A/N: Happy New Year guys! Thank you for your patience since it's been awhile since the last update. Made some edits since then, mostly things like grammar and stuff, also something funny I noticed was that the other wolfpack in New Orleans was the Guerrera family, and for whatever reason I wrote Correa or something as a filler cause I didn't remember their names and didn't change it out. It should be fixed now, but entirely possible that I missed some. So if you see that error, let me know.
Summary: Caroline was building a life for herself, her plans were set and continually derailed by the supernatural world. The next thing to take her off course is the discovery that she is married, to Klaus Mikaelson and a vampire/witch hybrid. With her memories of their life back, she finds herself in New Orleans, ruling beside the big bad himself. Sequel to Sun and Moon, An Immortal Dance.
Chapter Fourteen
Jackson let out a heavy breath as he walked through the forest in the middle of the morning, only mildly annoyed and regretting the deal he made with Klaus at the ball that night. The Original Hybrid had pulled him off to the side before going over to his wife, strange to think of him having a wife at all, but regardless there she was and she was powerful. Jackson had met Caroline on a number of occasions and everytime, he couldn't wrap his head around how someone as nice and thoughtful as her ended up with a monster like Klaus. He never voiced that to anyone besides Hayley and at first, she didn't understand either. Only told him there was a lot of history there.
Regardless of that, Klaus sent him on an errand to find the North East Atlantic pack, a wolf pack the Crescents didn't really get along with. At first, Jackson had been more than ready to tell him no, but it was their common goal that forced his hand. Hayley and Klaus's daughter. That baby would be a member of the Crescent pack and the North East Atlantic pack, which meant all those wolves had one thing in common, protecting her. By working together, it would create a powerful alliance between the rival packs and ensure that any other packs wouldn't stand a chance.
So, for the sake of Hayley's daughter, and the fact that Klaus would be giving him a moonlight ring, he left New Orleans to find a man named Cary, who was one of the Alpha's for North East Atlantic. That had caught Jackson off guard, there was one Alpha in each pack, not multiple. Klaus didn't go into details, only said that while he was the true Alpha, someone had to be in charge when he wasn't there. Jackson supposed it made sense.
"I wouldn't go any further Crescent."
Jackson stopped his walking, great. He glanced to the side to a man around his age, maybe a little older, standing there with am olive green jacket and jeans. Based on his body language, he looked near ready to attack him or run away. He expected the former really. It wasn't often a rival pack member appeared in their territory. Not to mention, Klaus told him some members of his pack were hybrids which meant trouble for Jackson if they tried to attack him. He could hold his own in a fight against any man and even a vampire despite not being a wolf, but the combined strength of the two would be another story.
"What are you doing all the way out here," the man asked him, head tilted up.
Jackson raised his hands, "I was sent by Klaus Mikaelson to find someone named Cary. Uh, safe word was kyanite."
The tension in the man seemed to disappear, his expression almost friendly, "Cousin Klaus sent you then. We just saw Cousin Bex not too long ago, so this is a surprise. Why'd he send you?"
"What do you know of his child," Jackson asked, lowering his hands to his sides.
The man crossed his arms over his chest, "That he has one on the way and that if anything happens to that baby, there will be hell to pay."
Jackson nodded, "Then we have something in common. The baby's mother is a member of the Crescent wolf pack. Klaus thinks it's in our best interest to stand together, to protect the baby. I'd take Cary back first then the rest of the pack."
"Well then we better get moving," the man said, he walked over to Jackson and held out his hand to him. "Cary. Nice to meet you, I'm assuming your Alpha of the Crescents?"
Jackson gripped his hand, "Yeah."
"Nice to meet you. Let me grab a bag and tell my pack what's going on, then we can head to New Orleans and get a plan together," Cary said releasing his hand.
"Sounds like a plan," Jackson said, his expression more neutral than anything.
Cary sent him a disarming smile before turning away and walking up a slight hill to where some people were watching, likely his pack. That was a bit easier than he expected. Part of Jackson considered maybe it had been too easy, so he decided to be wary and careful with Cary when they journeyed back to New Orleans. With any luck they would get back before anyone realized he was gone.
To say her head was spinning would have been a bit of an understatement. While Hayley's words definitely sounded like a conspiracy waiting to be unraveled, she couldn't deny that parts of it made sense she couldn't, she didn't want to think too much on it. Especially not about the hope that seemed to burn inside her that- Caroline cut her thoughts off, nope. She wasn't going there, she was walking to the creepy cemetery to speak with the Harvest girls, practice some more magic and not think about any conspiracies for the next several hours.
When she walked into the tomb where the girls were, she should not have been surprised to see Abigail doing a handstand against the wall, Monique laying on the ground and Davina angling her body in a position terrible for her back. Knowing it was better to not interrupt them, she stood off to the side and listened to their chants, she thought it was French, but they were saying it to lowly for her to hear properly. Her gaze glanced around the dozens of candles of everywhere and she wished that they could use scented candles. It served the same purpose, there was no rule that said the candle had to be odorless for it to work.
Caroline felt the corners of her mouth twitch as she remembered Abigail agreeing with her, saying maybe one day they should try it before Genevieve came and sucked all the fun out of their discussion. Going on and on about tradition and rules and restrictions making Caroline want to vomit. Before she continue down the memory, Monique screamed, bolting upright. Davina and Abigail were at her side a moment later, Caroline just behind on them on the other side.
For a moments, Monique looked like something out of a horror movie with her eyes looking up, her head still down and the words leaving her, though the voice she spoke with not entirely her own. The only word Caroline recognized was Genevieve, the ancestors were talking about her. That was never a good sign. Monique gasped and no longer looked like she needed an exorcism.
"Monique, are you okay," Davina asked, worriedly.
"You sounded like you were possessed," Abigail added, her voice shaking.
Monique shook her head, "I wasn't possessed, I channeled the ancestors. They say it's time to finish the reaping and to do that the fourth Harvest girl must be resurrected. Which means it's time for Genevieve to die."
Even though Caroline couldn't stand Genevieve and had actually wanted to kill her sometimes, hearing that come from a sixteen year old made her want to shudder. Though she did remind herself that this same girl killed her aunt instead of leaving New Orleans. Caroline had liked Sophie and was still sad to see she was gone, but she knew the witch was alright. How she knew that exactly, well her own ancestors liked to do favors for her every now and again, including looking after her friends who passed on or were on the other side. Monique got onto her feet quickly, the rest following her lead as she dusted herself off. When she was satisfied with that, she looked to Caroline.
"We need to speak with Genevieve, but you can't be there," Monique said plainly, her expression neutral.
Caroline frowned at that, "Why not? And who's supposed to be in charge when Genevieve is, when she dies?"
"The Reaping now falls to us Harvest girls, Genevieve will sacrifice herself and Cassie will come back to us so that we can do our part," Monique answered, ignoring her second question.
"You can't just ignore the other question," Caroline said with a huff.
Monique tilted her head up, like Sophie would, "I'm not ignoring it. Just know that when Genevieve is gone, the ancestors will speak with you."
That did little to help Caroline. The witches had been strange with her since she arrived and if Hayley's words had any merit, then they had been strange for an even longer amount of time. The feeling of confusion clouded her mind, she could almost feel the unease it brought it her and she hated it. Not being able to understand something or know the answers always drove her crazy, likely because she could be a huge control freak. Being in New Orleans had allowed her to get her hands in everything, yet in almost nothing either. Giving her some control in all these different affairs, but the control wasn't completely hers which was almost worse than not having any to begin with.
"I'm going to need more than that," Caroline said, she couldn't back down now, "Please, I just need some answers here. The witches want to put me in charge, but that seems like a terrible idea since I'm not a French Quarter witch or -"
"And married to the Original Hybrid," Monique interrupted.
Caroline rolled her eyes, "Not what I was going to say, but sure, add that to the list. Genevieve is in charge of the witches right now, so when she goes, who takes her place? It can't be me."
Abigail spoke to her next, "It won't be you right away, but soon."
Monique sent Abigail a glare, the blonde shrunk slightly as Monique brought her gaze back to Caroline, "Things are going as they should be. Your training is almost complete and you will be a right witch soon. When that happens, you'll be Regent."
Not saying anything more, Monique walked out of the tomb, Abigail quickly going after her, but Davina hesitated. For a few tense moments, neither of them said anything. The two didn't have many opportunities to see each other outside of this and that bothered Caroline, she wanted to help Davina more given all that had happened. Though Davina didn't want the help, insisting she would figure it out on her own and becoming more detached, distant than anything. Caroline didn't know or understand why.
"Are you okay," Caroline asked her.
Davina's expression shifted to surprised, "Yeah, I'm fine. Everything's fine and falling into place as it should."
Caroline huffed, "I wish I could know what people mean by that. What exactly is falling into place around here?"
"Things in the witches are going well, we are getting stronger and soon we'll have a good leader in you," Davina said, a bit earnest and almost annoyed. "You should be happy."
Caroline's gaze narrowed, "I'd be happier if you weren't hiding things from me."
Davina frowned, "I'm not hiding-"
"Don't lie to me," Caroline interrupted sharply, "Alright, please. Keep your secrets, but do not look in my face and tell me you aren't keeping something from me."
Davina looked down, her face almost looked hurt about something and Caroline felt some guilt in her, though she quickly ignored it. Let Davina feel guilty for hiding something from her and then trying to lie about it. Maybe she was getting to caught up in Hayley's words or maybe something really was going on here. Regardless of it, Caroline was tired of feeling like she didn't know what was happening and not having any control over the unknown was starting to grate on her. Her mind went back to that dinner she set up with everyone, creating some mild alliance with everyone there so that they could come to some peace. And things had been good, good enough for a second dinner. God, Caroline felt like a real teenager again with that thought in mind about getting a second date.
Caroline turned away, ready to leave Davina, but stopped when the young girl grabbed her arm, "Wait."
Caroline glanced over her shoulder and saw fear in the little witch's eyes, "What is it?"
"Be careful," Davina said softly, she visibly swallowed, "I can't say anything, but be careful and on the look out for, unease."
Caroline frowned, "Unease? I don't understand."
"I can't tell you more, only to watch yourself. The French Quarter witches, our ancestors, they've been waiting for someone like you for a long time," Davina said as she let go of Caroline's arm, "They'll do anything to succeed."
Before Caroline could open her mouth to question that, the younger witch practically ran out of the tomb and away from her, leaving Caroline alone. Hayley's words about the witches being after her for longer than her time here came back to her mind, maybe that had some truth to it after all, but she had no way of knowing. Likely if Davina did know something, the ancestors were forcing her to stay quiet and the only other person Caroline could think of who might know something was Genevieve, but there was no way she'd share that information with her. Especially since she was about to die by the Harvest Girls hands.
Caroline pulled out her phone and went through her contacts, her thumb hovering over Bonnie's contact. It hadn't been that long since they last spoke, but their goodbye hadn't been the greatest one. Sure they mostly worked it out, just somethings did still linger. It reminded Caroline of how Bonnie treated her when she found out she was a vampire, how upset and cold she'd been. Though not the same, very similar and hurt just as much. She wouldn't bother Bonnie now with her witch questions. Maybe she could call Lexi? Though as Caroline scrolled, her phone lit to reveal an incoming call. It was Cami.
Anxious and uncertain, Cami stood in the doorway to the attic, watching as Caroline held her uncle's hand and muttered words in French to him. It had been months since the hex had been placed on him and his condition hadn't gotten better, only worse. Though apparently, it should have been much worse than it was now. Caroline's magic had slowed the process down, for that she was more than grateful, but it seemed that it wouldn't be enough. After several more minutes of this did Caroline stop, looking dejected and a bit exhausted, her skin a shade paler than normal. The other blonde rose to stand up, her hands resting on her legs for support a moment longer than necessary before Cami walked over to her.
"Well," Cami asked, her nerves shining through.
Caroline opened her mouth to speak, but her eyes widened and in the blink of an eye, Cami found herself on the ground and Caroline 'wrestling' with her uncle. The hybrid witch shoved Kieran with barely restrained strength, him yelling nonsense that Cami didn't understand, only able to tell he was angry, furious. The look in his eyes when he looked down at her, the anger, the pain, it wasn't her uncle. It was something, someone else and it hurt her more than she could ever say. As Cami jumped to her feet, Kieran threw a hard punch to Caroline's face, but she didn't move back from the force of it and only let out a rush of magic. Cami could feel the chill from it and she couldn't suppress a shudder from both the feeling and from watching her uncle fall limp to the floor.
"He's just, just unconscious," Caroline said as she moved Kieran back onto the bed.
"It's just getting worse," Cami whispered, dejected. "Are you alright? Did he hit you too hard?"
Caroline shook her head, "I'm fine, I can take some punches." Caroline licked her lips, bringing her gaze up to Cami's, hesitant and even afraid. "I, I'm sorry Cami. There's, I can't. There's nothing more I can do. I'll keep searching, but…"
Cami swallowed thickly, ignoring the sting in her eyes, "No, no, thank you. You've helped me, a lot with him and I appreciate that."
Caroline couldn't meet her gaze, "I wish I could do more."
"Sometimes all we have, isn't enough," Cami said quietly, hating the bitter taste that the words left.
"There's only one more thing I can do, before the hex takes complete control and he..." Caroline paused, looking more upset than before. She reached into her pocket and pulled out a silver thread. "Tie this around his left ring finger then tie it around yours. Say these words, Laisse moi voir dans son esprit. It will let you go into his mind, to the part where the hex can't reach him and he can talk to you without it's influence."
Cami took the thread gingerly in her hand, "How long with it work? Does he have to be asleep for me to dive in or..,"
Caroline considered the question, "You'd be able to speak with him in there for an hour, and you could stretch the time there to feel like days or even weeks. The spell I put on him should keep him in a dazed and sedated state, but Cami, he won't survive the week.. I know that it's not-"
Caroline was interrupted by Cami throwing her arms around her, hugging tightly, as if she were a life line, "Thank you. For all your help."
"Of course," Caroline said as she returned the embrace.
When Cami released her, she spoke again, this time in more sullen tone, "I have news for the human faction."
Caroline blinked, "Cami, we don't have to talk about that now-"
"No, now's a good time. You can pass it onto Elijah for me," Cami said, her tone earnest and certain. Caroline nodded, prompting her to continue. "So far the other people in charge of the human faction are leaning to put me as the leader. Marcel and I have been gathering proof to show that the Guerrera's are wolves, we found a good bit actually, but haven't brought it forward. We want to make sure there's no doubt."
"That's smart, this way they can't make it seem like you're just trying to gain power," Caroline commented, arms crossed over her chest.
"They've already offered the spot of Faction leader, but I said that I couldn't take it yet," Cami explained.
Caroline flashed a small grin, "Perfect. That allows Francesca to think she still has a chance in charge. Don't take it until you have some really condemning proof, with any luck it will come to you before she falls into the trap."
"Do you think it will all work, without any surprises," Cami asked her, curious.
Caroline let out a breathy chuckle, "Honestly if everything went according to plan, it would be miracle, but thanks to have two control freaks running the numbers, we have too many backup plans to count."
Cami snickered, "Sounds about right… I don't mean to pry, but, are you two okay? The psychologist in me is just, very interested and you don't need to answer that."
Caroline made a face of surprise, before it shifted to uncomfortable, "We're okay. Getting better everyday and I have feeling when this whole mess is cleaned, things will get even better."
"You don't sound too sure," Cami commented.
Caroline brought her gaze to the ground, wrapping her arms around her stomach, "I'm not. But I have hope." An idea flashed through Caroline's mind. "Can you do me a favor?"
"Yeah, anything," Cami said, ready to help.
"When you get the chance to talk to Kieran, to really talk to him," Caroline started, looking a little unsure, "can you ask him what he knows about the witches looking for someone a few years ago?"
Genevieve did like the green house, she loved the flowers, the smell, the magic. What she didn't like was the 'ambush' she seemed to be facing right now with the older members of the coven standing behind the three Harvest girls, Monique in the center. It seemed that now the ancestors wanted her to return so that the full power of the harvest could be returned, though the red haired woman had to wonder why it was Monique to bring this up. As of right now, Genevieve was in charge of the French Quarter witches, what she said goes, but it seemed the young witch was challenging her. Not that it was surprising, she had a feeling that Monique Deveraux would be a powerful witch.
"I communed with the ancestors. They said it's time for you to sacrifice yourself," Monique said plainly, eyes cold.
Genevieve nodded in acknowledgement, "And it will be an honor to fulfill my duty to our coven. But it's not quite my time yet. There are some things that still need work, particularly with the Mac witch."
"The ancestors already have a plan to ensure her cooperation," Monique replied, confident even.
"The Maclynth ancestors are not to be trifled with and if we do this wrong, we will lose Caroline," Genevieve said, hating the taste of the words. "It wasn't too long ago that I was an ancestor, watching as our coven was forced to surrender to the vampires and live under Marcel's rule. Before I leave, I need to ensure that this coven will have enough power to never let such a thing happen again. In order for that to happen, we need the Original Grimoire of Esther Mikaelson and control of Caroline Forbes."
Monique narrowed her gaze, "We can do both those things with the Harvest magic returned to us."
Genevieve tilted her head, "You could? I have access to the Mikaelson compound which will allow me to get the Grimoire as well as learning something very important on how to keep Caroline from going astray. The one thing that will turn her against the Mikaelsons."
"The coven already tried that before, but Caroline is still on their side, working with them and the hybrid," Monique countered, confused and annoyed.
Genevieve chuckled without humor, "Yes the little affair was a nice try, but not what would get her to turn on them. The ancestors mistake was thinking they needed the one she loves most to hurt her when in fact, they only need to threaten the one she loves most. And it's not Klaus."
Monique folded her arms, "Then who is it then? We can retrieve this person now."
"No, we need to play are cards carefully," Genevieve said pointedly. "First, we need that Grimoire to ensure we are not bound to the vampires again and then we can keep Caroline in check so she can become Regent. For now, those seeds need to be planted and when they are ready to bloom, I will gladly sacrifice myself knowing this coven will thrive."