The Lost Halfling

So long the shadows go

I've now been working at Fangtasia for a couple of weeks now.  I see Eric a lot outside of work whenever he's free from sheriff duties and the sun is set.  He's definitely putting in the effort to date me and earn my trust.  Today he wants Sookie and Bill to meet us at the bar before it opens and I already know Longshadow is a goner.  I don't know why he's a goner but whatever happened he's behind it.  Eric entered my apartment once he arrived.

"Are you ready?" Eric asked.

"Yep, let's roll Viking Man." I said happily.

"You seem to be in a good mood." Eric said as he began driving us to Fangtasia.

"Hm.  Yes, I've been watching a lot of cooking shows and took a couple of classes during the day.  Today I made myself dinner and it was actually really good.  I'm so excited.  I have leftovers in here for Ginger so I can have another mortal's opinion.  Ooh, maybe I'll share with Sookie." I said excitedly.

"Do you realize you always refer to humans as mortals?  Refer to this world as the mortal realm?" Eric asked me nonchalantly.

I froze like a deer in headlight.  I'm half human but I didn't grow up here.  I grew up with the Fae and they refer to humans as mortals and this realm as the mortal realm so it's not even a thought in my head to watch what I'm saying.  Talking that way is normal.  But if I want to pass myself off as a mortal I have to speak like one.

"I know you're not ready to tell me what you are and where you grew up as you want to trust me.  So if I'm honest I already know.  I'm over a thousand years old so while I haven't met your kind I know from those who have.  I've heard enough to connect the dots." Eric said.

"We don't have time to talk and discuss it as we're pulling up to Fangtasia now but after work.  If you wanna stay after you bring me home.  We can talk.  Then you can sleep in the extra bedroom." I offered.

"That works for me." Eric said as he parked his car.

As we headed to the door Bill and Sookie pulled up. 

"Hey Sooks!  Hey Sook's vamp!" I said to the two.

I hugged my older sister as we entered the bar.

"So why are we here?" Sookie asked.

"Pam, Longshadow, and I own this business and recently come to notice we're missing $68,000.  So we want to know who's been skimming from the top." Eric said.

"And we're here because?  I'm sure you can compel even better than Bill as you're far older." Sookie said.

A/N: I know that in Charlaine's series she calls it glamouring but that doesn't jive with me.  Every Fae series I've ever read refers to how Fae change their appearance as glamouring.  So it's a Fae thing.  Meanwhile vampires compel in other series.  So I'm sticking with what feels better to me.

I rolled my eyes as Sookie knew why she was here.  She was the one that chose to give herself away but now wants to pretend she didn't?

"Sook.  I tried protecting you that night we were here.  But you gave yourself away despite me trying to get you to leave without saying why.  The jig is up.  You made it obvious that you have a power, and made it obvious exactly what that power is.  That's why you're here.  Obviously they already tried to compel." I explained.

"I'm sorry Grace.  You did try to stop me.  If I do this for you Mr. Northman I need your word you won't share what I can do with anyone outside this bar.  That goes for everyone here.  Bill said what I can do can't get out for my safety.  Also, if I find out who did it you have to promise to turn them over to the police." Sookie said.