“Why not make today the day? I do not like them. Not at all. I do not particularly care for how powerful they believe themselves to be because, honestly, people are only ever as powerful as others allow them to become.” Her tone remained calm, almost conversational, which somehow made the things she was suggesting sound even more unsettling. “They are rather easy to take action against if one possesses the ability to see the bigger picture.” A faint tilt of her head followed. “I once voiced this idea before, dagger them all and place them somewhere no one could ever realistically reach. Now, you might ask, ‘what about the almighty hybrid?’ A small smile touched her lips. “Well, Medina’s beloved sire already provided the answer to that one. A different creature requires a different dagger. As for their witch sister, one could simply follow the route that Malachai Parker once did. The entire Sleeping Beauty concept.” She waved a hand lazily. “And the precious little daughter? Red oak ash, paired with an equally special dagger.” Her gaze drifted briefly elsewhere.
“Besides, resurrection does not need to apply solely to beings of flesh. The same principles could be applied to plants, trees… whatever one desires, assuming the mind behind it is creative enough.” The frightening thing was how rationally she said all of it.
“Of course,” Venera continued, “I only ever entertained these ideas because of the deeply rooted fear and grief I observed within your dear sister from another mister and mistress.” A soft sigh escaped her. “It pained me knowing she spent years running from boogeymen who barely even acknowledged her existence. It pained me even more realizing how many vampires live that way.” Her eyes narrowed faintly. “I find it utterly absurd.”
Another pause followed before she continued.
“And then there was the entire spectacle in New Orleans, indirectly caused by one of their own family members.” She shook her head slightly. “It makes me wonder why nobody ever truly possesses the resolve to do what is necessary. If I can think of these things, surely others can as well.” Her tone softened again afterward.
“Though I cannot fight the battles of others. And so long as the Mikaelsons do not directly threaten me or my sisters, I have little interest in involving myself. Regardless, when it comes to the Trinity… I did always find the concept of Tristan drowning over and over again rather disturbing. Why go through all of that effort? And more curiously…” Her eyes flickered back toward Floribeth. “Why did the Mikaelsons not carry that same wrath when members of their own family died?” A sharp little smile appeared then.
“They certainly did not display that level of devastation when two of their brothers met their end. Of course, always and forever never truly seemed to apply to all of them equally. We both know that.” Then came a softer chuckle.
“At least within my coven, even when you are not bound by blood, you are still family.” There was something oddly sincere in her tone then. “And rest assured, if one of my sisters were to fall at someone else’s hands, we would move the universe itself to avenge her... I find that rather ironic somehow.”
Then, finally, her expression lightened again.
“Still,” she mused, “it is good to know the entire closer to the source equals greater strength theory is little more than myth.” A faint smile returned. “Though perhaps it truly is simply an age thing. Or luck. Or perhaps merely something I am not meant to fully understand.”
“I am quite certain vampires possess souls,” she replied softly. “If they lacked souls entirely, they would not cross over anywhere after death. They would simply vanish.” A slight tilt of her head followed. “But we both know that is not the case. Everyone possesses a soul. A human turned vampire still carries one.” Her gaze drifted briefly elsewhere, thoughtful. “Souls that dream of promised lands. Of an afterlife that may finally grant peace…” A faint pause lingered. “Assuming, of course, that one is worthy of crossing over at all.” Then came Floribeth’s question regarding her intentions.
Venera smiled faintly at that.
“Beautifying the world?” A soft laugh escaped her. “Honestly, that would be a rather hopeless cause.” Though despite the humor, what followed sounded startlingly sincere. “My intentions are to protect those left to fend for themselves. To offer shelter to those who need it. To provide guidance, sisterhood, safety, love.” She spoke calmly, confidently. “To ensure that every girl has a seat at the grand table. To make certain our voices are heard. I am deeply passionate about my craft, and I wish to share it with others. To help them see the beauty already living within them.” Her eyes softened slightly. “To protect witchkind from those who seek to suppress or destroy it. Together, we are infinitely stronger. Even when society seems desperate to pit women against one another, I refuse to indulge in it.” Her tone sharpened faintly there. “My sisters come first. We are one another’s strength, not competition. Some would call it a glorified sorority mentality,” she admitted with amusement. “But that is not truly what this is.” Her fingers brushed lightly against Floribeth’s hand as they walked. “I simply wish to spread the word and vision of Aphrodite. And my coven is not composed solely of witches. Humans without power, women abandoned by circumstance, those simply lost in life… they find homes within my temple as well.” Her gaze slid briefly toward Floribeth again.
“I am not the crazed cult leader some people insist upon imagining.” A soft chuckle followed. “I am merely passionate. Devoted.” A pause. “And devotion is not a sin. If anything, it is something admirable. Most people spend their lives wandering without guidance.” And strangely enough, for a moment, there was something almost innocent in the way she said it.
Then Floribeth teased her again about finding willing company.
“Oh, I can find many people.” Her eyes gleamed knowingly. “The true question is whether I consider them worthy of my time. But since your desires are now my command, I will happily show you the temple.” A faint smile curved her lips. “Though I cannot promise Adriana will be equally delighted by your presence. She has… rather strong opinions regarding vampires.” Her tone remained light, though not dismissive. “Which, truthfully, I cannot entirely blame her for. She lost her sister to one.” Another slight shrug. “So perhaps she is a touch biased. Fortunately for you, she is merely second in command. I am still the first lady here.”
As she spoke, Venera carefully took Floribeth’s hand again. The gesture itself remained gentle, elegant even, but there was something deeply unsettling beneath it, as though the act carried meaning beyond simple contact.
“Taking immortals into the temple is considered taboo,” she admitted quietly. “Yet I believe allies found in unusual places are often the most valuable.” Her thumb brushed lightly across Floribeth’s hand. “Besides… witches are the reason vampires exist in the first place. So I fail to see the issue. Vampires cannot normally enter the temple due to the barrier spell surrounding it. Only those granted permission by a member of the Inner Circle may cross the threshold without consequence.”
