"I must say, your supposed needs are becoming quite tiresome with the quantity of them." Viktor said to Renard as they both were walking to Adalind's room now.
"Just thought you rather torture him with his face instead of mine." Renard said unamused.
"Actually wouldn't have minded either way. Besides, you best be on your way back to that dreaded place you reside. Your father shall be here in the coming days soon."
Renard's intrigue perked up at that revelation but he wasn't surprised. The whole point of most of this was because of the king in the first place. "I'm surprised you are being so helpful to him. Seeing as you are pretty close in line to take over the throne."
Viktor let out a nonchalant sigh. "Well, can't have everything in life. Even if you rightfully deserve it. Besides, it's the child in line now & since cousin Eric's unfortunate death," He gave a pointed look at Renard, still highly believing he is the one who caused that death. "My place would be behind the child and..." He let out an annoyed sigh this time. "Prince Kenneth, we all know how charming he is."
"You two have something in common then."
"Careful with your words, we wouldn't want you to experience an accident like your brother now would we?' Renard gave him a look this time.
"I don't know what happened to Eric." Renard knew that obviously he knew he was lying but he had no proof & he never would.
"Didn't show up for the funeral."
"Something told me there be another one soon after if I did." Renard said knowingly.
Viktor feigned a look on his face as if that was ridiculous. Well, as much as his non-caring face would allow him to as they stood in front of Adalind's room door they left her in. "I have no idea what you could possibly be referring to." He said as they opened the door.
Adalind was holding Diana as she sat down but popped up quickly when she heard the door start to open.
She hated how terrified she was but how could she help it? Her daughter was taken from her & she was almost killed a handful of times just trying to get out of this damn country with her & then she ended up having to come back anyway.
She hoped her eyes didn't show her fear but she just knew they probably looked like they were bulging out of her skull in anticipation.
"Put the child down, your Grimm requires your assistance apparently." Viktor said to her, but Adalind held Diana closer to her chest. No way she was going to leave Diana anywhere out of her eyesight after working so hard to get her back.
"Adalind, I'll stay with her." Renard said reassuringly.
Adalind couldn't help the hysterical laugh that escaped her throat. "Oh yeah, that's reassuring coming from you."
"Alright, let's look at it this way. You hand the child over to him now or your stay here shall become very and I mean very unpleasant rather quickly and I assure you, you wouldn't want that now would you."
Adalind was bothered by the threat but she didn't care if he hurt her, she just couldn't stand the idea of leaving Diana after going through the rollercoaster of lows, very low & extremely low of emotions that not having her in her arms did to her for the past few days.
But then she had to start thinking about how she was going to have to play this one.
She could reject it all she wants but Viktor was cold & sadistic so he would make sure that she would be tortured in the cruelest way possible. It wouldn't take him long to realize it would need to involve Diana to really bother her & Adalind wasn't going to put her daughter in any more harm's way than she already is.
She would endure an eternity of pain for Diana but Viktor probably already knew that & would probably do her just like he has done Nick & lock her away so she couldn't ever see her.
That was the other thing too. Diana will always be her first priority no matter what. But she can't just not do anything for Nick.
Even if his plan went to hell soon as it began, he gave his best efforts to help her out in the best, smartest way he could in such a short amount of time. She wanted to be better right? Well, that continues now, even if it was going to be extremely difficult to figure this one out.
Nick & his group of friends had a knack for figuring out tuff situations anyways right? Maybe there is still some hope.
She felt like she had to use her powers to force herself to even take a step but she managed one. Handing Diana over was not going to be easy & she still wasn't sure if she could.
She knows they won't do anything to her since they want her but what if this was just a trick to lock her up with Nick? She didn't even think about that. She stopped in her tracks, not that she even took many before that.
"How do I know this isn't some kind of trick or trap to just lock us both up?" She asked with a squint in her eyes showing her hesitancy.
"You don't. Hand her over." Viktor said rudely and Adalind backed up a step now.
"Look despite what you think of me, you know I wouldn't allow anything to happen to my daughter." Renard said, once again trying to sound reassuring as he possibly could.
"Right. Until your life is at risk then she comes second." Adalind accused.
"Wanting to stay alive isn't a bad thing." Renard countered. Not that he would make Diana a second priority but valuing his own life shouldn't be considered a terrible thing like she was making it seem in his opinion.
Adalind couldn't believe he really just said that. He tried to skate around what she said but at the end of the day, Renard always going to put himself first even if he thinks he isn't. She started really questioning what she ever saw in him & also questioning how sad it was she chased after him so devotedly.
She didn't say anything but at this current moment, Sean wasn't in a life-threatening situation she was pretty sure so he couldn't do anything to Diana right now. So Diana would be his priority for now. She also really wanted to check on Nick, he should be himself again by now.
It be nice to see his face over the one he changed into for a little while.
Nick wishes he was back to the way he was before Renard came & talked to him.
There was no way possible he was telling the truth about Juliette sleeping with him, Nick just kept getting worked up even more over the fact he could never just dismiss it for some reason.
It should sound completely ridiculous & preposterous to him which it did...somewhat.
Maybe it's just the detective part of himself that is thinking it all over. It felt like it was deeper than that though.
He knows they left things kind of rocky but for her to go that far? No, she wouldn't. The only problem was, Nick knows their issues have been at the surface for a while so it wasn't like it was a fresh new argument, more like the same ole-same ole again.
So a culmination of her being upset at him & doing that could have led to her doing that. He felt his insides churn in disgust & his fist clenched with anger at this constant thought in his head.
Not only that thought, but the fact he was still stuck as Renard at this current moment. When he wasn't supposed to be.
He realized he was pacing back & forth, now he wondered how long had he truly been doing that.
"Okay, great Nick." He mentally mocked himself. "You don't know where Adalind is, you don't know where Diana is, he may have been cheated on, soon to be tortured, Renard is still an annoying bastard, & he is stuck looking like him. Great, that's just great!" He stopped pacing & just stared up into the dark emptiness above.
He then twisted around & punched the wall out of frustration at all of this. Everything else he was dealing with was cool, calm, & collected as his usual self but this Juliette news threw his mind into a tailspin.
"He's lying, has to be." Nick shook his head but heard footsteps approach, more than one at that. Probably three people it sounds like. The locks made the loud noises they always do when they unlock it then the door creaked open.
Revealing a Verrat member along with Rispoli & Ahh, Adalind as well. Okay, at least now he knows where she is.
She looked like she had her own distress going on but he shouldn't be surprised.
He assumes she has been with Diana but under these conditions doesn't make it feel as good & freeing as it should be.
He saw Rispoli whisper to the Verrat member & it must have been to tell him to wait outside because he walked out & closed the door. Now just left Adalind who already looked like she was scanning him over as she walked up to him & Rispoli stood by the door with his hands clasped in front of him.
"This isn't right." Adalind said more to herself as she was looking over him.
Nick was glad to see she looked unharmed. Their eyes were extremely puffy and a little bloodshot so she had been crying but didn't look like it was from anything of a physical type.
"How's Diana?" He asked first & foremost. Adalind looked up at him like she was surprised he asked.
"She's good." She said softly.
"At least somebody is." Nick said back to her lightheartedly.
Adalind wishes he wasn't Renard right now, unbelievable as it is to say, she much more would prefer Nick Burkhardt over Sean right now. She knows they haven't been as hostile but still that was an incredibly shocking wish to want.
"How are you?" She asked him, knowing he wouldn't be good considering the comment he just made, but hoping he wasn't too awful.
"Be better if I was me. I thought this should have worn off by now?"
"It should have, I don't understand why it hasn't. Well, I have a theory as to why but I think we both know what that is." She said knowingly & Nick knows she was talking about the fact he was a Grimm. A sentiment he also believed was the cause of this as well. "Did anything happen earlier?"
"I was having a conversation with Renard & it was about to become violent." He gave her a look & she just gave him a face like that was something she expected to happen. "But then I felt like I got hit by a truck & fell down."
"Oh no..."
"What?" He questioned, if a Hexenbiest is telling you Uh-oh about a spell or potion then that's a problem. A big problem.
"That was when you were supposed to change." She stated somewhat woefully.
Nick really didn't know what to say. He doesn't know this stuff, this was her field. He wasn't trying to blame her for anything though, everything was so rushed to this point instead of methodically coming together so he expected for everything to go up in flames but not to this extent this soon.
"I can't stay like this."
"I know. But...I don't really know what to do." She sounded disappointed in herself but Nick didn't need her kicking herself while she was down right now.
"Look it doesn't matter right now, okay we'll figure it out later." He had an idea but he needed a way to say it without Rispoli hearing him or at least knowing he was telling her something of value. He thought about pulling her in for a hug so he could whisper but it would just look too weird. Also just because they hugged once in the heat of a moment didn't mean they were at a point they could just nurture or be endearing physically to one another just to do it yet.
He then thought about a way that would cause Adalind to get close to him but wouldn't be suspicious but also would allow him a moment to tell her something so Rispoli wouldn't know that was happening.
He took a breath because this was about to hurt a little & he had to get his best acting method going right here, right now.
He threw himself back against the wall then grunted out in pain and tried to make it as excruciating sounding as he could. Trying his best to copy how he fell when the spell hit him when Renard was there. Allowing himself to crumble to the floor & clutching his stomach. Adalind's eyes bulged in panic & worry at the sudden action & she dropped to the floor with him.
Rispoli's hands unclasped immediately but he stayed in his position.
"Are you okay?!" She exclaimed at him. squatting down to be on level with him, his body being laid out on the floor, only his head & some of his upper back being propped up by the wall. He still was grunting so he hoped he put up a good act right now. Judging by how truly worried Adalind looked, he must have been doing a good job of it. She even had her face inches close to his like she was trying to be as close to him as possible to see if she could see anything wrong.
The way she was staring at his eyes made him feel like she was trying to see his actual eyes, not Sean's.
She looked worried though? This wasn't the first time & it still made him wonder.
He took advantage of the whole reason for why he faked this in the first place though. Speaking through fake 'painful grunts of agony'. But he whispered as low as he could but clear enough so she could understand hopefully. "Get Sean down here alone and tell him it's about Juliette." He peeked his eyes down at her jacket, remembering she brought that phone from Frau Pech's house with her & was never searched because of that deal Sean made so she would still have it on her. "Wait five minutes, then call his number after you get him to come here." He whispered lowly in a quick hiss.
She looked up in utter confusion, squinting at him, and almost asked out loud why the hell would he want her to do that?! Get Sean here alone? What does Juliette have to do with any of this? Call him? What the fuck Nick? Those were the thoughts that immediately came to her mind & she almost said them all out loud too.
But she caught her tongue before it slipped, just giving him a wince to try & ask why he wants that or for what. He just intensified his eyes at her to let her know that he couldn't explain but that's what he was going to need.
"Alright, I don't trust this. Let's go." Rispoli said from behind her. Coming up to grab her by the arm. Nick grabbed ahold of her hand to pull her back close to him & this time spoke normally because it didn't matter of Rispoli heard this part.
Adalind's eyes looked into his & he hoped she saw him & not Renard's so she would understand what he was saying & what it would mean. "Remember what I told you after you asked me if I thought one of us would die here and remember my promise." Rispoli tugged her away aggressively now as Nick watched her be shoved out. That guy really was getting annoying.
But Nick wanted her to remember that for a couple of reasons.
For one so she would have some more hope & faith restored because it probably has wavered after the original plan backfired rather quickly. But also because he wanted to make sure she remembered something only each other shared.
Now all he needed, was for her to get Renard down here by himself then he would handle the rest.
He made a promise and he didn't plan on breaking it.
Rispoli shoved her into Viktor's office. Not even trying to be gentle about it at all as she stumbled into the room. Almost tripping & falling.
"What is it?" Viktor asked as he turned from staring at his fireplace. "Don't tell me she plans on screaming again, already going to be replacing windows for weeks."
"The Grimm collapsed again sir. But he told her something. I don't trust it." Adalind was amazed by how he sounded calm but still flustered.
Viktor shifted his gaze over to her & she was a little worried about what he might do. "You & the Grimm played house for a short while & got cozy I see. What did he tell you?"
Adalind gulped. She wasn't sure exactly what she should do, what if she said something that fucked up Nick's new plan. Not that it would be anything different from the first one if it did happen. Why was she so damn bought into all of his plans? Maybe he has a spell on her. But he has gotten her this far even if it has been bumpy, bloody & rocky.
She didn't have many eggs left so might as well place them in the basket that has been the most good to her, which was Nick obviously. Something about him just made her believe too. Maybe it was because she knows they use to hate each other wholeheartedly yet he is giving it his all for her so anybody crazy & sweet enough to do that, why shouldn't she believe?
Did she just call him sweet? She shrugged off the thought.
"It was nothing." She tried to say as unbothered as possible. "We talked, promised me his plan would work, but clearly didn't & now he still acting as if it still will when it's over. I've accepted that." She hated having to slander him to get them to believe her & also hated having to sound all feeble so they would believe she was wrapped around their finger but the things you do for your children, right?
Viktor stared at her for a dragged-out moment. Trying to determine whether or not he believes her.
"I know you're not telling the truth or maybe you are but aren't telling the entirety of it but it doesn't matter." He stood up even straighter now. "That Grimm will be brutally tortured in the coming hour & then I shall know not only the location of the coins but the keys he possesses as well." He said & Adalind mentally rolled her eyes, those damn keys & coins again.
"Look I get it, I tried to take my child back with the man who wanted me dead. Failed & now I should just be happy I'm alive. You don't like me, I'm not too fond of you either & my baby daddy is a spineless royal cuck who is currently in possession of my daughter right now & I would like to take her out of his hands before he screws me again so can we be done with this." She said in her usual sarcastic, dry-humor manner.
The more broken-willed & hopeless you are, the more they arrogantly stroke their egos. It helped with any Royal's brutality to people but also made them susceptible to being in over their heads or ignoring details because they feel untouchable sometimes.
She could see the ego inflation Viktor just got from her whole statement. It made her sick to the deepest depths of her stomach but hopefully, it was enough.
"Well Rispoli, You heard her. Take her back to her daughter." The confidence was oozing out of him more & more with every word he spoke now. Rispoli didn't look like he was a fan of it but did as he was told. Nodding at Viktor then pulling her by her arm out of his office.
Adalind scowled at him before he yanked her again to turn the hallway.
She was getting tired of being pulled & pushed like a ragdoll.
They made it to her room now & he left as she opened the door & was once again shoved in. She kept her calm though because she wasn't exactly in the best of positions to do anything, and she had a request from Nick to fulfill.
She walked in and saw Sean sitting down in a chair holding Diana. Staring at her sleep peacefully.
She walked in softer now so she wouldn't wake her as he looked up to see her coming towards him. He stood up as she reached her arms out, wanting him to give Diana to her now. He gave Diana one more tender look before giving her to Adalind.
Adalind smiled at the sight of her looking so innocent & peaceful. Poor girl had no idea that in this current situation, it was exactly the opposite.
Well, maybe that makes Diana the lucky one & Adalind is the poor girl? Either way, still tough to deal with, and with that being said. How powerful Diana is, she may be well aware of what's going on anyway. Now whether she understands it or not, that she doesn't know but who cares. Adalind was just glad she was back in her arms.
Renard gave her a look like he wanted to say something but didn't. So Adalind decided that now is better than ever. She also needed to hurry because Viktor planned on torturing Nick very soon so she was on a clock just like Nick is for whatever he has in mind.
"Nick said he wanted to speak to you. Something about Juliette." Adalind informed.
He didn't really look at her questioningly but moreso cautiously. "What more does he need to know about that?" He asked.
Adalind's intrigue perked up now. "I don't know, I assume that's why he wants to talk to you. What did you do?" She asked in true wonder.
Renard walked to the door before he turned around to look back at her. "I slept with her." He opened the door & left now but Adalind's eyes were bulging in shock & she was sure her jaw almost dropped because her lips for sure were parted open right now.
No way he was telling the truth about that. Nick & Juliette were the 'perfect couple' she couldn't help but mock in her head. She knows they had a little spat before he left with her to come here but at the time Adalind wasn't paying attention nor did she care.
She still doesn't too much at all but she did kind of, KIND of feel bad if it was because of her.
Mainly for Nick, not Juliette. At least she couldn't throw that word slut around at her anymore Adalind mused to herself. She may have slept around a little, but Adalind has never cheated.
She didn't even know Juliette had it in her. She usually would have been proud but ever since having Diana & spending some time with Nick not to mention she can't stand the woman, but she actually found herself thinking how could Juliette do that over being proud of her.
Good lord, you are changing too fast Adalind thought to herself. She wanted to be a better person though right?
She shook her head & paid attention to the clock, only two minutes have passed so only three more until she had to call Sean.
"Why'd you asked me down here more to talk about Juliette?" Renard asked as he walked into the dungeon Nick has been held in. Leaving the door cracked since he was the only one that came down there. For some reason, he felt like he probably shouldn't have done that a second time but he knows Nick may not be alive much longer after Viktor is done with him.
Nick was standing on the better side closer to the door in the middle of the room so Renard was still mostly in front of the door.
"Because I still don't believe you...and one more thing." Nick finally said after a linger. Renard stared at him but then heard his phone ring, he gave Nick a look but went to answer it, it was an unknown number but Renard knows he has to take it. Many of his contacts that are on a need-to-know basis are unknown numbers. Renard accepted the call.
"Really what's that?" He basically wasn't paying Nick any mind as he accepted the call & put the phone to his ear. "Who is this?" He questioned with some hostility. Nick was scanning over his head & could still see the slight darkening in color on the right side of his skull.
Nick answered his little sarcastic question from earlier though. "Nothing really, just needed to tell which side of your head my mother hit the hardest." As he said Renard looked toward him but before he could act, Nick automatically invaded his space as he drove his shoulder into Renard's gut & drove him into the wall beside the door, causing the phone to drop.
He ducked a punch from Sean & palmed the side of his head & used all the strength he could muster up to bash it against the wall on the bruised side of his skull that was still healing. Guess it be longer now Nick mused to himself.
He dragged Renard's body to the part of the dungeon where the window was located. Walked to the door as he picked up Renard's phone & this time put it to his ear as he closed the door & slid the peephole or the window on the door close. He was glad they had it where there was barely any power down there except the lights & the fact the door only could open from the outside.
Would buy him some time since Sean can't get out & if someone saw him knocked out they would assume that was Nick just finally sleeping. He was worried about the fact he was wearing a dark grey suit with a light blue tie, while Renard was wearing a lighter shade of the same grey suit but with a dark blue tie. Hopefully, it is a detail that goes unnoticed long enough.
He put the phone to his ear now. "Adalind, It's me." Nick said as he looked around the hallway. Trying to see where he would station himself for a moment.
"Yes, Sean I know it's you." Adalind said annoyed but also like she wasn't sure if she should communicate or not since Nick just told her to call, he never said whether or not she should say anything to him though.
"No it's me, Nick." He said a little hastily as he searched around some more. Making sure nobody was coming, he may look like Renard but that doesn't mean he can hold up acting like him for long in this place.
He heard Adalind's breath hitch a little like she was surprised but she didn't say anything still. "Adalind?"
"How do I know this isn't just Sean trying to trick me into admitting something I may or may not have done so I can be killed?" She bit her nail nervously as she walked over to look at Diana in her carriage.
Nick looked around one more time before spotting a room that wasn't a bedroom or anything but appeared to be a very large walk-in closet. He twisted the knob & thank god for once he got some luck for once & it wasn't locked or anything.
"Earlier I told you, to remember what I told you when you ask if I thought we were going to die here."
Adalind rubbed Diana's cheek. Hoping this really was Nick. "You did."
Nick took a breath and leaned down a little so his voice would come out as sincere as the night he said it, whether he was Renard right now or not. "We are the only ones who know what was said that night. I'll say it if you say it with me."
Adalind still wasn't trying to give up anything because what if this still was Sean trying to trick her in some way? So a simple "Sure." was all she said for now.
Nick took a moment, wanting to do his best to sound like himself as much as possible. "I don't think this plan is going to off perfectly..." He started, his voice maybe not his but Adalind heard the exact way he said it that night as soon as he started. It was him. She heard his voice, not Sean's.
"I don't think it's going to be easy..." She added in softly.
"But I know..." Nick said next. Remembering how he turned to face her that night.
"I know we are going to get her back." Adalind finished off before the most important part of what he said.
They both paused before the last two words they know were coming. "I promise." They both said at the same time, delicately and so softly spoken it all felt so sweet.
"Nick" She said through a breath. A beautiful whisper that provided a soothing feeling he had to admit.
"Where are you?" He asked determined. Adalind knew if he was Nick, it would have tugged something in her. It was a nice feeling to have somebody trying as hard as they can to come save you. Here she was thinking she hated the whole "knight in shining armor" thing but it made her feel so warm inside, she even bit her lip for some reason.
"Upstairs, three doors down. Theirs two guards down the hall up here to the last I saw." he could hear her move. "Be careful, Viktor said he was soon on his way to begin torturing you." She was speaking in a way he truly never heard before. He couldn't describe it though. More than just a worried voice or warning though.
"I'm on my way."
AN: Since I was very late with these uploads, I will try & write a couple of chapters & upload them in hopefully a very few amount of days. Sorry for taking so long!
Also, I wish we kind of got an explanation on why Nick was stuck as Renard when he turned into him & only changed back when Diana blasted him through the door/wall.
Anyways, reviews are welcomed as always of course!
