to practice and hone her combat skills.

After several hours, Sookie finally awoke in a panic. "Where am I and who the fuck are you?"

"I am Valeria Longina, and you are of my line," I replied. "I'm sorry I pulled you from those you loved, but I prevented Claudine from dragging you into the Faerie realm. Time runs differently there. You could spend only a week there and a decade will have passed in this world."

"Well thanks for that I guess," Sookie said. "But I've got to get back to Eric. He needs my help. That bitchy queen of his is forcing him sell V."

"I see, and I will assist you. But first you should eat and recover your strength." There was also the matter of contacting Desmond to streamline my paperwork to inform Eric Northman that I was entering his Area.

My assistant/cook Giulia had already laid out a lovely breakfast on the dining room table. There were the usual blood oranges, olives, grapes, and croissants for me to nibble on, but I'd also instructed Giulia to cook some food Sookie would be more comfortable with. Therefore, there was the typical Southern American fare of bacon, grits, and scrambled eggs. For drinks, there was a pitcher of tap water, a pitcher of orange juice, and an espresso machine ready to perform its arduous duties. Sookie ate ravenously, forgoing her usual ladylike table manners. I slowly consumed a croissant and drank a cup of espresso (it was the only coffee I actually enjoyed), but mostly observed my descendant.

Finally, Sookie turned to face me. "I'm grateful that you assisted me Miss Longina, but I want to know why you've chosen to help me."

"That's quite understandable," I replied. "I suppose it would be prudent to start from the beginning. I was born on August 1, 44 B.C. in the city of Rome to an equestrian vampire by the name of Marcus Valerius Longinus, and his patrician wife Cornelia Major. My mother was skilled in the art of magic, and it seems she came by a spell that allowed her to conceive from her husband, and carry me to term. However, the spell came at a price and she passed away only a few years after my birth. My father was extremely overprotective as a result, and the only friends I possessed were the slaves and my bodyguard Keena."

"What happened to your father?" Sookie queried, instinctively sensing the grim turn my tale was about to take.

"There was another vampire, a patrician named Appius Livius Ocella. Ocella despised the fact that in spite of his lower rank, my father possessed greater wealth, and once he unearthed my existence, he coveted me, and murdered my father in order to acquired me for his collection of oddities. I escaped with the assistance of Keena, and thus began my centuries of wandering from place to place. I married twice, and it was from my second marriage to the fairy prince Fintan my bloodline continued to both yourself and your brother."

Sookie took a few minutes to digest the information I'd imparted on her, before she replied, "Wow, this sounds incredible, but your thoughts reveal that it's all true. And did you really send Desmond to help me develop my fairy abilities?"

I nodded. "Unlike my father-in-law Niall, I've watched over my descendants the best I can."

Sookie embraced in joy, ecstatic to have acquired another relative that accepted her telepathy, and fairy gifts. I opted to leave a message with Desmond, requesting that once he filled out my transfer paperwork, he ascertained the reason behind Claudine's churlish behavior. I packed efficiently for our trip, and hoped that I could solve Eric Northman's dilemma for the sake of my brave descendant.

…

Traveling via potion made me slightly nauseous, but it was worth it to spend more time with my fascinating ancestor Valeria who willingly shared cute anecdotes about our shared family. However, these stories didn't prevent me from fretting about Eric. When we materialized in the Fangtasia parking lot, I was relieved to observe my Subaru Outback hadn't been stolen. The sun was just beginning to set, although I knew that Eric and Godric, being older vampires, would already be awake and alert.

I produced my key and unlocked the door, which opened as smoothly as well-oiled machine. Suddenly, Ginger embraced me so tightly I could barely breath. While the bleached blonde woman didn't despise for claiming Eric's attentions, I hadn't realized that she cared about me, especially since she'd been glamoured so many times that she could barely recall her name.

"Everyone else said you'd run off, but I knew you wouldn't do that to Master," she squealed.

"I…uh…. missed you too Ginger," I replied, before extricating myself from her hug. "Would you mind calling Eric and informing him I'm here?"

Ginger grinned, pleased that she would be able to assist me. "Sure."

"Interesting set up your boyfriend has," Valeria commented.

I realized that to Valeria's eyes, this place with its crimson walls, tall dais, and obsidian black tables was probably extremely tacky, even if it drew in vampire lovers like moths to a flame.

"Can I get you anything?" I inquired, not wanting to appear churlish.

Valeria shook her head. "I'm fine at the moment, although I appreciate the sentiment."

I didn't have an opportunity to respond since Eric barged in and embraced me. "Sorry I was acting pissed at you earlier. I just don't want you present when the Queen is in case, she attempts to acquire you."

"But she can't do that since you've claimed me," I pointed out. I despised being referred to as a possession, but as Desmond pointed out, it was the only way to protect me from Sophie-Anne.

"True, although it would be better if we were bonded," Eric replied.

While intellectually his argument had merit, I enjoyed my freedom and being blood bonded even to the man I loved, made me feel constrained. "I'll think about it. Anyways, here's a relative of mine, Valeria Longina. She assisted me when I was in a tight spot earlier."

Eric scrutinized Valeria intently, because while he trusted me, he was naturally wary of strangers, particularly since my relative's scent was unique. "What in Odin's name are you?"

"I guess you could surmise that I'm a rare type of vampire," Valeria admitted. "You can ask Desmond Cataliades if you require a more detailed explanation."

Eric pulled out his cell phone, dialed a number, and commenced a rapid conversation in Swedish. "We'll see if what you claim is true Valeria Longina," he declared. "Sookie, would you mind assisting Ginger in preparing to open Fangtasia. I know that's not part of your usual job, but we're a little short staffed."

"Yeah sure," I replied, since opening up the bar wasn't that much different from working at Merlotte's. Just as long as I managed to keep the cloying thoughts of the majority of Fangtasia's patrons out of my head, I'd be fine.

Most of the evening I vacillated between observing Valeria sipping drinks, and performing my normal duties. The only intense moment came when I required my relative's assistance to apprehend a pair of undercover Fellowship of the Sun members. While Eric grumbled about turning the bigots over to the police, Valeria's fighting skills earned her a smidgen of his respect. I also noted that the moment Godric, Eric's maker, showed up at Fangtasia, Valeria froze for a millisecond, before continuing to drink and people watch.

Just when I contemplating cajoling Eric into closing the bar early so we could have some quality time together, my friend Lafayette Reynolds burst into the bar, sweat pooling down his brown cheeks.

"Sookie!" he yelled. "Have you seen Tara?"

I shook my head briskly. "No, I haven't. I thought today was her day off."

"It is, but when I finished my shift at Merlotte's and went to her place, she wasn't there. I also found this."

I opened the crumbled envelope and gasped as I read the words written there. Eric materialized by my side, and read over my shoulder. He swore in Old Norse, and gestured for both myself and Lafayette to join him in his office. My friend only hesitated for a moment before following.

"Normally I'm not the type to ride in on a horse and save the day, but I'll make an exception in this case since Russell Edgington wants to utilize your friend as a hostage," Eric said. "We need to come up with a plan to sneak in, rescue your friend, and then sneak back out again."

"First we need to figure out where they're holding Tara," I replied. "We can't pull off a rescue mission if we don't have the location where she's imprisoned."

Eric was about to say something, when someone knocked lightly on the door to Eric's office.

"Godric?" Eric queried.

Eric's maker entered the office with both Andre and Valeria at his side.

"I know this is probably a bad time for me to be here," Andre admitted. "But I have some important information regarding my maker Sophie Anne."