I was stopped at a red light when my car voice announced "Eric the Vampire" was calling. I love that robotic voice, something so comforting about it. I remember a time when you actually didn't know who was on the other end of the phone when it rang. I also recall a time when if you said you had an idea for an invention of a devise that would allow you to speak with someone at a great distance you would have been burned at the stake for being a witch, yeah, life was hard.

"Hey Eric"

"Danny, are you on your way?"

"Yes, I am" I glance at my watch, it's 2:00am, I had left Sookie at her car in Merlotte's parking lot about 20 minutes ago, I hated to leave, we were having a great conversation. I was very surprised to learn that she was part fae. Usually, I can identify any supernatural traits, but that was a total surprise, I couldn't even smell any hint of this. It's no wonder vampires seem to take such an interest in her, Fae blood is hard for vampires to resist, or so I've been told. Being inside her mind was also a pretty cool. Since I have been a vampire, I have usually been able to sense what a person or vampire was going to do or say next. But not to the point of actual sitting inside someone's head, feeling their feelings, much less have them inside my head. "and yes, Eric, I have the envelope with me." see what I mean.

Eric actually laughs a little at that, I hear noise in the background, music, loud talking, commotion; I can practically smell cigarette smoke.

"So like, you're married?" I ask, might as well just put it out there "you don't tell me anything anymore." This was something Sookie actually hadn't said, out loud anyway, I caught in her head the image of her handing Eric the ceremonial knife, but she never came out and said she was married to Eric and technically she isn't because this kind of ceremony is only recognized by vampires.

"I intended to tell you" he said

"Why, Eric?" I mean, it's just really weird to think of Eric as married or in love or just being romantic.

"I did it to protect her." He answered me; I could tell he was serious.

"Protect her from what? Bill?" I asked on a hunch.

"Bill? No, why did you say that?" he asked concerned.

"I don't know, I was just guessing, he lives near her right?" I covered up "I mean dose she need to be protected?" But as I asked the question it was starting to make sense on its own. Of course a telepath would be very valuable to a vampire, especially a vampire with power, say a King. Before I could stop myself I blurted out what I was thinking "Wait, this book, does it have anything to do with Felipe de Castro"

Eric sighs and sarcastically says "Well, he is the King"

"I bow to no one Eric" I sound superior, I know, I just hate the whole Vampire Hierarchy thing, it's a load of crap, but I do understand that Eric is doing what he needs to do to keep his position and keep himself and possibly other vampires safe and I guess Sookie too.

"Yes, I'm aware of that" He almost sounds distracted.

"Eric, it's not really a good idea to defy your king" emphasis on the your, I'm really resentful about the regime. "Even if you are trying to protect Sookie or whoever, I really hope you're not doing anything too risky."

"You'll have to trust that I know what I'm doing" he remarks

Now I laugh "Yeah, like that's worked in the past" I decided to let the subject of his marriage drop since I didn't want it to slip out that I knew Sookie was a telepath, and I really didn't want to insinuate myself as being a telepath or half telepath either.

"Do this for me" It was less a request then a demand "Be at Fangtasia at sun down, I'll be waiting" this also sounded too demanding for my taste.

"Yeah, yeah, I'll be there Eric" I sounded more annoyed than I wanted too.

"What? What's wrong? Are you jealous of my marriage?" I can hear the mocking in his voice.

"Yeah right Mr. January!" I say even more annoyed, eww no. "I just don't like this; I know it's going to end badly and why am I even having any part in this?"

"Because you can't say no to me" he loves taunting me like this, I can hear the thrill in his voice. Unfortunately, it's sort of true.

"I'll see you at Sundown" I disconnect the phone, no point in continuing that conversation, even for just company on the road. He's so arrogant.

As vague as Eric is about this entire undertaking, there are some things I just know; like in the envelope is a hefty load of money for the Britlingan and that this book has information of some kind that Eric is hoping will be used to somehow help him with the whole Felipe De Castro mess.

I got the hotel super early and right away I could tell, much to my extreme disappointment, there was going to be no interference. I have no idea what Eric was all freaked out about, sometimes he thinks he is way more dangerous then he really is. I headed straight to the restaurant since I know Batanya won't be early from her other dimension or whatever. I order a tremendous breakfast and it arrives just as Batanya dose. Her arrival was completely understated; she just walked in, spotted me and walked over to my table.

"Do you have something for me" she asked

"Yes I do" I hand her the envelope, she stares at it a second

"Here is your package" she hand me the book, wrapped in brown paper, as I take it from her I feel a spell on the book, a witches spell protecting the book I guess from winding up in the wrong hands, then I feel more, it's a book of shadows, a witches book of spells. "This really going to end badly" I think to myself. I look up to see that Batanya was already gone, those Britlingan are really smart, and they always leave before the trouble begins. I dig into my breakfast and stare at the book trying to figure out what in the world Eric would want a book of shadows for, and who did he get it from, it's too much thinking, I order more food. It's not like Eric can cast a spell, who else could be in on this with Eric? I ponder all sorts of questions until it's time to leave so I can be back to Fangtasia by Sun Down, and still the only conclusion I can make is that this will end badly.

The parking lot was empty when I pulled into Fangtasia, The only occupants in the club were Eric, Pam and a female bar tender. I walked over to where Eric and Pam were sitting. Eric saw me and signaled for Pam to leave. As Pam strode by me I smiled at her and over enthusiastically said "Hello Pamela" , she smiled back, a very sarcastic smile, "Hello Damaris" she so knows I hate being called that, but still, better they Day walker.

I threw the book down on the table in front of Eric, he went to put his hand on it and stopped to looked at me "The booked is spelled" I said "like that would have stopped me if I wanted to look at it" I smirked.

"Yes, it is spelled, not to keep you out of it" he paused "Obviously"

"Eric, what are you getting involved in? Witch stuff is... not cool, it's dangerous, don't you remember what happened last time you pissed off a witch, Hallow or whatever her name is or maybe you don't remember." I smiled at my little joke, the last time Eric got involved with witches, the leader of the group spelled him and gave him amnesia.

Eric was not amused "I do remember, one thing has nothing to do with the other."

"Yes it does, look, with witches things are never what they seem, these spells" I point to the book "never turn out the way you think they will" I have nothing against witches, some of them are pretty cool, but with spells, there is usually a twist or worse yet, a mistake.

Eric picks up the book "Thank you for the warning, I will use caution" his eyes never leave the book.

I shake my head "Caution isn't going to help you Eric" he looks up and we lock eyes, I can see nothing is going to change his mind.

He nods "Can I offer you a drink" he says gesturing towards the bar tender

"Very funny!" I sneer back.