Chapter 1

My mind was fuzzy; I was nearly awake but not quite. I was aware there was someone else in the house with me but not coherent enough to tell who. I was lying on my back with a light breeze drifting in from the slightly open window, I could smell the flowers from my garden and it made me smile. I could tell instinctively that it was a bright sunny day and that thought flooded my body with warmth.

I didn't want to wake; I didn't want to move from this place in time. I was happy just lying here in my semi sleep fullness. So much had happened recently and I wanted to stay like this, I didn't want to face the world. There had been so much pain and heartache. This train of thought was dissolving my happy feeling fast.

BANG!

I sat bolt upright and a jolt of fear shot through me. What was that? Can't I have one day of peace? I just want to have a normal day, is that so much to ask? I felt wrong, I knew there was something at the edge of my awareness but I couldn't think clear enough to pin point it. There was someone else in the house, who? I remembered the events from last night and that Dermot and Claude had stayed with me so I hoped it was them. It wasn't human as I could pick up no thoughts and it definately wasn't vampire as the sun was streaming through my windows. My breathing had started to calm after my shocked awakening. As I sat dead centre in my bed I sealed my resolve to get up and investigate. I slid over to the edge of the bed and gingerly placed my bear feet on the floor. I pushed myself upright hoping and praying not to hit the creaky floorboards. Sometimes living in an old house has it's disadvantages. I carefully placed one foot in front of the other and slowly made my way over to the door. Strangely the door was closed; I usually leave it a-jar as it had a tendency to stick. I took hold of the handle and slowly began to turn. I had got it turned all the way and was steadying myself to try and pull the door when it was pushed from the other side and I was thrown on to the floor at the foot of my bed. The door had caught my feet as it was opened and the searing pain shoot through my toes and had my eyes streaming. My vision was bleary and all I could make out was a figure stood in the doorway.

"Hey, What you doing down there?"

Relief rushed through me from head to foot as I recognised that voice. "Uncle Dermot, I think you may have broken my foot!"

"Oh Sookie, what are we to do with you, Harm seems to be your constant companion." Dermot had placed a tray on the side unit and was hoisting me up by my arms and sitting me on the edge of the bed.

"You can't blame me for YOU opening MY bedroom door on my feet!" I was indignant with my response, as if everything that happened to me was my fault? It was usually down to someone else; I just seemed to get caught in the middle.

"No dear niece, that was my fault and I'm truly sorry" Dermot inclined his head in a very old fashioned gesture that made me think of knights and queens and everything medieval. I couldn't help the giggle that escaped my lips and rushed to stifle it with my hand.

"I made you breakfast, is that enough of an apology?" again with the head nod, I giggled again.

"Only if it's good" I could see Dermot thinking about my response. It took him a second or two to figure out I was making fun. He smiled and it warmed his face and made him look so much like Jason I had to blink and really look to see any difference between them.

"Where's Claude?" I didn't think I could sense anyone else in the house.

"He left early. Something about work."

I reached over for the tray and saw Dermot had made pancakes with fresh fruit and cream. It looked yum, so without delay I tore into them and they were heaven.

"These are really good."

"I'm glad you like them, there's more if you want, just give me a shout when you're done." Dermot stood up to leave and I said thanks as he left my room. I made short work of the pancakes and decided to get up and going. I went into the bathroom to clean up and was washed and dressed and heading into the kitchen within half an hour. I came to a stop in the doorway as I saw Dermot swaying in the bright beam of sunlight streaming through the window over the sink.

"I love the sun, don't you?" He asked as he turned and smiled at me.

"Yes I Love the sun, it's my only vice!" I giggled and made my way over to the coffee pot.

"That can't be easy with a vampire..." he paused for a second thinking. "What is he to you?" Dermot asked with true curiosity, there was no judgment in his tone, he just wanted to know. It was rare to have a conversation with anyone about vampires without an undertone of hostility; they were not well liked especially by the fae.

"Well we are together, as, in a relationship. In the vampire world we are considered married but I'm just not comfortable with that yet. Boyfriend, would suit the situation more but it seems an understatement to apply that term to Eric." I had thought this over myself and had still not found a term I was comfortable with using.

"What about the sun?"

"It doesn't create as much of a problem as you would think, I do my thing in the day time, Eric has things he needs to do in his role as sheriff at night, so we make time to be together around each others schedules, sometimes it works better than others but we're working on it." I usually hated talking relationships, I never really had anyone to confide in when I was growing up but I was strangely at ease talking with my recently un-cursed uncle.

"Do you feel any benefit from the sun? Does it make you feel better?" Dermot was now leaning up against the sink with the sun behind him creating a halo effect, as his blond hair caught the sun and framed his face.

"The tan I get makes me very happy." I giggled and sat at the table with my coffee cup in hand and took a swig and really thought about Dermot's question, Niall had hinted a reason I like the sun so much could be the fae in me, as I was 8th sky fairy. "Should I get something more than a tan from the sun?" He had my interest now.

"I was just curious, The sky fae do like the sun and it has a certain healing quality for those with the spark." He turned quickly back to the sink and started humming and running the tap.

"Uncle Dermot, would that really affect me, Niall had motioned the spark but only once and had never gone into detail." Dermot didn't turn but answered.

"I do not know. It may it may not but it is interesting." Finally turning to face me he said. "Do you not have work today?"
"Oh my I forgot I'm on the dinner shift today, what's the time?" I looked at the clock to see it was already 12 o'clock. "I better get a wriggle on and get myself going, I need to get to the bank before work. I would like to continue this conversation though; I would like to learn more about my Fae family."

As I got up from the table Dermot looked uncomfortable shifting from foot to foot. "What's wrong?" I asked as I started to panic, so much had happened in the last few days I could really do without any more trouble and the look on Dermot's face was not good. Was it the fact I wanted to talk? It was only logical I would want to know about that side of the family, and who else have I got to ask now that my great Grandfather had sealed of gates.

"I have no place in this world to call home, I have been moving around for so long." Dermot sighed and his shoulders sagged.

"You are more than welcome to stay here for a bit, till you can get sorted. I must warn you that Eric visits from time to time and you may need to be out when he does. Maybe Claude could help?" I was relieved that it was not impending doom but just an uncomfortable request that had my uncle in such turmoil. I was more than willing to have him around for a bit, it would be nice to have company again since Amelia had moved out the house it had felt lonely. Also having Dermot close meant I could get to really know him and maybe discover some Fae secrets.

"Thank you dear niece, your hospitality is most welcome. I will see to a more permanent arrangement as soon as is possible." The bounce was back in his stance as if a weight had been lifted and I was happy to help and told him so as I left to get ready.

In no time at all I had run to the bank to pay in the check that Mr Cataliades gave me from Claudine's estate, I also found time to drop off my library books but not quite enough time to search for new ones so I would do that in the next day or two. I pulled into Merlotte's with 10 minutes to spare just as the sun was setting. I pulled my phone out of my bag and sent a quick text.

Hope u'r ok. Let me know if you need anything. Love Sook

Short and sweet but to the point, I know Eric said he had things to take care of now his maker was finally dead. I didn't want to distract him but I did want to let him know I was here if he needed me. I sat thinking about my Viking vampire and the state he had been in last night. I had never seen Eric so defeated and unfocused. When Jason and I got to his house he was in a bad way but it was his attitude that gave me concern. It worried me, can vampires suffer depression? Do they grieve the same as humans? I wondered if I was right to stay away of if I should go over to give him my support. But then I thought this is Eric, he'll have Pam to help and he wouldn't want me to make him look weak in front of his subordinates by checking up on him. No, the text will have to do. It told him I was here if he needed me, I just had to hope he would turn to me if he needed too.