Moonlight stretches out against the skies
Your share of it depends upon the size
Of windows in your room. Your glass of wine
Dictates the granted measure of divine
Infinite love; and you'll receive His grace
According to the breadth of your embrace.
- Rumi, Capacity
Rebekah stood annoyed at the tarmac and Klaus tapped his foot rapidly against the gravel. When a sound of distress reached their ears, he sighed and gestured his sister to take care of it as she grumbled loudly and obeyed.
A loud snap echoed the air when a car screeched and Rafael got out, annoyed.
"It's not everyday Adelia rings you up at eight in the morning for help. I am not surprised to see what help she needs and let me tell you, I hold my sleep in very high regards than you all," Rafael informed and gestured at his hand. "You are here," he kept the palm at his waist level, "and my sleep is here." He finished it above his head. "Kindly understand my level of annoyance right now."
"Rafael, you are still alive," Rebekah quipped, eyes trailing up and down his form.
"Stop with the googly eyes," he waved it off as her smile turned into a pout. "I have things to do, i.e., sleep. Get in the car."
"We have company," Klaus said and pointed behind him as Rafael's brow raised up.
"Don't tell me he is one of your sister's endless boyfriends that she abducted to appease her soul," the friend said as Rebekah glared at him while Klaus' lips twitched. "Do you want me to dispose off the body?"
November 1862
New Orleans
"I sincerely hope they do not recognize me," Adelia whispered into Jasper's ear as he smiled and looked ahead.
"You can remove the veil. I wouldn't have brought you to the parade if you were to be harmed. I would never endanger you," the betrothed reassured her.
"This is acceptable. But grandmother is not aware of my presence here," she continued and stole a glance of Sharel at the very front.
"Oh dear. Is my bride too mischievous?" Jasper humoured.
"Father and grandmother do not let me explore the city. They say it is not safe. While I understand the reasoning but I will not be caged."
"You will never be," he said softly and their eyes met. Suddenly the siphon-witch pulled him towards her, ducking a little when the Laurentis matriarch looked behind.
Gripping his hand, she dragged him in the opposite direction to the parade with a giggle as he willingly followed, laughing all the way. They reached an empty alley and hid in one of the corners.
"It is very inappropriate of you to drag a gentleman around, my lady," he said with a smirk.
"Why?" Adelia turned back to look at him. "I assure you nobody recognises me. Your reputation as the town's physician is as spotless as ever."
"What a time has come. I cannot enjoy some merry time with my beautiful fiancée," Jasper smiled and stepped closer to her.
"Maybe that is not appropriate," she took a step forward daringly and lifted her veil above her hat.
The betrothed looked down at her lips and stepped even closer. "Is that it?" He whispered, looking her in the eye. "Do you want me to be appropriate?"
"If I say yes?" The witch suggested and he gently kissed the corner of her mouth, lips lingering for several seconds while tucking a lock of hair behind her ear. "And if I dare say no?" She continued, her fingers trailing up the lapels of his jacket.
Jasper smiled into her hair and abruptly pulled her closer, his hand gliding around her waist as a gasp escaped her mouth. His other hand moved her tresses off her collarbone, gently caressing the soft skin.
"Then I would prefer if you tell me," he told her when she looked sideways to lock eyes with him, their breaths mingling.
"Do not be appropriate with me," Adelia said and his lips slowly touched hers but he initiated no movements.
"I am very cautious. You never know when Mr. Laurentis might appear pointing a rifle at me," the betrothed laughed and she pushed him away slightly in offence.
"My father loves me," she proclaimed with a pout.
"I love you too but you do not see me threatening every man that has affections for you now, do you?" He continued.
"I do not know of any man that has affections for your bride-to-be," the witch smiled kindly.
"I know many a men that would take offence to that statement," Jasper hummed as they started walking.
"Are you not envious then?" Adelia smirked.
The betrothed turned to look at her with a smile. "They should be envious of me, sweet." He finished before connecting their lips and she parted after a few seconds when a giggle rolled out her mouth.
The witch closed the distance as a laugh spluttered out between them. The echoes of laughter ricocheted the alleys and Adelia pecked his cheek before laying her head over his shoulder.
Jasper breathed in contentment, running his fingers down her hair as the witch wound her arms around him.
Adelia swished around the bedroom and put on the cardigan before sitting in front of the vanity to comb her hair.
She glanced at Elijah through the mirror who was still asleep and stood up to close the curtains. Walking over to him, she picked up his phone to turn it silent with a smile.
Asher waggled into the room and moved to jump on the bed. The witch immediately picked him up and flashed outside the room, closing the door behind her.
Asher whined in disapproval of not getting to feel the soft sheets under his groomed paws. He also promised that he wouldn't disturb the sleeping demon who looked very sad last night. They were now cordial to one another and the demon also appreciated him for his wit and quick thinking.
"No barks on the first floor today," she ordered the dog whose ear twitched at the information. "Klaus and Rebekah are arriving soon and they do not have patience like Elijah. Refrain from irritating them and be a good boy." Adelia kissed his head and let him go as he shot down the stairs to play outside.
The witch watched him play from the porch with her arms crossed when she spotted a vehicle coming to a stop round the fountain.
Rafael got out, his demeanour quite sleepy and without a word entered the house to crash into a guest room.
Adelia watched him enter and then turned her attention towards the siblings. "You are late," she told the Originals when Klaus rolled his eyes while leaning against the car.
"Air travel is fast but not lightning fast, Maeve," he quipped, earning a glare from the witch.
"I get no hello?" The youngest female said with a pout.
"Oh, little sister. This is Adelia showcasing her passive aggression techniques for not wanting her help."
"Rebekah, Helen will show you to your room," Adelia said and an elder woman appeared instantly, eyes criticising the blonde siblings. "Rebekah and Niklaus are Elijah's younger siblings. I would appreciate if you don't clean up his messes." She gestured at Klaus as the help nodded and left, the female Original following after her.
"Not compelled. Quite a precarious living condition," Klaus answered.
"I believe in honesty between individuals, employee relationship included. She knows what we are and encourages normal behaviour and I respect her for being a hard-working woman," the witch replied, stepping down the stairs. "Do not do anything."
The Original smirked mischievously before opening his arms when Adelia sighed softly and wrapped her arms around him. He smiled, gripping her head gently as she exhaled to examine one of his necklaces.
Klaus pulled her out of his arms and tapped her cheek. "Where's Elijah?"
"Asleep. He was quite tensed and tired from last night's ordeal. I'd prefer if he slept another two hours."
The Original rolled his eyes and walked towards the car, "What did my noble brother do to get such a thoughtful wife?"
Adelia followed him and crossed her arms again. "He puts up with you, that is another level of crazy." She grinned as he pursed his mouth.
"Of course that needs an extra attentive tending to my dear ol' brother."
The witch smacked his arm loudly making him hiss as he opened the bonnet of the car.
She narrowed his eyes and replied, "Be a little respectful."
Klaus rolled his eyes as Damon appeared in her vision, making her raise her brows.
"When you said you had a cargo, I was not expecting one with a Salvatore barcode," Adelia said.
"Be a good little host and get him inside."
Two days later
Damon climbed down the stairs of the Boarding house when he noticed two dead girls at the foot of the stairs. He stepped over them and entered the living room to find Stefan with a few girls, playing Twister.
"Uh-oh. Alexandra, left hand, please," the younger brother said and a compelled girl from the lot gave him her hand as he swiftly bit into her wrist.
"Hey, the two brunettes on the staircase owe me a Persian rug," the raven-haired vampire commented.
"You mean, they owe us a Persian rug? It's my house, too, brother and where were you? Ooh! Would you like a spin?" Stefan asked, holding up the spinner used in the Twister.
"So this is what Klaus had in mind when he compelled you to protect Elena?"
"These ladies are helping me be all that I can be," he replied when a knock resounded the door. The elder Salvatore opened the front door as Rebekah entered with shopping bags in her possession.
"Where's Stefan?" The Original enquired.
"Who the hell are you?" Damon asked the girl.
"He is supposed to escort me to school," Rebekah continued, choosing not to answer him.
"Oh, I'm sorry. Your tone implies that I'm actually supposed to do that," Stefan said.
"You're Klaus's sister?" They elder one guessed.
"Rebekah. Pleasure, I'm sure. Which one's Stefan's car?" She asked the ripper.
"You're not going with me," the ripper made it clear and the female looked at Damon who he kept his mouth shut.
"Rude. Both of you," the blond scowled. "I'll get to school by myself."
Stefan watched the Original go and glanced at his brother, "So guess she came back. Any idea why?"
The female Original looked around with annoyance when a car stopped in front of her. A chauffeur stepped out and opened the car door for her as a smile bloomed across the her face. As the person took a seat behind the wheel, he extended his phone to her, making her frown.
"Mrs. Laurentis wants to speak to you," he informed her and Rebekah took the device from him.
"When are you arriving?" She asked the heretic immediately.
"I am on my way," Adelia replied.
"And I am supposed to roam around alone then? Vulnerable?" The Original said with a pout.
"You siblings are all same," the witch quipped and then sighed. "You will start your driving lessons tomorrow. After you pass it, we'll get you a car. Until then you are stuck with Dave."
"I don't have any complaints," the blonde smiled, looking out of the moving car. "You know I appreciate luxury."
"I will be there by evening," she informed the Original when the chauffeur passed a file to her.
"What is this?" Rebekah asked Adelia over the phone.
"21st century education module. I am not ready for PTA meets yet," the witch laughed.
"We will see," the Original hummed.
"All the best, and be nice."
"I am always nice, Lia," mocked Rebekah feigning offence when the other female laughed and hung up the phone. The teen vampire opened the file and sighed, already regretting this.
"Miss Laurentis, we have arrived," the man announced making her look up.
"I am not Miss Laure-" the blonde stopped herself and then sighed. "Never mind. I will see you later." She said and took a deep breath before stepping out of the car with a devilish smirk.
44 hours earlier
"Hello, beautiful witch. So this is where you live?" Damon commented looking around the house as he sat on a chair without his daylight ring. He touched the area around him and was immediately met with a barrier, noticing the salt boundary.
"Your interrogation is not in my hands. Do not waste your time," Adelia replied before keeping a glass of blood in front of him. He looked at it precariously. "I do not poison my guests."
"Go to hell," he glared at her when his head suddenly burst in pain as Klaus kept a hand on his forehead from behind and shuffled through his memories.
"Is it done?" Elijah asked from the chair across him, his suit jacket draped over the couch.
"Patience, brother," the younger Original replied as he stepped out from the boundary but not before snapping the Salvatore's neck.
Adelia joined the two with a roll of her eyes and a mug of black coffee. "Your father, he hasn't moved."
"Good to know. Apparently the last Damon talked to Katerina, he was still desiccated," Klaus said sitting on the couch.
"Why don't we enforce a boundary spell trapping him inside the same place?" She suggested.
"There are thousands of people willing to ally with witches to free the Destroyer. We shouldn't take the risk," Elijah informed.
"So what are you suggesting, Elijah? We take on father?" Klaus glared at his brother and eyed Adelia nonchalantly. He snatched the mug out of her hand much to her indignation and took a sip only to grimace at the taste.
"Everytime he descended upon us, it was pure surprise. We were never ready to defend ourselves. This time we know everything, the opportunity, the players and the knowledge."
"It is not that easy, Elijah," the witch said, biting her lip.
"Well, nothing is ever easy with the Mikaelsons. This time around, we fight," the elder Original told his wife and glanced at Klaus.
"Your diabolical minds better cook up something," Adelia said with a roll of eyes.
1935, Switzerland
A couple walked the empty hill road as the man twirled the woman around suddenly, bringing her closer to himself before kissing her softly.
Footsteps echoed as a middle-aged man approached the two, seeing them in a loving embrace. "You have chosen quite the resilient wife, son," he said and the couple immediately stiffened.
Looking at him in horror, Elijah put himself in front of Adelia while staring at Mikael, the man he had not seen since 1922. "Father," he murmured.
"Quite a ploy you two designed. Making me stay far away from the abomination. Risking your lives to save that beast," Mikael walked towards them and Adelia started pulling her husband backward who refused to budge.
"He is my brother," Elijah said and Mikael's features hardened.
"And you still defend him. How times haven't changed. Werewolf slaughter in Germany two years back and you went back to warn him fearing my arrival. I did arrive but was too late. How he sympathises with those filths."
"It's the least he could do for them after you took away a part of him!" Elijah exclaimed.
"Oh son, how quickly you forget that you were the one to restrain him," Mikael smirked.
"And I shall always regret that I cowered in front of you to inflict that over Niklaus."
"Still looking for a way to break the curse without the doppelganger? Impossible feat and quite a conundrum you see. Esther was indeed a brilliant witch willing to do anything to please me," laughed Mikael. "No doppelganger, no abominations."
Elijah and Adelia frowned at the implication when Mikael's gaze turned to the witch-vampire being hidden by his second eldest son. "I wouldn't waste my oak stake on you, Elijah. It is rightly reserved for Niklaus but you are eligible for punishment for siding with him for so long. How long have you been married, my dear son?"
Elijah froze and gripped Adelia's hand hiding her even more. "It is of no importance to you."
"It is. I heard she cannot be killed, my only daughter-in-law. Gifted this life by my blood," the father mused.
"Blood means nothing to you. She means nothing to you," seethed Elijah.
"Elijah, please," Adelia muttered from behind him.
"I heard the prophecy, found it humorous even, but it did not lie," he took out a photograph from his coat and turned the photo around leaving the Original and his wife shocked to the core.
"How did you get it?" Elijah raged, stepping towards his father.
"I do deserve a piece of this profound happiness you were blessed with. Blood calls for another," Mikael smirked glancing at the photograph once more before keeping it back inside his pocket.
"How dare you?!" The son rushed towards the Destroyer but the man taking advantage of the situation ran behind a vulnerable Adelia pulling her back to tilt her head, exposing her neck.
The witch kicked his foot and the patriarch simply broke her leg before pulling her up to look at his son.
Horrified, Elijah stopped seeing his wife in Mikael's arms, tears running down her face with a look on the face he promised he would never see but it resurfaced yet again.
"Adelia Laurentis. Gift, death, resurrection, curse... everything prophetic. Makes my bravest son vulnerable," the father announced before piercing his teeth into her jugular, making her scream in pain.
Elijah pushed his father away from his wife, catching her in his arms before Adelia's bloodied neck was slit from behind. He stared in horror, finding himself against the wall, his throat in Mikael's grasp yet his sight never left his beloved's prone figure lying meters away from him.
"That pain visible on your face and the grief constricting your heart is what you deserve for siding with Niklaus. She is unconscious and still you thrash like the predator you are, peeking from its suited confines," Mikael sneered into his son's face. "You are proving to be just as weak as your half-brot..." a gasp escaped his lips as blood spluttered from his mouth. He looked down to see blood spreading over his chest as his hand loosened from his son's throat.
Elijah looked behind his father to see Adelia holding a rod impaling his father's back as she dug the fence deeper, simultaneously giving him an aneurysm making him fall on his knees.
"Elijah is not weak," she said, impaling another rod into his spine. "Niklaus is not weak," Adelia breathed out.
Mikael without caring stood up and squeezed the woman's throat in retaliation when his son kicked him off her, making him fall on his back, the rods coming through his front.
Enraged, he looked at his son and daughter-in-law and pulled out the rods, getting up. He aimed the rods and threw at them, but Elijah caught one while deflecting the other.
Mikael rushed towards them and hit with a barrier as the witch pushed her hand out. Without wasting a second, he picked up the same fence lying before them and impaled her to pull her towards him before pushing his hand into Adelia's chest.
Elijah quickly trapped his father's neck with the rod and a snap resounded the empty road. The patriarch's hand broke magically, forcing it out of her chest as the other limbs followed, bringing him to his knees.
With the younger Original restraining his neck from behind, the father fought through the pain and magic, but it was too much as his body refused to heal. The witch put her hands on his forehead, giving him the most painful aneurysm but he refused to scream.
Blood dripped from Adelia's nose as she continued chanting to withhold the most powerful creature, siphoning the Original himself. As the Original failed to desiccate under her touch, she tried harder.
Seeing the exhaustion and fear permeating from his wife, Elijah quickly snapped his father's neck just as Adelia dropped unconscious. Taking her into his arms before she touched the ground, he rushed them away from the Destroyer once again.
The students entered the classroom and Elena went to sit on her chair, Caroline next to her.
Stefan arrived and approached the boy sitting at his place. "You're in my seat," he said scaring off the teen before taking a seat and looked at the doppelganger, "Hey you!"
Alaric wrote the subject on the blackboard, "Welcome back, seniors. Let's turn our brains back on, starting with this country's original founders... the Native Americans."
Just then Rebekah appeared in the classroom. "What about the Vikings?" She announced, much to everyone's shock before she entered and took a seat as the gang looked at her.
"I thought the Originals left the town," Caroline whispered to Elena.
"There's no evidence that Viking explorers actually settled in the United States. Who are you?" Alaric inquired.
"My name's Rebekah. I'm new. And history's my favorite subject," the Original said with a smirk.
"So apparently you and Elijah leveraged the fact that doppelganger blood has to be used to turn hybrids. The doppelganger who is my niece," Jenna said, annoyed and a little angry as she stared at Adelia sitting across from her.
"We suspected it, never thought it would work. Credits to the Destroyer, who has now been summoned by your niece's little clique," the witch answered, a little sheepish.
"And now Klaus, the Original hybrid is going to drain my niece every month," she concluded, ignoring the latter part.
"I cannot change Nik's mind. But the only reprieve I can give you is that he cannot turn every werewolf in the world into a hybrid. They are very rare and once Klaus' curiosity has been sated, he won't be that indulgent to make hybrids," she admitted with a sigh.
"So my niece should suffer her entire life, a blood bag each year," the redhead said.
"I cannot play god Jenna. I do not control him and neither do I control Elena. Their decisions are their own, the least I could do is prevent casualties. Klaus is my family and despite all his notorious behavior, I cannot abandon him."
"So you are a Mikaelson after all," she mocked the witch who let the comment slide.
"Yes, I am," Adelia said softly but with a hard edge to her voice and got up, putting her bill on the table. "I will see you later, Jenna. I haven't met Rebekah yet."
The Original's wife left the redhead alone in the Grill to her thoughts. Jenna thought about the earlier conversation and a little bit of guilt started creeping in.
They had different families and Jenna couldn't ignore how her own family was not that innocent. Elena and Jeremy hid everything from her and despite all the torment she was in from the betrayal, they never disclosed anything to her.
She still had a feeling that her niece kept her out of certain things. The redhead didn't want to involve herself much into the supernatural despite being one. Her family mattered and she had forgiven them; just like Adelia forgave Klaus.
To: Adelia L.
I am sorry. Wanna hang out tomorrow?
With a sigh, she sent out a text to the heretic and slumped into the chair when the reply came.
From: Adelia L.
Get the alcohol.
Jenna smiled and got up. With Alaric ridden with guilt over her turning and hiding things from her previously, it was becoming harder to forgive him when he still refused to face her. She had no idea what was going on, only hearing the bits from Caroline these days.
Her own family was in ruins, she couldn't blame others for saving theirs.
"Why won't Adelia let me turn the wolf pack in Seattle?" Klaus asked his brother curiously.
"The pack has been under her protection for more than a century, Niklaus. She wouldn't do anything that the pack doesn't want for themselves," Elijah answered as he drove them towards the mountains.
"I am sure the ability to turn at will sounds very promising," the younger brother sighed.
"The pack there revels in their animalistic nature. It would surprise me if they choose to be hybrids." His phone suddenly rang and he glanced at the display. "Yes, my love," the elder Original said receiving his wife's call.
"Asher misses you," Adelia said with a laugh.
"Of course that creature does. He must have noticed the absence of expensive shoes to chew on."
"He doesn't like Mystic Falls," she muttered under her breath.
"Probably not the residents, they are not too smart for Asher's liking," Klaus said from beside his brother.
"Nik, how's the hunt going on?" The witch asked with a laugh.
Klaus snatched the phone from his brother, leaving Elijah annoyed at the interruption before holding it to his ear.
"First tell me, little witch, what did you have for breakfast?"
When Adelia woke up, she found herself in a tub and Elijah gently scrubbing away the dried blood from her neck.
"Where are we going this time?" She softly asked her husband who averted his gaze and poured water over her neck, washing away the foam.
"His hand was inside your chest, gripping your heart and I died inside, Adelia," Elijah spoke, his fingers quivering while he held her hair up as she went to tie it.
"I am here and we defeated him, Elijah, well temporarily," she reassured him and he sighed, closing his eyes.
"I shall get to packing the essentials," he diverted the conversation and exited the bath.
Adelia examined the dress in the mirror and saw him standing in the doorway with an unreadable expression.
"What if you hadn't returned to me?" His sudden question startled her as she turned around. "You were lying there and I couldn't do anything, again. I fear one day you might disappear and won't come back to me."
The witch walked towards him and encircled her arms around his neck. "I will always come back to you," she pecked his jaw, "and... if I don't return, then I want you to lead the life you've always desired. A small cottage in a small people places, enjoying the peaceful whiskey."
"Don't say that," he muttered.
"Be optimistic, Elijah. We survived and that matters."
"He hurt you, my love. He was going to take you away from me."
"Unless you are thinking of annulling our marriage, be assured that I am going to haunt you for an eternity," she humoured, making light of the situation as he stood unfazed, clearly not amused.
Rebekah sat near a campfire, holding a marshmallow on a stick over the flame. Damon came and sat down next to her, much to her surprise.
"What? No friends your own age?" She asked him.
"Like you can talk," the Salvatore replied.
The Original female brought the burning marshmallow near her mouth to blow it out but it looked burnt. "Is this supposed to be fun? I've been through ten of these."
"No, you're just looking at it all wrong. This is a little rough on the outside," he demonstrated by pulling off the burnt layer of the marshmallow, "But the inside... yum." He moved the stick and put the marshmallow in her mouth when she ate it and then turned to look at him as he licked fingers.
"Mmm. It's good."
"Yep," the raven-haired vampire replied and moved to give her a marshmallow sandwich. "Can't believe you've never had one of these before."
Rebekah shrugged her shoulder, "Well, I've been in a casket for ninety years."
"That's no excuse," he said.
"Why are you being so nice to me?" The female asked with a frown, "You hate me. You should be mean."
"Well, I could be mean if that's what you're into," Damon answered with a smirk when she stood up suddenly.
"You're distracting me," she realized. "Why?"
"Just trying to be a good neighbor," he said, standing up too when Adelia arrived.
"Rebekah. Let's go," the witch said.
"Oh hey witchy-witch," Damon smirked making her roll her eyes.
Rebekah nodded at the witch, "Oh you are back!" As the silence hung in the air, she turned to the Salvatore, "There's never a fair fight between us, Damon. Remember that." She finished before stabbing him with a wooden stick and the females moved to walk away.
"Stay away from the Salvatores, Rebekah," Adelia told Rebekah, who pursed her mouth immediately.
"I cannot believe I have my brother with me to embark on my hybrid mission," Klaus snickered as Elijah scrunched his nose at the wet ground underneath his expensive leather shoes.
"I might reconsider the importance of an army if you continue to be this nauseous with your sense of humour," the elder Original replied.
"This is us bonding, brother. Like old times," the hybrid said, glancing at Elijah.
"Certainly did not miss this," Elijah told his younger brother, but a hint of a smile graced his features as Klaus noticed and smiled along with him.
A text beeped on his phone and the noble brother took it out to read it.
From: Damon Salvatore
No developments. Your wife has arrived.
The Salvatore looked at the message and his fingers hit the delete option involuntarily. As if out of a haze, he stared at his phone in confusion to see no new messages. He glanced at Adelia and Rebekah getting in the car when the witch looked back and mischievously smiled at him.
Damon's phone blinked as his eyes fell over Elijah's name on screen and his eyes glazed over once again.
From: the suited Original
How is Adelia?
The Salvatore's thumb sought the keypad without his permission as he pressed send before deleting the message thread altogether.
Elijah rolled his eyes at the too-honest answer, no thanks to the compulsion.
From: Damon Salvatore
Too Original-y for me.
30 hours earlier
"Compulsion has loopholes," Rafael pointed out as they all looked at Damon's unconscious form.
Adelia got up from beside the Salvatore and sniffed the blood-drenched hairpin. "The vervain is out." She gave the pin to Elijah who rechecked it and nodded at Klaus.
"Who should compel him?" Rebekah asked and looked at all of them.
"For motivation purpose, I vote Klaus," Elijah quipped. "His paranoia will be our end if we volunteer."
"Tip: Not the Originals who can be daggered. You never know when Klaus might change his mind and put you in a coffin," the Desmond said with a smile as the Original hybrid glared at him.
Elijah smiled appreciatively at the man's comment.
"I prepared a list sealing all the loopholes. He shouldn't remember this or our future conversations," the witch glanced at the paper and her companions sighed at her preparedness. "He shouldn't be able to tell or write or gesture that he is under compulsion. He should actively participate in all the plots and be the normal nauseous self that he is an-"
Klaus snatched the paper from her hand and took a deep breath while reading everything. "You are impossible."
"It is not my fault that people as ancient as you lack general finesse with your tasks," Adelia said, glaring at him when the Salvatore stirred and the Original hybrid got in front of the vampire.
"This time I might actually listen to you, for self-preservation," Klaus said and looked into the vampire's eyes. "You can never be prepared enough to deal with father." He finished when his pupils dilated.
December 1862
New Orleans
Jasper gripped Adelia's hand tightly as they walked through the crowds of running men. Entering the carriage, he tapped the roof as it descended down the streets, gunshots echoing around them.
"I am leaving for the camps," he said as soon as they reached home.
The witch looked at him in surprise for his words as the man went to accompany her towards the parlour where Arnold and Sharel were anxiously waiting for them.
As soon as the patriarch saw them, he sighed in relief when Marcel and Elijah came down the stairs to join them.
"Niklaus is not here yet," the Original informed them.
"I shall take my leave," Jasper told them and placed a chaste kiss on his betrothed's cheek.
"Where to, son?" Arnold asked him.
"There were casualties on the way. I wanted Miss Laurentis to arrive safely," he explained.
"We cannot thank you enough, Mr. Reynolds," Sharel smiled at his concern.
"I extend my farewells to Klaus as well," he tipped his hat looking at Adelia.
The witch instantly gripped his hand when they reached the foyer, standing alone.
"Please stay. You must not go out," she requested him.
Jasper smiled. "I am a physician, Miss Laurentis. It is my duty to tend to the injured."
"Not tonight please," she hesitated. "The soldiers are raiding the places, it is dangerous."
"The same soldiers are injuring people and getting injured alike. They fall under my responsibility."
"Do not go, please," a tear fell down her eye and he cupped her cheek gently.
"I need to go, sweet. I would never leave you if it were upto me but they need me too," Jasper explained and she looked down. "Trust me, please."
"No," she shook her head adamantly.
"If I have the ability to provide people then I will do it. My profession might not be the best one in the present circumstances but I have never regretted it. I do not regret serving people."
"Well I am telling you to disregard it for once, for me," the witch glanced at him and he caressed her chin with his thumb lovingly.
"Nothing will happen, sweetheart," Jasper reassured her. "You won't rid of me that easily," he finished with a chuckle.
"Please don't leave. Stay for me," Adelia said. "I love you," she mumbled making him laugh.
"Kindness is not your forte, is it? You already resemble a wife sending off her husband to war."
"You do not understand," she cried, swatting his chest.
"I do, more than you," he answered.
"I should encourage good agendas," the witch muttered after a moment, "and support you in your endeavors as your future wife. Go."
Jasper kissed her forehead as her fingers caressed his suit with a frown. "I will always stay with you, sweet."
Adelia nodded in agreement and gave him a smile as he walked away, getting into the carriage. He turned around and looked at her before waving at her. She raised her hand to wave back slowly, eliciting a chuckle from him. He shook his head in amusement and closed the carriage door as it went away instantly.
"He should be fine," Elijah's voice sounded from behind her and she continued to watch the carriage as it disappeared out of sight.
"Kindly refrain from saying things you have no control over," Adelia answered, still staring at the same spot down the road.
"I do mean it," he swiftly replied.
"If you cannot reassure me of my betrothed's safety then I suggest you not lie to assuage me," the Laurentis heir said and moved to enter the house when the Original gripped her wrist, pulling her towards him.
"What do you suggest I do, Adelia?" He set her with a hard glare, feeling her rapid pulse under his fingers.
Adelia pursed her mouth and set her hand free with a tug, the bead bracelet getting torn swiftly. The pieces bounced over the floor, scattering around as she stepped back.
"Keep your distance," she suggested and his jaw clenched. The witch entered the house, leaving him standing alone in the stormy night.
Elijah sighed closing his eyes and bent down to collect the beads near his feet one by one. Ignoring the howling wind, he put them in his suit and walked away in search for his brother.
Rebekah cut her palm and let the blood drop over the map as Adelia lit the candles before she started chanting.
The blood on the paper coagulated and seperated into five blotches before two moved towards north of Seattle, one came to Mystic Falls while one blotch traveled far down south to Louisiana in Cloverville and the last one stopped in North Carolina.
The Original and the heretic shared a glance as the former disappeared from the apartment without a word. Adelia sighed and pulled out her phone, eyes not moving from the map.
To: Elijah; Nik
He's awake.
As she pressed send and the message immediately acquired the ticks, the witch grabbed a tissue and dabbed the blood from over Cloverville, removing it from the map.
Tiny droplets from the other four joined to become another, once again moving to Louisiana. Getting the tissue to soak the blood from the spot to make it clean, tears gathered in her eyes when the blood once again repeated its descent down south.
Adelia now agigated, pulled out several tissues and rubbed the area roughly as a tear slid down along her nose before she wiped it over her cardigan.
When the paper gave away under the pressure, the lines of Louisiana no longer visible on map, she stepped away.
The blood now spread all over Louisiana, a little tear evident on the thin area, the wood visible when it suddenly burst into fire and the witch dropped unconscious in the study. The pendant around her neck glowed brightly before it dimmed to normal.
The phone started ringing, Elijah flashing on the screen before it stopped after no response. The name flashed again, accompanied by the default ringtone of the phone.
A shadow passed from the doorway as a figure entered Rebekah's room to open its drawer. Vicki Donovan smiled when she saw the necklace and grabbed it.
When she moved to exit the house, she peeked inside and found an unconscious witch; the one the Original witch told her about, wife to one of her children. She shrugged her shoulder and closed the door behind her, disappearing into the night.
Adelia's eyes opened and she looked around to find two hours had passed since then. She got up hesitantly as wiped the blood from her nose, a frown set on her face. Grabbing the phone, she unlocked it to see several missed calls from her husband and sent a text to not disturb him.
From: Lia
I hope everything is in order. Have a good night.
Elijah glanced at his phone and sighed in relief. He smiled at her message and saw Klaus leaning against the car, waiting for the dead werewolves to wake up. With a renewed determination, the Original exited the car and joined his brother.
"Are you scared, brother?" He asked the hybrid, a little hesitation in his voice.
"No," Klaus answered in a word but they both knew it to be a lie. He turned to look at the suited vampire, "Are you?"
"No," Elijah smiled at his brother, "not anymore."
A/N: A different approach to the Mikael situation that I sincerely hope you like. The Originals are not helpless.