A/N: There are more at the end of the chapter. This is the last of Maryann. Since, I found her so boring, I included a little more alone time for Darcie and Eric.
Chapter Seventeen
While Jason napped during the next morning, Darcie spoke with Mr. Turner.
"Are you sure that you don't know any more details about this maenad creature?" asked Darcie.
"Yes, Miss Stackhouse," said Mr. Turner.
"So formal," said Darcie. "Why do I get the impression that you aren't telling me the truth?"
"I have no idea," said Mr. Turner. "But, you seem to be much less trusting since you began working for that vampire."
Mr. Turner moved to the living room window and checked outside. Darcie followed him and placed her hand on his arm.
"Mr. Turner, I've known you long enough to know when you are being less than forthcoming," said Darcie.
Mr. Turner looked at her and said, "I want us to go back home. Every since you have come here, seeking out these cousins, nothing but misfortune has happened. You've been almost killed and blackmailed into service by a vampire. A vampire under who's spell you fall more deeply every day. There has to be a point where you cut your losses and run away."
"Is that one of the lessons that you taught me? How to be a coward?" asked Darcie.
"No, but I did teach you how to think with your head and not your heart," said Mr. Turner.
"What would I become if I didn't have a heart, Mr. Turner?" asked Darcie. "Is that why you watch over me? To keep me from becoming a monster?"
Mr. Turner's cool expression softened for a moment and he said, "I watch over you because I love you and to keep you out of harm's way."
"I hate to tell you, Mr. Turner, but you've been failing miserably at keeping me out of trouble," said Darcie.
"You aren't going to fire me, are you?" asked Mr. Turner with a smile.
"Well, it's so hard these days to find good help, so I guess that I'm stuck with you," said Darcie, returning the smile.
Darcie stepped to Mr. Turner and hugged him.
"Now, will you tell me what you know about these maenad creatures?" said Darcie.
"I can't believe that I fell for that," said Mr. Turner, holding her at arm's length.
"Oh, Mr. Turner, you know that I wasn't pretending," said Darcie.
She kissed him on the cheek and said, "But, you are slipping, old chap."
"According to Greek mythology, the maenads were handmaidens of Dionysus," said Mr. Turner.
"What does she want here?" asked Darcie.
"This Sam Merlott," said Mr. Turner. "Is there something odd about him?"
"He's a shifter," said Darcie. "I could tell that about him when I met him."
"Maenads are rather nasty things. But, they are still bound by ritual, evidently this Sam is needed for some ceremony, perhaps a summoning of Dionysus," said Mr. Turner.
"Will that work?" asked Darcie.
"No, but that won't keep her from trying," said Mr. Turner.
"Is there a way to kill her?" asked Darcie.
"She is quite indestructible," said Mr. Turner, who didn't add anymore.
"I know that look," said Darcie.
"My advice is to get in the car and put this town and everything in it in our rear view mirror," said Mr. Turner.
"Not an option," said Darcie. "She believes in the magic of her god. Can she be tricked?"
"Perhaps, but if it fails, she will kill you," said Mr. Turner. "And even I could not stop her."
"You forget that my family did have a taste for the unusual, as Maryann was able to detect," said Darcie with a smirk. "Lots of interesting things were mixed together. Including some genes from a rather naughty creature that liked having his way with some of my ancestors."
"That creature is also probably responsible for eccentricity or craziness in this family, if you ask me," said Mr. Turner.
"Well, he is somewhat of a rogue, touched by the divine is a polite way of saying crazy," said Darcie.
When Jason woke up, they drove to Merlott's and looked for Sam. His cooperations would be needed if their plan was to work.
They found him inside with two children. As Darcie stared at the children, she saw that they were dirty and obviously hungry. And, no doubt, abandoned by their mother who was probably at Sookie's house under the sway of Maryann. This maenad was an insult against the natural law.
The adults moved away from the children to keep from frightening them any more than they already were.
"We have a plan and we need your help," said Darcie.
"Shouldn't you call your boyfriend or Bill," said Sam.
"Vampires can't defeat this maenad," said Darcie. "And Bill was almost killed trying."
"Then, what makes you so sure that you can," said Sam.
"Strength can't defeat her, but cunning can," said Darcie.
"I would have already given myself to her if I thought that she would go away and leave everyone else alone," said Sam.
"Maryann is not going to leave here until she has had her fun and destroyed this town," said Darcie.
"If I run away, she might leave and follow me," said Sam.
"Maybe, or she might be so mad that she will drive the people even more crazy than they already are. Do you have any idea what feats of cruelty a maenad is capable of?" said Darcie.
A pained expression came into Sam's eyes and he said, "What is your plan?"
Bill was stuck playing Yahtzee with the Queen. They were seated at a small table in the Queen's dayroom. It had a long indoor pool and was decorated in a beach motif. There were lights in the ceiling and at the windows to simulate sunlight. The Queen's two favored humans, Hadley and Lutis were also present.
"Please, Your Majesty, if you have told me everything about maenads," said Bill, "I beg your leave to return to Bon Temps."
Bill got up and headed for the door.
"Maenads are sad, silly things," said the Queen. "The world changed centuries ago and they're still waiting for the god who comes."
"Does he ever come?" asked Bill.
"Of course not. Gods never actually show up. They only exist in human minds like money and morality," said the Queen.
"If I can't kill her, how do I get her to leave Bon Temps?" asked Bill.
"She has to believe that she has successfully summoned forth Dionysus, in hopes that he will ravish her and quite literally devour her until she is lost into oblivion."
"So she seeks death, the true death," said Bill. "The one thing that she has evolved beyond."
"Ironic, isn't it," said the Queen. "You know they're really not that smart, these maenads."
"So how does she summon this nonexistent god or hers?" asked Bill.
"I never said he was nonexistent. I said that he never comes," said the Queen. "She believes that if she finds the perfect vessel, sacrifices and devours part of him or her while surrounded by the magic of her familiars, the mad god will appear. At that point when she willingly surrenders herself to him-"
"That's the point that she can be killed," said Bill.
"Who's the smartest boy in the class," said the Queen.
"This perfect vessel, would it be human?" asked Bill.
"They prefer supernatural beings. The two-natured such as shifters and weres," said the Queen. "Anything with a beating heart."
"Thank you, Your Majesty," said Bill.
"Enjoy your restricted diet," said the Queen.
The Queen stared pointedly at Bill and said, "I do look forward to meeting her."
Bill slightly frowned and bowed, leaving her presence.
It was twilight when Darcie headed down the driveway to Sookie's house. She was wearing a white dress and had a garland of white flowers in her hair. As she walked, she thought that now was as good a time as any since the boundary between day and night had a magic of its own. The drums were still playing incessantly and she could see several people still dancing around the sculpture. There were others still drinking and even having sex with each other on Sookie's lawn. When she reached the house, she stopped and for a moment collected her thoughts. This was exceedingly dangerous. If it failed, Maryann would take out her wrath on her and Mr. Turner. Yet, for how many centuries had this creature been leaving a path of destruction in her wake? How many lives had she already destroyed? A part of Darcie was afraid of what she was going to attempt, for never had she even tried to cross this boundary before. Even now, she would need the help of Sookie to do it. Sookie, so like her and so different. Hopefully, Sookie would follow her lead and trust her.
"Maryann Forrester," called out Darcie.
Maryann appeared on the porch of Sookie's house. She was wearing a white satin wedding dress and a wreath of flowers and vines adorned her head. Several women and Lafayette flanked her and they all wore white flowing dresses. Lafayette held Sookie's arm and she was also dressed as one of Maryann's handmaidens.
"Oh, you're alone. I expected more from you," said Maryann.
"I promise that I won't disappoint you," said Darcie. "But, I want my cousin first before I deliver my tribute to you."
"And why should I trust you?" asked Maryann.
"Because you know that I am more than human; perhaps, even touched by a divine hand, the same as you," said Darcie.
Maryann smiled and said, "Yes, I could tell that about you. Give her Sookie."
Lafayette pulled Sookie over to Darcie, as she said, "Darcie, what the hell are you doing?"
Inside her head, Sookie heard, Please just trust me, Sookie. I need your help in order for this to work.
Sookie stared at Darcie, but held her tongue. As Lafayette handed her over, Darcie gripped her hand tightly.
I have a plan. Follow my lead and concentrate on giving me your power. Let it flow into me and don't be afraid, said Darcie telepathically.
"Okay, my little kindred spirit," said Maryann. "You have what you want, now give me Sam Merlott."
Darcie faced back to the trees and called out, "Mr. Turner."
Out of the trees, stepped Mr. Turner holding a bound Sam. Sam appeared wearing a wreath of vines and was shirtless. His chest gleamed in the light from oil. Even though Mr. Turner was slight, he handled Sam easily in his iron grip.
"What's going on?" whispered Sookie, staring at the scene in confusion.
Concentrate, now more than ever, came Darcie's reply.
"Oh, my sweet vessel," said Maryann as she stepped to Sam.
As she reached out her hand to touch him, Darcie said, "Stop."
Maryann frowned and turned to Darcie who said, "My apologies, but he has been prepared, blessed and anointed with fragrant oils. To touch him now, would be to defile him."
"I knew that I could count on you," said Maryann with misty eyes.
Mr. Turner tied Sam down and turned and waited.
"My servant is also a better choice than your man for the wielding of the knife," said Darcie. "Surely, you can see how special he is."
"Yes, of course," said Maryann. "It's all so perfect. With you as my handmaiden, I know that it will work this time."
Maryann gazed at the crowd, her eyes aglow and said, "Let's call forth our god."
Tara placed a large egg inside the sculpture and Lafayette placed a bull's head on the top.
Lafayette said, once that was done, "God of the horns, worship him, bitches."
The crowd knelt and Maryann began to summon her god.
"Hail Dionysus, Bacchus, Bromios, Eleutherios, Dendrites. All these names are yours, our bull-horned god. Upon this occasion of our marriage, our offering symbolizes the rebirth of our god. When he was a child, the jealous titans ripped him to shreds, eating all but his heart. And this last piece was saved by his sister, Pallas Athena, who placed it into the womb of his mother so that he could be reborn," said Maryann.
Darcie's nose started to bleed and she quickly wiped the blood away with her free hand, lest that be seen by anyone else present. She gripped Sookie's hand almost painfully and closed her eyes briefly to summon more strength. She channeled Sookie's power with hers.
"Oh, Great Mother, soon you shall have the heart that will make your egg grow fertile and your son, our bull-horned god will come and stand in your place," said Maryann.
Maryann stopped and looked upon Sam.
"Oh, at last, at long, long last. He's yours my lord," said Maryann.
Another rivulet of blood came from Darcie's nose, but she was concentrating too much to wipe it away.
"You're lucky, Sam, it's everyone's wish to have their life mean something. So few ever get to realize it," said Maryann to Sam.
Mr. Turner took the ceremonial knife from Eggs and stepped to Sam and stabbed him in the chest.
"Bring me the blood," said Maryann.
Mr. Turner withdrew the knife as Sam twitched in his restraints. Sam's eyes began to roll up as Mr. Turner handed the knife to Maryann who touched the blood and smeared it onto her throat.
"Oh, yes, he is the vessel, my lord. He is the vessel that shall unite us," said Maryann.
Darcie began to tremble and a drop of blood began to seep from the corner of one of her eyes. She leaned slightly into Sookie and she helped keep her aloft. Darcie wiped at her face with her hand.
Just a little longer, Cousin, don't fail me, came Darcie's thoughts in Sookie's head.
Suddenly, down the driveway, walked a huge white bull.
"My lord," gasped Maryann. "My husband."
Maryann slowly walked to the bull. She stretched out her hand and touched it's velvet nose.
Darcie let go of Sookie's hand and turned her eyes to Mr. Turner. Sookie felt drained and swayed briefly on her feet. Sookie watched as Mr. Turner and Darcie walked down the driveway to Maryann.
"I'm here, my love. We're together at last," said Maryann.
Maryann stretched out her arms and said, "I surrender to you my lord, take me."
The bull dipped it's head and pawed at the ground. The bull suddenly gored her with his horn and Maryann clutched at the bull as the end of it's horn appeared from her back.
"My god, am I the one to be sacrificed? I'm happy to die. I'm yours," said Maryann.
The bull morphed back into Sam Merlott. Sam pulled his arm from Maryann and in his hand was clutched her black heart.
"Was there no god?" asked Maryann in disbelief.
Maryann looked in confusion from Sam to the sculpture and Darcie's vision began to dissolve. The body of the other Sam melted away.
"How?" asked Maryann.
"You were right about me being touched by the divine," said Darcie. "He has many names as well, but he is commonly called Trickster. And just like him, I have tricked you into your oblivion. Sam, it's time."
Sam crushed Maryann's black heart in his fist and she began to turn black and shriveled before them. A grotesque body fell dead to the ground before them.
It was then that both Bill and Eric arrived separately. Bill rushed to Sookie who hugged him. Eric walked up the driveway to Darcie.
Eric had consulted with Godric who had said that this maenad was probably immortal and beyond the abilities of vampires to harm. He had been planning to force Darcie to leave with him since he believed in this instance Mr. Turner would side with him. He had arrived to find that Darcie had ignored his wishes and took on the maenad. And somehow she had succeeded. He was sure the clever Darcie had matched wits with the maenad and won. Perhaps, it would be worth trying to get on Mr. Turner's good side if that was possible. Maybe the two of them could rein in Darcie and at least keep her from doing anything so foolish as this. For that was the problem with Darcie, she certainly had a mind of her own, thought Eric.
As he reached her, he saw the toll that battling the maenad had taken on her. She was weakened and pale. It looked like she had the human version of the bleeds. He didn't think that he would have to worry anytime soon about her repeating this feat. She was unsteady on her feet and just before she lost her balance, Eric moved quickly to her before Mr. Turner and caught her. He gently lowered her to the ground and looked down on her.
"This is not staying out of trouble," said Eric.
"It seemed like a good idea at the time," said Darcie with a smile.
Eric smiled and touched his finger to some of the blood on Darcie's face. He brought it to his lips and tasted it.
"Hey, that's cheating," said Darcie, trying to twist away.
"I have to take it where I can get it," said Eric. "Since, you have not been very good at honoring the conditions of our bargain."
"Are you alright?" asked Mr. Turner, with concern.
"Do you need my blood to recover?" asked Eric, moving his wrist to his lips.
"No," said Darcie and Mr. Turner simultaneously.
"I'm fine or I will be, shortly," said Darcie.
Eric smiled and said, "Not bad for a human or whatever you really are."
"I don't think that I will list maenad removal on my resume," said Darcie.
"You don't have to worry about preparing your resume since I plan on hanging onto you for a very long time, Darcie Stackhouse," said Eric.
Eric picked her in his arms and said to Mr. Turner, "Mr. Turner, lead the way to the car since it's time for us to depart this backwater town."
"Gladly," said Mr. Turner.
As Eric walked, carrying Darcie, he occasionally licked at her face.
"Stop that, it tickles," said Darcie.
"You have been holding back on me," said Eric. "It's a pity for you, anyway, that you didn't ask for a no biting clause. Because, you are entirely too tasty."
"I can quit, you know," said Darcie.
"What and leave me?" said Eric. "You would still be living that nice, quiet and boring life back in England if it wasn't for me. And let's not forget the fact that you find me irresistible."
"I do not," said Darcie. "Are all vampires delusional or is it just you?"
"I don't need my incredible vampire powers to know that you are lying about that," said Eric.
"I have boyfriends," said Darcie.
"You had boyfriends," said Eric. "Had."
"You can't always get your way, vampire," said Darcie.
"We'll see about that," said Eric with a smile.
During the drive back to Shreveport, Darcie had allowed herself to be held by him in the backseat. Normally, such close non-sexual contact was not something that he sought out. But, Darcie was different, of course. He wondered if the power to seduce was one of her powers since he realized how easy it would be to fall under her spell.
When they arrived to her new place, he saw that it was a modest but still large home on a quiet and lonely road. Mr. Turner got a couple of suitcases out of the trunk and Eric made to pick up Darcie again.
"I'm capable to walking now," said Darcie, pushing off his hands.
Eric said, "Suit yourself, since I know enough to let you have your way. At least, sometimes."
"And here I thought that you might not be trainable," said Darcie with a smile.
"With someone like you, you need to pick your battles," said Eric.
Darcie followed Mr. Turner inside and then turned back to look at Eric. She looked upon him for several moments.
"Come in," she said.
Eric walked inside and said, "For a moment there, I thought you weren't going to invite me in."
"For a moment there, I almost didn't," said Darcie.
Eric looked around and followed Darcie as she showed Mr. Turner his quarters. That done he picked up her bag and waited expectantly. Darcie reluctantly showed him the way upstairs to her room. It was a large room with vaulted ceilings and it opened up to a small balcony. It had a small sitting area and a large king size bed and was done in a modern style with oriental accents. The walls were a soft gray and the furniture was black. The comforter on the bed was a deep crimson, almost burgundy. Eric sat her suitcase down and hopped onto her bed.
He smirked at her and said, "King size, you were thinking of me, Darcie."
"Don't get too comfortable," said Darcie. "You're going to be leaving soon."
Eric pulled her down with him and said, "I see how you are. You want to have your way with me and then kick me out the door. That's cold."
She looked at him and said, "Isn't being cold and heartless something that you would understand? Besides, no one is having their way with anyone tonight."
Eric smiled a moment and then turned serious.
"I want you to be careful around Bill," said Eric. "I don't trust him."
Eric wondered if the time had come for Bill Compton to have an accident. If Darcie ever figured out that Bill had been the one to deliver her to him, Bill would kill her to keep her from telling Sookie. Plus, Eric did not like Bill knowing how powerful Darcie was.
"I don't like him," said Darcie.
"Isn't that because he is a vampire?" asked Eric.
"No, because I like you," said Darcie, looking at him.
He softly brushed her cheek with his fingertips, saying, "Careful, you might be sliding down a slippery slope. Let me see if I can nudge you a little farther along."
Eric leaned down to kissed her.
Darcie pushed him back and said, "I didn't say that I trusted you."
"The trust will come later," said Eric.
"You have blackmailed me, that is sort of a barrier to building trust," said Darcie.
"Perhaps, that was the only way that I could attain you. Can you fault me for that?" asked Eric.
He looked down on her and petted her.
"Do you really want to leave me, Darcie?" asked Eric. "Aren't you just a little happy being with me?"
"You are a greedy creature. No matter what you have, you want more," said Darcie. "You're selfish, vain and egotistical."
"Those are some of my best traits, I'll have you know," said Eric with a smile. "I also have some rather nasty ones."
He rolled Darcie on top of him and smiled, saying, "Or perhaps I can tempt you with some of my naughty ones?"
"Wicked vampire," said Darcie.
Darcie looked down on him and he said, "I think that you might like wicked vampires."
Darcie leaned down and kissed his right cheek and said, "Maybe."
She then kissed his left cheek and said, "Perhaps."
Darcie then kissed his lips and said, "But, I think that I'm still undecided."
She smiled at him and said, "I'm not as easy to sway as you think."
She ran her fingers in his hair and said, "In fact, you might run the risk on falling under my spell in this game. Are you so sure that you want to play with me?"
Eric stared up into Darcie's eyes, that were now cold and calculating and so much like his own.
"Yes," he said.
"You'll receive no mercy from me," said Darcie with a little smile.
A/N: I had other ideas of how Darcie could overcome the Maryann, but I don't want to give her too many powers. She's already pretty formidable. Plus, in the show there is only one way to kill a maenad. The creation of a vision outside of the mind is an extension of her powers, but not one that could not be accomplished without the extra help of Sookie. Darcie mainly had mental abilities and quickness and she is not one particular creature. I look at her as a kind of mutant with inclusions of foreign DNA from many types of different things. The Trickster is a demigod type creature that is found in one type or another in several cultures. He is tricky and cunning and Darcie owes some of her smarts to him. In Supernatural, he can conjure things out of thin air and create visions, like Darcie can do in the mind.
I have left Mr. Turner's origins vague, since I'm undecided about him.