As I awoke the next morning, I hear pounding on the door and roll over to look at the clock. 7:00 am. I throw the blanket off me and snap my fingers as I stand up. I'm wearing my white shorts and a rose-pink v neck cotton T-shirt with gladiator sandals. My hair is straight and hanging long down my back. My silver necklace hangs to the top of my chest, and my silver earrings are medium-sized hoops in my ears. I still haven't taken off my wedding set, and I will not.
I snap my fingers again, and my house is clean. I open my door to meet Jason coming out of his old room dressed in dark jeans, his cowboy boots, and a white v neck cotton t-shirt. He also has a silver chain on his neck. "The house is clean," he says with a nod. "Who the fuck is bangin' on the door, Sook?" he asked as I listen and pick up a familiar brain pattern. "Its Sam," I say with irritation as Jason heads to the door.
"Can I help you this mornin', or do you realize what fuckin time it is yet Sam?" Jason says as he swings open the door with irritation written on his face as well as his tone of voice. "I'm lookin' for your sister Jason" Sam replies with kindness, but anger fuels his thoughts as he thinks about attacking my brother. "We just woke up and are on our way out," Jason explains as he stands in the door blocking Sam's entrance into our home.
"I need to speak to your sister," he says as Jason continues to block his path. "Did you hear what I said, Sam?" Jason asked again. "My sister found our Gran dead yesterday," Jason says very slowly as if Sam isn't hearing him. He is talking to Sam like Sam is stupid. "We are on our way to make arrangements," Jason continues, and I make my way down the steps to join my brother.
"Sam, what can I do for you?" I ask as I stand next to Jason. "I came to see if you needed anything," he says. "No, I'm fine," I say as he looks at me with confusion. "She passed peacefully, and that's all anyone can hope for in life," I say as I nod my head.
"Jason has moved back home, so I think I will be okay now" I finish what I had to say as Jason steps out the door around Sam, and I move to do the same.
"You take as much time as you need cher," Sam says as Jason and I walk to the truck.
"That's something I do need to talk to you about before we go, Sam," I say with false regret. Jason moves to stand by me because he knows what is coming next.
"I need to hand in my notice," I say as his eyes look instantly suspicious. "How are you gonna pay your bills, Sookie?" he asks as Jason speaks. "I moved back home last night, so I can pay the bills while my sister goes to school in Shreveport," Jason says, and I see Sam relax. I can tell from his thoughts that he doesn't think Jason will be much of a challenge to get out of his way.
Sam nods his head with real regret as he continues, "We'll cher were sure gonna miss you, but I understand about gettin' an education." he says as we turn to climb into the truck. "Sorry about your Gran," he says as he steps away from the truck.
"Thanks, Sam." Jason and I say as we buckle up to leave. "I guess you can mail me my last paycheck," I say as Jason cuts in this time. "I will swing by the bar this week and pick it up for you. That car needs replaced before your on the side of the road," Jason says, and I nod my head and stay silent. Sam gives up his thought about another trip to the house and backs away from the truck. "We have to go make the arrangements," I say with real sadness as he nods in understanding. We watch as he climbs into his old truck and leaves the property.
"What did he want?" Jason asks in suspicion as he eyed Sam's truck pull out of the end of the drive. "Jason, I am just happy to know what his real intentions are this go-round," I say with a hint of anger, and he nods as we leave to make arrangements for Gran's funeral.
After all of her flowers and her casket were picked, we handed her clothes over so that she could be lain to rest in the lavender dress that she had laid out. Then we went over to the newspaper to answer questions for her obituary. Jason and I split the cost of the funeral, and we both knew that she would have approved of all of the things that we picked. "Its gonna be so hard without her," I say as I absently stare out the window. I can feel Jason's agreement. As we pull into the drive, I see a fancy car parked by the house, and I know that Desmond has arrived.
Jason and I jump out of the pickup truck and walk toward the dae attorney as his eyes widen in shock. "You both have the essential spark." he stutters as we smile and nod. When we get inside the house, I lead him to the kitchen, as Jason follows. "Ancient gods have blessed you." he continues to sputter in shock. "Yes, Jason is blessed with the spark of Thor, and I guess Freya blessed me, but that is something I wanna keep between Niall and us," I say as understanding dawns on his face.
"There is someone else who should be here before we start," I say as I summon Merlin. I snap my fingers, and the table is filled with food and drinks.
Merlin appears, and my dae godfather is stunned speechless. "My Queen," Merlin says with a bow, and I nod my head. "He needs to remember," I say as we settle down to eat. As Merlin touches Desmond's head, and I have to admit that he handles the memories better than Jason or I did. After the shock, he looks at me with new eyes. "Sookie, my dear. You came back," he says as he stares at me with clarity. I nod as I continue to eat. "I know that you want to devour those brownies, Desmond," I say with a smile. "Eat as we discuss the future and our plans," I say as I look at Jason, who nods his head and starts to devour his food. We all eat and discuss our plans as I hear the doorbell ring. To my surprise, Merlin rises to answer the door as we eat.
I rise when I hear footsteps, and I freeze as I see Niall. I run and launch myself into his arms and cry as my great grandfather holds me and strokes my hair. "Dear one, I remember everything," he says with sadness.
"Well, pull up a seat and eat while we go over everything," I say with a smile. As I update everyone on what has happened since I returned, I see nods of agreement around the table. "Grandfather, we need to eliminate Breandan and his forces quickly before they murder Claudette or Uncle Dillon," I say with a tinge of hatred for the fairy behind my attack.
" I agree," he says with a nod. "Jason and I will be fighting with you," I say as he looks surprised. "My training is very much intact, and I have a blood debt to settle," I say as I stare at him levelly. He nods his head as he chews his food thoughtfully.
Jason is confused. So I tell him about my abduction. "Why arent you showing me what happened, Sookie?" he asked with fear and anger. "Jason, there are some things that you do not want to see." my grandfather answers for me as a tear falls from his eye. Instantly Jason is pissed. "Who did things to you?" he asked with such a menace that it shocked me.
"There are two fairies that are notorious for cruelty in our world. In the future, they kidnap your sister. They also rape and torture her to the point of death." my grandfather tells Jason as Jason begins to spark. "She would have died if not for the Northman healing her with his blood." my grandfather continued. "At great risk to himself, I will add," he said as he looked far away. Feeling grief at the mention of that ordeal, I change the subject.
"Grandfather, I would like to purchase the Compton property and any land surrounding my property," I say as he smiles. " Consider it a gift to you both," he says and continues his meal. "I would like to request that Merlin, yourself, Desmond, and the strongest witch and Warlock you can find ward the entire property after all of the deeds are consolidated into one. I will also contact some old friends to help ward the property," I say. "As soon as that business is concluded, I plan on some renovating," I say thoughtfully. "Starting with the inside and then the outside," I say as I chew slowly. Security needs to be settled." I will be in contact with the local weres for patrols as well," I say. I notice my great grandfather, nod approvingly.
"Is there anything that we have missed?" Desmond asks between swallowing his food and reaching for more. "I know that The hallow and her brother need to be eliminated, but not exactly at the moment.," I say. "There is also the most dangerous of all of my enemies, and that would be Eric's maker." I spit those words out with so much hate and venom that all heads turn, and I notice that even Desmond has stopped stuffing food in his mouth.
"I need Karin found and brought to me willingly," I say to Merlin. "She is a damn great fighter, and she has been released to go her own way," I say with thought. "I want her to be the head of my security during the night time hours as well as my bodyguard," I say.
"I want this house as well as the Compton plantation built to be light-tight homes during the daytime," I say in thought as I sip my sweet tea. "I would also like for Belenos to remember me and join us," I say to great grandfather. "Did you find my Uncle Dermot?" I say to Merlin as he nods his head. "Yes, when should I bring him?" he asks me in return. "As soon as possible," I say. "He is a Brigant and has been betrayed. He will be healed and restored." I say with adamant meaning.
I notice that everyone has finished eating, so I snap my fingers, and the kitchen is once again clean. "Well, is everyone ready to track and kill evil fairies?" I ask as Jason and Merlin laugh. "Majesty," Merlin says with laughter. "We do not have to track them because I can drop them in your lap without so much as a by your leave," he says with laughter, and he disappears. I conjure three iron swords, as well as Iron, pointed fingertip gloves. Then I conjure three nerf guns filled with lemon juice. Great grandfather, stay back unless you have a full-body suit to protect you." I say as he looks at me with pride. "Now, we wait," I say as I motion to follow me to the yard.
First, Merlin appeared with Braedan and cuffed him to a tree with Iron as he disappeared again. He emerged moments later with the two that I hate so much. Neave and Lochlan. They to were cuffed to trees with Iron. I look to grandfather and Jason. "Round up all of his followers and bring them to me," I say as I stare at the three fairies who hurt and killed so many people, including my parents. With a pause, they stare at me, wondering if I will be okay. "I will be safe with Desmond, and at the rate, Merlin is scooping them up. I won't be alone with them, and more is the pity." I say with disgust.
Soon my trees are lined with fairies as we sit back and wait for them to wake. Braedan is the first to wake and soon realizes his predicament. He scowls at my great grandfather with hatred. I step forward and pop into my battle gear. White elven leather enchanted with protection spells.
I pop right over to him and stare at his face as he stares at mine. "You don't look like much," I say with boredom as his eyes flash with hatred. "All of the pain and suffering that you have caused me and your just another power-hungry ass hole with a god complex," I say with thought. "You had your creatures murder our parents," I say as his eyes go round, and he looks from Niall and to Jason and back to me. "You are only an eighth fae." he sputters. "I can feel the power radiating from you and your brother," he says in outrage. "This should not be possible." he continues. I pull my sword, and he flinches away from the Iron. "You have Iron handcuffs on as we speak, but they are heavily lined with cloth so that you are weakened but also so that you don't die just yet," I say.
As soon as his followers are awake and alert, I notice they have witnessed our interaction. "Merlin, set him free and arm him," I command as my grandfather is instantly about to argue. I hold my hand up. "He killed our parents and has done so many horrible things to people that I love," I say as I caress his cheek. "Besides, how much more humiliating can it get, than for him to be defeated by a lowly half breed woman?" I say with a smile as my grandfather steps back and nods.
As soon as he is released and armed, he charges at me with lightning speed, and my wings pop out, and I push my feet up off the ground. Everyone gasps aloud. "Who are you, mongrel?" he shouts with rage as he waits for a chance to attack again.
"She is Sookie Stackhouse," Jason says with a smile.
"She is Susannah Brigant," Niall says with pride.
"She is Aslynn PenDragon, Queen of Avalon." Merlin's voice booms like thunder as Brendan's face changes color.
"For the blood offense against countless of our kind as well as my parents, I sentence you to death," I say as I bring my sword down and slash him in half. I sit and watch as he turns to dust and blows away. I hear shouts and cries from his followers, but I only have eyes for two of them right now.
"Jason Corbett Stackhouse," I say as he steps forward. "As firstborn and son of our parents, it is your right to end the two responsible for the murder of our parents," I say as his eyes light up with electrical currents. "I can't stand the sight of these evil creatures, and I never want them to touch me again," I say with hatred as Jason realizes these are the demented fae that raped and tortured me.
The cuffs drop from the wrist of Neave as she launches toward me before Jason points his finger and halts her in mid-air. As he begins to levitate, I see Lochlan trying to break free from his restraints, but he cannot. As Jason sends bolt after bolt into the psychotic fae, she begins to burn from the inside out. I can hear Lochlans screams as she crumbles to dust and fades away.
I walk to him slowly and smile. "How does it feel to watch as someone tortures someone you love?" I ask as he glares at me with hatred. "You have killed many that I love, although you do not remember it," I say with false pity. I pop back as the cuffs drop from his wrists. Before he can lunge, Jason hits him with so many volts of electricity that he explodes into dust. "Now, you won't ever hurt my fuckin' sister." I hear Jason mumble with so much rage that I feel exhausted.
"Grandfather," I say as I glance at him. "These are your enemies, and as Prince of the Fae, you decide to seek justice or mercy," I say as he nods. As I turn to walk into the house, I hear the sound of nerf guns being fired with lemon juice and the screams of fairies dying in agony. The great Fae war is over before it has started. Claudette is safe from murder, and her father can now be King of the Skye fae. I think uncle Dillon will rule wisely.
"Grandfather," I say as he looks back at me. "I would like for the twins and my Uncle Dillon to remember me, and I would like them to know that Claudette is safe because I came back. I want a relationship with my family. Even Claude if he can change his course." I say, and I see him nod with acceptance. "It will be done, dear one," he says as he pops away.
Before I can walk inside, I hear pops all around. Niall has returned with Dillon, who looks at me with tears in his eyes. "I cannot thank you enough, Susannah." he gasps as he hugs me to him. "You will live to be a wonderful ruler Uncle." I say with love.
I look behind him to see the triplets, and my eyes lock on Claudine as I jerk free from Uncle Dillon and run to Claudine and hold her tightly to me as I sob. As I do so, Claude and Claudette embrace me as well as we cry together. My family is safe.
As I pull away, I am handed the deed to the Compton property. "You saved the lives of my children, dear niece, and nephew," he says as he smiles at Jason. "This is the least I could do," he says as he steps away. As I look at the deed, I see that all property has been consolidated. One deed to cover the full estate. I cried out as I hug my Uncle again. "I love my family," I say as I hear everyone chuckle.