Pairing: Annabelle/Jeremy (f/m) hand, playful

Friday, April 6, 2012

Cave System

Klaus paused, "Elijah, wait! We still need to find the boys!"

Klaus wouldn't let Elijah met Aya alone, but yet he wouldn't abandon Damon and Enzo either.

Elijah nodded and looked to the two Strix guards, saying, "I assume we can't compel you, but we need to find two other vampires. Have you seen them?"

The smaller man pointed, "We were on their trail and they went up that hole. I think they blasted through the rock!"
Klaus smirked, "That's my boy alright. Now, did they seem hurt to you or-."

"No, they seemed pissed off. We were just supposed to be monitoring this system. Our orders weren't to detain anyone, then we ran into you two," Lorenzo confessed.

"Radio your people," Klaus said, handing back the black radio. "Tell them we shall meet with them shortly, but we have to find those boys first."

The guards turned the radio back on and alerted the headquarters of their position and the situation.

"Up you go," Klaus said, grabbing the smaller vampire and heaving him up the opening after Elijah jumped up.

"I can go myself-," Lorenzo tried as Klaus grabbed him and handed him to Elijah.

Klaus leapt up easily and blinked in the bright sunlight. He saw some footprints and confirmed with Elijah.

"See? They didn't even put their damn shoes on," Klaus hissed.

Elijah steadied his brother with a hand on his shoulder.

"Fear not, we'll get them back. Come on, they headed west according to these footprints," Elijah said. He turned to the guards. "Try to keep up with us and keep your mouths shut when we find them. My nephew has a hot temper."

"Great," the smaller man muttered.

"Your name is, friend?" Klaus asked, sniffing the air.

"Rico," the guard said. "And Aya doesn't like to be kept waiting, so could we hurry this up?"
"She never did," Elijah recalled with a faraway look.

Mystic Falls High School

Jeremy grimaced as he walked fast to keep up with Ric and the others. Tyler and Matt were walking to this storage closet that they had helped Dorian pack boxes in earlier.

"You okay?" Ric said, slowing and putting an arm around his future nephew. The halls were mostly deserted as even the staff couldn't wait to get home to start their weekend.

"Not really," Jeremy mumbled, speaking low so Matt and Tyler didn't hear. "What if Vicki finds out about this? I mean, she didn't care at the time, but now she's a vamp. She might take off my head!"

Ric pulled Jeremy in closer and patted his head.

"Not on my watch. I'll talk to them about keeping this quiet. Look, we'll find Dorian and then head home to pack. Tomorrow, we'll be on the lake and we can forget about this. Sound good?" Ric encouraged.

"Yeah, I guess," Jeremy said, wanting to rub his throbbing buns. "Not looking forward to the car ride, though."

"Oh, you'll be fine. I think we can skip any follow up if you can behave yourself tonight. I don't think your red butt can take anymore tonight, but consider yourself on notice. Now, let's pick up the pace, it's not like Dorian to be out of contact for so long," Ric urged.

"Lead the way," Jeremy said, as Ric quickened his pace. Jeremy did sneak in a fast rub, but it didn't help. Annabelle had offered to pose for him and he was sure glad he hadn't taken her up on the offer.

Hallway outside of Library

Dorian stumbled out of the metal door, unsure of what had just happened. He locked it out of habit and then leaned against it to catch his breath.

"Dorian!" Ric yelled, running the last few yards to meet his friend. "Where were you? I though they got you, man!"

Dorian blinked a few times. "Ric, I need to see you alone."

"Okay, buddy. Hey, you don't look so hot. Let's get you sitting down," Ric said, as the boys caught up.

"Mr. Williams, you okay?" Matt said, looking at the disheveled man, up and down.

"You have like dust and crap all over you," Tyler noted.

"Yeah, I think I made it past the big rusty door...," Dorian replied, swallowing. His mouth was so dry, he could barely speak.

"Any of you guys have a drink?" Ric asked.

Matt fished out a bottle of soda from his bag.

"It's not opened. Here, Mr. W.," Matt said, pushing it into Dorian's shaking hand.

"Thanks," Dorian grunted, opening the sugary drink. He gulped it and then looked at the four people staring at him. "We need to get out of here."

"Okay, um, Tyler, can you drive Jeremy home?" Ric asked.

"Ah yeah, no problem," Tyler said, eyeing Jeremy, who looked nervous.

"Don't worry, we're cool," Matt asked, slapping Jeremy on the back.

"No funny business, guys. I'm not gonna call your uncle, Tyler, but I expect you to fill him in," Ric added.

Tyler groaned, "Yeah, okay, we will."

"Stay home and pack," Ric reiterated with Jeremy. "Tell Jenna that I'm with Dorian. I'll be home as soon as I can. And boys, I mean it, no more fighting."

"We got it," Matt said, as the boys headed towards the courtyard exit in the library.
Jeremy didn't look thrilled, but Ric needed to hear what Dorian had to say.

Ric grabbed Dorian's arm and led him to the small seating area of the library. He plopped Dorian down and then checked to make sure the rest of the large space was empty.

"Okay, coast is clear. I was getting worried, Dorian. I tried to call you like ten times," Ric said, finally sitting beside him.

Dorian toyed with the now empty soda bottle. He set it down on a coffee table stacked with magazines.

"Ric, I think I hit record!" Dorian exclaimed, pulling his cell phone out of his jacket. "Yes, it's still recording."

Dorian hit stop and went to the beginning of the recorded sound. Ric listened with wide eyes until it was done.

"They have been compelling me this whole time?" Dorian said when it ended a few moments later.

"The Strix. That woman, Aya Al-Rashid, she is the leader," Dorian said. "They must have been in charge at the Armory, but no one there knew it. Damnit, I've been a fool to think that vampires wouldn't be able to infiltrate any organization they wanted to. And I told them about the siphon!"

Ric patted Dorian's knee.

"Not your fault, buddy. They had control of your mind," Ric soothed.

"I drink vervain every day. I don't know how they could have gotten to me," Dorian snapped, more angry at himself.

"These sound like powerful people, they could have switched yours out or done something else to you," Ric said.

"Is that supposed to help me? I feel violated and like a traitor! I would never give up a kid like that," Dorian seethed. "What do I do here? The Mikaelsons could kill me over this!"

"What do 'we' do, Dorian? I brought you into this, I'm not abandoning you. Let's go to the house. It sounds like they were using you to get to the Mikaelsons anyway. It could have been anyone," Ric said, standing. "But that one guy did call you 'Dr. Williams', so they don't know everything."

Dorian grinned, "Yeah, I was on track to getting my PHD until I met your ass. Let's go. If they are in those tunnels, they could be anywhere by now."

Woods Outside of Cave System

"Face it, we'll lost," Enzo mused, watching Damon look around.

"We'll not lost," Damon said in irritation. "I just don't know where we should go."

"These woods seem to go on forever," Enzo commented, picking a stone out of his foot. "And I feel like we've been walking for ages."

"It's been like 20 minutes, Enzo. Want to go back into the caves?" Damon snarked.

Enzo's mouth opened and he quickly snapped it shut.

"Didn't think so," Damon replied. "I'm going to climb a tree and see what I can see from here."

"Climb a tree? Can't you use magic or something? Fly our arses out of here?" Enzo snickered.

"It doesn't work like that," Damon said, starting to climb a large oak tree. "Plus, magic leaves a trace, like a residue. If Lucy or Bonnie were looking for us, they would be able to sense it. You know I did manage to survive a war once?"
"Aye, well, I almost got killed in one, so this is all on you," Enzo said, bending to pick up a stick. When he straightened up, he saw a blur.

"There you are," Klaus heaved, slowing down to appear in front of Enzo.

Enzo went to run, but Elijah caught him.

"Whoa, enough running," Elijah said.

Klaus looked up and spotted Damon in the tree. "Son, come down from there."

Damon growled, "No! We're leaving and you can't stop us."
The two vampire guards appeared, breathing heavily.

"You two move fast! Now, can we see the boss?" Rico asked, leaning over to catch his breath.

"Give us a moment," Elijah whispered. To Damon, he called, "Damon, we have run into some friends. Things have changed, we need to speak to you."

"Well, you and Klaus can go play with your new friends. Enzo and I are going to New York," Damon snarled. "And I'm taking Stefan. I'm not leaving my brother with you people."
"Son," Klaus said heavily. He though a breath and lunged for the next tree.

"Really?" Damon snapped. "Come to beat Enzo senseless again?"

Klaus softened, looking down at the Elijah and the others thirty feet below, apologizing, "Damon, I am sorry. I didn't mean for things to get out of hand. Really, I lost my temper..."

"Don't tell me. Tell Enzo. You have no idea what he went through with the Augustines. H-he didn't deserve that," Damon said, looking down also.

"I know. I shall make it up to both of you. I swear it. Just come with us. Elijah's old chickens have come home to roost. I think we may have a clue as to what has been going on as late," Klaus said seriously.

"Who are those guys?" Damon said, noticing the two men in body armor. Their radio cackled.

"Strix. The bloody Strix have found us. Come down and we'll explain what we can," Klaus coaxed.

Damon paused, "Ask Enzo if he wants to go. You know you can't force me to do anything, right?"

Klaus shut his eyes, determined to stay calm.

"Right. I learned that when you exploded my brain," Klaus said tightly. "But I am here to make amends and bring you home. I don't want to fight with you, Son."

"I don't want to fight either," Damon noted. "But you need to square things away with Enzo first or we're gone for good."

"Fine. I shall," Klaus said, dropping out of the tree and landing easily on his feet.

"Enzo, son, may I speak to you a moment?" Klaus asked, holding up a finger to silence the guards who seemed eager to go.

Enzo looked up at Damon and saw his blue-eyed friend nod.

"Aye, I suppose that is alright," Enzo said stiffly, looking down at his muddy feet.

Klaus walked behind another copse of trees.

Klaus whispered, "Son, I am sorry. I snapped when you accused me of mistreating Damon. That was not what happened, I-I-."

Enzo interrupted, "Aye, he told me. I was too hasty...I jumped to conclusions."

"No, you were right to intervene if you thought Damon was being harmed, I respect that. It's just I tend to get a bit defensive when being called a bastard. Kol used to taunt me with that for centuries and it's a sore spot. I shouldn't have tried to punish you for it," Klaus said sincerely.

Enzo nodded, "Can we just forget this then? I have been tramping through this blasted mud for hours and-."
Damon hopped down and tackled Enzo.

"You gave in to him in like five seconds!" Damon chastised. "Jesus Christ, get a backbone, man!"
Enzo laughed and shook Damon off his back.

"Aye, that's what I get for defending you. Now, can I go back and get me shoes?" Enzo squeaked.

Damon rolled his eyes and approached the others.

Enzo said, "He didn't really want to leave. Either did I."
Klaus nodded and extended his hand.

"Good, I didn't want you two to go either. But I see why you do. Maybe I am a shite father? I don't know," Klaus mused.

Enzo took his hand. "You are not. He needs you and...so do I."
Klaus pulled him into a hug and ruffled his head.
"I don't expect you to forgive me, but maybe we can try again?" Klaus asked carefully.

"Aye," Enzo responded. "Now, do we have to go with these angry looking blokes? Or can we go home?"

Klaus led Enzo back to the others with his arm around him.

"Damon, Enzo, you head back to the house and tell Finn that we are going to see the Strix leader," Elijah said, relieved that things seemed back in check.

Klaus nodded at Damon.

"Yes, this is something Elijah and I have to do on our own," Klaus agreed. He longed to reach out to his son, but he could tell the boy was still angry with him. They vamped off in the direction of the house.

Then, a black helicopter landed.

"Brother, I believe our ride is here," Klaus said ruefully.

Elijah nodded and they boarded the chopper.

Mikaelson Mansion

Damon and Enzo came in through the kitchen entrance.

Rebekah covered her mouth.

"Have you two been playing in the pond?" Rebekah chuckled.

"Don't," Damon said roughly. "We've had a hell of a day. Finn around?"

Enzo went directly to the refrigerator and got out several blood bags and tossed one to Damon.

"You are getting mud everywhere!" Rebekah hissed. "Every hear of shoes?"

"Luv, who might the Strix be?" Enzo asked, ignoring her protests and sitting down on one of the island chairs.

"The Strix? Oh, my, I haven't heard of them in centuries. That was some silly organization Elijah started in Europe. Then, Father found us and slaughtered most of them. We fled and I haven't heard a word about them since," Rebekah explained. Then, she put down the diet cola she was drinking. "Why do you ask?"
"They are here," Damon said, sucking on his blood bag. "And they seem to want a meeting with your brothers."

"FINN!" Rebekah yelled. "Kol, get down here!"

Kol came in with Julian on his back and the dogs trotting alongside.

"Lord, woman, you want to start another earthquake?" Kol chided, putting Julian down. He ran to Damon as the dogs went and sniffed Enzo.

"The Strix are back," Rebekah said. "Where is Finn?"
"Playing dolls," Kol replied, taking a sip of her cola and making a face. "Ugh, that is revolting. And who are the Strix?"

Finn came down, muttering, "I am here. What is it now? Oh boys, you are back. Where are Elijah and Niklaus?"

Damon finished his second blood bag. "With the Strix?"

"Who?" Finn asked in confusion, going to refill the dogs' water bowls.

Rebekah patted the dogs and explained, "That group that Elijah founded. Oh, maybe you were off on one of your 'adventures', but it didn't end well. Apparently, they are now in Mystic Falls and they have our brothers."

Finn set the dog bowls down gently. Finn whispered to Julian that he could take the dogs out and he'd be out in a moment. Julian ran out the door with the dogs at his heels. Finn watched him a moment to make sure he didn't go too far out in the yard, and then turned his attention back to his sister.

"I vaguely remember that. Did not Elijah have a paramour in that group? Asha?" Finn struggled to recall.

"Aya, I believe. It was 900 years ago, but Niklaus saw her once," Rebekah recalled. He said she was 'built like a goddess, vicious as a viper.'"

"Sounds lovely," Enzo quipped. "But why would they be back now? There were two men with Elijah and Klaus dressed in full combat armor."

Finn bit his lip. "I do not know. Elijah always had this idea of helping civilization, but when Father came with his own army, we had to flee for our lives. I thought they were all dead."

The doorbell rang.

"I'll see who it is. Rebekah, can you keep an eye on Julian? Sage is playing with the girls," Finn stated.

"Sure," Rebekah said, getting up to dump out her soda in the sink. She hated it when Kol drank out of her cup.

"I'll go play with him," Kol said, going out the back door.

"I can't deal with this right now," Damon announced. "I'm going to go take a shower. Enzo, you should, too."
"Right," Enzo said, getting up.

"Um, Enzo, are you guys okay? I don't know what happened but Damon seems pissed," Rebekah whispered.

"Ah, just be glad you were at school," Enzo said. "Things got pretty ugly. I called Klaus a bastard and Damon downed him with a pain spell. We took off through the tunnels below the house. In good news, Damon also melted the magic brush...It's gone."
"He melted the brush!" Rebekah guffawed. "And you survived calling Nik a bastard? Wow, and you are alive? I miss all the good fights."

"It twasn't much of a fight, luv," Enzo stated. "I wouldn't bring it up to Damon again. Klaus was on the ground bloody unconscious..."
"Oh," Rebekah said stiffly. "I can't believe that Damon did that. No one has ever been stronger than Nik, not even Elijah. Maybe Father was once, but Nik killed him..."
Enzo gulped and was about to reply when he heard more voice.

"Seems like Ric and Dorian are here," Rebekah commented. "With the big spell on tonight, you better go wash up. I'm sure Lucy and Bonnie will be here soon."
"Right," Enzo said, going to bathe. "Where's Dr. Death?"

"Wes? Oh, heard he took off. Aaron said he didn't even say goodbye," Rebekah replied sadly. "I feel bad for him."
"The lad? Aye, it's not his fault he had a monster for a guardian," Enzo shared, as he left the room.

Rebekah got another diet cola out of the refrigerator and opened it, then she went to see if Ric and Dorian knew anything.

The Gilbert Residence

Afternoon

Jeremy came home after Tyler and Matt dropped him off and dumped his backpack by the door.

"Hey, you're kinda late getting home," Elena said, muting the t.v.

"Yeah, um, Ric had to do something with Dorian," Jeremy said. "Tyler dropped me off."
"Oh, that's nice," Elena said. "Jenna is still at her school thing. She said we can order a pizza, but only after we pack."

"Where's April?" Jeremy asked, looking for the other girl.

"Taking a bath. She's all packed and ready to go. Bonnie is getting dropped off after she does that moonlight spell tonight," Elena shared.

"Nice. Well, I'm going to go get my stuff together," Jeremy said, all he wanted to do was curl up in bed. He was exhausted, he couldn't believe that Elena hadn't heard about the fight with Tyler and Matt yet.

"Jer, are you sure you're okay?" Elena asked, concern written on her face.

"Yeah, I'm just tired," Jeremy said, wincing as he picked up his backpack. Ric had really swatted him hard.

"Okay," Elena said, switching the volume back on.

Jeremy heard the water running in the guest bathroom and opened the door to his room.

"Anna!" Jeremy gulped. The pretty dark-haired vampire was sitting on his bed, still in her school clothes.

"Hey, there you are? Are you okay? I've been so worried after what happened," Annabelle gushed. She ran to Jeremy and kissed him on the lips. He returned the kiss and then pulled away.

Jeremy's face heated up.

"You saw t-that, huh?" Jeremy stammered.

"Saw them attack you? Yeah, I did," Annabelle fumed. "I hope they got expelled!"

"They didn't. Look, I wasn't completely innocent here either," Jeremy said, putting his book bag on the bed.

Annabelle came over and hugged Jeremy.

"What do you mean? I saw it. They grabbed you and...," Annabelle drifted off.

"It's called pantsing. It's mostly a prank, you know, that people do to be funny," Jeremy explained. "But in this case, they did it because they were pissed about something."
"What could possibly justify that? What is wrong with people?" Annabelle exclaimed.

"Hey, be quiet. My sister is downstairs. I'm assuming you came in the window?" Jeremy said, pointing at the open window.

"Yes, once you invited me in, I can enter anytime," Annabelle replied. "And answer the question. What were they mad about?"

"Um, remember I told you about those sketches of Vicki? You know, where I drew her...without her clothes on?" Jeremy asked.

"Yes, you said she liked them, but that you destroyed them. Isn't that right?" Annabelle pressed, she flicked back her dark hair.

"Um, yeah, but I forgot to destroy one and her brother saw it. That's why he wanted to beat me up," Jeremy fibbed.

"Jeremy, you know I can hear your heartbeat, right?"

"Yeah, I guess," Jeremy said.

"Well, your heart just skipped a beat. That happens when people lie," Annabelle scolded.

"Oh," Jeremy said, ashamed. "So I kept one...I'm sorry!"
"Why did you keep the one?" Annabelle prodded.

Jeremy's face grew red. "I don't know."
"You know what happened to me when I lie?" Annabelle asked.

"Um, no," Jeremy said, bashfully looking at the vampire teen.

"I get a spanking," Annabelle said. She sat on the bed and leaned Jeremy over her lap. "And that's what I'm going to do to you!"

Jeremy opened his mouth to protest, but Annabelle was lightly smacking the seat of his pants.

Whack. Pat. Smack.

When he finally got out an "Owww! S-Stopppp!", Annabelle laughed.

"Nope, you are going to get it," Annabelle said, continuing the play spanking.

Smack! Smack! Whack! Slap.

"I already got paddled! OWWWWWW," Jeremy shrieked.

Slap.

Annabelle stopped and pulled down Jeremy's pants and underwear.

"Oh, Jeremy, your bottom is all red!" Annabelle said in horror. "I'm sorry. But you were the victim here! I don't understand..."

Jeremy tried to get up but Annabelle held him over her lap, gently touching the red areas. Her hand felt cold and comforting.

"Ric took us to his classroom after the fight, and I didn't want to snitch or tell him about the nude picture," Jeremy moaned. "We all got the paddle. They told him what happened and got it worse, but the damage was already done. It was a big ass paddle!"

Annabelle slipped off Jeremy's pants fully.

"Go get me some lotion," Annabelle ordered. "It will help, believe me."

Jeremy had a stash of lotion by his bed, but didn't want Annabelle to figure out why. He pulled down the front of his t-shirt and trotted to his shared bathroom with Elena. She had all kinds of creams and stuff in there. He picked one and handed it to Annabelle, his face as hot as his rump had been.

"You don't have to be ashamed. Not with me," Annabelle said gently. "Come here, over you go."

Jeremy obeyed and go back in position as Annabelle carefully rubbed the cool lotion in.

"Ah, that feels so good," Jeremy confessed, trying to stay still.

"I know. Just try to relax," Annabelle said quietly.

"Does your mom know you're here?" Jeremy asked a moment later.

"No, Nadia had some errands to run and she said she'd cover for me since Mom is so strict," Annabelle shared. "She'll pick me up on the way back, but we should have another hour."
Annabelle helped Jeremy up and kissed him again. This time, Jeremy didn't hold back. He forgot about his backside and concentrated on making Annabelle feel good. After the hour was up, they both felt much better.

The Armory

Grove Hill, Virginia

Elijah looked out the window as the helicopter descended. He saw a huge stone complex of buildings guarded by high walls and shrubbery. Elijah's sharp eyes noticed guard towers and security cameras.

"I didn't realize that the Armory was so close," Elijah noted as Klaus sat stiffly with his hands folded in front of him. "You did a good job making it look inconspicuous."

He felt ridiculous shouting, but the motor of the vehicle was loud. They were offered ear protection, but denied it. Klaus liked to be able to hear sharply, and he was on full alert.

Mohinder replied, "It's seven miles from Mystic Falls, as the crow flies, but The Strix did not create the Armory. We merely took it over to serve our purpose."

"Oh," Elijah said politely.

"After you," another guard said, after they landed on the top of a high building.

Mohinder led the man into the building and through a small corridor. He opened the door and escorted the Originals in.

"They will be in momentarily," Mohinder said.

"'They?'" Klaus questioned, his calm resolve breaking as he was left alone with his brother. "Elijah, what is this? If they don't have pertinent information for us, they are wasting our time. I need to be home with the boys right now-."

The door opened and Aya walked in. She was only 5'7" but held herself straight and tall. Elijah sucked in his breath to see her again. Her dark skin was luminous and her eyes were just as he remembered. Elijah stood, as did Klaus.

"Aya, I never imagined you survived," Elijah said after taking a moment.

"I would not have, without help from a friend," Aya said, indicating that the men should be seated. "You look well, Elijah, the years have not diminished your polish. Niklaus, welcome. Thank you both for coming."

"Until a few hours ago, we didn't know this organization still existed. Is there a reason you had guard posted in the tunnels beneath our home?" Klaus pressed.

Aya's lips turned up slightly.

"As direct as I remember in France," Aya mentioned. "And yes, we have our reasons, which we will get to in a moment. But I'm sure Elijah has some other questions."

"I do," Elijah stated. "For instance, how did you survive? Father's army was descended. I tried to fight them off, but we were far outnumbered. How they found us, I shall never know."

"They slaughtered almost everyone. All, but a few who signed the charter, were slain in front of my eyes. Your father's army, as you call it, drained them. They fed from other vampires and gained even more strength. I lost sight of you and then I was attacked. When I awoke, I was out of there," Aya recalled.

"I bade you to come with me," Elijah said. "I could not wait long, for all I knew, my siblings were already dead. I had to get them to safety."

Klaus put a hand on Elijah's arm.

"And you did, Brother," Klaus said firmly. To Aya, "Elijah was much beleaguered by the turn of events. But you still didn't mention how you came to head the Strix that Elijah created..."

"Head?" Aya smiled. "Me? You are mistaken in that regard. I lead the chapter here, but I am not the leader. That fate was left to another you abandoned."
Elijah looked puzzled, "I am afraid I do not understand."

A man opened the door and came out of the shadows.

"Do not tell me that my own sire does not recognize me!" A slim man in a suit said smoothly. "It has been a long time, Elijah."
Elijah turned and gasped, "Tristan de Martel!"

"Yes, it's ironic, but at the time I saved Aya, I believed I was you. A whole century after you again fled your father, my sister and Lucien, and I were all convinced we were Mikaelsons," Tristan revealed. "Now, that wasn't a very nice trick, was it?"
Klaus' eyes blazed, but he smiled. "And where is your lovely sister? And my progeny, dear Lucien?"

"Aurora is indisposed, and Lucien is working," Tristan said, coming to stand by Aya. "But we didn't bring you here to catch up. I'm afraid there is a rather serious matter we need to discuss. Your young human friend, Dorian, was the one who discovered it actually."

Aya nodded, "Elijah, in your absence, Tristan has assembled the most elite cohort of knowledge ever built. We rule governments, international unions, and the most powerful witches in the world. A few months ago, one of our seers saw a most disturbing vision, but it wasn't until we found the ancient text that we were able to confirm it. Now, I'm afraid, we have."

"Visions, prophecies, and seers? Are you seriously wasting our time with this?" Klaus said, standing up. "I thought we left the Dark Ages several hundred years ago."
"Sit down, Niklaus. You'll want to hear this. It has to do with your family," Tristan said lightly. A servant brought in a tray of blood. "But let us have a drink first."

The vampires all drank out of golden goblets. The blood was sweet and tasted fresh.

"Very nice," Klaus admitted. "Now, this so-called prophecy, what does it have to do with us?"

Tristan gave Aya an almost imperceptible nod, she continued, "Dorian found it in the Bible, in the Book of Daniel. It states that an 'abomination of desolation' will come to raise the dead. This meshes with what our seer saw, but until today, we assumed it had to do with your Tribrid son."
"You know about Damon?" Klaus growled through clenched teeth.

"Our seer saw him, but now we believe it more likely that it involves the child, the siphon," Tristan said, taking another sip of his blood. He dabbed at the corners of his mouth with a linen napkin.

"Ava?" Elijah spat. "I don't know who your sources are, but that child is not capable of that!"
"How smoothly you lie," Aya noted. "Just like when you said you would protect me!"
"Aya, that was different," Elijah breathed. "This girl is a part of our family. She is an innocent. What do you want with her?"

"Turn the girl over to us and we shall never have to see each other for another 900 years," Tristan promised.

Elijah laughed dryly, "And that is not a lie! I made you, Tristan, and I can unmake you. You will never get the girl!"

Aya stood and walked over to a large book, picking it up.

"It's all right here. She will raise the dead, shattering the doorway that seals the dead in the afterlife. Your father, the one you recently killed, would you wish to see his ilk back in the flesh?" Aya said, handing Klaus the book.

Elijah guffawed, "We'll seen hundreds of so-called prophecies come and go. Why are you so convinced this one is real?"
"Our seer," Tristan said simply. "She is never wrong."

"How do we know that you just do not need the power of this young witch? A siphon that can raise the dead would be a great boon to the Strix, would it not?" Elijah said, sipping his own goblet of blood.

"You care for this girl," Tristan commented. "Let us make a deal. We will give her the gift of immortality.-"

"Impossible, she is a child!" Klaus thundered, placing the heavy book on the desk.

"Listen to me, Niklaus. We turn her, then we place her in a secure location for say a decade, she can sleep," Tristan went on.

"A secure location?" Elijah prompted. "What do you mean?"
Tristan looked at Aya.

Aya typed something into a laptop.

"Here, it's called the Serratura," Aya said, showing a picture of a medallion. "It's a disk that was imbued magically to produce an unbreakable boundary that can trap any being living or dead. After the danger of the prophecy has passed, we shall let her out. No harm, no foul. We are not deceiving you on this. You can meet our seer. We'll have her flown her within hours."

Elijah stood up, stoking his jaw.

"You make a good case, but this child is under our protection. You can see why we would be wary, can you not?" Elijah replied slowly.

"Of course," Aya said. "But you can also see the lengths we have gone to ourselves. Elijah, we did not want to bring you into this, anymore than you wanted to be brought in. We could have simply taken the child."
Klaus also stood, putting his goblet down next to the book.

"Yes, well it was fortunate that you did not do so," Klaus said wryly.

"You can threaten us all you want," Tristan responded. "But I am not the same person who took you in when you arrived at my father's castle. And do not forget that for a century, I was a Mikaelson. You not only compelled us to believe we were you, you set Mikael on us. And we survived, something you barely did yourselves."

"And we are so very happy that you did," Elijah said with a note of sarcasm. "Give us a week to discuss this, then we shall meet your seer and go from there."

Aya smiled, "We shall offer you four days, if we don't hear from you. Then, we will come for the girl."

"Make it five. And we shall be in touch," Elijah said. "And I think we would prefer to take a car home. The helicopter was a bit overstated."

"Of course," Tristan said, bowing. "As you wish, five days. And don't make us come for her, Elijah. You have no idea what you have created."

Aya nodded, "And you might want to cloak yourselves better. We couldn't even get close to you in New Orleans, but here, your wards are weak and easily exploited, if we could get through, so could anyone else."

"Thank you for your concern," Elijah said tightly. He felt like there was a lot unsaid between him and Aya, but it would have to wait. Now, they had to focus on protecting their family, especially that little siphon who could raise the dead.