CHAPTER FIFTY SEVEN

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         RESTLESS WASN'T THE WORD TO DESCRIBE THE WAY DAKOTA WAS PACING HER LIVING ROOM THE MORNING AFTER. She was livid, in an absolute panic as she pulled at her blonde locks of hair. Eric had been nowhere to be found after she had found her cousin bleeding out from a gunshot wound. 

Bill had been at her side in an instant and force fed her his blood as he carried her back toward their home. Alcide had stayed for an hour before Bill basically forced the werewolf out of the home. Normally Dakota would have fought him about it, but she was too focused on the viking to even really register it.

"Okay, if you do find Mr. Northman, please have king Bill call me. Or you call me, or I don't know, something."

Dakota was pacing back and forth as she rung every person she could think of in the search of Eric. He wasn't dead, she would have felt that, but he was just, gone. As if he had disappeared into thin air and Dakota knew the witches had done something to him again.

"I just got off the phone with -" began Sookie as she lowered her own device to her side but was interrupted when someone knocked on the door. "I'll get it."

Dakota sat down at the kitchen table, defeated as she listened to the front door opening. The woman could basically smell Alcide on the the stranger as she said, "Hey there, Sookie. I hope you like flowers."

Sookie's heart leaped but not from happiness and Dakota glanced up as another blonde stepped into their home, holding a bouquet of flowers. Dakota met her gaze and she blinked in confusion.

"Oh hello, there." she smiled, following after Sookie and into the kitchen. "I'm Debbie, nice to meet you."

"Alcide's Debbie?" Dakota raised a brow as she sat upright. 

Dakota had never met the woman but she had heard all about her and how she had tried to kill her cousin over a year ago. Now, according to Sookie she had promised to have changed as she no longer was addicted to V, like she had when they went to Jackson to find Bill.

"Yeah," she said sheepishly as Sookie put the flowers in a vase on the kitchen counter. "I just came her to talk to Sookie, but you don't have to get up or anything. It's alright."

"Wasn't planning on it." Dakota sighed, not in the mood to deal with any of her cousin's past.

"Okay," breathed Debbie, somewhat nervous as she sat down opposite of her. "Look, I know you're in trouble and I'm wondering if there's anything I could do to help, that's all."

"Did Alcide tell you I was in trouble?" asked Sookie, cocking her head to the side as she awaited for her to answer.

"He didn't have to." explained Debbie, pulling on a cuticle on her thumb. "He came home last night with your blood on him."

"If he didn't tell you, how did you know the blood was mine?"

"I remember the smell." confessed Debbie and Sookie pulled a face at that, sharing a glance with Dakota. "Look, I ain't asking to be best friends. You know, i'd be crazy if I expected that, and I ain't crazy. But, can't we try and make things better just a little at a time?"

"Don't talk," interrupted Sookie, reaching forwards to grab her hand. "just let me listen."

Dakota didn't have to touch her hands to get the memories and thoughts she wanted so she sat back, arms crossed as Debbie Pelt's thoughts flowed into her own.

... love Alcide so much, there ain't nothin' I wouldn't do for him. Why can't she just believe me, I need her to see that I wanna help.

"Okay," nodded Sookie. "I believe you."

"Really?" Debbie seemed surprised as she perked up at her words. "Okay, good. You know, Alcide told me that you think it's a curse, being what you are. But I think it'd be nice to know what people are thinkin' every once in a while."

"He loves you," smiled Sookie. "he really does."

"Thank you," she sniffed.

"So, you really want to help?" wondered Dakota, offering her a smile too. "'Cause we sure as hell could use some."

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MOON GODDESS EMPORIUM'S SIGN WAS WELL LIT AS THEY ARRIVED IN SHREVEPORT THAT EVENING. The blinds were closed and the sign on the front door said 'closed', but Debbie said she could smell human inside.

"You sure this is a good idea?" wondered the werewolf as they got out of her car a few buildings now. "What if she already knows?"

"This will work." stated Dakota, pushing her forward. "You distract the witch, Sookie stays on lookout and I will get Eric out. He has to be here, I can feel it."

"Okay, okay," she agreed, already making her way toward the entrance.

"Be careful." said Sookie, giving her cousin a reassuring smile as Dakota went around the back of the building to look for a way inside.

Dakota didn't have to search for long as she found an unlocked window near the back entrance. The blonde pushed herself up on a trash can and slid it open, peering inside the stock room. It was empty, mostly and she pulled herself through the gap, landing safely on her feet.

"So, tell me, young lady." Marnie's voice echoed through the entire store as she spoke with Debbie. "What exactly are you offering?"

"Support." shrugged Debbie and the witched hummed. "Muscle. We hate vampires every bit as much as you do."

Dakota examined the room and saw no sign of her maker having even been there and she carefully opened the set of glass doors that led her to the back of the store where the witches held their rituals. Marnie and Debbie droned on at the front, hidden away by a thick layer of curtains as she stepped inside.

The woman froze, seeing as Marnie's entire coven was inside all fast asleep. They were scattered around and she tiptoed around them, not a single sound made as she did so. 

His scent hit her hard and fast and she reached another door, which led to a small bathroom.

"Eric," she breathed, wrapping her arms around his torso.

"Dakota?" he muttered, eyes moving over her face for just a second before he looked back toward the wall as if some trance. He kept his arms to his side firmly and didn't acknowledge her as she took hold of his hand.

"Hey, come on, let's get you out of here."

"You should go." he said, voice void of emotion.

"You're under her spell, Eric." she frowned, reaching up to hold his face between her palms. "You have to fight it. What is she making you do?"

"Kill the king."

"What?" she muttered.

"Goddamn it, Dakota." she was met with a gun in her face as Tara continued. "How fuckin' stupid can you be? Now you better not use that telepath shit on me. Step away from the vampire."

"Tara, please." she tried, holding up her hands as she stepped out of the bathroom, leaving Eric in his trance. "You don't have to do this."

I brought you those vampire aiding bitches. Dakota Elkins and Sookie Stackhouse is outside.

"Tara!" screamed Marnie, and Dakota shot the werewolf the most vile glare she could muster at the betrayal. The rest of the coven awoke with a start. "Do not shoot! This one could be of use to us."

"Dakota?" it was Holly, confused.

"Just drop the gun!" called another.

Shoot her! Fuckin' shoot her!

"You have always been stupid," began Tara, meeting the blonde's gaze. "but comin' here has gotta be about the stupidest shit I ever heard of. Are you even listening to me?"

Dakota narrowed her eyes at her friend, understanding the urgency in her gaze as she listened in on her thoughts.

We're all being held hostage. Bill's at the Dorcester Hotel. Charge me, Kota. Charge me now!

The woman didn't hesitate as she ran toward Tara and her friend shot the gun at the wall, bullet ricocheting off of it. Dakota pushed at her shoulders, sending her onto her back and she disappeared back into the stock room as another bullet whizzed past her.

"No! No! No!" screeched Marnie as Dakota pushed the back door open with ease as she used her vampire strenght.

The blonde was back at the car in an instant, startling Sookie as she jumped back in fright but Dakota was too angry to care right now. Debbie squealed, having just jumped behind the wheel.

"I am going to kill you." she snarled.

"What the fuck happened?" demanded Sookie.

"Later," glared Dakota as she got in the passengers seat. "for now you're driving us to Shreveport, Dorcester. Now!"

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IT WAS SOME KIND OF TOLERANCE FESTIVAL THAT THE KING HAD TO ATTEND FOR THE A.V.L. It was where Marnie would have Eric kill Bill and they had to stop this.

Debbie screeched to a halt and Dakota didn't even bother to share her another glance as she jumped from the car and sprinted inside, pushing past a group of people trying to get inside.

Her cousin called out for her but she ignored Sookie as she made her way into the building. The room was crowded, banners displayed everywhere as a sign of peace between vampires and humans. The entire thing was ridiculous and she spotted Bill pretty easily.

The crowd was cheering as he went onto the stage, smiling at the people in front of him. There were cameras everywhere and she could easily spot his soldiers on the balcony levels, but no sign of Eric or the witches anywhere.

"Thank you very much, ladies and gentlemen. Thank you very much." said Bill, happily. God, she had no idea why he was even there with everything that was going on.  "What a wonderful night, for a wonderful cause. But make no mistake, there is still much work to be done."

Nan Flanagan, the most hated vampire in the room, rolled her eyes as she listened to his speech. Dakota weaved her way through the crowd carefully, scanning her surroundings with caution.

"For history teaches us that war can sound a louder call to action than can peace." he continued. "That a message of hate can seduce an impressionable mind far more readily than a message of love. Which means, we must remain vigilant."

"Bill!" fucking Sookie.

Dakota had been so clear in the car not to cause a scene and figure out what was going on, but it seemed the woman just couldn't listen when it came to her vampire.

"Sookie?"

"Oh, Jesus fucking Christ." swore Nan.

Screams erupted from within the crowd as her focus was pulled to the balcony on her right, the scent of blood  strong as it wafted through the room. Three of Bill's security guards were hanging over the edge, their intestines spilling out of their guts. 

It was a nauseating sight and the vampires who were holding them, dropped their lifeless bodies as if they were nothing. The witch had appeared on the balcony over and smiled slyly at the sight before her.

Dakota was pushed aside as the crowd went in an uproar, trying to get to the exit as fast as they could all while the camera's were still rolling. People dropped left and right, blood spraying all over the room as the three vampires slaughtered as many as they could.

"They're coming for you!" screeched Sookie. "Bill! Run!"

A flash of white whizzed past her and she watched as Eric took hold of Bill and slammed him into the stage, fangs out and sharp. Her heart thundered within her chest as she made her way toward them.

"Eric!" she yelled, and the viking looked up at her momentarily before Bill was on him, snapping at his face in anger.

Eric was faster and older and managed to throw the king across the room, the vampire falling in a heap on the other side. "Must kill the king." he snarled and pushed past her. "Here comes death."

Eric held Bill in a headlock once he had reached him, about to rip his head from his body when Sookie jumped onto his back. The girl clawed at him and smacked the back of his head as hard as she could, but Eric threw her off with ease, getting to his feet and releasing the king.

Dakota screamed bloody murder when Bill fired a gun in her maker's direction, bullet hitting him in his stomach. Not a wooden bullet, not a fucking wooden bullet, she chanted over and over again as she rushed to his side.

"Silver," groaned Eric, as he pulled the bullet from his skin. Nan Flanagan took out one of the other vampires with a pencil, blood spraying all over her as Bill shot the other two with silver bullets.

"Eric, you have to fight her." she demanded, trying to get in front of him as he went to charge at Bill again.

"Go home." he growled.

Eric and Bill were a blur as they fought around the room, bumping and breaking into pieces of furniture that were scattered around the space. A young girl barely managed to dodge them as she clung to the body of her lifeless mother.

Dakota's fangs popped down from beneath her gums, no longer able to surpress them as she took hold of the back of Eric's shirt and pulled him away with all the strength she could muster. Sookie gasped as she watched her cousin do so, eyes blown wide.

"That's enough!" she yelled, trying to push him away.

Eric fumed at her, breaking off the leg of one of the chairs as a makeshift stake. There was nothing she could do as he charged at her, and she slid to the other side of the room with a squeal.

Dakota threw up her arm as Sookie let out a wail in fright and Eric tried to shield himself from her power as the room was enveloped in blue light. It hit the viking, and even if she hadn't meant to hurt him, she could still feel herself get overtaken by fear that she might have.

Marnie cried out in disbelief and her eye started twitching as she took in the scene below. Nan stared at her as if she had grown another head and both Bill and Sookie were staring at her fangs bewildered.

Her dark eyes found Eric's bright blue ones and he furrowed his brows, letting the stake clatter t the ground. Recognition washed over his pale face and he took a hesitant step toward her and she mirrored him when Bill charged for him, ready to tear his head off.

"No!" screeched Dakota, holding up her arms in fright and trailed off, "I think he's ... he's -"

Bill glanced down at the viking and noticed he wasn't fighting back, hell, he wasn't even looking at the vampire but he snarled, "Get your hands off me."

Dakota blinked and took another step forwards as the king dropped his arm, taking a step back and into Sookie's arms. Nan Flanagan began commanding everyone who was capable in aiding the wounded. Marnie had vanished, but Dakota paid none of that any mind as she kept her gaze solely on him.

He didn't say anything as he got back to his feet, face covered in blood from when he was under the witches' spell. He seemed different, like the Eric she had gotten to know when she first stepped foot into Fangtasia. 

Dakota slid her fangs back and let out a sob, speeding toward him and colliding against his chest as she pulled him in a tight embrace. The viking didn't hesitate to envelop her in the safety of his arms.

"Eric," she breathed, salty tears spilling from her eyes. "you're you."

"I'm me." he confirmed, nuzzling his nose against the crown of her head. "I'm right here. I am not going anywhere."

two chapters within twenty four hours? didn't think i had it in me.