Chapter Seven
"So they really did manage to wake Mikael." Klaus said despondently.
"It seems that way. I monitored her heartbeat the whole time. She wasn't lying." Aailyah patted his hand before leaning back against Elijah. She had flown to England that morning, meeting Elijah at the airport and catching him up as he drove them to one of their houses in the area. Their siblings had gathered in the den, where Aailyah had repeated what Elena had told her, before tracking down Damon and forcing him to drive her to the cemetery Mikael had been hidden at, where she found the empty coffin and chains he'd been bound in.
"Don't worry Nik, we'll make it through this. We always do." Rebekah encouraged, winding her arm through his ad leaning against his shoulder. Despite her and Klaus' constant bickering, they all knew how much he feared Mikael.
"How? Elijah and Alli almost died last time." Nik sighed.
"Last time we weren't expecting him. Have some faith, Niklaus." Elijah encouraged.
"And quit your moping brother. Unlike me, it's not a look you can pull off." Kol teased. Aailyah and Rebekah rolled their eyes and chucked a pillow at him, breaking the tension. One hit him in the face, but he caught the other, tossing it back at Rebekah. "Now that he's resurfaced, we can finally end him."
"And how do you plan to end him if we can't find him, Kol?" Rebekah asked.
"Tracking spell."
"The Bennet witch tried already."
"I'm not a newbie witch, Alli. I'm sure my girls can manage." Kol scoffed, rolling his eyes as she stuck her tongue out at him.
"I won't stop you from trying, brother, but it may not be necessary. We all know Father isn't exactly the patient type, he'll make a move on his own soon. We just have to wait."
"That's it?" Rebekah asked.
"Unless any of you have a better idea. Mikael is almost as dramatic as Kol, he won't stay hidden for long." Aailyah said, ignoring Kol's indignant whines.
"Well, you were right." Nik said, throwing open the patio door.
"I usually am, luv, you'll have to be more specific." Aailyah hummed, kicking her feet idly, making the floatie she was sunbathing on move through the water.
"What is it now, Niklaus, you're interrupting sister bonding time." Rebekah huffed from a few feet away.
"Bonding time? You're not even doing anything." Kol laughed.
"It's called tanning, Kol." Rebekah snapped, lifting her Ray Bans to glare at her brother.
"News flash, Bex, vampires can't tan."
"We're relaxing, Kol. Something the three of you tend to make far more difficult than it should be." Aailyah hummed, eyes stubbornly staying closed, hoping whatever the problem was, it would go away on its own.
"It'll have to wait darling, this is important." Elijah cut in. Aailyah groaned, rolling off the floatie and into the pool, swimming over to the ledge and propping her arms up on the border.
"What happened now?"
"Stefan claims the doppelganger managed to dagger Mikael."
"He's lying." Aailyah said simply.
"Stefans compelled to do whatever I say, I told him to tell me the truth. He said Elena daggered Mikael." Niklaus insisted, making Aailyah pause, tilting her head to the side consideringly.
"Well I don't care if they send us a bloody video of it, there's no way a seventeen year old managed to dagger Mikael when we couldn't." Rebekah scoffed.
"How'd the bint even get a dagger anyway?" Kol asked.
"Don't look at me." Klaus shrugged. "As far as I know Alli destroyed all seven years ago." Aaliyah's whole body froze, and she turned to glare at him murderously.
"Seven?" She demanded.
"Yes, seven." Klaus paused and stared at her. "You didn't take all seven?"
"I searched the damn wearhouse top to bottom, Nik. There were only six there."
"Well I don't have it!"
"You lost one of the enchanted silver daggers, and you didn't even notice?" Kol asked incredulously.
"... I plead the fifth."
"We're in London."
"Then possibly." Nik admitted. "I know I had seven when we were in Italy."
"Mikael burned that manor to the ground, did one get left behind?"
"How would the Salvators get it if you left it in Italy?" Rebekah asked.
"Regardless of how they got it, we have to assume there's some truth to it, considering Stefan cannot lie to Nik." Elijah cut in.
"It's gotta be some kind of trap." Klaus insisted.
"So what? What harm can a few teenagers do to us?" Rebekah scoffed.
"They managed to wake Mikael, when none of us could find him. If they did somehow manage to dagger him, they may have his white oak stake." Aailyah said seriously, making them all stiffen. "We have to go back to Mystic Falls." She said to Elijah.
"I suppose we do, we can't very well leave the dagger and stake with the Salvatores." Elijah sighed.
"I'm coming with you." Nik said suddenly. "I'm tired of running. It's time I face him."
"Then you won't do it alone." Rebekah promised, swimming over and letting Nik help her out of the pool.
"If we can get to the white Oak Stake, we can end Father once and for all." Kol added.
"Perhaps then we can return to New Orleans." Nik said with a small, wistful smile. New Orleans was special to them all, the place where they rebuilt their family and stayed for nearly a hundred years. It was home, until Mikael had arrived out of the blue and drove them out.
"Well then," Aailyah began, reaching out a hand so Elijah could help her out of the pool. "We best get started."
The Fall of Mikael
"Everyone clear on the plan?" Aailyah asked as she walked into the sitting room, putting in a dangly diamond earring. They'd arrived in Mystic Falls that morning, after making a stop to pick up Kathrine in New York. Klaus and Rebekah had been running around together all morning, getting things ready, while Kol worked with a witch, keeping track of Mikael. He was in the Salvatore's house, where he'd stayed all day. They'd all reconvened at the Manor to get ready for the party a few hours ago.
"Tylers moved the dance to his house, where we have all been invited in." Klaus said, struggling with his tie.
"I will find and remove the doppelganger girl so Kathrine can take her place." Rebekah continued, swatting Niks hands away from his tie and fixing it herself.
"I'll pretend to be Elena and try to figure out their plan." Kathrine drawled, fluffing her hair.
"And I'll sit there and look pretty and not kill anyone important." Kol finished.
"And we all pretend to believe Mikaels dead." Elijah said, fixing his cufflinks.
Aailyah shoved Kol away from the mirror, where he'd been preening for ten minutes, to look over her outfit. It was a white deep v neck dress that poofed out at her hips and ended a few inches above her knees. Rebekah wore a short deep red dress with a sweetheart neckline and black pumps. Kathrine wore a dark green and black patterned dress with a black shawl over her shoulder. All three boys wore simple, classic tuxedos. It was a special occasion, they'd all dressed up.
"Let's go kill Mikael." Aailyah said with a smirk.
"Does that even count as a dress?" Aailyah asked, nodding towards a girl whose skirt ended just under her arse.
"She looks like a harlot." Rebekah scoffed, linking her arm with Aaliyah.
"On the contrary, sisters, I think she looks delectable." Kol chuckled, licking his lips. "In fact, I believe introductions are in order." Aailyah and Rebekah rolled their eyes and waved him off to go play with his new toy.
"Did you get the doppelganger?" Aailyah asked her sister in law.
"Of course. She's at home, giving blood. She became quite rude when I stole her phone." Rebakah scoffed, showing off the girl's cell phone. "Nonetheless she'll be out of the picture for tonight."
"Thank you love, would you be a dear and give that to Kat? I'm going to get a drink."
"Shall I join you?" Elijah asked.
"No, love, why don't you find Niklaus, I'm not sure where he wandered off to." Aailyah kissed him on the cheek and headed for the drink table, dodging drunk teenagers with grabby hands. As she reached the table, pouring herself some punch, Damon Salvatore slithered up behind her.
"I'm hurt dollface, this is the second time you've been in town and haven't given me a call." he drawled, offering her a flask from his pocket.
"Sadly love, you were cheating on me with my doppelganger, I thought it was time to put our affair to rest." Aailyah smirked up at him, taking the flash and drinking directly from it. The punch was already spiked with some cheap vodka, so she didn't bother adding anymore, handing the flask back to Damon, who took his own swig.
"It seems I'm not the only one. See the pretty blonde hanging off Elijah?" Aailyah glanced up and smirked, seeing Rebekah dragging Elijah around the yard, pointing out the things that she'd picked out for the party. "Marriage not going so well?" He asked in a fake sympathetic voice.
"My marriage is wonderful as ever Mr. Salvotore, why? Stealing your brother's girl isn't enough? Have to go after a married woman now too?" Aailyah chuckled when he scowled, catching her arm as she turned to walk away.
"Why are you here?" Damon asked, dropping the game.
"'Tis my Father-in-law's wake, Damon. I wouldn't miss this for the world. Question is, why are you here? Is Elena not allowed to attend a high school party by herself?"
"If you and your family are in town, no. Someone has to keep her safe."
"And your doing a remarkable job." Aailyah snarked. "Never fear Damon, as of now we are in Elena's debt. She managed to bring down Mikael. Remind me, how exactly did she do that?" Aailyah asked, turning to stare at Katherine, who was talking to a blonde human boy.
"She was defending herself." Damon said smoothly, sliding in front of her and blocking who he believed to be Elena from her view. "She didn't have much of a choice."
"Of course." Aailyah smirked at him. "You seem nervous Damon, could something be wrong? Something not going as planned?"
"Of course not." Damon said with a tight smirk.
"Oh honey, you need lessons in lieing. People have been after my family for a thousand years, and all have failed. We are always one step ahead. So whatever is is that your thinking of trying, go for it, give it your best shot. Just know that the consequences when you fail will be devastating." She flashed him a truly dangerous smirk before turning and walking off towards Klaus, who was chatting jovially with the young man who'd invited them in earlier.
"Thank you for hosting such a lovely party Tyler." Aailyah cut in gracefully, linking her arm with Niks.
"Thanks Aailyah, but your sister did most of the work." Tyler laughed, rubbing the back of his neck.
"Yes, Bekah does love her parties." Aailyah chucked.
"Far too much, she's nearly as bad as Elijah." Nik added.
"So why'd you want the party here anyway?" Tyler asked.
"Oh, we didn't want to destroy the school a second time, that'd be rude and I don't feel like paying for damages." Aailyah chuckled.
"Destroy the school?" Tyler asked, confused.
"Mm-hm. I have no doubt that The Salvatores and their friends are planning something, and should they attack, we'd be forced to retaliate. Self defense and all that." Aailyah said with a beatific, vaguely shark-like smile.
"Retaliate?" Tyler asked, smile fading.
"We are the first vampires to walk the earth Tyler, we've made our fair share of enemies. If word were to get out we let a few baby vampires attack us without consequence, those enemies may start getting ideas- and as entertaining as it could be, it'd be such a pain to put them all down. But I'm sure we won't have to worry about that tonight, right Tyler?" Aailyah asked, tilting her head to the side.
"Right. Um, could you excuse me for a second?" He asked, quickly slipping away.
"Remind me why you get to threaten him and I don't." Klaus huffed.
"Because sire bonds can be broken, and you want to keep your hybrid's loyalty. Remember the French revolution? Loyal guards will live and die for you, scared or angry guards are the first to turn on you. A healthy dose of fear now and then won't hurt, so long as he feels safe with you. Besides, he may be able to convince his friends to delay their scheme, whatever it may be."
"Unlikely, we both know how determined Damon and Stefan can be."
"Why can't our lives be easier?" Aailyah sighed, resting her head on his shoulder. Klaus chuckled and kissed her hair.
"That'd make our eternity incredibly boring."
"True. You know what never gets boring?" Klaus hummed questioningly, and Aailyah lifted her head to grin at him. "Kicking your ass in beer pong."
"You're on." Klaus smirked.
"Kol! You're on my team, lets go!" Aailyah called, pulling him from the blonde he was… dancing with as Klaus fetched Bekah and Elijah to play referee. They both won a game and were starting their third when a woman they'd never met approached them, a dazed look in her eyes.
"Your father is here." They paused, smiles fading, and Klaus sunk Aaliyah's last cup.
"Then we mustn't keep him waiting." He turned for the house, his sibling following closely behind.
"We're with you, Niklaus." Elijah murmured, squeezing his shoulder. "Always and Forever." Nik paused and turned, meeting each of their eyes.
"Thank you." He said, sincerely, before entering the house and approaching the doorway. Mikael stood just outside, several compelled vampires behind him.
"Hello Niklaus."
"Mikael. Why don't you come in? Oh right, I forgot you can't." Nik taunted.
"Or you could come out, if you're done hiding like a coward." Mikael ridiculed., staring his son down. Niks lips pursed and he looked away. "One thousand years, and you haven't changed at all. You stand alone, boy."
"He's never stood alone, Father." Elijah snapped, stepping forward to stand with his brother. "Not once, not for a second."
"You, on the other hand, have been alone for centuries. Your own children have scorned and abandoned you." Rebekah added.
"Besides, if anyone's a coward it's you. So afraid of death you broke every natural law in the universe to make yourself and your children immortal." Kol mocked.
"And so ashamed of what you created that you've spent your millenia trying to destroy it. And failing miserably." Aailyah smirked.
"My children. You're still protecting him, the monster that killed your mother?"
"The only monster here is you. A man who blames a child for the sins of his mother."
"Come out and face me alone Niklaus, it's time you stop hiding behind your siblings."
"I'm quite comfortable where I am, thank you."
"I thought you might say that. I brought some incentive." A vampire, clearly compelled, appeared next to him, dragging along a scared looking Katherine, who Mikael quickly grabbed by the throat, dragging her in front of him. "Come out and face me Niklaus, or she dies." Nik glared, then lifted his chin defientally.
"Go ahead. Kill her."
"No! Klaus, he'll do it." Kathrine pleaded.
"I'm surprised Niklaus, perhaps you have changed after all. I half expected you to have made an army of abominations to hide behind. However, should I kill this girl, you'll never be able to make another." Mikael taunted.
"I don't need them. I only need to be rid of you. So go on, kill her."
"To what end, Niklaus? To live forever, with no one at your side. Your siblings will abandon you, and no one will care about you. After you finally drive your siblings away, you'll be alone, and no one will care. No one. It's a miracle it hasn't happened already, and you know it."
"That's enough. Nik will never be alone, none of us will. We made a vow to each other a thousand years ago, and it remains true to this day. You however, are alone. You've been alone for a thousand years, and not even your children will stand with you. So to make yourself feel like a man, you've bullied and abused a child that had nothing to do with Esther's affair. You're pathetic." Aailyah spat.
"Hold your tongue, girl, lest I cut it off. Niklaus, come out and face me, you little coward, or she dies." Mikael shouted.
"My whole life, you've underestimated me. If you kill her you lose your leverage, so go ahead. Go on, kill her. Come on old man, kill her. Kill her!" Nik taunted. Mikael chuckled.
"Your impulse, Niklaus. It has and forever will be the one thing that keeps you from truly being great." He said, glancing over their shoulders before driving a dagger into Katherines side. She let out a wet gasp and fell.
"Damon, no!" Stefan yelled. Aailyah glanced up and shoved Niklaus out of the way, taking the white oak dagger to the side for her troubles. She screamed in pain and Elijah ripped Damon off of her, throwing him to the side, carelessly. At the same time, Kathrine stood effortlessly and Mikaels eyes widened in realization.
"Kathrine."
"Kaboom." Kathrine smirked before throwing the vervain bombs at the vampires behind him, klling them.
"Niklaus!" Aailyah yelled, ripping the white oak stake out of her side and throwing it towards Nik. He caught it and lunged at Mikael, tackling him to the ground and stabbing the stake into his heart.
"The only thing that kept me from being great, was you." Nik spat, driving it deeper as Mikael screamed in agony. He stood, watching his father die, and felt a small hand slip into his. Rebekah. She smiled sadly at him and he leaned down and kissed her hair. His eyes widened suddenly. "Aailyah!" He called spinning around.
"I'm okay Nik." Aailyah promised as he rushed towards her. "Just pissed off. Do you know how much my dress cost?" She whined, gesturing to the large, bloodred stain spreading across her ribcage. Elijah's eyes narrowed dangerously and he turned to where Damon was being held in a chokehold by Kol.
"That is the second time you've laid a hand on my wife, boy." Elijah snarled, stalking towards Damon.
"Technically I was aiming for your brother, it's Stefans fault I didn't make it." Damon choked out.
"Very true, and in the process, he earned his freedom." Klaus intervened, walking toward Stefan and locking eyes with him. "Thank you my friend. You no longer have to do as I say. You're free." He compelled.
"He yells 'Damon, no' and stands there like a bloody mannequin and gets a thank you. I just got stabbed by the one thing that can kill me, what do I get?" Aailyah whined to Rebekah and Kathrine.
"You can watch me kill your attacker." Elijah offered, driving his hand through Damons chest and wrapping it around his heart, squeezing maliciously. Stefan snapped to attention as Damon screamed in agony.
"Stop!" He yelled, rushing toward his brother, only to be blocked by Rebekah. "You can't kill him."
"I'm rather curious of how you plan to stop me." Elijah mused, glancing at the boy.
"I want to make a deal."
"Oh?" Elijah asked curiously. "And here I thought you'd be done making deals with my family. What do you have that I want?"
"The dagger." Stefan said desperately, making them all pause.
"Stefan, no." Damon choked out.
"If I give you the daggers, you let him go and don't retaliate against us for tonight. Deal?"
"Deal." Klaus said quickly. Elijah's lips pursed but he didn't protest, squeezing the heart viciously before removing his hand from Damon's rib cage, leaving him slumped in Kols chokehold.
"Your brother lives. Bring us the dagger." Elijsh demanded, walking to his wife and examining her nearly healed wound. Stefan hesitated, but took off to find it.
"I'm fine Elijah, really." Aailyah promised.
"He could have killed you." Elijah muttered, removing his jacket and wrapping it around her shoulders.
"He didn't Elijah. And now, no one can. The white oak stake is gone." Aailyah beamed at him. His lips quirked up slightly and he kissed her hair.
"Alright, enough with the mushy, gooey stuff." Damon interrupted. "If Katherines here, then where's Elena?"
"Giving blood again, so sorry she missed the party." Rebekah snarked.
"She gave up her eggs, died, and gave blood for you, when are you gonna leave her alone?" Damon snapped.
"As far as we know, doppelgangers are born every five hundred years. We need enough to last until then." At his incredulous look, Aailyah smirked. "It's not as much as it sounds, it doesn't take much to make a hybrid and we won't be making a ton, if all the werewolves of the world are hybrids, the race will die out and we'll never be able to make more. If we take blood from Elena every couple months for the next five years, we should be set."
"I've got the dagger." Stefan announced, entering the room, silver dagger in hand. He hesisted again, but handed the dagger to Klaus, who smirked.
"Pleasure doing business with you. Enjoy the party." He smirked, pocketing the dagger and leaving with his siblings. They returned to their mansion, sending a hybrid to take Elena home, and two more to gather Mikaels remains and put his coffin with their mothers. Elijah took Aaliyah's hand, leading her up the stairs into their bedroom. The moment the door closed behind them, he twirled her, so her back was to the door, hands clasping around her waist as he slammed his mouth against hers, devouring her. He left her breathless, slipping his tongue into her mouth and taking until she was clutching his shoulders, barely standing.
"Elijah-" She gasped as his lips trailed down her throat, sucking a mark into her skin before sinking his teeth in, letting her arch up into him as he swallowed a few pulls of her blood before running his tongue over the wound, feeling it close as his fingers ran over the blood covered tear in her dress where she'd been stabbed. "'Lijah…"
"Never again, Aailyah." He whispered, pressing a soft kiss over her pulse. "I never want you to do that again."
"He was-" His mouth sealed over hers, quieting her, and he pulled back slowly, resting his forehead against hers.
"I couldn't survive losing you, Aailyah. Promise me."
"I promise."
A.N. I'm still alive! I've kind of hit a slump finishing this story, I keep getting distracted with others. My ADHD is kicking my ass lately :(