Chapter Thirty Four
The next day I was woken up by a something I had never experienced before; an earthquake. Though it managed to wake me up it didn't disturb the sleeping hybrid whose chest I had been lying on moments before; as soon as the quakes had started I'd sat up, looking around the room and watching the picture frames and mirrors on the walls shake back and forth, wondering what I was actually supposed to be doing. It was when the sleepy fog that had been clouding my brain had cleared that I was able to sense the foreboding feeling that washed over me; this wasn't a normal earthquake- something was happening with Davina. Just as the thought occurred to me I heard my phone ring from the jeans that I had abandoned when I changed into my pyjamas in the early hours of this morning. It was officially Boxing Day, the day after Christmas, and I had a feeling that all of the peace that we had been granted since we had taken over the kingdom was about to dissipate. I picked up my phone in a flash, my disappearance from the bed making Klaus release a sound of protest in his sleep; if I hadn't been so worried it would have made me smile.
'Davina are you alright?' I asked, my tone one of concern.
'No, something's happening to me, Kimmie. I need your help. Please.' She begged, I could feel how much pain she was in as well as her panic.
'I'm on my way sweetheart, just try and stay calm.' I told her, making my voice soothing as I took her panic as well as her pain and replaced it with calm, 'I'll be there in five minutes, and I will be bringing reinforcements so brace yourself.'
'Okay Kimmie, just hurry!' She cried.
I hung up the phone without another word, flashing into a pair of high waisted jeans and a white lacy crop top, not bothering with a bra or underwear. I flashed over to the side of the bed, shaking Klaus' shoulder roughly, explaining what was going on quickly. I asked him to get dressed while I flashed across the hall into Kol and Elena's bedroom; I managed to wake up Kol without disturbing Elena, and thankfully Kol was more than willing to help. Him and Nik were both dressed within seconds, and after that we were all on our way to Davina's apartment that resided within the quarter. I didn't have to be invited in, as she had already done it a few days prior when I had come over to drop off her Christmas present, but Kol and Nik were stuck at the threshold, looking and feeling helpless. I went on, finding Davina passed out on her living room carpet, without another thought I picked her up as gently as I could, holding her to me bridal style, carrying her without any trouble to the front door.
'She's not looking so good. She's not in any pain at the minute, but she had been when she called me earlier.' I said, my brow furrowed in concern.
'Come on darling, we'll get her back to the compound, we're of no use to her if we can't come in.' Kol said, his voice soft as he noticed my own worry.
I stepped over the threshold without another word, flashing her back to the compound, gently placing her down on the sofa in the courtyard. I vaguely registered Nik and Kol following behind me as I brushed her long brown hair from her face as I looked down on her. My heart squeezed painfully; she was so young, she had a whole life ahead of her and she didn't need to be tangled up in a mess like this.
'Love, are you alright?' Nik asked, placing a comforting hand on my shoulder, I placed my hand over his, snapping out of the trance I had been in, and turned my head to give him a soft smile.
'I'll be much better when we figure out how to help her, Nik.' I answered honestly, 'what do you think is going on Kol?'
'The only thing I can think of darling is this being a delayed reaction to the harvest ritual. When those girls died she absorbed all of their magic, magic that was supposed to flow through the earth to strengthen the link to the ancestors.' Kol explained, his own brow furrowed in concentration.
'So you're saying that the power is becoming too much for her.' I clarified, running my hand through my loose curls when he nodded in affirmation.
'Darling…' Kol started; my eyes immediately snapped to his when I sensed the concern coming from him; he was afraid to tell me something.
'What is it, Kol?' I asked, keeping my voice low in order to keep my panic at bay.
'She's going to get worse. All of the elements will start to activate; the earthquake this morning was earth. Fire, wind and water will follow, each more disastrous than the last.' Kol's voice was gentle, but it didn't make hearing what he had to say any easier, 'the only way to stop it is to complete the harvest. She will die regardless, darling, but if we don't complete the ritual she will take a lot of innocent lives with her.'
My gaze moved from Kol's over to the unconscious teenager lying on the sofa. Davina was a sweet, kind and caring girl, sure she had an attitude sometimes, but what teenager didn't? I loved her like she was my own child, and I felt my protective instincts flare up inside of me, but at the same time I could feel the honesty behind Kol's words. The ritual needed to be completed or a lot of innocent people were definitely going to die, that I knew for sure. I felt Nik entwine our hands and I squeezed him back in assurance as I focused on exactly how this harvest ritual was going to play out. I inhaled sharply when I felt that Davina was going to be all right, but I also felt a niggling feeling in the back of my brain that told me it was going to be more complicated than that. But it didn't matter; she was going to come back. She would be alive.
'This is her choice, I'm not taking that away from her.' I finally said, my voice barely audible, even with the supernatural hearing in the room.
'Love-,' Nik was about to protest, but he was cut off when Davina suddenly shot up, her complexion a sickly pale and laced with perspiration as she gasped for breath. Davina looked around frantically, trying to gain her bearings, when she saw me she practically became airborne at the speed she leaped into my arms.
'Kimmie, thank god!' She sobbed; I could sense her fear as well as her pain creeping back up on her now that she was conscious and I took them both, hiding my own discomfort, as I made sure she was nothing but relaxed.
'Hey, it's okay. Everything's going to be alright.' I said, one hand stroking her hear while the other was still entwined with Nik's, gripping on for dear life.
'What's happening to me?' She murmured, her voice quiet now that she had calmed down.
'Davina…' My voice broke when she pulled back to read my expression; the complete trust I saw shining in her eyes made me want to sob; I felt like I was betraying her. I sat her back down on the sofa and took a seat beside her, Nik remaining standing but he was still close to me; I was still holding his hand, as his touch was the only thing that was giving me strength in that moment. I proceeded to tell her everything; why she had suddenly taken a turn for the worse, why the earthquake had happened, what was going to happen if she continued at this rate, and what had to happen in order for it to stop so that innocent people wouldn't have to die. Needless to say she didn't take it very well.
'You're telling me that after everything that Marcel has done, after everything you have done to protect me from the witches and to stop me from being used in the ritual you're going to just hand me over to be used anyway?' She demanded, getting angrier by the second, but I took it before her emotions caused her to lash out with magic and potentially worsen her condition even further.
'Listen to me Davina,' I said, taking her hand with my free hand, relieved when she didn't shrug me off, 'if there was any other way then I would do everything I could to take that path but there isn't. If we complete this by doing the ritual, you will come back, but if we do nothing, you will die for good.' My eyes didn't stray from hers, allowing her to see the complete sincerity shining in my gaze, and I saw that she was starting to believe me, thanks to her trust in me.
'How do you know I'll come back?' Davina asked, her voice reminding me of Elena's when she climbed into my bed after she had a nightmare when we were little.
'I'm part empath and part prophet, Davina,' I told her, squeezing her hand in comfort when a tremor ran through her body; I was taking her fear and pain but that didn't keep the physical affects away, at least not this time.
'What does that mean?' She asked.
'It means that her instincts are the most reliable in the supernatural community, darling.' Kol answered for me.
'Do you promise that I will come back, Kimmie?' She said, her lower lip trembling.
'Yes,' I promised her, 'but this is your choice, sweetie. If you don't want to go through with this, then that's fine.'
'I don't know about you but I'm not alright with her taking New Orleans and god knows who else down with her.' Nik said from beside me, his tone making me roll my eyes; he sounded a little irritated but I knew that was just his way of masking the fear he felt over potentially losing the lives of the people he felt obligated to protect, now that he was once again King.
'If that's what she wants to do then we can find a way for her to… pass on without hurting anyone else in the process.' I assured Nik, squeezing his hand a little tighter in reassurance, though with the death grip I currently had on him, I didn't know how that was possible. I could feel Nik's scepticism, but he must have sensed how frazzled I was in that moment, because other than a small sigh he didn't comment any further.
'I'll do it.' Davina said, surprising me, and pulling me out of the silent conversation I was having with Nik as I looked over to her.
'Are you sure?' I said, my voice soft.
'Yes. This way, I'll come back and I don't want anyone to get hurt because of me either.' She nodded as if to further confirm her decision, though the action caused the tears that had been building up in her eyes to fall down her cheeks.
'Do you want me to call Marcel?' I asked her, silently begging Nik to stay quiet for the time being; I didn't want his reaction to alter her decision.
'Please. Not that I don't trust your instincts, but I want to tell him goodbye just encase.' Davina murmured, wringing her hands together in a nervous gesture.
'Okay, why don't you go any lay down while we arrange things?' I smiled to her, placing a kiss on her forehead as I stood, 'third door on your right, sweetie.'
She followed my instructions without another word, I listened out, waiting for her to lay on the bed before I sent a wave of exhaustion towards her, happy when I heard her breathing even out and her heartbeat become regulated.
'You want to invite Marcel? Are you forgetting what happened in this very courtyard only a few weeks ago?' Klaus shouted, utterly pissed off.
'No, Nik I'm not. I hate him just as much as you do, but this is for Davina. She sees him as a father and children want their parents when they're scared. Can you just put aside your issues with him for twenty four hours?' I pleaded, happy that even in his anger he didn't release my hand.
He stared at me for a long moment, and I stared back, unperturbed. As I stared into his eyes I saw his anger fizzle away as he became calm, amazingly my empathetic abilities were not needed, before he nodded in agreement. I thanked him and asked him to call Marcel while I left to call Sophie; she was the only one who would be able to complete the ritual, but I the ball of led in my gut was getting harder and harder to ignore, something terrible was going to happen, but I knew my feelings of foreboding were nothing to do with Davina's fate; this was something else.
'Hello?' Sophie answered, sounding apprehensive as to why I was calling.
'Can you do the Harvest ritual?' I asked bluntly, we didn't have time to waste.
'No. I told you, only an elder can and you and your boyfriend killed them all.' She answered rather bitterly.
'Well how do you become an elder?' I rolled my eyes, knowing there was another way.
Sophie hesitated on the other end of the line, and I knew she had thought of something.
'What is it?' I demanded.
'Well… if I were to consecrate the remains of a powerful witch, it would give me the power I needed to become an elder and allow me to complete the ritual.' She said.
'Who did you have in mind?'
'There is one witch who happened to be intimate with one of the Mikaelson brothers…' she trailed off and my instincts helped me grasp whom she was hinting to without her having to speak.
'Elijah,' I whispered.
'Right. He used to be with a powerful witch named Celeste, right until Klaus murdered her and her entire coven.' Sophie explained, and I could sense her dying to ask what I saw in a certain Hybrid but I wasn't about to justify my feelings to her.
'And?' I said, my tone becoming one of exasperation.
'Well, word on the street is Elijah buried her remains in a top-secret spot. You need to find out where it is. Do it fast, because from the feel of that earthquake, Davina isn't doing so well.' Sophie said before hanging up the phone, I somehow managed not to crush my phone to a million pieces as I shoved it in my back pocket. I ran my hand down my face, at a loss over what to do; Celeste may have been a powerful witch but Elijah was obviously in love with her, or he wouldn't have bothered to bury her. But if Sophie didn't consecrate the remains she wouldn't become an elder and then the harvest ritual wouldn't be completed. Deciding that this wasn't my choice to make, I flashed over to Hayley and Elijah's room, softly knocking before I moved to push open the door, only to find it empty. When I focused my hearing I realised that everyone was downstairs, listening to Nik and Kol as they filled them in on what was happening. I flashed down to the courtyard to join them without hesitation, Nik and I gravitating towards each other automatically; he held his arm out to me, wrapping his arm around my waist and pulling me to his side without having to look for me or stopping in his explanation. I noticed that everyone looked varying degrees of tired and increasingly concerned as Nik and Kol continued to fill them in, once they were finished everyone was a wreck, especially Jeremy.
'This is so wrong. What kind of witches preform sacrifices for more power?' Jeremy muttered, sounding disbelieving.
'Unfortunately, these ones.' Kol commented dryly, his hand entwined with Elena's.
'I spoke to Sophie. She said that she can do the ritual if she consecrates the bones of a powerful witch, making her an elder.' My eyes moved over to Elijah's before I continued, 'she mentioned asking you about the remains of a witch named Celeste.' As soon as her name left my mouth, Elijah's whole demeanour and expression hardened as he attempted to close the curtains on his emotions, but I could feel how heartbroken he was at the mere mention of her.
'That's a name I haven't heard in centuries.' Elijah eventually murmured, his voice barely loud enough to be heard, I felt everyone's confusion over Elijah's behaviour, although Hayley was more worried at Elijah's sudden change in behaviour, she squeezed his hand and that seemed to bring him back from wherever his mind had wondered. He took a deep breath, the tension leaving him as he exhaled.
'If you don't want her to use Celeste's remains then it's fine. We can find another way.' I told him, sending comforting waves to him as well as the other concerned members of the room.
'I buried her underneath a willow tree. They were her favourite.' Elijah stated, emotion absent from his voice, 'I will make contact with Sophie myself and make sure that she acquires the remains.'
'If you're not okay with this-,' I started but he cut me off with a look on his way out of the door.
'I'm perfectly fine with this, Kimberly, I assure you.' Elijah promised, though I could tell that he didn't completely mean that, but I could also tell that there would be no stopping him from doing what he deemed necessary. He placed a gentle kiss to Hayley's forehead before he and Bekah left the compound, already texting Sophie where she would need to meet them.
'This seems so trivial to say with everything you clearly have going on right now, but I have a plane to catch,' Jeremy said, drawing the attention of the remaining people in the room.
'Normally I'd beg you to stay but I don't think it's safe for you at the moment, Jer.' I murmured, stepping forward and giving him a one armed hug, as my other hand was entwined with Nik's.
'Kimmie's right, Jer.' Elena agreed, moving to take my place in Jeremy's arms after I had released him.
'I know, listen you guys, if you need anything then let me know, alright? I love you both.' Jeremy said, ruffling both of our heads before he left, Finn offering him a ride to the airport, which he gladly accepted.
I felt sad watching him go, especially seeing as we'd only really mended things yesterday, but I knew that him being around here when Davina's powers were going haywire just wasn't a good idea in any way. As if someone heard me, the sound of rain hitting the pavements outside suddenly broke out, but it was harsh, fast and heavy, I knew that it would be flooding the streets within minutes. I made my way to Davina's room to check on her; I sensed that she wasn't in any pain and she wasn't panicking and when I entered the room it confirmed that she was still sleeping. Which was a bad sign; if her powers were still getting the better of her when she was unconscious it meant that this whole thing was moving a lot faster than I thought.
'I know this is going to work, at least for Davina, but I have a bad feeling about this, Nik.' I whispered, only loud enough for him to hear me, I noticed his eyes glittered with alarm at my confession.
'With what, love?' Nik asked, using his hold on my hand to pull me closer to him, my front now flush against his.
'Something is going to happen, something terrible, but I don't know to who. Davina is going to be fine, that I'm certain of.' I admitted softly.
'That settles it then. We are not completing this bloody ritual.' Nik stated, his tone booking no room for argument, but I did anyway.
'Nik, no one is going to die, that I know for sure. So how bad could it be? This ritual needs to be done and you know it. For Davina, and for the people of New Orleans, your people of New Orleans.' I told him, placing a soft kiss to his pulse point to calm him down; it worked a little but there was still carefully concealed panic in the form of anger.
'Our people, you're Queen of this city now love, don't you forget it. But this is still not happening, love.' Nik disagreed, his hands going to my waist as he pulled me even closer, resting his forehead against mine.
'It's all going to be fine in the long run, Nik, I promise you.' My hand caressed the side of his face as I spoke, once I was finished I moved my mouth to close the few centimetres that were separating my lips from his, giving him a soft kiss that was full of promise and assurance, 'I love you.' I whispered.
'As I love you,' Nik murmured back, his stance defeated.
'Did you get in touch with-,' I was cut off from asking my question when the very man I was about to enquire about burst through the door.
'What the hell is going on?' Marcel demanded, his eyes accusing as if he thought we had something to do with what was happening to Davina.
'The magic that's inside her is becoming too much. That earthquake you felt and the rain that's currently happening is just the beginning. It ends with fire and if we don't complete the ritual then the whole city will perish.' Nik explained, his hand tightening on my waist as he spoke, I could feel how much he was restraining himself from attacking the man stood in front of him; I sent him a wave gratitude and smiled when I felt his stance relax slightly.
'So what are you saying?' Marcel said, his voice carefully void of any emotion, but I sensed his concern for Davina.
'The ritual needs to be completed.' I told him, my voice soft; I may not like the man but I sympathised with him in that moment, 'Sophie is going to complete it and she will come back afterwards.'
'How can you be so sure of that?' Marcel asked, his arms crossed over his chest as he stood at the foot of the bed Davina was lying on, glaring over to where I was stood to Davina's left.
'I've done my research, every time that the ritual has been completed in the past, the harvest girls have been resurrected.' I stated, making my own voice sound sincere, even though I was lying; Nik and I definitely didn't trust Marcel enough to tell him what I was.
'And what? I'm supposed to just take your word for it?' Marcel laughed, disbelieving.
'Of course not. We aren't forcing her to do this, Marcel. This is her decision.' I said, my own eyes flickering over to the sleeping girl on the bed and then to the window when the rain hitting the windowpane seemed to become harsher, rougher.
He opened his mouth, probably to argue if the anger he was emitting had anything to do with it, but he was cut off when Davina suddenly shot upright in bed, the sky outside growling in rage as if it sensed her sudden consciousness. Marcel rushed to the other side of the bed, taking her hand in both of his own.
'Hey, D. How you doing?' He asked, his voice soft in a way I had never heard from him before.
'Not so good. And before you try and talk me out of this, Marcel, I need to do it. I trust that I will come back, I get that you're worried about me but this is my decision. Please respect that.' Davina said, her voice weak, but she launched into her spiel straight away, probably already knowing Marcel well enough to know he would try and talk her out of this.
Marcel stared at the girl he considered a daughter for a long moment, his emotions playing out on his expression. For a long time he was staring at Davina in a way that made me think he was never going to be on board with us doing this, but then his expression softened as he observed Davina in awe and admiration.
'I'm not okay with this, D.' He started, continuing when Davina went to cut him off, 'but you're right, this is your decision to make and I'm going to trust that you're making the right one.'
Davina smiled, her pale complexion lighting up for a brief moment, before she reached forward and hugged Marcel. Nik excused himself from the room when his phone started to ring, and I followed him, knowing that Davina would want a moment alone with Marcel, also I knew that the call was more than likely something to do with the plan.
'I hope you're planning to deliver some good news, brother of mine.' Nik said, his voice sarcastic with an underlying threat of hostility.
'Actually, Niklaus, it appears we have run into a problem.' Elijah said, his voice calm and collected despite what he was saying, 'Celeste's remains hold no power and so she cannot be consecrated.'
'How is that even possible?' He asked after we shared a confused look.
'I have absolutely no idea. But finding that out is not my current primary focus. We need another way.' Elijah replied.
'Well unless you know the location of any other dead witches remains, I'm fresh out of ideas.' Nik muttered, irritated, I stepped forward and linked my hand with his free one, my thumb moving back and forth comfortingly and managing to reduce him to a calmer state.
'Actually… what about our Mother?' Elijah suggested.
'Is that I good idea? If we consecrate her here she will be with the ancestors of New Orleans, she could rise again if they were to get behind her.' Nik responded, squeezing my hand tighter.
'If that happens, brother, then we shall deal with it, but unless you have any other ideas, I don't believe we have a choice in the matter.'
Nik and I shared another look before he reluctantly agreed, giving Elijah the address where he was storing his Mother's coffin before he hung up the phone. I released a long sigh, placing a soft kiss to Nik's cheek before I returned to Davina's room; it was time.
We made it to the cemetery thirty minutes later; we had decided not to rush as Marcel carried Davina at a human pace towards our destination. Sophie needed time to consecrate Esters remains, and none of us were eager to get this over with. The rain hadn't ceased, sun was absent from the sky and the clouds were a menacing grey. Rebekah and Elijah were already there, Kol, Elena and Hayley were following a little behind me and Nik, while Finn had gone from the airport to find Elizabeth to make sure she remained safe with the horrible turn the weather had taken; half of the city was destroyed and flooded from the earthquake and rain that had happened so far.
'Finally! Let's get this show on the road.' Bekah said, her arms crossed over her chest where she stood next to Elijah; Sophie was stood on top of grey paving stone, which I assumed was the alter, wearing dark robes and holding a knife in a fierce grip in her right hand, the bodies of the three other harvest girls laid at her feet.
'Ease up, will you.' Marcel snapped at Rebekah before he gently placed Davina onto her feet, 'are you sure you want to do this?'
'I am,' she smiled weakly, hugging him briefly before she stepped out of his embrace and walked over to me. I pulled her into my arms without another thought and squeezed her tightly.
'It's going to be okay,' I promised her.
'I know. I love you, Kimmie.' She whispered into my hair.
'I love you too.' I told her, and I meant it, I didn't know how but over these past few months she had become a daughter to me and the reality that I was about to watch her die- even if it was briefly- was heart breaking.
I held her for a moment longer before she let me go and stepped onto the alter to stand in front of Sophie, the rain making it difficult for them to maintain eye contact. Nik placed his arm around my waist, his thumb moving back and forth over my hipbone in a comforting gesture; I placed my hand over his to show my appreciation. Sophie held the knife over one of the two small fire pits that were mounted on top of the stone before she held it to Davina's throat.
'Do you believe in the harvest?' Sophie said, her voice lacking confidence and conviction.
'I believe.' Davina said, her voice barely comprehensible over the rain that was falling all around us.
Without another word the blade was drawn across Davina's throat, the act void of any hesitation. The action caused everyone to wince as Davina gasped for breath, but I made sure that she didn't feel the pain of the blade, or the fear, when she fell back into the waiting arms of Marcel Gerard, she was nothing but calm. I noticed that a soft white glow emitted from her, traveling down her arm, where it faded at her fingertips. Marcel sobbed into Davina's shoulder before he lifted her once again, laying her down beside the other three girls dressed in white. The rain suddenly ceased, the only sounds left being the crackling of the fire.
Sophie stepped down from the alter, standing just to the side of it, her head tilted towards the sky as she addressed the ancestors.
'After the harvest, comes the reaping. Their sacrifices made and accepted. We call upon your elders to resurrect your chosen ones.' Sophie said, looking down, her expression filled with hope and impatience as she waited for the girls to wake up. But they didn't. Everyone seemed to share equal looks of confusion before we looked to Sophie's frowning face for an explanation. She didn't offer one, repeating her words, her voice taking on a worried tone as she did.
'Please. I beg.' Sophie murmured, her voice breaking into a sob when nothing happened. She kneeled down, her cries getting louder as she cradled her niece to her chest. Marcel was pacing, grief coming off him in waves; he shared a look with Klaus before he flashed away, a soft breeze hinting at his departure. Nik looked as if he was about to follow suit but he suddenly fell forward, almost landing on his knees before I caught him.
'Nik?' I said, my voice worried.
'I-' Nik tried to speak but he uttered no more than a word before his eyes suddenly rolled back into his head, his body becoming a dead weight as he lost consciousness. I knew then that this was the moment that the worry in my stomach had been warning me about.
'What's happening?' Bekah demanded, coming to stand behind Nik and helping my lay him down on the free space upon the alter.
'I don't know,' I cried, 'but whatever it is it's not good.'
'Sophie, can you do something?' Elena asked, her voice also laced with concern.
I could sense everyone's surprise when she immediately jumped up and leaned over Nik, chanting. But when I sensed the grief within her that she was trying to desperately ignore I knew why she was willing to do this; she wanted a distraction. But I didn't care, in that moment my attention was on Nik, hoping that the bad feeling I had been experiencing all day was wrong, hoping that I was just being irrational.
Sophie stopped her chanting and looked up, her gaze meeting mine, I knew before she spoke that whatever it was going to be bad.
'The ancestors have a hold on his mind. I tried to break it but they're too strong, he won't wake until they are done with him.' She declared.
'What if you could be stronger?' I said, a sudden idea coming over me as I gently brushed away a curl that had fallen on Nik's forehead.
'What are you suggesting, darling?' Kol asked from where he was kneeling beside Nik, across from me.
'Channel me,' I said, looking Sophie dead in the eye.
Her eyebrows raised in surprise before she nodded in acceptance, taking my free hand in between both of hers before she started to chant again. I could feel that she was draining the power from me, but at the same time I didn't feel weak, it was as if I had an endless supply of energy.
Sophie stopped in her chanting, before I could demand to know what was happening, Nik's head shot up from my lap as he switched into sitting position. He was looking around and I could sense that he was confused as well as bewildered.
'What the hell just happened?' He demanded, rubbing his temple.
'The ancestors were trying to do something with your mind-,' I started to explain but I cut off when his head whipped around and he regarded me in a way that I had never seen from him before.
'Forgive me, love, but who are you?' Nik smirked, his eyes cold and distant.
'Are you joking? Because that is not funny.' I crossed my arms over my chest and raised my brow in warning, refusing to focus on his emotions; if he was being honest right now I didn't know how I would handle that.
'Seriously. I have no idea who you are.' He stated, the smirk falling from his face only to be replaced with a dangerous frown.
'What's the last thing you remember?' Elijah asked, his voice calm as he tried to diffuse the situation before it got too heated.
'Sophie was completing the harvest ritual and then all of a sudden I just collapsed. Now what was it the ancestors were doing to me?' He directed the question to me, as I had been the one who was explaining everything before he cut me off earlier.
'The ancestors had a hold of your mind.' I muttered, biting my lip with worry before I asked him the question I was dreading, 'am I the only one you don't recognise?'
He stared at me for a moment, as if he was considering attacking me for questioning him, but he complied, looking around the group before his eyes returned back to mine.
'I'm afraid so, love.' His voice was emotionless and when I focused on him and sensed that he was being honest as well as regarding me with poorly concealed disdain my heart broke.
'You don't remember your own mate?' Kol scoffed, clearly thinking that Nik was trying to fool us all.
'My own what?' Klaus shouted, his own tone one of disbelief as he started at me as though I was trying to trick him.
'Your mate, your fiancé, one true love. Ringing any bells?' Kol asked, starting to become worried himself.
'I have no idea what you're talking about, brother,' his voice became venomous as he glared at Kol before his icy gaze returned to me; I had to force myself not to flinch underneath the intensity behind it, 'as for you, I don't know what game you're trying to play, but I can assure you that love is something that I wouldn't lower myself to. Now why don't you run along and try your trickery elsewhere, before I make you.'
I stared at him for a long moment, trying to deal with the fact that he was speaking to me in a way that he never had before. A way that made me want to partly cry and punch him in the face, but instead I laughed. I laughed long and hard as I clapped my hands together, genuinely amused; I only became more so when I saw his expression. He was a mixture of pissed and confused.
'I'm sorry.' I said, wiping the tears of mirth from my eyes before my eyes met his, 'I just find it absolutely adorable that you think you can make me do anything.'
Klaus' nostrils flared and his eyes widened with absolute fury. I smirked and raised my brow, careful to conceal how torn up I actually was at this moment; the throbbing in my heart that I only experienced when I was separated from him had increased to the point that it was physically painful.
'Are you challenging me?' His voice was low and threatening.
'Clearly. If you didn't pick up on that then you're not as clever as you seem to think you are.' I knew I was goading him, but sarcasm was my defence mechanism and in that moment I was clinging to it for dear life.
'Niklaus, perhaps it would be better for everyone if-' Elijah tried to calm down his brother, but it was clear that I had pushed him to the point of no return.
'Do me a favour, brother dearest, and shut up,' Klaus snarled before he flashed forward, moving to rip out my heart but I caught his wrist easily and twisted his arm until I heard bones crack before I pushed him backwards into one of the crypts behind him with enough force to make the stone crumble. I twisted my own bone back into place and saw him do the same, his eyes flashing amber as he rushed forward to attack me again. He managed to pin me to the stone wall behind me, his hand plunging into my chest as he grasped my heart in his hand; I refused to let the pain register on my face as I used his shock at his own chest opening up to release myself, bringing my leg up and kicking his abdomen, sending him flying, landing on his back about twenty feet from me. I looked down, ignoring the fact that he had ruined my favourite white crop top, as I noticed that my wound had already healed. Before he could reach me for the third time, Elijah and Kol managed to pin him to the crypt that was closest to where he was standing, though Nik was trying with all his might to get free, his eyes amber because of his fury.
'Niklaus, enough! I do not know why your memories have suddenly disappeared but I can assure you, when you do get them back you will regret the hand that you have already lain on her.' Elijah shouted, slamming Nik against the crypt hard enough that it cracked, but he managed to gain his attention.
Bekah, Elena and Hayley gathered around me; Elena and Bekah each had a hand around my waist while Hayley rested her hand on my shoulder, all of them showing me their support.
'Why are you so sure that it is me that has lost my memories, Elijah? How do you not know she has not forced her trickery upon you all?' Nik demanded, glaring over to me, a look that made me want to sob, but I refused to cry in front of him.
'I can assure you, Niklaus, Mother will have had something to do with this. She tried to keep you both apart and stop you from turning her because together you are unstoppable. This must be her way of doing it now, as she hasn't the power to kill either of you since you made her immortal.' Elijah said, the sincerity in his voice enough to make Nik cease his struggling. Kol and Elijah hesitantly released their grip, but remained vigilant encase he was trying to trick them.
'Give me your word,' Nik said, staring intently at Elijah.
'I give you my word,' Elijah said, his voice shining with promise.
At that the fight completely left him, and I knew that he wasn't going to try and attack me anymore, much to my relief. I didn't want to fight him, and I hated it; I didn't know if I would ever be able to forget the way he had looked at me as if I were the enemy while he attempted to rip my heart from my chest. I pushed my feelings of sadness and complete and utter despair down as I relied on my best friends, sarcasm and irony to help me through this.
'You know, if you don't believe that we're mates then you're definitely not going to believe that you prop-,' I started a smirk on my lips but I was cut off by Bekah.
'Maybe now isn't the best time, Kimmie,' she murmured, her eyes staying on her brother, also worried that he was going to try something else.
'No, please, do tell.' Nik said, his own tone mirroring mine.
'You know what? Forget it. Let's start over.' I said, stepping forward out of the grip Elena, Bekah and Hayley had on me, coming to a stop in front of Nik who was staring at me, his expression void of any emotion, 'I'm Kimberly M-' I paused, realising what I was about to say before I quickly composed myself, 'Gilbert. Kimberly Gilbert.'
Nik started at me, his gaze unwavering and I could feel the waves of apprehension and distrust flowing from him. I hated it. With a shake of my head and a faux amused smile on my lips, I turned around and walked over to the alter, deciding to opt for focusing on Davina and the failing of the harvest ritual; it was clear I wasn't going to get anywhere with Nik anytime soon, and I needed the distraction to stop myself from falling apart.
'What happened?' I asked, crouching next to Davina, gently bringing her head to rest on my lap as I softly stroked her hair.
'I don't know. The ancestors wiped his memories, and seeing as it's only you he can't remember I'd say that you will need a ripple effect to return them. He needs to remember the moment that he knew he loved you and all of his memories will come back.' Sophie said, without looking up from her niece's lifeless body; she had answered the question I had been too afraid to ask, and I was grateful for it, though it wasn't exactly helpful. My gaze moved over to Nik's and his expression sliced my heart right open; he was openly glaring at me in hatred.
'Well I don't think that's going to happen anytime soon,' I muttered under my breath before I turned, placing my hand on Sophie's, amplifying the comfort I was sending towards her, 'they will come back, Sophie. I don't know why it's taking longer but I swear to you, they will come back. You know you can trust my instincts, and you know I never would have let Davina do this if I thought it would result in her immediate death.'
Sophie's gaze met my own, her expression softening into one of relief when she saw the sincerity in my eyes. She accepted my word and began to spell Davina with magic to assure that her body would be maintained until the time came. Once she was finished I scooped Davina into my arms bridal style and turned to my family, 'I don't know about you guys, but I'm going to take her home.' Without another word I flashed back to the compound. After I gently set Davina down onto the bed she had been occupying earlier in the afternoon, I changed her clothes from the white dress that was wet with rain and drenched with her blood into a pair of my high waisted jeans and a deep green vest top. Once I was finished I brushed the hair from her face, placing a tender kiss to her forehead before I left the room. I went to mine and Nik's room. The covers were rumbled from when we'd hurriedly rushed out of bed this morning. I had shoes thrown across the floor, while Nik had random t-shirts and jeans thrown in various heaps around the room. He had a thick bound book on his bedside table, along with the few clips he had removed from my hair after one of the many events we had been to when we were trying to regain the kingdom. There were Nik's various leather necklaces, his cologne that he didn't wear anymore when I'd told him that I liked his scent just fine without it, the books I had been gifted for my birthday. My eyes came to a stop at the photo album Bekah had gifted me for my birthday, I picked it up with shaky hands, tears were falling steadily down my cheeks, though I had no idea when they had started.
The first picture had been taken back in Chicago, when Nik had fallen asleep; his head on my chest, and his hands around my waist while my own hands were tangled in his hair. The first picture was enough to make me sob, I couldn't bring myself to look at any of the others, and instead I left the room after I gently placed the album back where I had found it. The door closed behind me with a soft click. I went to Bekah's room and crawled into the middle of the bed, silent, unstoppable tears falling down my cheeks as I tightly hugged my knees to my chest, trying to ease the aching that my heart was currently experiencing. I heard the others return at some point, and Bekah came to her room almost immediately, coming to lie behind me, I turned to her, clinging to her as if she was my lifeline as I silently sobbed. She ran her hand through my hair, not ceasing at any point; my tears didn't until the next morning. By then I felt numb, like nothing no longer mattered.
There's chapter thirty four! Don't hate me and let me know what you think!
A huge thank you to Stjarna23, militato123, ruler of the ice dragons, Storm Vampire, MageVicky, Nicki Lynn, RiverWinchester, Shopaholic-Pixxie, Lilrobo02, DamnIfTheseWallsCouldTalk and elljayde for choosing to either favourite or follow my story- it means a lot :)
Obgsmesa: In the chapter before when Kim mentioned Nik being awkward and nervous around her, I thought he wanted to try for a baby and not the engage rings. Because I remembered he gave a a ring with the engraving "Always and forever" before. This is a really cute chapter and it's good to see that despite having the mate bond they still have some relationships insecurities that make it relatable. And as always good work! Thank you so much, I'm glad you enjoyed it :) As for the babies that will be happening soon, don't worry ;)
Kwill9: I just started reading this story this morning and I haven't stopped since. This is amazing! I look forward to the next chapters! (: Thank you! I'm so glad you're enjoying it :)
MageVicky: Good chapter! I enjoyed the interactions with Elijah. Thank you, enjoyed writing them :)
MageVicky: Omg great chapter! I'm so relieved they won't lose anyone they know in the ritual! Thank you, leaving Jenna out of it was important to me- I was devastated when they killed her off in the TV show.
MageVicky: Great chapter! I love Kim! I love her interactions with the other characters! Thank you! I do too:)
MageVicky: Omg that was so good! Great chapter! Thank you ;)
MageVicky: Omg that was so hot. I loved it. I'm sure my physics teacher is currently wondering why a lesson on the orbit of satellites has me blushing. Haha, I'm glad you liked it, though I'm sorry for making you blush in the middle of a physics lesson, though I don't blame you for reading during- I was never one for physics.
MageVicky: Nik and Kim have amazing chemistry. I love it. And I can't wait until she meets Rebekah. But I'm also afraid of what's going to happen in the future… after Chicago. Don't worry, it all works out ;) and thank you, I love writing the chemistry between them both.
MageVicky: I love Rebekah and I'm glad they finally met! Me too, I love their relationship and I love writing it :)
MageVicky: It's a great chapter, but the ending made me afraid. They're finally back in mystic falls. I'm so anxious. Don't worry, it all worked out ;)
MageVicky: I like the sisterly bond between Kim and Elena. Usually in fanfics, the OC tends to fight with Elena a lot. I noticed that, but I wanted Kim and Elena to be close; Kim is the big sister and she is fiercely protective of her family.
MageVicky: The ending to this chapter is sooooooo adorable! I'm betting Klaus feels the same way. You might be right about that ;)
MageVicky: Sweet chapter. I'm glad she has the shirts, it's too adorable. I wonder if Klaus will find out? I wonder, I wonder… ;)
MageVicky: Omg I'm so glad she knows that everything is going to be fine! I swear I felt so bad for Klaus when we learned his story. I know, me too! It's so sad that he was the way he was because of his mother and father. He deserved better, and Kim obviously feels the same way ;)
MageVicky: I hate that Klaus feels betrayed. But I'm sure she'll be able to explain at some point that she knew everything was going to be fine. Hmm… you might be right about that ;)
MageVicky: Wow. Such an emotional chapter. I know, I felt the same way when writing it, it was hard for me at some points.
MageVicky: Aw! Finally back together! I'm so happy! Me too :)
MageVicky: Wow, great ending! Now they're definitely back together! Their chemistry is amazing! Thank you, I think so too.
MageVicky: Aw Kim made the reunion sweet. But I'm afraid about what mamma original could do to her. Although there was always going to be tension, I wanted the reunion to be successful and yeah I'm not so fond of mamma original and her motives either.
MageVicky: Omg please keep Caroline and Tyler together and don't bring in Hayley! Also, great chapter! I'm so glad they didn't drink the champagne! Me too! And don't worry, Caroline and Tyler are still together ;)
MageVicky: I'm so happy with Elena's role right now! Thank you for making her awesome! And I hope she dates Kol. Thank you, I like the way I've written her too and don't worry ;)
MageVicky: Omg no! Sorry ;)
MageVicky: Great chapter! I'm glad they're all getting along! But what's going to happen now? Thank you and you'll just have to wait and see ;)
MageVicky: Awesome chapter! Though I admit it's odd to have Elena as part of the Mikaelson family. That breakfast scene with Elena just casually eating cereal with the originals was pretty surreal. But funny. Thank you, I hope Elena seems like she belongs a little more now.
MageVicky: Omg they're both vampires now! That's so cool! I think so too ;)
MageVicky: Good chapter! Though the original storyline in New Orleans is not my cup of tea, honestly. But still. Aw, well I hope you're enjoying it regardless (:
MageVicky: I suppose I don't mind Hayley as much as I thought I would. As long as she keeps her paws to herself. I'm glad ;)
MageVicky: Nice chapter. Thank you.
MageVicky: I hope it all goes well! It does ;)
MageVicky: Good chapter! But what an ending! Of course, I'm banking on the hope that whoever just kidnapped Kim doesn't know she's an original. Thank you and I guess you'll see ;)
MageVicky: Ah, well. I liked the way you ended things with the Salvatore's. Clean slate and all that. Better than simply killing them. And I always appreciate the fun family moments they all have together. Thank you, I thought it was important to tie those ends up. And me too (:
MageVicky: Omg that was so great! I am so happy! I'm glad! (:
MageVicky: I'm so happy! Jeremy is back and they're all together! I love it! But when is she going to get pregnant? I'm assuming it should be unexpected. So I wont ask for a spoiler. Also, if Jeremy decides to stay there, is he going to end up with anyone we know? I'm glad you liked it (: Unfortunately, I'm keeping Jeremy out of it, at least for the time being; with everything that is going on I think the possibility of him not dying is very slim. And yes she is… eventually ;)