"Buried Secrets 3: Enter the Shadows"
Chapter 7
"Davina, what the hell are you doing here?" Bella was shocked.
"She's in the witches' protection program that is apparently run by Marcel." Camille said while shutting the door.
"What?" Bella asked, confused.
"It's a long story." Davina said. "You probably want to sit down."
Bella sat down, "Where have you been? Charlie and I looked for you after your mom took you."
"I've been here." Davina replied, "Mom's family is originally from New Orleans, so after Dad died we came here."
Davina's father had been Charlie's brother. He had passed in a car accident and Davina's mother just up and left with her.
"Mom took on her maiden name and we've been here for the last three years." Davina finished.
"The least your mom could have done is called Dad." Bella said angrily. "He printed up flyers and everything."
"Bella," Camille interrupted, "You need to let her finish."
"Mom's not gonna be a problem anymore." Davina said sadly. "She's dead."
"What?" Bella said shocked.
"Just follow me okay." Davina said, "Have you ever heard of a ritual the witches here perform called the Harvest?"
Bella was quiet. "I think Jane-Anne mentioned it once." She replied.
"It's a ritual to ensure our magic stays strong." Davina explained, "Every few hundred years four girls are chosen to be the ones who bring our ancestral power back to its full potential. Monique and I were among the four chosen. I was so excited Bella. I felt so elated that I was one of the special ones."
"Okay," Bella said.
"We didn't know what was going to happen." Davina said, becoming very quiet and sad. "We thought we would chant a few words, but that's not what happened."
"Uncle Kieran has been housing her here." Camille added in, "For her own protection from the witches." She spat out.
"Cami?" Bella asked.
"Bella at the ritual, Bastianna started with the normal opening spells and then she took a knife." Davina started to choke up, "We thought it would just be a little blood. Not much just a little, but she slit Abigail's throat and then Cassie's. That's when Marcel showed up and killed her. Agnes took the knife and killed Monique, but Marcel took me and I escaped." Davina finished and was in tears.
"Jane-Anne and Sophie, what did they say?" Bella asked.
"Jane-Anne went along with it. Marcel came that night because Kieran warned him after Agnes cursed Sean." Cami growled out. "That's why my brother killed all those guys. He was spelled Bella."
"Sophie wants to help Jane-Anne complete the spell so that Monique can come back." Davina cried. "Bella I want my friends back, but I don't want to die."
Bella held her cousin and just hugged her. She couldn't believe what she had just been told. Two of the witches she trusted most were trying to kill her cousin and they knew Davina was her family.
"I won't let anyone hurt you." Bella promised.
"You can't protect me." Davina argued, "Cami told me about Klaus."
"Hey," Bella said seriously. "Don't you worry about me. I can handle this and besides Klaus, is subdued. You're family Davina and I am going to get you out of this and send you to Charlie, okay."
"Bella there's more." Davina said and walked over to her drawings. "I've been having nightmares about you." She said and handed Bella the pictures. "I don't know what they mean, but I know they are centered around you. That's why I came down and talked to Cami. I wanted you to know so you could leave."
Bella tossed down the drawings, "They are just stupid nightmares okay." Bella said, "Nothing more." Bella looked out the window, "The sun is coming up and I have to go, but you stay here okay."
Bella hugged Davina one last time and she and Cami headed down into the church.
"See Bella, this is my fight too." Cami's anger was evident.
"Cami you aren't thinking straight and you need to chill." Bella said. "Go home and get some sleep. I will call you later."
Bella headed out of the church and headed to her house. Every fiber in her body raged with fury at what had just been revealed to her. Jane-Anne and Sophie, two people she trusted, who she had helped, who were her friends, were absolutely out of their minds and trying to kill her cousin.
The other thing bothering Bella was what Davina had said about the nightmares. Bella had looked at the pictures and though she pretended not to care, that wasn't the case. She was in fact very concerned because she too had been having those exact same dreams.
Bella stopped and took a deep breath. She needed to take things one at a time and not overload. Overloading led to mistakes and mistakes led to things getting out of control.
She quickly made her way to the house and immediately crashed. Her body and mind were both exhausted. She needed to reboot and then she was going to talk to her so called 'friends'.
.*.*.*.*.*.
"Come to me," a voice said, "Come to me Bella. You cannot escape me."
Elena sat up sweating and breathing heavily.
"Elena?" Stefan asked.
"I'm fine." Elena said, "Just a nightmare." She replied.
"Elena what's wrong?" Stefan pressed.
Elena pulled her knees to her chest.
"Don't shut me out." Stefan said gently and pulled her to him.
"Just a bad dream," Elena shivered as she recalled the voice she had heard.
"Was it Bella?" Stefan asked tensing.
"Yes…I mean no, I mean," Elena huffed frustrated, "It had to do with her, but it wasn't anything concrete." She looked at Stefan, "I think I'm just worried. It's been a week and I can't….feel her anymore."
"She's a fighter Elena," Stefan reassured her as he kissed her temple, "She will be alright."
Elena nodded, but she couldn't shake the coldness that had invaded her soul the moment she heard that voice in the darkness. It made her stomach turn in the worst way possible. She was physically sick and she didn't know why. Bella had said she would know if something happened to her, but this felt like a warning.
Elena laid back down and tried to push the feeling away, but it refused to go anywhere. Eventually she gave up and just closed her eyes until sleep finally came.
.*.*.*.*.*.
"Have you found anything?" Sophie asked as she and Jane-Anne cooked.
Jane shook her head, "Have you heard from Bell?"
Sophie sighed, "No," she paused, "Jane I think we should tell her."
"No," Jane said forcefully.
"Tell me about what?" Bella asked; suddenly appearing.
Jane-Anne and Sophie jumped, their surprise was clear, and turned to see Bella. She was dressed in her signature black leather jacket, blue jeans, and boots. Her arms were crossed and her eyes were cold and dark.
"Bella you scared us." Sophie quickly recovered.
"Really," Bella tilted her head, "What were you talking about?"
"Nothing," Jane said.
"It wouldn't have anything to do with Davina would it?" Bella snapped.
Jane-Anne and Sophie paled visibly.
"Bella I can explain," Jane-Anne said while trying to stay calm.
"No," Bella said, "You listen to me Jane-Anne. You and your coven will leave my cousin alone. You will not hurt her."
"We have to bring Monique back." Jane-Anne argued.
"You shouldn't have let her die in the first place." Bella snapped. "I trusted you."
"Bella please, if you will just let us explain you will understand." Sophie said.
"No amount of power is worth innocent blood." Bella growled.
"You know where Davina is." Jane-Anne narrowed her eyes, "Tell us where she is."
"No," Bella spat, "You stay away from her. You and I are done Jane-Anne. Consider your debt paid."
"If you don't tell me where she is I will lift the blocking spell. In a matter of moments Angela will know where you are." Jane-Anne threatened.
Bella blurred and wrapped her hand around Jane-Anne's throat and lifted her up into the air.
"Go ahead Jane-Anne. Do it, I don't give a damn. When I was young you saved me and I returned the favor by saving Melinda and now I find out you sacrificed Monique for power. Would you have sacrificed Melinda as well? Of course you would." Bella spat and squeezed tighter. "I want nothing to do with you Jane-Anne."
"Bella please," Sophie begged.
"NO," Bella snapped and threw Jane-Anne across the room. "You and your coven have destroyed innocent lives to gain power. In my opinion you are no better than Niklaus. You will not get near my cousin. You better warn the rest of your coven that I am here and I will die before I allow you near Davina."
"We will take you out if we have to." Jane-Anne said while struggling to breath.
"Jane-Anne," Sophie was shocked by her sister's words.
"Go ahead and try." Bella smiled a sinister smile. "I will gladly take you all to hell with me."
Bella disappeared, leaving the sisters alone and frightened.
.*.*.*.*.*.
Bella walked angrily down the street until she felt a hand on her shoulder. She quickly turned and wrapped her hand around the person's neck.
"Easy," Thierry said.
"What do you want?" Bella asked after releasing him.
"Marcel wants to see you." Thierry rubbed his neck.
"Not now." Bella growled.
"Bella you need to talk to him." Thierry said.
Bella took a deep breath and nodded before she followed Thierry. They reached Marcel's house and Thierry led her to the study.
"What do you want Marcel?" Bella asked annoyed, "I'm not exactly in the mood to trade quips."
"I didn't ask you to come here." Marcel said. "Someone else did."
The door opened and Davina walked in.
"I told him Bella. He saw you and Cami leaving." Davina confessed while biting her lip.
Bella sighed. "Fine, you caught me Marcel. Davina is my cousin and I haven't seen her since her father died. Before you ask, yes Jane-Anne and Sophie have been helping me, but our relationship has been terminated. Anything else you want to know?"
"Who's side are you on?" Marcel asked while narrowing his eyes at her.
"No one's." Bella replied, "But I won't be letting anyone hurt my family Marcel. I thank you for saving Davina and for that I owe you. I did not come to this city to get into some witch/vampire war. I came here to lay low, but now that the witches are after Davina I'm done with them."
"Do they know where she is?" Marcel asked.
"No," Bella replied coldly.
"Are you the one that saved Melinda all those years ago?" Marcel asked.
"Yes," Bella replied, "And before you ask, initially I was going to take you out, but that was before I saw Davina."
"Marcel, Bella won't let them hurt me," Davina said while going to stand by Bella.
Marcel was silent for a while and sighed, "You have the protection of my house. You shouldn't stay where you are, not after this."
"I don't' exactly trust you with Klaus." Bella said.
"Marcel," Davina prodded.
"I promise I won't release him," Marcel said and took a knife dragging it across his arm, "This is a blood promise."
"Bella please," Davina said, "Marcel will move me here and we can all be together."
"What about your family?" Bella asked, "They don't exactly like me."
"If you are against the witches you are welcome," Marcel said.
"Let's get this straight; I'm not against witches, vampires, werewolves, or humans. I'm against anyone that wants to hurt the people I care about. Which if one of your little clan members tries, I will kill them. Do you understand me?" Bella asked and Marcel nodded.
"There's another problem," Thierry said, "Jane-Anne's going to lift the cloaking spell."
"I can cloak Bella and Klaus better than they could." Davina said.
"Thierry please go retrieve Klaus." Marcel said.
"He's in a hidden room. Use the library," Bella said as Thierry left.
"Davina will you give us some privacy?" Marcel asked.
Davina nodded and left.
"So you were going to kill me." Marcel said as he moved to pour them each a drink.
"The thought crossed my mind as I'm sure it did yours once you realized who I was." Bella replied.
Marcel motioned to a couple chairs, "You know there's been something on my mind since that first night we met."
"What is that?" Bella asked.
"Why not give Klaus to Rebekah and Elijah?" Marcel questioned.
"Because I knew they would let him go and I couldn't have that." Bella replied.
"Klaus isn't a bad guy," Marcel said.
Bella placed her drink down, "Tell me Marcel, how was he with you?"
"Like a father, a brother, a mentor," Marcel said, "Yeah he could be rough and unreasonable, but he always came through for me."
"When I was thirteen, Klaus kidnapped me and kept me in a dungeon for a year. He deprived me of blood and when I wouldn't agree to join him, he liked to whip me." Bella said and Marcel froze, "You know what it's like to be someone's whipping boy right? As if that wasn't bad enough he continued to hunt me after I escaped. When I went to Mystic Falls he was still the cold hearted asshole who kept me in that dungeon."
"Klaus would never do that," Marcel shook his head, "Not after what Mikael did to him."
Bella stood up, removed her jacket, turned around and lifted up her shirt, allowing Marcel to see the scars.
"A permanent reminder," Bella let her shirt fall back into place. "You and I know two very different Klaus'. You know the one that had humanity. I know the one that's a monster. He once told me in that dungeon to never go for the kill when you can go for the pain. I have a family, I have friends, I have someone I love and I will not let Klaus go and then watch him take them from me." Bella said, "I will die before I let him free. If you try to release him, I will kill you Marcel, make no mistake."
Marcel swallowed thickly and called for a vampire to show Bella to her room.
"Bella," He said as she started up the stairs, "May I see him…in private?"
"I don't see why not." Bella said before she followed the vampire out.
.*.*.*.*.*.
Thierry came back shortly after that with the coffin and Marcel had him placed in the attic. Thierry left and Marcel opened the casket to reveal a very gray and decaying Klaus. He was so thin and gaunt. His cheekbones had begun to show.
"Hello my friend," Marcel said as Klaus looked at him with his eyes widened. "Surprised to see me? I know you thought Mikael killed me, but I survived, like you. Bella's moving in here. The witches, they crossed her." Marcel clenched his fists, "Why did you do that to her? Why did you whip her? You saved me from my father's hands, but with her you hurt her. She is your daughter and yet you treated her as your father did with you and for what?"
Klaus' eyes swam with regret and Marcel nodded.
"You regret it now, don't you? After spending this time with her you finally see who she is." Marcel said. "I want to let you out I do, but I made her a blood oath which you know I can't break."
Klaus tried to move his head to nod, but he couldn't.
"She won't trust you, not anytime soon. You know that." Marcel said, "I know you don't trust me Klaus, but I loved you like I would have my father. I will watch out for her Klaus, I promise."
Gratitude flooded Klaus' eyes.
"I have to go," Marcel said before he shut the lid.
Klaus felt relief. It was true since he had seen Bella that night in Romania that everything had changed. She looked so broken; any life that had once engulfed her was now gone. He saw that look in her eyes, it had been the same one in his on the very day that his love for his father had turned to hatred. It consumed him and everyone around him. Once he had found Marcel though he saw in him the little boy Klaus had once been; devoted to a monster of a father. He loved Marcel like a son and when he thought Mikael had killed Marcel his resolve for freedom became his obsession.
When Bella had joined him he had begun to feel certain protectiveness over her. He had started to want to build the relationship they never had. When Klaus believed he had control over her, he did not have to worry about what he had done. Then when he found out she had betrayed him, he lost it. He became the monster he was when she was thirteen. After that night in Romania, he couldn't really justify his actions or convince himself that his imprisonment was unjustified. No, Klaus began to realize that he deserved much worse that what he was getting. He deserved a death far worse than what Mikael had been given. He had told himself when he was younger that he would never become like Mikael, but that promise had been broken.
Klaus closed his eyes, settling himself into the darkness and silence, forcing him to continue to reflect on all his wrong-doings. It left him wondering if he would ever get the chance to attempt to make amends.
.*.*.*.*.*.
Marcel knocked on Bella's door and she opened it.
"Have a nice reunion?" Bella asked.
"You think I'm insane for caring for him." Marcel said.
"No," Bella replied and moved away from the door, allowing Marcel in, "I get it. Just like I understand why Elijah wants him and that he believes that he can change."
"He can," Marcel interrupted.
"I'm not convinced and I have far too much to lose." Bella replied.
Marcel sighed and tried a different approach, "So I guess this means we are brother and sister in a sense."
"There will be no 'Flowers in the Attic' moment between us Marcel." Bella warned. "Besides aren't you still with my Aunt Rebekah?"
"Tell me about the guy you left behind." Marcel continued.
"No," Bella grabbed her jacket, "I'm going out."
"To meet Cami?" Marcel asked.
"Goodnight Marcel," Bella said and jumped out the window.
.*.*.*.*.*.
A few minutes later, Bella was on the Tulane campus waiting outside Cami's psych course with Dr. Hanes.
Bella waited until the clock hit eight and then she walked in as people gathered up their things. Bella immediately found Cami and headed for her.
"Miss Swan," Dr. Hanes' voice said causing Bella to growl, "I never thought I would see you again."
"Came to visit Cami," Bella turned to face him.
"You know I have missed seeing you in my class," Dr. Hanes said and he reached out to touch Bella.
Bella caught his hand and started to compel him, "Maybe if you spent more time on your work and less time pining over your students you would have more to show than three divorces and alimony payments. Keep your hands off of me."
Dr. Hanes moved away and mumbled about work as he went back to his desk and gathered his things.
"Bella what's up?" Cami asked.
"We need to talk," Bella said and pulled Cami outside with her. "I moved into Marcel's place. He caught you and me leaving Davina. I also confronted Jane-Anne and Sophie so I wouldn't recommend going back to their bar."
"Thanks for the heads up," Cami said, "But they know where I live."
"Which is why we are going to go to your place and get your things," Bella said.
Cami followed Bella to her motorcycle and hopped on as they sped to her apartment. Once they got there, Bella and Cami went upstairs and Bella kept watch while Cami packed. As she looked out the window, she saw Agnes get out of a car.
"Move it Cami, we got company." Bella said and unlocked the window.
"How are we going to get out?" Cami asked.
"I'm not. You are," Bella said and opened the window.
Thierry appeared, "Hello Camille." He said, "In need of an escape?"
"Bells," Cami said.
"I got this. Go." Bella said and pushed her out the window. She handed Thierry the keys to her bike, "Tell Marcel's boys that she is off limits."
Thierry nodded and jumped from the third floor while holding onto Cami.
Bella shut and locked the window before she calmly sat down on the sill and looked at the door. The door flew open and Agnes walked in.
"Bella," Agnes greeted with shock, "I…" she trailed off while trying to come up with an excuse.
"Save it," Bella growled, "Cami's not here. I see Jane-Anne got a hold of you."
"You've betrayed us," Agnes said, becoming cold.
"No, you betrayed me first," Bella snapped, "You know how I feel about my family."
"Davina must die for the ritual to be complete," Agnes argued. "There is too much power coursing through her veins…she can't handle it."
"I'll figure a way out for her…you on the other hand won't be so lucky." Bella replied, "You cursed Cami's brother…an innocent. Tell me Agnes, when did you lose your way? When did your thirst for power overshadow any morals you once held?"
"You can't understand," Agnes spat, "You are the pure definition of abomination in a world that needs balance. You disrupt it."
"Heard that one before," Bella said and blurred to Agnes, "I should kill you, but I won't…no that honor is Cami's or Kieran's alone. You took someone from them and believe me, it will be your last."
"We've lifted your cloaking spell," Agnes choked out.
Bella smirked, "Davina already has me covered." Bella said and threw Agnes into the wall. "Goodnight Agnes."
Bella walked out the door and shut it behind her.
.*.*.*.*.*.
Cami walked into Marcel's house with Thierry and immediately felt eyes on her.
"Camille welcome to my home," Marcel said while coming to greet her.
"Doesn't really feel like a warm welcome," Cami replied.
"They are all on edge since I've allowed you and Bella into my house as well as my maker." Marcel explained, "I have a room ready for you."
"You'll excuse me, but I don't exactly feel very comfortable here," Cami replied.
"Cami," Davina called as she came down, "I need to talk to you."
"Go on," Marcel moved aside.
Davina grabbed Cami's hand and pulled her up the stairs to her room where she shut and locked the door.
"Davina what's wrong?" Cami asked.
"Bella wont' listen, but I know you will." Davina said and pulled a sheet off of a painting. "I painted this after you guys left.
Cami took a look and gasped. In the painting was Bella lying on a stone table. A dark figure with a blade stood over her.
"I've been having visions for a while, but this is the most clear I've ever painted one. Most of the time they've been blurred, but I could tell the girl was Bella, by the tattoo on her wrist." Davina explained. "Something is coming Cami."
"Have you told anyone?" Cami asked.
Davina shook her head.
"Bella won't believe us, not without proof." Cami said and looked at Davina, "I want to see all the paintings. Maybe there is some clue in them that could point to who that is," Cami pointed to the dark figure.
.*.*.*.*.*.
Bella walked through the Quarter, towards Marcel's house, when she suddenly felt something tug at her.
"Isabella," a voice said and she turned around, "Come to me Isabella." It coaxed.
There was no one in the Quarter at this time of night. She tried to shake it off, but with each step her feet got heavier.
"Isabella," the voice said for sternly.
Bella felt lightheaded and nauseous.
"Don't fight me Isabella," the voice continued, "You cannot hide from me."
"Damn witches," Bella shook her head.
The voice chuckled. "You have been hidden from me for so long and now I know where you are. I will be coming for you Isabella…it would be so much simpler if you don't fight when the time comes."
Bella slumped against a wall as the world began to spin and she was soon swept away into darkness.
.*.*.*.*.*.
Elena sat up breathing heavy. Something was wrong…something was very wrong.
"Bonnie!" Elena yelled and jumped out of bed.
"Elena what is going on?" Stefan asked, waking up as well.
"Bonnie!" Elena yelled and yanked open the door.
"Elena what is wrong?" Bonnie asked after coming out of her room at the Salvatore boarding house.
"Can you keep it down," Damon growled from the living room, "I'm trying to plan a murder."
"Bonnie, it's Bella," Elena said.
Damon appeared and grabbed Elena by her shoulders, "What's wrong?" He started shaking her.
"I don't know, but something is very wrong. I felt Bella slip away." Elena explained.
"What?" Bonnie asked confused.
"I felt Bella slip away like just completely disappear. I mean I haven't been able to feel her, but I could still tell she was there. But this…..this was just a complete loss of contact. It's different and not in a good way." Elena explained.
"I'll call Angela," Bonnie said, "Try to find her Elena, try to find something."
Bonnie left to call Angela and Stefan went to get Elena a blood bag. Damon led Elena back to the bedroom and had her sit down.
"I'm so sorry Damon," Elena said as she fought back tears, "I should have said something I should have told you."
"Don't think about that now," Damon said, "Just find her."
Elena nodded and sat back as she tried to search for Bella.
A/N: Hey everyone. Well I just took my last final for the semester today so to celebrate I decided to update. I hope you enjoy and I can say things are going to start getting crazy!
Thank you to my wonderful beta and friend Dark~Supernatural~Angel. She is my rock and the person who helps me when my brain is going a million miles a minute.
Thank you readers and reviewers. I love reading your comments and what you think. I love writing and the fact that you guys love the stories as well just puts the cherry on top (the cherry is the best ;) )
Quick little tidbit. Stripped and Never Let ME Go will hopefully be updated before New Year's since I have no more classes!
Review my dears I hope you all have a wonderful holiday season and Merry early Christmas! I hope you all get everything you want and enjoy the time with your family and friends