A/N: Sorry about the long delay, but I've been sidetracked by the Professor, and by the post-DAG world. I finally got back to writing this story last night, and since I got a new chapter off to my beta (the wonderful Kristin) I figured it was time to post a new chapter for you.

I love all the reviews, pm's and comments you all have regarding this fic. I know Craig is an unpleasant son of a bitch, and I'm sorry to say, that hasn't changed. I want to thank Indigobuni for making me the coolest banner for this story, and as soon as I figure out how, I'll put it up somewhere! Yes, I'm a veritable Luddite when it comes to this stuff.

A big thanks to everyone in the Eric/Alex thread on the TB Wiki, and to the girls of the Sookieverse, for all their support and encouragement.

Chapter 18

When I woke up, I was surprised to discover that I was in an actual bed, in a beautiful room. I was sure I was dreaming, until I realized Craig was lying next to me, his arm slung over my waist as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

I felt my skin crawl at this intimacy, and pondered whether I could manage to sneak out of the room without waking him up. It was a measure of how close I was to being completely broken, that I actually had to take the time to consider whether or not to attempt an escape. I did not like that realization in the least. In the end, Craig decided for me.

Without lifting his head, or even looking at me, he said, "don't do it Sookie."

I was no longer surprised. I lifted my arm, and immediately recognized the soreness from another injection. For the life of me, I couldn't figure out what he was shooting me up with to keep Claudine away. I could only assume it was something magical.

I looked down at my body and saw that I was wearing a beautiful little nightie, which I might have enjoyed wearing for Eric, but just then, seeing it made me want to throw up. In addition, I knew I [...]EDITED SEE CHAPTER 1 NOTE I couldn't suppress an involuntary shudder at the thought, and then stilled my body so as not wake Craig.

I lay there, not moving, while Craig continued to sleep or pretend to sleep. I couldn't tell anymore, but I decided to try something. I reached out very softly to his mind. I came up on his block, but I didn't push. I didn't want him to know I was there. I ghosted around until I found it, the thing I'd seen before I lost consciousness; a crack in the block, and like a handful of sand I trickled through.

I didn't poke around much. I didn't want to alert him to my presence. I just wanted to watch. I knew it was just a matter of time before he began to use his abilities on me, and I wanted to see it. I wanted to learn. I needed to learn. It was the only way I was going to survive.

I could feel Eric in my mind and my heart. His life was buzzing to me across the bond, a comforting hum even in his sleep. He was getting closer, but now that I knew who else was with him, I understood how.

I was more than amazed to see how many people came with Eric. It was one thing to see Pam and Bill with him, even Sandy as I knew I had the king's protection, but to know that Eric was willing to put aside his pride and work with Sam, Alcide and Calvin astounded me. Seeing Amelia there nearly broke my heart. She may be a powerful witch, but she is still very human, and very fragile. I could never live with myself if something happened to her.

After a proper breakfast, during which Craig said nothing and I began to hope that our exchange on the plane perhaps changed things, it began.

It felt like my brain had been cut. One part, the larger one, was under Craig's control. The other, a small, little part, was the part I managed to maintain. That part was in his head, hiding and watching, and it was such a strange sensation.

On the one hand most of my mind, and my body, were reacting to what Craig was doing to me. On the other, I felt detached and clinical, committing his actions to memory so I could learn from them.

The sun set and I heard the door open. My eyes were closed and my breathing was ragged. I heard Craig speak to someone, and for the first time since this began, I heard a twinge of uncertainty, or possibly fear, in his voice.

"Master." He said with reverence.

Master? I opened my eyes and found myself staring at a large vampire. His hair was black, straight and thick, and fell to his waist. His eyes were brown, but they burned with the fire of someone verging on madness, and they stared at me as if I were nothing but a speck of dirt. His skin was somewhat dark, but in the fading light I could not exactly place him.

"Is this her?" He asked.

"It is."

"Show me." He commanded as he took a seat in the corner of the room.

I felt the tears begin to leak out of the corners of my eyes, while in my mind's eye I watched exactly what Craig did.

... [EDITED] SEE CHAPTER 1 NOTE

A/N: Oh no! What was she feeling? Bwahahahaha! I know, I'm evil, but Craig is soooo much worse.

ETA: I put the link to the banner in my profile now you'll see how I picture Craig.