Chapter XI

I've been standing in front of my wardrobe for more than fifteen minutes and I just didn't know what to wear. Most of the things in my closet had been lost to the maenad and now that I looked at the worn state my clothes were in I really wished I had gone shopping.

At the end I chose a simple jeans and a red shirt that I usually didn't wear because it always shimmied up when I walked so that you could see some of my tummy. But I had been working out so I didn't care if it showed a little more skin than I would have liked. I put a little make up on, my hair hanging loose in soft curls and slipped into my black high heels. At last I grabbed my purse and walked downstairs.

"I'm out Gran. Don't wait up for me. I don't know how long this will take." I said while I kissed Gran good-bye.

I had told her I was going to listen in on some thoughts for a friend. I told her about the theft that had happened at the club and Gran was glad I was helping out. Although she was trying to get some more information about that friend. I had told her that I really liked him and that I hoped I could introduce him to her soon.

"Be careful honey. Drive safely. I'll see you tomorrow." Gran answered.
"Love you," I called and closed the door behind me.

The drive to Fangtasia went by fast since I kept thinking about Eric and how our relationship would proceed in this timeline. I just hoped he developed the same feelings for me as in my timeline. But I somehow knew he would love me. Call it female intuition or even just wishful thinking but I just think Eric and I, we are meant to be. If there was something like soulmates then I was his and he was mine.

As I pulled into the parking lot of Fangtasia I really hoped this evening would end without blood on myself.

"Hm, I'm not sure which outfit I like more. The dress last time was really a treat. You looked so delicious but you look so sexy in this simple outfit." Pam startled me as I was closing my car door.
"I'm glad you like it." I smiled at her. „Although I'm in dire need of shopping. My closet needs a complete redo. You wouldn't happen to know someone who would like to give me some advice while shopping, would you?"

"Oh Buttercup, you and I are going to be great friends." She said grinning from ear to ear while lacing my arm through hers and steering me into the club.

We went directly into the office where Eric sat at his desk shifting through papers.

"Good evening, Eric," I said trying to quench the butterflies in my stomach.
"Good evening, Sookie," He answered smiling a genuine smile at me.

"Oh, Eric. We need to keep this one. Guess who is going shopping with me? Sookie says she needs a whole new wardrobe." I had never seen Pam gush like that. I guess I had hit a nerve.

"As if you needed another reason to go shopping." Eric answered smiling indulgently at her.

It was such a normal interaction between father and daughter that I wouldn't have imagined between them. It was nice getting to witness this part of their relationship. Something I was never really privy to in my timeline.

"Anyway," I interrupted. „Down to business. I have some conditions, if I'm going to be reading humans for you." I said. Eric and Pam were all ears.
"And what conditions will they be?" Eric asked carefully.

"First of all. If I find a human guilty of anything, I get veto right about their punishment. You see I know vampires handle punishment differently but humans have their own laws and while there are times I would condone violence, there are sometimes better solutions."
Eric seemed to consider this for a moment. „And what are the other conditions?"

„That's something I have said already. I don't like tricks. If you need something just ask. But my services aren't for everyone to use. I decide with whom I work. You are an honorable man and I trust you and your judgement but not everyone is like you. Actually I know for a fact that there aren't many people who hold a candle to you."

"That's acceptable," he answered. „Although I'd like to know sometime how you seem to know so much about about me and why you think you can trust me." He stood in front of me then. "I could imprison you, you know. I could find some threat and simply force you to work for me." He whispered.

"You could but it is always easier to work with someone who is willing. Also you couldn't trust anything that I tell you." I answered.

"Anything else?" Eric asked sitting back down.

"Yes, one last thing. If I'm hurt in any way while doing this for you. I would demand retribution. More so if there was a blood offense involved. But I would guess since I'm your guest and it would be an insult to you to hurt me that you would take actions as a Sheriff anyway." I said.

"You are correct. My, my, you seem to know a whole lot about the supernatural world for a waitress from Bon Temps." He answered. Pam had been looking on curiously the whole time.

"What are you?" She asked.
"Oh I've been asked that question many times. I wished people would stop asking me that. You see no matter what kind of supernatural, there is always prejudice against each other. But I'm going to answer you because I trust you both and I hope you can put preconceived opinions aside." I sighed. "My grandfather was Fintan Brigant." For a split second I could see shock on Erics face.
Pam had more trouble keeping the shock from her face. "A fairy," she breathed.

"Yes and no. I'm only part fairy. Which means I don't belong in their world but I'm also not entirely human so I don't belong to the human world either. I grew up as a human and at times it's difficult to set myself apart from the do's and don's of humanity but I'm trying to find out what's right for me. I'm just Sookie and I'm supernatural. I have people that I love or care about the same as every other creature and they're really the only ones I'm loyal to. I have learned the hard way that being associated with fairies only drags you into a war that's none of your business. The same goes with any kind of group really."

"I understand." Eric said. I hoped he wouldn't see me in a different light. "I accept your conditions."

"Well, let's get started then. How about we get the employees one by one here so I can read them?" I asked. "I'll sit next to you and write down anything I read." "Sounds good." Eric answered. His short answers were killing me but I had given him lots to think about I guessed.

Pam got out to get the first employee while I got a chair next to Eric along with a pen and paper.

Pam came back with the accountant and Longshadow. He was trying to see if I would out him.

I read the accountant and wrote down what I had read.

He is very afraid because he things that he is going to be blamed. But he is very loyal to you because he needs the money and you pay him well.

I thanked the poor man and let him go. A woman was brought in.

Oh god. Please let them find who took the money. I don't want them to fire us all. I need this job. How will I pay the hospital bills if I lose it.

I asked her what she knew about the mIoney and sent her on her way.

She is afraid of losing her job if you don't find the culprit. Her daughter is in hospital and she needs the money to pay the bills. A little raise would make her eternally grateful to you. I wrote down.

Then Bethany came in which led me to Ginger.
Ginger was sitting in front of me and I could already see rage in Longshadows eyes.

Bethany thinks she might have seen Ginger giving an envelope to Longshadow but Ginger doesn't remember a think. She has been glamoured a lot. Her mind resembles Swiss cheese.

"Thank you Ginger," said Eric.
And then I felt my fae-senses take over. Everything seemed to go in slow motion. I saw Longshadow taking a leap at me. Eric pushed me back while getting a stake and was going to push it through Longshadows chest but I raised a hand and Longshadow was suspended in midair.

"Stop!" I yelled still on the floor. Pam was standing with Ginger in a corner having gotten her out of the way and Eric still stood protectively in front of me.
I got up slowly while Eric looked at me like I had grown two heads. "If you kill him you won't know why he stole the money and also his maker would seek revenge. Nobody knows what I am. If you kill him people will think you put a vampires life above a humans."

Eric growled seeing my reasoning.

"You need to take him now. I can't hold him much longer," I said. I was swaying. Using telekinesis took a lot of strength. Eric grabbed some gloves and silver chains with vampire speed and took hold of Longshadow.

I let go and had to support myself on the wall, the world spinning. Something was dripping from my nose and when I raised my hand to it I could see blood on my fingers. Eric was in front of me in an instant having dropped Longshadow on the floor.
"Are you alright?" He asked.
"Yeah," I breathed. But his voice sounded muffled and my eyes were rolling back. The last thing I felt were his strong arms catching me before I hit the floor.

Thanks for reading. Hope you enjoyed it. :-)