WEEKS LATER-
If Alcide Herveaux and Godric, truly thought they had pulled off their scheme, they had another thing coming.
Bill and Eric had done as Authority Leader, Roman Zimojic had asked, and had captured Russell Edgington for him. He was being detained in the detention center at Authority Headquarters. But Bill and Eric had also confided in Roman about Godric's 'return' and that fact that both Godric and Tara, could walk around during the day!
Roman called in Chancellor Kibwe Akinjide to weigh in on these startling turn of events. Roman revealed to Bill and Eric that Kibwe had 'occult ties' and would look into what could be causing all of this.
Roman, Eric and Bill were sitting in an Authority conference room, when Kibwe entered looking solemn. He slowly sat down. Roman now looked uneasy.
"What did you learn?" Roman asked.
Kibwe rolled his tongue around in his mouth before answering.
"I think it would be wise if the King of Louisiana and the Area Sheriff stepped out for a moment."
Bill looked at Eric. Eric gave Kibwe a cool look.
"Why?" Eric asked.
Kibwe now gave Eric a dirty look!
"Because what I learned falls under Authority business. We will handle the problem from now on."
Bill looked at Roman.
"Chancellor, please, two vampires are able to walk around in the sun. And to our knowledge, they have not drank any fae blood. If this is something that could be shared among our kind..."
Kibwe stood up.
"It cannot. Let me ask YOU something: why did you leave out the part about the werewolf?"
Now Eric stood up.
"You mean Herveaux? No one else but ME thought he was important."
Bill didn't like what Eric was implying! Like he was too stupid to see that Alcide could have been a threat! From what he could see, he wasn't. Now Bill stood up as well and addressed Roman.
"Chancellor, I have spent time in the company of Alcide Herveaux. He is dating Eric's youngest vampire sister, Tara Thornton. Tara is the best friend of a woman I used to keep company with. That is all." Bill explained. Actually, things had been going VERY well with Sookie lately and they had begun seeing one another again. The two of them had went on a double date with Alcide and Tara the other night. So HE liked Alcide just fine-meaning slobbering over someone else besides Sookie!
"But clearly," Roman said, looking up from his seated position at Kibwe, "there is something else to this werewolf?"
"He is the new King of Hell." Kibwe said, now glaring at Bill openly. Eric sucked in a breath and Roman slowly stood up.
"YOU are the King of Hell, Kibwe! That is one of the reasons your position here is vital!"
"I was not unseated. When that happens, the threat is usually restrained or killed. As you can see, neither of those things has happened to me. Demon magic has made a werewolf the king of the underworld." Kibwe said grimly.
"Jesus!" Roman swore.
Eric began to pace the room. This explained everything! And unfortunately, Godric was involved in someway as well! But why?
Roman looked at Bill.
"Herveaux is responsible for Godric and this Tara Thornton's ability to move around during the day. These two are clearly part of whatever demonic deal has been made." Roman said.
Bill looked over at Eric, who stopped pacing and faced them.
"Godric was dead. Clearly he made a deal to get out of hell, which is where he was. Where Alcide comes in I cannot imagine. But I will say this: I have come upon them engaged in conversation that I cannot hear-something that is unheard of speaking as a vampire. Before Godric met the true death, I don't believe he even knew Alcide Herveaux." Eric noted.
"But you did. Maybe Godric met him through you?" Bill asked.
"You didn't think it was strange, that Alcide's affections switched from Sookie to Tara?" Eric asked, not answering Bill's question.
"No. Not really. And Sookie and Tara seem to get on better than they ever did now."
"So," Kibwe said, "this werewolf was interested in the fae girl? And not the new baby vamp?"
"Yes," Eric said firmly, "and for the life of me, I don't know why Godric has taken such a sudden interest in Tara."
"What does Nora think?" Roman asked.
"She is just as perplexed. Godric is arranging a 'family dinner' tomorrow evening. Godric is ordering Nora and myself to be there to get to know Tara better. My understanding of it is that Herveaux will be there as well." Eric said.
"Good." Roman said. "Go and see what you can find out. It is important that Kibwe restores power down in hell."
Sookie, didn't necessarily buy what was going on either, but she knew better than to say anything.
She and Bill were closer than ever. But it was Alcide that puzzled her. Alcide and his sudden interest in everything that was Tara. Not to mention the sudden 'friendship' he had struck up with Godric. Something was off.
But Sookie had felt guilty about Tara's sudden vampirism. She knew how Tara loathed the species, calling them 'monsters'. But she seemed to be handling it, probably because Godric was her maker. And for that, Sookie was eternally grateful. Bill might have been an okay maker for Tara but she shuddered to think what might have happened if it had been Eric!
The fact that Godric and Tara could walk around during the day was a big plus as well. It made things easier for Tara, though for the life of her, Sookie couldn't figure out how that had come about. She figured it was tied in to however Godric managed to reincarnate himself. Now that only left this thing with Alcide...
They were currently at Merlotte's, getting ready for the lunch crowd. Tara was working there again, as Godric had insisted that she be employed. Tara was living with him too, out at an estate he had on the edge of town.
Sookie came up on Tara and Arlene talking about Alcide.
"Tara, you can't invite Alcide and your girlfriend to that dinner!" Arlene scolded. "It will hurt Alcide's feelings."
"Arlene, I don't know what to do about Alcide. I don't understand why he's up on me all of the time now. I thought he was in to Sookie."
"But you do like him a little bit, right?" Arlene asked.
"Oh he's mighty, MIGHTY fine. I like him very much. But my heart is with Naomi. And she seems okay with living here and my being a vampire. Godric has met her. I'm going to let Alcide down gently." Tara told her.
Sookie looked past the two women and saw Alcide get out of a truck though the window.
"Tara," Sookie said in a warning tone, "Alcide is waiting outside with the rest of the lunch crowd. You might want to tell him now that you're going to stay with Naomi."
Sam breezed by them and moved to unlock the door. Tara tried not to appear nervous. Sookie was right. Tara knew she was. But still, things had been going relatively well since she had been turned.
Godric was kind. And he seemed to want to integrate with humans. It was a little hard to follow his teachings of not cursing and going off at the drop of a hat, but oddly, Tara felt more at peace as a vampire with Godric, than she had ever felt as a human being raised by a drunken mother.
And to be one of the few vamps that could walk around during the day made her feel very special! It made being a vamp feel not so terrible. And she didn't hunger for any of the food she saw people eating. But she could definitely taste the difference between real blood and 'stank blood' or what she secretly called True Blood. But she was determined to find a way to stand the putrid shit.
Then there was Alcide being all over her! Tara didn't understand that at all, though she had to admit, she didn't hate it either. But it was like she had went to sleep as a human, who had the understanding that Alcide was in to Sookie, then awoke being a vampire with a new man in her life that wanted to be with her.
And yet, there was something more intense about Alcide now, that either she had never noticed before, or...well Tara didn't know what the 'or' would be. But whatever it was about him had scared her slightly. And it had made her take up with Naomi again.
There was a dinner tonight. One that Tara wished to hell she could skip! She had invited Alcide and Naomi, and now she was beginning to think that maybe that hadn't been a good idea. It was bad enough that she'd have to look at Stank Ass Eric, Stank Ass Pam and Stank Ass Nora tonight. Yes, Tara hated their guts and it was something she was struggling with, since Godric wanted them all to try and be a 'family'.
Alcide came in and walked over to a booth to sit down. Sookie eyed Tara and Tara returned her look nervously. She then sighed and walked over to his booth.
"Hey, Alcide! What brings you by?" Tara asked with false cheer. Alcide reached out to stroke her arm.
"I just wanted to touch base with you. Make sure that we're going to that dinner tonight." Alcide said. Actually, he himself was pissed off at Godric about that! The point of this whole thing was to keep Tara and Eric apart. He didn't like the idea of any fucking family dinners and he planned to be there to make sure Eric kept his self away from Tara.
Tara looked around, then sat across from him.
"It is going on tonight but...I've invited Naomi. You remember her, don't you?"
"No. I can't say that I do." Alcide answered.
"Well you know, I like women too."
"Oh I heard that. But that's over now. So I'll see you tonight, okay?" Alcide said, then reached out to pull her face towards his lips. He gave her a quick peck, then got up and left. Tara's mouth dropped open! What the fuck?
Sam and Sookie had seen the kiss and LaFayette peered out of the kitchen. Tara calmly got up and walked over to the counter.
"What happened?" Sookie asked.
"I tried to tell him about Naomi and he told me that was 'over'. I don't understand what's with him! I thought he was just being supportive because of Debbie, but now..."
"Oh come, Tara!" Sam snorted. "He's been more than 'supportive'. I mean i always thought he was in to Sookie but he's clearly hot for you. It can't be a surprise."
Tara folded her arms.
"Look, it's not like we've done anything..."
LaFayette snorted from the kitchen! Sookie raised a brow.
"Why'd LaFayette make that noise? Tara, did you and Alcide..."
"Just once when he came by to see Godric. I didn't think it was any big deal." Tara said, her manner now shifty. "The point is that there is something about Alcide that's different. Different in a way that I don't think would be good for me. Now somehow I have to make him understand tonight, that I'm going to be with Naomi."
"Why would Alcide be visiting Godric?" Sam asked suddenly. Tara shrugged.
"I don't know. But they meet a lot."
Sookie said nothing to that. Something was up with that. But everything seemed to be working out, she guessed. Sookie just hoped that after tonight, Alcide could respect Tara's wishes and move on.
Godric had the lights turned down low, as the 'dinner guests' arrived. Naomi helped Godric with the table settings as Tara was forced to make conversation with Nora. Eric, Pam and Alcide had not arrived yet.
"So, how is work?" Nora asked. She and Eric were struggling to make sense of Godric's return and his insistence in adding Tara to their family. Eric had told her a little of his suspicions about Alcide being the new King of Hell, but the tie to Tara seemed unclear.
"What do you care?" Tara asked.
"I'm trying here, Tara."
"Why? Pam and you don't seem that close."
"Pam's a whore. A mean one at that. And she's very proprietary when it comes to Eric."
"Oh." was Tara's answer.
"Godric has a way of making his children feel special. As if they are his only children. I know what you are going through. You don't like that this night is taking place, do you?" Nora asked.
Before Tara could think of any answer, Eric and Pam arrived. Godric walked over to them.
"Eric. Thank you for coming. Hello, Pamela."
"It's Pam." Pam said in a surly tone. Eric gave her a look and she smiled in a fake manner.
"We are just waiting for Mr. Herveaux and then we can get started." Godric said.
"Uh, why?" Pam asked. "I don't see why I have to break blood with a mangy werewolf. You can always smell him."
"Shut up, Pam!" Tara snapped, walking over. "You know damned well Alcide does not smell."
Pam now looked at Naomi.
"I remember you. How have you been? You know I wasn't myself when I threatened Tara and you that one time."
Naomi gave her a phony smile as an answer, but stuck close to Godric. The doorbell rang and Tara walked over to answer it.
It was Alcide. He smiled at her in a way that made Tara smile back.
"Hey, Alcide. Come in." she said, moving aside. Eric was careful not to stare at the King of Hell. He had a plan. A hunch, really. And he was going to play it tonight.
Godric did most of the talking during the dinner. Tara was seated between Alcide and Naomi. Godric was at the head of the table and on the other side were Eric, Pam and Nora.
Eric started the trouble.
"I'd like to ask something of our father, Godric, if everyone does not mind."
No one said anything. Alcide stared at Northman hard. He could feel the fuck was about to pull something, but couldn't guess what!
"What is it?" Godric asked innocently.
"Godric, we have a practice in our family, of getting to know one another better in an intimate manner. We have known each other in that way. I have known Pam and Nora in the same manner. I was just curious as to when I will be allowed to known Tara in a similar manner?"
Tara gasped! Naomi's mouth fell open and Alcide smashed a wine glass with his bare hands! Nora refrained from smiling and Pam outright grinned!
"Eric, please, this type of talk is really inappropriate at the dinner table." Godric said quietly.
"But when will I be able to get to know my other sister in a carnal manner? Tonight, hopefully?" Eric asked, now looking from Godric to Tara and winking at her. Tara slowly stood up.
"That ain't happening! Ever! I love Naomi! Naomi is here because we are leaving Bon Temps and returning to New Orleans for a new life together. Godric said we could."
Alcide now looked at Godric, who looked away from him.
"Godric said that, hey?" Alcide asked snidely, dragging his eyes from him and now turning in his seat to face Naomi and Tara.
Eric eyed Alcide. Tara was what this was all about. And Godric was in on this. Either Tara had died when Debbie Pelt had shot her, or someone else had been her maker originally. And he was beginning to suspect that HE himself had been the one that turned Tara. Kibwe would have the answer to that later on this evening.
Tara looked at Alcide.
"I never meant to hurt you, Alcide. But I know that Naomi and I can be happy together. Please say you understand?"
Alcide smiled.
"Of course I do, Tara honey. I guessed it this afternoon at Merlotte's...
Suddenly, the sound of a car alarm going off interrupted Alcide. Naomi frowned.
"That's my car." she said, jumping up and looking for her purse. She found her keys and tried to turn it off but it didn't work.
"I'd better go out there!" Naomi sighed and hurried out the door with her keys. Alcide turned his attention from Tara to Eric.
"You can apologize to Tara for what you just said."
Eric grinned!
"Apologize? I didn't say anything that wasn't true. And if Tara really wants to belong in this family, then she'll fuck on demand."
Tara now stood up, offended as hell!
"I hate your guts. I hate your guts even more than I ever hated Bill Compton's. I hate you, I hate Pam and I kind of hate Nora."
"Just kind of, dear?" Nora asked with a smile.
"Yeah," Tara muttered, "but that's not the point! I don't fuck anyone 'on demand' and I especially wouldn't with HIM! You have some fucking nerve even bringing something like that up at a dinner table!"
Eric couldn't help but grin!
"Tara, I am excited at just the sound of your hatred for me! I can't wait until our first time together!"
Before either Tara or Alcide could respond to that, Naomi's car alarm finally turned off. The conversation ceased, for the moment, as they all waited for Naomi to return.
But she didn't.
"I wonder what's keeping her?" Tara wondered out loud. She walked to the front door, opened it and stepped outside. Pam noted that Alcide didn't seem to be curious about Naomi's whereabouts at all...
Suddenly, Tara could be heard screaming! Godric, Eric, Pam and Nora used vampire speed to rush to the murder scene. Naomi had been beheaded! Nora and Pam's fangs emerged and they peered around in the darkness for the murderer.
Eric took note that Godric looked back at the house, where Alcide remained seated at the dinner table. Good God, Eric thought, the King of Hell had executed this human without leaving the table?
And as for Alcide, he poured a glass of wine for himself and Tara, who would need it after tonight. He was sorry he had to do that to Naomi, but he couldn't deal with anyone that got in his way when it came to her. Tara would get over her girlfriend in a good time, something Alcide planned to make sure happened.
