Monday November 29, 1999

Palace – New Orleans, Louisiana 10:20 a.m.

Last night was like a fairytale and a nightmare that involved fairies all at once. Niall Brigant my great Grandfather and Fairy Prince crashed a vampire party. Today I was going to find out the information that I am seeking, or I was going to get into major trouble trying.

I crawl out from under Eric as gracefully as being trapped under dead weight allows. My body is screaming that I have needs such as hunger and require bathroom breaks. Trudging to the bathroom I use the potty and brush my teeth. Showering sounds unappealing and I quickly dismiss the idea.

Digging into my suitcase I spy a pair of cotton pajama bottoms and slip the on with Eric's shirt. Glancing around the room I finally see the laptop that Eric is never far from and drag it with me to the couch opposite the bed. Curling myself into a ball at one end I power on the machine and wait for it to boot up. A password prompt stops me in my tracks. Damn secretive vampires! In 1000 years Eric has witnessed everything which means his password could be easily anything.

Hesitantly I type in 'Sheriff' and press enter. Another prompt appears – Forgotten your password? I snort Eric forgets NOTHING. It's more like an inept telepath is unsuccessfully trying to hack his lappy. I click the prompt and laugh at the hint – Lover's 9 digits. Stupid vampire! Either he isn't trying to keep me out or he doesn't figure that I would try to use his computer. I place the cursor back into the text box and enter – '476-21-8495'. After hitting the enter key the computer whirrs to life and I am greeted with my own face on his desktop. I smile at the sentiment every time he turns it on he sees me weather or not I am there. Cute.

Opening the internet browser and navigating to 'Google' I enter Niall Brigant. A total of 10,000 results appear on the screen. The most interesting link was Sanguine Syndicate Niall owns the rights to the synthetic blood that allows the vampires mainstream. His company suggests that the major beneficial factors of the blood are for transplants and other medical uses with out wasting valuable human blood. The coincidence that it sustains vampires is a bonus. Coincidence my ass something fishy is going on here why would the fairies care about the benefits to vampires. They want to hunt them and drain them for the pure pleasure and bloodlust that their blood incites in a vampire. Sanguine Syndicate is a sister corporation and branch of Enchanter Enterprises. I searched for about an hour and I gave up on finding anything out pertinent about the mother company. Something tells me that everything I need to know is centered with Enchanter Enterprises.

Using Eric's portable printer I printed 12 pages of documents on the development and production of synthetic blood and the patents that are obtained in the name of Enchanter Enterprises. I found a ton of articles from various beverage companies including Coca~Cola and Pepsi trying to garner rights to distribute and manufacture synthetic blood that were locked into a court battle over the patent protection. The companies claim that Enchanter Enterprises is monopolizing the market of synthetic blood for distribution to vampires for 'existence consumption'.

Figuring that I have hit a brick wall I know that I should drop this but Enchanter Enterprises has me driven to find out more I knew who to call my fabulous famous Demon Lawyer Mr. Cataliades. I picked up Eric's cell from the charging station and dialed 666-666-6666. I should have known that it was in his contacts list, but I was in the zone of information acquiring.

RING

"Mr. Cataliades office this is Samael how may I help you."

Holy shit a demon receptionist named after Satan what the fuck!

"Hi there Samael I am Sookie Stackhouse and I was wondering if it would be possible to either take a meeting with Cataliades or at least ask him a few questions over the phone."

"He is in a meeting at this moment. I could have him call you back at his earliest continence. Might I take a message and inquire to the nature of the meeting so he may be prepared?"

"Sure tell him Sookie Stackhouse is looking for public information on Enchanter Enterprises. He may reach me on Eric Northman's cell."

"Northman! Why didn't you say so dear girl just a moment I will transfer your call."

I was placed on hold and Johnny Cash was blaring into my ear:

I Fell Into A Burning Ring Of Fire
I Went Down, Down, Down
And The Flames Went Higher

I was singing along and was about to say it burns and the gravely voice of Cataliades broke through the music.

"Dear Miss Stackhouse Samael informs me that you need information on Enchanter Enterprises, is that correct?"

"Yes, Sir. I have had the pleasure of meeting my fairy patriarch. He went so far as to publicly claim me as his kin in a room full of Louisiana's hierarchy of vampires."

"Dear heavens has he lost his mind! That is a dangerous combination for himself, also it places you at maximum risk! That old fairy's scheming has finally caused him to have a mental break!"

"Tell me about it. Anyway I was researching Niall and found that he owns Sanguine Syndicate and Enchanter Enterprises, both of which are development companies for supernaturals, of course the internet doesn't divulge the full information because fairies and wares are not out in the open. Some of the statements just caused me to glean that from the wording. I am most curious as to why he helped develop and holds patents to synthetic blood, as well as why there isn't more information on what the main purpose of Enchanter Enterprises is. I found three pages concerning the mother company and none of it was enlightening. I was wondering if you could help me with changing my light bulb in that area."

"I will help as much as I can although I must tell you that I have a confidentiality contract with all of my clients, I am not sure how much light I will be able to shed on these subjects, but I will help as much as I am able."

"Anything is better than what I have been able to uncover. I also want to tell you to charge me your hourly rate for this call as if I was sitting there across from your desk in your office I know that your time is valuable and I don't intend to waste it."

"Nonsense this is a consultation call nothing more. Niall helped the Japanese develop the synthetic blood with the Aoyagi which are a Japanese fairy race that live in Shangri-La. These fairies have worked side by side with vampires for centuries they were companions of the Sanguisuge, or the first vampire, no one knows his name it has been lost over the 8000 years since his creation. They believe that if we can maintain peace with the humans all races will be able to become known as they once were. Niall and they Aoyagi are both generations of sky fairies that dwell in different portals of the fairy realm. The fairy race in Avalon is dwindling because of the constant conflict that is upon them. The Aoyagi are asexual and therefor breeding with each other to maintain a healthy population is not possible. Niall believes that if he can find a way to turn the fairies in Avalon either asexual or breed his line with acceptable females in the mortal realm that he can return Avalon to its former population. From what I gather from his reports that are filed with my office the Enchanter Enterprises offices of the mother company are heavily researching DNA possibilities to enhance living in the mortal realm for his kind, and also looking for prospective candidates to carry fairy children that will be returned to Avalon once they are birthed and fed a potion that has been developed by Enchanter Enterprises to raise the fairy blood to its full potential or 100% fairy. The problem with his program is that the test subjects must contain a certain percentage of supernatural blood already in order to be able to carry a baby or in this case babies to term. Fairy's always have triplets and the pregnancy lasts anywhere from five to seven months. I know that there is a cryo unit in the facility where it is mandatory for all males of the Brigant line to donate and deposit semen for Niall's experiments. His candidates may be half to 1/16th of any race of supernatural. The Aoyagi are being tested to obtain the secret of their asexual nature. When the population of Avalon reaches a safe level they will inject all of the offspring from the mortal realm with the potion to increase their fairy blood and produce several generations in the portal. Afterward they will be injected with whatever it is in Aoyagi blood that makes them asexual and Niall plans on closing the portals to the fairy realm. The constant war in Avalon is Brenden's theory that the reason the population is diminished is because they procreate with humans, and he wants to stop Niall's plans and force him to close the portals early and abandon his plan. But he fails to see that within several 1000's of years Avalon will be a desolate place of only myth and legend if he follows through with his senile plans."

"Mother of God. So, he wants to use me to have one or more of these new babies to be taken into the portal?"

"I am not certain of his plans that revolve around you, but I know that you contain the Essential Spark so that is a safe assumption and definite possibility. Niall is crafty and is probably infuriated that you have bonded yourself to the Viking and severely thrown a wrench in his plans if that is the case. If I may make a suggestion on your behalf, I think it wise to pledge yourself to the Viking. Your protection would come full circle then, and in the vampire world only a deranged vampire would attempt to do anything rash concerning your mating status. The pledge would do nothing to deter Niall from trying to impregnate you, but if you combine the pledge with Fairy ceremony for commitment his plans would be dead in the water. I have heard rumors that the Viking is part fairy if that is the case Niall would really sit up and take notice. Even if he isn't though he would have no choice but to accept your commitment to the Viking and drop his pursuit of you for nothing more than a family connection."

"How do we trace Eric's heritage he is probably the last in his line I would imagine."

"Have the Viking contact Dr. Ludwig and she can conduct a Litmus paper blood typing. There are several ways in which she could get to the bottom of the mystery. If he turns out to be any percentage of fairy call me back and I will get you the contact information of the council's interracial marriages and ceremonies conductor."

"Thank you Cataliades you have been very helpful."

"My pleasure Darling please keep the information that I shared with you today between your bonded and his maker and yourself. I would hate for that information to fall into the wrong hands."

"Think nothing of it. My lips are sealed. Oh, by the way I need to inform you that Sophie-Anne's contract is no longer valid. She was removed from her throne. I need to set an appointment with you to conduct a signing with Godric and several other Louisiana vampires."

"Certainly I will destroy her contract and have Northman contact me with information regarding the newest addition to your clientele."

"Thank you again and I look forward to seeing you in the near future."

"Likewise."

And with that we hung up. I checked the timer on Eric's cell and we were on the phone for five hours! His information was very helpful indeed. That fucking fairy he is going to get a taste of his own damn medicine. I picked up the phone and flipped through Eric's contacts until I found the number for Amy Ludwig Supernatural Doctor Extraordinaire. Pushing the green button I waited for the rings to begin.

RING

RING

RING

"You have reached Amy Ludwig I am consulting with a patient at the moment leave a message and I will return your call as soon as I am available. By the way I am not taking on any new patients!"

BEEP

"Dr. Ludwig this is Sookie Stackhouse. I am bonded to Eric Northman and I was told to contact you by my representative Cataliades. He believes that you may be able to help us determine some things. You may reach me on Northman's cell."

I hung up promptly after the short message.

I was starving. I woke up relatively early since my schedule has been readjusting to vampire hours and I have spent a very long time on the phone. With no form of sustenance the entire day. I slipped on a pair of flip flops and smoothed my hair into a pony tail. I scooped up Eric's phone just in case the doctor called, and decided to find my way to the kitchens. I opened the door to the suite and ran into the back of a man blocking the doorway.

"ooph!"

"Lord I am sorry I should have been looking where I was going."

"Sorry Miss Stackhouse I should have been listening for your exit. I am Alcide Herveaux and this is Calvin Norris we have been assigned to your day guard by the King. We are to shadow you and maintain our distance as to not make you uncomfortable."

"Nice to meet you both I am on my way to find some food. Would you care to accompany me to the kitchens?"

"Certainly Ma'am, do you have an idea of where you are going?"

"Not in the slightest, I was going to wander until I found what I was looking for."

"If you will follow me I will be glad to show you the way. I have been several times today."

"Thanks!"

We walked in silence Alcide in front and Calvin bringing up the rear. After a series of long hallways and complicated turns we arrived at the kitchen. I am glad I had a guide I never would have found the place it was tucked way out of the way and isn't marked. I know for a fact I won't be able to find my way back to our room alone. For once I didn't have complaints about being guarded. I walked through the swinging door and found myself in a stainless steel jungle. The noise in the sparse space was deafening. Clanging dishes and cooks yelling about dishes that were in progress not to mention the dishwasher that seemed to have a constant stream of dirty dishes to clean. I made my way to a counter in the center of the room and made myself comfortable on a stool. Alcide went to find someone to give an order to. He was gone for a few minutes and when he returned he had a woman in tow decked out in chef attire and looking positively pissed off that she was taken away from her duties and station.

"Miss Stackhouse this is Marquette de Laurent she is the head chef for the King's kitchen."

"Pleasure to meet you Ms. de Laurent. I am sorry if I am causing you any trouble, but I wanted to survey the kitchens and get something to nibble on."

"Miss Stackhouse I am a very busy woman I do not have time to meet the whims of every fangbanger that takes a fancy to something. What can I get you?", she said with a heavy french accent.

"First of all I apologized to you for any inconvenience you were suffering. Now I am going to set the record straight. I am not a common fangbanger as you so eloquently put it I am bonded to the Sheriff of Area 5, and a personal guest of the King. I suggest if you want to keep your job that you learn some damn manners!"

She blanched and turned a bit green and sweat broke out on her forehead.

"Forgive me Miss, I have not had the best day and I didn't mean to take it out on you."

"Pfft. You are in a heap of trouble. Do not lie to me you see I know that you were busy in the store room with your Sioux Chef and your pissed that I interrupted your sexual escapades. I suggest you start over and heed my advice I won't be repeating myself. Now I came here for food, and you can get me a BLT and some homemade french fries."

"Certainly", her pallor was bordering on green and pale and it was very unbecoming.

She bustled off to either make my food or place the order, either way I hope that she washes her hands before she handles anything that is going to touch a plate. We sat at the counter in silence listening to the life of the kitchen. I dropped my shields to sneak a peek into the minds of the cooks. All of them were happy that the Queen took an unexpected exit. Most of them were thinking about the raises that they had received, and the orders that they were preparing. I picked up the thoughts of Ms. de Laurent she was embarrassed that she was outed for her transgressions with a man that is below her rank in the kitchen, and hopes that I keep what I know to myself.

A few minutes later she returned with my food and placed it before me asking, "Will that be everything?"

"Actually I could use some ranch and a Dr. Pepper."

She disappeared into the crowd of white uniforms only to reappear moments later with the requested items. She bowed slightly to me and returned to her duties. I ate everything on my plate with relish. I was damn near starved to death I think. Alcide watched my every move and I was getting embarrassed at his blatant stares.

"Alcide can I do something for you? You are awful intent on watching me at the moment."

"I am sorry I didn't realize that I was staring I was trying to figure you out. I have never heard of a vampire as notable or as powerful as Northman to bond with a human, and I was wondering what on earth you know about that chef. I knew because I found her there, but you never moved."

I huffed, "Eric and I bonded because it was good for the situation, you see I am a telepath."

I feel that it isn't any of his business the reason that Eric and I are together those things are private between us. So his speech to the queen came in handy and just may well in the future.

"A telepath? You can read minds?"

He looked down right nervous.

"Human minds, I know that you are some kind of shifter the same with Calvin here, but your thoughts come in snarly and red if I concentrate I could most likely read you, but I am not trying should I?"

"No, you might not like where most of my thoughts are centered", he laughed.

"Lemme guess, either you are thinking about my boobs, or my ass or a combination of the two. Its not shocking before I read minds for Eric I was a barmaid. Men are pigs."

He blushed and looked away from me then. Typical. The only men that don't think about breast and ass are gay.

"I am all finished lets head back. I wanna be there when Eric rises."

With that we stood and made our way back to the room, I am certainly glad that Godric is selling this monstrosity. It is uglier in the light of day. That reminds me I wonder what is on the agenda for tonight things have been shuffled around since the final death of Sophie-Anne.

I left the wares at the door and entered the suite. I powered off the laptop and plugged it into the charger since I had ran the battery down considerably. I am sure Eric doesn't mind I used it, but to leave it in that state might get his hackles up. I placed his phone in the docking bay and grimaced when I heard Mötley Crüe:

He's The One They Call Dr. Feelgood
He's The one That Makes Ya Feel Alright
He's The One They Call Dr. Feelgood

What the fuck is wrong with my Vampire! I am half curious what the hell Cataliades ring tone is. Rolling my eyes I answered the phone.

"Hello Dr."

"Hello child, you called and left a rather vague message from Northman's phone, is he aware that you have the device."

"Yes Ma'am. He is my bonded. I had a conversation with our lawyer and he recommend you for a Litmus paper Blood typing."

"Exactly what for and for whom?"

"Well you see I am 1/8th fairy, and Cataliades has heard several rumors over however long that hes been alive that Eric has fairy heritage. I would like to find out for certain."

"I see have you talked this over with the Viking?"

"No I just found out about it a few hours ago, I contacted you to see if you can perform the test that we require."

"Oh I can with absolute certainty, but I believe that before you make plans, or an appointment with me that you should consult him. I would hate for him to get pissy about doing things behind his back or without consent."

"Of course, I didn't plan to make him an appointment. I was just curious of your capabilities and willingness to perform the test for us."

"Definitely. If he agrees I can easily do what you ask Northman always pays me top dollar to attend to his needs I will certainly do it for you."

"Thank you doctor we will be in touch."

She hung up the phone without another word. Supes have shitty phone manners! I guess when you live as long as they do pleasantries are the last thing on your mind and waste time. I re-docked the phone and gathered my information on Sanguine Syndicate and the notes about Enchanter Enterprises and took them to the bed with me. I stripped off the pajama pants and sat among the pillows and must have drifted off to sleep.

*~ };- ~*

Palace – New Orleans, Louisiana 7:55 p.m.

I woke up to the sounds of shuffling paper and the scratching of a pen. What the hell! When did I fall asleep?

"Lover you are awake!", he said with a kiss.

"Yes Darling I meant to stay awake and discuss what I found today when you rose, but I fell asleep."

"No matter. You are remarkable! Where did you get the information on Enchanter Enterprises?"

"Umm..I used your phone and called Cataliades. Everything that he told me is written down. I also canceled Sophie-Annne's contract and told him that you would be in touch to set up some signings."

"You must have charmed the Demon. I can't believe that he has forgone confidentiality and told you all of this very interesting and important information."

"Well there is one or two things that I didn't write down."

"Such as?"

"Well Cataliades suggested that we pledge to one another and inquire about your heritage."

"My heritage?"

"Yes he claims that there are rumors that you are also a descendant of fairies", I said weakly.

"I have heard the same rumors for centuries, I am sure that Godric knows for certain but he has never divulged the information to me as I really wasn't interested."

"Cataliades said that if we can prove that you are descended of fairies that we could combine our pledging with the fairy ceremony of commitment, and that Niall would have to respect my decisions. After everything he told me in our long conversation we believe that it is a definite possibility that he may have plans to use me as a breeding fairy to repopulate Avalon."

"That's what all this DNA mumbo jumbo is about?"

"Exactly between breeding and the Aoyagi of Shangri-La. He believes that is his plans."

"And you call me high-handed."

"I know this gives it a whole new meaning. He told me to contact Dr. Ludwig, which I did and she says that she can type your blood with Litmus paper test, and that she is willing to do so."

He whipped out his cell phone and shot a text message to someone. Mere seconds later Godric was standing before us in black silk pajamas.

"You called Child?"

"Yes master Sookie has uncovered some information and we need you to fill in the blanks if you are willing to do so."

"What has she found out?"

"Only what she believes that Niall is up to and how we may save her from becoming a brood mare to the fairy race."

"Do tell this is fascinating she is very useful."

Eric and Godric spent about an hour discussing the uses of Sanguine Syndicate and Enchanter Enterprises before Eric told him about the pledging and commitment.

"So you see Master it is important if I know this information."

"I have to agree that I believe that Sookie and the demon are correct. Also I have to tell you that you are descended of fairies somewhere in your bloodline. Much like Sookie I am unsure of where, but it is there. I suggest that you contact the council about interracial ceremonies and go from there."

"Will they require proof? Ludwig consented to performing the test if it is required."

"More than likely they will require it, just call her and make an appointment. It is a simple process, I will give consent to let her take your blood, that way it will be in our favor with the council."

"Thank you. Godric this is going to make him go away. You have no idea how much lighter I feel with this information in the open. Mr. Cataliades stressed the importance that the information that he shared about Niall's companies be kept a strict secret. He told me much more than he should have, but I believe that it was worth it."

"Absolutely. I shall take it to my final death."

"As will I Lover. I will make the call to Ludwig tomorrow night."

"Now children tonight is the Auction. I plan to have this compound on the market as soon as possible. I have also contacted Bobby about obtaining a large parcel of land on the outskirts of Shreveport near the Plantation so that we can make a proper palace."

"Thank Goodness this place is a monstrosity. I have no idea how she lived here night after night."

"I have to agree. Sookie if you were to design your dream home what would it look like?"

"Really you are asking me?"

"Yes little one you are very helpful!"

"Well then I only have one answer Tara."

"Tara?"

"You know the plantation from Gone with the Wind. Don't tell me that you have never watched that cinematic masterpiece. It is the epitome of southern grace."

"We shall have to watch this movie and then decide. I believe that something like that would be fitting for the Louisiana King to reside in."

"Most Assuredly."

Godric left us to get ready for the auctioning off of Sophie-Anne's remnants of her rule. I will be more than happy to return to Shreveport. I am already sick of this place and we didn't have a single snippet of time to sight see I am actually discordant about that fact. Tonight I chose casual and wore some of my low rise jeans and a cashmere sweater with some soft brown suede ankle boots with a very high heel. You can really see that Pam did my shopping. Eric was dressed just as casually in his normal Fangtasia gear with the exception that he had on a long sleeve Nirvana tee shirt. It was a drool worthy ensemble. If our presence wasn't expected downstairs I would just keep him here for the duration of our trip.

*~ };- ~*

At 3:30 a.m. It was clear that the auction was a success. Every stick of furniture from every room had been purchased. I was surprised that anyone would want the gaudy oversized pieces but apparently all vampires with the exception of Eric are over the top decorators. Most of the antiques were also sold, the few that were not bought outright would be sold to an antique shop somewhere in the French Quarter that was vampire owned and ran. Eric purchased a few rare vases that were from the Ming Dynasty. I had no interest in any of the things that were for sale except for the desk in the "Dayroom" Eric and a Silent bidder got into a bidding war over the desk. I knew that he had driven the price so high that it was no longer worth it, but he couldn't let it go. After it was all said and done he paid 3.5 Million dollars for that damn desk and had Pam in a tizzy about decorating my own office in Fantasia. Godric was irritated with us he said if I had said something that he would have given me the desk as a bonding gift. Damn Vampires! As the night was wearing down an unknown vampire placed a 950 million dollar bid in for the compound which Godric accepted on the spot with the condition that he give everyone 7 days and nights to get their items sent to their respective homes. As dawn approached we retired to our suite one last time, and I was overjoyed that our time in New Orleans was drawing to its end.

*~ };- ~*