Bring on the demons.

Once again, I don't own these characters, I'm just taking them out to play.

Part 13

We were lying in bed still, kind of silently touching each other, not thinking, at least on my part about much else but the small universe that was my bedroom. There was a chime from the other room, and Sookie looked at me, wide eyed.

"I think your phone is ringing."

"Oh God."

"Shall I go and get it?" It rang a second time. She nodded and I flashed out to pick it up from the table she'd left it on. I returned before the third ring and tried to hand it to her. She shied away from it.

"You answer it." She begged. I shrugged and did just that. I had to admit a curiosity, especially after the conversation we'd just had. If Alcide Herveaux had been on the other end of the line I don't honestly know what I would have said to him, least ways in front of Sookie.

"Hello?"

"Oh, Mr. Northman, did I call the wrong number, I thought this was Sookie's phone?" It was Diantha.

"Hello Diantha." I smiled over at Sookie, she seemed quite relieved that the speaker was someone she knew, not someone she was supposed to know. I was relieved too.

"Are you and Sookie coming to the club tonight?"

"Yes, I think we will." I did need to get back, I hadn't had much of a presence there for a few nights, and I felt as though I should. And I didn't want Pam to have something else to criticize me about.

"Good, my Uncle has given me a few things to deliver to you, and I thought Sookie and I could have a bite and a drink together again?"

"I'm sure she would enjoy that. We'll see you in an hour or so."

I clicked off the phone and relayed to Sookie that we were expected at the club. She seemed happy with that, and hungry, so the offer of dinner was appreciated. I was still not used to her need to eat regularly, having been away from the duty for so long myself. I apologized, again, and we got dressed, slowly.

Pam was waiting in pink Channel in my office, Diantha was with her when we arrived, though she seemed happy to leave, for some reason she didn't much care for demons, even semi ones. Diantha threw her arms around Sookie as if she hadn't seen her for weeks, even though it had only been a day. It could have been weeks with everything that had happened. After hugging Sookie she handed me a large manila envelope, then returned to completely ignoring me and fussing over Sookie.

"Sookie, if we're going to go out to the club you can't wear that." She referred to the perfectly lovely dress Sookie had put on. It was pink, brighter than Pam's, with little cap sleeves and a ruffle at the neckline. I thought she looked beautiful, especially with her hair still worn long, just curling around her shoulders. Apparently I was wrong. "Good thing I went shopping first." Diantha held up another bag, which I hadn't noticed and thrust it into Sookie's hands, pushing her out the office door and into the adjacent private bathroom. "Put that on!" She hollered behind herself as she came back to the office.

"Diantha?" I looked at her crosswise as another bag appeared and she began clearing off my coffee table to set out Styrofoam containers. I bit my tongue as she re-arranged my things. She continued speaking to me, expecting me to follow her train of thought, which was somewhat scattered.

"Well where better to start practicing her telepathy but here Mr. Northman? My Uncle figures someone around here must be involved, so she can start eavesdropping on the crowd here. If she doesn't want everyone staring at her like she's going to the mall shopping, she has to wear something more 'club-like'." I was pretty certain I didn't like the sound of that. "Whoever did this has got to be interested in how things are going. And since she doesn't go out anywhere else, they'd have to come here to see her. She needs to look like she fits in."

I hated that Diantha made sense right then, I hated it more when I saw what she'd brought Sookie to wear. Considering what Diantha was wearing I shouldn't have been surprised.

I think they call them hankie tops, probably because there isn't much more fabric to them than in a proper handkerchief. Held together by spaghetti straps I wasn't even completely certain how Sookie had gotten it tied up as she spun in front of me revealing her bare back and the swells of her beautiful breasts. She did look enticing and sexy, and I wanted her so much right then, but I knew that I wouldn't be the only one with feelings of lust to see her that way. I wondered if my wide eyes conveyed the approval she was looking for? The top was sparkling turquoise, which was a great color against her hair, but if Diantha hadn't wanted her to stick out I think she'd chosen the wrong outfit. Especially paired with the black leather skirt.

"Oh God you look so HOT Sookie!" The semi-demon seemed quite pleased at her work. "Doesn't she look hot Mr. Northman?"

She had such a hopeful smile on her face looking at me I couldn't say anything negative. Sookie that was, not Diantha.

"You're beautiful Sookie."

Little tears began to glisten in her eyes as I spoke it. I wanted to pull her into my arms, but I didn't dare, afraid I might not let her leave them.

"I'm just going to go out to check on the club and then I'll be back to read these papers." I was still clutching the envelope from Mr. Cataliades, my knuckles turning white as I did so. "Diantha? A word?" She stepped out into the hallway with me as I saw Sookie begin to open up the take out containers Diantha had kindly brought.

I was quite clear when I spoke to her through a set jaw, "Don't let anyone near her Diantha."

"Why Mr. Northman." She looked at me trying to be cute, which is not easy for a semi-demon dressed in a red hankie shirt and skintight leather pants. "The way you're carrying on, I'd almost think you were jealous." I grabbed her upper arm quite tightly, I knew it wasn't hurting her, it was just to make a point.

"I am." Then I walked away from her. I'd thank her for the envelope and Sookie's dinner later.

I took a quick tour around the club, checking behind the bar to see to the stocks, and with the DJ to see about the equipment. Menial tasks I could have left to Pam, but I needed to calm down, and occupying my mind with something as banal as how many bottles of rum we had was helpful. I wasted a good half hour and then returned to my office, which still smelled of chicken. I didn't mind. Sookie looked happy and satisfied.

Sitting at my desk I took the contents of the envelope out none too delicately. I spread the papers out, glanced up at the girls periodically who were chatting about Sookie's powers. Diantha seemed intent on getting Sookie to 'read my mind' as she put it. Then she would break down giggling no matter what Sookie said. I didn't understand women, or at least Diantha, apparently. I started reading through the papers slowly, intent on not missing any points. It would seem that my good legal friend had developed a taste for Forensic Analysis as the first sheet I settled my eyes on was a Mass Spectrometer report which outlined the contents of the powder. The chemical names meant very little to me, but when the operator broke them down to the same herbs as Papa B had described; valerian, poppy and skullcap, my respect for him grew, Papa B that was. The analysis didn't point out grave dirt; how could it, or Were blood, but did mention the sub-components of Hemoglobin specifically. Perhaps Werewolves had more iron in their blood, I suppose they had tasted a little different, but I hadn't been drinking for fun then. I put that report aside.

The next page was of more use. It was a map of Louisiana, with red markers of known covens. I was a little shocked to see so few to be honest. Only one in New Orleans, one in Baton Rouge and a third, identified as much smaller, in Lafayette. Since Hallow's coven had gone down under the force of the Weres and Vampires, no one had made further incursions. I suppose that didn't surprise me. They'd left behind fear and wariness in the wake of their attempted coup. Trying to force the peaceful Wiccans into their ranks had been a bad move, and had only made them more enemies; though with the vamps and weres gunning for you, what were a few wiccans? I don't really know very much about wiccans, I just always got the impression that they were a helpful bunch, not about dark spells and curses, more about nature. Perhaps one day I'd have the opportunity to ask one?

It was comforting to know that our little corner of the state was still clear. A few other papers in the stack revealed minimal intelligence, certainly no obvious troop movements, as it were, and no overt threats against any other vampires. The whole community seemed to be lying low, which to me said that the action taken against Sookie was personal, probably not the work of a large group, one maybe two people with an axe to grind against me. Sadly that revelation didn't narrow the field of suspects too much. Anyone might have been able to hire a witch to do the job. I needed more answers, and sadly, the only way it seemed I was going to get them was if someone walked into Fangtasia and broadcast their involvement, or if someone tried something else and I managed to catch them at it. Of course, if I could have just restored Sookie's memories, she might have been able to provide her own clues.

A handwritten note, also enclosed with the papers indicated that Mr. Cataliades was still working on finding someone to break the spell, and that I should not lose hope as he had a great many connections. Well I had some of my own and I fancied using them. A quick call to Papa B's shop and we had a meeting set for the next night, with Sookie in attendance. Papa B said he would have a good friend there who would be sure to be able to help Sookie in some way. My confidence in the man being so strong, I felt a little better; certainly better than waiting on a lawyer to sort out things. I looked over at Sookie. It was wonderful to see her smiling. I could hear the music beginning in the club and I gathered up the papers and put them away in my desk. Diantha and Sookie made their way out, after Diantha added some makeup to them both, which I didn't think either of them needed. I waited another five minutes and then took my favorite vantage point, up on the dais, on the ridiculous chair to survey my domain in full vampire glory. People came to Fangtasia to see the vampires, as a businessman I had to give them what they wanted. Pam had changed out of her Channel as well, choosing the gothic black for the night. Thankfully no one expected the damn opera cloaks, there were certain things that I just wouldn't permit in my club; opera cloaks and posers to think of two. I just hated the humans who wore those snap on fangs when they came out. It was insulting. But, I digress.

They were sitting at the bar, I could have overheard their conversation if I had tried, but I didn't, at least not while they were alone. Arthur was attending to them, and bringing them drinks, stopping to chat in a friendly kind of manner as his duties allowed. Though the lights were dimmed, as club goers generally wanted, I had no problem watching everyone move about, and watching as Sookie and Diantha got up on the dance floor together. I noticed that Arthur put both their drinks behind the bar as they did so. I appreciated that and considered giving him a raise. He glanced at me, and I nodded my thanks. I had no intention of anyone slipping anything in either of these girls' drinks. Not that that had ever been a problem at Fangtasia, perhaps it was my watchful presence that kept those particular predilections at bay.

Sookie certainly moved well, and I enjoyed watching her, as did a number of other patrons. I tried very hard to put them out of my mind and just concentrate on her and to relieve my new found memories of the first times we had shared intimacy. One might believe that my wallowing in them would make me soft and weak, just the opposite I thought, I felt even more strongly that I would protect her, no matter the cost. When they went back to the bar a couple of men followed them, but I held my ground, even though I was gritting my teeth a little. Okay, the fangs dropped too. I don't like feeling jealous. I saw Sookie touch one on the hand, which disturbed me until I saw what she was doing. She was reading him; the physical contact seemed to help her and she smiled politely at him, but turned back to Arthur to retrieve her drink, then looked up at me and smiled brilliantly. I returned the smile.

The club grew more crowded and the girls drew more and more attention, which kept me on edge. Normally I scanned the whole place with my disinterested yet smoldering look, but I kept my eyes on strangers and on Sookie with a far more menacing glare than normal; at least until Pam tapped me on the shoulder.

"Get up."

"Why?" I snarled at her.

"You're scaring people."

Damn, not good for business if the patrons think you are going to eat them.

"Fine." I stood up.

"Besides, you have a call."

She could have said that in the first place without insulting me, but I suppose she was just doing her job, looking out for me and for the club.

"Yes? Hello?" I held the receiver to my ear listening for the voice on the other end.

"Mr. Northman?"

"Yes."

"It's Gladiola."

It dawned on me then that in fact Diantha had been flying solo that night, and the evening before, since the two sisters were never far apart I grew curious.

"Yes Gladiola?"

"I'm out at Sookie's house. Uncle asked me to watch it while Diantha watched Sookie."

Ah, Mr. Cataliades, his nieces certainly made it possible to be in two places at once.

"Is there a problem?"

"Someone was poking around just now." I stopped hearing anything but her voice, and pushed every other concern out of my mind.

"Did you recognize who?" I was ready for the fight.

"Another Vampire. But I don't know him."

"Is he still there?"

"He's headed back across the woods, shall I follow him Mr. Northman?"

"Please. I shall be there directly."

I hated leaving Sookie, but if someone was lurking around her house I needed to know who it was; not that I didn't have my suspicions. She would be safe in the club, with Diantha and Pam to watch over her, and I knew if I told her before leaving that she would insist on accompanying me. I was not prepared to put her in harms way, or argue with her, though she was beautiful when she argued.

I told Pam I was leaving, with few other details, and outside the club, out of the glare of the spotlights in the parking lot I took to the sky. Motivated as I was I moved quickly, and arriving at Sookie's it was not difficult to track Gladiola. I met up with her in the Cemetery; she seemed to sense my arrival, and was waiting for me by one of the older headstones. I didn't bother to look at the name on it.

The antithesis of her sister in dress she was wearing a black bodysuit, perhaps more suited to a ninja warrior than anything else I could think of at the time. She certainly was on the hunt, and I was more than glad that she was on my side when I saw the gleam of the polished blade in the scabbard on her thigh, and the hilt of the one slung across her back. Her black hair was pulled back in a ponytail, not unlike the one Sookie used to wear. Her eyes had a sparkle of someone running on adrenalin, and liking it. She smiled at me in a grin just a little too wide for a human.

"Where is he?" I asked, very quietly, so only she could hear.

"There is a house close by, he retreated to there."

Suspicions confirmed, it had been Bill Compton.

"Did he see you?"

"Of course not."

"Has he been the only creature around the house this evening?"

"He has, I found no other scents."

"Gladiola, I am in your debt. I will go and talk to this person and discover why he has felt the need to spy on the house and presumably Sookie."

"Did you wish for me to come with you?"

"Perhaps you could stay close, just in case."

She nodded and fell in step behind me. I knew I would not need her to deal with Bill Compton, but if Bill was now in league with the Witches I preferred to have backup. I didn't know if you could cast a spell on a demon, but I somehow doubted it. Besides, she looked as if she wanted to kill something, and Bill was as good a target as any, and then I would be able to look Sookie in the eye and honestly say that I hadn't done it. Semantics, I know, but the truth, if Sookie even cared.

We proceeded to the house.