EPOV

When I wake I take in the scents around me and listen to my surroundings as I always do. I grow hard at the scent of Sookie's arousal from last night, I'll have her in my bed again tonight if I have any say in the matter, and I always do. It's actually more entertaining than I thought it would be playing to her virgin sensibilities. I'm going to enjoy debouching her a little at a time. Thinking of Sookie, I close my eyes and focus on her emotions, she's calm, happy, and relaxed. It's a little surprising considering the situation she's in and how much her life has changed in the last day or so.

My room is spelled so I can hear what's going on outside but no one can hear any noise from in here. It's never been necessary before because I don't make a habit of having anyone know where I rest but it'll be good now. I don't want Adele to have to listen to me give her granddaughter as many orgasms as I plan to in the near future. I listen so I can find out what the ladies are up to, it's really quiet. So quiet I'd think they had left the house if it wasn't for my fledgling bond with Sookie telling me how close she is and the sound of their calm heartbeats.

I get up and shower quickly, intrigued by my houseguests and impatient to get to them. When I'm dressed, instead of going to the study, which they're in, I go to the kitchen to get some of the bagged blood I have. I have no inclination to go to Fangtasia to find a donor. Plus, I have all intentions of getting another bite out of Sookie by the end of the night. While I'm feeding I listen to my voicemails. There is one from my private investigator, my accountant, and Bobby. I call my investigator back and then go to the study to see what my pet has been up to during the day.

"Good evening ladies, how was your day thus far?"

"Good morning Eric," Sookie stops to giggle, "I mean good night. Our day was good, we just lazed about and read. I called Sam to let him know I wouldn't be in for a while but it seems like it wasn't necessary." She gives me a look that makes it clear I should be sorry for doing that for her but I'm not at all so I smirk at her.

"Yes, he wasn't too happy with how we left last night. I figured I'd throw him a bone and explain what happened." My smirk grows once I see her eyes narrow at my comment. I don't have a problem with shifters in general but Merlotte has a stick up his ass so I'll take my small enjoyment of dog jokes for the annoyance of having to deal with him at all. "And you Adele? Was there anything you need that you didn't find in the house?"

"No, not as of yet. Your assistant did very well finding everything we may need. You didn't need to buy such expensive stuff for us though, it's not like you'll use it after we leave."

"I figure you'll just take the stuff home with you. As you said, it'll go to waste here."

Gran gasps, "Eric, no, we couldn't!"

"You can, and you will. Otherwise, they'll just go in the trash, I hate clutter."

Adele gives me a dirty look, I guess I've angered her. These two humans are strange, so often people want to get close to me because of what I can get them, whether that be what I can buy them or how I can further their interests. That's one of the reasons I'm so intrigued by Sookie.

"We'll just bring it by the church, I'm sure these things can go to a family in need."

I shrug, it matters not. One way or another Sookie will get accustomed to living comfortably and owning nice things. "Ladies, I need a list of people who moved to your town within the last few years. I heard back from my private investigator, there have been three similar murders within the last five years. Only one has a prime suspect. The name is Drew Marshal, does that name sound familiar to either of you?"

"No, I've never heard it before, what about you Gran?"

"No, I haven't either. Who's Drew Marshal, Eric?"

"It's the earliest of the crimes, he murdered his sister. She was also seeing a vampire and from what they can tell, he killed her once he found out. He ran afterward and they haven't been able to find him since. My guy is in the process of getting a picture of him, the police don't have a mug shot or anything but my private eye has more… persuasive ways to get the information. He's not a cop so he doesn't have to go through all the red tape."

"That's terrible. So we think it's the same person? I can only think of like five people who are newer to town. Most people have been there their whole lives, like us." Sookie says.

"That should make it easier then. I'm not sure I understand your gift fully enough, Sookie. Do people's thoughts sound like their voice?"

"Kinda? It's strange, Their mind sounds like how the person thinks they sound. You know when you set your outgoing voicemail message, you listen to it before you save it just to make sure it says what you want it to?" I nod at her, "Have you ever listened back and then been surprised because your voice didn't sound like how you expected it to? People think they sound one way but it's not always accurate to how everyone else hears you. So no, they're not exactly the same. Some people I know just by listening because I've been hearing them for so long but at work I try to stay out of people's heads to respect their privacy so I don't know them all. I don't know, Eric."

"It's alright, Sookie. We'll figure this out and for now, you're safe here so there's no reason to worry. You two get together and write that list of names while I return the rest of my phone calls."

They nod at me so I go back to my bedroom to make the calls. Normally I'd do it in my study but I didn't want to make them move. I have another computer set up in my room so it isn't a bother. I log on and check my emails while I call Pam. Being a vampire, I can easily multitask to check my investment, business, sheriff's duties, and personal emails while calling Pam and brainstorming plans for Sookie's safety.

"What the fuck, Eric? Your emotions have been… unsavory the last 48 hours."

"Good evening to you too, Pam."

"Seriously, what's going on?"

"Nothing you need to worry about, at least not yet. I'm calling to inform you I won't be in for a few days."

"Is everything okay? You're not even coming in to feed?"

"All is well, I have my needs handled, I've been feeding myself for 1000 years, Pamela. Are you forgetting who's the maker and who's the childe in this relationship?"

"You're distracted and I've never felt these emotions coming from you before. I'm allowed to worry and wonder what is going on."

"You aren't worried, you're just a whore for gossip and want the dirty details."

"That too," She says and I can hear the smirk she's currently wearing, "Seriously though Eric…"

"I'm fine dotter, I will let you know if that changes. You needn't worry."

Sookie walks in the room and puts her hand on my shoulder, I push my chair back and offer her my lap. She sits down and I become distracted with the way her hand plays with my hair and the way her ass rubs against my cock, getting me immediately hard. I tune back into Pam when I remember I'm on the phone with her.

"…and then Longshadow bit the customer right in front of the rest of the bar. We had to glamour everyone. He's becoming a problem, Eric. I don't trust him."

Fuck, I really am becoming distracted. What the fuck did Longshadow do now? Sookie has moved her hand from my hair to the back of my neck and is scratching it absently while lost in her thoughts. I shake my head and focus back on Pam.

"I'll talk to him but you're right, we have to do something about him. I could buy him out of his part in the bar. He's getting on my last nerve and I just want him gone. I'd stake him if I didn't have to deal with the bullshit that Hot Rain would start… Honestly, it might be worth it just to be able to end him anyway."

"No Eric," she whines, "It's my birthday coming up. If anyone gets to give him the true death, can it be me?"

"We'll see. If you're good." I say, indulgently.

"Thanks Master, I'm going to hang up before you change your mind."

I chuckle as I close my phone. I have more phone calls to make but who can be expected to focus with a Sookie in their lap? I inhale her delectable scent while I put my hands on her knees, slowly inch them upward toward her sex, and lean down so I can nibble her ear. I hear her breathing and heart rate quicken and smell what's quickly becoming my favorite scent, her arousal.

"Eric, I didn't come here to distract you, I just wanted to give you the list Gran and I made, and spend time with you while you work."

"Mmm lover, isn't this much more fun?" When my hands finally make it to her sex my left hand starts rubbing her through her jeans while my right hand moves up to cup her breast and she lets out a breathy moan.

Unfortunately, my phone chose this moment to ring. I have all intentions of ignoring it but Sookie picks it up from where I dropped it on the desk and shows me the caller ID. I sigh, it's my accountant again, it is unusual for him to call twice in one night.

"Put it to my ear." She looks at me strangely but does what I say. As soon as she does, I resume my exploration of her body. "Yes?"

"M-mr Northman, how are y-you tonight?" I move my hand faster and Sookie covers her mouth to hide a moan.

"Bruce cut the shit. What are you calling me about?"

"I've checked the books again and again, t-thinking I must have made a mistake. There's money m-missing, over $60,000."

"Meet me at Fangtasia with all the books at midnight."

"Y-yes sir."

I move my face away from the phone so Sookie gets the point and closes it. I give Sookie my full focus and quickly bring her to orgasm. Unfortunately, I have to stop at just one since my plans for the night have just changed. Once she comes down from her natural high, she looks at me.

"Eric, is everything okay?"

"No, I had planned to spend our night like this but plans have changed. How would you feel about having your first paying telepath gig tonight?"

She looks nervous but after a second she straightens her shoulders and nods her head. "What do you need?"

"Someone is stealing from me at an access of 60,000 dollars, so I need to find out who. It's not the money that's the problem but if it gets out that someone is stealing from me and getting away with it, I'll look weak."

"Do you really think I'll be able to help?" She sounds so unsure of herself. I'm going to make sure she learns to see herself for how magnificent she really is.

"Yes, Sookie. Have a little faith in yourself, I do."

I smile at her and pull her in for a kiss. I don't let it last long though, I'd like to get this trip to Fangtasia done as soon as possible so I can bring her back here and get on with my original plans for the night. She goes into her room to get dressed and I go to see Adele.

"Adele, we must go into Fangtasia for a little bit, would you like to come? Or I can get some guards to come here so I know you're safe."

"You don't have to make such a fuss about me, Eric. I'll be fine here for the night. No one knows where you live and no one is after me anyway, so there's no need to worry."

It's strange, I haven't cared about another person's feelings or personal comfort for a long time but right now, I feel… is it guilt? Guilty for leaving her alone with nothing to do? She must see the moral dilemma I'm facing because she speaks again. "Seriously Eric, I'm fine. I'm probably going to read a few more chapters and then take my old bones to bed."

"Alright Adele, if you're sure."

"I am."

I go over to my desk and write my number, Fangtasia's number, and Pam's number down. "Call these numbers if you need anything. I can be here in less than five minutes if I fly."

"Goodnight, Eric." She says with a chuckle, when I quirk my eyebrow at her questioningly, she continues, "Oh nothing, it's just cute seeing you worry over me."

I don't quite know how to feel about that, "Adele, I've been alive for over 1000 years and I'm almost positive that is the first time I've ever been described as cute."

"Well, you probably don't let the cute, caring side of you out often."

That's an understatement if I ever heard one. I just don't know what it says about me that I'm letting it out now. "If you had asked me a week ago, I'd have said that part of me was dead and buried when I was. Good night, Adele."

By the time I leave the study, Sookie is walking out of her room. It won't be her room long if I have any say in the matter she'll be moving into my room as early as tonight. I freeze. Did I really just think that? Am I really considering giving her access to me while I'm most vulnerable? I've never done that before and I just met her a few days ago. Is she a witch? Has she put a spell on me?

"Eric, what's wrong?"

I shake my head then answer her a little bruskly, "Nothing, are you ready?"

"Uh, yeah, sure."

I can tell I've confused her but I'm too confused myself to worry about it right now. So the ride to Fangtasia is made in silence. While we're driving, I consider a few people I can have come spend time with Adele while we're out of the house. Try as I might, I can't help but feel bad for leaving her alone. By the time we get there, I've calmed down a little. I know Sookie isn't trying to trick or hurt me. I trust that she has no nefarious plot in the works trying to end me. She's just as shaken up and affected by our connection as I am. I just have to be careful not to let myself get lost in her like I'm finding it's so easy to do.

I vamp from my side of the car to hers, open the door for her, and hold my hand out to help her up like a proper gentleman. She seems the type to enjoy things like that, southern lady that she is. I have no practice in being a gentleman though so when she's out of the car, as I'm wrapping my arm around her waist, I make sure to get a nice handful of her plump ass and squeeze before finally resting my hand on her hip. She gives me a look but doesn't reprimand me and puts her hand on my arm. When she does, she freezes.

"Sookie, what is wrong?"

"Nothing Eric, it's actually wonderful." She says in a dreamy voice.

"What's wonderful, Sookie?"

"Touching you. It makes blocking the minds out so easy and it makes focusing on specific minds much easier. If I can keep a hold of you the whole time, I doubt I'll even have a headache by the end of the night."

"Interesting." I can feel from our fledgling bond how happy this makes her but I can't have her hanging all over me or holding my hand like a couple of preteens. Vampires are bigger gossips than high schoolers. The hold will have to be possessive like what we're doing now. It's good she's wearing shorts, I can put my hand on her thigh while we're sitting.

"What's wrong? I can feel your apprehension." That's going to take some getting used to. I'm not too fond of her having an all-access pass to my emotions. It's better than her being able to read my mind but not by much. There's a reason I didn't want to bond with her too soon and that was a big part of it. I guess that makes holding off making the full bond useless now.

"Image matters a lot to vampires, I can keep in contact with you but it's going to have to look possessive on my end." I feel her annoyance and then her reluctant acceptance.

"Okay, you'll have to give me pointers, this is all new to me."

"Do not worry min stjärna, you'll get the hang of it and I'm here to give you directions when need be. Do not fret, we're starting slow, this is my bar and the vampires inside are loyal to me. It's okay if you make a mistake while here, it's not like we're at the queen's compound."

She takes a deep breath, stands up straight, and nods her head. "Okay, I got this."

I feel pride for her because I know how nervous she felt but she's putting on a brave face. I lean down, kiss the top of her head, and lead us to the back door so we can go right into my office. When I get in, I grab one of the chairs that were sitting on the other side of my desk and move it to sit next to mine, so Sookie can sit down and still be close enough to me to touch. My ass isn't even in the seat before Pam is in the door.

"I thought you weren't coming in tonight?" She looks at Sookie down her nose in that way she perfected more than a century ago. It always makes the person she's looking at feel small and insignificant but I feel Sookie's indignancy and can tell she wants to say something, probably with a lot of sass, to Pam.

"That was the plan before I received a few phone calls from Bruce." I answer quickly, to get Pam's attention back on me. I don't know why but the thought of Sookie and Pam fighting or not liking each other is… distasteful for me.

"What did he want? He's so scared of you, he does everything he can to avoid you and just deal with me."

"Yes that was the plan but that was before 60,000 came up missing from the Fangtasia account. He probably didn't want to take the chance that it was you who was stealing it."

She scoffs, "As if I'd take that much money from the club account, I'd go straight to one of your personal ones."

"Yes well, Bruce also doesn't know how spoiled you are, and that you have access to those accounts. Either way, he'll be here soon and I'm going to have Sookie listen in and see if he's the one stealing, if not I'll have her read the staff."

"Read?"

"She's a telepath."

"Bullshit." Pam looks at Sookie, "What am I thinking right now?"

"Probably something along the lines of 'She's a liar' or 'She's crazy' but I have no clue. Vampires are big peaceful silent bubbles for me." She sighs, emphasizing how relaxing we are for her. This amuses me, considering how dangerous we are to someone who has a talent as rare and useful as hers, and someone who smells as delectable as she does. They both look at me, feeling my amusement. Pam assumes it's because I'm messing with her. Neither of us has ever met a telepath before so I don't begrudge Pam her reluctance to believe. Sookie on the other hand is just enjoying that I'm enjoying myself.

"Bullshit." Pam repeates herself and I narrow my eyes at her.

"Pamela, I kid you not. Sit in and watch. It's how she knew about the raid last week."

Pam crosses her arms and taps her manicured nails on her forearm looking at me, trying to read me. I have the insane urge to roll my eyes I then get irrationally angry at her for introducing that guesture into my vocabulary. I nod my head toward the couch and she sits down. She opens her mouth to say something when there's a knock on the door.

"Enter."

Bruce walks in looking more nervous than he sounded on the phone, if that's even possible. "Mr. Northman, I called you as soon as I found anything. I honestly have no idea how this happened."

I look over to Sookie and she shakes her head negatively. So it wasn't Bruce. Good, I did not feel like taking the time to vet and find a new accountant. I'd much rather spend the time doing more pleasurable activities.

"It's fine. You may leave your findings and be on your way."

"Oh, okay. T-thank you, Mr. Northman."

I nod my head but he doesn't see because he is already halfway out of the door. "Pam, the bar closes soon. Call everyone who's not here tonight and make them come in. Tell the staff that's already here that there's a mandatory staff meeting tonight. Let Longshadow know what's happening as well."

"You just let him go because she shook her head? What's going on with you?" I narrow my eyes at her and let her feel my displeasure in our child/maker bond.

"Do as I say, Pam," I say with an edge of warning, she knows better than to question me when we are not alone.

"Yes, master." She says sulkily and vamps out of the room.

"You know I'm never going to call you master, right?"

That surprises a chuckle out of me. "We shall see, Sweet Sookie."

"What's going to happen to whoever is guilty?"

"They're going to spend some time in my basement before I drain them," I say plainly. It's better she gets used to the darker side of vampires, of me, sooner than later. I'm sure this won't be the last time she sees me punish someone.

"Eric, I won't help you murder someone."

"It is not murder, because I am not human."

"Eric, promise me you'll send them to the police if they're human. I know I have no say in what happens between vampires but I can't sentence a human to death on just my word."

I have all intentions to deny her outright but she asks me so earnestly I can't help but look at her. Her eyes are pleading with me but I still want to say no. I guess I can give her this and once enough time has passed, I can send Pam to glamour the culprit free and get my preferred type of justice.

"What are you planning?" She asks me, her eyes narrowed. Shit, I guess I found another downside of the two-way bond we now have.

"Just thinking through my options. Fine, I will let you have your way if you can figure out a way to have the culprit arrested from just a word from a vampire and a telepath."

Her eyes narrow even more and I can't help but think it's adorable. "I'll figure out a way to get proof."

I shrug. "Okay then, Miss Stackhouse, you have a deal but if you do not find a way, I'll handle the culprit however I see fit. The bar is open for another hour, why don't we head out to the bar and you listen to some people? I'd like to see you in action."

"I can hold onto you?"

"I will make sure I'm touching you at all times."

She nods her head and we go out to my booth. The next hour flies by because I'm enjoying watching her work so much. She's magnificent, she catches two fellowship people, scoping the place for their reverend. Apparently, they're looking for a vampire establishment to deface and my bar is at the top of their list. I glamour them to feel strongly against using my bar to make a show out of.

She finds a group of four drainers, they want to get to me but figure I'll be too hard to catch so they're planning to wait for my bar to close and try to get Pam today. I let Sookie think I only glamour them to join the circus and then send them on their way but in reality, I send two of my underlings to take care of them. I tell them to make it look like an accident. She catches three underage kids using fake IDs and one drug dealer, whose specialty is V. I'm going to have fun questioning him later.

It's entertaining watching Sookie pretend she isn't getting jealous every time a fang banger offers themselves to me but after a while, I start to feel bad because it is actually hurting her. I decide not to think about why her pain upsets me for now. So when the next one comes up to me, while Sookie is sitting next to me with my hand on her thigh, I pick Sookie up put her on my lap, and start licking and nipping at her neck. I'm glad Sookie is using my void to keep the others' thoughts out of her head because I realize as the fang banger turns around to sulk away, I fucked her just last week. I guess she thinks I like her boring A negative, alcohol and drug filled blood enough to have her for a second go. Once Sookie is on my lap, the fang bangers get the hint that I will not be partaking in any of them tonight, so they stay away. I enjoy using the rest of the time that the bar is open to try to distract Sookie from her mind reading with my tongue and hands. Somehow, she catches another customer that's planning to use a date rape drug on the drunk girl at the bar.

By the time we make it back to my office, the bar is closing down, the staff is doing cleanup, the staff that wasn't working tonight is starting to arrive, and I'm thoroughly impressed by Sookies telepathy that I know when I bring up her confidence more, she'll be able to make a handsome living. I spend the ten minutes until we have to get back to work ravishing Sookie. By the time Pam knocks on the door to bring in the first waitress, her fangs drop at the scent of the room. Longshadow follows only a few seconds later and his fangs drop too and he looks like he's about to pounce on Sookie even though she's sitting on my lap. I growl viciously at him, making it clear that she's mine. He reluctantly submits and looks away. After a second of getting himself together, he puts his fangs away. Shit, maybe that wasn't the best idea, I know I can take any vampire that's here tonight and might get a little too eager but I don't want to bring any more attention to Sookie than what's necessary. At least until she's ready to make herself more known to the supernatural community, and until I get her fully bonded to me because there's no way in hell I'm going to be giving her up.

I look at the waitress, she's been working here for a while though I don't remember her name. She's roommates with Ginger if I remember correctly. "Sit." Once she does, I continue. "Sookie here will ask you a few questions. You will answer them."

"Yes, master." I cringe internally because I really hate that they call me that but I have to keep up appearances. She's obviously trying to make herself appealing to me. She hasn't even looked at Sookie and she's angling her ample d's at me while giving me 'fuck me' eyes. I haven't tasted her yet and might have been tempted if it were not for meeting and being with Sookie. So I ignore her come on and pat Sookie's ass, who's still sitting on my lap, to let her know it's her turn.

"Hi, I'm Sookie, what's your name?"

"Candy," she says flatly.

"Do you have any idea who's stealing money from Eric?"

"What? No. No one would be stupid enough to do that."

"Have you worked here long? Do you have any friends here?"

"What? What kinda freaky interrogation is this?"

"Has Ginger been acting off long?" Sookie asks, if I didn't know she was reading Candy's mind, I'd think Sookie is just as crazy as the fang banger clearly does, going by the look on her face.

"I don't know what you're talking about."

"It's alright, I'm all done anyway. Thanks."

"You may go," I say to Candy while looking at Sookie. Once she leaves, I quirk my eyebrow at her.

"We need to bring in Ginger next."

I look over to Pam and nod my head towards the door, instructing her to listen to Sookie. Pam rolls her eyes and huffs but does as she's told. Pam brings Ginger in and she's smoking a cigarette with a drink in her other hand. Pam sits her down, takes the cigarette out of her hand, and puts it out in Ginger's drink.

"Ginger, my friend here has some questions for you. Be a good girl and answer them, will you?"

"Aye aye, master."

Sookie tilts her head to the side like she's adjusting a TV antenna trying to get a signal, then gets up off my lap and moves around the desk to grab Ginger's hand.

"Bitch, don't touch me!"

My fangs drop being angry at Ginger for calling my lover such names. I order Pam, "Hold her still."

Pam gets behind Ginger and puts her hands on her shoulder to hold her in place. Sookie reaches for Ginger's hand again and reluctantly, Ginger complies.

"Ginger, someone's been stealing money from the store."

"Really? Huh."

Sookie looks at me, "She didn't do it, but she knows who did."

"What? Fuck you. No, I don't."

"Who? Who's going to kill you? Ginger honey, what's his name?"

"It's blank, it's like her memory has been erased."

Ginger looks at me pleadingly. "I don't know anything, I swear."

"She's been glamoured," Pam says.

"So then it's a vampire, right?" Sookie asks.

I know it's not Pam, I can trust her with anything. That only leaves one person. Just as I make that realization, I hear Longshadow's fangs click down and he pounces on Sookie knocking her down. I take the stake I always have out of my desk and move as fast as I think I ever have to stake him. It isn't fast enough though because in the second it took me to get the stake and get to him, I hear the crunch of a vampire trying to devour its meal. When Longshadow dissolves into blood and guts, it lands all over Sookie. My fangs run down and my dick grows hard because of the adrenaline that's running through me and the smell of Sookie's blood that's permeating the room. I can't tell what blood is hers and what blood was Longshadow.