After a strange night in Fangtasia, Sylvie shot up from the sofa.

"Well good mornin' sunshine!" A high-pitched voice rang from across the room. Ginger appeared from behind the bar in a skimpy pink dress. She grabbed a paper plate from the counter, holding sandwich bread covered in chocolate syrup. "More like late afternoon, I guess," she giggled. "Ya hungry?"

"I'll pass," Sylvie politely declined. She remembered her last encounter with the waitress and knew Ginger had been glamoured one times too many - clearly so much that her cooking skills probably couldn't be trusted. Instead, Sylvie stretched and scratched at her ribs, only to find no pain at all. She lifted up the black Fangtasia T-shirt she was wearing. The scratch was gone. All healed! She was surprised. Her eyes scanned the club for Sookie. "Where's my cousin?"

"Oh I reckon she's still in the bathroom. What a night ya'll musta had!"

Without a reply, Sylvie headed for the restrooms. She found Sookie there with her back to the sinks, attempting to look at her scratches in the mirror.

"Hey, you're up!" Sookie peered over her shoulder. "Was wonderin' if you were okay."

"Me?" Sylvie helped lift her cousin's red Fangtasia tee to examine the scratches. "What about you? Ya scared the hell outta me last night!"

"Wow," Sookie's eyes widened at her disappeared wounds. "Well, there ain't nothin' to worry about now."

"Check it out," Sylvie traced a finger along her cousin's shoulder blade. "Didn't even leave a mark behind."

"I know. Crazy vamp blood."

"Ha!" Sylvie laughed. "Tell me about it. It does freaky things."

"Sometimes cool things, too. Bill's always makes my skin glow."

"Really?" Sylvie replied, checking herself in the mirror. She was surprised to see how clean she looked. The blood on her hands and forearms was gone, though her shorts were still stained. The more Sylvie examined herself, the stranger she felt. Something was different. "I think Eric's made my hair lighter."

"Wait a second," Sookie's eyes widened. "You had blood? Eric Northman's blood?"

"Yes," Sylvie frowned. "You were there, don't you remember?"

"God dammit, Sylvie, I was so out of it I didn't know what was goin' on!" Sookie gripped her cousin's shoulders. "You shouldn't have taken Eric's blood! What were you thinking?"

"I didn't have a choice, I was scratched too. Just like you!" Sylvie reasoned. "It was a life or death situation and Bill was busy with you."

It seemed Bill's prediction the night before had been correct. Sookie was not happy. Vampire blood was coursing through her veins, leaving behind flawless skin, healed wounds and a lot of spunk. She ran a furious hand through her hair, turning to Sylvie with gritted teeth.

"What time is it? Eric should be up by now," Sookie mused. Feeling suddenly courageous, she wasn't going to let someone like Eric Northman mess with her family - especially Sylvie. "I'm gonna have a word with him."

Sylvie trailed silently behind as Sookie marched into the bar. The club looked clean and empty, leaving no trace of last night's chaotic medical emergency. Ginger had made her way behind the bar again, wiping glasses and nibbling on sandwich bread. Aside from the woman's humming, the room was quiet. The club for the dead was just that - dead. Neither Eric or Bill seemed to be awake yet.

"Ginger," Sookie approached the counter. "When will Eric be up?"

"Oh honey I'm not sure," she answered, flipping her hair. "He wakes kinda early, usually comes up just before dark."

"Does he sleep in the basement?"

Sylvie watched in curious silence as Sookie quizzed Ginger. The waitress seemed oddly frazzled, suddenly fumbling with the Fangtasia barware. Why is she freaking out? Sylvie wondered. She tuned into her thoughts.

Oh lord, she better not think she's goin' down there…Eric will kill me!

"I-I don't know," Ginger stuttered. "…why?"

"Because," Sookie declared. "I wanna talk to him."

"Well you're gonna have to wait," Ginger shook her head. She can't see…no one can…"I don't know where he is, I'm sorry!"

Sylvie cocked her head to the side. "What's in the basement, Ginger?"

That colored fella…Ginger shifted her weight and shrugged her shoulders cluelessly."Nothin'." Man, he could be dead by now.

"Dead?" Sylvie shot a glance to her cousin. "Sookie, Eric's keeping someone in the basement!"

The trio froze for a moment, eyeing each other in horror. Sookie made the first move, dashing for Fangtasia's back hallway. Before she could make it to the basement, however, Ginger pulled a gun from behind the counter.

"Don't even think about it!" She hollered. Her hands were shaky, attempting to aim for Sookie's heart.

Sylvie took a deep breath, eyeing the gun in Ginger's hands. She remembered her cousin Jason trying to give her a lesson on shooting when they were younger. The lesson was supposed to be top secret, as Gran had no idea Jason was using their Grandaddy's guns to shoot. In hopes of being inconspicuous, Jason took Sylvie to a clearing deep in the woods. He'd made his own private set up of targets - cans and bottles - lining them up in the distance. He'd been extra cautious about the mission, making Sylvie wait until Gran left the house to pick Sookie up fron Tara's. Jason was only 15 then but he was already a pretty good marksmen. When he handed Sylvie the gun, it was heavier than she'd anticipated.

"Spread your feet a little more," he'd said. "Keep steady, anticipate the kickback. Don't shoot until you're ready."

Sylvie found an object that caught her eye - an old blue coffee can. She took aim and let out a deep breath. But when she tried to pull the trigger, nothing happened.

"Oh, sorry," Jason apologized. "I forgot to tell ya. The safety's still on. It's important to click it when you ain't usin' it so no one gets hurt."

Jason could be rowdy and careless but when it came to his grandfather's guns, he played it safe. It appeared whoever put that gun behind the Fangtasia counter had the same mindset. And, whoever that person was, they didn't give Ginger a lesson on shooting. The safety was still on and the waitress didn't seem to notice. Sylvie blinked. Sookie had a chance to make it to the basement alive. In one swift movement, Sylvie lunged for Ginger and pulled the gun from her hands.

"Sookie!" Sylvie hollered. "Run!"

Obeying her cousin's orders, Sookie took off for the basement. Out of the corner of her eye, Sylvie spotted Ginger attempting to hide behind the bar. Before the waitress could take another step, Sylvie took aim.

"I don't think so," she clicked the safety off. Ginger let out a terrified scream and held her hands in the air.

"Please!" She pleaded. "Don't kill me!"

"I'm not going to," Sylvie rolled her eyes. The two women stood quietly until a jangling sound rang from the hall. A doorknob was being turned but brought no success. Sookie's voice suddenly called out.

"The door's locked!"

"I know you have the key," Sylvie arched a brow at Ginger. She didn't have to read her mind to know what the woman was thinking. "Let us in."

Ginger took several steps back until she ran into the counter. "B-But Eric says -"

"I give a rat's ass what Eric says," Sylvie announced. She felt the power of his blood running through her body like wild fire and marched toward the waitress. After checking the gun, she saw she had more bullets than anticipated. "This thing is fully loaded and I ain't got no problem usin' it."

"Alright, alright!" She yelped.

With the gun inches away from her neck, Ginger led Sylvie down the hall. She pushed past Sookie with shaky hands, fumbling with one of Fangtasia's key rings until the door was unlocked. Then, the trio ventured silently below the club. Ginger's too-high stilettos were the only sound to be heard, clicking step by step as the women reached the basement floor.

"Oh God," Sylvie scrunched her nose. "What is that smell?"

"Holy hell," Sookie replied. "I don't know. Where's the person? I can't see a thing down here."

The basement was pitch black with a strong smell of must and urine filling the air. Sylvie pressed the handgun into Ginger's neck, blindly pushing her further into the basement. She strained her eyes for sight of anything, or anyone, but the room was just too dark. She paused when she felt her foot step on something damp.

"Ginger?" Sylvie called out. "Is there a light down here or what?"

Still quivering under the gun's touch, Ginger muttered a reply. "Y-yes," she stammered. "Should be a few more steps…I'll find it…"

Sookie and Sylvie waited quietly as the waitress searched for a light. After a few shuffles and clicks of her heels Ginger's body suddenly appeared, nervously gripping a long string that was attached to a light on the ceiling. With able eyes, Sylvie and her cousin finally caught a glimpse of the dark room, finding it was a far cry from the mysterious playground Fangtasia created upstairs. The club's basement was practically a medieval torture chamber.

Chains and cuffs hung from the walls and ceiling, covered in rust and grime. In the corner, Sylvie saw an old wooden chair - complete with leather straps for a person's wrists and ankles. A single shoe was stranded nearby, resting in a glob of coagulated blood. But the worst was what she saw in the center: a large mechanical wheel attached to the ceiling, holding five iron poles that spiked towards the floor. Each held large rusty metal cuffs which Sylvie realized weren't for wrists or ankles, but for a person's neck. She tore her gaze to her feet and felt her stomach churning. She stole a glance at Sookie, who seemed to have the same feeling.

"Jesus Christ," Sylvie gulped. "I think we're standing in blood."

"Oh God," Sookie grimaced. "We are."

"Maybe we should go," Ginger shuffled awkwardly near the light. "I musta been wrong, I don't think anyone's down here anymore."

The girls slowly stepped back towards the stairs when suddenly, a voice called out from behind a concrete pillar. "…Sookie?"

Sylvie stared at her cousin as their hearts dropped. The voice they heard was one they could recognize anywhere. It was Lafayette.

"Lafayette? It's me, are you okay!" Sookie tiptoed across the concrete. Sylvie followed close behind, leaving Ginger stranded near the stairs.

Looking like a ghost of himself, Lafayette crept out from the cement block. Sylvie couldn't help but blanch a the sight of him. He was covered in dirt and blood, chained to one of the iron poles. The metal cuff was clasped loosely around his neck, which Sylvie assumed was much tighter when he arrived. His skin was stretched tightly over his bones due to some serious dehydration. She frowned at the small sets of holes that scattered his arms and chest. What the hell is that? She wondered. She blinked when her mind made the connection. Fang marks.

"We're gonna get you outta here, okay?" Sookie reached out to him. "Ginger, will you unlock him please?"

"I don't got the k-key," she stuttered.

"Fine," Sylvie looked at Ginger with dead eyes. Using her telepathy, she knew the woman wasn't lying. Ginger truly didn't have the key, but that didn't mean she couldn't help find it. Anger was brewing inside of her at an alarming rate. How could Eric do something like this to Lafayette? How could this stupid waitress know what he was doing and not stop him? She raised the gun in Ginger's direction once again, wishing she had enough courage to pull the trigger. "Let's look for it."

The three women headed for the main floor as Lafayette pleaded to Sookie helplessly. "Please, get me outta here, don't leave me!"

"I won't leave this place without you," Sookie assured him, stopping mid stair. "I promise."

Soon, Sookie and Sylvie were back at the bar. They waited impatiently as Ginger fumbled behind the counter in search of the right key.

"Hurry up," Sylvie growled. She knew Eric would be up soon, ruining her chances of setting Lafayette free.

"I-I'm trying!" Ginger shrieked. Bottles and barware clamored loudly as she shuffled through Fangtasia shelves. She scooted towards the drawers, ransacking them and tossing papers everywhere. "I can't find it!"

And then, Sylvie exploded. Cocking the gun at Fangtasia's top shelf liquor, she fired three shots.

"FIND," bang, "THAT," bang, "FUCKING," bang, "KEY!" Sylvie yelled at the top of her lungs. Ginger let out a horrified scream and dashed towards the hall.

"Drop the gun, miss Stackhouse," a voice droned from behind her. Sylvie turned around only to be faced with Eric's chest. She gasped in surprise, accidentally inhaling the scent of pine from his t-shirt. She lingered for a moment, enjoying the odor of his cologne. Reality hit her quickly when she felt a strange silence in the air. Her eyes trailed upward, finding the smirk that preyed on his lips. "Unless you want to pay for three more bottles of fine whiskey and some new drywall."

"What the hell is goin' on here?" Bill suddenly appeared behind him.

"Oh I'll tell you what's goin' on," Sylvie tossed the gun to the floor. "Eric has Lafayette in the fucking basement!"

Bill shot a quizzical look to his sheriff and politely retrieved the weapon off the dance floor. "Is this true?"

Eric turned to the dark-haired vampire unabashedly. "Perhaps."

Boiling with anger herself, Sookie stepped between Eric and her cousin.

"Eric Northman, you disgust me!" She spat acidly. "As if givin' Sylvie your blood ain't bad enough, you got Lafayette in the basement for your own torture and feeding pleasure!"

"Not for pleasure," he snapped with fangs out. "For punishment." The blonde vampire turned to Bill, adding, "Lafayette has been exchanging sexual favors to deal V, which you know is a serious offense."

"I don't care what the hell he's done," Sylvie burst. "You need to let him go!"

"I will do nothing of the sort."

"Eric," Sylvie protested. She could feel her pride crumbling by the second as she pleaded to the vampire. She knew she looked foolish but she wanted Lafayette to live. She wanted it more than anything and she'd do whatever it took to get it - even if that meant embarrassing herself in the process. "Please."

Eric arched a brow. "Perhaps we can come to some sort of arrangement."

The vampire headed for his office, waving a careless hand behind him as a signal to follow. After exchanging a few cautious looks with her cousin, Sylvie, Sookie, and Bill headed down the hall. As they stepped in Eric was already comfortably seated at his desk.

"So," he leaned back and crossed his arms. "The three of you wish to take Lafayette home tonight, correct?"

"Correct," Bill took the lead.

"Very well, then. I have a missing vampire that needs searching for in Dallas. You may take Lafayette if Sookie will join me there to investigate."

"Dallas?" Bill let out a humorless laugh. "No, she's not traveling anywhere with you."

"I can make up my own mind, Bill!" Sookie interrupted. After placing a triumphant hand on her hip, she fired back an offer. "I'll go. And I want five thousand dollars."

"That is ridiculous," the vampire sheriff rolled his eyes. "No."

"She will take ten thousand," Bill announced. "And I will go with her, or there is no deal."

Eric looked at the group with his jaw set. "Fine."

For the first time, Sylvie saw Eric pinned. From what little she'd seen of the vampire, she knew he never budged. He was stubborn and controlling about everything. She wondered why he'd given in to Bill's barter so easily. Sylvie knew Eric Northman didn't care about humans. Lafayette wasn't worth anything to Eric. Even if Lafayette was, Sylvie figured in Eric's eyes he certainly wasn't worth Bill Compton's chaperoning and 10 thousand dollars. Was the missing vampire worth that much to him? Who is he looking for? She frowned. She decided whoever it was, it seemed he wanted to find them pretty badly.

The blonde vampire turned to his intercom, pressing a long finger on one of the buttons. He muttered an order through the line, one Sylvie couldn't understand. Within a minute, however, Pam appeared in the doorway with Lafayette in her arms. She tossed the Merlotte's cook on the floor, wiping her blue silk blouse as he groaned in pain.

"Will that be all?" She scowled.

After receiving a nod from her maker, Pam made her exit.

"Lafayette, you're going home," Eric flashed a wicked grin. "What a lucky man you are. But if there is a next time, you won't be so lucky."

"Oh there won't be no next time, baby," Lafayette hoarsely replied. "I'm retiring."

"Good to hear," Eric droned. He turned his attentions to Bill. "Chow fetched your car. It's parked in back."

Sookie and Sylvie headed for the doorway, lingering patiently while Bill helped Lafayette stand. His skin looked much worse under the fluorescent lights. He was covered in scrapes, cuts, bruises, and, to Sylvie's surprise, some kind of bullet or stab wound. She watched blood seep from the bandage on Lafayette's thigh as Fangtasia's dance music began to play. Soon the club would be in full swing with fangbangers and curious humans, all unaware they were dancing above a torture chamber. Sylvie gulped. Uneasiness swept over her while she wondered how many people had died in that basement.

"When do we leave?" Bill asked, slinging a weak Lafayette over his shoulder.

"You leave in two days. I'll meet you shortly after." Eric blinked. "I'll text you the details later. Your expenses will be paid for, of course."

"Fine," the dark haired vampire headed for the door. "I'll book two tickets with Anubis Air, but I will need your credit card number."

"Actually, make it three," Eric rose from his chair. "Sylvie Stackhouse will be joining you."

"What?" Sylvie tore her grip from the doorway and folded her arms. It seemed Eric had a trick up his sleeve. Typical, she scowled. She could feel her neck growing hot. "That wasn't part of the deal!"

"No, it most certainly wasn't," Eric amusedly agreed. "This is a different deal entirely. Just between you and I."

"For what?"

"You shot up my bar, remember? Unless you want to pay for damages, I suggest you pack your bags."

"Fine!" Sylvie barked.

"Settled then," Eric quirked a satisfied smile. He sent a nod to Bill, adding, "See you soon."

Sylvie, Sookie, and Bill stepped through the doorway with Lafayette in tow. As the trio shuffled towards Fangtasia's exit, Sylvie turned back and peeped her head in Eric's office one last time. The vampire already had his nose buried in paper work, scribbling on files with an expensive-looking pen.

"Asshole!"

Eric let out a soft chuckle, never lifting his eyes to meet her gaze. "Always a pleasure, Sylvie."

Feeling somewhat better, Sylvie left without reply and headed for the parking lot. After joining Lafayette in the backseat of Bill's BMW, the four headed to Bon Temps. Lafayette stayed quiet for the ride, likely gathering his thoughts. Sookie prodded him a little, just like a caring friend would. She expressed her concern over Eric's actions and how horrible some vampires can be, but Lafayette didn't really respond. Sylvie decided if she were in his position, the last thing she'd want to discuss was what went on in that terrifying basement. She stood in the same dark room for only a few minutes and was still trying to get the images out of her mind.

How could Eric be so cruel? Sylvie wondered. How could a vampire give his blood to save a life but be so quick to end the life of another? She remembered how careful he seemed with her in Fangtasia. He held her down so the solution could work, making sure she didn't grow even more afraid. When it was all over and the pain was gone, he gave her his blood so she would survive. Eric Northman saved her life. He did these things all while Lafayette lay starved, bleeding, and half-dead in the basement. And now, his blood flowed through her veins. He would be able to feel her, track her, and find her at any moment. Whether she wanted it or not, Sylvie was connected to him. But was that good or bad?

"Here I be," Lafayette pointed at a small brown house in the distance.

"Alright," Bill slowed the car and parked outside.

Despite Sookie's protests, Lafayette headed towards his front door alone - though he did request no one speak of his kidnapping. According to him, he'd spent a lovely week partying with boy friends in Florida. Once Lafayette was safe inside, Bill headed home. In order to keep Sookie and Sylvie safe, the vampire decided it was in their best interest to stay at his place for the night. Gran's killer was still on the loose and there was no telling when they'd strike again. Normally Sylvie wouldn't be enthused with the idea of staying at Bill's but she didn't complain. After getting attacked and spending a night on Fangtasia furniture, she was ready for a good night's sleep - and Bill's king-size guest bed was better than her twin any day.

It wasn't long until the group arrived at the Compton home. Sylvie eagerly followed her cousin and her boy friend to the porch, but when the three stepped through the front door they were met with a peculiar sight. Jessica was on Bill's velvet couch, straddling a shirtless Hoyt Fortenberry. She was hissing and growling with fangs bared, just like the night she pinned Sylvie. Only this time, Hoyt was the one being pinned. And, oddly enough, he appeared to be enjoying it.

"Jessica!" Bill bellowed from the entry way.

"Bill!" The baby vampire gasped, leaping off of the young man. "I was just kissin' him, I swear!"

Ignoring his progeny, Bill stormed towards Hoyt. He made a pit stop at one of his wingback chairs, grabbing Hoyt's button-up shirt and tossing it in his direction. "Get outta my house," Bill ordered. "Now!"

"I'm sorry vampire Bill," Hoyt apologized. He slipped his arms through the sleeves, buttoning the shirt frantically. "I know what it looks like but we were only kissin' and I swear to you I would never take it any further!"

"Get out! Don't make me toss you through a window!"

"Bill!" Sookie scolded. "Stop. Don't do something you'll regret."

"Please, hear me out," Hoyt pleaded. "I like Jessica and I would never hurt her!"

"I know that, son," Bill replied. After seeing Sookie's concern, he slowly calmed down. "But she's not the one I'm worried about here."

"Bill!" Jessica began to cry. "I wasn't going to bite him!"

"Jessica, you are a baby vampire. You have no idea how to control yourself!"

"Please, sir," Hoyt interjected. "Please, I -"

"If you care about her at all," Bill held a silencing hand in his direction. "You'll leave now."

After bowing his head, Hoyt headed for the door. "Yes sir."

"I'm sorry!" Jessica slid against the wall. "Really, I -"

Bill shook his head in disapproval. "Go upstairs."

"But -"

"Go, Jessica," he repeated. "Now."

"Wait!" She snapped. "Will you let me talk? I'm sorry for what I did, really I am! But you have no idea what it's like for me to be left here all alone. All by myself, not knowing what to do or how to deal with what I've become! I just met Hoyt tonight and bein' around him makes me feel so normal. I'd never hurt him, he gave me my first kiss! I coulda spent all night bein' fine with just kissin' him. And now you pushed him outta here! For the first time, I felt happy! Don't take that away from me. Let me see him again!"

Sylvie gave the red headed vampire a smile. Her first kiss! She exclaimed. She recalled her years of high school and how excited she was when she had hers too. The nervousness, the anticipation, the uncertainty, the rush - it all lead to a moment every girl would never forget. Glancing at Sookie, it seemed she was thinking the same thing. Bill softened as Jessica continued, slowly understanding that she was not only a vampire, but a teenage girl.

"Fine," Bill looked at her like a worried father. "But I'll be keeping a close eye on you two."

"Thank you!" She flung her arms around her maker. "Thank you, thank you, thank you!"

"Alright, alright," he patted her shoulder. "Now go upstairs."

After letting out a squeal of joy, the baby vampire followed orders.

"I like her," Sookie announced. She wandered towards the staircase and sat down with a grin. "And I think she should come to Dallas with us."

"Sookie, that isn't a good idea - " Bill began to disagree, but Sylvie was quick to back up her cousin.

"I think she should too," she interrupted, taking a seat next to her. Jessica was young and sometimes unpredictable, but Sylvie couldn't help but like her. Having her on the trip to Dallas would be fun and keep Sylvie from becoming a dreaded third wheel. And, Sylvie concluded, after the mall-ditching incident, they were practically partners in crime. "It will be fun if Jessica comes along."

"Fun," Sookie nodded, "And, I think it would be good for you, Bill. Because deep down, I think you hate vampires even though you are one. And that's not good! I know what it was like for you when you were changed, you told me. A little, at least. But it doesn't have to be that way…not anymore. Jessica's a good girl and you need to bond with her. Teach her how to be a vampire; teach her how to mainstream."

Bill approached the stairs and placed a hand on the railing. "It's hard to teach something if you haven't mastered it yourself, first."

"So," Sookie gave him an encouraging smile. "Teach each other."

Faced with two sets of pleading eyes, the vampire let out a reluctant sigh. "Fine," he caved. "I will have to book four airline tickets."

Sookie flashed a pleased smile but her expression was quickly changed when a knock came from the front door.

"Who would that be?" she frowned.

"Oh," Bill rolled his eyes, "I think it's that boy again. I'll send him home."

The vampire answered the door, only to find Hoyt hadn't been knocking. It was sheriff Bud Dearborne.

"Evenin' Bill," he took off his hat. "Is Sookie around by any chance? I've been lookin' for her."

Sookie and Sylvie rushed to the entry way.

"What is it, Bud?" Sookie asked.

"I've been tryin' to reach you all day," he said. "I'm sorry, but Amy Burley was found dead late last night."

"Bud," she frowned, "I don't mean to be rude but what's that got to do with me?"

"She hung around your brother Jason," he replied. "We want to bring him in for questioning, but we can't seem to find him anywhere. He's missing."

Author's note:
-Sorry for the wait! Anyone catch the sneak peek of TB's season 5? My feelings are mixed to say the least. Why is Sookie burying a body so close to her house? If it's Debbie's, then I've seriously underestimated her intelligence. If it's Tara's, well, I reeeallly hope she doesn't bitch about it all season! And what is up with Eric having a sister? Eeek! What did you guys think?