Chapter 19

The Witching Hour

I

It was just past midnight and Lafayette made his way through the Bon Temps cemetery. Payton had chosen the witching hour on purpose as she had said that it was the time of the night when witches and their magic was at it's most powerful. This was some seriously creepy shit, he thought, as he made his way through the dark shadows. Being in a cemetery didn't help, either. But, Payton had said that there was something mysterious about this place. There was a residual energy that dwelled here. Lafayette had asked from what, but Payton said that she didn't know exactly, but supernatural creatures would be drawn to that energy. Just like she was, she had said and that had freaked Lafayette out. Okay, he knew that Little Miss Witch wasn't on the up and up about herself and that she had always scared him a little. But, that girl was seriously powerful and shit, like scary powerful. Yet, she had used that power to bring back his lover from the dead. No matter what, he would always be in her debt and on her side. He felt as if that vampire should watch his Ps and Qs or he just might find out if there was a dark side to her power.

Lafayette carried a bouquet of deep, dark red roses that were almost black to the eye. Payton has been insistent on them as well. The cemetery was dark, but the rustlings of night creatures could be heard and Lafayette quickened his pace. For as long as Bon Temps had been a town, the people who called this place home had buried their dead here. Who's to say that there wasn't a ghost or two roaming through the gravestones, thought Lafayette. People claimed that in the dead of night things moved in the shadows that were no longer living.

At last, he stood before a fresh grave and laid the roses down upon it. Jesus Velasquez was written upon a temporary grave marker at the head of the grave. As Lafayette bowed his head, he caught a flicker of movement out of the corner of his eye. He whirled around to face whatever it was that had been stalking him and saw the image of Marnie moving towards him. He started walking backwards and held out a hand against her.

"You're dead," he said, still edging backwards.

"Nothing seems to get by you," said Marnie with a smile. "But, all in all, death has been a rather liberating experience."

"Why are you here?"

"You're a medium, Lafayette," said Marnie. "I intend to inhabit you. Think of it as a symbiotic relationship."

"My ass, you killed Jesus, bitch," replied Lafayette.

"That was an accident," said Marnie. "Surely, you can't hold that against me."

"Think again," called out a voice from behind Lafayette.

Payton appeared from the shadows and moved beside Lafayette. Marnie stared at her and a slight frown of apprehension creased her brow. But, she felt secure that Payton could not harm her in this state. After all, she was already dead. What could that little freak do to her?

"We meet again, it seems, demoness," said Marnie.

"Why do you insist on calling me that?" asked Payton.

"I see you and I see what lies at your core; a coiling, twisting monster of reptilian scales with eyes of fire," said Marnie.

Lafayette passed a quick glance at Payton and resisted the urge to move away from her. Payton simply smiled and said, "Now, a witch should be gifted with more enlightenment than that. I have received a great gift of magic and power from that so-called monster."

"Those things weren't always so noble," said Marnie.

"They were neither good nor bad, they were a force unto themselves," replied Payton.

"As you will be?" asked Marnie.

"My path is no longer your concern," said Payton.

"Oh, I think it is," replied Marnie. "After I take Lafayette, then I will deal with you. Your powers will make a nice addition to my collection and I do think that you deserve a little payback."

"Your own actions decided your fate," said Payton. "You are no more evolved in death than you were in life."

"You can't stop me," said Marnie. "I'm a spirit, now. I have been released from those physical restraints that held me back."

"Spirits are still subject to rules, Marnie," said Payton. "I intend to show you that."

Payton lifted her hand and a breeze began to blow. It lifted the leaves from the ground and revealed an intricate pattern that was drawn in white. It encircled Marnie and she realized that Payton had set a trap for her and she had walked blindly into it. Marnie's eyes widened as she looked down and turned in a circle. She was not familiar with this spell nor was she with the curious symbols that were drawn around the edge of the circle.

"What is this?" she demanded. "And what are those markings?"

"It's a containment spell," replied Payton. "The markings are dragon's speak. A forgotten language passed down through my family."

Marnie panicked and moved to the edge of the circle. As she tried to cross over the boundary, a brilliant flash of light repelled her. She cried out and moved to another section. But, again she was thrown back inside the circle. She turned back to Payton and, now, her eyes were shadowed with fear.

"I have agonized about what to do with you," said Payton. "But, I chose to listen to the wise words of an old friend of yours."

Another figure moved from the trees and Marnie turned to look. A look of astonishment came over her face as she watched Jesus move to Payton and Lafayette.

"How is this possible?" she asked. "You're dead."

Jesus looked on Marnie without anger or hate. A look of wonder came into his eyes as he remembered his brief moment of death.

"I was dead," he said. "But, Payton brought me back and returned me to the man that I love."

"Necromancer," hissed Marnie to Payton. "You are knowledgeable in the dark arts, sorceress."

"I have a knowledge of many things," replied Payton. "But, there was no dark magic in returning a lost soul back to where he belongs. Your magic cut short his life and that is the only black magic I see."

"And the demon attached to him?" asked Marnie.

"He's gone," said Jesus. "At my death, I was freed of his influence. Payton brought only me back."

"It makes you weaker, now," said Marnie.

"I don't see it that way," said Jesus.

"Despite what you have done to him, Jesus thinks that you don't deserve to be destroyed and that doing such a thing would taint all of us with a stain that could never be washed away," said Payton.

"And, you're lucky that I didn't have the deciding vote, Bitch," said Lafayette. "Because I would have sent your mother-f*cking soul to oblivion."

Jesus reached out and took Lafayette's hand in his. "You can't hold onto all that hate, Lafayette. It's one thing that will follow you into the next world. I took your love with me and that is why I could hear your voice calling me back."

"Boyfriend, don't you get me all emotional and shit," said Lafayette with a smile. "You need to save that for later on when I can act on it."

Marnie rolled her eyes and said, "Can we dispense with the lovey-dovey talk?"

Payton focused her eyes on Marnie. "We have come up with a solution to keep you from causing any more harm," she said. "But, there is another that we must call forth."

Payton raised her arms and a ring of fire grew along the margin of the circle. She began to summon the last participant needed to complete the spell.

"Spirit of the dead, I summon thee

Antonia, breach the veil and come to me.

The night is dark and the witching hour is at hand

My power calls to you, between us let nothing stand."

Slowly, the apparition of Antonia appeared and grew more solid. She seemed to shine with a light that had turned her former tragic expression to one of inner peace. A small smile was on her knowing lips and Payton thought that she had never looked more beautiful than she did at this moment.

"What's she doing here?" asked Marnie with trepidation.

"Antonia will watch over you and guide you into the afterlife from now on," said Payton.

"You can't force me to go with her," said Marnie.

"That's where you're wrong," said Antonia. "You know so little about true power, Marnie. My eyes have been opened at last."

"I will bind your spirit and Antonia's together," said Payton. "She will be your teacher."

"You mean my jailor," hissed Marnie.

"It's all a matter of how you choose to look at it, I guess," said Payton.

"You can't do this to me," pleaded Marnie.

"I can and I will," said Payton. "My judgment is done."

"You don't have the right to pass judgment over me," cried Marnie.

"You gave me that right when you used your magic to try to harm me and those that I care about," replied Payton.

Payton looked to the others and said, "It's time."

She held out her hands to Lafayette and Jesus and they linked hands with each other. As the circle was completed, the flames around the circle transformed into a wall of bright light that shot up into the sky. As Payton began to recite the words of her spell, Antonia moved inside the circle.

"Three, do we stand united together

Three, we have taken each other's measure

Three, our magic is bound as one

Three times three, our power can't be undone

By our power of three, we bind Marnie's soul

Broken and twisted it is, but we shall make it whole

Antonia and Marnie, together, do we bind

May wisdom and peace, do you find

Knowledge that this act be not unkind

Forever and a day and time out of mind

Journey forth together and look not behind."

The light died down and Antonia held out her hand to Marnie and said, "It will be alright. This world is for the living."

"But, I'm not ready to go," said Marnie.

"You're as ready as anyone ever is," said Antonia. "Come, we shall linger here no more."

Marnie reluctantly placed her hand in Antonia's. Antonia turned to Payton, Lafayette and Jesus.

"Goodbye and thank you for showing me the way," said Antonia. "We shall not see each other again, at least, not in this world."

With that she and Marnie faded from sight. Lafayette said, "That bitch is gone, right?"

"She won't be coming back," said Payton.

"Then, I want to go home and show my man some good lovin'," said Lafayette. "Are you up for that, Lover?"

"Oh, yeah," replied Jesus.

He stepped to Payton and hugged her. He softly whispered in her ear, "Thank you for letting me stay with my Lafayette."

He kissed her on the cheek and turned back to Lafayette. Hand in hand, they walked away and Payton watched them fade into the shadows.

II

It was then that Payton heard a sound of rushing air. She turned to see Eric standing in the cemetery. That was certainly quick and she had asked him to stay away. She wondered what he had witnessed. And, she wondered if he could be completely trusted. His entire demeanor was changed, she thought, as she looked upon him. That lost little boy vampire was carefully hidden away and it's place was a vampire that knew how powerful he was. There could be no bargain struck with the vampire who had sought shelter with her. Payton had always known that and it kept her from doing something that she might regret, even if she had sorely tempted her otherwise. Their relationship was not complicated by the bindings of sex. There was still the matter of his blood between them, but Payton felt it was a fair exchange for flowing within his veins was hers. The blood of the dragon resided in him and he might be the only vampire ever chosen for such an honor. The blood had not rejected him and had instead chosen to work it's magic over him.

"You got here very quickly," said Payton.

"I admit to being concerned," said Eric.

He walked forward and gazed down at her. She stared up into those eyes that seemed to have the power to draw her inside of them. She wondered if she was a little susceptible to his glamour.

"Marnie and Antonia won't be coming back," said Payton.

"All's well that ends well," replied Eric.

"That seems rather flippant," replied Payton. "Were you not worried about me?"

"You are more powerful than Marnie," said Eric. "It really wasn't much a fair fight. I am more worried about other vampires than a dead spirit."

"What do you mean?"

"Your powers have been noticed," said Eric. "It will take all my skills and cunning to keep you safe."

"I'm not defenseless," said Payton.

Eric tucked a wayward strand of hair behind her ear. "But, you must outwardly appear to be. Just as you must appear to be under my control," he said.

His fingers trailed through her hair and he said, "I promised to protect you as you protected me when I was vulnerable."

His fingers moved to her cheek and Payton could feel their warmth on her skin. She closed her eyes and felt his soft lips on hers. She wanted to say that it was just his blood inside her that wanted him. But, she knew that wasn't the truth. She had always found him attractive from that first moment that he had shown up at her back door in Hotshot. He stopped kissing her and stayed with his forehead touching hers. It was an intimate gesture and his words surprised her.

"You've done something to me," he said. "A part of me is afraid of the power that you have."

He moved and kissed her cheek and said softly in her ear, "But, another part of me won't listen to reason and wants only to be with you."

Payton reached up and caressed Eric, sliding her fingers down his hair and cupping his jaw in her hands. "I feel the same way about you. We are linked together by respect and friendship, and by magic."

"What will your magic do to me?" asked Eric.

"I didn't know the first time that you drank from me what the outcome would be or I would not have offered it to you without a warning," said Payton. "You took into yourself more than just my blood. You have taken in the very essence from which my magic springs from."

"What does that mean?" asked Eric.

"The magic is different for everyone," said Payton. "You are the first vampire touched by the dragon's magic."

"Will I sprout wings and breathe fire?" asked Eric with a smile.

Payton giggled and said, "That would be a sight to see. I think that I would pay money to see that."

"Are you telling me everything?" asked Eric.

"There is always a price," said Payton. She caressed him and said, "But, I would not harm you and neither would my magic."

She touched his warm skin and said, "Something wonderful is happening to you. It is a great gift, don't be afraid."

Eric wrapped his arms around her and said, "I don't care if you have put a spell over me or not." His lips eagerly sought hers and they seemed hot as molten fire. "Make love with me," he said when he stopped so that Payton could breathe.

Payton stepped away and hesitantly held out her hand. As Eric slipped his fingers inside hers, she turned and led him into the forest. Farther and farther, they went into the darkness as Payton sought to distance them from the cemetery and the death that it held. Finally, she reached a spot on a grassy meadow that was bordered by a tall, majestic oak tree and a delicate willow. It was a spot of symbolism and magic. For the oak was long revered by Druids, Celts and Norse and was sacred to ancient Greeks. It was also closely associated with both Zeus and the Norse god Thor, the God of Thunder, due to the habit of oaks being struck by lightning. The mightiest of all trees, this oak would provide shelter, she thought.

But the willow was a tree of love, dreaming and inspiration. This tree was known as the tree of enchantment. It symbolized feminine energy and was held to be just as sacred as the mighty oak by many. Sometimes, it was called the tree of immortality, as well, due to its fertility.

There, she pulled Eric to her and gave into her desires that she had kept under rein. This was the true Eric, both sides of his nature joined together. The side that had attracted her to him and the side of him that she had fallen in love with. He was beautiful in the moonlight, like a pale statue of marble. Yet, his flesh was warm beneath her fingers. As he moved over her, she felt a moment of uneasiness, but he moved slowly as he entered her and her body yielded to him in the most delightful way. He propped his weight up off her and stared down into her eyes as he moved within her.

"This is the beginning," he said.

There in a forest brimming with life, a dragon and a vampire coupled with each other. Payton reached up and hungrily kissed his lips and her hands roved over this body of godlike proportions. He was giving himself to her, just as she was to him. She no longer cared if the blood that had been shared between them was part of the cause. They were both creatures of magic and, though they were different, they seemed to compliment each other and find common ground. Payton closed her eyes and just enjoyed the sensations that were better than any of her visions ever had been.

As Eric rolled her on top, Payton moved with his movements. He gazed up at her as she moved astride him. Her eyes were closed in bliss and her lips parted. Her soft breath and moans of pleasure were like music to his ears. He touched her soft skin and felt that she had been made just for him. For a brief second, her shape seemed to waver and he saw a vision of scales underneath his hands. Yet, his fingers only tightened on her silken flesh. Together, they made love until the dawn gave warning of it's impending rising by the lightening of the sky. He had held himself back, wanting only to give pleasure to her. But, now, he felt his own needs demanding his attention. Moving with a vigor of purpose, he moved forcefully to seal this bond between them. As she had done numerous times already, Payton came quickly again and clutched him tightly within her arms. Not caring of the risks anymore, Eric dropped his fangs and tasted her exotic blood. The mere taste of it on his tongue sent Eric into a higher level of ecstasy and he teetered on the edge for a long agonizing moment that seemed to last forever in the beat of Payton's heart that he could feel in her blood. Suddenly, he fell over the edge and came with her name on his lips. He shuddered into her, still wanting to stay within her. His seed felt hot as it was expelled from his body and that sensation that hadn't happened since his human life caused him to gasp and sent him into another orgasm. He lay for a few moments between her legs and tried to regain some semblance of his former self, but she had seemed to strip everything else away from him and he felt exposed before her. It was then that her gentle hands moved to caress him and he rested his head against her chest and listened to her heartbeat.

"My vampire, no one else could make love to me like that," she whispered, as her hands ran through his hair.

He moved and gave her a sweet, long kiss and moved to get up. "I have to go," he said, as he gazed at the sky that promised the sun's arrival. "I do have limitations."

Payton grasped his hand and said, "You have drank the blood of a dragon. Your most fervent wish has been granted to you. Fire cannot kill a dragon."

"What do you mean?"

"The sun is only a ball of fire in the sky," said Payton. "My magic protects, now."

She pulled him close and kissed him. "Do not be afraid, this is what has been happening to you."

Eric paused as every instinct within in him screamed for him to run and hide from the sunlight that was moving ever closer to cresting the horizon. He was a vampire and for a thousand years he had hidden from the rays of the sun. To look upon the sun again was death, a painful death of burning under it's light. It was one of his few weaknesses. Payton sat up and turned his face back to her. She intertwined his hand with hers.

"Trust me," she said. "I would not risk harming you."

She held his hand and the sun rose over the horizon. Eric shielded his eyes with his other hand. For centuries, he had only known darkness and shadows and he had lived his life in between the setting and rising of the sun. His eyes were unaccustomed to such brightness and they hurt even with his eyes squeezed shut. He felt the sunlight touch his skin and slowly he opened his eyes to gaze in wonder. Through half-open eyes, he saw the glow of the sun on his skin and he smiled. He turned to look at his miracle and she still held his hand clasped within hers.

"You look even more beautiful in the sunlight," she said.

"I want to make love to you again in this sunlight," he said.

"You'll get no complaints out of me about that," replied Payton with a smile.

Eric pulled her close and they once again began to touch each other with a familiarity. They now knew what the other one liked and it was like reading an old favorite book all over again. With the sunlight shining on Eric's body, Payton drew her vampire lover closer and made love to him once more in the golden light of morning.

A/N: Some symbolism with trees and roses in this chapter. Black roses symbolize death, but also farewell, rejuvenation or rebirth. I went over the meaning of the oak and willow in the chapter which sort of represented Eric and Payton's joining together.

I pretty much always intended for Eric and Payton to be together. I just thought that it needed to be all of Eric that she fell in love with. I think that they are a great compliment to each other. He had strength and she has many powers, but also the wisdom to use them wisely. She has to potential to become his confidant and a trusted friend, along with a hot lover between the sheets. She has given him a priceless gift and made him more powerful than ever. The dragon's blood has changed him to make him a compatible mate for Payton. Perhaps, a hundred other vampires could have tasted her blood and felt nothing. But, like Payton said, he was deemed worthy and the magic decided to touch him.

But, magic has a way to getting what it wants. Payton may have chosen a vampire, but there is that pesky price to pay. Who's to say what magic can do when it sets its mind to it. And is this the end of this story?

I almost forgot to add that dragons and Vikings had a connection. They often decorated the prow of the long ships with a representation of a dragon. And, when we first saw Eric in season one, episode four, he was wearing a belt buckle that was a dragon devouring it's on tail, much like the talisman that Payton wears around her neck. I didn't notice that until I recently rewatched that episode.