Beautiful Disaster ~ Chapter LV
~ * • ° • ° • * ~
"The evil that is in the world almost always comes of ignorance, and good intentions may do as much harm as malevolence if they lack understanding."
- Albert Camus
Marcel had just returned to his apartment after his jog. Walking in, he immediately felt that something was off. Glancing around the room, he found an empty glass on the bar and looked at it suspiciously. When he picked it up to examine it more closely, he saw lipstick smudged on the rim and sighed when he realized he had visitors while he was gone. He then noticed that his decanter of bourbon is almost completely empty and muttered under his breath in annoyance.
"By all means, help yourself to the good... stuff..." He trailed off when he realized that, though the decanter was empty of alcohol, there was still something rattling inside of it. When he turned it upside down, a pair of solid-gold cuff-links fell into his hand that were designed to look like the old logo of The Strix. Tense, Marcel turned around to find a tuxedo and an elegant black masquerade mask hanging on the wall across from him and approached it. Just then, he got a call on his cell phone. He saw that the Caller ID read "UNKNOWN" and didn't hesitate to answer it.
He couldn't help but smile. "You want to dress me up in nice clothes, all you gotta do is ask."
"I'll keep that in mind in the future, Mr. Gerard," Marcel, realizing that it was Tristan who was calling him, frowned in embarrassment.
"I thought you were someone else," Marcel admitted.
"Perhaps my associate, Aya? Clearly, she made quite an impression. She is an exquisite beauty. And, in fairness, the violence wasn't my idea—had you come willingly, none of that would have been necessary," As Tristan spoke, Marcel, who was examining the tuxedo, found another one of The Strix's business cards in the inner jacket pocket. On the back is a message: "7041 ST. CHARLES AVE. MIDNIGHT."
"So, this is your version of asking me something nicely?"
"It's an invitation. I believe Aya told you a bit about The Strix—who we are, what we're capable of. Every few years, we gather to celebrate our status as the most elite creatures in the world. And, in the rare instance we feel we've identified someone worthy of our attention, we open our doors."
Marcel resisted the urge to roll his eyes. "What makes you so sure I'm interested in you?"
"You haven't hung up the phone yet. I understand you've fostered quite a community here in New Orleans. We can offer you a global network—resources, access, power. You're a born leader, Marcel! Why stop at just one city?"
"Maybe I'm happy with what I've got."
Tristan spoke skeptically. "Somehow I doubt that. But, if I've failed to pique your interest, by all means, disregard this call. If, on the other hand, you feel you'd be a worthy addition to our ranks... Join us. Tonight. And, don't be late." Tristan hung up the phone with a smirk, and Marcel, still staring at the invitation card, sighed.
Elijah was in the middle of his own workout at the new gym Marcel had set up at St. Anne's church, where he was vigorously punching and kicking a punching bag. After a moment, he got so heated in his exercise that he punched the bag clear across the room, where it knocked over a bench press and hand-weights. When he turned around, he saw that Andy had entered the room with a small card in her hands and was watching him with a concerned expression. He felt himself exhale a little bit at seeing her.
"Morning, Sleeping Beauty," He blinked open his eyes to see Andy was sitting up on their bed, his shirt pulled over his head. "I was hoping you'd be up before I had to leave."
"I didn't think you the kind to run off after a romantic night."
"Why? On you? I wouldn't dream of it," Andy leaned over and kissed him before she pulled away. "However, I promised Hayley I would watch Hope for a bit."
"Very well. I was planning on going to St. Anne's for a few hours."
Andy didn't question his plans, knowing why he needed to go there. She nodded and gave him a small smile. "I've got a little time before I have to pick Hope up…" Elijah grinned and immediately pulled her back over to him, wondering how on Earth he got so lucky.
After a moment of staring at one another, Elijah pulled out a towel and used it to blot the sweat from his face. When he didn't say anything, Andy spoke first.
"It looks like you've been busy here," Andy commented as she walked over to him.
"I would offer you to join me, but I'm afraid you'll dash out on me again."
Andy smiled at his teasing and stood on her toes to place a kiss on his lips. "I'm perfectly happy to repeat our activities from last night and this morning before I do dash away."
"I would be okay with that," He responded with a smirk before he noticed the black cards she held in her hands and suddenly became worried she had been approached by Tristan again.
"I would be as well, but there's something else we should probably speak about first," She said as she noticed him looking at the cards. "'I do hope that you can come, old chum. Signed, Tristan.'" She waved the invitation in the air before he took it from her. "Hayley was picking up Hope when some vampire dropped it off so I explained what was going on with the sirelines. I figured since she's part of this family, she deserved to know about the prophecy and everything."
Elijah nodded. "I should prepare for tonight."
"We should prepare," Andy corrected before producing her invitation out of her back pocket. He knew she would want to go… "I got my own invite. Looks like I made some impression on Tristan."
Elijah looked displeased as he took her invite as well, reading the note with a furrowed brow. "Precisely why you shouldn't go," He said finally, looking up at her sternly.
"Um, I'm going. Do you really think I'm going to let you go alone?" Andy questioned.
"We don't know what they have planned."
Andy vamp-sped them both over to the cage, where she pinned him to the chain-link wall by the throat. "As hot as the protective macho crap might have been when I was human, now I'm able to protect you too. I have been a vampire for a few years now, Elijah. You're not going into this alone."
Elijah spun them so he was now pinning Andy against the wall by her wrists. He smiled at her before leaning in and kissing her deeply. She responded by pressing her body against his as much as she could, grinning as she did. She was content to stay there but knew they had much to do before tonight.
"Elijah—" She said as he began to place kisses down her neck. "—as much I am enjoying this, we really should be getting ready."
Elijah pulled back to look at her, a smile on his face. "Since when did you become so responsible?"
"You're the one trying to distract me from forgetting about the Strix party," She pointed out with a coy smile. "I'm smarter than that. You're not going to convince me not to go."
"It was worth a shot," He replied as he placed one more kiss on her collarbone.
"Come on. You smell like a barn, and I highly doubt Tristan is going to let you anywhere near the party in this condition."
Freya was in the upstairs study where she was sitting with her legs crossed on a small purple yoga mat on the floor. After a moment, an unhappy-looking Klaus walked in and seemed surprised to see her. "What are you doing here?" He asked her.
Freya gave him a look that was both annoyed and amused. "...I live here?"
Klaus sighed. "Yes. Obviously," Freya stood and started doing another yoga pose. "I just hadn't realized you were back from wherever it is you go to when you leave! Perhaps I was thrown off by the lack of strange gentleman callers perusing the contents of my refrigerator this morning."
Freya smirked happily and switched poses again. "Your concern for my whereabouts is touching."
"I simply want to know who is here at any given moment! I hardly think that's too much to ask," Klaus commented. Just then, an annoyed Hayley, a wary Andy, and an amused Elijah walked into the room to join them.
"Well, if we're talking attendance..." Andy said, trailing off as she looked at Klaus in annoyance.
"Oh, good!" Klaus said mockingly. "It's my not-so-loving older brother, my former one-night-stand, and my ex! What a nice, normal family gathering."
Hayley rolled her eyes and smiled fakely at Klaus. "Charming. Andy told me how you have no clue which one of your long-lost buddies you can trust and which one is trying to kill you."
"Well, clearly what the situation needs is more opinions," Klaus commented snarkily. He looked over at Elijah and Andy. "I assume you told her about the bloody prophecy?"
Hayley shot Elijah a glare, and he smiled in amusement as he responded. "We were just getting to that..."
Hayley turned back to Klaus. "Now would be good." She said.
Klaus rolled his eyes. "Well, it appears my old mate Lucien has acquired a genuine seer, and in an effort to prove his good intentions, he got her to show us some rather dire visions of future doom. It's grim stuff, really—not for the faint of heart."
"Who's doom are we talking about, here? Because if it's yours, I think we're all okay with that," Hayley replied.
Klaus chuckled, clearly enjoying this conversation. It was the first time Hayley had spoken to him since she returned to her human form, and frankly, he was glad she was at least speaking to him now. He had seen Hope of course, but it was a lot harder when Hayley was around. "Well, sadly, we're all on the chopping block. But, chin up! This witch claims her visions are constantly evolving. So, you may just get your wish!"
"Well, I want to meet this psychic witch," Andy said, looking over at Elijah. "I think I'd very much like to see her visions for myself considering mine have not been that clear."
"I'll make sure you get the chance," Klaus said, avoiding eye contact with her. Andy nodded, then looked to Hayley.
"Hayley, I was hoping I could have a word with you. Before you went back to Hope," She said.
"Sure," Hayley agreed, and the two women exited the room. "What is it?"
Andy held a finger to her mouth and continued walking. Curiously, Hayley followed Andy until they reached the Garden where Marcel used to bury vampires who betrayed him or the community. "I need some of your venom," She said.
"Why?" Hayley asked, confused.
"I don't know what I'll be walking into tonight at this party," Andy admitted. "I'd invite you so I'd have an endless supply on hand, but it's best if you watch Hope to make sure Tristan or the Strix or Lucien don't try anything. And I refuse to ask Klaus for anything."
"Who do you plan to use it on?"
"I'm not sure, but in case, I'd like to have some on hand."
Night had fallen, and a Halloween party was in full swing in the French Quarter, where people were in costumes and drinking both in the streets and inside the various bars and clubs in the neighborhood. Eventually, Klaus found Lucien in a booth at Rousseau's, where he was partying hard with three girls: one is a sexy cat, one is a sexy nurse, and the other was dressed up as a skeleton bride. They all held up their shot glasses in cheers.
"Na zdorovie!" The four cheered. Lucien looked at the girl dressed as a skeleton bride and let his fangs drop. "Haha! Come here, you." He bit into the skeleton bride's neck, and she yelped in surprise and pain when he started to feed on her. He seemed so carefree as if this prophecy wasn't hanging over him as well. Klaus wished he could feel that way. After a moment, Klaus decided to interrupt.
"There's my old friend!"
Lucien quickly pulled away from his snack, a small dribble of blood running down his chin, and he seemed happy to see Klaus. "Nik!"
"Hard at work ensuring my safety, I see," Klaus commented. Lucien, clearly drunk, turned his head toward the skeleton bride, who seemed interested in both men, and then looked suggestively at Klaus.
"By all means, join us!"
Klaus couldn't help but roll his eyes. "Business before pleasure."
Lucien nodded. "Ah. Excuse me, ladies," His female companions stood up and leave, though not before the "sexy nurse" gave Klaus a flirtatious look as she passed him. Klaus then took notice of a silent, burly man standing nearby and gave him a look as Lucien gestured toward him. "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," Klaus replied darkly.
"It's strictly for your protection!" Lucien picked up a shot of tequila and held it out to Klaus, who sighed in exasperation before sitting next to him and taking the shot from him. Lucien picked up another shot for himself.
"Your resources are extensive," Klaus said.
Lucien giggled. "And you don't even know the half of it," They clinked their shots together before drinking them. "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."
Klaus smiled. "With Alexis as your crowning achievement, no doubt."
Lucien shrugged. "Well..."
"The single cure to the most terrifying threat of all—the unknown," Klaus chuckled happily at Lucien, who looked confused. "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." Lucien looked slightly uncomfortable, and Klaus tried to place nice. "If that is, you're prepared to share your resources..."
"Of course! Her visions are our greatest chance for survival," Lucien exclaimed. He held up his second shot of tequila as Klaus followed suit, though Lucien did look as though he was hiding something, a detail Klaus didn't miss. "I only regret I didn't suggest it myself!"
Klaus smiled at him, and the two clink their glasses together before gulping them down. However, as they swallowed their tequila, Klaus looked at his old friend suspiciously.
Once they finally got back to Lucien's penthouse, the vampire wasted no time calling out for Alexis. "Alexis!" Hearing a television blaring, Lucien and Klaus headed into Lucien's bedroom. "Alexis!"
Inside the room, the two saw that the bed was unmade, with the sheets all tangled in the middle, several other pieces of furniture have been overturned as if in a struggle of some kind, and what looked like the remnants of a spell has been left on a nearby table. However, Alexis was nowhere to be seen. Lucien examined the objects on the table: a half-dozen lit candles, a full teacup on a saucer that was still warm, a magic circle made of salt surrounded by magical sigils, multiple crystals of various sizes, and a few small ceramic dishes of herbs. He began to look concerned as Klaus grabbed the remote control off the bed and turned the television off.
"Perhaps you should place your special lady friend on a shorter leash?" Klaus commented.
Lucien looked back at him worriedly. "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."
Within moments, Lucien was pacing around the living room fussing at his security about Alexis' disappearance. Klaus stood nearby and watched him curiously, wondering what the point would be for him to fake Alexis' disappearance. Maybe she had been taken. Tristan was back in town and could have done it. He knew Elijah wouldn't have without at least informing him of a plan.
"I don't want your excuses, I simply want her found! Do you understand?" Lucien snapped into the phone before hanging up.
Klaus smirked at his friend. "All the king's horses and all the king's men couldn't find one prognosticating witch," Lucien rolled his eyes in annoyance. "Ah, well. Takes one to find one, I always say." Klaus smirked even more and pulls out his phone before dialing his sister's number.
"What is it now, Niklaus?" Freya asked as she answered the phone.
Klaus, who had the phone on speaker, grinned and feigned offense. "Really, Freya? Is that the way you greet the brother you've spent your entire life trying to find?"
"Oh, I'm sorry—are you not calling for a favor?"
Lucien plucked Klaus' phone out of his hand so he could talk to Freya himself. "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?" Freya questioned, the amusement in her tone.
"Well, you're certainly the loveliest," Lucien flirted, causing Klaus to roll his eyes.
From the sound of her tone, it sounded like Freya had rolled her eyes. "Niklaus, 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."
Lucien chuckled, but Klaus took the phone back from him and turned the speaker off so he could talk to her privately. "Freya, please. I am asking as your brother for your help," Klaus entreated.
Freya sighed. "Fine. Text me the address."
Andy was in Rebekah's old room at the compound, where she was searching through a stack of clothes she had laid out on her bed for an outfit for The Strix's party and muttering to herself under her breath.
"Come on, Rebekah. You've gotta have something..." Just then, Elijah entered the room from behind her and smiled. He was already dressed in his tuxedo, though his bow-tie was still hanging loose and untied around his neck.
"May I?"
Andy turned to look at him, a fond smile pulling at her lips. "Go ahead," She said, gesturing to the stack of dresses. He walked over and smiled at her as he began searching through the pile of dresses until he found a light blue sheer gown that had white snowflakes adorning it. Andy did have to admit it was a beautiful dress, but she was afraid she wouldn't be able to pull it off. After a moment of gazing at it, he handed it to Andy, who smiled sheepishly.
"Thanks. I'd wear my own clothes, but..." She walked behind the dressing screen since the door was still open and the last thing she needed for someone to walk in on her naked. She quickly stripped as she continued speaking to him. "...I don't usually wear formal wear. And apparently, there's a rule you're not supposed to wear dresses or suits twice in this house."
When she walked around the screen in the dress—fortunately, she didn't have to wear a bra with the built-in support of the dress—she looked up to see Elijah staring at her with a smile. The dress hugged her upper body before bellowing out at the bottom. She approached him and began tying his bow for him.
"So... What exactly am I walking into tonight? Tristan showboating?" She asked, looking up at him. "Jealous ex-girlfriends?"
Elijah tensed, looking at her seriously. "Only the most dangerous and influential congregation of vampires the world has ever known."
The Strix's party was in full swing, complete with formally-dressed members wearing masquerade masks and burlesque dancers dressed in the style of the flappers of the 1920s. There were humans in attendance as well, most of whom were being fed on by the various members of The Strix. Aya, dressed in a silver gown, spotted Marcel entering the ballroom and put on her mask as she headed over to greet him.
"Marcel! Welcome," Aya greeted. Marcel smiled at Aya and removed his own mask so he could see her properly. "I admire your confidence. Please, allow me to make some introductions."
Marcel politely held out his arm, which she took so she could lead him into where the guests were mingling as they watched the dancers. Caterers wearing white masks passed around flutes of champagne as the two passed by a table where two female vampires were feeding on a blonde human woman with a black masquerade mask, who Marcel recognized as a familiar actor he had seen before, and couldn't hide his shock.
"Is that...?"
Aya simply smiled. "One of our more famous faces. We count amongst our society celebrated actors, artists, politicians... Of course, most of us prefer to live a life outside of the public eye. That doesn't make our talents any less impressive."
As Aya and Marcel continued to walk around the ballroom, Andy and Elijah arrived at the party and stopped in the doorway as they looked around their environment. Their arrival seems to have generated a lot of attention, as many of the guests were staring at Elijah curiously, which unnerved Andy. She noticed their gazes were on her as well, something she wanted to chalk up to her arm being intertwined with Elijah's.
"Why are they all staring at you?" Andy asked, meeting a few of the vampire's gazes.
"I'm kind of a big deal around here," Elijah replied as they began to head toward the bar.
Andy's eyes widened in realization. "The Strix… They're all part of your sireline."
Elijah nodded. "Most of them, tragically, yes. You see, Andrea, I wanted to assemble minds curious about the world and eager to improve it, along with the time and circumstance to do so. My desire was to create an elite brotherhood devoted to a new, better civilization. It was naive. Eventually, I was forced to abandon them once I realized I'd cultivated a legion of ego-maniacal sociopaths."
Music continued to play as Aya and Marcel made their way through the party and talk more about The Strix. "It's quite like your city's own beloved masquerade. Beneath the disguise, the poor become rich, and the rich? Well, they can do anything they please. We're the top of the food chain—the smartest, the strongest. And, we take what we want."
Marcel rolled his eyes. "And now you want me."
Aya smiled. "Tristan has been a collector of extraordinary talent for the better part of a millennium. He chooses the best of the best and helps them evolve."
"Tristan wants to help me reach my full potential, is that right?" Marcel asked warily.
Aya nodded in affirmation. "You're clever, bold, a talented strategist... And, should you join us, you'd be the very first member sired not from Elijah, but from Klaus. Marcel, we think you could help us bridge the gap between sirelines and finally put this war to bed," She smirked and walked closer to him until their faces were only inches apart. "That is, if you are, in fact, everything we hope you to be." She leaned in closer as though she was about to kiss him, but pulled away with another smirk and turned to walk away, leaving Marcel both curious and confused as he followed after her.
Aya led Marcel to a serious-looking man standing on the outskirts of the ballroom, who was wearing an all-black suit. "Marcel, I'd like you to meet my mentor, Mohinder. He taught me everything I know about combat."
Marcel smiled and held out his right hand to Mohinder. "Oh, if that's the case, then I am impressed!"
Mohinder just glanced down at Marcel's hand before giving him a cold look, not extending his own to shake them in greeting. Feeling awkward, Marcel clenched his hand into a fist and pulled it away. Aya, sensing the tension, took Marcel's hand in her own and lead him away.
"Intense guy," Marcel muttered.
"As part of his discipline, he drinks only the blood of vampires he's vanquished in combat. He can go weeks without feeding, yet suffer no effects of hunger, such as his control over body and mind." Aya responded.
Meanwhile, Andy and Elijah were dancing together in the middle of the ballroom while they spoke. She still felt eyes on them, but she did her best to remain unaffected by all of the attention and did her best to focus on her partner. "So, where is Tristan? Shouldn't he be flaunting himself around the party?" Elijah got distracted by the sight of Marcel with Aya across the ballroom before he could reply. Andy, seeing the concerned look on his face, frowned. "Elijah, what's wrong?"
Marcel turned his head and realized that not only were Elijah and Andy there, but Elijah was staring at him. Marcel looked over at Aya with a tense expression. "What are they doing here?"
Back on the dance floor, Andy looked to see what Elijah was staring at and was shocked to see Marcel in his eye-line. "Marcel? What is he doing here? He didn't even mention anything about it to me."
"I should have known," Elijah muttered.
"What?" Andy prompted.
"This isn't a party. It's an initiation."
Just then, a row of caterers with trays of champagne flutes walked into the room and tapped their glasses with butter knives to get the attention of the party as Tristan, dressed in a fine suit, made his arrival to the gathering known. "Distinguished friends, welcome. It's so rare that we're able to come together like this to revel for one night in the company of true equals. Now, I'd like to take a moment to welcome a very special guest—Marcel Gerard," Marcel took a step forward and nodded in acknowledgment as the crowd clapped their hands in applause.
"Thank you. I'm honored. Thank you."
Tristan smiled as his empty blue eyes watched the vampire. "Of course, before we tell Marcel all of our secrets, there's one small piece of business to which we must first attend. We must determine his worth."
Marcel frowned in confusion. "That's funny... I seem to recall you being the one knocking on my door."
"You'll notice, Mr. Gerard, that over the course of the evening, someone has managed to take something quite dear to you... Your daylight ring," Tristan said, the amusement in his voice.
Marcel looked down at his hand and realized that his daylight ring has vanished from his right middle finger. He frowned worriedly, not knowing what to expect. While Andy suddenly turned to Elijah and spoke quietly in his ear. "What the hell is going on?" With every moment, she was growing more worried at this sudden turn of events. But Elijah squeezed his grasp around her hand in a comforting manner while keeping his eyes on Tristan, telling her to wait and see what happens next.
"The test is quite simple. First, you need to deduce the identity of the thief. Then, you are simply to take back what is yours... Although, I doubt the prize will be easily relinquished. After all, despite our refinement, we're still a rather violent bunch," Tristan explained. Marcel gulped nervously but maintained his composure as Tristan finished outlining his test. "In victory, you become one of us. In failure, you meet your death. You have a few hours until dawn. I wish you the best of luck."
"Oh hell no," Andy said, pulling her arm from Elijah's grip and making a beeline for Marcel. She pushed through the crowd to reach him, immediately grabbing his arm and looking at him in annoyance. "What the fuck, Marcel?" She demanded when she reached him.
"Drea," Marcel said, clearly still processing the newest development of the night.
"Andrea Gilbert," Aya said, walking over to them. The woman had a small smile on her face. "I see you decided to accept your invitation."
"I'm gonna need you to back off for a moment while I talk to my friend," Andy said, barely acknowledging Aya as she looked back to Marcel. "Why didn't you tell me you were coming tonight?"
"I guess the same reason you didn't tell me," Marcel replied, looking at her wearily.
"Marcel," Elijah said as he walked over. He looked over at Aya, his gaze lingering on the woman for a moment as he put an arm around Andy's waist to pull her closer to him. "Aya."
Aya watched Elijah's movements before she turned and walked away without another word. Andy didn't miss it, but she was more concerned with Marcel at the moment. "If any one of these assholes tries to touch you I'm going to kill them all," Andy said, looking back to Marcel. "Initiation or not, these bastards aren't going to kill you. I'll search every goddamn person I have to this damn ring."
"Just… lay low, okay?" Marcel asked, his gaze pleading. "It's not gonna help if you start fighting everyone."
"I will if that's what it takes," Andy stated, her tone firm.
Marcel smiled at her. "I know," He glanced over at Elijah before focusing back on Andy. "I… need a moment. I'll come back later for a dance, okay?"
"You better," Andy said, watching him leave with a frown. "I need a drink." She said, directing Elijah in the direction of the bar. He wordlessly allowed her to guide him, watching her order a champagne and drink the glass before ordering another. "These vampires are ancient. How is Marcel supposed to beat one of them, Elijah?" She asked, her voice full of worry and uncertainty.
"With guile, courage, perhaps a bit of trickery..." Andy wanted to punch someone as Tristan's voice addressed them. She and Elijah turned to face him. His blue eyes were so… empty, as if he felt nothing. Looking at him, she didn't doubt he felt no emotion. "Admittedly, it's a long-shot, but then, sometimes the new candidates surprise us." He turned to address Andy personally. "It is lovely to see you again, Andrea," Once again, Tristan took her hand and kissed it gently, but Andy, not impressed, jerked her hand away after a moment, though it didn't seem to faze him.
"Please don't touch me. Like, ever," Andy said, folding her arms over her chest and scowling at him. Elijah tightened his arm around Andy's waist and pulled her closer.
"The pleasure's all mine, I see." Tristan turned to address Elijah next. "Elijah! When I sent your invitation, I didn't dare think you'd come. Tell me—as our founder and patriarch, what do you make of our latest candidate?"
"Well, let me see. Marcel... He's arrogant. He's stubborn. Prone to self-aggrandizement. He should fit in perfectly!" Elijah replied sarcastically, causing Andy to shoot him a frown.
"If he survives."
Andy glared at Tristan angrily. "When he survives, you pompous prick," She snapped at him. "If you even dare try to touch him I will rain down a hell storm on you and your band of little pricks."
Tristan exhaled. "Ah yes, I recall hearing of your connection to Mr. Gerard. He sired you, no?"
"We're sort of besties... And, even if we weren't, I don't much like bullies," Andy said. "But boy do I take joy in teaching them a lesson."
Tristan smiled in shock. "A bully? My dear, you barely know me! Allow me to remedy that, and, in doing so, I can explain our methods," Tristan held out his hand in an invitation to dance, and both Andy and Elijah looked wary about it, which Tristan noticed. "Please. Just one dance..." He then looked at Elijah pointedly. "If it's not an intrusion."
Andy and Elijah looked at each other for a long moment before she sighed and drank the rest of her champagne before setting her glass on the bar, rolling her eyes while her back was turned to Tristan. Elijah smiled with fake politeness at Tristan. "Why, of course." Her boyfriend stated.
Andy turned to face Tristan, a scowl still on her face. "If you even touch my daylight ring, I'll make sure this party is the last the Strix throws."
"Do not worry, Andrea. You aren't here as a recruit."
Andy glanced over at Elijah as she reluctantly took Tristan's offered hand. She allowed him to lead her onto the dance floor, where they began to dance together. "I'm glad you came, Andrea. Like it or not, when one refers to the Mikaelsons, they're referring to you, as well. Tonight will allow you to make up your own mind about our organization."
"And you think by trying to kill my friend, you're gonna make the best impression?" Andy asked skeptically.
"I think tonight, you'll bear witness to the truth. At the very least, you cannot call us liars," Tristan said.
Back at the bar, Marcel had just joined Elijah, who looked concerned as he watched Tristan and Andy dancing. "I could have warned you," Elijah pointed out as Marcel stopped next to him.
Marcel sighed. "Look, I didn't tell you I was coming tonight because—"
Elijah was quick to interrupt. "—I wouldn't have allowed it."
Marcel smiled fakely, clearly annoyed by this response. "Yeah. There's that word— 'allowed.' You know, I thought I'd earned the right to be considered an equal, but that's not the way it works in your family. So, it's time I consider my options. If nothing else, The Strix aren't interested in me as a sidekick."
"These options, as you describe them, are a death sentence," Elijah said incredulously before sighing dramatically. "I suppose I shall have to intervene so Andrea doesn't get herself into something over her head as well. It is a shame—I expect it shall ruin my tuxedo. I have had this suit for over a hundred years. It's proven far more reliable than you, Marcellus."
Marcel sighed. "Relax, alright? I got this under control."
"Do you?"
"I hope so," Marcel patted Elijah on the shoulder with a smirk before turning to walk away. "That is a nice jacket."
Andy was being twirled around by Tristan and was growing tired of his company quickly as he continued to go on and on about how great the Strix were. "We thought perhaps we could extend the offer to you, but you are awfully young, and a bit too unpredictable and brash. After all, I believe you were ready to rip my heart out the moment I walked in tonight," Tristan commented to her. "And even more now after revealing Marcel's test."
"Well, I guess that's what happens if you threaten my family."
"A noble trait, one which I admire and must admit I am the same way. One day, I believe you will be a fine addition to our ranks."
"Huh. Will. You're so certain I'd want to join your little cult. I mean, sorry, but I don't think I want to be a little trophy in your collection of the Munsters," She snorted with a shake of her head. Tristan's blue eyes hadn't left her face for a moment the entire dance despite her looking around the ballroom and anywhere but at him. After a moment, he spoke up again.
"There are few novelties left in the world, especially to us. A creature such as you is certainly among them," He said.
Andy finally looked back at him, narrowing her eyes at him. "Yeah? And what kind of a creature might that be?"
"A reincarnation, of course, similar to a doppelganger—such as your sister. The only one among us with extraordinary powers connected to such a small item. And, a true beauty, at that."
"Wait—what?" Andy ignored her discomfort at his last words and focused on the fact he knew about her powers. "What did you just say to me?"
"Oh, dear Andrea, you know you are not the only reincarnation. You are not the first, though the first to be so closely connected with the Mikaelsons. I wonder why it is you have not researched it more closely," Tristan said, looking at her triumphantly. He spun her around before pulling her close and for once she wasn't breaking eye contact with him. At the bar, Elijah was watching them with a scowl on his face, not liking Tristan's words. "Perhaps joining the Strix would be beneficial to you. That way, you'd have access to a plethora of knowledge. Knowledge that couldn't be denied to you by anyone, not even your lover."
As Andy looked at him, she had a sinking feeling as she remembered where she had heard Tristan's name before. It had been a couple months, but she had certainly heard it straight from Kai's mouth. "Lily's heretics picked up on the rumor as soon as we got back into the real world. Some vampire named Tristan was looking for it as well, put up a huge reward for whoever could locate it."
But why would Tristan have used his real name? There was no way he would be dumb enough to do that even in the witch community. As she came to the realization, Tristan noticed the color draining from her face and went to ask what was wrong. However, there was an interruption to the party.
Klaus had entered the room with Lucien and a large group of women in Halloween costumes, including the nurse, the cat, and the skeleton bride from Rousseau's. Klaus howled drunkenly like a wolf as Lucien and the women all laugh happily, attracting the attention of everyone in the room to the point where everyone stopped what they were doing and stared at the gate-crashers.
"What a beloved occasion!" Klaus bellowed.
"My God, it's a room full of Elijahs," Lucien commented.
Klaus had his arms thrown around the women's shoulders and was drunkenly leaning against them. "I had that exact same nightmare once!"
The group all laughed hysterically as Lucien turned to one of the women, who was dressed in a fuchsia corset and matching bobbed wig and whose identity was concealed by a black mask. "Go and grab us a drink, love! Feel free to fetch one for yourself." Lucien said.
"One for me, please! And one for her, and her, and her, and her..." Klaus said, slurring his words. Then he began shouting. "Tristan? Tristan! Come out, come out, wherever you are! Unless, of course, you're afraid!"
Tristan, looking only mildly unhappy, turned to Andy and whispered in her ear. "I'm sorry. Please excuse me." He said, before leaving. Andy, noticing everyone was distracted, suddenly remembered the wolf venom she had hidden in the folds of her dress. Noticing Marcel not far off, she immediately headed towards him and directed him to the bar.
"I need a drink," She murmured.
Meanwhile, Tristan headed straight for Klaus and Lucien and gave them a patronizing smile. "You should, uh, move along. You're not welcome here."
"Oh. Oh, okay. We're-we're not welcome here..." Klaus said, plucking a champagne flute from the nearest serving platter before walking up to Tristan and slurred drunkenly at him. "Or maybe you should move along before I make you cry in front of all your little friends! Hahaha!"
"My concern is for your companions. They appear out of sorts without a shiny pole to writhe upon," Tristan said, somewhat amused.
Lucien looked over at the woman dressed as a skeleton bride. "Ohhhhhh, he's suggesting that you're exotic dancers! Which, to him, is an insult—" Lucien gestured toward the burlesque dancers who have stopped working in favor of watching the drama unfold. "—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!" Klaus couldn't resist laughing hysterically at this. "Isn't that right, Tristan? Hmm?" Lucien clapped Tristan on the shoulders with his hands.
Marcel and Andy stood next to one another. After ordering two drinks for them, Andy produced the wolf venom and handed it to Marcel. He looked up at her, an eyebrow raised as if he was wondering what to do with it. She shrugged in response, not sure how he could use it to his advantage. After a moment of staring at the wolf venom, an idea formulated in his mind. He poured the vial into his champagne before he quickly drank it. Andy watched him with an eyebrow raised now, wondering how speeding up his death could possibly help him.
Meanwhile, Elijah, having seen enough of Klaus' scene, called out to his brother from afar. "Niklaus."
Klaus turned in an ungraceful manner to try to find the source of the voice until finally realizing that Elijah was coming from the opposite direction. Elijah eventually walked toward him until they were standing in front of one another. "What is it?"
Elijah rolled his eyes. "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..." Klaus spoke quietly, seeming to try to find the words he was looking for.
"Yes, and could you take your playthings with you, too?" Elijah said patiently.
Klaus shoved his champagne glass into Elijah's hands before staggering farther into the ballroom. Andy left Marcel, walking closer to the Mikaelsons as Klaus continued speaking. She didn't want to get involved, but Klaus could be putting the women he was with in danger. This was a building full of vampires after all. "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," He said before bowing dramatically and laughed, while Tristan and Elijah exchange annoyed glances. Lucien and their companions were delighted by Klaus' behavior.
"Klaus," Andy said as she broke through the crowd, coming out right next to Elijah. "You've had your fun. Time to leave. You can't even walk a line in your current state."
For a moment, Klaus almost seemed taken aback to see her there. However, the look quickly passed on his expression. He looked at her in contempt before he turned and walked back over to Elijah and took the glass from his hand before downing the rest of the champagne in one gulp and handing it back to him. Afterward, Klaus made a disgusted face at Tristan and remarked on the champagne with a sigh.
"Cheap," He looked back at it with a disapproving look before raising his head to look at Andy with a frown.
For a moment, Andy felt hurt by his words. He was talking about the champagne but the look had suggested something toward her. While she had felt uncomfortable when she realized this morning that Klaus most likely heard her and Elijah have sex, she wondered if he would be angry about it as well. She already felt bad about the fact she had slept with two brothers, but a small part of her knew Klaus wasn't shitty enough to shame her for having sex at all. Still, she couldn't help the bitterness seep into her tone as she looked back at him.
Andy rolled her eyes. "Don't you have other things to do? Like paint pretty blondes and terrorize small villages?"
Klaus' expression turned dark, and he stared at her for another moment before he turned to address Lucien and the others. "Come on. Let's go. This party's dead anyway." They all turned to leave, howling and laughing loudly as they did so.
Elijah immediately came to stand by her, a hand going to her wrist. She watched as Klaus and his company left with a bitter expression, barely registering Tristan calling for the party and music to continue. "Remind me to snap his neck later, okay? At least ten times. And to pump some vervain through his veins. Maybe bury him in a coffin somewhere in the Bayou, see how long it takes for him to get out."
"Perhaps I could suggest some other techniques for revenge?" Tristan said as he approached the two. "We never got to finish that dance after all."
Andy remembered what they had been speaking about earlier, and went to respond, but quickly Elijah stepped in. "I believe I have the next dance," He said, twirling her out onto the dance floor before she could protest.
"You know, when they say someone is 'spoken for,' I'm pretty sure it doesn't mean you can speak for them in every matter of their lives, at least not in the twenty-first century," Andy commented, raising an eyebrow at him.
"I would not pay so much heed to Tristan's word," Elijah responded to her, their gazes locked on one another as they floated across the dance floor. "He's trying to fill your mind with doubt."
"Trust me, I don't. But I'm also not stupid enough to not at least listen to what he says. He, after all, doesn't speak words lightly," Andy said.
"And what makes you say that?"
"Well, you did turn him, didn't you? I figured something must have been passed down to him." Elijah didn't respond, and the rest of the dance was done in silence, though their gazes never left one another. From afar, Aya watched the pair closely, a familiar bitterness rising in her. Another redhead in a teal dress and black mask watched the pair out of curiosity from afar.
Once the dance had concluded, Marcel walked up to them. After asking her to dance, Andy quickly agreed while Elijah went to stand on the sidelines.
"Whenever they approach me for an answer, I need you to stay calm and not intervene," Marcel said. Andy knew he was just trying to play it up for the prying ears and decided to play along.
"I can certainly stay calm. However, not guaranteed is me not intervening," Andy replied, giving him a small smile. "After all, I have been practicing quite a bit with Freya and Vincent. I'm sure I could shake things up around here a little bit."
"Drea…"
Andy sighed. "Fine, my gracious sire. I shall not intervene on your behalf… unless you start to get your ass kicked. Which considering everyone here has some of the oldest blood I have encountered, I probably will."
"What makes you think you can take them?"
"Well, I think they know better than to put me in death's way, Marcel," Andy said, glancing over at Elijah who was at the bar. "After all, I am dating with their sire."
"Ah, the perks of sleeping with the enemy."
"Let's hope you don't go through that," Andy teased.
"But Elijah looks so handsome tonight." Andy laughed at him as their dance came to a halt. She did a playful curtsy to him, a playful grin on her face. He bowed back dramatically, a grin on his face as well.
"Perhaps Mr. Gerard needs some time to contemplate his choice," A familiar voice said. Turning, Andy saw Aya had walked up to them, her dark eyes focusing solely on the doppelganger. "Take a turn with me, would you, Andrea? Unless I have to first ask your lover for permission as well."
"Elijah doesn't speak for me," Andy said with a raised eyebrow. "I'm perfectly able to decide for myself."
"I'll be over at the bar," Marcel promised Andy before he left them alone. Aya stared at Andy for a moment before she hooked their arms together so she could lead Andy around the room.
"Is there a point to this?" Andy questioned, looking over at Aya as they moved through the crowds.
"You're a curious woman, Andrea," Aya said, her face turned forward. "I daresay I've never seen a woman stick around the Mikaelsons for so long that wasn't Rebekah. The fact you remained with them even after they killed you."
"They didn't kill me," Andy countered. "A witch did. Something, believe me, that will never happen again."
"So you did die," Aya picked up, causing Andy to look away sheepishly. "You speak ill of witches, and yet your friendship with not only Freya Mikaelson and Bonnie Bennett but also Davina Claire shows you are willing to trust them. Oh, and there was that little treaty you had with the previous Regent."
Andy turned to look at Aya with a raised eyebrow. "Am I supposed to be impressed you know this much about me? I mean, it's not like I've hidden any of these things."
"My dear, I have no reason to impress you. In fact, I believe that you and I are very much alike," Aya said. Before Andy could ask for an elaboration, Elijah appeared in front of them, his dark eyes on Aya. "Ah, the noble Elijah comes running in defense of his doppelganger… or reincarnation, forgive me. Something I believe I have seen many times before."
Elijah's gaze didn't leave Aya's. "Aya, might I suggest you try other tactics to poison Andrea's mind against me? She isn't as susceptible as you believe, and your current strategy is insulting to her brilliance."
"That kind of brilliance is something you prefer in women, I would say," Tristan said as he walked up to them as well. "Or at least from what I recall."
Andy was taken aback for a moment as it clicked in her brain. Elijah and Aya had… been a thing? It made sense, with Aya's little jabs and her general displeasure in Elijah's company. Something clearly transpired between the two to separate them, but what? Aya didn't meet her end like Elijah's other lovers which was already a feat.
"Well, this isn't awkward or uncomfortable," Andy commented, her gaze meeting Elijah's finally. He looked back warily, but Tristan spoke up before Andy could.
"Andrea, I believe now would be a good time for us to finish that dance. I'm sure Elijah and Aya have much to talk about," Tristan said, holding his hand out.
Andy looked reluctantly at Elijah until he finally nodded to her indicating he would be fine. Turning back to Tristan, she took his hand but instead of allowing him to lead her to the dance floor, she took initiative. As they began to dance, Andy watched Elijah and Aya like a hawk, though noticed they hadn't said a word to one another and were instead watching Tristan and her dance. Sheepishly she looked back to Tristan to see he was watching her.
"They won't say much, I suspect," He said to her as she caught his gaze. Andy remained quiet for a moment, not sure how to respond. "You aren't the least bit curious what happened between them?"
"Unless Elijah wants me to know, then I don't want to. Matters of the heart sometimes are best left to those involved," Andy replied diplomatically, still feeling Aya's gaze on her.
"Ah, but aren't you involved now? As Elijah's newest paramour, I suspect it does concern you."
"I'm more curious about what you mentioned to me earlier," Andy said, doing her best to change the subject. "About that little item and my powers."
"I'm afraid I can't recall much of the information myself," Tristan replied, causing Andy to narrow her eyes at him. "My witches know more about it. Some time back there were whispers of it resurfacing, but it is not easy to locate these items."
"What do you know about this item you mentioned, Tristan? I'm tired of your dodgy answers," She stated, her tone harsh as she gripped onto his hand tightly but he didn't seem affected by it in the slightest. She wasn't surprised he had witches at his disposal, but it was not what she wanted to know. "I want to know what your witches heard about this item. So, you can explain, or if you prefer I can use other persuasive and torturous means."
"My dear, I have been around as long as your Mikaelsons. I'm certain there's not a thing you could do that I haven't experienced already." Andy for a moment was a bit taken aback. She raised her eyebrow at the innuendo. However, he continued speaking before she could respond.
"From what I was told, it came from a powerful witch who gifted it to one of your previous reincarnations," Tristan explained. "The rest, I'm afraid, I would have to ask my witches about. It was not something I was seeking out so when the rumors were brought to my attention I pushed them off as nothing but hearsay. However, the incident with the Gemini Coven in Mystic Falls legitimized those claims for some, even if there weren't many surviving witnesses. Personally, as I could not find anyone to speak to me who was there, I did not believe it as fact. I would ask you about what happened, but as I suspect it has to do with your family you will not give a straight answer either."
"If you ever send any of your goons to Mystic Falls or ever even think about attacking anyone from there, I will tear you and every person in the Strix limb from limb and throw you all in different oceans," Andy said, a scowl crossing her face.
"I did not mean to cause offense, Andrea. Nonetheless, you have my word. I will not have any of my men enter into Mystic Falls, nor go after your brother even though he has killed a few of my men already."
Andy would have stopped dancing and kicked him in the shin had it not been for his grip on her. She instead continued glowering at him. "If you ever mention him to me again I'll tear your tongue out. If for one moment I believe you target him—"
"Andrea, I'm not your enemy. I do not target your loved ones like the Mikaelsons have," Tristan said, causing her to raise an eyebrow at him. "Am I wrong? After all, seldom does one not meet their end after associating with the Mikaelsons."
"You didn't."
"Well, I suppose you and I are the exceptions."
"For the moment," Andy replied. "There's something I don't understand. If this item exists, then why haven't you gone after it?"
"I briefly considered it for the sole purpose of getting my hands on it before Lucien could, but I realized it would only make you all distrust me when I was forced to come protect Elijah from Lucien," Tristan explained, almost sounding convincing. Andy, however, knew better than to believe Tristan wouldn't have tried to get something that would mean a power advantage for his side, or at the very least another trophy on his shelf. "Moreover, I did not have the time to be personally chasing down mere rumors. Using my men to do it would inform more people than I was comfortable knowing in case it got back to Lucien that I was looking for something special."
"Right," Andy said dryly, finally looking away from Tristan. "So if you're in a war with Klaus' sireline, why invite Marcel into the Strix? Or even have me here tonight?"
"To make peace with the sirelines. It benefits neither of the lines if Klaus and Elijah die. Well, only Hayley Marshall."
Andy furrowed her brows at him. "How does it benefit her?"
"As the leader of the Strix for most of that time, there are many rarities I've come across in this world. Hayley's life doesn't depend on the Originals as she was turned because of her daughter." Tristan explained.
"I'd avoid mentioning her daughter again. Or going in her general direction. You know what, just avoid thinking about her as well."
Tristan continued speaking as if he hadn't heard her. "If I remember correctly, there was another powerful line of reincarnations. Something to do with a hunter organization in Southern Italy. I believe the Mikaelsons spent some time there after fleeing New Orleans. As the story goes, there was a woman who caught Kol's eye, though he was always looking at many others. I believe she still is alive today, despite the years passed."
"You said 'story.' Are you trying to lead me chasing after a myth?" Andy asked, irritated.
"I suppose I could look in the Strix's archives to pull a specific name for you if you wished to investigate further. I'm certain it may help you in figuring out your abilities a little easier."
Andy gripped tighter onto his hand, shocked that he knew about her abilities. Once again he didn't flinch at her tight grasp and instead looked back at her with a smug look. "I wasn't aware that was public knowledge," She said through gritted teeth.
"No, it isn't. Not entirely, at least. But the Strix have many eyes, Andrea, as well as the vampire community throughout the world. Most of them remain on you. After all, you are considered the heart of the Mikaelsons now. A feat not easily achieved, and one that is a cursed position."
Andy looked away, suddenly growing uncomfortable. She looked over at Elijah, who was still watching them, but Aya was no longer at his side. "I suspect those prying eyes say a great deal about me. Mostly negative reviews, if I had to conclude." After all, not only had she jumped from one brother to the other, but she knew the Mikaelsons had no shortage of enemies. She was more surprised that more hadn't flocked to the city for revenge but she was sure it was because of the number of Originals in the area.
"On the contrary, most of us believe you're the loveliest of the lot. Not that there's a lot of competition," Tristan said, dipping her down and surprising her. "But I believe it's a generally held belief that anyone can understand why the Mikaelsons keep you close. Not only because of your beauty, but there are many advantages to having a reincarnation at their disposal."
Andy stared up at Tristan's blue eyes, her gaze filled with shock and confusion. Had Tristan just suggested that the only reasons the Mikaelsons kept her around was because she was hot and powerful? As soon as he lifted her back up, Andy took a step back from him.
"I think that's enough dancing for one night," Andy said, folding her arms over her chest and staring at Tristan with resentment. "I think your other guests are feeling neglected."
"I didn't mean to offend you, my dear—"
"Goodnight, Mr. de Martel," Andy said, her body now tensed and uncomfortable. She turned and walked away swiftly before Tristan could say anything to her. Elijah began heading toward her, but she ignored him as she headed straight to the bar where Marcel was standing with his back to the rest of the party. She ordered a drink and sighed. "I hate pompous assholes, Marcel."
"Tell me about it," Marcel responded. "Tristan seemed a bit too interested in you, huh?"
"Against my wishes, believe me," Andy said, throwing the whiskey back as quickly as she could. "I swear, this town is making me slip back into my alcoholic ways."
"Well, least it can't kill you now." Marcel and she clinked their glasses together at that.
"How are you feeling?" Andy asked, moving to stand closer to him now. She could feel the magic of the wolf venom in his system, making its way through his veins. She hoped he wasn't experiencing too much of the side effects now.
"I'm fine," Marcel replied after a second of hesitation. "Ready to get this over."
"Do you have any clue who has your ring?" Andy asked him.
"I think I might."
Before Andy could speak again, she sensed someone approaching them. Aya, Mohinder, and some other members of the Strix walked over, and Marcel and Andy turned to face them, both nervous and hoping they hadn't caught on to what Marcel had done.
"If you'd please come with us, Mr. Gerard..." Aya said. Marcel took a deep breath as Mohinder stared at him. Aya turned and led Marcel and the rest of the leading members of The Strix to a room upstairs. The rest of the party, intrigued by what was to come, followed them up, including Andy. Once in the room, they found Tristan and some other members standing in wait for them.
"Mr. Gerard! It's time," Tristan said excitedly.
Marcel looked back, confused. "You're pushing up the clock? I have another hour."
"And I'm afraid that an inability to improvise is the most common of failings. Either you have an answer, or you don't," Tristan replied, his empty blue orbs focused solely on Marcel. Andy had to hold herself together so she wouldn't jump to her sire's defense.
Marcel paused a moment to look at everyone in the room before finally giving his answer. "Aya. Aya took my ring. When she introduced me to Mohinder, she took it after he didn't shake my hand."
Aya looked at Marcel in amusement and shrugged. "I'm sorry, but I don't have your ri—"
Marcel cut her off before she could finish and smiled triumphantly. "Hold up! I said you took it. I didn't say you still have it. See, after you lifted it off me, you gave it to my man Mohinder over there."
Mohinder silently held up Marcel's daylight ring, and when Tristan saw it, he looked pleased by Marcel's deductions. "Well done! Of course, as you know, that was only half the challenge."
Tristan walked past Marcel and clapped him on the shoulder affectionately as Aya followed behind him. When Aya joined Tristan on the other side of the room, making space for Mohinder and Marcel to fight, Tristan leaned over to whisper in her ear. "Let's see how he does."
Meanwhile, Mohinder and Marcel were in the middle of unbuttoning their suit jackets in preparation for Marcel to fight to get his ring back. Andy was still standing there, doing her best not to worry too much about her friend.
"There's no shame in dying at the hands of one's superior," Mohinder said.
Marcel smirked. "There's not much glory in it, either."
Mohinder stripped off his jacket, and Marcel bounced on his heels for a moment to psych himself up before throwing two consecutive punches, each of which hit Mohinder in the face. However, when Marcel kicked him in the stomach, Mohinder grabbed him by the leg and threw him across the room, where he landed on a table and smashed it into pieces.
Andy, looking alarmed, pushed her way to the front of the crowd as though she wanted to intervene, but she stopped herself at the last moment remembering that Marcel wanted to handle this alone. Elijah followed her, and the two stood next to Tristan and Aya. Meanwhile, Marcel had just thrown off all the broken table that landed on him and turned to find Mohinder standing above him, looking mildly pleased by his quick victory.
Marcel vamp-sped to his feet, grabbed one of the broken table legs, and backhanded Mohinder in the face with it, grunting from the exertion. Mohinder grabbed Marcel in a choke-hold, and Marcel, alarmed, desperately punched at Mohinder's chest to get free. Mohinder then gripped Marcel by the shoulders and head-butted him before throwing him through the brick wall behind them, causing him to land on the floor of the next room.
Mohinder climbed through the hole in the wall and lunged for Marcel, who continued to punch him, only to be shoved face-first into a large shelf full of dishes. When Mohinder grabbed Marcel to spin him around so they were facing each other, Marcel grabbed a martini shaker and smashed it against Mohinder's head several times. Mohinder once again grabbed Marcel in a choke-hold and pinned him against the shelf, so Marcel, desperate, grabbed an ice scoop and smashed it against Mohinder as well. While he was distracted, Marcel grabbed a frying pan with his free hand and used both to hit Mohinder multiple times across the face.
Unfortunately, Mohinder grabbed him by the wrists and snapped his arms, causing Marcel to roar in pain before he was thrown against the shelf so hard that he smashed it into a pile of broken wood. Mohinder spotted a broken piece of wood that would make a good stake and grabbed it before pulling the groaning Marcel to his feet in a choke-hold. However, before he could stake him, Marcel mustered up all the strength he had and tackled Mohinder so hard that they once again broke through the wall and back into the room, where they landed at an entertained Tristan and Aya's feet. Marcel saw that Mohinder dropped the stake and crawled across the broken bricks and wood to grab it, but Mohinder saw him and kicked him so hard he rolled sideways away from the stake. Marcel kicked Mohinder to get him the time necessary to stand on his feet and began punching Mohinder hard in the face repeatedly until Mohinder threw Marcel into a nearby table and smashed it as well.
Finally, Mohinder pulled the weakened Marcel up to his feet, vamped-out, and sunk his fangs into Marcel's neck, feeding deeply. Elijah looked extremely concerned and was about to intervene when Andy stopped him, pleased that the fight was about to turn in Marcel's direction. Elijah looked at Andy in confusion, but she just subtly shook her head to indicate she knew something he didn't.
Mohinder fed on Marcel for a long moment before he pulled away and vamp-sped Marcel against the wall, pinning him by the throat and holding up the stake in preparation to kill him. "You fought with honor. Embrace the nobility of this end."
"I will if you will. Or do you still not know?" Marcel said. Tristan and Aya looked at them curiously, intrigued by where Marcel was going with this. Meanwhile, Marcel chuckled weakly. "You must have tasted it in my blood." Just then, Mohinder began to look uncomfortable and groaned slightly as he wobbled on his feet. "Oh, now you're starting to feel it, aren't you? That burning sensation in your gut? Wolf's venom. A going-away gift from me. I may not have beaten you, but you lost all the same." Mohinder continued to squirm uncomfortably, gagging slightly from the venom. "I suggest you make your peace. We're both dead men walking."
Mohinder became furious at this news. "A desperate ploy! A lie!"
Marcel lifted up the vial of wolf venom which was still halfway full, which stunned Mohinder as Marcel laughed weakly in amusement. Marcel was still laughing at Mohinder when he spun them so Mohinder was the one pinned against the wall. Marcel aimed the stake at Mohinder's own heart before addressing him and the rest of the room.
"I don't know why they want you dead, but clearly they do," Finally, Marcel let go of Mohinder and turned to Aya and Tristan. "Why else tell me all about his little feeding habits, or give me a taste of his technique when you came into my gym the other day? All I had to do was be observant," Tristan and Aya looked at Marcel with interest, but Marcel just looked back annoyed. "But, I'm done picking up your breadcrumbs. You want him dead? You're gonna have to do it yourself. As far as I can see, the only thing he's done to deserve it is picking his friends poorly."
Marcel, getting even weaker from his injuries, which weren't healing as fast because of the wolf venom, stumbled and was caught by Andy, who put his arm around her shoulder to help keep him upright. Marcel coughed as Tristan and Aya shared a significant smile.
Tristan started to walk over to Mohinder, who was also getting weak from the werewolf venom and looked horrified by this revelation. Mohinder started to spit up blood as Tristan cupped his face with his right hand and looked at him sympathetically before patting him on the shoulder and walking past him. Mohinder looked as though he might be spared when suddenly, Tristan ripped out his heart from behind, causing him to fall dead to the floor. Tristan dropped the heart onto the floor with a splat, and Marcel and Andy look at him alarmed. Tristan appeared to be unhappy at first until he finally smiled.
"You chose well! Now, I assure you, he did deserve it. He's been plotting unspeakable crimes against his sworn brothers and sisters. Of course, you couldn't have known. Beating such a worthy opponent is proof of your strength and courage, but your restraint, your refusal to kill without cause, demonstrates a rare integrity. You see, Marcel Gerard... This was the test," Tristan bent over to pluck Marcel's daylight ring out of Mohinder's pocket and handed it to him. "Welcome to The Strix," Tristan took notice of Marcel's increasingly weakened state as he hung on Andy's shoulders, and Aya smiled at him proudly. "Provided, of course, you survive your own gambit."
Marcel had made it back to the compound, where he and a still-drunk Klaus discussed the evening's events in Klaus' study while Klaus drank a glass of wine. Marcel was getting weaker by the moment and was leaning against the table for support as Klaus spoke in an annoyed tone.
"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 would be willing—eager, even—to drain the blood from my veins in the aftermath," Klaus said. Marcel remained silent and continued to pant for breath as he leaned weakly against the table, and Klaus rolled his eyes as he walked over to him. "We cannot tell friend from foe, and what are you doing? You're pledging a fraternity run by those conspiring against us!"
Marcel sighed. "My interest in The Strix is because of you," He said, causing Klaus to look back in surprise at this confession. "I don't get to choose sides. Whoever comes for you, comes for me. That's all I need to know."
Before Klaus could respond, a tired-looking Freya walked into the room to talk to Klaus. "She's awake," She announced.
Klaus sighed and turned back to Marcel. "Yes, whoever comes for me may very well come for you," He bit into his hand and drained his blood into his empty wine glass. "But, they may also come through you, Marcellus." Marcel reached for the glass of blood, but Klaus jerked it out of his reach. "Remember that."
Klaus finally handed Marcel the glass before he left the room to go downstairs. Marcel looked both relieved and anxious about what was to come. Downstairs, Lucien was sitting next to Alexis on the couch, while Klaus, Hayley, Andy, Elijah, and Freya were standing around them. A bruise was developing under Alexis' eye from where Freya punched her after retrieving her from where she had been held at Tristan's home. The seer looked as though she was close to tears.
"I'm sorry. I hoped I was wrong, Lucien. I really did. But I saw it. I saw him die," She apologized profusely as she referred to Klaus. Klaus sighed and closed his eyes, not at all happy with this news.
"Did you see the weapon?" Lucien asked nervously. Alexis nodded in response. "What is it?"
"To understand, it must be seen," She answered quietly. Alexis smiled weakly at Lucien, who frowned in confusion for a moment as Klaus stared at them both suspiciously. Alexis held her wrist out to Andy, who sat down next to her on the couch. Lucien stood to his feet and allowed Elijah to take his seat next to Alexis so he could see the vision as well, and she held out her other wrist to him. Andy and Elijah looked at each other warily before they each bit into Alexis' offered wrists and began to feed. Alexis threw her head backward as her eyes rolled back into her head as the visions began.
Like the other visions, the first flash was a page from a grimoire with a spell and several pentacles were written on the parchment. Then, the vision cut to the dining room of the Mikaelson compound, which was in disarray—it looks like a fight broke out during dinner because the chairs were overturned, broken glasses litter the table and floor, and the plates of food have been scattered over the bunched up tablecloth. There was another flash to Freya dipping her fingers in the bowl of Klaus' and Alexis' blood, and the scene of Elijah's painted portrait in the living room dripping blood. Another flashback of Freya casting the spell to see the visions of Alexis' blood was seen as the pieces of paper with Klaus, Elijah, and Rebekah's names written in Elder Futhark Runic script caught on fire. There was then a flash of Lucien's face, which looked serious at first before he smirked smugly. Another flash of the beast with extremely long and sharp fangs was seen now standing in front of Andy, who was lying on the ground, as well before the vision erupted into flames.
In the present, Alexis' nose had begun to bleed, and Andy quickly stopped feeding on her, looking at the blood on the seer's hands in fright. Suddenly, Elijah threw up all the blood he had just drunk onto the floor, and Andy looked sick as well as she tried to keep herself from throwing up as well, something she hadn't done in so long she didn't want to start now. However, it was threatening to come up at any moment.
She moaned, clutching at her stomach. "Something's wrong," She said, looking up in worry and her gaze going to Klaus' immediately.
Elijah looked up at the others with terror in his eyes. "Poison!"
Alexis gagged before she, too, began to vomit up a large amount of blood, and Lucien, alarmed, rushed over to Alexis, whose nose and mouth were still bleeding profusely. "No! No!" He cried out. Alexis weakly fell into Lucien's arms as he desperately tried to wake her. "No! No, no, no, no, no!"
Alexis fell into Lucien's lap and died, while Klaus looked both suspicious and concerned regarding what has just happened. Lucien, however, looked devastated and furious as he scowled, trying to figure out who did this.
Andy was leaning against the bathroom counter, clutching the edge of it as she did her best to remain on her feet. Lucien had gone to bury Alexis' body while Elijah went to go speak with Tristan. Hayley went home as she was worried about Hope. Meanwhile, Andy had been throwing up the rest of the blood she had drunk. She knew it wouldn't kill her, but she was feeling increasingly worse the longer it stayed in her system. She preferred to not make even more of a mess down in the courtyard and had retreated to her bathroom for privacy.
After a moment of splashing water over her face, there was a knock on the door. Drying her face quickly, she looked up to see Klaus in the doorway. She quickly turned away from him and continued drying her face off.
"It's not as pleasant coming back up, is it?" He asked her after a moment of silence.
"I think that can be applied to anything," Andy responded, doing her best to keep her tone neutral.
"I…" She looked over at him, seeing the clear hesitation on his face. He exhaled before holding out a bottle of ginger ale and a bag of blood. "I didn't know which you would prefer. I figured I'd bring both in case."
Andy was taken aback for a moment at his thoughtfulness. She shook herself out of it and stepped closer to him to take both the drinks from him. "Uh, thanks, Klaus. Poison does cause an upset stomach."
"Yes, well, unfortunately, we didn't have any Elijah flavored blood bags."
She looked at his expression. She figured he had heard what happened between her and Elijah last night and felt a blush rise to her cheeks. She had hoped he hadn't and regretted that he had heard it even if she didn't care what he thought anymore. Still, Klaus' tone wasn't bitter or meant to reprimand her for it. Instead, he sounded as if he was just teasing her as if they were friends.
"I appreciate the thought," Andy said carefully as she turned back to the sink and sat down the two items on the counter. Don't get too comfortable, she thought to herself. You can't forget what he did to you, to Elijah, to Hayley, to this family. She didn't look back at Klaus and instead focused on washing the makeup off her face. He, however, still stood in the doorway.
"I want you to know, Andy," Klaus said after a moment of silence. He was watching her as she moved. "Alexis' vision in which you died… it won't become a reality. I won't allow it, not again."
Andy paused, but still didn't look over at him. "I won't allow it or any other part of the prophecy either." She replied in a small voice.
Klaus reached into his pocket and then stepped closer to her. He put his hand on the counter, dropping something, but she kept her gaze ahead. "I hope you feel better, Andy."
She waited until he turned and walked out of the bathroom before she looked at the item. It was the necklace she had given him years ago for Christmas of the wolf with his initials engraved on it. Why had he given it back to her? She looked up to where he had just been moments before, her brow furrowed as she tried thinking why he had returned her gift. She hesitated before picking it up and squeezing it tightly in her palm, though not hard enough to break it.
It was morning now, and Tristan, still in his tuxedo, was sitting at a table outside of a cafe and drinking a coffee while he discussed Lucien and Alexis with Elijah.
"Of course it was Lucien," Tristan said. "I have to give him credit, it's quite the stroke of genius. The entirety of his claims against me rests on these visions. His promise that they'd become more specific was necessary but impractical. Details can be verified, cross-examined, debunked. The longer his allegations remained vague, the less credible they become, so removing them entirely was actually the only move left to make."
Elijah and Tristan stared at each other for a long moment before Elijah smiled fakely at him, cupping the back of Tristan's head with his hand and pulling him forward so Elijah could whisper threateningly in his ear. "Your words are no more compelling than his. I want proof," He stood to his feet and walked away, leaving Tristan behind to consider his words. "And might I suggest from now on you keep away from Andrea or I may not be as kind to you this time as I was last night."
Andy was standing on the balcony outside Elijah's bedroom, which looked across the street to the Kenner apartment. After a moment, Hayley walked out onto her own balcony which faced him. Andy had changed into a pair of sweats and a t-shirt before she planned on taking a nap. Both women looked exhausted as they began to speak to each other. Though they were talking at normal volume, their vampire hearing allowed them to hear each other perfectly.
"I finally got her to sleep. I'll have to explain this family to Hope someday. I think about that sometimes."
"What do you think?" Andy asked.
"I wouldn't lie to her. I'll never lie to her," Hayley admitted. "But, you know what I'll start with? 'Always and forever.'"
Andy smiled at these words. She sighed, glancing away for a moment. "I'm sorry. I... I should have told you what was happening sooner. I guess I was afraid to throw too much family drama your way at once after these last few months. I was a bit afraid it would send you running off with her again, and this time I wouldn't be able to follow."
"I know," Hayley smiled at her weakly. "You should come have lunch with us later. I'm sure Hope and Jackson would both like to see you. We were thinking about taking her to the trunk or treat later if you want to join."
"I'd like that," Andy smiled back. "Go get some sleep, mama Kenner. You don't know when a jazz band will appear out of nowhere and wake the little one."
Hayley chuckled. "Yeah, with my luck it will happen in about five minutes," She glanced over her shoulder. "You go get some rest yourself and try not to let Elijah distract you too much."
Andy laughed as Hayley disappeared back into her apartment. Then, the door opened as Elijah walked into his room and closed the door behind him. Andy turned and smiled weakly at him, closing the balcony doors as she walked into the room. She pulled the curtain to minimize the light beaming in.
"So what did Tristan have to say?" Andy asked him.
"He claims it was Lucien who poisoned Alexis," Elijah said as she started taking his tie off for him. Andy rolled her eyes at the thought of the two vampires continually pointing fingers at one another.
"They never grow old how many years pass, huh?" Andy commented. "You made him too, right? Tristan?"
"I think it would be more accurate to say that we made each other, but yes. I turned him," Elijah hesitated a moment. "What was your impression of Tristan de Martel?"
Andy shrugged, doing her best not to give anything away in her expression. "I don't know. He seemed... incomplete. He seemed so devoid of emotion."
Elijah nodded grimly as he began unbuttoning his shirt. "His sister… Aurora. To be perfectly frank with you, I'm surprised that he's without her," He was looking at her in concern. "His devotion to her is absolutely pathological. It's dangerous."
Andy smiled weakly at him. "I thought you'd know this by now. Loyalty doesn't make people dangerous, Elijah." She said, putting a hand on the side of his face. He gulped nervously and watched her with hooded eyes. "You're not gonna like what I have to say, Eli."
"Why do I get the impression it concerns Tristan?"
Andy watched him for a moment before sighing. "If he knows something—"
"He was goading you, Andrea. Please don't take what he says as the truth. We can investigate this on our own once this is all over."
Andy nodded with a sigh as she moved to climb into bed, but she couldn't lie a plan was beginning to formulate in her own mind, one that she knew Elijah would not approve of.
~ * • ° • ° • * ~
