Above All Else

Thank you all so much for reading and reviewing. I know that everyone is anxious for her to meet Eric but she will. This will be an Eric and Sookie story but I don't want to rush it. Please, just bear with me a little longer and we'll get there before you know it.

Update: I appreciate all reviews; even the anonymous ones but if you want to be rude and nasty at least have the courtesy of using your name. Thank you Suzyq59 for your post. I agree with you; the least that they could do is use their name instead of the moniker guest.

As Sookie ran through the woods, she couldn't help but think of Alcide. He did love her even though they were of different species. Her being a vampire didn't matter to him. It was a factor at first but the more he got to know her, the more he wanted to be with her. They did the same things that all couples did on dates and as friends. They laughed. They talked. They went to the movies and out to dinner. They'd gone to plays and concerts. They went to clubs and danced the night away. Over time, it didn't matter to him that she was a vampire. She looked human. She passed for human before vampires came out to the public. Many supes didn't know what she was because she didn't have that vampire glow. Her skin was tanned …eternally. Plus she had that little something extra.

"I'm sorry," she said into the night air as she ran back to the royal residence. The smell of him was still on her skin. She wished that someone could glamor her. She wanted to have the look of hurt and pain that was in his eyes glamored from her memory. She wanted to run until the pain and the hate were gone but even she couldn't run forever.

When Sookie reached the royal residence, she ran upon Bill and Rasul. "Great," she mumbled. She greeted them as civilly as she could. "William, Rasul," was the most that they were going to get out of her. She looked at Rasul and nodded. He was one Sookie's old acquaintances from the days of old. He was a magnificent vampire; extremely tall, strong, brave and loyal to a fault. He was the most elegant and composed vampire she'd ever had the pleasure of meeting. The best trainer to ever exist; well that's the way Rasul described himself to anyone that would listen.

"Since tonight is the first night of your training, you may want to change your clothes and shower. You smell of dog." He turned his nose up at the thought of their queen being with something that was beneath her. Bill looked straight ahead; never letting his pain show on his face. He'd always had hopes that they would get back together. For the first time in a long time, he realized that they wouldn't get back together. They would be no more than friends.

"What I wear and how I smell have no bearing on this training session and it's definitely none of your concern."

Bill didn't make any suggestions. He just stood there.

"Very well then. Bill tells me that you haven't fed from a human in many years. I think he even said centuries." Rasul shook his head in disbelief. "I find that very hard to believe. I've never met a vampire that doesn't feed from humans on a routine basis." Pointing in Bill's direction he added, "Even with the invention of Tru Blood, we like the real stuff every once in awhile."

Sookie walked over to Rasul and took his hand into hers. She then shook his hand and said, "My name is Sookie. I'm the first vampire that you've ever met that doesn't feed from humans on a routine basis. It's nice to make your acquaintance."

Bill tried not to laugh but he couldn't hold his chuckle. Rasul gave him the stink eye but Bill couldn't wipe the smile from his face. Rasul then snapped his fingers and within seconds a human that was flanked by two vampires, was standing in front of Sookie. The vampires faded into the woods. The human stayed. There was fresh blood running from tiny pin pricks from either side the girl's neck. Rasul expected Sookie to give in to the temptation of fresh human blood straight from the vessel. She only stared at the human.

"Doesn't she look delicious?" Rasul asked. "She's a virgin too. You know that their blood is always the sweetest …the freshest. Want some?" He trailed his finger through the blood that had made a path between the girl's breasts. He forced his finger in Sookie's face. She looked from the blood to Rasul. He had a look of victory on his face but it was soon wiped away.

"No thank you," Sookie said.

"More for us," Rasul said.

Knowing what Sookie had gone through, Bill declined. "None for me, thank you."

"Let me change that. More for me."

Rasul licked the girl's neck. Before Sookie knew what was happening she heard his fangs snick into place and she heard it as his fangs pierced the girl's skin. The girl's moans were sounds of pleasure. Bill shifted from foot to foot. He wanted to taste the girl so desperately but could not and would not. He wasn't the only one that felt that way. Sookie couldn't keep her fangs in place because she wanted to taste her. Sookie wanted to feel the blood flowing through her but she remained in place. She never moved. She never gave in to her bloodlust. Above all else, she had to have control. She could never lose control.

When she did nothing, Rasul decided that he'd had his fill of the girl. He proceeded to heal the bite marks on her neck and summonsed the vampires from earlier to escort her back to the royal residence.

Rasul only stared at Sookie. He couldn't believe that Sookie didn't partake in the festivals.

Once he was composed, Bill was able to speak. "I told you that she wouldn't do it. She has tremendous control and that only comes with age. She's going to make a great queen."

It had nothing to do with age.

"If you guys are done, I'm going inside now. I'm hungry. I need a Tru Blood," Sookie announced as she began to walk away.

"You're not going anywhere," Rasul bellowed. "Sophie Ann said that you are to be trained and you will be trained until I decide that it's over."

Sookie started laughing at him and gave him the finger as she walked away. "See ya later, Mutt and Jeff. Oh, and thanks, Jeff."

Bill answered her with a bellowing laugh. Rasul didn't find any of it humorous. He wasn't going to let her walk away without completing her training.

Before Bill could stop him, Rasul ran up on Sookie and grabbed her by her shoulder as to stop her. He was determined that she wasn't going anywhere. Well …he was wrong. If he couldn't fly before that moment, he could after he'd touched her. Rasul soared through the air and took out four trees with his backside. She never missed a step as she continued walking towards the residence.

Never raising her voice and knowing that he could hear her, Sookie said, "If you touch me again unprovoked, our history will not matter, old friend. Now I suggest that you decide that there is no need for anymore training sessions. You've decided that I don't need it. You've done as you were ordered and I followed her command. I trained. Now, you and William need to find something better to do with your time than to fuck with me. After all, I am your queen."

Before Sookie knew it, an unknown vampire came from out of nowhere and attacked her. His movements were too quick for even Sookie to see. She didn't have time to register the attack. His hand had risen so fast that the blow had knocked her back on her ass. Sookie's fangs slid down into place and in a blur, she was on her feet and headed for the attacker. She spun around him so quickly that she pulled his heart from his chest through his back. He never knew that he'd met the true death.

Bill was cheering her on. Once he was able to stand and see what was happening, Rasul was beyond surprised. He'd heard of her speed and willingness to kill but in all of the years of their friendship, he had never been given the chance to see it. But tonight, he knew that the rumors were true. She looked so normal …so human. Who would believe it? Who would believe that this eternal teenager was a vicious murderer? She looked like she made brownies and lemonade for preschool children.

With the dead vampire's heart still in her hand, Sookie continued to walk in the direction of the residence. It was if she hadn't sent a vampire to his final death. Bill and Rasul continued to stare at her in awe. They had completely forgotten about the next vampire that came running from the woods. Before they could stop him, something happened that they never expected to see.

Bill dropped to his knees.

Rasul couldn't move.

This time, Sookie was ready.

Before he could approach her, a blast of electricity left the palms of her hands. With the use of that light, within seconds the vampire was no more than a pile of ash. Sookie stopped walking and with her back still facing Bill and Rasul she yelled out, "Come out unless you want to end up like this one."

When she turned around, Chester and Melanie was standing with Bill and Rasul. When they looked into her eyes, they each bowed down to her; mimicking the movements of the vampires from a few nights before. When they stood up she said, "Are you sure that you all want to do this?"

Neither vampire spoke.

"This is the last time I'll allow either of you to walk away." Making sure that they saw the fire in her eyes, she said, "You understand my meaning."

They knew to never speak of what they saw.

"Rasul," she said.

"Yes mistress," he said. "Training sessions are done. There is no need for you to train. You have done well."

When Sookie turned and walked away from them, she heard Bill say, "Didn't I tell you that she was amazing?"

A/N: More is coming. If I can, I'll post 2 chapters tomorrow. Happy reading.