Chapter 2

"You can take your mask off Sookie, I don't have Covid," Pam said dryly.

Even though the country has eased up on Covid restrictions, I still continued to wear my mask during the rare times I went out in public and around other people.

"I know," I said. "But I'm just used to it. I carry hand sanitizer in my purse." I took my little bottle of sanitizer and applied some to my hands.

"I'm sorry about Marius," Pam said. "I wish I could've come for the funeral, but you know, covid and airline restrictions."

I stared at the dark sky and the full moon outside the plane window.

"Yeah well, we had limits on how many vampires could be there," I said. "There was just me, Sonya, and a few others."

"So, are you going to tell me why you are taking me back to Louisiana?" I said trying to get straight to business.

"It's about Eric," Pam said.

"What about him?" I asked somewhat curiously. Last I heard he had been forced to marry again. This time to the Queen of Oklahoma.

"He's having troubles with the Queen," she said.

"Okaaaay," I said as I leaned forward. "What does that have to do with me?"

"She's forcing him to do things. Things that he would not otherwise dream of ever doing," she said.

I lowered my mask to my chin. "Like what?"

"He has cut off communication to all of his known associates, including me," she said sounding somewhat hurt. "I haven't spoken to him in over eight years. The last message I got from him was a text telling me that I was free. He commanded me to never speak to him again."

We stayed silent for a minute. I was waiting for her to continue.

"His wife's name is Freyda?" I slowly asked. When I left Bon Temps over ten years ago, I also chose to leave my past behind. I kept in contact with Tara and Jason though. I actively played the role of Auntie to my nephews and nieces, but other than that I chose to distance myself. I don't really know why I did that. I guess I just felt like I needed a fresh start. I needed to let go of all the things that caused me harm. Much good it did for me in the end. I was hurting much more than what Lochlan and Naeve did to me nowadays.

"Yes," Pam said. "She's a young vampire, but smart, ruthless, conniving. After you left, Appius came back into Eric's life. Eric had no intention of every marrying again. But he forced him into marrying Freyda. Then we had to deal with his little prick of a brother Alexei. Christ Sookie, do you not know of any of this?"

"No I didn't!" I said rather loudly. "I never asked Marius what was going on in the Vampire world. I just kept to myself. I continued on with my studies and projects. I hate vampire politics."

"I see," she replied. "Anyway, I received an anonymous message yesterday. I don't know who it's from but they said that Eric is in danger."

"In danger? In danger from who?" I asked.

"Faeries and his wife."

I was shocked and somewhat surprised. I had spent many times training with Claude. He had told me the faerie portal was closed and that most of them left.

"Sookie, our numbers have dwindled. There are maybe five thousand or so older vampires left in the world. The virus almost wiped us out. We were lucky that we were able to find a cure," she said. "All the supernatural beings want what we have. Our homes, our money, they see us as weak."

Again, I was shocked. I mean, I knew the vampire numbers were down but I did not see that in New York. I still had the same amount of vampire guards at my apartment. Sonya never mentioned anything to me about being in trouble. I sat back in my seat. But then again, I don't ask her. I've been wallowing in my own self-pity to notice anything. I thought about Bill. I had heard he had met his final death from the virus also.

I could feel my mind trying to withdraw from the situation. I wanted my pillow and my bed so I could curl up into a ball and sleep.

Snap out of it, I told myself.

I closed my eyes and exhaled a few times.

"What can I do," I finally asked.

"You can get Eric out of there."

"What?" I scoffed. "Pam, you expect me to waltz right into Oklahoma, kill the Queen, kill the faeries, and rescue Eric?"

"Well you don't need to waltz into Oklahoma. They live in New Orleans. Eric somehow managed to convince her to stay," she said.

"Pam I know you want to save Eric and all that, but I don't know how…"

"Sookie! I know how strong you are. I know what you're capable of. I have heard of the weapons and fighting training you do. They say Marius taught you the art of combat. Anyone would have killed to learn his secrets. Eric commanded me to stay away from him. But Eric has no power over you! Neither does Appius or Freyda," she snapped.

She let out an unnecessary sigh. "It will be dawn when we land in New Orleans. I have made accommodations for your stay and for your guards. Sookie, please consider it. I don't know how you feel about Eric at this moment. But I know that there was a time when you loved him. You were bonded to him. He would've done anything for you. I know that he still cares about you. I have lost so many people these past several years but I cannot lose Eric anymore than I already have. I need to know that he is okay."

I ran my hand through my hair. "I will think about it."

"Thank you," she says.

Later that day, I sat in my hotel room bed and thought about what she said. I opened my phone and read updates about what was happening with vampires in the world today. Due to financial hardships, many were losing their businesses. Humans were blaming them for the spread of Covid. It seemed the world was taking a few steps back in regards to vampire rights and their treatment in society. I also read about Freyda, the apparent Queen of Oklahoma and consort of Louisiana.

God she is stunning, I thought as I browsed through pictures of her at social events and balls. I didn't find any pictures of Eric, the King of Louisiana; it was odd.

Suddenly there was a knock on the door. I probed and heard a human outside the door. It was someone I hadn't seen in years.

I opened it and it was Bobby Burnham, Eric's daytime manager.

He eyed me up and down with a raised eyebrow. "Their majesties, the king and queen invite you to dinner at La Petite this evening," he said as he handed me in an envelope.

"Ummmm I'm sorry but I have plans this evening…." I tried to say but he cut me off.

"They insist upon your presence tonight," he said firmly. He turned and walked away.

I should've brought my daytime guards, I thought to myself. My vampire night guards were resting on the vampire floor of the hotel. For some reason, I didn't think I was in any danger during the day. Stupid me! Not to say that I thought Bobby was dangerous, but just in case someone else wanted to cause me harm. I reminded myself I needed to keep my guard up at all times. I looked through my suitcase of weapons. I had stakes, silver, holy water, iron, pistols, the whole nine yards.

As I sorted through my bag, I started to think about Eric. I hadn't seen him or talked to him since the night he let me go to be with Marius. I could still see the pain in his eyes as I left to run after Marius. Though I never regretted my choice, I sometimes wondered what my life would've been like had I stayed with him. From what I've heard so far, I'd probably be dead. Either Freyda or Appius would've killed me.

I sent Pam a message that I was meeting Eric and Freyda at the restaurant. Her reply was "Be ready for it." I guess Operation Rescue Eric was starting tonight.

I knew the restaurant would be fancy so I decided to pick out what I would wear. I had lost an interest in fashion the past few years, but my assistant kept shopping for the latest styles to fill up my closet each season. The first two years after Marius had died, I only wore black on the rare occasions I went out. The past year I stayed home so often that most of the time I wore just t shirts and sweat pants. This was going to be my first occasion of going out. And wouldn't you know my first time going out and it has to be with my ex and his new wife, I thought wryly. I still didn't feel like it was appropriate for me to wear something that showed off a lot of skin and colours that made me stand out. So, I chose a long, dark embroidered skirt and a sleeveless white silk shirt. I also decided black heels. I spent the next hour getting ready. I did my hair and wore makeup.

Later that evening, my guard knocked on my door and told me the car was downstairs. My other guards were waiting in the vehicle.

We made our way to the restaurant. As we arrived, I suddenly felt something that I hadn't felt in years; anticipation and excitement. I also felt nervous. It felt good to feel something other than despair. Lord knows how long I felt nothing but sadness and emptiness since Marius died.

My guards opened the door for me and we were met by someone who took us to the back of the restaurant and into another room. There they sat; Eric Northman and Freyda.

She was even more stunning in person.

"How nice of you to join us this evening, Ms. Stackhouse," she said from her chair smiling. "Please, come and sit with us at our table."

This is going to be a long night, I thought to myself.