All Hell Breaks Loose
Chapter 45: Hot Blooded
Jessica was pacing around the house while everyone was trying to clean up and prepare for the AVL to come along with other members of the Authority to film Steve and get his statement on the event. She was conflicted with several emotions about the event. She wanted to go with Bill since they had only recently been reunited. She had told the others not to go to Dallas and when she heard about what had happened she felt a little guilty for not being there and felt even guiltier for not being reunited with Bill then and there.
"Hey Red," Lawrence said as he shook up his yahtzee cup. "Easy on the pacing please. It's ruining my concentration."
Jessica snatched him up and held him over the back of the couch. "Don't you fucking tell me what to do."
"Ease up on your aggression please," Lawrence said. "Seems somebody should have had a V8."
"Shut up," Jessica snapped. "I can do what I want since it's my Maker that has to hide out in that shit hole and all you are doing is just play some fucking party games. So unless you got any idea that will help us then do everyone a favor and shut the fuck up."
"Let him go," Valentino said and Jessica felt herself being grabbed from behind.
"Don't touch me," Jessica said and spun around to face the older vampire.
"You need to mind your manners," Valentino said coldly. "When was the last time you had something to eat?"
"None of your business." She folded her arms.
"Jessica stop this, please," Ismene said. She was carrying a bottle of Tru Blood. "You do need to eat. You are acting quite agitated."
Jessica swiped the bottle from her and took a sip. Ugh it was so bitter and a bit too metallic. If she still had her fangs she would have find someone to glamour and drink from them instead of downing this crap.
"Feel a little better?" Ismene asked.
"Not really," Jessica said before she took another sip and shuddered.
"It isn't palatable to everyone," Ismene said. "Sometimes adding a little seasoning to it helps."
"Like salt?"
"Salt and pepper, some like to add just a drop of lemon juice, some like a touch of sugar. Experiment with it a little until find what you like."
"Now if you let me explain," Lawrence said as he grabbed his cup. "I was trying to find out where Russell's new home base is located."
"Didn't Bill tell you?" Jessica asked, knowing that it was a stupid question the moment she asked it.
"He was in their dungeon the whole time," Anya explained. She was in the middle of deep prayer with Steve. Jessica had no idea what they were praying about but if it helped Steve relax then she was all for it. "He also said he had forgotten any other detail that he remembered, like someone had erased it from his mind."
"Now let me try again," Lawrence said and gave his cup another shake before he dumped the several stones that were inside.
There was a knock at the door. Valentino excused himself to see who it was while everyone except for Cassidy watched Lawrence read his stones.
"Get those cameras in here and set them up stat," a cold and flinty voice echoed through out the house before a woman in a pinstripe suit, four-inch heels and dark hair in a tight bun walked in. Jessica guessed that she was a vampire.
"Helena," Ismene greeted with a voice that dripped honey. "I wasn't expecting to see you."
"The answer is still no," Helena said and turned back to the people setting up cameras and a boom mike. "We need two comfortable chairs in the middle here and a coffee table between them."
"Oh really?" Ismene asked before she grabbed the other vampire by the shoulder and pulled her away. "What do you mean no?"
"I mean what I say," Helena said. "I do not control the Authority I am only their voice and while you did present a good argument for them they still refuse. I side with them slightly. Both Bill Compton and Eric Northman are loose cannons."
"They are like lion cubs," Ismene said. "Both can look innocent and sweet, be fierce and lash out and can be tamed."
"And you are providing the whip?"
"I may have to borrow yours." She gave the other woman a wink.
"Touché, but their decision still stands. They can plead their case before some representatives but I think they are unmoving in their decision."
"Can't they have a fair trial?" Jessica asked. "Why do these representatives have to be the judge, jury and executioner?"
Helena shrugged. "That is their way."
"Can you request a trial by tribunal?" Ismene asked. "You are the new Magister."
"I will request it and tell them that such a request is also backed by you."
"And me," Jessica added. "Y'all are talking about killing my Maker."
"I will make mention of that as well, especially if you are under ten in vampire years."
"I don't know if it will count, but there is also the fact that he has some living family in town."
"Descendants," Helena said in a non impressed tone. "I will note that."
"You have several," Ismene said to her. "I have hundreds. You know that Louisa on the QVC? My descendant."
"On your sibling side?" Jessica asked since Ismene looked no older than sixteen.
"From my children. I had three. I was dying after I gave birth to my third child and a special healer turned out to be my Maker. I wonder how many of these vampires can look down on humanity when their distant relatives are humans."
"Three children?"
"I know I look young, but remember back when I was turned you were lucky to live to be thirty five."
"Ms Helena?" A man asked. He was dressed in a suit and had silver hair. On a second glance Jessica saw that it was Jack Baron, the local news anchor from Shreveport. "I need to get this interview down so I can air it for the eleven o'clock news."
"Of course Jack," Helena said. "Mr. Newlin your public awaits."
"Right," Steve said and sat down on one of the chairs.
"Get him a bottle of Tru Blood," Helena ordered. "Bring a cup of water for Mr. Baron. These two humans need to go." She pointed at Lawrence and Cassidy. "Why are you wearing goggles?"
"They're prescription," Lawrence explained and slid them back over the top of his head.
"Prescription goggles?" Helena asked and raised an eyebrow.
"I had them customized. I need them to read since I'm far sighted."
"Fair enough, but you need to clear out."
"Not going to happen," Cassidy said. She had moved her easel, canvas, palette, brushes and paints.
"This does not concern you."
"Number one this is not your house and unless Miss Hamby tells me to leave I will stay here," Cassidy began. "Number two. I am human and therefore are not subject to the Authority and number three unlike you I were there."
"Damn," Jessica gasped. She could not believe how ballsy Cassidy was being and wished she was as brave when she was human. A part of her wished she had that kind of backbone now.
"You were there?" Helena said in a disbelieving tone.
"I was the Uma Thurman wannabe." She moved her hands in a sword swinging motion.
"So that was you. You two can stay and watch but do not make a single sound." She turned to face the chairs. "Five, four, three," she did not count the last two numbers.
"Good evening. I am Jack Baron with an exclusive interview with the former Reverend of the Fellowship of the Sun, Steve Newlin." He turned to Steve and held out his hand. "Good to see you, Steve."
"Thank you for having me," Steve said as he shook Jack's hand.
"Steve, I think it's safe to say what is on everyone's minds and talk about what had happened at your father's church."
"Tragic," Steve said and closed his eyes. "I am still mourning my old friends."
"Many wondered how you knew about the event."
"We came across someone who works for Russell," Steve explained. "Some of my new friends were able to get the answer from her."
"How were you able to get the truth out?"
"Now some would say by torture," Steve waved his finger. "But the opposite. We made this individual comfortable, fed them well cooked meals, let them indulge in a bubble bath, gave them a massage and pedicure and well a little more wine." He paused to take a sip from his bottle.
"So you loosened their lips?"
"Exactly and the second we learned of it we made calls to the church and to a different group of vampires in Dallas."
"Some might wonder why you would go back to save them."
"Number one those people were my flock and family and friends and what kind of Christian would turn their backs on a group of people if they know they are in danger."
"But you have been turned and most of them no longer trust you. They see you as the enemy." He took a big drink from his water.
"They are still people I know and care about and nothing is going to change that for me."
"Do you have any idea where Russell Edington might be located, or what is next move is going to be?"
"That I can't answer because I have no idea. Russell is my enemy and he is the enemy of the AVL and every other good hearted vampire out there."
"Do you know if and where Edgington will strike next?"
"Sadly I do not, but when I learn of any new details I will contact both the proper authorities and the AVL."
"Those are all my questions," Jack said and held out his hand once again. "Thank you again for speaking with me."
"It was my pleasure," Steve said as he shook it.
"Cut," Helena called out with a satisfied voice. "That is a wrap."
"I think that went well," Steve said and finished off his bottle.
"Very well," Jack said with a smile. "Is it all right if the crew and I head back?"
"Go on," Helena dismissed them with a wave before she turned to Jessica. "I will try in my best effort to convince the others to give Bill Compton and Eric Northman a fair trial."
"Thank you," Jessica said. Once they were gone and far enough away she would contact Bill and tell them they were in the clear.
A/N: Thank you for all the reviews everyone. Next Chapter will be the Thanksgiving one.