BILL

I wake in a heap in a small light tight space in my home; I am still healing from the torture I endured courtesy of that asshole viking and his demon child. There is a note taped to me reminding me I have an appointment with my queen at the end of the week and my assignment is to be complete. He showed his hand when he overreacted to my accusations. I now know he is indeed interested in her and I can't let it get any farther.

I will be able to go out tomorrow night. Some live blood will help heal me the rest of the way and then I will find Sookie. I place a call to the palace and after a few minutes of discussion Andre informs me of the plan I am to follow and he will fill our queen in. It seems I was delayed longer than I realized, I now only have one more night to acquire the telepath.

The queen is at least assisting this time. She is calling Eric away. He should be on his way to New Orleans right now. Pamela will be busy running the club tomorrow night and seeing to Eric's sheriff duties and that will leave me free to nab the telepath and then rendezvous with my queen.

ERIC

I had Pamela bug his house when she returned that rat to his abode last night so I knew I would be summoned this night. I still had no idea what excuse she would use but it did not matter. Knowing ahead allowed me to plan for my absence, warn Godric, and prepare for what she may have in mind. I am on my game you could say.

Godric called to request Pamela's assistance for the next few nights. I of course agreed despite his refusal to tell me why. I filled him in on Compton and the queen's plan. Enraged is not adequate enough a word to describe his fury.

He warned me to be ready he had another surprise for me soon. As soon as our call ended I headed for New Orleans.

PAM

I dumped that F%^kwad Compton in his shit hole last night and now I wake to Eric's absence and orders to assist Godric and his chosen. This errand running game is already getting old but Bobby can't do it because he could not fly in or otherwise leave no trail.

I arrive at Godric's and am glad to find my grandsire still welcoming. I set up the laptop and look to Godric for instructions. His enormous grin belies the challenge he is about to speak.

"You will help Sookie plan our pledging ceremony. We are bonded now and we will be bound even tighter as pledged mates. I have requested Pythia perform the ceremony. I realize she rarely performs these rites anymore but my dove is deserving of no less than the Great Pythoness. We will have the ceremony at Fangtasia tomorrow night."

I gasp…..tomorrow night!

"Yes, tomorrow night. I want her dress and flowers ordered immediately and have them shipped overnight; anything we need shipped directly to Fangtasia. The queen believes she has pulled Eric away to make it easy for Compton to take my lover. Instead she has made it easy for us to be joined in her area without any repercussions to Eric. He can claim ignorance and since she is keeping him there it only further proves his non-involvement, there will be nothing she can do. I want Compton contained the moment he enters the club whether that is this night or tomorrow. He may be released after the ceremony. It will be hard to dispute the validity of our claim to each other or cause trouble when the Ancient One is presiding.

I want it to feel like a surprise to the patrons and area vampires, like you had no prior knowledge. You need not decorate the club but make sure it is polished up. We will show up shortly after her grace, dressed superbly, adorned with flowers, wielding a chalice, a cake and followed by a photographer. You like the obedient grandchild you are will immediately fall in line and accommodate me. This way you will not be implicated either. Eric will return to find us married and Compton will return to his queen but too late."

The fairy at the center of this discussion finally makes an appearance. I am still not sure what they have all seen in her. She is pretty, sure but there must be something else.

My musings are sliced through when she answers my thoughts.

"Why don't you just ask them Pam. Godric would tell you and I am sure if you ever get your hands on Compton he would tell you. Now my dress; I want something that clings to my curves but that is elegant and soft….." She drones on but I know just which site to visit and I am sure she will approve.

We spent the next three hours choosing her dress and flowers. Her dress and flowers will arrive at Fangtasia during the daylight hours. I sent Ginger instructions on where to store all of the unusual deliveries.

While I would not call us friends yet, we made progress. My master is right. By looking at the fairy in a different way I saw other aspects of her. She is very strong and loyal. I could smell the difference in her since the first night I met her. Her scent had gotten stronger and more intoxicating. I am sure without my maker's command to never harm her, I just might have.

I returned to the club a few hours before closing. I filled Thalia in on the given mission and she was eager to participate. I made several calls before I went to rest to ensure my grandsire a beautiful ceremony.

ERIC

"Sheriff, I have called you here because I am concerned about the vampire related murders taking place in your area."

"Really, it is interesting….. the murders began the night William Compton arrived in the area. There was one murder per night he was free in my area. As our area investigator, just as you appointed him, he failed to find any useful information or leads. Then when I detained him for his poor behavior the murders ceased while he was in my custody and began again only after his release. Also, he has been seen with every one of the deceased by several witnesses."

"If that were true, Eric, surely the local police would detain him."

"I suppose. Unless he glammoured every one of them. Thing is, my queen, I saw the security footage. The bar he fished in is owned by a shifter and he is the one that pointed it out to me then showed me footage to corroborate his suspicions. Not to mention his public attempt to claim an unwilling human at Fangtasia."

"What other evidence do you have aside from the most probably altered footage of a shifter?"

"We can have the authenticity of the recording verified but I have not done a full investigation myself. I was hoping you had brought me here to explain his actions in my territory. I must say my queen, if his continued disrespect and misbehavior is something I can expect to occur regularly and be supported by you I will feel most insulted and unwelcome in the state of Louisiana. My maker has recently joined me for a time and it is especially insulting to be disrespected by a child such as Compton in his presence."

I know my words give her pause. She now knows may maker is here and could take the girl for himself, order me to punish Compton's insults, and there is the possibility my maker would wish to leave and take me with him. It would be in her best interest to appease us both. His presence in my area creates too many variables for her sinking plan. She also realizes she can not detain me for too long before my maker would come looking for me.

"Eric, darling, it has never been my wish to insult you or your maker. You have been quite loyal and supportive of my reign; I would never wish to damage that. William will remain here at court once he returns tomorrow night. I insist you stay and witness his punishment; it seems he has forgotten his manners. Andre will show you to your quarters for your visit. Please enjoy your stay; I will meet with you at midnight tomorrow. I am sure William will have returned by then and I will have my other duties taken care of; it will give us the rest of the night to reeducate him on proper etiquette and respect."

I stood and bowed to her, clearly understanding her dismissal. I followed Andre to posh quarters and could barely contain my excitement. I could sense Godric was up to something and he was over the moon about it. I could not wait for tomorrow night.