The characters of the Southern Vampire Mysteries belong to Miss Charlaine Harris. No infringement on my part is intended.
I have no BETA, editor or other such charming person. All mistakes are my own.
This story is rated MA. Contains language and sexual adult situations.
Bad Moon Rising — Chapter 15, Epilogue
Moon Phase: Day 0 New Moon Always Rises At Sunrise
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After conducting business with the Tri-State vamps, Eric answered questions. An hour out from dawn, he excused them to return to the hotel that was there on the beach. As they departed, the bell was rung and their name was announced that they were departing the ship. They all thought that was pretty cool, as well.
After they left at four, Eric came in to burp the babies.
Sommar had finished first. As Sookie handed their newest girl to her dad she asked, “Why so few from Georgia and Alabama?”
Eric had Sommar resting her head so she could hear his heart beat and was rubbing her back.
“From what I can gather, the were blood bath has only been on going for the past year. For a price, Alabama and Georgia vamps were supplying Lucrezia with weres. Occasionally one would go missing that would end up in her bathtub. She had bragged to the Alabama and Georgia vamps that she was going to cast a spell for the weres. She told them how many would die and on what date.
Then it happened just as she said. They believed her when she told them she was working on a spell for vampires. She gave them a choice, they could either be Clan and be finally dead or they could side with her.”
“We have anyone who wants to immigrate to either of those two states?” Sookie asked.
“Not really,” Eric replied. “Vamps do not rest easy in Georgia and it just might be best to move us out of there, completely. The two from Alabama that worked at the residence said they could be just as happy in Florida. I think all three are willing to move, there.”
“That sounds good,” Sookie said. “I talked with Sofia, she wants to move those from the Florida recovery houses into Louisiana so that she can care for them. She is talking a real clinic and not some house that has been adapted for their needs. We can do a prefab over night anywhere on the property and get it stocked and get them moved and then begin construction on a mortar and bricks facility. Medi-Vac them in and then get them resting comfortably.”
“I like it,” Eric replied. “We’ll get started on that.”
“Sofia told me what she wants in the facility, I have already started preliminary drawings,” Sookie said as she burped Dagny.
“Perfect, my bride,” Eric smiled as he tucked two sleeping babies into their bed.
“For my very hard working lover,” he snuggled in next to her and kissing her hand, “a little romance before she goes back to sleep.”
Sookie was making eyes at him and drawing hearts on his other hand. “I’ll be awake long enough for that,” Sookie grinned, “just let the romance, begin.”
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Spring Break was just about over, it was time to turn the ship around and head back to New Orleans. The Pink Diamond Coast was now Borgia free and there should be no more bad moons for the weres.
Raginhild thought her dad was a hero. Eric loved that. That he had absolutely, positively pleased one of his children beyond measure made him very happy.
In a couple of days, they would be back in New Orleans. Eric could see how one weekend a month they were now going to need to be out on the ocean until hurricane season rolled around. His family loved the water. They were, after all, Vikings.
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The ship dropped anchor in Mississippi waters and Russell and his family departed the boat in Biloxi. It had been a marvellous time but it was good to be home.
At midnight, Betty Jo came in and gave Russell the out briefing of what had happened while he was away.
“Is there anything else? I have heard rumours of Northman Clan rules being broken. Do you know anything about this?” he asked, looking up from the report.
“No, very quiet while you were gone, your majesty,” she replied.
“How was the were blood bath?” his tone saying he wanted the truth. No need to beat this about. Just drag it on out and see what happened.
“Majesty…” her eyes were watching him. Yes, it had happened after they had started flying the Northman Clan flag but they did not owe them fealty. Her tone reflected that she was in the right.
Russel’s face betrayed nothing. He was on a fact finding mission. “What service did you perform for Borgia in return for your time at the spa?”
“So,” she sat down heavily in the chair, “she did tape me.”
Russell looked very sad and shook his head at her. “What made you think she did not? Did she tell you so and you believed her?” The silence was deafening. “Oh please, Betty Jo, you believed her?” and you could hear the dismay in his voice.
“It was a glorious weekend,” she said in her own defence. “I had never bathed in blood, before. It was invigorating.”
“Betty Jo, we signed an agreement with the Northman Clan stating that we would respect the were way of life and leave them be.”
“And so we have, your majesty, I was not in Mississippi when this happened. I therefore have upheld the letter of the law if not, perhaps, the spirit of the law.” Her King did not look convinced.
“Your majesty, I saw this as a once in a life time opportunity and at no cost to me.”
“No cost?” Really, did she think he was a fool? “I am back to by original question. What service did you perform for her?”
“All she wanted was a little information regarding the Northman Clan,” her voice very even. “All I told her was general knowledge, what is known by all.”
“And what might that be?” his eyes rested on hers.
“It is a well known fact that Miss Ella’s blood is used by The Clan to keep them from all manner of this world’s ills.”
“And that information got you a weekend at the spa, complete with were bath?”
“My king, it is ten million dollars to bath in were blood. This was given to me for one sentence. I came back from that weekend rejuvenated and working at my peak performance. I am so much more for the experience. I believe this has been reflected in my work.” she said with pride.
“If we were all to share in this experience,” she smiled at him, “we could become more. To feel the warmth of the blood as it fills your pours and you can feel it clotting on your skin. We would not need the Northman Clan, we would not need anyone. Majesty, if you would, but once, feel the sublime thick wetness as it encases your body.”
“Oh but Betty Jo, I have,” he smiled at her. “And it was not were blood, but vampire. So you can imagine how much more, that experience was for me. I was there in a gently heated tub so that the blood would not go cold as it was slowly drained onto my skin.
Catherine had me wrapped in silver as New York did the cutting on my child, Raymond.”
At that time, Eric and Alcide walked in the door.
“That Miss Ella’s blood is to keep The Clan from all manner of this world’s ills… that is exactly what Lucrezia said,” Eric’s eyes held death.
“The only problem with that information, Betty Jo,” Russell said, “is that that is never discussed outside the Clan. However, it was discussed in here, by me and my Laura.
It has been interesting through the years to hear Miss Laura’s take on my mansion. She does not trust you and has said since the first time she was here that you were listening to our conversations. When I asked her why she thought that she said it was the way you would look at her afterwards.
I just could not catch you doing it. So, she went to live with Bart and I only to got to see our daughter and our wife when time allowed.
Well, I shall now be spending more time with our daughter and I will not have you listening in to her conversations with Gudmund so that you can sell that information, as well.”
Well, looked like she was not going to walk away from this. Pity. But then, once Russell started to fawn over the breather she was ready to jump ship at the first sign of conflict. “I have stood by your side for over two hundred and fifty years,” she stated with a smirk, “and now you choose breathers over me. Pity I did not smother that…”
There was a stake pushed into her heart. “Yes,” Russell smiled at her as he felt the wood he was slowly shoving slip in just a fraction at a time. “any other last thoughts?
No?” Turning to Alcide and Eric, Russell bowed his head and said, “if you gentlemen will excuse me. This is going to take a bit longer that I had anticipated. I am going to move her out to the carriage house. Pack Master, you are not to worry, there will be justice for the ones that were killed for her bath.
Eric, I must apologize for my second’s behaviour. We were in flagrant violation of our agreement. Please levy what ever you think is right and I will see to it that it happens.”
“You are seeing personally to the offender,” Eric replied, “that is payment, enough.”
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The Guardian docked in New Orleans. Miss Jesse had been talking to the Crow’s Nest. They were waiting for her in The New Orleans Coven Guild House, along with others who wished to sit witness. As each one entered, they lit their candle so that they might cast light on this dark act.
As Miss Jesse played what was on the phone, one by one, those of the craft that were present, took out a piece of black tulle and placed it over their heads. “We morn for the passing of a sister,” they all said as her candle was extinguished.
Removing their head coverings, the oldest stood and said. “Her name is not to be spoken. That gives her life. This evil is not to be spoken of. It gives this horrific act, once more, life. For these crimes, we leave her to the fates.”
All that were present looked to Miss Jesse who stood and said, “I thank you for your justice. The witch no longer exists, now only the were.”
Walking out of the building, Miss Jesse went into the Starbucks across the street. “Pack Master Herveaux,” she sipped the Chai he had waiting for her, “she is dead to the Guild. She is only a were. Do what you will.
She has not been seen, this morning,” Miss Jesse added. “I think that when Borgia did not return her frantic calls, she ran.”
“Can’t out run a were,” Alcide replied. “We’ll find her.”
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Moon Phase, Day 14.8 Full Moon Always Rises At Sunset And Sets At Sunrise.
As the red, full moon began its ascent into the evening sky, those living in the Shreveport area smiled. There, in the center of it was a big fluffy cloud, shaped like a heart.
Celine chuckled as the moon looked like a big Valentine.
“From me to you,” Alcide put his arm around her. “You are my girl. I ordered that just for you. If you look closely, you will see our initials carved in that heart.”
Giving her husband a kiss, she went back to the business at hand. “Now that you have found her, what are you going to do with her?” Celine asked, her voice low.
They could hear a howl float up from in back of the house. That would be Remy.
“The Memphis pack is going to let her run, tonight. They will pick her up, tomorrow.”
“Alcide?” her voice was quiet.
“Collar and chain her,” he said with no emotion. “She will be passed to each pack where weres died. They will each collar and chain her. By the time of the next full moon, all the collars around her neck and the silver chains will stop her from shifting and suffocate her just like she helped do to them.”
“Alcide, that is so…”
“Barbaric?” his voice was a growl.
“Well, yes, but I was thinking more along the lines of that being fitting.”
All he could say in reply was to howl.
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While they had been gone having adventures on the ocean, the Camelot blocks of stone had arrived. Mer’lyn was brought to the site to bless the work and the area. As he walked the perimeter, he called his greetings to the squirrels, the birds and the insects that worked the ground and the worms in the dirt.
The crickets chirped in harmony as he sang his song of thanksgiving for this place that was his to now protect.
The back parking lot had been dug up and Dermot and his crew had been out to begin the landscaping work. They were starting with the water features that would be the primary anchor. Mer’lyn watched as they laid pipes for water and electricity.
Dermot showed him on the blue prints where there would be a small upper pond that had a fountain in the center that would cascade down rocks into a bigger pond. In the center of the biggest pond would be an island with two bridges going to it. There the gazebo would be built. Then, that pond would empty down into another smaller pond that would also have a fountain in the center.
Mer’lyn was pleased when he saw what was to replace the cement lot. Arthur’s stones would be the base for a gazebo that would sit in the middle of the large Koi pond. They would also form the columns and arches that would hold up the slate roof.
In this small, open building, there would be true magic. A place where two would become one as love would take root and two people would build a life and perhaps a family.
The five oak divining rods that Miss Pam had planted were doing nicely in the green house and were now eight foot saplings. Strong, hardy and would be ready to go in the ground. How could they not be, his Miss Toni had blessed them. A large compass was being laid out in stone that stretched across about two acres. The trees would be planted in the four cardinal directions with one in the exact center of the lot.
The entire area would be enclosed by a lovely brick wall with arches to match the ones in the gazebo. It would not be exact, but with the brick work, it would remind Mer’lyn of his favourite garden at Camelot.
With the stones that were left over, benches would be built throughout the garden. It was going to be, Miss Pamela had decreed, a lovely English garden of the 16th century. There would even be a small stable for horses, for those who wanted to arrive at the wedding on horse back in their armour.
Listening, he could hear the magic in the club calling to him. He had better get in there and say his hellos before the wait staff started showing up. Those flying gargoyles just might be a little hard to explain.
Along with Bell. Although a charmer, he was a chatter box. And the prettier the girl, the more he like to talk! Bell had told him it was because pretty girls made him nervous. Mer’lyn thought it was because Bell just liked to chat up pretty girls. The mermaid that kept Bell company in the library…ohhh la la. Bell did not at all seem nervous around her.
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August crawled into Louisiana on the back of a heat wave. All the pregnant mommies wanted to be on the yacht on the ocean where it was cool and always a breeze.
Everyone had raised an eyebrow about that and all the daddies had said, “No, home is really best. We’ll just turn down the air conditioning.”
On August 8, 2036, at four in the morning, Elisabet gave birth to Ahava (essence) Gabriel and Abigail (father’s joy, source of joy) Elisabeth. They looked just like their daddy! Sara and Benjamin were so pleased that there were two. That meant that they each got one.
Vermundr Northman Isengard was born on August 9, 2036. The son that looked like Ella was born on a hottest day of the year, so far, at five thirty in the morning. Baldr and his baby brors slept through the delivery. When they got up to come check on their mommy, there was their new Bror!
Erikr and Gabriel’s son, Eric Michael was born on the 10th of August, 2036 at nine forty five in the morning. Just like on the day his daddy was born, there was a tornado accompanied by a severe line of thunderstorms that came rampaging through the area. Once more, Ella went out to rebuke the storm and send it on its way back up into the atmosphere.
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Pam continued to work at the club through her pregnancy. She was doing less cooking now that she had trained all her chefs exactly the way she wanted them. Her Soccer Moms loved her and told her how beautiful she looked with her perfect tummy.
Ravenscroft not only performed marriages but he was a very good Sous-Chef, trained by Miss Ruth!
Mer’lyn was licensed to perform marriages. He handled all the outside weddings in the gazebo. He enjoyed wearing his robes and blessing the rings and saying the words to the couple that he felt in his own heart.
Due to what he would see and especially what he would not see, he began his own mini counselling service. Some couples that would come in he would just look at and say, “Stay friends, you will not survive it as lovers.”
Having sworn to only use his powers for good, he could do nothing magically to persuade them otherwise. By gently saying to move on, he thought this was one very good deed he could do. Sadly, he could not get them to listen.
When he could not persuade them to find happiness with some one else, The Residence booked their wedding and took their money.
When it failed, divorce parties were very big, as well. Pam would pop the stones out of the band, to much applause and cheering of the x-bride’s friends, fire up her torch and melt the bands down. Handing the stones and the lump of metal back to the x-bride in a lovely velvet ring box, they would then pop a bottle of champagne and toast the newest single woman in Shreveport.
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On November 13, 2036, Pamela gave birth to Sookie Northman Ravenscroft. The five pound thirteen ounce girl was perfect in every way. Complete with strawberry blonde curls. And not just one or two, but a complete head full that went wherever they wanted to. Which was mostly around her daddy’s and mommy’s little finger. Where she had them for all of their days.
Holding her in her arms for the first time, Pamela covered her little head in kisses and then pulling back the blanket, she counted all her little fingers and toes and then counted them, again.
Ravenscroft was there beside her on the bed as Pamela once more, counted each little digit and kissing each little nail. Looking at her husband she smiled and said, “She is perfect,” before she broke down into tears. Holding both his wife and his daughter in his arms, Ravenscroft laid his head on top of Pam’s and cried right along with her.
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When baby Sookie was three days old, Sookie came over to the house and said, “Why is Thalia standing outside your window? I think she has been standing outside off and on for oh…since the baby was born.”
Kissing her daughter on the nose and then passing her to her father, Pam said, “She is still there! I am going to stake her!”
Sookie walked with her to the window where Pam scowled at her. Thalia scowled right back. Opening the door Pam hissed, “I will throw dirty water mixed with silver on you, go away!”
“I am her nanny,” Thalia hissed right back. “that child is mine to hold when you can not.”
“I am her mother!” Pam stepped out onto the porch, fire in her eyes. “I will always hold her. Take your parchment white ass some place else. I will call the Hounds if you do not get off my porch.”
“I am her nanny,” she hissed again. “You can not keep me away.”
“Yes, I can,” Pam smirked, “you are not invited in. Go away!”
“Has she seen the baby?” Sookie asked.
“No,” both women replied.
Pam was glaring at Thalia. “She started saying she was her nanny about a month, ago. I think not,” Pam hooted. Then in a much more serious voice she added, “She is old, has no joy and she is mean.”
“I am her nanny,” Thalia added with surety. “I am. I am not leaving here.”
“Then you’ll be a doggie treat,” Pam smiled as she whistled for the dogs. Bounding onto the porch, they growled at Thalia. She growled back. Their eyes went to Pam, licked her feet and then walked over and lay down in the sun.
“At least, Pamela, please, let her see the baby.” Sookie smiled at her.
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Six Years Later
In Pam’s sewing room there was every colour of small gingham checks and tiny polka dots on as many different types of fabrics as could be imagined. Her daughter loved ruffles and pleats and smocking and things that buttoned and pockets. “A place to carry my hanky,” Sookie would pat the pocket and give her mother a kiss.
Pamela made all her daughter’s clothes. “Those designers are poseurs,” she would hiss whenever they would go into a store. “Not the right colour palette for my baby and there are no matching hats for her outfits! My baby loves to wear hats along with her sun dresses!”
This morning Pam was sitting at her machine stitching new swim suits. They whole family was going to match.
“My Mommy,” six year old Sookie smiled her snaggle tooth grin, as she came in, walking on her tippy toes like a ballerina. “I love the sparkle laces in my shoes!” As she pointed one tiny foot out. “But my uniform is not nearly girly, enough,” she sighed as she held it up for her mother to see. “Please,” standing on tippy toe, she reached for her mommy and gave her a kiss, “please, more girly. The big game is today and I want to be a girl!”
“My darling daughter,” Pam smiled at her, “I will girly it up.”
“Mom-m-m-m-my,” she said in a sweet, sweet voice and gave her another kiss. “it is game day. Please use my nickname. It is for luck.”
This was a proud day for the team. Today was for the championship! “My daughter, you do not need luck. You are an athlete. You are a genius at this game.”
“Please,” she said as she rubbed her little tiny nose against Pam’s.
Pam’s heart melted. She could deny her baby, nothing. Not even this. “Yes, Pee-Wee, I shall have your uniform ready by the time we leave.”
“Thank you my mommy, I love you.” she gave her a small curtsey, holding out the ruffle on her swim suit and then headed out the door to swim with the other kids.
Ravenscroft was laughing.
“My husband,” Pam smiled at him, “I explained to her the other children on the team call her that because she is so small.”
“Yes,” he kissed his wife, “and that just made her embrace it more. Baldr told her she was made small but plays mighty.”
“Yes,” Pam got thoughtful, “I am going to stitch that onto the back of her uniform shirt, as well.”
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The game was tied. When Sookie stood up to take her place on the field of battle, you could hear the crowd chanting, “Pee-Wee, Pee-Wee, Pee-Wee!”
With a grin, she waved to her mom and dad and her own cheering section that was her family. Digging into the dirt, she choked up on the bat. The bases were loaded! This pitcher was in third grade and he was a poseur! Making a face at him, she watched him scowl. Then she laughed at him and here came the pitch! Zing! It was a home run! Running the bases between 3rd and Home, she was doing cartwheels and then slid into home plate! The game was over and their team had won the championship!
Congratulations were being called and then there was the team photo with the trophy which would be followed by all the families standing with the team for another photo. As the team was being positioned, Pam could hear Thalia talking to one of the Baseball Moms and saying, “Yes, the one who won the game, I am her Nanny. The precious one, she calls me Nanny Thalia.”
Pam still had heartburn every time she heard that. Short of bringing Thalia the final death, which she had almost succeeded in a couple of times but missed her heart with the stake, thanks to Eric, pbbbllltttt! Thalia, was indeed, Nanny Thalia. That is what her darling girl called her.
With the birth of her daughter, Pam thought perhaps she had gotten just a bit soft. The old, mean, white one saw the chink in her armour and had not given up. It had taken her three months to wear Pam down. When a chef had been late coming in one day, Pam had relented and handed her daughter to Thalia as she put on an apron and stepped up to the stove.
Pam thought back on those days with a glint in her eyes. Holding the baby seemed to think it gave Thalia privileges. Thalia brought a rocker into the club that she liked better. Bought diaper pins that she liked better. Had crocheted her darling a little outfit that she had changed her into one day. Pam had put her foot down when Thalia had wanted to redo the nursery. That was the first time Pam had staked her.
Rubbing her tummy, she waved at her daughter as she was being put in the front row of the picture. Their son would be born in another month. Just four more weeks and Joseph Northman Ravenscroft, the 1st, would be making his appearance. Maybe he would like soccer. Sadly, this was not the case with her baby girl. She had been playing baseball with Baldr since she could sit up and roll a ball back to him.
Ravenscroft told her that “the bat is to our daughter what a stake is to my wife. Deadly!” That made her chuckle but then she heard the N word again and Pam’s eyes went back to Thalia.
Well, she might live to see another day…or not…Pam had not yet, decided. However, if she tried to get in the family team photo, she was definitely finally dead! as Pam started thinking about the stake she had in her Baseball Mom’s van. Maybe she should just go and get that. Nanny Thalia had also been openly hinting that she should be present for the birth of their son…in the throes of labour, you did not always know who was there and who was not…Pam would have a stake ready, just in case.