You're the real thing
Even better than the real thing
Child...


Tara entered Necromance at 7 PM and began her shift on the cool Thursday night in November. She went about checking the inventory, taps and ice supply, making sure she had everything she needed to work her shift. The bar was empty, but that would not last long.

"How are we looking?" Pam asked making her way around the bar.

"We need a few things," Tara said, scanning over the bottom shelves, " no booze, just tonic water, ginger ale and club soda, we're looking good on everything else."

"Got it," Pam said writing on the inventory sheet, "so how does it feel..." she asked, still jotting on the paper.

Tara paused setting the glass she was drying down and leaned against the bar, "How does what feel?" She asked, certain her best friend was still prying into her new relationship with the vampire, although she was certain she told her mostly everything.

"How does it feel to be the envy of almost every woman who's ever laid eyes on Eric?"

Tara playfully rolled her eyes. "It feels like nothing. I don't care who envies me, all I care about is Eric."

"GAG!" Pam teased,"Still can't believe all that happened to you," Pam drawled with a confirmed smile," the kidnapping, how they rescued you and... the threesome..." Pam blushed and was about to say more when Tara threw a dishtowel at her. She caught it just before it landed on her face.

"Will you hush," Tara groused, "That's between you, me and the Viking brothers, capeesh!"

"Got it, I would never tell a soul." She held her hand up as if pledging allegiance.

"I wish I'd listen to you a years ago and applied for the job, " Tara addressed, " if it weren't for you, my bad temper and horrible job history, Eric and I would have never been reunited." She and her friend chuckled softly in total agreement.

"Has Eric shared with you how or why Godric died?"

Tara nodded, "He has, but that part I can't tell you about that yet; he swore me to secrecy. But I can tell you that I have an engagement to host once Chris is back in town."

"What," Pam huffed in disbelief, "you never keep anything from me, we've known each other since high school..." Pam was whining and Tara couldn't stand it, one of the things she loves the most about Pam is her snarky aloof, attitude. She knew Pam wanted a spot in the Viking circle, she's been holding a flame for Chris for quite some time and the embers are still hot. Tara swore, she'd do her best to hook her beautiful friend up with the elusive vampire the first chance she got.

"I'll be able to share more with you once our meeting is over. " Tara placed a comforting hand on her best friend shoulder. "I'm sure that Eric doesn't expect me to keep this from you forever."

"Speak of the devil," Pam gasped, her cerulean eyes lit up with desire.

Tara knew before she turned around who had entered the room. Chris smiled at Pam and took a seat at the bar. Both ladies were momentarily speechless, Chris is rarely seen at the bar and if he is, the handsome man is often engaging in some sort of meeting with another vampire.

"Would you like a True Blood?" Pam asked, smiling coyly, she could feel her cheeks redden, her heartbeat accelerate, his intense gaze was the cause.

"The flight from Las Vegas was long, and I am quite famished, however, I don't drink True Blood." He watched her like she had the stars in her hands and soft petals at her feet.

Pam slowly sauntered over to him, her plump ruby lips pursed, "Well what are you in the mood for," she asked tilting her head to the side, Pam smiled, knowing full well that Chris was about to seduce her. Even before he touched she felt his hands and her lungs expanded with briny air. His voice had the lilt she knew so well - his words soft with the smile that already played on his face.

"I'm in the mood for something elegant and reserved, you've sat on the shelf like a fine wine and I've waited long enough..."

"Excuse us for a moment," Tara interrupted Chris as she dashed over, hooked Pam by the arm and pulled her off.

"What are you doing?" Pam shrilled once they were halfway down the hall.

"In here," Tara whispered and pushed the door to the unisex restroom open.

"Why in here and not the ladies room?" Pam grumbled becoming more annoyed and anxious at the same time.

"Eric said when he added the unisex restroom he made the walls vampire-sound proof, Chris' vampire ears won't hear what I am about to say."

"Well spit it out, so I can get back to flirting with that hot piece..."

Tara interrupted, "Chris is fishing for something, wish I knew what it was, I don't know, but I do know where he is going with the whole 'I'm famished' game." She rolled her eyes in annoyance.

Pam was crushed, she knew Tara was right and that made her angry at her. She was also angry at Chris because he had never shown this kind interest in her until now and to make matters worse, his interest may not be completely genuine. Still, she longed for his affection and for that, she felt foolish.

"We can beat his ass at his own game," Tara winked at her friend, she knew this whole situation was hurting her and she planned to change all of that. Chris is not a devious vampire like Charlie, but he opportunistic. He would not abuse Pam, but he is certainly would use her.

"How," Pam asked curiously,"what's the plan?"

"If he's out there when we return, that means he is desperate or he thinks we're stupid as hell."

"And if he's not out there?"

"He may have aborted his sneaky plan, but it might be temporary, so whatever you do, don't drink his blood," Tara said, trying her best to think fast.

"He could just glamor me for answers if he wanted too." Pam scratched her head, "What does he think I know."

"It's about the meeting, it has to be, he wants to have an advantage, but there is none to gain." Tara sighed, "I hope whatever Godric has left for them puts an end to all of this."

"Well, let's go and see if we still have a sneaky, sexy vampire at the bar," Pam said with confidence, inside was another matter, she was unsure how she would handle his advances and she was sure that any encounter with him would lead to her getting emotional hurt.

When the women returned to the bar, Christopher was gone. Pam let out a quaking sigh of relief. "Oh, thank goodness," she burred aloud, "I'm going to see if Hadley will cover for me tonight, I need some ice cream and a blanket.

Tara chuckled and began filling the trays with lemon, lime and orange wedges. Just as Pam unlocked her phone to send her friend a text she heard her voice. For a second, the tall blonde thought she was hearing things until she looked up.

"Hey sweet Peaches, I'm here to cover for ya."

"You are?" Pam asked he mouth pursed, slightly open and loose. "But I haven't even asked you yet."

"Not you Barbie, Peaches, that's my nickname for Tara." Hadley smiled warmly at both of them.

Now Tara's expression mirrored Pam's and both ladies stood, peering at their coworker, confusion displayed clearly on their faces.

"Cover me; Why?" Tara asked.

"Not sure, Eric called me about an hour ago and asked if I could come in." She grinned, "I have nothing else to do on a Thursday night, so why not."

"Of course, Chris is back, we'll have the meeting now," Tara exclaimed, she was excited, unknowing of what to expect.

"Meeting?" Hadley giggled, "Is that what they call hot dates with sexy vampires these days?"

"Pam, please stay," Tara pleaded, "I'll be able to tell you everything later."

"Fine," Pamela huffed, "at least now I don't have to worry about being used."

"You see Pam, I think I was wrong about that," Tara said, her phone vibrated, she glanced at the message from Eric and smiled. "I gotta go," she said and briskly walking away from her friend and towards the back of the building.

"You think you were wrong...?" Pam blurted out in numbing frustration while throwing her hands up in defeat.

"Just stay here, I'll be back soon." Tara's voice echoed across the vast building.

Hadley and Pam watched her walk to the crimson door labeled The Dungeon in awed curiosity.

"What is going on with Tara and the three vampires in The Dungeon." Hadley drawled in her deep southern twang, her smile so big it was comical. "I don't think little Peaches is enough woman for all those big vampires!"

"Zip it -Bubbles, that's how nasty rumors get started." Pam snapped, but it was all façade, she was curious too, but her curiosity was certainly not the same as Hadley's. She knew whatever Tara had going on with the vampires was important, important enough for Chris to return from his trip with a different attitude. Indeed, Pam was curious, she'd save the ice-cream and sulking for another night.

The Dungeon

She strode confidently downstairs and greeted her beau with a warm smile. Eric's expression remained indifferent, but the doe-eyed beauty knew better; the ancient vampire was elated by her presence. In the small dimly lit storage room, the four of them stood in close proximity to one another. Tara and Eric on one side of Godric's pearl white coffin and Chris and Charlie on the opposite side. Tara noted, that each vampire smelled incredible, but it was Eric who's scent she most adored.

"Good evening gentlemen," Tara spoke breaking the deafening silence.

"The entire room is cleared and only the items on the list found in the chest remain," Charlie said stoically. He was still unbelieving that the simple note left inside a box held any significance.

"What did you do with father's things?" Chris questioned, his tone full of concern.

"We decided, while you were away squandering your money in Vegas to donate the antiques to Willa's Coven." Charlie let his eyes roll while pursuing his lips, making his distaste for his brother's lifestyle transparent.

"I choose to have a marvelous time with my earnings, I shall never be a miser like you." Chris snapped back earnestly, "I could care less about your approval."

"Chris, " Eric chimed in, he often found himself in this situation, mediating and he had long since grown tired of it. "Willa's Coven is facing some finical hardships and father's items may be of some aid to them."

Chris nodded his head in acknowledgment, he was indifferent to helping a Coven of witches, but if that was what Godric wanted to do with his valuables, so be it. Charlie felt the same way, but unlike Chris, he owned dozens of valuable paintings, and other antiquities, "What is the reason behind all of this?" Chris asked.

"According to Tara, father wanted the majority of his valuables donated to Willa's Coven. The remaining shall be gifted to us, for a specific reason. Only Tara knows who shall receive which items. She also has another surprise for us." He said, peering tenderly at his lover; he received the same look back from her.

"I fucking hate surprises; speak woman or else..." Charlie snapped bitterly while glaring menacingly at Tara. He looked as if at any moment, he would leap over the coffin and attack the petite woman.

Tara let out an involuntary gasp in shock, she knew Charlie had a propensity for violence but she couldn't believe his savagery.

"You fucking respect my lover or..." Eric growled, livid at his brother's behavior.

"Or what, or what..." Charlie taunted, still peering disdainfully at Tara. "This is not child's play human." He hissed at her through clenched teeth. "Your dreams mean nothing, you think you have us under your spell using the guise that this is our fathers will. I've killed for lesser infractions!"

Eric let out a deep guttural growl and his fangs emerged, causing the sexy bartender to take a step back in disarm. "You fool!" Eric hissed at Charles, "Tara has proven herself, by telling us things only our father would know." Eric was ready to protect Tara from Charlie unrestrained temper, even if it meant incapacitating him for the night; he has done it before and would do it again.

Despite Tara natural instincts to cry, scream and run, she did the opposite. She stood her ground as she always has in any situation. It just isn't in her nature to back down, especially when it comes to something so important to her.

"I AM TELLING THE TRUTH! I HAVE NOTHING TO GAIN BY LYING... SO PLEASE CHILL THE FUCK OUT AND LISTEN TO ME!" Tara screamed out, her heart beating out of control and her pulse racing.