A/N: Hi folks! Thank you for bearing with me for two missed updates. I'm really sorry about that. FiniteAnarchy is an amazingly encouraging and patient person, in case you weren't aware of that. Thanks also to those of you who sent kind notes asking after me – all's well. It's a busy time of year, and I'll own up to some writer's block, but I think it has passed. Charlaine Harris owns these characters, and I'm so glad she graciously ignores the way we all use them for our own devices.

In the last chapter...

Gran was released from the hospital and returned to Jason's house. Liset, the woman Hadley cheated with, showed up in Bon Temps. Sookie caught Liset thinking of the missing Jason, and Hadley spilled the beans to Tray about Sookie's telepathy.

Hoping to get information about Jason, Hadley and Sookie lured Liset to the empty farmhouse with Tray guarding their backs, waiting outside in his werewolf form.

Realizing the cousins were on to her, Liset pulled a gun on Hadley and Sookie. Startled by a sudden noise outside, Liset fired, hitting Hadley. Sookie and Liset fought, and Sookie managed to knock the gun away and wrestled Liset to the ground.

Chapter 26 – Slap Them On the Wrist with a Vampire

I couldn't think. I beat against Liset with all my might in time with the pounding on the door. I didn't even realize when it stopped. I just kept hitting her back and shoulders with my flagging strength. I felt the weariness in my arms and the pain from where she had scratched and bit me. My muscles were about to give out. She just had to stop moving. I just needed to tie her hands. I needed that, so I could check on Hadley and Tray.

When she finally went still I slumped forward over her. I'm sure the pose would have looked pretty tantalizing to any men in the vicinity, at least until they took in our appearances. Liset panted. I could feel the dull pain in her mind, but most of all, I felt her defeat. I stumbled to my feet, not taking a lot of care with her body as I hoisted myself up. She groaned, and made like she was going to turn over. I let my foot fall heavy against her upper back. I didn't think I'd really done any permanent damage but I had beaten her into submission. That was some kind of accomplishment, I guess. I had a lot of other things to deal with right at that moment.

"Don't even think about moving," I said, surprised at how low and dangerous my voice sounded. Liset went limp in compliance and I managed to move back a pace and flung open the kitchen drawer to find the duct tape. She didn't fight me as I folded her arms behind her and bound her wrists. I wound a loop around her ankles for good measure. I didn't want her kicking me again. I hefted her up on to her side, taking a better look at her. She was a lot less lovely.

The noise of an engine outside cut off. There was a van parked in the driveway, its back doors facing the house. I guess that's what Tray had been trying to warn us about as he hurled himself against the backdoor. He must have heard it coming all the way down the road.

My eyes went out of focus as I pushed my mind outward, and I caught my own reflection in the kitchen window. I looked a lot less lovely too. There were two men in the van; this woman's brother, and my own. Liset had called the brother Wil, and he was peering through one of the dark tinted windows at the huge wolf on the porch. Jason was blindfolded, bound, and madder than a wet cat. I found his mental state reassuring.

Hadley shifted behind me.

Right. Hadley.

I never thought I'd ever be so grateful to see a deep and bloody gash. It was hideous. It looked like the flesh had been torn off her arm, and it bled copiously as I pulled her shirt away, but the bullet hadn't hit anything vital. Hadley could move her fingers. She could make a fist. She'd have one hell of a scar, but she'd be alright. We would have to get her to the hospital as soon as possible, but I did my best with the first-aid. I found gauze in the bathroom cabinet, and a fresh towel from the linen closet. I wrapped one, and then the other, and then I wrapped around her bicep with the tape. I got her seated, with her elbow up on the counter, and all this took me maybe four minutes.

"You okay?" I asked my cousin, looking her right in the eyes.

"I'll be okay," she said. She was pale, and quiet, but her voice was steady. She even managed a little nod.

"This is too much," I said as I turned away. "I'm going to call the police now."

"No!" shrieked Liset from across the kitchen, and she started struggling again.

I stomped over to her, ready to kick, but she settled down as I towered over her.

"We've got your brother," she said. "Just let me go, and we'll give him back."

"Why did you take him?"

"To trade!"

"To trade for what," I gritted out.

"Our lives."

"Why in the hell would you need to trade my brother for your life?"

"Because you're like us! They want to kill half-breeds. They want to teach the fairies how they shouldn't mix with humans, and when they come for us, we would give them you instead!"

I clenched my teeth and swallowed. My anger had no beginning and no end, but I shoved it aside because I needed my head clear. I needed answers.

"Who wants to kill half-breeds?"

"The water fae. The new prince." I shuddered involuntarily. "There's going to be war. You know about...?" she trailed off, and I knew that what she was basically asking.

"Niall said there was a new prince," I said quietly.

"You know Prince Niall?" Liset asked.

I stared at her. She was truly unaware of our family connection. Then how did she find us? Was it the blood? The scent? I was about to ask, when Hadley helpfully supplied, "He's our great grandfather," in a breathy voice that still managed to sound haughty.

I felt my eyes roll up into my head.

Liset's face showed her shock, but mentally that was followed by great disappointment. We would have been better bargaining chips than she had ever dreamed of. She was eying the gun that I'd kicked across the floor, and I scooped it up and placed it on the counter, well out of her reach.

"How did you find us?" I asked Liset.

Suddenly she was back to angry and willful and defiantly silent, but that didn't stop her thinking about it, and that was good enough for me.

Of all the Supe bars, in all the towns, in all the world, Hadley had walked into hers. She'd simply been recognized for what she was by another of her, of our, kind. Liset told her Uncle Wallace, and they'd hatched this plan. She'd seduced my cousin, making sure they were caught. She'd been the one to plant the idea that Hadley return home to her family. All they had to do was follow. They'd been sure there were more of us. That's what Wallace had meant, about finding three.

I took the opportunity to glance out the window. Tray had moved himself behind a box filled with cleaning supplies for a modicum of cover. Wil was still watching the house and the wolf intently, and was filled with uncertainty. He'd been waiting for a sign from Liset, and it hadn't come. We were at some kind of standoff. How long would it be until he just drove off again with Jason?

"What's your brother waiting for?" I tried instead. "What's the signal?"

She didn't answer, but I could see that she was just supposed to go to the window.

"How long will he wait?" I asked.

"He won't leave me here. He'll kill you all first," she spat.

"That'll lower our trade-in value," I muttered.

I had some decisions to make, quickly.

"Hadley," I said, without turning to face her. I wasn't going to take my eyes off Liset again. She felt she had a fighting chance, and she was going to take it if she could. There was nothing but hatred and determination in her now. "Go in the bedroom, and stay there no matter what, okay? And try to keep your arm up."

She moved slowly, but she moved. I heard the door close behind her. It was quiet in the kitchen, until I heard three sharp yips coming from outside. I could hear Tray moving around, bumping his shoulders into the washing machine and I darted to the backdoor, flipped the lock and threw it open, calling for Tray.

I was frozen, horrified by the sight of my brother being pushed from the van. His eyes were covered with a rag. There was tape on his mouth, and his arms and legs were bound in rope. He had no way to catch himself as he fell face first to the ground with a heavy thud.

"Send out Liset and we'll leave your brother," the man's voice cried out. I could hear Tray snarling to my right, and then once again, everything happened way too fast.

The gun fired three times at the porch, and I heard the booming shots punctuated by the metallic ping as the bullets hit the sink or the washer or the dryer. Suddenly Tray was charging, bolting over the porch rail in a single bound. I could barely appreciate what a magnificent leap it had been before I heard the gun fire again. I lost track of the action in the driveway as I was pushed hard from behind and tumbled down to my knees. I felt my hands rip against the wood floor as I caught myself and turned in time to see Liset lunging at me.

Her jacket was off now. I guess she'd shrugged out of it, and her bindings. I cursed myself for not making sure she was better secured. It's not like I have a whole lot of experience tying someone up. I should have taken some notes on my field trip to Eric's warehouse. You just never know when you're going to have to take someone hostage. God! Snap out of it, Sookie!

I grappled at Liset's knees, knocking her back, right on her ass, and twisted away from her feet as they shot out at me. She had the gun again, but as she pointed it at me, I could see she wasn't sure in her grip. Her hand shook, just as it did inside. She wasn't a killer. She wasn't accustomed to guns. She didn't fire. What I wanted more than anything in the world was just to turn and run away.

I couldn't let myself focus on the sounds behind me, and I was too afraid to look. Liset had the gun and all the power as she got back to her feet. She saw what was happening on the driveway. I felt sure I was about to die. I was about to close my eyes in acceptance when she jumped towards me, and we both went rolling off the stairs.

I felt her go limp over me right after I heard the final gunshot, and I waited for the pain. She wanted to hurt me. She wanted to watch me suffer. She got to her feet then and I looked up, seeing my blood smeared across her chest. It turned out it was true what they said; at the end, you feel nothing.

There was still sound coming from all around me, and I thought that should be fading. It took longer than it ought to have for me to realize that I wasn't actually dying. A few seconds later when it clicked that I was still breathing, quite heavily, the pain in all of my extremities flooded back and I rolled to my side to see Liset lying there. She was obeying, finally. She was absolutely still. I wanted to vomit.

Tray had moved away from his own kill, now busy tending to his wounds. He paused as I drew my weak body from the ground and he fixed me with that deep, canine stare. His muzzle was bloody, and his fur was damp and dark in places. He matched the rest of our surroundings. I wasn't the first to break. He snapped at the air once and then resumed tending to his leg and his paws.

I was bending to check on Jason when I became aware of another presence nearby. I sensed him just before I heard Tray's warning sound, low and rumbling. Niall was striding towards us from the edge of the woods. Another fairy stood back, not leaving the cover of the trees.

I gave in to the childish impulse I had to run to him for comfort, and he enveloped me in his arms and held me for long moments until my sobbing subsided. Niall stroked my hair and my cheeks.

"Tell me what has happened here," he finally admonished.

"They had guns, and she got shot, and Tray... got the other."

I knew this wasn't the explanation he wanted but it was what I could give him at that moment. The werewolf remained at a distance, but he was on his massive feet now, and his attention was on the fairy prince.

Without removing his arms from me, Niall led me into the house. Jason wasn't moving. He was unconscious. I think he had been since he was pushed out of the van. He would keep, for another few minutes.

In the kitchen, I was able to explain to Niall that his follower had hoped to trade us to his enemy to spare the lives of his own human relatives. Wallace had never known our connection to Niall, which my great grandfather found reassuring. There had been such an effort made; first by Fintan, and then by himself, to keep us concealed. Neither of them had been able to account for the random happenstance of someone stumbling across Hadley several hundred miles away. The brother and sister hadn't abandoned their plan after Wallace died. If anything, that just spurred them on; convinced them that the threat was real.

Niall took this news somberly. "I have known my people fear the events to come, but I did not believe anyone would take such measures," he began, and then paused before continuing. "Breandan and his followers dislike humans for the wrong reasons, but perhaps they are not wrong in the belief that it would be better if we had nothing to do with them."

"What does that mean?" I asked him.

"If Wallace had not been so fond of these humans, this would not have happened."

I wanted to argue that it wasn't Wallace's obvious love for these humans that caused this, but his extreme paranoia coupled with... I stopped myself from even trying to define his state of mind in the terms of human psychology. He wasn't human. I realized almost at the same moment that Niall's anger at the situation didn't stem from what Wallace had done, or tried to do, but simply that he had done it to us, Niall's own relatives.

Hadley was standing at the door to the kitchen, looking as pale as she had when I sent her away. Niall regarded her carefully for a moment before gesturing to a chair at the table. Did she realize now that her entire interaction with Liset had been a setup? She hadn't been forced to cheat on Camille, but it was certainly entrapment. I knew that she loved her ex-girlfriend, and I also knew, as did Hadley, that there was no hope of reconciling that relationship. I didn't think I wanted to be around her once she worked it all out. She'd be full of "mad" with nowhere to point it.

"We have to take Hadley to the hospital," I said, watching her.

"Will the human authorities inquire as to the nature and the cause of her injuries?"

"Probably. We should figure out what we're going to say to them."

"That will not be necessary," Niall said briskly, already moving towards Hadley. He unwrapped the bandages from her arm and began to murmur something in the language of the fae. Hadley twinged and gasped, murmuring about the warmth in her arm. When he withdrew, her wound looked as it might after a couple of weeks of healing. The skin was still pink and raw, but she no longer required immediate medical attention.

I heard Hadley's breath catch as she examined the wound, touching her fingers to it in disbelief and astonishment. Fairy magic is very different to the magic of witches. It's not like reciting spells and lining up ingredients. It's much more fluid. It comes so naturally, and it's both far more subtle and more graceful. Octavia Fant had been majestic in her sphere, but she was nothing to a fairy.

"We have a great deal to attend to, here," said Niall, returning his attention to me. "Who is the werewolf?" He listened as I explained very briefly. I felt compelled to note that Tray was hired by Eric. "He was not very effective," my great grandfather said, now lifting my arms to inspect my injuries.

"I'm fine," I said quickly. I wasn't, but I knew I would be. "If it wasn't for Tray, they would have got us. He kept the brother busy. They had guns."

"Yes," Niall acknowledged gravely. "I know that they are dangerous. Your bodies are so fragile." He cupped my cheek as he said this, sounding very sad.

Hadley left the kitchen then, to go and clean up. Niall had healed her, but he still barely spoke to her. Once she was gone, there was something I needed to say.

"Great Grandfather? Before, we spoke of Hadley's memories..."

"Have you had a change of heart?"

"It's not that I don't believe she has a right to know things, but I think it would be safer, for her, and for me, and for everyone, if she did not know about you, or really, any of this. And, maybe Jason, too. Oh God! Jason!" I said, jumping up to my feet. Now that my head was clear, I knew I needed to check on him.

I darted right past Niall and outside, surprised to realize that dusk was coming on very quickly. I knelt beside my brother and freed him of his bindings. He'd been hit on the head, and was muzzy when he started to come to. Niall followed me, and it wasn't very long before Hadley joined us.

"Sook?" Jason asked blearily.

"Hi Jason," I said softly.

"What the hell happened? There was this girl, and then I woke up later, and..." he was trying to remember, and just as I had a moment before, I wished he wouldn't. He started looking around then and that was not a good idea, considering what else was on the ground. Quickly, I pulled him to his feet and over to Niall, and our cousin. He moved unsteadily, but he let himself be led.

"Who's this guy?" Jason mumbled.

"Jason, this is Niall Brigant."

Jason held out his hand as if to shake, and Niall peered at it curiously before taking it.

"Jason," the fairy said, as if her were sounding out the name. "I wish to speak with you. And Hadley, I wish to speak with you, as well."

He led them away, calling their attention back when their eyes wandered. I watched as he spoke to them, not hearing what was said. I didn't start to worry until they started to move towards Jason's truck. She handed him the keys and neither of them looked up, nor answered when I called out, "Hey!"

Niall caught me before I could reach them.

"They are waking from a dream with thoughts ephemeral, evaporating, and soon they will be forgotten for good. Leave them be. If you are around them, it will only cause them to remember."

"I have to stay away from my family?" I asked incredulously.

"Only for a time; days, weeks," Niall said vaguely. "Now, we must do something about the rest of this mess, unless the werewolf wishes to consume his kill." I understood that he meant to sound magnanimous, but I sure couldn't help my reaction.

"No!" I screeched. The thought was sickening. I know that Weres are savage creatures. They hunt and kill and fight, but they don't eat... that would be like cannibalism. I looked over at Tray again, who chuffed and bowed his head, backing away. I don't know a whole lot about the language of animals, but that seemed like a very clear "No way," to me. I could tell Niall was surprised by my reaction, but he seemed to take it in stride, and I could practically hear him dismissing my strange behavior as an odd human quirk.

Niall embraced me again and urged me to return to Shreveport.

"What? But what about all this?" I gestured, looked, caught the gore in the corner of my eye and turned away again.

"Please, allow me to help, great granddaughter. If I had been here, this would not have been necessary."

"It would have been good if you'd somehow arrived sooner," I agreed. "How did you know to come, anyway?"

I don't recall if he answered me, or how he'd said goodbye, or if he'd said when I'd see him again. Before I realized it, I was halfway down the driveway, trudging back to my car. Tray was right beside me, and I let my hand fall and run across his fur. We startled a buck about a hundred yards down the trail leading to the deer camp as we came on the car. I let myself in and unlocked the door for Tray, who finally changed back. I folded my arms against the steering wheel and leaned forward, but the images which flashed when I shut my eyes for a moment were nothing I wanted to see.

Tray got in beside me, and since his clothes had remained clean and folded for the whole afternoon, he didn't look too bad, except for being half asleep.

"You okay to drive?" he asked.

"I'll get us back to Shreveport," I answered.

I turned on the car and the lights and buckled myself in, wincing as I reached back for the seat belt. I needed a hot bath and a soft bed, and an Advil or four.

It was hard to know to what extent Tray was aware of the details that had transpired. He didn't seem particularly keen to discuss anything that had happened, and I didn't particularly blame him. We rode in silence, and I focused on driving. I didn't have my shields up, but I wasn't listening to him. He might as well have been NPR, just noise in the background.

We reached my house and got out. There was no one around, not even my near neighbors. Maybe they'd gone out for the evening.

"So you won't be needing me tomorrow," Tray said.

"I don't think so," I shook my head. "I think that was the end of it. Thank you, Tray. I don't know how I can repay you."

"It was the job I was hired for," he shrugged.

"I think we both know you went above and beyond."

He gave me a hard stare. He'd killed a man today. I might have killed a woman. She was dead, and I wasn't, and it was a near thing. I felt the last of my composure slipping away.

"I'll see you Monday?" I asked.

"I'm on second shift," he replied.

"Thank you," I said again. I grabbed his hand and squeezed it, so he would know I really meant it. He pulled away quickly. He wasn't my friend. I was just work to him. I could read his mind, and I was mixed up with demons, and fairies, and vampires. He was exhausted. He wanted nothing more in that instant than to leave my presence, and not see me again until he absolutely had to.

"You're welcome," he said stiffly. "Go on inside now."

I nodded, and let myself into the house. I made it all the way into the shower before I cried, and I didn't stop until I fell asleep.

I got my fondest wish on Saturday; a day of no surprises. It was no surprise that I slept very late. I'd gone to bed with wet hair in an oversized t-shirt and nothing else, and it was no surprise when I looked in the mirror and saw an unholy terror staring back at me. My face and arms were bruised, and although I'd scarcely looked at myself last night, I'd seen enough to know that nothing had faded, only bloomed.

I spent a long two hours getting ready for absolutely nothing. I had no appetite, but I made coffee. I watched the television, and checked my email. I had a lot of messages about after-Christmas sales, and a note from Louis Chambers.

I called him.

"Miss Stackhouse, I'm glad to hear from you. We're up in Monroe."

"I'm so glad you could come. Is Octavia enjoying the visit with her family?"

"Yes. We are going to watch the children tonight so her niece can go out."

"That sounds lovely." I guess they're not doing the warding today, then.

"We thought we could do the wards on our way back, will you be free tomorrow afternoon?"

"That's just fine. What time will work for you?"

"Shall we say two?"

"Sounds good to me," I agreed.

"Very good, we'll see you then. Enjoy your night."

"Thank you," I said.

It wasn't until after I hung up that I remembered it was New Year's Eve. I debated driving out to Bon Temps, to check on Gran's house, and check on Gran herself, but I'd be going tomorrow, and she had Hadley and Jason. I called, instead. I was pretty grateful when she answered Jason's phone.

"Sookie, how are you honey?"

"I'm alright Gran. I was calling to see how you're feeling."

"Oh, I can't complain. Well I can, but I won't. These two are taking good care of me."

"That's great," I said.

"Jason finally turned up yesterday. I told you he was just off having too much fun."

"I'm glad," I said halfheartedly. "What was he up to?" I wondered what he'd told her, and what he remembered himself.

"He wasn't exactly expounding on the details," my grandmother chuckled. "And thank the Lord for that, I think!"

I tried to laugh along.

"So, is your gentleman friend taking you anywhere special tonight?"

"I don't think so," I said. "I think he has to work. He owns a nightclub, remember?" A nightclub that I was pretty sure would not be open tonight due to an infestation of Were-witches and some serious plumbing problems, but that was neither here nor there.

"Oh yes, I do remember. Are you going to go visit him?"

"It's not really my kind of place," I excused.

"Well, I think you should go. I'm cooking dinner and then Hadley and Jason are going out to Merlotte's Bar. They've both sworn up and down that either one will look after the other." Talk about the blind leading the blind.

"They're leaving you alone on New Year's?" I frowned.

"I'll be in bed long before they wheel out Dick Clark," Gran laughed.

We talked a little more about her health. It was information I had to practically pry out of her with a crowbar, but she seemed to be doing well on the whole. Jason was going to take her to her first doctor's appointment next week, since it was going to be a few more days before the insurance company and the body shop would work things out. I hung up the phone feeling decidedly unneeded.

I wasn't surprised to be alone on New Year's Eve. It certainly wasn't a first-time occurrence. I ordered a pizza and ate ice cream, and watched a marathon of CSI, until just before eleven, when they dropped the ball in New York City. There were so many people. They must be freezing their butts off, waiting out there for hours. All for what? To have some confetti thrown on them? And why would people waste good money on those stupid glasses? It's not like they could wear them again.

I should have gone to bed after that, but I didn't. I certainly shouldn't have stayed up until midnight, in the hope that Eric would magically appear at my door and give me a kiss, because that didn't happen either.

I knew he was busy. I knew he had every reason to not show up. In my heart of hearts I knew that even if he didn't have a slew of other problems to deal with, he probably wouldn't have shown up. But I'd let myself hope he would, which was stupid, stupid, stupid. That could be my resolution: to not be so hopeful. Then I wouldn't ever be disappointed.

I definitely shouldn't have stayed up another hour after that, and that last glass of wine probably wasn't my brightest idea either. Of course I was alone on New Year's Eve. Did I really deserve any better? I'm a liar. I'm a freak. And let's not forget the fact that I'm a murderer. Twice. I was sitting there upset that some homicidal vampire didn't come to give me midnight smooches? Depressed. Pathetic. Happy New Year.

I was still nursing my rare hangover and a big bottle of water when I got to Gran's the next day. I wasn't entirely sure what I would find.

Whoever cleaned the kitchen and the yard had done an impeccable job. I didn't believe for an instant that Niall himself had tended to the two corpses and disposed of their rental van. I felt my heart go wild when I entered the house, remembering. I struggled to banish those thoughts along with the scent of ammonia as I pushed open a couple of windows. It was warmer than it had been recently. I kept my jacket on inside, and was comfortable enough.

With the glaring exception of Louis's tattoos, when the witches arrived, they looked for all the world like a retired couple on a weekend getaway. He wore chinos and a collared shirt, and she a pretty blouse with a sweater and a pair of corduroy trousers. I met them outside. They were only a few minutes late.

"Hi there," I waved, making the effort to be pleasant. It wasn't coming natural today, but that was no fault of theirs. "Did you find it okay?"

"Louis missed the exit," Octavia informed me, and though her voice was stern as ever, she was smiling.

"I was not the one holding the map," he defended, and she huffed. "We found it just fine, once we got turned around. There's not a whole lot around here to get lost in."

"No, there certainly isn't," I agreed.

Octavia was already moving around the house. Louis and I stood there watching her, I curiously, and he admiringly. After her brief survey she rejoined us, and the expression on her face was one of business.

"This is an interesting home," she said. "Old."

"Yes," I agreed. "Our family has been here for a hundred and fifty years."

"There has been death here," Louis observed.

"Well, probably a few, over the last century and a half," I deflected.

Recently.

It came from his mind as he looked at me. I wasn't trying to read him. I wondered if he was deliberately projecting. "That too," I admitted softly, and offering nothing else.

I didn't know how they could detect it. Louis could see my aura. Perhaps the bodies had left something similar and residual. We shared another long look as the lingering feeling of the holiday air evaporated like the morning fog.

"Let's get to work," Octavia said with authority. I'm sure she was confident that Louis would fill her in later.

I hadn't made a lot of contacts on my own within the supernatural world. Most of the acquaintances I had were via Mr. Cataliades, or through work, and in either case, I revealed very little about myself. I was both nervous and excited at the prospect of trusting these people with a bit of knowledge of me. They weren't really peers, and they lived too far away to become friends exactly, but it was kind of a thrill to have met people on my own, with whom I could be somewhat open. We didn't fully understand each other, but we were operating on a kind of mutual trust. It felt good to have that, and I let it cheer me up a little.

I watched as they worked, although there wasn't much to see. I could feel it when the various wards were set in place. I didn't know which did what; but it was in the air. It took them close to an hour, and then they followed me to Jason's and started the whole process over again.

I didn't go to the door. I had planned to say, if anyone emerged, that these were clients from work, and that Louis had expressed an interest in Jason's pond, which he kept stocked with fish. No one came out though. Gran got up to go to the bathroom once, but she didn't notice us out here. Jason and Hadley were both dead to the world. I wondered if Gran had made them get up this morning and take her to church.

When the work was finally done, I pressed an envelope into Louis's hands which contained their fee, and what I hoped was an appropriate tip. I made them both a formal bow.

"Thank you both, so much, for everything you've done this week."

They inclined their heads in response, as if the gesture had been choreographed.

"There've been no further problems in New Orleans, I trust?" Anybody else come asking about that vamp Eric killed in your back alley?

"Thankfully no," Octavia answered. "We've heard no more from the vampires."

"That's a relief," I said.

"Yes," she answered dully. "It is."

I shifted my weight and toed some of the gravel on the driveway.

"Your vampire is well? His troubles with the rogue coven here...?" Octavia asked.

"I don't believe that's been resolved," I told them. "In fact, there's some suspicion that they've been targeting the local Werewolves as well."

"That is unfortunate, and dangerous."

I couldn't do anything but agree with them.

"Perhaps you will call on us again, if there is a need," Octavia said.

"Thank you," I repeated. "I will pass that along, as well."

We said our goodbyes then, and as we started up our cars I looked to the house, wondering if Gran would come to the window to investigate the noise. She didn't. I almost called her on the way home to inform her that I'd been there, but then I would have to tell my ridiculous lie to explain it, so I let it go.

I spent the remainder of the evening not thinking about Eric, and mentally preparing myself to go back to work the following day.

I arrived before Brenda, and spent the morning checking and recalibrating all the equipment which had not been turned on for a week. I didn't get a chance to talk to Holly at all, as she was on the phone every time I went upstairs that day. Brenda and I had lunch together, and she spent almost the entire hour showing off pictures of her vacation to one of the Caribbean islands. I suppose if you're actually there, sunsets and white sand beaches do not get old, but after a dozen pictures it can get kind of boring. I still made all of the appropriate noises as she showed them off. My heart just wasn't in it.

As we walked back to the building it occurred to me that my disdain was probably rooted in jealousy. She hadn't even asked how I'd spent my vacation. Rationally, I knew that was to the good, but knowing that didn't stop me feeling bothered.

I did finally hear from Eric, in a roundabout way. Bobby Burnham was waiting when we got back from lunch. He was quick to let me know that he had been waiting for at least half an hour.

"I'm sorry you had to wait," I said, not meaning it.

"Yes, well," he answered briskly. "My master was specific about the need to deliver this in person before the close of business." Oh brother, not him too with the 'master' business.

"Well thank you for bringing it, and Happy New Year to you," I said politely.

"Happy New Year," he responded automatically, before leaving.

Brenda had gone straight back to her office when we returned, but Holly remained there to roll her eyes after Bobby left. She was on a call, but she covered the receiver with her hand and mouthed what I thought was, "What's his problem?" I shrugged, because I honestly didn't know.

Once I was safely ensconced downstairs, I opened the envelope. It wasn't one of the fancy ones that I'd previously received. It was just a simple business envelope, sealed, and blank on the front. The note was written on computer paper.

Sookie,

I must speak with you face to face. Be at home before first dark. This is important.

-E

The letter was short enough that I wondered why he didn't simply send me a text message. He may not email, but I know he does text. It must be the flunky-certified delivery confirmation. With a little sigh, I picked up the phone and dialed Brenda's extension, letting her know that I'd be leaving right at five. That would get me home in plenty of time to meet Mr. Terse.

"That's fine. I forgot to mention it at lunch, I got so busy showing off the pictures. It's actually tomorrow that I'll need you to stay late. I was just going to come down, you saved me a flight of steps in these new heels."

"Why would I stay late?" I asked. "I hardly have anything lined up yet."

"After dark appraisal." Which means strange vampires in Splendide.

"Brenda, I don't really want to be around any vamps that we don't know."

"Well neither do I," she said hotly, "But these are clients."

"Can't they leave whatever it is overnight?"

"Apparently they're visiting, and may not be here another night."

"We could FedEx?"

"They're coming tomorrow, Sookie. You can hide downstairs if you insist, but I need you on hand in the building."

I expelled the breathy sigh of resignation.

"Perfect," Brenda chirped. "You can be in late tomorrow if you want."

"You're too kind," I replied.

I settled back in to my day which consisted of a small lot of estate jewelry. There were some nice gold pieces. I was happy to see them, actually. One very obnoxious trend lately has been selling gold to wholesalers, who simply melt it down. I hate to hear about people getting rid of antiques for their mere component parts. I was going to be sorry to have to inform the owner that these weren't sapphires in the brooch, but paste stones, but it was still a very fetching piece.

Tray was on duty when I left, and he returned my nod as I passed by him, but he seemed to be avoiding my eyes. There was definitely a serious conversation that needed to be had there, but neither of us was ready for it. Just seeing him reminded me of terrible things, and I imagined it was the same for him. I didn't try to check.

It was barely dark when Eric arrived. I opened the door and as usual he walked right in. He went in the kitchen, because that's where the light was on.

"Blood?" I offered.

"Yours?" he replied.

"Would you like a bottle of synthetic blood, Eric?"

"Yes."

I popped a bottle in the microwave as he sat.

"How are the witches?"

"How are the fairies?" he asked at the same time, and then he gestured for me to go ahead.

"Dead," I said flatly.

"Your cousin?"

"She ran away, and then came back."

"The witches attacked the Long Tooth Pack while we were in New Orleans. Since then, they have been aiding us in hunting them."

"Have you been successful?" I asked.

"Largely."

"But not completely resolved?"

"If not tonight, then tomorrow. There may be two or three still alive. They would be foolish to remain in town."

"Is Pam still sleeping in that shed?"

"No. She went to rest in a different spot after a night of fighting. Several of the Longtooth Weres patrolled the area during the day. They caught two of the coven that way. They have not tried again." I set his bottle in front of him while he was speaking and as soon as he finished, he drank practically the entire thing down in one gulp. I'm not sure what was so fascinating about his bobbing Adam's Apple, but I couldn't help but watch.

"So she is resting with a Were guard now?"

"She is behind a strong door. She is safe from them."

"I'm sure she is. I'm surprised you don't work better with them, considering you share the territory."

"They are filth." They hate us because we try to eat them, so we hate them right back.

"Right. So, what's the big news?"

"The Queen believes the vampires from Arkansas had something to do with the disappearance of Waldo."

"Is that good?"

"It is good that she has no reason to suspect what actually happened."

"But?" I prompted.

"But, this idea makes her inclined to back away from the marriage, and Arkansas wants the marriage. Under the guise of touring the state, they have been making inquiries, and now they are here in Shreveport."

I frowned. "We're having out of town vamps at Splendide tomorrow."

"It would be best if you did not see them," Eric told me.

"I'll be downstairs while they're in the building."

"It would be best if you did not go to work tomorrow."

I rolled my eyes. "I have to go to work."

"Do not speak to any vampires excepting me or Pam."

"That's not a problem," I shrugged. "Was that it then?"

He watched me where I leaned against the counter, in that calculating, narrow-eyed look of his that told me he was trying to decide or discern something.

"Tray served you well?"

"He did indeed."

"He killed the fairies?"

"They were mostly human, but they had guns. He killed one. The other... her gun went off, and she shot herself instead of me."

"The part-fairy was trying to kill you," Eric clarified.

"Yes. She was trying very hard to kill me."

He was in front of me then, smudging his thumb across one of the bruises on my cheekbone. I'd gone to town with the concealer and foundation this morning. I almost never wear this much makeup, but I hadn't wanted to show up for work looking like I'd spent my vacation in The Octagon.

He studied me more closely then, and I let him pull up my sleeves to see my arms. He ran his hands across my scalp, feeling the scratches there, too. I felt like a child being inspected by its mother.

"Do you wish to take blood? To heal your wounds?"

"It's nothing that won't heal in a few days."

He stayed standing in front of me. He was probably about to leave. I'm sure he had something pressing to get to, and that's why he'd come over at the crack of dusk.

"So, I take it you'll be busy entertaining visiting vamps for a while, huh?"

"Yes." He paused. "Why? Will you miss me?"

I raised my eyebrows at him. "No Eric. I'm just concerned for your safety. Maybe you should just stay home while they are here instead."

"You will miss me. I will miss you too, my lover."

As soon as he started kissing me, I felt better than I had in days. He pulled me up and sat me on the counter with his hands on either side of me while I flung mine around his neck and shoulders. We both heard the knock on my front door, and we both ignored it. Unfortunately, I hadn't locked it behind Eric.

"Sookieareyouhome? Yourlightsareon. Oh!"

A/N: The chapter title is taken from a quote by Katharine Hepburn, "Why slap them on the wrist with a feather, when you can belt them over the head with a sledgehammer?" I thought it was fitting.

She's got a lot of good ones. Another favorite, "Sometimes I wonder if men and women really suit each other. Perhaps they should live next door and just visit now and then."