AN: Tara investigates a hunch and Elijah hears a familiar voice.
Real quick disclaimer: I own none of these characters except maybe Tiff since I just made her up. Nor do I own the Tiktok usernames, also completely made up, any reference to real life Tiktok users is purely coincidental since I made those up literally at the moment I was writing it. My own Tiktok is sableina but I hardly post on there, just silly videos with my kids. But feel free to follow me at your leisure haha
But in modern day 2022, social media will play a role in vampires coming out of their coffin
Old ppl saying on the Tiktok, on the Facebook, on the Twitter, Elijah figuring out social media has me dead lmfao
~June 3, 2022~
"I'm Serena Altshul with MTV news. This hour on the popular Tik Tok platform, another video detailing the existence of supposed vampires has gone viral since being posted to the site early Friday evening. The account theauthorityad_ first posted a cryptic message addressed to 'the people of the world' with a coffin against a black background and warped a voice. In the video, the voice states that something is coming, a 'significant shift in society and the world as we know it' before it ends abruptly. The account amassed over three million followers after it went viral overnight, shutting down Google and Tik Tok for up to two hours as users bombarded the sites with their speculation and theories."
"The latest video appears to be posted in response to the parody videos that dominated the For You Page after the first video went viral and finally puts a face to the voice behind it all,"
The news report then played the seven second video of a middle-aged blond woman telling the general population to get ready because they were 'coming soon'. She smiled a wide grin, showing extended fangs.
Tara rolled her eyes and pushed her plate across the counter to the bar. "Them fangs don't even look real,"
Sookie took the plate and set it on an empty plate. She snickered. "Did that ruin your appetite? You ate two fries and ain't even touched your hamburger,"
"It's the fact that people are really buying into this, you know the demand for garlic's skyrocketed? Next thing you know it'll be aliens are living among us and then foil will be sold out everywhere so the sci-fi geeks can make those damn hats,"
"You tellin me you don't believe it's possible?" Sam asked.
"Hell no, do you?"
He stretched his palms on the counter and leaned over it. "I think… anything's possible,"
The lonely and perpetually inebriated Jane Bodenhouse shook her head. "Ain't true. It's more likely they're serial killers that have been snatching people in the past year. You know how many folks went missing? Most of them turned up dead and the rest couldn't remember what happened to them,"
Sookie frowned. "Jane, you don't even watch the news, how would you know?"
She thought for a moment. "I don't know. I think my son told me,"
"Jackson is still in the navy," Sam reminded her.
"Oh that's right," Jane giggled and left her seat, dropping her payment and tip on the bar. She left the bar giggling about something that particularly tickled her.
Tara turned to Sam. "Mhmm. Well, seeing is believing, but then again… you can't always trust what your eyes see, can you?"
"Maybe you just have to trust your intuition,"
Tara scoffed and stood up. "I'm on to you, Sam Merlotte. You would believe that shit, that's why you're out running the woods naked, aren't you?" She walked along the length of the bar, heading towards the hall. Sam followed as Sookie bussed the abandoned dishes.
"Oh, not this again," Sookie mumbled with a huff.
Tara smirked as Sam followed her into his office. "A better question would be, how could you be sure of what you seen? How would you know what I look like buck naked?"
She gasped and looked around behind him before he shut the office door. "Would you keep your fuckin mouth shut?" She hissed before she pushed him against the door and linked her arms around his neck, kissing him arduously to halt him from talking back. He pulled her waist closer, stroking her sides.
"With all the free food you waste, you're lucky I've actually kept quiet. Doesn't Jason feed you?" He murmured when she released his lips.
Tara pulled away as Sam linked his fingers in the hooks of her jean shorts. "No, I'm never home when he is, remember? And I'm going back to Sookie's next week, after we get back from NOLA,"
"You have a whole house that you won't go home to, not to mention you can afford one of my apartments even if I don't drop the rent,"
"He needed me, Sam. That's all I can say, I'm a good friend and he's always been there for me,"
"He's not your friend, Tara. Not if he's still in unrequited love with you,"
She smiled up at him. "Emphasis on unrequited. We were friends first, just like you and me. And you and Luna,"
Sam ran his finger through his salt and pepper locks, sighing. "If he breaks another foot,"
"I know. Not my problem anymore," she pecked his lips again before she grabbed her bookbag and books. "Why are you so jealous anyway, it's not like we're a thing,"
"How can we be with you all up at Jason's?"
"I'm moving, Sam," She sighed and opted to change the subject. "Do you really believe it could be vampires?"
"I guess we'll see, won't we? 'Coming soon', right?"
"Ima have to get me a crucifix, some holy water, what else? Silver?"
"That's werewolves,"
"Oh hell no," she said as she swung her bookbag over her shoulder. "Vampires, aliens, serial killers, now werewolves?"
Sam walked over to his desk. "Open your mind, Tara. At least for the aliens," he grabbed a stack of papers and handed them to her. "Please, only give them to the competent ones. I don't need no bougie servers spitting in my guest's food or drinks," Tara chuckled. "And why is Bud closing up shop anyway? It's only been four years of owning the franchise,"
"Hell if I know. That severance pay is supposed to keep us good for at least two months, and his retirement is still gonna be flashy like he never even dreamed," she shrugged and made a 'who the hell knows' face before she leaned over and kissed his cheek.
He gave her a heated look that Tara had to pretend she didn't notice because she was in a hurry and couldn't afford to get him started. Rushing out the door, she bumped into Sookie, who almost dropped her pitcher of coffee.
"Tara, please don't tell me you're sleeping with my boss," she whispered loudly.
"I'm not. Why would you think that?"
Sookie scoffed and pulled her into the ladies room and placed the pitcher down on the sink. She closed the door, then checked the stalls for privacy. They were empty. She looked at Tara, who gave a patient, virtuous smile. "I know you know how to block me out, but maybe you could teach Sam that because I'm getting graphic glimpses of the things he wants,"
She frowned, feigning disgust. "Gross!" Tara said with a nervous chuckle. "I don't see why he'd be thinking that about it me,"
"I think some of his thoughts are memories, Tara. Of you. Like asking you to be his date the drive in this weekend?"
Tara shrugged. "Okay, so he asked me,"
"And?!"
"And I said I'd consider it,"
"Tara, you know I try to mind my own business, because I have no business being in anyone else's, but are you sure about Sam honey? I mean, after the whole thing with Jason, are you sure you even…" Sookie sighed and took her hand. "I mean, we're going to NOLA Pride. Are you even interested in men? Because if you're not, you know I'd never judge you,"
Tara laughed out loud. If she didn't she would have screamed at Sookie for her naivety. Then again, it wasn't the stupidest question, only considering the context, she felt it was.
"Why would you even ask me that?"
"I just don't think it's fair to lead Sam on if you're not because, girl. He is carrying a big one for you and we don't need another Jason disaster on our plate," she said that way too assuredly and Tara figured she was hiding something.
"What aren't you telling me?"
"What aren't you telling me?!" Sookie countered.
"Fair enough. There's just some things I don't know when I'll ever be ready to talk about," Tara could at least admit that. "And trust me, it has nothing to do with Sam,"
"So for the record, you feel like love is love even for yourself right?"
"Are you asking for yourself or for a friend?" She laughed again.
"A friend who only wants me to ask if I thought she'd stand a chance with you,"
Her eyes widened. "Okay, now I'm really intrigued, you have to tell me now,"
"You remember last week when you said Amy looked really cute?"
Tara's mouth dropped open. "Amy? Was she low key checking for ya girl? While Jason was flirting his ass off?"
Sookie handed her a paper from her apron. "This is her number and her TikTok, she's also a huge fan of your videos. So there's nothing going on with Sam?"
"I'm not done considering," Tara shrugged again. "And now I'm kinda nervous, I didn't even know Amy liked girls. I don't know if I do either, but I'm definitely intrigued. I mean I can at least hear her out,"
"Maybe we can take her shopping with us tomorrow!"
"Sounds like a plan!"
When Tara arrived at work, she put her bookbag in her locker, then headed to Bud's office with Sam's applications in hand. Excitement and nervous tension was bubbling in the air since today was the last day Superior's would be open before it closed down since Bud had been bought out and the new owner was going to rebuild their own business in Superior's place.
"Hey Bud, I've got the- the… the applications for Merlotte's," Upon entering his office, a cold feeling of dread washed over her entire frame. Bud's office was always warm, even quite humid in the summer. Tara didn't understand how the old man wasn't typically sweltering in here, only today, with the cold draft, she could have sworn she'd stepped into the walk-in. Only it wasn't the air, it was the atmosphere of the room chilled by a presence; a very tall and blond presence in a black leather jacket with its back to Tara.
"Well, Bud, I will return this weekend to start the demo," the tall, blond presence spoke with a deep and slightly husky timber. When he turned around, she witnessed slicked back cropped, honey golden locks and a verdant, assessing gaze over pale, but soft and pouty lips. "Hello. And who might you be?"
"Hey Tara, Mr. Northman was just leaving," Bud said quickly. He threw a quick nod to the man, though he wasn't paying attention, being fixated on Tara.
"Tara. You look familiar, though I'm positive I'd remember if we'd met," Mr. Northman said.
"She's got a decent following on the TikTok, it's real big these days," Bud quickly explained, leaving Tara without an opportunity to respond. He rushed over to Tara and collected the paperwork. "I'll take these and see Mr. Northman out, you just worry about your prep. I think Terry needs help in the kitchen, actually, with the house special,"
The blond smiled a teasing smirk. "Well, I bid you adieu, Tara. Apparently I must be leaving now,"
Bud closed the door on Tara as she backed out and the summer heat once again came rushing at her skin. That cold feeling felt strangely similar to the red haired lady she'd encountered on her last birthday. Who were these cold people?!
She headed towards the kitchen, attempting to put that curiosity out of her mind by helping Terry in the kitchen.
"What we got, Terr?" She asked as she tied an apron around her waist.
He plopped a piece of poultry on the prep table. "Roulade. I'm on it but I need some taters whipped up," he gestured to the rack behind him. "Whisk's there. It's shaping up to be a busy last one,"
Indeed it was busy. It was a packed house that evening and Tara made double her hourly in tips since her favorite regulars insisted on tipping her well, letting her know they'd miss her and her service, which was greatly appreciated in the past year. It warmed Tara's heart to know that she had such a loyal clientele and they'd likely visit Merlotte's if they were in Bon Temps. There'd be other job opportunities at other restaurants but she was able to focus on school for now and her savings, plus her severance pay would keep her on deck for at least the next six months.
Another upside was that she could get to know Sam a lot better and see where things were going with him. Or maybe she could do that with Amy. She had time and options, since she and Sam were never official. They'd spent one night together and he treated her with much respect. They each agreed it wasn't a good way to begin things on the heels of her abrupt ending to her relationship with Jason. Tara had her own reservations about relationships (the blue of his eyes brought painful memories for a time) and was content to remain friends, even supporting his relationship with Luna. It tuned out they didn't want the same things and she'd been gone since April. The end of May found him wanting to reconnect, particularly after Tara could have sworn she saw him running naked through the woods behind Merlotte's one morning.
Tara enjoyed being in nature, having always felt connected to it through her dreams, so she took morning hikes to the river on some days. Only he laughed when she asked him about it, and invited her to go see a movie instead. That was two weeks ago and she'd been dodging his attempts to go out but couldn't resist his kiss when they were alone. Things appeared to be looking up for them until he found out she was at Jason's again, but by now they were solely roommates. Jason, particularly spiteful even though she'd moved back in to help him after his foot injury from work, entertained many women in his home. It was only an effort to make her jealous for breaking his heart the year prior, but she figured it was also time to move on. At least to Sookie's for now, which was where she was headed for the night.
Paralegal studies required more focus and determination and the time off would help immensely, as well as the knowledge Sam had on their state laws. The intellect he displayed was a pleasant and intriguing surprise, though one should understand the politics of running their own business within their own state.
"We did it y'all! We made it through the last night without giving the old man a heart attack," Dawn whooped, swinging her arms up. "What's next?"
"Another kitchen for me, more books for Tara…" Terry mused.
As Tara walked out to the parking lot with her two coworkers, a cold draft crept into her senses again.
"Ooh wee! Well, I'll be! Christmas is comin' early for me tonight," Dawn said, flapping the collar of her shirt to fan herself.
"And an early Christmas present for you," Terry finished.
Tara looked over to what had caught their attention and met the eyes of Mr. Northman, who was standing on the side of the building. His gaze washed over Tara before he glanced at Dawn. "I'll see ya later honey, mama has some work to do,"
Dawn gave her a squeeze and strutted off in his direction before Tara could halt her. Damn! She clicked her tongue. Though Mr. Northman was captivating, there was something cold and unsettling about him. Apparently no one seemed to notice aside from Tara.
"She smells really good." Terry said, looking fondly as Dawn began chatting up the tall blond. "I'm sure he'll love that,"
Tara smiled and tugged on Terry's arm, eager to leave the presence of Mr. Northman. "Walk me to my car," He happily obliged, returning her smile. "Now remember, call me or Sookie if you want help filling out the application. There's a reason Sam doesn't do it online, he wants to make sure everyone can read one another's chicken scratch," she said through her window once she was seat belted in her vehicle.
Terry gaped at her worriedly but Tara clutched his arm gently. "Don't worry, Bud's recommendations will already solidify your spot, it's just a technicality,"
"I don't do so good with technical things," he shrugged despairingly.
"Hey, I got your back, okay? You'll do fine,"
Terry gave a sheepish shrug and waved as she started her engine. In her rear view mirror, Dawn was still talking to Northman, placing flirty taps on his shoulders. His green eyes caught her gaze in the mirror. Shook, Tara pulled out of the parking lot.
Saturday night at the drive-in
"Why are you so far?" Sam asked. It was clear he couldn't take his eyes off of Tara and wasn't paying much attention to the movie.
"I'm enjoying the movie," she insisted with a shrug as she popped another piece of popcorn in her mouth. "It's a welcome distraction from all my late night studying,"
"I get that but I thought we could talk, now that we have some time,"
Tara's eyes slowly rolled over to him and she froze in the middle of dropping another popcorn piece in her mouth. "About what?"
Sam sighed. "Well, initially about spending more time with you but now I'm wondering if you even want to," he looked dejectedly out the window.
"I'm sorry, Sam. I don't even know if I'm ready for what you are and… well, I have this girl that wants to ask me out, and I've never been out with a girl," she explained with her hands. "And being that we're friends, I don't know what's going to happen if we push past that line,"
"I've got the perfect solution,"
"What's that?"
He pulled her chin towards him. "Forget her and focus on me,"
"Mmm," she giggled. "Is that what I should do?"
"Obviously. I have a hunch if you put just a little of the effort it takes to hit those books so hard, into me, you'll reap the rewards,"
He closed in on her lips, gently kissing her until the sensation demanded more.
~Four months later, Oct 8~
Sam had his own business, he loved nature as much as she Tara did, and he was smart, with a very hands on approach to life. He built a treehouse in the woods where they'd go to just unwind on days when the bar wasn't so busy. It strengthened their connection to nature, something they bonded over. As his girl, she got special treatment, like being hired on as a shift lead for nights, so she could go to school during the day. Everything was great until the week before her birthday. That's when it all began unraveling.
They were topless necking each other down in his office when he tried to slip his hand under her skirt while she was straddling his lap on his office couch.
She paused and moaned uncomfortably. "Sam, I can't,"
"Why not, Tara? What's stopping you? It's been almost four months and I've tried to be patient but I am a man. Is this really too fast for you?"
"No, it's not that. I just- I'm sorry, what else can I say?"
Sam narrowed his eyes. "Is it because of your dreams?"
Her heart skipped a beat. "What do you mean?"
"The guy you dream about that kept you distant from Jason,"
Tara cast her eyes down instead of answering. He'd been talking to Jason?!
"So it's true? Look at me, Tara,"
She left his lap and pulled her skirt down. "You don't know what you're talking about, and neither does Jason. Where's my shirt?"
"No, I think he's onto something," he pulled her blouse from the couch as well as his own shirt, holding them in his hands. "Something's going on with you on your birthday over these dreams about someone you've never even met? Who is this guy?"
"I don't dream anymore, about anything, Sam! It stopped when I turned eighteen. I really don't wanna talk about this,"
"Then how the fuck is it still affecting you? Babe, that's not even real, you know that right?"
"Can I have my shirt back?"
He slipped on and buttoned his shirt as he tossed Tara her blouse. "I'm going back to work. You don't wanna talk, I don't have time for this shit," he said as she pulled it on.
"Sam,"
"Enough, Tara,"
He left the room, shutting the door behind him. A second later he came back and grabbed something from her cubby and replaced it with something else without casting a glance her way. Tara sat there, hurt and dismayed. She wasn't going to go back to work and Sam knew it. They'd just have to talk later.
Scrolling through her Tiktok, she was annoyed to find more 'where's Jason' comments. Social media could be fun, at the same time the audience could be so demanding, especially with all the Jason shippers. She would have preferred to keep her relationship with him private, only he'd kissed her on live once, blowing the whistle on her personal life. Now, if she wanted to post Sam, she couldn't be certain how that would be received since her followers were used to J Tea Time and Shenanigans.
Tossing her phone aside, Tara flipped on the television set and there was another interview with a blond man who'd claimed to be a vampire. Tara scoffed, figuring if he was a vampire, how was it that he was doing a live interview when it was still daylight out? Granted, he was indoors where the sunlight couldn't touch him, but still. Tons of people claimed to be vampires and it seemed like a ruse for some people to go off the rails. People went missing and returned differently, it had to be drugs. Tara was about to flip the channel when the 'vampire' did something that captivated her in terror.
He moved at lightning speed. In the blink of an eye, he'd gone from his position near the reporter to the fridge containing the cold drinks from the bar and reappeared with a bottle of red liquid labeled Tru Blood. Everyone gasped, the reporters. even the cameraman shook and nearly dropped the camera. This was a live interview?! She hadn't seen anyone do anything like that since she ran into Sharon Osborne, also known as the cold sensation of death on her eighteenth birthday. Cold death also meant whatever had taken her dreamlover away.
According to the strip with the news channel logo, it was a live session. The blond waited for the cameraman and reporter to collect themselves. When the camera refocused, Tara gasped when she realized who the 'vampire' was.
"I'm Eric Northman," he said with a blue eyed smile. "And I'm a Vampire American. When Fangtasia opens, we'll only serve Tru Blood. Humans won't be snacks, they'll be our most favored and well served guests. Served drinks, that is," he winked and then his eyes turned intense. "And you will not fear any of us,"
Tara didn't like the way that sounded like a veiled threat. She flipped off the television set. Vampires? Vampires? In Louisiana?! They'd come to town or crept out of the coffin after they killed her magic man.
"Sam is gonna be pissed, this could be dangerous, T," Sookie said as she adjusted the camera on the dashboard. It zoomed out to catch a full view of the bar. The LED sign said Fangstasia.
Tara rolled her eyes. She'd handle Sam. "Relax, Sook. He doesn't even watch Tiktok. Just keep recording, it's a live stream. You know how many followers I have?" To her followers on her TikTok stream, she called out, "Y'all if we get attacked, tttime and notsnookie, I want each and everyone of you to report this to the Coffin Crisis line and sign the petition to vote no on the VRA. Vampires don't deserve human rights if they're not going to act humane!"
Most of her following was due to prank videos starring Jason, or J, as they referred to one another by their initials online. They also did a segment called Tea Time where they answered comments and questions. Her audience loved him and his reactions since he often said some off the wall shit. Like the time he discussed Jesus being a vampire. That even made her laugh. She'd amassed over twenty thousand followers after one of her videos in which she'd pretended to nail hand to a board went viral.
Since some claimed earlier that summer, they'd be 'coming out' as vampires, the public was divided on the idea of vampires, with most people thinking it was a hoax. The ones who did believe the undead walked among the living were wary, suspecting that the Tru Blood wasn't going to sate their bloodlust. This was because there was evidence of vampire attacks, throughout Louisiana especially according to public suspicion, though nothing was confirmed.
Tara admitted herself she didn't believe it at first until she'd witnessed Eric Northman on live TV, moving at a pace too fast for human eyes to comprehend. Even if it was not vampirism, it was connected to a familiar feeling she needed to get to the bottom of. If there were vampires in existence, she felt she or Sookie would have long known that, being that they had extra abilities. Maybe whatever it really was would give her answers as to why he was gone. Or it'd be the path to meeting the same fate as him. That's why she was streaming her encounter, most of her followers were loyal and would take action if needed. Justice would be served if she could prove vampires or something else supernatural was real and proved to be malevolent towards the general public. Somehow, she'd make it happen.
"What's with your viewers tonight? These comments," Sookie laughed as she read through the incoming comments. "Oh wow, 'y'all are about to be vampire dinner', 'I'll eat you,' 'got a big long stake just for you'. 'I hope they stake you!' What the hell?"
"Hope we get staked?" Most of her followers were loyal. "How many of y'all are willing to come out here yourselves and scope out the vampire club? You have my location, we're at the old Superior's restaurant, come through!"
When a multitude of 'neverminds' came through, Tara smirked. Jason's account qbking2020 left a comment with a gasping emoji and most of her followers jumped on his replies, asking him to be in more videos again.
"Here comes someone," Sookie said as a maroon Chrysler 300 pulled into the parking lot. A bleach blond woman with a mini skirt and a push up bra stepped out of it, pushed the alarm on her keys, before heading to the entrance.
"The sun just went down a few minutes ago y'all," Tara whispered to her audience. "Someone's here, only she doesn't look like a vampire, not pale enough and she's moving at human speed,"
"Unfortunately, Ginger is not the vampire you're may be looking for,"
The sudden voice in Tara's ear caused her and Sookie to yelp as they turned to see Eric Northman had appeared next to Tara's driver side door. He pulled the door open. "Ladies, step out of the vehicle,"
For some reason, influencing him to change his mind wasn't working. Either she was too captivated by fear or her abilities were significantly diminished. "T, I can't hear him," Sookie whispered.
A slow smirk spread across Eric's lips. "I clearly ordered you ladies to step out of the car,"
Tara grabbed her cellphone and pointed the camera at Eric as she and Sookie both scrambled out of the driver's side door. They stood with their arms linked as the camera remained shakily on the… vampire? Was Eric really a fucking vampire?! Was this really happening?
"What do you want?" She asked with as much confidence as she could muster.
His eyes assessed each woman before they settled on her cellphone. "Cameras are strictly forbidden in Fangtasia,"
In an instant, he snatched the device, moving faster than the human eye could comprehend. Squeezing it between his palms, he crushed her iPhone 12. That replaced her fear with fury.
"Oh hell no. I hope you know you're going to replace that,"
He merely smiled an open mouthed smile and Tara could see close up, his fangs became extended.
Approximately 80 miles away in
Natchitoches, LA
The coffeehouse waitress shifted uncomfortably as Elijah peered closer at her device. "Can I have my phone back?"
"What channel is this? A, T, T, T, I, M, E?"
"You mean at T.T. Time? That's her Tik Tok handle. T does a lot of pranks on this guy J, but right now she's live streaming a fuckin vampire bar,"
"Where is this?" He was captivated by the video that was playing. He'd heard her voice on the device and it was something he hadn't heard in almost a year. Going that long without seeing her or hearing her voice felt longer than five hundred years in a coffin. It was torment not knowing what became of her, wondering if she was even real. It sounded just like her, only he couldn't see her since he wasn't on camera, she was recording a building called Fangtasia. Why did that name ring a bell?
"It's in Shreveport, you don't have a cellphone?" She was getting antsy and he understood she wanted her device back.
Finally, Elijah looked up and sucked her into his influence. "I would very much like yours,"
Her mouth dropped open. "You can have it. But you'll need the passcode to unlock it,"
"What is the passcode?"
"Nine-eight-seven, six-five-four,"
"Thank you," he looked at her name tag. "Tiff. Off you go,"
Once she left his table, he turned back to the video playing.
"The sun just went down a few minutes ago y'all," The camera wielder whispered. "Someone's here, only she doesn't look like a vampire, not pale enough and she's moving at human speed,"
"Unfortunately, Ginger is not the vampire you're may be looking for,"
Northman! That was his territory in Shreveport! That had to be where Tara was if she was behind the camera. Elijah pocketed the device, stood up, and made his way towards the exit.
"Sir, you forgot to pay for your coffee. Sir? Sir!" A youthful looking man with sandy blond hair stopped him by the door.
Elijah glared at him until an idea pinged in the forefront of his mind. "Do you have a vehicle?"
The man, who's name tag said James, appeared puzzled. "Yes, but you need to pay for your drink,"
"Take me to Shreveport. Now,"
Captivated by his influence, James nodded and led him out of the door, keeping a wary eye on him. As James's coworkers called out to him, Elijah pulled the door shut so firmly it jammed. He smirked at Tiff banging on the door and yelling.
As they settled inside James's car, the youth looked over him as Elijah leaned back against his door and watched him. He reached a hand over to stroke his cheek. The youth flinched. "What are you?"
"Death, if you don't cooperate,"
He began to fret. "What do you want man, what do you want me to do?!"
Elijah leaned forward, creeping close to his cheek as the vehicle pulled out of the parking lot. "Shhhh. Calm down. Look into my eyes. Have no fear, James,"
Once he did, the fear was glamoured and replaced for an at ease disposition. "I just want to find my girl," he typed in the passcode to Tiff's device. "And you're going to help me,"
Elijah figured he had time. The Stake and Shield wasn't going to open until after Fangtasia did on the last day of October. He still had weeks to oversee things, though he didn't plan on returning to Natchitoches unless he had Tara with him.
This story is an AU of the dynamic between Tara Elijah in my story As Your Maker. A lot of the characterization of Elijah in this story is derived of how I'm writing him in that story (which is a fun challenge because I had only a few scenes to go off of lol) but of course this AU is worlds different.
If you're following this story and enjoying please remember to share, add comments or kudos, and let me know you're enjoying! My Sister Sookie update coming SOON.