"Buried Secrets 3: Enter the Shadows"
Chapter 9
"Isabella," a voice laughed, "You may have gotten away from me, but not for long. I'm coming for you Isabella and not your friends, your father, his family, or even your precious Damon can stop me. You will be mine Isabella, mark my words." The voice growled.
Bella woke up with a start and it took her a while to focus.
"Bella," Cami said, "Hey Bella."
"Cami," Bella groggily greeted.
"Hey I'm here," Cami smiled, "You scared the hell out of us."
"Where am I?" Bella asked while trying to focus her vision.
"At Marcel's," Cami replied. "Do you remember anything?"
"I was on my way back here and then…" Bella closed her eyes, "I don't know."
"You were taken," Cami said, "You were gone for a few days. They pumped you full of white oak ash. It's still in your system so you need to take it easy."
Bella relaxed and saw Cami pop her neck several times and her knuckles.
"What's wrong?" Bella asked; her eyes narrowed in the process.
"Nothing," Cami replied and avoided eye contact.
"Bullshit," Bella argued weakly, "You suck at lying."
"Bella" Cami bit her lip, "Don't worry about it."
"Now I know I should be worried." Bella replied and sat up, grimacing as she did so.
Cami sighed, "Fuck it, you will find out soon enough." She justified and looked at Bella, "Now don't freak out, but…"
.*.*.*.*.*.
"This is freaking insane," Matt mumbled to Jeremy, "She's going to kick all our asses."
"We don't really have a choice," Jeremy replied.
"I can hear you," Klaus said loudly.
"Good," Matt said, "You're in serious shit when she wakes up."
"Then she's going to come after you," Elijah replied. "I mean, after all, none of you should be here."
"I can't get a read on anything," Bonnie said. "Any luck with our guest?"
"He's not talking," Marcel reported while cleaning blood off his hands.
"Maybe we should bring in the other witches," Davina suggested quietly.
"Not an option," Marcel replied.
Damon glared at Klaus.
"Do you really want to get into this again?" Klaus spoke without looking at Damon; the hybrid could feel the vampire's eyes on him.
"Yeah I really do," Damon said through clenched teeth.
Suddenly the doors to the study opened up and Bella stood there huffing.
"Bella stop," Cami yelled while running down the stairs.
Before anyone could move Bella blurred and threw Klaus into the wall. She blurred over to him and wrapped her hand around his throat and lifted him up.
"Bella," Elena yelled, knowing exactly what was about to happen.
Bella allowed her fangs to descend and then she started coughing. She released Klaus immediately and collapsed to the floor, unable to breathe.
Damon was immediately at her side, "Don't fight it," he said, "Just relax."
Elijah turned to glare at Cami, "What happened?" He asked angrily.
"I told her about him," Cami jerked her finger towards Klaus, "I couldn't stop her."
"We need to get her back upstairs to the room," Elena said.
Damon tried to pick up Bella, but she pushed him away.
"Bella stop it," Davina pleaded.
"You…let…him…out." Bella accused while struggling between breaths. She was glaring at Davina. "How…could…you?"
"I didn't have a choice." Davina replied.
"Yes you did," Bella snapped back.
"Bella please, you have to rest." Elena begged.
"Isabella," Klaus called out as he kneeled next to her.
"Stay…away…from…me." Bella said before she started coughing uncontrollably.
"Dormio," Davina said and Bella passed out.
"What did you do?" Damon asked, confused.
"She told her to sleep," Bonnie said, "She needs rest."
Damon moved back to Bella and scooped her up before taking her back up the stairs.
"Told you she was gonna kick our asses," Matt pointed out while looking at everyone.
"Well we will take us getting our asses kicked later." Marcel said, "Right now we need to get ready."
.*.*.*.*.*.
Elena sat in the chair next to Bella's bed and closed her eyes. She pulled on the connection she had with Bella's mind.
They were sitting at Café Du Monts in the French Quarter.
"You should have forced him back in," Bella spat as she sat across from Elena.
"He helped saved you," Elena said, "Davina thinks…"
"Davina is naïve." Bella interrupted, "Klaus has something big planned."
"Bella right now as much as I don't trust him we need his help. He knows who is after you." Elena said.
"It's one of his lackeys," Bella said dismissively.
"No it's not," Elena replied.
Bella looked away and Elena took a deep breath.
"Damon's been worried about you." Elena said, "Klaus brought us all here."
"Damon shouldn't worry. I'm perfectly fine and it's all part of his plan to get back at me." Bella replied.
"You are not alright," Elena said angrily, "You were pumped full of white oak ash and some ancient psycho who is worse than Klaus, from the sound of it, is after you. Bella please, just rest for now and don't fight us."
Bella was about to reply when suddenly clouds rolled in and the sky became dark.
"Bella what's going on?" Elena asked.
Bella stood up, "I don't know."
"Yes you do," a man greeted before coming into view, "So lovely to see you Isabella."
"Oh my god," Elena quickly stood up next to Bella.
"What?" Bella asked.
"It's Silas," Elena said, recognizing him from the painting.
Bella looked at Silas strangely as she studied him. He was about 6 feet tall with short brown hair. He had hazel eyes that seemed to penetrate into her soul. There was something sinister hidden within his gleam and specs of gold in his eyes. Something that caused every fiber of her being to electrify with fear…telling her to run. His body was in good shape and his smile would probably dazzle many unsuspecting souls. The smirk he gave her could rival Damon's. Though to most it would seem flirty yet for Bella it wasn't…it was as if that smirk was an attempt to distract her from the danger brewing underneath the surface.
"This must be your protégé," Silas smirked, "Sorry darling, but Isabella and I have much to discuss."
Silas waved his hand and Elena disappeared.
*.*.*.*.*.
Elena awoke with a jolt and gasped.
"Elena," Stefan called out as he ran to her side," What's wrong?"
"It's Silas," Elena said as Damon and Klaus ran in, "He's in there."
"In where?" Klaus worriedly asked.
"In her mind," Elena said while looking over to an unconscious Bella.
"Get Davina now," Klaus said, "She has to wake up."
Davina ran into the room a few minutes later and started to try and wake Bella up.
"I think he's blocking me." Davina said after trying to get into Bella's mind, "I can't wake her up."
"Send me in," Klaus commanded as he sat down.
"Like hell," Damon growled.
"Fine," Klaus said, "Send us both in," Klaus was annoyed.
Davina nodded and began to chant.
.*.*.*.*.*.
Bella's Mind:
Bella looked around frantically for Elena.
"Calm down, she is safe." Silas took a seat, "For now at least."
"What do you want with me?" Bella asked tensely.
"I'm not going to hurt you Isabella." Silas said calmly.
"Really because your little followers didn't get the memo obviously since they pumped white oak ash through my system." Bella snapped.
"It was merely to keep you under control until I could arrive." Silas replied.
"I don't like being controlled," Bella growled.
"Isabella, please come with me willingly. I really don't want to kill the ones you care about." Silas offered with a sigh. "If you refuse or fight me, I will have to resort to that measure."
"Sorry Silas," Klaus interrupted, "You won't be resorting to that measure anytime soon."
"Klaus," Silas said with a tight smile crossing his lips, "Good to see you. I guess you've been let out of your box."
"As have you, I see." Klaus replied. "Why do you want my daughter?"
"I'm not your daughter," Bella snapped.
"My business with Isabella is between her and I," Silas said, "Come now Klaus, you know your family and you are no match for me."
"Oh I'm not alone," Klaus said.
Damon suddenly appeared and grabbed Bella's hand.
"The boy is no concern to me," Silas said dismissively. "She will come with me…one way or the other."
"Like hell I will," Bella snapped.
"Don't test me little girl," Silas said in a dark low voice, "You don't know what I am capable of."
"You don't know what I'm capable of." Bella retorted.
Silas smiled, "I will give you one more chance Isabella. Once you've recovered, you either come with me willingly or I will force you to."
"She's not going anywhere." Klaus growled as be placed himself between Silas and Bella.
Silas laughed, "Attempting to play caring father Niklaus. Tsk, tsk, tsk, we all know you are incapable of caring about anyone except yourself." Silas taunted, "She will come with me. You won't stop me, and if you do, I will gladly pick up where we left off all those years ago."
"I won't let you have her," Klaus replied and bared his fangs.
"We will see Klaus." Silas said.
.*.*.*.*.*.
Suddenly the three of them woke up and were back in Bella's room.
"Are you okay?" Damon asked after looking her over.
"I'm fine," Bella said as she pushed him away.
She threw the covers off and got out of the bed.
"Bella," Elena started.
"No," Bella yelled and everyone froze, "Don't any of you lecture me after what you all have allowed to happen." Bella's eyes fell on Klaus, "I am going to put you back in that box."
"Isabella that's enough," Elijah said.
"Screw you," Bella countered, "Get out, all of you." She demanded before she slammed the bathroom door behind her.
"Give her a few," Cami said as she tilted her head to the door. "She'll calm down."
Everyone left the room and headed back down the stairs.
.*.*.*.*.*.
Bella turned on the shower and struggled to breathe as she stripped down. She stepped inside and let the hot water roll over her tense muscles. Saying she was pissed was an understatement. She was scared now that Klaus was out. She wanted to believe that this was all his doing, but deep down she knew better. Her gut told her that Klaus wasn't in on this one and that this fight was different. Silas had sent a chill down her spine the moment she saw him.
Bella had never felt so uneasy to the point of being sick as she had when she saw Silas. It was like something in her knew how bad he was and it was screaming for her to run, but she didn't. Bella wasn't going to run away. Whoever Silas was he wasn't going to win and once she had dealt with him, she was putting Klaus back in that box.
Bella reached out to the bathroom counter and grabbed a knife. The quickest way to get the white oak ash out of her system was to bleed it out…so she started cutting.
.*.*.*.*.*.
Davina sat in her room when a knock on her door was heard, causing her to tense. The door opened and Elena came in.
"Hey," Elena said.
"She's pissed." Davina said with a sigh.
"Can't really blame her," Elena sat down on the edge of the bed.
"He isn't going to hurt her," Davina said, "I saw inside his mind. He wants her safe."
"I want to believe that," Elena said, "But no one changes overnight."
"I didn't," Klaus interrupted as he stood in the doorway, "Elena would you join me? I would like to speak with you."
Elena stood up and followed Klaus down the stairs. Stefan blurred in front of Elena, protectively.
"What's going on?" Stefan asked.
"I would like to speak with Elena privately," Klaus said.
"Not happening," Stefan said.
"Yes it is," Elena countered and she moved pass Stefan, "I'll be fine."
Damon rolled his eyes, "If she comes down here and finds you with him, you're in serious trouble." Damon reminded Elena before he downed his drink.
He headed up the stairs after that.
Klaus opened the doors to the study and closed them once Elena was inside.
"What do you want?" Elena asked as she crossed her arms.
Klaus sat down, "I understand, I don't deserve the chance to be trusted."
"Then why are we having this conversation?" Elena asked.
"Because if I can convince you I can be trusted then maybe I can convince Bella." Klaus replied. "She sees a lot of herself in you."
"You mean the part of her you destroyed." Elena snapped.
Klaus closed his eyes in pain at remembering what he had done to her.
"Yes," Klaus admitted.
"Some things can't be brought back Klaus," Elena said, "That part of Bella is dead…you killed it."
"I want to make it right." Klaus said.
"You can't." Elena shook her head. "You can't change the past, you can't make it alright. You stripped her of so many things and you can't give those back. She's not ever going to be the girl she was before you and you know what. You shouldn't even talk to me about this because I didn't know her back then. I only know the Bella that put herself between you and the rest of us. The person who sacrificed happiness to make sure you didn't hurt anyone else." Elena said angrily. "So whatever notions you have of making it right, throw them out because she's not going to believe you…she never will. You will never be her father…Charlie is her dad. You are just the sperm donor."
Elena angrily left the room and leaned forward as she ran his fingers through her hair.
"Niklaus," Elijah called out as he stepped out of his hidden spot.
"She's right," Klaus said, "I will never be able to make it right."
"No you won't," Elijah agreed, "But you can show her that you won't hurt her again. Show her that you have changed. It won't change the past Niklaus, but it might change the future."
Niklaus shook his head.
"Perhaps you should speak to someone who knows her best…" Elijah said, "I mean after all, he will need protection."
Klaus' eyes shot to Elijah and then he yelled, "Thierry!"
.*.*.*.*.*.
Damon opened the door to Bella's room and immediately caught the scent of Bella's blood. He dropped his drink and blurred to the bathroom. Kicking the door open, the steam initially blocked his sight, but once it cleared he saw Bella sitting on the shower floor with her wrists bleeding profusely.
"Jesus Christ!" Damon yelled as he grabbed Bella out of the shower.
She tried pushing him away, but she was too weak.
"What the fuck are you doing?" Damon asked as he raised her arms up and wrapped a towel around them.
He feared feeding her his blood with the white oak still in her system.
"It's the fastest way to get the ash out." Bella explained weakly.
"You're going to kill yourself." Damon snapped.
"I'm already dead." Bella responded.
"So am I, but that doesn't mean I can't permanently die." Damon countered as he wrapped a towel around her body, "The same goes for you."
He lifted her up and carried her to the bed. He bandaged up her wrists and handed her some water which she refused.
"Don't," Damon said, "I am not in the mood for your stubbornness."
"You need to leave," Bella said while not looking at him.
Damon's jaw clenched, "Are you serious?"
Bella didn't respond and he threw the glass against the wall.
"Unbelievable," Damon growled, "You are just fucking unbelievable. Though I shouldn't be shocked, I mean after all you did just up and disappear from my life."
"I was doing what was best for you all." Bella snapped, "If I had stayed, Klaus would have been released."
"Newsflash darling, he's already out." Damon interrupted.
"And once he kills this Silas guy, he will kill you all to get back at me." Bella yelled, "You have to go."
"I'm not going anywhere." Damon sat down. "I have been going crazy since you left."
"You'll live." Bella countered while refusing to look him in the eye.
"Being a shell is not living," Damon whispered, "You know that just like I know that."
"Get out." Bella said turning away from him.
"Make me," Damon challenged.
Bella turned and glared at him.
"I'm not going anywhere Bella." Damon said, "And at some point we are going to talk about all of this," he stood up, "I'll go get you some blood."
Damon left the room and Bella quickly dressed before she jumped out the window. She snuck pass the guards and headed for the Quarter. She was weak and she needed to feed, but she needed to find out what exactly was going on. She found Sophie in the square and sat down across from her.
"Bella," Sophie said, "You look horrible."
"Don't pretend to care," Bella snarled, "I'm still pissed."
"I'm sorry Bella. Really I am. If there was any other way to bring Monique back…" Sophie said.
"You aren't getting near Davina," Bella spat, "Right now I'm not here to talk about that. I need information about someone."
"I'm not supposed to help you," Sophie said nervously.
"Silas," Bella continued anyways and saw how Sophie tensed up and turned pale, "You know about him."
"I know the legends." Sophie whispered, "Bella what's going on?"
"He's coming here," Bella said.
"So the legend is true," Sophie whispered.
"What legend?" Bella asked.
"Silas was the first immortal. He was a witch and he defied all the laws of nature to gain that immortality. Another witch finally was able to curse him…turning him to stone. The legend said that he would rise when the four bloods became one." Sophie explained, "He has followers…they are called the Hunters. They are meant to slaughter the vampires, witches, and werewolves that would stop Silas from rising or completing his mission."
"What do you mean when the four bloods become one?" Bella asked.
"I don't know exactly." Sophie said, "Bella if Hunters are here and Silas is coming here, we need to work together…none of us can face him on our own. You have to talk to Marcel and Davina."
"She isn't exactly on speaking terms with them right now." A tall man with dark skin interrupted. "Isabella Swan."
Bella looked down and saw the markings on his arm as did Sophie and she began to shake.
"Sophie," Bella said, "Why don't you go ahead and go. I'll catch up."
"Bella," Sophie was shocked.
"Go," Bella firmly demanded.
The man sat down and smiled, "I see you aren't looking too hot."
"Cut the shit," Bella said, "I recognize the markings. Some of the assholes that were holding me had them. You work for Silas?"
"Yes I do." He replied with a smirk, "He wants to meet you."
"I'm right here." Bella replied while forcing her body to relax.
"Somewhere private," the man replied.
"What's your name?" Bella asked.
"Connor," the Hunter replied.
"So let me kind of try to understand," Bella said, "You hunt supernatural beings for a supernatural being."
"Silas is more than that," Connor said seriously.
"You know I was under the impression the Hunters were created by a dying witch to protect humans." Bella said.
"We were, but then we found out about Silas and he can get rid of all the supernatural beings in the world, allowing us to live free." Connor clarified.
"Wow," Bella said, "Sounds like you have been brainwashed by a cult."
"It's because of you we're here." Connor said and Bella tensed, "You heard Sophie when she said the four bloods become one. Your blood is human, werewolf, witch, and vampire. You are the reason he was released and found us. If you had just stayed dead, your friends, family, Damon, they would be safe." Connor smiled as Bella tried to keep herself in control, "They still can be…Silas will get rid of Klaus and then they can be free…you can be free."
Bella laughed harshly, "You just told me he is going to get rid of all the supernatural beings so no, my friends won't be safe…they'll be dead." She said, "You tell Silas that if he wants me, I'm right here. I'm not running."
"You don't believe me, fine," Connor stood up, "When you are ready to talk to him, all you gotta do is think about it." He smirked, "He's already in your head Isabella. You two are linked, there's no escaping that."
Connor walked away and Bella sat there at the table with a mix of emotions running through her. She finally got up and started to walk. She felt herself being followed and turned into an alleyway. She then quickly blurred around and grabbed the person by the throat and pinning them to the wall.
When she saw who it was she immediately dropped him.
"Elijah," Bella greeted as her face returned to normal, "What are you doing?"
"I could ask you the same thing," Elijah countered while straightening his coat, "It's a dangerous thing for you to be out, especially since you are being hunted."
"Not the first time I've been on someone's hit list won't be the last. And don't pretend to give a damn about me," Bella snapped, "You got what you wanted. Klaus is free so why don't you just take him and run."
"Yes he is and he wants to help you." Elijah replied calmly.
"And then he will take me and force me to watch as he kills everyone." Bella snarled.
"People can change Bella," Elijah was becoming frustrated, "If Klaus wanted Damon and the others dead, they would be." Elijah walked over to Bella, "I know it's hard to trust him, but try."
"No," Bella said.
"He's bringing Charlie here…to keep him safe." Elijah said, "Does that count for nothing?"
"It's all part of his game," Bella reasoned before she turned to look at Elijah, "I know you want the brother you once knew back. I know you think he can be redeemed, but I don't see it Elijah. I can't afford to make a mistake like that."
Bella turned to walk away yet Elijah stopped her.
"I overheard everything." Elijah said and Bella stopped walking, "You're blaming yourself that what is coming is your fault…Klaus did that as well. You two are more alike than you want to admit Bella and it's not a bad thing. Let us help you."
"I don't need any help," Bella snarled, "Just stay out of my way."
"We won't do that," Elijah said, "You are my niece and I will do what I must to protect you, as will Kol, Rebekah and even though you don't care, Klaus will do the same. He also won't stop until you know that he is remorseful."
"He can be remorseful all he wants," Bella was fighting back tears at this point, "It doesn't change anything."
Bella went to walk away and yet she stumbled. Elijah quickly blurred and caught her before she fell.
"You're weak," Elijah said but when he lifted her up, he saw a cut on her arm.
He quickly sat her down and rolled up her sleeves, although she tried to stop it. Elijah saw the deeper cuts and looked at Bella who had paled quickly.
"Bella what did you do?" Elijah asked.
"It was the fastest way to get the ash out." Bella said weakly.
"You bleed yourself." Elijah was shocked. He picked her up, "You have to feed and not in the open."
"I'll be fine," Bella said.
"No, you won't," Elijah argued before he began blurring through the alleyways.
.*.*.*.*.*.
"You left her alone?" Klaus said angrily, "Of course she was going to run the first chance she got."
"She was pretty damn weak," Damon snapped, "She cut herself trying to bleed the ash out."
"We shouldn't have left her alone," Elena said, "We have to stop blaming each other because it's not getting us anywhere."
"You're defending him," Damon was appalled.
"No, I'm saying that while you two waste your breaths blaming one another, we waste time in finding her." Elena snapped back.
"Do that connection thing," Jeremy suggested.
"I already tried. It's like when Silas threw me out, it was permanent. I can't get back in," Elena explained with a sigh.
"Why would he want Bella?" Caroline asked.
"Silas has been trapped since shortly after we were made," Rebekah said. "Maybe he's still angry at you, Nik."
"It's more than that," Kol said, "Silas would have just killed Bella if he wanted to get back at Klaus."
"The others know a little about Silas," Davina said, "Mom used to tell me some legends about him."
"Davina they can't be trusted," Marcel said.
Suddenly the doors opened and Elijah walked in while cradling Bella in his arms.
"She needs to feed." Elijah said while laying an unconscious Bella onto the couch.
"How did you find her?" Elena asked as Damon ripped open his wrist.
"I followed her," Elijah said, "I knew she'd go looking for some answers."
"What happened?" Klaus asked.
"A Hunter showed up as she was speaking to Sophie Deveraux." Elijah said, "Silas wants her for something and it's not for revenge."
"What does he want from her?" Klaus asked tensely.
"I don't know exactly, but it has something to do with her blood being unique." Elijah said, "He was released because she was turned a few months back. There is apparently some legend and Bella is the key."
"We need to talk to Sophie," Davina said while looking at Klaus.
"No they'll want something and you know what that is." Marcel replied gravely.
"If they can help us…" Caroline started.
"They want to slit her throat in a sacrifice to keep their power," Marcel snapped. "You want to still hand her over?"
"Damon you need to stop," Stefan interrupted as he tried to pull his brother away from Bella.
"Back off," Damon slurred.
"Damon I'll take over." Elena offered.
"She needs blood that's been around a while." Rebekah said, "She'll heal quicker."
"Here," Klaus offered as he rolled up his sleeves.
"Stay away from her." Damon growled as he stood up yet he swayed a bit.
"Let him," Davina said, "His blood is powerful. It will make her wake up quicker."
"I'll stay," Rebekah said, "She can drink from me next."
"Come get me when you can't handle any more." Kol said before leaving the room.
"Come on," Stefan said, "Let's get you some blood and then you can come back."
Damon glared at Klaus as he left the room with everyone else.
Rebekah shut the doors and stared at her brother.
"What is your game?" she asked.
"No game," Klaus said before he bit into his wrist and held it to Bella's mouth.
"You can't go back," Rebekah said, "The damage is done."
"I know that," Klaus replied quietly as he stared down at Bella.
"What did you think about in that coffin?" Rebekah asked, "What made you begin to care?"
"The moment I saw her at her weakest," Klaus stated, "It wasn't just physical, I mean that was obvious. She hadn't fed in weeks, but it was what I saw in her eyes that turned me cold. I saw myself as a young boy at the end of Mikael's blows. So lost and confused. Looking for an escape, but there was none to be found and then I watched as she began to slip into darkness that I know very well."
Rebekah was silent, "I tried to kill him once." She confessed and Klaus looked at her, "Father…Elijah stopped me…maybe if I had done it then all of this would have been different."
"We will never know." Klaus said and turned back to Bella. "I am sorry Rebekah for the pain I caused you."
"I wish I could say I forgive you," Rebekah said, "But I can't…not today."
Klaus nodded, "I understand." He replied. "I sent for Charlie."
"You can't buy her Nik." Rebekah said.
"I'm not trying to," Klaus said, "I know Silas will go after him and at least here, she can know he's close by and won't worry as much."
"We will never escape our sins will we Nik?" Rebekah softly asked.
"Not until the debt is paid." Klaus replied solemnly, "And our debts are high."
A/N: Happy New Year dears! I hope you had a fun and safe one. I also hope you enjoyed the chapter. Hopefully I will have one or two more out for you before I start back to school in a couple of weeks.
Thank you to my wonderful beta Dark~Supernatural~Angel for all the hard work she does editing and our late night talks. Thank you to the readers your support and reviews always make me happy and inspire me to write quicker.
As always you guys review I love to read them. Also I was wondering if you guys would like to see a playlist for this story kind of like a soundtrack? See you soon ;)