I am not Charlaine Harris. I am by no means trying to impose upon any copyright or infringement laws and I am seeking no compensation of any kind in writing this. Charlaine Harris' characters are her own, and I am just playing with them. Please don't sue me!!!!

Here is the next chapter for you my friends. What an amazing response to the last! Thanks for the reviews- much appreciation!

Chapter 7

Amelia and I spread out across the dance floor searching for Claudine, and I strained my eyes looking through the dimly lit nightclub for her white dress in a sea of dark clothes. People were apparently not in the mood to move aside for me, so I had to push myself bodily into some of the onlookers just to pass. As I crushed through a particularly tight group I looked up to murmur a quick, "I'm sorry," as I knocked the drink out of the hand of a young girl who looked annoyed, then glowered at me in a way that at any other time would have scared the crap out of me. Why does everybody look familiar in this town? I wondered in passing.

I felt my blood pressure surge as I caught a flash of white near the front of the club. Claudine, I thought with relief which was quickly replaced with trepidation as I took in her situation. Out of the corner of my eye I saw Amelia step into place at my side.

Claudine was surrounded on three sides by intoxicated-looking vampires. I counted quickly- there were four that looked like they were trying to corral her away from the door, and Claudine was wearing a mask of self-assurance but beneath it I could see frustration in her eyes.

I felt a tug on my wrist and I switched my attention over quickly to Amelia as she asked "Why doesn't she just, you know, 'pop' out of here?"

I turned back to and tried to assess the situation. "I don't know- I think that something is wrong with her." Without thinking, I stepped forward and between two of the vampires, Amelia at my heels. They seemed to be so enthralled with Claudine that they didn't even notice us as we set ourselves up to form a meager screen in front of her. Claudine gave me a pleading look as I turned my back on her to face the threat. I already knew that we had absolutely no chance with these guys if and when they decided to attack, but after all the times that Claudine had been there for me, I just couldn't stand aside and watch her die.

I peered from face to face, my heart thumping like a wild bird in my chest, thinking what a huge fool I was, while I heard Amelia thinking that if she lived through this, she was going to get some regular human friends (albeit half-heartedly). Claudine shuddered behind us in what I assumed was an attempt to 'pop out,' and I could hear the stress in her voice as she muttered, "Niall is gonna kill me!"

I faced the vampire who looked like he might still have a trace of sanity left in his eyes; a tall, wiry red-head with skin so pale it seemed like I could almost locate every empty vein mapping the sub-terrain of his skin. "Let us leave," I stated with as much strength in my voice as I could muster.

He and the wildebeest of a vamp to his left shook their heads dazedly, noticing Amelia and I for the first time. Wildebeest grinned and ran his fingers through his straggly, tangled hair, and I almost expected him to grunt at me and stamp a hoof. "Something funny?" I blurted out. Lord, don't let me regret my haste tonight. I was really wishing for a little ass-kicking vampire back-up tonight. Yeah, that would have been awesome.

The Opie look-alike raised a pale eyebrow at my brazenness. "You must not actually believe that we would freely let a pure-blooded fairy just walk out of here, when she came so willingly here…" Opie's eyes snapped back onto Claudine behind us and he let out a low moan of sheer lust, which was echoed by the other two otherwise silent vampires. "And she is quite the vintage- I have never had a Fairy of her refinement."

Thing One and Thing Two to his right stepped forward boldly. Amelia was chanting quietly next to me, obviously working a spell, and when she saw them approach she let out a feral growl; the likes of which I had only heard matched by vampires in a moment of true bloodlust. I felt power surging off of Amelia's body, rolling over me, and plowing into the encroaching vampires, knocking them back a step or two. I was transfixed as Amelia glared into each set of dead eyes that at that moment had widened in fear. I felt Claudine sensing the opportunity and inching toward the door.

The crowd was silent, deadly silent, as I saw shifters and Weres alike gauging the seriousness of the situation. Some of the in-the-know humans were thinking about the proximity of the full moon, and were wondering if their date would recognize them if they had to change. Other humans were just excited at seeing a real-live (pardon) vampire fight. Little did they know how rarely humans made it out alive when vampires got riled up.

The power surged through Amelia again like a live wire and she stated with a power I had never heard, "You will let us and the Fairy leave this place, now." She focused on Thing Two and I don't know if everybody could see it, or if it was just me, but a golden chain of electricity whipped from her mouth, lashing him like a specially-made vampire taser, and he jolted and curled into a ball on the floor, twitching. Thing One roared in fury, and as Amelia turned her attention onto him, he shrunk back in terror.

Opie had a hint of a smile straining his freckled cheeks as the Wildebeest waited for the signal to tear us to pieces. Other vamps had started creeping closer as he held up a hand to the room. "Very nice technique, Witch." I furrowed my brows, crouching to prepare for whatever he would decide would be our fate. "Very nice, indeed." I chanced a glance behind me to see that Claudine had scooted as far away as possible from the scene and was breathing heavily. Amelia was in the exact position she had been in, glaring at Opie and continuing her chant, chain at the ready.

"You may leave tonight, my friends," he said so that the entire room would hear. "But it is with a sad heart that I allow your scrumptious friend to part from my graces. I daresay I hope for a speedy return," he murmured, doing his best to smolder at Claudine with fangs completely extended, palpable lust evident in his eyes and in his jeans. He held his arm in front of the Wildebeest and shook his head minutely at the crowd.

It was the second time that night I threw up a little in my mouth, but I swallowed back the bile as we scooted backward, then through the open door- never turning our backs on the club. As soon as we were through the doors Claudine grabbed Amelia and I around our biceps and 'poofed' us out of there.

For ten seconds I was nowhere. I didn't exist on this planet, yet I existed everywhere. I was not in my body- because who needs a body when you aren't even sure you exist?

As fast as it began it was over, and we landed, back in our bodies and in a crumpled heap behind a dumpster in an empty alley. Holy Mother of Mercy.

*****

I stepped out of my car, feeling the familiar cement under my shoes as I returned to Fangtasia. I inhaled deeply, searching for unknowns or threats and upon finding nothing, I passed through the service entrance to catch up on some work. I decided to allow my peasants some time to work up into the frenzy that always occurs when I take my time presenting myself.

Pam was waiting by the door. "Is all well, Sheriff?"

I ignored my memories of the night and the uncomfortable feeling I had in the back of my mind. "Why would you think that something is wrong, Pam?" I was testing her will, and like a good second in command she just shrugged in silent acquiescence.

"I will be needing to eat."

Pam gave me a knowing smirk and said, "I believe one of the newer fangbangers has bribed our Felicia for that honor this evening."

I gave her a sidelong glance as Pam bobbed her head, "Master," and left me at my office door. I took in the scents wafting from the cracks in my door. Well, if She can have fun, then I suppose I ought not deny myself the pleasure. I opened the door and strode in.

The lights were off, except for a few strategically placed candles. Not that I needed candles to see her. She was pretty enough- but she was no Sookie. I quickly banished all thoughts of my torment and desire. This was not a night for thoughts of Sookie Stackhouse.

The wilted flower had taped plastic sheets across the carpet and positioned herself on the floor on her back. She was completely naked, and as I approached she leaned over, picked up a ceramic pitcher, and began pouring blood- human blood?- over her extremely full breasts and let it run down the rest of her body into her deepest crevices. I cocked my head at her and pondered for approximately one second as to how she managed to get the blood, and then the lust took over. I was naked and had slid into her thoroughly lubricated body even before the pitcher was empty. I lapped her up quickly and completely, and though the sex was decent and I enjoyed the display, my arrival was empty and I was full if not satisfied.

I left her panting on the floor and tossed her a towel. "After you've cleaned this mess up you can use the employee's exit when you leave," I stated unfeelingly and she stared up at me, shocked. "What did you expect? A proposal?" Idiot humans, I was thinking as I stepped into the steaming hot staff shower.

My thoughts tread water in the deep pool that was my Sookie, and I sank under into Her cool depth, as I felt the usual tussle of emotions as I went over our complex relationship. Another hunger rose for Her and I wondered if I would make it another week without Her, or if I could continue to subsist on these pathetic creatures. The delegation from Nevada had finally removed themselves from my side (as thorns) and I imagined Her expression if I were to present myself on their girls-only vacation. Her fury would be palpable; I was chuckling as I dried off and dressed for the rest of the evening. I truly hate the wild streak in Her, but I shuddered to think of breaking Her of it.

Okay, Northman. As usual, you have gone off on a thought tangent. You must remember who you are. You cannot afford to have feelings… unless you are ready to die.

As one who was most definitely not ready to die, I sauntered onto my throne to settle in the routine of the night, nodding to my associates and ignoring the rest.

Thirty minutes later, though she was a miniscule dot on my internal radar that I couldn't locate lately, Sookie died. I felt razor-edged claws grip my dead organs, twisting, splashing acid into parts of my soul I didn't realize were still alive. They were dead now, as surely as she was dead, a huge portion of my soul was dead. I howled and crumpled over in my throne. I was her very own vampire fylgie, and pain and sorrow coursed through my dead body.

Pam was at my side in a flash, the entire bar paralyzed at my display.

And as quickly as it began, it was over. I landed, whole, back in my body and realized I was in front of my underlings. She lives, she exists still. I could think of nothing to say, but I felt more alive than I had in centuries. Every part of my body was lit up with energy, and though I was pissed to have shown any weakness in front of those who owed me fealty, I couldn't explain the feelings racing across my brain as I composed my façade and gave the bar a 'carry on' gesture.

It took a moment, and there were some looks of misgiving, but things paced back to normal. I shooed Pam away, and she watched me uncertainly as I impassively tried to figure out what had just happened to my bonded.

****

I was catching my breath against the wall. Somehow I had landed on the top of the witch, telepath and fairy heap. I was attempting to calm down and feeling Eric more than I had in weeks. I couldn't register his emotions. They just didn't make sense. Hell, I couldn't read my own at the moment. I gathered my mental faculties and asked, "Are you girls okay?"

Amelia pulled out from under where Claudine was on top of her. "That was awesome."

Claudine scooted up against the wall near me, "I don't know if I would use that adjective, Amelia. I almost got darn eaten!" This was the closest I had ever been to hearing Claudine say a curse word, so I knew she was worked up.

"Are you okay Claudine?" I was worried about her mental health after something like that.

"It was crazy, one second I was just talking to Marcela about some business, and then she was gone and I was surrounded…" She took a deep breath. "I couldn't use my abilities to escape; it was like there was some sort of net holding me in the building." Claudine paused, "And what did you do back there 'Mel? I have never seen anything like that before!"

Amelia peered down the alley, "I had to use a very old magic of protection that I'd never used before. I really am not supposed to have access to that power, but there are some spells Octavia can't keep me from learning…"

"Well, thank God you did, because otherwise then we would have been some seriously unenthusiastic blood donors," I chimed in. "Um Claudine, just out of curiosity, where are we?"

She looked hesitant as she consulted some sort of internal compass. "I know we're still on Miami Beach, but I am not one hundred percent sure where. You see, I have never attempted to take humans through the passage with me before- let alone two."

"I am lucky to have such talented friends."

"Talented, hah! I am a descendent of royalty, and I couldn't even escape a pathetic supe-owned bar. Some protector I've turned out to be… Niall is going to have my hide for a meal," Claudine lamented.

I was more than ready to go hit the hay and try to forget the horror that almost unfolded as we rearranged our outfits and tried to wander in the direction of our hotel. Unfortunately Amelia had other plans.

"I need a drink." I looked in dumbfounded amazement at Amelia.

"Can't you get something at the hotel?"

"No way, it's still early, and I know just the place we can go. I promise it's a human-owned establishment, and you'll have so much fun."

I just stared back and forth between her and the fairy, who was starting to nod her head in agreement. "You can't be serious. I mean, we almost just got eaten…" but I felt that this was probably not going to be a battle I would win.

"You think that anyone is gonna come after us tonight? Let's be real."

I shuddered when I thought of Osiris, and Opie's ominous words. I sighed in acquiescence and Amelia led us to a giant nightclub with hordes of coeds dressed in even more revealing outfits than us. "What do they call this place?"

"This..." Amelia stated with fanfare as we passed up the line easily and entered the largest and most crowded bar I had ever seen, "is Mansion."

"I'm definitely gonna need a drink now, too" I said as I took in the stunning debauchery of youth in all its glory. I took the mental temperature, and to my immense relief, I could feel only a very tiny supe to human ratio. "Thank the Lord," I muttered.

"Are we good?" Claudine questioned. I gave her two thumbs up, because it was so loud in there with pulsing house music vibrating my bones. "Let's party!" She yelled.

By the time Claudine and I had reached the bar, Amelia had shots lined up. "No lemons, right?" Claudine questioned. Amelia nodded reassuringly.

We started doing shots- and I am not really a huge drinker so you can imagine how it went, and if you ever wondered if fairies can get wasted, the answer is yes. Oh, yes. I must say that she has some very interesting views on human-fairy interspecies sex. The men kept approaching, but after the night we had had, we just shooed them away in favor of enjoying each other instead.

When Claudine wandered with Amelia to the ladies room (just like a human girl!), I was fighting the racket that I had no chance of blocking out in my inebriated state when he tapped my shoulder. I flung myself around expecting it to be one of the vamps from earlier. "Adrian!" I said, brilliantly. Smooth, I thought.

He was standing there, leaning against the bar looking incredible in white linen pants and a fitted black t-shirt, eyes sparkling. "Sookie. I thought that was you. I just wanted to come over and say hi- you know, and check on the noggin."

"Oh," I reached up to touch my forehead at the same time he reached to put his fingers on my bruise and we brushed hands. I felt a single spark race up my arm, across my armpit, and down the side of my breast. Maybe it was just the alcohol talking. Who cares? I caught his eye held it, feeling bold, and he was the first to look away.

"Well, it doesn't look too bad; I think it'll heal up real nice." I nodded, still feeling a surge of desire as I struggled to hold out his thoughts. I don't wanna know what he's thinking! I don't wanna know what he's thinking! I was being firm with myself, but it didn't seem to help. Before I could lose my brain in his thoughts, we were interrupted.

"Hey Sook- you going to introduce us?" Amelia and Claudine were flanking me.

"Ah, sure. Adrian, this is Claudine," they shook hands, "and Amelia," she eyed him. "Ladies, this is Adrian, Adrian….?"

"Fernandez. Pleased to meet you ladies. I am the guy who is responsible for giving your friend her newest accessory," he said pointing to my forehead.

"Right," said Amelia. "Did you come here alone, or are you with friends?" She gave me a smirk on the fly. They knew exactly who this guy was, and Amelia at least was on the prowl thinking, I hope he has a friend for me…

"Yeah, I'm actually here with a bunch of friends for a bachelor party weekend."

"Really?" Claudine likes human festivities. "What do you have planned?"

Adrian's eyes lit up- "Oh a lot! We're going kite-boarding, one day we plan on sky-diving, doing some hunting in the Keys… I could go on, but I don't want to bore you-"

"Little brother!" Adrian peered over his shoulder as he was interrupted.

"Ah, I knew they wouldn't let me sit with you three gorgeous girls too long without sticking their noses in it!" Adrian winked at me, "Ladies, allow me to introduce my brother Felix and our friends Ethan and Austin. Austin here is tying the knot next week."

The man I took to be Adrian's brother Felix stepped in as introductions went around. "You must be the famous Sookie Stackhouse!"

I drew an internal breath. Had I really become famous- oh Lord! What did they know about me?

"My baby brother hasn't shut up about you all day. It seems you did a number on him," Felix teased and I exhaled quietly, checking his head. Okay, he really didn't know anything about me.

"Felix! Is that how you do your blood?" Adrian was blushing, and I stifled my laugh at his tension. I glanced at the girls, and Amelia had the look of a predator on her face as she stared up at Felix. Yummy, she was practically purring.

"Anyways, we were just talking about our plans for the week. Would you ladies be interested in joining us tomorrow?" Please don't ask us to go on a rollerblading adventure, I prayed. Please don't be weirdos! "We're going to go parasailing or kite-boarding or something like that," Adrian's mind just showed hope, and it was so sweet I had to smile.

"Oh, can we?" Claudine asked. "I've never sailed on a pear before!"

The guys gave me quizzical looks, but all I could do was roll my eyes to keep from cracking up, and with that our day was set.

Tune in next time for a new episode! -SJ