Baile Siochanta (Southern Vampire Mysteries)

Chapter 16 - Chasing Rain

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"I feel like I should be bringing you home with me," Amelia whispered, her arms wrapped around Sookie, holding her close. Breandan had stayed in Slievemore, leaving Sookie to drive the couple to the airport.

"This is my home now," Sookie reassured her.

"The wedding is in July. I expect you to be there!" Amelia pressed. "No excuses!"

"You know I'll do my best," Sookie nodded. "I'll tuck away my money. A plane ticket doesn't cost that much. Just save me a place to sleep."

"Tell Breandan goodbye for us," Sean was peeling Amelia from Sookie's arms, herding her toward the gates. "Really, thank you! It was the best!"

Sookie stood in the airport lobby until she couldn't see her friends anymore. When Amelia finally stepped past the wall and out of view, Sookie experienced an almost overwhelming sense of loneliness. She talked to herself, reminding her ratcheting anxiety that she'd been in these places before and this was just her emotions taking charge. Still, even with slow breathing and focusing on the floor tiles, it took a long time to get her feet to move.

Tomorrow, Breandan intended to move them both to The Grand Hotel. There would be one day to settle in, and then Sookie's lessons in running an establishment boasting fifty rooms and two restaurants would begin. When Sookie asked Breandan questions, trying to get a sense of what to expect, he'd deflect. "Enjoy your time with your friends!" he'd say, dismissing her worries. "It will be all work for you soon enough!"

Now, with nothing ahead but unknowns, Sookie started to doubt her courage. "You can do this!" she said out loud, earning her a startled look from a woman walking past, so when the woman literally stepped aside, placing space between Sookie and herself, it made Sookie laugh!

"Damn straight!" she said out loud again, "I'd give me room, too!"

xxxXXXxxx

"Tell me again, Brother, how your son found her," Niall was sitting in the restaurant in Carrick. His hair was neatly pulled back, his hand restlessly turning the curved head of his cane back and forth.

"Purely luck," Rogan smiled tightly. He knew Niall didn't believe him, but he didn't expect it. Telling his brother stories and making Niall work for the truth was part of Rogan's enjoyment. "Breandan was in Boston on business and there she was! He tells me she approached him. Had I realized she was Adele's kin..."

"Stop your lying!" Niall hissed. "You found her. You have her. I am told this girl, Sookie, is in thrall to Breandan." It wasn't true, it couldn't be. Claudine told him that Sookie was immune to glamour, but he needed to see how far Rogan was willing to go.

"Alas!" Rogan sighed. "All true! You know how susceptible the non-Fae can be." Rogan didn't bother hiding his satisfied smile. "He uses her with her full consent. Breandan tells me she is quite amenable to his every request. Have you seen her picture?"

Of all the things Rogan had anticipated for today, having his brother show up in his office was not among them. Rogan had planned on telling Niall, but not just yet. There was something troubling about the arrangement between Breandan and Sookie. Rogan couldn't quite put his finger on it, which was why he had determined to wait until Mae sent her assessment. The couple was scheduled to move into the Hotel within days, but now Niall had found out, so the more formal plan would have to be abandoned.