Hello people! I know I should be doing Allure (True Blood Fic/Feel free to read if you like) but the plot bunnies has been tearing my mind up and telling me to do something different. So, here I am. This story was inspired by La Calavera Catrina paintings and art pictures (If you don't know what they look like, you can look at my avatar and see what I am talking about). I though it would be cool if they were these type of creatures that could turn into that and be the bringer of death.This fic was originally under the Originals category, but my awesome beta and I got the talking and we began brainstorming plots and ideas for this fic. We both decided the story line would fit better in the Vampire Diaries category, since it's going to be mostly all the characters from show going to be in this fic.
So here's the deal, this is a AU of season five of The Vampire Diaries and the Originals but mostly Vampire Diaries. The timeline is six months after season five of TVD. Klaus, Elijah, Marcel, Rebekah, Hayley are apart of this fic and baby Hope is mentioned as well. The story will start out in New Orleans for at least three or four chapters, then the story will be taking place in Mystic Falls for the rest. Since I was not a happy camper how TVD ended in season five, both Damon and Bonnie will be alive, along with Alaric and Enzo. Sounds alright?
Thank you to my beta twin. You're awesome. Disclaimer: Everything Vampire Diaries and the Originals does not belong to me. They belong to CW network and Julie Plec. I only own my laptop, my fingers, and my characters I made up in my crazy mind.
I hope you guys enjoy :)
Chapter 1: Coming Home
-AxK-
Year 1902
The sun has fallen and the skies loomed with grey clouds. The clouds sobbed restlessly pounding hard on the earth. As the cloud rolled in over the darkened skies the rain hits the dirt road faster. However, it was not as fast as the feet currently sprinting to save their life.
I escaped . . . I finally escaped . . .
She whips passed the harsh winds and knife piercing rain. Mud covered her russet feet and tears streamed down her face. She had escaped. Too long the young one had been locked away from the outside world and now . . . now she was free. She was free from burden, sadness, and pain. She was finally free from him.
"ALANA!"
Hearing the booming voice shaken the trees, young Alana ran faster. Her heart quickens and it hammers against her chest. Her breaths were labored and her chest was tightened from fear. Alana's body begged her to stop running. Her legs were singing in pain and arms were weighing her down, but she couldn't stop. She had to move. She had to keep running.
"ALANA! YOU CAN'T RUN FOREVER!"
But she could try.
Rain mixed with her salty tears as her fear crept up on her as she heard quickened footsteps behind her. She couldn't go back. She couldn't go back to her tormentor. He was supposed to be the one she trusted. The one that would held her unconditional love, but he betrayed her. He broke her and tore Alana away from her family. She had to be free from the darkness, free from Machen.
"ALANA! I SWEAR WHEN I CATCH YOU, YOU WILL REGRET IT CHILD! DO YOU HEAR ME? YOU WILL REGRET IT!"
The brawny male, Machen, tore through the woods chasing after Alana. He was coming in closer behind her. Alana tried to run faster but her legs wouldn't let her. Seeing that his prey was slowing down, the predator named Machen made a move to grab Alana's neck. Alana gasped feeling the brush of her tormentor's calloused fingertips.
No . . .
The figure comes closer almost reaching his goal.
I won't go back . . .
Pressure welled insider her and heat rose in her spine.
Never again!
Machen was finally in-step with Alana and grabbed the back of her sleeping gown. A grim smile stretched across his lips enjoying the satisfaction of catching his prey. His hands burned with anticipation as he dragged the neck of the soaked cotton towards him. Waiting in his other hand was a silver blade ready to plunge into the warmth of Alana's heart. He couldn't let her go. He wouldn't let her go. She would stay with him forever. His little Alana would never leave him, not like her.
Alana let the built pressure saturate her. Feeling the unknown power swelling in her, she began to feel herself changing. The once russet skin turned ghost white. White and black painted over her face creating a skeletal structure. Green and red swirls danced around her forehead, nose, cheeks, and jaw. A blooming red rose appeared on her chin sparking heat on her face. Her blood ran cold and her skin became icy. The last and final step made her transformation complete.
Alana's heart stopped beating.
She was dead.
The little one's body was humming with magic and energy flowed around her and danced on her skin. She may have been dead but she felt alive with the electricity rubbing against her cold white skin. She felt powerful and for the first time she felt the need to kill the one that did wrong by her. She wanted revenge. She was now in control of her life. She was free . . . and she would kill anyone that would try to take that away from her again.
Standing a few steps away from the newly transformed Reaper, Alana's kidnapper watched in a complete stupor. The silver dagger dropped from his hand but his other hand still had a hold on Alana's cotton gown. Fear gripped the predator as he recognized the familiar eerie white skin. His eyes traveled down Alana's dark red hair tuning inky black. The tormentor shook his head not believing what he was seeing.
Alana turned slowly to her tormentor. Soon as the tormentor seen the death incarnate creature glowing green eyes, time stopped. Her eyes . . . those same eyes he seen before shook him to his core. Those same eyes use to haunt his dream. They were null and lifeless.
For the second time in his 950 years of his life, Machen has seen this type of creature and it was the second time in his 950 years he felt this type of fear. It was the type of fear that would wake someone up at the dead of night. It was the type of fear that would shook one's body violently. It would suffocate them until they had breathed their last breath. It was the fear of death. In a matter of seconds from one look, the predator became the prey and the prey became the predator.
He was caught and he knew it. Penetrating regret filled him and the idea to beg for mercy crossed his mind, but the tormentor knew better. He would accept his fate. He caused pain to an innocent, an innocent that had nothing to with his own pain. Anguish burned in his throat, but selfishness and pride swallowed it whole. The voice in the back of his mind told him he deserved this, but he shut out with the roaring anger that he would have his revenge somehow.
Not a second later was when he seen the blinding green orb moving directly towards his chest.
He deserved this.
-AxK-
The Present: New Orleans
Niklaus stood by the open window gazing out at the quiet night with a glass of scotch wrapped idly in his hand. Things have been quiet in his kingdom and no threats have befalling on his family. There was the situation with the witches but they have been in hiding, no doubt licking there wounds until they were ready for another fight. Klaus and his vampires searched all over, but couldn't find any. Not even a cauldron or broomstick in sight. Things have been slightly in place since the fall out that happened six months ago. Everything was, as it should be . . . except for the known fact that the Original hybrid hasn't been whole since six months ago, not since his daughter had been taken from him.
Baby Hope was safe with her Aunt Rebekah far from New Orleans. The emptiness he felt was uncanny. Niklaus has felt pain before, but nothing like this. This was pain of a father losing their child. He could still remember his daughter's small fragile frame in his arms. He could remember eyes like his staring back at him creating warmth in his cold heart. Hope was Niklaus' world and now she was gone. His world without her was nothing but a city of ruble and decrepit ruins, swallowed completely by the blackened sea of his sorrows. He was lonely.
Granted he still had Elijah, Marcel, and Hayley, but it wasn't the same. He knew a piece of him was missing and it could be only be filled by having his daughter in his arms. His brother, Elijah tried to talk to him, but he wouldn't hear anything of it. Elijah has given up from taking his brother out of his mourning shell. He has seen his brother angry, regretful, happy, and many others . . . but the look Klaus has worn for the past six months was a look of nothingness. The hybrid was running on nothing but fueled revenge. Elijah wished he could take his brother's pain away but he knew he couldn't do anything nor did he try to understand it. He would have to let Klaus come out of it on his own.
There were two beings that were able shed some of the hardened casing around the hybrid, Marcel and Hayley.
Marcel has been helping Klaus around the French Quarter and building up the empire to its original glory. One of the things he did was training the new recruits. He would take the new vampires across the lake, train them, and show them the ropes. The former king would be gone for weeks, but he made time to speak with his sire. Niklaus secretly cherished those moments with Marcel. Though Klaus betrayed Marcel and Marcel betrayed Klaus, there was no denying the bond between the two.
Marcel was his best friend, brother, and son; he could never turn him away. With the past behind them, their relationship has grown stronger. They trusted each other and stayed loyal to one another, no matter how much the butted heads. They were family. However, Marcel's company wasn't enough for the hybrid. His childe only dulls the pain for a moment, but never completely.
Klaus was grateful for him, but Marcel wasn't his child. Klaus may have seen Marcel as one of his own, but Hope was truly his. No one couldn't completely fathom the utter suffering a father felt when their child had to leave from the safely of their arms. The only one that could understand was the mother of said child, which was Hayley.
Like Klaus and Marcel, the newly turned hybrid had gotten closer to the Original over the months and have been working together to kill the ones responsible for trying to hurt their little girl. They weren't exactly friends, but there was a understanding between the two. They were tied forever through their daughter and wouldn't stop at nothing until the evil that caused them so much pain was eradicated. Only then, it would be safe for their daughter to come home and the Original hybrid couldn't wait for that day to come.
Klaus took a sip of his scotch and reveled in feeling of the burning liquid going down his throat. Slowly, he turned to the figure that he knew was silently watching him. "What can I do for you Marcel?"
"Drowning your sorrows?" his childe asked half joking.
"Now Marcel, you know I only drown in my sorrows on Fridays. It's only Monday." Klaus looked over the rim of his glass. "Do you know me at all?" he said with slight smirk before he took a sip.
Marcel chuckled and raised his hand to surrender. "My apologies." He took a step into the room until he was in front of Klaus. "Now that you had your beverage, we have to go."
Klaus raised his brow. "May I ask where?"
"You have a meeting to attend to."
Klaus stopped himself from drinking the glass of scotch midway to look at his second in command. He placed the glass on the table and gave him his full attention. "I don't remember assigning a meeting to myself." He said with a little steel in his voice. "What of this meeting, Marcel?"
"Don't get so bent out of shape." Klaus gave him a look to tell him to get to the point. "You have a meeting with a clan that lives a little outside of New Orleans."
"And what pray-tell is this clan you speak of?"
"It's the Le Cercle Morte."
Klaus smirk wiped off his face not believing what he was hearing. "The Dead Circle?" Marcel nodded. "How is that possible." He hissed. "They are extinct!"
"No, they are very much alive actually." Marcel took Klaus' glass of scotch and drowned it then poured him another glass. "They have been living around here since the war of La Rochelle happened between them and the witches a few decades ago. "
"I thought the witches killed all of the reapers."
"Obviously that's not the case." Marcel muttered into his glass before drinking the bronze liquid.
"Lose the attitude." Klaus berated and took the glass of scotch from him. "Now, tell me how you," he points to Marcel. "Know about The Dead Circle?" he said before taking a sip.
"I know about them, because the leader came to me when I was in the middle of rebuilding New Orleans after the incident with Mikael in 1919." Klaus gritted his teeth but let Marcel finish. "A few month past and Tawny, the leader of the Dead Circle asked for passage for her and her clan to enter New Orleans. If I gave her people passage and promise no harm would come to her and her people then she would become my ally." Marcel snatched the glass back and took a sip.
"You do know reapers can control the dead, which include us?" the Original took a step a side from his second.
"Yes."
"And you trusted her?"
"Yes."
Klaus looked at Marcel flabbergasted. "It's obvious I haven't taught you about self provision."
"You must hadn't, because I'm still with you." Marcel admitted.
"Touche."
Marcel gave a little bow.
Klaus mulled over what Marcel told him and the more he thought about it, the more it angered him. Why didn't he tell him about the reapers? "And why haven't you brought this up before?" He asked his question out loud. "Why wait six months to tell me this now?" Klaus stepped to his second with a menacing scowl. "Were you using this information to keep a ace in your pocket, hmm? Were you planning on using them to take your kingdom back?" The treacherous words came out before he could stop himself.
The look of hurt appeared on Marcel's face but quickly drained away with settled anger. "No. The reason you didn't know about them was because Tawny didn't want anything to do with you since you went into power. She told me to swear to secrecy and I promised I wouldn't mention anything about her." He downed the last of the scotch and slammed the glass down on the table.
Silence graced the room as the two stared each other down. After awhile, Klaus took the glass from the table and poured another glass of scotch. He held it out to Marcel gesturing a silent apology. Stubborn, yes but an apology nonetheless. Marcel stared at the glass then back at his sire. Still making eye contact, Marcel took the glass but didn't drink from it. Klaus took whatever he could get.
"Why the sudden change of heart?" Klaus asked while pouring him a glass of his own.
Marcel stared hard at him but answered. "I asked her to meet with you. She heard about you over the years and didn't want any parts with you, but I told her that it would be better for her people since they have lives here." He shrugs. "She agreed."
"And what if I don't want her people in my kingdom?" Klaus asked with a grim smile.
Marcel sighed deeply. "Oh you're going to need her. Tawny is a force to be reckoned with. She's a powerful ally physically and financially. She donated tons to the city when we were at our worse and kept some powerful witches away from here a couple of times." Klaus folded his arms not giving anything away. "Look, Tawny and I have a good friendship. We help each other out if it is within our power to do so. She has been loyal to me since I was in power. I know she would be the same with you . . . if you give her a reason to trust you."
Klaus narrowed his eyes. "I don't have to prove anything to anyone." He hissed. "It's either she's in or not." Klaus retreated out of his study.
"You know good and well it doesn't work like that Klaus." Marcel kept in step with him. "Look, just meet with her. I went through all this trouble to set this meeting set up."
Klaus stopped and turned to him. "A meeting I didn't ask you to make in the first place."
"You right, you didn't!" Marcel stepped to Klaus. "But you can't tell me that we don't need the help." Klaus folded his arms not willing to budge on his decision. "Our numbers have grown but it is not the amount we use to have. Having Tawny on our side will give us the upper hand." Klaus turned away not wanting to hear anymore. "Especially with the new threat on the way. Tawny could help us."
Klaus stopped in mid-step only to turn back around to stand in front of Marcel again. Anger welled inside him as the glow of his golden hybrid eyes ignited. "What new threat?"
-AxK-
Outside of New Orleans: Tawny's Villa
Standing in her courtyard filled with various colored bed of roses, Tawny DeBusse (Doo-BUS-see) stared out in the silent night. Her hair was long and deep red complimenting her golden touched skin. Steely green eyes pierced through the night watching every movement. There was something coming. She could feel the dark magic clinging to her skin.
She closed her eyes and took a deep breath feeling the magic overflowing inside her. The whistling in the wind bristled through the trees and the warmth of the air became arctic. Within her mind, she could see an assortment of ribbons of the supernaturals near. There was forest green for werewolves, purple for witches, blood red for the vampires, and black for her kind, the reapers. She plucked through the ribbons trying to sense where the unknown danger was coming from.
Once she found the right ribbon, her chest hummed. Her hand snatched the ribbon and pulled it towards her. A picture of the culprit jumped at the leader of the Dead Circle. Her eyes snapped open from fright as she stumbles backwards. Her chest heaved and her eyes watered seeing the face in her head repeatedly. She didn't want to believe it, but the ribbons never lied.
A light tap hitting the ground caught her attention. She turned to the bed of red roses a few feet away from her. She quickly went to them. Another tap hit the ground. Tawny looked down and seen that it was a rose petal that fell. She looked back up to the rose that had a missing petal. Her shaking hand touched it and in an instant, another one fell . . . and another . . . and another . . . and another.
One by one, each of her roses on the bush lost its petals. Tawny watched them pile around her feet as if she was watching blood being spilled around her. She choked on her hollowed breaths in her throat as the darkened chill wrapped around her arms and shot down to her feet. The brazen chill swept downward towards the red petals. The DeBusse heir gasped and slapped her hands over her mouth holding in her scream. The red segment corollas from the flowers had blackened and were beginning to dry up. A strangle sob broke from Tawny watching the now grey petals crinkle and break into tiny pieces.
"Mistress Tawny?" a voice called from behind her.
Tawny hurriedly swiped her hand forcing the wind to carry the evidence away from her feet. "What is it Jupiter?" Her voice came out strangled but firm.
"Marcel and the new King of New Orleans, Klaus has arrived. They are waiting in the Garden House sitting in the parlor." The informant, Jupiter, stepped towards his mistress. "Mistress Tawny, are you alright. Are you ill?"
The Dead Circle Mistress wiped her tear stained cheeks. "Do you know who this dead rose bush belongs to?" she asked softly desperately holding in her emotions.
Jupiter tall frame stepped forward. His eyes were icy blue and skin was sun kissed tan. He brushed his mahogany locks from his forehead as he stepped forward until he stood next his mistress. When reached the naked bush, his eyes narrowed recognizing the owner who planted the rose bush. "What does this mean?"
Tawny took a deep breath and turn from the offensive dead bush. "It means that we have to take action."
"Mistress, are you certain? She's your –"
Tawny whipped around showing glimpses of her skeletal reaper form flickering in and out. The arctic wind wisped around her making the air shimmer from the pressing magic pouring out of her. "You do not need to tell me whom! I am quite aware of who they are and my relationship with them." She said firmly looking at her informant. "This known fact does not change anything."
Jupiter bowed his head to his mistress recognizing he spoke out of term. "Please accept my apology, Mistress Tawny. I was only shocked. Forgive my rashness."
Tawny fueled anger had settled down. She sighs deeply feeling tired already from tonight's events. "Come, Jupiter. My guests are waiting for me."
The Informant led his mistress to the Garden House. The heiress heart weighed heavy each step she took. She knew what to do but she dreaded the thought of hurting the one responsible for the upcoming darkness. She wanted to handle this personally but knew that it couldn't be done, not with the new king involved. The culprit lives in New Orleans, which was out of her jurisdiction. She knew Marcel would have granted her to take care of it, but since the new king was the Original hybrid, she wouldn't dare think she would get the same treatment.
She could feel her guests' presence across the stony path to the Garden House. The blood red ribbon with a slight glow she knew was Marcel and the scarlet ribbon was the hybrid. The scarlet ribbon glowed as well but something else caught the heiress' eye. The ribbon had tears on each side. It was unfinished. Tawny decided to think on it later as she noticed she was nearing the Garden House.
The two guards standing by the entrance opened the double doors for Jupiter and Tawny. The first being she seen was Marcel. A genuine smile appeared on her face as she watched her friend stand to meet her. She has known Marcel for almost a century. They have grown to trust each other and a friendship quickly followed. At first Tawny was hesitant with the vampire. She never dealt with vampires in a cordial way, only to kill them. Tawny thought they were all savaged abominations and if she didn't need passage to New Orleans, she would have stayed clear away from him.
However with unfortunate satisfaction, Marcel has single handedly changed the heiress' view of thinking. The use to be king charmed her from the first time he laid eyes on her. As time went on, the vampire wormed his way through Tawny's tough exterior. They have worked together on several projects to help build and keep New Orleans safe. Her retinue would assist Marcel's kingdom and his would assist hers. It was a marking of a new beginning for both supernaturals.
When the DeBusse heiress gotten wind that the Original hybrid and his family had taken over New Orleans, she and her clan were ready for war. At the time, Tawny was rebuilding her home in La Rochelle. Jupiter had called her and told her about Marcel's distress. In a blink, the mistress transported to Marcel, who was pacing in Kieran's church. When Marcel explained everything what happened, she was furious. She wanted to end Klaus and his family but Marcel wouldn't let her. He wanted to handle Klaus himself. Respecting her long friend wishes, she remained inactive.
"Tawny, Tawny, Tawny, you look gorgeous as ever." Marcel gave the heiress a hug and Tawny happily returned it. He pulled away and kissed her cheeks. "I hope you didn't go through too much trouble picking out this lovely dress for little old me." he raised his brow looking down at Tawny's emerald green silk slip dress that hugged her skin.
Tawny shook her head but had a smile on her face. "You always were the charmer." She said flirty with her smooth French accent. Tawny brought him in for another hug. "It's good to see you old friend." She patted his back.
"It's good to see you too." And Marcel truly meant it.
Standing by watching the two embrace, Klaus sat on the cushion staring at the one called Tawny. She was beautiful he admitted but he could tell she was dangerous. He could feel magic pulsing out of her skin and wrapping around him. The heiress was indeed a force to reckoned with and Klaus wouldn't dare to let down his guard around her. An ally could quickly become an enemy. For now, the hybrid will hear the heiress out.
Tawny felt Klaus staring at her. She broke away from Marcel's familiar embrace, but it wasn't before she squeezed his hand for good measure. She turned to her other guest. "And you must be the new king, Niklaus."
Klaus noticed the Dead Circle's leader demeanor had changed the second she laid eyes on him. With Marcel her voice was sweet and kind while her form was inviting. However with Klaus, her tone was firm and tightened, while her form was on defensive and on guard. Klaus smiled at the thought.
Well at least she's smart, he thought.
The hybrid stood from his seat and walked over to the majestic mistress. He held out his hand and watched Tawny's delicate hand slip into his. "That I am, but Klaus will do well. You must be Tawny." Klaus bent his head to kiss the back of her hand. He stood to his full height but kept her hand in his. "It's a pleasure to meet you." He said with a coy smirk.
Tawny was not impressed. She slipped her hand away from Klaus' "Charmed." She said stiffly.
Marcel snorted seeing Klaus' smirk drop. Tawny was not the typical woman. She was a hard ass and if Klaus thought he could get the Reaping Mistress to come to his side with seduction, then he was in for a rude awakening. Marcel stepped beside his sire and gave Tawny a wink. Her stiffened form relaxed somewhat.
"Please sit." Tawny gestured to the seats behind them. "Would you like any refreshments?" she asked while sitting down.
"No thank you. I already had my fill." Klaus' said with a knowing smirk.
Tawny arched her brow. She turned from him and looked towards Marcel who was staring hard at his sire. "And you my friend?"
Marcel took his eyes off Klaus to look at his friend with a smile. "No thank you, Tawny."
She nodded her head. "Now, where should we start?"
"I believe you should since you are the one that need me more than I need you." Klaus folded his hands on his torso. "After all, you are the one that needs passage through my lines, correct?" he said with a know-it-all smirk. It took everything in the reaper not to rip it off.
"Correct." She said dryly. "As Marcel probably told you, my clan have lives in New Orleans. I ask for your permission that they would continue on in your reclaimed lands."
"These . . . reapers, are there many of you?" he asks.
"Not as much as they use to be." Tawny leaned back in her chair not willing to share anything other than that.
A deep chuckle fell from the king's mouth. "Very well." He hunched over propping his elbows on his knees. "Let's get to the yoke of things shall we?" he stood and began to pace. "I am willing to grant you and your people passage if you are willing to grant your services whenever I need it. You can expect the same treatment toward your kind with my vampires. You will keep the witches from coming in and out. I will keep threats from coming near you." He stopped in front of the heiress. "Do we have a deal, sweetheart?"
Tawny only stared at the new king. A few moments of silence, she stood up and straightened the front of her dress. "I will accept but first a certain matter to be made clear."
"By all means, please do." Klaus gestured her to continue.
"If my clan cause any trouble on your lands, you will report them to either Jupiter or me directly. Punishment that fits the crime will only be handled by me."
Klaus chortled. "Excuse me?"
Marcel groaned as he settled back on the couch. "This is going to be a while." He muttered. He looked over his shoulder towards Jupiter. "Are you still offering drinks?"
The Informant smirked feeling the vampire's sentiment. "I'll get a glass." He turned to leave.
"Bring the bottle." He heard Jupiter chuckle from the back of the room. Marcel turned to the spectacle in front of him.
He watched both supernaturals go back and forth with each other. Neither one was backing down on the subject. Marcel was bothered. Though watching the two argue was quite annoying, it wasn't the reason why he was troubled. Tawny was the reason why the ex-king mood was turning sour. He couldn't comprehend why Tawny was changing the rules.
When he was king, Tawny let Marcel deal with her kind whenever they stepped out of line. He would explain to Tawny the situation and Marcel would take it from there. Whether it was an insignificant punishment or death, Marcel as king was the one to deal with the situation. Tawny had the same courtesy with the vampires. If a vampire on her land were stepping out of line, Tawny would deal with them. So again, why the sudden change of rules?
Marcel eyes landed on his long time friend. Looking at her he could tell something was off about her. She was hiding something. Being friends with her a long time Marcel picked up certain things about the Dead Circle leader. Her body was stiff and he noticed her eyes were slightly red and puffy from crying. Something was wrong and Marcel knew it wasn't going to be good.
"If they are in my city and they do wrong in my city, they will be dealt with accordingly by me and only me." Klaus opened his arms. "This is not up for negotiation, sweetheart. Either you let me handle them or your clan will never step one foot in New Orleans again." His lips curved into a smug grin looking down at the Mistress of the Dead Circle.
Tawny stared at the sarcastic smiling hybrid with piercing eyes. Electricity pricked at her skin feeling her magic bubbling up but the heiress pushed it down. Tawny sighed deeply in mock defeat. "I understand." She turns from Klaus and sits back in her chair. "So, you will deal with my reapers . . . and I will have the same courtesy to deal with your vampires or hybrids, correct?" she said in an almost too sweet voice. Both sire and childe recognized the change of tone. What struck Klaus the most was the way she said hybrids. Something was about to happen.
"Shit." Marcel hissed lowly as he pour another glass of bourbon. "Jupe, you better give me another bottle."
Klaus ignored Marcel comment and stepped closer to Tawny taunting face. Alarms were going off in the hybrid's head trying to figure out what the Mistress of the Dead Circle was playing at. "What are you up to?" he asked as his hands coiled at his sides.
"Moi?" The red headed French Mistress asked innocently. "Nothing at all." She turned to Jupiter. Seeing what her mistress was silently asking of him, he nodded and left.
Klaus noticed the gesture. "Where is he going?" He turned to Marcel. "Where is he going?"
Marcel snorted. "You're asking me?" he took a sip of his drink. "Just be prepared to be surprised. Who knows what the crazy French lady is up to?" he muttered.
Tawny narrowed her eyes at her friend. "Funny."
Jupiter walked back into the parlor and stood behind Tawny's sitting form. "Tout est prêt, maîtresse (Everything is ready, mistress)."
Klaus stalked towards Tawny feeling anger gripping his bones. "What is ready?"
"Merci." Tawny's smile never left her face as she looked up at the furious Original. "Bring her in." The heiress leaned back and waited for the sparks to begin.
Footsteps down the hall became louder. The sound of a struggle and someone growling caught the hybrid's attention. Then next a string of curses flowed through the parlor. Klaus cursed lowly as he pinched the bridge of his nose already knowing whom Tawny had as her captive. He paced along the Persian rug but kept his eyes on archway entrance to the parlor, where the soon to be guest would arrive.
"I'm going to kill her." He hissed still pacing.
Marcel stood up to stand by Klaus. Marcel smelled the familiar scent before he heard her voice. This wasn't turning out how he planned. "Should I plan her funeral?" He took another sip of his bourbon.
Coming into view were two of Tawny's guards dragging someone by their arms who was struggling to break free from their ironclad hold. Held against her will was the youngling hybrid, Hayley Marshall. Klaus jaw ticked looking at the mother of his child looking ridiculous hanging from two brawny men.
Klaus took the glass away from Marcel and drowned the rest. "I already have a casket. I'll order the flowers."
"I guess Elijah could do the eulogy." Marcel added shaking his head.
Tawny turned to look at the captured hybrid. "This little hybrid had been causing trouble on my lands. She was chasing after a witch. Before the little one could grab her, my guard caught her and the witch. When my guards tried to stop her from trespassing, she stabbed him with his own spear." Tawny slowly turns to an angered Klaus. "I think that deserves punishment."
Suddenly, Hayley fell to the floor screaming in pain holding her head in her hands. "What are you doing to me?" Hayley clutched her head harder. "Make the noise stop!" she yelled. Hayley's heart was hammering against her chest achingly and her ears were ringing.
Klaus watched the falling vampire/wolf hybrid lying on the ground groveling in pain. "What are you doing to her?"
"I am applying pressure to her brain. The pain is so excruciating that her muscles will lock in place and cause her to sweat profusely. If too much pressure applies to the brain, it will eventually explode. I do not wish to make a mess on my new marble floor but," Tawny turned to Klaus with the same mocking smile he had only moments ago. "I can make an acceptation."Another piercing scream roared from Hayley.
Klaus gritted his teeth filling the bile stinging his throat. "I will consent with your commands." He struggled to say. He didn't take surprises well or being handled by anyone. It forces him into a position to give up control. It grated his nerves but he would put aside his pride for the mother of his child. If she were anything but, he would have killed Hayley himself for doing something atrociously stupid for acting out on someone else's territory.
Tawny stopped the pulsation in Hayley's brain. The little hybrid whimpered in relief that the scorching pain was gone. She laid her back flat on cool marble floor. Her overheated body rejoices feeling the coolness resting on her skin, ebbing away the soreness slowly. The Dead Circle's Mistress stared down at Hayley while tapping her lips acting as if she thinking. "No," she tilts her head toward Klaus. "I think I like these arrangements better." She then sent another shrill of pain through Hayley making the young hybrid roar in pain.
"Tawny that's enough." Marcel stepped forward.
A smile crept on the red head looking down at the little hybrid withering on the floor. Tawny sighs deeply. "Fine."
Soon as that single word left her lips, the pain drained away from Hayley. The young hybrid relaxed her aching body on the floor. Her eyelids hovered over her eyes feeling herself ready to slip into a deep sleep. Unbeknownst to her, it was Tawny putting the hybrid to sleep. It was moments later when everyone heard the soft breathing of said young hybrid.
"I will return her to the French Quarters. Your brother Elijah has already been contacted and will be waiting for her outside your home." Tawny flicked her wrist. "Take her." One of the guards picked the sleeping Hayley off the floor and carried her away. "My men will make sure she will be delivered to her destination. Please sit." The heiress kindly gestured to the seat behind Klaus.
The Original hybrid kept his eyes on the mother of his child limp body until she was no longer in his line of view. When he heard tires moving on the gravel, he turned his menacing glare towards the one responsible. "I'll stand." He said harshly. "Now that we have that out the way, what can you tell me about this new threat befalling on us?"
Tawny leaned back in her chair. "They are called The Dividends. They are a group of vampires, werewolves, and witches working together to plant your demise."
"Well that's not anything new." Klaus said to Marcel and then turned back to Tawny. "Who is leading them?"
Tawny gripped the arm of the chair feeling dread fill her. Marcel took notice and stepped closer to Tawny. The heiress felt her friend coming beside her. She turned to Marcel speaking only to him. "They are being led by one of my own." Marcel eye widens. "A reaper is leading them and they want to take you out." She then looked at Klaus.
"Who's leading them? Do you know them?" Marcel asked.
"Oh course she does." Klaus intervened. "It was why she forced my hand to make a deal with her. She didn't want me to harm whoever is planning against me." He stalks towards the heiress and sat in front of her on the oak wood coffee table. "It must be someone close to you. Someone you hold dear." Klaus propped his chin on his hand. "Tell me, is it your lover, or maybe family, or –"
The Original watched the heiress' eyes turn glassy with unshed tears. Tawny looked away not able to face the arrogant look on Niklaus' face. "Ah . . . that's it, isn't it? The one who is trying to destroy me is someone within your family." The hybrid laughed darkly. "Of course it is. Why else would you take such extremes on hurting the mother of my child to force me to agree to your accord?" His eyes harden watching the reaper heiress. It took everything he had not to rip her skin from her flesh. The thought of someone manipulating him didn't sit well with the hybrid king, not at all.
Tawny turned to her friend hoping he would understand. "Marcel . . ."
The second in command was pissed. He wasn't mad that she manipulated Klaus, well not entirely. But he was mad that Tawny didn't tell him about this vital information before. Though he was angry, deep down the vampire understood why his friend did what she did, but it didn't refute what she done tonight. "Who is it Tawny?" Marcel finally asked. Tawny didn't speak. "Is it . . . is it, Alana? Is it Lani leading them?" He knew mentioning her daughter was a touchy subject, but he needed to know.
Tawny shook her head and looked at her friend sullenly. "It's Dina." She whispered sadly.
Marcel rubbed his face trying to wipe away his anger. He turned away from Tawny not wanting to look at her. The mistress' head lowered looking at the floor. She wanted to say something to comfort her friend but couldn't find the words. Dina and Marcel had been close ever since they move to Louisiana. Their friendship turned into a buddy romance. They have been together off and on over the years but their feeling always stayed pure to one another, some more than most.
Dina was completely head over heel in love with Marcel. She wanted forever with him and possibly marry him, but the vampire didn't feel completely the same way. Marcel loved Dina but he couldn't fully give himself to her. He was holding back. He didn't trust himself to throw himself into someone else's care, not when he and Rebekah had unfinished knots to tie up. Dina was heartbroken when Marcel told her he couldn't be with her. That was over fifty years ago.
Over the years Tawny has been telling her friend that Dina has changed since the end of their relationship. She had become angrier and bitter. She distanced herself and later moved out of Tawny's villa. Tawny hasn't talked to her daughter since she left her home. She has been monitoring the young reaper but didn't interfere with her life. Tawny thought maybe Dina was going through a phase and would soon return to live in the family villa. Tawny learned later in time that was not the case.
Marcel shook his head then turned back to Tawny's crumbled stature. "Is it . . . is because . . ." He couldn't finish his sentence. He didn't want to hear he was the reason why Dina was acting this way.
"No Marcel." Tawny spoke his unspoken question. "It wasn't because of you. Dina has always been rebellious in her own way. There were many things going on and the break up between you two was only a fraction to the lashing cause. Do not worry yourself, my friend." Marcel nodded his head silent.
"I'm sorry." Klaus interrupted the sweet moment. "Who is this Dina?"
Tawny sighed annoyed. She had forgotten Klaus was in the room. "She is my daughter."
"And you use to fancy her?" He now spoke to Marcel. Marcel looked away not wanting answer his question. Klaus however, laughed outright. "And let me guess, you broke her heart?"
"That's enough Klaus." Marcel hissed.
The hybrid ignored his second's warning and laughed clutching his stomach. "Please don't tell me you broke up with her because of your unresolved feeling for Rebekah." Again, Marcel didn't say anything. This made Klaus laugh harder. "This is rich! Well you know what they say," Klaus patted Marcel's back. "Hell has no fury than woman scorned."
Marcel shoved Klaus' hand off him. "I need some air." He then walked off.
"Oh come on, don't be like that mate." His answer was a door slamming. "Touchy."
"Do you think his pain is funny?" Tawny asked fuming.
"No actually, I find it pathetic." Klaus answered truthful. "Now, back to the matter at hand, yes?" Klaus leaned against the wall. "Your daughter is trying to take me out. Why is that?"
"I don't know, but I will find out."
"You see love, that just doesn't work for me. She is your daughter that you will be punishing, possibly kill and there will be many emotions involved. I can't trust your judgment. How do I know that you won't let her get away or even help her getting rid of me?" Klaus shrugs. "I see the chemistry between you and Marcel. You two are quite chummy together." He gave her a suggestive smirk. "I bet you were quite the testy little reaper when you found out I took his kingdom away from him." He said this time with a malicious smile. "You could easily take out the competition and make him king again."
Tawny shot out her seat. "I wouldn't dare!"
"And how exactly would I know that, hmm? I don't know you. I didn't even know reapers still existed until Marcel told earlier tonight. I thought the witches rid you lot" Klaus pushed away from the wall he was leaning on to stand in front of the Dead Circle Mistress. "I don't trust you and I certainly don't trust your mindset." Klaus turned to leave out the door Marcel left out of moments ago. "I will take care of it."
"No!" The powerful reaper roared.
A gush of air coursed through the room. The harsh wind blew around Le Cercle Morte's Mistress creating ripples in her emerald green dress. The lights around the parlor flickered crying out from the streaming power coming from the heiress. The walls howled in pain feeling the straining pressure from the vast amount of magic Tawny was pushing out of her.
Klaus turned around to a half transformed Tawny. Her green eyes glowed dangerously and her hair once deep red was beginning to turn inky black. An outline of a red rose appeared on her chin but the rose did not complete its transformation. Her golden-skinned face flaunted between her white cold skin and skeletal face. Klaus stared at the creature in front of him in amazement. He never seen a reaper transformation. Watching the display before him was a treat. He knew Tawny was powerful, he could smell it. However, feeling what he was feeling now was more than what he thought was her power before.
"Do not question my morals and integrity hybrid." With a flick of her wrist, the wind stopped howling, the lights stayed on, and the tensed pressure in the room simmered down. "I have been ruling over my clan over a thousand years. I have fought for my right to lead and I killed anyone who stood in my way of doing so. I have led my clan through victories and losses. Our biggest was with the witches. We had to move my clan away from their home to some somewhere they knew nothing of." Her black hair began to turn back its redish hue. "I have finally found a safe haven for my clan in your city of New Orleans. They are happy here." Her eyes narrowed. "I will destroy anything and anyone who comes in between that."
Tawny began walking towards Klaus as she spoke. "Ten, ten of my children had gone against me and I have killed all ten without remorse." She finally was in front of the new king. "For a second it hurt me greatly to watch the life drain from each of my children's eyes, but I did it. I did it besides my conflicted feelings. I did it besides my better judgment as a mother!"
Her still raging eyes began to leak green mist that swirled and curved around her face. "They have all died by my hand and my hand only." Klaus looked deep in the woman in front of him eyes and seen a lifetime of despair, betrayal and loneliness. The hybrid knew exactly what she was feeling. "Dina will suffer the same fate as her brothers and sisters if there is a cause for it." The heiress said with definite. "You will not touch one hair, a prick of skin, or bone on my daughter, hybrid." She hissed.
Klaus felt her power wrap around his body squeezing him in a vice grip as if the hybrid was being crushed by an anaconda. He shook the power off him and turned away from the raging mistress. "I suggest you find your daughter before she does something that will cause her quick demise." His hand touched the doorknob but he did not turn to open it. "If I catch your daughter in my line of sight, I will not hesitate to kill her." He turned around to face Tawny. "Find her Tawny."
With that, Klaus left the Garden House. The mistress stared at the door for a long while until she was able to move her feet to leave the parlor. She found herself walking to her garden leading to her personal courtyard. The dead rose bush came to her line of view and her heart broke all over again.
The possibility of killing another one of her children scared her to death. She didn't want to go through with it. She didn't want to watch the life force from her child leave them leaving their cold dead corpse behiind. It was too much for her. Throughout her two thousand plus years, she had to bury her children. She didn't want to bury another one. Her emerald eyes fell upon the naked bush.
"Mother?"
Tawny turned to the sound of her son, Keaseth (Key-seth), calling her. "Yes?"
"Is it true?" Keaseth asked.
The youngling looked exactly like his mother. Green eyes, golden skin, and same height. He had black hair that resembled his father and strong chin as well. Keas has grown to be a fine warrior and adviser to his mother. He has always stayed strong for his mother but Tawny was no fool. The lost of his brothers, sisters, and father has taken a toll on him as well. Though he tries to hide it, she could tell the pain in her handsome boy's face.
Tawny remaining twelve children has stayed by her side and cared for her in her days of need. They helped bury their brothers and sisters when she couldn't bear to bury the last five. It never got easier for her and the heiress knew it was the same for the rest of her children. Four of her children had stayed by her side, including Dina, while the rest has scatter all over the world. Tawny's children that were abroad hasn't talked to her since the Reaper/Witch War. The only one that made sure to call her was her eldest son, Dathros (Dath-rose).
"Mother?"
Tawny snapped back from the rush of memories. She turned and realized her son was sitting with on the marble bench next to her. Shaking the last bit of her memories out of her head, she relaxed. "What did you say?
"I asked if it was true . . . about Dina."
Tawny sighed. "Yes."
Keaseth turned to look out into his mother's garden. "Alright." He stood from his seat and kissed his mother's cheek. "I'm sorry mother."
A lone tear spilled from her eyes. "I'm fine." Keaseth looked at his mother worried. The mistress rolled her eyes. "I'm fine Keas, don't become troublesome." She spoke firmly.
Her son chuckled. "It is my job to be troublesome. I am the youngest."
A bell like laughter tumbled from the mistress' lips as she smoothed her son's ebony hair from his forehead. "That you are." Her laughter died down and only the silent night was only thing left to hear.
Keaseth lulled his head to the side and seen the dead bush that use to be lush with red roses that his sister, Dina, planted. He turned to the one next to hers and smiled. It was his other sister's, Alana's rose bush. They were red just like the rest of his mother's rose courtyard garden. She had many flowers but her favorite was the rose.
The red rose was the DeBusse family's crest since the first DeBusse, Keaseth great great grandmother, Merriam. The red rose represented grace, beauty, love, and strength, and all those things represented the woman sitting next to him, his mother.
Each of her children, including the ones that betrayed and killed by his mother's hand, had planted roses in their mother's garden in La Rochelle, France. During the Reaper/Witch War, their home was longer standing. The witches destroyed everything. The only thing that was left untouched was Tawny's rose garden that her children planted for her, because Dathros put a protection spell over it.
She moved the roses to Louisiana and replanted them in her courtyard. It was her favorite place to be than any part of the villa. Keaseth and the rest of Tawny's children always found her sitting on her favorite marble bench reading, drawing, singing, or just enjoying the silence. The garden was her safe haven and where she could unwind. It was where she could be with her children in spirit.
Keaseath stared at Alana's rose bush thinking of her. He hasn't seen her in such a long time. Twenty-one years it has been since he had seen his sister and he missed her dearly. Between all his siblings, Keas was closest with Dina and Alana. They were the last three their mother had and they were thick as thieves. Though they were a couple years apart from each other, they considered themselves triplets.
Dina visited him sometimes, but not enough. Alana was too busy traveling or running away, at least that was what Keaseth and the rest of his siblings believed. Tawny was heartbroken and the rest of his siblings were angered that Alana left. Keas wasn't upset really. He didn't want her to go and leave the family. Dina, Alana, and him were suppose to stick together, but Alana decided to leave and soon Dina left. The truth of the matter was, Alana didn't want to be a part of the supernatural world. She wanted to live normally and their family was anything but normal. Everything in her family revolved around pain, death and destruction, so she left and Keaseth couldn't really blame her. He understood his sister's choice but it still hurt.
Keaseth began to turn from the rose bush until something caught his eye. He turned fully around getting a glimpse of something. He stood from the bench, walked over to the bush, and gasped.
"Mother . . . you need to come look at this. Something is happening."
Hearing the alarm in her son's voice, Tawny stood and walked over next to her son. "What is it, Keas? What has . . . happened?" She whispered the last word.
She watched one of Alana's red rose jostle in the light wind. On the tip of one pedal was splotch of white. Tawny move her hand to brush the peculiar rose. Right when her fingertip touched the rose, it completely turned white. Both son and mother jumped back in surprise. The white rose jostled and touched another rose and that rose became white as well. The same motion continued until the entire rose bush turned into white roses instead of red.
Tawny touched the flower again feeling the magic and Alana's aura around it. Tawny body shook feeling the immense power flowing through her. The mistress was speechless. What did it mean? No sooner the question entered her mind, she saw ribbons of the supernatural in front of her. She closed her eyes and reached out to the aura that was pulsing through her. Through the black ribbons laid a ribbon that was new to her. It white and had swirls of scarlet red. It wasn't long like the other ribbons; it was short and had two rip tears at the ends.
Seeing the unfinished ribbon made her remember the hybrid's ribbon. Her eyes narrowed. She didn't like the thought of that. Could they really be –
"Mother!" Keaseth shouted to get his mother's attention.
"Be quiet Keaseth." She said with her eyes still closed.
"I want to know what's happening. What do the white roses mean?"
Tawny sighed. "Why must you be so troublesome?"
"Oh don't pretend you don't enjoy my company." Keas pouted.
Tawny rolled her eyes and muttered brat as she used her other hand to touch her son's arm. When Keaseth felt his mother's touch, he felt Alana's familiar aura but it was different, it was more of it. The intense power he was feeling made his bones vibrate.
"Look for her ribbon." Tawny voice echoed in his mind.
Keaseth did what his mother commanded and found Alana's ribbon. He was shocked that it wasn't black, but white and why did it have the scarlet designs all over it?
"Your guess is as good as mine." Tawny spoke out loud taking her hands away from the white rose and Keaseth's arm.
"So what does this all mean?" her son asked still looking at his sister's rose bush.
"The ribbon? I do not know, but you did notice that the ribbon was unfinished?"
Keas nodded his head. "I never seen anything like it. Have you?"
Tawny shook her head. "Yes, tonight."
Keaseth stood by his mother by the balcony. "Who ribbon was it?"
"It was the new king's, Niklaus. His ribbon was unfinished as well."She left about the part where the ribbon was scarlet. She would not believe that her daughter and that viscous beast were going to be tied in each other's lives in someway. She refuse to believe such folly!
"I heard he's an ass."
"Watch your tongue" she scowled at her youngest son making him look ashamed. " . . . and yes," she gave a little smirk. "He was an . . . ass, as you delicately put it." Keaseth snickered. "But his ribbon was unfinished."
"Do you think Alana will have something do with the new king?" Keaseth asked looking at his mother with worry.
He didn't want Alana mixed up with vampires or hybrids for that matter. Marcel, he was fine with, even though he broke his sister's heart. The youngest of the DeBusses had heard things about the Original hybrid and none he was too happy to hear. He heard the hybrid was pure evil and did unspeakable things to his family and the one's close to them. Keas wanted Alana to stay clear from him.
"I do not know my son." The Dead Circle Mistress sighed but a smile curved on her lips. "But we will find out soon." She turned to leave from the courtyard.
Keaseth raised his brow. "Oh? And why is that."
Tawny felt the light breeze caressing around her neck like a snuggled scarf. She felt the familiar aura around her. Her smirk grew into a full grin. She closed her eyes and reached for Dina's ribbon. Once she had a hold of it, Tawny whispered to the wind and let the silky ribbon slip from her fingers. Tawny opened her eyes and continued her walk toward her sleeping quarters, but not before she looked over her shoulder to answer his question.
"Because my son," A twinkle in her green eyes was not missed from Keaseth. "She is coming." Keas' heart stopped not believing what his mother said. To reassurance, Tawny said it again, this time with a grin. "Alana is finally coming home."
-AxK-
The guitar was screaming, the bass was howling, the drums were beating, and the crowd was wild. They all played a symphony to the woman moving across the stage ears. Her movement was graceful and precise, her voice pulse every word that fell from her lips, and her body moved to the music strumming around her. Sitting at the back of the bar under dim lights, was a woman with deep red hair similar to her mother's and russet skin that compliment from her father. Her steely green eyes watched the woman on stage move about singing a cover to The Runaways, Cherry Bomb.
The red head could feel the energy around her. The live music and rambunctious crowd were creating static on her skin. She felt alive. It was the reason she always came to this specific bar. She felt lively. They always played live music and the crowd was always interactive to whoever on stage. It was the only time, Alana DeBusse could feel something. She has felt dead when she first transformed into a reaper 102 years ago. Ever since she escaped Machen, her life wasn't the same. Three years she had been held captive. Three years she had being tortured mentally, emotionally, an physically. Three years she couldn't see the light of day.
When she finally escaped Machen's wrath by the skin of her teeth, she thought things would be better . . . but she was wrong. It was a long while until she was able to meet her family again in La Rochelle. Alana had to live her days and nights traveling and seeking shelter. As a little girl she went through and seen many things that no little girl should have witnessed. Her innocent eyes had seen too much. She was alone.
What made it worse was the fact she was unable to control her reaper side. One moment, she was alive and the next, she was dead. Going through the transformation at any giving moment when she was young was extremely painful and scared her at the same time. Everything in her body would shut down and she could feel herself changing. Alana would watch in complete fright when her skin would turn eerie white. The warmth in her blood would turn icy cold and her skin would be hard. She was a living corpse. What scared her the most was feeling her heart stop beating. Not hearing and feeling the familiar beating against her chest left the little one frightened for months. On this very day, she still hasn't gotten used to it.
When she first seen her skeletal reflection, she cried. She didn't want to be this . . . thing. She didn't want to be this hideous creature that fed on other's fear and pain. Reapers were the bringers of death. Some would call them dark pixies, sprites, demons, or even grim reapers, but they were more than that. They were scarier than the old folk tale that would scare children at night. The were the true walking dead and Alana didn't want any part of it.
Alana's trials didn't get better until she met an unusual acquaintance. The stranger wasn't a reaper or human but a vampire. The little DeBusse child never encountered a vampire before. She remembered hearing her brothers talking about them. He said they were abominations and savaged creatures. They drink blood and they were walkers of the night. If everything her brother said was true, Alana was in trouble.
The vampire named Vincent, studied the fear on the child's face. For weeks the vampire was following the young one, making sure no one bothered her at night. He didn't know why he felt attached to the little girl, but he was. It was then the vampire decided to take care of Alana. The merciful vampire clothed, fed, and gave her shelter. He taught her everything he knew about survival. He taught her to fight; hand to hand as well as weaponry, to control her urges, and to transform at will. Vincent was as close to a father Alana would ever get.
Alana smiled at the memory of her mentor. He missed him dearly and wished she could see him again, but it was only wishful thinking. Vincent left her and her family a long time ago. She put the glass to her lips and let the coldness of her beverage coat her throat as she turns her attention back to the stage. The watchful green eyes followed every movement the woman did on stage. She looked untamed and free when she was singing. Alana was envious of that fact. Though she left her imprisonment a little over a century ago, she didn't feel free. She still felt haunted.
Alana thought if she left her family and be away from the supernatural world, things would be better. She would be finally free from the family's burden and live her life as she wanted, but it didn't go as planned. Running away did the exact opposite. All it did was prolong the inevitable. There was a sole reason why she left her home and family and it was the sole reason why she couldn't go back. Alana didn't want to be chained to anything and going back would do just that. Staying away from her siblings and mother was hard, but Alana couldn't deal with the responsibility that awaited her. Not now, not ever.
The red headed reaper sunk in her chair gently tapping her neon pink painted nails against her glass of ginger ale. Usually, a more stronger beverage would have filled her glass, but Alana didn't feel like drinking tonight. If she did, all those horrid memories would return. Having already the memories of her lost childhood to her torturer surfacing in her nightmares, she didn't feel like dealing with them while she was awake. No, the DeBusse woman would not drink tonight. Tonight she would enjoy the live music.
She stayed until there was only a few patrons left in the bar. When Alana was ready she stood and stretched letting out a yawn. She was tired but her body didn't recuperate the feeling. She grabbed her helmet from the table and grabbed her leather biker jacket on the way out. Soon as she stepped outside, she felt the temperature drop. The reaper looked around but didn't see nor sense anyone. Slowly, she puts on her jacket as she walks to her black 1982 Harley Davidson FLH Electra Glide that sat idly waiting for his mistress to ride him. Walking towards her Jacoby, she could feel a sick churning in the pit of her stomach. Alana's unhurried pace turned brisk towards her means of transportation.
The unsettling feeling was causing her to shake and her skin felt clammy under her leather jacket. Not wasting time, Alana threw her leg over her Harley and started her baby up. Her lovely roared to life and moaned feeling his mistress snugged to him. Alana went to ride off getting the hell out of dodge and away from the odd feeling plaguing her, but stopped she felt something. She looked down to her handle bar sensing that was where the feeling was coming from. Though she didn't see it, she knew something was there.
Alana cut Jacoby's ignition off and sighed. She took a deep breath and closed her eyes. Once her inner-sight was activated, the reaper seen the black ribbon wrapped around her handle bar. She brushed the silky ribbon and winced when she felt auras that she was very well acquainted with laced within the ribbon. There was one aura that was more dominant than the rest and it made the red head uneasy.
"Dina?" she whispered.
The aura was Dina's but it was colder, darker, and evil. It raged with so much anger and resentment that Alana could feel it digging into her skin. This couldn't be her sister's. Dina was the complete opposite of what this ribbon was feeding her. Dina was like a breath of fresh air. She was always happy and bouncy. She was the joker of the DeBusse family. No matter what sadness or anger they would feel, Dina always found a way to make them feel better.
"This can't be right." Alana whispered as her grip on the silky strip tightened. "This has to be a mistake." she hissed. Though the reaper said these words, in the back of her mind she could hear the words of her mother.
"The ribbons never lie." That was the sad truth.
Alana shook her sister's aura off of her and surfed to find the other auras. The other two auras made her give a weak smile. She knew them quite well and it always brought comfort to her when she was near the owners of the auras, especially her mother's. Alana missed her. It has been twenty-one years since she last seen her and the rest her family. The 118 year old reaper let her mother's warm aura cloak her. Yes, she missed her dearly. She giggled when she felt the tickling sensation of her little brother's aura.
"Hey Lani!" a voice snapped her out of her thoughts.
Alana looked up to see it was the owner of the bar talking to her. "Hey Max."
"Are you alright, little darling?" The owner said with a thick southern accent.
She shook her. "I fine." she said for good measure.
"Are you on your way home?" He asked as he locked the door to the bar.
Alana winced hearing the word. Was she going home? She looked at the dark saturated ribbon that was plagued with Dina's aura. She couldn't run away from this. She had to know what was happening. Did the whole family know about Dina? What were they going to do? Would her mother try to hurt her? Would Dina hurt their mother? Alana didn't want to see another of siblings being buried. She seen enough of their graves haunting her dreams. Alana cleared her mind and the welling determination swelled in her chest. Alana wouldn't let that happened. She could talk Dina out whatever she was doing and everything would be fine and -
Her heart stopped cold. She realized what was running through her mind. If Alana decided to see her sister, that mean she would be seeing the whole family. It would also mean that she would had to face what she was running from all these years. Was she ready for that? Was her "freedom" more important than saving her sister from darkness. Could she give up her fear to return home?
"Alana? Are you sure you okay?"
Alana closed her eyes then opened them to look at a worried Max. "Yes." she sighed. "I'm going home." She felt acid rise in her throat but painful pushed it down.
"Oh alright. You be safe now! See you later darling."
Alana mustered up the most believable smile she could muster. "See you soon Max." But she knew that was a lie. She would never get to see Max or be able to go anywhere when she step on Louisiana soil. What she'd been running for twenty-one years was finally coming to fruition. She was praying that it wasn't the case, but deep down the reaper knew better.
"I'm a idiot." she muttered as she roared her Jacoby to life.
Today, she would be leaving Mississippi. Tomorrow, she would be arriving to Louisiana.
She pressed the ribbon to her lips and whispered a message to her mother. She let the ribbon go and watched the wind carry it away as she drove off into the night.
-AxK-
Tawny was in her sleeping quarters getting ready for bed when she felt a presence outside her balcony. She rushed to balcony door and snatched them open. To her left a strong signature held on to the moisture in the air. Her green eyes caught the sight of Dina's black ribbon in between her lilies. The Cercle Morte leader stepped outside in the warm night to retrieve the ribbon. She picked up the silky fabric and gasped feeling Alana's aura covering Dina's harsh one.
Tawny let a tear slide down her cheek as she heard her daughter's message to her. She then pressed the ribbon to her chest feeling Alana's warm aura tickle her skin as she let the three worded message her daughter left fill her with unimaginable joy making her heart burst.
"I'm coming home . . ."
What do you guys think? Did I do okay with Klaus (I was nervous writing him)? Should I continue? I would love to hear your thoughts. Reviews are welcomed :)