A/N: Huge thanks again to everyone who has read, reviewed, followed, and favorited. I didn't expect to appreciate reviews so much, but I really do.

Disclaimer: characters belong to Charlaine Harris, but they're up to their own business now.

I quickly grabbed Karin from next door, and we made our way down to the packed ballroom being used for the business meeting. I nodded to Barry when I passed him on the way in, then I took up a standing position in the back of the room. I didn't know how long the meeting would last, but I'd learned it was good to be able to get out of the way quickly in a roomful of vampires. Karin simply followed my lead, and I set about the work of scanning the thoughts of the various humans in attendance. Normally, humans would be given free time during such a meeting, so it was a little unusual that the day men (and women), pets, vendors, and other "regular" people in the vampires' company were all required to attend. I didn't pick up anything alarming in their minds, and they all completely focused on the stage as the council members - again with the Ancient Pythoness - all made their way to their seats on the raised platform.

The King of Kentucky took the podium, and gave a brief welcome to the attendees. "Now, you all may be wondering why we have humans in our midst tonight. This will be revealed shortly, as we have a number of very important announcements to make this evening. When our business concludes, we have arranged for blood and music to be brought in, and I hope you will all stay to mingle and enjoy yourselves."

"To begin, we must address the business of the contract between Queen Freyda of Oklahoma and former Louisiana Area 5 Sheriff Eric Northman. Would the involved parties please step up to the stage?" Eric, Freyda, and Felipe made their way forward, but Felipe was stopped at the small stair by Kentucky, who told him, "Oh no, King de Castro, you won't be needed for this. You may take a seat." Felipe's face froze as he tried to look dignified while retreating in his ridiculous cape. I spied Pam watching him with a small smirk on her face from a strategic spot nearby.

Eric and Freyda took the "guest" chairs on the stage, situated at an angle to council's long table so they could all see each other but still mostly face the audience. Kentucky continued, "It has come to the council's attention that a breach of contract has occurred. While a wedding ceremony was set to occur tomorrow night, the breach has the effect of nullifying the contract which was signed and effective some weeks ago. As such, the contract is now void. Freyda and Eric are no longer bound to its provisions, and the council has given them since the previous evening to come to a decision about whether they wish to proceed with the marriage at this time. Queen Freyda, I would have your answer now."

Freyda maintained a queenly indifference. She gave a faint smile and responded with a dismissive wave, "Of course. Mister Northman will make a more than suitable consort and asset to the Kingdom of Oklahoma."

Kentucky turned to Eric. "Mister Northman, the provision of the contract which was broken was one of your request, and your interests have been directly harmed by the breach. The council therefore places greatest weight on your decision in this matter. Although the contract is void, do you still wish to be married to Queen Freyda?"

The way Kentucky emphasized his words made me realize that Eric was being steered to a specific decision. Eric had taken weeks, if not months, to hammer out the original provisions of the contract before consenting to marry Freyda, and I very much doubted he would be willing to marry her with no such protections and benefits in place. I noticed that several guards - and Quinn - had moved closer to the action, practically in unison. Freyda might be a ruthless and ambitious vampire for her age, but I was certain in that moment she was being out-maneuvered by the council.

Eric looked even more fully himself now. He inclined his head slightly toward Kentucky and council. "Your Majesties, it is to my dismay that the contract has been violated. There are many negotiations to be made when a vampire as old as I considers forming such an alliance." I gripped Karin's arm, recognizing the double meanings behind Eric's words. "I find that, without a valid contract in place, I am unwilling to go forward with the marriage at this time."

Whispers and murmurs rippled through the room as the vampires reacted to Eric's decision. The crowd noise was insignificant, though, compared to hiss that emerged from Freyda. The Queen of Oklahoma leapt to her feet, and Eric quickly followed, towering over her with a triumphant smile. As the guards stepped closer, Freyda slapped Eric across the face. "You will pay for humiliating me in this way, Eric. You may be a thousand years old, but you're not so special that your maker and your King weren't willing to sell you off."

Eric remained totally calm, although he could easily have beheaded Freyda right then and there. Karin, on the other hand, was striding across the room toward him, her desire to protect Eric understandably stronger than her orders to protect me. It didn't really matter, because I had headed toward the face-off as well. Unfortunately, Freyda saw it when Eric looked my way, which only made her angrier - and made her head straight for me.

"You bitch! I should have killed you like I intended the night I came to your house. You won't make it back to that shithole before I finish the job. I know you threatened Eric's pet as well. You will suffer for your interference!"

I heard growls come from Eric, Karin, and Pam all at once; the three of them were now forming a wall in front of me. I had a feeling this would turn into a bloodbath if Freyda tried to attack, but the Queen of Alabama intervened. "Freyda, dear, the council is well aware of both Miss Stackhouse's prior claim on Mister Northman and the details of the attack on her last evening. I assure you, we are absolutely satisfied that no fault can lie with Miss Stackhouse for these events." Well, yeah, since they'd planned it themselves. "If you so much as hiss at this woman again, now or in the future, we will end you. Mister Quinn, please see that Freyda is seated and will cause no further interruption. We have several more important matters to attend to."

Quinn surprised me then by simply catching Freyda with a silver lasso and yanking her into a chair, which he tied her to with more silver rope. The metal wasn't touching her skin, but she wasn't going anywhere either.

I spared a second of thought for Felipe, who looked furious but remained in his chair. He'd hoped to punish Eric for Victor and remove him as a threat, and neither of those things seemed to be happening now. Before I could worry about this further, I heard Alabama speak my name.

"Miss Stackhouse, step up here please."

"Yes, ma'am." I nodded and climbed onto the stage, with Karin staying close, both of us unsure of what was happening.

"Please join us at the table." Quinn quickly pulled a chair from beside the stage and placed it at the end of the council table. "Kentucky will now make an announcement." I sat down next to Alabama, who patted me on the thigh and whispered close to me, "Don't worry, dear."

The King of Kentucky moved back to the podium and began to address the completely stunned crowd. I felt waves of encouragement flowing from Karin, who was apparently quite happy about this turn of events.

"Now that that unpleasant matter is settled, we have another announcement. All of you must know the name of Sookie Stackhouse, who has joined us at the council table. Thanks to her efforts at Rhodes, many of you are here today who otherwise would have met the final death. Others of you have been aided personally by Ms. Stackhouse in a number of matters, both human and vampire. She is well-versed in vampire society, but also has a unique understanding of humans due to her ability to read their minds."

"Tonight we welcome her to our table as our official liaison to both state and federal Bureaus of Vampire Affairs, representing our interests to the human government. It is well past time we employed someone in this role to show the seriousness and maturity of our cause, and the council has found none more qualified. Ms. Stackhouse has also graciously agreed to be hired on from time to time in order to continue to provide the level of security we have all enjoyed for this summit. As such, we hereby name Sookie Stackhouse an honorary member of the council, and extend to her our official protection. Sookie's safety is the responsibility of all of you from this day forward; threats to it will be punished by the final death."

He paused, directing a pointed look at Freyda - and then Felipe. "Ms. Stackhouse is known to be quite capable of doing the deed herself, but when she cannot, the council most certainly will. Please welcome Ms. Sookie Stackhouse of Bon Temps, Louisiana, our first and only non-vampire member of the council and our new Director of Vampire/Human Relations."

This time, the vampires were absolutely silent. I'd expected that Kentucky would tell people I was acting as a consultant, but I hadn't known were adding me to the council. That was huge, and unprecedented. I'd also refused to be paid in protection, but they were clearly offering it anyway. As the news sank in, I turned toward a new noise in the crowd and the surge of pride I was receiving - Karin and Pam stood side by side, and they were clapping. Before long, most of the attendees had joined in, including Barry, Eric, Bill, Mr. Cataliades, and the entire council. This was the second time in a month I'd been surrounded by supporters, and after all my years of feeling like a freak, the acceptance made my heart swell. Amazingly, a room full of vampires had made me feel warm inside.

A/N: I know some people may be disappointed that Freyda didn't end in a bloody revenge killing. There are three reasons I didn't choose that path: 1) the council remains practical, and has no interest in removing a successful and promising vampire from leadership; 2) I had no interest in making this about punishing the "other woman" or creating a double standard - Eric's done plenty wrong to Sookie, but I don't see people clamoring for his murder; 3) I've already established that for the purposes of this story, killing Freyda is not the appropriate solution to Sookie's problems.

Next up: Kentucky's not quite done giving speeches. That vampire likes his speeches, and has an important announcement to make about vampire governance.