Chapter 4

EPOV

Eric became bored and a little lonely without her. He sent his feelings through the bond to which he felt her love and encouragement to socialize. As he finished putting on the black dress shirt that went with his heather grey suit, Godric walked into the room.

"Good evening, Eric. Do you…" He stopped abruptly, seeing what looked like blood on some towels piled on the living room floor. Eric felt his concern through the bond and laughed to himself.

"Master, it's Royalty. Sookie had a special surprise waiting when I woke."

"I hope you didn't break her in your passion." They laughed and Godric continued.

"I was going to inquire about your plans as we haven't socialized together in centuries." He had made himself comfortable on one of the loveseats and Eric plopped down across from him on the other one that faced him.

"I'm available. Sookie is enjoying a male-free evening with some of the other ladies. What did you have in mind, Master?"

"I am very curious about some of our fellow guests and want to learn more. It is rare that I meet other supernaturals that intrigue me. I have to meet with AP briefly, but then I am hoping we can mingle."

"Well, I believe that most of the guests are in the game room on the first floor. Let's go check them out and see if any are worthy of our company." Both men rose and exited.

The room was surprisingly full since it seemed to hold every game that can be played indoors. Eric spotted Sam, Luna, Alcide, and his date shooting pool. There was a group of vampires, all looking like they were turned in their teenage years, playing cards. Their game was loud and boisterous. One of the beauties, a blonde with calculating eyes, kissed the one of the males in the group and exited. She was about as thin as Pam, but curvy like Sookie. The one she kissed looked like a typical quarterback and was built like a barbarian.

Godric leaned over to Eric and whispered, "Do you miss being single? I could easily see you following the one that just left. That dress must have been crafted with her in mind."

Eric smiled, but became very serious. "I gladly gave up all the beauties of the world just to be in Sookie's presence. You cannot know what we've done to be together. I don't even find other women attractive anymore. When my wife walks into a room, my entire body hardens and her control over me will never weaken."

Godric patted my shoulder proudly and took his leave to meet with AP. As Godric left, a vampire with short dark hair sauntered over to take his place. "I couldn't help but overhear your reverence for your wife. It's reminiscent of my own. Is your wife a vampire too?" Knowing that this unknown vampire was also married allowed me relax.

"No, she is…a supernatural. What about yours?" I was intrigued to say the least.

"Yes, she is. She is still quick unique and unlike any of our kind. Where are my manners? I am Eric Sinclair, Royal Consort to the Queen of Minnesota." I was curious as I'd heard about one of the northern Queens being prophesized to have power unlike any other.

"I am Eric Northman, King of Louisiana." We talked for a long while. Laughing and sharing stories of what we've have done to prove our love to our women.

As we talked, another vampire approached the bar and ordered a glass of Royalty. My attention was immediately drawn at the very mentioning of my new favorite drink, next to my 'Fountain of Sookie'. The bartender discovered that he didn't have any bottles stocked, and since he couldn't reach his barback, he scurried off to get more. As the mysterious stranger waited, he noticed me looking in his direction.

"I apologize for staring. I had an interesting experience earlier with Royalty and got sidetracked." I didn't want him thinking that I was checking him out or sizing him up, although I was doing the latter.

"No worries. I am Vayl. And you are?" he asked waiting for both of us to answer. After everyone was introduced, we were fascinated to learn that Vayl was a retired assassin for the human government. Vayl told us a little of his background and all three of us realized that we had a lot in common.

Sinclair took the reigns and changed the subject. "So, what about you Vayl…married or single?"

"I am married. My anvhar's name is Jazzmine. She is…not a vampire, but no longer human in some aspects."

I couldn't ignore the irony of this situation. "How is it that the three of us are married to unusual women?" As we contemplated this unique situation, Godric returned to join us.

"How was your meeting, Master?"

"It was very interesting. You know AP never disappoints." The other two vampires were stunned. Sinclair was first to speak.

"You were just with the Ancient Pythoness? I was hoping that I could present my wife to her. Although she is Queen, she hasn't ever been in the Exalted One's presence." This information shocked all of us because the fact that a Queen didn't know who AP was or had never been summoned was far from usual.

"I have to admit, I was hoping to do the same." Vayl added.

I looked at Godric. The smirk on his face told me that what was happening right now had more than likely been part of his recent meeting. Finally, he spoke. "I do have important information for you all on how to do this, but there are a couple of others that need to know this as well, so let me gather them and I will answer you questions." He turned around and walked directly to the table with the 'teenagers'. I was only a few steps behind.

Godric approached the quarterback, who stood immediately, and nodded in greeting. "Pardon me, but I need to speak to the ones known as Carlyle and Edward. Are you one of these gentlemen?"

"No, I'm Emmett. Carlyle is my maker and Edward is one of my brothers." As Emmett spoke, the remaining males and females at the table rose to stand behind him.

"I do not come to you with any hostility. I have a message for them from the Ancient Pythoness that can only be spoken in the strictest of confidence."

The woman walked forward and smiled. "Hello. I am Esme, Carlyle's wife and child. I will go get both of them. And what is your name, sir?" She was very polite, almost human. I wasn't sure what it was, but she seemed to have maintained her humanity unlike other vampires. As I thought about this, I also noted that they all had that same…twinkle of life. I wondered if Sookie saw the same when she looked into my eyes.

"I am Godric and this is my child, Eric." I nodded slightly and returned to my pals at the bar.

"What's happening?" said Vayl. He looked tenser than he had a moment prior.

"It looks like we have a message that applies to us and it can only be spoken once. Let's find a quiet place to gather for this." Sinclair and Vayl both nodded and the three of us went in separate directions to find the meeting location.

As we made our way back to the foyer, Godric was also approaching with two male vampires following him. Carlyle looked somewhat familiar, but I couldn't place him. As we all huddled, Godric addressed the group.

"We are waiting for two more people. A human name David and one by the name of Raoul."

"They are with me" said Vayl, not surprised that they would be needed. "I will go get them."

It was Sinclair who found the location. "We can meet outside past the wedding décor. We will have privacy."

Godric nodded and the entire group followed him outside.

Author's Notes:

As you can tell, I will have various characters together. There will be NO Twilight/SVM-TB battling here (sorry for the Twilight haters). FYI – The Cullen's do NOT sparkle in my story, but they can still be outside during the day and do not sleep.

From this point on, I will be introducing characters from some of my favorite stories. You'll find their authors listed below.

SPECIAL THANKS to my 'regulars' & annerose09 for your reviews.

* Eric, Ancient Pythoness – SVM

*Godric – TB

*Sinclair (the second Eric) – "The Undead Series" by MaryJanice Davidson

*Vayl, David, and Raoul – "Jaz Parks Series" by the late, Jennifer Rardin

*Emmet, Esme, and the characters with their group – "The Twilight Saga" by Stephanie Meyer

** I OWN NOTHING**