LAST TIME

A drop of my blood spills into his now gaping mouth before I detangle from his grasp completely. I turn on my heel, grab my clutch, and make my way quickly and confidently around his desk.

"I look forward to hearing from your Mr. Northman" I toss over my shoulder, before I walk out of his office completely.

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SPOV

I couldn't help but smirk all the way home. The look of the Sheriff Viking literally gaping after me as I left his office had me riding a proverbial high all the way back to Bon Temps.

I realized I didn't ask him about Bill. It hit me that, that in itself should speak volumes concerning my feelings towards him. I didn't feel guilty about willingly giving my blood to another vampire. That should also be another sign for me.

I realized that after squawking about blood ties, and being manipulated into them, I went and added another. But I didn't care. Eric made a valid point in regards to my protection. I knew that now a certain number of vampires knew of my existence, it would only get worse. Gran had thought once or twice when I was young about some government MIB-like characters coming to steal me away, and with vampires out of the coffin, I can't say that fear is all that farfetched nowadays.

So my plan was to put myself in power. What I hadn't planned for was Eric's cooperation. He spilled his trick pretty easily to me, and I was curious as to why. That was also a reason I had rewarded his honesty with a drop of my blood. He admitted he wanted me alive for a reason, and the miniscule amount of his blood I inadvertently ingested in Dallas wouldn't help those efforts much … unless I met him half way. But giving him blood once a month? That sounds like the agreement I had with Bill. Yuck.

But I knew that working for him was a smart step for me. I hadn't talked to Sam in weeks, and I think we had come to an understanding that I wouldn't be returning (even though I never really gave him notice). I had enjoyed my time at Merlotte's but I had started veering away from my friends, as they seemed to be unsupportive of my role in the supernatural community. At this point in my life I was starting to see that I was in that community whether I wanted to be or not, and I could either squawk and run, or pull up my panties, hold my head high, and start learning about how to be there.

I made it home, parked my crappy (but deeply loved) yellow beetle, and made my way to the back door.

"Hello sweetheart"

I looked up from my clutch to see Bill leaning against the back column of my porch.

Shit.

I felt fear hit like ice in my veins as I realized my outfit, and the angry looking vampire in front of me.

"H-H-Hello Bill." I managed to squeak out.

Shit shit shit shit fuckity FUCK! What do I do….

My mind started racing as I tried to think of a game plan. Running wasn't an option. Screaming would do nothing. He looked angry and hungry, and I haven't seen him in two weeks.

I can't imagine this confrontation will go well, but maybe I can sway him with pleasantries like nothing is wrong again.

"What brings you here so late Bill?" I asked, plastering a small and hopefully polite smile on my face. Not Crazy Sookie smile, but close. I could feel my palms start to sweat as my one hand was still in my purse and the other grasping the outside of my clutch tightly.

"Sookeh" he admonished, dipping his chin to look further down at me (literally and metaphorically) "I haven't seen you in over two weeks. Didn't you wonder where I was?" he asked as his fangs peeked out from under his lips.

"My apologies, were you travelling for business?" I went for pleasant, because in my eyes we had broken up those some weeks ago when he cheated on me (he apparently just hadn't put that together).

Bill flashed in front of me quicker that I could register, and I quickly realized that mistake. "No" he growled. "I was being punished because of you" he sneered. I met his gaze unwavering, even though his breath was utterly horrific.

"M-M-M-Me? But why would-….Who was punishing you?" I tried to register all he was telling me. No wonder he looked so terrible. He must be suffering from blood loss and who knows what else if he had been punished for that long.

Bill apparently was done talking though, because in the next second his hand was around my throat, and my feet were dangling off the ground. My one hand dropped my clutch to hold onto his hand, hoping that I could allow some air to my lungs.

"That is none of your concern darling. My patience has worn thin with you and we will be leaving this evening for you to experience punishments of your own". As he spoke Bill strengthened his grip on my throat, and my vision started to go black.

No no no no no. I haven't gone through all this shit just to be strangled by my disgusting ex!

Bill brought my face inches apart from his, as he continued to slowly squeeze my throat. I felt the small muscles tensing, I coughed and sputtered, and kicked my legs with no avail. My time was running out, I could feel my heart rate starting to slow and my muscles were losing their tension and starting to go slack. It was then I remembered what was in my other hand. YES.

With a last ditch effort I brought my other hand up and using the last bit of energy, swung it down towards Bill's chest. As I was unceremoniously dropped to the ground, I realized that the small chopstick I had pulled from my clutch had at least made some kind of connection. He wasn't goo so it must have just missed his heart, but Bill dropped to the ground with me anyways.

My head smacked against the dusty ground, and I rolled to my side in the hopes of trying to pull myself towards the porch steps. Bill was screaming in agony, as the silver tip of the chopstick was deep within his chest. I was thankful that one was dipped on both sides with silver, and he was struggling to pull it out of himself without burning.

I had pulled myself a few spaces away from Bill when he grabbed my ankle, pulled me towards him and sunk his fangs deep into my neck. The force of his bite left a gaping wound as I felt the skin tear, and I screamed bloody murder. Bill straddled me, securing my flailing arms with one hand over my head as he began taking big swallows of my blood. I continue screaming, and thrashing my legs, panicking for all that I was worth. Bill had just taken another big mouthful, and bit again further up my neck towards my ear, tearing another gaping hole in my flesh when all of a sudden he was whipped off of me and I heard a loud battle roar.

I brought my hand over my neck, feeling the blood still spewing out of my jugular, when a pair of cold hands joined mine. I looked up but the face was fuzzy. My world started spinning as my head was ripping open with pain, and then everything went black.

. . . . . . . . . . . . .

EPOV

I sat at my desk with a raging hard on as I watched Sookie Stackhouse saunter out of my office.

That little minx. Here I was thinking she was all southern hospitality and manners, when she clearly has another side to her. Definitely the fair side of her I thought. I took a moment to contemplate just exactly what that power move would do for my relationship with the telepath.

I had been truthful with her in regards to the clause I had included in the contract. It was in the hopes of showing her my honesty that she would be more lenient towards the idea of working for me. Having her in the club, feeding me blood once a month, I knew it was only a matter of time before we were fucking.

She can't resist forever. Especially with a kiss like THAT. I licked my lips, savouring the last flavours of her delicious blood and saliva that still lingered there. She was truly ambrosia. But I couldn't help the small sense of worry I had about my underestimating her. She had given my her blood willingly, and after her outrage at my manipulation in Dallas, that didn't make sense to me. How did that benefit her? Did she think I would be her vampire bodyguard now that I had mentioned protection?

Shit. I may have just contracted myself out in the hopes of a good fuck. My eyes widened. Well, in terms of mistakes, I had made worse. It could turn out to be quite a worthwhile relationship if she truly was considering other work than the shifter's bar. Still, I picked up the phone and dialed my favourite number with vampire speed.

The melodic voice picked up on the second ring and I smiled to myself.

"Min son, it has been too long" he said, I could hear the smile in his voice and feel the happiness in our bond.

"Broder, it has." I let my happiness flood our bond, and then my hint of worry and anxiety. He quickly asks what is troubling me.

"I fear I may require your assistance"

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