Chapter 21

Mum and Dad,

I love you and nothing can ever change that. I am sorry for hurting you and disappointing you but this is something I have to do. I don't have a choice.

I know you can't believe me but I do love him and we will be together. I am young and inexperienced but I am not a fool and I won't let a chance of happiness pass me by. I would regret letting him go for eternity, so, as much as it pains me to leave my family I don't see any other way.

I hope one day you will forgive me

Goodbye

Astra x

I stood over her bed and stared down at the letter. I had read it so many times that the words were now imprinted in my mind. I could still smell her wonderful sent lingering but it was a hollow reminder that stabbed at my unbeating heart. My baby was gone. The room felt so empty without her in it. Every wall held a reminder than my child was no longer an infant and I began to see how wrong we had been for treating her like one.

I had tried to locate her but she was shielded from my powers and I couldn't find anyone thinking about her. She was alone. I had tried calling her only to find that she had left her cell phone behind. I just prayed that she was safe. I had no ideas how she had escaped the compound undetected but it looked like she had taken Eric's Corvette so she could be anywhere by now.

I had explained all this to Eric and he had promised me he would get her back. He was focusing all his anger on Afua and I didn't want to think about what he would do if he found them together. I prayed I would never have to find out, knowing that would only make things so much worse.

Eric had already enlisted help. Bill, Pam and Dan were aiding him in the search party and they had a couple of hours before sundown. At dawn, Will, Quinn and Alcide would help him with the search. They had all been more than ready to help and the vampires, after hearing the story, were more than a little pissed. I think it's all about that possessive quality or something but they had eagerly joined Eric on the hunt for blood. The Weres had just been disgusted that such a young girl could be used and they wanted to protect my daughter's innocence. I was grateful to them all but I had chosen to remain home. It felt strange staying behind and doing nothing but I couldn't be part of the hunt for blood. I wanted my baby back but I wouldn't hurt her the way I knew they would. I kept thinking about what I would have done if Jason had tried to hurt Eric or Bill. I would have never forgiven him for that. I didn't want my daughter to hate me and I knew I could trust Eric to find her and bring her home.

Eric POV

I had never wanted another vampire's blood as much as I did now. I also had never been so glad that I was King before. I was far from useless before but now the resources at my disposal would make my search so much easier. I couldn't find her fast enough.

The meeting with my retinue could not have gone more smoothly. I had worried that Bill or Pam might side with Sookie but they had both agreed that the bastard must die as soon as possible. Bill had been appalled that sweet Astra could have been duped so easily and Pam had agreed Astra could not be left at risk from him, however slight the threat. I had already known what Sigdan's reaction would be. In our human life one of our sisters had been kidnapped and raped by her attacker. By the time we had located her it was too late, she was dead. He agreed the bastard must die, painfully.

Sookie had phoned and explained that Astra had run away. I would be having a few words with my daughter when we got her home. I admired her strength and courage but she was taking this rebellion way too far. If she wanted to be treated like a grown up then she was going to have to deal with grown up punishments. It was bad enough she had disobeyed us and she was putting herself in danger but the pain she was inflicting on Sookie was scary. She would be made to understand and repent.

Bill had begun finding out all he could on his database and he had discovered that this Afua had only one contact in the south. He was friends with a famous Shaman in New Orleans. Pam had contacted all of my sheriffs and put them on alert. Within the hour we had discovered Astra was heading for the big easy...in my car no less. I had instructed all vampires in my kingdom to remain watchful, report back but not engage with her unless she was in grave danger. For one, I knew surprise was our biggest advantage at this point. For another, we had not yet located the thief and this way Astra would lead us right to him. The biggest reason, however, was that my darling daughter could charm any vampire into total submission and would then change plans becoming untouchable.

No, it was best if I intercepted her myself and dealt with this crisis immediately. Perhaps if she was to witness some of my wrath on her 'beau' she would begin to understand and this would not occur again.

"We will be there in fifteen minutes and the sheriff is waiting for us in the quarter," Pam told me and she closed her phone. I raised an eyebrow at her and she reopened the phone and began texting. We were riding in the limo while Bill and Dan flew. They had arrived already, of course, and were preparing the holding cell for our fun.

"Has he given any further information?" I watched the city as we travelled along the unique streets. I loved this city and yet it seemed every time I came here it was due to some disaster.

"He says..." Her hesitancy was so unusual that I knew the news must be bad. One of the things I liked best about my child was that she was always fearless upfront.

"What?" I demanded. I saw her flinch at my outburst. I would have to try harder to reign in the anger.

"He says she has gone to Baruti and he is said to have welcomed a vampire tonight also. We may be too late." I had to fight hard to control myself. As it was, I destroyed the inside of the limo, crushing everything I could see.

Baruti was the most famous Sharman in the world and his power was awe inspiring. I had used him many times and had always been impressed with his work. The only problem was the man had absolutely no respect for authority and he nearly always favoured helping those he felt were a 'worthy cause'. It would be very difficult to get him to hear us but I had hoped getting to him first would have made things easier. Shit.

"Where is Baruti these days?" The man never lived anywhere longer than a month but he had a soft spot for NOLA so had been moving around the city for the last six years.

"Astra was tracked going into his house near St. Louis cemetery. We are five minutes out and he will meet us there. What's the plan?" I could feel Pam getting excited at the prospect of a fight and I had to admit I was enjoying the anticipation too although I doubted this would be anything like a real fight. I thought for a minute, running all the possible scenarios through my mind trying to determine the right course of action.

"We go after the Shaman first. Take him out of the equation and then attack. Astra is to be removed as quickly as possible and I will deal with the interloper. She nodded and the car pulled to a stop. My fangs ran out as I prepared for battle.

Astra POV

I was so surprised but it was wonderful. I had arrived in New Orleans and Bear (Afua's nickname for Baruti- they were really good friends) had welcomed me with open arms. I had absolutely no doubts that this was the right thing to do but that didn't make it easy and he had held me while I cried. I had been expecting him to tell me to sleep off the tears but he said he had spoken to Afua and he was using his magic and coming here tonight!

I was so excited to see him so soon although a little worried that he was using his magic. I knew that the punishment for that was death. Bear assured me that he would be killed for taking me anyway so there really wasn't another option. I just hoped this worked because then he would be safe forever.

The drive over here had fled by. In fact, it was all proving far less problematic than anticipated. The guards had fallen to my charms so easily and the Corvette's soft engine combined with its speed made it the perfect getaway car. I had practically flown here but now as I sat and waited for my love to arrive it felt like forever.

I was sat alone now on a very modern and comfy white couch while I watched the hands on the clock. I swear the seconds were slowing down but as I felt a rush of warmth over the bond I knew it wouldn't be long. I could feel his magic swelling up and it was like a comfort blanket easing my raw nerves.

"Astra, I am so sorry about this," he purred in my ear as I jumped up into his arms and flung my arms around his neck.

"You're here! I'm so happy you're here!" I cried and he kissed away the tears that rolled along my cheeks.

"I wouldn't be anywhere else. Now we must be quick as I am sure you have been followed. Are you sure you want to go through with this?" He looked down into my eyes and I swear he could feel my soul. I looked back at him and smiled at the wonderful man before me. He was so different from others I had known and yet so similar. My heart beat only for him.

"Yes but it's almost dawn, will we have time?" He smiled and I could see his fangs as his eyes sparkled.

"Bear has everything ready. We have time but you know this can never be undone. I want you to be sure." I leant forward so that my breasts pressed into his strong cool chest. I could feel his arousal pressing into me and it made me hot all over. I held my breath as he bent down and lightly pressed his lips to mine. I could feel he was hesitant, not wanting to push me too far but I didn't want the kiss to end so I quickly stood on my tip toes so that I could deepen it. I pushed my tongue into his mouth and licked his fangs. He groaned and his hands slid down to my hips and pulled me closer. He sucked on my tongue for a while before pushing his into my mouth. I loved the taste of him and being this close meant that the bond between us was stronger than ever. I could feel how much he loved me and he could feel how much I adored him.

"I have never been more sure of anything," I promised as he pulled away so I could breathe. He grinned and I wanted to kiss him some more but knew we didn't have time.

Bear led us up into his attic. He had converted the space into his ritual room. There was a wooden floor and the walls and ceiling were painted black with ancient symbols in white on every surface. At the end of the room there was a table covered in a purple velvet cloth. The room was littered with white candles and I couldn't help but think how strangely romantic it all was.

Afua and I knelt on the floor before the alter. We were surrounded by a red circle and I knew that it symbolised our blood bond. Afua held my hand as Bear chanted in a language I didn't understand. I could see him in my peripheral vision and he was so handsome it made me feel like I was dreaming. Bear nodded to show it was time for us to say our vows. Afua went first and I almost melted at the way he said the words.

"In blood we are bound and from my soul I do pledge, forever am I yours."

"In blood we are bound and from my soul I do pledge, together we are one," I answered. Bear used his magic and a cord floated from the alter and tied our joined hands together. Then he came forward and offered Afua the silver knife. I didn't want to look at this part.

The silver burnt into his skin as he took the knife. I could feel his pain over the bond and I could smell his burning flesh. It made me sick to think of him in such pain but he didn't complain or make any outward sign he was in agony. He smiled at me and cut his wrist with the blade before passing me the knife. I did the same thankful I could take the silver off him. Once we were both bleeding it was time for me to say my vows.

"In blood we are bound and from my soul I do pledge, forever am I yours."

"In blood we are bound and from my soul I do pledge, together we are one," he answered. I could feel the magic working already but there was one more step before the ritual was complete.

Bear handed us each a small golden goblet and we fed each other the salty liquid. I didn't even want to know what was in this potion, it tasted horrid, but I forced myself and drank it all. Once that was done I began to shake from the power of the magic surging through my small body. I turned my head and smiled and Afua who was smiling back.

"Congratulations you are bound eternally, you may kiss your bride," Bear announced. Afua's fangs slid out and I felt a jolt of excitement although I didn't know who it belonged to. He claimed my lips roughly and I kissed him back just as passionately. The bond swirled around us and the magic grew within us before exploding in a white light that pushed us all back to the floor.

I laughed feeling happier than I ever dreamt I could be. I sat up only to see two angry eyes at the door watching us. My heart stopped for a second before I forced myself to speak.

"Hi dad!"