CHAPTER FOUR

✧✧✧✧✧

        DAKOTA WATCHED AS THE TREES SPED BY THE WINDOW OF THE CAR AS THEY DROVE DOWN THE DESERTED ROAD TOWARDS SHREVEPORT. Two days had passed since Dawn had been murdered and two days since Jason had been arrested on suspicion that he had anything to do with it. Dakota and Dawn weren't close, but they still talked at work. It hurt. Having someone pass away so suddenly. Now, Sookie sat in the passenger's seat beside Bill who was driving. The latter had horrible taste in music and Dakota blinked a few times in surprise, grimacing.

The blonde glanced down at herself. The sage green dress was nice against her skin tone, but she didn't think it would be appropriate to wear to a vampire bar. Dakota didn't own clothes that would suit such a place and she wondered how many people would stare at her and Sookie. Dakota never thought her cousin would haul her off to Fangtasia to clear her brothers name, but here they were. Vampires had nothing to do with the murders. They would drain the body, not suffocate them till they were dead.

There was a somewhat awkward silence in the car between the three of them. Dakota felt out of place and questioned herself on why on earth she had agreed to join them. Bill had assured her he didn't mind her tagging along, but it felt as if she was interrupting something between them. Sookie seemed to be oblivious to the tension as she turned towards the vampire.

"Penny for your thoughts?"

"I thought you liked not knowing what I'm thinking."

"Most of the times I do." Sookie agreed, brushing a blond lock of hair from her face as she looked at him. His eyes were focused on the road.

"You won't care for it." he shrugged.

"That doesn't mean I don't wanna know."

Bill let out a soft sigh as he glanced at her, eyes raking over her appearance before looking at Dakota in the rear-view mirror. "You both look like vampire bait."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Sookie let out a laugh.

"I promised your grandmother no harm would come to you at Fangtasia tonight." he said, eyes back on the road. "Both of you. I'm not sure I'm gonna be able to keep that promise with you dressed like that."

"Is that supposed to be a compliment?" Dakota snorted.

Bill glanced towards her again, grin on his face as he shook his head. Sookie had blushed at his comment, smiling at him brightly.

It didn't take them long after that to park in front of the bar. Dakota leaned forwards to look at the sign 'Fangtasia' in red neon lights. The parking lot was full of cars and there was a long line of people at the front of the bar, though according to Bill it was more of a night club. The vampire got out and waited for her and Sookie.

"Stay close," he advised.

Bill led them inside, skipping the line. The vampire at the front nodded at him and let them pass. The music was blaring inside, walls painted a dark red, which matched the bar nicely. Everything was either red, black, or silver and Dakota had to keep herself from laughing. It was as if they had done this on purpose. Typical vampires. The bar was packed, and the dancefloor was full. There were girls on poles in skimpy outfits and people kissing against walls. Dakota didn't know where to look.

"Bill, haven't seen you in a while."

"I'm mainstreaming."

Dakota glanced up towards the woman, meeting her eyes. Her skin was as pale as snow, blond hair tied up behind her head and lips painted a dark red. Expensive jewellery hung from her neck and her black corset was tight, squeezing her breasts together. There was an amused smirk on her face as her eyes raked over Dakota's attire. They went up to her face again before she turned towards her cousin, eyeing her with a raised brow.

"Good for you." she said, her voice monotone. "Who're the dolls?"

"Pam, this is Sookie and Dakota. Sookie, Dakota, this is Pam." Bill introduced them. The vampire turned to Dakota again, blue eyes piercing her dark ones. Dakota offered her a half smile.

"Pleased to meet you." Sookie smiled, holding out her hand.

Pam looked at it with a raised brow. Sookie awkwardly dropped it by her side as Bill shook his head at her.

"Can I see your ID's?" Pam held out her hand.

"Sure," Dakota handed it to the woman.

"How funny." Sookie chuckled, digging through her handbag. "Who'd have thought? Getting carded at a vampire bar."

"I can no longer tell human ages." Pam said, unamused as she took her ID as well. "We must be careful we serve no minors, in any capacity. Twenty-seven and twenty-five, huh? How sweet it is." The vampire handed back their ID's. "Enjoy your evening."

Bill lead the two girls towards the bar and away from Pam. It smelled like alcohol, smoke and sweat from the humans on the dance floor. Dakota glanced back to see Pam still looking at the three of them, smirk on her face.

"This feels a little bit like what a vampire bar would look like if it were a ... a ride at Disney World." Dakota said as she turned back around and faced Sookie and Bill.

"Well, don't get too comfortable." Bill started as they reached the bar. "It tends to get more authentic as the night wears on. Can I get either of you something to drink?"

"Please," Sookie nodded.

"How's it going Bill?" asked the bartender.

"Very well," he nodded.

"I'll say it is." he said, his fangs visible from beneath his lips. "These your meals for tonight?"

"These are my friends Sookie and Dakota." Bill shook his head at the vampire. "Sookie, Dakota this is Longshadow."

"Nice to meet you." Sookie offered. When the man didn't say anything, she leaned forwards on the bar. "I'll have a gin and tonic, please. What do you want, Kota?"

"Gin and tonic is fine." she agreed, eyes scanning along the bottles of alcohol behind the vampire.

"And I'll have a bottle of O-negative." Bill added. "Longshadow, Sookie would like to know if she could ask you a few questions. Would this be acceptable?"

"I just have a couple of pictures I'd love for you to take a look at." Sookie didn't wait for him to reply as he put the drinks in front of them. The blond took two pictures for her purse and handed them to Longshadow. "Do you recognize either of these women?"

Dakota felt eyes on the back of her head, and she was awfully aware of her movements as a chill ran up her spine. It felt as if someone was standing behind her and breathing down her neck. Her heart hammered in her chest, and she wanted to turn around, but Longshadow's response brought her back and the feeling disappeared.

"Yeah, I've seen them both here before."

"Do you also happen to remember who they hung around with?" Dakota wondered, her heart rate having gone back to normal as she took a sip of her drink.

"That is something we don't notice here." he told her. "You won't either."

"Okay, then." Sookie nodded, somewhat disappointed. "Thank you. I appreciate you taking the time."

Longshadow inspected the photo of Maudette again, holding it up. "This one, she wanted to die."

"How do you know?" Dakota asked, frowning.

"Everyone who comes here does, in their own way. That's who we are: death."

Dakota's frown deepened at his words as Bill handed him a few bills, paying for their drinks before leading the two women towards an empty table. The blond's eyes fell onto the vampires dancing. Their movements were fast, almost as if they were glitching and she watched in awe.

Oh, my god. He's so powerful. So beautiful. You can do this. Just walk up there and offer yourself to him –

Dakota blinked as she tuned the room out, not wanting to hear anyone's thoughts at the moment. "How's your drink?"

"A gin and tonic's pretty much a gin and tonic, no matter where you drink it." Sookie shrugged her shoulders, turning towards Bill.

Dakota felt eyes on her again and this time she decided to glance up. His gaze was intense as he looked at her, eyes a piercing blue. The woman stopped mid sip. His shoulder length blond hair accentuated his pale skin. He cocked his head to the side, eyes raking over her face. A man dropped at his feet, holding onto his thigh. He glanced away from her then and towards the man.

"Who's that?" Sookie wondered, following her cousin's gaze.

"Oh, you noticed him, did you?" Bill mused.

"No, it's not like that. I just –"

"Everyone does." Bill shrugged, not too bothered. "That's Eric. He's the oldest thing in this bar."

Dakota watched as Eric kicked his foot out effortlessly and the man went flying through the bar, landing on his back on the dance floor. Her eyes widened as she turned back towards the vampire. He hadn't moved a muscle as he sat on what looked like a throne. He was sitting on a stage, overlooking the bar. He looked somewhat bored.

"Still think you're in Disney World." Bill asked.

"Funny," Dakota muttered as she turned toward her cousin in the booth. "Able to pick up anything?"

"All anyone's thinking about here is sex, sex, sex." Sookie rolled her eyes in disgust as images of naked vampires flooded her mind.

"One needn't be telepathic to pick up on that." Bill grinned as he looked down at her. Sookie rolled her eyes again. "Uh-oh."

"Don't say, 'uh-oh'. Vampires are not supposed to say 'uh-oh'." Sookie frowned as she shot a look at the vampire.

"It's Eric. He's scanned Dakota three times. He's going to summon us."

"What?" Dakota raised a brow, glancing towards the stage. Their eyes met again, Pam standing behind him with a smirk on her face as she leaned down to whisper something to him.

"He can do that?" Sookie wondered.

"Oh, yeah." Bill nodded.

Eric raised a hand lazily, motioning them forward with two fingers. Bill sighed as he helped Sookie out her chair and led the two women towards the stage. Dakota was the last to join them on the stage, hands clasped in front of her.

"Bill Compton. It has been a while." Eric accused, voice smooth.

"Yes, well, I've been –"

"Mainstreaming, I heard." Eric was amused as he looked a the vampire. He moved his cold blue eyes toward Sookie, and he could practically smell his blood coming from her pores. "I see that is going well for you."

"Yes, of course, sorry." apologised Bill with a nod. "Eric, these are my friends Sookie Stackhouse and –"

"Dakota Elkins."

"How do you know my name?" demanded Dakota.

"I never forget a pretty face." stated Pam, bringing a perfectly manicured finger toward her head and tapping her forehead. "You're in my vault."

"Great, that's real great." Dakota nodded nervously.

"It's nice to meet you." Sookie smiled, turning to Eric.

"Well, aren't you sweet." drawled Eric, eyes still on Dakota as he raked them all over her face in interest.

"Not really."

Bill tugged on Sookie's arm in warning, and she kept her mouth shut. Eric turned his face slightly towards Pam as he spoke in Swedish before turning back to the three of them.

"I understand you've been asking questions about some of my customers." he stated as he crossed his arms over his chest. "If you have anything to ask, you should ask it of me."

"Alrighty," Sookie said, taking the pictures from her purse and handing them to him. "You recognise either one of these girls?"

Eric looked at the pictures, Pam leaning over his shoulder to do the same. Eric hummed, lips turning into a barely noticeable smile. He pointed at Maudette. "This one offered herself to me. But I found her too pathetic for my attentions. Now, this one, however ... I have tasted." He grinned up at them. "but she wasn't as good as I thought she'd be."

"I remember them both." said Pam.

"On account of the vault?" blurted Dakota.

Pam raised a brow at her. "Never had either of them, though. They weren't really my type."

"Well," Dakota babbled, awkwardly. "Thanks for your time."

"I'm not finished with you yet." Dakota met Eric's gaze and his sour look turned into a smile. "Please ... sit."

Dakota glanced at her cousin and hesitantly did so, placing herself on Eric's right. Pam stood behind her and she could practically feel her breath on her neck. Vampires didn't need to breathe, so she was sure she was smelling her.

"So, Bill." Eric started, eyes not leaving Dakota. "Are you quite attached to your friend?"

"She ... she isn't mine." Bill said.

"I am his." Sookie added.

"Well, what a pity for me." Eric mocked as he turned to them. "Sit with us. We have quite catching up to do, you and I. It has been too long."

"Yes, it has." Bill nodded, strained. He sat down beside Eric, Sookie on his other side, away from the vampire as if Bill was afraid Eric was going to pounce on her any second.

"So, Miss. Elkins." Eric's eyes observed the woman on his right, no intention to speak to Bill at all. The strong scent of cherries and the ocean hit his nostrils and he intwined his hands together as he looked at her. "how are you enjoying my club?"

Where the fuck are they? My backup was supposed to be here fifteen minutes ago. I can't handle a raid on my own. These fucking vampires – Dakota barely heard Eric speak as she glanced around the crowded space.

"We have to get out of here." Dakota warned, turning to face the Viking, ignoring his question. He noticed how her heart rate picked up moments ago and narrowed his eyes, suspiciously. 

"Dakota," Bill warned.

"There are cops coming," she breathed, shaking her head. "there's gonna be a raid."

"Tell me you're not an undercover cop." Eric demanded, leaning towards her with narrowed eyes.

"I'm not, but that man in the hat is."

Eric followed her gaze. "Even if you're right, we do nothing illegal here."

"There's a vampire named Taryn in the ladies' room with that man you kicked before." Sookie said. "She's feeding on him."

"How do you know this?" Pam questioned, brows furrowing.

Police! Police! Hands where I can see them!

"We need to go, now." Dakota said, leg bouncing up and down from nerves.

The heavy door that led into Fangtasia slammed open, cops filled into the bar with their guns raised. Dakota's eyes widened and she stood up from the velvet chair. Cold fingers snaked around her wrist and she turned. Dakota had to crane her neck in order for her to meet the vampire's eyes, her head barely reached his shoulders.

"Follow me," he said urgently.

Pam was at the front, leading them through the crowd as they reached the back door of Fangtasia. The cold night air was welcomed as the door slammed shut behind them. There were still screams coming from inside, muffled. Eric turned towards Dakota, tugging on her wrist, and bringing his lips towards the top of her hand.

"I enjoyed meeting you, Miss Elkins. You will come again."

He and Pam disappeared into the night air, leaving her breathless by the sudden disappearance.