Chapter Eleven

Hayley

Rebekah Mikaelson is standing outside my apartment with a bored expression plastered on her face, dressed stylishly in a bright red leather jacket, white knit shirt, dark blue skinny jeans, and knee-high black boots. Making a mental note to ask her where she shops—I need that jacket, like, yesterday—I race out the door to meet the beautiful, blonde original vampire.

"Good morning," I chirp cheerfully.

"I suppose it is," Rebekah replies, gesturing toward the clear blue sky.

It's a gorgeous day. Not a cloud in sight and there's just enough wind to cut the humidity. Too bad today's D-Day. The day we stop Katherine and her mind-controlled army for good. Considering my last encounter with Katherine was a bust, I feel my nerves pricking up—until I glance over at Rebekah, who's busy examining her polished fingernails. Thank god for the original's cool, nonchalance. What the hell do I have to worry about? I've got the badass Original family backing me up. Katherine doesn't stand a chance.

"So are we going to stand here all bleedin' day?" Rebekah places her hands on her hips and sighs dramatically.

"Ah, sorry. Yes, follow me—I know where we can find out Katherine's whereabouts."

We walk side-by-side in silence and I'm not sure what I should say to Elijah's sister. I try to catch her eye, but she doesn't even glance my way. Who knows if I made a good first impression? I mean, I'm sure Klaus isn't going to throw a parade in my honor—that's for damn sure. But I thought I saw a friendly spark in Rebekah's eyes yesterday. She was almost…welcoming.

Winning people over isn't my strong suit. I usually skip town before anyone has a chance to know me. And then it occurs to me that this is probably the first time—in a long ass time—that I've truly craved acceptance from someone. And I know who's to blame: a pesky, handsome-as-hell vampire who managed to worm his way into my heart. Damn him.

Rebekah clears her throat, snapping me back to the present. "You and Elijah…you haven't known him that long, have you?"

"No, we just met."

Rebekah stops in her tracks and faces me. "I'll be blunt. I love Elijah. I know him better than anyone and I find it out of character that he would attach himself so easily to a stranger. It must be because he trusts you—and cares for you deeply."

"I care for him, too—"

Rebekah raises an eyebrow. "'Care for him'? Nothing more than that?"

"What do you want to know?" I ask, hoping she'll relent on the subject after I answer her question.

The blonde vampire folds her toned arms in front of her chest and steps closer to me, "I just want to make sure Elijah doesn't end up betrayed—or hurt. His liaisons in the past…let's just say they didn't end happily. If I can protect him from more pain, I will. Understand?"

Staring into Rebekah's bright blue eyes, I say earnestly, "I can promise you this—I will never intentionally hurt your brother. Ever."

Rebekah looks me up and down for a moment and then finally cracks a smile. "I think I can believe you, wolf girl."

"You can definitely believe me, vamp girl." I reply lamely, and then we both burst out laughing. "Vamp girl…it doesn't really roll of the tongue, does it?"

"Not at all!" Rebekah rolls her eyes. "No matter. Onward, right?"

I grin up at her, "Yes, let's go."

Part of the planning with the Mikaelsons yesterday was tracing the steps from the last time Elijah and I ran into Katherine. Of course, neither of us would know where Katherine ran off to—but we absolutely know whom she ran off with. Zack. My old friend who's now helplessly under Katherine's control.

Rebekah and I amble down the streets of Bushwick until I stop in front of a tall red brick building. Memories come flooding back to me. Of Zack hugging me close, leading me inside, far away from the werewolves seduced by Katherine who were on a mission to hunt me down. At that time, Zack was the only person who looked out for me when things were rough. I just hope that once we break the vamp bitch's powers, Zack will be free.

Rebekah touches my arm, pulling me out of my thoughts, nodding her head toward the building.

"Yep, this is the one," I assure her.

"Ok then," Rebekah says as she kicks in the door leading into the building.

We zoom up the stairs until we reach the third floor. I knock loudly on the door labeled 3C. It might be a long shot that Zack still lives here. Then again he was still working at the Cole Street Bar…

A minute passes and no answer. Rebekah leans in close, her ear pressed to the door. Utilizing her supernatural hearing, no doubt.

Suddenly her eyes meet mine. She motions toward the door, while pushing me out of the way. The black stiletto heel of her right boot rises up and kicks in the door, causing a loud bang to sound in the stairwell. But Rebekah is undeterred by the noise. I follow her carefully inside the apartment, wary of Zack or other minions lurking about.

There is no light in the apartment, but I'm sure that won't stop Rebekah from hunting her prey. I glance over at her and she presses a finger to her lips. Not that I need a reminder to be on my guard. After all, I only have my kickass fighting skills at my disposal. I'm no original vampire with supernatural abilities.

A creaking noise sounds on the wooden floorboard and I jump back in surprise. But Rebekah merely stands in place, ready for whomever—or whatever—is approaching us.

"Marshall…?" a hushed voice asks warily in the darkness.

I recognize the voice. It's Zack. My former sandy-haired friend steps slowly from the shadows into a sliver of light spilling from the open doorway. I notice immediately that his eyes are still glazed over and his skin is shiny, slick with sweat. He seems…nervous.

"Zack," I look over at Rebekah, confirming his identity.

The original vamp wastes no time. In five seconds flat she has Zack pressed up against a wall.

"Where is Katherine!?" Rebekah shouts.

But Zack isn't even looking in her direction. His attention is focused on me.

"You shouldn't have come here, Marshall," Zack rasps out as Rebekah applies pressure to his neck.

I move closer to them. "Why? What's going on, Zack? Where's Katherine?"

Zack doesn't answer and the sudden buzzing of my cell phone breaks the tense silence.

Rebekah gives me an annoyed look, but I shrug defensively, pointing at the screen. "It's your brother."

With one hand pinning Zack in place, Rebekah uses the other hand to brush a stray blonde curl behind her ear. "Well, I hope it's the brother with some good sense."

I press the phone to my ear and whisper, "Elijah."

"Hayley," Elijah's low, rumbling voice shoots warmth down my body. The way that man says my name…I just hope Rebekah can't see me blushing in the dark.

"Did you get him?" I ask.

"Yes, we have Daniel Du Monte."

"I'm sure Max didn't just hand him over…"

I hear Elijah's smiling mischievously as he explains, "Let's just say the hermit witch had to come out of the magic shop and away from his sister's protection sometime."

"Ah, I see."

"Have you discovered Katherine's whereabouts?"

I turn to see Rebekah smacking Zack across the face, but zombie-like Zack barely cries out. It will be a miracle if we get an answer out of him.

"We're working on it."

"I think Daniel left the shop because he was supposed to meet Katherine—so be careful. I'm sure she's up to something," Elijah warns. "Klaus and I will meet you wherever you are—text me the address. I don't think we should be apart at the moment. We're at an advantage if we stick together."

I heave a sigh of relief. I want Elijah here. I feel safer when he's around. My own original vampire security blanket.

"Sounds good. I'll text you now."

"And Hayley?" Elijah murmurs.

"Yes?"

"Protect yourself."

"You too," I say softly.

My heart drops hearing the click of the other line. He's gone…for now. I quickly text him Zack's address and close my eyes, hoping he'll come soon.

Rebekah slaps Zack again, but other than a moan, he says nothing.

The blonde vampire sighs in exasperation. "We're getting nowhere. Please tell me Elijah has some good news."

I grin, "Yes, he and Klaus are coming—with Daniel Du Monte."

"Praise the lord, the boys were successful," Rebekah grins back at me. Then she inclines her head towards Zack. "What do we do with this nuisance in the meantime?"

"He's hardly a nuisance," a sultry voice purrs from the dark. A lamp switches on and I catch a whirl of brown tresses before my eyes land on the she-vamp herself. Katherine.

"In fact," Katherine struts over to where Zack is plastered against the wall and caresses his neck. "He's quite useful."

There's a hard glint in Rebekah's eyes. I can tell she's aching for a fight. Rebekah snarls at Katherine as she releases Zack and grabs a fistful of Katherine's long lustrous locks, pulling her close. "Bitch. You will pay for what you've done to my brother."

"Tsk. Tsk." Katherine smirks. "You wouldn't want to do anything to me before Elijah and Klaus get here? I'm sure Klaus would love to do the honors himself—"

"Shut the hell up, no one cares what you have to say," I growl.

"Oh really, Miss Wolf? Well, I know some who would disagree with that…"

Katherine closes her eyes and suddenly Zack tackles Rebekah with more strength than I thought a mere human was capable of. Then I hear a window crash in another room as two burly werewolves—one with long black hair, the other with cropped brown hair—come bounding toward me.

I manage to land a roundhouse kick in the black-haired wolf's stomach and he doubles over instantly. But the brown-haired wolf is quicker than his stockier companion. He dodges my jab to his nose and lands a hit on my shoulder. I bite my lip to distract myself from the pain and swing my body upward to give the agile wolf an uppercut right in the chin.

Brownie falls down from the impact, but the other wolf springs back up and pushes me on the ground. I steal a glance at Rebekah who's banging Zack against a wall repeatedly. I pray silently that Zack's strong enough to withstand Rebekah's attack and that he holds on until Elijah and Klaus arrive with the witch and the spell is broken.

But there's no time for prayers when I have two surly wolves to contend with. The wolf with long black hair grabs me from behind, lifting me up, as the other wolf slaps me across the face with the back of his hand. I use my legs to kick the wolf holding me right in the groin, and he releases me immediately.

Then Rebekah appears at my side and it's one against one. Rebekah dispatches the brown-haired wolf easily. By tossing him out the window. I land a few punches to the black-haired wolf's face and give him a hard kick in the ribs before he collapses on the hardwood floor with a thump. Done and done. And good riddance.

Now that Rebekah and I have handled the "threats", I frantically check the corner of the room and see Zack passed out—slumped against the wall. He seems to be breathing. Thank god.

Rebekah turns to me, looking at the large bruise marking my face intently as she mutters under her breath, "Bloody bastards."

But Rebekah's motherly inspection is cut short by a slow clap—and hysterical laughter. "Bravo, ladies! You put on a good show. Elijah and Klaus would be so proud."

Rebekah's eyes blaze with fury as she glares at Katherine. "Shut the fuck up before I silence you—for good."

Then the blonde vampire turns to me, her lips quirking up in a tiny smile. "I can sense them. They're almost here."

"Which means, you're about to die," I say with finality, looking directly into Katherine's dark shining eyes.

The she vamp, however, is unaffected by our threats. She reverts back to her crazy self and laughs. "You think this is the end for me? Well, I have a surprise for all of you…"

Before Rebekah can stop her, Katherine sidles up to me and holds me in a tight embrace. I can feel her hot breath against my ear. She places something solid in my hands. I try to make sense of what she's saying, but my head is foggy—and my vision is blurry. I don't even know what I'm holding.

Then familiar faces enter the apartment. Elijah. He's grinning and walking straight toward me. Suddenly, my blood turns to ice. A chill runs down my spine. He grasps me by the shoulders, caresses my face, and then pulls me into him. I vaguely feel his warmth and his firm chest, but somehow I feel hollow inside.

I feel nothing. Like I'm a shell. Not whole. I just hear the words. I can't make them out at first. It's like an echoing in my head. But soon the words become louder. Whatever I'm clutching in my hand is sharp and I grasp it firmly. I lift the sharp object up and swing it full force until it hits something solid directly in front of me.

Hot, thick liquid spills onto my hand. Blood. But from what? Then the words become clear.

Kill him. Pierce his heart. Kill Elijah.

Horrified but unable to speak I glance up to see Elijah's mouth parted in shock, his shaking hands trying to remove the stake buried deep inside his chest. He collapses to the ground and the scene around me spins.

In the background I hear someone yelling—and a commotion—but all I can do is stare at Elijah as he gasps and writhes on the floor in pain. I can't feel my hands. My whole body is shaking. The gravity of what I've done is beginning to sink in, but I don't have any control of myself. Tears spill against my cheeks, but I can't utter a word.

Then Elijah's eyes close and I feel like all goodness and love and light have been snuffed out of my life. A bloodcurdling wail booms in the tiny apartment and it's only after someone slaps me across the cheek that I realize the screaming is coming from me.

This can't be real. This can't be happening. It must be a nightmare. Suddenly, something hits me hard in the back of my head and I feel myself floating away into unconsciousness. My world quickly fades to black, and in my complete despair and horror, I welcome my oblivion.