Next update. Hope you like it.

:K

Chapter 32. New Friends

Sookie POV

I didn't expect the first day back home to be so hectic, but seeing Rhys badly hurt, I had no choice but to help him. What else could I do? Helping someone in distress can't be ignored, but I'd have preferred to take him to the hospital instead of letting him go.

"That young man had something weird..." I heard my Gran mutter. "His eyes were very familiar, as if somehow I had already met them."

"Yes, truth is that it has been a bit weird. We shook hands and I felt...I really don't know how to describe it. But it doesn't matter anymore, we've helped him and he's gone. I just hope he's okay and goes to see a doctor." I would have taken him wherever he asked me to but he seemed very anxious to go. However, if I saw him again, I'd make sure he was fine. And if I knew where he lives, I'd bring him a good home-cooked meal.

"Sookie, are you hungry?"

"Yeah. Wait, I'll help you to prepare something for lunch."

There were no more surprises or new appearances of men seeking help or injured, but I kept thinking on Rhys. Where would he be? Had he got home safely? What if he was more hurt than he looked? What if I didn't help him enough?

"I know what you're thinking, sweetie, but you can't go looking for him. You don't know where he lives and it wouldn't be polite of you to harass him. Besides, I do not know why, but I'm glad he's not around." My eyes were wide open 'cause I couldn't believe what I just heard. Gran always offered to help others no matter what, and now she suddenly seemed different. "Don't look at me like that, my dear, sometimes you have to be a little suspicious in life." And after taking her plate to the sink, she asked me to pick up everything while she went to get the clothes from the washing machine.

I wondered why Gran mistrusted Rhys like that, but it didn't seem right to get into her mind without permission to try to get some information. When it came to family or friends I didn't use my gift unless it was an emergency. However, I wanted to understand her behavior, so I followed her and asked her directly.

"Sookie, I've already told you, sometimes it's not a good idea to trust strangers, and it's a big coincidence that he showed up exactly when we got back to town, don't you think?"

"It doesn't matter, coincidences exist," I replied simply, almost justifying myself. Why was I doing it? "But I believe it surprised me that you showed yourself so..."

"I don't trust him, Sookie. And although I'm not sure why yet, you should not spend too much time with Rhys, if you ever meet him again."

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

It was already dark and I was sitting down on the porch swing waiting for Eric. Despite being winter it wasn't like in New York, and in Bon Temps I could be outside wearing only a light coat or wrapped up in a blanket as I was at that time.

"My lover, don't you know it is dangerous for a beautiful young woman to be alone in the dark with monsters stalking?" I looked up and saw him descending from the roof. I smiled at him and took the hand he offered. "What are you doing out here?"

"It's good temperature, and I missed this. In New York it was impossible but here... Come, sit with me." Eric glanced at the swing, arching an eyebrow, studying stability and convinced that it'd break with the extra weight of his muscular and toned body. "How was everything in the club? Is it still standing or the desperate fangbangers have knocked it down?"

He laughed and placing an arm over my shoulders he drew me to his chest. "Fangtasia is still standing, but our customers have enjoyed our return more than usual." He did not have to explain it to me, I knew perfectly well what he meant. "I had to sit on the throne for hours because Pam told me that after a week without showing up the fangbangers would be eager to see me, but believe me, I kept thinking only about you. If you had been there sitting down next to me the night would have been very different. But at least we've had some fun."

"What does that mean? Should I be worried?" I asked half jokingly and half seriously. "Did Pam kill anyone and drank its blood in the middle of the dance floor?"

"No, my angel...but it was close." I lifted my head and looked at him with concern. "Calm down. One of the fangbangers was very interested in Pam, and she let him know that she wasn't. He tried to touch her ass and she threw him against the wall. The guy was a jerk but he came out alive and walking on his own foot. What worries me is that I'll have to call someone to fix the hole." It shouldn't have been funny but I couldnt help it. After what happened during the day I needed to relax and disconnect. "What about your day?"

"It's been...peculiar."

"Tell me about it."

"First, where's my kiss?" Said and done. His lips were on mine before blinking and I moaned at the same time I sat down on his lap. I had missed him so much...and it had only been a few hours but being away from him...I hated it.

"Wow...it's been intense, my angel. I see you've missed me."

"You don't know how." I giggled like a schoolgirl but I didn't move. I was so comfortable in his arms that I did not want to get away from him. "I have felt strange all day, almost as if I wasn't sure of what to do and after what happened this morning..." Uh oh...it just escaped from my mouth and I hadn't even decided whether to tell him or not.

"What happened this morning?"

"Ummm...well, it really was nothing important..." But I wasn't going to be able to change the subject. "Hey, I need you to promise me that you won't get mad or fly away when I tell you, okay?"

He did not answer just stared at me waiting. "This morning Gran and I were cleaning the house a little, and she went to the kitchen and suddenly I heard the backdoor opening and then she was screaming. I ran and found a badly wounded man who could barely stand up. I walked inside and got the first aid kit and helped him. I walked him inside, sat him down on the couch and took care of healing his wounds a little. I insisted on driving him to a hospital or at least calling a doctor but he flatly refused."

"Who was he?"

"No idea, I don't know him and I have never seen him in town. He said his name was Rhys...but he did not mention his last name. The fact is when I insisted on driving him to his home he also refused, and left walking as if nothing happened. I was surprised but the weirdest part was..."

"What?" I don't know why but Eric's apparent calm worried me a lot. "What was the weirdest part, Sookie?"

"I felt something when I touched him." I just said and it was stupid because I instantly understood how bad it had sounded. "I didn't touch him in a romantic way or anything like that. I shook his hand when we introduced ourselves and it was at that moment that something happened between us. As if a very powerful force was inside him and tried to get into me when we touched." His jaw was so tense he looked like a wax figure. "Eric, I swear I didn't..."

"Calm down, my love, I'm just trying to understand what may have happened, that's all." He assured me but I did not believe him.

"Aren't you mad?"

"Why would I be?" I kept looking at him for the most insignificant detail to give me the clue that he was faking, but Eric Northman knows how to stay neutral when he wants to. "Sookie, of course I hate other men trying to approach you because I want you only for myself, but I also know you are unable to deny your help to those who need it."

"Who are you and what have you done to my fiancé?" He laughed, but I wasn't joking.

"My lover, this conversation is really amusing, but I believe you're exhausted after a very long day." He stood with me in his arms and began rising until we reached the house's roof.

"I thought you were going to get me into bed," I whispered, clinging to his neck and staring at the starry night.

"Soon, first I wanted you to enjoy the views from up here." In the distance I was able to see the lights that went off one by one. People were already getting ready to go to bed while I stood on the roof between the strong arms of my undead fiancé. "Tell me, did Rhys look attractive to you?" I rolled my eyes and giggled.

"Yeah, he was handsome but he can't compare with you. Something strange happened to Gran while Rhys was in the house." Perhaps it was just my imagination. "You know she's the perfect hostess, and she's always willing to put others' needs ahead of her own."

"I know very well, Sookie." And I saw in his face that half smile I adored. "Please continue."

"She didn't trust him as if he was hiding something, and I don't understand why. Rhys was hurt and we only helped him, but when I got him inside home she behaved very strangely, whispering that we should have taken him to the hospital even if he refused. I told her that I couldn't force him, and when he finally left, she began telling me that there are people we can't trust and that she didn't like that man."

"In which way?"

"No idea, she talked about his eyes being familiar to her, as if she had seen them before. But I'm sure I've never met him." I shook my head trying to forget. "Look, maybe it's because we just got back and now Gran knows everything about Niall and what he's planning. She may be nervous and she's telling me to be more careful."

"I wouldn't be surprised, Sookie, that woman has taken care of you since you were a child and just wishes you to be safe. I don't think it's a bad idea that she didn't trust that man. He was a stranger and it was very opportne for him to show up suddenly, don't you think?"

"Wow...that's exactly what Gran said. But I believe it was just a coincidence, right?"

"Maybe. Come on, it's late and it's starting to get colder. I don't want you to get sick and you need to rest." We descended to the windowsill and walked into my bedroom without making a noise. Eric closed the window and lit some of the candles that rested on the bedside table. The room looked very romantic and Eric laid down on the bed while I undressed. I knew he was enjoying the show so I chose a very suggestive nightgown that I put on slowly.

"Is that new?"

"Yep, something I bought before the trip but I left it here. You know," I said as I walked to the bed, "a girl has her secrets." I laid down next to him and started unbuttoning his shirt slowly. "You are all dressed up for your first night at the club. Should I be jealous of one of those girls?"

"My lover," he grabbed me and I straddled his waist, "can you feel it?" Yes! "There is no woman on Earth who can provoke and seduce me as you do. So no, I only dressed up for you." I couldn't contain myself and tugged at his shirt, the buttons scattered everywhere, but I was having too much fun to care. "Anxious?"

"Yes."

Since Gran slept in the next room we had to be very quiet, but I'd make the effort. Eric turned us and was on top of me, kissed me passionately for several seconds, and then he slid down to my hips, kissing every inch of skin he found in his path.

"Eric..."

"Shhh, my lover, do not make a noise." But his wicked smile indicated that it wasn't going to be easy.

I didn't even bother putting on underwear, the nightgown was sexy enough and I knew Eric loved it and wouldn't tear it apart, but the rest? It was simpler and faster this way. So when I felt a breath of air between my legs, I groaned uncontrollably. My vampire was an expert in oral sex, and his tongue was causing me enormous pleasure.

"Oh...please..."

"Be a good girl, Sookie, or I'll stop." He warned me.

I writhed and made as little noise as possible, but the bars of my bed hit the wall several times. I prayed Gran was sound asleep, but I had to let my hands go to cover my mouth when I reached my orgasm. It was so explosive that I knew I would have screamed.

"Oh God...Eric..." I muttered as he laid down beside me and I was able to articulate a few words.

Pulling the hair off from my sweating forehead, he stared at me with a shy smile on his lips. "I love you, Sookie, and I can't wait to marry you. I wish so much for you to become my wife that I'd do it this very night. If you asked me, we'd fly to Vegas to get married before dawn." A nice detail but I preferred a more intimate and romantic wedding.

"I love you too, sweety, but I won't wear my beautiful gown in a tacky chapel in Vegas." And we laughed together.

"I'd like to take you home with me, but I know you want to spend some time here with Adele. Although I'll miss you. My bed looks gigantic when you're not in it."

"That's because your bed is already giant without me laying on it." I joked, but it was true. "Hey, I'm grateful that you didn't send anyone to watch us. Amelia's protections work very well and I don't think Niall dares to show up here to harm us. At least not until he has an army that outnumbers us."

"Believe me, it's not easy to leave here knowing you will be alone."

"I can take care of myself, Eric."

"I know."

Eric POV

As soon as I left Sookie's house that night I called Pam to send some spies – vampires or shifters – to Bon Temps, Shreveport, and other nearby towns in search of the mysterious Rhys.

As I walked into Fangtasia through the back door, Pam was already waiting for me in my office. I still had business to deal with, and the first of them had name of a man.

"Does our Sookie have a fan?" She asked with her usual sarcasm. "Give me some clue, Eric, because I'm beginning to be curious about what you asked me to do."

"Have you found him?"

"No, because there is no man named Rhys who has ever been involved in a car crash or a fight. There are no records in the police or sheriff databases, but perhaps no one knows about it."

"Well, I want you to keep looking for him, understood? Find him and make sure he's still alive to ask him a few questions." About my fianceé, to beging with. "I think he might be part of something bigger. You know I've never believed in coincidences."

"Then I'll find him."

I sat down in my comfortable chair and Pam stood in front of me. "Maybe she might help us…"

"No!"

"But…it's imposible she has more information than we do. They share the same blood…"

"I won't ask Claudine Crane for help. It's because of the fairies we are in this situation. Talking and sharing information with her would only alert Niall, and for now it is not what we need." But if Sookie was right and Fintan was still alive, wouldn't we have to collaborate with him after all? Which I didn't like either because no matter how much he proclaimed he was against his father's decisions, he was still his son.

"Is there anything else I should know, master?"

"We're at war, Pam," I stood up and walked to her, "as we have been on other occasions. You are my right hand, a ruthless warrior who fights endlessly for a victory." I tucked a strand of blond hair behind her ear, then placed my hand on her cheek. "I'm giving you the option to walk away if it's what you want."

"Eric…"

"Wait, listen my words first," I said, interrupting her. "I am facing a powerful enemy who is obsessed with my future wife. You are aware of what obsession can do to a mortal, and it is much worse when it comes to beings like us. This is not your war, you won't win a prize to participate or get the pleasure of drinking the blood of your enemies. If I want to overcome I can't allow my lips to rub the fairies' necks, otherwise I'd be defeated and Sookie snatched from my arms by a monster."

"I'll fight, Eric. Sookie is also a friend of mine." I smiled satisfied. "But if I can kill a few fairies…that will be my prize." That was just what I wanted to hear her say. I never imagined her accepting my offer to leave, but I had to provide her with the alternative.

"Alright. Come on, our audience is waiting for us."

XXXXXXXXXXXXXX

I only had a couple of hours before dawn but I needed to settle one last issue before coming back.

"I'll see you tomorrow, guys. I'm sorry the meeting lasted so long but when we finish this job we'll have a few days off." The rest of men dispersed in their vehicles – mostly trucks – and the parking lot was completely cleared off except for one.

"Herveaux."

"Northman, what brings you here? Do you need reforms?" Despite being a werewolf, he was not the worst. I have often needed his services, and not just for the house.

"I need your help with a personal matter."

"Isn't it always the same thing?" He answered sarcastically with another question. "I hope the payment is worth it 'cause right now I'm doing very well with my 'legal' job and I'd even be willing to pay the debt I owe you and not work with you again."

"Have you done?" I was already impatient for him to stop talking and listening to his nonsense. "All right. Now I want you to give me your full attention, understood?" Alcide only nodded. "Have you ever heard of someone named Rhys? Or any fight that has taken place nearby?"

"No, but I can ask."

"Do it." I ordered.

"May I ask why?"

"You just report to me, as always. When the work is done, I'll pay you what we agreed, or maybe more if the information and your contacts are worth it." And I left, knowing that I'd hear from Herveaux pretty soon.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXX

As soon as I got out of my car, I smelled Pam's scent in my house. I wasn't surprised she was there after our conversation at the club, and somehow I felt comforted when I walked in and saw her sitting down on the couch.

"Pamela, what a surprise."

"I have news," she said simply, catching my attention. I took off my jacket and threw it on the armchair not very carefully, and sitting down beside her. "No one knows him or sees him. As far as Shreveport is concerned, that Rhys guy does not exist."

"And are those the news?"

"Yes, Eric. Because 'nobody' has ever seen him, don't you understand? There are no records and we don't even know his last name. I think you might be right that it's not a coincidence that he showed up in Bon Temps. Rhys could have been sent the momento Sookie returned home for some reason. And we both know one person with that idea in mind."

"Brigant…"

"But I don't get it. Why would he risk himself by sending a spy?"

"I believe because he's convinced that it won't matter if we find out. That Rhys guy hides something, I dont know what he's up to, but it has to do with Sookie, and I don't like it at all."

"Then tell her to come to Shreveport to stay with you. I could also be with her and we would be sure no one would approach her. It's the best option, Eric, we both know it is." Yeah, it was what I would have preferred after coming back from New York, but I respected Sookie's wishes, and I was beginning to think I shouldn't have. I should have tried to convince her that she'd be safer with me. "She's so stubborn." I chuckled because yes, when something got into her head there was no way to go against it. "And I also know she won't leave that house unless Adele gets her to."

I arched an eyebrow at her. "Eric, she's the key. Sookie is an independent woman but you know she respects that woman's opinión above all else. So, why don't you talk to Adele alone? It is possible that she agrees with you and can explain to her granddaughter it would be best to remain in Shreveport until Brigant is dead and turned to dust."

"I'll think about it."

"Don't think too much because there is a possibility that something terrible happens before making your decision."

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

When Pam left to the other bedroom to rest I stayed in the huge living room watching the fire burning. I wasn't cold – my body did not suffer temperatura variations – but it reminded me of the nights I'd spent with Sookie in this same room and made me feel better.

"I know you hate me to show up like this but it was necessary." Claudine's voice echoed throughout the room and I clenched my fists instead of moving at vampiric speed and drinking every last drop of her blood. "Is Sookie safe?"

"She is, in her own home for the moment."

"What?!" She snapped. "Are you insane?" If she pretended to get out alive she wasn't doing a very good job. "With Niall's threat in the air is not very smart to leave her alone, don't you think?" I did not deign to answer. "You must go get her, make her hide until you two are ready. Even send her out of the country, to some protected place where even fairies have no access."

"Do you really believe Sookie Stackhouse accepts orders from anyone?" Claudine was going to speak but I got ahead. "And even if she did, I wouldn't force her to do something she hates. You know she would never leave home and her family without good reason, so forget it. Besides, I am very capable of protecting her, even better than you have done."

"I despise Niall as much as you do, Northman, but you're blinded by love. Sookie is becoming your weakness, and if you can't see what's coming, then you won't win. And Rhys will get…"

"Rhys? What do you know about Rhys? Do you know him?" I asked desperately as I heard her say his name. "Speak!" I got up so fast that she stepped back. I liked she was intimidated. "You'll tell me right now everything you know about Rhys, because I refuse to believe he's just a newcomer in Bon Temps who had an 'unfortunate' car crash. Who is he?"

I saw in he reyes tha there was a story I'd hear soon, so I invited her to sit on the couch and I did the same but kept the distance. "You are correct to think Rhys did not show up in Bon Temps by chance, he was sent by Niall. I listened to them when my grandfather told him what to do. And I wanted to kill them both, but trying to would have been stupid. Instead, I showed myself furious because Rhys and I…" She sighed heavily. "Rhys and I had a relationship, if it can be called that way. Actually, what happened was that we had sex with the hope that I could be impregnated and thus raise the next fairies generation. But it didn't work. It never worked."

"And he lost interest."

She nodded but I saw no sadness in he reyes. "I did not love him." She hastened to add. "But I was disappointed because I was unable to get pregnant. I only used him for a single purpose and he didn't even serve that purpose. But when I listened him obeying Niall's orders, I wished to kill him and prevent him from approaching Sookie, but if I had done it…"

"Brigant would have discovered your plans."

"If he doesn't already know them." It was a possibility in which I preferred not to think too much. "Rhys was sent through the portal to pose as a man in distress because Niall knows it's the only way Sookie would look at him. If he had tried to flirt with her in a bar or a mall…she wouldn't have paid him any attention."

"So Rhys is a fairy."

"Yes, and he is powerful as well as very smart in using his talents. He can seduce women with great ease, barely touching them." Touching them? Of course, that's why when he shook hands with my fiancée she felt a force trying to take control of her body. "That's why you should keep Sookie safe, away from him. And if you can kill him, do it as soon as possible."

"Wouldn't you prefer to do it?" I asked sarcastically.

"If I have the opportunity, I will. But if you catch him sooner and feel as generous as to give me the honor of doing it, it would mean a lot to me." I could see in he reyes that she was really on our side. Maybe her main target was not that Sookie and I were safe, maybe she just wanted to destroy Rhys and her grandfather at the same time. "Do not waste time, and act before he does. He is powerful but he's not invincible."

Claudine disappeared before I could answer but she provided me with useful information. I'd have to look for Rhys on my own and warn Sookie that he was more than just a human. Now I could carry out a chase to capture and use him for my own benefit. Soon Niall will learn that playing with Eric Northman has serious consequences.

Niall POV

"My lord, I have news."

"Continue." Since closing the portal for the rest of the species, just me and a few chosen by me were the only ones that traveled between dimensions. It was the most efficient way to control the population and to avoid unexpected visits, but it also had a bad side. I could no longer contemplate the human world with the same clarity if I did not materialize myself in it, so the help provided by my spy to inform me was essential.

"I have established contact as you asked, and our bodies touched. However, I believe there may be a problem that I did not anticipate from the beginning." I urged him to continue. "The old lady does not trust me."

I laughed at the absurdity of the comment. "Of course not, Rhys, but she doesn't know anything. She may have given birth babies with part of fairy blood, but she has never been able to understand our species' secrets. Do not worry about Adele, if the time comes, I will take care of her." I walked to the first line of trees that gave access to the lands where the house was situated and I looked at the place. "There is a very powerful magic here, and somebody makes sure the protections are strong, but they are not enough. You got through that shield because you did exactly what I told you."

"That's right, my lord. I showed myself as a man looking for help and deceived on that magic. It wasn't difficult, it's not a powerful spell."

"It is for now, but do not underestimate the vampire or Sookie. She is more powerful than she looks, and when she is in my power, our species will rise big and strong as it once was."

"My lord, I have a question to ask, and I'd like the answer to be as expected." Rhys was efficient and obedient but also ambitious, and I had an idea of what he was going to ask for.

"Go on."

"The young woman you sent me to court, the beautiful Sookie." I smiled, waiting for him to keep talking. "I never imagined that she might be such a magnificient creature and since I was entrusted with the mission of making contact with and seducing her, I would like to be the first to possess her when she is taken home."

Obviously I wouldn't have sex with her - I'm not a monster - but I was going to allow the fittest males to do it. Rhys was always one of the best specimens, and before our curse to expand our race, he fathered several babies.

"Your request will be granted when Sookie has been sent to Fae, not before. Remember it and complete your mission. Otherwise you will get nothing but my anger and exile." Kneeling in front of me, he showed me the devotion I demanded to all my subjects, and then he walked away to the outskirts of the town.

"Very soon, my dear, your life will be full of sun and beauty. You won't know a place more beautiful than Fae, and never return to this dark world dominated by blood-drinking monsters." I murmured in the window's direction belonging to her bedroom. "Sleep, little one, sleep."

Sookie POV

I woke up sweaty and breathing hard and grabbing my cell phone from the nightstand I saw it was six in the morning. The sun hadn't yet risen completely, and suddenly I felt alone and anguished in the still dark room. I missed Eric, and now I needed him more than ever.

I did not have a nightmare that made me wake up in those conditions, but I know something happened. Maybe it was just a strange feeling or perhaps what took place the day before made my mind unable to relax. Anyway, being away from Eric always made me nervous, as if being apart was the key for our enemies to attack us.

"Come on, forget it already." I said to myself.

"Forget what, my dear?" I cringed at that voice, terrified and paralyzed.

Niall Brigant.

But how?

"You are not wrong to be afraid. I am closer than you think and I might even snap my fingers and take you with me wherever I wish." I tried to react but I was unable. "I have seen your powers grow, but do not bother," and suddenly I felt like a defendless child, "you are no match for me. Besides, I do not want to mark your body with wounds, otherwise, how would you attract to your future bed companions?"

"Go to hell!"

"Sookie, Sookie, Sookie...what a way to speak to your great-grandfather." I scolded her. "But do not worry, you will soon learn to respect me and fulfill my desires."

"I'll die first!"

I woke up terrified and realized that I had been dreaming. However, I was not aware of it when opening my eyes the first time. Which meant Niall was manipulating me in my sleep, which had never happened with Eric resting beside me.

"A dream..." But looking to the right I saw the window completely open. It was real, he was here and he could have killed me if he wanted. "Eric...I need you."

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Getting up early after being unable to fall asleep again has its advantages, and when Gran walked into the kitchen to drink her coffee, I had already prepared a feast on the table.

"My God, Sookie, what is all this?"

"Oh, nothing special. I've missed breakfast here with you and I got up early to have it ready." I went over to the counter and poured her a cup of steaming coffee. "Here and sit down while I take care of the rest."

After a few minutes I realized I was the only one not eating, and Gran put down her silverware on the plate. "Honey, what's going on?"

"Nothing..."

"Sookie, please, I thought the lies were over." She reminded me. "Is about the young man? Rhys?"

I hadn't even thought about him or what had happened the day before. "Not at all. But I think I feel strange since I came back. It's only been a few days but leaving Bon Temps has changed me and it's like I no longer feel safe in my own home." I believed she would tell me that I was behaving childishly, or that it was just typical nerves caused by having to arrange a wedding, but she said nothing. "I think Niall was here last night. At home, I mean, and he even threatened me although I don't know very well why he did not act."

When looking at her I saw her worried and very distressed. Yes, we had agreed that I wouldn't hide anything relevant from her again, but perhaps there should be an exception. "Gran, I don't want you to worry but..."

"We can't stay here, sweety." She said simply. "This has been a most obvious sign to tell us that staying in this house is no longer the best option. If Niall can enter just like that..."

"Wait, Gran, wait a minute, okay?" I needed to breathe and clear my mind. "I'm very confused, you understand? I'd prefer thinking that his visit was a dream or a nightmare, but I am convinced that everything was real. Still, do you believe we're in danger?"

"No doubt." She replied, and it sounded so convincing that I didn't need t repeat the question. "Sookie, I've lived in this house for my whole life. I've raised my children and grandchildren in it, and I thought I'd die in this same place, but now..." Taking my hands, she stared into my eyes. "I won't endanger our lives just by being too stubborn, sweetheart, and I believe we'll have to leave our home for a while. Do you think you can do it?"

I was going to marry Eric, and then I'd live in another house with my husband, but I didn't think I would have to change my residence so soon. Also, I was fuirous at having to make huge changes in my life just because a crazy man wanted to kidnap me to carry out his twisted plans. But was I prepared to leave my home? And more importantly, would Eric be willing to open the doors of his house to us so suddenly?

"Sookie, please, don't risk your life just for..."

"I won't, Gran. Tonight, as soon as the sun goes down, I'll call Eric and explain it. In the meantime..." I hesitated a moment before continuing, "pack and collect jewelry and personal items. Take all the legal papers and your ID. I'll do the same and when I've talked to Eric I know he'll have a vehicle at our door to take us with him."

"Sookie, are you sure? What if he doesn't like the idea?"

I chuckled. "Don't worry, he wants this more than we do."

A new update and I really hope you like this one.

Let me know what you think by leaving me a review.

:K