**A/N: Hey guys, it's been a while hasn't it? Sorry about that. Life has been a whirlwind and writing has taken a backseat. My motivation and inspiration have just not been there. Now though, with both kiddos in school and loads of free time, I'm hoping that'll change. No worries though, I will always come back to my fics. I hope you enjoy and as always, please leave me a review! This chapter has been edited by my beta Casey**
As I paced in circles on the Lockwoods front porch, I admitted internally that I wasn't in top form. I attempted to head inside and wait patiently for Niklaus and his merry band of lackeys. Still, as soon as I tried to step past the threshold of the front door, it was as if I was magically barred entrance. The air was swept from my lungs, and it felt impossible to breathe. My entire body was vibrating with panic. Thankfully Elena seemed to understand that although I was reluctant to reveal what had happened, it was a big deal. She remained by my side, anxiously watching me pace. It wasn't hard to see that she wanted answers, but at the moment, I wasn't in any frame of mind to supply them. I was grateful when she decided not to press me. While I paced, I tried to wrap my mind around the fact that Niklaus and Elijah had dug Esther up, deciding to carry her around like some rare collectible. Halfway through another round of pacing, my wonderfully treacherous brain switched trains of thought, supplying me with a brand new terrifying tidbit to chew on. Maybe the other Mikaelsons were as blind to this information as I was? I stopped in my tracks, placing my head in my hands and groaning in frustration. Regardless, it was the absolute worst game of tempting fate. I was prevented from circling and inevitably restarting my pacing by Elijah's tight, unforgiving grip on my upper shoulders. I wobbled on the heels of my feet, and reaching up, I used his biceps to brace myself. With a cocked brow, he stared down at me, his jaw set tight.
"Elandra, you need to calm yourself. Mother cannot reach you. She has been dead for centuries and will remain so."
I laid my forehead against his chest, and my shoulders shook as I tried to keep my hysterics at bay. A chill spread down my spine as I exhaled through my nose. "I want to believe that, Elijah, but you didn't feel her magic. It's pulsing with life. She's just waiting for an opportunity...someone that she can manipulate into doing her bidding. I'm sure she has all the help she needs on the other side. She just has to wait for what she needs on this one," I said with conviction.
Elijah's eyes softened, but I could see the disbelief in his gaze. Whether that be because he genuinely wanted to believe we were all safe or because he didn't think there was any way she could find her way back from the other side. It didn't matter. What did was the fact that no one ever listened to me until it was too late. Gently gripping Elijah's jacket, I squeezed my eyes shut and tried to dig deep, searching for the courage I would need. I couldn't allow Esther to free herself. If she did, I did not doubt that this time she would take everything from me. If I couldn't get anyone to take my fears seriously, I would handle the situation independently. It's not like I wasn't used to doing just that.
Flexing my fingers, I released Elijah, carefully brushing down his jacket with a small smile, and stepped back. I ran my fingers through my messy hair, biting the inside of my cheek to stave off any anxious facial expressions. He scrutinized me uneasily, his head tilting to take in my feigned smile. His narrowed eyes probed my flittering gaze, and I patted his chest as I tried to casually search for a quick change of subject. The soft feel of material under my palm caught my attention, and I crossed my arms, a brighter smile overtaking my lips.
"Well, look at you." My gaze raked over Elijah as I took in his new attire. The suit he now wore was a classic black slim-fit design, with a freshly pressed white dress shirt underneath. He paired it with a dark merlot red tie to complement the look. "The former Mayor had taste — that's about the only good thing you'll ever hear me say about him," I said.
I gently patted his chest one final time as I took a heavier step backward, releasing a near-silent puff of relieved breath. I chuckled when Tyler let loose a self-deprecating snort of agreement somewhere behind Elijah. I shrugged, unashamed by my outburst; that man had been an abusive ass. Elijah merely lowered his head, a questioning shuffle of his browline the only indication that what I had said had been of any interest to him. I stepped around Elijah, running my hands down my face as I resumed my pacing. It was much to the annoyance of my Original brother if his heavy sigh was any indication.
"Please come inside and relax until Niklaus arrives. Pacing an indention in the concrete will help no one," Elijah said, extending his hand and wiggling his fingers in a welcoming fashion.
I paused, my expression shifting to one of trepidation; I felt like such a coward. Swallowing down my anxiety, I glanced at Elena, fear-filled tears clouding my vision. She was silently sitting on the white patio chair beside me — awaiting my decision. Standing to her feet, she placed her palm on my lower back and gently shoved me forward with a small smile of encouragement. My fingers trembling, I took Elijah's rough hand and allowed him to lead me inside. The logical side of me knew that he was right, there was no way Esther could get to me at this point, but that did little to dispel my fear. For centuries, I thought the threat she posed to me (apart from my curse) was over; she was supposed to be dead and gone. Now that I knew the truth — that a part of her is very much alive — the all-consuming anxiety I used to carry around in my first life was back with a vengeance. My body was once again attuned to her presence. At one point, I had used it as a defense mechanism. It was a way to know where she was at all times so that I could avoid her when able.
As Elijah pulled me into the house, I could feel her magic brush against mine, seeking a weakness to exploit; she was actively trying to return. Esther's magic was like cancer seeping through the stone of Lockwood Mansion, searching for something to latch onto. She was not only dangerous to the Mikaelsons and me but to every vampire in existence. Elijah led me into the parlor and placed me in front of the sizable cream-colored sofa. The skin around his warm hazel eyes crinkled as he glared down at me. "Sit and be calm!" he firmly demanded.
I quickly sat, almost falling over in my haste, and folded my hands in my lap — a much younger version of myself flowing to the surface. Elijah had taken on the commander's job to the youngest of us, and he had never dropped the title. Finn might be the eldest, but Elijah was most certainly the one we all looked up to. His lips twitched as he adjusted his tie, nodding in satisfaction. He took a seat in the dark black armchair to his right and crossed his legs, tilting his head toward the wide-eyed duo near the door. Tyler and Elena — who remained planted in the doorway with shock lightening their features — scoffed when Elijah casually waved his hand around, motioning at all the empty seats. I glanced over my shoulder and nudged them forward, my face wrinkled with annoyance. Slowly, they inched into the room. As they crept toward us, I blinked a few times, inhaling deeply in an attempt to calm my erratic heart rate. Glancing at Tyler, I watched in amusement as he strategically chose the mahogany chair in the corner, the one with the best view of the room — near the far window. Placing his hands on his knees, his expression shifted between confusion and anger — likely at my newly subdued state. Elena slid past Elijah, her hands raised, with a strained and awkward smile. She let her hair tumble forward — effectively hiding her face as she took a seat at the other end of the couch.
Leaning close, she reached out, placing a hand on my knee. "Ellie, are you sure you're okay?" she hesitantly asked.
I ran my hands up and down my thighs, but the rough denim of my jeans did little to help calm my nerves. I jerkily nodded, my jaw aching in protest as my teeth smacked together. I kept my eyes trained ahead, somehow finding the dormant wood in the fireplace more alluring than I usually would.
"Yeah, sure, Elena. I'm a regular cucumber over here," I squeaked, all but creating my own fire as I continuously rubbed my thighs.
Elijah tapped at the armrest of his chair. After a few consecutive run-throughs, the familiar rhythm caught my attention. My hands slowed as I glanced up at him. He was staring at me with an expectant yet patient expression. His eyes were soft as his fingers started tapping the same rhythm again — the lullaby of our youth. A shuddering breath caught in my throat, and I felt my eyes begin to burn. I shared a warm smile with my brother and placed my fisted hand against my heart in thanks.
The deep rumbling of an engine caught our attention, and Elena scooted closer to me, her clammy arm wrapping around mine. In the corner of the room, I could see Tyler straighten his spine, his chest shaking slightly as he took in a sharp breath. It had been an unspoken moment between us, my desire for him to remain at my side — I was thankful when he had easily understood my request. I wasn't entirely ready for Niklaus to know that there were werewolves in Mystic Falls, but to be honest, I needed the strength Tyler's friendship and bond provided. Besides, I wasn't sure if Niklaus would be able to tell before the ritual that I was Tyler's Alpha, so there was still hope that I could keep that secret a while longer. Elijah stood, buttoning and brushing down his jacket, and I kept my eyes on him — soaking up the strength of his presence. I had Elijah, and somewhere Rebekah lingered. Even if she had temporarily decided to remain hidden, I knew she had my back, and that was all I needed. I could handle Niklaus and anything that followed. Esther's remains would not be sticking around, and no one would stand in my way.
Even without enhanced hearing, I heard the hinges of the front door rattling as they were forcefully pushed open. Closing my eyes, I stood, stepping next to Elijah. I wanted to show that we were a united front, even if I was supremely pissed at him. Niklaus was known to do foolish things, but Elijah was supposed to be the level-headed one. Yet, he had included himself in the worst idea they had ever had — and that was saying something. At some point, he would be in for a very long lecture.
Several heavy sets of footsteps carried along the hardwood floor. I tensed, grateful when Elijah brought his hand to my back, running his fingertips along my spine. A deep growl had my head snapping up to meet the cyan eyes of one very angry Original Hybrid. He stood in the middle of a small group of his henchmen, one of them being the woman I had seen through Rebekah's eyes: the one and only Greta Martin. Today, she wore another gorgeous dress in a dark plum color with a plunging neckline and a beautiful floaty mesh fabric, with two very high thigh splits. My jaw ticked with annoyance as I clamped my teeth together tightly. I almost rolled my eyes as she smirked at my blatant perusal. The palm on my back twitched, Elijah's reminder for me to remain calm, and I huffed — crossing my arm. Niklaus stepped forward, his fury-filled gaze trained on his brother, and I felt Elena slide behind me. Tyler hovered in the corner of the room, his body shivering. It wasn't hard to guess that he must be torn between wishing to protect me and remaining hidden — as he knew I would want him to. I couldn't imagine what he was feeling. There was no doubt that his wolf could sense the more powerful Alpha was Niklaus. Offhandedly, I wondered if it wanted him to bow down in supplication.
Greta hovered close to Niklaus as he stepped further into the room. I felt my left eye twitch — just as I had expected, it didn't look like Greta Martin needed anyone to save her from Niklaus; it looked like she wanted my foot up her ass.
"Don't you look lively, brother? It seems the reunion you wished for with our siblings did not last," Niklaus said, his head slowly turning toward me, eyes flashing with betrayal.
I kept the curling of my lips hidden as I saw his gaze dart fearfully toward the doorway, obviously wondering if this would be a proper family reunion. My teeth ran along my lower lip to control my building amusement, and I let loose a small sigh. "I only did what I had to; you know I couldn't allow him to stay boxed up. Elijah and I have much we need to discuss with you," I said, my amusement dying quickly at the reminder of what was brewing beneath our feet.
Niklaus sneered, his focus falling on Elena as she shakily cowered between Elijah and me. I reached behind me and casually pressed my palm against her hip, pushing her to the side, just in case things became heated between the siblings — I didn't want her caught in the crossfire. Elena huffed, her body stiffening as she tried to fight me, and I wiggled my nose in annoyance. Niklaus's lips twitched briefly, the dimples in his cheeks on full display as he bit back a smile. All faded as Elijah stepped in front of us, and his features contorted with fury.
"It's time that we spoke, Niklaus. Send your sycophants away; this is family business," he said, raising his hand, his fingers flicking toward the doorway. He lowered his chin and glared at the smirking witch all but glued to Niklaus's side.
Niklaus's entire body stiffened, and barely hidden fury flashed in his eyes. Running his tongue along his lower lip, a dark smile transformed his face. His shoulders flexed as his anger built up steam. "How dare you speak of family while you and Elandra plot against me! Do you honestly expect me to stand here and listen to your lies? I have everything I need to break my curse. I have the moonstone, a vampire, a werewolf, and you've so kindly brought me my doppelganger. Now I don't even need to fetch her. Why would I spend my precious time listening to you blather on?" he shouted, his face turning red as he stepped closer.
Elena scoffed behind me, and in her anger, she moved between Elijah and me — her lips parted in preparation for an onslaught. Elijah sighed with an exasperated roll of his eyes, placing his hand on Elena's shoulder to still her. "You may have what you need for your ritual, brother, but there are still things you do not know. If you ever hope to create more creatures like yourself— "
With my eyes widened in disbelief and infuriated by the way Elijah dared speak of his brother, I smacked his upper arm with the back of my hand. I nearly swallowed my hair as I twisted around to face him, my expression warped with disgust. Niklaus couldn't prevent a self-satisfied smirk from pulling up his lips, and he momentarily allowed his cold stare to warm as his gaze fell upon me. Pulling down the edges of his sleeves, Elijah glared down at me, his eyes glowing with irritation. I held his heated gaze with my own, mine much more unforgiving. Niklaus had been called many things by many people — their father being one of them — but I would be damned if his own siblings would treat him like some sort of abomination.
With a deep, resigned sigh, he looked over my head. "You're right, of course, Elandra. That was a poor choice of words. I apologize, Niklaus," Elijah plainly said.
With a curl of his full lips, Niklaus lifted an amused brow, but his amusement swiftly died as a small laugh rumbled from the corner of the room. I lowered my head in silent defeat, my teeth grinding together. Niklaus's head snapped toward the sound, his eyes narrowed menacingly, and he took a step toward a paling Tyler. Hurriedly, I hopped forward, standing between Tyler and Niklaus. Without much thought, I glanced over my shoulder, my hand casually lifted out beside me, and I quickly gestured between the two. "Nik, this is my friend, Tyler Lockwood. Tyler this is, Niklaus Mikaelson — the Original Hybrid. Everyone says, hi!" I said brightly, waving my hands in a wide circle.
Elena released a nervous laugh, her hands coming up to cover her mouth as if shocked by the sound. Elijah placed his fingertips on the bridge of his nose, and I scrunched up my face in apology but remained positioned between Tyler and the temperamental Hybrid. Niklaus lowered his head, his nostrils flaring, and I winced as his eyes rounded in disbelief. His shoulders rocked as he inhaled sharply. "A wolf? It seems someones been busy," he dangerously said.
I simply shrugged, refusing to let his anger trouble me. "Well, you know me, I make friends wherever I go," I said, smiling sweetly.
Niklaus looked past me at Tyler, who was slowly approaching, and his face started to shift, black veins growing like vines under his darkened eyes. Niklaus leaned closer, a growl — that I could somehow feel deep in the pit of my stomach — building from his chest. With a calming smile, I leaned forward, placing my hand on his chest, and gently caressed him. I tilted my head to the side, and he watched me intently — briefly shaking his head — a knowing glint in his eyes as my hair fell to the side, revealing my bare neck. "He's a friend, Nik," I said.
"But a wolf, love? That's dangerous company," he said, a hint of something unsaid hidden in his voice.
Tyler scoffed behind me, and I almost groaned in aggravation as I glanced at him out of the corner of my eye. My stomach dropped as he crossed his muscled arms over his chest, smiling wickedly. There was a flash of something in his brown orbs, almost like excitement, before he skillfully wiped the emotion from his face. "You're just angry that you're no longer the only wolf in her life," he said, the triumphant raising of his brows lighting up his face.
Niklaus bared his pearlescent pointed teeth and forcefully shoved me behind him. I stumbled, caught swiftly by Elijah. Glancing up at him, I was shocked to find his hazel eyes darkening into pools of red. This was going from bad to worse, and I was sick of all of the testosterone flooding the air. A near-silent huff from Elena proved I wasn't the only one. She stood behind Elijah, her arms taut and her lips pinched. I wasn't sure why Tyler had chosen to poke the bear, but I would kick his ass for it later. Stepping away from Elijah, I stomped forward, standing between the two wolves.
"That's enough! I am not going to stand here and listen to the two of you bicker. We have more important things to discuss." I glared at Tyler, who shamefully looked at his feet, his cheeks reddening. Pointing to the loveseat, I narrowed my eyes. "Take a seat, Lockwood; Elena, join him." Turning on my heel, I glanced at Niklaus. The veins under his eyes were starting to dissipate, and his darkened eyes were back to the beautiful cyan I knew and loved. "Niklaus, would you mind taking a seat as well? As Elijah said before, we do have information about the ritual that you're not privy to," I said, my shoulders sagging as I released a giant sigh.
Niklaus raised a surprised brow, and his calculating look sent a shiver down my spine. "You're just full of surprises these days, Elandra," he said.
A shiver of apprehension slipped down my spine as he sauntered over to the cushy red chair by the fireplace, and I tried to keep my expression blank. Was he disappointed by the new me? Elijah took the seat to Niklaus' right, and I brushed nonexistent lint from my shirt as I turned toward the doorway — where Niklaus's henchmen still stood. With a hardened gaze, I looked straight at Greta Martin. "You won't be needed for this conversation, Ms. Martin. Please take the others and leave," I said, a sickly sweet edge to my tone.
There was just something about Greta that rubbed me the wrong way, and even with the burning itch swirling around my wrist while in her presence, I just couldn't get past my dislike of her. I knew at some point I would need to sit her down long enough to dissolve my vow, but that was not today. Greta brushed her long silky dark hair over one shoulder, a cocky smile on her pink lips, and crossed her arms — purple painted fingers tapping at her elbow. "You have no authority here, little girl," she said.
A heavy pit of anger grew in my stomach, and my fingernails sparkled; I could feel a swirl of electric blue heat flowing into the palm of my hand. A sharp intake of feminine breath caught my attention, and I smiled; Elena knew Geta had fucked up.
"Little girl? Oh, Greta...you don't know who I am, do you? It seems leaving your family behind to join Niklaus did not make you as powerful as you had hoped. Your father and brother picked up on my power as soon as we met," I said, slowly approaching her.
Greta watched me without a hint of unease. She proudly stood, her back ramrod straight and her eyes full of confidence I had no doubt she had earned while on the road with Niklaus. However, she would soon learn one fundamental rule, there was always someone stronger.
I sauntered closer, my head tilted to one side as I took her in. I didn't want to hurt her, and at this point, I couldn't — my vow wouldn't allow it, but I would teach her a lesson. My honor demanded it. I circled her, running my fingers along her collarbone. I leaned close, my breath leaving a trail of goosebumps along her skin.
"Did your father ever tell you the stories about the Daughters of the old Gods?" I asked, pulling away.
Gretas breathing hitched, her lashes fluttering in confusion, and a bright, slightly evil smile overtook my face. I clapped my hands together merrily as I came to stand in front of her. Greta's confidence faltered, and a flicker of alarm passed over her face. "Of course he did. Every witch and warlock knows of the Daughters. They were the most powerful witches in existence, but they all died out over a thousand years ago. The last one burned..." she said, unease, tempering her tone.
The cacophony of growls and sharp intakes of breath coming from behind me brought a fierce protective warmth to my chest. I smiled weakly, my gaze never leaving Gretas. Her wide-eyed stare strengthened my smile, and I chuckled lightly, placing my fisted hand under my chin. "Oh, they did die out; you're right there, but ya see, one of them doesn't stay dead."
Greta's eyes widened, and the color rapidly drained from her face. Lowering my arms, I opened the palms of my hands and felt the familiar tingle of my magic as my palms started to glow a fiery blue. The electric current rose, engulfing my arms in a flickering flame. "It's a long, drawn-out story; family drama and all that. You know how it is," I said, waving my hand out in front of me, my magic crackling menacingly in Greta's face.
Greta fell to her knees, a plea of apology clear in her eyes and the ruby hue of embarrassment coloring her cheeks as she stared up at me in awe. I looked down at the witch at my feet and felt nothing but annoyance.
"Send her away, Elandra. You do not need another witch," Elijah tiredly said.
I glanced over my shoulder, a chuckle falling from my lips. "Another witch?" I amusedly asked.
Elijah grinned lovingly, leaning forward in his seat. "You know the Martins are at your disposal, Lannie," he said.
I heard Greta's breath catch but ignored her surprise, distracted by the way Niklaus watched Elijah with disgusted fury. His nails dug into the soft fabric of his chair, and his jaw was tight as his narrowed eyes scanned his brother's face. Exhausted by his mood swings, I glanced down at Greta, my wrist aching uncomfortably. Her awe-filled expression turned my stomach. "Take the others and wait outside," I said.
With a quick nod, Greta stumbled to her feet, almost tripping on her extravagant dress, and took the nearest man by his shoulder, mumbling under her breath as she pulled him from the room. The others followed them, only briefly glancing at Niklaus, who merely nodded his head in approval. Rubbing my hand down my face, I took a seat beside Elena and Tyler on the couch and readied myself for an exhausting conversation. For a few silent moments, no one spoke. The only sounds in the room were the quick breaths of Elena, followed only by the tapping of Tyler's foot.
"Well, this is incredibly awkward," a soft voice erupted beside me.
I squeaked in surprise, ending the silent stand-off, and Rebekah giggled — her dress swishing against her thighs as she sashayed into the middle of the room. She stood directly in front of her brothers, and my eyes burned as I finally saw them all together. Niklaus's brows furrowed as he watched me seemingly stare at nothing. Still, thankfully before he could question what I was doing, Elena took charge. Her eyes darted between me and the empty air, and she quickly understood, swiftly standing to her feet.
"Elara is a witch!" she shouted, wincing as her voice cracked.
Tyler lowered his hand against the ear closest to Elena and winced his nose wrinkling. I blinked rapidly in confusion, and my chest shook as I started giggling in embarrassment on her behalf. Her cheeks began to color, and an attractive raspberry blush flooded her face, flowing down her neck. Elijah cleared his throat and patted the armrest of his chair.
"Miss Gilbert, that is something we are both aware of. Though I appreciate your enthusiasm," he said.
Elena covered her face with both hands, her fingers trembling with nerves, and mumbled incoherently against her palms. Rebekah came to sit on the edge of the couch beside me, her lips curled with laughter. "This is too good," she said
"We can't hear you, Lena. Maybe this time start at medium?" Tyler said, pulling at his earlobe.
I kicked his leg, rolling my eyes at his exaggerated wince, and felt a rush of air pass over my shoulder. Glancing up, I noticed Rebekah nudge her head toward Niklaus. "Maybe you should avoid playing with your puppy for now?"
Niklaus was glaring heatedly at Tyler, dark veins flickering to life under his eyes. His grip on his chair was rough enough to rip apart the fabric, small pieces of stuffing falling to the floor at his feet. I placed my hand against my forehead and sighed inaudibly. This was not going to work; he would definitely have to deal with his territorial anger issues. Elena shuffled beside me, and I glanced up at her as she removed her hands from her face.
"What I meant to say was, Elara is a witch, and that means that she knows things that you don't. Over her...many years, she has studied your ritual Klaus, and she has learned things," she said, kicking her foot aimlessly.
Niklaus focused his attention on Elena, surprise evident on his face. She had chosen to address him personally; she was proving how brave she could be. I was proud of her. He continued to stare at her — sizing her up — for more than one reason. Leaning back in his seat, he crossed his arms over his chest with an unbelieving smirk on his face. "And what exactly did Elara discover about my ritual, little doppelganger?" he asked, spitting out my foreign name with contempt.
Elena swiftly turned to me, shuffling nervously. I could quickly tell that she was nearing the end of her bravery in the face of the Original Hybrids invasive stare. I remained seated. Unlike my sister, I didn't feel the need to present myself as a student sharing a report. I scooted to the edge of my seat and placed my elbow on my knee, leaning my chin onto my fisted palm. I giddily waved, smiling at the flash of annoyance on the face of all three Originals; I couldn't wait for Kol to wake up. He would enjoy my repartee.
"Elara here! I know, it's not a name you're used to, but it's the name my 21st-century momma gave me." Niklaus bared his pointed teeth in warning, his face flushed as he rotated his shoulders, shifting in his seat. I raised my hands in supplication and rolled my eyes, ignoring the disapproving click of Elijah's tongue. "Goodness, Nik, let me finish before you try to rip my head off. Elena was right. I have studied the ritual for centuries. It's been a bit of an obsession of mine. I wanted to know all I could so that if I ever came across any of you, I could offer my help. With my own curse, Esther had added clauses, and I knew that there was no way she hadn't done the same to you...sneaky little bitch that she is." Niklaus winced, and I could sense it was not only because I had mentioned my curse; he had noticed the lack of past tense. "So after I did my digging, I found Mama Mikaelsons little secret; the doppelganger needs to live for the ritual to be fully complete," I said, sitting up with a bright grin and smacking my thighs in triumph.
Niklaus's eyes narrowed, and his focus snapped between the two of us. Disbelief, anger, betrayal, and fear were evident in his gaze, and I felt pity well inside me. His first instinct would always be to suspect treachery because that was what he had come to expect. Throughout his long life, there were so few people who had not turned on him. Had he earned most of what he had received...probably, but the first betrayals he had suffered were all undeserved — and they are what created the paranoid man he is now.
Elijah turned to his brother, his expression calm, fingers creating a trail along his chin. "I, too, had a hard time believing her at first. You and I both know that Elandra will do almost anything for those she loves."
I tsked lightly in annoyance, crossing my legs and sitting back in my seat as Elijah raised his hand for silence. Elena took a seat close at my side, her face frozen in a mask of fear — even though she fought to hide it. I took her hand in mine, rubbing a soothing circle along her skin. It was starting to become real, if Niklaus chose not to believe us, she would be sacrificed, and there would be no coming back.
"After I finished speaking with both of them, I asked the Martins to look into their claims. On the other side, Jonas discovered that the witches spoke of Esthers adamant claim that the doppelganger needed to die for the ritual to be complete…." Elijah trailed off, his head cocked to the side as he waited for Niklaus to understand what he was saying.
Niklaus lowered his gaze, not meeting our eyes as he debated with himself. "You can't expect me to take your word for it, Elijah. As you said, Elandra is quite protective of those she cares about. For some reason, the doppelganger is one of them — and you have always done whatever you can to remain in El's good graces." Confusion filled me as I watched him glare at Elijah, his entire demeanor changing as he leaned forward, staring deep into his brother's eyes. I looked away, shocked by the way they angrily stared at one another. It was easy to see that this was a deep-seated conflict that I was only now becoming privy to. "I will have my witch look into this and then decide what I will do with the information she brings me. Until then, I will continue to plan the ritual, and if either of you interferes, I will not hesitate to take matters into my own hands," Niklaus said.
Elijah sat back, nodding his head in acceptance. I, too, released a deep sigh of relief. This was precisely what I had hoped he would do. All we needed was for him to have Greta ask around about the ritual, and it would be all too easy for him to see that Esther had added a caveat. After that, we could start planning Elena's resurrection and ease him into the idea of her simply donating blood to him on a bi-monthly basis. Elena shivered, her slick palm reaching out to grip onto my hand as she released a deep breath. Her shoulders slumped as her body came down from a heady adrenaline rush. I listened to her breathing even out, my focus jumping from Tylers bouncing knee and back to the floor. I intentionally avoided the silently fuming Niklaus, staring out the window beside Elijah, his lips pursed and eyes narrowed. At some point, I would need to bring up the fact that he had Esther boxed and brewing in the basement, but I knew now was not the time to broach the subject. He was already on edge, and there was still more to bring up once Greta had accomplished the spell and revealed Esther's addition to his curse. In the long run, pushing him would only make things worse, and I needed to gain his trust before bringing up something as touchy as finishing off Esther.
A muffled tapping reluctantly brought my attention forward. I shuffled my brows, confused by the way Elijah was capturing my gaze, his eyes shifting between Niklaus and me. I watched as he nudged his head gently toward his brother, obviously trying to tell me something. Still, I was at a loss as to what exactly he wanted me to do. My heart stuttered at the thought that he wanted me to bring up their mother, and I shook my head in fear, my hand aching as Elena's nails dug into my hand — her attention captured by our stand-off. I pried her hand from mine as Tyler sat up straighter, focusing back on the Original duo as soon as Elijah cleared his throat. A shimmer caught my attention, and I glanced at Rebekah as she stood behind Elijah, her hand draped over his chair, her brow cocked in curiosity. She looked over at me and shrugged her shoulders — at least I wasn't the only one at a loss. Elijah glanced over at his brother, adjusting his jacket.
"Elandra and Elena do have something else they would both like to discuss with you, brother," he said.
Tyler grumbled under his breath, muttering "Elara," and rolled his eyes.
Elijah shot him an artful glare — which he ignored in favor of crossing his arms pungently. Rebekah ground her teeth together, and the hand draped on the chair behind her brother tightened into a fist. "You need to tell your dog to watch his manners," she snarled.
Without thinking, I smacked Tyler across the back of the head, shocking those physically present in the room. "Dude, watch it. You're pushing your luck," I warned.
Tyler rubbed his head, glaring at me dangerously, and I unblinkingly kept my eyes on his, and swiftly he backed down — sighing. "You're right, I'm sorry, but that isn't your name anymore. They should respect that. That's all I'm gonna say," he said, throwing up his hands.
Niklaus watched us curiously, his eyes darting between us, fingertip tracing his lower lip absentmindedly. I could see the questions in his eyes and quickly nudged Elena, who blinked a few times before she launched into action — a bewildered lilt to her tone. "Uh...I agree with Tyler...to an extent. You both do need to understand that Elara isn't the same girl you grew up with. Although, I've come to expect it; Stefan and Damon do the same thing," she muttered.
I placed my head in my hands, rubbing my temples with my thumbs; that is not exactly what I wanted her to say. I was hoping she would change the subject entirely.
Elijah chuckled, glancing over at Niklaus with mild amusement — that was unshared by both me and Rebekah. "This was not the smartest way to bring up your past with the Salvatores," she whispered, moving around the chair to come to stand beside the couch.
I didn't have time to laugh at how she always seemed to unnecessarily whisper when she was nervous. Niklaus sat forward in his chair, his jaw tight and eyes dangerously cold. "The Salvatore brothers, love?" he turned his head to look at me, his eyes widening. "And how might they have learned your true name, hmm?" he asked.
I swallowed roughly, unsure of how much to reveal at this point. I couldn't lie to him; that would be a deadly mistake, and frankly, I didn't want to. I had been an entirely different person, and even when I had regained my memories, I was still without him. I was sure he had not remained chaste throughout the centuries, so why should I have? Elijah observed us. His expression was even, yet there was something in his eyes; it was almost like he held his own interest in the answer. He knew a bit of my past with Damon, but I hadn't revealed my other lives to him.
"Elandra, you must tell him something," Rebakah winced.
Niklaus watched me intently, his patience waning, and I rubbed the back of my neck anxiously. "Well, they only know my true name because I was actually given that name again in their time. My mother found it in a book about old Norse legends and simply fell in love with it," I said, shrugging.
Niklaus chuckled humorlessly, his eyes darkening as his skin changed. He looked down, his head tilting to the side as he fought to control his emotions. "Why do I get the feeling that you're not telling me everything, El?" he asked.
"Nik, does any of it really matter now? It was so long ago. You know their story; Katerina changed them both after toying with their emotions. It's what the Petrova's do best," I hatefully said, then winced, glancing over at my sister. "No offense," I meekly smiled.
Elena shrugged, crossing her ankles. "None taken. My ancestors were awful. We both know the chain is broken here; that's all that matters," she confidently said. Rebekah scoffed, glancing down at her nails, and Elijah smiled against his hand.
Niklaus stood, coming to hover in front of me. "What exactly are you reluctant to tell me?"
Tyler shuffled closer, his body rigid with stress, and Niklaus snarled, grabbing him by the neck and tossing him from the couch. I gasped, shoving Elena away and swiftly standing, shielding her from his anger. I glanced behind Niklaus at Tyler, relieved to find him inching himself from the floor, his face pained. I raised my hand, motioning for him to stay put. I met Niklaus's angered gaze and lifted my chin in defiance.
"My past relationships are my own, Nik. I do not need to reveal them to you. It was a long time ago. Most of the time, I didn't even remember who any of you were! And even if I did, I had no way to contact you. Besides, there is nothing between us now," I said, my confidence faltering in the heat of his gaze.
His eyes glazed over with unshed tears, the blue shining as clear as a daylit sky. "Nothing between us?" he croakily asked, anger building on his face.
My eyes became as round as silver dollars, and I gasped out in shock. "No! I didn't mean...I meant there is nothing between me and...him," I said, pointing over my shoulder dorkily.
Elena coughed, and I looked down at her. She was glancing around the room awkwardly, hand on her neck. I glared at her, my eyes hard as steel. She needed to learn when to shut up!
"Is it Stefan? Is that why you're reluctant to reveal it to me? Did Elijah mention our past?" Niklaus bit out.
Without meaning to, Elena, Tyler, and I all laughed, shaking our heads. Niklaus took my arm, pulling me closer to his face. "I don't see what's funny, Elandra? I'd simply like to know if the man I saw as a friend, a brother, took something dear to me — all the while smiling in my face and courting my sister," he spat.
Rebekah moaned in pained embarrassment, her nearly transparent hands coming up to shield her face. I placed my hand on his chest, pushing him away gently — a reassuring smile on my face as painful shock and betrayal lit up his eyes. Elena stood, walking away, her head lowered. I glanced over at her in sadness. Rebekah had revealed the whole sordid tale to me long ago, and I had felt bad for the lot of them. I hated that this was how Elena found out that Stefan had once dated the girl I claimed as my sister.
"Niklaus, I never dated Stefan. He's like a brother to me," turning to Elena, I sighed. "Stefan doesn't remember knowing any of them, Elena. Otherwise, this whole thing would have been easier on us. I doubt he would have been so gung ho about the idea of running away with you if he remembered Niklaus and what he is truly capable of," I said.
Niklaus took hold of my chin, turning my face back toward him. "Then it's the brother, Damon?" he disgustedly asked.
Exhaustedly I nodded, and he turned away, taking his seat with much more force than necessary — the wood creaking beneath him. Elijah hummed, laying his palm on his thigh as he nodded for me to take my seat. "Elena, now that my brother has what he wants, why don't you give Niklaus your list? I'm sure your friends are anxiously awaiting your return," he said.
Elena came to sit beside me, her eyes red-rimmed, and she nodded — smiling weakly at Elijah. "Um, we would be grateful if, while working with you, you'd be willing to agree not to come after the people we care about."
Niklaus scoffed, raising his hand and hatefully twirling it in a circle. "And those people would be who exactly? I'd hate to kill someone special by accident," he snarked.
I glared at him, tapping my finger on my knee to keep myself in check. "Our Aunt Jenna, and brother Jeremy, Alaric Saltzman, Caroline Forbes and her mother the Sheriff, Tyler Lockwood, his mother and Uncle Mason, Bonnie Bennett and her Grams, Matt Donovon, and Damon and Stefan Salvatore," I said, turning to Elena. "Anyone, you wanna add?"
Elena nodded, pointing toward Elijah. "Yeah, your brother. No more creepy coffin."
The surprised lifting of Elijah's brows brought a smile to my lips, and I wrapped my arm around Elena's shoulder. "Elijah is a given, Lena. Nothing will happen to my family, not while I'm still here," I said, a confident lilt to my tone.
Niklaus looked away, glaring over at his brother, who was lovingly smiling over at me, fondness clear on his face. "Well, isn't that lovely, but do remember there will be no deal if Greta comes back with nothing. You'll have to find some other way to protect your lover from me," he said, arrogance and hate filling his words.
Groaning, I slapped the couch in vexation. "Former lover! Damon and I do not have a relationship now, Niklaus. He chose Katerina over a century ago, and now he all but hates me. He is no threat to you or your ritual." Using my thumb, I pointed at my sister. "That is who he is in love with now and is the reason he hates me. He thinks I would do whatever it takes to kill her off, IN YOUR NAME!" I shouted, my chest heaving.
I was through with all the jealousy; I had been dealing with Damons, and there was no way I could handle Niklaus's too. Elijah stood to his feet, reaching out to offer me his hand.
"Why don't we allow Niklaus a moment to clear his head and get Greta started on her spell? The others are waiting for you," he said.
Elena and Tyler jumped from the couch, their faces a strained mixture of embarrassment and unease. They both bypassed me as I accepted Elijah's hand, only for my path to be blocked by Niklaus.
"Klaus…" Elijah warned; eyes narrowed, and his hand lowered between us.
Niklaus placed his hand on Elijah's shoulder, and for a moment, they stared at one another. Then finally, with a sigh of acceptance, Elijah put his hand on my upper back. "I'll be waiting by the door."
I simply nodded, watching him leave before I turned, facing Niklaus. I cocked my hip, crossing my arms over my chest in an attempt to protect myself from whatever he had to say. Looking down at me, I watched as he fought with himself, his jaw flexing and lips pursed as he repeatedly stopped himself from speaking. Reaching out, I took hold of his elbow, tilting my head affectionately.
"Nik, I understand how territorially you can be. Goodness, you tended to be this way long before your mother created the spell for vampirism. It's who you are as a wolf and a man, but I will never allow you to control me. I can't change what happened in the past, nor would I want to," Niklaus scoffed incredulously, his body shifting away from me. With a roll of my eyes, I pulled him back. "Listen to me! What I mean is, I would not be who I am today without all those people and experiences. Elena and Tyler are right, I am not the same woman I was growing up, and I hope that despite that, you can still grow to love me as you once did — even if it's just for a little while," I weakly said.
Niklaus took hold of my face, his fingernails grazing my scalp enticingly, and leaned close enough to brush his nose against mine. "I will never let my mother take you away from me. I don't care how many lives you've lived. You will always be mine."
Gently kissing my nose, he glanced behind me, his eyes narrowing. "I cannot promise I will always be able to control my possessive behavior, love — not when there are so many who want what's mine, but for you, I will try,"
He feathered the tips of his fingers down my body, creating a trail straight to my hips, and pulled me roughly against him. My lips parted in surprise, and he leaped forward, immediately taking advantage. He slid his tongue into the wet warmth of my mouth, groaning in appreciation when I immediately wrapped my arms around his neck. He nibbled on my lower lip, licking the mark left behind in his wake — a territorial gleam in his eyes. He slanted his mouth over mine, his tongue fighting to prove who exactly I belonged to. I buried my fingers in his dirty blonde curls, sliding down to the nape of his neck and gently tugging. I fell back on my heels as he released me, my lips tingling, and he smiled down at me, his full lips wet.
I placed my fingertips atop my blinding smile and shook my head with exasperation. "Do you feel like you've made your point now?"
Without answering, he wrapped his arm around my shoulder, leading me toward the front door. Elijah stood with his back to us, his body rigid, and I felt my cheeks burn. I had forgotten that he had been waiting so close by. Niklaus pulled his arm from around me, his fingers sliding down my shoulder to encase my hand in his.
"Do keep an eye on my treasures, brother," Niklaus said, an odd lilt to his voice.
Elijah held out his hand to me, his hazel eyes hesitant, but I quickly accepted — frowning curiously at Niklaus.
"I'm sure Elandra will be able to handle the doppelganger," he said.
An angry huff came from the porch, followed quickly by an irritated doe-eyed Elena. "The doppelganger has a name; it's Elena. Geeze, it's not a hard name to remember; let's go, El," she said, taking my arm and yanking me out the door.
I could hear Niklaus's deep chuckle as I passed through the barrier and smiled. Glancing over my shoulder, I saw an amused Elijah and a gleeful Rebekah following close behind. Maybe things were starting to look up — if you don't count my curse and the weirdness between the two Original brothers. Oh well, a girl can't have everything.