AN: When it's clear Elijah intends to protect Tara in any event, she enlists his assistance in helping Sookie get Bill out of the ambush on Sanguinistas
Jessica has to make another quick decision in order to save Hoyt
More filler as Elijah tries to break down the walls around Tara, who understands he harbors attachment for her, though she distrusts his greater intentions.
Drake is determined to make amends with Tara once his family is safe in the faerie plane.
Elijah is part of a damage control plan for the Sanguinistas is in effect, creating danger for anyone going into the Authority headquarters, only he can't let Tara and Sookie handle that themselves. That's why this chapter is called absolutely anything for you, it's the relationship from Elijah to Tara, Sookie to Bill, Jessica to Hoyt, Maker to Progeny, etc. We also see the effect of his words about her Maker beginning to affect Tara.
The pull led Drake across the street from the park. Crouching down, he waved his hand over the blood and it glowed with the energy in it. Something was wrong, it was daytime and the invocations weren't due to start yet, at least for another two days. Either Tara had met the true death or his blood had somehow been bled out of her body. If the bleeding out had occured, then either Tara knew more than she'd let on, or her Maker bled her out in order to save her. Drake was uncertain which he wanted to be true, since he didn't want Tara dead, he also couldn't have vampires privy to the secrets of the hunters.
He placed a call to Sookie on his cellphone. The line rang twice and she picked up, then immediately ended the call. Drake wiped his hand over his face. So she knew. Had she known all along? Or did this revelation come after Tara was released?
"Something tells me Sookie found out you're a hunter after the first time she left our plane," Claude said as he walked up next to him. "That was when she began guarding her thoughts. It might have been a mistake to show her that trick so early on,"
"Idiot,"
"She's rather cross with you, considering you seduced and poisoned her best friend,"
Drake stood up and balled his fists. "You got anything helpful or you just wasting both of our time?"
"Sookie won't speak to us at present, but we've been watching. She is to meet with Tara and her original Maker tonight at the vampire bar in Shreveport. Maybe we can intercept the meeting,"
So she's alive.
"Of course she is, the vampire who intercepted her is an ancient one. Which, as you can see creates a complication for me and my study of Tara,"
God, Drake had to start guarding his thoughts again, even if it was going to give him a migraine.
"Sookie needs to know I'm not going to hurt her,"
Claude nodded in agreement. "Though you must take care of home first,"
"Mya's back?"
The fae nodded once more.
"And the babies?"
"Healthy as ever. And strong in the heart, I can feel it," he smiled.
That warmed his heart. His young would thrive amongst the fae until they were of age.
Claude transported Drake back to the fae plane where Mya was in the immaculate palace in the guest quarters reserved for her. She lit up when he walked through the double doors and rushed into his arms. He let her embrace him warmly before he pulled back to gaze at the mother of his children.
"You've been drinking the blocker?" Drake asked.
"Of course I have," Mya nodded assuredly. "Up until last night. There's no need for it here,"
"And how many vampires have purchased it?"
"Twenty eight. And one human. A doctor. He purchased ten ounces of it. He slipped me his card and told me he'd back back for more next week,"
Dr. Overlark. Of course. What they'd discussed the week prior. The only downside was having Mya involved, especially in her current expectant condition. Drake was glad she was back in the fae plane and out of harm's way.
"Two more days until the invocations begin," he remarked with a smile.
"Did you find your vampire?"
He dipped his head when reminded of Tara. "About that. She's no ordinary vampire, babe. She's a hunter ,"
Shock dominated her features. "How is that possible?"
"I don't know but she got away. I'm gonna need some time to figure this out," he spoke suggestively, only Mya wasn't convinced.
"Babe, she's still a vampire! Kill her and let science, and the magic here figure how her body works. Don't drag this out," she took his cheeks in her hands. "This isn't the same as Nessa. You can't save her,"
He looked down at her. He knew damn well he wasn't facing the same situation as he'd faced with his sister. He couldn't save Nessa and he still yearned to find the bitch that turned her to drive a stake through her heart. Weakening her wouldn't even be necessary, he intended on taking her by surprise before she met the true death.
Things were a different world with Tara.
Underneath his silky sheets as she laid in Elijah's arms, Tara reflected on the fact that she was thoroughly satisfied until she heard a hissing sound. She sat up quickly, tucking the sheet under her arms. "The vampires are coming," Tara whispered.
"Have no fear, I will protect you, always," Elijah rose and pulled her closer, into an impassioned kiss until she was breathless. "Do you trust me?"
"Of course I do,"
He smiled and kissed her again. The sound of wings flapping began far off in the distance and gradually came closer until it was pounding in her ears. Tara pulled away from Elijah's embrace and looked around to see a single owl perched on his window sill. It was sitting there completely still, yet the sound of its wings flapping still shrouded the air. Confused, she turned to her lover, only he was gone. The sound of wings flapping became the reverberations of a child crying. She rushed through his home, searching each room unable to find her love or the source of the child's cry.
Her heart despaired when she heard his soothing voice suddenly. "Tara," he whispered from behind her ear, wrapping his arms around her. The panic subsided as she relaxed into the comfort of his hold.
"Elijah! I was so scared,"
Tara turned around to embrace him fully and was dismayed to find she was looking up into his snarling fangs and blood tears.
Tara opened her eyes from her vivid dream and failed to recognize her surroundings momentarily. Until she realized Elijah's scent and arm was wrapped around her. She turned around slowly so as not to wake him. He stirred slightly and tightened his hold on her as she settled to face him. She rolled her eyes. Even in his sleep he was possessive. Silently regarding him, he appeared gentle and serene, almost angelic with his soft and pale skin.
He slept so soundly and peacefully next to her. Tara took his hand and placed her palm in his. His eyes fluttered open and focused on her, lips began to curve into a smile when she sneered and snapped his arm back, kicking the top off the coffin when she was done.
Elijah hollered as she sat up, in an attempt to climb out of the coffin. Having healed quickly, he yanked her down and pinned her on her back.
"What the hell was that for?" He asked, exasperatedly. It was clear he was annoyed but he wasn't as pissed as Tara would have expected given the light touch of his chokehold.
"I told you I'd break your arm if I find you touching me,"
"So I've learned. I'm a cuddler, what are you gonna do?"
"Break your arm every night until you learn, I suppose. Get the fuck off me, Elijah,"
He rolled his eyes in a glare and sat back next to her. She sat up as well, avoiding his gaze. Preparing to step out of the coffin she paused and sighed when Elijah's voice halted her.
"Wait,"
She crossed her arms and waited for him to speak.
"I just want the truth. No games, no front. If I had come back for you after the other night, would you have gone to New York with me? Or anywhere since that place still leaves a sour taste in your mouth?"
His intense gaze seared the side of her face in anticipation of her answer. Almost as if his scrutiny acted as a lie detector, determined to observe and analyze any and every move that she might make in hopes he'd find an acceptable answer.
"Hell no, do I look like some impulsive fool? What I look like running off with someone I barely know because he turned me out?"
"So you would have rather stayed in Shreveport with Pam, living your life as lackey to those who have tried to kill you, on more than occasion instead of coming away with me? In the basement of Fangtasia no less?"
"Who do you think I am? She's my Maker. Sure, on paper it's a better deal with you and all this-" she waved her hand, gesturing to the room around them. "-all this shit. But you know vampires have no choice but to be loyal to their Makers,"
His expression reverted back to its perpetual state of a disinterested sneer. "Right. It was out of her Maker obligation that she saved your life when you tried to fry yourself crispy. How convenient,"
It was apparent that one thing Elijah would always do was remind her of how much being made was only a burden for Pam. Begrudgingly, Tara was born into darkness. For a taxing favor out of Sookie, was she made, to prevent the weakened state of her Maker, was she saved.
Anger burned through her veins. "Thanks for the reminder that my life ain't worth shit to Pam, dead or undead," she bit out, through a glare.
"That reminder was to spark your memory on two things. The fact that I saved your life and the kindness and consideration I've shown you, for no other reason then I wanted to,"
His brows raised resolutely to drive home his point. Tara only scoffed.
"Bullshit, you already admitted you wanted a mindfuck because I remind you of some teenaged tryst gone terribly wrong-"
"You are the teenaged tryst,"
At this point she knew Elijah could see right through her, still it was easier to deflect his attempts to charm her. There was a full night of traumatic memories that forced a wall up when it came to him. Trust would not be easily granted.
"Exactly! So you're just trying to make up for lost time or I shook those heightened vampire emotions up or something, I'm not here because you just wanted me around. There's something for you to gain, so don't try and sell me your 'I wouldn't do this for just anyone' bull," she snapped and then raised her arm to slap him for his weak attempt to play her for a fool.
Elijah grabbed her arm and yanked her closer, setting her in his lap & locking his arm around her waist from behind. "Patience ma cherie. You could do well to lighten up,"
"You need to let me go, now ."
"No. You need a hug and I wanna hold you,"
"You see, it's shit like that that makes the hunter in me would really like to decapitate you right now,"
He laughed and only tightened his grip. "Oh, Tara. You're so broken. Is that why you push everyone who actually cares away?"
He rested his head on her shoulder as she squirmed from his hold. "Get off me,"
"Stop it. I know exactly what you need, you just need to be a good little baby vampire and let me guide you,"
Their swords clanged together as they hit, each blocking one another's swipes. Tara used two hands to swing her sword up; it made a cross with Elijah's sword, which was being held up with two of his hands as well. At a standstill, Tara used vampire speed to zip around and knock Elijah's sword from his grip.
"Dammit, Tara, I told you not to use your speed, not until your sword-wielding is where it needs to be. You need to anticipate moves at a human level of speed first, before you go all knife happy,"
"I already know how to throw a sword, and I can do it fast, as long as I catch a motherfucker off guard," she said, swinging her sword in an eight-figure.
Sparring was a great way to blow off some steam. Anything to land blows to Elijah. And he had cozy sweatpants and a cropped tank for her so she was as comfy as can be and it gave her the freedom to move fast. Additionally, she was still salty over waking up to Elijah's arms around her waist since his bedroom aside from the cold, silver portrait room was the only light-tight room. Tara had a feeling it wasn't always so, but had been recently altered to ensure she slept near him. Elijah claimed it was an automatic thing for him to cuddle when he spent the night with someone, something she wouldn't know since she hadn't previously partaken in the sleep part of sleeping with him.
He removed his coat and circled Tara. "Alright then, little grasshopper. You think you're ready then drop your sword and let's go hand to hand," he readied himself in a stance and beckoned her with his fingers. "Show me what you got,"
She lunged for him and threw punches at enhanced speed, all of which he anticipated and blocked. He yawned. "I could do this in my sleep,"
Tara threw faster punches and even threw in some kicks, only for him to catch her foot. "I'm gettin bored here," she jumped up with her other foot and nearly landed a kick to his face. He stumbled back as she landed, crouching low on the ground. Her foot shot out to trip him but he evaded it with a jump back, then used his speed to yank her leg towards him, pulling her flat on her back, then pin her arms on the ground above her head.
"Not only do you move way too fucking slow, but you go for all the cliché moves anyone would anticipate," Elijah shook his head and glanced at her lips. "Let's try this again,"
Cliché? I'll show him cliché, she thought, internally annoyed since she was enjoying the adrenaline their little dance wrought. Outwardly, her face softened as Elijah moved to get up. She reached up to caress his cheek and cup his chin in a tender gesture. "Well, what wouldn't you expect?" Her voice was soft, sultry as her eyes settled hungrily on his lips.
For a split second his gaze wavered and he noticeably considered taking the bait. Then he sneered and said, "You to be honest with me,"
Tara laughed, head butted him quickly, and pinned him on the ground in a chokehold. He deserved it for the needs he incited in her that she worked hard to suppress. An erotic reverie starring the fool haunted her sleep before things took the horror route and that wasn't even the most disturbing part. It was the warmth, safety, and comfort she felt coming from the dream version of Elijah. She wanted to avoid those feelings unless she could use them to her advantage but his efforts to constantly try and stir sensation in her made things no easier to be in his vicinity. She had teenaged trauma she was trying to reconcile, dammit!
Yet he still took her to his own coffin to sleep the day away, citing trust issues and the fact that he never intended to leave such a mark on such an impressionable moment in her history, as well as the fact that she was an indestructible vampire, wielding immense power of her own. Nothing would ever hurt her again and they just had to get through the weekend, she would see the silver lining. In other words, she had the weekend to get over it before he would want his chosen mate.
Reasoning with Elijah was typically a mental eye roll.
"At least I know you pay attention, you're learning not to be that easy," she squeezed his mouth in her hand.
"Obviously you're not paying attention. You haven't taken your bloodlust out on me. As if you don't remember what pleasure was like with me,"
"I remember what trauma was like with you," she snapped.
"Same with you. As a vampire I handled it the bloody, indulgent way,"
I knew he killed those girls! The devil was a damn liar!
She narrowed her eyes. "Bloodlust? Are you saying fucking and killing are one and the same to you?" She released him with a thrust, inciting his amusement.
"In trying to forget me, did you forget what I've taught you?"
Of course she'd never forget. By now, there were many things she'd never forget about Elijah Stormer. Their night together, the way he'd made her feel seen and like she mattered. That wasn't a display of vampiric altruism just for show. His ideologies regarding humanity and justice for every vampire was something that had been in practice as long as he'd been around. On the other side of that, he was still a vampire and as such fed indiscriminately, though his penchant for killing seemed to target certain demographics; racist trash like Tracy, junkies, and alcoholics making up a portion of Fangtasia's night life. There were other things she wanted to forget but she couldn't, like the fact that he was older, stronger and in possession of her, and wouldn't let her go. As well as his vampire nature, which under any circumstances seeped out as an authoritative display. Elijah was a damn loaded package with the taxing emotional struggle she continued to grapple with over him. As such, she thoroughly planned on making his life hell.
Especially with his stance on bloodlust. When it came to that, it was as if he was devoid of humanity! Whatever demographic he targeted to sate his bloodlust was inhumane. Humans were good for blood and fucking, she remembered him saying. Elijah was just a step below Sanguinistas!
Tara shook her head, dismayed. "You know what I liked about you, when we first met? At least what I thought ? I thought you valued life. And I could dig that. So for you to say fucking is like killing-"
"Have you ever killed anyone, Tara?"
Tara swallowed hard, remembering her first attempt and kills that actually made the cut weeks ago at Marnie's fog covered battle. "When I had to," she admitted.
"And how did it feel?"
"Like I had to. It was a kill or be killed situation and it sure as hell wasn't gonna be me!"
"You had to do what you had to do. Understandable." He plucked a lock of hair on Tara's shoulder and gently placed it behind her shoulder. "So tell me, how did it feel when I teased you as I ushered you toward the peak of your pleasure? How was the climb?"
She rolled her eyes hard. "You're really trying to compare the two! Just say you're a Sanguinista and you love the violence. Fucking inhumane and creepy as an-"
"Maybe I oughta take you hunting. You'll understand when you have no other choice,"
"I am not killing for sport just because you're salty with my rejection. What's the rush anyway?"
"I am nine hundred years old, your refusal is driving me crazy. At the end of the night I happen to be a man who knows what you're like when caught in the throes of passion," He shook his head. "What's the rush? Must be the hunter in you that's in no hurry to break down all the tension between us,"
"If all your relationships are that sexually inclined-"
"I'm a vampire, a normal one. Lust in any form, be it blood or flesh will always be amplified,"
"Well I'm different. And proud to be. I mean, this and me and you thing is obviously inevitable. There's no escaping you if I want Sookie safe so really, we have forever, right? Maybe I just need time and you refuse to give it to me," though she was talking out of her ass in order to change the subject, she supposed it could be true in some aspect.
"Time, yeah right," Elijah scoffed since he was becoming immune to her brand of bullshit. "Something tells me if I give you an inch, you will take a mile. Anyways, you're going to accompany Marceline to Fangtasia tonight. She will aid in your training and you will rendezvous with the waitress,"
"And what are you going to do? You're really letting me out of your sight?"
"You'll join me soon, when you're not such a liability. Marcy will let me know when you're ready,"
Tara shrugged. "Right, throw your new bitch and your old bitch in the same room together. Smart move. What is she even, your old bitch or your eternal side bitch?"
He picked up the swords and slid them each into their sheaths. "I already told you, she's my progeny. Do you even know what that means?"
"It's like your vampire child. Which by the way, that's kind of incestuous, I mean I know you're old and all but in this day and age, that shit is weird as hell, not to mention illegal." She gave him a side eye.
"Try to think of it as a mentor/student relationship,"
"Still highly illegal," she said with an eye roll.
"Then think of it as a tenured expert guiding a sniveling ankle biter," he snapped as they headed towards his weaponry shed. "But, it typically depends on why one turned their human. If it's to save the life of, let's say, a mere companion or colleague, it will likely be a more nurturing, parental relationship. Like you and Pam. If a vampire turns someone out of infatuation or love, as they often do, then a Maker is not only a teacher and protector, but a lover as well," he gazed off into the distance. "In either case, an unbreakable bond is established. It's greater than any parent child relationship, stronger than any marriage," he smiled softly. "Like the couples I've witnessed grow old together until they wither away. But amplified tenfold,"
"I know your ass ain't just saved Marceline and those other big titty bitches. You must have wanted a forever lover,"
His shoulders rose and dipped. "I won't deny I was infatuated with them. I did save Marcy though,"
Issues therapy can't even help, Tara thought with a mental shake of her head. "From her own life I bet? That's what you were going to do to me when I was still a human…"
"When you were of age. We would have had a few years for you to adjust and learn some vampire customs beforehand,"
"And what if that's not what I wanted?"
"Please, if after spending all that time with me and you still didn't want it would mean you were far too attached to your humanity, at the very least I'd been doing something terribly wrong,"
"There's nothing wrong with having humanity," Tara said thoughtfully. "What about now?" She asked quietly as they paused in front of the shed. "What do you think of me now?"
"You are petulant, and a goddamn headache, and you continually test the bounds of my patience. It's actually like you're that stubborn teen again," he rolled his eyes and utilized his enhanced speed to place the swords inside of the shed.
"Elijah," her voice maintained its gentle, curious person demeanor. "How do you feel about me?"
His brows jumped up to meet his hairline and he regarded her from the side of his eyes momentarily, before he stepped closer. Tara automatically pressed her back against the wall. Elijah placed one hand on the wall near her head, the other hooked under her chin. It didn't seem to matter how many times she reminded him about invading her personal bubble with the liberties he took sliding up against her. Didn't he say he'd stop that shit?
"For you, cara mia, I feel as though… I'm getting the very strong sense… that you are going to be late if you don't make haste. Come. You have to get ready,"
He walked away then, and Tara closed her eyes and sucked in her breath. The one time she was actually being genuine and he swerved her. Initially annoyed, she then figured it was a welcome relief since she was Pam's vampire and she'd been released. She never had to worry about a Maker bond chaining her to Elijah.
"Don't forget your mission, either. You have until Switzerland," he reminded her as she fell into step next to him.
"I remember. But how the fuck am I even going to find him? He was hanging with Sookie and the fae, I don't want Sook anywhere near them now,"
"How else are you supposed to find him if not through the little wench's connections?"
"Dammit, Elijah, I told you I don't want her involved, mixed up with faeries or vampires anymore than she is,"
"You should speak to her then, when you get to Fangtasia. She is as stubborn as you, one of you is bound to listen to the other or do you two just follow each other into obvious traps?"
Marceline and Troy were waiting in the den when they'd walked inside the house. Elijah gave a head nod to Troy, who stepped besides him. Then he looked back at Tara. "So, which is it?"
"She's like a sister to me. You can't tell me you don't understand doing anything you could to help someone you care about. I mean what if dear old Marcy was being tortured with silver?"
"I was last week due to this witch bitch's spell," Marceline remarked. She had the sort of perverse boredom that reminded her of Pam and Elijah at the same time.
Tara sneered. "Oh well isn't that nice,"
"Not really,"
She scoffed and addressed Elijah. "I know you'd be affected and you wouldn't want her in pain,"
"I think what Tara is trying to ask is if she were the damsel in distress, would you rush to her rescue?"
Elijah pinched his chin between his thumb and index finger to appear deep in thought, while Tara scoffed. "What damsel you talkin' bout?"
"Well Tara's no damsel… and Marcy can handle herself…" he reasoned, thoroughly amused. "And from what I know about you, you can too, though you have yet to show me. So far all you've managed to do is prove you will land yourself in more trouble than you began with and try to get yourself killed a true death. Over some humans," he rolled his eyes until a thought crossed his mind, then switched to a condescending grin. "But don't you worry, honey, you are mine now. As your new Maker, every misstep you take will require my intervention. Does that answer your question?"
Instead of heat rushing to her cheeks from embarrassment, the cold death of its stung her cheeks instead. Why did he have to use her as an example? Especially when she already knew the trouble she'd caused him. True, she couldn't argue with that and he knew it.
Still, his acknowledgment did drive her point about Sookie home. She stepped closer to him in a lightly furious challenge. "Yeah, yeah vampires rules and whatnot. But that was human me and human Sookie protecting each other. And as a vampire, that loyalty is only intensified, so I know you feel me when I say this: I'd do it all again in a heartbeat. For her,"
"Even if it kills you?" Elijah's gaze now turned genuinely curious. "Permanently this time?"
Tara cocked her with a confident brow raise. "They don't call it ride or die for nothing,"
"She's actually got a point, Elijah," Marceline offered somewhat gently. Troy nodded next to her. "We'd all do it for you and we know you'd do it for-"
Elijah snapped his head towards her and hissed. "No one asked you!"
They each stepped back and bowed their heads in submission. Memories of being under the thumb of Pam plagued Tara's mind's eye momentarily, which actually caused her to pity Elijah's vampires. Never again , she thought, happy to be a free vampire.
"Your precious human that you will outlive for centuries, and you'd still put your life on the line for her," he regarded her a moment. "At least we know she's loyal. Come Troy, we have business to tend to. And you two are off to Fangtasia. Get her ready," he gave head nod to Marceline who affirmed him with one in return. "Ladies, I bid you adieu," He gave a salute before he and Troy sped away.
Marceline grinned at Tara and reached for her hand. "Come, Tara. I'll help you get ready,"
"I can get ready myself,"
"Elijah has a specific vision. He wants you in black latex tonight,"
She laughed before she bared her fangs. "And I wanted my mama to stop drinking during my formative years. Elijah needs to learn he can't have everything he wants,"
It occurred to Sookie that the dangers of visiting Fangtasia doubled with the scent her blood carried since feeding was no longer banned in public, we're far greater for her now. As she walked in, eyes from all around the bar shot towards her, sizing her up, in a scan for marks indicating she'd been claimed by a vampire with zero subtlety.
The vampire Marceline walked into the bar, hand in hand with Tara, who appeared none too pleased with her escort. As soon as Sookie noticed them, she left her seat at the bar and came rushing over to throw her arms around Tara.
"Tara! Oh my gosh, I am so sorry! About the-"
She was suddenly peeled away from Tara. "Bad idea to hug the baby vampire. And step off, tired old bitch," the snarky comment was made by Pam, Tara realized when Marceline's fangs shot out.
"She leaves with me. We'll be watching," she turned to Tara. "Don't even think about trying to escape again. Heed my warning Tara,"
Elijah's vampire strutted off with a turn of her heels, wrapping her arm around a blond who'd rushed to her side.
"Is it because you're reborn again?" Sookie asked Tara, who frowned.
"Reborn? Sure…"
"He didn't put you in the ground?"
Tara frowned even harder.
"Ladies, let's take this little reunion into my office," Pam beckoned them with a head nod. Once inside the basement, she gave Tara a look.
"What's this about putting me in the ground, you mean he wants me dead?"
"The opposite, actually," Sookie said when Pam only sighed and threw her gaze around the room. She then seared Sookie with a glare.
"He only wants to save you so he can have to himself, he has some weird obsession with you," the fellow blond snapped. "How's he treating you by the way? Because I'll kill him if-"
"I"m fine, Pam. What the hell is going on, I'm already safe from the hunters,"
She was glad the hunter poison was taken care of. Elijah had been right about that, apparently. Fucking Drake! She was going to blast him when she saw him next. Claude too, since he'e the one who brought in the hunter in the first place under the pretense of help. "Tara, Elijah has to lay with you in the ground, and make you. Well, remake you into his vampire, to establish a Maker bond. He didn't tell you?"
Pam sneered. "He didn't have time to get to that, did he? What with his Tara domination quest taking first priority,"
Tara's face was unreadable, though it was evident she was conflicted. It was going to be difficult to have to be tethered to the vampire who'd turned her life around in a matter of days and knowing her bestie, that wasn't the only thing on her mind.
"I ain't fucking him, if that's what you're implying,"
Sookie's brows shot up. Oh, hell, an immense and eager hope that she didn't just aid another Franklin Mott into recapturing Tara gave her heart palpitations, though her friend remained calm.
"I think I've heard all I want to hear about Elijah for now," she said, taking an assured breath.
"There's more," Pam insisted.
"I said I don't wanna fuckin hear it!" she pressed her fingers into her temples and closed her eyes. "Sookie, you owe Pam, so what are the terms, what did you come up with while I was gone?"
"Ooh, pick me, I've got the answer," the vampire barbie raised a lazy hand, while Tara issued her an impatient look. "When we told you that Elijah had agreed to give you a choice, it was thanks to Sookie. He knows she wouldn't lie to you and he doesn't trust me, so I wanted to make sure you heard it from her. Of course he fucked me over to get to you first, I'm guessing he didn't want you to know that, not yet at least. Especially since you need to go in the ground first. But he will release you to give you that choice,"
That didn't seem to please Tara as she thought it would. Instead, the baby vampire insisted on being briefed about the plan regarding Russell Edgington. Marceline and the rest of her and Elijah's groupies, henchmen, whatever the brood was called, were lurking and it was way too dangerous to go up against Russell Edgington without the solid plan she couldn't reveal at present. So she focused on the Obama masked assault team.
"About that, we need to go see Sam. Did you know he and Luna got shot?"
A confused brow arched over Tara's eye as Sookie gestured to her ear and the door. "Gosh darn, Elijah's vampires aren't going to let you leave, are they?"
"Such a shame," Pam said non-commitedly with a languid shrug as she walked over to a vent and pulled the rack off. She nodded to it right before a loud explosion sounded. "Shit's hitting the fan, let's go!"
Once Tara and Pam were safe inside Jason's home, after being led out through the tunnels of Fangtasia, to the getaway car Jason was driving, Sookie finally felt like she could breathe. She knew she wasn't supposed to interfere with the whole Tara and Elijah thing, but she needed to speak to her bestie without his buzzards hovering.
"Tara, I should have said this earlier, but I am so sorry about the hunters, I didn't even know there were hunters, let alone Drake was one of them. The Crane family and Drake lied to me, otherwise I never would have pulled you in with them," a beseeching Sookie said.
Tara gently waved the sentiment away. "It's done. But Elijah isn't happy about his blood poisoning me. He wants him dead,"
Sookie frowned. "Well, I'm glad I didn't tell him about the- you know,"
Pam rolled her eyes. "Hunters seduce vampires in order to poison their blood. He knows,"
"And that's why he wants me to do it,"
"Drake wants to make amends," Sookie said quietly.
Derisive laughter tumbled out of hot pink lips. "Oh really now, suddenly the hunter has developed a conscience? He deserves to die! He tried to kill you! I assume Elijah drained your blood of the poison by now?"
"Last night," Tara nodded. "Way up north so it'll lead him there first,"
"Tara, don't be stupid. He just wants another chance to finish what he started. Use that to your advantage and kill him before he kills you,"
She sighed in response and turned to Sookie. "What happened to Sam and Luna?"
"They've been shot and their friends have been murdered by an extremist group, who seem to be targeting supernaturals. Their friends were shifters too,"
"Any affiliation with the hunters?"
"None that I can tell so far, but Sam could tell us more about who we might be dealing with. But first things first. Bill has lost his way and apparently is heading the Sanguinista thing at the Authority,"
"And Eric, for some reason, thinks we should help him 'find his way'. I feel compelled to remind you, Tara, that he did try to blow you and your witch friends up just last week. He only needed to take out the witch but… vampire king and whatnot, he decided to make an executive decision. That is until Tinkerbell here crashed the party," Pam added snidely.
Tara snapped her attention to Pam. "About that. I feel compelled to remind you that you tried to kill me. And my girlfriend,"
Her sneer only widened. "You've got to be fucking that entitled little shit if you're choosing now to go all 'unfinished business' on me. Don't you forget I saved your life twice as if I didn't have better shit to do,"
"I'm sure you've got better shit to do now that I'm out of your hair,"
"Tara, that's enough!"
"It's been enough Pam. So if Elijah's giving me a choice. I'll make him release me, but not back to you. I want you both, gone ,"
The two vampires faced off in glares and it was clear neither one was going to back down. Pam was still a century older and stronger and Sookie wouldn't risk a cat fight between two vampires, her Gran's living room had been through the ringer with the whole Maryann situation and Tara's recent redecoration.
Sookie forced an ahem. "So since I'm good at being vampire bait…"
"Is there anyway I can convince you to stay out of fuckin vampire business?" Tara implored.
"If there was, we wouldn't be having this conversation right now, would we?"
"Dammit, Sookie,"
Pam sighed. "I'm telling you both, it's not worth it. He's out of his undead brain. I've seen it!"
"I have a feeling he'll snap out of him when he knows another vampire has taken claim to me,"
That made Pam smile. "Well, he is an entitled dick at hs core so that sounds about right,"
"What if I can call in a favor?" Tara suddenly lit up. "I mean I know someone with a huge network of connections," Pam's smirk faded at that. "Well, I do! Do you know anyone? Besides Eric?"
"Eric's friend is in the Authority…"
"And the Authority is on the vampire equivalent of crack right now. Trust me, I can help! Besides, he's near," Tara looked up towards the front door.
Elijah's leniency with Tara could only extend so far, the further she tested the limits of his patience. Even more irate since his team was about to close in on ancient, known Sanguinistas up north, yet he'd had to come back down to bumfuck Bon Temps to pull Tara from exactly what they'd just discussed! An obvious death trap, he couldn't send Marceline or any of his progeny after her. She refused him as a lover, and now she was defying the tasks he'd outlined for her as his worker bee. All she had to do was stick with Marceline and visit with Stackhouse at Fangtasia to find out where the latest hunter camp was. Or, at the very least where Drake was.
He knew it was petty of him to task her with bringing about his death but Elijah didn't care. Someone had to pay for all the ways they'd fucked Tara over and her excuse of a mother, Maker, and best friend unfortunately couldn't make the cut. Why not someone who's sole task was to seduce and destroy her? Then she could exact her revenge and be guilt free, most of all Elijah would be satisfied that there was no longer a hunter in existence who'd touched his baby vampire. That was an unforgivable violation! Eventually the hero sex would commence, she'd quit acting like a dainty human with uptight morals once she remembered the ways he could make her body sing.
Not that everything was about sex, but she hadn't even let him touch her once since he'd acquired her and it was doing terrible things for his sanity. The memories of what was and reminders of what could be was grating down on his psyche, the more she denied him. Sure there was an abundance of women he could have, but not being able to indulge in that which he truly desired for too long tended to wake the savage nature buried inside of him. The consequences for Marcy losing track of her was something Tara would abhor.
In addition his ability to sense her was growing weaker. She still failed to understand he needed to get her in the ground.
Pausing at the Bon Temps cemetery gates, he adjusted his hearing. Vampire bait, authority on crack, best friends forever… "Tara," he groaned under his breath.
This baby vampire was determined to tango with death, thinking they could storm the authority when Roman's predecessor and her team, as well as Rosalyn's team were assembling an emergency Sanguinista clean up crew to send a statement to the bloodthirsty savages worldwide. That was going down tonight as a preemptive act of solidarity for the mainstream vampires.
A blur zipped forward and pinned him against a tree. "We need to talk!" Tara said through her fangs. In an instant he overpowered and switched places with her, holding her arms above her head, on the tree.
"So we do,"
"Not here,"
He released her arms and raised his brows in anticipation. She straightened her spine and cocked one brow before she sped off. Elijah was in hot pursuit as he tailed her to Merlotte's Bar and Grill. Instead of going inside, she went to stand near a bench outside of the bar, on the side of it.
As Elijah walked up, Tara took her jacket off and placed it on the bench, then threw her curls over her shoulders, locking eyes with him in an over the shoulder pose as she slowly sat down. Her movements were gracefully gradual, as a means of seduction.
"Whatever you want, I can almost guarantee you the answer will be no," he stated, assuredly.
"Are you sure about that?" His brow lifted in a question. She continued. "You'd follow me into a deathtrap, that much is clear. But would you plan a coup with me?"
He crept closer and took a seat. "Everything is always about little Miss Sookie Stackhouse, isn't it? It's like the lure of siren and most aren't smart enough to steer clear of it,"
A nonchalant shrug lifted her shoulders as she continued to peer into his eyes.
"No, Tara. I won't let you. We have other things to do,"
"You know I could have been blown to bits the day before Halloween. And then you would have never met me. If it wasn't for Sookie, me and lots of other innocent people would have been. She went into Moon Goddess Emporium because she knew Bill wouldn't let anything happen to her. I know you didn't go through all this trouble just to let something crazy happen to me right?"
Would she even understand this wasn't her mission and the Sanguinistas would be taken care of? Probably not.
With a quickness, Elijah donned his silver glove and singed Tara's arm with his grip. She cried out in agony. "I grow weary of entertaining these ideas, Tara. Find the hunter ," he released her and flipped his curls over his shoulder. She seared him with an indignant frown, though he was beyond caring. "We have a mission. An important one. You don't even-"
She reached for his ungloved hand and grabbed it, lifting it to her chest, placing it against her soft, cool flesh. What? "I know you understand Elijah. You can silver me all you want but it won't change what's in my heart. This heart was just beating last week, and it stopped to make sure my friend was safe. I don't have it in me to watch her go headfirst into danger without me there by her side. We have to get into the Authority and save a vampire from making a stupid ass mistake. We just need to get him out and that's it,"
Tara was literally letting Elijah feel on her tits and although it excited him, that feeling didn't come alone. It was accompanied with a worrisome perturbation, the same one he felt when she was in danger. There was no danger present for her, at least not yet. He narrowed his eyes. "You're using me. To get to Bill Compton?"
"I'm being completely honest with you. I'm gonna help her. He's her first love and if there was anything I could do to save my first love, the only man I ever loved, I wouldn't hesitate. Do you understand?"
Elijah searched her face with a hard, resolute stare. Something about being reminded of her first love stirred petty jealousy. He stated no lies when he'd claimed he never felt that arduous sentiment, though he did acknowledge he may have scratched the surface once. Ten years ago . With a girl who was now telling him the only man she'd ever loved was some other fool. Right.
He pulled his hand from her chest and peeled his eyes away coolly and stood up. "Can't relate, I told you I have never been in love. And I've acquired you, Tara,"
Tara huffed an exasperated sigh and pinched the bridge of her nose as she stood next to him. "Goddammit,"
"How many times must I remind you that-"
The juicy lips of Tara cut his sentence short. In an instant she had taken his cheeks between her soft fingertips and captured him by the mouth. His surrender was immediate as it was earnest as he closed his eyes and lost himself in the bliss of her lips. Just to taste her once again was exhilarating and he almost forgot why just moments prior he was about to recoil from her. Almost.
When she finally pulled away and opened her eyes to look up at him, there was a softness in her gaze, but only for a moment.
He couldn't help himself and he could no longer stand it. Pushing Tara up against the wall of the awning using his speed, he kissed her again with one hand around her neck and the other one digging into her hips. "I know you're using me, Tara. But since you are, I am going to enjoy every second of it,"
She smiled against his lips. "You'll help me then?"
"He's a Sanguinista, Tara. You know there's a chance we won't survive the night,"
"What are you saying, he'll attack us?"
"You and your little recon team won't be the only one infiltrating the Authority tonight. An entire team of mainstreamers are going to take out who's left in the Authority. The Sanguinistas,"
She gasped. "When?"
"Just before dawn. I was up north doing the same with the Sanguinistas out there,"
"Well then we have to hurry!" She started to rush off until he grabbed her arm.
"Hold it, Buffy. I had somewhere to be but here I am, helping you. What are you going to do for me?" He asked with a cheeky smirk.
"Well, we're short on time. I can't just fuck you when we're wasting the night,"
His brows shot up again. "Seriously? I'm flattered, so you really want a repeat session of what we got up to after this all goes down? So soon after finding out I'm the one who inflicted your teenaged trauma on you?"
"I just thought that… What did you want from me?"
A satisfied smile curved his lips. "We'll get there. All I wanted was a simple thank you, Tara. For being there for you," his expression turned serious now and he felt the change in Tara's demeanor. The shame, the bashfulness had returned as she stepped back and away from him. "What is it?"
"It's not that I'm ungrateful, Elijah," she said with a sigh as her eyes aimed towards her boots. "It's just a fuckin lot to wrap my head around when it comes to you,"
"You must understand that I wouldn't ever intentionally hurt you. Not then, and not now,"
This was getting too heavy for Tara, as noted by the way she stepped further back. Damn, they were just on a level, he couldn't afford to dissuade her interest! He stepped closer and hooked an arm around her waist. "But since you're offering, how would you feel about a quickie?"
She scowled and pulled away at his attempt to kiss her neck. "Elijah! Call your guys, let's do this quickly," she turned and began walking. "Bill just needs to come to his damn senses and Sookie's the only one who can-"
Elijah didn't give a damn about who, what, where, when, why, he was just doing this for Tara. He grabbed her arm.
"What?"
"So after, we have some things to thoroughly discuss,"
A confused, timid smile flashed on her face. "Of course,"
Tara pulled away and continued on. Lying again like always.
"Vampire Bill, you were always one of the good ones. Even my mama respected you," Hoyt continued his lamenting as Jessica led the petite blood bag into the room.
Bill issued a mental eyeroll. It was done, and there was no turning back now. "You're newborn, son. It's all a shock at first, but you'll catch on quick. If you want to survive, that is. Jessica,"
She looked up with all the uncertainty of a newborn herself. Lately her eyes had that wise beyond her years arrogance, yet they had returned to their fear of the unknown state. A look that told him she aimed to deceive him. Jessica didn't want Hoyt as a vampire, she'd already dumped him to free herself from the human shackles of domestic life! Yet she just had to test her Maker's will. As if she could outsmart him, he made her! His blood was within her and it was his right to command her into doing his bidding. She'd be dead if it wasn't for his turning her and with what an ungrateful vampire daughter she was turning out to be, she ought to be soon for the true death.
But Bill wasn't a complete monster. He'd fathered his legacies and they'd expanded his family line for many generations. Jessica just needed to understand that his will was Lillith's will which was going to enable her and her legacy to carry on through the centuries.
"Sweetheart, say it,"
His baby vampire pursed her lips together and looked between Bill and Hoyt, who was protesting.
"She's glamoured, she won't feel a thing. It's the only way," Bill insisted.
"Hoyt," she began. "I'm so sorry all this had to happen, I truly am, baby," Bill rolled his eyes, hard. "As your Maker,"
"Wait, wait! Jess, don't! Kill me. Kill me instead, I can't face my mama like this, I'll end up eating her!"
Jessica covered her mouth and failed to contain her blood tears. Oh the misery, how sweet it is . This ungrateful lug was spitting on the gift of eternal life? All because his temporary and frankly inferior human form was ripped from him. Right. There were some who were undeserving of the greatest gift to a human, and it became apparent to Bill that Hoyt was one of them.
That was why he had a stake, ready and waiting for anyone the true death should deem it's next companion. His fangs dropped and he raised the stake. "The eternal gift isn't for all of us, sweetheart. This boy ain't got the good sense his God gave him, does he?"
"Bill! Please!" She grabbed Hoyt by his chin. "As your Maker, I command you, don't ever ask me that again and don't ever try to give yourself a true death. Drink, Hoyt, and live!" She used her speed to shove him into the jugular of the donor.
Slowly, Bill lowered the stake as he watched his grand progeny be overcome with his bloodlust. A fanged smile settled on Jessica.
"There are times your choices are truly questionable. And then there are times it is obvious, I've done well with you," she gaped at him warily, no doubt thinking all the vile things the newborn vampire version of her would show no restraint in saying. His little girl had certainly grown up! "We're entering a new era, Jess. I'm proud to have you with me as we make history,"
"Chancellor Compton, we need Level One clearance," the security spoke into the walkie talkie in his quarters. He zipped to the main meeting hall and was both surprised and annoyed to see Eric and Nora returning with both Sookie and Tara in the back of a truck, both in restraints. What the hell was the halfling up to now?
Hope y'all are still enjoying this one! I have a lot of fun with this Taralijah ship and making up tons of stories about them 💁 ️ , the banter between them amuses me! Especially how in the show she straight up manipulated him to his death that's why she's always lying to him in this one, it's a nod to how most of the time she can't be trusted (but that's only because she doesn't trust him at this point)
Been struggling with this lately because some parts were looking too similar to My Sister Sookie (did you catch my little nod to that fic ) I do that a lot! So I have to rework the plot of that fic, but I hope that one will be back soon, that one makes me anxious about bringing my Sooric ship together 😳 especially since I'm trying to save the queen! Haha more Queen Sophie Anne coming up in the next chapters.
Also struggling with the continuity because my memory has been like a fish lately! So any errors in grammar or continuity I will hunt down as I read this back, please read, share, & add comments or kudos if you're are enjoying my random crackship