Author's Notes: Here we are; another chapter. :)

I wanted to thank you all who have reviewed so far. I am so glad your enjoying the story.

I have been trying to balance the ideas between this story and my other story. I have also been trying to balance the times of when I will write for both. I am starting tomorrow on the next chapter of True Desires. If you love Eric and Sookie, then go check that story out too.

Again, I was trying something totally knew with this story. I have never done an OC before, nor have I created a character of my own design. I am rather excited for Sofia, who I created. She is pretty sweet, if I say so myself.

Also: There are some things I will be changing, like for instance: Eric's haircut. So right now, I wanted to say that I am taking a mix between the books and the show, but I am leaning more toward the stuff that happened in the books with this story. Again this is OC so it might have some changes in here. :)

Here is the next chapter and Eric makes an appearance. :) I also think the next chapter will be in his POV. :P Not quite sure yet, maybe half of it will be.

Until then, enjoy what I have created.

Read and Review: because I am curious for your thoughts on what I have created so far.

Again thank you for reviewing ladies. You are simply awesome. Thank you.

I own nothing, nada, zip, zilch. I created this story for fun, because I love that sexy Viking. :)

XOXO-SharaMoon

I woke up in a daze. The sun was shining brightly from the window across the room. I squinted against the light, before pulling the sheets over my face. I sighed because I simply couldn't fall back to sleep.

Nightmares of my mother and father torment me still. I was just not expecting the dream to come through my mind on the first day back in the human realm.

I shifted until I sat with my feet hanging off the side of the bed, as I rubbed my hands over my face. I sighed before inhaling deep through my nose only to smell the most amazing scent of food. My stomached grumbled as if on cue and I stifled a sigh.

I stood up and headed downstairs to find Sookie slaving over her stove. She shot me a big grin, before turning back to the oven. I watched her pull out big rolls. My mouth drooled.

"I hope you're hungry." She said, setting coffee and juice in front of me. "Did you sleep well?"

"Yeah." I lied to her. I didn't want her to worry over my tormented dreams. Sookie looked like the person that would do that kind of thing. "You didn't make this all just because I was here right?"

"Oh no." She waved her hand in front of me. "When I don't work on Sundays I always make a big breakfast."

I watched as she set the table, putting out three plates instead of just two. I found that odd.

"Uh, expecting someone?" I asked.

"Yeah, my brother Jason is coming over. You remember me telling you about him right?"

"I remember you telling me that he is what you like to call a man-whore." I smiled, grabbing the coffee from the table and lifted it to my lips.

Sookie laughed softly. "Well, he is. He really is. Don't be surprised if he…" She was cut off by the sound of the front door opening and closing.

"Hey Sook, sorry I'm late. I was real busy last night and…" Jason trailed off as he spotted me.

I've had this kind of reaction happen before by other human males. I watched as his mouth fell practically to the floor and then watched him struggle to regain himself.

"Who's your friend?" Jason smiled, dragging out the words to Sookie.

"That's Sofia." She told him. "Sofia, Jason; Jason, Sofia."

I forced my hand away from the coffee mug and stretch it out toward him. I offered him a kind smile. "Nice to meet you, Jason."

"Yeah, you too." He sat down and I watched his chair scoot closer to mine.

I groaned internally. Do men always do this kind of thing? I looked at Sookie who was trying to hold a smile in, I could just tell.

"So Sook, how have you been?" Jason said, grabbing a roll and dug into his food.

"Great, been workin' and all that. You know, gotta' pay those bills." Sookie sighed.

"Oh yeah, I know how that is." Jason replied. "So how did you two meet?"

"Well, I..." I saw Sookie shake her head, her eyes go wide. I backtracked quick, guessing Jason really doesn't know the situation. "Well, I know her from an acquaintance." Easy enough answer.

"That's cool." He replied. I sighed as Sookie did.

The rest of the morning went rather smoothly. Jason, Sookie and I talked casually as we ate. Unfortunately I got asked on a date by Jason before he left. I cringed when he asked me. I might not be related physically, but it was like Niall adopted me in a way. Their great-grandfather was my 'adopted' grandfather and I simply couldn't take Jason up on his offer; it was just too weird.

The afternoon went even better. Sookie conned me into going to Tara's Togs to get an outfit for the evening, to go to the vampire bar. I gave in because I really did need more clothes. She pulled me along, chatting as she went. She grabbed a deep blue V-neck top, one that cut low across the breast before buttoning right under the bust.

"Look at this." She giggled.

"It's sexy." I answered, tugging on the material.

"I dare you to buy this one and wear it tonight." Her eyes met mine and I saw a lot of amusement there.

I laughed. "Think I wouldn't do it?" I asked, before setting it back on the hanger. She caught a questioning glance before I moved over to the rack next to her, picking the same shirt up but in a different color; deep red. "I love the color red." I told her.

Sookie nodded, giggling to herself as I went to try it on. I buttoned it under the bust, but the v-cut was really low. The fabric skimmed over my breast enough to show the swell. You could see half of my bra in this shirt. I guess I also needed a sexy bra.

I was never one to really care what people thought of me in clothes, but hey, going out one night looking sexy isn't going to be much of a bother right? People see a beautiful woman when they look at me, or so I have been told, but I just don't see it. Maybe if I dressed up in something once, maybe there would be a spark, giving me a sign that I am more than just a stranger.

"Let me see." I heard Sookie holler from the other side of the door.

I smiled to myself. Sookie was so nice and in no time at all I already feel like I have a friend. Weird? I have no idea.

I stepped out showing her how I looked. Her eyes went wide as she looked over the shirt that hung to my body tightly, before taking in my chest.

"Holy boobs." She said. "I think…if you want that shirt though, you are going to need a different bra."

I nodded, laughing slightly. "That's what I thought too."

I went back to change in my simple shirt and hung my revealing shirt back on the hanger. Sookie pulled me through the store. I grabbed a pair of tight black skinny jeans to go with the shirt. I also found a very lacy bra, which I bought. I even went so far as the shoes and I bought a pair of deep crimson pumps.

Sookie pulled me into her bathroom as we changed for the night. She chatted away as she straightened her hair and threw on some makeup. I changed quickly as we talked, but not quick enough as she saw the deep scars that crossed my back.

"Oh, dear God!" She whispered before reaching out her hand to run it across the four deep slashes on my back. I shivered at the touch, not expecting it. Sookie seemed embarrassed that she came into my personal bubble. "Sorry, I didn't mean to. How…how did you get those?"

"No, it's ok Sookie. I got these from a fight a while back. I was fighting a vampire, one that was eight hundred years old and he got the better of me. He dug his fingers into my back, racking it down and leaving me scarred." I shrugged and I watched her shiver. "The scars have grown a lot lighter over the years."

"That sounds awful." She told me.

I shrugged again. "That's the life I live, but I killed him so it was worth it." I smirked. "Battle wounds I guess."

She was shocked. "Eight hundred years old? You killed a vampire that was eight hundred years old?"

I nodded. "I am good at what I do, Sookie."

She smiled suddenly. "I bet."

She didn't ask any more questions as we continued our routine. I grabbed her hair curler and set to work on my curls. My hair was naturally curled, but I wanted to give it more volume. If I bought a sexy outfit, I had to do all the works right?

I slapped on makeup and then stood back to look at myself in the mirror. Still the stranger stared out at me. There was no spark, no signs that I was standing there. I had no idea who I was supposed to find anyway. It's not like I had an idea in my head of what I should see.

I sighed as Sookie complimented me. "You look really good, Sofia."

I plastered a smile on my face and turned to look at her. To do anything to get my eyes off the woman who couldn't be me. "Thanks Sookie, you look great yourself."

Sookie picked a yellow top and dark blue skinny jeans from her closet to wear. She looked really pretty and the yellow just brought out her tan even more. As sky fairies we loved the sun, so Sookie and I both had tans. Mine was just a few shades darker than hers though. I guess from living in Faery where it is sunny all the time does that to me.

"So, Bill decided he is going to show up later to get me." She said casually as we got into her yellow car. I winced at it. Something tells me this car wasn't safe, but Sookie promised it was.

"Oh yeah?" I answered. "Jealous type?"

She laughed. "Not anymore. We had…a rough patch for a while." Sookie said, as she started down the highway.

I processed that in my head and watched her grip the steering wheel tighter. "Nervous?" I asked.

"What? Oh, uh, sort of." She said slowly.

I could have rummaged through her head for the answer, I could have found it within seconds, but that wasn't the type of person I was. My telepathy had come easy for me and I had no trouble putting up barriers when I was little. I just didn't like being a telepath, so much that I would never listen into peoples thoughts after I controlled it. If she didn't want to tell me, then I wouldn't force her.

She took in my silence for a moment. "It's just…who I have to see, he's well…I really don't know how to explain it. We had a…relationship before." She said the word 'relationship' rather slowly.

"Oh." I said. "Are you afraid that you will…give into temptations with this…guy?"

"Of course not. We're still good friends and all. It's just this is the first time that I have seen him in a while."

"So it wasn't a bad breakup?"

"No, not at all." She smiled faintly. "We just got to a point where we both weren't happy. It was as if something…clicked inside our heads, telling us that we weren't really meant for each other."

"I see." I answered, that sounded really depressing.

"Were still friends though; good friends." She smiled at me before turning her eyes back on the road.

"Does Bill trust you?" I knew I was pushing my limits now. I didn't want to force my questions on her. I was just curious because I've never had 'girl talk' before.

"Yep, he does. Like I said though we all had a rough patch for a while. It was like a-a…"

"Love triangle?" I provided.

"Exactly, but we all came to terms with it. I got back with Bill and I've been really happy. He's the one for me and he knows it."

I couldn't help but wonder who this mysterious guy was. Of course it was the Sheriff of Area Five she was talking about, but I wanted to put a face to the mysterious man. I didn't urge her anymore though.

We pulled up to the curb of the bar; 'Fangtasia'. I had to chuckle slightly, that name had such humor in it. I stepped out of the car and waited for Sookie who was fixing her purse. She stepped over to me, more at ease than before.

"I will wait out at the bar for you. I'm not sure that I should invade quite so soon on your meetings." I told her.

"Alright." She said to me.

We headed across the street and walked to the front of the line. I heard girls groaning about how we shouldn't cut the line. I had to raise my eyebrow on that one. Sookie was walking to the front like she owned the place. I guess being in business with the owner was also a plus.

I looked over at Sookie who was rubbing her temple lightly.

"You ok?" I whispered.

"Yeah, I always forget to put my barriers up. It's really hard to keep them up with all the people's minds around me. It's like they are screaming at me." She answered.

"Just concentrate on it and force their minds from yours." I told her, giving her support as she did so.

She smiled at me and took the last few steps before we were in front of a vampire woman. I raised an eyebrow at the dark blond hair, blue eyed beauty. She was dressing how humans think vampires would dress. Isn't that insulting for vampires though?

"Sookie, my favorite breather, it is nice to see you again." The vampire woman spoke.

"Hey Pam." Sookie smiled brightly.

Pam's eyes snapped to mine then and I watched as her fangs ran down. She smiled as she looked over my body. "Who's your friend?" She nodded at me.

"Pam this is Sofia. She's my," Sookie leaned closer to the vampire to whisper. She seemed at ease doing so. I watched Pam leaned down just a bit and I had a fleeting moment to pull Sookie away from the woman. I didn't know her and I didn't know if she could cause Sookie trouble. I forced that away. "protector. Sofia is my uh…"

Pam sniffed lightly. "Fairy bodyguard? That's what I smell is it not?" Pam looked at me then, smiling. "And such a tantalizing scent it is."

I smirked ever so slightly. She seemed to like woman. "I am her guardian, yes, but I am not full Fae. I'm just like Sookie." I answered, shifting on my feet.

Pam raised an eyebrow before casting Sookie a look. "Hmm. Interesting. Master will probably want to meet her."

"I figured as much," Sookie laughed, "but right now he wanted me to come in for a meeting."

I was confused. Did this vampire, this Sheriff like fairies or something? I sighed.

"Go on in. He is in his office." Pam motioned for us to head in. "I'm stuck out here all night with these fools." She motioned at the people waiting in line.

I took my steps and headed through the door to see a huge crowd of vampires and humans mixing through the place. The walls were painted red, there were dancers swaying to the beat stages with poles, and there were different pictures, paintings and signs lining the walls around the place.

"Interesting place." I said a little louder for Sookie to hear over the music.

"Yeah, I know." She chuckled. "You sure you don't want to…?"

I nodded. "Go on."

She headed away from me and down a short hallway in the back of the bar.

I asked for a strong alcoholic beverage, not really sure what I ordered but it burnt my throat as it went down; so I classified it as good. The time I sat at the bar I was repeatedly asked if I wanted to dance, if I wanted a drink, or even if I wanted to go home with them. It wasn't just vampires who asked, some humans did too. I sighed, getting tired of the advances quickly.

I looked over my shoulder to see Bill entering a half hour later. He spotted me and walked over quickly. "Where's Sookie?" He asked softly.

"In the meeting." I motioned in the direction before picking up my glass and downing the remainder of what was left.

I looked back at Bill who for the first time smiled at me. "Thank you, if you'll excuse me." He moved away from me, heading in the direction Sookie went earlier. At least Bill had manners that time.

It was another ten minutes before another person came behind me. "You smell divine." A man's voice entered my ears, somewhat familiar, which I shrugged off, due to the alcohol I guessed.

I probably would have let it go, I probably would have kept my cool and politely turned him down as I did the rest, but his hand gripped by waist. I growled.

"Oh for the love of all that is holy! I am not a meal!" I turned swiftly only to have the breath be knocked out of my lungs in a painful gust.

I felt as if someone kicked me square in the chest, so hard that my heart dropped into the pit of my stomach.

Eric…

I couldn't breathe as my eyes fell to blue orbs. I found myself slightly trembling. In front of me stood my knight; so tall and so handsome that it was almost blinding to look him.

He was different than I remembered. His beautiful golden blond locks -that I imaged myself running my hands through countless of times- were gone, leaving a much shorter, slicker haircut. His face screamed confidence, not the hesitant one that I remembered as he held me while flying that night so long ago; but the eyes, the eyes were the same. Still the same beautiful blues that I remembered.

He stared at me slightly, taking in my reaction which seemed to shock him slightly. I guessed that he didn't get turned down very often, I could understand that.

My heart was beating so loud that he could probably hear it over the music by now and it took me a few seconds to gather enough courage to ask him…

"Do you…recognize me?" I whispered.

Eric looked over my face and I only could guess was that he was humoring me. "No, should I?" He finally answered.

It was as if he slapped me. I felt like I had been doused by freezing cold water and all I could do was look at him incredulously. He…didn't remember me? Well, then again I have changed over the years, but no. I was still recognizable. At the age of ten and on, I didn't change much, my face looked slightly different, more mature but I didn't change drastically. No, he just…didn't remember me.

I looked at him until it became unbearable. "I'm sorry, mistaking you for someone else. I've got to go. I need to speak with the Sheriff that owns this bar." I took my leave only to have my wrist caught in a cool grasp.

How many times had I wished to feel his cool hands against my skin again? Now I just wanted to get the hell away from him. I turned back slightly, looking over my shoulder at him and waited.

"I'm the sheriff of this area; Eric Northman." He spoke at last, looking over at me as if I had gone crazy. Probably did after receiving this big of shock.

No. Fucking. Way.

I stumbled back slightly before yanking my wrist out of his hand. I really wanted to get out of here, plain and simple. I wanted to crawl in a hole and die, but I promised Niall that I would introduce myself as Sookie's guardian to the Vampire Sheriff of Area Five. I just didn't know that the Sheriff would be Eric, the Eric that starred in my fucking dreams for years.

I gulped quickly, shaking my head as I addressed him. "I need to speak with you."

A cocky grin played on his lips, a taunting smile. I wanted to die right there. I wanted the floor to open up and swallow me into hell where I obviously belonged.

"Certainly." He stated before pushing in front of me and heading back the way Sookie went before.

Dread crept into my veins, more so than that. In the car earlier I unknowingly talked to Sookie about the vampire she had a relationship with before. She had dated Eric? My knight? I couldn't help the wave of bitter jealousy and betrayal that seemed into my pores, but I pushed it away from me quickly. He was never mine to begin with. I had come to terms with that a long time ago, why would I feel this way?

We came to a small office and Eric stopped beside me to open the door. He waited for me to enter, but he was cutting most of the space to do so with his body. I mentally flinched as I scooted past him and into the room. Eric turned and shut the door behind him.

"So what would I have the pleasure to talk to you about miss…?" He asked seductively. He was toying with me; probably putting on the charm that probably won him a million other women. I flinched internally again as I thought about that. Why do I do this to myself?

My head was screaming at me. Get the fuck out of here! It was shouting the words so loud.

"You don't need to know my name." I said, pulling the mask over myself and hiding the emotions away. I brought out my snide attitude. "That really isn't the reason why I'm here."

He seemed amused by my attitude. "Then what is the reason?"

"Niall sent me." I said, stepping back and crossing my arms.

"Niall you say? I haven't seen him for a while now." Eric paused before stepping closer to me. "Now, why would a fairy prince send a half fairy to a vampire? Are you a gift?"

I nearly stumbled in my resolve. Emotions wanted to burst through, emotions that I had no idea just what the fuck they were. It was a mix of things and I was so confused by it all.

"A…gift?" I finally asked when I was sure my voice was even. "No, nothing of the sort. I came here to protect Sookie Stackhouse, the woman you were just with. Niall wanted me to make myself known to you." That sounded…wrong.

Eric leaned against the wall next to me and started intently. I felt his eyes rake over my body, making me feel exposed.

That hole in the floor isn't coming fast enough!

"Let me see if I have understood you fully." He pushed himself up and away from the wall. Sliding past me, he brushed his bare arm against my shoulder before sitting down behind his desk and reclining the chair. He tapped the tips of his fingers together. "Niall sent you here to be Sookie's guardian and he told you to come here to introduce yourself to me?" He paused for a moment. "Do you find that odd?"

You have no idea. I thought desperately. I knew now why Niall wanted me to come and I was angry, so angry that I could practically feel my blood boiling. I thought quickly for some witty reply. "You are one of Sookie's protectors are you not? You have an agreement with her. I know all about it."

"I do and I am." He stated simply.

"Then it is pretty easy to see why I came here. He wanted me to introduce myself so there was no mix up if something went wrong. We would know that we stood on the same side."

He thought that over. "And how does a half fairy have the strength to protect Sookie?"

"I'm an assassin. I kill supes that have done wrong. I am rather strong and I've killed many. I think I am qualified for the job."

He was amused again; I could see it in his eyes. "You are an assassin?"

I sighed and rolled my eyes. "Is there anything else you want to know?"

Please, please, please say no! I want to get the fuck out of here!

"Your name." He said simply, smiling devilishly. He sat forward in his chair and looked over my body once more.

I tried to not let this get to me than it already has. I rolled my eyes and turned on my heel. "I dare say we will see each other again."

"Of course." He answered as I shut the door behind me.

I breathed out heavily. Once I was sure I wouldn't break if I took a step, I nearly ran out of the building. I had no idea where Sookie was, but she was with Bill. She said Bill was taking her home. I couldn't think about her right now and that made me a very bad protector, but I just couldn't. For once in my life I thought about myself. I was fighting with my own emotions, something I hardly ever have to do.

Don't. You. Dare. Cry! I had to repeat that over a few times. I don't remember the last time I cried and now wouldn't be the time to do it. No, I had bigger fish to fry.

I grabbed my phone in trembling hands, moving through the streets of Shreveport quickly. I bumped into some people, but I really didn't think to apologize afterward. I couldn't even see the people, all I could see what the face of the man I haven't seen in almost forty years.

Eric...

Niall answered swiftly, but I wouldn't give him time to talk. "You knew!" I accused loudly, not caring if I drew attention to myself.

"I did." He answered swiftly, knowing exactly what I was talking about.

"Why wouldn't you tell me?" I nearly screamed into the phone. "Why didn't you?"

"I didn't think you would take it this harshly." He answered; his voice calm. I couldn't take calm.

"You knew who he was, you purposely set me up and you didn't think I would have taken it harshly, Niall? Are you serious?" My voice trembled.

"Sofia…"

"No, NO! Don't…just…don't. You knew about my life, how much I looked up to…to him. You knew I spent my early years thinking of nothing but him and after reality set in, when it finally clicked in my head, I knew he wouldn't come. It was a stupid childish wish, but I was crushed and you knew it!" I growled, walking faster. "You…you let me walk into this blinded! You knew and you believed I wouldn't take it bad?"

"What happened?" He asked lightly, coaxingly.

"He didn't even remember me…" I whispered pitifully.

"Ah." He said simply.

I shook my head slightly, closing my eyes. He could have made me feel better, but no. Niall decided not to say anything more than 'Ah'. "Yeah. Whatever. I did what you asked, I made myself known."

"Sofia…" Niall said softly, trying to calm me down now.

"No…just…don't. Please don't." I bunched my shaking hand into a tight fist and kept walking. "I really don't…I can't talk about this. I don't want to. He doesn't remember me, so it doesn't matter. It doesn't bother me." I lied pathetically.

He saw past my façade, which was very poor.

"Sofia…" He said for a third time.

I shook my head, closing my eyes again and let out a breath of air. "I gotta' go. Talk to you soon." I didn't wait for his reply, I hung up.

How could Niall do this to me? How could he let me walk into that kind of situation? After so many years of balling everything up and hiding it away from everyone; how could the person I actually let in and trusted, do something of this magnitude to me? He probably thought this would make me happy. Well, it didn't. It made me feel like a retarded fool as I watched all my hopes and dreams from when I was a girl come crashing down again. I felt like I was going to puke.

I looked up in time to see that I would have bumped into two men if I didn't watch where I was going. I shook my head and moved over for them to pass me. I paid no attention to where I was at the time; it never occurred to me that I was in a dark alleyway. I looked up at the man who stepped in front of me; effectively stopping me from continuing.

"What's wrong sugar baby?" He smiled, showing me gangly yellow teeth.

"Step out of my way, please." I said; my voice rather calm for just screaming my head off.

I watched as the other man stalked behind my back. He was eyeing me as if I was fresh meat for the taking.

"No, I don't think I can let you do that." The man leered at me. "What is a pretty little dove doing out here in a big bad city all by herself at night? It's dangerous you know."

I hissed and moved to the side to slip past him, he wouldn't have that. He moved with me, mirroring my steps.

"I'm serious; you don't get out of my way, I will make you get out of my way." I growled, taking another step.

"You really shouldn't threaten me, dove." He growled right back. "I don't like that tone."

"And I don't like you advancing on me. Now move or you'll regret it." I wouldn't give him anymore warnings.

I stepped again, this time though, his hand came down on my wrist, yanking me back. I turned on the spot, cracking my hand back in a balled fist, before I sent it flying at his face. I heard a crunch of the bones in his nose and he stumbled back, gripping it in his hands.

"You bitch!" He snarled, throwing his hands down. He charged at me.

I grabbed his wrist and twisted it, making him fall to the ground before me as I broke another bone in the man's body. I wasn't expecting the other guy to come at me so fast. I guess because my mind was still racing, I didn't expect it. I was a fool again tonight; I put myself in a weak position.

He slammed into me, spearing me to the ground as he straddled my waist. His hand came down hard against my jaw. His punch was stronger than the average human and the only thing that ran through my mind was that these two men were on V; Vampire blood can give you more strength and it can also make you go crazy, if taken to give you the high. Clearly these two were on the crazy high.

My head snapped back against the concrete and my eyes watered from the initial hit. I groaned as I forced my hands on his face, pushing him back away from me. I kicked my leg up, hitting him in the groin.

"Oh do it again!" He screamed in my face. "I like it when the catch is feisty!"

My eyes went wide before I began struggling. The other guy, the one I hit first came at us then. He grabbed my buttoned down shirt and yanked, sending buttons fly everywhere. How could I have been so foolish to let this happen? I am an assassin. I won't take this shit lying down.

The man that ripped my buttons apart forced my hands above my head as the other guy started undoing my pants button. I screamed in rage as I gathered up my strength. I pulled at the man's hand, which was holding me down. I brought it to my mouth and I bit into his flesh. He yelped back, stumbling and that's all I needed. I thrashed again, knocking the guy off of my body. I stood up quick, only to be knocked to the ground once again.

I groaned as my jaw hit the ground hard, before my face followed and I winced in pain. I. Am. A. Fool.

I heard a deep growl from behind me. What caught me off guard was that it didn't come from the men I was fighting off. The guy that was on my back pulling my hair was abruptly off of my body. I shifted my head to the left in time to see a dark figure throw the guy across the alleyway before the man crashed into a dumpster. A sickening bang echoed off the walls before the man hit the ground and lay without moving.

The other man, who watched the whole transaction go down, looked at me with wide eyes before jumping to his feet and running away as quickly as his feet could carry him.

I brought my hands down in front of me and slid up off the ground. I crawled to the wall before turning and slumping back against it. I sat panting slightly, before my eyes could even register who my savior was.

"You are supposed to protect Sookie, yet you can't even protect yourself from mere humans?" A voice said gruffly. I-It was…his voice. My heart leaped into my throat. Did he follow me?

"They were on V." I said simply, trying to catch my breath. "And they caught me off guard. I had a lot on my mind."

He saved me again; Eric saved my life once more. This time though, I knew how to defend myself, I was just careless and let them get the better of me. I looked pathetic, I knew I did.

"I see." He said simply, walking into the light of the moon and away from the shadows.

Eric's face was slightly amused, once more, as he eyed me again. He really has changed, he seems…sly. He always carried himself with grace, with power, but it seemed slightly different now. I really don't know how to explain it. I guess he seemed like he had more confidence.

"Yeah." I answered, turning my eyes away from him because it simply hurt to look.

He crouched in front me; grabbing my chin in his hand before turning my face in his direction. His eyes caught mine and I could have melted. His eyes burned with intensity, so much that it could have lit me aflame. I gulped slightly, before trying to tug my chin from his grasp. His hand felt too good, much, much too good against my skin.

"You never told me your name." He finally said.

"Maybe I just didn't want to tell you. Did you think of that?" I told him. "I think it was pretty obvious, when I said that you didn't need to know it."

"Oh, but I do." He chuckled, but it was a harsh sound and his smile was too hard, not the smile I remembered from my past. "You will be Sookie's guardian and I am also her protector, therefore you need to give me your name."

"I really don't need to give you shit." I shot back.

I wanted to get out of here. There was no point in staying, looking at the man that I thought to be my hero. He changed, I've changed. It would have never happened anyway; I always knew it wouldn't, but this hurt. It hurt more than I ever thought it would.

Eric growled suddenly, turning my chin and making me look in his eyes. "You will tell me your name. I do not play games little girl."

I almost smiled deadly, almost. "I am no little girl, Mr. Northman. I do not like threats either, but if you must know…" I paused for a moment. Could I really tell him? What if the name jogged his memory? I sighed. "Sofia. Sofia Preston."

He raised an eyebrow. "Curious name for a fairy."

"Half fairy." I corrected.

He smiled devilishly again before leaning over and wiping his thumb against the corner of my lip. My breath caught in my throat and I'm sure my heart stopped for a minute. I watched wide eyed as he lifted his fingers to his lips and put his thumb into his mouth.

His eyes closed for a brief moment as if savoring something. I brought my hand up against my lip and slid across. I pulled my hand away and looked at it in the light of the moon. My own blood was on my fingertips. He…he just…

Eric's eyes opened and he looked at me once again. "Your blood was a very nice treat for me to taste."

For just a moment, I sat stunned. I really had no idea how to handle this situation. No vampire has ever tasted my blood before. Eric was the only one. Should I be happy about this? That my knight has tasted my blood? That he found it good? Or should I be upset at the fact. Yeah, I chose the latter.

"You…had no right to do that." I stammered, anger boiling just below the surface.

"Of course I did. I just saved your life, did I not? It was only fair that I got to taste you." He answered, his left eyebrow lifting considerably. I could have smacked myself for shivering slightly at his statement.

"No, I don't think so." I shot to my feet and for a moment, he still kneeled. It seemed like a compromising position to any onlookers I guessed. I tried not to flush. "I don't let anyone do that kind of thing to me, let alone a vampire…" I gulped and lied. "That I just met."

"Hmm. Well you will get to know me." He suggested, standing to his full height. I saw the muscles shift below his tight black shirt. "We are on the same side, as you said before."

"I doubt that very highly, it is strictly business." I rolled my eyes. "Thanks for saving me, but it wasn't necessary. Have a great night, Mr. Northman."

"It's Eric. Such formalities aren't really necessary now." His voice was sly. "Not after I just had a shred of your essence, your life." He spoke about the blood he took from me.

I didn't turn around as I kept walking. I winced as that last line hit my heart hard. 'Not after I just had a shred of your essence, your life.' Oh, if he only knew just how much of my essence, my life, I had already given him so many years ago. He was my essence, he was my life for a long time growing up. His face kept me going when I wanted to give up. Back then if he came and swept me off my feet like the princes do, I would have given him everything I was.

That was before reality slapped me hard across the face.

Not anymore. I thought to myself as I continued down a darkened street. He changed, I've changed. I couldn't give myself to anyone, because it just seemed like I had nothing to give.

And…because he doesn't remember me.