*
I hate it when fairies come into the bar. They dont tip you worth a toot-not because theyre stingy, but because they just forget. Take Claudine, the fairy who was walking in the door. Six feet tall, long black hair, gorgeous; Claudine seemed to have no shortage of cash or clothing (and she entranced men the way a watermelon draws flies). But Claudine hardly ever remembered to leave you even a dollar. And if its lunchtime, you have to take the bowl of lemon slices off the table. Fairies are allergic to lemons and limes, like vamps are allergic to silver and garlic.
That spring night when Claudine came in I was in a bad mood already. I was angry with my ex-boyfriend, Bill Compton, a.k.a. Vampire Bill; my brother, Jason, had again postponed helping me shift an armoire; and Id gotten my property tax notice in the mail.
So when Claudine sat at one of my tables, I stalked over to her with no very happy feelings.
No vamps around? she asked straightaway. Even Bill?
Vamps like fairies the way dogs like bones: great toys, good food. Not tonight, I said. Bills down in New Orleans. Im picking up his mail for him. Just call me sucker.
Claudine relaxed. Dearest Sookie, she said.
You want what?
Oh, one of those nasty beers, I guess, she said, making a face. Claudine didnt really like to drink, though she did like bars. Like most fairies, she loved attention and admiration: my boss, Sam, said that was a fairy characteristic.
I brought her the beer. You got a minute? she asked. I frowned. Claudine didnt look as cheerful as usual.
Just. The table by the door was hooting
and hollering at me.
I have a job for you.
Though it called for dealing with Claudine, whom I liked but didnt trust, I was interested. I sure needed some cash. What do you need me to do?
I need you to come listen to some humans.
Are these humans willing?
Claudine gave me innocent eyes. What do you mean, Precious?
I hated this song and dance. Do they want to be, ah, listened to?
Theyre guests of my brother, Claude.
I hadnt known Claudine had a brother. I dont know much about fairies; Claudine was the only one Id met. If she was typical, I wasnt sure how the race had survived eradication. I wouldnt have thought northern Louisiana was very hospitable toward beings of the fairy persuasion, anyway. This part of the state is largely rural, very Bible Belt. My small town of Bon Temps, barely big enough to have its own Wal-Mart, didnt even see a vampire for two years after theyd announced their existence and their intention to live peaceably amongst us. Maybe that delay was good, since local folks had had a chance to get used to the idea by the time Bill showed up.