A/N This story picks up right after Openings and Closings. Thank you for your encouragement. No copyright infringement is intended.

Chapter One

Sookie, Adele, and Melissa sat in front the television in Melissa's sitting room, which was bathed in the late-afternoon light, watching the wide-eyed blonde CNN reporter enumerate the sightings from the night before of Henrich Himmler, once famous Nazi, now apparently suicidal vampire, from around New York City.

"Numerous sightings across the city, from the Bowery all the way uptown to Fort Tryon park, confirm that, as of last night, Heinrich Himmler still haunted the streets of New York City. According to our own reporter, Soraya Shahzad, Himmler sees little reason to persist in this world, and will likely seek his own destruction. CNN staff and NYPD have been working to comb through these reports for the most accurate information."

The reporter looked down briefly, before placing her hand over her ear. "I'm sorry, I'm just receiving notice that one of our I-reporters sent in footage that she captured on her morning run. Our producers have spent the day authenticating it. We do not yet have confirmation that this is Himmler, but the man's clothing matches that in which he was last seen when leaving the hospital." The reporter took a deep breath and said, "CNN would like to caution our viewers that this is explicit and potentially upsetting footage. If you have children in the room, we encourage you to send them out now."

"Lordy," Adele said breathlessly, "I don't know if I should watch."

"We can change the channel, Adele," Melissa offered, "or turn it off."

"No, no," Adele shook her head. "If this is him, it's history, and I shouldn't shy away from it."

A rough, jumpy cell-phone video began, and the image of a man wearing a hospital gown came into focus. He looked toward the eastern horizon, and, as the sun crested over its nightime limit, he extended his arms, and smoke began to rise from his limbs and chest. Quickly, flames stirred, and all of his skin caught fire. After about four minutes, while the auteur behind the camera said, "Well, he could have hidden if he wanted, so I guess this is what he planned. I'm not going to stop a vamp from doing away from himself." After that philosophical declaration, the vampire came apart in a shower of flaming gore.

Sookie took in a sharp breath. "Oh, my lord. Poor man."

"Poor man," Adele scoffed. "I'm not one to speculate about the ways of the Lord, Sookie, but I guess that Himmler got a taste of the fire and brimstone that await him in the forever after."

"No matter what, Godric will be relieved to know that Himmler's over and done with." Melissa wrote down the time and the name of the reporter who released the news, as well as the location of Himmler's demise. "I should probably call Carly to find out when they're coming back to New Orleans."

"It will be nice to have her back," Sookie suggested, but quickly added, clearly for Melissa's benefit, "although it's been great to spend time with you, Melissa."

Melissa smiled weakly, and Adele paid close attention to the interaction between her grand-daughter and their new friend. Although Melissa seemed to like Sookie, on occasion she betrayed herself and showed some jealousy toward her. Melissa and Jason spent most of the past two days together as he learned about the palace and his future responsibilities in New Orleans, but Melissa kept her distance from him. Adele intuited that Melissa and Godric had a relationship more complicated than just secretary and employer, but Adele also knew that her grandson was a hound-dog and would cozy up to any attractive woman who crossed his path. Every moment Jason spent with the voluptuous red-head, he flirted up a storm. But Adele knew that he wasn't a good runners-up prize for any young girl, especially not for one who'd dated a gentleman and a king, even if he was king of vampires.

Melissa looked at her watch and said, "I think the sun should have set in New York, so I'll get upstairs and call Carly, or confirm with the King of New York."

Adele chuckled softly. "I still can't get used to the ideas of kings and queens in the United States of America."

"I know," Sookie agreed. "It's a whole different world than the one we thought we lived in. I guess civics classes will be getting a little bit more complicated."

With a faint smile, Melissa suggested, "I doubt vampire monarchies will wind up in textbooks or on school curricula. It's important, if you go back to Bon Temps, not to say anything about Godric or the structure of vampire society."

While Adele and Sookie stole a glance at one another, Melissa walked out of the sitting room, through the hallway and up the stairs to the central communications office. Although it was technically Melissa's office, she felt that it was still Godric's, still his "command center." After calling up Carly's cellphone number on the computer screen, and Eric's as a backup, Melissa dialed Carly's number.

In New York, the vampire and the valkyrie lay on the king-sized bed in Eric's pied-a-terre. Eric lay on his back, with his arms extended above his head, while Carly's body curled around his, her legs splayed across his hips, and her arms stretched across his chest. They'd fallen asleep in a post-orgasmic haze and still lay exposed.

The cellphone's ring awakened Eric, who picked up Carly's phone with a strident tone in his voice. "Eric Northman. What do you want?"

"Hi, um," Melissa stumbled, struggling to make sense of his greeting. "This is Melissa, Godric's assistant."

"Yes," Eric answered, "of course. What can I do for you, Melissa?"

"I just wanted you to know," she hesitated, "Himmler is dead."

Melissa waited, counting, until she heard Carly stir in the background.

"Yeah, what?" Carly asked, with a yawn.

Eric replied, "The Nazi's dead."

Carly sat up and stretched. "So can we go home?"

"It seems so," Eric answered her. "Melissa," he said, redirecting his attention to the phone. "Please let Godric know we'll be joining you this evening as soon as we say our good-byes to Jean-Jacques and Carly's mother, Edna."

"I will," Melissa affirmed, just as she heard the connection disappear. "That was weird," Melissa said to herself. "I thought they'd both be awake."

In New York, Eric leaned over Carly and kissed her. "It seems our work here is done, my beloved."

Carly rubbed her face with her palms and said, "I don't think that's entirely true, but I'm sure there's more for us to do in New Orleans and in Shreveport. Or in Jackson."

"What do you mean?" Eric sat up straight and stared at her. "I will be happy if I never have to think of Edgington again."

Carly rose and began to dress as she talked to her vampire. "Well, we've killed the king of Mississippi, but I don't think that will be the end of it. Shouldn't that mean that you could become king if you wanted to?"

Eric was silent as he thought for a moment. "Perhaps, but I have no interest in that mosquito-infested wasteland or in a crown."

Thinking back to Eric's discussions with the Magister, and Eric's refusal to take on a kingship until he'd "fulfilled his responsibilities," Carly wondered if, now, with his revenge complete, he'd want to be a king. "It does seem," Carly suggested, "as if you're entitled to take over, or at least to have a say in who takes over."

Eric rose to his full height, stretched, and Carly took in the glorious view. Every muscle rippled, and her eye traveled across his chest, down his abdomen, and along the girdle that delineated his masculine form. "Enjoying yourself," Eric asked.

Carly extended her arms toward him. "Very much, but it's rude to distract me from our conversation by being so gorgeous."

Eric took a sauntering turn and then winked at her. "Nonetheless, there's nothing to discuss. I have too many reasons to remain in Louisiana and too little ambition for a crown, even now that I have avenged my father."

Eric spoke decisively and added, "After a kiss, we will go pay our respects to Jean-Jacques and then go home." Their kiss began tentatively, with their lips brushing against each other, their tongues meeting softly, until they began to devour each other.

The valkyrie pushed her vampire away. "Enough. If you get me started, I won't leave this apartment. Remember, I don't have to eat anymore."

Eric smiled and purred. "I forgot. A valkyrie can match a vampire's stamina. But you are such a tease to offer me such forbidden things, Ms. Michael." He caressed her cheek and neck and then dressed.

After a brief phone call to warn Jean-Jacques of their visit, the two activated the security system and locked up the apartment.

Arm in arm, they walked down the hallway to the elevator. Carly turned to look one more time and sighed, "I like it here, Eric. Can we visit again?"

"Any time. You seem to enjoy New York, although you never suggested such fondness for it. From what you said, I guessed it was uncomfortable, too crowded with minds for you to enjoy yourself."

Carly paused and thought as the elevator doors opened and they moved inward. Once the doors closed and the elevator began to descend, Carly said, "It always was, but now," she looked up at him and finished, "I can control what I hear and how much I hear."

At the bottom floor, Eric suggested, "With so much control, so much power, you will need to guard against overconfidence. Even though the world knows about vampires, you still need to remain a mystery, otherwise you will have little quality of life."

"And I suppose," Carly philosophized, "in a few years, I might have to pass as a vampire in order to go out in public with you."

"I feel it will be healthiest for us to avoid notoriety, although we don't have an auspicious beginning with that." Eric laughed. They both, along with everyone else in Shreveport, would long remember the lurid description of Fangtasia's opening night that appeared in the paper.

Eric hailed a cab, which took them to Jean-Jacques's home, even though traffic was fairly heavy.

Jean-Jacques was waiting for them at the door and greeted them with open arms. "Mes amis! Thank you for coming to see me before you depart."

The king kissed and embraced them both.

"Jean-Jacques, your hospitality and help have been invaluable. We know that Godric looks forward to seeing you again."

Carly added, "And I'm grateful for everything you've done for my mother and for Abdullah."

"My pleasure, on all accounts, my dear friends. I have little time to travel from the city and fear the jackals might swarm if anyone knew that I was away. Thus, I hope that Arianna might grace me with a ride, so to speak, some time soon." Jean-Jacques chuckled loudly.

"If she doesn't, please allow me to transport you. I'm more than happy to oblige." Carly smiled at Jean-Jacques and then Eric.

"I have little love for the 'direct route,' Jean-Jacques. I'll warn you, it's a disquieting sensation." Eric shivered almost imperceptibly, but Carly felt his anxiety.

"Nonetheless, I believe it's the only chance I have to catch up with my old acquaintance." Jean-Jacques grasped both their hands and said, "But I fear I keep you too long. I anticipate you wish to say your farewells to your mother in addition."

"Indeed," Eric agreed. "We should go." The three said their good-byes again and the couple headed out on foot the few blocks to Edna's townhouse. As they walked the long uptown blocks, Carly enjoyed the sensation of holding Eric's hand, even though she struggled to keep up with his long strides. If anyone would have told her that once she'd tread these sidewalks with a lover, especially one as beautiful and powerful as this one, she would have laughed.

They hadn't notified Edna of their impending arrival, so Carly unlocked the door—Edna had insisted that Carly carry her key with her at all times now—and called out for her. "Mom, Abdullah? Are you home?"

"Carly," Edna replied from the kitchen. "Please, we're just eating a little supper."

As they passed through the sitting room, Carly and Eric heard light-hearted laughter coming from the kitchen. They crossed the threshold into the room and saw Abdullah first, just as he lifted Edna's hand to his lips for a kiss.

"I hope you don't begrudge me, Carly, if I presume to show my intent this evening," Abdullah turned and rose to embrace her as she walked beside him. "Last night I screwed my courage to the sticking place, as they say, and asked your mother to be my bride."

Even though she tried to restrain her expression, to subdue her surprise, Carly realized she jumped slightly at the news. "Mom, really? Wow!"

"Congratulations are in order, Abdullah," Eric said. "And my best wishes to you, Edna." Eric smiled at Carly's mother and added, "Or is it the reverse. I've rarely encountered engaged humans."

Edna looked sheepishly at her daughter and asked, "Are you angry, Carly?"

"No, mom," Carly lunged forward to hug her mother tightly. "You deserve to be happy, and I'm happy for you. When's the wedding?"

Edna looked to her fiancee before she answered her daughter. "If Abdullah doesn't mind, I'd like to get married in late March or early April, once the flowers at the Cloisters are at their peak."

"Wherever and whenever my beloved wishes to marry, I will be grateful and humbled to oblige." Abdullah smiled broadly as he said, "my beloved."

Carly's mother continued, "Nightfall doesn't come too late in spring, so our human guests won't feel put out." Edna stole another conspiratorial glance at Abdullah before saying, "And we want Jean-Jacques to officiate. Do you think he will?"

"He will be ecstatic," Eric opined, "except he might decide he'd rather be archbishop of New York than king."

The two happy couples laughed and traded observations about the art show opening, which had been a rousing success, before saying their farewells.

"Mom," Carly interrupted as Edna began to move toward the door, "could we actually leave from upstairs instead?"

"From the terrace?" Edna knew that Eric could fly, but hadn't expected him to do so within the city limits.

"No," Carly answered, "just from my room. I can take us back to New Orleans from there."

Edna put her hand to her throat and swallowed. "I forgot you can do that, Carly. It just seems so frightening."

"It is," Eric agreed. "But it is the fastest way to get from place to place and allows us to move secretly. No matter how much I dislike it, teleportation has much to recommend it."

"Why would we want to spend two hours on a plane when we could just be there?" Carly giggled, enjoying the public display of Eric's discomfort. "Why not take advantage of my ability for something that benefits us?" Just to add a little bit of ribbing, Carly said, while embracing him tightly, "What's a little nausea to a thousand year old viking warrior?"

"Teleportation does not make me nauseated. It's simply unnatural," Eric argued.

Laughing heartily, while Abdullah and Edna seemed clearly discomfitted, Carly asked. "And going six hundred miles an hour while strapped within a metal tube flanked by jets is natural?"

"No, Carly, but I agree with Eric. When we come to visit, we shall fly in an airplane." Edna kissed her daughter's forehead and then stood on her tip-toes to kiss Eric's cheek. "But you can use your room as an arrivals and departures lounge whenever you like."

Once inside her childhood bedroom, Carly reduced the distance until they embraced, and then she held tightly to him and thought of Eric's chamber within Godric's palace. Since she was unsure whether the sun had set in Louisiana, she decided to err on the side of caution and seek privacy in the grand New Orleans building. From Eric's perspective, their bodies compressed into a densely packed smoke that spiraled through a tunnel filled with brilliantly variegated lights that reminded him of the aurora borealis.

They returned to solidity beside the elegant bed within his quarters, and Eric collapsed against the headboard. "Ugh, you are a powerful beast, Carly."

"Five minutes to recover in this beautiful room, with me in your arms, can't be harder than two hours in a plane." Carly kissed his palms and then his fingertips.

Carly continued to kiss his wrists and arms, finally leaning her body against him. "Is it really that bad?" Guilt washed over her, guilt from enjoying the power she held over her vampire, over a being that had lived a thousand years.

"No, you're right." Eric raised her chin so their eyes would meet. "But I fear you enjoy this too much, my valkyrie. The first lesson you must learn is to keep your power in check. Remember, to the outside world, you're a human, and you can only remain by my side as a human, at least for the foreseeable future. If you continue this way, you'll have to live a very different existence."

Chastened, Carly drew away and sat down on the sofa. "You're right, Eric. I'm sorry."

They remained in their respective corners of the suite in silence until Eric felt the sun set. Carly thought about his words. Have I become cocky already? I wouldn't know what to do if I lost him, or if I had to pretend to be a vampire. She realized, nonetheless, that her life, as she knew it, could only last another ten years. No matter what, people would begin to notice that there was something wrong with her, that she wasn't aging normally. With another pang of guilt, Carly thought of her boss—the medical examiner—her friend Dr. Ellen Watson-Linkmann, who discovered, just a few days ago, that she had cancer. If her treatment options were not auspicious, in short space of time, Ellen would cease to exist, and Carly would take the energy left from her and transform it into something new. In a moment, Carly realized the terror of immortality, that she would cling tightly to what and who she loved, but that she still faced an eternity without them—without her mother, Abdullah, Sookie, Adele. Everyone she liked, everyone she loved—except Eric and Arianna—would eventually disappear from her life. Even they—and she herself—wasn't truly immortal. Her father had left her, had died at the hands of another valkyrie—or whatever they really called themselves. She still didn't know their real name or their real language.

Almost as if he knew what she was thinking, Eric came to stand behind her with his hands on her shoulders. He stood there without speaking until Carly began to cry.

"The weight of it can be overwhelming, but there is more life to enjoy than death to suffer."

Turning to look up toward him, Carly answered, "But that's what I'll see and feel every moment of every day from now on. I'm a death vacuum cleaner."

"Yes, Carly, but you transform that energy into life. It's your choice, how you see what you do." Eric leaned down and kissed her forehead. "I will be with you as you struggle with this, but I cannot make these decisions for you."

"Thank you."

"You are welcome." Eric raised her up so that he could lift her over the back of the sofa. "We should make our presence known now and see what news Godric and Melissa have."

Once they entered the main hall, they soon encountered human members of Godric's staff. A heavily armed guard, who reckonized Eric, approached them soon after seeing them. "Sheriff Northman, I had no idea you were here."

"Yes, Bob, we got here shortly before dawn this morning, and I had to go to my chamber immediately. I didn't even have time to undress, as you can see." Eric gestured toward his clothes. "Carly was equally tired, so she just awoke a few minutes ago."

"We're happy to have you, sir," Bob shook his head, "but I need to have words with the vampires who are at the perimeter. They're supposed to have a full count of who is on the grounds."

"That is my fault," Eric smiled. "I flew directly to the door, and I have a keycard to enter the palace."

"Still, I need to find out why there was no papertrail. I can't let such a breach happen again." Bob smiled in return, but remained resolute that he was going to "get to the bottom of this."

Carly peered into his mind and saw Bob's clear loyalty to Godric as well his desire to impress the king in the hope that he'd eventually be turned into a vampire himself.

"Don't be too hard on them, Bob," Carly cautioned the guard. "Remember that the only vampire around here stronger or cleverer than Eric is Godric."

"Of course," Bob agreed. "Well, let me announce you to Melissa. I don't know if the king is ready for visitors quite yet."

"Indeed he is." Godric's voice, the sweetly accented tenor that Carly had grown to admire as much as the vampire himself, echoed down the stairs and along the entry chamber. "The moment I felt my son, I awakened, eager to hear the news from New York."

"The Nazi is dead,"Eric reported immediately.

"Yes," Godric nodded slowly. "Melissa prepares a digest of the day's news for me that she leaves in my sitting room. I see that his demise was recorded as well. I would have preferred a trial and execution for his crimes, and I certainly am disappointed that the world knows how quickly we die in sunlight. But his death is a blessing."

"Did she have any other news for you, about his maker?" Eric held Godric's gaze steadily, and Carly wondered if they could communicate without words with one another. She didn't dare to intrude on their relationship.

Godric replied slowly. "Edgington is missing, I have heard. But I have also heard that his jewelry has been found beneath a tree in Arkansas."

Carly tuned into Godric immediately once she heard the location where they intercepted Russell and Talbot.

Daughter, Jean-Jacques notified me about the jewelry and the fang excised from Edgington. But I need you to glamour Nakamura, so that he claims that he discovered them. He was doing business for me in Arkansas, but we must formulate a convincing tale—at least a tale that will convince Nan Flanagan and the Authority.

"A thief could have stolen his jewelry," Eric suggested.

"Not his signet ring. According to my recollections, Russell wore the same signet for two thousand years. Supposedly, he had the stone reset numerous times." Godric smiled at Carly faintly, but continued to speak to Eric, maintaining their fidelity to vampire protocols in front of his staff. "If the signet ring were separated from his finger, his finger must be separated from his body. The only thing to conclude is that Edgington is dead."

Carly concentrated on projecting a thought to Godric. Do you want Nakamura to claim he witnessed Edgington's death?

Godric looked down before answering—telepathically. If he claims to have seen Edgington die, he could invite suspicion.

What if, Carly responded, almost instantly, he says he just saw a vampire collide with a bird, or small plane, and went to help him. Instead of falling to the ground, the vampire fell on a branch and the only thing that came down was the jewelry.

Godric nodded. "You must both need some refreshment after your rest. Please, let us retire to the dining room. I believe the Stackhouses will be eating their supper."

Yes, Carly, Godric added, I believe the simplest answer will be the best.

You'll just need to explain how you recognized it as Edgington's ring. Carly wondered how they could manage that one detail.

"I take it Jean-Jacques is well," Godric continued their conversation as they walked to the dining room.

"Yes, and he sends you all the best regards. He mourns his city needs him too much for a prolonged absence." Eric seemed to be speaking more for Carly's benefit than for Godric's.

"Indeed," Godric led them through the double doors as he agreed, "the long travel time makes a visit unlikely. But he is the best source of information among all the monarchs of North America. Were I to need to identify something small, such as a bracelet or a brooch, I would certainly have contacted him first. As he knows, of course."

So that was the plan. Carly was to glamour Nakamura so that he could tell a tale about being a "Good Samaritan" vampire who stopped by the side of the road after he'd seen a vampire clipped by a plane. The vampire tumbled from the sky down onto a branch and dripped his jewelry onto the ground below. In order to identify the hapless vampire, Nakamura collected his effects and returned to his king last night, who called Jean-Jacques and—voila—the mystery was solved: Edgington was no more. His reported demise would align with Himmler's on-screen confession and all would be well in the world.

When they crossed into the dining room, Sookie rose suddenly and bounded toward the trio, kissing Godric on the cheek sweetly and embracing Carly with tremendous force.

I'm so happy you're back, Carly. It's been so nice to be here—but I'm—I'm nervous...

"It's good to see you too, Sookie," Carly croaked out aloud, trying to coax Sookie back to an audible conversation.

Sookie pushed Carly away, and even though she was still smiling, Carly could see that Sookie felt betrayed. "Yeah, I missed you, Carly." Letting go of Carly quickly, Sookie gave Eric a squeeze that caught him unprepared.

"Yes, Sookie, we have missed you as well," Eric said in a somewhat stilted voice.

Sookie, why are you nervous?

With the silent dialogue renewed, Sookie smiled. I don't think Godric's going to let me go home.

Nonsense, Sookie, he wouldn't keep you against your will.

But Melissa said, if we go home, not when we go home.

Even a telepath could misunderstand, Carly concluded. "We haven't been gone long, but have you had some time to look around New Orleans."

"It's one helluva town," Jason chimed in through a mouth full of mashed potatoes. "I think I'm gonna love it here."

"Jason," Godric cautioned, "please, remember what we discussed about table etiquette."

Jason swallowed quickly and took a sip of water before pulling his elbows off the table. "Yes, sir. I'm sorry. I gotta remember to mind my manners better."

"Godric," Adele chuckled, "please know that it's not for want of my trying that my grandson acts like he's eating a trough sometimes."

"I know, sweet Adele. Your efforts with him come through in his kindness and openness of spirit. I fear that this generation of young men sees table manners as effete and affected. I anticipate that only gentle reminders will be necessary on my part." Godric smiled and looked to Carly and Eric. "Jason has accepted my offer to be my liaison to the reconstruction efforts."

"That's great!" Carly was genuinely excited for Jason's improved prospects. "Of course, you know Godric, that construction foremen probably won't have table manners either."

"Then we start a revolution, one caveman at a time." Godric smiled at Eric. "My progeny civilized me, so I will share that gift with Jason."

"As long as you let him come home and mow his grandmother's lawn every once and a while, Godric," Adele laughed, "then I'm just pleased as punch for him."

"Adele, I shall tend to it myself if Jason is otherwise occupied. I doubt a lawn will suffer if cut at night."

See, Sookie, you're going home.

Gran's going home. He didn't say anything about me.

"We're keeping everyone, even Jason now, from their dinner. Why don't we sit down?" Carly prompted.

The Stackhouses and Melissa occupied only one end of the long dining table, so Godric, Eric, and Carly took the remaining seats. Godric sat beside Sookie, who seemed honored to be the focus of his attention and frightened by his intensity.

Sookie, Carly projected, just ask him what you want to know.

Do you think he'll be honest?

Carly rolled her neck, which she felt tightening.

Eric noticed immediately and asked, "Is everything all right?"

"I'm fine," Carly lied, "it's just the travel."

"Do you need to," Eric paused just briefly enough to make it clear what he meant, "eat?"

"No," Carly answered and meant it. She had no craving for death, even though she'd been starving once she returned them to the east coast after Edgington's death. She focused again on Sookie: Has he been dishonest, or deceitful to you?

No... Sookie trailed off into confusion, and Carly could tell that she was fighting with herself, that all of Sookie's insecurities were battling for power over her conscious mind. Okay, I'll ask him.

"Godric," Sookie piped up in a high-pitched voice, almost like a little girl's. "When do you think me and Gran can go back to Bon Temps?"

Straightening himself up slightly, Godric said, "I suppose tonight will be appropriate, although I would prefer to accompany you. We have some things we need to attend to, however. If you would allow us, I suppose we could take care of them now."

"Oh," Sookie sounded relieved, although her voice also seemed to betray a vague disappointment. "Sure. If y'all weren't planning to eat anyway, then there's no reason you have to keep us company."

"Do you need my help, Godric?" Melissa asked.

"Yes, could you make arrangements for us to fly to Shreveport. Also," Godric praised, "I appreciate all you've done so far today. Your memorandum was most helpful, and I called the King of New York for further information."

Godric pushed himself away from the table gracefully and gestured to Eric and Carly to follow.

"Carly?" Sookie said her name plaintively. "Do you need to go too?"

"Yep," Carly smiled at her, but added through their personal channel, I don't need to eat anymore, and there are some things I need to do for Godric. I'm guessing that we can go back to Shreveport now too, so we'll probably go with you.

As they left the room, Carly checked into the minds of all four of the humans they left behind. Adele wondered why skinny girls like Carly starved themselves. Sookie wondered if all of the sweet nothings that Godric had whispered in her ear the last couple of days were just ploys to get her away from home, if she'd just been bait for these big, bad vampires that he needed to catch. Melissa thought that Godric seemed depressed again, although he'd been so cheerful the last few days with Sookie around. And Jason wondered why there wasn't a television in the dining room.

Godric took the lead as they trio walked toward Godric's office, but he didn't speak until the door was firmly shut.

"Carly," Godric began, "do you have a clear sense of the tale that Nakamura needs to tell the Authority?"

She nodded. "I think I do, but it would help to know what business he was doing for you."

"Yes, I suppose it would." Godric sat behind his desk and pulled a document out of a drawer. "I asked him to work as a courier to the sheriff in the southern part of the state. I've known her for a few years, and I hoped she would investigate the disappearance of one of my vampires who was last seen in northern Louisiana, a William Compton by name." Godric smiled. "Perhaps you've heard of him."

"Clever bastard," Eric prodded his maker. "You're covering all your bases, aren't you."

"Yes. Since Compton has some connection to the Authority, I decided that I would show all due diligence in the care of my subjects, especially since our bond is public knowledge."

Carly began to put the picture together in her mind. She hadn't asked about Compton's fate, although she hoped that he was in the deepest, darkest, cruelest dungeon, submerged beneath the water line, waiting to be tortured into an inch of his existence. Her own brutality shocked her, and she shook her head violently. "Wow."

"Yes, Carly?"

"I just startled myself, Godric. I was just thinking that I hoped Compton was somewhere suffering terribly."

"Not as terribly as he shall," Godric pushed the document across the desk toward Carly. "But I need to demonstrate my magnamity as a ruler, especially when the Authority has an interest in my subjects."

"So when will Nakamura get here?" Eric asked, refocusing their attention on their agenda.

"I asked him to report as soon as he awakened." Godric checked his desk clock. "I also anticipate some communication from that tiresome Nan Flanagan before long."

Eric drew Edgington's jewelry, a signet ring and three other rings, a watch, and a pendant, as well as his fang from a pouch that he'd kept in his breast pocket, and placed them on Godric's desk. "So these are the artifacts that remain from Edgington."

Godric handed the fang back to Eric. "Such a thing ought not to exist, so it should be kept from view. How did you excise it?"

Carly extended her arm so that Godric could see the bracelet she now wore. "It's a long story, but it got caught in this."

With a meaningful look at Eric, Godric said, "I recognize how ancient this piece is, Eric. Where did it come from?"

"Pam has been trying to recover artifacts that might be related to my family. She commisioned an antique dealer here, who discovered this."

"To whom did it belong?" Godric asked.

"My grandfather." Eric stroked Carly's hair. "It appears that my ancestry is more complex than I knew. After Edgington's death, we heard from my grandfather. My father came from a family of wolf-warriors." Eric paused and despair weighed heavily on his voice. "The wolves who killed my family were kin. Edgington recruited my uncle, who nursed a grudge against my father for living as a man."

Godric continued to follow the outlines of the bracelet, turning Carly's wrist over as he did. "So you have a connection to the wolves?"

"And this bracelet," Carly added, "allows us to wield some kind of blood magic."

"To control any who have had Edgington's blood?" Godric leaned back and drew his hands together. "We will need such assistance, although I doubt you wish to rule Mississippi."

Eric nodded. "I have no desire. I wish only to serve you and to remain with Carly and Pam."

"And I wish that for you."

The three sat in silence for a time, before Godric made a call. They listened to the phone ring from the speaker before Jean-Jacques answered. "Bon soir. To whom do I speak?"

"Godric, my friend."

"Yes," Jean-Jacques replied with clear enthusiasm in his voice. "I hoped to hear from you soon as compensation for the loss of your dear subjects."

"They stand before me, Jean-Jacques, and we are..."

"My friend, have you heard of the Patriot Act"?

Godric paused. "Yes, although my understanding of that legislation is somewhat limited."

"Yes, as I was told last night by an Israeli acquaintence, it enables significant scrutiny of telephone communications."

"Oh..." Godric replied. "How interesting."

"Yes, quite so. I have contemplated whether the Authority is aware of how much of their communications could be readily available to humans."

Silence continued for a few minutes before Jean-Jacques continued. "Has Carly's stomach ache abated? I was worried for her when she left and hope you can relay a message to her."

Carly stood and nodded, pointing toward a pad of paper on Godric's desk.

Godric replied to Jean-Jacques. "Would you like me to enquire after her health?"

"Could you? Once the message is relayed, you can call me back."

"Yes," Godric nodded. "Yes. I shall do that shortly."

"Tres bien," Jean-Jacques signed off the call.

They were silent again as Godric wrote a message for Carly to transmit to Jean-Jacques. Concluding, Godric folded it and handed it to Carly. "Can you make the journey back to him? I apologize for the imposition."

Carly looked at the message in her hand and replied, "Let me try this first and see..."

Concentrating on the paper, Carly thought of Jean-Jacques desk, his unexpectedly archaic Bakelite phone that had been retrofitted with buttons, the heavy wooden desk, and the leather blotter, and willed the message there before him.

"Amazing," Godric whispered.

Carly snapped back to awareness when the phone rang.

Godric answered with the speaker button. "Yes?"

"I apologize. I could not wait, my friend," Jean-Jacques enthused for all three of them to hear, "my curiosity about Carly's health got the best of me when I saw the letter from her mother on my desk."

"I'm well, Jean-Jacques," Carly said loudly.

"Wonderful! Carly, simply wonderful!" Jean-Jacques was silent again and they heard a tap. "Carly, do you know cell-phones well? I've struggled with my phone since the time-change. Can I change the time manually or must I depend upon the network to give me the time?"

Carly realized she should have read the note before she sent it to Jean-Jacques. "I think that you can control the time and date in the settings for the phone. So if two people set their phones to the same date in transmitting messages the dates would stay the same."

"Carly," Jean-Jacques said with affected earnestness, "I have been bereft since your departure. Godric, when time did they return to you?"

"Approximately 2:45 AM on today's date. Of course, that is Central time, as you recall, so one hour behind you."

"Yes of course."

Godric concluded. "Feel free to ask after Carly's health any time, Jean-Jacques. As you know, she is quite fragile, so almost always with Eric. You have his number?"

"Yes, I do, and I shall, dear friend." Jean-Jacques disconnected the call.

"Should I read messages first?" Carly giggled.

"Yes, you should."

Godric altered his system settings and coordinated times with Jean-Jacques, before snapping a picture of the jewelry.

As Godric waited for a reply, he explained his message to Jean-Jacques. "I asked him to affirm that I had called him last night after Nakamura presented himself with the jewelry and that Nakamura had discovered it the night before when he was on an errand for me in Arkansas."

Godric's cellphone beeped with the message: How the mighty fall to a shameful end. This jewelry belongs to Russell Edgington. Godric replied, Thank you for your assistance.

"So now you must tell me about the art show. Should I add pieces to my collection?"

The two lovers gave a brief description of the art and also mentioned the vampires they met—the ancient African and Letitia.

Godric took notice. "You saw Leticia?"

"Yes," Eric affirmed.

"She would enjoy such a thing."Godric shook his head and pinched at the bridge of his nose, before looking aggressively toward Carly. "I hope she didn't cast her spell over you, Carly," Godric asked.

"She's magnetic, but I still have free will," Carly smiled, "If that's your question."

Eric looked away toward the door, and Carly felt a wave of guilt rippling from her vampire.

"I'm glad to hear that, Carly, since I lost Eric to her briefly. Although charming, she has driven too many to madness and brutality to be tolerated lightly." Godric stood and added. "Now we wait to hear from the Authority and we wait for Nakamura. I instructed him to present himself as soon as possible after sunset. tonight.

Carly felt a wave of anxiety, and she couldn't tell whether it was hers, Eric's, or from another source. As she contemplated the knot that bound her stomach and turned it from one side to the other, she focused her attention on the waves of disconent that flooded her. After a few moments, Carly saw a flash of pink cross her field of vision and smelled strawberries. For whatever reason, she associated the combination of the scent and the color with Pamela.

"Eric," Carly said tentatively. "I think something is wrong with Pam."

"Why?"

She shook her head as a feeling of panic began to take hold of her. "I can't explain. Can you just call her and find out if she's okay?"

"If she were in some jeopardy, Carly, she would have called to me. But let us all call her."

Eric dictated Pamela's cell-phone number to Godric, who placed the phone on speaker so that they could all hear.

"Yeah, who the hell is this?" Pam drawled sullenly.

Godric glowered at his son. "Your king, maker, and only friend, who has sensed some anxiety on your part, Pamela."

"Your majesty, Godric," Pamela paused. "I'm sorry. I didn't recognize the number."

Carly burst out, "Are you okay, Pam?"

"Just about," Pam offered, without any elaboration.

"Pamela," Eric demanded, "what is wrong?"

"We have some rough customers tonight. That's all. They're stinking up the place, if you catch my meaning." Pam's voice didn't betray any details, but Carly recognized what she meant immediately: wolves, probably wolves withdrawing from Russell's blood.

"Call Thalia, Pam, and get her over to Fangtasia immediately. We're awaiting an important visit and can't come to you right away. As soon as it's over, we will be there." Eric's voice remained calm, although Carly felt his anxiety mounting quickly.

"If you wouldn't mind, Eric," Pamela spoke slowly. "I'd prefer if you let Carly drive you over."

Pam needed them sooner, rather than later, but they still needed to make sure that Nakamura's story was firmly established in his mind. If the Authority suspected deceit, they would torture him, Carly was certain. Re-writing his memories was the only way to make sure that the story was believeable.

"We'll be there as soon as we can, Pam, and Carly will drive us there," Eric assured. They heard the connection disappear.

A moment later, they heard a tentative knock at the door. "Enter," Godric ordered.

Without any escort, Nakamura appeared at the door. "Your majesty, may I enter."

Nakamura spotted Carly and stumbled just slightly. "Sheriff Northman, Ms. Michael," he greeted. "It's a pleasure to see you both again. I anticipate your trip to New York was enjoyable."

"Very much so," Eric assured. "We acquired a number of pieces of art that the king will be proud to display."

Nakamura nodded and moved toward Godric. "How may I be of service, your majesty?"

"Please sit," Godric gestured toward the sofa, where Carly had glamoured Nakamura before. "I will be forthright with you, Nakamura, because I see no reason to be duplicitous. Russell Edgington is dead."

"Yes, sir, I realized that when I saw Himmler's interview from night before last." Nakamura looked to each of them in turn. "I only watched it before dawn this morning."

"You were on the road at the time it happened, if I'm not mistaken," Godric suggested.

"Yes, northwest of the Louisiana border, in Arkansas," Nakamura reported

"Not far from the Mississippi border, I would anticipate." Godric continued, "In fact, wouldn't it have been quite easy for you to get to Jackson, as the crow flies."

Nakamura affirmed the judgment again with a nod. "I believe so. Am I suspected?"

"No," Godric replied quickly. "I promised to be frank, and I see no reason, Carly, why I shouldn't tell him the truth entirely, don't you think?"

Looking between Godric and Carly, Nakamura became visibly fearful and interjected. "Please, your majesty, do not give me a truth that will I will need to die to preserve. Ms. Michael is something different, and I fear her."

"As you should," Eric inserted.

"If you require something of me, your majesty, I will do it without hesitation." Nakamura moved from the sofa and kneeled. "I am your subject, unconditionally."

Godric uncovered Edgington's jewelry so that it was visible to Nakamura. "I need you, dear friend, to remember something that did not happen."

"Whatever you require of me, king, I will do." Nakamura's subjection distressed Carly, but she realized that his unconditional obedience was the greatest honor he could offer his king.

"Then turn toward Ms. Michael and look in her eyes."

Slowly, Nakamura turned toward Carly and looked at her face. He winced slightly before saying, "I know that you freed me, somehow, from the bondage I was under. Even though I fear you, I am grateful."

"This shouldn't hurt, Nakamura," Carly offered. "I just need you to remember things differently than they happened."

With a faint motion of his head, Nakamura consented to the alteration of his memories.

"I need you to think of your drive back from Arkansas. Think of where you were on the road about three thirty in the morning. Were you still in Arkansas at that point?" Carly asked.

"Yes."

Carly grasped his hand and tuned into his thoughts as he remembered the desolate road and his narrow field of vision, constrained as it was by his headlights. On each side of the road, tall pine trees rose, effectively making the road into a pine forested tunnel. She accompanied him as he remembered and jumped as he recalled a helicopter that passed over the road.

"Perfect!" she cried out.

"What?" Nakamura startled. "What did you see?"

"I need you to think back to seeing the helicopter, Nakamura. Take me on the drive again." Carly focused on his memory and when he spotted the helicopter crossing the top of his field of vision, she took over the imagery in his mind. Instead of simply seeing a helicopter cross the top of his field of vision, Nakamura saw an object traveling at high speed clip the helicopter and fall into the trees beside the road. Carly directed him to the side of the road, high-jacking his recollections of the car interior. Within his consciousness, Carly walked back to a stand of trees and visualized a slow drip from the tree and the sharp plink of metal against stone. Nakamura (driven by Carly) picked up Edgington's jewelry and looked up into the tree. With his vampire vision, he saw clothing hanging from the top of the tree, but little more. Without the ability to fly, Nakamura, led by Carly's consciousness, walked back to his car, pocketing the jewelry without further consideration.

Carly released her hold on Nakamura's memory and led him back through his drive to a safehouse, where he arrived shortly before dawn. She directed him to his awakening and his drive back to New Orleans, where he reported to Godric.

Leaving most of the memory untouched, Carly focused her attention solely on the conclusion of the meeting, prompting Nakamura to remember drawing the jewelry from his pocket.

Nakamura, within Carly's confabulated memory, reported what he had seen to his king. "A vampire collided with a helicopter, and I found these pieces beneath a tree. I conclude he was staked upon one of the high branches."

Godric agreed within the fantasy as it became Nakamura's reality. "That seems a prudent conclusion. I recognize these pieces, but must seek guidance from another monarch, perhaps Jean-Jacques of New York can assist me."

Carly allowed Nakamura to regain the stream of his authentic memory and released him from his internal rewriting, but not so entirely that he was free of her. "Nakamura, you know that no one has attempted to alter your recollections whatsoever?"

"No, no one has attempted such a thing."

Carly released him and said, "Thank you for sharing your story with us."

"I am happy to share my story with you and and Sheriff Northman, Ms. Michael," Nakamura answered slowly.

Godric sought his subject's attention and asked, "You said that you fear Ms. Michael. Could you say why?"

Nakamura looked down sheepishly. "I know it is foolish for me to fear you, but you are unlike any other human I have encountered."

Speaking sternly, Godric said, "And you will keep that fear to yourself at all costs, Nakamura."

"Hai, yes, my king." Nakamura stood and bowed.

"You are dismissed, Nakamura." Godric grabbed his cellphone as his subject left his office. "I am texting Melissa with my intent to accompany you to Fangtasia, if it is possible, Carly. Do you think you might be able to bring both of us with you?"

"It shouldn't be a problem, Godric, but I might need need to recharge after I get there." Carly turned to Eric. "You won't need me if there's an emergency with the wolves, will you?"

"No, Carly." Eric turned to Godric. "We need to hold onto her tightly, Godric. I warn you it can be a disorienting mode of travel."

Eric and Godric curled around the valkyrie as she imagined Eric's office at Fangtasia and they became vapor. From Eric and Godric's perspective, they became disembodied consciousnesses clinging tightly to a firey beacon that zoomed through a portal and came back to solidity before Eric's door.