Turnings (Southern Vampire Mysteries)

Chapter 10 - Neap Tide

Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.

When Sookie rolled over to look at the bedside clock, she groaned, rolled away, rubbed her eyes, and checked again. She couldn't remember any time in the past ten years she'd slept so late. It was almost noon and there were no messages. No one had knocked on her door or rang her phone, looking for her. Sookie marveled again at the difference it made, working with vampires.

What hadn't changed was her need for coffee and something to eat. She rolled into the bathroom and tried to construct stories she could tell herself to dampen the growling in her stomach and the dull pain that centered between her eyebrows. She texted Amber and jumped in the shower.

When she finished toweling off, she checked her phone. There was no message from Felipe's companion/secretary, but Sookie wasn't surprised. Amber had spent time last night teasing the King, and Sookie had the impression that Felipe liked to pay his debts. It reminded Sookie of mornings she had woken pinned under Eric, having to wriggle and wiggle to get out of the bed. It was crazy, but it never made her angry, in fact, just the opposite. Sighing, Sookie texted Ted instead.

The accountant was up and offered to meet her downstairs for lunch. Ted ran numbers for Felipe's various enterprises. Ted had never married and he loved being associated with Las Vegas. Sookie picked images out of his head featuring the accountant using his base of operations and occupation to pick up women in his travels. Sookie figured if Ted hadn't started working for Felipe, he'd still be living downstairs in his Mother's basement. He didn't sport a comb-over anymore, but his thick middle looked ridiculous wedged into his skinny jeans.

Sookie ate a salad that was very good. There were other humans here, mostly retinue or companions. It wasn't quite the same crowd she'd seen at the spa last night. She figured those people were likely hanging upstairs until the evening programs began.

Ted asked her questions about her personal life that Sookie mostly dodged. He had no idea whom she had been, and Sookie found that to be a welcome change. She tried not to look directly at the accountant since he had a tendency to talk while he chewed. Ted started working harder to try and impress Sookie. He slipped information about famous people he'd met into the conversation and, at one point, lied about the size of his bank account.

"Do you know why Felipe has me on payroll?" Sookie asked after Ted told a particularly big lie.

"I figured you were his back-up plan." Ted shrugged, and Sookie realized Ted assumed Felipe was sleeping with her when he tired of Amber.

"No, Ted, that's not it," Sookie rolled her eyes, wishing she had brain bleach. "I read peoples' minds. Surely you knew that."

Ted smiled in his vacant way, then he blinked once, and once again, "Oh! For real? I thought that was your cover," and his face fell.

"Nope, it's the real deal," Sookie shrugged. She tapped her forehead, "I can hear every time anyone tells a whopper, a near whopper, and a down-right lie. I write it all down and pass it along. That's why I'm here, to be Felipe's personal lie detector."

"Oh," Ted said flatly. Sookie raised her eyebrows, so Ted knew she was on to him, and then she smiled when he reached for his phone and started answering emails. It would make daytime a little lonelier, but Sookie figured it was a better option than another meal alone with Ted, Casanova Accountant.

When lunch was over, Sookie took the stairs up to the ballrooms and walked around. She poked her head into meeting rooms to see the setups. She scoped out the registration tables and then she walked into the exhibitors' hall. Tables were already up, and many of them had flashing lights or other devices designed to lure those attending into stopping to see whatever was being sold. It felt familiar, seeing how similar the exhibits were to the ones Sookie remembered. There were exhibitors selling travel coffins and light-tight security systems. Concierge services seemed to be a hot commodity as well as bonded courier services. Sookie didn't wander in too far. The room was dark and although she could tell she was alone, she felt a chill and decided to head back to her room.