Chapter Six

Eric was pensive after he dropped Sookie off for her shift. He had felt her discomfort earlier and also noticed that it had ceased once she took his blood. They were getting physically closer. She was beginning to crave him. This was a good sign that the bond was indeed strong. He knew he would have to talk with her about it. She was emotionally a bit of a mess. She had so many questions. She doubted his devotion to her. She wanted to know of love. Did he love her? It was not a feeling unknown to him. He had loved once. He had never allowed himself to go through it again. Contrary to belief vampires could love, most just did not want to. Eternity was a long time to reflect on ones who were lost to you.

The years did not make any loss of a loved one easier. Some vampires were so consumed with grief, they met the sun, unable to live through the heartache of loss. These were vampires who had bonded and their mates died. Some were vampires who had human companions, staying with them through their human life until old age claimed them. There were vampires who turned their loves and that almost never ended well, there was also a loss there. Once lovers became maker and child, the original relationship changed and the maker was left alone. The child like all children eventually wanted their freedom.

He was fortunate that his child Pamela had returned to him. He was lonely when he chose her and was looking for a companion. They were not lovers before she was turned. That happened after. She was an amazing companion and very loyal. Most vampires would have found a new human to turn. Not Eric. Pam was his only child. No one could ever take her place. He also knew that the more children he would have the weaker he would get. So he saved his strength and built his way up. He was now a sheriff and a very respected one.

Yet the question remained, whispering in his mind. Did he love Sookie? He desired her. He enjoyed her sense of humor, she constantly surprised him. He knew there was a part of him that had loved her once, but she was not sure if it was the spell that had influenced that love. She was his bonded, that put her above anyone else. He wanted to be with her and for him that was enough. Yet there was a nagging feeling inside him that he couldn't quiet down.

He would give it more thought later. He set his mind to business as he pulled in the parking lot of Fangtasia. He hoped his child had good news for him and the surprise for Sookie was well under way.

Pamela could sense her master was near. She was not happy about the situation and he would not be wither. The calls had not gone the way she wanted them to. She looked up as Eric walked in. He was so handsome, it always surprised her that she was so happy to see him even after all these years together. Most vampires grew weary of one another, some did not know how to spend eternity with the same faces. That is why so many children left. To seek out new experiences. She knew she was an exception to her kind. Most never returned to their makers. A child was bonded to their maker and the very early years were the hardest to live through.

The thirst could kill a newborn vampire easily. Most makers were cruel and made their newborns suffer tremendously, almost as a right of passage that they themselves went through. Newborns learned the first and most important lesson to their survival. Obey their master and maker above all else. Above their thirst. To respect a maker was instilled early on. Pamela knew she would always be loyal and respect Eric in every way. He was the key to her survival. She was a patient newborn and learned a lot. She was smart enough to know when and how far she could push for her independence. She made many mistakes along the way and paid the price for them. Yet through all their years together, all her punishments at his hands, she knew she was one of the lucky ones. Eric promised never to break her or change her. They formed a friendship and an understanding of one another that few found. It was why she knew she could live the rest of her days at his side. He had always kept his word.

"Eric, how is Sookie?" she asked,trying to distract him.

"She is well," he replied. There was hesitation in his voice. "She is having a hard time with the bond. Her body is craving my blood but she does not realize how much just yet. I have to speak with her about it tonight."

Pam could not believe her ears. "Did you not explain all this to her already after you bonded?" she asked. "How could you not tell her what would happen?"

"I was waiting for the right moment and I did not think the bond would be this strong."

Pam had thought of telling Eric that she noticed things were a little different with him as well. That it wasn't just Sookie that was having cravings and needing physical contact. She thought he would be able to figure it out on his own, but now she wasn't so sure.

"I have noticed master that you are no longer consorting with the fangbangers." she said. "Did Sookie ask you to abstain from your daily endeavors?"

"She most certainly has not made any such demands on me! I am free to choose who I consort with and drink from."

"You do realize it's bad for business?"she asked. "You will get back to your regular routine of pillaging the human women? I am sure your bonded does not have you "whipped" as they say?" Pam was taking her chances with the anger she saw simmering. She needed him to realize on his own that there was something going on.

"I am far from whipped Pamela and you will watch your tongue."

"I just haven't wanted..."he trailed off in mid-sentence.

"Yes?" she prompted smiling.

He looked at her and she could see he realized the bond was working in more ways than one.

"I haven't wanted anyone else since the bonding took place." he said quietly. His blue eyes were full of wonder and curiosity at the thought that perhaps he was wrong.

"I see." she said. "Perhaps it is a good idea to talk with Sookie as soon as possible. Dear Abbie says honesty is the best policy. Perhaps you should go to her now and get it over with. The shifter won't mind you going to get her."

He smiled at her. "Pam you are so smart and intelligent. You see things that others cannot see. I thank you for helping me see this bond is not one sided, but don't think for one minute that I don't see you are trying to get me out of here. I will sort things out with Sookie later. Now how goes the plans for my surprise?"

Damn the man she thought to herself.

"Well?" he asked her with those blue eyes staring right through her.

"I've made calls to everyone on the list. It seems that no one can make it to perform for the date you need." she replied. She had the sense to look down and not at him.

"Why not?" he demanded. She started to reply but she stopped when she realized he wasn't talking to her.

"How about the original singer," Pam said. "She is quite good."

"She doesn't sing it the way I want it sung," he said. "I asked you to get this done for me Pamela. Why is it so hard for this to be arranged?"

Pam felt the anger building. "I've been talking to pitiful humans all day, being put on hold! If you want it done a certain way, why not just do it yourself?"she snapped at him.

"Careful child, I might have to put you over my knee."

She was silent and realized that her anger had gotten the better of her. Eric could take her sarcasm and wit, but not her anger. There was a line that was never crossed with him and she was close to it.

She watched him and waited. He had that look when he was coming up with something devious. He rubbed his chin and smiled.

"Pamela my child you are brilliant" he praised. "I will sing it myself and the evening will be perfect. Now I need some of the best musicians." he said over his shoulder. She followed him as he made his way to the office.

"Yes, it will be perfect. Now start to take notes for me as I make you another list of musicians I want to perform with. You will call them all and they will come." he told her.

She rolled her eyes and sat down to start the list. She had tried to get out of this and only succeeded in getting more work. Then she the thought came to her and she smiled at him sweetly.

"Are they local musicians master?"

He laughed out loud at her cleverness. "No Pamela they are not all local and even if they were I forbid you to glamour anyone. Think of it as a small punishment for trying to get rid of me earlier."

She pouted and looked absolutely adorable.

Damn the man!