Chapter Text
Hayley lifted her head from her book as some tourists walked into the charm store. Once she knew they weren’t going to steal or buy anything, she went back to her book.
“You know, you should be paying attention to my store not being nose deep in words. I don’t pay you for nothing.” Aurora Jameson slipped the book from Hayley’s fingers. Hayley let slip a smile with a roll of her eyes. “Call of the wild? Is there something you want to tell me?”
“Yes, I have a book report due for my online english class in four weeks and I wanted to get a head start.” Hayley took the book back. “And you don’t pay me remember.”
“Ah, yes, you help me out at the shop and I only feed, cloth, and give you my undenying love only a mother can give you.” Hayley gave a soft laugh as Aurora smiled. She handed the book back, patting her head. “You grew up good kid. Now put a bookmark in it, and help me put the new shipment of candles out.” Aurora heard the bell once more as the group of tourists finally left.
Hayley placed the book down, her nose catching their smell before seeing them. Two daywalkers caught the door before it could close, letting the tourists out in a safe distance. Hayley grabbed Auroras elbow, pulling her attention to the new intruders. Aurora quickly took a step forward placing herself in between their guests and Hayley.
“Well, well, it doesn't look like business is booming today.” Marcel spoke, walking into the store. The door shut behind him, one of his minions turning the sign over to closed.
“Don’t worry, I always have money to pay you Marcel. Like I did last week.” Aurora snapped, her arms crossing over her chest. Her eyes scanning the two vampires walking around the store. “I wouldn’t touch that.” One of them hesiated over a small doll. “Vervain, nasty stuff to your kind.” the Vampire retracted his hand while her attention went back to Marcel.
“I know you did. I’m not here for that, nor your wolf.” He raised his eyebrows towards Hayley whose eyes flashed yellow. “I’m here because rumor has it, that the witches are planning something.”
“Well, can’t help you out there, I don’t know anything about what the witches in this town are up to. If you haven’t noticed, they don’t like me.”
“Rorie, please. Give me some credit. I know your not one of their favorites, but…” He held up a finger, smiling at her. “I also know that you always seem to know what’s going to happen in this town before it happens.”
“Sometimes I do, sometimes I don’t. It’s whatever the fates allow me to see. So if you would please leave, I will pay you next month.” Marcel only smiled. He took a step forward, his eyes showing he was in control.
“Look, I know you're lying Aurora. I let you keep that werewolf girl around here because I understand the need to protect things.” Aurora took a step back towards Hayley, her shoulders becoming more square, while moving her backwards. “But, my mind can slip from time to time, and I wonder what would happen, if she’s out by herself one of these nights and one of my guys happen to accidently harm her.”
“Rorie.” Hayley whispered, reaching out to grab her arm.
“I honestly don’t know what those witches are up to. I can only guess. The ones that do come in only come for healing herbs that they can’t get anywhere else. Anything bigger than that, they stay clear of this shop.” Aurora’s eyes didn’t back down from his challenge. Marcel nodded, turning to his followers.
“Boys, what do witches due when they get desperate?” Marcel asked.
“They use magic.” The one by the door put out.
“But isn't magic forbidden in the french quarter?” He asked mockingly to his men.
“Yes sir.” they said in unison.
“I’ve given you free range to use magic when it comes to your little charm store. When it comes to the wolf, because I know you don’t use the same type of magic that these witches use. You’re not one of them.”
“Well how else am I supposed to pay you?” Aurora stepped forward, pulling her arm free from Hayley’s grasp.
“True. But your not exactly desperate for money like some other witches we know. But everything that happens in the French Quarter is my town, which means, it is my business.” One of the day walkers picked up a glass ball from a stan and shattered it against the ground. “And we all know that the necklaces you provided me about witch activity don’t pick up on healing spells.”
“If someone is need of help, a witch should always be able to.”
“I agreed with you, so I let that slide. But what if these spells were actually just small parts of one larger spell. And their waiting on the last thing to complete it, one final spell that would only alert us after it was all at the climax of their plan. Do you understand what I’m saying?”
“That means that when the last spell is said, the person would be the catalyst, the collateral damage. In the war.” Aurora nodded.
“A sacrifice.” Hayley chimed in, her eyes looking at the shattered glass. Marcel glanced back at the wolf hiding behind the witch.
“Smart girl.” Marcel turned to give Aurora his full attention. “But what I want to know is what are they so desperate to do, that they would sacrifice one of their own.”
“You know the deal about ancestral magic, they kill each other all the time to give more power to the ancestors so that they, in turn get more power back.” Aurora picked up a large piece of the glass ball that had come to her feet. She held it up, her eyes looking at Marcel, than at the glass. “If they would target anything, they would go straight for the head of the snake. Take off the head, and the tail would wither and die. Get rid of the king, and the kingdom becomes a free battle ground for power.” A face appeared in front of Aurora’s eyes in the reflecting glass. His evil smile, still clear as day to her. She quickly brought the glass down, placing it on the counter.
“So me.”
“You are the King of the French Quarter.” Aurora answered back, her voice soft, her vision clear. “But you’re not the Original king.” She gave him a knowing look. Marcel’s eyes narrowed, his smile gone. Shaking his head, he knew what she meant.
“No….No those witches aren’t that stupid to bring The Originals here. They want a vampire free city, not add to the body count.”
“Who else better to defeat the a King, than another king?” Aurora knew they were no longer a threat, she walked over to the door, opening it for them. Marcel nodded at the two minions to exit, he left last, standing in the street, he looked back at Aurora. She leaned against the door frame, a smile on her face. “If I were Marcel, I would get ready. It looks like the Mikaelsen's are coming back to town.”