AN: Thank you everyone who has reviewed this story or put it on an alert. I don't know if you'll ever understand how much it means to me, honestly I never expected any of this and I'm so happy that people actually like my writing! Now, I'm a day late and a dollar short as they say, and I'm sorry for that but I had a hard time wrapping up this chapter. I'm not entirely happy with where I ended it but it would have been a HUGE chapter if I hadn't, so I hope you all like it. Once again thank you for all the reviews and alerts that you guys have given me!

Chapter Eight

Hells Bells

I stepped off the elevator with the Pest as Pam had started calling her and was once again delayed by Eddy. I sighed telling him I really was in a hurry as the Pest went on ahead of me.

"I'm really sorry Mr. Northman, but I was wondering if you got a chance to speak to the vampire you'd mentioned the other night."

Fuck, I'd completely forgot saying that. "I'm not completely sure when I'll be able to -" I heard the clicking of fangs all around me before I heard the first scream, heard the first snarl of a predator let loose in a cattle pen, before I heard Pam's distinct voice shout 'Sookie!' I was moving, shoving my way through the crowd. At first I couldn't even understand what I was seeing, Hunter was standing looking horrified at everything that was happening around him and didn't respond when I asked what had happened. Time seemed to stop as I looked down and saw the blond on the floor, blood pouring out of her as another lapped at her hands that were covered in blood. I realized that no, I wasn't looking at Sookie bleeding out, but instead at Cressa bleeding out with a savage Sookie bending to lick at the blood. I felt nothing but relief.

I bent grabbing Sookie's shoulders and pulling her back, not sparing a second glance for Cressa, I ran my hands over her body almost frantic to make sure she hadn't been harmed some way. "Sookie, are you Ok? Did she hurt you?"

Instead of answering me she simply snarled, the blood on her face dripping to land on her white top, her fangs gleaming in the overhead lighting. It was probably wrong that all I wanted to do was kiss her and submit to the bloodlust that was clearly taking her over. She lunged at me and I held on tighter as her mouth snapped closed an inch from my throat. I looked around for Andre, he might be able to do something but he was no where to be seen. I wrapped both my arms around her body, pining her arms to her body and lifted, making sure she couldn't touch the ground.

"WHAT IS GOING ON HERE?" It seemed like the Queen had finally deigned to show up. "Someone explain immediately!"

I looked down as Sookie contorted her body trying to get back to Cressa, but even I could see from the few feet we were from her that she was dead. Didn't Sookie know better than to drink from the dead? I was really going to need to look into Sookie's new born days.

"Northman!" I looked up and away from Sookie's face and over to the Queen. "Explain now."

"Of course your majesty." I shifted my hold on Sookie, putting my arm around her waist and settling her on my hip, she look similar to a giant baby. "I wasn't here for the entire thing though, I arrived to see Sookie on her knee's beside my former pet licking blood off her hands, perhaps someone else might shed some light on to what led up to it?" Sookie was still struggling to get out of my grasp, her eyes flicking around to all the humans in the room now that she'd realized that Cressa was dead. It was cute, she was trying to pry my fingers from around her waist and I knew they must feel like steel to her.

I zoned out on what the Queen was saying as Sookie inched up my body, she seemed to have realized that her plan of attack wasn't working so she started kissing up my arm, her fangs dragging against the skin with every other bite. "NORTHMAN!" My head snapped around, my eyes glazed I'm sure, "Yes your majesty?"

Whatever she wanted she better make it quick because Sookie had made it up to my neck and she hadn't forgotten how I liked to be teased. Truthfully she probably wouldn't have been able to make it to my neck unless I had lessened my grip, but I had always been a sucker for being seduced, especially when it came to her.

"Why is Sookie crawling all over you like you have vampire crack hidden behind your ear?" I really had no clue, well yes I actually did and I was impressed that she had changed her needing to feed into needing to fuck so easily to be honest, I knew vampires centuries old that still couldn't do that.

"It seemed she was hungry your majesty." I was proud that my voice didn't crack when I felt Sookie bite down on my neck. "Perhaps Hunter or Pamela knows what transpired before I arrived?" I really didn't think I could handle anymore questions without exposing my fangs, but then again I wouldn't be unlike the vast majority of straight males in the room whose eyes were riveted on what Sookie was doing to me.

I tried to pry Sookie from the spot she had apparently taken up residence in but she was just as unwilling to leave as she had been to stay in my arms before. I growled making the Queens head snap back to me before she went back to her conversation. I felt a surge of triumph go through me when I got her to move until her hands wandered down my chest. This wasn't any better, never mind the fact that I knew Sookie had been mad with me the last time I'd spoken with her I doubted she would want to fuck me in front of half the summit attendees. She would not be pleased if I let her continue. Sighing about the waste of a good shirt I ripped her hands from me, along with pieces of the shirt and put them behind her back, standing her on her feet I spun her so her back was to me kept my grip on her arms, she was trapped for the time being. Success, I could now try to calm down enough to listen to what was going on around me, and try to ignore the whimpers coming from Sookie if I was lucky.

"And then the human grabbed Sookie and I believe her child thought she was going to harm her. He snapped I suppose is the common saying and attacked; Sookie pulled him off her and ordered him to remain where he was without saying anything." Pam finished, I had missed most of what she said but, it appeared that Cressa had started an argument when Sookie, which I was confused about. How had she done that? I thought back on what I had glamored into Cressa, she wasn't allowed to say or refer to Sookie in a derogatory manner; she was to remain quiet while in the room. Fuck. I had apparently been so flustered that I hadn't brought up outside of the room. Damnit, I had not made an amateur mistake like that since I was young.

"Andre!" My attention came back to the here now as the Queen snapped for her child. "Control your child, apparently your neglect has spilled over to the public, and I am tired of it." She growled quietly to him when he was beside her.

My eyes narrowed his neglect? Had he not taught Sookie properly? I had formed the conclusion myself but to hear Sophie-Anne berate her favourite child in front of a lobby full of witnesses confirmed it, but she was just ask bad, she could have taken over Sookie's training. At twenty years old Sookie should have been able to resist feeding on someone that was bleeding; I had put it down to the extreme emotions she had been feeling from Hunter as well as her own that had pushed her over the edge.

Andre stepped over to us and it was hard to resist picking Sookie up and keeping her from him. He was a failure as a maker and she didn't deserve that, she had been a strong human and I had no doubt she would be ashamed of her actions here today and it was all his fault. He looked into Sookie's eyes and I could practically feel the makers command rush through her body, it went right along with the wince of pain she felt. "You will stop immediately; you will regain control of yourself and stop embarrassing myself and your Queen."

"Yes master." Came out the pained reply. There was no need for that strong of a makers command, since I had pined her arms it seemed Sookie had been regaining control of herself, she probably would have come completely out of the blood lust in a couple more minutes.

I couldn't stop the growl that erupted from my throat, surprising myself, Sookie and Andre. I had forgotten the effect being around her had one me, the feelings she brought out were stronger than the ones I remembered, or perhaps I hadn't remembered the intensity of what she made me feel? I didn't know but how could I have not torn through everything in my way to find her. Maybe I was numb; maybe I was unable to acknowledge the fact that she had meant so much to me when I thought she was dead. I knew for a fact that I had been completely crazy trying to look for her, never before have I asked for help from my liege lord, not even when I was a human had I ever asked my father for help and yet I had went to Sophie-Anne practically begging.

Sookie pulled against the hold on I had on her and I had to consciously release her from it. She stepped over to Hunter and removed her command from him, where he collapsed at her feet crying silently. She bent and touched his head slowly then moved to stand in front of him glaring at Andre as he scowled at her.

"Sookie, you obviously were not ready to become a maker, I will take over Hunters training so that you can concentrate on bettering yourself." Andre said stepping forward.

Sookie growled and stepped forward to meet him. "No, I am Hunters maker and I refuse to release him into your hold."

A rush of relief went through me that shouldn't have been there, she was standing up to a vampire the same age as me, just as she had when I first met her, not only was he old but he was also her maker. Obviously she knew that he wouldn't be afraid to command her to do so if he wished. I stepped forward.

"Actually I believe that Sookie has the ability to be a worthy maker, unlike you who has apparently neglected to teach your child the proper restraint that is needed."

Andre turned and looked at me, oh how I wanted him to do something stupid like challenge me. It was no secret that Andre liked dealing out pain, and I had no way of knowing if he had hurt Sookie physically, it had been reassuring to know that he hadn't had sex with her but that didn't mean he hadn't hurt her other ways. Just the fact that she didn't have the restraint someone her age should have showed that he had neglected her upbringing as a vampire, I knew from being a maker how vital the emotion connection between maker and child was from being a maker myself and from having a good maker.

"You're going to interfere in my relationship with my child?" Oh I wanted to do more than that, but that would have to wait for my meeting with the Magister tomorrow night.

"Yes, in this matter I would. You are trying to interfere with Sookie and Hunters child/maker relationship so I don't see why I shouldn't in your own with Sookie."

I knew I was treading on dangerous ground but I couldn't stop myself from speaking. It was true, Sookie had handled every situation I had seen her in with Hunter perfectly, even before she had been distracted by the blood from Cressa she had stopped Hunter from doing anymore harm.

"ENOUGH. I will not stand here and watch you two idiots compete over a newborn." Sophie-Anne exclaimed, moving to stand between me and Andre. "Andre, I for once agree with Northman. Sookie was chosen to be Hunters maker for a reason, you were not and he is right, you did neglect to teach Sookie properly." Turning to look at me she raised an eyebrow. "Now, your property was harmed do you wish to press any charges against Hunter?"

I was surprised and I raised an eyebrow at her, she was bold speaking about my property being harmed when she had stolen my former bonded from me. "No, your majesty, I do not wish to press charges against Hunter."

Sophie-Anne looked at me a minute more before nodding, maybe she had caught onto the fact that I might indeed want to press charges against someone. I smirked and looked over her head at Sookie, she was staring at the floor and I knew I wouldn't be able to get a moment alone with her. Sophie-Anne clapped her hands together as she turned back towards Andre, Sookie and Hunter.

"Well then, time to go children; we have entertained the crowd long enough."

I tried to catch Sookie's eye but she was determinedly staring at her feet, did she not want to say goodbye to me or was she just cowed by Andre's maker command still? She picked Hunter up and put an arm around his waist and then they were out the door. She hadn't looked at me once and I felt myself grinding my teeth, my hands aching from where they had held her earlier. I did not like the fact that she was returning to the palace were I would not be able to access her so easily. Why had I not spent the rest of my time here with her? Oh yes, the pest that was now dead on the floor had been a hassle even glamored and then I had spent the remaining night getting a hold of all the contacts that I had within the palace and trying to get information about Sookie.

"Eric." I turned and looked at Pam, "We should be going if we want to catch the plane on time."

I nodded my head and followed her out to the limo she had secured for our trip to the airport, I looked around hoping to catch one last glimpse of Sookie but she was already gone. Climbing in I sat on the seat facing the door and once it closed I looked at Pam.

"How the fuck did that situation occur at all?"

Pam raised an eyebrow but answered, "I was making plans to visit Sookie when the Pest walked up, it escalated and the Pest grabbed Sookie's arm, I don't think that Hunter liked that very much."

"So it appears." I still couldn't believe I had slipped up and not been more direct when I'd glamored Cressa, this all could have been avoided. "Still problem solved."

Pam smirked at me as she smoothed her hands over her pale blue pantsuit. "Yes, it was quite the show as well."

"Still, it will be annoying having to come up with a plausible way to explain away her disappearance." Paperwork, I fucking hated paperwork. "Have you heard back from Bianca?"

"Yes, she said she would have a detailed report for you when we arrive home tonight." Pam answered, scrolling through her phone. "I still think we should call in Godric. It is obvious that Andre is possessive of Sookie, regardless of the fact that he is neglectful."

I didn't want to call in Godric; it was humiliating enough when he had come to save me from myself. I didn't want to have to involve him in my problems; I should be able to handle them myself. I know I could deal with this myself but it would be easier if I had his counsel. "Why do you think he is so vital?"

"Eric, you are not always the most rational when it comes to Sookie." Pam said gently, which surprised me, Pam was blunt about everything. "I think maybe that it might do some good to have a rational detached person involved in this. We both care about her, albeit in different ways, so we're biased."

I growled and pulled out my phone, I did not want to call him so we wouldn't be. I didn't bother answering her instead going to my e-mail address. I had e-mailed Mr. Cataliades about representing me if it was needed; he had had an unusual fondness for Sookie when they had met. I was pleased seeing he had replied; I hadn't expected a response so quickly.

Eric,

I would be honoured to represent you if you do find a need for my services. I had no idea that Sookie Stackhouse was still alive although I am happy to hear that she is. You do in fact have a case against the Queen as well as Andre, as I remember that you had sought her help when you first discovered that Miss Stackhouse was missing. If you need help with anything else do not be afraid to contact me.

D. Cataliades

Perfect, now all I had to do was speak with the Magister and everything would work out. I still had no clue whether or not I would ever get Sookie's affection back though.

~Sookie's POV~

It was complete silence in the car, and then in the plane. At least Hunter had been able to pull himself together once we arrived at the airport in New Orleans. For having shoddy shields he sure knew how to use them when he was upset. I was terrified; would Andre actually try to take Hunter away from me? I had only know him a short amount of time but in that time I had come to love him, he was my child and my blood, the last link I had to my real family as I didn't consider Hadley family.

When she had found out that I was going to the summit when she wasn't allowed to she had threw a huge hissy fit, ruining everything the Queen had bought her recently. I had been embarrassed for her, the staff had only served her in fear of their lives and the Queen had walked around livid for a week solid. No, Hunter was the only family I had left that I had a connection to, even if I went back and saw Jason it wouldn't be the same and I wouldn't feel right showing up in his life again after so long and I didn't think I could handle knowing my brother and knowing for a fact that I would outlive him.

I gripped Hunters hand as we walked into the palace. I had been so shocked when Sophie-Anne had stood up for me; she had never done it before in private. Maybe it was because there had been other vampires around? Obviously she knew how to raise a new born vampire or else she and Andre would have never survived for as long as they had. I blew the air that was in my lungs out and followed Sophie-Anne into the receiving room.

"Oh yay you're finally home," I looked up and saw Hadley and clenched my teeth as she came over to me and Hunter, "You've brought my baby with you Sookie, how nice!"

She had known that I would be turning Hunter at the summit so I didn't get why she was acting surprised. As she took his other hand I tensed wanting to pull him away but looking at Sophie-Anne I could tell she wouldn't be pleased if I did.

"I have so wanted to get to know you!" She practically screamed at Hunter, I saw him wince and cringed.

"Hadley, he's brand new, he's still getting used to his senses, try to not yell." I said quietly and felt thankfulness come through the bond from Hunter. I may not be able to tear him away from his mother but I could damn well tell her to take into consideration his feelings.

"OH! Of course, I'm so sorry Hunter. Why don't we go and talk and get to know each other better without some people around?"

"Not tonight, maybe another. I'm kind of wiped out from the flight you know?" Hunter replied pulling his hand from hers.

"Oh, right of course." Hadley said and turned and sent a glare my way. "I'm sure that you're hungry though, I've picked out some donors for you."

She moved back and gestured to the three girls I hadn't noticed when we entered the room. They were all skeletally skinny and pale, one had black hair and wore to much make up and the other two looked like they had dipped their heads in a rainbow. I mentally cringed but let go of Hunters hand. Hell I wasn't going to stop him if he wanted to feed; I understood that feeling so well.

"Uh, sure." I could tell that he was unsure as he looked over at me so I just smiled and gestured for him to go ahead.

"Sookie is this wise?" Andre asked his arms folded across his chest.

"Yes, I believe that Hunter can control himself, if not I'm here." I gritted my teeth from saying anymore.

I had barely looked at anyone the entire way back to New Orleans, and I was hoping with how close to dawn it was that I wouldn't have to listen to his reprimand before I went to my rest. He had no right to scold me in front of dozens of vampires when he didn't give a fuck behind closed doors and I hoped I would be able to keep that to myself. I shook off the thoughts and paid attention to Hunter as he reached the black haired girl.

He stood behind her, gathering her hair in his hand and tilting her neck to the side. It was comical as he was barely tall enough to even reach her neck, but I kept my amusement to myself knowing that it would make him feel awkward if he knew about it. Obviously Hadley hadn't even bothered to ask Andre about her son if she didn't even know how tall he was. Or maybe she just didn't care if he felt awkward, she was selfish like that. He bit into her neck gently and I counted the swallows he took, when he was at five I was about to step forward but was pleased when I didn't have to. He licked the two small punctures he had made and stepped back letting go of her hair.

"Well done." I smiled and pushed my pride through the bond towards him, he turned and beamed at me, moving quickly back beside me and taking my hand.

"What are you fucking him?" Hadley's scathing remark took me off guard as I was still smiling at Hunter. I turned and stared at her.

"What are you talking about Hadley?"

"I'm talking about him not even wanting to talk to me! I'm talking about him being stuck to your fucking side like a maggot on rotten meat."

How fucking dare she! She knew I had turned Hunter, she knew what a normal maker child relationship was like, and I opened my mouth to reply when once again Sophie-Anne surprised me by smacking Hadley upside the head.

"You will not speak to Sookie that way, she is doing a good job as Hunters maker and it is perfectly normal for him to be most comfortable with her." Sophie snapped adding almost under her breath, "Plus it's perfectly understandable that he wouldn't want to talk to you."

Should I talk to her? I don't want her to be mad at you. Hunter sent me.

I didn't glance at him as I answered, not wanting to alert the Queen to our speaking. That's up to you, Hadley doesn't like me, me being your maker is just another way for her to show her displeasure at having to be around me.

Oh ok. I really don't even know why she wants to talk to me. She didn't care before why should she now? Hunter asked.

I really didn't have an answer for him but I tried to think of one that wouldn't hurt his feelings. To be honest Hadley probably only wanted to form a relationship with Hunter now because the Queen had seen fit for him to be turned, she hadn't ever bothered to get to know him before thinking he was just a useless Human. I don't know Hunter, maybe she'll tell you once you talk to her.

Hunter didn't reply and I took that as the end of our conversation. I had been watching Hadley sulk while speaking with him, and it had taken less then a minute, telepathically talking was a lot faster than speaking out loud.

"Sookie, do you think you need any help with Hunter?" Sophie-Anne asked, shocking me again.

"No your majesty, I don't believe I do." I said quietly, not looking at Andre at all.

"Then you will continue Hunters training, but do come to me if you feel you need any help with the process." What the hell had happened to Sophie-Anne? Had someone put a spell on her?

She had always been nice to me but she had never ever intervened for me, or ever offered to help me with training myself to repress my urges. Did she perhaps think Hunter was more valuable than me? A bolt of jealously shot through me at the thought even though I knew it wasn't true, Sophie-Anne regarded me as a prized pet and I knew it. Maybe she just hadn't wanted to step on Andre's toes after granting him the chance of being a maker. Truthfully I probably would have preferred to be Sophie-Anne's child. At least she had a sense of humour.

"Well then, if you have no concerns to share with me you are dismissed."

That was when I remembered the mysterious donor from the first night at the summit. "Your majesty did you ever find out anything about the donor that was in Andre's room that first night?"

"No we did not. You didn't see her again did you?"

I shook my head frowning; there was something about that situation that was off to me. If only I had been listening into the thoughts around me at the time, I would have known exactly why she had been in the room. My own stupidity in that situation frustrated me.

"Do not worry over it Sookie, now you are dismissed."

I nodded left through the door. I had things that I wanted to do that I hadn't been able to while at the summit, like contacting Godric. I had thought that I had his number in my phone but apparently not. I knew that I would be able to count on Godric to keep my concerns about Hunters ability under wraps, he had been the most trustworthy vampire I had ever met, and in fact he was still the most trustworthy vampire I had met. I have stewed over whether or not to contact him the entire time we were at the summit, after all he was Eric's maker so he must be sneaky and I knew for a fact that he was old, so he couldn't be as innocent as he had appeared. Still, I figured if there was anyone that would know anything about a seer it would be him.

I tugged Hunters hand and pulled him out of the room after me. It was getting closer and closer to dawn and I could see the pull starting to come over Hunter.

Do you want to sleep in my room tonight or your own? I asked.

Yours if that's OK.

That's fine. I turned and smiled at him as moved down the hallway that would let me into my room. Pushing open the door I turned and spread my arms, until I'd walked in I hadn't realized I was excited to show Hunter my room, to finally show someone the space I had designed that would actually care. It was done in a more modern style with touches of hominess throughout. The walls were a dove grey and all the furniture was black leather, the lighting features were either crystal or white paper lanterns. I loved everything in the room, including the little figurines that I had bought because they reminded me of the ones in my Grans house, the quilt I had made. I always kept flowers in my room; there was some sitting on a coffee table, and another two vases sitting in my bathroom and bedroom.

Well do you like it? I hoped I didn't sound as eager as I felt.

Not what I expected, but very nice. Hunter replied looking around.

What did you expect? Old furniture and daisy print?

No, not exactly. I just thought it would have more of country feel, not so modern or young I guess.

I laughed out loud at that. To be honest my rooms had been daisy yellow for a long time, with wickerwork seating and flower prints. It's not that I still didn't like those things; it's that I liked other stuff more. I had grown up to be much more stylish then I probably would have if I hadn't become a vampire. Heck, I probably would have raised a baby or two and named them something like Henry or Jim-Bob. Ok maybe no Jim-Bob but I could definitely my old self naming a child Jimmy. I had once been so childish, but I still treasured those easy days, when I thought I actually had control over my own life.

Maybe once, but now... now I feel I have grown into something more, something I likely wouldn't have become had I stayed human.

Hunter nodded his head. There was nothing else to say, and to be honest speaking of my past still troubled me, I didn't like thinking about what would have happened had I remained human, I wondered if I would have raised Hunter myself, or if I might have actually had children. No it was best not to think about those things, they always left me depressed.

Where will I rest?

With me as usual, unless you'd prefer the couch, the whole suite is light-tight of course, but the bedroom is the most secure.

Ok then.

I led him into my bedroom, the bed dominated the space, and it was cherry wood, the comforter a downy white with about a million pillows. Although I didn't actually sleep but instead died I liked waking up surrounded by softness. It was a canopy bed with gauzy white curtains that hung over the top and down the sides, I usually kept them pulled back when I wasn't in the bed, and seeing it I felt like I was finally home. Truly these rooms had become my home, no where else in the palace did I feel free to be myself and I knew that there wasn't any kind of camera in here, so it was the only place I felt I was allowed to show any weakness. I had never brought any humans to my rooms ever.

I watched Hunter climb into the bed and smiled, moving to my closet to undress and change into a pair of PJs, I didn't feel like showering and the pull of dawn was closing in on me quickly, I dressed and exited my closet seeing Hunter sprawled out on the bed made me smile again. Maybe it wouldn't be so bad having him around after all. I was about to climb into my bed when there was a knock at the door, moving quickly I went and opened it. There wasn't much time till dawn and although the Queen and Andre could stay up past it, I knew they knew I couldn't.

"Hadley?" I asked surprised. There was no reason for her to be at my door this late in the night.

"Sookie," She said smiling and stepping into the door, leaving the door open. "I wanted to talk to you."

I could feel my motions getting sluggish, the sun was rising. If I wanted my room secure before dawn struck I needed to get her out of here, I would no sooner go to my rest with her in the room than I would have slept with rattlesnakes while I was a human.

"What about?" My speech was becoming slurred and as I stepped in front of her I felt myself sway slightly. Alarm bells were ringing in my head as I saw her smirk. "I can speak to you when I rise, but Hadley I need to go to my rest soon, if you could wait…"

"No, I'm afraid I can't this is most pressing."

I didn't have time to nod as I felt myself being pulled under; the last thing I saw was three weres coming through my door as I fell to the floor. I think I tried to send out a cry of help to Andre, but I couldn't be sure, I know I didn't feel anything like a response from him.