Here my darlings, another chapter for today. I'm really inspired. Hope I can keep up with you! Hopefully you enjoy this! I thank you all for the comments, they make me all smily and giddy lolll If you have questions or critical advice, give it. I'm open to constructive criticism. I do remind you again that my first language is french. So please excuse the spelling or turn of phrases that might sound bizarre sometimes. I do try to do my best :)

Love you all! Have fun! I might post another chapter today or not. I intend on continuing this story into season 4, or what I believe should be season 4. I know that so far all has been written from Sookie's point of view and that might annoy some of you fans of the Jason, Tara, Hoyt, Jessica etcaetera fluff, but I find it personally time consuming and not all that important. They will however be part of my story once we're back in Bon Temps (ta-da of course Sookie's not gonna die to Russell's hands, otherwise what fun would this story be uh? :P)

Btw, Arthur McAlister is supposed to be akward and bizarre, just as the previous Magister was creepy and drawn to power and torturing of our poor vampires. McAlister is amused at just about anything in life, trying to find stuff to keep him out of the boredom he feels generally towards his function. That is why he finds Sookie so interesting because she changes him from his regular routine of V selling and bad vamps killing poor humans. If you find him out of character for a Magister, don't hesitate, give your opinion, I'll gladly try to see how I can make him more evil hahaha :)

Have fun y'all! xoxoxo

P.S. As always, please review :) I LURVE IT :)

'That should be interesting' Eric mused, leaning back in his seat. 'Dirty little secrets you've got, Bill, huh?'

I gasped involuntarily, putting myself in front of Bill this time, feeling like he needed the protection. Of course, I was as useless as a moth between two lions and Bill knew it so he pushed me back behind him, ready to handle whatever mess he had coming his way.

'What business are you referring to, Magister?' Bill asked, his voice as impassive as it possibly could be.

'Businesses, to be more exact, Mr Compton' Nan sneered, leaving the rest of the information to be divulged by the creepy Arthur McAlister.

'Mr Compton, it seems the Queen of Louisiana and you have some sort of history, is that right?' The Magister said, drawing a little pad and pen from his pocket, the way any regular inspector would have done. Eric had moved closer to me, slipping out of his seat as discreetly as a 6'4'' blond Viking Vampire could do. Which was surprisingly quite discreet, I must give him that. I shuddered when his hand grabbed mine and he pulled me towards the empty chair next to his, whispering low so as to not disturb the scene happening in front of us.

'You can't do anything for him. Don't make a fuss and just relax. Save your strength and energy for something worth fighting for. Your life, for example.' He said.

Or yours, I completed mentally. But did I really wish to save his life? I couldn't help but realize that saving him was saving myself in a way, because with Eric out of the way, I couldn't think of a single person strong and powerful enough who would stand up to Russell to save me from the dour fate he surely had coming my way. And I had grown to be quite attached to the Viking, a weird sort of attachment. The kind you'd have for old sneakers you couldn't bear to throw away but did not appreciate that much either.

'It is right.' Bill replied, looking at me, his face contorted in some sort of displeasure or pain.

I stared at him blankly, not immediately noticing Eric's hand curled around my thigh. The pressure was weirdly soothing so I let him pet me. It actually felt exactly like a master petting his favourite puppy. I was the puppy. But boy did I have better things to think about right now than the fact that Eric Northman was petting me as if I was his. For example, what kind of business was Bill having with the Queen? I didn't even know we had Queens and Kings anymore! I guessed it was some vampire politics. Bloody Vampires.

'What kind of business? Just for the records of course, as I already know pretty much what there is to know about your case... Otherwise I wouldn't be here, wouldn't I?' The Magister actually snickered at that as if he had just pulled a really good joke on us. I opened my mouth as if I was going to ask something and so Eric pressed his fingers in my thigh, making me whimper. I put my hands on my mouth, eyeing him with distaste.

'What are you doing?' I mouthed to him. He simply slid his hand higher on my thigh. Luckily for me, the table we were sitting at was partially hiding my legs from the others' view. I looked at his face, he was grinning like an idiot. What in heaven's sake was wrong with him, I thought? The conversation before me distracted me from his current ministrations and I turned back to listen to Bill's answer. I was both nervous and anxious to figure out what exactly Bill had done to anger Nan and her minions as well as the Magister, which I guessed was some sort of high authority in the Vampire World, from what I could tell.

'A few decades ago, I used to be a provider for the Queen of Louisiana, until I decided I wanted out and was given back my freedom.' Bill said, his eyes darting from me to the Magister's looming figure.

'And what exactly did you provide the Queen?' The Magister continued, still taking notes. He was writing so fast it was hard for me to keep up with how many pages he had filled up in his annoyingly tiny notebook.

'Humans. Human companions. Special ones who could entertain her with their blood or talents.' Bill said, looking at the Magister this time, afraid of my reaction. I felt the colour leave my face. He had provided the Queen with snacks, is what this meant. Special snacks. What the hell was wrong with these creatures? Did they have any morality at all? Of course not, I answered myself when Eric started rubbing my thigh in a very pleasant and absolutely not appropriate manner.

To find out about Bill's secret past made me realize how very little I actually knew about him. He knew pretty much all there was to know about me and my life, but I only knew who is maker was, Lorena, whom I had staked. The rest was small talk we had had about our everyday life. Basically, very little about his past as a vampire.

'What would the Queen reward you with?' The Magister said, all-business like.

'Money. Lots of it. This was before all the taxation we have had to endure over the last two years. Back in the days where we were wealthy and did not lift a finger to obtain riches humans work decades to acquire.' Bill said, darkly.

'How exactly did this business of yours as Official Provider of the Queen work?' Nan asked, curious.

Pam was now standing behind me and she leaned in to whispered something in Swedish to Eric. He simply nodded and continued massaging my thigh, his hand now way too close to my groin for my comfort. I must have made a small whimper because Pam and Nan both looked my way quickly and turned back to the scene in front of the, a slight smile on their lips. Ah, right, lesbian Vampire humour. Eric just looked impassive though I could tell from his general emotional state that he was finding this situation to be both arousing and very amusing. I was not finding this amusing one bit. Arousing, sure, but it was hard to keep a cool head whenever he laid his hands on me, no matter how much I resented him for it.

'I was the best at glamouring and seducing the Queen's companions. I would find what she was looking for or knew she'd like, seduce them, man or woman, and bring them back to her. And she would keep them with her for some weeks, months, sometimes even years, as long as they could keep her amused. The first... companion I brought her actually stayed with her for most of her human life, though that life was cut short by her disobedience.' Bill said, looking shameful when he glanced at me.

I was quite horrified by what he was saying. My fiancé had spent years of his life taking hostage some poor fellows and bringing them to become slaves of a wrathful vampire's fancy. And he had never uttered a word to me about it. I felt anger rising from the pit of my stomach and to my throat. But Eric calming hand warned me to relax and keep it down. Ah right, the man could sense my emotions. But what I feared most now that he had had my blood was that I could also start sensing his. Right now he was calm and smug. And aroused. Very aroused. He glanced at me and smirked, his grin both inviting and seductive. I breathed deeply and tried to push away his hand. My fighting back seemed to enthral him even more into what he was doing. Typical Eric. He looked impassive and continued watching the exchange going on between the Magister and Bill. Bill was oblivious to what was happening under the table, something I found quite surprising since he usually was quite possessive of me. But at the moment, I understood quite well that he had other matters on his mind. The little guilt I might have felt at Eric's ministrations washed away from me when Bill continued explaining himself to the Magister.

'Why did you return to Bon Temps, Mister Compton?' The Magister suddenly asked. Bill looked abashed and looked at me, horror painted on his face. I let out a breath I didn't know I had been keeping.

Eric suddenly interjected, his hand leaving my thigh.

'I don't think Sookie needs to hear any of this just yet.' He said, looking at me for my approval. I was rather tempted to accept, fearing Bill's answer, but I decided I wanted to know the truth about the man I loved.

'Actually I want to.' I said, my voice quivering.

'Sookie.' Bill muttered, pained.

'I think she should know.' Pam said, reminding me of her presence. She pressed a hand to my shoulder, surprising me. It was like she wanted to give me comfort. Her touch was strangely reassuring. I looked at Eric and saw that he refused to glance my way. He put back his hand on my thigh and traced circular patterns on my jean with his thumb, soothingly.

'She should perhaps, since she's concerned.' Nan said, not even glancing my way. 'Now, no more interruption. You're dealing with the Magister here' she warningly reminded everyone. The soldiers, I noticed for the first time, were standing guard at the door, as if they expected someone to disrupt de trial taking place. It did feel like a trial. Bill's word against that of God knows who.

I wondered how I was concerned at all by Bill's past, but then, it dawned on me and I felt my throat contract. Bill wanted me for his Queen. I almost fainted at the idea and Eric must have sensed this because he grabbed me in a swift move and cradled me to his lap, holding me close to his chest.

'I didn't want you to find out this way.' He simply whispered to me, trying to calm me down.

Bill looked at us and understood that I knew what his purpose in Bon Temps had been. He looked back at the Magister and answered truthfully, since he knew any other answer would end up in torture.

'I came back to Bon Temps when Hadley, Sookie's cousin and the Queen's companion, informed the Queen that she had a rather special family member. The Queen had me sent to Bon Temps when my last descendent died and I was to live in his home not too far from that interesting human. And I was to seduce her and bring her to the Queen.' Bill said.

I stared at him in horror, tears welling up in my eyes. I jerked against Eric strong grip, trying to remove myself from his arms to go and rip Bill's eyes out. My anger couldn't outdo my pain however. I slumped back in his hold, nuzzling in the crook of his neck, suddenly happy for his closeness. I started sobbing silently. Everything had been a lie from the beginning. Bill's presence in Bon Temps, his love, his soft words, his seduction, his interest in me, everything. For God's sake, I had risked my life to save him. I had given up my virginity to him. I was both humiliated and pained, as if someone had just churned my insides with a hot poker. Eric felt it and although I could sense his smugness at the truth being finally out in the open, I could also sense his anger, towards Bill. His fist contracted in my hair. How ashamed I felt that all these vampires were watching me crumple as the pitiful creature I was to them.

'But I fell in love with that human.' Bill whispered, loud enough for me to hear him. 'I fell in love with her, still love her, and always will. I can't take back the pain I've caused her, but I wish I could.' He tried to advance towards me but a warning growl from Eric's throat that rippled through his chest made him stop in his track. I turned to look at him and gathered enough strength to say what I must.

'I never want to lay eyes on your face again.' I said. Bill stopped dead in his track and moved back. I had never seen a vampire losing it as he was losing it now. His hand was clenched at his chest as if I had just ripped his heart out. He didn't have a heart, I thought, pain searing at my insides once more. Eric gently kissed my forehead and I turned away from Bill, nuzzling deeper in Eric's embrace.

'Sookie, please understand. She's my Queen, I had to obey her. But I would have rather died than hand you over to her.' Bill said. And I believed him. But that changed nothing.'

'Now, now, enough with the human. There are other matters at hand, are there not, Magister?' Nan said, a bored look on her face.

'Aye, there are.' The Magister smirked. He then threw me an apologetic look. I was rather surprised by that since the man was an authority figure in the Vampire World. How troublesome could it be for him to grow fond of a part-fairy telepath freak like me? 'Mister Compton, it has come to our notice that you have kept some information you should have immediately reported to the League concerning some business the Queen was forcing Mr. Northman into. Illegal selling of the sacred blood. What do you have to say for your defence?' The Magister said, looking at Eric and then at Bill. Bill glanced at Eric in anger.

'What have you told them?' He asked Eric, his voice now filled with anger.

'Merely that you were threatening to turn me in and turn in the Queen on the matter of her selling her blood for profit. I must admit, Bill, given the choice to save your skin or mine, I much prefer mine.' Eric said. I glanced up at his face and he looked down at me, silently ordering me to keep calm for the moment.

'I'll explain later.' He whispered to me. I was overwhelmed with my anger and pain right now and did not mind waiting to figure out just how much had been kept from me.

'So you'd rather turn me in than solve this yourself? Is that what you're saying?' Bill asked.

'Oh, I did not turn you in. I merely answered the authorities' questions regarding the murder of Talbot. For which I had my own reasons that have nothing to do with our current predicament. And I never appreciated the Queen forcing me into anything. I do my duty and don't like to suffer her greed or let Pam endure it.' He replied, referring to something he and Pam only knew about since it did not ring any bells in the minds of the vampires here, judging from their blank slightly puzzled faces.

'There are other businesses left to discuss, Mister Compton. So if you would please all tune it down, we could perhaps get back to the matters at hand?' Arthur McAlister said an amused look on his face.

'There's more?' Bill questioned, puzzled.

'Well you have turned on your own kind to protect a Queen who has failed her duties. I hardly think this can go unpunished... What do you think, Nan?' The Magister continued. The fact he actually asked for her opinion seemed to surprise her.

'Well, Magister, it is not really my place to decide. I do believe Mister Compton has done wrong towards us and he should be punished. But I leave that decision to you.' Nan replied, annoyed.

'I believe Mister Compton should be banned from Louisiana for the time being. And he should turn in to us that collection he has been building.' Arthur McAlister said. I looked at him wondering what the hell he was talking about. Collection? What Collection? Like stamps or rocks or ugly bugs?

'You do know what I'm referring to, no doubt' The Magister said, looking at Bill with his ugly face contorted in what I suspected was a questioning look.

'My database...The one the Queen ordered me to do.' Bill replied.

'Precisely. I find that quite a smart idea, I must admit, building a database of all the existing Vampires with all the information you might find on them. Quite practical in your position as provider, no? Plus I'm sure some would pay a little fortune to own such a thing.' The Magister drawled, amused. Was he mad? I couldn't tell, but he found this whole situation, his role as Magister even, to be quite the entertainment.

Eric looked genuinely curious about that and he stared at Bill with a renewed interest.

'So what shall be my punishment?' Bill said, his voice strong and courageous.

'Well, first of all, we will silver you for a few weeks so you remember not to cross the authorities again. No food either. And then, you'll continue your work as if nothing had happened.' The Magister smirked. 'Minus the providing Mademoiselle Telepath to the Queen of course...' he added. So he knew what I was, I thought. Eric's grip on me tightened and I couldn't help but feel his suspicion towards the new Magister.

'I would never hand her over to Sophie-Anne.' Bill replied. 'But what's the point in me continuing to work for her? Haven't you gathered enough evidence to deal with her?'

'Sadly, no. Against a Queen, the words of two of her subjects aren't quite sufficient. We will need more than that and you'll provide it over time. However, once your punishment is carried out, we will ensure that you do not spend more time than necessary in Louisiana so that you don't end up spilling the beans. You'll head down to South America to complete your pretty work.' The Magister smirked. He was scary as hell.

'What about Sookie? The Queen will ask for her.' Bill muttered. My eyes widened at the idea: I had no intention of escaping Russell's hold to become Sophie-Anne's pet. I'd rather die than be prisoner to some crazy vampire Queen.

'Mr. Northman, as sheriff of the area, will see to it.' The Magister concluded. 'Unless the telepath would like to join me and receive the protection of the Vampire League?' He asked me, licking his lips at the thought. I must have looked completely disgusted because he smiled slightly before saying: 'I thought not.'

'Alright. So I believe everything is settled here' Nan concluded. Looking at her minions, she ordered them to take hold of Bill. Two of them stepped towards him with a silver chain to restrain him. I yelped involuntarily. I knew just how painful silver was to vampires and even though I despised Bill at the moment for his lies, I still felt love towards him.

'Please, don't hurt him.' I said, breaking loose from Eric's hold. 'Just ban him, but don't hurt him.' I begged, my voice croaky with emotion.

'Sookie, stay out of this.' Bill ordered me, a deflated smile on his face.

'I must bring something to your attention.' Eric suddenly said.

'What is it, Mr. Northman?' Nan sneered, blatantly bored with the Viking.

'What about Russell? Don't you intend to help? I must remind you that I accepted dealing with him, but the fact he went medieval on live television surely has convinced you of his madness?' Eric replied.

'Indeed, Mr. Northman. I do hope your plan is good and does not require much of help on our part. We don't have time to deal with personal vendettas, but Russell is now a wanted vampire. He endangered by his acts the whole of our specie. With our relations with human bringing us on the brink of a war, we cannot tolerate such act of violence against humans.' Nan explained. 'What exactly did you have in mind?'

Eric was about to answer, but suddenly, all hell broke loose as the door of the bar was kicked in and a dozen of weres barged in, snarling. Sweet Jesus, Shepherd of Judea, I thought.