And The Fire Grows
Finally the confrontation Matt had been waiting for was at hand. Matt and Antonia stood circling around each other their eyes burning into one another. "You have seen him; he has no love for anything or anyone. I gave him the reprieve to be his old self but as you can see once the spell is broken and he is back in control he returned to how he desires to be." She said speaking of Eric.
"You made him that way," Matt accused.
"No it was you, it was because he cared about you and your mother and where you invest your love you invest your life and his investments didn't quite cash in," Antonia said in a harsh whisper.
"I remember," Matt said thrusting his chin towards her, "I remember that night, it's crystal clear – all of it."
The witch just shook her head, "no, not possible you were half dead by your father's hands I might add."
Sookie inhaled deeply at hearing those words. But Matt marched on. "I see it as if it were yesterday…
it was you," Matt hissed after losing himself in memory for a moment. "You orchestrated the whole thing and I will never forgive you for it!" He screamed with the rage that his father had once held.
"He bit you but you never turned." Antonia asked her voice barely above a whisper attempting to take herself from the center of the conversation.
"No, I didn't but you succeeded in ruining our lives, my mother dead, me immortal and separating me from my father twisting our memories."
"See it was only your mother's love that he felt never love for you."
"No," Eric stated making everyone suddenly aware of his presence. "I placed him with those I could trust and I tracked behind him to ensure his safety. It quickly became clear that the two of us together provided enough of a force for you to track. I realized that we could not stay together. So for his safety I left him. And I turned into what I am now. I had lost everything – again and couldn't pretend it would be okay. But after meeting Sookie for the first time for whatever reason I began to think of Matthew more and more until it got to the point I needed him with me; missing him so much that I could no longer take it."
"And I guess he was right we are easy to track when we are together because it only took about a year for your ass to show up," Matt stated with teenage antipathy. "You are nothing but spiteful hatred. I am sorry you were killed but what you have done in revenge is on you. You have killed and ruined and are far worse than those that took your life. You have forgotten who you were, that you had healed before you killed, you delivered me for God's sake, gently taking me from my mother's womb. And now, now you are just monster. You have forgotten your roots, your humanity."
Eric stepped over to his son and pulled him close his arm draped over Matt's shoulder and on his chest as Antonia just stood absorbing the words just spoken to her. She smiled aware that the boy had elected to keep some secrets. But his words did have an impact one that hit her head on. She was alone and only fear kept her followers close, she was tired of keeping up such a façade it was wearing her down. She hadn't ever loosened her grip of hatred long enough to examine anything.
"I can't be anybody but who I am," she whispered.
"You can let go and start over, fresh, you have to see things in a different light; this has gotten you nowhere," Matt said. "I'm sorry Aya but there's no room for you in this world anymore."
"Why are you here?" she finally asked him.
"To kill you," Matt replied.
The witch seemed to stop and think about the words she had just heard. "This will end tonight and then I will be gone," she stated turning and running towards Moongoddess Emporium mumbling as she went. Eric went to follow her and realized he couldn't move.
"She has me trapped," he said bewildered.
"Me too," Bill realized.
Sookie and Matt looked at each other and realized they weren't bound by whatever spell Antonia had cast. "I guess it's up to us," Matt said heading across the street.
"No, I forbid you," Eric yelled. "This is what she wants; she wants us trapped so she can have you."
"There isn't much of choice, we have to try. Despite her claim she won't leave until she is forced to and this will end tonight," Matt replied as he continued to walk towards the building.
"Uh oh," Lafayette said as he peeked out the window.
"What?" Jesus asked as his phone chimed indicating he had received a text.
"Here comes Marnie and she looks pissed. There are vampires across the street but they're just standing there and Sookie isn't far behind Marnie and Matt Northman is playing with his phone," Lafayette explained.
Jesus was well aware of Matt and his phone as he reread the message from the boy, "the time is now, I can't do it without you."
"Who is that from, cause right now isn't really the time to chit chat with the outside world," Lafayette said.
"Matthew Northman; he came to talk to me several days ago."
"About what?"
"He needs my help."
"For what?" he asked getting frustrated with the short sided conversation.
"To kill Antonia."
"Say what?"
"With the right words and magic we can separate her from Marnie. She has poured herself so fully into her that once we take her from the body she will not be able to stay around for long."
"And you know how to do this?"
"Matt will help me."
Lafayette rolled his eyes as he spun away from his friend unsure of what the next several minutes would entail. Jesus began to focus and say words Lafayette didn't understand. He heard Sookie's voice and was nearly knocked over as Matt ran into the room.
"Damn you're fast for a white boy."
Matt fell to his knees next to Jesus and began his own incantation in another language he guessed as Latin. "You two better hurry cause Sookie's about to burn up out there."
Outside Eric and Bill could feel Sookie's fear but were unable to cross the imaginary magic line. "She's petrified," Eric said.
"What can Matthew do?" Bill asked.
"I really don't know," Eric said pacing.
Jesus' voice was changing into something unearthly and Matt was mumbling louder and faster. Suddenly the boy leapt up and threw his body into Lafayette just as fire rushed from Jesus who suddenly looked as if he had donned a Halloween mask.
In the other room Antonia split from Marnie and looked more relieved than anything else. The barrier outside had broken and Bill and Eric rushed in. Matt stumbled out looking as if he had just taken a lap around the world.
Bill raised his gun and was prepared for retribution when Sookie stopped him swearing it had only been Marnie. Eric looked to his son who nodded in agreement. They decided that Marnie's death would suffice but suddenly Roy was feeling all brave and stood in front of her. Unfortunately for him it was the last thing he ever did.
Despite being quite schooled in vampire vengeance Matt was somewhat repulsed with his father's actions as his face scrunched up in abject disgust as Eric slurped from Roy's heart. Once he was clear Bill opened fire.
"Well glad that's all over," Eric said continuing to lick his fingers.
The group slowly disbanded eyeing the vampires and Matthew as well. Sookie stepped over to the boy and put her arm around him. "I so need a vacation," she sighed.
"Me too," Matt agreed.
"Not a bad idea," Eric said looking around at the carnage.
Sookie looked confused imagining a cruise with a vampire. "No not with me, I think it would do Matthew some good to get back to his roots; perhaps visit his mother's grave. There is no flight that can take me from beginning to end in the darkness and going in a coffin is risky. Last guy I knew traveled that way got transferred to the wrong airport and ended up in Beijing instead of Bucharest; not a pretty picture."
"So what are you saying?" Sookie asked.
"Well when this is over maybe you could escort Matthew back home."
"Sure," she answered excitedly. "Where is home, Sweden?"
"No, Scotland," Matt answered. "She's buried in Scotland."
"I've never been overseas."
"Well here's your chance. Matthew is very familiar with the area; speaks the accent and will be a great tour guide. It's my belated homecoming gift to you."
Bill wasn't sure what to think but realized a break would be a great thing for her and was pleased that Eric wouldn't be along on the journey.
"Wait you said when this is over, isn't it over now?" Sookie asked looking down at Marnie's body.
"Doubtful," Matthew sighed. "She had every bit as much rage as Antonia which is why she was attracted to Marnie in the first place. It would surprise me if she just floated on to the next world."
"So what does that mean?" Tara asked stepping around Roy's remains.
"It means be ready," Eric stated.
But days later, despite their best efforts at preparedness Bill and Eric found themselves in a very difficult situation tied to a pole surrounded by logs just begging to be set afire. And even with their fate at hand Eric and Bill still found the energy to argue about which one should sacrifice their progenies as they waited for the barbeque to begin. Suddenly they both sensed Sookie coming towards them. They turned their heads quickly and in unison. Then Eric bared his fangs as he saw his son overtake the small group.
"Matthew, I told you to stay away," he growled.
"I know the magic, I have to be here."
"No you don't, I'm telling you right now to leave and take Sookie with you."
"Sorry Dad but that's a negative and you really aren't in a position to order me around," Matt said smiling.
"Oh…boy," Eric said biting his lip, "but if I get out of this I will be and let me warn you now you will have parts of you on fire."
"Look forward to it Pops," Matt replied as Sookie gave him a sympathetic look.
Eric shook his head in anger. The last thing he wanted was to have his son watch him die or be in harm's way. He had explicitly told the boy to steer clear of any danger and yet here he was refusing to do what he was told.
But before the vampire could stew on his son's disobedience Lafayette appeared and the fun began. With the short conversation full of hatred over the flames began to shoot up the pyre. Sookie took her stance and looked back at Matt for encouragement; he nodded his head and despite protests from Tara she sent her now famous ball of light out knocking Lafayette down. The screams along with the flames were beginning to gather strength and Matt was trying to maintain a cool exterior while his father and Bill were in agony.
The cry to hold hands went out and Tara begrudgingly took Matt's hand and quickly dropped it as it felt hot and tingly to her. "Sorry, I'm a bit upset." He said reaching for her hand again. She refused so he wiped it on his jeans and forced it into hers. "We don't have time for your refusal." He grabbed her hand and she was relieved that it was much cooler to the touch.
"What the hell was that?"
"I get worked up sometimes…magic is hot stuff," Matt replied as Lafayette looked up with the strange looking masked face. "Oh I hate when that happens."
"Yeah me too," Tara said in between chants.
Matt looked down and closed his eyes and suddenly they weren't alone as the cemetery seemed to cough up many of its residents. His hands began to heat up again causing his partners to drop them, but the link was no longer needed.
Sookie reacted to her grandma showing up and suddenly Marnie and Antonia were facing off. Matt moved closer keeping a close eye on his ancient Aunt. She gave him a gentle smile. "Nephew I assure you it is okay," she said looking over at the now extinguished vampires. "I will leave you to be with your father. I'm sure he will take great care of you. I took my own hatred and spread it far too wide and enveloped the one I wanted to protect the most. I'm still not a fan of him or his kind, but you are far too special in this world not to be sheltered. When you were born there was suddenly something new to this realm and well I couldn't stand the thought of it being in the hands of a blood sucker, then before I knew it I couldn't stand anything." She then turned towards Marnie. "I cannot let you follow the path that I had for over four hundred years; I can tell you know it will get you nowhere. Let me spare you the pain and anguish."
"But I have power now, I have left my pathetic past behind."
"And you still will leave it behind. Take the gift that has been offered to you," Matt said his eyes gentle and sad.
"They will stay here forever and there is no victory in that; as Matthew has said take the blessing that has been offered to you."
Marnie finally decided she had no other choice but didn't go quietly. Antonia satisfied that her work was done went over to Matthew causing Bill to glare angrily at her, she stood with her mouth nearly touching his year and frantically whispered. He pulled back before she was done and looked distant and frustrated his lips were tight and he shook his head. Antonia looked deflated but backed away.
After Antonia left Sookie had a hard time saying goodbye to her grandma while Tara was having a hard time waking her cousin up. Matt's attention quickly turned back to the locals. He looked over at the fallen man and placed his hand on the man's heart. "He'll be fine and spirit free."
"Don't touch him; this is all your fault, you and your fathers," Tara accused.
"Perhaps it is but we all have our faults. I can help wake him up or we can just leave it to chance," Matt said standing up dusting himself off.
"Then help please," she begged.
"Leave him alone, help him…make your damn mind up," Matt snapped, but it was all talk as he had had no plans on leaving Lafayette's life to chance. He kneeled down again and placed one hand on the man's head and one on his heart and mumbled a few things and suddenly Lafayette drew in a deep breath. Matt stood up and smiled tightly, "you're welcome."
"Hello, we're feeling a bit crispy up here," Eric called out the fire still licking at them.
Matt sighed and hung his head as he knew his evening was going to hold even more joy.
A couple hours later Matt settled down on the front porch after doing yet another lap around the house. He had been banished to the great outdoors while Eric healed and tried to deal with his anger concerning his wayward son who had succeeded in pushing his last button. Eric recalled the last words to his son when the danger had become imminent. "I want you to stay away from the action. Antonia knows you too well and through her Marnie does as well. She may very well go after you in an effort to hurt me. Do you understand what I'm saying?"
"Yes, stay away from the action, I got it," Matthew had replied. But they both knew the words were hollow, but that wasn't going to stop Eric from charging forward with his due diligence.
Matt got up took one more walk around the yard and was trying to decide whether he should chance go in the house yet when Sookie came out crying. He quickly jogged over to her his face etched with concern.
"What happened?" he asked gently.
She answered by sobbing more and pulling him towards her in an embrace. As she wrapped her arms around him she first felt a warmth fill her followed by a tingling sensation like her whole body had fallen asleep. As odd as the feeling was she didn't want to let go; it was as if Matt was filling her with what she had just lost. Her tears continued to fall and Matt felt them soak his shoulders. She hugged him even tighter and suddenly she saw him as an infant, a toddler, a young child his blue eyes filled with curiosity then finally as a teen those eyes now reflecting kindness, patience and tenderness. It was all she could do to let go.
"Tell me what happened," he asked when she finally released him.
Looking at this face it was clear he felt nothing out of the ordinary. "Um, I couldn't pick; I couldn't choose Bill over Eric or Eric over Bill."
"So what did you do?"
"I didn't choose either one," she cried.
"Oh," Matt said quietly.
"I guess we won't be going on that trip," she said trying to smile.
"Don't worry about that. It'll be okay, you just need some time it will get better. I'm sorry it ended up this way."
"They'll hate me."
"I don't think that's possible. I'm sure they are both disappointed but each had time with you and they feel the score is even. Maybe they'll be able to work together as a team now."
"I hope so."
"I'll walk you to your car," Matt offered leading Sookie towards the driveway.
As she opened her car door she had to admit that the few minutes she had spent with the teen helped her immensely. She reached out and took his hand once again feeling warmth and an odd sensation. Perhaps it was because she had drunk some of his blood, perhaps it was something more. She shook her head silently berating herself at feeling any sort of attraction to a mere child. But as she drove away and his form became smaller and smaller in her rearview mirror she realized it wasn't either Bill or Eric that she would miss the most.