The next morning I asked Tara about the party. She genuinely had no clue what I was talking about.
"I worked and came straight home, unlike you keeping me up with all those damn vampires up in here."
I broke a rule. I held a rule with all my family. That I wouldn't invade their thoughts on purpose. She truly had no remembrance of Maryann! I was forced to remind her myself.
" You're talking about that crazy woman who spent all that money at the bar? She got everything on the damn menu. Bought nearly the whole town drinks! At least she tipped well."
Eric needed to hurry. The time was now! Something was very wrong. I paced my house until it was time for my shift. Luckily for Bellefleur, the police couldn't figure out what killed her. With her body being found in his car and all.
Jane Bodehouse's death is officially classified as an animal attack. They think she tried to run away, escape into Bellefleur's car, it still doesn't explain how the thing got in to kill her. Fucking idiots! The bar was completely wrecked!
"Sam, what the hell happened here?"
" I left Terry in charge. He said everybody threw a party. That some lady bought drinks and they all left for her house. They just... this is my shit! "
Interesting. Sam wasn't around when she blew in. Tara was in shock. She recounted them getting pretty wild but couldn't remember when it got that out of control. Chairs had legs broken. Beer and peanuts caked the floor. Someone got in a bar fight and left blood all over the place.
"Sam, can I talk to you?" We went to the back office.
"I can explain. The woman that Terry was talking about, she's not human. I don't have time to go into detail, but, I believe she's a maenad. It's this really strange creature. Yes I know how it sounds but…"
He didn't seem shocked. Sam looked like he already knew what I was going to say. Had he known something? He just kept quiet for a long time. Then took a deep breath before explaining his side of the story. Sam told me he knew her. That she was someone from his past.
That he had stolen something from her long ago. He explained he knew she was something. Something else. She affected him. Not quite like how she does humans. Sam was a shifter. His most preferred shape? A Chow Chow. The most teddy-bear looking dog ever!
"No wonder your thoughts scream at me. Huh. "
"Yeah, sorry. You're the first I've told… I've kept it hidden since. Well. Since the first time I shifted at the kitchen table. My parents packed up their bags in the middle of the night. A note was left, told me I had been adopted.
I drifted for a while. Got some silver bracelets. Once I got out. Turns out my parents had died in some tragic accident. I got a nice fat check and welp the rest is what we call history."
I hugged him tightly. I just wrapped my arms around him and squeezed. He stood like a limp noodle. As he awkwardly patted my back and asked.
" When did you first know that you could read minds?"
I detailed my own story for him. Not much brighter than his. I decided to show Sam some of my powers. It was only fair since he showed me his fluffier side. I clasped my hands together. A ball of light formed. It wasn't very strong but he could see the light beams through my fingers.
" It's not much right now. It can get it brighter if I feel threatened. It's been my saving grace a few times. I think it's the sun. If that makes any sense? It's like sunbeams. I feel warm when I use it, like I've been sunbathing."
" That's... that's incredible. I've only come across a few others. Others like us."
I caught him up on events of the past few weeks. About how I've felt my powers growing. The strange things I've experienced since Maryann's arrival. It seemingly appeared like she had been summoned by my words. Sam and I heard a noise coming from the bar.
There she was.
She was dressed beautifully. A gauzy see-through purple dress clung to her curvaceous figure. Flowers perched in her long wild hair. Standing behind her was the townsfolk. Merlotte's had never been this full before.
Their pupils had consumed their sclera. Making them an inky black. Tara was one of them. I watched in horror as blood leaked from her mouth, she had cut her tongue on a strange man's teeth as they violently made out.
Tara? Can you hear me?"
She lazily turned toward me and laughed. A drunken smile curved across her face. I resisted the urge to grab and shake her, make what ever demon is inside her come out.
"Sissi, this is eggs. He's friends with Maryann. She's so much fun."
Tara giggled and placed kisses on his neck. Dusk needed to come soon! The town was rapidly deteriorating like Eric said it would. Maryann has her eyes on Sam. As she made her way over to us. Her body seemed to buzz. To vibrate. But at such a speed the eyes had difficulty seeing it. Eventually, she stopped and stared openly with awe and arousal.
"It's good to see you, Sam. I see you made it out alright. You darling are a marvel. I've had my eyes on you..."
Her bony fingers reached out to grasp pieces of my hair. Twirling them around. I yanked back from her. She was delighted by my display.
"What are you?" She questioned in amusement.
"What do you want, Maenad?! She looked pleased. The left side of her mouth tipped upwards.
"Aren't you clever? Yes. I am one of the last. But what are you? That light show was tantalizingly orgasmic. "
"You know, this is a better skin, I like it better that that horned creature you really are under it."
"Watch your mouth darling. Im just dying to test drive you. "
"What do you want from me."
"How did you stop time? I was so close. You were quick about it too. You could have been mine! Now tell me what you are!"
"I don't know." She seemed frustrated but believed me. "What did it feel like? For you?"
She looked thoughtful before answering.
" It felt like being suspended between worlds. A place where nothing else existed but you and I. I had you, that was until your light. It burned at first. I felt seared to the bone. Then suddenly my body felt tingly and I finished in a wave of bliss. You are simply something. "
Her hand reached out to touch. She reluctantly pulled it away respecting my wishes.
" What brought you here? Why are you changing them? Why can't you affect us?"
She motioned for me to follow her to a table. I sat on the opposite side. The others were all dancing or starting fights. Sam kept close by. He was fearful of her. She motioned for him to leave. He refused.
"It's not that I can't affect them. It's more so that they don't fall prey to my hypnosis."
She pointed her filthy pointed fingernail at Sam. He forcibly shifted. He began barking at my defense getting ready to attack. I begged him to leave. Explaining that I would be ok.
He didn't listen.
" Vampires are a bit more entertaining than he was. I've noticed you keep many around. I have abilities, gifts. I can affect all sorts of creatures. But you. I could get in your mind.
That part was easy.
The hard part was bending you to my will. After that wonderful display, you forced me out. I haven't been able to reach you since.
As for why I'm here In Bon Temps. I assume because of you. I sensed your power. It rolls off you in waves. Just buzzing beneath your skin. Its imprint covers these walls. You've recharged me. Just sitting inside this bar gives me that extra jolt."
Her eyes lit up in lavender. As she animatedly expressed how I made her feel. Her forked tongue past her lips as she gazed at me hungrily.
" You sacrifice people to some god. Dionysus, right? Last night something different happened to me. I've gotten visions before but nothing like this.
It was a dream. A nightmare really. Of a boy. It was six of your kind dancing and howling around him. Ripping him apart! He was a little boy and you ate him. Why?"
For the first time. I got a genuine emotion out of her. The surprise was written across her face and then it quickly was replaced.
"He must have told you that." She seemed to be speaking about Eric.
"He did. Only to confirm! I saw it with my own eyes. Why? What could be worth killing an innocent child."
"None of them are innocent."
Something flashed across her face. It was like I got a glimpse behind the mask. It happened for just a split second.
"I've felt it too. Felt the pull. Felt stronger than before. I don't know what that means but I do know this. I want you gone! And quickly. "
"I'm sorry. That's just not in my plans. I plan on figuring this little puzzle out. I desire you!
You must know that those pesky vermin you keep around are below you. Stay with me. Commune with better than creatures that should kiss the ground you walk upon.
If you come with me. I will help you search far and wide for what you are. I can give you immortality. Whatever you desire can be yours. "
" These people aren't always the best but they don't deserve to be eaten. I think you're a bit arrogant. After all this time to gain wisdom you wasted it on hedonistic pleasures". My words were ignored. She still gazed at me as if I was some strange portrait.
"I'm going to sacrifice someone. It's not time yet but after I'm done. If you decide to change your mind. I'll wait for you. Otherwise, this is goodbye for now. "
I rose slowly. Her eyes gazed wantonly. I took my chance to escape, Sam chasing after me. Her laugh bellowed after us. None of them tried to stop us or follow.
I needed to figure out how to kill her and fast. I might have time now but it's quickly running out! Sam couldn't seem to turn back. We were now in my van. He was on the passenger side with his head stuck out the window.
It wasn't until we were safe inside my living room that a very naked Sam Metlotte sat on the floor. He was trying to hide himself.
"I'll get you some clothes."
I gave him an old shirt. It was Jason's. And a pair of sweat pants. They seemed to fit ok, the shirt was a tad too tight but it will have to work. Where was he? Jason? I do hope he's safe. I hadn't seen my brother in days.
"Was it true? The things she was accusing you of?"
"Yes. So much so, it seems she won't leave without a fight. "
"What are we going to do?"
"We aren't doing anything."
"Sissi. I'm helping you whether you like it or not. Now, what's the plan?" I made us a quick meal. I told him what Eric and I had discussed.
" How are we going to defeat her? You have no control. And soon she will have everyone under her spell. "
Just then he was cut off by a banging on the door. Sam grabbed the shotgun off the wall. It was Grans. I didn't have the heart to tell him it didn't have shells in it. I looked outside the peephole to see Jason. I opened it to let my brother in.
" What in the Sam-chicken is going on around town? Everyone is acting all crazy... "
I checked his eyes. They were still that light golden brown. Mine were much darker more chocolate with slight flecks of copper.
" To recap, some creature has run wild, making everyone act strange. We're trying to figure out how to stop her...Now, where the hell have you been?"
He smiled real big and told me about this girl he met in Shreveport. How she has this big log cabin out in the woods. They spent the weekend holed up fucking around. I've never been so thankful for Jason being the way he was. All we could do was look on the internet for lore. Just hoping it might give us an idea on how to kill a maenad.
I was tempted to go have a look in Bill's library. See if he may have books on the Greek myths. But I didn't want to tempt it. Leaving Jason and Sam alone by themselves, if she came here I could at least try to fight her off. Give them a chance to run. Once the sun was down Eric burst through my door. Pam was trailed behind him.
" Where is Bill?"
"I sent him to see the queen. She might know of a way to kill this Maenad. Has she tried contacting you again?"
" Yes. I spoke with her, she doesn't seem to want to hurt me. She offered to help me find out what I am. If I leave with her after she destroys the town.
Eric was trying to understand what I meant. So I explained the whole ordeal. Retelling as close to verbatim as I could. Pam snorted when I told them how she believes that I'm above the rest, including the vampires.
" She thinks you, are better than us? That's rich! I don't understand why everyone is going crazy over you."
" Wouldn't you like to know, I see the way you've looked at my ass. The way you're nicer to me than others."She scoffed at that
" You're testing my patience. Although I can admit I admire the way you stand up for yourself. Other than that I merely tolerate you for my makers' sake" I stuck my tongue out at her. Eric ignored Pam's comment.
"You might be the answer. She believed you're strong enough to withstand her machinations, correct?"
" Well, I think she meant that I was strong enough to fight her off. She still managed to enter my mind. I was just able to get her out." He disregarded that.
" My point still stands. You may be able to kill her! At the least the only one who could get close enough to do it."
" She knows my strength. Her guard will be up. She won't trust me...Besides, I don't even know if I could do it again. When I try it's faint. Each time my light was that powerful I was in danger. If she trusts me, she won't hurt me ... ergo not enough fear to make my powers work correctly."
" Show me this light of yours. " Eric demanded.
I closed my eyes and tried to feel the warmth. I clasped my hands. At first, nothing happened, then I could feel it starting to flicker. Almost as if a light bulb was about to burn out. I tried to sustain it, I failed!
It fizzled out with the last blink.
" See! I'm not strong enough..." Eric moved in front of me and held his hands on my wrists.
" Sissi Stackhouse, if a Maenad believed you to be as strong as she. Then I'm inclined to believe her. I need you to believe in yourself"
Eric was being uncharacteristically understanding. Those freezing hands of his never left my wrists. I took a deep breath in. Once my eyes closed I pictured everything I've been through.
Uncle Bartlett, Gran's death, Renè, all of it. Finally, I pictured that day when I was alone in the bathroom. I heard Eric curse so I opened my eyes. My arms were surrounded by light. It usually was just a tiny ball but this was... incredible! Jason clapped. Breaking my concentration. It fizzled out but even then my shock and awe hadn't left. I was light... I'm light.
" Are you alright?" I asked Eric once I recovered. He was still holding his hands.
" Yes, I didn't expect you to go up like that. You emit UV light, my hands are burned. "
Pam was stunned in silence for once. I tried something. I had one of them open the front door. I lifted my hands into the sky. A stream of light shot out of my hand... like sun rays. I closed my eyes again and thought about the cold. Slowly my light started to fizzle till it was completely gone.
" I was right. I think you are our weapon."
I ran and hugged Eric. He wrapped his arms around me with ease.
" Lovebirds, we have one problem. She's Immortal! As cool as that was I'm not sure it's going to be enough to kill her ."
Pam was right but we should try. Even if it's not enough. We must try... I think that counts for something.
" If push comes to shove, I could negotiate with her, that I'll go with her if she leaves everyone alone."
" Do you honestly believe that Eric will allow her to have you before he has a taste?"
" Why do you believe Eric wants me, Pam? Even if he does. It's not rooted in anything else but curiosity and the chase." She seemed almost enraged at me.
" I believe I have misjudged you. Do you sincerely believe my maker would waste his time on just curiosity and a piece of ass? He's staying for you! If Eric dies, you better hope she kills me too."
Eric raised his hand, waving her away. She took the hint. Leaving for outside. The door slammed behind her. What did she mean he's staying for me?
