Chapter 22

Disclaimer: Well after a long days work I couldn't wait to get back home and finish this chapter for you guys. I have isolated myself from my friends and family and my mother things that I am on drugs because of the amount of hours I stay in my room bumping out these chapters but hey…small price to may for internet semi-fame haha here you go! ENJOY!!

"Why can't I just have a normal fucking day?" I sighed in exhaustion. I could feel a migraine starting to form and I began to massage my temple.

"I know this is all coming as a shock to you," Claudine remarked honestly.

I scoffed. "No." I shook my head in disagreement "a shock would be, being fired from my job…which now that I think about it, I may already be. A shock would be to find out that O.J. actually didn't do it…but…this…this is a holy shit package of events. That I don't think I can take. I appreciate the offer but I can't be a queen. Hell I haven't even gotten my divers license yet!"

"With all due respect Casey." Claudine remarked. "You don't really have much of a choice."

"So if I said I didn't want to be queen I would…what…be forced?"

Claudine and Claude said nothing. That was answer enough.

"What kind of Nazi-type bullshit government do you fairies run?" I asked in astonishment.

"Sam fired you?" Sookie asked out of the blue.

I nodded. "In so many words. After we left the police station he didn't seem too cheerful to be around me."

"Back up! " Sookie cried. "Why were you at the police station?"

I reached into my bra and pulled out the letter, disregarding the puzzled stares. "When Sam and I went to my hotel room there was a body…at least that is what I am assuming it was once upon a time. My lavatory is currently drenched in blood and on the wall there was a note." I finished said in a flatly. I tossed it to Claudine.

As she began to read it her eyes amplified in shock, "oh my." Was all she said.

"What? What is it?" Sookie asked.

"It's a note from Xander." Claude said after reading the letter with Claudine.

"The vampire that…?" Sookie looked at me. I nodded.

"Who is Mrs. Lee?" Claude asked.

"Your guess is as good as mine." I said replaying the sight in my head. "I have never heard of that name prior to reading that letter." I ferociously pointed. "I don't know who Mr. Northman is either."

"Eric Northman." Sookie said plainly.

Eric? Vamp Eric? He did say he knew Eric. I remembered the night at the club.

"We have to get you and Sookie to safety. It's only a matter of time before he discovers you're here." Claudine said alarmed.

"We're leaving tonight." I said.

"Casey I don't think that is such a good idea. I think you should call off going with us tonight." Sookie said shocked after hearing that I was still planning on going.

"If you're going, I'm going." I said.

Vampire or not, complete asshole or not, I gave Eric my word and these days all I had was my amazing hair and my word.

"Where exactly is it you are going?" Claudine asked trying to play catch up.

"Sookie and I promised Eric that we would help him discover who it is that is killing the Kings and Queens of the vampires and I already have a good idea of who it is." I said.

I knew it was Xander. Why else would he have called me and told me to stay out of it.

"So instead of coming with us…you're family where you can be safe…you are deliberately executing yourself?" Claude asked, looking at me as if I were the dumbest person in the world.

I walked over and stood by Sookie. "Sookie is my friend but most importantly, Sookie is family too. Not by much…but she's still our family And since you aren't going to go with her I will. If you have a problem with that, take it up with your queen….OH WAIT that's right I AM your queen sucka!" Man that felt kind of sweet to say. "And my first decree of action is to tell you to kiss my royal ass if you think you're stopping me." I said matter-of-factly.

Claude and Claudine looked displeased. Sookie, slightly amused.

"You don't understand." Claude bit out. "You haven't fully transformed. You haven't obtained any of your powers…if Xander catches you in this shape he will…destroy…you"

"What do you mean fully transformed? You mean I'm going to change even more?" I asked.

"Of course. At this point you may be stronger than the average human but not as strong as Xander. Remember aren't pure fairy."

"Yes but I'm not human either. I'm half fairy…and from what you've told me…a freakishly powerful fairy and half witch, that's got to mean something right?" I asked hopefully.

"We don't know. You are, to our knowledge, the only breed of your kind. You could be extremely powerful or your mixed blood could be your downfall" Claudine said.

"50/50…gotta like those odds." I chuckled. "How long does it take for fairies to get all their powers?" I asked.

Claude shrugged. "Some it takes years…others centuries."

The door opened and in a split second Claude and Claudine were in front of me.

"Amelia…Octavia" Sookie sighed.

What the hell is Octavia doing here? I knew Octavia from the bar. I was rarely ever on when she was. She usually worked the morning shifts but the few times I did see her she didn't say much to anyone.

She lives here Sookie told me.

What are you running a hotel or something?

"Did we interrupt something? Oh…hi Claude." Amelia drooled when her eyes met him. He said nothing.

"Amelia, Octavia Casey and I need your help." I looked at Sookie puzzled. She looked almost scared to ask something.

"What?" Amelia asked concern stretching across her face.

"I need you two to do a spell for me."

My eyes shot to Sookie. Amelia and Octavia were witches?

"That's it!" I hollered. "No more secrets!" I continued disbelief bubbling inside me. "Jesus Christ…is there any HUMANS in Bon Temps?"

Horror crossed Amelia's face. "Sookie, what the hell?"

"It's okay." A smile grew. "No one in this house is fully human." My eyes widened.

"Everyone I would just like you to know that about three weeks ago Sookie had to call off work because her hair got caught in the blow dryer."

Everyone stared at me puzzled. "Since we're exposing everyone's little secrets." I glared at Sookie.

"What kind of spell?" Octavia asked not the least bit shaken. Jesus Christ, you'd think this woman came home everyday to a room full of fairies.

We debriefed Amelia and Octavia on everything that was going on. "We need a protective spell. Something that can keep Sookie and I safe from Xander." I finished explaining.

Horror was still plastered on Amelia's face while Octavia looked at me as if she were trying to solve a crossword puzzle.

"Amelia.' She finally bit out. Amelia immediately turned to look at Octavia who was setting her purse down "Clear the dining room table. Sookie call that vampire of yours…we're going to need him."

"You're going to help?" Sookie asked shocked.

"I said get him on the phone we need his blood." She bit out. And went into the kitchen out of our sight.

Sookies jaw dropped. Something told me that this Octavia woman wasn't the type of woman do 'did favors'

"I didn't think she was going to say yes." Sookie finally said.

"Then why did you even bother asking her?" I asked.

"Well in case you haven't realized, we have absolutely no options and were still running out." Sookie said bluntly. I couldn't argue with her there. Sookie reached into her pocket and pulled out her cell phone She glanced at the cell phone for a while a torn look on her face…she then rapidly started pushing buttons. A few moments later I heard her speak. "Its me…when you…err…wake up, come to my place its an emergency"

Please don't be Eric please don't be Eric please GOD don't be Eric.

After hearing some rattling in the kitchen Octavia finally came out with a small bowl and a few jars of liquids and herbs and what appeared to be….

"Sookie…is that s squirrel's tail?" I asked horror laced into my expression.

Sookie just nodded.

"Just checking." I returned.

I looked over at Claude and Claudine who took their place beside me. "I don't like this." Claude said simply.

I looked over to Claudine to see her nodding in concurrence.

"I wouldn't be doing this if I didn't think I could do this." I said honestly.

"Let us hope you're right" Claude continued. "…because if you're not we're all dead."

Great just what I needed to hear.

They didn't say anything else and walked out the door leaving me to my thoughts. Was I sure I could pull this off? Hell no, but like I said before, die fighting. At lease it would make for one badass epitaph. 'Here lies Casey Cortez, friend, fairy and one bad ass bitch'.

I walked over to Octavia. "Is there anything I can help you with?" I asked. I needed something to do before I changed my mind and went crying into my newfound cousins crying 'take me with you!'

"Go over to that cabinet and take out five red candles and four blue." She ordered.

I complied.

I glanced outside to see that the sun was starting to set and it made me think of my next question. "Why do we need vampire blood?"

Octavia grunted "'We' don't. You, on the other hand, do. I am performing two spells one is a protective spell for Sookie the other is…well…is something far more difficult. You will need to do what I say when I say it…you can't make any mistakes" She finished simply while lighting the candles.

"Ok...I wouldn't be Casey if I didn't ask" I chuckled nervously. "….what happens if something goes wrong." I had a feeling I already knew the answer.

Octavia paused and continues pouring the contents of the jars into the bowl. "To be put bluntly….you die."

Greeeeat.

"Sookie." Octavia called.

Sookie hurried to Octavia's side. "Lay down." She grunted.

God has this woman ever heard of the word 'please'?

Sookie hopped on the dining room table and lied down. Without warning Octavia plucked a hair from Sokies head. "OW!" She protested.

"Quiet girl!" Octavia snapped. She threw the hair into the small bowl and began crushing the hair in with the rest of the herbs. Octavia was mouthing something but I couldn't make it out. I heard it loud and clear but it sure as hell wasn't English.

The contents from the bowl began to smoke. Octavia then fanned her hands over the smoke, into Sookies direction. Sookie began to violently cough once she inhales the smoke but Octavia kept on fanning the smoke onto Sookie from head to toe.

Then, something strange started happening. The smoke looked as if it were seeping into Sookies skin. Sookie had turned into some sort of supernatural ultra absorbent smoke sponge.

Try saying that ten times fast.

She went stiff. Her mouth slightly open and eyes glued shut. There then came a loud bang at the door. Octavia ignored it. I quickly ran to see who it was. When I looked out the peephole I let out a groan.

Are you shitting me?

I opened the door to see Eric standing there. He looked as if he were about to say something but I put a finger to my mouth to signal him to be quiet. Erics lips tightened. I left the door opened and walked away. When I turned around I saw that he was still standing at the threshold. I beckoned him to come in but be didn't budge. Instead he let out a sigh and rolled his eyes.

Oh yeah that's right. Sookie has to invite him in.

About a minute later Octavia stopped and Sookie sat up still coughing. When she saw Eric, she managed to squeeze a "Come on" before violently coughing again.

"One down…" Octavia muttered a little out of breath.

When Sookie finally managed to get her coughing under control she went over to Eric and began filling him in as much as she could on what was going on.

I walked over to Octavia and sat on the table but didn't lie down just yet. "Sookie told me that she didn't think that you were going to help." I said suddenly.

Octavia's eyes met me the quickly looked away. "if the circumstances were different I wouldn't have." She said simply rounding the table and blowing out the candle.

I guess you're not getting the candle light settings Casey

"Why?" I asked.

Octavia paused for a moment. I could see annoyance in her face but I didn't care. "I have my reasons." After the dining room table was cleared for a second time Octavia went to her purse and produced a black scarf. "Remove your shirt."

I froze. "Are you insane?"

She let out an aggravated sigh. "Look girl now is not the time for modestly. Take you shirt off!"

I didn't move. My face grew hot.

"She's embarrassed." Eric said in a 'how cute' tone.

"Shut the hell up!" I snapped. If looks could kill then I was sending an atomic bomb in Erics direction. He didn't say anything else but kept that damn smug smile on his face.

I hesitated for another moment…untied the back of my tank top and in one quick movement removed my top.

Sookie looked noticeably uncomfortable as did Amelia. My hands immediately went to my scar instead of my bra. I was more uncomfortable with people seeing that than anything.

"Amelia is going to blindfold you now." I heard Octavia say.

Thank god

"Whatever you do girl don't move and don't remove the blindfold or….I don't have to tell you what could happen if you do." She then focused her attention else where. You…come here." The last thing I saw was Eric walking towards me rolling up his sleeve and Octavia taking out a dagger that was about half a foot long. After that, I was greeted with darkness.

I could hear the blade cutting his skin and it made me squirm. "Keep still!" Octavia barked. I then heard something being poured. "I suggest you leave." I heard Octavia say

I heard a deep throaty laugh. "I'm fine right here."

Octavia let out small grunt. "Suit yourself. Don't say I didn't warn you. Amelia."

I felt Amelia leave my side only to some right back on the opposite side of me. I heard someone gasp but I wasn't sure who.

I heard metal clanging against glass and then nothing else. Small, cold hands touched my stomach. Octavia began to mumble something and I felt something cold and wet on my forehead, I stopped myself from shivering.

I suddenly felt cold all over as if someone had opened a window. Then a familiar feeling but this time more intense. My toes felt numb as well as my finger tips.

Stay still Casey stay still.

I was bracing myself for what was about to come next and I wasn't disappointed. A hot flash of pain struck my stomach and I let out a shriek. It then began to rapidly spread through my body. I began to let out labored breathes. I was then assaulted with another hot flash of pain this time worse than the first. Octavia kept her hands on my stomach.

Kill me. Please someone. Kill me now.

My eyes opened and I saw white again only this time the light wasn't calming it almost seemed forced and violent. Felt something cold touch my neck but the cold was immediately replaced with vicious heat. My hands gripped each side of the table. I could feel by heart pumping against my chest.

"Don't move!" Octavia hollered over my screams.

Fuck you, fuck you FUCK YOU!!

Then, suddenly, after what seemed like a lifetime. The pain was gone and I let out a relived sigh. Octavia kept chanting Amelia had joined in now.

I heard someone gasp. It sounded like Sookie. I began panting even though I wasn't in pain anymore I had a hard time controlling my breathing. If childbirth felt anything like this, then I was getting my tubes tied first thing tomorrow morning.

There was then uncomfortable pressure on my chest and I heard Sookie let out a blood chilling scream. Eric let out a ferocious growl and Amelia immediately left my side. There came a huge crash in the living room and heard Eric screaming in what I assumed was pain…or rages…maybe a little…a lot of both.

The pressure began lessen on my chest and my entire body began to vibrate.

Octavia was panting. "It's….finished."

"OH my God Casey, are you alright? Eric you're not welcomed in my house anymore! Say something sweety." I felt Sookies hands stroking my hair. She sounded like she was crying.

"Can I move?" I asked still afraid of…well…dying.

"Yes." Octavia simply answered. I rose to my feet and removed the blindfold. Things looked different. Colors were more vibrant. I touched my forehead and saw blood on my fingers. The same story went with my neck.

I looked over at Sookie and she was staring at me in horror. I didn't blame her I probably didn't look to hot what with being smeared in vampire blood and whatnot.

"How do you feel?" Amelia asked. She has a silver butter knife clutched in her right hand a bit of blood was dripping off of it.

I looked over at the Door to see Eric there was a long cut across his face. Both his hands were bracing the threshold. Anger and something else was laced in his stare. I glanced back at the butter knife and then one last time the Eric and put two and two together.

"Fine…how you guys doin'?" I asked warily not liking the current state of things.

'Fine'…well…I wouldn't call it an understatement. I didn't feel like myself. Not good but certainly not bad. My body was still humming and every step I took I could feel energy building inside me.

I looked over at the living room to see that the coffee table was in pieces. I felt something wet rolling down my stomach my eyes shot down to my chest where the dagger that I assumed was used to cut Eric was handled deep into my chest.

It didn't hurt though that was the shocking part of it all. As a matter of fact I couldn't feel it at all.

"Octavia." I said trying to keep my tone leveled.

"What?" She asked.

"Did you smear vampire blood all over me and then stab me in the chest with a six inch dagger?" I asked.

She said nothing.

I then looked at Sookie who was still staring at me in horror. My eyes gestured to Octavia's general direction and immediately looked back at Sookie and shook me head. "I don't like her anymore."

**Authors Notes** For some reason this chapter took me a little longer than my usual ones so I am comtemplating whether or not to work on the next one. Oh, and someone asked me if I talk like Casey in real life and…actually…Casey is me minus the whole fairy blood thing which I constantly curse my mother for. Obviously there are some things that are different about her…she is a little braver than I am but I actually did kick a mechanic in the leg once but that involed alcohol and he looked more like John Goodman….*cough* anywhoooo I hope you liked the chapter! Thank you guys so much for sticking with me through all this enjoying Caseys EMOTIONAL transformation as well as her physical one.