Hi everyone! I don't even have any excuses anymore. Really. I just hope you still want to read this story play out.

Big thanks go to InvertedMeridian who has been so awesome and to Keri (BelleViolette) who keeps supporting me even after all this time.

Without further nonsense, here is the chapter:


Despite the fact that I had hoped my anger would die down by the next night, that didn't happen. As soon as I rose for the night, my mind went to the meeting that we were supposed to have tonight and, with that, my mood soured.

I had a nagging feeling that Russell was hiding something, but I didn't know what. True, I'd scanned his mind, but always found it impossible to pass over a certain barrier. I couldn't push through, despite the fact that my ability was considerably stronger that it had ever been.

And yet, I waited anxiously for the next meeting, wondering how Russell actually intended to train me in these matters and how he knew to do these things. How did he know about the fae energy core? How did he know about any of this?

It was so frustrating! Since there were so many sensitive ears around us, Eric and I had a hush-hush conversation about the entire thing and we hadn't managed to come with any viable answers. Eventually we just convened that we should trust Russell and just be done with the whole thing. Suspecting the only ally we had wasn't necessarily the best way to go about this.

So, that evening, we met again in the training room. The king of Mississippi was already on the mat he'd taken the night before. He smiled as we all entered the room and instructed everyone else to simply take a seat anywhere in the room. Pam and Jason chose to sit propped up against a wall, while Eric took a seat much closer to me. I felt him a few feet behind me, offering the support I needed, but giving me space as well. As for me, I sat cross-legged in front of Russell.

"Are you well, dear?" he asked and I immediately lowered my shields.

"Better, thank you," I replied a little stiffly. Something was wrong and I knew exactly what that was. I could not get a read on Russell. Nothing. Not a beep; not a word. Zilch. My eyes must have widened, because he chuckled wryly.

"I have asked you to trust me, Sookie," he said simply, slight disappointment in his voice.

"I do."

"No, you don't. Otherwise you'd have come out and told me all about this ability of yours. Furthermore, you wouldn't be trying to read my mind, Sookie".

I heard Pam gasping and Eric was by my side in an instant.

"Try anything, Russell and I swear you'll lose your head," Eric threatened, the menace in his voice hard to ignore.

Despite Eric's posture and his demeanor, king Edgington remained unmoved, simply raising his arms as in surrender.

"Northman, there is no need for this. I have told you that I mean no harm. I may not have told you everything I know and why I am able to help Sookie, but trust me when I say that I would never hurt any of you, unless provoked. In time, you will know everything, but until then, I shall tell you only what I can. Please accept this," he said.

Eric stared him down for a few seconds before finally nodding his head and returning to his spot.

I had been silent until then, but my eyes narrowed as I looked at Russell.

"Fine. Yes. As you know, my telepathy has crossed over. I can now hear humans, weres and vampires just as clearly. While I couldn't hear daemons before, I have a suspicion that I will now. Over years I've built a sort of shield, trying to maintain my sanity. Well, now, these are stronger and I can switch them on and off to my liking. We decided not to tell anyone because of the reaction it would cause and the troubles it would bring."

He smiled and nodded. "Fair enough. Thank you for telling me," he said politely. "Now, shall we continue?"

"Aren't you going to tell me anything? How are you even blocking me?" I asked, my temper rising.

Russell's eyes cut to Eric and I immediately felt myself calming down.

"As I said, I will tell you everything I can, when I can. Now is not the time. Let's begin, shall we?" the king said with a smile.

I sighed but figured I couldn't get any more from him for now.

"Good. Now, close your eyes again and focus on that spot you found yesterday night," Russell instructed as he took my hands. I felt his thumbs rubbing over my wrists in an effort to relax me as I closed my eyes.

I felt the need to breathe. I inhaled and exhaled, each breath taking me deeper inside myself, closer to the center of my energy. A few minutes must have passed as I approached the core and tried picturing it as something material, as he'd instructed the previous day.

"I'm there," I barely whispered.

"Perfect, Sookie, perfect. Now try to control it. Let it build up inside you, let it lift to the surface of your skin and keep it there. Slowly," he said.

I did as he instructed, picturing a balloon that I inflated little by little. I knew it was working as I heard small gasps behind me. My skin felt warm. This entire process was taking a toll on me and it was becoming harder and harder to contain the bubble.

"That's it, Sookie. Don't let go of it," Russell encouraged me, but it was too late.

The instant I felt I was losing control of the "balloon" I started panicking, scared of the damage this energy would cause if it bubbled over. The last thing to go through my mind before I saw a bright light was Eric's name.

A few minutes later, or days, I did not know, I came to myself. Worried faces surrounded me as Eric's voice kept calling my name.

"I'm ok," I mumbled, feeling my throat dry and aching. I rose from the floor and looked around me. Nothing seemed changed. Eric gathered me in his arms and held on tight.

"What happened?" I asked.

"You lost control over your energy. It exploded in the room."

"Oh God! Are you all ok?!" I asked, trying to detach myself from Eric's embrace so I could look at everyone for wounds.

"Yes, Sookie. We're all OK. It kind of went through us all and gave us an energy boost," Eric said, somewhat relived I wasn't hurt.

"How long was I out, then?"

"A few minutes".

"Sookie, I must ask: what did you think of last, before you lost control?"

"I thought of Eric".

Russell merely nodded as if his suspicion had been confirmed.

"I'm... My throat is dry. I need some blood," I said, feeling unsure of my conclusion.

"Yes, yes. Northman, take her to the donors lounge and have her drink. She needs her energy," Russell said hurriedly. As an afterthought, he added "Maybe you should postpone the sword training for tomorrow, yes? Good then."

With that he turned on his heels and was out of the room before any of us could say anything else. I tried scanning for his brain, but met the same wall I had earlier.

Saying goodnight to Pam and Jason, Eric took me downstairs to pick another human. I had hoped the girl from the night before would be here, but I guess she still needed to replenish what I had taken. Letting my shields down once more, I scanned the room. Just being there nearly sent me into a frenzy, so I tried not to breathe and to calm myself so I wouldn't hurt anyone.

I picked a male this time, much to Eric's displeasure. He let out a low growl from behind me and, despite my state, I nearly chuckled. Sure, Ramon was hot; his skin was tanned and his dark hair made him look mysterious. Not to mention his chiseled body. His green eyes sparkled as I summoned him, but it wasn't because of me, but because of Eric. From his thoughts I could gather that my Viking had made an impression on him when we were here last, few years prior.

Eric guided me to the room we'd used the night before and Ramon followed closely. As the door closed behind us, his eyes were glued to Eric and I let out a giggle as I saw the romantic scene playing through his mind. And to think my dear husband was jealous.

"My wife here has just been brought over and she is still learning how to feed. She will try to be gentle, but as I said, she's still learning. I will not let any harm come to you. Do you agree or shall we seek another?" Eric's voice was stern. He still wasn't getting it. He was so caught up in playing Alpha male that he was completely disregarding the fact that Ramon hadn't taken his eyes off him.

"Oh God, honey. Let the boy alone. He's only got eyes for one vampire in this room and it's not me," I chuckled. Eric's eyes shifted to me and I could see it dawn on him. He smirked and relaxed his stance. Ego, much?

"Hey, Romeo, can I get your attention?" I told the boy in front of me.

"It's Ramon," he replied, causing my laughter to bubble over again.

"Are you ok with what my husband said? I will try not to hurt you," I promised, despite the fact that I felt on edge. My throat was aching.

"Yes, of course. I trust you," he said, finally looking at me.

Eric came by my side, pressing a kiss to my temple.

"Remember, Lover. Just like yesterday. Keep track of his pulse."

I embraced Ramon, finding it easy to reach his throat as I lifted myself on my toes. Slowly I licked a trail from the base of his neck to his ear, bathing his carotid with my tongue. I felt his breath hitch and I knew it was effective. The drumming of this pulse had me hypnotized and I couldn't resist anymore. I let my fangs out and the last thing I did with any patience was sink them into his skin. His blood flooded my mouth and i latched on, desperate not to waste anything. Oh God. I couldn't stop. I didn't want to stop. I heard the drumming sound falter as I took mouthful after mouthful of this nectar.

"Sookie, Stop!" Eric commanded with a stern tone. Immediately, I let go of Ramon and took a step back. As I looked at him, I saw him sway a bit on his feet. I'd taken too much and instantly, I felt horrible. Eric took over and pricked his finger on his fang, dubbing the blood over the boy's wounds.

Eric ushered him out the door and returned to me. He gathered my body against his. There was no lust like it had been the night before.

"I'm sorry I commanded you," he whispered against my hair.

"No. Don't be. I'd have killed him if you didn't stop me." I trembled in his arms thinking of that alternative ending to his story.

"You know, you're doing great. We need to make sure you feed more often from now on so you don't feel the need to gorge yourself. None of Pam's meals lived another day in her first few months. We didn't have donors back then, so we had to do with random people in dark alleys."

I felt a bit better knowing that no one had it easy when they were newborn vamps. However, my mind kept going to Ramon. I swore to myself to gather more control from now on. I would not kill innocent people.

As we made our way back to our room, we passed Russell's office.

"Can you go ahead? I want to have a word with him. I'll be right there," I asked Eric, my eyes pleading with him to accept this.

He stared at me for a moment before nodding and resuming his walk.

I knocked slightly on the door and the king asked me to come in.

"How may I help you, Sookie?" he asked, rising to his feet as I took my seat. He sat down again and leaned back in his chair.

"I'm sorry for yesterday. I'm trying to rein this anger in, but I'm not always succeeding."

"It's understandable dear. You are only days old. I was killing for fun when I was your age," he admitted and I must have looked shocked. "Yes. I'm appalled myself. But those were different times. There was a war when I was brought over and my Maker had little love for humans. We preyed on the men we found on the battlefield. Alas, that time is long gone."

"I want to hear more about your life, Russell, if you'd share it with me. I've always found history exciting and hearing some of your stories would be nice."

"Of course, my dear. Anytime," he agreed with a smile. "You never cease to surprise me, Sookie. For a very long time, after your last visit here, I did not know how I felt about you. You managed to save my friend, but you also deceived me by saving Compton. We didn't know until spring what had happened to Lorena, you know? Until we uncovered the pool."

I snickered. I couldn't help it. "I'm sorry. But I saw no other way at the time."

Russell's eyes sparkled as he smiled at me. "I would not cross your path, dear Mrs. Northman. You are like a lioness when you protect those you care for."

I snorted. "Maybe. But don't tell me you're scared of me, Russell, as I won't believe it." Really... Me? Hah.

He leaned forward, his hands on the desk in front of him, as he studied me.

"Yes, Sookie. You," he said softly. "I know why you came here tonight. I know what you want to ask, but I cannot tell you yet why it is you cannot read my mind and why I know the things I do. Not yet. I am putting together the puzzle pieces and I can't tell you everything ahead of time. If I'm right, it's not going to be long before that moment is here, but alas, we are not there yet.

"However," he carried on, "I can tell you something. For a long time I suspected there was something more to you. After you bled all over my comforter I simply assumed you had some fae in your woodpile. Eric confirmed that to me when he called to ask for help in caring for you. He said that you are Brigant's granddaughter; a fairy princess".

"Yes, that is true."

"No. It's not," he said. "Sookie, you are not related to Niall".


*don't hate me. I'll update soon, I promise!

If you're still reading this, please let me know your thoughts. I have so many ideas for how this story should play out that I'm all hyped up. I just hope you like it.

Reviews are love!

xoxo

Gaby