"Sookie," Claudine's voice was beautiful and enchanting, "the Faeries need your help. We are in danger. A rumor is spreading around among very powerful vampires and other supes that that drinking Faery blood allows vampires to daywalk." Sookie nodded, "Eric," she whispered. "Yes," Claudine confirmed, "Northman initiated this. Word is spreading fast. Many weres know already. . . ." Sookie realized that was probably her fault since she had told Alcide while she waited for the vamps to rise at Fangtasia that afternoon. She quickly asked, "But why do you care so much if it's not true? Several vampires got an eyewitness account that it doesn't even work . . . the other day at Fangtasia." "The details are not important now, not yet, Sookie, but suffice it to say the rumor is not completely false." Sookie's eyes widened and she swallowed hard. Claudine continued, "We need to take a stance to the supernatural world that we will not tolerate this, but we need your help, you are our best link to the vampire community. And in exchange, we will train you to use all elements of your magic in the process. We will honor you as a rightful Royal Fae," Claudine encircled Sookie's shoulders with her long lovely arm, tilted her head toward Sookie's, in some gesture of kinswomanship, and gestured outward dramatically, "You will be known through Fae history as a crusader for our kind," she paused and glanced an utterly bewildered Sookie before going on, "You have exchanged blood with Northman, correct?"

Sookie darted her eyes around, "Yesss, why?" Claudine was all business, "In order for our magic to work, you must be bonded to him by blood, which equals three blood exchanges. Do you have a bond?" "No, not completely," Sookie was surprised at the regret in her voice. "So that will be the first phase: gain his trust completely and cement your bond. You already have all the magic you'll need to succeed at that," she winked, "Time is of the essence, Sookie. Fae lives are at stake." Claudine disappeared and Sookie was alone in Bon Temps Cemetery. Sookie had to admit Claudine was a good saleswoman, but she was not completely convinced. Her head was reeling. She was usually not one to deliberate; things were black and white to her. Right or wrong. Open and shut. But she was angry at vampirekind – Bill's thoughtless way of using her, mandated from another thoughtless vamp, the rollercoaster ride that was Eric: his heroics and honesty when he saved her from the were, his harsh words in Jackson, that kiss, her imprisonment, and his offering her to Russell.

In short, Sookie was losing her faith in vamps, if the camaraderie she felt with them could even count as faith, if she had ever had any to begin with. And was that camaraderie based solely or mostly on the irresistibility of her blood? Or her telepathy? She felt so lost that the proposal of becoming a Fae Joan of Arc was actually tempting. Were the Fae even actually 'Her People'? She didn't easily identify with them and most times she was glad for that. If she agreed, it would instill purpose in her, and set her on a path to power. But at what cost? She was fairly sure she could deceive Eric into believing she wanted him, she knew he would let her in. But then she would be no better than Bill,

But if she didn't agree, what would become of the Fae? She opened her front door and staggered to her bedroom in time to succumb to sleep.

Sookie was sitting in Fangtasia, flanked by Bill and Russell. Each held one of her wrists pinned down to the table. Eric was pacing around them, and he looked stressed. No one was speaking, the vamps were just exchanging pensive looks. Sookie had no idea what she was doing there or how she got there. "Can you let me go?" she yelled, irritated, looking back and forth between Bill and Russell. But they did not reply. "Bill why are you doing this to me?" she kept repeating, but he did not answer. At once, all three vampires bit and began to drink, Bill and Russell at her wrists, and Eric at her neck. She tried to kick and scream but she knew nobody could hear her or could even help her. They kept drinking and drinking . . . Bill was moaning with pleasure and she was repulsed. . . .

Eric had just risen for the evening and was making his way toward the bar at Fangtasia when Pam appeared in front of him. "It's Flannigan for you," she said, extending the phone. "Northman," he muttered. "I trust Edgington is taken care of," Nan asserted. "Yes, Russell is no longer a problem," he said calmly. Nan asked, "Any casualties?" "Yes. Ruben," he paused, "and Bill Compton." Almost immediately she returned, "Nicely done, Sheriff. I am busy starting fresh with the VRA thanks to Russell. I hope I won't be seeing you again for awhile." "Likewise," Eric smiled. Pam's eyebrow was still raised when Eric looked to her and returned the phone. "Did you have Bill taken out today?" she enquired. "Oh no, Pam, taking out Bill is a pleasure I will reserve for myself."

Suddenly, Eric was flooded with anguish and fear, but not his own. He closed his eyes for a moment. Sookie. He hadn't been aware of pain or sadness when he rose for the evening, but now there were new emotions and fear was definitely at the forefront. Could Compton have gotten to Sookie even though she rescinded his invitation? Eric burst out the door and took to the air.

Eric heard Sookie's scream before he landed in front of her bedroom window. He did not sense Compton or anyone else nearby and his eyes rested on Sookie, sleeping in her bed, in the distress of a nightmare. Eric felt foolish and regretted not having sent someone on this errand so that he could attend to business as usual this evening. He started to leave, but instead he stood there watching her, still feeling her fear. "Bill why are you doing this to me!" she was yelling, tossing and turning and sweating. Her scent was strong through the open bedroom window and Eric inhaled deeply. She smelt of a rare flower. He should have been relieved that she was only dreaming but he was not. "Sookie!" he shouted, hoping to wake her up. She did not respond. The moonlight rested on her gold strands of hair and he thought how this woman saved him from the true death – even after he attempted to imprison her and forced her to give her blood. He should at least have the decency to wake her from this nightmare, but he knew he couldn't go inside. He looked around and the first thing he saw was a peony bush. He plucked off five stems and returned to the window and hurled them at her.

Sookie flinched and she reached to her face to remove one of the blooms. Eric didn't know whether to go or stay, but he found that he couldn't take his eyes off her as she awoke. He knew she would be angry and probably think he meant her harm, but he couldn't make himself leave. She pulled herself up in bed and looked quizzically at the peonies, her two little fingers picking up each stem. Then her eyes turned to him. "Eric? What are you doing here?" she said but she did not seem angry. Eric sensed perhaps some fear, but not anger. Eric was relieved. He was treading with care, "Sookie, I felt something was wrong. You were afraid." Tears started to roll down her face, slow tears of relief, somehow calming herself, thankful that she was awake. Eric felt her fear resolve, replaced by a wave of sadness. "Did you throw flowers at me?" she asked incredulously. Eric nodded. "To wake you up … you rescinded my invitation, remember?" he replied calmly, almost reverently. The memory of the context of that conversation fueled her tears.

Eric stared down at her, not blinking, noticing that she was still crying, even more now. "Sookie, May I?" he asked, bringing his foot to the windowsill and bowing his head under the raised glass pane. Sookie was slightly reluctant but she began to think of how devastated she'd felt when Bill told her that Eric was no more. She knew she could rescind his invitation if she needed to. "Come in," she said.

"I can feel your hurt, Sookie. I'm sorry you're suffering," Eric placed a hand on her shoulder, "You needed to know the truth. Bill was not altruistic. It's ok, let go." Sookie's ragged breathing started to calm with Eric's touch and she leaned into his chest. His other hand began to stroke her hair.

"Eric?" Sookie lifted her face to meet his eyes. "How long had you known?" Eric marveled briefly at the perceptive question, unable to suppress a little pride, he knew exactly what she was referring to, and he should have expected her to ask. "I only found out toward the end of my stay in Jackson. I urged Bill to tell you as soon as I returned, but he chose not to." Eric was trying to be tender but the vengeance was building up inside him. Sookie thought about Claudine's proposal. "So now you know all my feelings?" Sookie asked carefully. Eric nodded slowly. She wanted to ask so many questions about this, he had told her he could feel if she were in trouble before she went to Jackson. But how was this different? Would he know if she was trying to deceive him? "How long will this bond last?" she continued. "I'm not sure," Eric answered gently, "But it's pretty intense. You might want to text me first if you're going to watch a scary movie." Sookie smiled and almost managed to laugh, "But seriously Eric, last time you were bonded to a human, how long did it last?" He looked away. There was a long pause, "I've never been bonded to a human before." Suddenly his phone rang. "I'm sorry, Sookie, I need to get this." He stepped out of her room. I'm so alone and I'm so lost, she thought looking around, and the tears multiplied. Sookie started to the kitchen to get some water. She passed Eric in the hallway, talking in Swedish, probably to Pam, she thought.

She got the glass but never made it to the refrigerator for the water. Eric strode into the kitchen, standing in front of her. "Sookie, I have some urgent matters to attend to. In the spirit of brutal honesty, evidently a recurring theme at Chez Stackhouse these days, Bill tried to kill our Queen and has fled. Pam is going to come stay with you. I believe Bill is very unstable and I encourage you to be safe." He stepped closer to her and continued, "If you have to go out at night, take Pam. Do you understand?" She nodded, tears still forming in her eyes. Eric pulled her into him, his arms encircling her waist, speaking into the top of her head, "You didn't deserve this. You deserve better. You will heal. Be strong." And with that Eric was gone. She made time for that glass of water. How did he know exactly what to say? Four short sentences somehow erased her guilt and anger for herself, gave her courage to keep going and strength to pull out of the quagmire of self-pity.