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

A/N: Many of you are sending me pm's asking me to make the chapters longer. Since I waited for three days to post Chapter 16, I decided to write a quick chapter 17 and post it on the same day. My next post, Chapter 18, will be on Sunday and it will be much longer. Don't worry, the plot is still playing out how I intended. I just wanted to give you all a little more. I hope you enjoy it; don't say I never listen to requests! Please review!!!

Chapter 17

A few minutes after Bill left, I realized I was getting scared. Not only were we one night away from a vamp war, I didn't know when Felipe was planning to torture Eric. Bill was God knows where, the Nevada vampires would be arriving in minutes, and I was totally alone. It occurred to me that I should have played out the situation with Bill better than I had. There might have been something I could have done to convince him to stay, or I could have tried to go after him. At least I would have been doing something to occupy myself.

This is pointless, pull yourself together I thought to myself with some resolve. Instantly I remembered the dagger. I should put it on now, just in case. I was wearing a loose black t-shirt and a pair of strategically ripped jeans from my younger days. If I was lucky and there was enough room, I might be able to strap it to my lower back instead of my leg. I thought it would be easier to access that way. Grabbing the piece of fabric I would forever think of as a blindfold, I fitted the sheath in place and tied it to my back. It was awkwardly done. I guess I'm not an expert with knots. I did feel a little better, though.

At that moment, there was a knock at the door to announce that room service had arrived. I totally forget I ordered food I thought to myself. I suddenly didn't know if I should open the door while alone. Should I pretend I'm not here? I wondered. Another, and somewhat louder, knock came at the door. I crept slowly and quietly to the peephole. Sure enough, standing there with a room service cart was the young server who was rude to me on my first day here. He's a jerk, but he's not a threat I thought to myself and opened the door.

"Miss Stackhouse." He said in an arrogant tone of voice, which may in fact be his only tone of voice.

I gestured for him to come in with the tray this time, instead of wheeling it in myself. It was petty, but hey, it felt good. Closing the door behind him, he wheeled the cart over to me and removed the cover of the main tray. Before I could register the food on the platter, the server pulled a gun out of his pants and pistol whipped me across the face. I fell to the floor in agony and my head became a distorted blur.

"You didn't think Felipe wouldn't have an employee at every King or Queen's residence, did you?" The asshole I fully intended to kill said. Then I passed out.

* * * * *

When I woke up, I looked around and noticed Felipe and Victor standing with their backs turned to me. I assumed I was in Felipe's suite; it was similar to mine and Eric's. I was lying on a couch and my hands weren't bound. In fact, I seemed perfectly undisturbed in every way. I could feel the dagger, so I guess whoever brought me here didn't notice it. That, at least, is a comforting thought. I hadn't taken any of Eric's blood since Sunday night and it was now Tuesday. I would still be strong, but no match for a vampire. Let alone two vampires. One thing I did know was that I had to close my eyes and pretend I was still unconscious. Maybe then I could strain to hear their thoughts. It was unlikely, but it was my best bet. If I so much as flinched they would know I was awake. Just as I started to gather my mental strength and concentrate, they started to talk.

"Master, are you sure it was wise to have the telepath captured the night before the party? Preston will never trust you after this; he is Eric's colleague and friend." Victor said to Felipe.

"She is only a human" Felipe said in distaste "Preston would not risk our newfound friendship and start a war over a little girl." De Castro said. "He doesn't believe for a second that we are planning to initiate hostilities. Besides, it would be cowardly if I didn't punish Eric and his toy for their disobedience. Any King would expect this of another Royal" Felipe said. "I didn't intend to capture her tonight though. My overeager servant took the opportunity when he was invited into her suite. He has been dealt with. Frankly, I never imagined she would be so stupid as to open the door." He finished.

That was enough to make me want to rip the dagger from under my shirt and stab him. I knew he would be too quick, but it was a damn tempting thought.

"What of Compton?" Victor asked "he was adamant that the girl be completelyunharmed if he agreed to help us. I think he actually loves her. What a fool he is." Victor finished with a smirk.

Bill was a traitor…so that made two of my ex-boyfriends. I knew Bill was an untrustworthy bastard who had broken my heart, cheated on me, lied to me, and a whole host of other terrible things. But Bill couldn't be a traitor! I didn't want to believe it, I couldn't. It had to be a trick of some sort. It was probably Eric's idea to have him pretend to switch sides. He would never do this. A feeling of nausea and pain swept over me, but I had to do my best to keep it in.

"We'll just have to kill him. He won't go along with the plan now. It's a shame really; he's a big earner and could have been a valuable asset. " De Castro said, as though he almost regretted it. "Turn on some music, Victor, as loud as it can go. I expect Eric will be here any minute; he is bonded to the girl and knows she is in pain. We wouldn't want the neighbors to hear the screams, it wouldn't be polite." Felipe said with a sadistic laugh.

I silently thanked God that neither of the vampires realized I was awake, and that the television was on the other side of the room. Victor wouldn't have to face me to turn it on. As soon as he cranked the volume, I would use the distraction and noise to grab my dagger. Please work please work please work I thought to myself. The room filled with Nine Inch Nails' Survivalism. I guess my fear had made me giddy again, because I almost laughed out loud at the strange irony of this song playing at this moment. As soon as the volume reached a deafening level, I slipped a hand around my back and yanked out the dagger, concealing it in between my leg and the couch. They hadn't noticed anything, so I shut my eyes again and continued pretending to be unconscious. I felt their eyes on me then, they must have imagined the music would wake me.

"She's really out" De Castro said with some amusement. "I guess my idiotic servant knew how to handle a weapon. That is, before I drained him." He finished.

Suddenly there was a violent pounding at the door and I heard Eric yelling with all the rage a 1000 year old Viking vampire could summon up.

"Open this door now or I will fucking kick it down. You won't survive long if you don't listen to me." Eric said, and his voice was terrifying.

I opened my eyes and saw Felipe and Victor walking towards the door. Now that I knew Eric was outside I felt safe enough to stand up.

"Calm yourself, Viking." Felipe yelled back. "I will open the door, and you will see your pet is unharmed."

As he opened the door, I ran up behind them with my dagger ready and pulsating in my hand. Eric saw me approaching but his face didn't register my presence. I don't know if it was Eric's arrival, the rage which filled our bond, or the incredible way the dagger seemed to feel in my hand. Before I could stop myself, I plunged it into Victor's back.

TBC