A/N: I get so giddy with your reviews, especially when you all yell at me for what you think is coming. Truly, it tickles me to no end. Since when do I do what's expected, hmm? Seriously, I love them, you guys give me ideas all the time and don't even realize it. Thank you for being so supportive of this story, it means the world to me! Alright, who's ready for a little action? ;)

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters or stories from The Southern Vampire series. I can only hope that Ms. Harris does not mind me taking them out to play with.

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Well, now you've gone and put yourself in quite the pickle, haven't you?

I'd been traipsing through the desert for what felt like at least an hour, having lost Sam's tracks probably thirty minutes ago, when they seemed to just abruptly stop by a cactus plant. I'd searched around in circles trying to find where they picked back up, intending to stay close enough that I could follow the trail back to the oasis. Apparently I didn't do such a hot job of that, because as I now swept my eyes around, I could see no footprints, nor the cactus.

Way to go, Stackhouse.

With a heavy sigh I flopped down onto the sand, quite content to sit and pout. I wasn't all that concerned about being lost, it would be easy enough for Eric to find me, but my pride was currently preventing me from just calling to him through the bond. I felt utterly stupid. How many times could I get indignant with my friends for coddling me like a baby, when I clearly seemed to need it. How many times could I get mad at Eric for insisting I needed protectors, when I was obviously so incapable of making intelligent decisions. He'd told me to stay away from Sam for now, and what had I done? I'd gone wandering off into a freaking endless desert to find him, after having apparently baited him with some sort of... mating call I wasn't even aware of!

Gee, Sookie, maybe everything isn't just weirdness you should ignore.

How is it I failed to even consider the 'why' of my behavior before just charging off? Because I never think, I just act. Ugh, I really do have the impulse control of a child. No matter how much I seem to think I'm growing up and getting smarter, I always seem to wind up right back where I started; Sookie Stackhouse – Danger Magnet, Extraordinaire.

More like idiot, extraordinaire.

Okay, mentally berating myself is not going to help. I need to stop pouting and think, try to put the pieces together like Eric does. Except, Eric has hundreds of years of experience and knowledge that he can use to draw conclusions that would never even occur to me...

That doesn't sound familiar or anything, isn't that exactly what he's been trying to tell you when he asks you to trust his judgment?

Now I'm sitting here just talking to myself. Yeah, this is terribly productive. Some divine child I make! Wait, did I just admit to believing that nonsense? Is it nonsense? I'm in a mystical desert; surrounded by vampires, shapeshifters, witches, nymphs, prophetesses, and daemons; a place time apparently stands still, and I've had giant energy balls of light explode from my hands. I've learned the origins of vampires and legends of gods. Eric and I seem to have some shared destiny, and together can wield a power I can't begin to understand. All these things are the stuff of myth and fantasy, yet here it all is right in front of me, as real as I am.

"Sookie..."

The way he growled my name was deep and laced with desire like I'd never heard from him. It ran through me like gasoline being poured on a spark, igniting within my lower abdomen, causing an involuntary moan to escape my lips. I rose slowly to my feet, turning to him, his green eyes blazing with want as he stood mere inches from me.

"Sam..." I breathed, barely recognizing my own voice. It was tinged with that sound... that purr.

My mind was getting hazy, rational thought leaving me. The sight of him, bare chested, under the glow of the moon was almost too much for me to bear. Why did I want him? Oh god, did I want him. His lips were so close to mine I could feel his breath, rocketing waves of shivers and lust through me. This wasn't right. My hands were reaching for him in spite of myself. His eyes weren't just filled with lust. He looked almost... possessed, somehow.

We were tangled around each other before I knew it, kissing with a ferocity that would leave our lips swollen and bruised. God he feels so good... so warm. My fingernails tore into his back, gouging his flesh as he pushed us down to the sand, crushing me beneath him. My body was screaming at me to bring him inside.

Must. Have. Her. MINE!

Sam's thoughts hit me like a ton of bricks, my eyes flying open. Oh my god, what was I doing?! I strained to focus my mind, to somehow ignore the lust and need that seemed to possess me. This is not me... I am not feeling this... something is doing this to us... or someone.

"Avel..." I growled.

Those two green glows I'd seen on the way here... the bastard was watching me. He hates Eric... wants me away from him... maybe even wants him dead. He's doing this, I know it! Sam was still clawing at me, laying his lips and hands all over my body, and I knew I was only moments away from giving in. I had to stop this...

"Sam!" I screamed, slapping at his face to try to wake him from whatever power had us in its sway.

He wasn't phased, working to free himself from his jeans... and god did my body want him. My libido was practically begging me to give in. He smelled so amazing, the heat of him on top of me driving me mad with want, along with the stream of nonstop thoughts of fucking me coming from his mind. Surely Eric could feel this... why isn't he here? My legs were twining around Sam's waist, trying to pull him in...

MineminemineminemineMINE!!!!

I gritted my teeth, managing to force my feet back under him, and kicked with all my might, screaming, "Not yours!!! I belong to Eric!!!"

Sam went flying backward off of me, landing on his back with a thud. I scrambled quickly to my feet, fighting my urge to just jump right back on top of him. I felt like my body was practically being ripped in half as my mind struggled for control over the forces trying to lurch me back to Sam. He was already back up, ready to pounce on me again. I was suddenly overcome with another wave of influence, a new force, and I found myself crying out...

"Show yourself you daemon bastard!"

Several agonizing seconds passed. I watched Sam shaking himself, like he was trying to clear the fog from his brain. Apparently my shriek had given him pause, at least for the moment. I scanned all around, looking for those tell-tale eyes.

Another wave of strength ran through me, and this time I realized what it was. Eric was close. He'd been following me this whole time. Oh god, Eric... I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. My thoughts were met with another, more forceful rush of strength. He needed something from me, I could feel it. He was keyed up, ready to attack... but it wasn't Sam he wanted to fight. Then, I understood.

Feeling a bit more in control, I took a deep breath, calling out into the night. "I mean it! I am done letting you decide my fate! Show yourself, you coward!"

I heard his icy tone moments before he finally appeared. "You can never just make things easy on yourself, can you?"

I narrowed my eyes at the daemon, who still looked like Victor, except for those eyes. "Easy on you, you mean," I spat. I noticed, from the corner of my eye, that Sam seemed to have fallen unconscious the moment the daemon appeared. I kept talking, hoping to keep him distracted. "What's this little game about, Avel? Why in the hell are you trying to get me to sleep with Sam of all people?!"

Avel began that odd pacing I recalled from our first meeting, where he strolled about, idly examining our surroundings like each pebble had some special significance. "I thought you'd be pleased with my choice. Wouldn't you rather conceive with a friend than a stranger?"

"Con... conceive?! Are you insane?!"

He waved a hand dismissively, "It is the only way now. You clearly cannot control yourself. The line must continue, and it will, with or without your consent. You might as well make it a somewhat pleasant experience."

"So that's what this is about? You think I'm useless for whatever ... divine plan your high and mighty gods have, so you're going to use me as a baby factory?!" I hissed, spewing each word like venom. I knew Eric was extremely close, and I had to somehow keep control of myself, despite every nerve in my body wanting to explode with rage. I was done being their pawn.

Avel chuckled, "A factory? No. Just once, my dear. After the child is born, you will be relieved of further responsibility. You can go back to your little town, and your bloodsucker, and get yourself killed, as you seem so intent on doing."

It was at that moment that Avel found himself being grabbed from behind, and a strange, curved blade being held to his throat.

"The only one who will be getting killed is you, daemon. Now; release the shifter," Eric snarled into his ear.

For someone who was seconds away from having their throat slit, I sure didn't like the smirk on Avel's face. Something wasn't right here. I opened my mouth to scream, but before I could, Eric's howl pierced through the silence. I watched in wide-eyed horror as he was suddenly yanked backward, a silver chain having been flung around his neck.

"Eric!" I screamed.

Avel had me in his grasp before I could take a step. Eric was on his knees, a second silver chain being thrown around his mid section, pinning his arms against him. At the other end, holding his bindings... was Elana, laughing maniacally.

"Not so tough now, are you, Viking?" she grinned at him.

I fought and kicked and screamed with all my might, trying desperately to break free of Avel's grasp. I couldn't believe this was happening, and I screamed for Sam, who remained lifeless on the ground. Eric looked up at me, his eyes full of pain and regret. No, Eric... No! Then I saw Elana's hand arcing upward... a stake in her grasp...

"Noooooooooooo!" I heard myself shrieking, feeling my entire body crumpling.

As her swing reached the top of its apex, preparing to drive downward, a hand suddenly shot out, grabbing her wrist. In one swift motion, her arm was being thrust back toward her, driving the stake into her chest. In a vampire second she disintegrated right before my eyes, me staring in disbelief.

"Did you really think I was that easily manipulated?" a cool voice mocked the pile of ash that was Elana.

Bill! Oh, thank you, thank you, God!

Bill ripped off his shirt to cover his hands, unwinding the silver from Eric in a flash of vampire speed. I'd already resumed my struggle against Avel, trying to wrench myself from his grasp. He was standing stock still, his grip around me steadfast. I thought maybe he was in shock that his plan had been foiled, and I knew Eric and Bill would both be on him in a matter of moments. This nightmare was about to end.

Oh, but that would be far too easy. As Eric rose back to his full height, retrieving his blade from the sand, the bond was suddenly jolted by a wave of... fatigue. Bill and Eric both collapsed to their knees, beginning to frantically dig into the sand. I screamed at them, trying to snap them out of whatever fresh hell Avel was unleashing on us now... until I realized what was happening...

The sky was getting lighter... the sun... was rising.

TBC