A/N - SVM Characters belong to Mrs. Harris, original characters and storyline are my own. Glad everyone enjoyed the first chapter, and I welcome all the new folks climbing on for the ride. As always your feedback and support is much loved.

Chapter 2 - Surprise

Scene 1 - SPOV - Little Girl

Eric had sent me to New Orleans in his place to work with the Area One sheriff, Paulson when we returned from Scotland. The fourth of July was on Saturday, five days away, and we expected the celebrations to be on the extreme side this year. News from the Summit in Rhodes had already spread and many vampires were acting out in one of two ways. Some vampires were high tailing it out of the country, hoping to find asylum in the Old world and others had taken the 'what the hell, if we are going to finally die let's go out with a bang' route.

Those fleeing the country were in for a big surprise when they arrived at their destinations. Those that ruled in the Old World already had their hands full with intolerance from humans and were not allowing asylum for those fleeing the America's. In fact our own little vacation to the Highland's would have resulted in the Scottish vampire King refusing us permission to visit his territory if it had been booked a few days later. Eric had stated it would only be a matter of time before airlines like Anubis would no longer fly internationally. If a vampire was determined to sneak back into the old world, they would have to do it the old fashioned way, traveling by ship, risking discovery and then dodging the monarchy of which ever territory they landed in. They would face a hunt, one way or another.

I had a difficult time understanding what would be accomplished by such a reduction of numbers in the vampire population, especially the potential loss of older vampires when the humans and most other supernatural's already out numbered us. Wouldn't such action weaken the vampires? Eric had explained next to blood the vampires greatest instinct is survival. Once you have faced death and walked away from it, in a manner of speaking, anything which threatens your continued existence must be eradicated. It was part of our oldest laws (which I was still learning) the preservation of the sanctity of the blood. While the true death of say, a couple hundred vampires, would look extreme census wise they could in theory be recreated three days later. The Vampires were not concerned about the quantity of their population; they were concerned with the quality.

Before the Great Revelation a vampire wishing to create a child would search them out. They would locate and observe their chosen one for days, weeks maybe even months until they were satisfied their choice was worthy of the gift of blood. Whether the turning was made in love, loneliness or in a desire for pain, the one chosen was rarely weak. Now though, turnings were being made for money or to cure boredom or just to raise bloody hell. Such chaos had placed all of us in danger and not just from the Elders.

I squirmed on the throne as I listened to the droning humans in front of me. They were a group of architects, contractors and lawyers hired to build a vampire university. The compound would be a safe house for newly turned vamps that had been abandoned to go live and learn about what they now were and the laws they must abide by. These compounds were being built around Louisiana, Texas and Mississippi as a result of a brain storming session between the three vampire monarchs trying to come up with ways to contain and control the fledglings. So far the half dozen universities which were complete were successful, vampire crime rate had decreased and humans clamoring to become vampire had slackened. But as usual, human greed and ignorance was interfering and causing issues building the rest of them.

"Mr. Carmichael," I interrupted the human making excuses in front of me. "I really do not care your secretary was pregnant with twins and dropped the ball regarding the permits. What I do care about is the amount of money Mr. Northman has paid you in advance and the lack of activity I see at the construction site. The agreement was the compound complete and fully staffed by the end of this month." I leaned down and snarled, "Instead my visit found piles of construction material rotting in the humidity and nary a worker in sight. Yet you dare come here requesting more funds?"

The smarmy human in front of me smiled, "Mrs. Northman perhaps this conversation would be easier if it was taking place between me and Mr. Northman? Businessman to Businessman you know we speak the same language as it were. You really shouldn't have to worry your pretty little head over such matters."

I heard Paulson stifle a laugh and fought down the instinct clamoring for the head of the fool in front of me. Instead I stood up and slowly stalked toward the overly confident human. My movements were liquid, sensual, teasing as I flicked my tongue over my lips and reached a languid hand to cup his face. I watched as his eyes darkened and the room filled with the scent of his lust. I leaned forward, allowing the draped bodice of my shirt to gape granting the human an eyeful and laughing to myself as the sweat sprang to his brow. I slid my hand from his cheek to the back of his neck, pulling his head down and toward me, parting my lips as if inviting his kiss. His breathing was rapid and the beating of his heart filled my ears. Our mouths were only millimeters apart when I let my fangs drop and lifted him from his feet. In the next instant my mouth was around his carotid artery with fangs just barely piercing his skin. The scent of his lust was swamped by fear and the human whimpered above me.

I flicked my tongue to taste the bead of blood which had risen to my fangs and wrinkled my nose in disgust. He tasted foul. His blood proof the disgusting sliminess of this man was more than skin deep. I tossed the human away from me, not caring his companions had to scramble out of the way or be damaged when he landed. I sat back down and calmly watched the humans bickering with each other.

A younger blonde human moved toward the throne and dipped a bow toward me. "Mrs. Northman my name is Darwin Elders, please let me apologize for my partner."

I could scent his fear as well but underneath the glint of fear in his eyes this human contained a stony strength. "Apology accepted Mr. Elders." I was tiring of this group so I scanned them for more information. "I do wish Mr. Carmichael had just admitted the fact his pregnant secretary had embezzled the funds. It would have made all of this much easier." I examined my nails as Darwin blanched. "You see Mr. Elders; you really cannot fool a vampire."

He gulped and reached behind him to pull Copley Carmichael forward again before stepping back into the rest of the group. Besides his sliminess, Mr. Carmichael resembled a pugnacious bulldog. A bulldog who was currently struggling to gain control of the situation. "Mrs. Northman I do not know who your sources are but I can assure you the funds advanced by Mr. Northman were not stolen but instead used as they were meant to be. The additional funds are needed to pay unexpected sub contractors. We had to demolish and rebuild a couple of the structures we thought we could just refurbish."

I sighed, "You are my source Mr. Carmichael. There will be no more funds granted. The construction and staffing will be completed on time, even if you have to use your own quite extensive finances. Here is my incentive. If you do not finish this job as promised, Mr. Coltello will be paying you a visit," I nodded to indicate Paulson who obliged me by baring his fangs at the group before us. I wasn't sure which would cause more fear, a little blonde girl with fangs or someone who looked like Pinocchio's Geppeto, as Paulson appeared to be. His sweet grandfatherly features actually disguised one of the deadliest vampire assassins. He was perfect as Sheriff of this area, reassuring to the new vampires and with six centuries of reputation behind him, a lethal warning to elder vampire wishing to cause trouble.

The scent of human fear flooding the room increased and all of them assured me the job would be completed on time, and then left the throne room arguing amongst themselves.

I groaned and stood to stretch as Paulson came forward to sling a companionable arm around my shoulder.

"You handled them like a pro Sookie," he praised before stepping away to talk to his secretary.

I snorted in disbelief, Eric would have had them shaking in their boots with a flick of an eyebrow. I headed for the dining room and the line of donors waiting for me and chose a sweet oriental looking girl. My hunger satisfied I went up a floor to the training room where I knew I would find Wanda sparring with the other security forces.

Sure enough the wolverine was currently taking on a tiger and a black bear. At first I thought the tiger was Quinn until I heard his voice roaring out instructions to the black bear. I found a comfortable spot to observe the action and settled back to watch.

The bear had swatted at the wolverine and found his paw clasped between her jaws. She refused to let go and the bear bawled in pain as he jerked and pulled trying to tear himself free. The tiger in the mean time was easing behind the two for a position to attack the wolverine. Just as the tiger pounced, Wanda let the bear go and flipped over, raking six inch long razor sharp claws through the vulnerable abdomen of the tiger before it could complete its attack. Momentum lost and bleeding from severe wounds the tiger crashed to the ground and rolled across the room ending up against the mirrored wall.

With one assailant out of the picture Wanda turned her attention back to the bear. The wolverine bared her dagger sharp teeth in clicked her tongue in an invitation for the bear to attack. Apparently goaded into a rage the bear roared and charged only to slide and crash into another wall when his target refused to stay put. The wolverine immediately leaped onto the larger animal and sank claws and fangs into his vulnerable neck, not quite closing all the way for the death blow.

"Enough," Quinn commanded as he shook his head in disgust. "We are done for the night. Go change and get cleaned up, I want to see you back here in ten minutes."

The wolverine dropped from the bears back and scurried through a swinging door which lead to the locker area, both the tiger and the bear limped after her. The training room reeked of sweat, blood and the raunchy stench of wolverine musk. I wrinkled my nose and crossed to the switch for the room's ventilation, sighing with relief when the fresh breeze from the fans hit my face.

Quinn's eyes glinted with laughter as he joined me on the pile of mats. "Her scent is almost as powerful a weapon as her teeth and claws isn't it?" he asked with a smile.

I chuckled, "Sometimes I think it is more powerful, gah she reeks!"

"I do not!" Wanda admonished as she joined us, giving me a quick hug.

I just rolled my eyes and laughed, returning her embrace.

Soon after a large dark haired young man and to my surprise though it should not have been, Delaney joined us. The young man was grumbling about his sore neck while Delaney shyly greeted me.

"Hello Sookie," she said with her eyes lowered easing closer to the protection of Quinn in case I snapped at her.

"You are looking well Delaney. I see Quinn's company has been good for you."

Quinn laughed and pulled the nervous shifter into his arms.

Delaney smiled at me, "Yes he has been wonderful."

"Excellent," I turned to Quinn, "Is there anything Eric needs to be aware of? I will be returning to Shreveport tonight."

He shook his head, "No everything is prepared. I have extra security forces arranged to protect the various vampire businesses and have eyes watching the Fellowship of the Sun cathedral. The chaos should hopefully be minimal; also the human authorities claim they will have extra personnel on patrol as well."

"In that case when the festivities are over I would like you to assign someone to keep an eye on Carmichael Enterprises and the development project. Let Paulson know about anything you find out of the ordinary."

"Sure thing Sookie, tell Eric I said hello," Quinn responded.

Wanda and I took our leave and headed to the garage where the van containing my travel coffin waited. The summer nights were short and with the amount of work Paulson and I had to finish up this evening we were heading back to Shreveport later than I liked. Wanda would be driving while I was ensconced in the coffin, the one thing about being a vampire I despised, so there would be no chance of me risking sunlight if we got held up returning home.

Wanda slid the van door shut as I climbed into the coffin pulling it closed. I heard the van start and tried to squirm into a comfortable sleeping position as we headed back to Eric and Shreveport.

Scene 2 - EPOV - Nightshade

I looked up at the knock on my office door and pushed aside the pile of paperwork I had been going through.

"Enter," I responded and smiled at the young man who strode in. "Hello Hunter."

"Hello Uncle Eric," he said as he slid into the chair in front of the desk. He had filled out in the weeks we had been gone thanks to the training he had been receiving from Thalia, Wanda and her brother Ollie. He had also added an inch or two to his height. Despite his dark hair and eyes I could see traces of the family resemblance to Sookie, including the apprehension now clouding his eyes.

"What can I do for you?"

Hunter didn't answer right away, seemingly to gather his thoughts. He took a deep breath, "You know Ollie and I along with one of the younger were guards have been going out in the evenings?" he asked.

I nodded.

"There is a new club over on the edge of the river, place called Nightshade." His eyes began to sparkle, "Really cool place since it is only for those who are twenty and under. We usually have a great time especially when I ..." He broke off and swallowed, avoiding my eyes suddenly.

I hid a smirk, keeping my face carefully blank as I finished his sentence, "When you dip into the other minds and show off to your friends?"

The color rose in the teenagers cheeks as he self consciously cleared his throat, "Erm, yes"

"Continue," I encouraged him.

"Well for the last couple of nights Ollie noticed this SUV parked across the street from the club with the same two guys in it. Those two guys plus the weird girl who approached me tonight bothered me enough to think I should let you know about them," he confessed.

"Tell me about the girl," I asked as I settled back into my office chair, raising my legs to the edge of the desk.

His brows crinkled as he tried to remember Hunter began, "Like I said, the club is for mid teens to twenty year olds, but the girl who came over to talk to me appeared to be old enough to drink. Ollie actually challenged her on it, saying she was trying to rob the cradle and she pulled out an ID to prove her point."

"ID's are worthless."

"Exactly," he agreed. "So I tried to dip into her head to find out what she wanted." He looked me straight in the eye, "I couldn't read her at all."

"You mean she was a vampire?" Vampires were not supposed to feed off those under the age of consent as part of the Great Revelation. It happened, but normally a vampire would avoid a place like the Nightshade because it would invite inquiry into their hunting habits. Ironically enough, while we could not feed on them we could turn a human with their consent as long as they were over the age of fifteen. Draining was legal, sipping was not, another example of the foolishness of human laws.

Hunter shook his head, "No, I don't think so. She wasn't a blank spot, like a void. I would say she had one heckuva set of shields."

"Did she react at all to your probing?"

"No, she just chatted for a while then walked off."

"Tell me about the SUV."

"It was still parked outside when we left, and the girl was now sitting with the driver."

"Could you read the driver?"

"Ya, I could," Hunter said. "He was thinking about how hungry he was and how he wanted to get the hell out of there so he could get dinner. I couldn't get any more than that out of him because the chick suddenly leaned over to him and wham, his thoughts were locked up tight." He reached into his jean pocket and pulled out a slip of paper with some letters and numbers scribbled on it. "Ollie was able to get the license number of the SUV when it pulled away." He handed it to me.

I glanced at the scrap and noted Ollie had also recorded the state issuing the plates, Wyoming.

Hunter said quietly, "The place they kept me locked up was located in Wyoming."

"I know," I said quietly while rage pooled behind my stony eyes. "So our Agents are back and spying on you and somehow equipped to block you."

"They might be able to block me, but maybe they couldn't block Aunt Sookie?" Hunter asked. "She's a lot stronger than I am. There is still a lot I need to learn. She doesn't look much older than I do."

True, because of Sookie's Fae heritage, even though she was turned in her late thirties she appeared to be in her early twenties. With a bit of assistance from Pam and Janice with a wardrobe and cosmetics she could pass for her late teens, maybe.

"If we could hide her ears your Aunt could probably pass as one of you." My wife's vampiric beauty was exotic. Her ears were delicately pointed, her skin still retaining a slight golden hue with faint patterns shifting below it. Her hair was a mass of silver blonde curls reaching to her waist and her eyes a glacial blue. She was petite, gently rounded in all the right places with a predator's muscular grace, and she was all mine.

I made a decision, "Hunter I will have your Aunt Pam research the truck, and when your Aunt Sookie returns we will figure out a way for her to poke around the heads of those following you. In the meantime both Indira and Thalia will be assigned as your evening body guards." I waited through his groan of disbelief. "They will be your guards if you leave the compound. If you choose to remain in the compound, they will not be needed."

"But Uncle Eric ..." Hunter protested.

"No argument. You are still just a human," I smirked when he rolled his eyes, "and your friends are good fighters, but they do not have the experience needed to go against the professionals who appear to be following you. I will not risk your safety." I winked at him, "Your Aunt Sookie would send me to my final death if anything happened to you."

He sighed, "Well ok, Thalia is pretty cool. Indira is the wet noodle; she just follows me around and glowers."

My eyebrows rose at the thought of Thalia being considered 'cool' by anyone.

Hunter scrambled to his feet, "So after tomorrow night's shindig we will go after these guys?"

I groaned at the reminder of Pam's plans. "Yes," I replied.

"Ok, night then Uncle Eric."

"Good night Hunter."

After the boy left the office I sent a text off to Pam. She reminded me Sookie was on her way back from New Orleans with Wanda and not expected until after dawn. I would be resting alone tonight. I growled to myself already missing the silken touch of her limbs against mine as we held each other. Displeased by the reminder of the politics which separated us for the moment, I returned to the extensive paperwork before me.

Scene 3 - SPOV - Shouldn't have

Eric was waiting for me when I climbed out of my travel coffin the next evening.

"Hello lover," he purred as he pulled me into his arms.

I met him half way for a toe curling kiss slipping out of his embrace to grab his hand and lead him toward the shower I desperately needed. Eric had other ideas though, for once the door had closed behind us, my clothes were in shreds on the floor and I was perched on the vanity with him nestled between my thighs. I melted for him instantly as my greedy hands explored his arms and shoulders.

"I missed you," he whispered nibbling my neck and nudging gently at my sodden core for emphasis.

I wrapped my legs around his waist and pulled, trying to bring him closer to what we both hungered for. He resisted, still remaining just shy of where I wanted him while slipping a hand down between us to tease.

"Not yet," he admonished as he nipped the point of my ear. The exquisite sensation had me all but a puddle in his arms and I tried to gather myself for a bit of teasing of my own.

I stopped trying to pull him closer and instead dropped a hand to stroke him while the other hand raked down his back. He groaned at the combination of pain and pleasure, ending his exploration of my ear to return to my frantic mouth. Our hands matched the rhythm of our tongues and my hunger grew until I had to tear away from his mouth and beg.

"Please Eric."

I felt his smile against my neck and gasped with pleasure and relief when he slid into me. He lifted me from the vanity only to push me back up against the wall, each thrust reaching deeper and deeper. I could feel myself coming undone and latched onto his chest to tongue one of his paps, drawing the rumble of a growl from his chest when I nipped him.

I released him and tilted my head back against the wall, seeking his eyes. 'Harder Eric," I demanded, my legs tightening around him. His eyes flashed as he complied, the room echoing with the slap of our bodies against each other. He shifted his stance and lifted me higher so that he could slam me down to meet each thrust. It was too much, I couldn't hold back and as the pleasure flooded through me I bit down, my fangs piercing his shoulder. He roared, thrusting one more time before his own release, his fangs sliding into my neck and the sensation of him feeding triggering another orgasm.

Satiated I licked the punctures on his shoulder closed and basked in the love flowing between us. When he was finished feeding, Eric walked us over to the shower still connected intimately. I groaned at the sensation and it wasn't long before the two of us found completion again.

Pam was waiting for us when we returned to the bedroom, her toe tapping impatiently.

"What's the matter Pam," Eric asked smugly as he strolled over to the closet unconcerned with modesty.

"You are messing up my schedule," she accused him.

I glanced between them with confusion while I pulled on a dark skirt and silk blouse. "What schedule?" I asked since to my knowledge we were just going to spend the evening trying to catch up the paperwork and politics which had been piling up during the summit and honeymoon. I waited for her to answer while I drooled over the luscious display before me.

Still nude Eric was bending over, spectacular cheeks presented toward me, to pull on his jeans. He glanced over his shoulder and winked at me, slowly pulling them on leg by leg, inch by inch to end with a little hop before yanking them up to his waist and tucking himself in. If I was still human I would be panting.

Pam's voice was still droning on while Eric continued to tease me as he slithered into a dark shirt and tucked it into his jeans.

I was yanked from my fantasies by Pam tapping me on the shoulder and calling my name.

"Sookie," she demanded with a scowl. 'Have you heard word I have been saying?"

"Um, no."

She sighed, "Eric and I have to go to Fangtasia for a bit. We will be back in a couple of hours ok?"

I scowled at both of them, "Does this mean I have to do all the paperwork myself?"

Eric shook his head, "No lover, I finished up quite a bit last night. There is only payroll left to complete."

"Oh," I said. I could handle payroll and it wouldn't take very long.

At least I thought it wouldn't take very long. I discovered after Pam and Eric had left that there was over two months of payroll to post. The funds had been issued manually while we were gone and now all the electronic data entry needed to be completed and posted. Eric might despise paperwork, but to me spreadsheets were the devil's playground. I had the uncanny ability to erase formulas and enter data in the wrong fields.

I was adding up a column carefully on the ten key calculator, trying to figure out why my balance was off when my cell phone announced the receipt of a text message three hours later from Eric.

Come to the pool room lover.

Grateful to get away from the numbers blurring in front of me, I saved my work and headed out of the office.

As I drew closer to the pool room door I could see the flicker of candlelight through the glass walls, the source hidden by the rampant jungle like foliage. It looked like Eric had plans to continue our early evening romp.

I pushed open the door and slid through it only to pull up sharply.

"Surprise!" Screamed what seemed to be the majority of those staying at the compound.

My eyes were as saucers taking in the people and decorations abound.

Eric's cool arms slid around me as he whispered, "Happy Birthday Sookie," in my ear.

"Happy Birthday!" everyone exclaimed as noise makers and sparklers went off.

"Who, what?" I whispered in definite surprise.

Pam glided forward with glowing eyes, "You are the only one who's human birthday we can remember. I read about surprise birthday parties when I was researching the wedding shower and decided to have one."

Eric let me slip out of his arms so I could hug his child. "You did this for me Pam?"

Her fangs were on display when she happily nodded.

I held back the blood tears that rimmed my eyes and hugged her hard in thanks.

"Come," Pam demanded as she pulled back and grabbed my hand. "There is a cake, and presents. Though only the humans can eat the cake. Hunter assures me he can handle any left over's."

I spent the rest of the evening with my family and friends celebrating a human birthday I had forgotten years ago. Eric and I sat twined together on one of the lounges, sipping on the exotic blood Pam had ordered for the occasion. The humans and shifters had devoured the cake, exclaiming to Pam that it was the best they ever had. I had unwrapped all the presents, which included practically a whole new wardrobe, new accessories from Janice and some video games from Hunter. At that moment everything was perfect in my world, all the stress and fear of the coming weeks left far behind smothered by the love surrounding us.