Chapter 7

I

Payton stood staring at the dust covered boxes in the shed. She had started out early this morning after calling Daphne and telling her that she was in charge of the store. She also told her to make sure that she had the shop closed up well before sundown and to not trust any vampires that might show up on her doorstep. Then, she had driven to Texas. On a lonely road, she had pulled into the old farm. The new family had children and she saw discarded toys in the yard. She smiled. Grandmother would be happy knowing that new life and all it's promises had taken up residence here. The house was freshly painted and blooming flowers grew in window boxes. Payton could feel the love that dwelled in this place and knew that her mother had chosen the right people when she sold the place. They had not been the ones with the most money, but they had something more valuable to offer. Knowing that this place was in their capable hands, softened the pain of having to part with it. But, her mother couldn't take care of such a place alone and Payton had been too young to be of much help. The money from the sale had also helped her mother open The Saffron Veil when she finally decided to settle down for a while.

Payton had found a small cache of old photographs. She sat on her knees and looked through them. She paused when she came across a picture of her mother holding her as a baby. There was no mistaking the look of pride on her mother's face and a little fear, thought Payton with a smile. No matter what had happened with her unconventional upbringing, thought Payton, her mother had loved her and never gave Payton a reason to doubt it. It was probably a reason that she had turned out as well adjusted as she had. Payton gently placed the photograph back with the others and put them in the box of things that she was taking back with her. When she turned around, she noticed a key on an old table. She paused and wondered how she had not seen it there before. Gingerly picking the key up, she turned around and saw an old wooden cedar chest. She knelt before it and turned the key in the lock. As she raised the lid, she knew that contained in here were the things that Grandmother had saved for her. Inside she found the articles that her grandmother had used to work her magic. Scrying mirrors and basins and a collection of other articles. Some were old, very old, and must have been passed down for multiple generations. But, most importantly, she saw the black books. Some were old with ancient and cracked leather bindings and with pages that were yellowed with time. Some were new and her grandmother's own book rested on the top.

Some of her family had descended from the cunning folk who were practitioners of what could be termed as white magic a few centuries ago. They were more like the local wise women and in many cases they were held in high esteem. So much so, that they were usually left alone when the witch hunters had traveled over the land and left a path of despair and murder in their wake. But, Payton was sure that not all of her family had been so inclined to use their power with such good intentions. These so-called black books were a compilation of spells that were recorded and used by the ones who created them. They were also meant to be passed down so that the knowledge contained within their pages would not die. This was her family's legacy. This treasure was her birthright. Her mother had shied away from such power. Her mother carried the blood of her ancestors, but Payton instinctively knew, even as a child, that she was different. Payton's fingers reached for the books. She was not afraid of the secrets that she might find. She pulled out an old book and opened a crumbling page. She read the faint script. It was a record of spells from someone named Riona. She also called herself a sorceress. Now, this should be interesting, thought Payton. Payton took a seat on the floor and made herself comfortable. Holding her breath, she turned another page and slipped into another time.

Payton pulled out the chest and finally loaded it into the back of her car and slammed the trunk down. She locked the shed back up and looked to the horizon. The sun was setting and she would spend the night here before returning home. She stood a moment in hesitation. Once again, her mind wandered back to the subject of that vampire. He had crept unbidden into her thoughts all day. With a conscious effort she had tried to banish him, but he lingered in the dark recesses of her mind and refused to be so easily dismissed. Lets face it, she told herself, she was starting to feel a little remorse about him. Not that he didn't deserve his punishment, of course. And though the spell she cast didn't actually harm him, it had crossed her mind that it still had the power to cause him to be vulnerable to other threats since his mind might not be able to focus as well as it had before. She told herself that he was a predator. A predator who had set his sights on her. Who knows who else this vampire had used and abused? Wasn't he getting what was coming to him? Yet, was she the one to pass judgement? She was certain that he had been responsible for her nightmare experience in the dungeon. But, she was also certain that he had not known just how that experience would torment her. Nor, could she deny that there was some kind of connection between them. She remembered those embarrassing visions. Try to ignore it all she wanted, she thought, but she certainly looked like she was enjoying herself in them. While those visions were just flashes of possibility that didn't have to be acted on, she reminded herself, they did serve the purpose of illustrating that he might not be her enemy. Maybe there was some sort of other connection between them because those thoughts of him would not go away and she felt that the shadow of danger was falling upon him. With a sigh, Payton decided that she would reverse her spell. She was sure that she had made her point, anyway. She almost snickered to herself. She probably had driven him up the wall.

II

Marnie sat with her eyes closed as she meditated before the start of the meeting with her newly founded coven. She remembered her bird rising from the dead and taking flight. It might have only flown a few feet, but it had flown. She had cast a spell that had breached the veil between the living and the dead. She knew that she had possessed the power all along. All those years of being ridiculed were over. All those years of meekly following someone else's direction were over. She knew how people had looked at her. What they had thought of her. Just some crazy, frumpy middle aged woman without a real life. Those were their thoughts that she could detect as plain as day. But, when the eyes of her followers fell on her after that little bird came back to life, she had seen the awe and wonder in them. The old Marnie was a thing of the past. That taste of power had only served to increase her appetite. There were bigger and better things to try. But, she also recognized that there was someone here in her circle that possessed power as well. When the circle had been joined, she had felt the surge of power travel along the linked hands as this person added their energy to their collective. This person's power could be harnessed and used to magnify her own. She just needed to figure out who it was.

The members came and took their seats in the circle and Marnie opened her eyes. She saw the excitement that was barely being contained in most of their faces.

"What are we going to do next, Marnie?" asked one.

"We're going to bring back a dead body," said Marnie.

At that news there was a mixture of reactions around the circle. The excitement of some only increased but a few showed obvious misgivings.

"Marnie, are you sure about doing that?" asked one.

"Just where the hell are you going to get a dead body?" asked Lafayette.

Marnie turned her eyes on him since he was the newest member of her coven. She had seen a spirit that was attached to him and it was possible that he was the source of the energy in her group. She opened her mouth to say something. But, the doors to the room were flung open and a figure dressed in black jeans and a quilted black leather jacket stood at the entrance. He was tall and lean and made quite an imposing figure. He waited until every eye was focused on him and gave a little smirk.

"Excuse me," he said.

He walked confidently forward and Lafayette cringed and shrank back. When he reached the edge of the circle, he stopped and passed his eyes over them.

"Y'all looking for a dead body?" he asked. He dropped his fangs and flashed a fangy smile. That caused several people to move away in fear.

"Oh, shit," said Lafayette as he jumped up and away.

Eric focused his eyes on Lafayette and said, "Oh, Lafayette, I didn't know you were a witch."

As Lafayette fidgeted nervously, Eric turned his attention back to the group. He idly started walking around the room and extinguished a votive candle lying on the floor with his shoe.

"I'm told that your leader's name is Marnie," he said.

"Really, who told you that?" asked a woman.

"Let's just say that a little bird did," replied Eric with a smile. "So, which one of you lovely ladies is Marnie?"

Marnie took a hesitant step forward, "I am...I am Marnie."

"Excellent. Thank you for coming forward," said Eric. "Now, here's the deal, Marnie. This is the last time that your coven convenes. And before you even think about agreeing and meeting behind my back, know this; there is no behind my back. I am everywhere."

Marnie stared at him with a look of concentration, "What's in it for me?"

"I said it was a deal, not a negotiation," replied Eric, severely. "Lafayette, do I negotiate?"

"I'd listen to him, Marnie," replied Lafayette. "He tends to get his way."

Marnie stared at Eric and came to a decision. "Join hands."

In a flash, Eric grabbed her and said, "Why couldn't you just take the deal?"

He then bit her throat with a audible growl. As Marnie shrieked, the others quickly followed her order and linked hands, except for Lafayette who nervously stepped back. Tara found her way back inside and stood in shock at the scene before her. It was then that Holly took control and began to chant.

"Elements of the night, elements of the dead

Come this way, we call upon ye, we summon ye."

Then, everyone else took up the chant, but Eric seemed undeterred from stopping his assault on Marnie. Coming closer, Tara picked up a stake and rushed towards Eric. In a flash, he threw down Marnie and grabbed Tara. He looked down at her in his grip and smiled.

"Now, what have we here?" he said.

"Oh, shit," said Lafayette.

That action caused Lafayette to join the circle. Just as Eric bent down to bite Tara, the lights in the room began to flicker and a wind stirred and began to blow around the room in circles. Marnie gave a cry on the floor. Eric stopped and looked up in confusion. Marnie slowly rose and the chaos in the room continued. Everyone stopped chanting and Eric's grip on Tara loosened and she scuttled out of his reach. There was an audible noise on the wind that whipped through the room, like a woman's cry. Everyone stared, uncertain as to what to do. Something else besides the wind was rushing around the room. Carried as if on the breeze, an odd cry could be heard. Eric stared as his eyes seemed to follow it's course. As Marnie stood there in shock from being bitten, that force rushed to her and gained admittance. Marnie then faced Eric and as he stared into her eyes, he saw something reflect out of them. A glowing flame seemed to be illuminated in the depths of Marnie's eyes. For a few brief flashes, someone else's eyes stared back at him and Marnie's face transformed into another's. Marnie began to speak at that time in Latin. Eric felt helpless to look away and he stared transfixed into the depths of Marnie's eyes. She gave a tiny smile of satisfaction and began to step towards Eric.

Meanwhile, in a place where Payton's grandmother had cast her spells, Payton stood facing a fire that blazed underneath a starry sky. She threw another log onto fire and, with a hiss, the flames leaped higher and a stream of sparks burst free and rose to the heavens. Payton gazed into the flames and focused her mind. As the she was bathed by the fire's amber light, she began to weave her spell.

"I cast my spell into the fire

Purifying flames, sanctify this pyre

Reverse the spell that I did cast

Let it's magic fade into the past

Eric Northman, I wish you no harm

I restore you, my will is the charm

I reverse the actions of my spell

Vampire, hear my voice in the tolling of the bell."

Payton raised a large bell and solemnly started to ring it. In the silence of the night, it echoed and seemed to magnify in strength. In all four directions the sound of the bell rang out.

The events occurring in that field under the stars and those occurring in The Moon Goddess Emporium began to weave together. Eric Northman seemed lost and controlled by a will that was not his own. It was then that the flames of the candles arranged around Marnie's circle seemed to shoot upwards and grow in intensity. The roar of a burning fire could be heard carried on the wind that still whipped around the room. The flames climbed ever higher and Marnie looked around in confusion. It was then that a bell could be heard and whispers that were almost out of earshot became audible. Like the rustling of wings on the night air, the whispers seemed to be coming from everywhere and nowhere at the same time. Seemingly carried upon the wind, they rose and fell in volume. The bell chimed and the whispers danced around the room until they found the right ear to gift with their message. Softly, the whisper caressed Eric's ear and, as he listened closer, the sounds became words. He felt that he knew the voice of the one who called out to him. It seemed so familiar and he followed the lure of that enticing voice and found the way back to himself. He somehow knew that he could trust the voice and he heard her message clearly.

"The bell tolls seven times in the darkness of the night

My wishes for your protection have taken flight

May my will be done across space and time

And across the miles, as the bell doth chime

By the power of three, so shall it be."

"Show yourself," cried Marnie, turning around in a circle.

With a roar, the flames caught a curtain fluttering in the wind and it was soon engulfed. Like dry tinder wood, the flames began to set the room ablaze. Some of Marnie's followers rushed to the exit in fright. The wind sighed one last word.

"Run," it said.

Eric instinctively followed the command. In a flash, he disappeared from view. Marnie let out a howl of frustration and fell back onto the floor. Her body twitched a few times and laid still. Tara and Lafayette each grabbed an arm and pulled her out of the blazing inferno that now raged unchecked in the Moon Goddess Emporium. The members of Marnie's coven stood huddled together and made sure that all of their members had made it safely outside. A few cried and a few stood in silent shock at they tried to come to terms with what they had just witnessed. As Tara roused Marnie, the sounds of sirens could be heard. She opened her eyes and gazed around in confusion.

"What happened?" she asked.

"Are you f*cking serious?" demanded Lafayette.

"Did that vampire leave?" she asked.

Lafayette whipped off a scarf and wound it around Marnie's neck. When she tried to resist, he slapped her hands away.

"Show half a brain and don't be stupid," he hissed. "I am not going up against that vampire."

"But, he came into our place of worship and assaulted me," she said.

"Yeah, well, from where I'm standing, I saw you do some freaky stuff to him," said Lafayette. "You have no idea of who you just pissed off. That just isn't any fanger. That is a thousand year old vampire who will rip us to shreds. And if the police ask anything, I'm saying that your rattle-trap of a store caught fire from too many unattended candles."

"Lafayette," complained Tara.

"Shut up," cried Lafayette. "All of you listen to me. That vampire wasn't even here tonight. Do you hear me?"

"I hate this place," muttered Tara.

III

In New Orleans that night, Sophie-Anne was preening before a mirror in her chambers. She was going out in public tomorrow night and was trying on several new mourning outfits. The boxes from expensive boutiques littered her bed. Their wrapping tissue was thrown onto the floor and several dresses were tossed onto a chair next to the bed. Sophie-Anne was trying on the last dress. She had saved it for last because she was sure that it would be the most flattering. She smoothed the silken fabric down with one hand and turned her svelte form this way and that. It was a black dress that was fitted in the top. The skirt billowed out, forming a perfect A outline, and had just a splash of scarlet in it. Looking into the mirror, her eyes took in the sight of Bill Compton coming into her rooms. Putting a hand on her hip, she turned with a scowl.

"I know that you run the mediocre tasks of this kingdom for me, but that doesn't give you license to appear uninvited in my chambers," she said haughtily.

"I'm afraid that I am here on a higher authority than yours," he said.

"Excuse me?" demanded Sophie-Anne.

Bill snapped his fingers and several men dressed in black swat gear and armed with assault rifles stepped into the room. They formed a line behind Bill and aimed their weapons at the Queen. As her chest lit up from several laser sights, Sophie-Anne dropped her fangs.

"You dare?" she said. "You will be executed as a traitor to your Queen."

"I'm afraid that just is not going to happen, Your Majesty," replied Bill with a little smile.

Bill looked again to the door and Nan Flanagan entered. She was dressed in a severe black suit and her blonde hair was in a sleek ponytail. She flashed Sophie-Anne a toothy smile.

"What is the meaning of this?" demanded the Queen.

"You lied to me," said Nan. "And that is just one unforgivable sin. The Authority has signed off on your execution orders."

"On what charges?" demanded Sophie-Anne.

"Let's see, there's selling V and being in collusion with Russell Edgington," she said.

"Those are absolutely fabricated lies," hissed Sophie-Anne.

"Well, the Russell one is," replied Nan. "But, the survivors always get to choose what is fact and what is fiction."

"Hadley?" asked Sophie-Anne.

"Don't worry," replied Bill with a smile. "I'll make sure that she's well taken care of. Personally."

Before Sophie-Anne had time to compose another reply, the guards fired their weapons and she dissolved in a gush of blood and entrails. Bill stood staring at the remains that were spattered across her new dresses that she would never get the chance to wear. Nan stepped closer to him and leaned into his ear.

"She lied to me," said Nan. "Don't make the same mistake, Your Majesty."

A/N: It was too tempting not to combine the story of Marnie(Antonia) and Payton together. But, who's side will Payton choose? Lucky for Eric that Payton chose that time to work her magic.

Bill is still the villain as well. But, he usually gets cast in that role in my stories. Actually, I like the character of Bill because I think he is interesting. And he has been far more interesting this season without being with Sookie ( in my opinion, anyways). I like him as King, it makes the story more interesting and gives him some legitimate power for a change.