I read the first chapter of dead reckoning. I laughed my ass off. I so cannot wait for the book. I got some excellent reviews and thought/concerns. We are very early into this. So I think I wil cut down the days between posts. So here I am and we are moving right along…

Sookie

Chapter Three

Changes

In the past months everything had changed so drastically it's hard to know where to begin. Eric is now king for starters. His power structure was full of vampires from the old regime. Just about everyone got promoted. Still the only people he could trust unequivocally were Pam and her child Tristan. Even then it wasn't enough. Lately I found myself doing all kinds of things I never would have imagined. This was by far the strangest. One of the very first things I had to do was interview human candidates for Eric's new vampire child. I didn't really know how I felt about that, probably three different ways. From what I understood it was a very hallowed thing to make a vampire, the choice was an intimate choice. Again I wasn't sure how I felt that he trusted me with it. Pressured was fitting.

The only thing that gave me comfort was that they were choosing this. In the back of my mind I kept insisting it was murder. Logically I didn't see how suicide maybe but not really as they wouldn't really be dead. The great reveal had made everything so different. Eric wasn't ambushing anyone while they walked late at night. He wasn't stealing their future or forcefully removing them from everything they knew and loved. Thinking of it like a job interview helped me get over the mental hurdle. It was a position that lasted an eternity. It was a job nonetheless. Hell whoever he chose may still be invited to thanksgiving dinner with their human family. That depended on how they felt about fangs.

I just never had a clear picture of just how many people wanted to be immortal. The process was grueling. Initially it was advertised that anyone from the age of sixteen to thirty could apply. I pitched a fit. I have been into the minds of teenagers. There was no way they could make a decision that would last for all eternity. At the risk of sounding highhanded they didn't even know what they wanted tomorrow not to mention five years from now. More than half the ones that showed up the first day wanted to be forever young; encapsulated in their beautiful young bodies for all time. To be fair it wasn't just the young people that were guilty of this. There were people that were sick and afraid of dying. There were people who wanted to be undead so they could hurt people weaker than them. There wasn't a single were or shifter. Eric specifically asked not to even entertain the notion. I already knew as much Jake Purifoy was some what of an oddity. It further displayed the gap between the two species. Searching through all those people was how I came across Gideon Michaels.

"Good afternoon" I greeted him with a strained smile. My patience was all but gone as I sat down to sort through the last draft of people. He held his hand out and I shook it.

"Afternoon" His grip was firm but he minded the fact that I was a lady. He was tall; a shade or so shorter than Eric and had a similar physique. He was a happy mix of Asian and Caucasian. His hair was wavy and was pulled into a little ponytail. He had hazel eyes that sparkled when he smiled. He had on a pair of dress slacks and a collared shirt. People have been dressed in everything from Fangtasia drab to thousand dollar outfits. Honestly what could I say? This was the most abnormal interview in history.

"Would you like a drink" I offered to help him relax. People were easier to read when they were at ease. He shook his head.

"No thank you" I nodded and took a deep breath.

"So, the million dollar question" I dropped my shields and listened. He was a very loud mentally. It appeared to be more than that he seemed to be projecting. I immediately became interested.

"Why not?" He answered with a shrug. It wasn't along the lines of what I had been getting for the past five days. His response somehow corroborated his proper but casual appearance. One woman told me she wanted to make the world a better place and one life time wouldn't be enough. It was evident she didn't know a thing about vampires. It was also evident she was full of shit.

I waited for him to elaborate. He ran his hands through his hair removing his ponytail in the process. "I have been killing people for the past ten years." The images I was getting from him were more vivid than reading a mind it was as if I was seeing it first hand. He was pulling my mind into his. I fought the urge to slam my shields down. Eric would find value in this. This person wouldn't need years to accumulate fighting experience. He was more than capable protecting Eric. He caught the look on my face and quickly explained though I already knew the circumstances. "I was in the military, special ops" He felt proud and he sounded it too. I fought the urge to yank myself out of his thoughts. "There is no way I can go back to being a civilian. Can't exactly put on my résumé that I killed people" He had a point. This was one of the only places where such a thing would be valuable. "Technology is making guys like me obsolete. I'm not worth the trouble when a nerd from the air force can point a satellite and neutralize a threat with no casualties or remotely control a plane and clear an area from a million miles away" He shrugged. He was happy about this but he also heavily resented the fact. "I am a soldier through and through" He concluded. His eyes were clear and his face was hard. I took a sip of my water to gather my thoughts.

"There is no one that you'll be leaving behind?" He smiled and his face was easy again.

"No mam" He didn't explain but I saw the images of his life. He had always been in some institution or another as far back as he could remember. He had no roots anywhere. There was no reason or anyone to make him stay.

I wasn't trying to scare or deter him I was making sure he understood the one sidedness of the maker child relationship. "Do you have any knowledge of what this would mean? He will own you" He was pensive for a long moment. In his head he didn't see the difference between one vampire owning him and a bunch of fat balding idiots in Washington.

"You work for him right?" I nodded.

"Do you think he's a bad person, I mean as vampires go" I shook my head. Eric has struck me as fair. He has always been fair in his dealings with me. He was even fair when he took back Louisiana and Arkansas. There was no doubt in my mind that no other vampire would have let Felipe live and keep Nevada. Pam told me he was a good maker. She served him because she must but she also did so willingly. They seemed to have a good relationship. Compared to the fact that there were makers like Ocella and Lorena Eric was definitely top notch.

He shrugged. "Then I'll take him over some twat in a suit" He caught himself. "Pardon the language" I smiled. If there was anyone that would have been perfect it was him. He already had my stamp of approval but of course the decision was left to Eric. For the sake of being thorough I saw the remaining people. There was no one that came close. That was how Gideon Michaels became the next child of Eric Northman.

Three months following the take back of Louisiana and Arkansas (I refused to call it a takeover it was simply going back to the people who had it first) I didn't see Eric or Pam or any other vampire for that matter, not even Bubba. Eric was off in New Orleans constructing his hierarchy. He took a page out of Sophie-Anne's book and remained sheriff of area five. This would mean we wouldn't have to move to New Orleans. I wouldn't be too far from everything I knew. I would have been happy to go back to his original home in Shreveport. That wasn't really possible. It wouldn't fit his entourage and it got burned down the night he became king, thank you Victor. Fangtasia also got burned down, thank you Felipe.

Marrying a vampire is complicated. The fact that that vampire was a king made it even more so. When Eric had proposed to me (the human way) I envisioned a small wedding. Big weddings were for people with lots of family and friends. I had very few of each. Still my wedding was now transformed into a two day thing with a lot of people. I use that term very loosely. The first night we would be getting married. The next night we would be celebrating Eric's coronation or official announcement. Along with Eric's coronation was Pam's and my own. Like I mentioned before a lot of people got promoted. Pam would be getting announced as the New Queen of Arkansas. I would be getting announced as queen of Louisiana. That is all as nerve wracking as it sounds. I have had way too many brushes with death because supes didn't yet realize they shouldn't congregate in number greater than two.

Being made queen was happening against my vehement protests. Not only was I not interested the least in becoming a royal. I was missing the main criteria for a vampire queen. I was human. Eric insisted that I had proved myself. The fact that all the members of the old regime saw me stand and fight at his side the night of his take back was enough. We argued as much as our limited phone calls would allow. He informed me that he was going to do it anyway and because I was informed before hand it wasn't highhanded. I sort of lost the debate there. It felt like a million years ago Bill had told me that Eric was becoming more willful. I wondered if this was just him pushing the envelope. To vampires I was human; delicious and useful but I was still beneath them, period. The idea of me as a queen wouldn't make me popular with them not even a little bit. It was the makings of very bad things.

Eric had offered to give Pam the throne and live simply with me. With his child as queen we would be safe in her state. Refusing was one of the hardest things I had ever done. Why couldn't I be selfish? Looking back at all the things I had been though some may say I deserved to have some monotony. I was one of those some. In just that one instance why couldn't I put my desires first? That was just it. Eric was putting me first completely. How depraved would I have felt I wasn't doing the same for him? I knew he loved me but that was something I had never imagined he would give up. It wasn't just me trying to be fair. It was the right thing to do but I was so scared. I had a hard enough time keeping up with Eric the Sheriff. I had no idea how I would cope with him as king. I had no idea what it would mean for me; for us. After all this time I felt like I had finally found the perfect balance between the Eric I originally fell in love with and the real Eric. All this extra power and politics would completely destroy that. He said he needed me with him so I swallowed all my fears best as I could. During the extended absence those fears grew stronger.

o0o0o0o

I was having a cup of coffee to get my day started. It was Thursday and I had to work the lunch shift. Today was officially my last day at Merlotte's. I kept trying to get my mind around that. Very few people grew up aspiring to be a barmaid, I just fell into it. Back then gran had needed the extra help though she never asked. This job made ends meet. I hadn't planned on being a waitress for the rest of my life but life events just kept me there. If I had gotten the opportunity I was sure I would be doing something else. At least that's what I kept telling myself. I loved that place. It had been such a big part of my life; my identity even. Now I was leaving it behind. Everything about Merlotte's gave me a feeling of familiarity and comfort, a home away from home. Lord knows I spent enough time there for that to be true.

I knew I didn't have to work exactly. Sam was throwing me a good bye party. He had tried very hard not to think about it. He had invited pretty much the whole town not really contributing to secret keeping. Sam had actually closed down the bar until dinner. I wished he hadn't. The last thing I felt I needed was a party. I just wanted to work and have a normal last day. Seeing as how he was trying to make it surprise I couldn't hardly comment. He has grown to be one of my best friends. I knew he had wanted more but I was happy with what we had. I was even happier that he accepted it as well. With all the familiar places and faces I was leaving behind I would miss his the most.

When it was time to leave for my shift I took my time getting dressed. I did something more elaborate with my hair and applied a little make up. I still wore my uniform and hoped that I would at least get to wait tables. It was my party after all if that was what I wanted to do I should be allowed. I was looking in the mirror before I left the house. I was thinking about the next chapter of my life. I had no prior experience to draw from to help me prepare for what was ahead. I didn't know exactly what would be expected of me (if anything).Overall I looked the same like I did last night and last year and even the year before that except some lessons that were hard learned. It was silly of me to think something on the outside would change to reflect the change in my circumstance. There was none.

I jumped in my new car and took the same old route to my same old parking space. I pretended not to notice the extra cars in the parking lot though I couldn't be help but be touched by the turn out. In this town I was crazy Sookie Stackhouse. To the supe community I was a telepathic human. It made me feel good that some people showed up to say good bye. From here on out I would be buried in vampire shit. "God help me" I took a deep breath and walked through the employee entrance. I braced myself mentally.

The inside of Merlotte's was decorated with balloons and streamers. It was all coordinated in shades of pink and purple. Sam had out done himself. He was the first to jump me. He pulled me into a hug. The room erupted into applause and cheers. In all my years I never would have thought anyone cared this much. "I know you aren't surprised but thanks for the poor acting Cher" Sam whispered. I laughed. He pulled away and I was looking at a room full of people. I had no idea what to say. Pretty much everyone thought I was crazy for marrying a vampire. They still hoped I wouldn't get killed. If you didn't think it was a sentiment then you didn't know the people here. I was overwhelmed and fighting tears. My brother came to the rescue.

"This here is a party aien't it?" He already had a beer in his hand. I turned a blind eye to it. My gran would roll over in her grave to see her grand baby drinking at noon on a Sunday. At his words someone turned up the music and the party began. My attempts to serve anyone drinks were thwarted by a very pushy Sam. I gave up and tried to enjoy myself. In truth I was having an okay time. Tara and J.B were there along with their children. It was hard to believe that they were the same infants I had seen a few months prior. They were huge. Andy's wife was there she brought their son. Portia Bellflure was there. She was expecting her first child. If everyone in the party didn't know it was a miracle.

By the time I had made my rounds though the bar greeting people I found that Portia was not the only one that was expecting a child. It must be something in the water. Hoyt's nuptials were around the corner and he expecting with his fiancé. Mrs. Fortenberry needed a soap box on which to recite possible baby names from. Calvin the leader of the were panther pack in Hot Shot and my brother's ex father in-law of sorts was having a child with his new wife. To him it wasn't a big deal he had already fathered children. Hot Shot was all about breeding. Tanya his wife was ecstatic. Once upon a time she was sent here to ruin my life but I was happy for her. Mostly I was happy she made Calvin happy.

The last and closest to home was my brother. Jason pulled me aside and told me he and Michele were having a child. All these surprises told me I should give myself a pat on the back for having done such a great job for keeping out of people's mind. I also hadn't been around much lately.

"So what do you think" My brother was a lot of things but I knew he would be a good father. He liked children he always has. "We're getting married. I don't want nothing big. We're just going to the court house" He sounded a bit hesitant at the last part. He didn't want me to feel I was being left out. Hugging him was my only response. Michele was good for him. She would slap him upside his head if need be but she was strong enough to endure any trouble he might get into. There was nothing to think. He had finally found someone that complimented him. Gran would have been happy.

"I'm happy for you brother" My tears no longer remained unshed. My brother was moving on with his life. None of the ugliness with his first wife Crystal had scarred him. If anything it matured him and made him a better man. He returned my embrace. Like I mentioned I was shielding like crazy. The contact of his skin told me he wished I had that kind of potential with my husband to be. Well he wasn't the only one. The thought was painted with strong feelings of loss that it was shocking. I stiffened momentarily but got a hold of myself. I didn't know what to feel at his thoughts. I planned on being there for my brother's children. They would know me. The loose branches of our family tree wouldn't be flapping idly in the wind.

There was good food and decent people. All in all it a very fond farewell, at the end the party I realized how much I was leaving behind. I had been around these people my whole life. They were familiar. Granted I knew a lot more about them than I ought to and they didn't think much of me. But none of them wanted anything bad for me and vice versa. It was the best I could hope for considering how skittish I made them. Jason and Michele followed me to my house. I had packing to do they had offered to help. I wasn't bringing much. I figured it was a good time to have them take their pick of baby items in the attic. That night after my brother had gone I laid in my bed and my heart felt heavy. It wasn't a good or bad feeling or happy or sad. It was just a bit much. I just had to cry it out.

The next evening I walked around my old farm house just touching this and that. When I left tonight I wouldn't be coming back. The most personal of my things had been moved this morning to Eric's new compound in Shreveport. From what I heard he actually bought a small gated community. It provided us with some privacy. He still needed to keep a lot of his people close. I appreciated the thought. Living in an obnoxious mansion and sharing it with all his underlings was not something I thought I could handle. Dorothy wasn't lying when she said there was no place like home. Mine had been a sanctuary since the day my parents died. With all the things that have changed the feeling I got from being here didn't. My house and Merlotte's had been the only constants in the past two years. Those two things were what kept me centered. I was saying goodbye to them both. A new chapter of life was starting. I tried to tell myself that it wasn't good bye it was see you later. It didn't help much.

"I don't know why you're sad, I'm the one that has to live here" My uncle had popped into the house and pulled me out of my musing. He was quickly followed by Claude. I smiled.

Dermot had money to buy a house but he and Claude were happier living together. Although I was leaving this house I couldn't sell it and Jason didn't need it. Dermot said he would live here and pay for the up keep. It was selfish but I felt like if things got to be too hectic I could run here and hide away for a little while. I planned on seeing Hunter here

"Come on cousin. You are marrying a sexy piece of vampire. I don't see a downside" I rolled my eyes he was so crude. My Fae relations were taking me out for a bachelorette party of sorts. This was something your girlfriends normally did. Tara had her hands full with twins. She would meet me tomorrow morning before the wedding. I would have loved to have Pam come as well but like I said all the vampires in the states were busy. On a happier note Amelia would be meeting us there.

Like always the fairies were dressed to impress. How good they always looked was nothing short of amazing. Dermot was in a sky blue button down shirt and black slacks. Claude was in a white sweater and grey slacks. I had on a silver cocktail dress. It stopped well above the knee and it was strapless with a black sash under the bust. I completed the look with black pumps. I thought I looked nice. I had planned on doing something fancier with my hair but I got caught reminiscing.

Claude wanted to go to a strip club. Now you would think because he was a stripper and owned a strip club he would want to do something else. I strongly protested and he conceded with very little grace. Instead we would be going to Tantric. It was a very popular club. I hoped it would all be low key. I wasn't in the mood for anything over the top.

"Cheer up" Dermot said. He patted my hand while I drove. I tried to smile but it looked like a grimace. "Do you not want to wed him?" He asked.

I shook my head. "No, that's not it" He waited for me to explain so I did. All of these uncertainties and insecurities had been festering in me for a long time. It was like a dam breaking. There wasn't really anyone for me to talk to besides Eric. I just kept rambling until I had thoroughly embarrassed myself.

"Only you would be bent out of shape about marrying a king" Claude said. His tone was full of its usual condescension. Dermot chuckled. My cousin Claude was good for two things. Looking good and screwing it up the second he opened his mouth. If he was trying to make me feel better he should have kept quiet.

"There are many difficult quandaries in this world. This does not have to be one of them. You love him" He waited for to answer. I nodded. "He is who you want" I answered with another nod. He shrugged. "While much else maybe uncertain as long as those feelings aren't all will be well" He squeezed my hand.

"Look at you Dermot" Claude jeered from the back seat. He strangely accented Dermot's name. "When did you get all wise and shit" We all laughed. It was true. Dermot appeared to be so much like Jason in looks and demeanor. I have never pegged him for sagacious (previous word of the day).Knowing his personality it was very hard to believe that he said just what I needed to hear. Eric was my heart. By this time tomorrow I would be married. There was no going back now. With that realization I felt my shoulders ease.