Chapter 13
Poison
"I'm sorry," Alexis said quietly. "I hoped I was wrong, Lucien. I really did. But I saw it." She paused and glanced at Klaus. "I saw him die."
Elijah tensed and looked at his brother. There was no expression on Niklaus' face, he simply observed Lucien and the seer. Freya was standing beside him and Hayley few steps away.
"Did you see the weapon?" Lucien asked.
Alexis nodded.
"What is it?"
She was quiet for a moment before replying.
"To understand, it must be seen."
She raised her hand and looked at Hayley and Elijah. They both hesitated for a brief moment before approaching the seer. Lucien was clearly reluctant to leave her side, but he stood up and let Elijah take a seat beside Alexis. Hayley sat on her other side, taking her left hand.
No one said a word as they sank their fangs into her wrists. Elijah gasped as all kinds of images suddenly filled his mind, but he had no time to even try to understand what he was seeing, when he felt it. Tasted it. Poison. He pulled away and threw up. So did Hayley.
"Something's wrong," Hayley gasped.
"It's poison," Elijah replied.
No more than a second later, Lucien was by Alexis' side. She was vomiting blood.
"No, no, no..." Lucien murmured, cupping her face.
She was coughing, her eyes were full of terror.
"No!" Lucien growled as she collapsed in his arms. "No, no, no!"
Elijah looked away as she took her last breath. He noticed that Niklaus' face was still completely blank. Lucien let out a furious growl before bowing his head. No one said a word before Elijah heard someone coming. Ginna. She had changed her clothes; she was wearing a sleeveless white summer dress and sandals.
"What happened?" she asked, looking at the dead woman in Lucien's arms.
Niklaus was on his feet immediately.
"What do you think you're doing here?" he snarled.
"I wanted to talk," she replied, keeping her eyes on Alexis. "What happened here?"
"Perhaps you should ask your husband," Lucien replied tensely. "He poisoned my seer."
Ginna frowned.
"Tristan didn't poison her; she came to him looking for protection."
"From what?" Elijah asked sharply.
Ginna bit her bottom lip and looked at Niklaus.
"That's one of the reasons why I'm here. You're in danger, Nik."
"I'm well aware of that," he replied coldly. "The last thing I need in my home is a traitorous little tramp I used to call my sister, so I suggest you leave while you still can."
"Wait, wait, what?" Freya said. "Did you say your sister?"
"Yes, Ginna," Elijah replied.
Freya stared at her disbelievingly.
"Ginna?"
"Yes," she replied. "And you are?"
"I'm Freya, your sister."
Ginna's eyes widened.
"Oh... I thought that you..."
"Died?"
"Yes. Forgive me, this is quite a surprise."
"I hate to spoil a heartwarming moment, but you should know who you're dealing with," Klaus snorted. "She abandoned her family and is currently plotting against us."
Ginna sighed and rolled her eyes.
"You're just as overdramatic as ever, aren't you Nik? I'm not plotting against anyone."
"Is that so? Why are you here then?"
"Because despite what you might think, I don't want you to die."
Klaus let out a mocking laughter.
"You expect me to believe that?"
"Believe whatever you want, but it's the truth. Yes, you're a jerk, but you're also my brother. I don't want you to die."
"Then perhaps you should have told your husband not to kill the seer."
"I told you, Tristan didn't kill her. We noticed that she was missing and I came to make sure that she's alright." She paused and looked at Lucien. "I'm sorry for your loss."
He didn't reply or look at her.
"Who poisoned her then?" Elijah asked.
Ginna shook her head.
"I don't know, but I'll find out."
"Yes, we can all count on you!" Klaus snorted.
Ginna crossed her arms.
"I'm sure we can all agree that we have some issues. Many issues. That doesn't mean I would want any of my siblings to die."
"You turned your back on your family," Klaus snapped. "You mean nothing to me."
"That's too bad since you still mean something to me." She paused and looked at Elijah. "So do you, 'Lijah." She paused again and looked at Freya. "And I would very much like to get to know you."
"Enough," Klaus snapped. "Last chance, leave or I'll throw you out."
"Niklaus," Elijah said firmly. "She is our sister..."
"Was. Now she's nothing."
"I'm sorry you feel that way, Nik," she stated. "But I'm still going to help you."
"I don't want or need your help."
She shrugged.
"You'll have it either way."
Klaus' eyes narrowed, but then he turned his head. Hope was crying.
"Fortunately for you, my daughter needs me. I want you gone before I return."
"Hey!" Hayley snapped as he zoomed inside. "Damn it..."
"So..." Freya started after Hayley had followed Klaus. "Nothing seems to be easy in this family."
"No, it's not," Ginna sighed and glanced at Lucien who hadn't moved. She walked over to the table, poured some bourbon into a glass and handed it to him.
"Thank you," he murmured.
"I really am sorry," she said, placing her hand on his shoulder. "You cared about her."
"Yes, she was a strange creature, but it seems I'd grown quite fond of her."
"I'll find out who did this, I promise you."
Elijah observed this strange scene suspiciously.
"You two seem to be close," he stated.
Ginna looked at him.
"We have run into each other few times over the centuries," she replied. "But even if I wouldn't know him at all, I still believe that few kind words to someone who has just lost a loved one isn't too much to ask. I thought that you out of all people would agree."
Elijah stared at her, unable to reply. She sounded just like the Ginna he had known all those years ago. His kind and warm little sister.
"Anyway, I think I better go before Niklaus returns," she continued after a moment of silence. "I should give him time to calm down."
"Could we meet somewhere?" Freya asked.
"Of course, I would like that," Ginna replied and took a piece of paper out of her small purse. "Here's my number, call me anytime." She paused and looked at Elijah. "Would you also like to have my number?"
"Are you staying at the Duville Estate?" he asked.
"Yes."
"Then I'll know where to find you."
She nodded and touched his arm.
"It was nice to see you, 'Lijah. Maybe we could..."
Suddenly he pulled her against him and wrapped his arms tightly around her. He couldn't help it; he had missed his little Ginna so much. She was stunned at first, but she hugged him back.
"This doesn't mean everything would be alright between us," he murmured while pulling away.
"I understand," she assured and kissed his cheek. "Good night, brother."
