Eric's POV:

The darkness and cold of the sea was consuming me. Water was filling the lungs that I had no use for. I could barely move my fingers much less my legs.

Was this how it was supposed to end, by myself, alone, at the bottom of a sea? Whatever had occurred had drained all my energy and most importantly, severed my tie to Sookie. I didn't know what was worse; not having the bond with her anymore or meeting my end in the darkness of the water. What many people didn't know was that another way vampires could die was by prolonged exposure to bitter cold.

As I try to come to terms with my fate, a pair of arms band around me and bring me up. We reach the surface and I cough out the water from my lungs.

"What happened?" he asks.

"The bond has diminished," I reply weakly.

"A part of the witch's spell I assume," he says. "Can you fly?"

I attempt to gather up some strength but there is none. I shake my head in shame.

"I shall carry you then," he says.

"I would rather sink to the bottom of this sea than have you carry me," I tell him severely. I was not going to give him the satisfaction of humiliating me in such a way.

"Is that all you care about at this moment? Your pride? Whatever has affected you has probably affected Sookie even more. She may be dying and all you care about is your damn pride!" he growls.

He was right. I was being selfish and putting Sookie's life in even more danger. Even though I couldn't feel her I knew that she must be in worse shape than I. "Fine."

He hooks my arms around his neck and we fly the short distance to Rosamund's private island. As we approach we could see torches and the movement of people on the island. Most were gathered around near the top of the island. One small area was covered by a dark mist that we could not see through.

We land near the shore and I lie on the beach still barely unable to move, but it was slowly coming back.

"I think you need vampire blood. I will give you mine in order for you to gain your strength back," he says.

"No," I say in a harsh tone. "I will never take anything from you. I will not let you have that power over me."

He looks down at me. "I knew that was going to be your answer, but I had to offer. Your child's blood should be strong enough to heal you."

"I think you will be safe here for the moment. The others will be here shortly," he says. "I will assess the area." He flies away.

I use my vampire instincts to sense any immediate danger. There was none but dark, sinister magic was heavy in the air. The evil was all around and protecting this island.

A few minutes later he lands down beside me. "From what I could see there are about fifty vampires; many of them do not appear to be more than two hundred years old. There are also about twenty weres. I could not see Sookie nor your wife or the witch, but I suspect that they may be behind the dark mist. I have no doubt that magic is behind it as I was not able to get close."

"There must be some type of object that is creating a barrier," I say. "We have to find it and destroy it."

He thinks for a moment. "If Sookie is in there you may be able to get passed the barrier since you are still technically bonded to her. The witch has not yet completely broken the bond."

Just then Pam and the others swim up to the shore. She sees me and immediately comes to my side.

"Master what did he do to you?" she says angrily.

"It's the side-effects of the spell," I tell her. "Quick, I need your blood."

She bites her wrist and holds it to my mouth. I take in her blood and already I could feel my strength returning.

I rise to my feet. "Stay here and wait for my signal," I tell my weres.

In vampire speed, we run up the hill, through the trees. Along the way I snap the necks of two weres who were patrolling nearby. We reach the magical barrier and stop.

"Whatever is creating the barrier is probably in the form of an amulet. Witches are fond of those," hesays.

I glance at him and then at Pam. "Kill as many as you can once the barrier is gone, but leave Rosamund to me," I tell Pam and my vampire guards.

I stand at the foot of the dark mist, hoping, praying to the gods that I am able to pass through. I take a step in and much to my relief I am able to get through. I walk through the haze cautiously, my vampire senses on full alert.

I continue to walk until I hear voices, particularly the sound of a woman chanting in an old Japanese dialect.

I circle around quietly until the haze begins to fade away. I hide behind a large boulder and watch the scene unfold. I see Sookie. She was lying on the ground completely still, her eyes fluttering, struggling to remain open. I could sense that she was close to death. There was an ancient Asian vampiress who was performing the spell. Her chants were getting faster and an eerie light was beginning to form around them.

Quickly, I look around the area. There were only five others: one were, two vampires, a human whom I recognized as Ari Durant, and Rosamund. She had a small satisfied smile on her face as she watched. I clench my fists, refraining myself from attacking her right now. I needed to destroy the amulet. I spot a large ruby and gold necklace on a gold platter near the two vampires who were standing behind Rosamund.

I size up the vampires. They looked strong but were no match for me. I pull out my sword and get ready.

In one swift move I am in front of them slicing their heads off before anyone can detect me. Using all my strength, I plunge my sword into the amulet and successfully shatter it.

"Eric!" Rosamund yells frantically.

The were lunges at me but I slice his head off as well.

"Finish the spell!" Rosamund yells before running away in vampire speed. Ari flees running in the same direction.

The witch's chants are more rapid, her pupils are blackened as she raises a dagger over Sookie. I could feel the magic working as I begin to get weaker. With the last ounce of my strength I go to them, grab the dagger from witch's hands and crack it in half.

"Nooooo! You will pay for that!" the witch screams out. She raises her hands and begins a different chant directed at me. I find myself unable to retaliate or move.

She suddenly stops and looks over my shoulder. I could see smoke coming out of her body. She says something quickly and then disappears.

I turn around and see Pam, my vampire guards, Marten and him. "Good work Eric," Marten says.

Suddenly there is the sound of rapid movement around us and a contingent of vampires begins to attack. Weres soon join in the fight against us.

I stand and fight by Sookie protecting her. He was close by defending her too. I swing my sword and kill at seven of them.

"Draw them away from here," he says to Marten.

Marten nods as he and the others begin moving the fighting away from Sookie.

I kneel down and hold Sookie close to me. She was very cold.

"Sookie can you hear me?" I whisper in her ear. I receive no response.

"Lover open your eyes," I say in a gentle tone. She was breathing slowly and still unresponsive.

"Get her away from here. The evil that was created is still heavy in the air and it is killing her," he says.

I pick her up and he stares at her one last time. I could see the pain in his eyes.

"Give her your blood and take hers as soon as possible," he says softly. "It will reverse the spell and reaffirm your bond with her."

I nod my head in respect and fly away with Sookie.

A/N: Another short chapter, but the next one will be longer, I promise. It will be the final chapter and I guess I will write an epilogue too. I'm still unsure about a sequel but we'll see what happens.