Eric POV:

When I entered the private room that had been setup for the poker game especially, I was stunned to see my maker, Appius Livius Ocella sitting next to de Castro. Next to him was a teenage boy that I had never seen before, but I could smell Appius's blood in him. I apparently have a brother. They seemed to be exchanging inane pleasantries, waiting for me.

"It has come to my attention, Northman, that your delicious blood-bonded recently visited my establishment and you did not attempt to tell me. While you may think that she is yours, I know she has renounced you."

I stood speechless and willed my fangs from sliding down. The king could barely keep the smug look off his face as he whipped out his iPhone and played a short clip of a very drunk Sookie cursing at me. The bastard had tapped Sookie's landline. I don't know how I could have been remiss in noticing it. "Oh, wait here's my favorite part!"

Fuck you Eric Northman. I don't want you. Just leave me alone!

"There are no words to describe my sorrow at your loss Northman. I wish you two could have been together, but seeing as you are no longer wanted, perhaps we may make a new arrangement for the transfer of Miss Stackhouse into my care."

"I do not believe the drunken rants of my bonded AND pledged should be taken seriously, my liege."

"Let me make myself perfectly clear Viking. If you refuse to cut the bond and hand over Miss Stackhouse, then I will have to suspect you of using her as a pawn in a devious plan to overthrow me." Well look at the pot calling the kettle devious. "I will not tolerate subterfuge, but I know that threatening you wouldn't work. I had a witch make sure that your child would bring your bonded to me. Now we have almost all you care about under my roof." Felipe said it like I should thank him for organizing this unpleasant family reunion.

He turned to Victor who operated the remote to reveal a live feed of Pam on the T.V., stripped completely naked, hanging by her wrists. The shackles were obviously silver, but that wasn't the odd part of the picture. It looked like she was hanging in a shower stall, enclosed by glass on all sides.

"This is a special shower I constructed myself. The liquid that runs through the pipes isn't just water, but also colloidal silver. There isn't a drain in this shower so it will just keep filling up until she is submerged. That is certainly a terrible way for your child to die Northman; acute silver poisoning. You have three days before I start the process. If you return with Miss Stackhouse before those three days are up, then your progeny will be saved and you may take her home back to the shithole you live in. If you choose to be willful even after your child is sacrificed, then I will have your maker track her down."

Appius smiled and his fangs slid down with a snick. "For her sake, I hope you find her before I do Eric. I have been told that when I do find her, I get to play with her a little bit, as long as I don't kill her."

The horrifying images that came to my mind at his words made me sick. Appius had been my tormentor for hundreds of years. He had done his best to break my spirit. He did not let me go until I had bored him by being his obedient child. The irony was not lost on me. The thought of Sookie being subjected to the cruelty of my maker was unbearable enough to make me ache. I didn't know if de Castro would treat her any better.

I met Felipe's eyes with a look of blatant loathing. He broke out into a full-on smile, his teeth bared menacingly.

"So you see, I'm being quite magnanimous in giving you a choice Northman. Bring the girl to me and I'll guarantee that your child and your position as Sheriff will be safe. Who knows? I might just promote you for gifting me with such a priceless asset."

I took one more look at Pam hanging there and knew I couldn't sacrifice her. It seemed I could not possibly win.

"There is no choice your majesty."

"Splendid! I knew your pragmatism was infallible. I have a coffin for you to rest in. You will leave at sundown tomorrow."

I was shown upstairs to a secure room with a bed and a coffin where I quickly texted Sookie before they could take away my phone.

Sookie, I need you to find a way to break our bond as soon as you can. You must do this before the third of November. Destroy your phone as soon as you have read this.

After looking it over, he added a simple goodbye that made his eyes fill with tears.

I will always love you.

A/N: This chapter is the answer for all of you who thought, "Why would Pam jeopardize Sookie by intentionally bringing her into the lion's den?" What the hell is Eric going to do? I can't wait to hear your thoughts.

Love,

PIP.