Yeah, y'all had to wait a bit for this chapter. My muse dipped into another fandom and now crawls back to me, begging for this chapter to be written. So, I'll oblige her. And I'm quite sure I haven't mentioned this before, but I'll do it now. This story is unbeta'd as all my stories are. So if you have issues with grammar and punctuation or word sentencing, I'm sorry. But I honestly prefer writing for myself and making my own mistakes so I can learn from them personally rather than others doing the work for me of searching for what sounds wrong. Hope that doesn't sound too unreasonable. Then again, it's just the way I write. Anywho, thank you as always for the lovely reviews. I've recently converted another friend of mine and her mother to TB and we're half way through season 2. Which means Godric. Sigh. This is probably helping me write this chapter. Enjoy!

Chapter 7 - My Wild Love

"I'm here to see you, of course," Matt answered.

Repressing a gulp, I glanced quickly at Eric, praying the defensive position he'd taken on would remain just that.

"Down boy," I muttered before the blonde could pounce.

"This is what you left me for," he confirmed lowly, eyes never once straying from Matt's athletic form.

"This is my business, Eric. You can watch, but you will not interfere," I bit back.

"Eric Northman?" Matt inquired, strolling across the grass with hands stuffed in the pockets of a black, leather jacket. "You're the vampire who had Sookie's heart? Hopefully not literally. It's nice to meet you."

Gradually, Eric shifted back into a still posture, but no warmness existed in his arctic features, nor did he extend his hand.

"Well, who am I kidding," Matt continued, lowering his grin. "I don't want to meet you at all, much less say that I'm happy Sookie is in your presence. She loved you. Still does from a part of her heart I can't reach. That makes me a bit jealous. But, I know she also wants to move on and quite honestly, I'm ready to provide her with that. So...it's good to meet you, but not nice."

Jesus Christ Shepherd of Judea.

"Always the bold one," I laughed nervously, wishing just this once, Matt's honesty didn't present itself. Which was what I liked so much about the man. No matter what, he told the truth.

"I could snap you in half without breaking a sweat," came Eric's reply.

"Who knew I was such a threat? Within seconds of meeting me, you're already plotting my demise. How...exciting."

This time, it was a reluctant grin I had to smother. Eric certainly hadn't expected someone to speak back to him without fear, and sensing his indecision couldn't quite contain the amusement inside me.

"I can tell I've pissed you off already. So, moving on."

Matt turned his gaze toward me, grey-green eyes softening.

"Looking gorgeous and impeccable as always, Sookie. But, there is something missing."

"What?" I asked, feeling excitement resurface at Matt's presence.

Calm down, girl. Enraged ex-boyfriend is feet away from Matt and can most likely feel every emotion you're going through right now.

Moments later and I only knew the familiar pleasure of Matt's calloused hands grasping the sides of my face, his lips pressed against mine with a delicious intensity, seemingly wanting to taste what he'd gone so long without.

And I ain't gonna lie, briefly, I forgot Eric's presence altogether. Which is a hell of a compliment to give.

That is until Matt's lips were ripped from my own.

Opening both eyes, I set a glare on Eric, who held Matt by the scruff of his neck, five feet off the ground.

"Release my boyfriend, damn it!" I yelled, livid once again at the thought that Eric could so easily monitor and control my actions.

"You failed to mention this relationship earlier," he remarked coolly, eyes studying the struggling man.

"Matt has done nothin' to you! If you so much as scratch him, I will not only electrocute you, but make sure Bill deports your ass to the fuckin' equator."

Eric's hand momentarily tightened around Matt's neck, but slowly, he began lowering him.

"If you attempt to flaunt your relationship in front of me again," Eric said, "I will kill you."

"Oh, please. He wasn't flaunting," I argued with a huff, rushing to Matt's side as the Viking unceremoniously dropped him on the grass.

"He reeks of pride and the understanding of the tension in our relationship. His kiss was little more than a strategy to gain an upperhand."

Ignoring the tall blonde, I rested a hand on Matt's cold cheek.

"Are you alright?"

Nodding, Matt inhaled quickly, lips already turning up.

"I expected nothing less."

Chuckling, I grabbed both of his hands, pulling him up after me.

"You know you're ungodly optimistic, right?"

"You give me reason to be, Miss Stackhouse-Bouderlaux."

My eyebrows rose. "A little too soon for that, don't you think?"

"Tell that to my brain. Do you like the sound of it? Or am I just so tired that I'm convincing myself it sounds good?"

As soon as Eric leaned forward, my arm shot out in a threat.

This didn't deter him from speech, however.

"Your boy has a death wish."

Matt rolled his eyes, straightening his posture.

"And you have control issues, man. Let's get this straight- I'm not afraid of you and I'm not going to usher Sookie into another room so I can say romantic things to her. Just because you hate me, doesn't mean I'm going to alter my behavior for your comfort. What I feel for Sookie transcends anything you could possibly do to me."

Again, Eric didn't have a reply for this and watching the exchange forced me to study Matt deeper, eyes drinking his glowing, sandy skin, and wavy, chestnut hair. Nevermind that a whole barrel of emotions I'd kept away, were currently tumbling around in my chest. Nope. Nevermind it at all.

"I appreciate you saying that."

Matt's eyes fell back down to mine again.

"I'm sensing a but?"

The perk to being incredibly honest included being incredibly perceptive. And Matt detected the hesitation in my voice before I even had a chance to figure out what it stood for.

Impressive in a man I'd met in a bar.

"But...things ain't exactly right around here yet," I informed. "Try to reel in the heroic boyfriend role a bit? At least until things are good again. Eric isn't someone you want as an enemy."

Masking his disappointment, Matt rebounded with a shrug.

"Sure thing, though I doubt being his enemy is avoidable. Sorry."

Dipping my head down, one hand went to interlace with his own.

Only the sound of Eric clearing his throat, brought me out of my haze and prevented me from pressing a kiss to his lips.

"As touching as this is," Eric said, "I believe Sookie made a pact with me. I am to be around her at all times. And seeing as I care very little for you, I suggest you make it a habit to sleep during the nights. My tolerance for you is decreasing by the second."

"You have no right to threaten him," I argued, turning to the Viking with a frown. "Yes, we'll be stickin' together. Until our search is over-."

I didn't feel it was right to let Matt know of the potential danger I was in. So many of the people I'd loved, got sucked in this way. Into my problems. Matt didn't need to be one more casualty.

"-but after that, I'm leaving with Matt. That is my decision and you have no other choice but to respect it."

Eric stared at me for a long minute, his face void of emotions. Which unnerved me, and would have more if not for Matt's hand offering me a squeeze of comfort.

"Of course."

I'm pretty sure his neutral answer surprised both of us. I know my hand jerked while Matt tilted his head, seemingly perplexed at the sudden change in attitude.

When he didn't say anything else, I faced Matt again.

"Do you have a place to stay?"

"Renting a room at a motel. Um...this arrangement you've got between yourself and Eric...?"

"Is nothin' to trouble yourself over," I assured. "Part of the patchin' up. Once it's done, I can finally leave."

Matt's eyes shifted behind me and what he saw, obviously caused him discomfort.

"Eric, for goodness sake, we're just talkin'," I said without glancing at him. "No need to make him more antsy than he already is."

"Matthew is not frightened of me," Eric reminded. "I am sure he can handle whatever way I look at him."

Matt rolled his eyes before cupping my cheek. "Sweet girl, I don't know what you saw in him."

"Sookie."

This time, Eric's voice held little patience and a whole shit load of menace.

"We'll talk about this later," I promised, sending Matt a final smile "In the meantime, we'll-."

"Sookie! Where the fuck have you been?"

I whirled around, scouring for the voices I'd been too distracted to detect, exiting their car.

"Oh fun, just like old times," Eric muttered before Tara and Lafayette could come into hearing range. "I am nearly tempted to call Pam over."

He was equal parts sarcastic and serious.

"Play nice," was all I had to say.

RYRYRYRYRYRYR

When Eric mentioned things would be just like old times, I doubt he realized how accurate of a statement he'd made.

It all started when Tara and Lafayette called my house earlier in the day. They got concerned when I didn't pick up, hence their trip over.

My tongue was tangled when I attempted to explain my absence. Eric decided on speakin' for me, leaving out little of his ability to be an asshole.

"Sookie and I had arrangements to discuss. I apologize if I kept her...tied up."

"Eric likes to think that when we talk, I willingly want to be in his presence," I elaborated, shooting a glare toward the cocky vampire. "Poor thing hasn't fed from a fangbanger all night."

Eric narrowed his eyes, but didn't reply.

Once we'd all gotten ourselves situated inside my house, requiring me to reluctantly allow Eric inside with an invitation, everyone wanted to speak at once. And with Matt's arm hanging over my shoulders on my left and Eric's form not even a foot away from me on the right, I felt just the tiniest bit suffocated.

On the way over, Tara and Lafayette had called Jason, asking if he'd seen me. To which he said no, and then got concerned in that brotherly way of his.

So, his car bounced down my driveway shortly after we'd all settled inside.

And now, my house was filled with my brother, two outspoken best friends, my current boyfriend, and my former lover.

What a reunion.

When everyone realized I was still alive, they flicked their eyes to the handsome brunette beside me.

"This is Matt," I introduced. "My boyfriend."

Eric stayed quiet through this declaration, which both surprised and relieved me. However, I'm sure I was the only one who got nervous as hell about what his silence meant.

Tara crossed her arms, not shying away from maintaining eye contact with Matt.

"You break Sookie's heart and I'll kick your ass. Not jokin' neither."

Matt offered her a timid smile.

"If I break Sookie's heart," he added, "I'll kick my own ass."

Lafayette found a far more delicate way to express his views.

"He cute, Sook. Got that whole scruffy thang goin' on. If it don't work out, send him my way."

"I've been your way once," Matt admitted, surprising everyone, except Eric, who only glared silently at him. "Bachelor party in Vegas, roughly eight years back."

"And?" Lafayette pestered.

"There's a reason you don't talk about what happens there."

Choking on a laugh, Lafayette nodded slowly.

"On second thought, ya keep him, Sook. If he can't handle Vegas, I doubt he can handle me. And I is way wilder than that sorry, piss-ass excuse for a city."

Matt smiled uncertainly, just the tiniest bit flustered at being hit on by one of my best friends.

Jason only looked Matt up and down before saying, "Welcome to the family. Fuckin' weird family, but family all the same."

My smile returned a bit of its naturalness at Jason's remark, but my brother made the mistake of meeting Eric's eyes and quite soon, he found himself staring at the ground.

In fact, I'm sure everyone was nervous to be in Eric's presence. Tara and Lafayette because of their own experiences with him, especially after what I told them about his stalking me.

Jason's nerves were due to his confusion as to why the hell Eric was still in my life. That was about as easy to gather from his thoughts as reading a book.

Thankfully, I soon became distracted when Jason presented a tidbit of information that alarmed and shocked us.

"Sam's left town."

"Sam?" Matt questioned, looking at me expectantly.

"He's another friend of mine," I informed, hoping to convey to the others that Matt remained in the dark about my predicament. "Lost a bet and fled as soon as-."

"Sookie," Matt interrupted, peering down at me. "You protecting me is sweet. But, whatever is going on, you can tell me. In this relationship, I don't want to keep secrets."

His words reminded me so vividly of the relationship Bill and I had shared that for a moment, I didn't say anything at all.

"Some sick fuck is tryin' to kill my sister," Jason announced.

"Jason!"

"What?" he defended, sending me an exasperated look. "The perp left a fuckin' heart on Gran's porch. If that ain't a threat, I don't know what the hell is."

"Someone is trying to kill my girlfriend?" Matt processed, eyebrows knitted. "Even though she's been in town for no more than a week?"

"Welcome to Bon Temps," came Tara's sarcastic mutter.

Inhaling, I willed all conflicting emotions in me to calm the hell down.

"Sam left town," I repeated, catching Jason's eye. "How do you know?"

"Went over to his place and everything's locked up. Kicked the door open and his trailer is empty. Vehicle's gone too. Didn't look like anybody had been there for a day, maybe two."

"He could just be stayin' with someone," I suggested, that ill mood I'd gotten as soon as entering Bon Temps, returning.

"He ain't," Jason clarified. "Andy sent a warnin' out to everyone in town to notify him if Sam's been seen. You know people like Maxine are gonna talk if there's a reward."

"Why the fuck did he send out a warning?" Tara demanded.

"Andy thinks-."

"-that Sam is responsible?" I finished in disbelief. "Jason...you know that's not true. Sam wouldn't so much hurt a fly as he would murder someone. A business partner, no less. What the hell is Andy thinkin'?"

"He ain't thinkin'," Jason agreed. "But ya gotta understand that Andy's had stability in his life for awhile. Now that everything's happenin' at once, again, he's panicking."

"Sam saved this town so many fuckin' times it ain't even funny," Tara defended. "Whatever the hell is left of Andy's brain, has gotta see that."

"He should. But he ain't. I don't know why."

Silence settled among us, and I took this time to make sure Matt wasn't freaking out about all this rush of knowledge.

"You doin' okay?" I whispered.

"Other than the part about a killer being after you, I'm doing great. If this is the mess you left behind, I can understand why you barely opened up when we first met."

His crooked grin gave me comfort mentally, even as I struggled to gain it emotionally.

Let's look over the problems that have entered my life since I've returned to Bon Temps, shall we?

Eric's become a stalker. Merlotte's been vandalized. Someone may or may not have tried to poison me. A human heart was left as a surprise on my front porch. Eric kept me prisoner in Fangtasia, forcing me into promising him my company every evening. Matt appears out of nowhere, further spurning Eric's need to keep me close by. Sam's now left town. Andy's got the town believing Sam murdered someone.

Couldn't the supernatural world, just for once, give me a break?

"The town is under a curse."

Eric was the one to voice this.

"A curse?" Jason repeated. "You sure?"

"Lafayette, of all people, should feel the change," he said, throwing his gaze to the cook.

"I can talk to dead folk, but I ain't able to detect no fuckin' curses," Lafayette argued.

"You said you felt somethin' weird in Merlotte's," Tara input.

"Bitch, will you shut up? I ain't in the mood to share my feelings on what the hell kind of vibes I's gettin'."

"Lafayette, please," I tried, softening my voice. "Ever since I've come back, I've noticed it too. It's in the air. It's in the weather. Hell, it's gotten into the heads of people we care about. I don't know what it is, but if you feel somethin', please, tell us."

It took a moment for the man to collect himself, obviously uncomfortable about whatever knowledge he'd acquired.

"It ain't anythin' to get ya'll panties in a bunch about," Lafayette assured. "Just weird little ambience in town. Don't know why the hell it's so strong around Merlotte's."

"And what does this ambience feel like?" Eric pressed.

"It don't feel human, that I can guarantee ya. Feels...spicy. But not the good kind that leaves ya wantin' more. It's like the kind ya want off your tongue so bad ya'll willin' to cut it off."

"Nothin' to get our panties in a bunch about?" Tara repeated. "Fuck you."

"Ya'll wanted to hear the truth, there it is. Somethin' evil hidin' in this town."

"When did you first detect this shift?"

Only because Eric was the one who asked the questions, did Lafayette answer.

"It don't work like that," he tried to explain, bringing his palms together. "You don't feel it all at once. Is a gradual build up 'til it's about the only thing you can feel. And I didn't start thinkin' somethin' was off til' maybe a year ago."

"A full year?" Eric repeated, failing to hide his surprise. "That is...interesting."

"In what way?" I couldn't help but ask. He may have kept me captive, but the sooner we discovered the killer, the sooner I'd be out of his presence.

"Curses are often immediate," he explained, eyes glued to mine. "They are curses because the caster wants results right away. Most often, in the form of vengeance. To know the curse has been on this town for at least a year and only now decides to reveal itself..."

He didn't finish his thought process, but my mind rapidly filled the blanks in, pulse kicking up as a result.

"If the curse picked up to where we can feel it in the air, then there were events that made it happen. Recent events. Whoever placed the curse was waitin' for somethin'."

"Or someone," Eric followed up.

"Don't fucking look at her like she's the reason this curse is here," Matt defended, tugging me back a bit when he noted Eric's intense stare on me. "Sookie doesn't deserve any of this."

Almost everyone's eyes filled up with accusation at Eric, unhappy at the possibility of him believing I was the cause of the curse.

But, I interpreted his stare differently, and not for once, got freaked out about how well I knew him.

"I'm a part of it," I realized.

"Sook-."

"Tara," I insisted, finding her gaze. "Eric is right. This curse was hardly detectable until I rolled into town. Suddenly, Sam's place gets messed up and the weather starts goin' wacky. I'm not the only part of it."

"Smart girl," Eric noted.

"Not really," I deflected, refusing him eye contact. "We've gotta go through this slowly because we may all be the intended targets of it."

"Maxine's heart attack," Jason began. "Three months ago."

"Cajun Cooker give any poor soul a heart attack," Lafayette laughed.

I met my brother's eyes, knowing some sort of sense stirred in his comment.

"What happened three months ago?" I asked.

Everyone's features grew pensive.

"Sam began buildin' the Merlotte's in Shreveport," Lafayette revealed. "Only told me about it cuz I overheard him talkin' to Mindy. Thought maybe they was hookin' up."

"Okay," I said, mind working furiously. "So, event number one - unless anyone else can come up with a more important one - Sam begins working on his bar in Shreveport. Shortly after, Maxine has a heart attack?"

"I was there," Jason agreed. "I know she ain't into proper dieting 'an all, but she had the attack after eatin' the food."

A shiver passed through me as Jason's eyes widened.

"Shit. Sook, you got sick cause of the food too."

This piqued Eric's interest immediately.

"They poisoned you?"

Turning to him, I sighed.

"It wasn't on purpose. The chicken parmesan was...unfamiliar tastin'. Plus, Bill helped reassure me that even if it was poisonin', their intent wasn't to do harm."

Which technically isn't the whole truth, but even I wasn't ready to face the actual truth of what my reaction meant.

A storminess gathered in the blue of Eric's eyes.

"You told Compton of your poisoning, but not me?"

"It was none of your business," I argued, brushing off Matt's grip on me.

"Idiot," he muttered.

I didn't know if he was referring to myself or Bill, but no part of me willed a pursuit of this answer.

"Let's get back on path," I continued. "So...we've got event number one."

"I don't get why Sam openin' up another Merlotte's was a trigger for the curse," Jason said.

"Cause Sam was happy," Lafayette replied. "You shoulda seen the look on his face when he told me 'bout it. Like Christmas came early."

"If we're bein' punished, we can't possibly have good things happen to us," I surmised. "Sam's happiness was a trigger. And it happenin' in the Cajun Cooker, allowed a reputation to form. Make the place a center for gossip and mystery. Gave it a steady crowd, lessening the attendance to Merlotte's."

"I'm followin'," Lafayette agreed. "And if memory serves me correct, I did feel a little somethin' somethin' a few months back. At the time, I thought maybe it was the way channelin' the other side made me feel. But Jesus had helped me to where I's like a conductor for their electricity. Flowed smooth."

"It picked up when I came back to Bon Temps," I stated, refusing to show my discomfort. "Shortly after, Merlotte's got vandalized."

"Could just Sam be the intended target?" Matt spoke up.

We all turned to him, reluctant to believe such a thought.

"This bad vibe strongest at Merlotte's," Lafayette confirmed. "But, it in town too. Affectin' other people. And with that present bein' left on Sookie's porch, I know he ain't the only target."

"Event three?" Jason asked.

"Ahh shit," Lafayette muttered slowly. "I know what it is."

Tara's head whipped to him.

"That did not happen just cause I came back. Fuck that!"

"No one's blamin' you for any of this," I promised, knowing I had to be gentle with Tara's anger.

"But you know what happened next!" she shouted, startling me. "I came back, Lafayette and I headed over to your place...and that heart..."

I couldn't repress a shudder this time. Matt hugged me into his side, thumb trailing over my shoulder.

"Sook's right. It ain't your fault, Tara," Jason offered, eyeing her trembling form. "It's whoever put this fuckin' curse on us."

"Mindy was drained," I recalled. "I was too reluctant to ask then, but I'll ask now. Were there bite marks on her?"

"Yeah. Clear through."

I closed my eyes, feeling exhaustion course through me.

"But that ain't what killed her."

My eyes popped back open.

"So...they cut out her heart first, then drained her?"

"If we're thinkin' it's the same person, then yes," my brother answered. "But, I don't think it is. Just from what I know of Jess, she wouldn't be able to hold off on all that blood after stabbin' a person. No vampire really would. I think someone first cut out her heart, then left her for a vampire to drain so it'd look like a vampire had done it."

No one said a word after the explanation, but everyone, including myself, studied Jason with great interest.

"When the hell you get so smart?" Lafayette broke in.

"I ain't smart," he defended, helpless to fight a smile from rising. "Just a guess."

"I know of every vampire that enters my area," Eric announced. "None of them would be so stupid as to drain a human dry, especially if there is a chance of the body being found."

"Bill," I mumbled.

"I wouldn't put it past him," Eric agreed.

"No," I snapped, raising a hand. "He said he was having a party. A ball. He dreaded it because everyone wanted to be his lapdog. And all the women wanted to be with him without being with him. Tell me Eric...if Bill's King and he hosts a party in your area, do you have to check out the guest list?"

Eric's jaw was clenched tighter than two hands that'd caught a fly.

"He did not inform me of this...get together."

I glanced down at the floor, dreading the next words. But, I knew they had to be said so we could put everything into perspective.

"Sophie-Anne never told you Bill was coming to your area," I pointed out. "He fit in easily and you didn't know he'd entered right away."

I didn't need to look up to physically feel Eric's anger.

"So, I think Bill was legally able to host this party without informing you, especially if the guests left by dawn," I finished.

"Unless one of them got carried away," Tara mentioned.

"We will deal with the vampire aspect of it later," Eric decided. "Continue on."

"Well...I don't know what the last event is. I know what happened as a result. Sam's gone. But it could be any of us experiencing some type of happiness," Jason observed.

"I don't know how any of us could feel happy with the shit that's been goin' down lately," Tara muttered.

"That's a hell of a theory," Matt voiced, reminding us of his presence.

"Hey," I soothed, meeting his eyes. "I am so sorry to drag you into this. If you still want, you can leave."

"Leave?" Matt questioned, nose crinkling. "Sookie, if I was to leave right now, I would be the biggest asshole in the world. Abandoning the woman I love so I don't get hurt? Fuck that. Besides, even if it's guarding you from a killer, at least I get to spend some time with you."

The urge to kiss him was overwhelming, but I knew now wasn't the time nor the place.

"So...we have some sort of understandin' of what's goin' on," I announced, taking a quick scan of everyone. "And we have the understandin' that things will get a whole lot worse in ways I don't even want to imagine, if we don't do anythin' to break this curse."

"I admire your spirit, Sookie. But, breaking a curse is not easily done," Eric informed. "In order to break it, we must figure out who the caster was."

"What do you suggest?" I asked.

"We all stay vigilant. And aware of our surroundings. This curse is in its waking moments and I can only guess Sam's disappearance is not the end stage of it."

"You think someone snatched him?"

Eric eyed Jason for a few seconds before changing the subject.

"It is getting late. I would suggest you all leave for the night. Sookie and I worked out on an agreement where I am to keep watch of her from now on."

I don't know why I ran my mouth through my tiredness, but the words came out nonetheless.

"Or everyone can bunk down here. Eric said the curse is growing more dangerous. I think the last thing we need is to split up. That leaves us vulnerable. That leaves us accessable to whatever wants to cause this town harm. And I'd hate to wake up just to find one of you missin'."

Tara and Lafayette nodded their heads, as did Matt.

"I should see if I can get more work done," Jason said.

"Don't be stupid," Lafayette interjected. "You wanna go in tha mornin', go ahead. But right now, Sook's got the right idea. We split up and we more vulnerable. Especially since most this shit go down at night."

It only took a second for Jason to cave in.

I couldn't repress my smile, even when Eric appeared none to pleased about this sudden rearrangement. Which was the point, of course. His terms were that he'd watch me from the time he rose to the time he rested. He never specified, however, who else could be there.

"I'll take the couch," Jason offered, attempting to be noble.

"Okay," I nodded. "Tara, you can have my old room. And Lafayette, there's a guest bedroom upstairs, all cleaned up."

"Is there another couch?" Matt asked, peering around the living room.

I don't know why the blush appeared, especially since I was into my thirties and felt like I should have outgrown it by now.

"Well...I was thinkin' since we're...you know, kind of datin' and you kind of came all this way, I'd at least be hospitable enough to share my bed space."

Matt's grin was infectious, spreading from cheek to cheek.

"Perfect."

Giving him a gentle rub on the shoulder, I turned to Eric, nearly forgetting his presence for the second time all night.

He had an intense glare set on Matt, but rather than the anger from earlier in the evening, he appeared to be searching for somethin'.

"You can sleep in-," I began.

"-the ground," Eric cut off.

His hastiness made me want to offer the cubbyhole underneath the very floor boards we stood on, but Eric's eyes found mine. In them, I knew not to divulge that such a place existed in my house. And that was about all I could read.

"Okay...well, I guess we should head off to bed. It's been a long night. If ya'll need to borrow any clothes, I've got plenty extra. Some of Gran's brothers kept their jeans and shirts over just in case."

"Hookah, you did not just offer me hundred year old clothes," Lafayette said, making his way to the stairs.

"C'mon. I'll give ya a tour of the house before everyone gets to bed," I offered, slipping my hand into Matt's.

"Just don't show me the basement. I have an unnatural fear of basements."

"Seriously?"

He only stared back, no sign of humor in his features.

"You would hate to learn where Sookie was earlier this evening," Eric mentioned.

Narrowing my eyes, I tugged Matt after me, refusing Eric the satisfaction of seeing my annoyance.

RYRYRYRYRYRYR

"Stackhouse."

Lifting his head up, Jason watched Eric Northman enter the dim living room.

"Ain't it gonna be light soon?"

Eric didn't budge from his spot, allowing Jason's eyes to adjust to him.

"I am up for the same reason you are."

Jason pushed up into a sitting position, stifling a yawn.

"You sure it's a curse?"

"Yes. Godric and I stumbled upon a village plagued by a curse, shortly after the witch trials held across Europe. This village burned a witch at the stake and after her death, the curse was released upon the village. It is one of many places I have been to where the signs of a curse are strong."

Amazed this information was being shared with him, Jason crossed his arms, the muscles beneath his flesh, stretching out. Rather than continue the conversation, however, Jason went the route of what weighed down on his mind.

"What are you doin' with my sister?"

Eric appeared just as surprised the question was being asked as Jason felt asking it.

"Nothing as of yet. She is obvious in her affection for her...friend. And, I feel killing him may ruin a chance to be with her."

"Um, yeah," Jason agreed. "Generally, killin' the people Sookie loves, won't make her love you in return. And if that's the psychology you've got, then that's fucked up."

"You have matured well, haven't you?"

Jason smiled initially, until he realized Eric was smirking at him.

"The hell you wanna talk to me about?" he muttered in annoyance.

Eric's smile was short-lived, and he quickly turned serious.

"I want you to watch Sookie during the day. Make sure she is not harmed. At the moment, she is not being as vigilant as she should be. She is absorbed in this belief that once this is all over, she will skip back to Phoenix, Arizona with her boy toy in tow. But, you've lived long enough in this town to know people are not what they seem."

"Wait," Jason paused, frowning, "you knew where she went? Hell, I didn't even know right away and I'm the police officer."

"Of course I knew."

"Did-?"

"Watch her during the day," the Viking repeated, emphasizing the command. "They know I guard her at night. This is the reason they waited for me to leave before leaving the heart on Sookie's porch."

"They?"

"It is a powerful curse," Eric admitted. "There may have been one spell caster, but many intentions are behind it."

"Why the hell did they even put this curse on Bon Temps? I don't get that."

One glance at Eric had Jason leaning forward.

"You know, don't you?"

"I have my suspicions," Eric answered. "Protect Sookie."

"Yeah, I got it," Jason assured.

With that, Eric made his way to the door, but not before stopping in place.

"Sookie's...friend-."

"Matt," Jason finished, amused at the discomfort Eric got when saying the name. "Much as you hate him, he does have a name."

"What are your thoughts of him?"

Jason didn't answer for a moment. "He seems to love Sookie. Hasn't left her even though shit is goin' down."

Eric nodded.

"Why?" Jason asked, confused. "I mean...I get it. You don't like him bein' around her cause you're into her too. But, if she's happy with him, if she's content, ain't that worth givin' her up?"

Eric didn't say anything for a few seconds.

"There is nothing more important to me than Sookie," he began "So, to answer your question, no. Seeing her happy with another man is not enough to make me want to give her up. But, I hold this opinion because I have once experienced her truly happy."

"With you," Jason gathered. "You think it was with you."

"It was with me," Eric maintained, finding Jason's eyes through the dark. "Unfortunately, it is difficult to make her see this."

"Ever think that she's just tryin' to move on?"

"Yes. But what she thinks is moving on, I know to be running from the emotions that frighten her."

Jason whistled, glancing up at the ceiling as one hand ran through his hair.

"You've got it tough."

"Any final opinions on Matt?"

"Nah, not really. He's a cool guy."

"Tell me something...when did you first note the shifter's disappearance?"

"I dunno...maybe around six this afternoon? Replacement windows for Merlotte's came in from Shreveport, but Sam wasn't there to sign the papers. I checked his trailer about a half hour later, only to find it deserted. Car gone. Exactly what I told ya."

"And because of whatever event following Tara's return, this is the cause?"

"Yeah. You said earlier that you think he was taken. Why?"

Eric fixed a stare on him so firmly that even after the vampire had left, Jason still felt the power of it heating his face. And it begged him, quite insistently, to connect something very important.

Hope you enjoyed that long chapter. And an actual glimpse from Jason's POV. Who I felt like I wanted to mature just as much as Sookie had in the five years. Hence the ability for him to actually have a conversation with Eric, who despite his joke, recognizes Jason to be more capable than he's been before. Otherwise, yeah...crazy shit is going down. Learn it, love it, explore it, wonder about it, and I hope we can all go from there. Also, I realize there's a lot I'm not telling you in the story, such as Eric's sudden calm facade when a chapter ago, he was intent on keeping Sookie in chains forever. Just know that all of it has either a story to it or a purpose. And most importantly, I hope it wasn't too difficult to follow. Sometimes, I have a problem of being too wordy and that ends up confusing readers. Otherwise, let me know your thoughts in a review!