•|•

Davina, wearing a formal black dress, was being fussed over by several witches in one of the tombs. One of them was twisting her hair into a mature up-do, while others were preparing her for the event.

In front of Davina stood Isabel and Hayley, both of whom looked confused as to why they were there. Jackson only being missing so that he could watch over the kids while they were out.

Davina held two different-colored thick ribbons in her hands as she addressed the two Crescent wolves. "I have to pick one- orange or purple?" She asked.

"Did you seriously call us here to play Fashion Police?" Hayley asked incredulously.

Davina became overwhelmed by one of the witches, who was holding a round incense ball hanging from a chain so the smoke wafted toward her.

"Okay, I know this is sacred oil, but can we please not do that right now?" She asked the witches irritably. The witches quickly left Davina to conduct her business privately, and she called out to them as they leave. "Thank you." Davina turned her attention back to the Crescent sisters as she tied the orange ribbon around her throat, putting together her flight attendant look. "Sorry. Thank you for coming."

"Like we had a choice, Davina," Hayley said distastefully. "Either we do your bidding, or there's a chance you blow out that candle of yours and turn us back into wolves. So, we're pretty much your slaves."

At the sight of how overwhelmed Davina looks, Isabel gave her sister an unamused look. "Hayley, give her a tiny break. We are only doing this because we are grateful she got us back until she can find a way for us to stay permanently."

Hayley scanned Davina up and down before nodding reluctantly. "Fine. You won't hear another word out of me."

Isabel sighed at her sister before turning to Davina. "So what is it you want us to do?"

"This is my first Cadeau as Regent. Since I represent the city, the covens have to pay tribute to me, and I throw them a party. I need them to respect me, but this is the first public event since..." Davina, too guilty about her actions to continue, trailed off.

"...Since you had me kill those witches in the 9th Ward?" Isabel finished for her with a raised brow.

Davina nodded once, visibly uncomfortable. "I have a feeling it might not go so well, especially since Van Nguyen blames me for what happened to his mom. He vowed to get back at me. Actually, he said he would erase me. I mean, who even talks like that?"

"So, you want us to be your bodyguards?" The female hybrid asked.

Davina stood to her feet, and judging by her increasingly hysterical tone of voice, it was clear that her nerves are fraying from the stress of the Fête de Cadeau festivities. "Basically."

"Well, why don't you stay with Davina, and I will check out the crowd?" Hayley asked knowing her sister was more fond of the witch then herself. With the nod from Isabel, Hayley left to do just that and Davina looked at Isabel.

"So I guess you're stuck with just me kiddo." Isabel glanced down at the orange scarf and wrinkled her nose. "But, if you wear that awful orange scarf, you'll wish that I hadn't." Davina rolled her eyes playfully and reluctantly removed the blood-orange ribbon from around her throat. "Besides I think purple suits you," she said remembering her purple necklace she got for her when the Harvest girls got gifts.

≪≫•≪≫•≪≫

The witches of all nine covens gathered in front of the Lycée, each with an animal in hand to offer to Davina as Regent. Davina stood at the top of the steps of the Lycée, looking nervous and uncomfortable with the lavender ribbon around her neck. A man led a goat up to Davina by a leash, while others hold animals like chickens and rabbits, all of which are squawking and baaing loudly, and she tried her best to smile through her displeasure.

"Another goat. How lovely." She turned to address the rest of the witches, joined by Isabel, who smiled at her sympathetically. "I'd like to thank the Gentily Coven for their generous gift on this day of Fête de Cadeau." Davina blinked suddenly, overwhelmed by the sounds of all of the animals waiting to be given as gifts, and tried her best to remain calm. "I apologize. I need a minute." Davina walked away as quickly as she could and took refuge from her duties in between a row of tombs.

After a moment, Isabel appeared and smiled weakly at her before sitting down beside her. "Not a fan of goats, huh?"

"I love goats," she said and Isabel smiled slightly. "But, do you know how many of them I've had to sacrifice? Just once, I'd like to get a gift card. I mean, I know this is all tradition, but it's just not me. And you know what I really hate?"

"That choker-scarf?" Isabel asked in amusement.

"This choker-scarf!" She agreed. "And I only wore it because Josephine did, and I thought that maybe, if I were more like her, then... then maybe, they would respect me."

Isabel, who had been drinking a bottled beer, handed it to the young witch. "Here. You need this more than I do." Davina grabbed it and took a large gulp, though she grimaced at the taste of it, causing Isabel to laugh. "You know, Davina, I... I wasn't okay with what you had me do to the Versailles Coven." Davina slumped a little as she remembered what she did. "And I'm guessing that you're not okay with it, either. So you're trying to be someone you think that they want you to be. And you know what I've learned? No one is gonna respect you until you show them who you really are. So..." She reached over and untied the ribbon around Davina's neck before handing it to her. "...If you're gonna wear old-lady choker-scarves, you're gonna get old-lady goats."

Davina laughed despite herself and smiled at Isabel. "Thank you Izzy," she said before taking another drink of the beer.

"I got you, Vina."

≪≫•≪≫•≪≫

Isabel and Hayley have brought Van into the tomb to see a still-stressed Davina which caused the man to yank himself out of their grip and shout at Davina. "You've already taken everything away from me, so go ahead! Kill me! Get it over with!"

The young girl stared at him calmly, though she didn't seem happy about what he was saying. "You tried to murder a Regent, by which law you should be hanged."

Van scoffed. "Murder? Is that the first place your mind goes? Do you even know what I was using to attack you?"

Hayley, who had the poppet in her hands, walked over and handed it to Davina, who immediately realized what it was and looked ashamed for her mistake. "This isn't to kill me."

"It's a figure veritas." He explained so that the two she-wolves knew what it was. "Stab it in the heart, and the victim must confess their darkest truths."

"You wanted me to admit what I did to your mom so I'd be shunned."

The man shrugged. "Maybe I'd rather see you dead, but at least that would be justice."

Davina sighed. "Look, she's the one who attacked me. She wanted a mutiny, and if that happens, what's next? An all-out witch war to decide the next Regent? How many people will die then?"

He scoffed as he said, "so you think the covens are better off with you?"

"I do." She told him. "I've seen things done the old way. I've done things the old way. And it doesn't work. If you don't want peace, then fine. Go. You're free. But, I'm asking you... Please stay. We can work together. We can change things."

Van stared at her for a long moment before he turned and left the tomb without another word.

Davina looked disappointed, but both Isabel and Hayley seemed impressed by Davina's desire to lead the witches in a new, peaceful direction.

≪≫•≪≫•≪≫

Isabel sat on a bench outside of the tomb when Davina walked out of it with a small, sweet smile.

"Happy witch day, or whatever this is..." the wolf gestured around with her beer bottle before taking a gulp from it.

Davina giggled at her friend in amusement. "Izzy, I wanted to thank you."

"For what? The free fashion advice?" She asked jokingly which caused them both to laugh happily.

"You were right. Since I became Regent, I've tried to control everything and everyone. But, that's not me. I don't want to be that person anymore." Davina then turned and quickly walked back into the tomb, grabbing the lit candle infused with Isabel's hair and blood before returning to keep talking to her. "I asked the Ancestors to give me the magic to lift your curse. Since it's Cadeau..." Davina concentrated on the candle before blowing it out and smiling. "They granted it. And if I ever found myself no longer breathing... it won't come undone."

Isabel smiled, happy that Davina found a way to permanently help her and breathed a sigh of relief when she realized she wouldn't have to worry about going back to wolf form unless she wanted to. "Today turned out not so bad."

"Now you no longer have to feel like my slave which is totally something the older generation would do." Davina sat down next to the blonde hybrid and handed her the candle.

Isabel placed it beside her and wrapped an arm around the smaller girls shoulders. "You're one of a kind, Davina Claire."

Davina smiled to herself and wiggled her arm around Isabel's waist. "Same could be said for you, my Queen," Davina said which caused both her and the she-wolf to laugh.