Spellbound

Hello, everyone. I hope that you have a wonderful day. I apologize for the delay but my job has been taking up a lot of my time. I hope to have another chapter posted this week if time permits. As always, I hope that you enjoy this chapter and keep reading.

As always, any chapters that I have failed to include the disclaimer with, these wonderful characters belong to Ms. Charlaine Harris but the story idea belongs to me.

Sookie and Thalia stared at Sophie Ann. Neither of the women believed that Sophie Ann was innocent as she was pretending to be. There was more to her story than what she was telling them. They knew that she was hiding so much more than she's told them. Sookie wasn't buying that sad eyed puppy dog look. Thalia definitely wasn't buying it. She has known of Sophie Ann for many years.

Thalia has never been a fan of Sophie Ann's. She's walked this world for many millennia and she's seen a lot of things but there is one thing that she's never seen and that is an innocent vampire. Sophie Ann has always tried playing the role of the victim. That's how she's gotten as far as she has. She's André's second for a reason and it has nothing to do with her loyalty. She doesn't know what it means to be loyal to anyone. She has betrayed everyone she's ever met; regardless of what they've done for her. She has always looked out for herself. Be damned with anyone else. Eric and Sookie are no different.

When she first heard that they were going to help the younger vampire, she knew that something was wrong. She knew that Sophie Ann had something under her sneaky sleeve. She never thought for a second that Eric believed Sophie Ann's innocent act but she more than understood what is at stake for him and the faery. There was too much at stake for them all. That's why she'd done her own investigation. She'd learned many things about Sophie Ann's role when it came to the missing girls. She found everything that Sophie Ann has been trying to hide. Sophie Ann did a terrible job at hiding the evidence.

Thalia met Sal in the carriage house earlier tonight to give him everything that she'd found. "I went through everything in her home and these are the boxes that I found," she said as she handed the boxes to him. "Her other acts of treason are under my care until I'm told otherwise."

"Is Sookie safe?" Sal asked.

"She's with her guards while I'm in here with you," she answered. "I wouldn't leave her alone with Sophie Ann. You know me better than that. I'm insulted by the question."

Sal looked at Thalia and nodded his head. "Forgive me. I had to ask. We'll need you when the time comes," he said.

No emotion was on her face as she spoke to him. "I will do what is expected of me. I always have. Eric has always been good to me. I will do what I can to make sure that things remain as they are."

Sal stared at the vampiress with longing. She knew what he was thinking as he admired her. He was thinking what he'd always thought. He wanted her. After Freyda, she and Sal had a thing going but it led to nothing. He is an excellent and considerate lover. He is honest and honorable but they weren't and aren't meant to be. That's just the way it is. That's just the way it's supposed to be; regardless of the new vampire lifestyle.

Vampire relationships never last. They're fraught with problems but Sal promised her that he'd never betray her or turn her away and she'd believed him but she wanted to be alone. Vampires are meant to live their lives alone. She knew that there used to be a time when Sal would've done anything to have her but just as she'd done to all of her suitors, she tired of him and turned him away. His gifts and asking her to return to him fell upon deaf ears. She didn't crave the companionship. She longed for peace and order.

"If there's nothing else," she said.

Sal chuckled. He'd forgotten that Thalia has never been one for small talk. "That's it," he said.

She blurred away without bothering to look back. There was no reason in looking back. It was over.

"You told us quite a bit about what happened to those girls." Sookie's voice interrupted the musings of Thalia. "I just wish that you'd given us a little more proof; something in writing would be beneficial to us all; especially since we're trying to clear the name of our brothers and sisters. Giving us Amelia would show us that you are truly on our side. It will show us that you are willing to bring the girl home."

Sophie Ann wasn't aware of the evidence that Thalia had discovered and turned over to Sal.

Sophie Ann shook her head. "I really wish that I had more to give you and if I had more to give you, I swear, I would give it to you. I don't know where Amelia is. I hate what André has done to those girls." She then looked at Sookie and Thalia. Her eyes were filled with pain and sorrow. "What really bothered me is what he tried to do to your husband, Mrs. Northman. Eric doesn't deserve to be used as a scapegoat." A trickle of blood fell from the corner of her right eye.

Thalia reached to the left of her and removed a Kleenex from the tissue box and handed it to the best supporting actress of the hour. If she'd had an award, she would've used it to bash Sophie Ann's head in.

"Thank you," Sophie Ann said as she took the tissue from Thalia. She dabbed her at her eyes and shyly looked up at her audience. "I know that I should've said something sooner and I was wrong for not doing so but I could go on with charade no longer. It was devastating to me to know that everything that you and Eric have worked so hard for could be destroyed because of something that our so called leader has done. I couldn't sit back and let something like this go on."

"Awww," Sookie said. "That's so sweet of you; to think of Eric's and my hard work. You are just so unselfish." She looked over her shoulder and asked, "Don't you agree, Thalia? Her unselfishness is so inspiring in times like this."

"Yes," Thalia answered simply. "It truly is."

Sookie turned back to Sophie Ann. "Your honesty and cooperation is more than we could've asked of you but if you don't mind, I have another question for you."

"Anything," Sophie Ann replied. "You may ask anything of me."

Sookie crossed her legs and placed her hands on her knee. "The night that Pixie came to me, she told me what happened to her. She said that she wasn't the first faery to have been killed by this vampire; her kidnapper. She also said that he's killed our kind before," Sookie said. "Needless to say, I didn't know that the vampire that she was speaking of was André. I couldn't see his face when she came to me. Tell me," Sookie began. "Do you know the name of the other faery that was killed by your master?"

Sophie Ann's mouth fell open. She wanted to speak but nothing came out.

"Oh," Sookie said as she giggled. "I guess you didn't know. When a faery dies a horrible death, they come to me. If they die violently, they come to me. If they are murdered, they come to me. Before my grandmother died, they would go to her. I'm not sure how she handled the news of one our kin being murdered by vampires or any other supernatural but she was the keeper of the dead and their secrets. Since her death, that task has been turned over to me."

Sophie Ann unnecessarily swallowed. "I didn't know that." She then shifted in her seat. "That must be a hard thing to have to do; to carry around the death and fates of others."

"I can see that it worries you," Sookie replied snidely.

Sophie Ann laughed nervously. "Please don't take my comment as a slight. The very idea of the pressure has to be bothersome," she said. "That's what I meant."

"It is; especially when they die and they come to me for help and there's nothing that I can do to save them," Sookie replied. "Now, let's get back to my original question. Do you know the name of the other faery that was killed by André?"

There have been others.

Sophie Ann shook her head no.

Sookie began shaking her head. "I hate to say this but I don't believe you," she said.

Sophie Ann tried to look as if she was appalled at Sookie's shocking words. "I would never hide anything from you. I have no reason to lie to you. I've told you everything. I wouldn't jeopardize …"

"But you would," Sookie interrupted. "You would because you know what it would mean for you. If you've hidden the death of a faery; especially the death of a faery that was a member of the royal family, it means death for you … no leniency, no excuses, nothing but death."

I'm not the first one.

Pixie's words resonated in Sookie's mind.

"I don't know …," Sophie Ann began.

"Have some fucking honor," Thalia spat at the younger vampire.

Sophie Ann jumped when she heard the vampiress' voice. She cringed when she saw Thalia's fangs slid slowly from her gums.

Thalia walked to where the young vampire was sitting and stood before her as she spoke. "You come into their home and you seek asylum, yet you lie to their faces? You are a disgrace the very blood that runs through your veins. I wish to see it pool at my feet."

Sophie Ann looked past Thalia and at Sookie. "Aren't you going to do something about this? She just threatened me. I have done anything to warrant her accusations. I've been nothing but truthful to you both. I know nothing of the death of a faery, much less a member of the royal family."

Thalia hissed as she took a step toward Sophie Ann. She hates nothing more than a liar and the younger vampire has proven herself to be just that. Thalia's hands were clawed and she was ready to attack.

"Thalia," Sookie said. "Be patient, my friend. Your time will come soon enough."

She glanced at her mistress over her shoulder briefly before staring into Sophie Ann's eyes. She wanted to defy Sookie. She wanted to end Sophie Ann's lies right here and now. She wanted to see the conniving vampiress meet her end but Thalia did as Sookie asked of her. She stood tall and retracted her fangs. She returned to her mistress' side. "Forgive my insolence, mistress," Thalia replied.

"There's nothing to forgive," Sookie said. "I understand your anger. You remind me of my husband when it comes to being honorable and truthful. Those qualities are more than evident when one looks to you." She then stared Sophie Ann in the eyes as she spoke to Thalia. "It angers you when someone pretends to be something they're not. I understand your urge to do whatever is necessary to get the answers that you need by any means."

Thalia's eyes were as deadly as they've ever been. "Liars and traitors are a blithe on our very existence and I will do whatever is necessary to keep honor and loyalty a part of who we are. I will not allow this type of treachery to continue. It cannot and will not be allowed."

This was news to Sookie. She'd always believed that Thalia wanted to stay out of the limelight. She looked up at the vampiress. "Do you mean those words?"

"After tonight's discoveries," Thalia began. "I couldn't stand by and let such atrocities take place. The ways of the archaic vampire are over."

Sookie then smiled at Sophie Ann as she talked with Thalia. "I'll make a call to Godric and I will tell him that we've discovered that Sophie Ann has had a hand in the murders of the missing girls. I will tell him that you've decided that you want to take your place as member of the council and that you want to punish your underling for betraying her kind. I know that with me speaking for you and standing with you, will get you what you so desire." She looked up at Thalia and asked, "Will that suffice, my friend?"

Power and revenge rolled through Thalia. "It will more than suffice," she said.

"Wait a minute," a bug eyed Sophie Ann exclaimed. "This isn't fair. I've told you everything that you need to know. You promised to keep me safe. You and Eric."

"I see that you believe me to be a liar," Sookie said. "I guess there's only one way to show you that I am very serious." She removed her cell phone from the pocket of her jacket and she began to scroll through her contacts. "So many numbers," she said with a shake of her head. "I'm going to have to go through and delete a few of these; some a lot sooner than others."

When she'd found the number that she wanted she said, "Ah. Here we go." She looked at Sophie Ann and said, "Let's get my dear friend Godric on the phone."

She dialed the number and waited.

"You can't do this," Sophie Ann whispered. "I told you about the girls. I don't know where Amelia is. I don't know of what faery you speak of. You have to believe me. I don't have anything else to give you."

"Godric speaking."

"I hope that you are well," Sookie said. "How are you this evening?"

Godric smiled when he heard the faery's voice. "Well, Sookie," he said. "I hope that you are calling me to tell me that you've decided that you are tired of the Viking and you've finally seen the error of your ways. If not, I can wait. I'm a very patient vampire."

Sookie shook her head. "No such luck, Godric," she replied. "I have no plans of ever leaving Eric. As I've told you, he is my fate."

Godric laughed. "I figured as much but it never hurts to ask. So, to what do I owe this pleasure?"

Sookie cocked her head to the side as she looked at Sophie Ann. "The reason for my call is simple. I have something for you."

Godric sat a little taller in his seat and held the phone closer to ear. "Oh, goody," he replied. "You're not going to leave him but you're about to tell me that you've decided to at least divide your time between me and the Viking."

Sookie laughed though she wanted to slam his face into a marble wall. She'd never lower herself to such standards. "No, Godric," she said. "It's not that. It has to do with …"

Sophie Ann began to shake her head rapidly. She knows what will happen to her if Godric finds out what she's done. He may not be a true member of the council but he's been known to request certain vampires so that he can punish them; especially if he feels that they are a danger to their very existence. She's seen him in action. He pities no one and he takes great pleasure in hurting others. She'd rather take her chances with Thalia. "No," she mouthed. "Please, I'll tell you whatever you want to know."

"Hold on for one moment, Godric," Sookie said as she pressed the phone against her thigh. "Why should we trust anything that you have to say? You've been evasive with your information. If I turn you over to Godric, I'm sure that he can get you to talk."

"Please," Sophie Ann begged.

"Tell us everything," Sookie said. "You will tell us how André was poisoned and you will tell us the name of the other faery that he killed." Sookie stood up from her seat and stood over Sophie Ann. "Lie to me and you will not leave this house tonight alive … well dead." She fanned off her comment and said, "You know what I mean."

"I promise," she answered.

"Forgive my rudeness, Godric," Sookie said as she placed the phone back to her ear. "I had to speak with an underling about some information pertaining to the case of the missing girls. That's the reason for my call. We may be on the verge of solving this thing and Thalia is considering an offer as being member of the council. She wants a seat."

"Really?" Godric asked surprised.

"Yes," Sookie said as she reached over to take the vampiress' hand into her own. "She's interested in seeing our community thrive and change for the better. I hope that when the time comes, you will support her in her efforts."

"I will," Godric said. "She is a legend in our world. Her honor and loyalty are legendary. So yes," he repeated. "I will stand with her. She has my word."

"Thank you," Sookie said as she gave Thalia's hand a final squeeze before releasing it. "Now, as far as the girls go, you should hear something about it on the human news no later than tomorrow morning. As far as the humans are concerned, another of their kind kidnapped and killed those girls."

Godric nodded. "Very nice," he said. "So, it was a vampire that was a part of what happened to them … the girls." It was more of a statement instead of a question.

"It was," Sookie answered.

"Have you told André any of what you've found out?"

Sookie shook her head no. "We haven't spoken with anyone on the council just yet. No one but you know what we have discovered thus far." She then added, "You will keep this quiet until we have completed our investigation."

"I will," he said.

"The reason for this is because we don't have quite enough information but we're close. We can't go in with accusations and no proof to back them up. You do understand," she said.

Godric smiled. "I do," he replied. "Thank you for sharing this with me." After a slight pause, he said, "You know that you didn't have to tell me anything about the case. It could've waited until the next meeting."

"We know this," Sookie said. "Eric and I have nothing to hide. We don't want to go into this deceitfully. Our goal is to clear our name and to get justice for the parents. As far as justice goes, we will have that for the parents. We wanted you to know that by the next meeting, we should have what is needed to clear our names publically."

Godric wanted to believe her but he was apprehensive. "Your reasons for disclosing this to me, it has nothing to do with the replacement hearing that we've called for Friday? You have no hidden agenda."

"My reasons for disclosing this have been given to you," Sookie stated. "If you'd rather I give the information to Shiloh or Sandy …"

"No," he said quickly. "No. There's no need. They can learn of this at the meeting along with everyone else."

"Fine," Sookie stated. "We will keep you posted."

"Excellent," he exclaimed. "You and the Viking make an amazing team. Maybe I won't destroy the contract between you two once I take over the seat on the council. Maybe I'll let him keep you."

No longer smiling or in longer in a playful mood, Sookie said, "Don't threaten to separate me from my husband. Do you not remember the last council meeting, Godric? Antony was my kin."

A startled laugh escaped him. "You are a spitfire, Mrs. Northman. You know what this could mean if I report this conversation back to the council."

Sookie's laugh didn't return. "You know what this could mean if I go before the council and reveal that you've threatened the sacred marriage." Her voice deepened. "Don't dig yourself into a hole that you can't get out of. And remember, you couldn't destroy us if you tried and as far as taking over the council's head seat, I wish you the best. Good evening, Godric."

"Good evening, Sookie," he said.

Sookie couldn't help but smile. She could hear the amusement in Godric's voice when they ended the call. She then went back to her seat. She sat down and waited for Sophie Ann to disclose the rest of the information that she's been withholding.

"You have to promise me that you won't kill me," Sophie Ann began. "What I did was not of my own doing. I had no choice in the matter. I shouldn't have to die because I was following orders. As all vampires know, we cannot defy the wishes or orders of our masters."

Sookie took in Sophie Ann's flawed theory before answering her. She never realized until tonight, that Shiloh was right about the young vampiress. She is an idiot. She inhaled deeply as she gave Sophie Ann her word. "I give you my word."

Sophie Ann no longer looked afraid. As a matter of fact, she looked relieved and a little smug. She crossed her legs and placed her hands on her knee as she began telling Sookie and Thalia her story. "We were at a party a long while ago and we were having a great time; André, William, Mickey, and me. Russell was there. Salome came with Carlo Gianni." She then smiled. "There were so many vampires there it's hard to remember them all. You should've been there. You would've enjoyed it. Oh, there was also a red haired vampire there as well. She was gorgeous but she was nasty … even for a vampire." She then shook her head. "I can't remember her name. I think that I was only one there that didn't know her name."

"Freyda," Sookie said.

Sophie Ann nodded her head. "Yeah, that was her name," she said. "We were all have a great time. The human buffet was absolutely outstanding. There were humans from all over the world for us to enjoy. It was a great night. We were having the time of our lives."

"Where was this party?" Sookie asked.

"At André's compound," Sophie Ann answered. "That's where all of his parties are held. Anything that is a big to do is held at his place; especially if he doesn't want others to find out about them."

Sookie looked up at Thalia but neither woman said anything.

"Whenever he has these parties, you have to be invited," Sophie Ann said as she smiled. "If you were invited, you were in André's good graces and that means a lot in our world. He's not a very likable vampire. If assholes walked, they'd be called André Paul."

Thalia almost smiled but stopped herself before she could. She was not going to let Sophie Ann know that she amused her even a little bit.

Sophie Ann's eyes began to fill with memory. "Just before she entered the room, we were talking about the bill you and Eric had passed when you both had gone before the government to have all supes declared residents of the United States. When you gave that speech on how we pay taxes and contribute to this world and we are still seen as being less than the human population, it was absolutely cheer worthy," she said. "It was great."

"You don't mind taking our money. You don't mind forcing us to abide by your laws but you will not allow us to be seen as the everyday woman and man. We must register our children as if they are animals. We must sign your documents to show who and what we are to satisfy your whims but we will not do it anymore. You will not get away with treating us as if we don't matter. We won't allow it. Our rights will no longer be violated. You will treat us as equals," Thalia said as she stared straight ahead. "I remember that day, Mistress. I was proud to have you stand with us; though I did not agree with the equal part."

"Neither did I, Thalia," Sookie reassured.

Sophie Ann looked at Sookie and smiled. "That was a good day for many of our kind. To see you and Eric on television together fighting for our rights together was amazing. It was a huge step in the many changes that were soon made in our world."

Sookie smiled as she went back to that time. "It was a good day," she said. "What happened to change the mood of your celebration?" she asked as she steered the conversation back to the party.

"The faery," Sophie Ann said. "She walked into the room as if she belonged. Needless to say, André didn't complain. He was instantly taken with her beauty. Her thick black hair and her emerald green eyes; she had him as soon as she looked at him. He wanted her. I'd never seen him so taken with someone before that night. A simple look and he was hers." She then chuckled. "She didn't want him. Russell found it amusing that the faery had shut André up with just a simple glance."

"What was she wearing?" Sookie whispered.

"A bright blue dress," Sophie Ann said. "And she looked delicious. She had the creamiest tanned skin. She smelled of everything sweet and forbidden … and it wasn't her faery scent."

"That's the way she always smelled," Sookie said. She then closed her eyes and inhaled before speaking again. "What happened next?"

"She stood at the table and stared at the red haired vampire," Sophie Ann answered. "She told her that she had a bone to pick with her. She told Freyda to come with her outside. She was going to make her pay for what she had done and what she'd planned to do. We were more than intrigued because she'd just entered a room full vampires and she was going to fight one. Hell, she'd threatened one. I'd never seen anything like it.

"Freyda didn't get up. She laughed at the faery. She found it to be amusing that the faery wanted to 'make her pay'," Sophie Ann said. "André asked her name. He told her that if she'd go with him to his office and talk things over, they could settle it without bloodshed. He told her that he is the head of the council and that he could help her with any problems that she has with Freyda."

Sophie Ann laughed. "She then did something that had never been done to André's face. She looked at André and called him 'Little Man'. She told him that there was nothing that he could do for her. She said that he wouldn't last one round with her. Russell and the others laughed. It angered André. He was seething but he remained calm. He touted his praises of how he's a great lover and that he's never left a woman; vampire, fae, or human, unsatisfied. He then warned her that she couldn't kill a vampire without just cause. He reminded her of the marriage contract. It took her a few minutes before she'd made the decision to follow him," Sophie Ann said.

"Her name," Sookie whispered. "What was her name?" She bowed her head and held her breath as she waited for Sophie Ann to tell her.

"Claudia," Sophie Ann whispered.

"Claudia," Sookie repeated.

Adele told her granddaughters that Claudia had passed to the Summerlands but she never told them what happened to her. They'd all assumed that she'd died peacefully. Sookie wanted to believe it but something has always told her that it wasn't so.

Sophie Ann's voice interrupted Sookie's thoughts. "I don't know what happened when they went back there but when André called us to him, she was laying on the floor in his office. Her arms were splayed out at her side. She was dead," she said. "He said that she'd attacked him unprovoked and he had to kill her. There was a gaping hole in his neck and it wasn't healing." she said as she stroked the right side of her neck to show where Claudia had wounded André.

Sookie raised her head and stared the young vampire in the eyes. "Why did she want to see Freyda?"

"I don't …," Sophie Ann began.

"Don't lie to me," Sookie hissed.

"Claudette," Sophie Ann replied. "It was because of Claudette. She'd told André that Freyda and Lucian were plotting to kill Claudette."

The blue in Sookie's eyes were no longer blue. They were black; scary black. She stood slowly from her seat and stared straight ahead at nothing. "This was reported to the council members and nothing was done? They knew that there was a plan to kill my cousin?"

"Yes," Sophie Ann answered.

"André knew," Sookie repeated. Looking down at her underling, she asked Sophie Ann, "Russell was there so he knew. As long as the information is reported to a member of the council, they have an obligation to investigate. They knew."

Sophie Ann nodded.

"Did you report this to Shiloh or Sandy?" Sookie asked.

She shook her head no. "André told me to keep quiet," Sophie Ann said. "He said that they didn't find the ramblings of an upset faery credible. He said that there was no proof that the threat was real. He asked Freyda and she denied it. She denied even knowing Lucian but everyone sitting at the table knew that she was lying. She'd been sleeping with Lucian since he'd married the faery."

"Claudette," Sookie said. "Her name is Claudette."

"Claudette," Sophie Ann repeated softly.

Sookie paced back and forth as she let the young vampire's words soak in. The council knew what was going on. Russell and André could've stopped it but they did nothing. They sat by and let Lucian and Freyda plan Claudette's death. They had a hand in murdering her child. And Claudia

Claudia died trying to protect her sister. And they never knew. Adele never told them. Why would she keep that from them? They had a right to know what happened to Claudia. She was their family. She was the eldest and she was …

Everything that Claudia did in this realm went through and to Adele. Sookie sat down in her chair and let the realizations hit her. None of this would be if Claudia had come to Sookie. The marriage never would've taken place and this world would be closed to them. She would not be with Eric and she would not be carrying their baby. None of this would be.

"It was meant to be," a voice said as it echoed in Sookie's head.

Sookie nodded her head. "I understand," she whispered.

Thalia placed her hand on Sookie's shoulder. "Are you well?"

"I am fine," she said as she looked up at Thalia. Her eyes then landed on Sophie Ann. "Come to me," she ordered.

Sophie Ann shook her head no. "I've told you everything."

"Thalia," Sookie said.

Thalia blurred to where the younger vampire was sitting and forced her to her feet and dragged her to stand before Sookie. Sophie Ann began to struggle and Thalia put an instant stop to it. "Move again and I'll snap your neck," she said as she whispered in her ear.

Sophie Ann stopped fighting against her.

Sookie grabbed Sophie Ann's hand and went into her mind.

0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0

"You will give her to me," Claudia said to André as soon as they entered his office. "She is mine. She has threatened a member of the royal family; my sister and you are obligated to let me have her. Her life is forfeit. Therefore it is mine."

André walked around Claudia and ogled her body. He let his fingers trace along her shoulder and down her arm. "Why are you all business, beautiful? Let us sit down and … talk and after we've talked, I'll give you what you want. In our world, you can't expect to get something without giving something in return."

Claudia glared at the diminutive vampire. "Keep your fucking hands to yourself and give me the revenge that is rightfully mine," she growled. "I don't take to kindly to bribes and you are pissing me off, little man. Don't dismiss me or the purpose for my visit. You know me, André. I don't play well with others."

André dropped fang on her. "Speak to me in that tone again and I will end you."

Claudia faced André head on and said, "Your fangs don't scare me, vampire, but you, on the other hand, should fear mine." Her mouth was adorned with silver. "I didn't come here to kill you, André. All I want is Freyda. She and her lover have plotted to kill my sister and I have the right to defend what is mine. I am the keeper of my sisters and cousin. I am in charge of their safety while in this world. You and this entire council are obligated to fall in line per the contract." She then moved in closer to André and said, "And you will fall in line."

"Who in the fuck do you think you are?" André asked her.

"The defendant in your murder trial if you don't give me what I want," she answered.

Evidently, her threats and her words must have turned him on because before she knew it, André had thrown her onto the couch and he'd proceeded to rip her dress from her body. Her underwear soon followed. His suit was ripped to shreds. He never got a chance to touch her because she'd blasted him with her light. He was flying across the room and hit the wall with a resounding thud.

He looked up at her and smiled as he shook the dizziness from his head. "You will be mine," he said to her as he flew at her.

She wasn't quick enough with her light. He'd landed on top of her but before he could enter her, she took a chunk out of his neck with her silver daggered teeth. André screamed out in pain. He looked down at the faery; his eyes filled with fury and hate. With his fangs down, he reared his head back and bit into the faery's flesh with such rage that he'd shredded her throat.

Sophie Ann, Freyda, William, Russell and two other vampires entered André's office when they'd heard the commotion and saw that he was draining Claudia of her life and instead of stopping him, they all joined in and began drinking what was left of her blood and they were laughing.

"She's as delicious as she smells," Sophie Ann said.

Each of them laughed as Claudia lay dying on the floor.

0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0

"She's as delicious as she smells?" Sookie asked Sophie Ann. "Isn't that what you said about my cousin? She's as delicious as she smells," she repeated.

Sophie Ann tried backing away from Sookie but Thalia wouldn't allow her to move. "I … I …," the young vampire stuttered.

"You heard what happened in the office and did nothing to stop him. You helped him," Sookie said as she tightened her grip on Sophie Ann's hand. "You all helped him."

Sophie Ann continued to try and pull away but Thalia would not allow it. "Stay put, girl."

This time, Sophie Ann didn't listen. She was too afraid to stay put. She knew that she was going to die and she didn't want to die. She wasn't ready to die. She was thrashing and flailing about until Thalia bit down into the vampiress' neck. She screamed as she begged for her life. "I don't want to die," she begged. "I'm not ready to die," she whimpered.

"Neither was my cousin," Sookie growled.

Thalia released Sophie Ann from her bite and closed her eyes as she savored the sweet taste of fear. "Outstanding," she said as she opened her eyes and stared at Sookie.

"Take her to the silver room, Thalia. Give her no food. Have the others remove everything from the room; including the bed and the blankets. Make sure that they leave her with nothing. As for you, my dear sweet Thalia, you will torture her. Remove her tongue from her mouth. Rip her fangs from within her gums. And when you've done that, remove her eyelids as well as her eyes. We will keep her locked away until we take her before the council." She then looked at Thalia and said, "If you don't mind."

Thalia shook her head. "I don't mind at all."

Sophie Ann really started fighting then. "I told you everything that you wanted to know and you're still going to punish me?! Are you fucking kidding me?! This isn't fair at all! I've given you everything, you fucking cunt!"

Thalia gripped the younger vampire by her throat with such force that Sophie Ann's head was resting on her elder's shoulder. "Mind your words. You may lose your tongue sooner than anticipated," Thalia growled.

"You gave us what you deemed valid," Sookie corrected. "You gave us just enough in order to keep your wretched life intact … or so you thought," she added. "Thalia was right. You're not worthy of the blood. Whatever happens to you is what you deserve. I feel nothing for you."

Sophie Ann began to whimper. "You promised me. You and Eric promised me."

"And we've kept our promise," Sookie reminded her. "You are safe from André's wrath and we are not going to kill you. You will be taken before the council and you will pay for your crimes." As an afterthought, she said, "Hopefully, Claudette will be allowed to hand down the punishment. I'm going to do everything in my power to be sure that she does."

"Justice," Thalia said.

Sophie Ann's body slumped against Thalia's. She began to beg for leniency. "Please, give me another chance. I gave you what you asked of me. Please, don't let them kill me."

"Take her away," Sookie said.

Thalia bowed as she left the room with Sophie Ann attached to her.

"Claudia," she said. She sat down in the chair and cried for her cousin. As she thought of her, another pain struck her. She was going to have to tell Claudette and she was going to tell her everything. She sighed as she stood up from the chair and began the long trek to her and Eric's bedroom.

Sookie was on her way up the stairs when Eric walked into the house. She turned to face him with a smile plastered on her face. "I'm glad you're home," she said as she walked back down the stairs and into his arms. "I've missed you so."

Eric wrapped her in his arms and melted into her embrace. "My lover," he said he inhaled the scent of her. "It feels good to be home." And he didn't mean being in the house.

"How was your night?" she asked as she looked up at him.

"Eventful and productive," he answered. He stared at her and asked, "What has happened? Why do I see sorrow in your eyes?"

She shook her head. "It's just been a long night and I'm tired."

"Come; let's go upstairs. We can talk there."

"Okay," she said as she stood on her tiptoes in order to kiss him.

Before the lovers could go to their room, the front door of the house flew open. Selene stood in the doorway and she looked as if she'd been in the fight of her life and she was carrying a bloodied and beaten Pam in her arms. Bloody streaks covered her face.

Eric released Sookie and went to Selene. He removed Pam from Selene's arms and cradled her to his chest as he dropped to his knees. "My child," he whispered as she looked down at her.

Eric brushed the matted and bloodied hair from her face. Pam's face couldn't be seen; not the face that he's used to seeing. Her eyes were so swollen that they were almost nonexistent. Her mouth was practically gone; right along with her teeth. Her jaw had been broken in several places. Her arms were hanging at her sides. The sight of his child in such a condition devastated his heart.

"Pamela," he whispered. "My dear, sweet Pamela."

She groaned as he held her.

"Oh, Eric," Sookie said as her hand went to her heart. "I'm so sorry."

He looked up at Selene and asked, "Who did this?"

"Freyda," Selene began. "She has betrayed us."