A/N- Hello my lovely readers and reviewers! How have you all been? Let me start off for apologizing about the looong wait. School just started and my teachers have been mauling me with homework. I just had a math quiz yesterday. What the crap? Anyways, there are a few things I need to clear up before any of you start this chapter.

Some of you were upset at Eric's aggressive behavior toward Sookie. Remember that Eric is a VAMPIRE. It's in his nature to be belligerent and easily provoked. Some stories portray Eric as being soft and like a big lovable teddy bear. Don't get me wrong, I read and story-alert them all the time, but my story is a little different and a little darker. And for those of you that were upset with Eric last chapter- never fear! I made sure this chapter shows a softer side of Eric. And I can assure you that Eric won't manhandle Sookie like that again.

Also, I want to give a shout out to hdgcat for giving me totally honest and helpful reviews. Thanks so much!

Now that that is all cleared up, on with the story!

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Eric stormed into his house with me still over his shoulder. I had given up fighting his grip and focused all my energy on not letting my unshed tears pour down my cheeks. He brought me into my room and plopped me unceremoniously onto the bed. I scrambled to a sitting position and scooted toward the back of the bed, hugging my knees.

He let out a menacing growl and rubbed his temples wearily. He barely spared me a glance before he started to pace back and forth, his hands clasped behind his back.

What was he thinking about? The different ways he can torture me? Kill me? Both? My stomach was full of butterflies- and not the good kind. I rested my head on my knees and tried in vain to calm my adrenaline by taking slow, deep breaths. I inhaled, counted to ten, and then exhaled. My breathing exercise barely helped my racing heart.

I snuck another glance at my captor and saw he was still pacing. His eyes then lifted and met my own, terrified ones. He let out a roar and punched the wall nearest to him, going straight through it. I let out a little yelp and was momentarily thankful his fist had connected with the wall and not my face.

I could tell he was struggling to gain control over his temper. He closed his eyes for a long while and then zeroed in on my face. I could barely tell what emotions his eyes held. He slowly approached me to where I was huddled on the bed. I cringed and tried to scoot further back onto the bed but the headboard prevented me from doing so.

Eric gingerly placed one knee on the bed and extended his hand toward me. I gasped when his hand lightly encircled my wrist, pulling me closer to him. His eyes were full of empathy and…regret?

He gently pulled me closer to him until I sat with both my legs dangling over the edge of the bed with him peering down at me. I focused my gaze on his feet and gripped the edge of the bed tightly.

When he raised his hand I flinched instinctively, expecting the back of his hand to connect with my cheek. Surprisingly he delicately cupped the side of my face he had struck earlier with his big palm. His thumb brushed away a single tear that had trickled from my eye.

"I apologize for striking you." He said softly, rubbing his thumb in circular motions on my cheek.

I stared into his eyes with disbelief and indeed they were full of remorse.

"I haven't struck a woman in quite some time. I lost control of my temper and I am sorry for that as well."

Okay now I was beyond confused. Not even an hour ago he had hit me across the face, threatened torture, threw me over his shoulder, and flew like a madman back to his house. And now he was apologizing? I looked at him skeptically, not believing my ears. I had never been apologized to by a vampire. I concluded that they were seriously bipolar creatures.

"There is something about you," He went on, his beautiful blue eyes never leaving mine. "That I can't quite figure out- and it is killing me." He confessed.

I wanted to tell him then and there-just get it over with. Consequences be damned. Maybe his reaction wouldn't be as terrible as I thought it would be. Maybe he would be excited? Maybe he would kill me… Before I could think of a response he had already continued.

"I don't want you to be frightened of me."

Too late for that one, buddy. Felipe made sure I would be terrified of vampires for the rest of my life. Nothing you do could make me trust you.

"I'm normally not like this," He went on, "Never have I been so curious about a human before. You infuriate me yet at the same time you excite me. How is this possible?" He mused. "I'm not going to harm you. You need not fear me anymore." He moved his hand down my cheek toward my lips and gently outlined them with his fingertips.

I didn't believe him for a second, but a part of me wanted to. The old, naive Sookie part of me really wanted to believe him But that part of me had died long ago.

"I will promise you that I will never raise a hand to you, if you tell me what you are. You have my word."

Time to shoot the shit. I took a deep breath and forced myself to look at him.

"You'll kill me." I whispered. My voice was hoarse from sobbing.

"And I will if you don't, so you have nothing to lose." He said, smiling slightly.

I inhaled and exhaled slowly.

"I…I can read people's thoughts." I said so quietly even I could barely hear what I said.

But Eric did. I could practically see his ears perk up and his eyes widen. His hands moved to grip my wrists tightly.

"You have been reading my thoughts, all this time?" His eyes narrowed, if looks could kill, I'd be good as dead right now.

"No!" I quickly exclaimed. "I can only read human and shifter minds. Vampires are completely silent to me! Please let go, you're hurting me." I added in a whisper. So much for not harming me.

His grip immediately loosened but he still held my wrists in place. I could see the wheels turning in his head as he processed my words.

"Does Felipe know?"

Just his name made me shudder.

"No." I said quietly.

"Idiot," He murmured. "I've only met one other telepath in my thousand years of existence." He mused.

"You have?" I blurted out. I never thought that there were more people like me out there.

"Yes, telepaths are extremely rare. I presumed they had become extinct. But you, my dear, are living proof that they are not."

"What are you going to do to me?" I said shakily.

"I haven't quite figured that out myself. But I will not kill you, trust me on that one." He laughed quietly. "In fact, I shall do my best to protect you, you are a valuable asset."

"Asset?" I questioned.

"Of course. You will be working for me from now on. I will obviously pay you a generous amount for your employment."

Pay me? So he wasn't going to kill me? He was going to protect me? The wheels turned quickly in my head.

"How about we make a deal." What in the name of Jesus Christ was I doing? Bargaining with vampires is risky business. But I had somehow gained a few ounces of courage.

He cocked an eyebrow and looked totally amused. "Go on."

I took a deep breath and began. "I'll willingly work for you and you won't have to pay me a penny if you allow me to visit my home whenever I want."

He seemed to ponder my compromise and gave a little smirk, obviously amused that this fragile human girl was negotiating with a thousand year old vampire.

"We shall see. If you behave like the good little human I know you are then that could easily be arranged."

My eyes widened. He was agreeing! Excitement buzzed through me like lightening. He could sense my excitement and chuckled.

"You are full of surprises, Sookie Stackhouse. What else are you keeping from me?"

I speak Swedish and every so often get a peak into vampire minds. I thought quickly. "Nothing." I said innocently.

"Somehow I believe you are lying to me, but I will disregard that at the moment." He raised himself to his full height. "Go to sleep, it is almost dawn and I have plans for you tomorrow evening." He sauntered toward the door. "Oh, and Sookie, if you try to escape again I will have to break my promise and kill you."

"I thought you said I'm a valuable asset." I said quickly.

He looked thoroughly entertained. "You are, and I would regret your death. It's up to you; don't make me do something I'll regret."

And with that said, he exited the room and closed the door. I swear I heard it click behind him. But I was suddenly overcome with exhaustion that all I could think about was sleep. I curled up under the warm sheets, still in my dirty clothes. I closed my eyes and quickly fell into a deep slumber.

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My eyes snapped open and I sat up quickly. I was sweating profusely and gasping for air. I'd had another nightmare about Felipe. This time, I was trapped under him and he was ferociously biting into my neck with this hand wrapped around my throat. I couldn't breathe and felt my blood stain the white sheets of my bed. The edges around my eyes became fuzzy and I begged silently for darkness. When I was sure I was about to take my final breath I woke up.

My nightmares were progressively becoming worse and worse. When I thought I was finally free of Felipe my dreams started to become more vivid and real. It was honestly scaring me shitless and I was craving a good night's sleep. I stayed in bed and glanced over at the clock on the table. It was already 3'clock in the afternoon. Since it was November the days were very short and the sun would set at about 5:30. I had two and a half hours to kill until Eric rose and decided to do God knows what with me.

I stepped out of bed and caught my reflection in the vanity mirror.

My hair looked like a rat's nest and my eyes were half closed. I noticed that I was still wearing my dirty t-shirt and jeans from the night before. Eww. I needed a shower- and fast.

I opened the door that led into the bathroom and turned the water on in the shower. I peeled off my gross clothes and stepped in, relishing the warm water against my hardened skin. I closed my eyes and rested my head against the cool tile wall.

I stayed like that for what felt like hours but was probably only a few minutes. I had trouble keeping my eyes closed because every time I closed them Felipe would appear in the back of my eyelids. I sighed and groaned into my hands. I just wished I could forget about him.

I spotted a bottle of shampoo on a little edge in the corner of the shower and snatched it up. It was Herbal Essence and I began to crack up. I pictured the Viking Vampire pushing a cart down the aisles of Walmart and smelling each shampoo before deciding which one would be best for his golden locks. I poured some of the shampoo on my hand (still chuckling to myself) and my nose was assaulted with the smell of strawberries. I sighed and rubbed my scalp until I was sure the strawberry scent would never go away. I worked my fingers through my hair and untangled all the knots until I knew a brush would run through it smoothly.

I stayed under the water a while longer and let the warms drops encase my back. My mind wandered again to Eric washing his hair with women's shampoo. I pictured his sculpted body under the tepid water, droplets running down his chest and falling in between his legs. My mouth suddenly became dry. I imagined his piercing blue eyes staring at me from under the showerhead, challenging me to join him.

I quickly shook my head and snapped myself out of my reverie. Why did I suddenly begin to fantasize about Eric? You know, Eric? My captor? The one who is keeping me against my will and planning on using me for my telepathic powers and could kill me whenever he feels like it? I blinked a few times and narrowed my eyes. I'm afraid of Eric. Why would I be daydreaming about him like that? I have been around vamps for the past few years and let me tell you I have seen some pretty faces.

But I've learned the hard way that a person may be beautiful on the outside, but twisted and cold-hearted on the inside.

But Eric…Eric was more than beautiful. He's probably the most gorgeous man I've ever seen. I bet woman practically threw themselves at him, offering him their necks and bodies. I then realized that he must be frustrated that I am not offering myself to him. He's so used to women fawning over him that he's perturbed by the fact a woman isn't falling for his good looks. I briefly wondered that if maybe I let him have me, then he would tire of me and throw me away. I quickly discarded the idea when I realized that Felipe kept me for four years and never tired of my fairy blood.

I cursed my heritage. If it wasn't for this damn fairy blood I wouldn't be in this situation right now. My grandmother was one hundred percent fairy and how she survived so long without being mauled by a vamp shocked me. And here I am- twenty three (almost twenty four) years old, a quarter fairy, and I have been drained a few times within an inch of my life.

I snapped out of my musings when I realized my hands were getting pruny. Still confused about my daydream I stepped out of the shower and wrapped a large towel around myself. I walked back into my room and grabbed my suitcase. I only packed clothes for a few days and was running out of options. I pulled out a blue t-shirt and black jeans. I liked to pack casual-if you couldn't tell.

Another look at my clock told me it was 3:30. I toweled off my hair and went to turn the handle on the door that led to the hall.

The handle wouldn't budge.

I tried shaking it with all my might but the lock held still.

Had Eric really locked me in here?

I checked the door again just to make sure.

It was still locked.

Bastard.

I groaned and groped through my bag. I finally found what I was looking for and approached the locked door. I stuck my bobby pin into the little lock-hole and twisted it around. I had become somewhat of a pro at unlocking doors with bobby pins. I fumbled with the pin and lock for a good ten minutes before hearing a click.

Success!

The door opened with ease and I stepped out into the hallway. I laughed out loud at the fact that I had outsmarted a vamp…again.

My stomach grumbled and I realized that I hadn't eaten in about two days. I had barely noticed though, with all the excitement in the past forty eight hours.

I walked into the kitchen and saw the bag that Eric's daytime asshole had brought me and pounced on it. The items in the bag were ordinary food items. There was a box of Cinnamon Toast Crunch, a loaf of bred, a gallon of milk, some lunch meat and so on. I quickly put the milk and lunch meat in the fridge and unpacked the rest of the groceries.

Since I had woken up not so long ago I poured myself a big bowl of Cinnamon Toast Crunch. Thankfully, Eric had spoons in his drawers and I downed the entire bowl in two minutes flat.

I greedily poured myself another bowl and devoured that one as well. I polished it off with a banana and a glass of milk. With my stomach satisfied I quickly tidied up the kitchen and rinsed off the silverware before putting them back in their respective places.

I sauntered into the living room which had a big flat screen television and plopped down on the couch. I put on some show about girls getting pregnant at sixteen and laughed without humor at the obnoxious southern girls with fake blond hair and their hick boyfriends. I began to drift when one of the couples broke out into an explosive fight. I closed my eyes and stretched myself out on the couch. I was so tired lately- and with good reason.

I woke up with a start when I felt a hand shaking my shoulder.

"Sookie."

I moaned and rubbed my eyes. My forehead was covered in sweat and I realized that I had been dreaming about Felipe again.

"Sookie."

It was Eric and he shook my shoulder a little harder.

"What time is it?" I asked groggily.

"Five thirty." He replied.

Oh shoot. I must have fallen asleep in the middle of the show.

"How did you escape this time? There were no minds to read or codes to crack."

I looked up at him and saw his mouth was quirked upwards.

I grabbed my bobby pin out of my pocket and held it up for him to see.

"Ta-da." I said, yawning.

He smirked a little.

"I had a feeling you would find a way out of there."

"So then why did you lock me in, in the first place?"

"I was curious to see how you would get out."

"Just call me Harry Houdini." I said, a little snippily.

Eric rolled his eyes. "He really wasn't as great as everyone made him out to be. I was quite unimpressed with his stunts."

"Coming from the thousand year old vampire." I rolled my eyes in return.

He smiled. "Perhaps I am too critical of you humans."

I yawned and put my hand to my forehead, feeling the moisture gather onto my palm.

"What were you dreaming of?" He asked suddenly, surprising me.

"Nothing," I said quickly. "I didn't even dream."

He raised an eyebrow but didn't push the subject. He held out his hand to me and I hesitantly took it. Why was he being so nice to me now?

He pulled me from the couch and stared me directly in the eye. I immediately was reminded of my daydream in the shower. His challenging eyes and perfect body… His voice brought me back to reality.

"I am in need of your assistance tonight," He was grinning at me, quite lustfully, actually. I immediately wondered if he knew what I had been thinking of, but quickly assured myself that there was no way he could possibly know. "Someone in my bar has been stealing from me, and I have yet to apprehend the culprit."

"Someone is stealing from you?" I asked incredulously.

He gave a wry smile. "Yes."

"They must have a death wish." I said honestly.

He chuckled. "Perhaps. Or they are just very desperate. Anyhow, you understand what I am asking you to do?"

"You want me to read the minds of any possible suspects?"

He grinned. "Exactly. I will pay you a thousand dollars for your assistance tonight."

I had to keep my jaw firmly closed, or else it would have fallen open in shock. A thousand dollars? Jeez Louise!

"I guess I can do that." I replied.

"Excellent. I have called for all my employees to arrive before opening this evening so you may have time to question them."

"Okay." I responded, kind of nervously. I had never done anything like this before.

"Good. Go get your shoes. We're leaving soon."

I scrambled back to my room and grabbed a pair of black ballet flats. I shoved them on my feet and hurried back into the living room where Eric was sitting on the couch and texting.

"Let's go." He said and took my hand and led me outside.

I briefly wondered why we weren't taking his car-and then I remembered.

He seemed to sense my uneasiness and smiled at me.

"I haven't been able to get a new car. Pesky insurance agencies are asking many questions and I've decided to drop the case."

I felt momentarily guilty. But only momentarily.

"Why don't you just glamour the insurance guys?" I asked.

He raised an eyebrow. "Miss. Stackhouse, I am a respectable owner of a successful business. I wouldn't want to tarnish my good name."

I stared at him. He shook his head.

"Humans and their lack of humor," He looked up into the sky. "I will be purchasing a new car soon, though. Pam is already car shopping for me."

I wasn't sure if I should play the regretful and guilty card or make a sarcastic comment, so I refrained from both options.

"Hold on tight." He said and scooped me into his arms and took off into the night.

I was prepared for take-off this time but still was shocked at the speed we took off at. I was incredibly terrified of heights. For our Senior Trip in high school we went to a Six Flags in Texas and I had refused to go on any scary rides-no matter how much Tara had begged me.

Eric's arms were wrapped tightly around me and I felt…safe. Unusually safe. Feeling braver I decided to peak out from Eric's arms and view my surroundings.

My eyes widened when I saw how high up we were but then I was taken back by the birds-eye view of Shreveport. Lights glowed and cars zoomed past each other on the highway. It was beautiful. I shifted and peered a little more over Eric's arms.

"Careful, I wouldn't want you to fall." He said seriously. But when I looked up at him he was wearing his trademark smirk.

He descended right outside of Fangtasia and held my hand as we walked through the deserted parking lot and through the front doors.

When I entered I was bombarded with anxious thoughts from Eric's human employees.

Why would master call a meeting? Is something important going to happen?

Oh god, oh god this must be about the fucking money he probably thinks it's me because I'm the goddamn accountant oh shit oh shit.

Master is looking especially gorgeous tonight. Wonder why he's calling this meeting. We've never had one before.

I tried my best to bring up my weak shields but failed.

The human employees were sitting at the bar with Pam and another intimidating vampire with long black hair and big muscles.

Everyone's eyes burned holes through me and I could hear them asking who I was and why Master would bring me.

"Recently as some of you know, we have lost a fair bit of money due to theft," Eric began suddenly. The room was dead quiet. "Tonight we shall find out just who the thief is."

He motioned for Pam and his child grabbed a scared looking short man from the bar and pushed him toward a table with two seats opposite from each other.

The man shakily sat down and Eric gestured for me to sit down across from the terrified man.

"Um. Hi, I'm Sookie," I began, trying to be friendly as possible. "I'm going to ask you a few questions if that's alright?"

The man nodded. Sweat dripped from his brow.

"Do you know anything about the stolen money?" I asked.

"N-no. I swear! I kn-know nothing!"

Goddamn mother fucker of course I had to be an accountant for fucking vampires. I have two kids and a wife, fuck what am I going to do? I didn't steal the money and whoever did has a lot of nerve to steal from a guy like Eric. Oh God, please. Please don't let them kill me.

The man's terrified thoughts rambled on and I pulled back from his mind.

"He didn't do it, Eric." I said, shaking my head.

Eric looked mildly surprised and by surprised I mean he raised an eyebrow.

He nodded to Pam and Pam hauled the man to his feet and out the door.

I then interviewed a waitress who I found innocent and then interviewed a second. Her name was Ginger and she was dumb as a rock.

But I found something interesting while exploring her mind. She knew who did it, but she had been seriously glamoured.

"She knows who did it." I said suddenly.

"Who?" Eric demanded.

"It's a vampire," I said slowly. "She's been glamour-"

Before I could finish my sentence the vampire with long black hair was on top of me, pinning me to the table, fangs fully extended. I heard Ginger shriek and fall to the floor. He savagely tore into my throat and imbibed my blood at a spectacular rate. I screamed for Eric and tried to fight him with all my might.

I then saw something absolutely horrible. Eric was holding a bloodied stake in his right hand and the vampire's face suddenly began to crack. Literally, it cracked. He burst into pieces, blood going everywhere-including all over me and down my throat.

I coughed and sputtered and gasped for air. Blood was still oozing from my neck and I tried to sit up but Eric gently pushed me back down.

"Drink." He ordered and bit into his wrist.

Blood trickled down his arm and I stared at him, shocked.

"I'm not drinking that." I gasped out, gripping the bite on my neck.

"Drink it or die. Your choice."

Without thinking I latched onto his arm and began to suck the blood from his wound. I forced the liquid down my throat and I heard Eric let out a guttural growl.

After taking a few sips he pulled his already-healing wrist away from my mouth and licked his bite clean.

I could feel the injury on my neck begin to close and I marveled at the healing power of vampire blood. I had never had any vamp's blood and had often wondered what would happen if a human drank it. As if sensing my question Eric quickly answered.

"My blood will heal your injuries and heighten your senses…as well as your sex drive." He smiled when he said the last part.

Ha. Sex drive. What sex drive? Sex repulsed me and I doubted a bit of vampire blood could change any of that.

"Pam. Make sure she is washed up and in my office before the bar opens." Eric ordered his second.

"Yes, Eric." She replied quickly. She retracted her extended fangs and hauled me off to the employee bathroom.

I decided that a thousand dollars wasn't nearly enough.

I'd have to ask the boss for a raise.

A/N- So what do you think? You can see how Eric's blood has been influencing Sookie this chapter. I'm a little disappointed with this chapter, actually. It wasn't very exciting but it was necessary…and a total pain in the ass to write. Next chapter Eric and Sookie will become closer and maybe some very minor fluff shall ensue. No sex yet, though. Sookie won't be ready for that for a while. Sorry for that! And I actually do love Sixteen and Pregnant. It's the most addicting show! Anyway, please give me your feedback and watch for updates!