"Buried Secrets"
Chapter 14:
"Do you think this will work?" Klaus asked.
Bella sighed, "It has to."
Klaus looked back at her, "Do you know what you're doing?"
"No," Bella said, "I wasn't exactly given a manual that's why I called in my friend."
"To save your ass once again," Lucy said as she appeared. She glared at Klaus, "What's going on?"
"Charlie's dead," Bella said softly.
Lucy started to use her powers on Klaus.
"It wasn't him," Bella quickly intervened. "It was Silas."
Lucy froze.
"You know him?" Bella asked.
"Only old stories grandma used to tell me. He's bad news." Lucy replied.
"He wants me." Bella said. "He wants my blood."
"Shit," Lucy said after quickly realizing what was going on, "The four bloods become one…that's you."
"Yeah I kind of got that." Bella said rolling her eyes, "Can we just skip to what I need?"
"What is that?" Lucy asked crossing her arms.
"I need you to put me in contact with Esther." Bella said.
"Are you serious?" Lucy asked, "You can't mean your psycho grandma."
"I need her help," Bella sighed again. "She said she could help me. She might be the only one who knows how to stop Silas." Bella's jaw clenched at the next thought, "There's something else. Silas is connected to me. I need him blocked…while I'm on the Other Side."
"You are asking for a very tall order," Lucy said, "I can't do that. Not on my own."
"Well you won't be on your own," Klaus said.
Davina, Bonnie, Jane-Anne, and Sophie appeared on cue.
"Lucy you're the only one that knows the spell," Bella said, "I need your help on this."
"How strong is his connection?" Lucy asked with a sigh.
"I don't know," Bella said, "He can cause me pain."
"Damn it," Lucy said as she took off her jacket and looked at Klaus, "Make yourself useful and draw a pentagram in the ground." She turned back to Bella, "I don't know how long I can keep him out or how long you'll be able to be on the Other Side so whatever you gotta do, you better do it quick."
Bella smiled and hugged Lucy.
"What do you need us to do?" Bonnie asked.
"Pick a point once he's done drawing the pentagram." Lucy said.
Lucy started rifling through her bag before she pulled things out.
"I can't believe the crap you get into." Lucy mumbled.
"Neither can I," Bella stated.
"What now?" Klaus asked.
"Do you have Esther's necklace?" Lucy asked.
Klaus nodded.
"Put it on Bella," Lucy instructed the older hybrid before turning to the other. "Bella take off your jacket and go lay down in the middle of the pentagram."
Bella did as she was told once the necklace was on her. She laid down flat with her palms down and her legs crossed.
"Your heart is going to stop Bella for how long I don't know, but you're going to be dead. Once you're on the Other Side you better find her quick. Silas is gonna know we are blocking him and he's gonna hit us with all he's got." Lucy instructed.
"I got ya," Bella said.
"Repeat what I say," Lucy said to the other witches and went to her point on the pentagram. "Bella focus on Esther."
Bella closed her eyes and focused on her breathing. After Lucy said the words a few times the others joined in and slowly Bella felt the air leaving her lungs and eventually her heart stopped beating.
.*.*.*.*.*.
When she opened her eyes she was in the woods near Mystic Falls.
"Esther!" Bella called out as she quickly stood.
"I was hoping you would find me," Esther greeted as she appeared. "I am so sorry about your father."
Bella swallowed thickly, "Thank you for letting me see him one last time."
"It's the least I owed you," Esther said, "Isabella I am so sorry for all the pain I caused you."
"We don't have time for apologies right now," Bella interrupted, "My friends are blocking Silas, but I don't know for how long. You said if I needed help to find you and I'm here."
"You have powers Bella. I know you already know that, but you don't know the extent of them." Esther said, "Follow me."
They started walking through the woods.
"I can't give you a lifetime's worth of knowledge in only a few minutes, but I can give you the only thing you need to know," Esther said and they stopped in the cemetery, "He can't go to sacred ground, not in here or out there."
"Good to know," Bella said.
"Magic didn't start out as spells, chants, ingredients to potions. In its purest form, in Silas' time, it was about intention. It was literally willing something to happen. Over the centuries it changed….the bloodline of witches diluted with the interactions of humans and werewolves so we were forced to do enchantments." Esther explained. "You don't have to Isabella. You are of the four bloodlines."
"I don't understand why he wants me. Klaus is of the four bloodlines." Bella stated.
"But you are the only one born into them. You are the only person who has ever been born into the humanity, vampirism, werewolf, and witch bloodlines. You hold the most power inside of you. Whatever you will, it will come to pass." Esther said, "With the exception of a few things."
"Bringing the dead back," Bella stated.
"In certain cases," Esther corrected, "You cannot bring your father back, but you can bring others back…if you want it bad enough, you can travel between the world of the living and the dead. Silas needs you by his side because even with your blood he cannot take that power from you. He needs you to join him willingly. He needs the power you hold. Your blood opens the gates for him to regain his power."
"Regain it? I thought he already had it." Bella questioned.
Esther shook her head, "No he has a limited resource. The witches stripped him of his power as much as they could, but some remained." Esther slowly took Bella's hand, "I know he seems powerful Bella, but you are stronger than he is. You are not bound to the rules as the others are. Your compulsion is proof of that. You must embrace your power, find its center. It will not be easy and you must learn to control it as with anything in this world." Esther turned and looked behind her, "He is coming. Our time is up. Do not let him know you know any of this until the time comes. Remember you are not bound to the rules of any kind, you are the exception. Intention, the will, and control Bella…that is all you need. Now go!"
.*.*.*.*.*.
Bella sat up suddenly, gasping for air. The flames around her quickly died down.
"Are you alright?" Klaus asked after blurring to her side.
Bella nodded her head as she tried to catch her breath. She looked around and saw Davina, Jane-Anne, Sophie, Bonnie, and Lucy on the ground as well with blood coming out of their noses.
"Check on them," Bella said to Klaus before she grabbed her head.
"What's wrong?" Klaus asked.
"Check on them," Bella screamed as the pain became more intense.
"What do you think you are doing Isabella?" Silas's voice snapped inside her head.
"None of your business," Bella snapped back.
The pain became more intense.
"Tell me," Silas roared.
Do not let him know any of this until the time comes. Esther's voice echoed in her mind.
"I wanted to see my dad," Bella cried out. "I had to see him."
The pain lessened a bit.
"If you had come to me when I asked nicely he would still be here," Silas said. "Tick tock Isabella. The time is fast approaching."
The pain subsided and Bella collapsed to the ground, exhausted.
"What did he want?" Klaus asked.
Bella shook her head, "Not here….not now." She choked out. "We need to get to a cemetery."
Klaus nodded.
Bella looked to the witches, "Can they move?"
"They are weak," Klaus stated.
"Help them," She said as she shakily sat up, "I'll be fine."
Slowly the group made their way to the closest cemetery and they sat down.
"What did Esther say?" Lucy asked.
"That Silas is blocked on sacred ground." Bella said.
"But when they killed Charlie and he came to you, you were at a cemetery." Sophie said.
"I was in Potter's Field. It's wasn't blessed." Bella replied. "He's not as strong as he could be. That's why he needs me, to regain his power that was stripped away. He needs me as his weapon."
"How can you be a weapon?" Jane-Anne asked.
"Because I'm different," Bella said and focused on Jane-Anne, "If I were to tell the Elders that I could bring the girls back and complete the Harvest ritual, would they help?"
Davina tensed.
"Yes," Jane-Anne said and looked to Davina.
"She's not being sacrificed," Bella said firmly. "That's not happening."
"Then how do you plan on bringing back the girls?" Jane-Anne demanded.
"Magic in its purest form," Bella said and stood up. "Gather the Elders, call the werewolves, get ready."
"Why?" Sophie asked.
"Because we're going to war," Bella said before she stumbled as she walked.
Klaus caught her.
"What is going on?" Klaus asked.
"Not now," Bella said as she leaned on him, "We need to get back to Marcel's." Bella looked back to Lucy, "You coming?"
"There better be alcohol," Lucy said.
.*.*.*.*.*.
Klaus, Bella, Davina, Bonnie, and Lucy arrived back at the house. Klaus had to carry Bella with them.
"What happened?" Rebekah worriedly asked once she saw her brother carry his daughter.
"She saw Mother." Klaus said as he placed Bella down.
"Shhhhhh," Bella hissed and looked at Cami, "Call Kieran."
"Why?" Cami asked.
Klaus caught on, "Come with me," he said and led Cami out.
"You need to feed," Rebekah commented after looking at how pale Bella was.
"You can feed from me," Elijah offered as he rolled up his sleeves.
Bella quickly bit down on his wrist. She immediately felt some energy coming back into her drained body. Once she had fed, she went upstairs and showered. She changed and once she was done she went back down the stairs where Kieran was blessing all the rooms.
"What is going on?" Cami asked.
Bella looked to Kieran who nodded.
"Silas can't come on sacred ground; neither in my head or in reality." Bella explained, "Kieran is blessing this place so I'll be able to keep him out." Bella looked at Marcel, "Damon?"
"He's fine," Marcel said.
"Bella what else did our mother say to you?" Kol asked. "Klaus filled us in on what you told him."
Bella sat down, "Silas needs me yes, but not just for his power. He wants me because I don't apply to any of the rules. Me being able to compel Hunters, witches, Originals… it stems from my witch side. I have powers."
"That can't be," Rebekah said. "You can't be in both worlds."
"Bella wasn't made," Klaus elaborated, "She was born into the four worlds Rebekah; human, vampire, werewolf, and witch. She's the exception."
"The rules that apply to you…don't apply to me." Bella said.
"But white oak ash affects you," Elijah pointed out.
"Because it affects you," Bella said, "I'm still your blood."
"So what does it mean if the rules don't apply to you?" Cami asked.
"I don't exactly know," Bella said, "Esther didn't elaborate except for the magic part. Back in Silas' day, magic wasn't spells and potions. It was about intent and will."
"So what? Think it, be it?" Kol asked.
"Exactly," Bella said, "That's the power I possess. If I will it hard enough, I can make it happen."
"So how does this help us?" Cami asked.
"What did you mean about bringing the girls back?" Davina asked worried, "To do that, I would have to die."
"No you don't," Bella said, "Esther said I can travel between this world and the other. I can bring the girls back and whoever else if it's allowed."
"How?" Cami asked.
Bella was silent before she looked among the Originals, "Esther's book of shadows, do you have it?" Bella asked.
"Yes," Elijah said.
"I need it." Bella said. "Witches write down everything in there…not just spells. I need the ones from her youth. The ones that told stories."
"I know the ones," Rebekah said before she left the room.
"Bella do you think this is a good idea?" Elijah asked. "You have never used magic before. It could be dangerous…it could kill you."
Klaus tensed.
"We don't have options or time to research this," Bella countered as she leaned on the table. "This is the best plan we have."
"Well look who has returned," Caroline sauntered in, "The prodigal daughter."
"Hey back off," Cami defended, not appreciating the attitude of the newest arrival.
"You know you just about killed Damon," Caroline continued, "We all came here to help you and all you've done is push us away and hurt us."
"Ease up," Marcel said as he stepped in Caroline's path.
"You are just like him," Caroline hissed and pointed at Klaus, "Everything you touch you destroy."
"That's enough," Klaus growled, "If you don't like what's going on then leave! Otherwise shut up."
"No," Bella said and everyone turned to look at her, "You're right Caroline. I screwed up."
Caroline's eyes widened, she wasn't expecting that admission.
"I nearly got everyone killed because I couldn't see the big picture and for that I'm sorry. But guess what? We don't have time for me to grovel on my knees to you and beg for forgiveness so unless you want to be a slave to a psycho I suggest you shut up and just ask how you can help."
Bella walked out of the room and saw Elena outside. She walked out there and sat down next to her.
"Hey," Bella said.
"Here to order me again?" Elena asked without looking at her.
"I deserve that," Bella said.
"Why can't I get inside your mind anymore?" Elena asked.
"Silas pushed you out. He knew you remind me of who I used to be." Bella explained, "He needed you out of the way so he could have more control over me."
"Is he still in control?" Elena asked.
"He thinks he is," Bella said, "Elena we don't have much time. I'm sorry I know that doesn't make it right, but if anything happens…"
"Nothing is going to happen to you." Elena interrupted, finally looking at her this time.
"You don't know that," Bella said, "I don't know that but if it does, you have to know that I am sorry for what I did."
Bella got up and started walking inside.
"He's awake you know." Elena said and Bella stopped, "He wants to see you."
"I can't," Bella said, "Not now."
Bella headed back inside and ran into Rebekah.
"Here are the books," Rebekah handed the spell books over.
"Thanks," Bella took hold of the old books. "You guys should feed. We don't know when Silas will hit us again."
Rebekah nodded, "You should rest."
"Not tired," Bella said before she headed into the now empty library.
.*.*.*.*.*.
Once in the library, Bella got settled yet it wasn't long before she wasn't alone anymore.
"Need some help?" Klaus offered as he walked in.
"Sure," Bella said and tossed him a book.
"What are you looking for?" Klaus asked as he thumbed through one of the books.
"Anything related to crossing over," Bella said. "It seems like your lessons in ancient languages have paid off."
Klaus tensed.
"That's not a shot at you," Bella explained, "I'm just making conversation. Things are more awkward when it's silent."
Klaus nodded and started looking through the book, "She's right you know…you should talk to him."
Bella sighed, "Not exactly easy."
"But not exactly impossible," Klaus countered, "He loves you, but you don't know that."
"Why don't I know that?" Bella asked.
"Because you are like me in the fact that you believe you are unlovable." Klaus explained. "But you aren't Bella and nothing is going to happen to you."
Bella sat her book down and looked at Klaus.
"Anything can happen," Bella said, "You of all people know that. I understand how dangerous this is Klaus, I understand that we all may not make it out, I understand that I might die."
"I won't allow it," Klaus said, "I promised your father."
"Some promises are just too impossible to keep," Bella sighed, "Besides we may not have a choice." Bella took a deep breath, "Klaus I need you to understand that if it comes down to it, if taking Silas down means I go with him then I'll do it." Klaus tensed, "I will and none of you will be able to stop it."
"It won't come down to that." Klaus stated firmly.
"It might," Bella said, "That's the problem with you Klaus. You don't think that this will happen. You didn't think I could take you down and I did. Sometimes the things we think won't happen do and we can't change it."
"I won't accept that." Klaus replied.
Bella shook her head, "Denial won't change anything Klaus. All of us need to go into this thing with our eyes open. That the worst could happen."
"Here's your problem Bella," Klaus countered "You automatically believe you should be the sacrificial lamb. That only you can stop anyone and that's not the case. Yes you stopped me, but you're wrong about me thinking you couldn't take me down. I always knew you could that's why I attacked you. I tried to keep you weak because I knew if you were strong enough, you could end me."
Bella's eyes widened.
"I am not in denial about what we are about to face. I know we may not make it out, but I do know that you will not be one of them." Klaus said. "I will not allow that. I have stolen enough of your life Bella and I will not allow any more of it to be taken."
Bella shook her head, "Stubbornness."
"Runs in the family," Klaus said, "Now what else do we need to look for?"
.*.*.*.*.*.
"Bella!" Lucy rushed in, "I think I know when Silas wants to make his move."
"When?" Bella asked.
"The blood moon," Lucy said and sat down a book, "Blood moons happen during lunar eclipses. The blood moon is connected to the four blood origins. If your blood is spilled during the blood moon in the ritual then Silas regains his powers…all of them."
Bella saw Lucy bite her lip.
Bella sighed, "What else Lucy?"
"Based on the legend if you willingly spill your blood for Silas then he owns you. You become his and you won't have a choice. Whatever he orders you to do then you will have to obey." Lucy said.
"I knew it," Bella mumbled and slammed the book shut.
"Knew what?" Klaus asked.
"He said I would have freedom. I knew if I joined him that I would just be trading in an old set of chains for a new one." Bella started to pace the room. "When's the next blood moon?"
"Five days," Lucy said.
"Silas won't wait five days for me to come to him," Bella shook her head at the thought, "He's going to kill someone before then."
"Unless he believes you are going to go to him," Klaus said.
"What do you mean?" Bella asked.
"You're a very good actress Bella. You fooled me for weeks." Klaus said, "You can fool Silas as well. Go to him. Tell him you know when the sacrifice is and you know what it entails. Make a deal and you have these five days to tie up loose ends." Klaus said, "To do what you must."
"He won't buy it," Bella said.
"You said he would give you anything right?" Klaus asked and Bella nodded, "Tell him you want me contained again…not dead. He knows you have the power to compel us, we utilize that."
"I'm not following," Lucy said.
Bella smiled a little, "It could work," She agreed, ignoring Lucy, "I mean I would actually have to compel everyone."
"Very true," Klaus pointed out. "We know when the sacrifice is. You could compel them until it was time."
"It protects everyone," Bella continued his thought, "I could just show him the first part of the compulsion. But how do we get you to come there?"
"I want you don't I?" Klaus asked raising an eyebrow, "We have the upper hand Isabella. We can plan this out to the very last detail and you can show him what is done up to a point."
"Like we did with Mikael," Bella said, remembering when they daggered Mikael. "This is crazy enough to work, but there's one thing."
"What's that?" Klaus asked.
"They get a say in this." Bella said, "I won't compel them against their wills. Not again."
"Will someone please clue me in?" Lucy asked frustrated.
"We need to get everyone down here." Klaus stated.
"Better do it now." Bella said, "We don't know when he is going to strike."
.*.*.*.*.*.
Soon they had gathered everyone downstairs, including Damon. Bella actively avoided looking at him.
"We have a plan," Klaus started.
"What is it?" Jeremy asked.
"In five days the blood moon rises," Bella started, "That's Silas' window, but he won't wait five days for my answer. So we came up with a plan."
"We?" Damon asked.
"Yes," Klaus said, "But Bella will not go through with it unless you all agree to it."
"That's a change," Caroline quipped.
"Look I know I screwed up okay. After this is said and done you can bitch me out all you want, but right now I need you all on board." Bella said. "If I spill my blood Silas gets me…he will fully control me."
Damon tensed as did everyone else.
"But we have an idea," Klaus said quickly.
"I ask to meet him," Bella started, "We pull a con like we did with Mikael."
"When I was under compulsion," Stefan said.
"Yeah," Bella said, "I tell him none of you will let me go willingly."
"You got that right," Damon said.
Bella continued, "I say I need time to compel you all to forget me. With you all out he's got me clean and clear, but that means he leaves you all alone."
"It could work," Stefan said, "But you can't face him alone."
"I wouldn't," Bella said.
"Silas must think she's serious. So she will allow him into her mind up until a certain point." Klaus said, "Bella will leave and then come back to finish the compulsion."
"We pick a time at which on the day of the blood moon you'll remember everything." Bella said, "I won't do it unless you all agree to it."
"Is this the only option?" Bonnie asked.
"There is a second part," Klaus said, "But that has to stay secret."
"Do you think it will work?" Rebekah asked.
"It's our only option," Bella said.
Everyone was silent.
Kol stepped forward, "Well considering it's either enslavement or death with Silas or this plan then I vote this one." Kol stated, showing his decision.
Slowly one by one everyone nodded except for Damon.
Bella looked at Damon finally.
"I won't do it unless everyone agrees." She said.
"How do we know you don't up and leave us?" Damon asked.
"Because I won't," Bella said.
"Not good enough," Damon replied.
"You have my word," Klaus said, "I'll come and compel you after her that way if she leaves you'll remember and be able to find her."
"I don't know," Bonnie said skeptically. "What about the other witches?"
"I'm going to handle them," Bella said, "As of right now Silas believes they are out since I haven't handed over Davina."
"Bella I still don't understand how you are going to get them to join," Davina said.
"She's going to travel to the Other Side." Lucy said.
"But how?" Bonnie asked.
"There are some specifics we can't tell you," Klaus said, "Look are you willing to go through with this plan?"
"We don't really have a choice," Tyler said, "But I won't be a slave again…I'm in."
One by one they agreed again except Damon. Finally he looked at Bella.
"One condition," Damon said, "After you meet with Silas, you and I talk…alone."
Bella tensed…she wasn't ready to face Damon, but she didn't have a choice. Bella nodded and she walked outside away from the house.
"Silas" Bella said, "I want to talk…"
"Do you now?" Silas' voice echoed in her head.
"Yes," Bella replied, "No Hunters, no one on my end either. Just you and me, like before. Once we talk, I leave."
"Very well," Silas said, "You know where to find me."
.*.*.*.*.*.
Bella headed to the old mill and she saw several more Hunters had arrived. She walked purposefully pass them.
"Bella," Connor said and Bella tensed, "I am sorry about your loss."
"If you open your mouth one more time I'm going to rip your tongue out," Bella growled.
She headed down the steps from the time before and saw Silas waiting for her.
"Isabella," Silas said, "Come in."
Bella walked in and Silas shut the door behind her.
"I am so sorry about your father." Silas said as he sat down.
"You ordered it," Bella said tensely, trying to keep her composure.
"I did warn you though," Silas said, "Now why are you here?"
"I know your plan," Bella said and sat down across from him, "Five days is the blood moon. That's when your ritual needs to happen." Bella watched Silas as she talked, "I found out you are powerful, but you don't have all your powers and that's what all this is about. You were cursed and you need me to lift it."
"Clever girl. Did your grandmother tell you that?" Silas asked tensely.
"Yes," Bella said, "She warned me to run. But I refused." Bella bit the inside of her cheek, trying to keep herself in control. "You took my father away from me. Your man Connor didn't even give him a chance to fight."
"I fail to see what this has to do with anything." Silas said.
"Once I spill my blood for you, you have full control over me." Bella spat and stood up, "I lose all my free will."
Silas tensed.
"I was pissed…I still am. Every bone in my body is screaming at me to rip you to shreds." Bella continued and paced, "I want to, believe me I do…but it won't do any good. All you will do is come at me by taking another person I love so here I am Silas…I surrender."
Silas looked at her shocked, "Really?"
Bella nodded, "But I have a few conditions."
"Of course, there is always a catch," Silas said, "What do you want? I cannot bring your father back."
"I want Connor dead," Bella said, "I want it to be slow and painful."
"Done," Silas said simply.
"I'm not finished." Bella said and crossed her arms, "I'll come willingly to you Silas, but not until the day of the ritual. I get these five days to tie up loose ends."
"What do you mean?" Silas questioned.
"We both know that my friends, my family won't stop looking for me." Bella said, "I don't want them to end up like my dad. These five days I get to say goodbye."
"I fail to see how that will stop them," Silas pointed out.
"I'm going to compel them," Bella choked on her words a bit, "I'm going to make them forget me. I will erase every trace of my existence."
"You can't do that to Klaus though," Silas countered, "He is your father…he will have to die."
"No," Bella growled, "He dies, they die. We trap him like I did before." Bella said, "My friends and family do not die, they do not become slaves. I will make them think what you're doing is right."
"How do I know you'll do it?" Silas asked, "I haven't been able to get to you."
"Cami figured out that you can't pass through sacred ground. They had the house blessed. It was a bitch getting out." Bella replied, "Feel free when I come here to look inside my head."
"So Connor's slow painful death, five days to say goodbye, compel them, and they don't die, and Klaus is condemned to the coffin." Silas repeated the points and stood up.
"One more thing," Bella said, "In these five days I want no interruptions." Bella stood and walked over to Silas, "These are my last days of freedom and I want to feel that freedom."
Silas was quiet for a moment and then he nodded, "You have a deal Isabella. I will not bother you for the next five days, but by the fifth day after sundown you have better be here."
"Just make sure you hold up your end of the bargain," Bella said and started for the door.
"You aren't giving up your freedom Isabella," Silas stated causing Bella to stop, "I'm giving you freedom…this way you never have to make any choices."
"Don't," Bella growled as she whipped around, "Don't try to make this seem like a good thing. If I had any other options that would ensure that they lived then I wouldn't be here."
"See you in five days Bella." Silas said, "To show I intend to honor our agreement, the Hunters will not follow you anymore. I shall pull them all back here."
Bella didn't respond instead she blurred out and away from the mill.
.*.*.*.*.*.
Bella reached the French Quarter and saw Klaus waiting for her.
"The Hunters have been pulled from the Quarter." Klaus reported as he fell into step with her. "I take it he bought it."
"I sold it the best I could," Bella said and sighed, "Now the hard part."
"The compulsion?" Klaus asked.
"No," Bella said, "Facing Damon."
A/N: Hey guys! Hope you enjoyed the chapter. It's starting to come to an end you guys. We are in the home stretch and everything is about to come to an end.
Thank you to my beta Dark~Supernatural~Angel. She is truly amazing and a life saver.
Thank you to the readers who continue to stick with me even when I disappear.
Heads up on Never Let Me Go and Stripped. The next Chapter of Stripped is almost finished and once it's done I will send it off to be beta and I am just waiting for the next chapter of Never Let Me Go to be sent back so as soon as that is done it will be posted.
Read and Review I love hearing your thoughts and theories!