Once I was up and had dressed in one of my beautiful new outfits, I opened my door to find a newspaper and a manila envelope with my name on it.

I sat on my bed and opened the envelope first. There was a photocopy of a mug shot of the man who'd come into Merlotte's with Pete to talk to me about Bill's death. There was also a letter:

Sookie,

Eric Northman, the sheriff of Area Five, asked me to give this to you. This man—a former BVA agent-has been arrested for the murder of your brother as well as a sheriff's deputy in Bon Temps.

I was unaware of your brother's death. Please accept my sincere condolences.

Your status here at the palace has obviously changed. Please stop by my office any time after 5 p.m. to take care of your new paperwork.

I hope you're feeling better.

Sincerely,

Minh

I felt a great relief that we now knew who killed Jason. I hoped that meant that it would be safe for me to go home.

I took my newspaper down to the cafeteria and read the news while I ate alone. The biggest news story was about the new Presidential appointee for the New Bureau of Vampire Affairs—which would now be called the NBVA so it would not be confused with the mess of an agency that the old one had become.

The True Blood plant in New Jersey was reopened and back in production, but I couldn't help but wonder what vampires would ever drink True Blood again. This was a real mess. Vampires had only come out of the coffin because of the invention of the synthetic blood, making it supposedly safe for humans to be around them.

Now that vampires could or would no longer drink True Blood, we were back to being their victims. Only now, we couldn't be arbitrarily dumped into rivers or shallow graves or whatever they used to dump us into before. Because they were out in the open, their behavior was carefully scrutinized. I wondered how the two species would ever be able to trust each other again.

Many of the sick vampires were beginning to get back to their normal state of health. And as they healed, they searched for and found more of their kind. The vampire infirmaries across the country continued to be filled.

When I'd finished eating, I checked my watch and went to Minh's office. He stood from his desk as I came in.

"Sookie. I hope you're feeling better."

"Yes, I am, thank you."

He offered for me to sit and so we both did.

"Don't forget to put your choker on before dusk," he said.

"No, I won't, thanks."

"I'm so sorry about your brother, Sookie. Is there anything I can do?"

"I'd like to go home to bury him.'

"I understand. I'll find out if that's possible and let you know."

I didn't like the sound of that.

He went on, "So, let's take care of business here. Obviously, your status has changed. You will continue to work, but your duties have changed—as soon as your health has returned, of course."

"My duties?"

"Yes, you are the Queen's telepath now. You'll be informed when your services are required."

"My services?"

"You'll read humans for her."

"Oh."

"Naturally, your room and board are still provided, and she has added a salary of a hundred thousand dollars a year."

He nonchalantly set a booklet on top of the desk in front of me.

"This tells you all about your benefits package. It's pretty standard—health, disability, life insurance. A 401K plan with matching funds."

He added a piece of paper on top of the booklet.

"Just fill in your bank information here and sign it, and your checks will be deposited directly to your account."

I picked up the paper and began to read it.

"Do you have any questions?" he asked.

"May I take this with me to go over it? Bring it back later?"

"Of course."

I stood and said good bye before going back up to my room. I was reeling at the thought of making so much money for doing essentially what people thought of me as crazy for all my life. But it also felt like I'd be a slave to some very scary vampires and I didn't like that idea at all.

Eric was right when he'd said he couldn't protect me from other vampires here. We couldn't even have a private conversation. I also understood why Eric was being discreet about our relationship. Apparently, the Queen thought of me as her telepath. I didn't want to think of how she or any other vampire would react if they thought Eric "owned" me. Then, I'd just be something to be taken from him.

I was relieved, of course, to know that Eric loved me, but it was evident that he couldn't safely claim me as his. I was clearly on my own here and terrified about that.

I sat on my bed and picked up the phone. I assumed I'd be billed for my calls. I dialed Merlotte's and fought back the tears when I heard Sam's voice.

"Sam. It's Sookie."

"Oh my god, are you okay? Where are you?"

"I'm fine. I'm in New Orleans. Are you okay?"

"Yes, I'm fine. Sookie, I have some bad news."

"Jason, right?"

"Yes. You knew?"

"Yeah."

"I'm so sorry. He told me you were safe but out of town, but then when he was killed … well, you can imagine how worried we've all been."

"I'm sorry I worried you, Sam. I didn't want to risk your safety too by involving you. You should assume we're being recorded now, by the way."

"Shit, really?"

"Really."

"They caught the guy who killed Jason, but his partner is still missing. Be careful," he said.

"I will." I knew exactly where that partner was.

"You can stay with me, Sookie. I won't let anything happen to you."

"Thanks, Sam. I'm not sure when I can come home. I'll let you know."

"What do you want to do about Jason's arrangements?"

"I'm not sure. I'm working on that. Can you give me a little time?"

"Sure. And I'll call Bud Dearborn and let him know I heard from you."

"Thanks, Sam. I'll talk to you soon."

When I hung up, I had a good cry, knowing that my life in Bon Temps was over now and I'd never be able to go back to it again.

I heard voices out in the hall and assumed it was dusk. I changed into a dark brown dress and boots and put my choker back on. When I stepped out into the hallway, Rasul was waiting for me.

"Good evening, Sookie. How is your health?"

"Better, thank you."

I took his arm and we proceeded to the main room.

As soon as I entered, I saw Eric with his face buried in a young woman's neck. My heart stopped and I hoped Rasul didn't notice my reaction. I watched Eric lick the wound and then release the uniformed woman who walked out of the room. Eric watched her leave and then his eyes fell on mine. I saw a flicker of emotion pass over his face—guilt? But then he was back to the same hard expression I'd seen the night before.

"Thank you, Rasul," I said as I dropped his arm and walked straight up to Eric.

"Hello, Eric."

"Sookie. How are you tonight?"

"Better, thank you. I wanted to thank you for sending that mug shot to me last night."

"Did you recognize that man?"

"Yes, he was the partner of … another man. They both worked for the BVA."

"I see. I hope that means an end to your troubles with the BVA."

"I hope so."

"I'm very sorry about your brother. I didn't mean to intrude, but I overheard you telling your cousin last night that he'd died. My deepest condolences."

"Thank you."

"Now I understand what brought you to New Orleans."

"I figured the BVA couldn't get to me in here, right?"

I laughed a little, but he was very serious and said nothing.

"I'm hoping to get home to bury him, but I'm not sure if I can leave," I said.

Eric just stared at me and said nothing. I wished I could read vampire minds. But then, if I could, I was sure I'd be dead.

"The queen has offered me a position as her telepath." I changed the subject.

"Congratulations." He did not seem very happy.

"Apparently, acquiring me has been in the works for some time. I was unaware of it, of course."

Again, he stared, and then asked, "When you say, 'for some time,' you mean … ?"

"I'm not sure. Perhaps you know," I said, trying to keep the accusation out of my voice.

"I do not." His eyes darted over to the queen. "Congratulations on your new position."

"Thank you. I haven't dotted the "i"s or crossed the "t"s yet. But I assume it's a done deal." That was the best way I could think to ask for his advice.

"Yes, of that I'm quite certain," he answered.

"Yeah, it's not like I have a choice, right?"

"That is correct. As I said, before, congratulations."

We stood for a long moment just looking at each other until Hadley interrupted us.

"Hi Sookie. Eric."

Eric nodded at her.

"Would you like to play a game, Sookie? Rummy? You used to like that."

"Sure. Excuse us, Eric."

Hadley and I found a table and sat to play cards. I'd noticed, of course, that she hadn't come to find me all day. We'd never had a chance to have a private conversation. It had become evident that Hadley was the person who'd told the queen about me, and I knew I'd never be able to trust her again.

Yes, she was my cousin, but I didn't count her among my friends. That list felt very short.

After a couple of games of rummy, I saw a white-shirted human come in and go to Eric. I thought cynically, he's already fed, bitch, but then I watched as he read a note she'd handed to him. He dismissed the human and walked over to speak to the Queen. She said something to him and he headed for the door. Just before he left, he turned and made eye contact with me, but I had no idea what he was trying to say to me, if anything.

I returned my attention to the card game.

"Eric's probably going back to Shreveport tonight," Hadley said absently as she studied her cards.

"Why?" I asked.

"I think they found Pam Ravenscroft tonight."

"Is she alive?" I asked.

Hadley looked surprised at my interest.

"Do you know her?" she asked.

"We've met."

"Yeah, she's alive, but barely. She's in the infirmary in Shreveport. Since Eric's her maker, he can heal her a lot quicker with his blood."

"Well, that's good news then," I said, but inside I was panicking at the thought of Eric leaving me here. I had no idea if or when I'd see him again. I was relieved that Pam was probably safe though, and knew that was one less worry for Eric.

Hadley and I ate dinner and then Rasul escorted me downstairs to Minh's office. Minh informed me that I would be unable to go back to Bon Temps at this time to see to my brother's funeral.

I turned in my signed paperwork. I got from my conversation with Eric that I really had no choice in the matter. I was officially under the Queen's thumb. And all alone in the palace with no Eric.