Dead to the World (Sookie Stackhouse, #4)

by Charlaine Harris

Oh, God, puppy dog eyes. From a six-foot-four ancient Viking vampire.

My first word for the New Year was “exsanguinate.” This was probably not a good omen.

“Fifty thousand.” “Jason!” I finally found my voice, and I clamped my hands down even tighter over Eric’s ears. I was embarrassed and humiliated, without being able to figure out exactly why. For one thing, my brother was arranging my business as though it were his. “Ten,” Chow said. “Forty-five,” Jason countered. “Twenty.” “Thirty-five.” “Done.” “Sookie, I’ll bring you my shotgun,” Jason said.

It’s probably a bad indicator of your lifestyle when you miss your ex-boyfriend because he’s absolutely lethal.

“You are beautiful.” No one had ever looked me in the eyes and said that. I found I had to lower my head. “You are smart, and you are loyal,” he said relentlessly, though I waved a hand to ask him to quit. “You have a sense of fun and adventure.”

When this witch is defeated, I would bring you to my side. I will share everything I have with you. Every vampire who owes me fealty will honor you.”

‘farrago,’” I said. He raised his brows inquiringly. “A confused mess,” I said. “Sookie, we’ll find a way out of this.”

When you have to clean the blood out of the kitchen, it’s family you want.

“I was never a Christian,” Eric said. Now, that didn’t surprise me. “But I can’t imagine a belief system that would tell you to sit still and get slaughtered.” I blinked, wondering if that wasn’t exactly what Christianity taught. But I am no theologian or Bible scholar, and I would have to leave the judgment on my action to God, who was also no theologian.

My Gran had always told me that a woman—any woman worth her salt—could do whatever she had to.

He left, closing the door behind him very quietly. I knew, as sure as I knew my name, that tomorrow he would send me another coat, in a big fancy box, with a big bow on it. It would be the right size, it would be a top brand, and it would be warm. It was cranberry red, with a removable liner, a detachable hood, and tortoiseshell buttons.