Since our return from Rhodes, I had been working as much as I possibly could, which wasn't making Eric very happy. But, I had to do something to keep my mind off my guilt. Eric kept telling me there was nothing more I could've done, that I'd done everything within my power to warn everyone about what was going to happen. My head knew he was right. If I'd done anything else to stop the bombing, I would've risked my own life and the lives (so to speak) of all the Louisiana and Texas vampires at the summit.

My heart, however, didn't seem to get the picture. I tried my best not to watch the news, but, it was inevitable. The rubble that had once been the Pyramid of Giza hotel was nothing when compared to the Twin Towers in New York, but, it was bad all the same. Although there was no way of identifying vampire remains, they were still trying to identify humans so their families could have some sort of closure.

Eric was feeling extra stressed as well. The worse of it started a few days after we got back.

We were watching a movie together at my place when he suddenly tensed up. When I asked him what was wrong, he stood up and walked away while pulling his cell phone out of his pocket. Part of me was mad he ignored my question, but the rest of me was scared something had happened to Pam.

When he returned to the living room, he simply sat back down next to me. He didn't say anything for a moment, and then finally ran a hand through his hair while sighing.

"Sookie, I understand you are struggling right now with what happened in Rhodes. The last thing I want to do is cause you more stress. However, as we have agreed to be open and honest with one another, there is something I must tell you." He definitely had my attention.

"Tonight, I have felt something I have not in several hundred years." He paused again, frustrating me even more, so I made a 'hurry-up' gesture with my hands. "Sookie, I have felt the presence of my maker."

I was stunned. What little Eric had told me about Appius Livius Ocella had me convinced I never wanted to meet the man. I was sure him being anywhere near us would not be good in any way.

"He is at least a few hundred miles away and not currently getting any closer. But that does not mean he won't be coming here. I do not know why he is suddenly so close, but I am going to do my best to find out."

I sat in silence for a few moments taking in this new information. To be honest, I wasn't quite sure how to react. Eric's maker had taken him away from his life, his family, and murdered him. He'd treated him horribly for decades, and according to Eric, tortured him for centuries. And, even though Eric never came right out and said it, I suspected he'd raped him time and time again as well.

"Eric, I honestly don't know what to say about this. But, what I CAN say, is that I'm grateful you told me. I appreciate you're not trying to keep me in the dark about things that affect my life." I reached out and took his hand, giving him a small smile. I was discouraged when he didn't smile back.

"I have called Pam to inform her of his presence as well, and she has shared some, unfortunate, news with me. It seems Sophie Anne's secretary sent a fax to Fangtasia, containing list of all high ranking vampires killed in the bombing. Although Russell Edgington of Mississippi survived, his new husband, Bartlett Crowe of Indiana, did not."

I felt tears begin to pool in my eyes. Russell and Bart had just gotten married at the summit. Unlike most marriages between vampire monarchs, theirs had not been a political alliance, but a love match. I hadn't spent more than 30 minutes with Bart, but I'd gotten to know Russell, at least a little, when I'd been in Mississippi. I knew he'd be mourning his husband, and felt a deep sadness in my heart for him. It was just another reason to regret not having done more.

Although Eric hadn't been contacted by his maker, he said he could still sense his presence nearby. Between that and my guilt over the bombing, we were off to quite the rocky start in our relationship. Pam and Amelia both kept trying to get me to spend more time with him, and I'm sure Pam was working the same angle with Eric as well. I knew he wasn't ignoring me because he didn't want to see me. As a couple, we were fine. It was our individual situations that we were needing to work on.

So, I let him do his thing, so to speak. And, at least to some extent, he allowed me to have my extended pity party. I knew that somehow, eventually, I'd be able to move on with my life. Never in a million years would I have guessed what would cause me to take that step.

I'd had a rather long, exhausting day. The Bellefleur double wedding had taken place, but it hadn't turned out nearly as expected. Sam was hired to serve at the reception, and I'd volunteered to help out. However, a few hours before we were due to begin setting up; I'd gotten a phone call from a rather frantic Halleigh. Apparently, her good friend Tiffany was sick with food poisoning, and Halleigh now needed a substitute Bridesmaid. Since I wore the same size dress, and we were actually becoming good friends, I was the first person Halleigh had thought of.

Although I was hesitant, I agreed, and let Sam know he'd need to replace me. As I made my way to the Bellefleur mansion to be "done up," I left a message for Eric on his cell phone, letting him know what was going on. There wasn't any concrete reason he'd need to know, but, for once it just felt really great to be able to tell someone I cared about what was going on in my day.

The wedding took place during the evening, because Portia Bellefleur's fiancée wanted to invite some of his clients who were Vampires. Although the dress was a bit tight, and the shoes were so small I was sure my toes would be blue by the time the night was over, I must admit I looked pretty good. The professional hair and make-up person Halleigh had hired did a really good job, and I was sorry Eric wouldn't be there to see me.

That's why I almost fell over with shock when I saw him sitting in the audience during the ceremony! He was sitting next to Bill, of all people. I knew Bill had been invited seeing as he was distantly related to Andy and Portia, and I hadn't been looking forward to seeing him. However, seeing him and Eric next to one another, both in tuxedos, did set my heart aflutter. As much as I disliked Bill Compton, I could admit he was handsome. Just not nearly as handsome as Eric was.

The ceremony was nice, but I was glad when it was over. Halleigh seemed a bit twitterpated when I introduced her to Eric, and I had to force myself not to reach over and close her mouth, which was hanging open slightly. She hugged me, and whispered that she was happy I'd found such a hunky guy who genuinely seems to care for me.

Once we'd been at the reception for a about an hour, Eric asked if I was ready to go home. Apparently it was obvious that my feet were killing me. Eric offered to drive us both in my car, since he'd driven his corvette to my place, and then flown to the wedding from there. We were both surprised to see Alcide on the porch chatting with Amelia when we got there. I chose to ignore the soft growl I heard coming from Eric.

"Alcide, this is a surprise. What are you doing here," I asked him.

"Can't I visit a friend without a reason?" he asked, while leaning over to give me a quick hug. This time, Eric's growl was impossible to ignore!

"Sure you can. Hey, how's Maria-Star doing?" I asked. I genuinely liked the female were, and was glad when she'd told me she and Alcide were seeing each other.

"She's doing real good. She's been working for that photographer in Shreveport, and since he's so busy, he's been giving her a few solo assignments. He said he's had nothing but compliments from his customers about her!" It was nice to see how happy he was for her.

"As wonderful as it is to have you stop by to see my bonded, Alcide, does your visit have a purpose, or not?" Eric asked, finally joining the conversation. I elbowed him in the ribs to let him know I didn't appreciate him being rude to my guest.

"Actually, I did come here with a purpose. Well, two actually. First off, I wanted to see with my own eyes that you were alright, considering everything that went down in Rhodes."

"Oh, I'm just fine, thanks. Luckily we all got out before the bombs started goin' off."

"Yeah, that's what I heard. But, I wasn't talkin' about that. I was talkin' about Quinn."

"What about him?" Eric asked, his tone even more cold than before.

"Well, Sook, I know you don't seem to have any problems with Vampires, I was just wonderin' how you were doin' knowin' a whole bunch of them are huntin' him down."

"What?!" I gasped.

"You haven't heard?" Alcide asked, seeming a little nervous.

"Herveaux, I suggest you explain yourself. Now!" Eric barked out.

"Well, rumor has it, after the bombing, Quinn and his sister showed up in Vegas to check on their mom. While they were there, his sister shot off her mouth, braggin' about how Quinn knew the bombs were gonna go off, and he coulda saved a whole bunch of people if he'd warned 'em. But, that instead, he and Frannie just got the hell out of there, keepin' their mouths shut. She said that they were both glad to see the number of vampire fatalities was so high."

It's a good thing I was standing next to the porch swing, because my knees gave out on me. I wanted to believe Quinn had a really good excuse for not warning people. Knowing his background, I guess I shouldn't have been surprised he'd be glad to see vampires go up in flames.

"Stupid Frannie wasn't payin' attention to her surroundings. Victor Madden, who is the second-in-command to Nevada's vamp king, was within hearing distance. He drained her dry without missin' a beat. Ever since then, vamps everywhere have been tryin' to find Quinn. They've put a pretty big price on his head."

I was shocked to say the least. Sure, he deserved to have all those vampires hate him. Now that I'd heard why he didn't warn anyone, I hated him a little myself. But, I was having a hard time with him basically having a death sentence.

Alcide, Amelia, and Eric were, thankfully, silent. It gave me a chance to think. Finally, I decided that I'd just have to be okay with this. If the same thing happened, but the person who was supposed to warn everyone had been a stranger to me, I'd probably be fine with it. Just knowing Sookie Stackhouse wouldn't give Quinn a get out of a jail free card with the vampires, so it shouldn't with me. Maybe I was growing cold, and cynical, who knows.

"As much as I'm sorry to hear that, he did this to himself, so there's nothing can be done to change anything," I said. Thanks to our blood bond, I didn't need to read his mind to know Eric was proud of me.

Alcide left a few minutes later, and Eric and I went up to my bedroom to change. Once I was in some comfy pajamas, I went to the kitchen to get something to eat, and a heat a True Blood for Eric. I noticed the light on the answering machine was blinking.

"Amelia, have you listened to the message on the machine yet?"

"Oh, no, I didn't. I started to, but, it was for you, so, I just stopped it again."

Huh. That was very unlike Amelia. Normally, she's all for invading my privacy, hoping it would get her some juicy gossip. Plus, like she said the first time we met, she has no tact.

I grabbed a few things out of the fridge, and hit play on the machine while I made a sandwich.

"Miss Stackhouse, this is Ms. Buchard, secretary to Sophie-Anne LeClerq. There is a matter she would very much like to discuss with you, and requests that you call her at your earliest convenience. Thank you."

I grabbed the little notebook I had Sophie-Anne's number written down in to call her right away. I was hoping she wanted to arrange to pay me for my services in Rhodes. A voice I didn't recognize answered the line.

"Hi. This is Sookie Stackhouse calling. I received a message asking me to call and speak with…"

"Yes, Miss Stackhouse," I was interrupted. "Her majesty has been waiting for your call. One moment please."

I only had to wait a minute or two before Sophie-Anne herself came on the line.

"Miss Stackhouse, thank you for returning my call. I have a very important matter I'd like to discuss with you, but it must be done in person. Could you be in New Orleans tomorrow at first dark?"

"Oh, I supposed I could. I'd have to check with Eric to make sure he's not busy."

"Actually, it would be best if Eric were not present."

That right there had me nervous. Why would she need to talk to me without Eric there? And, wasn't it against vampire law or something to separate a bonded pair?

"Forgive me, M'am, but, isn't it against your laws to meet with another vampire's human with their uh, master, present?" The word master felt wrong coming out of my mouth, but I didn't know how else to put it.

"Well, Miss Stackhouse, I am surprised. I'm sure Eric would be proud at how you are protecting his interests. You have nothing to be afraid of, however. I have no intention of harming you, or trying to take you away from him. It is because of the respect I have for you, and your blood bond, that I must discuss with you a very interesting proposition I have recently received from Eric's maker."