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

Chapter 12

After a few moments of talking with Preston and Pam, I learned that Felipe and Victor had been placed in a heavily guarded room on the 11th floor. Apparently, Preston used that floor exclusively for problem guests, and it was equipped with a variety of different security features which would ensure our safety until tomorrow night. Preston said that he was the only person with a key to their room, and that it was impossible for the two vamps to escape or to make any kind of connection with the outside world while they were in there. That was all good and fine, I thought, but it isn't exactly legal to keep a King prisoner for drinking someone else's glass of blood. Even if that blood was from the Royal line and the king was an asshole. I knew that his plans were a lot more sinister than interrupting our dinner, but obviously I couldn't mention that to any other vampires and I certainly couldn't prove it to a tribunal if we were summoned for wrongful imprisonment.

"Thank you, Preston, for taking such immediate control of the situation with De Castro and Victor. Your talents are a thing to behold." Eric said, pausing to let the compliment sink in. When I looked up, Preston was preening. "I think that we need to discuss what our long term plans are with the prisoners, though. We won't be able to hold him here for long without facing charges or starting a war. Neither of those things appeals to me, since we've already lost a number of vampires in Louisiana." Eric stated, and then fell silent. I could tell he desperately wanted to know what I had gotten from Felipe's mind, and that it was eating him up that he didn't know the whole story when I did.

"I agree with your concerns, Eric, I really do. We will have to question him tomorrow night and see if he repents for his heinous intrusion. We can't keep him on 11; I put him there temporarily. I don't believe we can plan any next steps until we know more about what really brought them here." Preston said, and at this he actually looked thoughtful.

"If I might add something Your Majesty, I'd like to say that perhaps he simply used Eric's visit to Honolulu as an excuse to initiate hostilities. I believe Eric is just a scapegoat." Bill said, all the while staring down at the table.

I had to give him a little credit; Bill was absolutely right. Felipe wanted to take over Hawaii, and this was just as good a time as any. He still wanted to punish Eric for coming here, but his true goal was dominating another state.

"There's something to that, Bill. I thought it was a little rash to come all the way over here to punish Eric…but that doesn't explain why he'd want to initiate open war with me. The takeover of Louisiana was awful, but it at least made sense. The Queen was weak and undefended. I, however, am not." Preston said this regally, as though it were preposterous to imagine anyone taking his stature for granted. I decided to speak up.

"I believe De Castro simply thinks that he in unbeatable. After getting two more states under his belt, it would make sense for him to believe that he is all-powerful. Maybe he just wants to become King of all America." I said, hoping I hadn't revealed too much, but that I had given Eric a little more information.

Eric looked at me, his face stony. I took this to mean that I should probably stop talking.

"Sookie, honey, there has been no King ruling an entire country in hundreds of years. It is absurd." Preston looked at me as though I were a cute kid trying to participate in an adult conversation at the dinner table. Bill simply looked at me in disbelief, as though he knew I couldn't have come up with such a thing on my own so there must be some truth to it. Oh-oh.

"Actually darling, Sookie's outlandish ideas usually turn out to be exactly right. It is precisely why we keep her around. " Pam said, looking at me curiously. Thanks Pam.

"Preston, I think you're right. We cannot know how to proceed until we have questioned Felipe and Victor tomorrow night." Eric said, ending the conversation. Clearly he wanted to steer the attention away from me; we were treading dangerously close to the truth about my ability to read vamp minds.

"I'm glad we are of the same opinion, Eric. It's settled then! Tonight, we dance. Tomorrow, well, we'll wait and see." With that, Preston stood up and grabbed Pam's hand, leading her back to the dance floor. Pam was laughing gleefully as they became a blur of swirls and smoke. It was nice to see her having so much fun. I knew her attentions usually only strayed to women, but it was clear that Preston meant something different to her. At least someone is acting like they're on vacation. I thought to myself with just a twinge of bitterness.

"Bill, go to the bar and get Sookie a gin & tonic. I would like to speak with her privately for a moment." Eric commanded him, and he obeyed without saying a word.

"Sookie, listen to me" Eric said so quietly that I had to strain myself to hear him over the music, "you almost did a very foolish thing. I know you were trying to pass some information to me under the guise of giving an opinion, but you have to be more careful. Luckily, it hasn't entered Preston's wildest imaginings that you are right about Felipe. However, we can't let Pam or Bill catch on to your ability yet either. It isn't safe." Eric said with a genuine look of concern. I was about to reply when Bill returned to the table with my drink. He handed it to me gently and then turned and walked to the opposite side of the bar.

"I know Eric, I'm sorry." I said, downcast.

"It's alright, lover, let's forget about it for now. We must show Pam and Preston what it means to dance." He smiled at me with such affection that I couldn't say no.

* * * * *

After a few hours on the dance floor and more than one expertly mixed gin & tonic, I was ready for bed. Preston, Pam, Eric and I had all danced with one another, switching partners and laughing like old friends. Bill remained in the corner the whole time, watching us with an inscrutable expression. I knew he still had feelings for me, but it was actually starting to become a cause for alarm. Under the pretension of trying to get Bill to come dance with us some time around 5am, I went over to speak with him. My liquid courage had forced me to act; I genuinely cared about Bill's happiness and something needed to be done.

"Bill, you have to stop this. You are starting to anger Preston, for one, and Eric will know why you are brooding and he won't like it." I said, staring at him intently but with compassion.

"Sookie, you don't understand. I don't care. I'm…I'm losing my hunger." He said, as though it were the most embarrassing thing in the world.

Before I could ask him what that meant, Eric had swept up to my side and was looking at Bill in frustration.

"Compton, I expect much better behavior from you tomorrow. I suggest you go make yourself comfortable in your room. I am taking my lover to bed." Eric took my hand and started leading me towards the door. I looked back at Bill before leaving the restaurant and saw him quickly brush off his cheek.

* * * * *

By the time we made it back to our room on the 13th floor, I was totally exhausted. Not even the prospect of a shower with Eric or a double-bacon from Wendy's could entice me enough to stay awake. So when Eric said that we needed to talk and make arrangements for tomorrow night, I said point-blank no. As it was only 5am, Eric would still be up for another two hours; Preston had let us leave early because he said he wanted to do some catching up with Pam. I figured that Eric would sense my fatigue through the bond and let me rest, but I was wrong. My unwillingness to talk about De Castro irritated the hell out of him.

"Sookie, I know you're tired but we have to talk now. Just after nightfall tomorrow we will have to question Felipe and Victor. We may not have much time to talk when we wake up." Eric said pleadingly. I knew he was right, but it had been a hell of a difficult night for me and I wanted my sleep more than I cared about Eric's irritation.

"Eric, listen to me. Tonight I have taken your blood, twice, unquestioningly. I have participated in vampire politics, been magically seduced more than once, had Bill walk on in us, feared for our lives, listened in on vampire thoughts and not eaten a single bite of human food. We are supposed to be on vacation, for God's sake, and I am tired. You will just have to find ten whole minutes to talk to me when we wake up because I'm done for tonight." I said while taking off my dress and hanging it up carefully. I got into bed, pulled up the sheets, and only then did I look at Eric for his reaction. For a moment I thought he was going to start yelling at me, but then he simply removed his suit and climbed into bed beside me.

"It will get better, lover, I promise." Eric said while nuzzling into my neck and kissing me sweetly.

Too bad I knew thing were about to get way worse.

TBC – Thanks to everyone who continues to show interest in the fic, I really appreciate it. Please review! Your comments and feedback keep me writing!