Dragon's Keeper

Chapter 29

~Previously on Dragon's Keeper~

"She's a clever girl. She gave me a piece of her mind earlier today. I would have kill others for less. I care about her survival because MayBeth would kill me if she were to die. I smell war in the air. And with every war, there is the innocent victim who could have been spared if they had just walked away. Please, convince her to walk away from New Orleans." Klaus says. Kieran nods slightly. "Or I'll be forced to compel her to go." Klaus leaves.

ELIJAH'S MEMORY

Celeste is sitting in a bathtub, Elijah enters the room. Celeste throws the sponge to Elijah who catches it. Celeste giggles. "Assistance, please, good sir." Celeste says. "No, I'm much happier taking in such a wondrous view. It's perfection." Elijah says. "Your brother is again up to no good. He's challenging the gentry to duels as though they have any chance of a fair fight." Celeste says. "I do grow weary of sacrificing my joy to temper my brother's mischief. Surely, you can cast a spell to put him in his place." Elijah states. "It would take a hundred witches to put him in his place. Besides, he only ever listens to you." Celeste says. "Yes. He certainly needs a little discipline. Spanking of some kind is in order. I think I shall need some rehearsal. Come." Elijah says. They kiss.

PRESENT DAY

Elijah shivers and groans in pain. "Maybeth, please. This fever. My mind is flooded with these torturous memories. You have to leave." Elijah says. "What is your deal? You don't like people taking care of you? Lijah, I've been alive for the same amount of years as you, Your memories don't phase me." MayBeth says. "There are consequences for those that care. I will not have you pay that price." Elijah says. "So you're having weird retro sex dreams? Get over it Lijah, I'm staying." MayBeth states. "What about our visitor? What does she want?" Elijah says. "I'm guessing she's the one that left the mystery Bible on the doorstep last night. Would be nice if she'd stick around long enough to tell me why." MayBeth says, upset. "Beth, you came here to gather an information about your family, not to play nursemaid to a vampire with a temperature. Please, find her. Learn what you can." Elijah says. "No, Elijah, I'm staying."

.o0o.

Klaus enters Marcel's Yard. "Klaus." Marcel says. "You've been avoiding my calls." Klaus says. "Little pissed off lately." Marcel shows the dagger. "Sorry, but I can't do that." Marcel says. "Apologies for my behavior can come later. You have something of mine. I want it back." He stretches out a hand with the dagger in it towards Klaus. Rebekah appears and takes the dagger. "What is this?" Klaus continues. "Apologies for your behavior? You don't apologize, Nik. You just act. I've had enough. We have had enough." Rebekah says. "Look at you. Finally in possession of the one thing that can take you down. How does it feel?" Klaus asks. "Great." Rebekah says. Marcel whistles. Some vampires appear. "So this is it? The evil bastard Klaus has gone too far. Must be punished. And by his own sibling, nonetheless. How positively biblical. And you, Marcel, is this-" He points at the vampires. "-your idea of a hit? I taught you better than this poultry excuse for a take down. Do you think you can subdue me - with this!?" Klaus says. "No. But I think I can with this." Marcel whistles again. More vampires appear.

.o0o.

Elijah is breathing loudly. Maybeth sits on the bed with her hand on his forehead. "Celeste. Forgive me. I'm sorry." He says.

ELIJAH'S MEMORY

Klaus and another man are standing back to back while MayBeth is standing off to the side, Both men have revolvers in their hands. Klaus then gives orders in French. They start to walk away from each other. Klaus counts down. "Huit, sept, six, cinq, quatre, trois, deux." Klaus says. They turn around and shoot. Klaus remains unharmed, while the man falls down with a head shot. "Is that it? Is this the best New Orleans has to offer?" He continues. Another man drags the corpse to a pile of other dead persons. Elijah appears. "Brother! Please, this is high folly. Is it not enough, you have slaughtered dozens in just these past several weeks? Word of a city littered with bodies will surely travel the oceans. Do you want to bring our father upon us?" Elijah asks. "Relax, brother. I've sent rumor that the bodies are result of the witches seeking blood sacrifice for their rituals." Klaus says as he wraps his arms around MayBeth. "You did what? Have you forgotten? Celeste is one of those that you recklessly point your finger at?" Elijah says. "Who's Celeste?" Klaus asks. MayBeth elbows im while Elijah gives Klaus a meaningful look. "Oh, yes! The witch you've been knocking around with. Well, fear not. Harlots are like rats in the quarter. You trip over one every step you take."Klaus says. MayBeth moves out of the way just in time for Elijah to take a revolver and shoot at Klaus, who groans with pain. "You care about her. Well, that is unfortunate. I hear they're rounding up the towns witches as we speak." Klaus says.

PRESENT DAY

Elijah startles up scared. He screams loudly, MayBeth seems worried. "Lijah?" MayBeth asks. Elijah hallucinates. He doesn't realize he's hurting MayBeth. "Niklaus! I'll kill you, you bastard." Elijah says. "Elijah?" MayBeth says, scared. Elijah jumps up and put his hand around Maybeth's neck. Maybeth starts fighting for air. Suddenly someone stabs Elijah in the back. It's the werewolf Eve. MayBeth gaspingly. "Hello to you too." She says.

.o0o.

Klaus stands in the middle of Marcel's vampires. "Let's end this charade, shall we? Vampires of New Orleans! Do recall that I am an Original. A hybrid. I cannot be killed. Eternity is an awfully long time. How long, do you think, Marcel will stay in power? What if one of you lot were to release me, knowing I will be eternally in your debt? Oh, I would pity those of you who dared to cross me. I can assure you, your ends would be spectacular. To borrow a trick from an old friend." He stretches out a hand with a coin in it. "Whoever picks up... this coin... gets to live." He drops the coin. "Now which of you magnificent bastards wants to join me?" Klaus finishes. "Anyone wants that coin, pledge allegiance to Klaus. Take it now. Go ahead. The choice is yours." Marcel says. No one moves, except Klaus who is slightly astonished that no one picks up the coin. Marcel looks at him, proud of the loyalty his minions show. "Take him." Marcel says. Some vampires try to take down Klaus, but he kills them easily. Klaus stretches out both hands. Some vampires try to chain him, but he is still stronger than all his attackers. They finally manage to take him down - but not for long. When he raises his head again, his golden hybrid eyes can be seen. He is growling deeply. Rebekah is paralyzed by disbelief. Klaus rises again and continues killing vampires. "Marcel! Come and finish this! Marcel is up to run to Klaus, but Rebekah holds him back. "No! Take the coin!" Rebekah states. "What?" Marcel asks, confused. "He won't stop until everyone is dead. And he will kill you too. End this. Pick up the coin!" Rebekah says. "Enough!" Marcel yells. Suddenly the room falls absolutely silent. Marcel takes the coin. "Well, well, well. The great Marcel, self-proclaimed king of New Orleans, bowing before me." Klaus says. Marcel throws away the coin in Klaus' direction. "There. I hereby pledge my allegiance to you. You have the keys to my kingdom. It's yours." Marcel says. Klaus smiles.