The Sookie Stackhouse Companion

test. As they wait, Quinn questions Sookie and learns from Claude that she is a telepath. The pack decides that the final test, one of battle, will continue but must be a decisive victory. Quinn asks Sookie to enter the cage where the final fight will occur to try to determine whether Furnan plans to somehow cheat again. He guarantees her safety, but Furnan lunges at her, and her leg is slightly injured as Quinn pulls her out of the cage. As he administers first aid, a definite attraction springs up between them, and he promises he will see her again at a better time. Furnan defeats and kills Herveaux in the final contest and is declared packmaster. A devastated Alcide rejects Sookie, and she leaves, realizing he somehow blames her for the outcome.
    At work that evening, Sookie is surprised by a visit from Bubba with a cryptic message from Eric. As she is talking with Charles, she suddenly realizes that he has been lying about his past. He apologizes as he tries to kill her, but she is able to stuff her silver chain in his mouth, and the male patrons at the bar come to her aid, restraining him and staking him at his request. Charles’s body has already flaked away when Eric dashes into the bar to save Sookie. Eric explains that Charles was sent by a vampire named Hot Rain to kill Sookie in an effort to punish Eric for the death of Long Shadow, who was staked the previous summer for embezzling from Fangtasia. As Sookie recounts the events of the day, they both agree she is a lucky woman.

The Secret Dialogues of Bill and Eric
    Phone: Bill calling Eric.
    BILL : “Eric, I understand one of your vampires is staying at Sookie’s house.”
    ERIC : “I loaned my new bartender to Sam Merlotte. So he’s staying at Sookie’s? Good. I want him to keep an eye on her.”
    BILL: “Why?”
    ERIC : “I have my reasons.”
    BILL : “Well, he has not done a good job ‘keeping an eye on her.’ Her house was set on fire last night.”
    ERIC: “Did she get out?”
    BILL : “Yes. But she was not rescued by your ‘Charles.’ She was rescued by a fairy. She was able to wake Sookie and get her out of the house.” ERIC : “She?” Pause. “A female fairy. Sookie certainly has interesting friends.”
    BILL : “Charles did manage to kill the culprit. He was carrying a Fellowship membership card.”
    ERIC : “I see. I’ll need to have a talk with Charles.”
     
     
     
    Phone: Eric calling Bill.
    ERIC : “Bill, I understand that Sookie is no longer staying at your house.” BILL : “True. We had a little . . . misunderstanding.”
    ERIC : “So you brought a date into Merlotte’s.”
    BILL: “I am free to see whomever I please.”
    ERIC : “And who is it you are pleasing, Bill? She was attractive in her own way.”
    BILL : “No one you know.”
    ERIC : “It’s no matter. She was not my type. Where is Sookie staying?” BILL : “Her brother’s.”
    ERIC : “I doubt that will last very long. Please keep me informed as to where she winds up while her house is being repaired. Charles remains at your house?”
    BILL: “Yes. I have a place for him to sleep.”
    ERIC: “Good. Have you seen Mickey?”
    BILL: “I’ve heard he’s in town.”
    ERIC: “He’s involved with Sookie’s friend Tara.”
    BILL: “That won’t end well.” ERIC: “No, I’m quite certain it won’t.”
     
     
     
    Phone: Bill calling Eric.
    BILL : “Eric, Sookie has been shot.”
    ERIC : “Is she all right?”
    BILL : “She will recover. I spent the night with her in the hospital.”
    ERIC : “Just to keep her safe, I suppose.”
    BILL : “Sookie is staying at one of Sam Merlotte’s rental houses. I believe that a fairy picked her up from the hospital.”
    ERIC : “The same fairy who rescued her from the fire?”
    BILL : “I don’t believe so. From all reports, this one was very much a male.” ERIC : “Very much a male?”
    BILL: “Apparently a quite attractive male.” ERIC : “So yet another fairy. Interesting.”
     
     
     
    Phone: Eric calling Bill.
    ERIC : “Bill, I’m at Merlotte’s rental with Sookie. Mickey broke in. He was angry because I called Salome.”
    BILL : “Is Sookie all right?”
    ERIC : “We ask each other that a lot, don’t we? Yes, Sookie is fine. She had to invite him in because he had her friend, but once they were both inside she rescinded his invitation. I’ve already let Salome know that he is on the run.”
    BILL : “She’ll have him soon.”
    ERIC : “Undoubtedly. Right now, we need