"I would not use my strength against you, as long as you show me the same courtesy. At my age, it will only take a mouthful to heal you for the most part with the extent of your injuries, should also help your head." He tells me with a slight smirk and I roll my eyes.

I wait as he raises his hand to his mouth, biting his wrist with no hesitation and I react accordingly when he presses the bleeding appendage to my lips. The taste has undertones of metallic but is overall sweet, a strange strong honey like essence to it as it slides to the back of my throat. I'm able to press my foot fully to the floor as I feel my ankle healing quickly a moment later, my tongue swiping his skin before he pulls away. Releasing his hand as I am able to now maintain my shields, I press my fingers into my opposite arm carefully as I feel it tingling and barely a twinge is found as I heal. "Thank you very much." I'm slightly awed, not having expected it to work so quickly.

"Yes, why did you continue to hold my hand until now though?" He seems to be wondering and speaks his question as my headache fully ebbs away.

"I have to maintain mental shields to keep out the thoughts of the humans, otherwise I'm forced to endure them uninhibited. It would drive me crazy if I had to listen constantly without being able to stop it forever, and that blow to the head made it impossible to block the amount of thoughts around us. Touch makes the thoughts of humans unblockable but since I can't hear your void, touching you silenced everything else instead, making it easier to think."

"You have to have keep up these 'shields' constantly?" He questions and I nod, no other response from him until he glances down at me. "Turn around." I do so without question and wait as he doesn't do anything for a moment before I feel a bandage being peeled away. "That werewolf cut your shirt when he stabbed you with a hunting knife and since it was already ruined I ripped it a bit further to bandage and stop the bleeding while you were passed out."

"I don't mind, it's just clothing." Although I will have to buy something to replace it as it was a rather comfortable top, dreading the thought of the price tag after maxing out my credit card on my new computer.

"You are worried?" He asks and I lose my train of thought, unsure what to say before I remember that he can now sense my emotions if they are strong enough.

"Oh, it's nothing major. I got a new computer, which I was meaning to talk to you about, and I will just have to dip into my savings for new clothes. When I come into the bar, would you mind if I brought a laptop? I bought one with no cameras or microphones specifically so that wouldn't be an issue for you, I just like doing my reading and research here." Staring at me for a moment it seems as though he's gauging how serious I am.

"Yes, I had noticed, why is it that you come here for nothing more than a few drinks and a place to read? You already confirmed you don't live with anyone, is it not quieter there?" He seems like he's trying to figure me out and I indulge him.

"It is physically, but it's an apartment building so definitely not mentally. There are noisy minds on almost all sides of my walls and since it's in the city there are minds on all sides of me, my mental field is cluttered even with shields so I come here to focus on the voids and get some mental quiet." There's nothing to indicate he feels any particular way and he stares down at me with a level gaze as I wait for his response.

"Would you like an escort home? If you cannot teleport then I assume you live in walking distance. You've never arrived by vehicle." He steps towards the door and I realize he means to actually walk me there.

"Oh no, I've got it. I just thought you might have more questions for me before I go." There's a strange look on his face as he turns and I tilt my head slightly as I wonder why.

"Why would you answer my questions?"

"You helped me, it's the least I can do." I pause for a second, focusing on the human staff members more intensely than I have before, taking a moment of being spaced out as I check them all over. "Also, as far as your staff is concerned, only the human Nick would be a problem. He has a rather avid drug addiction during the day but it's something called DMT which apparently doesn't leave a smell for vampires to detect. Perhaps just a strong glamour to fix that?" I suggest and he stares me down. "What?"

"I simply cannot believe that a fairy is willfully helpful to me. All I know of them suggests the exact opposite, what with the old bad blood between our species." He intones the last part lowly.

"Wait… how old do you think I am?" I ask slightly aghast.

"According to Pamela, your age is twenty-nine, but as you are fae I suspect it is actually somewhere in the hundreds or even higher. If you were the child of Niall's oldest child, I'd say you could be over a couple thousand as the old fairy king is over three thousand himself if rumors are true." I nearly laugh although I'm slightly taken aback at the same time.

"Oh, no, I was born here in the human world. My birthdate on my ID was correct, I am twenty-nine so there's no reason for me to dislike vampires unless I'm given one in the future." There's something about him as he shifts, not moving from my spot as he is stoic and I'm not sure what's on his mind. "What time is it?" My inquiry seems to reset him and he flashes around to his computer screen.

"Nearly four." His voice is flat, no real emotion detectable as usual with his classically vampiric demeanor.

"Sorry for making you stay late if you didn't want to." I tell him, grabbing the purse that sits on the floor and thank him for it as he must have gone to find it at some point.

"It is fine. Notify me if you are in need of anything." He mutters, sitting down at his computer and I smile politely before popping away.

Getting a shower, I move slowly as I'm still sore, working every bit of sweat and blood off of me before relaxing beneath the hot water and finally drying off. Crawling into bed, I use my phone to send an email to Niall summing everything up so that he knows what's been going on then promptly pass out after hitting send.

I'm shocked awake by the mind hovering outside my bedroom door and nearly jump up when I recognize it as Niall, his smile broad when I open it after pulling on some clothes.

"So, how do you feel about this vampire?" He asks a short while later, my fork halfway to my mouth as he'd made me breakfast before I got up. I'd been rambling tiredly about the previous night as I picked at the food.

"I don't know, I'm definitely attracted to him, and for a vampire he's respectful and in a strange way… kind. He put an order of protection on me in his area, so I'm assuming none of the vampires can touch me for no reason. I actually forgot to ask him about that, so I'm not really sure what it fully entails. But when I first saw him, I felt… I don't know how to describe it." I finally utter as I'm partially lost in thought.

"Would you care to show me the memory, so I might help to understand?" Nodding, I don't mind as I let him through a door in my shields and he immerses himself within the memory, his eyes closing as he focuses.

"I see." Is all he says, disappointing me but I don't say anything as I wait. "This is something indeed."

"What?" I ask when he doesn't say anything else while I'm almost done eating my eggs.

"Sookie, I would ask that you understand I've never seen this before. That pull you felt, if you were full fae, would make it impossible for you to ignore him as your light would keep pulling you back towards him. It may very well be doing so already, just to a lesser degree as it nudges instead of shoves. I would like to, if you wouldn't mind making the trip, have you come to Fearie with me. I think an afternoon in my private library would give you an opportunity to learn more about fairies and bonding in general. It is what your light is pulling you to, a bond, as it seems to believe that Eric is who you will love more than any other if given the opportunity. That's what the pull is, it's telling you to give him a chance, despite what he is." He's surprised at how easily I accept this after a few seconds. I'm a bit shocked but not overly as I had actually been considering dating Eric but not wanting to admit it to myself.

"I guess it'd be okay as long as I won't be gone from here long." I'm not prepared for when he takes my hand an instant later, my entire body feeling completely disjointed as though I'm being pulled apart.

"I'm sorry." Niall says as soon as we stop moving, and I see that we are in a large library seemingly entirely carved from stone, most likely in his castle. "I didn't mean to take you so suddenly, I just don't want any time to be wasted." Reaching inside his coat, he pulls out a pocket watch and deposits it into my hands. "This will show you the time on Earth, and if you want to have a seat at one of the tables, I'll grab the books you should study through first." Rolling my eyes, I understand although I am a little annoyed as eggs will be drying to the plate still sitting on my dining room table. I wait the short few minutes it takes before he returns with a stack of writings, admiring the carvings in the stone around me. "Start with these, and I'll grab a few more."

It's peaceful as I realize that we're the only ones within my mental radius and I read through page after page, taking it all in as I get deeper into the fae lore and mythology as well as history with the vampires. I can see why Eric would think I might not like vampires when I read of the war between our two species, but fault lies with both sides and I don't hold it against him. Niall drops a second stack of books next to the couple that remain of the first when he returns and he looks surprised by how fast I'm going through them. "Is it a fae trait if I have a sort of photographic memory? I can remember most of what I read word for word, I always have." I ask him at one point when I'm between books and he smiles.

"Sometimes, but it is also an occasional human trait so it could really be either. Just be thankful, it is a lucky ability to have." I don't argue as it's quite true, grabbing the next wrinkled book and opening the cover as I start with the first line of fancily written English. The stopwatch tells me it's been nearly ten hours when I stop, having long ago been done with the history and lore around bonding and instead moved into the general knowledge areas of all supernatural as I am in what I called 'study mode' in college. Nonstop reading, I absorb as much as I can, noting down anything that I'm not sure I'll remember the spelling or meaning of on a few pages that Niall gives me along with a regular pen he found as I hate writing with a quill.

"Any chance I can borrow some of these books? I would like to go back now, sleep and go back to work but read these in my spare time. If you wish, I will not remove them from my apartment." He chuckles, tapping the cover of one of the ones in the unread pile and another copy appears on the desk nearby.

"You can have your own copy to take with you, just try not to lose them." I'm surprised when he summons a wooden chest, and loads it full of copies, smiling at me before holding out his hand. "We'll appear in your vacant guest room since it's empty and you could just leave it in there since you don't have any bookshelves yet."

We've teleported back soon and he closes the guest bedroom door behind him as I move to clean up my dishes. "Thank you for everything, Niall. I appreciate that you were able to keep me from losing any time here more than necessary. You give me a lot without asking for anything in return." I tell him observantly as I check my cell phone and he takes the thanks with a nod before seeming to remember something.

"I would never ask for anything unless our world were to go back into a wartime but I doubt that will happen for a very long time as there is no reason for it right now. Even then it would be only for you to help with strategy and healing, since I'd rather not have you on the front lines." I'd read as much in the history books, fae royal females often given critical support tasks so that they can avoid harm. "But I also have something else for you which I had forgotten. You see, you are the last of your father's line, thus you are entitled to take all his financial holdings as your own. I had them converted to American dollars over the last few weeks, and I meant to come see you a bit sooner but got sidetracked before I seen your email. I'll be back soon." Disappearing with a pop, I stare at where he was as I wonder how much it is and I imagine that it can't be much in American dollars if it's fae currency. I'm not even sure how that conversion would work.

"Oh, there you are." I say, slightly surprised by how fast he's returned when I put the dishes in the dish rack.

"Yes, I had to get the packet of paperwork I'd already prepared. It's all in cash in a savings account so it's gaining a little interest but it's ready to be invested or just spent, whatever you want to do with it. It is your lines fortune, but there is something that I would wish you to know. I spoke with a few different oracles that have existed in our world, and they have assured me that you will never have children. Two of them also told me that they see you almost always at night in every vision of the distant future." The yellow envelope is thick with financial paperwork and he hands me a second smaller envelope I start to open as it feels like a debit card.

"That's alright." I tell him, hoping to ease his mind from the troubled expression he wears. "I decided a long time ago that I would not have children as I did not want to put any child through what I went through." Pulling out the bank card, there's a string of numbers on a note with it and I glance up at him. "Is this the account number then? What about the routing number, it's usually shorter, right?"

"Oh no, dear, that's the amount in the account. The account number and routing number are in the paperwork and-." I don't know what he says as the numbers in front of my eyes start to swim and I faint on the spot, waking up on the couch a few minutes later.

"How… is that possible?" I ask in disbelief as I sit up slowly, a glass of water placed into my hands as soon as I'm upright.

"Well, Fearie currency is gold coins since the war ended, so I just weighed it and moved that much in equivalent dollars into an account for you then put the gold in my own vault for an equal exchange. I have lots of holdings in human money for the sake of fae use, most of it from selling gold here. Gems as well, but your father preferred gold as its value is more stable." Taking the information in, I know it makes sense but I just don't know how to believe it.

"I'm sorry, I just, don't really know what do now that I'm a multi billionaire." I manage, gulping some water.

"You could buy a house and get out of this apartment." His suggestion is immediate and I know he has safety in mind as he hadn't necessarily liked the apartment idea at first.

I realize he is right as I no longer have monetary restrictions to hold me back. "Yeah, I could."

Standing, he gives me a gentle smile. "Now that I'm confident you shouldn't pass out again, I'm going to tell you that you are also more fae. Even that short time in our world has had an effect and you were about a quarter before whereas you're quite more than half at this point, as it should be since fairy blood is stronger than human. Over time you may even progress to be a full fae. Your light is likely much stronger, and you may feel more pulled to Eric, but I don't know for sure as you're already past the initial pull. I would also like to show you how to shield your scent and a few other things." I accept this as I had anticipated at much, this outcome implied after he'd asked me to come to Fearie and I hold out my hand. When he'd taught me how to use my light he'd simply transferred his experiences to me and he does the same with his light shield, my mind's eye swimming in the memories of his youth as I learn everything I need to know in seconds.

"Thank you, for everything, grandfather." I say sincerely, playing with creating the scent shield and toning it up and down as I sit still.

"Now, now, none of that. You may be named Stackhouse, but you are a Brigant. With time I will show you all of our secrets using this method, it's our family's way of passing on our knowledge. I could train you to fight quite well in mere weeks. Hopefully it never comes to that though. You have a good time dear one, contact me if you find yourself in need." Confidence is prevalent in his demeanor and I smile, knowing that he is probably right about training me. He's gone before I can say anything else and I end up going to bed as I'm tired from spending a day learning more than I thought I would.

The next night I get up after sunset, shocked to see that its only a couple hours to the start of my shift at work. I get through it speedily, going home and making a nice dinner for myself as I sit down with my computer to start looking at real estate. I'm surprise at how fast I find several things I like and it suddenly occurs to me that I should take Eric into mind with what I purchase. Working the next night, I end up staying late as there's a larger number of articles than normal and I have to wait until the next night when I'm off anyway to do what I wanted.

Fangtasia is busy and I get a few looks as I pull out my laptop at a table for two in the back corner, turned so that only anyone who walks behind me will see what I'm doing. In order to do so though it would have to be deliberate and I work steadily undisturbed as bass thuds through my frame almost hypnotically at times. I've only been there a short time when Eric appears on his stage and I know that I'm being watched by him even if he's not looking at me. I don't mind though, since I'm using the humans as a passthrough to watch him almost constantly as well. Marcel brings me a drink even though I don't ask whenever I turn to get up and get one, and I ask him for my bill with the next one as I'm nearly ready to get going. Looking pointedly at Eric on his stage, he meets my gaze appearing bored after a few seconds and I mouth 'can I talk to you' before he's appearing before me as I slide my laptop into my bag.

"In my office." His words are flat and I follow him without speaking until he shuts the door.

"How much do you know about real estate?" Seeming perplexed, the corner of his mouth twitches up after a second.

"Quite a bit as it is my main investment. Why?" He looks oddly interested in the conversation now.

"Oh, well I'm looking to buy a house but I'm not really good at real estate. So, I had an idea. I was going to see if you would do me the favor of looking through local for sale listings and pick out the ones that meet whatever safety standards you have? Or show me which properties only need a few improvements to be as secure."

"I can do that, when would you like my results, princess?"

My cheeks flame and he smirks at my reaction. "No, don't do that that, please. Sookie is fine, thanks. On the properties thing though, whenever you have a minute to do it is fine, there's no rush. Just when you're free."

"Very well, have a seat." Hesitating for a second, I do so as I realize he's going to do it now, his fingers moving fast across his keyboard as he uses his computer. "How near or far are you wanting to go?"

"The closest I'd want to town is around the city corporation limits, the furthest I guess is about the distance to Bon Temps. I don't want to have to drive too far if I'm forced to drive for some reason or wait for a delivery of something." He nods, his hands furiously typing and clicking before his printer repeatedly starts whirring a short, quiet time later.

Grabbing a pen, he makes notes on several of the pages rapidly after he retrieves them, clipping them together before handing them to me. "These should be what you are looking for. I also included a few listings that were removed from market just because they were for sale so long that the owners got tired of waiting. A cash offer for those would likely be accepted and I made that note on the right ones along with security suggestions. Do you also need recommendations for the companies that do installations of security measures?" His voice sounds almost echoed in the otherwise quiet room, the thumping of the bass in the next room the only real noise.

"I'm not sure, I guess it depends on which one I choose." I say absent mindedly as I flip through the pages, not looking up at him or really paying attention as I examine the details of each property along with his notes.

"You know… the level of trust you display almost makes me suspect that this is a trap." His voice is whispered in my ear and I freeze as my eyes slide up to see he's gone from behind his desk.

"What do you mean?" I'm not sure what sort of trap he could be referring to.

"There are a multitude of possibilities, but the most likely would be that you are trying to lure me into trusting you enough to get a stake into my chest. Another possibility would be that you actually buy one of these houses then lure me inside and capture me to subsequently end me." His voice is flat and I'm a little hurt that he would think I'm so deceptive, but I understand given his position.

"Well I can promise that I do not intend to hurt you at all. I just wasn't sure who else could advise me on something like this. Besides, you're too cute for me to want to hurt you." I add on the last part, my heart feeling like it skips a beat when I'm so bold.

There's silence before I hear his voice in a questioning tone. "Cute?"

Laughing, I nod, not turning around as I let him stay at my back. "Handsome, if it makes you feel better. Either way, the point is I don't want to hurt you at all."

"I don't understand you." His voice is low, his mouth sounding as though he's right next to my ear again.

"You underestimate yourself. You likely know me better than almost anyone. Even the people who knew me my whole life have no idea what I am or what I can do. I've not actually told anyone but you." More silence and I glance down, looking through a couple more pages before he finally speaks again.

"Why is it you are divulging details of your life to me?" His tone is strange, quiet and almost ghostly as I'm not sure what he's implying.

"What do you mean?" I finally ask, not sure what answer he's looking for.

"No fae is so forthcoming unless they have an ulterior motive." Chuckling, I'm not sure if he expected me to laugh.

"Really? Do you know a lot of fairies?" I stop my joking when he growls.

"Enough of this. I want to know why you are telling me so much without asking for anything substantial in return." There's a fierceness to his expression that I don't want to toy with.

"Eric… would you believe me if I said that I trust you with my life?" Laying my head back, I rest it against the back of the chair as I look up at him.

"Why?" He demands, his fangs on display and I'm speechless.

"I don't know." I finally decide and he sneers.

"You do not inspire me to believe you." Tilting my head to the side, I bare my neck and continue to look up at him before closing my eyes to wait. It's only a second later that he's growling threateningly, biting down and I freeze as he does so before relaxing. Pain doesn't exist as he pulls, the slight pinch of the initial bite nothing to bat an eye at and his growl quiets slowly as he drinks.

"Don't get drunk." I mutter after a while, knowing that it can affect vampires and his tongue is swiping over my skin a moment later.

"What is it you wish from me?" He breathes against me, his lips falling beneath my ear a second later and I melt into the chair at his attention to my skin.

Drawing in a shaky breath, I try to steady myself as I speak. "How about… a job? I'm getting tired of working at the newspaper, and I have enough savings to get me by until your ready for me to start if you even want me to?" I'm not getting tired of the newspaper of course, but I also don't want to stay too close to werewolves at the moment and they're bound to be around as the newspaper place is owned by one. I also make a point of not mentioning Alan's attitude towards me as I don't know how he would react while I finish out my contract.

"That is what you wish? A job?" He sounds disbelieving as his mouth is turned into a questioning frown above me. "If that is the case then you will sign a contract and start immediately."

Hesitating, he raises an eyebrow as he sees my uncertainty written on my face. "I'm still under a six-month contract at the newspaper. Unless you buy them out?"

Smirking, he is in front of his computer a moment later. "You may leave, as I believe you intended to do so anyway. I will handle your boss the werewolf and you should come back tomorrow night at first dark before we're open." I'm not sure what to say, but I pop over with my laptop bag and purse in one hand to kiss his cheek before popping again to go home.

I feel sort of bad for teasing him but I believe he enjoyed it, and I know that he was in at least a slightly better mood after drinking from me. Thinking of it, I go to the bathroom and see that there's no evidence on my neck of what happened. Glancing at my phone, I check the time and grab some leftovers to eat from the fridge, considering that I will need to start keeping my energy up if I end up letting Eric feed regularly. The shower beats on my shoulders as I stand beneath the spray to relax, moving into bed as I ignore the sun coming up on the horizon in the distance and snap my fingers to close the blinds. Niall had shared a bit more than just how to control a scent shield and drifting off, I find that I feel much more prepared for Eric than I was before.

"This is where you may seat yourself when you are here." Hiding an amused smile, I glance at him before moving the rope and stepping behind it. "Your official title here is my financial advisor and accountant, so it's assumed that you are working with my money as you are on your computer. Just close it if anyone unseemly gets too close. I should never be far if you are here. Come back to the office and we'll go over the contract."

It takes nearly forty minutes as he outlines the benefits, requirements, expectations and finally the pay rate. It's not much more than what I made at the newspaper and I don't care since he likely had to pay a fair sum to get me out my contract, asking where I sign as he quits speaking. "You won't negotiate anything?"

"It all sounds just fine, there's nothing for me to argue with. Why, did you slip something in here that you thought I wouldn't like?" I question and he smirks.

"No, although I was tempted. I had just wondered if perhaps the pay would not be satisfactory." Tilting my head slightly, I'm curious why he would think that but otherwise don't know what to say.

"It seems fine, I have no idea what the going rate for a telepaths services would be anyway." Shrugging, I sign on the last page before he even tells me to do so and he stares at me.

"Just like that?" He says oddly, seemingly questioning my sanity as I grin and laugh.

"With my life, remember?" Winking, I grab my laptop bag and head out the door to take up a seat at my roped off corner table by the stage. Eric appears on his stage a while later after the place has opened and I don't miss the number of humans whose thoughts are directed my way as they wonder who I am. The thoughts of various humans catch my attention throughout the night and Eric is on his phone as usual so it's unknown when I subtly email him the information from my laptop. Some of the humans disappear from the dance floor a short while after I report them.

"You in need of anything else?" Marcel asks, appearing at my side at one point with a drink in hand and I smile at him.

"No, thank you though." Taking the glass, I set it down after drinking half of it immediately and start slowly scrolling as I read the PDF of a book I downloaded. Eric doesn't move from his pedestal when I leave half an hour before closing, giving him a small smile as I head out the door although he doesn't react.

The next night is mostly uneventful, Eric in his chair from the time I arrive until the time I leave and I'm surprised by how many law breaking individuals are in the crowd throughout the night. It's all handled as I send the information to Eric as soon as I get it, a vampire that is on display or Pam taking the occasional human either out of the club or into the basement to the dungeon. When I leave I head down the side of the building with my laptop bag securely across my back as I bought a strap for it, taking only a couple of steps behind the bar before disappearing to my living room. I've adjusted my schedule, having woken up at nearly dark and going to bed not long after sunrise after I get a shower.

My eyes flick around occasionally as I walk to my table a few nights later, taking it as Marcel brings me a drink and I make a point of not reacting to any of the thoughts as I report the more disturbing ones to Eric. I keep my wits about me even as I get buzzed the further into the night we go and I thank the ever so attentive bartender as I hand him another empty glass a short while later. It's more than I usually drink but I don't mind, feeling in the mood for it as I down the clear liquid.

"Should you be getting drunk?" Eric appears across from me and I smirk, drawing on what I've learned before snapping my fingers. He glances around and seems interested in the fact that nobody reacted to the snap, looking back at expectantly.

"My light is controlled by my emotions, so the only real risk with alcohol is that I might be more dangerous to anyone that attacks me. I can use my light in a lot of ways and since I snapped my fingers nobody can hear us, it'll last about ten minutes before I need to redo it." Arching an eyebrow, he glances around for a moment more before speaking.

"Should you be attacked, defend yourself only until I can handle the perpetrator. Do not end any of the vampires." He sounds stern and I look up from my computer to level him with a solid stare.

"If I am pinned by a vampire, I will attack with my light. In the heat of the moment and especially if I'm being bitten, I will not stop myself from killing a vampire if I feel that it's necessary, you're the only exception." I catch what I said immediately, not having meant to audibly add the last part and he raises an eyebrow as he leans slightly closer.

"What do you mean by that?" I'm not sure what to make of his tone but answer immediately.

"You are the oldest vampire here, I know you won't drain me uncontrollably." Waiting, I experiment with what I'd suspected, and find it come to fruition as he doesn't call me out. My statement was true but only a partial answer and he doesn't seem to be able to tell that I'm holding back.

Nodding, he glances down at my computer and then at the drink in my hand. "Make sure your computer is insured for spills." His tone is flat and I chuckle as I'm not sure what to make of it as he disappears back to his seat on the stage.

I'm thankful for stores that are open twenty-four hours when I go home a while later with my hands full of bags. I get the ingredients out as I plan to attempt a baked chicken in a teriyaki sauce. I'd not had the time or space to cook while I was in a college dorm, often reading, writing or studying when I wasn't in class or eating. But recently I'd started to want to cook again, getting back into the groove of the kitchen as I get out a sharp knife and go about mincing garlic and ginger for the sauce. It's all prepped into a baking dish a little while later and my timer is set as it cooks, my next task started as I prepare vegetables to be stir-fried. I purchased a wok in the kitchenware's section and soon have a faint steam rising to compliment the sizzling sound of the pan and I find that I've timed it just right. The baked portion comes out perfect just before the mixture of colors in the wok is ready and I drizzle the teriyaki sauce over the vegetables as I plate them alongside the chicken. I'm a little disappointed as I realize that I must have gotten the portions for the ingredients in the sauce slightly off, the taste not like I remember from the last time I made it. It's still good however and I finish before storing the leftovers in the fridge.

Popping to my storage unit, I go in after making sure I avoid the security cameras and grab the recipe book that Gran had always jotted in from one of the plastic storage totes inside. Locking it back up, I get back to my apartment as soon as I'm able to get to a secluded spot and leave it on the dining table before going to wash the dishes. Putting the TV on in the background, I'm tuning it out slightly as I work until I hear Eric's name and turn, ignoring the water dripping from my hands and arms to the tile floor since I can just clean it up when I'm done. He's mentioned as the owner of Fangtasia, a small expose being done on its successful reopening. I realize it's at least another hour and a half before sunrise thus it must be a good time for them to do vampire-oriented news, the story fluffed and drawn out over several minutes.

As soon as it's done I turn back to finish the dishes and I get everything stacked up on the cutting board as it's clean to be dried. Picking up the heavy stack I make sure it's steady before turning, not expecting for my foot to slip out from beneath me. The stack of dishes in my hands crashes back over me as I fall in a heap, pain radiating from multiple places and a sharp stinging going through my arm. I pick myself up a moment later as I examine the laceration on the inside of my forearm near my elbow, wincing as I start to really feel it. Blood is already dripping off of me and I sigh in exasperation as everything unbroken is thrown back into the sink, the knife placed carefully on the counter so I can clean and sanitize it again. My plate, a cup and a glass mixing bowl shattered, the pieces in the trash soon so that I can quickly clean and dry the floor before starting to redo the dishes.

I stop moving, dead still when there's a knock on my door and I am unsure what to do as nobody knows where I live besides Niall who would just pop in. Carefully examining the mind on the other side I'm surprised by the void I find there but not really after a long moment, going to open the door slowly as I make him wait. "Why are you here?"

"You were injured?" He demands, glancing me over as I roll my eyes and invite him inside.

"Eric, how did you know where I live?" I ask, not remembering ever even mentioning the street name.

"I followed you, you've had my blood so I can track you and I felt your surprise and pain earlier. I was on my way to make sure you weren't being attacked but your emotions told me as much and I decided to come anyway since I was already close." Letting him be the awkward one, I continue with finishing the dishes, finally getting everything into the drying rack as he silently watches. "You do not have someone to do that for you?"

Laughing loudly at his unexpected question, he frowns. "No, I do not need someone minding me hand and foot. I can do my own dishes."

"Are you not a princess?" He asks as I dry everything with a towel and I snort.

"Technically, but that doesn't mean anything. If you wanted me to bartend while reading minds to actually earn my money I can, I'm no stranger to working. Although I do appreciate you letting me use my laptop." It appears that he's surprised and I give him a questioning glance as I go across my counters with sanitizer.

"You are quite unusual." He finally says as I pull a laundry basket of slacks from the utility room and start folding them onto hangers, popping them to my bedroom closet and appearing back where I was a moment later.

"In a good way or bad way?" My question seems to throw him off and he pauses before responding.

"A good way, so far. I've never seen a fairy do chores before so this just seems a bit odd to me." Chuckling, I debate throwing laundry into the washer but don't as I yawn.

"What about your house, or your clothing? Who cleans those?" I'm curious and figure I can ask questions just as he is.

"Pamela usually takes my clothing and there is not much cleaning up to be done as I am barely there if ever beyond resting during the day." It makes sense I suppose since he probably doesn't even have much laundry that needs done.

"What about your resting place? Your sheets? Shower scum? Dusting?" I question, not sure what else to do as he doesn't seem ready to leave yet.

There's no answer as I am folding away my ironing table to lean it against the wall just inside the utility table and I turn to face him. "I own many properties, so I move my resting place at regular intervals. They are deep cleaned by professional companies after I am finished with one for a while."

I'm not paying much attention, getting my vacuum cleaner out of the living room closet and not appreciating the twinge from my arm as I use it to lift the heavy machine. "Damn." I mutter to myself when I feel the red line run down my arm as the wound reopens from the strain and I pop to the kitchen to get cleaning supplies for the blood spots on the carpet after I wipe my arm off. I pause as I remember who is off to the side and turn my head as I stand at the counter to see Eric staring at me. "Are you okay?" Asking quietly, I can see from where I'm standing that his eyes are dilated, the usually bright blue color dominated by black saucers.

"For now." Returning to the living room, I notice that he stays rooted in his spot as I spray and clean the carpet before taking care of the rag and bottle. Leaning up from being under the sink, I'm not expecting when I'm pressed to the wall next to the kitchen counter, his lips to my neck and I relax against him as he kisses over the skin. "I'll heal your arm." He whispers against me before taking my arm in his hand and leaning down. His mouth covers over the spot, his growl low and steady as I feel him licking my skin clean and the pain disappears as I suspect he cut his own tongue. "Why can't I scent you?" There's a crease on his forehead as he looks perplexed, staring down at me as he drops my fully healed arm a moment later and is suddenly at his full height again, his pupils still dilated.

"I'm blocking it. I don't know if you could control yourself if I let it out fully, so I'd just rather not take any chances." Leaning slightly closer, I can see his fangs are down as his mouth hangs open slightly.

"Try me." Hesitating for a second, I decide to rely on my trust in him, releasing my scent shield completely. His growl increases as his eyes bore into mine and I'm unable to read anything from them as he leans closer with his nostrils flared, his ivory fangs catching my eye. Realizing he's panting as he looms over me, I can't help but feel apprehensive with the first real twinge of fear I've had in his presence. "Finally, a normal reaction." His words are raspy and he leans closer to speak quietly. "Little fae, I am over thirteen hundred years old." I can't help but suddenly feel very grounded, not sure what to do as I stare up at him in disbelief. "I am also the same vampire that I was before you knew my age."

"Yeah, I know, I just wasn't expecting you to be an ancient I guess. I was thinking at most around eight hundred or maybe nine. I guess that explains why your area is so well ran." Grinning, he kisses me and I return the kiss although I am uncertain as he pulls away. "You seem to be a bit more forward all of a sudden."

Grinning, the sound of his growling increases slightly. "I do believe that I have finally figured out what you want, besides the job at Fangtasia."

"What is that?" I bait, waiting as he leans almost close enough to press his lips to mine.

"You wish to sell your blood to me for the money you'll need for the house you want to buy." He sounds so sure that I almost want to slap him but I restrain myself.

To say I'm shocked is an understatement, his expression changing slightly as he senses my emotions go flat. I shut off the rising anger and disbelief, popping behind him to my cell phone on the kitchen counter. Opening the banking app, I'm glad I set it up a day prior as I show the account summary, the numbers still somewhat shocking to me but none the less true as they glow on the screen. Turning it towards him, he's already turned to face me and he freezes as he sees it before his eyes shift up to meet my glare. "Eric, I understand why you would make that mistake, I really do. I promise that I will be at work next the night after tomorrow." Turning the lights off with the switch to my side, I stare right at where he should be in the dark before popping into my bedroom. "For now though, I would really like you to leave. You can let yourself out." I know he can hear me and I change my clothes before going to bed a short time after his void has left the premises.

When I return to work next, I'm tired, having spent the entire previous day moving all of my stuff into the new house. Instead of opting for any movers, I'd popped everything there and I'd worked through the day until I'd been barely able to move, falling into my bed in my new bedroom. I'd moved another portion of my things before coming to work. Glancing up at the vampire on the stage, he doesn't look back and I message him telling him to come speak to me if he wishes to do so concerning his misconception when he visited me. He doesn't move from his spot though, not even seeming to react to my message and I go back to my computer. Unable to help myself, I yawn many times before I've finally clocked enough hours to satisfy my contract for the week, packing up to leave. There's no response from Eric as I look up and wave at him slightly, walking out with the crowd minutes before closing.

Deciding to finish the move over my next couple days off, I go straight to bed, making sure the house is locked up before passing out. There's little left to pack and move after I get breakfast at a small restaurant on the edge of town, most of it food goods and I bag up the groceries before popping back to the new kitchen. My pots and pans are last as I put some in a tote before teleporting and organizing them into cabinets, repeating the procedure several times before I'm done. After doing a final check over of the apartment to ensure there is nothing left, I drop the keys into the mail box of the management company and pop out for the last time.

"Thank you." Signing the paperwork, I hand it back to the man in his delivery overalls as his two coworkers unload a large armoire and new dining table I bought for the dining room. Stepping aside, I quietly direct them on where to place the rest of the furniture for the living room, guest room and foyer as they retrieve it from the truck. Checking the position of everything after they leave, I move a couple side tables to different spots and am satisfied that it can stay the same for a while before I pop to a gallery not far from Fangtasia. I'd stopped in on my way home recently, finding several pieces and desiring them so I'd put them on hold with a deposit. Most of the canvases are sea scenes, going well with the sand colored walls and dark hardwood floors after I frame them myself into black frames.

Niall visits later in the afternoon with housewarming gifts, a multitude of paintings that I like as well as more books to add to my collection. "This is my one of my favorite parts." I tell him, leading him to the back of the living room and through a door that's easily missed on first glance as it's recessed into the wall.

A personal library with shelves built into each wall puts a grin on his face as I set the new books on the table, the box of the rest on the floor nearby. "Well, I see why you are so thrilled. Apart from the underground living areas which I know your vampire will enjoy in the future, you have a large kitchen to craft or cook in and your own reading nook to hide away in. What is that?" He gestures to a barren, paneled section of one of the walls as he notices it.

Moving over, I push a button partially hidden on the side of a shelf and grin as the panel slides down into the wall. "It's a hidden window, all of the windows in the house now feature it and it's light tight so Eric could be in here during the day if he were up. You should have seen the face of the real estate agent when I walked in with a check in hand after sneaking in here and checking the place out alone. She nearly had a heart attack, that poor woman. The paperwork only took a couple hours and I had the keys in my hand by midday. It didn't take long to find someone who had the right set of skills to install the light tight modifications without butchering the aesthetics of the house. I also wanted them to be able to do all of the work needed in this room and a few others, to have as few people as possible with knowledge of it. I ended up finding a company owned by an old werewolf and I just checked their work in their heads before I made an offer they couldn't refuse."

"It is good to see your father's money used for something that makes you happy." He says warmly, running a hand over one of the shelves as he examines the craftmanship. This room had been listed as a small bedroom, so I had instead decided to have the carpenter turn it into a library. The door had been recessed into the wall and a strong, simple table was built into the center of the room out of the same wood as the shelves to match. All of it came together nicely after the floors were reinforced to handle the weight of accumulated books which would one day be there.

"It's tempting, knowing I can afford so much of the world now, but I'll do my best not to blow it all." Amusement is clear on his face and he seems to think of something.

"Dear one your new home is lovely and you know I enjoy visiting but I do need to go soon. However first, let me show you something useful." Holding out his hand, I take it firmly and close my eyes as I open my mind.

He doesn't stay much longer and I end up in the kitchen after he pops away, a long list soon assembled as I figure out all of the things I want to buy. My apartment had had a smaller kitchen, the counter top spacious but the cabinet space lacking and storage is not a problem in the new house. Getting everything bagged up, I carry it all out of the store as well as I can with my hands completely full until I'm out of anyone's sight and set it all carefully on the kitchen counter a second later. After a while I pop to the dumpster behind Fangtasia and throw away two bags of discarded boxes and packaging from buying an assortment of kitchen appliances and small tools I didn't have before.

It's getting dark when I venture into the back yard with several fruits I purchased, picking the areas I want them in after careful consideration to the sun and where shade would be thrown. Taking one of the apples, I walk to one of the spots I've chosen and dig down with my hand shovel until I have a large enough hole to plant it several inches deep. Charging my light into my hands, I use the method Niall showed me to enhance the growth of the seeds within the fruit as a tree sprouts and quickly thickens, rushing upward above me as I stay at the base, my light pouring into it as it skips several years of growth. I'll likely start sprouting fruit soon and I stop my light as I feel that it it's roots have penetrated far enough into the soil to survive on its own with no problem. The process has taken nearly ten minutes and I grab a pear next, going to the next spot I picked and repeating the process followed by doing the same with a cherry and finally a peach. The trees compliment the back yard well as they put shade onto all the right areas, my hands soon washed as I go inside and throw away the bag from the fruits.

Lending my energy to growing the trees was tiring and I eat something after resting with a book for a couple hours. Eventually I go into my library and pull all of the books out of their box, placing them alongside the new books Niall brought and starting to organize them all onto the shelves. The window is still open and provides me with a nice view of my new trees as I work but I close the panel before I leave the room. The living room has lots of bare wall space, large spots on either side of the archway into the room as well as around the doorway to the library. The windows have space between each of them as well, all of them being paneled shut as I cannot see out with it now being dark outside. The windows all have a reflective finish on them at all times to make it impossible to see inside even if someone gets up close, so it won't change the outside appearance if the shutter is open or not.

Two of the paintings that Niall brought me are wolves dancing in the woods and I place them on either side of the archway as they are the same size. The others do not feature any characters but capture in high detail some of the breathtaking scenery in Fearie. Cliffs, waterfalls, endless jungle rivers and many more scenes are portrayed within the ornate frames. I wonder who the artist could have been that created such lifelike images and praise the unknown figure in my mind, staring at each of them for several minutes before returning to my bedroom downstairs. Yawning, I go through with getting a shower, going through my disorganized clothes until I find something I want to sleep in and lay down groggily.

It's two in the morning when I blink the clock into focus, rising slowly and getting dressed a short while later as I find I can't go back to sleep. Ending up in my library, I turn on the light and browse through the new books Niall brought, reading halfway through the first one fully engrossed. I picked it as it's all about ward and protection spells, the section on placing wards with our lights the one I pore over and reread to make sure I'm exactly clear on every single part. Practicing on a cup, I ward it before I grab a hammer, intending to smash it and ending up ducking as the force is rebounded multiple times over sending the hammer flying behind me and into the wall. It was ripped from my hands and I remember what Niall had told me about my light being stronger, wondering if that applies to wards and assuming it does as I work over the house.

"Herveaux Construction." An older gentleman's voice answers and I smile thankfully, having wondered if they would be at lunch as it's noon.

"Jackson, it's Sookie in Shreveport. I couldn't be happier with the work your nephew did, and I was wondering if he might be able to do one last house call? There was an accident and a hole is in my drywall, about the size of half a kiwi fruit."

"Well, he's actually out of state on a job now, but my son is available. He recently got back from Mississippi so he could come out this afternoon and he's the one who trained Colton so no worries on his workmanship." I remember his son flicking through his memories occasionally when I met him the first time. He'd worked alongside his eldest son to train him when he was younger, teaching him until he was competent enough to do jobs on his own and eventually start taking over.

"Sounds good, about what time should I expect him?" There's a shuffle of paper before he answers and I wait patiently.

"There's actually nothing scheduled for Alcide today so I'll just mark his afternoon off and he can have all the time he needs to patch things up for you." Thanking him for the help I hang up, looking speculatively at the back yard from the kitchen window.

Getting my laptop out for the first time in a couple days, I get it connected to the new internet connection and open a browser. I look over patio ideas for a long while, drawing up sketches of what I'm thinking about before throwing down the pencil. Popping to an office supply store I buy a ruler and grid paper, now making my drawings to scale to line up with the back of the house. A large black truck pulls in slowly around three in the afternoon, a large man coming up to the door in a blue t-shirt and jeans, a well-worn tool belt around his waist. He knocks lightly even as I get closer, smiling at me as I open it and I find he is a werewolf just like his father, but his thoughts are even harder to pick up.

"I'm Alcide, my old man said you got a hole in the wall?" He introduces himself politely and I step out of the way, allowing him in.

"I'm Sookie, and yeah, in the dining room. Next to the kitchen on the left." Shutting the door behind him he steps forward and I'm glad that he had no problem getting past my new wards. "Up there." Pointing up, he looks to see the hole a foot above his head on the wall before he raises an eyebrow at me. "There's a stepstool in the closet over there, if you need one."

"Mind if I ask what happened?" His voice is slightly muffled as he's facing the wall, filling the hole in carefully as he's on the first step of the stepstool.

"Oh, I was practicing with wards and there was a rebound." There's not a strong reaction and I can't get a good read on his thoughts as their oddly fuzzier than most werewolves.

Stepping down he puts his materials on the cloth he laid out across the dining room table to protect it. "Wards? Like, you adopted some kids?" I can't help but laugh as I hadn't expected that.

"Oh, goodness no, I'll never have kids. I meant wards as in magical barriers. You passed through one when you came in. If you had intended to harm me you would have been thrown backwards and likely a little crispy around the edges when you woke up." There's a silence as he seems to be at a blank and I speak slowly. "I'm magical. I make magical protective barriers. Are you okay?"

"Yeah, I'm just wondering if you're a witch or something." He says seeming absentmindedly, his eyes widening when there's a thrum of power in the air and I'm now glaring at him.

"No, and I would appreciate if you would not associate me with them. They usually use dark magic, manipulating those who've already passed on from the world to do their bidding. I do not." He doesn't comment, looking away as he seems to feel uncomfortable.