Episode 1 – Truth in the lies
***Starts exactly when Bill shows up at the "party" when Alcide and Sookie are leaving.***
Holding onto Alcide's arm, I look straight into Bill's eyes. I will not give him the satisfaction of seeing him here and hearing him try to tell me what to do once again.
"Thank you for your concern, but I'm fine, Bill," I say to him.
"Sookie," he says which he pronounces SOOKHEAH, as he always does, "You need to be protected. More so than anyone else in there," he lifts his chin in the direction of the bar.
"She's got me," Alcide growls and I hold his arm a little tighter trying to calm him down. I know how much he hates Vampires. More importantly, he hates me having any involvement with them. He tolerates Tara and Willa, but it doesn't mean he likes it.
I feel him relax a little but not a lot and I try to calm myself a little. The last thing I need tonight is a fight. Or at the very least, someone deciding to piss on my shoe. Oh wait, that is exactly what they are doing. I sigh and try not to roll my eyes. I can't stand this male posturing shit. It's been very comforting not having to deal with it all since Eric went away and Bill has been dealing with his book thing. Alcide did a little of it when we first got together but it calmed down after the first month or so and I started working for him at the construction company answering phones instead of working in the bar.
That single thought of Eric does what it always does to me. Instantly, I feel a little twinge in my belly. Luckily, it has been so long since Bill has given me blood, that he can't feel the change in my emotion and up until now, I've been able to hide these little emotional outbursts from Alcide.
"Sookie," Bill says again, taking me out of my little internal discussion, "I would expect you above any of these people to see the reason in this. You need to keep what you are hidden to keep yourself safe. You must know, that's all I've ever wanted for you."
Before I can answer him, both Alcide and Bill turn to look down the road. Okay, I may be part Fae, but my night vision isn't anywhere near these two.
"Alcide," Bill growls, "get her home!"
"Sookie, get in the truck," Alcide starts to pull me in the direction of his parked truck.
"What's going on?" I ask.
"They're here!" Bill shouts loud enough that I hope others can hear him in the back of the bar.
I don't need to ask who's here when I start to see the outline of several creatures coming up the road.
"Sookie," Bill growls again. "Get home and stay in the house until I come for you."
"You won't be coming for anyone, Bloodsucker," Alcide growls again. "I can take care of her."
For the first time in a long time, I feel the cold tingle of panic crawling up my spine. I take a deep breath trying to will it down, but I can't. All I want to do is get home. I'll be safe at home, I know I will.
I close my eyes and think of the safest place I can. Suddenly I get a picture of Eric in his little hiding place in the farmhouse. Someplace I haven't been since he regained his memories. My home; the home that he procured for me. A home that he kept safe for me, fixed for me, kept safe for me even before I fell in love with him. He fixed it in preparation of my return so long ago; a place that both he and I could be safe.
I feel a tremor move through my body and suddenly I'm standing in the middle of my living room feeling very light headed and seeing double of everything around me.
"Well," I hear from the couch. "That's not something you see every day."
I turn quickly, grabbing onto the nearest chair to steady myself.
"Pam," I say softly. "What are you doing here?" I ask her. "How did you get in?"
She uncrosses her legs and stands. "You rescinded Eric and Bill's invitation but you didn't do the same for Jess, Willa, Tara or I," she tilts her head to the side. "If I didn't smell the stench of the Were on you, I'd have presumed that you were batting for my team now," she smiles at me.
I shake off the last of the dizziness and ignore her little jab. I'm in no condition to battle wits with her at present.
I plaster a smile on my face and look her in the eye.
"Not that I'm not happy to see you," I say to her. "It's been a long time since you have popped by. I don't mean to be rude but I really don't have time to entertain right now."
"Always the southern belle," she says moving forward. "Eric will be pleased that at least, THAT hasn't changed."
The mention of his name fills me with the same feeling I had when I thought of him before. Knowing that I don't have time for this, I mentally shake it off and promise myself that I'll address this feeling later. For now, I have to get myself safe.
"Pam, not that I don't want to talk about him, I do but," I look at the door. "I really don't have time for this."
"Yes, the hoard has made its way to Bon Temps," she says and moves to the window. "That is precisely why I'm here," she turns to look at me. "Though I was hoping that the Were would be returning with you. I was so looking forward to knocking him down a few pegs."
"Alcide?" I ask her. "Why would you…"
"It is because of him and the idiot Bill, that I'm here, Sookie. Not to mention that farce of a Mayor you now have," she laughs. "Really, who actually thought that dog was fit to serve the humans?"
"Sam is a good man," I try to defend my friend.
"Yes, yes, loyal to the end, blah blah blah. But we really don't have time for this now," she moves over to the side of the couch where I see three of my suitcases packed.
"Since you seem to have a mission, I have to ask you what are you doing here?" I ask her.
"We weren't going to have time to do anything if I had to do battle with the Were, so I took the liberty of packing for you," she says.
I cross my arms in front me. "Am I going somewhere?" I ask her.
She smiles. "You are in danger Sookie," she says.
I laugh. "It seems that all my trouble started when I met your kind. Trouble also seems to find its way back to me anytime you all show back up."
First Bill, now Pam. I mean, sure I see Jess, Willa and Tara from time to time. But still.
She moves at Vampire speed to stand in front of me. "If you believe your trouble started the day you met Bill, you are fooling yourself. The day trouble found you, my Faerie friend is the day you were born."
"Why would you worry about what trouble I'm in Pam? You don't even like me," I say as I watch her return to the bags.
"You're right, I don't," she says. "You are trouble for both my maker and me. You have ruined his undead life as we knew it and if I had my way, you would have been killed the moment you walked into Fangtasia."
"Then why should I even consider going anywhere with you?" I ask her.
"Because," she turns to me. "I made a promise to my maker that I would collect you and keep you safe from the current troubles that have befallen you."
"If you mean those Hep-V Vampires," I point to the door. "They can't get me in here."
She shakes her head. "Those Vamps are a smoke screen for the real situation."
"Well, then by all means, enlighten me." I say to her.
She huffs and looks to the window again. "Sookie, did you not find it strange that Alcide allowed you to have your blood drawn for this little gathering tonight?"
I look at her confused. "Think Sookie," she says. "You were nearly drained when Bill lost control with you on your way back from Mississippi when you attempted to rescue Compton"
I shake slightly thinking of that day.
"You remember," she nods when she sees my reaction.
"Of course I remember," I growl back at her.
"Good, then you will remember that your blood couldn't be typed. That they couldn't give you blood because they didn't have any that would match yours. Alcide and your brother were both there. Why would the Were allow you to give the government your blood if he knew that it would flag their systems?"
I shake my head. "That doesn't make sense. I'm sure he forgot." I did.
She smiles. "Weres and Vampires have very keen memories, Sookie. Neither of them forgot. I would suspect your shifter knows as well."
"Even if they did remember, why would it matter? I came up clean." I say.
She shakes her head. "You don't get it, Sookie. The little request or should I say, mandate for screening was a filtering system. The human government isn't looking for those who don't carry the virus. They are looking for a cure and they are looking for those who carry an enzyme to do that. An enzyme that only a small population of humans carry."
I wait a moment and take in what she is saying. "Faerie, the government is looking for Faeries?"
"Since most, if not all of the true Fae aren't around, they are looking for half-lings," she says and goes to pick up my bags. "Now, Sookie, I'm sure you have more questions but we really need to leave. On my own, I can take on a dozen humans, your Were and Bill. But with you in tow, I'm not thinking it will be as easy."
"Wait a minute," I say as she heads to the back door. "You think that Alcide and Bill are what, going to hand me over to the government?" I ask her.
"I'm telling you," she growls again. "That they were supposed to use that little party tonight to make you disappear. The human authorities were waiting for Bill's word and they would be waiting for the hand off."
I shake my head. "Alcide loves me, he would never…"
Pam drops the bags and pulls something that looks like an iPod out of her pocket. Hitting something on the side, I start to hear voices.
"You are sure this is the only way?" I hear Alcide's voice.
"According to what they've shown me, yes," Bill answers.
"Vamp, she is not going to just go off with them. If we make her understand, maybe she'll be willing to help."
"The human government is clear on this Herveaux, they will not acknowledge the existence of her kind. They feel that the panic will rise more than it is now. I have to agree with them. They don't know how long it will take to synthesize the enzyme but they feel with the work I had done while Warlow was still with us will help. They need blood of her kind. Since they haven't been able to find true Fae, they will settle for those like Sookie."
"I can protect her," Alcide says. "She doesn't need you."
"How will you protect her if they want her, Alcide? Are you going to hide her with your pack? Move her somewhere they can't find her? They know who she is, Herveaux. They can find her. We are talking about the human government."
"We hid, Witches hide, other's hide. We can take her somewhere they can't find her."
"It's too late for that. This is the best we can give her," Bill says.
"Bill," Alcide says. "We can't just let them take her."
"We either help them and maybe we will get her back, or they will take her and she will never come back. It's your choice, Were. If you love her, you will help me. It's the only way I can keep her safe. This way they will allow me to see her. If they take her without our help, I won't know where to find her."
"She'll never forgive us for betraying her," Alcide says.
"She shot your mate in cold blood and you are a still a loyal dog," Bill says with a little something in his voice.
"Debbie was trying to kill her. Sookie defended herself. I understand that," Alcide growls back.
"And I'm trying to save my kind as well as the rest of us. I'm doing this with or without you Herveaux. Either you help me get her to them safely or I'll do it by myself. Either way, Sookie will leave with these men tomorrow night. It's your choice whether you see her again."
There is a long pause. "What do you want me to do?"
Pam hits something on the side again and I can't help the tears from falling.
"He, they…" I start to say but I can't finish a thought.
"I hate when you humans get watery," she sighs. "But we have no time for this," she looks again to the window. "They will both be here soon and I would rather not be present when they do. You have to come with me now!"
"Where?" I ask her.
"Where your future will still be in your control. Right here, right now, you have a choice to make. You can stay and be turned over as a lab rat to the humans or you can come with me and I promise you, HE promises you, you will have a choice and your involvement in all of this will be your decision and yours alone. Think fast, Sookie. I know you are smarter than Compton and the mutt think you are. Make your decision now; freedom or servitude to creatures that are indeed more unscrupulous than Sophie-Anne and Russell combined."
The thought of those Vampires gives me bigger chills than the thought of yet again, being betrayed by two people I thought cared about me.
"How do I know I can trust you?" I ask her.
"Because you already said I don't like you. Why would I waste my time trying to persuade you if what I said wasn't the truth? You must admit Sookie, that I've never wavered from giving it to you straight as the human's say. It is quite simple, really. With me you stand a chance. Alone, you will be out of this house and into something that resembles the place they took me to during Burell's reign before daybreak," she pauses and puts her hand on her hip as she waits for me to say something
"What is your damage?" she asks when I don't answer her fast enough. "You know damn well who sent me. You know that all he's ever done since he met you was try to find a way to protect and save your stubborn ass. You were the one he ran to when that Witch bitch hexed him. This house," she waves her hand, "stands because of him. You are alive because of his continued interventions into your life. He betrayed his Queen for you, captured a King to save your bubble ass and you still question his loyalty and commitment to you? Even after you rejected him yet again and walked away from him he has still kept an eye on you. Even when," she pauses. "Even when he should have been thinking of himself and how to protect those loyal to him. Yet here I stand, waiting again, for you to make the right decision instead of the one you seem to think you should."
"Hey," I point my finger at her. "I don't have bubble ass!"
"Out of all that," she smirks, "that's all you got?"
"Well," I shrug, "I can't really debate the truth?"
She laughs. "Tell that to the human and vampire politicians. So are you in or are you out?"
I hate that I have to make this choice. I hate that I have to do this but damn it, I can't deny what I heard with my own ears. If I stay, then I'm certain that I won't have the time I need to figure anything out. If I leave, well, I may have some time to make the right decision for me.
Looking at her I see that she's still standing but this time she's crossed her arms under her chest and raises an eyebrow at me, waiting.
"I'm in," I say to her and move toward the door.
"Like you had any other choice," She says almost low enough that I shouldn't have heard her.
Deciding that it would be best not to piss her off any more than she already is, I wait by the door as she grabs a few of the bags and walks out. Grabbing the last two, I follow her out not bothering to lock the door behind me. If what Pam says is true Alcide and his, well his friends, will be here soon enough. Besides, if they are going to bust into my house, I don't want them breaking my door. If I leave it unlocked and maybe then I won't have to fix too many things when I get back. Yeah, if I can ever get back here which, for some reason I think is a very unlikely possibility.
I walk right behind her down the stairs to a large black Hummer parked just to the side of my house. Alcide had been talking about building a garage for us but I guess that is no longer on the table. Oh well, the house probably would have looked funny with one anyway.
I listen to a beep coming from the car and watch as the back starts to open.
"Traded up from the mini-van?" I ask her.
"This," she says as she places all of my bags in the back, "is Eric's. He thought if things went bad, I'd need some ramming capability. I could fly us out of here but I'd have to leave your bags and knowing you the way we do, my dear southern flower, you would be very pissed if I had to replace all your clothes. Not that I would mind a quick stop in New York City for some shopping but that would put us behind schedule and he would not be pleased. Tell me," she raises an eyebrow to me again, "do you own anything else besides jeans and summer dresses? What happened to those other clothes that you used to wear? I seem to recall a very lovely LBD with some pretty impressive pumps."
I shrug as I move to get into the car as she closes the back. "Alcide didn't really like them very much."
She shakes her head. "You chose not to wear clothes because of a Were?"
She climbs in herself and starts up the beast.
"Well, I've worn clothes for a man from time to time," I say to her.
"Yes, but that was to get him to take you out of them. I'm not thinking that you, dressing like Hanna homemaker gets the Were all hot and bothered."
Neither of us says another word as she turns around and heads down the drive. Once at the end, she pulls out onto Hummingbird drive. Turning right, she starts toward the highway. I couldn't help but look back at the old homestead and let out a sigh. I feel like I'm saying goodbye to an old friend. No, not an old friend, family. Turning back in my seat, I don't say a thing because really, what is there to say? No matter what, Pam will have a comeback and I'm really starting to get tired of matching wits with her. It's been a rather long day and I'm thinking that it's going to be an even longer night. Pam may say that she doesn't care about me but she does care about Him. I'm almost positive that she was given instructions not to upset me more than I had to be. Even without her blood in me, I'm sure Pam would understand that this is all hard for me. But then again, she may like the fact that the little human, or part human is being quiet. Vampires do like the silence if memory serves.
About a mile from the house, I see a few headlights coming toward us. I wouldn't expect there to be that many cars coming through this side of town, especially at this time of night. There were a few houses about three miles down Hummingbird but most people take the 2A bypass to get there from the center of town and don't bother coming around the lake and down past my place. Other than Bill, there wouldn't be anyone else with business out this way. I hadn't seen his car back at the bar but then again, I wasn't looking for it either. Besides, I don't really know what he's driving these days. Jessica doesn't mention him much and I've successfully steered clear of all conversations regarding him.
However, for some reason, I'm thinking that these are the folks that were coming for me and I can't help but get a vision of Bill and Alcide marching them to my gates like the banner men in some sort of ancient battle sequence of a really bad movie. Except this really bad movie happens to be my life.
"Put your head down," Pam says to me while the car is still a ways away.
I do as she says but not before seeing that there isn't just one car, but quite a few heading down my little road. Counting the number of sets of lights, it would appear that there are at least six vehicles and if any of them have their lights off, there could be more that I can't see yet. What I wouldn't give for Vampire vision right about now. This mostly human crap sometimes really sucks. I feel the increase in speed and instead of making my usual comment regarding Vampire driving and their need for speed, I do as she asks and move myself down to the floor boards as far as the seatbelt will allow.
I hear a few tires screeching as we whiz past what I assume are the other cars doing probably four times the posted speed limit. I can't see the speedometer from my location but I don't think I can be that far-off.
"Well that didn't take them too long," Pam says as she glances quickly down at me. "Stay down and brace yourself," she says.
Before I can ask why, I feel us make a sharp turn and suddenly the car begins to bounce around a bit. It really doesn't take a brain surgeon to know what is going on.
"Feel the need do a little off roading, Pam?" I ask her.
She shrugs. "Why have a Hummer if you can't go off roading? I believe the rednecks call it mudding?"
I can see her smirking in the glow of the dashboard and shake my head while trying to stop myself from bouncing around too much.
"How are we going to get out of this?" I ask her. "If what you said is true, won't the authorities be watching any roads leading out of Bon Temps once they realize I'm not at home? I mean we can't off road all the way out of the state."
I'm sure we could if we knew where to go. But I have a sneaky suspicion that Pam doesn't spend too much time with the mudding crowd.
"I am sure given enough time the human authorities could set up some sort of grid to find us. But by the time they get that coordinated, we will be long gone. I have a plane waiting on a private airfield about three miles outside on Monroe. We will be there soon," she looks down at me. "This is a shortcut."
"Shortcut?" I ask her. "You sure about that?"
"We looked at every route and determined every contingency plan for every obstacle we would have to face when attempting to extract you from the area, Sookie. We knew we wouldn't have much time once we got you away from Compton and Herveaux. There wouldn't have been any time for me to come up with plans on the fly. The human government may be lacking in many areas but they can get things done when they are doing it behind the back of those that elected them," she looks at me again. "Eric wanted me to be prepared," she nods as if that is the end of it.
I decide that I'm going to ask her the question I've been dying to ask since I first saw her.
"Why isn't he here?" I ask without even thinking.
It is a logical question and one that she seems to be avoiding. Sort of like the pink elephant in the room. But this elephant happens to be over six feet tall, blonde, blue eyed and a bad ass Vampire that loves a fight. I mean just because he sent Pam for me doesn't mean he wanted to see me. All I have to go on, really, is that she said, he sent her. How do I know that is even true? But then again, like she said, Pam's never lied to me. Pissed me off, yes; tried to get me away from her maker, absolutely; called me on my shit? More times than I can think of. But lie to me, no Pam has never lied to me.
She looks down at my crouched form once again and I can see something on her face that resembles pain. I've never seen her look like this and I don't mind saying that I don't like it.
"He would have come for you if he could, Sookie. You will see soon enough and I'm sure that he'll be willing to answer any questions you have. But for now, the fact that he sent me to you will need to be enough," she says with what sounds like pain in her voice.
"Well at least can you tell me where we're flying too?" I ask her deciding that this is so not the time for what I assume is a very heavy subject. My heart sinks into my stomach thinking that something's happened to him.
"Our first stop will be Nova Scotia. Then we will be flying to safety," she says to me with no other explanation.
"Nova Scotia is not far enough?" I ask her.
"Canada is not being as aggressive as other countries neutralizing the threat of the rogue, infected Vampires, but they won't try to stop the efforts of the US government either. We need to get to a more secure location. Somewhere you can make your decisions and think about what to do next. There is only one place that Eric feels you can do this safely. Once we are there, you'll understand."
I move myself up a little to look behind us. I haven't heard any cars or human thoughts since we went off road and I'm hoping that they aren't following us but am sure that they aren't giving up on us either. The little I gleaned from the passing cars tells me that if I had stayed at the farmhouse I would have indeed been a lab rat by tomorrow as Pam so eloquently indicated.
That realization sends a chill all the way to my toes. It is indeed one thing to be told someone will betray you. It is quite another to know it for certain. I take a few deep breaths, refusing to lose it in front of Pam. She may be here to help me but I have my pride and dignity. I refuse to cry over this. That is, at least until I'm alone.
"You know where they are?" I ask her knowing she won't need any further clarification.
"I heard half the cars continuing to the farmhouse and the other half turning back toward the highway. No doubt they are thinking if you aren't home then I'm taking you to Fangtasia or perhaps I'm attempting to drive you to Texas before dawn," she answer me.
"Did they see you?" I ask her.
"I saw Bill which means he saw me. If they believe that you teleported yourself to the farmhouse to evade them, you would be sitting there waiting for them or at the very least, you would have called your Were to find out what happened and would again, be waiting on him to return to you. I'm sure that once Bill saw who was in this vehicle, he would assume that I have somehow acquired you. Therefore, if I have you then I must be taking you to Eric. Either that or my maker is with you at the Farmhouse attempting to get you to come with him."
"So that is what I did," I say to her not knowing for certain how I returned to the farmhouse.
She smirks at me. "You really don't know all your abilities yet, do you?" she asks.
I don't bother answering her because I don't have an answer.
"My dear Sookie," she says to me. "You have the light, which means you have other gifts as well. You may not be more than a Halfling but you do have power, more now than you did the last time I saw you by the smell of you."
Ignoring that last part for the time being I continue with my questions. "If they believe that I went to the farmhouse, why would they think that if I wasn't home you would take me to Fangtasia to see Eric?" I ask.
"We may or may not have put the word out that he was heading back to Louisiana to check on his businesses. We believe that this knowledge had concerned Bill enough to hasten your extradition, if you will," she smiles slightly.
"So you are saying you forced his hand?" I ask.
Pam nods. "If you aren't at the Farmhouse, Bill will automatically assume that I was taking you to meet with Eric since he's returned."
"Why would Bill think that?" I ask her. "Eric has been gone for over six months. Why would Bill think I would agree to go anywhere near him?"
"You are, aren't you?" she raises and eyebrow at me again.
"Am I?" I ask her.
"Look," she sighs. "Eric allowed some things to be leaked that he was in Canada about a month ago and then he was reported to be in Alaska. Then he was seen in San Francisco and then he was reported to be heading to Texas."
"How did he do that?" I ask.
"Through his contacts and others, Eric made it appear to Bill and those fools from the government that he was heading back to Louisiana. We relied on Bill's insecurities and possessive nature to do the rest."
"What do you mean?" I tilt my head to the side. This was really getting a bit confusing.
"Eric can read Bill Compton like a book and he did exactly what we expected him to do," she smirks again. "We are confident that Bill indicated that Eric has a certain affinity for you and that his return has nothing to do with his businesses and everything to do with either warning you what was to happen or to use you himself to barter with the government for certain provisions in this mess."
"Why on earth would the government take the word of Bill Compton?" I throw my hand up in the air. I mean seriously, who would believe that soap opera storyline crap?
"It would appear that Bill used his ample gifts of persuasion to convince the human authorities that he was the better horse to back."
"You mean he glamoured them?" I ask her.
She shrugs. "He may have or the humans may have learned a thing or two from Burell and used those contacts to block his glamour," she shrugs. "Regardless, Eric worked it so that the paper trail would find him in Fangtasia starting tonight. Before that, the trail will show that he was heading to Isobel in Texas."
"Okay, maybe he could convince himself and others that Eric was heading this way but why on earth would Bill think that Eric would return to Fangtasia? According to Tara, it isn't doing so hot considering there isn't any TrueBlood and public drinking is still against the law."
"Yes, but with this little pact that your Shifter Mayor and Bill cooked up, that will all change. If a human belongs to the Vampire, then it isn't going to be against the law to drink from them. With this new freedom, Vampires will want someplace to go, and what better place than a bar owned by a very old, very powerful Vampire?"
I shake my head. "I just don't see Eric doing that after all this time. I wouldn't have expected him to return to Louisiana for any reason. This place doesn't hold a lot of fond memories for him. I mean, I know he was hurt when Nora died."
"He was devastated," she counters. "Eric has not loved many in his long life. I dare say, he loved more since his turning than he did in his human days but that is neither here nor there," she waves that thought off. "He loved Godric with all that he had. Nora he loved just as much but more importantly, she was his last link to his maker. I've no idea or want to even think about what it feels like to lose a maker you are so devoted too," I swear her voice shakes just before she pauses.
"I love Eric more than my own life but it's not even a quarter of what I felt from him the morning Godric met the sun. He may not have watched, but he did feel it. He did, however, watch Nora's decimation. The agony, the…"
"I know," I say softly.
She doesn't have to go on. I know what he felt. It was unbearable. The pain he went through would cripple even the strongest of men. I only felt a small part of it and I can't tell you that I would have been able to stand any more. When I heard that he hadn't returned with the others, I wasn't surprised in the least. I never blamed him for leaving. I don't think I could have stayed after everything he'd lost either. Besides, I surely didn't give him a reason to stay. Even if I tried, I don't think it would have been enough.
"If you and I know that Eric would never step foot in Louisiana again, then again, I have to ask why would Bill believe that he would?" I ask.
"Because of you, Sookie," she says. "Bill is a fool when it comes to you. He will do anything to get you, keep you and own you. He is all consumed by you and his misguided idea of love."
"That's a little much, don't you think?" I ask her.
"Is it?" She asks as she makes another sharp turn and just like that we are back on a road.
"Think about it, Sookie," she pauses. "He may have been ordered to the area by the Queen but he stayed here even after you found out the true reason for his insertion into your life. When he was crowned King of Louisiana, he insisted on moving the Monarch's compound to Bon Temps. Even though you had gone off to Fairyland. With no idea of where you were or when you would return, Compton continued to stay in his new compound as Eric waited for you from the Farmhouse, watching for the moment you returned. When Burrell leveled the boom on our kind, he stayed in the area. Now, with the world at his feet and the ability to live anywhere because of his constant presence in the human world, he now returns to that shit hole of a town for what, his kingdom, his Vampires? No, he came back here for you."
"According to you, he was giving me to the authorities," I counter her.
"Yes he was but with conditions that he would be able to be your liaison with the authority as well as your guardian. In time, it was agreed that you would be released into his custody." She makes another turn and I can start to see lights in the distance.
"How do you know all of this?" I ask.
"Your phone, the Were's, the Shifter's, and Bill's have been monitored for the last month. The deal was the best Compton could make after the authorities learned about you. The condition for you being turned over was an easy one for everyone to agree too. Once they got what they needed from you, you would be turned over to Bill to be kept until they needed you again. He even bought several houses around the military compounds they were thinking of transporting you to," she pulls out a file from somewhere behind her seat without taking her eyes off the road. "Here, read it," she says as she hands it to me.
I sit up a little farther and turn on the dome light to see the file. Opening it I read through the first few sheets of paper. It appears that Bill has been busy as he's traveled the country promoting his book. There are titles for homes in DC, Atlanta, Wyoming and California. All seem to be within a three mile radius of several large compounds. I know this because there are maps attached to each document. Shaking my head, I close the file and sigh again.
"He traded me for what?" I ask her.
"The government gets your blood, he gets you," she shrugs. "He convinced them that the only way you would cooperate is if you thought you were free. The only way you would think that is if he was with you convincing you that you had any say in what was going on. He would ply you with as much blood as he could to control you and you would be completely convinced that you were in control of what was going on. That is, until it was too late."
"Snowballs in hell have a better chance than Bill Compton would have had inserting himself as my self-appointed master ever again," I huff crossing my arms again.
I'd never trust Bill again, he must have known that. If he didn't then he is a bigger fool than I ever thought he was.
"Yes, but consider this, Sookie," she turns again and I see brighter lights come into view. "If Bill couldn't convince you to stay with him, what would he do?"
I think on that for a moment and then shake my head when an idea begins to take root. It isn't giving me warm and fuzzy feelings that's for sure. But then another part of my brain takes over and I begin systematically breaking it down.
"Jason is with Violet," I pause. "She would protect him. Tara is your child so I know she would be safe. Sam is the Mayor of the town so he couldn't do anything to him without shining light on the situation so he's safe. Lafayette, well he's him but other than threatening to harm him which I don't think he would do because Laffy is a Witch and we all know that we oh so don't want to piss off a Witch, so what would Bill do to make me obey?"
She smirks at me and this one isn't as pleasant. "What wouldn't he do? He'd promise you everything. He'd make you think that it was the only way to keep the ones you love safe. After all, I have been gone for some time and even Tara hasn't had much contact with me. Eric, to your knowledge was not back and would never be returning. Tara and Willa would be vulnerable without their makers by their sides. They are, after all still baby Vampires. Bill would use your love and concern for them, never mind your nurturing nature to force your hand as it were. As for your Shifter, he may be mayor but he can still be harmed and what about the one carrying his whelp? Compton would no doubt express to you that it wouldn't be him making the threats but the government and of course, he would use this tactic to keep you in line."
"If that didn't work, he would attempt other things. As for your brother", she shrugs. "Vampires can be destroyed. I know you've seen that. With Violet not around, what would become of your brother? Your Witch friend may be powerful, but I'm sure Bill would come up with something creative to threaten him and you with. The real question, Sookie, is not what Bill Compton would do but what wouldn't he do to secure you to his side? Then, when everything was said and done, he and the government would use you, your face and your carefully unique makeup to exploit you as a hero and he would be beside you all the way."
"You said the government wouldn't acknowledge that I was a Faerie," I say to her.
"They wouldn't," she moves the car into a hanger. "That doesn't mean that they would call you and your kind out on your uniqueness. How your sacrifice and those of the ones that died trying to save the human race are the heroes. They will make you out to be martyrs for the cause. Or maybe you will be placed in protective custody for your own good after they've gotten what they needed from you. Either way, when it was over and done with, Bill would have what he always wanted, you."
She pulls the vehicle to a stop. Once she puts it in park, she opens the door and makes her way to the back and proceeds to remove my bags as I sit in my seat and try to absorb everything that she's said. Could Bill be so manipulating? Could he have worked his way into Alcide's head and convinced him that betraying my trust was the right thing to do? After all, Alcide loves me. I know he does. Not only has he said it, but he's thought it. Thinking of my big Wolf sends another shiver through me. How could he, for one moment, believe that this was for the best? How could Bill convince him that this was the only way to save me?
If Alcide was in on this then Sam must have been too. Pam was right that he knew about who and what I was too. How could he have let them do this to me? Who else could have known? Who would Bill have told? Well like Pam said, if it got Bill what he wanted, he may do or say anything to finally accomplish his goal. I've known that all along. Somewhere in the depths of my being, I've known that Bill would do anything to procure me; first for his Queen and then for himself. He's already proven himself not to be above lying, cheating or stealing to get me. Part of me even thought it was strange that he'd stayed away this long. Now, evidently, I know why. He was just biding his time.
I look out the window at nothing. Just when I think I'm out, they pull me back in. Isn't that a line from the Godfather? Maybe, but it doesn't make it any less true. No matter how I cut it, I'm always going to be involved with Vampires. I'm just too valuable to them. I thought that Alcide could protect me but again, I'm proven wrong. I've been wrong about so many things.
"Last chance, Sookie," Pam says coming and opening my door. "Are you in or are you out?"
That is the question now isn't it, but I have one of my own.
"I have one question for you before I make up my mind," I say to her.
She raises an eyebrow and places her hand on her hip, waiting.
"Who told the government who I was to begin with?" I ask.
She waits a moment and then crosses her own arms. "You really don't think they let him off for killing the Governor just because he asked nicely, did you?"
I close my eyes and will the tears away. Again, Bill used me as a bartering chip to make a better deal for himself.
Without another word, I get out of the car and follow as Pam leads me to the stairs of the plane. She motions for my bags to be placed on board and makes her way up the stairs. Once inside she turns to a woman seated to our left in the large cream colored interior.
"Have you heard from them?" she asks without using her name or introducing us.
The woman smiles and nods. "They are five minutes out. Your child indicated that they had a little bit of trouble getting away from that party."
"Tara," I turn to look at Pam. "Tara is coming?" I ask.
Pam smiles at me. "You think we would leave Tara and Willa here with you gone? They are the first Vampires Bill would point the fools too. He would know that you wouldn't want anything to happen to them."
"What about Jessica?" I ask her.
"She is tied to Bill. We can't risk it."
I wait a moment before I nod. As much as I hate it, Jessica is connected to Bill. There is no way we would make it to safety with her in tow. He'd be able to find her and then we'd all be in danger.
I am no sooner settled when I see both the young Vampires appear in the cabin area.
Without a word Tara moves toward Pam and with Vampire speed, she takes hold of her maker and proceeds to give her a steaming kiss that would make anyone blush. Willa and I busy ourselves with looking everywhere but at them. Just when the tension in the area becomes oppressive, they end their passionate reunion and Tara takes a step back.
"You leave me like that again, Bitch, we will be having words," she says and then turns to me without waiting for Pam to answer. "Remember when I said I couldn't hate Bill again?"
I nod.
"Yeah, well I stand corrected," she moves to give me a hug.
Our relationship is better but not where it was before she was turned. I don't see much of her now that she's been trying to run Fangtasia but we still keep in touch.
After she lets me go, I turn to face Willa.
"You okay?" I ask her.
She nods and tries to smile. "I'm sorry you are in danger again, Sookie."
I laugh. "It seems like that's all I'm ever in. I swear I've got the worst taste in men."
I make my way back to my seat and put my seatbelt on, waiting for us to depart.
Willa comes to sit beside me.
"Was Eric really that bad?" she asks.
I look at her and I can see almost fear in her eyes. It's quite rare to see fear ever coming from a Vampire. But I have to admit, most of the ones I've spent a lot of time with are quite old. Oh sure I've been around Tara, and even Jessica. But neither of them ever showed me this kind of fear before.
I can understand her concern. She hasn't gotten much time with Eric before he left her. I know that for a fact because she's made mention of it from time to time and I know that it bothers her. He practically left her after he made her. But her question stirs up some mighty big feelings within me. Ones I've tried really hard to suppress over the past six months.
"No," I say to her. "Eric wasn't so bad. If I'm truly honest with myself, Willa. He is the exception to my bad taste, I guess."
"Do you mind if I ask why you broke things off with him?" she asks me.
Before I can question her she smiles softly.
"Tara," she points over to my friend who has placed herself very close to her maker on the couch. "She said that you and Eric were together for a time and that you refused to stay with him."
I smile sadly at her. "I don't know why I walked away from him exactly," I look down. "At the time I was confused. I thought my life would be better without any Vampires in it. I thought that if I didn't choose Eric, then I couldn't get hurt. But even when I choose a warm blooded man, I get my heart stomped on."
"But you left him, right?" she asks.
I nod. "I walked out on Eric, yes. But you have to understand, Willa. I didn't think it would work out," I look up at the young Vampire. "He's a very powerful Vampire and I'm just, well I'm just me," I shrug.
"He loves you," she says. "I felt it. I felt it when his sister died. He was so angry. I think I even felt it when he made me. He loves you very deeply. I don't know if I've ever experienced that kind of love before."
"You don't know that," I look toward the window when we begin to taxi out of the hanger.
"Yes I do," she says and I turn back to her. "He wouldn't be doing all of this if he didn't care a great deal for you. He's taking a really big risk. I may be new to all this Vampire stuff, but from what I've been told, he has taken his life in his hands protecting you. This could end badly for a lot of us if it doesn't go his way. He wouldn't risk so much if he didn't care."
"He sent for you too," I say and take her hand.
Suddenly the Vampire sitting next to me looks very lost and small to me. She sort of reminds me a little of Jessica when she was made.
She shrugs. "I am a danger to him and you. It's smart for him to bring me along. If he left me, I could be used to force your hand. Jason has Violet to protect him. Lafayette has made arrangements to disappear for a while and everyone knows that your connection to most of the folk in that town isn't what you would call all together good. The only one that Bill could use would be Arlene and she and her family are pretty safe. The only other one would be Alcide, who is in cahoots with Bill. There isn't anyone else to use to get you to comply.
"I hope so," I say and squeeze her hand. "I'd hate to think anyone came to harm because of me."
"From what Tara has told me, my maker is smart. He'll protect you."
"He'll protect you too, Willa. You belong to him. He may have left, but he had good reason. Eric will keep you safe."
"I'm not stupid Sookie. I know Eric didn't make me for the same reasons he made Pam. I was revenge, nothing more," she looks down. "I may be his child but that's it."
"Willa," I say and squeeze her hand again. She looks up at me and I see the beginning of red tears in her eyes. "Eric has a good soul. He may have a warped sense of morality, but he has a code he lives by. He is faithful and true to the ones he cares about. He gave you his blood. For whatever reason, he chose you to be connected to him. To harm you, would harm him. That means something to Vampires like him."
She tries to smile. "You really think so?" she asks.
"You'll see," I pull her hand and she leans into me allowing me to wrap my arm around her. "He will make sure you are safe."
"I should be comforting you," she says sniffling.
"I think you need it a little more than I do," I say to her and hold her closer as we both look out the window into the night.
This is only the start of our adventure and we have a lot ahead of us. I look down at Willa and see that she's still staring out the window. For her sake and mine, I hope Eric doesn't let us down.