Charlaine Harris - A touch of dead

A book in the Sookie Stackhouse series, 2009

Collection copyright 2009 by Charlaine Harris, Inc.

The first time I was asked to write a short story about my heroine Sookie Stackhouse, I wasnt sure I could do it. Sookies life and history are so complex that I didnt know if I could create a coherent piece of short fiction that would do her justice.

Im still not sure I have, but Ive enjoyed trying. Some efforts have been more successful than others. Its been hard to fit the stories into Sookies larger history without leaving seams. Sometimes I succeeded, sometimes not. In this edition, Ive tried to smooth out the edges of the story that was the most fun to write but wouldnt fit in its chronological hole no matter how I pounded (Dracula Night).

In the order in which they occur in Sookies life, the stories are Fairy Dust (from Powers of Detection), Dracula Night (from Many Bloody Returns), One Word Answer (from Bite), Lucky (from Unusual Suspects), and Gift Wrap (from Wolfsbane and Mistletoe).

Fairy Dust is about the fairy triplets Claude, Claudine, and Claudette. Following the murder of Claudette, Claude and Claudine seek Sookies help in determining the guilty party. Claude acquires a valuable asset in this story. The action in Fairy Dust takes place after the events in Dead to the World.

In Dracula Night, Eric invites Sookie to Fangtasia for the celebration of Draculas birthday, an annual event that makes Eric almost over-the-top with anticipation, since Dracula is his hero. Unfortunately, the Dracula who unveils himself may or may not be the real thing. Eric celebrates Dracula Night before the action of Dead as a Doornail.

After Dead as a Doornail, the news of her cousin Hadleys death reaches Sookie in One Word Answer. Sookie is informed of Hadleys demise by the half-demon lawyer Mr. Cataliades, who has a loathsome driver and an unexpected passenger in his limo.

Lucky is a lighthearted story set in Bon Temps in the time period after All Together Dead. Witch Amelia Broadway and Sookie are on the hunt to find out whos sabotaging the towns insurance agents.

On Christmas Eve, Sookie receives a very unexpected visitor in Gift Wrap. Shes alone and feeling a little sorry for herself when a wounded werewolf supplies her with a satisfying gift. Im pleased she has such an interesting holiday before the grim events of Dead and Gone.

I had a good time writing all these stories. Some are totally lighthearted, and some are more serious, but they all shine a light on a little facet of Sookies life and times that I havent recorded in the books. I hope you enjoy reading them as much as I enjoyed writing them.

Let the good times roll.

CHARLAINE HARRIS

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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.

But I had a feeling that this PC vamp tolerance would vanish if my fellow townsfolk knew about Weres, and shifters, and fairies. And who knows what all else.

Okay, Claudine. When?

The rowdy table was hooting, Crazy Sookie! Crazy Sookie! People only did that when theyd had too much to drink. I was used to it, but it still hurt.

When do you get off tonight?

We fixed it that Claudine would pick me up at my house fifteen minutes after I got off work. She left without finishing her beer. Or tipping.

My boss, Sam Merlotte, nodded a head toward the door through which shed just exited. Whatd the fairy want? Sams a shifter himself.

She needs me to do a job for her.

Where?

Wherever she lives, I guess. She has a brother, did you know?

Want me to come with you? Sam is a friend, the kind of friend you sometimes have fantasies about.

X-rated.

Thanks, but I think I can handle Claudine.

You havent met the brother.

Ill be okay.

Im used to being up at night, not only because Im a barmaid, but also because I had dated Bill for a long time. When Claudine picked me up at my old house in the woods, Id had time to change from my Merlottes outfit into some black jeans and a sage green twinset (JCPenney on sale), since the night was chilly. Id let my hair down from its ponytail.

You should wear blue instead of green, Claudine said, to go with your eyes.

Thanks for the fashion tip.

Youre welcome. Claudine sounded happy to share her style sense with me. But her smile, usually so radiant, seemed tinged with sadness.