Disclaimer: I don't own the Southern Vampires. Sole copyright belongs to Charlaine Harris. Most of the characters are Charlaine Harris's... but some are mine! All the mistakes are my own.

A/N: If you have not read Dead on the Crossroads you will be lost in this story. This is the sequel. This is set about 12 years after DOTC. I hope you like it.

Chapter one:

"Hunter, you promised not to do this again." Aunt Sookie said as we pulled out the parking lot of my newest High School, Lake Park High in Shreveport. She had arrived with her daytime guard, Everett. Her daytime shadow was a Were-bear, Kodiak to be precise. He was 5'10", with dark brown hair and almost black eyes. Everett was built like one of those wrestlers on TV, but he wasn't a good looking man, even in human form he resembled a bear. I was so used to guards being around I barely noticed him. I have a daytime guard myself, having supernatural royalty for parents, guards are a necessity. Mine was unseen and did not approach me unless the situation called for it. Uncle Eric spent a lot of money to get me a Britlingan guard, Alika is her name. She is scary as hell although she is only about 5'6" and looks like she weighs about 115lbs soaking wet, even with her finely toned muscles. She had short black hair that seemed to stick out everywhere, piercing gray eyes, and small but sharp features. She could easily break a man in half and I was glad she was on our side. Thank goodness she had not involved herself in my little incident, not that she would, my life was in no danger, but I guess it could have been worse.

I had only been going to Lake Park for about four months. It was quite a long stretch for me. This was the fifth school I had been to in the last three years. I wouldn't say I am a trouble maker, but trouble just seems to find me. Today I had been suspended, again, for fighting. It's hard being the new guy, which I constantly was. It seemed like every time I started a new school some asshole would feel the need to show me he was the alpha male and that didn't usually end well for them or for me. I don't know what it is about me that seems to make other guys feel the need to stake their territory, but it seemed to happen quite often. Okay, so maybe I am a little off putting. I'm six feet tall and quite muscular, not in a body builder way, but I am well toned due to all of the training I do with Uncle Eric and Redin. I have dark brown hair and dark brown eyes. Most people think I am mysterious, but that's only because I don't warm up to people well, and mostly keep to myself because of my gift. I don't like to listen to the inner workings of most humans. I prefer the company of the supernaturals, they make me feel more normal.

"I'm sorry." I grumbled as I looked down at my lap. I slammed up my shields. I didn't want her to know what prompted the nose breaking. The asshole that was talking shit, Justin Clark, had an older brother that had been to Fangtasia and seen my Aunt Sookie there. She and Uncle Eric didn't go there often but stopped in once in a while for meetings or whatever since Uncle Eric was still part owner.

Justin was a jock, star of the football team, and an all around meat head. In other words, dumb as a box of rocks. He was tall and a bit stocky. He has light blonde hair, light brown eyes, and his attitude screams arrogance. When his brother dropped him off this morning at school he recognized Aunt Sookie when she dropped me off. I read in Justin's head that his brother had told him that she was a fangbanger and that she had been "all up on some vamp" at a club he went to. The asshole had decided to bring this up to try to get under my skin. He was a pushy fucker and he fully intended to show his dominance. Although Vampires and Weres have been out for quite some time, there are still plenty of those who hold a contempt for the supernaturals. I was used to this kind of shit talking and usually could ignore it, but it wasn't what he said that pissed me off, it was what he was thinking. He imagined doing things with my Aunt Sookie that made me sick. He figured since she was down with the Vamp action she would be down for anything. He thought she was "hot shit" and would have liked to "get a piece of that fine ass." The asshole's thoughts made me so mad that before I knew it I punched him in the face. He went down like a sack of bricks and I just glared down at him taunting him to get get back up. My Aunt Sookie didn't look a day over twenty five, the fairy in her and the vampire blood kept her looking young. It was one of the reasons I no longer called her, "mom" in public. It raised a few eyebrows when your "mom" looked more like she could be your sister or girlfriend.

I really didn't want Aunt Sookie to read me. I couldn't stand to upset her more than she already was. She may seem tough on the outside, but on the inside she was a soft and kind person. It would hurt her to know what they had been saying and it would embarrass her to know what the asshole had been thinking. My Aunt Sookie was the last person in the world I would want hurt. She had enough of that in her life. Being a telepath is no where near easy. She had no one to help her as I had, but she always smiled and had a kind word to say. She loved me and had always cared for and protected me.

I just knew Aunt Sookie was looking at me with a disappointed expression and I just couldn't deal with it right now. I could give a shit about most people but I hated to disappoint her. She was the only person in my life who fully understood me.

"Why Hunter? You promised you would be good this time. You promised you wouldn't fight with anyone again. I just don't know what to do. Keeping your gift a secret is paramount, drawing attention to yourself is not helping." Aunt Sookie said and the tone of her voice nearly broke my heart. This was not the first time she had been called into a principle's office. I had my fair share of mishaps at school.

"I'm sorry." I repeated, raising my eyes slightly to take in her expression. She had a tear run down her cheek. 'Fuck.' I thought solemnly then continued, "I just couldn't stand what he was thinking and I just reacted." I was not about to reveal what it was that he was thinking, and I really hoped she wouldn't push for the answer. She could break down my shields if she wanted. She is a much stronger telepath than I am.

"Hunter," She said and she sounded defeated. "Principal Jankens said that one more time and you will be expelled. It took a lot to get you in this school, with your record, and if you get expelled from this school, I just don't know what we are going to do." She sighed. " You only have the rest of this year and and you can graduate." Her face softened. "I know this is hard, but you have to control your reactions to people's thoughts. It won't be safe for you otherwise."

I knew she was right. I had worked endlessly on controlling my reactions. Most of the time I could, but once in a while, the thoughts of others would get to me. Instead of getting upset like my Aunt Sookie would, I got angry. "I know. I'm sorry." I pleaded again. "Can't I just home school?"

"Hunter we talked about this. You need to be around people. If you don't keep up the practice it will be even harder for you when you do have to be around them." She admonished.

I just grumbled and stared out the window. I knew she was right, but it fucking sucked.

When we got back to the plantation I went right to my room and threw myself on the bed. It had been a long day and I was happy to be away from all those busy heads at school. I was laying there just thinking about what to do with my time during the next week, since I didn't have to go to school. I couldn't help but smile to myself just a little at the thought of no school. I was so caught up in my thoughts I didn't hear the void approaching my room until there was a knock at my door. I was sure I knew who it was and that was confirmed when he opened the door with out waiting for me to invite him in. My Uncle Eric had risen for the night and I was sure that my Aunt Sookie told him about today's events. I was also sure he would want an explanation. I sighed in defeat.

Uncle Eric looked at me with a blank expression and took a seat on the bed next to me. "Tell me." He said with no emotion to his voice, and that lack of emotion, let me know I was in trouble.

"I punched some asshole in the face." I knew it was better just to get this over with. He would not let me get away with not explaining myself. I learned over the years it was just better to just come out with it and save myself the trouble. Uncle Eric didn't dwell on things he couldn't change. Once he knew the situation he would simply moved on.

"Why?" Uncle Eric asked and I could tell he was controlling his anger his eyebrow twitched ever so slightly.

"If I tell you, you can't tell Aunt Sookie." I paused to look at him and I saw concern flicker across his face before it returned back to its former blank expression. He nodded. So, I told him the whole story, including the thoughts of the asshole. Uncle Eric's eyebrows shot up when I told him, discretely, what the asshole was thinking. He was the jealous type and he loved my Aunt Sookie fiercely. There was nothing in the world he cared about more, not even me and I knew he cared for me, almost as much. But I think, if it was a choice between my life and hers, well there was no doubt in my mind that he would chose her. I couldn't fault him for that though. I would do the same if it were him or her.

When I was done with the tale Uncle Eric just sat there for a moment before saying, "Although I agree that the breather deserved to be punished for his thoughts and actions, you know it is dangerous for you to draw attention to yourself. Plus, his desires would never come to fruition. There was no risk."

"I know." I paused for a second and feared maybe he would tell Aunt Sookie anyway. "Uncle Eric, your not going to tell Aunt Sookie right? You said you wouldn't."

"No. This would upset her even more. You were right to keep it from her." He said as he walked toward the door. He turned his head slightly to look back at me over his shoulder. "Be more discrete in the future my son." Then he left closing the door behind him. I was relieved to be alone.

It wasn't long before my cell phone was ringing. I snatched it off my nightstand and answered without even looking to see who it was. "Hello?" I said a little irritated.

"What up brother? Whatcha doin'?" A familiar voice said. It was my best buddy Mason Dubios. Mason and I have been friends since I was in grade school. He was the first born son of a Were in the Shreveport Long Tooth pack, and therefore a were himself. He was a couple of inches smaller than me with light blonde hair and light blue eyes. He had brood masculine features and was a huge draw for the ladies. He was a lot of fun and always spoke his mind, a mind that was fuzzy to me, gratefully.

"Not too much. Got suspended today. I hit some fucker and broke his nose." I said in a bored tone.

"Shit Hunt! Did Sookie flip a lid?"

"Naw, she was more disappointed than anything. Eric wasn't too happy but he understood." I so wanted to change the subject. "So what you up to tonight? I thought you would be out with Silvia?" I said teasingly. Silvia Garcia was Mason's newest squeeze. She was an A-class bitch, but he seemed to be attracted by something other than her sparkling personality. She had a smoking hot body and had a face like a supermodel but when she opened her mouth, it ruined the effect. Not to mention her mind was almost fucking unbearable, loudest broadcaster I think I ever met. Even louder than Amelia, my Aunt Sookie's best friend.

"Not tonight. I was hoping to go down to Pandora's. You think the 'rents will let ya go?" He asked. Pandora's was a teen night club, for the under twenty-one crowd. They played a lot of techno music, had crazy light shows and sold virgin drinks at eight bucks a pop. The place was popular and the only one like it in the whole area. It was basically a place to meet people and hang out. Some people went there to roll, you know take ecstasy, but a lot of people just went there to dance and chill. It wasn't really my scene but I went there on occasion as Mason's wingman.

"I don't know man. I mean I just got suspended again. It's doubtful." I was almost positive I would be grounded or worse.

"Come on. I meet this fine ass girl today and she is going to be there tonight with her friend." Mason whined.

"Fine I'll ask, but I wouldn't count on it. What time were you thinking?"

"Well, I figured if we got there about ten, it would be cool. My curfew is two so it would give us a few hours."

"Alright I'll call you back." I said and hung up. I dragged myself from my bed, and made my way down the hall. I figured Uncle Eric would be in his study. It was were he did most of his nightly business. If I was going to get the "yes" to go out it would probably come from him.

The door was open a crack and I knocked softly before I pushed open the door. Uncle Eric was siting at his desk talking on the phone to someone in tones so low I couldn't hear either side of the conversation. He waved me in. I sat in the big leather chair that sat in front of his desk and waited.

"Alright, keep me updated." Uncle Eric said and he hung up. "What can I do for you son." He asked.

"Well Mason wants to go to Pandora's. You think that would be alright?"

"What did Sookie say?" Uncle Eric asked with a sly grin on his face. I was sure he knew I came to him first in an attempt to not have to ask my Aunt Sookie. I had tried this before and it worked, but now I was sure he knew my game. Uncle Eric was not one to be played more than once. 'Fuck.' I knew I had been caught up.

"I...well...I haven't asked her." I said sounding defeated before he could even answer.

"Is this because you think she will say no." He asked accurately.

"Who will say no to what?" My Aunt Sookie inquired as she walked into the room before I could answer. She gave my Uncle Eric a brilliant smile and he opened his arms to her inviting her to sit on his lap. She went right to him.

"Love, our son wants to go to Pandora's with the Were boy." He said as he wrapped her in his arms and gave her a kiss on the forehead. Yuck, they were always all affectionate. Not that I am against it I just really don't need to see it.

Aunt Sookie turned her head sharply to me. "You think we should let you go out after that stunt you pulled today?"

"Oh, I think it would be alright to let the boy out for the night. What is done is done." Uncle Eric interjected, much to my surprise and from the look on Aunt Sookie's face to hers too.

"Eric! He has to be punished for this. We can't condone this behavior." She said sternly. I knew this was coming.

"Oh my lovely wife, he will be. I think a week working with Pam will suffice. If she doesn't have enough for him to do, he can help Shane with his tasks." Uncle Eric said and he had a shit eating grin on his face. Shane was my Aunt's brother, in a past life. It's complicated. He had tried to kill my Aunt a long time ago and since then my Uncle Eric has been punishing him ever since. Shane owed Uncle Eric twenty five years of service for his actions. The first five years Shane spent in a cell, but after that time was served, Uncle Eric had him be his sort of errand boy. He got all the less appealing tasks, much to Pam's enjoyment, but Shane seemed happy to do it. He always appeared to want to be anywhere near Aunt Sookie. It was a little weird, but I guess he saw her as a sort of doorway to his lost humanity or something. He did not much like being a Vampire.

I didn't say a word while Aunt Sookie thought it over. Then she said, " Fine. Hunter you can go out with Mason tonight, but you will follow through with you punishment this week. No complaints. Understood?" She gave me a small smile and I knew she had forgiven me.

"Thanks Mom!" I said a little excitedly and her smile broadened. She always loved when I called her mom. Her and Uncle Eric have been long looking for a way to have children of their own for years, but had not yet been successful.

I got up ready to dash from the room before they changed their minds when Aunt Sookie said, "Be home by two and don't be late!"

"I won't!" I called back as I quickly made my way back to my room to call Mason.

You know what to do. Love you all!

XOXOX