Disclaimer: The characters depicted herein are the sole property of Charlaine Harris and HBO.

Chapter 9

With blinding speed, Preston leapt up from the booth and stood mere centimeters away from De Castro's face; his previously playful manner having been instantly replaced with blatant outrage. I guess my first impression had been wrong; Preston was absolutely terrifying when angered. His pupils were dilated and even the whites of his eyes had turned black. His rage seemed to make him taller, somehow, and he lorded over De Castro fearlessly. Eric's fangs were extended and his body was humming with bloodlust. For the time being, however, he was sitting in the booth with an arm over me pinning me to the seat. The act of staying seated was taking so much effort it made him tremble violently.

"You've always been an unbearable asshole, Felipe, but I was hoping that by now you might have learned some fucking manners." Preston said. It might have been funny under different circumstances, but in this instance it really wasn't. The way he said manners sent shivers up my spine. The bar was starting to fill up with vampires and I didn't know if they were from Preston's or Felipe's retinue.

We're all going to die in this bar. The thought hit me like a slap in the face and suddenly I realized that I actually believed it to be true.

"Stand down, KingMandrel. Victor is more than capable of killing you before your pathetic guards or harem-entourage takes another step. These are not warriors you have; you are a disgrace." De Castro then nodded at Victor, who pulled a sharp wooden knife out of his pocket and thumbed the hilt with a fierce expression.

So these are all Preston's vamps. De Castro was actually brazen enough to come here with just Victor? He must be insane, incredibly arrogant, or trying to prove some kind of point. I thought to myself. The vamps were closing in on the booth, slowly but with frightening, hungry expressions.

"You would dare come to my hotel and threaten me and my guests? Just because you are a traitorous dictator in your own state doesn't give you any authority here! Are you trying to start a war?" Preston was yelling right into De Castro's face and Victor looked as though he could spit nails. I noticed that Eric was slowly edging towards the entrance of the booth while still keeping me pinned. He gave me a tiny pinch and I took that as my cue to focus intently on hearing De Castro's thoughts.

Okay Sookie, relax and concentrate. I thought to myself.

Breathe, dear one, you are no coward. I need you calm so I can accurately judge your response to De Castro. Eric was straining with all his might to broadcast so that I could hear him. I had to stifle a gasp. He was projecting, and it worked. As discreetly as possible, I nodded. Eric looked momentarily pleased with himself, but the expression vanished almost as quickly as it appeared.

"I have no intention of starting a war." De Castro said. Not today, that is. I must wait until those who are loyal to me have assembled and made their way to Hawaii, which Victor thinks will take a few days. He thought, and then continued aloud: "I am here to teach my servant Eric some obedience. I already have several states under my command and I believe that will suffice." De Castro said, and Victor merely nodded. I will take each and every state, one by one. And I will take Eric's pet, just to torment him. He thought he could best me by coming here; it will be amusing to prove him wrong. It will be even more amusing to fuck the telepath while Eric is chained to silver and forced to watch. He will be begging to meet the sun by the time I am finished. De Castro thought. I wanted to grab Victor's knife and stab the bastard in the heart but I knew that I couldn't allow myself to feel rage. Eric had to know that there would be no blood spilled tonight; De Castro was planning a coup but it would take time. I tried to send feelings of reassurance to Eric. If Eric killed his King right now; he would have to face the tribunal.

The entire restaurant was now full of vamps. For a second I actually felt bad that Pam was missing out on all the fun, and then realized that I must be crazy for thinking something so absurd at a time like this.

"Well then you will explain to me, now before I am forced to kill you, why the hell you would storm in here uninvited and behave with open hostility? For the love of everything bloody, Felipe, when are you going to realize that being a vampire is about more than pride?" At this, Preston actually placed a hand on De Castro's cheek, and I could tell he was using his power to overwhelm him mentally. Felipe was showing extraordinary resistance, and Victor's knife hand was centimeters away from Preston's chest.

"Eric should not have come here without my consent. It was his idiocy that brought me here." Felipe said evenly.

Eric looked like he wanted De Castro's head on a platter. I focused as hard as I could on sending him feelings of calm; letting him know that the battle would not occur tonight. Eric visibly relaxed. Trusting I was safe, he removed his arm from pinning me to the booth and leapt at Victor for the knife while Preston was closing his eyes and using every ounce of strength he had to subdue Felipe.

I had to show the other Kings and Queens that I do not tolerate disloyalty. It is a lesson everyone must learn now if I am to takeover. I will play along with Preston's mind games for tonight so that he has the illusion of control. I will apologize and tell him that I intend to stay at his hotel to publicly demonstrate my affection towards him. I will tell him that my subjects will honor him; Preston is nothing if not vain and loving of praise. He will throw a party, and then it will be war. De Castro thought, his mind slowly becoming a hazy blur. Felipe's bloodlust and rage was turning into something entirely different and the vamps from Preston's retinue were watching with obvious delight at the display. I couldn't pick up on any more thoughts from De Castro and I didn't want to witness the dark and dirty fantasies Preston would arouse in him anyway. As much as I hated De Castro, I couldn't help but think it was a brave thing he did by coming to Hawaii with only Victor as security. Brave, I thought, or incredibly stupid. As Felipe and Victor were forced to sit down in the booth, not at all of their own free will, I was leaning towards stupid.

* * * * *

After a few moments of strained silence, Preston realized he had to address the restless vampires of his retinue which now filled the restaurant with wanton electricity. They had come for blood, violence and sex. They would have to leave with neither.

"Loyal servants" Preston yelled to the room "please return to your own affairs. There is to be no fray. I require absolute privacy in my bar with my four…guests." He indicated to Eric, Victor, Felipe and me. "Each and every one of you will receive an order of house blend delivered to your rooms within the hour, or a donor of your choice. Please respect my wishes, and accept my thanks. That is all." He gave a flick of his hand and the vamps in the restaurant turned to leave, disappointed.

Before Preston sat back down, he flicked open his cell phone.

"Nolan, get me the twins, now. Bring them to me within five minutes or there will be consequences. Bring their friend, the dark haired one as well." He hung up the phone and slid into the booth. Felipe and Victor were sitting quietly, in a total daze. Apparently, Preston had used his talents on Victor as well. His constitution must be somewhat weaker than Felipe's, I thought, as I hadn't seen Preston so much as look at Victor. Let alone touch him.

After a second or two, I thought about what Preston had said to his assistant and realized what was about to happen. I had to suppress an overwhelming wave of disgust. So much for enjoying my dinner I thought bitterly to myself. Sensing my emotions through the bond, Eric strained one more time to project his thoughts.

Sookie, it is imperative that you act normal when Preston, Felipe and Victor feed on those girls. I will not drink from them, of course, but it is unavoidable that the other three will. After what nearly just happened, combined with Preston's seduction over Felipe and Victor, their desire for blood and sex must be satisfied. It is taking a lot of control and energy for Preston to keep them subdued; sharing human flesh with the two other vampires is a necessary precaution. It is the only way to ensure our safety for the evening.

Looking over at Eric and sensing his hunger, I sent him a surge of gratitude and love. Eric was still shaking with bloodlust, and his fangs were fully extended. He needed to satisfy his urges, it was so strong through the bond that it even made me want him to feed, and yet he was willing to sit idly by while three other vampires fed right in front of him. He was doing this for me, and I was instantly aroused by his sacrifice. It did beg the question, though, as to what the other vamps would think when Eric didn't attempt to feed. Just as soon as the thought came to mind, I knew what I had to do when the girls arrived.

At that moment, Preston gave me a measured look from across the booth and poured half of his Royal into Eric's now empty glass. Picking up his own glass, and gesturing that we do the same, he grinned and said: "All's well that ends well" and drained his glass.

"Cheers" Eric and I said in unison, before doing the same.

I knew it wasn't over, not nearly, but for the moment we were okay.

TBC – Thank you for your continued interest in the fic! Comments and/or constructive criticism greatly appreciated!!