Hello, my lovely readers. Sorry about the longer wait. Writer's block is so annoying. On with the show…
The Hunter's Council: Chapter 22: Congrats, It's a Bouncing Baby Monster!
Walking through a store—that's sole purpose seemed to be to part parents-to-be, and their friends, with mountains of money— Hayley Marshall felt out of her depth. Her eyes darted over the masses of onesies, and booties, the same way a small animal views a pack of hungry hyenas. Actually, Hayley thought she might prefer the pack. Then she would have something to fight. In here, unless she wanted to tussle with a mannequin, holding a baby mannequin, she would have little luck.
"Hello, miss! May I help you?" Hayley spun around to face a perky blonde girl. Again, Hayley wished she thought the sales associate was a vamp. But unless the blonde planned on draining Hayley's blood, via Hayley's purse, the other girl probably wasn't a vamp, in the traditional sense...
Eyes going back around the room, Hayley forced herself to not cross her arms over her chest. "Yeah. Um. I'm shopping for a friend's baby." The rest of the explanation would include: "More of a friend of a friend." This would end with the sales associate staring at Hayley, until Hayley found herself fumbling, and saying that the daddy-to-be was a teacher, and then there would be: "Why are underage girls hanging out with the teacher, outside of school. Well, we all slay vampires! Well, my friend, Caroline and I do, and Ric watches. Not in a creepy way.
It's his job. His duty. To watch… What?" Yeah. All of that would be bad...
"Has the mommy-to-be given birth yet? Or is the baby still gestating?"
Hayley blinked. "Uh? You mean baking?"
"Yes!" The sales associate let out a laugh and her nose crinkled up while her eyes sparkled. She reminded Hayley of Caroline, which made Hayley relax a fraction.
"Yup. Baby's due... Later."
Honestly, Hayley had no idea when Jo was due to deliver. She didn't look very pregnant to Hayley. Maybe they should be waiting to buy stuff. Was this bad luck? Hell, what did Hayley know about this kind of thing.
"Come with me." The sales associate brought Hayley toward the back of the store. Amongst a display of toys, the associate picked up a small, green teddy bear. It had big brown eyes that stared up at Hayley. "These bears are a big hit with new moms. The babies love to snuggle with them. They don't have any dyes that are bad for the baby, and the eyes, nose, and mouth are all thread. No little choking hazards."
Nodding, Hayley felt relieved. Looks like this exercise in socializing wouldn't be so hard after all. Taking the proffered toy, Hayley found it was made of the softest of cotton. Something gentle on the baby's skin. No wonder people liked it so much. Hayley kind of wanted one for herself; until she flipped it over. Her stomach twisted at the sight of the price.
"Do you have a payment plan?" Hayley's wide eyes went to the girl.
The sales associate's smile stayed in place. "We offer a store credit card. If you would like to come to the desk; we can fill it out."
Uncertain, Hayley moved to the desk. A form was placed in front of her. Her eyes went down to the place for your birthdate. Did she really want to test her fake ID, here?
"You could come back, with your parent, or guardian, and they can sign for you." These words were spoken in a gentle tone. Apparently, Hayley looked her age, to this girl who was probably, at the most, two years older than Hayley, and she probably had several credit cards.
"Sure."
Regretfully, Hayley set the bear down. She patted its head, before abandoning the toy to the shop. It would find a home, but Hayley would not be returning to the shop. Too many questions would be asked. Questions she did not want to provide answers to.
~0~
Standing outside of Alaric's apartment building; Hayley inhaled sharply. She felt stupid. She should have made an excuse. Showing up, empty-handed, made her feel like a jerk.
"Hey, Hayley!" Caroline Forbes called out. So much for fleeing the scene. The blonde came up the walk, with Bonnie Bennet at her side.
Hayley turned. "Hey, Caroline." Eyes going down to the present in Caroline's hand, Hayley seized on the new opportunity.
"Please, let me sign the card!" Wide, pleading eyes met Caroline's.
"What?" Confused, Caroline stared at Hayley.
"I couldn't afford a decent present." Why did she have to explain what should be obvious? Empty hands and all.
"Oh? Oh!" Caroline opened her purse and dug out a pen. Holding up the gift, Caroline waited while Hayley added her name in a quick flourish that would be barely legible. With luck, the parents-to-be would be too excited to notice.
"Hey, ladies!" Tyler Lockwood. Even better.
Turning, Hayley glowered at Tyler. He continued to smile, probably because he refused to look at Hayley. "Everyone ready for a little baby shower?"
Bonnie rolled her eyes. "Did you buy baby their first car?" She nodded at the large box under Tyler's arm.
"What? No! This a stroller. It was that, or one of this diaper genie things." He patted the large box. "Read this is one of the best ones on the market."
"Must be nice, having a mom who can buy you whatever you want," Hayley muttered, loudly. She could feel Caroline's and Bonnie's eyes on her, but Hayley would not apologize. Tyler hurt her. He deserved whatever punishment she found fit.
Tyler glanced at his feet. "I sold some art, on-line."
"Good for you." Arms folded over her chest, Hayley moved toward the door. "They're probably wondering where the hell we are—" But they were prevented from going inside the building by a newcomer appearing.
"Caroline?" Hayley stared at a young-ish looking guy who came toward them. He wore a pair of spectacles and a tweed jacket. She would think he'd dropped out of a PBS detective series; if his accent weren't so clearly American. "Hi! I thought that was you!"
"Kai?" Caroline looked shocked to see this Kai person. Hayley's arms went back up, to fold over her chest, and she watched Kai closely. If he was a threat, she would most happily kick his ass. Of course, she would be thinking about Tyler the whole time.
"What are you doing here? And if you're here, who's running the library?" Caroline's words did not make sense to Hayley.
Bonnie echoed Hayley's lack of understanding. "This guy works for the library. Which library?"
"A special library." Kai gave Bonnie a wide smile. "You look familiar. We haven't met, have we? I think I'd remember you. I don't get out much."
"'Cause you work at a library?" Tyler laughed at his own joke, and stopped when Caroline shot him a long look. "Sor-ry!" her muttered.
Rolling her eyes, Caroline focused on Kai and Bonnie. "No. Not that I can recall."
Bonnie's short answer left Kai cocking his head to the side and examining her. Then he snapped his fingers. "I know! You're a Bennet witch!" This statement was followed by a huge grin on Kai's part, and a look of uncertainty passing over Bonnie's face.
Frowning, Bonnie glanced at Caroline, and Hayley jumped in. "What kind of librarian are you, exactly?" Eyes boring into the stranger, Hayley waited for a damned good answer.
Kai seemed pleased to share: "I study the supernatural. That is how Caroline and I met. And you are?"
About to say: "None of your damned business," Hayley found Caroline answering. "She's the new Slayer." Eyes flicking to Caroline, Hayley wondered when their secret identities became the business of random people.
"Really?" Kai looked at Hayley with interest, and she could not decide whether to be annoyed, or flattered. She settled for looking to Caroline.
"You're a long way from home."
Nodding, Kai lifted a wrapped box. "My sis is having a baby." Now, he looked at the presents they were holding. "Wait? You're not visiting Jo, are you?" He stared at each of them with an expectant expression.
"You're Jo's brother?" Caroline looked stunned. Well, it looked like Caroline knew jack about this guy. Again, Hayley wanted to demand that Caroline tell her why he got to know who and what they were. Instead, she settled for glaring.
"Small world," Kai said with a slow shake of his head.
"Only getting smaller," Bonnie's comment came out dryly. "We were about to go in..." She waved at the building. Maybe Jo could provide more answers.
Consulting his watch, Kai nodded. "We're almost late!" He cried, moving toward the door. Tyler grabbed it, and an excited Kai went in first, leaving the rest of the group to trail him up the stairs after him.
Hayley caught Bonnie saying to Caroline: "You never mentioned a supernatural librarian."
"I didn't..." Caroline did not add more, because they were in Alaric's hallway. Lifting a fist, Kai knocked on the familiar door.
There was a long pause before Alaric Saltzman opened the door. He looked confused when he came face-to-face with Kai. "Hello? Can I help you?"
"You must be the papa-to-be!" Kai grabbed Alaric by the shoulders and examined him. "Your kids are going to be tall!"
"Um..." Alaric looked more and more confused. "Who are you?"
"Malakai?" Jo's voice came from behind Alaric. She sounded just as shocked to see her "brother" as Caroline had been. Hayley felt her jaw set. What kind of trouble were they about to encounter?
"Jo Jo!" Kai cried, a huge smile on his face.
For a moment, Jo did not move. Turning to look over his shoulder, Alaric said, "Jo?" This seemed to snap his girlfriend out of her confusion.
"Kai!" Stepping forward, Jo opened her arms. Kai pushed his gift into Alaric's arms before pushing past Ric, and into the apartment. The siblings embraced while the rest of the group stood on the hallway.
Hayley glanced at the others. She wondered how much more awkward this day could get.
"Should we come in?" Caroline called to Ric.
Ric seemed to have forgotten he had other guests, he was too busy studying Kai. Looked like Caroline was not the only one with secrets.
Hand going up, Ric waved. "Yeah. Come in. Make yourselves comfortable. We have food. Games. And siblings our significant others had not mentioned, until now..."
Breaking away from Kai, Jo looked guilty. "Sorry, Ric. I haven't seen Kai since—"
"Since we ran away from our crazy-ass family." Kai kept an arm wrapped around Jo's shoulders. "That was about, what, a decade ago?"
Nodding, Jo looked Kai over. "You look well."
"So, do you. Baby in the oven. Nice boyfriend." Looking around, Kai's eyebrows rose. "Think you guys might need a big place though."
"We're aware," Alaric's voice had an edge to it.
Kai shrugged. "You're gonna love my present. It's for mommy. Don't worry. I'll get the kiddo-to-be something, too, closer to the date."
Why hadn't Hayley thought to say that?
"Bet it's not a stroller!" Tyler whispered, a bit too loudly to not be overheard.
Jo looked to Tyler. "You got us a stroller?" She smiled. "That is very thoughtful, Tyler. Thank you."
Alaric led Tyler over to a table where presents would be kept during the party. Caroline and Bonnie followed while Hayley stood off to the side, feeling even more awkward. Again, she wondered why she had ever come here.
Tyler clapped his hands together. "You said there would be games?"
Jo spoke up. "Yes. There are..." Her eyes went to Ric and she let out a laugh. "What are they?"
Eyes widening, Alaric did not seem to expect to be put on the spot like this. "Oh! Yeah! We have very exciting games for all! First, we have Changing Your Newborn—"
"Lame!" Tyler cried, with an eyeroll. He moved to perch on the arm of the couch. "What else ya got?"
Frowning, Alaric continued, "We also have Swaddle Buddy." He held out a hand, drawing their attention to a pile of clean sheets in a laundry hamper. "We break into teams of two. One of you is The Swaddler, the other is The Swaddled. Whoever is done first, wins!"
"Wins what?" Tyler inquired.
"Umm..." Jo stared at Alaric who groaned.
"The right to say they can swaddle with the best of 'em."
Ric's words elicited another long groan from Tyler. The teen wolf's head fell backwards. "Are there any drinking games?"
"NO!" Ric stared at Jo. "While Jo can't drink, neither am I."
"Sure." All eyes went to Caroline who blushed a deep red. "I mean: That is so supportive of you, Ric!"
Bonnie barely covered a laugh with a fake cough. Ric glared at Caroline, Bonnie, and Tyler. "I think we should play Swaddle Buddy. Please, pick a partner."
Caroline smiled at Bonnie. "I'll be gentle," Caroline said and Bonnie groaned.
Hayley looked at Tyler. "I won't."
Tyler looked to Ric, but Ric had already headed off to the kitchen. Then he looked at Jo. "Not part of this!" Jo said, with a quick shake of her head.
Kai seemed amused. "I can go in the next round."
"Next round?" Tyler gulped.
~0~
With a pleased smile, Hayley looked down at her handiwork. Two brown eyes peered up at her. "You're right, Ric. That was fun!" She grinned down at a helpless Tyler, who rolled onto his side, but could not free himself.
Ric came over to look down at Tyler. "Um, Hales, not to be unsupportive, but the object of the game includes the baby's ability to breath."
"Your point?"
"You kind of mummified Tyler."
Shrugging, Hayley moved to sit on a chair. "He needs to not be able to move. Mission accomplished." She watched Tyler continue to roll around on the floor, letting out muffled grunts.
"Nice work, Caroline!" Jo called. "Bonnie, do you feel comfortable?"
"Surprisingly, yes." Bonnie nodded. "But I'm also thirsty, and I do not intend on allowing any of you to help me with that. So... (something in Latin). And Bonnie stood up, stretching. Tyler rolled toward the witch's feet and stared up at her with big, imploring eyes. "Fine." She waved her hands and the sheet dropped from around Tyler.
"Could have left him in there for another five minutes," Hayley muttered. Everyone ignored her.
"Jo, was that our last bag of chips?" Ric asked, eyeing an empty bowl on Jo's lap.
Jo looked down. "Oops. I thought you bought some more?"
Alaric shook his head. "Caroline, can you grab us some more?" He pulled out his wallet and held up a twenty.
"Not a problem." Caroline strode over and took the money before she made her way to the door.
"What about more drinks?" Tyler asked.
With an eyeroll, Ric gave Tyler more money. "No beer!"
Tyler grinned, but did not reply. Bonnie followed Caroline and Tyler. "We need to talk," Bonnie told Caroline. They did not even seem to notice Hayley was not with them.
Alaric went to a cabinet. Opening it, he groaned. "I'll be back in a minute!"
"Okay," Jo called. When the others were gone, she told Kai and Hayley, "Not to be a bad hostess, but I'm gonna take a nap." This was followed by a long yawn.
"Not a prob," Kai called.
After Jo went back to her bedroom, Hayley found herself alone with Kai, and a billion questions. "Do you study Slayers?" she inquired.
Kai brightened. "Yes. I do. What would you like to know?
Something the Council does not include in their books?" His eyes gleamed with humor.
Hayley nodded. "Yes. I mean, Caroline, for instance, is a special case. Right?" She leaned forward, watching Kai. Maybe he'd figured what made Caroline special. The thing that Hayley could not find.
Nodding, Kai seemed to be happy to chat. "Yes. A first of her kind. And I am truly happy to have found her. Her existence is helping with my current research."
"Do you mind if I ask if you're interest is in a specific type of the supernatural community?"
"I'm a demonology expert, actually. Fascinating stuff. And Caroline. She adds a new piece to the evolving puzzle."
"Because she's a demon." Hayley made it into a statement of fact, rather than a question.
Kai nodded. "Yes. Thank you for mentioning it. I was worried someone would find out, because of my appearing in town. There are those who know of my work. But it is such a small circle. And my twin having a baby is a special circumstance. I had to come."
Saying nothing for a moment, Hayley processed this new information. Caroline was a demon. That is what the older slayer had been keeping from them. Instinct told Hayley to pounce on Kai and force him to tell her everything he knew. What kind of demon was Caroline? How much danger were they in. How did Hayley stop Caroline from doing whatever her demon-ness told her to do?
But Hayley would have to hold off. If she attacked Kai; Caroline would know that Hayley knew the truth. And until Hayley had time to think things through; she needed to wait.
Smiling, Hayley said, "This is such an interesting topic. Is there any literature you could show me on demons?"
"Unfortunately, no. That would be at my library. Perhaps you and Caroline could stop by, one day, I don't get a lot of visitors." Hayley nodded. He was right. She should stop by, but probably alone.
~0~
The sound of laughter drew Kol Mikaelson's attention. His head spun in the direction of the noise. Nostrils flaring, he could smell perfume on the night air. Light. Natural ingredients. Possibly a homemade blend. Nothing too cloying. Nothing so obvious as vanilla. He drew in another, long breath before his feet moved him along, his fangs desired to sink into this sweet-smelling flesh. And soon, they would. Nothing held him back now.
Lights coming from neighboring house illuminated the trail of three teens. Two girls and a boy. Kol kept edging nearer to them. They seemed blissfully unaware of being hunted. How very sweet. Kol grinned. He allowed himself to be domesticated for far too long.
Kol watched as the blonde tipped her head to the side, smiling at something her friend said. The second girl's long black curls caught in the wind, and Kol found she was the one producing a mixture of orange blossoms and honey. What a delight bouquet. His tongue slid over his bottom lip, and he smiled as he slowed to a leisurely stroll. No need to rush the inevitable.
The boy said, "Cass, you ready to party tonight?" He lifted his hands in the air and shook his hips, as Kol imagined the boy thought his friend danced, or a poor effort at wooing her.
The blonde glanced at the boy by her side. She did not speak. Her eyes shown dully at the boy before she let out a laugh. She gave him a little shove, that made the boy stumble, ever so slightly, off the sidewalk. He recovered, and returned to her side. Now, his good humor seemed to have dissipated, but that did not mean he would not continue his pursuit.
This trio reminded Kol of Caroline, Bonnie, and Tyler. So young when he met them. They'd learned so much about themselves, and the world around them, in so short a time. These children... They did not have a clue. They never would get an opportunity to, either.
"Excuse me!" Kol called to them. He watched Cass stop first. The obvious leader of their little pack.
Cass's eyes assessed Kol. A slow smile curved along her lips. Her head titled to the side. "Yes?" Flirtation. Again, Kol wanted to let out a laugh. Stupid girl. Could she not sense the danger Kol presented? Oh, well. Not everyone could be a Slayer, or a witch. If they were; when would Kol get a drink?
Edging closer, Kol noted the boy also move closer to Cass. Ah, fancied himself the hero of the piece, did he? The thought made Kol laugh, internally. A quick, mocking smile was sent the boy's way.
"I'm a bit lost. My mates mentioned a party. Somewhere close by. But I seemed to have gotten turned around..." Again, Kol flashed his grin. This time he sent in the direction of the other girl.
The girl who reminded Kol of Bonnie placed a hand on her hip. Her brows rose and she looked him up and down. Turning to Cass, she whispered, "Isn't that Cal Michaels?" Her dark eyes moved back to rest on Kol.
"Kol!" Cass replied. Her eyes widened, making her look very much like a cartoon. "You're friends with Caroline Forbes?"
"Yes! Caroline told me about the party!"
The boy leaned close to Cass. "Cass, this guy has a weird vibe!" Ah! Perhaps there was a bit of the supernatural in the one these children, after all.
"So, do you!" Not-Bonnie snapped. "But we still let you hang, don't we?" In spite of her scent, and her becoming vaguer by-the-second resemblance to Bonnie; Kol felt annoyed by this girl. Although he did so wish the boy would disappear, he also could not imagine Bonnie speaking that way to a friend, in anything more than jest.
Cass flicked her hair behind her back. "Stu, he's hot. He's older. And he's friends with Caroline freakin' Forbes, which is currency for next year." Looking back at Kol, she said, "You're looking for the Dylan McAdams' party?"
"That is it. I feel rather silly, now. Thank you..."
"Cass. Cassandra Topaz."
"Cass." Kol watched the way that the girl lit up at his use of her name.
With a wide grin, Cass turned on her heel. "You can follow us, if you like." She did not wait for a response, but began to head down the sidewalk, with the confidence of the extremely young, and extremely foolish.
Stu followed behind the girl, Kol could feel the boy eyeing him as Kol fell into place beside the girl who was not Bonnie. She glanced at him with a smirk, but said nothing to him. This close, he found that nothing about her was like Bonnie. He tried not to angry with her. It wasn't her fault she could not be his substitute for his beloved.
They approached a door and Cass rang the bell. A minute later, the door opened. A boy in an unbuttoned shirt stood in the doorway, one hand cupping the doorframe, the other, the neck of a beer bottle. "Cassie!"
"Ugh! Tad!" Cass groaned, her nose wrinkling. "Why are you answering the door. Where is Dylan?"
"Giving his guests what they want: Himself." Tad had a mocking smile. Reminded Kol a bit of himself, when he was in one of his dark moods, like now.
Tad leaned closer. "Wanna be my date?"
"No!"
"Verona?"
"Hell, no!" Not-Bonnie, who turned out to be Verona snapped.
Kol took a step forward. "Tad, is it?"
Tad looked less interested as Kol stared down at him. However, soon Tad could not seem to break eye contact with Kol. "We would like to come in. May we?"
"Yes. You can come in." Tad's eyes were dull as he spoke.
"And you promise to not be a bother to my new friends: Cass and Verona?"
"No. I'll leave them alone."
"Right then. Good man." Kol slapped Tad on the cheek before he waved for Cass and Verona to go inside. Kol followed them in.
Cass stopped. "How did you do that?"
"Magic." Not paying attention to Cass any longer, Kol examined the buffet before him. Such a selection of writhing bodies, and a thundering bass, to keep any screams of terror, or pain to a minimum. He grinned happily.
~0~
Sunlight poured through the window. Kol felt his throat still slick with his last drink. His hooded eyelids went to the curtains that attempted to keep the new day at bay. He lifted his feet from their resting place. As it turned out; Tad's head made a lovely ottoman.
Cass and Verona danced. Their arms were still flung in the air, their hips swaying, after twelve hours on the floor. He picked his way over the bodies that decorated the floor. "Good-bye!" He called to the girls.
"Bye!" They called back. He'd compelled them to forget about him the moment he left the house. On the front lawn, he found debris from the party. The McAdams would be coming home to quite a fright. As for Kol, he would be berated by his siblings. Klaus would threaten to dagger him, again. How very dull.
Yawning, Kol continued on his way. He could find a place to rest for the day.
Tonight, Kol would find another party. Perhaps this one would be in another town. Somewhere that was not Mystic Falls, and did not have girls who reminded him of the one he wished to forget...
Thank you for reading, faving, relogging, and following.
Be safe,
-J