As the plane was taxiing onto the runway. I saw the sun setting over the wing. "Oh SHIT Eric." I realized that I left him in the dark and he will know I'm gone.

"Relax everything will be fine. Call him when we land and explain this was last minute." James just said this with a wave of his hand like it was nothing.

"No, worries I called Pam and explained the situation. Eric fucked up the other night, so he doesn't need to know every part of your life now." Amelia said staring into my eyes.

"Alright can we change the subject he lost his claim if anything happens we'll deal with it. He knows he needs to be on his best behavior. We have bigger fish to fry here. Quinn needs our help." Russel and James looked at Tristan like she grew a second head. "What? I liked his mother. You two know that."

Amelia looked like she was about to burst, "Alright out with it. How do you know Quinn?"

Tristan looked down at her feet, "Alright, just let me tell the whole story before you comment." She took Amelia and my silence as the go ahead. "I was 16 in my family thats when you have to prove yourself. My father contacted Victor Madden to have me fight. Madden told my father that he had the perfect person. So, I flew out to Vegas and was thrown into a fight right after I got off the plane. I lost horribly but Madden swore to my father that I wouldn't fight to the death. True to his word he had an older fighter take care of me, Quinn. he nursed me back to health so I could fight again. It didn't take too long I heal faster than weres just not as fast as vampires. Over the next few months I won fight after fight. I would never change though, I didn't think it was fair. People thought I was a were so they didn't change either even if they could. Quinn and I were growing very close during this time. We were the only two who were aloud to talk to our family, him because he was such a good fighter, and me because I didn't owe anything to anyone. His family was aloud to visit. Thats how I got to know his mother. She may have not been all there but she was had wisdom. I learned very young the ones you think are crazy, there only that way because they've seen so much. Madden thought there was something more than a friendship when we decided to bunk together. Honestly I was just lonely I needed a warm body. Nothing ever happened I was just so used to having Russel and James around, and Quinn was the only person I trusted. I told him I was a gargoyle, we didn't even tell Madden. When Madden saw us getting too close for his comfort, he use Quinn's mom to turn him against me. When he found out I was a gargoyle he forced me to change. I had no choice he had Quinn and his mother tied up with silver. I attacked Madden. Madden had told the king he had a surprise. Madden was too young to know about the gargoyles agreement with other supes. The king pleaded with me to release him, saying he would deal with his punishment accordingly, and quickly released Quinn and his mother. I agreed and went to Quinn. I asked Quinn why he never came to me? I could have protected him and his mother. He balked at that saying only a weak man would have to run to a woman for help. I walked out and I haven't been even slightly polite when I saw him. Until the day at your house. It seems he has learned his lesson." Tristan was crying. I could tell she was still really hurt by Quinn.

"Wow, I would have thought you two were lovers scorned or something. I'm sorry for making that assumption. Guess I'm an ass now huh?" We all giggled at that. Amelia has some great one liners.

The rest of the flight was pretty uneventful. We arrived in Las Vegas around 10pm. The second we touched the ground I called Eric.

He answered on the first ring, "Hello lover I do hope you have arrived safely. Although I am disappointed that you didn't deem me worthy to know of your departure."

"Eric I'm sorry I was so busy making arrangements that I forgot to call. I don't know how long I'll be but I need to go. I'll call when I can."

"No need dearest will be there shortly to assist you in your return."

I was seething at his words, "Eric, I have to help Quinn."

"The woman is dead and that is that. I will be there in a few hours to bring you back to Louisiana." The only thing I though was off was that there was no anger in his voice or coming through the bond. The bond was weak at this distance but there was a twinge of fear.

"Fine we will talk about this when you get here." I grabbed Tristan and drug her into a bathroom.

"I will see you when I get there. Do please tell Quinn that I'm sorry for his loss." With that he hung up the phone. Okay something isn't right Eric would never use Quinn's, let alone send condolences.

"Tristan, something is wrong here we need to get to a safe place to talk." I was scared.

"Calm down Sookie. I'm sure Eric's is just worried about you." She gave me a look that said we would talk later. "Now lets go see that kitty and get settled. I have someone meeting us downstairs I'd love you to meet."

With that we walked down to baggage claim to meet Quinn. Quinn was sitting on a bench near the door with his head in his hands. There was a tall blond man next to him rubbing his back. I ran up to him and hugged him tight. He looked up from our hug to see Tristan.

"Quinn, I'm so sorry." I stepped to the side to let them talk.

Quinn stuck out his hand to shake hers. I swear she looked at it like it was the most disgusting thing on earth. She grabbed his hand and said, "I hate to be harsh but don't ever try to just shake my hand again." with that she pulled him into a huge hug. "You are my brother. We may have had our differences, but I will always be there for you."

"Tris I'm so sorry..."

"Shut up. That doesn't matter. We need to get to a safe place to talk." she nodded to the blond man who was rubbing Quinn's back earlier. "Is the car ready?"

"Yes and everything is at the safe house." She just nodded and motioned for him to lead the way.

All of us piled into one of those shuttle vans. James and Russel loaded the luggage in the back. The blond man took the drivers seat. I could see the lights off in the distance as we drove away from Vegas.

"Where are we going?" Amelia asked

"To a place where we can talk safely." Tristan responded.

The rest of the drive was quiet and short. We pulled up to what looked like a repair shop. We drove the van into one of the garages. We all got out and walked into the office.

Tristan spoke first, "Has it been swept?"

"Yes and can you turn off the work crap for a second, and give me a hug? It's been months I miss you." The blond man said a little irritated.

"Sorry, something is off here and I'm just trying to keep everyone safe. Come here Jared." She had her arms out for him. He pulled her close and kissed her crown.

"It would seen you and Tristan have similar tastes. Tall blond and blue eyed." I smacked Amelia's arm.

Tristan turned to Amelia and I, "Amelia, Sookie I'd like you to meet Jared. The best ex a woman can ask for."

"Nice to meet you ladies." He turned and glared at Tristan, "Although I hate it when she introduces me as her ex."

"Alright intros over, Sookie what were you trying to tell me in the airport." She just blew him off.

"When I called Eric he said he was on his way to get me. The weirdest part was that he sent his condolences to Quinn. He even said Quinn not the tiger. I could feel through the bond that he was afraid. I've never known Eric to be afraid." Tristan looked way to calm while I said that.

"Okay, that makes me think that someone is threatening him. There are very few people bold enough to go against Eric, although he is not a king he is old one of the oldest I know of. He has always been pragmatic so he has more allies than enemies, more allies than most kings. With Quinn being involved I truly can only think of one man, Victor Madden. I hope I'm correct in thinking that if they are threatening Eric the king must not be involved." Tristan looked as though she was deep in thought.

"So, what do we do?" Amelia trying to hurry things along.

"We need more info, but Eric coming complicates things. We cannot let the Nevada vampires know he lost his claim..."

"What? When did this happen, and how?" With everything that is going on right now, how Quinn can think that is important is beyond me.

"Blood offense. We have more important things to think about now." Tristan said coolly. You could have cut the tension in the room with a knife.

Quinn walked over to me his eyes were starting to change. "What happened did he hurt you?."

"Quinn we have to figure out what's happening here. I will tell you when this is over." I gave him a stern look.

"So, how do you propose we get the info?" Russel piped in.

"Honestly the best way I think is to mingle. Put on some nice clothes go to the vampire hot spots and start pumping for anyone we find for info." I couldn't help but think she's lost it. "I'm not saying we come right out and ask, but we need to put the feelers out there. First things first though. Sookie can you tell how close Eric is getting." Gargoyle or not I still think she is crazy.

"I can't tell how close he is."

"Sweetie, don't you understand that the bond is a two way street. Kind of like the emotions you get across the bond. He can track you, you can track him. You can exchange attributes. Because of your telepathy you should be able to communicate telepathically if you try." Wow now this girl is a plethora of info.

"How do you know all this?" I said looking at Tristan.

"My family has been protecting vampires for centuries. When protecting a vampire you also protect their bonded. In doing this we learned a lot of secrets. Every gargoyle whether they want to go into protection or not is taught on the majority of the information we need to know. Most have the most extensive libraries on all supernatural beings. I loved to read the tales about vampires and there bonded. Some are like fairy tales to us. Now concentrate." Wow I'm keeping Tristan around to pump her for information.

I close my eyes and look for Eric. He's moving fast. Its almost as though I can see through his eyes. I see the lights of Vegas off in the distance. Wow he's close. I open my eyes and look at Tristan, "Wow he's about 20 minutes away."

"Okay, someone open the bay door. We don't want this place destroyed." The boys jumped to action while Jared, Quinn, and Tristan went into another room to talk.

"That was interesting. Maybe we should read those books your great-grandfather left for you." Amelia was still a little shocked.

Everyone gathered in the office. We all sat in an uncomfortable silence when Eric walked into the shop. Tristan stood first, "Good evening Eric so good of you too join the party."

"Good evening, I would like to speak with my bonded alone."

"By all means there is a room in the back that is sound proof. The shop has been swept you may speak freely. " Tristan pointed to the room she had just walked out of.

"I don't think she should be alone with him." Quinn said standing up.

"You have no say in the matter TIGER. She is my bonded and there are matters that we need to discuss without you, or anyone else." Eric said taking my hand an walking towards the other room.

"Tristan, how can you allow this? Aren't you supposed to protect her?"

"Shut up. She is a big girl she can handle herself. Drop it now." I couldn't help but smile at Tristan for that.

Eric closed the door before anything else could be said.

A/N: I told you Eric would be back.