Chapter two:

I opened the door to Sam's office, it wasn't very big, but it was practical and neat. He installed some shelves for us employee's to keep our belongings on while we worked, and let us keep our bags locked up in one of the drawers in his desk. My shift was almost over so I planned on finishing my prep for tomorrows shift and making sure all my tables were topped up and then leaving, as soon as this conversation was finished. There was an apron on the floor belonging to Dawn who must have missed the dirty laundry hamper. So I picked it up and put it inside.

My attention turned back to Mr Viking man, over there, I didn't notice he was staring so intently at me. I leant against Sam's desk, crossing my legs as I do so.

"So Mr…?"

"Oh, sorry I'm being impolite, my name is Eric Northman, Sheriff of area 5." He smiled at me, and it was certainly the kind of smile that got you anything you wanted. My confusion must have shown as he began to explain.

"Our society has a hierarchy just like your own, we have Queen's and King's and sheriffs," he waves absently to himself as he says 'sheriff'.

"We go by areas, area 5 centres around Shreveport, Louisiana. I am the Sheriff meaning I have a certain amount of power and status over the other vampires in my area. All vampires must report to me and tell me of any happenings concerning any threat or crime, towards or permitted by my underlings."

That was a lot of information to take in all at once, why hadn't Bill told me about any of this?

"Do you know Bill Compton?"

"Well off course I do, he is under my authority. He registered to be a part of my community a couple of weeks ago, apparently his remaining relative passed away. I was quite confused as to why he wanted to mainstream here, especially when he was so happy at the queen's side."

The last part was more of a thinking a loud, he notice he slipped up and had the decency to try and look abashed.

"What do you mean?" My intuition was telling me something was wrong, and I wasn't going to like what was said next… I was damn right.

"That's the reason I'm here Min Kara, I'm afraid I gathered some information about Mr William Compton, and it is my job as sheriff to come forward and tell you." He took a step forward and put his hand on my cheek.

"What is it?" I stuttered.

"Bill, he was sent here by My Queen, Sophie Anne-Leclerq, to enthral you, gain your trust, and take you to the queen to work for her." Tears flowed freely down my cheeks, what?

"What would she want with me?"

"I know about your telepathy, and so does she."

"What? How? I am so confused, who knows what I am and would openly tell the queen of Louisiana what I was? Which by the way I do not know. It's just some stupid curse."

"Gift, my sweet, it's a gift. And you know your cousin Hadley?"

"Of course? Is she alive? We all thought she died because of a drug overdose or something."

"She is alive, and she is the Queen's pet. You see Hadley was concerned the Queen was losing interest in her so she told Sophie-Anne that her cousin Sookie Stackhouse was a telepath. The queen seemed more interested in Hadley after this and is now her favourite pet, your cousin began telling the queen all about you, and she became obsessed with the idea of you being in her Queendom. So she sent Bill. I hate to tell you this, but he never loved you like you loved him, it was all just a façade. I am sorry."

I broke down then, I fell in a disgruntled heap on the floor, tears falling down now, and it was all a lie? I thought he loved me, like I loved him. I was so stupid, I ignored all my warnings for the bliss of silence and the hope that I could actually be with someone that I don't have to hold my shields up all day for. Stupid, stupid, stupid. Why did I have to be cursed? I wouldn't wish this on anyone, but I have to be stuck with it? I've always been a good girl. I never slept around, did drugs, drank, but I'm still being punished. How is that fair?

I felt Eric sit down next to me and place his hand on my knee.

"Shhh, Sookie, don't be sad, he is a monster, and doesn't know what's good for him when he has it."

He seemed oddly human at this moment, why is he comforting me? He doesn't even know me.

"I know you are probably wondering why I am comforting you. Right?"

"A little" I hiccupped.

"There is something about you that's not the same as other humans, you are real, you know full well what people are thinking about you and yet you don't change. You don't feel the need to wear loads of make-up, and to be extremely underweight to the extent your organs are failing, just because that's what everyone believes beauty is. You are you, and that is perfect."

"Can I ask you something?" I asked quietly, like a lost little girl as I wiped my eyes and stood to look in the mirror.

"Of course, I may not answer though" He said with a smirk and a wink.

"Will you follow me home tonight, I know he will try and come and see me but I don't want to be alone with him now I know his intentions."

"Are you sure that is wise? You have only just met me."

"And yet you are the only one that's been honest with me." My eyes started to well up again but I bit my lower lip to keep them back.

"Then of course, I'll follow behind you and keep an eye out when you finish your shift."

"I should be finished in about half an hour, it's just prep for tomorrow now, you are more than welcome to stay for a drink, I can get you a table in my section?"

I smiled, a genuine smile, my first after everything. He smiled brightly back.

"I would love that, AB positive if you have it" I gasped, that was my blood type. My eyes widened and I walked out of that office, found a table for my informer and brought his warm blood with a little blush as he drank while looking at me…