Eric has received mysterious threats from a middle aged woman called Marnie. Initially dismissive, he is about to be forced to change his mind.
Pam and Eric walked slowly round to the front of Fangtasia. They could clearly hear women screaming and crying in terror. Men's voices rang out too, but they were angry not fearful. Above the clamour of voices, the wail of the sirens continued unabated.
"Oh my God," said Pam; genuinely shocked. Through a gap in the crowd a truly gruesome sight met their eyes: the body of the waitress Ginger, her throat still dripping blood. She had been pinned to the front door of Fangtasia in a sick imitation of the crucifixion.
"Who did this?" Eric demanded, storming over to the nearest Police officer. Pam reached his side just in time to stop him grabbing the man by the throat. "Was it one of them?" he continued angrily, indicating the small group of banner waving protestors.
"We don't yet know sir," the cop stood his ground, refusing to let the vamp intimidate him. Truth be told he had some sympathy for the Fellowship and their suggestion that the vamps go back to hell where they came from. "We got the call about an hour ago from a woman. She said her name was Hallow, but rang off without saying anything else. Do you know her?"
Eric shook his head, not wishing to give the human authorities any reason to involve him. The sound of that name already had the power to make him shudder inwardly. It was clear to him that this was a follow up to the threats he had dismissed so casually yesterday.
"Can't you clear things up? You can see how upset everyone is getting," Pam cut in sharply.
'And how bad for your business,' the cop thought, unsympathetically. He would have been even less sympathetic if he had known that both Pam and Eric had exactly the same thought. "I have to wait for the scene of crime officer before we can clear the scene. As soon as I get reinforcements we can disperse the crowd."
The reinforcements couldn't come soon enough, Eric thought. He could feel the tension in the air as the mood of the crowd grew angrier. There wasn't much they could do to Fangtasia. A few pots of paint were thrown, but they just added to the graffiti which already covered the building. He just hoped that none of the protestors spotted his car. Anyone who touched it risked being torn limb from limb – maybe not now, but he would remember and he would have his revenge in time.
The sound of more sirens brought respite. Finally there were enough officers to disperse the crowd. Pam and Eric stayed to watch Ginger's broken body being released as the medical examiner arrived to record the ghastly scene.
"Eric, this has to be the same woman who threatened you yesterday. I think she did something to Hadley as well, there's something not quite right about her; I just can't put my finger on it. The point is, she's coming after you and you need to hide." Pam kept her voice low, but it was clear that she was genuinely worried
"If she's as powerful as you think, how I am going to hide from her. We should confront her. You're normally the one to tell me to stand and fight after all." He sounded uncharacteristically uncertain. Taking on Russell had been one thing. He knew exactly what he was facing and was able to weigh up the risks. This new threat was like nothing he had ever known before.
"I know just the place that you can go; somewhere that no one will think of looking for you. In the meantime, I'll try to find out what I can about this Marnie, or Hallow, whoever she is." She set off back towards the car park, a determined look on her face.
Sookie wasn't sure what instinct had prompted her to run to the cemetery. Perhaps the desire for comfort had drawn her to her Grandmother's grave. For the first time in her life she felt completely and absolutely alone. If only Gran were here now, she would certainly have had some choice words to describe Bill's behaviour. She would also have wise words for her; words of comfort to help her through the pain.
Slowly she realised that she wasn't alone. There was someone waiting for her, a dark haired woman, illuminated by a golden light. "Will you come with me Sookie?" the woman asked. "Choose our world, you will be safe there, we will love you and care for you."
The woman's voice was soft and gentle, but even so it resonated with power and authority. Sookie wasn't sure she would have been able to say 'no', but right now she wanted nothing more than the sanctuary which Claudine offered. She held out her hand and the golden light formed a thread between them. It seemed to expand and fill the whole space around them, and then, with no more than a quiet 'pop' they were no longer in the cemetery, but back in that beautiful land she had visited in her visions.
"Let me introduce you to some of our family." Claudine gave an almost imperceptible wave of her hand and a gorgeous dark haired man appeared by her side. "This is Claude, my brother, and therefore your cousin," she explained.
Sookie looked up at him, meeting his gaze as he gave her a top to toe appraisal. There was no sign of lust, or even appreciation in his expression. She could have been a prize heifer at the county fair for all the interest he showed. Perhaps fairies weren't interested in sex, she thought, pushing the sense of disappointment to the back of her mind. The one thing she did not regret about her relationship with Bill was finally losing her virginity after twenty-five years. She had begun to think it might never happen, and whatever else she might think about him, their love life could never have been described as boring.
"This is Preston," Claudine said, introducing another young man. "He is not exactly family to us, but his people and ours have always been very close. There are connections by marriage going back hundreds of years."
"Pleased to meet you," Sookie responded, remembering her manners this time. She was glad of a moment to compose herself as she might otherwise have succumbed to a very teenage gasp of astonishment at the sight of him.
He was slightly shorter than her cousins, but still had a couple of inches on her. His hair was a thick shiny dark brown, hanging in loose curls down to his neck. His face was sensual, like a young Marlon Brando. He was wearing the pale, translucent shirt which all the men seemed to favour and which showed off the sculpted muscles of his arms and chest. His most striking feature was his tawny eyes which seemed to glow as he looked at her. The look in those eyes forced her to shift her opinion on fairy sexuality. She had no doubt at all that this creature wanted her.
"You must be hungry," he said in a low voice that made her insides shiver with desire. A picnic was laid out under the willow tree, next to the pond. Sookie allowed him to take her hand and lead her over. She hadn't realised until that moment that she was really very hungry. She couldn't remember the last time she had eaten, but it seemed like days ago.
Like everything in this world the picnic resembled the human realm, but magnified and amplified. The table cloth was red and white gingham and the food was stored in an old wicker basket. Nothing about it was immediately recognisable, but the smell was delicious. Claudine handed her a glass of pale cream liquid.
"Ambrosia," Claudine explained. "It is more than just sustenance for the body; it is also food for the soul. It will bring you peace and serenity."
Sookie drained the glass in a single gulp, hoping it would erase the painful memories of the vampire who had betrayed her. Claudine handed her some fruit. It was the most wonderful taste she had ever experienced, she thought, as the rich juice trickled down her chin. Her eyes met Preston's as she wiped the excess with her finger and licked it off.
Preston moved in just a little closer, letting his legs rest against hers. She could feel the warmth of his body through the pale linen pants he wore. It was a strange sensation, but not an unpleasant one. She got used to Bill's cool body but she had to admit it was very comforting to feel a warm-blooded creature next to her. She became aware that Claudine was watching them with an odd expression on her face. Sookie couldn't work out whether her cousin was pleased or concerned at what she saw.
Before she had time to question her, a flutter of excitement ran through all the fairies. Those that were standing stood taller, straightening their clothes. Those that were seated adjusted their position sitting cross legged and alert.
The woman who approached had to be the most striking creature Sookie had ever seen. She was taller than Claudine and her hair was the colour of purest silver draped long over her shoulders. Her eyes were bright green, and were matched by the jewels in the necklace which hung around her delicate throat.
Her elegant gown was encrusted with more jewels which sparkled like diamonds. Claudine gave a deep curtsey as she approached, and Claude matched her with a low bow. "Queen Mab!" Preston exclaimed as he jumped up, grabbing Sookie's hand to pull her up with him.
"Well, well, who have we here?" the queen asked. Her voice was every bit as lovely as her appearance, pure and melodic.
Claudine stepped forward. "This is Sookie, my Lady, our cousin. She has come to stay with us."
The queen took Sookie's hands in hers and looked her up and down approvingly. "How are you enjoying the kingdom of the Fae my dear?"
"It's very beautiful, your majesty," Sookie replied politely.
"I sense that you are troubled, your soul has been damaged by the darkness." As Queen Mab stroked her arms, Sookie felt warmth flood through her body. The ache in her heart left by Bill's betrayal began to feel less painful.
"Soon you will dine with me, but for now, Claudine and Preston can entertain you." Summoning her entourage the queen moved on down the path into the flower meadow.
Sookie was left speechless as she watched their graceful progress, and it was left to Claudine to fill the silence. "She is very beautiful, but also very powerful. She seems to like you, but whatever you do, you must not cross her."
"Nonsense, cousin," Preston cut in. "You know that the queen wants only what is best for our people. It is only thanks to her that we have survived at all. It is very unfair of you to suggest otherwise. Come now, let us finish our picnic."
"I'm done, thanks." Sookie realised she no longer had an appetite.
"In that case we shall dance," Preston announced, holding out his hands to her. She became aware of music in the air as he spun her round in a graceful waltz. Round and round they span while Claude, Claudine and the others clapped their encouragement. Finally Sookie was forced to pull away. She sank gracefully down on the grass, exhausted.
Preston sat down beside her, taking her hand in his. He turned it over, palm facing up, and traced gentle patterns with his long fingers. Sookie felt an electric sensation travel up her arm and through her whole body. His tawny eyes seemed to glow with inner fire as he held her gaze.
"You are very beautiful, my cousin," he said softly.
"Everyone here is beautiful," Sookie answered, feeling slightly uncomfortable. She wasn't used to compliments, especially now she was left doubting everything Bill had ever said to her.
"Don't think about the one who betrayed you. He is nothing to you, he never was anything."
Sookie pulled her hand away from Preston in an angry gesture. "Can you read my thoughts now?" she demanded.
"No, but I can read your expression. Your feelings are written all over your face. We are all sorry to see you hurt. Claudine did try to warn you to avoid the vampire – they will all bring you into the darkness."
Sookie considered his words. It was true Claudine had tried to warn her, but she hadn't been the only one. "Are all vampires the same?" she asked, not sure that she wanted to hear the answer.
"It doesn't matter. You are safe with us now; you need never see any of them again." Preston's voice was as gentle as ever but the effect of his words seemed sinister to her. He realised immediately that he had said something wrong. Gently he took her face in his hands, meeting her eyes once again.
The power of his gaze held her transfixed. She felt as if energy were flowing between them. She wanted to challenge his words. Could he really mean she would never see her brother or her friends again?
From nowhere the image of Eric, popped into her mind, as he'd been that last time she had seen him, covered in concrete, standing on her porch. He'd looked oddly attractive, she had to admit. A sense of guilt washed over her again. She had been so unfair to him, and now she would never have the chance to apologise.
She forced her attention back to Preston. That wasn't too difficult to do. She no longer believed in love at first sight, not after her experience with Bill. She wasn't even sure she believed in love at all. Lust at first sight, that was a different matter altogether.
"It's getting late," Claudine's musical voice broke into her train of thought; "we should take shelter for the night." Sookie allowed her cousin to link arms with her, and lead her away. She turned to exchange a smile with Preston as he drifted off into the darkness.
Apologies for a short chapter - the next one will be up soon.