Eric's POV.

"I can't say I like it as much as the one I brought for you, but it does make you look absolutely exquisite" I tell Tyra, just half an hour before the vampires and werewolves I've summoned for tonight's meeting arrive. Standing behind her as she checks her appearance in the mirror I let my hands rest on the curve of each hip, bathed in the long deep grey dress hugging her beautiful figure and kiss the side of her neck as she adds items of jewellery to complete her outfit.

"Well that one is a little too nice to wear just to meet your vampire troops in, but I do agree with you" she replies, turning her head to kiss my cheek, wiping away the small smudge of deep red lipstick she's wearing with her thumb afterwards. It shocks me just how dear this beautiful woman has become to me, but it no longer scares me though. I listened and I listened well to Agnes when she stated that it is in a vampires' nature to take whatever they want as theirs, that there is no shame in it. Also after much consideration I did see her point about allowing happiness back into your existence in order to survive.

The only thing that troubles me of course is the fact that she's now become a target because of her involvement with me, and whatever grudge any stronger vampire has against me in the future means that of course, she will be targeted again. But I rest assured that this will be something that perhaps will not happen as long as we stay where we are, since I'm the oldest, strongest vampire in the whole of the USA. If anyone from these shores tried to hurt her they'd meet their true death at my hands. Regardless of rank also; whatever punishment or fine I'd receive for killing them would be more than worth the assurance of Tyra's safety.

I have to repay such devotion somehow, and taking meticulous care of her is how I'll do it. She's forgiven me for things I wouldn't readily forgive someone for, stood by me, understood me, cared for me and never questioned me. As a vampire, I've never met a woman capable of doing and being all of that all at once; and who wants and expects very little in return. Not like most women who are only interested in me because of my looks, status as a vampire, and money. The fact she's not a drop that shallow is perhaps one of the things I like best about her.

"Oh just so you know, I'm not wearing any underwear" she tells me before gliding elegantly out of the bathroom, looking back over her shoulder and winking. That's another thing I like best about her. She always finds some way to attract my attention, and usually excite me at the same time. She knows that the little illicit piece of information she gave me will be on my mind now until our time is free for just us again; but right now one hour is not enough time for what I plan on doing to her. The sexual connection between us is the strongest I've known with a woman, either as a human or a vampire.

Still there's so much more to what we've become to each other than just sex. Tolerating letting a woman become this close to me really has been of benefit to me, she makes life more enjoyable for me now she's in it and I really have come to see the benefits of having a companion. For one thing like I stated before her interest in me goes beyond my sexual prowess, looks, vampire status or money. She actually wants to know me too, know of my life as it was as a human, and how it's been throughout my entire time as a vampire.

I suppose in a way there has always been a small part of me that has wanted to speak of the many, and great things I've seen as a vampire. The way the world has changed around me through the ages, and what I've experienced in those changes too. Up until recently the only other I've had to speak to about that is Pam, so it's nice that I have someone so eager to sit and listen to what my eyes have seen and what my mind has remembered.

Tyra can and usually does sit and listen to me talk for hours, which isn't something I'm used to either. Yet she shows patience when I fall silent (I'm very concise as you know) and urges me to continue, her face alight with interest in my stories of centuries gone by. It's nice to know I can fascinate someone like that, that their curiosity in me is over something no one else has ever been even faintly interested in hearing. Even to the point that sometimes I have to stop and ask her 'am I talking too much?' to which she always states that I am not and she'll be the first to tell me if I am, before encouraging me to keep on talking and telling her of my past.

And in turn to learn about her and her life before we met has been an experience I have honestly enjoyed. Throughout history only a very small handful of humans have ever captured my interest enough for me to warrant actually being interested in listening to them speak of themselves. Tyra is most definitely at the top of that list. And after many an evening of careful listening I now know pretty much all there is to know about Tyra Boden; from how she coped when her mother was murdered and how it drove her to succeed, to the fact that together she and Anna travelled to over thirty different countries on their vacation travels in their late teens/early twenties.

Also, I can tell you what her preferred tastes in literature and music are and how she always felt her twelfth grade math teacher disliked her from the moment she laid eyes on her. Ask me a question and I can answer it. And in knowing everything I do know about her, clichéd as it sounds, the more I like her. That's why I'm thinking the things I'm thinking about her now. Why there's no other woman out there, or who will ever exist, that I want to be as close to me as I hope Tyra will further become...

Tyra's POV.

"You're doing that weird thing again" I tell Eric, perhaps my most used phrase to him when he's smiling at me. This time just like any other recently, all it makes him do is smile more and look quietly amused. Like he's the only one in on a joke or something, but whatever it is he's definitely not sharing. 'Really, what's with you?' I then ask him, taking my glass of red wine off the table in front of me to quench myself with a slightly nervous gulp.

"I'll tell you later" he replies eventually, after just staring at me for a few moments, something that just prompts me to roll my eyes. There's definitely something up with him, and it isn't to do with the impending meeting upstairs either. Since I drink quite a good amount of his blood for sexual healing purposes it means of course I can feel his emotions too, and right now he's feeling very content but also I can pick up on a small amount of apprehension. This isn't something I'm going to let myself wonder about right now though, for now is the time to head upstairs and meet the creatures assembling up there for the first time, bar Fabien and Rob who I have of course met before.

And then there are the other vampires and also the presence of three werewolves too, who prove to be quite the entertainment when Eric and I enter the club and walk over to where the tables have been set out in a long line. As soon as two of them see me and I look them in the eye, up they stand while bowing their heads whilst whispering between each other.

"Holy fucking Jesus! That's a queen!"

"How though, my mamma told me they were extinct!"

"Do you wanna lift your head and disrespect her to ask her the question?"

"No!"

"Well shut up then!"

That's the way the whispers went, until the smaller of the two weres looks to his side to see the third, and much younger were than he or his friend, still engrossed in a game on his Nintendo DS console.

"STAND UP AND BOW YOUR HEAD STUPID! SHOW SOME RESEPCT!" He suddenly shouts, grabbing the teenage boy by his jacket and hauling him out of his seat. The teenager is dragged to his feet whilst looking put out for a few moments, and then his eyes land on me, he mutters 'oh shit!' and immediately bows his head. I can see all of them watching me from under their eyebrows nervously, waiting for my nod which I give them before sitting down. And I marvel as I do at how they instantly know who and what I am, how strong their instinct is to detect me and automatically act just as they did. It's totally amazing to me.

"Thank you your majesty" the two elder weres tell me at once, the third nervously smiling at me and nodding back, looking like he's unsure of how to act.

"Please, call me Tyra" I tell them, not wanting to be addressed so grandly at all.

"Your majesty, please excuse my boldness to argue with you, but out of respect we just cannot do that" the taller, very handsome of the three says as he and his two friends find their seats again.

"Well then maybe when you get to know me better, and that's on my order too" I tell him, glancing at the other two as well and watching them all nodding without question.

"Majesty" they all reply one after the other obediently. Eric told me that if I insist to them that something is 'on my order' then they'll obey me without any question, hesitation or suggestion at all. And being referred to regally really will take some getting used to, so I would like them to address me by my actual name one day. Maybe when they've gotten used to it, as I can see they're going to have to get used to having someone to answer to as much as I'm going to have to get used to that very fact too; that I am the governing body for this particular species now. Not that I feel at all comfortable with lording it up over anybody; I'm simply not that sort of person. Sitting down I am free to observe now everyone else present at the table, surprisingly noting not two but three faces that I recognise. Rob, Fabien, and surprisingly Sookie Stackhouse too.

"Good evening gentleman, and lady" Eric begins as he nods in acknowledgement to the vampires, weres and Sookie and takes his place at the top of the row of tables all laid out in a very business meeting type of fashion. 'There's one reason I've brought you all here tonight, and perhaps from the reaction of our werewolf friends you've already guessed that reason in part' he then continues with.

"And I deduce that you're having all of us on Eric, you and the weres are in this together. A wolf queen, here in Louisiana when the last traces of them died out in Scandinavia over one millennia ago? Get real" says the large vampire sat right at the end of the table facing Eric, shaking his head in disbelief. 'Of course, there is one way to test that theory' he then continues as he gets up from his seat and boldly yet slowly walks around the table towards me. And just as he makes a reach to touch my shoulder, suddenly the next thing anyone sees after the mere blink of an eye is Eric standing nose to nose with him.

"If you even lay a finger on her it'll be the last thing you do, the very last. She is mine Cassius, and what is mine is there for no other vampires' touching or taking. Be seated" Eric tells him in a deadly whisper, making the large African American vampire I now know to be called Cassius begrudgingly back down and walk back to his seat without word.

"Does anyone else want to argue with the validity of my lady's supernatural status? No? Good, now we can begin" Eric then says as he takes his seat again and turns to look at me for a moment fleeting enough for me to see him speedily wink at me before he addresses all present once more.

"You've been called here because you're the most trusted and the strongest vampires and werewolves in my area, all bar Miss Stackhouse of course who is present because of her telepathy skills. But all of you will have an equally important role to play in ensuring her safety, which as it stands currently is in great jeopardy" he then finishes, his eyes flickering around the table to survey all present for their reactions.

"Not that I want to question or argue with what she is, I believe it to be very much true since I can pick up on her energy from just sitting next to her at my age. But, how did she come to be?" Asks the sandy haired vampire in the chair to my left, talking and looking right at Eric like I'm not even there; something my vampire picks up on instantly.

"Ask her yourself Stanley, as you observed she is sitting right next to you after all. And she doesn't appreciate being spoken about like she isn't even in the room either, do you my dear?" Eric replies, taking my fingers in his hand and giving them a squeeze.

"No, I don't" I reply, slowly turning to face the aforementioned Stanley, and then looking at anyone but him as I explain to all present just how I came to be concisely. Rudeness pisses me off from the get go, so Stanley now has a black mark against his name just for that. And as I talk I notice another thing too, and that is that my captive audience really only extends to the three weres and Sookie. The vampires look curious, but not as enthralled by the story as the four non dead persons sat at the table. Well, all but one.

"Fascinating, and absolutely astounding too" Fabien begins. "And Eric, whatever I have to do to ensure you fair lady's safety you can count me in without question" he then adds humbly.

"As always Fabien your unwavering loyalty has been noted, and I thank you for it too" Eric replies with a curt nod Fabien returns, before running a hand through his long silky black hair, whilst running his eyes over Sookie who is sat to his right.

"I can see clearly why she'd be in danger. Blood poachers and the like" Cassius then pipes up from the end of the table, nodding his large bald head slowly and carefully. 'So what happened for you to attain that she's presently in danger Eric?' he then asks.

"A soul reaper was sent after her, one I was forced to drain of course" he replies.

"Ah! Join the club" Fabien pipes up with a twitch of his mouth that indicates that his own memory of such an event was not pleasant. I'm getting really good at reading vampire's now I've been so close to them for the best part of a year. Being able to read what they feel based on such minimal facial expressions is a very difficult thing to do, but I think I'm getting the hang of it.

"A reaper, that's some old magic being used there. Very old, I haven't heard of that technique being used for quite a number of years now" Stanley comments.

"Back to your observation Cassius, you would have had a very valid point there. But the thing is only Pamela and Agnes Bynhild know of her true supernatural status. So whoever sent it has a grudge against me, they sent it to attack her knowing that is the fastest way to score a direct hit against me. And there's only one vampire I know in existence who has that kind of grudge against me. At least on these shores" Eric says, just as Pam herself walks in and excuses herself for being late directly to Eric before taking the free seat next to him and opposite me.

"And you don't suspect queen Bynhild of any deviousness at all? Strange" Stanley then states with a raise of his eyebrows.

"No Stanley, not so strange. That woman has a tremendous amount of respect for Wolverina, and was very fond of Tyra when she met her just two months ago. There's no way she'd ever harm her, I stake my reputation on that too" he replies, his thumb idly stroking the underside of my fingers he still has hold of, while I notice the gesture captures the gaze of Sookie. She looks away and flushes with a little embarrassment as being caught staring when I look at her.

"So that points a finger right at the door of one R. Edgington then" Rob chimes in with his usual slow carefulness to his speech.

"Yes it would. But what we need to figure out is how. I need a couple of volunteers to travel to Jackson and find out what is happening in his inner circle. I feel they have been given orders to take me down while he is incarcerated. Cassius, you and Stanley are perhaps the strongest and the most able due to your age, I want information gathering and I want it gathering soon. From his vampires and weres, how you gain that information is neither here nor there to me. I'm playing by no rules where Edgington is concerned. But whatever you do, make sure it is administered with the upmost discretion. Leave tomorrow; your expenses will be paid in full of course and a very attractive fee for your trouble also" Eric replies, Cassius and Stanley giving one nod each in understanding.

"And the rest of us, are we to be her werewolf, vampiric and telepathic bodyguards? And speaking of guarding bodies, are you busy later?" Fabien replies, addressing Sookie with the last part of his sentence while giving her a very approving look.

"Fabien, I'm newly single, not newly insane!" she replies, giving him a slight withering look that makes him chuckle quietly.

"Charming" he says almost under his breath, turning in his chair so his back is to her. Of course, Sookie and Bill Compton are no more after she learned (from my vampire) that his first interest in her was purely based on the task given to him by the queen of Louisiana, Sophie Anne which was to discover if she was a fairy, or at least part fae.

"Yes Fabien, you are correct. But this must be another thing done discreetly, from a distance too. Tyra is an extremely independence woman, and I do not wish to impose upon that independence one bit. The house does not need watching over in the day; if any werewolf in association with Russell tries to harm her then her powers of course will protect her as soon as she looks at them. But during the night if she's there without me then I want someone there in the forest keeping an eye on her. Also, if she has to travel anywhere during the day I want her to be escorted, just in case of ambush. And Tyra, I'm sorry. I know this is hardly the way you want to live, but I must do this to keep you safe" he replies, addressing me at the end as he stares at me intently.

"I understand" I tell him. And I do, totally. I might not like the fact that whenever I'm not with Eric I have to have a chaperone, but I know that this is the way it must be, until whoever is causing this threat is a threat no longer that is. I feel touched and also very cared for that Eric is going to these lengths to ensure my safety too. It confirms to me loud and clear that our relationship is serious from his point of view should I have needed that confirming any more. And after the meeting is over the vampire's exit swiftly, leaving just me, Eric, Sookie and the weres at the table with Pam venturing back downstairs to 'continue playing with the delicious beauty I left tied to my bed' as she worded it.

"Have fun you horny old dyke" I call after her dryly, watching her stop and glare at me before she starts smiling.

"Oh you know I will" she replies with a wink before she's gone within a blink of my eyes.

"Listen, I'd really like to get to know the three of you better since I've hardly had chance to so far tonight. Would you like to join me for dinner tomorrow night? I'm not much of a cook so I'd like to take you three out for dinner if you've no prior engagements?" I ask them all, watching their faces light up and all of them nodding vigorously.

"Fine with me your majesty" replies the tallest and most attractive.

"And you are? Sorry, I don't even know your names yet!" I exclaim with a little laughter, shaking my head slightly with embarrassment.

"Lance, a pleasure to meet you my queen" he replies, shaking my hand and bowing his head from across the table.

"Peter, packmaster of the Louisiana territory" comes the reply from the oldest were sitting next to him.

"Cobie" replies the teenage werewolf, extending the same handshake and head bow gesture his two elder friends did.

"Lance, Peter, Cobie, thank you for pledging to look after me. You've no idea how much it's appreciated. And I look forward to getting to know you all better too. If I can take your contact numbers I'll let you know a time and a place as soon as I've managed to get a reservation" I tell them all, watching them nod as they pull their cell phones from their pockets. We exchange numbers and with that they leave, just leaving me, Sookie and Eric at the table.

"Tyra, do you mind if I had a private word with you?" She asks me as soon as the weres have left the building.

"Whatever you have to say to me you can say in front of Eric" I tell her with a smile. I don't believe in keeping secrets from him.

"No I can't, sorry to be rude about that" she presses, giving Eric a nervous glance.

"I'll be downstairs when you're done. Sookie, a pleasure as always" he replies as he stands up, kissing the top of my head before he vanishes at speed.

"So, what can't you say to me in front of Eric then?" I ask her with interest.

"To warn you Tyra, do you honestly know what you're getting into becoming involved with a vampire like Eric? He's conniving and dangerous, and I don't want you to get hurt or caught up in his games" she replies with an air of authority she really shouldn't have. I can guess already she thinks she knows him better than I do.

"And what games would those be Sookie?" I ask her, this time not so friendlily.

"Whatever his reason is to be so interested in you, you being a Wolverina and all and him wanting to use that to his advantage because I can tell you now, Eric doesn't do anything unless he has something to gain from it for his own personal use" she states.

"Well...he's does have something to gain. He has me, which is what he wants. And I have him, which is what I want. And I fail to see how any of that is your business to be frank" I reply, my words becoming more icy by the syllable. I do not appreciate people poking their noses into my personal life in this manner.

"Tyra please, I'm just saying this because I care sweetie. I don't want you to be messed around by him, and I have known Eric for a lot longer than you. I do know what he's capable of" she tells me, while I just stare at her incredulously. She honestly does think she knows my boyfriend better than I do.

"He isn't messing me around Sookie, he's caring about me. Because he does, with no ulterior motives behind that interest either. What I am makes no difference to him, and I know that for sure. What I also know for sure is that at one point he used your emotions to get what he wanted out of certain situations you were both in. And now he's finished playing those games and has hardly batted an eyelid in your direction since he met me, you don't like it. Don't try and muddy the waters with us just because you're jealous" I tell her, just about keeping hold on my fury.

"Jealous? Oh no, you did NOT just say that!" she exclaims, her eyes wide. Is that a nerve I just hit? I think so.

"Truth hurts huh? Face it Sookie, you'd love to be in my shoes right now, and the fact that you are not coupled with the fact you know the way Eric is with me is never the way he intended to be with you stings. Don't take that out on me, and don't think for one minute I'll tolerate your meddling. Eric won't either. Get out" I reply firmly, pointing at the exit.

"Just like him" she mutters under her breath coldly.

"Yeah, I am. It's why we're so well suited. And why you and Bill were so well suited too, just as pathetic and jealous as each other. Now like I said, get out" I reply as I glare at her, watching her look angrier for a few moments before getting up, ripping her jacket and purse off the back of the chair she was sat in and storming out towards the door. Honestly, what the hell did she expect me to say and do? Just let her sit there and verbally bash my man and try and convince me she knows him better than I do? To quell my anger at her I head over to the bar and sink a shot of brandy quickly, feeling it burn through my throat and down to my stomach. It's just what I need to warm up the frosty mood she's left me in. And then if that doesn't, the huge hug I received from a fire warmed Eric as soon as I get back into the apartment does the job nicely. Pulling me onto his lap he circles his arms around me and kisses my cheek as we watch the fire roar in front of us.

"You were right, she is just jealous. My fault in part I suppose, I did lead her on a little for a time as of course I told you" he tells me quietly. Of course he heard every word of our argument; I knew he wouldn't close his ears to it.

"I think she assumes just because it happened to her that you'll treat me exactly the same way. Shows how much she really 'knows' you doesn't it?" I reply with a slight sneer.

"Indeed it would. I had and have no loyalties to that girl whatsoever. My loyalty lies with you and if she doesn't like it then that's neither my problem nor yours. You were right to scold her in the manner you did for her assumptions about me; about us" he replies, stroking my hair. We sit like this in total silence for a few minutes, both becoming lost in watching the flames of the fire rippling and flickering before Eric speaks again.

"Well, we cannot get too comfortable. I'm taking you out tonight so put your shoes back on and get your coat while I change" he tells me, while I shuffle off his lap and stand again.

"And where are you taking me at 11.30pm exactly?" I ask him, wondering what places are still actually open at this hour. Perhaps a trip to the all night gallery I do the books for? It would make sense; Eric is a big appreciator of art.

"You'll find out when we get there" he tells me with a wink, leaving me to nervously anticipate the fact that from the sounds of it he's taking me out on a date. He's never done that before either, and little do I know but what he asks me on said date is something that as a vampire, he's never asked of anyone before now either. Something that will definitely go a long way to prove just how wrong one Miss Stackhouse's assumptions over my vampire are too...

Authors note - As always, THANK YOU for the reads and reviews! You are ALL WONDERFUL! Keep them coming, I really enjoy hearing what you guys think! xxx