"Buried Secrets 3: Enter the Shadows"
Chapter 6
Bella stood out on the balcony as she watched the Nightwalkers jump around on the roofs. A few of them spotted her and bared their fangs. Bella just smirked, waved her fingers, and then allowed her hybrid face to appear. A few fell off the roofs. She laughed and walked back inside and closed the French doors.
She had moved into the heart of the city, in an older area with Victorian style houses. It was perfect for her and Klaus since the house had hidden tunnels. She pushed on the wall, opening one of the entrances and navigated the stairs down until she reached the coffin. She lifted the lid and peered inside.
"Well, well," Bella greeted as she leaned on the coffin, "You're looking especially decrepit today. Sorry I haven't been down to visit. I've been trying to find out information about Marcel, but I haven't found out all I want to know so now it's time for plan B."
Klaus' eyes widened a bit.
Bella smirked, "Don't worry Klaus. Marcel won't take my virtue…that's been gone for a while now and unless you've forgotten, I'm taken." Bella said. "No I'm just going to chat with him."
Bella shut the lid and headed back up the stairs.
.*.*.*.*.*.
"Oh tonight is going to be a good night," Marcel said as he and Thierry walked around the Quarter.
"The party should be a success," Thierry said with a laugh.
"Yes it should," Marcel said as he dropped a few dollars into a street performer's saxophone case.
Marcel danced down the street for a while until he saw Bella leaning against a lamppost, smirking at him.
"I think my night just got better," Marcel said before clapping Thierry on the back. He then continued to dance towards Bella.
"Do you like the moves?" Marcel asked after spinning around.
"I've seen better," Bella replied.
"I haven't seen or heard from you in a couple of weeks," Marcel said.
"Well if you had me followed then you would have heard from me in the way of several dead vampires on your doorstep." Bella replied.
"Well I suppose I should be happy I didn't do that." Marcel laughed. "What brings you out tonight?"
"Been relaxing, figured I should see the sights." Bella said with a shrug. "Besides I wanted to make sure you hadn't spilled my location to Elijah."
"I don't need that uptight suit cramping my style," Marcel said. "Can I be your guide this evening?"
"What's this about a party?" Bella asked, ignoring his question.
"So you overheard," Marcel said with a smirk. "Just a little get together my crew and I are putting together."
"So you guys can feed." Bella replied. "So the treaty with the humans still stands."
"Yes it does. Care to join us?" Marcel asked while flashing a smile.
"Human blood does nothing for me," Bella replied, "I thought we went over that."
"Well there are a few witches I could bring in." Marcel offered.
"I've heard you've got the witches on a tight leash," Bella said. "Thanks, but I've been on witch blood long enough. I'm looking for a change."
Bella moved past Marcel and started making her way down the street. Marcel appeared a few feet from her.
"Well if it's a change you're looking for, maybe I can help with that." Marcel said, "Come on Bella, let me show you my city. I know a place that's going to have a killer party."
.*.*.*.*.*.
"So vervain soaked gloves," Matt said as Meredith pulled the bullets out of Tyler.
"Yeah," Tyler said before flinching.
"Make that vervain soaked wooden bullets as well." Stefan said after inspecting the last bullet Meredith had pulled out. "I've never seen these markings."
"Let me see," Bonnie walked over, "They look like gaelic symbols."
"Has anyone ever heard of a hunter faction?" Jeremy asked.
Everyone looked at Damon, who was drinking. He stopped mid-pour.
"What?" he asked, "Some crazy humans are on our asses and you immediately assume that I have something to do with it?"
"That tends to be the trend," Caroline said.
"Look I've pissed off a lot of people, but never a society of hunters. Alaric was one of the few hunters I ever met aside from my father's little band of misfits and Mikael" Damon replied.
Elena bit her lip as everyone continued to talk. Something in her gut twisted at the thought that this was something major and she was internally battling out the idea as to whether she should contact Bella or not.
"Elena," Matt said after shaking her, "Hey you okay?"
Elena nodded, "Yeah just thinking."
"Here's a few packs of A-positive. That's all we could spare at the hospital." Meredith said tossing the bags to Tyler. "Now if you will all excuse me, this supernatural mob doctor is going home."
"Thanks for coming," Stefan said and Meredith just nodded.
"Guys I don't know what these are." Bonnie said as she turned the bullets over, "I mean they look ancient gaelic, but I could be wrong."
"So what's the plan?" Jeremy asked.
"It's very simple kiddo," Damon said, "I find the jackass and I kill him."
"Damon you can't just do that," Stefan said annoyed.
"Damon, this dude is different," Tyler said.
"He threw me across the room," Caroline said.
"Damon we don't know anything about this guy or these symbols. You can't just go and kill him." Bonnie said, "Bella wouldn't want you to."
"Well unless someone wants to contact her," Damon said while looking at Elena, who looked away. "That's what I thought." Damon mumbled, "Well looks like bloodshed it is."
"Can we just slow down and wait to see what he wants." Stefan asked.
"Waiting gets you killed," Damon replied, "Ask hybrid boy and Barbie vampire. They were nearly hunter trophies."
The group continued to argue and Elena did her best to tune them out. Right now all she wanted was Bella, but that wasn't going to happen so now it was up to them to stand on their own. The problem was that they were right back where they started…at each other's throats. At least for now it was metaphorical, but Elena wondered how long it would be before it turned from metaphorical to literal.
.*.*.*.*.*.
"So the drunks from out of town; that's side of the city was what you wanted to show me," Bella said as she once again side-stepped as someone threw up in the street.
"Well this is a party town," Marcel said with a laugh.
"I figured it was a town of mystery and history." Bella mused. "I mean you do know a lot about both of those things."
"Ahh so you want to know my story," Marcel said, "But I don't know a thing about you."
"I'm Klaus' daughter, what more do you need to know?" Bella asked.
"Well Klaus treated me like a son, so I supposed that could make us brother and sister." Marcel said while nudging her.
Bella didn't respond.
"I'm kidding," Marcel said, "I would never want to kiss my sister."
"We aren't family," Bella said seriously.
"Did I hit a nerve?" Marcel asked.
"You tell me Marcel," Bella said and stopped walking, "Unlike Klaus, I don't like games. Now I was promised a party and if this is the best you have to offer then I'm wasting my time."
Bella turned to leave, but Marcel quickly got in front of her.
"Alright, alright," Marcel said, "I got ya. I was just trying to get a feel for you." Marcel pointed back behind Bella and down the street. "The party is that way."
"What's on the menu besides humans?" Bella asked.
Marcel laughed and then whispered in her ear, "Anything you want."
"Careful Marcel," Bella said and turned to look at him, "That's a dangerous offer to make."
The two headed for a huge home right near the Quarter. Vampires turned their heads as soon as Bella came into view with Marcel.
"You're 'family' doesn't like me," Bella said as she looked around.
"I've made it quite clear you are off limits." Marcel said.
"And let me guess." Bella said, "You haven't told Elijah that I'm here and the reason why they aren't trying to kill me is because you're intrigued by me."
"You are intriguing, but I'm more curious about you." Marcel admitted.
"Careful Marcel," Bella said as she leaned close to him, "Klaus was curious too and now he's trapped in a box."
Suddenly four vampires surrounded them, one of them being Thierry.
"Back off," a vampire named Diego said.
"Diego, Thierry it's alright." Marcel said with a laugh.
"She threatened you," Diego said, "We should turn her over to Elijah."
"Oh I would love to see you try," Bella said while getting in Diego's face.
"Bring it on freak," Diego said.
"Easy Diego," Marcel said; his voice tight and with an edge.
"You have a problem with me?" Bella asked.
"Yeah," Diego said.
"Then do something about it," Bella challenged.
"Enough," Marcel said and stepped between the two. He looked at Diego harshly, "She's a guest Diego so treat her like one. She isn't a freak and I never want to hear that come out of your mouth again, got it."
"Yeah Marcel," Diego said while glaring at Bella, "I got it."
"Come on," Thierry said after placing his hand on Diego's shoulder, "Let's get a drink."
Bella continued to watch as Diego disappeared and finally she looked at Marcel.
"Nice family," She said dryly.
"They're just protective of me." Marcel said with a shrug. "Now why don't you take off that jacket and let me get you a drink."
"Why did you defend me?" Bella asked as she shrugged out of her jacket.
Marcel laughed with his back to her as he poured the drinks, "I know what it's like to be treated as an outcast," he said, "I don't like bullies Bella. I won't put up with them. Just because you're different doesn't mean you should be treated differently."
Marcel turned around and froze. Bella was wearing a deep purple halter, black leather skinny pants, and black knee high boots.
Marcel's eyes raked over every inch of Bella's body.
"Hey," Bella said while snapping her fingers, "You got a little bit of drool right there." She said while pointing to the corner of his mouth.
"Damn," Marcel said as he handed Bella her drink.
"Remember I'm taken." Bella said firmly.
"I don't see him here," Marcel pressed.
"Marcel if we are going to get along there are three rules…don't pry into my life, don't press your luck with me, and don't ask where Klaus is." Bella said, "You follow the rules we will get along great. You don't and I become your worst enemy."
"I'm not much for rules." Marcel said slyly.
"That's not what I heard according to the witches." Bella replied.
Marcel tensed.
"See you don't like people prying either." Bella said before downing her drink. "Look Marcel, I don't care about what you do with the witches. Stay out of my business and I will stay out of yours."
Marcel relaxed, "Sounds like an agreeable arrangement."
Bella nodded and turned around to survey the scene. Vampires lurked around as they looked for their victims.
"So you want to give me the 411 on all of this?" Bella asked and looked at Marcel, "Or is that a secret too?"
Marcel laughed, "No, once in a while I throw these parties when we get a lot of tourists. My guys get to feed without the danger of exposure and in the morning everyone goes home happy. The humans don't know what happened, all they think is it was a great party and they don't leave with any marks. We give them vampire blood after the feeding." Marcel explained.
"So no dead bodies to dispose of," Bella was impressed.
"Well accidents do happen," Marcel admitted.
"Well I'm not seeing anything appetizing on the menu for me," Bella said before grabbing her jacket. "So I'll leave you all to your party."
"Hey, why the rush?" Marcel asked after grabbing her arm.
"I'm hungry and unless you are willing to offer up one of your friends it's probably best if I bounce and find my meal elsewhere." Bella said while pulling her arm from his grasp.
"Where will you go?" Marcel asked as he moved to stop her again.
"Out of town," Bella said with a shrug.
"Marcel," Thierry said while coming over, "Is everything alright?"
"Yeah Bella is just a bit hungry," Marcel said, "Human doesn't exactly quench her thirst." Marcel looked at Bella, "Would you excuse us for a minute?"
Marcel led Thierry to one of the rooms and shut the door.
"What are you doing Marcel?" Thierry asked.
"I'm trying to figure her out," Marcel replied.
"She's dangerous," Thierry stated.
"She's unique," Marcel said, "Look she's here for a reason and I want to know what that reason is. I also want to know where Klaus is."
"Klaus left you," Thierry replied.
"Klaus had to run," Marcel replied.
"Then why didn't he come back?" Thierry questioned.
"If he knew I was alive he would have." Marcel stated, "Look Thierry I owe Klaus everything. If it weren't for him this city wouldn't exist. I would have died a slave and you would have never been saved. Klaus did all that so I want to help find him and get him out."
"I've heard he's a tyrant," Thierry said.
"He's not a bad guy," Marcel said. "Look let's just take it one step at a time."
Thierry sighed, "I suppose you don't want her to leave."
"No, but I don't think any of the boys will be willing to donate." Marcel said regrettably.
"I'll do it," Thierry said with another sigh and Marcel looked at him shocked, "What? You want her to stay and if this will make her stay, it's a small price."
"Are you sure?" Marcel asked concerned, "You don't have to."
"I know I don't have to." Thierry said.
The two walked back out to the party and saw Bella downing another drink.
"You're still here," Marcel said while sounding very pleased.
"I was just about to give up on you coming back," Bella said. "Look Marcel, I would love to stay and party, but I've got to eat."
"Yeah I got a solution for that." Marcel said.
He motioned for Bella to follow him and Thierry up the stairs to a more private area. Once they reached the room Marcel walked in and shut the door as they entered.
"Thierry here has offered to be a donor." Marcel said.
Bella looked at Thierry shocked, "Really. You didn't order him, did you?"
"No," Thierry said, "Look there isn't any supernatural beings other than witches and vamps around here. I heard you're tired of witch blood so this is your best option."
"I don't like audiences." Bella said while looking at Marcel.
"I get it," Marcel threw his hands in surrender. "I'll leave you two alone. Just don't drain my man dry."
Marcel disappeared and Bella held up her hand to Thierry until she was sure Marcel was out of hearing range.
"What the hell?" Bella asked.
"Marcel wants you to stick around," Thierry said as he took her hand, "Look there's a lot of tension around here and I don't want to see you get hurt. This way we all win. You feed, he gets want he wants, and I know you're safe."
"You're sure?" Bella asked. "The others, they will talk."
"I can handle Diego," Thierry said with a roll of his eyes as he rolled up his sleeves. "Go on it's not like this is the first time you've fed on me."
Bella's fangs descended and she swiftly bit into Thierry's wrist.
.*.*.*.*.*.
"Damon," Elena said as she opened up the door to his room.
"Get out," Damon said from his spot in the corner chair.
"I want to talk." Elena said boldly as she walked in.
Damon leaned forward, "Unless you're here to tell me where Bella is, get out." He replied.
"You are so stubborn." Elena's frustration was clear, "You just don't get it do you. You don't understand unless you're the one doing it."
"What do you mean?" Damon asked annoyed.
"Bella's doing this for us." Elena said angrily. "Elijah would let Klaus out, we all know that, but do you think for one second he would just let Bella get away with what she did?"
"I can protect her," Damon said, becoming angry as well.
"It's not her that would need protecting," Elena said and Damon froze, "He would hurt her. We all know that, but she can take the physical pain…that's not what would kill her."
"What are you talking about?" Damon asked.
"He would come after us." Elena said before sitting down on the bed, "He would torture us in front of her, and when he was done he would kill us one by one." Elena looked into Damon's eyes, "He would save you for last. He would do every torture imaginable to you, plus a few he comes up with along the way. Then he would kill you while making her watch. Then instead of killing her, he would keep her…everyday she would relive our deaths, she would blame herself." Elena moved to kneel in front of Damon, "What do you think that would do to her?"
"It would destroy her," Damon said quietly.
Elena nodded, "I want her back here Damon, but I understand why she's doing this. It's not right and it's not fair, but she's doing it to keep us safe. In her situation wouldn't you do the same?"
Damon sat back in the chair.
"That's what I thought." Elena said and stood up heading for the door.
"Elena," Damon said and she stopped, "I get it, but I won't stop looking for her. I have to know she's okay."
Elena looked back at him, "She is…if something was wrong I would know."
Elena left the room and Damon closed his eyes.
He would do the same thing Bella was doing if the roles were reversed. He would move heaven and hell to keep her safe. He would give up his own life if it meant that she lived. Hell he would burn down the whole world if need be to make sure she lived.
That was the thing about love. It made a person do stupid, crazy, irrational things. It made you want to tear your own heart out if that would make the person you loved smile.
Love was a dangerous thing; it could consume you and destroy you all within its flames of passion and devotion. It could make the world a dark and endless place when it was gone. In the same instant though, it could make the whole world light up in all its beauty and glory. It could instill hope in the hopeless, courage in a coward, loyalty in a traitor, redemption in a sinner, it could give strength to the weak, it could fill an empty soul, and make a dead heart start to beat again.
Bella's love had done all these things to him. He couldn't give up on her; this world was an empty and hollow place without her there with him. It wasn't enough to know that she was alright. He needed her with him; he needed her to be in his arms. He couldn't let her go…letting her go to him meant that what they had was just a temporary thing…a fling and that wasn't it. It was real…the most real thing he had ever felt. He couldn't let that go…he just couldn't.
.*.*.*.*.*.
"You let her feed on him!" Diego yelled at Marcel.
"Thierry offered," Marcel corrected, "And keep your voice down."
"Have you lost your mind?" Diego asked. "Are you going to give us to her one by one?"
"No and like I said, Thierry offered. She didn't ask and neither did I." Marcel said, "You know Diego, I'm getting kind of sick of your attitude."
"I'm trying to watch out for you," Diego replied, "You aren't thinking right. We should hand her over to Elijah."
"We aren't doing that," Marcel said, "Just remember Diego who is in charge here and if you bring Elijah here, consider yourself out."
Marcel pushed passed Diego and went to the bar.
.*.*.*.*.*.
"Better?" Thierry asked as he watched his wrist heal.
Bella nodded, "Diego wants me turned over to Elijah." She said after wiping the corner of her mouth.
"Yep you're juiced." Thierry said with a laugh. "Don't worry about Diego."
"Looks like I'm going to leave soon." Bella said with her annoyance made clear.
"Marcel won't let Diego call Elijah and if he does, that's a betrayal. Diego is still fairly new, he fears the Garden." Thierry explained.
"Guess we should head down there." Bella said after checking herself in the make-up mirror, "You ready for the ridicule you are about to face?"
"Won't be the first time and with you around it won't be the last time." Thierry said. "After you,"
Thierry opened the door and all vampire eyes turned to them as they headed down the stairs.
"Feeling better?" Marcel asked after coming over and handing them each a drink.
"Much," Bella said and turned to Thierry, "Thanks again."
"Not a problem," Thierry said, "This doesn't mean I'm your personal supplier though." Thierry turned to Marcel, "I'm gonna find me some dinner."
"Have fun," Marcel said and then turned back to Bella, "So my dear can I show you the best spot in the house to watch the show?"
"You're feeding on humans, there's not much of a show there," Bella said out of boredom.
"Oh but it's always a show," Marcel said deviously and led Bella through a door.
There was a spiral staircase that led to the other side of the building that housed a small balcony.
"Aren't you going to eat?" Bella asked.
"Thierry will send someone up for me." Marcel said. "Sit."
Bella sat down in one of the chairs.
"So this is where you survey your kingdom from," Bella said, "Nice."
"Oh I have many places I survey my kingdom from," Marcel said mysteriously.
"Marcel," She shook her head, "that deep voice, mischievous smirk in your eyes and big smile may make the human girls and desperate female vamps weak in their knees and cause them to melt, but I'm not one of them, so cut the act." Bella said seriously.
"You don't like bullshit." Marcel guessed.
"I don't like the pomp and circumstance and the flashiness." Bella confirmed.
"Now are you sure you're Klaus' daughter?" Marcel asked, "You don't look like him, you aren't a fan of theatrics or display of wealth…"
"Now don't write me off on the whole theatrics area just yet," Bella said, "I do like to make a statement and theatrics are necessary at times to get a point across. And while I may not look like Klaus, don't let that fool you into thinking that I am nothing like him." Bella leaned back into her chair and surveyed the room, "So this party is basically an all you can eat buffet?"
"Pretty much," Marcel replied.
The clock struck midnight and the feeding began. Thierry came up with a drunken morsel for Marcel.
"Care to join?" Marcel asked.
"No thanks," Bella licked her lips, "Thierry filled me up."
Marcel laughed and sunk his teeth into the girl's neck. A few minutes later he released her and Thierry took her away to be compelled and healed.
"Delicious," Marcel said while licking his lips.
"I'm sure she was." Bella said, "So what now?"
"Well the Nightwalkers party until it's close to dawn and then the Daywalkers help get the people out and clean up." Marcel replied.
"I see," Bella said before downing her glass, "And tell me how does one become a Daywalker?"
"Well they have to prove themselves." Marcel said, "I only give the daylight rings to those I would trust with my life."
"That's a dangerous thing," Bella said, "Entrusting someone with your life. Don't you know Marcel that everyone has their price?"
"That may be, but my guys have gone through hell for me." Marcel said.
"And besides you have a place to put them if they do betray you and you decide death is too merciful for them," Bella said and Marcel tensed, "Please Marcel your little 'garden' isn't that big of a secret. Besides the moment I walked by it, I smelled the vamps you have down there. Desperation makes the blood sweeter in my opinion."
"I guess I shouldn't be too surprised," Marcel said, "You did warn me you were like Klaus."
"Know who you're dealing with Marcel. I'm sure that's one lesson he taught you." Bella replied.
"Ahhh yes he did, but you see, you have me at a disadvantage. No one knows anything about you except for Elijah, but I don't even think that he really knows you. Besides I can't really go and ask him because then he would come here and start causing trouble and I don't want that so Bella, you have the control." Marcel stated.
"Trying to get me to let my guard down," Bella said and stood up, "Please Marcel, that's a technique that Klaus loves. Let the prey think they have you beat then attack."
Bella blurred downstairs and grabbed her jacket.
"Thanks for the party Marcel and the meal it was…interesting." Bella said before she disappeared.
Diego was at Marcel's side in a flash.
"Should we go after her?" he asked.
Marcel shook his head, "No," he said and crossed his arms, "I'm going to have to try a different approach than anything that Klaus taught me…she knows them all."
"That makes her smart," Diego said.
"No that makes her dangerous." Marcel said, "If I push her, she could bring us tumbling down around her."
"No she couldn't." Diego said with a laugh.
Marcel turned and glared, "She put my maker, the first and original vampire-werewolf Hybrid in a coffin and has Klaus stashed somewhere that no one can find him. She has been running for months and hasn't been found by Elijah or anyone else. If you think for one minute that we shouldn't be afraid of her then you're wrong."
"Then why befriend her?" Diego asked confused.
"Because someone like that is someone you want to have on your side when the shit hits the fan." Marcel said. "Clean this place up and get these people out of here."
.*.*.*.*.*.
Bella watched from the rooftop across the street as Marcel instructed his men. She smirked; at least Marcel was smart enough to know she was dangerous.
Bella turned and headed for the house and when she arrived, Camille was waiting on her.
"Hey," Bella said coming in, "What's going on?"
"I went to find my Uncle tonight at the Church, but he wasn't there." Camille said, "But someone else was."
"Who?" Bella asked.
Camille sat down, "Jane-Anne and Sophie haven't been up front with you Bells…there is a reason Marcel has them under lockdown and it's a good one."
"Camille I don't understand." Bella said.
"Come on," Camille grabbed her jacket, "It's better if I show you."
Bella followed Camille to the old Catholic Church and as she walked in, she saw it was lit up by candles. Camille headed to the back before going up the old staircase that led to the attic. She opened the door and stepped to the side.
"After you," Camille said.
Bella walked in and saw the back of a young girl in a white dress with long brown hair.
"Hi," Bella said confused. "Camille what's going on?"
The girl turned around and smiled widely…Bella froze.
"Hey cousin." The girl said.
Bella paled as she softly whispered, "Davina?"
A/N: New chapter for the holidays! Hope you enjoyed it. As you can see things are starting to become more and more connected and we aren't done yet. Throwing in lots of elements I know, but everything will come full circle I promise.
Thank you as always to my beta and friend Dark~Supernatural~Angel. She is truly amazing.
Thank you to the readers and the reviewers. I love reading your comments they brighten my day especially now with finals just around the corner.
Review my dears and let me know what you thought!