Chapter 4

Tales from the tomb

San Francisco 1990

You were born to be my baby, and baby I was made to be your man. We've got somethin' to believe in, even if we don't know where we stand. Only God would know the reasons, but I bet He must have had a plan, 'cause you were born to be my baby and baby I was made to be your man…

Lucilla was dancing and singing along while she cleaned her apartment. This was a big night for her. She wanted everything to be perfect. A casserole was in the oven, salad was ready and she had even baked cookies. Now she just needed Nathan. Lucilla turned the radio down when she heard a knock from a door. He was early. Lucilla stopped in front of a mirror. Her dark curls looked ok and she was wearing a new lime dress. Lucilla smiled when she opened the door. She saw a young blond woman who had dark green eyes.

"Claire", Lucilla said surprised. "Please come in."

She looked upset.

"I'm sorry for coming here like this", Claire said with a shaky voice.

"Don't be silly, you look like you need a friend. Please take a seat."

Claire sat on a couch. Her hands were shaking. Lucilla sat next to her.

"You… you expect company?" she asked.

"Nathan is coming over, it's our anniversary", Lucilla said.

"It is?"

"Yes, we've been dating a year now."

"Oh, congratulations."

"Thank you, but how about you? Has something happened?"

Claire started to laugh, but it was a hysterical laugh.

"You could say that."

"Is it about Josef? Has he done something to you?" Lucilla asked.

"No, I…."

Lucilla took her hands between her owns.

"It's ok sweetie, I'm your friend. What ever it is you can tell me."

"I'm pregnant", Claire said and started to sob.

"Oh. Oh. I see. Does Josef know?"

Claire nodded.

"How did he take it?"

"He's shocked. We both are."

"Yes, that's understandable."

Lucilla hesitated.

"May I ask who the father is?"

Claire stopped sobbing and looked at her.

"Josef."

Lucillas eyes widened.

"What? That's… impossible."

"Don't you think I know that!" Claire shouted.

"Ok, calm down sweetie. Are you absolutely sure? I mean I'm not judging you…"

"Believe me, I'm sure."

They both were quiet for a long while. Lucilla tried to process what she had just heard.

"Ok, ok, there must be some kind of explanation…"

"Please let me know if you can think one", Claire said quietly.

She started to cry again.

"I don't know what to do. Everything is just messed up…"

"Hey, it's ok", Lucilla said and hugged her. "We can think of something together. I'm here for you, ok?"

Claire raised her head.

"Thank you. I don't have anyone else, my pack don't want anything to do with me and… I just don't know what to do."

"I know sweetie, I know. This is what we're going to do, you are going to ask Josef to come here and we'll talk about this together."

Claire nodded and squashed Lucillas hand.

"Thank you Lucilla, I knew I could count on you."

"Of course you can. What ever happens, we'll deal with it together."

...

Montana 2007

"Damn, this thing is heavy! Ok, on three, one, two…"

"Stop, stop! I need a break", Zora said exhausted.

"We have to get this tomb open", Nathan said.

Zora sat on the ground.

"I miss the conversations that didn't start with we need to get this tomb open", she mumbled.

Nathan sat next to her.

"Look, I know you're tired, but this is important."

"Yes, I know, why else would I be in a damn crypt in the middle of night."

"Ok, let's take a break. But we really don't have a whole night."

Zora stretched her arms.

"I really hope that this source of yours is reliable", she said.

"I hope so too because this really sucks", Nathan replied. "But if this journal exist, it would be very useful for us."

"Yeah, let's just hope that this guy actually took it in the grave with him. Ok, let's find out then."

They both pushed as hard as they could and finally the cover of the tomb started to move. Zora coughed.

"There's a lot of dust. And a skeleton. I don't see any book."

Nathan checked the tomb.

"It's not here. Damn it!"

"It never was here", a calm voice said.

Zora and Nathan turned quickly.

"You", she said.

Elijah smiled.

"It is nice to see you too."

"You know this guy?" Nathan asked tensely reaching his gun.

"Yes, this is Elijah", Zora said.

Nathan stepped in front of her. Elijah raised his hands in the air.

"I come in peace, I wish you no harm."

"Why are you here?" Nathan asked.

"I needed to speak with you so I made sure you got that tip about the journal. Nice job covering your tracks when you left Canada, by the way. I couldn't find you."

"Ok, speak then", Nathan said.

"I found some information I thought would interest you."

"What kind of information?"

"About Zora and her… origin."

Zora took a step toward Elijah but Nathan pulled her back.

"We know that already", Nathan said tensely.

"I don't think so. Sure you know about her parents and Lucillas vision, but I found very interesting prophecy."

Nathan rolled his eyes.

"Oh, come on, everyone knows that prophecies aren't reliable. They are usually just riddles that can be interpreted in any way."

"Usually, yes, but you might want to take a look at this one."

Elijah handed a piece of paper to him. Nathan hesitated but he took it.

A child of three worlds,

born from death, bathed in blood.

She will be the rise or fall of new dawn.

Her blood will hold the secret.

"I did the translation myself but it should be accurate", Elijah said.

Nathan read the paper again.

"This is just some mumble jumble like all prophecies", he said firmly.

Elijah shook his head.

"No, it's not."

"What does this mean?" Zora asked.

Nathan and Elijah didn't seem to remember that she was there too.

"I'm not sure", Elijah said. "But I would like to ask something from you."

"What's that?"

"Your blood."

"Nice try", Nathan said coldly. "But that's not going to happen."

Elijah smiled.

"I won't take it against your will. But you know that I could do that."

"Why do you want my blood?" Zora asked.

"So I can examine it. Hopefully get some answers."

"Why?"

"Because I gave my word to your father and you can say many things about me, but I'm a man of my word."

"What did my father asked you to do?"

"To keep an eye on you. Help you if I can."

"And you just agreed?" Zora asked disbelievingly.

"Josef was one of the closest friends of mine, we go way back. You could say that I was his mentor."

"Right. Wait, be mentor you mean…"

Elijah nodded.

"Yes, he was my progeny. First one I turned actually. Back then it meant something."

"No way! I mean, I knew that he was an old vampire but seriously…"

Elijah raised an eyebrow.

"We know that you're an original like Klaus", Nathan said.

"Very good, you have done your homework", Elijah said smiling.

"Yes and that's one reason more not to trust you."

"How much of my blood you need?" Zora asked before Elijah could say anything.

"Zora!" Nathan protested.

"Not much", Elijah replied.

Zora nodded.

"Do you have a bottle or something?"

"Zora no!"

She turned to Nathan.

"It's ok, just trust me."

Elijah gave her an empty bottle. Zora took a knife and calmly cut her wrist. She let her blood run to the bottle.

"That's enough", Nathan said and gave her a handkerchief. Zora tossed the bottle to Elijah.

"Knock yourself out."

He smiled.

"I'll be in touch."

"I really hope you know what you're doing", Nathan murmured when Elijah had left.

"Yeah, me too."