A/N: Finally an update! For those who are following, sorry it was delayed a bit. I hate making up excuses but I've been working way too much. I just want a day off.

Thank you Fallen Witch Angel, your reviews are wonderful.

Anyways, enjoy the chapter. if there are errors or something is unclear, please let me know.

Disclaimer: I don't own TVD.

Snake Charmer

Bonnie quickly concluded that surprising Kol may not have been the wisest decision.

Before he even took in his surroundings, his eyes sought Bonnie while he was brushing non-existent fluff off his jacket.

"A little warning would have been nice." Bonnie resisted the urge to roll her eyes. What a drama queen.

"Oh I'm sorry. Should I have used my telepathic powers to tell you we had one second to decide to go or not? We're lucky were even here. They were very reluctant to let us in."

"Then why did they?" He was now looking around the place in wonder.

It was wondrous, she supposed. It was so bright that her eyes had trouble adjusting at first. When they did, her eyes widened. There was no horizon, there was no landscape, there was nothing. Everything was white, and as far as she could discern, there was no ending to this place.

Suddenly, the white changed and pigments of colour appeared. It was slow at first, only gradually changing to a pale hue of orange but it wasn't the depressingly vacant white from before.

Who would choose to exist here?

Kol's thoughts seemed to reflect her own, since his eyes met hers. His face looked grim.

She had to agree with him there. This had to say something about the witches, especially by choosing to stay here.

She figured they would just be in and out. They would simply ask if Kazima or Qetsiyah was around and if they knew anything about Silas that could be used against him then that was great. If not, then at least Bonnie tried. She didn't want to be here any longer than necessary.

While they were wandering in no particular direction, Bonnie dwelled on how they were going to find the witches. It looked as if the place stretched for infinity, and she couldn't even spot shadow amongst the giant nothingness. This was a serious concern.

Perhaps the witches were deliberately concealing their location. If that were the case, she had no idea how long it would be before they were going to get out of here with what they wanted. If the witches had a sick sense of humor, they might be here a while.

Before Bonnie could ponder anymore, she became distracted by a faint noise.

She looked around for the source but couldn't identify anything.

"Do you hear that?"she asked Kol.

He looked at her, confused. "Hear what?"

The noise was growing louder. It was like a ringing in her ears but it was increasing in volume.

"It's like a-" she broke off. It was getting too loud. Unbearable. She tried covering her ears but that seemed to only make it worse. The strange thing was, it didn't feel like it was the volume that was causing her pain. It was as if someone or something was assaulting her brain, and the sound was the result, not the cause of it.

She gasped under the force of it. She could hear Kol's voice in the background. She might've heard Bonnie a few times but she couldn't be sure. Either she was going crazy, because she could have sworn she heard concern in his voice, or something was seriously wrong.

Bonnie didn't get much of a chance to agonize over it. Before she knew it, she had dropped to her knees and was trying to shut out whatever was invading her mind, her soul.

After only a few moments, she could feel everything shutting off. She couldn't take it.

Leave me alone.

When the darkness finally came, she welcomed it.

Bonnie.

Bonnie get up.

Someone was calling her name.

"Bonnie get up!" Kol was shaking her, she realized slowly. She registered that Kol was leaning over her, grasping her upper arms, his face showing mild panic. Panic? She must be more exhausted than she thought if she was hallucinating. She felt like she had been run over by an eighteen-wheeler... several times.

When she made some kind of affirmative grumble he let her go and retreated a few inches so that his hands were now leaning on his knees. He had now reverted back to his typical indifferent expression. She had definitely imagined it.

When she glanced away, she saw them. Three figures sitting in a circle only a few feet from where she lay.

Her eyes widened while she immediately tried to draw back on her elbows.

Kol was now lifting his hands and had an assertive look on his face. "Don't be frightened. They're the ones we've been looking for. They said you had to go through some kind of magical binding." He looked slightly abashed. "Something or rather, I'm a little fuzzy on the details, but you should be alright now."

Alright? She had never felt worse, even when pain had been overwhelming when she had overexerted herself as a living witch.

Bonnie looked closely at the three witches. They looked normal, at least for witches that is. Ayana looked a lot more eccentric than these ones, but then again, she had chosen to keep the appearance that she had when she had been alive-crazy hair and seriously ancient clothes. These witches were a lot more up to date. Surprising, considering they had separated themselves from the modern world. She suspected they hadn't completely, since their clothes looked modern.

Two of them were darker skinned, so Bonnie may well have been one of their descendants. One of them looked to be around fifty years old, and had big dark slanted eyes and very prominent cheekbones with shoulder-length brown hair. The younger one was very slight in figure, and had a heart-shaped face unusually cat-like. Her own black hair was tied in elaborate braids atop her head. The third one was fair skinned and had platinum, almost white hair that reached her waist in tendrils. She looked to be in her early thirties.

Now that they were no longer in any meditative state, their concentration had turned to her. They stood up, which prompted Kol to do the same. He offered his hand to Bonnie, and she took it- hesitantly at first, she had an instant mental image of Kol throwing her in the air and cackling as soon as she took his hand, but immediately disregarded the thought.

He brought her to her feet while the witches walked up to her.

The one with the braids extended her hand.

"It is remarkable to meet you, Bonnie." She had a slight accent that Bonnie could not confidently discern. Definitely old though. As if she didn't practice utilizing any modern language. "I have heard and seen many remarkable things."

Bonnie seriously doubted that. She knew she was considered an abomination, as Aja put it, in many spirit circles, and that was putting it lightly. Even so, she was slightly startled to imagine that this unknown spirit had been following her tracks in the living world. She returned the handshake and awkwardly responded. "Ughh, thanks. I guess. Who are you?"

It seemed the witch was more absorbed in Bonnie's hand then what she was saying. She seemed to be reading her, which really freaked her out. Not that Bonnie hadn't done the same with others on occasion, but she seemed to be looking for something because suddenly her eyes widened and recognition dawned on her face.

Bonnie carefully disentangled her hand from the witch's. She didn't seem to be offended and responded her question with a smile. "I am Kazima, the one you have been seeking, yes?"

Bonnie looked to Kol. He had a questioning but serious expression.

Bonnie responded, "Yeah, but how did you-"

Kazima finished her question. "Know? It is very easy to sense someone from this plane. You will see soon enough."

Bonnie furrowed her brows. "What happened when I got here? I feel like I died all over again."

Kazima kept her face neutral. "I apologize for that, but it could not be helped. Other witches have not been up here in quite some time. There are others around, but they have no desire to be here at this moment." She offered a sympathetic smile. "When you arrived here, not only was your spirit overwhelmed by the concentration of our own, but you also had to deal with the onslaught that this plane accords to newly arrived witches. They have not adjusted to the symmetry with Gaia that this plane provides. This is the major obstacle, but you are now passed that point. You have improved remarkably fast, especially in one so young."

Bonnie was seriously confused. Symmetry? What the hell does that mean?

She was not about to spend much longer in here to find out. On a certain level, Bonnie was infinitely curious about these witches and their abilities. Not only did they not seem crazy, although that hadn't been established, but they weren't trying to kick them out yet.

She had a lot more to be concerned with though.

Before she could get a word in, Kazima spoke again while gesturing to Kol. "This one seemed worried, but I explained to him the necessity of no interference until you showed signs of improvement."

Bonnie looked closely at Kol. Him worried about her? That was laughable; she didn't think he had a concerned bone in his body. If he was worried, it probably centered on whether or not he was going to get out of here if she was messed up.

Evidently, Kol felt the same. He immediately responded by quipping, "Well with you writhing on the ground like that, it wasn't exactly my idea of a good time."

Bonnie chose to ignore that comment and turned her attention back to Kazima. "Can you help us? We were told you could locate someone for us."

Kazima's dark gaze sized her up. "I am afraid I know who you are looking for. You will never find her, as she has gone to a place of true isolation."

Kol's voice bellowed, "You mean to tell me Qetsiyah isn't here? How is that possible? Where the hell else could she be?" The other two witches eyed Kol at this remark.

Bonnie glared at him while she tried to reason with Kazima. "What he means is- you're not in contact with her, that is, there is no way we could meet her, just for a moment? We would be extremely grateful."

Kazima responded solemnly with a shake of her head. "I'm afraid not. None of us have seen her for quite some time. She chose to separate from the rest of us, and we had to respect that. "

Kol scowled. "Well that's wonderful isn't it? What a waste this has been."

Bonnie had to agree. Still, there must be some way. She couldn't give up just yet.

Kazima murmured, "Perhaps there is something I can help you with, I have been around a long time."

Bonnie felt a slight glimmer of hope. "Were you close with Qetsiyah? She may have told you about what happened when she was alive."

Kazima replied slowly. "If you want to know anything about Qetsiyah, you should just ask me. I alone know her best."

Kol stared at her. "Really? And why is that? You were bosom buddies?"

Kazima's eyes met Bonnie's hazel ones.

"I am her daughter."

After Bonnie and Kol gotten over their shock, Kazima had led them away from the other two witches that remained as of yet unknown. They sat down, and Kazima gestured for them to speak. Bonnie was instantly asking about Qetsiyah's history and her life. She felt like she was blabbering but couldn't seem to only was it fascinating learning about her ancestor, but it would also provide lots of information on Silas.

Although Kazima seemed reluctant at first to delve into her mother's past she gradually explained the story of Qetsiyah and Silas.

"They had met in Greece in their young adulthood through mutual friends. Covens had been extremely prominent in that area at that time so it was almost inevitable that they would meet." Her face was blank, which Bonnie found odd. Perhaps because it had been so long, Kazima felt indifferent to it. "They came to care for one another very quickly but it was not as innocent as a blooming friendship. While Qetsiyah grew to love Silas, he only maintained feelings of friendship towards her." A dark glimmer appeared in her eyes. "My mother was fooled by Silas, and he gradually took advantage of her romantic feelings for him. She became ignorant of anything but her devotion to Silas, did anything that he asked and would have sacrificed any and all for him."

Bonnie interrupted, "So you knew Silas then?"

Kazima sighed and her voice lowered. "I never had the chance. He was already entombed when I was born. But my father used to speak of his influence over Qetsiyah. She was far better off when he was gone, but she never forgot though. There was still a part of her that longed for him. The reason she made this place at all lie in her hopes to be with him. That he would finally choose her."

Kol muttered, "Yeah I'm sure he was very forgiving after she killed his 'one true love'."

Kazima turned to Kol. "She suffered the ultimate betrayal and paid dearly for her actions. His forgiveness was the last thing on her mind."

"What, she caught them in the act then?"

Kazima smiled bitterly. "In several acts. He broke her heart, in more ways than one." She looked deep in thought but then shook her head. "Now I dare not say anything more about this. It's not a pleasant topic."

Although Bonnie wanted to know so much more, she wasn't about to push the subject. Kazima's cryptic words bothered her but she slid them to the back of her mind. So far, this witch had proven civil and Bonnie wasn't about to make things difficult for them.

Kol asked abruptly, "What do you know of returning to the world of the living? Qetsiyah has been associated with talk of resurrection, is there any truth to this?"

Kazima's eyes sized him up. Although her expression was blank, she seemed to be debating how to respond.

"I may know of something. Qetsiyah once mentioned something that could bring someone back." Her tone grew more serious. "But why should I even consider this? What makes you so special to be brought back to life? Being a very old vampire, you haven't seemed to use your time on earth with value."

Bonnie cringed when she heard his next statement. "If you want me to do charitable work or volunteer, I have to warn you I'm not really-", Kol was cut off by her stinging reply.

"This isn't some superficial task I'm asking of you. I want a guarantee of something worthwhile, proof that you actually deserve to go back. Not only would you be offsetting the balance of Nature by coming back, but you would most likely contribute more of the undead to that world. Something has to convince me that your life is worth more than the average soul."

Kol whistled. "I really don't understand what you're asking. You want me to kill a bunch of vampires or something?" He didn't appear to be taking any of this seriously.

Her eyes grew intent.

"Only one vampire."

Kol sputtered incredulously. "You have got to be joking! You want me to kill an immortal warlock who also happens to be a vengeful blood-sucker who can't be killed by anything on this earth."

Bonnie interjected while looking at Kazima. "How could he possibly kill him if he can't even find him? When I tried to sense him, I couldn't even get a mild signal on his location. A vampire would have even worse luck."

Kazima looked pleased. "That's the beauty of the situation. The object you are seeking can trace Silas but also bring ones back to earth. But your help will be needed my dear. As a Bennett witch, you will be able to sense its location."

Bonnie was skeptical. "What exactly is this object then?"

"Qetsiyah's talisman."

Bonnie sighed internally. She hated to be the bearer of bad news, but Qetsiyah's talisman hadn't proven useful in that department. Plus, she couldn't see it bringing people back from the dead.

Bonnie murmured, "Listen Kazima, I already had the talisman and it wasn't exactly-"

Kazima interrupted harshly, "Not that rubbish that is at your home. I am speaking of a second talisman that no one knows of." She paused to explain. "When Silas was entombed, Qetsiyah became a different person, a different witch. This new crystal was harvested from channeling the sun during a very powerful solar flare. Although I have not seen it done, I imagine it has enough power to take someone back from the veil permanently, without actually destroying the Other Side."

"How do you even know about this? I mean, wouldn't you use it yourself?"

"Because, descendant, as a witch on this plane, I see things with a lot more clarity. I value the balance of Nature and its will more than anything else. However, now that Silas is roaming the earth once again, it is inevitable that he will cause havoc. He must be stopped, no matter the cost."

Kol was now grinning from ear to ear. It seemed having to be Silas' slayer was not deterring him from enjoying the part about being alive again.

"Alright, I'll do it then."

"Then I want your word. Swear it."

Kol sighed and grumbled out, "I swear on my life as a vampire that I will destroy the immortal Silas."

Kazima added seriously, "No matter the cost."

Kol repeated, "No matter the cost." He shrugged at Bonnie, as if wondering what kind of sacrifice will be needed to take down the immortal.

Kazima nodded. "Good." She turned to Bonnie. "You'll have to go back too. He will need your help-"

"Wait a second, she's coming with me? That's a lot more responsibility that I'm comf-"

"You will be bringing her back. Only she will be able to sense the talisman in the first place and then to channel its power. A Bennett is essential for this."

She continued, "Now, I will have to transfer some of my spiritual energy to Bonnie, in order for her to even utilize this tool."

The last few moments, Bonnie had been lost in her thoughts. Could she really go back? It seemed too good to be true. As if everything was falling into place. And much too quickly for her to grasp. It almost felt too easy, like there was more to what was going on. She tried reasoning that sometimes good things just happen for no underlying reason, that it was just fate, but a lingering doubt still remained.

Would Kol uphold his word? She certainly hoped so. Not that it would do much good, how would he prove better than anyone else? How on earth could they get rid of Silas now that the cure was gone? Did Kazima know something they didn't?

If this situation was for real, how would she explain her absence? What if the town already knew she was dead? There was a huge complicated mess just waiting for her in the real world and she was definitely not prepared for that, especially after the emotional upheaval of adjusting to being a ghost. She would never be the same, would always look at the world in a new light. Her values had changed- if what Kazima was telling was the truth, then Bonnie was about to place a lot more value on her time on earth. She wasn't going to waste time persecuting vampires or living only through magic. There was a lot more to life than magical prowess and she wasn't going to miss out on it a second time. Granted, she still loved her friends and wanted to help them, but she reflected that the impulsiveness and risky ventures characteristic of Bonnie Bennett had gotten her nowhere. She was going to weigh decisions a lot more carefully.

Bonnie's train of thought ended when Kazima continued, "Are you ready, my dear?"

"Wait a minute."

Both of the witches turned to look at Kol. He looked indignant.

"Aren't you going to make her swear also?" At their questioning gazes, he uttered. "You know? Swear that she'll stop Silas and all that."

Kazima smiled serenely. "I already know that I can trust Bonnie. She knows the importance of stopping Silas. It is projecting off her in waves." She stopped for a moment. "Just as I know that you are the type who values your word. Especially when it comes to your life. You are the type who cherishes it above all else. I knew that was the way to entice you to accomplish this task."

Wow, she basically just told him he's a selfish prick. He was nodding however (mostly to himself), as if he agreed with that description. Of course knowing Kol, he would simply take it all in stride. Bonnie would hate it if her character was summed up that way, but then again, she hadn't been on the earth for even a fraction of the time that he had. It's not as if he cared what others thought of him.

"Now, back to the present."

Bonnie gazed at Kazima curiously.

"Give me your hands Bonnie."

Bonnie hesitated and then placed them in Kazima's own.

Kazima's eyes closed.

Bonnie looked at Kol questioningly. He just shrugged and looked as baffled as her.

Kazima started whispering enchantments so fast that Bonnie couldn't even decipher what was being said.

If this was magic, how was that possible? Magic didn't exist on the Other Side, or so she had always believed.

Bonnie was beginning to doubt that anything was happening until she felt a large jolt starting at her fingertips. She jumped from the shock. The feeling then spread into her palms and arms until it flowed through her entire body. The onslaught of sensation caused her to gasp.

It was overwhelming until the sensitivity finally lessened. The feeling now resonated within her. As if it had settled and wasn't leaving.

Bonnie started, "What-"

Kazima cut her off. "I gave you a portion of my abilities. This will allow you more acute control over sensitivity to magic. In other words, you will be able to find the device."

Bonnie was going to ask her why she didn't just seek the device herself but thought better of it. Kazima had displayed an urge to remain on this plane and perhaps that was the reason. Even so, the whole situation just felt bizarre. She would have to go along with it. It was too late to turn back now.

Kol clasped his hands together.

"Well, now that that's settled. What say you and I go find ourselves a talisman?"

Kazima stated, "You'll want to go to Greece. That's where you'll find it."

He looked enthusiastic.

"Excellent, I fancy seeing the Sistine Chapel again."

"That's in Italy Kol."

"Oh right. It's all blending together now." He sighed.

"Well, the Acropolis then."