Do not accompany Bill.

Pam opened one eye groggily, "Eric?" she mumbled.

The curse made her sleep much later into the evening than she had in the past, but she didn't think it was so late that Eric had to start bugging her.

Do not accompany Bill.

She opened both eyes as she realised that Eric wasn't waking her, he was giving her a command. She didn't think he even remembered that was possible.

Do not accompany Bill.

"I get the message, Eric," she grumbled, opening her coffin, "there's no need to harp on it."

Blessedly he stopped issuing the command, not that it had been necessary. Pam had no intention of accompanying Bill to the Festival of Tolerance: she had a bar to run.

Her plans were thwarted, however, when Sookie burst into Fangtasia later that evening.

"Pam!" she hollered when she caught sight of her, "You have to come with me."

"I don't believe I have to do anything with you," Pam replied, sidling over.

"The witches are going to kill Bill," Sookie spluttered.

Pam raised an eyebrow.

"They're going to use Eric," she added.

Pam's eyes flashed dangerously and she glanced over her shoulder, "Ginger, be a dear and keep an eye on things for me," she turned back to Sookie, "Miss. Stackhouse and I have a festival to attend."

She mostly ignored Sookie's effusions of gratitude as they made their way to the hotel where the festival was being held, choosing instead to focus on what little Sookie knew about the witches' plan of attack.

She knew that if Marnie had managed to gain some control over Eric then there was a good chance that she could become enslaved herself. Whilst there was always the possibility that Marnie would control her through Eric.

If he commanded her to do something she would have no choice but to obey.

Pam cocked her head to the side, half listening to Sookie's plan as she pondered the fact that Eric had already given her an order. One that would seem to be contrary to Marnie's will, perhaps he was not such a hopeless case as she thought.