Hello again everyone!

I know a lot of you guys probably want to kill me right now or simply detest me. I also know it is not fair on my part to prolong chapter after chapter for so long. But I only have apologies and the same excuses. College really isn't making it easy for me and the only encouragement that I feel I have is my love for the character of Kol and ofcourse, Arianna.

Anyway, I do have a new chapter for everyone to read and hopefully enjoy in equal amount. I am a bit too keyed up with Henry Cavill and Tudors off late which serves as a beautiful distraction from the nightmare that is TVD off late. However, I shall strive to keep going at this story because I love it and all of you guys very dearly.

I sincerely thank all my reviewers and all those of you who have continuously subscribed to updates and have favorited my story. My gratitude should forever lay with you.

Happy Reading! :)


Chapter 11:

Arianna stood frozen behind the kitchen counter while the winds billowed. The sheer fabric of the living room curtains swayed as did the young boy's soft brown locks, the boy who stood before her. She had seen him before. She knew who he was, yet she did not. She couldn't fathom why he had chosen to show himself, or perhaps it was simply her imagination.

"Henrik." She gasped caustiously, recognizing and waiting to gauge his reaction. She was at a loss of words, not knowing anything more to say.

At first, she saw hesitation in his hazel eyes which was quickly replaced by amusement the moment he heard her utter his name. He quite liked her, even though he did not know her. His lips turned up in a slight smile.

Arianna watched silently as the young boy shifted from his position walking through any obstacles his path. He stood resolutely like a floating shadow in the midst of the room and turned to look at her. Arianna was visibly shaken hoping it was a dream. Any semblance of reality that she might have gained in the past couple of weeks was slipping away from her alarmingly. As if his brother's ministrations in her already tortured brain wasn't enough, she now had to deal with the shadow of another dead Mikaelson born.

"Did you find what you were looking for?" Henrik's voice was smooth though slightly squeaky, certainly evidence of his young age. So engrossed was she in her analyzation of the ghost that it took her a moment to process what he asked. He was patient, however.

"Yes." She moved forward towards the sofa carefully, afraid he would vanish into thin air if she made haste.

"You must know my brother." He stated simply and Arianna didn't know how he had chanced upon it. She continued to look at him with furrowed eyebrows, not liking the eerie presence in her apartment.

"I mean no harm." The young boy continued, smiling at her, hoping it would soothe her nerves. Even in her worried state and with his childish perception, Henrik could see why Kol had taken a fancy to her. She had in her what Kol always perceived in Henrik, that which he so deeply valued in cherished. She was an innocent, a soul uncorrupted and pure. "I have a message for him." He said after a moment's silence.

Arianna sat down, her fingers constantly fidgety. She nodded and he slowly moved to sit next to her.


Atticus Shane was having a rather busy morning. Not only had he to arrange for the art exhibit that he was in charge of, but he was also cleaning his quarters and staking up the late Sheila Bennett's books together to be delivered to her grand-daughter's safe keeping. It was post lunch time when he heard a furious knock on his office door. For a moment he felt a wave of paranoia seize him. He never had uninformed visitors save Connor Jordan. He however wasn't due until a very long time.

Upon opening the door, he was met with messy curls of burgundy on a pale face that belonged to Arianna Griffiths. She appeared distressed. "Have a minute?" Her voice shook.

"Have more than just one for you." He smiled after taking in her appearance. She walked into his office, pulling out her gloves simultaneously. The weather like her mood had taken a turn for the worse the past couple of days. Shane distinctly remembered their previous conversation and the fact that she had infact declined his invitation previously. He really did feel his interest peaked when it came to the young brunette but couldn't put a finger to what exactly drove him to such a conclusion.

"You seem pretty off?" he questioned gently, trying to make conversation.

She opened her mouth to say something but couldn't comprehend where to begin. He waited patiently, manouvering over to his desk as he continued to arrange and rearrange an assortment of items on his table.

"You claim to know a thing or two about the occults. Don't you?" Arianna began. Shane looked at her and affirmed. "I do."

"And why do you believe in it?" she continued.

"Because its nature, the very essence of it. From it stems life and death and resurrection." Arianna held his gaze, a little unsure how to feel about the determination in his voice.

"You must have prior experience or knowledge to be so sure of its existence. All that you speak of." Her voice was laced with a hint of cynicism and if Shane picked it up, it didn't offend him. Quite the contrary infact, he was thoroughly assumed.

"Is this conversation going anywhere?" He was skeptical.

She looked at him with eyes determined for a second before picking up a rare artifact that lay on his table - a ring of sorts. She closed her eyes as if concentrating on something far off.

"The seal of Solomon.." She began, as if entranced. "A powerful enemy of death, and conqueror of demons, it only remained with the King Solomon, unearthed 1800 years ago but lost in battle over a period of time." Shane looked at her with awe, unaware from where she gathered such information. Her brow twitched repeatedly and her lips mumbled off random pieces of trivia about the ring she held in her hand.

When she finally opened her eyes, there was a gleam in them, a spark of excitement and fascination. She smirked at him, "You bought it off a gypsy who you crossed while camping through Egypt didn't you?"

He matched hers with a knowing smirk of his own, "How did you know?" he was fascinated. She didn't reply, only toyed with a few other things on his desk. The sudden shift in her demeanour from unsure to confident was intriguing and Shane couldn't help but be attracted to the mystery that she was.

"I need your help." She stated simply after deliberation. Shane could certainly not deny that his interest knew no bound. She was an opportunity. "And why should I help you?" he quizzed.

She looked at the strewn papers on his desk, she vaguely knew what he was looking for. She could lead him to them, she could end all her problems with one decision. All she had to do was tell him where to go and save him the trouble.

It was no secret that the old town of Mystic Falls was a town buzzing with creatures of the supernatural that the professor so eagerly sought.

Arianna simply smiled, deciding that she needed more time to deliberate. "Because you are curious about me."

Shane watched her stand confidently, her arms locked before her, a knowing look in her eyes. She had him and he'd be daft if he didn't cease Lady luck while she came knocking at his door.

"Gloria's has some real nice coffee around the corner. How do you like yours professor?"

"Atticus." He corrected moving towards the door while grabbing his coat off the hanger as they made their way to Gloria's.


"Did you know, In the late 1500's Pope Clement VIII was asked by his priests to ban coffee, an evil drink. After tasting it, he instead baptized coffee as a Christian drink."

"Really?" Arianna laughed as she sipped on her Cappucino while Shane nursed his Espresso.

"Oh yes," he continued, "Infact, in the late 1890's some believe coffee to be a "drug drink" with the poisonous drug caffeine. At the time, coffee was considered as bad as cocaine." offering with a small laugh.

"How do you know so much?" She queried, amused. Her laughter was indeed infectious. Shane was beginning to like the sound of it as more time passed.

"Are you going to tell me about it?" he abruptly changed the topic, his expressions suddenly serious yet complacent.

"Whats in it for you?" She counteracted.

"I'm just curious... like you said." There was an unmistakable twinkle in his eyes and Arianna couldn't quite decide if it was

"Only if you help." She supplied.

"What do you need?"

"Remember when you spoke of mind control and illusions?" He nodded. Ofcourse he remembered, it was his first lecture that she ever attended.

"I need you to teach me how to resist." Once again, he could see the uneasiness replace confidence in her eyes. Try as she may, she feared something and she wasn't going to tell easily. Fortunately, Atticus was a man of immense patience.

He would unfurl her feathers, uncover her secrets layer by layer and with leisure.


"Brother, all is well I'm hoping?" Niklaus sounded rather complacent.

"Do you have reason to believe otherwise?" Kol answered sipping on his blood laced wine.

When Niklaus didn't answer further from the other end, it had Kol slightly concerned. No matter how much they pretended to be indifferent, the bond between brothers was something they both cherished. No matter how many time Niklaus might have daggered him, he knew Niklaus had his back as long as he didn't meddle with his hybrid business. And if he was being perfectly honest with himself, he didn't couldn't care less if Niklaus bred a whole dozen of them if he knew how to keep them on a short leash.

"Its just that day again."

Kol knew exactly what day Niklaus was speaking of. He couldn't ever forget. It was committed to his memory. Etched with bitterness and paid with blood, some memories were rather painful no matter how bittersweet.

Kol drew in a breath and closed his eyes, the goblet of wine against his cold skin as he reminiscenced the memories of his dead brother, giving way to whatever little shred of unbalanced emotion he might have had left.

Kol watched from afar, his little brother swing the sword in a weak attempt to sharpen his skill. In its wake, the young boy left many an articles either in shambles or scattered across the floor. No doubt the repercussions would not be pleasant but he loved indulging his brother. Little did Henrik know that his attempt at practising was only going to make him the butt of his brother's jokes. He continued.

As Henrik went about slicing candles and strewing utensils across the floor, a mischieveous smile found its way to Kol's features.

"Henrik" he mockingly admonished and the young boy immediately turned to look at his brother.

In jest, he chased Kol and struck a light blow against his ribs. Kol's eyes went blank, as if he couldn't comprehend his surroundings, as if he was truly hurt by Henrik's blow and he clutched his tunic where he had been pierced, falling back to the couch near the fireplace.

Young Henrik panicked. "Brother?" he dropped the sword, running towards Kol.

When Kol didn't answer and kept gasping for air as if truly in pain he urged once more, "Sir?"

Henrik was close to tears as no words escaped Kol's mouth.

What had he done!

How was he to account for his actions!

He had killed his brother!

He was just about to cry frantically when Kol bounced of the couch with a start and caught hold of Henrik sneaking behind him. The young brothers wrestled in jest.

Henrik breathed a sigh of relief. "You scared me there." He huffed at Kol.

"Henrik, this is not a toy." Kol said, taking the sword from around him. "You do not use it when neither of your brothers or father is present."

Henrik looked dejected at having been caught. "I'm sorry brother."

Kol surveyed the damage in the meantime. If there was any way they could evade mother's corrective measures, now would be the perfect time to duel in the woods.

"What do you say to some lessons in the woods?" he suggested knowingly, smirking.

Henrik laughed and tumbled after his brother, sword in hand as the two brothers ran into the woods to duel.

The memories of a happier time gnawed at the remaining shards of Kol's conscience. He knew not what to do, how to cope. Yet another year had passed and to think that even after all these years the grief of loss would diminish if only by a fraction.

In frustration he threw the glass of wine into the burning fire before him.

Henrik was gone.


All the Trivia on Coffee and the Seal of Solomon actually is true!

Infact the Seal of Solomon is infact a mythological weapon which was used by King Solomon to keep the demons at bay, a gift of the Gods. How very appropriate yet ironic for Shane to have it!

Also, what do you think of Henrik's character so far? How have you all perceived Henrik considering he had such a very small role to play even in the series? I for one definitely feel he was a game changer.

I am eager to hear from you!

Like it?

Hated it?

Thought it could do much better?

What do you expect next?

Where do you think this is headed?

Help me so I can write more for you guys!

Also do forgive all the grammatical errors and spelling errors (if any) - this draft has not been proof read due to sheer anxiety and tiredness.

- A.