Jason crashed out on my bed upstairs, while Sam lay on the couch watching cartoons.
" I apologize for my progeny. Pam can be overprotective at times. She's scared, I think we all are."
" That little boy. The one from my dream, you knew him. Didn't you? "
"I never did catch his name. Just a rough street kid. I would sit and chat with him, money for food if I had it to spare. I wanted to save him but my maker forbade it with a direct order." I listened to his story about the boy,
"She's not wrong, you know?" I presume he meant what Pam said.
"Eric. I'm with Bill. What you want is irrelevant, If my situation changes and you prove to me that it's not about my power... then we will talk. Until then, you're nothing more than something pretty to look at."
"All I heard was that you think I'm pretty. I'll back off, for now. "As if by cue. Bill's name popped up on my phone.
" Bill, is everything alright?"
"Yes darling, can you put Eric on the phone?"
I apprehensively handed it over.
" Sophie is being her lovely self. She's insisting that he stay. " I was confused.
" What do you mean? "
I didn't understand the politics of it all but she has dominion over all of Louisiana. So, Bill had to do what she wants.
"He will be here soon. Don't worry. She just loves her games, I'll make some calls" Eric stated.
It was hours before things started going a little haywire. Tara was outside with eggs. They weren't happy. More of Maryann's minions came out of the wood-works.
The culprit? Pam! Tara's voice didn't sound like her own. It was warped and sounded as if another person was hijacking her voice box.
"Let us in, we must prepare for his coming."
They held Pam in silver chains, it was strange to see her so subdued. I was prepared to fight if I needed to, however, it would be much easier if they just passed her over. A trade?Hopefully, Maryann hasn't changed her mind. They seem to follow her wishes, so, I should be fine. I think? I stepped outside, their heads followed every move I made.
" Let us in" The black-eyed Tara demanded.
" Did Maryann send you for me?" I asked but she didn't respond. Just kept chanting to let them in my home
" Just let them in the god damn house and get me out of these fucking chains" Pam screeched at me.
" Let's make a deal, you give me the vampire and you can have me. I'll let you in my home"
" We can't use you. Dionysus needs you alive! Your home will be his birthplace. You are fated to carry our god into this world." They chanted and bowed
" Well if I'm to do that. I need ... my handmaid to help me. The vampire is my handmaiden, you see Dionysus will be very upset if I'm not properly prepared."
My lies convinced them to let go of Pam. She ran around back to get the rest out of the house. More possessed townspeople started to show up. I carefully let my door open for them to move inside. I tried to leave but was thwarted by Hoyte.
"Dionysus must be born!"
His robotic monotone voice chanted as I tried to kick and buck him off me. With the help of Eric, I was released and we made a run for it. We were out of the town limit before he put me down.
" I don't know how to thank you. um, where's the rest of them?
" Pam took off after getting us out. Jason and the shifter left in a truck."
I tried calling Jason but no one answered I hoped that they got to safety. Once Eric managed to steal a car. It was off to New Orleans. We pulled up to a large gated manor. It was located in the French Quarter. Every entrance was guarded by creatures.
" Those are werewolves..."
I guess he saw me looking. Eric demanded we stop to change our clothes. He kept mentioning how indecent it was to show up not properly dressed. I now don a burnt orange gown with a V neckline and with a A-line silhouette. It draped my body. The train trailed behind me. It cinched at my waist and brought attention to my large bounty of breasts. Eric was the one to pick it out. My hair sat in a messy updo draped in pearls... also Eric's idea. My freshly manicured feet were strapped into royal blue platforms. They clicked gracefully as I walked ahead of him.
Eric wore an all-black suit with a matching tie. His steel-gray eyes lined in kohl. His hair pulled away from his face in a braid. A tattoo could be seen. They were runes of some sort, they sat on the back his neck, the braid exposing some of it.
I see why we had to dress up the house was was just down right regal. We were escorted down long corridors until we reached a ballroom. A soirée was in full swing. I was surrounded by vampires, all sorts of shapes, sizes, and shades. In attendance were their human companions. A male vampire dashed towards me.
" Mon Cher, who may you be?"
He was young, couldn't be any older than 19. He dawned a suit as well. Gray, it suited his dark austerity. A saber attached to his back glinting under the lights of the chandeliers. I held out my hand for him to kiss. He sniffed it before gently placing his lips on my knuckles. Kissing them. He raved about my scent.
"Why I'm charmed, the name's Sissi Stackhouse."
"Ah, well, Ms. stackhouse. I am Andrè."
Eric was thoroughly annoyed but didn't disrupt the interaction. He escorted us to the Queen. She noticed my entrance and beckoned us to her side. Andrè was her bodyguard.
Once we reached her table. I took in the beauty of the queen. She was simply ravishing! Natural ginger finger waves sat perfectly coiffed on her head. An authentic shift dress. One that most certainly was owned in the 1920s. It fit her perfectly. Her perked pink nipples peeked through the black translucent fabric. Crystal beads twinkled as she moved. Her makeup reminded me of vaudeville. Deep forest green eyes trailed across my body as she took me in.
She waved Andrè away. He now stood behind her but gave us some room to chat.
" You must be Sissi. I heard wonderful things about you. It's nice to put a face to the name. A body too." She licked her lips and clutched at the pearls dripping from her neck. " How silly of me. I'm Sophie-Anne Leclerq. Queen of Louisiana. Are you here for your..."
She was testing my loyalty to Bill.
" Boyfriend, yes. I'm here for another reason too. "
She batted her eyelashes and fake pouted.
" Well, I assume it's the reason he showed up too. Demanding answers. He needs a lesson in manners."
I took a seat next to her and leaned in close. My breath ghosted across her neck.
"Well I'm sure you know, you never send a man for a job that needs a woman's touch. So do you have any knowledge on how to kill a Maenad, or did we drive here just to look pretty?" She laughed
" I'll tell you if you play a game with me... I do love games."
I saw Eric watching as I worked. Bill was over in a corner his eyes glued like a hawk. He knew she was flirting. Her legs were slightly spread. I trailed my hand up her body and traced it around her left nipple with my fingernail. Just teasing her. I pinched it as hard as I could.
" I've heard... but you see I don't have time for your silly games. So will you tell me what I desire or not?"
Her hand clutched the table and a moan slipped from her lips. Her nails scratched the wood wanting to touch me. She grasped my hand in hers and brought it to her lips. She licked my pulse point seductively.
" Maenads are creatures of faith. They believe, so they are! However, they were once human but have evolved. Destroy her faith and she will cease to exist."
I thanked her for the information. She protested as I stood to leave. She held my hand tightly, not enough to hurt though.
" Such a strange creature you are. Others would have begged on their knees for my services. This was a lovely turn of events."
"I'm not afraid of you."
"I'm not sure Bill is equipped to fully appreciate you. Why don't you stay with me?"
I slipped my hand from her grasp. Then got up from the table, I could feel her eyes watch my ass as I walked away from her. Bill didn't look happy at all, while Eric looked aroused and amused.
" What were you doing?" Bill asked in a hushed uppity tone.
" I got what we came for, let's go."
" She told you?" Eric questioned but I'm sure he already knew... just wanted to rub it in.
"Yes, let's go now. Quickly!" But before we could leave some of the vampires turned towards me.
" Sissi. I'm sorry but you are much too intriguing to just let walk out of here..." I knew she wouldn't give up. I turned to face her.
" You've made a grave error if you think I won't fight till my last breath. I'm leaving!"
My hands lit up. All that practice came in handy. I demonstrated what my ability was by sending a ball to an empty table. I didn't expect it to catch fire. Gasps of fright bounced around the room.
"It's the sun's rays in a nice and tight package. Honey, please don't make me fight you tonight."
She rethought her original plan and told her dogs to back off. We raced down the corridors before she changed her mind. Once out in the night air, I was able to relax, take a moment to slow my breathing down.
" When did that start happening..." Bill asked as we hurried into the stolen car.
"Eric helped me harness it today. Luckily so, Sophie said the Maenad is a creature of faith. Destroying it will end her madness in the town. I think I know just how to do that.
In the dream. Well. Eric's memory. They howled up into the night sky after the boy was eaten.I'm not sure how I know but they were waiting for something. I think that's when they are most vulnerable."
" Doesn't that defeat the purpose of all this? we have to wait until she kills someone."
" Do you have any other ideas. No? I didn't think so." Eric chuckled at my aggressive reply.
" Sissi, I think the queen has you frustrated" It was more of a hit at Bill than me.
We didn't make it back until around 3 am. The town was quiet. All the streets were empty until you reached my home. Maryann now had everyone under her spell. They were raving mad, Just simply naked and feral. Dancing and fucking around a gargantuan statue on my lawn. We were able to sneak by unnoticed.
That was until we were inside. Vines covered the entirety of my home. Flower petals covered the ground. Maryann was sitting in the middle of the living room. She was fluttering. It was much more violent now. I heard the rest of her minions before I saw them. Some were naked, others were wearing white sheets draped into dresses, they were chanting.
" Oh, you're back, just in time for the ritual". She sauntered over to me and took in my attire.
"This is beautiful but orange won't do" Her eyes rolled once she noticed Eric and Bill.
"I thought we discussed how they were beneath you. The blonde one is particularly nasty. She ran off somewhere. I think she's in that house over there."
She meant Bill's residence. Maryann started to touch me. Running her hands down my arms. I smacked them away. She laughed. Bill didn't take too kindly to this, between the queen and her, he was ready to pounce! Eric tried to stop him but failed. He bit her! Her poisoned blood spilled black. Bill fell to the ground clutching his throat as it poured from his mouth.
A single drop was enough. Despite this, I kept my eyes on her. Deciding she was of more importance. I focused my telepathic abilities towards her. I kept trying to break her hold. Force her to let them go. She came at me just as hard. We both failed and tired out. As soon as I was able I ran to his side. I can take many things but this wasn't one of them. I didn't expect electricity to fire from my fingertips. Maryann flew back into the wall, she was moaning and laughing.
" My gods, You continue to astound me... do it again, that felt better than the light."
She writhed in pleasure. Her legs trembled as cum leaked down them. I have a feeling it wasn't the first time tonight. I tried but I couldn't produce the same effect.
" Oh phooey. My turn!"
She lifted Eric by his throat. She was crushing his windpipe. He clawed in fear, his legs dangling beneath him. He wouldn't last much longer. I begged
" I'll stay with you. If you let them go... I won't leave you." Maryann made me swear. Bill and Eric hightailed it out of there. I'd have to do this alone...
" Great, now let's get you prepared. "
Her tone was light and airy. The previous malice gone. She had her minions... my friends, people I knew, come and undress me. They were preparing me for some ritual. I was naked on the ground, my hands entwined with vines. There were flowers over my vagina. She cut my hand and let the blood drizzle over my belly; it was a fertility ritual.
They brought a large ostrich egg into the room. It was placed between my legs, I had to sit up and place my bloody hand all over it... chanting ... calling out to Dionysus. They writhed in pleasure around me. Reaching climax after climax. Asking to bless me with his seed, to bring forth his physical self into this realm.
I was draped in white after the ritual was done. It was time to consummate... to sacrifice. For the first time, I saw the statue up close. It was covered in meat, they must have broken into the butchers. Slabs of rotten flesh covered the stature. They were woven and molded into the shape of a man, along leaves, vines, flowers, anything else they could find. On the very top, was a decapitated bullhead, the horns resembled the ones in the darkness.
That wasn't the worst part. Right in the center was Jason tied to the statue. He had those black eyes, they taunted me as he chanted for death. She was going to sacrifice my brother...She will die tonight.
" Silence! "
Maryann bellowed, everyone immediately stopped at once, like a hive mind shut down.
" Bring me the sacrificial blade".
Tara came holding a long-tipped blade on a black pillow over to Maryann.
" With this blade, you will be one with Dionysus. You will be my sister! You must sacrifice your old blood, to accept the new."
She held the pillow on both palms, bowed down on one knee presenting it to me.
I hesitated but knew that if I wait too long she will do it herself. I can't let my brother die! I just can't. So I accepted the blade! With each step I took my body felt like stone. Once I reached him. Those strange black pools looked down on me. A large grin plastered on his face, happily waiting for me to kill him.
Off in the distance, I could see Eric. He hadn't deserted me. He watched with terror in his eyes. If I didn't make it out of this alive. I know my memory will forever be etched into his brain. Just as the boy was.
It came to me then, vampire blood heals, I almost died but Bill saved me. Eric seemed to understand the look on my face and knew once I plunged this blade, he had a task to complete.
I struck hard and fast. The blade cut through flesh like butter. I felt it slide through Jason and something awoke inside. I've felt a power inside growing for some time. Tonight it felt particularly unstable. Once I took the blade out, they all erupted in cheer and joy screaming to the night.
" My sister, come dance with me."
Maryann took my hand. We spun and laughed gleefully. The voices sang and cried out for their god. My body began to shine like the moon, I knew what I must do.
" My sister, look Dionysus has blessed us! Let's open ourselves to his grace, he demands us too."
She got on her knees, as did I. We both chanted and sang for Dionysus. My body buzzed along with hers. As she fluttered her eyes closed but mine did not. I plunged the blade into her heart and ripped it out of her chest. Those plum eyes opened one more time. Dionysus on her lips before she turned to black dust.
I tore into her heart with my teeth. Tasting the blood of the creature that changed me forever. Everyone that was under her spell fainted. I was entranced until the last of her heart had been swallowed. Once I was released I dashed over to Eric. He was feeding my brother his blood.
He looked up to see my face... he looked frightened, I kissed him. My blood soaked hands held tightly to his face as we locked lips. He saved my brother! Eric didn't leave just as Pam implied he wouldn't. When I pulled away, his eyes held unreadable emotions. The kiss was never spoken about.
Bill, Pam, and Sam in his Chow form were all safely away from the house.
The next day... no one remembered what happened. Eric, Bill, and Pam glamoured everyone in the town. The only ones who knew were them, Sam and myself. Jason was completely healed, and life in Bon Temps went back to normal... well, As normal as it could be anyway.
