"Buried Secrets 2: Blood"
Epilogue: Enter the Shadows
The bustling city of New Orleans was well and alive tonight. One of the most noted supernatural cities in the world as well as the best one to hide in.
Bella stared out onto the streets as the people began their journey into the darkness. She can see the vampires of the city, the ones without daylight rings, jumping from rooftop to rooftop. She let out a little chuckle.
"Amazing isn't it?" Bella asked before she looked toward Klaus' open coffin.
He was weathered and grayer now than he was before. His coffin was standing straight up and he was looking directly at Bella; his eyes still held the anger they had the day he became trapped.
"Your protégé Marcel runs this city now," Bella continues, "He has a family, loyalty from his people, and power. He has everything you ever wanted. You know how he got that?" she asked and looked back out to the street, "He took aspects of what you taught him, but he found that you catch more flies with honey than you do with vinegar. He promised them things. He found the weak ones…the ones that were outcasts like he once was and he gives them what you gave him." Bella sighed, "The difference between you two is that Marcel is patient. He's been on the other side of the whip, he felt its harsh leather rip into his skin. He knows what it's like not to have power, so he protects it," Bella looked to Klaus, "He's more careful than you were. He doesn't easily let his guard down. He does have your Dictator-type attitude when it comes to the witches. Speaking of which," Bella trailed and looked at the clock, "I'm late."
Bella walked over and slowly lowered the coffin.
"I'll be late so don't wait up," Bella said before she shut the lid.
She quickly grabbed her jacket and headed out the door.
.*.*.*.*.*.
They had arrived in New Orleans two days ago…it was a good place to hide for the time being.
Rebekah, Kol and Elijah had split up a few weeks back, and thanks to her connections, Bella knew exactly where they were. Kol was in Italy, which was the first place they had stayed. Elijah was in New York at Bella's flat that she had purchased last week. Rebekah decided to return to Mystic Falls in the hopes that Bella would return, but she wasn't going to.
.*.*.*.*.*.
Bella walked briskly through the streets and listened as the people around her spoke. She walked into the bar at the end of Bourbon Street and smiled.
Behind the bar was Jane-Anne, a witch she knew and who she had been helping her. Sophie, her sister, tilted her head towards the back and Bella followed both of them.
Jane-Anne locked the door and said a few words before she lit a candle.
"We thought you were coming next month," Sophie said.
"I had to make you think that," Bella said before sitting down, "Elijah is having help from other witches."
"You look tired," Jane-Anne mused.
"I don't get much sleep while on the run," Bella replied.
"You aren't eating either," Sophie said.
"You offering?" Bella asked while smirking.
"Being on the run has made you a pain," Sophie replied, "Lucy called, asking if we had seen you."
"She's being watched by Angela and Damon," Jane-Anne added, "they think you're getting help from her."
"Good thing they don't know I've got lots of witch friends." Bella said, "What's going around here? I saw Marcel's boys stalking around the town."
"Marcel has us on lockdown," Jane-Anne replied, "We aren't allowed to do magic without his permission."
"Want me to kill him?" Bella asked.
"One of his little protégé would take over," Sophie replied. "He's looking for you too…Elijah talked to him."
"Then you don't need to be helping me," Bella said before becoming tense and standing up, "You get caught, he'll kill you."
"We're already dead," Jane-Anne replied, "Bella we owe you our lives so don't try to make us back out."
"Jane's right," Sophie added, "You need to rest and here is the best place. With us we can at least help you regain your strength and there's plenty of supernatural blood around for you to feed on."
"You don't owe me anything," Bella said seriously.
"You saved my daughter and gave her a new life," Jane-Anne said, "Away from all of this…away from Marcel."
"What good is that if she finds out her mother is dead," Bella countered.
"Bella let's talk about this tomorrow," Sophie interrupted, "You're exhausted. Please go and feed even if it's a little."
The three women walked out of the room and Bella tensed.
"What is it?" Sophie asked.
Bella looked to her left and saw the side door shutting. Quickly she moved and walked out the door. She saw a man jump up to the roof and quietly followed. He stopped and started to turn, Bella blurred and by the time he turned to face forward, Bella was standing in front of him.
"You know it's not nice to spy," Bella said before she grabbed him by the throat, lifting him up in the air.
"Marcel will hear of this," the man choked out.
"No he won't," Bella said before she slammed him against a chimney. Bella felt her fangs descend and the man quivered in fear at her, "I see you know I'm not normal…no matter, this will be over soon…I'm so hungry."
Bella quickly bit into the vampire's neck and drained him within a few seconds. She dropped his lifeless body and took a deep breath as she felt the blood course through her veins as her energy became restored. She grabbed the dead vampire and blurred back to Sophie and Jane-Anne, who were waiting.
Bella dropped the body.
"That's one of Marcel's right hand men," Sophie said.
"Why was he following me?" Bella asked.
"Marcel probably saw you on the street and wanted you for dinner." Jane-Anne explained, "He likes bad girls."
"Well than," Bella said, "Maybe I should introduce myself."
"Watch yourself Bella," Sophie warned as she walked out the door.
"She drained him, but she's still pale as a corpse," Jane-Anne commented.
"She's gonna have to do something," Sophie added, "Between Katherine coming here and what she wanted, Bella's gonna need all her strength." Sophie looked at her sister, "Do you think she's up for what's coming?"
"It's Bella," Jane-Anne replied, "She's stronger than most give her credit for. But this one I don't think she's ready for it. She has no clue what's coming and there's no way for us to predict the future."
.*.*.*.*.*.
Elena sat up quickly and screamed after another nightmare.
"What's wrong?" Stefan asked, putting a hand on her shoulder.
"I had it again," Elena said while breathing heavily.
"It's not real," Stefan said.
"Stefan I know it means something," Elena said as she threw the covers off. She walked to the window.
"Maybe you had a bad batch of thumper blood," Damon slurred from downstairs.
"Ignore him," Stefan said before joining her. He wrapped his arms around her waist.
It had been three months since Bella had once again disappeared and as she promised, no one had found any trace of her. Damon was drinking more and feeding less. Elena had completed her transformation thanks to Matt and now she lived at the boarding house. Everything seemed quiet, but everyone was still very much on edge.
"He needs to eat," Elena whispered.
"No," Damon replied.
"He knows Bella's watching somehow. He thinks if she hears he isn't feeding she'll come back." Stefan replied.
"She's not coming back," Elena replied quietly. "I know she isn't and if she does…"
"It's just a dream," Stefan said firmly.
"You haven't seen what I've seen; you haven't seen it over and over. It never changes Stefan." Elena said with a shiver.
Stefan sighed, "How about we talk to Bonnie in the morning? Maybe she can help figure this out."
Before Elena could reply they both heard something smash against the wall.
"Ignore him," Stefan said.
"He's in pain Stefan," Elena said and moved away from him.
She walked quickly down the stairs as Damon picked up another vase.
"She isn't going to come back," Elena said, "No matter what you do."
"What are you?" Damon snarled and stumbled, "Psychic."
"No, but I know her," Elena said, "You're just punishing yourself."
"I'm going to find her," Damon declared before he plopped down on the couch. He took a new swig of whiskey, "You all don't know it yet, but I'm going to find her."
"Damon," Elena said with a sigh.
"No," Damon roared, "Don't you dare Damon me while you all sit here and continue to live while she's out there alone!" He stood up, "You all are just in your own happy little world, well excuse me, but some of us are miserable and missing the one we love!"
"Damon that's enough," Stefan said and blurred in front of Elena, "You need to stop."
"Go to hell," Damon said before he stormed out of the house.
He got to the graveyard and sat down on a log in front of Alaric's grave.
"Why I keep coming here I don't know," Damon said and took a drink. "It's not like you can hear me or help me in anyway." Damon leaned back and sighed, "I know…I'm being ridiculous. I'm being irrational, but tell me Rick if it was Jenna out there, what would you do?" He took another swig, "I never thought me of all people would be like this…a complete and total wreck over a girl. You would think I would have learned my lesson after Katherine and then Elena, but something is very different about Bella. She stirred something inside me…she made me look around and see the damage I was doing to myself and others."
Damon leaned forward and took a deep breath.
"Look I know you can't really tell me what I want, but if some way you could give me a sign…to where she is or that she's okay I would appreciate it," Damon said.
"Ghosts don't really like helping people that caused their death," Rebekah said, coming out of the shadows, "You're pathetic you know that."
Damon let out a harsh laugh, "Me pathetic," he stood up, "This coming from someone who protects someone who constantly puts her in a coffin and abandons her. At least the person I'm after doesn't do those things."
"Doesn't she?" Rebekah questioned, "I mean she isn't here now."
"She's trying to protect us," Damon replied, "Tell me did Klaus ever do that to you?" When Rebekah didn't answer he chuckled, "Didn't think so. Sorry, but if you're looking for where she is I don't know and if I did, I would tell you."
"Of course you wouldn't, but obviously you're desperate to find her so how about you help me and I'll help you." Rebekah replied.
"I'm done making deals with devils," Damon said, "Enjoy the evening Rebekah."
"You know at some point you're going to take me up on my offer…at least one of them." Rebekah called as he disappeared. "We will find her…she can't hide forever."
.*.*.*.*.*.
Bella walked into The Howlin Wolf and it didn't take long to spot Marcel, who was singing "How you like me now" by The Heavy.
Bella laughed and shook her head. The name of the bar and the song he was singing…how ironic and fitting.
Marcel's eyes suddenly turned towards her and he smiled widely. He finished his song before the crowd (most of them were his followers) cheered. He then made his way towards Bella. She shook off her jacket and ordered a whiskey straight.
"Pretty girl like you should never drink alone," Marcel said smoothly.
"Bet you say that to all the girls," Bella replied and took a drink.
"Only the ones I like," Marcel replied.
"And how do you know you'll like me?" Bella questioned.
"I have a sense about these sorts of things," Marcel said with a chuckle.
"It wouldn't happen to be that you can smell how…enticing my blood is." Bella replied coolly and smirked.
Marcel tensed, "If you're a witch you need to know how I run my town." He said carefully.
"I've been accused of being a witch, just not in the magical sense and instead of a W there tends to be a B in front of the itch part." Bella replied.
"Who are you?" Marcel asked.
"Wouldn't the better question be what am I?" Bella suggested.
"Not really into labels," Marcel replied.
"Can we talk in private?" Bella asked. "Not really a big fan of guard dogs," Bella said as she pointed to the room.
Marcel laughed, "Right back here," He said and started walking.
Bella grabbed her drink and followed. Marcel led her to a small room and once they entered, he shut the door.
"Don't worry it's spelled," Marcel said while taking a seat, "Once that door closes nothing gets out of this room…hearing wise."
"I highly doubt that's the only thing that doesn't get out," Bella said before sitting down across from him, "I can smell different types of blood."
"So my dear what are you and what brings you to my lovely city," Marcel asked.
"My name's Bella Swan," Bella said and she saw Marcel tense, "You know me."
"I know of you," Marcel said carefully, "I know Elijah's looking for you."
"I know my Uncle's been here," Bella replied.
"Uncle?" Marcel said shocked.
"Oh he apparently didn't give you the run down," Bella said amused, "I'm Klaus' daughter."
"Niklaus Mikelson," Marcel said, "He's…."
"Your maker," Bella interrupted him, "Yes I know. I know a lot about you Marcel."
"Elijah said you have Niklaus…"Marcel said before leaning forward, "Is that true?"
"You think I'll tell you?" Bella asked, "I just wanted to meet you and let you know I'm in town. I will be for a while."
"This is my city," Marcel said.
"I don't care," Bella replied, "I'll leave you alone and you make sure none of your 'family' follow me again or there will be more than one dead vampire in this town."
"You've killed one of mine," Marcel said with anger seeping into his voice.
"You don't know much about me do you?" Bella asked with a laugh, "Oh this is going to be interesting."
"No one hurts my family," Marcel said and lunged for Bella, but she was quicker and she pinned him against the wall.
"Tsk, tsk, tsk," she clucked and tightened her hand around his neck, "I don't like being attacked and I don't like being followed. Now since you have been in this city for some time I'm going to let the whole attacking thing slide, but there are a few things you should know about me," Bella said, "I'm stronger than you…in an instant I could kill you…drain you dry. You see I feed off supernatural blood; it's the only thing that satisfies me. I don't want trouble. I merely want a vacation here in this lovely city."
"Elijah will be back," Marcel choked.
"I know," Bella said, "And when he does come back I'll be gone. But for now you have two choices. You can either listen to me or you and all your little friends can be dead by the end of the day…your choice."
"You're your father's daughter alright," Marcel choked, "You have a deal."
Bella let him go and stepped away, "I'm glad." She grabbed her jacket, "I'll be seeing you around Marcel…I have a feeling we may become friends." She said before she opened the door.
Bella walked through the bar towards the front door, but Marcel's voice stopped her.
"Bella," he said and everyone froze.
Bella turned around, "Yes Marcel?"
"Join me for dinner?" he asked while smirking.
Bella walked over to him, "Now why would you want me to join you for dinner when I just threatened to kill you and everyone here?"
Two vampires quickly moved to either side of her and Marcel held up his hand, stopping them.
"I have a thing for bad girls…you're my maker's daughter and he was the ultimate badass. I have a feeling you're worse." Marcel said as he stepped closer to her until he was stroking her cheek.
Bella quickly grabbed his hand and pulled it away from her face.
"You have no idea how bad I really am," Bella said, "But I'm taken Marcel."
"Then at least let me show you around," Marcel said, "I mean I am prince of this city, it's my duty."
"You aren't going to give up are you?" Bella asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Not in my nature," Marcel smirked.
"I'll be seeing you around," Bella said and headed out the door.
"Marcel," one of the vampires said, "Should we go after her?"
"Do you want us to kill her?" Another asked.
"No," Marcel said while crossing his arms and smiling, "She's off limits." He turned to everyone, "This city just got a lot more interesting."
.*.*.*.*.*.
Bella walked into the room and shrugged off her jacket. She sat down in the snuggle chair and stared out the window. The emptiness that she had kept at bay by being on the run was starting to creep up on her. She had no distractions right now because she knew for a while she was safe here. Jane-Anne and Sophie would watch out for her.
Marcel…he was curious about her and she was going to use that to her advantage.
Bella knew she needed a rest…she needed to stay a while. For three months all that it had been was running all across Europe, New Zealand, Australia, and several other places. She didn't have the time to mourn…to really feel the pain of being alone; to feel the guilt of leaving everyone and betraying them in a sense. She had made a decision that concerned everyone, but she gave no one a say in it.
Bella didn't want to feel what was coming, but more than that, she didn't want to feel the nothingness that had once consumed her. She refused to go back to that darkness, to that pit of nothing. There were no emotions, it was like she was going through the motions to get what she wanted and when she had, she wasn't satisfied. That was the problem with switching off your humanity…you never felt satisfied and you enjoyed nothing. It was just a black hole…a never ending pit that you were falling in.
A/N: Hey everyone so here it is the epilogue. So sorry it took so long to get it up, but I wanted it to be just right and I wanted it to sort of lead into what's coming next which means there will be a Buried Secrets 3 and it will be called Buried Secrets 3: Enter the Shadows. Now I will not be going episode by episode like I have with the last two….this one will have SOME elements, but completely different storyline and it will be the LAST in the Trilogy. I am working on the final chapter in the trilogy now so no idea when it will be up, but as soon as I do know I will post on here.
Today is a special day yet also a sad day…it's my birthday, but it's also the first birthday I'm spending without my grandpa and has made me realize I am going to face a lot more firsts without him.
With it being said that it's my birthday my wonderful Beta and friend Dark~Supernatural~Angel who has done the trailer for Buried Secrets surprised me with a little teaser video for Buried Secrets 2: Blood and it's kind of like the opening credits to a show. It is absolutely fantastic and was a surprise to me so I thank her with all heart for all the amazing work and support she has done and given to me.
I have gotten questions will there be a Trailer like there was for the first Buried Secrets the answer is yes, but good things take time and my lovely beta has school so whenever she is available and ready there will be a trailer until then I share this wonderful birthday present with you. You will have to delete out the parenthesis's though: https(:/) .com(/)watch?v=m_DCu1nOi80
Review my dears and I will hopefully see you soon!