A Fitting Home/Selene's coven (continued)

[Selene]

Selene smiled as the man's blackened corpse hit the marble floor, all the while thinking of the pain and torment she would rain down upon her former friends and legendary foes alike. She clapped her hands as Isabella finished her first test as a member of the coven. "You are an excellent addition to this coven, Isabella, and when the time for your vengence arrives, your traitorous husband will not know what hit him!"

As she motioned for Isabella to come near her newly-created throne, Selene's smile turned to a scowl once more. Someone was pushing his way to the front of the room. Emil Desmarais had vanished for a time, and that left Selene most unhappy. "Emil, if you do not want Isabella to do to you what she did to that man, you had best have good news! My foray into the Hellfire Mansion did not give me what I needed!"

"That was because another ancient sorceress was there, my queen," Emil said as he bowed to Selene. "Morgan Le Fay used the party to bring her daughter with Victor von Doom back to her side. I will bring you more information as quickly as possible."

"The Avalonian harpy is back? Good, perhaps she can be useful in my quest--as a distraction to keep certain members of the X-Men out of my way," Selene hissed as she looked toward Isabella. "Come, dear, and sit by my side," she said as smaller chair appeared near her throne. "Do you know much of the stories of King Arthur and his sister Morgan Le Fay, Isabella?"

[Isabella Dragotti]

Isabella smiled at the black corpse. Her ex-spouse was going to suffer a similar or worse fate. She wasn't quite sure which yet. The revived woman turned to Selene prior to a nasty smile.

''Thank you for the compliment, my mistress. I'm still trying to decide what to do with my ex-spouse after our paths cross.'' Isabella walked to Selene's throne before she noticed a man. Her body tensed in case he turned out to be a nasty trespasser. She relaxed after she heard what he had to say. She approached the smaller chair until she sat near Selene.

''Wasn't King Arthur the one who pulled a sword from a stone? As for Morgan Le Fay, I have no idea who she is.'' Isabella started to shrug.  

[Selene]

"That is correct, Isabella," Selene said as she thought of the stories of Arthur Pendragon. "His sister Morgan is a very powerful witch, and she has been a thorn in the side of the Avengers and the X-Men for many years. She has never been a friend of my coven, but her appearance might be a boon to us. If the heroes are busy running after her, we can go about the business of bringing this coven to greater prominence in the world. We will build our own army and take out our enemies with extreme prejudice."

Selene smiled as she thought of the whole of the Hellfire Club kneeling before her and cowering as she decided which soul to sup on before Isabella turned their withered corpses to ash. "Morgan had her demon horde with her, didn't she?" she asked Emil as the man nodded in reply. "And the X-Men were there as well?"

"Yes, my queen," Emil said as he snapped his fingers and watched as a young woman was pushed forward in the crowd. "I will show you!" Emil then placed his hands on the sides of the young woman's head and used her memories as a macabre sort of video for his queen and her coven to see. "That insipid pirate was with the X-Men," he said as he showed Jack Sparrow and his companions. "I have no idea who the man is with him, but the older woman is his housekeeper. The housekeeper and the man left as the demons arrived. The Barbadoan witch Tia Dalma was there as well."

[Isabella Dragotti]

''A powerful witch? Is she as powerful as you, Mistress Selene?'' Isabella muttered. She tilted her head in curiosity after a woman was moved forward. She saw a ''video'' after Emil touched sides of the woman's head.

Isabella gasped after she recognized the man in the ''video.'' Her eyes became wide before she stood and trembled. She recognized the man's long black hair and usual three-piece suit. She remembered him kissing her and setting her aflame. Tears streamed down her face after the memory ended. Her bottom lip trembled.

''That is Craig Dragotti! My spouse! The man responsible for my death. I recognize his long coat and hair. I never forgot about his face. Yet I don't recall him battering me or yelling.''

Isabella began to sob. ''My ex-spouse probably doesn't remember me now. He most likely enjoyed beating me. He used his pyrokinesis to end my life after he got sick of me.'' Isabella faced her mistress. ''Tell me. What else did Craig Dragotti do to me? How did he hurt me?'' she sobbed.

 

[Selene]

Selene put thoughts of Morgan Le Fay to the side for a moment after the "video" played from the young woman's mind. "That pathetic creature was your husband? You poor child," Selene said as she brushed her hand on Isabella's cheek. "He used you for his own pleasure before permanently tossing you aside in the most final manner possible!"

Selene, a master of manipulation, focused on Isabella's feelings as if she were playing a concerto. She knew exactly where to pause and where to push to turn the tide in the way she wished. If the coven was going to win this coming war, she would need the strongest combatants in her corner.

"Men of power like that should burn in hell, and we will make sure he does! He may have professed love for you once, but his actions that caused your death show another side of him entirely! You will have your vengeance, Isabella!"

"And as for this...woman?" Emil asked as the young woman from the Hellfire Club fainted at his feet.

"Help Isabella search her mind for more on that rat who killed her," Selene said as she looked at Emil. "Isabella, once you have any information you need, feel free to feed your power by taking her life."



  

[Isabella Dragotti]

Isabella nodded and sobbed at the same time. ''I was married to Craig for many years.'' She didn't seem to mind Selene brushing her hand against her cheek. She turned to the woman and scowled. ''I'll imagine this creature is my ex-spouse. I'm not sure where to find him exactly.''

[Emil Desmarais]

Emil fairly dragged the fainted woman to her feet and propped her in a chair so Isabella could have better access to her. "She likely only saw him at that party, but there might be clues to where he has gone. If he was with that stupid pirate, he could be anywhere!"

"Why do you hate that Sparrow person?" Selene asked as Emil rolled his eyes and looked very upset.

"He stole something of great value from me once, and he will pay for it with his life," Emil said as he turned back to the task at hand. "Isabella, I will act as the conduit for this memory retrieval. Place your hand upon mine, and we can begin."

[Isabella Dragotti]

Isabella began to wonder if Craig flirted with the woman or perhaps vice versa. A small smile formed on her face. ''We desire revenge. That is one thing we have in common. Perhaps being associated with Mistress Selene is yet another thing we have in common. We could be able to get along, Emil.''

After nodding, Isabella placed her hand over Emil's hand. Memories returned to her. Painful memories.

Isabella ''saw'' a mental image of Mr. Dragotti scowling at her. She could not quite remember why. The Isabella in the memory fell back after the man she loved struck her across the face with where his knuckles were.

Another memory consisted of Mr. Dragotti yelling at Isabella and hitting her multiple times. The next flashback was of him throwing her into their chamber. The third memory featured Mr. Dragotti kissing his wife's wet face after he struck her repeatedly.   

[Selene]

Selene watched as Emil helped Isabella pull memories from the woman, but she had a feeling, from the look on Emil's face, that Isabella's own memories were coming out as well.

"What are you seeing?" Selene asked as Emil kept contact between Isabella and the woman. "Tell me, Emil!"

"Isabella should be the one to tell you her own memories, but I saw something else in this woman's mind. You may not wish to end her life just yet. She works for Shaw and Priest and those other insipid idiots that have run Hellfire into the dirt. If you wish revenge, her memories have the means to exact a very specific toll on that rabble. Morgan Le Fay's arrival opened a portal, a rip in time and space. If you wish, we can go back and undo many a wrong that has been done to us. Untold riches. Lives untouched by those who hate us. Ultimate victory and ascension to godhood for the one who deserves our praise, Mistress Selene. It is all there..."

A wicked smile formed on Selene's face. "Nova Roma will live once more! And we will rule this world with an iron fist!"

Selene watched as Emil looked at Isabella and smiled. Selene knew he had a thing for attractive women, but she hoped he was going to behave himself at this time. "Before you tell me more of what you saw, Emil, Isabella, can we help you find that bastard who killed you from what you saw? We can snuff him out in the blink of an eye, or we can take what is his and make it yours. The options are only limited by our hatred and our imagination!" 

[Isabella Dragotti]

Isabella lifted her hand until she stumbled back. Tears ran down her face again as her eyes increased in size. She took one deep breath after another. Isabella's bottom lip shook another time. She focused on Selene. She paused before she revealed her painful flashbacks. 

''My memories consisted of Craig hitting me repeatedly. He also threw me into our bedroom at one point. I don't wish to reveal the details of THAT memory. Craig would always yell at me for no reason. At one point, he kissed my wet face after he struck me multiple times. Thank goodness I didn't see the memory of his fiery kiss killing me.''

Isabella's body shook from the recent experience. ''My apologies for being so emotional, Mistress Selene and Emil.'' She frowned at Selene. ''Take what is Craig's and make it mine? Take what exactly?'' Isabella wished to know. Her body shook with every sudden sob.

''Craig Dragotti should suffer slowly and painfully. In other words, I won't let him die a quick and painless death at all. I won't just hit him like he used to batter me. Craig did wish to get out of our marriage. My death was evidence. I never protected myself whenever he struck me. Hopefully Craig Dragotti won't be able to defend himself after I come across him. I would love to kiss Craig's wet face after he sobs uncontrollably.''

A cruel smile formed on Isabella's face. ''Imagine my ex-spouse's expression after he sees me. Craig will sob and sob after I harm him. I'll remove everything from that ex-spouse of mine.''

Isabella continued to concentrate on Selene. ''Any other ideas about how Craig Dragotti should suffer?'' Fire formed around her body for a few seconds. It was as though Isabella's physical rage was unleashed. Isabella made sure not to harm Selene, Emil, and the woman. ''Sorry about that sudden display of rage.''

  

[Selene]

Selene was amazed by Isabella's transformation, and she was extremely pleased by it as well.  This woman was going to be a very key player as the coven's plans took shape. Selene needed strong souls around her as she marched toward her own ascension. The world that would be left in her wake would need stewards of steel to keep the rabble at arm's length, and that rabble would include the X-Men and their ilk.

"I am sorry for what that low life you were married to did to you," Selene said as she tried to cast a calming glance toward Isabella. "He will suffer as slow and agonizing a death as you wish, and whatever he cherished, whatever he owned, would be your reward, as is your due, Isabella. He robbed you of your life, and now is the time to rob him of his."

"Mistress, Isabella," Emil said as the woman he had been channeling fell to the floor unconscious, "I will take this one to a holding chamber and see if, at a later point, I can find any more pertinent memories that can help you. Perhaps, if I may be so bold, it would help if Isabella could talk with you, Mistress, about her soon-to-be-late husband's business? Where he worked? Who his associates were at the time of her...passing...."

"You mean her murder," Selene said as she moved toward Isabella. "She was a victim, as your first wife was ages ago, Emil, when she died at the stake in that dreadful little village in Europe. The truly magnificent are often the first to fall at the hands of maniacs. But we will right that wrong going forward. Won't we, Isabella?"   

 

[Isabella Dragotti]

Isabella frowned at Selene. ''I wished for my marriage to be flawless. It was never meant to be.'' Her shoulders slumped for a few moments. That was when a cruel smile formed on her face. ''Craig will indeed suffer slowly and painfully after our paths cross.''

Isabella turned to Emil after he addressed her. ''My ex-spouse's business? His associates? I have no idea. Craig Dragotti was always with me while we were married.'' Tears began to form in her eyes again as soon as her murder was mentioned.

''Your wife died at the stake, Emil?'' There was sympathy in Isabella's eyes. Perhaps she did have something in common with Emil. Isabella and another woman died via fire. She turned to Selene. ''Yes. I will be avenged.''

Isabella started to scowl. ''I have no idea where that rat of a spouse is. How am I able to torment Craig Dragotti if I am unable to locate him?''

[Selene]

"We will find him," Selene said with a slight smirk as she looked at the unconscious woman that Emil was holding in his arms. Selene snapped her fingers, and a tall, burly man stepped forward. "Emil, let our acolyte take her to the cells below the mansion, and you can tell Isabella about your first wife. And Isabella, we will find Craig Dragotti. If he is with the X-Men, he will come to ground eventually. An event can be staged to draw them out when needed. You will need time to hone your powers as we formulate our plan. If he is with the X-Men, they tend to move in packs, like rabid dogs. We should not underestimate them."

Emil looked at Selene as the coven member took the woman away to the holding cells. He then looked back at Isabella. "My wife was a midwife, and unfortunately, when we were young, midwives were often blamed for the deaths of stillborn infants. I am several hundred years old, Isabella, and the Europe of my youth was a hotbed of hatred for anything people did not understand. Those who did not understand that my wife used her gifts to heal put her to death at the stake. I have been married since then, but I will never be able to push that memory from my mind.  Dorottya was her name, and she will always live on in my heart."

[Isabella Dragotti]

Isabella gasped as her eyes widened at the sight of a tall, burly man stepping forward. She certainly never viewed him at first. ''Sorry. You startled me,'' she said to the man.

Isabella faced Selene again before she nodded. ''Craig Dragotti should be easy to find. His long hair and three-piece suits always reveal who he is.'' She seemed thoughtful. ''If we find the X-Men, I'll battle my ex-spouse first. You can battle the other X-Men, my mistress.''

Isabella shrugged and frowned. ''For all I know, Craig could have short hair. Maybe he is wearing a T-shirt and boxers now. He always wore those to bed while we were married.'' A sudden sheepish expression formed on her face. ''Too much information about Craig, my mistress?''

After hearing Emil's tale about his wife, Isabella looked sympathetic. ''You poor man. Your wife perished and you remember her centuries later. At least she will be with you in spirit.'' 

[Michael Priest]

There was a murmur among the coven members that were the closest to the front doors of the mansion, and soon there was a choking sound sweeping through the less powerful members of the group. They suddenly moved backward as a tall, well-kept man in a three piece suit made his way to Selene's throne, clapping as he took every step. "It's nice to see that you've made yourself at home here, oh queen of Nova Roma," he said as he bowed to Selene and those around her.

"Tell me why I shouldn't kill you where you stand, Michael Priest!"  Selene shrieked as she looked toward Emil and Isabella.

"Because I am not the one you want to send to the hereafter. I know Shaw is, and I am betting that several members of the X-Men are on your list as well, especially the White Queen," Priest said as he watched Selene and her cohorts carefully. "For those of you who do not know, my name is Michael Priest, and I am the Gray King of the Hellfire Club."

"And you were going to help that wretched fool Shaw lock me in another prison!" Selene bellowed as Priest stepped back, all the while watching those around him. 

"Perhaps I was playing Shaw, just as you did so many years ago, Selene," Priest said as he smiled at Isabella. "And before you have anyone try to take me out, I'd think about what having me as an ally would mean for all of you."

Emil glared at Priest as he moved closer to Isabella. "I will not let him hurt you or Mistress Selene," Emil said as he seemingly pulled a walking stick out of thin air. The hilt was a golden dragon's claw holding a ruby. "And your comments about your husband will not phase our mistress. I am sure she will have her hands full with other threats, and you can dispatch you wicked ex-husband with extreme prejudice."

"Oh, this is a lovely place to house your coven, Selene, but I would warn you the oldest vampires are back in town. The ones who would love nothing more than to slit all our throats and drain us dry. Wasn't it that fool Klaus who had that tedious saying about the only good witch being a dead one?"  Michael said as he looked back at Emil. "Put that away. The entrance was for show. I can't kill you any more than you can kill me, and you all know that. We are all too valuable to each other. We all want to see the X-Men and their associates fall. They have that lunatic pirate with them now, and I think he has a male lover. Some fop in a suit and long hair."



 

[Isabella Dragotti]

Isabella became tense at the sight of a very unfamiliar man. She moved to the front of Selene. ''I'll protect you, my mistress,'' she said. Isabella turned to Selene after the latter revealed who the man was. ''Michael Priest?'' she muttered under her breath. She glanced from Selene to Michael.

''When did Michael Priest lock you in prison, Mistress Selene?'' Isabella's eyes became wide at the sight of Emil pulling a walking stick out of thin air. What else was the man able to conjure? ''Dispatch my wicked ex-husband with extreme prejudice? Not a bad idea.'' She started to grin.

Isabella gasped after a fop in a suit and long hair. She focused on Michael. ''A fop in a suit and long hair? That is Craig Dragotti. He is my ex-spouse,'' Isabella said. She took a few steps to where Michael was. ''You saw my ex-spouse? What did he do?''   

[Michael Priest]

"No, I did not lock Selene in any prison. Sebastian Shaw did," Michael said as he looked at Isabella. "He wished to do it again, or at the very least to keep you away from the ley lines around the Hellfire Mansion. Morgan Le Fay pulled that play out of your book of tricks, and she soaked up the magic energy like a sponge. Hellfire Mansion is going to need to be transfused, but not by my son!"

"The scrawny one with the glasses?" Selene said as she walked down from her throne. "This is Isabella Dragotti. I suggest you tell her all you know about the fop in the suit, as you called the man. Was he really that insipid Sparrow's lover? That pirate doesn't bathe, and he is a bit of a twit."

"The man was in a very stylish evening suit..." Michael started to say and then snapped his fingers. "Yes. My daughter sent me a video from the party," he said as he pulled out his phone and showed Isabella video footage of Craig, Jack Sparrow and Mrs. Brown at the party. "This man is your husband? I mean ex-husband."

[Isabella Dragotti]

''Sebastian Shaw imprisoned Selene?'' Isabella muttered as she tilted her head to one side in confusion. She looked from Selene to Michael again. A sheepish look materialized on her face. Isabella concentrated on Michael. ''Forgive me for misunderstanding.'' She tilted her head again. ''Son, Michael?'' she muttered.

Isabella shook her head in disbelief at the thought of her ex falling in love with Jack Sparrow. Why would her well-dressed ex wish to be with a very untidy pirate such as Jack? At least she assumed Jack wasn't tidy based on Selene's words.

Isabella gasped after she saw video footage of her ex-spouse. She nodded. ''Yes. Craig was my ex-spouse. His kiss caused me to burn alive. Mistress Selene was kind enough to revive me. I wish to cause my ex to suffer slowly and painfully.'' 

[Michael Priest]

It was starting to dawn on Michael Priest that this tableau in the heart of the bayou was likely a powder keg in disguise, but he was going to make the best of it.

"No apology is necessary," Michael said to Isabella as he thought back to Shaw and his machinations of late. "And Morgan Le Fay hurt my son Finn. Le Fay is trying to turn him into some sort of demon to aid in her quest for power. I was hoping, perhaps, that we can strike some sort of alliance, Selene. I know how much you hate Shaw, and I am no fan of that bloody fool Le Fay. And if we can knock the X-Men down a bit, so much the better."

Priest looked at Selene and knew she would likely jump at the chance to be the Black Queen once more. It was that insipid Desmarais who was going to be the problem. He was always grasping for things that were just beyond his reach. Maybe Selene would temper his avarice a bit.

"I propose a deal," Michael said as he smiled at Selene and then Isabella. "I can help you get closer to the X-Men and their allies so you can exact your revenge, Isabella. Selene, you will be restored to your rightful place as Black Queen, and you can give any ranked Hellfire positions you see fit to your companions. We will take down Shaw, and then we can use our combined wealth and power to rid the world of Le Fay, her newly rejuvenated daughter and their bodyguard."

"And? What is in it for you, Michael?" Selene asked as she shifted positions on her throne.

"I get to save my son. He should not have to walk the pits of Hell because of some centuries old debt that woman thinks she is owed by the Clan MacFeorais," Michael replied as he looked once again to Isabella and smiled. "I hope you all will consider my offer."

[Isabella Dragotti]

Curiosity was currently the reason why Isabella's eyes were wide. ''A demon?'' she muttered. She concentrated on Michael. ''How exactly are you able to aid us? Suppose you betray us? Then again, you are desperate to prevent your son from turning into a demon.''

[Selene]

"Michael is a serial betrayal artist, but then again, the same could be said for me or for Emil," Selene said to Isabella as she got up from her throne. "But alliances cannot be sidestepped at times. Aside from his own children and that nephew who fought the demons at the party..."

"Reid," Michael asked as he crossed his arms, "is not your concern. I sent him to one of my holdings in Fiji with his girlfriend. And if you go near Spencer, the Bianchis will skin you alive."

"Her mother is a viper, that I remember well," Selene said as she walked toward Michael with the slightest hint of a grin on her face. "So, the Black Court is mine once we are rid of Shaw? You save your son from that insipid Avalonian lunatic, and Isabella gets to right what has been done to her. I think we can live with this deal, but I have one further condition."

"And that is?" Michael asked as Selene crossed to Emil and placed a hand upon his shoulder.

"You help us take this city back from the vampires and werewolves that have made it hell to be a witch, Michael, and return it to the Desmarais family. Emil's brother was considered the King of the Crescent in the past, may his soul rest in peace, but the Mikelson vampires and their offspring have put witches into very precarious situations."

"What about their crazy aunt who tried to kill you centuries ago, Emil? Dahlia? Is she still alive?" Michael asked Desmarais, but the man shrugged to signify he had no clue about her.

"Isabella, we can let those two talk for a moment," Selene said as she pulled the woman aside. "Have you ever come across vampires or werewolves in your past? Your powers would come in very handy for dealing with them."

[Isabella Dragotti]

Isabella scowled after Michael's threat about the Bianchis. ''I'll protect Mistress Selene from the Bianchis,'' she said to Michael. Fire formed on the palm of her hand. It seemed to ''dance'' uncontrollably for what seemed like long minutes. It disappeared after a few moments. Her eyes were filled with worry as Selene approached Michael.

Isabella eventually faced Selene. She shook her head after the latter's question. ''I never came across werewolves or vampires. Werewolves are vulnerable to fire?'' she muttered.

A grin formed on Isabella's face. ''I can attack vampires and my ex-spouse. I wish to capture my ex-spouse and torment him until he cries for his mother.'' Her grin stretched at a snail's pace. 

[Selene]

"Vampires immolate very easily in sunlight, and they are not immune to fire, so your powers would be most welcome," Selene said with a smile as she spoke to Isabella. "Were-creatures can be hurt by fire as well, and it can keep them at a decent distance in a fight."

Emil suddenly became agitated as he looked at Selene. "I have a daughter who is a hybrid. Elodie. I do not want her harmed."

"A vampire-werewolf crossbreed? With mystic blood as well? Fascinating," Selene commented as she looked from Emil to Isabella. "Of course we will not harm your child. Perhaps she will be one of the keys to winning this fight? As long as she means no harm to any of us..."

"We can make sure she is not in the area, if you wish," Michael said as he looked at Emil. "But how did she become a crossbreed?"

"It was part of a plan to take back the city, and it failed. I wish to say no more on the topic now," Emil replied as he looked away from everyone. "I do not wish to dwell on my failures."

"I know a way to get your husband here, or at least I think I do," Selene said to Isabella as she stopped for a moment and then started to laugh. "The X-Men have vampires in their number. I am sure we can get a team sent here with the right incentive, and that twit Sparrow has interests in this area, so he and your deceitful spouse would be among their number. Would that please you, Isabella?"

[Isabella Dragotti]

''In other words, I'll be useful if we battle vampires and werewolves,'' Isabella muttered. She saw her palm before fire emerged from it again. It wasn't a burst of fire, but one part of it. The fire vanished during Isabella's grin.

Isabella faced Emil before a frown replaced her grin. ''Elodie will be safe. My ex-spouse will not be safe,'' she said. Isabella turned to Selene prior to another grin. ''Interesting idea, my mistress. What kind of incentive?''

[Selene]

"There are factions in the mystic world," Selene said as she crossed to one of the windows that looked out onto the gardens surrounding the plantation house. "In New Orleans, more than any other place, there is in-fighting among the species. Werewolf versus vampire, vampire versus witch."

"Are you planning to breech the accords?" Michael asked as Selene started to laugh. 

"As if you give a rat's ass about the accords between the mystic races," she said as she continued to chuckle. "Michael, if it gets you what you want, you'd sell everyone down the River Styx. And I am not going to break the accords. I might strain them a bit, but I do not want that lunatic Melkir getting in my business."

"Our business," Michael said as he kept watch on Selene, "and I take it we're going into the city to help spring this trap?"

"We are going first to get information, and then we can work on our plan. Isabella, do you like to dance?" the would-be goddess asked as she turned back from the window. "If not, it does not matter. But we are going into the French Quarter, to a club run by a vampire who thinks he is one of the kings of the city. He is a friend of the X-Man named Gambit. His club might be a good place to start our planning."