As the months pass along, many things in Bon Temps had changed. For one Tara no longer lives with me. Now, she lives with her boyfriend Benedict, he was called eggs for short. A tall, chocolate, handsome man. But I didn't trust him any further than I could throw him.

He had been one that blew into town with Maryann. There's no telling all the things she made him do over the years. They were staying in Dawns old apartment. It was pretty cheap. Since no one else wanted to live where she died.

Jason surprisingly has a girlfriend too. Like a long term one! She was the girl he ran off with to the cabin. They have moved in with each other too. She works down at Merlotte's as a server. It seems even a Maenad can't get this town down.

Lastly, Lafayette seems to be missing. I noticed it after he hadn't shown up for work. I counted the days past, it's been a week! I asked around for him, no one else has seen him either. Not the road crew. Not the bar. I asked Tara about it but she didn't seem worried.

She recalled a time when Lafayette had went to Florida for a funeral and stayed for six months. He was Gogo dancing in Miami. It settled my nerves a bit but I decided that I would go check his house, just incase.

Lafayette's home was on the opposite side of town but I didn't mind making the trip. The house was red, with white trim. The inside, however, was something else. It was beautifully designed in all assortments of colors, much like his personality.

The living room was purple with accents of gold and blue. My favorite was the sparkling pink accent wall with differently sized mirrors. From compact size to massive. That man sure loved to look at himself!

When I pulled up I noticed his mailbox was full. I didn't let that deter me, I walked up the steps and knocked on the door, no answer! It reminded me of the day I found Dawn. Eventually, though I did hear movement. Lafayette came to the door with a shotgun in hand. He placed it down once he saw it was me.

"Hooker, I almost shot you to pieces. Now, what do you want?"

I didn't take offense to his tone, Lafayette tended to call everyone bitch, hooker or boyfriend depending on if he likes you. I saw his chest. The exposed flesh held vampire bites. Most of them had yet to heal.

" Lafayette what the hell happened? "I pushed my way into his house. I saw the disarray and knew my friend had been in some trouble.

"It's none of your damn business..." I turned to look at him.

" Now, Lafayette if you make me read your mind, you will not like me. You know I hate doing that."

He eventually broke down and explained the trouble he's been in for the past few weeks. We got some drinks and he lit up a joint we smoked as we talked.

" Everything started out real cool, I went to this club and met this vampire. We hit it off, in exchange for sex... he would give me vampire blood to sell." Cough. Cough.

To humans in small doses vampire blood was very pleasurable. It heightens the senses the effects can be similar to Ecstasy. Frequent doses can induce intense hallucinations of euphoria. Through a rather large feeding can form a temporary bond, it can be made permanent through multiple.

It's illegal to sell V.

However, it goes on the market for 60 bucks for just a small stamp size. A drop or two is all one needs, overdoing can cause bad trips. Effects that can last days or weeks. It can also cause things like enlarged erections that last for hours much like viagra. Once addicted the withdrawals are akin to those of heroin. In my personal experience it heals people even if near death!

"What were you thinking? That shit's dangerous and fuckin illegal..." he got irritated with me

" Girl, damn near everything I sell is illegal, now shit." He continues to tell his story... "Like I was saying, everything was going smooth until one day, I was leaving the vampires house. I got picked up and thrown into this black van. I woke up chained to a pole... "

He recounted in great detail how he was beaten, then healed with vampire blood and beaten again. This continued for days. He was forced to sit in his own filth and then hosed down to freeze. The amount of bites told a story of being been fed on. He told me that the worst part was that he keeps having sexual dreams about his captor. Whoever did this forced him to drink their blood, binding him to them. The person that did this?

Eric Northman...

Lafayette was in tears once he was finished. We sat in silence for a long time the joint now forgotten about. I got him to lay down and go to sleep. I sat about cleaning up for him. Then cooked a meal and placed it in the fridge , I left a note telling him to heat it up later and left. I promised I wouldn't tell Tara about what happened. If she asked, I was to tell her he went on a trip and got sick. That he's resting and wants to be left the hell alone.

I informed Sam too, so he could keep his job, I was seething on the inside. That blonde bastard... I knew it! I should have trusted my instincts about that creature. I wanted to kill him! To drive a stake right through his cold undead heart. The only thing that stopped me was what would happen after. I knew if I did, Pam would never stop looking for me. She may like me just a tad but I'd be skinned alive and made into boots if I hurt Eric.

That night I couldn't help myself. I was riled up and so furious that I was lashing out at everyone. Bill, Tara, Sam, hell my damn customers! I barely made any tips tonight. Once off, Bill accompanied me to Fangtasia.

I had a mission. I didn't stop walking, Bill was trying to keep up but got lost in the crowd. Eric wasn't perched on the throne so I knew he was in his office. I stormed in and as soon as I saw him, I saw red! I punched him straight in his face. The entire room erupted in confusion. Pam in defense of Eric, Bill finally caught up, he ran to my side trying to protect me.

" You filthy fucking bastard, ill fucking kill you"

I was screaming at the top of my lungs and fighting off Bill trying to get closer to Eric. Pam was cussing at me and Bill. The only quiet one happened to be Eric, he was stunned in silence until he slammed his fist into his desk. The action got us to shut up. His fist left a chunk of the desk completely ruined.

"Pam, leave the room." She laughed angrily

"You've got to be kidding me, this ..."

Eric raised his voice and she left having no choice as he was her maker.

"Compton."

Bill absolutely refused to leave so Eric pretended as if he was not there.

" Sissi, I assume you have a reason for why..." his voice was low, I sneered at him in disgust.

"You tortured my friend Lafayette, you fucking evil bitch! if I wasn't so scared that I'd be running for my life from Pam. I swear I'd stake you right here!"

Next thing Eric towered over me, his hand pulling my hair making me gaze into his eyes.

"I don't take kindly to threats."

His fangs were inches away from me. It was the first time I was genuinely worried. Until then I knew how far I could push! After that kiss things have been difficult. Despite that, I didn't back down.

"It wasn't one" My voice slightly cracked but my eyes said it all, I meant what I said and he knew it. "Don't ever hurt one of my friends again, especially if you want me to keep doing these jobs for you. I'm sure some other vampire would love to have access to them. All the information that I could find out. If you have a problem with someone that I care about, let me handle it. Am. I. clear!"

He threw a chair across the room. That was something he couldn't risk. As he said, I'm much too valuable! I have to be careful with him now. I may have set something loose within him. Bill wasn't happy with what I did. He lectured at me for a good thirty minutes about how he can't keep me safe if I keep putting myself in danger. I keep tempting my life with other vampires.

It's stupid but I refuse to be pushed around even if it may kill me one day. We left Fangtasia, the tension was too great for us to stay. Pam was pissed and so was I. Eric was livid mostly because of what I said. I had the upper hand. If I went to another vampire in power say, Sophie Ann. I could spy on Eric, just by reading the minds of the humans he kept around. I'd know all of his problems that they may hear by chance.

After the debacle, the anxiety had begun to set in. Eric contacted me a few days later. It wasn't by call or text but in person... he didn't look so great. I got him a Trueblood, we sat at the table until he was ready to talk.

"I need your help, I know you're pissed at me, but I have no one else to turn to! My maker has been kidnapped, I was notified... I know you don't want anything to do with me, but please. Help me, please!"

Bloody tears welled but refused to drop. I took pity on him. Curse my damn bleeding heart. What is it about a broken man that clings to my soul? I'd still like to kill him but even I know how important his maker must be for him to do this. Godric, Eric's maker was the sheriff in Dallas. A Sheriff is a position of power in the vampire hierarchy. The role above the sheriff is the king or queen of that area. So, Sophie, then it's Eric in power.

The kingdoms or Queendoms are split into districts and then appointed sheriffs to govern them. Anyone who serves the queen or king is a part of the royal court. Eric wrote me a check to help supplement the fact I'd be away from my job. We had to go to Dallas. My condition was that Bill would have to go with me, he agreed.

" Absolutely, that was already planned. I need to make sure no one gets any funny ideas. You will report to me any information you find. "

I informed Sam of my absence. He wasn't particularly happy about it, having just defeated a maenad mere weeks ago. I told him it was a favor for helping us take care of Maryann. I was on my way to Dallas, we flew, Bill was in a travel coffin... I didn't even know they made those. Anubis Air Airlines took advantage of the fact vampires are 'out of the coffin'. The airline specializes in day-safe flights for vampires. They have many establishments throughout the world but the headquarters is located in Shreveport.

We will be staying at Hotel Carmella, It's the only hotel that has completely renovated itself to accommodate vampire patrons. The building is outfitted with shutters that block out the sun and a twenty-four-hour room service that caters to vampires and humans alike.

I was off the plane first, I stood with my luggage as I watched armed guards carefully move Bill's coffin. He requested a wooden one, such a traditionalist. Our driver pulled up, he got out and put my luggage into the trunk of the car. Then suddenly I was attacked.

Before I could react with my powers a sack was placed over my head. I didn't see my attackers. I was kicking and screaming for Bill. The next thing I know, the sack is pulled off my head and I'm safe in my lover's arms. The driver and whoever attacked me were long gone... someone set us up!

Bill pulled out his phone and called an unknown number. He let them know that someone had been sent to abduct me. Bill checked the car for any evidence as to who they were. After finding nothing he retrieved my luggage. We waited for another car, eventually, a black Lexus pulled up.

A female vampire greeted us and apologized for the situation. Her name was Isabel Beaumont. She was relatively young-looking with brown hair pulled up in a tight bun, her attire looked quite business-like. She drove us to Hotel Carmella. After check-in and changing clothes, we left once more. We were headed to the nest of Eric's Maker.

I tried to look as unassuming as possible. I wore something I'd never wear. A loose-fitting blouse and slacks. I chose to wear soft natural makeup, I made sure to mimic a fresh face. Bill chose to dawn a similar look. We were escorted to the same Lexus, once inside Bill warned me to mind my manners here as well as my powers. We were in a different territory.

Unlike Eric, these vampires will kill me, especially if they think I'm a problem. I was still learning the ways of vampires. Most of the knowledge I've obtained was through Bill or nosing around in human minds that spent time around them. Sometimes I can get an occasional sentence or word from a vampire although that I've kept to myself.

My sole reason for being here is to help find Eric's missing maker. He was the sheriff of district 9 Aka, Dallas, Texas. I looked all around at the scenery we passed. I've never been outside of Louisiana. I'm sure if it wasn't for being with Bill, there would be a lot of things I'd never have done. We reached a rather large home in a high-end suburb.

The luxurious beige stone mansion held white trim, huge arches, and beautiful natural architecture. Large plants surrounded the outside. Once we reached the door it was immediately opened by a male vampire. We followed Isabel into a large room with several others lounging around. When vampires live together it's called a nest.

This was Godric's nest and it was certainly large, there were some humans around too. A burly-looking man in a striped shirt and blue jeans made his way over to us. He spoke to Bill and barely acknowledged my presence. His name was Farrell. He was pretty to look at but had an attitude problem. I'll give him the benefit of the doubt, something was going on.

But I still don't appreciate being treated like I didn't exist. He escorted us into a room where a young woman sat. She was being watched by a Hispanic male vampire.

" I'll need a seat please, also describe to me what Godric looks like ... I need to know in detail. "

" Godric looks quite young. His body is covered in tattoos. He was wearing black leather pants and a white silk shirt. The last place he was spotted was inside Midnight. It's a club we run. She is the bartender... "

The Hispanic vampire placed my chair in front of the woman, I sat down and took in her appearance. She looked frightened. Her hair was a mess and her makeup smeared. Her job as a bartender at club midnight had been a rebellion of sorts. It may very well be the last. I didn't have any pull here to make sure they keep her alive. Hopefully, they just glamor her. Her name was Bethany, she thought I looked stern. I'm sure I did in this garb.

" Hello Bethany, my name is Sissi. Yes, I do know your name, like many other things. I am what you call a telepath.

I know you are freshly 21, you just graduated from college and you have a cute little German shepherd named Spock.

Now that we have that out of the way, I'd like to ask you questions about what happened at work" I placed my hands on her temples

" Listen to my voice, follow it. Bethany I'd like you to picture a hallway full of doors. you're walking down it, finally, you see a familiar one. I'd like you to picture it opening. You see that night. The night at the club."

As I spoke my voice got softer, eventually her eyes dropped and I could see her memory of the night Godric was abducted. My eyes rolled back in my head as I viewed it. She had an amazing recall, she noticed a rather large tattoo on his arm. Godric ordered two O neg Truebloods, he was with another vampire but she didn't catch a look at him. However, she did see a man that was acting irate.

The man was drunk and screaming about how vampires were an abomination. He looked exactly like my driver today. it was Godric who talked to the man. I couldn't hear the conversation but I do know that when Godric left the club, he was alone.

" Thank You, Bethany, you did a wonderful job."

When I removed my fingers from her head she came out of the trance. I noticed that Bill was standing against the wall and Farrell guarded the door.

" Godric left alone from the club... However, the same man tried to kidnap me today. He was there that night. He got irate, started shouting off expletives, Godric was able to convince him to leave. The man was wearing a fellowship of the sun shirt..."

The fellowship was an up-and-coming cult, its mission was to eradicate vampires and other creatures of the night.

" I believe it was a trap, Godric was with another vampire but she didn't get a look at him."

The Hispanic vampire came to collect Bethany, Farrell escorted us out of the room. The next room housed a vampire instead. Farrell began talking.

"This is Rachel, she was there the night Godric went missing."

She had long red hair and wore a snarl. It seemed to be her signature facial expression. I noticed that her hands were behind her back with some silver handcuffs.

"Why is she handcuffed?"

"For your protection. Rachel isn't fond of humans, she's freshly turned. She shouldn't have been there that night, no matter, can you read her mind?"

" No, fortunately, I can not otherwise I'm sure I wouldn't be alive." Farrell smiled at my statement.

" Did you see a vampire along with Godric, they would have been sitting with each other." She looked on past me deciding to not acknowledge me.

" Answer her." Farrell barked. She visibly jumped and complied.

" Yes, he was taller than Godric. He had long brown hair. I didn't see his face, he was wearing all black. The only defining feature was a ring on his finger. "

Farrell told one of the vampires to ask around. They were describing the vague description of this mystery vamp and had the freshly turned vampire draw an image of the ring.

I talked to an abundant amount of people who worked in the club or were there that night. It was exhausting! Once I was finished with the last person, Bill looked pleased with me but notably with himself. The vampire we are looking for is Stan Davis...

He is what they call a defector. Some vampires when everything was put out in the open. They were outraged! And chose to meet the sun. They believed that the only way to survive was in the shadows. Bill was currently talking to Isabel and Farrell. Her companion happened to be with her, he spoke up.

" What if we infiltrate the fellowship, just scope out the place that way we can know for sure."

I seconded his idea, it made sense. Farrell seemed to weigh the options, we either stormed in blindly or this. Luckily he was smart enough to see that storming wasn't the best idea. Isabel made sure Hugo would be at Hotel Carmella in the morning to accompany me to The fellowship of the sun headquarters.

It was right here in Dallas. I wasn't looking forward to it but the faster the job gets done, the faster I can get home. Once back at the hotel, as Bill and I were in the elevator I called Eric. I explained in detail everything we found out and the plan to go to the fellowship.

Bill was trying to get me in the mood, during my phone call he was kissing on my neck and shoulder. Frankly, I was exhausted, all day I'd been delving into the minds of people. I just wanted a massage and a long night's sleep.