I woke late in the
day, half out of it.

"Hello?"

I blinked at the dark of my room. Voices?

"Hello?" The voice asked again, more urgent.

"Herro?"

My tongue felt thick, throat dry. I must have answered in my sleep. I coughed to clear my throat and groaned as I sat up.

"Fae?"

I let out a hum, free hand rubbing at my eyes to get the sleep out of them. "Yeah," I tiredly sigh out after another long silence.

"Are you alright? You sound like you're sick."

"Mm. No. Doc said malnutrition."

"Pardon?"

A sighing huff left me, lightly slapping at my cheek. "Hold on. Not fully awake."

I didn't hear the answer, staggering from bed like a zombie. I'm sure he was worried at the grunt of pain and clatter I made tripping into things and falling once to get out of the bed. I set the phone on the sink, turning the water to cold and splashing it at my face.

It helped, but I was still a bit in a fog. Water shut off and face dry, I put the phone to my ear again.

"Ugh. I hate sleeping pills," I grumble into the phone as I sit on my bed. Godric had left me to my own room, sleeping in Pam's room. Pam had been out some place, didn't find out if it was a woman or the bar.

"I woke you," he sighs, as if relieved but a little sorry. "For a moment I thought something was wrong."

I glug down the welcome surprise Godric or Jess had left on my night stand, a glass of water.

"Sorry, what time is it?"

"Well past noon."

My eyes flick to the clock. "Huh." Ben was calling. Or…Ben called. I had answered in my sleep.

"Sorry, I must have answered in my sleep."

He chuckles. "It does explain the grunt upon answer."

I let out a bit of a snort, hand rubbing at my face. "Sorry. The doctor they called was a bit of a spaz."

"Doctor? What happened?"

"Honestly? I'm not one hundred percent sure. Lots of odd stuff was said and then she said I was mainly suffering some form of malnutrition." A breath left me, hand flopping to my lap. "I gotta call bull on that though, I eat too much if anything. Anemia, I could understand."

"Anemia? You could hardly have low iron."

I shrug, forgetting he wasn't there to see. "I don't know. Mom used to keep me on a high iron and protein diet. I'm hardly a doctor."

"And now?"

"Better. What ever she gave me helped. Just not a fan of the sleeping pill." I fell to silence, stretching as I woke better. My eyes flicked to the clock again. "I'm not due for work till like eight. I can come out and show you those other places."

He chuckles. "Sure. I'll be ready and waiting."

I grin lazily. "Wish I could get more people to do that for me. It'd cut the work load in half." That was clearly perverted. I was definitely not as awake as I thought I was. "Let me get dressed and I'll be there shortly."

"Until then."

It wasn't until I was putting my phone away that I realized he'd called from the motel phone. True to his word, he was ready and waiting. He shot me a grin that was rather attractive as I pulled up by the office. I hopped out as he neared.

"Sorry about that. I'm a slow riser."

His eyes flicked over the boots and low rise jean shorts. These weren't the kind like the day before that went to mid thigh. These were a new pair of cut offs that could have been Daisy Duke's. I wore a simple green top that was fitted. His attire was similar to the day before, top just a different color.

I pulled my phone out, checking the time. "So, good news. I can show you the town and the spot. Bad news, I will have to impose and use your bathroom to change before heading to work."

His grin pulled higher on one side. "Can't see how that's bad news." His head nods to the side. "I'll show you the room."

I flash a huge smile. "Great. I'm not sure I could leave it in the car with how warm it is."

I opened the back, grabbing a plastic Wal-mart bag and a dress on a hanger. His brows lift, looking over the white dress.

"I have to dress up tonight since the Queen is coming. Apparently my usual isn't nice enough."

He steps ahead, moving to the forth room and unlocking it. It was cool and dim in the room. I flashed a thankful look at him as I slipped under his arm into the room. The bathroom was small, but in clear view. I didn't bother looking around to snoop, focus on putting the stuff in the bathroom.

The bag was placed on the counter, carefully hanging the dress on the top of the door.

"You dress up often?"

I didn't give more than a glance as I pulled out another bag from the over stuffed plastic one. This one was clearly my shoes with Payless on the bag. I set the bag to the floor and moved back toward him.

"When I have to fill in for one of the girls or when there are certain occasions. Usually I get to wear what I want."

"Glad I get a chance to see it," he winks as I slip around him and out the door.

I pat his arm. "That's rather modest compared to some other things I've worn."

He followed, locking the door. It was, there was only a small bit of cleavage with the cut. It didn't hug to the body as others did and hung to bellow my knees. It was something I would see at a high end tea party or formal event.

He listened to me pointing things out in town. He seemed to laugh with me and joke about commentary of when I grew up and things that happened since returning. I pointed out the small store.

"And that is the best place to get assaulted by Maxine Fortenberry, my friend Hoyt's mother. Apparently heard that I'd snuck her son out to crash at Jason's." I wink to Ben as we slip out the other side of town.

Right on command. I'd paused to let a lady cross the street, not paying mind to who was out and about.

"Faelyn Lynwood!"

I snap my head around to the far side. Maxine, in all her clown like glory, was getting red faced as she shook a threatening fist at me.

"And there she is," I say with a nudge of my head.

"Isn't Hoyt around your age?"

"Older. Jason's age."

"Whore of Satan!"

I give a proud sigh. "Look. She's all mad at me and I've not said anything to her in a long while."

"Good impression last a life time."

Lady clear of my car, I started off without a word to the woman more than a mocking wave.

"Eh, she always called me that. Something about my mom being a loose woman and me being a filthy bastard."

"Harsh," he laughs as my good humor.

"Hey, my mom was pretty much the lay of town for the longest point. No point arguing it. And I may have tormented her a lot when I was a kid."

I beam proudly, "I was a Hell child."

"Some of the best people were," Ben laughs.

We'd passed through town. I was headed to the field I'd mentioned before.

"So, I was told to stay away from the Stackhouse girl and their crazy cousin."

"Oh?"

"About the time I was calling you. Seems one of the other people staying in the motel recognized you yesterday."

"What did they say?"

"About it. Said the both of you were bad luck and freaks."

I roll my eyes. "Me, yes. Sook, no." I meet his eyes a moment with a cheeky grin. "She's the good girl. Speaking of, I'm heading over to pick her up. She knows where the place is but hasn't had a chance to go herself."

"More the merrier."

"But… I should warn you. She may be a bit of an emotional time bomb."

His brow quirked as I slowed to turn on to Sook's drive.

"Her and Bill are fighting. And, hopefully, breaking up."

"She sounded so happy the day before."

"Controlling. Plotting weasel. Shit head all around."

"Understandable, possibly not the clearest."

I slowed a bit. "So, I need you to stall for me while I pester. I don't know, mention how pretty the flowers are. Help her fix something or other. Just stall. I'll owe you."

I parked, Sook stood from the porch swing. She smiled, eyes still a bit sad.

"Fae, did you get the night off?" Sook calls as we hop out of the SUV. "Hi, Ben."

I shake my head, walking quickly toward the house. "Nah, not the whole night. Be right back, nature calls."

Sook turns to watch me walk by, following. "What do you mean 'not the whole night'? He hasn't even had the drive fixed like he was supposed to."

I pause, poking my head out of the bathroom to glance out the window to the drive. "Well, I'll be damned. That sack hasn't." I meet her eyes. "I'll be sure to set that up for you before I head out to work. Till then, this may take a moment."

"Ew, Fae!"

I shut the door, waiting. Sook let out a loud sigh. "Ben, you thirsty? She's going to be a bit."

I listened to them stepping to the kitchen, then slipped out quietly.

It took a bit longer than I wanted, but I was back at a sprint. I had run to and from the place, thinking time. So, by time I got back, Sook was there to see me puffing air and booking it across the lawn.

"FAELYN!" she shrilled as she instantly knew.

"Shut up! Get in the truck!"

I was already headed right for it. Ben let Sook take the front, the two slower than me at getting in. I was peeling out of the drive before Ben had his door shut.

"Sook, please, please tell me you have those snacks."

"Hm? Oh, yeah."

She pulled her big purse to her lap, pulling out a container that was steamed up and clearly freshly cooked.

"I wouldn't call it a snack, Fae."

I didn't glance from the road, hand snatching the small steak from the container. I ripped into it with little care to how polite it was. Sook shot me a look.

"Is this about that doctor Eric had you see?"

"That old lady that makes me feel tall?"

"Yeah. She helped me a while back when that maenad came through."

I drop the half eaten steak into the container she still had in her lap, rubbing my fingers on my jeans before shifting oddly in the seat and pulling something from under my shirt in the back.

"I swear to anything you hold holy, Sook. You do not say it was me if he asks."

I shoved the folder to her. Her eyes went wide, shooting to me. "You didn't."

She peeked in, paling. "You did."

My hand shoved the folder out of the way blindly, taking the steak again. It was hardly cooked, rather raw and chewy. Her eyes turned back to looking at me with a hint of disgust at the bit of blood on my lips and fingers.

"So, what did she say?"

"Malnutrition. Apparently it's also the cause of the nose bleeds and other crap. She wasn't very clear with Eric there. Said it was probably something from my biological father."

"Fae, that doesn't even make sense."

I shrug. "Godric knows. I assume."

Sook turns in her seat, absolutely glowing. She glanced a bit back at Ben then looked toward me.

"Ben's like me."

I nearly slam the breaks to dodge a dog, swerving with Sook and Ben suddenly shoved back in their seats by an invisible force. The dog looked up at the SUV as I whipped around it with a bit too much ease. Sook glanced back, craning to ensure it was fine.

"That dog looked a bit like Mr. Lyle's," Sook states in thought.

Her head snapped around to me. She was on a new topic, serious. "Can you believe some people who remember your attack think it's you?"

I huff out a sound, teeth grit as I try to keep from snipping at her. She pushed on, seeming to ignore it.

"And, according to Bud, the body was Mr. Lyle's niece."

"When'd he get a niece?"

Sook motions to a road. "That one. He's had one forever, Fae. You used to put worms in her lunch during school."

"You mean that twit who used to bully you?"

"One of many. Either way, she's your age."

"Get to the damned point," I growl, more than ready to end this subject. "You know I hate dwelling on this kind of stuff."

"Fae, the whole thing is too similar. You have to talk to Bud. The body was over three weeks old."

A very disgusted look came to my face. "Ripe and nasty. Hope that perv of a mortician has fun with that."

Sook's hand waves it off. "Not the point. Why would this start happening-"

"I said I don't want to talk about it!" I cut, voice a clear yell as I slap the wheel.

She jumped at the loud and harsh sound, leaning against the door to eye me. Silence rang like a solid thing as she watched my hands clench and unclench on the leather cover on the wheel. Her mouth opened, pulling in a breath to say something.

"No," I bite in a commanding tone I never really used. "Just no."

She gives a pitying look before shifting in her seat to look forward. My thoughts leveled, focusing on something else to push off the raging emotions. The road was getting a bit rougher and the end was in sight. It ended at the small gate to the field.

The engine cooling was the only sound as we sat a moment.

"I'm not apologizing," I utter, tone calm and collected. "Whatever is going on is not my business. If it isn't threatening you or Jason, then I haven't a care."

"It does include you, Faelyn," Sook firmly states. "You're a suspect."

My eyes roll, resting on her after a moment. "I'm hardly alone long enough to dress, Sook. I couldn't have done anything."

"I believe you. I do. But the town doesn't."

My chin lifts, pulling in a breath while my eyes narrow in challenge toward the field.
"Then fuck them." One hand lifts, finger pointing out at the field as I keep my gaze set. "Right now, I'm going out in that field. I'm going to enjoy myself. All the drama is going to just sit where it is and rot."
The door opened, keys shoved in a pocket as I slid out. Sook rushed out.
"Fae! Don't be like that! You're the one who got these! I never get to see you with the way Eric keeps you under key. Who knows when I'll see you again?!"

I paused, turning with a devious grin and the sun behind me. "Can you imagine that? Eric trying to keep me any where." I laugh, turning to run out. "Later! Ben, come out here!"

Ben gave Sookie a warming smile before pacing out after me. My hands lifted in the air, head tilting back to back in the sun without fear. I twirled and laughed before moving for the center.

"Aren't you going to get sun sick?" Sook calls as she moves after us with her bag and the folder.

I look back, hair streaking in my eyes. A huge smile lit up my features. "Not in the least," I call back. "I feel better than I have in the last number of years."

"Did they give you blood again?" she asks as she stops on a clearer space to sit.

My head shakes, looking about as if to spot something or other. "Nah. The doctor was rather against that. What all do they say about this place?"

"Odd people just popping out of nowhere," Sook starts to list. "Lights. Music."

I pout a bit at her, "So they think it's haunted or something?"

One shoulder shrugs as she holds the folder to flick through it. Ben was slowly pacing about, taking in the area as if to spot something.

"I'm not sure. Last I heard, Andy was the most recent."

"Andy? As in Bellefluer?"

"Yes." She flipped a page, not bothering to look up. Her brows were pinched in, lips pursing at what was before her. "Said he was drunk and there was a dark haired woman. Pretty."

"Huh."

My attention wonders to Ben, the quiet member of the group. One small jerk of my chin was aimed to him.

"So, like Sook?"

Sookie smacked the folder shut, arms crossing in her little fit. "I am so glad I broke up with him."

I slowly moved toward her, hands moving into my pockets as I went. "Welllllllll," I drawl out, snapping down to bend at the hips and put my face closer to hers. "You could say yes to Sam now. Piss Bill off."

"Sam is my boss." Like that made it all off market. "And yes. Ben's like me."

"Actually," I murmur in light contemplation. "You never actually clarified what all you are."

"I thought you knew?"

"Half fairy," Ben speaks up.

"Well, that sucks," I tease and spin around her to drop to my side in the grass next to her. One hand supported my head as I looked at the folder, lazily lifting the thing open with a finger nail to glance in. "Must be why all the vampires around you have this unnatural attraction to you."

"Like people aren't like that with you, Fae," she giggles, watching me shuffled through the papers with a near lack of care. "You get all types. Though I think most of them are sexually attracted. Plus, men favor you without you even batting a lash."

One shoulder shrugs, nibbling the corner of my lip as I half listened to her.

"Hasn't Eric been after you since you met him?"

"I think it's more of a challenge."

"How is that a challenge? The both of you have a number of similarities."

"I said no. He gets pissy. Pam, now her I might go for."

Sook shoots Ben a glance, "Pam's Eric's progeny."

"Pam is my freaking hero," I grin toothily as I look up at the two. "Plus, her legs are amazing."

"So why don't you?" Ben asks, crouching to make a sloppy triangle of our arrangement.

My eyes were looking over a paper. "Well, look who gets my attention for the new allowable free time I get."

"Fae, just leave it," Sook sternly orders.

"Kind of a rule I have," I answer Ben after another pause to ponder the pages. "Clearly most like to bite during the act. I refuse such an option and would rather not have to murder the sad fool who tries."

"It's hardly as bad as you make it out to be, Fae."

Ben shrugged. "I've heard it's worth it."

Sook grins, blushing a bit. "It is."

"And then I'd have to explain things," I singsong at them. "Best not to. Most have egos far larger than mine."

"True," Sookie concedes, frowning at the thought of the vampires she knew. "But, don't Eric, Godric, and Pam already know?"

"They know what they see. Hardly more."

A grumble sounded. I didn't even bat a lash at the cry of my stomach, used to such happenings. Sook groaned in annoyance, pulling her bag over to pull out the snacks and bottled water. I was searching over the family tree.

"I'm not really sure why he would skip mom and question me," I admit while snapping the folder shut.

"Your mom was quieter about it."

"My mom was afraid of it."

Sook nibbles a carrot, thoughtfully looking to the area. "Didn't she try to tell people and nobody believed her?"

"Yup," I say while popping the 'p'.

Ben offered out the bag of grapes. "So, what can you do? Neither of you are saying what."

Sook looks to me, the question in her eyes. My eyes were flicking about behind them, furled at something. I wasn't going to answer until I was ready.

"It feels odd here," I state a bit randomly.

Sook looks about, trying to see what I did. "Looks fine to me. What's it feel like?"

"I can't…" One hand rolled as if to show I was searching for the best way to explain. "You know how you get this feeling like somebody is there? Like you're missing something obvious?"

"Wouldn't those be two separate feelings?" Ben presses, tone light as if to joke. Ben looked about as if to prove his point. "We are alone."

Sook met my eyes, clearly waiting for me to look to her. "Should we leave?" She was utterly serious, trusting of my word.

My eyes narrowed as I looked around, leaning back to arch and see what was behind me.
"Nah. Doesn't feel threatening."

Sook nods, relaxing again to pull a bag toward us. "So, what do you have to do tonight?"

"Seems formal," Ben joins in.

A sly grin pulls me as I glance toward the sky, watching clouds. "Apparently I get to flirt with the Queen and entertain her current human."

"You mean the woman Bill was working for?"
I shrug, glancing to Ben as if to share the best of news. "Rather a redheaded bombshell. Sadly egotistical in an unattractive way. How late do you stay up?"

He shrugs, grinning easily in that very attractive way. "Depends on how late I need to."

"Don't you have to work?"

I wink at Ben as I sit up and rise to my feet to cartwheel a few times. The movement felt nice.

"Apparently she was in town for something. She demanded we join her after the sunsets. Some sort of group meal."

Sook made a face, "That sounds terrible."

I pause, hands to my hips with my cheeks a bit flushed from the activity of moving. "Apparently Godric is to be back close to dawn, business of some sort. Making it easy to slip away while Eric has to do his duties for the area."

"And you plan to have fun then," Sook chuckles.

"Sure," Ben agrees, leaning back to sit finally. "When were you thinking?"

I bend backwards, arching to touch my hands to the ground and slowly lift my form to my hands and then back to my feet.

"Maybe eleven. Shoot me a call around ten thirty."