Bill held onto me so tightly, I had to remind him that I needed to breathe. His fangs were down, and I did not need the bond to tell me that his blood lust was not sated. Protecting me was his number one priority, however, so he left the fighting to Eric and Robert.

When it was all said and done, damage to the property was significant, but no humans (other than me) were injured

Eric came and gathered me from Bill. His hands roamed everywhere looking for injuries. He hissed as he felt the back of my head, and saw the marks on my throat. His eyes shot back to the stage, where the Were was still guarding the immobile vampire.

A handsome, if rather short and thick, vampire approached us.

"I now see what all the fuss was about Eric."

Eric growled lightly and the vampire held up his hands. "No offense old friend. My dear, since your sheriff here is being so rude, allow me to introduce myself. I am Robert, sheriff of Southern California. I wish to extend my welcome to you and ask your forgiveness for the trouble you've encountered. Anything I can do to make the rest of your stay more pleasant, you have but to ask."

I made Eric set me down, which he did very unwillingly, and I nodded to Robert. "Thank you."

Joe and Joanne approached me at that point.

"Are you okay Sookie?" Joanne asked. "I didn't know what else to do, so I went to get these guys . . . I . . ." she seemed at a loss for words.

"Thank you Joanne. You did great." I assured her. "Joe, Joanne, let me introduce you. Eric, Bill, Robert, this is Joe and his sister Joanne."

"Thank you," Bill said to Joanne.

"Yes," said Eric. "We are in your debt."

"Oh gosh no! And call me Jo." She was blushing now.

"A pleasure to meet you both," Robert cut in. He was eyeing Joanne heatedly. Interestingly, Joanne seemed to be enjoying it.

I intruded on their moment. "What is going to happen to him?" I nodded in the direction of the mutilated vamp on the stage.

Robert smiled. "His life was forfeit before he attacked you tonight. We were here to prevent him and his nest mates from attacking the Weres. I cannot allow vigilante behavior in my area of protection. Finding you was a bonus."

There was a murmur from the Weres. They had not known of Jonathon's plans. I turned to Eric, who only nodded in agreement.

Robert laughed out loud. "Oh my dearest, you have no idea what you have put these two through for the last several days."

I was surprised by Robert's sense of humor. Most vamps didn't have one. Well, Pam had one, but it was definitely a strange sense of humor. In fact, Robert reminded me an awful lot of Pam.

"In any event, since Jonathon's life was already forfeit, I leave him to your sheriff to decide his fate. After all, he attacked someone under de Castro's formal protection. I will hold him until Eric makes a decision."

I saw Eric turn toward the stage, his eyes narrowed in cold rage. At that moment, I felt a bubble burst and waves of emotions surged into me, over me, drowning me. Love, anger, blood lust, relief, desire, anxiety, and even jealousy, swept me away. I was rocked by the sheer force of the rage and blood lust that was still fueling them. I looked at Bill and Eric, and I'm sure my eyes were as wide as saucers. I was overwhelmed.

So I did what any southern belle would do.

I fainted.