Chapter 14

Dallas, Texas

Reverend Newlin's alarm clock was set to a podcast of himself giving what he considered his best Sunday sermon. At eight each morning his distinctive Texan twang would passionately beseech the almighty to "help him spread wisdom to those who would let the stroke of evil hands spoil them for eternity".

He would lay abed waiting for his eager congregation to take up the chorus of Hallelujahs that framed his every sentence. To him they sounded like a glorious affirmation of his role as a true leader of men fulfilling the Lord's directive.

Oh yes he was special. Only he could bring the glory of the God to cast out the demons from the earth. His hand was mighty and his determination held true. All he needed was that little extra ability that would smooth his course. He had the tools, he had the source and in a few short days he would fulfill his true potential. Newlin almost salivated with anticipation.

The LODI lab at Oklahoma City would have the vampire in its premises today. By tomorrow they would begin harvesting brain tissue from the demon. He was scheduled to travel there the day after and by the end of the week it was likely that he could begin practicing his new gift.

The timing was more than ideal. In a month's time the Fellowship's fiscal year would end and Congress would take up discussions for its continued funding. The reverend planned a few visits to certain congressmen and senators that would prove especially productive for the institution. It was his intention to expand his reach even further. For the past four years he'd been receiving information that convinced him that vampires were not the only demonic creatures blighting society. He was told of men and women who could change their form at will to take up the appearance of wild animals. They would turn into not only wolves but even bats and lions. Such individuals could not be permitted to walk amongst the good people of this world. With additional funding he could begin targeting these dangerous groups.

He was so caught up in his planning that he was very much startled by the ringing of his private phone. His congregation and his employees knew not to disturb during his morning worship unless it was a matter of dire importance. With some trepidation he answered the call.

Luke MacDonald's grave voice on the other end was an indication that something had gone seriously askew with this plans.

"Good morning, Reverend. I am so sorry to disturb you so early. I waited as long as I could since you said that your early mornings are for the Lord…"

"Never mind that. What has happened?"

"It's the sheriff sir. It seems that we have lost him."

A tight vice clamped on the reverend's guts. "What do you mean you lost him? Where is he?"

"Sir… you cannot begin to understand how sorry I am about what has happened. We've always taken all matter of precautions regarding our subjects. In fact the Sherriff was one of our security successes with him being such an old and powerful specimen…"

"Enough with the useless preamble, how did you lose him?"

Luke coughed nervously. "As far as we can tell he just banished from his cell between two and two thirty in the morning. The cameras caught no footage of the event. We can't figure out why but I have my best team on it."

The reverend's grip on his handheld tightened considerably. "What of you security people? Our labs are to be guarded at all times."

"That's just it. One of our guards was taking a break and he'd stepped outside. We've questioned him but he did not notice anything. As for our other guard she cannot be accounted for."

"WHAT?" Newlin yelled into the phone.

"It's very strange sir. We found Ms. Garza's uniform in our video monitoring room upstairs. However she was missing. She wasn't found at her home and her personal items as well as her car remain in the lab."

"You said you found her clothes?"

"Yes sir."

It was too much. "Darn it Luke, you had a shifter on your payroll."

"I'm sorry I don't understand what you mean. I had what on my payroll?"

Didn't this idiot know anything? "A shifter is a person that can turn into an animal at will. Apparently you hired one to work for us and she freed the vampire."

"Sir… I don't know what to say. I had no idea that Luna was what you say she is. We checked her out and there was no indication of anything like that in her background."

"It's because they hide it well like all hell beasts. They are serpents in the grass waiting for unsuspecting humans to fall in their traps. It's time for the Fellowship to destroy all these abominations. It is our duty."

"Yes sir, I understand. We will find the vampire and the shifter soon. I promise you that."

"I will be flying to Shreveport before the day is done. Retrieving Eric Northman is our prime directive now. Find out who had a connection with Ms. Garza as she may have had some allies. Interview everyone personally, use your new abilities to determine who may be lying to us."

"I will. Will Ms. Newlin be joining you?"

"I don't see how that may be a concern to you but no. She is going to remain at home. I will be taking a group of my best soldiers to contribute to the search as it is obvious to me that I cannot rely on your leadership."

Luke winced visibly but kept his voice steady. "Again I apologize for my lack of oversight. I know that I've failed the institution."

"You have and that is why I am going bring Jason Stackhouse with me and put him in charge of the retrieval operation once we get there. His familiarity with the area as well as his skills in the field should prove beneficial."

Damn. Stackhouse would no doubt lord it over him. "We will be awaiting your arrival sir. I wish you a safe trip."

The reverend hung the phone on Luke without another word. The lab manager knew that his job was in jeopardy. The reverend could not have made it any clearer than by bringing his ex-friend turned adversary.

He had to find Northman and the shifter otherwise he could say good by to his career at the Fellowship.

XxXxXx

The morning was bright and sunny albeit a little cold. Sookie left her bed and went to check on Luna who was resting in the room that had once belonged to her brother Jason. She was glad to note that the woman's color was a bit better but it seemed that it would be a while longer before she woke up.

She knew that she should check on her vampire guest as well but she decided to put it off and went to get a cup of coffee instead. As she waited for her coffeemaker to finish she wrapped her terrycloth robe tightly around her she stepped in to the shaded porch. The early morning air was brisk but pleasant.

What to do with her guests? She'd promised Eric that he could stay and she was a woman of her word. Would she come to regret that decision? She really hoped that it wouldn't come to that.

Not for the first time she wished Adele was standing next to her. Her Gran understood her better than anyone and she would know exactly why Sookie'd chosen to risk herself for the vampire. Sookie was certain that she would support her as well.

She stepped back into the kitchen and poured her coffee into her favorite cup. It was a little hot so she let it rest on the kitchen table and headed towards her old room.

Sookie was surprised to see that Eric's eyes were wide open and staring into the ceiling above him. He'd hung the quilt across the window but the lamp was turned on giving a weak glow to the room.

"I can't sleep." He said quietly.

"What? Why?"

"I don't know but I've been trying to rest for the last few hours to no avail."

She thought for a minute. "Maybe you're too nervous about what's happened. It's bound to give you a few nightmares."

"Vampires don't dream Miss Stackhouse. The rising of the sun brings about a stupor resembling death which I have not been able to achieve."

"But you slept in the lab."

"Yes I did but the ability escapes me at the present. I will be fine but if this continues it will have an effect on my functioning."

"What kind of effect?" She asked nervously expecting the worse.

He spoke in a detached manner as if he weren't referring to himself. "I will grow physically weaker and even blood will not be enough to sustain me. Eventually such a state will translate into my psyche and I will simply go mad."

Sookie gasped. It really was the worse.

TBC.

I really wanted to have this out before Christmas but you know what they say about the best laid plans. I am really grateful for all the attention that this story has been getting. Thank you to those that take the time out to review and have a healthy new year.

.