CHAPTER THIRTY

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          EVEN WITH THE WINDOWS ROLLED DOWN THE SUN WAS SCORCHING AS THEY SAT IN THE PARKING LOT OF FANGTASIA. The shapeshifter sat behind the wheel and he wasn't too happy with his friend, but they both knew Eric probably knew more about a creature like this than Compton did because of his age.

"And you're sure he'll be here?" questioned Sam, casting her a sideways glance.

Dakota nodded her head, eyes moving over the building and parking lot. It really did look different in the day light, less ominous. The red neon sign that read 'Fangtasia' was on, flickering slightly in the sunlight.

Sam wondered. "Maybe we could wait inside it's kind of warm for the kids."

The blonde heaved a sigh. "I don't have the keys. Ginger should be here soon."

It was close to three in the afternoon and Dakota knew that Ginger had the early shift in Thursday's so she could arrive any moment. Dakota had given her phone to Coby and Lisa so they could play games, luckily they were easily entertained and not bothered by the heat of the day.

"Sam?" Lisa spoke up from the backseat. "Did you know our daddy?"

"Uh," he stammered. "I did not. Your mom, well, she split up with him before I came to town. I heard about him, though."

"What did you hear?" she asked, leaning forward and completely handing Dakota's phone to her younger brother.

"That he, uh, he was a bit of a wild card," Sam tried, looking at the woman beside him for support but she just shrugged her shoulders, amused. "with a big personality."

"I don't even know what he looks like." stated Lisa, brushing a lock of red hair from her face. "Mama cut him out of all of the pictures she had. All I know that his name is Duane, and he tattooed mama's name on his stomach."

"Well, he must have loved her a lot, because you know that hurt."

Dakota tried to hold in her laugh and turned back to face the bar, spotting the blonde woman they'd been waiting on, walking from her car. Ginger glanced around suspiciously as she walked toward the entrance, searching her bag for the keys and Dakota hopped out of Sam's car, following after her.

There hung a poster on the door saying, 'Sorry, we're dead' and Ginger brushed a speck of dirt from it before putting the keys in the lock.

"Ginger, honey?"

The blonde screeched loudly and Dakota jumped back, not having expected her reaction. Ginger turned around quickly, hand over her heart as she panted loudly, leaning back against the door as if she was about to get murdered.

"I'm sorry," Dakota apologised. "didn't mean to scare you. Just here to see Eric."

"Dakota," she gasped. "he won't be here until after dark."

"I know," she smiled, glancing back toward the car for a moment. "I just wanted to wait inside until het gets here. I have two kids in the car and it's just way to warm for them."

"I can't let anyone in without his permission." she quickly shook her head.

"Ginger, it's me." she tried, and it wasn't really fair what she was going to say next but she needed to be out of the sun. "Do you think Eric would be happy if he heard you made me wait outside in the scorching heat all day?"

Her eyes widened, and she began to shake her head again before opening the door for her. Dakota signalled Sam and he got out of the car, taking Coby and Lisa with him and into the cool bar. The temperature difference was at least twenty degrees and it felt wonderful compared to the Louisiana heat.

"Thank you, honey." Dakota smiled as Ginger went to work.

Coby and Lisa jumped on one of the leather sofa's, taking in the room in awe. Sam sat beside them, hesitantly as he glanced around himself. Dakota went around the bar and took out two soda's for the children and handed the glasses to them with a soft smile.

"You can just go around and take stuff here?" asked Sam, brows raised.

Dakota shrugged nonchalantly and sat on the children's other side. "It's not like they're gonna kill me for taking a few soda's."

"Is there something going on here?" wondered Sam, suspiciously.

Honestly, she had no idea what to say to him because she didn't know herself. Eric and her were, friends? There was a mutual trust, especially after the events that happened in the church, but other than that it was still a mystery to her. And after she'd left him in his hotel room, she didn't even know if he wanted anything to do with her at all.

"No," she denied. "we're friends."

Sam didn't understand how a sweet girl like Dakota could be friends with such a cold hearted vampire. He hated Eric Northman with a passion ever since he had stepped foot in his bar to promote Fangtasia to his customers. Of course, that wasn't the reason he was there, he was there for Bill, but nonetheless he hated the vampire.

"I just hope you're being careful." he said.

Minutes turned into hours and the two of them had to keep Lisa and Coby entertained till the evening, even Ginger had tried to play a game with them but she wasn't very good with children. Dakota had opted to give them her phone again, this time displaying a movie. The woman hoped her battery would work till the viking arrived.

Ginger had turned on the radio, rock music in the background as she stocked the liquor shelves. Sam was brooding, annoyed look on his face but Dakota decided not to mention it, not in the mood for an argument.

When the clock finally did strike ten, the doors of the bar opened and in waltzed Eric, grey suit and all. Dakota hated to admit it, but her heart skipped a beat when his eyes immediately found her own. He looked incredible, she hadn't seen him wear a suit before and it definitely was doing him justice.

"Well, well, well," he tutted, grin appearing on his lips as his eyes moved over her figure. "I must say I am quite disappointed in you, Miss. Elkins."

"You're in big trouble, Koko." Pam stated, though her words were hinted with amusement, coming up behind her maker in a glittery red body suit.

Dakota got up from the sofa and quickly send the blonde vampire a smile before turning her gaze back to Eric, who had come to stand in front of her. He hadn't even bothered to look at the others behind her yet, too amused by the fact she was in his bar, again.

"I never pegged you for a one night stand kind of girl."

"Eric," she hissed, hitting his arm as Sam scoffed behind her. Eric gasped dramatically, rubbing his arm as he send her a glare. "can we not do this now?"

"I deserve an explanation." he purred, leaning in and glancing down at her lips. "It's only fair, don't you think."

"We didn't come here to talk about your sex life, alright?" Sam stated, crossing his arms over his chest in disgust and she saw the disappointment on his face. "We need your help."

The viking narrowed his eyes at the shapeshifter, sitting on the sofa opposite of them. Pamela stood behind him, hands on her hips as she moved her gaze onto Lisa and Coby with distaste. God, she really hated children.

"Why should I help you, shifter?"

"Because we need your help." said Sam, though he really didn't like to ask anything of him. "And hopefully someday I might be able to give you somethin' you need."

"There's nothing I could ever want from you."

"Eric, please." Dakota said, brows furrowed. "It's important."

His blue eyes found hers and he gave her a nod, telling her to continue. Dakota felt her unease slip away, thankful he wasn't angry at her but rather found her previous departure amusing.

"There's a maenad in Bon Temps, have you ever heard of one?" she began, chills running down her back as she thought back about the night she was almost killed. "It's that creature that attacked me in the woods, she's controlling the entire town."

Eric shared a quick glance with his progeny before shaking his head. "I have no knowledge of this maenad creature."

"That thing owes me a pair of shoes." Pam drawled, remembering how the forest had ruined her favourite pair of pumps.

"So," Dakota wondered. "there's nothing we can do?"

The viking leaned back on the sofa, crossing his legs over each other and shrugged. "I do know someone who might be able to offer something useful." When Dakota sighed in relief he emphasised, "Might be able to."

"Better than nothing." muttered Sam.

Coby leaned forwards, watching Eric with interest. "Can we see your fangs?"

Before Dakota could say anything, he had his fangs on show, leaning toward the little boy. Coby smiled while Lisa leaned into the woman's side, holding her hands tightly on her lap as she watched with a frown on her face.

"Don't you like vampires, little girl?"

"Eric," Dakota scolded, and he retracted his fangs.

"Our almost step daddy hated vampires," said Lisa. "but we don't."

"He went on a vacation with Jesus." added Coby.

Dakota cursed softly under her breath, feeling horrible for them since she was the one who had killed Rene. Despite him being an awful human, he really was good to Arlene and the kids and they didn't deserve any of the pain he had caused.

"You make me so happy I never had any of you." Pam rolled her eyes.

"Oh, come on, Pam. They're funny." Eric joked. "They're like humans, but miniature. Teacup humans. Tell me, Dakota, do you want children? Just asking, you know, since we've taken a big step recently."

He was absolutely infuriating and she hated that he made her blush every time he opened his mouth. Sam rescued her when he asked, "So can you call this person who might be able to ..."

"Better yet, i'll go see her." he nodded. "I must leave right away. I'll walk you out."

Sam took Coby and Lisa's hand as he guided them back outside and Dakota wanted to follow but Eric stopped her. The girl turned to face him, brow raised in confusion.

"Are you going to tell me why you disappeared Dallas without any notice?"

Dakota heaved a sigh and shrugged, glancing to the side. "I don't know. I panicked, I guess."

The vampire narrowed his eyes, but not in an angry manner, he just wanted to figure her out as he took in her expression. He decided not to push her any further, at least not tonight and he hummed in reply.

"How's Godric?" she wondered as he walked her to the door, Dakota send a small wave to Pam, which she returned as they left Fangtasia. "Is he okay?"

Eric send her a smile. "He's taking care of some business, then he'll come to Shreveport. He's been asking about you."

"That's great news," she beamed as they reached Sam's car, who was already seated inside. "I can't wait to see him."

Sam was getting impatient and asked, "You have my number?"

"I'll let you know if I learn anything of use to you." Eric stated, though his eyes didn't leave the girl on his right. Coby hiccuped and he sped to the window, leaning in slightly and winked. "Good night, tiny humans."

Eric faced the blonde once more, brushing a stray strand of hair from her forehead and disappeared into the night sky.

"Wow, he can fly!"

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SAM HAD DROPPED HER OFF AT BILL'S HOME, WHICH SHE HAD REQUESTED AND SHE RUSHED INSIDE THE HOME. It was empty apart from Sookie who was sitting before the tv with her head against the back of the couch. Dakota entered the living room, standing before her cousin.

"Sook," she nudged the half asleep girl and she jumped.

"Oh, you're back." she said, sitting up straight as she began to ramble about her day. "You won't believe the day i've had! Tara was possessed and Bill was able to glamour her back to reality but then her mother almost shot Lafayette and she escaped. I was waiting for someone to get home, we need to get her back."

Dakota blinked, brows raised. "Is Lafayette okay?"

"Yeah, yeah." she brushed it off. "He went back home. Are you coming?"

The blonde agreed, though she was very tired and would rather sleep for twenty four hours straight. Sookie jumped from the couch and pulled her cousin out of the mansion and across the clearing toward the graveyard that let to their home.

Dakota almost burst into tears when the view of the house was visible through the trees. The white paint had completely chipped off, the garden her grandmother had worked so hard on was destroyed and the windows were smashed. She didn't even want to know what the inside looked like. There was a giant meat statue in the middle of their front yard and she gagged at the scent of it.

There was no one to be seen, but that didn't mean they were alone. "Let's go through the side entrance."

Soft off tune singing reached their ears and she could see Jane Bodehouse through the screen door with her back turned toward them. Dakota opened the door carefully, on guard. Sookie closed the door behind her, and it shut louder than she meant to. Jane turned, holding a large kitchen knife covered in blood, with a smile on her face.

"Lookie here," she beamed, holding up her hand to show off her missing finger. "it's a present. He loves presents."

"Good," Dakota muttered, walking around the black eyed women as she entered the kitchen.

It was horrible. There were flies everywhere, dead animals left and right. The pipes had burst, furniture was broken. Candles were lit among the room, as if someone had tried to make it at least a little bit homey. Everything gran had worked so hard for was completely destroyed and Dakota could feel the tears welling in her eyes.

There was someone inside the skin, naked as he splashed water around like a little kid. Dakota cried out, jumping back when someone grabbed her ankle.

"Remember when you gran was laying here? All bloody and dead?" Mike Spencer smiled, staring up at her from the ground. "Come down, lay here with me. You smell so good. I always thought you smelled better than anyone in town."

"No, get off me." she tried to get free, Sookie was pulling on her arm.

Mike began to scream, eyes wide and the boy in the sink followed, soon after also Jane began to scream as if they were alerting someone.

"Shh," Dakota tried, falling to her knees. "it's okay."

The screaming stopped straight away. Mike cuddled up to her and she tried to move her head away as much as she could as Sookie watched in disgust, glancing around the room to knock him out with something.

"How come you girls let those vampers put their dead peckers in you?" he questioned. "It ain't right and it ain't natural."

"I don't think you're in any position to talk about what's natural and what's right." she snapped. "Now, please get your nasty hand away from my -"

Dakota couldn't finish her sentence as Sookie smacked Mike with a cooking pan and the man dropped back on his back like a sack of potatoes. The youngest Stackhouse helped her up and they quickly left the room.

"Thanks," Dakota said. "I think he was about to feel me up."

Crashes came from upstairs and Dakota ran up the steps, almost tripping over vines that were now growing through the walls. Bursting through her grandmothers bedroom, she almost ended up in tears again. Tara and a man she hadn't met before were trashing the room with hammers each. The latter was breaking her perfume bottles.

"Stop!" she screamed.

"Relax," said Eggs. "it all paid for."

"That's grans!" Sookie cried, trying to pull a scarf from Tara's hands.

"No! I need it for the nest!" she glared, pulling at the wool.

Tara won, tearing it from her grip as she rushed toward the bed where they had built a birds nest almost as big as the bed itself. It was covered in fabrics from gran's closets, sticks, dead animals and many more objects she couldn't identify. In the middle laid an egg as big as her head, literally.

"Sookie, what the fuck is this?"

"I have no clue."

Dakota was brought from her thoughts when a warm hand laid itself on her shoulder. "Where you been at?" The blonde turned around, glad to hear her best friends voice but she was met with black eyes instead and he didn't look like his regular self, instead he wore a nasty glare on his face.

"I was looking for you."