It was dark when I awoke; I was still curled up against the wall in the disgustingly decorated room. I glanced around seeing the lamp I had smashed, shattered on the ground across the room.

My cheeks were stiff with dried tears and my lips tasted like salt.

As I lifted myself off the ground my muscles protested from the ache of sleeping in such an awkward position. I stretched carefully and stubbled to the closest door to thankfully find a bathroom.

I slowly walked over to the mirror and looked at myself. I noted all the evidence of a recent emotional breakdown, my eyes red and blood shot and my face pale but the most notable thing in my eyes were their colour they were darker than usual instead of the blue gray they usually were they seemed almost navy in colour and I felt numb all over.

'Hey maybe your eyes are the windows to your soul after all' I thought but quickly pulled myself from the grips of self pity to get ready.

I dressed quickly in jeans and a purple shirt with my biker boots and my leather jacket, no way was I getting dressed up for a bitch who forced me to kill.

As I put my hair up into a high pony tail there was a knock on my door. I grabbed the silver knife I had sitting on the sink for my shower and went to the door. Using the door to cover it and opened it slowly.

Eric stood their looking down at me, he didn't try to smile or look cheerful, I guess he could still feel my anger at him.

"The queen is requiring our presence" He dead panned his voice cold and emotionless, but the bond told me all about his guilt. A true southern bell would have forgiven him for his actions but I wasn't raised southern and don't forgive easily. I got some satisfaction from his guilt but not enough.

I nodded and slid the knife into my boot before following Eric towards the Queens ridiculous throne room.

As we approach all the vampires watched me carefully knowing who I am, it was true I have killed vampires but it wasn't easy and I would never be able to kill one this publically, I'd be dead before i had taken a step toward them.

The Queen sat on her throne in a tight black flowing dress that on anyone else would look classy but on her looked trashy. I found myself subconsciously looking around the room for a quick make shift stake. Eric put his arm around my waist, obviously feeling my intent and tried to send me calm but I just pushed it away, I didn't want his help.

"Good evening my dear" the Queen grinned at me and I just raised an eye brow until Eric's hold tightened slightly and I nodded my head, no way was I bowing I'm an American we don't bow. "It's good to see you nice and compliant this evening" she said her voice had an edge and I was temped to see what she would do if I told her she could shove it but instead nodded again as my eyes silently scanned the surrounding vampires, looking for threats.

"Don't be so suspicious you are safe here" She grinned wider and I looked up at her.

"I am not suspicious your majesty just cautious" I smiled tensely as my mind did another scan and discovered the feline presence again, it was familiar but I wasn't sure where I knew it from, I focused on it as the queen spoke to Eric.

It had surprise and suspicion vibrating through it. It was also moving towards me and I looked over to the Queens right to see a familiar face stepping out of the crowd.

On instinct I pushed Eric arm away and crouched, ready for anything to happen. As soon as he got a closer look at me he did the same and growled towards me.

"You" He spat, crouching lower. I could feel that Eric had done the same as had most the vampires because of our aggressive stances.

"Long time no see tiger" I spoke clearly and deliberately watching all his muscles moves so I could prevent an attack.

"ENOUGH" the Queen bellowed and all the vampires instantly straightened accept for Eric who only lifted slightly. His protectiveness was coming through the bond full force. "Everyone out except for you three" she indicated to the tiger, me and Eric, although Andre didn't move either and it was quiet until the room was empty. "Now tell me what is going on! How do you two know each other?" the Queen demanded.

Some of the tension had left the room and we were all back to our original heights.

"You majesty I apologize for the disturbance she just caught me off guard" The tiger said cautiously still watching me though his mind no longer seemed threatened just surprised and curious.

"You two know each other?" She asked sitting back on her throne, with her eyes darting between the tiger and I.

"Not by name" I stated not moving my eyes from him. He was a very handsome man but I couldn't focus on that now. The Queen stared at me wanting an explanation. "We met several years ago when I was still enslaved to my master" I finally turned to her "My master was very cruel and insisted I should be the best killer possible so to beat the doubt out of me placed me in the pits to fight" I spoke confidently, I was really grateful to the strength Eric was sending me "I was on my 7th fight when I met him"

"As you know your majesty in the pits male and female competitors are not separated, I had already fought several female vampires and shifters through from what I could tell, she was human until they announced that she was a telepath, and even then I was unsure how she could be a fighter when telepathy was to do with the mind" He elaborated.

"How is it you both still live? The pits fight to the death" the Queen asked, she looked as interested as a vampire can in our tale and I chose to answer.

"We were well into the fight and both badly injured when another dispute broke out between the surrounding vampires over money and the fight was never completed and I was taken out before the rematch was organised so we never finished our fight" I stated "That is why the tiger..."

"Quinn" He interrupted, I turned to him looking at him questionably "My name is Quinn" I nodded my understanding and turned back to the queen.

"That is why Quinn and I are still alive and in the pits they introduce you by a fake name like the tiger or the telepath instead of our real names which is why we don't know each other by name" I finished. I could feel Eric's interest and turned to him offering him a small smile before turning my attention back to the rest of the room.

"Well I suppose it is good you have met" The Queen crackled "It seems I have mission for the two of you and of course the Viking. It seems that Mr Compton as disappeared and we are unsure of what has happened to him, he was on his way to see me and he never arrived. The trackers I sent after him found his car on the side of the road reeking of were and burnt flesh" Her nose crunched with the mention of were's "He needs to be found so I am sending the three of you to Mississippi, Jackson to be specific assuming my sources are correct and they always are." She grinned proudly but i ignored her. I was not in any big rush to save bill, he had betrayed me and was planning to turn me over to this evil bitch but I was not cold enough to let him suffer for it, especially since when a supernatural's wants you to suffer they can be pretty creative.

"I assume that all compensation will be in par with the contract that Mrs Stackhouse has signed" Eric said cautiously, speaking for the first time since we entered the room.

"Yes of course Northman" The queen said rolling her eyes.

"Your majesty I do not believe the tigers presence is needed" Eric said cautiously and I felt his possessiveness and had to suppress an eye roll as he pulled me to his side again.

"Are you questioning me Northman?" The queen asked lifting an eye brow and glaring menacingly. I suddenly felt an urge to slap her for addressing Eric with such disrespect. Eric tightened his hold.

"No your majesty it's just that if we are doing this behind the back of the king of Mississippi then it will look less suspicious that Mrs Stackhouse and I go alone, I can stay hidden in the background while she investigates the humans" Eric explained

"We need the tiger to protect her during the day, unless you have discovered day walking" The Queen dead panned examining her nails.

"No your majesty I have not but I do know a were in Jackson that owes me and will protect her, it will also look less suspicious if she if with a resident of Jackson to explain her presence" Eric gave a reasonable argument I watched as the queen faked indifference and pretended to no care as she obviously looked for reasons against Eric's suggestion, luckily she found none.

"Whatever Northman just make sure my telepath I safe" I hated that she called me her telepath and wanted to say something but the urge to stay quiet came through the bond and I submitted to it.

Eric bowed deeply while I just nodded and we left the throne room quickly to prepare for our mission. I was not looking forward to going to Jackson the king there is supposed to be ruthless and gay so I can't even charm him if I get into trouble. 'Damn. Jackson here we come'.