I had no idea, but apparently it's physically impossible for a vampire to cry herself to sleep. First you cry and then, bam, you're asleep. There's no transition. I was so mad at Bill. He'd tried to console me but I told him if he touched me that I would bite his hand off and I wondered if I could actually do it. He stayed away from me after I threatened him. A part of me was crying because of what I'd learned from the queen about Bill. I couldn't believe that he had tricked me into a relationship and that I'd fallen for it. I was mad and obviously upset about that. But if I was being honest with myself, I was more upset that I was here in this place feeling all alone and afraid. I missed Eric. Yes, I am my own person—I should say, vampire, now. But I love Eric and my heart was broken that he had walked away from me after regaining his memory. When I went to Bill for help, it was because I needed a window repaired. How did I get from there to here? I wondered where Eric was and wished that I were back in Shreveport with him again.

When I woke the following night, Bill was in the shower and it looked like he'd slept beside me all day. I was still fully clothed and knew that he hadn't touched me. When Bill emerged from the bathroom, I silently passed him as I proceeded to shower and dress with the door locked. There were two humans waiting in our room when I came out. Bill offered me the man and I drank from him while Bill helped himself to the woman. There wasn't much to it. I had no desire to have a conversation with Bill, but I was very anxious to speak to Hadley.

Rasul escorted me downstairs to a large office and sat me at a long conference table. I had no idea where Bill was at that point and didn't much care. Hadley came in first and we had about fifteen minutes to catch up, which was kind of crazy, considering how much I wanted to talk to her about. She essentially apologized for outing me to the queen and confirmed that Bill was assigned to vampire pimp duty. I was furious, mostly at Bill, but also at the queen, at Hadley, and at myself for being so gullible. After Hadley left, I spent hours and hours reading humans. Sometimes there were three or four of them and a vampire would question them. And sometimes there would just be one. Apparently the only common denominator was that they were all doing business with the queen or her regime or whatever you called it. I would read the humans and tell Rasul what I'd heard and then he'd bring in the next group. I could see that this could be a never-ending task and was completely bored with it already. Finally, Rasul came in alone and sat at the table. He whipped out a little pad of paper and a pen and started asking me questions. Did I prefer men or women donors? How did I want to be addressed? What could be done to make my readings go faster? Were there any needs of mine not being met that would assist in my task? Would I prefer to have quarters in the palace to myself or would I like to share them with Bill?

That last one really got my attention. I told Rasul that my room was fine, but that I was anxious to get back home. I told him that I would help the queen as much as I could but that I had a life to get back to. I wanted to talk to Sam about going back to work and I wanted to fix my house so it was more secure and I had a lot to learn about being a vampire. I was most anxious to get back to Eric, but I didn't want to convey that particular little piece of information. "I have a life, Rasul. I have friends and a brother and I need to get my job back."

"But, Ms. Stackhouse…"

"Sookie, please."

"Sookie, your needs will all be met here. You won't need money, but of course, if you want some, I'm certain that we can set up some sort of account for you. You will have your choice of rooms here at the palace, all the human donors your heart desires, the respect of the court and the gratitude of the queen. It is an honorable position to be the queen's telepath. What else can I get for you?"

"How about my freedom?"

"You are free to go at any time as long as you keep your hours here reading the humans every night. Didn't anyone explain all this to you?"

"No, Rasul, no one did."

"My apologies."

"Listen, would it be possible for me to talk to Bill?" He's the one who had gotten me into this mess.

"I will send for him."

Rasul left Bill and me alone and I asked him if he was in on the entrapment of Sookie Stackhouse or the just the seduction.

"Sookie, believe me, I had no idea that this would happen. I'm so sorry that I didn't disclose my original intent to you, but you have to believe me, I truly did fall in love with you and I still do love you. I would give my life for you."

"I don't want you to give your life for me, Bill, just get me out of here."

"I can't. I'm so sorry."

Rasul interrupted us and announced that it was time for my appointment with the queen. Oh goody, what next?