Of Telepath and Vampire Born Chapter 7

Sorry about the long wait guys! But I am focussing on finishing this story soon so I want to get writing on it. Hopefully you can expect updates nice a quick from here on in. I have too many chapter stories going and its hard to stay on top of them. Don't worry though, there is plenty more to come! And it will all be good.

So where had we left off? Sookie had her baby shower, Eric got humiliated, Sookie and Sam made amends and Bill made a cameo. Is all going well in Sookie's life? Can it all keep going along nicely without those twists and turns we've come to expect? What could possibly happen that could mess it all up?

Please read and review, and remember they aren't mine. Just borrowing.

Something was going to happen. That was the thought that crossed Sookie's mind as she filled the sauce bottles at work that evening. There was a niggling feeling in the back of her mind. A soft buzz of adrenaline telling her to brace herself. Even the babies were still.

Looking around the bustling bar nothing seemed out of the ordinary or out of place. The regulars were downing beers and burgers. Sam was serving drinks with his usual finesse and even Arlene seemed particularly chipper. In all it was a pretty average evening.

So why did she have this awful feeling that something was about to happen. She couldn't even place her finger on what she thought it was going to be particularly. Just that something was going to happen. She tried to ignore the feeling, focusing on topping up all of the bottles that Sam kept putting in front of her.

Sookie considered that it might be the fact that she'd accepted an evening shift that was giving her the bad feeling. Eric was busy in Shreveport with business so Sookie had figured he what he didn't know wouldn't hurt him. And Sam had been desperate for an extra set of hands in the bar. Even though she couldn't wait tables anymore, she was still able to pour drinks and keep things topped up and clean.

Summing up her bad feeling to guilt about going behind Eric's back, Sookie shrugged it off and got back to her work. Sam gave her a quizzical look and Sookie smiled at him, assuring him that everything was alright. Obviously she'd been wearing her expressions on her face.

It was at that precise moment that the door to the bar swung open and a dark man swaggered in. Sookie immediately registered him as vampire, although it took Sam several moments to twig. She tensed where she sat and trained her gaze on the newcomer.

He was a tall black man with a very elegant air about him. He seemed completely relaxed in the redneck atmosphere and sat himself at an empty booth. He cast no look Sookie's way yet she felt that she was the object of his attention. She continued her work as she watched him place an order for True Blood with Arlene. There was something very off putting about his countenance.

It was clear that everyone in the bar was aware of the presence of the vampire. No one said anything outright, but the buzzing of thoughts was growing louder and pressing on Sookie's conscious. People were wondering who this new vamp was. Apart from Bill, and occasionally Eric and his cohort, Bon Temps very rarely saw strange vampires. And if they did it usually meant trouble. The locals weren't keen on any more vamps invading their home town and they weren't afraid to show it. Sookie hoped there wouldn't be trouble.

Sookie jerked out of her thoughts as Sam leant over the bar top to speak to her. She looked up into his blue eyes.

"You reckon there will be trouble?" Sam gestured with his head to the vamp. Sookie wanted to tell him not to bother keeping his voice down. The vampire would hear him regardless. Instead she shook her head.

"Not sure." She gave him an apologetic smile. "Depends on who starts it." She cast a quick glance around the bar, taking in the thoughts and the moods of the patrons. For the moment everything seemed ok.

"You seen him before?" Sam wasn't being presumptuous. It was a fact that Sookie knew far more vampires that pretty much everyone else in Bon Temps. It wasn't a title she was fighting to keep.

"He's not one of Eric's men, if that's what you mean." She told him, her own voice dropping. She was trying to avoid Arlene's sticky beak ears. She was loitering around them and Sookie knew, despite not wanting to think ill of her friend, that Arlene would pass on any gossip to the men and start some trouble.

"Maybe he's passing through. He doesn't seem to know anyone else here." Sam looked hopeful. Sookie couldn't find the worlds to dissuade him. This held the makings of something bigger.

She was proven right when the doors swung open again. Sookie and Sam spun to watch, expecting an attack. Instead, a bawdy bunch of kids fresh from the football game tumbled in, already intoxicated and ready for some fun. Sookie let out a sigh.

Of course, she sighed too soon. As the door swung closed it was stopped by a heavy black boot. As it opened, Sookie caught sight of three vampires, fangs lowered and ready for business, as they entered the bar. Only one of them glanced her and Sam's way before joining the other vampire in the booth. Arlene gave Sam a very clear look stating that she would not be serving anything sporting fangs.

"I take it you don't know any of them." Sam said solemnly. He seemed heavy all of a sudden, as thought he knew that this wasn't going to end well. "I better go see what it is they want."

Sookie perched on the edge of her stool, bracing for trouble, as Sam walked over to the table of vampires. Her hand rested on her belly, rubbing through the material of her shirt. The babies were eerily quiet and she was worried that her anxiety was affecting them.

"What can I get you gentlemen tonight?" Sam asked the group politely. He kept his stance firm, making it clear that not only was he proprietor, but that he would take no nonsense. The vampires merely glanced at him.

"Nothing." One of them, wearing a ridiculous cowboy hat, finally replied. His fangs glinted menacingly in the lights and Sookie saw Sam swallow deeply.

"Well then, I'll have to ask you to leave. As you can see, we're busy tonight and need the table space." Sam crossed his arms across his muscular chest. He stared down the vampire. Neither seemed likely to budge.

"Fine," the vampire finally turned away from Sam. "A round of True Blood."

Sam headed back for the bar. As he passed Sookie he put a gentle hand on her shoulder. Sookie could sense in unease and feel the tension in his grasp. Sam was worried. And it wasn't his bar he was worried for. Sam was worried for Sookie.

"I'll be fine, Sam." Sookie comforted, catching his surprised glance. She still found it amazing that he could forget her ability. And yet, she still managed to catch him off guard.

"Eric will kill me for this." Sam said. His voice was light, but Sookie caught the real concern there. Sam knew that Eric was not going to be pleased that Sookie was at work, let alone that it was in the evening. And if anything happened to her now, at the hands of these mysterious vampires, there would be all hell to pay.

"Don't you worry about Eric. Anyway, like you said, they're probably passing through." Sookie placed the last bottle onto the bar top and prepared to stand. She was going to head home. It was the end of her shift and she wanted to make tracks before any real trouble did break out. "I'm going to head off. I hope nothing goes down, Sam."

Allowing Sam to help her up, Sookie got to her feet. She felt as big as a house and was sure she looked it. Despite being terrified that she didn't have long to go she would be glad to have her old body back. This carrying around two more people thing was getting pretty old. And sleep was evasive as she could never get comfortable. She stretched a little, feeling Sam's eyes on her.

She knew he still cared for her, despite everything. And she was at a loss to how he, or Eric, or even Bill, could still find her attractive looking like this. Men!

Realising that Sam's gaze had shifted over her shoulder, Sookie turned to look. Behind her the tall black vampire was standing, staring at her intently.

"Uh, can I help you?" she asked nervously. She straightened her shirt and shifted under the vampire's gaze. He seemed particularly interested in her stomach. Her hands settled there protectively.

"How far along are you?" He asked pleasantly. His conversational tone was somewhat spoiled by the fangs that were visible behind his thick lips. Sookie couldn't tear her eyes away from them.

"Pretty far, I guess." She felt Sam moving slightly in front of her.

"You'd be a right treat for some hungry vamp," the man joked. He was still eyeing her off. "Pregnant women are always sweet. Delicious." He smiled then, laughing. Sookie released a breath she hadn't realised she'd been holding.

"Can I get you something?" Sam asked brusquely. His entire demeanour was stand offish. Even to someone who couldn't read thoughts it was obvious that Sam's guard was up.

"No, no." The vampire continued to smile at Sookie unnervingly. "I've got everything I need." His eyes darted to Sam, then, and he gave the Shifter a firm smile. "I was, actually, looking for someone. A Mr Northman. I believe that he has been spending some time in this town." He gave Sookie a very charming look. She had to bite her tongue before spilling the fact that Eric was her boyfriend. She didn't know what these vampires wanted with Eric, but it sure couldn't be good.

"There's no vampire called Mr Northman lives round here," Sam piped in. He squeezed Sookie's hand, giving her support. "You could try Bill Compton over on Hummingbird. He might know his whereabouts."

"Bill Compton you say?" The vampire took a step back. "We might just do that. Thankyou for your help." He turned to leave. The other vampires, as though sensing this, also stood and made their way to the door. The vampire turned back to Sookie and Sam, a smile on his lips. "By the way. You have a fine establishment here." And Sookie would swear that if he'd been wearing a hat he would have tipped it.

When they were gone, Sookie turned to Sam.

"Well that was weird." She gave him a lopsided grin.

"I don't think anything good is going to come from them being around here." Sam's face was lined with his thoughts. Sookie could see the worry marring his features.

"You worry too much Sam. Although, I do think it was weird that they were looking for Eric here. If they wanted to do business with him they'd go to Fangtasia." The thought gave her pause. She started to wonder if maybe it wasn't Eric they were looking for. And now they had sent them to Bill. She felt a pang of guilt. Bill didn't deserve unwarranted trouble.

"Do you think they will go to Bill's?"

"Bill can look after himself. And it isn't Bill they want. I don't think you should leave Sookie. Wait here til I can take you home." Sam was watching the door, waiting for the vampires to return. He was on edge.

Sookie rolled her eyes, her stubborn streak kicking up at the show of male protectiveness. She wondered what it was that made them so paranoid and determined to tell her what to do. Bill had been shocking, and come to think of it, Eric was incredibly protective. But Sam had rarely tried to tell her what to do, nor had he been overly protective to her face. He'd accepted her independence and was witness to her capability. But here he was, suddenly trying to tell her what to do.

"Sam, I'll be fine. They're gone. And I have got to get to bed. My feet are killing me." She gave him a lopsided smile.

"Stay here, Sook. You can crash on my bed. I'll sleep on the couch." Sam was pleading with her.

"Sam," Sookie prepared to argue. She wasn't about to be told what to do. No sir.

"I don't want you going out there." Sam's voice was firm. He hadn't spoken to Sookie like that since before that night. He'd been too scared of hurting her feelings or putting her offside. Hearing him like that, telling her off like he used to do, made Sookie realise how concerned Sam really was. He wouldn't talk to her like that if it wasn't important to him. He was risking pissing her off to make sure she was safe. Sookie took that on board.

Nodding slowly she looked up at her friend and boss.

"Ok Sam. I'll stay. I guess it wont do any harm to take a precaution."

Sam grinned in relief. He knew that Sookie had been close to walking out that door. And he was sure that it would have ended badly.

"Give me a sec and I'll walk you over." He moved to the bar, setting up the drinks ready for Arlene to take out. The bar was so busy that Sookie didn't know if Sam could be spared, even for a few minutes. But she waited for him, knowing that he would not be appeased until he saw her safely locked away in his house.

Sam quickly returned and led Sookie down the hallway to the back door. The back car park between the bar and Sam's trailer was deserted. Most of the staff opted to park out the front, where it was floodlit and busier. Merlotte's wasn't as safe as it once was.

Just as they were alighting the steps to Sam's trailer there was a sound behind them. With a gasp Sookie turned around. The vampire from the bar was standing there, still smiling.

"I didn't introduce myself earlier." He spoke calmly, slowly. However, there was a menacing air about him.

"That's ok. We don't need to get better acquainted." Sookie's voice stuttered. Sam had turned and readied himself.

"Oh I insist." The vampire gave a slight bow. "I am Reginald Leery, first consort to the Queen."

"The Queen?" Sam's voice was mocking, incredulous. Sookie realised that Sam didn't know about the hierarchy of the vampires.

"Yes, her majesty is very interested in meeting you, Miss Stackhouse." Reginald Leery took several slow steps forward.

"That's close enough," Sam growled, his voice a warning. He knew there wasn't much he could do out there in the open, but if he could get Sookie inside his trailer she should be safe.

"Why does the Queen want to meet me?" Sookie was eyeing Leery with interest. Eric had told her a little of the politics of vampires. He'd mentioned the Queen in passing. And what she had learnt from Bill helped her to connect some of the dots. But for the Queen of Louisiana to want to meet her was probably not a good thing.

"That is for her to explain," Leery smiled. He was almost upon them now. "But you need to come with me now."

"She's not going anywhere with you." Sam was preparing to fight. Sookie could hear his thoughts and knew that he was about to lunge at the vampire.

"No, Sam." She placated. She put her hand on his chest, trying to stop him from doing something stupid.

"Sook," Sam's eyes were pleading.

"He's going to do something to the babies," she said softly. Her eyes were sad as they connected with Sam's. She saw his anger burning there, as well as the grim acknowledgement that she was right. He realised then how stupid it had been of him to leave the bar with her at all. He should have kept her there and called Eric to let him know the situation. Now he had really gotten her into trouble.

"Don't blame yourself, Sam. This would have happened one way or another. I was stupid to think I'd get away from all of this vampire business." She gave him a sad smile.

"Sook, don't go with him."

"I have to."

"That's right. You do. Don't worry, Mr Merlotte. We will take good care of Miss Stackhouse." Leery gestured with his hand and the three other vampires emerged from the darkness. Sam looked around, shocked. This was going from bad to worse.

"Sookie," Sam tried again. He was feeling desperate.

"I have to go, Sam." Sookie moved closer to hug him. Sam felt shocked that she could be so calm. What was going on. As Sookie pulled him to her Sam felt her mouth close in on his ear. "Calm Eric as soon as you can," she whispered before kissing his cheek and pulling away. Sam tried to protest but Sookie was quickly grasped by the vampires and escorted away.

Sam was left standing in the car park of his bar watching where Sookie had last been. Not only was he concerned about her wellbeing, but he was certain that his life had just been shortened quite significantly. How the hell was he going to break this to Eric?

I'm nearly finished the next chapter, so you wont have long to wait. Hope you liked it. What do you think is going to happen next? Is Sam about to be ripped limb from limb? Is Sookie going to be ok? And what on earth does the Vampire Queen of Louisiana want with Sookie Stackhouse of Bon Temps? Keep reading to find out!