Disclaimer: I DON'T OWN TRUE BLOOD! Although I own all mah OC's, (even that fucking little blonde bastard called Aaron ._.)

A/N - :O CHAPTER THIRTY. I have officially made thirty chapters to this story! Most stories I write get eaten by the bin. And they all wonder why the paper keeps disappearing…

On with CHAPTER THIRTY, GODDAMMIT. ~

There had been many things I had assumed before my eyes fluttered open. One, I should have most definitely be locked up in some dark, dank cellar of sorts. (A/N - Can someone say Eric? :p) Secondly, it would have seemed fitting that I would be dressed in rags, flimsy cloth that had been ripped and shredded as I was dragged along a gravelly road or dirt path. Thirdly, I should have been feeling sick and light-headed, or dying of dehydration.

But you know what they say – never judge a book by its cover.

When I did open my scratchy eyes, I wasn't in any of the three situations that I had cooked up in my imagination. I wasn't dressed in smelly, old rags – rather in an elegant, midnight blue dress, with a modest dip in the front, and a hemline that reached just above my knees. I was barefoot, and lying on the most comfy bed. It was almost as comfy as the one back at Godric's – almost.

So I wasn't in a dark, moist dungeon – I was in the most expensive looking bedroom I'd ever seen. Hell, it looked pricier than the bedrooms at Godric's mansion – and that was saying something. The walls were a deep burgundy, as was the bed, and the room itself was trimmed in gold. Unfortunately, it was windowless. The thing that sparked my curiosity though, was the big silver door that connected this room to whatever was outside.

Silver – one of a vampire's limited weaknesses. Had this room been modified to keep a vampire prisoner? I snorted indignantly. It certainly wouldn't keep me prisoner.

I wasn't feeling sick – I felt refreshed and uncharacteristically clean. I would have thought that perhaps I'd feel hot or sticky, and smell like beer. I was at a party, after all.

Was being the key word.

Just where the hell was I?

I wasn't entirely sure how long I sat there – but it wasn't until I had inspected every single fleck of dust in the aged room did a loud knocking ring through it. I sat up straighter, curiosity burning away any nerves. "Come in," I said boldly, but I had a feeling the person on the other side would have come in anyway.

The door swung open with a deafening bang, the silver on the inside clanging noisily against the wall, (I could have sworn I heard a few shouts of protests from somewhere). And a very cocky blonde swaggered into the room, wearing a navy shirt and black pants.

Aaron, on closer inspection, looked much healthier than he had yesterday. (Not that I really cared – the ignorant ass had knocked me unconscious and brought me to some unknown location). Naturally, he looked cleaner. Refreshed. The deep bags under his eyes had receded a little, and his hair didn't look like a nuclear bomb had erupted on it.

He waltzed up to me, and held out a hand, grinning all the while. "Care to go on a walk with me, malady?" He asked oh-so gentlemanly. I pursed my lips, and eyed his hand distrustfully.

"No," I replied bluntly. I'd rather had swim with a tank of piranha fish than go anywhere willingly with that crazy boy. Aaron's grin just widened, and he snatched my hand before I could move away. "Hey!" I protested vehemently.

"Come on," Aaron said cheerfully, yanking me to my feet and hauling me to the bedroom door. "The king wants to see you," He said. "After that, he says I can take you to my room…" He wiggled his eyebrows suggestively, and I fought not to throw up.

Aaron tugged me down a narrow hallway, with walls a dull green colour, and a maroon carpet. I scrunched my face up in disgust – certainly not colours I'd use for a house. I sighed thankfully that Godric seemed to have the same tastes as me. Well – it was natural of course, the two-thousand year old vampire was my other half. He was bound to have some similar traits to me.

I was vaguely aware of a shifting next to me, but I was fully alert when Aaron's arm slid around my waist. He yanked me to his side while we walked. I scowled deeply when I heard him begin to whistle a happy tune. It sounded like, Don't Worry, Be happy. I held in a snort of disbelief. I was anything but happy. I couldn't wait to get the hell out of here.

As we continued to walk down a flight of white stone steps, a thought occurred to me. Surely Rory would have realised I was missing by now? I glanced out a particularly large window as we reached the bottom steps. It was pitch black outside – most likely way past midnight. Surely Rory would have informed Godric about my disappearance? And Godric must have felt my worry and unease – he could have easily sensed where I was. So where was he?

"You seem awfully quiet, Rosalie," Aaron cut through my thoughts, a worried frown on his face. "Is there anything I can get you to make you feel better? Talbot may be a vampire, but he certainly knows how to make the finest human food for us –"

"I have nothing to say to you," I interrupted, a bitter note in my voice. Aaron's frown turned into a grimace.

"I know you're angry about me…escorting you here, but you could be grateful," Aaron sighed like he was disappointed in me. Grateful? Grateful for what!? "…We're finally together again, and all you're doing is being difficult."

"Escorting?" I shrieked incredulously. "You kidnapped me, you bastard!" I yelled, throwing myself out of his tightening grasp. His grimace turned into a scowl.

"See, now look what you've done," Aaron growled. "I was in a good mood, and you ruined it."

I blew up. "Aaron! When will you get it through your thick skull – I don't love you! Heck, I don't even like you!" I exclaimed. "We never did any of the things you convinced yourself to believe. The only thing you did was force yourself on me – many times! When will you finally fucking see – this is one bloody sided –"

A SMACK echoed through the hallway, the sound bouncing off the walls, and leaving me with a stinging red cheek. I stood there in stupefied silence, holding my assaulted cheek in disbelief. He just slapped me!

Aaron stood there, his whole frame shaking in barely contained rage. His sea-green eyes were broiling mass of madness and anger – like the sea in a raging storm. "Listen, you little bitch," He snapped. "I couldn't care less what you think of me right now. But you will love me. And I will get you to submit to me. So, forget about your precious little bloodsucker," He warned, spittle flying as he said it, "Because you belong to me, and only me!"

I said nothing. I could only stand there, shocked to my core, and Aaron took heaving breaths to calm himself down. In what seemed about an hour later – when really it was only a minute or so – he'd grabbed my arm painfully, and yanked me down the rest of the hallway.

We emerged into what looked like the entrance area. There was a white, spiralling marble staircase, which was situated at the side of the richly decorated room. A few Greek looking pillars stood at the sides of the door, and the room itself was mostly white, with bright lights hung up on the walls.

When Aaron led me into the room – (he had relaxed considerably, seeing as his muscles had loosened, and his grip on my arm wasn't so desperate) – I noticed several things. One, there were a group of vampires in the room with us. Two, Eric Northman was here and so was Bill Compton. And three – my sister was here, clad in a flowery lilac dress, a horrified look on her delicate face.

The tiles on the floor were cracked slightly, as though someone had been smashed on the ground rather forcefully. And I noticed several bits of furniture lying in shards around the room. What had happened in here? I didn't need to ponder over that for long, because when I looked up at the staircase – I noticed Bill being held by two vampire guards. He looked as though he'd been bashed into something, judging by the grey stains on his trousers.

I snapped my gaze back to Sookie, who was glaring at Eric rather furiously. Another vampire circled around her, sniffing at her neck. Aaron, noticing my curious gaze, bent down to whisper in my ear. "That's the king. His name is Russell Edgington." I stiffened in shock. What did he want with my sister? And why – why was Eric…

My heart clenched painfully. Eric – blondie – had he betrayed Sookie? I didn't want to make uncalculated assumptions, but judging by the way Sook was glaring at him; it made me think he'd done something bad. What would Godric say, had he known his own child had betrayed someone important to me?

Suddenly, Russell's head snapped up to meet my gaze. His eyes widened in glee, a grin suddenly appearing on his face. "Ah, my dear boy Aaron!" He cried. "You've brought our stunning guest. You look dashing, my dear Rosalie, I must say."

As my name left his lips, everyone's gazes snapped onto me. Bill, his face a look of barely concealed shock, Eric's face a twisted look of anger and surprise, and Sookie – her expression was the worst. She looked terrified, alarmed at the fact that I too was held captive here.

Eric tried to take a step towards me, a surge of wild protectiveness suddenly flaring up in him. However, Russell's voice halted him. "Eric, is there a problem?" He asked, chuckling. "You look like you want to rip the poor girl's head off. I don't blame you, really – she smells divine. Better than our Miss Stackhouse over here –"

"Rosalie," Eric hissed, cutting him off, "Is my maker's mate. What is she doing here? I thought you only needed Sookie. You never said you wanted her." He shot me a worried look, but quickly concealed it.

I felt Aaron slide his arms around my waist, and his head prop itself onto the top of mine. "Mr Northman," He said formally, "In exchange for helping Russell get Sookie, he said I could get my Rose back," He explained happily, burying his face into the back of my neck. I felt his hot breath against my skin, and his fingers teasing with the fabric of my dress.

A look a pure fury and hatred washed over Eric's handsome face. He took a threatening half-step forward. "Listen, boy," He growled, "Rosalie belongs to my maker. Not a foolish human boy like yourself. What did you think you could accomplish, bringing her here? She will not fall in love with you." Eric looked over at a curious Russell Edgington. "I will be taking her home, Russell. I am very – protective of Rosalie. You understand."

Russell shrugged and smirked. "It is of no concern to me what happens to her. Take her back if you must. But – I am rather curious about our lovely Rosalie. I should like to have a little chat with her, alongside Miss Stackhouse here."

I felt Aaron tighten his grip around me, and sent a look of pure loathing at a snarling Eric, and a look of betrayal over at Russell. "You said," Aaron hissed, "That I could keep my Rosalie if you got what you wanted. And –"

"She is not your Rosalie!" Eric yelled. Aaron's eyes blazed over to Eric's, the sea-green depths alight with anger. Russell stood beside my sister, an amused expression on his face.

"Well, this is certainly getting interesting," Russell Edgington chuckled. Sookie sent him a venomous look.

"Don't you get any ideas to hurt my little sister, Russell," Sookie warned angrily. A look of excitement and shock danced across the three-thousand year old vampire's face, and he grinned in glee.

"What? I don't believe it," Russell barked in happiness. "Our lovely Rosalie here is your sister?"

I sent Sookie a dry look, which she returned with a panicked apologetic one. Okay, now we were screwed. Bill quickly cut in. "Rosalie is Sookie's adopted sister," He explained in a hurry. "She doesn't –"

"Did I say you could speak, traitor?" Russell asked calmly. Bill grit his teeth, trying and failing to break free from his captors' holds. Russell rolled his eyes, and spoke louder. "Now, where were we?"

I noticed Sookie eying me and nodding towards the door. Her eyes said it all: let's make a dash for it. Running from a horde of vampires probably wasn't the most smartest of options. I could have teleported ourselves out of there, but I wasn't sure how far I could stretch my magic. From this distance away from Sook and Bill, I couldn't get my powers to touch them.

Eric noticed Sookie's subtle hints, and he grabbed her by the arms. Sookie scowled and spun herself out of his grip, and glared up at blondie. "Eric, what the fuck?" She screeched. I couldn't blame her anger. He had betrayed her, after all. Me too. But Eric always had his reasons. I wasn't exactly rooting for him – but I could tell he was acting around Edgington. Blondie was up to something, and I was determined to find out.

Eric smirked slightly, looking down at a fuming Sookie. "I've not had the pleasure of tasting it," He said casually, "But…all my instincts say it will be quite…extraordinary."

My eye twitched as he said this. Did he – did he just refer to my sister as 'it'? Oh hoo – blondie was walking on a thin line here. I couldn't wait to drag his scrawny ass back to Godric, and watch it get whooped numerous times.

Russell chuckled sinisterly as he circled Sookie again. Sookie narrowed her eyes, still sending Eric her famous death glare – which always had me scrambling up to bed when I refused to sleep as a kid. "I will never, ever, forgive you for this," Sookie snarled. Once again, I couldn't blame her. Blondie had royally fucked up, and I wasn't gonna save his hide.

"Mmm," Eric sighed. "It thinks we're equals," He said, looking at Russell in surprise. Okay, yep. He was definitely acting. Fuck, I had to admit. When Eric smiled like that, it was just goddamn creepy. Whatever he'd come to Edgington for, it was probably for his own benefit. He had absolutely zero intention of helping my big sis out, though.

"Oh, but it's wrong, isn't?" Russell said, shaking his head. I noticed another vampire in the room sending a look of disbelief over at the two of them.

"Indeed," Eric agreed, and the pair of them started chuckling evilly. I rolled my eyes, wiggling a little Aaron's steely grip. Even though his embrace was locked, he seemed drawn in by the little show those two were putting on. I had to admit – I was curious too as to what would happen now.

The vampire who was looking at Russell in disbelief stormed over to him. "Do you care nothing about our home?" He asked angrily. I had no idea what the hell he was talking about, but I just assumed he was a house neat-freak or something. Russell growled at him.

"Talbot, not now!" He said impatiently. Ah, so this was Talbot. Interesting. Unfortunately, it looked as though poor Talbot was going to explode.

"When?!" He screamed back at Russell, and stormed away and up the marble staircase, muttering something in a different language with sounded suspiciously like Greek as he did so. My mouth dropped open.

"Well, that was…dramatic," I said out loud. Mostly everyone ignored my little side comment, but I heard Eric snickering softly. Aaron seemed to be laughing at my joke too – I felt him nuzzle his face into my neck, chortling. Eric whipped his face around again, his expression murderous.

"What did I say?" Eric growled. "Take your fucking hands off her. You're rubbing over Godric's scent with your filthy smell."

Aaron stiffened, and sent Eric a glare. Russell sighed raggedly. Suddenly, a very feminine and familiar voice cut in from beside me. I almost jumped to the roof when I saw Lorena. What the hell was she doing here?!

Please, for the love of god, don't tell me she's here to stalk poor Billy-boy…

"…What are you going to do with our…Mr Compton," Lorena asked. "If I may ask…" She glanced up at Bill nervously. Russell scowled at Bill.

"Marco, Klaus," He ordered. "Take Bill to the slaves' quarters." I frowned at his demand. What was he going to do with him there? It didn't take long for my unspoken question to be answered. "There, my dear, you will kill him," Russell finished, walking to the staircase. Sookie screamed in outrage.

"No!" She cried. I must have had a look similar to her's, because Eric was suddenly by my side, yanking me out of Aaron's grip and into his. He hugged me tight into his muscular body, whispering comforting words.

"Don't worry, my little Viking…" He murmured softly. I couldn't speak or move. They were going to kill Bill? Why? I felt a hot tear drop down my pale cheek, but it was instantly wiped away by Eric's finger. "Shh, don't cry." I was slightly shocked by his change of attitude. He was acting more like a big brother than a cold, heartless sheriff. Not to mention betrayer of my sister.

Aaron, noticing my absence in his arms, was positively spitting with rage. Eric just sent him a look, as if to say, what are you gonna do about it? He hugged me closer to his chest, stroking my hair. If it had been anyone else doing this – apart from Godric, of course – I would have been immensely creeped out. I was glad I wasn't being crushed my Aaron's ridiculous grip, though.

Lorena looked ready to burst into tears. "B-but…"

"DO NOT DEFY ME!" Russell suddenly screamed, twirling round on the marble staircase. "I am YOUR KING!" Lorena looked crushed that she had to commit such an act against her love interest slash child – creepy as that sounded – but nodded anyway.

"Your majesty," Lorena said brokenly, looking down at her feet obediently.

Russell grumbled a response. "Take Miss Stackhouse and Rosalie into the library area," He ordered, glancing at Eric, who was still hugging me protectively. He seemed reluctant to move away from me. "I wanna ask them a few questions after I repair the state of affairs of my marriage…" Russell dragged himself up the steps towards a probably-upset-Talbot.

Whoa. Wait – was Russell married to Talbot? Huh. Their marriage wasn't going too well. Shame I couldn't work my matchmaker skills.

Sookie looked distraught. "Bill, I will get you outta here," She promised to Bill.

"Eric!" Bill yelled. "Save her, I beg you!" Eric looked at him indifferently.

"My only interest is getting Rosalie to safety," Eric muttered lowly. I moved my head to send him a dark scowl, but he just whammed my head into his chest again. Ugh.

Sookie looked at Lorena. "If you do kill him," She said in a high-pitched voice, "I will kill you," She spat out, surprising me at her murderous intent. Lorena, provoked (again), hissed and her fangs dropped down.

"Oh please, please try," Lorena snarled menacingly, "Without that sanctimonious little prick Godric to save you, I would just love to rip you open and wear your ribcage as a hat," She growled at Sookie. Eric, not so pleased by this statement, snarled in warning.

"May I point out," I said, speaking for the very first time. Eric looked a little taken aback – he obviously hadn't realised I'd scooted out his over-protective grip. "That my mate is still in fact alive, and will probably be here to kick all your asses when –" My retort was cut short when Eric clamped his hand over my mouth.

"No more provoking , little Viking," Eric sighed, though clearly amused by me. He brought me back into his arms again, (for chrissake, the idiot wouldn't leave me alone!). Lorena stormed away, following the trail of Bill into the slaves' quarters.

Eric started steering me towards the library. "Just answer a few of his questions, Rose. That's all I ask." I gritted my teeth, and looked over at Sookie.

"Why are you even here?" She asked him. "I thought you had other things to deal with."

"Yeah, I do, and I need to think," Eric replied guardedly. "So please don't take this the wrong way, but shut up."

"Eric, please, I'm begging you – " Eric flashed over to Sookie, and clamped a hand over her mouth this time.

"Thank you," Eric sighed in relief. I rolled my eyes.

"I'm seriously gonna kick your ass later, blondie," I muttered. Eric merely grinned at me. I raised my eyebrows challengingly. Before I could take another step, though, an agonizingly familiar voice called out.

"Hey! Where are you taking my Rosalie!" Demanded Aaron. I heard him stomping up to us. Eric groaned in irritation. He spun round, his hand still clamped over Sookie's mouth, and glared at the guards.

"Take him somewhere where he won't be a bother," He ordered. Aaron looked shocked, but could do nothing as the vampire guards hauled him away.

I looked back at a grumpy Eric. A reluctant grin spread across my face. "Oh dear god, thank you."

Blondie winked. "Pleasure's all mine, little Viking…"

Well! What did you guys think? Review and make me a happy ol' bunny :'3