Aveeno’s Return4
“I forgot how entertaining you could be, Aveeno.” Marcel gripped the back of my neck, a broad smile on his face. He seemed amused by his conquer for my promiscuity. I had to admit, I was a tad amused, yet remaining in a state of confusion. None of his guys have come for us, well- for him. Yet, he was king of the quarter. Where were his men when we were rumbling in his un-slumbered sheets.
“Was that a compliment?” I mused. “How many times did we go? Three? Four?”
“Turn into a vampire, won’t seem so tiring.” He kissed my lips slightly.
“I’m good with my No wrinkle potion. Kept me alive and well for this long.” My lips pursed before thinking of continuing, but I do. “I have a question.” “For you, anything. The things you’ve done for me, anything.” Marcel drew closer, grabbing my jaw into his palm. “How did you do it?” The question scrambled off, I didn’t know where it came from. Not to say I didn’t want to know- of course, I wanted to know how Marcel took control of the quarter from the witches. But he seemed as though that secret was too precious to expose. I couldn’t blame him, who was I to continuously come to New Orleans expecting he will leave his city behind, or forget about his eternal first love, Rebekah. He drew back before taking a breath. His stare appeared from the covers, he stared deeply into my eyes. My palm lifted towards the ceiling, pulsated tones filled the air and a crackle gave free. “You can talk freely now.” I informed. “Remember that Harvest ritual I was telling you about, the one where they were slaughtering children?” I nodded when suitable. “Well, My guys and I stopped it.” “So the witches have no magic?” “Ah, yes. But not for long. Unfortunately, we got there late, more than half of the girls throats were cut.” “That’s horrible. The last girl, what is she doing for her coven? Does she even still practice.” His glare faced the window, I instantly grabbed for his chin. “Marcellus Gerard, you didn’t kill that girl.” “You know my rules!” He growled slightly, “Never hurt children, that was my whole purpose for going there.” “Really, I thought maybe it was for power.” “Aveeno, stop. Davina is fine. She is alive and well. You could even meet her if you like.” “Hmm. Alive and well.” I propped myself off of the bed, moving towards my clothes. "I heard Klaus Mikaelson was back in town. His presence stinks up the quarter.“ "I figured you might mention him sooner or later. Klaus is a friend, not my enemy. He saved my life from some witch the other night.” “You mean he killed her.” I pressed on. “She was out of control. In allegiance with Thierry.” “Wait, what?” I would’ve laughed if his face didn’t remain content in anguish. “Marcel, Thierry was one of your most loyal guys. You sent me countless messages about him. You’ve known him for almost seventy years.” “Yeah, the same thing I said. But I can’t deny proof.” “What proof?” “His witch had my daylight spell. Only he knew where I kept it.” “Marcellus.” “Aveeno, leave it.” I studied his facial features, the salt and pepper goatee growing wildly, his caesar was darker than usual. He was the most perfect structured caveman my eyes has ever captured.
“How come none of your guys have come for us?” I asked changing the subject. He smiled, reaching over to grab his cellphone, he exposed the screen filled with text messages. He told his guys to leave the compound for the rest of the day. What a sweetheart. “Don’t think just because you sent them away I’m going to stick around.”
“So why did you come?”
“What?”
“Why did you come?” I was struck silent, truthfully clueless where to approach the question. I knew exactly what I wanted to say, but who knew how vampires felt about relationships and emotions. Did they have any besides their own pleasure? He sure didn’t want a relationship a century ago. Within my silence, he zoomed in front of my face, the blanket fell from my grasp, our nude forms melded together. “Why did you come?”
“Because I care about you! Because I knew something was going down in the quarter… And-”
“And what?”
“I don’t want you to die Marcel. With Klaus here, with all three originals here, forever doesn’t seem so long.”
“Stop all of that talk. This is my city. I hold control of what does down.”
From his facial expression, I could tell I hit a nerve and with vampire’s anger management problems, I allowed myself to forget another argument. Instead, I took a swig of the brown liquor that was sitting on the bedside for me. He graced me with a smile. “You know, you said you would never return to this place in 1919. You’ve been back twice.”
“How’s Rebekah?” The retort came freely, I tried to intact my jealous candor, but he was pulling at some dangerous strings… My heart. His smile widened, he swiftly swiped the high baller from my grasp, giving me a peck on my lips.
“After ninety-six years, I believe I’m finally starting to figure you out.”
“As many times as you’ve walked out of my life, you can only say you’ve known me for twenty-two of those years. The others were spent-” I felt my breath cut short.
“What happened to you, Aveeno? Where have you been all this time?”
“Doesn’t matter.”
“Yeah, it does to me.”
“Marcel, you have your secrets, I have mine.”
“That’s not good enough for me.” He grabbed my forearm, taking me towards the bed.
“What are you not telling me, Aveeno?”
“When Papa Tunde came into town, what happened after?”
“Klaus killed him…” Marcel drew silent, he shook his head. “I helped.”
“He couldn’t defeat Klaus?”
“Has anyone been able to take down Klaus?”
“No. Which is why I am here.” Gathering my clothes, I moved towards his bathroom. “Take me to Davina, I would like to have a talk with her.”
