A/N: Welcome back to 'A Thousand Years', great to see that you're keeping up so far with this story.
This chapter is where we welcome back Rebekah, which we haven't seen since the prologue and from Grace's various flashbacks. This should be interesting to write. I hope that you find it as interesting.
Please review with your thoughts. You've all been good so far with the lack of flames, please keep up it up!
I don't own The Vampire Diaries. Klaus, Damon and the others all belong to author L.J Smith.
I own Grace.
Happy reading ;)
BLEEDING LOVE
"One day someone will walk into your life and make you see why it never worked out with anyone else."
~Unknown.
Nik and Stefan were taking ages dealing with Gloria's errand, and I was beginning to become restless. There was only so many demanding and fussy customers I could deal with before I wanted to throw their drinks in their faces and say 'fuck it' and risk Nik's wrath by going out to find them. Eventually, Gloria could see that I was planning a mutiny and pulled me aside after serving my latest customer.
"Why don't you go and have some fun." Gloria suggested, and I glanced out at the dancing crowd. I hesitated a little; I was never really a party girl, and while I wasn't a bad dancer, it was only because it was what was expected of us a thousand years ago. "Klaus shouldn't be much longer I expect." She promised me. In the end, I shrugged and just tossed the tea towel I was holding in my hands onto the counter and grabbed a beer that Gloria held out to me with an encouraging smirk.
"Turn it up!" I yelled, and almost immediately the volume increased a little and I started mingling with the crowd of dancers. I took a healthy sip from my beer as I relaxed and just let myself get into the dance as I bounced, rolled and swayed my hips along with every song that came up on the jukebox.
But I wasn't an idiot, and I knew not to let my guard down if there was a chance that either Damon would return, or if some drunken moron would attempt to make a pass at me. Every attempt to flirt or dance suggestively was immediately turned down. But it wasn't until somebody was brazen enough to put their arms around my waist and move with me to the music that I cracked it. Whoever it was, was strong and I immediately went on alert as I frowned.
"You've got ten seconds before I beat you to death my fists, if you don't bugger off." I warned.
Instead of letting go, the arms tightened. Whoever it was chuckled at the threat and I was about to follow through and smack him, when a familiar voice mutters into my ear.
"I'll spar with you anytime, sweetheart." I instantly relaxed when I realized that it was Nik, and I spun in his arms and hugged him tight.
"How'd it go? Did you get what you needed to do done?" I asked him. Nik's flirty little smirk softened and he tugged me closer.
"It's in the process. Just got to wait until she wakes up and comes here." He whispers and we sway on the spot together. I was surprised.
"Rebekah?" I queried, causing him to nod. "You daggered her didn't you?" Nik made no comment, which meant that I was right on the money.
"As soon as she wakes up, we'll get the key to bringing back Esther." Nik stated, confidently. He takes my hand and leads me off the dancefloor and towards the bar where Stefan was waiting somewhat impatiently. Gloria hands Nik and Stefan a beer and gestures if I wanted another one. I nodded, and was immediately handed a beer.
"Where's Rebekah?" Gloria demanded, with a raised eyebrow. Nik looked at her sternly.
"She'll be here. I can't just conjure her on demand." He replied flatly, pulling me to him so I could sit on his knee. Nik takes a sip of his beer and observes Stefan curiously.
I did also.
"What's wrong, Stefan?" I asked, and earned an emotionless look back in reply before he continued to observe the other patrons in the bar. Nik snorts, looking a little disappointed.
"I thought Chicago was your playground." He taunts him a little, and Stefan immediately gets a look of realization and becomes angry.
"So this is why you asked me to be your wingman? Because you like the way that I tortured innocent people?" He sounded disgusted. I blinked, pausing mid-sip.
"You did?" I blurted out. Nik shrugged, nonchalantly.
"Well, that's certainly half of it." He admitted. Stefan and I waited for him to continue, but when he didn't Stefan prompted him for an answer.
"What's the other half?" He demanded. Nik responded to 'our' question by pouring some alcohol into three shot glasses and offering one to me. I took it, still waiting for an explanation and intrigued by what might have been discussed during my absence.
"The other half, Stefan, is that you used to want to be my wingman." Nik responded, sliding one of the other shot glasses to Stefan along the counter before picking up his own, and knocking it back as if it was water. "I confided with you – pretty much like what we're doing right now – about my toxic relationship with most of my family, and instead of judging me like I expected you to; you sided with me." He refilled his shot glass with tequila and raises it in a salute. "To friendship." He toasted. Stefan clinks his shot glass with Nik, and both of them clinked with me before we drank.
"So, I'm confused. If we were such great friends, then why do I only know you as the hybrid dick who sacrificed my girlfriend on an altar of fire, and coerced Grace into shedding blood in your ritual? Huh?" Stefan asked, cynically. I stiffened and got off Nik's knee but cuddled up to him, feeling the alcohol making me slightly cloudy in the head.
"I wasn't pressured into that. I willingly donated my blood to save him." I corrected Stefan. Nik tightened the embrace; apparently the alcohol was getting to him as well.
"Something I'll always be grateful for." He murmurs into my hair before kissing the side of my neck; causing me to shiver. "All good things must come to an end." He explained to Stefan, regretfully.
"What do you mean? What happened?" I asked.
"This bar was targeted by cops who knew that most of us were vampires. They started firing wooden bullets all around the room. Rebekah and I had to make a run for it." Nik explained.
"What about Stefan?" I asked.
"To let him come along with Rebekah and I would've been too dangerous, so I compelled him to forget us until I said otherwise." Nik replied. Stefan raised a disbelieving eyebrow.
"You compelled me to forget?" He said. Nik sighed, impatiently.
"It was time for Rebekah and I to move on." He insisted. "Better to have a clean slate." He drains the shot glass.
"But why? You shouldn't have to cover your tracks … unless you're running from someone." Stefan protested, not understanding. My eyes widened in realization.
"Mikael…" I whispered, both fearfully and angrily. I absently rubbed at my birthmark; remembering the sting of his blade piercing through my side. Nik placed a comforting hand over mine; partly to stop me from reflecting upon the memory, and to lend comfort for the both of us.
"Storytime's over." He declared, firmly.
Nik turns to order another drink from the bar, just as Stefan suddenly straightened up and I looked at him with confusion, until I noticed over at the main entrance, Damon motioning to Stefan and momentarily locking eyes with me before walking behind a wall, out of view of Nik. I rolled my eyes. As if Nik wasn't able to sense that he was here.
"I need another drink. A real one." Stefan announced and gets up from his bar stool. Nik nods absently, and I caught his eye mouthing 'what are you doing?' at him. Stefan shook his head and headed for the exit. I swore underneath my breath and took a seat on Stefan's vacated stool.
"Something troubling you, sweetheart?" Nik asks me, leaning against the bar and studying me curiously. I shook my head, solemnly.
"Just remembering." I admitted, making a face. "It's not a pleasant experience." I take a large mouthful of beer to stop myself from saying anything else. Nik's eyes narrowed when he realised what I might be thinking about.
"He can't hurt you anymore, Grace. Don't dwell on the past." He reassured me, firmly. I looked at him shrewdly.
"Do you know if he's dead?" I asked him, using a serious tone. Nik stiffened almost immediately.
"Grace…" He warned me.
"Do you?" I insisted.
Nik narrowed his eyes at me. "No, we've managed to escape him so far. None of us have seen him for nearly a decade." He reluctantly admitted, confirming what Elijah had told me months ago. I sighed, slightly guilty for making him admit that.
"Don't make promises that you cannot keep, Niklaus." I told him. "There will come a time when you cannot protect me, and I will have to defend myself against that son-of-a-bitch. And when that day comes – if it comes – I will show no mercy." I vowed. Nik opened his mouth to protest, but was interrupted by Gloria.
"Last call. Drink 'em up!" She announced to the rapidly thinning crowd. We both groaned, before finishing off our beers. Then Nik stiffened once again, and I froze when I felt somebody's body warmth on my back.
"Long time no see, Grace. Are you alright?" It was Damon; he sounded angry. I closed my eyes and swallowed hard, feeling trapped.
"I see they've opened the doors to the riff-raff now." Nik observes, also looking pissed and possessive.
"Oh, honey. I've been called worse." Damon's voice oozes sass.
"You don't give up, do you?" Nik said. I suddenly wish that I not chosen to sit in this specific spot, as both of them sized each other up and waited for the other to make their first move. I was in the direct line of fire; and I had the feeling both of them were well aware of this fact and were taking advantage of it.
"Give me my brother and Grace back … you'll never have to see me again." Damon bargained.
"Damnit, Damon…" I grumbled, frustrated. Nik's eyes flashed yellow briefly and my eyes widened.
"Well, I am torn." Nik's voice was as smooth as silk. "You see, I promised Grace here—" I felt Damon wrap a hand around my wrist. "—and Stefan that I wouldn't let you die, but how many freebies did I really sign up for?" Nik questioned, rhetorically. "And clearly you want to die, otherwise you wouldn't be here, so…" Nik shrugged nonchalantly, setting down his drink and holding something else in his other hand. But it was hard to tell what it was.
"What can I say? I'm a thrill-seeker." Damon replied, with his smart mouth. Next thing I know, I'm being pulled backwards by my best friend when Nik extends his hand and makes a grab for Damon's throat. I let out a startled scream when this happened, and then grew angry when I realised what Damon was doing.
"Are you seriously using me as a human shield, Damon!?" I snarled at him, feeling my heart hammering frantically in my chest. Nik's eyes instantaneously changed from blue-green to yellow in a split second.
"Let her go!" Nik warned, all pleasantries were thrown out of the window when Damon had done this. Damon smirked at him.
"No can do. Grace is what stands between getting my way and certain death." Damon stated. I twisted in his grip.
"Damon, stop it! This is suicide!" I protested. "I don't want you to die, damn it!" I shouted.
"Shush now, baby. I'm negotiating your release." Damon quipped at me.
"No. What you are doing, Damon, is signing your own death certificate!" I stepped down hard on his foot to get him to release me, but it had no effect. "Damon, I thought Stefan and I told you that we don't need saving. We'll come back to Mystic Falls when we're ready!" I placated desperately. He ignores me.
"You want a partner in crime? Forget Stefan. I'm so much more fun." Damon tried selling himself to Nik. But instead of Nik considering this idea, he liberates me from Damon's grip and sends him flying backwards where he crashes on top of a table, breaking it, and causing him to land hard on the ground on his back.
"Damon!" I shouted, from where Nik had relocated me on a bar stool. Nik walks over to the broken table with Damon sprawled over it, and rips off part of a chair to fashion it as a crude wooden stake. My eyes widen in horror, as Nik crouches over Damon.
"You won't be any fun after you're dead." Nik reminds him as he holds Damon down with one hand and raises the makeshift stake with the other.
"Nik, don't!" I screamed.
Suddenly the stake is set alight and Nik throws it away with a grunt. We all looked around for the source and saw Gloria walking in from out back, with her hand outstretched and glaring furiously at both Nik and Damon, and casting me concerned glances.
"Really?" Nik whines in frustration.
"Not in my bar. You take it outside." Gloria stated, firmly. I sag with relief and hopped off the bar stool as Damon tries to sit up. However, Nik pushes him back down and glares at him.
"You don't have to negotiate your brother's freedom. When I'm done with him, he won't want to go back." He stated. "As for Grace; you do not have the right or any claim on her. Neither do I when it really comes down to it. But she has already made it clear that she only sees a friendship with you. If you wish to live long enough to build on that friendship, do not test my patience. This is the only warning you get." Nik was surprisingly lenient. He takes his hand off Damon's chest before stepping over him and walking over to me.
"Thank you, Nik." I whispered. He only grunts before leaning in to kiss my forehead and wipe away some stray tears from my face.
"Don't be too long. Rebekah is not a patient person." He warns me. I nodded and Nik leaves the bar. Damon finally gets to his feet, and avoids looking in my direction. But I couldn't accept that and immediately stormed over to him.
"What the hell, Damon?" I said, disappointedly. "You can't just be patient and wait until I come back to Mystic Falls?" I stated. He still stubbornly refused to look at me. I took matters into my own hands and stepped in front of him and pulled him into a very tight embrace. "I love you, Damon. Don't make me watch you die, please." I pleaded, my voice breaking. "You're one of my best friends, I need you. Just not the same way as I need Nik." Finally, Damon reciprocates the hug; squeezing my lungs together so I could barely breathe. I could feel something wet dampening my shoulder and I realised that he was also crying.
"I'm sorry." I heard him whisper, and I clung tighter.
"Don't be sorry. Just listen the next time I tell you something. Stefan may say that he's not coming back, but I am. I promise you that I will come back, eventually. But for now, just stay away from us. Alright?" I stated firmly. Damon didn't respond, but I knew that he got it. I pulled back from him and wiped away the frustrated, angry tears that were falling from his eyes. "I gotta go." I pulled him down into another hug and kissed his cheek. "Be seeing you." I promised.
Damon picks up my hand and kisses the back of it, before leaving the bar.
Neither Nik nor Stefan spoke a word during our trip towards where they had left Rebekah, which turned out to be a nondescript warehouse. Both of them were angry, but for different reasons. This entire situation was getting out of control, and unfortunately I had to be caught up in the middle of it all.
"Wait here." Nik orders both Stefan and I, before walking into a nearby room where Nik was storing the rest of his family's coffins.
"This is probably a stupid question, but are you okay?" I asked Stefan, cautiously.
"You're right. That is a stupid question." Stefan replied, evenly. "But I think she got the message this time." He added, reluctantly.
"I set Damon straight too. And all it took was Nik almost staking him and scaring the shit out of me to get the message home." I reported back, as equally flat as Stefan sounded. He nodded curtly. Then looked up at the door, and grabbed my wrist.
"Klaus is calling for us." Stefan reported, and we walked towards the door and entered the room Nik disappeared into. Stefan walks in first, and I followed close behind. There was a stunned gasp, and Stefan stops short slightly tightening his grip on my wrist.
"Ow!" I grunted, and Stefan immediately releases my wrist.
"Stefan…" My eyes widened when I recognized Rebekah's voice, and I looked over his shoulder to see my other best friend standing just inside the room looking like she had stepped out of the 1920s. Nik looked like the cat that ate the canary as he strolls over and compels Stefan.
"Now you remember." He tells the youngest Salvatore, who blinks like a newborn baby and looks at Rebekah with recognition.
"Rebekah." He whispers and walks closer to her, as she beams at him with joy.
"Stefan." Nik addresses Stefan warmly, and Stefan turns to face Nik and greets him like an old friend. I felt like I was intruding on a private moment and turned to retreat from the room, but froze when Stefan spoke again.
"I remember you. We were friends." Stefan sounded mystified. Nik's smile widens.
"We are friends." He corrects him, then suddenly sees me and frowns. "Where do you think you're going?" I jumped like I had been shot and spun 'round to face him.
"Who are you talking to, Nik?" Rebekah demands, with confusion.
"Just another old friend of yours, sister." Nik responded casually, and encourages me to walk into the room. My eyes widened a little before I stepped into the light and sheepishly smiled at Rebekah.
"Hello, Bekah." I greeted her awkwardly, and waited for her reaction. I didn't have to wait for long.
"Graínne!" Rebekah practically squeals and the next thing I know, I have my arms full of Rebekah who also apparently doesn't know her own strength. "Oh, my God!" She sobs, and I send panicked looks at Nik, who immediately comes over to help. But at the last minute, Rebekah pulls away and glares at me. "What the bloody hell were you thinking!?" She yelled at me, and I blinked at her with confusion.
"Pardon?"
"Do you have any idea what you put me through that night?" She reiterated and I instantly realise what she is referring to. I turned away out of sorrow.
"Enough, Rebekah." Nik stated, sternly. But Rebekah wasn't through with her rant.
"When Nik carried you back into those caves that night looking the way that you did; I was inconsolable, and Kol was literally out for blood. Why did you put yourself at risk like that?! After everything we'd been through with Henrik!" She demanded.
"I said, that's enough!" Nik snarled, and Rebekah glared at her brother. Stefan looked completely confused by our conversation. I turned and looked at her with hard eyes.
"What I experienced that night Rebekah, wasn't exactly something that I had planned on either." I responded, coolly. "But I am sorry, that I put you though that much heartache. Believe me it was done unconsciously." I admitted.
"What are you talking about?" Stefan asked, with confusion. In reply, I simply walked over to him and looked him dead in the eyes.
"I can show you. You're strong enough to look through my memories because you've been feeding on human blood. I know it can be done because I did this once before with Damon when he was trying to understand why Elijah was so angry with me when I was bitten by Jules and had to be healed by him." I told Stefan.
Nik intercepted me.
"What are you doing?" He demanded.
"Helping Stefan understand. You're welcome to help me, if you desire." I explained, without looking at him. Nik frowned.
"I'll leave that up to you." He looked disapproving. But I didn't really care.
Stefan reluctantly nodded.
"What do I have to do?" He asked. I took both his hands.
"Just do what you would do if you were trying to manipulate my dreams. I'll do the rest." I explained. Stefan nodded, and focused deliberately on my eyes. I saw his green eyes dilate and almost immediately I was in the past.
~:FLASHBACK:~
(A thousand years ago – still Grace's P.O.V (with Stefan observing))
(A/N: The following scenes have been copied from the prologue; just in case you find any of this familiar.)
All the villagers were in the caves, along with the Mikaelsons; who were the topic of muted conversation. I could not help but feel disgusted with them at present. Haven't they got anything else to do other than gawk and gossip about them? I returned to my meal with Rebekah, who looked a bit troubled.
"Something troubling you, Bekah?" I asked her, kindly. She immediately shook her head, glancing at the entrance to the cave.
"Not really. I'm getting worried for Mother, Father, Niklaus and Elijah. They have not arrived yet." Rebekah replied. My head snapped up at this and I glanced about, trying to pinpoint our wayward family members. But I could not find Niklaus anywhere. I frowned.
"How odd." I got to my feet, and Rebekah grabbed my wrist.
"Where are you going?" She asked, suddenly looking fearful. I gently shook her off.
"Relax, sister. I'm just going to look for them. I'll be careful, I promise." I reassured her, before making my way towards the entrance and beginning my search.
(***)
Niklaus was being chained up to a wooden cross by Mikael, who by the looks of it was not having any luck at all because Niklaus was putting up a fierce battle against him. But then Mikael moved at an inhuman speed to pin him against the cross and I gasped inaudibly as Niklaus glared at him.
"Elijah!" Mikael yelled out, and I glanced over and saw Elijah standing off to the side, looking like he wanted to be anywhere but where he was. "Elijah, hold him down!" Mikael ordered him, fiercely. I glanced at him, shaking my head and silently pleading for Elijah to ignore his father and instead save Niklaus, who appeared to agree with me.
"Brother, please!" He pleaded, desperately. Elijah was barely making eye contact with Niklaus. "Don't let them do this to me!" Mikael shoved him violently against the cross, and turned his head towards Elijah.
"Do it now, boy! Now!" He roared. This time Elijah didn't hesitate and immediately came over and helped Mikael shackle Niklaus to the cross. No… Elijah! I despaired, then felt anger rising in my throat like bile. I noticed the desperate look in Niklaus' eyes as he tried one more time to appeal to Elijah.
"Help me…!" Niklaus begged, causing Elijah to pause. But Mikael bodily shoved his second eldest son out of the way, as both parents began what looked like a sacrifice. I couldn't stand by and watch the man I love suffer. I ran out into the clearing without thinking.
"NO! STOP!" I yelled. All four heads swivelled in my direction: one startled, one guilty, one outraged and one, the one I was trying to protect looked horrified and then fearful.
"Gráinne, get out of here! GO!" Niklaus struggled against the chains. Esther shuddered and the fire burned a little brighter before she walked towards her husband with a sober expression on her face.
"It is done." She confirmed, and Niklaus' face fell in anguish. I was confused, what madness did I just stumble upon? But I did not have time to ponder the possibilities as Mikael turned his attention away from his wife and onto me. I did not like the livid expression on his face. I glanced at Elijah who looked horrified as well, and we both watched as Mikael unsheathed his sword. My eyes widened in realisation.
"RUN! GRÁINNE!" Niklaus screamed.
(***)
Suddenly, Niklaus appeared from out of nowhere, having clearly broken free from his restraints. I immediately started fighting against him, scared out of my mind. But he pulled me down into some nearby bushes and clamped a hand over my mouth.
"Hush, love. I'm trying to save you." He reassured me, and I immediately started panicking. "Gráinne, please. Trust me." Niklaus begged, looking hurt that I was frightened of him. I looked into his eyes and realised he was telling me the truth. I instantly calmed down and nodded, and he pulled away his hand and glanced around for any sign of Mikael, Elijah and Esther. "Okay, I think we're safe." It was clear he no longer trusted his family, and I didn't blame him. I saw anger, fear and betrayal reflected his blue-green eyes, and I never wanted to see those emotions in them ever again. They would be his undoing if he wasn't careful. He grabbed my hand and immediately took off in a randomly chosen direction. However, we didn't get far as something inhumanly fast slammed into him, holding him up against the tree trunk. I was thrown to the side, knocking the wind out of me. "NO!" Niklaus yelled, and I forced myself to my knees. "Father, please!" He begged from where Elijah had pinned him against the tree, and was trying to pry his brother's hand from his neck.
"Be silent, you stupid boy!" I paled when I realised how close Mikael was. I attempted to quickly get to my feet, but a large hand grabbed my shoulder and pulled me roughly to my feet before shoving me against another tree in full view of Niklaus. Mikael glared at me, and I glanced behind him at Niklaus, who was staring back at me with wild eyes. "Look at me, you stupid girl!" I obeyed him immediately, shaking with tears streaming down my cheeks. Mikael leaned in to whisper into my ear. "Let this be a lesson to you, girl. Never trust a Mikaelson."
Then he stabbed me with his sword.
The last thing I was fully conscious of was Niklaus' screams before everything went black…
~:REALITY:~
Stefan gasps and stumbles away from me while I watched, feeling solemn and grave, flanked by both Nik and Rebekah; who were also observing Stefan's reaction to our tragic past. Stefan's eyes were wide and horrified as he let the events that lead to Nik being cursed and then the moment that I was brutally murdered sink in. Rebekah rushes to Stefan's side looking concerned, while Nik does the same thing with me.
I avoided looking at him, feeling ashamed.
"What did Graínne show you?" Rebekah asked, frantically. Stefan didn't respond.
"Please, Bekah. Call me, Grace. That's my name now." I insisted, before revealing what I showed to Stefan. "I showed him our brief conversation before I left the caves to search for Elijah and Nik, then the actual curse ceremony from my point of view—" Nik's head snapped in my direction, but I couldn't tell if he was mad or curious. "—and finally what happened after Nik told me to run, up until I was killed." I finished, staring at the floor.
Stefan came up to me and immediately hugged me.
I was astonished.
"I'm sorry." He says to both Nik and I, and Nik looks shocked as well. "I still don't agree with what you did to break the curse; but after seeing how you got the curse in the first place, I can understand your reasons now." Stefan tells Nik who nods stiffly but nothing more. Stefan retreats off to the side of the room, followed by a worried Rebekah.
"We can have our reconciliation later." I told Rebekah. "We're actually here for a different reason." Nik took up the conversation, as I ignored the worried look on his face. I realised that I wasn't as completely over our horrific shared history as I originally believed, and especially felt ashamed that I had revealed something so personal to somebody else … even if it was to help them understand and be more willing to help. I dreaded to know what the expression on my face looked like to be making Nik even more overprotective than he already was.
"Gloria tells me you know how to contact the original witch." Nik explains to his highly suspicious sister.
"The original witch?" Rebekah repeated. Nik looked irritated at the repetition.
"What do you have that Gloria needs?" He demanded, quickly losing his patience. I walked over and linked our hands together, trying to calm him down and avoid him re-daggering Rebekah all over again in his frustration. Nik glances at me briefly and draws in a deep breath before looking at Rebekah with a steely gaze as he squeezes back and rubs the back of my hand with his thumb. She sighs, and raises her hand towards her neck and freezes when she realises something is missing.
"Where's my necklace?" Rebekah gets to her feet and runs frantically at Nik. "What did you do with it? I never take it off!" She yells. Almost immediately after she says this, I get flashes back to my memories of my past life; specifically relating to Rebekah. My eyes widened in realisation and I swore underneath my breath, and glanced anxiously at Stefan who seemed to have come to the same realisation as I did.
Elena had Rebekah's necklace.
Nik looks clueless to Stefan's and my dilemma. "I don't know. I didn't touch it." He responded. Rebekah immediately rushes back towards her coffin and starts tearing it apart, searching for her necklace.
"We need to find it, Nik. Now, I want it back!" Rebekah insists. It only takes Nik a few seconds to realise why his sister was behaving this way and he snarls in anger.
"Tell me that's not what she needs, Rebekah!" He demanded, as Rebekah continues searching through the coffin. But when she realises what she is looking for is not there, she throws it to the ground and starts panicking. I break away from Nik and rushed over to her side before he could stop me.
"Bekah! Bekah, look at me." I insisted and Rebekah stops freaking out and focuses on my face. "We'll find it. Don't worry." I promised her, confidently and sincerely. Although, I'm not so sure you're gonna like where we're going to find it…
Rebekah relaxes and pulls me into a hug. "I'm sorry, Grace. I didn't mean to make you relieve painful memories." She said. I smiled warmly and hugged her back.
"I'm sure by the end of all this, I'll probably experience a hell of a lot more. I can guarantee it." I grumbled, breaking away from her and heading for the door; followed closely by her, Nik and Stefan. Then I stiffened, alarming all three of them. "Oh, bloody hell. Not again!" I groaned and felt my eyes roll back into my head as I passed out, in the process of relieving my memories of Rebekah to add on to the ones I already had of Nik and Elijah.
I woke up to somebody stroking my hair and realising that whatever I was lying on was moving. I groaned, reacting to a slight headache and attempted to sit up.
"Easy. You've only just woken up." I opened my eyes and found myself looking into Rebekah's worried and confused dark blue eyes. I realised that my head was lying in Rebekah's lap, while both Nik and Stefan were in the driver and passenger seats.
"What the hell happened?" I mumbled, sitting up slowly with Rebekah's assistance and raising a hand to my head.
"An excellent question, love." Nik responded from the driver's seat. He looked at me through the rear view mirror. "One I hope you can shed some light on." He requested. All three of them looked extremely concerned that I had just fainted outright with no explanation or even an injury. I sat back in my chair and massaged my temples in an effort to stave off my headache.
"I had begun the process of regaining all of my memories of Rebekah. It's a side effect of my ability." I explained.
"Ability?" Nik echoed, raising an eyebrow.
"What sort of ability?" Rebekah asked. I paused, and drew in a deep breath.
"I was born a Medium. I can see and communicate with ghosts." I explained. All three of them were shocked.
"I thought that was a witch's ability." Nik sounded confused.
"No, it's not. Mother told me once that Mediums were different from witches, in as such that they cannot perform spells." Rebekah explained.
"Another fun part of being a Medium, is that sometimes I can have premonitions, or remember key memories; whether they are mine or somebody else's." I added bitterly, grimacing.
"When did you discover that you were one?" Stefan asked, quietly.
"When I was a toddler, I had what I thought was an imaginary friend. But when I got older and my peers stopped seeing theirs; mine stayed. That's when I realised that I was communicating with a ghost." I replied.
"Do you know who the ghost was?" Rebekah asked, looking intrigued. I stiffened, debating whether or not telling Nik and Rebekah that I could see the ghost of their dearly loved and missed baby brother was a good idea. Elijah had a hard time believing me before he eventually accepted it.
I took a risk. "Henrik." I whispered, bracing myself for their reaction. Nik stomped on the brakes, causing us all to lurch forward and I nearly concussed myself on Nik's chair in front of me, if it wasn't for Rebekah's quick reflexes that saved me.
"Who's Henrik?" Stefan asked, surprised by Nik's reaction.
"Our baby brother." Rebekah whispered, looking at me with a stunned look on her face.
"You're lying!" Nik roared at me, and I shook my head.
"I think you're forgetting that I was close to Henrik too, Nik. I would not joke about something as personal as this." I stated firmly. "Although, I'm not surprised that you're reacting like this. Elijah had a similar reaction, and nearly injured me in the process." I immediately shut down at the angry look on Nik's face.
"Is he alright?" Rebekah begged me, clutching tightly to my hands, as Nik reluctantly resumed driving. His angst was almost stifling.
"He's the same Henrik he's always been. Bares no grudge or resentment towards what happened to him; even blames himself for not listening to Nik when he warned him not to leave the caves that night." I confirmed. Rebekah sighed with relief and shed tears. "I just wish that there was a way for you to be able to see him like I can." I confessed. Nik pulls up to an expensive looking clothing store. The type that had no labels and attendants served you champagne or any other type of drink while you shopped.
"Let's get this over with." He said, sounding livid with me, and almost immediately got out of the car; slamming the door behind him. I felt like he had daggered me and got out of the car glaring 'daggers' at him for his reaction. It's not like I asked to have the ability to communicate with the dead. He did not have the right to behave like a child. I know that Nik still feels extreme grief and guilt over what happened, but he doesn't have to take it out on me. I strode with a determination into the clothing store, and made a beeline for the first attendant I saw to reserve a private room for Rebekah to find and try on her new clothes.
"May I help you?" A snooty looking woman in her late 20s dressed head to toe in labels, looked down her nose at me. I bit back a snide remark and pasted on a fake pleasant smile.
"Yes, hello. I would like to reserve a room for my sister so she can purchase a new attire. Please." I replied with a formal brusqueness. I thumbed over my shoulder at Rebekah who was eying Nik critically, and having a debate with herself. The woman glanced briefly at her before giving me a superior smirk.
"I'm sorry, we don't have what you and your sister are looking for." She tells me 'regretfully'.
Sure they don't.
"Perhaps you should reconsider." I didn't have to glance beside me to know that Stefan had stepped over to assist me, having 'overheard' the conversation from across the room. The woman was about to rebuff Stefan when she suddenly froze. "You will go and see if there is an available dressing room." Stefan compelled the attendant. The woman's eyes glazed over for a split second as she repeated Stefan's words back verbatim. Then leaves without another word. I turned and smiled gratefully at him.
"Thank you." I said. Stefan smiled back a little.
"You're welcome. Are you okay?" He replied randomly. I blinked, not expecting the question.
"I'm fine. A little taken aback, but fine." I responded, curtly. Then sighed. "Why does he have to be such a child?" I groaned. Stefan shrugged.
"His response was a little uncalled for. But at the same time I think I'd react similarly, particularly if I hadn't seen my brother for a thousand years; and then suddenly my girlfriend claims that she could see and hear him. It's a lot to understand." Stefan tried to get me to see things from his point of view.
"Yeah, well. There are ways of expressing your feelings without getting somebody's back up in the process." I retorted. "And I think he's forgotten."
Stefan smirked. "I think Rebekah agrees with you on that." I glanced over his shoulder and saw a less than impressed Rebekah engaging Nik in conversation. "Shall I relay it for you?" He asked, casually. I nodded, trying to be subtle in my observing. Stefan tilted his head slightly and focused his attention on the conversation starting behind him:
"What are you playing at, Nik? That was uncalled for!" Rebekah snapped at him, angrily. Nik scoffed with disbelief.
"You're not seriously telling me that you believe what Grace says do you?" He said, incredulously. "It's not remotely possible for her to claim that she can do this. It's absurd, and incredibly insulting." He spat, just as angry.
"You've been around for a thousand years, Nik. You of all people should know by now that anything is possible, even the most unlikely abilities." Rebekah countered his argument. "Our family is a perfect example of this." Nik paused, seeming to let that fact sink in; before just as quickly dismissing it and turning away. "Why is it so impossible that Graínne … sorry, Grace, could potentially be able to see our brother?" Rebekah sounded almost pleading. Stefan and I were so into the tense argument that I didn't notice another presence appear.
"What'cha doin'?"
I must have jumped ten feet into the air and onto a very startled Stefan who fumbled to keep a hold of me in bridal-style as a result.
"Holy shit!" I hollered in fright, attracting the attention of both Nik and Rebekah, who looked at me like I'd seen a ghost. Imagine how freaked out they'd be if they realised how very true that was. Hysterical laughter caused me to look down from Stefan's arms and see Henrik holding his sides and struggling to breathe. I glared at him. "Don't do that!" I growled.
"Do what? You jumped on me!" Stefan retorted with confusion. I looked back at a frowning Stefan sheepishly and chuckled in embarrassment.
"Heh, heh. Not you, Stefan. I was talking to Henrik. You can put me down now." I suggested. The name 'Henrik' immediately caught not only Stefan's attention, but also Henrik's older siblings who were instantaneously alert.
"Henrik? He's here?" Stefan immediately looked around for a glimpse, while Rebekah vamp-sped into my face; causing me to take an uncertain step back from her.
"Where is he, can you see him?" She asked, frantically. I nodded and pointed reluctantly over to where Henrik was standing beside Stefan and smirking.
"Yeah, he's standing right there." I scowled at him, warningly. "And he's lucky he's incorporeal, or he'd be getting a thick ear right about now." I threatened him. Henrik's response was to stick his tongue out at me.
"Enough of this bullshit!" Nik raged, making all of us jump, including Henrik, and immediately turned to storm out of the shop. Stefan vamp-sped in front of him to stop him from leaving. "Move out of my way, Stefan." Nik orders, and this time Rebekah joins Stefan to stop Nik from leaving.
"Nik, please. Be reasonable." Rebekah pleaded. Henrik immediately stopped smirking and looked lost. I looked at him sternly.
"What I'm doin', is trying to convince your brother that you're really here and I'm not attempting to trick him." I explained to Henrik, firmly. He frowned, looking troubled.
"He's never reacted like this before." He mused. "And I'm assuming you want me to tell you something that only he and I would know, to try and convince him that I'm here? Just like we did with Elijah?"
I nodded. "Quick as you like." I said, and Henrik paused and started thinking; sorting through what would be the easiest and most efficient way of getting through to Nik successfully.
"I've got it." He shouts triumphantly.
"Alright, let's hear it. Stefan is about to get his neck snapped at any moment." I told him, pointing towards the main entrance at an extremely volatile Nik threatening Stefan and Rebekah.
"You gotta perform a secret handshake that Niklaus and I used to do when we were younger. It should convince him, since we never showed it to anyone. Not even Kol." Henrik explained. I blinked owlishly at him.
"You can't be serious." I protested. Henrik frowned at me.
"You want Niklaus to believe you or not?" He retorted. I sighed.
"Alright. How does it work?" I said, reluctantly. Without another word, Henrik immediately instructed me how to perform the handshake.
"The fastest way to remember that is this: shake hands, arm-wrestle, pull away, fist bump, twiddle fingers and freestyle hand-slap." Henrik explained. I made a face.
"That looks so dorky. Why me?" I bitched. But realised I had no alternative and psyched myself up to walk over and initiate the secret handshake on behalf of Henrik.
"Don't worry, I'll be standing right beside you to guide you through it if you get stuck." He promised. I made my way over to the main door and wordlessly thrust my hand at Nik who stopped his attempts to leave and frowned down at my hand.
"What on earth are you doing?" He demanded, frowning at me. I flushed with embarrassment, but stubbornly continued.
"Proving a point on behalf of your brother." I explained. "What have you got to lose?" I challenged him. "At least I won't be looking like a moron by myself." I sweetened the argument. Nik didn't move for a moment, before Rebekah lost her patience with him.
"God, just do it, Nik!" She growled. Nik snarled with frustration.
"Fine. If this will cease this ludicrous exercise, I'll humour you." He stated, and reluctantly took my hand in his. I immediately shifted our hands into the 'arm-wrestling' gesture. Nik froze, looking astonished. We both continued the secret handshake in the same sequence Henrik had shown me, and by the time we had 'freestyle hand-slapped', Nik was in tears.
"How do you know that?" He whispered, tearfully. "Nobody else knew about that except for…"
"Henrik." I finished, deadpanning. Nik immediately backed away looking spooked. "I told you. He's here. In fact he is standing right between you and Rebekah as we speak." I told them both. Rebekah was sobbing, and looking right at the space between them in anguish.
"Translate for me." Henrik requested, standing directly in front of a sobbing Nik. "I love you, big brother. And I don't blame you for what happened. I miss you." He said. I repeated what he said back to Nik, and before I knew it; both he and Rebekah had trapped me in a group hug with them. Startled, I somehow managed to remain standing and tightened my grip around both siblings as they finally let go of their grief.
A thousand years was a very long time to grieve; but better late than never, I suppose.
"Your dressing room is ready." The same attendant from before wondered back over to us, still looking dazed from when Stefan had compelled her to be more co-operative. Nik broke away first, obviously to try and regain some of his dignity and pride as he cleared his throat and wiped the tears from his eyes. Stefan politely looked away, pretending he hadn't seen it.
"Thank you." He croaked to the bitchy attendant, and without another word uttered, Rebekah seized my wrist and dragged me with her towards her dressing room; leaving Nik and Stefan behind.
Henrik remained behind with Nik and Stefan, just observing.
Rebekah and I walked briskly into a fancy looking dressing room with powder blue walls and matching curtains, really tacky paintings, and chandeliers with teardrop crystals dripping from it, beaded doorframe curtains and furnished with plushy couches in shades of cream, a chaise lounge, you name it; this place had it.
I made a face.
But Rebekah just breezed on in like she shopped here all the time.
"Make yourself comfortable, Grace. I won't be long." Rebekah requested, smiling at me a little. She disappeared around a nearby corner, leaving me standing in the doorway feeling out of place. In the end, I just shrugged, kicked off my booties and curled up on a couch with my feet tucked up underneath me as I fished out my sketchbook. Another attendant wondered in.
"Can I get you a drink while you wait for your sister?" She asked me, flashing a fake wall of white at me.
I nodded.
"A bottle of champagne, please. With four glasses." I requested, coolly.
"Four?" She blinked at me.
"Yes, four. My sister and I are expecting two gentlemen to join us. My boyfriend and her boyfriend. When they arrive could you escort them in here, please." I requested, giving her a 'don't argue with me' stare. The woman faltered a little.
"Very good." She said, before withdrawing from the room.
I turned back to my sketchbook and turned to the sketch I had created of our entire family dressed in our 11th century attire. Only Elijah's face had been drawn in; and I was about to rectify this by filling in Nik and Rebekah's. By the time I was part of the way through sketching my newest picture – Nik, Rebekah and I sitting on a grassy hillside (with me sitting between Nik's legs) just hanging out together dressed in 21st century garb – the attendant reappeared with the requested bottle of champagne and four glasses, and leading in a happier and more relaxed Nik and a neutral looking Stefan.
"What did we miss, love?" Nik asked, sitting and slouching down on another plushy couch. While Stefan sat down on the chaise lounge, looking bored. I glanced up from my sketch, and briefly eyed Nik.
"Nothing much. Bekah disappeared through that doorway and hasn't returned yet." I replied, then set aside my sketchbook momentarily; reaching for the unopened champagne bottle. "Champagne?" I offered them both, removing the foil from around the champagne cork.
"Please." Nik agreed immediately and dodged the cork when it flew right at him when I wiggled it free from the bottle. I winced.
"Sorry." I apologised and started pouring. Nik shrugged and offered me a smile as he accepted the flute from me. I turned to Stefan. "Want one?" I raised the bottle at him. He shook his head.
"I'm after something a little warmer." He admitted. I grimaced, but didn't say anything. Nik clinked glasses with me and took a sip. I returned back to my couch, took a sip of the champagne and resumed sketching, just as Rebekah walked into the room wearing a very short, almost see-through black mini dress.
I nearly choked on my drink.
"There has to be more to this dress." Rebekah stated, looking disgusted. She faltered when she saw both Nik and Stefan. "Oh, you've finally shown up." Nik raised an eyebrow at Rebekah's greeting.
"Hello to you too, Sister." He responded, taking another sip from his drink. Rebekah rolled her eyes and turned to me for an explanation. I shrugged apologetically at her.
"Sorry, Bekah. There's not." I said, truthfully. Rebekah walked closer to us.
"So women in the 21st century dress like prostitutes, then. You know, I got dirty looks for wearing trousers." Rebekah bitched, and I felt a little offended on behalf of my generation.
"Do I look like I'm wearing lingerie to you?" I asked, tartly. This question grabbed Nik's interest just as Rebekah inspected what I was wearing and frowned.
"No, of course not." She responded.
"Then don't assume that we all do." I told her, not unkindly.
"Besides," Nik smirked. "You wore trousers so women today could wear nothing." He commented, cheekily.
"Only in your dreams, sweetie." I muttered, returning to my sketch. The song playing over hidden speakers suddenly shifted and Rebekah's nose wrinkled, like she had smelt something particularly foul.
"And what is this music? It sounds like a cable car accident." She observed. This time I giggled.
"It's dance music." Stefan responded, dryly.
"And not very good dance music either." I added. Rebekah looked appalled, while Nik rolled his eyes.
"People dance to this?"
"Frequently." I confirmed. Nik straightened up in his seat and scowled at the lot of us, impatiently. I swear, Nik's moods shift far too quickly. It's becoming a little concerning and tiresome.
"Are we done yet?" He complained. Rebekah just scowled at him with annoyance.
"Why are you so grumpy now?" She wanted to know. Nik simply glowered at her, as he poured more champagne into his glass and topped off mine.
"I needed one thing from you for my witch to find out why my hybrids are dying. One thing: your necklace. And you lost it." He bitched. Rebekah sighed, apparently used to this.
"I didn't lose it. It's just been missing for 90 years." She corrected him, before looking at Stefan for approval. "So what do you think?" She asked, referring to her less than flattering dress. I frowned; there had to be something better back there.
"I like it." Stefan replied, nonchalantly. Rebekah's smile dropped almost instantly. "What? I said I liked it." He protested his innocence. Rebekah stomped her way back to the fitting room.
"I can always tell when you're lying, Stefan." She replied. Both Nik and I looked at him, disapprovingly.
"Nice one. Good work." Nik growled at him. Thanks to Stefan's less than tactful compliment, we now had to deal with a sulky, petulant Rebekah.
"You're the one that pulled the dagger out of her." Stefan protested.
"I heard that." Rebekah called out from the fitting room. I groaned, and stood up; tucking my pencil back into it's holder in my sketchbook. I think Rebekah required some help from a 21st century woman. Plus I think I had a vague idea what Rebekah's style could possibly be in this century. Flipping my sketchbook back to the first page, I strode deliberately towards Nik and presented it to him. Thankfully, I had just finished the sketch.
"Feel free to flip through that while I go and assist Rebekah." I suggested to him. Nik looked a little taken aback, but set aside his champagne flute and took the sketchbook, looking at it curiously.
"You're an artist?" I heard him ask me, and I paused mid-step halfway to the fitting room. I turned and smiled.
"Yes. It's one of my degrees in College, and a personal hobby." I confirmed.
He looked both impressed and shocked. "And your other degree?"
"Writing." I replied. Stefan also gets to his feet, and heads for the door we first entered in.
"I'm going to get some air." He announced, and passed by me in haste. Nik pours himself some more champagne, absently waving a dismissive hand towards Stefan and proceeds to look through my drawings.
I disappeared down a corridor and towards where I could see small curtained fitting rooms, and also a selection of different outfits Rebekah must have requested from an attendant based on her specific requirements.
"Rebekah?" I called out, and saw her step out from behind a curtain; wearing yet another disastrous selection. The attendant who found these clothes for Rebekah must be blind or has stale taste. I could tell that Rebekah was getting upset, and I couldn't help but feel sorry for her. "You alright, honey? Do you need some help?" I came up to her where she was standing in front of a mirror, frowning hatefully at her reflection.
"That is the best idea I've heard in ages." Rebekah stated with obvious relief. I nodded and strolled over to the selections and inspected each one of them. "Tell me the truth, Bekah. Do you like any of these?" I asked her critically. Rebekah didn't hesitate to respond.
"Not at all." She said. I nodded sagely.
"I thought so." We both turned towards an attendant who had just entered the room to see how we were fairing.
"How is it going?" She asked, politely.
"None of these are what I am looking for." Rebekah immediately gave feedback. The girl deflated a little, before pasting on a fake smile.
"I see. Would you like me to go and find you something else to try?" She asked, with exaggerated politeness. Clearly, she didn't like the fact that Rebekah rejected her offerings. I smirked unsympathetically at her. She had chosen the wrong girl, no, the wrong vampire to mess with. Rebekah frowned at her with obvious distain.
"Actually, I'd like my sister to go find me something to wear." Rebekah insisted. The girl looked at me and what I was wearing and clearly looked like she wanted to laugh, but wisely held her tongue.
"If you prefer." She replied.
"I do." Rebekah sniffed imperiously. I unfolded my arms and followed the obviously irritated attendant to another part of the shop. The girl gestured for me to make my selections.
"Good luck." She said snidely, and I glared at her.
"I'd watch yourself. Your attitude isn't winning you any favours." I warned her. The girl clearly thought that I was beneath her, simply because of what I was still wearing; which was the nightclub outfit I had given to me by Gloria.
So sue me. My other clothes were currently stuck in the trunk of my car which was back at the underground public carpark Nik had left in the (hopefully) competent hands of an attendant. Plus, she can't exactly brag; her taste in clothing sucked. After a good ten minutes I finally selected two possible outfits for Rebekah to try.
The first outfit I selected for her included: a pair of tight, dark wash jeans, a loose but tapered red tank top with a slight plunge in the neckline, matching red ballet flats and a thin white cashmere jacket. I chose simple and natural accessories to go with the outfit: a brown, khaki green and black decorative stone necklace and delicate chandelier earrings.
The second outfit I chose: smoky grey Capri slacks, a high necked white blouse, a baby pink blazer and camouflage print stilettos. No accessories were required.
Taking my selections with me, I headed back to the fitting room and presented them with a flourish to an extremely relieved and delighted looking Rebekah who squealed happily and tried to smother me in a grateful hug. She tried both of them on and decided to get both, but wore the second outfit. I studied Rebekah's long blonde hair calculatingly and steered her over to a nearby dressing table.
"Take a seat. I'll fix up your hair for you." I ordered.
Rebekah shrugged, apparently not minding because I solved her clothing dilemma for her. I decided to tie Rebekah's hair back in a loose side pony-tail plait. Once satisfied, Rebekah and I walked back to the room we had left both Stefan and Nik in. I went first to give her the opportunity to show off the outfit. Nik looked up the very second I stepped back into the room. He looked extremely bored and irritated, but seemed to brighten up and he sat up straighter, holding out my sketchbook to me.
"This is marvellous, darling. You've got a unique talent." He complemented me, and I grinned; taking back the sketchbook and carefully placing it back into my purse.
"Thank you."
"Maybe later, I'll show you some of my work." He promised. I blinked in surprise.
"You still paint?" I asked, astonished.
"Never stopped." He admitted, shrugging like it was nothing. I nodded uncertainly before I turned back to where Rebekah was still waiting to be revealed.
"Presenting: 21st century Rebekah Mikaelson." I said, and Rebekah stepped out and walked towards Nik who nodded in approval.
"Lovely. Very appropriate." He complimented his sister, warmly.
"Thank you. Grace picked it out." Rebekah told him.
"The attendants here have the taste of a bad pickle." I drawled.
"Shame." Nik deadpanned. "Shall we leave now?" He asked, hopefully. He got to his feet and went to pay for Rebekah's purchases.
"I guess." Rebekah scowled at him, and turned to flounce out of the shop; tugging me along with her in the process.
I was surprised that Stefan hadn't returned from getting air yet. But Nik seemed annoyed; and remained that way during our car trip back to Gloria's bar, much to both Rebekah and my chagrin. Since I still didn't have a spare pair of clothes to change into, Gloria lent me the washing machine and dryer so I could clean the stain out of my T-shirt and jeans. By the time Stefan finally returned, my clothes were clean and dried and Stefan had some explaining to do.
"You left us." Rebekah accused Stefan, as I stepped back into the room fully dressed in my outfit, pre-drink spillage. Nik reached out a hand towards me, without looking away from Stefan; and I automatically gravitated towards him, taking his hand and allowing him to pull me towards him as he wrapped his arms around my waist and rested his chin on my shoulder.
Stefan had a 'sorry, not sorry' expression on his face as he responded to Rebekah's accusation.
"Yeah, sorry. Retail therapy was making my head explode. But you look really nice." He explained.
"Tell me about it." Nik agreed with him. Rebekah smiled, ignoring Nik's comment. This indicated that Stefan's compliment was definitely genuine this time round.
"I have Grace to thank for that." Rebekah smiled gratefully at me, and I shrugged the shoulder that didn't have Nik's head resting on it, nonchalantly. Stefan looked over at Gloria curiously. The old witch was sitting at a table, hovering her hands above a large tome. The table was filled with candles, and she was obviously focusing intently on what we were looking for … with minimal success.
"What's she doing?" He asked. I felt Nik tense up in obvious anger.
"She's failing." Nik replied. We all watched Gloria roll her eyes at Nik's impatience. Hell, we all prayed that he'd control himself eventually. Clearly, it's going to take a while.
"It's hard to find something when you don't have anything to go on." She reminded him. Rebekah sighed.
"So use me. I only wore the necklace for a thousand years." She pointed out. Gloria smiled at Rebekah approvingly.
"See? Now this one offers a solution." Rebekah rolled her eyes and makes herself comfortable on the table, with her legs crossed. "Alright, give me your hand, sweetheart." Gloria instructed Rebekah who gives it to her without question. That was when reality set in, and both Stefan and I realised that if using Rebekah to scry for her missing necklace worked, then Elena was in serious shit.
"She's, uh, she's looking for the necklace, huh?" Stefan asked, curiously (and nervously). I nodded, feeling nervous myself.
"Looks that way." I agreed, shifting slightly in Nik's embrace. Nobody moved. We were all focused upon Gloria, to see if her spell was working or not. Then she frowned.
"I can sense something." She reported. Both Stefan and I looked at each other worriedly. Then Gloria started chanting in Latin. "Anta Cotis Syrum, Anta Cotis Syrum…" She intoned over and over, before eventually she gasped and dropped Rebekah's hand like a hot potato, looking over at Nik, Stefan and I. "I found it." She announced.
"Where?" I asked before anybody else could. Gloria looked at me with a pained expression.
"It doesn't work like that, doll. I get images. In this case, there's a girl with her friends…" She trailed off, and I bit my bottom lip in my anxiety. Rebekah frowned darkly.
"Yes, a dead girl with dead friends, if I don't get my necklace back." She vowed. Rebekah had no idea how close she was to the actual truth.
"Well, I'll have to dive back in to get the details." Gloria stated.
"So dive." Nik stated, evenly. Gloria scowled at him for his impatience.
"I need more time." She insisted. That only caused Nik to step away from me, abandoning me at the bar while he walked over to the table Gloria is sitting at. The witch stiffened in annoyance. "And space. You're harshing my ju-ju." She complained.
"I'm in no hurry. We can wait." Nik insisted, stubbornly. He perched next to her on the table, and glared down at her.
"I'm sure you can. But that's not what I asked." Gloria retorted.
"Hey. Hey, you know, why don't we just come back later?" Stefan suggested, successfully pulling the attention away from Gloria. "I'm hungry anyway."
I stood up from my stool, agreeing with him.
"Plus we can go and pick up my car and bring it back here. Since when we eventually locate the necklace, we're bound to be hitting the road anyway. Let's save time." I suggested.
"I'll let you pick who we eat." Stefan sweetened the deal.
"But count me out of that." I joked, uneasily. Stefan immediately seizes my wrist and practically dragged me out of the bar, forcing Nik and Rebekah to follow; much to Gloria's relief. Both of them looked extremely confused, and not to mention a little suspicious. "Hey! Easy, Stef. I'm human remember? I bruise easily." I scowled at him.
"Sorry. And thanks for backing me up." He replied, distractedly.
"You're welcome." I replied, scowling at him for dooming us all the day he gave Elena Rebekah's stupid necklace.
A/N: Thanks for reading! Please review :)
TTFN xx