Charlaine Harris owns almost everything. I own the rest.
All mistakes are my own. Hold onto your hats!
Chapter 4
Sookie stood outside at nine on the dot, but she couldn’t see hide or hair of Bill. She paced the length of the front porch twenty times before his car rolled up. He lived a quarter mile away. Why had it taken so long to get there?
“Are you ready?” Bill asked, standing at the bottom step and glancing at the closed front door before taking her in from head to toe.
“I am, thank you.” She took the steps carefully. The last thing she wanted was to fall in front of him.
He held her door open and then took his seat as soon as she was safely inside. He drove in silence for the first twenty minutes, occasionally glancing at her, and then he said, “You look very pretty.”
Sookie scoffed. “I don’t get you. I ask you to take me out and you say nothing about the way I look, and now, you’re doing an errand for Eric and you can’t stop looking at me.”
“I always thought you were beautiful.”
“You never said so,” she retorted. “If you don’t speak your mind, how am I to know? I can’t read it, remember?”
“I know he came to see you. Has he claimed you?”
“What is it with you vamps and your claims on people?” She rolled her eyes.
“Has he?”
“No!” She crossed her arms over her chest and shifted in her seat until she was facing the window.
“Perhaps that is the reason for tonight’s visit.” Bill scoffed. “He wants to humiliate me.”
She bit her tongue. Bill’s jealousy was ugly and it wasn’t her job to soothe him.
When they arrived at Fangtasia, Sookie got out of the car before he could offer, and as they waited for the vampire checking ID, Bill put his arm around her shoulder.
“Don’t touch me,” Sookie said, offering her driver’s license to the stony-faced woman guarding the door.
The vampire snorted and waved them by. “He waits in his office,” she spoke in stilted English.
With little nudges in the right direction, Bill ushered her inside, but instead of taking her to Eric’s office, they stopped at the bar.
“Can’t stay away, gorgeous?” Long Shadow asked as they approached.
“You’ve got me figured out!” Sookie said with fake enthusiasm.
Bill and Long Shadow exchanged a few uneasy glances before Long Shadow said, “Everything okay?”
“We’ll see,” Bill replied.
Sookie frowned. What was it with those two? “Can we go to Eric’s office now? He’s waiting for me.”
Long Shadow mouthed Eric’s name and his scowl deepened. Bill shrugged and then pointed down the long hallway with the sign for the restrooms.
The noise from the bar faded as they walked toward Eric’s office. Sookie’s heart was still racing, but now it seemed to be going double fast. She lifted her hand to knock, but before her knuckles met the wood, the door opened.
Eric nodded to Bill. “Thank you, Compton. Stay close.” He waited until Bill retreated before talking to Sookie. “Looking as luscious as ever,” he said, stuffing his hands into his pockets as if he were having trouble keeping his hands to himself. He nodded toward one of the chairs in front of the desk.
“He thinks he’s here because you plan to claim me and humiliate him.” She shook her head. “I think it’s just so you have an excuse to drive me home again.”
“You didn’t discuss your work?”
“Not with him.” She exhaled. “Let’s get started,” she said, her stomach a ball of nerves.
“Changed your mind, I see.” Eric smiled and slithered up against her, taking her in his large arms. He nuzzled the base of her neck.
A ripple of pleasure moved through her, easing some of the tension out of her muscles. She swatted at him and backed away. “The job.” She chuckled.
“Later?” he asked, his eyebrows making a hopeful arch. “We wouldn’t want to disappoint Compton, would we?” He started laughing, too.
She smiled. “So tell me what’s going on.”
“As you know, someone is stealing from the bar. I think it might be the accountant. It has to be someone who works here. Whoever it is knows what they’re doing.”
“Aren’t most of your employees vampires?”
“Half.”
“What should I do about them?”
“Nothing can be done. Focus on the humans and I’ll worry about them.” He exhaled. “I mean the police will deal with them,” he added.
“Got it.”
“If you find anything. I mean anything that seems off or suspicious, let me know. Only Pam knows why you’re here. You implied you spoke to someone else about your work here. Who?”
“It wasn’t in detail, but my boss and my gran both know where I am. It’s my safety net. If anything happens to me, you’ll have to answer to them.”
His eyes danced. “Noted.”
“Who’s first?”
“Bruce.”
Within ten seconds, Pam came in, escorting a sweaty, balding man.
“Lovely to see you again, Sookie,” Pam greeted, thrusting the terrified man into the chair next to Sookie.
Sookie looked at Eric. He nodded. It was time to work. She reached out to shake Bruce’s hand but regretted it immediately. It was like holding a slug. “Nice to meet you, Bruce.”
His eyes widened and he flinched with every word.
“Don’t worry,” she whispered. “I’m not going to hurt you. I’m here to help.” She was trying to put him at ease and get his thoughts going. She already got a flicker of his thoughts with the brief, slimy handshake. Deciding against holding his hand again, she pushed back his sleeve and touched his wrist. She closed her eyes and opened her mind to him.
She jerked back as his thoughts bombarded her.
Who the fuck is she? Why am I here? God. I know why I’m here. Why did I even point out the problem with the books if I didn’t have an answer as to where the money was going? Lillian doesn’t even know where I am. She thinks I work at a law firm. Why is this woman holding my wrist? Why won’t she let go? Does she know who took the fucking money? I sure as hell hope so, because they think it’s me. Why did I take this job? What’s wrong with me?
Sookie released her grip. She’d heard enough. “Bruce, do you know who took the money?”
He shook his head, making sweat drip off the tips of his thin hair. Sookie recoiled. “I wish I did,” he mumbled.
Sookie looked at Eric and then Pam. “It’s not him.”
Pam grimaced before gripping the driest patch of Bruce’s jacket and yanking him out of the chair. “Come on.” She dragged him out and fear rippled off him in waves.
“Where is she taking him?” Sookie asked.
“To the storage room. He’s fine. If you say he’s not guilty, he’s not guilty.”
In a minute, Pam returned with a woman dressed like the queen of all fang-bangers. For all Sookie knew, she might be. She certainly had bite mark scars to prove it. She’d been ridden hard and put away wet for years and it showed.
“Hi, sweetie,” the woman said to Eric, full of confidence.
Sookie scoffed. Eric hadn’t responded at all. She knew what it looked like when he wanted someone. That wasn’t it.
“Ginger, answer this woman’s questions,” Eric commanded.
“Yes, master,” she said, and she bowed low enough that her ample cleavage nearly spilled out of her low-cut dress. When she sat, she left her legs open, as if she were tempting Eric.
Sookie reached out to touch her, but Ginger pulled away and screamed, “Don’t touch me you servant!”
“Pam, please restrain her.”
Pam happily gripped Ginger’s arms, pinning them to the chair. Ginger squirmed, but she figured out eventually that she was just wasting her energy. Sookie touched her wrist and closed her eyes. Ginger’s mind was the exact opposite of Bruce’s. Instead of an onslaught of thoughts, there were none. But unlike JB’s mind, Ginger’s had been altered somehow. Thoughts floated around, but they weren’t coherent.
“Ginger, who took the money?”
Ginger shook her head and started crying.
“She knows who it is, but there’s no name. No images. Nothing. Like a hard drive that’s been wiped clean.”
“She’s been glamored.” Pam shook her head sadly.
“Does she have any friends?” Sookie asked.
Ginger’s cries turned into wails.
“Belinda,” Eric answered.
“Should she stay or go?” Pam asked Sookie.
“Go. She’s distracting.”
When she and Eric were alone, she whispered, “It’s a vampire.”
Eric frowned and held up his finger. He left the room without an explanation. Moments later, his voice boomed through the bar. “Fangtasia is now closed. Patrons, please leave. Employees, stay behind.” A chorus of questions filled the room. “I said leave!”
Sookie poked her head down the hall and saw a flood of people rushing toward the exit. A handful of vampire remained, including Bill and Long Shadow who still lingered by the bar. Noting the change in venue, Pam brought another woman to the main room, which seemed spacious with all the empty tables.
“Belinda, sit. Pam, lock the doors,” Eric commanded.
Sookie counted quickly. Six vampires. Two humans. Plus Ginger and Bruce in the storage room, wherever that was. Pam returned. “Both doors are locked.”
“Good.” He scanned the room, letting his gaze linger on a red-haired vamp, then the vicious looking woman who had been checking IDs. He looked at Long Shadow and Bill and finally to Pam.
“What’s the meaning of this?” The redhead said.
“Belinda is going to answer a few questions,” Eric replied.
Belinda nodded. Despite the fact that she and Ginger wore the same dress, Belinda looked twice as good in it. Classy somehow. Her fear mounted with each passing second.
Sookie reached out and touched her. “Who is Ginger dating?”
Belinda scoffed. “Anyone who will have her.”
Sookie locked eyes with Eric and she nodded, confirming it to be true. “Here, at the bar. Who is she seeing here?” Belinda didn’t have to say his name. Sookie could see him in her mind, having sex with Ginger in the ladies bathroom. Sookie grimaced and then blinked hard. She couldn’t help but look at the bar.
“It was his idea!” Bill shouted, running for the door.
“You fucking coward!” Long Shadow bellowed, going after him with the wooden handle he’d just snapped off of the beer tap.
The other vampires moved out of the way as Long Shadow tackled Bill to the ground and then sank the makeshift stake into his dead heart. Bill howled and then his skin melted away from his flesh, which liquefied and slowly seeped across the floor. Pam and the redhead held back the petite dark-haired woman, who was obviously excited by the fight. So much so that it took both of them to restrain her.
Eric grabbed Belinda and Sookie, dragging them down the hall to the storage room. Belinda panicked and thrashed against Eric as Long Shadow pulled Sookie out of his grasp and gouged her with the weapon in her low back. White-hot pain split her body in half and she crumpled to the ground. The back of her head hit hard, making her vision blur. Belinda howled with pain somewhere near. The ceiling was replaced by Long Shadow’s ugly face.
“And you.” He spat in her face with each word. “Bill thought you’d be the perfect rent-a-meal. All we needed was start up. Fuck him.” He opened his mouth wide and ripped into her throat.
Holy shit. That hurts. Where’s Eric? Is Bill really dead? Am I dying? Something warm and wet pooled under her head, like a cozy blanket. That’s nice. The commotion from the other room died down along with everything else. She couldn’t open her eyes and screaming was out of the question. Long Shadow crushed her esophagus and trachea. Hey, I remembered the real names. My ninth grade biology teacher would be so proud!
The darkness called to her, willing her to stop fighting. So she did the only thing she could: let go. Just as she exhaled her last ragged breath, the pain in her neck subsided and then something cold and metallic coated her face while a heavy weight fell on top of her. It was like being crushed by a tree, but it didn’t matter, she didn’t need her lungs anyway. She swallowed. How do I know that taste? She swallowed again and again. Power, hunger, strength, and desire. I know this taste. Swallow. The noise from the room returned, but she still couldn’t open her eyes or breathe.
“Get her out of here!” Eric shouted. He did something that made Sookie’s body light, and then she was floating. “Sookie? Hang on.” She wasn’t floating. She was flying. Flying with Eric toward the darkness.
Almost there. She hadn’t taken a breath in a while. How can I breathe with a hole in my neck? How is my brain still functioning? That’s a weird thought. How many seconds is it before I get brain damage? Or is it minutes?
Eric interrupted her internal tangent. “Drink,” he commanded.
She wanted to tell him he was too demanding, that you got more flies with honey than vinegar, that he was a good kisser, but she couldn’t say anything. Something wet touched her lips. The same thing she’d just tasted. Blood! I finally figured it out. Vampire blood! But this blood tastes different. She swallowed faster and faster, latching her mouth over his wrist, feeling better with each passing second.
“Thalia’s gone,” Pam said from somewhere near.
“She’s a loose cannon,” Eric growled.
“Is she going to make it?”
Wait … are they talking about me? I really did almost die, didn’t I? Who cares? I feel amazing!
“We’ll see,” Eric said, as he caressed Sookie’s sticky face.
Aww. He’s worried about me. How do I know that? What happened out there?
All the questions rattling around in her brain came to a screeching halt and everything went black.
What are you waiting for? There’s more! Petulance: Chapter 5
Where was Eric while all happens? We will see in the next chapter.
Bill, R.I.P. Amen.
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Eric was trying to get Belinda to a safe place. Bill and Long Shadow’s plan backfired on them and chaos ensued! Thanks so much for reviewing! First! 🙂
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OH is Sookie going to be a vampire now or a faepire, or is she going to be something else all together. Hair pulling and biting nails, please don’t make us wait a week to find out this cliff hangers ending, down on bended knees begging for a update soon.
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I’m so sorry to make you wait! Faepire is hilarious and a great word to say out loud. I’ve done it twice now. 🙂 Things are certainly going to get interesting! Thanks so much for reviewing!
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It was you, you evil woman! I love that he got some of his blood into her, that’s gonna make things interesting. 🙂
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Who? Me? But I’m so innocent. I would never leave a cliff hanger just lying around. 🙂 Okay…maybe I would. But you still love me, right? Eric’s doing all he can to make sure she’s okay. More next Friday! 🙂 Thanks for reviewing!
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Mmm hmm, you! Lol. 😄 it’s ok. I know you’ll make it better. 😀
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I always make it better, right?
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ugh! killing me here dude! 😀 at least Bill is dead, good riddance. 😉
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That’s how I felt, too. Bill never was good for her, and now that she found out what he REALLY wanted, she’s lucky to be out of his grasp. Plus she’s in safe, large hands. Thanks so much for reviewing!
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I think it’s a good thing that our addresses don’t show up under our avatars 🙂 I have a feeling you’d have to run. That was dirty pool!!! What happened? Is it next Friday? Argh, I can’t wait that long. (Spectacular chapter 🙂 ) patsy
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Thanks for the lovely review, Patsy! I’m definitely relieved I can hide in safety from you all. Don’t hurt me, that’s all I ask! 🙂 Next Friday will provide more answers and bring up lots more questions. Good times ahead! Thanks again!
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Ooh you little…. You really did leave us hangin’ there 😄
But the best part of the chapter was Bill turning into goo ‼️
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Liquidy Bill is the only Bill I like. 🙂 I’m so sorry to leave you hanging… It’s what I do. The fact that you want to read more tells me it’s good so far! 🙂 Thanks so much for reviewing!
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Ha! Nice twist w/Bill in cohorts with Long Shadow
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GabbieAnnie and I brainstormed that little twist ages ago, and now you just need to find out if the queen was in on it, too. I’m so glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for reviewing!
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Wow! I did not see that coming. I figured Long Shadow would try to attack Sookie, something I never understood once the cat was out of the bag, but staking Bill was a shocker. So was his plot with Long Shadow. Hope all that vampire blood helps. Makes me wonder if she will turn. Great chapter.
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Long Shadow and Bill are both creeps in my book. No one should be treated the way they planned to treat Sookie, and now she just needs to wake up! Thanks so much for reviewing!!
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Yay, Bill is dead!!!! Hell of a twist having him working with Longshadow, didn’t see that coming but wonder if Eric suspected since he made Bill bring her… What was Eric doing that allowed Longshadow to pull Sookie away from him? Damn cliffhanger! It’s going be a long wait to find out if she’s ok or had to be turned. I’m thinking she’ll be ok cause she swallowed some of Longshadow and then Eric’s blood.
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Thank you for the lovely review! I’m glad you enjoyed the Bill/Long Shadow twist. That’s GabbieAnnie’s little brain child and I thought it was so great that I had to run with it. Amazing what a little writing prompt can do for me! Your questions about Eric will be answered in good time, as for him at the moment of the attack, he was trying to get Belinda to safety. Thanks again!
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Ding dong the dick is dead!
I love how you are taking this new direction. It is fabulous! I will be on pins and needles until the next chapter.
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LOL I never did like Bill much… Now, there’s no need to worry ourselves over him. 🙂 You can say bye bye to canon, because I’m going to veer so far away you won’t know what hit you. 🙂 I hope you enjoy it! Thanks for reviewing!
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Good Beehl is outta there, but Sookie still got hurt. What’s gonna happen now that everything went sideways? Can’t wait to find out!
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I knew you’d like that little part. Bill never amounted to much in my books. Now he’s out of the picture completely, but his actions have caused ripples that we’ll have to discover later. Thanks so much for reviewing!
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The cliffhanger fairy be damned! Grrrrrrrr
😀 @ Bill’s death!
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I did a little happy dance myself getting rid of him. No one really likes Bill, do they? I just made him more unlikeable than normal. 🙂 Thanks for reviewing! I’ll post the new chapter as soon as I get caught up on these reviews!!
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I don’t know anybody who likes Bill but apparently some do? I think they’d take my women’s club card (like the men’s club, ya know?) if I liked someone who used and abused a woman like he did!
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Yep. Anyone who can’t see he was an abusive and manipulative asshole is sad. It’s that sneaky real life abusive asshole behavior I can’t abide by…
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Nope, me neither. Been there, done that and bought the damn t-shirt factory! Never again, and I fully support ANYONE who wants to get out of a relationship like that.
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I hear you! It bothers me that characters like Bill aren’t vilified more! Sookie’s got better things to do with her time. 🙂
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Don’t we all?
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Yep!
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Can’t wait to see what happens next. Is Sookie healed or will she end up a vamp? As for Bill, good riddance to bad rubbish!
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That’s just how I feel! Bye bye Bill. No one will miss you! 🙂 You won’t have to wait much longer. I’ve had a long week, so I’ve gotten behind on my reviews. As soon as I’m done, I’ll post Chapter 5. 🙂
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Oh you evil woman! Ok that totally was not how I thought things were going to go down! I didn’t think Bill was going to kick the bucket so soon but can’t say I’m the least bit sorry to see him go! Awesome chapter as always and cat wait until next Friday. Oh it’s so far away…
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I hope you still love me anyway. I do love cliffies. 🙂 I’m glad I could surprise and delight you. Bill’s death is always a celebration while I’m writing it. I don’t know why I didn’t experiment with killing him sooner in my ff career! LOL Thanks so much for reviewing! I’ll post chapter 5 soon!
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👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👊🏻👊🏻👊🏻
Exactly what I thought should happen!!
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YAY!! All is right in the world if you’re on the same page with me. 🙂 Of course, you know the basics of what will happen next (since it was your brilliant brain who suggested it!!!), but I hope I can still surprise you a bit here and there! Thanks for reviewing! ❤
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Still loving it! Really love Eric tàking càre of her. Are we gonna have Vamp Sookie? So glad Bill’s gone!! You’re so evil with that cliff hanger though!!! Can’t wait for your next chapter!!
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I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive me. I do love cliffies. 🙂 You’ll find out soon enough. I’m catching up on my reviews and then I’ll post chapter 5! It’s been crazy this week!! Thanks so much for reviewing!
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Ohhhhh – loved the twist regarding Longshadow & Bill!!
I’ll be anxiously awaiting Friday to find out what happens to Sookie! 🙂
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I’m so glad I could surprise you! That’s what I was going for! Chapter 5 is coming soon, just as soon as I get all caught up replying to these lovely reviews! Thanks for sharing the love with me!
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Reblogged this on Kittyinaz's Reblog Page.
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Thank you! ❤
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Omg!!! What the heck?!?! Ummm.. Yeah. I got nothing but mouth opening and closing with fingers pointing.
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Yay! I surprised you, too! I love when that happens! You’ll find out more very soon, since chapter 5 will go up as soon as I get through these reviews! Thanks so much for reviewing and reblogging!
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[…] My Secret O Petulance […]
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Wonderful! I love being surprised like that! I was gonna write the refrain, “Ding, Dong, the Dickhead’s dead,” but someone basically beat me to it. LOL. Love this story and this chapter- Love the twist that Bill and Long Shadow were working together. Can’t wait for the next chapter. Please, please don’t make us wait too long!
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I’m so glad you were surprised! I like when that happens!! No one likes Bill, so I thought I would do the world a favor and write him out of it. 🙂 Glad you agree with my move. I’ll post Chapter 5 ASAP! Thanks for reviewing!
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Thank you! You killed Beehl and it’s only Chapter 4! Now what sort of gift can I get for you in return? LOL! What a great chapter! I like the way you did that! A cliffie, too! Can’t wait for more! 🙂
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I thought you might enjoy a dead Bill. All gooey on the floor. That’s the only kind of Bill I like. 🙂 He’s such a coward. I must admit that I really love killing him. Must say something about my morals. 😉 You know I love me some cliffies, so as long as you’re sticking around for the next chapter, I’m happy. I’ll post ASAP! Thanks for reviewing!
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You’re welcome, it’s always a pleasure, never more so than when Beehl is finally goo! LOL! He is my favorite true coward, and the best antagonist of 21st century fiction. I love all the ways you writers imagine killing him, but I don’t think that says anything about our morals, just that we enjoy a great Bill killing! LOL! It’s fun! Of course I’m sticking around! I love your writing, Woman, whether it’s fanfiction or your books! Your cliffies are the best! 🙂
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Aww! You just made my day! Thanks for backing me up with the whole ‘do I have morals’ dilemma. 🙂 Killing Bill is awfully fun, and I just don’t know why it took me so long to start killing him in my stories… I hope you enjoy the next chapter, too. Eric is in for one hell of a ride!
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YAY! Glad I could help! I’m just about to start the next chapter & can’t wait to see what you’ve come up with for Eric. Killing Bill is always creative fun! Just think of it that way, you’ll be fine! LOL! 🙂
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Yes! I’m just exploring my creativity!! I like that. 🙂
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🙂
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I like that Bill is out of the picture and Eric did not kill him. Longshadow will be in trouble for killing him now. Eric’s hand are clean. I do wonder if QSA is involved or not?
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All in good time…all in good time. 🙂 Sooooo many good questions, and I have all the answers. You just have to wait. Patience is a virtue, yes? 😉 I’m so glad you’re enjoying the story so far! Thanks so much for reviewing!
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Ahhhhhh!!! What update please!!!
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I’m posting ASAP! I promise! My week has been nuts, but I’m here today, just in time for my weekly update! 🙂 Thanks for reviewing!
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Wow! Poor Sookie, getting mauled by Longshadow. How will Sookie b when she heals? I hope Eric manged to save her life. Thank you! 😊
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So many good questions! You’ll find out soon because I’m about to post Chapter 5! Thanks so much for reviewing!!
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Glad she’s telling Scumbill how she feels. hmm Sounds like Scumbill and Long are in cahoots. Maybe he’s working for the queen too? or Scumbill is in on the stealing? hmmm
Smart girl telling Sam/Gran. Poor Bruce. Ah Scumbill…. just like him to blame others. Oh my Poor Sookie. Belinda was stupid fighting Eric. Got sookie killed…well turned but you know what I mean.
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That remains a mystery…did QSA know what Bill and LS were up to? Or was he doing it behind her back? More vamp drama coming soon!!!
I feel for all the humans involved in the night, including Sookie. She’s about to face some very new things in her life! Thanks for reviewing!
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