Thanks for the beta Suzy Meinen!

Songs I listen to when writing this:

Summit - Skrillex (Ellie Goulding)

Flesh without Blood/Life in the vivid dream - Grimes

Sun - Two Door Cinema Club

Slow Motion - Phox

Reflections - Misterwives

Holy Ghost - Borns

Gooey - Glass Animals

Armour - Tender

Running to the sea - Royksopp

The reviews I've received on this story are lovely. Sorry for the delayed update guys. I've had some writing block, but reading a few other stories has helped me get over some of it!

***Eric***

I waited, halfway between thinking and downtime.

Chains clinked together.

My fist impacted her gut as I vamped from my chair over to her.

"Did we not speak on the concept of 'don't move?'"

She whined like a dog, her body shimmering and undulating in her attempt to shift. Her eyes were yellow, canines slightly extended, but she retained her human form, too beaten to become a wolf.

A shoe scuffed itself on the concrete in the cell next door to the Were. I had not a single clue why the human was here, but Godric always had a good reason.

Unless the hybrid had sucked it out of his head when she drank his blood. I tried closing my mind to the sounds and feelings of a half hour ago. I would have been happier having my hand ripped off than having heard them.

It had occurred to me that maybe Godric felt the call to make her his child. Which was understandable and acceptable. Godric would have complete command, and she… would be vampire. With an insatiable need for blood and sex.

While Godric would give her her fill, usually other children could and would eventually partake in the lust of their new sibling. That was yet another way to bring Godric closer. All plans I could make still hinged on making nice to her, whether she be vampire or only part fairy. Even if I hated with every fiber of my being what I had heard and felt between the two.

I had thought about the report I would give Godric, how sympathetic I should sound regarding what happened to the girl and what actions I could take to please him most.

He may want to personally deal with Yvetta. I would have to ask. At the very least he would kill Debbie. As for the human prisoner, a glamour would do.

Yes, Godric would want the tapes and audio, even if he wouldn't watch them. I would try to sound like I cared about the half fairy. It would be difficult to manipulate the bond with Godric, but he hadn't been keeping it open much anyway.

Perhaps there was value in truly beginning to care for her if she was going to be my sister.

The door to the dungeon yanked its way open, slamming just as quickly and I felt the air's disturbance as Godric stood next to me. He reeked of sweet-smelling cum. I looked up at him and noticed his eyes were still somewhat dark and he was quietly sucking on a forefinger.

Without saying a word, he walked over to Debbie. Her eyes were wild with fear and she shrunk against the wall.

Before Godric's arrival I had done as he asked and had caused enough blood loss and pain to weaken her, but only with repeated attentions would she succumb in a month's time. Torture was a science that I had been proficient at for centuries.

Godric scrunched down to sit on the balls of his feet. He gripped her face with the same hand of the finger he'd been licking. As he held her jaw he unhurriedly rubbed his forefinger on her nose. I saw her inhale and her body freeze.

"Do you understand now? Blink once if you do." From this angle I could see he had her lifted up by her head alone and she did as he bade, blinking. Weres had excellent scenting abilities. Some of their kind had tracking skills comparable to a vampire's and we often used them for such purposes.

Debbie was more than able to smell what kind of scent was on Godric's hand.

It was over in the blink of an eye. Godric crushed her skull as he simultaneously ripped off her head, tossing it at the bars where the human was held. Blood splattered all over Godric and the human, the latter of whom shrieked.

So much for keeping the Were alive to extract more punishment.

"At the beginning of this night, I wanted to take care of you both as befit your crimes. But I find now that I am impatient to return to other things." Godric stood and looked at Edward without menace or any other emotion besides maybe slight irritation. My maker turned away from the human and looked at me.

"My child, you have punished Compton?"

"Yes. He has been tasked with being the errand bitch for all vampires in the palace for a week." It really was a good punishment. Tailored to fit his brown-nosing personality.

"We'll be adding further to that." He smirked deviously.

"In the meantime, have Quinn clean up this mess." He finished, gesturing at the remains of Debbie Pelt.

"And the human, master?" Godric spoke to me in old Norse then, telling me his plan for the human. It turned out that Edward was a spy for Russell and I couldn't help but smile thinking of what kind of gift basket we'd be sending the other king in thanks.

"Before you complete your task, let us go to my office." We both left the human confused and covered in blood.

Godric had not a care in the world regarding his appearance as it was. He was grinning now from ear to ear as he shuffled papers across his desk.

"Master?" I prompted, uncomfortable with my maker being so happy.

"I command you to never tell anyone what I am about to tell you."

God damn maker's command. He was throwing it around carelessly, making me out to be untrustworthy. I bit back resentment and anger and said only, "yes."

"Sookie, the part-fairy, is telepathic. Likely due to the demon gift. It is of the line of Dantalion. I have a contact who is of that family, but I am still debating on reaching out to anyone regarding her heritage. I have a suspicion she is under some form of protection. But I intend to operate as if she is not."

"Can she hear us?" The only true threat, as far as I could see. And if she were so heavily protected, why had no one come to collect her?

"No."

"And how do you know she isn't lying."

"You know how I know." Blood. I'd wanted to deny it, forget and push the truth away. More tempting images weaved their way into my mind. Godric in front of her and myself behind her, biting and fucking, clashing fangs over her body. Godric feeding her his blood while I drank from her femoral artery. Sookie with her hands fisted in my hair using me as a support while I watched her take all of my maker in as he kneeled behind her. Me buried in Godric as he was inside of her.

This is blood. This is how it speaks. It is nothing more than that. You are only hearing echoes.

"Of course I will keep this secret, command or no. This is how you know of the spy."

"Yes."

"There are possibilities… she could read the entire staff. We could negotiate contracts for her powers with other monarchs and-"

"No! She has agreed to read the staff, and it will always be her choice. But there will be no others using her in any capacity. Sookie is mine." My maker looked crazed then, his hands clenching and unclenching, eyes dark with bloodlust.

"She is yours." Godric retracted his fangs, but eyed me warily. The entire situation was galling, and humiliating. When Godric was possessive like this, being kind to the part fairy could backfire. He would suspect my intentions. I would have to start on earning Godric's trust concerning the girl, given that he would not likely let me near her alone otherwise.

"I will defend your claim. Tell me what I can do to smooth this transition?" Watching Godric reduced to a state of covetousness was disconcerting. I'd seen that look before, for me. So long ago, on a funeral pyre.

"Have the Were, Janice, see to Sookie's attire. Alcide to guard her door. He is not to let her leave under any circumstances. No one is to enter her room, but for Janice and a heavily glamored servant to deliver food. And it would be best if the Were guard were not to speak to her for too long." Again, Godric twitched and nearly shuddered anger. I'd never seen him have this little control.

"Yes master." I tried not to sigh with relief. Well-completed tasks were a good way to show my devotion.

"Tell me, who else was involved in her attack?" I felt perforated by his gaze. He wasn't accusatory, but knowing which human was guilty caused my chest to tighten.

"Yvetta." I said without hesitation.

"I do not care how you deal with it, but she must be ended. No glamor. I want her to know why she dies." Thankful he did not hold me responsible for her behavior, I nodded.

"I will take care of this. The human?" Godric's curling smile turned into bloodthirsty delight. If there was one good thing about this, the hybrid had brought out 'boy death' in Godric. I was beginning to suspect that while the girl would be a liability, any who threatened her would find his or her true death.

"Tomorrow." My maker breathed.

***Sookie***

"Can I leave? Please?"

"No. I'm sorry hun. Orders are orders." My congenial, if disapproving guard said.

"Well can I at least see any of my friends?"

"No one is allowed in, except authorized personnel."

"Alcide, I'm bored out of my damn mind! Can you send the 'authorized personnel'? Please."

"They'll be here when they're here. We shouldn't even be talking." Alcide said nervously.

"Fine. I'll go read a book or something…" Stupid vampire, keeping me cooped up in here.

I had woken up around eleven, carefully ensconced in Godric's bed under the covers in some pink pajamas. The minute I arose, a servant snuck in and placed food on a table that sat near a window. Last night the windows had been sealed shut with metal, but they must have been opened in the meantime to let the sun in. I lay in bed listening to the shuffling of dishes before I made to get up and speak to the servant.

"Hey… Can you-" The door slammed and the person was gone. Ugh. If I had known they were going to dip out so quickly I would have jumped off the bed and begged them to take me with.

I had expected my body to ache, but instead I felt invigorated. And hungry.

Sliding out of the bed, I noticed that my person was unblemished. Bruises and cuts were gone. Like the attack never happened. While I was happy that I wasn't injured, I felt a little odd about it. With a combination of glamour and vampire blood healing, how was any human to ever know they'd been assaulted? The thought of how wrong Dawn and the others might be about the safety of living here frightened me.

The table held enough food for five people. Before eating I went to check the door. It was locked, but after I tried the handle a couple of times it opened. At that point Alcide and I had our conversation.

As for the breakfast, there were pancakes, bacon, sausage, french toast, eggs, homefries, a ground beef hash, omelettes, fruit, bagels, cereal, milk, orange juice… Basically every breakfast food one could get, and portions made for two people. Vampires must know zilch about how much humans can eat.

I tucked in with gusto however, denting a good portion of the food. I promised Godric I would eat.

Feeling stuffed, I went to Alcide and asked him if he could have someone take the food where others could eat it. Maybe the other guards?

He said I was generous, but reinforced that it was unnecessary of me to offer. I sighed and closed the door.

Exploring, I wandered on into the bathroom and gasped at how large it was. Ok, I wasn't going to feel the slightest bit bad taking a shower. Water wasn't that expensive and a squirt or two of bath products wasn't anything my friends wouldn't have offered if I stayed at their place.

The shower was amazing, as I expected it would be. I felt alive under it. It had to be Godric's blood because this was downright incredible, feeling every droplet slide down my skin. I rubbed my breasts and my own touch reminded me of Godric's. Even pushing my hands down my skin to rub soap on my body echoed his attentions.

It was funny how that orgasm only made my libido more alert. Or was it the blood? God, who knows? But this was almost annoying, brushing my hand over my nether regions, inspiring little tweaks and twitches of arousal. Almost.

I got out and dried off, putting the pink pajamas back on before brushing out my hair. My face was bright, skin clear. Even my hair was more blonde than I thought it could be. Godric owed me some more answers regarding his blood.

Heading out to the other room, I noticed that the table was now set with lunch food. Sighing in agitation and boredom, I snagged a single sandwich and looked around. I spotted my book and started reading in an arm chair, taking bites out of my food. It was difficult to concentrate when I was being held prisoner in Godric's room. Last night had been wonderful, but as the clock ticked away, it was being spoiled.

How could he leave me in here with no one to interact with? I wasn't some princess to lock away in a castle. I was upset that he didn't trust me to be on my own. And being useful was important. I wasn't going accept all this generosity without earning my way, which I couldn't do in this room. Even the food and these books, they weren't mine and I hadn't earned them.

It was 3pm before a knock came at the door. It was Janice and she had a whole rack of clothing. Other servants followed behind with what looked like the entire contents of a beauty salon.

"Hey sweetheart! I heard what happened. It's been all anyone's been able to talk about! You ok darlin'?"

"Uh, yeah, I guess I'm fine. Thanks to Godric." She smiled and started pulling out boxes of shoes, makeup and hair... stuff.

"He's really taken a shinin' to you. Ain't never seen him with a human before! You're a lucky gal!" I scoffed.

"He'll be lucky I don't slap him silly if he doesn't let me out of this room!" She blanched and said nothing. Everyone else seemed to be terrified of Godric, which I understood objectively, but my mind couldn't categorize him that way. He'd been gentle. And even though he claimed to be bad, he didn't seem that way. I didn't think he was lying about our being exclusive to one another either.

My first boyfriend is a vampire king. Sounds like a reality show.

He wanted me, thought I was beautiful. I was a little overweight, but he didn't seem to notice and if anything the way he touched me made it seem that he liked a little extra. Well, I could be imagining things. Maybe he hadn't been with anyone else as all the girls had said. Still, boyfriends don't lock girlfriends in their room! Even if he was extremely talented with his fingers. He and I were going to have a talk.

Unless he uses those fingers on you again Sookie. Then there'll be no talking.

Stupid, unfairly sexy vampire.

"I brought all sorts of things for you to pick out! Lot's of cute dresses-"

"I'm not takin' any of this. A single dress is a one time thing, but all this? I don't need all that makeup or anythin' off that rack. You know, I have my own bank account and money that I can use for this stuff, if they'd just let me out!"

"But honey, you have Godric now, and he's gonna take care of you!"

"I've been taking care of me just fine. He doesn't need to step in and do it for me!"

"You sure you don't want to look at any of this?" She looked at me nervously.

"No. Not a chance." I crossed my arms and glared at the offending items.

"Honey you can't go wanderin' around in those pjs. Not even one little ole thing?" She said convincingly.

"Fine! Just one dress and some underthings. But that's it!" She beamed at me and pulled out a few dresses. They were cute. But I wasn't a kept woman, no matter how handsome and well off the man. And talented. Jesus Christ Shepherd of Judea. That was what all the fuss was about, being with a man. And what a fuss it was. I gotta wonder what's in those pants of his...

Cheese and rice I was still thinking dirty thoughts of Godric, even though he had trapped me here! And we hadn't even had sex yet. I held back a groan at the thought of how deep I had fallen into the rabbit hole.

Janice handed me a pink dress with a matching bra and panty set. She dutifully turned around to give me privacy as I quickly yanked up the underwear and snapped on the bra. The dress was a zip up and I was able to close it on my own.

"Ready."

"That pastel pink looks fabulous on you! That's a keeper. But this pale blue… Oh Sookie you should take them both! They were made for you!" Janice held up the blue dress she had clutched in her hands over my frame. The Were's eyes were sparkling with happiness, like I was her personal barbie doll to dress up. I ought not to think negatively of her, since she was only doing her job. But having a closet made up for me wasn't wanted!

"Janice. Seriously. Godric can shove it." She lowered her hands that were still holding the dress and looked down at the floor.

"Sookie, I gotta do this. You understand right? Godric is gonna be unhappy if I don't do what he order'd."

"I'll tell him it's not your fault. And that's unbelievable that he'd punish you for something I did!" I was practically shouting. How ridiculous! There was no way in hell he was going to do anything mean to Janice on my behalf. Everyone seemed so afraid of Godric, and maybe he qualified as one scary vampire, but that didn't make him unreasonable or unapproachable.

"He's the king Sookie! Please don't get yourself in trouble!" Janice looked terrified and it only served to make me madder 'n a hornet.

"He ain't my king." I sniffed.

"Please." She whispered.

"Fine! Leave it all here! I'll deal with him later."

"Everythin' all right in here?" Alcide had opened the door and looked around the room and back at us.

"It's fine Alcide. Except that I'm caged in here like some kind of animal. And you know, Godric wants to dress me up himself, because apparently I can't do it on my own." He smiled at me and then winked at Janice before closing the door.

"I'm going to get going Sookie. Gotta be there to get the others ready."

"You can't stay?" I sounded whiny. I had appreciated her company, even if it wasn't a desirable circumstance.

"Sorry sweetie. Godric will be here soon!"

"I'm sorry for being ungrateful and rude Janice. I've been gone from home for a couple of days and this is all new to me. I miss my family and I'm not the kind of girl who wants a guy to buy things for her like this. Maybe flowers, but not this. And not under these circumstances." I sat down on the bed, feeling forlorn. Janice walked over carefully, like I might explode at any moment. I would when the time was right, but not at her.

She gently sat down next to me and put her hand on mine.

"Godric is a good vampire. He's never been abusive to the humans. Always takes care of us. He's real mean to other vampires if they cross him. But he doesn't bother hurtin' any non-vampires. Just glamours 'em away. Ok? He wants to be nice to you. Let him honey. He obviously cares for you a lot to do all this."

"I know. We… had a good night." I blushed before continuing, "but that doesn't excuse the fact that he's held me in here all day with no company or way out. And now he's trying to buy me things without my input. I won't have it."

"Honey, you were just attacked by someone who meant for you to die. Can you see his side of things?"

I frowned and looked at her without saying anything.

"We don't know if anyone else was involved who might hurt you next. It's not safe for you to be out there if Godric hasn't made an official claim that you're his either. Because other vampires aren't always like Godric. Ok Sookie?" The threat wasn't subtle that other vampires might bite and ask questions later. Further lending itself to the idea that this place was not an idyllic paradise. I realized that explaining this to any of the other women and men was a moot point. They could be glamored and there would always be those like Dawn, willing to risk the worst for a better life most of the time.

In a way, Dawn was right that this was better than the life she had been living, from her perspective. I'd never had a problem with drugs, but my cousin Hadley did. I'm sure vampires didn't like drinking anything other than pure blood, so drug use here would probably be out of the question. A place like this might have helped Hadley before she ran off and probably overdosed.

Janice let me think silently for a moment before patting my hand and getting up. She walked over to the dresses and accessories to tidy a few things before she left.

When the door closed, I laid back on the bed and stared at the ceiling.

If Godric wasn't going to let me go, we were going to have to establish some ground rules about what he could and couldn't control about my life. I wasn't sure how, but I was going to find a job here so I could earn something on my own. Not just with my telepathy. Next, I wasn't going to stay rolled up in bubble wrap if I was living here. I needed a life too.

It scared the crap out of me when a mechanical whirring sound jerked through the air and I saw coverings slide their way over the windows. It wasn't quite close to sunset, but getting there. I was still sitting on the bed when he arrived.

And oh did he ever arrive. One second I was stewing about my situation and the next he was kissing me and running his fingers through my hair. A single hand reached down under my pink dress and gently cupped me… there. It exacerbated the already hot and humid sensations I'd been experiencing regarding him.

"Godric... Godric!" He stopped and looked at me, and I couldn't see any color in his eyes besides black.

"Sookie. I've been craving you." It was not at all romantic in tone. It was hungry.

"That's great Godric! Just dandy! But you kept me in here all day! All day with minimal contact. You can't do that." His eyes started to clear up and he stood up and away from me in human speed.

"For your safety."

"Oh and the clothes and whatever else? For my safety?"

"You wish to go naked amongst our kind?" He smiled. Asshole.

"If it takes that threat to let you let me buy my own clothes, then yeah." I huffed, crossing my arms defensively. Still not my king.

"Mm, and what money would you have for that?" His voice was playful, and it made me certain he enjoyed getting my goat.

"I have a savings account."

"Your dead-to-the world self does. But do you?" It was difficult to not return his intense and charismatic smile, even though I was p'oed.

"Maybe I should be taken back. It's only been a couple of days."

"No. This was discussed." Something like fear flickered across his features. He took what looked like an involuntary step forward, as if he was about to jump on me like a grenade.

He may very well have to if he wants to avoid a classic Stackhouse tongue-lashing.

"Yeah, and I get it. But I can't just allow myself to forget and to suddenly be dependent on you for everything. I can take care of myself."

"Unfortunately that is no longer true. To vampires, possession is 9/10ths of the law and the other fraction is whether another can get away with stealing another vampire's human. The others would kill you quickly, since you are the most delicious thing I have tasted… everywhere." He dropped his fangs and licked his lips lasciviously.

"You have no money and you do not require anything. You only require me." He continued. I was about to blow a freakin' gasket. Maybe it had already blown and I was melting brain cells from all the steam going through my head.

"You raging dick! I don't belong to you! Or anyone! And I can take care of my own damn self. You let me out!" I smacked him right in the kisser and he snatched my hand as I pulled it back. He was laughing now, which looked funny to me since his fangs were jutting out of his mouth.

"Please, calm yourself." I felt better with him saying it. Like I was being wrapped in a warm blanket.

"I'm not yours. You still can't keep me in here all day…" I said breathlessly as he pulled me close to him, taking the arm he had in his grip and wrapping it around him. It was easy to get lost in his eyes, looking up at him while I was held tight.

"Let us… discuss this." He sounded strangled as he said it. He probably didn't want to do any discussing.

"Ok, yes. We're going to sit down and talk about this like adults. At the table, now." My tone brooked no argument. I was still in his arms but I looked over to where I wanted us to have this conversation. Mainly, not on the bed, not in his arms, not standing in the middle of the room staring into each other's eyes like two loons.

"We are lovers. Need we talk with a table between us?" He caressed me, and my entire body rippled from his touch. Not my king, but he is my boyfriend.

"Godric, I can't concentrate when you hold me like this." He had already pushed his face in my hair again and was slowly moving his mouth down to my neck with soft kisses between strands of hair.

"Godric please?" I whispered desperately.

"As you wish Ms. Stackhouse." He disengaged as if he had never been ensconced in my body and led me over to a chair, much like he had taken me out of his vampire court to dinner last night.

"Let's get some things straight. I need a job here, something to contribute. Gran and I never had much, and I've learned to appreciate good fortune when I get it. But I'm not a woman to be spoiled and forget where she came from. Got it?" I was a Southern Belle. We were made of steel, quiet beauty, hospitality and shotguns.

"It was decided you would use your ability to check my staff. I see this as more than a simple job or contribution." His eyes were narrowed in frustration. My telepathy wasn't a damn skill. I'd agreed to read the staff, but that is nothing. Vampires can clearly take care of their own since they haven't been discovered yet.

"It's a disability, and my use of it is at best a hobby. I know I agreed to do it but it's not worth paying me for, in retrospect of our conversation. You guys have glamor, so what's the point?" Godric sighed.

"We are vampires. I told you we are violent and bloodthirsty creatures. Our culture is similar to our nature. I am the king of Louisiana, and there are monarchs for each state. We are constantly spying on one another with humans and vampires in order to maintain power. Out of the two hundred and twenty four persons and vampires here, seventy are spies of some variety, and that is the number of spies we know about." My eyes widened and I felt my jaw drop a little. I must have looked quite dumb, and I snapped my lips shut.

He continued, "you may wonder why we don't remove them if we know. First, their handlers would only send more. Which means we tend to want to work with known quantities. Sadly, many of these spies perform better at their tasks than our own workers do because they have more at stake should they be discovered. Good help is hard to find."

"Ok, but that doesn't answer why you can't glamor them to not tell any important information to their respective… spy handlers." This whole thing sounded like an annoyance. It didn't make sense that they couldn't defend themselves from it in some way.

"Ah, yes. That. We've had several thousand years to perfect the art of glamor. All spies are glamoured carefully. If anyone touches the glamour placed on a spy, there is a secondary glamour to both wipe the subject's mind and typically to make them insane so as to not be usable. Having to kill a human is an inconvenience. It is not worth it to attempt to subvert another vampire's glamour at the expense of an otherwise good servant. At times, there is even a third command to attack the vampire who is unglamoring them. Though we always restrained those we attempt to unglamour, now. It is all too much for us to successfully manage a revolving door of humans. Further, glamor doesn't leave a mark as to who completed it, what it was for and how extensive it is. As you've recognized, there are plenty of cases where we would use glamor on donors and employees. Which makes it difficult to know if it is our glamour or our enemy's. But, as long as we have kept our higher ranks free of spies, I have been satisfied. You will change this. Does this answer your question?"

"Yes. I guess you really could use someone like me." That was crazy. It made a lot of sense in a twisted way. I never imagined that vampires could be so machiavellian, but I should have.

"You will keep the clothes that are here then. Return anything you do not like. Since I think you would prefer to have an accounting and evidence of your earnings, I will tabulate the cost of the items you keep and I will give you an interest free loan that you can pay back when you receive your first payment. Yes?" How did the man know me so well as to not thrust his generosity onto me? An interest free loan was generous, but not unreasonable given his need for my telepathy. I could live with this.

"I appreciate that. Your acknowledgement that I am not to be dependent on you is important to me."

"This is true, in some ways. We will go over any dependencies shortly. And Sookie, you must never disclose that you can do this. Do not speak of it to any other vampire besides myself and Eric."

"Eric? Why? He's such a prick!" I was outraged about him telling Eric.

"Ah, but he is my child and as his maker I can command him to say nothing. As I already have." Int-er-est-ing, and what a relief.

The fear of being found out by other vampires started settling in. That's what Godric was referencing as my 'dependency'. My telepathy was a prize to vampires. If anyone knew, I'd be hunted down and killed, or stolen. If what Godric was saying about spies is true, even if I neutrally helped out every monarch, someone would come to the conclusion that it is easier to go back to the old ways vs never having spies in anyone's court, ever.

Godric was telling me that he wouldn't be alone in someone knowing about my gift, but I would still be safe. Even if it was Eric the meanie who knew.

"Oh I bet he just loved that. If we're together I don't have to adopt him and be his step mother do I?" Godric laughed heartily and leaned forward on the table to smirk immodestly at me.

"The relationship between maker and child, though imbalanced in power, is one that transcends human limitations on relationships. But if I could translate it… If you were mine, you might call him brother which would make me your-"

"You save that sort of thing for after our talk you naughty vampire. I ought to smack you again." I sternly scolded him. There was no way I was calling him daddy anyway!

"If you're going to discipline me after for my impudence, let me get on my knees in front of you and show you how penitent I am." He oh-so-carefully licked his bottom lip.

"I mean it Godric!" I blushed at the thought.

"So do I."

"Ok, no discipline! Moving on you incorrigible man. I get you're concerned for my safety and I can see why. So besides this being secret, what are we going to do keep me safe and my secret under wraps?" I was still wrapping my head around the idea that I was going to use my disability for something useful. The numbers Godric told me for how many spies they had were absurd! We should clean house ASAP. As soon as Godric had a plan for how we should go about this.

"Ah. Yes. Given what I know about you thus far my darling, you will not like the wording of this. But, I must declare you as mine. My companion, my human, my everything." He purred the last words and his eyes became hazy again. It wasn't human romance, that's for sure, but there was something sweet about his intensity. And something angry and human in me rising to meet and fight against his vampire nature. I suppressed the latter, clinging to this pulsing and timorous feeling of affection towards his offer of protection.

"You're right. I do not like the sound of that. I guess I recognize that it's necessary. It won't affect the way you treat me in private?"

"I respect you. But what happens in our bedroom… I can't promise I won't make good on my claim." Our bedroom, eh? I blushed and I watched his nostrils flare slightly. One of his hands twitched on the table. The idea of a powerful creature such as Godric struggling with his self control was feeding my ego a little too much.

"Ok, so what does it entail being yours?" I put my elbow on the table and propped up my chin with my hand. My devilish smile's effects weren't lost on me. He spoke quickly, searching for the end of our discussion.

"You and your blood are off limits to anyone but myself. Other vampires will treat you as if you are not there, as many of them only see humans as food, and in your case you won't even be that. But they won't harm you. This will be true for the donors, as well. Debbie was an accident I would not see repeated. You reading the staff will be a large part of this. Do not hesitate to remove anyone who wishes you harm, because they are in turn wishing me harm."

"I appreciate you keeping me away from all the others. You're not like them, even if you say you are." He frowned a little but kept quiet.

"So what happened to Debbie?"

"She is no more."

"You killed her?"

"Yes."

"You didn't have to." I'd never known anyone in my life that died. Even though she was awful, it would be eerie to walk around and not see her, to know that she was buried in the ground somewhere. It further served to remind me that this world wasn't mine, and it was an exceedingly dangerous one.

I think I have lucked out big-time with Godric being my protector.

"This is not the first time she has caused a problem. She is a Were, but no pack here wanted her. There was nowhere else she could go. It was a mercy." I assumed a pack was a group of Werewolves that stuck together. As terrible as she was, I couldn't imagine what her life was like without any friends from her own kind. She must have done some bad things before to deserve that. Still.

"But she could have been glamoured to be better…" I suggested.

"Vampires cannot change the underlying personality of a person. We can make the best side of them show, but if there is no best side there is nothing we can do. It was tried on her Sookie." Poor Debbie. Most people were good, but there were a few bad eggs out there I'd had the misfortune of listening in on. Some people were irredeemable, though I'd not admitted that to myself before today.

"I don't like it. But I accept it. Can you include me on this sort of decision though? If it pertains to me?"

"Yes. But I do not see it happening again if you read the staff." Fair.

"As long as you loop me in. Now on to my living situation. Am I staying here then?"

"Yes. If you like. I would very much like you to stay here Sookie." Mr. Twitchy was at it again. Who knew someone as old as dirt could be so squirmy and impatient? It was cute. I bet he wouldn't like to be called cute though. Maybe I'd tell him anyway.

He smirked at me out of nowhere, and I almost squeaked when I remembered he could feel my emotions. Including my affection for him.

Evasive maneuvers!

"Ok, but I can't be kept in here all day and away from others! It's awful and lonely." I summoned my previous irritation as a shield against my feelings for Godric.

"After I claim you and you are able to clear the staff, interacting with others will be no issue."

"Let's plan for today then! I can't spend another day in here alone."

"I will arrange it. There is court in two hours and I would like to spend one hour before … not talking." He leaned back, spreading his legs wider and relaxing his arms on the sides of the chair. It was the international sign for 'come get some', and I was going to pretend that it didn't translate.

He just wants you to get into bed. So don't acknowledge the bed. That simple.

"And the other hour?"

"You trying on dresses for me, picking one and then readying yourself for tonight." Super blush! I imagined him sitting on the bed with his beautiful eyes raking my frame. Being self conscious wasn't coming up at the moment. My body was a bit bigger yes, but I was happy with my curves and it seemed that so was he.

"You're being really accommodating for someone who says they're so… cruel." I teased.

"Ah, but I won't let you leave here, will I? So I am not all good." I wished that his words would put a cork in my libido, but being resigned to my situation all I wanted was his comfort. And there he was again saying he was not good.

You are a bad boy. The kind my Gran pestered me about half-heartedly. Gran had a soft spot for bad-boys. Otherwise she would have whooped the sluttiness out of Jason long ago.

"As I've said before. I get it. I get why you can't. I don't like it, but this is life now."

"Mm. Is there more Sookie or may I whisk you off to bed?" He stood quickly and gazed down at me intently.

"Who said I'm going to bed with you?" I teased.

"Oh? So I do not smell the wetness between your legs, or hear the racing of your heart? And maybe, I cannot see the blood rise to your cheeks while I say these things." He tapped a finger on the table and started walking around it towards me, dragging the tip across the hard surface.

Talented fingers. Talented, skillful, downright criminal fingers.

"Hey! Maybe you can do all those things, but a lady deserves some privacy regarding her feelings!"

"We are in our room. This is private." He stood before me, not taking his finger off the table. I stared at it now, wondering where it was going. Wondering if it might come for me next. Probably. Hopefully.

"Oh you know what I mean you high-handed vampire." I muttered, embarrassed.

"Maybe you do. Maybe you don't." He pulled his hand off the table, laying it at his side and proceeded to rub his fore and middle finger together over his thumb. Like he was rolling... a nipple.

Hold out for a little bit longer. You can do this. Team Sookie!

I put my hands over my eyes to stop looking at his damn hand and then peeked out between my fingers to ask something about Eric.

"Ahh! Ok, lastly, Eric isn't going to be a meanie is he?"

"No. I have dealt with him. He is commanded to be accommodating to you, even if he does not like it." Godric abruptly walked away from me and stood facing the opposite wall. My heart felt tugged, as did the taught string of feeling that began at my heart and led down to my core. I didn't want him to turn away.

"I don't understand why he dislikes me so." I felt small. I didn't know the relationship between a maker and child, but I gathered from Godric's limited description that it was intimate. I was feeling bad again. Self conscious, unwanted.

"He is jealous." Godric turned around and offered me a sympathetic look.

"Yeah, well it seems hell hath no fury like a viking scorned, because he crazy-hates me." I looked down at the floor, sad that I was the reason Godric and his child weren't getting along.

"Eric feels deeply, but he does not hate you. He loves me, and before you I was not in a good place. But you are here, and I have renewed purpose. It was something he hoped to give me through his love. Eventually he will settle and see your value. I imagine his next tactic will be to try and get into your good graces. Even if his actions are false, his heart will follow along when he sees you for who you are, not what you represent to his vampire sensibilities." He answered my unasked question about his place and mine in all this. I felt some relief.

"Right. Keep on the lookout for advancing vikings." I looked up at him as we both smiled.

"Now, before we move onto better things," he drew the word better out and looked at me sensuously as he did so, "I must be honest with you."

"Yes?" Those didn't sound like good words, even if they were wrapped up in sex. Was he about to tell me he had some kind of vampire STI or maybe that he was into some strange kinky thing I'd never want to do?

"I am manipulative. It is in my nature to coerce with words the cooperation of both vampires and humans. I have been doing this for a long time and it is second nature. And I fear that no matter my efforts to keep this part of me out of our relationship, it will eventually come up." That was not what I expected to hear from him.

"You're no more or less manipulative than the average person, as far as I can see."

"Ah, but I've had 2,000 years of practice." Woo boy he was old!

"The minute you do something to break my trust, then I'll be upset with you regarding any manipulation. But until that time, if it ever comes, you're good in my book."

"You trust me, even though I don't deserve it. There will be things I cannot tell you. Will not tell you." I was lifted from my chair and placed on the bed, Godric kneeling behind me, unzipping my dress.

"As long as it's for my safety." He growled into my hair, where he found himself once again buried in. I sighed with happiness.

"Conversation over?" He asked, his voice low.

I turned my head and looked behind me to see his face hovering there waiting for mine. "For now."