Chapter 6 – Retaliation

Bon Temps, present

". . . You were my only peace during those long years. I'll never forgive Lorena, though, for what she did to you, and to me."

"You should, Bill. I have."

Once again, she surprised him. That was pretty hard to do, considering his age, "You forgive Lorena? How is that even possible?" She saw some of his despair transform into anger, and was glad. Anger wasn't passive. She could help him find his way back from anger. She'd done it before, after his confession and once he'd sated his rage with Lorena.

"Because I didn't offer forgiveness for her. I did it for me. It is a gift I gave to myself, and she hasn't had nearly as much power over me since."

"But she always had the power to call you back, like she did me. Did you know she met the sun?"

"Yes, Sookie told me. Seems we both owe that young human our freedom and our thanks. She must be something special."

"She is indeed," he said. He became lost in thought for a moment, and Judith waited for him to speak again. He gave her his large dark eyes and said, "Lorena cost me Sookie, too."

"I'm not surprised," Judith said, taking his hand, "she was quite jealous."

"But it wasn't just her. I lost Sookie because through deception, vampire politics, and by trying to protect her from Lorena."

"Sounds familiar, dear one," Judith replied, raising a hand to cup his cheek, "I'm guessing Lorena made you pay dearly. I'm sorry she hurt you again. I had hoped after last time she would think more carefully."

"The last time I had Malcolm's blessing. This time . . ."

"Malcolm is gone, too?" she asked, eyes welling with red.

"Yes, along with Liam and Dianne. The great revelation didn't agree with them."

She felt a fresh wave of anger and grief emanate from Bill. She hadn't seen Malcolm and his nestmates since leaving their service, but apparently Bill had born witness to their murders. Bill had borne a great many losses in a relatively short time. She could feel and understood his complicated mixture of feelings in relation to their maker. Their relationship had always been toxic, and after Bill lashed out at her following his forced confession, Lorena had promised to make him pay.

Forgiveness would not come easy for Bill. He was used to ongoing grudges where his maker was concerned.

Judith held him through the shared memory, one of the last of the dark remembrances they'd have to endure before she could help him heal.

San Diego, 1930

Judith wandered back to base camp after tracking the transients and satisfying her blood lust. It felt good, releasing her rage and feeding in the heat of anger and grief, but it was a temporary fix. She needed to see Bill, to hold him and convince them both that they would be all right. They would survive as long as they held onto one another.

She heard raised voices and sensed Bill's outrage. She ran to him. Diane's arms came around her and held her back long enough for Liam to help subdue her. She was older than Diane, and in her agitation, Judith was dangerous.

"Easy, girl," Dianne cooed, "He's gonna be fine. Malcolm's none too pleased with Lorena and he'll make her sorry."

"I need to get to Bill!" she growled, fangs bared.

"No, you can wait here with us and listen," Liam said.

Judith continued to struggle. Bill didn't cry out, but she felt his pain. Lorena hurt him again, and Bill was fighting back. Oh God, she'd surly kill him this time! Judith was on the verge of breaking free when she heard Malcolm's booming voice.

"Stop!"

"He's mine, Malcolm, and he defied me! He always defies me! It is my right to punish disobedience!"

"Not in my house, Lorena!"

Judith relaxed, and she felt Diane and Liam release her, though the flanked her in case she decided to bolt. The three of them moved closer, and she could see Bill on his knees, his face contorted in agony as he clutched his chest. Lorena stood above him, covered in blood and wielding a knife.

"I'll cut out his heart!" she screamed. Judith shuddered. Lorena's madness and cruelty penetrated Judith's being through their blood. "Then he'll be mine, he'll be bound to me forever," she fell to her knees, sobbing, her face streaked with red, "then . . . he'll finally love me."

"I will never, ever, love you," Bill said, his voice ice cold.

"But you love her, and I gave her to you! I made her for you! I would do anything for you, William! Why can't you love me?"

"Enough," Malcolm said, feigning boredom, "I've far too many more important things to do this evening to mediate a lover's quarrel. Lorena, pack your things and leave. I don't want to see you back for at least a decade. Maybe two."

"I've come for my children and I'll take them with me," she sniffed, rising and wiping her bloody tears away with a dainty handkerchief.

"No, you won't," Malcolm said.

"What?"

"You heard me. Bill and Judy are far too lucrative for me to let go just yet. I'll give you your usual percentage plus an extra five for your trouble, but they stay with me."

"You have no right! I'll appeal to the king -"

Malcolm's laughter cut her off, "Oh, you'll run and tell the king, will you? And what would he say if he knew about Solomon?"

Her eyes narrowed to angry little slits, "What do you know about Solomon? Lies they told you?"

"You betrayed your maker, Lorena. Left him to die at the hands of humans, humans to whom you exposed our kind. That offense is punishable by death. Shall I fetch the Sheriff of lower California?"

"You wouldn't dare!"

In a flash he leapt upon her, gripping her throat, "Do you want to test me, bitch? I'll make you sorry."

"You don't have the appetite or equipment to punish me," she sneered, "unless you've grown tired of buggering your pretty little boys. Do you think you could handle a real woman?"

Malcolm spit on her face and shoved off her small frame, his disgust evident. Looking at Bill, he called out, "Dianne, be a dear and get Bill a donor, will you?"

Dianne disappeared at Vampire speed and re-emerged just as quickly with a woman, one of the harlots they'd taken in as a pet and human helper. She was a particular favorite of Bill's, and he'd always treated her gently.

She gasped at the sight of his wound and knelt beside him, ripping her gown and placing it over his chest. "Bill," she gasped, "what happened to you?"

"Meredith," he whispered, pulling her mind into his as he used his glamour, "Don't you fret now, dear."

"How can I help?" she asked in a dreamy voice.

"Feed me, Meredith. Please feed me."

She leaned in close and he nuzzled her neck before biting. She gripped his shoulders and moaned, trying to push him back and straddle him. He let go and gasped, "Later, Meredith. I need to rest. I shall come and lie with you later."

Meredith whimpered, but Bill leaned in and licked the fang marks to help them heal and then planted a soft kiss on her full lips. "Thank you, Meredith. You go and rest. You'll need your strength for later," he drawled.

She gave him a wicked smile and then allowed Dianne to lead her away. Bill tried to rise, but his strength had not yet returned. Malcolm helped him and called Liam over to escort Bill out of sight long enough for him to recover in privacy. Meanwhile, he ordered Lorena to remain in his presence and await punishment.

Once Liam placed Bill against a nearby railcar, Judith rushed to his side.

"Bill," she cried, placing her hand over his healing chest wound, "What has she done?"

"Leave me!" he growled.

"Take my blood," she said, biting her wrist and placing it to his lips.

He turned away, his face a mask of anger, shame, and longing.

"Bill," she snapped, "Drink. Now." Much as he had been upon her turning, she was cruel to be kind. She could offer comfort later.

He latched onto her wrist and pulled, groaning in pleasure as he healed and as their bond strengthened. Unable to resist, she bit him on the neck and took his blood to reinforce the bond. Bill buried his head in her neck and shuddered.

"Judith," he whispered, "I'm sorry. So sorry . . ." he chanted. She rocked him as he fought to for control.

"Bill," Malcolm called out, "If you're back to rights, I'd like you to join me for a little chat with your maker."

Judith released Bill and helped him stand. He caressed her cheek and said, "Thank you."

"You are welcome."

"Judy, I . . ."

"I know."

She watched Bill walk away and joined Dianne and Liam. Their fangs were extended and they panted in excitement. Judith turned and followed their gazes, her fangs involuntarily extending at the sight.

Malcolm had erected a wooden pole in the center of their camp. Lorena was bound to the pole in silver, her naked flesh burning under the metal. Malcolm stood next too their blacksmith, who he'd obviously glamoured, and ordered him to stoke the flames. Judith shuddered. She saw the branding iron.

Without prelude or ceremony, Malcolm placed the hot iron to Lorena's chest and smiled as she cried out in terror and humiliation. He removed the brand, which left a letter 'T' emblazoned upon her skin.

"It's time you learned a little lesson in obedience yourself, Lorena," he said, "not to mention respect." Handing the brand back to the blacksmith, he beckoned another glamoured human, who dabbed powder on the wound as Lorena howled.

"Silver powder," Malcolm said as he prepared the second brand, "don't want you to heal too fast now. You see, this is also a reading lesson for you. You never bothered to learn, did you?"

"Solomon didn't teach me," she gasped, "he wanted to keep me dependent on him."

"Maybe you just lacked motivation. This will help."

Judith closed her eyes. She couldn't block out the screams and sobs, but at least she could block out the horrifying vision. She had to. Part of her, the vampire within, reveled in the torture. The woman in her was repulsed. She also felt revulsion at the sight of Bill, who kept his eyes opened and watched it all.

"There," Malcolm said, "Shall I read your brand to you, or should I let Bill do the honors?"

Judith opened her eyes even as Malcolm uttered the word 'traitor,' now branded on Lorena's chest in charred flesh and silver. It sickened and excited her all at once. She could see evidence of Bill's excitement, too.

"Bill," Malcolm purred, circling the agitated vampire and caressing his chest, his buttocks, and his bulging manhood, "She's yours now. There will be no retribution or retaliation so long as I live. Make her pay."

He ripped Bill's clothing from his body and pushed him toward Lorena. Judith watched in horror and fascination. Lorena was bound and silvered, powerless to stop any assault. Bill was angry, hard, and hungry.

"No," Judith whispered, "Oh dear God, William, no."

Bill approached her, running his hands roughly over her body. She spat at him, her eyes on fire and fangs gnashing. He slapped her and she hissed. Then he insinuated himself between her legs, just on the verge.

"Go ahead, Bill," she panted, "Do it!"

Glaring, he stepped back, leaving her bereft, confused, and hungry.

"No," he said.

"Why not?"

"Because you want me to!"

Bill flew off into the night as Lorena howled her anguish.