Author's note. I do not own any of the original characters. They belong to the amazingly talented Charlaine Harris. This is the collection of an eight part series I wrote in 2018 that I titled, The Seric Chronicles. Enjoy!
Taking place shortly following Dead Ever After, Sookie is trying to move on with her 'normal' life, but nothing goes as planned when an enemy of an old friend shows up.
Book one: Eyes Open
My eyes snap open in the dead of night. What was that?! The loud crashing sound had come from my front yard. I quietly pull the covers off and slowly sit up. When my feet slide into my slipper the pounding on the front door begins. I glance at my alarm clock. 12:05 AM. I had only just gotten to sleep. I stealthily make my way down my Gran's hallway, an unknown source of light brightening the dead of night. Generations of Stackhouses stare down at me from their frames on the walls.
My brother Jason and I were sent to live with our grandparents when he was ten and I was seven after our parents died in an accident (or were brutally murdered we later found out).I instinctively still think about it as an accident most days and honestly, I sleep better that way. So, I know ever nook, cranny and creaky floorboard of my 150 year old family home. The Stackhouses adorning the walls watch me as I silently dance around the third board from the left. The one that got Jason busted for sneaking out when he was fourteen and again when he was seventeen. That boy never learns. back when things were normal.
Speaking of which, why does stuff always happen in the middle of the night? No wait, scratch that. I know why; try vampires. Yep, you heard me. Creepy, sneaky, walk by night, blood sucking, undead vampires! The world has changed a lot since they "came out of the coffin" as they call it a few years ago. Claiming that a blood disease made them what they are. Mainstreaming! Living among humans peacefully. Fear not! New synthetic blood makes them harmless to the human populace. Pfft! The Weres and shifters came out after a spell, too. It didn't go as smoothly for them, which surprised me personally. Now the government wants to document, regulate and control the Twoeys (that's the twin natured) which is about ten shades of wrong especially considering that the twoeys were living regular lives throughout the centuries when vampires were killing unchecked. Mainstreamin, my ass! Though there are plenty of vamps who are law abiding citizens and I could introduce you to more than a few, my personal life took a sharp turn a couple years after that coffin opened and believe me when I say that I know what they're capable of. Being a telepath and therefore the town freak made my life nothing much to brag about. Close relationships with humans, mainly men being pretty much off the table. You would not guess how hard it is to be attracted to a man when you have to hear him thinking about his fetish for child sized blondes. Eugh! Though I may have come off as a vampire hater, I'm just bitter for the trouble they've caused me. I actually love vampires. Some will tell you they arent' lively company (Eric excluded sine I always thought he was fun) and while that may be true, I can't hear their minds. Which is why when known vampire and Bon Temps native, Bill Compton came into Merlotte's, I was instantly attracted. After that my life got exciting...too exciting. Since then I have been targeted at some point by countless vampires, Werewolves, fucking Faeries, a Maenad and even a couple humans. That doesn't even include the people, undead and living that I killed myself along the way. Don't ask, the details are endless. I'm even part fae myself, in fact.
A culmination of theses facts are exactly why I'm treating the panicked cries for help coming from my front door like a possible trap. Fucking supes! Strictly speaking, no one has come after me since my ex honey and powerful vampire, Eric Northman left me for Freyda, Queen of Oklahoma (not really of his own will). Yes, seriously there's a queen. Despite my newfound safety, you can never be too careful. I reach behind the water heater and retrieve my Benelli shotgun that Jason gave me for protection. Yes, I do know how to use it. Do you? And I don't mind telling you that it has definitely saved my ass more than once. I peer through the living room curtains and see a car wrapped around the tree in my front yard, the remaining headlight flooding the yard in white light. The bloody girl crying on the porch catches my eye. My heart sinks, but somehow I hear the voice of reason over the blood pounding in my ears. Okay, slow down, Sookie. This could still be a trick. I nod to myself in understanding as only an insane person would do. "Who's there," I call out. "Please, please help me! I crashed out front and I'm hurt. I think my heart is broken!" The heavy door muffles her sobs a bit, but I can still distinguish the pain in her voice.
I reach for the doorknob, but something stays my hand. Why would she be crashed in my front yard when my house is way back off the road with a drive that curves and winds until you can't see Hummingbird road? I 'listen' for her brain signature, but find only the blank space of a dead brain. It's true that I can't 'hear' the dead, but the empty space around their mind is a dead giveaway. I rack a shell, the telltale sound ringing through the silent house. "These are vampire killing rounds," I announce loudly and with an air of authority. I hope. "So who sent you," I demand.
I think back, trying to remember who I've pissed off lately...Nobody? At least, I don't think so. I take a second to pat myself on the back for that. I don't even hang out with supes anymore. Often. Well, okay maybe I do, but what do you expect? My own brother is a Were Panther hybrid, Bill still comes into Merlotte's and is my neighbor and Sam, my boss is a true shape shifter. Sam also happens to sort of be my ex. Hey! Don't judge me. I had a lot of serious internal debates about whether or not I should date my boss. Turns out the answer is 'not', but we parted amicably and that doesn't matter right now. I really don't think I've stepped on any toes, though. You know, lately. I haven't been all extra curricular with any vamps, either.
I hear the pretend victim on the other side of the door laugh errantly. A good one from my Word of the Day calendar. "They told me you were smart, Ms. Stackhouse, but so far you've only proven you aren't dumb. If you want to show your intelligence, I suggest you come out and play."
Yeah, because bolstering about intelligence is a smart thing that never leads to anyone's undoing.
I go to the junk drawer in the kitchen and pull out my emergency silver mace and chain. I did say 'too exciting', didn't I? Unfortunately for me, I'd lied to my antagonist. I only have ordinary shotgun shells. "I'm not alone," she calls melodically, an ease in her voice. I gather that this is how she relaxes. I don't have enough to defend myself and I eye the phone, but who would I even call? "Don't even think about it, we've already cut the lines."
Fuck! Shit! Perfect. Who's the mind reader here anyway?
"So, come on out." I wait in silence before she continues. "If you don't come out and talk to me, we're going to burn your house to the ground," she says sounding less patient.
"Of course you are. Why wouldn't you," I mutter to myself as I think.
"I'll give you until the count of ten and then my buddies are gonna pour gas and I'm going to start playing with matches," she sings her words. "One...Two...Three..."
She's batshit! "okay, okay!" I sigh, thinking on my toes. "If you really want to talk, why don't we just stick with the original plan? I'll invite you only inside and whoever else is with you, stays outside. How many friends you got with you," I ask, counting an additional eight brain gaps.
"Two," she lies. "And no deal!"
"Oh, come on. What could you possibly have to worry about from one teeny, tiny human? And if you burn the place to the ground, I might die and you'll never get whatever it is that you want." I'm taking a pretty big risk talking down to a vampire who's threatening me and will gain entrance to my house soon, but how else am I gonna get myself outta this? The silence while she make up her mind feels like an they maybe after Bill? He does have that vampire database he compiled and now markets. Successfully, I might add. Not everybody is so gung ho on the idea. Lots of vampires like their privacy even in this day and age. Now, I'm not consorting with Bill, but if they want to use me against him, I must admit that it will work. He's still pretty vocal about his love for me and in these ransom situations the feelings of the kidnapee are rarely taken into account, I've noticed. That would just be a big joke, wouldn't it? Me getting killed for Bill Compton? Ha!
"Alright, Woman, I'll come inside, but remember, my friends play with matches, too."
"Fair enough," I say, opening the door. "You and you alone may come inside."
"Thank you," she smiles as she passes me in the doorway. She's a whole head taller than me with unnaturally red hair, tightly curled and meticulously styled. What I hope is her own blood is spattered across her face. The blood combined with her dark eye makeup makes the paleness of her face pop. the colors match the theme of her tight outfit that while it is revealing is still somehow practical. In short, she's stunning and terrifying. Well, now that she's inside it's best to be polite. "Well, as I'm sure you know, I'm Sookie," I say stupidly. My face splits into my tight, bright smile. It's my fallback when I'm nervous, so naturally I'm known for it since hearing everyone's private thoughts always makes me nervous. It makes me look unstable, I'm aware.
"I know," she smiles in retrn, clearly much more at ease than I am. "I'm Serena!" Gosh, she's chipper.
"Well, I sure wish I could say that it's nice to meet you, Serena, but given the circumstances it would seem a little unbelievable," I chuckle. I don't offer to shake her hand, because vampires don't appreciate that too much and I have to stop myself before my Southern mannerisms force me to offer her a Tru Blood. I haven't kept any in the house in ages. The thought saddens me and I eye the wardrobe where Eric built his cubby. I go down there sometimes. When I miss him. "Well, let's sit," she says agreeably, taking a seat on the couch while I sit opposite her in the chair. "So, Sookie. May I call you Sookie?" I nod my consent. "Sookie, you have such a homey place here."
"Thank you," I say politely.
"And they were right, you are beautiful!" Now she's too nice.
"They who," I ask as I wrinkle my brows.
"My employers, of course, Silly!" Her laugh is more of a giggle as she reaches out and shakes my knee like we're close gal pals. I smile even wider in response, my anxiety building and then she gives me a wink. Okay, then."Seriously, though, Sookie. When was the last time you saw your ex-husband," she bats her eyelashes. I feel my head swim. "Excuse me?"
"Do you have more than one ex-husband? I mean the vampire... You know, tall, blonde and gorgeous!" Her nose wrinkles when she giggles.
"Eric," I ask in confusion. If they're here looking for him then that probably means he's in some sort of trouble and has taken off. Now they're searching anywhere they can think of. I hope he's okay.
"Yes, Eric," she says, now huffy and annoyed. "Don't fuck with me here, Sookie!" Her fangs drop menacingly with a loud pop. She's a bit bipolar apparently.
"Whoa, okay look, Eric and I broke up a while ago now. Going on a year; I haven't seen hide nor hair of him since." Sadly, I'm telling the truth, not that I'd tell her if I had seen hide or hair. I do miss his hair. Not that I'll admit that, either. Sigh.
"You sure?" Her condescending tone is topped with an expression one would aim at a toddler and she comes to sit on the arm of my chair. Already in my personal bubble, she leans in uncomfortably close.
"Yes," I do my best not to snap at her when I reply. "He left...He was to marry the queen of Oklahoma, I was told."
"Mmmmmh." A long moment passes before she breaks the silence. "Look, Sweetie, I need answers," she pulls at the front of my shirt before looking down it. I wish I was wearing a bra. "If you don't give me said answers, then I am going to drag you out front and let my boys take turns on you and then we'll revisit this conversation."
"Get your filthy fucking hands off of me!" I slap her hand away, but before I can blink she snatches me up by the face, practically pulling me out of my chair, her fingers digging into my cheeks.
"I'm going to eat you while I fuck you to death, pretty blonde girl." An old accents hints through more as her sadistic appetite grows, but I can't place it. It's been a good long minute since I've felt fear of this magnitude and my breath quickens as my chest begins to pound.
"Don't worry," she licks my ear, "it won't be quick." She pinches my nipple. I tighten my jaw and summon as much courage as I can before smacking her away again.
"Drop dead, Bitch! I don't know anything and even if I did, exes or not I would never give Eric to you, you snide, foul mouthed, poor excuse for a lady."
Serena laughs loudly at my barb. "You're telling the truth, aren't you? He's really abandoned you, hasn't he," her voice gets pouty as she sticks out her lips, her face a vision of falsified sympathy. "Perhaps you don't matter like we thought you did. Oh, well, I guess there's no point keeping you around them." Before I can even scream, she yanks my hair until my head tips and sinks her fangs into my neck.