"Freya, we are out of time."
Freya didn't look up from her sketching; papers were strewn around her. Elijah entered the room fully, offering his sister a soft look as he noticed her shaking hand. He knelt down beside her, placing a hand on her shoulder in an attempt to calm her.
"I need more time. I can do it."
"Our primary focus is Lucien. He is much more a threat than Isabella and Mateo, and we could use him a threat. While our goal is to weaken him and capture him, I will not risk losing you in the process."
Elijah reached down and took Freya's hand, stopping her."Sister, please."
"A sigil is a complicated magical symbol, weaponized and condensed to its most potent form."Freya didn't adhere to Elijah's plea of her calming and presented her work, tone desperate."If I combine the right elements, we'll have a chance at stopping Lucien, and if I don't..."
Freya trailed off, just as the sound of panicked knocking made them both look uneasy. Freya and Elijah gave each other an alarmed look, the brother helping his sister to her feet. But, when they got down to the compound, Hayley had already beat them there.
As she moved closer to the entrance, she saw that Camille stood with a worried look.
"Cami!"
She rushed towards Camille who looked frantic, eyes wide."What's wrong?"
"It's Klaus. Lucien has him."
Eyes wide, Hayley turned to shout for Freya and Elijah, but they were already approaching them.
"Freya!"Hayley turned as the Mikaelson siblings rushed closer, the worry evident in her voice."Invite her in."
Freya nodded, already turning back to the compound."Yeah, come in, you're invited."
Camille instantly he entered, rushing to follow the group. Hayley lingered, looking almost paranoid as she glanced outside to make sure nobody had followed before she trailed behind the group.
She joined them, noticing Elijah's uneasiness as he paced as well as Freya's agitation. They didn't want to lose anyone else, that was obvious.
Elijah composed himself long enough to demand."Tell us what happened."
"Lucien ambushed him. The three of them did, the sister and the brother."
"They wouldn't but they are family. It wouldn't matter if they're hesitant, they know the effect past scars has on Lucien. Especially Mateo."
Elijah's pacing resumed as it sunk in what they were up against."Mateo resents us for Lucien being tortured because he attempted to help Niklaus cover up his affair with Aurora. Tristan caught him trying to aid Niklaus and assumed Lucien was the one Aurora was with."
"The mouth scars, from ear to ear, he told me about that."Camille muttered, concern for Klaus growing as she remembered the attack."They knocked him around like it was nothing."
Her words were laced with surprise, as if she was sure she would never see the day where Klaus would be somewhat fragile. Everyone seemed to share her thought, Elijah turning from the group with a shake of his head, now defiant that he'd have to leave the safety of his home as well as kicking himself for letting his brother leave alone.
"That means they've become what he is."Hayley said what everyone was thinking, rubbing her hands together uneasily."Did he bite him?"
"No."Camille shook her head, watching as everyone all breathed a sigh of relief before she quietly added."I think he wanted him alive. I followed them. Lucien took Klaus back to the penthouse."
Elijah shook his head, mind racing as he envisioned what Lucien had planned for his sire. The Original's pacing turned more stressed as Elijah looked up to where Hope's room would be.
The eldest Original vampire blinked several times as he remembered Klaus' reaction to his daughter's first steps, even during their squabble the brothers had shared a soft moment.
He wouldn't let his brother die and leave Hope without her father.
Elijah spun around on his heels, tone and expression resolute.
"This ends today."
Hayley frowned as Elijah pulled out his phone, tapping on the screen, and she grew even more anxious as she noticed just how tense he seemed. Hayley shook her head as she slowly realised what he was doing. She couldn't risk another member of her family. They had to save Klaus without anyone else in the group acting impulsively.
"What are you doing, Elijah?"
Elijah didn't look up as he replied, gaze focused on his phone as he typed. His tone was laced with determination, such defiance that it was evident he wasn't to be dissuaded.
"Whatever it takes."
"Ohhh, kinky!"
Lucien and Isabella turned to look as Mateo sauntered into the penthouse, carrying a case with him. The couple frowned, having not seen the case before. Mateo had disappeared after they had taken the Original hybrid to the penthouse.
Mateo quickly kissed his sister's cheek before he sing songed."I'm ready for our fun game!"
"Where have you been, brother?"
"Here and there."He laughed happily as he placed out several weapons of his choice on the table, looking almost gratified as he picked up a blade."I've just been shopping, sister and i'm ready to use the sharp ones."
The male vampire knelt in front of the Original hybrid as Lucien walked up to his sire. Klaus had been shackled by his wrists. He was connected to long chains suspended from the ceiling, which were also attached to a small log of wood that rested against the back of Klaus' neck.
Lucien stood behind Klaus, hands on his sire's shoulders."Time to wake our guest."
The male vampire and his sister watched as Lucien punched his hand into Klaus' chest. This woke the Original hybrid up, who shouted in agony as Lucien ripped Papa Tunde's blade from his chest. Klaus snarled at Mateo who was still knelt in front of him as Lucien tossed aside the blade.
"That does look uncomfortable."
Lucien smirked as he straightened, glancing over at his lover."Is it too tight?"
Klaus tried to break free, growling wildly as he realised that not even his strength could set him free. The female vampire cocked her head as Klaus' eyes flashed amber at her.
"Nonsense. I was a bit wary of your mission, my love, but if we are to be free of him, we are to do it right."Isabella responded, shaking her head as she paced back and forth in front of Klaus."No pain, no gain, I say."
Lucien sent Isabella a tender smile as he walked behind Klaus, fingers dancing along the wood.
"Those chains and that wood were crafted by Ancient Egyptians keen on suppressing all sorts of evil. Nothing supernatural can escape. Not even you. You see, I've been stockpiling such items for a long, long time. I have been planning this moment for centuries."
Lucien leant forward to speak into Klaus' ear."How does it feel to have someone more powerful than you, Nik?"
"You think you're more powerful than I, old friend?"Klaus scoffed, looking up at Lucien with a smirk."I think your upgrade has infected your head. You have spent centuries trying to be like me, and I believe that it's not just because you wish to be my better."
"Hmmm."Lucien hummed, interested."What else do you think it is, then?"
Klaus' ocean blue eyes drifted over to the female vampire stood with her arms crossed."You lost everything to those more powerful than you, mate. Your freedom, your pride and your family. I think that you have spent the last thousand years fearing that you'd lose your beloved Isabella to someone more powerful than you. Someone who was better than you in every single way."
Lucien's jaw clenched angrily as Klaus' eyes met Isabella's, his eyes darkening.
"And, deep down, mate, you feared that you'd lose her to me."Klaus tilted his head, eyes roaming over the female vampire in a suggestive manner."What do you say, sweetheart? Help out the man who gave you the gift of eternal life, and you'll be rewarded in ways you can't even imagine."
Klaus growled furiously as Lucien's fingers locked in his hair and his head was pulled back. He gazed up into Lucien's deadly red eyes as the other male vampire's fangs extracted. Jealousy flashed in Lucien's eyes as he growled down at Klaus.
"Hit a nerve, have I?"
The pair glowered at each-other until Lucien looked away, vampire features fading as he straightened. When the sound of soft whispering reached his ears, Klaus knew that Isabella had distracted Lucien.
The hybrid turned his head, silently watching the couple as Isabella cupped the back of Lucien's head, bringing him down to her level. Lucien, as always, melted into her embrace, a hand cupping her cheek fondly before he met her lips with his own.
Klaus shook his head with a disgusted sound."Pathetic."
"You are a piece of work, aren't you?"
The Original looked away from the pair as Mateo ambled up to him, shaking his head with a tut. He circled the couple before stopping in front of Klaus. He choked as fingers locked around his throat and Mateo's face came into view.
"Ah, Mateo."Klaus didn't show any trepidation as he chuckled, casually drawling."The willing slave. Come to defend your sister?"
"Well, we don't all like to abuse our sisters like you do, Nik."Mateo responded as he knelt down in front of Klaus, tilting his head."How is the lovely Rebekah? Must I have to look for a coffin?"
Klaus' eyes hardened, and he shot up, his eyes turning amber for a moment as he released a predatory growl. Mateo didn't cower away. Instead, he just blinked, a smile gracing his handsome face as the Original snarled at him.
"She is off limits to you, as is the rest of my family. What you think of doing to them I shall do to you tenfold."Klaus angrily threatened, eyes wide with sheer bitterness before he cocked his head with a lopsided smirk."I will start with your sister. I will tear her heart from her chest and present it to you on a silver platter."
Mateo returned the smile, eyes dark as he looked over to Isabella before he shook his head with a laugh. Mateo was usually very composed, much like his sister, and, excluding when he hunted, he was mostly equable, but that would all cease when someone struck a nerve inside of him.
And his sister was a topic nobody wanted to provoke.
"You shouldn't have said that."
Klaus raised an eyebrow, mimicking Mateo's head shake."No?"
Mateo moved swiftly, hand reaching out and grabbing the back of Klaus' neck, yanking him forward. He gave a mirthless laugh as he brought his hand down, a sharp blade in his hand. The usual unruffled vampire inhaled a sharp breath as Klaus cried out angrily when he was stabbed in the throat, Mateo driving the blade deep as it could.
"Dipped in wolfsbane. Must hurt, huh?"Mateo hummed as Klaus sent him an incensed glare, the hybrid almost shaking with utter anger."Yeah, well, it'll happen a lot more if you don't curb your insults, my friend."
"Oh, this is interesting."
Mateo and Klaus both turned their heads in Lucien's direction, both puzzled as Lucien smiled. The vampire didn't look up; his attention still focused on the screen. Isabella was also watching the screen but, unlike Lucien, she didn't seem as pleased as he did.
"Huh?"
"This has improved an already delightful day."
Mateo didn't seem convinced, giving a shrug while he pulled the blade from Klaus. The Original inhaled a sharp breath, baring his teeth at the younger male.
"I don't care; you'll never beat my high score."Mateo said as he dipped his blade back into the wolfsbane, brandishing it with a small smirk."Here's a suggestion for your newfound mightiness. Read a book or several. It might broaden your vocabulary."
Lucien's gaze finally left his phone, and his smile grew when he saw the pain Mateo had inflicted on his sire.
"I'll do that when you figure out what incognito mode is on the laptop. Forget that, mate, just buy your own, all right?"Lucien playfully retorted, eyebrows raising playfully when Mateo rolled his eyes at him before he beckoned the male vampire over with his fingers."Come here. You must see this."
Mateo sighed and got up but not before driving the blade into Klaus' shoulder, a giddy smile on his lips when Klaus' head tipped back, and an enraged howl came from the Original. Isabella's face scrunched up at the sharp sound, and she turned away just as her brother sauntered over to them.
"What is it?"
"It is from our old friend Elijah Mikaelson."Lucien said as he re-read the text message, huffing out a laugh before he looked to Klaus."He wants to meet."
Klaus quickly forgot about the pain, and he painted for air, shaking his head at the mention of his brother.
"No."
Mateo took the phone from Lucien."Huh?"
"Whiskey Cask. Immediately. I have an offer to make."Mateo read aloud with a small hum both amused and slightly startled."An offer?"
"You not going, right?"Isabella raised an unamused eyebrow, hands on her hips as she watched Lucien, worried once more."Lucien?"
Lucien's expression softened as he heard the worry in Isabella's tone. The vampire pulled her closer to him, muttering something into her ear that nobody but her could hear. His hand disappeared into her long dark locks, fingers combing through them soothingly.
Klaus looked to the exit, determined to not watch Lucien and Mateo leave.
"She is right. Your newfound power grants you anything but experience. My brother quite crafty and you, old friend, have grown more hubristic since you've been reborn."Klaus hissed as he watched Lucien, looking slightly nervous as he straightened, glaring at the chains."You did all this to exact revenge on me. Not him. Me."
Lucien's eyes narrowed as he looked at Klaus, his loving smile replaced with a frown. The upgraded vampire brushed his lips against Isabella's cheek before he stepped away, ambling over to where Klaus was.
"And what better way to make you suffer than to kill off those you love one by one?"Lucien drawled as he slipped on his leather jacket, tone playful but grim as he circled Klaus."Don't feel left out, Nik, your suffering is going to last a very long time. We're only getting started."
Klaus swallowed, yanking a the log he was attached to but to no avail and he attempted to hide his concern as he looked up at Lucien.
"With your constant prattling, it feels longer."
"Are you certain you made the right choice becoming indestructible-"The Original's gaze sought out Isabella, smile growing and tone dropping to a purr when he stated her pet name."...mi dulce niña?"
My sweet girl.
Klaus' smile turned to a bitter smirk as he witnessed Lucien's fingers curl into a fist and the Original cocked his head, lip curving up into a sneer. The next words were still addressed to Isabella, but Klaus didn't take his eyes away from Lucien as he said them.
"His ego is only going to grow, and his yammering will never cease. You have given yourself a life sentence if you ask me-ARH!"
Klaus inhaled sharply as the blade in his shoulder was harshly twisted, and Klaus' teeth ground together as he tried to bite back the painful groans. The wolfsbane soared through his body once more, making him pant for air as it felt that he was being strangled.
"Thing is, Nik, I don't remember asking it."Lucien muttered as he leant down, pulling the blade out before he stabbed Klaus once more."Usually, your taunts and lies are so much more convincing Am I the only one hearing this?"
Mateo and Isabella made sounds of agreements as Lucien wiped his hands of blood, laughing to himself as he circled the Original before making his way over to his family. His smile turned more tender as he gladly walked into Isabella's arms as she reached out for him.
"Oh, I think the puppy's angry."Mateo said, watching Klaus with an only half amused smile, patting Lucien's shoulder."Sticks and stones, mate."
Isabella tilted her head up and planted an adoring kiss to Lucien's jawline, biting down playfully when he tugged her closer.
"Pay no attention to him."Isabella said as she placed her hand on Lucien's chest, just over his heart, smiling at him."He's used to it; it's a running theme in his life."
"Yes, well, the rest of it will be nothing but suffering and a constant knowing that everything was taken from him."Lucien stated, glancing down at his watch before he added."That is to start now. Elijah Mikaelson will be no longer by the end of the day."
The female vampire looked up at her lover, brow furrowing."You are going to entertain his offer?"
"It'll be fun to see him grasping at straws."
Isabella opened her mouth to protest but before she could speak her brother piped up."Don't fret, baby sister; i'll be there."
The couple turned as Mateo sauntered up to them, his famous wily smile gracing his face.
"Partly because i'd love to kick Elijah's ass, but you know i'll take care of him."Mateo came up beside his sister, placing his hands on her shoulders and giving her a soothing smile."I'll bring your boy back to you."
Isabella raised her eyebrows, hands still on her hips as she stared at them, shaking her head. Each male vampire looked anywhere her, instantly feeling scrutinised. Klaus watched intently, wondering how she always managed to make both men bow before her without much effort.
"And while you're taking care of him who'll be taking care of you?"
Mateo's response was a simple shrug, the vampire as carefree as ever.
Lucien took Isabella's hands in his own, pulling the female vampire up against him, placing her hands on his shoulders. His own settled her hips as he started to sway, smiling when she instantly fell into it with him.
"I know we do not need to fear perishing because of you, my love, but just come back to me, all right?"Isabella murmured, toying with Lucien's hair as the pair swayed."The both of you."
Lucien nodded, lips brushing the underside of her jaw before he pulled back. He cupped her cheeks in his hands, thumbs brushing her skin before he leant down and claimed her mouth with his own. Isabella instantly arched up into him, lips moving against Lucien's as she curled her fingers in his leather jacket, keeping him against her as long as she could.
As their kiss deepened passionately, Klaus frowned as if puzzled at the sight before he turned his head, looking anywhere but the pair.
"Ugh, i'm going to be anywhere but here."Mateo rolled his eyes, mouth curving up as he shook his head fondly before clapped his hands."Chop, chop, Lucien, places to go, people to carnage!"
Mateo turned from the couple, a skip in his step as he made his way towards the exit. He slowed down as he passed Klaus, lingering for a moment and offering him a wide smile.
"I'll send your love to Elijah as I serve him a slow, painful death."
"Not bloody likely."Klaus snarled in response, baring his teeth."I look forward to watching Isabella's heartache when your ashes turn up."
Mateo's smile faded a little, but he waved it off with a shake of his head, backtracking in the direction of the door, wiggling his fingers as a goodbye.
"I'll always come back to you, Izzy."Lucien promised when he reluctantly broke their kiss, humming fondly as he pecked Isabella's forehead, whispering."Te amo, mi cielo."
I love you, my darling.
"I know."Isabella whispered, eyes shutting for a moment when she melted into his touch."Te quiero más."
I love you more.
