A/N: Okay, a lot of different things in this chapter. First, we see Tara and Sam enjoy a little trip down memory lane. Okay, I have Tara returning to Bon Temps as the series did, but she doesn't have the Toni baggage or a girlfriend. And Sam doesn't have the Luna/Marcus stuff. Yes, I ship Sam and Tara. Second, a little father/daughter bonding with Bill and Jessica. Next, we get Martonia and her coven. And lastly, it's Eric and Payton in the aftermath of Martonia's spell.
Chapter 12
I
"So, how have you been doing?" asked Sam as he poured another shot of tequila for Tara.
"Good," replied Tara, flashing a smile for him.
Sam saw through that fake smile and said, "Liar. I've missed my best bartender."
"I sure didn't miss this town," said Tara. "I come back and I'm already in the thick of things again."
"Are you in trouble?" asked Sam.
Tara smiled, wryly, and replied, "When am I not in trouble?"
"Well, you know that you've always got a friend," he said. He touched a strand of her hair and added, "And more if you want it."
"That's not such a good idea," replied Tara.
"Why not?" asked Sam. "We were good together."
He lifted her chin, "Real good. You wanna know why?"
In an unguarded moment, Tara gazed into his blue eyes and thought that they might be his best feature. Well, that and the way his butt filled out his jeans, she thought. She was curious about his logic and replied, "No, why?"
"Because we're not so different," said Sam. "We're not nice people. There is something dark inside of both of us."
"Aw, come on," admonished Tara. "Just because you got drunk that one time and acted like an asshole, doesn't mean that you're a bad person."
"You want to know something, Tara," said Sam. "I am just better at hiding that side of myself than you are."
"That must be true," replied Tara. "Because almost everyone still sees you as a good guy. But, when people see me, they turn around and run in the other direction because they know that I'm trouble."
Sam trailed a finger down her forearm, "Not me, I'm still right here."
"Well, you don't have a lick of sense, then, Sam Merlott," replied Tara with a smile.
Sam returned the smile, "You might be right about that. So, are you staying here for a while?"
"I don't know," replied Tara. "My common sense is telling me to get in my car and put this town in my rear view mirror."
"Like you did before?" asked Sam.
"Yeah," said Tara.
"When did you ever listen to common sense, Tara?" said Sam. "And why change your habits this late in the game? I could use my manly wiles to change your mind."
Tara raised and eyebrow, "Oh, do you think that I'm susceptible to those?"
"I see that you want to play hard to get," replied Sam. "Okay, my next plan of attack was bribery. I'll give you your old job back with a nice raise. And, I have a vacant apartment that is just waiting for you."
Sam flashed a naughty grin and added, "Unless, I can talk you into staying at my nasty ass trailer."
"You're really serious," said Tara, in surprise.
"I still have fond and dirty memories of you in my trailer," replied Sam. "Just the other day, I was thinking, 'Damn where is that beautiful, crazy girl who makes love like it's a contact sport'. And lo and behold, you show up. Coincidence? I think not."
"Sam Merlott, you are certifiably crazy," said Tara. "And a freak."
Sam leaned into her ear, "Don't be giving away all my secrets."
His soft, warm breath in her ear, caused a shiver to run down Tara's spine. Try as she did, she couldn't stop from seeing the image of twisted sheets and sweaty bodies locked together as she and Sam satisfied a primal urge within themselves. She dropped her eyes and Sam moved closer and she knew that he was taking in her scent. And those chemicals on her scent would tell him that she was aroused and wanted nothing more than to pay a visit to his trailer with him. Damn him, she thought, it was an unfair advantage.
"I might want to take a look around that trailer, just for old times sake," said Tara.
Sam slipped his arm around her and replied, "Tara Mae Thornton, you've got me all to yourself for the rest of the afternoon."
"Is that all?" asked Tara, with a grin.
"You've gotten greedy since you left," replied Sam. "I think I like it."
"Don't be so sure," said Tara. "You might change your mind on that one."
"My mind is already made up where you are concerned," said Sam with a little grin.
"In a good way or a bad way?" asked Tara.
"That's for you to find out," said Sam. "It makes things more interesting that way."
II
Jessica cried out in pain as the silver chains were applied to her. They were inside one of the cells in Bill's dungeon and were laying on two bunks. Jessica's fangs dropped as her flesh burned from the contact and she began to cry blood tears.
"Jessica, be strong," said Bill from the other bunk. "I'm sorry, but it's necessary to protect you."
"It hurts so bad," she said, as more chains were applied to her.
Hadley sat on the edge of Bill's bunk and touched Bill's hand. Her eyes looked shiny but she held her tears in check. Bill gave her a weak smile.
"I don't want to leave," she said.
"It's not safe for you to stay," replied Bill. "And I won't risk anything happening to you. One of my guards will escort you to a safe house near your son and stay to protect you."
Finally, a tear broke free and rolled down Hadley's cheek. "I haven't thanked you enough for what you've done to help me. Your lawyers have already gotten the judge to allow supervised visitation until the trial."
"You'll get your parental rights reinstated," said Bill. "I have the best lawyers on retention."
"I believe you," replied Hadley. "I'm still not sure why you decided to help me. You've totally changed everything for me."
"I helped you because I believe in you," said Bill.
Hadley stroked Bill's cheek and Bill smiled at her. He then turned to one of his guards and said, "Take her and keep her safe."
Jessica watched the guard leave with Hadley and turned to look at Bill. "You care for her, don't you?"
"Yes," replied Bill.
"Do you love her?" asked Jessica.
Bill was silent for so long that Jessica thought that he was not going to answer her question. Then, he said, "Love is a complicated thing for vampires."
"No shit," hissed Jessica.
Bill turned to look at his child and saw a pain in her eyes that wasn't due to silver chains. He felt a moment of guilt about neglecting her, but, since she moved out to live with Hoyt, he didn't see her that often.
"What's wrong?" he asked.
"I'm the worst vampire in the world," replied Jessica.
"That is highly unlikely," said Bill, with a small smile.
"Well, I am," stated Jessica with conviction. "I love Hoyt. I know that I do, but it's not enough for me. I wish it was with all my heart, but it isn't. I got so jealous when I thought he was with another girl, but I think it was just vampire possessiveness. I just need more than he can give me."
"Perhaps, you are too young to be in a committed relationship," replied Bill. "To be honest, most vampires aren't monogamous, especially with humans."
"Why is that?" asked Jessica.
"If you eat the same thing day in and day out, it can get boring, I guess," said Bill.
"Is that what will happen to you and Hadley?" asked Jessica.
"I have not tasted Hadley," replied Bill.
"No?" gasped Jessica in surprise.
"My interest in Hadley goes beyond simple feeding," replied Bill. "It is possible for a vampire to be satisfied with one partner. It just has to be the right one."
Jessica was quiet as she mulled over Bill's words. She finally asked, "What should I do about Hoyt?"
"You should level with him and tell him the truth," said Bill.
"But, that will break his heart," replied Jessica.
"His heart is going to get broken, anyway," said Bill.
Jessica began to silently cry, "Being a vampire sucks, sometimes."
She then thought of something else, "I could glamour Hoyt."
Bill frowned and replied, "That's your decision, but it's a cop-out. You can't always wave a magic wand and make your problems go away."
"I'm finding a hard time seeing the benefits of being a vampire, if I can't use these awesome powers," hissed Jessica. "I'm a vampire, dammit, I'm not supposed to be noble."
"You'll find your way," said Bill. "Just as I did."
"At least, I have you," said Jessica. "I would go crazy if I was alone."
"I'm your maker," replied Bill. "It wasn't my choice and I might have tried to get out of my responsibilities at the beginning by leaving you with Eric and Pam when you were turned."
"Don't ever do that again," interrupted Jessica. "Eric is even stricter than you and he's mean. But, he did let me feed on that man with all the tattoos."
"Jess, what I'm trying to say, is that I don't want you to have the kind of relationship with me that I had with my maker," said Bill.
"You hardly ever talk about her," replied Jessica.
Bill looked away and stared at the ceiling. "Trust me, you don't want to know any more about her."
III
Marnie walked around the room and gazed at the people who made up her coven. Weak cowards, she thought. The minute that they get a little power, they want to back off in fear. She could feel Antonia's power inside of her. They were entering into some kind of symbiotic relationship. It wasn't simple possession now, it was a joining and a sharing of powers. And Marnie knew that the power that she was feeling wasn't just from Antonia. Her own power had been awakened and was growing stronger.
She was getting her most hoped for wish. Finally, she commanded respect for her abilities. Nobody was making fun of her, now. Nobody was pointing their fingers at her and laughing. She was a joke no longer. Instead of disdain in people's eyes, she saw fear. She planning on showing everyone just what she was capable of doing. They might cower in fear before her now, but they certainly would never ignore her again and pretend that they didn't see her. Weak, mousy Marnie was gone forever.
"We need to join hands and cast a spell to defeat our enemies," she said.
"Look, I didn't sign on for this," said one woman. "I don't want to fight vampires. I have my kids to think about."
"The vampires will strike at us if we don't attack them while they are vulnerable," said Marnie.
"Well, maybe, casting that spell on that blonde vampire wasn't the best idea," said another.
"He attacked me, first!" yelled Marnie. "He bit me and was draining my life's blood out of me. Do you really think that he would have stopped after me? He would have killed all of you."
Her coven nervously looked at each other and still looked undecided. Marnie added, "By now, I would wager that they know who we are and at sunset they will come looking for each and every one of us. Don't think that running away from me will save you because they will hunt you down."
"I just want to go home," sobbed someone.
"You can't run away from vampires," said Marnie. "Nor, can you expect any mercy from them because there isn't any mercy left in their cold, dead hearts. Now, join hands so that we can protect ourselves."
More sobbing was heard and reluctantly the members of the coven assembled and joined hands. Marnie stood in the center and gave control over to Antonia to cast the actual spell.
"Invoco per virtutem solis. Mortuus ambulant, exaudi vocem meam. Precipio tibi excitare. Precipio tibi quod extra ambulant in lucem solis. Audite vocem meam, et obedient," said Antonia.
As the members took up the chant, the power of the circle grew and it flowed along the linked hands. It amplified Antonia's power and made the spell more powerful. She began to levitate into the air and she repeated her spell. With every word the wind outside seemed to pick up speed. The noise rattled the windows and several members gazed around in fear. But, none were brave enough to break the circle and spell continued to be cast. The wind roared and carried Antonia's words with it as it sought out the undead.
IV
In Payton's basement, the roar of the wind disturbed Payton who quickly realized it's supernatural origins. It seemed as if some power was seeking out the vampire that lay next to her. She felt a conscious intent pass over them. It was seeking and searching. And like a trained nose of a scent hound, it sniffed out Eric. Suddenly, he convulsed and began to fight against his restraints. The roar grew louder and everything in the room began to shake from the force that was bearing down on them. She grew fearful that she couldn't fight this power. Marnie had a coven of servants behind her and she was drawing upon their power to increase her own. She pushed down on Eric's shoulders and he fought against her. His fangs dropped down and a wild look came into his eyes. She carefully stayed out of reach of those fangs. Eric twisted and pulled in an attempt to free himself and obey the compulsion of the spell. The only intelligible thing that came out of his mouth was the word: sun. His thrashing only dug the chains more deeply into his flesh and caused his injuries to be more severe. Payton pushed down harder on his shoulders.
"Don't listen," she cried.
"The sun," he hissed. "Release me."
Payton increased her efforts to hold him down. He could not be reasoned with in this state. The spell had overcome his own will and if he wasn't restrained he would surely walk into the sunlight. The roar became louder and she thought that her house might shake apart. She feared that the combination of shaking and Eric's still impressive strength might break apart the headboard. If that happened, he would get free since Payton doubted that she could hold him back even in his weakened state. You had to fight magic with magic, she thought. Payton took Eric's head between her hands and he looked into her eyes.
"Listen to me with your inner ear
My voice can protect you, do not fear.
Calm as a placid sea
I call upon you to be.
Take my strength and resist
For my heart will ever persist.
Touched by magic, I have the power to endure
Bathed in dragon's blood, my heart is pure.
My power is greater because it comes from the heart
Put your trust in me and let your doubts depart."
Eric was held in her gaze and Payton stared into depths of his eyes. "I break the spell and silence her voice. No power will she have for you've already made your choice."
Eric blinked several times and Payton watched as the lucidity came back into his eyes. The wind died down and everything fell silent again. Payton breathed a sigh of relief and her grip on Eric became a caress instead.
"You're safe now," said Payton.
"Only because of you," replied Eric.
"The chains would have held," said Payton.
"Maybe," replied Eric, but she saw the doubt in his eyes.
Payton released him and brushed off his hair from his face, "Sleep now. I'll watch over you till sunset."
Eric tiredly closed his eyes as Payton kept her vigil over him.
When Payton had uttered the last part of her spell, Antonia felt the words of her spell stick in her throat. She gasped and coughed. Her hands rose to her throat in a panic. The other members of the circle noticed that she had stopped and they too hesitated as they looked up to her. The power flowing around the ring sputtered and stopped. With an abrupt motion, Antonia fell from the air and crashed onto the floor.
Marnie rolled to her feet and hissed hoarsely, "Demoness."
V
At sunset, Payton began to remove Eric's silver restraints. The links of the chains were embedded into his flesh and he winced in pain as she carefully pulled them off him. She had started at his feet and finally had them all removed except for the ones over his throat. Those ones were deeply embedded when he had thrashed around in an effort to break free. She slowly started to pull them up and he gasped in pain.
"Just pull them off quickly," he said. "It will be less painful."
Payton steeled herself and then yanked the chains off him in one violent pull. Eric cried out and twisted in pain. He slowly relaxed and briefly closed his eyes.
"I'm sorry," said Payton.
"It was still less painful than it would have been if you had removed them link by link," replied Eric.
Payton looked at him in concern and helped him into a reclining position against the headboard. She eased a pillow behind his back. She saw that the grievous damage around his throat wasn't healing. It was still bloody and raw. It had to be incredibly painful, she thought.
"Are you alright?" she asked.
"I just need to rest," said Eric.
"But, you're not healing," replied Payton. "I'll get you a Tru Blood."
Payton moved to get off the bed and Eric reached for her arm. She turned back and gazed at him questioningly.
"That won't help me," said Eric.
Payton watched as he closed his eyes and settled back into the pillow. His features were still creased with pain. Was it true that synthetic blood would not heal him? Did it only keep them alive and nothing else?
"You are in danger in this state," said Payton. "You...you can drink from me."
Eric opened his eyes and he stared intently into hers. "Please, don't offer unless you mean it."
"I do mean it," replied Payton.
Payton slowly put her hand into his. Eric looked down at her hand and caressed it a moment. He then looked up into her eyes and that same intense look came into his eyes. Payton couldn't stop a tremor from shaking her hand. A part of her told her to snatch back her hand and revoke the permission that she had just granted him. Yet, she didn't. She wondered if he was glamouring her because she was lost in those eyes whose color seemed to alternate between blue, green and gray. Slowly, Eric began to pull her in closer by her arm. She nervously realized that he didn't intend to bite her on the wrist. His lips drew close to her throat and she found that she was holding her breath.
His lips brushed against the surface of her ear and he said, "Do you still consent?"
Payton exhaled her breath, "Yes."
Eric dropped his fangs with a snick and felt Payton flinch. He gently held her, but she wasn't trying to escape. She had given him permission to feed from her. Out of concern for his well-being, of course. But, he wasn't going to squibble about the reasons. The only thing that mattered to him was that he had been given rights to her blood. It was an important step in the progression of their relationship. She was fearful and it wouldn't do to scare her by lunging at her like he wanted to do. He softly stroked her arms and reassured her. He gently lowered his lips to her soft flesh and kissed her. Her flesh was warm beneath his lips. He trailed his lips over her neck as he felt for her pulse under them. Her heartbeat was elevated and he had little trouble finding her pulsing vein. He listened for a moment at the sound of her blood as it rhythmically flowed mere millimeters beneath his fangs. Her heart was young and strong. He closed his eyes as he listened to that hypnotizing beat. He slowly tightened his grip on her in a way not to alarm her. With a sigh, he sank his fangs into Payton's soft flesh and pierced her vein. She gave a soft cry of surprise, but didn't move since she was securely held within his arms. Her blood seemed to leap up into his mouth and he latched his lips down tightly over the punctures. He had been expected a rare flavor since her blood type was uncommon, yet somehow it tasted even more exotic. He greedily swallowed and, as he pulled in another mouthful, he heard Payton gasp with the sensation of his lips tugging against her throat. Her blood was warm with the life force of the living. He could feel it's heat as it flowed down his throat. Against his cold flesh, it felt like molten fire. He continued to feed from her and that warmth seemed to spread throughout his body. He felt aglow with heat. Her blood tasted like faded memories of his human past. Of cooking fires in the grand feasting halls as meat was basted over flames. He could hear the singing and see the flash of skirts as pretty girls tried to catch his eye. Her blood reminded him of fresh game being cooked over campfires on hunting trips as he and his friends, now long dead and turned to ashes, laughed and told stories under the stars. He could taste spices and woodsmoke on her blood. His eyes rolled up in pleasure and growled in euphoria as he was lost in the essence of her blood. But, something else happened as the blood caused another flash of memories, but they weren't his. He felt the air rushing past him and the hiss of beating wings. A thundering cry roared in his ears and he pushed himself from Payton's neck. Holding her at arms length, he bared his fangs as he felt his body still awash with her blood.
"What have you done to me?" he managed to ask.
A/N: I used google translate for Martonia's spell in latin. Here it is in english:
I call upon the power of the sun. Dead that walk, hear my voice. I command you to awaken. I command you to walk outside into the sunlight. Hear my voice and obey.
Hmmm, Eric is finding out first hand that there is more to Payton and her magic than he guessed.
