Thanks for the support guys! :D

Entering into chapter 12 and we're gonna do a little detective work to figure out who really killed Bethany.

I know, I know, everyone wants to know who Kira's father is! BUT! We won't find out til later…

Enjoy!

Chapter 12

"WHAT?" I shrieked.

"Kira please calm down." Eric said soothingly which only made me angrier.

"So you basically sold me into slavery? To some stupid vampire king? Is this what I'm hearing?"

"It was the only way I could ensure your safety. I trust de Castro more than I trust Victor. So long as you are useful then you have Felipe's protection which is more than what I could do on my own. Over the years I have fewer and fewer under my employ that I can trust and those forces are not enough to ensure your safety." I sat silently staring at the floor listening but not wanting to. "Your mother served Queen Sophie in much the same way."

"I am not my mother's replacement!" I screamed jumping to my feet. "Stop comparing us! I am my own person!" I turned on my heel and stomped off to my bedroom. "AND GET OUT OF MY HOUSE!" I added as I slammed my bedroom door. I flopped onto the bed and listened to the two voids exit the house and linger in the yard. A tiny part of me was curious as to what they were talking about but most of me just wanted them all to go away. I wished that I had never left Little Rock, wished that I had stayed with my uncle and Hunter.

A thought struck me as I lay there Even if I had stayed Victor would have found me anyway thanks to Henry… there really would have been no escape from fate. Leaving was probably better than the latter, Who knows what Victor and his goons would have done to us… I shuddered at the thought.

I still didn't like the fact that I was forced into a type of servitude to be allowed to live.

A light tapping at my window startled me out of my thoughts. "Kira?" Bill's voice. "May I come in?"

I lay on my bed considering. Bill had apparently not known what Eric had been planning so I shouldn't be angry with him. It really wasn't his fault. I got up out of bed and headed to the front door. I stepped out on the front porch Bill was there waiting. "Say what you've got to say out here." I said my arms folded. I couldn't help it I was still angry and Bill was the only one there to take it out on.

"I am sorry, last night Eric said he had a plan but he didn't confide in me what that plan was…If he had we might have come up with a different conclusion."

I stared off into the front yard a scowl plastered on my face.

"Kira, although Eric should have talked to you about his plan first this is really the best solution."

"I don't like being used." I said quietly.

"If you don't want to do this then we could run away." Bill said simply.

I looked at him then.

"Of course we wouldn't be able to stay anywhere for long. You would have to cut all your ties and become someone else. We would always be running but you would be free."

"Being a runaway isn't freedom." I said simply for the shortest of seconds I really wanted to runaway but the thought of never being able to talk to Hunter or my family again was too much to bear. "There really is no other way is there?" I said hopelessly.

"We could always kill Victor and de Castro." Bill said quietly so quietly that I almost didn't hear him.

My eyes snapped up to meet Bill's. "I-is that even possible?" I asked tentatively.

"Right now…no." Bill reached out to place a hand on my shoulder; It's something to hope for. His thoughts filled my mind and did give me a small glimpse of hope.

"So what exactly am I going to have to do for this de Crisco?" I asked shifting my weight to my right foot.

"It's de Castro." Bill corrected me. "Basically you will be collecting intel from the humans who work for him and for those of his followers."

"So…I'm a spy?" I asked thinking of James Bond.

"In a way…" Bill said slowly. "Closer to an interrogator."

I cringed at the thought.

"I will be watching your house tonight." Bill said pulling me back into conversation.

"What for?" I asked stupidly.

"Even if it wasn't Victor who left that woman in your house someone did. So at night I will be watching your house."

I had been so convinced that it had been Victor that the thought of it being someone else unsettled me. "Thank you Bill." I said honestly. I felt better knowing that Bill would be watching out for me.

"I will protect you." He said touching my face gently. I got only the slightest glimpse of his emotions with that small touch. It was an odd mix of determination and regret. Confused I went back inside and laid down on my bed once again. I knew I wasn't tired but I didn't know what else to do with myself. I got up after a while and went back outside. Bill was on the porch with me within a minute.

"Is everything ok?" He asked concerned.

"Yea," I said slowly. "hey Bill…will you tell me about my mom?"

A sad smile played on his lips. "What would you like to know?"

"How'd you meet my mom?" I asked curiously as I moved to set on the steps.

"She saved my life." Bill said taking a seat beside me.

"Saved you?" I asked even more curious.

"From drainers." He said simply.

I had heard of drainers before of course everyone had. Supposedly vampire blood had miraculous healing powers and was used as an aphrodisiac. However people who consumed vampire blood usually became addicted to it or tried to stop moving trains. Draining was illegal and dangerous to one's health in more ways than one.

We sat outside talking until about ten. I asked any question that came to my mind and Bill answered all of my questions simply giving no great detail.

For the first time in my life I had a clearer picture of Sookie Stackhouse than I had ever had before. She had been strong willed, smart, loving, and sometimes rather rash. I smiled as I imagined her sun tanning in this very yard.

"Thank you." I said to Bill.

"Sookie was an amazing woman," He said looking out into the darkness longingly, "I see a lot of the same traits in you as well. Everything will be alright. I will always be here should you need me."

I squeezed his arm and stood up. "Goodnight Bill." I said going back inside. I went to my room taking off my clothes and slipping into an oversized t-shirt. I crawled into bed and fell asleep.

I dreamed of when I was a child. It was a dream of what could have been. Mom and dad were sitting on the porch it was a bright beautiful day. I was playing in yard laughing and chasing butterflies. I turned to see them both smiling back at me. I ran up to them and jump in my father's lap. Mom leaned in to kiss me on the forehead dad wrapped his arms lovingly around me his long hair tickled my cheeks.

"Kira," dad said, "Kira wake up honey…"

"What?" I asked him looking up into his face. I couldn't see it clearly. It was as if his features had been rubbed out.

"Wake up Kira."

Kira! Wake up! It was Hunter calling me from outside.

Hunter? I thought sluggishly still half asleep.

You called me remember? You sounded like you were in trouble…Are you ok?...Can you let me in?

In that moment I sat up straight in bed fully awake. I jumped out of bed rather clumsily and rushed to the front door. I undid the lock and threw the door open. Hunter was standing with a duffle bag and his brief case. He had basketball shorts on and a Razorback t-shirt on. I threw my arms around his neck. The contact of our differing emotions met and intertwined. His worry, fear, and genuine happiness to see me blended with my own joy and anxiety. I stepped back to allow him entry. Hunter walked into the living room dropping his things on the floor he turned and bear hugged me. Now tell me what's happened.

Our way of communication is quicker than other peoples. I was able to convey all that happened within a matter of seconds. To anyone watching it just seemed as if we hadn't seen each other in a while and had no words.

So let me get this straight…This Eric guy has hired you out to this 'King?' Hunter was trying to wrap his head around everything. I understood his confusion because to be honest I was pretty feakin' confused too. I had taken to showing Hunter around my new house and getting him settled in. We were walking back to the living room.

Not in that way…I thought giving Hunter a stern look.

Right you're an interrogator…Hunter mentally laughed. Maybe I should find myself a Queen?

I glared at him. This isn't funny Hunter.

So what did you need me here for? You said you wanted to hire me.

Well…it's about the girl Bill found in my house. I think someone is after me.

I sat down on the couch and Hunter went back into his room to find his favorite pen and pad. Any suspects? He thought going into detective mode. I was trying to make a list for him but from what Alcide said it was pretty long.

Dang! Hunter thought You mom go around just pissin' everyone off or what?

I scowled at Hunter as he came back into the room.

Sorry Hunter said apologetically. He had been trying to make light of the situation in order to cheer me up.

If you want to cheer me up then help me. I thought curling up with my knees under my chin.

Hunter sat down by me and threw his arm around me. Don't worry. I will.

A knock at the door made us both jump. When we close like this our minds would meld and it was easy to forget everything else. Together we reached out to find who what at the door. I recognized Luke's brain waves and I felt Hunter's annoyance. It was always a challenge to keep hold of my own emotions when Luke was around. His emotions had a tendency to eat my own.

What's he doing here? Hunter thought reminding me of a guard dog. Which was funny since Luke was the werewolf. I'm not a dog Hunter interjected into my thoughts.

His probably dad sent him here to keep an eye on me since the vampires have to sleep at night. I thought reasonably. Hunter don't be mean to him.

Hunter opened the door just enough for his frame to fit through the door. "Yes?" Hunter asked huffily.

I could tell that Luke was rather surprised and a little concerned. "Uh, is Kira here?"

"Hunter that's enough." I said sternly pushing Hunter out of the door way. Don't be an ass. "I'm sorry Luke. Would you like to come in?"

Luke crossed the threshold keeping his eye on Hunter who was doing the same. "Luke this is my cousin Hunter, Hunter this is Luke." I felt like I needed to keep talking because the tension in the room was a little thick. "I've hired Hunter to help me find who-ever killed Bethany."

"Oh?" Luke said.

"Back in Little Rock Hunter is a well known private eye." I said with some pride.

"So if you would excuse us we were about to head into town to question a few folks." Hunter said in a rather dismissive way.

"I'm suppose to watch over Kira so I'll come with you."

"No need." Hunter snapped. "I can watch Kira. If you want to be useful why don't you watch the house like a good puppy?"

"Hunter!" I was horrified never had Hunter been so vicious.

Hunter stormed out the door. "Luke I'm so sorry."

"It's not your fault." Luke said slowly. He placed his big hand on my shoulder and smiled down at me. "You should go spend time with your cousin anyway. I'll watch the house and make sure that nobody leaves you anymore surprises."

I couldn't help but laugh a little. I glanced at the door and quickly kissed him on the cheek before I grabbed my purse to follow my cousin outside.