Dragon's Keeper

Chapter 41

~Previously on Dragon's Keeper~

Sabine conducts a spell with a small doll. Three people in various locations rise from the dead, and walk until they meet one another. "Why are we here?" Genevieve asks. "Someone brought us forth. Who?" Papa Tunde "I did." Sabine says. "Sabine! What's the meaning of this?" Bastiana asked. "Bastiana, I've had to endure people calling me "Sabine" for almost a year now. I'd appreciate it if you'd call me by my real name-- Celeste." Sabine/Celeste says.

Genevieve and Celeste (in Sabine's body) stroll through the cemetery. "Oh, I remember this cemetery. Hmm. Hasn't changed a bit." Genevieve says looking around. "I've been coming here for over a century, wearing one face or another." Sabine/Celeste says.

FLASHBACK--LAFAYETTE CEMETERY, 1919

Genevieve approaches a woman kneeling in front of a tomb, praying to her ancestors. "Clara Summerlin, will you come on? We're gonna miss everything." Genevieve says. The two walks over to where a crowd of witches are standing around a bonfire, playing conga drums and watching as a witch dances around the flames. Papa Tunde walks out with an albino python around his shoulders, which he hands to his sons after clapping in order to quiet the crowd. "Told you. Every witch in the Quarter is here to see the great Papa Tunde." Genevieve says. "Witches of the French Quarter, thank you for your welcome. It is good to be among people of the faith. I, too, practice ancestral magic, honoring those who walked the path before us. From them, we draw strength. And you will need strength, for a great darkness is coming. The city your forefathers left you is now overrun by pirates, beasts, and vampires." Genevieve says. Papa Tunde takes the python from his sons and throws it into the fire, and many of the witches gasp in surprise and fear. "I practice other magic, as well. Sacrificial magic, channeling power from the lives of my offerings. I use this strength to vanquish my enemies, and I will punish your enemies for their greed. In return, you will accept my family into your coven, and me as your leader." Papa Tunde says.

FLASHBACK--A MEETING ROOM, 1919

Two men enter the room and join Elijah and a police officer at a table. "Gentlemen, make yourselves at home. Mayor O'Connell appears to be running late, but there's much to discuss, so I shall begin." Elijah says. Klaus walks down the stairs to join them. "One moment, please, brother. You know how much I enjoy these illicit, little gatherings." He says. Elijah turns to the men. "Do not be troubled. Despite my brother's reputation, I can assure you, we've invited you here to broker in peace. You have my word." He states. "And, lucky for you, my brother always keeps his word. You two are from the Guerrera crime family, a brutish pack of thieves and killers. And that's nothing compared to what you become on a full moon, is it?" Klaus says. "Yes, yes, yes. Of course, a bite from your kind is not lethal to an Original. Conflict between us would not end well for you at all. Let's state our proposal here. My brother and I control the ports of the city, but with Prohibition soon to be the law of the land, there'll be a certain uptick in the kind of federal presence we prefer to avoid. Therefore, I'd like to suggest a system whereby, under our supervision, of course, the Guerrera family can traffic alcohol into the city of New Orleans for a profit. We would still be in charge, but our rule would remain a secret." Elijah says. Papa Tunde walks into the room with his sons following behind him. "This all sounds very good, but tell me, how will it benefit the witches?" Papa Tunde says. "I am sorry. This is a private meeting." Elijah says. "Yes, for kings of the city, but I, too, am a king, and I have rules." Papa Tunde says. "I'm impressed. You're either quite ambitious or quite mad. What's your name, mate?" Klaus says. "I am Alphonse Bellatunde Delgado, Papa Tunde to my followers, and I come to ask that the witches be granted fair tribute for allowing your existence in our city." Papa Tunde says. "Are you suggesting that you speak for the french quarter witches?" Elijah says. "I do now, and I expect our future negotiations to go very smoothly. As a guarantee, I brought a gift. I await our next gathering." Papa Tunde says. A small leather case is placed on the table. Papa Tunde and his sons leave. Everyone else gathers around as Klaus lifts the lid on the trunk to reveal a head inside with a symbol carved into his forehead. "Well, I suppose we'll need a new mayor." Klaus says.