Chapter 35: Introductions
I could feel my heart beating rapidly in my chest, Could I really be so close to it after so many years? I will unravel the mystery of this child and force her to lead me to the amulet. Finally I will be able to fulfill my promise...
The clearing was bathed in shadows, the house sat lonely and dark in the middle. The smell of humans and vampires saturated the yard, and she wrinkled her nose in distaste. She reached over her right shoulder and pulled one of her swords from its sheath. It came out with a quick and deadly hiss in the pre-dawn light. She stalked forward in a low crouch, moving silently toward the house with the girl inside. She felt better with it in her hand. She paused as a feeling of unease stirred deep inside her but she dismissed it, burying it under her commitment to duty. She'd committed herself to this path and if the child was just another casualty along it, then so be it. With her resolve strengthened she squared her shoulders and continued her advance.
Shafts of sunlight began showing through the trees, dappling the grass with pools of red and gold. The feeling of unease grew as she got closer and closer to the house, at twenty feet her extremities began to tingle. What is this? Carefully she removed her armored glove and reached forward with her bare hand. Her fingers met the wall at the same time the sun touched the clearing. The magic shimmered under her hand, a fiery glow in the first morning light. Her fingers burned with the contact. Her insides coiled and tightened with disappointment and wary caution. A Fairy barrier? She touched the wall again just to be sure she was not imagining things. Who would have put this here? Who could have? Why would she need such protection? A cold fury swept through her body, making her limbs tremble. I am so close! She kicked and slashed and beat at the barrier that would not give way under the onslaught. When the fury had abated some, and she could think clearly again, she placed a finger against the wall, ignored the pain, and began a methodical testing of the shield. She stalked around the yard trying to find a breach or a weakness. After another two trips around the house she could still find none. She finally let out one wild shriek of fury and frustration, and the wildlife that had been coming to life with the sun fell silent. Sookie turned over in her bed but did not wake up.
Pulling herself together, the fairy took off her other glove and folded herself to the ground. The chant started out as a breathy whisper that grew in volume till the ground shook with the power she was conjuring, sweat drenched her brow and dripped into her eyes but the barrier remained unaffected. She gave up with an explosive gasp.
Her body was exhausted, her muscles sore from the tension of bringing forth so much magic. The birds and insects slowly began to emerge and go back about their daily routines as she sat contemplating this new obstacle.
Someone obviously wanted her guarded from our kind. I can barely sense her behind the shield...hmmm. The magic is strong and old, so it was put in place by someone with a strong purpose. Could the humans have built the home here without knowing of its existence? That would be too much of a coincidence! It was put in place to shield HER! Why? Could she have done it herself?
The clearing was now bathed in sunshine as she sat cross-legged staring at the house. Where would she have learned such magic and yet escaped my notice and the notice of all the fairies in Louisiana? Claudine says she is a pet of the vampires...but they do not know this magic nor do they have the magic to enact it. No, someone else protects this one...
Swiftly she rose to her feet and stalked back to the edge of the forest surrounding the Stackhouse home.
"I can be patient." She smiled humorlessly. "She has to come out some time."
The wind whispered through the trees and two crows sat on the branch of a large oak watching the fairy watching the house. They were silent and still, their focus unwavering. Deep in the Rocky Mountains in Canada another pair of eyes watched through the crows, and he smiled for the first time in twenty years of imprisonment.
"And so she has found her at last."
Sookie's Dream:
Sookie delighted in the feel of the sunshine against her skin, and the soft grass beneath her feet. She wore a simple white cotton dress that flared out in a pleasing way when she twirled. She was in the middle of a field of wildflowers and it seemed to go on without end. There was nothing to mar the peace and beauty of this moment. She bent and picked a beautiful pink daisy from the multitudes, but before she laid her fingers on it there was a piercing scream and a shadow descended from above her and snatched the flower out from under her hand. Instead of feeling scared or angry she laughed at the scoundrel's audacity. She continued to laugh as she began her pursuit. The shadow turned out to be a crow, who landed on an outcropping of rock and watched her with black intelligent eyes, that looked curious, as she got closer.
"Why hello little thief, may I have my flower back?" The crow continued to watch her but she could see the mischief in its eyes now that she was up close. The bird was perched two feet above her and watched without a sound as she began to climb up the rock toward it. She reached down for the flower and the crow hopped away two steps. She held the delicate stem between her fingers and leaned in to smell it. But just as she did the flower crumbled to ash in her hand and was blown away in a breeze.
"The life you've known has come to an end."
With dismay Sookie's head came up and looked around for the voice that had spoken.
"What? What are you talking about?"
She could see no one else around , but the crow remained, eying her steadily.
"The time has come for you to learn your birthright – who and what you are."
The deep voice seemed to emanate from the air surrounding the crow, and suddenly she grew apprehensive, the hairs on the back of her neck standing up.
"What am I?" She whispered, afraid of the answer, but also wanting to know very badly.
"One will come who will teach you to use your power. Learn well, for if you do not, everyone you love will die, life itself may die."
As the words were spoken it suddenly felt as if she'd been set on fire. Every nerve ending in her body was screaming out in agony, and she fell to her knees. She couldn't form words.
The land around her, which before had been beautiful and lush, was now a burning, barren wasteland.
She turned over in her sleep.
Sookie woke to the incessant ringing of the phone, and groaning, she grabbed another pillow and buried her head, trying in vain to block out the sound.
"Oh, just go away!" The words, muffled by the pillow, had no effect on the phone whatsoever, which joyfully – almost mockingly – continued to ring again and again. With a heavy sigh she threw the pillow onto the floor and opened her eyes. Just as she heaved herself to her feet the ringing stopped. She could hear the mumble and beep of the answering machine in the kitchen and was about to throw herself gratefully back into bed when the phone started to ring again.
"Oh for the love of-" And mumbling threats all the way down the stairs she reached for the phone.
"Hello?"
"Sookie?"
"Alcide? Is that you?"
"Oh thank God you're home." She could hear the relief plain in his voice.
"Well of course I'm home, where else would I be?" She asked irritated. "And I was sleeping when you woke me, so what do you want?"
He ignored her first question. "Colonel Flood died last night." His voice was tight.
"Oh." It seemed an inadequate answer but Alcide understood the full meaning.
"Yeah. His funeral is this afternoon at one. I was wondering if you would come with me."
"Of course I will. It's not a private ceremony? For the pack?"
"No. He was too well known from the Air Force Base, the Neighborhood Watch, and he was the treasurer of his church as well as packmaster, so it will be a big turnout."
"Wow, that's a lot of responsibility. How's Christine taking it?"
"Well it was expected and she would never say anything but it's hit her hard." She could almost feel his impatience over the phone. "So I'll pick you up at eleven-thirty."
"Sure. I just have to be back here by four-thirty so I can change and get ready for work."
"That won't be a problem."
Sookie had expected him to hang up but he was still there on the other end of the line, but silent.
"Is there something else? Cause if there is just spit it out. I have to get ready."
She heard him sigh, "Were funerals are very ceremonial. If you think you can overdress for this, you can't. People may think Werewolves are only into leather and chains, but for funerals we go all out."
It sounded like he wanted to say more, but she cut him off. "Okay, understood, no pants. I'll see you at eleven-thirty."
She hung up before he could say anything else. She couldn't picture Christine and Colonel Flood in leather and chains, but the thought brought a smile to her face as she tried to picture it. Remembering Christine sitting beside her husband in her couture suit, Sookie knew she'd have to wear something along the same lines.
She looked at the clock over the stove, nine, and groaned. "Great, now I have to look fabulous on three hours sleep, go to a funeral, then work all night...maybe Sam would be willing to let me off a little early." She thought of his face the night before. "Probably not."
None of the kitchen items gave her any answers as she looked around, and with a heavy sigh, she walked back upstairs and into her closet.
Half an hour later she'd settled on a knit suit. The jacket was black with creamy pink facings on the lapels, worn over the matching pink shell. The black skirt was pleated. The tags were still on it from when she'd bought it on one of her shopping sprees. Quickly she jumped into the shower to wash her hair. Under the spray she felt a little woozy from last night's activities which made her blush, using up more of her depleted blood supply and she knew she'd have to eat something before she left.
She French braided her hair and secured everything with bobby pins. She pulled on a black slip and a pair of black stockings. She'd also found a pair of black gloves that used to be her grandmothers, that had been kept nice for special occasions.
So at eleven-thirty when Alcide knocked at the front door she was fully clothed and full of food. She stepped into her black pumps and grabbed her purse on her way to the door.
Alcide was dressed in a charcoal suit and a burgundy tie, his hair as tamed as he could get it. He looked extremely handsome, and she tried not to blush for noticing.
His face was blank as he took her in, "You look wonderful." His eyes finally met hers, and this time she did blush at the thoughts so evident in them.
"Thank you. You too," she said feeling shy and a little awkward under his stare. "Well we should get going."
He stayed still a moment longer then moved out of the doorway. As she locked the door behind her she turned, expecting to see his Dodge Ram, but to her surprise his car was a dark blue Lincoln. It was a bit chilly as she walked out to the car, Alcide opened the passenger door for her and she got into the warm interior gratefully. She hadn't wanted to cover up her nice outfit with a coat, which may not have been the best idea, but she'd wanted to look nice. Now she just hoped the church wouldn't be too chilly.
When Alcide was seated across from her, he turned to her, his face serious. "This is a Were funeral, " from his tone she could tell he was trying to tell her something.
"You said that yesterday."
He smiled slightly at her tone, but his face set back into serious lines as he thought over his next words.
"A packmasters funeral is quite...formal."
She could feel the doubt in his thoughts.
"Then should I be there today?"
"He made you a friend of the pack." The way he said it gave her an uneasy feeling she was missing something, that there was a significance here that she was missing. Usually she lived in a sea of more information that she wanted, but there were no Weres in Bon Temps and the inner workings of the pack were a mystery to her. Alcide's thoughts were preoccupied with what was going to happen in the church, and what his father's rival, Patrick Furnan was going to do. They drove in silence.
Alcide drove into a parking lot beside a big gray stoned church topped with a large steeple. The sign on the front read: Grace Episcopal. Once parked, Alcide helped her out of the car, acting very formal. As they walked toward the front of the church, he took her hand in his. She looked down, more than a little surprised. She might be a friend of the pack but this seemed a little too friendly. Exactly what message are we sending? But with the tension in his thoughts she thought it best not to mention anything and let him lead her toward a group of mourners.
"That's my Dad." Alcide said out of the corner of his mouth. She looked up to see a man, a little shorter than Alcide, with a husky build. Jackson Herveaux had a larger nose, and his hair was gray instead of black, but there was definitely a resemblance.
"Father, this is Sookie Stackhouse."
"It is a pleasure to meet you, my dear. Have you met Christine Larrabee?" He gestured to her formally.
"We've met." Sookie turned to Christine, who was dressed in an immaculate white suit, and nodded. Christine's eyes appraised her for a moment, they were red rimmed, then nodded and smiled sweetly.
"I'm glad you could be here today."
Sookie didn't know what else to say so she just smiled politely. Acide and his father were speaking together in low voices, now ignoring the two women. A few people came up to Christine to offer their condolences, and Sookie tried to step away to give them room, but Christine gently reached out and pulled Sookie to her side.
After an elderly man and his little wife left, Chrsitine spoke quietly.
"I would appreciate it if you could stay close to me for the service." Sookie could see the flash of bright pain in her eyes before she brought it back under rigid control.
"Of course." How could she refuse?
After she spoke to a few more people, everyone began entering the church. Christine reached out and tucked Sookie's arm into her own, leaving Jackson and Alcide to walk in just behind them.
"The funeral of the packmaster is the beginning of the campaign to replace him," Christine whispered it as the walked down the isle of the packed church. Sookie was glad that she'd had such extensive practice in schooling her features, and let nothing but sadness show on her face as she walked beside the late packmasters wife.
"It was very smart of Alcide to choose you as his companion today."
Sookie wanted to ask why, but they were seated in the front pew, in the roped off section. Sookie could tell from the buzz of thoughts behind her that the whole pack was behind them. Jackson, Alcide, Patrick and a young Were she didn't know walked in last. Alcide and his father took seats next to Sookie, while Patrick Furnan and his friend sat beside a small woman, wearing a lot of jewelry and makeup.
Patrick Furnan himself, looked to be in his mid-forties, was thick-bodied and had light brown hair, cut very short, and had his beard cut into a fancy shape. His suit was a dark brown. His eyes were cold, and seemed to assess every Were in the church.
Sookie suddenly felt very ill-prepared for this situation and very much wished she could take out her displeasure on Alcide right there but she felt Patrick Furnan's gaze settle on her and she looked up to meet his cold, calculating gaze. He took in her appearance, where she was sitting, and who was sitting next to her and his eyes narrowed in displeasure. He leaned down and spoke to the pretty woman next to him, she shook her head, shot Sookie a look and said something back that brought his eyebrows up and his gaze back to her face.
Sookie leaned back in her seat and hid behind Christine's body. Cowardly? Maybe, but she didn't like the intensity of his eyes.
"So who's the front-runner?"
Christine eyed her seriously. "Hard to say," she murmured. Her gaze slipped over Sookie to Jackson, and back down. "But right now I've thrown in my lot with Jackson. Hence the seating arrangements. Why are you backing Jackson?"
She was speaking so quietly that Sookie could barely hear her, but her extra abilities helped and she followed her without confusion.
"I'm not, really. Alcide asked me to be there during the ceremony to choose the new packmaster and make sure Mr. Furnan doesn't cheat. But I don't really care who wins." Christine's smile was a little pitying.
"Well coming with Alcide and walking into the church with us means you've declared. I'm afraid any neutrality you may have thought you had is no longer available. But why would he go to such great lengths to have you here and have you declared if all he wanted was a fair fight?"
"I don't know."
Christine gave her a skeptical look that turned thoughtful at her obvious sincerity.
"Hmmmm," Christine gave her a long thoughtful look. "Well just know that his bringing you here today instead of his girlfriend is significant."
'Girlfriend?' But before Sookie could ask any more questions the funeral started.
She sat through the ceremony thoughtfully, not hearing any of the speeches or prayers.
'Why would Alcide have brought me as a date instead of his girlfriend? And why would he not tell me that I had to choose a side? Is there something more to all of this?'
She came up out of her thoughts as the coffin carrying John Flood, Air Force colonel and packmaster was taken from the church and loaded into a hearse. She remained silent during the ride to the cemetery, not even acknowledging Alcide's questions as they drove.
During the graveside service Sookie noticed a big man looking at her. And she wondered if he'd been at the church service too. He was tall, taller even than Eric, with long arms roped with muscle. He had a shaved head and a deep tan. He was wearing a black shirt tucked into black pants and he also wore no coat. Though the day was definitely nippy it didn't seem to affect him at all. The people around him gave him a wide berth and even here at the grave side, where they were all packed together, there was a noticeable space around him. He had a pleasant face that was carefully blank as he stared at her. With a sense of caution, she opened her mind up and began filtering through thoughts to find his, hoping they would give her a better read on why he was staring at her. Before she heard anything she intercepted thoughts that were so full of menace, bitterness, and hate that she felt as if she'd been punched. She leaned heavily against Alcide for a moment till she could push the horrible thoughts out of her mind. It wasn't only the evil nature of the thoughts that had surprised her – but that they were directed at her!
She looked around the people assembled by the grave but she couldn't identify the source of the thoughts. They were distinctly feminine and violently angry.
Looking out from beneath her lashes she looked around the cemetery. She could feel eyes boring into her, she turned her head slightly to the right, looked over the heads of the crowd and spotted her, sitting on one of the headstones several graves away from the mourners.
She looked tall, maybe twenty-eight, with short, gleaming black hair and an athletic build. She would have thought her quite pretty but for the twisted expression on her face. She was wearing skin tight black leather pants, a glittering black and gold top under a black leather jacket.
She turned to ask Alcide about her but, in turning, she caught sight of Christine's face which was shiny with tears and she was brought back to where she was and what she should be doing. There would be time enough during the car ride home to ask Alcide about his very angry girlfriend. For the rest of the service she tried to ignore the hateful glaring and the tall man with the curious gaze.
After a short time, the service ended, and people began to disperse. Alcide and Sookie said goodbye to his father and Christine and began making their way toward the car. Sookie couldn't think of an easy way to broach the subject so she decided on a blunt approach.
"So is that your girlfriend over there?"
Beside her, Alcide stiffened and looked in the direction she indicated. When she saw that he was now aware of her, her face softened and she managed to look both supportive and hurt at the same time. He gave a tiny shake of his head and the look was wiped off her face, she gave one last parting glare to Sookie and disappeared amongst the headstones.
Alcide turned back to her and led her away without a word. But Sookie was not going to be sidetracked so easily. She pulled her arm out of his grasp and stood her ground, eyebrows raised.
With a small sigh of surrender he answered, "Yes that was my girlfriend."
"Why didn't you bring her today? Why did you bring me?"
"I brought you so the rest of the pack could see you and solidify your position as the friend of the pack."
"From what Christine was saying that could have been done without being your date. She said that coming with you today mean I was declaring myself for your father over Patrick Furnan, so please don't lie to me."
He hung his head, "I'm sorry I didn't tell you about that. I just wanted my father to have all the support I could get him."
"My being here with you was somehow influential for your father?"
Sookie couldn't believe she had any influence whatsoever with the Were community.
"Yes, like I told you. You are known in the Supe community now. You declaring for my father could bring some of those sitting on the fence into his camp rather than Furnan's. It shows he has good connections within the other Supe communities which could be very beneficial in a packmaster."
"So if this was all a political maneuver, why was she thinking such hateful things at me?"
A slow flush crept up his neck and he couldn't meet her eyes. "She was?"
Sookie crossed her arms, "Let's just say that if looks could kill, Colonel Flood wouldn't have been the only person buried today."
He looked around himself nervously, "Can we talk in the car?" He loosened his tie a little bit, and gave her a pleading look. "Please?"
She couldn't say no to his puppy dog eyes. "Fine. But I want the whole story."
He agreed as he ushered her toward the car, looking around to make sure their disagreement hadn't been noticed by too many.
Once in the car and on their way, Sookie turned and watched Alcide's profile expectantly. He seemed reluctant to start.
"I don't want to go into your head for this, but I will if you make me."
He threw her an apprehensive glance. "Okay, okay. I surrender. It just doesn't sound very good. Try not to think too harshly of me after, okay? I'm doing it for my dad."
He took a deep breath. "First of all you should know, that my relationship with Debbie is more than a little rocky sometimes. She's a shifter not a Were." He said this like it explained everything. So Sookie let her confusion show plainly on her face.
"Well I won't give you our entire history, but just before I met you I found out that she had lied to me about being sterile and we broke up. She got engaged to the man she dated after me and flaunted him all over town. It was humiliating. She heard about you and I and our "date" and just after you left town she showed up to the apartment demanding to know what was going on. I know it wasn't smart or gentlemanly, but I told her that we'd been together..physically." He peeked up at her through his lashes and she just barely held on to her civility. She wanted to slap him so badly that her palm itched.
"Go on." Her voice was hard.
"Well it made her jealous. And everything was going well, but then she started dropping by unannounced and when she never found you there she started to get pushy about it, so I came to see you. I asked you to that concert so that others of my kind would be sure to see us."
Sookie wasn't aware of making a sound but suddenly Alcide was eying her with a wary look in his eyes and talking quite fast, trying to explain himself.
"You have to understand, Sookie. I do like you! You're beautiful, smart, nice...and I have to admit that I wouldn't mind if we..." The look on her face stopped him right there. "But you were with the vamps, so I didn't think I'd ever have a real shot. And I'm totally fine with just being your friend. But when I got back to my house from the concert Debbie was there and she could smell you on me. Well, she called off the engagement and we've been together since. But then Colonel Flood was dying and refused to name a successor and my father's position in the pack was suddenly unsure. I called on you as a friend to help me.
You see Debbie isn't really well thought of in the Were or shifter community. She's not exactly the friendly type and she's alienated a lot of people. So when it came time for the funeral I thought it would be best if I wasn't seen with her, so I brought you instead."
The car fell into silence.
Sookie didn't know how to break it. She was trying to understand her conflicting emotions: one half of her was happy to know that though he found her attractive she didn't have to fend off any amorous advances. But on the other hand she was a little disappointed that he didn't want her and angry that he'd used her.
"So let's recap – just so I have this straight. First you use me to make your ex jealous so she'll call off her engagement then you use me to try and gain the political upper hand with your pack and jeopardize the relationship you used me to help you put back together." She raised her eyebrows at him.
"Well when you say it like that..."
Her eyes narrowed.
"Yes, I did."
"And can you give me one good reason why I shouldn't tell Debbie this the next time she's around?" He let out a bark of laughter that he quickly turned into a cough.
"Sorry I just don't think Debbie would listen. She's not really a talker if you know what I mean."
Sookie looked out the passenger side window, watching the trees whip by in a blur as they sped down the I-20.
"Why is it girls always blame the other girl when it's the guy they should really be mad at?" She said it mostly to herself and Alcide was smart and didn't try to answer.
He tried a couple of times to start another conversation but she was just waiting for the ride to end. She just wanted to be out of the car and not think about the real reasons behind his actions.
Sookie's heart leapt with relief as they entered the clearing and her house came into view. She wasted no time in jumping out of the car, deliberately not waiting for Alcide to open the door for her.
But he wasn't about to let her go just yet.
"Sookie stop." It sounded like a command which did not suit her mood right now.
"What?" The key was in her hand.
"I'm sorry." He was sincere. "Please don't think too harshly of me. I don't want to lose your friendship."
"Why? Because you're afraid I won't help your dad?" She turned, "If I really were your 'friend' you'd have told me the truth and let me make my own decisions rather than making them for me."
His face fell and she felt his panic rise. "Don't worry," she said holding up a hand. "I'm going to be there at the packmaster contest because I said I would, but as for us being friends...I'm not so sure anymore." She turned back to the door. "Oh and Patrick Furnan is going to bring up your dad's gambling debts to undermine him. Now I'd like you to leave and not come back for awhile."
"Sookie, please don't say that."
She'd unlocked the door but paused before walking in. She turned and looked him full in the face.
"Alcide, hearing inside your head is making me feel bad...about you and myself. So if you could just give me some time...And I would suggest that you tell Debbie everything before I see you again. I don't want an angry shifter showing up at my house because of something I didn't do. Go home. And don't call me till the contest."
She turned her back on him and shut the door in his face. She flipped the lock and without pause made her way upstairs.
She quickly stripped out of the suit and kicked off her pumps and slipped into her Merlotte's uniform. She looked at the clock, 4 pm. I guess I could go in a little early, fill Sam in on the Were situation. Maybe he could fill me in on what I should expect.
With a reluctant step she walked downstairs, out the door and out to her car around back.
She'd pulled halfway down her drive, the house was now obscured by a line of trees, when something heavy landed on the front of her car and then the windshield smashed in. Sookie slammed on the brakes and covered her face with her hands. She knew only seconds had passed but it felt like time slowed down and she saw every detail in sharp relief. She could feel the small shards of glass cutting through her light coat, and a cool breeze coming in through the large, gaping hole that was, just a few moments ago, her windshield.
Fuck, that is going to cost so much money! She thought dismayed. Then the reality of the situation hit her and she felt the seat belt cutting into her body, the sting of multiple little cuts on her arms, and the fear set in as she wondered what the hell she'd hit...or that had hit her. Just as she undid her seat belt a hand came through the broken windshield and grabbed her by the front of her shirt, hauling her out over the steering wheel and broken glass, and threw her down under a nearby tree. She felt a sharp searing pain in her left wrist as she landed on it, hard. But all she had time to get out was a muffled gasp before she was lifted off her feet and slammed into the tree trunk. She could hear herself breathing hard.
"It's time for you to answer some questions little girl."
Sookie's head throbbed and she felt like she might throw up at any second which she really hoped didn't happen as she was pretty sure she'd cracked or broken a rib.
And though she was seeing little black spots floating before her eyes she made an effort to focus on the face and voice of the person in front of her.
The face was that of an angel. Her white skin, was smooth and flawless, in a face that was almost painful to look at it was so perfect. Her eyes were a brilliant shade of blue that glittered like precious stones. And right now they were trained on her with such intensity that it stopped her breath short. Her perfect face was framed with a mass of golden hair that fell past her shoulders. She seemed at once very young, and very old; ageless, was the only word that could encompass the face before her. She couldn't see much else except that she was dressed in some sort of grayish material. And she could feel the sharp, cold edge of a blade pressed against her throat. And then she received another shock - she couldn't hear any thoughts! But she couldn't be a vampire...it's daytime!
A puzzled frown creased the perfect face and the pressure of the knife lessened a bit. The angel's nostrils flared as she breathed in deeply.
"Who are you?" Her voice this time had lost some of it's sharpness, and her eyes, before so hostile, now more questioning. Sookie sent up a prayer that this beautiful creature wouldn't kill her.
"My name is Sookie Stackhouse, and I live here." She spoke the words carefully, gasping slightly as her breathing sent a shock of pain through her side.
The eyes of her attacker narrowed in anger.
"That is not precisely what I mean, girl, and judging by your eyes you know it." Her voice was a mixture of controlled hostility and curiosity. "What are you? And why are you here?" She leaned in close, and to Sookie's disgust, she felt a tongue lick up the left side of her face. Against the tree Sookie repressed a shiver of disgust, but the hairs on the back of her neck and arms stood up. Her attacker pulled back and Sookie saw her lick her lips, a small drop of Sookie's blood was still evident on the full lips. She didn't even know her face was bleeding. She had a panicked moment of wondering what her full injuries were, and how serious. But she didn't have any more time to think about it when the woman's eyes opened wide and she licked her lips again like she was contemplating how Sookie tasted.
"You have fairy blood." Her eyes narrowed again. "Very powerful blood." Sookie was at a loss for words.
Suddenly the woman laughed, but it somehow didn't make Sookie feel better.
"And I can tell from your face that you have absolutely no idea what I'm talking about." She gave her another considering look. "But you know you're more than human."
"I've been told by a couple of people."
"But no one has told you exactly what you are." She made it a statement not a question. But Sookie answered it anyway.
"No."
"Well as interesting as this is, I did not come here for you - specifically." Her voice became menacing again. "Where is the amulet?"
Sookie would have shrunk back from the danger in that voice, but the woman's iron grip held her in place.
"It was taken."
"By who, and where?" She shook her a little for emphasis, setting Sookie's ribs flaring with fresh pain. Her head hit the tree again, not hard, but painfully.
"It was taken by a vampire named Mathias, I'm not sure where." The spots were floating in front of her eyes again. The woman gave her a look torn between amusement and anger. "I'm surprised you're so quick to turn on your vampire masters. They'll be angry at you for giving up so easily...might just drain you dry this time."
Sookie felt the first flickering of anger deep inside her.
"I have no master, vampire or otherwise!" Sookie spat.
The woman raised an eyebrow disbelievingly.
"Ah, little one, but I saw you with two of them last night. You let them chew you up like a dog toy before they had to flee from the sun. You can't fool me. I know you're theirs. First I'll kill them, and then I'll find this Mathias and take back what was stolen from me."
Sookie couldn't speak past the rage. She began to tremble, and somewhere in the back of her mind she was terrified of her overwhelming reaction. She felt the power surge through her in a choking rush. The power exploded out of her in a blinding flash of light. For a moment her body felt weightless and she floated in mid-air, her head thrown back. She felt her feet touch the ground and her hands clenched into fists at her sides. She glared at the woman, who had been flung back, one side of her face badly burned, but once again standing, weapons still in hand.
"You will not touch them." Sookie's voice was hard and final. "You can have the amulet - I told you Mathias has it. Do whatever you want to him I could care less but if you so much as come near Eric or Godric, I will kill you."
To Sookie's surprise, the woman straightened up from her fighting stance, regarded Sookie with an unfathomable look, and sheathed her weapons, her head cocked to one side. Sookie didn't trust her, and could still feel the anger roiling inside her but little by little she felt the power slipping away. It became harder and harder to keep standing.
"Peace, little one, if you are indeed not in league with this vampire Mathias, I will leave your loved ones alone. I simply want the amulet. But if you are lying to me or try to stop me in any way, I will kill everyone you love before I finally kill you."
Se smiled at Sookie, showing a lot of brilliant white teeth, it was both threatening and beautiful. Sookie, was still angry, and really didn't trust this strange woman but she felt the last of her strength leave her and she collapsed back against the tree. Her wrist and her left side were burning with pain now instead of power.
She let out a moan, unable to keep it in any longer.
Indecision crossed the woman's face as she watched Sookie in pain.
"I am sorry for hurting you."
Sookie looked up, disbelief written clearly on her face.
"No, I mean it. I truly did not mean to injure you so, I let my, " she seemed to be trying to find the right words, "enthusiasm get the best of me."
"Enthusiasm my ass." Sookie said quietly under her breath, and gasped in pain again. But the woman seemed to have a very acute sense of hearing (just like everyone else in her life, dammit), and she laughed.
"I like you little one. You're a far more interesting mortal than I have met in a long time."
"My name is not 'little one' or 'girl', it's Sookie. And another fun fact about me is that I don't like to be patronized."
And though it looked like the woman was trying to hold back a smile, she kept her face serious.
"You can call me Cali."
Sookie could think of nothing to say so she just nodded. Cali slowly walked toward her, her hands out palms forward in a gesture of peace, but Sookie was still suspicious. There was something about her; the way she moved, Sookie knew that the weapons were not the only things that made this woman dangerous.
"May I look at your injuries?"
Still feeling angry, Sookie answered without thinking. "You mean the injuries you caused when you crashed through my car and then beat me up?"
Cali's lips pressed together like she was trying not to smile again. "Yes those injuries. If you allow me, I may be able to heal some of them for you."
Sookie regarded her suspiciously.
"I know you have no reason to trust me," Sookie snorted. "But right now you are my only lead to the amulet and I don't actually wish to cause you harm." Her beautiful, jewel-like eyes were so sincere. "I would like to help you now if you will let me."
Sookie didn't really see that she had any other choice. Her cell phone was still in her purse on the front seat of her car which was at least twenty feet away, and she would never be able to get there before Cali stopped her. Her house was also out in the middle of nowhere, which was usually a feature that she liked the most about it, but today it was proving possibly fatal. And now there was no Bill just across the way to come to her rescue, and Eric and Godric were dead for the day in Shreveport, so even if they could feel her fear, there was no way they could help her. The power which had flared before was now as inaccessible as it usually was, so all she had was herself, up against an unknown enemy who was acting very strangely.
Should I trust her? Should I not?
"What can you do?" And without meaning to she flinched as Cali reached out toward her face.
"First I have to examine you to see what I can do for you. Tell me if there is any place that is particularly painful."
Cali's fingers probed the back of her head and almost immediately the sharp aching became a only a stinging annoyance. Her fingers trailed down her neck and lightly traced her arms, she stopped for a moment when Sookie gasped when she touched the wrist she'd fallen on. Cali closed her eyes and looked like she was concentrating hard.
"One of the bones has a bad fracture that I cannot heal, but I can treat it, and it will heal much faster." She reached into something at her waist, and it was then that Sookie noticed that she was wearing something that looked like a utility belt. Cali pulled out two, small flat pieces of wood and what looked like a roll of gauze. Quickly and efficiently she braced and wrapped Sookie's wrist. She reached back into the belt and pulled out two large, fragrant leaves. Now Sookie knew she was no botanist, but she was sure she would remember a plant that smelled so nice. Cali handed the leaves to her, and told her to chew them.
"They'll help with the pain and speed healing." She didn't wait to see if Sookie complied, but continued her examination. Her fingers traced down across her ribs and Sookie repressed a yelp as her fingers found another sore spot. But she gasped as Cali's fingers probed deeper.
Cali looked up at her face.
"Eat the leaves."
With another prayer, Sookie complied. Tentatively she nipped the tip of one of the leaves. The taste was just as sweet as the smell, and Sookie chewed with more enthusiasm. Slowly she felt the pain slip away, replaced by a pleasant numbness.
"So tell me, how did you come to know of the amulet?" Cali's voice was low and persuasive.
Sookie looked down and was caught again by the beautiful blue eyes. She felt drawn in, like she was looking at a piece of clear sky. She felt safe and warm, and completely at ease. A small sane part of her brain was again screaming warnings at her. But something seemed to be compelling her to disregard those warnings and she longed to yield to this woman.
"Mathias threatened the life of all the employees at Fangtasia as well as Eric and myself if Godric didn't find this amulet that was lost in some Fairy War like a thousand years ago. I was so worried, I thought it was hopeless, but somehow Godric found it. He's like Bill, such a good man. He brought it back and gave it to Mathias in exchange for all of us to be left alone."
"And when you got close to the amulet, what happened?"
Sookie shook her head. "I'm not really sure. It all just feels like a crazy dream. First I was hugging Godric and then I was lost in the mist."
Cali gasped in surprise.
"You saw the mists?" Her tone was sharp and brought a puzzled frown to Sookie's face.
"Yes...I saw the mists. And I saw things in the mist...such strange things. A man, a very strange man...I think he saw me too. His eyes..." Sookie trailed off uneasily. She was lost in memory of that terrifying and exhilarating encounter.
Cali was staring at her frightened now.
"You saw things in the mist?"
"Yes." Sookie nodded her head in confirmation. "Some things looked normal, other looked like nothing I'd ever imagined could exist. It was a very strange dream. I woke up the next day."
Sookie felt something pressed into her good hand and looked down, it was two more of the tasty leaves. Without thinking she brought them to her mouth and started to chew.
"Who put up the Fairy Shield around your house?"
Sookie's brows drew together. "What?"
"The shield of magic that surrounds your home and protects you from the Fae. Who put it up? And why?"
Sookie felt like her tongue had gotten thicker. "I have no idea what you're talking about."
Every muscle in Cali's body had tensed up at the mention of the mists now relaxed a bit.
"No, it's quite obvious you don't have any idea what I'm talking about. But someone has gone to great trouble to keep you safe and to make sure that none of our kind knows about you. But who, and why? To perform that bit of magic, they would have to be quite powerful and skilled. Not many were left when the doors were closed and not many have survived the years." She stroked the side of Sookie's face with her fingertips. "You're a powerful little thing, though painfully young and inexperienced. I wonder what I should do with you now?"
Sookie was oblivious to everything now, drifting pleasantly in a drug-haze.
"Sookie," she shook her slightly. Sookie's eyes once again focused on the perfect face, and the compelling eyes. "Sookie what powers do you possess?"
"I'm a telepath." That surprised Cali. "And I seem to have this glowing light thing going on, but I can't control it. It usually happens when I'm angry."
"And what is your relationship to the vampires?"
"I love them."
'Oh great, another vamp-lover.'
Sookie frowned when she heard that. "Well not all of them." She felt the need to qualify her answer. "Only Godric and Eric, and a few others at Fangtasia are my friends. But most of them just want to use me for my mind reading. I can't say I like most of the vampires I've met though. They're mean, pushy, selfish, cruel..."
Cali controlled her expression with difficulty. 'She heard my thoughts. But I shielded myself from magical penetration. How could she do it?'
Sookie heard that too but had no answer, so she didn't say anything.
"And would Godric or Eric know where I could find this Mathias?"
Sookie considered the question and hesitated. Something inside told her not to answer. The silence began to stretch.
"Sookie, would Godric or Eric know where Mathias would take the amulet?"
Suddenly Cali's head whipped up and she cursed under her breath. She considered Sookie again for a long moment.
"I will see you again soon. I am sorry I caused you pain. I hope our next encounter will be on more cordial terms."
She stretched out her hand and placed her palm on Sookie's forehead, she spoke an incantation under her breath and her hand glowed briefly then, as quick as a breeze she was gone.
Sookie lay slumped against the tree now unconscious.
Moments later Tara's car came around the bend in the driveway. She slammed on the brakes when she saw Sookie's ruined car. Jumping out of the car she screamed her name now truly panicked.
"Sookie!" She'd come home from work because she and Sam had been trying Sookie to get a hold of Sookie for the last half hour to see why she hadn't made it in to work and wasn't answering her cell.
She ran to the wrecked car and saw blood trailed along the hood. "Sookie! Answer me! Where are you!" Her eyes anxiously scanned the immediate area, that's when her eyes fell on Sookie's prone body.
"Oh God, Sookie!"