BETRAYED
I woke up to shouting.
My eyelids ripped open, and I forced myself to focus, seeing the mid-daylight streaming through the window. I had never slept this long in my life. I must've been really tired. Either that, or this ring was really trying to incapacitate me as much as possible.
I was still here. I was still in the mansion. This wasn't a dream.
But the noise was real. A crash reverberated through the walls, and I felt terrified that the roof would collapse. Wrenching open the door, I ran out into the castle hallways, not caring that I was still clad in my nightgown. The shouting seemed to be coming from a sort of library, and so I entered it, seeing a shocking scene.
Niklaus's face resembled a demon as he secured Elijah to the wall, looking furious. Elijah looked confused, wondering why his brother was acting in such a manner.
"Do not lie to me!" Niklaus growled loudly into Elijah's face, and I winced. It looked as if at any moment he would rip out his own brother's heart. I grew frightened.
"I will find her." Elijah promised, "You have my word."
"If you do not, I give you my word you will be dead." Niklaus threatened deadly, then loosened his grip on Elijah.
"Elijah." I called out, running over to him, trying to see if he was all right.
"Allura?" He questioned, then got over his confusion as he held an arm out, gently pushing me away from his brother, who I could slowly see was trying to control his rage. "Stay back." He was looking at Niklaus fearfully, making sure that I was far away from him. "Go to your chambers, I'll be with you soon."
"No, she's not going anywhere." Niklaus stated. In a blur so fast I couldn't comprehend, Niklaus suddenly rushed forward and grabbed me. We stopped at the other side of the library, next to a bookshelf. I gasped, struggling, but his grip was stronger than anything I'd ever felt before.
Elijah stared at us, afraid that Niklaus would do something to me. "Brother," Elijah pleaded, "Please, let Allura go."
"I think not." Niklaus replied. He had a hold of my wrists, and pressed my back against his chest. I could barely move. I swallowed.
"Niklaus, please..." Elijah started to move towards us, but whatever expression that was on Niklaus' face stopped him in his tracks.
"If you fail to bring Katerina back to me, I promise you, you will never see Allura again." Niklaus said squarely. "Leave now, and no harm will come to her. But if you are to return without Katerina..."
He didn't have to finish, Elijah was already nodding vigorously. "Yes, my lord." After giving me one more terrified look, he bleared out of the room. Niklaus waited a few good seconds before his grip slackened, and I pushed myself away from him, about to question what the hell was happening.
"Sorry, love," He started before I could, "But I had to use you to be sure that Elijah would do as I asked. Apparently, blood only runs so deep."
Confused, my breathing was still ragged as I asked, "What are you talking about? Who's Katerina?"
"Curious now, are we?" He smirked in amusement. I refused to smile or be humored, keeping a straight face. "I guess I'll start from the beginning..."
He told me the story:
The Original Witch was actually Niklaus, Elijah, and their other three siblings' mother. Werewolves had existed centuries ago, and they used to terrorize the towns and settlements which the family had lived on. The witch had been unfaithful to the father with one of the werewolves, and so Niklaus was supposed to be a werewolf. But after one of the wolves killed one of the six children, the witch turned them into creatures of the night, so that they could never die, being immortal. This led to the rivalry between these two supernatural creatures.
After Niklaus fed on his first human, killing him, he started to turn into a wolf upon activating the curse. His father, however, despised werewolves, and demanded for the witch to place a spell over him, suppressing his werewolf side.
Now Niklaus was trying to break the curse, and to become some sort of... hybrid. Utterly invincible.
The only way he could break it, was to sacrifice the doppelganger—strange word—who was a human girl who supposedly looked identical to the one sacrificed in the beginning to create the curse. Niklaus had to drain her body of her blood.
The doppelganger was Katerina.
Niklaus suspects that Elijah was the one to warn her about the sacrifice, which was going to happen tonight, on a full moon.
"How could you sacrifice Katerina—an innocent human being?" I questioned him, feeling my anger flare up.
"You don't understand, Allura." Niklaus stated, "My father has been trying to track us for the last five centuries, willing to end us—his own children—so that the world would be free of our kind. To ensure that I survive, I have to become stronger, so that I can protect my siblings and I."
Well, when he said it that way... No, it was still wrong. "But look at what you've been doing." I insisted, gesturing towards the door where Elijah had left through, "You've just threatened your own brother over this curse." I paused, "Yesterday, you explained to me how much you disfavored the way I've been treated my entire life. Yet you're willing to put an end to Katerina's?" I breathed out, then took a deep breath. "Whomever she is as a person, I know for certain that she is more innocent than I am. I've killed many humans. I have blood on my hands. Does she? Does she deserve to die?"
Niklaus remained silent for a time, trying to control his breathing. "Katerina is disposable." He finally replied, "You and my brother seem to think differently, but I hold no regard for human life."
I almost scoffed, "Do you mean that if I were human, you would've killed me right now?" I asked, "If I were in Katerina's place, would you be taking me to this sacrifice to be drained of blood in some ritual?"
Anger was clear in his eyes. "Don't compare yourself to Katerina." He ordered in a soft but deadly voice, "You are nothing like her. She is just like all the other women I've encountered; silly, inane, inexperienced, and uneducated. Even if she was immortal and had the exquisite powers that you possess... I wouldn't spare her a glance if she were to drop dead." His eyes hardened over with ice. All of a sudden, they seemed to melt, turning into liquid, like waves in the ocean. "But you'e different... you're special, a beauty I never knew could exist."
He stepped closer to me, and I sucked in a deep breath when he was only a step away. He continued speaking, "You're life could never be replaceable. A mere glance by you sends me into a frenzy of feelings I've never felt before. Never thought were possible..."
I gasped when his fingers reached up and gently grazed my cheeks. The touch sent shivers down my body and had an undertone of danger lurking within it.
I'd never been touched like this by anyone before. I liked the way he made me feel. Like I was special, worth saving.
He made me feel as if I served some greater purpose upon this Earth besides killing people and razing towns. Like I was actually meant to be here... that my existence wasn't a complete disgrace.
"You're amazing..." He whispered softly, then leaned in. I felt his cool breath on my face. Intoxicated by him, I was almost a second too late from stepping back, but I eventually did, before his lips could descend upon mine.
I looked down to the side in embarrassment, hoping that he couldn't see my burning cheeks. Although, with his senses, he most likely could. One stolen glance from his face allowed me to decipher that he was disappointed, frustrated, and a bit confused, as if this was all knew to him.
Did that mean that during all the centuries he'd lived, he'd never found love? Not once?
Now I was confused. And what made me so special? I was different, obviously, and beautiful—at least that's what others said—but was that enough? We had only met yesterday, yet he seemed already taken with me...
"Niklaus." I adressed, and he looked at me, "Why do you believe Elijah has told Katerina of your plans?"
He sighed at the change of subject, but answered me, "Because, like you, he seems to value human life. He gave me his word that he wouldn't tell her, but he has lied."
I thought over it for a minute, then came to a conclusion. "I don't think Elijah told her." I elaborated, "It most likely could've been someone else who knows of this sacrifice. Or someone who has overheard."
"How could it possibly be—" He cut himself off, realizing something. "Trevor."
"Trevor?" I questioned.
"Yes. He was the man who first introduced Katerina to my brother and I. Like us, Trevor is a creature of night, although he is not nearly as old or strong." Niklaus looked away for a moment, in deep concentration. "From what I've gathered from Elijah, Trevor fancies Katerina. He must've told her. That was why she ran. He's helping her."
"What will you do if she is to escape?" I inquired, "You won't hurt Elijah will you?"
Niklaus clenched his jaw, then relaxed. "I suppose it is not his fault." He admitted, his expression stony, "But Katerina, Trevor, and anyone else who has dared to defy me will have hell to pay."
Five hours later.
The sun set a few minutes ago. After changing into a gold and olive colored gown, I sat on a comfortable chair in the library, reading the different books provided. Niklaus offered me food and drinks, but I only accepted a glass of water from one of his servants—the poor lad was shaking when he brought it to me. Again, I was glad that I had my ring on.
I'd glance up from my books once in a while to catch a glimpse of Niklaus, who was always either pacing, sitting down impatiently, or flipping through books nonchalantly. He'd probably already read all of them.
Elijah finally came back, and I was relieved to see him in one piece, unharmed. I stood up to greet him, but he suddenly flashed towards me, standing in front of me, facing Niklaus who carefully scrutinized his brother.
"Elijah—" Niklaus started.
"No," The older brother interrupted.
Niklaus smirked without humor, "I didn't finish."
"You can't take Allura away from me." Elijah stated with what I think was a glare, "I won't allow it."
"I never said such a thing." Niklaus smiled... but then his gaze hardened and he frowned, "However, given the way you're reacting leads me to believe that you do not have Katerina, correct?"
Elijah nodded stiffly. "She turned herself into a creature of night with Trevor's blood, and they along with a companion fled once again."
Niklaus' entire demeanor changed. He was no longer calm, nor fidgety... but completely shaking with rage. It seemed as though he could take down this entire castle just by touching something.
"Brother," He stated, "I welcome you back to the manor, but get Allura out of here, now!"
I flinched, seeing Niklaus looking like a bomb about to go off. Barely registering it, Elijah gathered me into his arms and sped me out of the room, through many doors and archways, down the hall, and back into my bedroom chambers. Everything had remained the same, but I noticed that my blankets and pillows had been rearranged neatly.
I wondered why the servants, maids, or whoever else that lived here never told anyone what Niklaus and Elijah were. Perhaps they were compelled? Some may have bee loyal. Others were paid. Others feared the consequences.
Glass shattered. Things snapped and broke. The walls shook violently along with whatever Niklaus was destroying. I could hear it all the way from here. All those books... they held valuable information...
Looking at Elijah, he felt the need to reassure me, "It's okay. He's just dispersing his anger."
"I'm not scared." I stated, then smiled a bit, "I'm glad you're back though."
"About that..." Elijah gave me a knowing look, "... How was Niklaus able to forgive me so easily for what I did."
"He already told me everything." I explained, and he looked surprised, "About the curse, your father... everything. And... I may have convinced him that none of this was your fault—which I believe it wasn't—and that you should be able to live here without receiving any blame."
"Thank you, Allura." He said sincerely, just as another sound like an explosion came from the other room. "What you did for me was brave and kind."
"It's no comparison for what you've done for me." I retorted, a smile on my face.
Elijah seemed a bit sheepish, and changed the subject. "Niklaus will get his revenge eventually. Now that Katerina is immortal, he won't stop until he finds her and ends her. He'll probably start by murdering her entire family so that she's left with on one."
My lips parted automatically, "He'd do that?"
Elijah nodded gravely, "My brother does not take betrayal well, not at all. He's been trying to break this curse for almost half a millennium, it must be frustrating when suddenly all that work disappears, all for nothing..." He paused, "I know we promised to start your training tomorrow, but that depends on whether or not he'll be placid enough to do so."
As if on cue, I heard the sound of vases slamming into walls and breaking. I jerked a bit.
I sighed. "I have forever, might as wait until the training is more effective."
Elijah nodded, "I agree." He changed the subject once again, "Have you eaten anything today? I could prepare some food."
"Oh, it's all right." I said, "I'm not hungry."
"You should still eat," He insisted.
"I'm fine." I stated, "I'll just read for a while and then go sleep."
He nodded, respecting my choice, "I'll be here in the morning to wake you up for breakfast."
"All right. See you tomorrow."
Smiling, he hesitated, but leaned in anyway. Placing a quick but sweet kiss on my forehead, he clasped my hand for a second before leaving the room, politely shutting the door behind him.
The feeling lingered on my forehead as I changed for the night and tried to fall asleep. It'd be a miracle if I did, considering all the noise Niklaus was making. I was just hoping he didn't tear someone up for what happened today. Something was heavy in my heart... something foreign to me... a feeling I'd never discovered...
I just want to say thank you so much for your reviews, favorites, and follows! I love that there are people who enjoy reading this story. When I'm happy, I write, so please, review! Thank you. ;)
-Spiralcloud
