Chapter 14

Carnage at the Nest

Darcie arrived at Godric's nest with Mr. Turner and Jason. Eric had insisted that they come. He had called her at the hotel and she had not seen him since the events at the Fellowship's church. She found the home filled with vampires and their human companions and guests. It was a party type atmosphere with drinks and people mixing and talking. They found a small sofa out of the way and she sat down. Mr. Turner stepped away to get them some drinks and Jason decided to pay his respects to Godric. Darcie looked at the long line of humans and vampires waiting their turn to offer him well wishes. But, as Darcie stared at Godric who was sitting in a chair, it seemed that no one said anything that lifted his spirits. She could feel the sadness or apathy that seemed to come off him in waves. He looked like a young man or boy, yet his eyes had the look of an old man who has seen too many unpleasant things in his life.

Jason stepped up to Godric and said, "I just wanted to say I'm real sorry for what the Fellowship put you through."

Godric stared at him in silence and Jason gave an embarrassed little shrug and made to move away.

"You helped tonight by trying to stop the violence, Mr. Stackhouse," said Godric. "Please know that you have friends in this area whenever you visit."

"Thanks, man, but I don't know if I'll be wanting to come back any time soon," said Jason.

Jason stepped away and rounded a corner and found himself face to face with Eric Northman.

"Hail, the conquering hero," said Eric, with sarcasm which Jason did not pick up on.

"Now, I'm no hero," said Jason.

"You are in this town. But, in my area we know you well as a buyer and user of vampire blood. That's a very grave offense," said Eric.

"Yeah, listen, I don't do that anymore," said Jason.

"And let's not forget your hand in my capture and the fact that you were willing to leave me to the mercy of your friends until Darcie arrived. I won't ever forget that, Jason Stackhouse. You're lucky that you're Darcie's cousin. But, being her cousin is only going to get you so far. I am watching you and you would be smart to not do anything else that brings you to my attention again. Do you understand me?" said Eric.

"Yeah, I got it," said Jason.

"Good boy, now run along," said Eric.

Mr. Turner sat back down next to Darcie and handed her a glass of champagne. He had one for himself and had brought back a bottle of beer as well. As Darcie sipped her drink, she took in Mr. Turner's appearance. He was wearing well-fitting black jeans paired with an emerald green shirt that matched his pretty eyes. A tailored black blazer topped everything off along with exceptionally stylish shoes. She had never seen him so casually dressed and the effect made him look much younger. Jason rejoined them and Darcie turned her eyes to him. He was wearing a Bon Temps athletic tee shirt paired with blue jeans. Darcie smiled to herself and thought that Jason certainly had his charm, but maybe, she should take him shopping before they left for home.

Mr. Turner motioned to the beer and Jason picked it up and took a sip.

"Hey, thanks," said Jason. "How did you guess that I would want a beer instead of the wine or champagne?"

"Lucky guess," said Mr. Turner, eyeing Jason closely.

Darcie could not detect a trace of sarcasm and she was listening for it.

"So, you're a real honest to God butler?" asked Jason.

"That's correct," said Mr. Turner.

"You're just not the way I pictured an English butler," said Jason.

"Funny, you are exactly the way that I pictured you," said Mr. Turner, with the tiniest of smiles on his lips.

"Really?" said Jason.

Darcie subtly elbowed Mr. Turner and said, "Excuse us for a moment, Jason. Mr. Turner and I have, ah, butler things to discuss."

"Oh, sure," said Jason, who got up and wandered off.

Once he was out of earshot, Darcie said, "Stop being such a snob, Mr. Turner."

"I thought that my manners were impeccable," said Mr. Turner.

"Your meanings were clear," said Darcie.

"Only to you, Kitten," said Mr. Turner, with a smile. "He really isn't too bright, is he? I can't wait to meet this Sookie."

"You will mind your manners, Mr. Turner, or no Christmas bonus," said Darcie, returning his smile. "Besides, all the members of this family are going to get along and that includes you, too."

"Me?" said Mr. Turner.

Darcie looked at him and said, "You're my family too, Mr. Turner. My closest."

"I must say, Miss Stackhouse, that coming to America has made you so much more sentimental," said Mr. Turner.

"Don't look on it as a weakness," said Darcie. "I can still dish it out."

"I wouldn't have it any other way," said Mr. Turner.

Godric had adjourned to another room for some privacy and Eric came to him and knelt beside his chair.

"I've arranged for an AB negative human for you, extremely rare," said Eric.

"Thank you. I'm not hungry," said Godric.

"You have to feed eventually. I doubt the Fellowship had anything to offer," said Eric.

When Godric remained silent, Eric asked, "Why didn't you try to escape from them?"

"They didn't treat me badly. You'd be surprised at how ordinary most of them are," replied Godric.

"They do nothing but fan the flames of hatred for us," said Eric.

"Let's be honest, we are frightening. After thousands of years, we have not evolved. We've only grown more brutal, more predatory. I don't see the dangers in treating humans as equals. The Fellowship of the Sun arose because we never did," said Godric.

"Is that why you wouldn't fight back when they took you?" asked Eric.

"I could have killed every last one of them within minutes. And what would that have proven?" replied Godric.

Eric gazed at his maker in silence.

A small smile found it's way to Godric's face and he said, "I would like to meet this Darcie. She risked her life for you, perhaps it is a sign that we can coexist, after all."

Eric left Godric's side and went to look for Darcie. He found her sitting with Mr. Turner. As he approached them, he was struck by the fact that they both had green eyes. Mr. Turner also had that unemotional stare down pat. Eric had been able to see part of Mr. Turner's feats as he protected Darcie in the church. He was sure that her butler or bodyguard had been holding back and that he was much more deadly than he appeared. It would be wise of him to remember that, thought Eric.

"Godric would like to meet you," said Eric to Darcie.

He gazed at her and saw that she had changed out of that crazy stripper outfit. The sight of her dressed like that and facing down the Reverend Newlin would have caused a chuckle if he had not been otherwise occupied. She was now wearing snug jeans that were tucked into boots, regular boots, and a frilly top that exposed her creamy shoulders.

Darcie stood up and walked with Eric to Godric, but, before she passed out of the room, she turned back to gaze at Mr. Turner. She saw a pretty female vampire move in and take the seat that she had just vacated. She was slightly surprised to see the cool Mr. Turner turn on the charm and flirt with pretty vampire. With a smile, she turned away and followed Eric.

Eric was surprised when Godric stood up to greet Darcie.

"I wanted to thank you, personally, for trying to stop the violence," said Godric. "And for risking your life for my child."

"Thank you, but it was nothing, really," said Darcie.

"Not to me," said Godric.

It seemed to Eric that Godric and Darcie stared at each other for a long time without speaking.

"You are not what I expected," said Darcie.

"Is that something good?" asked Godric, curious.

"Yes, it is," said Darcie.

"You are not what I expected either," said Godric. "I would not have expected Eric to choose someone like you as a companion."

"Oh, I'm hardly his companion," said Darcie, her eyes passing to Eric. "I'm just a curious, little bug to him that he has trapped in a jar and found too interesting and pretty to let loose."

Godric stared at Eric for a moment.

"Now, that does sound like Eric," said Godric, with a tiny smile. "You seem to understand him very well."

"I wouldn't say that," said Darcie.

"I think I like you, Darcie Stackhouse," said Godric.

"I'm flattered, of course," said Darcie. "Perhaps, we might get to know one another better."

Eric noticed that a look of sadness came over Godric's features at that comment.

But, his maker only replied, "Perhaps."

Eric took her arm and led her away from Godric who watched them.

He took her into a quiet room and, at a look from him, the couple that was in there left.

"I haven't properly thanked you for trying to rescue me," he said, his hand caressing her arm.

He looked into her eyes and added, "Why did you?"

"What do you mean?" asked Darcie.

"You are more than smart enough to realize that you would be free of any entanglements with me if I were to meet the true death," said Eric.

"Just because I know that doesn't mean that I would wish harm on you," said Darcie.

"Why do I deserve such mercy?" asked Eric.

"You don't," said Darcie. "But, it's not my nature to withhold it because you aren't worthy."

"Don't you like me, just a little, Darcie Stackhouse," said Eric.

He gently lifted her chin and said, "Because I like you."

He leaned in and kissed her on the cheek and moved to her ear, whispering, "I like you very much."

Eric moved back to gaze at her and said, "And I'm positive that you like me, even if you are too stubborn to admit it."

"Are you playing me or distracting me, now?" asked Darcie.

"Maybe, I'm speaking the truth," said Eric. "I do that every once in a while."

"There's a problem with that," said Darcie. "You are so devious, when can I be sure if you really telling me the truth?"

"Perhaps, you need more examples of this behavior in order to make up your mind," said Eric.

"You mean like a scientific experiment?" asked Darcie.

"Something like that," said Eric.

He leaned and kissed Darcie, a sweet kiss. He stopped and Darcie took his jaw in her hand and then pulled him back to her lips. She then kissed him back as his hands found her shoulders.

As he began to pull her into him, she pushed him away and said, "We're in trouble."

She moved away from him and returned to the common room with Eric right behind her.

When they arrived, they saw Hugo standing in front of Isabel.

"Where have you been?" asked Isabel.

"Do you really care?" asked Hugo.

"Of course, I do. What's wrong with you?" said Isabel.

"Maybe, I'm just tired of loving you more than you love me," said Hugo.

"What are you talking about? And this isn't the time or the place," said Isabel.

"It's the perfect time and the perfect place. I gave up everything to be with you; my job, my family and my self-respect," said Hugo. "And still it was never enough for you. All I wanted was to be with you forever. But, you refuse to even discuss turning me."

"Hugo, you don't understand," said Isabel.

"I understand that you don't love me enough to want to be with me forever. That you'll move on to some other human when I become old and frail. You only proved right everything that they said about vampires. That you only wanted to use me, use me until I was all used up, and then move onto another victim. That's why I decided to betray you to the Fellowship," said Hugo.

"Hugo, this is very serious. What are you saying?" asked Isabel.

"It was me who was feeding the Fellowship information. I told them where Godric was and how to trap him," said Hugo.

At this admission, several vampires brought out their fangs and stood up.

"Sit down, now," said Hugo. "Or, I'll blow you all to Kingdom Come."

Hugo opened his jacket and revealed a vest underneath covered in silver chains, silver bullets and a bomb. He held the detonator in his hand.

Darcie gasped and moved to Hugo, but Eric grabbed her and held her back.

Hugo looked at Isabel, who was now crying, and said, "If we can't live together forever, then we will die together, right now."

"Let me go, I can stop him," Darcie said, struggling in Eric's arms.

"No," said Eric.

And that was all he had time to say because Hugo pressed the button and the bomb went off with a deafening explosion.

Darcie was thrown back and to the floor. Something heavy was pinning her down. She coughed and rubbed the dirt out of eyes. She pushed against what was holding her down and found it to be both hard and soft. As the dust settled, she saw that Eric was draped across her. She pushed harder against him, trying to free herself. Finally, she lifted him up enough so that she could wiggle out from under him. Her eyes searched the room and she saw a scene of total carnage and destruction. Blood and gore littered the floor and walls and humans and vampires groaned in pain where they had fallen. Darcie's eyes searched for Mr. Turner and Jason. Mr. Turner rose up from behind the sofa that he had been sitting on along with the pretty vampire. He must have pulled them both behind it before the blast went off. The vampire was still in shock, but she hugged Mr. Turner and began to sob. Mr. Turner put his arm around her and comforted her. Seeing that Mr. Turner was alright, Darcie scanned the room for Jason and called out his name.

He appeared from behind the wall of stone that had been the fireplace and Darcie gave a sigh of relief. She turned back to Eric, surprised that he had not healed and recovered. She brushed the dust off his face and shook him.

"Eric, are you alright?" she said.

When he didn't respond, Darcie shouted, "Help!"

Eric's hand loosely gripped her hand and Darcie turned her eyes back down to him.

"I protected you," he said.

"Yes, but why aren't you healing?" asked Darcie.

"Silver bullets, they have to come out," said Eric.

"I'll go get Godric," said Darcie who began to stand up.

"You can do it," said Eric, weakly.

"How?" said Darcie.

"Suck them out," said Eric.

"Ew," said Darcie, making a face.

Eric looked weaker and his hand slid to the floor.

"Bloody hell," said Darcie.

Darcie pulled his shirt down and saw the two bullet holes. She reached into her boot and pulled out a switchblade and, with a flick of her thumb, extended the blade.

"Don't move," she said.

She inserted the blade into one of the bullet holes and began digging for the bullet.

"Ow, that hurts," said Eric.

"Hold still, you big baby," said Darcie.

She continued to probe the wound with the blade, as Eric groaned in pain, until she dug it out. The silver bullet tinkled across the floor as Darcie sent it flying with a flick of her wrist. Eric made to get up, but Darcie forced him back down.

"Not so fast, there's still another one," Darcie said.

She began working on the other bullet hole.

"Ow, you are intentionally hurting me," said Eric.

"Nonsense, quit whining and don't move," said Darcie. "This one is deeper, that's all."

Darcie quickly found it and removed it and she watched Eric's wounds heal in fascination. She wiped her blade on his tee shirt.

She grinned at him and said, "The switchblade, the multipurpose tool that no sensible girl should leave home without."

"I'm not going to even ask where you got that or how you know how to use it," said Eric.

Eric got up and took in the scene. It was at that time that he saw humans with crossbows standing where the patio doors used to be. He moved in a flash and grabbed one as the others fled.

"I know you," he said to the human with his fangs at his throat.

"Wait, don't kill him," said Darcie who had followed him outside.

"He hardly deserves any mercy," said Eric.

"And I'm not suggesting that he receive any," said Darcie.

Eric looked at her in curiosity.

"Call the police and give him to them. You will have proof of Newlin's terrorism," said Darcie.

Darcie reached out her hand and touched Eric, saying, "You can kill him, now, in revenge. Or, you can let him live and use him to defeat your enemy."

Eric was impressed at Darcie's cunning and ruthlessness. And she was right. Instead of always being portrayed as the villains, vampires would be seen as the victims of a vicious attack. Newlin would be lose any credibility that he might have with all except for the extremists like himself. He retracted his fangs and Darcie gave him a smile.

"I won't betray Reverend Newlin," said Luke.

Darcie turned her eyes to him and said, "Yes, you will."