Stranger Danger

I had my first official job as a Supernatural Consultant last night. I wish I could be happy about it, but the circumstances were just too awful. I'm still counting it as my first job, since I got to be helpful, even though I wouldn't accept payment.

Someone's threatening @WereLily. Pictures of her playing on the playground at school were delivered to @BarWithABite, covered in blood. @SheriffNorthman's blood, to be exact. How sick is that? Apparently they were delivered sometime during the trip to NOLA, but Eric didn't mention it. I'm annoyed that he didn't, but I kind of get why he'd want to keep something like this contained. @VampyJo must have been flipping out the entire time. I know I would have been. I guess that's why @WerepireLucian left a little early. I'm glad he went home to protect her.

@BiancaNorthman was able to catch the man who delivered the photographs to Fangtasia. She kept him in the basement and obviously beat him up. It's awful that I can tell it was her and not Chow or Pam, just by what was done. I don't like that there's so much violence or that I'm getting so familiar with each vamipre's signature, but I guess I can't really blame her for beating the guy up when she saw the pictures. If they were sent to me, I'd probably want to hurt someone too.

The basement/dungeon of Fangtasia isn't really a fate I'd wish on anyone, though, especially since the guy was just the messenger. Apparently our vampires haven't heard the saying about messengers, though, because Eric definitely had him killed after I read his mind. The man was a V-addict with dangerous connections, so I guess it's for the best, but that part of me that argued with Eric that all life is special still rails against the thought. 

I was able to read some thoughts from the man's mind, though it didn't go completely smoothly because he was so damaged from all the drugs. Eric took Bianca to look into the lead I dug up, but he came home just before dawn and in no mood to talk, so I didn't get to ask him about it. Judging by the mood, I think it's safe to guess they didn't catch the "red man" they were looking for. I hope they do soon, before he can hurt Lily or anyone else.

I wonder what it says about me that I didn't even try to save the addict's life last night. I hid behind the idea that Eric would honor our deal and not kill the man, and I'm sure he didn't, but I'm equally sure that the man is dead and will never be found. I didn't speak a word in protest, and I won't ask about it or try to lecture him or anything. Being bonded to Eric as long as I have, I understand that he truly believes this was part of eliminating a threat to his family. I can't really argue with that. V-addicts can be extremely dangerous, and this particular one was being used by an even more dangerous man, but I really wish there was an alternative to killing him.

I think believing that all life is special is part of being human. It's something I truly believe, so why didn't I protest when I knew Eric would have his prisoner killed? Why am I not more upset with the idea that they'll kill this "red man" when they find him? A threat to Lily is a threat to our family, so does that mean I'm okay with killing to protect it? Does that make me any less human if I am? And if I don't have my humanity, then what am I?

The Peace Never Lasts

 

I used to feel like my life was one big disaster, like it would never calm down, like we would always be fighting for our lives.

Lately, everything's felt more... settled. It's been a long time, I guess, since there's been any real danger around here. There's the day-to-day stuff, and the vampire, were, and fae politics, which always stir up a bit of trouble here and there, but nothing major. I felt like I could finally relax.

You'd think, by now, I'd know that's too good to be true.

No matter how many times it's happened, it's so jarring to realize that, in an instant, your entire life can come crashing down around you. That you can lose everyone you love. That there's nothing you can do to stop it.

After all, what good is one mostly-human against Dracula?

I'd hoped he was gone for good, but that's rarely the case when it comes to vampires with a vendetta, I guess, and @PrinceVladTepes sure has one against @RomanLucious. It goes both ways, of course. They're both out for blood, but it's not them I'm worried about. Not really. Roman's a friend, but no one's pulling him away from this feud. I think we've all accepted that. It's everyone else I'm worried about.

Dracula's threatening practically every vampire in the Area. He's gone after @SheriffNorthman before, and I can hardly stand the thought of it happening again. The thought makes me want to wrap my arms around him and never let go. Everyone who knows Roman's in danger too, not just the vampires, though I think they're getting it the worst. @VampyJo's in danger and probably @fangtastic_pam too.

@ClaudeCrane might be in the worst danger, and I don't even think he knows it. He certainly doesn't seem to realize how dangerous Dracula is, or the position that being Roman's new husband puts him in. I don't think any of us fully comprehend the situation of the two of them being married, really. Not yet, at least. Possibly not ever. He sounded entirely too flippant about it over the phone yesterday, but hopefully he really will keep me updated so I can tell Eric. I don't think any of us can afford to be caught off guard in this.

Part of me wishes we could ignore it, that it would all go away if we don't pay any attention to it or get involved, but that's the old Sookie talking. I know that's not how things work. I know Dracula will attack no matter what, and I know that if we're not prepared, I'll lose people I care about. I'm not willing to let that happen. None of us are.

I don't like any of this. The Prince is protected by vampire law. Just talking about killing him is punishable by second death, and there's been more than talk. He's a threat that needs to be eliminated, I get that, but... I'm scared. Not scared to fight, not scared for myself, but Eric and I are building a life together. We've built a life together, as have so many other people who're about to be in danger. @BrierFerrior and @BrookeFerrior with their kids, @VampyJo and @WerepireLucian and theirs. Our friends have kids, now. Families. I feel like we're standing on the edge of a cliff and, maybe it's just me, but I really don't want to see what's just over the edge.

After this, I don't think anything will ever be the same...