Sadly it was about the time we were headed to the car that my phone started to ring. I was rather set to ignore it.

"You going to answer that?"

I pause, looking to the screen. "Yeah. Be right back. Start the car for me."

I toss the keys to Sook before turning away to move toward the field to get some privacy.

"Hello?"

"Hello, is this Miss Lynwood?"

I kicked lightly at the grass, not recognizing the voice. "This is her."

"Miss Lynwood this is Sheriff Bud Dearborn. We were hoping to speak with you."

I let out a heavy sigh, having dreaded this since Jason told me yesterday of the body. After calming my thoughts I spoke up.

"Let me get cleaned up and contact my boss. I can be there within the next hour."

"Your co-operation is greatly appreciated, Miss Lynwood. Until then."

Dread filled me. And that long off memory of such terror. Pulling in a breath, I shoved it off as best I could to march back toward the SUV. They were sat inside, Sook playing at the radio.

Soon as I stepped in I made a face. "Ugh, Eric's trying to be a troll."

"What is this?" Sook asks, face scrunched up in a hint of disgust at the foreign song.

I jabbed a button, flipping to the radio. "Something foreign and old. Don't ask me. He does it from time to time when he knows I'm going to be driving."
"Something for work?" Ben asks as I start us back to Sook's house.

"Not really. I'll have to make a few calls while I change."

Sook twisted in her seat to look at me as I sped faster than I had on the way there. "Was that Bud?"

"Don't worry about it," I counter without interest as I focused on the road.

"You want me to come along?"

"I will be fine, Sookie. Stop worrying about it."

"Aren't we going a bit fast?" Ben asks as he sits forward.

I glance at the speedometer. "Maybe."

It was enough to get me to slow, we were at Sook's place either way. I crawled down the drive, not bothering to get out. She leaned over, hugging me before getting out.

"You'll come by later to talk?"

I shrug. "Do what I can. But put those papers up. Don't let him know you have them."

"Sure. Be careful."

She slid out, Ben maneuvered between the seats to slip into her seat as she went inside. I backed up, heading out.

"So, want to talk about it?"

My eyes stayed to the road, focusing. "About?"

"Obviously their both worried for you. Maybe they're onto something. You haven't been reacting well to it."

"Who ever reacts well to a violent trauma from childhood, Ben," I tease, trying to make light of it. "Do me a favor, can you pull up the call log and call the one titled Asshole?"

He chuckled, taking the phone and flicking about. After a moment he passed the phone to me. I didn't question, putting it to my ear. It rang through to the voicemail quickly.

"Eric, not sure I'm going to be able to make it on time if at all. A body showed up in Bon Temps and they're wanting to question me. I'll contact you as soon as I'm done."

I hung up and dropped the phone to the cup holder. Ben watched my face, seeming to think.

"So, you don't trust me."

My eyes flicked to him as I pulled up to park in front of his room. My brow lifted, lips quirking at him.

"Not a factor of a lack of trust. I wouldn't bother to spend time with you if I didn't. Would you have told me about your ability if it weren't for Sook?"

"Fair point." He nods his head to the room. "How long do you have?"

I glance at the clock. "Takes less than ten from here, about thirty minutes."

He grins, flirtatious as he slips out of the car to beckon me to follow. "Then you may want to get changed."

I hop out, laughing as I lock the SUV and follow. He held the door letting me step in under his arm.

"You just want to see me naked," I tease while twirling to walk backward toward the bathroom.

"Possibly."

Winking back I rip my shirt over my head, exposing the camisole I wore under it. "Too bad I'm on a time limit then."
I didn't bother to lock the door, leaving it cracked to get in the shower quickly. He didn't bother, allowing privacy like a gentleman. I stepped out in the dress, brushing at my hair quickly. I was dressed other wise, a very light bit of make up on my lashes and lining them. He looked up from the TV in the room, smirking as he looked me over from head to toe.

"Your phone rang while you were washing."

He offered it out. I stepped closer, heels finally giving me height. Our hands touched, that odd feeling lingering after. His eyes seemed to zero in on me as I stood by him, flicking at the screen. My brow furled, lips pursing.

"Pam? Why would she…" It was from not long after dusk set. My eyes flick to Ben as I put the phone in the top of my dress. "Sorry. But I think I'll have to rush off. Call me?"

That magical grin was back as he sat up. "Without question."

I bend, walking my fingers up his chest as I search his eyes. "Well aren't you a good boy. Keep teasing like this and I may just think you like me."

Our faces were close enough to feel each other's breath. "And if I did?"

I leaned in, brushing my nose up his cheek and breathing in his scent. "I'm not the good girl to take home to your parents." I pull back to meet his eyes. Those eyes held the fire of emotion I too felt. We both closed the gap with a hint of urgency.

It was like a desperate fervor, I was straddling him on the bed. Our lips hardly separating from contact. His hands were up the skirt, grasping tight at my thighs. Those tingling sensations surged that burning heat higher and my fervor to sate this devilish need.

The main verse of the Pokemon theme song burst to life. I pulled back, sitting up and tossing my head back with a heavy groaning whine. We both panted, trying to catch our breath. I looked down at Ben with apology as I slid off and pulled the phone from my top.

"Yes?"

"Miss Lynwood?" I pulled up short of gathering my bag of things. I was glaring in confusion at it as my mind raced.

"Who is this?" I didn't mean for it to come out a snarl. Something about the voice pulled at primal urges in my mind, emotions bubbling too easily.

"You are the daughter of Sara Lynwood?" The male had paused over the name as if checking.

"Do I know you?" I bite out with force, ready to go to rage. My head already hurt at the heat flooding me.

I didn't spare Ben a look, storming from the room to almost slam the door.

"So you are her daughter," the male seemed to muse. His voice was mostly a deep purring level. Usually it would be one I found very attractive. If it wasn't for some internal part of me screaming out to destroy it or run. My instincts were hyper aware as I moved for the SUV, eyes flicking over the area.

"Where is your mother?"

I came to a sharp stop, heart hammering as fear and rage warred. My hand loved from the handle, ready to drop the bag.

"Excuse me? How did you get my number?"

"Easily enough to find. Now tell me, have there been any changes of late? Urges?"

"Fae?" Ben called, worried as he moved out of the room toward me. "Is everything alright?"

The male on the other end chuckled, as if hearing Ben. "Oh, dear me. I seem to have interrupted something. I will have to contact you later."

"Wait," I cut, quickly. He knew of my mother. He asked of changes. Perhaps the male knew of… Or he could have been somebody wishing to use me. He didn't hang up yet, seeming to listen. "How did you know?"

"Do be more specific, girl."

"How did you know she was my mother?"

"Oh, we met a long while back. I will contact you for a meeting. Perhaps it would be for the best. Have a pleasant evening, Miss Lynwood."

I blinked slowly at the phone. My head was killing me, chest feeling like it wasn't getting enough air again. I didn't look to Ben, slowly curling my fist around the phone.

"I'm sorry, Ben. Call me around ten thirty."

Jason paused, lightly buzzed and grilling on his deck. His eyes caught sight of a male.

"Hey," Jason calls without much kindness. "This is private property, bud. "
One blink, and Jason was looking in the eyes up close. He had a moment to process it was a vampire before he was blank. The male didn't break contact, power over Jason held with ease.

"Tell me of your cousin."

"Hadley?" Jason questions, voice sounding in a daze.

The male didn't look from Jason as his hand reached out to lift the meat from the grill, as Jason had been doing when he arrived.

"No. Your other cousin."
"Faelyn," Jason says sounding happier at the name. "What of her?"

"Tell me what makes her different. Why is she here? Why do they want her?"

"Fae's special." Jason sounded rather like an idiot. The vampire resisted the urge to roll his eyes. "Always getting in trouble. Got us out of trouble too. Came back since she had trouble back home and I asked."

"What makes her special, Jason."

Jason lets out a goofy grin. "Her mind."

The male frowns. "What of her mind? Can she read them like your sister?"

"No. Thank God." Jason's tongue flicks over his lips, mouth dry. He'd not spread the word of Fae's power without her permission, ever. It did give pause but the vampire's hold loosened his lips easily. "She can do things with it. Move things."

The man's eyes widened, thoughts racing. Jason continued.

"Gives her lots of headaches when she over uses it. It's why she drinks so heavily."

The man's eyes narrowed. "To what extent can she use it?"

Jason grins goofily again. "Not sure. But she can move big stuff without problem."

I sighed, hands holding my head as I nursed the coffee. Bud had just taken my statement. Apparently he wished to verify my story from my attack to see if it matched. The time of death was while I was at Fangtasia working. This was verified by the vendors that I had been meeting with. They were letting me get my bearings while Bud took a call or something.

Bud stepped back in through the open door. "You're fine to go now, Miss Lynwood. Stay safe."

My head nods, lifting to my feet to leave. He watched me go, dropping the cup in the trash once I finished it in one go. My phone had received a few more calls, meaning I was going to get an ear full from Eric later. But I wasn't in the mood to talk bull on the phone. I needed the ride to the location to get my head in order.

'Meeting still on?' I sent the message before I started the car, waiting to see if I could just go lay down and pretend it all never happened.

'Waiting.'

That would be a yes, rather a dull answer from him. The phone rang, Pam calling. I hung up on it, driving to the location with little care to her call. The spot was a little French restaurant just out of Shreveport. It offered fine dining and something not close to the busy area of town. There were four cars, aside from my own.
I hardly put mind to how Eric wasn't coming out to crab at me. I checked the clutch, putting my phone up and slipping the strap on my shoulder before opening the door. A guard had his hands on a rifle, ready to act if needed.

I spared the guard a look and slipped in.

"Sorry I'm late," I lightly call as I step in.

I stopped short, hands snapping up quickly. There were more than ten guards in the room, vampire guards by the look of it, all with guns aimed at a number of people. Eric was on his knees hands up where they could see them in the middle of the room.

Bill rose smoothly from a chair, fixing the jacket of his fine suit as he did so. A cordial smile aimed to me. Behind him at the table was a female vampire dressed in a pretty dress that made me feel like the most modest person in the room. The front cut was plunging to show a lot of cleavage and tight. Her dark hair was in large curls and pulled to the side with a gold clip.

"Bill?" I question, looking to Eric in confusion.

Eric looked livid as he shot me the nastiest look ever. "Do you never answer your phone?" Eric snarls lowly.

He didn't move though. Bill moved closer, slipping his hands into his pockets in a way to seem less threatening. One hand hung loosely at my side, hair done similar to the woman in the room. Though my clip was a steel butterfly Pam had found someplace and lent me. My other hand was clamped over the clutch, grasping tight as I tried to keep my heart and emotions in check.

"Miss Lynwood. How good of you to join us."

My eyes flicked over the room, form tensed and eyes not resting in one place long.

"Can hardly say the same," I snark, looking up to meet his eyes.

He was the threat. Eric would never go to his knees unless by choice and that was either for sex or some such thing. Pam must have been trying to reach me about this.

"Where's the Queen? I was looking forward to eyeing her."

One side of Bill's mouth lifted in a bit of humor, eyes flicking over the dress.

"Sadly, Sophie-Anne stepped down," Bill says formally, all rather a politically rehearsed sounding thing.

"Right…." I looked over to glance the woman over as she slowly rose with more grace than any should have. My eyes snapped back to Bill. "Hate to say it Billiam, but I've a bit of a grudge on you."

"For Sookie, I presume," he says while motioning with an open hand like a gentleman toward a chair to sit. A lovely meal was set, with wine chilling to the side. "Have a seat. You were promised a meal."

Slowly letting out a breath, I moved in measured steps to the table. It put me to the one the woman and Bill had sat at. It meant I had to pass Eric. My fingers brushed his neck and shoulders as I moved by. Bill followed, moving around the front of Eric as if he had no worries in the world.

The woman looked far too focused upon me. She had a hint of exotic to her, but clearly a very proud vampire. The clutch and metal chain of the strap were a loud noise as I placed it on the table top. My eyes flicked away from the woman, flicking over the guards as if curious.

Bill motioned a guard forward. The guard grasped the back of my chair, helping me sit and push the chair in. I wasn't a fan of such things, I disliked such formality usually. The woman sat again, a guard helping as they had me. It drew my eyes to her. Pretty, but not what I would favor.

Her attention was too sharp to my features and any movement. All signals in my heart were alarming. I was going to choke on my breath at this rate.

"Please," Bill offers, motioning to the food. "Eat. I am aware that you have a large appetite."

My smile was cruel and almost feral as I looked at him from under my lashes.

"Then you'll need more than this, Compton."

Bill lifted the wine, grasping the glass before me to fill. He was formal and smooth. It was a change from what I had seen of the man, regal almost. I glanced to Eric, eying his attire. His hair had been a little tussled.

"You should wear that look more often, Eric," I tease, trying to distract myself from what my instinct wished to do. From the fear. Eric let out a growl through his fangs at me. I lean a bit out, showing the tiny bit of cleavage as I get a better view of those eyes. "This, this I would sleep with."

"Be serious, Faelyn," Eric snarls, warning me of something.

My eyes roll as I playfully turn back to the meal to lift the cloth to lay over my lap to eat. "Spoil sport."

Bill and the woman allow me to start to cut at the steak. Juices leaked out with each cut and stab, more toward the rare side. I took my time, slicing small bits off until half of it was done. Only then did I lift the bloodiest piece to my mouth. I was as delicate as I had ever been before Eric or Bill. The woman's eyes were rapt on the piece as it neared my mouth.

A small hum of acceptance left me as I chewed, glancing back to the plate to shift at the greens.

"I am told Godric has been spending a deal of time with you," Bill speaks up as I finish chewing.

I don't bother to look at him. It was all I had not to use my hands to gather the meat and shovel it down like an animal. I felt the heat flaring from me, eyes burning as I kept them down to the plate. I slowly lifted another bite.

Upon realizing I would say nothing, he pushed a different route.

"Can you tell us why the King wanted you?"
"Hardly your business," I state before taking another bite after trying to get more of the juice on the plate on it.

Bill was pushing on like the train that could. Chug, chug, chug.

He spared a knowing look to the woman. Eric kept his eyes to our table. I didn't look to any, gaze on my meal. I reached out, grasping the cup and draining it in two swallows. Bill refilled it soon as my hand left it.

"The Authority was notified by the Magister of your case."

He put the bottle back in the ice bucket with measured movements. His words were distant. I could hear my heart in my ears. His hand motions to the woman.

"Salome has come on their behalf."

My head shifted a bit as if to look toward her, but my head was still angled down to hide my gaze. It was merely a show that I knew she was there and the following of the hand. It wasn't thought of. There was hardly thought, hand clenching and unclenching on the fork in my grasp. Something sharp was upon my palm. I could feel the threat they held to breaking skin.

The food was delicious. The steak. The juices. The smell was intoxicating.

"Are you aware of what was brought to our attention?" The woman had finally spoken, accent clear.

I said nothing, quickly shoving a sopping piece into my mouth. Eric's form was tensed, eyes to my rapidly shaking foot to the side.

A hand was suddenly far too close. I let out a near inhuman snarl, head snapping up and hand sweeping as if to lash out. The guard shot back, just short of the hit. My hand to have attacked slowly lowered to rest on the table top. The nails on my fingers had lengthened, thickened, colored. They were pitch black and pointed. My breathing was causing my chest to rise and fall very clearly, tilted protectively over the plate.

I hardly blinked as I followed the male's movements. He carefully offered out the plate he had tried to put on the table to the woman, Salome. She took it, slow and eyes to me. My eyes followed the plate. It was slowly set on the table and edged closer to me.

She was smirking with a dark gleam in those eyes. I shifted back after her hand extracted from the plate. I was eating as before, ignoring them again.

"Then it was correct," Salome says with purring pride.

"Faelyn, are you aware of your status?"
The steak was finished. I moved to the greens quickly, glancing up only then. Bill's eyes seemed to sharpen as they met my own. They let me try to control myself, patient.

"You mean what the doctor said?"
My mind still wasn't in the right place. Every thought was half there, cutting back to the food before me. The juice of the meat. I was mixing all on the plate in the juices, trying to get it all up.

Bill glanced to Eric. It was a silent question that he demanded of him.

"Doctor Ludwig was called," Eric growls, seeming to wish anything but to speak.

My eyes had slipped to the extra meat on the new plate. My hand shot out a bit too fast and put it atop the mess of my plate. It was cut up and mixed as well.

"What did the doctor say, Faelyn?"

Salome spoke as she watched with a secret pleasure as I devoured the food.

"Malnutrition," I utter before taking a bite.

She sent a dismissing look to Eric as if she knew he wasn't fit. "A shame. But fix able. And did the doctor say more?"

My eyes flicked between them then shot to the food, sweeping up greens and a bit of meat.

"She didn't say much. Gave me some odd shake and pills then left."

"Godric spoke with her," Eric speaks up before they could ask more.

It was silent as I finished the last of the plate. I pulled back, wishing for more. I was able to think a bit clearer now, reaching for the glass to drink as I looked to the two before me.

"What's this about? Where's Sophie any way?"

Salome gave a small smile of amusement as she glance down at the table as if to stifle herself. Bill tilted his head to me.

"Sophie is gone. I am King of the state now."

"And if I kill you?"

The room was still and silent. I might as well have said the world had ended. All guards in the room were on high alert, guns up to aim if needed. Salome's eyes were zeroed in on me, lips pressed shut. Bill gave a small chuckle, grinning as if it were all a joke.

"What would be the point of that, Faelyn? It would only be a messy thing."

My head tilts, eyes focused hard on his mouth and the shifting of it. The silence rang as his words were yet to be answered. It was a small way to make light of the question, as if the ease the others. It was a way to show he knew me, or a bit.

My eyes were searing with heat as they slowly moved up to lock on his.

"I love messes."

Something in me was hankering for a good messy fight. My blood sang for violence of any sort. I leaned a bit forward, giving a sniff toward the two. I jerked back, eyes widening in realization. That irresistible smell. It was them. My mouth parted, salivating as my attention was split between them.

If I had found the steak so savory, the smell of them was more so. This was a difference between dirt and ambrosia. My teethed ached.

The woman snapped my attention to her with a head movement to shift her hair. And my attention snapped to that pale cleavage. Lust for blood shifted toward lust for more carnal things. Bill was still, letting her take charge.

"Do you know what you are going through, Faelyn Lynwood? Do you understand these changes?"
She knew I wouldn't answer. She didn't expect me to. My mind was flashing with thoughts of what I could do with that exposed form. What I could enjoy in it.

"Your father was a very special man."

My tongue shot out, eyes snapping shut up I lifted my head and turned away in an effort to control myself. My hands tangled in the napkin in my lap in an effort to focus.

"You are very special."

My hand shot out, sweeping the two plates from the table and a distance from me. With out that smell under my nose, I felt that viciousness ease. Sated as I focused as Godric had me do. After a number of breathes I felt peace.

"Stop beating around the bush," I snip in a near snarl, voice a bit too rough from what ever that was. "Out with it."

"You are a demon," Bill speaks up.

I looked to him, furling my brows in confusion and thought. After not finding what I wanted, it shifted to the woman.

"This is a joke."

"Hardly," the woman says as her hand slides over the table to take my own and rest over it as if to sooth me. "You are a very rare thing."

My hand rips from her cold one. No matter how hot my temperature was, it was a stark contrast with her chill. With Eric, Pam, Godric… I didn't mind. It was nice. Something was off. I didn't like it.

"Hardly anything special. An annoyance at best," I huff at her.

"You are just coming into it," she pushes, still speaking softly as if to not push or alarm me. "Your kind has been special to our own since the First."

I shift back, chair screeching on the wood as I rose to my feet. My chin lifts as I look down my nose at the both of them.

"I am leaving. And Eric comes with me."

Bill's lips quirked as if trying to frown or pinch before that bureaucratic smile was back.

"There's hardly need for such rush, Faelyn."

I stepped away, heels clicking sharply as I moved to stand over Eric while pulling the strap of my clutch over my head and shoulder. Bill and the woman rose. They had a bit of an eagerness to keep me here.

"You have nothing I want," I state, hand resting on Eric's shoulder. His hands slowly lowered to hang before him.

"Please," Salome speaks up, hands out for me to see as she stepped a bit forward. "Hear us out."

One finger jabs toward Bill. "That man has offended my family. Used my cousin, broken her heart. I should rip his head off. Not listen to him."

She shoots Bill a look. Bill steps forward, palms out as if to ease and calm me.

"It was under orders of the previous Queen. I have since dethroned her and left all thoughts of offense to your family. Allow me to make amends."

My hand slips down Eric's arm as I looked up at Bill and turned to face him.

"You will leave her alone."

"Of course."

"You will have her drive paved."

His head bobs cordially. "As you wish."

"An anonymous deposit of $20,000 will be given to her account."

His eyes widened. Salome placed a hand upon his shoulder. "Of course," Salome happily agrees with that smile that didn't quite reach her eyes.

I give a nod, eyes flicking over the guards.

"Then you will be ours."

My eyes snap back to her, heat burst from me as a loud snarl forced my lips open to show teeth. She didn't flinch. I'm not sure what brought that out. I pulled back, hand snapping over my mouth as my eyes widened in alarm.

"We can help you take control of it."

"I'm not leaving my family or Northman."

My hand fell back to Eric's shoulder. I didn't want to go anywhere with this woman. I wanted to run the opposite direction at full tilt.

Her eyes flick to Eric, contemplative. "You are his."

Eric rose, hands lifting to rest on my shoulders and pull me back against him. "She is mine."

"You can keep her safe? Contained?"

I snort, looking her over as if she were a fool. "Think logically," I sarcastically bite to mock her. "Why would I leave to avoid one King only to let the Authority that claims to govern your species take me? Just leave me alone."

"Do you know your father?" She pushes, chin lifting.

"No. Nor do I wish to."

"Do you understand what it means to be what you are?"

I sneer. "I'm not in the mood for this today. If you wish to talk about something, schedule another day."

"No. Now."

She was un-bowing, commanding now. That polite softness was gone with a serious gaze locked on me.

"I want Bill to appease me before I will think upon it. The King of Missouri will never come for me. My mother, if alive, will be returned to me." She took in my demands, listening. I took in a breath. "Thomas Bulshauv is to be staked before me. Then and only then, will I speak with you or your people."

Bill clears his throat. "Your mother was taken as the human to the King. She has chosen to remain with him."

I give a nod, glancing to him. "She never was a good woman."

Salome motions a hand toward the room. "If your terms are met, you will offer yourself."

I lift my chin. "It depends on what you want from me."

"Blood. Service. Procreation."

I snort, rolling my eyes. "I will not have children."

Her eyes narrow. "Your line needs to continue."

I shoot her a laugh, arms crossing. "If the man who donated sperm made me, he obviously is still out there. He can do it. I'm not an Easy-Bake oven."

She looks contemplative, "I will convene with the others. These are your terms?"

"My family is left out of it. I demand Bulshauv's life. Bill will meet my previous demands. Your terms can be discussed before we reach agreement."

She nods, giving a look to the guards. They stood down, stepping back and taking a relaxed stance. Her eyes moved up to Bill.

He meets her gaze before looking to us. "You are dismissed until then. Northman. Miss Lynwood, have a pleasant evening."

I whirl, skirt flaring up as I leave in wide steps. Eric was at my heel.