Music in chapter

Mute - Árstíðir

...

Jackson Pov

...

It's been no more than two weeks since Abbraxas pushed Luna off the tallest building in New Orleans. Since then, it appears that all hell has broken loose.

I was sure that even the people who hated my guts would agree with me on that.

Seeing my sister-in-law laying quietly on a bed made my stomach twist up in knots.

This wasn't supposed to happen.

Strangely, it all felt like a dream. Though, it was one you never woke from but held onto the hope that you would eventually.

Luna was supposed to be awake, and more lively than this. I would give my life just to hear her argue with her sister again.

At least then there would be a flush on her cheeks, and fire in her eyes.

She was just too pale and too still for my liking. The silence was enough to take your breath away if her still form didn't.

Everyone was dealing with it their own way. Emotions and feelings all blending together in one big mixing pot.

Anger. Sadness. Dismay.

Klaus looked fit enough to be lying in his own bed beside her.

Two weeks wasn't supposed to feel like months. When someone was missing from your life, things didn't feel right. She made an impression on people.

One night. One underestimated move. One action and one reaction was all it took to send our spiralling community into a complete downfall.

There were no more threads to hold our makeshift and hurried promises together.What was the point?

Whether Luna knew it or not, she affected the people around her.

...

flashbacks

...

"What if they don't like me?"

My first impression of Hayley's sister was that she was apprehensive around new people but at the same time amiable. Her fears were steady of the unknown. Of course, if a big man had seen me and came towardsme with arms wide maybe I would have run and hidden somewhere else too. Tomorrow, I would tell everyone to keep their distance.

Luna was more than noticeablein a crowd with her looks. Small features reminded me that she was Hayley's sister. Alike, yet so different. She smelled something of vanilla, unlike her sister's flowery fragrance. Her voice had this strange yet pleasant quality of musicalness to it, silvery almost. I wanted to get her comfortable enough around me to break out my guitar and ask her to sing. To teach her if she didn't know how.

I just had to earn her trust first. Not exactly an easy feat. I couldn't blame her for being cautious.

"They will."

"How do you know that they will?" She questioned as her strange gaze pierced through me.

"Because I like you."

She frowned, despite what I had said previously.

"Your opinion is one among many. Besides, you barely know my name, let alone any of my favorite things."

"Luna, sometimes you just like someone."

"Upon first meeting them?"

"Yes."

She gave a soft smile. As if she were remembering something."Well, I suppose that I can understand that."

"So, do you like me?" I asked, partly curious and partly trying to ease up the tension.

Luna looked me over before hugging her green jacket around her shoulders, "No."

I laughed and she did to before saying, "At least, not yet."

"I realize that you aren't used to being apart of a pack. In a way it's similar to a family."

Luna gave a heavy sigh, "I've only been aware of the meaning of family for a couple of months."

It saddened me to hear those words come out of her mouth. She deserved to have been aware of the meaning of family all her life. "I'm sorry."

Her brows pulled together, "Don't be."

"Don't worry. Just be yourself. Well, maybe without all the hostility."

She turned to me, staring daggers through me with those eyes of hers. "Hostile?I have been rained on, kicked, thrown over shoulders, used as a puke bag, and nearly ran over in the past six hours. I'm about to meet people who will judge if I am worthy or not. All I want to do is go home."

Her voice broke at the last word. I know where her home was, and it wasn't here.

"Do you want me to take you back?"

Her eyes lit up before they darkened again. I swear they were the same color as the cloudy sky above.

"Hayley would be mad."

"I'm not asking what your sister wants, am I?"

She shifted her feet. "No, but I would hate to bring you trouble when we've only just met. I might as well get over with this meeting since I'm already here. All this fear of judgement is torturous. Maybe it would be the best thing if you put me out of my misery."

She laughed, a joyous sound, still startling me. I joined in happy that the tension had eased immensely.

"I'm sorry, Hayley says I have a weird senseof humor."

"No, it's all good. That just makes you more unique than you already are."

She smiled, genuinelythen. For a moment she looked her age, before all the fear and worry settled in.

...

"Jack."

I turned automatically, recognizing the silvery voice. "Luna," I took in her furrowed brows and pursed lips, "Are you alright?"

"Physically yes, mentally and emotionally, no. I can't help but be confused."

I patiently waited for her to continue. "These people, I don't understand why they are so keen as to what I think and why."

"They are just curious."

Her softly arched brows rose over her green and gray eyes. "I spoke with a few. They say that they traveled hundreds of miles to get here. I feel that something else brought them here."

I reached out putting a hand on her shoulder, "No one's gonna hurt you."

She shook my hand. Turning away and sighing breathly. "I'm not worried about them hurting me," and with a huff she added, "I can take care of myself."

There was that independent streak Hayley had talked about. She hadn't seemed too happy about it, oddly enough.

I thought it was good that she was becoming independent. As usual, Hayley thought the opposite.

"It's just the way they look at me...like I'm the answerto everything or something."

"You are great."

"But they don't know that. They don't know me," she rationalized. Her dark hair was in an intricate braid down her back. Hayley had said that before they left the compound Rebekah had done her hair and Luna's left it like that since. I know it must have been hard for her. But she had family here too.

"Let them get to know you."

...

"It's okay to hate someone. I'm not asking anyone to be buddy buddy with one another. You can fantasize fighting them or whatever in your own time. Just keep those fantasies in your heads. But respect those who worked so hard to get you here."

I watched in amusement as the two pack members she had been talking to nodded along with every word she said. Watching as she turned, nervous expressions on their faces.

The funny thing was the two who normally acted out, were the best behaved.

All it took was five sentences.

I wanted to see how a whole crowd would react to her words, and not just to her presence.

...

"Thank you for defending me."

She continued on even when I had gestured her to stop. "I know it couldn't have been easy."

"Easy?"

I was confused at what she had said.

"You've only know me for two years and you defended me against people you've known your whole life."

"By blood you are considered royalty, and your Hayley's sister. That's more than enough reason for me. Not to mention their wrong about you."

"So you don't think I'm secretly plotting to destroy the pack, with the help of the Mikealsons?"

"No. But your opinion and thoughts matter."

"And you still want me to marry your brother?" She asked in a demanding way.

"If you don't want to, no. It's just things would be so much easier if we appeased what they wanted."

Luna sighed and sat quietly on the couch beside me. "I wasn't aware that this was a democracy."

"In a way, I suppose it is."

"Your Alpha. Whatever you say goes."

"I haven't been feeling very Alpha hear of late."

"Your not inspired."

A statement, not a question.

"That is when everyone does their best work. Even the enemy. When inspiration and motivation are in play you are able to do things you wouldn't have been able to without the silent encouragements."

"Sometimes you have to stand up for yourself. Even against your own people."

...

end of flashbacks

...

At a time like this, I wished that I wasn't alpha. Then I wouldn't have to carry the burden of dealing with the possibility of fighting all the supernaturals of the city.

The meetings that I had started weren't helping. People were getting restless, not just members of the pack but everyone.

When they looked to the skies, they saw war on the horizon.

I didn't want it to come to that. I wanted to do every possible or impossible thing before it got to that point.

My words had no impact. Panic didn't help those already on edge. It would be hard to pull them back to solid ground and away from the cliff. Hard, yes, but not undoable.

It wasn't too late to fix things.

"Going to war with anyone won't solve anything. The only thing added to us would be more problems. The best thing to do is to avoid any fighting at all costs. What would a war do to aid us in the current situation we are facing? Trust me when I say the last thing I want is to have another loved one lost because of someone's careless acts. There are consequences to every choice as well as there are solutions to any problems."

"What other solution is there?" Asked Darius. He was already on my bad side, has been since last week, trying to rial up against Hayley and I's leadership.

"Answers to problems like these require teamwork. And that collaboration can not happen without trust."

"I've talked to you about my plans, and you reject every one even if it's better than the last."

Whispers started up in the crowd, and before they could get in too deep, and I had to fight for their attention, I whistled.

"Why don't we stop threatening one another based on accusations. Do you really want to go to war, and it be over a mistake? Would it be so crazy to actually, think before anyone acted? To think about whose lives you are putting at risk; the children, the elderly, the innocent. Is that what you honestly want? Are we so filled with hate that we can't see the hurt our decision will cause?"

"We cannot let them continue to seek our destruction. Luna fell ill shortly after their arrival. What other evidence is needed?" Mary voiced, and Eve nodded, agreeing with her.

My shoulders slumped as I realized that no one was here to take my side. I wish Luna were here. She knew how to shut them up and make them listen. The thing was, she didn't have to say anything. One look was all it would take to shut them up.

"Centuries have shown us how the members of The North East Atlantic pack can be-"

"Now they've got that hybrid on their side-"

"A war with the Mikealsons-"

"How far will they go?"

"I always knew it would come to this."

"The human faction will take a side-"

"Luna was the first, now, who is next, baby Hope?"

"This is an outrage! Raising a family is hard enough. Now we have to put our families through war-"

How strange it was to see the pack care about her. I was sure saving Jake's life had something to do with that. And the fact that Luna handled most of the pack's queries. She would make a suggestion, one no one had thought of, and all problems would be nonexistent. Luna didn't like to admit it, but she was a great leader. If anyone could shut them up right now, it'd be her. The meeting was not going well. Here of late, they never did. Hayley and Jake usually had my back, but both of them were at the compound. Hayley with Luna, and Jake, speaking with Ansel's pack on our behalf as a representative of sorts. He didn't want a war either, but if any evidence pointed towards The North East Atlantic pack, then it would be over. I would have gone, but this growing blaze needed to be extinguished and fast before things got uglier than they already were.

"Do you all honestly think that the Mikealson's would let someone, anyone, hurt Luna?"

There were murmurs after my question. Some nodded, while others quietly talked to the person next to them.

Whether they agreed or not, I know the answer to my question. The Mikealson's wouldneverlet anything happen to Luna...if they could help it.

"Alright...You have one week to prove that The North East Atlantic pack is innocent. If you fail to convince us, then we will be forced to take action. Luna is apart of this pack, our family. And we will not stand by while our family is in trouble."

Voices grew louder, and the clapping started once Oliver finished with his speech.

Oliver had been acting odd lately.

I hadn't forgotten the fact that he cut Luna on the face just mere weeks ago. I didn't forget chewing him out for it. He deserved a hell of a lot more than that. I was surprised when Elijah handed him over alive. I wouldn't have been surprised if Klaus would've killed him.

One week. I had one week to convince my people that Ansel's pack had nothing to do with Luna's comatose state.

There wasn't enough time. I don't think there would be enough time in the world.

The hate between the two packs ran deep. Even if The North East Atlantic pack proved innocent, they would try to dig up some more dirt on them. They wanted this war.

Things had to turn around.

If they didn't, I was sure that tragedy and disaster were in the near future.

...

"Sorry, Jack. I didn't mean for things to get out of hand."

Mary had invited herself into me and Hayley's cabin. Sometimes she knocked, and other times she didn't.

Jake texted me back and said it would be a couple of hours due to Ansel's meeting taking longer than expected.

"Do you honestly think a war would be the best action to take?"

Marry didn't reply at first. Instead, she sat beside me on the sofa.

"I think that some form of action needs to happen. Whether that action is severe or tranquil, we still need to show that we aren't afraid to back down from anyone."

"And I won't say that I don't agree with that last part, but going to war would be a mistake."

"Yes, it could be. But it could also be the best mistake you've ever made."

"I never meant to make any mistakes-" Mary cut me off, waving her hand.

"Your first mistake was trusting Oliver. That boy is as lost as the day is long. How many second chances are you going to give him? Your second mistake was marrying Hayley-"

"Hey-"

"Be quiet and let me finish."

I bit my tongue and sat back, trying to remind myself that this was the woman who raised me, as she got up and poured herself some whiskey.

"Hayley took after her mother Laura more than she took after Jason. It's the way she makes decisions. She's good but not great. The marriage was a mistake on my part, I should not have pushed it so much. Some people just don't have it in them. Being alpha, let alone a leader, can't be demanded or asked of someone. A great leader can have a child. That doesn't mean that child will also grow up to be a great leader. Family has nothing to do with situations like that. It's the person that is a great leader, not their lineage or blood. It's what they do and the decisions they make that determine their reign of leadership. It's how things are and forever will be. Pasts can be unfortunate. Things like fate and destiny can be determined years before that said person is born. In Luna's case centuries."

I shook my head in disagreement. "I don't believe in fate. I believe we choose our paths. We have a choice."

Mary laughed, indifferently taking a drink from her glass. "Funny, how Luna thinks the same. And she can see minutes, days, weeks, months, even years into the future. Yet, she never sees her own. Don't you find that a bit peculiar?"

"No, not at all. However, what I do find a bit peculiar is the fact that everyone, including you, suddenly gives a damn about her?"

"I've always-"

"No! Mary, don't try to deny it. You, Eve, Oliver, and almost everyone else hated her when she was here, and now that she's gone, you miss her? And all of a sudden, you all are ready for war for her."

...

flashback

...

"That girl is a real nasty piece of work."

"For what defending herself?"

Mary held out her hand stopping my younger brother from saying anymore. "Don't defend her."

Jake left shortly after those three words, slamming the door when he did.

"You had no right to call her that. She didn't do anything wrong."

Mary just shrugged, "Nothing wrong with being truthful."

...

end of flashback

...

"Are you done?" Mary asked, her eyebrows raised.

"When Jason Labonair came into leadership after his brother fell short of his responsibilities, some weren't all too happy about it. After a while, they learned to love him. Judgment will follow that girl for the rest of her life. Eve, me, Oliver along, with some others, were just trying to make sure she had thick skin. Luckily she does. Let's forget about her opinions of peace and rememberwhatandwhoshe is. A hybrid. Her bite can kill someone in minutes. The Originals are safe if you remember the testing they did months ago, but for everybody else, not so much. Her witch side is powerful if not just as deadly. Her parents were favorites of the supernatural community. Being likable is a trait from both her parents that she has. Most times that plays to her advantage. Not to mention there's that independence about her, not the stupid kind when your willing to do something just because. She handles things smartly, yet bold at the same time. An unheard of but not hated combination."

"So, you never hated her in the first place?"

Mary gave a smug smile,"No, not for a second. I asked others to be on the abrasive side for the sake of the pack's future, among other things."

"The future of the pack?" I asked, watching as she took another drink.

Mary didn't drink often. Whenever she did, it was a big deal.

"Jack, it's written in the stones."

I nodded, now knowing what she was talking about. I didn't necessarily believe in destiny. But I did believe in Luna and in the person and leader she was becoming.

"I know. One day it'll happen. In fact, I look forward to it. I do agree with you on her becomingthatit's inevitable."

"We can't worry aboutthatday right now. It would be best for her if all of us left a solid foundation. I'm not saying we should go to war. I'm saying that we should broadcast that we are willing to do whatever is necessary, whatever it takes, even if that does mean going to war. Not for centuries of hate and rivalry but for family and love. Two of the things most worth fighting for in this world, does that sound so wrong?"

"When you put it like that, no."

Mary nodded, smiling as she finished the last of her whisky. "I told you I am always right."

"For future reference, just tell me everything that's going on," I smiled, hugging her.

"I'll try to remember that. Don't expect me to make any promises."

She was almost out the door when she paused. "Oh, Aiden wants you to meet him at his cabin."

A strong sense of relief was flowing through my veins.

That conversation was not at all what I had expected.

Assuming the worst out of a situation was not the best approach to take when dealing with things.

I texted Hayley over half an hour ago, and she hadn't replied. That wasn't normal.

Usually, she responded and didn't waste time on any,I love you's.

Hayley just got straight to the point.

Distance was normal for her.

I understood her past and the fact that she had issues with being close with someone. I only wished that she would open up more so I could know when to be there for her.

Before I even stepped onto the porch, the door opened to reveal Aiden.

He ushered me inside.

This place was a mess.

Usually it wasn't, which is why the sudden shift took me back.

Takeout packages were on the island in the kitchen. I was still near the entrance and could see that the dirty dishes were piling in the kitchen. Flannel shirts, logoless hoodies, jeans, and socks scattered the floor.

I was about to say something when Josh came around the corner wearing stained clothes and an apron filled with cleaning equipment. Even he looked ready for a war.

One where he would be fighting against germs instead of the supernaturals and humans of the city.

He acknowledged me in his usual friendly way.

"Has she-"

I shook my head before he could finish, and he looked down, sighing heavily.

"You have to excuse the mess. My boyfriend lost the ability to function without me while I was out."

I let a laugh out. Josh was easy to be around.

"Clearly."

Aiden rolled his eyes, "Let's not get into this."

"It's okay. We all knew you were a slob before this." It felt good to joke around. It felt good to hear jokes even if they were terrible and even if it was only for a few minutes.

"Yes. Yes, you are. When is the last time you combed through your hair? Or better yet, taken a shower? I'm not complaining, but you smell like one of those all you can eat buffets."

Aiden glared at Josh as he straightened out his stained red flannel.

"I'm gonna take that as a compliment."

"As you should. I am totally digging this grunge look."

"Alright, I get it. I'm a mess."

"Thankfully, I'm good at cleaning," Josh said, causing a smile to cross Aiden's face.

I admired them for finding joy in each other.

True happiness, along with true love, was scarce. Anyone who stumbled around and found the real thing was lucky. I didn't have time to think of myself. Marrying Hayley had been what I had wanted all along.

Now, I regretted it.

She wasn't happy or satisfied. It never mattered what I did or what I said. I felt like I had failed at being her husband, partner, and friend.

That had taken a heavy toll on me.

I only hoped and wished that Hayley one day would find the real things. Both true love and true happiness. I could care less if it was with me or someone else, just as long as she was happy.

Aiden led me to the back porch where a table and two chairs sat. Exhaustion was radiating off him despite all the joking around that we had done in the house.

While Aiden had gone to get something, Josh had told me that he was having trouble sleeping.

I was worried about him.

Even though Josh was fine, thanks to Castiel, I knew what had happened still bothered Aiden.

"You remember how you asked me to keep an eye on Oliver, right?" I nodded, remembering, "Yeah, about that-"

I stopped talking, caught off guard by the photographs Aiden had just laid out on the table.

A woman with dark brown hair was with him: walking down the street, sitting at a cafe, at the edge of the bayou. I found it odd that her face was never clearly visible. One of the many photos caught my attention. It was of Oliver, and he was crying with a phone held to his ear. The woman was in the room, and I swear I could see a smirk on her face, even though I couldn't clearly see it's entirety. As I continued to stare at the picture, chills ran down my spine.

Something about that woman waswicked.

"Do you have any idea who that could be?"

I shook my head, still recovering from whatever that was. "I have no idea. He has been acting-"

"Odder than he normally does. I've tried to talk to him, but he denied it."

"Oliver looks like he's been going through it lately."

"How can you tell?"

I sighed, remembering a simpler time. "We grew up together. On the weekends and in the summer we used to take turns sleeping at each other's houses. While you were over at his place, did you notice anything odd?"

"His phone had been on the counter, and he got a call. Before he picked it up and kicked me out, I saw a name."

"What name?"

"Lily. And what little bit of the conversation I watched as his whole demeanor changed. He looked concerned."

"Did you mention the photographs?"

"No. You and Royce are the only ones I've told."

I hummed, thinking to myself. As far as I knew, there was no Lily's in the pack.

Something about this situation was off.

Oliver didn't have any girlfriends, and if he did, they only lasted a maximum of two weeks. This past year he hasn't had any. I hadn't been suspicious of anything until now. He was acting out of character. The reason, I didn't know.

"I doubt that's the woman in the photos, possibly someone else."

"You don't think she could be a witch or one of Marcel's vampires, do you?"

"I'm not sure, but we shouldn't rule anyone or anything out. People can be unpredictable."

"Are you going to tell Marcel about this?" I shook my head, causing Aiden to frown in response.

"Everyone has enough on their plate. I'll wait until the end of the week. Things are starting to heat up with the human faction, according to Jake and Marcel. Oliver caught in the middle would only make things worse: for him, the pack, and whoever is on the outside. If a war breaks out,everyoneis going to be affected in some way, and not just the opposing sides."

"Do you think he would betray us again like he did with Francesca and Ester?"

"The whole Ester situation is unique, given the fact that her actions weren't her own. The body she was in took over, kind of like with Eva and Rebekah. As for what happened with Francesca, I don't know why he would betray us at a time like this. He would be stupid to try. Oliver is a lot of things; a liar, a cheater, a storyteller, but he isn't stupid."

"Why do you think he wouldn't betray us?"

"Because right now we are stronger than we have ever been despite tensions with the North East Atlantic Pack. Our allegiance with the Mikealson's and their associated partners has also been substantial to our growth. Now when we attend a social event, everyone knows who and what we are."

"You're right," Aiden sighed, shifting his feet under the table, "He wouldn't be that stupid."

...

Elijah Pov

...

My brother had asked me to go and check on Luna.

Never mind the fact, that he had the ability to communicate with Hayley via text.

Even though our mother had given him a clean bill of health, he still looked ill. Like before, he looked to be in physical pain the way his hands would curl to into fists on the rests of his chair and he would grit his teeth.

The way he described it was a heavyweight being pressed upon his chest, making it hard to breathe. I wanted to help him in any way I could. I could only do so much, I wasn't exactly the go-to destination for his comfort.

At the moment, he seemed disinterested in speaking with me and anyone else unless absolutely necessary. He had roughly agreed to go out and do something 'productive' (meaning outside of Luna's room) for no less than three hours before returning to his usual place in her room, at her bedside. It wasn't that he was being unreasonable, it was all he could take.

It had not been easy, convincing him. Ansel's pleading did nothing, my pleading did nothing. I knew what to say, the only downside was it would work once. I had asked,"what would Luna want you to do?"He knew the answer, as did I.

Luna was not selfish, even if she was afraid or at her worst she would tell him to go take care of business before coming back home, to her.

Before he left he made sure everyone was aware of the fact that this was only a one time thing.

Walking in, I hadn't pictured Hayley to be curled up in a chair, reading a book, or rather a journal. My eyes narrowed as I took in the familiar purple color, and I was back in the past, reliving a memory, back at the plantation house.

flashback

"Luna, have you been in your room for most of the day?" I asked, looking at the neat pile of classic literature works on her bookcase I had sent up days ago. She had proved time and time again how much of a rapacious reader she was. Not only did she read quickly, but she retained everything. She would repeat word for word descriptions. What she liked, what she didn't, and what she found interesting. For someone in the dark most of her life, Luna was quite intelligent and knowledgeableon some aspects while unaware on others but eager to know more.

"Yes. Your sister, Hayley, and Klaus are out."

"Do you have any idea as to where they could have gone?"

"I don't know something along the lines of the witches and Marcel. They said that they were going to be out most of the day, so..."

It was apparent to me that she seemed down. Her hair was in a low ponytail, her eyes were a cool gray. Not a sliver of green today, though it would seem. Her clothes were loose and dark-toned, and her shoulders slumped.

"I could take you out if you wished."

As soon as those words left my mouth, the sound of thunder rumbled in the distance. A flash of lightning came before the rain started.

Luna tossed her book off of her lap and walked over to her window. I just noticed it and the different shades of red-colored pencils.

"What is this?" I asked, gesturing to the deep purple journal, and she briefly turned away from the window.

"Oh, that. I sometimes write in it whenever I have a bad day or good things have happened. Thoughts, dreams, feelings, and emotions. Every day and every night is different from the last. Some days are easier than others. Please don't take me for being ungrateful because I am anything but. Feel free to look," and then she turned back to the window.

I hummed as I looked at the first page.

A forest and path, were drawn. Both depicted in different hues and shades of red from; dark, medium, and light. Luna's elegant script was white against the red, and it stood out from the scene she had created.

Darkened courses and blackened ways are the paths that the wicked take

I am omitted, left to bask in the shadows, hearing as they sharpen their blades to use upon me

Shallow and deepened cuts cover my body. Every prick, poke, nick, stab, swipe, cut, jab, and slice leaves a mark on my skin. My streams of tears and seeping blood come down like a rain that never ends, the ground beneath me a sea of red

Indecisive and uncertain are the paths that I take. The streams of tears, and the seas of red have gone. I will forever carry the scars on my being, for they are part of me

Poor girl. After all, they've done to her she would forever have the memory, a dark yet beautifully written passage.

I wished I'd never read it. Almost as much as I wished, that she didn't have to endure all those years of torment alone. To know a fraction of what she had been through, to see the person she was becoming was nothing short of a miracle.

Though, Luna had only been with my family for a little over a month, she had been a blessing by bringing the best out in us.

"You should make this journal personal. Beautiful writing and art, by the way."

"Thank you. I've thought about it. I just wanted to know what you would think," was her reply. I set the purple journal on her bookcase.

"The books you lent were interesting. Reading for fun is something I didn't have the choice to do before, thank you."

"What were your favorites?"

Her lips curved into a thoughtful smirk, and the one dimple that she had on her left cheek showed.

"Pride and Prejudice for sure. I find that I like romance. Of course, a little torment is always acceptable. One of the few feelings I can relate to."

I smiled at her pick. I hadn't been expecting her to take a liking to romance. Of course she was managing perfectly fine on her own being unpredictable. She had a peculiar view of things as well as interests. I had the feeling that with her there was always going to be surprises.

"There is a movie, a few actually...Since everyone is gone, would you mind-"

"Oh, Elijah, I would love to!"

I couldn't help but smile at her improved attitude.

She then stopped smiling, and a more somber expression crossed her face. "Am I being too enthusiastic?"

"On the contrary, I do not think you are being enthusiastic enough," I commented, causing her to laugh as I led her out of her room, her arm in mine.

...

end of flashback

...

"What are you doing?"

"Oh, I found this not too long ago. It was poking out from the mattress-"

"So it was hidden, from view?"

"Mostly," Hayley said, replying to my question with a frown on her face, "Elijah, what's wrong?"

Perhaps it was unnecessary to feel so angry. Some of it for Luna's behalf, the other was for my own.

How dull I was to think that she wouldn't do something like this again?

The bitterness I felt was simply a build-up, amongst all the other feelings that were long-delayed and overdue.

It was not the first time she had done something like this. I hoped the last time had been the end of her tendencies of snooping. As always, my hopes and dreams, were squandered.

I was forever bound to my family. An obligation that I took gravely.

Family above all.

I felt the need to take not only responsible for them, but to put their happiness over my own. Selflessness was not as grand as the media portrayed it. Mentally and emotionally, I was exhausted. I was so tired of not getting anything, besides the bare minimum true my family did appreciate me, but only because of Luna. Who would remind them what I did that day or week. Who would go out of her way to make sure everyone, even the staff of the compound were included. With her being as highly thankful and appreciative, it made my day everytime she did it. Her sincerity and ability to recognize and never forget the things someone did, even if they were small and of unimportance, is what made her so likable. I didn't realize how much I missed that until now. Even though she spent most of her time with Klaus, she made sure to get time in with everyone; losing at chess/playing cards with me, talking about girl things with Rebekah and Davina, going out to lunch with Hayley, talking with Ester about herbs, planning nights out with Freya, playing with baby Hope, helping gather wood for the weekly bonfire with Jake, reading comics that she didn't particularly like and listening to Josh ramble on about them, darts with Aiden, planning with Jackson social events the pack might want to attend, watching 90's movies and tv shows with Damon and Cami, or rocking out with Kol listening to Metallica.

She somehow managed to include everyone.

Weekly she made phone calls to Mystic Falls, talking with each individual for a reasonable amount of time. Usually, during those times, Klaus came up with an excuse to leave. He was restless, almost as if he didn't know what to do without her. It took a toll on him then as it was taking a toll on him now.

Hayley had read my journals for the entire purpose of obtaining information having no regrets or consideration for how it would make me feel.

Breathing deeply, I took the journal out of her hands and closed it. Nearly all of it was read, how insincere of her. All of Luna's private opinions, feelings, and thoughts weren't so private to Hayley, just like mine had been.

"Elijah."

I ignored Hayley as I texted Davina.

She responded within the next half-minute, happy to take Hayley's position in sitting with Luna. It had been a relief when she hadn't asked why. Davina wasn't inquisitive. If you asked her to do something she would. I was thankful for Kol's girlfriend, because of her simple way of doing things.

I texted my brother about Luna's condition in detail, even taking a picture, knowing all too well that it would beunwiseto tell him of the journal and Hayley.

...

"Elijah, why did you bring me to your office? We were fine in Luna's room."

"I thought this was more of a suitable place for discussion."

"What's wrong with you, your acting-"

"That journal that you read was Luna's. I'm guessing that you read the first page and that alone should have told you that it was private."

"I didn't think that she had a journal."

"Did it ever occur to you that she might have hidden it for a reason?"

Hayley looked down and lightly scratched her hand. She had once told me that she did this when she was nervous. I was satisfied to have made her feel something rather than nothing when it came to discussions like this. I wanted her to know what she had done was wrong. Needed her to regret what she had done. I had stood by and watched as they fought. I was there when: Hayley tried to prevent Luna and Klaus from spending time with one another, Hayley blaming everything that happened with Tyler on Klaus, Hayley attempting and failing to convince Luna to marry Jake for the pack, Hayley making decisions on her sister's life without consulting her, and Luna slapping her sister in the aftermath of the wedding. It seemed like the two were almost at a near-constant battle. The number of fights between them was substantial. Niklaus' name often came out of both of their mouths when they were going back and forth. Hayley would be angrily blaming him for something, and Luna would be devotedly defending him as she always did. Things rarely got physical. As they fought more often, it was getting nearer to that point. I wanted to try and talk her out of doing anything of the sort again. This conversation would be no easy one. If I had the option to avoid it, I would do so without hesitation or regrets. Unfortunately, my feelings didn't matter at this moment in time. This talk wasn't going to be about Hayley and me. This talk was going to be about the way Hayley treated her sister.

"I mean, yeah, later on. What is wrong?"

"And yet, you carried on. Why?"

"Why are you so upset? It's not like she's your sister or your family."

I halted my pacing and turned and looked at her,reallylooked at her for the first time in weeks.

It had been painful to do so before.

There were more barriers that blocked me from her. To be truthful, I was angry that she threw what we could have had away. It hurt me a lot more than I let on.

At this moment, I didn't feel any pain. Those feelings were replaced; with bitter ones instead. Anger and resentment came to mind.

She squirmed in the chair, looking down from the intensity of my stare.

Perhaps I was acting upon the abrasive side more than I should have. Things had been rough without Luna, and wear and tear were starting to show on everyone. She was the kind of person that touched the hearts and minds of those that surrounded her. I remember the first hug she ever gave me. It left an impression and literally made my day. I knew that I would be going into the Quarter with Klaus to meet with some human faction members. Her hug had greatly improved my mood. When it came to dealing with those tedious tasks, I was delighted to do so. For someone so raw to the world to be so open was surprising. I was shocked that she could handle being out in the open after learning some of what she had endured all her life. I could have turned down her hug and been offended. She had been open with taking that chance. She had been open to taking a risk. Eventually, those small steps turned into bigger ones. With her openness, came a polite curiosity. And with that polite curiosity, came innocence. There was a beauty to the pureness of something because it was untouched. After everything the witches did to her, they didn't succeed in snuffing out her light. She somehow held onto that naiveté. There was nothing wrong with being innocent. Luna was more than eager to learn, to explore. There were many layers to her character. Depending on who you were, it could either be a good or bad thing. If she wished: Luna could be quitesevereif rubbed the wrong way. However, most of the time, she was benign.

For Hayley to say that Luna wasn't family was insulting andbreathtakinglyirritating.

Memories and moments replayed in my head.

Each of them holding considerable amounts of significance.

The memories and moments were not of Hayley but Luna: us playing chess, reading literary works together, talks in my office concerning prevailing problems, those issues solved with careful thinking and unforgetful consideration on her part, teaching my family and I that what might be better for one person or group might not be better for the others, teaching my family and I to care better about the city we built and its inhabitants, teaching my family and I to include everyone, lounging in the library by the fireplace conversing while playing card games, laughing at Kol's antics, discussing decor with Rebekah, standing by my side defending Klaus, drinking coffee together watching as everyone else bickered, smiles across the room when it was quiet, whispered jokes to break the tension, short speeches of recognition and gratitude that went long ways, wordless hugs that said,'I am here for you,'when I had received no acknowledgment from my internal conflicts from anyone else.

"Luna perceives me as family, and I view her in the same way. No matter what happens, I always will. I have the feeling that if she were awake, she would agree. For you to sit there and say that she isn't family,angersme,beyond belief.Aftereverything, she's been through with my family,especiallyNiklaus. It's would probably be best for your health if he doesn't find out about this. Let me rephrase that. In fact, it would be in your best interest if no one found out about this. The foundation of Luna and I's relationship, is built upon respect and honesty. Those two things: amongst others, are not onlystrongerbut stabler than any lie or trick of deception foundation ever could be. I can assure you that respect and honesty between your sister and I arepurelyandconventionallymutual. She is the sole person who made me understand that family is more than blood. Separate things, moments, memories can also form the strong ties that bound people together. The reason Hayley, I am so upset is because of your shockinglydeludingactions. I can't even begin to comprehend as towhy, you would act so audacious. When the two of you just made up. What you did waswrongin every way. I don't care what excuse you deem to make it soundunavoidable. You had achoiceto continue reading. The stunt you pulled today can only be put as despicable."

"Despicable?"

"How am I to know that this isn't your first time getting into your sister's things? I remember perfectly well when you got into mine. You didn't seem too intent to let me in on your little covert opp."

"You forgave me for that. And I wasn't doing that to be an ass. I was doing it for the pack. Formyfamily."

"That doesn't make it any less right, Hayley. Luna is the one who freed the pack, so in all honesty, your actions as bold as they might have been were pointless in the end."

"Sometimes you have to do the wrong the for the right reason."

"There was no right reason for you to read your sister's journal," I said, more angry that she tried to use what Luna said to justify her actions.

"I was just trying to do the right thing."

"Forget about the past. What about today? What could you havepossiblygained from reading your sister's journal?"

"How do you know about her journal?"

"What could you have possibly gained from reading your sister's journal?"I repeated, and she looked up for the first time in minutes.

"I was just curious. I didn't mean to hurt anyone."

Every word she said only saturated my anger.

"Forgive me, Hayley. I must have forgotten that hurting others without your own volition is a specialty of yours."

Unlike the last time, she held my gaze. Furrowed brows, watering eyes, pursed lips.

"She doesn't have to know," she said so lowly that I wasn't sure if I had heard her clearly.

"Excuse me?"

"We don't have to tell her anything."

Why had I expected that Hayley would ever take accountability and responsibility for her actions?

"You are correct, Hayley.Wedon't have to tell her anything. However,youdo."

"Why?"

"You honestly don't know?"

"I know that if she doesn't find out, then she won't be hurt."

"What if she happened to find out years from now? The best choice for you to make would be for you to tell her when she wakes up."

"I honestly think you're blowing everything out of proportion here. Come on, Elijah, it's just a stupid journal!"

"Yes, Hayley, just a journal! A journal,herjournal,that holds what she most likely wanted to remain unseen and unheard; ideas, thoughts, opinions, sentiments, feelings, confessions, dreams, plans, desires. Have you ever thought about the fact that maybe she doesn't want everyone to know everything?"

"I am actually a little concerned about what I read."

She could not be serious. Would it be so hard for her to say that she intended to do the right thing and tell her sister?

"I think she has feelings for someone."

"Hayley-"

"It's getting serious. Things are getting real-"

"Still, it remains none of your business or concern. It may come as a shock to you, but there are boundaries. Even when it comes to family."

"The thing is, Elijah, this could affect everyone."

I gripped the ebony wood of my desk. Well aware that I was minutes from splintering the irreplaceable gift.

"Privacy has become a luxury to Luna, and it should not be."

Hayley shook her head, and I could see that she didn't honestly believe that what she had done was wrong.

"Until you decide that you can treat me like I'm an adult, don't even bother speaking to me."

"I have no problem treating you like an adult. Once you start acting like one, again, feel free to come and speak with me. My door is always open."

She stood from the chair and angrily left the room, her long brown hair flowing behind her.

I eased my grip on the desk. Thankful I had not left any indentions. I was fairly attached. The beautifully crafty ornate piece of furniture had been a gift from a friend who had long since passed. In honor of our friendship, I wanted to keep the desk in pristine condition. Over the years, not a scratch or mark had ruined its surface.

Everything going on with the humans and supernaturals of the city has made me wonder if I should reconsider keeping it in my office and move it into storage instead.

As always, the smell of freesia and hints of sandalwood accompanied me though she had long since left. I used to enjoy, nofancy,the soft flowery aroma she left behind.

Now I would have to cleanse the room of it later.

The anger wouldn't dissipate, not completely. It would be stored away, where all of my other bitter, infinitely sour, and ill-natured sentiments slept.

With a careful hand, I put Luna's journal in one of the desk's drawers. For now, it's where it would stay, like me.

I could not trust Hayley, and I did not have the option to tell Klaus. As much as I wanted to, like 99.9% of the time, I didn't get to do what I wanted. I didn't get to be with who I wanted.

When I did finally get the chance, it never lasted. They were either killed or left me for another.

Part of it was my fault, having a hero complex and all.

Chaos would surely erupt if what had happened got out, and with everyone near their breaking point, it wouldn't be the wisest thing to do.

For now, I would have no choice but to carry her journal with me. The gratitude she would show warmed my heart just thinking about it. I could never repay her back for everything she has done for my family. I would carry her journal with great reverence, because I know that she would do the same thing for me. As a close friend and considered family member, I expected myself to do no less, only more.

Luna was the only one who gave consideration. Regardless if it was needed or not. She had the courtesy to be willing to be apart of something bigger than herself.

She understood that to be apart of a family, sacrifices had to be made, always putting others before herself. Sometimes I find myself questioning if my family is evendeserving,worth all the; hardships, the never ending bloodshed, the countless enemies, theeternaldrama.

Whenever I find myself doubting my family's value, I think back to one of Luna's first solemn talks with me that I would always treasure. It would forever be in my mind.

It was the first time I played the piano for her. It's only happened a few times. I find the first time to be more vital than the others. There were joyous moments, unrestrained laughter, loaded questions, diligent compliments, genuine wide smiles, along with a flowing background chorus of musical notes. Among those joyous moments more serious ones intertwined themselves.

In one sitting, she had altered my prospect of not only my family but everything.

...

flashback

...

"What's this one called?" Luna asked, a winsome smile on her face as she watched my fingers move across the keys.

Earlier today Rebekah, and Hayley had done her hair in an elaborate french braid. They seemed to enjoy dressing her up. I thought she enjoyed it less because whenever they grabbed a hold of her it was always when she was talking to my brother and I.Admittedly, the two of us wanted to know her thoughts on how we were handlingthings. Luna knew of her torturers, the witches, and some secrets of the vampires. She suggested that we not do anything rash on any side to avoid conflict. If I had said something like that to my brother he would haveimmediately disagreed. She put it differently than I would have. She did not lead with the preservation of life. Luna led with the quickest way to gain Marcel's trust, then the city, and then the preservation of life. Mostly it was them doing the talking as I, remainedin the background. Occasionally offering my thoughts when Luna asked for them. My brother would glare at me and then stop when she turned back to him. It was clear that she had a waywith words. The way my brother was hanging onto every one of them made that apparent. It was more entertaining to watch then join in most of the time.

I had complimented her before Niklaus. I had just recently been thinking that was the reason why he had been cross with me here of late.

That was becoming a common thing. My brother seemed awfully curious as to what Luna would be doing that day and with whom. As far as I know my brother hasn't ever bonded like this with everyone. He was different, she was different. And difference brought change.Apparently, he thought he should be the only one to take her out. In fact, Rebekah merely suggested the idea, and it was an argument. A heated one. His possessiveness, as well as his over-protectiveness and paranoia, was shining through. If Luna noticed anything, she said nothing. I just found it odd for him to be kind to her when she had only been with our family for a week and us centuries. There was something about the younger Labonair sibling that was simply, charming: the way she meticulously crafted her words, her silvery voice spoken in only soft and thoughtful tones, her inquisitive attitude when it came to things she didn't know, her determination to learn, her unique perspective, her bewitching looks.I didn't blame my brother for wanting to steal her away for himself. She had a way of uplifting everyone's moods with a simple kind look, smile, or wholesome sentence. It was nice to have some relief, some form of peace.The only stipulation to this peace would be to tread gingerly with Luna because of my brother's jealous tendencies. In other words, avoid saying that she looked, 'lovely,' untilmy brother said she did first.

"Clair de Lune."

She beamed as her almond eyes lit up as she looked over at me. "It's beautiful."

Her virescent gaze for the entire duration of the song remained on hands as they moved across the grand black and white keys. The placid smile never left her face. I found myself smiling as well.Luna's moods were admittedly contagious and in the best way it seemed.

Admittedly, I was pleased. Seeing her reaction was in, one word, adorable.

"Beethoven isn't bad, but I think this is one of my favorites. If you don't mind me asking, what exactly does Clair de Lune mean?"

"Clair de Lune means moonlight, in French. Originally the piece was called Promenade Sentimentale, meaning a sentimental walk." Luna nodded, a loose curl bounced with the movement of her head. She was seemingly interested in everything I had said, interested in everything anyone said.

"May I ask you something else, Elijah?"

"Of course, feel free to interrogate me if you wish. I would be more than willing."

"Play it again."

I laughed at her tone, not expecting it to sound like more of a demand than a question. She laughed as well. Only she stopped before I did.

"I'm sorry, Elijah, let me rephrase that. Could youplease, play it again?"

"You only have to ask."

I began to play the opening chords of the song. A relaxed look passed over her face, and her eyes closed.

Contentment in her world was rare and brief. If I could bring Luna a sense of peace by playing this song, then so be it.

...

Today had been rough. A fight had broken out between my brother and me. To be honest: I don't know who initiated what, suddenly broken pieces of furniture littered the ground.

I was thankful Luna hadn't been there to see our little disagreement. Glad that she had been walking the property with Rebekah and Hayley.

Maybe if she had seen what transpired, she wouldn't be so taken with us anymore.

Luna took a sip from her glass of water before rising gracefully off the bench.

"What you said earlier about your family confused me."

"We are forever cursed with each other's existence?" Luna nodded, a pained look on her face.

Her eyes and moods had a unique relationship. When she was sad they would turn more gray and steely, when she was happy her eyes were more green, and when she was content like now, it was a striking kaleidoscope blend.Hayley's eyes were more hazel but some green could be seen within their depths. For this reason, they looked similar but still different.

"Spending a fair amount of time with your family has been everything and nothing I imagined."

It took me by surprise when Luna reached down and took my hand.

I was curious to see where she was leading me. For a moment, I wondered if this is how compulsion felt like: the strong feeling of a need to do something. In my case, the need to follow Luna wherever she was going.

...

Her leading me to the balcony was unexpected, given the fact that she had never been in this room before.

"How did you know?" I asked, looking over at her. Her gaze was skyward, but one side of her mouth curved upwards.

"I had a dream the other night. I figured it was only a matter of time."

The sky tonight was a particular inky black with no clouds to tamper with the stunning view of hundreds and thousands of twinkling stars.

The first time she had seen stars had been a week ago. It was patent to me that she wouldn't ever get bored of them.

"You are quite something."

She nodded, the smirk on her face growing. "Yes, I believe, that's been said to me a dozen or so times. I hope that's a good something. You and your family could use a few good things."

"What makes you think we deserve good things?"

"What makes you think you don't?" Luna retorted, her tone light and even though the placid smirk had dropped from her face, and she looked soberer than I've ever seen her.

"Look up at the stars."

Feeling compelled to do so, I did. The view was spectacular.

Hundreds and thousands of twinklinglights against an inky black backdrop.

I knew that she would appreciate the sight more than I ever could. Given the fact that Luna had been deprived of even a view of the moon and stars all her life until last week.

"When it's light outside, you can't see them. You can't see the beauty or the brightness that each of them individually holds. The dark allows us to see what we couldn't before. In a way, I suppose the darkness acts as revealer. Each and every star is different and unique. Stories depict them in all sorts of ways. Most think they don't matter, that they're just some astronomical object. However, I disagree. I think that they are more than that."

I looked over at her, addled. I didn't think we were talking about stars anymore.

"Dark or light. The two choices people expect you to choose between. Do you ever wonder that it's an impossible choice to be purely good? Being evil would be easy because then you: cheat, take, rob, kill for the pleasure of it. You wouldn't have to care about anyone or anything. The definition of perfection is the condition, state, or quality of being free from all flaws or defects. To be purely good, you would have to be perfect, and no one is perfect. Life is complicated, messy, and is sometimes ugly. Mistakes happen. That's reality. Just because mistakes happen doesn't fundamentally mean that they are ugly. So don't think about being good or evil. Don't think about being the hero or the villain of someone's story. Just be you."

I was no longer studying the stars but Luna.

By now, I expected to be telling her the names of the constellations. Instead, she was lecturing me about something recently I had been struggling with.

Identity.

I was so worried about what everyone else discerned me to be that I had forgotten who I was. I hadn't expected anyone to notice, much less Luna.

That didn't mean I wasn't thankful for her cordial way of acknowledgment.

"Otherwise, you'll turn into someone your not. And you'll be playing the role of the pretender like everyone else. Being noble doesn't mean you don't have any flaws or imperfections. It means that you are selfless and willing to adapt to the needs of those around you. Everyone has faults, some on the outside, others on the inside, sometimes both. If you want my opinion, I think you are perfect the way you are, the same goes for your family. There's nothing wrong with working on or improving one's self.It just means that you're trying. I know that you are all good. I know what it's like to be misunderstood and mistaken for a monster. Saving me from the witches wasn't a necessity, but you did it anyway. And I will evermore be eternally grateful. If any of you were evil, I would still be there, but I'm not. For some reason you cared enoughto take me out of that awful place. Now I am here and I stand on this beautiful balcony, under the light of the moon and stars, breathing in the cool fresh night air, trying to convince you that you and your family aren't as bad as you and everyone else thinks. I know what evil is, and when I look at all of you, I don't see it. I don't feel the chill, and I don't feel afraid."

Luna closed her eyes, shook her head softly laughing, before biting her lip, "For the first time...I feel...happy. I am lucky...so lucky...enough to know what a fraction of what it feels like."

"I swear, when I got out of that cemetery, it was like I had not only taken my breath of life but found it. They had stolen it from me. It wasn't a given right, and my life back then certainly wasn't a gift. You asked me why I think your family deserves a few good things, here's your answer; it's not about deserving. I was less than a child when they first beat me. I remember every hit, the feeling, the pain was blinding," she grimaced lightly, but it was enough for me to notice.

"I know I don't deserve every good thing in this world, but I didn't deserve to be beaten within an inch of my life every other day. Whoever you are and wherever you go, people will think of all the bad things you've done. It's true what they say, 'the things you do, define who you are.' But the people seem to conveniently, forget to mention all of the good things too."

"Hypocrisy is a common fate, I'm afraid." Luna nodded in agreeance with me. I couldn't be happier she had led me here.

"Your family isn't cursed with each other's existence. Your family is the opposite of cursed."

"Blessed?"

"Yes. Family is the very promise of never being alone, wise words from a wise man."

I smiled, surprised that she retained what I had said before. "Thank you, Luna."

"You don't have to thank me, Elijah. I was being honest or real. However, you prefer it."

I took her hand in mine, and she looked over at me with a reassuring smile. She had endured so much.

The talk had been moving, I was usually the one giving them. It seems as if Luna could fulfill that duty just the same, if not better than me.

The least I could do was bring her in a more content and peaceful state.

"Would you like to hear the song again?"

"Clair de Lune?"

"Or anyone you want."

"Oh, well, Clair de Lune would be great. I hope that I'm not being overbearing-"

"You are anything but overbearing. Besides, it's the least I could do after you changed my perspective."

Her mouth parted open. In shock, I think it was. "Elijah, I never meant to change anything-"

"It's a good change."

...

I couldn't have predicted her to fall asleep. One minute she was softly humming along with the musical notes. And in the next, her head was on my shoulder, her breathing even.

It was terrible timing for Klaus to walk in.

He had most likely assumed the worst.

Bitterness overtook his expression, and I shifted my body, causing Luna's head to drop from my shoulder.

She jolted slightly before carefully easing off the bench on wobbly legs. Worried I offered my arm so that she could steady herself, she took it. "Goodnight, Elijah. Thank you for tonight. We should do it again sometime. I apologize for falling asleep. It's not that you were boring me it's just lately I've been so tired."

Unknowingly she made things worse for me by giving me a hug. I had no choice but to return it. Who would I be if I hadn't?

After all, Luna did say to be myself.

Advice, that if I used correctly, it would help not only me but my family.

She turned around and almost gasped but caught herself when she saw my brother. His arrival had been most silent, unlike his body language.

"Hello, love," he smiled softly at her, "I thought you would be in bed by now."

"Oh, hi, Klaus. Me too but then Elijah played for me, we talked, and then I passed out. I promise you didn't miss anything too interesting. By the way, how did the meeting with Marcel go?"

"I had no way of knowing how it would have turned out, given the fact that it was unexpectedly cut short."

"If I may ask, why?"

"Some bodies turned up in the Quarter, night walkers."

It was like she had washed away his anger. For the moment, all was peaceful.

"Bodies? By any chance, did they have any red beads around them?"

"Yes, yes there was how-"

"Gretchen. Gretchen Smothers. She always smelled like compost and she carries red beads wherever she goes. They fell out of her shoes and pockets. Agnes suggested that she take part in the sacrifice rituals. In reality, Sabine was doing all the work. How many bodies were there?"

"Four."

"One more is all that is needed to finish the ritual. Don't worry it has nothing to do with power. It's more of a routine and performance, to be honest. Torture is the beginning event. Death is the finale. It's Gretchen's job to help spread the bodies across the Quarter and sometimes beyond it to make them hard to find. I know that at least a decade ago, a few humans helped. I don't know their names or faces. I had been in the dark."

"How did you know Gretchen?"

Luna flinched, and my brother tensed in response.

"She...uh...used to bring the belts when the other's wore down, which was often. Her cousin Glen owns a custom leather shop."

Luna breathed shakily as my brother put a hand on her arm, looking down at her concerningly.

"I'm okay, just tired. It's been a long day," she said, as she wiped tears away, her dulcet tone barely above a whisper.

He pulled her in for a hug. His arms placed like a shield rather than a cage. I was sure that she felt some form of security and relief because she leaned into his hold.

The act was so unexpected, and that's one of the attributes that made it more of a tender scene. I found myself raising a brow at this sudden show of affection from my brother.

If Rebekah were here, her expression would mirror mine.

"Now that you know about Gretchen, it should help you with Marcel. Maybe this is a way to earn his trust without lying. So that if it's the truth, then it can't come back in your face. And if he somehow finds out that you were willing, to be honest rather than lie, then he is going to trust you for a completely different reason."

"Don't worry about it, Luna, all will be well. If you intend to spend the day with me tomorrow as planned, you should probably get some rest."

He lightly pulled away, and there was an expression on his face I couldn't read.

I couldn't think of what it could be, but disinterest and indifference were not it.

"Are you sure you don't want to cancel? I mean, it's not that I don't want to spend the day with you, because I really do. It's just your so busy with the witches and Marcel. The last thing I want is to burden you."

"I made a promise to you, Luna, and I intend to keep it."

"Thank you."

I know that her gracious 'thank you's' meant more than anyone else could have noted.

"You don't have to thank me."

"I know, but it's the least I can do. One day and I hope that day comes soon. I am going to help you. Really help you. Not with just words but with my actions."

Klaus smiled and quietly chuckled.

"You have helped. More than you know," Klaus smiled and quietly chuckled. When he looked up at her, solicitude maybe was there on his face.

"I'll see you tomorrow, love."

Luna shifted her feet, momentarily looked down, and carefully tucked a loose curl behind her ear, "See you tomorrow," were her last words before she began to walk towards the exit.

She did not look back. When she made it to her room, it wasn't hard to tell that she would fall into a deep sleep.

Now that Luna was gone, my brother had begun to glower.

"Something wrong?" I asked, prodding.

"What were you doing with her?"

"She asked me to play, and so I did. We went out on the balcony and talked. And for your information, she said some interesting things about us."

"Us?"

"Yes, us, meaning our family."

A different expression crossed his face. I recognized this one, interest.

"What did she say?"

"I started it by saying an offhand remark about our family." He nodded, crossing his arms over his chest. It only just occurred to me that he was curious regarding only what Luna had said.

"She linked us to the stars, stated that we neither good nor evil, just ourselves, said that we were blessed to have each other."

He hummed lightly, fixing himself and me a glass of bourbon.

"It sounds like a heartfelt talk. One that I would have taken to heart. No offense, brother, but she can be slightly more compelling than your orthodox self."

I smiled as he handed me the glass, "None taken. It was wholly moving. Thanks to Luna, I have a new prospect."

"She certainly is life-changing...She was right to say that we were blessed, although the sole reason is because of her."

"I am glad she's here with us. I haven't seen you genuinely smile a long time."

He smiled before shoving me into the wall, what a shame, I just renovated.

"If you want to keep me smiling, then I suggest you stay away from her."

Of course, I knew this was coming. It was only a matter of time. A week could bring so much innovation.

At least the piano survived, my glass of bourbon, not so much.

...

Damon Pov

...

"When did you get this beauty?"

"1969."

"Ah, the era of protest. I have a 1970 Boss 429 mustang. Sadly, it doesn't have a convertible top. I just had a system installed though," Hodgins said, and the tone of his voice told me he was proud of this fact.

Well, good for him,I thought bitterly, as I accelerated.

"Was this car a gift?"

"No."

"Do you prefer Muscle, Euro, or JDM?"

"It depends," I replied, sighing heavily, the last few nights of not sleeping catching up with me. That added with fear and stress equalled a crabby me.

"On?"

"Look, as a favor to my good friend Marcel, I'm driving you, Bug Boy, and MIB to the scene of the crime. I didn't sign up for a damn questionnaire."

I hadn't meant to snap.

All of the worry and stress was starting to get to me. I momentarily looked at Hodgins and Booth, feeling bad.

They didn't deserve my attitude.

Booth and Hodgins seemed like people I could stand to be around, maybe even have a few good laughs together. After all, they were going to make things easier by helping. Being cranky wasn't going to make things better for anyone.

"Sorry, guys, now is just not the time, okay."

The two men nodded before starting a conversation, theorizing about the bomb. Hodgins was doing all of the talking while Booth nodded after every other sentence.

Seeley Booth, like Elijah, was in a way reserved.

The things that have been happening had me on edge. The kind of edge that caused innocent people to get killed because I felt a little jumpy. I was tense, ready to rip someone's heart out if they looked at me the wrong way or said Cami's name wrong.

Like the hair-trigger of a gun, I was ready and willing to go off in an instant.

One of the properties owned; by the rulers of New Orleans was just blown up.

The purpose of destruction of life and property? For all, I knew it could have been a hillbilly wasted on whisky and moonshine. Or it could have been something more planned and elaborate.

Honestly, I didn't think this would be the end.

It was uncommon to have so much violence happen in so little time.

Somebody had the balls; to commit treason against the Original family. The bomb was undoubtedly, meant for Marcel. It might as well be redirected towards the Mikealson's because we were all, in a way, a subdivision. In other words, a family.

It was okay for families to hate each other from time to time. In the end, they would always come together.

I really needed to stop watching those 90's cop tv shows without Luna. I couldn't help but still make enough popcorn to share it with someone. I wouldn't watch episodes we hadn't seen together. Instead, I stuck to reruns.

Two weeks had felt like an eternity. Too much change in so little time made things feel off and wrong.

As I drove, I let my mind wander to simpler times. Well, as simple as they could be with having an adoptive teenage werewolf/witch hybrid daughter.

...

flashbacks

...

"Damon," Cami and Luna hissed, briefly stopping the movie. I laughed louder, seeing the offended expressions on their faces.

"I'm sorry."

The apology was not sincere.

Cami and I were watching twilight with Luna. It was her first time. We were past the point in the movie where Bella had seen Edward for the first time. Now we were up to the scene in the biology classroom. Bella had walked into the room, the fan blew, and Edward covered his nose.

Even though I've seen this movie dozens of times, this scene always succeeded in making me laugh.

Luna then started to smile as she stared at the screen. "Okay, now I understand why it might be funny."

Cami shook her head in disappointment as Luna and I high-fived each other.

...

"It's a little chilly in here, Damon. Would you mind sharing some more of your blanket?"

I scoffed, "No."

"But why?"

"This is my part of the blanket, and you have your part."

"You are making a big deal out of nothing. Sharing a little won't kill you. Elijah would do it."

I couldn't help but scoff again, the nerve of this girl. "Do I look like I'm wearing a suit?"

"No, but you are acting ungentlemanly. You should be ashamed. Even Kol has better manners than you."

"Well, I don't remember agreeing on custody rights."

Luna scowled at me, and I glared back, snubbing the feelings of intimidation from her piercing glare.

Suddenly she dropped her glare and started to get up. "Fine, I'll just tell Klaus that you-"

I cut her off by pulling her back and wrapping my arms tightly around her, careful not to hurt her.

"Damon-"

"Not my name."

"Dad!"

"Alright," I said after letting her go. I watched as Luna carefully rearranged her clothes and hair before giving me another glare.

"Truce?" I offered, pulling the blanket away from my body. Thinking peace would relieve her and save my ass.

She laughed before her eyes flashed gold. Her smile wasn't as kind as it usually was. Now it was threatening and sharp.

Then she dropped her intimidating stare and startled laughing.

"What?" I found myself asking, wanting to know what was so funny.

"You should have seen your face," after she said that, she emulated what my facial expression apparently looked like before.

Okay, maybe it was a little funny. But Luna biting someone not so much.

Her bite was Klaus' on steroids.

Kol had volunteered to be bitten by Luna on the wrist. BIG MISTAKE.

The area around the bite had broken out into an angry rash. Pus bumps were present, with foul green smelling pus that would leak out of them. For the duration of the first week, he was unable to consume blood. If he tried, then he would begin to cough it up. His dreams and hallucinations melded together; he didn't know what was real. He couldn't walk either. Luckily after another week, the symptoms began to clear. In the next week, he was normal again.

The theory was that her bite could kill humans, werewolves, vampires, but not the originals. Overtime it proved to be true. Nobody liked to think about Luna biting someone, and she didn't like to think about it either.

Still cautious and determined to stay on her 'good side,' I shared the blanket. Careful not to let my limbs anywhere near her mouth.

...

"Do you think I'll ever be normal?" Luna asked as I stared ahead of the empty road.

It was one of those days where I would take Luna away for the day and drive for hours. During our little adventures, we would grab food, laugh, and joke.

Today, though, she was unusually down.

"No."

She frowned and turned towards me, and repeated, "No," in a puzzled tone.

"You are a combination of two powerful and feared beings, who ages weirdly. Not to mention you have a bite that is worse than your bark."

Her expression remained unchanged, but I seemed to have captured her attention.

"Normal is boring. And I only hang with the cool people."

"Really?" She asked, and I could see the smallest beginnings of a smile on her face.

"Pfft, yeah. I mean, you don't see me hanging out with your sister."

There it is. It had been worth the wait, that smile. The soft giggle that came afterward was just as appreciated. "I guess I am pretty cool."

I couldn't help but chuckle at her cockiness. It wouldn't be long before the sarcasm came.

Reaching out to the glove department, I pulled out a pair of sunglasses I got her the other day.

Her brows lifted when I handed them over to her.

"I saw them the other day and thought of you. If us driving around is going to become a regular occasion, then we should probably dress accordingly."

With caution, she put them on, turning for me for approval, her curls bouncing with her. "What's the verdict?"

"You are a princess. That currently looks badass and does yoga as a pass time."

"Yoga?" She questioned, frowning. I looked down at her leggings, and she nodded, now understanding.

"Let's get this show on the road."

Luna gave a small whoop.

God she was so pure.

...

"Damon, hurry up!"

"It's not like it's my fault that your basically a super being and don't have the capacity to make unburnt popcorn. And you know that's not my name!"

Hearing Luna growl obscenities put a smirk on my face.

Hayley was right. There was the smallest plausibility that I could be ruining her.

The amount of popcorn between the two tubs was even. Occasionally Cami joined us, but this was more of a me and Luna thing. And she didn't have a problem with it.

"Why are you so impatient?"

"It's Walker, Texas Ranger week," she said with an explanatory expression on her features.

"Still no reason to have an attitude with me. I am your father," Luna groaned and hit me with a pillow.

"Hey, watch it!"

"Oops, sorry, dad. I meant to hit the ass in the room. Do you think I missed?"

"Alright, at least, admit that you're acting a little out of hand."

Luna huffed, getting up from her lounging position to retrieve the pillow she had thrown at me.

"Okay, fine. Now, you admit that you act grumpy when Law Order is unavailable for streaming at the current time."

I rolled my eyes, and she stuck her tongue out at me but gave me a thankful smile when I handed her her usual tub of kettle corn, and she plopped down on the couch.

As I sat down, she looked over at my tub of popcorn and scrunched up her nose. "One day, you are going to make yourself sick, if not me," she said indifferently as she belatedly unpaused the tv, and the intro began to play, unveiling Ranger Walker and some fiery explosions, classic.

"Sour Patch Watermelon and Starburst again?"

I scoffed at her disgusted look.

"Always, princess."

...

end of flashbacks

...

Pulling up, I was surprised to see no police cars. Oh well, less people to compel.

A few of Marcel's nightwalkers waved at me, acknowledging me before turning back to the wreckage.

What had happened here was no accident.

The ruins of the house were still smoldering, as were the burnt bodies.

From what I could see, I didn't recognize them.

They had been drug out and placed the bodies on plastic sheeting.

Hodgins got out of the car, and Booth followed. The nightwalkers knew who they were, might as well follow them anyway. However, as I opened my door, my phone vibrated.

Seeing who it was, my body tensed. Already, expecting the worst.

"Are you alright?"

"I love you," she said her voice strained.

"I love you too, is everything-"

"Fine, yes. Well, as fine as it's been since you left. I just wanted to tell you that I loved you. With everything going on, I-I just needed you to know that," It was rare for my girlfriend to stutter. She was always the one holding us together, in our relationship, in everything mostly. She, the great voice of reason, and logic. And I, well I was the occasional dick and the recurring voice of sarcasm. Cami called for a cease fires when our little fights became ridiculous, correcting me when I was wrong, because she was always right. I made her laugh on her worst days, and sheltered her with blankets and my arms. I was the one who kept us afloat, above the dangers that lurked in the risky seas below us. I set up rules, for the purpose of her happiness, her wellbeing, and most importantly her safety. If she sunk then I would dive in after her. The whole purpose of the rules was to prevent that from happening. If I lost her than I lost myself.

I paused, not knowing how to word this the right way. "I'm not going to let anything happen to you."

"I know."

"If anything did I wouldn't ever forgive myself."

"Damon-"

"I mean it. No psychologist quote is going to change my mind."

"Wait, I thought you liked the quotes."

"Yeah, well, I happen to like you more."

"Could you resist being sarcastic for a day?"

"If your asking me then you probably know the answer and you are probably confirming it."

She sighed in her frustrated yet worried tone, "I just wish I could protect you too."

"You do protect me."

"How?"

"By staying at home and being safe."

"Call me crazy, but I still don't understand how I am protecting you. Being the fragile human that I am. You can't say anything about that vampire chic in Mystic Falls because you never let me even go outside after that."

I got out of my car and leaned against the hood.

"Camilla, are you done?"

I could practically hear her eyes roll at me, saying her nickname. She acted like she hated it, but I always thought that she secretly admired it.

"Yes."

"Listen, because I'm only mushy occasionally. And before I go, I want you to think about the last four words I say to you."

Her silence told me that she was listening.

"You are my heart."

...

"How can you find anything useful in that?" I asked, gesturing to the bags of samples Hodgins was collecting.

It appeared to be a pointless act. At least, to me. I couldn't picture anybody getting anything useful out of a pile of smoldering crap.

"Residue left behind can be crucial to find out what was inside the bomb. Components used to make the bomb are significant. They can tell the difference as to why it exists in the first place. We track down the suppliers. Hopefully, then that information will lead us to the culprit."

I turned to Booth, who seemed to be texting someone. "Is that how these things usually turn out?"

"Only if we're lucky. We haven't had the pleasure of a case that simple. There are always twists and turns. Not every case is the same, and you cant view it like that. There are unconventional angles and aspects to consider. I don't think this one will be any similar to the ones before."

Hodgins stood and gathered his samples. "Where are you going to put those?"

"Your car."

My stomach plummeted at his simple two words.

No way was that happening.

Just the thought of one of the bags accidentally opening and spilling those metal bits and dirt made me sick.

"No. Sorry, but you and your...dirt...are going to have to hitch another ride."

I called over one of the nightwalkers I knew, Zeke.

"You are going to be riding with him. I'll see you at the compound."

Hodgins waved before he was whisked away by Zeke, who was more down than usual.

Of course, one or three of those bodies on the plastic could have been someone he knew. I became thankful that both Cami and Luna were at home.

Yes, one was awake, and the other unconscious. I was thankful to know that neither was one of the three dead.

Booth's tense posture suddenly caught me off guard.

I looked in the direction he did and wished to be someplace else. The regent of the nine covens was here and walking towards the ruins of the house. Worry on her face.

As expected, the vampires refused to let her pass, resulting in fighting.

Verbal, now, it wouldn't be long before things got physical. Before things could escalate further, I decided to step in.

"Hey, easy! Everybody take a moment to breathe."

"She's trespassing! The way I see it, she could have been responsible for all the trouble!"

"Allegations aren't going to help anyone until you know they are true. We don't know all the facts." Booth told Alex.

I breathed in relief, glad to know that I wasn't the only one trying to be reasonable.

"What brings you here, Audrey?" I asked, remembering her name.

"At least, this one has manners," she muttered under her breath.

Audrey Ellis was a small woman in her late 50's with cropped wispy salt and pepper hair and pale blue eyes. She happened to be one of the few witches I liked.

"One of my sons, Haun, has been missing for a couple of days. The last place I was able to track him was here. What's happened?"

"All we know is that a bomb went off. Three dead. Identities are unknown."

I looked at where the bodies had been. Zeke's brother Trey had taken them under instructions by Marcel.

"Was Haun acting normal? Before he went missing."

It must have been a routine for him, Booth, to ask those questions, given the fact; that he was an FBI agent.

"No. The ancestors requested to speak with him. He was in that room for hours. When he came out, he was in this trance-like state. He ignored me completely. At first, I thought it was because he was mad at dinner being late last night. Now I think it was something more."

"Is Marcel busy today?" She questioned, eyes narrowed.

"Other than handling the human faction, dealing with the six murder victims, and the possibility of war, no not really."

Audrey pursed her lips together, "Then I suppose me dropping by won't be out of order."

...

Ester Pov

...

Talk of war was amongst many conversations everyone else was having.

I had seen countless battles in my time, even fought in some. If the idea of war was conceivable, then it was more than likely to happen. Others anticipating its assumed arrival didn't help. If this war occurred, it would be disastrous for the city, perhaps the world.

There may not be a conqueror to take the defeated peoples riches.

Emotions were high, so naturally, I and a few others took action. Not with spells but with herbs. Between Davina, Freya, and I, we knew little about them.

Healing, yes, soothing inflamed moods, not so much.

Luckily, Davina found a list of herbs; for calming other's emotions, be it anger or fear. The handwriting was familiar and refined. Just seeing it brought my hopes up. Aromatic and nonaromatic herbs of eminent soothing properties, were frequently burned in the compound. Still scarce arguments and scuffles broke out at the compound, between the wolf packs, the vampires, and even within my own family. From my time, I wondered what it would be like if the herbs weren't steadily burning.

Everything that was once ordinarily balanced was now inexplicably imbalanced.

All in two weeks, things were moving so fast. It almost appeared unreal, nothing more than a bad dream.

Luna, not being present, spoke volumes.

I remain convinced that her not beingherestirred everyone in one way or another. She was the one who emitted serenity, naturally. So alike and different, from the countless before her. It was in the irradiant energy encompassing her, in her clear musical tongue, in her serrated jade orbs. Even if she was worried or frightened herself, a simple touch of her hand and you promptly felt better than previously. It was not just her aura or touches but her words as well. More often than not, the little things were as notable as the big things. Luna was apart of our family, and we wereallsorely yearning for her winsome guiding presence.

Castiel, or the angel as everyone called him, was proving quite restorative: helping not only me but everyone and anyone who needed it. The tenacity he had to help others was significant. The contribution of his capabilities meant less strain on the others and me. I knew I was not the only one who thanked him over and over again.

With ease, he had succeeded in saving Josh's life and Luna's within an hour.

My son was resentful towards him. But I knew deep down he was thankful for the angel's presence even if he didn't show it.

Oddly enough, part of me was a little irritated. When all my methods and the others had failed, Castiel had succeeded.

Who was he waltzing in placing his hand upon Josh's head healing him when I spent hours working on a cure that, in the end, did nothing?

The feelings of gratefulness considerably overshadowed the irritation, as it should.

Castiel embodied the meaning of angel. One could easily see that he did: with his refined golden appearance, his dignified lucid voice, and his strong wings that could carry him high above the clouds.

He was one of the few people I had ever met in my life who hadn't ruled me unworthy of their time.

Most saw the spell I had done to my family was selfish and wrong. I still believe that I had saved them, to hell what everyone else thought.

For the past week, our substantial talks have supplied me with the courage I needed.

I now have the mindset that I could make a difference all on my own. I could improve my involvement/relationship or lack thereof with my oldest daughter for the better, not by misleading or patronizing but by prevailing with admission furthermore the truth.

Of course, it wouldn't be easy. Apologies didn't reverse time.

All good things come to those who wait. I had been waiting for more than a thousand years to hold Freya in my arms.

If I did right, I might get the chance to do so again.

I desperately wished to have a relationship with my oldest daughter. If she did not yearn to share a relationship, then I was prepared to leave.

To make things easier.

For Freya.

Despite how much pain it would cause me, I would put her needs before my own. It was after all, the right thing to do.

She barely spoke to me, and only looked at me for the briefest of moments. When she did speak there was always a hard guarded edge to her voice. When she did look at me it was almost a glare, but not quite so.

Alas, Castiel did not have the ability nor the power to wake Luna up. No one dead or alive could. Her family, the Warren, now Halliwell, was exceptionally prominent in the role of the world. Her family line was known for producing powerful witches. It didn't take much to figure out that she had only begun to cusp her vessel of power. Her family's magic was not reliant on her ancestors, nor did it come from them. It came from her. Castiel was incapable of awakening her because she had shut down, sealed, andlockedherself away from the world for her protection. To hide away; from the pain.

Being pushed off a building must have been a shocking event itself. With Abbraxas, shocking became alarmingly distressing.

Abbraxas tortured me for what felt like days.

I still had dreams. Horrid, neverending dreams that leave me breathless and paralyzed in terror even in my waking moments.

That creature was another matter entirely.

In actuality, he had locked me in a dark room for three days. Only, lighting the candles when he saw fit that I was not in enough agony. I was tortured for hours, though it had felt like an eternity.

I had the displeasure of tasting an inadequate portion of what Luna and Freya knew all too well and endured their entire lives.

Luna and Freya were regarded as royalty class by blood and lineage. Both of the girls locked away, far from advocating reaching hands, both in literary and literal terms. High towers of compact picturesque blocks and bricks, winding and twisting lush creepers. Great castles of drab stones. Prison cells with bars of iron, safeguarded by harmful herbs and talismans. Stygian caves only brightened by dimly lit torches, vicious beings dragging and pulling them to the edge of a vast black sea of morose and ennui; brutal and cunning terms and heinous acts upon benign, incipient spirits and innocent unwhole hearts.

Both undeserving and contaminated, yet in some ways stronger because of it.

I considered myself to be lucky to have lived through it. Those two women, both of different names, and varying personalities, were survivors.

Maligned, yes, but not broken.

When I thought things became difficult for me, I began to think of them and how they pushed through.

Problems have seemed to emerge out of thin air rather than remain hidden. Ranging: anywhere from Luna's long impromptu slumber to missing shoelaces. Solutions to the problems nowadays were like witnessing a full blue moon hung over the freshly fallen snow.

The deep focus was the center of most spells and magic comprehended everywhere in the world.

Even when I wasn't doing my craft, I tried to maintain some form of focus, like taking things one at a time; while I was doing so, having a peaceful state of mind.

"Do you ever think there will come a time of peace?" I asked, looking over at Castiel, who sat next to me on the couch in the parlor. No one had disturbed us yet, and I considered it a private room of mine.

He frowned, "You mean a time of no violence and destruction? Perfect blue cloudless skies and a sea of smiling faces, eh?"

I nodded, surprised when he laughed. "Not even the afterlife is absolute perfectection. In the different versions of the afterlife, there is always perpetually some form of alikeness. There will always be some form of carnage, bloodshed, and warfare. Some ignorant and shallow thoughts spread, hungry mouths to feed. Innocents uselessly killed, broken hearts, and stolen materials both of matter and mind. Everyone in the world being in agreeance on one matter is one thing. Everyone spreading the sentiment of peace is another."

I pondered that for a moment. "What about my family? Do you think they will ever find contentment?"

Castiel smiled softly, "You and your family will attain a level of contentment and harmony. Joy is no longer considered scarce in the future. A sense of fullness can cause efficacious change. You'd be surprised at how much change occurs. I am honored to have a part in it all. There will be hard times for everyone, but time and time again, you all prevail. Nothing will stop the influx of enemies, yet nothing can break your family apart. You stand side by side, united, powerful. The books that mention you call you and your family mighty."

"How do you know all of this?"

"Call it a hunch or a sixth sense. I know things. One person can not change the world, but that one person can change the world of one person. In your case, a whole family."

Luna.

Yes.

She was that person, without a doubt.

"So, eventually, she will wake up?"

"Eventually."

"I can say that she isn't enjoying her current state," he added.

"Why would you say that?"

"You all are not with her. She bonded with you and believes that together you all are a family. A prominent move away from the bloody wounded girl I discovered in the dark."

Heavy curved talons and fists. Equally deep opaque states of anguish.

I inhaled slowly but deeply while counting to five before exhaling; this is the process I started when I found myself remembering. It had worked so far. If Castiel noticed my absence from our talk, he said nothing. He probably understood I was trying to calm myself.

How Luna and Freya survived throughout the day was beyond me.

As I repeated the process evenly exactly ten more times, I forced back the thoughts of Abbraxas and my short-lived torture.

To ask a question.

One I had to know the answer to.

"Have we helped her at all?"

"Oh yes," Castiel said, relatively thoughtfully. "She was strong before. Even when she was alone."

"We made her stronger?"

"Yes, but not in the way you think. She feels now that she has you and your family that she has more to fight for than herself. But also more to lose at the same time. Luna has the tendency to absorb emotions and feelings around her. Be that negativity, pain, hatred. She is incredibly empathetic. I have witnessed her block out those feelings and emotions, as well. I find that interesting because generally, it's impossible to turn it off. I became concerned. If she thought long and hard enough, she could force herself not to feel anything at all. Thankfully, she had no interest in blocking out anything but the torture she was forced to face every day. She wanted to feel. She grasped at a dream of something, anything different from the world she was living in then."

"Did she see us?" I asked, aware of Luna's visions.

I was surprised when Castiel acknowledged my question with the shake of his head.

"No, in the cemetery, the witches may not have realized it, but they were draining the energy from her body and vitality. Therefore her ability to develop and achieve her special inherited gifts. So keeping her there actuality worked against them."

"So, something must have happened that was remedial to her. Was it a herb, or-"

Castiel shook his head, and I stopped, "Not herbs or any therapeutic incense."

It dawned on me then. "My family?"

"Yes, your family. Amazing how much healing a person can do without knowing. She gradually began to emerge and unfold from the metaphorical glass enclosure until she broke through. Thus gaining what she should have had before. It's only the beginning."

"Well, it isn't hard to guess who was the most help."

Castiel frowned, "Everyone helped but-"

"There's always the one who helps more."

I had been around long enough to know that my statement was true. My sister couldn't comfort me out of my fear of being slaughtered by the Vikings. Yet, Mikeal promised no harm would come to me. For some reason, I was able to believe him but not my sister.

"Who was it?"

"I think you already know the answer," I said, as I remember how hostile Niklaus acted when Castiel touched her for the briefest of moments in a failed effort to rouse her.

He chuckled, not as off-put as I had thought.

"Ah, yes. As you presumably don't know, I can sense the strength and nature of relationships."

"That's how you know that if I try hard enough, I will increase my chances of success in having a relationship with my daughter."

He crossed his arms over his chest, "Yes, and the fact that even if you do try and fail, you'll never fail to try."

"They are close, yes?"

I nodded, "I believe it's always been that way."

"There relationship is very-"

"Strong," I offered, and he nodded, his brow still furrowed.

"Not only that, but there is this intensity I can't describe. I can feel that even as Luna sleeps. Once she wakes, and they interact, I will be able to present a more suitable diagnostic."

Before I could ask my next question, he stood. "Speaking of relationships, I believe that it is time you try and mend yours."

An opening door and approaching footsteps sounded suddenly. I looked to my right, where Castiel had been, and carefully surveyed a fading shower of gold sparks.

"Oh, good, I found you! Klaus wanted-" Freya stopped mid-sentence staring at the ever-fading shower of gold sparks like I was.

"Was Castiel with you?"

"Yes, we were talking," I answered, following her hand as it brushed in the area the sparks were falling. She laughed lightly, jaunting back.

"It's like summer rain," she described, speaking in an amazed tone.

I took in the dark circles of her eyes and the pallor of her skin. She hadn't been to sleep yet. Of course, not. How could she with everything going on?

"What exactly did your brother want?"

"He wanted me to check on you. I searched the compound up and down and just resorted to doing a locator spell to find you."

Odd.

I would deliberate on that later. Now my focus was Freya.

"Well, here I am."

Her eyes fell to the floor as she shifted her feet. Freya cleared her throat, "I'll go then. You seem alright."

It was as if there was an invisible clock in my head.

All I could hear was the sound ticking, ticking, ticking...

Every step she took only put farther away from me.

I would miss my change if I didn't act now.

"Wait!"

She turned an exasperated and annoyed expression on her face. "Before you go, I would like you to sit and have a talk with me."

I had gestured my hand to the couch that I was now standing beside.

Freya remained planted where she was, arms crossed over her chest, her sage green eyes narrowed. "Why should I sit and have a talk with my mother?"

She pronounced the last word with obvious disdain.

I ignored the pang in my heart.

"One conversation. That is all I am asking of you. If you wish for me to leave, then I will."

Freya was still for a moment longer before she shuffled my way, flopping down on the couch, a tired sigh leaving her mouth. She was so silent for a moment I wondered if she had fallen asleep. She criss crossed her legs while her arms remained folded tightly on top of her chest, "Well?"

Here it is.

My one-shot. My one chance to mend my relationship with my daughter.

If deep breathing couldn't calm my nerves, then I doubted anything would.

"I never meant for any of it to happen."

"Never meant for what to happen?"

"You being taken." Freya looked away from me at those words. A pained look, taking over her tired one.

"Did Dahlia ever tell you how you came to be with her?"

"She said that you abandoned me."

"Dahlia was wrong. Freya...I never abandoned you. I-I tried to get you back. At the time, she was too strong, but never...did I stop...trying. Just as now...I want you back."

"Sorry, not sorry to say you lost me when you made that selfish deal."

"You know of the deal?"

"Yeah, the one where you agreed to give me up in exchange for more power."

So she didn't know the real deal I had made. Dahlia's dishonesty wasn't shocking; I was sure that she tried to corrupt her. Even if I had gotten Freya back somehow, she would have been risen up to hate me.

Maybe, that strengthened my chances; if Freya knew of the original reasons behind my actions. Then she wouldn't despise of me so intensely.

"Is that truly what she told you?"

"Why would I lie? I'm not like you."

Instead of responding, I quietly and calmly did my breathing exercises. I closed my eyes to attempt to gain my focus back. Desperate to finish the task even if I failed in the end.

"I will tell you the truth of the deal. Even if you wish not to believe it."

Freya said nothing, nor did she look my way.

"The scenery was so lively. Skies of blue, flowers grew where they pleased. Vines wrapped around homes connecting them together. Towering trees, the smell of smoke, fires constantly burning. People of the village were from different walks of life. There wasn't the heavy silence and sadness I had been used to with my sister. The air there was somehow better. More breathable. I was walking on lands I had never dreamed of, talking among assorted people, living in a different time. Happiness wasn't rare or brief; it was as steady as the sunrise at dawn. I was young and in love. Even though we were already wedded, Mikeal still brought me flowers every day. Back then, he would go out of his way to please me. Bringing me up when I thought nothing or very little of myself, which was often. My new life took time to get used to but it was beautiful. And worth it. Everything was perfect, but the extra spaces we had laid out in our home were empty. I feared the worst. In our village, there were few witches. Though, none could help me; food was scarce, illnesses' were spreading. With the cold, it only prolonged distress. Sometimes the fires were not enough to keep us warm. Finally, the village organized a hunting party. Your father was the first to volunteer. He and others would be gone for at least a week. I finally had my chance. I carefully set a day aside to get to where she was. So I dressed in layers, taking little food to incase I was held up; because of the storm. I didn't reach her until the middle of the day. By then, it had come, and I hardly made it to my destination. The heavy snowfall and the wind were nearly chokingly thick. She had hesitated to let me in. Her eyes seemed darker than ever. She hadn't changed much. The grim set of her mouth was just as I remembered from before. Dahlia brushed off my hug, and it reminded me very much of the climate outside. I tried to ask her of her travels since I left. She didn't seem the least bit interested in my attempt to reconnect. I deeply apologized. Presently I now understand that my apologies wouldn't ever make up for what I had done."

Freya furrowed her brows in confusion, now looking at me, listening.

"We promised to stay together. At the time, we were all each other had. Our parents were long gone, but we had each other. I broke my promise. I abandoned her, my sister, when I swore that I wouldn't. But I wanted more, while Dahlia wanted the same. I had begged her to come with me, addressing the chance of a new life, a new beginning. Dahlia stayed put, having no interest in what I had said. Still, I left her, breaking my part of the promise we made. The sense of hopelessness couldn't have been more painful. I asked Dahlia for help, not knowing if the outcome would be what I wanted. Though, I couldn't sleep at night knowing I had never asked. She laughed at my dilemma while I cried. She bickered, and I begged. Even to this day, I don't regret my decision. There's not any way I can make you understand, not with words."

She had paled more if possible. I took a few seconds to do my breathing and welcome the silence.

"Dahlia proposed a deal. I hadn't seen the mischievous glint in her eyes since we were children playing. This glint was different, more sinister. She would help me with my predicament. I remember being happy; maybe my crying had affected her in some way. Maybe the sister I had known all my life wasn't gone forever like I had thought. My tears of sadness were no more. My tears were of joy instead; the feeling didn't last long. There was a catch, of course. A hefty price to pay."

"What was the catch?"

"Dahlia agreed to help me, only if I swore; that my firstborn child would be delivered over, to her. I tried to dissuade her, but I was desperate. Few years passed, and I had two children and another arriving soon. The spaces in the houses weren't so empty. I had nearly forgotten our agreement when she came that fateful day. Had I the strength, I would have fought to get you back. I couldn't think of any loopholes that would save you from her. Even as girls merely practicing magic, she was much stronger than I. When the time came, she took me from you. I had thought it would be easy. What was one child to four or five? I was wrong. All my life, I had never been so miserable. I never recovered, and I never forgave myself. It was not anyone's fault but my own. I had caused it, but holding you for the first time somehow made it all worth it."

"So, that was the deal?"

I wordlessly answered her question by giving a single nod. Her tone didn't seem so defensive and wary.

"In a way, it makes more sense than all of the things she told me. I believe you, but it doesn't make it any more right than before."

A stillness had settled over the room. We might have been mulling it all over in our heads. It was a lot to take in, and I was avoiding reminiscing old memories. I couldn't live in the past. I had to live in the present.

Speaking the truth had made me feel at ease. Freya, believing it made me feel content with that yet sad at the same time. Integrity did not always cause happiness.

"You are correct. It doesn't make what I agreed to right. I still don't regret my decision and I won't. I am sorry if my saying that hurts you."

"No, and thank you. I appreciate your honesty. The truth hurts. I have questions ranging from, how do you live with yourself, and why you even told me this in the first place."

"To answer your first question, I don't know. The second, I crave a relationship with you."

"A relationship?"

"After everything that has happened, you are still my daughter, and I am still your mother. No matter how much it pains you to think of me in that way."

"You think I'm just going to let you in my world after you were honest to me?"

"No," I replied, speaking honestly. It would not be that simple. There would be hard days and months, absurd complications, but I would go through it all in hopes that Freya accepted me. I would do the same with every member of my family. I wished to be around Hope, but others sought to keep me from her as much as possible. Until I proved my worth, I was an outsider.

"I think that you will let me into your world after an extensive period of time. Long enough for you to see that my intentions are pure, your siblings included. Not because I hope to deceive you all, but because I want to be apart of your world. Unless, of course, you wish for me to leave."

Freya remained silent, only looking me in the eyes.

She cleared her throat, "I don't want you to leave, but good luck trying to be apart of my world. I'm not the easiest person to persuade."

I smiled, feeling that it was okay to do so. Freya stood up on wobbly legs. I stood as well, worried that she would fall.

Surprisingly she leaned against me. "I should go tell Klaus you're alright."

"No, I think it's time you headed to bed."

She moved away from me, nearly falling to the ground if it weren't for my hand grabbing her arm.

"I am perfectly able to-"

"You can barely walk. I am the last person you want to lean on for help-"

"I don't need your help," the defensive tone was back in her voice. "I can walk on my own."

"Then I will contact one of your brothers. It is obvious that you are not fit to go alone."

Freya sighed before leaning onto me again. "Don't expect this to be a regular thing."

I agreed, knowing that it very well wouldn't be.

...

After tucking in my oldest child and lighting one of the six specific candles in the purple pouch, as she instructed me to, I stayed. Her feet slightly poked out from her sheets and rustic blue-colored patchwork quilt. After blindly searching her room, I found a small throw blanket. With care, I placed it over her green polka dot-covered peeping toes. Even when she was a child, she always seemed to outgrow her stockings even though I had made them days ago. As a child, the Freya I knew was free-spirited yet firm: trying to climb the tallest of trees and skipping into the arms of her father. In the present, this Freya was unknown to me, as she no longer wore her hair with threads of fresh spring colors; her shoulders that were once carefree; were now hunched due to the burden of stress, and never did she skip about humming a little song. A very different girl from the one I knew, but now she was hardly a girl, and now I was not worthy enough to be her mother. At least not yet.

I stayed undoubtedly longer than I should have to look at the now untroubled version of Freya. She didn't give thanks, and I didn't ask for any.

Her letting me guide her to her room and bed was reward enough.

This version of her is the one I liked best.

In this version, she did not hate me. In this version, I need not worry that she would explode due to all the stress inside of her. Now she was nothing more than a sleeping woman.

Looking down at the time, I knew I should get going. Mikeal and I had agreed hours ago to meet in Luna's room and talk with Klaus and Elijah; to further explain the history of the Warren/Halliwell family and ours.

As I journeyed down to the kitchen for a drink of water, I heard voices and paused.

"Boyfriend?"

"I never really considered Liam to be a boyfriend. We have this on and off thing."

"I understand."

"I hope I'm not a bother to you-"

"You are nothing of the sort. Please continue."

I recognized my son Elijah's voice. The woman's voice was also familiar and new at the same time.

"Maybe we could become something more. Liam's always at his job, and I'm at mine. Lately, for the past two years, that's how it's been."

"How did you meet this, Liam?"

"My younger sister set me up. Her husband works with him, and she thought everything would work out. But it isn't, and I don't know what to do."

"Talking helps."

"Okay, Elijah, humor me. I barely know you, and you barely know me. We are practically strangers to each other. Shared truths and talks during seemingly endless hours of work can take the load off. In a way, we are compatible with the struggles we face daily in a world trying to drag us down. So feel free to vent about anything or anyone. I don't understand what could be wrong. With your elegant imperative suit dressing self."

Elijah laughed, "There is always more below the surface."

"So tell me. I can keep a secret."

It happened again. Another laugh. Whoever this woman was seemed to be bringing out a bit of joy.

With difficulty, I blocked out everything after that. It was not my business, and I wouldn't gain my children's trust if I started eavesdropping in on their private conversations. Though, I hated to interrupt them.

With regret, I walked into the functional yet stylish room, blocking all else besides the glass I would use stored in the cabinets and the filtered water picture that stood chilled in the icebox.

"Hodgins expects to have some info on the bomb tomorrow. He is going to be pulling an all-nighter."

"And will you join him?"

"No, as you probably know, I pulled an all-nighter last night. I don't think it would be wise of me. The last thing the city needs is another irritable person-"

My glass was half-full, but my curiosity was ample.

"Thank you for the talk. You were right. It helps."

"Very rarely am I wrong."

"You realize what you said implies that you'll be spilling your guts to me tomorrow."

Another laugh.

"I trust that you will handle my guts with care, given your current occupation."

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw her smile.

"Until tomorrow, then."

"Until tomorrow."

After the sound of footfalls faded, I let out a breath of relief.

"Spying has never been one of your strong suits, mother."

I stifled the gasp threatening to break through my teeth. I had thought I was alone, that Elijah had followed her.

"Elijah, I wasn't spying. I came to get a drink. Nearly an hour ago, I spoke with Freya. Forgive me if my throat was parched."

"If your true intentions were to drink and nothing more than I am sorry."

"Who were you speaking with?"

"That was Dr. Saroyan. She is the head of the forensics division at the Jeffersonian Institute in Washington D.C."

I briefly recognized the name. It's been floating around the compound for a few days now.

"Oh, I presume she is the one helping us then."

He nodded, a hint of a smile on his face. "Yes. Her team as well. They are exceptional at their work."

I wanted to ask more of this, Dr. Saroyan, but I feared he didn't trust me enough yet.

"What do I have to do to get you to trust me?"

"When you give me a reason too," was his reply as I set the now empty glass in the sink, washing it myself and carefully placing it on the drying rack.

What he had said was fair enough. I hoped that reason would come here sooner than later. Being treated as an outcast is never a welcome feeling anywhere. Castiel had said that the truth was the best place to start. Lies only caused more obstacles. With honesty, there were no shortcuts. Both Mikeal and I would be redeeming a fraction of ourselves in our children's eyes because of the story we were about to tell.

"Come," Elijah raised a brow. The hint of a smile now gone from his face.

"Your father and I promised to discuss something with you and your brother. We intend to keep that promise."

...

The journey to Luna's room was the same as ever.

Unforgetful and incessantly haunting.

I dreaded facing her sleeping form and fantasized wherein the time that she would awaken.

Even when she did, no one would forget all that happened before. I knew that if she were to wake, everything would seem whole, even as the threat of war remained above everyone's heads. Maybe the whispers of conflict; wouldn't distill, but there would be a sense of clarity in everything. She was wise above her years. Never afraid to point out if something or someone was wrong. When fighting, Luna, a force, all by herself. Those traits,hertraitswere both wanted and needed.

A dense cloud offering no precipitation was overhead. However, this time I was not alone. Elijah was beside me, observing me discreetly. Not out of the kindness of his heart. I could imagine he was pondering plans of which I deceived him. But I didn't imagine. I could use that energy for something more deliberate and filling.

Feelings of guilt and sadness upon seeing her still form were as present as ever. Quiet. It was such a stillness that it evoked me of a memory of a storm in late spring. One so strong it threatened to tear apart the land itself.

The calm, before the storm.

Luna made no move to offer her words of sagacity or her touches of solace.

Not much had changed since my last arrival in the room.

Blankets folded orderly in a far corner, drapes blocking her terrace from view, both inside and out. Floors swept and moped to perfection. Picture frames holding the faces of my family and others straightened. The bookcase had started to dust. Someone appears to have cleaned it, most likely Elijah. She aimed to keep her room orderly. If anyone understood her constant neatness when it came to her room, it was Elijah. Her dark curly mane was in a side braid, telling me that Rebekah had spent some time in the room, most certainly during the time her brother was out and about in the city. Anyone who visited was aware of Niklaus'territorialnature. Furniture moved for the sake of chairs placed around her bed. Now only a single chair was occupied by the man sitting beside the moon as he nearly always was. The room still smelled of her unique redolence. It wasn't a combination of aromatic herbs. And it wasn't the most extravagant perfumes money could buy, but soft whiffs of vanilla and hints of some creamy buttery-like redolence. Her fragrance was not rare but of her own. When she hugged someone, she unintentionally left trace amounts. I remember going out to the market and having others ask what perfume I purchased and where I had gotten it. I was offered money and even trading. As it was, Luna, much like her natural aroma, could not be bought nor bartered.

Mikeal was already in the room holding a journal as well as some loose parchment yellowed with time.

I was curious. As to why this was, but then again, Mikeal knew Melinda and their family's history better than I. He had met her long before me. Perhaps there was a time he was in love with her. I haven't given myself much time to think about it until now. Back then, I would have shared little but some similarity with Melinda, our youth, blondeness, fair skin, and blue eyes. Even the similarities had stark differences. While she had long honey spun pin-straight hair, mine was unruly in ashy waves. Her skin was clear year-round while I endured breakouts in the warm seasons. Even though our eyes were nearly the same hue of blue: hers was somewhat lighter, a desirable feature back then. Even now, in this time, the Halliwell's made those around them look like peasants. Like Melinda, Luna did not appreciate the attention. They both called it a curse, leaving the rest of us around them to wonder if they had hit their head and were speaking absurdities.

Klaus was where he always was. Beside her, in a chair. He looked the same. Pale, withdrawn from the world.

When Hayley had brought Hope over the other day, they cried together, and they also fell asleep together. Oddly, enough there were pictures of the incident, or should I say, incidents because it happened more than once. Of course, Klaus did not know of this. Kol had said he was saving them for the future, a time filled with more laughter. Thinking about then and now, everything seems distant. As if we weren't present in our own fates.

Something dark dashed soundlessly across the end of Luna's bed. The creature's coarse black fur contrasted beautifully against the cerulean blue of Luna's comforter.

"Shadow."

The pup's ears lifted slightly, and he gingerly treaded to sniff my hand. He then turned to Elijah, giving a small grunt before allowing him to pet him.

He hopped back before moving upwards swiftly, skirting around Luna's still body and bounding onto Klaus' lap. He gave Mikeal a wary glance before lowering his head.

"It appears that we are all here. Which of you would like to begin first?" Questioned Klaus looking from Mikeal to me while petting Shadow's head. As if he had given a silent command, his head swiveled to look at all of us and giving a low growl.

Elijah grabbed a chair to sit beside his brother, looking at me expectantly. I looked to my left, where Mikeal stood, and nodded. Feeling he should go first.

"Our family crest," Mikeal stated, setting the few lose pages of parchment down. Elijah picked them up, showing them to his brother, who made no move to look away from Luna.

"We are familiar with it," Elijah remarked, concern on his face as he answered for him and his brother.

"Are the two of you familiar with the fact that the two symbols at the bottom are from Luna's ancestors?"

Two sets of brows rose.

Klaus' eyes remained narrowed, but his attention was now on Mikeal. He was not looking by any means, but he was listening. His hand outstretched, on top of Luna's.

Only Elijah's posture showed that he was interested.

Mikeal turned and fixated his firm gaze on me. I discerned that it was now my turn to speak.

My spouse may have known Melinda profoundly as a person, but I knew of her magic.

"This symbol is known as the Celtic knot, or rather the triquetra. It is everywhere. Few are aware of its true origin, but Melinda Warren did."

"As in the Melinda of our childhood."

"Yes."

Elijah's expression turned surprised, and Klaus remained unmoved.

"Whatever did happen to her?"

Melinda had been around my family for a long time, like Ayana, only leaving when Henrik had reached his teen years. I warned her not to go, begged her to stay.

"She was exiled and then executed."

"But how? I remember her telling us stories of how she fought monsters at night just as her mother taught her."

"She chose not to fight."

"Why?"

I remember asking that same question for what felt like lifetimes ago.

...

flashback

...

"Why?"

"The Forger I told you about, Gregory, well, he is in a bind. One only I can free him of," Melinda reasoned, continuing packing for her journey. "Matthew has made it his passion to harm future witches of my line, and I cannot allow that to pass."

"Matthew?" I asked, recalling her story of the time where she had fallen in love with a demon, one she called a warlock.

"Yes, 'tis the one I foolishly placed my trust in," her tone was shame-filled as she secured her hair in a plait down her back. Odd of her to speak in that tone. Melinda was never one to get angry, and very rarely did she commit shameful acts. The Melinda I was seeing; was different from the one who had done my daily chores when my hands were sore from constant use. A fierce look of determination manifested on her face. I knew that look. She had already made up her mind. She was leaving, and I was sure that there wasn't anything I could do to stop her. Nothing was going to obstruct me from trying. Who would I be if I didn't? I had known Melinda for years, Mikeal longer. If she were to leave, what would it do to him? What would it do to me?

"What of your dream? They saw you, and they burned you for saving his life. I heard you scream."

I broke out in a sweat, remembering how my blood ran cold at the sound.

Melinda shifted, a firm look in her eyes.

"Then I shall perish."

"No! There must be another way!"

"I would have seen another way before now. I cannot prolong the inevitable. I must go," her voice like her eyes was firm.

For once, I wished not for her fearlessness but for her to be the opposite for once. I was sinking in my own. I didn't want her to leave. Melinda was my friend despite the insecurities I felt. Who would I speak with about Mikeal if she were gone?

"No, I will not let you."

"Ester-"

"You once told me that there is always a choice-"

Her mouth formed a smirk, "I was wrong. There is not always a choice."

"I must go," her voice was softer this time, and she reached down and grabbed my hand.

"You remember what I said about the herbs. Should you forget, I've written a few things down."

I glanced behind me, where she gestured to a woven satchel.

None of this seemed right. I kept wishing to wake up from this nightmare.

"Eda and Elin?"

At the mention of her daughters' names, her smile faltered. I had met them years ago now they would be about the same age as Henrik now. The sisters were close in age but couldn't be more different in appearance: one pin-straight black head of hair and the other's head coarse with dark curls, carob, and tawny brown eyes, one seemingly translucent with pink decorating her cheeks during all hours of the day and the other sun-kissed bronze skin her cheeks just as rosy, it was their bright smiles that were identical. Melinda had said they looked like their fathers. And just like their fathers, she had described how they broke her heart because of the reminder. Melinda met Eda's father while she was troubled over Matthew. They had planned to wed, but things didn't go as intended. One week before the wedding, he left her for another, confessing in a letter that he never met for things to get so far, omitting Melinda to raise Eda all on her own. Elin's father was one of Melinda's rivals from when she was a girl. He had moved away, and once they met again, they had a better understanding of each other, the both of them having been through so much it made sense. Before Elin was born, he had been going on a trip to a faraway land to obtain something his family had been trying to get back for generations. Elin's father never returned. Melinda always said he was not dead but lost at sea.

"With Charlotte, their grandmother. Sara, my sister, visits them often. They will teach them all they need to know to survive. I have already prepared letters for them as well. It was hard, writing down all of the things I wished to say; Why they are here, why I am not with them, our family's sacred practices, love lessons."

My lip trembled as the first tears fell, my voice unsteady, "This Forger, Gregory, better be worth it if we have to lose you because of him."

Melinda smiled, "He is worth it. Every innocent is. No matter how much I wish to stay, I must go with grace and uphold my family's oldest obligation."

Parting goodbyes, sore eyes, and tear-stained cheeks later, she was gone. It was not Melinda who cried but I. How she could bear it all was a mystery to me. She had already accepted her fate, and she did as she said she would.

She went with grace.

...

end of flashback

...

"Melinda was well aware of what her actions would induce. Placing someone's life over her own wasn't an odd practice for her."

Oh, dear, I was in my memories, reliving moments, even though it would change nothing.

Mikeal's piercing glare snapped me to my senses. All this time, I had left him alone with the conversation we were supposed to be conducting together. I was back in Luna's room, retaining what my current goal was. It didn't help to dwell on the past.

Looking as casual as possible, I did my breathing. Being flustered wouldn't aid in informing anyone of anything.

"The triquetra is the oldest symbol correlating to magic. The first witch was the pioneer of the Halliwell line."

"The first witch as in-"

"The first witch ever," Klaus commented, cutting his brother off and after a pause adding, "Can't say I'm surprised."

"Yes, your brother is right, the first witch to ever exist."

"So the other witch lines are linked in some way shape; or form to Luna's family?"

I shook my head, seemingly confusing Elijah further.

"The way Melinda told it was that through generations, the most transcendent truths, or as we call them, 'the prophecies,' were learned and passed down. One of those truths was that everyone has magic inside them. They believed that the infamous werewolf curse was not a real curse. But instead nature's way of self-reflection. The Halliwells were the first to embrace it. Others followed. All of the insecurities started to outweigh the self-assurance. Darkness settled in. Envy and greed for more power came into play. Jealous feelings set in, and that jealousy grew to hate."

"Exactly how old are the Halliwells?"

"Much older than us," Mikeal said, answering for me this time. I appreciated it to a great extent the fact that he was here. I wasn't alone in this conversation.

"Melinda was fiercely protective over her bloodline. Witches before her had strived to help move things along for the future witches. One of the reasons she was willing to die for it."

"Back to the triquetra."

I gave him a thankful glance. I had gotten off track, and here he was, putting me back on.

"Yes, the triquetra was originally the Halliwells emblem. It means many things ranging from protection, guidance, but most importantly the power of three."

"The power of three?"

"Yes. In the prophecies, they revolved around three powerful witches would descend from the Halliwell line."

"I remember Leo and Cole saying something similar. Wyatt is dead, Chris is nonexistent, and Luna-" Klaus cut himself off.

"How did her family's emblem end up on our crest?"

Elijah and I shared a look of equal surprise. It was the longest Klaus had said words without being the person he was before Luna.

"Long story short, her family saved mine more times than anyone can care to remember. For remembrance and in celebration of our peculiar union, their mark permanently annexed to our crest. It was a great honor for us to have bestowed upon these women combatants who carried axes and swords just as we did. After that, we vouched to never go against one another. To always help the other should we ever get into trouble."

"You were charmed by them."

"It was more than that. We had a high amount of respect for the Halliwells. Respect was on both sides. Despite what others might have thought and how different we were. Their unique way of life was exhilarating to play a part in."

"You said that everything means nothing if you can't have her. Did you and Melinda-"

"No. Melinda and I were friends, nothing more. There was a time when it might have been possible. However, my impulsive actions destroyed that chance of a relationship ever occurring. Though, I am glad because after my episode. I met your mother. If I could go back, I wouldn't change anything. But I know of how you feel. Even if it is nothing more than a portion."

Perhaps that had always been an unasked question of mine. I had wondered why Melinda and Mikeal never wedded. She was beautiful. Strong. Not to mention, skilled in many forms of magic. Maybe he saw something in me back then that I didn't see in myself.

A jittery feeling jolted me. I haven't felt that way about him like that since Freya'died'and he turned cold.

"I really wish she was here-"

He stopped talking, and he was looking at Luna with wide eyes.

I held my breath, not wanting to break the silence that had settled over the room.

She moved.

I repeatedly blinked to make sure this wasn't some mirage or fabricated illusion.

As I squinted, and the longer I stared, the more I apprehended that this was not any fantasy of mine coming to life. Her heart and breathing had risen. Her body had shifted, now angled towards him.

The most significant shift was her hand under Klaus'.

Luna's hand was no longer slackened or still. But tense and tightly gripping Klaus' hand hard enough to draw blood to the surface.