You snagged a change of clothes from Eric's office on your way to the showers in the back hall. You made quick work of washing Longshadow off you and down the drain. When you stepped out, you dried off and slid on a pair of Eric's sweats along with one of the shirts he kept at the bar for emergencies. Thankfully, there was elastic at the bottom of the sweats so they pooled at your ankle. The man was entirely too tall. Your shoes were trashed as well, so you dumped them and everything else in the trash so Pam could dispose of it all.

You padded down the hall and back into the main part of the bar. Eric and Pam were talking with Bill and Sookie while Ginger scrubbed at the mess on the floor, gagging as she did so. "Why are you making her do that? Call the cleaners."

They all looked in your direction when you spoke. Eric's eyes trailed down the length of you and back up as a lazy smile spread across his face.

You rolled your eyes and rocked on your feet as Sookie threw her arms around your neck. "Y/N! Thank you so much. I think he would have killed me if you hadn't done something."

"I think you're probably right." A glance over her shoulder showed Ginger still gagging and scrubbing. "Seriously, Eric."

He sighed. "Pam." He sounded so annoyed. Bastard.

"Ginger, enough," Pam commanded.

"Oh, thank fuck," the waitress said as she pushed herself up from the floor and staggered off.

"I don't like people in my business," Eric said looking at you.

"I fail to see what difference it makes," Bill piped up. "It's not as if word won't spread once you report Longshadow's death to the Authority."

Eric's gaze snapped to the other vampire.

Bill's eyes narrowed and he sauntered forward a step, an amused expression playing with his lips. "You were intending to report this incident to the Authority were you not? It would be extraordinarily irresponsible of a Sheriff of your stature to do otherwise."

"Of course, I intend to inform the Authority." The tone in Eric's voice said that was the last thing he wanted to do.

Bill smiled and gave a short nod. "Good. As you know I will have to submit my own report of what happened here. I would hate for that to be the first they heard of it. That could cause so many problems."

The two vampires just stared at each other for a long moment while the rest of you looked on. Finally, Bill broke the silence. "Sookie, let's go."

Your friend gave you a confused frown and another quick hug. "I'll see you later, Y/N. Thanks again."

As soon as they were gone, Eric was by your side. He grasped your arm and looked back at Pam. "Take care of this." Then he whisked you into his office.

You leaned against his desk as you watched him pace the floor.

"I will not have you harmed. Not because of this. I will kill Bill Compton if I have to."

You stepped in front of him to stop his pacing and laid your hand against his cheek. "This is not a problem. Submit your report and let Bill Compton stew in his frustration."

"You don't understand, Y/N. I fear the Magister will see you dead for this. And as your mate I will perish alongside you."

You stood on your toes and he leaned down to meet your lips. "Trust me, Eric."

***

The night of the tribunal was crisp though you were the only one present that felt it. The Magister held court from the back of an old El Camino. His minion had just finished ripping the fangs from a vampire that fed from another's claimed human and he glanced at his notes. He straightened slightly and his gaze darted around the gathered crowd, though he failed to spot you from your location off to the side. "Eric Northman, Sheriff of area 5," he announced and your mate stepped forward.

You and Pam trailed a step behind and the Magister's gaze settled on you. The corner of his mouth curled in a small smile though his eyes seemed troubled. Probably wondering how he was going to get you out of your latest bout of trouble without revealing to everyone present just who you were. Movement on the other side of the clearing caught your eye. You were unsurprised to see Bill step forward as well. Dumbass.

"Speak," the Magister ordered, looking at you.

"Magister, if I may?" Bill spoke up.

Eric stepped forward and you grabbed his hand. He glanced at you, but you simply shook your head. With a sigh, he stepped back, linking your hands more firmly together. The gesture did not go unnoticed by the Magister who smirked and arched a brow in your direction.

"And you are?" he asked Bill.

"Bill Compton."

"Ah. Mr. Compton. You filed your own report did you not?"

"I did."

"And was there a reason you did not trust your sheriff to make his own report?"

Bill was oblivious to the tone in the older vampire's voice. The Magister was a stickler for hierarchy and rules. He wasn't pleased that Bill had attempted to go over Eric's head to get you in trouble.

"I believed that his feelings for this human would keep him from reporting she killed Longshadow, your honor."

"A human should be killed for murdering one of our kind," the Magister stated.

A sound of agreement went up from the group around you.

He raised a hand for quiet. However, humans are outside of my concern. Yet, I am willing to pass judgement on this case. What should that tell you, Mr. Compton?"

Bill frowned as he looked between you and the man that asked the question. "I'm afraid I don't understand."

"It means I'm not human, dipshit," you spoke up. Laughter went up around you and Eric squeezed your hand as a reminder to behave. "I know he's been told that at least once." The Magister's full attention was now on you. He motioned you to step forward and you released Eric's hand to do so.

"State your name."

You rolled your eyes though you doubted anyone but the Magister noticed. "Y/N Y/L/N."

"Are you responsible for the death of the one called Longshadow?"

"I am. Longshadow was stealing from our business." You gestured to the two vampires behind you. It wasn't the reason you killed him, but it was the reason that would get you off the hook.

"The bar belongs to Eric, not her," Bill added, starting to look desperate for someone to pay attention to him.

Eric moved to stand beside you. "Y/N is my mate. A fact of which Mr. Compton was also aware."

The Magister leaned forward in his seat as a murmur went up from the crowd.

"I had no reason to believe his claim was serious," Bill argued.

Eric's spine straightened and he took another step forward. "On the contrary, he had no reason to think otherwise."

The Magister slammed his cane down to bring an end to the bickering. "Mate or not, I think it's clear what must be done here." You had an insane desire to reach over and smack the little smirk off Bill's face. The Magister's next words took care of it for you. "Mr. Compton, your insubordination and complete disregard for the governing structure of our kind has caused undo hardship to your sheriff. And more importantly, it has wasted my time." He leaned back in his seat. "To keep from wasting any more of it, I will allow Mr. Northman to dictate your punishment. You will abide by his edict. Is that understood?"

"Yes, Magister," Bill forced out between clenched teeth.

"That concludes our tribunal this evening," the Magister announced as he stood. "Mr. Northman, a moment, please. Bring your mate."

"Of course." Eric turned to Pam. "Escort Bill home. Make sure he behaves until I get there."

The two of you were escorted to a limo. You climbed into the back and the Magister instructed his driver to go before putting the partition up. His gaze shifted between the two of you before settling on you. "You might have warned me."

"And what fun would that be?"

The corner of his mouth curled in a smile as he gave a little shake of his head. "I see you haven't changed."

"It's good to see you, Alonso."

Eric's hand flexed as he grasped the edge of the seat between you. You pretended not to notice.

Alonso's gaze slid to your mate. "Jorge Alonso de San Diego at your service. You may call me Magister."

A muscle twitched in Eric's cheek. "Of course, Magister."

"Really?" you asked.

Alonso looked at you. "Does your father know about this yet?"

You shifted uneasily under his scrutiny. "In a manner of speaking."

He arched a brow but said nothing as he continued to stare you down.

You sighed. "He is aware that Eric and I are together. We haven't had time to discuss the details. I've been busy."

"Of course," Alonso said as he reached into his pocket. He withdrew his phone and tossed it to you. You caught it and tossed it back.

"I'll call him. Later."

"You're out of time, Y/N. Word of this will travel," he said as he gestured between you and Eric.

"I am very much aware of that. I will call him before the sun rises."

"See that you do." He reached over and opened the door, indicating the conversation was over.

Eric gave a nod. "Magister." He slid from the vehicle, standing just outside with his hand extended to help you.

You leaned forward and kissed Alonso's cheek before you stepped out of the car. You stopped Eric when he would have shut the door and bent down to see your old friend. "It was good to see you regardless of the circumstances. Next time you are in Shreveport I owe you dinner."

"You also owe me a chess game if I remember correctly."

You grinned at him. "That I do. Goodbye, Alonso." After shutting the door, you stepped back and watched the car pull away.

"You are on a first name basis with the Magister," Eric said.

It wasn't a question so you didn't respond. You turned to face him as you crossed your arms over your chest.

His gaze moved over your face as if he was seeing you for the first time. "You told me once that your father worked for the Authority. I assumed him to be an assistant. A researcher perhaps."

You said nothing and shifted your weight on your feet.

He closed the distance between you and grasped your upper arms as if afraid you'd run away before he spoke again. "Exactly who is your father, Y/N?"