CHAPTER EIGHT

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       DAKOTA KEPT HERSELF BUSY AS SHE VACUUMED THE LIVING ROOM. It had gotten dusty over the last couple of days and she couldn't stand the sight. The events of the night before still played through her mind over and over again. Dakota had no idea how and why she did what she did to Malcolm. It just happened. No one but Lafayette had paid attention to her, which meant no one else had seen her burn his skin. The woman had tried to make light appear again when she got home that night, but nothing had happened, so she tried to ignore it.

The blond glanced around when she turned the vacuum off. The home now belonged to her, since she was the oldest relative living in the house. She had signed the papers just that morning. Jason had inherited his and Sookie's parents' home, so he didn't need this one, so Dakota was next in line. She and Sookie now lived there by themselves, their gran's room untouched since her murder.

There was a cuss coming from the kitchen and Dakota made her way towards her cousin. Sookie had been in search of Bill since the night before. He hadn't picked up his phone nor did he text her back when she left him messages. The woman was running around like a lunatic to find him and when she had gotten the news that four vampires had been burned that morning at the place Malcolm said they lived, she got even worse.

The youngest Stackhouse didn't say a word as she cleaned the kitchen as if her life depended on it. Sure, Dakota liked a clean home, but everything now smelled of bleach and it was making her head hurt.

"Sookie," Dakota tried as she took a seat at the kitchen table.

"What?" Sookie sounded annoyed as she glanced her way and grabbed a mask from the kitchen counter.

"Are you okay?"

"Does it look like I'm okay?"

The woman put the mask on and dropped to her knees, leaning into the oven to clean it with whatever chemicals she had found in the cupboard. Dakota sighed and rested her head in her hands as she peered around the sparkling kitchen.

"Jesus Christ!" Tara rushed in through the back door and pulled Sookie from the oven. It did look like she was trying to end it all with the way she was sitting. "What the hell are you doing?"

"Stop with the J.C!" Sookie snapped, as she pulled the mask from her face and jumped to her feet. "I'm cleaning, what does it look like? And watch your feet I just waxed."

"I hope you mean the floor." Tara raised a brow, resting her hands on her hips as she watched her friend hurry through the kitchen with her hands full of cleaning supplies.

"Can I help you?" Sookie sassed. "I'm up to my elbows in Easy-off."

Tara's demeanour changed as she straightened her back slightly, joyful smile on her face. "My mama made me hoecakes this morning, bacon grease and all."

"So?"

"Sookie," Dakota scolded and smiled at her friend. "that's wonderful, Tara. I can't remember the last time your mother even lifted a finger to make you anything."

"We went into the woods to get a four-hundred and forty-five-dollar hoodoo exorcism last night." Tara explained as Dakota furrowed her brows. "You don't want to get me started on that."

"My grandmother's dead." Sookie retorted as she faced Tara. "At least you got someone who makes breakfast for you. You ever think about what's happening with others before you barge in on them?"

"Sorry, I didn't mean-"Tara began.

"Sookie, what the hell?" Dakota got up from the table, defending Tara who looked somewhat uncomfortable. "I get that you're upset with everything that has been going on, I really do, trust me. But you don't get to treat other people the way you're treating them right now just because you're upset."

"Shut up!" Sookie turned her glare on her cousin.

"Are those fang marks?" Tara blurted suddenly, taking a step towards the blonde.

"So what? It means someone cared for me when everyone else left me high and dry."

"No wonder you're crazy." Tara scoffed, shaking her head in disappointment. "A vampire made a meal of you."

"Why am I the only person that doesn't think vampires are monsters?"

"They drink our blood. What's to say Bill won't leave you once he's had his fill? What do you think he's going to do then?"

"Do you have any idea what I've been through today?" Sookie yelled, throwing her gloves onto the table in anger. "A friend would ask."

"Don't tell me how to be your friend." Tara argued, pissed off. "I'm the only friend you got, goddamn it."

"Lords name in vain." Sookie scoffed.

"Fuck off." Tara glared.

Dakota didn't even get the chance to seperate the two friends before they made it worse for themselves. They fired insults at eachother quickly and Dakota could only watch them from the sidelines.

"You know what get out of my house!" Sookie yelled. "I've gotten very good at losing people lately and you're only making it easier for me."

"Bitch, I don't even wanna be here. If you are hell-bent on being alone in this world I ain't gonna stop, you." Tara stormed off, slamming the door closed behind her.

Sookie let out a frustrated scream and slammed the oven door shut in anger, pushing past her cousin in a hurry.

"That better not be broken." Dakota glared as she stormed up the stairs towards her room.

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"OPEN UP."

Dakota opened her mouth happily as Lafayette fed her some soup. He gave her an expectant look as she tasted it. The blonde grinned at him and nodded her approval as he gave her a bowl and a spoon. He had been working on that soup all evening.

"Thank god." Lafayette said as he threw a rag over his shoulder.

"Anything you make tastes good." Dakota smiled, leaning on the counter as she ate her dinner. Lafayette winked at her and he went back to stirring. "I mean that. What's in this?"

"It's tomato soup."

"I know that," Dakota rolled her eyes. "but what did you do to it?"

"That's a secret, Koko." He raised a brow. "I ain't ever telling ya."

It was Dakota's last shift of the week, and she was glad she had the next three nights off. Lafayette was going to stay with her those nights, like they did when they were younger. Dakota and Sookie weren't speaking, and she didn't want to spend her free time with her sulking cousin.

"Horror or comedy?"

"Porn."

"Lafayette!"

"Fine," he held up his hands in mock surrender. "whatever you want to watch, Koko."

The blonde chuckled and handed her bowl back to him and pulled on her apron tighter as she ambled back towards the bar. Tara had taken over her waiting duties while she was on break, and she watched as she stalked over towards Hoyt.

"You look mighty pretty tonight, Tara." Hoyt smiled, genuinely as he watched her put down his dinner. "That's a nice colour on you."

"Fuck you." Tara spat.

"I'm sorry, what-" Hoyt frowned. "Was that sexist?"

"Tara, may I have a word with you?" Sam clenched his jaw as he looked at his employee. "In my office."

Tara stormed off after him and they disappeared down the hall. Dakota shared a grimace with Hoyt as she went back behind the bar, pouring herself a glass of whiskey. It was a slow night, and all the tables had their food and drinks. Two hours left and she'd be let off.

The door burst open, and her blonde cousin stalked inside. It was her night off and Dakota really wasn't in the mood to serve her anything. The youngest Stackhouse had a bright smile on her face and Dakota raised a brow at her.

"Guess what?" Sookie beamed.

"What?"

"Bill's alive!"

Dakota sobered up brows raising as she leaned forwards onto the bar. That was great news. Dakota liked Bill, he was sweet to Sookie and the people she cared about. Yes, she was very happy Bill was alive.

"How?" she wondered. Everyone was sure the vampire died during the fire.

"He got my message and decided to hide in the graveyard." Sookie smiled. "He buried himself in the ground. Oh, it's just great Dakota!"

"It is." Dakota smiled, her anger slowly disappearing when she saw how Happy Sookie was. "I'm happy for you, Sook."

"Thank you." she grinned. "I just wanted to tell you that I'll be staying with him tonight so don't wait up for me, okay? Well, see you tomorrow."

And she was gone.

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IT WAS HUMID WHEN DAKOTA STEPPED OUT OF HER OLD CAR THAT EVENING, SHE HAD PARKED IT DIRECTLY IN HER FRONT OF HER HOUSE AFTER HER SHIFT HAD ENDED. Sookie was at home, the living room lights were on, and she frowned. Her cousin was supposed to be at Bill's house. She hoped to have the house to herself until Lafayette got off work, which wouldn't be until two and it was eleven now. Her apron hung loosely on her elbow.

Her front porch was illuminated from the headlights for a second when she locked her car. The blond moved her shoulders around, an ache forming from the stress of the last week. Dakota froze when she saw a shadow move behind her in the car window and she spun on her heels with a gasp, stumbling back towards the pavement.

"Easy, sweetheart."

Cold hands wrapped themselves around her biceps and steadied her, keeping her from hitting the ground below. Dakota stumbled back, even with the grip he had on the bare skin of her arms. He smirked, slowly removing his fingers and dropping his arms at his side. His long hair moved around his face in the breeze and his tall frame loomed over her short one.

"Eric," said Dakota, and that was her only greeting as she hadn't expected to see him. Especially in front of her home of all places.   

"Dakota," he smiled, hands pushed into his pockets. He wore a black tank top, like last time she saw him and dark washed jeans. He looked the same and somehow different, she couldn't put her finger on it. His skin was so pale it almost hurt her eyes.

"What are you doing here?" she wondered, glancing at her house before turning her gaze back toward him, craning her neck up to meet his bright blue eyes.

"I came to see you." he stated, slyly.

Dakota raised a brow, not understanding why a thousand-year-old vampire wanted to come see her so late. Stupid. It was morning for them. Eric was a charming man, and he knew it, that's why his eyes raked over her frame as if he was undressing her. Dakota didn't move. "Here I am."

Eric let out a chuckle and nodded slowly, eyes falling on her bare legs. The blond would have felt uncomfortable if it had been anyone else, but she couldn't listen to his thoughts and even if she knew they probably were dirty, she was glad she couldn't hear it.

"You should wear shorts more often," he observed. "you have wonderful legs."

Dakota didn't want it to happen, but her body betrayed her as her cheeks turned crimson and she clenched her jaw. Eric grinned, pleased with himself as he leaned against her car, ankles crossed. He took in her vehicle with amusement. It wasn't anything near what he drove, but it suited her.

"Kota?" Sookie stood on the porch, Bill behind her. The vampire glared at Eric, who only rolled his eyes at the younger vamp. "Why don't you come inside." Sookie turned to Eric. "And you, stay away from her."

"Keep your dog on a leash, William." Eric barked.

Bill let out a snarl and Sookie put her hands on his chest in warning. Dakota raised a brow at her cousin and turned back to the blond sheriff before her. His eyes moved back to her face, and his smile returned.

"I need a favour, Miss. Elkins."

"She won't be doing anything for you." Sookie came hurtling down the steps and stood beside Dakota, eyes hard. Bill warned her and took a hold of her elbow, knowing he shouldn't cross Eric. "Get off my property."

Dakota didn't understand why Sookie was so hostile but when she saw the way Bill was looking at him she understood. He must have filled her head with tales of the viking. Bill really must hate him.

"It's okay, Sook." muttered Dakota before she turned back to Eric. "What kind of favour?"

"I need you to use that gift of yours."

Dakota cocked her head to the side, furrowing her brows. "What gift?"

"Come now," he laughed, his hands tucked deep into his pockets as he looked down at her. "you know exactly what I am talking about. I'll have you home in a few hours."

"She is not going anywhere with you." Sookie glared, arms crossed.

Dakota closed her eyes for a moment in annoyance and sighed, "Sookie, shut up. I can take care of myself. You don't make decisions for me."  Her cousin looked affronted and glared at the pair of them before taking a hold of Bill's wrist and rushing back inside the house.

"Saucy," Eric mused. "I like it."

The woman tried not to smile as she asked, "What kind of favour? I want to know what I am getting myself into."

"I'll tell you when we get to Fangtasia." he said, lips quirking upwards. "don't worry, no one will die."

This made her uneasy. She didn't know Eric well enough, but she had a feeling that wasn't true. "I have plans. Can't it wait till Monday?"

Eric clicked his tongue and took a step toward her, and he could feel the warmth of her breath on his collarbones. Her could hear the skip in her heart and how it continued to plummet in her chest. He saw the droplet of sweat that slid down her neck, so small she probably didn't even notice.

"I don't enjoy asking a human for help." he said. Dakota felt as if she was standing before an open fridge, and it cooled her heated skin. "I wouldn't do it if it wasn't necessary."

"Alright," she nodded. "but I want to be back by One."

"That can be arranged."

Eric grinned down at her as he moved closer. Dakota furrowed her brows as he took a hold of her waist, her cheeks turning crimson. It was dark so she didn't think he'd see but she was sure he could smell the blood rushing through her veins. Dakota was about to protest when he told her to hold on, but wind smacked her right in the face as he took off towards Fangtasia.