Chapter 9

***********PL*********

EPOV

Sookie will never know how much her request means to me. I would have done anything to get her to come to one of my houses tonight. Not just for her to take some of my blood. Okay, if I'm honest with myself, there is nothing I want more at this moment then to fill her with my blood and rid her of Compton's. The idea that any part of him is in my Sookie is driving me crazy. The fact that he not only gave her his blood but that he did it under false pretenses is killing me. It is all I can do not to fly into a rage and kill him on the spot.

Nevertheless, even if that is a very powerful motive, it is not my only one. The truth of it is that I don't want to let her out of my sight. I would be satisfied to just speak with her all night and learn more about this Sookie and how her mind works. Then again, if other things should happen, I will not be upset. I am a Vampire, after all. Sookie did everything but jump in my lap last night when I took her home. She is feeling the connection between us just as much as I am. It is taking all of my self control not to stop the car and bend her over the hood. The hood makes me think of that Orgy she invited me too, what happened….okay focus, wrong timeline, that hasn't happened, and Sookie is pure. Taking her over the hood of the car will need to wait for another time.

Other than my lustful thoughts for her, I know that Sookie would be safe in her home tonight. I know that her Grandmother has been protecting her and that Bill's invitation has been rescinded. I just feel safer with her by my side. I will not have a silly thing as bringing her back to Bon Temps jeopardize the chance the Goddess has bestowed upon us. I made that mistake before. I'm not infallible. Nevertheless, if I make a mistake, I always learn from it. Yes, I would have done just about anything to keep Sookie at my side this evening.

However, the fact that she wanted to be somewhere private with me, well just made plans for the evening that much easier.

"So, um, where are we going?" Sookie asks taking me out of my thoughts.

I turn to look at her as I keep driving. "We are going to one of my safe houses." I say. "It's not too far away."

"Houses, as you own more than one?" She asks.

I could laugh at the look on her face, but I won't. I know this is all new to her. From the expression on her face, it confirms my assumptions. The fact that anyone would own more than one piece of property is just as foreign to her as it would be to ride an elephant to down the main street of her little town.

"Sookie, I've lived a very long time," I say to her. "It is important that I have several places to rest if I need to prevent any harm from befalling me during the day. You never know when your position has been compromised."

"But…but you're the Sheriff. Who would want to do you harm? Wouldn't that get them in all sorts of trouble?" She asks me.

I nod. "That would. But the political tone of the Vampire world is a precarious one. You must always be on your guard. Vampires find themselves on the wrong end of a pointy stake if they don't."

"But don't you just need to be out of the sunlight?" She asks. "I mean, you don't really need a whole house do you?"

I pause for a moment before answering her. But before I can answer her, she speaks.

"I'm sorry," she says. "Was that too personal?"

"Sookie, you may ask me anything at anytime. Nothing is off limits with you." I choose my words closely for what I'm about to say next. "You may ask me anything. I never want you to think you can't. There may be times however, that I will not be able to tell you everything for your safety, mine or the safety of those who are in my retinue." I pause. "But know that when and if I can, I will answer you. If I can't, I will simply tell you so or ask that you wait for me to answer you at another time." I pause. "Can you trust me enough to allow me times like that?"

She pauses for a moment looking down at her hands. I can see her physically tensing in the seat beside me. "I don't like secrets, Eric. All my life, I felt like people were keeping things from me. I don't like feeling like I can't be trusted with information or that people are hiding things from me. I've accepted the fact that my brother would rather lie then tell the truth and I know that Gran has kept a great deal from me over the years. Whether it was because of my age, fear or something else, she has guarded her thoughts and words as a miser protects his gold."

"Sookie, that's not…"

"I know," she says before I can get out my reasoning. "Eric, I understand. You are a very important Vampire and a lot of people depend on you to make the right decisions and to keep them and theirs safe. I get that, I really do. I also understand that I'm not a Vampire and though you have been very forthcoming with me so far, there is probably just as much that you can't or won't tell me than you have. I'm not naïve to think that there isn't stuff that goes on in your world that the human race would be horrified to learn about." He looks at me. "I trust you Eric. I have no idea why I do, but I do. I just ask you to tell me what you can and if you are I are in danger to please tell me as much as you can. I can handle a lot but the not knowing would drive me insane."

"I promise to tell you as much as I can. Is that enough for you?" I ask her. I don't want to make her a promise that I will be unable to keep. There are things I can't tell her and she will have to trust me.

"That will do for now. Just, please never lie to me. I couldn't take it if you lied to me." She says.

I take her hand in mine. "Never, my sweet Sookie, never," I say and bring her hand up to kiss it.

After a moment of silence, I return to my original explanation of why I have so many houses. "Now, back to why I have so many houses." I pause and she looks at me. "Vampires come in all shapes and sizes. However, the one thing we all have in common is that we all love our luxuries and comforts. Albeit some do not have the means to have what others have. Depending on age, power and status in my world, not only do you gain wealth but prestige. Do you understand?" I ask her.

She nods. "Yeah it's like the one percent group." She says.

I smile. "Exactly. Once you reach a certain age and power level, you gain from having." I pause. "But regardless of your station, power level or connections, we all thrive to have the most comfort that we can. Gone are the days where we needed to dig a hole to be safe for the day. Or, sneak into a crypt to wait out the sun. Though, I would do either of those if the need arose." I smile to her. "When we can, we like to surround ourselves with the finest things. One of the luxuries many of the older Vampires have is going down for the day above ground in a secure location. However, one can't be too careful. In the days of wars and powers struggles, many of us moved daily to avoid getting caught off guard. Vampires have always employed or secured the assistance of day walkers to help in this capacity. Many use them as guards, while others use them to run errands or keep you residence a secret. The last thing you would want would be to be staked by a slave or pet of your rival vampire. So though we like the finer things, we focus greatly on security and safety. The longer you have walked this earth, the more cautious you become. Like I said, the only Vampires a Vampire can trust are…"

"Are the ones you made or the one that made you?" She says to me. "I get that. But to have so many residences sounds a little, I don't know. Wouldn't it be safer, to have other places as well?" She asks me.

I look at her out of the corner of my eye. "Like what, Sookie?" I ask her.

"Well, anyone that could do you harm wouldn't suspect you would rest in places other than a house." She says. "Why don't you use places like, somewhere at Fangtasia or other businesses you own or have a stake in. Warehouses, storefronts, properties way out in the woods, I don't know." She shrugs.

I smile at her thought process. She is already thinking like a warrior. "Yes, I have several of those types of places as well. But I also own a great deal of real estate; both in my name and in the names of corporations. Some that can be traced to me while others cannot. The internet is a very powerful tool and one that has made it hard to keep ourselves hidden. Any Vampire who has taken the time to learn how to use this tool could track a not so cautious Vampire." I say to her.

She nods. "That's one of the reasons you all came out, isn't it?" She asks. "Because it was getting too hard to hide from technology?"

I nod. "One of the reasons, yes. But it was a very strong argument for us revealing ourselves before someone else did it for us."

"Okay, but how do you know that you can trust the humans and day walkers? Couldn't they be glamoured or something to tell where you are?" She asks me.

I nod. "That is always been a concern for my kind. Some employee people and treat them very well so that they wouldn't want to betray their masters. Other bond their day people to them with blood, other's make them into slaves or Renfields. While other Vampires use threats and torture to keep their humans in line." I say to her.

She's silent for a moment. "Bobby is your day man?" She asks.

I nod. "He is," before she can ask, I answer. "Sookie, Bobby isn't the only one employed by me. I treat them all very well financially and give them jobs and salaries that they would not be able to find anywhere else. Some are of the Supe community and thus have a different connection to me. Bobby is all-human. He has been with me for several years and I trust him very much. However, albeit a few times, he honestly doesn't know which residence I will be in from day to day. Therefore, if he were glamoured, he would honestly be able to say that he doesn't know. In addition, my houses have very elaborate security systems. It would be very difficult for any to get close to me while I rest for the day.

We sit in silence for a moment.

I decide to continue with the conversation of the house. "The house we are going to is one that is owned on paper by one of my companies. I am not listed on any documentation for either the house or the corporation. If someone tries to trace the house to a specific owner, they will land on a dead end. Unless you knew who it belonged to, you would not suspect that it was mine." I say.

"So, um, how many houses do you own around here?" She asks.

"I personally own three in the Shreveport area. Through my companies and connections, I have access to several more. I also own a house in the Garden District of New Orleans, One in Texas, Montana and Washington State. I have several other places in surrounding states through business that can be used in an emergency. I have quite a few homes I own and others I may use overseas and one in Alaska." I pause as she blinks at me. "Since I am a Sheriff here, I have several other places houses in my territory to choose from because of fealty that is owed to me. In addition to all of that, Pam has several as well. If I had to, I could enter and find shelter with her.

There is one home not far from here that I'm preparing to be my major residence but considering the circumstances, I feel we should wait to go there until we know that none will be able to track you." I say to her.

She waits a moment, probably taking in all that I've said. I've noticed that about this Sookie. She doesn't instantly react. Okay, she doesn't instantly react, much. From what I've seen so far, most of the time she will listen and think on what has been said before she responds. I like that. It shows signs of tremendous restraint and great intelligence. It will serve her well in the years to come.

"You..you don't want Bill to be able to find your home?" She asks me.

"Well, once I start staying there on some permanent basis perhaps he will know where I am." I hope that he will have met the sun by then, but I keep that to myself. "But be that as it may, I don't wish to put you in any undo danger this evening." I say. "I would suspect that he will not be pleased when he finds out that you aren't where he expects you to be. If it were me, I would start looking for you immediately. Remember Sookie, he did not see you home last night. As far as he's concerened, he may think I've not let you go." Though I smelled him around the farmhouse when I came to see Adele. I'm sure he was aware that she was home. Also that he couldn't gain access. If I am correct, he has been spying on my Sookie since the moment he enter that town.

"But, all he would have to do is speak to Sam or Gran and know that I'm fine," she says.

I nod. "Yes, and in that case, he would expect you to be in your usual places. Not out with me. Once he confirms that you are neither at the bar or your home, he will start searching for you." I say to her.

"But, I mean, I didn't…well that's to say, I didn't see Bill every night. I don't think he would come looking for me." Sookie says and blushes a little.

I smile. She has no idea how beautiful and special she really is.

"Sookie, Bill may be young, but he made it very clear his intentions last evening. It was foolish of him to announce in a bar full of Vampires that you were his just to be denied such a claim from you. He has given you his blood without informing you what it would do to you. I can only assume it was so he could know where you are and you wouldn't be aware of it. The fact that he has no sway in your thoughts can and should aggravate him considering he is trying to control you without your knowledge."

She looks out the window for a moment. "Why…why would he go through so much trouble, Eric?" She asks.

I sigh. I wish she hadn't asked that question. I just promised her that I would not lie to her and here she is asking me a question that I don't want to answer.

"Sookie, will you allow me time to answer that question?" I ask her. This is where I find out if she meant those words she just said.

"Do you think that Bill wants to do me harm?" She asks.

I nod at her. "I'm not completely clear on his motives," well not in this timeline, anyway, "however, I suspect that since his has been less than forthcoming, he is up to something. When I'm in complete knowledge of what that is, I will tell you." I say to her.

She sighs. "Alright, Eric," she says, "I'm going to trust you with this. But I want to know if Bill is trying to harm me or Gran. You're right, I don't trust him and neither does Gran. He is not what he says he is and I don't like it. He's like a wolf in sheep's clothing."

I stare at her for a second. "What did you call him?"

"You know, a wolf that dresses up like a sheep to get their kill." She pauses for a moment. "It started from the bible, "Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves," I believe it's in the Gospel of Matthew. Then there is the reference in the Aesop's fables, I believe the first sighting was in the twelfth century. Then there is a Latin proverb which states, Pelle sub agnina latitat mens saepe lupina (Under a sheep's skin often hides a wolfish mind). But in all accounts, the message is the same." She stops and looks at me. "Oh, um, sorry. I'm sure you didn't was all that information. Sometimes it just spills out."

I laugh.

"Are you laughing at me?" She asks.

"No, my beautiful girl," I say to her. "I love how your mind works. Yes, you are correct in all counts of your interpretation of the phrase. I have just heard that several times in the last few days and I was surprised when I heard you use it."

"Oh, well there you see, you weren't looking for a history lesson." She sighs. "I am sorry. You probably knew all of that anyway."

I did, but she doesn't need to know it.

"It was very educational and I look forward to you schooling me in the future, Ms. Stackhouse." I give her a look. "Perhaps next time you will put your hair up, wear glasses and a pencil shirt?" I wiggle my eyebrows at her.

"Eric," she says with a laugh.

"Oh, yes, Ms. Stackhouse. I look forward to learning from you." I growl.

She blushes and looks down again. I pick her hand up and kiss it once more.

She clears her throat. "So, we don't want the wolf to know where I am until you want him to?" She asks.

I nod. "No, until he can no longer track you, it's important to keep you out of harm's way."

"And you, Eric," she turns in her seat to look at me. "You could get hurt or even killed associating with me." She says to me. "For some reason, I don't think Bill is going to be happy once he knows what's going on." She pauses. "I know that you are the head of the area and the Vampires are supposed to do what you say. But Eric, I think there is more to this than Bill let on. I'm not sure you are safe with me right now."

I have to laugh at that. "Sookie, I've not gotten to be as old as I am without learning a trick or two about protecting myself. And besides," I say as I turn into the gated community, "the day that I'm taken down by the likes of William Compton is the day I've already had both my legs and arms removed and there is a stake an inch from my heart. Even then, I'm sure I could probably take him." I look at her. "Nothing will happen to you while I'm here."

She nods. "I know I'm safe with you, Eric." She says. "I just don't want to cause you any trouble."

I roll down the window and instruct the guard on whom Sookie is and that she is a guest of mine. I don't plan on her staying her more than one night, so I don't give him any more information than that. If everything continues progressing the way I wish it to, I will have her in our home, behind a fence with guards to protect her. Once I'm through outfitting the new estate, there will be no way the likes of William Compton will be able to get near her.

The guard nods and wishes us both a good night. No need to glamour him. This entire complex is Supes and the guards are Supes as well. Since my ties with both major Were packs in the area is secure, no one will betray my trust. It would be suicide and begin a situation that none would want to start.

I pull up the street and through the more congested area. These homes are newer and have been developed within the last ten years. I continue through the winding roads until I reach the house.

When we pull up, I can hear Sookie gasp.

"What's wrong?" I ask her.

"This…this is just one of your houses?" She asks me.

I nod and look back at her. "Yes, actually it is the smallest I own." I say to her. I had thought about selling it. Though, it is the farthest one outside of Shreveport and is conveniently located near the highway that leads to Bon Temps. Our other home is closer, but this may serve us well at some point in the future.

I pull into the driveway and up to the garage. Once the door rises, I pull in and park the SUV next to a sedan that I keep here for emergency purposes. Like the SUV, it is completely outfitted and has state of the art GPS and security. It also has an undercarriage that is bomb proof and glass that is bulletproof. Like I say, I take no chances that aren't calculated moves and the risks have been isolated and weighed. Well, at least it is where my safety and now the safety of My Sookie are concerned.

Closing the garage door with the remote, I turn off the car and get out. Moving around the car, I open the door and help Sookie out.

Walking up to the door, I unlock it, allow her to enter and clear the alarm at the door.

****0****

SPOV

I can't believe that this is just one of his houses. And it's the smallest? How big are the others? What about the one that he says that he wants to make his primary residence? How big could that one be? And he has homes in other States, other countries? The fact that anyone could have all of this is just, well beyond me. But I guess it all makes sense. You really don't want to put a blinking arrow over your house announcing that is where you live if there are people after you. Would I need to move now too? Would Eric expect me to move with him and move around from place to place? I wouldn't think so. He said he had a house he was working on to make his primary home. Does that mean he's going to stay at there? How could he? Would it put him in danger? Would he get security? And what about me and Gran? Wouldn't having us around cause Eric more problems? I mean we could be considered a liability and weakness for Eric. If they couldn't get to him, would they try for one of us? Or would he keep his connection to me a secret in his world. However, if he was going to do that, why did he bring me to such a nice restaurants and introduce me to the head chef? Why would he leave with me last night? We had to be seen leaving together. But then again, everyone could have just thought I was a one-night stand. But am I? I mean he said some pretty beautiful things tonight. Can I believe him? He really hasn't given me any reason not to. Then again, I've heard many things from many people. Men and women alike lie to get what they want. Then again, Eric isn't a man, he's a Vampire. If he wanted me, I don't think he would lie to do it. He promised me that he would never lie to me.

Agh, so many questions and not enough answers. I will need to make time to talk to Eric about all this. The last thing I want is for either of us to be in jeopardy because he is somewhere with me.

From the outside, I could already tell that it is bigger than the farmhouse. I would suspect it has at least four bedrooms. Though the farmhouse has four bedrooms as well, they tend to be a little on the small side. I would bet money on the fact that the rooms in this house are spacious and open. I notice that it's a two story structure with a farmer's porch and brick facing. Eric is right. If you didn't know that he owned this house, you would never guess. It looks like something a new family with small children would move in to. It just has that feel to it.

He motions for me to move down the hallway. I see a small bathroom and laundry room before we spill out into the kitchen.

It's open and airy with white washed cabinets, granite counter tops and stainless steel appliances. It's just a little larger than the one at the farmhouse. But the breakfast counter looking into what I assume is the living room, makes it look larger.

I see one of those one shot coffee makers on the counter that I saw in the mall and a toaster that matches the appliances.

I look around and touch the counters. I reach over to the refrigerator and open it to find not only bloods but human food as well.

"Do you like it?" He asks me.

I nod. Who wouldn't like it. It has everything you could need in a kitchen. But I feel like the entire kitchen is setup for humans, and he isn't one. Why would Eric have all these things in a kitchen that he wouldn't use. Never mind having human things available? He said that this is a safe house. This means he doesn't come here every day. There is only one reason in my mind he would have it set up for human visitors.

"Sookie, what's wrong?" He asks me. "Your entire body just tensed up. That is not my intentions, I assure you. If you feel uncomfortable we can…"

I look up at him and put my hand on his chest. "No, it's not that. I'm fine, really." I say to him as I look around again.

"Sookie my bullshit meter is going off. I know there's something wrong. If you feel like you are being pressured we can…"

"Eric," I put my hand higher on his chest. "It was my idea to come here, remember?"

"Then what has changed from the time we left the car until we came in the room. Sookie, I can't read your mind. If something is wrong you must tell me so that I can correct it." He says.

I can hear a bit of heat in his voice. Well, well, Eric Northman doesn't like to be left in the dark. Good to know. Guess it has to do with that dominant controlling persona of his.

I swallow. He wants to know? Okay, I'll tell him. "Eric, I'm fine. It's just…" I look around again. "Eric, how many um, how many women have you…" I look down again.

"Sookie," he says and I look up at him. "Are you asking how many women I've brought here?" He asks.

I look down and nod. "It just… the coffee pot the food and toaster," I sigh. "Never mind, I don't want to know."

"Sookie," he says again. "Look at me, my beauty."

I slowly look up to his eyes. There is a twinkle in them and he smiles at me.

"It is true that I've been with women, many women." He says.

"Eric, I know that," I interrupt him. "Listen, I may be small town but I'm not stupid. I heard the minds of all those women. I know that you've been with, well, I'm really not sure there isn't anything you haven't done." I shake my head. "It's just being here. When others have…oh bother, forget I asked, okay? I really don't have a right to ask. It was before you met me and I shouldn't allow it to…"

He cuts off my rant with a kiss so intense that I feel it in my painted toenails. It goes on for what feels like forever and when he finally releases me, I swear I could melt right to the ground. I probably would have if he wasn't holding me.

He touches my face softly. "I enjoy the fact that you care who has been here." He says to me. "If I had known other men had been in your house or more precisely in your bed," I blush at his insinuation, "I would be filled with such jealousy that I would not know what to do first." He purrs again but this time close to my ear and I again feel weak in the knees. "I'm not sure if I would want to ravage you or kill them."

I look at him closely. "Jealous, jealous of what?" I ask him. What could he possibly be jealous of? I'm sure that he's been women the likes of which I would pale in comparison too.

He brushes his thumb over my cheek. "I would be jealous of any man who has been that close to you before me, My Sookie. I do not wish to have any be that familiar with you." He says again. "I want none to know you." He brushes over my hair. "The way you smell," He leans in to breathe in my neck. "The way you taste," he kisses the side of my neck before looking back into my eyes. "The way you feel."

I smile. "Well I guess it's lucky that I've never dated much, huh?" I ask him. "Let alone had any more than a kiss." JB was my first kiss. His senior prom, it was nice. The next person to kiss me was Bill. But I can tell you that nothing prepared me for the way Eric kisses. He makes it into an art form. He should really teach. Scratch that. He won't be kissing anyone but me if I have my way.

"Lucky, for me, yes," he says. "Those humans in that small town were fools, Sookie. To have a treasure like you in their midst and deny themselves the warmth of you is beyond ridiculous. You are a candle in a tunnel, the sunrise over a mountain. Sookie you are a Goddess among men. If they were half as smart as they think they are, they would have been worshiping at your feet."

I just keep looking at him. This man has a way with words. They may be utter and complete bullshit, but they're still pretty.

"What I was going to say," He brings my attention back to him, "is that yes, I've been with many women. But I would not take any of them to a place where I would use to rest for the day. I would never trust any of those sheep with knowledge of my day place." He says.

I look around the kitchen again. "Then, um, what's with all the human stuff?" I ask him.

He smiles again. "I had Bobby deliver them earlier this evening." He says. "I suspected that you didn't understand the connection Compton had made with you. From your reaction to his ownership of you told me that you would probably want to fix the situation sooner rather than later and I wanted to make you comfortable."

I smirk at him. "Kind of presumptuous of you to think that I would be coming back to your place, isn't it?" I ask.

He smirks back at me. "Well, as you say, I'm a walking sex God," he says with a laugh and I slap his chest. "But in all seriousness, I had hoped you would agree to at least take some of my blood and I would not disrespect you or the action you had agreed to by offering to do it in the back seat of my car." He rolls his eyes.

"And it isn't presumption, Sookie. It was hopeful. But I must admit that I was prepared to sweep you off your feet, dazzle you and do anything else I needed to get you to agree to return here tonight with me." He says a little softer.

When he turns on the full force of his gaze, I'm lost in his eyes. How can I see so much in his eyes? I could live in there; safe, warm, and protected. Everything a girl could ever want. I reach down to retake possession of my voice that has somehow made its way to the pit of my stomach. Willing it back to my throat, I swallow once to make sure I can again speak.

"You..you have already swept me away, Mr. Northman." I say in a voice I don't recognize as mine. "Even if I had reservations, it wouldn't have taken much to convince me."

"That is very good to know, Ms. Stackhouse," he says moving closer to me.

"Yeah, I ah, I guess being in the backseat of your car would be way too high school, huh?"

He pulls me closer still. So close that his lips are inches away from mine. "I am far from a silly school boy, Sookie," he purrs.

"Don't I know it." I reply.

He kisses me again and it's as intense as the first. As the kiss deepens, he begins to move his hands over my arms, up to my collarbone and across the back of my neck.

I moan into the kiss and soon he is brushing my bottom lip, asking for entry. I immediately respond and he takes charge.

I feel a whoosh around me and when he finally allows me to come up for air, I find myself standing in the middle of a bedroom.

I look around to see a room with cream carpeting, sconces on the walls that have been dimmed and a four poster iron California king size bed. The bedding looks like shades of browns, blues and black and the two chairs by the window match the throw pillows. If Eric didn't decorate this room then whoever did has very expensive taste.

I look up to see his eyes are darker than before. I don't think it's a Vampire thing. No, I've see that look before. Not at me, of course, but I've seen it all the same. It's one of desire and need and I'm sure I have one that matches.

"Sookie, are you still willing to take some of my blood?" He asks me.

This is the moment of truth. What am I going to listen to, my head or my heart? My head is telling me that I'm a fool to even be in the room with Eric. My head is screaming at me to be cautious and take my time. My heart is telling my head to shut the hell up, jump this gorgeous hunk of man, let go. Yeah, my heart has a lot more fun than my head.

I make my decision, close my eyes, and nod at him.

"I want to. But I will only do it under one condition," I say.

He walks me over so that I can sit on the bed. He helps me up and I sit with my legs off the side. It's so high that my feet don't touch the ground and I can swing my feet back and forth. It if was any other situation, I would feel like a little girl. However, in this situation, I feel like anything but a little girl.

"And what is that my beauty?" He asks.

He kneels in front of me and as tall as he is, his face is only slightly below me. I touch the side of his face. My fingers warm where they touch his cool skin and he leans in to it. I swear I hear him purr. I watch as he closes his eyes. I swear he is taking in the warmth of my touch as I take in the cool, hardness of his skin.

"Eric, I'll take some of your blood if you take some of mine at the same time."

His eyes snap to mine. "Sookie, I told you…"

I nod. "I know what you told me. You also said that you would want to Bond with me right now if you could. You are sure about me and I'm, well, I'm sure about you. I want you just as much and if bonding brings us closer together, I want that. I'm listening to my heart, Eric. It's telling me to be as close to you as I can. I want this, I want you, I want us."

Eric attacks my mouth and in moments he devouring me with lips, teeth and tongue. Could I get more aroused from his kisses? Yeah, don't think so.

He pulls back and looks at me. "You have just made me the happiest creature on this earth, Sookie. You are sure?" He asks again.

I touch his face again. "You can ask me that question a hundred more times and it will be the same. If you want me to take blood, well, I'm not doing this alone. If you want to, of course, I don't what you to do something you don't want to. I just…"

He moves so fast that all I feel is breath leaving my lungs. I'm up and on the middle of the bed on my back before I can utter another sound with my beautiful Vampire hovering over me. Yes, damn it. If I have my say, he is going to be mine as much as I'm his.

"Sookie, there is nothing I would want more that to begin our Bond." He says. I smile and he kisses me again.

The conversation must have ended because all I want to do is kiss this man. He begins at my lips and starts to move across my body. He kisses every inch of skin he can get to while I'm exploring his arms, shoulders, back and ohhh, his very muscular backside with my hands. Gone are my shoes and he's doing what he can to get to my skin without damaging my dress. I can tell that it's a very trying experience for him. I can just see Eric getting all cave man and tearing my dress, panties and anything else that's in his way off of me. God, just the thought of that make me want him even more. What can I say. Pull my hair and drag me into the cave, caveman.

He pulls back and looks down at me. "Sookie, Goddess, you smell so good." He growls and kisses my neck. What, he can smell that? Well of course he can. What was I thinking? Yeah, I was thinking about that.

He pulls up once more and I see his nostrils flaring. "Sookie, I want this so bad. But we can stop right now," he says. "I can give you my blood and I will hold you until I need to bring you home. I do not wish…."

It's my turn to stop him. I place my finger over his mouth. "I want you Eric, please. I want….I want what is happening. I want a connection. I want to be with you. Please Eric, I want you to be my first. I want to bond."

He smiles at me. "All you will need to say is stop, and I will." He says.

I smile. Yeah like that's going to happen.

He moves me quickly and before I know it, I'm lying before him in, well nothing.

Eric looks me up and down. Leaving hot trails where his eyes have seared into my skin. If this is what his gaze does to me, what will the rest of him do to me?

I can feel the wetness pooling between my legs as he continues to make love to me with his eyes. If he doesn't touch me soon, I think I might explode and not in a good way.

Just when I'm about to beg him to do something, anything, he leans in to kiss me.

"You are the most beautiful creature I have ever seen." He says to me. Lifting me again, he places me in the middle of the bed. I watch as he removes his own clothes. This he does at a slower pace. I'm not sure if he's doing it so I won't spook or doing it to give me a show. I have to admit, either way, I appreciate the thought and the show. Where are the dollar bills when you need them? Not that I've been to any of the shows, but come on, I'm telepathic. A girl hears things.

I stare at him as he moves up the bed. Oh my, this man is just, UGH. I look lower to see his, well, all I can say is WOW! Oh hell, I don't know if I should applaud it or get a whip and chair to tame it. I've heard stories of girls and their guys well, down there. I'm not an expert in these sort of things but I would say that Eric's manhood would be categorized as a gracious plenty. To say the very least.

"See something you like, my love?" He asks me.

I trace his body with my eyes as he did to mine and then return to his face. I look deep into his eyes and reach my hands up to his chest. "You are a God." I say to him.

He smiles as he kisses me and moves down my body. "You have the most perfect breasts." He says as he takes time to worship at each one. The feel of his tongue rolling over my nipples sends shockwaves down to my nether region. I have never felt anything like it. Even when I've touch myself, it has never felt so intense.

Making sure that each breast is given its attention, Eric releases one and moves to the other as his strong hand caresses them as well. I arch my back to encourage his ministration. I feel like I can't get enough of me close enough to him. I want to melt into him be without his touch.

After what feels like an eternity, Eric moves lower onto my tummy. Kissing his way down to my hip bones, he uses his tongue to trace circles over them. Suddenly, I realize my panties are no more. Yup there is that caveman I was looking for. Me yours, you take. Yeah, I'm totally going to need a new pair. However, I can't bring myself to care. He did buy them for me, after all.

He starts to descend further and I panic just a little. I have heard others talk about this but I am still unsure.

"Eric?" I say pulling on his shoulders.

"Shhh, Min Kara, relax, I need to prepare you. You will enjoy this I promise." He says. "I'm going to make you feel so good."

He proceeds further down my body. Kissing everywhere but my core and descending my leg and ending at my foot; where he kisses around my foot before doing the same to the other. He then begins his ascension back up to my now very heated, very needy core. Once he meets where my leg and hip connect he stops.

"Look at me Sookie." He commands.

My eyes spring open and I look down my body at him. He smiles and moves his tongue from my back to front. The sensation is unbearable and I let out a hiss. He smiles again and repeats the action. As I watch him, he caresses and strokes me until I feel like I am burning and freezing at the same time. Once I feel like the two sensations are about to converge and cause some kind of internal explosion, I feel something at my entrance which focuses my attention on exactly what he is doing. His long fingers begin to enter me and I try to lift my bottom but Eric holds me down. I feel everything at the same time. His fingers and mouth working me is more than I can bear. I feel the coil once more in my stomach and before I can say anything, I am over that cliff with white lights behind my eyes. I was right; it does feel like an explosion in my soul. The wave of sensations doesn't hit once but several times. Feeling like it will never end.

Before I regain myself, Eric has moved up my body and is between my legs. As he kisses me, I can taste myself on his lips. This should bother me but it just turns me on more. He pulls away and looks at me. "Sookie, are you sure?" He asks.

I nod and pull him close again to kiss me. Once I am in need of air, I feel him move away for a moment. I hear a crunch and before I can acknowledge it, Eric places his arm to my mouth.

"Drink." He says.

I quickly place my lips to his wrist as he descends to my neck. You would think that I would be completely grossed out from drinking Eric's blood. I've seen blood before. I've smelled it and even tasted my own when I've cut my mouth. If I was asked to describe it, I would say that it tastes like copper pennies and it feels almost rough. That's not the case with Eric's blood. It is smooth as silk or dark chocolate melted for dipping. It tastes like chocolate and black cherries; sweet and tangy all at the same time. I can honestly say that Bill's blood didn't taste like this. Though, to be honest, I don't remember much about the encounter other than it tasted like my own, coppery.

The feel of Eric's lips on me chases away all other thoughts but him. As I am feeding on him, Eric continues his ministration on my neck. I hear a moan from him and as soon as I feel his fangs enter my skin, I feel him enter me below.

I had been told that this would be painful. I had heard it more times than I can count that a girl's first time is never enjoyable. I have to admit that his slow journey into me feels tight. He hesitates for just a moment and then I feel a pinch. A shock races through that area but within seconds all I feel is full. So impossibly, full. I had no idea how he would fit all of himself into me and I still don't believe it can be done. Once I can tell that he is completely sheathed inside of me, he stops. Most probably letting me adjust to him.

I only take a moment before I'm moving my hips, begging him with my body to do the same. He answers my request with moving in and out of me first slowly and then he begins to increase his speed and intensity. As we connect with our blood, our bodies connect below. I feel nothing but him and what he is doing to my body. I can almost feel him growing inside of me. Pushing on my inner walls to make more room. I have never felt so complete. I want the feeling to last forever.

Once the wound on his arm closes, I feel him lick the side of me neck and move faster still. Raising my legs, I wrap them around him to pull him closer. Eric changes his position slightly and suddenly I feel like he is touching every inch of me at the same time. If I thought I felt full before, then I was delusional.

"I will be your first and last, Min Kara," he whispers to me. "All of this is for me and me alone. None will know you."

"Ahhh…" I groan out to him.

"So, Sookie, Goddess, you are amazing," he growls into my ear. "I, want this forever."

Ever so quickly, I again feel the coil in my tummy and I move my hips faster to increase the movement between us. As I start my descent over that beautiful golden cliff once more, I feel Eric follow me, feeling his seed spilling inside me making my orgasm continue further. I begin to scream his name as he growls words I don't understand.

Again before I can regain myself, Eric has flipped us. He slowly repositions me over his gracious plenty and lowers me. I throw my head back at the feeling. I felt completely full before but this is more somehow. I feel him slowly spreading me as I lower myself onto him. Once I'm completely encasing him, he holds me there.

I look down at him to see him smiling. "Feel me, feel us, My Sookie."

I concentrate on where we are connected and can feel everything between us. Never did I think I could connect so completely with someone. He holds me still until I can't take it any more.

"Please, Eric please let me move." I beg him. "I..I need to, please." I don't even know if my words are making sense.

He moves his hips slightly and begins moving my hips up and down his shaft. I thought men softened after they came, but I guess that doesn't hold true for Vampires. I consider myself a very lucky girl.

I look into his eyes and they are as dark with want as I have ever seen on a man. I follow his lead and move up and down with his help. We could have been connected like this for minutes, hours or days. I didn't know and I didn't care. The only thing that mattered was Eric and how he was making me feel.

"Ahhh, Eric...I...Oh ...AHH."I groan out to him.

"You are perfect, this is perfect, this is right." He says to me.

"Eric, this…" I can't make out the words. All I know is that I want more. More of him, more of this, more of everything.

"Sookie, you are…" I hear him growling at me.

My eyes spring open and I see him as he really is. I see him primal, hungry, and just plain Vampire. The sight of him like this turns me on so much I spill over the edge once more.

"So…so tight," he growls. "Ahhh MIN KARA!" He screams and falls with me.

Collapsing on his chest, I wait to regain my breath. Hell, I could care less if I hyperventilate. No wonder people like having sex. If that's how it is every time, I may never want to do anything else.

I laugh at that little bit of admission.

"Are you okay, Min Kara?" He asks me.

I look up at him. "I am wonderful," I say in slow concise words because honestly, I don't think my brain has caught up to my body. "That was…why do people do anything else?" I ask him.

He moves me slightly and we come apart. The instant separation makes me yearn to connect to him again.

Tucking me into his side, he brushes my hair back. "Not many people are as good at this as you and I," he says kissing me softly.

"I know it was good for me…but was it," I pause.

He takes my chin in my hand and draws my eyes up to his. "It was the best I've ever had, My Beloved." He says.

I smile at him. "Oh, come on…"

He stops me. "You are the best I've ever had. You, were absolutely amazing. Are you sure that was your first time?" He asks me.

I laugh. "Yeah, pretty sure."

His smile grows bigger. "Then I'm a very lucky Vampire, my beautiful girl." He pulls me closer.

For the first time in as long as I can remember, I feel like my entire world is complete.

***0***

Bill's POV

If I thought last night was a cluster-fuck, tonight is the apocalypse.

I knew when I left that poor excuse for a bar that the night would not end well.

I had made arrangements to take Sookie tonight. The Queen may have her own agenda but it doesn't mean that I don't have one myself. I would take her for her own good and protect her until which time I could use her to advance myself. Her little stunt with Eric just proved that she can't be trusted and needs to be supervised. Sophie may indeed end up with her, but I needed to make sure that if she does, Eric won't be coming after me.

There are others in our world that would be delighted at having someone like Sookie at their side. Two to be exact spring to mind. I would have my ace in the hole, as they say.

Hell, with what has been offered to me, I would leave Louisiana with Sookie and Sophie-Anne, Eric or anyone else couldn't do anything about it.

Sophie may have wanted Sookie for her own, but she wasn't going through the proper channels to do it. I could easily bring my case to Council and use the excuse that I defied my Queen to protect the human telepath. That is if Sophie didn't want to play nice. Then there were the two other interested parties that I contacted last night. They both seemed eager to discuss a deal.

But now the night is just well, inconvenient.

I smelled Eric before I was out of my car. I knew he had been at my house. The question was why. Then I smelled the blood. I knew that blood. I quickly tried to call Catfish and when he didn't answer, I knew that he never would again.

There is nothing I can do about it either. Eric must have figured out somehow that Catfish was spying on Sookie. How, I've no idea. With as much blood he had been taking from me, Catfish was a little more than a walking, talking marionette. He would do my bidding and no one else's.

His task was simple. He was to wait for Sookie to return from that dive bar and collect her for me. His pretense of working on the street all week would give an excuse for his scent and not seem unnatural when Eric or even the Queen came looking for her.

When I didn't have her in my house when I rose, I went to the bar. She was not there either. Returning to the house only proved that my Renfield was no more.

Like I said, I can't do anything about it, either. Council decreed the making of slaves in such a manner is against our laws. I would have been charged and probably made an example of.

Shit, I would rather meet the sun than have to explain to three different Monarchs that I don't have their prize.

After looking around my house for any sign of what had transpired, I made my way over to Sookie's house but there was no one home. Not that Sookie stays home every night. But certainly she's home more times than she's not when she's not working. Her Grandmother may not have instilled in her the need to dress like a lady, but she did teach her how to be demur and not traipse all over the country side unescorted. In my day, only ladies of the evening were ever seen out without being on someone's arm.

Okay, so Sookie may have gone to see that friend, Tara. But Adele should be home. Where on earth would an old lady like that go after sundown? Her car is still in the parking space as well as Sookie's car. Perhaps someone came and collected the both of them. But Eric's smell is stronger at the house than it was the night before. This means he's been back. Could Sookie have gone out with Eric this evening? And if she did, where could her grandmother be? I would know these things if Catfish hadn't gotten careless.

Since she has my blood, I decided to try to track her. I'm still very young as far as Vampire's go and my gift in this area has not developed as quickly as I had hoped. Perhaps spending too much time in Court has affected this. However, it was either that or return to my maker. I much prefer the Court.

It took me awhile to feel the blood. It has been awhile since she ingested it and I've had no reason to track her through it. She doesn't go very far away from home, ever. But once I got it, I followed it to a small but expensive restaurant. I've not experienced the place for myself but I do remember Sophie speaking about it.

Many of our kind in this area and Arkansas come to this place. It is said to have several different kinds of blood. There is also talk of a blood that is called Royalty Blend that is made with real blood. However, the human's don't know that. The backers of this new product are Vampires and thus are controlling every inch of the distribution. The general public doesn't know much about it but I've heard some rumblings. It is said to be divine.

What I don't like about what I've heard regarding this establishment is that all walks of Supernaturals are welcome here. That just doesn't sit well with me. I certainly don't hate other Supes as much as I hate humans, but it's a close second. Two natures are just barbaric and creatures like witches, goblins and the like have their usefulness but I won't certainly mingle with them.

All other creatures are beneath Vampires. It's why we are what we are. Humans are for our enjoyment, other creatures are for our use. The collective attitude of brotherhood and interworking is lunacy and will be our downfall. At least that is what I think. And from what I am seeing from gathering information about the different lines of Vampires, I'm seeing plenty.

Vampires are getting complacent and are not looking at their goals. Five hundred years ago a Sânge Cap would have multiple Genealogice. He would have either made a few or inherited a few. Now the Genealogice are smaller with less power. I mean look at Eric even. For such a strong and powerful Vampire, there is only one childe on record for him. He should have at least a dozen different Vampires that he has Sired with their own children to support him.

For Goddess sake, his Sire is Godric. There are not many that can rival him in age. There is even a record of Godric releasing Eric to be his own Sânge Cap and he's done nothing with that. So much for being the brilliant and powerful Eric Northman. If I had been given that kind of freedom I would have done so much with it. As it stands, not only do I have a Sire but she's commanded me not to make any others. I'm like a lame duck in her hands. What I wouldn't do to separate her head from her shoulders. Then I could be free of her.

I've found a quite a lot of information on almost all the major Vampires on this continent as well as Europe. The Kings and Queens are the easiest. After all, they would be willing to bring their lines to them in order to make the stronger. From what I gather, five hundered or so years ago, having the largest and strongest Genealogice kept you on this earth and in power. That is how the Kings and Queens of old were chosen, with Genealogice. That is still how most of Europe is. But not the new ones. The Americas have been so political. I must admit, the old way seems more, well Vampiric. Yes, everything is so civilized. But the Kings and Queens of the American territories are young and many of them are not strong enough to hold off attacks if they were to arise. The old way insured the strongest and smartest were in power. I smile thinking that perhaps the Sânge Cap of my line would have more power if the structures and rules of old applied here.

I shake my head. No use thinking of that. I still have much work to do on my little project for the Queen. However, some Vampires are still evading my research. Like Godric, for instance. I've no clue who his Sire is. Kings like Stan of Texas and Daxion of Great Brittan have no documentation anywhere. There isn't even a clear record of how old he really is. Cleo from the Middle East has no records and strangely enough, Jennifer Cater has no record either. Such Vampires like the King of Prussia and California have sketchy information but I still found some information on them like their age and there places of origins. It took some doing, but I found out the Sire of California's King died in the Chicago fires. The King of Prussia is another story. Other than being old and originally from Prussia, I've found nothing else.

Some took a little digging. Such as the King of Mexico and Argentina, but I found the data. Funny, like Stan and Daxion, I'm not sure of Jennifer's age, but she can't be any older than I am. Surely her records should be on file to Council or in other places. My maker was forced to record me with Council not soon after I rose. The same rules must have applied to Jennifer.

When I called her to ask for the information, she told me that I had no right to it and hung up. Stan, Daxion and Cleo have not returned my calls. I am still trying to figure out a way to approach the King of Prussia without causing a scene. I may need the information but no one is supposed to know what its purpose is for until such time as Sophie makes it public. Once the database is complete, we are going to make a killing. Finally, I will have a way to gain wealth on my own. Soon, I'll not need to rely on others. I'll be able to make my own connections and move up in our world. That certainly will make my maker happy. .

But I'm getting away from the task at hand. Sookie and Eric were at this restaurant and they left not too long ago. I can smell them both. I move away from the the Valet stand. I can smell them even more on the sidewalk. Hell, what has he done with her? I swear if Eric defiles her I will…

Hell, what can I do? Sookie denounced me to a room full of Vampires. Eric dismissed me in front of the same group. I can't now go to Council and demand that he give her back. Not unless I find her and convince her by any means necessary, that she must be with me. However, unless I get her to drink the rest of that elixir, I have no chance of convincing her of anything. I could threaten her Grandmother. But if she spooks, she may tell Eric and my head would no longer be attached to my shoulders. Even if cares nothing for her, threatening a human and then getting reported would be a serious infraction. Sure, you can threaten all you want. But you better make damn sure that the human doesn't talk. Council and the AVL would use me as an example if it went all the way there.

However, Eric isn't one to take things to Council. No he would dispose of the problem himself. Either by doing away with me or doing away with Sookie. Though the latter would save my neck, neither is preferable for my plan.

Now my only recourse is to find her and leave the area before sun up.

I get back into my car and follow my blood flowing inside of Sookie once more. Now that I'm getting used to the feeling, it's easier to allow myself to follow it. I'm just about to pull out onto the main road when, out of nowhere, I feel the connection break. I reach out again and feel, nothing.

Slamming on the brakes I jump out of the car. Closing my eyes, I try to feel for her again. Nothing. I feel nothing from her. Damn it, could Eric have killed her? Why would he dismiss me and make such a big display of taking her from me if he was just going to kill her?

I have to know for sure. Getting back into my car, I make my way to the one place I can get an answer.

Pulling up to Fangtasia, I park and blow past the waiting patrons and head to the door. Pam is not there tonight but rather Clancy is. He nods and allows me to enter.

Looking around, I don't see Sookie or Eric for that matter. Well that's logical. He wouldn't bring her back here to kill her. He would have taken her someplace quiet and remote. That's what I would do. That's what I've done.

I look again to see Pam seated at Eric's throne. I move through the throngs of bar flies and stop in front of her.

"Compton," she sneers at me, "this is two nights in a row. How lucky are we."

"Pam, I need to speak with Eric." I say to her.

"He's not here. If you would like to make an appointment, I think we can fit you in a year from never." She smiles at her own joke.

"I need to speak with him now!" I scream at her.

She's out of her seat and has me pinned before I can move. "Who the hell do you think you are?" She growls at me. "I'm older than you, I'm more powerful than you. My Sire is a Sheriff and the head of his own Genealogice. He was honored with that gift because of who and what he is. You have no right or privileges at all. Slink back to Court where you belong, Compton. No one wants you to play in this sandbox."

She lets me go. "I…I need to talk to him about Sookie." I say to her.

"What does that little tart have on you that would warrant you lobbing to lose your head over her?" She asks me.

"I…I think something has happened to her," I say.

Pam shrugs. "And I care, why?" I

"Pam is Sookie with Eric tonight?" I ask her.

She laughs. "For what purpose? If Eric was feeding and fucking, he would be long done by now," she says looking at her watch.

I try again. "Did Eric go to see Sookie tonight?"

She shrugs again. "I've no idea what Eric's plans were for this evening," she pauses. "If I were you, I would go home, pack before you do something that would render any protection you have from the Queen, useless."

She turns and walks away. I watch her head down the passage way to the offices. I know that I'll not get anything out of her, so I make my way back out and into my car.

I rest my head on the steering wheel and listen to the cars on the distant highway.

After what feels like a lifetime, I lift my head. "If he killed her, I'm going to my final death."

Turning on the car, I make my way out of the parking lot and head home.

***0***

Pam's POV

I go into Eric's office and close the door.

Sitting down behind his desk I lean back. I hadn't expected Compton to come looking for his little tart tonight. I had no idea if Eric was with this Sookie tonight but I would bet my undead life on it. He had said that I would be seeing more of her in the days to come and I took that as a bad sign.

He's never kept any of his conquests. Okay, there was that time in Hollywood. But there wasn't just one, there were five. That didn't even last long; a few months tops. We were yet to be known in common circles and couldn't run the risk of being found.

Pulling the file close to me, I open it for what can be no less than the hundredth time since I rose. Reading through the few pieces of paper, I slam the folder closed and throw it across the room. It lands, papers scattered all over the couch.

I couldn't find much on the little tart, which made my suspicions increase. Other than a birth certificate, there isn't much on a Miss Sookie Adele Stackhouse. The first account was when her parents died in that freak flash flood. Other information was stuff that had to deal with her brother. She had never done anything good or bad to get into the paper. She has a high school diploma, a driver's license, one credit card, a very sad checking account and that's it.

Either she's as simple as she tries to appear to be or she's a spy. Probably a witch of some sort or at the very least has acquired some spell to hoodwink my maker.

Maybe when I confront him with this information he will see the light. If he doesn't well, I could always call Godric. He may have released Eric but it doesn't mean he couldn't help.

Walking around the desk, I pull the papers together and put them back on the desk. I will call Eric in awhile to see if he's come out of this spell yet. If he has, then nothing else requires my interference.

I make my way out of the office and back into the main room to enthrall the vermin.

***0***

SPOV

We have been laying here in silence for awhile now. It's not awkward at all. It's comforting.

"Do you think it worked?" I ask him.

"I do, Min Kara," He says to me. "I can feel you in a way. Not your feelings yet, but you. I know you are near me and it's wonderful." He says with a kiss to my temple.

I look up at him. How could I ever be enough for this man?

"What is troubling you, my beauty?" He asks. "Do you regret what we did?"

I can see the pain in his eyes. I need to make it disappear.

"No, I wouldn't change what we just did for anything, I just…" I pause. "Eric, what will happen if you come to regret the bond? What if you tire of me? I'm…I'm scared because I already feel like I'm a part of you and you me. I've never had these feelings before. I'm…I'm afraid that you will realize that I'm nothing and want to move on. You make me feel so…I don't know. But I know that I'm scared of walking out of this room feeling the rest of my whole life the way I feel when I'm with you."

Eric pulls me so I'm half lying on him. Placing his hands on both sides of my face he stares into my eyes. "Min Kara, you are my entire reason for being. You are what I've waited for, for a thousand years. If I had to wait a thousand more, I would have done it just to have this perfect moment. I will never tire of you." He kisses me. "I will never regret you," he kisses me again. "I will thank every god and goddess there is for allowing me chance after chance to find you."

Our kisses become more deliberate until I feel him shift and move us until I'm under him once more. Looking into my eyes, he slowly enters me. His movements this time are slow and deep. It is just as intense as our first time but more somehow. Moving slowly in and out he brings me to the edge and pulls me back time and time again. Until I feel like I will collapse within myself if he doesn't allow me to go. Just when I think I can't take any more, Eric moves slightly and hits something inside me I thought was made up for romance novels.

Without warning, I feel my insides burst open and my entire soul is spilling out. I'm not too far gone to realize Eric has come over with me.

As I come back to myself, I feel Eric kissing me softly all over my face.

"Min Kara, you are perfect." He says to me.

I sigh thinking he's the same thing.

He stops his ministration. I look at him and he's gotten very serious.

"Sookie, I want to give you something," he says.

I smile. "I think, you given me enough, don't you?"

He kisses me again and quickly gets up, turns on a soft light, pulls something out of his jacket (which landed across the room for some reason) and is back with something in his hand.

Opening the small sack, he allows its content to spill into his hand.

"Sookie, I've had this for a very long time," he says as he holds it up so I can see it. It looks so intricate and vaguely familiar. I just can't place where I've seen it before.

"It was my family crest when I was human," Eric says to me. "I was told many stories on how it came to be. But the gist of it is that it was given to my father by the Goddess herself. She blessed our Clan and my father with prosperity and strength."

I watch as the light glistens off of it. Reaching out I touch it. I get a similar feeling from the metal than I do from when I touch Eric, home and comfort.

"Eric…are you sure?" I ask him. "If you've had it for so long perhaps…"

"No, Min Kara, I wish you to have it." He says. Pulling me up, he quickly clasps it around my neck. "Please, say you'll accept it."

I look down at how it hangs perfectly between my breasts. It fits perfectly. Just like Him.

I look up. "Of course I'll wear it. Thank you Eric." I say.

He pulls me closer and starts humming to me a song that feels familiar. Like it's on the edge of a dream.

"Stay with me?" He asks me.

I nod to him. My eyes are getting so heavy and I'm not sure I can form words anymore.

"I know you need to work tomorrow but I will put my number in your cell phone. Call me when you return home and I will be there soon after dark."

I yawn. "I don't have a cell phone. Just leave the number and I'll call you from the house." I say.

He pulls me closer. "You are mine now, Sookie," he says softly.

"I know. I love you, Eric." I say to him.

That is the last thing I remember.

****0***

EPOV

"Du är min nu, Sookie ", I say to her.

"Jag vet. Jag älskar dig Erik ." She replies.

I hold her close until she falls asleep. How does she know Swedish? I've been saying things to her all night and she doesn't seem to be phased by it. She also hasn't asked me to translate. Maybe she doesn't know she can speak another language. But how can that be?

Once I know she's fast asleep, I make my way out of the room and into my upstairs office. Turning on the computer, I pull out my phone and first call Adele. In all the excitement, Sookie forgot to tell her she was staying. Sookie never changed her number at the farmhouse so I don't even have to look it up.

"Viking," she says. "How is my granddaughter?"

"Sleeping. I didn't want you to worry," I say to her.

She laughs. "You honestly think I thought she would be returning home?"

I laugh with her. "No, but I would not wish to return her to you and have you cross with either of us." I say to her. I have a feeling that Adele is not one you wish to have on your bad side.

"Well, then I thank you." She says. "All well with the other things?" She asks.

"The trouble maker will not be making trouble any longer. Your kind heart saved the other one. You were right. He would have never harmed her." I say.

"I'm a good judge of character," she brushes it off. "Speaking of character, the wolf came knocking at my door, this evening."

"Did he do anything? Shall I send guards to be there to protect you?" I ask her.

She laughs again. "Your concern is flattering but no harm will come to me at the hand of someone like him."

"Yes, well after this evening, I dare say he will be a little unpredictable." I pause. "Tell me, did you know that Sookie had consumed some of his blood."

She is quiet for a moment. "No. She never told me this. He didn't…I would have…"

"No, he hadn't taken what wasn't his. However, he did find a way to get her to take in his blood."

I retell the story of the night that Sookie was attacked. She is silent.

"I've taken care of it," I tell her. "He has no hold on her at all." I say.

"So you have consummated?" She asks.

I confirm.

"And she has taken your blood?" She asks.

"As I have hers. We have begun the process. With your permission, I wish to proceed."

She sighs. "Blessed be. Yes…yes, you have my blessing. I will tell you now, no others will you require. I am the oldest of her line. My decisions are what matter, no others." She says.

"Thank you, My Lady." I say to her.

"Yes, yes…when will you complete the bond?" She asks.

"I don't want to rush this, but I would like to have it done soon. I take it you aren't disappointed."

"No, you are what she's waited for, as have the rest of us. You have my granddaughter, Viking. Do not squander the gift that has been given to you." She says.

"I will always cherish what has been given to me." I say to her.

"Fine, fine. Inform Sookie that I will see her tomorrow. I will let you get back to her." She says.

"Good night, My Lady." I say to her.

"Merry part, Viking." She says and hangs up.

I smile when I think that not only do I get to keep my Sookie. But this time around, I've gotten the proper approval to do so.

I jet off a note to Bobby, letting him know what I need him to do in the morning and then I call Pam.

I pull out the phone and see that she has attempted to call me several times.

Hitting dial, I wait only one ring. Okay, a half of a ring.

"I was just about to close up and come looking for you," she says.

"Good evening, Pam. What seems to be the problem?" I ask. "Has the Queen called?" I remember distinctly telling her not to disturb me unless it was an emergency.

Ignoring my question, Pam asks one of her own. "Are you with that little tart?" She asks.

I growl. "If you are referring to Sookie, then yes." I say to her. "What is the problem, Pamela."

"The problem is you are possessed or bewitched. This little human has cast a spell on you." She says.

Where is this coming from.

"I did some research on her." She continues.

"You did what?" I ask trying not to shout and wake my beloved.

"Well, what do you expect, Eric?" She asks. "You run out of here with her and I've not seen you since. But that isn't all. There is nothing about her, Eric. All there is, is a birth certificate. There are no other records of her younger days. She doesn't even have any doctor's records. Eric, she is either very simple or she's not who she pretends to be."

"Pam, stop this right now." I say to her.

"NO, you listen. There is something not right. Compton was in tonight looking for her. He seems to be under the same spell. He was demanding to talk to you and wanted to know where your little play thing was." She says.

"I am warning you for the last time, Pamela. You stop this right now. You will show her respect and you will stay out of things you don't belong in. I order you to not investigate anything else where she's concerned. You will stop this behavior or you will be paying the consequences." I say to her.

"But Errrrrriiiiicccc," she whines.

"NO! This foolishness stops here." I say. "Go home Pamela, I will deal with you tomorrow." I say and hang up.

I haven't done it in a long time, but Pam will need to be put back in her place.

I sit back and close my eyes. Things would be so much easier if Pam wasn't so much of a brat.

Sighing, I look up and see if there is anything else I need to do or take care of before I retire.

Seeing nothing that requires my immediate attention, I write a note to Sookie and return to the room. I place the note and several things I have for her in the ensuite bathroom for her to find.

Making sure the security locks are in place, I watch as the shutters move into place and then return to My Sookie's side.

I pull her close and hear her moan.

"Sleep my Sookie, I love you." I say in a whisper.

"I love you too." I hear her mumble.

I watch her for another hour after the sun rises and then allow myself to go down for the day. With my beloved in my arms and the sound of her words on my heart.

***********PL*********