Thanks for all the reviews - it's great to be back!
You know the drill: arms and legs inside the ride at all times. Here we go...
Supe Central
The sun was still hidden behind a thick blanket of clouds when I stepped out of the motel room, grumbling under my breath, "It's like Grand Central for supes round here."
The latest pair of arrivals greeted me with such obvious relief my irritation melted clean away. Diantha was back to herself after the summit, her hair spiked up and dyed a vibrant orange that clashed terribly with the green velvet jacket she was wearing, less so with her black pants and bright red sneakers.
Meredith was far less eye-catching in jeans and a navy blue coat, her long dark hair tucked, unusually for her, into a tight bun. Her smile vanished as I was followed onto the walkway.
Rory pulled the door shut behind her with a loud click and leaned against it, her eyes watchful and hard. Her hand didn't stray far from her dagger either, the hilt clearly visible in the waistband of her jeans. What the hell had put her back up?
Unfazed, Diantha pulled out a phone and proceeded to type on it as fast as she spoke. "Just-letting-Uncle-know-we-found-yer," she said in one breath.
It was Meredith, looking as fierce as I'd ever seen her, who stepped forward and addressed Rory, saying something melodious and fancy-sounding. I figured it was a formal fairy greeting because I caught her name amongst the unfamiliar words, but her body language screamed tension not politeness.
Rory replied likewise, but with an edge to her voice I didn't like.
What the hell was going on? Was I witnessing some harmless duel of manners, or some personal vendetta? Diantha sure seemed relaxed, but with all their minds closed to me we could be moments from bloodshed and I wouldn't know. I didn't need their words to be indecipherable too.
"English please, ladies," I said, smiling my best company smile and dripping manners. "If you wouldn't mind."
"As you wish," Meredith said, nodding agreeably to me. Her jaw tightened as she turned back to Rory. "I am Sookie's guardian, by the authority of Niall Brigant. Why was I prevented from teleporting to her side?"
"A ward will do that," Rory replied, with a cool shrug. "And I owe Brigant no loyalty."
"Interfering between a guardian and her charge is forbidden."
"I let Sookie outside the ward without delay, as is required. And, as you can see, she is intact."
"And capable of speaking for herself," I said sharply. "Look, ladies, why don't we take this inside?"
"No," Rory said, mouth and shoulders setting firm. "She is not welcome."
"Why ever—? Oh. Eric."
Rory hissed at me. Whoops. Guess I shouldn't have let slip he was dead for the day in there.
"The vampire is inside?" Meredith said, aghast. She looked between us. "And you were both with him?"
"Yes," Rory said before I could answer. Her eyes flashed as her hand went to that damned dagger. "And I defend him with my life. Do not think to tell Brigant where he rests."
"I … I will not." Meredith seemed more bewildered than intimidated. "I am here for Sookie. I mean the vampire no harm, I swear it."
"Better not or it will go ill for you, child," Rory said warningly, but she dropped her hand and the tension eased somewhat.
"What binds you to Louisiana's service?" Meredith asked slowly, frowning at Rory with concern flickering in her eyes. "What is it you owe him?"
"Owe him?" Rory laughed, dark and soft. "It is not a matter of debt between us."
"Why else would you protect a vampire?"
"Because I want to. Is that so inconceivable?"
Meredith's frown became uncertain. "You can't actually … like one of them."
"Oh child," Rory said with amusement. "You have led a sheltered life, haven't you? Eric is not the first vampire I've counted a friend." She winked at me so fast I almost missed it. "That was Vlad, a Romanian. We met in Transylvania, many years ago."
"You don't mean…?" I said, amazed. "Does Eric know that?"
"Oh," she said airily, "I may have mentioned it."
From Meredith's confused expression, she had no idea we were alluding to the most famous vampire of all time. Diantha, however, was smiling so broadly I reckoned that she did, and that she also knew about Eric's serious case of Dracula-worship.
I was just relieved the atmosphere had lightened.
"I bet Eric was thrilled to hear that you knew the big D," I said, smiling as I imagined him begging for an introduction to the Dark Prince of Wallachia.
Rory grinned back. "Oh, he was. Until I told him Vlad was just an alias and his real name was Stephan."
"No," I gasped. "How long did you string Eric along?"
"Long enough. He's so easy to tease with that, isn't he?"
I laughed. "He sure is."
"You teased a vampire?" Meredith looked between us as if we were crazy. "Isn't that … dangerous?"
"Depends what you tease them with," Rory said, smirking. "They're no different to the rest of us supes that way."
That sobered me up real fast. I wasn't included in that us; I was one of them, a lowly human.
"That's easy for you to say," Meredith said, wrinkling her nose at Rory. "You can mask your scent. I can't."
That sure explained why Rory was so comfortable around vamps. Meredith was as skittish as a new-born colt, but I would be too if I smelt like vampire crack.
"There are other ways around that," Rory said, a challenge in her tone. "If you are bold enough."
"She stood up to you, didn't she?" Diantha butted in, flashing sharp teeth in her version of a friendly grin as she pocketed her phone. "Wotcha, Miss Kingfisher."
Rory smiled warmly and dipped her head to the half-demon. "Diantha. Well met this day. I like the hair. Orange suits you."
Diantha bobbed her head, spiked hair waving. "Thanks. Sookie been any trouble?"
Traitor. I glared indignantly at her, but she ignored me.
"Not at all," Rory said. "She's been quite useful."
Meredith, who'd moved closer to me while they talked, gasped. "She's hurt. You said she was intact. What happened, Sookie?"
"It's nothing," I said quickly, hoping to head off any hostility. "It'll hardly even scar."
Meredith, lips pursed, peered at my face. "You've lost blood. Too much blood. You must eat."
"I'mhungrytoo," Diantha said cheerfully. "Anywhere decent to eat round here?"
"No idea," Rory said. "I haven't left the motel. I assume Desmond sent you?"
"Yep. The tiger was ready to hop on a plane himself, but Uncle persuaded him we'd find Sookie faster."
"Oh my Lord! Quinn!" I blurted out. I'd left him a message… When was that? Yesterday morning. And he hadn't heard from me since. "Shoot, I have to call him."
"Do that on the way," Meredith said firmly, putting a hand my good arm. "Come on, let's get you some nourishment."
"I..." Torn, I glanced at the drape-covered window. Would Eric be safe here with Rory and the lawyer? The demon was right behind the door, probably listening to every word.
"Go do what you need to do, Sookie," Rory said, matter-of-fact and a sudden coldness to her tone that I had no idea how I'd earned. "I will hold the fort."
Well, all-righty then. Eric would be just fine without me. Let Rory defend him with her life. Meredith ushered me away and when I looked back, just before we took the stairs, Rory had already disappeared.
…
A young woman had replaced Todd on the motel's front desk and I smiled at her through the dusty window as Meredith went in to ask for a restaurant recommendation. Somewhere that did take-out, so I could bring something back for Daisy and Pete. Rory could make her own arrangements since she was giving me the cold shoulder.
"Can I borrow your phone?" I asked Diantha. "I left mine in Houston."
"Sure." She pulled it out. "You calling Quinn?"
I made a face to show how much I was looking forward to that. "Yeah, but first I need to speak to your uncle real quick. If that's okay."
Giving me a thoughtful look, she tapped the phone a couple times and handed it to me. "Just hit dial."
As soon as the call connected I said, "Hi, it's Sookie Stackhouse. Can you spare a minute, Mr Cataliades? I have a question about protocol."
"For you, yes. Ask away, my dear. And call me Desmond, but I suspect you will ignore that as usual."
The fondness in his tone belied any real irritation on his part, which made me smile. Gran taught me to be respectful of my elders and betters, but maybe it was time to drop that layer of formality. Question first, though.
"Thank you. If I knew of a threat to … to people like Amelia and like me," I said, picking my words carefully, "who would be the appropriate person to take that to?"
"Hm. A local threat or a more far-reaching one?"
"We're talking coast to coast," I answered. Did he know something of what we'd uncovered, or had being a lawyer just made him good at anticipating possibilities?
"Ah. That is a dilemma." He paused and I imagined that slight frown he got when he was thinking deeply. "People like your young friend in New Orleans organise themselves locally. I believe you would do better speaking to a certain envoy. He has a longer reach."
"That's what I thought. I just wanted to check with you first."
"It is good to do that. I am glad to hear your voice, my dear. I was concerned."
"I'm glad to hear yours, too." Now the bad news and I rushed it out fast. "I ran into your successor just now, Mr. Mithradates. He, er, worked out our connection, if you get my drift. I'm real sorry if that causes you any problems."
"Ah. No need to apologise, my dear. Only someone already in my confidence could make that link."
"Yes, that's what he said. Before he warned me not to run my mouth around any other … lawyers and such."
A deep, rich belly laugh echoed down the line. "I imagine my staid young protégé did not use those exact words, but the sentiment is sound. Do not worry about Sebastian. There is a benefit to his knowing what you are to me: he will be obliged to treat you well if he wants to keep on my good side. Is there anything else?"
"No, that's it. Thank you. I appreciate your help, Desmond." I rang off, smiling as I imagined his shock.
Then, steeling myself, I dialled Quinn. Diantha was leaning against the wall a few feet away, but I knew she was hanging on every word from how still she was. I didn't beat around the bush when he picked up. "Quinn. It's me."
"Babe." There was a world of relief in that word. I winced, and forgave the anger in his voice as he continued: "Where the hell have you been? I've been trying to reach you since yesterday!"
"That's a long story." One I couldn't share over the phone. "I'm sorry, truly I am. I couldn't call you. We ran into some difficulties last night."
"Difficulties?" he growled. A thud in the background spoke to his frustration and I winced again. "How bad? Are you hurt?"
"I'm fine, just fine." That white lie was going to cost me when I got back to Memphis, but I didn't want him worrying over nothing. "Everything is right as rain now, and the good news is we found what we came for."
"Good. When are you coming home?"
"Um, I won't know for a few hours." I peered at the sky. "Not until…"
"Sunset," he finished bitterly. "When Northman rises."
I could've kicked myself. "Yeah," I admitted quietly. "There's a few loose ends to tie up."
"Yeah? What do you need him for? Goddamn bloodsuckers, all the fucking same, take over everything. This is twoey business. Daisy should be calling the shots."
Telling him Daisy almost died last night would freak him out. Telling him it had turned out to be vampire business after all would only get me a barrage of angry questions. Telling him what had happened with Tabner, how close I'd come to losing my freedom… Well, it wasn't fair to dump that on him over the phone just to make myself feel better. Asking him about Bardulf could wait, too.
"Look," I said, "I'll call as soon as I know, okay?"
"Alright," he grumbled. After a moment he added softly, "I feel like I aged a year the last twenty-four hours."
"Yeah, you and me both." I sighed. "I'll be home soon, honey. I promise."
"I miss you, babe."
"Right back atcha." The door opened behind me. "I have to go."
…
There was restaurant a block away. Nothing fancy, and it was mostly empty when we got there. Meredith ordered me a slab of steak the size of Texas and I didn't argue. At the summit, Serena had preferred steak over iron tablets. I figured a doctor who let vampires bite her would know what was best for blood loss. Once the waitress had gone, I filled them in on what had happened. The short version: that we'd been taken prisoner by three werewolves, that the FBI were involved, and that Lanzo, a vampire working for Felipe, had slashed my arm.
"And this Lanzo is finally dead?" Meredith asked for the second time. His fate seemed more important to her than anything else.
"Or soon will be." Once Thalia had finished with him.
"Good," she said grimly. "I should not have let you go with the witch and her brother, Sookie. I should have come with you."
"It's a good thing you didn't," I said, remembering Thalia slurping away at Chico's corpse. "It was a mess. Blood everywhere, injured vamps. Not a great combination for you."
"No," Meredith said with a shudder. "But I'm your guardian and you were hurt."
"It's a clean cut. It won't take long to heal." It didn't say much for my life that I knew that from experience, did it?
"No, it's more than that." She reached across the table and took my hand, searching my face. "Something happened that shook you to the core. I can sense it."
Damn fairies.
"If you say so," I said irritably, then sighed. She meant well, I could read that now we were touching. That fairy warmth was working its way from her hand to mine too, and I might as well take what comfort I could until I could unloaded on Quinn. "I guess Niall told you I was in trouble."
That comforting warmth wavered.
"I'm afraid not." It was Meredith's turn to sigh. "Niall was called to the Realm not long after you last spoke and it's not always possible to sense what is happening here from there."
"Oh." Of course. He never seemed to be around when I needed him the most.
"I let you down," she said sadly. "I should have come to you as soon as I knew Niall was out of contact. If I'd been within range, I could've popped you to safety."
"You weren't to know what would happen." I tugged my hand gently out of hers so I could stop feeling her remorse and focus on the practical: what I'd seen in Tabner's head, that 'facility' of his he wanted to put me in. "When will Niall be back? I need to speak to him."
"In a day or two. Perhaps I could help?"
I didn't want to offend her, but I wasn't exactly sure where her loyalties lay in the bigger picture of fairy politics, plus I figured it was Niall and his influence I needed.
"Thanks, but it'll keep," I said, just as the waitress arrived with our order and thankfully put an end to that conversation.
My steak was pretty damn good. Diantha sure appreciated the ribs she ordered – the bib she tied on was soon splattered with so much sauce that it looked like she'd eaten a whole cow. Meredith, who had the chicken, was a much tidier and less toothy eater.
While we ate, they filled me in on their side of things. When Quinn couldn't get hold of me yesterday, he panicked. Understandably so — after the Jackson murder tensions were running high between regular folk and twoeys in Houston. And that was where Quinn thought I was. He had a local contact of his check out the Elysium. (I figured it was the guy who loaned us his apartment for the Torn Ear contest.) When the guy discovered I was gone and that I'd left my phone behind, Quinn, who knew nothing about the phone Eric had given me, promptly assumed the worst: that I'd been snatched.
Luckily, Mr Cataliades had been trying to reach me too and he happened to call Quinn before he could do something rash — like forming a posse of angry werewolves to scour Texas for me. The lawyer calmed Quinn down, got him to alert Meredith, and got a-hold of Diantha himself.
The two ladies got to Texas faster than a plane from Memphis would have, and met up in Houston early this morning. When Meredith couldn't sense me anywhere in the city, Mr Cataliades was the one who thought to call Stan Davis's day people, figuring they'd at least have an idea where Eric was. Whoever he spoke to would only say we were somewhere near San Antonio, and only that much after Mr Cataliades reminded them I was under Niall's protection and threatened dire consequences if I was hurt.
Once the ladies got to San Antonio, I was close enough for Meredith to home in on, and here we were. It was unexpected and heart-warming, having so many people worry enough to come looking for me.
I thanked Diantha, but of course Meredith was part-fairy. Giving her my best grateful smile I said, "You didn't have to come all the way out here, but I sure appreciate that you did."
Meredith smiled back. "If you really appreciate it, let me come with you next time you go poking around something this dangerous."
I grinned. "I'll think about it. Actually, there is something you could help me with. A fairy thing." I gave Diantha an apologetic look.
She rolled her eyes, dropped a picked-clean rib bone on her plate, wiped the sauce of her face with the bib, and left the table with a muttered: "I'llbeintherestroom".
Meredith looked at me expectantly.
"I, er, found out I can do something new. Something called charm?"
"Oh," she said, straightening up. "Who told you that? Humans call many things fairies do charm."
"Daisy. She was there while I was talking to someone and he told me more than he should have." I was careful not to name New Mexico, sure he would be less than pleased if it got out that I'd hoodwinked him into telling me his personal creation story, however inadvertently I'd done it.
"Oh, I see. That's a common gift, the ability to charm information from someone." She sounded a little disappointed, like I was a toddler who'd learnt to walk.
"But it is a fairy thing?"
"Yes. The fae term for it doesn't quite translate. It means something like … confluence."
"A coming together, two rivers merging?" I said, from a vague memory of a Word-of-the-Day calendar.
"Yes," she said, delighted. "That's it exactly. Flowing as one, you and the target flowing in sympathy, you see? Humans have little resistance to it."
My mouth went dry. I said quietly, "So they'll trust me and spill all their secrets."
"Yes. Even supernaturals can be affected." Her eyes lost their focused. "Silver-tongued, some have call it. Done right, it can peel back lies, expose the bones of someone, the truth of them."
What a delightful turn of phrase she had.
Oblivious to my discomfort she said brightly,"I can teach you how to use it when we get back to Memphis."
"That's … Yeah, that's a good idea." It wasn't a power I wanted, but it seemed I was stuck with it and if I could control it, I wouldn't do it accidentally. "Would you excuse me?"
In the restroom, Diantha was watching a mother and daughter at the sinks with interest. The little girl was arguing sullenly that she deserved a dessert even if she hadn't eaten all her greens because broccoli was disgusting. Smiling, I ducked into a cubicle and did my business. Diantha was waiting alone when I came out.
As I washed my hands she said, "Uncle wants to talk to you about what he found in Tennessee."
"Yes, of course. I'll call him as soon as I get back to Memphis." I dried my hands, wishing I could be done with Bardulf and that whole mess already. And strange fairy abilities I didn't really want. Throwing the paper-towel in the trash I had a thought. "Guess you know Sebastian Mithradates?"
"Yep. He's pretty good as lawyers go. Not as good as Uncle, but he's not as old."
That didn't mean much to me as I had no idea how to estimate a demon's age. "What's he like as a, uh, person?"
She shrugged. "Serious, a bit stuffy. Quick-witted, though."
"Yes, sharp as a whip that one." I bit my lip and then thought what the hell, I might as well ask. "I know y'all are secretive so tell me to butt out if you have to, but is he a telepath?"
"No, he's not," she said slowly. "All of us have different … talents."
I met her eyes. "He's real familiar with computers."
"He's not exactly yer regular hacker." She caught her tongue between her teeth, frowning. Then she seemed to come to a decision. "Don't play cards with him. Or bet on any dice he throws."
I blinked. "I won't. Thanks for the warning."
Even if I had no idea what it meant. Whatever supernatural ability Sebastian Mithradates had, it certainly sound like more than knowing his way round a keyboard.
…
The sun had set by the time we left the restaurant. I figured Eric wouldn't want to hang around at the scene of our run-in with Tabner and we'd be returning to Houston. When I told Meredith that, she declared there was no way she was sharing a vehicle with Thalia and Eric. As she and Diantha had arrived by supernatural means, she went to find us a car of our own while Diantha escorted me back to the motel.
We ran into Sebastian Mithradates in the parking lot. He was juggling that holdall of Rory's and his briefcase in one hand, tugging a bunch of keys awkwardly out of his pocket with the other. (His jeans were a little snug. A girl notices these things.)
"Wotcha Sebastian," Diantha said cheerfully. "What yer doing?"
"Good evening, Diantha. I am about to escort Miss Kingfisher back to Louisiana." He finally got his keys free and pressed the fob. The motel was almost empty, so there were only three cars in the lot and I wasn't surprised when it was the smart sedan that flashed and clicked unlocked. It looked like a fancy lawyer's car. He gave Diantha a significant look as he put the bags in the trunk. "Thalia is arriving soon. We will be leaving shortly."
So Thalia was too much for the fairy who liked to hang out with vampires, huh? I chuckled quietly as he asked after Desmond. Diantha replied her uncle was well, and asked after some old clients of his, folks I didn't know from Adam. They looked set to be catching up for a while.
Hefting the bag of take-out I was carrying into Diantha's eye-line, I mouthed that I'd just be a moment. She shrugged an okay, so I left them chatting and trotted up the stairs. The second floor was empty apart from our group, so beyond counting off room numbers I wasn't paying much attention to my surroundings until I heard voices and stopped in my tracks.
Raised voices, from a few rooms ahead. Our room.
The door was open. Not fully, just a hand's width, but enough for the sound to escape.
Rory and Eric were arguing. Over the lawyer?
I couldn't make out what they were saying. Curiosity ate at me and I bit my lip, wavering.
They were making enough noise that Eric probably wouldn't hear anything over it. Temptation overcame my better judgement and, quiet as a church mouse, I snuck closer, hugging the wall.
The drapes were not quite shut, a thin sliver lit up between them. Eric paced in and out of view, like a caged lion.
"... not the right time," he was saying, loud and exasperated. "It will add complications I do not need." His back to the window, his next words were indistinct.
"Screw the marriage to Iowa," Rory said, clear and sharp.
Oh, that was what they were squabbling over.
I couldn't see Eric's face, but his voice was cold as he replied: "My people depend on me to hold Louisiana and I will not renege on that commitment. If that means an alliance with Iowa, so be it."
Oh Eric, I thought, sad for him but also childishly relieved that he wouldn't put his kingly ambitions aside for Rory either. Female pride could be a terribly petty thing at times.
"The throne comes before what you want, even now?" Her voice was mocking. "And I thought vampires were selfish."
"We are," he spat, gesturing forcefully as he strode briefly into sight. "The situation is still precarious. None of this will matter if I am finally dead."
"It won't come to that. I won't allow it," she said fiercely. "But your objections do not hold water. Marrying Iowa is not necessary and you know it."
"This is not your business."
"Yes, it is. Secure her now, make her yours and it serves both motives. You get what you want and your allies will not complain. Louisiana will get an asset, a powerful one."
What did she mean? Who did Eric need to secure, some other vampire queen?
"Do not interfere. I will handle this."
The quiet menace in Eric's tone raised the hairs on the back of my neck, but Rory snorted disparagingly and said, "How is letting her go back to Memphis handling anything?"
Outside, an icy chill gripped my heart.
They were talking about me! About Eric making me his like I was a car he could buy, a piece of land he could own. Screw that! If I could have popped away, I would have been three states over in a heartbeat. As things stood, I held my breath as they both came into view, willing them not to look at the window, willing the darkness to cloak me.
"Eric please," Rory said, putting her hand on his arm. "Act now. She spoke to Iowa on your behalf, the opening is there."
Oh no. No, no, no. She promised not to tell him that!
Wait. No, she hadn't. She hadn't actually promised, had she. She'd just let me assume, the tricky fairy bitch! Heat flooded my cheeks as my dander rose and I struggled to stay put, fighting the urge to burst in on them and give them both a piece of my mind.
"No." Eric lifted Rory's hand off his arm with exaggerated calm and dropped it. "Now is not the time to act, I am sure of it."
"And I am sure you won't get a better chance!" She threw up her hands. "Ugh! I love you Eric, but you are beyond stubborn. Delay and she will slip through your fingers again!"
Eric growled, deep and menacing, and all but yelled, "Do you think I have no plans of my own, woman? Do you think me incapable of running my own affairs?"
"No, of course not. But—"
"Enough!" he bellowed. "This conversation is over."
"Fine! On your own head be it." With a pop, Rory's mind winked out and winked back into existence down in the parking lot with the two demons. A car door opened noisily and slammed shut.
Simultaneously, a loud crash came from the room. A stream of furious cussing followed, cut short when the door banged shut, rattling the window in its frame.
Out on the walkway, I was stone-cold furious too.
Son of a bitch! Eric hadn't listened to a damn word I'd said in Baton Rouge. I thought he'd understood, that he got it, got me, respected my choice. I should've known. He'd given up far too easily when I stopped that kiss. Backing off was just a ploy, a trick. Eric never gave up on what he wanted.
And he did want me. The way he stalked me last night, the heat in his eyes…
And I'd been the tasty little gazelle, all doe-eyed and naïve, fresh meat for the lion. My lip curled in disgust. A damn asset in a fuckable package, that's all I was to him.
And Rory loved him, but she was practically begging him to make me his. What sort of fucked-up fairy shit was that?
Toss me to the hungry lion so she could have her demon lawyer on the side, I'd bet.
I wanted no part of that hot mess.
Sick to my stomach, I backed carefully away and then rapped on Pete's door as if I'd just arrived, Crazy Sookie smile firmly in place.
Pete let me in and I kept up a stream of bright, perky chatter as I dumped the bag of take-out unceremoniously on the table. My hands shook with residual adrenaline as I pulled out boxes of food. Daisy gave me a searching look, but before she could ask what was wrong, Pete, still at the open door, sniffed at the air and announced that we had company. Already jumpy, I didn't hesitate to reach out, discovering a bunch of twoey minds had in the lot and one coming up the stairs that I recognised from its orderly, busy thoughts.
Elaine Randall.
Food forgotten, Pete and I stepped out to meet her. She didn't falter as she marched towards us, heels clicking and blackberry in hand, looking every inch the groomed politician, not a hair out of place. She made me feel under-dressed in my borrowed sweater and grubby jeans.
"What's she doing here?" Daisy asked, scowling from the doorway. Good question.
"He called me," Elaine said, nodding past us.
Eric had appeared on the walkway. He was calm, no trace of his earlier temper-tantrum.
I was still madder than a wet hen, but I was doing my damnedest to keep my face blank too.
"Sookie," he said, nodding at me. "You're back, good. The Caucus needs to hear about last night. Shall we?"
He gestured into the room he'd come out of. As we trooped inside after him, Elaine looked as dissatisfied as I was with the situation. She gave Daisy a sharp look. You should've have been the one to call me, witch. What hornet's nest did you stir up this time?
I shook my head. "Daisy didn't do anything, Elaine. This pile of horseshit was already stinking up the place, just waiting for us to step right in it."
Elaine's head snapped round, shock and the begins of disgust on her face.
Shit, I hadn't done that in a coon's age. Distracted and mind wide open, I'd answered her thought. Mumbling an embarrassed apology, I took a seat in the corner and tried to melt into the wall.
Eric, grim-faced, took charge and summarised what we'd discovered at the farmhouse. All business, he looked to me now and then to confirm details. The replies I gave were quiet and clipped, the friendly camaraderie we'd shared in Houston gone, chased away by the anger I was barely keeping a lid on.
If Eric noticed my coldness, his face gave away nothing. No-one else paid my terseness any mind. The mood grew sombre and Elaine's face darkened with each fresh revelation as Eric laid out the scope of Tabner's organisation, its tendrils buried deep in the highest echelons of our government and military, its plans to shackle vampire and two-natured alike.
Finally she asked in a clip tone, "And they had weapons powerful enough to take you down?"
"Temporarily," Eric said, flashing a hint of self-satisfied fang. "A taser. With silver barbs and heavy duty batteries."
"They call it the S-taser," I put in, grimacing. I didn't think Eric had reason to be smug, given how close a call it had been. "S for supe."
"Hurt like a bitch," Pete growled. "Put me on my ass as easy as pie."
"They had silver cuffs too,"I added. "And tranqs to stop y'all shifting, like the ones the cops have."
"Hm, I wondered about those," Elaine said. "They came out of nowhere."
Eric raised a questioning eyebrow.
"Vampires don't have a monopoly on intelligence," she said drily. "I have contacts in the pharmaceutical industry. Drugs take time to develop and no-one was working on that."
"No-one you knew of," Eric corrected. "This agency has a whole department working on countermeasures against us."
He looked at me and I rattled off the location of their main R&D lab, up in Virginia. Elaine made a note of it on her blackberry and asked what else they were developing.
"A way to detect glamour," Daisy said.
"Yes," Eric agreed. "But it is too cumbersome to use in the field."
From his clipped tone, he wasn't happy to be sharing that with Elaine. Guess old habits died as hard for the undead as they did for the living. I had to credit him for calling her in though; I hadn't expected that level of co-operation.
"How long until it is?" Elaine asked, frowning.
He shrugged. "Tabner had limited knowledge of the weapons program."
Elaine looked at me and I confirmed it: "He didn't even know all the private companies they outsource this stuff to."
Smug son of a bitch had thought how clever it was that all their eggs weren't in one basket when we were questioning him too.
The Agency — I'd taken to capitalising it in my head — had scattered their operations across the country in an attempt to fly under the radar. Tabner had been instrumental in that, knowing that vamps were fragmented along state lines and wouldn't put the bigger picture together for some time. (He was scathing about twoey information gathering capabilities, they didn't even register as a threat.) He was careful that no one vampire knew too much of what he did. That was why he'd hired Lanzo out in California and why he'd been furious to discover Lanzo worked for Felipe.
You see, Tabner already made a deal with that particular devil.
The facility that he'd been all set to haul me off to was in Nevada. And Felipe had been paid, paid handsomely, to turn a blind eye to it.
The Facility (I decided it warranted a mocking capital of its own) was a bleak place and its cold concrete cells already held half a dozen prisoners. American citizens that Tabner was crafting into those 'tools' of his, Americans like me who looked human, were raised as human, and would have been just plain old human if a supe ancestor in the woodpile somewhere hadn't given them a special ability or two.
One of them was a young girl who could summon objects with her mind. Only seventeen, she was pale and terrified in every memory Tabner had of her.
That hell-hole had to be shut down.
I hadn't shared all that with Eric. Oh, I was sure he'd happily stake Felipe at the drop of a hat if he could get away with it, but there were rules about interfering in another king's territory, let alone another clan's, rules that might tie Eric's hands for all I knew.
If he was even willing to intervene. It was still vampires first, other supes second, and humans way down the list with Eric.
But fairies weren't bound by the same rules, far as I knew, so my instinct last night had been to tell Niall, not Eric. I was mighty glad of that in the light of what I'd just overheard.
Who knew what favour Eric might want from me in return for his help.
"Stan may know more," Eric was saying when I dragged my attention back to the conversation. "His people have had Tabner and the two remaining wolves for the day."
"One of the wolves was a witch," Daisy said darkly. "And the Fed knew that."
"These people know about witches?" Elaine asked in alarm.
"We believe the knowledge is restricted to a few select individuals," Eric reassured her.
"You hope," Daisy scoffed and Eric looked ready to throw her off the balcony.
"From what I could tell," I butted in before they could start on each other, "Tabner kept that real close to his chest. He wanted every advantage he could get. He doesn't trust anyone, not even his own higher-ups. "
"Yes, precisely," Eric said, giving Daisy a sharp look. "The information is contained at present."
Tabner really didn't want anyone in the FBI finding out other supes existed, going so far as to put Lattesta on gardening leave when he pressed to investigate Daisy. (Apparently Lattesta hadn't trusted his boss enough to mention he'd run into a telepath in Louisiana, thank goodness.) Lattesta, stickler for rules that he was, had started to question Tabner's orders and the last thing Tabner needed was an agent on the Dallas task force realising something fishy was going on, so he'd been as happy as a clam when Lattesta requested a transfer back to Illinois.
Tabner, however, was paranoid enough to check that Lattesta hadn't been glamoured into transferring, but whatever Daisy did to make Lattesta forget all about us went undetected by that brain-scanning gizmo of theirs. When I told Eric that Pam had glamoured Lattesta briefly in Tyler, he'd pursued that line of questioning and we'd discovered that Daisy's magic had masked that too, which had pleased Eric greatly. Confident that Stan's witches could cover up glamour with their magic, he'd set about ruthlessly removing Tabner's memories of the interrogation.
Eric could teach Tabner a thing or two about paranoia. He didn't trust anyone else to cover his ass.
Neither did Elaine, apparently.
"Information can't be contained forever," she said, tapping a pen against her blackberry. "If the FBI know about witches, if that gets out… People aren't ready to hear magic exists. The potential fall out… This is huge. I need to convene an emergency meeting of the Caucus."
"I must inform Amun and the other clans too," Eric said. "But I called you here as more than a courtesy. We need to co-ordinate our responses."
"Why?" Elaine was unconvinced, suspicious. Vampires never do anything unless it benefits them. "We're the ones with a PR nightmare on our hands over these murders."
Eric gave her a withering look that all but called her a fool. "This is bigger than a few corpses covered in wolf bites. This agency threatens us all. It is essential we work together."
Elaine narrowed her eyes and scrutinised him. "You really believe that, don't you? You weren't blowing smoke up all our asses while you were in Zeus."
"No, I was not. It was only a matter of time before humans acted against us, even Texas saw that. Do not underestimate them. Individually they may be weak, but they outnumber us." The weight of his years settled on his face and when he spoke again his voice was low. "There is a storm coming, a storm that could sweep away all the progress we have made. Only by uniting will we weather it. I have seen this many times. Humans do not like change. They lash out, fight it. It never comes without cost, without bloodshed and destruction."
His words echoed the things Tabner said about a new order, about the sacrifices that had to be made to usher it in, and that chilled me to the bone. I wasn't the only one; you could've heard a pin drop.
In the heavy silence, Daisy looked particularly grim and I got the distinct impression she was considering his words in the light of what her ancestors had paid for progress.
Elaine cleared her throat. "So how, in your opinion, should we handle this?"
"Carefully," Eric said, without a trace of humour. "Neutralising this agency will be difficult enough, but that is only one battle. To win the war, or rather to avoid a war we would almost certainly lose, we must sway public opinion in our favour. That will be much harder."
"I had an idea about that," I said slowly, forgetting I was furious with him in the seriousness of the situation. "Folks are out for blood and they won't be satisfied until the serial killer is caught. Why not call the press, have a packmaster in Jackson turn our werewolf friends over to the cops in a blaze of publicity. Let everyone see the twoeys police their own kind."
"That's not a bad idea," Elaine said thoughtfully, "and if the Feds trace it back to Tabner and his bosses…"
"Hector will be avenged," Daisy finished, with some satisfaction.
"No," Eric said, frowning. "That will not work. The wolves are foot soldiers, expendable. The people above Tabner will deny all knowledge of them, wriggle out of it. And they will find a way to pin the blame squarely back on Hector, on Tooth and Claw, if they can. It is what I would do."
"There must be some evidence," I argued. "Something we could use to prove who was really behind it."
"Where?" Pete said. "That house in Jackson was clean. Those wolves knew what they were doing."
"And, unfortunately for us, they are werewolves," Elaine said, pinching her nose. "Most people won't see beyond that even if we can prove whose orders they were following."
"Yes," Eric said thoughtfully, "having wolves commit the murders was ingenious. If they ever got caught, blame would still fall on the two-natured." He looked intently at Elaine. "A human killer would be far more convenient for our purposes."
"Yes," she said, eyes narrowing. "If we could find one."
"But we don't need to find one," I said, my sense of natural justice offended by what Eric was suggesting. "We have the killers."
"They're right though, Sookie," Pete said quietly. "Mud sticks. You saw what was happening in Houston. The cops harassing twoeys, Liz and Brandy getting run out of town like that. We'll all get the blame."
"But it's not right" I said stubbornly, folding my arms. "They're the ones with blood on their hands, they should face the consequences." Remembering kind of consequences Calvin dished out to Mel, I added quickly, "The legal consequences."
Pity clouded Eric's eyes briefly, then they hardened and his expression closed. "Would those wolves have killed without orders, Sookie?"
"Chico would have," I insisted. "The one whose neck you snapped. He was one sick puppy, a natural born killer."
"But the others, the two you want us to hand over to the police?"
"No," I admitted reluctantly. "They were just following orders."
"Then why punish them for what Tabner and his associates set in motion when it will hurt our cause."
I looked around. From their faces Daisy, Pete and Elaine agreed with Eric. My stomach churned. Maybe they were right and the ends justify the means. Lord knew I'd taken the law into my hands often enough, done things that would horrify most decent folk. But I just hated what they were considering.
Too bull-headed to give up, I clutched at a final straw. "What if Tabner's friends have proof the wolves killed those men. What if they release it and accuse y'all of lyin', shifting blame away from twoeys. That will make things a hundred times worse."
"She has a point," Elaine said.
"She usually does," Eric said with a faint smile. "We will extract a confession from the wolves and gather as much evidence against Tabner as we can. I'm sure the FBI would be very interested to hear they have a rogue agent in their midst. We can use that to leverage some concessions."
"Go on." Elaine was interested now. "What concessions?"
"A scapegoat of our choice for these murders. The arrest of Chosen operatives who have attacked us. Their prosecution, in public, for those attacks. That should swing opinion in our favour. Perhaps we could even have the FBI expose that Christmas wolf attack as a hoax organised by the Fellowship." He looked at me. "This is not a clean fight. War never is."
"Yes,," Elaine said, nodding grimly. "We have to fight as dirty as the opposition." Just like politics.
"Good," Eric said, lifting a hand to end my protests. "Then it is settled. Let's sketch out a strategy before we meet with Stan in San Antonio."
…
"Sookie. You appear to be leaving."
I froze mid-step, the stairs to the parking lot a measly six feet away. Damn it. I'd slipped out when Thalia arrived, while the others were deep in discussion, but the last person I wanted to notice my escape had.
Cursing silently, I turned around and did my best to sound relaxed. That wasn't easy when I wanted to yell at him.
"Yes, Eric. I'm leaving."
It was just the two of us on the walkway, but I didn't want to be alone with him. Not when each second in his presence made it harder to bite my tongue, harder to stop my hands balling, harder to keep from tearing him a new one. And I was determined to leave like the lady I was, dignity intact.
"You are not coming to San Antonio," he observed, voice neutral. His expression was unreadable, the dim walkway lights casting harsh shadows across his face.
"No. I've done what Daisy asked me to do. She knows what happened to Hector. We stopped the murders. I interrogated Tabner for you. I've done my part." There, that sounded reasonable.
"You do not wish to see this through?"
Stick around so Eric could put whatever plan he had to disrupt my life into action? Not in a million years. Nor did I particularly want to participate in a conspiracy that I wasn't convinced was right.
I shrugged. "You and Elaine seem to have everything covered. You don't need me."
I couldn't quite keep a hint of bitterness from my voice and he looked at me for a long moment
"Be careful, Sookie," he said softly, tilting his head, gleams of light reflected in his eyes like stars in the night sky. "Memphis is not as safe as you think."
"Excuse me?" Was that a threat?
"Tennessee has plans for the tiger. I do not know the details, but I suspect no good will come of it for you."
"I can take care of myself." I smiled sourly, hating the reminder of Bardulf's games, hating that Eric must have a spy in Tennessee to know about them. "Meredith and Diantha are waiting. Is that all?"
"For now."
It took an effort of will not to snap at his arrogance. I turned to go, half expecting him to stop me, but he didn't. He just leaned on the railing, eyes hooded in shadow as he watched me take the stairs, cross the lot and get into the waiting car. I felt his eyes on me long after we pulled out of sight.
