Chapter 6: Obsession

"There appears to have been some sort of misunderstanding," Eric said politely to Talbot, his eyes flickering to other end of the dining table where Sookie was sitting.

"Misunderstanding?" Russell asked, walking gracefully into the room. "No, I don't believe there has." He took a seat next to Talbot and smiled pleasantly at both Eric and Sookie. "How do you like my accommodations? Are they to your liking?"

Sookie exchanged a look of disbelief with Eric. "Do you mind tellin' me exactly what I'm doing here? And why you kidnapped Bill? He didn't do anything to you!"

Russell folded his hands on the table, looking at Sookie curiously. "I required Bill's services for a special…project of mine. But now he is of no use to me. Nor would your Queen want him back, seeing as how he denounced his loyalty to her."

Eric narrowed his eyes. What was Bill playing at? He cleared his throat, "That's all well and good, sire. But I still do not understand what I am doing here—"

"Are you or are you not selling vampire blood?" Russell suddenly snapped, his pleasant demeanor disappearing.

"I—"

"Don't bother answering," Talbot winked at him conspiratorially. "Bill has already told us everything."

Sookie gaped between Eric and Russell, looking shocked. "Eric? You've been selling V? But I thought it was illegal!"

Eric stood up abruptly, his chair falling over with a thud. "You cannot keep me here on the grounds of whether I might or might not be selling vampire blood," he growled. "I am not part of your jurisdiction."

"No," Russell agreed. "But I am sure the Magister will be quite interested to hear of your activities..."

Eric leaned forward, his eyes flashing dangerously. "Is that a threat?"

"If that's how you choose to see it."

Eric glanced at Sookie before taking a deep breath. He righted his chair and slowly sat back down.

Russell smiled at him engagingly, "Good. Things will go much smoother once you realize I hold the upper hand."

"Where's Bill?" Sookie demanded. "Quit avoiding the question!"

Talbot sighed, looking at Eric. "Is she always like this?"

"Yes," Eric answered curtly, staring at Sookie. "Her obsession with Bill Compton has carried her far and wide…most often cumulating with her getting into trouble."

Russell grinned at Talbot knowingly, as though sharing some private joke. "She thinks Bill is in love with her."

Talbot placed a hand over his heart dramatically, "How romantic of her…too bad though." He smiled at Sookie reassuringly, "Don't worry, the best romances often end in tragedy."

Sookie looked at him strangely before answering Russell, "Bill is in love with me! And I with him!" She held out her hand, showing everyone the diamond on her finger. "See? We're engaged."

Russell paused, staring at her in surprise. Talbot clapped his hands in delight, "Oh but this is wonderful news! Bill didn't tell us that!"

"He didn't know," Sookie began, but stopped when Eric glared at her.

"None of this matters to me," Eric snapped. "What services do you require of me now that Bill Compton has proved...unreliable?"

"Your queen is the one who is forcing you to sell vampire blood, is she not?"

Eric hesitated.

"I already told you that Bill Compton told us everything," Talbot reminded him. Eric gritted his teeth before nodding in confirmation.

"Now you see, the queen is of great interest to me..." Russell began.

"May I ask why?"

Russell rolled his eyes, "Sophie Anne refuses to accept my hand in marriage. However...if I threaten to expose her name in this whole V business, then I think she might change her mind. Do you agree?"

"I suppose..."

"Wonderful! It's settled then. I will pay her a visit immediately." Russell got up to leave, completely ignoring both Sookie and Talbot.

"Wait a second!" Sookie protested. "You haven't told me where Bill is!"

"He is with Lorena," Russell answered impatiently. "And I would not be so worried about Bill Compton if I were you..."

"Why not?"

Russell gestured to Talbot, "Go bring me that file that Franklin brought to us."

"Franklin?" Eric frowned, as Talbot left the room. The name seemed familiar...

"An investigator of sorts," Russell explained. "He works for me. He has been quite useful in figuring out what makes Bill Compton tick."

"You've been spyin' on Bill?" Sookie demanded. "Why?"

"The real question," Russell grinned, "Is why has he been spying on you?"

Sookie looked momentarily confused and Talbot entered the room, holding a file in his hands. He gave it Russell, who in turn handed it over to Eric. "Take a look," he grinned.

Eric glanced at Sookie before quickly flipping through the file. His gaze became stony. "Where did your Franklin find this file?" he asked casually, purposely hiding the contents from Sookie's inquisitive gaze.

"In Bill's home, I believe," Russell snatched the file out of Eric's hands and gave it back to Talbot. "Interesting read, isn't it?"

Eric nodded silently, folding his arms. Russell stood up again. "Now if there are no more interruptions," he looked pointedly at Sookie, "I must be off to see Sophie Anne." He motioned to the guard, "Put Sookie in Bill's prior accommodations."

The guard immediately grabbed Sookie's arm and harshly hauled her up. "Hey! Let me go!"

Eric stood up, trying to keep his temper. "Is this really necessary, sire?"

Russell paused, narrowing his eyes. "Why do you care? Don't tell me that you also have a personal interest in Sookie?"

Eric turned to watch as Sookie was dragged from the room. She stared at him pleadingly. "Of course not," Eric said slowly. "I do not care for humans."

'''''''''''''''''''''''''''

It was much later that night when Talbot found Eric still sitting in the dining room. "What's wrong?" Talbot asked concernedly. "Was your room not up to standard?"

"My room is fine, thank you," Eric said stiffly. "I was merely wondering where Lorena is. We have not spoken in a long time, and I wish to catch up with her."

"Oh who knows," Talbot dismissed. "She is another one with a sick obsession with Bill Compton. Tell me, what do these pretty girls see in him, anyway?"

Eric cracked a grin, "I wish I could tell you."

Talbot sighed, walking out of the room.

Eric waited several more moments before quickly walking upstairs to Sookie's room. There were two guards positioned at her door. "Go," Eric commanded.

The two guards exchanged bewildered glances. "I said go!" Eric hissed, extending his fangs threateningly.

They left.

Eric cautiously walked into the room to see Sookie sitting in the middle of her bed, her arms crossed angrily. "You," she seethed. "What do you want?"

"I thought you wanted to find Bill?"

"Oh, don't pretend to care!" she tossed her hair back with a glare. "What happened to 'I do not care for humans', huh?"

Eric growled and blurred until he suddenly appeared inches away from her. "You know as well as I do that was for the King's benefit. He already thinks he can't trust Bill, it would be advantageous to us if he believed he could trust me."

Sookie swallowed and leaned backwards slightly to put some distance between them. "So, do you have a plan?"

Eric grinned at her, "I do."