Disclaimer: The Sookie Stackhouse Series is the creation of Charlaine Harris. Don't sue me Charlaine! I love your books.

Understanding

VI.

The hotel was like a fortress. The Athenée was very French themed but the security was very Big Brother themed as far as I was concerned. It seemed that after the Rhodes summit, and reported kidnapping and murder at the Memphis summit, any hotel that catered to vampire summit meetings spent a fortune on security.

My room was immediately next to Pythia's suite. There was no view to speak of because of the dark lightproofing glass but I had had months of the view of the moors, heathland and hills. I could bear with it for a few days, I thought. The room was pleasant and spacious.

I was actually looking forward to seeing Pythia again in person. She had inquired extensively about my recovery, and my progress. She'd sent small gifts, and encouraging words. She had been artlessly kind to me. She treated me both as an equal and as a bright child, with whom you should be patient, while they discover the world. We had spoken for several hours in late June, when she explained her desire to have me attend the Madison summit with her. As difficult as she could be, I had come to really like her a great deal.

When I arrived, Pythia had already been checked in since the previous night. I went to her room around 7:30 pm to speak with one of her handmaidens only to find Pythia awake and accusing me of keeping her waiting.

"Pythia, the sun does not even set for another hour!"

"I am awake now however, and if you had bothered to even think about me, you would have realized that you were, therefore, late."

One of the handmaidens looked at me with shock when I burst out into laughter.

Cranky today, are we? I moved closer to her and regarded her carefully. Pythia, you do not look well.

At my age, looking like I'm here at all is heartening.

I smiled. You exaggerate. You just do not look as well as you did last year. You are so pale. Are you only using synthetic blood? It's not working for you. I thought your handmaidens….

Are you offering some of yours? It must be very addicting. It appears that Viking considers it irreplaceable. Talk about looking pale.

"Don't be rude to me, please" I said quietly but firmly out loud.

I am merely observing things. Are you offering yours? It was quite nice in the sample I had. I am simply bored with feeding off those around me. They all taste the same. Boring. Thousands of years and all the same. Even Royalty Blended is boring. I've had it all before.

If you have a sharp knife, I'll give you some of mine. In a glass. Or a syringe or something.

Tsk, tsk. So sterile. Likely an empty offer.

I'm not kidding. I really would. In a glass. No biting.

Be careful or I may take you up on it.

I was sincere. I appreciate what you say about getting bored at times. Not to change the subject, but a very different note, are you truly sure that you wish me to take on this job at present?

Are you actually questioning me? No one questions me. It is bad form. It is not done.

In a respectful way, yes. I am still not completely well. A poor performance on my part would reflect on you and I do not wish to cause you problems or disappoint you. You have been nothing but kind to me.

You will never be completely well, Sookie. This was said with a smile and an eyebrow raised over one blind eye.

Why thank you. I feel so comforted.

You won't be because you don't resolve things with him, and you are still at odds with yourself. I really don't know which is more annoying. To have found someone with real skills who has rendered herself useless as my replacement or to find someone with real skills who doesn't quite want to use them? I am so lucky to have this conundrum embodied in one person.

I ignored her. I will go and change. 10 pm?

Sharp.

Of course.

I have sent you two guards.

It is kind but excessive. And I do not think I need them.

It is my wish.

I nodded to her, though she could not see the gesture, and went to my room.


I followed the Ancient Pythoness out on the stage. I sat on lower chair, near her. Her decree that serious disputes between various supernatural races or humans and vampires would be handled by a new member of her retinue was greeted with a lot of buzzing. Murmuring audiences did not please Pythia. She then introduced me by name as her selected representative. The audience fell silent.

"This child was identified to you by me last year. She is descended from the Tuatha Dé Danann. I would strongly suggest, that in spite of her charming appearance, you take that seriously. She will handle all non-royal judicial matters to have been heard by me during this summit. She will begin tonight at 2 am. Her word is my word, her decrees are mine. Question her position and you question me, which I would not recommend."

I looked at the audience as they took in that massively unpopular decree and read their inner commentary.

Pythia focused her thoughts to me.

They'll get use to it. Just be prepared to throw your weight around when challenged. Try not to kill anyone too important for challenging you alone.

I don't want to kill anyone at all, Pythia!

Yet. Trust me, a few more years and it will seem as if in some cases it would be a better, longer lasting solution. We can always make more you know…

In spite of her warning, there were several questions about the new edict from the audience. The Ancient Pythoness really does not like being questioned about her edicts… She threw a goblet at one of the vampires and hit him square in the face in spite of her being blind.

I looked out at the audience and saw familiar faces. I smiled ever so slightly at Pam. I had sent her a note earlier asking her to come to my room when she had time. Bill and Victor and Felipe were all scattered in the audience. I was very aware of the absence of Eric, but then he entered by a door on the side of the room. I did not make eye contact with him. My heart rate accelerated at the sight of him.

Remember, I get blood before he does. You offered it to me first. She laughed internally.

I ignored her.

As she finished her presentation and we rose to leave, I asked one of my guards to request that Eric come to my room at 11 pm. I would have to get this over with. I would have to make peace with him, with myself. Otherwise I would be too anxious at a time in which I needed my greatest focus and calm.