Tara, who briefly introduced herself before passing me, walked Sookie to her car, carrying my bag, while I stayed behind, keeping an eye on the others and escorting them outside. Jessica was able to handle herself, being a vampire and all, and Sam and Tommy should be able to make it to their home behind Merlotte's without any trouble. The three of them stayed behind, making me swear that I would keep Sookie safe.

"I don't know what you are, but you keep an eye on her. She's gone through enough shit," Sam said, his finger pointed in my face.

I pushed his hand down gently. "I won't let anything happen to her. I'm here to protect her, not cause harm."

"Yeah, that's what those vamps said, too…and look how much they've put her through," His jaw clenched. "You can watch her during the day?"

"Yes," I nodded. "I'm going to be with her at all times."

Eric is who I should be with right now…he is my Keeper…and far more vulnerable than Sookie, at least during the day. She has Shifters to watch over her, protect her…and Eric is an open target for anyone willing to kill off a vampire. Besides that, Sookie seems strong. She can hold her own, I think. To a point.

I scowled. This is what Eric wants. I must do as he says. And he says to guard Bon Temps' very own fairy.

Sometime during the day tomorrow, I'll need to return to The Slaughtered Lamb, my place of work. It's a club much like Fangtasia, minus the humans. And the feigned welcoming attitude. The only thing welcomed, are supernaturals. Anything but humans are allowed to pass through the massive steel doors…even vampires. As the bar is owned by Elders, Hounds against the capture and hybridization of the species.

I'll need to let them know that I have been bound.

"Good…good. Now get her home; it's late."

"Will do. I'll see you in the morning then?" I called out as I began walking toward the car.

"See you in the morning," Sam waved and said his goodnights.

Jessica stood awkwardly off to the side, running her hands up and down her arms, her blood red nails scratching little discolored paths into the skin. I scoffed at her choice in color. Fitting for a vampire. Her left leg bent and swung out, tracing lines in the dirt with her foot. Only after she kicked a rock in my direction did she notice me watching her.

"How come you're still here?" I asked. "I thought you would have left by now."

She twirled a strand of hair between her fingertips. "Well, Sookie's been real good to me, so…I wanted to make sure she got out of here okay."

"Sookie is in good hands. I can assure you that," I smiled. "Where do you live?"

"Across from Sookie," She answered quickly. "I live with Bill."

I quirked an eyebrow. "Are the two of you…?" I trailed off, wondering if the King is dating her.

"No! Bill is my Maker," She answered.

"Ah," I nodded. "I think we'd better leave. Sookie is human, you know. She needs her rest."

"Yeah," She chuckled softly. "'Night, Adrian."

"Goodnight, Jessica."

. . .

Sookie gave me a quick tour of the house and packed away my clothes neatly in her closet. Before she went up to bed, on the couch she set a spare pillow and throw blanket for me to use if I decided to sleep. After what happened earlier, I thought it best to stay awake and keep alert until I deemed it safe enough for me to rest. I've gone weeks without sleep. One night isn't going to kill me.

An hour passed, and the human was fast asleep, although her friend wasn't. I flicked the light on as she walked into the kitchen bleary eyed, and apparently starving, as her stomach was growling nearly as loud as I was earlier at the wolves. Tara gave me a side glance as she shuffled over to the fridge. I turned around and leaned my elbows on the sink and stared up at the moon.

"You don't seem to happy about me being here," I said.

"I ain't happy about any of you freaks being here."

"Ouch, no need to be harsh," I mock winced. "Why so hostile towards the supernatural community?"

"Cause all y'all do is cause trouble. Ain't nothin' been right since you decided to come out of hiding," She glared at me.

"Keep in mind, the only ones that have come out of hiding are the vampires; no one knows shifters or werewolves or even creatures like me exist," I crossed my arms over my chest. "Don't be so quick to judge, either. Not all of us are bad."

"Yeah? I'm gonna need a lot of convincing on that," Tara poured herself a glass of milk and sat down at the table.

"I don't sleep, and I'm immortal. I can spend every moment of my life trying to convince you if that's what it takes. I'm not a bad person, Tara."

The last few words I spoke seemed reluctant to leave my mouth. Evil is not a word that could be used to describe me, then again, neither is good or moral or decent…I have committed my share of despicable acts, but never have I succumbed to the darkness within me. Always, I have tried to maintain a balance, however crooked it might be. I won't allow myself to become a wicked wretch like most Hounds that I know.

No matter how hard that is.

"You're gonna have to prove that," Tara said between gulps.

"I'll do my best. So why are you still up?"

"Can't sleep."

"Obviously. Something bothering you?"

She set the mug down. "And why am I going to tell you?"

"Forget I asked," I grumbled. I stared at the glass. "Drinking the milk cold won't help you sleep."

"Hmm?"

I walked over to the table. "Cold milk doesn't help you sleep. Warm milk does."

Tara took a sip. "I'm too tired to heat it up."

"Give me the glass then," I reached out. Hesitantly, she handed over the cup, her eyes narrowed. I wrapped my hands around the sides of the cup. Within seconds, the milk bubbled, heating up. I gave the cup back. "There. Drink."

"What'd you do?" She asked, taking the cup by the handle.

"Nothing. Drink," I smirked.

"I don't like that smile on your face. Looks mischievous."

I rolled my eyes. "Oh, be trusting for once and take a sip."

"Fine." she wrapped her lips around the mouth of the cup and drank. "Oh my god, that's perfect. How'd you do that?"

I tossed my hands up and shrugged. "Magic?"

She laughed. "Sounds like it. You're gonna come in handy when I can't sleep. That shit was good."

"I'm glad I could be of service."

Tara drained the rest of the milk and set the glass in the sink. "I'm gonna go lay down. You make sure no crazy shit happens, alright?"

I nodded.

"Night."

"Goodnight."

I pushed back from the table and went outside, dropping down onto the steps with a loud thud. The moon was bright tonight, illuminating almost everything. It looked as if nothing was hidden by shadows. Not even the lone vampire standing across the yard behind the trees. I waved them over. This time, the vampire didn't shimmer toward me, appearing in front of me in a short time. No, they took their time walking across the grass, slowly, like they were walking on eggshells.

"I got bored sitting at Bill's."

"So you come here?" I asked, slightly amused.

Jessica walked up the stairs quietly and sat beside me. "I kinda figured you'd be up, so, I thought why not come here and talk?"

"It'll be dawn soon. Shouldn't you be settling down for the night?"

Her body drooped. "I'm not bothering you, am I?"

"No," I said, shaking my head, "just not used to anyone willingly wanting to spend time with me."

"Why? Don't you have any friends or anything?"

I looked away. "I had one. But that was a long time ago."

A very long time ago. I had last seen Alistair in the early 1900s, somewhere near here, too. Whatever happened to him is beyond me. I've had no contact with him since I left to return to the Underworld. Hopefully, he is still alive. Alistair was the only true friend I had in all the years that I have been alive. An unlikely pair, we had become so close so fast and stayed together for a long period of time. I sighed.

"You've had no other friends since then?" Jessica turned her body toward me.

"I'm afraid not. I've been alone this whole time," And that is true, mostly. I've had a few acquaintances, but they came and went.

"You must be so lonely," She frowned and placed a hand on my knee sympathetically.

"Not really. Everyone that I have ever known has disappeared at some point. It stops affecting you after a while," I changed the subject. "How long have you been a vampire?"

"Not long…about three years."

"So you're a baby still," I grinned. "How is it? Being a vampire."

"It's…different. But I like it a lot."

"Oh?" I cocked my head to the side.

"Mhm. I'm so much stronger now, my senses…I can see things so clearly, taste things in a whole new way…but.."

"But what?"

"Then there's the impulses and urges I've never felt before. And now I can't see my family anymore," A look of sadness crossed over her face. "But it's okay."

She's lucky she even had a family. I have no idea who my parents are.

"Do you have a family?" She asked.

My lips pressed into a firm line. "No. I'm an orphan."

"Life hasn't been so good to you, huh?"

I laughed dryly, a small frown forming on my face. "Not at all."

"I'm so sorry."

"Ah, I don't need to be pitied. I'm…content with the life that I have," I dropped my gaze to the wooden panels on the porch.

Am I really content with it? I've spent years - centuries in fact - working and killing, and not much else. Throughout the years, I've met some fairly well off people, vampires and Hounds alike. Ones that I hadn't met while in the Underworld. I've attended elegant parties hosted by each, and fun as they were, I never really gained anything from it. I never saw the appeal. My only reason for showing up, was not to upset the ones who had invited me.

"You don't look it."

I peeked up and turned my head to the side. "Then how do I look?"

"Honestly? You look…lonely. Kind sad, too," She leaned forward. "Could I…?"

"Could you what?" I asked, narrowing my eyes at her suspiciously.

"Oh, screw it," She leaned over and wrapped her arms around my sides in a tight hug. My body stiffened in response to the affectionate gesture. I hesitated before wriggling my arms out from her grasp and hugging her back.

"You're so warm," She marveled, hugging my body closer, soaking in all the warmth she could take in. "Why?"

I smiled a little. "The perks of being a Hound."

Jessica pulled away and apologized for being so close. I dismissed her apology. It's just a hug, and quiet frankly, I didn't mind it. I glanced over at her. Jessica seems friendly…like an overall good person. Maybe I'll actually make a friend while I'm here in Bon Temps.