Disclaimer: I am not the owner of these characters. The original story and the characters belong to Charlaine Harris. I am only borrowing them for a little while.

Chapter 14

Sookie's POV

My heart was in my throat as I walked into Merlottes. It was closed for the rest of the day, per my request. I didn't want to hurt Sam financially, but there was no other way. I was going to make sure Eric compensated him properly.

While Merlottes was closed to the public, it was full of people. People I have called in. Some of them agreed to come while others I had to persuade them. Whatever the reasons, I didn't care. All I cared was that they were here.

It was late in the afternoon and some of them had to take time off work to be here. Like Jason who was one of those people that were happy to be here today.

I looked around and all the remnants from my surprise party had been cleaned out. I grabbed a napkin from the nearest table and held it tight in my sweaty hands in an attempt to dry them off. I took a few deep breaths; I had to do this.

I took the lead and positioned myself in the middle of the diner to get everybody's attention. Everybody stopped talking and all eyes were on me, literally.

"Thank you for coming. I know some of you aren't thrilled with this, especially because it involves saving Eric and some of you don't approve of him. And that's fine. Because like I told each one of you over the phone, you're doing this for me. I have done many things for all of you without asking anything in return, and now it's time to think about me," I said.

"You will always be an honorary member of the pack and you can always count on us," Alcide said. His pack members stood beside him for whatever was to come.

"You're my sister and I'll do anything for you," Jason said. He was still wearing his working clothes, but I knew he was going to change before the fight to black clothes. As a matter of fact, everybody was wearing black tonight. "It was the best color to fight in the night," some of them had said.

"We have had our disagreements, but we will stand by you in moments of need. That's the Hotshot's way," Calvin said. He was accompanied by four other were-panthers from Hotshot that I have seen before. They didn't look too happy to help, but they had to suck it up. I nodded in agreement with Calvin's statement.

"Our adventures have always been interesting. Let's add one more to our list," Quinn the were-tiger said. He was just as handsome and lethal as the last time I saw him. His purple eyes met mine and I smiled remembering our multiple life threatening experiences. He smiled his perfect smile and continued, "Besides, killing Felipe de Castro is on top of my to-kill list." I smiled at his statement. Felipe de Castro has abused his power to threaten Quinn's family too many times. I wouldn't like to be in Quinn's bad side; he was a powerful were-tiger.

"I'm one of those that don't agree with this, and I'll never lift a finger to help Eric. I'm doing this for you, Sookie," Sam said. I nodded acknowledging his statement. He was still wearing Merlotte's uniform, long jeans and the Merlotte's t-shirt, and I didn't know if he was planning on changing. I was more than aware of his dislike for Eric. Yet, he had no other choice but to accept my decision. Eric was my man. End of the story.

I knew it wasn't fair for me to ask this much from them, but I was desperate. Alone, I didn't stand a chance.

The one person I wasn't expecting showed up out of nowhere. I couldn't help to feel this happy to see him. He entered Merlottes and everybody stopped moving.

I looked around me in disbelief, "everybody is frozen; you stopped time!" I said shocked. I was more than shocked. "I didn't know you could do that."

"Great granddaughter," he said as he hugged me tight.

"Great grandfather, I thought I wasn't going to see you again anytime soon," I replied.

"How could I miss the opportunity to see you shine? You, the leader you were meant to be. It gives me great pleasure to witness this moment, and of course we will fight with you," Niall said as Bellenos and the three other fairies that helped control Claude in my house walked in. Yet, they stood near the entrance.

"You will? But there will be vampires and I don't want to risk your lives," I stated.

"We will be there but out of sight from the others. Besides, I had to see you again before this battle started to let you know that I switched Claude's magic with yours."

"What do you mean? Do I have magic now?"

"You always had magic, but your magic was limited because you aren't full blooded. Now you have more. A gift, with my love."

I gasped. "I don't know what to say."

He smiled. I could feel warmth coming from him; I could feel his love.

"For how long do I have Claude's magic and how do I use it?"

"For as long as you live. Claude won't need it again anyway. I will teach you how to use it but at a better time. Right now time isn't on our side. Be careful my great granddaughter and I love you," he said. He kissed my cheek very softly and then he was gone, and so were the other fairies. A second later, everybody in the diner continued moving as if nothing had just happened.

Whoa, I wondered what the limit of my great grandfather's magic was!

Everybody was just staring at me, waiting for me to continue, and I have forgotten what I was saying before Niall's visit.

"As I was saying, you already know the reasons to be here and the plan is simple: together we're going to kill King Felipe de Castro and his minions. I'm also going to kill a female vampire that is threatening my marriage to Eric."

"What?" Calvin reacted surprised.

"What marriage?" Alcide asked confused.

"Yes, for those that didn't know, Eric and I are married under vampire law. We have been married for a while. Whether you agree with it or not it's not for you to decide. It's done. Now, let's get to the details of our tonight's attack. The sun is almost gone and the vampires will be up soon afterwards. Pam and several of Eric's people will join us here. They'll be part of the attack team too. We will work together, an alliance among all of us. We will join our strengths and we'll protect each other's weaknesses." I said with a firm voice.

I turned around slowly, facing everybody who was sitting around me. It was crucial for all of us to be on the same pace.

The entrance door behind me opened and I turned towards our late visitor. Mr. Cataliades was wearing his most presentable suit. It was so contradicting to our last encounter where he was running for his life. Today, he owned the place. His presence inspired authority.

"Mrs. Stackhouse," Mr. Cataliades looked at me intensively and then he continued, "You have magic. Your aura is brighter."

I didn't know what to say to his comment. "Mr. Cataliades, we meet again," I replied, not sure if this was a good thing. This meeting was too important and it was imperative, my today's new word, to coordinate our attack.

"And that is why I'm here," Mr. Cataliades replied after reading my mind. "I have somebody that is interested to join your plan," Mr. Cataliades said.

"And I have an offer you won't be able to resist," said the vampire who one second ago wasn't here.

I gasped and almost fell from the impression. I was lucky enough to be standing next to a table with an empty chair. I was tempted to sit down.

"Queen Sophie Anne," I whispered and I let go the air I didn't know I was holding.

"I'm not a queen anymore, but that will change tonight," she stated as a matter of fact.

"Your highness," Quinn said catching up his breath. She nodded at him and to everybody else.

"But you died," I whispered in disbelief. "Mr. Cataliades told me that the new king had killed you." I remembered him telling me the news and I wondered how things were going to change. If only I had known at that time about this mess…

She gestured for me to follow her and we went to Merlotte's parking lot. "His loyalty to me is unbreakable," she said once we were discretely separated from the impatient crowd that wondered what was going on. "I have been around for a long time as you already know," she continued, "and I followed up with my bloodline every century or so. In two different occasions I met two descendants that looked like me. I turned them and kept them close to me. I had sent Sigebert to find one of them who were in hiding and bring her back to where we were hiding when Felipe de Castro intercepted them. He killed her. Sigebert escaped Felipe de Castro's takeover and returned to me. He was angry for what had happened and wanted revenge. I told him it was foolish to do anything while I was still recovering from my injuries, but he didn't wait. I don't know how, but he found his true death," her sad voice brought back the memories when I ran over Sigebert with my car to save Felipe de Castro and Eric.

This conversation couldn't happen. What would she do if she knew the truth? Yup, couldn't happen. She looked at me puzzled and it scared me even more. "Is the other one still alive?" I asked in a desperate attempt to change the topic.

"Yes." She replied while looking at me with suspicion.

"Your legs…," I said.

"And I have reinforcements too," Sophie Anne said as a group of ten vampires suddenly showed up behind her. Her own personal army. "The others are ready to take down all the Sheriffs across the two states."

I was left speechless as she smiled a smile of triumph.

"I don't need your help to take back my kingdom." Sophie Anne said while she turned her head towards Merlottes' direction and continued, "You have put together an alliance never seen before. So have I. You have all of them fighting for you and that puts you in power. I have also come to an understanding with several kingdoms: Russell Edgington, King of Mississippi; his husband Bartlett Crowe, King of Indiana; and Stan Davis, King of Texas. Our alliance will fortify our three regions. I don't know how up to date you are with our history of politics. You see, Felipe de Castro belonged to a different section and his attack has been perceived as a provocation to several kingdoms. Queen Freyda has no business in this area, so I suspect she's using Eric and the whole marriage thing as a distraction and Felipe de Castro hasn't noticed yet. He's too absorbed in his narcissistic world. Whether I'm right or not, I won't take any chances. We have different motives with the same ending goal. However, I would be willing to spare Eric and his subjects as long as you and all of them swear filth to me."

Leave it to Sophie Anne to make a business deal with me while threatening my life; all in one sentence.

Her proposition was very tempting and for unknown reasons Eric liked her while she was his queen. The problem was she wanted to use me for her benefit. But so did every vampire in power.

Besides, she was going to attack tonight with or without me. Maybe it would be best to sit back and let her eliminate Felipe de Castro. But what if she changed her mind at the last minute and killed Eric? I didn't want to risk his life, or Pam's. As well as the lives of those fighting for me tonight.

What if Eric didn't want to serve her? I couldn't force him.

What if, at the end of the night, these vampires decided to betray us?

I couldn't let that happen. She stared at me, waiting for my reply. I could tell she was trying to read my internal monologue. I nodded to her and gestured her to follow me while I returned to Merlottes. Everybody was silently waiting for us and I wouldn't be surprised if they were listening to our conversation. Oh well….

We went back and Sophie Anne stood next to me with her entourage right behind her. Now Merlottes was fully packed and I wondered how much longer for this peace to be over. This was a volatile meeting for sure.

"If we fight together you must guarantee me Eric's safety as well as every vampire under his command. They must have the choice to swear to you, but if they don't want to, then they must be allowed to leave the area without consequences," I demanded.

"That's reasonable, even though that is more than what King Felipe de Castro gave my subordinates," she replied.

"And that's why we are planning his death. He's abusive, arrogant, and he doesn't care about his subordinates," I stated as a matter of fact. Images of Pam's torture crossed my mind and I couldn't imagine Eric's conditions.

"Queen Sophie Anne's word is sacred and Eric could testify of this," Mr. Cataliades said.

"Also, the lives of everybody in this room will be respected and they are not to swear filth to you. Once this fight is over, they will be free to go and do as they please," I demanded again.

"Of that you have my word," Sophie Anne replied.

"Also, my marriage with Eric will be respected for as long as we both decide to stay together. You won't interfere and won't allow another vampire to interfere in my marriage to Eric." I wanted to make sure this part of the deal was crystal clear. This was the main reason I wanted to kill Felipe de Castro and Freyda. If Sophie Anne didn't agree to this, then she was going to join my "to kill" list. Her noncompliance to my marriage was a deal breaker.

Sophie Anne nodded, "You have my word."

"What is in for you, joining forces with us?" I asked. If there was something I have learned since I met Bill was that every vampire had their own personal agenda.

"Your group working together with mine would ensure our lifelong prosperity and would deter others from crossing us. I'm sure you would enjoy living a peaceful life next to Northman, wouldn't you? I also want Eric working for me again and it would be easier if you are already onboard. And I want your gift to be of my service."

So she was planning on using me to bribe Eric. I knew there was more for her, but I was sure this was the most I was going to get from her.

"My gift will be used in a limited basis, as I see it appropriate. I won't be at your beckon call. Eric and I will discuss about it and will let you know our conditions," I stated as a matter of fact. She stared at me, but didn't reply.

I turned around, facing everybody else, "do you agree on this alliance for one night?" I had to have their approval in this decision. I was already making them fight with me so I didn't want to feel guiltier than I already felt.

"It's your choice sis," Jason replied. Others looked at each other between their pack members and nodded agreeing with Jason.

Now that I had their approval, I turned to face Sophie Anne again, "I also want two hundred acres of land adjacent to Fangtasia under my name. Your gift to me. Eric will draft out terms of joining your kingdom once this fight is over. He can add whatever he deems necessary," I stated and after a few seconds she nodded in agreement.

"Then, we're in. Let's kill the king and the queen." I never thought those words would ever come out of my mouth. I have read them in several of the novels from the library, but never in my wildest dreams imagined that to be part of my real life.

Her fangs extended instantly, "lets," she said and the look of revenge on her face sent chills down my spine. The delicate, sophisticated Sophie Anne was gone and this female vampire that stood in front of me scared me.

Amazingly, we got down to planning the attack. Alcide and Quinn grabbed two tables and put them together in the middle of the diner turning them into an unofficial planning table. Others brought dirt from the parking lot, small rocks, sticks, and whatever objects they put their hands on. Alcide, Sophie Anne, Quinn, Calvin, Jason, and I stood around the two tables and everybody else rounded up behind us. We recreated the inside of Fangtasia and even the contours of the surrounding buildings passed Fangtasia's property limits, which included the main road in the front and a small subdivision with two small roads in the back. There was nothing on the sides except an old, abandoned building on one side. Everybody was going to park their cars on that subdivision which was close enough without blowing up their cover. The element of surprise was the key factor for us to win.

The leaders of each group pretty much called the shots based on their group's skills, but everybody contributed their knowledge and gave their opinions when they thought something was not right. I was glad that, at least for tonight, we were all getting along with one goal in mind. The plan was risky, but the results were worth it.

The strategies kept changing, but one thing was set in stone: we were going to attack an hour before dawn. That way Felipe de Castro won't have time to call for backup and we would have daylight to our advantage.

Something that bothered me was that Sam kept going back and forth to his office, spending more time there than listening to the plans. I decided not to confront him and instead, I put my full attention on the discussions going on. I asked questions and I did my best to keep up with the details. Frustrations grew from time to time, but everybody maintained a civilized position.

Sophie Anne's vampires switched their attention between the planning team and me. They stared at me in a weird way. Moments like this I wished I could read their minds.

We were very busy planning the different possible outcomes when a newcomer entered Merlottes.

Note: I know what you're thinking! How can Sophie Anne be alive? Well, Sophie Anne explained part of it to Sookie. The other part of the explanation is based on the books itself. Yes, I tried to find a loophole *smiles*

Let's see: During the takeover, Victor was the one that told Eric that the queen and Sigebert were dead, but we (the readers) never saw it happening. In order for Felipe to become king, he had to kill her himself, and he had to fight Sigebert too because he was always with her. Fact: Sigebert would have died before they got to touch a hair string of hers.

However, from Felipe de Castro's point of view, after Eric killed Sigebert in Merlotte's parking lot:

"Eric, would you care to explain what just happened?" His voice was considerably more acerbic.

"You should ask your crew to explain," Eric retorted, with some justification. "Didn't they tell you Sigebert, the queen's bodyguard, was dead? Yet here he is."

"An excellent point." Castro looked down at the crumbling body. (Chapter 19 From Dead to Worse)

So, obviously one of Castro's men lied to him and let Sigebert escape. How could Felipe fight Sophie Anne but not Sigebert? Let's assume that the other vampires were fighting Sigebert while Felipe fought Sophie Anne. Wouldn't Felipe "see" them kill Sigebert? Could it be possible that Felipe was not the one that killed Sophie Anne, but instead it was one of his men during the takeover?

Well, thanks to Sophie Anne's explanation and for the sake of this story, Felipe killed a vampire that looked like Sophie Anne. Also, we are going to take advantage that since he wasn't a king, then he never interacted with Sophie Anne nor made business deals with her. Hence, he wasn't totally familiarized with Sophie Anne's looks… so then he couldn't tell the difference.

What do you think? Do you agree with my explanation and can you "see" the possibility of the loophole?