CH 38

Eric led the way to the secret room built under his office. He hated this. He hated it with his entire being but he was a vampire for fuck's sake. He had to give in to his more primal instincts once in awhile or risk causing a bloody massacre upstairs. The young women followed him like sheep to the slaughter, giggling and pulling off clothes before they even reached the lion's den.

Sitting on the bed in the middle of the room was Ocella, looking much like a hungry lion himself. He had already rid himself of his own clothes, his body coiled like a spring on the edge of the mattress, his eyes trained not on the girls but on Eric.

Eric forced himself to smile in return. It seemed that a simple feeding was not what Ocella had in mind after all. He turned to the glamored humans and ordered them to remove the rest of their clothing and join them on the bed. He then walked slowly over to his master, fake smile in place, so that Ocella could strip him of his clothes as well. He didn't lift a hand to undo a single button, knowing from experience that Ocella would want that privilege for himself.

Ocella gave a low, gravelly moan as he carefully removed Eric's silk shirt and leather pants, fingertips ghosting over the hard muscles underneath. When he was finished he pulled Eric down to the center of the bed in the middle of the ladies, who had become impatient, some touching themselves and some kissing and touching each other. He roughly grabbed one slender arm and presented it to Eric.

"Drink my child."

Eric immediately sank his fangs into the waiting flesh, causing the girl to cry out. He drank his full and licked the wounds, lifting his lids and then staring into the eyes of his master.

"Thank you, Master."

He watched as Ocella's own fangs descended. What followed was a blur of mouths and bodies, feeding and fucking. Eric was grateful that Ocella preferred to bottom, loving the paradox of submitting while still in complete control. Eric separated from all rational thought, giving into his lesser instincts and letting his vampiric nature take over.

When they finished, leaving the girls to slumber as they went to rest for the day in the sealed basement room of his club, he felt no guilt. He'd searched for Sookie and she was nowhere to be found. She was lost to him. He knew he'd never love another. He could still feel the bond, weakened as it was by time and lack of contact, but he'd given up hope of seeing her again.

The loss stung like a stake to his core, but he is vampire. He will survive even this. The only other choice was final death.

Sookie once again woke in tears, her dreams leaving her feeling cold and lost. She could not remember any details from her dream, but was left feeling bereft all the same. She wiped the wetness from her cheeks and got out of bed. She pulled the covers back up, covering Sam's sleeping form and crept quietly from the room to the bathroom.

After telling Sam about Uncle Bartlett, she'd thought her feelings would change. That letting go of that guilt and pain would open her heart to this man who clearly loved her. Unfortunately, her heart and mind were not on the same page. After several days of arguing with herself, she decided to just take a chance. She'd always wanted a family and after pushing Sam away, she'd nearly lost everything.

She didn't know why she felt like something was missing, why her feelings were so conflicted, but she would not allow herself to make the same mistakes twice. She knew Sam still believed it had to do with Moira and her magic, but she wasn't convinced. She had her family now. She had her boys and now Tristan. She missed Payton like crazy, but she had faith she would see her again. She needed to move past these illogical feelings of betrayal and belonging to another. There was noone else. Sam was here, now, and he loved her.

She was determined to love him in return.

She showered and dressed quickly, wanting to make a nice big breakfast before everyone else awoke. She thought on their night together as she worked. It was nice. Sam was gentle and loving.

It wasn't mind blowing … but it was nice.

She was so lost in thought that she didn't hear her sons sneak up behind her.

"Hi mama." Brett greeted with a kiss to her left cheek.

"Smells good." Beau chimed in.

Sookie jumped, nearly dropping her spatula. She turned round, pointing the spatch at her boys in pretend fury. "Don't do that! You scared the begeebees out of me!"

"Begeebees, mama?" asked Beau.

"Are those like whatsits?" joked Brett.

"Okay you two, that's enough. Sit on down now. Its nearly done."

"Umm...mama? Is there enough for maybe one more?"

Sookie turned and nearly dropped her spatula a second time as Claude suddenly appeared at Beau's side.

Beau tucked an arm around Claude's waist, smiling up into his handsome face. He frowned at the serious look Claude gave him.

"What's wrong?"

Claude's eyes focused on Sookie. "Sookie, I need to tell you something."

Sookie smiled, her spatula swinging back and forth between the two. "I already know about you two. Though I prefer it if you kept your … alone time … out of this house. I do have a small child living here."

Claude shook his head gravely. "Sookie, he is not a human child and this isn't about us. Payton is in danger."

The spatula did clatter to the floor this time. "What?"

"Sookie, Niall is a live. We've been deceived."

Just then Tristan and Moira entered the room. Tristan's eyes were immediately trained on Claude and he practically glowed with power.

"Claude."

Tristan said the name like a command and Claude lowered his eyes and bowed his head in deference at once.

"My Prince."

"Its time for you to go."

"Yes, my Prince."

Claude vanished and everyone but Moira stared at Tristan in shock.

Tristan's face broke out into an angelic smile and he plopped into a kitchen chair, once again appearing to all the world like an everyday kid.

"So, Mama, what's for breakfast?"

Sookie had never been more frightened in her life.

a/n: (Evil laugh here..haha) Anyone else see that coming? Would love to hear your predictions and comments. Please review!