I think my internal Vampire Clock is getting better. When I wake up I can see the start of the sun going down. I stayed under the covers for a few more minutes, trying to will myself to get up. When everything was said and done, I didn't get to sleep till nearly three o'clock.
Looking over at Jason' alarm clock, it read 5:42pm. Not quite three hours of sleep, but it would have to do. I threw the covers back and put my bare feet on the floor, shivering slightly at the cold air of Jason's house.
Going over to the luggage I had put in Jason's room I pulled out jeans, a navy blue tee shirt, and a pair of socks for my cold feet. Hopping into a hot shower, I hurried, wanting to be done before everyone woke up. Soon I was dried off, clothes on, and pulling my hair back into a bun.
I felt like I was dressing for battle or something. I knew it was going to be a rough night though. We had to figure out what was going on with the town. I was really hoping that with Eric and Godric here we could figure it out. To top it off, Bill wanted to have some sort of talk.
The more I thought about the way Bill was behaving, the angrier I became. He was acting like I was the one who went and slept with my maker, while he was nearly raped, tied to a cross, and exploded. We were going to have a talk alright, but it was not going to go the way Bill was planning. And I am pretty sure we were not going to have time for it tonight.
I strode out into the kitchen and started a pot of strong coffee. I looked over in the living room to see Hoyt stretched out on the couch, and Jason kicked back in the reclining chair. Some guards they made. At least we all got a little sleep though.
I poured myself a cup of coffee, adding sugar. I could see the aroma of coffee in the air was slowly bringing the boys back to life, so I pulled two more cups down from the cabinet. Loading Hoyt's up with sugar like mine, and leaving Jason's black I poured the coffee and set them on the bar.
I don't know how Jason was able to drink his black. I guess after years of waking up with a hangover the bitter, dark, liquid was a godsend. The boys came over and we drank our first cup in silence.
I poured my second cup and went to stand at the foot of the coffins. The sun had set and any second I knew the vampires would be popping out and want an explanation for why they were all here.
The first coffin to crack was Godric's. I guess him being the oldest made sense he would be the first up. I smiled and said hello as he crawled out of the coffin.
"Good evening Miss. Stackhouse. Is this your home?"
Before I could say anything, the lid to Eric's coffin popped open. He sent me his little half smirk, half smile as he stood up. I had to let out a little laugh. Eric had bed head. It was kind of cute. I made a little twirling motion at his head and he attempted to fix his hair as he said hello.
"Hello, Sookie. How are you this fine evening?"
"Tired," I said, taking another sip of coffee. I turned back to Godric who seemed to be smiling at Eric and mine's little exchange.
"To answer your question Godric, we are at my brother's home. Something has happened to Bon Temps, and since you're here, I was hoping to get both of your's h-"
Just then the third coffin opened and Bill started to make his way out. He didn't look any happier than last night. He started to open his mouth, but then stopped and looked around.
Looking angrier by the second he nearly shouted at Eric, "Why are you here!"
Eric just looked down his nose at the younger, shorter vampire. "I am here because Sookie needs my help. As you were saying Sookie." All heads turned to me.
"Sookie what is the meaning of this. I specifically told you to bring me back to my home and for you to be waiting. Not for -" If Bill had blood running through his veins, I am sure his face would have turned red from anger.
"Stop it Bill! Today is not the day! There are things happening in Bon Temps which has turned everyone nuts. They trashed both of our houses. Your house looked like a scene from Animal House, and mine is just as bad. Or so Hoyt says." All three vampires now turned to face behind them. Jason and Hoyt were still sitting at the bar drinking their cups of coffee. Jason waved liked nothing was the matter, and Hoyt looked down, his face turning red in embarrassment.
Bill was looking angrier by the moment, and I was glad that Eric and Godric were there. Just then, I heard the closet door opening. I had totally forgotten Jessica was here.
Jessica looked around, confused as to the array of people she was seeing. "Hey Jessica, how are you doing?"
She started to make her way over to Hoyt. "I'm okay Sook. What is going on? What is everybody doing here?"
"They are here to help us fix whatever is going on in the town. Now that everyone is up, let me explain. On the way home the driver only had mine and Bill's address. When we were nearly to Bon Temps I realized we still had Godric and Eric and I had no idea where to drop them off. It's not like I could leave them outside of Fangtasia or something, so I brought them with.
"When we arrived at Bon Temps it looked like a bomb went off, the town is destroyed. People are running around like there are no consequences. They are half naked, screaming, fight and… doing it… out in the middle of the streets. Some couple ran in front of our car then got up, laughing, and ran away! It is total chaos. We tried to call the sheriff and the phone is dead or something.
"We headed to Bill's house first and there were people partying in it. Windows were smashed out, music was blaring; it's a mess. Since our houses are so close, I knew my house had to be the same way, and Hoyt later confirmed it was. I didn't think you would really want me to leave you there. So here we are, in my brother house, out in the woods, about 15 minutes away from everything." I ended my speech and took another sip of my coffee, which had become cold.
I looked up from my cup to see Godric and Eric looking at each other and seemingly having a silent conversation. Bill stood there, the anger mostly gone from his face; it was replaced with a look of deep thinking. I started to head back to the kitchen to pour myself a fresh cup of coffee and Godric was the first one to speak.
"Did the people themselves look unusual? Did the have -" Godric was again interrupted as there was a bang on a bedroom door.
"Let me outta here! I can hear you all out there! Now God damn it, let me out!" Grr, I was tired of this day and its interruptions already. Mrs. Fortenberry was in the back bedroom, banging on the door so hard it was shaking in its frame.
"Well, there is one now Godric, would you like to take a look?" I set my cup down on the counter a little harder than I meant to and a little of the not yet sugared coffee splashed to the counter. I walked over to the door, pulled the chair we propped against the handle away and out came Mrs. Fortenberry.
"Everyone, this is Hoyt's Mama. We didn't know what else to do with her. So we locked her in a spare bedroom for a while." Godric came over to examine her.
After looking her up a down, he turned her head to the side so you could see fang marks on her neck. She was getting a little too flirty with Godric, calling him handsome and rubbing her hands all over him. He ignored her advances.
"There is a bite mark on her neck. When was she bitten?!" Godric turned to me, but I had no idea. It's not like I could or would bite her.
"Uh, well…" We all turned to the sound of Jessica's meek voice in the back of the room.
"That would be me. I did it yesterday, before you guys got back. I didn't mean to! She was just being so mean; I couldn't take it any more. I really am sorry." She turned to Hoyt, apologizing. He just took her into his arms.
"It is alright, little one. These things tend to happen when you are young. I am surprised you did not drain her. She is under the influence of a Maenad. When their magic runs through a mortal's veins, it is hard to stop. To much and it becomes poison in your body," Godric turned to face the crowd in the living room.
"Eric and I have come across one in our travels a long time ago. They are immortal, because they choose to be. Their magic is a very strange and compelling thing.
"They worship the God Dionysus. They hunt down sacrifice after sacrifice, hoping to find the one that will bring their god to this earth. The path of destruction they leave behind is unlike anything else. We are going to need to find out who she is here for, if she has found them yet, and we are going to need some help making her leave."
I think that was the most I have heard Godric speak. He had such a commanding presence. Before I had only known him as peaceful and quiet. Now he was full of authority and knowledge, he was taking charge and you could see now his 2,000 years of power shinning through.
"We need to inform the Queen," Bill said. I turned to him surprised. I knew there were sheriffs running areas of each state, but Queens? That was news to me. Go figure though; I was always the last to know anything related to vampires and their politics and workings.
"She needs to know there is a Maenad in her state. Maybe she can also provide the help we need to get it out of here." That was probably the nicest thing I have heard Bill say in a couple days.
Eric spoke next, "Thanks for volunteering Bill. You go inform the Queen. Rally who you can. We will stay here, find out what we can about the sacrifice, and when you get back we will take care of the Maenad."
"Why can't you do it Eric? You are the sheriff after all; wouldn't she want to hear it from you?"
Eric snorted, "As sheriff it is my job to stay here and protect my area. I can not afford to leave and play messenger boy."
Bill looked insulted, but nodded in acceptance. He walked over to his luggage which we had left in the living room picked it up and walked back over to me. He grabbed me and came in to kiss me again like the other night. I turned my face so all he got was a cheek.
I could hear him growl under his breath a little bit before he said, "I will return soon, and when this whole Maenad business is taken care of we will have our talk. I will return back to you by tomorrow night, MY Sookie."
I was getting real tired, real quick of his possessive attitude and all this "My Sookie" business. I nodded and quicker than my human eyes could comprehend, he was out the door. I turned back to the people in the living room. Jason, Hoyt, and Jessica looked a little angry at Bill's rough treatment of me. Eric was smirking; no doubt glad I was giving Bill the cold shoulder. Godric had his normal blank expression, for which I was grateful for. I didn't need anymore judgment at the way Bill was treating me.
I knew it wasn't right, but I loved Bill. He was my first everything, and when he got back we were going to talk and work everything out. I was sure he didn't really mean to treat me this way. The last few weeks had been stressful on everyone. That didn't give him permission to be this way though. And that is exactly what I was going to tell him when he got back.
After a minute Eric started to talk, "Well, good. I for one am glad the buzzkill is gone. Now here is the real plan…"
A/N: Hope you liked it, more to come soon! You guys have been amazing with all the reviews and the followers. I even have some big fans writing to me in Polish! Thanks Google for Google Translate! ;) I love you guys! You are all awesome, keep the review rolling in, and I will keep the chapters rolling out. Thanks so much again. Will update as soon as I get that last period typed on chapter 5, though it may take a little longer, my mom has surgery Thursday. So I will be helping her out a lot. Will get it out as soon as I can though! Have a good week!