Chapter 6
Posted: September 10, 2021
A/N: Wow, this was really fun and hard to write. I think this is the longest chapter of this fiction. This chapter made me really notice the difference in the writing style from when I first started. I hope I am still doing this story justice. Also, late night upload, please excuse any grammatical issues, I am very tired, haha.
In August 1856, a quaint island, dubbed Isle Deriner, laid opposite the famed city of New Orleans. Though small in size, the island was home to a sprawling resort and a small number of lavish estates. Nearly a fortnight into the month of August 1856, a natural disaster dubbed the 'Last Hurricane' ensued. Torrential winds shattered the island, hundreds of humans perished and all the vegetation lay to waste. Year after year, the ocean slowly swallowed the land mass, leaving little to the imagination and even less of the secret Mikaelson estate grounds.
The first Mikaelson estate was built on the mainland, in New Orleans, in the old suburbia of the French Quarter. At the turn of the twentieth century, the sired son of the hybrid original overtook the french quarter property when Mikael came to attack his fated children. But the second estate, the true Mikaelson estate, was not used for titillating soirets or intimate gatherings; rather, within the ornate walls contained a dark playground for devilish games, dark fantasies and scheming so conniving, Machiavelli himself would be put to shame.
Klaus overlooked the view of the ocean as he stood upon the gravelly decline of the island beach. The waves lapped against his Italian loafers. Although the island was a far cry from what it once was, he had a plan to fix it. He had a plan to fix everything.
Klaus' eyes fell upon said plan. He was pleasantly surprised to find her glittering orbs staring back. Her petite body lounged upon on a semi-clean rock.
"Finished daydreaming?" she tilted her head which exposed her delicate neck. Mahogany curls cascaded over her shoulder, reflecting the rays of sunlight.
As of the past twenty four hours, Klaus barely recognized Bonnie. The 'Mystic Falls' Bennett witch used to walk around as a scowl faced, paisley wearing bohemian. She exuded an unwavering superiority complex, which she directed towards all sired supernaturals, especially of the blood drinking origin. Klaus found it comical the witch was here with him, the originator of all those she abhorred.
Klaus also noticed the Bennett witch had taken on a new appearance. An appearance much more suited to Klaus' taste. Physically, she looked the same as she always had, her eyes still danced between a jade and golden hue, skin shone a burnished copper, although a bit brighter than before; most excitingly so, she showed off her figure in a sleek crimson dress, courtesy of Olivia, the human tag-a-long from the Burberry store in Virginia Airport.
The new look also seemed to come along with a new attitude. Klaus likened the witch to a bored house cat. Always lounging about, lost in her own thoughts and at times quick to anger.
Usually Klaus's witches came to him willingly. A 'flipped switch' was never a mandatory requirement to serve at his side. The hybrid almost salvitated in anticipation to see how the previously hyper-moralistic witch would navigate her new found lack of morals.
He beckoned the witch forward. She sighed dramatically, stood up and strutted through the rocky sand, full sway of hips and all, while donning crimson stilettos.
Not missing a beat.
Klaus laser focused on the sight before him, which triggered an innate urge to straighten his posture. He conceded to his gentlemanly nature and rolled his shoulders back.
Afterall, a lady in red doth approach.
A breeze blew by as Bonnie finally joined him. Together they stared at the ocean expanse, facing away from the island. A swirling scent of spicy florals assaulted his already sensitive nostrils. He inhaled the scent deeper, letting it swirl deep within his perished lungs. Almost forgetting himself, Klaus remembered the task at hand and took a side step closer to close the gap between the witch and himself.
"This used to be my view everyday," his hand extended outwards across the span of the ocean view. Their backs towards the New Orleans mainland.
"It is beautiful," the witch seemed entranced. As Klaus turned to face Bonnie, her now green eyes luminesced, looking up at the sky rather than the ocean view Klaus indicated at. Dark clouds loomed threateningly above. She snapped out of her trance and looked towards him, "Klaus, why are we here?"
"Beneath your blood red shoes are the remains of my old home," the witch looked around, he followed her gaze to the remnants in the sand where a foundation used to lay. Pieces of two hundred year old wood lay rotting and moulded. Shattered pieces of copper that used to inlay the old fixtures in the home had resurfaced. The ocean exposed the depths of the island's aged carnage. Klaus continued, "It was sprawling and white, with luscious foliage, the birds chirped-"
"With an abundance of necks for your insatiable appetite?"
"But of course, the very best, vacationers, at the neighbouring islands." Klaus motioned towards his left where an island lay beside, separated by a few miles of the ocean. "Alas, the hurricane claimed her structures too."
"Amazing," the witch breathed as if she was sharing a secret with herself, her lashes tickling her cheeks as she fluttered her lids closed for a few moments longer than normal. Her eyes opened once again as Klaus watched her, almost as if she felt his curiosity. Bonnie met his gaze with an arched brow, bit her bottom lip and slid her hand up her neck, caressing it before continuing, "I have a thing for storms."
Enraptured by the witches' self caress, Klaus' voice lowered an octave in response, "Yes, I remember."
Memories of the storm that helped shut-off the witch's humanity cycled through his mind in short bursts. Something in the way the witch fondled her own neck whilst completely unaware of her surroundings, peaked his interest. This was not the same Bennett witch he used to overlook. Klaus turned to tell her as much, but was interrupted.
"Hey! Klaus, where do you want the tent?" His hybrid lackey had impeccable timing.
"This way," he responded to Killian, his first in charge. He led Killian towards the grassier part of the island, or what was left of it. While still in an earshot of the witch Klaus called out, "Stay here, I will return." The witch didn't acknowledge him, she seemed absorbed by her own thoughts.
Klaus instructed Killian to set-up the tents and went over instructions for the reason behind their trip in the first place. The hybrid assured him he would keep an eye out on the witch.
Klaus walked back to where he last stood with Bonnie, "Now where did that witch go?" The island was sizable but not enough to lose a person. Their previous estate had taken a sixth of the island in its former glory; he should be able to spot her easily with the little that was left of the land mass.
Feeling a soft tap on his shoulder, Klaus whipped around to the sound of a breathy chuckle.
"Boo," the witch was levitating. Her previous height only allowed her line of sight beneath his chest level, but now she floated at eye level with Klaus.
"Having fun, are we?"
She shrugged and with all the grace of a swan, landed softly back on the ground, "My definition of fun includes less clothing and a bubble bath. Not a muddy beach."
"Plenty of fun can be had on a muddy beach."
"The hybrid likes to get dirty," her eyes sparked, "surprise surprise."
"On occasion, with the right witch."
Klaus' flirtatious victory came to halt. The witches' eyes turned from mirth to boredom with the quickness of snapping one's fingers.
"So, why are we here? Is this desecrated island a part of your evil plot?"
Klaus hid his shock to the change of tide from the young witch, "How intuitive. Yes it does actually, but you are the main key,.
"How so?"
"This used to be our second estate. A hidden estate."
"It's demolished now."
"Yes, and you are going to fix it."
"Excuse me?"
"Come now Bonnie, you have the power, you just have to use it."
"Look Klaus, I didn't come here to be your architect. The offer I agreed to was simple. In exchange for helping me hone my magical skills, I, in turn, would help you build your hybrid army."
"You are not incorrect, but consider the resurrection of my island estate a primer to your magical training."
"That was not part of the deal."
"I think you blindly underestimated what was part of the deal when you agreed to come along," Klaus' eyes flashed, and he took a step forward towards the witch, looking down upon her, "Joining the likes of me is not like frolicking around with your juvenile Mystic Falls gang. No no dearest, you have given your hand to the big bad wolf, much will be required of you."
A husky growl escaped her pink lips, yet the witches expression remained unchanged. The hidden wolf in Klaus reared its head in response, his canines extending on instinct. He glared into her eyes and she glared right back, her jade orbs filled with ire.
"We need privacy, a home base to conduct our affairs, to make our plans and inevitably build the army. Insipid humans and low tier supernaturals having easy access to my home will make our tasks that much harder. Do you wish for us to bring unnecessary attention upon ourselves?"
"Funny, you seemed to bathe in the glow of attention back in Mystic Falls. What's changed?" her head cocked and her eyes feigned surprise.
The audacity of the witch. Klaus spat in response, "Don't compare New Orleans to that village you call a town. Unless you wish to return?"
"I could care less about Mystic falls."
"I would beg to differ."
"Well sir, differ on," she challenged, folding her arms and jutting out a curvaceous hip. He watched the slight ripple of her ample backside as a result. His canines retracted.
"Riddle me this, if you did not care, as you claim, will you admit that your friends treated you like an indispensable magical fountain?" He paused, gauging her reaction. She turned away from his gaze. "Yet you have nothing to show for it. Almost all your family is dead, whilst theirs are mostly intact. You were merely a magical instrument. When they strummed your cords, you hummed your magical prowess and saved their lives at nobody's expense but your own. You cared for Mystical Falls and its inhabitants, a lot."
But Klaus was not finished, he began to circle the witch. She was his pretty prey, trying to avoid his gaze and lips that spoke a painful truth.
"I should at least receive some credit. Before you almost killed the Doppleganger, I gave you a choice: kill her quickly with unfulfillment or come with me. Coming with me would allow you to refine your skill while working on my greater cause. And whenever you are ready to kill the Mystic Falls lot, may I add, with your future magical prowess, I would kill for a front row seat," he let out a dark laugh at the thought, "Forgive me I've lost my train of thought," he let out a wolfish grin, "Being here with me offers you a beneficial win-win situation."
"Being here, with you, benefits you in the long term as well. Don't act as if you're doing me any favours," the witch placed a slim finger against his chest, making sure to pierce the exposed skin on his neck before pulling back. Maybe she thought she to cause him pain, but her act only reminded Klaus of the naughty behaviours he enjoyed in the confines of his bedroom.
He chuckled in admission, "Of course it benefits me. A deal is meant to satisfy both parties and you cannot deny that my deal does not satisfy your needs."
The witch remained silent. Staring off into the dark sky.
"Do I have your cooperation or not?"
"I would have left by now if you didn't."
"Excellent," Klaus rubbed his hands together in victory, "I will need you to erect the sunken part of the island and the old estate. Try to restore everything as it once was, I would hate to bring a contractor out here to finish the job."
He glanced at the witch, she was assessing her nail beds. The stain of his blood on the tip of her pointer finger.
Brat.
Klaus prattled on regardless.
"You have five days to resurrect this island and the Mikaelson former estate to its former glory," Bonnie was still making a show of examining her nails, Klaus' wolf grew feral, "Prove to me that you can earn your keep and you deserve a seat at my table."
A frightening expression crept upon the witches face. Her lips stabbed each syllable out, Klaus could feel the reverberation echoing painfully in his mind, "A. Bennett. Witch. doesn't have to prove herself to. Anyone. Especially a vampire."
Klaus shook his head slightly, trying to regain his bearings after the painful echo of her words. He hadn't experienced that magical effect since his early days. Mother dearest would use that as a form of discipline. Although not enjoyable, he preferred it to his fathers methods of discipline.
"Then prove it to yourself. And try to avoid those incessant nosebleeds while you're at it, love. With your bloodline and immense power, you should be able to perform this task while sleeping, but since I am so gracious," he bent his back in Shakespearean bow which elicited an incredulous noise from the witch, "five days should suffice."
She stared at him, her expression blank. Or was it annoyance? Klaus couldn't tell the difference anymore.
"Back to ignoring me? Fantastic! Find your way back to Mystic Falls. And while you're gone, I'll have Rebekah feed that Olivia girl to my Hybrids," he checked his own nail beds in mock of her, "After she's dressed them in designer of course," he winked for emphasis.
Bonnie's eyes flashed and jade green irises transformed to dark gold.
"Tsk tsk love, your heart is on your sleeve for the human girl."
"Tell your hybrid scum to keep their hands off of her."
"We'll talk about it when you're done with your task."
Klaus' mistake was not taking heed to her eyes earlier, Bonnie pushed a flaming palm against his chest and sent him flying backwards, all ten miles towards the New Orleans mainland. The sound of ribs cracking rang through Klaus' ears upon the sudden impact with the rocky mainland beach. He found his lower extremities submerged in the murky water and his arms mangled intricately between sharp rocks.
Klaus chuckled while he enjoyed the spasming pain tearing through his body. His red life essence burbled in his throat, threatening to choke him. He whipped out his cell phone, the movement eliciting intense agony, he groaned in pain, which again turned into a chuckle. The original heard the internal crackling of his bones fusing together while he pressed the 'call' button on his phone.
Killian, his hybrid right hand, still back on the island, answered his call.
"Boss you alright? Want me to handle her?"
Klaus' eyes narrowed, "Stand down Killian and do not lay a single finger on her person."
"Okay Boss," his lackey sounded relieved. The coward.
"And Killian?" Klaus paused to cough, blood spilling from his mouth, "Watch her with your life and call me when it's done." Klaus ended the call.
Waiting for his body to heal, the original recalled the fire in the witch's eyes and felt the power she possessed. No doubt she would finish the task he set out for her.
Not to protect that pathetic human girl, nor to prove her capabilities to Klaus.
All noble causes, in his opinion. But the witch had something to prove to herself.
And Klaus of all beings, respected that above all else.
"What have you been doing, swimming in the swamps of Louisiana?"
"Not now, Rebekah." he warned, flicking off his shoes as he entered the foyer of the Casino Royale Hotel suite. He promptly dropped the nine hundred dollar Italian loafers in the bin. His favourite pair too.
He trudged down the wood panelled hall to his master suite. His sister followed along like a shadow.
"Did your witch do this to you?"
"Next question."
"Where is the witch?"
"Off fulfilling her witchly duties."
"Care to elaborate?"
"Not particularly."
"Nik," the petulant whine of his baby sister. How Klaus loathed the sound.
"I took her to Isle Deriners."
Rebekah's brows furrowed,"Whatever for?"
"I want our estate back," Klaus sighed and turned to face his sister.
"But the island has been sunken and desecrated for the past two hundred years!"
"Precisely why I took the witch there, so she could undo the damage and resurrect our previous family property."
"But we have a massive manor in the quarter. Remember the plan? Take over the french quarter, take our house back, and then you can run off into the sunset with your bloody hybrids."
"You forgot an essential part of the plan."
"What's that?"
"Get rid of Marcellus." Rid or kill? Kill Marcellus? Was he capable of an action so severe against his lawless 'son'?
Rebekah's lips remained pursed.
"Nothing to say on the matter, sister?"
"What more is there to say, your mind is clearly made up on how to handle him."
Rebekah never knew what was good for her. Klaus always had to clean-up her messes and trash her ungentlemanly suitors.
"I will handle him as a miscreant needs to be handled."
His sister's eyebrow arched, a slow smirk emerged on Rebekah's lips, "Just like I'm sure you handled the witch for her bout of anger," she raked her eyes from Klaus' dampened blonde curls, to his bloodied clothing and finally landing on his now bare feet.
"Tread lightly dear sister," Klaus warned, his eyes glowing the infamous wolf yellow.
"No, it is you who should tread lightly, Niklaus. Do you even know how to handle a witch with her humanity off? Perhaps you should trade her in for a milder witch." Rebekah said, a cheshire grin spread across her face.
"It matters not. I control whomever I want, whenever I want," his eyebrows raised to his forehead, daring her to challenge him. Refusing the bait, Rebekah only rolled her eyes in response. Delighted at her silence, Klaus couldn't help but prod his sister with his own findings, "It's rather peculiar that you have such a dismissive opinion on the witch, when not less than twenty four hours ago, you enjoyed a shopping spree and even abducted yourselves a stylist. Seems to me, the pair of you are thick as thieves."
"I admit, I rather like the new saucy Bennett witch," Rebekah tilted her head and her blonde locks followed gravity, "She doesn't seem to give a damn. Its infuriating and kind of hot at the same time," his sisters expression seemed to dawn on the brink of realization and she brought a hand to her chin, a smirk danced across her lips, "I can see why you want her around."
"Are you quite finished?" Klaus had continued walking in the midst of their conversation, his annoying shadow following along to his disdain. He now found himself in the master bedroom of the hotel suite, standing in the doorway, watching the onslaught of giggles that accosted his sister.
"N-o-," Rebekah could barely form a sentence. A manicured hand covered her mouth as her shoulders shook, hardly keeping her laughter at bay.
He shut the door in her face.
Little sisters were such a nuisance.
So much banter this chapter. I hope I captured the characters essences.
Let me know what you think, reviews are always welcome.
Stay safe!