EPOV

This time away together has been just what we all needed to feel refreshed and rejuvenated once more. The A.P. has told us it will be the love we have for one another that will ultimately ensure our victory over our foes, and the love I now share with my mates is deeper than I had ever thought possible. Whatever is coming will surely be defeated proficiently between us.

We'll be landing in Shreveport early enough for me to stop into Fangtasia. I don't want to be parted from my mates just yet, but Pam has called to inform me I have a meeting this night that requires my attention. I'll try to make quick work of this meeting to make a hasty return to my bonded mates.

Sookie approaches me and settles on my lap, kissing me softly. I hold her close, breathing in her sweet scent. "What do we have planned for our evening?" she asks me softly. I sigh.

"I'm expected at Fangtasia for a meeting, but I will try to return to you as soon as possible, Lover."

Sookie looks over at Godric with a grin, asking, "So, do you think we can get some Valkyrie training in tonight?" I think our little Valkyrie is enjoying her transition to becoming a fierce warrior. Godric nods to her with a smile.

"Yes, I think you are finally ready to begin sword training, My Love." Sookie beams excitedly. We discuss Sookie's training and what our possible defenses will be against our future rivals. We're deep in our discussion about who could be moving in against us when the pilot comes over the speaker to inform us we will be landing soon.

Once we land, we make our way to our waiting car and I drive home to drop of my mates for their night of swordplay. I kiss them each goodbye and depart for the bar. I make good time and park in my usual spot, heading in to see what meeting requires my personal attention. It must be important or Pam would be handling it herself.

I see Pam sitting on my throne, enthralling the vermin and she motions me over when she sees me make my entrance. I'm already feeling annoyed at being back here so soon. "What is this meeting that is important enough to make me cut my honeymoon short, my child?" I ask sharply. I notice she looks nervous. Maybe I shouldn't have been so harsh with her. I send her my love through the bond and she gives me a weak smile.

"They're waiting in your office, Master. I have a really bad feeling about them and they wouldn't leave without speaking to you directly." I'm instantly on alert. Shit! What the hell could it be now? Who the hell walks into my bar making such demands of me? I nod to Pam and make my way back to my office.

There are two Weres sitting in my office in either leather chair facing my desk. I scent the air around them and my fangs shoot down in fury. V users, both of them. What the fuck are V using Werewolves doing in my bar? Do they have some kind of goddamn death wish? I make my way to sit behind my desk to put these fuckers in their place.

The woman, who I can only tell is female by her bosom, is homely and plain with short, dull brown hair and has long, lanky limbs. The man sitting next to her looks similar enough that I assume they must be relatives. "What is it that has brought you to my bar?" I demand. As pissed as I am at their intrusion, I'm curious as to what could spur their idiotic behavior. The woman gives me a cocky grin.

"My brother, Mark, and I are here to take over your business, Mr. Northman," she states confidently. I grin widely at the audacity of them.

"And how may I ask are you going accomplish this takeover?" I ask smugly. They're fucking with the wrong vampire.

"Mark and I are quite powerful witches, Mr. Northman, and if you do not give us half your profits, we will see to it that your little business goes under," she purrs. Witches. Goddamn it. Fucking Werewitches hopped up on V. I need to tread carefully, V users are irrational and aggressive and if they really are as powerful as they claim, it could cause a shitload of problems for us. I sit back and put my feet up on the desk, trying to appear self-assured.

"How, pray tell, do you plan on assuring my business' failure? By turning my patrons to toads?" I mock. She laughs loudly.

"Nothing so obvious as that. No, we would spell your liquor to poison your patrons and cause little mishaps resulting in hospital bills and lawsuits against your fine establishment," she says smoothly. My fangs click down once more in my fury.

"You obviously don't realize who you're fucking with, witches or not, I heal to no one," I spat out at them. Her grin widens and her brother is still sitting silently beside her, looking nervous. She stands then and her brother quickly follows suit.

"We have your answer, but we will be returning to negotiate this business venture further, this you can count on," she states as she struts from the office, her brother trailing behind like a pathetic, lost puppy.

"Pam!" I call out angrily. She enters my office, concern etched over her face as she senses my billowing rage. "Follow them. We need to know what they're planning and who they're working with." She nods and vamps from my office to follow the witches.

I lean back to contemplate the events of the evening. What in the hell would they want with the meager earnings of the bar? Is this really just about money? It seems there would be easier ways to gain wealth than challenging an ancient vampire. I feel there's something else going on here, and whatever it is, it can't be anything good.

This must be connected to our fated destiny. Fuck! If only the A.P. could give us some actual answers instead of her exasperating, cryptic warnings. We must proceed with caution and keep up with Sookie's training. If this is the start of our trial, we must ready ourselves fittingly.

Pam returns to my office with anger clear on her face. "They are working for the queen, Master." Fuck!

I rise from my desk. "I need to get home; Godric and I must plan our next move. Join us when you can," I tell her as I make my way from the office. I climb into my car and speed off into the night. Fucking Sophie Anne Lecurq. I knew we got off too easily before. She was obviously biding her time until she could formulate her next scheme. I pull up to the house and speed inside to find my mates.

I trek down to the gymnasium and find Godric fencing with Sookie. I stand mesmerized for a time, watching her fluid movements. Sookie has decent form and appears to be confident in her actions. Her reflexes are fast and she's alert to her opponent.

I never doubted she would make an amazing warrior; certainly her Valkyrie family would be proud of such a gifted descendant. I finally clear my throat to make my present known and they stop their training. They look to me with concern, feeling my fury and irritation through the bond.

GPOV

"Eric, what has happened?" I ask, concerned about his obvious frustration.

"Clean up and come meet me in the office, there are new developments we must discuss," he explains irritably before turning sharply on his heel and exiting the gym.

"Come, Sookie, we can finish this later; we've had a good start this night. Let us shower and see what has Eric so upset," I tell her, stroking her hair and trying to sooth the anxiety I can feel her sending through the bond. We shower and dress quickly before joining Eric in the underground study. Eric is sitting behind his desk, deep in thought and Pamela is standing against the far wall in obvious distress. I sit Sookie next to me on the couch, waiting to hear what has taken place this night.

"Sophie Anne is plotting against us once more it seems," he starts. My rage erupts as my fangs slam down in anger.

"Tell me what has happened," I demand. Sookie looks terrified next to me and I try my best to calm my raging emotions and pull her close, stroking her back reassuringly.

"She has witches in her employ. They came to the bar threatening to ruin my business if I refused to share the bar's profits with them."

"But what does this have to do with the queen?" I demand as Pam steps forward.

"I followed them from Eric's office after the meeting to overhear them discussing payment from the queen once Eric's business has been run into the ground," Pam spats out angrily.

"But why would she even care about Fangtasia's profits?" asks Sookie.

"I can't understand this either. The only thing I can guess is that she hopes to bring me to financial ruin, forcing me to bargain with her for Sookie," Eric says angrily. Sookie's anger flares through the bond as she jumps to her feet.

"She can't take me from you!" she exclaims, her face red in anger and her eyes shining silver with her elevated emotions. I stand and take her in my arms, looking into her shimmering eyes.

"My Love, we won't let this happen. We must keep control of our emotions and proceed rationally," I tell her softly. Her eyes slowly bleed back to blue as she takes deep breathes and nods sheepishly.

"Sorry," she whispers. I lay a kiss to her temple and turn to Eric.

"What are we up against, my child?" He sighs, rubbing his face in frustration.

"They are Shape-shifters as well, and V users." My fangs snap down once more at the mention of V; I have no tolerance for the abuse of our blood. The blood is sacred and should be held in the highest of regards. He nods at my fury and continues, "They claim to be powerful and I can only assume ingesting the blood would enhance their abilities as well as their physical strength. So far, there are only two that we know of, a brother and sister, named Hallow and Mark Stonebrook."

I sit, contemplating this information. I knew the queen was angered by our ability to protect Sookie through the contract, but I really thought she understood she didn't have a chance of taking her from us. It seems she has given this more thought than I supposed possible of the irrational child queen.

"What if we talk to Amelia? She runs in magic circles; she might be able to find out more about these witches," suggests Sookie. This could at least be a start. The more we know of our enemies, the better prepared we are to stand against them. Witches alone hold much power over vampires given their influence over magic, the thing that literally gives us life. If they are able to shapeshift and are enhancing their abilities through the use of our blood, they could certainly pose a dangerous threat. We will deal with them first before confronting the queen.

"Talk with your friend, Sookie, see what she can find," I tell her as she gives me a small smile, nodding.

"They said they'll be returning to the bar soon to renegotiate terms," says Eric. I nod.

"I will be there with you. I want to see for myself what we are to be facing," I inform him. We rise then, proceeding to our bedchambers as Pam makes her way to her own room. We are soon undressed and crawling under the covers together.

"What will happen with the queen?" Sookie asks softly, looking worried. Eric and I share a look and I shake my head.

"That remains to be seen, if she proceeds with these plans of stealing you from us, it may become necessary to send her to her final death, My Love," I tell her solemnly.

"But what if the next king or queen tries something like this? What happens then?"

"Lover, if Godric or I send the queen to her true death, it will be one of us who will be taking her place; it is the way of things in vampire hierarchy. Whoever deals the death blow, takes over the monarchy of the state," explains Eric.

"I take it you don't want to be king?" she asks us.

"Eric and I have never been politically inclined. We took the positions we did in order to stay away from the majority of politics," I explain and she looks deeply troubled. I take her face into my hands and look into the deep blue of her eyes. "My Love, if it comes to this, we will undoubtedly take the throne if it means keeping you safe," I place a soft kiss to her lips and she gives me a small smile. "I love you."

"I love you too," she tells me. She turns to Eric, kissing him gently "Love you."

"I love you, My Sookie," he tells her, then leans over to me kissing me as well. "I love you."

"I love you, too, Eric." I lay back to the bed, thinking over the revelations of tonight. It seems the battle with the queen of Louisiana has just begun. We must work to stay ahead of her if we're to foil the plans she has set in place for us. I close my eyes and let the darkness take me under with this thought in mind.