I looked around, confused. I was standing in nothing but darkness. All I could see was me. A second later a door appeared in front of me. I saw the doorknob growing from black to brighter and brighter until the glow almost hurt my eyes. So I did the only logical solution. I grabbed it and as I did so, the door opened wide.
I was presented with a room of light and I felt something drawing me in. I walked into the room and suddenly the door was gone and instead I was surrounded by many snarling faces, many angry faces of the vampires I had made enemies of. They shouted at me and I was drawn to the very center of the room. I turned around in the spot, looking at all the strange faces that were blurred out of vision.
Then suddenly they pounced, a way out was shown and something drew me to run. I ran as fast as I could from them only to run into a wall. I tried a different way and I was blocked by another wall. I tried again but another wall popped out of the ground. I looked at the fast approaching enemies and then at the walls, ready to climb. However, white oak appeared as spikes on the walls. I was trapped.
I turned, ready to fight. They stopped chasing and that was when I pounced.
I fell off the bed. I looked up and around me. I was back in Lucien's apartment. I was in the master bedroom. I wasn't being attacked by anyone but the covers who were hugging me too tight to move my arms. Or legs for that matter. I'd had a different variety on my nightmare. Great! Just great! I snarled at my dreams before settling down as much as I could. When I knew I wouldn't be causing trouble I decided I needed to get up.
I struggled free from the covers before getting up to have breakfast. After I was done and got bored of the apartment I decided to get up and go find my old friend. He'd left a note on the fridge. 'Went out to the bar. Come see me when you wake. - Lucien.' As if it could be anyone else.
While I was headed toward Lucien, I'd gotten a call from my son Marcel. "Dad?"
"Yes Marcel?"
"There are these strange new vampires-"
"Stay away from them." I demanded.
"Yeah. Okay."
"It's purely for your protection Marcellus."
"Yes Dad."
"Good. I love you."
"I love you too." I hung up.
I found him in a Halloween party. People were in costumes and were drinking. I found him inside Rousseau's with three girls.
"Na zdorovie! Haha! Come here, you." He bit into the skeleton bride's neck.
"Ahh!"
"There's my old friend!" He pulled away, blood dribbling down his chin. He was happy to see me.
"Nik!"
"Hard at work ensuring my safety, I see." I teased. He gave me a look.
"By all means, join us!"
"Business before pleasure."
"Ah. Excuse me, ladies." They left and only then did I notice a man, eavesdropping on us. Lucien gestured to the man. "Ah ha! I see you've noticed Gregory. Former Navy SEAL. I turned him personally to head my security team."
"Yes, I've noticed a lot of new faces at my favorite haunts."
"It's strictly for your protection!" He picked up a shot of tequila and held it out to me. I sat next to him. I took it from him and he picked up another one.
"Your resources are extensive."
"And you don't even know the half of it." We clinked our glasses together before drinking. "You see, Nik, I have spent several lifetimes building a company devoted to shattering the very limits of what is possible. I have some of the most brilliant minds in the world developing technologies that you couldn't imagine."
"With Alexis as your crowning achievement, no doubt." He shrugged.
"Well…"
"The single cure to the most terrifying threat of all. The unknown." I chuckled. "Speaking of which… Perhaps we should go pay your seer another visit? See if anything has snapped into focus in regards to that mysterious threat against us." He looked uncomfortable. … "If, that is, you're prepared to share your resources…"
"Of course! Her visions are our greatest chance for survival." He held up his second shot and I followed suit with my friend. Lucien's hiding something. "I only regret I didn't suggest it myself!" I smiled, pretending I believed him. If he was really interested in protecting me, he would have pestered me to stay longer.
We arrived at his place some time later, giving Lucien time to sober up. "Alexis!" He called as we reached our apartment. I heard a television blasting noise and went to investigate. Lucien followed me. "Alexis!" He snapped. Furniture had been overturned. What looked like the remnants of a spell had been left on a table. Alexis was nowhere to be seen. Lucien examined the objects on the table. I grabbed the remote control off of the bed and turned off the TV.
"Perhaps you should place your special lady friend on a shorter leash?" I joked.
"You don't understand- Alexis doesn't go outside unless she has to. She's too sensitive. If she's gone, then someone took her." I looked at him, narrowing my eyes.
"Are you accusing me of something?"
"Tristan did it, it has to have been him." He dialed up one of his men on the phone and began pacing. I threw myself on the bed, beginning to lounge as I watched him pester over a useless female. "I don't want your excuses, I simply want her found! Do you understand?" He hung up and I smirked up at the roof.
"All the king's horses and all the king's men couldn't find one prognosticating witch." He rolled his eyes. "Ah, well. Takes one to find one, I always say." I smirked wider before pulling out my own phone.
"What is it now, Klaus?" I grinned. A fun, interesting little spat.
"Really, Freya? Is that the way you greet someone you've spent your entire life trying to find?"
"Oh, I'm sorry- are you not calling for a favor?" I saw Lucien grab for my phone.
"That is irrelevant!" He snatched it from me.
"You're absolutely right, love. We need your help. A dear, dear friend of mine has gone missing, and we must find her. Our lives depend on it."
"And, I take it I was the only one willing to answer your call?" I opened my mouth to say something but Lucien silenced me. I glared at him but staid my tongue.
"Well, you're certainly the loveliest." I spat my tongue out in disgust.
"Klaus, please tell your creepy friend that just because he's good-looking doesn't mean I won't turn him inside out and hang what remains from a pole."
"Oh, I'm sorry. I take it your being foolish in thinking I wouldn't retaliate in the worst way possible." I growled. Lucien chuckled.
"Text me the address." She sighed. I smirked. When it comes to this type of thing, I always win. I grabbed Lucien and dragged him out of the building. No way in hell am I letting her discover my hiding place. Lucien snatched something from the room before we left.
When we got there, Freya was already waiting. I turned to Lucien. "You do the talking. I'm afraid I'd scare her off." I sat down and watched silently. For a bit. Lucien laid out a map.
"This is hers." Lucien said, setting a hairbrush on the same table. Freya began to light candles in preparation. "Your brother must have told Tristan about the prophecy. If that sadistic bastard so much as touches a hair on her head…" He warned.
"The witch's hair isn't what has me worried. Frankly, your girl seems a bit wanton when it comes to handing out visions."
"Alexis would not share her gifts with him. That doesn't mean he wouldn't torture it out of her…" I watched as Freya dropped sand on the paper and it started moving. "Ah, the Davilla Estate. Brilliant. Isn't that where-"
"-Our old friend Tristan lured Elijah just the other night. It seems your fears are warranted."
"Granted, we are the two most cunning, powerful, and handsome vampires of all time-" I smirked. The one thing everyone tries to get on my 'good side' is complimenting me about how I'm the strongest creature alive, granted it's true but still. "-but that still leaves us a bit outnumbered. How do you propose we fight our way into an entire secret society of ancient vampires?"
"Oh, luckily, I have a plan." I smiled devilishly at Lucien.
I had Freya dress up and Lucien and I got… essentially wasted. I for one couldn't stop giggling as we headed for the party Tristan was throwing. I howled as we entered to show the presence of the Original Vampire-Werewolf Hybrid, the strongest creature in the world. After I chuckled. Lucien and the girls we brought all laughed with me. We had the attention of everyone. The one thing that broke through my drunken stupor was a familiar scent. I breathed in deep. Marcel? He couldn't be here. No he was here yesterday. It's stale. Everyone stopped what they were doing and stared at us.
"What a beloved occasion!"
"My God, it's a room full of Elijah's." I laughed stupidly.
"I had that exact same nightmare once!" I had apparently entered my brother's mind for the first time. They all laughed and I grinned wickedly.
"Go and grab us a drink, love! Feel free to fetch one for yourself." More drinks?! I grinned eagerly.
"One for me, please! And one for her, and her, and her, and her…" How many women do we even have? I see twelve. "Tristan?" I asked friendly. "Tristan!" I shouted angrily when he didn't just pop out of no where. "Come out, come out, wherever you are! Unless, of course, you're afraid!" I said playfully. I saw Tristan then. He was giving a patronizing smile. I narrowed my eyes a bit.
"You should, uh, move along. You're not welcome here." I smirked.
"I'm King of New Orleans. I go where I like." I retorted. Hm… "Oh. Oh, okay. We're-we're not welcome here…" Not welcome in my own damn city? I snatched a champagne flute from the nearest platter. She was taking too long with my drink. I walked as best I could over to Tristan. "Or maybe you should move along before I make you cry in front of all your little friends! Hahaha!" I just insulted everyone in this room. I grinned stupidly.
"My concern is for your companions. They appear out of sorts without a shiny pole to writhe upon." For a second I just stared at him, confused. Then it hit me what he was referring to.
"Ohhhhhh, he's suggesting that you're exotic dancers! Which, to him, is an insult-" Lucien gestured to dancers. "-if not hypocritical. But, don't take it personally, love. He finds all work demeaning. The only dignified way to accumulate wealth is by birth." He smiled at Tristan and leaned forward, extending his index finger and tapping Tristan on the end of the nose. "Boop! Isn't that right, Tristan? Hmm?" He clapped Tristan on the shoulders with his hand. I smacked his hand away before shoving Tristan, nodding my head up in an aggressive stance.
"Niklaus!" I looked around. Was that Elijah? I spun to see Elijah approaching. Maybe I could have fun with him. He walked up, right up to me. I sneered at him. Before tilting my head to the side a bit, smiling at him.
"What is it?" I smirked. "Lij?" I used Hayley's stupid nickname for him, shoving him backward with one hand. He rolled his eyes at me.
"Oh, you're hammered. Which should come as very little surprise to anyone here, but it does hamper the festivities somewhat. So, could I recommend that you find the nearest exit?" …
"Just…" I whispered, trying to find words for what I wanted to say. He was patient with me… like always… bastard!
"Yes, and could you take your playthings with you, too?" I shoved my champagne glass in Elijah's hands. I looked into his eyes and smiled.
"No." I said simply before staggering farther into the room, against his wishes, smiling with rebellion. My eyes fell on a guy who seemed unimpressed. Maybe I should rip his heart out. I heard Lucien clear his throat and turned back around.
"You know, I used to find it insulting that I was barred from your special little club. But now, I realize that I lack the flexibility to become a member- I could never get my head far enough up my own ass." Of course I never let anyone really ban me from anything. I bowed and laughed. Tristan and Elijah were both annoyed. Lucien was happy. However, I felt my rage coming back up. The unending rage. I tried to make it go away again. I retrieved my glass from Elijah, downing it. I spat it out immediately. I handed the glass back to Elijah. I looked at Tristan, smelling him. The scent of Marcel was coming from him. It was stale. "Cheap alcohol for cheap party people." I turned to Lucien. "Come on. Let's go. This party's dead and we have other people to ruin anyway." I howled to announce the exit of the Original Hybrid.
We were back at the apartment when I got a call. "Dad?" asked a worried voice. I frowned.
"Marcel? What's wrong?" I asked.
"I need you to come home. Now." I sighed but nodded.
"I'll be home soon. Is Freya there?"
"Yeah. Why?"
"Not important. I'll be home soon." I hung up and Lucien nodded as we found our way to the house. I found Marcel wobbling on his feet and saw him start falling. I vamped over and caught him. "What's wrong lil' mate?" I asked, worried. He silently showed me a bite on his arm. I was suddenly overcome with violent rage. I sighed, reigning it in as I carried him to my office. "What happened?"
"I had Tyler bite me."
"You did what?" I demanded.
"You know those strange vampires you told me not to meet? Well they found me and tonight I was initiatied into their group of Strix and Tyler wouldn't let me go without him and when I learned what was going to happen, that I would be fighting Mohinder, I had him bite me because he feeds from his opponents and when he bit me he got poisoned too and then when the party was over, I called you because I got bit and I know you have a cure for bites." I sat in my office chair, staring at him silently. He stared back at me.
"Are you finished with your tale of disobedience?" I asked. He blushed.
"Yes sir."
"I bet they were all so impressed, weren't they? Hmm, your new mates? Positively taken by your boldness, your cunning wit, and your steely resolve. And you just assumed that I'd let you get away with breaking what rule Marcellus?" He gulped, blushing deeper. He remained silent. "My number one rule! We cannot tell friend from foe, and what are you doing? You're pledging a fraternity run by those conspiring against us!" He sighed, still not meeting my gaze.
"My interest in The Strix is because of you." I narrowed my eyes at him. "I don't get to choose sides. Whoever comes for you, comes for me. That's all I need to know… I'm sorry Dad." He whispered the last part to me. I heard the door open and saw Freya walk into the room.
"She's awake."
"Go away." I ordered. She narrowed her eyes at me but did as I instructed. "Yes, whoever comes for me may very well come for you." I bit into my wrist and added it to my forgotten glass of wine. "But, they may also come through you, Marcellus. Remember that." He drank it all in one go. "Right now would not be a good time for me to punish you. I'm still drunk, still angry, still furious at you, and I have other problems to deal with. Therefore, you will be grounded for the rest of this week and then I will deliver the punishment you surely knew would happen when you made Tyler bite you. I shall also discipline Tyler for even going to a party with strangers, and not asking me beforehand. Am I understood?" I asked, forcing him to look at me by grabbing his chin tightly.
"Yes Dad. I'm sorry." My face softened.
"I know." I let him go and walked downstairs. Lucien was sitting next to Alexis. A bruise was developing on her face. Apparently Freya had punched her.
"I'm sorry. I hoped I was wrong, Lucien. I really did. But I saw it. I saw him die."
"Did you see the weapon?" She nodded. "What is it?"
"To understand, it must be seen." Elijah and Rebekah bit into her and her nose began to bleed. They stopped quickly and threw up the blood they'd drank. I looked at them, worried. What the hell had just happened?
"Something's wrong." Rebekah said, looking worried too. Elijah looked up.
"Poison!" Alexis gagged before she started vomiting up blood. Lucien rushed over. Alexis was dying.
"No! No!" Alexis fell into his arms. "NO! No, no, no, no, no!" I watched her die.