All Hell Breaks Loose
Chapter 39: If You're Gonna Play in Texas
Sam had given her some time off although he suggested giving them an anonymous phone call to warn them. Sookie had of course, but they were too stubborn and while they thanked her they mentioned that if Reverend Newlin were still human he would want them to not give in to fear.
She also made arrangements with Tara about the tree and have the contractors call her if any problem would arise. They had finished gutting out the burned parts, rebuilt the foundation and were working on building up the walls. The electrician will be in while she is gone to replace the wiring.
Once Sookie made sure that everything was taken care of she had packed and Jason drove them to the airport. Sookie had expected to fly coach but Cassidy had a bit of a surprise for them. She had made arrangements for first class.
"This is the only way to fly," Cassidy said as she leaned back in her chair with her Cosmo in hand. She had booked both the humans and the vampire flight as first class.
"Never done this before," Jason said after he took a sip from his beer. "Don't have to pay extra for drinks. Almost like getting them for free."
"After having a fight with your girlfriend I figured you could use a little bit of pampering," Cassidy said as she shoved her sunglasses back.
"She's not really my girlfriend," Jason confessed. "She is a friend and we are close but not exactly together in that way."
"Ah friends with benefits. That I completely understand." At least she didn't use the other term for it.
"So Cassidy," Sookie decided to change the subject. She was trying to read while drinking her rum and Coke but the chatter between the woman and her brother was distracting her. "How do you like living here in Bon Temps?"
"I've been in small towns before," Cassidy said and shrugged. "Where everybody knows everybody, however I have gotten to eat the best Cajun food while at lunch once."
"You went to Crawdaddies?" Jason guessed.
"That was the place."
"The food is pretty good there," Sookie said.
"I ordered to go and bumped into this rude woman," Cassidy rolled her eyes. "Old enough to be my mom, overweight, curly hair, and bad mouthing several people."
"Sound's like Hoyt's mother," Jason said.
"I never met Hoyt but I feel very sorry for him."
"Did she say anything to you?" Sookie asked. She was curious to see how Cassidy's big city snobbery would clash with Maxine's small town pride.
"I apologized after bumping in to her," Cassidy said. "But as she walked away I could hear her calling me a skinny Yankee tramp."
"Didn't you say you were from Central Florida?"
"Born and raised," Cassidy said. "I still root for the Magic during basketball season."
"I aint the brightest," Jason said. "But the last time I checked Florida was in the south and it was part of the confederacy."
"That really isn't something you should be proud off," Cassidy said. "I don't care about the Yankee part. I was more pissed at the skinny tramp."
"She can be awful at times," Sookie said. "She also has her sweet moments." She thought about Maxine offering to wash hers and Tara's clothing for them. "Maybe that is a sign that you no longer need to diet."
"Could be," Cassidy said with a smile and downed the rest of her drink.
Since the plane touched down during the day they had a shuttle pick them up along with their luggage and the travel coffins and took them to the hotel. The human clerk was warm and inviting when he spoke to them and handed them their keys.
"How are we going to divide ourselves?" Jason asked.
"I figure Sookie and I can share a room," Cassidy said as she held up one key. "Anya and Ismene bunk into another and the guys get the third room." She handed Jason a set of card keys.
"We'll have the bellhops bring your things and the rest of your party to your rooms," the clerk said.
"Thank you," Sookie said with a smile and turned as several men and women in the bright red suits and hats lifted up the coffins onto carts. Her heart fell when she remembered her friend, Barry and how he was trapped in the fairy world and she was never going to see him again.
"We'll hold onto the keys for Anya and Ismene until they wake up," Cassidy said as they followed the bellhops to the elevators.
"Aren't the people from the airlines going to be wanting their coffins back soon?" Sookie asked as they rode their elevator to their floor.
"As soon as everyone wakes up the bellhops will bring them back down and the hotel will call someone from the airline."
After entering their room and brought in the suit cases from the bellhops, including those that belong to Ismene and Anya as well as their coffins, Cassidy flopped onto one of the beds.
"What are some of your hobbies?" Cassidy asked.
"I like to read," Sookie answered as she sat down on her bed. "And when it's warm and nice out I like to sunbathe and I like going to the high school football games and occasionally the movies and watch TV." She noticed the odd look the other woman was giving her. "I guess your hobbies and career are one and the same."
"Pretty much," Cassidy said and held up her hands. "I always viewed hobbies as something you do with your hands like ride a bicycle, play sports, arts and crafts, do crossword puzzles, write poetry, garden, bake those sort of things."
"I guess really don't have much. I do take care of the garden but I see it as more of a chore. I have been thinking of taking up crocheting." She remembered how her Gran would make beautiful afghans, scarves and placemats and sell them at the yearly church bazaar.
"My cousin loves to crochet." Cassidy brightened up. "She saves money every year around Christmas and birthdays. Last Christmas she made these cute little phone cases." She pulled out what looked like a little crochet panda bear accept she lifted the head and pulled out her phone. "See."
"That is so cute."
"I know right?" She put her phone back in its case and placed it back in her purse.
"How long have you known Ismene?" Sookie had wondered if they should start unpacking but wanted to talk a little longer.
"A year and half. I was a struggling artist who worked at a Target. I set up some paintings at the Winter Park Art Festival and during the evening sales she bought everything."
"Do you sell more art?"
"Thanks to her I do. So tell me how you got to know your local vampires." She slid out of bed. "You can tell me while we go to the store for some Tru Blood. The honor bars here knock up the price on everything."
"Sure," Sookie agreed and followed her out the door. "He came into Merlotte's one night."
"Eric?" Sookie asked when the door to the guys room had opened shortly after sun down.
"I am over here," Eric said from within. "Children have a bit of trouble getting out of these. You can come in."
Sookie stepped inside while Eric was opening Steve's travel coffin and helped the younger vampire out. Jason was standing near the microwave while sucking down the remainder of his soda that was part of his dinner from Burger King.
"I didn't know what to expect," Sookie said. She had noticed that Steve wore pajamas and other sleeping clothes when he slept in coffins or down in the basement. "I was preparing myself in case I got crushed again."
"I would never crush you," Eric said and placed his finger under her chin. "Unless you asked me to."
"Here you go," Jason said as he handed the two vampires a bottle each.
"Drink fast," Eric told him. "We need to look presentable to Godric's old nestmates."
"My old enemies," Steve said between gulps.
"This going to be awkward for you?" Jason asked. "You can stay in the room."
"No," Steve held up his hand. "Time I confront my past. I'm not afraid of them."
"Isabel would not let them fight against you," Eric said while Steve continued to drink. "They also respect me due to my age and connecting with Godric."
"Isabel seemed star struck when I talked about Ismene," Sookie brought up.
"Godric had spoke fondly of her to his nest and to his lieutenants," Eric said.
"Won't any of them report you to the Authority?" Sookie asked.
"From what I have heard the Authority is not looking for us as of now. They are not handing out flyers or wanted posters. Only a few know we are marked."
"And what if one of them is in Isabel's nest?"
"She will make them swear not to rat me out."
After the two vampires finished feeding they took turns using the shower. Eric had asked Steve to wear one of his purple silk shirts and an old black leather jacket and even though they were a little big on them they did look nice on the young vampire.
"I shall enter first," Eric instructed to the others while he held Sookie close to him. He could not forget his place or manners to Ismene and nodded to her. "If it pleases you."
"It does," Ismene said with a smile. "It gives me a chance to make a great entrance."
"Stay close," Eric whispered to Sookie.
"Don't worry about me," Sookie said as Eric knocked on the door.
"Eric," Isabel said when she opened the door to the mansion. "It is good to see you Progeny of Godric."
"And always good to see you, Sheriff. May we enter?"
"Of course," Isabel said and took a step back. "We have plenty refreshments for everyone."
"It is nice to see you again," Sookie said and smiled at Isabel.
"I am happy to see you well," Isabel said. "You told me your handsome brother also came with you."
"Right here," Jason said as he entered with a smile. "And a compliment from a beautiful and classy gal like yourself is worth a hundred from celebrities."
"You do know how to charm a lady," Isabel said to him. "We have a variety of beer."
"Thanks Miss, I mean Sheriff Isabel," Jason said.
"Just Isabel will do." She turned to Cassidy who had just walked in. "You must be Cassidy Harvelle."
"That I am," Cassidy said. "It is nice to meet you."
"Nice to finally meet the artist," Isabel said and pointed to a small end table that had a sculpture of three dolphins that looked like they were jumping in a circle. "I could not pass up on purchasing such a masterpiece."
"I'm beyond flattered," Cassidy gasped. She placed her hands on her hips and tilted her head. "I keep thinking I could have improved this."
"Don't say that," Sookie said to her. "We are our own harshest critics."
"Anya," Isabel said to her next guest. "Or should I say Sister Anya?"
"I'm not quite the nun anymore," Anya said with a knowing wink. "Thank you for letting us into your home."
"You are always welcome," Isabel said. Her smile faded when she saw who the next guest was. "Reverend Newlin."
"Miss Isabel," Steve said.
"He is with us," Eric reminded Isabel. "He is one of us."
"Reverend Newlin," the name was snarled out as a vampire ran up to them and grabbed Steve and before Eric could say anything snapped the young vampire's neck.