Chapter 14: Shake and Fingerpop

Zander drove us back to Bon Temps in his truck and he tried to get something out of me, but I wouldn't say. I wanted to only say it once and once only. I knew that some of my Alphas were going to object to me doing this, but I needed to. I owed so much to Godric. This was my chance to give back at lease some to him.

We pulled up to my house and I got out just as Zander put it in park. I walked up the steps with Zander following close behind me. As soon as I opened the door and turned the corner, I had to catch myself when Georgette nearly tackled me to the floor. "You're okay," she breathed in a thick voice. "I was so worried when Zander left in a rush."

"I'll be okay if you let me go," I choked out. Georgette immediately let go and looked at me as I took a deep breath. I smiled at her. "I'm sorry that I scared you GG. But I promise I'm okay."

"What happened to you?" Bryson asked from the front room.

I turned to see all of my Alphas as well as their second and third command Betas. "I was attacked by a creature, one that I didn't recognize," I explained. "Dorothea, I want you to search for a creature that has three fingers, the head of a bull, a lower human half, and uses poison."

"You were poisoned?" Felix asked in shock.

"Yes, I was," I nodded. "The poison slowed down my ability to heal. It had to be removed first before my body could respond, and even then I couldn't fully heal."

"So, how are you healed now?" Isleen questioned. "You don't look like you still need to heal."

"Vamp gave her blood," Zander growled, and everyone gasped.

I glared over to him. "Zander, Eric saved my life. You should be more grateful."

"Just because he's your mate and saved your life, doesn't mean that you should take his blood," Farren snarled at me.

Immediately, I turned to her with my canines bared and let out a warning growl with my eyes flashing. She practically jumped back with a look of surprise on her face. Farren was the only Alpha in my pack that didn't have a mate, and despite that, my wolf didn't appreciate the tone she had.

"What was he talking about Dallas for?" Zander asked, trying to change the subject.

I closed my eyes to take a deep breath and calm down. When I opened my eyes, I looked to Zander and Georgette with a sad expression. "Godric is missing."

Their eyes widened and Georgette's hands flew her mouth with a gasp. I looked to the others to see some of them looking confused. A few of the Alphas and Betas that knew looked rather surprised. I turned to Leo as he shook his head in denial. "That's impossible," he said. "Willow would have called if that was the case. Godric is two thousand years old. There's no way that anyone could do anything to him."

"I know Leo," I said solemnly. "And that is what makes me worry. If we haven't gotten a call from Willow or the rest of the Dallas pack about this, then what happened? And is she missing as well? We need answers."

Everyone looked worried and I sighed. Rubbing the back of my neck, I looked around at everyone and continued. "Eric has Sookie, Bill and I going to Dallas to look for him. And before anyone says anything, I'm going. It's not just Godric, there are things with the pack that are at risk. Now, I am going to get some sleep before tomorrow."

With that, I walked up the stairs to my room and just fell into bed. Falling asleep the next moment.

*Queen of the Wolves*

The next morning, I was working with all of my Alphas to decide who would run the pack while I was gone and who would do the daily chores. It was decided that I would call the Vampire Authority to tell them that I had some business to attend to and that Georgette and Felix would continue the meetings. Zander and his Betas would run the pack and handle the day to day. Bryson and his Betas would be their support. Farren agreed to try and help out Sam at the bare while I was gone. In between school, Isleen agreed to help where she was needed.

Once everything was finalized, I got a call from Sookie, and she told me that Tara agreed to move in. She also informed me of the travel arrangements that Bill had made. "So, you managed to convince Bill to bring Jessica?" I asked.

"I think that it would be good for him," she told me. "He doesn't like vampires and it would do them good to bond a little. Oh, and there's gonna be a limo that's gonna pick us up at five today to take us to the airport."

I nodded to myself, despite her not being able to see it. "Okay sounds good. I'll be over to give Tara her present."

"Okay, I'll see you soon," Sookie told me.

We said our goodbyes as I got dressed to go to Sookies house. I got dressed in some hip hugging jeans and a tight blue tank top. I put on a pair of low wedge sandals and braided my hair in a French braid. Grabbing the present I had for Tara, I went downstairs to see Farren standing by the door. I smiled at her, and she returned the smile.

"I've got to stop by Sookies," I told her. "But I'll meet you at the bar."

She nodded at me. "Sounds good."

I nodded back and went outside to put Tara's present in my saddle bag. After putting on my helmet, I sped off to Sookies house.

*Queen of the Wolves*

I walked into Sookies house to see Sookie and Tara sitting down on one of the couches in one of the front rooms. They looked over at me when I walked in. I smiled at them and held up Tara's present. "Happy Birthday Tara!" I exclaimed.

Tara teared up as she took the present from me. "You didn't have to get me anything."

"Of course, I did," I told her, and I placed a hand on her shoulder. She looked up at me as I sat on the back of the couch. "I may not have grown up with you like Sookie, but I do consider you family. You have accepted what I am, and I will always be grateful for that."

Tara looked like she was gonna start crying. She opened up the wrapping and pulled out a colored drawing that I made of the two of us. It put us on the porch of Sookie's house with our arms around each other. A few tears fell out of Tara's eyes, and she sat up on her knees to hug my waist. I wrapped my arm around her shoulders with a smile.

"You're family to me," I told her again as she pulled back to wipe her tears. "If you need anything, you call someone in the pack, and they will help you."

"Thank you Teddy," she said in a thick voice. She then turned to Sookie, trying not to cry anymore. "So, why'd y'all pick Dallas for your trip?"

"I have some friends that I need to visit," I told her.

"Bill has some business there," Sookie chuckled with a wave of her hand. Tara didn't look convinced.

"And that is my cue," I interrupted before she could say anything. "I have to run by the bar before packing. So, again happy birthday Tara, and Sookie, I'll see you a five."

With that, I walked back outside to my motorcycle. I drove to Merlotte's and parked next to Farren's cherry red 1968 Chevrolet Camaro Classic. As I shook out my hair, I noticed that Sam's Bronco was parked out back. I motioned for Farren, who got out of her car, to meet me inside as I went around back. I saw Sam getting out produce for the bar, but I also noticed moving boxes in the back as well.

"You goin' somewhere," I asked Sam, who jumped. He spun to me with a look of confusion on his face. I motioned to the boxes in his car. "The moving boxes. Now, answer me, where are you goin'?"

Sam sighed. "I'm not sure just yet," he answered honestly. "I just know that I can't be here anymore."

I looked at him in concern. "Anything I can help with?"

"Not this time Teddy," he said shaking his head. "Now, what are you doing here? It's your day off."

I rubbed the back of my neck with a heavy sigh. "A friend of mine is missing in Dallas," I explained vaguely. "I need to take a few days off in order to help look for them."

"Okay," Sam said looking as if he didn't know what else to say.

"I know that this is sudden, but I figured I could get you some help," I told him. Sam looked at me confused. "One of my Alphas agreed to cover my shifts while I'm out of town. She used to wait tables in college and is good with the business side of things."

"Oh," Sam murmured as he leaned against his car. "Well, that's good. I'm leaving Terry in charge of the bar while I'm gone. So, she can help out."

I stared hard at Sam, so much that Sam shifted slightly. "What are you runnin' from?"

Sam scoffed. "I am not running from anything."

"The Sam Merlotte that I know wouldn't just up and leave for no reason," I snapped, and he paused, looked over at me in slight surprise. "If you're still here when I get back, you had better have had a good reason for wanting to leave." I then changed the subject. "My Alphas name is Farren Ranger and she's waiting inside to talk to you."

With that, I walked inside past Sam. I passed Sookie with a smile and lid into the booth across from Farren. "Sam will be in shortly to talk to you," I told her smiling. "Thank you for doing the Fae. I really appreciate it."

"It's the least I could do Teddy," she reassured me. "We all chip in to help. We'll handle home, you focus of finding your friend."

I smiled again and nodded in thanks. I got up and waved to Terry in the kitchen before leaving the bar. I got back on my motorcycle and drove back to my house.

*Queen of the Wolves*

When I arrived home, I began to pack clothes for the next few days. I wasn't sure how long it would take to find him, so I packed for a week. When the limo came around, Zander helped me bring my bags to the trunk. Georgette gave me a tight hug, telling me to be careful. I promised that I would be as Zander closed the trunk.

Zander picked me up in a tight hug. I held on just as tight. "Please, be careful sis," he practically begged in a thick voice. "We need you alive."

"I'll be okay," I whispered back. I then spoke in Gaelic. "Is breá liom tú deartháir. (I love you brother.)"

"Tá mé i ngrá leat freisin. (I love you too.)"

We let go and I got into the limo to go to the airport.

*Queen of the Wolves*

"Okay, that's enough," I said as I took the small bottle of alcohol from Sookie. We were able to take a private jet to Dallas, so it was just the two of us. I looked out the window and noticed that we were going to land soon. Sookie tried to take the bottle back with a pout and I held it out of her reach. "We're here Sookie. No more."

We landed and we unbuckled. They were taking out Bill and Jessica in their travel coffins as the door on the plane was lowered. Sookie stepped out first and saw a man standing in front of a limo with a sign that said, 'Compton Party.'

Sookie, who was a little tipsy, called out to the guy and walked up to him with a friendly smile. "Yoo-hoo! That's us! I've always loved these." She held up the small bottle of alcohol. "They're like booze for dolls. They gave me ten."

The guy looked nervous and jittery, and he kept looking towards the travel coffins. "You're two hours late," he said, and I narrowed my eyes at the way his heart rate sped up in fear. "Supposed to be here before sundown."

"We got delayed for take-off," Sookie informed him with a shrug.

"Yeah, because someone had to work," I mumbled loud enough for Sookie to hear me. Again, she looked at me with a pout, but the guy's voice brought out attention back to him.

"Okay, well, why don't you two go and wait in the limo," he offered. "I got the A/C cranked up."

I narrowed my eyes again as his heartbeat jumped, while Sookie answered for us. "No, thanks. We're fine."

"Oh, go on," he insisted. "Uh, there's Cokes in there."

Sookie had a look that she had when she was reading minds. I realized what he was doing before he moved. I went to grab Sookie, but I grabbed his wrist before he could. Twisting his arm behind his back, I pushed him to pin him to the side of the limo. I growled menacingly and he froze in my hold. Sookie had screamed and the next second, Bill was standing next to me.

I smirked over at him. "I got this Bill." The tense atmosphere was broken by Jessica having trouble getting out of her travel coffin. We all looked to her, and Bill gave a growl of frustration. "You better help her out," I said to Bill who nodded. I then turned to our would-be kidnapper. "Make one wrong move or sound, I'll snap this arm and you neck before you can scream."

He gulped and I led him to sit in the limo. I glared at him and flexed my claws in order to keep him still. Bill got Jessica out and climbed into the limo, taking my place in front of the guy. Bill immediately began to glamour the guy. "Tell me your name," Bill commanded.

"Leon," the guy, Leon, said in a daze.

"All right, Leon," Bill said as I watched next to Sookie. It had been a while since I has seen a vampire glamour someone up close like this. "No one is going to hurt you." He then turned to look at Jessica, who was next to him. "Would you like to try?"

"Could I?" Jessica asked in excitement.

Bill motioned her closer and then began to direct her. "Here. Lean in close so you can catch his gaze. And just let everything go. Let yourself be dead. You feel it?" Jessica nodded, not breaking eye contact with Leon. "You are empty. A vacuum. Now you can pull his mind into yours."

Jessica then began to reassure Leon as Bill moved to sit with Sookie and I. I moved to sit on the edge of the middle seats and Bill sat next to Sookie. "You were very sweet with her," she told Bill.

Bill just looked worried. "Sookie, he was sent to abduct either you or Theodora. That means somebody knew you two were coming."

"Who do you think's behind it?" Sookie asked. "Vampires?"

I scoffed and they both turned to me as I shook my head. "Vampires would be more neat about it. This was far too sloppy. It could be that church though."

"Teddy, they may be crazy, but they're still a church," Sookie scolded. "They're not gonna kidnap anybody."

"Sookie," Bill said to get her attention and she turned to him. "Churches have done much, much worse throughout history."

I sighed. "We better get going. We need somewhere we can talk to him privately. This limo is not comfortable."

Bill chuckled at me complaint but nodded and got out to get in the driver's seat.

*Queen of the Wolves*

At the Hotel Carmilla, Bill and Sookie were checking in with one person while I checked in with another person. Jessica was sitting with Leon in the lobby to keep him glamoured. "I have you down for a light-lockable suite with all the amendments Miss Stackhouse," the guy said. "Just sign here and I'll get you your keys."

I nodded while taking the paper to sign, wondering why I would need a light-lockable hotel room. I shrugged it off as it was a hotel that catered mostly vampires, so the rooms were probably all light lockable. It was then that I heard Leon's voice shout out and Jessica's cackling laughter. Everyone looked over at her and Leon in confusion and I snorted a laugh as Bill scolded her. He and Sookie looked embarrassed at the outburst.

After getting out keys, we all piled into the elevator. We all turned out to be on the same floor and right across from each other. I placed my bags in my room and went into Sookie's room to hear the interrogation of Leon. We all sat on the couches in front of the lit fireplace. Bill and Leon on one and Sookie and I across from them.

"Leon, look at me," Bill instructed. "Look at me, Leon." Leon slowly turned his head to look at Bill, his face as white as a vampire. "Everything is going to be okay."

"No, it's not," Leon whispered. "My worst nightmares."

"Jessica, what on earth did you do to this man?" Bill called into the next room.

"I am on the phone," Jessica called back with irritation in her tone.

Bill scoffed in annoyance and Sookie spoke up in a semi whisper. "Maybe if you put your hand on his shoulder," she suggested. "Sometimes touching helps me hear their thoughts better."

Bill hesitated a moment before placing his hand on Leon's shoulder. "Who sent you?" he asked.

"Fellowship of the Sun," Leon replied instantly, and Bill's head snapped to Sookie and I with obvious concern.

"Are you a member?" Sookie asked next.

"No, they hired me," Leon responded.

"Who specifically?" Bill questioned desperately.

"I'm not sure," Leon told him. "It was over the phone. Money was put in a locker for me at a Greyhound station."

"And they hired you to do what exactly?" Bill continued with suspicion.

"Abduct a human with the Compton party and bring her to the church," Leon explained.

"Do you know our names?" Sookie cut it.

"No, ma'am," Leon replied, looking over at her. "I didn't even know that there were going to be two of you nor being women. All I know is a vampire's using a human to find a vampire Godric."

"Do you know where he is?" I asked with a little hope.

"No, ma'am, I do not."

I deflated slightly and Sookie rubbed my back in comfort. Bill then began to glamour Leon into believing that we weren't on the flight and that he did an excellent job. After we let him go, I sat there staring at the fire for a moment. Someone took my hand, and I looked up to see Bill was holding my hand with a look of concern.

"Are you alright Theodora," he asked me.

I shook my head with a sad look. "I don't know," I admitted. "Do you remember the friend I told you about?" He nodded. "Godric is that friend. He was there for me when I truly needed someone and helped me. I wouldn't be who I am today if it wasn't for Godric. I'm worried about what happened to him."

Both Sookie and Bill shared a shocked look. Sookie came over and wrapped her arm around my shoulders. "We'll find him Teddy," she said. "I promise."

I smiled at both of them in thanks. "I'm gonna get unpacked and I need a shower."

They both laughed at my comment but stood and went to do the same. I went back to my room and began to unpack. After putting away my stuff in the bathroom, I took a much-needed hot shower. I was debating on taking a bath, noticing the large jacuzzi bathtub, but I knew I was gonna need it later. As I was drying off, my phone started to ring. I wrapped my towel around me and went to grab my cell phone. "Hello?" I answered.

"White Lightning, you are in trouble," came Lafayette's voice.

I smiled at hearing his voice. "How are you feeling Chocolate Thunder?"

"Well, Eric made me drink his motherfucking blood," he explained. "Apparently, he was doing it because you asked him to. Why would you do that?"

"Lafayette, your leg was already infected, and you would be too stubborn to go to the hospital," I scolded him. "It was the only way that I could think of to help you. Besides, Eric needed to make it up to me for holding you in the first place."

"I suppose that I should thank you for it," he grumbled. "But, I'm not happy with it."

"I figured that you wouldn't be," I said as I walked to the dresser to get out some night clothes. "But, you're welcome regardless. Now, get some actual sleep LaLa, and I'll see you when I get back."

Lafayette grumbled again but said goodbye none the less. We hung up and I then heard a noise of the door clicking closed behind me. I turned around to see Eric standing there, his hands in his pockets and a giant smirk on his face.

I sighed heavily. "I should have known. So, that's why the room is light lockable. I should have known that you would pull something like this."

"Something like what?" he teasingly asked.

"Book me a room with you," I snapped, pulling my towel tighter. "You couldn't get your own room."

"I thought that I would save some money," he shrugged, and I scoffed at that. Eric chuckled in response. "Also, this way, I can ask you for your end of the deal and you can't run away."

I rolled my eyes at him. "I don't run away from the deals I make. I can avoid or deflect, but I never run. Also, before I do, can I get dressed first?"

Eric looked me over, his smirk only growing. "I rather prefer you like this actually."

I rolled my eyes again, turning and grabbing my clothes. Moving back to the bathroom, I closed and locked the door. I got changed into a long, red velvet vintage nightgown with red bikini underwear. I found when I'm in Dallas, I sleep better in nightgowns than in my usual cotton t-shirts. I took a deep breath and let it out slowly before I opened the door. I usually didn't wear this kind of stuff in front of others.

I opened up the door and walked out to grab the matching robe. I wrapped it around myself and tied it as I could feel Eric's burning gaze on me.

"I was right," he commented, and I looked at him with a raised eyebrow. "Red is definitely your color."

"Well, thank you," I stated in slight confusion as I noticed his eyes were a steel blue. "But before I uphold my end of the deal, I want to hear what you know about the ranks of the wolves."

Eric looked displeased but complied as he walked towards me. "There are four ranks. There's Betas, who make up a pack and can be identified by the glow of amber or blue in their eyes. The leaders of the packs are Alphas and their eyes glow red. The bottom of the ranks are the Omegas. They can either be Alphas or Betas and occur when they lose their packs or are kicked out. Then at the very top is the Queen. The one who rules over all the packs and is the ultimate Alpha over all of them. The Queen can be identified by her silver eyes."

I nodded with a smile as I looked up at him standing in front of me. "I'm impressed that you know all of that."

"My maker knew of them and had told me that they were our allies," Eric explained. "He had explained the ranks back then. Now quit avoiding the question. What rank are you?"

I only stared at him and allowed my eyes to glow silver. His eyes widened slightly. "Asena," he whispered in shock, and I nodded. "You're the Queen."

"We've established that," I deadpanned. "I don't see how it is so shocking."

"Suddenly, everything makes sense," Eric said to himself. He then turned to me seriously. "Who else knows about this?"

"Aside from wolves, Sookie, Jason, and Sam, my boss," I counted off. I then turned sheepish. "The vampires in Godric's nest also know who I am, well most of the older members."

Eric narrowed his eyes. "Why is that?"

"Remember in our talks that I was taken in by a friend when I ran away with my brother?" I asked, and he nodded as his eyes widened in realization. "Godric picked me up and helped me when I needed it the most. He knew the previous Queen and taught me a lot. If it wasn't for Godric, I wouldn't be who I am today. I owe it to Godric to find him." I then narrowed my eyes at him. "Why do you want to find him."

"Godric is two thousand years old and very powerful as you know," Eric breathed in my face as he got closer to me. "If he can be taken, then no vampire is safe. But we both owe it to Godric to find him."

Eric then leaned down and kissed me again, his hands immediately burying themselves in my hair. I responded immediately, matching his rhythm as he took over. I could feel his lust again as my hands went to his waist. The different feelings coming off of him were swirling around in a storm. That storm was threatening to swallow me.

Eric's hands left my hair and moved down my body, tracing my curves as he went. He reached down while not breaking the kiss and picked me up by my waist. My arms came up and wrapped around his neck while my legs came up around his waist. Eric walked us over to the bed, never stopping the kiss. I was so wrapped up in the taste and feel of his lips on mine, that I didn't snap out of it until my back hit the bed.

Eric's lips left mine and kissed down my jaw to my neck. I had to keep my moan down, but reached out and used my strength to push his shoulders back. He looked at me in confusion. "What is it?"

I took a deep breath to recover a little bit. "Other than the fact that you hold a debt over my head," I breathed. "I need to be able to walk in the morning."

Eric smirked at me and leaned in closer. "Say the word, and the debt is gone," he whispered, running his nose along my jaw. "For you it would be gone."

"And what about Sookie?" I whispered back, arching into him and he growled. "I would never leave my family alone."

It seemed as though something occurred to Eric as he raised his head to look at me. "Where are you going in the morning?"

I sighed and leaned back on the bed. "I'll still be at the meeting tomorrow night, but I have to pay a visit to the Dallas pack. They have to answer some questions."

I then yawned and immediately, I was under the covers. "Get some rest älskling," he said as he held my cheek in his hand. "We'll talk more tomorrow night."

Nodding, I laid down on the pillow. I could hear him moving around and felt the bed dip. "Keep your hands to yourself," I commanded groggily.

I fell asleep to Eric's rumbling laughter against my back.