Bloodlines
Chapter 44: The Battle of New Orleans
Beta: PrincessOfSilence
Disclaimer: I own nothing of TVD or TO. I only own my characters and my story.
"Find anything, love?" Klaus asked Audrey as he traipsed on top of the roofs of some buildings in the French Quarter. Jackson and Oliver were supposed to be back at the compound a couple hours ago with the stones needed for the moonlight rings, but neither of them had shown up; this naturally caused Hayley to worry which meant that she went to Elijah who then badger Klaus about it. He'd sent Audrey out into the backwoods of the bayou with some vampire scouts to look around and their search gave them no answers.
"The car was clean. No traces of blood or signs of a struggle," Audrey reported. "Looks like our wolf boys went quietly."
Klaus picked up his ringing phone and held it to his ear. "Yes, brother, what is it?"
"Have you found anything yet?" Elijah asked him.
"Brother, didn't I state, quite clearly, that if I found anything that would lead to the disappearance of Jackson and Oliver that I would call you?" Klaus smirked.
"And he's supposed to be the attentive brother." Audrey checked under her nails.
"Stop wasting time, Klaus." Hayley growled roughly on the other line. "We need to find them."
"Patience, Hayley. You're in luck because my witchy sidekick located their car on a backroad in the middle of nowhere." Audrey winked coyly at him. "I suspect they've been shanghai'd."
"And you didn't feel the need to share this information?" Elijah questioned.
"It was my intention to present you with a problem only after I had found an appropriate solution." Klaus peered over the streets of the French Quarter as he spoke.
Elijah sighed heavily. "Do enlighten us."
"I'm closing in on it as we speak."
"You have a lead?"
"Really, Elijah? You have no inkling as to who could have taken them?" Audrey crossed her arms over her chest and rolled her eyes at Elijah's aloofness.
"The only person who would be bold enough to snatch my wolf allies is the one who has the most to lose." Klaus added and Elijah suddenly knew who had done this.
"Marcel."
"No, he'll kill them!" Hayley shouted.
"Genevieve assures me that Marcel has procured a cloaking spell. The only witch who will aid Marcel is Davina. I just need to get one last bit of leverage before I pay her a visit." Klaus hung up the phone and pocketed it as he and Audrey looked down at the people bustling in and out of store fronts like ants.
He picked up a very familiar face from the crowd and he crouched down along the edge of the roof, as if thinking as to how to approach this. Audrey followed his gaze to lock on Josh who was making his way through the throngs of people like how water wades through rocks on the shoreline. She didn't know much about Josh, but she did remember the two of them being attached at the hip during the feast a while back. Josh had just reached his car and reached around in his duffle bag for his keys.
"And there it is." Audrey knew that Klaus had already come up with a plan of action just by the tone of his voice.
"Allow me." The Blood Witch sliced her hand with the blood dagger and watched as blood pooled in her palm. She clenched her fist shut, her crystalline gaze zeroing in on Josh whose knees buckled and he fell against his car. He blinked a few times, a red hue surrounding the whites of his eyes and his fangs dropped down from his gums.
Josh growled loudly and he slammed his fist against his car at the shooting pains up and down his spine. The vampire leaned up, straightening his back, but his eyes grew wide seeing Klaus and Audrey smirking widely.
"Hello, Joshua." Klaus greeted and before Josh could react, he felt the harsh stab of a dagger in his stomach. He fell to his knees, grasping for the dagger, but his blood on the hilt prevented him from getting a good grip on it. Audrey's hands cradled his head, pressing the heels of her hands to his temples and she peered into his mind. His eyes turned completely white and he fought Audrey's hold, but a hypnotizing trance took over him. Nothing of interest jumped out at Audrey and he knew as much about the wolf abductors as they did.
Nothing.
"Nothing of importance. Unless you want to see the cute jogger he has eyes on." Audrey's nose scrunched and she let Josh go. He groaned when she yanked the dagger out and propped himself up against his car. His eyes turned back to normal and he pressed a hand to the wound in his chest.
Klaus crouched down to Josh's level, clasped his shoulder and embedded his four sharp fangs into the side of his neck. Audrey cleaned off her dagger idly while watching for onlookers and quickly sheathed it. She then snatched up Josh's car keys from the floor and unlocked the vehicle. Once Klaus decided that Josh had enough werewolf venom in his system, he threw him in the trunk and Audrey slammed the lid. She tossed Klaus the keys and they both sped away, leaving no traces that they'd been there behind.
"What the hell is taking them so long?" Hayley paced anxiously back and forth. After Klaus bit Josh, he and Audrey paid Davina a visit. They were able to use Josh as bait to get where Marcel had taken Oliver and Jackson. Davina begged for Klaus to heal Josh, but he was resistant to her requests. They both promised to tend to Josh once the wolves were safe and the stones were in safe-keeping. Klaus had taken Elijah with him while Audrey stayed behind with Genevieve, Hayley and Giuliana.
"At least one of them should have called by now," the pregnant wolf added.
"Worrying isn't going to help," Genevieve piped up. "You should sit down, try to keep calm."
"What are you, now, magician slash zen-life-coach?" Hayley frowned deeply and continued to pace.
"The treatment of pregnant women has advanced remarkably since I was a nurse, but even I know high blood pressure is bad for you, and your baby," the witch continued. "Especially now, since you're so close to term."
"I would listen to Jabber-Jaws." Audrey spoke from her perch on the couch. "She has a point."
Genevieve sent her friend an icy cold glare. "At least I am trying to help the situation. Last I checked, you were a nurse too, so the least you could do is offer some input."
"Fine." Audrey shifted in her seat. "If I know Klaus and Elijah, they are handling it the way that Mikaelsons do."
"Not sure if that is supposed to reassure us," Giuliana said. "How are you so calm about this?"
"I know them for a long time. All we can do is wait." The Blood Witch added. "Getting worked up about it will only make things worse."
"I hate this. I feel completely useless," Hayley grumbled.
"Well, while we're here. We might as well get comfortable." Audrey stood up and meandered to the doorframe. "Would anyone like anything?"
"How about a moonlight ring?" The wolf smiled.
"Sorry. I can't do that since Klaus has deemed me unfit to do the spell." Her words were sharpened like daggers, but it was all a farce. She had to still make it look like she was angry at Klaus so Genevieve wouldn't get suspicious. "You'll have to ask "Red" over there to do it."
Audrey sauntered out of the room, the clicking of her heels getting softer until it could no longer be heard. Hayley wrung her hands in her lap while Giuliana checked her phone again. They were all getting restless after not hearing from the brothers. Giuliana wouldn't put anything past Marcel and she knew that he would kill Jackson and Oliver to send a message. This wasn't helping Hayley since the rising stress would attribute to adding stress on the baby.
Hayley turned back to Genevieve, a hopeful look in her eyes. "So, how about that ring?"
"The spell can't be performed until the full moon reaches its apex. And, of course, I need the stones, which will be here soon enough." She explained and stood. "If you'll excuse me, I'd like to get some fresh air."
Once Genevieve had gone, Giuliana moved her seat next to Hayley's and took her hand. She massaged it gently, wanting Hayley to release some of her tension. Even she was nervous that Elijah was out looking for Jackson and Oliver. There was no telling what Marcel was planning and she was worried for Elijah's safety.
"Easy. You have to relax." Giuliana sighed and Hayley reclined back against the couch.
"I'm trying. I am just worried about them and I hate feeling powerless."
"You're not powerless. You're just..."
"Eight thousand months pregnant? Yeah, I know." She frowned and rubbed her belly. "I can't wait till this baby is out of me. Then I can actually walk and not waddle."
Giuliana chuckled softly. "It'll be here sooner than you think. I can't wait to watch Klaus change a dirty diaper and for Elijah to fold baby clothes."
Hayley had to smirk at the very thought of both brothers pitching in for baby duty. "Well, she will be a part of their family too. Plus the pack in the bayou will want to meet her."
"As long as you don't take her away from us for too long." Giuliana giggled.
"I think you're more excited for this baby than I am."
"What can I say? I like kids," she said. "I mean, you're having a baby! How can you not be excited?"
"I am, but I get the feeling that Audrey isn't too thrilled. Considering that she and Klaus have a thing together." The wolf rolled her eyes a bit and Giuliana's lips pursed.
"She's excited. She's just...not the best at showing it."
"Sure," Hayley scoffed sarcastically. "Because if my lover was having some other woman's child, I would be happy about it."
Giuliana sighed deeply and picked her words carefully before setting them free. "Look, she's in a tough position. She loves Klaus and he loves her, but she's worried that the new baby would change all of that."
"I have no interest in Klaus, so if she's worried that I might steal him away from her, she's completely mistaken," Hayley added.
"No, it isn't that. She's more worried about how the baby will factor into it all. Think about it," Giuliana spoke. "Audrey can't say so much as "boo," when it comes to your baby, but at the same time, she knows how much this baby will affect Klaus and because she loves him, she won't interfere."
Hayley's expression shifted slowly as she took in Giuliana's words. She'd never thought of Audrey as being in such a position that by staying with Klaus, she had to accept the idea of a new baby coming into the picture. Granted, when it came to her child, Hayley didn't want anyone's input on how she would be raised, but she now understood that Audrey wanted none of that. All she really wanted was to continue loving Klaus despite the baby.
"I think I get it now," she admitted quietly, guilt tingeing her voice.
"I'm glad you do." Her friend smiled.
Hayley finally received some bit of peace when Klaus and Elijah came home with Jackson and Oliver, but her stress level skyrocketed seeing the wolves bruised and battered while Klaus and Elijah were covered in ashes and their clothing torn. The brothers found Jackson and Oliver inside Thierry's warehouse down at the docks, along with crates filled with enough explosives to send the wolves to their deaths, but they were quickly pulled out of the warehouse just in time. Marcel had done a number on Jackson and Oliver, clear imprints of his fist could be seen in the bruises on their faces. When they had come through the door, Hayley nearly tackled Jackson as she rushed to make sure that he was alright, but kept her composure long enough to escort both boys to some chairs where she began to clean their wounds.
Elijah was next to enter and was greeted in an oddly peculiar way by Giuliana given their distance over the past few days. She let out a breath, the tension in her shoulders exhaling and she ran to him. Her arms wrapped around his neck and she hugged him so tightly that Elijah was quite taken back by her behavior. She could smell the remnants of smoke and ash on his suit, but she didn't care; she was just so relieved that he was safe and sound. The explosion that happened today reminded her of the one in the bayou and she could feel that same fear of Elijah being hurt bubble up inside her again. She smiled against his chest once his arms enveloped her waist and they remained like that until she pulled back and looked up at him with pure gratitude and serenity in her eyes.
"I'm fine, too. Thanks for asking," Klaus grumbled as he walked into the room and was greeted by Audrey's scowl.
"Well, no one told you to nearly get yourself blown up, dear," she said.
"I'm quite hurt, love." He began and clapped Jackson's shoulder hard despite Hayley's harsh look. "You see, I almost perished saving these two rapscallions."
"I will be sure to run into your arms and faint like a damsel in distress the next time you find yourself in imminent danger." The witch felt Giuliana's judging gaze at the back of her head, but she ignored it.
Klaus sauntered towards her, tugging at the collar of his jacket. "Now, now, love. Genevieve is not here, so we don't have to pretend to be hostile with each other."
He leaned down, a smirk on his lips, but she moved away from him. "I don't care if she's across the country, I still don't trust her. And you shouldn't either."
"Remember, Genevieve is—"
"A pawn in your game, I know," she finished for him and brushed her fingers along his ashen cheek.
"What about the stones?" Hayley asked worriedly as she cleaned up Jackson's face.
"Scattered across the bed of the Mississippi, I'd imagine." Elijah sighed sadly.
Klaus rolled his eyes and poured himself a drink from a liquor tray. "Marcel's not a fool. He knows an empowered werewolf army would mean the end of vampires in New Orleans. The explosion is his way of saying he means to prevent that."
Jackson hung his head in shame. "This is my fault. I'll find a way to fix it."
"No, Jack, you're hurt." Hayley comfortingly rubbed his shoulder. "No one's blaming you."
"I'm blaming you," Klaus said and Hayley growled at him. "Those stones will be hard to replace." He then looked to Elijah with a sly grin on his face. "Fortunately, I always have a backup plan."
Klaus ushered Audrey downstairs with a hand at her lower back while Giuliana and Elijah followed them. Hayley offered to stay upstairs with Jackson and Oliver to clean them up and bandage their wounds. When they entered the courtyard of the compound, five well-dressed men walked in with none other than Francesca Correa leading them. One of the men was carrying a briefcase, holding it closely to his person. Giuliana's jaw dropped seeing Francesca there and was appalled that Klaus would make a deal with her of all people. Both parties stood opposite each other and Francesca adjusted the collar of her expensive suit jacket, clearly feeling high and mighty by getting a reaction from Giuliana.
"You've got to be kidding me!" The green eyed witch hissed and Elijah brought his arm in front of her to quiet her. "She's a mobster!"
"I see her more as a means of procuring rare items at short notice." Klaus grinned at Francesca and greeted Francesca and her entourage. "Greetings, Ms. Correa. I see you've brought company."
"These are my brothers. I always include them in delicate business matters." Francesca smiled and turned to her brothers. "Fellas, meet Mr. Mikaelson."
"Please, call me Klaus. All my friends do." Klaus smirked.
"I don't know if I'd call us friends." She gestured for the briefcase which her brother opened and handed to her. Inside was a small, black drawstring bag. "But, if you and Marcel are planning on having a little throw-down, I'd prefer my family to be on the same side as the inevitable victor."
"Then, you have what I asked for?" He eyed the bag curiously.
Francesca took the drawstring sack from the briefcase and handed it to him. "Not enough for an army at such short notice, but it's a start."
"Strange, I wasn't aware that she was familiar with our plan." Elijah raised an eyebrow.
"My price for doing business is full disclosure. Your brother complied," Francesca noted.
"And what does the Human Faction stand to benefit from all of this?" The Original wondered.
"I only want us to solidify our allegiance to the ruling class. It's good for business." She noted.
Klaus opened up the bag and poured a couple of stones into the palm of his hand. Francesca's brothers shifted on their feet, casting curious gazes at one another, but their sister sent them a look to communicate that it was alright. The hybrid handed the handful of stones to Audrey who examined them closely. Once she was finished, she handed them back to Klaus and nodded.
"They're authentic, alright." Audrey confirmed which earned a squint from Francesca.
"Did you think I would try to cheat you?" She asked.
"Of course we would!" Giuliana blurted out and side stepped Elijah to get in Francesca's face. The mobster held her hand low seeing her brothers get tense, so they held back as Giuliana continued to berate her. "You blew up the bayou and almost killed Hayley! You could have killed me too!"
"Giuliana!" Elijah hissed at her, but she was deaf to him.
"No!" She growled at him and turned back to Francesca again. "Because of you, that pack is destroyed! They have to bury their loved ones and you couldn't care. You selfish bitch!"
Elijah was the first to intervene, wrapping his arm around Giuliana's waist and tugging her back. She fought him, but his steel grip prevented her from moving against him. He whispered to her in her ear to control her outburst, but she was so livid and angry, that Elijah had to escort her upstairs. The room was oddly quiet after that and Klaus was a bit worried that he'd have to grasp at straws when it came to winning over Francesca again.
"Clearly, she has the wrong impression of me," she said after a few long tense moments. "I know Giuliana thinks ill of me, but I sincerely hope that the rest of you see me differently."
"My apologies, Ms. Correa, but we don't intend to let anyone pull the wool over our eyes. It's happened once before and it ended in disaster. I've learned two things by living in New Orleans. It's to protect yourself and to protect your own." Audrey reassured her and Francesca seemed to share her opinion judging by the knowing look on her face. "You understand, don't you?"
Francesca nodded slowly and her smile grew wider. "Smart girl. And, please, call me Francesca."
Klaus placed the stones back in the bag and tied the string tightly. "So, do we have a deal?"
"Marcel is being especially vindictive. I'm worried he might come after me, or my family, just for meeting with you." Francesca took a deep breath and looked back at her brothers before replying. "It might be in our best interests if we combine our efforts."
"So be it." Klaus smirked triumphantly. "The more bodies we have to defend the compound, the better. Let's get started, shall we?"
Giuliana sat upstairs in Klaus' study with her arms crossed over her chest while her emerald gaze watched Elijah pace back and forth. She didn't care if he was going to scold her for almost going after Francesca. She didn't care if Francesca went back on her end of the deal and took the stones with her. She was going to stand by her convictions and she would sure as hell die by them if that came to be. She was so mad she could spit fire from her lungs. Her hand grasped a scotch glass that Klaus had left behind and launched it at the wall. It shattered and she went back to pouting again. Elijah finally stopped pacing and ran a hand through his hair, as if to try and cool his rising temper and he straightened out his suit that had gotten somewhat crumpled by practically carrying Giuliana upstairs.
"Are you quite done?" He asked in a firm tone.
"Are you done trusting that bitch?" She countered.
"Francesca Correa will be an ally to us."
Giuliana's green gaze widened; she slammed her fist down on the desk and rose out of her seat in a rage. "An ally?! Last I checked, an ally doesn't go around blowing things up and hiding behind their reputation."
"Like Genevieve, Klaus is making a deal with Francesca that will work in both of their favors." Elijah explained. "The moment the deal is broken—"
"You're really going to wait that long?" She asked him. "Dammit, Elijah, your niece is at stake."
"We can protect her. I understand you don't trust Francesca or Genevieve, but we have to pick and choose our battles." He spoke.
"Battles? We're in the middle of a war-zone. Vampires, wolves, witches, humans; we're all in this war and no one is safe no matter how powerful they think they are. Including Klaus." She said.
"And what about you?" He posed the question to her which made her raise an eyebrow. "Do you feel safe in this war?"
Giuliana held her breath for a few tense moments before exhaling deeply. "I don't know if I feel safe here. Come to think of it, I don't trust anyone in this city, except..." She trailed off and her gaze was now fixated on him.
"Except you. You're the only person I'd trust with my life."
The Original was at a loss for words which was never like him. He always had a response, a reply, always something, but as he stood there, he could not find a single word to say. He'd been prepared for this moment when they were finally alone to talk about the kiss, but he found himself robbed of speech. What could he possibly say that would put her at ease? What elegant string of words could bring her what he was feeling deep inside him? He wanted to tell her that kissing her back was wrong. He wanted her to leave New Orleans, to run far away and never return because he knew of her dangers here once their enemies knew that she could be used as leverage against him. But at the same time, he wanted her-needed her to stay. How could he protect her when she was away? How could he bring himself to say what was exactly in his heart?
Giuliana rolled her eyes seeing Elijah standing there as if he'd been frozen in time and she turned her back on him, busying herself with the shards of glass from the glass she'd thrown at the wall only moments prior. She cursed herself for even thinking that Elijah would be the one to bring up their kiss, but she was thoroughly disappointed when he just stood there rooted to his spot. Stupid Originals, she thought to herself. Stupid vampires, she grumbled in her mind as she continued to make Klaus' study more presentable before he came upstairs and wrung her neck. A small part of her just wanted to hear Elijah say that he had feelings for her, if he did, of course. All she wanted was to know if the one person whom she'd given her heart to was willing to give him hers. Just as she placed some more glass shards on the desk, she felt the slightest gust of wind and her back was suddenly pressed against the window pane.
Lips crashed down onto hers and now it was her turn to be the speechless idiot. Her hands came up to grasp the lapel of Elijah's suit jacket while his hands had cradled her face, making her melt even more into him. His kiss had taken her completely by surprise, but that didn't stop her from kissing him back. She missed the sensation of his lips on hers and she could a fire growing deep in her bones as they stood so closely embraced. Elijah knew that this war would rage on and many might not make it out alive, but he would make a promise to himself to protect Giuliana at all costs. She trusted him with her life, she said so herself, and he intended to honor that trust.
When he pulled back just slightly, he managed to catch a glimpse of her in the soft glow of the sunset emanating from the window. Her eyes that enchanted him so were half open, the fires of passion still stirring inside them. Her lips were parted, her soft breath warming his cheeks. He could have sworn he saw her unconsciously lean in to catch his lips again, but feeling the empty space between them, she opened her green orbs and peered up at him through her dark lashes.
"No matter what transpires within this war, I will always fight for you." His thumb brushed her cheek. "You have my word."
Giuliana stared up at him in a dreamy haze. She sighed breathlessly and rubbed the tip of her nose along his. She cupped his cheeks and kissed him again, deciding not to ruin the moment with words.
And he kissed her back.
"Tua virtuse. Materi lunare tua virtuse. Materi lunare tua virtuse." Genevieve chanted over the moonlight rings when Francesca suddenly rushed in.
"My people say Marcel is on the move and he's bringing friends."
"Great." Giuliana grumbled. "Anything else?"
Klaus growled under his breath and clapped his brother's shoulder before rushing outside into the courtyard. "Get Hayley to safety."
Elijah nodded and gently took Hayley's arm. "Come with me."
"No." Hayley removed her arm from his grasp and nodded to Genevieve. "Someone needs to watch her."
"I'll stay." Audrey piped up immediately. There was no way she was leaving Genevieve unattended, so she thought it best to keep an eye on her.
"You should help Klaus." Francesca told Elijah. "My brothers and their security detail won't be much against a vampire army. I'll stay with Hayley as well."
"Me too." Giuliana nodded and Elijah went to her, a pensive expression on his face, but she took his hand. "I'll be fine. I promise."
Elijah looked down at their joined hands and he felt her squeeze his firmly as if to reassure him. He brought the back of her hand to the back of his lips and placed a soft kiss on her smooth skin. Francesca caught the sweet gesture and she could feel her jealousy rearing its ugly head.
"Go and give 'em hell," Giuliana said and the Original vamped outside. Giuliana and Audrey worked to lock the doors while Hayley sat down and Genevieve continued the spell. Not long had gone by before they could hear the sounds of the vampires going to war with one another. Fists pounding faces sounded more like thunder striking mountains and the minutes grew tense with Genevieve's chanting as the only means of keeping them all sane. Some of Francesca's men had stayed behind with her while some went outside to try and fight Marcel's vampires.
"It sounds like hell out there," Hayley noted nervously. She then glanced to Genevieve and then to Audrey. "How much longer will it take?"
"However long it takes." The blood witch spoke.
"We don't have much time left." The wolf bantered. Just then, one of Francesca's men had jogged inside the compound. He made his way to Francesca who was watching intently as Genevieve performed the spell. He made a motion to take her hand, but she glared at him.
"Not yet."
"Ms. Correa, we need to go. Your brothers are already headed out the back." The guard informed her, but she refused to move from her spot until the stones were complete. A strong gust of wind blew through the room and the lights flickered just as Genevieve finished her spell. She neatly plucked up one stone and smiled, impressed with her work.
"The stones are finished. I've done my part. Now, it's up to you." She spoke.
"I'll get them to the Bayou." Hayley stepped forward, but Francesca was there to intercept the transaction.
"Actually, she was talking to me." She held out her hand and Genevieve hesitantly placed the stone in her hand.
"What the hell is this?" Hayley questioned, her hard gaze passing between the two women.
"Call it a side deal." Francesca took the rest of the stones, placed them in the sack they came in and wrapped the drawstring of the sack around her wrist. "The point is, I'm taking the stones."
As Francesca began to leave, Hayley was quick to follow her. Giuliana and Audrey were also close behind, anxious to see how this would turn out. "Are you out of your mind? You think the humans can go up against Klaus?"
"No, I don't. But, I'm not human." Francesca pulled a knife from inside her jacket pocket and slit the throat of the bodyguard that had come in to escort her out. Hayley's eyes widened and the bodyguard fell to the ground in a pool of his own blood. Francesca suddenly crouched over, a look of pain strewn on her face and her now amber eyes flicked up to meet Hayley's. With an evil smirk, the women could also see a pair of sharp fangs. Giuliana had been right all along. Francesca was a werewolf; she just hadn't triggered her curse until tonight.
"I knew it!" Giuliana hushed.
Francesca's smirk grew impossibly wider. "You've known all this time and yet the even Elijah didn't believe it. Shows how much trust he has in you."
"Why are you doing this?" Hayley asked her.
"I'm like you, Hayley. And now, I'm gonna take back my town," Francesca hissed.
"Like hell you are!" Hayley lunged for Francesca, but she quickly fell to the ground, unconscious from a spell that Genevieve had cast on her.
Audrey and Giuliana both went into action, immediately casting spells on Genevieve and Francesca. Their hands were raised, fingers slightly flexed as they drew on the power of the other. They chanted in time, speaking each word clearly as their enemies took the brunt of the magic. Giuliana grinned triumphantly when Francesca's knees buckled and she surged her power to grow even stronger. Genevieve was silently begging for Audrey to stop, but the Blood Witch had been betrayed by her for the last time.
Bang!
The very loud of a gunshot echoed along the hallowed halls and Giuliana felt her magic dissipating by the second. She looked down at herself and when she saw no wound, her frantic gaze shifted to Audrey's who was gasping for air. A dark red circle stained her shirt and the blood continued to spread. One of Francesca's bodyguards had snuck into the room and shot her from behind. The bullet hadn't hit any vital organs, but it managed to rip through her back and out through her front. She pressed her hands to the wound, the warmth of her blood coating her skin and she whimpered in agony.
"No!" Giuliana rushed to the aid of her fallen friend, but was shoved hard. She felt someone's hand grasp her head and smashed it against the wall just before blacking out. Francesca peered down at her bloodstained nails and smirked down at Giuliana's motionless body. She then nodded to her bodyguard who took the stones and he placed them in the briefcase. Her eyes met Genevieve's and she pouted at her solemn expression.
"Don't look so dour, Genevieve. We both got what we wanted." She said just as she noticed Audrey trying to crawl away to safety. Francesca blew on her fingers, whistling loudly and her bodyguards had come in on command. She bent down and yanked Audrey's dagger and sheath from around her hip and tossed it to Genevieve who caught it nimbly.
"And now, the rest is up to you." Genevieve nodded and Francesca took Audrey's chin in her hand. Audrey pulled back and spat in her face, her eyes aflame with hot tears of pain and betrayal.
"You won't win." Audrey hissed lowly, but Francesca ignored her. She stood to her full height and delivered one swift kick to the witch's face. Blood spilled from her split lip and she cursed the newly turned werewolf under her breath.
"Boys," Francesca called and the men in her security team closed in on the bleeding witch. Two of them lurched forward and gripped her roughly by her arms, pulling her up off her knees and holding her tightly in place. Francesca walked to the doorway with her brothers, but stopped herself. She simply looked over her shoulder, examining the chaos in the room before speaking her final order.
"Play nice."
The two men in front of her cracked their knuckles, grinning from ear to ear that they would get to stomp out the little witch. One punched her in the stomach, right where the gunshot exited and Audrey howled so loud, she was sure that Klaus could hear her. The others joined in, punching and kicking the witch while Genevieve had snuck out with members of her coven along with Giuliana and Hayley. Audrey struggled against her captors, flailing her body wildly, but the pinned her arms and legs behind her to still her. She knew that with the combined blood loss from the bullet wound and beatings she was currently receiving that she'd meet her end soon, but she refused to back down. She closed her eyes and called on the darkest magic from deep inside her soul, feeling it bubble beneath her bruised skin.
"Gehénnam." (Hellfire.) She whispered and her now black orbs snapped open.
"No! Let me go!" Hayley screamed as a coven of witches led by Genevieve escorted her up the aisle of St Ann's church. Other members waited in the pews before joining them and the witches that had brought Giuliana in placed her down on the floor. Hayley kicked at the women who held her, but she was too ridden with pain to get a good hit in. She remembered waking up from a pain that could only be described as a contraction by what she'd heard about childbirth. She hoped that it was just a bad reaction from the spell that Genevieve had placed on her, but the baby was coming now. Monique helped to get Hayley on a sacrificial table and strapped her down despite her struggling, but Hayley continued to fight and scream.
"You need to be calm, Hayley." Genevieve told her.
Hayley's cheeks were red and stained with tears. "Why are you doing this to me?"
"To be reborn, you must sacrifice." Monique pressed her hand on Hayley's belly, but the wolf tried to push her hand away.
"What does that mean, you psychotic little bitch?!"
"The ancestors demand an offering in exchange for power."
"Your child will be a fine offering." Monique said.
"No! NO! You will not take my baby! I will kill all of you!" She roared.
"No, you won't!" The dark-skinned witch shouted. "And neither will Klaus or Elijah. When your baby is born, you will offer her up to those who came before us."
The other witches brought a semi-conscious Giuliana to the altar and presented her before Genevieve who smiled widely. She clasped her hands together and stood before the young witch. Trickles of blood were stained on the sides of her face from where Francesca smashed her against the wall.
"Welcome." Genevieve greeted. "You're awake just in time."
"What the hell am I doing here?" Giuliana rasped weakly.
"You are going to help Hayley give birth to this baby." She told her just as the expectant mother screamed out. Giuliana's eyes widened, suddenly aware of what was happening and she raised her hands to spell the witches in the coven, but Giuliana whipped out Audrey's blood dagger and held it against Hayley's neck.
"Don't even think about muttering a single spell or your friend's throat will be slit." She threatened and pressed the blade to the skin hard, causing a trail of blood to dribble from the wound.
"No! Wait!" Giuliana called and warily lowered her hands to hold them up in surrender. "See? I won't try anything. Just put the knife down."
Hayley began crying and shaking again once another contraction ripped through her lower regions. She arched up from the table and members of the coven were whispering amongst each other; even Monique and Genevieve were. Giuliana looked to Hayley and shared a sad smile with her that they were both caught up in this mess. Genevieve approached Giuliana and pointed to Hayley.
"You deliver that baby or I kill Hayley," she commanded firmly. "It's as simple as that."
"Why can't you do it?" Giuliana asked cautiously. "You were the nurse."
"I need to work to spell this church. Now I can't do that if I'm helping Hayley in labor, can I?" Genevieve smirked when Hayley writhed and screamed out again. Giuliana rushed to her friend's side, taking her hand and holding it while the witches prepared themselves for the ritual.
"I can't do this!" She sobbed.
"Yes, you can. And I am going to help you." The witch squeezed her hand.
"T-They're gonna take my baby away." Hayley stammered and Giuliana shook her head.
"I won't let that happen." She assured her and her eyes followed Genevieve. She had to find a way to get them out of this.
Klaus and Elijah staggered back inside the compound to find it a complete mess. It looked as if some kind of natural disaster had come through and wrecked everything. Blood spatters decorated the walls and high ceilings while dismembered body parts were strewn all over. Audrey was in the middle of the room, facing away from them with her open hands held out by her sides. Collecting in her palms was the energy from the spilled blood in the room, soaking up every last bit of it. The bullet wound healed, but her shirt still had the tell-tale marks of where she'd been shot. She hadn't moved, even when she felt the brothers' presence enter the room. As they drew closer, they could hear her quietly chanting. They approached her cautiously, unsure if she was in her right mind, but they were reassured once she turned. Her black eyes remained for a few moments before turning back to their icy blue.
"What happened here?" Elijah asked as he stepped around an abandoned arm.
"Francesca turned against you. She sent her men to take care of me, but I finished them off." Audrey replied. "She and Genevieve had a deal where she would take the stones."
"What?!" Klaus roared lowly, his chest rumbling.
"We have all been blind," the witch added. "Except for Giuliana. She was the only one who could see Francesca for who she really is; a common gangster."
"Where is she?" A tinge of worry found its way into Elijah's voice.
"Genevieve has her and Hayley."
Elijah flew into a rage. He picked up a chair and thrust it hard at the wall. The wood splintered and shattered, leaving the chair in mere pieces. A mighty growl escaped him and he punched the column as well. He promised her. He promised her that this wouldn't happen. "Find her," He demanded.
Audrey knelt beside some blood that had dried long before she attacked Francesca's security team and she pressed her hand to the spatter. Calling on her magic, she could see where Giuliana was through a murky hue. Genevieve, her coven, and Hayley were there too. Hayley was squirming on an altar, her face ridden with pain.
"St. Ann's Chapel," she answered.
"I'm going alone." Klaus announced and nearly stormed out of the compound, but Audrey tugged on his arm.
"Klaus, Hayley is in labor." His face dropped, as if he'd been kicked in the stomach. He knew his time was limited to get to Hayley, so he removed his arm from Audrey's hold.
"You two stay here and take care of any other business. Be it Marcel or Francesca." He ordered.
"But, Niklaus—" Elijah tried to follow him, but Klaus held up his hand, pressing it to his brother's chest.
"No, brother." He spoke. "This ends tonight."
Oh boy. Klaus isn't playing around. Will Genevieve and her coven get away with their plans for Giuliana, Hayley, and the baby? Will Francesca be apprehended for her crimes against the Originals? Will everyone make it out alive? Only time will tell ;) Please give me a review and feed my ego hehe :-P
Shining Ruby: Thank you SO much for reviewing! I'm very happy you enjoyed the chapter! With the finale coming closer, the gang will have a lot to worry about with the birth of Baby Salvatore and reclaiming their town. Tensions will run high and lots of things will happen ;)
Guest456: Thank you for reviewing! And, yes, I will be doing other stories after this one. I will be splitting TVD and TO stories so they will each have their own story.
91: Hello Stephanie! Here is the next chapter update! Hope you enjoyed it :)
Lostgirllove: Go ahead and cry, girl! I'll get you some tissues. Baby Salvatore will certainly be in danger and that will show in the finale. Thank you, my dear! I do love writing and when I started, I had NO idea that my writing would gain such an incredible following. Right now, I like doing this for fun, but if I was to get noticed by someone I would absolutely be over the moon! Thank you so much for your kind words and your positivity :)
KLM: Thanks for reviewing! Hope you enjoyed this update!
NicoleR85: Yes! Baby Salvatore has finally arrived! Here's the next update!
peaches2010: Thank you for reviewing! There will certainly be a lot of moments with Damon, Cassandra, and the baby :)
CarlyLynn: Thanks so much for reviewing! I hope you liked this next update!
VampirePrincess11: Thank you for reviewing!
SomebodyWhoCares: Have some tissues, my dear!
Kim: Thank YOU for being such an amazing reviewer :* This chapter is definitely bittersweet and the emotions will continue on in the season finale ;)
lovinurbuks: Hello there! Here is the next update! Hope you've enjoyed it :)
twin of a sister: Hi, my dear! Thank you so much for reviewing as always :) Stefan will be coming back since that is part of the finale, but there will be other twists that I can't reveal just yet ;) As for Elena, she will definitely have a freak out movement in the next chapter. I will reveal the baby's name in the next chapter, but yes, it is Ava. As for this TO chapter, I hope you enjoyed the Elijah/Giuliana scene ;) Always lovely hearing from you, girly!
Momsen-xxxx: Thank you, dahling :* xoxo
grapejuice101: Thanks for reviewing! I will see if I can have the TO and TVD cast swap baby stories in the next stories ;)
binks13: Hello, my dear! Thank you so much for reviewing :) Continuing this story moving into season 7 will be an adjustment, but I am confident with the writers of the show to make it an amazing season even without Nina. I will really miss Nina's presence on the show and I wish her nothing but the best with her career.
luvudramione: Well, here it is :D I hope it was everything you hoped it would be and that you will enjoy the finale! Thanks for reviewing!
elisesellas: Hi, my dear! I am so glad you had a nice vacation! I am going on a vacation in August and I am counting down the days. Work is almost over for me, so I will be happy to enjoy the summer and catch up on writing ;)
Yes, Baby Salvatore has eyes like her father and she's such a little cutie! I cannot wait to write more scenes with her, especially as she grows older. Markos will definitely be on the lookout for the baby since he's quite worried on what will happen when she grows up. Damon and Cassandra won't let Markos get too far, though ;)
I agree with you. The deaths in this chapter were very emotional, but I feel like it adds a lot of dynamic to the show and it allows the show to move at a quicker pace. Thank you so much for your kind words. You really are such an amazing, warm person and it is an honor to write stories for loyal readers like you xoxo
I would hope that Nina would come back for some cameos, but we won't really know until season 7 airs.
New York is lovely too. It was hot the past few weeks, but now it has been raining like crazy! I planted sunflowers outside and I am worried that they will drown with all the water :/
Lots of love from New York to London, my dear! I hope you enjoyed this chapter :)
Guest: Hello! I am thinking of adding some flashbacks in the finale chapter or in season 6. Not quite sure yet ;) Thanks for reviewing!