A/N Thank you all for reviewing!
THE NIGHT BEFORE
"Thank you for coming."
Jules smiled small in greeting at the young wolf who slowed down as he reached her. Tyler was quiet for a moment, looking up at the night sky as if he were paranoid. For some reason, he felt wary of the night sky.
"You're lucky I answered your call after everything you've done."Tyler replied with a glare, hands stuffed in his pockets."So what do you want from me?"
"I'm your friend, Tyler, and sometimes to protect a friend a person needs to take risks."Jules responded without a hint of remorse in her voice, hands on her hips, and looking up at Tyler with determination."And, because i'm your friend, I need you to trust me."
The young wolf raised his eyebrows and he gave a bitter laugh.
"You're kidding, right?"
"I want you to come with us."Jules hastily stated, avoiding the subject and glancing back at her packed car where a few others were parked beside it."Be part of our pack. Mason would've wanted that."
She nodded back at the car, reaching out and taking hold of Tyler's sleeve. The wolves who surrounded them looked ready to follow. Tyler looked at them; eyes narrowed at their stern yet alert looks, as if they were ready to fight for some reason.
"C'mon, let's go."
Tyler shook his head, shaking Jules off with a puzzled expression.
"I'm not going anywhere with you."Tyler angrily said, putting his hands back in his pockets."Just tell me. What is going on?"
"Klaus is happening."Jules replied after a long bout of silence, looking around after speaking his name as if she were paranoid."One of his minions tried to take Jax, but he managed to get away. Said he worked for Klaus. He's looking for a wolf or wolves. I don't know."
"Klaus?"Tyler said more to himself than to Jules, shrugging at the unfamiliar name."Who the hell is Klaus?"
"Your little girlfriend didn't tell you. Shocker."Jules muttered with a roll of her eyes, crossing her arms over her chest."Klaus is an Original, they're the first vampires in history, the oldest but Klaus is different. I don't know what is going on, but if he's after wolves, I need to get the hell out of this town."
"So, unless you want to die..."She then looked up at Tyler with a pointed look, gesturing back to the car her hand."We need to get out of Mystic Falls."
"I—"Tyler looked tempted for a moment before shaking his head."No, i'm not leaving my friends."
"Your friends have been keeping you in the dark, Tyler!"Jules retorted, raising her voice a little and growing angrier the more she spoke."Caroline's friend killed Mason, and I bet she knows what is going on, but she hasn't told you anything."
Tyler looked away, mixed feelings clear and Jules' face softened. The female wolf took a step forward and took his hands in her own. As she did her eyes flashed amber and so did Tyler's. At this Tyler turned back and looked down at Jules.
"I'm a wolf, Tyler, and wolves protect their own."She looked to her pack that surrounded them then back to Tyler, pulling him with her towards the car."That's why we need to go."
"I—"
"No, please. Please just let me—"
The entire pack raised their weapons at the sound of one of the own crying out in agonising pain. The 'no' chanting carried on until a loud, glass shattering howl followed. A wolf's howl. A howl that caused each wolf, including Tyler, to flicker their eyes amber without even noticing it. The howl traveled through the woods, it echoing for a long moment before everything went quiet.
The wolves turned to all corners, but glanced back at their alpha, ready for guidance.
"Jules."Tyler whispered, looking left and right, eyes narrowing in confusion."What's happening?"
Jules shook her head, opening her mouth to reply only to jump back when a body, seemingly coming out of nowhere, was thrown through the air. The body landed in the centre of the wide circle the pack had formed.
Jules' eyes widened as her gaze zeroed in on the almost unrecognizable face. Blood was all she could see, and when she looked to where his head was supposed to be, all there was was a mass of torn flesh.
"No!"Jules' eyes glassed over, and she rushed forward, falling to her knees beside the wolf."He's one of us."
Tyler looked on as the wolves turned and watched as their alpha fawned over one of their fallen wolves, seeing her upset for the first time. As the pack silently grieved, Tyler raised his head as the sound of feet making their way in their direction, and he looked on as a man made his way toward them.
"Jules?"
The wolf, sensing a new presence, looked up just in time to get to her feet. She straightened defensively, eyes focused on the stranger ambling towards the pack. He was tall, lean but well built with dark hair and even darker eyes that were trained on the group of wolves. If he knew what they were he showed no hesitance in coming closer and, as he neared them, Jules noticed that he had one hand raised.
A bloody hand that held a heart.
"I believe this is yours,"The man heartily announced, holding the heart aloft his head."And, since he's dead, that's yours, too."
He hurled the heart in their direction, letting the silence draw out just to indulge in the horrified state the pack was in.
"Good evening, gentlemen."The vampire greeted with a broad grin, foot resting atop of the wolf he had recently killed. His eyes skimmed the pack before they settled on Jules."And lady. Forgive me."
"What the hell do you want?"Jules demanded, baring her teeth at the man, inhaling before her expression turned more disgusted."Vampires aren't allowed here."
"Yes, well, soon enough there won't be any of you to protest my presence."The vampire cooly replied, tapping his foot against the wolf's chest with a hum."But, if you wish to die so quick i'm sure we can get into it j—"
"What do you want?"Jules cut in, holding out an arm when her pack raised their weapons."You're stupid enough to come where a wolf pack is without backup. You must want something."
The vampire tilted his head, letting his dark eyes briefly study Jules from head to toe before his smile widened. He let out an amused laugh, straightening and nudging aside the dead wolf at his feet.
"You are brave, aren't you? You know, love, I like pretty little things with sharp tongues."The vampire drawled eyes never leaving Jules' as he pointed to her."But, alas, it's not meant to be. Don't be so sad, though; your disappointment won't last long as i'll going to be ripping your heart out in a few moments."
"You think so?"Jules replied, her eyes flashing amber angrily which only made the male vampire laugh."What do you want?"
"My brother and I seek to fix a little squabble we've been having."In spite of the bitterness laced in his tone, he allowed a small smile at the mention of his brother."I wanted payback for some absurd business, so he drove a dagger into my heart a hundred years ago. This is the result of our reunion."
The vampire presented his bloodied knuckles. Dried blood was still smeared on his skin, as well as his cheek and jaw. Blood that did not belong to their fallen pack member.
"But, although we've killed each other more than once today and I upped him on neck snaps and broken jaws, i'm still a bit peeved. I suppose you can tell by your friend's demise."
He rubbed his bloodied hands together, fingers twisting around the ring he donned.
"It seems that beating my brother for the entire day hasn't resolved much. We can't have that because we want our family in one place without my brother and I fighting at the dinner table. So we've have come to a decision that will benefit both of us."
His smile returned when the wolves simply stared at him, all annoyed at the sight of him and confused. Jules lifted her chin defiantly when his eyes zeroed in on her again, his smile faltering into a wicked smirk.
"You're probably guessing why that leads me here, yes? Well, I don't like wolves, you see. You're filthy creatures,"He spat out despite his mirthful tone, his eyes clouding with resentment."and I suppose I harbor resentment toward you lot considering one of you bit me around a hundred years ago. But I must admit I did kill his brother."
The vampire shook his head with a pensive laugh before his expression abruptly turned solemn."Or perhaps it's because one of you tore apart my little brother. Little Henrik. That wasn't a good day."
The vampire was silent for a moment, and he rapidly blinked, turning his head to the side. The pack watched him, a little uneasy as his jaw clenched and his fingers curled into his palm.
His face was unreadable for a moment before, all of a sudden, he switched back to his precious disposition. He laughed, clapping his hands and rubbing them together for the third time, his smile back on his face as if nothing had happened.
"Where were we? Oh, yes, the reason i'm here."He took a moment to look at the wolves that surrounded him before glancing down at the dead wolf by his feet."My brother has permitted me to kill the lot of you."
The sounds of muttering got louder as the pack began to converse, followed by the sound of weapons being loaded and picked up. Jules grew more worried, stepping in front of a concerned Tyler and baring her teeth at the vampire who merely smiled.
"Who are you?"
"You don't know who I am?"The vampire feigned an insulted expression. He held a hand over his heart momentarily before he swept it at her."You young ones these days, so ignorant."
"Old vampires these days, they're too arrogant."Jules hissed back, swiping a gun from the holster on her leg and pointing it at him."Take a step closer, and i'll shoot. This is filled with wooden bullets; it'll hurt like a bitch until I fire the last one into your heart. Who are you?"
"Kol Mikaelson."The vampire announced with an annoyingly about of pride. His eyes darted from Jules, to her gun, then back again."Pleasure, i'm sure."
"Never heard of you."Jules shrugged, aiming the gun at the vampire's chest, just where his heart was."And who's the brother that sent you to your death?"
"Nik,"Kol answered as he peeled off his jacket as if concerned it would be stained with blood. Raising an eyebrow when the wolves gave no reaction, he huffed out a cheery chuckle."Oh, i'm sorry, love. Family know him as Nik. You may know the bastard as Klaus."
Strained silence befell the pack at the name uttered. Jules swallowed thickly, inching closer to her pack.
"As in Original Klaus?"Tyler mumbled to a startled Jules, looking out of the corner of his eye as a wolf loaded up a crossbow."And if he's his brother that means—"
"He's an Original."Jules finished, taking a step back as her pack closed in on Kol, gun still aimed at him."Take him down! NOW!"
As her pack spread out, she fired shots at Kol who, despite a handful of bullets embedding themselves into his shoulders and chest, walked forward with no trace of stopping. He looked down at himself, shaking his head as blood seeped through his shirt and held open his arms to welcome the shots.
"Is that all you have?"He clicked his tongue tauntingly when the gum jammed."I must say, i'm unimpressed."
Jules dropped the empty weapon, eyes wild and sweat coating her forehead.
"Why won't you stop?"
"The first thing you should know about an Original,"Bloodied nails slicing into his shoulder as he yanked out a bullet, Kol crushed the wood he extracted it."is that we cannot be killed."
He started off towards Jules with a manic smile, only to be tacked by a wolf from his left and another on his right. One of them jumped on Kol, the other wolf knocking the Originals' feet out from underneath him.
Kol didn't seem fazed as he fell to the ground, easily dodging a hit and pulling his leg back to kick one wolf off of him. The other wolf snarled at Kol, punching the Original in the face several times before his hand was caught. Kol twisted the wolf's hand to the side, crying out in elation when he heard a bone snap.
The wolf gaped at him, a booming yelp of pain coming from him as Kol squeezed his wrist. The Original waited for more painful whimpers before he punched his free hand into the wolf's chest and tore out his heart. After kicking away the wolf, Kol jumped back onto his feet, a child-like giddiness radiating off of him.
"Don't dawdle now. I've been waiting so very long for this."
The Original rolled back his shoulders as two more wolfs came rushing toward him, welcoming the attack. He snapped the neck of one wolf before focusing on the two that were shooting at him. An arrow went through his shoulder when they launched at him. He slowed down long enough to swat the crossbow out of one of his hands which sent the wolf scrambling after it.
"Bloody hell."Kol muttered in more annoyance than pain, pulling the arrow out of his hand before snapping it in half."You know, your little wolf friend made the mistake of doing that. It ended up with his heart in my hand."
The wolf growled at Kol, hitting him across the face with the crossbow, waiting for Kol to look at him again before he did it again, this time harder than before. Kol's head snapped to the side, and the wolf smiled to himself when he heard a crack. He'd broken Kol's jaw.
He watched, eyes wide and smile still on his face as Kol remained facing away from him only to realize there was no painful gasps or even annoyance.
Instead, Kol seemed enraptured. The wolf's eyes widened at the almost manic smile on Kol's face, and he held up his hands as a means of surrender. Kol rolled his eyes, punching the wolf and knocking the crossbow out of his hands before he grabbed him by the throat and yanked him close
"No, no..."The wolf struggled, punching at Kol's shoulders."N-please."
A series of whimpers came from the wolf as he looked down to see Kol's hands sticking out of his chest. He fell against the Original, coughing up the blood that followed, his face going pale.
"A hundred years. A hundred years i've been out of the game, and for someone like me it's a lifetime."Kol muttered into the wolf's ear, voice low and callous."You see, they have all sorts of excruciating devices now, better than the ones I used to use. Imagine how fun that is going to be."
The wolf tightened his hold on Kol's shoulder."G-Go to hell."
The Original pulled back to meet the wolf's eyes, lingering to enjoy the tears before he sharply pulled his hand out of his chest. When the wolf gave out one last whimper before Kol yanked his heart out of his chest, Kol's head tipped back and, his eyes rolling to the back of his head. He only turned his head when he heard the doleful yells of the wolves, watching as they stared down at another dead wolf in horror.
As he studied the group that had banded together, Kol faintly heard the sounds of footsteps. Footsteps he noticed that belonged to the wolf his brother had wanted alive.
"You aren't leaving the party yet, are you, mate?"
Kol's hand shot out before Tyler could get passed him and he clicked his tonge, shaking his head. The Lockwood let out a choked sound as Kol's grip tightened around his throat, pressing against his windpipe and, the tighter his grip got, the more Tyler found it hard to breathe.
"This excludes you. Nik wants you."
Kol headbutted Tyler and propelled him out of reach and the teenaged wolf ploughed into a tree before, eventually, slumping to the ground. tree before tumbling to the ground. The Original spun around on his heels to face the pack, his dark orbs were now blood red.
"Gentlemen. And lady. Sorry, darling, I forget about you."
Jules gave Kol a small smile in response, a crossbow in her hands."I haven't."
Kol wiped his bloody hands on his shirt, a dangerous glint in his eyes."I'm saving you for last."
He slowly rotated in a circle, arms outstretched once more, and the Original wiggled his fingers in a means to beckon the rest of the wolves.
"Who's next?"
PRESENT
"Bored, bored, bored..."
Katherine let out an almost petulant huff, blowing a dark lock of hair from her face."Bored."
Where are they?
It had been forever since she'd proposed the deal to the Salvatore brothers and she hadn't heard anything from anyone. She had considered the entire gang to be dead, and part of her hoped they were, especially Elena.
But that thrilling idea soon to a dreaded nightmare considering she would be doomed to be in the tomb for all eternity if Bonnie had died along with them. That and she was quite fond of the Salvatore brothers, and would hate it if all her hard work on them went to waste.
"If they're dead and left me in this hellhole i'll kill them. Again."Katherine muttered to herself as she stood on shaky legs, teeth grinding together angrily."I did not sign up for this."
She was filthy and starving but, above all, she was bored.
As if on cue, a loud series of knocks came from the entrance of the tomb. Katherine frowned, it was as if someone was knocking on a front door.
Clearly not Damon, then.
Despite her hesitance and her curiosity brimming, Katherine turned in the direction of the sounds. Katherine, staggering every few steps, made her way through the tomb, stopping now and then to brace herself against the walls.
Nose scrunching up at the dirt and a couple of spiders that rushed past her, the female vampire followed the light that shone through the entrance of the tomb now that the large brick door had been removed.
"Good evening, Katerina."
Coming to an abrupt stop, Katherine drew in a sharp breath, her eyes widening in panic as she stared at the vampire who stood casually yet somehow dignifiedly across from her. He stood tall, hands in his pockets and wore a small smile but this made Katherine even more panicked as she watched him.
Despite the Original not uttering a word, Katherine felt the need to backtrack. Elijah Mikaelson didn't need to say anything in order for people to fear him, he didn't have to act, his silent threats were all people needed to know for them to stay in line. Elijah was feared because he was polite in ripping out your heart just as he was polite in helping old people cross the street.
Katherine quickly gathered herself, forcing a small smile on her lips as she nodded in greeting.
"Elijah."
"Hello."Elijah nodded in return, eyes narrowing as he noticed the alarm in her eyes and gave an almost complacent smile."Thank you for having the good sense to be frightened."
Katherine remained still, hands clutching the sides of the entrance of the tomb."What are you—"
"What am I doing here?"Elijah sternly cut in, looking around once more with pursed lips and shook his head before looking back to Katherine."I have come for the last of the ingredients."
Katherine didn't say anything, she simply stared at Elijah, watching his every move in alarm. As if he were a vicious animal in a cage or a monster under her bed she wanted to keep at bay.
"We have our doppelgänger within reach; my brother is retrieving the werewolf."Elijah looked to Katherine with an almost gloating smile before hiding it, quickly steering away from the third they needed for the ritual by adding."I must tell you, our search for a wolf didn't last very long. Going by what Isobel told us, i suppose we should thank you for that."
As expected, Katherine's head tilted up, dark eyes narrowing in curiosity and she, somewhat cautiously made her way closer to the entrance of the tomb. She came to a stop before she could touch the barrier and the female vampire, despite failing, attempted to cover her hope.
"Isobel told you about my deal?"
"Yes, your little pet delivered your message before my brother grew slightly...agitated with her haughty attitude."Elijah responded, smoothing down his tie and brushing off the invisible dust from his suit jacket, drawing out the moment just to witness Katherine squirm."But Niklaus was quite intrigued you went to the lengths you did in order to propose a deal."
"Intrigued?"Katherine silently mouthed to herself, quickly jumping to conclusions, hands pressing against the invisible barrier."Klaus wants to make a deal?"
Elijah gave a ghost of a smile, waving a hand as if he were insulted she'd even ask.
"Nonsense, we need a vampire, and my brother has had you in mind for five hundred years. It is almost poetic, don't you think?"The Original drawled, taking a step closer to the tomb, glancing at the darkness behind her."And I am sure, if my facts are correct, that another ingredient we need is right in there with you. The moonstone."
Katherine seemingly hadn't heard the last sentence, she was far too focused on the first part.
"Klaus wants to use me? No, no, no."Katherine shook her head, taking a step back despite the barrier between them."He can't."
"Can't is a word my brother is not familiar with."The Original stared with a hint of amusement before he gave a hearty chuckle. "And you should be aware that Niklaus is anything but discouraged when something gets in his way. Something you have been doing for five hundred years. Stubbornness is both his greatest and most exasperating quality."
"You can't enter."Katherine swallowed the fear, forcing a valiant expression. Her hands met behind her so that he couldn't see them shaking."No vampire can because they can't ever get out. I'm safe in here."
"You should know better than to think magic can hide you from us, Katerina. My aspiration for my family being reunited surpasses your need to live. Running you can do well, that much is evident, but hiding is something that is impossible."
Elijah's tone lowered to something dark, almost callous, something that happened when he or his family was being disrespected. The Original pulled back to look over the entrance of the tomb, looking a little disgusted.
"Even in the most filthy of crevices..."
Elijah then sighed, clicking his tongue before looking back to the doppelgänger. "Oh, well, no matter. You won't be in there much longer."
"You need a witch to get inside."Katherine desperately said more to herself than to Elijah, as if she were disbelieving facts."You need a witch. A vampire can't come in unless he wants to be trapped in here for, you know, ever?"
"You seem to forget that I am an Original and, while most witches despise my family, many worship us. Especially my brother."Elijah replied, a small, smug smile gracing his face for a short moment."And, in just a moment, the spell keeping you—and the moonstone—from our grasp will be lifted."
Elijah then looked around, as if feeling something Katherine couldn't, before he smiled."Leaving you unshielded."
A gust of wind swept through the chamber and through the barrier it seemed, and Katherine took a step back, shaking her head.
"No, no, no, no..."Katherine murmured as she felt the atmosphere change, becoming thick with something she couldn't describe and she looked around, eyes wide with panic."No."
The wind subsided a few moments later, and Elijah's smile remained before he looked at Katherine. The Original enjoyed her fear for a second before he took a step forward, making her take two back into the tomb.
"Come."The Original demanded, beckoning Katherine to follow him with his fingers, looking at her expectantly."Let's go, shall we?"
"Elijah, please."Katherine pleaded, shaking her head thought there were no tears in her eyes, it was a plead of a woman who was more fearful of facing the man she had run from than dying which was almost startling."I just wanted to be free."
"You are a doppelgänger, Katerina, and while it is pitiful, you were born to be sacrificed."Elijah solemnly said, beckoning his fingers once more, his tolerance for her drawing the situation out now on thin ice."The pity Eliza or myself would have felt for your plight has long since diminished. Come. Now. I will not ask again."
"You're a noble man, Elijah; you're good-natured. This isn't you; you aren't Klaus."Katherine hurriedly said, nodding as Elijah raised his eyebrows and sent her a curious look."Just let me go, and I swear―"
"Are you appealing to my nobility, Katerina? After you sent my brother on a five hundred year chase?"Elijah cut in, tilting his head with an irritated and bitter smile, his eyes turning a little darker as his eyes narrowed."After you ruined our family reunion that was meant to happen after your sacrifice? Or when your little pet attempted to kill Eliza in aiding you?"
Katherine remained silence and still, treading carefully. The anger in his voice was enough to make her go pale considering Elijah rarely showed any emotion. He was a master of self-control in all areas from his hunger to his emotions.
"Elijah—"
Elijah sharply gestured to her with his hand, and Katherine's mouth snapped shut, and she bowed her head a little without thinking. Something every creature did when they came into contact with an Original. It was done almost unconsciously, as if reflex or a sign of respect.
Or, in Katherine's case, trepidation.
"Your manipulative ways cost Eliza someone she regarded as a friend. Trevor attempted to kill her to cover your tracks and she did not only lose a friend, but she almost lost her life. And i..."
Katherine jolted back as if Elijah had physically struck her when his hand grasped the brick. The compression behind his grasp resulted in fragments crumbling to the ground.
"I almost lost the love of my―"
Elijah cut himself off when he recognised he was losing his self-control and paused to collect himself.
"And for what? You must have known you were going to be caught some day, and I doubt the pair of you rushed off into the sunset considering I fail to see your heartbreak over his demise."
Elijah's smile fell, and he cleared his throat, composing himself before his hand shot out and hit the side of the tomb again. Katherine jumped back when she looked to find a large hole and rubble falling to the ground. Elijah's brow furrowed for a few seconds, as if he were pondering his reply.
"You are right, I pride myself in my nobility and kindness. But it has the tendency to dwindle when one not only is insolent but a threat to my family union."The Original merely glanced at the hole, pulling his hand away and shaking off rubble from his suit jacket, the scratches on his knuckles healing."I also tend to get very upset when I cannot provide for my loved ones so please don't prolong this."
Katherine heard the warning in his voice, and the female vampire nodded, letting out a long breath.
"I know I can't win against you, Elijah, but―"Katherine paused long enough to turn around, kicking away from debris before she straightened."I can try and negotiate one last time."
Elijah took a step closer, tone more irritable."You cannot negotiate anymore, Katerina. You will pay for your deceit, Niklaus is adamant that you be the vampire he sacrifices. He wants you."
"Isn't this what you want more?"Katherine presented the moonstone she had in her hand, waving it back and forth, giving a ghost of a smile as Elijah's eyes followed."You can retrieve a vampire by turning a corner in Mystic Falls these days, but this is irreplaceable, yes?"
The Original pursed his lips, letting out a silent laugh at her audacity."Hand it over, Katerina or—"
"Or? I'm weak, Elijah, but i'm not a fledgeling."Katherine cut in, looking hesitant as Elijah's jaw clenched, but she held tight onto the thread she was hanging onto."You have two choices. You can catch me or you can—"
Katherine trailed off, tossing aside the moonstone to the other side of the chamber before flashing around Elijah when he looked to where she had thrown the moonstone. She didn't hear him protest or follow her but, instead of dwelling on that, Katherine rushed overground.
She inhaled the fresh air, eyes squinting as the sun glared down at her. She looked around Fell's Church which was a blur and didn't slow down. She wouldn't, not until she was miles from the tomb that resided under Fell's Church.
I need to feed. I need to get away.
Klaus can't kill me. He can't.
Katherine hissed at the branches or stones she trod on with her bare feet but ignored it. She slowed down for a moment, trying to map out where she was and how to get away from where she was the quickest before Elijah followed. The female vampire turned around, looking at her whereabouts before, without thinking, she turned left.
Only to collide with another body.
"Wh—"
Katherine drew in a sharp breath, attempting to flee once more but found herself trapped. Her eyes widened when she was lifted from the ground, bare feet just grazing the grass below her. The brunette attempted to swallow the lump in her throat but found it almost impossible due to the fingers gripping her throat.
Katherine instantly started to struggle, attempting to pry away the fingers locked around her throat. This proved to be a foolish thing to do as the grip tightened, nails digging into her skin.
Katherine cried out in pain, heart racing against her ribcage.
"Please don't do that again. I hate to be rough; it's not becoming of a lady."A calm, female voice softly spoke, the possessor obviously disliking being so aggressive."Not unless I have to be, of course, considering your propensity for running away."
Katherine fought the urge to whimper as she looked down at who was choking her and reluctantly gave up struggling. Katherine, who had suddenly lost the urge to form words, finally found her voice and inhaled a sharp breath.
She couldn't help but glare at her captor."You."
The woman gripping her throat, as if sensing Katherine's eyes on her, tilted her head up and met Katherine's gaze. Beautiful, bright blue eyes stared back at Katherine. A beautiful pair of eyes that, while the possessor didn't have sight, seemed to be able to look through whoever looked into them.
Eyes that were famous to sparkle with a certain vibrancy when her beloved would gaze at her. But eyes that would become apathetic to those she resented.
"Please don't be rude."
"Of course."Katherine ground out, hiding her hate, and gave a short nod after glancing to the female vampire's hand where she was clutching her notable cane, thumb tapping against it almost irritably."Hello, Eliza."
"Very good."
The elder female's mouth curved up into a smile, a far too kind smile that made Katherine's blood run cold. Katherine shook her head minutely, prepared to maunder a series of feigned placations. She knew it would probably do her more harm than good, but it was all she had.
"Hello, Katerina."
Katherine bit her tongue to silence the whimper when Eliza's smile faltered and her features softened. Eliza turned her head, as did Katherine when measured steps came their way.
"You didn't think you'd get away again quite so easily, did you, Katerina?"
Katherine's eyes started to shine and she cried out in frustration at the repeated stating of her birth name.
"I saw a chance and I took it."Katherine strived to fight the urge to choke against Eliza's grip after a gasp spilled from her mouth when the distance between her bare feet and the ground below her grew a few inches."You won't fault me for that, surely?"
She just about refrained from flinching when Elijah came into view and rooted himself alongside Eliza. The gasps that had been falling from her lips urged Eliza to tighten her grip around her neck.
Her eyes hardened sourly when Eliza's cheeks rounded, her eyes shimmed warmly and her painted lips curved up into a smile when Elijah slanted down to press his lips to her cheek in greeting. Hello, dear. Her cheeks flushed further when he leaned in a second time to press another, this time to her jaw.
"It's not my place to."
There was a faint flicker of merriment in his eyes when Elijah tilted his head to study Katherine being suspended before him and struggling to maintain her composure. His cavalier words seemed to encourage Eliza who, in return, lifted her higher.
"Niklaus on the other hand..."Katherine went still instantly, exhaling through clenched teeth.
"The moonstone."Eliza murmured when Elijah pulled away, her nose bumping his when she turned to him. This was the cause of the amusement laced in her words."Did you retrieve it?"
Katherine dared to roll her eyes when Elijah's murmuring against Eliza's skin garnered more barely stifled laughter. Her eyes followed him when he pulled away and that was when she noticed the stone itself clutched in his hand.
"I did."
Elijah presented the stone with verve just to provoke Katherine when he caught her eyes fixing on it.
"All we need is the human, the upcoming full moon,"He slipped it into his jacket with a careful amount of consideration."and we'll be ready."
"Lovely. I suggest we go about heading home then."
Eliza's dulcet response was accompanied by a grating snap of Katherine's neck when briskly turned the Petrova's head to the side. Katherine went still in Eliza's hold which loosened immediately when Elijah swept the doppelgänger up in his arms and braced her over one shoulder.
"I think you're right."
Eliza nodded her head with a teasing hum."Why of course."
She beamed with a grin when the woods resounded with Elijah's regaled chuckles. Her own intermixed with his when she was brought into his side after his hand found her own, fingers swiftly interlocking. Eliza contently fell into step alongside him, peacefully listening to Elijah's delight.
"Come along, then. We don't want to be late for Finn's roast. We'd never hear the end of it."
I am so sorry for the several year wait.
If you read some of my most recently updated fics then you know that writer's block, and some personal troubles, has just totally ruined any inspiration I have. It shows in my writing, i'm sure. But I hope that it doesn't ruin any enjoyment you get out of it.
I hope this update was okay, please let me know if you enjoyed it. Reviews make me really happy, you have no idea.