Dedication for this chapter goes out to Rikku Ree…for being totally random but funny. For a reason I cannot explain your review makes me think of Michael Scott from the office. I know that in itself was random I thought you could appreciate it!

I put a poll at the end of the last chapter asking you guys which way you wanted things go and it amused the heck outta me that a lot of were as torn as I was. Only about a hand full of people actually voted one way. Many of you wished me luck and someone said they have been pleased with my direction so far. I'm going to stop second guessing myself. Ummm…with that in mind here we go. I hope you guys like it.

Eric

Chapter Twenty-Five

Setting The Board

"Who was that?" Pam was up stairs in my bedroom as I entered the house but with our senses the distance was negligible.

"Stan has come"

I found a blood in the fridge. As my drink warmed I was leaving a list of errands for my day man. The most important of which was to research consequences of the relocation process for the other half of the complex. This property was less than a year old. It was relatively small compared to others. There were only fifty seven homes total but I valued the location above all else. Guard posts were strategically built into the stone wall that fenced in the grounds. Each post was facing a cardinal direction with avid eyes around you couldn't miss anything. We were isolated; to come this far out into Shreveport you would have to either be lost of looking for us.

The problem I was having at the moment was how to handle the forty two other homes on the property I rented out for revenue. These homes were separated by a manmade lake and heavy foliage. Not to mention there were more than three acres separating those homes and the ones I used for entertaining, business and housing my close entourage as well as Sookie and I. I knew I was going to need more space but I couldn't evict all those people it was bad for business. If it came to it, if we went to war I would need the money. Stan and his people had taken up two homes but I knew he was going to send for more bodies if he chose to remain here. I would estimate the numbers would be the same for Russell if he showed. Same was true for Isaiah and Pam. My own people had been flocking in. I was going to call those from Vacherie to come here. They were vulnerable in that location. The Shreveport estate was a better strong hold and could act as a fort if the need arose. It provided both a good defensive and offensive position. There were other homes; a spacious mansion in Baton Rouge; the estate in Alexandria where we fought Felipe a few months back. Those were all good choices but Sophie-Anne was familiar with all of them. We could not relocate.

"How long has she been sleeping?" When I entered the master bedroom Pam was sitting next to Sookie in bed. She was rubbing her back gently as she slept.

"Not long" She answered. I could see she had painted Sookie's fingers and toes a shade of red and she too was sporting the same color polish. Pam had done an excellent job distracting her and keeping her calm while I worked. Not that she would ever admit to it but she enjoyed the process. She was able to do human things with Sookie without the usual tedium that came with other humans.

"Did she eat?" Pam made a face. I knew she hated to feel like a baby sitter but she answered with a snide comment.

"Ugh she wouldn't stop" I smiled

I left to shower when I returned both Tristan and Gideon had joined her in my bedroom. We had a few last minute things to go over before dawn. This was as good a place as any. Pam rubbing her back must be extremely relaxing. I would have to remember that because Sookie was sleeping like the dead even though I could clearly see that our children weren't. I thought it to be an incredible thing. When one of them kicked particularly hard I could clearly see it. Sookie thought with the intensity of the kicks one or both were boys. I would be happy with them no matter their sex because I knew any child born of us would be extraordinary.

"Our people could not beat the sun here. They will be arriving by first dark" Tristan said. I nodded. "I will nest with them"

"Not necessary Tris I keep telling you that" Gideon was seated at the foot of the bed with his legs folded under him. "There is more than enough room in the house"

Pam rolled her eyes already bored with the topic. "He wants to watch Isaiah" She said to get us to move on to more important things. I didn't know that was his concern. I merely thought he wasn't at ease with this complex swimming with different vampires from other states. He knew Pam would be safe with us in the main house. I assumed that left him free to keep an extra tight hold on the vampires from his state and keep everyone in line. Tristan's face soured but he didn't answer.

"I have said there is no need. Isaiah is an idiot and this is beyond him" I agreed. Isaiah was a better survivalist and scavenger than a conqueror. He had the foresight to pay for extra protection during Rhodes because he knew he would have no hope for staving off a takeover if he was wounded. While he paid for extra protection he did not have the fortitude to plan a takeover even though the injuries amongst the royals of Amun tipped the scales of power in his favor at the time.

"It's what he wants you to think" Tristan retorted tartly. I knew they have had this dispute many times. Pam's blasé attitude on her husband disturbed him. Then again if it didn't he would not be a good guard for his mistress.

Pam and I were there when Curtis was killed. The reason we couldn't identify the assailants was because they were not vampires at least not all of them. "It is not him" I said. "Eliza" I told them about the conversation I had with Bubba I also explained to them the involvement of the fairies. That knowledge was to remain within our circle for now. I was not sure if it would hurt or help me in gaining help from other monarchs.

"Fuck. A. Zombie" was all Pam said. Tristan was speechless but he did have to admit that Isaiah's movements were all but accounted for and he couldn't orchestrate such a thing. Elves were particularly vicious and no one saw Isaiah getting close to them. He relented to remaining in the house with us. At some point during the conversation Sookie tossed and turned. It was amusing that an ordinary human would have been stricken with terror to find four vampires around their bed while they slept. Her eyes opened slightly. She looked at all of us with a small groggy smile and went back to sleep.

"You can have my room" Gideon offered. Not all the guest rooms were yet habitable for a vampire. It was an attempt to be hospitable because he admired Tristan for many things; mainly it was his tolerance of Pam. Unfortunately, like almost everything else he said his offer offended her. She snorted delicately.

"Runt, you get to choose last with both of us in the house"

Gideon was used to being outranked only by me when it came to vampires in this state but Pam was right. He looked to me begging an ally. There was nothing I could do. We were all kin and so normal rules of seniority applied but I was sure had it been anyone else Pam would not have invoked that right but she did. She took Gideon's room for no other reason than to irritate him because I knew she hated the decorum. After Gideon declared Pam the worst vampire sibling ever and bared his fangs at her Tristan chose to share the day chamber with him. It was attempt to keep the peace between the two and also to prevent Gideon from ambushing his maker. I stayed with Pam.

"If I desired to return would you welcome me back?"

"It is a bit overdone to come back just to annoy him" She did not reply to my quip and I knew she was serious. "It depends on the reason. I cannot allow any child of mine to cower behind me" There was no need to discuss the financial and political implications in that decision; they were colossal. I needed to know if it was worth it. In a divorce without just cause Isaiah would get her state and everything she owned; it may include the shirt on her back. She would also be stripped of her title. At least that was what would have happened if the case had gone before the Pythoness now it was impossible to know. Our world was falling into a state of uncertainties. In any event the consequences would be grave. I did not suspect that troubled her in the least.

"I do not know why" again she sounded confused and torn. It was very unlike her and I was ready to have her back to her original self but I knew this was something she had to do on her own.

"When this is over we will decide" She nodded and there were no more time left in the night. Dawn pulled us under.

0o0o0o0

The news was on in the living room. Pam and I could hear it clearly as we made our way from Gideon's room. The search for the Pythoness has begun and foul play was suspected-obviously. The AVL was furious because as it stood all signs were pointing towards humans of the two natured varieties. There were clips of the residence where she lived. There was footage of her at several events for our kind. All the footage that was used was of her being led by her hand maidens. It made her look all the more helpless and I knew it would boil the blood of all vampires who saw it.

"She was blind" A vampire was speaking into the microphone of a reporter that had taken to the streets of New York for the reactions of vampires. "She has been her entire life undead included" The human must have had a death wish because he interrupted the vampire and asked a rather idiotic question.

"Vampire blood doesn't cure blindness?" The only response he received was glower that was usually followed by the extension of fangs but vampire managed to continue speaking. "This is cowardice of the vilest class, and a crime against all vampires in this land. He was close to losing control on a major network but he took a long pause before he concluded. "We cannot and will not let this stand. We want justice" I glimpsed fangs at the end of the interview. The man he was speaking to cringed slightly from him. It went on and on for a few minutes. Some vampires made threats if the ancient one had been harmed. Some humans showed compassion that the pythoness was blind and should not be treated "like a regular deader". Others said "Good riddance to bad rubbish"

Sookie and I surfed through channels. It was all over the stations, small and large networks all across the nation were covering the story. It was going to quickly become open season on the two natured. There were packs that were volunteering in the search in the hopes that a few of their kind would not damn the entire species. It would not work.

"This is bad" Gideon said. "It's going to take one person to do something stupid" He was right. We had no control over other vampires in other states. The two natured would not sit and be attacked by us. Some vampires relied on them as day time guards. With no day guards some of us would be easier targets. We would serve Sophie-Anne's cause if we could not contain our animosity. In fact she would only have to say the word and they would go to her if it meant their survival. We had to tread softly she had placed us on a precarious perch.

"Who do we have on the west coast?" Tristan asked. I shook my head. I saw where he was going. We could reach out to other leaders and implore them to maintain control over their people or we would all suffer. That was a good thought but we had no contacts there. Plus I could ask such a thing without providing a reason. I had focused my efforts on the kings and queens mainly in my territory minus Eliza. I knew I could save everyone. If I tried I would end up saving no one.

"What about the further east?" Gideon chimed in. Tristan shook his head with a bleak look on his face. There were kingdoms that I felt were strong enough; the California's for one. It was divided into thirds; Sacramento, Los Angeles and San Antonio. They have all been in power for many years. They were powerful in their own right to attack them all together was suicide. New York was another kingdom that was divided and could stand up on its own. I also had a feeling Sophie-Anne was going to focus her wrath on the south.

While we sat and waited for Stan to prepare to meet with us we discussed possible strategies. Sookie looked tired and a bit paler than she should. She was not due to see Ludwig until tomorrow night. As our children grew so did their demands on her body as the Doctor had said they were not entirely compatible with her body and they were stronger. With every passing day walking and standing for periods of time was becoming more trying.

"Have you had a blood?" She nodded but I thought she needed another. Pam got one from the freezer and passed it to her.

"I have a new found respect for you all. This stuff taste like shit" We nodded. Initially it was a struggle after going so long with drinking fresh from the tap. Over time it got easier but you never really goy used to the taste. Sookie made faces as she drank and we laughed.

The call came and we got dressed to meet with Stan.

"I need to talk to you" Sookie said before I left. Pam and Tristan went ahead. Gideon took a seat and waited for the fight that he was sure was coming. He wasn't that far off but I was not going to argue even though I was upset at what she did during the day. This woman in her infinite stubbornness lived to defy me.

"Were you going to tell me that you went to see the fairies during the day" I folded my arms across my chest and sent an unfriendly look in her direction. She had left a note saying she was going to visit with her brother. Naturally I assumed she would go to the fairies without my presence like I had requested. She must not have stayed long because she did not smell that strongly of Dermot or her cousin. I had become familiar enough with their scent to tell them apart from other fairies. I just knew she was with them she always felt different after contact with either of them. I couldn't explain it. There was an undercurrent of something else to her every emotion. She called it "warm and fuzzy".

"I wanted to check on them and thank them for coming to help you last night" I nodded that was understandable but heaven forbid she call or send them a card as she always did with me. "Anyway, I was wondering if they could come live here while all this gets sorted out" She spoke in a rush and her words ran together. I understood her but I was certain I was mistaken. Gideon did a double take and I could see he was fighting to control his expression. My face remained empty.

"I thought you cared for them" Coming here would be safe but it would be a death sentence and the worse distraction while we tried to hunt down a threat.

"I do. That's why I want them to come here. They can earn their keep by keeping watch during the day. Iain has a very powerful ward that he uses. It would make us all safer during the day" That was tempting especially with the development of the evening. Vampires and weres would soon be on the brink of open war. We would need it. "Vampires can watch out for them during the night because it takes too much out of him to keep it up round the clock. While keeping his pathways open" She had to explain the meaning of that to me.

Next to me I could see that Gideon was contemplating the prospect. Sookie saw this and began to capitalize on it "Reinforcements are coming and he can call to them and they can call to him" With that she got her way. Vampires could take care of the vampire on the loose as well as her accomplices. The fairies could focus on the elves. Magically elves posed a higher threat to vampires than they did a fairy, even witches stood very little chance against them. This would lower our casualties.

"Very well you will oversee it. I will send Indira to the house and David is on his way"

"Why?"

"I need to clear out the houses across the lake" She was surprised. In terms of finances we never discussed it. It did not stem from my unwillingness she simply refused. She knew I owned the complex but it was now I saw that she thought it was limited to the houses on this side alone. I tried not to smile. "Try to see if you can come up with a means to do this for me please"

"Okay" I kissed her good bye.

Heidi was in front of the business house she had several clear plastic bags in her hands. After sending Indira to Sookie we entered the dining room where Stan and his people were assembled. To make them comfortable none of us brought anyone except our seconds. At the opposite side of the table Stan had the same faces from last night directly behind him. I could read it on their faces the news of the ancient one was putting them all on edge.

"I thank you for your patience" I gave him a deep nod of my head that he returned. It surprised me that his telepath was in his grouping. I assumed he kept him involved in all that was happening so he could better do his job but his presence here was useless.

"I am curious Eric where is your wife?" No one had to tell me his telepath had been searching for her.

"She is indisposed"

"Hey Eric do you know Barry is here?" Sookie's mental voice was curious and excited. I looked directly at Barry. "Stop you are scaring him" She chided.

"You two may as well include us in your conversation" I said. Stan was confused until Barry began speaking.

"Ah…Sookie says hello and welcome. She is sorry she can't come out to greet you properly and she hopes you will forgive her" He waited quietly for Stan's response.

"All is forgiven as soon as the reason for my urgent trip is explained" Barry who I assumed was getting the story from Sookie became to tremble all over. His mouth was hanging slightly open as if he was going to vomit or scream but neither happened. John had to shake him in order for him to thaw.

"Shit" Barry said in a tiny voice. I waved Heidi forward and slowly she made her way towards Stan's side of the table. She stopped half way and John met her. Then she handed him one of plastic bags she had. It held several leaves and branches that had been stained in blood. John took them from her and brought it back to Stan. The instant the bag was opened a faint aroma of Sophie-Anne filled the room. John dropped the bag and hissed with fangs exposed. It was a bit of an over exaggeration if you asked me. It sent Heidi retreating to a safer distance.

"What is the meaning of this?" He asked.

"She still lives. Yesterday she murdered the Ancient Pythoness" My explanation held most of the pertinent information. It left Stan and his people without a single thing to say. As my dear wife would put it "they were catching flies"

"You lie" Stan whispered. I pointed to the bag in front of him. He has known Sophie-Anne for many centuries. Her scent was familiar to him. He was attempting to deny what his senses were telling him. A full minute of silence passed until they all went into action.

"Your majesty we have to go" John actually had his hand on Stan's arm. It was a grand display as they were not of the same blood or were they lovers. "We want no parts of this" It was a little too late they would be dished out a share whether they liked it or not of that I had no doubt.

"How do you know this?" Isabel asked. I saw she like John wanted leave but I suppose she wanted to get as much information as she could. I would not begrudge her that.

"I saw it"

"She wants her throne" John said. He wasn't speaking to me but to Stan. I laughed causing him to round on me.

"Do you think I need your help holding onto territory?" I nodded my head at Pam and Isaiah in case they had forgotten. I could see that Stan was torn because he knew between the three of us we were very capable.

"Leave if you will and go with my apologies for wasting your time but let me assure you that Sophie-Anne has taken leave of her senses absolutely and this is not about territory or throne. She is waging war on all vampire king and queen of the new world. She has taken to creating her own army" There was collective hiss of anger and disgust in the room. "You must also know that she has the help of elves" They had not made up their minds but I answered all their questions. I told them of the night Curtis was assassinated. Pam and Isaiah gave them details of the attack the day of their union. Heidi told them what her searches had been yielding in the two natured attacks. In all we said we were completely honest. Though it would have been best for us all, Stan did not have to stay here. All that I said, I said to provide him with as much information so he could better protect himself and his people. They asked for the smallest details and we answered as best we could.

This went on for over an hour during which Farrell and Isabel were typing furiously on their phones. Sookie was moving towards me. I looked to the door awaiting her entry. Who I saw was Betty Joe. She and another of Russell's personal guard opened the door. Russell had his hand lightly on my wife's elbow offering support as they entered the room.

"Sorry to interrupt" she nodded at Stan who was staring at her heavy form. I knew he like almost all royals knew she was with child. It was surprising to see even then.

Sookie then turned to me. "King Russell got your message. I filled him in on the situation. He asks our hospitality for himself and his people as well as his husband who will be arriving…" She looked over her shoulder to Betty Joe who consulted her handheld.

"Before dawn" She answered.

Sookie smiled brilliantly. "Okay then I'll leave you all to it" she gave us all a parting nod of her head in a hurry to leave the room. I flicked my wrist. Gideon appeared at her side to escort her home. She would never cease to amaze me. In a matter of minutes she convinced Russell of the events that were unraveling. I had no idea what she had told him and I did not care. He brought a powerful ally and he had skilled fighters. I stood to greet him graciously. Pam and Isaiah followed suit and so did their second's.

"Of course you are welcome" I said

"Yes Sookie already said I could stay" I could see by his demeanor that Russell hasn't given up on getting an entrance into our alliance. It was why he so easily answered the call and eagerly remained. "By the way thanks for the heads up" He tipped a cap he wasn't wearing as he took a seat. "What did I miss?" We all looked to Stan. It was time for him to make his call.

0o0o0o

Will he stay or will he go?