Thank you for reviewing. It lets me know people are reading and wanting me to continue. Also, I made Nora & Mary Louise boyfriends. Norman & Michal.
Disclaimer: I do not own TVD or its characters.
Chapter 2
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The Pit
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Bonnie listened intently to a tall mahogany skinned vampire named Bo as he continued to give the daily announcements. His strong stale voice echoed in the large dining room. "...of 48 humans and our third witch. "
"Who are the other two witches?" Bonnie blurted, the flickering candlelight illuminating the room danced as she spoke. The witch became more interested at the thought of meeting her kind when she thought she never would. The excitement created a pull against the flames in the room. After the death of her grandmother, Bonnie never encountered another witch. Eventually the few grimoires she held onto were lost along the way.
She hardened her soft face as the attractive couple across from her snickered, Bonnie coined the two for sociopaths she should ignore. At least more than everyone else who was not Stefan. She could see in his eyes that he was an honest man.
The witch held the only heartbeat in a building full the undead. The sound was incredibly distracting to them all. By everyone's glazed and unwavering eyes, it was more than obvious she was virtually oozing pure magic blood. If it were two years ago she would have been afraid of dining with predators, now she wouldn't allow herself that emotion. There was no safe haven nor fatal danger, only opportunities that arose she could use before it used her.
Lily smiled and adjusted the napkin on her lap. "They both work in our medical clinic. There used to be one more but she lost her magic. It has lied dormant for months. Regardless, she makes amazing elixirs and potions. Now lets talk about you. We've never had a witch in the council but I'm sure a Bennett would be most welcome." Her voice was motherly yet hollow.
"Thanks for the offer, but I don't have access to much power," Bonnie partially lied, her magic came and went. When she could harness it, she could do simple spells without effort. Over time it became more powerful while extremely draining. The council didn't need to know that about her. "I can still offer assistance in other ways in thanks for saving my friend's life. But when that favor is done, where she goes I go." Bonnie didn't believe in free help. If she paid them back upfront there would be nothing to owe.
"Loyal and selfless, cute." Katherine smirked. The raven-haired man next to her moved his hand under the table between them a few centimeters causing Katherine to lift the corners of her mouth. His nose flared as his eyes settled on Bonnie's pulsing wrist. The witch was clean but didn't wear perfume. Damon didn't like perfume or cologne. It masked people's scent. Unfortunately vampires didn't have any natural scent.
Witches normally had two smells; their base and secondary. All witches had the same base, it smelled like soil and clay. The secondary scent was a mix of their personality and natural musk. Her secondary scent smelled like figs. Ripe figs and ash. Her green eyes probed each person discreetly, suspicious of everyone.
Lily sipped from her glass giving herself a few moments to ponder. "I feel you would be great on the front lines, what little magic you have could be of great service. A single month. That is all we ask and nothing more. Once that time ends, you can choose to stay and help or leave. If you do stay, I'd like you to consider joining our council."
"Frontlines?" Bonnie frowned.
"Poor wording love." Klaus propped his arms on the table gracing Bonnie with a smile. "She means clearing the outside, it's easier to attract human survivors if surrounding areas are more safe. We let them choose of they want to come back with us. Just like they can choose to leave. It creates trust. As long as we minimize chaos, we can revive a somewhat carefree society of humans."
"Carefree society?" Bonnie didn't want to call them out on their nature of compulsion or feasting on people but it kind of appeared to be as if they were storing survivors in a cage.
"Minimal to no compulsion. A blood donation is mandatory from healthy humans, we say its for the clinic. Blood donations from every tenant age 18 and above twice a week. We do not drink from the vein; strictly blood bags, animals, and the Dalis." Bonnie furrowed her brow further unfamiliar with the last word. Luckily, that was the goal of most vampires.
Klaus waved his hand over his glass with an eager nod. "Dalis are humans that have given blood to vampires willingly for generations. In return, we sponsor them and make their human lives very comfortable. One cannot be become a Dalis, they must be born from two. I'm a Dalis man myself, Monica has been on a strawberry and watercress diet for two weeks. It's to die for-"
"Let's not get off topic Nik," Lily cut in sternly, "Though there are others here that may find your services are limited, I feel that you are worthy of being apart of our mission here." Lily didn't have to say it, Bonnie could feel the disdain of the others in the room. They lived very easy lives, this would possibly be them at their lowest and even it was a luxury. She didn't doubt they would look down on her.
"Thank you, I'll give it some thought." Bonnie forced a smile before excusing herself to the restroom. Five minutes passed and the council looked amongst themselves muttering. Another five minutes passed and Lily tossed her napkin in her plate. "Let us finish this. She's not coming back. Klaus I think we've overwhelmed her."
"Information overload does do that Lilian. She will come around, eventually her curiosity will get the best of her." Klaus mused, certain he would be making fast friends with the interesting witch.
"If she's smart she won't and work in the clinic like the other two witches. She doesn't exactly fit in with us." Julian suggested.
"She's not just another gemini, darling. That power, that blood, her flavor- favor is import to the council." Lily hushed her lover.
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x
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The Next Day
To the outsider Damon and Katherine appeared to be a couple. In reality they were anything but. After he and his brother turned she disappeared for nearly two hundred years until the virus came. Back from the dead and his pining just as strong wasn't enough for her. She was on and off again with Mason, head of gate control. She was on and off again with Elijah, head of human affairs. But when she needed the attention, Damon was there. With open arms and his underwear around his ankles.
She never judged him, she didn't care what he did as long as she was the center of his world. They didn't hang out, they didn't date, and they barely bothered to discuss the weather. It only disappointed him that she wasn't exclusive and expected him to follow suit.
He sat down on the couch with a binder full of albums he snagged during his last trip. He began thumbing through them while his younger brother finished his last set of pull-ups in the doorway of their study. The vampires had their own units but instead of a room, each group shared an entire floor with more than enough space.
It was a privilege Bonnie didn't like hearing about when it was brought to her attention. It didn't bother Damon one bit, none of the humans were aware of the hidden hierarchy within their community. They didn't even know the council existed, just the heads of each community department who worked beneath them.
"Who've you been annoying baby bro?" Damon pried noticing his brother had been running around the community all day.
"Just having a talk with Bonnie. She's staying at the clinic with her friend. Was originally just getting some food for her. She forgets to eat." Stefan dropped himself onto the ground landing on his feet with ease. Folding his hands behind him, he stretched his shoulders and lifted his chest.
"Oh the witch has a friend? Is she cute?" Damon teased pulling out an album and tossing it onto the cushion next to him.
Stefan walked over to his brother rolling his eyes all the while, his shoulders rounded feeling pumped from his workout. "She has a name. It's Caroline. She's very sick so knock it off. I was just telling Bonnie to give it some time. That by joining she could help save lives. It's called being helpful and encouraging, you probably haven't heard of it."
The elder brother added another album to the pile before shutting the binder and pushing it off of his lap to stand. "I haven't heard because I speak another language entirely. The language of how the world works. Lie, take shortcuts, and live a little." Raising his hand he jabbed his brother in the chest playfully. "Everybody's doing it. Why do you even care anyway?"
Stefan smacked his brother's hand away and placed a hand on his shoulder. "Okay. Act like that again around mother, she'll send you out patrolling with Mason again.
Anyway, I care because over a hundred years ago we made a promise. Emily pitied us, she knew we didn't want this. She gave us these rings to hold on to what bit of humanity we had left. The least we could do is help her ...she's not stupid, she's going to find out-"
"Womp womp womp." Damon moved away from Stefan waving him off at the mention of Katherine's other off and on again boyfriend. "That which is fine, she made it this far. No. No.You know what, I'll do you and her a solid! I'll tell her to take her and her friend's asses out of here if she does decide to help. Wouldn't want them to suffer like me cuz you're boring, Lily is crazy, and Katherine never wants to hang unless I'm too busy! And screw Mason! That asshole is always threatening to bite me!"
Stefan grabbed his jacket and pulled it over his shoulder. He was too busy to argue with his stubborn brother. "No Damon. I'll do you a solid. Don't interfere. Stay away from the witch. Stay away from her friend. Go chase that self-serving fantasy you're so obsessed about." Slipping out and down the hallway, he exited their home.
"Love you too!" Damon shouted sarcastically after his brother before the door slammed.
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x
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One week later
Caroline was finally fully recovered and Bonnie had her tooth removed. They were still unable to settle into their unit. Bonnie watched Caroline under a close eye. During that time Bonnie never left her side at the clinic except to bathe which she found herself doing religiously. Stefan came by the clinic daily to bring her things to eat and a few kind words. She spent her time telling Caroline about their unit. Everything in their apartment was well made and solar powered, they could watch movies or listen to music for a few hours at a time if they wanted. It was a little bonus just for knowing Lily, however, rations were still low for everyone and gear was hard to come by. All these little gifts didn't mean much to Bonnie but they did provide a bit of comfort.
The witch never spoke to the council again after the dinner with them. She told Caroline about it, about the Council and the supernaturals that worked behind the scenes. Bonnie made her best friend promise that talk of anything that wasn't human stayed a secret. It didn't matter much as Caroline's words and thoughts were still only shared between her and Bonnie.
They were making their way to a cookout that the community had every other week to celebrate life and newcomers. At least that's what the chalkboard said at the community center. There was no reason for Caroline to stay cooped up if she was able and willing to explore. As long as they didn't share too much about themselves, it was best to hide in plain sight among everyone. It would give her another opportunity to meet with Jo who was the most friendly of the caretakers in the clinic.
Even more so now that she knew all eyes were on her by the most elite. The ex-witch spoke often of writing new grimoires, sacred items, and making potions. It would hurt if she didn't make a friend fast. Bonnie knew now she was descendant of a near Demi-God her grandmother failed to tell her about. If it was laying low and playing nice that protected her, she'd run with it.
"Can't believe they grew these. I didn't think they could be grown here." Caroline peeled the large piece of fruit while deeply inhaling its tart scent. Bonnie glanced over as she kept close to her friend as they left their unit. "They probably just replanted some tree clippings."
"Why do they even call it grapefruit?" Caroline continued squinting as the setting sun shined in their faces. Bonnie leaned over and stole a bite before replying. She instantly felt the sour juice tingle her jaw. "...they grow in clusters." Pushing her bottom lip into her top with a nod, Caroline devoured her first solid meal since arrival and began to ramble which Bonnie loved.
"I'm glad they're helping people. In a place like this. I'm not saying it wouldn't but I didn't think we would come across it so soon. I checked out the upcoming events on the bulletin by the gardens. There's an apothecary opening soon, I think we could work there to make ourselves useful. I'm thinking we could quietly scope out a few weapons and...", rolling the empty peel between her hands Caroline cheered in a whisper, "drink alcohol in confidence!"
Alcohol was off limits for as long as she could remember. Fear of having her judgment impaired, her abilities warped, and worst of all, creating a false sense of being content. Now that drinking wasn't something to be wary of, Bonnie would take a little advantage. It would be one of the few pleasures that remained after they lost everything. Bonnie stuck to her usual boots and leggings. Caroline dug around the unit that stored clothes of all sizes until she found a simple dress that fit her just right. Hand in hand, they approached the bonfire at the center of the community.
The smell of sizzling rodents, hot potatoes, and corn on the grill made her stomach grumble. It would take Bonnie a while to realize she could eat whenever she was hungry. Stefan greeted them two and offered to give Caroline a proper tour, Bonnie encouraged her to go even if she wouldn't say much of anything. It was something about Stefan she enjoyed, he was a warm person regardless of what he was. Her eyes followed the two as she made her way to a bar stand where a young man poured drinks of whatever bottles he had.
"Have any bourbon?" Bonnie pulled a coin from her pocket and forced a smile for the bartender.
"I do. You can keep the money, thanks anyway." He had messy brown hair and a sweet smile. He resembled a mix of her lost loved ones; Jeremy and Matt. She muttered thanks and rushed a few gulps down to avoid the taste. Her ears picked up the sound of Caroline laughing at something Stefan said. She didn't speak but laughing was a big deal for both of them.
Bonnie found herself smiling as she began to idly hover her hand over the coin. Her magic caused the object to spin upright silently. The stubborn vampire that approached her didn't have the intention of disrupting her calm moment but there was something about being told he couldn't do something that brought out the inner brat in him. "Hey, that's a neat trick-"
"No." The witch's eyes fluttered closed and the coin fell flat as her palm pushed it down. It was him, the black peacock. The snickering drama queen. Damon.
"No?" He repeated the word, it sounded both familiar and foreign. Maybe she had misheard him.
"No." She confirmed turning to look at him. She watched as his expression went from subtle shock to offense.
"Excuse me?!" He wanted to tell her anyone in the council could squash her if they wanted to. He could have ended her if he wanted to. That she should be happy he was being so nice to her.
"Don't talk to me." Her voice was low but clear, he wasn't going to get a rise out of her. Bonnie assumed his other half was in the distance laughing it up at someone like her. That she was some joke.
"Listen, the last thing you want to do is making enemies here sweetheart." He invaded her personal space to size her up, his voice dropping to mimic hers. He wasn't clear on if he was trying to convince or intimidate the newcomer. She was amusingly brave for her stature and lack of abilities.
"Are you threatening me?" Bonnie jutted her chin up staring back at him with a glare. She felt a chill, the unwanted anxiousness before a fight.
"I'm giving you a friendly warning." His calm voice was becoming agitated. Not only was he not allowed to converse with the witch but she forbid it herself.
"Don't. I can start fires with my mind. Those kill vampires. Right?" Bonnie turned her back to him, she was already regretting opening her mouth in the first place. She could feel him burning holes in the back of her head. It felt good at the time but he was right about making enemies in a place like this. Bonnie made her way to Stefan to agree on helping at the front lines.
End.