A.N. Hey all! I'm just popping in for a quick update! Thank you for reading and replying! This chapter is a lot shorter than the last, but it's fast paced. I hope you all like it.
Chapter 13: Friends, Foes and Lovers Alike
Dream
The Talisman was a tea house and bookstore located in the heart of New Orleans. It was a special place where witches got together to talk amongst themselves, where pastries were sold, special teas were brewed and books were not only sold but burrowed as well.
It had been one of my favorite places to visit. Usually I had gone for a cup of tea and a scone Saturday mornings. And like every other time I had visited the magical place, I had always come home with a bag of books.
This time, was different though, I had felt it in my bones. Usually the atmosphere was as warm as the rich colors that decorated the tea house. Today though, as I entered the warm welcomes that usually accompanied were almost monotone. It lacked every ounce of life that usually flowed within the tea house.
Once seated, I was promptly served, though the server had placed two cups down on the table. A steaming cup of vanilla chai tea sits in front of me, while a plate full of fluffy beignets sit across the table. I study each item, thinking which to go for first, I've always had a sweet tooth. It's like legendary to the people who know me really well. On many occasions I had waken up from a slumber wanting something sweet. Grams use to say I would rot my teeth out. Caroline had worried about my health. And Damon, well that motherphucker would just hand me the licorice and go back to watching whatever movie I fell asleep on in the first place.
I snorted to myself at that last thought before reaching for my choice, only to have my hand slapped away, by something invisible.
"Show yourself." I say finally having enough of this game. I had known early on that this wasn't my dream, it felt too controlled and not by me.
Soon an outline appears slowly before a woman in a red hood hiding her face comes into full view. I notice little things about her, how her nails are painted candy apple red. How her red lipstick stands out against her brown skin.
"I was wondering when you were going to stop playing games." The woman coos.
I scuff. "You're one to talk, you literally crept into my dreams." I say leaning forward against the table. "The only reason why your even this close is because you obviously wish me no harm." Pause. "So what do you want?"
The woman chuckles darkly. "Spoken like a true Bennett witch."
I raise my brows still unimpressed. Reaching for a beginet, I tear it apart and place a bite into my mouth. I take my time savoring the sweetness and then turn my eyes back to the person sitting across from me. "You still didn't answer my question."
"I came here to offer you a choice," She says matter of fact. "This, what's coming has nothing to do with you- you can be spared if you make the right choice, but the wrong choice...well it might drag you down to depths you didn't know was possible."
I lick my lips, tasting powdered sugar. "Why are you offering me this choice?"
Sigh. "Because I know what you've been through." Pause. "More importantly I know what your capable of, but the choice is yours, cherie." She says sitting back in her chair.
I cross my arms in front of my chest. "You expect me to make a deal with someone who's yet to show me their face? Not gonna happen."
The woman shrugs and soon removes the red cape hood that has obscured her face from my vision. Once I see who it is, I gasps, because I've seen her before. I've encountered her before.
"Greta?" I say my voice drops down to a whisper.
Greta tosses her head back and begins to laugh. "No, not Greta. Well, the real Greta." Giggle. "I can change myself to anyone I want to. She then proceeds to morph her face and likeness, from Greta, to Esther, that bitch. Followed by Aurora, Tatia, Katherine and finally...Caroline.
"That's enough." I say my voice stern.
"I thought, you might find it easier to talk to this face." She says smiling the same smile Caroline has. It's the eyes that give her away though. Blue eyes full of life are now cold as ice. "Out of respect I come to you Bonnie, we witches have to stick together." She says softly
When she reaches out to place her hand on top of mine, I snatch it back. "Get to the point." I snap.
"Fine." She bristles. "All I ask is that you don't interfere in what's coming for Niklaus and his followers." She says tossing blond hair over her shoulder. "Nearly everyone has now sided with him, even if they truly hate his guts." She curls her lips. "I guess we all have you to thank." She nearly spits out. "That makes most of supernatural here enemies of mine and trust me that is not a good thing– you don't want to get on my bad side."
I look at her, really look at her- the person who's wearing a face so much like Caroline, but not Caroline at all. "I don't make deals with crazy people." I growl out. " I assume DeClair was with you and he was crazy, so that makes you Queen crazy."
She chuckles. "You think I'm crazy? You're one of the most powerful witches ever to be born and yet you're falling in love with Niklaus Mikaelson."
I fidget under her stare and mocking words. I wasn't falling in love with Klaus, I don't know why everyone kept bringing love into things because that was not happening.
"You think your different but you'll end up just like every other woman who has gotten involved with the Mikaelson family."
I wait for her to continue but instead she just stands and walks over to my side. She leans close and places a kiss to my cheek. "You'll be dead, just like Haley who had to die and become a hybrid. Just like Aurora who is rotting in a coffin at the bottom of the ocean and so much like Greta."
When she pulls away I stand up. "I don't like to be threatened!"
Fake Caroline smile morphs into something akin to sadness. "It's not a threat, not from me not really. I respect you too much to fight you. I'll let Klaus ruin you instead." She grabs her red coat. "And when he ruins you, you'll remember that love is overrated."
I watch as she walks away to the door, only to stop and look at me once more. "Oh and Bonnie, I may have enough respect for you to let bygones be bygones but my partner," she bites her lip. "He's a loose cannon."
She winks before appearing in front of my once more. She grabs my hand, as I feel all her hatred and bitterness as if its my own.
"Tell you boyfriend, I'm coming for him."
"Not if we find you first." I growl out, having to have the last word. It's the Damon influence on me.
Fake Caroline smiles and then morphs into Kai. "See you around Bonster."
End of Dream
When I wake up, I'm clutching cuddles close to me. Shit just got real.
Elsewhere - Elsewhere- Elsewhere
Bayou
The morning sun shined bright as she looked outside. Nature was in full bloom and alive in the bayou. It was a brand new day which meant it was another day to push forward and that was what she planned on doing, pushing forward. Every move she made, every step she took led her that much closer to the grand prize and that of course was to watch the Niklaus Mikaelson in ruins.
Cup of coffee in hand she takes a sip, when movement causes her to pause. Without even looking she knows her acquaintance has finally woken from his slumber. She let him rot in the body Klaus had pumped with venom far longer than expected but then again, he tried her patience and that was his reward. Now though, he was back to his normal self, with his own body.
"Feeling better I see?" She says watching as he takes a blood bag out and sips on it like it's a juice box.
He shrugs. "I'm feeling better, especially since I'm free of that body."
She says nothing but her face says all that needs to be said.
"I'd like to go to town today, send a message to the people who were attendance of that meeting."
This has her attention. "And how do you plan on doing that?"
He turns to face her. "I plan on obtaining roses and then with a little help of magic turn them black, I'll get them to everyone who encountered DeClair."
She shakes her head. "You're thinking too small." She says patting his head. "You send the black roses to the key players and a few that run the gossip mill. The knowledge that some people are getting messages sent their way will cause the others to be on pins and needles." She says clapping her hands excitedly. "The townspeople will look to those who are suppose to have answers, and when they look to them, lo and behold they'll be getting their own message delivered."
He sucks his teeth. "This was my plan lass,"
She pinches his cheek. "And now I've hijacked it and made it better." She snaps. "Leave Niklaus for me, you can do whatever you want with everyone else, even the Bennett witches." She says with distaste. She can understand how one would fall under the spell of Elijah, he was, a very captivating man. But anyone who could fall for the charms of Klaus was just plain stupid.
He sneers her way. "As if I'd let you take what is rightfully mine."
A bubble of laughter falls from her mouth. "You wouldn't have a choice of the matter, mon cherie." She says enjoying the way the anger takes of his face. "I'm letting you know now, if I need her to get to him, then your going to have to learn how to share."
DS-DS-DS
Damon
Following the cookout and the verbal attack on Bonnie, he had been a man on a mission. He had called up all of his contacts in order to find Enzo for information about his old friends. Of course they had all given him the run around because well, he tended to screw over his working friends or contacts more so than he liked to admit.
The only person who had gotten back to him thus far had been Stefan and in true blue Stefan form he was still whining about him not being available for Elena. If the nasty text messages he received from his brother was any indication. He doesn't want to get into it with Stefan about the whole Elena debacle or not when he has more important things to think about, more importantly not when Bonnie needs him
Phone call
"I need a favor brother." He breathes into the phone once Stefan picks up. This time they aren't face timing, that way Stefan doesn't have to see the worry that has been marring his features. In all honesty he's worried about Bonnie, about what anyone coming for her could and would mean. He knew she was strong, the strongest person he had ever met, but there was more to her than just her strength. He wanted to be the person to slay the latest dragon for her, to protect her, the way she deserved to be protected.
Stefan chuckles dryly. "Answer this question first, are you ever going to do right by Elena or am I going to have to continue to pick up the pieces of her for much more longer?"
He rubs his hand over his face and through mused hair. This week had been a lot. Bonnie was back to having bad dreams and he was back to sitting outside her bedroom door because they were so far from the days when he would hold her at night to keep the nightmares at bay.
It pained him, how they were still walking this invisible line after the biggest argument in the relationship they shared. Things had gotten better, but it wasn't like it was before and he missed it. He missed her. She was keeping him at arms length, punishing him without actually saying it. The space she wanted so desperately was starting to feel like a breakup without saying the actual words.
And the worst part was she hadn't even been his girlfriend. He'd rectify that though. Once all this mess was settled and he was able to get his shit together, they'd get the chance he knew they deserved.
"Stefan," He pleads drink now in hand. "I can be man enough to admit to you that right now is not the best time to talk about Elena, not when Bonnie–"
Furrowed brows Stefan speaks. "She still seeing Klaus?"
He drains his glass. "It's more than that. She was attacked one night at the club and than this dude with a chip on his shoulder he spat so much venom her way that I think it reminded her of the way Kai spoke to her."
"Oh."
He chuckles dryly now. "I have this feeling in the pit of my stomach." He confesses. "We're still miles and miles apart but," He shakes his head. "If anything were to happen to her Stefan," Pause. "I don't think I could come back from that, I can't lose her." He admits. Sigh. "And right now, I've got Klaus hogging up all her time, an unknown douche still on the loose after attacking her, Bonnie putting space between us and whoever else is trying to start crap with the Bennett family."
"Sounds like you have a lot on your plate." Stefan says matter of fact.
He nods though Stefan can't see it. "I do. And that's why I need a favor."
Stefan sighs. "I'll take care of Elena–"
He furrows his brows. Elena had never entered his mind. "I wasn't talking about Elena,"
"Maybe you should, talk to her let her know where you stand." Stefan says patiently. "It's obvious she's not your priority, Bonnie is and I think we both know why." Stefan says annoyance clear in his voice.
He clicks his tongue. "Are you trying to tell me I'm in love with Bonnie?"
"Are you going to deny your in love with Bonnie?" Stefan asks quickly.
He swallows hard. If he is in love with Bonnie, Stefan won't be the first person to hear it. He would tell Bonnie to her face, nobody else would hear those words before her. All he needed was to get his shit together and for her to get Klaus out of her system.
"I'm not doing this with you," Is what he says to Stefan and his questions. "I just need you to keep an ear out for Enzo, I need to get in touch with him."
Stefan groans. "Is that really a good idea, last I checked he blamed you for his breakup with Bonnie?" Pause. "Listen if I get the word to Enzo that you're looking to talk, just remember how crazy he got over her, I know your feelings and so does everyone else," Pause. "Whatever you're planning just be careful."
He smiles now. "You sound just like her." He says fondly. " I can be stealth when needed."
Stefan chuckles. "Hopefully your stealth skills are better than your hiding things skills because they suck."
"Up yours Stefan." He says as his goodbye and swiftly hangs up.
End of phone call.
Once he's off his call, he hears Bonnie rummaging around her room. He can smell the sweet scent of her body wash which is the clean smell of aloe vera and Bonnie's naturally enticing smell all together.
When she finally emerges from the bedroom, she's wearing a cropped sweat shirt that is tye dye, he flat stomach and belly button ring are on full display. He bites back the thought of licking whipped cream off her belly. His eyes slide down, to the white sweat pants, that makes him take a second look at her ass. Her hair which is now twisted, is down her back.
He looks her over once, than twice, noticing the dark circles under her eyes. "Rough night?" He asks handing her, the mug she loved so much. It was a mug that had a picture of the two of them on it. They had taken the picture at an amusement park, both with arms filled with stuffed animals.
"Yeah," She says accepting the mug and offering him a small smile that has his heart beating out of it's chest.
He watches as she walks over to the couch and soon follows her so that they are sitting close together, or at least closer than they had in a very long time. He places his hand on her knee, causing her to look up, green eyes wide. "The nightmares, are back?"
She only nods. "This woman, she's so angry that she's willing to do anything and go through anyone to get what she wants."
He can tell that she's upset by the way she bites her lip, abandoning the tea he had fixed her. Reaching out he touches her face. "I won't let her or anyone else hurt you."
She nods. And then speaks. "She has a partner, he's just as mad, It was in his eyes, as he watched us talk." Pause. "I could feel his eyes touch every bit of my skin as if it were his hands."
Not being able to take the look in her eyes he brings her close to him, crushing her to his body. His arms are wrapped around her. "I promise you, I will do everything in my power to make sure you are safe."
She pulls back now to look at him, green meeting blue. "Even if we're suppose to be on a break?"
He leans close so his face is close to hers. "Especially now." He smiles. "Don't you know, I would do anything for you– you mean so much to me." He says touching her face. "Bon, I think I'm in lo–"
The words die on his lips as his phone rings. Looking down he curses and picks up the phone.
"What?"
"You wanted my attention, now that you've got it what do you want?" Enzo slurred out.
He catches eyes with Bonnie and nods.
KM-KM
Klaus
The house of Mikaelson was filled with laughter as his little one ran about the house with him chasing after her. On numerous occasions Elijah who was sitting at the desk reading a newspaper had asked the two of them to stop running in the house. That of course had gone ignored by him, while Hope had paused before seeing that he was quick to catch her and the little girl took off running.
In his wolf form he chased his Hope through the expansive home, nearly knocking down Rebekah who had come through the door with a bag of no doubt expensive items. Once outside he followed the sound of the little pitter patter Hope made as she ran. Times like this he loved the most.
He never thought he'd enjoy being in his wolf form but with Hope at his side, everything is much better. Unlike most who triggered the curse, Hope was able to imagine being a wolf and then with her natural magic she'd turn into a wolf.
Creeping up slowly he approaches her and when she turns around she bares her little cub teeth his way and he all but turns into one of those soft fellows. Instead though, he takes off in wolf form with Hope following behind.
They run through the property till his little pup tires.
Together they sit by the water as he howls, Hope follows suit and he realizes not for the first time, that finally he's not alone. Hope is everything, she's his world.
DS-DS-DS
Damon
Once Bonnie had realized that Enzo was the person calling she had made a beeline for her room, claiming she was going to meditate. He could tell by the sight of her, how her legs were wobbly as she walked away that everything, the ending and what had happened had still effected her. She blamed herself for Enzo losing his mind– even if it were only for a little while.
Phone call
"Enzo thank you for getting back to me so fast."
The other man just chuckles almost manically. "I thought for you to call me something big must've happen, let me guess Bonnie dropped you too." Enzo says gleefully.
He didn't like talking bad about her, but it was obvious that- that was what Enzo wanted to do. "She didn't drop me, we're just on a sort of," He swallows hard. "Break at the moment."
Enzo cackles now. "Serves you right. You did everything to come between us with your unbreakable connection and now it seems like it's broken." Pause. "I guess your dick wasn't much bigger than mine after all."
He snorts. "Many women would happily tell you just how big I am so you can truly know how inferior you are to me."
Enzo swears. "Well the ones you and your brother share don't count. As for how magnetic you are, it wasn't enough to keep Bonnie now was it?"
Silence.
Enzo chuckles. "What do you want Damon? Do you want my sympathy because you won't get it, you bastard! You took her away from me!" Enzo says angry all over again.
He snaps, though it's calculated. Enzo would love to hear all the sorted details of why he and Bonnie aren't together. Especially as he assumed they would get together once she dropped him. "And now we both don't have her!"
Enzo chuckles again. "Two peas in a bloody pod, you and I."
He grits his teeth. "It's not easy. Knowing that, I'm not what she wants."
Enzo mutters something incoherent.
"You're the only one I can talk to...who understands. I know we've said some shit to each other but, like you said we're two peas in a pod."
"Are you thinking a night of debauchery and a feeding frenzy?" Enzo asks
He rolls his eyes. "Whatever it takes."
Enzo sighs. "I'm not home now, but I stay in North Carolina. I'm" Pause. "I'm away but I'll be back in a few days, I'll give you a call and we can paint the town red all because of Bonnie Bennett."
He agrees and soon hangs up. Enzo had lost his shit, but if pretending to be a down hearted love sick fool who barely had control of his emotions, was the only way to hear about the heretics than he play Enzo like he was a game.
KM-KM
Klaus
After a morning filled with lots of play time, it seemed that now it was time for business, at least while Rebekah had whisked Hope upstairs upon seeing the two of them walk back to the house with mud all over their clothes.
He wasn't sure which of his siblings were more appalled Rebekah who had complained about the mud that was caked on Hope, her clothes, shoes and hair. Or Elijah who had a big fit over the fact that mud was being tracked into the house and all over the hardwood floors.
Though it was quite amusing to see his siblings in such an uproar over something so minuscule. He made sure to let them both know that, this was his house and he and his daughter would do whatever they wanted to do. That shut up Elijah. Rebekah was still upset but took Hope upstairs to get cleaned up.
"Niklaus was it really necessary to track mud through the house?" Elijah asks.
His lips curve into a grin. "It is, if it makes my daughter happy and you best remember that."
Elijah places his newspaper down. "Speaking of your daughter, seeming that a new threat is no doubt heading in this direction. I think it might be in your best interest to not only speak with Haley about the matter, but also sending Haley and Hope as far away from here as possible."
He turns so sharply that even Elijah jumps. "My daughter will stay here with me!" He growls. "I am the only one that can protect her the way she needs it."
Elijah let out a long suffering sigh. "And how do you plan on doing that when your mind has been preoccupied by Miss Bennett?"
Once again he glares at his brother. Elijah is surly testing him. If his brother isn't caseful, he'll end up with a familiar dagger, and stuck in his favorite coffin. He quickly walks over to the bar and fixes him a drink. "I am quite capable of taking care what's mine Elijah, no need to question it." He says clanking the ice together as he pours himself some Scotch.
Elijah walks over to stand close to him, fixing his own drink. "You've made your affections for Miss Bennett known now, two of the most powerful people together is surly enough to cause alarm for some and paranoia for others.
Amber eyes glow. "I don't spend my time focusing on other peoples issues with me. My top priority is my daughter, and where Bonnie falls into my priorities is not any of your concern nor anyone else."
The brothers share a dark look when the doorbell rings. The butler quickly ushers in a distraught looking Gloria.
"Gloria, what brings you here?" Elijah asks.
He only watches the myriad of emotions on the old witches face. Though Gloria had been the oldest witch surpassing her hundreds and looking a measily fifty years of age, today she looked shook.
"This,"She says using her gloved hands to pull out a black rose. "These were delivered to some of the witches, warlocks, wolves and vampires of the quarter."
He growls at the knowledge. "Why is the first time I'm hearing about it?" he asks face red with anger.
Gloria sends him a look not pleased with his tone. "Not everyone has gotten them, but Vincent, Chase and I have been trying to keep it under wraps so hysteria doesn't spread."
"Thank you Gloria." Elijah says touching her arm.
His hands grip the glass tightly. "It's a scare tactic." He says handing Gloria a glass of her own.
Gloria downs her drink like the pro she is. "Well this scare tactic certainly has our attention."
He nods. "And that is why we ignore it. They want our attention, well, come out and face us." He says matter of fact. "I'll speak with Vincent, and those in power we'll have a meeting at the garden district home, well come up with a plan that will be shared amongst each other."
Drinks are once again refilled while the three of them clink glasses together. Whomever thought they could take over his kingdom with black roses was a fool that would be taught a very important lesson.
A.N. 2: For anyone waiting for an update to my other Klonnie story, that should be updated soon.