"Let me see if I'm getting this straight" Damon said, watching me get dressed from the bed. "You and Blondie and Barbie Klaus expect me, psycho hybrid and wolf boy to be babysitters for the day, while you girls go shopping?" he scoffed.
"No. I expect you to stay babysitting Luke, while we go shopping. Klaus has things to do"
"Plans to take over the world, you mean"
"And Jake is going to check on the Bayou, per Klaus' request" I slipped my white pumps on and walked to the bed. "So, you and Luke have fun"
"Really, I should be offended that you got me so domesticated" he scowled.
I smiled at him and leaned down to kiss him. He grabbed me by the hips and pulled me to him until I was straddling him. I fisted his midnight black hair, and kissed him thoroughly before jumping off and grabbing my bag. I stopped at the doorframe and looked back with a eyebrow cocked.
"Well?" I asked teasingly. "What are you waiting for? Luke needs his morning bottle"
I laughed as he threw the pillow at me, and rushed downstairs where Caroline was waiting impatiently.
"The wolves are there" Jake said, dropping on the couch with a heavy sigh, and took the drink Rebekah offered him. "But that's just it. I can sense it is a big pack, but they are hiding"
"Well, a big pack of wolves walking around daylight would attract attention of humans and others" Damon said.
"What is the plan, Klaus?" Caroline asked. "Is peace here really impossible?"
"Peace?" Rebekah snapped scowling. "This town was ours, we built it! And now Marcel thinks he can not only control it, but control us?!"
"I'm taking back the town, whatever it costs me" Klaus said, still pacing up and down the living room.
"And what's the plan?" I asked. "Marcel can't kill you or Rebekah, you have the white oak stake, and he definitely can't kill me. We have Jake, Marcel isn't aware he's a shapeshifter. We have anything we might need"
"Marcel controls the Quarter through his control over the witches" Klaus said.
"Davina" Damon said and frowned. "What is up with that? Witches usually stick together. Why is she helping Marcel make her coven submissive?"
"The witches of New Orleans have a ritual"
We turned and I smiled as Elijah walked in.
"Oh, great, you're here" Damon grumbled, reaching for the bottle of bourbon on the coffee table.
"It is my house, be more gracious" Elijah said, not even glancing at him.
I sighed, leaning my head back against the couch. Great, now I would have to deal with those two. As happy as I was to see Elijah, the mix of Elijah and Damon usually wasn't a good idea. Especially since the sire bond thing... which Damon thinks it's over.
"Decided to come home, brother?" Klaus asked. His smirk told it all. Another Original only made things easier for him.
"I heard you were back, and was interested in taking back the city from Marcel" Elijah said, fixing his cuffs and unbuttoning his suit jacket before sitting beside Rebekah and throwing an arm around her shoulders. "I usually wouldn't be interested in your schemes, but my nephew needs a safe town to grow up in. And, truly, it is pathetic how Marcel pretends he can control this family"
"When I thought of family gatherings, this is not exactly what I had in mind" Caroline sighed from beside me and threw her head back like I did. We smiled at each other.
"The witches' ritual?" Jacob asked.
"Yes, that" Elijah smiled. "New Orleans' witches practice ancestral magic"
"How is that any news?" Damon asked.
"Bonnie practiced elemental magic, with the help of the witches' spirits. She, and I, drew from the natural elements, and if necessary, the spirits helped from the Other Side" I explained. "Ancestral magic is a bit different. When a witch dies, she needs to be consecrated, so her power is bound to the earth, in this case, New Orleans, and her descendents don't depend on the natural elements, they draw strength from that... Their power is their community, their history"
"Yes" Elijah smiled at me. "But, every now and then, their strength wanes"
"And in comes some freaky ritual" Caroline said.
"Yes. The Harvest" Elijah said.
"I thought it was an old ritual, no one used it these days" I frowned.
"Apparently, they do. The Harvest is an offering to their ancestors, every 300 years... Four girls, witches, are killed, to appease the ancestors and keep the magic flowing. Each girl passes her power onto the next as they die, and once all four are dead, the power flows into the earth"
"That's awful" Caroline mumbled.
"No. The girls are resurrected months later, in the Reaping" I clarified.
"They are still killing innocent girls to be more powerful" Rebekah said.
"Now... Marcel, as once a victim, doesn't agree with violence against children" Elijah said.
"His vampires are clearly told not to harm children" Klaus said. "So, he is against the Harvest"
"Yes, and a few months ago, he saved a girl, Davina, from the ritual" Elijah smiled.
"She absorbed the power of the other girls" I sighed. "And the witches are losing theirs... That's how such young witch has control over the coven and why she's helping Marcel"
"And that is why the witches lured Klaus back through the baby" Caroline said angrily. "They want you to solve their little war"
"Yes, but only a witch very powerful could curse the Bayou's werewolves to only be humans on full moons" Klaus said. "So, before I can get rid of Marcel's weapon, she needs to undo the curse"
"You can't kill Davina" Jake snapped. "She's just a girl!"
"How would you achieve peace then?" Klaus scowled. "I need Davina to undo the curse upon the werewolves"
"And we can't simply let the witches lose their power" I said and shot Klaus a look when he shrugged. "We can't. Davina has to be sacrificed. When the Reaping comes, she'll be back"
"There's only one small problem" Elijah sighed.
"What now?" Damon sighed.
"Me"
I shot up as Damon groaned. Caroline turned on the couch, her eyes growing wide and dark with anger.
"Really, brother?" Klaus asked amusedly.
"You could have picked me up at the airport at least, couldn't you, Elijah?" Katherine complained, dropping her bags. "Since you dragged me here"
"Why is she here? And how is she the problem?" Jacob asked.
"She is always a problem" Rebekah sneered.
"Well, almost two months ago, when you left to New York, for Ms. Bennett and Mr. Cullen's festivities, Katherine was in town" Elijah said.
"You fell into her trap again and brought her here, you mean" I said with a forced smile.
"Careful with the jealousy, darling" Katherine said sarcastically, pouring herself a drink.
"Am I so bad that I deserve to be in a house with my fiancée and the spawn of the devil, plus a bunch of the craziest family I know?" Damon mumbled.
"Yes" Rebekah, Katherine, Caroline and I answered together.
"Congratulations by the way, love" Katherine said to him with a grin. "I'm sure Giuseppe is turning on his grave... Damon finally proposed to a woman, and she is the biggest monster of them all"
"Enough, Katherine" Elijah sighed.
"As always, wonderful taste, brother" Klaus said smirking. "Now, how is it that, as Damon put it, the spawn of the devil," Katherine pouted, "ruined my plans, again?"
"The witches attacked me, so I killed a couple of expendable ones" Katherine said, walking towards us, and sat on Damon's other side. I rolled my eyes.
"She killed the last elder, Agnes" Elijah explained. "They were trying to use her, to lure Klaus back into town or for some kind of ritual"
"Doppelganger blood can still be useful, even if not human" I nodded.
"Yes, so, the witch community has no elder to complete the Harvest"
"And that is why they have played cool until now" Caroline said looking at Klaus. "Of course they wouldn't give up"
"So, it was all for nothing?" Jake frowned. "Three girls killed, witches killed by Marcel and his guys, and now it was all in vain?"
"Apparently"
"No" I shook my head and stood.
"Where are you going?" Damon asked as I grabbed my purse and Caroline's car keys.
"Talk to a witch, I think I have a solution" I called over my shoulder. "I will be back as soon as I can"
"Do you always close the bar to drink it dry?" I asked.
The woman turned sharply on the barstool, bottle still in hand and a knife. She narrowed her eyes at me, and stood up slowly. I smiled and sat on top of a table, dropping my purse and the keys.
"Or just when all your hope is lost?" I asked, and cocked an eyebrow. "I would like something strong, if you don't mind"
"I do mind" she snapped.
"Well, that is no way to treat someone who is trying to help"
"Who are you?"
"A friend of Klaus"
She chuckled and put the knife back on the counter.
"Look, I already have enough problems with Marcel, and I don't think you can bring any good"
"Klaus didn't solve your problems, but that is because your tried to be so subtle you became passive" I said standing up and walking to the bar. She watched as I got glasses and tequila. "I was a witch, and I think I can help"
"Help how?"
"The Harvest" I said and she seemed a bit aprehensive. "You didn't expect the Originals not to find out what you were up to, did you? They lived here long enough to be aware of the witches' rituals. Anyway... You lured Klaus back to town, through Hayley and the baby, but, it didn't go as you planned. They got a witch to unlink Hayley and you lost leverage. And all of that, I am guessing, it's because, someone you knew was a Harvest girl"
She swallowed hard and reached for the tequila shot. We clinked glasses and downed it. She sat back down and sighed.
"My niece" she mumbled.
"Which is why your sister died after doing the spell on Hayley"
"Yes" she said motioning for me to pour more into her glass. "We thought that with Klaus back, we could get Davina and be done with it"
"But Klaus took an interest in Davina and since you didn't explain the hurry you were in, Klaus stood idly by, until you lost your last elder"
"I told them it was not a good idea. Doppelganger might be great for some things, but it would not solve our problems" she said rolling her eyes.
"Well, I do not wish for any of you to lose your powers. I have seen enough to know that the Harvest might not be a lie, it could work... So, you need an elder, I can give you one" I smiled.
"How?" she frowned. "Wait. At what cost?"
"At the cost that, once you regain your powers and the girls return to you, you will agree to any peace terms we propose. Klaus will take this city back, I will help, and I would really like if this didn't become a warzone"
"Alright" she agreed eagerly. "What do we have to do?"
"First, I need Davina to solve the curse on the werewolves" I said walking to where I left my things.
"Wait, what?! If the werewolves are back you will never get your peace!" she protested. "The vampires and werewolves won't live peacefully in this town, it's impossible"
I smiled as I walked towards the door.
"Believe me, many impossible things have happened to me"
I smiled at the middle aged woman that had been lighting a candle at the altar and walked towards the back of the church. There was no one around, and the church was a bit too quiet for my tastes. The old wood creaked under my heels as I took the first few steps of the small staircase. I paused, looked up at the door it led to, and continued, slowly and as quietly as possible. A few other steps were creaking and I wondered if it perhaps it was on purpose. I could sense magic as I approached the closed door. Davina was surely leaking magic from so much power. I knocked three times and there was no answer. I tried the knob, and while the door swung open easily, I was unable to step inside. I sighed and looked around the room, leaning against the doorframe.
"Davina?" I called. "Just wanna talk to you"
There was no answer, and I eyes the paintings on the corner of the room.
"Well, if you're not going to answer, you can at least hear me out" I said. "I came to help you..."
"Liar"
The young brunette girl walked out of her hiding spot, and was frowning at me.
"You are Klaus' friend" she said. "I saw you coming"
"I am... It is no secret that I am an enemy to Marcel. But that doesn't make me your enemy"
"Klaus wants me to be his toy" she sneered.
"And what is Marcel doing?" I asked, cocking an eyebrow at her and gestured at her room. "He keeps you locked up..."
"Hidden, safe" she objected.
"… and through you he gained the power to control the city. Tell me, how is that no using you?"
She raised her hand at me, and I felt a blinding pain in my head and fell to my knees. I whimpered as I clutched my head and through my hazy vision, I saw her nose start bleeding and the lights flickering. I fought against her magic, and sure enough it started to wane. I looked up at her and frowned.
"It is a fun trick, isn't it?" I asked. "I was a witch too"
I saw her determination falter.
"I'm Isabella Swan, the last descendant of a powerful witch, Blaire... And I can see that you can't handle it anymore, Davina..." she wiped the blood of her nose, looking away. "Your body wasn't made to be a vessel of so much power for that long... It will bleed out, and when it does, it's going to be a catastrophe. Let me help you"
"How?" she snapped. "By killing me like the elders would do?"
"Davina, I was a very powerful witch... I was of a line as old as the Originals. I was the one that Klaus used when he needed... And I would never let any harm come to you. I know you don't believe in the witches, that they lied to you about the ritual. But the Harvest is real! I wouldn't be here if it wasn't. I promise you, Davina, I only want to help"
"Why would you?" she asked frowning. "If I finish the Harvest, the power of the witches will be renewed and Klaus won't have his so desired throne, not that easily anyway"
"Maybe not. But as a woman that was once a witch, I need to help you..." I stood and pulled a piece of paper from my bag and put on the floor, smiling at her. "When you wish to stop being Marcel's weapon, when you decide to be free, and you realize that you cannot hold so much power... Call me"
She eyed the piece of paper and I walked away.
"So?" Damon asked, watching as I gulped down my drink.
"I think I need to go hunting" I said, slamming the glass on the counter.
"Already on it. There's a party tomorrow at a club" Damon smirked.
"That's why I love you" I said, sitting in his lap and wrapping my arms around his neck.
"Yes, but we might have a problem with that"
I turned and cocked an eyebrow at Marcel, who approached with three other vampires. Damon chuckled and sipped his drink.
"You see, that party are for my guys" Marcel said. "And I think I asked you to leave, nicely"
"And I think that your ego is bigger than other more important parts of you... not that it is that difficult to be bigger than it" I said smirking.
One of his guys growled, his face changing as he advanced on me, but Marcel chuckled and held him back by the arm.
"Love, if you want to stay, I wouldn't mind... but the rest of your friends are useless and unwanted" he said. "If you wish to, show up tomorrow at the party. I'll show you how we do it in the Quarter"
"I'll pass. We both know where my loyalties lie" I said standing up from Damon's lap.
"Too bad" Marcel said with a mocking sad expression. "Boys?"
He turned around to leave as his friends' faces changed. I looked at Damon and he chuckled.
"Do you mind if I have a snack, honey?" I asked as my face changed.
"Not at all. Have fun" he said sipping his bourbon.
I turned back to the vampires who faltered at seeing my face. Marcel had stopped by the door and had a frown as he watched me. I grinned at them, licked my fangs and attacked the one closest to me, sinking my teeth into his neck. His blood took the edge of my thirst and soon I was attacking the second one. The third one had fallen back, standing by Marcel and I calmly walked to them after dropping the body. I wiped a bit of blood from my chin with my thumb and sucked it clean. Marcel glared at me, his eyes starting to change. I attacked his last friend, ripping his heart out effortlessly and threw it on the floor. I stepped closer to Marcel and wiped my hand clean on his shirt.
"You know. I was going to play your and Klaus' game, abide by the rules, but really, this is just too boring" I said.
My face changed again and I grabbed him, pulling him to me. He struggled, and while he was a bit more difficult than the others for being older, it was not that hard to sink my fangs into his neck. He groaned and tried to push me off.
The last thing I remember is the sound of the door opening, pain and then blackness.
I gasped for air as I shot up. I looked around and saw I had been lying in the couch of the Mikaelsons' mansion. I frowned at Caroline who had been sitting by me, and Damon who was pacing up and down, drinking a blood bag.
"What the hell happened?" I asked.
I looked down and saw my top was destroyed, torn and stained red.
"Klaus happened" Damon sneered.
"And this time the fault is truly mine"
I turned and saw that Klaus was leaning against the doorframe, playing with a blood stained white oak stake. I snapped up and advanced on him, ignoring Caroline who tried to hold me back.
"What the fuck is your problem?" I snapped.
"You almost killed Marcel and you ask me what the problem is?" he snapped back, frowning at me like I was a misbehaved child.
"And how killing Marcel would be a problem?"
"First, if someone is going to kill him, it's going to be me" he said and took a step closer to me. "Second, I want to take this city from him! If you killed him, I would have the city, but no loyalty. I want him to bend his knee"
I scoffed and rolled my eyes.
"You really have psychological problems with the whole being king thing"
"Whatever you say, darling" he said smirking. "Just stick to my plan, will you? I would hate to have to stake you... again"
He turned and left the house. I continued scowling and lashed out at a vase, throwing it across the room. Caroline flinched as it shattered in millions of tiny pieces and sighed as she sat down with her head in her hands.
"He's never going to change, Elena was right!" I grumbled. "He is a fucking lunatic power-hungry hybrid!"
"No objections there, but you do need to know the facts before judging" Rebekah said walking into the room and going to the bar to serve a drink.
"What facts?" I snapped.
"The reason why Klaus did not let you kill Marcel" she shrugged and looked at me over her shoulder. "It's not just because you weren't sticking to the plan..."
"Well, what was it then?" Damon asked, sitting on the couch beside Caroline.
"Marcel was not only a vampire created by Klaus" Rebekah said, sitting on the couch opposite them. "He was a child Klaus raised into a man... the man who stole the city from him, was once like a son to him"