**Sorry, this one took a little longer to get out, but it's a long chapter. Sorry for the nail biting!**
It was twilight before I got out of bed. I hadn't actually slept, but I felt refreshed anyway. Before I even went to the living room I jumped in the shower. I was mentally refreshed from my "nap", but I was grimy on the outside. The shower was delightful, and I almost felt human when I stepped out. I dried my hair and returned to my bedroom. Pam was sitting on the end of my bed, already dressed in her new outfit.
"Eric said I was to be your lady's maid for the night," she said with a sigh. "You've never needed my help dressing beforeā¦"
"That's nice of you, I guess. And I don't really need your help. If you could just help yourself to some True Blood in the kitchen, I'll be out in a half hour." Without another word, Pam left me in peace. I pulled on the clothes and the shoes, pulled my hair into a low bun, and threw on some light makeup. I may have felt human again, but I didn't have the energy for making a big production out of my looks. Maybe Filipe wouldn't find me as desirable now. One can only hope.
When I walked out of my room, carrying the matching purse Pam had added to my outfit, Cian and Pam were both in down time in my living room. My breath caught in my throat. Cian was wearing a black suit and black button down shirt, no tie. His hair was pulled back in an intricate braid and secured with a black leather tie. He was gorgeous. Pam noticed my preoccupation and snickered, "You look nice, Sookie. Eric will be pleased."
I blushed. "When do we leave?" I was nervously pulling at the hem of my shirt.
Cian answered with a smirk on his face. "15 minutes. I will drive." Enough time to grab something to eat. Now rested and clean, my body was reminding me of other needs I've neglected over the past day. I made myself a sandwich with a small bag of potato chips, and ate it quickly.
Cian's car was sitting in front of my house, and it was stunning. Under the security lights, it was shiny charcoal gray and chrome; a beautiful muscle car. It was from the 60's or 70's. When I walked around the back of the car to get in, it said MUSTANG across the back. It had cobra head emblems on the wheels. Pam slid into the non-existent back seat, which left me the passenger seat. Cian slid into the driver's seat and started the engine, which I'm sure people could hear in Monroe.
Cian quite possibly drove faster than Eric. After 3 minutes in his car, all I could do was shut my eyes and pray.
We were at Fangtasia in record time. Before I walked through the front door, I cast out a mental net to see what I was getting myself into. Besides the two vampires on either side of me, I could feel at least 50 other vampires, plus several shifters. I took a deep breath and walked in. Pam and Cian led me straight to Eric, who was sitting in his usual booth. Filipe had created a throne area, where he and Victor were talking to a large crowd. I slid into Eric's booth beside him as Pam and Cian slid in the other side.
"Dear one" was Eric's simple greeting. Even though I was in the snake's nest, so to speak, I was happier than I had been in the past two days just sitting next to him.
"Hi Eric. What's the plan?"
"We enjoy our evening. If need be, you use the weapons Pam packed in your purse."
I was content to stay right where I was for the entire night. Eric and Cian stayed with me, while Pam mingled. After a while, I noticed Alcide sitting at the bar. He noticed me looking at him and raised an eyebrow.
Are there any other telepaths here? He remembered how convenient it can be to communicate silently.
I searched the room again, then shook my head no discretely.
Good. The pack is here for you. If you think you're in trouble and can't find Eric, find me or one of these three. He showed me the images of three other pack members that I recognized: Sid and the black twins, all from the Witch War.
I smiled slightly at him. I had Eric's vampires and Alcide's Were pack behind me. I felt marginally safer.
But I knew it couldn't last.
Filipe, followed by Victor and Sandy, approached the table. "Ah, Miss Stackhouse. You are truly lovely tonight, as always." He leaned in and laid a long kiss on my hand. He was laying it on thick.
"Filipe. Victor. Sandy." I was as curt and cold as my southern manners would allow. The fact I, a lowly human, called them by their first names were not lost on Filipe or Victor. Filipe's fangs shot down as he glared at me for an instant, before regaining his polite demeanor. Victor looked at me like I had told him I had horns; nothing but complete surprise, followed by a subtle smirk. I could feel Eric's amusement through the bond. Sandy was unfazed.
Filipe turned to Eric. "Sheriff."
Eric answered just as coldly. "Majesty." Pam was approaching the King's group from behind. Slowly, she sidled next to me and handed me a gin and tonic. I knew she wasn't concerned I might be thirsty; she wanted a reason to approach the table.
"Thank you, Pam." I knew it was a rouse, but my nerves could use the alcohol. I drank the entire glass in one long sip.
Filipe had turned his attention back to me. "Miss Stackhouse, care to dance?" Victor turned to the deejay and made a signal. Immediately, Etta James' "At Last" started. I looked back to Eric, whose eyes were alert, but who whispered a quick "go ahead."
I turned back to Filipe and took his hand. My heart was jumping into my throat. He led me onto the dance floor, which had been quickly emptied. Eric and Pam had risen to stand on one side of the dance floor, with Cian and the Felicia standing on the other. Alcide, Sid, and the twins were approaching the dance floor, as well. Filipe grabbed my hand and my waist, holding me as close as he would a lover and began to twirl me around the dance floor. As soon as I could get Eric in my sights, I shot him a nervous glance.
"How are you adjusting, Sookie?" Filipe whispered into my ear. His breath on my neck made my skin crawl.
"To what?"
"To being bonded to Eric, my dear. I hear you were less than enthusiastic about the arrangement." He nipped at my ear and I jumped. I could feel his erection against my hip when I moved. Oh, ick. I had to swallow back the bile that was rising in my throat.
"I'm adjusting just fine." Where was Eric? As I looked up from my hand that was resting on Filipe's shoulder, I spotted him. He and Pam and Cian and Felicia were twirling around the dance floor as close as they could to Filipe and me. So were Victor and Sandy.
"If you ever wanted to escape Eric's control, you can come to me." He nestled his face in my neck and took a deep breath.
I was furious. Before I could think about what I was saying, it was out of my mouth. "At what cost to me? So you could keep me locked up in some basement in Las Vegas? So you can force me to read people's minds day and night? No thanks, I'll take the lesser of two evils."
Filipe pulled me so close I could feel his smile on my neck as he took another deep breath. "I take it I am the greater of two evils?"
I considered my answer, but decided on brutal honesty. I may as well make the whole I was digging for myself deeper. "Yes."
"I'm sorry to hear you feel that way. It will just make what I am about to do harder for you." My heart and feet stopped at the same time. Eric must have felt my sudden panic because he was at my side instantly, Pam behind him. Filipe snickered, but let go of my waist. "It's nothing like that, hermosa princesa, no need to call in the cavalry. I have a job for you. I want you to read the mind of my daytime person, Charlotte. I thought it would make it easier on you if I brought her to you. Since I am only in Shreveport for tonight, you must decide quickly."
I pulled my hands away from him and grabbed Eric's while strategically placing myself slightly behind Eric and Pam. When I was safely away from the snake of a king, I scoffed. "Like I have a choice."
"Oh, but you do, bella."
"Between what? Read this Charlotte's mind or die? Not much of a choice." I could almost taste Filipe's impending betrayal. Eric squeezed my hand in warning.
"No, of course not. You are too valuable to waste. Eric, on the other hand, is not." Instantly, my hands were no longer in Eric's. He and Pam were being held by two very large vampires, swords at their necks. Victor and Sandy were struggling to control Cian. Everyone in Fangtasia, vampire and shifter alike, were now on alert, ready to fight. I just didn't know how many of them we on my side.
Without my permission, my mind flashed back to the helplessness I felt while Thing One and Thing Two had me. I wrapped my arms around myself to stop the shaking, but it was no help. All my mind could picture were sharp, silver-coated teeth. "S-s-stop. I'll d-do it."
Filipe nodded slightly, and his hired muscle let go of Eric and Pam. Eric was instantly by my side, wrapping his arms around my waist. My equilibrium was playing tricks with me; I had to close my eyes to regain my sense of gravity. I could feel Eric's rage, and it wasn't making it easier for me. "She's not strong enough yet," Eric shot at Filipe while helping me to his booth. Pam brought me water, but it wasn't going to help the pounding in my chest.
I could only manage a whisper. "Calm down, Eric." He started sending soothing thoughts through the bond. He set me down at the edge of the booth, and turned to block Filipe and Victor from my view.
Filipe made a slight motion to Victor, who then left with Sandy. "Be at Le Grand Hotel, room 401, on an hour. When you're done, you can go home." He turned and nodded to the two large vampires with swords, "they'll stay to make sure that you follow directions." Then he was gone.
