A/N: This chapter takes place one week after Chapter 28. I hope that everyone enjoys reading this installment of the story. Please review and let me know what you think. I'm sorry for the delay in Chapter 28. I hope a double update makes up for it in some small way. I'd to thank everyone that takes the time to read my story. Knowing everyone is enjoying my work inspires me to keep writing.
Daly Ranch in New Mexico
Tara was seated on the couch in the living room. There was a massive knot forming in her stomach as the election results from around the East Coast started to roll in. This night had been a long time coming. She could only hope that everything went to plan.
Sookie walked into the room carrying two bowls of ice cream. "I figured we could use something sweet while we worry about the Vampire Rights Amendment. We've got a long night ahead of us. The polls in the Central time zone are just closing. We might not know the fate of the amendment until tomorrow."
She smiled and took the bowl from Sookie. "Thanks, Sookie. I have not had much of an appetite but you know I'm not going to turn down ice cream. Have to you talked to Bill tonight?"
Tara was curious because she hadn't heard from Eric. In fact, in the last week their communication had been almost nonexistent. Some days the only acknowledgement she'd get from him was a text message or a brief FaceTime conversation. Tara tried to chalk it up to a busy schedule. There was no doubt that Eric had a lot on his plate right now. He was having to look after Fangtasia, conduct his duties as Magister of North America, assist the Authority's attaché in investigating Nan Flanagan's death, and continue politicking for the VRA. There weren't enough hours in the day or night for Eric to do all of that. However, even with knowing everything Eric was up against it didn't stop Tara from feeling very alone and very disconnected from him. It didn't help that she'd been having dark and cloudy premonitions that she didn't understand.
Sookie saw the despondent look on Tara's face and wanted to lie to her. She knew that misery loved company and right now Tara didn't want to be the only one feeling neglected. However, the truth was that Sookie had spoken to Bill just a few hours earlier. She wished him luck on the election's results and he promised to call her the minute he had the opportunity.
Tara glanced at Sookie and didn't need her friend to respond. The answer was written on Sookie's pensive face. She sighed a little and said, "I'm glad that you heard from Bill. I know that you were worried about him."
Sookie bit her lip and said, "I'm sure that Eric will call you as soon as he gets a chance. Bill says that the attaché has been running them ragged investigating the pack in Shreveport. Apparently, some of the members that went after Nan have connections to the pack back in Jackson, Mississippi that used to do Russell Edgington's bidding. I saw a lot of them when I went to look for Bill in Jackson and I can agree that they are seriously messed up wolves. I never knew that V could have that affect."
Tara nodded slightly and said, "I know. Eric mentioned that the Authority is concerned that the attack on Nan Flanagan was some sort of delayed retaliation for Russell Edgington's death…they are being really careful."
Tara knew that the Authority was actually worried about the rise of the Sanguinista splinter group. Eric was concerned about their growing presence as well. They could cause some serious chaos if they decided to swim against the mainstreaming tide. She swirled her spoon around in the bowl to soften the ice cream and to distract herself. The idea of Eric being sandwiched between the Authority and a rogue splinter group was unsettling.
Sookie ate a spoonful of ice cream and said, "Cheer up, Tara. We'll be home soon enough. Bill told me tonight that he doesn't see a reason why we shouldn't be home by Thanksgiving. That gives us plenty of time to plan and put together the perfect first Christmas for Jax and Jade."
Thinking about Christmas put a smile on Tara's face even if it was only for a brief moment. "Jax and Jade are going to have so many gifts to open on Christmas morning we might not ever get done. Theresa and Alex have gone all out on the Christmas shopping for their newest niece and nephew."
Sookie smiled and added, "Not to mention that I've picked up several gifts and if I have time I want to make them both something by hand. Gran taught me how to crochet for just this reason. I think it is high time I put it to good use."
Tara chuckled and said, "She tried so hard to teach me to crochet too, but I was all thumbs. I was better at cutting wood than crocheting."
Sookie laughed and said, "I bet we can convince Jason to go out in the woods and find a couple of great Christmas trees. You can help him."
Tara smiled and said, "I was thinking of trying to recreate my first Christmas with Eric. I never knew where he found that tree it was…"
Sookie nodded and said, "Amazing. I didn't like him but when Eric called and asked me to decorate the house for you for Christmas…I knew that you meant something to him."
"Eric has the uncanny ability to make me feel like the only person in the world. He hates most humans and for some reason he decided to love me."
Tara slurped a little of the melted ice cream and relaxed against the couch.
Sookie asked, "Where are the babies?"
"They're upstairs with my cousin, Rosemary. She swiped them from me like an hour ago. She's convinced that we should have done something for their one month birthday. I don't think I'm that kind of mom. I mean I have the one-month old onesies. I dressed Jax and Jade in them and took a picture," said Tara.
"Well, maybe you could put together a scrapbook or something. Have you started a baby book?" asked Sookie.
Tara said, "I tried but I'm not sure I'm that type of mother either. I mean I love taking pictures of my babies. Eric gets tons of them a week from me now. I just don't know that I'm a scrapbooking type of person. You have to use those funny little fucking scissors. Glitter and I don't know...all that crafty bullshit I was never good at in school. Maybe I'll do something at the six month mark. For now their five weeks old and I wouldn't even begin to know how to celebrate a birthday."
"Well, I'd guess at this age it is more for the family than it is for the babies," Sookie pointed out.
Tara's head tilted to the side as if a realization had just hit her. "I've been so in my own fucking head that I didn't hear what she was actually saying. If everything goes right, we'll be leaving soon. The family is going to miss all of the milestones because I live in Louisiana. They love me and they love my kids."
Sookie nodded and said, "I know I'd be heartbroken if I didn't have the opportunity to see you guys on a regular basis. I hate that you live all the way in Shreveport, but at least it is only a couple miles drive from Bon Temps."
She groaned and said, "I'll figure something out. I mean I'll miss them too. It is nice having such a big family. The more that I get to know them the more I feel like I belong. They get my crazy temper and me. They understand and enjoy my morbid sense of humor. And learning how to use my powers from them has been great."
Sookie nodded and said, "I wish I had someone around to teach me how any of my stuff works. I mean the telepathy was easy enough but when I started having light shoot out of my fingertips I freaked."
Tara laughed heartily and shook her head, "Who wouldn't? That is some freaky shit! I'm just lucky that the premonitions hit me before the other shit or I would have been freaked out too. Theresa is the first one that showed me how to use my telekinesis. So, no one else in your family is like you?"
Sookie shook her head and said, "No one that is living. Well, my younger cousin Hunter is like me but he's just a kid and he is terrified of his gift. It didn't help that Hadley was terrified of it too. She was so afraid that the vampires would go after him."
"Considering your blood is like catnip for vampires…I'd say she was right to be afraid. Eric and Bill are the only vampires that know about you being a faerie, right?" asked Tara.
"Russell Edgington knew about me but he's dead so my secret is safe. I smell good to most vampires but not enough for them to want to bite me. Good thing I'm not full faerie," Sookie joked.
"My dad was an asshole for leaving me with Lettie Mae but I'm kind of glad that he had the witch bind my powers. I can only imagine the hell she would have put me through or the confusion I would have had growing up and not understanding what was happening to me. Being special when you are a kid just makes you feel like a freak," said Tara.
Sookie nodded in agreement. She'd suffered immensely because she didn't understand her gift and didn't know how to hide it from her classmates. Some days she still felt like she was just fumbling in the dark with few if any answers. "I met another faerie when I was in Dallas with Bill that time. He understood what we were a little more but he was scared of the fact I knew what he was."
"I'm just glad that Jax and Jade won't have to go through this alone. They'll have an aunt, uncle, cousins, and me to help them figure out what it means to be a diviners. The werewolf part scares the shit out of me. Alcide is the only decent werewolf that I've ever met. I'm worried that he's the exception…not the rule. Rey and his pack were savages."
Sookie nodded and said, "So was the pack from Jackson, but Alcide is a good man. I think he's proof that there are good werewolves out there. Jax and Jade might not even turn. Being a werewolf is a genetic trait. Maybe with them only being half werewolf you won't have to worry about it at all."
Tara shook her head and said, "Jax's eyes have already flashed once. He was pretty pissed when I was trying to clean him up one night when I was still in Shreveport. He was throwing a fit so much that Eric rushed in thinking something was wrong with him. I saw the werewolf in him. When the time comes…he'll shift."
Sookie gasped softly, "You never told me that."
"I didn't really tell anyone. So much was going on at the time I felt like it was the least of my problems," said Tara.
Sookie sighed and squeezed her arm in support. "We've got 13 or so years before Jax and Jade shift for the first time. Jade might not shift at all. In any case, we will figure it out before the time comes."
Tara chuckled and said, "Thanks, Sook. I mean it…you've been my best friend even when I didn't deserve it."
"You're not the only one that has fallen down in this relationship. When I first started seeing Bill I took our friendship for granted," said Sookie.
"That's the good thing about true friendships. You can take each other for granted and be a complete bitch but at the end of the day you'd never stop being friends. You were my family before I had a family," said Tara.
She perked up when the pundit on television called the state of New York for the incumbent President. The graphic on the lower half of the screen flashed the other races and votes on amendments taking place in New York.
Sookie squealed in delight. "The VRA is passing by 78% with 85% of the precincts reporting. If only all of the states could be that easy. So far, that makes Vermont, Maine, Delaware, Rhode Island, and New York. "
Tara chuckled at Sookie's exuberance. She probably would have reacted the same way if she weren't worried about the other harder to win states. "I feel like we should be writing down the names of the states where it passed. I think we need a running tally."
Sookie grinned and said, "I think that is a great idea, but I bet someone online is already doing that."
She grabbed Tara's iPad and started surfing the internet looking for the most up-to-date information about the election.
Tara ate another spoon of ice cream and chuckled, "I'm not patient enough to sit around and wait for the results. I want to know the answer now. Although, the exit polls are predicting that the amendment will pass in most of the states."
Sookie sighed as she surfed the internet. "I hope so. We both have lives we'd like to get back to."
Tara glanced at her cell phone and sighed. "You're damn right about that."
Eric's House in Shreveport
Eric stood in front of the full-length mirror in his bedroom as he tried to fix his tie. He wasn't getting much rest during the days because he spent his time fielding calls from politicians and reviewing cases for the tribunal. Having the bleeds seemed to be a permanent condition this week. It also didn't leave him very much time to talk to Tara. He knew that she was struggling with the distance but all of this was in service of getting her back home permanently.
The investigation into Nan's death was slow going. Nora seemed determined to track down the last vestiges of the Jackson, Mississippi pack. Eric wasn't altogether sure that there were any members left. He was now glad that he had the foresight to send Alcide to Jackson last week. The werewolf was keeping an eye on things from that end.
However, the longer that Nora was in Shreveport the harder it became for Eric to resist her. The constant arguing just made him want to fuck her into submission. Truth be told it was probably part of the reason Eric was avoiding talking to Tara.
Eric shook his head thinking about that particular act of cowardice.
Bill knocked on the door and said, "Eric, we need to talk."
"Come in."
Bill walked into the bedroom and closed the door behind him. "Your computer guy was able to crack the encryption of Nan's laptop. We've got all of the messages."
Eric asked, "Did you glamour him?"
"I paid him in cash, dropped him off at his home in Bossier, and glamoured him thoroughly. There isn't a trace left," Bill explained.
Eric nodded and asked, "And the messages that he retrieved? Is it what we thought it was? Is it as bad as we thought it was?"
Bill said, "Worse."
The Viking turned around as he put on his cufflinks and surveyed Bill closely. "What do you mean worse?"
Bill shook his head in exasperation and replied, "The Sanguinista movement is far more widespread than we initially thought. I saw communications from New York, California, Toronto, Jakarta, Recife, Misrata, Hong Kong, Damascus, Berlin, Rio de Janeiro, Padua, and St. Petersburg. We have code numbers but no names. We can't identify the members of the Sanguinista movement. We are flying blind."
Eric paused with a thoughtful look on his face.
Bill asked, "What?"
"Nan was a politician at best and a useless talking head at worst. There is no way she constructed something this elaborate on her own and kept her treachery secret from the Guardian. She had to have had help and it had to be from someone on the council."
"Do we take this information to the Guardian? Maybe he can flush the rat out," Bill suggested.
Eric shook his head as he put on his navy blue suit jacket. He said, "We don't go to him until we have more information. Who knows how many of his own council members may be against him? The minute this evidence makes it inside of the walls of HQ…it could disappear. We have to weed out the leader so that the Guardian can take him out."
Bill nodded and asked, "What do we do with the information in the meantime? We can't just having it lying around here with your sister on the prowl. IF everyone on the council is a suspect then so is she."
"She's somewhere near the top of my list. Nora is a lot different than I remember her being," Eric complained.
"When is the last time you two were together for more than a few hours or few days?" asked Bill.
"It would have been before you were alive. We went our separate ways around the 1830's. We've seen each other a couple times in the interim but never for an extended period of time. Something is going on with her. I just can't tell what it is."
Bill quipped, "Well, she's certainly jealous of Tara. Whenever you mention her Nora sneers. She is not found of you keeping a human."
Eric said, "Neither was Paolo but he kept his disdain a secret until the end."
"He turned out to be Sanguinista."
"And Nora has been in contact with him enough that was able to give her a rundown of my life. Her interest in finding the werewolves loyal to Russell Edgington is disconcerting too. I can't believe she went all the way to Jackson to investigate," said Eric.
Bill asked, "She doesn't know that he is alive, right?"
Eric rolled his eyes and sardonically replied, "Nora might be my sister but she is a member of the council. There is no way that I would have told her that I violated the Guardian's edict. The only people that know Russell's fate are Alcide, Pam, Tara, you, and me. Everyone else thinks he met the true death and that is the way it will stay unless we'd like to meet the true death."
"I'm the king of Louisiana. Do you think I'm interested in people knowing I left that monster alive? I haven't said a word to anyone…not even Sookie. I intend to keep it that way. Frankly, after what he tried to do to her I'm not sure she'd be too pleased that I left him alive at your behest."
Eric's cell phone started to ring. He answered, "Hello?"
He listened to the person speaking on the phone in silence before saying, "Let him in."
Bill shot Eric a questioning look.
"Jason Stackhouse is here to see us on official police business. I can't believe they let that half-wit onto the police force," said Eric.
Bill chuckled and said, "Look at the rest of the department. They are about as equally as bright as Jason. At least he's a good shot. I wonder what he wants. Shreveport is out of his jurisdiction."
Eric shook his head. "Well, let's go find out before we have to leave for our meeting with the Senator."
Bill and Eric descended the stairs just as Jason was walking into the house. He was dressed in his deputy's uniform. "Evening."
Eric asked, "To what do I owe the honor, Deputy Stackhouse?"
Jason said, "Did you hear about that house that exploded out in Shreveport a couple weeks back?"
Eric glanced at Bill but then looked to Jason. "Seems I might have heard something about that on the news. What does an explosion in Shreveport have to do with the Bon Temps PD?"
"Technically, that house wasn't in Shreveport proper. It sits on a nice little strip of unincorporated territory just inside the Renard Parish border. Renard Parish doesn't have its own police force. It relies on the Parish seat to provide law enforcement and protection."
Bill said, "And Bon Temps is the largest city in the parish…making it the parish seat. Making the case your case."
Jason nodded, "Rightfully so. We asked Shreveport's lab to handle the processing of the evidence, as we don't have those kinds of resources in Bon Temps. It took some doing but they were finally able to identify all of the bodies and body parts found in that house. Which brings me to why I'm here tonight. I'm looking for Alcide Herveaux."
Eric asked, "Why?"
"I ain't at liberty to say but it is real important that I have a word with him. I went by his house and he wasn't there, but I remembered Sook saying that he was doing some work on your house. I thought you might know where he was."
"Alcide had a family emergency with his father and had to go home to Jackson. I don't have an address or anything but I do have his cell phone number. I'm sure you could get in contact with him that way," Eric offered.
Jason said, "Well, that'd be a lot of help. I want to talk to him before tongues start wagging round town."
Eric said, "I'll go get his number for you."
Jason looked to Bill as Eric exited the room. He asked, "Any closer to bringing my sister and Jessica home?"
He'd been offended by the notion that he couldn't protect Sookie. She was his baby sister and he was a deputy for God's sake.
Bill said, "I'm hoping they'll be able to come home in about a week. I know they both miss you Jason. They also wanted to keep you safe."
Eric walked back into the room with a slip of paper. He handed it to Jason. "Is that all?"
Jason said, "Well, I need to have a word with Tara as well, but I already have her number."
Eric asked, "Why do you need to speak with Tara?"
Jason said, "I ain't at liberty to talk about that either. I'm sure she'll tell you when it is all said and done. You two have a good evening and god luck with the voting and all."
Eric said, "Jason, wait. Is this something that is going to upset Tara? I mean if it is then maybe this is something that I should tell her. She's been through a lot lately."
The deputy paused and glanced back at Eric. He turned around and said, "Her father's wife filled a missing person's report with the Shreveport police. Well, he isn't missing anymore."
With that, Jason walked out of the house closing the door behind him.
Eric walked to the door and watched Jason climb into his jeep and speed off the property.
Bill said, "Looks like the police finally found Alex's little surprise."
Eric said, "I'm sure they found it weeks ago and just got around to fingerprinting the hand. The forensic team probably started with the whole bodies first because they were the easiest to identify. Then they moved to the pieces of bodies and tried to match those to the other bodies that were missing bits. There was only one piece of Victor's body in that house."
Bill nodded, "Fingerprint the severed hand and run it through the system and of course it was flagged immediately because there was a missing person's report out on him. The wife actually did us all a favor by filing that report."
Eric chuckled and said, "It might be the last useful thing she does if Pam gets her wish. She is chomping at the bit for an opportunity to drain Victor's widow."
Bill chuckled and said, "Seems like your progeny is fond of her new toy."
Eric shrugged and said, "As long she doesn't break him I don't mind at all. This relationship with Alex gives her something to do besides plotting how to disobey my command. We should get going. Senator Monroe wants us there for his acceptance speech."
Bill gave a nonplussed look and said, "It'll be nice to be able to vote against the bastard next time around."
Eric just laughed and walked out of the house.
Daly Ranch in New Mexico
Later that evening Tara was still planted in front of the television watching the election results. However, Alex, Pam, and Regina had joined her and Sookie on the sectional couch. Tara's cell phone started ringing and she grabbed it excitedly hoping that Eric would be on the other end of the line. She sighed deeply seeing Jason's picture. "Hey, Jason, what's up?"
Jason sat at his desk at the BTPD. He had decided to go back to the police station to make the notification. It seemed more professional than making the call from the worn out recliner in his living room. "Do you have a minute to talk? It's important."
Tara frowned when she heard the seriousness in Jason's voice. He wasn't exactly known for having gravitas. She muted the television and asked, "What's wrong, Jason? Is it Eric? Is there something wrong? Did something happen?"
He wasn't prepared for such an emotional reaction before he even had the opportunity to tell her what was going on. Jason was suddenly wishing he'd taken the coward's way out and let Andy do the notification. He only agreed to do it because Tara was like family and she deserved to hear something like this from someone who loved her. She'd already lost Lettie Mae and now she was about to find out she'd lost her father as well. Jason knew the pain of being an orphan. It was the type of pain the stuck with you for the rest of your life.
Jason cleared his throat and said, "Uh…no, Eric is fine. I reckon I saw him a couple hours ago at his house. I'm not calling about Eric. I'm calling about your father."
Tara nearly sighed in relief hearing that Eric was safe, but she quickly recovered and asked, "What about my father? Did the Shreveport police find him? Is he okay?"
The note of hopefulness in Tara's voice was like a knife to the heart for Jason. "I wish that it were good news, Tara, but it ain't. I don't know if you remember but a couple weeks ago a house exploded in Shreveport and killed a bunch of people. It was all over the news for awhile. The CSI types have been tending to all the dead bodies since it happened. Well, one of the dead in the house was identified as Victor Daly. They were able to match his fingerprints to ones on file from an arrest in 1992."
Tara attempted to stifle a fake sob. She'd long since came to terms with not only her father's death but her part in it. Ultimately, she understood that it was better that Victor was dead than Eric, her siblings, or herself. "My father died in a house explosion? He didn't even know anyone in Shreveport except for me. I don't understand what's going on, Jason. What happened to my father?"
Jason blew out a tentative breath and looked down at the case file on his desk. He didn't relish telling Tara the whole truth. He had hoped that she wouldn't ask for details. "I don't know why he was at that house. His death as well as the explosion is still under investigation, but what I can tell you is that he was already dead when the house went up. So far we've only recovered his hand."
"I don't understand how this could have happened. He was so mad at us and then he just disappeared. We didn't even get the chance to apologize. He didn't even get to meet his grandchildren," Tara lamented.
"I'm sorry for your loss, Tara. I wish there was something I could do to make this easier for you. I know this isn't a good time but I was hoping that I could ask you a few questions."
Tara sniffled and asked, "What do you want to know?"
"Did your father know Debbie Pelt or Alcide Herveaux?"
"No, I don't know how he would. I mean…he might have met Alcide at Eric's house but there's no reason for him to have come in contact with Debbie Pelt. Why do you ask?"
"Debbie Pelt is among the dead in that house. I just got done notifying Alcide Herveaux and her family. Do you think your father could have been involved with V?" asked Jason.
"I don't know. I hadn't known him that long. As far as I knew my father had a drinking problem but my brother and sister never mentioned anything about him using vampire blood. I don't understand what's happening here. I mean he was with Debbie Pelt when he died and you're asking me about V. Jason, what the hell was going on in that house?" asked Tara.
Jason took a breath and ran a hand over his close-cropped blond hair. "I wish that I could give you answers right now but I don't have any, Tara. The investigation is still going, but I promise that I will keep you updated on the case. I was supposed to notify the wife first but…you're family. I thought you ought to know and I didn't want to wait to tell you. I reckon whatever was going on in that house wasn't legal. Most of the people in that house had criminal records. Some stuff was petty but some of the records were pretty heavy."
"Do you have any more questions for me? I really need to call Alex and Theresa to tell them about our father. They're going to be devastated."
"I do have a few more questions but it ain't anything that can't wait til morning. I'll call you tomorrow. Tara, I really am sorry for your loss. If there's anything I can do…just let me know," said Jason.
"Thanks, Jason."
Tara ended the call and rolled her neck from side to side to release tension. She hated pretending that she was in mourning and she hated making that call so difficult for Jason. She could tell that he was struggling and that he was legitimately hurting for her loss, but she had to play the grieving daughter as to not arouse suspicion.
Alex was seated on the other end of the sectional couch with Pam at his side. He glanced over at Tara having heard her end of the conversation. "Are you okay?"
Tara tossed a pillow in his direction. "I'm fine. I knew he was dead. I was there. I am a little freaked out that they found his hand in the house. I don't even want to think about how you detached his hand from his body. That is fucking sick, Alex."
Alex shrugged his shoulders and replied, "I told you and Theresa that you didn't want to know how I made sure he'd be identified. Sometimes things get messy."
"Messy? You cut off our father's hand! That is some Jeffery Dahmer type shit, Alex. You should see a psychiatrist or something because that is just not fucking normal."
Theresa walked into the room with Jax and Jade in her arms. She stopped in shock having heard Tara's exclamation. "Alex, you did what?"
Alex huffed and rubbed his temples. "When Eric and I went to cremate the body we both realized that Dad would just be missing permanently. That didn't seem like a good idea so I took a little piece of him for the police to identify. I wasn't sure what I was going to do. I thought about leaving it somewhere public. Anyway, when the situation with Rey's uncle came up and I realized we'd have to eliminate the pack…well, that seemed as good a place as any to leave the hand."
Theresa had a seat next to Tara and handed her Jade. She frowned at Alex and asked, "Do I even want to know where you stored the hand in the meantime?"
Alex shook his head and said, "No, I wouldn't think so. The less you know about the entire situation the better you'll be. Just know that I took care of it…like I always do."
Tara sighed and said, "I'm sorry, Alex. You're right. You stepped up and took care of a situation that we were neither ready nor prepared to handle. The hand thing is sick but it accomplished the goal and leaving it in the house linked Dad to V using criminals. Smart."
Alex smirked and said, "I've always been the brains of the organization. And I promise V isn't the only elicit substance the police found in that house. I'm sure Jason just didn't read you in fully. As everything comes to light Dad will be painted as an out-of-towner that got involved with drug dealers and got himself killed."
Theresa said, "Just tell me that you didn't store that hand in the minifridge in your hotel suite? I ate the nuts and chocolate out of that thing."
Tara started to snicker and then just burst into laughter. She looked at Theresa's horrified face and said, "I'm sorry, but come on! It is a little funny."
Alex laughed and said, "No, I didn't store it in my hotel room. I wouldn't have wanted them to restock my minibar and find the hand. I stored it off site. Doesn't matter where. It's over and done with."
"Not quite. Jason hadn't notified Cindy yet. I'm sure she'll want to come over here when she finds out," said Tara. She rolled her eyes thinking about the woman.
Pam's fangs protracted in response and said, "Good. I need a snack."
Tara and Theresa both glanced at the blond vampire, but Pam was staring blankly at the TV. No doubt she was thinking of ways she'd rip Cindy from limb to limb.
Alex reached over and rubbed Pam's thigh. He leaned down and whispered something into her ear that made her smirk.
Tara's attention was drawn to Jade as she began to cry. She rocked the infant gently and cooed at her. "Normally, it is your brother that starts the crying. What's wrong, sweet pea?"
Tara picked up one the twins' toys from the coffee table. It was a stuffed dog that played recorded lullabies and had a blinking nose and tummy. Tara made the stuffed dog dance in front of Jade's face hoping the brightly colored lights would attract her attention.
Jade stopped crying and her eyes tracked the lights as Tara moved the stuffed animal around.
Tara chuckled softly and said, "I think that dog is going to be my new best friend. Jax likes him too. Thanks for buying it, Theresa."
Theresa chuckled and said, "No problem. I love buying toys for these two. I could just eat them both up with a spoon. I should have bought two. I would have if I knew that both of them would like him so much."
Tara chuckled and said, "They can't have two of everything. Eric's house is big but not that big."
Tara put the toy back on the table when Jade settled down. She put the pacifier in the baby's mouth and continued to rock her.
Sookie was seated on the other side of Tara. She said, "She is a little doll, Tara. Seeing you with Jax and Jade makes me really want a baby."
Tara frowned and said, "Oh, Sook. Well, there's always adoption. I know it wouldn't be the same as you giving birth but you'd still get the chance to be a mom."
She bit her lip thinking about Bill's inability to give her what she wanted. It didn't change how she felt for him, but it did make her wonder what she was sacrificing.
The stuffed dog's nose and tummy were still flashing brightly although it was sitting atop the coffee table. The lights alternated between red, green, and blue.
Tara started watching TV again when she saw the dog move out of the corner of her eye. Her attention snapped to the toy and saw it floating in the air. She looked to Theresa. "Are you doing that?"
Theresa chuckled and said, "No, I can just reach out and pick it up. Alex?"
He asked, "What?"
Tara asked, "Are you screwing around with the toy?"
Alex watched the dog float toward Tara and started chuckling. "No, that isn't me but I have a pretty good idea of who it is. Just watch."
The toy floated in the air until it was over Jade and then it hovered there. Jade cooed and squirmed in Tara's arms as the flashing lights once again grabbed her attention.
Tara gasped softly. "Oh shit…you mean? Jade did that?"
Theresa chuckled and said, "She's young but there is no real set time for when a child starts using their telekinesis. It happens when they are babies. I guess she wasn't done being amused by the dog."
Alex grinned proudly. "Look at my niece being an overachiever! Robyn was three months old when she used her powers for the first time."
He got up and walked over to his sisters. Alex grabbed the dog out of the air and replaced it on the table.
Jade started to whine and squirm in Tara's arms.
Tara asked, "Why did you do that? She's going to start crying again."
Alex chuckled and said, "I'm not being a bully. I just want to see if she'll do it again. It's like an experiment."
Pam slid closer on the sectional watching the toy intently. Her gaze kept shifting from the baby to the toy.
Jessica walked into the room and saw everyone looking at the toy.
Jessica asked, "What's going on?"
Regina hopped off the couch. "I've got to go get Uncle Stefan! He'll want to see this."
Theresa called over her shoulder, "He's in the kitchen with Aunt Calliope."
For several minutes, everyone waited anxiously and just when they figured Jade wouldn't do it again the dog began to levitate over the coffee table. The stuffed toy floated through the air until it was once again hovering over Jade.
Stefan, Andrea, and Calliope walked in the room just in time to witness the event.
Calliope clapped a hand over her mouth to stifle a gasp. She didn't want to startle Jade. "My God…"
Stefan smiled and said, "So it has begun."
He walked up behind the couch and placed a hand on Tara's shoulder. "You will have to watch her more closely now. She's bound to do it again and at some inopportune times."
Tara asked, "How am I supposed to keep this under wraps? If a member of Eric's security team sees…"
Pam interjected, "Eric will just keep them outside. He'll protect Jax, Jade, and their secret."
The blonde-haired vampire watched in amazement and knew very well that the things had just changed, for better or worse she couldn't be sure.
18 months ago…
Eric paced the floor of the bar unsure as to what his next move would be. He had everything set in preparation of his death but nothing planned to stop Russell Edgington. For sure, the 3,000-year-old vampire would be there to rip Eric's heart out soon enough.
Killing Talbot seemed so right at the time. It was almost poetic which Eric's style wasn't really. For centuries, Eric dreamed of destroying the vampire that took everything of value from him. After losing the cloaked vampire during the Second World War, Eric had all but given up on ever getting retribution.
However, something wonderful happened. If Eric was a more flowery individual, he might have even called it magical. Perhaps it was serendipity or divine intervention. It was more likely just the law of averages. If you live a thousand plus years…you are bound to encounter your enemies eventually. Seeing his father's hand forged crown was all the motivation he needed to tear Russell's world apart. There was no thought involved. He didn't weigh the consequences…he just acted.
Feeling Talbot's blood spray over him was the best release he'd ever had in his life. No orgasm had ever felt so sweet. 1,000 years of pent up hatred, frustration, indignation, and bloodlust was released as the stake pierced Talbot's heart. He could hear the voices of his family singing his praises for avenging their slaughter.
Eric felt righteous in his kill and didn't regret it for a moment. He was only further vindicated when the Authority gave the kill order for Russell, but now as his bloodlust waned reality began to set in. Russell would kill anyone that meant anything to him and that left Pam exposed and in danger. He was suddenly grateful that Tara left him and Louisiana without a word.
Werewolves had already been to the townhouse he once shared with her. He knew all too well her fate if she'd still been in Shreveport.
Pam sat perched on the bar watching Eric pace the floor. The longer he remained silent the more angry and agitated she became. This shit storm was of his creation and she thoroughly believed that he was distracted because of Tara's unceremonious exit.
He probably would have killed Talbot even if Tara was still around but he damn sure would have had a plan for containing Russell. Pam could only think that maybe he didn't care if he met the true death or not anymore. In the two weeks since Tara left Eric had changed dramatically. Pam couldn't remember a time when she witnessed her maker in such a state.
The only time she'd seen more emotion from Eric was just after the death of Godric. She was sure then that she'd never see him in such a state again. However, Post-Tara was close.
She watched him turn for what must have been the 100th time that evening and she hopped off the bar seething with anger. Pam strode over to Eric confidently and blocked his path.
Eric's fangs dropped and he growled at his progeny. "What the fuck do you want? I said that I didn't want to be disturbed!"
Pam rolled her eyes and crossed her arms over her chest. She saucily quipped, "If you ask me you are already fucking disturbed!"
The blond vampire moved closer so that he was towering over Pam. He bellowed, "What do you want? Or do you have a plan to defeat Russell Edgington? If not, get the fuck out of my way."
"You need to snap out of whatever the fuck trance you're in, Eric. Russell and his mutts destroyed my home tonight. The Fang will be his next stop. He's just toying with you like a cat would with a half dead mouse. He's going to show up here and rip your fucking head off but not before he rips mine off too. I've got no problem facing the true death but I'll be damn if I do it without a plan or without taking someone with me. Get your shit together before he turns up on our doorstep!"
Eric said, "I'm not in a trance. Do you have some sort of magnificent idea to stave off a psychotic 3,000-year-old vampire? I am all ears if you have an idea. If not get the fuck out of my way and let me think!"
"That's the problem! All you've been doing is thinking! Well, you haven't gotten anywhere with that and Russell is closing in on us! You don't have the leisure to continue to think it out! Now is the time for action! He wants Sookie maybe he wants her more than your head on a pike."
He looked at Pam questioningly, "Sookie?"
"He wanted her in Jackson…maybe he still wants her. Give Russell Edgington Sookie and that imbecile brother of hers and walk away. You owe her nothing! She turned down your advances in favor of Bill fucking Compton! And that cunt friend of hers turned your life upside down!"
Eric shook his head and replied, "I won't do that to Sookie and I will not betray Tara that way. Don't disrespect her again."
Pam asked, "Then you are willing to die at Russell's hands? When did you become suicidal? Because standing around doing nothing is the equivalent of meeting the sun the way Godric did. I am not ready to lose my maker just because he's sad he lost his human. If she was as wonderful as you thought she was…then she'd be here right now instead of wherever the fuck she is. She betrayed you, Eric. You do not owe her or Sookie your loyalty and least of all your life."
Eric turned his back on Pam and walked away.
Pam shook her head and said, "You've got a choice, Eric. You can either use Sookie in some capacity to trap Russell or go ahead and stake yourself to save him the trouble. Whatever you decide…know this…I will not stand here and watch you just give up."
Eric turned to look at Pam but she'd already vamp sped out of the club. He roared in frustration and broke a chair over the bar top. Eric walked back to his office and had a seat at his desk. He opened the top drawer and pulled out the necklace he'd given Tara some time ago.
She had obviously left it in her haste to leave before he returned home or perhaps it was some sort of message. Perhaps Tara was rejecting all he'd done for her and in the same token rejecting him as well. He could feel the bitterness creeping into his heart as he thought about Tara's abandonment.
Eric had compromised himself for her. He had opened up to her in ways he'd never done for anyone other than Godric. There was a change in Eric even if no one else could see…he could feel it. He'd let a human infect him and weaken him. His desire to be with Tara had clouded his judgment and now he was to pay the ultimate price for that distraction.
He looked down at the necklace clutched within his fist and threw it against the wall. Eric stood up and marched out of his office with a look of determination on his face. He had plan now…it wasn't a great plan but it was better than nothing at all.
Eric's House in Shreveport
Just before dawn Bill walked into Eric's house. He'd just left Senator Monroe's post election celebration. The gracious public servant was more than happy to celebrate his reelection and the passage of the Vampire Rights Amendment in the great state of Louisiana.
Eric left the party not long after Senator Monroe's disingenuous speech and the ensuing photo ops. However, Bill decided to stay in an attempt to deepen his political affiliations within the state.
He entered the living room to find Eric seated on the couch feeding from a twenty-year old brunette co-ed. In the background the election results were being announced on one of the 24-hour cable news channels.
Bill unbuttoned his suit jacket and had a seat in a chair set adjacent to the couch. He scanned the election results that were now scrolling across the bottom of the screen. At last tally, the VRA passed in 30 states and failed in 5. They needed 38 states to ratify the amendment for it to be passed and added to the constitution. There wasn't a very large margin of error.
Eric finished feeding from the young woman and sat back on the couch. He picked up a towel and dried the blood that was now staining his pale skin. "Are you hungry, Bill?"
Bill looked at the young woman and was tempted but in the end shook his head. "I had a little something earlier. To indulge again would just be greed on my part. No thank you."
Eric pricked his finger and rubbed his blood on Lacey's puncture marks. He said, "Thank you for your generous donation, Lacey. Louis will be sure that you make it back to your apartment safely."
She smiled at Eric and said, "The pleasure is all mine. I just loved your speech at the tolerance rally last week."
Louis stepped into the room and beckoned the young woman. He knew Eric wasn't interested in adulation. Louis closed the French doors to give Eric and Bill some privacy.
Eric said, "Liberal groupie. The things these liberal arts co-eds find arousing is laughable, but it did provide me with a tasty meal."
Bill chuckled and shook his head. "Everyone has to have a passion for something."
"Speaking of passion and liberal groupies…how was your evening with Senator Monroe?" asked Eric. He knew very well why Bill opted to stay behind at the party. The king had political aspirations and Senator Monroe was just the kind of friend he needed.
Bill chuckled and said, "The party became more bacchanalian as the night went on. How politicians manage to avoid scandal is beyond me. It is as if they have no sense of propriety. The esteemed senator disappeared upstairs to a suite with one of his staffers."
Eric chuckled and said, "That is good information to have. It might come in handy if ever we have a need to bend Monroe to our agenda. If you bed one nubile staffer, you'll bed a dozen."
"I'm sure Senator Monroe has a closet full of secrets. I can't believe that we know the outcome of the presidential race but not the VRA," Bill complained. He scowled at the television.
Eric shook his head and replied, "About an hour ago several states were saying that the vote counts were too close to call it either way for the VRA. We'll know by the afternoon for sure. We just need eight more states to fall in our favor. After that who gives a fuck about the other 7."
"More overwhelming support would be better, Eric. Just because it is ratified doesn't mean we aren't going to have resistance from the humans," Bill complained.
"I'd rather have the humans out in the streets protesting as opposed to vampires making the streets run red with the blood of humans. The Sanguinistas are waiting for the opportunity to sabotage the mainstreaming agenda. I'll take 38 states over not passing at all," he responded.
Bill hated to agree with Eric's bleak view of the state of things but the older vampire was right. A near victory was much better than a loss. "I guess we'll see. Have you talked to Tara? I talked to Sookie earlier and she told me that Jason debriefed Tara concerning Victor's death."
Eric quirked an eyebrow at Bill and replied, "No, we're going to Skype later once she's awake for the day."
Bill figured it was more so an attempt to ensure Nora wouldn't be popping up. He knew that Eric hadn't explained the nature of his relationship with Nora to Tara. "Sookie told me that Jade used her powers for the first time tonight. Ostensibly it was to retrieve a toy that she found riveting."
Eric felt a twinge of guilt that seemed to appear from thin air. He'd ignored a few calls from Tara that evening and hadn't bothered to call her back. About an hour ago, Eric sent a text suggesting they Skype conference later. "I am going to go get a shower and then call Tara. I'll see you after sundown, Bill."
Bill nodded in Eric's direction and then redirected his attention to the television. He didn't see himself resting until he knew the fate of the Vampire Rights Amendment.
Ten minutes later the doors to the living room opened and in walked Nora. Security had been given carte blanche to allow her on the property.
Bill had to force a smile when Nora entered the room. He stood up, buttoned his jacket, and said, "Chancellor Gainesborough, I didn't think we'd see you tonight. I trust your trip to Jackson was enlightening."
Nora smiled at Bill's awkward greeting. She replied, "Yes, I would say that it was. There is still a very large contingent of werewolves that were loyal to Russell Edgington. I've requested assistance in my investigation of the matter. The Guardian will be sending Chancellor Kibwe to assist me."
"So you will be returning to Jackson then?" asked Bill. He tried his hardest to keep the hopefulness from creeping into his voice.
"I've arranged for a shuttle to transport me and a light tight travel coffin to the airport in a couple of hours. Chancellor Kibwe will meet me there. Where is Eric?" asked Nora.
"Uh, he's upstairs taking a shower. I'll go up and let him know that you're here," said Bill.
Nora placed a steadying hand on his arm. "There is no need. I am quite capable of finding his room."
Bill watched as Nora walked up the stairs toward Eric's room. When he heard the door shut upstairs he muttered, "Succubus."
Nora smirked hearing Eric's shower running. She quickly stripped out of her clothes and draped herself across his bed wearing only a lavender thong and matching bra. Nora's gaze settled on Eric's laptop when she heard the chime indicating a Skype call.
She yanked the laptop across the bed seeing Tara's picture on the screen. A mischievous smirk drifted on her thin lips. Nora hit the button to answer the call.
Tara's eyes nearly bugged out of her head. "Who the fuck are you? Where is Eric?"
Nora had to stifle the chuckle welling up in her throat. "Eric's in the shower. I think the better question is who the fuck are you and why are you calling him?"
Tara searched the background trying to figure out the scantily clad woman's location. Then it all hit her at once…that was her headboard. This bitch was in her bedroom…in her bed and Eric was in the shower. Tara felt like her heart had dropped into the pit of her stomach. All those familiar doubts started to resurface for her.
"You're in my home and you're asking me why I'm calling him? Who the fuck are you?" asked Tara. Her words were slow and deliberate.
"Didn't Eric tell you? I'm his sister and much much more. I think you Americans call it friends with benefits. I find our relationship very beneficial. I've been staying here for the last week. My name is Nora. What's yours?"
Tara ended the video conference without another word.
Nora chuckled to herself and lounged back on the bed as she overheard the water in the shower shutting off.
A few minutes later Eric walked into the bedroom with a fluffy blue towel wrapped around his waist. He frowned seeing Nora's attire. "I thought you were in Jackson."
"I'm back. I had a few loose ends to tie up here in Shreveport and I wanted to see you."
He collected her clothes and threw them at her. "Get dressed."
She pouted and said, "You're no fun. I just came up here to tell you that I'll be leaving for Jackson this afternoon. The Guardian has agreed to opening a full investigation into the pack in Jackson."
Eric asked, "Does that mean that you've come to a finding on Nan Flanagan's death?"
Nora started to get dressed and replied, "I've determined that Nan and her security team were accosted by werewolves at the convention center. They rigged her dressing room to release silver colloidal spray in order to incapacitate them. It appears that werewolves from the Jackson pack were responsible and were probably loyal to Russell Edgington. My investigation here in Shreveport is over."
Eric was relieved that the investigation was over and that Nora was soon to be out of his hair. He loved his sister but they were going in very different directions and more than ever, he suspected her to be a traitor. "Looks like Russell's influence lives on."
Nora nodded and said, "He influenced a lot of werewolves and vampires for that matter. I mean watching him eviscerate an anchor and national TV was inspirational for a lot of vampires that are unhappy with the direction the AVL is going. We've been battling against that ever since."
"Well, maybe the VRA passing will put some of those battles to bed. Equality is better than war," said Eric.
Nora headed toward the door and called over her shoulder, "Only if you don't really believe in what you're fighting for."
Eric watched her leave the room and shook his head. Nora wasn't to be trusted. It appeared that she was in as deep as Paolo if not more. He wasn't fooled by her stilted conversation. She was speaking from a personal place.
He locked his door and then had a seat on his bed. Eric prepared to call Tara only to see that he'd already had a brief conversation with her just minutes prior. He looked toward his door and then back at the screen. "Fuck…"
