The next day, in order to try and hang on to the last bit of sanity I had, I set about cleaning my house from top to bottom. I washed the windows, scrubbed the countertops, and beat the rugs, anything to take my mind off it all. Of course, it didn't really work, but at least I knew I'd have a clean house to show for it at the end of the day.

I'd just emptied my kitchen cupboards ready to clean the insides, when there was a knock at my door. Visitors were the last thing I wanted. I ran the back of my hand across my forehead, and went to see who it was.

I was surprised, but not entirely upset, to see Mr. Cataliades on my front porch. I'd become sort of fond of him, in a strange way, even if he had gifted me with my unwanted talent.

"Mr. Cataliades, what a lovely surprise."

"Sookie, my dear, I'm sorry to come unannounced. I was jogging, and thought, why, it has been too long since I have seen the young Miss Stackhouse. I hope this isn't a bad time?"

Now that he had mentioned it, I saw that he was wearing a sporty leisure suit, a bright green and yellow one, which seemed a size or two too small for his round frame. He wore a sweat band around his head, and some snazzy-looking sneakers, with multi-colored laces. I realized I was staring.

"No, not a bad time. I was just cleaning the kitchen. Please, come on in." I stepped aside to let him through, and he smiled as he entered. "You'll have to excuse the mess, shall we sit in the living room?"

Mr. Cataliades smiled and went through to take a seat on the couch, and I went to fetch him some lemonade.

"You have been busy," he said, as I handed him the glass. "Very tidy."

"Just like Gran always kept it."

"Indeed."

"So, you were jogging?" I asked, still curious.

"Oh yes," he answered, tapping his belly. "After all that running I did from the hellhounds, I found I had a rather large appetite, and may have overdone it. I must confess I have a weakness for lobster thermidor, and when I finally became free of the hounds I treated myself to a few of the delicious seafood dishes. In fact, I lost count of the number I went through. A moment on the lips, a lifetime on the hips, as they say. Diantha suggested a little light exercise, and since I was already quite the runner, I thought some jogging may be in order."

"The hellhounds, of course. Are they gone?"

"They are, back from whence they came."

"And Diantha, is she okay?"

"Very well, thank you." He looked around, and seemed to focus, thinking. "You have used the magic, yes?"

I nodded. Maybe he could tell the cluviel dor had been used, the power no longer drawing unwanted fairy attention to my house. I had to admit, even I noticed a different vibe to the house, now that it was gone.

"Yes."

"Well, I hope that it was helpful."

"It was."

"Good. And how are you? I hear that things are quiet. The portal is closed, the packs are settling, and vampire alliances are being made and contracts finalized. Do you think peace may be on the horizon for our supernatural friends?"

I looked down at the glass in my hands.

"Maybe. Who knows?" I considered his words again, narrowed my eyes and looked at him. "What contracts?"

"Contracts here, contracts there. They are always signing them, for one thing or another. I have been personally employed by one monarch, just recently, to oversee the preparation of a number of important documents, some of them very complex and binding." My jaw dropped, and Mr. Cataliades looked me right in the eye. "I'm sure it would all be incredibly dull for you, unless you had some sort of interest in it?"

I nodded again, unable to speak.

"You were recently divorced?" he said, looking at me closely, as if gauging my reaction.

"Yes," I answered quietly.

"But you did not want it, and nor did he, is this correct?"

In my mind, it was like clouds parting, and I could suddenly see that which had been hidden to me. Mr. Cataliades, demon lawyer to vampire kings and queens and other supernaturals, my sponsor, the one who had given me my gift. Why had I not considered contacting him for his advice before?

"Freyda," I said, in my head. "You have been working for Freyda."

He heard me, of course, being telepathic himself. He smiled, and nodded.

"I have," he responded, before speaking again. "I have been interested to note that Mr. Northman has been incredibly reluctant to sign these contracts, and subsequently the queen has requested I draw up new ones, each one longer and ever more binding than the last. I think we have gotten there, though, finally."

"Is there anything I can do?" I said, the words tumbling out of my mouth. "Can it be stopped?"

"No," he said, and my heart dropped. "But there is a reason I bring it up. Matters of far more consequence, in my own opinion." He downed the last of his lemonade, and set the empty glass aside. "It has become apparent that the king, Felipe de Castro, was rather unhappy with queen Freyda on a number of fronts. I won't insult your intelligence by going over these things, Sookie, I am sure you can work this out for yourself. Needless to say, he believed himself to be short-changed. Now, eager to keep him sweet, so to speak, the queen suggested an arrangement was made, between the two of them. As she has just very recently been consulting me on these matters, I have been privy to some of these agreements, but not all of the specifics. Although your name was not actually mentioned, it was clear to me that you were the human they were squabbling about. It is clear that you are of some great significance and financial consequence to this area. We telepaths are rare, as you know, and you have already proven yourself to be more than just a mind-reader."

I took a sharp intake of breath.

"But I thought this was all covered, in the contract between Eric and Freyda. I was going to be left alone."

"Indeed. You would be left alone by Freyda, and her people, and Felipe. The queen, of course, intends to leave you quite alone, but the king, well, he is a different matter. He wants complete authority over all of those who live within his kingdom; the fact that another monarch could somehow have control over one of his people, when he is already losing Eric, and he has no say in it, is too much for one such as him. The contract will stand, yes, but if you were to go to him, for instance, this would be perfectly acceptable, in terms of the agreement."

"But I would never do that," I said. "I want nothing to do with him."

"Of course, but what if he was encouraging you in some way. Pressuring you."

"Blackmailing me?"

"Something like that, yes."

I closed my eyes and groaned.

"Eric did everything he could, and he still couldn't save me from Felipe."

"He tried, and perhaps if the queen had an ounce of compassion in her body she would have forbidden it, and ensured that the original contract was more binding. But it would seem she cares very little for telepaths, particularly those of the blonde, pretty sort. Since she has made it quite clear that there is to be no contact between yourself and Eric, and that she and Felipe will keep any arrangements between themselves, Eric will never find out that you are working for the king. If he were to find out, through some other route, it will seem as though you are employed willingly. The queen has agreed not to get involved, and will forbid Eric from doing so, should that be necessary. His child, the one taking over his area-"

"Pam."

"Pam, yes. She will of course have to bow to her king's orders, or suffer severe consequences."

Well, my day had just gotten a whole lot worse. Just when I thought it wasn't possible, I was feeling even more miserable.

"He'll make me work for him."

"I believe so. I would imagine that this is not something you would want."

"No way."

"I thought not. Well, this has put me in quite the predicament." He leaned forward, his elbows on his knees as he perched on the edge of the seat. "I had not realized before, how much you care for this vampire, Eric, and I confess I had questioned his motives and his love for you. Not that anyone loving you should be such a surprise, but in my experience, vampires such as he usually take actions only for their own gain, and they are rarely sentimental or caring for others but themselves. I understood why he should be reluctant to sign a marriage contract that he was not in favor of, but to go to such lengths to secure your safety... then I truly understood how deeply he must care for you. Tell me truthfully, Sookie, do you really love him?"

"Yes," I choked. "More than anything."

His face changed, like a shadow had passed over him. He looked at me with a sad pity, and it scared me.

"That is a shame," he said.

"Why? What do you mean?"

He was quiet for a moment, and a cold, icy shiver crept up my spine.

"Because I believe Mr. Northman is in great danger."

A/N: Sorry it's taken me so long to update. I'm going to try to post more regularly from now on. Please forgive me! I baked a large cake for you, to try to make up for it, but, well, it didn't rise, and then when I tried to ice it with a large quantity of chocolate ganache to cover up the dip in the sponge, it fell on the floor, and then when I tried to retrieve it I slapped myself in the face with my spatula, and became momentarily dazed. Then, would you believe it, my kitchen exploded. Thankfully I wasn't injured, and the cake was retrievable, but then I thought 'how am I going to distribute this damn cake, anyway?' and I ate it all. But the thought was there, so...

Thanks to everyone who has read, reviewed, and/or put this story on alert. It means a lot to know many of you are as eager as I am to have an alternate ending and that you're enjoying what I'm doing with it so far. Extra shout out to the beta-licious RubySun03, for all the help and support!