When I woke up, my little fire was still burning, and I was still in Eric's lap.

"How long was I out?" I asked him.

"Not long. Maybe an hour or two. I expected your little fire to go out when you fell asleep, but it didn't. So I got curious. Watch." He pulled a blade of grass from next to him, and threw it in the fire. Rather than burn, it took root, and grew.

"Well." I said, a little stunned. "No fear of burning the forest then."

"No. What else can you do?"

"What would you like to see? Oh! Wait! I've got an idea, give me your hand." Once he did, I closed my eyes, entered his mind and went searching, like I did when I shut off his eyesight. This time I was looking for an altered or damaged pathway. I found it and started to fix it, until I was jolted and lost concentration. Eric's had was at his chest.

"What did you do?"

"I figured everything else works so your heart must too, the magic that changes you just doesn't start it again, so I did. I think if I had a little longer I could make it permanent, but for now being able to switch it on and off will be great for disguises."

"I thought we agreed more notice before you do something like that."

"Sorry. Ideas just hit me so fast I try to act before I forget them."

"I thought you had perfect recall?"

"I do, doesn't mean things don't slip my mind until I get a reminder."

"Ah. What now?"

"Now I need to know if I can trust you."

"You have insulted me, assaulted me, invaded my privacy, you can use my body like a puppet and you are still alive. You can trust me."

"Good point. Sookie's cousin Hadley, the Queen's fancy bit, had a son. He's telepathic too. In a couple of years we'll need to help his father deal with it and start teaching the boy shields.

"OK." I was getting a little worried about his new 'yes-man' attitude, and him being so laid back, so I decided to test him. I conjured a replica of Andre and made him start walking towards us.

As soon as he saw the replica Eric started plotting.

Maya! Can you hear me?

Yes. A little less yelling if you please.

Can you make your shield invisible and impenetrable?

Yes.

Do it.

He put me on the ground beside him.

"Andre, to what do we owe this unexpected pleasure?"

"I've come for the girl. The Queen desires her."

"She is mine. She also has protection the Queen couldn't begin to imagine. She won't be going anywhere."

Be careful of the pools Eric I sent.

I will.

"If you'll not hand her over I shall take her."

"You are younger and less skilled Andre do not bother trying."

Eric was trying to talk someone out of a fight? One he was sure to win? Unusual...

"I will have your head for treason!"

"Try."

Ah... That's better. Once I was sure the warrior was still in him I let the image of Andre fade away.

Where did he go Maya?

"It was an illusion Eric. I had to make sure you would still fight, I was getting a little worried." Now that the threat had passed he pulled me back to his lap.

"I will always fight to protect what I mine, never worry about that."

"You've been acting different to the books, I told you. There, you always seem to be waiting for a fight. Like you need a good fight every so often."

"For a long time I fought to feel alive. I was discontent unless I was fighting or fucking. Out of sorts. Now thanks to you I feel calmer, so when a fight does present itself, my mind is clearer than ever before. Plus, my appearing to not want to fight will throw our enemies off, giving us another advantage."

"Ok. As long as you'll fight when you need to."

"I will. Frankly I am insulted you doubted me. I will have to punish you!" The bastard started tickling me!

"I for one am glad she tested you. If I hadn't seen it I would be worried too at the sight of this. The great Northman, tickling!" The Pythoness had appeared without us realising. A little worrying, but something told me it wasn't my fault I didn't sense her.

"Hi Pythia. You're early."

"I decided to check on you and found you awake. Would you like to go back now?"

"May as well. I need to start earning him," I nodded to Eric "some money and I can get a start on some problems."

"Come then."

"Wait, I gotta put out the fire and fill in the hole." Once I had, I took their hands and we left.