Just as Tyler was about to lunge for Hayley, a deep voice interrupted him.
"Get away from her." What's-his-name commanded from the doorway. Huh, I hadn't even noticed him entering. The hybrid. Who Tyler had created, apparently. I didn't know how, but judging by this whole scenario, I would think it had something to do with baby hybrid.
"What do you care?" Tyler frowned at the other hybrid. The latter looked back at him with blazing anger in his eyes.
"I said get away!" He growled. What was this? This guy had snapped my neck a while ago and helped Tyler stab Hayley with a syringe.
"You got what you wanted, now get lost!" Tyler sneered back at him.
"Dwayne, he's gonna kill me." Hayley suddenly exclaimed next to me. Dwayne's eyes flicked over to her. Slaves who do everything he says. Did turning someone into a hybrid let you control them? Judging by the way Dwayne had suddenly become fiercely protective over the werewolf woman, yes. "And he's gonna kill you too. He said that hybrids are too dangerous to live. You need to stop him."
"Shut up!" Tyler growled, but it was too late. Dwayne had already pulled him back and then threw him into a wall. I immediately lunged for Tyler's dagger, which lay close to my feet. I started cutting up the wires around Hayley's wrists first, while the two men fought each other.
"Save yourself. Tell Klaus I'm here." I whispered to her, knowing that I wouldn't have the time to cut myself free.
Indeed, I didn't have the time to untie my wires before Tyler had ripped out Dwayne's heart and turned to me.
"You'll regret siding with Klaus. I can promise you that." He muttered, before picking up the dagger from the floor. Asshole. He gave me one last glare as he stomped off after Hayley. I was left alone in the old wooden house with nothing else to do than to clutch my neck and hope for Klaus to appear.
"Come on out." Tyler called outside. I concentrated on my vamp-hearing as he kept calling for Hayley. "I'll end it quick."
"Quite an offer." I had never been so relieved to hear Klaus' british accent. I would not die today. "Although not one I'd be extended to you." That was the last thing I heard before my pulse quickened and I couldn't concentrate on one thing so fully. Strange, werewolf bites usually didn't affect vampires this quickly. Maybe hybrid bites were different, since I could already feel my blood temperature rising.
"Maybe… Maybe I should just take a nap." I whispered to myself before closing my eyes. Oh, sweet darkness. One second… Three seconds… Five seconds… Aaaaaand I was gone. Lights out.
"Juliette?" A nice voice was talking to me in the distance. A very nice voice. I liked that voice. It spoke my name as if I was french. "Juliette." I slowly opened my eyes again, only to realize that two people were crouching before me.
"I'm here. It's alright." The two Klauses said reassuringly, brushing away a strand of my blood stained blonde hair.
"You never told me you have a twin." I said with a little laugh, humored by the two Klauses in front of me. They didn't seem to agree with me, but they put my head in their laps anyway. "You look very funny from this angle." My voice sounded strained and hoarse when I spoke.
"Schhhh…" The Klauses comforted, before putting their wrists to their mouths and biting down. They then put them against my mouth. As the warm blood flowed into my mouth, my vision disappeared.
"Juliette?" Klaus asked as he opened the door to the compound. I was once again in my own body in a vision, and it felt very strange. I couldn't control anything I said or did. It was as if I was trapped in my own body. "What are you doing here?" His eyes were full of surprise and something else as he spoke.
"I–" I said, my voice breaking. "I still hate you. But I have nowhere to stay. I have no one." I glanced down at the duffelbag strapped across my shoulder, before looking back at the Original hybrid. He nodded at me, his blue eyes filled with tenderness and regret.
"I'm sorry." He said as I entered the hall. "About your friend. About Marcel. About Davina." I walked into the familiar courtyard with nothing but despair in my heart.
"So am I."
I regained my vision and realized that there was only one Klaus cradling me in his lap. And he was looking at me with a softness in his eyes that made me want to squirm and look away. I was just about to break the tension between us with a joke when the hybrid's head snapped up. I listened for any sounds, and heard footsteps nearing our little cabin.
"I'll be back, love." He whispered, before standing up and walking out of the door. I sat up and realized that I was still tied up.
"Hey! You could've loosened my ties, you know!" I yelled after him, but he obviously didn't have it in his mind to free me. I slumped back against the furniture and decided to eavesdrop.
"There you are!" Klaus exclaimed. "I see you've found our wandering stray. Perhaps she could shed some light on the situation. This–" The sound of something heavy slumping to the ground. "–would appear to be the body of a hybrid."
"His name was Dwayne." Hayley retorted. Oh. So she was the wandering stray. What a nice thing to call the mother of your child.
"Well whoever he was, I didn't sire him. Any idea how that's possible?"
"As if you didn't know…" I really wished that I hadn't been out for several moments, because I had no bloody idea what they were talking about.
"Ohh… Aren't you two fast friends." Detectable jealousy in Klaus' voice. That meant that someone else was there too. Probably Elijah. "Oh, come one then. What horrible accusation have you conspired to levy against me?"
"Tyler Lockwood brought Hayley here to test a theory." Elijah spoke calmly, cold calculation in his voice. Whoah. This wasn't just a normal love triangle… Two brothers. Damn, that was intense. "That the blood of her child could be used to sire hybrids. He claims you knew that." Oooohhhh… I suddenly understood everything. Why Tyler had been so frantic. Why he had even tried to kill me for the sake of his mission. He knew that Klaus knew about the baby's special powers, and wanted Klaus to be unable to sire new hybrids. Still, not a good enough reason to freaking bite your childhood friend.
"Furthermore… You intended to use this knowledge to build an army." Elijah continued. Build an army… That rang a bell.
"And of course, you assume it's true." Klaus replied. It was buried deep into his voice, but I could hear pain in his words. I wondered what it felt like to always be on your guard with everyone. To not even be able to trust your siblings. "I mean, why else would I show any interest in my own flesh and blood?" Thick irony in his voice. "A heartbroken little crybaby points his finger at me, and my own brother falls in line, eager to believe it! How quickly you assume the worst. Especially when it comes from her."
"Oh spare me your indignation. When have you ever demonstrated any kind of concern towards Hayley, or her child, beyond your selfish pursuits!" Elijah shot back angrily. Even though I was tied up, I had to admit that this drama was a teeny tiny bit entertaining. This family was like the Kardashians, for God's sake. "And what was it you once said to me? Every king needs an heir."
"My big brother. So you doubt my intentions… Well, I can't say I'm surprised. Standing beside the noble Elijah, how can I be anything but the lesser brother? A liar. Manipulator. Bastard." Klaus' voice wavered slightly, revealing his pain and sadness. Even though a big part of me still thought he was an annoying prick, I got a strange urge to hug him. "That's all I am to you, isn't it? And to Rebekah? And judging by the way Hayley depends on your every word, it's clear that she feels the same way. No doubt my child will as well."
"Brother, if–"
"We have said all that needs to be said, brother." Klaus sneered. "I'll play the role I've been given." Just when I thought it was over, the sound of teeth against flesh and Elijah screaming filled the air. Shit, had Klaus bitten him? "You two enjoy each other's company. You'll have much to bond over once the hallucinations and dementia set in. Consider that bite my parting gift to you both." I heard footsteps starting to walk away. Hey! He was supposed to come back to get me! I didn't want to be stuck out in the bayou with Elijah and Hayley. I was still mad at that bastard for nearly strangling me.
"Oh right! I forgot." Klaus suddenly exclaimed. Within half a second, he was by my side, and the wires around my hands were ripped off. He then picked me up and threw me over his shoulder.
"What the hell do you think you're doing?!" I exclaimed, trying to wriggle free of his grasp. He carried me out of the shed, and I faced a very shocked Elijah and Hayley.
"You're coming with me." Klaus simply said, before carrying me away.
I slumped down in the car seat of the black SUV and enjoyed the feeling of the soft leather. Klaus got in the driver's seat and started the engine. I opened my mouth, but stopped myself when I saw just how furious Klaus looked.
"I would've come willingly, you know." I told him, raising my brows at him. "I owe you one for saving my life."
Silence. Klaus kept his eyes on the road with a clenched jaw. I watched the trees pass by the windows, getting the hint that my companion didn't feel like talking. My thoughts drifted to Marcel. What would he think of me going out alone on a stupid rescue mission? I had to agree, the smarter option would've been to go back to the compound and tell Klaus and Elijah what I knew. On the other hand, the time that I saved going alone could have been vital for Hayley's survival. But I know that I have a tendency to act rash when I get an idea. I'm working on it, kay?
"Did you kill him?" I asked Klaus suddenly, turning back to look at him. Klaus' eyes met mine for a split second. "Tyler?"
"He wanted to die. Killing him would have meant doing him a favor." He muttered, once again keeping his eyes on the road. "So I let him live, knowing that he is only alive because I want him to be."
"Good. Although I wouldn't have minded getting back at him for biting me."
"I didn't know you were from Mystic Falls." Klaus stated with curiosity. "My family made a stop there. Got to know a few of your friends. One of them, Tyler."
"Yeah, I heard you made him into the first hybrid." I raised my brows at the Original with a scoff. "God, my best friend Caroline and I had such a crush on him when we were in fourth grade. The biggest fight we ever had was when he only came to my birthday party and not hers." I let out a small chuckle, but the air had gone tense between us.
"Caroline?" Did I only imagine the slight waver in Klaus' voice?
"Yeah. She befriended me the day I came to Mystic Falls, and we remained best friends until I left town." I scrunched my brows at him. "Why, do you know her?"
"You could say that." A small smile played on his lips. "So, you're engaged." He changed the topic.
"And you're going to be a father." I answered, not really up for talking about my relationship with Marcel with Klaus. "How did you and Hayley meet?" I actually forced some genuine curiosity and kindness into my voice, even though the thought of Klaus in a happy family made me want to barf.
Klaus looked at me for a few long seconds before breaking into a laugh, his dimples very visible on his cheeks.
"You seem to be under the impression that Hayley and I are in a relationship, love." He shook his head slowly. "Hayley and I shared one heated night in Mystic Falls, and then she was pregnant. The witches brought us both here together to tell me that I was to be a father." My heart jumped slightly and I'm pretty sure a blush spread across my cheeks for some reason.
"Oh…" I answered, shying away from his blue gaze. I was still reminded every second of how hot Klaus Mikaelson was, and I felt like I was mentally cheating on my fiancée. "So why does the whole Hayley and Elijah thing bug you so much then?" Oh God. I just did it again. The thing I had been so very famous for in my circle of friends in Mystic Falls. Thinking out loud. Not having a filter.
"I'm sorry, I shouldn't pry, it's just… I have a hard time understanding you, Klaus." I dared to meet his gaze, and the Original peered at me through his blonde eyelashes. He seemed to contemplate whether or not to say anything before slowly breaking into a smile.
"That's the mystery of me, love." He grinned, but I saw the ghost of pain flash by his eyes. "Let's not speak of such sinister things now." He looked back at the road, slightly tapping his fingers against the steering wheel.
"Sure." I smiled. "Do you mind if I turn on the radio?"
"Not at all."
I rewarded Klaus with a grin before pressing the 'on' button on the radio. The song that filled the air was 'Hot 'n Cold' by Katy Perry, and I resisted singing out loud to it. Somehow, singing in the presence of only one person was more intimidating than singing in front of a whole crowd. I know I'm cuckoo, but yeah… As you might know by now, my mind works in strange ways.
"You're hot and you're cold…" I softly started singing, turning my face away from Klaus. Perhaps that would muffle the sound a bit. I just couldn't hold it in. "You're yes then you're no…" The volume of the music increased, and I turned to Klaus in surprise. His hand was on the volume button. He grinned at me. He didn't need to say it, I could see everything in his eyes.
"You're in then you're out, you're up then you're down!" I continued singing, louder this time, and not tearing my eyes away from Klaus. My walls were down, and that's how they stayed for the rest of the car ride. Because I was singing my lungs out while Klaus was watching me with a mixture of fascination and disbelief. The warmth I could still see in his eyes made my heart flutter, but I ignored it just for that car ride. He had saved my life, and I was thankful.
The door to Rousseau's rang its bell as I closed it behind me, and I felt an unreal kind of peace settle down on me. Especially when I noticed Marcel on the stage, and heard his voice fill the room. With a small smile, I made my way to the bar, while listening to the song.
"Here I stand
Taking off my pride
And I run with nowhere to hide
I'm exposed flaws and all
You're still here and that's something beautiful.."
I dumped my bag behind the counter after mouthing a silent hello to Cami, who was pouring up a drink to a big lumberjack who kept staring down her black shirt. When she was done, she walked up to me, where I was putting my apron on.
"You know, I heard a rumour about an engagement… Any idea who it's about?" She teased with a wide smile. Her blonde hair was curled into perfect locks, reminding me of Caroline's amazing hair. While I had been the lazy one who only sprayed some salt spray in my waves, she had always gone up early in the mornings to curl hers. Still, I had envied that angel hair.
"Hmmm… I don't know…" I said, squinting. I lifted the hand with the ruby ring on it and waved it in front of my face. "Could it be this?"
"Say what you will about Marcel…" Cami shot a glance at Marcel, who grinned at me above the piano. "But that is one beautiful ring."
"I know!" I screeched in a high pitch, before actually remembering that I had standards, and a reputation to withhold. Seriously, Julie.
"'Sup, bitches?" A familiar southern drawl filled the air, and I turned around to meet Roxy's heavily makeuped face. She had a cocktail in her hand, and I was almost a hundred percent sure that she was currently tying the cherry cord with her tongue.
"If it would've been anyone else but you calling us that, I would have kicked your ass." I chuckled at my red-haired friend.
"Whatever. I still think 'bitch' is a compliment."
"Dude, it literally means 'female dog'. It's incredibly degrading." I raised my brows at her, taking a sip of her drink. We always did that to each other. No biggie.
"You think so? I like dogs. Dogs are cute." Roxy gave me a devilish grin, and I rolled my eyes in response. I saw something out of the corner of my eyes and noticed that Cami had gone over to another customer. She still hadn't quite warmed up to Roxy.
"Seriously though…" I leaned closer to the gothic vampire, looking over her shoulder. "Do you see that man on the stage?" Roxy turned around and squinted her brown eyes at Marcel.
"That tall, handsome, charming prince behind the piano?" She spoke with a smile across her face.
"Yeah that one." I nodded at her, biting my lip. "Well he's my fiancée!" As Roxy rolled her eyes at my childish glee, I once again listened to Marcel singing and playing the piano.
"If I fall crash down to my knees
You pick me up, running to my needs
Even if I'm wrong with no one to call you're still here
And that's something beautiful."
"How did he propose?" My friend asked while taking the last swig of her cocktail. She made a small pout before signaling Cami to make her a second one.
"Simple. Small speech about how amazing I am and how I'm his queen… But I tell you, he was very convincing."
"And then you had sex after." Roxy shrugged, and I gaped, caught off guard.
"Howd– How did you know that?" I asked, ignoring the deep blush spreading across my cheeks. The red haired vampire put down her empty glass and looked at me with skeptical eyes.
"Girl, I think the whole compound heard the two of you. Especially you." Heheheheheeee….
"Speaking of which…" I diverted the attention from my sex life to Roxy's instead, like the great friend I was. "Who was that girl in your bed?"
"Just a girl I've been seeing." My friend shrugged, turning away from me. I couldn't help but shake my head at her. She always did this as soon as she started caring about someone. She pretended that they were no one until she was madly in love with them.
"A girl that's sitting right over there in the corner, not taking her eyes off of you?" I bumped Roxy's shoulder with a teasing laugh. This time, it was her cheeks that flushed a burgundy shade. "She's really pretty."
"Oh yeah. You have noooo idea how great she is in bed." Roxy laughed, before licking her mouth, not tearing her eyes away from the girl in the back.
"Okay, okay…" I patted her shoulder. "I'm still straight, sadly."
"I know… Judging by the way you sounded last night, I would've loved to shag you." I let out a surprised scoff and gaped before swatting her on the arm playfully.
"Rox! Anyway… You should go and see her." I nudged Roxy in the shoulder.
"And you should go work."
"Yeah, yeah." I muttered, sighing to myself before going back behind the counter. Although I had to admit, the following half hour… Well, I did a lot of gazing at my fiancée dreamily and a little working.
The second Tyler Lockwood stepped in through the door, my hand was around his throat.
"You." I growled in his face, baring my fangs at him. As I looked into the hybrid's indifferent eyes, I felt an arm ensnare my waist.
"Julie." Marcel whispered in my ear. "Calm down." I squeezed Tyler's throat extra hard one more time, before reluctantly letting him down from the wall I had pressed him up to. I backed away from him and joined Marcel's side, not taking my narrowed eyes off of him.
"Who are you, and what do you want?" Marcel asked the hybrid, a little more kindly than I had. Well, he hadn't been bitten by him.
"Tyler Lockwood. The first hybrid to have been made by Klaus Mikaelson. I am here to tell you how to destroy him."
