August 10, 2011
The rooms of the council were dimmed somehow as the members wandered aimlessly stopping occasionally to nibble some of the food that loving hands had prepared for them while they sat and watched and waited. Spooky Tooth had sent a huge pot of her famous soup beans with a message admonishing them to eat. Once a mother, always a mother.
Aolani, Fairy, and Renee stood watching as the sun began it’s slow descent in the skyline heralding the beginning of the night.
“I wonder if they will come tonight,” Fairy said as her worried eyes scanned the ever darkening skies.
“I think they will,” Aolani said quietly.
Renee took one last look, took a deep breath and walked back into the chambers where she began to rummage amongst small boxes and pulling out drawers, rifling the contents. She finally threw up her hands and cursed pithily.
“What are you looking for?” Minnie asked quietly.
“The damn cigarettes!” Renee snapped “I can’t find those damn cigarettes!”
“Renee,” Butter said, a faint laugh in her voice “you don’t smoke.”
“I do now,” she said, then looking around the room somewhat shamefacedly added “I’m sorry guys, I just need to do something with my hands.”
“Come help me,” Westexan said “I’ll wash and you dry.” Renee smiled gratefully and went to help with the simple task.
The quiet of the room resumed as the group settled back into their stance of watchful waiting. Shortly, their patience was rewarded when Bill walked in, followed by Eric. Anxious eyes looked behind the two and their disappointment was evident when neither Jessica or Pam appeared.
“Bill?” Violet asked softly, a wealth of questions weighing upon his name.
Bill shook his head sadly, “I have no idea, I cannot feel her.” His eyes searched the faces of the people and came to rest upon a beautiful ornately carved table that’s surface was covered with an eclectic assortment of candles all lit, their flames causing the eye to imagine it was looking upon sunlight dancing upon a cool deep dark pool. His eyes closed and he moaned softly as a single bloody tear trickled down his cheek, “It’s true then?” he whispered.
Violet went to him and gently embracing him, passed him some tissues while the others in the group nodded sadly.
“Where is Aslinn?” Eric asked looking around the gathering for the woman that he accredited with the leadership of this group.
Sugar went quickly to his side and whispered to him while Aolani said sadly “She’s been called away Eric.”
Fairy cleared her throat and said “Let’s begin, we have so many things to speak of tonight.”
The group settled into their normal places, Fairy and Aolani flanking Eric while Renee and Violet sat close to Bill, each touching him, both drawing and giving strength with the contact.
“Bill,” Linzy asked “you really can’t feel Jessica?”
“No,” he said, pain drenching his voice “I cannot, I fear she has met the true death at the hands of that witch.”
“I won’t count her gone just yet,” Scarlett said “remember, she is a young vampire and it takes longer for them to burn, you didn’t Bill when you tried to save Sookie from Rene and we can’t forget that Jason is there.”
“No,” said Lina “we can’t give up hope until there is none to cling to.”
The mood in the room lightened somewhat as the group considered this possibility.
“Did anyone else feel sorry for Tara?” Violet asked “she’s sacrificed her love to keep her lover safe.”
“That’s true,” Renee agreed “but really, so much of the pain Tara has endured lately has been the result of her own bad choices. I think she has such an angry soul that she can’t choose a quiet path and I’m afraid that this is leading her to her own destruction.”
“Lafayette a medium?” SweetAndWild questioned “That explains so much of what happened to him last year.”
“Aolani and Aslinn are right,” Linzy said “he’s powerful and others can use his power. That’s scary.”
“What about Marnie?” Minnie asked “is she in there at all? Has Antonia completely overshadowed her?”
“I’m sure there are remnants of her remaining,” Aolani answered “but she welcomed her possession and willingly shed her own blood,” here, Aolani’s voice filled with disgust at the foolish actions taken by the weak willed medium “and Antonia is extremely powerful, you don’t invite that in without taking serious precautions. Whatever happens, Marnie brought this on herself.”
“I just wish she hadn’t involved our vampires,” Butter said “it’s so hard to watch Eric struggle with who he is now and to not want to remember his past” she looked at Eric sadly as she continued “I get why you don’t want to remember Eric but to us, your memories are a part of who you are and we love you….whatever you did.”
Eric’s eyes widened as he looked into the faces of the women surrounding him, their acceptance washing over him like a soothing balm although he made no comment.
“Ok,” Renee said breaking the sudden silence “who else was happier than a puppy with two peters to see Dr. Ludwig?”
“Oh hell yes!” Tiff Tiff said a chuckle in her voice “she sure gives as good as she gets but I have to admit her bedside manner might need some work.” The group chuckled at the memory of the acerbic doctor’s treatment of Pam while Tiff continued “at least she can help slow that curse until it can be lifted.”
“Yeah,” said Linzy “and what about Ginger? Now that girl is one devoted fangbanger. Pam is darn lucky to have her help and that coffin……….it is so Pam.”
“So,” said Fairy as the laughter died “what are we going to do about damn coven?”
“Well,” Aolani replied “I have to travel over the next few days and thankfully there are some shamen and other witches that I’m going to consult with. I have great hope that someone among them will have some extra knowledge that will help us.”
“I sure hope so,” said Sugar.
“I know one thing,” said Fairy “binding yourselves in silver was a smart move on your part Bill. I know you suffered dreadfully but that was a stroke of brilliance.”
Bill nodded at her praise but said sadly, “I still failed, I failed Jessica and now she may be gone.”
“That’s a possibility Bill,” said Violet “but, as we said earlier, don’t count her as gone yet and even if she is gone you have to remember that, whatever you felt about being forced to be her maker, she had more happiness in her time as a vampire than she ever had in her human life. That counts for something.”
“It counts for a great deal,” Renee whispered as she laid her head on Bill’s shoulder and snuggled closer.
“Ok,” said Aolani “I have to get on the road soon so perhaps we can call it an evening.”
The group agreed and rose en mass, human and vampire alike and left the chambers to step into the enveloping darkness of the night. They looked up and gasped as what is known generally as the northern lights shimmered with brilliant colors across the night sky while the stars shone like diamonds. While they stood gazing upon the night’s gift, a huge shooting star shot through the velvety blackness and the dancing colors.
Renee whispered
Star light, star bright
The first star I see tonight
I wish I may
I wish I might
Have this wish
I wish tonight………
Shine eternally in our hearts little star.
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