THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH FOR YOUR LOVELY REVIEWS AND SUPPORT. Again I'm so happy that you are totally interested in the story. Thank you also for your favorites and followers. I'm glad that this story brings you guys excitement and for some people (you know who you are) it brings their childhood memories.

The Story is mine, but the characters belong to Charlene Harris and Alan Ball

Enjoy!

Grabbing the Jacket and shirt, Sookie ran down the stairs and went in front of Eric's painting with a frustrated look on her face. Eric's painting changed again with Eric sitting upright and have a non-emotional look on his face. She looked at him straight in his eyes "Is this yours?" she showed him the jacket that he wore in the painting, that still has the rose petals and thorns on it. Of course, no response as usual.

"I don't get it! My brain is telling me that I said that incantation and that you or your spirit...got out of the painting. How is that possible? Even if it is possible, you snuck in my room without waking me up! You put red roses in my vase, left a cheeky note, and you left your dirty laundry in the closet!" Sookie had her hands on her hips giving him almost like a death stare. She was still waiting for a response. Again frustrated she looked away and sat down on the couch, trying to relax. "Breathe Sookie, breathe." Sookie took a couple of deep breaths.

When she calmed herself, she looked at Eric's painting again. This time it totally changed. He was standing up looking at her with a small smile on his face and he was pointing. Sookie looked at him in wonder. He was giving her direction, 'what was he pointing at?' she thought. Sookie tried to eye line his pointing direction. The only thing she saw in his pointing direction was her second leather book from her grandmother that she was about to look at before she was interrupted by the officer's phone call.

She held the book up in front of him "Is this what you're pointing at?" even though she knew she wasn't going to get a response from him; but now she feels like there has to be some kind of dialogue. 'If he is alive in there.' she thought. Sookie brought the book over to the couch to her spot near the painting for her to read it.

When she opened the book the first page was titled: GRIMORE, THE STACKHOUSE BOOK OF SHADOWS. "Book of Shadows? Isn't that like a witch workbook?" she asked Eric. She looked up at him again and his position changed. He's now sitting down on the chair leaning in Sookie's direction as if he's trying to read the book himself. Sookie was now getting used to the changing of positions. She's now accepting the fact that this was no ordinary painting. Now she's assuming that he can only change positions when she's not looking. She scanned through the pages and there was pages of spells, potions, and charms. Knowledge of herbs and stones. Including other beings and other dimensions.

As she was scanning, an envelope had dropped out. Which reminded her of the letter that Mr. Cataliades had given her from her grandmother. Before she wanted to read the letter from the Book of Shadows, she'll want to read the other letter first. She remembered she left it on the table until it got moved because of the unpacking in the living room. Sookie ran to the kitchen by the cabinets and spotted the envelope. "Gotcha!" Sookie opened the envelope, the letter was several pages long. She was sure that there were explanations and directions for her to read. She decide to sit at the edge of the couch in front of Eric's painting and began to read.

My Dearest Granddaughter,

If you are reading this letter, this means I've passed on. I'm so sorry that I haven't raised you to adulthood as it should have been. There are so many things that I wanted to teach you and for you to be raised by love, not by the government system. Unfortunately it looks like it came to that. Hopefully this makes up to you somehow. There are many things that I'm giving you. Some of them are permanently yours and others are on borrowed time.

First let's talk about the items that Mr. Cataliades has given you. You are going to receive two leather books. One is for pleasure which is my recipes for those good and loving home cooked meals. I hope these recipes will remind you of the love I have for you. Sookie smiled as she shed a tear. The second book is an family heirloom that's been passed down for many generations. The Stackhouse Book of Shadows. Darling we are witches. Sookie had to read that sentence again. She had that shocked feeling within her again. I know it's a lot to take in, but there's another letter in the book that helps you explain everything about the book and your powers. Remember darling I would have taught you if I was still around. If you need help, there's a woman in Shreveport that has a store called The Earth and Sky Emporium, her name is Amelia. You can get information, supplies, and help if needed.

You should also be getting an amber amulet necklace, shaped like the crescent moon. Sookie, this necklace is also an heirloom that's been passed down from generation to generation. You already have the power inside you, but this necklace helps bring it out or amplifies it when you're not so confident in yourself. Sense it looks like just an amber necklace, no one will question what really is for. You should also receive my bank account information with the money I've placed for you.

Now we're going to talk about the house, Northman Manor. Darling this place has beauty, mystery, and secrets in every corner. "No Kidding." Sookie muttered. You are even wondering how I got this place. Before you wonder, I didn't do a spell to make this place mine. Soon you'll understand the chemistry and balance when it comes to magic. Anyway darling I worked for Mr. Northman. He wanted someone that's part of the supernatural community and old enough where he doesn't have to worry about the person drooling over him. Like my age will stop me from looking at him? Sookie laughed at this part and looked at Eric' portrait "Well, my Gran sort of had a bit of eye candy from you."

I helped take care of the house and worked magic with him. Yes my darling Eric Northman is a witch. Now one lesson I'll teach you in the real Witches/Wiccan world, because this is important. You never call a male witch 'Warlock'. The word is actually an insult to male witches. Warlock actually means backstabber, betrayer, one going against their own people. You may call the male a wizard, witch, wiccan, or sorcerer. The are other names but it depends on what they practice.

At the time you stayed over with me, Mr. Northman and his mentor Godric were away at the time. That's why you didn't see them. They allowed me to have you be in the house. I doubt you remember the place, you were so young. Now I'm going to explain the situation of what's going on with Eric Northman and the house. "Yes! Please do Gran." Sookie was beginning to feel relief that her Gran can actually explain this.

Darling there was trouble in the supernatural community. There was a war going on between two huge covens. It is very hard to kill a witch, because of all the magic that you use to protect yourself and use for defense. Eric Northman's coven was very powerful and so was Russell Edgington's coven. The war actually happened here in the house. Luckily I sent you to your friend's house to sleep over for a couple nights when all of this was going down. Eric feared for my safety and his as well. He told me to go hide somewhere in the house. Hiding was not only for my safety but if anything happens to Eric, then I can help him out. I've hidden in a spot where no one can find me, but I saw everything as to what happened. Russell's coven was winning by having their strategy of trapping Eric and his comrades in paintings. This technique was so old that many of our people forgotten all about it. Most of Eric's comrades were already inside several paintings. All there was left was Eric. Then using his genius, even though Eric didn't know the spell for trapping people in paintings; Eric used a mirror. As Russell was putting a spell on him, the spell reflected back on to Russell and trapped himself in a painting.

For a couple of minutes, Eric thought he'd won. Then a woman came by, Eric knew her for she was one of his past conquests. Sookie already knows where this was heading. What Eric didn't know was that she works for Russell. As she was giving him a passionate kiss, she put the spell on him. Next thing I saw, was Eric being in a painting. I should have gone after her, but I thought of you. What would happen if I got locked inside the painting too? I wasn't as strong or fast as I used to be when it comes to magic. This woman was very fast at her magic, and other things. I didn't get a good look at her, other that she was wearing a blue opal necklace with a rune carved on it.

So my Sookie, you still have that very same war going on in the house. As you can see in the living room, there's Eric's portrait. In the several hallways is Eric's comrades, including Godric. For years I've been researching the spell for the painting prison, trying to find a reversible spell. The only spell I could find was the Latin incantation that's underneath their label, but it's only temporarily. It works only at night and only one time. In other words, to see Eric again, I had say that incantation every night just so he can get out. Unfortunately in the morning he's back in the painting. Sookie just so you know, everytime you look away the painting moves. Eric and his comrades are still alive in the paintings. Part of the magic is for the painting to look normal when you stare at it. I don't want you to freak out. Sookie rolled her eyes in a big laugh "Too late for that Gran."

Sense if you're reading this and I'm dead, Eric and his people are still in the paintings for more than eight years! Sookie please try to help Eric find his way out of the painting permanently. There's a room full of herbs to help and a huge library to get more information. "Yes I know Gran, I just found out." Sookie muttered.

Now my love, keep in mind even though your living here and the house is under your name, it's still Eric's house. The closet still has his clothes for when he returns from the painting. Try not to sleep in his room, it's still his. Try to sleep in the extra bedrooms. Sookie felt a little guilty about that, she slept in his room and touched his things. Including his swords.

One more thing, this going to scare you a little. Sookie looked again at the letter, what more is there? Russell and his coven are still in the house. "What?" Sookie hoped she didn't read that right. Sookie, as Mr. Cataliades must have explained to you that there are a couple of rooms that don't have a key. I explained to him I didn't want to change the locks, for changing history of the house. Of course that was a lie. One of the rooms, I don't want you to ever step into! That room is filled with painting portraits of Russell and his men. That room is sealed locked. The spell of the paintings is very powerful, but just in case it's locked with a key and a protection spell over the room. Other rooms that are locked without the key around is Eric's personal rooms. Even I don't know what's in them except one, and that is his magic ritual room. It's right next to the herbal room. Sookie knew exactly where she was talking about.

Sookie, again I'm sorry for dropping all of his on you. Once you summon Eric, I'm sure he'll help you come into your gifts in magic. Remember that he can come out only at night. He's a gentleman. "A gentleman? Yeah to you maybe." Sookie remarked. I love you very much sweetheart. Good Luck with your magic and your life. Send my love to Eric and Godric when you get them out of the paintings. You are going to be an amazing witch and a wonderful woman. Please be careful.

Love,

Your Gran.

Sookie couldn't stop the tears from coming down. She looked at Eric's portrait. Eric's position now was he just sat there listening very focused on Sookie with concern. "Gran sends her love to you and to Godric." she told him. Can she really believe what her Gran was telling her? Is magic real? Part of her is saying yes it is real and the other half is saying that her Gran probably lost her mind before she went.

Then Sookie got curious and walked to the hallways where she spotted many paintings of different people. When she found them almost every portrait had that Latin incantation on the bottom. Then she spotted the painting she was looking for, she saw Godric. His position has moved too from the last time she's seen it. He looked straight at her with curiosity. "How can this sixteen year old boy be a mentor to Eric?" she said to herself. Now she looks at all the portraits with a different view. So many of them were portraits. "They are all trapped in their paintings." she whispered in wonder. "They are all people, well all of them were witches."

As Sookie went back to the living room, she came across one of the locked rooms that couldn't open. She laid down on the floor on her stomach and looked through the small opening of the door on the bottom, to see what's inside. From what she could tell there was paintings laying against the walls and some of them laid flat on the floor. As Sookie got up, she got that chill down her spine. For she had a feeling that this was the room where Russell's painting and his covens' are at. Who knew that there would be a room of prisoners inside her house. This terrified her, for she feared that one day these people will find a way out despite what her grandmother had said.

Sookie tried to shake off that fearful feeling and went back into the living room. Outside she can tell it's about sunset. She looked at Eric's painting. There on the chair he sat and looking like he's waiting for the time to move. Sookie felt excitement, for now she understood what was going on with the paintings. She got closer to the painting so she can read the incantation. She touched her amber amulet necklace and took a deep breath. She looked at Eric with the feeling of him wanting to be alive.

" Vinctus est, ut maledicat: Benedictio sit liber a nocte." she said out loud and with feeling towards Eric's portrait. Nothing happened but Sookie looked out the window and it was still sunset. "He'll come out, when its night. I think." She looked at Eric with confidence. "If you're not out of the painting one hour after nightfall, I'll come back and try again." she told him. She went up to Eric's bedroom with excitement and anxiety in her stomach. 'What's he like? Is he as handsome like in the painting?' Sookie thought. She was too excited that she needed to calm down. Maybe she'll give herself a nap, and try to catch those lost hours of sleep.

Then the grandfather clock struck at 8 o'clock again. Doing its loud rings. Sookie woke up from her nap and her the clock as if he's trying to wake her on purpose. Then she remembered why she must be awake now. She got out the room and ran downstairs half way there. For the staircase it allows you to look through the whole living and dining room. There she saw Eric Northman sitting on the couch...out of the painting still topless. He was more sexy in person. He looked at her with his beautiful blue eyes and smiled seductively "Good evening, Ms. Stackhouse it's finally a pleasure to meet you without a canvas in the way." Sookie looked at him in shock, it really happened. When she looked at him she thought to herself 'I'm in trouble, I should have kept him in the painting.'