SPOV

I'm trying really hard not to gauk or get too intimidated by the compound we're pulling up to. It's huge and… I don't want to say gaudy but yeah kind of gaudy. Either way, you can tell that whoever decorated had a lot of money to do so and they spared no expense. I smile at Eric because he squeezes my hand, I guess he can feel my anxiety starting to rise. I can hear from both Gran and Jason's minds that they're nowhere near as nervous as I am. I guess they trust Eric when he says that he doesn't think anything is going to happen tonight. Wow, I should probably believe him too, I guess I'm just a worry wart.

The car pulls to a stop at the front of the main building, there's steps leading up to a huge front door with multiple vampires and Weres standing guard, there's columns on the front porch, it looks like this used to be a huge plantation that was fixed up and expanded on over the years. Eric kisses the top of my head before letting my hand go and getting out of the limo when the door is opened for us. Thankfully, he puts his arm on my back which happens to be open thanks to the dress I'm wearing. It's good, I chose this dress on purpose so that I can use his touch to block out a lot of the thoughts and focus on specific ones more easily. I can't just hold his hand though because of stupid vampire rules so the hold has to look possessive since I'm just a human, which means that to most of the beings in this building, I'm just a blood bag with a better-than-average talent.

Woah, if I thought the outside was gaudy and extravagant, it's nothing compared to the inside. Everything that can be gold, is gold and I'm pretty sure it's real. I guess what they say is true, money can't buy taste because I definitely wouldn't consider this elegant, which is what I think she was going for. I turn back to make sure Gran and Jason are good and I can't help but smile at Jason because he's being a gentleman and holding his arm out for Gran to hold onto. Those were probably a lot of stares for her.

"Eric, I'm so glad you were able to make it. There were no troubles with your travels, I hope." I turn my head forward toward the voice and I see a beautiful woman, well, she's barely a woman, she looks like she was maybe 16 when she was turned. She has long red hair and I don't need to be introduced to her to know that she is Sophie Ann. She's wearing a royal purple floor-length gown, the whole top of it is embroidered with jewels that I'll never be able to afford. I'd be scared to even try something that expensive on, let alone leave the store with it.

Eric bows his head down deferentially, though I do not think he went as low as the queen would have liked because I see a flicker of distaste cross her face before it's gone and the polite smile is back, "My queen."

"Oh, come now Eric, we've known each other far too long for you to be so reserved. Now, introduce me to your lovely bonded here, Sookie, I presume."

I give her one of my shiny southern welcoming smiles, I have a role to play here tonight, "Uh, yeah, yes, Your Majesty, that's me. It's mighty nice to meet you, I've heard a lot about you." Even though I've been spending the majority of my time around vampires, my Southernly manners have been pushed into me so hard that it's still almost impossible not to hold my hand out for a shake. Thankfully, I stop myself.

"All good things, I hope."

"Of course, Hadley really was excited for us to meet, she's been trying to set it up since she first called me," I say with a soft smile. I work hard not to jolt when Eric sends warnings and care to me through the bond, he doesn't want me to say anything that might give away the fact that we know what her real plans are but I don't think I am, it's true, Hadley has been doing that.

"Oh yes, dear sweet Hadley, she talks almost nonstop about her family and how much she misses you. And let me guess, this must be Gran."

Gran lets go of Jason and does a little curtsy. I have the urge to laugh but I get why she did, I almost did one myself. "That's me. It's nice to meet you." Gran's voice gets a little quieter as she leans closer to Sophie Ann, "And thank you so much for taking good care of my grandbaby, she was not in a good way the last time we saw her, we've been so worried all these years. I'm just happy to know she's okay now and I gotta feeling you have something to do with that."

Sophie Ann flashes Gran what I think is the first real smile I've seen from her, "Of course, I care deeply for your granddaughter, Adele." She clears her throat, pulls back from Gran a little, and speaks louder, this time to all of us, "Now, let us get settled, the humans must be hungry, I've had the chefs set up snacks in the sunroom. That's where Hadley is, I'll let you all get reacquainted and then we can get to work."

The nerves that have been starting to ease start right back up, I know I'm good at my job, it takes more work staying out of people's heads than it does listening to them but this is my first job for a monarch, it seems pretty important so I can't help but have some anxiety, especially knowing what I know about her plans to take me for herself. Although, she seems nice enough… although, that's probably me just being too trusting, Eric knows her better than I do and he doesn't trust her one bit so I can't either.

We walk into another room that's decorated the same type of way as the first just with a different accent color, still all the gold though. I can't help but wonder why a vampire would have anything called a 'sun room' It kinda goes against everything a vampire is. I know this is the 'sunroom' as soon as I walk through the door, the ceiling somehow replicates sunshine, it's more than just painted to look like the sky during the day, which it is, but there also has to be some magic involved too because it's moving and I can almost feel the heat of the sun on a bright cloudless day. There's also a big pool and there are plants and bushes everywhere. Did I mention she's extravagant? Because if I didn't already think so, this room would sell it. Gran and Jason are oohing and ahhing over the room and are properly impressed.

That's when I see Hadley, she's lying on one of those fainting chairs from the 20s in a gold bikini. She never did have any sense. I mean, I get it, we're by an indoor pool but she knew she was going to see Gran tonight for the first time in over five years and this is how she wants to dress? I have to hold back the scoff that wants to come out. When she sees us she gets up fast with a huge smile on her face and runs over like it's been no time at all. She hugs me first.

"Sook! I've missed you, I'm so glad you're here!"

"Hey, Had. You look good."

"Thanks, I am!" She lets go of me and it really grinds my gears when she skips over Gran to go over to Jason and pretty much throws herself at him. He catches her but I can see he's uncomfortable. It's actually a little funny, it's like he wants to hug her back but doesn't know where to because he doesn't feel comfortable hugging her when she's almost naked. "Jason! How you doing, you dork?"

"I'm good, Hadley, just got the promotion I've been working towards… Oh right, you probably don't know what I'm talking about, I wasn't with the road crew when you left."

I make sure to have my telepathy focused on Hadley, I have a feeling if the plan to get me to stay here doesn't directly involve Hadley, Sophie Ann won't bother to tell her about it but if there's any chance a human knows anything about it, it's probably her. I hear her guilt about leaving us that she's trying to ignore. She's been doing a good job at it over the years but seeing us in person doesn't make that easy. In fact, a big part of her just kinda wishes we'd leave already so she doesn't have to think about it anymore.

'Course, if all goes accordin' to plan, Sook won't be leavin' at all. I don't want to have to deal with her on a daily basis. Sure, I missed Gran and Jason but Sookie was always so stuck up and such a wet blanket, I don't want to deal with that again. Then again, she's definitely been fucking Eric, I doubt she's still so uptight anymore, he'd have bored himself with her if that were the case.'

I feel a strong urge to attack her because of the way she thought Eric's name, it was filled with so much lust and want. He's mine and she can't have him. Wow possessive much, Sookie? Thank the lord I don't have to worry about Eric wanting her. I learned my lesson about doubting him when it comes to his devotion to me.

Gran clears her throat pointedly and my rage at Hadley comes back with a vengeance, this time because of how she's been treating Gran, and we've only been here for a total of ten minutes, the walk to the room included. Hadley looks at Gran with a slight blush on her cheeks.

'Don't know how to treat her, I always hurt her, even if I do love her, I know she's disappointed in me and I'll never measure up in her eyes to her precious Sookie' I hear the sneer that's accompanying my name almost louder than the lust that's accompanying Eric's in her mind. Gosh, I just don't like her. I try, I love her, she's family but she ain't no friend. And let's not forget she's the whole reason I'm in this mess in the first place.

"Sorry, Gran. How are you?" She asks softly as she pulls Gran into a slow loving hug. I can feel Gran's contentment, I don't even need my telepathy, it's radiating off of her. Hadley is blind if she thinks Gran doesn't love her just as much as she loves me.

"It's alright, darling. I'm just glad you're safe and happy. You know you can always come home, Hadley. I know you've made a place for yourself here but don't ever be afraid to come home."

"Thanks, Gran." Hadley clears her throat as she slowly pulls away from Gran.

"Okay, now, come. I'm told I have the best chefs in the state, so I hope you're hungry."

Jason's stomach lets out a poorly timed growl and he chuckles, "Shit if you're offering, who am I to say no?" Gran and I both slap the arm closest to us. "Ow! What was that for?" He asks looking back and forth between us.

"Watch your language, Jason Stackhouse, you're not too old for me to send you out back to pick a switch." She leans in and whisper yells, although it's unnecessary, the vampires can hear her as plain as day, "We're with royalty, you will not embarrass me, do you understand?"

"Sorry, Gran."

I feel Eric's amusement through the bond, he enjoys when Gran puts either of us in our place and it's probably also because I've heard him and the queen say much worse on the few phone calls I've heard between them.

We sit and make small talk while the humans eat some food and the vampires sip on something in wine glasses that I'm pretty positive isn't true blood. I feel my possessiveness come back because he hasn't drunk from anyone other than me in a long time but I'm able to calm myself down because it's a silly thing to be jealous of. After about a half hour in which I've been listening to Hadley the whole time and have heard nothing about a plan, and just as I'm starting to calm down and stop being so worried about something happening tonight when Sophie Ann puts her now empty glass down and looks at me.

She stays looking at me even though when she speaks, she's speaking to Eric. "Eric, I think it's about time we get to business, though they are enjoying their reunion, I'm sure the humans won't want to stay here until sunrise waiting for Sookie to get through tonight's docket. Is it okay if we leave your humans here to continue their reunion while you me and Sookie retire to the office?"

I feel Eric's surprise, I'm not sure but maybe it's because she's asking instead of ordering? Eric already knows his decision, I feel that too but he takes a few moments to look around and pretend to think it over. "That will be fine. Pam, you will stay, yes?"

Pam looks put out, especially because I notice she's been eyeing the group of humans that are still hanging out by the pool. I have a feeling if it were up to her, she'd like to spend her night in a room with one or two of them. "Of course, master. If that's what you want.

Eric nods his head at her. I see Jason open his mouth while looking upset, I think he feels that same upset I do at the term 'master' and how Pam uses it while talking to Eric. Thankfully, Gran is sitting next to him, I hear her plan in her thoughts as she does it. She kicks Jason hard under the table and gives him a look that clearly states, 'Keep your mouth closed'. I'm grateful when he does.

"Good, come." She says with a big smile before standing up and striding out of the room. I look at Gran and Jason to make sure they are okay with this too before getting up.

'It's okay, Sookie. I'll call for you if I need your help. Go, the sooner you do, the sooner you'll finish and I'll feel safe again having all my grandbabies in eyesight.'

I give her a small nod before getting up. Eric is already standing but he waits for me so that he can put his hand on my back again and lead me to where we're going. The office isn't quite as extravagant as the rest, I have a feeling she doesn't have many people come into this room because it's not made to show off her riches. She's already sitting behind her desk so Eric and I sit on the other side and wait for her to speak.

"There's not much planned tonight. Mostly I intended to keep it strictly family tonight so that you may all enjoy your union. Unfortunately, something has come up, and having you here will be a great help in sorting it out quickly."

"Okay, anything I can do to help, ma'am."

"Well isn't she precious, Eric? Aren't you a lucky one?"

"I think the word you're looking for is professional, precious would fit better if I were a child," I say before I can think better of it. Again I feel Eric's warning in the bond but I also feel his pride, begrudging as it may be.

"Hmm, though I see what you mean, all humans are babies to me, even the few that make it past their 100th year. I myself am almost 1000, so you see where the difference in perspectives comes into play."

I'm not sure if she's bragging or trying to intimidate me but either way, it's not working, especially because I know she's being really loose with the word 'almost', Eric told me she's about 500 years old, so she still has a long way to go. "Yes, I can see what you mean, though I doubt you'd trust a baby with what you hired me for."

Dang it, I promised myself I wouldn't be short or rude to her. My goal is to be polite and quiet while just getting the work done as quickly as I can so that we can get out of here but she's just rubbing me the wrong way and I can't help myself.

She stays quiet for a long time while staring at me, so long that I work hard not to cringe. I really have to get better at keeping my mouth shut. I know Eric's whole body is tight, he's ready to spring at a moment's notice. I have a feeling it's not often someone talks back to the queen and normally, when someone does, it doesn't end up too good for them.

I'm surprised then when after a few more moments she laughs loudly, "You have me there, Sookie. I must say, I like you. Are you sure I cannot convince you to relocate to New Orleans? I can promise to make you more money than Eric is."

"Thanks for the offer, truly but I'm quite happy where I am. Plus, I love Eric, we're bonded, there's no breaking or separating that."

She laughs again, this time louder, like I was saying a joke. "Oh Eric, do you hear her? Ahh to be human again. Love." I'm not quite sure what she means but I don't think I want to, especially because I have a feeling she's implying that I'm foolish to love Eric, or that he would never love me. Whatever, I know Eric loves me, I feel it, so whatever she's trying, it isn't going to work. "Okay, Sookie, I accept that. Though when the day comes that your love ends, don't forget about me because the offer will still be there."

Was that a threat? Or does she really have that little faith that Eric and I will last? No Sookie, don't let her get into your head.' "Okay, thanks, I'll make sure to keep that in mind."

Ahh, good, now we can continue." She says when there's one quick rap on the door before it opens and a man walks in, he looks maybe a little bit older than Sophie but I know he's a vampire too. I wonder if this is one of her children that Eric warned me about. Andre maybe? I don't think it's the brothers, he described them as big and this guy just isn't. That's not to say I won't take him seriously, he gives off a vibe that makes me feel icky, I don't think he's trustworthy at all.

"Andre, my love, so glad you could join us. I trust you have everything set up?" 'My love?' I thought the queen was with Hadley, I mean I know it's not normal for a human and vampire to have a relationship like Eric and I but when I go off of Hadley's thoughts, she and the queen are together. I wonder if she knows about this. She'd have to, right? I shake my head, there's no time for me to think about this, plus, it's not my problem anyway. It's not like Hadley would ever care about me enough to worry about this if the shoe was on the other foot. I mentally shake my head, that's not fair, that's not the kind of person I want to be either. It doesn't matter if Hadley wouldn't help me, I'm not her.

"Yes, my queen."

"Good, good. Let's go."

We both get up to follow her as she starts leading us up and down hallways. Wow, I really don't want to get separated from Eric, there's no way I'd be able to find my way out of here. Not fast anyway. "So, we've caught some Were's on the property. I think I know who sent them, I have another monarch that's trying to get me to agree to marriage so that we can combine our territories. I'm thinking about it, though I must admit, I'm leaning toward no. He'd get more out of the deal than I would. Either way, these Were's had weapons on them. Going off the weapons it seems that they were trying to capture someone, though if need be they were ready to kill too. I need to know who they were trying to capture, and who sent them. We've already used some of our own… skills to get the information out of them but I fear they're being quite tight-lipped. Thankfully, I own a telepath, so those lips can stay as tightly shut as they want, I can get the information another way."

I have to work really hard not to flinch, scream, yell, use my microwave fingers, anything, I have to work really hard not to react to her words although they make me madder than a wet hen, she thinks she owns me. I'm not one to use bad language but, the bitch! Eric is having just as much trouble as I am at staying quiet but he's able to calm himself faster.

"Okay, I think I get it. What am I walking into here? When you say 'skills' you mean torture, right? Am I about to go into a dungeon or something? Am I going to see you guys torturing them?"

"What? Sookie, no. I wouldn't do such a thing, you're a delicate human. Don't tell me Eric would put you through such things! You deserve better than that." She slows her steps down so that she's next to me and then she throws her arm around me, pulling me away from Eric. "Don't you worry, dear Sookie. While you're with me you needn't see such things. I make sure to respect those that are mine, along with spoiling them, of course. But I know my ways are different than other vampires, most do not treat their pets nearly as well."

I know what she's trying to do. It seems Eric was right, she's not planning on stealing or attacking tonight, she's planning on trying to get me to want to stay with her. The thing is, she doesn't know me at all. Eric never made me watch torture, I'm the one who went into that basement because I didn't want to live in denial about what I'm a part of. I'm no delicate wallflower, I'm strong and I don't need her to try to protect me, or at least I don't need her to try to trick me into thinking she's protecting me. I just smile and nod at her. I can't wait for this night to be over. I know it's still early and we've only been here for about an hour but I'm plum tired already. It's not even the work, it's all the pomp and circumstance, the lying, the fakeness of everyone around.

I feel Eric's anger growing, it's been present all night since we stepped into the limo but it's grown a lot since we left everyone else, it seems like everything Sophie Ann says pisses him off more, and what has him on the edge of snapping is her hands on me. I wish I could turn around and help calm him down, I mean it's not like I'm too happy with her touching me either. It's taking all my control not to cringe away from her. Thankfully, only five more steps after that thought she slows us down and stops in front of a door. When we walk in I see three Were's tied up. It's clear they were badly beaten, one looks like he's barely conscious while I'm trying really hard not to look too closely at the hand of another because I'm almost positive he doesn't have all his fingers.

I take a deep breath, straighten my shoulders, and take control of the room. This is my show now, it's what I was hired for. I walk up to the three who are tied up at the center of the room and stare at them each switching back and forth between them while listening in. Unfortunately, none of them are thinking about what we need to know, two of them are in too much pain while the other one is just angry because he knew he shouldn't have taken the job but the money was too good to pass up.

"Okay, boys. I know you're in a lot of pain and I'm sure my friends here can find some painkillers or some other way to help you out. We're just going to need some information from you first, do you think you can do that?"

"Fuck you, you fang-banging whore!" The one to the left growls, I have a feeling he was planning to spit in my face for good measure if it wasn't for the fact that his words piss Eric off enough to vamp over to him and slap him across the face so hard I'm sure I hear something crack. He's unconscious now, at least I think he's unconscious, and if he's not, I'd rather not know. The good thing is, he isn't the leader of the group. Nope, the leader is the older one in the middle and that's who I'm going to focus on.

"Who sent you?"

I ignore their words and listen to their minds, it's not like I need to listen to know that they're spewing filth about me and who I decide to sleep with. They'll never get it anyway, in their heads they can't believe that a vampire would ever be loyal to a human.

'Can't tell them, I'll be as good as dead if they find out I gave them up.'

"I get that you're probably worried about giving up your employer, I know they wouldn't be too happy to know that you sold them out, they might even go as far as to kill you. I get it, it's scary but I think you're going to have to look at it from another point of view. They'll be angry and possibly violent if they find out you snitched on them, which they might, that's true. But think about what these guys," I point vaguely behind me to the vampires in the room, "The vampires that have you in their possession right now, will do if you don't tell. Which situation do you think you have the best chance of surviving?"

'Can't talk, can't talk. These fuckers might kill me but Threadgill has my family. I'll be happy to die as long as they survive.'

"Do you really think your family would be safe if you're no longer alive as leverage? The minute you die is the minute they stop being useful to Threadgill."

I hear both Eric's and Sophie Ann's fangs click down at the name, I guess they know who he is.

"You crazy bitch, what are you talking about? I never said anything about someone called Threadgill, I don't even know who that is." He stops looking at me and looks over to the vampires, "I swear, she's making shit up, you were here, I didn't say nothing."

"You didn't have to. I guess your employer didn't let you know that I have a telepath on staff. All you had to do was think it." Sophie Ann says superiorly.

It's getting harder and harder for me not to react when she speaks about me like an object, an object that she owns and can pick up or put away as she pleases. Eric must feel me on the edge because he sends me calm, which is a strange feeling because, at the same time, I can also feel that he himself isn't calm at all. In fact, he's as close to snapping as I am, if not closer. I take a deep breath and turn to the queen, ignoring the threats and name-calling coming from the Were.