A/N: The cemetery fight and its aftermath are explored here.

Chapter 14

I

Roy leveled his gun on Eric as he bared fangs. At that moment, Sam crashed into Roy and the bullet harmlessly struck a tree trunk next to Eric and Payton. Sam and Roy fell to the ground where they rolled around and struggled for possession of the gun.

"Traitor," cried Marnie. "Your eyes are blinded by her beauty that the devil's spawn hides behind."

"You just killed a defenseless girl," growled Sam and he held Roy down.

"Defenseless? Hardly," sneered Marnie. "Just a little too trusting."

Bill moved in a flash and Marnie held up her hands in the symbol of the horns. He came to a stop as he stared into her eyes. Smiling, Marnie spoke, "Muerto en vida, su orgullo es su debilidad. De veras escucháis mi voz."

Eric brandished his fangs and moved to Marnie. She made the symbol for him to obey, but it didn't stop Eric from moving forward. Her eyes widened in confusion.

"You have no power over him," gasped Payton from the ground. "My magic still protects him."

Marnie backed up and uttered another spell, "Nebulis obscura voco te foras."

A thick fog rolled in and Marnie disappeared into the mists along with Roy who seemed to vanish out from under Sam. Eric moved back and knelt beside Payton and opened her blouse to examine her wound. Sam and Tara knelt on the other side. Eric glanced at them and Payton touched his hand.

"They are friends," weakly said Payton. "They didn't know what Marnie had planned."

Eric looked at her wound. It was in her upper chest, but well away from her heart. A bloody froth appeared at the corners of Payton's mouth. It signaled that perhaps a lung was hit. She would be bleeding internally as well, thought Eric, and probably that lung had collapsed. She was still mortally wounded if she did not receive healing and soon.

With difficulty, Payton tried to smile and said, "He's a terrible shot. He had me dead to rights."

Sam whipped off his shirt and pressed it against her wound to stop the flow of blood and Payton cried out in pain and writhed in Eric's hands. There were screams and shots being fired from Bill's guards. Bill had seemed to move off into the fray once Marnie had vanished and her hold over him broken.

"It's too dangerous to stay here," said Eric. He picked her up into his arms and moved briskly back to Bill's house with Sam and Tara clearing a path in front of him.

Two from Marnie's group jumped in front of them. They were wielding silver chains and knives. Sam leveled the gun in their faces and growled, "Get the hell out of our way or I'll shoot you."

"I thought you were on our side," they said.

"If you're smart, you will run for home and forget that you even know Marnie," said Tara.

Sam and Tara, followed by Eric and Payton, brushed past them, although, Eric gave them a stare of blue death on his way past. They looked at each other and dropped their weapons.

"That's the best advice that I've heard in a long time," one said.

"Come on, before that bitch discovers that we're gone," hissed the other. Running, the two of them disappeared into the mists.

Bill's guards let them pass when they saw that a vampire was with them. Striding into Bill's home, he laid Payton down on a sofa in his parlor. Eric eased a pillow behind her head. Her chest still weakly rose and fell, but her eyes had closed.

"We need to get a car and drive her to the hospital," said Sam.

"There isn't any need for that," replied Eric. "I can heal her."

"Yeah, and feed her your blood so that you have power over her," said Sam.

"She is still mortally wounded," replied Eric, angry at having to explain his motives. "She would most likely die before getting to the hospital."

"We are wasting time by arguing," replied Sam.

"I agree," replied Eric. "Payton is my concern, not yours, Shifter."

"Sam, I think he's right," said Tara. "Look at her."

Eric lifted his head and gazed intently at Sam, "She is mine, by her own words."

Still staring at Sam, Eric dropped his fangs and bit his wrist. He held Sam's gaze a moment longer and then, pressed his bleeding wrist to Payton's lips. She flinched and instinctively tried to move away. Eric held her head in place and petted her. Slowly, as his blood flowed into her mouth, she swallowed. Sam and Tara stood together and Tara took his arm in hers as they watched. When Payton put her lips to Eric's wrist and began to suck at his blood, Eric closed his eyes. Payton's hand slowly came up and held his arm. As her lips nuzzled his wrist, Eric groaned in obvious arousal.

"F*ck," hissed Sam. "That's enough."

"Sam-" began Tara.

"He's getting off on this," replied Sam. He moved to pull Eric's wrist away from Payton. But, Eric grabbed Sam's arm and with a simple push, flung him across the room where Sam fell against the fireplace mantle. Eric then leveled an angry stare at Sam.

"If you try to interfere in my affairs again, I won't be so forgiving," he said. "Payton seems to hold you in high regard, so I'm cutting you some slack. This time."

Eric turned back to Payton and caressed her again. He eased his wrist from her mouth and bent down to lick the blood off her lips. Payton opened her eyes and stared into his as he gently wiped the rest of the blood off her lips with his thumb. Tara moved to help Sam to his feet as Bill returned with Blackburn. Bill's eyes moved over Sam and Tara and then to Eric and Payton.

"Is she alright?" asked Bill.

"Yes," replied Eric. "If that human would have been a better shot, she would be dead."

"You realize that shooting her was Marnie's intent all along?" asked Bill.

"That's plainly obvious" said Eric.

"Excuse me?" said Payton, from the sofa.

Eric turned back to look at her and said, "She fears you that is why she had her minion try to kill you."

Bill cast eyes to Sam and Tara and put on his politician's face. "I appreciate your help, tonight."

"Well, we didn't do it for you," replied Sam.

He looked over to where Payton sat up on the couch. "Thanks, Sam," she said. "You were the last one that I expected to see there."

"You have more friends than you know," replied Sam.

He took Tara's hand in his and walked to the front door. But, Payton called after them, "You need to be careful. Marnie will look at this as a betrayal from you. You have power, both of you. She won't forget that."

Tara looked at Payton quizzically and Sam replied, "We'll be okay."

They walked out the door and Eric asked Bill, "The other sheriffs?"

"Missing," replied Bill. "You need to keep her safe. You are welcome to stay here. My guards can protect her during the daytime."

Eric felt Payton's fingers clasp his arm and he felt her fear. He wanted to close his eyes and just relish the sensation of being linked to her. Even though he had not wanted any harm to come to her, he couldn't be more pleased with having his blood inside of her.

"We will be safe enough at her home," said Eric.

Eric got up and held out his hand for Payton. He escorted her outside and Blackburn and Bill watched them leave.

"Can we trust her?" asked Blackburn.

"She is under his influence, now," replied Bill.

II

Pam stood talking to Eric as Payton sat on the couch and fingered her necklace. With every passing moment, he seemed to become more like his old self, she thought. She wondered why the spell wasn't completely broken. But, it had started to crack. It was only a matter of time. But, had he really been that different? Sure, he was a little nicer to her, but he had never turned into an innocent angel. That wickedly temping personality had still been there. Payton moved and picked up a charm from atop her fireplace mantle. She walked over and handed it to Pam.

"Wear this over your heart," said Payton. "It will help keep you safe."

Eric slipped the necklace over Pam's head and kissed her forehead. Payton saw the look of love that shown out of Pam's eyes. Poor Pam had missed her maker as much as any child missed her father, thought Payton. How can anyone say that these creatures are incapable of feelings? By her association with Eric, she had been given a glimpse into a side of vampires that most others never saw.

"Th….thanks for keeping Eric safe," said Pam.

"I guess, we are even, now," said Payton. She flashed a fleeting smile and moved off to leave them alone.

"Pam, can I trust Bill?" asked Eric.

"No," said Pam.

"Why not?" asked Eric.

"Part of it is that you just rub each other the wrong way," said Pam. "Another part is the interest you had in his human, a little dumb fairy-hybrid barmaid."

"Where is this barmaid, now?" asked Eric.

"Who knows?" replied Pam. "She disappeared into thin air. I hope that both of you have finally moved on because that girl got on my nerves. Bill has Queen Sophie Anne's former pet and haven't you found someone too?"

Eric's eyes trailed to the door that Payton had left through and Pam caressed his cheek. "Aren't you happy with her?" she asked. "You might not remember everything, but don't you know what you want?"

Pam gave him another smile and left. Eric was all alone with his thoughts until Payton returned back into the room. She was carrying the scrying mirror. She sat it down on the coffee table and took a seat on the floor. She gazed up at Eric.

"I think that it's time for a little supernatural help," she said.

Eric sat on the couch and watched as Payton waved her hand over the dark surface of the mirror. This time, he could see the gray fog that seemed to swirl beneath the surface.

"Show me the present," said Payton.

Slowly, the fog began to clear and Payton could see Marnie and her coven. It seems that Marnie was having a hard time holding on to control since she could see several people who were trying to argue with her and Roy.

"Show me the vampire sheriffs," said Payton.

Slowly, the image in the mirror began to change. It moved to a closet and there inside were two of the missing vampire sheriff's. They stood straight and their eyes seemed to stare at nothing. They were powerful weapons, thought Payton. She looked over at Eric and could see that he thought the same thing. The image in the mirror moved again and showed Marnie leaving with Roy. After they left, one of her coven ran to the door and screamed as she cradled her hand.

"She is holding them prisoner," said Payton.

"Why?" asked Eric. "Isn't it time consuming to keep the spells in place to make them obey?"

"Yes, but the payoff is that they increase her strength," replied Payton. "We are lucky that the ones with true power aren't with her."

Eric raised his eyebrow, but Payton didn't reveal any more information. She waved her hand again over the mirror surface.

"Show me the future," said Payton.

The mists swirled again and when they thinned, a vision of Marnie with Luis was revealed. He was kneeling before her and she smiled down on him. The mirror then showed an image of Marnie alone. She was lying on the ground and her sightless eyes stared into nothing. The shadows were dark and it was difficult to glean any more details. Payton looked over at Eric, and he pulled out his cell phone and punched in a number.

When it was answered, Eric said, "Marnie has the missing sheriffs. And don't trust Luis."

There was a pause and he said, "I saw it myself. Heed my warning or don't."

Eric hung up and a flicker of motion in the mirror caught his eye. Payton looked back at the mirror and saw that the fog was again swirling. Revealed on its surface this time was the image of two bodies locked together in the embrace of sex. Payton's eyes widened as she saw Eric roll over and herself move into view atop him. Payton quickly turned the mirror over, but Eric grabbed her hand. She tried to shake off his grip and move away from him.

Eric stood up and caught her and held her within his arms. Payton still fought to extract herself from his embrace.

"It doesn't mean anything," she said, not looking at him.

Eric lifted her eyes to his and said, "You know that's not true. That isn't the first time that you have seen a vision of us together, is it?"

"Yes, it is," said Payton.

"Liar," replied Eric. He gently ran his hand down her hair, "I can tell when you are lying to me, now."

"It's your blood that is lying," said Payton.

"Blood doesn't lie," said Eric, with a little smile.

Payton trembled and still tried to get away. Eric held her and gently caressed her arms. "I have the power to break your hold over me," said Payton.

Eric raised her eyes to his and Payton stared as the color of his almond-shaped eyes changed like magic before her. He gave her a tiny little smirk, "But, what of your power over me?"

He leaned down and whispered in her ear, "It's me that you have entrapped in your spell, Sorceress."

His lips found hers and Payton realized that she was in trouble.

III

"Luis," came the voice in his ear.

Luis looked around from where he stood on Bill's porch. He saw a little flicker of light move through the trees and, in an instant, he moved after it. It moved quickly and he used his vampire abilities to keep it in his sight. It just seemed like a little ball of light, yet he could hear it call his name. He found himself entering the cemetery where all the commotion this evening had occurred. But, now a blanket of stillness covered everything. Even the night animals seemed to have quieted. The moon was setting and the shadows had grown darker.

Finally, the little ball of light moved out into the open. As Luis stepped out of the trees, he saw the witch called Marnie waiting for him. She lifted her hand and the ball of light danced in a circle around her. It was a nice parlor trick that charlatans had used centuries ago to impress the foolish country folk.

"That doesn't impress me, witch," hissed Luis. He moved in a flash, but Marnie held up her hands and made a magical sign with them. She began to chant in Latin and Luis felt his own free will disappear. He found that his new purpose was to do the bidding of Antonia. It was her voice that he obeyed. She pointed her finger downward and Luis fell to his knees before her.

"Are you impressed, now?" asked Marnie.

Luis looked up and into Marnie's eyes. Flames erupted within them. She smiled and said, "I want you to kill the king and as many other vampires that you can for me, can you do that?"

"Yes, it shall be done," said Luis.

"And I want you to do one more thing after that," said Marnie. "You will stake yourself when you are done."

"Of course," replied Luis.

Marnie placed a wooden stake into his hand and said, "Okay, off you go. Time is a wasting."

Luis got up and moved back into the trees as Marnie watched him go. She looked over to Roy who stepped out from behind a tree with a gun loaded with wooden bullets. She wondered if he would have been much use if Luis had proven to be hard to handle. His aim was nothing to write home about, she thought.

'You see, Antonia,' said Marnie in her head. 'I will make all the vampires pay for what they have done to you. Just have a little faith in me and soon everything that we are working for will be achieved.'

'And what about the girl?' asked Antonia. 'You tried to kill her in cold blood.'

'To keep her from using her powers for the vampires," replied Marnie.

'She is hardly more than a child," said Antonia.

'Pity is a luxury that we can't afford,' replied Marnie. 'That girl can destroy us.'

'Maybe, we deserve it,' came Antonia's reply.

Marnie closed off her brain and wished there was a way to get Antonia's power without having to deal with Antonia.

Jessica got up and left the office just before Bill hung up the phone with Eric. She had officially broken up with Hoyt. She had dreamed and planned that moment for days on end and when it finally happened it was nothing like she had prepared for. She had admitted to him that she bit some other man and that she wanted to explore other partners. At least, she had been honest about her feelings. But, Hoyt had erupted into a fit of anger and said lots of hurtful things to her. Things that just couldn't be taken back. At the end, he had yelled that she didn't deserve the love of someone like him and that he certainly deserved better than her. Those words were probably true, thought Jessica. She wished that she had just glamoured Hoyt. What was the purpose of telling him the truth and hurting both of them? Did she feel any nobler? No, she only felt miserable. Maybe, she shouldn't ask Bill for any more relationship advice. She ran a finger through her long red hair and thought that next time she would just ask Pam or even Eric.

She looked up and saw one of the sheriffs who were staying at Bill's home. He was barreling through the entryway. As she watched, he grabbed one of Bill's human guards by the throat that had moved in front of him. She could hear the sickening crunch from across the room as he broke the guard's neck and she gave a little cry. Luis lifted his head and focused on her. His eyes seemed to blaze with a wild look and Jessica felt herself take a step backwards. In a flash, he dropped the guard who slid lifeless to the floor and was on her. He threw her into the wall and tried to press the end of a wooden stake into her chest. Jessica fought back with all her strength, but he was so much stronger than her. As she screamed, Bill rushed out of his office and jumped on Luis's back. Once, Luis saw Bill, he let go of Jessica and began a new attack on Bill. Jessica stood on shaky legs and watched Bill and Luis battle across the room. Luis threw Bill across the room and he crashed into a table and broke it. Moving with a purpose, Luis moved to Bill. Jessica moved a few hesitant steps towards Luis and Bill shouted out to her.

"Jessica, don't," he cried.

"But-" began Jessica.

"Go get the ceremonial stake in my office," hissed Bill. "Now."

Jessica turned and ran into Bill's office. Where was that f*cking stake, she thought. She could hear the noises of the battle outside and furiously started going through Bill's desk drawers. Finally, she found an elaborate case and pulled out a wooden stake that was carved in intricate detail. She ran to the doorway in a flash and saw Blackburn and Bill both fighting Luis. They held him down and he snarled and snapped with his fangs at them.

"What the hell has happened to you," yelled Bill. "Are you mad?"

"I obey Antonia Gavilán de Logroño," snarled Luis.

Blackburn looked up and said, "Well, what are you waiting for? A signed invitation?"

Jessica tightened her grip on the stake and moved across the room. With a cry, she stabbed Luis through the heart. He exploded in a deluge of blood and gore and some of it got on her new dress and in her hair.

"Shit," she hissed. "This dress is ruined."

"Just what the hell is going on in your kingdom, Bill," came a snarky voice from across the room.

Bill lifted his blood stained face to see Nan Flanagan dressed in a severe black suit and stiletto heels. She placed a hand on her hip and her cold blue eyes grew even more frigid.

"Cat got your tongue?" said Nan.

"We're at war, here," replied Bill.

"Oh, spare me the dramatics," hissed Nan. "Didn't I tell you to keep your nose clean? I'm staying here during the daytime and you had better come up with a good story for all this bullshit."

Bill couldn't stop the tiny smile from forming as he thought about silvering the AVL spokesperson. He would make sure that they applied extra silver on her.

"I've got the perfect place for you to rest," said Bill, with a ghost of a smile.

A/N: Okay, I came up with an explanation for why there is no Sookie in this story. She is away in fairyland and she's going to be gone for a long time. No Sookie love here. Totally agree with Pam this season about Sookie. I also see none of the real fighting happening between Eric and Bill. They just had a little jealousy about little miss telepathic barmaid. Thankfully, they both have moved on.

I added this note later because I forgot to mention it. Eric was able to see the images in the scrying mirror this time which is how he was able to see the vision of Payton and him having sex, since Payton would have never revealed the fact that she had seen them as lovers in the future to him. Could drinking Payton's blood and taking in her magic have caused that effect?