Hey guys! Sorry, this one took longer than the others; things haven't slowed down!

I am so thankful for all my new readers! You make this all worth it.

This chunk of the story has had more of an edit than the other two. I added in a new storyline that will play out in this season and the next one so, if you're a returning reader, don't forget to check that out.

I'm not sure if I should release season 4 chapter by chapter or continue with this structure. Let me know what you would prefer. Also, if anyone has any ideas of a potential love interest from Greek Mythology for Sookie in season 4 let me know! I think she deserves it.

I hope you're all staying safe and healthy and that you enjoy this update.

Chapter 21

"When you said that we should have sex in different places, I was expecting something more than this." When Eric didn't respond, I figured it was because he hadn't heard me: it was very hard to piece together a full sentence whilst I was sitting on the edge of his desk with my legs wrapped around his naked body while he pounded into me. He was also kissing and biting my neck: the very thing that took my breath away.

This was the other side of Eric: the aggressor, the alpha male, the man that all those people outside queued up to see and it made me want him even more. The last few days had been a whirlwind of emotions with Godric's attempted suicide (kind of), our love bond, Maryanne the maenad trying to cut my heart out (she's still a bitch), Eric's affirmation of our love by way of a blood bond and me confessing to him that in the near future, I will be ripped from him without any warning. In all those instances, I saw the more gentle side of Eric: the one who loved, who cared and did whatever he had to do to protect me so this side was a much-needed change. I needed balance in my life and Eric was the perfect specimen to provide that.

Things with Sookie and I had been good since we returned from Texas. I think she has finally accepted the way things are between Eric and I and despite what she may have been told about him, he would do anything to protect me and I would do anything to protect her. I didn't have any siblings in my mortal life so I like to think that Sookie was my sister; the sister I chose and that meant we wouldn't always agree on things but that we would be there for each other no matter what. I was still learning the best way to communicate with her but for the time being, I just wanted to make sure that I was always there for her. That included helping her get ready for her date with Bill. Although it had been a while since I was swept off of my feet on a romantic dinner date, I knew the look she was going for. Bill had provided the dress so all I needed to do was help her with her hair and talk her out of any doubts she had. I had my own reservations about Bill but I was able to keep them to myself as long as he made her happy and I hadn't seen that smile in a while.

Bill had picked Sookie up like a perfect Southern gentleman and I waved at them both from the front porch. The house still looked a mess from Maryanne's attempted wedding to Dionysus but I tried to look at the silver lining: I'd been meaning to ask Sookie if I could re-do the house for a while and now was my opportunity. I couldn't see her saying no at this point and I would try my best to keep the memory of her grandmother alive whilst I redecorated. Until then, however, I had my own vampire to see and I was pretty sure I had a job to do.

I made my way over to Fangtasia and laughed a little when I saw how long the line was to get in. I climbed out of my car and tightened the belt on my jacket; what I had on under was for Eric's eyes only. I headed straight for Pam who was already watching me with intensity.

"New boots?" I looked down at my over the knee heels and smirked. "I think they compliment my outfit perfectly, don't you think?" "I don't even need to see what you have on under that jacket to agree with you. Go on in, I think he's in the office," Pam removed the plush rope and allowed me through. I could hear the moans and complaints from those in the queue as I walked in and took in the scene that night. The bar was busy and there were more humans in tonight then there had been in a while. Either that or fewer vampires were coming through. I headed straight to the office but stopped when a vampire appeared in front of me.

I hadn't seen him before so I decided to give him the benefit of the doubt. "Can I help you?" I placed my hands on my hips as his eyes travelled down my body. "You look like you're ready to have a good time. I usually charge but I think for you I'd make an exception." I couldn't believe my ears; was this vampire trying to come onto me? Before I could reply, he reached out towards me with the intention of grabbing me. I caught his arm before he could touch me and twisted it back. I heard his arm break as he crippled over. I kicked him in the gut and then again on his back. He slammed against the floor and suddenly the music stopped playing. He tried to get up but I held onto his arm and twisted it more. I flicked him onto his back and pushed my heeled boot against his throat.

"Breaking in the new heels?" I looked up and saw Eric standing outside the office looking as gorgeous as ever: his V-neck top clung to him like a second skin and his jeans sat low on his hips. He had an amused look on his face but I saw the hunger in his eyes when he caught a glimpse of my legs. "Oh hi, honey. You know me, I want to make sure that everything you buy me is fit for purpose." Without releasing the vampire, I looked over my other shoulder and smiled at Pam; I knew she would be there watching. "Pam, I think this one got lost. Can you show him out?" Within the blink of an eye, Pam had the vampire out from under me and out the door. The music resumed and I turned to face Eric.

"You were a little late in coming to my rescue." "Now why would I do that when I know I'd prefer watching you handle it?" I rolled my eyes and followed Eric into the office. I closed the door behind me and turned to face him. Before he could say anything however, I removed my jacket and stood in front of Eric wearing only a black corset, the smallest thong I own and a suspender belt with fishnet holdups. The leather boots he had left for me on my doorstep this morning tied the outfit together. Looking back, it was no surprise why I was now in the position I was in.

My moans got louder as Eric picked up his pace. The desk was shaking beneath me but that was the last thing on my mind at this point. I clawed at Eric's back and heard him hiss when I drew blood. I smirked at him but it faded as soon as he slammed himself inside of me again. Eric had decided against removing my boots but my thong and corset were now a thing of the past. I arched my back towards Eric when I felt his fangs sink into my neck. My hardened nipples were pressed up against his chest and I was sure my heels were digging into his firm arse.

"Where is he, Eric? I know you had him taken!" Eric stopped feeding from me and retracted his fangs. I wiped the blood from his mouth with my thumb and looked over his shoulder to see Sookie standing there. She was still in her purple dress but her hair had come loose. She stood in the doorway with her hands crossed over her body and a look of rage on her face; I could only imagine what she was accusing Eric of this time. Eric groaned in frustrated and pulled himself out of me. I whimpered at the loss of contact but unwrapped my legs from around him and sat up. I crossed my legs as Eric turned around to face Sookie with his hands on his hips and still very naked. Sookie's face instantly turned a deep shade of red and I could tell she was trying to keep her gaze on Eric's face and not his very long and very hard dick, the one that was just inside of me.

Pam was also standing next to Sookie and Eric gave her a look that translated to 'what the fuck?' "No, stop, don't go back there, wait." Pam then smirked at me and vamped out of the office. "This better be good. As you could see I was in the middle of something." Eric moved to reveal me still sitting on the desk with my legs crossed. I gave Sookie and little wave and it didn't help ease her embarrassment. Maybe know she finally understood how Jessica felt.

"Bill's been taken and I know you did it." "I didn't, any other theories?" She looked down at him then back at me. I rolled my eyes at her accusation but still noticed how angry and upset she was. It slightly irritated me though that she instantly thought Eric was to blame though. Bill had his own share of enemies and I was sure Lorena was more interested in having him kidnapped than Eric.

"I'm still working on it but for now, where were you at 9 pm?" Eric let out a sigh of frustration and looked back at me. I held up my hands in defence. Sookie had a wild imagination and at times, I didn't try to understand what ran through her head. Her whole life, she's heard the thoughts of everyone around her so it made sense. "I was here, with Alexandra." Eric indicated towards me and I gave Sookie a warm smile.

"Eric's been with me since I got here. What's happened? Where's Bill?" She stamped her foot then stormed out of the office. I threw my head back and let out a loud sigh. I jumped off the desk and grabbed Eric's top off of the floor and threw it on. Eric arched his brow at me and I placed a small kiss on his cheek. "You ripped my corset in half, I need something to wear. Besides, you keep extra clothes in your drawer." I left the office and scanned the room for Sookie.

I saw her leave the club and ran after her. I grabbed her arm and pulled it back so she would face me. "What happened Sook?" She took one look at me then burst in tears. I pulled her into a hug and just held her tight as she cried into my chest. When she eventually calmed down and wiped her tears, she began talking.

"We were at a beautiful restaurant and it was amazing. The date was going so well then, Bill purposed to me," she held up her left hand so I could see the diamond ring on her finger. I held her hand and took in the ring; I was not expecting that. "So you said yes?" "I ran out before I could answer him. I just needed to get my head around it all especially after all that happened down in Dallas with Lorena. Then, I realised that I did want to marry him but when I returned, he was gone. There was obviously a struggle but I panicked so I came straight here."

I could see the hurt and panic in her eyes; if someone had taken Eric, I would move mountains to find him, and I would enlist the help of the God who had the power to move mountains. "It's okay Sook, I understand. We'll find him." She nodded at me as I hugged her again. I led her over to my car and rested against the hood. "I'm sorry I interrupted you guys. It looked like you were enjoying yourself." I waved her apology off, "don't worry about it. You're not the first person to walk in on us in that office." Sookie nodded then reached into her bag, pulled out a tissue and handed it to me. "For the blood on your neck." "Thanks." I took the tissue and started to wipe my neck. The fang marks had already healed thanks to mine and Eric's blood bond. We stood there leaning against the hood of the car in silence until Eric came out and joined us.

"As Sheriff of the area Bill resides in, it's my duty to investigate his disappearance. But for now, I think it's best if Alexandra takes you home..." "No! I've already ruined your night and I wouldn't feel right if Alexi had to look after me for the rest of the night. I'll head straight back to Bill's. Jessica will be there so I'll be safe."

"I don't know Sook. I don't like the idea of you going alone. I can come with you, Eric still has the club open and I can see him tomorrow night." Sookie shook her head and insisted that I stay with Eric. I eventually agreed but only after she assured me that she would call me when she got to Bill's.

Eric put his arm around me once Sookie drove off and we headed back into his office. "Why would someone want to take Bill? Do you think Sophie-Anne is behind it?" Eric shrugged his shoulders and sat down. I sat on the edge of his desk and faced him. "I wouldn't put it past her considering Bill knows about me selling V for her."

"What's up with that anyway? You had Lafayette chained in the basement for that." I could see Eric preparing for me to rip him to shreds over it but I wasn't going to. We had moved passed it but I still wanted to know what was going on. "Sophie-Anne is ordering me to sell V. She's broke and needs the money. She roped me into doing it on her behalf because I'm a Sheriff in her Queendom. As much as I hate it, I can't refuse." "So that's why you've asked Lafayette to do it? Because you can't get caught selling it yourself?" Eric nodded and shifted closer to me. He placed his hands on my thighs and pried them open slightly. "He has the means to dispose of it quickly and I've ensured the commission is worth it."

"That has Sophie-Anne's name written all over it; putting you between a rock and a hard place. If you get caught then it's your head and not hers. Although, she probably would be in the line of fire too since she is the Vampire Queen of Louisiana. But how does Bill know about all of this? Do you think that's the reason why he was taken?"

Eric's hands continued up my legs until he reached the top of my holdups. He unclipped them and pushed them down towards the top of my boots. He started to pull my boots off while he spoke. "I don't know. It sounds like a solid theory but I know that the Queen wouldn't have Bill taken. Like I said the other day, Bill is the Queen's favourite. He would go running if she snapped her fingers."

"What makes you say that?" "Well, Bill used to work for the Queen. He was her procurer. If she wanted something, Bill got it. He had that role for over 40 years and someone with his skill doesn't just stop working for the Queen. Perhaps he was procuring something for her and someone got whiff of it, didn't like it, then took him to stop him."

"You could be right. Maybe we should head over to the restaurant Bill and Sookie was at and see if we can find anything." Eric didn't say anything. Instead, he pulled my boots off and starting placing small kisses up my leg. As he reached my thigh, his teeth grazed over my femoral artery. My body reacted to his touch as he placed my leg over his shoulder with the intention of sliding his tongue into my wet core. Before his tongue touched me, however, Pam walked back into the office. Maybe Eric would now revisit the idea of taking me down into the basement.

"This better be good Pam. I won't hesitate to throw you out of here." Eric looked at Pam over my thigh. I looked over at her and immediately noticed the stern look on her face; this wasn't good.

"The Queen and the Magister are here and they're demanding to see you." I pulled my leg off of Eric's shoulder and slipped off the desk. I opened the bottom drawer and pulled out a pair of jeans I had left here a few days ago. "Stay here Alexandra. If this is about the V, I want the topic of conversation to stay in the V and not move to you." I didn't say anything as I slipped into my jeans and tied my hair up in a ponytail.

"I understand what you're saying Eric but I'm not staying back here. We both know they're here about the V and we both know how slippery Sophie-Anne can be. You saw the effect I had on her before, we can use that to our advantage. She wants me and we need her distracted." I could see Eric trying to think of a rebuttal but he knew I was right: this was the only way. Eric nodded and I followed him out of the office and saw Sophie-Anne standing by the club entrance next to a bald man in all black. He was obviously the Magister.

"Is there somewhere we can talk Sheriff Northman?" "There's my office in the back." The Magister looked around and showed no emotion when he turned back to talk to Eric. "I suggest you send everybody home. We have important issues to discuss."

Pam instantly started telling people to get out; there was no arguing with the Magister. "Except her, she stays." Sophie-Anne pointed to me and licked her lips. Just as I had predicted, I distracted her.

"No! No humans." "Oh but she's so much more than a human, isn't that right Alexandra? Or should I call you daughter of Athena? I have a theory to test and I hope I'm right." Before anyone could ask Sophie-Anne what her theory was, she vamped over to me, snapped my neck, then everything went black.

Chapter 22

My eyelids felt heavy as I tried to pry them open. I noticed that it was considerably brighter in the club but still couldn't focus on anything. When I did manage to fully open my eyes, I saw four vampires staring down at me: Pam actually looked worried, Sophie-Anne was smiling like a Cheshire cat, the Magister looked surprised and Eric; Eric looked like he wanted to kill someone and I had a feeling that someone was Sophie-Anne.

"So I was right. Well not really, I was given the right information. Welcome back, Alexandra. That's an interesting little trick you have there, no wonder why Eric wanted to keep you to himself." I pushed myself up and noticed the way Eric was looking at Sophie-Anne; he was going to rip her head off. I reacted before I thought it through. I sprang to my feet, grabbed Sophie-Anne by the throat and slammed her against the wall.

"What do you mean you were given the right information? Who told you about me?" "I mean what I said. I was told about your immortality. As for the who, maybe you should look a little closer to home. You have quite the family there, they're all full of surprises." Sophie-Anne's words hit me like a pile of bricks. I released her and turned back towards Eric. I walked straight into his open arms and muttered the word 'Apollo'. He nodded and kissed the top of my head.

"While I am fascinated with the creature you hold in your arms Mr Northman, she is not the reason why I am here tonight. I informed the Queen that the Authority has knowledge of V being sold in this area. As Sheriff, it is your responsibility to find the one responsible. Are there any missing vampires in your area?"

I didn't look up at Eric but I knew he had shaken his head at the Magister. I was still trying to process everything that had just happened. I couldn't understand why Apollo would tell Sophie-Anne about me. He still preaches that he loves me and wouldn't do anything to hurt me although I know that isn't strictly true. I just don't see him as one who would reveal himself to a vampire and expose their greatest secret. It didn't make any sense, especially after his last visit, but I couldn't see it being anyone else.

"Very well. I expect a report of your progress very soon," and then the Magister was gone. When I heard the bar door close, I stepped out of Eric's arms and faced Sophie-Anne. She still had a smirk on her face and walked over towards Eric and me.

"Well, I thought he'd never leave, such a bore." "I wouldn't come any closer Sophie-Anne. I won't show restraint the next time I put my hands on you. Now, I'll ask you one more time, who have you been talking to about me?" I clenched my hands into fists at my sides; she wasn't walking out of here alive. Eric must have picked up on what I was referring to because his fangs snapped out.

Sophie-Anne attacked like I hoped she would but she didn't attack me. She flew towards Eric and had him pinned in one of the booths in a matter of seconds. Pam's hand shot out and held me back when I started to move towards them.

"So this is the way to control you, demi God," Sophie-Anne looked at me then turned towards Eric, "and you, sell that V! You may be the oldest vampire in my Queendom but you still need to follow orders otherwise I'll be back for you and her." Neither of us needed to ask whom she was referring to. Sophie-Anne leaned down and placed a light kiss to Eric's lips then was gone.

Eric straightened up and made his way over to me. "Well, what the fuck do we do now?" We both turned to look at Pam. "You make sure that Lafayette sells that V. We don't need it coming back to us," Pam nodded and pulled out her phone. Eric looked down at me and held my face in his hands. "Are you okay? I didn't know what to do once you fell to the floor. I wanted to kill Sophie-Anne but I couldn't in front of the Magister."

"I know and I'm fine. I'm still a little weak but I'm healing. I can't believe Apollo would do this to me. When I get up to Olympus, not even Zeus is going to be able to stop me from killing him." Eric laughed but we both knew I wasn't exaggerating. This was only the start and I had a feeling it was going to get a lot worse.

"I can't get the way the Magister looked at you when you opened your eyes earlier. It was like you were suddenly the one thing he desired most and I don't think it had anything to do with how good you smell." Eric and I walked hand in hand up to the front porch. I knew that Sookie was with Jessica and was safe but after what had happened with the Magister and Sophie-Anne, I didn't want to be anywhere near Fangtasia.

"What do you think is going to happen now? I know you're worried about the Authority finding out about me but you need to remember that I can handle myself. And if need be, I know of a few Gods who would be more than happy to lend me a helping hand. What are a few hundred vampires against a handful of all-powerful Gods anyway?" Eric smiled at me and pulled me into his chest. I wrapped my arms around his waist and looked up at him as he played with a strand of my hair.

"As long as they don't take you away from me. I'll rip through any vampire or God that threatens you." "I would watch my tongue if I were you, we never know who is listening." Eric grinned and leaned down towards my ear, "I could do so much more with my tongue." I closed my eyes and threw my head back; Eric knew the right words to say to get my body to react to him.

"I love you." My eyes shot open and I looked up at Eric. His face didn't change and he held my gaze: he meant it. We had both been tiptoeing around that little phrase since we found out about our love bond and then our blood bond. We both knew what we were feeling and what was between us but I had just always thought Eric wanted it to be something that was better left unsaid.

"I love you too." Eric grinned then picked me up and threw me over his shoulder and continued to walk up the front porch. I shrieked in shock but stopped when Eric froze. He slowly lifted me back down then vamped into the house.

"Shit!" I ran after him and as I reached the front door, I heard a gun go off. I stormed into the house and saw Sookie standing there holding a gun looking at Eric who was fighting a naked man off of him. The man seemed to be trying to drink Eric's blood, which was flowing from a wound in his chest.

"You shot my vampire! What the hell Sookie? He didn't take Bill!" Sookie dropped the gun then turned to face me. "I didn't mean to and I know he didn't. I went to shoot the werewolf but Eric dived in front of the bullet." I was about to respond to Sookie but a cry of pain that erupted from Eric distracted me. I ran towards the werewolf with the intention of pulling him off Eric but just as I touched him, he swung his arm back and sent me flying through the living room window. The wind was knocked out of me as I hit the front porch floor. I had spent most of this night on my back and not in the way I preferred.

When I eventually caught my breath I sat up and saw Eric drain the werewolf of its blood next to me. How the hell did they get out here? Sookie helped me up and sat me down on the porch swing while she went and got me some water. Eric stood up then walked over to me.

"What the hell was that? I've never known a werewolf to be that strong. And how has our evening turned out like this? All I wanted was to surprise you with some lingerie and I've had my neck snapped, been thrown on my arse and you've been threatened more than once." Eric wiped his mouth with his jacket sleeve and pulled a face. He always said that werewolves' blood tasted vile. "He had V in his system; he drank it from my wound. And as for tonight, I want nothing more than to relive that moment in my office before we were interrupted." I smirked at him and saw that his body had pushed out the bullet and he had healed fine. Sookie returned with some water for me and I gulped it down.

"I'm not saying that I'm not grateful for you saving me Eric, especially after what I accused you of earlier, but why did you jump in front of my gun? I could have killed him." "I needed to know if that were belonged to a particular pack that was addicted to V and I was right. I was hunting them once in Nazi Germany but hadn't come across them since."

Werewolves addicted to V? That was new to me although it did explain the sudden super strength of the were. It had been a long time since I'd come into contact with werewolves and even then, I could only recall one encounter with some that were stronger than me.

"When was that?" I looked up and saw that Sookie was talking to me. "When was what?" "When did you come into contact with the strong werewolves? He had the same mark on his neck as the same guys who had taken Bill. Apparently Bill had summoned Jessica so she was able to take me to where he did but all we found was a car and two dead men; they had that brand."

"Wait, did you hear my thoughts?" "Um yes, I'm a telepath, Alexi, it's what I do. Although, I've never been able to hear you before." How did she hear me? Sookie has never been able to hear my thoughts; it's what drew us together.

"I thought she couldn't hear your thoughts?" I looked at Eric and nodded. "She's never been able to before. It was a blessing really because I have so much going on up there and I would hate to burden anyone with it. Can you hear my thoughts now?" I concentrated on a memory I had of my mortal life with my son but Sookie just shook her head.

"No. It was like I suddenly heard your voice but you didn't say anything. Then it was gone and I couldn't hear anything else. What happened with the werewolves, Alexi?" "I've come across plenty of werewolves before but none as strong as the ones I encountered in Athens several hundred years ago. My mother had heard of some rouge wolves terrorising the city and sent me to investigate. I confronted them but they had this strength that I couldn't explain. I don't know what I would have done if they hadn't have left the city as quickly as they arrived."

I placed my hand at the back of my head and winced. Blood. Great, just what I needed tonight. Eric's fangs snapped out, probably because of the smell of my blood and then went to bite his wrist. "No, I'm fine Eric. It'll heal in a little while and I'll just wash the blood out of my hair." Eric nodded then retracted his fangs.

"I think he works for a guy called Jackson. Do you think he took Bill?" "Jackson isn't the name of his boss, it's where he's from. He had a Mississippian accent. I thought you people could tell the difference." Sookie looked embarrassed and look at me for support. I held my hands up and laughed.

"Then we have to go to Jackson. We have to find Bill." Sookie looked like she was ready to drive to Mississippi but she would be making the trip alone. "We can't Sook. It's nearly sunrise and none of us has slept. Besides, we wouldn't even know where to look in Jackson. Let's sleep on it and regroup tomorrow." Sookie was about to put up a fight but stopped herself before she did. She agreed with me and quietly said goodnight as she retreated to her room.

"We have to get rid of the body." I looked down at the dead werewolf and sighed. I did think it was inconsiderate of the werewolf to be killed in such an awkward place. Eric went to lift him up but I stopped him, "I've got an easier way. Hades, I've got a present for you," I stomped my foot twice on the floor and waited. A moment later, the ground opened up and Eric and I watched as it swallowed up the dead werewolf.

"What just happened?" "I told you, I'm Hades' favourite niece. He'd do anything for me, and that extends to removing unwanted dead bodies that have a tendency of piling up around me. He then gets to do whatever he wants with their soul so it's a win-win."

Eric smirked as he leaned down and kissed me. Halfway through our kiss however, he vamped off. He was going to pay for that.

Coffee. I needed coffee. I may be 3,000 years old but I still needed coffee to function. Sookie had asked me what I drank before I discovered coffee and I was honest with her: wine. Except now it was frowned upon to drink wine before midday.

I walked into the kitchen hoping that Sookie had brewed a fresh pot when I saw a man sitting at the kitchen table. He was dressed in a white t-shirt and jeans and was strangely attractive. I didn't find the whole longish-hair-short-beard look attractive but this guy was pulling it off. It was also clear that he was packing an impressive chest under his top and I couldn't help but stare a little. He looked up at me and then looked away. I saw a small blush creep along his cheeks and frowned. Why would he be embarrassed? I looked down at myself then smirked: that explains it.

"Sook, why is there a man sitting at the kitchen table? The idea of kicking someone's arse before my morning coffee doesn't sit well with me." Said man looked up at me and growled when I mentioned kicking his ass. Great, a werewolf. I thought we were done with them for now.

"Calm down Alexi. He isn't here to hurt us, Eric sent him actually. He's here to… would you put on some clothes." I looked around at Sookie and smiled. Usually, she didn't care if I walked around in my underwear although it didn't exactly make her comfortable. "Consider yourself lucky I'm even wearing underwear. I'm so used to walking around naked because of Eric. Speaking of Eric, you're telling me he sent a werewolf here? For what?"

Sookie pulled off her robe and handed it to me. I rolled my eyes and reluctantly slipped it on. "How did you know I was a werewolf?" The man was now standing up and I was definitely right about his chest. He was also very tall and had great arms. "Your growl. Speaking of which, I don't like to be growled at unless it's by Eric. Now, why are you here?"

"Eric Northman asked me to keep an eye on you two. My father owes him a debt so I'm helping out." Typical Eric. Although, I guess he could look out for Sookie when I couldn't. "And I think it's perfect timing too. Alcide can take us to Jackson and I can find Bill. He was telling me earlier that he knows of a werewolf bar and that Bill's kidnappers may be there. That's our lead."

"I don't think so Sook. It could be really dangerous and Eric has no authority outside his area." "Alexi you would do the same if it was Eric so don't stop me. I'm going with or without you although I'd prefer it if you did come." Look's like I'm going to Jackson, Mississippi.

"I was hoping that you wouldn't go to Jackson. These were's are dangerous lover. You said so yourself that you couldn't defeat them." I threw my head back in frustration and balanced my cell phone between my shoulder and my ear.

"I know but I couldn't let Sookie go alone with Alcide. He's only one werewolf." "You should have called me." I slipped out of my jeans and stepped into a pair of sleep shorts. We were staying in Alcide's small apartment and he had given us both his bed so it was only fair that I slept in some actual pyjamas for once.

"You went to ground for the day Eric and I don't want you to get the bleeds as a result of me. I promise you I'll be fine and I'll call you if and when I need you. Sookie and Alcide are at the were bar tonight and Sookie's hoping to find something about Bill. They should be back soon."

I had decided to stay put since I didn't think I could blend in well and I wasn't really needed. "Just stay low. Mississippi isn't the best state to be in. I'll know if you're in danger so if you are, make sure it's not during the day." I laughed then collapsed onto the double bed. "I'll try. If I do get attacked for whatever reason, I'll ask my attacker to come back and do it at night."

A short while later, Eric and I had said our goodbyes and hung up. I knew he needed to get on with things at Fangtasia so I didn't want to keep him any longer. The last thing I needed was Pam chewing my arse because he left all of the workload on her.

"We have to go back Alcide! They took Bill!" I heard Sookie's voice before I heard the door open. Looks like she found what she was looking for. I walked out of the small bedroom and into the open living room.

"What did you find out?" "That the werewolves that took Bill fed directly from him. It makes me sick." Sookie stormed off into the bedroom and left Alcide and me alone. "What really happened?"

"I had to pull her away from another werewolf who thought she was dinner and found out my ex-fiancé is getting engaged again." That must have been a low blow for Alcide. He briefly mentioned his ex, Debbie, on the way here. Apparently he lost her to V and the Jackson pack leader.

"I'm sorry to hear that but thanks for helping Sookie out. Trouble just seems to find her." He nodded then walked over to the fridge. He pulled out a bottle of beer and offered me one, which I gladly accepted. I had just finished telling Alcide the shortened version of my supernatural status when I heard Sookie.

"What do you mean Bill? Why are you with Lorena?" I rushed into the bedroom and saw Sookie standing by the window on her phone. Tears were streaming down her face and her hands were shaking. I walked towards her and as I got closer, I could hear Bill speaking on the other end of the phone.

"It's over Sookie. I'm back with Lorena where I belong and have no need for a human like you." Sookie dropped the phone out of her hand and broke down. I pulled her into my arms and guided her over to the bed. She cried and cried in my arms for what seemed like hours.

I could only imagine the pain she was going through right now and kept quiet as she let it all go. When she finally stopped crying she looked up at me and I wiped the tears away from her eyes.

"What happened?" "Bill called me and said that he had just made love to Lorena and that we're over and not to find him. Then you heard the rest." I could feel my blood boil and I wanted nothing more than to kill Bill at that moment. I had always given him the benefit of the doubt but not anymore. He couldn't be trusted and I feared for Sookie.

"I know I've never really approved of your relationship with Eric but he isn't breaking your heart and right now, I'm jealous." I soothed Sookie's hair as she started to cry again. I continued to whisper reassuring words to her until she exhausted herself and fell asleep in my arms. She was hurting and she wasn't going to stop until she got answers.

Chapter 23

"You have to eat something Sook. You know as well as I do that there's more to the story than this so you need to keep your strength up Koukla." Sookie smiled when she heard me speak Greek. She once told me that hearing me speak my native language soothed her even though she didn't know what I was saying.

"Alcide and I are supposed to go to Debbie's engagement party tonight and I want you to be there too. After everything that happened last night you haven't left my side and I think I need you there tonight. I know you said yesterday that you don't think you could blend into a werewolf bar but I'm sure if you wear your leather outfit you'll be fine. And I've never known someone to be able to drink as many shots as you."

She did have a point; I had a very high tolerance when it came to alcohol. "I just don't think it's a good idea Sook. I have no issue with protecting you if you need it but Eric was right when he said that I needed to be careful when I use my abilities in front of people I don't know. Werewolves can be just as dangerous as vampires." I hadn't disclosed Sophie-Anne's revelation to Sookie because I was still processing it. The whole scene was replaying in my head and it still didn't make any sense. All I knew was that I needed to be careful when it came to being my true self. The last thing I needed was to be strapped down to a table.

"Please Alexi. I'll make sure that I stay out of trouble and if that doesn't work, then I'll ask Alcide to step in and not let you. I do agree with Eric in the sense that you should be careful with who you shows your abilities to. Besides, I've already asked Alcide's sister to come round and help me look the part for tonight so now you have to come. I know you won't let me go without you."

Sookie was right; I wouldn't let her go without me. When did I become so predictable?

My jaw dropped when I saw Sookie after Alcide's sister was finished with her. She really did look the part with her black wig; fake tattoos and leather get up. Maybe when all of this was over, I would try and convince her to actually dye her hair black. Although, I had a feeling that this was far from over, whatever it was.

"I'm impressed. I thought after the last time you wore leather pants that you wouldn't go near them again." "They aren't that bad although, I don't nearly look as good in them as you do." Both Sookie and Alcide were stunned when I joined them in the living room. I decided that the catsuit was best left in Dallas so turned to a pair of leather pants and a leather crop top with a drawstring design on my cleavage. We were going to a bar after all; I needed to look like I belonged.

"You girls ready?" Sookie and I nodded at Alcide and followed him out of the apartment. Twenty minutes later, we pulled up to a small bar and I got a whiff of wet dog as I stepped out of the truck. Since our blood bond, my senses had definitely gotten stronger and I knew why Eric hated the smell of werewolves. If they all smelt like Alcide, then there wouldn't be much of a problem.

We walked in and the place reminded me of Fangtasia, except this was the werewolf version. The place was extremely crowded and I felt everyone's eyes on Sookie and me as we pushed through the crowd and made our way to the bar. We had separated from Alcide before we entered the club to prevent any unwanted attention. Getting wolf whistles (no pun intended) and flirtatious looks was unwanted attention but it was understandable and the better form of unwanted attention in a werewolf bar.

I indicated to the barman and he placed two shots in front of me. I handed one to Sookie and encouraged her to drink it which she did. This caused the group of were's sitting next to us to cheer and resulted in them buying us more shots. Maybe we were succeeding at fitting in. I just needed to make sure that Sookie keeps up the façade; I knew how uncomfortable she was.

"He's one of them." I looked over Sookie's shoulder and saw one of the were's looking down at Sookie; he really did look like a werewolf. If he was one of the ones that took Bill then, whoever had sent them, was bound to be around here somewhere.

"So this is the whore you're with now." I turned around and saw someone standing next to Alcide and shouting at Sookie. I thought we had separated from him? I immediately concluded that this was Debbie, Alcide's ex. What I couldn't understand was, if this was her engagement party, then why did it bother her who was with Alcide? She really did look rough though; mangled hair, torn shorts and smudged make up. I suppose it wasn't that hard to tell she was hooked on something which was definitely a shame.

"It's not like that Debbie and I don't need to explain myself to you anymore." "The hell you don't," and Debbie grabbed Sookie's shoulder and pulled her forward. I reacted before Alcide even registered what was happening. I pried Debbie's hand off of Sookie with ease; she wasn't high on V tonight. She turned to look at me and I knew she was ready to jump on me. So much for keeping a low profile.

"Fancy seeing you here Alcide. I don't remember inviting you," a blonde were appeared behind Debbie and spoke to Alcide. "We were just leaving Coot." So this was the pack leader and the man Alcide had lost Debbie to. He maintained eye contact with Alcide but I could tell that he wanted to look over at me, although I had no idea why. He looked just as rough as Debbie did and most of the other weres in the bar; this was where his pack congregated. I'm sure this would be a buffet of information for Eric. There was something about these werewolves that triggered him.

"No. I want him to stay and watch this." Debbie smirked at Alcide then made a very wolf noise to which the whole bar responded to. I stayed close to both Alcide and Sookie as we watched Debbie jumped towards the crowd who caught her. She literally crowd surfed to the stage and she lost her shorts along the way, and I thought this engagement party couldn't get any stranger.

She finally reached the stage and Coot scooped her up from the crowd. Suddenly, a middle-aged man appeared, wearing dark sunglasses and a fur coat. Coot removed it for him and I overheard Alcide explain to Sookie that his name was Russell Edgington and he was a local antique dealer. He didn't look like an antique dealer to me but he did look strangely familiar, although I couldn't place his face. He started speaking about the importance of a pack but what took me by surprised was the pair of fangs that snapped out. He then proceeded to rip open his wrist, fill several shot glasses up with his blood and pass them out to the crowd. I guess we know knew how the werewolves were getting V: they were getting it fresh from the source. It's no surprise how that were reacted to Eric now.

Debbie reached for one of the shot glassed but Russell Edgington held her arm back, "none for you dear, your brand won't stay." Debbie whimpered then let out a loud scream as Coot branded her with a hot rod. This engagement party had now turned into an initiation ritual. Suddenly, Coot let out a loud growl, which seemed to have an effect on all the werewolves in the bar.

"Get out of here, now!" We looked over at Alcide and it looked as if he was shifting without meaning to. Before Sookie could ask what was going on like she usually did, I grabbed her and pulled her out of the bar; the further away we were, the better.

I shot up in bed and tried to calm my breathing down. I felt like I was hyperventilating and that no air was getting into my lungs. I got up out of the bed and threw on a robe. I wiped the sweat away from my forehead and sighed in frustration. What the hell was that all about? Usually, when I got warnings they didn't come to me whilst I was dreaming. Who had managed to convince Morpheus to let them interfere with his job?

I walked out of the bedroom and saw Sookie and Alcide sitting down eating at his small table. I looked out the window and saw that it was almost sunset; had I really slept the whole day? What was Morpheus trying to tell me?

"Look who decided to grace us with her presence. Didn't want to wake up from your dream huh? You were quite vocal. I'm sure Eric misses you just as much." I sat next to Sookie and grabbed the ice tea out of her hand.

"I wasn't dreaming about Eric. Well, I was but it wasn't that kind of a dream. He was there but I couldn't quite get to him, something was holding me back and the more I struggled, the tighter they gripped me. I've never experienced anything like it before. I need to make sure everything is okay with Eric." What I didn't tell Sookie was that I was sure this had something to do with Apollo telling Sophie-Anne about me. Maybe he was the one who was controlling Morpheus? I just needed to know why.

"I'm sure it is. But before you call him, you should know that Debbie came by earlier and thinks that we're both sleeping with Alcide now. Me, because I was with him and you, because you were in his bed." "Debbie was here?" Alcide nodded then went on to tell me that Debbie was there to warn him to stay away from her then went off on one when she saw Sookie. The poor girl was confused; she was still in love with Alcide but she was an addict.

I excused myself after I had forced down a sandwich and made my way into the small bedroom. I waited patiently for someone to answer as I called Fangtasia. I had tried Eric's cell before but there was no answer and he had no voicemail. When the phone was eventually answered, I was surprised to hear Ginger's voice and not Pam's.

"Ginger it's Alexandra, is Eric there? I really need to speak to him." There was a long pause, and then Ginger responded, "Eric isn't here. He told me to tell you that he was following a lead and that he would call you when he knows more." What the fuck? Eric was following a lead? What kind of lead? "Ginger where is he? I need to know. Go and get Pam." "I can't. She's downstairs talking business with another vampire. Master said I had to hang up after I told you that so bye Alexandra."

The line went dead and I stared at my cell phone. Why was Pam in the basement? And who was the other vampire? Eric had clearly glamoured Ginger but why? What did he not want me to know? I immediately thought the worst, like he had gone to dispose of Sophie-Anne because of what she knew. I told him that I could look after myself and I needed him to stay safe.

"Everything okay?" Sookie sat down next to me whilst I tried to gather my thoughts. Why was Eric suddenly off the grid? I was starting to worry now. "No, Eric's gone AWOL and I couldn't even speak to Pam. This isn't like him, he usually tells me when something is up and when he has to leave. I have to find him. I have to know that he's okay."

I went to get up but Sookie stopped me, "I understand Alexi, I really do. But maybe he hasn't told you because he wants to keep this from you. It wouldn't be the first time." I pulled away from Sookie and stood up. "Eric doesn't keep secrets from me, no matter what you've been told. I need to find him and make sure he's okay. I take signs very seriously and it's no coincidence that I had that dream and now I can't get a hold of Eric. You ran to Mississippi when you found out Bill was here, so don't expect me to do anything different."

"Do you know where to look?" I slipped into a pair of jeans and threw on the first top I could find, "nope but I could call in a few favours. Being bonded to him should help too…" I was cut off mid-sentence because I felt a wave of power surge through me and lift me up off my feet. Before I could say anything to Sookie, my surroundings changed and I found myself standing in a grand hallway. I looked up and saw a tall man with slick black hair standing at the top of the staircase with his jaw dropped. My gaze then fell to the human guards surrounding me holding guns. Where the hell was I?

I suddenly locked eyes with Eric. He looked just as shocked as I did but also relieved to see me. I hadn't seen him in nearly 3 days and I had missed him. What the hell was he doing here though? "What is the meaning of this?" I spun around and came face to face with Russell Edgington and it was in that moment I realised I was in his house. Why would Eric be here but more importantly, how did I end up here?

"NO!" I heard the gunshot before I saw it. Instincts took over and I flew up in the air to avoid the bullet, which lodged itself in the wall. I landed behind Russell Edgington then flipped over him and tackled the trigger-happy guard to the floor. Before he could react, I snapped his neck and turned to face everyone. No one moved but I recognised the look on Eric's face. It was the one he had that night in Fangtasia when the Magister saw what I was capable of. I don't think Russell Edgington was the kind of vampire that was going to let me walk out of here without an explanation.

"Well, I'll be damned. Sheriff Northman, do you know this fascinating creature?" I made my way over to Eric and felt him relax as I reached him. If we were going to fight our way out of this, then we needed to be together. I clenched my hands and prepared myself for the attack, but it never came. To my surprise, Eric reached out and took my hand in his then responded to Edgington. "Russell this is Alexandra, my mate. Alexandra, this is Russell Edgington, the vampire King of Mississippi."

"Ahh Alexandra, I'm sure you and Talbot will have much to discuss. It has been a while since he was in the company of a fellow Grecian. But for now, you must get cleaned up and join us for dinner. I'm sure we have much to discuss." He dismissed his guards and disappeared up the stairs leaving Eric and me alone.

"How did you get here lover?" "I don't know. The last thing I remember was telling Sookie how much I needed to find you then the next thing I know, I'm here. Eric, what's going on?" He pulled me close to his chest and whispered in my ear, "the Magister has Pam and will kill her if I don't deliver Compton to him. It's clear Sophie-Anne wants me dead so she can have you but I'm here to beat her to the punch."

Chapter 24

"How did you get here Alexandra? This mansion is heavily guarded and you waltz on like you own the place." "I told you, Eric, I don't know. One moment I was telling Sookie that I needed to find you then the next, I was standing in the hallway. It was as if I had been transported here but I don't know how. Do you think it has anything to do with our blood bond?"

Eric looked over at me and shook his head. We were both sitting at Russell Edgington's dining table and speaking in hushed tones. I had no choice but to join them for dinner and Eric and I both knew that Russell Edgington was going to use the opportunity to question me.

"I've never heard of a blood bond being able to do that although, I don't know of any other vampires that have bonded with a demi God. But there's more for us to worry about now. How did Russell know you were Greek?"

That was quite strange. I don't have a Greek accent anymore and don't necessarily look Greek but maybe he picked it up from my name as Godric did. "I don't know but he referred to me as Grecian, a word used to describe items from Ancient Greece. It's like he knows I'm from that time period but that's impossible." "Unless Apollo's been here." I had forgotten about Apollo but Eric was right: if Apollo was exposing my true self to vampires then who's to say that he didn't pay Russell Edgington a visit.

Eric reached over the table and grabbed my hand. I smiled at the contact and at that moment, I almost forgot that our lives could be in danger and that we could be separated. He was my life and nothing would change that. I would rip through anyone that tried to keep him away from me. He mouthed 'I love you' to me and gave my hand a little squeeze. I smiled but before I could say it back, Russell Edgington entered the room followed by the man with the slicked-back hair; this must be Talbot.

"Don't mind us. We wouldn't want to interrupt anything. Although Sheriff, I must say you are a braver vampire than I am. Usually, us vampire's prefer mates that are, shall we say, less superior than us." "Alexandra is my equal in every way. I couldn't think of a better quality in a mate." Eric placed a light kiss to the back of my hand and smiled at me. He was making sure that Russell Edgington knew I was his but I had a feeling that Russell was the type of vampire who didn't care about such things.

I turned to look at Russell and gave him my biggest smile. I still hadn't figured him out. "So Russell, how did you know I was Greek?" Russell smiled back at me and sat down at the head of the table. The other vampire, Talbot, sat across from him but kept his eyes in Eric. I knew that look and I let out an internal moan of frustration. The last thing I needed right now was a male vampire who was giving my vampire sex eyes from across the table.

"Let us not dwell on that. So Sheriff," Russell placed his napkin on his lap and spoke to Eric, "what brings you to Mississippi?" Eric was about to respond but stopped when several waiters entered the room. They stood behind each of us and placed the starter in front of us. I looked down and realised it was a blood martini. I looked over at Eric who just gave me an encouraging smile as he took a sip of the drink. Both Russell and Talbot had already started theirs, leaving me to just stare at the drink. I wasn't quite sure what I was supposed to do with it.

"I'm looking for a traitor from my area. He disappeared after I discovered that he was selling V and I am to hand him into the Magister." Traitor? What was Eric talking about? I had only been gone for three days. Before I could question Eric, Talbot let out a loud screech. "How could they?!"

"What is it, my love?" "They brought Alexandra blood! Does she look like a fucking vampire? Ilíthios!" I saw the waiter shrink several inches in the presence of Talbot then shuffle over to me and remove the blood martini from in front of me. So that was what Russell meant when he said 'a fellow Grecian'. Talbot was Greek and even more, he was Athenian. I suddenly felt how clammy my hands had become. I didn't like how any of this was playing out.

"De me peirázei Talbot. It's fine. I don't expect you to have the food I eat. I insist that you carry on eating. My arrival was unexpected and for that, I do apologise." Talbot seemed to be taken back a bit at my answer but his smile suggested something else. He went back to drinking his martini but I continued to watch him. What role did he play in all of this?

"Now we have that sorted, who is this traitor you speak of? Perhaps I know him." Eric took another sip of his drink and smiled. "I don't think so, he's not a very known vampire but I fear he has fled to your state which is why I require your permission. His name is Bill Compton." As soon as Eric said Bill's name, the atmosphere at the dinner table changed. Talbot stopped drinking and Russell's smile faded.

"I told you that he would try to pin his crimes on me, my King," Eric and I both spun around and came face to face with Bill and Lorena. They stood in the doorway dressed in dinner clothes. Lorena had a smile on her face but it dropped once she made eye contact with me. Great, the crazy bitch remembered me. Her fangs snapped out and she charged for me. Maybe she was still a bit sore from when I broke her leg and almost killed her. Lorena didn't reach me, however, because Eric grabbed her around the throat and stopped her from reaching me. When did he get up? Damn vampire speed.

"For your sake, I hope this is the last time you try and attack Alexandra. I won't always be around to stop her from slowly ripping all your limbs off of your body with her bare hands. Do you understand me?" Lorena looked over at Russell as if to ask him for help but he didn't move. He seemed to be enjoying the chaos that was unfolding in front of him.

She nodded then fell to the floor as Eric let her go. She gripped her neck where Eric had held her and tried to pull herself back up to her feet. I looked over at Bill and felt my anger at him build up. He was the reason we were here and I wanted nothing more thank to pull the limbs off of his body. I went to sit up but Eric's hand on my thigh stopped me. It was like he knew what I was thinking and was warning me that, whatever I was planning on doing was not a good idea. Maybe he was right.

"So it seems that everyone here knows each other, fantastic! Bill and Lorena, please join us." It was clear that they weren't going to say no to Russell so they reluctantly joined us at the table. Bill sat opposite me and I wished that he hadn't. My anger towards his was still radiating off of me and him being in my direct eyesight was not good.

"Now Sheriff, why would you pin such a serious crime on my newest resident? There must be a reason for it?" I felt Eric's hand squeeze my thigh a little tighter. I don't think either of us could have foreseen this night going like this but we were just going to have to go with it. "Queen Sophie-Anne has ordered me to sell the V in order to clear her debts. She has pinned the crime on Bill Crompton. The Magister is holding my protégé, Pamela, prisoner and has informed me, that, he will kill her unless I deliver Bill Compton to him. Forgive me for lying."

I was shocked at Eric's sudden tone but I understood it. Russell Edgington was dangerous and there was no telling what he was capable of, especially if Apollo had gotten to him. Apollo was sadistic on his own; I couldn't imagine that mixed with Edgington's nature.

"So you would trade my life for Pam's?" Eric and I looked over at Bill who didn't look convinced. "I would trade your life for a lot less, but yes, Pam is much more important to me than you Compton. You of all people should know how one is capable of sacrificing a vampire life to save another." Bill's eyes dropped to the table at the reminder of him killing Longshadow to protect Sookie. I could see the puzzled look on Lorena's face and the amusement on Russell's.

"As you should Sheriff. The threat of one's protégé and loved one is one that we must all take seriously. All is forgiven. The Magister is a pompous bastard who believes in the old ways and I have no problem in assisting you with saving your protégé." Eric smiled his thanks at Russell and turned back to his martini. I felt Russell's eye on me and tried not to make eye contact. I still needed to figure him out.

Russell was about opened his mouth to speak but Coop walked into the room and whispered something in his ear. Eric must have sensed that he was a werewolf because I felt him tense up beside me. Coot didn't make eye contact with anyone else in the room and I was thankful for that.

"I apologise but I have urgent business to attend to that involves myself, Bill and Lorena," they nodded and got up to join him. "I'm sorry, I must leave you my love but I'm sure our two new guests here will keep you occupied until I return." Talbot looked over at Eric and gave him a flirtatious smile before nodding at Russell.

Once Russell, Bill and Lorena left, Talbot informed us that he was going to see what was taking the next course so long and left Eric and me alone again.

"Why didn't you tell me about Pam? Is that why you glamoured Ginger into giving me that vague and uncalled for message?" "I thought I could handle this without having to drag you into it, especially with Sophie-Anne and the Magister knowing about you. Do you really think Apollo told Edgington about you?" I simply nodded at Eric as he held my face in his hands.

"Then we have to be careful. Edgington will want to keep you close to him and that means we have to pledge allegiance to him. Compton has and he must have his own agenda." Eric slipped his hand to the back of my neck and pulled my head up to meet his. His lips landed on mine and I immediately forgot where we were and focused on his touch. He slipped his tongue into my mouth and I let out a small moan. He pulled my head back and started placing small kisses on my neck.

"I hope that's not all you can do with your lips." Eric and I pulled apart and faced Talbot as he sat back down. He was smirking at us but his eyes still screamed that he wanted Eric. "Oh, don't mind me. It's been a long time since I last saw anything as exciting. Now, Alexandra, where did you learn to speak Greek? You speak it as if you created the language yourself."

After everything that had happened tonight, I did not expect to find myself talking to Talbot about my flawless Greek accent. I looked over to Eric for support but he had excused himself from the table.

"Like you Talbot, I am Greek," "oh, but you have no accent. Perhaps you are one of those who learned from your parents. There are a lot of those around now." So Talbot was blissfully unaware of my nature. Perhaps Apollo had decided against telling him. If only I knew what his endgame was.

"Yes, I am what we call, a second-generation Greek. You have a lovely accent. Where is it in Greece you are from?" "Athens. Russell and I met over 700 years ago and when he turned me, my accent remained. Everything about me stayed the same, much to Russell's pleasure." I think I threw up a little bit in my mouth as Talbot spoke of Russell. Not because they were male lovers; I was part Olympian, I had seen it all. But because of whom Talbot was talking about. I was also right about Talbot being Athenian.

Maybe that was why Russell Edgington looked so familiar to me. He had turned Talbot in Athens over 700 years ago. I was becoming more and more convinced that Russell was the one who led the wolves in Athens, which means he's been controlling werewolves for centuries. How did I miss a vampire back then?

Eric suddenly returned but he didn't have the same smile on his face that he did when he left the room. I immediately noticed the hurt behind his eyes. Was it Pam? Before I could ask him what was wrong, a commotion in the hallway grabbed my attention. I rushed out and stood frozen in my spot. Eric slipped his hands around my waist to hold me back when he saw what I was looking at.

Russell stood in front of us holding Sookie while she tried to wriggle out of his grip. I looked over and saw that Lorena was holding silver to Bill's throat and Coot just looked on from the corner of the room.

"Take Mr Compton over to the servant's quarters and end him. I have no need for vampires that choose to betray me at the first available opportunity." Lorena nodded but I couldn't help but see the tears in her eyes; she didn't want to but she had to. She vamped off with Bill.

"Now, this one here must be special since Compton chose to betray his own kind to protect her. Tell me, what are you?" I was pretty sure Sookie had screamed something along the lines of 'a waitress you son of a bitch' but I could also just be making assumptions since it was definitely something she would say. Russell laughed but still held onto her, "now isn't that a shame. Looks like I'll have to get it out of you one way or another."

Russell then proceeded to take Sookie away and I knew that if he did, it wasn't going to end well. "Allow me," Sookie looked over at me and her eyes widened. I made no indication that I knew her and continued to look at Russell. "You have seen what I am capable of and maybe we could do with some girl chat." Russell nodded and released Sookie. I grabbed her and pulled her away from the hallway and into what looked like a library. Before I closed the door, I heard Talbot offer to give Eric a tour of the mansion. I'm sure he'd like to offer Eric a lot more. What was it about 'my vampire' did people not understand?

"Alexi, what the hell? First, you disappeared, in a weird, God-like kind of way, and now you're here offering your services to that madman. What happened earlier?" "Shh, keep your voice down. Edgington can't find out that we know each other, Pam's life depends on it. As for how I got here, I have no idea but I'm thinking it's got something to do with the bond that Eric and I share. Now, what happened?"

Sookie sunk into the armchair that faced me and held her head in her hands. "Bill turned up at Alcide's and told me that I needed to leave Mississippi and everything he did was to protect me. Before I could ask him why Russell Edgington appeared and Coot took out Alcide. Bill tried to save me but Russell is so much more powerful than he is and then I ended up here. What's going to happen now?"

"I don't know. Russell is a man of power and only goes after those who he believes will grant him more power, which is why I'm still alive. Did anything else happen?" "Remember when Maryanne tried to attack me and that light pushed her back?" I nodded and saw Sookie tense. "I did it again but I don't know how I did it. What should we do?"

I started to pace the room but stopped when I came across a glass case that held many old antiques including a crown. "I don't know but I do know that none of us are safe here. You have to pretend that you don't know me or Eric though. We'll think of a plan to get us out of here."

"What about Bill?" "Him too."

The Greek spoken in this chapter simply means 'idiot' (something Talbot says throughout the series) and 'I don't mind'.

Chapter 25

I felt myself purr as I opened my eyes to see Eric trace my body with his lips. After I had explained my semi plan to Sookie, I had convinced Russell that she was hiding something and that our best move was to keep her locked in a room while everyone went to ground and then interrogate her again. He agreed then insisted I escort her to her room but I didn't lock it; I intended to go and talk to her when the sun was up.

It wasn't long after that Talbot showed Eric and me to our room. It was clear to both Russell and Talbot that Eric and I were together. Although, I knew it was now painfully obvious that he was my weakness, we could also use the time alone to hatch a plan to get us out of this. Although, plan making was the furthest thing from Eric's mind when we were left alone. He immediately started to devour me with his lips and fingers, and after my own mind-blowing orgasm, I had fallen asleep. I had also hoped that Eric would use the time to sleep too.

"Why aren't you sleeping? I didn't sleep straight through did I?" Eric shook his head and continued his assault on my body with his mouth. When he reached my bellybutton I arched my back up but then pushed him away as he reached the top of my clit, "Eric, you have to sleep! We both need our strength right now. I wouldn't put it past Russell to use you to get to me and I need to know you can handle yourself."

He sighed in frustration as he got up to lay next to me. "I know; I just missed you lover." "I missed you too but I will not allow you to use sex to escape our problems even though it is tempting." He grinned then tucked a strand of my hair behind my ear. All I wanted right now was Eric's touch but we couldn't allow ourselves to get distracted; we were here for a reason.

"So we know that Edgington is using an army of were's and supplying them with V to make them stronger. The question is why and what's his plan?" "I think he just wants them to do his dirty work for him. It's clear he used them then and he's using them now."

"Well yes, he clearly used them in Athens. Hold on, I didn't tell you about that." I looked over at Eric who was just staring blankly at me. "When else has Russell used the werewolves, Eric?" I placed my hand on his chest and for a moment, I allowed myself to think about what he was like when he was human and when he had a beating heart. I tended not to because I couldn't help but think about the pain he was in before Godric found him and offered him immortality. He once told me that he's often tried to imagine what it would have been like if we had met when he was human. I told him that I would have probably fallen in love with him then too.

"I promise to tell you soon but now isn't the time. Just know that I came across Edgington's werewolves when I was still human and since then, I've been trying to find them." I leaned over to kiss Eric and he was more than happy to kiss me back.

"I'm worried about you though." I pulled back slightly but Eric grabbed my hand and pulled me back towards him. "Why?" "Because Russell Edgington knows about you and he isn't being forthcoming with how he knows or what he knows. I think he wants to keep you for himself. Look at his reaction to Sookie. He uses werewolves to do his own bidding and I'm afraid that he's going to try and use you too."

I ran my hand through Eric's hair and held his hand in mine. "Don't worry about me. I can look after myself and I have you; I know you won't let anything happen to me. Besides, our priority now is helping Pam. Once she's safe, we can deal with Russell's fascination with Sookie and me. I convinced her to pretend that she doesn't know us and we can use that to our advantage. Now, you need to rest. I can't have you getting the bleeds; you have to be strong."

"You're right, I do have to be strong and I will sleep. But first," Eric started placing small butterfly kisses on my neck and I felt myself melt into his touch: again, "we have three days to make up for." It was times like this when I wished that I had met Eric hundreds of years ago; I had missed out on years of amazing, toes curling sex.

I wriggled out of Eric's arms and quietly got dressed then left our room. The inside of our door was made of silver so Eric couldn't get out but I could. I was hoping that both Russell and Talbot had forgotten about that little detail. As I turned away from the door, I saw a man standing opposite the door. He was in black gear and held a gun: a human guard. Maybe they didn't forget about me.

"I suggest you step back inside your room Miss. I will not hesitate to shoot." I didn't need this, I had to find Sookie. I reached out and grabbed his gun and pulled him towards me. He stumbled forward, which gave me enough room to move behind him and jump onto his back. I wrapped my legs around his waist and my arms around his head with the intention of putting him to sleep. When I felt him lose consciousness, I jumped off of him and dragged him back into my room. He would be out for a while and hopefully; I'll make it back before either him or Eric wake up.

I removed the bullets from his gun and placed it on the other side of the room but kept the bullets. He also had a stake on him, which I took, along with a teaser gun. I left the room again and made my way towards the room where Sookie was but as I got there, the door was open and Sookie was nowhere in sight.

"Shit! Why can't you just let someone else save you for once." I ran down the hallway with the hope that she hadn't gotten far and that I could help me before she made this whole situation worse. As I turned the corner, I saw Tara and Sookie run down the stairs. What the hell was Tara doing here? I ran after them and managed to get ahead of them.

"What the hell are you guys doing? You do realise the ground is guarded by human guards with guns and werewolves' high on V. You're not going to get very far and speaking of getting anywhere, what the hell are you doing here Tara?" She turned to face me and as she did, I saw fang bites on her neck. This was all I needed.

"I got kidnapped by a crazy-ass vampire and now I'm getting Sookie out of here so, I suggest you move out of the way before I make you." Typical Tara to have too much attitude for her own good. If only she knew. "You need to calm down otherwise neither of you are going anywhere. Like I said before, this place is heavily guarded and vampires are the last thing for you to worry about now."

I saw Tara's shoulders drop like she was finally willing to listen to what I have to say. "I have to get to Bill Alexi before Lorena kills him." I nodded then handed Sookie the stake and teaser gun that I had taken off of the guard outside my room. "You're going to need both of these. The stake is for Lorena because I don't ever want to see that bitch's face again," Sookie smirked then nodded, "and the teaser is for any were's you come across. I wouldn't put it past them to be near a fresh source of V."

"Aren't you coming with us?" "I have to stay here with Eric. Pam's in trouble and she needs my help too. Besides, I have to keep an eye on Edgington. He's too curious about both of us." Sookie nodded but Tara just rolled her eyes at me.

"You're staying here for a vamp?! He's gonna break your heart like Bill did Sookie's. I thought you were smarter than that." Before I could snap at Tara, Sookie moved so that she was between us.

"I'm staying to protect the man I love and also to protect Sookie. There's more to this than you understand like there's more to me but I don't have to explain myself to a mortal like you! Now, I suggest you both leave now if you want to get out of here alive. Bill is being kept on the other side of the house. Go and be safe. If you need me, call me on Eric's phone."

Sookie nodded then grabbed Tara's hand and ran out of the house. Once the front door closed behind them, I made my way back up to my room. I smiled when I saw that the guard was still unconscious on the floor but Eric's voice scared me. He sure did have an act for pretending that he was still asleep.

"Why is there an unconscious guard in our room? And where have you been?" It really wasn't fair that Eric was completely naked when he spoke to me. It was impossible to multitask when I was starring at his manhood.

"I was helping Sookie escape so she could save Bill. As much as I despise him right now, he doesn't deserve to die like that. And it would help if he was alive." "Why? Do you not trust him either?" I shook my head and thought back to when Eric told me what Bill use to do for the Queen. It didn't sit right with me.

"As you said, no one just stops working for the Queen and although Bill now calls Edgington his King, I don't believe it. But that's a different story. Right now, I need you to glamour this guard into forgetting that I snuck out of our room and put him in a sleeper."

Eric smirked at me then got up and put on his trousers much to my disappointment. He walked over to the guard as I knelt down and held my hand to his neck, getting ready to wake him up. Eric knelt in front of him and nodded at me. I pushed down on the guard's pressure point and held the guard as he woke up. Before he could say anything, his eyes met Eric's and he fell under Eric's influence.

"You are going to forget that you ever left your post and that Alexandra left this room. You don't have any weapons on you because you left them with someone else and haven't retrieved them yet. When asked if anything happened, you're going to say no and that everything was quiet. Do you understand?" The guard nodded and I smirked. The fun I could have if I could glamour people. "Now, you're going to go back to your post and forget this ever happened."

The guard stood up and exited our room. I turned to look at Eric and kissed him. "My hero," "don't Greek damsels in distress repay their hero's with sexual favours?" Eric winked at me and crushed his lips against mine.

"Don't mind me." We pulled apart when Russell Edgington walked into our room. Between him and Talbot, Eric and I couldn't even finish a kiss. "I have been thinking about your problem Sheriff Northman and I know of a way to help you. But first, both of you must accompany me to Queen Sophie-Anne's home in New Orleans."

Before either of us could reply back to him, he was gone. And so it begins.

"Sheriff Northman, Alexandra," Sophie-Anne flashed me a smile when she saw me, however, it quickly disappeared when she looked over at Russell. "And Russell Edgington. To what do I owe the pleasure?"

Sophie-Anne lay across a pool lounger in what she calls her day room. She was alone except for the young human sitting on the floor beside her. When she turned to look at us, I saw that it was the same girl who was here the last time Eric and I were. To me, she still looked like Sookie but I was sure it was just a coincidence.

"I'm here to tell you that you're going to marry me Queen Sophie-Anne." My mouth dropped at Russell's sudden proposal. Wasn't he already married to Talbot? Maybe he was trying to find the loophole in marrying a woman this time.

"You've asked me this before and I've turned you down, Edgington. What makes you think that I'm going to say yes this time?" "Because I'm not asking you this time. I'm telling you and I think it would help you with your financial problems. Either you marry me, Sophie-Anne, or I tell the Authority that you ordered your Sheriff to sell V to help you pay off your debts."

Sophie-Anne's face fell and she looked over at Eric. "How dare you?! I am your Queen and you do as I say." She vamped towards Eric but before she reached him, Russell caught her by her neck and held her up above the ground. I may not be a fan of Russell Edgington but I sure did approve of this method.

"I am a very impatient man Sophie-Anne. Do we have a deal?" Before Sophie-Anne could say anything, Eric spoke. "I would take the deal Sophie-Anne. My King is a very rich man and will put a stop to all our problems." Sophie-Anne's eyes went wide as Eric referred to Russell as his King; she knew she had lost.

She finally nodded then Russell realised her. "Fantastic! Now, I suggest we get this show on the road. Don't want my future wife waiting." Russell Edgington turned to leave and Sophie-Anne followed him with her head hung low. I looked over at Eric and saw that he had the exact same look in his eyes that I did: we needed to get to the bottom of Russell's plan quickly before we got hurt. It would only be a matter of time.

Chapter 26

"Well isn't this cosy?" Sophie-Anne looked up at me from the cage she was being kept in and smirked. "I'm sure it would be if you joined me." I rolled my eyes and sat on the floor in front of the cage. She had the bleeds but I wasn't surprised; she was the one who refused to sleep. Granted, she wasn't in the best of positions to sleep in but she should know that she needed her sleep.

"You and I both know that your interest in me is not sexual. It may have happened once but so much has happened since then." "Oh, I know it has. I have heard that Eric has that effect on women but I've never been privy to it myself. Although, I am surprised that you've managed to keep him for this long. He isn't usually the monogamous type; most vampires aren't." She was trying to distract me but I wasn't going to let her. I was here for a reason and I was going to do whatever it took to get some answers out of her.

"How did you know I was immortal Sophie-Anne? When Eric and I first came here, you made no indication that you knew of my true nature. You merely referred to me as a demi God; one that was mortal." "I thought I already told you." Sophie-Anne smiled at me then wiped away some of the blood that had formed at her nostril.

"You indicated that it was someone from my family but that doesn't really narrow it down. What does Apollo gain from telling you?" At the mention of Apollo's name, Sophie-Anne's eyebrow rose and she started to laugh. I stood there and simply stared at her; I didn't know what else to do.

"Oh my dear Alexandra, there is still so much you don't know. Perhaps if you spent less time in bed with Eric and more time perfecting your skill, you would have this all figured out by now." Perfecting my skill? That didn't sound like Apollo. He never made any comment about my sexual nature and or made any reference to my skill.

"If Apollo didn't tell you then who did? And why? What do they have to gain from jeopardising me?" Sophie-Anne shrugged her shoulder and relaxed against the cage she was in. "Perhaps they hold you responsible for something. Those Olympians sure do take things personally. I mean, I have no objection with the way you live your life, but that's only because I've seen what you have underneath." Sophie-Anne indicated towards my chest and I rolled my eyes. It was time to get to the bottom of this.

I reached for the knife I had stashed in my back pocket and brought it to my wrist. I didn't feel anything as I slit my wrist and my blood started to pour out of me. Sophie-Anne reacted in the way I wanted her to. Her fangs snapped out and she dived towards me. She didn't get very far because of the cage she was in but she continued to reach out to me through the bars. I walked closer to her and held out my wrist: she wanted my blood.

"Tell me who told you or I stand here and wait till my wound heals, leaving the lingering smell of my blood in the air. You and I both know that it is driving your crazy right now." Sophie-Anne watched as my blood dropped to the floor and form a puddle at my feet. I continued to edge towards her and she reached for me.

"You always assumed it was Apollo and because of your hatred towards him, you overlooked the one who was never happy to see you on Olympus. The one who blames you for her brother's obsession. She never wanted to share him, never wanting to give herself to anyone. She knew she could never move against you, you had too many supporters; even her own father loved you. She wanted to watch as the world around you burned."

Sophie-Anne couldn't actually say her name. She was told not to but her words hit me all the same. I stood frozen in my spot and couldn't focus on anything. How could I have been so naïve? It was all there. It was never about revealing my true nature to vampires. It was always about my relationship with Eric; the same one that Apollo wanted with me. It was about bringing in those who had the ability to tear us apart without breaking Aphrodite's bond. I never would have thought that my aunt was capable of this, capable of going against everyone on Olympus for her brother, her twin.

Before I could respond, Eric's cell rang. I fished it out of my pocket and saw that it was Alcide. Still, in a daze, I walked out of Sophie-Anne's dayroom, leaving without giving her any blood, and answered the phone. "Alcide? Is everything okay?" When he didn't speak straight away, I knew something was up.

"It's Sookie Alexi. She's in the hospital." It only took half a second for me to forget about my aunt and turn my attention to Sookie. "Why? What happened? Did something happen at Edgington's mansion?" "No, we were fine there. Sookie and Tara managed to save Bill but we think he drained her to the point of near-death. She's in a coma right now."

"Bill did what? Well, can the doctors wake her up?" "That's the thing; she's lost a lot of blood and needs a transfusion but she doesn't have a blood type." I slumped against a wall and slowly slid down it till I sat down on the floor. She promised me that she was going to be safe. "That's impossible Alcide. All humans have a blood type. How long has she been out for?"

"Since yesterday. I didn't want to call you unless it was necessary. We're doing everything we can on this end and I'll let you know when I know more. Try not to worry about her too much; she's in good hands. You focus on what you have to do." "Thanks, Alcide. Please keep me posted." He agreed then hung up the phone.

I couldn't understand why Sookie didn't have a blood type. She was human, born to humans so she had to have one. I didn't know how long I had been sitting there but after everything I had heard, I needed a moment to myself. I was so preoccupied; I didn't hear anyone approach me until they tapped me on the shoulder.

"Are you okay?" I jumped upright and came face to face with Sophie-Anne's human, the one who reminded me of Sookie. "Yeah, I'm fine. I was just lost in thought." She nodded at me and turned to walk away but then stopped herself. "I couldn't help but overhear but were you talking about Sookie Stackhouse?"

My eyes went wide after hearing Sookie's name. How did she know her? She must have noticed my discomfort because she immediately smiled at me. "I'm her cousin, Hadley Stackhouse. I was just wondering if you knew her and if she was okay. I haven't seen or heard from her in nearly 4 years." At that moment, I mentally praised my inner eye; I knew she looked familiar and now that I know she's related to Sookie, I do see the resemblance.

"Um yeah, I do. We live together actually." "You do? Well, how is she? Is everything okay?" I could tell Headley was excited to know about how her cousin was but I also could tell there was something more to this conversation. She wanted to know something and that something wasn't if Sookie was okay.

"Yeah, she's great. She's not too good right now but she'll be fine." "That's good. I hope everything with her and Bill is good too, I wouldn't want anything to happen with them." Headley then turned to walk away but I quickly shot out my arm and wrapped my hand around her wrist.

"I didn't mention anything about Bill or his relationship with Sookie. In fact, if you haven't spoken to Sookie in years then how do you even know that the relationship exists? She only met him a couple of months ago." I squeezed Headley's wrist and heard her cry out in pain.

"I don't know anything I swear!" "I think you do and you're going tell me. How did you know about Bill? Have you met him before? Is the Queen involved in this? Tell me what you know!" When she didn't say anything, I dragged her back towards the dayroom. She was trying to fight my grip but all she was doing was making it worse for herself.

Sophie-Anne looked up when we entered the room and her eyes went wide. "Hadley? What are you doing to her? Let her go!" "You're in no position to give me orders Sophie-Anne and all I want is for Headley to do give me the answers I want. Now, I'll ask again, how do you know about Sookie and Bill?" I kicked the back of Headley's knee and she fell on her knees. I retrieved the bloody knife from the floor and held it to Headley's throat. She looked up at Sophie-Anne with pleading eyes but Sophie-Anne kept her gaze on me.

"We had a deal. I tell you who is working against you and you give me your blood. I can still smell it." I moved the knife away from Headley's throat and threw it towards Sophie-Anne. She caught it and brought the blade to her tongue. "You're going to tell me everything, Sophie-Anne, or I start to take things from you." I squeezed Headley's neck with my hand and her scream caught Sophie-Anne's attention.

"What's going on here?" I turned around and saw Eric walk into the room. "We were right. There's more to the whole 'Sookie and Bill' thing and I think that Sophie-Anne and Headley here know. Oh and Hadley is Sookie's cousin." Eric walked up to us and leant down to look at Hadley. I heard her take in a gasp of air and knew it was because of the sinister look on Eric's face. He played a good bad guy when he wanted to.

"How convenient for you Sophie-Anne. You have one cousin and because you want the set, you sent Compton to retrieve her." "I did no such thing!" I looked up at Sophie-Anne and saw her trying to release herself from her cage. "Hadley right?" Hadley nodded at Eric and grabbed her wrist once I let go of her; she wasn't going anywhere. "Now, why don't you tell me everything you know? If not, I can always pass you over to Alexandra to get the information out of you but I must warn you: she isn't as nice as I am."

"I don't know anything!" "Now that's a shame. Perhaps your Queen does." Eric looked up at Sophie-Anne but when she refused to make eye contact with him, he snapped his fangs out and sank them into Hadley's neck. Both she and Sophie-Anne cried out in pain but Eric didn't stop.

"I suggest you tell us Sophie-Anne. Eric looks like he's enjoying himself." I could see the colour start to drain from Headley's face. "Okay… I'll tell… you…" I could see that Hadley was trying to stay awake and it took all of the energy she had left to whisper in Eric's ear.

"Well, I wasn't expecting that." Eric bit into his wrist and fed Headley his blood to heal her. I looked at him and gave him a look that said we needed to talk but before he could say anything, Russell entered the room.

"Fantastic, you're all here. Now, let's get this show started." Sophie-Anne looked at Russell and then back at me. She knew he knew about me, and it had just dawned on her that she had been used as a pawn in a Gods game of chess.

We walked into Fangtasia for the first time in what seemed like forever. Russell Edgington practically dragged Sophie-Anne along with him. She was doing all she could to get away from him.

"Where is the Magister holding your protégé?" "In the basement. In my office then through the door behind the shelf." Russell nodded then dragged Sophie-Anne with him. Eric went to follow them but I grabbed his arm and pulled him back.

"Eric, there's something you need to know." He placed his finger on my lips and spoke first, "me first lover. I need to tell you what Headley told me and it's more than we ever thought." Eric released me and vamped behind the bar, grabbed the bottle of tequila, then appeared in front of me with a glass of the strong liquid. He handed it to me and indicated that I drink it. I took a big gulp and felt the tequila burn my throat; I needed that.

"Tell me, Eric. What the hell is going on?" "Sookie is part faerie. That's why she has telepathic powers and mystical light. That's why Sophie-Anne wants to collect her. She's unique and more than just a human." I took another gulp of my drink; this night wasn't getting any better.

"Part fae? As in a human with fae ancestry?" Eric nodded as I continued, "I thought they were extinct. I mean, I've only come across one or two but that was pure accident. They aren't creatures that like to be found." "I suppose they're more endangered than extinct. It does make sense though; she has a unique smell."

Sookie was a faerie? That was all I could think about. "I suppose that means one of her human ancestors bred with a fae. It's the only explanation but it must have been generations ago, otherwise, the fae in her would be much stronger and harder to hide."

"I agree. But now I suggest we do what we came here to do. The whole Sookie being a fae thing will have to wait." I agreed with Eric and followed him down to the dungeon. Gods, I hated being down here. Before we entered the office, Eric stopped and turned to me.

"What did you need to tell me?" The words were on my lips but I couldn't say them; not when Pam was still in danger. "After. Let's save Pam first." Eric nodded and continued to make his way into the basement.

We reached the bottom of the stairs and I gasped when I saw Pam handcuffed to the rotating polls with silver wrapped around her. It was awful to think that the Magister had put her through torture for the past two days because of Sophie-Anne. It seemed that most of our problems led back to her.

"So you want me to marry you both? And you're both willing?" The Magister looked up when he saw Eric and I enter the basement but he didn't say anything. "Yes, we are. Now, can you get on with it?" Edgington seemed on edge. There was definitely more to this than a combining of powers and how did marrying Sophie-Anne save Pam? When the Magister was done, he turned to look at Eric and smirked.

"Now, back to business. I assume you have brought the traitor to me Sheriff Northman because I don't think your precious protégé can handle any more questioning." I saw Eric's heartbreak as he looked over at Pam and saw the blood trail coming out of both her ears and nose.

"Actually Magister, now that I have you here, there is something I would like to say." The next few seconds seemed to pass in slow motion but there still wasn't enough time for any of us to react. The Magister turned to face Russell and we all watched in horror as swiped the Magister's head clean off his shoulders. Blood splattered everywhere and Sophie-Anne screamed a little.

"I fucking hate the Authority. Now, allow me to show you to your new home, my new wife." Russell held out his hand to Sophie-Anne and she reluctantly took it and then they were gone. Eric then rushed over to Pam and freed her from her chains.

"What the fuck do we do now?" I looked over at Pam and saw that she was slowly starting to heal; she needed to feed. "We panic."

Chapter 27

Once I saw that all of Pam's wounds had healed, I pulled my arm away from her mouth. I wiped away all of the dry blood and waited for my wound to heal. I had offered to feed Pam so she could heal since I was the only option; Pam refused to feed from Ginger. Apparently her blood tasted vile.

"Eric was right, your blood is rich." "I'll take your word for it." Pam smiled at me and I saw the life suddenly appear behind her eyes.

"Why can I smell Alexandra's blood?" Pam and I looked up and saw Eric emerge from the top of the stairs. After Edgington left, Eric rushed back to his place to shower and bring Pam and I some clothes. We both had Magister remains all over us. He handed me a pair of jean shorts and a plain top and threw a bag at Pam. It figured that Pam would have a bag ready for such emergencies.

I peeled off my bloodstained clothes and quickly put on the clean ones as Pam explained to Eric that I fed her some of my blood so she could heal. "Any excuse to taste her blood, right?" "I'll admit, I have been curious about her blood but she did offer. You know I would never take." Eric just smiled at Pam and retreated back to the office.

Once Pam and I had finished cleaning up, we headed back to Eric's office in time to see him throw his jacket on. "Where are you going?" "Back to Russell Edgington's. I have unfinished business there and need to show him that my loyalties still lie with him." He walked over to me and pulled my body against his. "We can talk when I get back," Eric then released me but I pulled him back.

"Eric, we need to talk now. There's something you need to know before you go waltzing back into that house." Eric covered my hand with his own and started running his thumb against the back of my hand. "What is it?"

"It wasn't Apollo who told Sophie-Anne about me. It was his twin, my aunt, Artemis. She told Sophie-Anne and I bet she's told Russell Edgington too. She wants to destroy me and she's using our relationship to do it. Be careful Eric, there's no telling what Russell will do to you if Artemis is working with him." Eric kissed my head and I felt his lips linger there for longer than they had to.

"I will Alexandra, I promise. I have some unfinished business to take care of then I'll be back and we'll figure out a way to stop your aunt. Until then, keep an eye on Compton. We both know he's up to something." I nodded then watched as he vamped away.

"Any idea what unfinished business he's talking about?" I turned to look at Pam who nodded, "none. I don't even know who Russell fucking Edgington is and why your aunt would want to use him. And what the fuck is this about Compton?" "That's another story. Is my car still here?"

Pam nodded then passed me my keys, which were hanging on the wall behind her. "Thanks. I've gotta take care of a couple of things back in Bon Temps but I'll be back before sunrise. In the meantime, I suggest you open up. We have to act as normal as possible right now."

"Alexi? What are you doing here?" I smiled when I saw Jessica. With all the greyness in my life right now, her smile brought some much-needed light. "I'm here to see Bill. Sookie asked me to drop something off for him." Jessica didn't even ask what I was dropping off; she simply moved aside and let me in. "I'm off to see Hoyt so just tell him I said I'll see him when I get back," then she skipped down the drive and vamped away.

I walked into the sitting room and saw Bill standing by the fireplace with his head in his hands. "We need to talk," Bill spun around and curled his lip when he saw me. "How did you get in here?" "Jessica let me in, then she left for Hoyt's so it's just you and me. So tell me, Bill, have you been working for the Queen this whole time or do you truly love Sookie?"

He vamped over to me but I didn't move. I curled my hands into fists and looked him dead in the eye. "I have no idea what you're talking about." "Sure you do. The Queen wants Sookie and you're her procurer. Doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out. Now answer my question, do you truly love Sookie?"

"Of course I do! How dare you accuse me of such a thing! Yes, I did work for Sophie-Anne as a procurer but I am on vacation as I have previously explained to Eric when I took up residence in his area. I thought you two had better things to do in your spare time than discuss what I use to do in my spare time." "Oh trust me, we do. You just come up every now and then like an annoying rash. Cut the bullshit Bill; no one stops working for the Queen. Now, tell me why you're really here. And if you are here to procure Sookie for Sophie-Anne then I assume you know what she is."

If I hadn't gotten into a similar confrontation with Bill before I wouldn't have expected him to lunge at me and he would have the upper hand. However, this time I anticipated his attack so I was able to move out of the way and catch him mid-air. I swung him around and sent him crashing into a wall, leaving a Bill-size hole behind.

He got up and ran at me with full force, knocking me off my feet. He jumped on me and I felt my nose break as he punched me. I kicked him off of me and quickly jumped to my feet. I looked around the room for any form of weapon I could use against him and smiled when I saw a silver candlestick on the top of the bookcase. Well, it looked silver to me and I was praying that it was. While Bill stumbled to his feet, I rushed over to the bookcase and pushed it over. The glass door on it shattered and all the contents fell out. Before Bill could register what was happening, I had grabbed the candlestick and lodged it in his shoulder.

His cry of pain confirmed that the candlestick was silver and I wasted no time in running out of the house and into my car. I think our little tango confirmed my suspicions.

I bit my tongue to stop myself from crying out in pain as I twisted my nose back into place. I managed to remove all the blood from my face before I walked into Sookie's; she didn't need to know that her boyfriend and I just had a massive showdown. I walked in and saw her curled up on the couch.

"Alexi, thank god." She ran up to me and wrapped her arms around me. I hugged her back and followed her back to the couch when she released me. "I should have that reaction to seeing you. Alcide told me about Bill draining you. What happened Sook?"

"I don't remember much. One minute I was sitting with Bill in the back of Alcide's van, and then I woke up in a hospital bed. Apparently he had drained me to the point of near-death, putting me in a coma." "They said you need blood but that you don't have a blood type. How did you wake up?" Sookie looked down at her hands in her lap for a few moments before looking back up at me.

"Bill turned up at the hospital and gave me some of his blood which healed me. I suppose it was only fitting." I nodded in agreement with Sookie and watched her as she started to slowly cry. "Hey, don't cry. You're safe now." I wiped away several of Sookie's tears and held her until she calmed down.

"I know but that's not all that happened. After I woke up, I told Bill I couldn't be with him anymore, especially after everything that's happened. It's been such a rollercoaster since I met him. I don't know how you do it with Eric. It's like trouble just follows vampires around."

"Trouble follows me too so I suppose that's how Eric and I deal with it. We just work together. I think that's what happens when you meet the one you're supposed to be with, everything just falls into place." Sookie nodded and leaned into me. "I guess you're right. I just need some good news for once."

She looked up at me and smiled. It was now or never. "Sookie there's something I have to tell you and I don't think you're going to like it." I had to tell her what she was. I wasn't sure if I was going to mention how Bill had confirmed it all to me though.

"The Vampire Queen of Louisiana is after you." "After me? Why and how do you know?" Sookie may want every detail but there were some things I wasn't willing to tell her. "I have my own battle with her and it led me to find out about you. I was at her nest earlier today and I bumped into your cousin Hadley."

"Hadley? What was she doing there? I haven't seen or heard from her in years!" "I know, she told me. She's one of the Queen's pets and when I was talking to her, she said something that sparked my interest. Anyway, one thing led to another and she revealed to Eric and I why the Queen wants you."

Not the full truth but I wasn't going to tell her that Eric practically sucked the information out of her. "Why? Alexi, what the fuck is going on?" "You're part fae Sook. As in, part faerie."

The colour drained from Sookie's face and she just sat there for a long while. "I'm a fucking faerie?" "Only part which explains your telepathy and your light, that's what the fae call it. It also explains why the Queen is after you."

"I'm glad it does to you cause I still have no fucking idea what is going on." I threw my head back in frustration and took a moment to compose myself. "There's a reason why the fae are afraid of vampires; your blood is addictive to them. To a vampire, a fae's blood tastes like ice cream and chocolate and pancakes; everything sweet. It's also the reason why faes are very hard to find and why the Queen wants you."

Sookie took in a deep breath then looked at me. "So I'm in danger again?" "Unfortunately yes. Which is why I need you to come with me to Fangtasia so I can keep an eye on you; we can't trust anyone right now." I held out my hand for Sookie to take but she shook her head. "No, I want to stay here. I'll be safe as long as I don't invite any vampire in. You go. Besides, I don't think I can be around any vampires right now, especially now I know I'm a vampire's perfect meal."

I told her that under no circumstances was she to let any vampire in the house, even if it was Bill. Before she could question me, I made her promise me, which she reluctantly did. Before I left for Fangtasia, I grabbed my blades and handed Sookie a wooden stick with a point on it; I just hoped she wouldn't hesitate to use it if the time came.

Chapter 28

"You know we have a front entrance? I'm not sure if I like you using the back one since you were the one who broke it last time." I looked up from the file Eric had on Compton and saw Pam standing in the office doorway in a very tight but attractive corset. The Olympians would have a field day with her.

"I'd prefer to avoid another confrontation with a low-life vampire. Besides, I used the key this time; your door is safe. Speaking of your club, you all closed down? I can keep an eye on things while you go to ground for the day."

"Just threw the last one out myself. And as much as I appreciate it, don't you need to sleep too?" I raised my eyebrows at Pam and smirked. "You say it as if I'm up to something. I do but I'm still running off adrenaline right now and sleep is the last thing on my mind now that Eric has wandered back into Edgington territory. Besides, if any unwanted guests do happen to wander into your fine establishment," I bit the inside of my cheek and watched as Pam rolled her eyes at my comment, "I'm sure I can handle it better than Ginger."

I could see that Pam was contemplating my offer. Unfortunately, she didn't trust me like Eric did but that wasn't to say she didn't like me. Eric once mentioned that in the past, she had zero tolerance when it came to those that Eric wished to spend his time with but not with me. I took that as a good sign that she did like me. Before Pam could answer, we both jumped when Eric vamped into the office.

My mouth dropped open as I took in his appearance. He was wearing the same clothes as before but his shirt looked as if it had been ripped open and he was covered in blood. I could tell it wasn't his but it still made me panic. He also held a gold crown in his hand: the same one that I saw in Russell Edgington's mansion.

"Eric, what the fuck happened?!" Eric stopped pacing and turned to look at Pam. She was just as startled as I was but she managed to hide it better than me. I suppose that she had gotten used to it over the years. "I just killed the lover of Russell Edgington. We need to get out of here."

"You did what?" I stood up and moved to stand in front of Eric. He briefly looked down at me then turned his attention back to Pam. "We haven't got much time so I need you to go to the apartment and grab everything we may need if we've got to disappear. I'll explain everything when you get back." Pam vamped off without asking any questions.

Eric then turned to walk out of the office but I grabbed his arm and pulled him back. "Oh no, you don't Mister. You're not leaving this office until you tell me exactly what the hell happened and what possessed you to kill Talbot. I know we're both worried about Artemis working with Edgington but he's still a 3,000 year old vampire. He's too strong for you to take on your own and I don't know if I can defeat him with Artemis in his corner. She's the best huntress out there."

"I had to do it. I had to seduce Talbot in order to get him alone so I could stake him. I have my reasons." My jaw dropped at Eric's confession. What part of 'my vampire' meant he could seduce another vampire? When all this was over, we were going to have a talk about it. "Then tell me your reasons Eric because all it looks like to me is that you have a death wish. The only way we are going to get through this is if we work together. As a team."

He threw the crown on the desk then grabbed me and slammed his lips against mine. His mouth moved roughly against mine and I could tell by the hunger of the kiss that this was all Eric wanted right now but we didn't have time for it. I grabbed his shirt and pushed him up against the wall. "That isn't going to work right now Eric. You have to start talking and explain this to me right now."

"Edgington took the one thing I held dearest when I was human and I only recently found out about it. So, naturally, I took what he held dearest so he could feel the pain he once caused me. It'll be easier to kill him this way." "I don't suppose you're going to explain to me what it is he took from you?"

"That isn't what's important right now. We need to get out of here before Edgington finds us although I have a feeling he'll be somewhat happy if he finds you." "Eric, what else are you not telling me? If this is about Artemis, then we both need to remember whom we are dealing with. She's as ruthless as Apollo." I released Eric and he held my hands in his.

"Before I staked Talbot, he told me that Russell was working with someone else to get to you: Artemis. Russell had agreed to remove me from your life and in exchange, Artemis would ensure that Russell could use you to do his bidding without the interference from the other Olympians. I can't allow him to use you like that."

"How could I have been so stupid? I always knew of the bond between Apollo and Artemis but I never thought that her hatred for me was this deep. Artemis always remained a virgin and I thought it was because of her hunt; she didn't want any distractions, not even Orion. I didn't think it was because of the relationship she has with her twin. That would explain why she would want to tear us apart: our relationship displeases Apollo and she would do anything for him. What she doesn't realise though is that despite everything, Apollo has done to me, he loves me and he would never come between a love bond. I just hope that if it comes down to it, I won't be alone in facing Artemis. We can't defeat Russell and her alone."

Eric pulled me into his chest and just held me. I wasn't going to lose him and I would do everything in my power to make sure he didn't lose me either. He kissed my forehead and I took the moment to take him in. He made me stronger, and I needed his strength now. "What did Edgington take from you, Eric?" Before Eric could answer, Pam vamped back into the office with a small luggage bag.

"Oh, don't tell me you can fly too." "Afraid so Goddess. Now, if we're to get out of here, we need to do it now. The sun will be up soon which means we won't be able to leave Shreveport until tomorrow. Until then, we need a place to hide out."

"We could go to mine. Sookie once said that the house had a basement so it shouldn't be too hard to find the entrance." "No. That will be the first place Edgington looks for us and I need to keep you safe. We need to go somewhere safe, somewhere close by too, maybe," Ginger chose that moment to enter the office and I couldn't have been happier with her choice of timing. Eric must have agreed with me because his face lit up and he turned to face her.

"Ginger, where do you live?" "About a 10 minute drive away. Why? Does this have something to do with the vampire authorities outside?" Great. Could this day get any worse? Eric quickly removed his blood-stained shirt and slipped on a clean one that Pam had bought for him. "Ginger, you're going to stay in here with Alexandra while Pam and I deal with our guests. Can you manage that?"

Eric didn't need to glamour Ginger to get her to agree; she would agree to whatever he told her. She nodded then screamed a little when Eric and Pam vamped out of the office. I then went back to the desk and continued looking at Compton's file while Ginger wondered silently around the office.

"I've never known the master to keep the same pet around for a long period of time. What's your secret?" It only took me a few moments to register that Ginger had referred to me as Eric's pet, so when I did look up, I saw that she was serious and not trying to make light of the situation. I took in her appearance and let out of a sigh of frustration. She was never going to understand.

"It's probably because I'm not his pet, more like his partner or whatever it is that vampire's call their girlfriends." "Girlfriend? But he's your superior!" I threw my head back and let out a genuine laugh.

"More like his equal. There's more to me than meets the eye, which is why I can handle Eric both in and out of the bedroom. Now if you're done asking questions, I have some work I need to get on with."

Ginger shut up after that which I was thankful for and I was able to spend the next hour looking at the finances and books of the club. Everything looked fine so I suppose that was a plus. It wasn't long after Ginger had passed out on the small couch that Pam and Eric returned. Eric came around and sat opposite me on the desk and Pam pulled a face when she saw Ginger.

"God, it's still here. Let me get rid of it." Pam then picked up Ginger and vamped towards the back door. I stood up and held Eric's head in my hands while I placed a soft kiss to his forehead. "What happened?"

"We're on lockdown for now until the Authority comes to a decision." "A decision on what?" Eric looked up at me and I felt myself melt into his blue eyes. I don't think I could explain the amount of love I felt for this man. "On whether they believe if Edgington was the one who killed the Magister and if they trust me enough to kill him like I volunteered to."

"I suppose it won't be a hard decision after what he did a few hours ago on the news. Just get some rest for now. It's been an eventful night." Eric stood up and held me close to him as he sat down on his desk chair. He pulled me onto his lap and I snuggled against him and felt sleep consume me a few moments later.

It took me several moments to open my eyes when I woke up and figure out where I was. "Even when you sleep, you look beautiful." I looked up and saw that I was still in Eric's arms. I rubbed my eyes and swung my legs around so they were touching the floor. "Only you would compliment me while I still have sleep in my eyes. Have you slept?"

Eric didn't answer me. Instead, he picked up a blood-stained cloth and wiped away the blood that was forming by his ears. I took it off of him and continued to wipe away his bleeds while he just watched me. the intensity of his gaze gave me shivers. "When all this is over, I say we take a well-deserved break. It'll be nice to spend time with you without having to constantly look over our shoulders for the next threat."

Eric pulled me flush towards him and started placing small kisses along my jaw and my neck. I felt his arousal and allowed myself to melt into his touch. "We're needed now." Eric made no move to stop what he was doing when he heard Pam's voice. I looked at her and saw that she looked just as bad as Eric; sleep was obviously not a priority for them right now. Eric bit into my neck and I threw my head back in pleasure as I felt my own arousal grow within me.

Not long after, he pulled away and sat up then left the office with Pam. I had nothing to do but wait and pray that the Authority believed Eric and Pam's innocence. I could feel myself falling asleep again but the sound of the back door opening and closing again jerked me awake. I looked up and saw Sookie enter with Bill following close behind her. His fangs snapped out when he saw me but I don't think Sookie noticed it.

"What are you doing here Sook? Is everything okay? And why are you with Bill?" I didn't trust Bill anymore and I was preparing myself for whatever was going to happen. "I needed to find you and figured you'd be here. And he's with me because he saved me from Edgington's wolves last night."

"What? You were attacked? What happened?" "I'm fine. Bill and Jessica were there to protect me although something protected them. About halfway through his attack, Edgington left and that's what saved us." That must have been when he felt that Talbot had been killed. I suppose it was Eric that saved them then. I then saw Bill reach over to hold Sookie's hand and she made no attempt to move away. That wasn't something that people did once they had broken up.

"What's going on here? Last night you told me that you broke up with Bill Sookie?" Bill then chose that moment to finally speak. "Was that after you lodged a silver candlestick in my shoulder? I had to wait until Jessica got home to help me remove it. I would have gotten to Sookie's much sooner if you hadn't attacked me."

"Attacked you? Is that where you were before you came home Alexi?" I rolled my eyes in frustration at Sookie; always believing the first thing Bill said. "Me attacking you? Funny, I thought it was you who attacked me first. It's not my fault you're predictable and I was able to retrain you before you broke another one of my bones."

"You sound just like Eric, you're not willing to accept any responsibility for your own actions." "Who sounds like me?" I looked up and saw Eric and Pam walk back into the office. "Ahh, Sookie and Bill, what an unexpected surprise. How can I help you?"

"Well, I for one would like to know why Alexi felt the need to attack Bill with silver last night." I threw my arms up in frustration and sat back down on the office chair. This argument was going to turn into another game of cat and mouse and I don't think any of us has the energy for it.

"Did he also tell you that he broke my nose and it hurt like a mother fucker to put straight?" Sookie's face dropped and she turned to look back at Bill. His fangs were out but the sound of Eric's fangs snapping out made me smile. "You're not the only one who has fangs in this room Compton so I suggest you put them away."

Bill made no indication that he heard Eric and continued to stare at me. I could feel the tension in the room growing and I'm sure Sookie could too. "Would someone tell me what the fuck is going on here because right now, I don't know who to believe!" Sookie pulled her hand away from Bill's ad turned to face him. When he didn't say anything, I figured it was down to me.

"Bill knows your part fae Sook and I wasn't the one that told him."

Chapter 29

It was times like these that I wished I had laser vision like Superman; shame something so obscure wasn't real. I could feel Bill's eyes on me and all I wanted to do, was fry his ass with my own glare. After I had revealed to Sookie that Bill knew of her ancestry, Pam chose that moment to reveal her new nickname for Sookie. It's safe to say that Sookie didn't find 'Tinkerbelle' as amusing as Pam did. Since then, the room filled with extreme tension and no one dared to speak.

I could see Sookie's mind running on overdrive as she tried to process everything that had happened to her over the past few months and how it links back to her being part fae. I knew that she needed to get her own mind around everything before she asked any more questions. She then moved away from Bill and stood next to me. All I wanted was for Sookie to be safe and if that meant Bill couldn't be in her life then so be it.

"I need to talk to Alexi alone for a bit. Is that okay?" Sookie's question was aimed at Eric who simply nodded and made his way out of his office. Pam followed him and I felt a small smile tug on my lips as Eric squeezed my hand on his way out. "That means you also have to leave to Bill." Bill opened his mouth to protest but quickly shut it and vamped out of the office when Sookie turned to face him.

"What exactly happened between you and Bill? And please don't lie to me, Alexi. Right now my mind is a pile of goo and I don't know who or what to believe." I grabbed Sookie's hands and held them in mine.

"When I was at the Queen's palace the first time, Eric revealed to me that Bill used to work for Sophie-Anne as a procurer and at the time, I didn't think anything of it." "A procurer?" "Someone who is asked to get something or someone and they deliver it. Kind of like a hired thief." Sookie nodded and I could see that hearing this was making her upset. She loved Bill with all her heart and finding out he's something else was breaking her heart.

"And now you think that the Queen sent Bill to procure me?" "He denies it by saying that he stopped working for the Queen when his house became available and maybe he's right and is innocent but too many things that have happened lately have led back to you."

Sookie pulled her hand away from mine and started pacing Eric's office. "Just explain to me why you jumped to this conclusion and why you think Bill doesn't love me because right now all I'm getting is that you've made an assumption based on a few facts that happen to revolve around me."

"It isn't just an assumption Sook. People don't just stop working for the Queen and what are the chances that your cousin, who was the one who told Eric about your heritage, is the Queen's favourite pet and Bill used to work for her. Your cousin mentioned your relationship with Bill to me only moments after I told her I knew you so she must have heard it from someone else. I'm not saying he doesn't love you, he probably does, but I'm not going to sit back and let him hand you over to Sophie-Anne because she wants the collection."

"So that's why you went over to his and attacked him?" "I did not attack him!" I saw Sookie stumble back as I raised my voice. "I'm sorry Sook, I didn't mean to scare you. Look, I went over to his to confront him on my theory and give him the opportunity to explain himself but he didn't. Instead, he lunged at me and it turned nasty between us but I didn't have the intention to hurt him when I arrived at his. I may have a black heart at times but I don't do things without reason."

"The Bill you're describing doesn't exist. He saved me last night like he always does when I'm in danger so I can't believe that it was something other than fate that bought him into my life. I know you probably think I'm naïve because you have years of life experience than me but I need to follow my heart now and my heart is telling me that Bill loves me and it's all a big misunderstanding."

"I don't think you're naïve Sook. In fact, I think you're one of the strongest women I know. I just wish that you remove the curtain of love for just a moment and see how this looks from my perspective." I could tell that Sookie wasn't going to do that. She loved him and that meant she would find every excuse for his behaviour.

"Knock knock. I need to speak to Alexandra. Do you mind Sookie?" Sookie shook her head at Eric then quickly left the room. I smiled as I watched her leave then sat on the edge of the desk. I felt exhausted and the night had only just started. "Put your war face on lover, we still have to deal with Edgington." I looked up and Eric walked towards me. I pulled him towards me so he stood in between my legs and rested my head on his chest.

"This warrior is too exhausted to come out and play. Now I know why I'm at my best when I stay on Olympus; there isn't this much drama." Eric laughed and the way his chest moved made me smile. "I just spoke with Pam and realised the best way to deal with Edgington is to kill him when he's at his most vulnerable. If we start to run, we'll never stop and I have a feeling you won't leave Sookie any time soon."

"You got that right. So what's the plan? He won't be vulnerable from Talbot's death now, he'll be angry and will want revenge. What do you have in mind?" Eric starting running his fingers up and down my arms and it was sending shivers through my body.

"Compton mentioned something outside that got me thinking." "I don't know if I like where this is going." Eric laughed again and placed a finger under my chin and lifted my head up. "It doesn't involve Compton. Pam quizzed him on him knowing if Sookie was part fae before you mentioned it and he said that he only suspected it after he nearly drained her and was able to walk in sunlight for a few moments without burning."

"So what you're suggesting is that we offer Edgington the ability to day walk without telling him it only works for a few moments then stand back and watch him burn. I like it, its dark and twisted and the perfect way to end such an evil man."

"Your dark side is an extreme turn on. But there's just one problem. Bill was only able to walk in the sun because he drained Sookie to near death. Which means Edgington will have to and he won't do it unless he sees me do it first." And there was the needle dropping. In order to save our arses, we had to put Sookie's on the line.

"This isn't going to be pretty but we have to do it. You go and find Edgington and convince him to come back here and I'll deal with Sookie. Before you go though, did Pam bring me any spare clothes to wear? I need to change." Eric nodded and threw me the bag that Pam returned with the night before. I reached into it and pulled out what looked like one of Pam's outfits. It was black leather catsuit with a plunging neckline. I was about to put it back in the bag when I saw a post-it attached to it. I pulled it off and groaned when I read it out loud.

"'Because Eric and I want to see you play warrior in this.' Is she serious?" Eric laughed and slipped on his jacket, "well she isn't wrong and you'll fit right in," he kissed his lightly on the cheek then vamped off. Knowing I had nothing else to wear, I quickly changed and slipped on my boots. I reached into my bag and pulled out my sai blades along with their holder, which I fastened around my waist; a girl would never be too prepared.

"That looks better on you than I expected." Pam's words drew attention to me as I stepped into the bar. Sookie's eyes widen when she saw me but she didn't say anything. "It's a good thing that we're friends Pam and that this doesn't look half bad. But next time, please get me something from my own wardrobe?" Pam simply smirked and went back to applying her make up.

"Where's Eric?" I looked up at Bill who stood beside Sookie and let out a sigh of frustration. "Yeah, about that," I turned to look at Sookie and spoke my next words to her, "unfortunately, the Queen isn't the only one who is a threat to you right now." "What do you mean?" And another one bites the dust.

"You used your light on Edgington which means it won't be long till he finds out what you are and when he does, he'll stop at nothing to get you. Russell Edgington likes to surround himself with special people and I'm no exception. He wants me too but we don't have time to get into that now." "But why would he want someone who is part fae? And how would he find out about me being part fae?"

"Edgington forced the Queen to marry him which means he will have access to her and your cousin so it won't be long until he finds out. Also, a vampire who is as old as he is would have heard stories about how fae blood affects vampires. Fae blood is intoxicating to vampires and it can allow them to walk in the sunlight, even for a moment. Which is why Bill didn't burst into flames after he drained you."

Sookie looked over at Bill then back at me. This was definitely way too much information for her to process. "Okay, now I understand why he would want me. And I'm assuming that you're telling me all this because you have a plan to kill Edgington and you need my help?" I nodded and Sookie let out a sigh of relief; if only she knew.

"Do you trust that I will never allow someone to hurt you to the point where I can't help you of heal you? What Eric and I need from you won't be painless but I won't allow you to die." "I trust you and nothing is ever painless when it comes to us." I smiled and pulled Sookie into a hug.

"What does she have to do?" We both looked over at Bill but before I could say anything, Sookie did. "It doesn't matter Bill. We have to work together to get rid of a threat that affects us all. Edgington captured you and had Lorena torture you. None of us are safe as long as he's alive."

"Not torture him but kill him and she couldn't even do that. I'm so glad I was invited to join the party." I looked up and saw Russell Edgington make his way into the bar with Eric following him. "I mean, after Mr Northman killed my beloved, I thought I was out of the band. But now, I have the ability to walk in the sun and it was an invitation I couldn't turn down. After you Sheriff."

Edgington indicated to Eric and he vamped over to Sookie and dragged her to Russell. Bill moved to stop him but Pam vamped to him and pulled him back. She held him up against a wall and I threw one of my sai blades at his shoulder. It sunk into his flesh and lodged him to the wall.

When I heard Sookie's screams fill the bar, I spun around and saw Eric and Edgington draining her. After hearing the amount of pain she was in, I silently prayed to the Gods and asked if I was doing the right thing because I currently felt like the worst best friend in the world.

Chapter 30

The sight of Eric and Russell draining Sookie became a blur in my mind. After what felt like forever and after Sookie had stopped screaming, Eric and Russell both stood up. Russell had a huge smile on his face whilst Eric didn't look too comfortable.

"Fantastic! What a sweet taste! I now know why you're very fond of her Compton." I turned around and saw Bill growling at Edgington. He was still pinned to the wall because of my blade and Pam was standing by in case he did manage to get free. This wasn't personal, but we couldn't allow him to ruin our plan.

"After you Northman." Russell indicated towards the door and Eric smiled then walked out. Once the door was shut, we all quickly headed behind the bar to watch Eric on the CCTV monitors. I held my breath but released it when I saw that he wasn't burning. Well, I'll be damned. He turned to face the camera with a grin on his face and indicated for Russell to join him.

Both Pam and I looked at Russell and beckoned him to do so. The smile on his face only grew as he walked towards the door and joined Eric outside. Now this was the moment of truth. Edgington needed to believe that it was permanent otherwise the plan wouldn't work. We looked back and saw that he was talking to Eric but we couldn't make out what was being said.

"Release me so I can give Sookie my blood. She's dying," Pam and I looked back at Bill who was trying to break free. I quickly ran over to him and pulled my blade out and watched as he made his way over to Sookie and feed her his blood.

"They're burning." Pam's voice pulled me back towards the monitors and I saw that Eric had handcuffed Russell Edgington to himself. "Why would he do that? Why didn't he just handcuff both Edgington's hands together?" "You obviously don't understand the effect the sun has on us and how weak it can make us."

"Point taken. I'll be right back." Pam nodded as I made my way out of the club. I managed to only open the door slightly before slipping out and preventing much sunlight from getting inside. I rushed over to Eric who was laying down in the car park with Edgington next to him. I could see their flesh burning and my heart broke at the sight of Eric in pain. I rushed over to him and kneeled down next to him.

"Our beloved Alexandra. Be a dear and help us." "I'm not here to help you, Edgington. You've caused us nothing but pain and now your own selfishness will be your downfall. And don't count on Artemis saving you; she doesn't like it when you can't keep your end of the deal." Russell's eye widened at the mention of Artemis. Without wasting another second, I pulled at the handcuffs and they broke in half. I wrapped Eric's arm around my shoulder and pulled him up and back into the bar.

I placed him down on one of the tables and saw that Sookie was up and walking. I looked over at her and gave her an apologetic look as she held onto Bill. I plan on apologising fully but right now, Eric needed to heal. I grabbed one of my blades and pulled it across my wrist then held it to Eric's mouth.

"C'mon Erastís Mou, you have to drink. There's no way I'm letting you stay looking like this." I could feel that Eric had started to drink my blood and slowly, I saw his skin start to heal. He reached his arm up and pulled my wrist closer to his mouth. I could feel the blood leave my body with such urgency and just as I felt my legs give way, Eric wrapped his other arm around me. He pulled away and smiled when he saw me.

"Did you really think I wouldn't know when to stop?" "It only crossed my mind when I suddenly felt weak." He laughed and then I saw him bite his tongue. Before I could ask him what he was doing, he licked my wound and the blood from his tongue healed it. "I didn't want you to have to wait for it to heal." I grinned at him then threw my arms around his neck and crushed my lips to his.

Eric wrapped his arms around me and pulled me closer to him as his tongue pushed it's way into my mouth and started to fight for dominance of the kiss. I felt every nerve in my body come alive because of Eric's touch. He really was the one I was destined to be with and I don't remember the last time I was this happy with someone.

"Alexi? I think we should make a move." I pulled away from Eric and looked over at Sookie who was wiping the blood away from Bill's noise; he needed to go to ground which meant Eric and Pam also needed to go to ground for the day. I looked back at Eric who just nodded at me then let go. "We have a spare coffin here for you Compton." He nodded then leaned down to kiss Sookie. I was never going to understand that relationship.

"Now that all this is over, would it be possible if we could spend a night together? I think there' still some items in my lingerie draw you haven't seen yet." I smirked when I heard Eric growl and took that as a yes.

"Hey, have you slept?" Sookie looked up at me and shook her head. We hadn't spoken much on the way home from Fangtasia and because I felt so bad, I told her that I was going to catch a few hours sleep, which I managed to do. I woke up still feeling tired but better than I had slept.

I sat down opposite Sookie in the kitchen and watched her as she drank her drink. "How do you feel?" "Better. I suppose I've gotten use to being drained now." I winced at her words and reached across the table to grab her hand. She relaxed when I held her but I could still feel her shake a little.

"I'm sorry about what happened. I knew it was going to happen but I didn't tell you because I was afraid you were going to say no. I know it was really selfish and shitty of me and I'm thankful it worked. I just wished you didn't have to go through all that pain. It killed me to just stand there, knowing that I couldn't do anything about it."

"I understand. We've both done some unthinkable things to each other and as much as they suck initially, they have good intentions behind them. And I also know that your boyfriend wasn't too keen on fang-raping me." It was only after I saw the smile on Sookie's face that I threw my head back and laughed. Not only did I find what Sookie said funny, but I was also relieved that things weren't going to be strange between us. I loved Sookie to pieces and all I wanted was for us to be okay.

"Speaking of that boyfriend of mine, did you know he almost had sex with Talbot?" Sookie chocked on her drink and started coughing. "Come again? Eric nearly had sex with Russell Edgington's lover?" I reached over and took a sip out of Sookie's drink and nodded. "Yup. He said he needed to seduce him so he could stake him but that's all I know. I don't know how far it went but I do intend to find out."

Sookie then erupted into another round of giggles, which I joined in on. "Is it really over? Is Edgington gone?" I nodded and saw Sookie exhale in relief. After Eric, Pam and Bill had gone to ground and before we left the club, I checked the monitors and saw that there was no sight of Edgington except for the half of the handcuff that was around his wrist. The bastard had finally burnt to death and I couldn't be more relieved.

"I'm gonna go see Bill when the sunsets. I know you two have your issues but I love him and I know he loves me so maybe you could just be nice when he's around? I'll make sure he does the same because I know you're capable of doing." I smiled at Sookie and ran my thumb over the back of her hand. "Just be careful Sook. Make sure it's what you want because I wouldn't want you to settle just because you think you're not gonna get any better."

"I'm not settling with Bill. I love him and I know we'll always be together. Trust me okay?" I nodded then watched as Sookie got up and headed upstairs. She was probably going to catch a few hours sleep before tonight. It had been a hectic few days for us all.

"Sometimes a quickie is all you need." I looked over at Eric, who was still lying on the floor and threw a pillow at him. He caught it with his vampire reflexes and laughed at me. Eric's idea of a 'quickie' was anything that lasted less than an hour, which was something very rare for him.

I got up off the couch and stepped over Eric who was yet to move. He watched me as I picked up my robe off the floor and wrapped it around my naked body. "This is why I prefer it when we have crazy passionate sex at my apartment, you can stay naked. Here, you have to cover up so Sookie doesn't walk in on us as she did in my office." "More like barged in on us and it is technically her house so the least we can do is cover up after we just had sex on every surface in the living room."

Eric grinned then caught his jeans as I threw them at him. I could hear my stomach rumble and groaned. I hated eating in front of Eric. He told me that he doesn't mind because it's what I live off but I still felt really awkward. Just as Eric put his jeans on, his phone went off and I silently thanked the Gods because it was my opportunity to quickly stuff my face. I literally bounced into the kitchen and opened the fridge the door. However, my happy mood suddenly dropped when I saw that there was nothing in there. I suppose it made sense considering neither Sookie nor I had been home in a while.

With a sour look on my face, I made my way back into the living room and sat next to Eric on the couch. When he finally hung up, he wrapped his arms around me and pulled me into his chest. "I hope that was the last time I ever have to hear the name Russell Edgington again." "So what did he take from you when you were human?" Eric looked down at me and I turned around so I was facing him.

"It was a few months before I was turned by Godric. My family was slaughtered by some wolves. They killed my mother, my father and my infant sister. I fought back and managed to kill one of the wolves but when I did, it turned into a human and bore a mark on his neck. It wasn't until I saw that mark on Edgington's wolves that I realised he was the one who killed my family."

Eric then did something I had never seen him do before; he started to cry. His blood-red tears started to fall from his eyes and all I could do was pull him into a hug and I just held him. It must have been traumatic for him to live through that and his only reaction would have been revenge. I now understood why he wanted Edgington to suffer; killing him wasn't enough. Edgington took everything that Eric loved away from him and that was something I could relate to: I lost my mortal family too.

"I get it, Eric. He needed to pay for the pain he caused you but he's gone now. He's never going to hurt us again." Eric looked up at me and I smiled at him. I gently wiped his eyes with my hands and kissed him softly on the lips. "So, are you going to tell me what happened between you and Talbot?" Eric smirked and kissed me on my forehead.

"Jealous lover?" "Of Talbot? No, he's dead. I just want to know exactly what happened cause I have this image on you laying down and Talbot on top of you…" Eric cut me off by placing his hand on my mouth, "I wouldn't have allowed it to get that far. The most we did was kiss. I kept my pants on." I laughed and launched myself at Eric. He laid back and held me firmly around the waist whilst I was on top of him.

"That's a relief. So what do we do now that no one is trying to kill us? I'm assuming the Queen will leave you be since she'll inherit all of Edgington's riches." "Now we do whatever we want to do. How about we go to Paris? I hear it's beautiful this time of year and I have an apartment there that hasn't been used in several decades."

"Paris sounds amazing. There's just one problem." I looked down at Eric's bare chest and started to trace small objects on it with my fingers. "There's no problem. Pam will be okay here by herself and I'm sure Sookie is out of danger now." I looked up at him but I couldn't match his smile.

"It's not that. I still owe Athena, which means she can call me at any time and when she does, I have to go. Time runs differently on Olympus. I could be gone hours but to you, it would feel like days and I don't know how long I'll be gone for. I don't want us to be somewhere so romantic and I have to leave without you and not know how long I will be gone for."

I didn't realise I had been crying until Eric wiped away my tears with his thumb. "It's okay. What are a few months to a vampire? I won't go anywhere and I'll live off TruBlood if I have to." I laughed and slammed my lips against Eric's.

"I wouldn't want you to live off the synthetic stuff. Just promise me you'll be waiting for me when I get back? I need to know that I have something to come back to."

"Always." Eric kissed me softly then flipped us over so he was now on top. His hand starting moving us my leg and I shivered when his hand lightly brushed my core, which was growing wet with every second that passed. I thrust my tongue in Eric's mouth and heard a low moan erupt from him. I tugged on his bottom lip and began unbuttoning his jeans. Just as I was about to take off my robe, Eric stopped kissing me and held my arms.

"Sookie." Before I could question him, the front door slammed open and I heard Sookie scream at Bill. "Stay away from me Bill! I never want to see you again and I rescind your invitation to this house." I quickly got up off of Eric and rushed out to the hallway. I saw Bill standing at the bottom of the porch and Sookie crying her eyes out in the hallway. I ran up to her and pulled her into my arms. I looked around and saw Bill walk towards the front door.

"You heard her Bill. Now get the hell out of here before I end you!" "This is all your fault. you spiteful bitch! You put ideas in her head because you couldn't handle that she was happier in her relationship than you are in yours. I'm surprised Eric's kept you around this long…"

I had no idea what Bill was planning on saying next because out of nowhere, Eric appeared and literally kicked Bill into next week. One moment he was standing there, the next it was just Eric. I felt Sookie tighten her hold on me as I watched Eric walk back into the house and close the door behind him. Sookie then pulled away from me and held up a pile of papers.

"You were right! He was procuring me for the fucking Queen! I can't believe I fell for it. He fed me his blood so I would fall in love with him and I fell for it. It was like a dream come true. I have to get out of here. I need some air." Before I could stop her, Sookie was out the door and left me standing with Eric in the hallway. If I had known that I wouldn't see her again until a year later, I would never have let her walk out that door.

And there you have it! I hope you all enjoyed it and please review!