BIG HUGE THANK YOU TO MY MOST AWESOME BETA - ShadoKat - She has kept me sane through some INSANE stuff and without her this chapter would not be what it is! THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU - the many episodes of "Say Yes to the Dress" have helped us bond! :)

AND A HUGE APOLOGY to everyone who has been waiting for her story to update...I've kept her jumping through hoops :)


Chapter 8

Eric rose from his daytime sleep quickly. He felt a rush that he'd not felt in a very long time. It was an excitement that literally made the blood flow through his veins. He showered quickly and dressed for his evening. Securing the braid he tied in his hair, he grabbed his jacket and put his cell phone in the front pocket. He made his way to the front yard and flew off into the night, preferring the anonymity flight would give him.

He made it to his destination in 10 minutes, landing in his favorite tree on his favorite limb.

Eric heard Andre's arrival at the Compton house, and watched them both move through the forest to Sookie's. A smile touched his face when Sookie returned, quickly replaced with a frown as he saw Bill and Andre approach the front porch. He witnessed the altercation with Bill, the hit causing something within Eric to snap. In shock, he stood still, his body rigid as Sookie glowed in blue. His fangs dropped in desire at her display of power. He was stunned at her new ability. Eric only knew of one family of beings that glowed blue. 'What is this? What the hell is she?' he thought to himself.

Eric waited until the limo pulled away; pulling out his cell phone, he dialed. "Come NOW!" he commanded, closing his phone. He made sure to find Sookie's scent as he flew above the limo, keeping up with the speeding vehicle, his temper flaring at the smell of her blood and fear. Her shriek was the final straw for him. His temper exploding beyond his control, the lust for Andre's blood became too much for him to contain. He ripped the sunroof from the limo, reaching in to grab Andre by the neck, snapping it like a twig. Eric flung the vampire to the road behind them.

He looked inside, seeing Sookie's shocked blue eyes staring at him in awe. "GRAB MY HAND!" he shouted, reaching down to her.

Sookie didn't hesitate; she reached up, grabbing his arm and taking a deep breath as he pulled her through the sunroof. She wrapped her arms tightly around his neck, as they both heard Bill yell "NO!" and lunge for her legs. Eric rose from the top of the vehicle, before Bill could reach her, and took to the night air. Sookie sobbed into his neck, the stress from the last few minutes taking its toll on her.

She was still sobbing as he landed, not realizing they had touched the ground. Eric stood holding her close, letting her outburst run its course. "Sookie," he said as she slowed down. He stroked the back of her head, holding her tightly to him. "Sookie, we must talk," he said gently. Rubbing his hand up and down her back, he told her "We don't have much time, my Sookie, you must get your things together, we must leave, we cannot stay, they will come back and with more force next time. Will you let me keep you safe?"

Sookie looked around her, realizing they were in her back yard. "I have a bag, by the front door," she said quietly, unwilling to let him go.

"I will take care of you my Sookie. I will keep you safe but we cannot stay here; do you understand that?"

She looked up at him, her eyes huge "…Help is coming, when you least expect it, when you think there is no more hope, you need to believe baby, you need to KNOW help will be there. Do you understand me?..." she heard echo in her head. "I barely know you, but I trust you Eric," she said quietly.

Eric picked her up and walked to the front of the house. Floating up to her porch, he walked to the front door and opened it carefully. He set her down, not letting her hand go, and grabbed her bag. He pulled the front door shut and moved them to the front yard.

Pam's car pulled into Sookie's driveway. She didn't exit the vehicle, merely rolled down the window as she approached the pair. "Get in," she said.

Eric raised his head into the air, taking a deep breath. He pushed Sookie towards the Mercedes quickly. "Go with Pam, NOW!" he demanded. "You know where," he said, looking at Pam.

Sookie grabbed her bag and got in the car. "Eric -" she started, but snarling from behind them interrupted. "PAM GO NOW!" Eric yelled, turning around as Andre crashed into him, sending them both to the ground.

Pam floored the gas pedal, taking off into the night. "Fasten your seatbelt Sookie!" she said, her eyes never leaving the road.

"What is happening?" Sookie asked, her eyes filling with tears.

"Sookie, are you leaking?" Pam asked incredulously. "What are you doing that for? Do you need water? Will you run out? Eric will send me to my final death if you shrivel up you know. I've never read Abby speak of this leaking Sookie." Pam's questions were turning to accusations.

Sookie laughed at her tone. "No Pam, I'm just upset, I'm crying. What is happening? Why is this happening? Where are we going?"

Pam smiled "Questions I can deal with, but I can't answer all of yours; if I tell you anything, then we may be overheard, and that isn't safe. I am taking you somewhere safe Sookie. You will be safe; my Master will make sure of it. I do not know why this is happening. We are in the middle of something Sookie, something big and I do not know much about it. But when it is time, Eric will tell me," she said, her voice full of patience.

Sookie was quiet, looking out the window for a few miles.

"He will be fine Sookie. Eric is older than Andre; he will win," Pam told her, answering the unspoken question.

"I don't understand how all this works in your world," Sookie stated.

"Eric is older than Andre. The older a Vampire is, the more powerful they are and the harder they are to send to final death. Eric will be fine." Pam explained.

Sookie was quiet another few miles. She pulled her phone out of her bra, sparking a chuckle from Pam. "I like your hiding place Sookie, what other treasures do you keep there?"

"None that you need to concern yourself with," Sookie said, smiling. "Do you think we can stop so I can get a new charger for this?" she questioned, indicating her cell phone.

"No stops, we would not be safe. You must be hidden for now, but I will get one for you later and bring it back to you," Pam responded.

"Thank you, and Pam, thank you for coming to get me," Sookie said, her voice no more than a whisper.

Pam nodded, unsure how to react to the thank you. She was not used to dealing with human emotions.

Sookie noticed they had turned off the main highway and were on a side road; the houses were thinning out, more and more space between each one, til they were driving down a road surrounded by darkness. Pam turned onto another paved road, this one considerably thinner, ending at a gate. She pulled up, entering a code and pressing her finger into a keypad. The gate opened, and she moved her car through. Watching the gate close behind them, she pulled away. It was still quite some time before they pulled up in front of a large house. Pulling around to the side, Pam pulled her car into an open garage bay. Shutting her car off, she hit a button under her rearview mirror, the garage door dropping closed and the inside light turning on.

Pam exited the car and used her Vampire speed to come around to Sookie's door, opening it. She gently took Sookie's bag from her hands and led her to a white door. Leading her through a mud room, complete with a washer and dryer, they stood before another white door. This one led into a hallway, complete with wood floors as far as the eye could see.

Pam, still silent, led them down the hallway, passing several rooms, but giving Sookie no time to look at any of them. They finally ended up in a large living room. "Sit," Pam said, indicating a couch.

Sookie sat down on one of the two oversized leather couches. She looked around the room; the two couches in a neutral brown matched an oversized chair of the same color. A huge stone hearth/fireplace seemed to be the focal point of the room. Two swords were hanging over the fireplace, crossed in the center, their handles looking ready for action. Huge white pillows were sitting in front of and next to the hearth, with a blanket folded neatly nearby. The room was dramatic and cozy at the same time. Sookie felt very comfortable and safe as she sat on the couch waiting for Pam to say something.

Several minutes passed before they heard the sound of a door shutting down the long hallway. Pam stood first, Sookie rising immediately after, afraid of what was coming next. They listened to the quiet footsteps, their pace quickening as it neared them.


Eric raised his head, smelling the air. He picked up Andre's scent and quickly got Sookie into the car - he wanted her on her way before Andre caught up with them. She didn't need to deal with anymore tonight; she had been through enough.

He felt Andre crash into him and heard Pam take off. Eric rose with a growl, grabbing the other Vampire by the throat. "You will leave her alone, she is MINE!" he roared, snapping Andre's neck and tossing him aside like a rag doll. Andre rose again; having fed since their last encounter he healed quickly. He was in front of Eric instantly. Andre put his hand through Eric's right shoulder, aiming for his heart and missing as Eric moved. Eric's blood poured out onto Andre's hand.

Eric raised his hands; setting them against Andre he shoved hard. Andre landed in the forest, where he landed with a large crack, his back snapping on a tree as it fell. Eric wasted no time grabbing a piece of wood, stabbing it through the Vampire's heart and twisting for good measure as Andre screamed and started exploding blood.

Eric immediately took to the air, not wanting to wait for Bill's return. He flew home quickly, healing on the way. As he walked through his back door, he smelled Sookie's sweet scent all over his house. He smiled, anxious to see her again. Weakly, he made his way down the hall.

"ERIC!" she shrieked, seeing the hole in his jacket and shirt, new pink flesh showing through. He had blood in his hair, his fangs hanging down. She ran over to him. "Are you ok?" she cried desperately. "What happened? I'm so sorry, this is all my fault!" she cried, tears swelling in her eyes again.

Pam smiled and left silently, the pair not noticing her departure.

Eric retracted his fangs and pulled Sookie into an embrace. "It is NOT your fault. I chose to not let them have you," he stated sternly. "I have healed; I am fine," he whispered into her ear as he smelled her hair, her sweet smell assaulting his senses.

"Do you need to feed?" she asked quietly, her eyes full of uncertainty. She moved her hair off of her neck. "Please don't hurt me," she said as she turned her head to the side, giving him access.

Eric groaned as his fangs snapped down, a shiver moving up his spine as his hand moved to her chin, turning her head to face him. Her gaze met his for a moment before she leaned forward, touching her lips to his. Their kiss turned from soft to passionate as her hands came up, wrapping around his neck, her tongue slipping out to move across his fangs tenderly. He moaned at the sensation, wrapping his arms around her waist as he lifted her to bring her closer to him. He trailed soft kisses to her pulse point on her neck, letting his fangs sink in. Her blood was intoxicating. He drew twice, relishing the taste of her. 'She's fairy,' he thought. 'That explains quite a bit, but not all of it. Only one family, one fairy family glows blue. I cannot imagine them not claiming her.'

Licking her neck, he sealed the wounds he left. He pierced his tongue, letting the blood flow onto the wounds. The wounds would be gone by tomorrow; he wanted no markings on her beautiful skin.

"Sookie, will you take some of my blood? It will help me find you in case you are ever taken from me," he said.

"I won't have to take a lot will I?" she asked, hesitating.

"No just a little bit, I promise," he said.

"Why are you helping me?" she asked, her eyes downcast as the words left her mouth.

"I'm not sure," Eric admitted. "My blood will ensure that I can find you."

Sookie nodded her permission. Eric bit into his own wrist, offering it to her. Sookie took it to her mouth, the sweet taste of his blood coating the inside of her mouth. She groaned as she swallowed, her body warming considerably, wetness pooling between her legs. She licked his wound, mimicking the movements she felt him make on his wrist.

Eric felt the invisible, electrical strings attaching him to Sookie as she swallowed his blood. The air around them was almost popping with electricity. Sookie started glowing blue and the glow began to encompass Eric. They looked around themselves, startled.

"Eric, what is happening?" Sookie whispered.

He remained quiet, trying to understand what he was seeing. "I think we should talk now and shower later," he answered. "Sookie, what do you know of your family, your blood relatives?" he asked.

Sookie sighed, the blue light disappearing as she focused on answering his questions. "My parents died when I was 7. My brother and I went to live with my Gran, my father's mother. My Momma's parents were gone before she met my Dad. My Dad had a sister, that would be my Aunt Lydia, and she had a daughter, Hadley," Sookie answered.

"What about your grandfather; did you know him?" Eric inquired.

"I did; he was a typical grandfather, took us fishing, taught us to swim, gave us candy," Sookie said, smiling at her memories. "He was always full of love. He passed away before my parents, just a few months actually."

Eric remained quiet, trying to find the connection. 'Where is the fairy relative? I know it's there, I just don't know where.' He was lost in thought when he felt his phone vibrate. Flipping it open, he read the message. "U chose wisely. Thank u. U will not regret it." It was from Fintan. He replied quickly. "Are you ready to provide the answers to my questions?"

Sookie interrupted his train of thought, her small hands wrapping around his forearm, seeking his attention. "Eric, what happened tonight? Who is the Queen? Who was Andre? Why do they want me? Why do they have my cousin Hadley?"

Moving them to the couches, Eric sat slowly, bringing Sookie down next to him. "Let us sit," he suggested. She curled up next to him, her head on his shoulder.

Eric sighed. "I do not have all the answers, my Sookie, but I will tell you what I know. The Queen is Sophie Ann Leclerq; she rules over the Vampires of Louisiana. I report to her; I am Sheriff of Area 5. Andre is her child, her first child, and her lover. If he is after you, and I have no doubt he is, then it's because she sent him here after you. I do not know of the connection between them and Hadley. The Queen and Andre reside in New Orleans, in the palace. You, and now by my actions tonight, me, are involved in something and I am not sure what it is. After tonight, we will be hunted. You will have to stay here with me Sookie. It is the only way for me to keep you safe while we get to the bottom of this," he said, thinking out loud.

His phone vibrated again. It was an incoming call from an unidentified number.

"Northman," he stated answering the call

"Eric! I figured I would call, now that the shit has hit the fan," came the reply, with laughter. It was Stan Davis, King of Texas.

"Majesty," Eric replied, not willing to let Stan know that he had no idea what he was referring to.

"I am talking about you finding that little telepathic fairy of yours. She is a prize you know, will lead you to the greatness we all know you are capable of," Stan said still laughing.

"How would you know of my telepathic fairy Majesty?" he inquired patiently. He would tolerate being a joke as long as it got him answers to his questions.

"All in time, Viking. I just wanted to let you know, I am on your side. You have quite a few Allies; all you need to do is look for them." Stan stated.

"What would be the purpose in having Allies? You make it sound like I am on a mission, Majesty," Eric replied, a tight smile taking over his face.

"That will also come in time. Right now, focus on bonding with your fairy. Complete the bond Eric; its important. Complete the bond!" Stan repeated, hanging up after he was done.

"Eric?" Sookie asked. She'd heard his side of the conversation.

"It seems we have Allies coming to us, my Sookie; we will not be alone," he said, kissing her head, still on his shoulder, running his hand through her hair. "I want you to go to the kitchen," he pointed behind him. "Grab what you will need for the next two days. I do not want you out of my dayroom when I rest during the day. We will be retiring there shortly. I have a small kitchen there that you can use, so grab whatever you want. The kitchen up here is fully stocked. We will finish our discussion from there," he said, nudging her up as he stood.

Sookie walked towards the kitchen and grabbed a bag. She stuffed the bag full of some staples and fruit. Grabbing a few items from the freezer, she also grabbed a loaf of bread and walked towards Eric. He grabbed both swords from over the fireplace and slung Sookie's bag over his shoulder. He wrapped Sookie into his free arm and flew them down the hall through several doors, down a long flight of stairs, and through a series of doors with key panels. He set her down in front of a steel door, a retina scanner beside the door in the wall with a numbered key panel. "The other doors will lock when I punch in the code here. The retina scanner is always on. I will show you tomorrow how to use it and I will program you in with access later once our immediate danger has passed. For now, only I have clearance," he said, leading her through the door and shutting it firmly behind him. He turned, another numbered key panel in front of him, hitting a series of numbers. She heard a series of beeps and a series of locks sliding into place on the steel door.

"You will be safe here Sookie. This chamber is below ground, and we have a separate a/c, heat and oxygen system. We could survive a nuclear explosion and fallout here for up to 10 years, its even protected against magic, as best as can be. Nobody gets in or out without the codes," he said, reassuring her. "I'll show you the kitchen."

They were standing in a little foyer area. It was like an apartment below ground. The foyer opened into a large living room with the same decoration as the living room upstairs - leather couches and white pillows. To the right of the living room was the kitchen. While small in size, it was equipped with the normal appliances - a stovetop, oven, refrigerator/freezer, and dishwasher. Eric opened the door of a small closet. "You can use this for a pantry; we will bring more stuff down tomorrow," he said.

Sookie quickly put away the groceries she had brought downstairs. Looking at him, she asked "What's next?"

"We must discuss what has happened. There are things you should know," Eric stated calmly.

Taking her hand, he led her back into the living room and offered her a seat on one of the sofas. Sookie sank into one, leaning up against Eric as he sat next to her.

"Andre, the Vampire you met tonight. I brought him his final death. If I had not, he would have continued coming after you until he captured you," Eric explained.

Sookie trembled next to him, tears falling from her eyes. "Why are they after me? I've done nothing to them!"

Eric felt the terror in her; her taking his blood had started a bond. He could feel most, if not all of her emotions.

"I don't have the complete answer to that Sookie," he said, squeezing her to him. "I do know we will find out. However, we must go over a few things about you being here. This is my day chamber. With the exception of myself, Pam and now you, NOBODY knows where we are, and how to get in. When the sun rises, I will die for the day. You cannot leave this area. The steel door will ensure nobody can get to you, and right now you cannot leave, but there is an emergency hatch. I will show you later; it's in the bathroom. You cannot use it unless I tell you to."

Sookie nodded her understanding.

"I am not sure what you know of Vampires Sookie, but when I rest for the day, I will not awaken until the sun goes down. You do not have to worry about waking me or disturbing me. You can use this space as your own. I have a small office here that will connect you to a pc and the outside world. You cannot tell anyone where you are or who you are with until we understand the full impact of everything."

"What impact?" Sookie asked, turning to look at him. "What are you talking about?"

"Sookie I killed a Vampire Child of the Queen. She will find out, if she doesn't already know, and there will be consequences. That same Queen wants you and I have you. We will be hunted. I don't know what Compton will tell her, I don't know what your Hadley will tell her. We have to wait and see," Eric explained. "I will not chase her; she will come to me. Battle strategy is something I have some knowledge of," he said, smirking. "I will not lose."

"I cannot stay here and endanger you Eric! It's my fault! Let me face her and deal with the consequences; I can go to the police or something. Surely things are not as extreme as you make them sound. This is America; we have laws," she said.

"Sookie, you do not understand Vampires. We have our own laws, and they are older than yours. We are not bound by the same things you are. The Queen is law in Louisiana. To go to the police would do you no good; she could order them glamoured to forget or killed." Eric explained, not giving her the full picture, but enough for her to understand some realities.

He was hesitant to give her the full scope of the situation. She wouldn't handle it well; she had no understanding of the violence of this world.

"Sookie, do you ever remember your grandmother mentioning anything to you about Fairies? Or names? Maybe Fintan?" he questioned.


Sophie Anne felt a horrible pain, followed by numbness.

"Andre," she whispered, "I will avenge you!"

She knew. She knew her child was gone. 'Who would have done this? Everyone knows he is my child!'

Sophie Anne rose from her chair. She had been presiding over a trial. Leaving the room, she said "We will adjourn until tomorrow night at midnight," her heels tapping down the hallway. She held back her tears until she was in her private chamber.

After a few minutes, she heard the phone ringing in her private office. Walking slowly towards the phone, she used the distraction to focus on something other than her grief.

"Hello?"

"Do you have her?"

"Not yet, Felipe, I have dispatched my child Andre, I am expecting her arrival before sunrise," Sophie Anne lied in reply.

"I will speak to you tomorrow then; we have much planning to do," Felipe replied.

"All is well in Vegas?" Sophie Anne questioned. Felipe de Castro was the King of Nevada. He had extensive knowledge of the prophecy, while Sophie Anne had Sookie, or so they thought. If Andre had failed, as she suspected, it would be a big problem for Sophie Anne. There would be no stopping Felipe from trying to take over Louisiana just to acquire the telepath.

"We can discuss that tomorrow," he said, hanging up.


"Fintan?" Sookie questioned. "When my Gran died and we were at the funeral, there was a man, an older man; he said the name Fintan. He was very nice, almost comforting. He had long white hair, and he almost looked like he had a tan, but different. His name wasn't Fintan though. I can't remember it; he knew my Gran. He said he knew her very well, and that he had visited me as a child."

Eric moved to sit on the coffee table across from Sookie, taking both of her hands in his and holding her gaze.

"Sookie, this is important. I need you to remember what he said. Did anyone else talk to him? Did he give you anything?" Eric questioned.

"He gave me a wooden box. It was similar to one Gran gave me to hold my diploma when I graduated high school. It had beautiful carvings on it. It was heavy too," Sookie said, struggling to remember details. "Why is this so important Eric? Gran had lots of friends."

"I haven't put all this together yet; I promise when I figure it out I will tell you. I don't want to give you "what if" scenarios though Sookie. That could put you in more danger than you are in now," he answered. "Did you ever open the box?"

"No. It's in my bedroom, in my dresser, top drawer, left side. When Gran died I just…..I just stopped…for awhile. She'd been with me my whole life, and I just couldn't think straight then," Sookie admitted with embarrassment.

"Do you remember what he told you?"

"He was talking about how he knew Gran; said they had known each other many years ago. He had been friends with my grandfather too. I'll have to think on it. I just can't remember much more, I'm sorry," she said, looking down.

"You have nothing to be sorry for, my Sookie," Eric said softly, squeezing her hands. "Why don't you relax a bit and I'll get a few things done and give you a tour?"

Sookie nodded as he pulled her legs up onto the sofa, pulling her shoes off. He grabbed the blanket and draped it over her and turned on the TV. Giving Sookie the remote, he kissed her head and left the room, heading to his office.


Felipe hung up the phone.

"She is fucking this up," he stated.

"Should I step in?" questioned the dark Vampire sitting on the other side of his desk, Victor Madden. Victor looked at his hands, waiting for his answer. "If you know she is fucking up, I can go and clean up the mess."

"Go and find out what you can about the girl. Do not interfere yet. Find out what has happened," Felipe replied. "Leave tonight."

Felipe picked up his phone again. "Get the plane ready, Victor is going to Louisiana!" he said, hanging up at the end of his sentence.

"Information ONLY Victor. Do NOT intervene until I say so!" Felipe said sternly.

"Majesty," Victor nodded. He got up from his chair and left the room, shutting the door behind him.

Felipe sat in his office, alone, staring at the desk in front of him. 'I must have the telepath! Sophie Anne can be a casualty, but I must handle this delicately. My ownership of the girl cannot be questioned. It must be MY child; she must give birth to MY child.'


Eric sorted through his email, listening to Sookie flip channels. When he heard the same channel for a while, he listened for her heartbeat, the evenness telling him when she was asleep.

He shut the door to his office quietly, opening his phone.

He dialed Fintan's number.

"Good Choice Viking. Good choice. You have my thank you!" was the greeting.

"Why don't you tell me. What. Exactly. Is. Going. On?" Eric demanded, anger seeping into his voice.

"I think right now you need to keep your telepath close and focus on keeping her safe, Vampire," Fintan replied.

"I need to know what I am keeping her safe from! I've killed the child of my Queen and taken an asset she wanted to claim, and I still do not know why!"

"Right now, I can't tell you," Fintan answered.

"Maybe you can tell me why Niall visited her when her grandmother died, or why she carries some of your family…traits, or maybe you can tell me what she is hiding in the wood box?" Eric demanded.

"Family traits?" Fintan chuckled. "I never said she was family, Vampire."

"You didn't have to. When we exchanged blood the blue glow started. Only your family does that FAIRY!" he retorted. "So that leaves either you or Niall. And what of the box? She has never opened it."

"You exchanged blood?" Fintan demanded.

"Right now I can't tell you," Eric replied, an eyebrow arching as he spoke.

"Where can I meet you?" Fintan demanded.

"You can't. I am in my day chamber. Sookie is here with me and we are locked in," he replied easily.

"Eric, I cannot discuss this on the phone. You must meet me somewhere, we must speak! The box…it is important…you must have it. You must not separate Sookie from it!"

"Why?"

"Eric, get yourself somewhere I can meet you. NOW!" CLICK.

Eric walked out to the living room; Sookie was sleeping on the couch. Walking back to the office, he used his pc to view the cameras he had around the upstairs house to make sure nobody was lurking about. He wrote a quick note to Sookie, telling her to stay put in case she woke, and he left his day chamber.


Sookie flipped channels in the living room, finally settling on sitcom reruns. They were brainless and let her unplug for a little bit.

She fell asleep in the middle of Roseanne.

"Sookie…..Sookie, you need to answer me baby girl!" she heard her Gran's voice near her head.

"Gran?" she asked. "Am I dreamin' again?"

"Yes baby girl you are," her Gran took a seat on the table as Eric had done not that long ago. Sookie sat up, looking at her.

"Gran, a lot has happened.A horrible Vampire came after me! you were right about Bill. I don't understand what is going on!" she said, crying in confusion and fear.

Gran took her in her arms, hugging her tightly.

"Shhhh baby girl, we need to talk. We have time right now," she answered, running her hands down Sookie's back. "There is much I need to tell you and we are safe here," Gran said as Sookie leaned back, both of them looking around.

"Do you know Eric?" Sookie asked.

"No baby, but he is a good man. He will keep you safe; you MUST trust him!" Gran said "This isn't over baby. I need you to know Sookie, I kept things from you," Gran said, her hands in her lap. "Things you need to know now. Your grandfather…he isn't who you think he was baby."

"What are you talking about Gran? Grandpa was a wonderful man, and he was married to you for over 50 years!" Sookie replied.

"My husband was a wonderful man, Sookie, but he wasn't your biological grandfather. He wasn't able to have children baby. He was ill as a child and it turned him sterile." Gran paused, waiting for Sookie to understand.

"That's not possible Gran! You had Daddy and Aunt Linda with Grandpa!" Sookie said, not understanding what she was being told.

"Sookie, he was my husband, but he wasn't your biological Grandfather. Baby, there was a man I met, after I met your Grandfather. I knew I was in love with my husband, but I wanted children in the worst way, and he was traveling frequently. I met Niall Brigant and we became….close Sookie. Very very close," Gran said, unable to say the words.

Sookie's eyes got large. "Gran…you…you cheated on Grandpa? You had an affair? Did he know?"

"Yes baby, yes I did and yes he knew. When I realized I was pregnant, I confessed to him. He was upset but we worked through it and we were blessed with your Dad and later Aunt Linda. I won't give you all the details, Sookie; you don't need them. But your biological grandfather is Niall Brigant, Sookie. He is a Fairy. He lives in a different world most of the time and he is very, very powerful. When I told him I was pregnant both times, he agreed to stay away, letting me keep the children. He knew what a good man my husband was. You met him a few times when you were younger."

"I don't remember," Sookie said, shaking her head.

"You will when you think about it. You have an Uncle. I think you will be meeting him soon; his name is Fintan. He is also a good man. You can trust them both. Fintan helped me when you started with your telepathy, Sookie, and the dreams. He helped me with those too."

"Why haven't I ever met them? I don't remember them Gran! Are they ashamed of me?" Sookie asked, looking down.

"No! Sookie, there are things I just can't explain right now, but they stayed away to keep us safe. I think that is why you are in danger now, baby.Someone has realized what you can do and who you are."

Sookie felt an odd pull all of a sudden.

"Sookie, you need to wake up. I'll be back soon; I'll tell you more then. Make sure you share what I've told you with Eric. And remember baby I love you!"

Sookie woke with a shock, trying to take a deep breath.

Eric was sitting across from her in the chair, his gaze drawn to her when he heard her gasp.


Walking into the upstairs living room, Eric hit redial. "I am available." shutting his phone, he sat on a couch, slipping into downtime, waiting for his guest.

I didn't take long – POP – and Fintan was in front of him.

Eric's eyes rose. "Ready to compare notes?" he asked.

"I will tell you all I can Eric," Fintan said, sinking into the chair.

"What is she?"

"Sookie is Niall's granddaughter. Adele, her grandmother, had an affair with him; the result of that affair was Sookie's Dad and her Aunt Linda."

"She is a telepathic fairy PRINCESS?" Eric asked. "That isn't all is it?"

"No…no that isn't all." Fintan sighed. "Her Mother's bloodline…she has a relative on the Council."

"Which one?"

"I cannot reveal that, it is not my place," Fintan answered. "But I can tell you it will be revealed to you later."

"How much later?" Eric growled, losing patience.

"Let's focus on Sookie. Niall has not claimed her. Adele knew what and who he was; she decided to keep her children secret, choosing to raise them with her husband. Niall allowed this. He was deeply in love with her. He knew she would never leave her husband and he had no way to raise two part fairies, so he watched from afar. When Sookie was born, he saw the spark in her. He told me to keep an eye on things, and made me available to Adele to help Sookie with her powers. After her parents were murdered, Sookie and her brother went to live with Adele full time. Her telepathy and other powers started manifesting then."

"The box?" Eric said.

"The box contains a blood sword. Sookie is its guardian. You must bring it to her and soon. Nobody but the intended may have it." Fintan said guardedly.

"A blood sword?" Eric questioned. "I have heard of them, but I've never seen one, not in my thousand years. Who is its intended?"

"I cannot tell you," Fintan said.

"Can't or won't?" Eric demanded.

"He can't," came a voice behind him. Eric jerked around using his Vampire speed, hissing a warning.

"Father," Fintan said, lowering himself to one knee.

"Rise my son," Niall said lovingly. "He cannot tell you who the sword is for Vampire; it will alter a potential future."

"You enter my home without permission and presume to tell me NO!" Eric yelled, his temper flaring.

"You have my granddaughter! I will come and go at MY will Vampire!" Niall replied hotly. "I can remove her from here easily."

"YOU WILL NOT TOUCH HER!" Eric yelled, the windows vibrating.

"Father! Eric! You will not keep her safe or help her by fighting each other!" Fintan lectured.

"I cannot keep her safe when I do not know what I am protecting her from," Eric stated matter-of-factly.

"You just need to keep her from harm Vampire," Niall retorted, unwilling to give up any information.

"Father, Eric, we are wasting time. Tomorrow night we will meet again. Here, all of us; Eric bring Sookie. We will discuss what we can," Fintan offered.

"Fine, leave, NOW!" Eric demanded.

POP – POP and he was alone again.


Victor left the office and made his was way to the waiting car. Once they had pulled away from the mansion he opened his cell phone. "I am on the way," he stated. "What has happened?"

He was silent, listening to the explanation provided, his mind already beginning to plan out a course of action.

"Do nothing until I land. Meet me at the airstrip outside of New Orleans. We will decide the next course of action. Do NOT tell the Queen of my arrival." He shut his phone. Leaning back comfortably in the seat, he drummed his fingers on the armrest.


Bill and Hadley looked at each other in stunned silence, both in fear but for different reasons.

Hadley had been sure Sophie Anne loved her, sure that Sophie was going to turn her, making her one of her beloved children. She had been positive this was going to happen. So confident in fact that she had been discussing her past with Sophie, sharing her memories of her family and dreams with the Queen.

When Sophie began asking questions about Sookie, Hadley assumed that it had been out of interest in her, Sophie's way of showing she was listening and caring.

Yes, Hadley had been positive it was only a matter of time, positive that is until tonight. Andre choking her almost to death and announcing he had Sophie's permission had finally burst her bubble. 'What am I going to do now? If I return alive is Sophie going to kill me? She only used me to get to Sookie,' she thought. 'What is she going to do to me?'

As the limo continued to speed towards New Orleans the two looked at each other, their minds struggling with all that had happened and all that could still happen when they arrived.

Bill's cell phone ringing broke the tense silence.

"Compton," he said, opening the phone.

"I am on the way. What has happened?"

"Victor, Northman took the girl. We were on the way to New Orleans, having acquired her and Northman …. He intervened. I can fill you in on the details when you arrive. Things are bad. Where should I meet you?"

"Do nothing until I land. Meet me at the airstrip outside of New Orleans. We will decide the next course of action. Do NOT tell the Queen of my arrival."

Bill closed his cell phone. Looking at Hadley, he thought out his next words carefully.

"Hadley….I do not think it wise for us to return to the Queen immediately…" he started. 'if ever.'

"I don't want to go back, at all. If you could stop somewhere, I'll go. Nobody will ever find me again," Hadley answered desperately.

"I have to meet an associate; he will be arriving within the hour at an airstrip outside of New Orleans. I think you may want to join us. Your connection to Sookie would make you valuable to him. I will not be returning to the Queen, not for quite a while, but I leave the decision to you. Would you like to continue on with me or would you like me to drop you off?"

"I want you to drop me off, please," she begged. "Glamour me into forgetting, Bill, and let me go, the Queen, all of it."

Bill looked at the woman for a moment before beginning his glamour. "Hadley look into my eyes….look at me….you feel safe now Hadley; nobody can hurt you..."

Hadley felt the pull in her mind and she let go.

Bill considered glamouring her into submission, but feeling strangely merciful after all he had seen tonight, he decided it would be more of a problem to keep her. He erased her knowledge of the Queen, her plans for Sookie and her knowledge of Vampires. He left her with memories of traveling to places she had never been and dropped her off at a hospital.

Glamouring the human driver, he continued on to the airstrip, waiting in the limo for the plane to arrive.


AN: Sorry for the delay everyone, I've been dealing with some RL drama and I've been extremely distracted. I'll spare ya'll the gory details...its just been crazy.

I have chapter 9 and I am working on it. For those of you who have been messaging me about where are the changes, well this chapter started some of the changes.