Author's Notes:

I know you are screaming about that cliffhanger, but don't fret. His come-uppings are on the way.

SPECIAL THANKS to AlphaSprout for your constant reviews. Keep them coming.

*The characters in this chapter belong to their respective authors, CH, & AB.

**I OWN NOTHING**

Chapter 48

Betsy's POV, Northman Estates in Shreveport, LA…

Yes! There are some more strawberries in here. I was worried that the fridge hadn't been restocked, but I can honestly say that Sookie and Eric have way better staff than I do. Tina tries to do it all, but she falls short when Sinclair is on a roll dealing with vampires, businesses and human politics.

With both of them still dead for the day, I decided to have breakfast with my bestie (breakfast for a vampire). I'm sitting at the dining room table (which is almost the same size as my own), waiting for said human to come downstairs. I can hear her moving closer. Since she has been my best friend since we were in middle school, I think she will help me with my task, even if she and my husband are bosom buddies and like to gain up on me ever chance they get. I have a couple tricks up my sleeve (in a proverbial sense, since I'm wearing a vest) if I need to convince her to help me. Entering the room with sophistication that would rival any vampire, Jess heads right for the coffee maker.

"I see someone had a late night" I quip. This earns me an eye roll and a sigh of…exasperation.

"Well, if you must know, I did and had a couple too many shots. I feel like someone hit me upside the head with a bag of rocks." Most people wouldn't know it, but she is the third richest human in the United States (only surpassed by Oprah who is now on her death bed). She's the first in Minnesota. Although I've never taking advantage of this during our friendship, I'm hoping she lets me today. My mission is top secret, so no boys can know about it.

"Do you remember when we were in junior high and we went undercover to expose that cocaine ring?" We were like Charlie's Angels except there was no Charlie and it was only the two of us, two outcasts that would never come together under usual circumstances.

"Hell yeah, I remember. The parents of the popular kids were slanging the shit and using their kids as mules." She is sporting a slight smirk as she thinks back on our antics. She used her father's PI to get the dirt on all the parents while I read it over the PA for the entire town to hear during halftime at the Homecoming game. "What dredged up that memory? You usually don't reminisce." That's my Jess, always suspicious. I want to blame Sinclair, but she's always been like this.

"I need your help and need it to be just us in on it." I give her my most determine stare and watch as the tension and worry seep into her. Her heart rate has doubled so the blood is pumping even faster and harder through her veins. I break eye contact to drain my glass and stand to make another smoothie. I can't wait for Sinclair to wake up. I need a drink.

"FUCK! Why do you want to do this? Why risk it?" she asks me as her arms cross tightly over her chest.

"Do you promise to keep it to yourself?" I ask back.

"Don't fucking do that!" she yells.

"Okay" I stress before continuing, "If I were in the same position, and I feel like I have been there before, I would do anything I could to be sure my family was safe." She just sat there, staring at me. I wish I had Sookie's ability right about now.

"Fine. But when the shit hits the fan, I will deny all knowledge. And don't even try to shuffle me off when the going gets tough…" she pulls her compact Ruger SR9 handgun from its hoister inside her tweed blazer. "…cuz I'm more than capable of taking care of myself."

"Let me see that." She hands it over and I pop the clip. Good. She is rocking those new vampire bullets Sinclair was raving about the other night.

"Plus, I got a fairy clip upstairs that I will be bringing along, just in case." I'm so proud I could cry. Shit, thanks to Sookie, I actually could. That alone is even more reason to do this. "First, who are we doing this for if not yourself? And secondly, what are we doing?" she asks.

"This is for Sookie. And we are hunting and killing a vampire." It's just that simple.

EPOV, in the cubby…

Finally done with all the necessary phone calls, I lay my phone down on the desk and focus on the monitors in front of me. Each screen shows a different angle of every room in the house and the surrounding area. My primary focus now is on Cameras 16 and 17. These monitors, total room views of the living room and kitchen respectively, are my all-consuming thought.

I watch the bastard as he paces and stares at the stairs like a maniac, waiting for the chance to do unspeakable things to my wife and children. I would give anything to be able to reach out and turn him to dust.

I am pull from a new fantasy about Niall's demise by Sookie. She pops into the room. However, her condition when she arrives is nothing to be happy about. She is floating again, about 4" off the ground. Completely engulfed in her light, she is unaware of what is happening. I close my eyes and try to reach her mind, but I just bounce off her powerful shields. Opening my eyes again, I can only stand here and look on until she comes back to me.

SPOV

The moment I pop out of the kitchen, I don't know where to go. I'm so livid that I can't see anything else. I feel my power growing within in me. When it reaches its usual peak, it…keeps growing. Suddenly, the blood in my veins begins to burn hot. It is painful, yet manageable. I have the urge to share it with my enemy. I want them to feel all of the pain they have caused others for the rest of eternity.

As the pressure builds, I hear her:

My lovely child…My greatest creation…Know that you are capable of all things…You are the protector of the innocent and the weak…Those who prey on others for sport will fall…Your protector and mate will always be at your side…You have gained the honor and respect of those around you…All will know of your love…Your children will get their strength from you and your mate…No doubts…You have gained your fire…It will be the instrument of death to those who oppose you…I love you always…Continue to believe in your cause for it is the only way to ensure the survival of the universe as well as yourself."

And just like that, I'm falling into Eric's strong arms. Whoa. I would have fallen face first onto the floor, no doubt on my stomach if he weren't there. I could have hurt the babies. My hands immediately go to my stomach and I notice that their golden light is fading. I raise my head to look into his eyes. They are filled with worry and pride.

"Before you ask me what just happen, I need you to get rid of him. I can't face him again without destroying him."

"Your wish is my command, min Gudinna." He carries me over to the bed and lays me down on all the pillows. He brings me an Ambrosia fruit right before he blinks out of the room.

EPOV

I was fine when she was just levitating, much like I myself was doing earlier. However, the moment when she begins to glow with a bright red light, I went into a panic. Her stomach begins to glow with the light we now associate as being the babies' power. I am unsure if they are trying to protect themselves, but I do not feel any alarm from them, only love and pride.

The power that is emanating from Sookie in this moment reminds me of what I experienced with the Goddess Freya the other night. Although this is on a smaller scale, it is still worrisome when you observe your mate exhibiting behaviors that are unfamiliar to them.

Then, as if nothing had been happening, the red fades to white then fades altogether. My sons' light is fading at a much slower rate. I move closer and am just in time to catch her before she lands flat on her front. I cradle her body in my arms as I sit on the bed. Not knowing what else to do, I just rock her and caress her face.

Gradually, she comes back to herself. Her eyes flutter open. Once she is aware of her surroundings, her first thought is of our sons as her hands snap to touch them. When she looks up at me like she is doing right now, it enforces in me that I am on the right path. No more doubts.

"Before you ask me what just happen, I need you to get rid of him. I can't face him again without destroying him." I feel her rage in the bond, but I also feel her resolve. Perhaps she broke through Niall's shields. If so, then I can't get him out of here soon enough so I can hear about it and adjust our plans accordingly.

"Your wish is my command, min Gudinna" I tell her as I stand and carry her to the bed. I retrieve one of those Ambrosia fruits, just on the chance that it will calm her and the babies, and leave to do her bidding.

I blink into the kitchen and walk directly into the room. "I am sorry, but Sookie is not able to take visitors at the moment. She says that she will speak to you when we arrive in Faery. We think that will be soon." So many emotions cross his face that I know he is having a hard time deciphering them himself.

"Where did you come from? And what do you mean she can't see me? I am her kin! I was told that she would be down soon and I know she is here from the sounds I heard not too long ago." He tries to hide his distaste, but fails again.

"You know women, they can be indecisive and fickle, especially when pregnant I am finding. I give you my sincere apologizes on her behalf." I gesture for him to go in front of me towards the front door. He doesn't want to go. Yet, he knows that questioning me would be counterproductive to whatever he has planned.

"Is she alright? Perhaps she is in labor and needs to be taken to Faery now. We could help her better there since that is her realm." The conniving piece of shit is now working my nerves.

"She is more than fine. She tires very easily and I think I may have overworked her earlier. None of the signs that Dr. Ludwig told us about have occurred to indicate that she is in labor, so I think she just needs to rest. I can relay any message you wish." Go ahead fucker, lay it on thick.

"Just tell her that she is in my thoughts" he says as he walks out the front door and into the cemetery. He is probably taking his ass back to Faery. Now that he is gone, I can find out what she learned and we can get this show on the road.

Betsy's POV

"I don't know about this. I know Sinclair would not be okay with this. Shit, I'm not okay with this." Jess is beginning to work my last fucking nerve. I take an unnecessary breath so that I don't cuss at her. She agreed to do this so verbally assaulting her wouldn't be good and besides, there's no turning back now.

"I hear you. Just keep the safety off and stay alert. If anything comes that isn't me, kill it." I just need her to cover the elevators. It's not that fucking hard.

Just before sunset, one of Sookie's handmaidens (I can't tell you which one or their names) popped into the kitchen with us to take us to our destination. As soon as we arrived, she was gone and we had to figure out where we were. Turns out, we were in Paris. Of course, Jess would know since she's a world traveler. We were dropped off in the lobby of the W Hotel Paris Opera. All of the vampire suites were on the 4th floor, so that's where we were headed. Having just gotten off the elevator, it was now time for me to do my Queen thing.

We chose to do this now since the sun has just risen (you got to love the different time zones). Not wanting to draw any attention to myself, I walk with purpose to the end of the hall. Room 86 was where de Mada had been held up in for the last week. Using the key that Sookie's maiden gave me, I enter the room.

The smell of tears, blood, and death are poignant in the air. By the looks of the room, I would say he had about five humans in here at once. The pile of sheet-covered corpses explains the scent of death as it consists of four of the five bodies. The blood and tears, well, those were coming from the fifth body, that of a young boy lying on the bed with de Mada. With a hand griping the boy's wrist, the bastard almost looks happy in his sleep. The boy is in shock and doesn't register my presence. His blood is still dripping from his neck wound, so I can only assume that the fucker hit any artery and didn't care enough to heal it to ensure his meal would be alive when he wakes up. I lean over the boy and catch his eyes.

"You were in a bad situation, but you are a survivor. When the nasty vampire wouldn't let you go, you grabbed the pencil of the nightstand and staked him to get free. You will walk out of this building and go directly to the hospital. Tell them that you were attacked and woke up in a dumpster. Don't tell them what you did. Now you will stay quiet." He takes my glamour with ease and remains silent. His tears have stopped, which is also a good thing.

I walk around to the other side of the bed. Pulling the sheet back, I use my phone to take pictures of the soon-to-be-truly-dead vamp. He is so pasty. It's sad. Even I'm not that pale. Switching to video, I stand and hold my phone so I am capturing what I need to while having plenty of room to avoid the upcoming mess.

I close my eyes and focus on my hunger. I let the bloodlust take me and I feel that hole inside me open wider. As my hunger intensifies, so does my power. I feel like I'm floating in the universe with nowhere to go and I'm okay with that. Slowly, the hole begins to fill and I feel stronger than ever. When I reach the peak of both my power and my hunger is no longer present, I see Sinclair's face. I know he is awake and concerned about me being missing. That is what brings me back to the real world.

It takes a second to focus my sight, but when I do I'm as shocked as always when I what using my special power can do. The infamous Grand Inquisitor has been reduced to ash in a matter of seconds. A quick death was too good for him, but I'm on a time constraint. The longer I'm gone the more hell I have to pay to my old man. And I can't let him have too much leverage.

I save the video and walk back over to the boy. "When I you hear the elevator doors close, you will get up and take the stair down to the lobby and out the door. You don't associate with vampires anymore. You are now only looking to live life to the fullest and to find your soulmate, and that is a human." I turn and vamp back to Jess, leaving the door ajar.

She jumps, but looks relieved to see me. She opens her mouth to say something, but I stop her with a shake of my head. She understands and hoisters her weapon. We take the elevators to the lobby and head straight for the restroom. Once I make sure it is empty, I send a text to Pam. Exactly one minute later, and the same fairy maiden appears and pops us back to Louisiana.

Sinclair's POV

When I woke up and Elizabeth was not lying next to me, I knew something was wrong. I called Tina to me and she stated that she hadn't seen her. Usually, Tina and I would rise before Elizabeth due to our age difference. After speaking with the few staff we encounter as we make our way through the estate, which all say that we are the first vampires to emerge from the guestrooms so far this evening, I feel panic for the first time in 25 years.

"Where could she be?" I ask Tina, but mostly to myself.

"Did you both go to rest together?" I nod. "Have you tried to call her?" I nod again. "You tried to call her the other way?" I look at her with confusion before I realize what she is saying.

"ELIZABETH! Where are you?!" I scream with my mind. I feel hesitation and guilt in the bond. This is scaring me. "Something is wrong" I say to my maker. I am now vamping through the mansion, looking for anyone I know.

As I am passing through the main floor, I hear the distinct pop of a fairy. Tina and I immediately go to the source, which is in the foyer, and discover my wife, her best friend, and a fairy I have not seen before. All three women focus on me and I feel like a deer caught in the headlights.

The fairy bows to my wife and Jessica. "It was a pleasure seeing you again ma'am, your Majesty." She disappears without another word. I do not let them come to me, so I vamp over to them.

"ARE YOU ALRIGHT?! WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN!? HOW WERE YOU ABLE TO WAKE BEFORE ME?!" I cannot help that my voice raises several octaves.

"I'm going to go to my room. I'm tired" says Jessica as she tries to move pass me. I vamp to cut her off. I do not need to ask her, she will tell me as she always does.

"Look, I'm tired and want to lie down. Can you move?" she says impatiently.

"Do you not think you have something to tell me?" I ask her.

"Nope. I'm not your wife." Having no rebuttal, I let her go. I give Tina a quick glance and she leaves us in peace. Turning my attention back to my wife, I am about to let my anger flow out of me when her lips crash into mine. I can feel her love and want, and I struggle to maintain my anger. She tastes like the sweetest fruit imaginable. Her arms tighten around my neck as mine do the same around her waist. Our fangs have come out and we can taste the other's blood as they mingle, joining us together again.

"Where were you? I was worried." I send to her as I deepen the kiss. I let my fear flow through the bond. Her grip tightens even more.

"I know you were, but I'm fine and safe. I need you to trust me on this and let it go. I promise I will tell you when the time is right." Every particle of my being is telling me to fight her on this. I am her husband and consort. I should have been with her, no matter what it is happening. However, I remember my words to Eric no so long ago.

"I will this time, but PLEASE do not do that to me again." She is the only woman I have ever begged to. Not even my maker has made me do so, and in this, I am spoiled. Just as it was all those years ago when I met this strange creature, I know that she is worthy any and everything in this world.

I take us back to our room to show just how much I think she is worth.