When the car finally stopped, I froze.

Shit.

"Don't pass out on me Sookie, we're at a hotel, not the King's digs. No need to worry just yet." Pam said this in the most unreassuring tone, I'm sure she could muster. Thanks Pam. It's your love and support that gets me through these tough times Sistah.

I didn't say anything as we exited the car, the chauffeur offering me his gloved hand as I stepped out. I had apparently lost the ability to speak. That was fine with me though, because I feared that if I opened my mouth, I'd say something crazy.

Something like: My viking vampire boyfriend has been kidnapped by the King of the state, who wants me to prove his connection with my fairy great grandfather! HELP!

Somehow, I just knew that wouldn't go over well with the locals. Even New Orleans locals.

I followed Pam up an elegant marble staircase into the main foyer of an old converted chateau. It was beautiful and dripping with decadence, like most things in the French Quarter. The murals along the walls were filled with painted peacocks lounging under trees covered in spanish moss. The light purples and greens of their tail feathers cascading downward into the woodwork of the chair rail below.

I closed my eyes, too intimidated to look any further, but I tilted my head back and dared to take a peak above at the ceiling. The problem was, there wasn't one. Beyond the foyer of the hotel, where we were now standing, was actually a covered inner court yard. The three stories above us wrapped around the center room with intricate wood worked balconies. The "ceiling" was actually cut glass panels, creating a sunburst pattern with its cast iron seams. The light of the moon shown in through the clouded glass and diffused into dark shadows on the upper floors. I was amazed.

"Pam, what is this place?"

"A Hotel." She looked back over her shoulder and quirked and eyebrow. "You really don't get out much do you?" She was genuinely interested.

"I guess not."

"Well, lets make sure Eric gets a chance to change that," she said while beckoning me with her hand, "shall we?"

I gave her a grateful smile for that one. Pam could be sweet when she wanted to be.

We walked over to a small antique elevator and away from the grand main staircase. The elevator came complete with a sliding covered gate, and a its own operator. The man opened the doors for us, and asked Pam a question in French. Pam responded, "trois" and into the small space we stepped. I rolled my eyes. Of course we'd be heading up to the third floor. The ominous one hiding in the shadows under the glass. These feelings did not bode well for the night ahead of me.

Once we were in the room I finally had to break down and ask.

"Pam, what are we doing here?"

"We're not staying here long Sookie. This is merely a haven. A place to regroup. After we've retrieved Eric, he might be needing a place to rest before we head back. And besides, you never know when you'll be needing a bed." She leered at me sarcastically.

I rolled my eyes. "This is so not the time for innuendos." I stated.

"Yes, you're right." she zipped around the room quickly, too fast for my eyes to follow, even with my hightened senses from Eric's blood. It felt like a whirl wind, before she stopped right in front of me again. "Good. Time to go."

"What the... ?"

"Checking the room Sookie, making sure it's safe."

"Oh. So we just came here to check in?"

"Yes, and I was trying to give you some time to calm down. Though I see now that that it was pointless." She looked me up and down. I was still shaking a little. But really, how did she expect me to handle this? I have no idea what's going to happen. I'm freaking out here Pam! "Would you like to freshen up before we leave? Do whatever it is, you humans do in your bathrooms."

Oh, smart. Yes. I had to pee! Good thinking Pam.

I went and did my business in the bathroom while she waited outside in the hallway. When I came out, my bladder was relieved, but that was the only part of me that was. I was more nervous than ever. Part of this had to be Eric. Which of course made me even more hysterical, why would Eric be nervous? He's never nervous. Sweet Jesus my head.

"Close your eyes and breathe Sookie." She suggested, and I did. Before I knew it we were back in the car, heading towards what I hoped was the King's "digs" as Pam called them. I really wasn't in the mood for anymore little pit stops.

When car stopped, Pam looked over at me, before we got out, suddenly very serious. It scared the shit out of me. "I have no idea what the King has planned for you Sookie. He wants proof of some kind. He's not just going to take your word for it. This will not be... easy."

Why was she telling me this. Fuck Pam, do you want me to start vomiting or something?

I didn't know what to say, I simply nodded. She continued.

"Eric has been a wreck these past few months. It was because of you. He has you now, and like hell I'm going to allow his contentment to be destroyed so easily. He's a bitch when he's cranky."

Again, this wasn't helping. Really, do I need this guilt on me right now Pam?

"Pam, you're point?" I prompted.

"My point is, if you see an upturned tree trunk, push Victor onto it."

"That.... makes no sense Pam." I was totally confused at this point.

"Take advantage of what you can Sookie, because we're walking into the Lion's den. His weakness is his pride."

And with that the door swung open and the chauffeur's white gloved hand popped in, waiting for me to take it. I stared at it, steeling my resolve. Eric needed me. I needed him. Fuck the King and his damn cowardice.

I'm coming Eric.

I bit the bullet, and took the chauffeur's hand; stepping out into the night.

The theme song to Indiana Jones played in my head as I walked up the steps of the King's private mansion. The one that kicks in right before he does something kick ass like, busts through a saloon door and saves Marian from that creepy dude with the burnt hand. Yeah, that one.

Duh, du du daaa, duh du dummm....

I was finally loosing it, it seemed.

Both my crazy inner monologue and musical score came to an abrupt halt the second the huge wooden front doors resounded to a close with a loud thud behind me. My mouth went dry. Pam stood by my side, stoic and steady as ever. I marveled again at how still Vampires could be.

We stood for a few moments in the grand entrance hall, waiting. For what? I really didn't know. But after a few painfully silent minutes, I heard voices. They were muffled and low, but with Eric's blood still in me, I could hear the tension in them, and the anger. One belonged to Victor. I had to hold back a smile. Good, he was angry I was here. He didn't expect me to show. Dick.

"Hello Miss Stackhouse," he said a little too loudly as he entered the large main hall. His arms held out in mock welcome. "What a surprise it is to see you here."

"Really?" I couldn't hide the sarcasm in my voice. I was pissed.

"Yes. A surprise. To what do we owe the honor?"

"Cut the crap Victor, I'm here for Eric." Wow, okay I was really angry now. And a little bit too brazen. Eric must know I'm here. That had to be his confidence, not mine.

Victor's mask of charm fell a little bit, but he still tried to keep up the charade of his bogus civility. "Oh yes, he's here on the Kings orders." He then quickly added, "for business."

Oh please. I folded my arms. "What kind of business entails him being held down unwillingly with silver?"

Victors eyes flashed with anger. Vampires were very good at hiding their emotions, but when you're as big of a prick as Victor, its pretty easy to read every thought that filters across your face. Pam was silent next to me, but I saw a slight smile on her lips, out of the corner of my eye. She'd stop me if I went too far, but right now, it seemed she totally had my back. Thank God.

"The King has a condition for me I believe. The sooner you take me to him, the sooner I'll be out of your hair."

We stood silently for a minute while Victor thought over what to do with me, I assumed. I was trying to put all my concentration into him and was almost getting into his mind. I could definitely pick up on his mood, but his thoughts were still behind a locked door.

"Come with me," he said, coming to a conclusion. He turned on his heel and walked deeper into the mansion. Pam and I followed. We were lead to a staircase, leading down. I almost snickered at it. Of course we'd be heading downstairs. Dungeons, coffins and chains, oh my! Vampires could be so predictable sometimes. Not that this made me any less nervous, I cringed thinking about what they might have done to Eric.

I sped up my steps. I could feel him, he was so close to me. With our proximity growing nearer, I became more and more assured. Eric was nearby. It couldn't be all bad. Could it?

The hall at the bottom of the stairs was surprisingly bright. I was expecting brimstone and torches, but no. Gilded sconces holding lit candles decorated the cream colored walls. Okay, maybe vamps weren't so predictable. I did a double take and saw that the candles were fake. That made sense. Vampires hated fire.

At the end of the hall was a set of french doors, with clouded glass. Victor led us through them and into a large elegant space that looked like a ballroom. It was chic yet masculine. Felipe must have added his own personal touches to the place, because surely, the Queen wouldn't own 10 foot paintings of a matadors. My eyes were immediately drawn to the large curtain hangings on the far wall. The fabric was probably velvet, and the color was of course, a shade of deep red. It wasn't covering a window, we were too far down under the main house. It looked ominous to me. I didn't like it.

An identical set of curtain hangings covered the other wall across the room. Except these were a deep golden color, like honey. Victor didn't bother to offer us a seat. I didn't expect him too. He walked right behind the gold curtains and another silence fell.

I took the time to scan mentally for Eric. He was nearby. So close! I couldn't figure out where, but it had to be the next room. Our connection felt slightly blocked for some reason. Maybe the silver was weakening it? Wherever he was, I tried to reassure him that I was here, and that whatever shit was about to go down, at least we were together. I let that thought sink in. Eric was nearby. I can do this.

If only I knew what I had to do?

When Victor reappeared from behind the curtains holding a sword so large, it looked like he had taken it off the set of Braveheart, right out of Mel Gibson's sweaty hands, my eyes bulged. I looked over at Pam, a question clear in my eyes; Why is he carrying that?

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A/N: *ducks* Don't pelt me with olives! Please.

I swear I'll update soon! I just had to stop it there... I did. I was going crazy, I originally wrote that last bit to take place in an underground bowling alley! WTF?

See, I need a break. Otherwise, I don't know what I'll do. For a minute there, I was gonna have them torture Eric by having him sit in the middle of silver pins, while they hurled bowling balls at his legs. That was a major WTF moment. Really? What the hell was I even thinking?

I have part of next chapter already written, it just needs some extra lovin'. It'll be up soon. I'm not putting a time on 'soon'... just soon.

p.s. No, Eric is not going to be tortured. That was never my plan. He'll just be draped in silver like I wrote earlier. I seriously went coo coo for cocoa puffs before with the bowling alley bit. Which is why I had to nip that shit in the bud.

Eric really isn't the one you should be worrying about right now anyway....

Chew on that thought.

Till next time!