Dragon's Keeper

Chapter 18

~Previously on Dragon's Keeper~

"They made me and my friends do this Harvest ritual. They said our participation would bring our family strength, health... that we'd forever be celebrated as saviors of the community. But all they really wanted was more power. So, I left before they could get it. Now, they're running out of time, because after the Harvest, comes the Reaping. And if they don't complete the Harvest, there won't be a Reaping. Soon, all the witches in the Quarter will start to lose their power. Eventually, they will cease to be witches altogether." Davina says calmly. "So what does it take to complete this ritual?" Elijah asks. "I have to die." Davina says. Elijah is shocked by this revelation.

Lafayette Cemetery

Sophie is in the cemetery, packing a little bottle into her backpack, when MayBeth enters the mausoleum. "Hey. What the hell?" Sophie says. "You're going out there anyway, aren't you? I wanna go with you." Maybeth says. "No, thanks. Already got assaulted by Klaus this morning. Don't need a repeat." Sophie refused. "What if whatever is responsible for all those dead witches is still out there? We've already established that it likes me and hates witches, so you'll be safer with me." Maybeth states. "Sorry if I'm not buying your sudden concern for my safety." Sophie said. MayBeth blocks the exit, forcing Sophie to stop. "Listen. The whole reason I came to this stupid town in the first place was because your sister's the one that had people take me. Plus she told me Marcel ran the werewolves out of the Quarter, into the bayou. And, last night, I'm pretty sure that some guardian-angel-wolf saved my life. So, I'm coming with you." MayBeth says. Rebekah walks in to the mausoleum and joins the girls. "Could you two be more idiotic?" Rebekah states. MayBeth and Sophie both look around at each other and sigh. "Two can play the follow-game, you know! You heard Klaus, he and Marcel are headed right where you're going." Rebekah says. "So distract them. Because unless you wanna lock a hormonal, pregnant werewolf, once a Heretic, in a tomb, I'm coming with you. And wouldn't Elijah be mad if he hears that the baby and I died of asphyxiation?" MayBeth says. Rebekah stares at her, annoyed. Sophie rolls her eyes and sighs again, resigned to having MayBeth and Rebekah tag along.

Big Auggie's Bayou Bar

Klaus is standing in front of the bar, phoning Rebekah. "What's the matter Rebekah? You cross that I'm out with your ex?" Klaus says smugly. "What is all that dreadful hillbilly ruckus in the background?" Rebekah asks. "According to the dreadful signage, it's Big Auggie's Bayou Bar." Klaus says. "Well, order up a few rounds of moonshine and steer clear of the dead witches for a few. The witch is on a burial mission, your girlfriend carrying your baby is on a spirit quest, and I'm keeping Elijah's promise to keep her safe, so stall, please?" Rebekah hangs up the phone. Klaus, who is angry and annoyed, enters the bar. "Everything okay?" Marcel asks. "Oh, just the usual. Temperamental sister. So, where's your informant?" Klaus covers up. "Tomas? He's out sniffin' around. Grab a drink, and then we'll chase him down." Marcel says. "Well, I suppose it will give us a chance to talk things over, like why you haven't returned Elijah. Maybe your young witch has grown partial to his company. She must get so bored." Klaus says. "You never stop, do you?" Marcel asks. "You never answer, do you?" Klaus asks back. "Why're you so curious about Davina?" Marcel says. "If I had a 16-year-old, all-powerful witch at my beck and call, you would wonder about her, too." Klaus stated. "You're never gonna get her." Marcel said. "Okay, okay. I'll ask the harmless questions, then. How did you meet her?" Klaus asked. "That might surprise you. This was eight months ago, before I banned the witches from using magic. Relations between vampires and witches weren't what you'd you call friendly, by any means, but let's just say we were a little less... divided. In fact, some of us were getting along just fine." Marcel laughed.

FLASHBACK

Sophie Deveraux and Marcel are taking a shower together, making out with each other and presumably having sex. Afterward, Marcel lies in his bed, while Sophie dries herself off beside him. "Ugh, it's so screwed up, I'm dealing with whacked-out, militant witches." Sophie said, pissed. "Hey, you witches all got a little crazy in you." Marcel smiled. "And my sister has really gone off the deep-end this time." Sophie said. "Jane-Anne's got martyr written all over her, that's for sure." Marcel said. "They've got every 16-year-old girl in our coven dying to be one of the four chosen for this crazy-ass ritual." Sophie said. "Anything I can do to help?" Marcel asked. 'No, you've caused enough trouble with them." Sophie waves him off. "What, little old me?" Marcel asks. "You're a dick." She giggles. "You always stir it up with the witches. Which is why this stays between us." Sophie says and kisses him deeply.