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Chapter 12 is below!

EPV

"Enter." I commanded.

"Regent," Bill greeted with a bow.

I have never received such show of respect from Compton. I wonder what he is scheming on now. Even as a relatively new vampire turned by his ho maker, as my lover once called her. My mouth involuntarily quirks up at the thought of my feisty lover.

Flashback: Munich, Germany 1933

"Sheriff Erik The Northman. May I introduce to you my progeny, William Compton from Louisiana."

My eyes sweep over the baby vamp with Lorena. He is moderately good looking. He has dark hair, sideburns, and blue eyes that do not hide his cruel nature. He also has an air of superiority not due his station. He is clearly cut from the same cloth as his maker.

"We are passing through your fiefdom and would like sanctuary," more of a statement than a request from Lorena.

Neither she nor her progeny bow in reverence to my position. I never cared much for Lorena. She is known for her maliciousness not only toward humans, but to her own children as well. My maker, Appius Livius Ocello, was of the same belief. I believe in ruling with a firm but a fair one. This is the most effective way to garner, not only obedience, but also loyalty. Pamela, my child, who I recently released to go to the New World, was proof of this very concept.

"Your antics in Paris have preceded you both; I will not tolerate the bodies you leave in your wake. Am I clear?"

"Yes. Sheriff," Lorena responds, but her progeny, Compton, has the audacity to hiss and drop fang as he says, "Who cares what happens to the stupid cattle."

I am immediately in front of him with his throat in my hand. I register his shocked expression, and smirk. "I could rip out your heart in less than a second. I will not tolerate disobedience. I then turn a piercing glare on Lorena while still holding Compton by the throat, "If you wish to keep your progeny you will educate him in our laws or both of your lives are forfeit.

"Yes, Sheriff, "she says with a bow. I then throw Compton against the wall and hear a satisfying crunch in the process.

"I have come to formally request my leave."

"Temporary or permanent?" I ask.

"Permanent, There is nothing left for me in Louisiana," Compton says forlornly. "I would like to travel abroad for a time. Maybe back to Peru and from there I'm not quite sure."

I let out an unnecessary breath as I ask, "What has brought this about?"

"You know what has brought this about! She is gone! I have nothing! I am nothing!" he screams as blood tears start to form in his eyes.

I let out another exhale not that I needed to breathe, but because it helped to release some tension.

"Sit. Compton," I quietly say and surprisingly he listens. He crumples in the chair that is in front of my desk and gaze at me with a lost look on his face. He has had a trying time since serving under me: tortured to near death by his maker, his maker's final death, silver poisoning by fairies, and now "Sookie's death". I was hoping that I could postpone this talk.

My lover would be heart broken if she returns from Faery to find her friend, as she now calls him, no longer living in my area. So for her and forsaking better judgment, I say,

"I had not planned on telling you so soon, but in light of the circumstances it is now necessary."

"She is not dead."

XXXXXXXXXX

SPV

My body was in such agony. This was more painful than anything I have ever experienced, even more than the pain inflicted by Thing one and Thing two.

"Please make it stop," I cry out to God and to anyone else who would help me.

"Why will someone not come and help me!" I scream over and over again.

I hear a buzzing in my ear but I can't make out what it is that I am hearing. I feel like someone dropped my whole body in the deep fryer at Merlotte's. The pain was so unbearable that I just wanted to slip away.

Then the world went black.

I was drifting in and out of consciousness. Then I had a feeling of floating; someone was carrying me. Oh God, I hope I haven't been abducted again at the hands of some more nefarious fairies.

"Niall! Eric! Please! Why won't you come?" I croak.

"Sookie," I hear a distant voice say. Eric is that you? Where are you? What is going on? Am I in Hell? I knew I had not been the best Christian the last few years. Oh God Please! Just take the pain away! If I had just one more chance I promise I will make things right.

Then suddenly there is a bright flash.

"Sookie." I hear a soft musical voice call my name.

As the light recedes, I see the face of my beautiful cousin. She was always quite beautiful as all fairies are but even more so now with this ethereal glow surrounding her.

"Claudine?"

"Where am I? Am I dead?" I asked.

"Of course you are not dead dear cousin," she says with a slight smile.

"I heard your cries for help and was sent to you. We do not have much time so please listen and remember. Things are not as they seem. You must learn quickly and then return. Always guard your heart."

"Please don't leave me," I cry out and reach for my cousin.

"Shh, shh, sweet cousin," she says as she envelops me in her arms.

"I miss you so much and I'm so alone." I whisper as tears stream down my face. She gently wipes away my tears and kisses my forehead.

"You are never alone."

Then I drift away again.

XXXXXXXXXX

SPV

Our Princess is awake! Oh thank you! Her fever has broken. I had to change her bedding three times yesterday alone. There was a time that I did not think she would survive.

Grianne. Oh no. I can "hear" her.

I slowly turn my head and see Preston slumped on the floor next to my bed with his arm around my waist. It takes all the energy that I have in me, but I raise my hand and touch his hair that is curtained around his face. It is so much softer than I thought it would be.

He raises his head and I see relief wash over his face.

"Princess," he whispers.

He grabs my hand and rubs his cheek across the back of it. I can see and feel the slight stubble on his chin.

I clear my throat and ask, "What happened?"

Then I feel my great-grandfather's presence at my bedchamber door. I lift my eyes to him in question.

"You have transformed dear one."

I hope you enjoyed this latest installment! Did you like the flashback?

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