A/N: My fever induced story. I had this idea of a newly sired Tally standing in front of Ancient Sarah, but didn't know what to do with it. Where to take it. Fever really helped to shape it :D True story.

Jen, thank you so much for proofreading.

"Come on, Red," the vampire whose name was Nicte, if Tally understood correctly, urged her with another hard shove to her shoulders. "I have to show you to the Head of the Coven," she said with a scoff. "Sadly for us she's the Ancient One, a really big deal. It would be so much easier if we were to meet just a regular Head of the Coven, but alas… It must be done. Just don't say anything."

Tally fought her tears once again, scared of what was to come. Just a few days ago she was a regular girl and today she was a vampire. Ma told her not to go out after dark, but she wanted to see Gerit. She snuck out as she had so many times before and her life changed drastically. No, her life ended.

"We're here," Nicte announced when they stopped in front of the gate to Fort Salem. A long stone wall had always separated this part of town and Ma never let her go inside of it. Now she wondered if it was the vampire district. "When we enter the bar and stand in front of the throne, you will bow your head. Otherwise don't do anything and don't say anything. Hopefully we'll be out of the door before she can blink."

Tally nodded. Nicte told her all about how vicious vampires were. How hostile and unpredictable. But that she would protect her from them. Of course Tally didn't wish to find out just how vicious the creatures could really be. She could still feel Nicte's fangs in her neck and she didn't wish to repeat the experience anytime soon.

They entered the gate and walked a relatively short distance to the bar. Tally didn't understand why the Head of the Coven would be in a bar, but she didn't question it. Bow your head, don't do anything.

Nicte opened the door and led Tally along the bar. The lights were dimmed and she felt like it finally wasn't hurting her eyes. Some of the street lamps were a tad too bright for her now. Along the bar were a few tables with seats, but nothing too big. When they reached the end of this section, another much larger space opened itself to the right with lounges and a rather spacious open area at the end with short tables and pillows on the floor. The bar continued across that space as well and Tally realized it was L shaped. The whole room was in the shape of L.

Her eyes were glued to the first table where a vampire was feeding on some poor woman and she gasped. The same scenery could be seen all across the room. Only now she realized the ever- present smell of blood. She wanted to get out as soon as possible. This was not to her liking.

Her eyes wandered to the left from all this horror and there in the corner overseeing both parts of the room sat a woman with long dark hair and pale skin. She was situated on a throne that seemed to be on some kind of stage so that she was above all else. The stage was bright red in color while the throne was black. It was a nice contrast. Right after Tally looked in her direction, the woman's eyes snapped to Tally's and the girl shivered, feeling like time stopped for a moment.

From what Tally could see when she recovered, the vampire wore a black tight dress that ended just above her knees and jewelry that shone even at such a distance. It wasn't distasteful or too much, just shiny… There was another woman standing at her right, now looking at Tally as well. She wanted to ask Nicte about her, but her maker interrupted her observations and thoughts with a nudge to her back. They made it up the stairs closer to the women and Tally was in awe. They were still only on the first platform, but she could see the striking blue eyes of the seated woman watching her closely. There were more stairs and another platform separating them from the women, but Nicte halted her step.

"I believe you said we have to extend our ranks, Sarah. So meet Tally Craven, a newborn vampire," Nicte introduced her and if Tally didn't know better, she would say she heard disrespect in her voice. "Red, this is the one and only Sarah Alder. The almighty Ancient One, the Head of the Coven." Yep, definitely disrespect. "And Anacostia Quartermaine, her… pet?" Nicte smirked and Tally could see the woman with silver blue eyes clench her jaw in anger. She wanted to get out of here. Why was Nicte angering them? Did she wish for either of them to attack? She hid behind her maker, scared. They both seemed like they could snap people in half just by looking at them.

The woman standing, Anacostia, took a step in their direction, but Alder stopped her by a motion of her hand. Tally didn't feel safe. Surprisingly she didn't feel danger from the old vampire though, the woman was looking at her with a gentle gaze and it felt soothing. Nicte painted such a picture that Tally thought she would be slaughtered just by looking in her general direction.

"We've wasted enough of your time, General. Have a good evening," Nicte somewhat bowed her head and turned Tally to leave.

"Halt," the Ancient One finally spoke. And what a voice she had, Tally thought to herself.

Nicte muttered something under her breath and slowly turned her head back in their direction. "Really, Sarah, I did my due. You saw her. Now we will be out of your hair in a heartbeat."

"Be quiet," Alder hissed and Nicte shut her mouth at once. "Turn around, Tally," she commanded in a much gentler voice. It wasn't even a command, more a plea. The redhead slowly did and kept her head down. "Come here, child."

Tally lifted her chin as she said, "I'm 20. I'm not a child."

"I'm 465. You are a child."

Tally gaped. Who the hell was 364 years old? Well, Sarah Alder apparently. "Oh," she just said. More a sound escaping her treacherous mouth than a word, really. "I've been told I have a baby face so I assumed," she paused when the vampire cocked her eyebrow. "Sorry."

"It is strictly forbidden to sire children. I believe Nicte told you as much?" Tally shook her head. Nicte didn't tell her anything. "Didn't she explain our customs, rules and lifestyle?"

"No, Ma'am."

Sarah leaned back in her chair at that and shot a glare in Nicte's direction. The woman's self-righteous smirk didn't sit well with her. Neither did the way the girl was so tense.

"Didn't I tell you to be quiet?" Nicte hissed into her ear. "You don't want to anger her, do you?" she whispered maliciously so that only Tally could hear. The redhead cast her gaze back down immediately and closed off. Her heart rate picked up pace and she wished to be anywhere else but here. Nicte did tell her what other vampires were capable of and Tally definitely didn't wish to experience it for herself. Her transformation was painful enough. On the other hand, her instinct was telling her that Nicte was worse news than the Head of the Coven and that in itself was strange… she was supposed to be the worst of them all.

Sarah noted the change in demeanor immediately after whatever it was Nicte whispered. The girl was scared. There was nothing to be afraid of, though. It shouldn't be like this. When they entered the premises she looked like a deer caught in the headlights. When she saw the feeding, it was clear she was frightened. Sarah didn't want to think the worst, but she had to make sure.

"Come closer, Tally," she beckoned and Tally's eyes snapped to her at the request.

Tally knew she should be scared, but there was a pull towards the older vampire and her eyes were so kind. She saw no evil in them, no ill intent. Not like when she looked into Nicte's…

"I don't think that's necessary, Sarah," Nicte objected, grabbing Tally's arm to prevent her from leaving her place.

The gesture angered the Ancient One more than the insubordinate words. "Silence!" Alder screamed in a disruptive voice that filled the whole room, shutting everyone up in the bar including the music. "Release her," she added in the same voice and Nicte's arm immediately let go of Tally's. The redhead shivered at the display of sheer power. "Come here," Sarah prompted again, much gentler, her voice like a velvet touch. It was a stark contrast to the previous hostility when Tally felt like even the temperature dropped a few degrees from how chilled the tone was. It was like Jekyll and Hide. "I won't hurt you," she added, shooting Nicte a glare.

Tally dragged her feet up the remaining flight of stairs to the platform where Alder's throne was situated and had to do a double take. The vampire truly was breathtaking up this close. Of course Tally could see her beauty from afar, but now she could pay attention to the cerulean eyes, sharp jaw, flawless skin and long black hair. The creature was ethereal, otherworldly. She took a deep breath when the eyes returned to her face and paid her undivided attention.

"Now I need you to tell me if Nicte did this to you against your will," Alder whispered as she leaned forward, but Tally heard every word. Maybe because she was hypnotized by the plush lips that looked so soft. It was still easier to look at her mouth than hold her gaze, though. Those eyes would be her undoing. "Nothing will happen to you if you confirm," she reassured. "Nothing will happen to you if you deny," she added. "Please just tell me exactly what happened."

"I -," Tally started and chanced a look at Nicte. She was glaring back at her, venom in her eyes. "Y-," she started, but her throat closed up. She gasped and tried to breathe, but it was like her tongue was suddenly ten times bigger.

"Nicte!" Alder hissed. "Stop at once," she commanded in the voice that made Tally shiver, but her throat opened again immediately and she gulped a few quick breaths. Sarah leaned towards the striking vampire on her right and whispered something to her ear. The woman nodded and walked in Nicte's direction. "Get Petra to help, Ana," she called after her and then turned her attention back to the redhead. She was still breathing heavily and if she was being honest, she was frightened. "I believe I have my answer, but tell me anyway. If you want to."

"Tell you what?" she asked weakly, hating how it sounded. She was tired and scared and quite frankly overwhelmed. She wanted to please the Ancient One though because her kindness was so soothing and her eyes so beautiful. Yet all she managed was a weak sound coming from her mouth. She felt weak. She hated it.

"What exactly happened when Nicte sired you? It doesn't seem like it was a very pleasurable transformation for you."

Tally let out a bitter chuckle, "You could say that." She looked around the room, but no one seemed to pay them any mind. Either they masked it well or this wasn't that interesting. Or maybe it wasn't allowed to gape at the Head of the Coven. She also noticed that Nicte was gone.

She turned her attention back to Alder who was watching her closely. "I guess it was my fault," Tally started. "My mom forbade me to go out after dark, but I always thought she was just overly protective, you know. Unnecessarily. Vampires hadn't attacked anyone since they struck the deal and … yeah, so I just snuck out," she admitted. "And now I realize you probably didn't want to hear my whole life story. Sorry. So Nicte -"

"No, it's quite alright. Continue," Alder encouraged with a small smile and she patted a red wooden stool next to her throne for Tally to sit on. "You snuck out and?"

Tally smiled back, revealing her fangs and dimples as she sat down. Sarah thought she was downright adorable. "I snuck out to see my boyfriend and we went to the movie palace," she recalled, some of the tension leaving her. She didn't know if it was the Ancient One's presence or the fact that Nicte wasn't shooting daggers at her back with her gaze anymore, but she relaxed. She definitely wasn't so scared. For now. "After the movie, he had to leave so he didn't walk me home," she said and noticed Alder scowl at that. "He was a good boyfriend otherwise," Tally exclaimed. "He just often had to be elsewhere."

"There is no excuse for not walking your lady home," the vampire scoffed and Tally fully realized her age. She must have been from a time where there was courting and unspoiled marriages. "Go on," Alder interrupted her train of thoughts.

"Well, I didn't mind the walk actually. It was a nice cloudless evening with no wind. It was quite warm considering -," she paused and chuckled. "I rambled again. I'm so sorry," she hid her face behind her hands.

Alder was amused. This evening turned out to be quite entertaining after all. Tally was such a sweet girl, beautiful and carefree. The resemblance to her … no, let's not go there, Sarah.

"Ramble all you want, I have time." She didn't.

"I'm glad because it's usually hard to stop it," she blushed. "So I was almost home, I had to go through the small alley near Fifth Avenue, if you know it and right after I turned the corner I felt a very sharp pain in my neck and a body pressed to mine from behind," she teared up. "I - I couldn't do anything," a tear rolled down her cheek. "Couldn't even scream," she whispered. "Then a cut wrist with flowing blood was shoved to my mouth and I refused to open it and drink, but I was losing strength very fast and eventually couldn't fight even that." Tally cried. She wiped her tears with the back of her hand because she didn't want to look like a child in front of the Ancient One, but all the hurt she experienced came back and she couldn't stop the flood.

"Tally," Alder whispered, aching for the girl. Not even in her wildest nightmares did she imagine Nicte would do something like this. She reached for the redhead's hand and stroked her shoulder. Electricity shot through her at the touch and she closed her eyes and took a deep breath to ground herself. This could be a problem.

When Tally recovered from the buzz of Alder's touch, thinking it normal that should the Ancient One touch you there would be a reaction, she continued. "After my body was giving up on me, she retreated and turned me to face her. I didn't see much in the dark, but the fangs and mouth full of blood, my blood I did see," she recalled. "Then she grabbed me, said her name and told me I'm hers now while she took me to some dungeon where I experienced the most painful time of my life. Everything ached so much," she said quietly. "I screamed and begged whoever to make it stop, but it didn't. All the while she watched, looking amused…"

"Tally, I am so, so sorry you went through that," Alder cupped her cheek and visibly took a deep breath at the action. "That is nowhere near how it's supposed to be. Hell, we are not even supposed to sire people anymore," she sighed. "I cannot imagine the horror. As the Head of this Coven I apologize to you on Nicte's behalf."

"You don't need to apologize," she replied with wide brown eyes and Sarah thought she could get lost in them if she wasn't careful enough. "You didn't do any of it. Other people's actions are not your responsibility."

"It feels like it," Alder sighed defeated. "She is from my Coven. I am responsible for each and every one of you in some way."

"You definitely are not," Tally stood her ground, not liking the shadow that crossed the vampire's face. "You've been nothing but kind to me. You have nothing to apologize for."

"Nicte will apologize to you personally as well. I'll make sure of it. However, it won't change what happened."

"If it's alright with you, I'd rather not see her," Tally said unsurely. She was sure about the request, just not if she was in any position to make demands.

"Of course, my child," Alder smiled and leaned back in her chair. The close proximity was opening ancient wounds. She couldn't let her demons consume her. Tally didn't deserve to see it nor feel it. She was just so … No, Sarah. "When did Nicte sire you?"

"Hmm," Tally furrowed her brow in thought. "I think it was three nights ago?" She answered uncertainly. "The first night she bit me, then I felt like dying for I don't know how long and now I'm here. I don't think I was in pain for longer than half the night and the day… just some tremors and mild stings of pain during the second night. I slept through the day after and in the evening she grabbed me and told me we had to come see you."

Sarah was shaking her head, barely masking her disgust at how badly this girl was mistreated. Everything could have been prevented if Nicte fucking bothered. The transformation was painful as the human body was being killed by the vampiric virus and then mended by it again, but it didn't have to be this painful. It wasn't supposed to be this painful. She wanted to murder Nicte.

Maybe it was time to change the rules? Maybe vampires would bring their partner before the ritual? She may have to think about it. But then again, she banned siring random people decades ago. Fucking Nicte will give me a headache.

This right here was why she established the rule of 'First Sight'. Every newborn vampire had to be introduced to the Head of the Coven, no exceptions. No one wanted some vampires with god complex to go rogue. However, she truly never thought that one of her own would sire an innocent girl. And definitely not in this fashion. Nicte was always a wild card, but this crossed so many rules and morals that she still couldn't quite believe it. And yet she could. Perfectly.

"At the very start you said this is your fault," she gestured to the fangs. "Why do you feel that way when Nicte all but assaulted you?"

"Oh," the redhead faced down. She didn't think the Ancient One was even paying attention to her words. Not that she would seem disinterested or anything, but who was Tally to her? Why would she listen to whatever some child had to say? "Well, I disobeyed my mother so I had it coming, I guess."

"If I recall, it wasn't the first time you've done that?" Alder smiled softly and Tally pondered again how it was possible that the vampire listened and even remembered everything she said.

"Not by a long shot, no," she bubbled a laugh.

"Then perhaps it was the fault of that useless boy of yours that didn't walk his lady home," she quipped in that velvety voice of hers. "And it most certainly was Nicte's fault. Nowhere in this equation do I see your name."

Tally smiled widely, her dimples showing and brown eyes were filled with adoration. Alder repaid the smile with one of her own and knew instantly what to do with the newborn. How she could help her cope with this new life that was forced upon her. Before she could call for the girls though, Tally asked shyly. "How come your fangs are not … you know, 'extended' for lack of a better word?" She did air quotes with her hands. "Mine are down for everyone to see," she faced the floor again.

Sarah's heart clenched painfully in her chest. First of all, Tally was thrown into this without any explanation and without any guidance. She must be so overwhelmed. Second of all, it was clear she was ashamed of her fangs.

"Look at me, my child," the Ancient One cooed. She would not let the redhead think that this was anything to be ashamed of. When brown orbs met silver blue, Sarah's breath hitched. She extended her fangs nevertheless and parted her lips for Tally to see.

The girl trembled at the sight. She wanted to touch them. She wanted to touch the woman. If she thought the vampire was beautiful before then she had no words now. Fuck. Oh fuck. Why do I want to feel them inside of my neck?

"You'll learn how to control your urges and impulses with time, and with that how to control your fangs," Alder explained. "But they won't be pushed back until you feed for the first time. You must be hungry." Tally didn't know how to comment on that so she remained silent. She wanted to nod her head, but also to shake it. Yes, she was hungry, but she guessed she had to feed from someone and she would definitely not do that. "You like what you see?" Sarah smirked when the girl couldn't tear her eyes away from her fangs.

Now Tally did nod, not really trusting her voice.

"Well, yours are just as strikingly beautiful," Sarah reassured. Even more so, she thought.

"I doubt that," she said quietly. They represented all the pain she had felt so far and that made them repulsive.

"Tally," she called her gently and Tally could swear her name falling from those lips was the sweetest sound she's ever heard. "You were mistreated so very badly," she said and again had this urge to reach out and touch her, to comfort her. She refrained. "I have someone in mind to show you that this life could be amazing too. Sadly what Nicte did is irreversible, but I believe you will find friendship and understanding with the girls," she smiled encouragingly and called for Raelle and Abigail.

"Not Nicte?" the newborn asked, feeling so small. The dark eyed vampire was literally the last person she wanted to see, but Nicte said she was hers.

Alder tilted her head, eyes studying the girl. "I thought you didn't wish to see her."

"I don't!" Tally confirmed. "But she said I am hers and I don't know how things work here, so …"

The Ancient One pinched the bridge of her nose. She could feel the headache approaching rather quickly. So many things went wrong here. "She has no claim over you and I am going to make sure that she never will."

"Claim?"

"I will have someone else explain that, my sweet," she said apologetically.

"Of course, I've already taken too much of your time," Tally said with a smile, grateful the vampire spared so much of her evening to begin with. Of course she was sad their time was about to come to an end, but all good things always ended. "Thank you for everything."

"And I would happily give you more, but I have matters to attend to," she smiled sadly. She really would talk with the redhead all night. It should be scary. It was scary. "And I probably have to go see Izadora to give me a potion against the pounding headache."

"I guess I gave you an earful," she blushed. "I told you at the beginning to stop my ramblings."

"Oh my sweet, you are not the cause of this headache," she chuckled and stroked Tally's cheek in reassurement. She felt the electricity again, but some of the pain eased away upon the touch. She hummed contently, wanting to touch the girl more. Careful, Sarah. That's a dangerous game.

Thankfully she was saved by Raelle's cough indicating their presence. They stood in front of them from the left side, looking at the scene with raised eyebrows and mild shock. Sarah recollected herself and addressed them. "Girls, this is Tally Craven. As you can tell, she's a newborn and she needs your help. Show her around, answer any questions she may have and make sure she eats," she instructed and then turned her head back to the redhead. "Tally, this is Raelle Collar," she gestured to the short blonde, "And this is Abigail Bellweather," she pointed to the second girl with beautiful chocolate skin that was the tallest of them all.

"Hi," Tally greeted them with a timid smile as she rose from the stool.

"Hi, well come along, I guess," Abigail said and bowed her head in Alder's direction.

"You're not guessing," Raelle rolled her eyes. "Definitely come along! I can tell we're gonna vibe!" she exclaimed happily and draped her arm around Tally's shoulders to drag her down the stage. Tally managed one last dimpled smile thrown over her shoulder at the Ancient One and Sarah … melted.

She knew the girls would take good care of Tally and so she called for Petra Bellweather to watch over the room and left to have a word with Nicte.

A/N: the title is still a work in progress. If you have any ideas, hit me!

here I am again, writing vampires. I can't help it. If u want to talk nad have FB, find me in Talder Land group ❤️