Author's Note:

1. Thanks to Northwoman and Ms. Peppermint for your corrections and ideas. Thanks a bunch, girls!

2. Big sorry for the late update, and I will have to disappoint you again, because I will leave this story for a while, I am doing my original story, which I want to submit in a competition. But I promise you, after I finish with my story, I'll return and deal with Arne Kragh! Or, if Arne and Eric 'call' me, surely I will surrender to their calls. You don't put a viking on hold ;)!

Chapter Six

Nights Went Bad

Long black finger nails were the first things Sookie saw. Reaching towards her, the hands of an unseen monster, trying to pull her out of wherever she was.

But they weren't some unknown monster's, they were Debbie's. So Sookie took the black nailed hand and pulled herself up. She shook her muzzy head to clear it and looked around to see what was going on.

Sam was facing Arne, with what used to be his hands spread out from his body. From his shoulder to the elbows, they were human, but from there down, they were a lion's. Complete with fur and wicked sharp claws. Arne himself was looking only at her and his eyes were wide and wild. His fangs were bared and menacingly long. Edvard was holding him back as best he could, and desperately trying to stop him from coming towards her.

Before Sookie could ask, a soft voice made her turn.

"Arne, what's going on?"

A young woman, barely an adult, was standing beside the door that led into the study. She had two hole punctures on her neck. Her clothes were a mess. The buttons of her blouse were gone and her skirt was torn. Her blond hair was tangled mane, going wildly in every direction. Sookie's heart sank. She appeared to be Arne's dinner, young and innocent as a spring lamb. She tried to listen to her thoughts, but all she could catch was something about homework. Jesus, how old was she?

"Master Arne," said Edvard. "It's us. I am sorry for interrupting your dinner, Master...we didn't mean to...,"

Arne sniffed. "Sookie...," he said.

"Yes, Master. It's Miss Sookie and her friends."

Slowly the wildness in his eyes was dimming. " Sookie...," again he said, but again, Edvard interrupted him. "I should've had Octavia tell you about our plans for the evening. Forgive me, Master."

Arne closed his eyes and seemed to gather himself. 'Click', his fangs were retracted. "Pardon me," he said, after a moment. He shook himself free of Edvard's grasp, turned and walked away. "Mädchen...,"

The girl followed him without saying a word. The phrase 'lamb to the slaughter' popped into Sookie's head...

The room was quiet. Nobody moved. Sam and Debbie were still frozen in attack position with their claws ready to strike. The air heavy with restrained violence, and Sookie wasn't sure how long it would have gone on like that if Edvard hadn't broken the silence with a sigh and murmured, "That was close, but no harm done"

Sam turned around. Slowly, he retracted his claws. His face was hard; his eyes were cold. He was on high alert. But instead of feeling protected, Sookie's heart jolted. She had never seen Sam like that before. He looked like a complete different person, and not one she was sure she'd want to be around. That was no friendly collie you'd pat on the head, and he still seemed volatile enough to explode at a single touch.

"Does it happen often, Edvard?" asked Debbie.

"No. Mr. Kragh is an old vampire; he wouldn't lose his control over a small thing," Edvard looked at Sookie. "Something must have had to provoke him."

Sam moved quietly, blocking Edvard's view to Sookie.

"Could it have been the girl's blood? She looks quite young."

"No, it can't be her. Yes, she is young, but Mr. Kragh prefers his dinner tender and fresh. And you can be sure that we select his dinner carefully."

Silence, while the hideous matter of fact statement sunk in...

"I think we all should go to bed and talk about it tomorrow over breakfast. We're all tired and tense. I don't think we will find any solution tonight," said Edvard.

Sookie couldn't agree more. The sooner they were out of this tensed situation, the better it would be for everybody.

"You won't be alone, Sook," said Debbie as they walked out of the room. "Sam and I will stay in your room tonight. And I don't want to hear a word about from you," she continued quickly, as Sookie opened her mouth. "I'd rather be die here than face King Russell's wrath if I let you get hurt, it would be quicker and less painful! So not a single word, please!"

xxxxx

A loud 'thump' and a soft string of curse words woke Sookie up. She sat up abruptly and searched for the source of the noise. In the shimmering light of the lamp from outside, she saw Debbie's figure standing at the window looking out.

"Oh, I am sorry," she said.

Sookie rubbed her eyes. "What time is it?"

"I don't know. But it's still early. You'd better sleep again."

"What are you doing?" Sookie ignored her sentence.

"I think I saw something outside," she said. "Something flying...,"

Now her sleepiness was completely gone. That thing again. She got down from the bed and went to Debbie. "Where?"

"Beside the church tower. It's too big for a bird."

"Where is Sam?"

"He's out, investigating." Debbie looked at her. "You don't seem too surprised. I tell you about some weird not bird thing and you don't even blink. Have you seen it before?"

"No," she lied. "Why should I be surprised? I mean, I've spent most of my life surrounded by supernatural beings like yourself...nothing short of big foot riding a dragon is going to throw me now." Again, lying.

Debbie chuckled and closed the curtain. "Other girls would run in panic, and you...you don't even blink."

"I'm still afraid from time to time. I'm sure you noticed how scared I was last night," she looked at Debbie. "What do you think that made Arne act like that? It couldn't have been the blood, could it?"

Debbie looked thoughtful. "No, I don't think so, unless there was something about that girl we don't know of. But her scent was normal run of the mill human, and you could listen in to her head, right?"

Sookie nodded.

"And?"

"Yes, you're right. She was a human...and she was thinking about her school work."

Debbie sniffed. Her eyes slowly turned to orange. "A school girl! You can't imagine how much I want to twist that bastard's neck!"

As a matter of fact, Sookie could. She understood vampires needed human blood to survive, but she could never understand or accept that they fed on those as young as Arne did. She couldn't imagine it would be pleasant to be bit into like that but she didn't know really. No vampire in her acquaintance had ever fed on her, and King Russell never allowed his vampire guests to touch her. Talbot told her many times, however, that vampires often had intercourse after or during feeding. So she could understand Debbie's reaction. That girl was much too young to be a vampire's dinner or being bedded by a man, with or without a pulse.

"Are you sure you want to continue this mission, Sook?" Debbie's voice sounded hoarse.

Debbie was in doubt. For the first time since she'd known her, Sookie saw uncertainty in her. Something must have had bothered her or...terrified her? But Debbie wasn't a woman who could be scared easily.

"What is it, Deb?"

Debbie smiled. "You didn't just read my mind, did you?"

"I don't have to. It's written on your face."

Debbie took out a slim case, removed a cigarette and lit up. "When you and Sam were out of the cafe, I saw one of the vampires following you. You know, the party killer?" Sookie nodded. "His companion said something to him and he just got up and ran out," Debbie smirked. "Like a giant puppet without the strings. Somehow I believe they are maker and his progeny, otherwise he wouldn't act like that."

A maker and his progeny...in Berlin, in the middle of the war. What were they doing?

"...The maker is interested in you, Sookie," her eyes blazed in orange. "And the progeny has your scent. You won't shake them off easily. You have to be careful, my dear. I know how well you handle vampires, considering you're a human, but still, they are vampires. They'd act differently if they didn't think that you had something valuable."

"Something valuable? I don't have anything...you don't mean my telepathic ability, do you?"

"No. It's got to be more than that. There are few others with an ability like yours, but King Russell is only interested in you. And the way he protects you from other vampires...no, it can't be just your ability. There must be something more."

"My sparkling personality, perhaps?" Sookie raised an eyebrow.

"Don't joke around, Sook. I mean it." Debbie blew the smoke in the air. "After seeing Arne's reaction, I am more and more certain you have something they want. You have got to be careful. Please, promise me that."

"Now, Debbie...you're starting to sound like Sam."

"Maybe Sam being 'Mr. Paranoia' isn't a mistake after all...don't tell him I said that of course, " she smirked.

Sookie took her hand and pressed it. "I'll be careful. I promise."

It was full dawn by the time Sam returned. He had taken the shape of an owl and changed back as he landed on the balcony. He was starting to shiver as Debbie opened the door. Sookie covered him with the blanket as soon as he entered the room.

"Thanks," Sam said. "Why are you awake so early?"

"I woke her when I tripped over your pile of clothes, you slob," said Debbie "now, what did you see?"

"Nothing," Sam sat down. "Whatever it was, it was too fast and it seemed to know me."

"What do you mean with 'it knew you'?"

"It, a 'he' I think, turned to me, and then he left – flew off like a rocket –; like he knew I wasn't an ordinary bird."

The three of them looked at each other. How?

"But I am pretty sure he was observing this house. He must have known about us or Arne."

"Or the witch."

Sookie took a deep breath, trying to get rid off the oppressive feeling that suddenly came over her. "What about Reichard, Deb? Did he mention anything last night?"

Debbie snorted. "About anything except Karl? Well, he did mention his house is somewhere beside a lake...I don't remember what lake..., but that's where he's staying at the moment. He even invited me there."

"Tegel Lake," Sookie said. "It must have been his family's house at Tegel Lake."

"Probably. What? Are you going to go there? What for?"

"Karl could be the one Alcide sent."

"If he was," Debbie lightened another cigarette, "then, we are doomed."

"We could ask Reichard."

"You're not suggesting we go there and ask about Karl now, are you?" Sam raised his eyebrow. "Are you forgetting something? He has a cold blooded monster as a father! He witness his own father killed his lover, for Christ's sake!"

"I'll never forget what we saw last night, but he's our only lead, and I bet they'd love to see a woman pay him a visit."

Debbie looked at her, and then she laughed. "Good God, Sookie! You have definitely spent too much time with King Russell! All right, all right. I can do it but wouldn't it be better if you went? You're the one you can fish around in his head after all."

"I was there at the alley. I don't want them to be suspicious about my visit, in case they saw me."

"It makes sense," said Sam, but he didn't sound enthused by the idea. "But I won't let you go alone Deb."

"I can always use a nice collie."

Sam rolled his eyes. "Of course you can," he gathered his toppled pile of clothes and walked to the door. "I'll go to my room and try to catch some sleep," he said. "Wake me up if you want to go somewhere, Sook. Don't go out alone."

"He's right, Sook," said Debbie. "It's not safe for you to be outside by yourself. As long as we don't know what the heck is zipping around over the church, it'd be better for all of us to stay inside."

Sookie sighed. "Time is nipping at our heels, Deb. We can't just hide inside; we need to get out and find a way to contact Reichard."

"I know, Sook. But I am afraid we're not just facing Nazis, we're also facing other supernatural beings, whose identities aren't clear yet! What if they're stronger than me or Sam? Jesus, Sookie! That thing can fly! God knows what else he's able to!"

"Maybe he's just a vampire," said Sookie, forcing herself to be as calm as possible. "I know from King Russell every vampire has an ability. Maybe..maybe he's just a vampire, who happens to be able to fly."

Debbie snorted, almost choking. "A vampire, who happens to be able to fly and he's fixated on this house, as if we don't have enough problems already!"

Sookie sat on the bed. "Maybe Arne can help us."

"No!" Debbie put out the remains of her cigarette. "Not a single word to him. Not after tonight. I don't trust him. I'd rather take the risk and go out! Let's just pray, Sookie, that we are not overestimating our own strength!"

xxxxx

The church bells rang twelve times, as Sookie left the building.

Sam and Debbie were still sleeping. After standing guard all last night, they deserved it. Or at least that was how Sookie rationalized it to herself. She knew, she should've stayed inside like they wanted her to, but she had to find out about more Karl or Reichard somehow. If the mountain wouldn't come to her, she'd go to the mountain! She couldn't stand cowering inside the house and feeling hopeless one more minute. Her body might not be as strong as Debbie's or Sam's, but her mind was as capable as theirs.

Then, she decided to go to the church. Who would suspect a priest, right? If he didn't know anything about last night, which Sookie couldn't imagine, by the way; at least she could ask him about the Viking's shore.

She decided to go to the church. If you couldn't trust a priest who could you trust, right? If he didn't know anything about about the aerial ballet around the steeple last night, which Sookie couldn't imagine; at least she could ask him about the Viking's river banks.

The heavy door made a deep ponderous creaking sound when Sookie pushed it open. Peaceful, that was her first impression of the interior. The high arched walls, had six small square windows, one big circular one and then seven other smaller circles over top, the left and right walls let the soft light of winter sun enter the room, creating long diagonal transparent lines, whilst their blue mosaics sparkled brightly. To the front, several yards away was the altar. It had the same style as the windows, with a stylized flower at the top of its arch. But it was the walls and pillars that surrounded the altar were the eye opener for her. Over every inch, were blue reliefs of geometrical and flowery shapes, softly creeping, like ivy plants crawling on the ground. Different from the ivy plants tendrils, the shapes crawled around the windows, supporting nothing, but they gave the walls a stronger impression of peacefulness and beauty. Statues of saints stood quietly in each corner. Their hands raised, as if they wanted to ask her why she was there.

A sudden rush of guilt came over her. This was so wrong. She couldn't do this. She couldn't enter this beautiful church simply to pump a priest for information. Had Gran been still alive, she wouldn't have approved of this one little bit. She was about to leave when a soft male voice stopped her from opening the door.

"May I help you, Miss?"

Sookie turned around and smiled. "Good day, Sir."

The man, dressed in a simple white shirt and black trousers, introduced himself as Reverend Mattes. Before she knew it, Sookie found herself telling him almost everything. Where she came from, where she had been before she arrived, where she was staying, and why she came to Berlin. The softness in his voice, and the kind thoughts in his mind (how her blond hair reminded him to the color of rye at the end of Summer, how he missed seeing the blue sky; and when he smiled, it was because he thought she was sweet and funny) lulled her and made feel calm.

His soft gray eyes were getting wider and wider as she told him about her journey on the ship. He could never take such a journey, he said. He didn't like winter, let alone sailing on icy waters. The cold would make his bones ache and he'd remember such an experience for that and little else. However, he continued, the sky must have been better than Berliner sky in November, which was gray, gray and gray. Sookie laughed and said he must have missed the blue sky so much, which was answered with a smile. Sookie also said it's somehow strange that a man who lived in a cold country like Germany could dislike winter. He replied, Germany wasn't always cold. Summer was always a fine time and sometimes when they were lucky, even October would stay warm. Then, he told her about places she should visit, if she were ever to be here in the summer. However yes, he was what the people here called a Frostbeule – people who were too sensitive against coldness.

"I never thought that somebody stayed at Kragh's firm," he said after some time. "The building has been dark for months during the night. Or at least that's what Herr Krueger said."

"Herr Krueger?"

"Our gardener."

So, Herr Krueger was the one, who had seen her the other night.

"Don't misunderstand my interest in your host, Miss. Stackhouse. It's not that we want to interfere with anybody business, but in times like this, it's very important for the church to be aware the situation of our own neighborhood."

"I understand, Reverend. I would do the same in your situation."

He smiled. "It's not an easy time for anybody, Miss. Stackhouse. The better we informed we are, the better we can protect the church."

Sookie nodded. She had to agree, it was a wise policy these days. She got up. "Thank you, Reverend."

He smiled again.

Sookie turned around and was about to leave when she heard a sigh and a whisper, thank the Lord she didn't ask about anything else.

Sookie froze. Who had seen her, then? Herr Krueger or him? "Say, Reverend," finally she decided to ask him. Not about the flying being, but about something, which mattered more. "Is there any place here that had something to do with Vikings?"

My Lord, what could she mean? His soft gray eyes flickered with fear, but he still managed to smile. "I can only suggest you to visit the museums."

"No, I don't mean that. I mean a place, such as a river, coast, beach, mountain...shore?"

Sookie could hear in his head he was repeating the same question over and over again. And then, suddenly, "Ach!" his eyes shone brighter. "Wikingerufer!"

"Yes, something like that." Sookie squeezed her nails into her palms to stop herself from over reacting. Her heart beat faster, and she swore if the reverend didn't tell her more, she'd grab him and shake him. Wikingerufer – The Viking's river banks. Karl had mentioned that place.

"It's a name of a street, and it's not far from here."

xxxxx

"A name of a street?" Debbie sounded disbelieving as Sookie told her and Sam over their very late breakfast. It was around four o'clock when they woke up and they were starving. Sam looked at his coffee cup. One of his eyebrows lifted; he was fatigued, and he was fighting it. "Great. Now you can skirt the street and hope somebody will be able to see you. Let's just hope the street is as short as Thusnelda-allee!"

"We could try," Debbie said. "And we'd better do it before the night fall."

Sookie twisted the red scarf around. "I just hope we run into Reichard once again so that we can talk to him."

"May be we can do it, both. First, we go to that place, and then go to...what is the name of the lake again?"

"Tegel Lake."

"Or we can go to the cafe and try to find information there," said Sam.

"Maybe we can do all of them," said Sookie. "I will go to Wikingufer street, you go to the lake and Sam goes to the cafe."

"Out of the question," said Sam and Debbie at the same time.

"I don't see any other way," Sookie sighed. "We don't have so much time. If we are separated...,"

"We can't split up. Your safety is more important than the safety of a man we don't even know!" Sam interrupted. His eyes were wide open now. His sleepiness seemed to have left very abruptly.

"What could possibly happen to me, Sam? I can speak German, besides, I have my talent. I can read their minds before they have a chance to do anything to me!"

"And I can pretend to be a tourist," said Debbie.

"Oh, come on, Debbie! You ain't going to do that!"

"Think about it, Sam. If we all go out during the day, and returned here before the nightfall, we certainly will save some time and at the same time we will gain information."

Sam shook his head several times. The lines on his forehead were getting clear as he muttered repeatedly, "I don't like it. No, I don't like it."

They spent the rest of the evening in the library, searching maps and books for more information about the lake and the street. Sookie admired Arne's large collection of books. The walls were lined with leather bound volumes of all colors and sizes. Standing side by side, held by the made of oak bookshelves. Sookie ran her fingers along the titles and wished she had all the time in the world to collect books and read them. Perhaps she would be able to, if she was turned. However, she pushed away that thought as soon as it came. No, she didn't want to be turned. She wanted to grow old, to have children, so that her children could have children and Gran's jewelery and legacy would pass hands and into new lives.

Sam didn't change his sour expression till dinner, after realizing Edvard seemed curious about it, as if he was wondering why Sam was running around with such sour face, or worse, he sensing that something was going on.

"I heard you went to church today, Miss Sookie," said Edvard as he poured some wine. "It's been quite some time since I was inside the church. Does it still have the organ?"

Sookie forced herself to swallow the food. "It does."

"How do you know, Edvard?" Debbie smiled, but her eyes flickered in orange. "You are not saying that you are spying on us, are you?"

Edvard flashed his smile. "It's my responsibility to know your whereabouts, Miss, all of you. It's for your own safety."

"I can take care of myself," said Debbie. "Don't you worry, Edvard."

"It's not you whom I worry about, Miss Debbie."

He knew, thought Debbie, lifting her eyebrow.

"Let's just say," Edvard continued, "you did perfectly fine during your stay in my hometown." He smiled. "Your lack of understanding about my language didn't seem to stop you, so I dare say, you'd be perfectly fine here, too."

Debbie smirked, but her eyes flashed dangerously.

"Where's the girl from last night, Ed?" asked Sam.

Before Edvard answered, Arne's voice filled the room. "I never have the same meal twice in one month, Mr. Merlotte. I released her."

Both Debbie and Sam got up. Edvard did the same thing. Only Sookie remained seated.

Arne was standing at the door, wearing nothing but a long black silky robe. Perhaps it was only the amber light that tricked Sookie's eyes, but she swore, his skin wasn't as pale as before. Even his straw blond hair looked shiny.

"And I know it's not appropriate to ask forgiveness during your mealtime, but I didn't want to wait any longer," Arne walked towards the table. Debbie and Sam moved to stand beside Sookie. Their arms were spread and their muscles tense.

"I behaved like a fool last night, my dear Sookie. I apologize and can only hope you are willing to forgive me." He moved closer. Long soft red hair slowly appeared on Debbie's arms, and to her right side, where Sam had stood, Sookie heard a deep roar. Sam was changing into a tiger.

"There is no excuse for what I have done," Arne looked at her. His eyes like razors slicing straight into her soul. "Forgive me."

He's glamoring you. Sam's voice echoed in her head. Sookie, turn away!

Sookie knew, but what Sam didn't know was she couldn't be glamored. She never told anybody, not even Talbot. So when a he or Russell tried she just pretended. Sometimes, she caught an uncertain look in Talbot's eyes, wondering if she really had been under glamor or not, but she'd always managed to convince him. Being underestimated had its advantages. "Why, Arne?" she smiled. "There's nothing to forgive. You didn't do anything wrong."

Sookie, what are you doing? Debbie asked her. This is stupid! You can't trust this vamp!

Arne smiled, with his eyes were still fixed on her. "Still, it was foolish of me."

Sookie smiled back. "Yes, it was foolish of you."

Arne toyed with a strand of shiny blond hair and smiled again. "Excuse me for disturbing your dinner. I'll be expecting you in the study, Sookie. I have news from King Russell," he turned around. "Edvard!"

Without a word, Edvard followed him.

Both Sam and Debbie looked at each other and then at Sookie.

News from King Russell. They wondered what it might be.

xxxxx