A/N: Welcome back! As you know, the world's gone to shit due to the bloody Coronavirus, so I hope you're excited to read the next chapter! Especially if you are currently under quarantine or lock down in another country.
At least writing doesn't require leaving the house. Thank god for small miracles. :D
I don't own The Vampire Diaries. All characters except for Grace belong to author L.J Smith. This story belongs to me.
Please review, but no flaming! And just for fun and out of curiosity, please let me know in your reviews which country you are from. It's amazing what information you want to know when you're bored and forced to stay inside by your country's government.
Enjoy ;)
RETRIBUTION
"You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You are able to say to yourself, 'I lived through this horror, I can take the next thing that comes along.' You must do the thing you think you cannot do." ~Eleanor Roosevelt.
Somewhere in the woods.
Day.
The very second after Elijah – who was carrying a struggling and scared Elena – jumped into a pit he had created by stomping into the hard earth with his boot; Jeremy and I emerged from our hiding spot behind the tree; both of us looking alarmed and confused by my brother's actions. Jeremy turned and looked at me accusingly.
"What is he going to do with my sister!?" Jeremy demanded, hurrying over to the hole and looking down into the black depths. But in his haste, he started losing his balance and began pinwheeling his arms to stop himself falling headfirst into the pit. I quickly seized a handful of Jeremy's hoodie and yanked him back before he could slip and fall into the hole.
"I'm sure Elijah has his reasons why he's taken Elena down there." I attempted to reassure Jeremy, who looked back at me and frowned after roughly pulling his hoodie out of my grasp.
"Like what?" He asked, skeptically. I hesitated, trying to figure out how to calm down the panicking boy, but backed off when Elijah jumped back of out of the hole, brushing himself down and casually fixing up the cuffs of his suit jacket.
"What the hell was that?" Jeremy immediately demanded before I could stop him. "Why did you take my sister down there?" He asked.
Elijah eyed Jeremy indifferently, "It was necessary so we can get the information we require about my mother and her desire to eliminate us."
"Yeah, so we heard." I stated, frowning.
"I'm going to send Rebekah to keep an eye on your sister until we figure out what is going on." Elijah explained to Jeremy, whose eyes widened when Rebekah was mentioned.
"Seriously? Rebekah hates Elena, she's more likely to kill her than guard her." Jeremy protested, as Elijah moved away from us a little to make a brief phone call to Rebekah. I bit my bottom lip, knowing that he had a point. Rebekah was the type of person who held onto grudges and didn't let go of them easily.
Then a thought suddenly crossed my mind.
"What if Henrik went with her?" I asked, hypothetically.
"Does he have any beef towards my sister?" Jeremy asked, doubtfully, and I smiled; pleased that despite everything that Elena had done to him and everyone else, he still cared.
"No. Henrik has always been neutral from day one." I confirmed with a smile. "Wow, Jer. You actually give a shit about what happens to Elena?" I commented, and Jeremy looked a little defensive.
"Yeah, why wouldn't I?" Jeremy asked, a little angry. "I may not trust her anymore, but she's still my sister and it doesn't mean that I want anything bad to happen to her. She's the only family I've got since Aunt Jenna abandoned us and Uncle John gave up his life to save Elena." He sounded a bit dejected.
"Duly noted." I responded, cringing a little at the reminder of how messed up poor Jeremy's family life really was. "So, Henrik: yay or nay?" I prodded him for an answer and Jeremy thought for a few more moments before he nodded slowly.
"Yay. It would make me feel better if he went along with Rebekah." Jeremy replied.
The crunch of the dirt underneath Elijah's boots alerted us to his return, and we both looked up at him expectantly. He was looking at Jeremy with disappointment.
"Your lack of trust is a little insulting." That indicated that he heard what Jeremy said as my brother sighed tiredly. "Your sister will not be harmed, despite Rebekah's dislike for her. Rest assured, once we get what we seek, Elena will be released." Elijah promised him. Jeremy immediately nodded and looked a little guilty. My brother was a man of his word, and he never backed down from it unless he was betrayed.
Then you got what was coming to you.
"I'm sorry. Despite all the crazy and annoying stuff that she's done; Elena is the only family I've got left."
"Understandable. I'd be experiencing the same worries as you if it were Rebekah in this position." Elijah acknowledged, smiling politely.
"So, what happens now?" I asked, shielding my eyes from the sun's glare and wishing that I hadn't left my sunglasses in my car on our way up here. Elijah started walking back down the trail towards where we had left our cars.
"Now, we're going to pay the Salvatore's a visit." He said, as both Jeremy and I fell into step either side of him.
"What for?" Jeremy asked, curiously.
"For their assistance." Elijah responded, but then looked very pointedly at Jeremy who shrank back a little, looking uncomfortable by the scrutiny Elijah was giving him. "Do you still have that glamouring necklace my witch gave you?"
"Why?" Jeremy asked, confused as he pulled the trinket from his pocket and showed it to us.
"If you wish to tag along with us and wish to remain anonymous around Stefan Salvatore, I'd suggest you put it on before we get to the Boarding House." Elijah stated, and Jeremy nodded, looping the chain over his head.
"I wouldn't put it past Stefan to spill the beans if he caught wind that you were back in town prematurely." I added as we finally made it back to both cars.
"Even Damon?" Jeremy asked.
Surprisingly, Elijah fielded the question.
"Doubtful." He said, causing both Jeremy and I to look at him in surprise. "I believe he is starting to have a change of heart when it comes to our family." We both must've had shocked expressions on our faces, because Elijah immediately became a little annoyed. "Do you really that I am blind? I have seen the interest both Rebekah and Damon Salvatore have taken with each other. It's as plain as the nose on your face."
I panicked, "You're not going to do anything to Damon are you?" Elijah paused eyeing me contemplatively, presumably noting my objection and realizing that I had heard stories of the three brothers brutally turning away potential suitors interested in Rebekah.
"No. I will not interfere." I relaxed a little. "Contrary to what you no doubt have heard from our sister of our behavior over the centuries towards her suitors, I am not about to deprive Rebekah of a chance to be happy." Elijah reassured me.
"Thank you, Elijah." I said, walking over to hug him sincerely.
He responded, warmly.
"But I can't speak for Kol and Niklaus." I froze. "They are stubborn and harder to sway when it comes to their overprotective ways. As you very well know, Grace." He reminded me.
I shuddered, "Yeah. Don't remind me; the four of you used to irritate me constantly with your possessiveness." I recalled, pulling away from Elijah who was smirking at me.
"That's because we love you deeply, sister. Never forget that." Elijah was a little condescending as he walked over and planted an affectionate kiss on the crown of my head. He turned and headed for his car. "Let's go. We still need to pay the Salvatore's a visit." He reminded us, getting into his car and driving off. I pulled out my phone from my back pocket and accessed my contacts.
"What are you doing?" Jeremy asked, as we both slid into my car.
"Texting Rebekah." I responded succinctly.
'Bekah, take Henrik with you.' – G. Rebekah's response was almost instantaneous as though she had expected that I would be in contact with her about the 'Elena hostage' situation.
'May I ask why?' – R. I sighed and looked at Jeremy who was glancing at his own phone, looking tense.
'Jeremy panicked when Elijah mentioned that you would be watching Elena while we sort out this mess with Esther. It was only my suggestion to get Henrik to go along with you that is somewhat calming him down.' I hit send, and nearly threw my phone onto the floor which earned a snigger from Jeremy when Rebekah buzzed back with a response.
'Oh, please. What does he think I'm going to do to doppelbitch? Kill her?' I could picture Rebekah's insulted face quite vividly in my head and snorted in amusement.
'That's exactly what he thinks.' I texted.
'I think I can control myself. I've been doing so for the past few centuries. Just let him know that Henrik will accompany me. Love you xx' I rolled my eyes at the text, before throwing my phone in the backseat next to my purse and starting the engine.
"So?" Jeremy piped up when he noticed that I had finished texting.
"So…?" I parroted as I tore off down the dirt road, en-route to the Boarding House to 'help' Elijah interrogate Stefan and Damon.
"What did Rebekah say?" Jeremy asked impatiently.
"Oh, she's agreed." I responded quickly and sighed heavily when Jeremy didn't seem comforted by my response. "Look, nothing's gonna happen to Elena, mate. The Mikaelsons are honorable, and they'll keep their word." I reassured him, before indicating and turning down the highway that led towards the Boarding House. "Now, let's just focus on what Elijah is gonna force out of Stefan and Damon." I suggested.
"Think they're gonna cooperate?" Jeremy asked.
"Damon might. What Elijah said before about Rebekah and Damon's relationship wasn't bullshit. It's more likely that Stefan will be the one who'll cause the most problems." I said, solemnly.
"Great… Why did I want to come along again?" Jeremy moaned, as I overtook a particularly slow truck driving in front of me. The driver took offence and leaned down on the horn, and I responded by flipping him the bird.
"You wanted to be useful?" I supplied and Jeremy snorted.
"Oh, right." He deadpanned, sending both of us into giggles.
"Don't sweat it, mate. Damon will come through for us." I sincerely hoped.
"I'll hold you to that." Jeremy stated, doubtfully.
Salvatore Boarding House
Day.
We pulled up in the Salvatore's large driveway and was immediately greeted by a blank-faced Damon who stepped outside of the house dressed in his usual black and sipping from his bourbon. However, when he realized exactly who we were his entire demeanor shifted.
"Well well, to what do I owe this unexpected pleasure?" Damon requested, smirking a little. Elijah stepped from his car and fixed him with an unamused frown as Damon came over and opened the driver's side door and helped me unnecessarily from the car.
"Well, for starters." I began, taking back my hand from Damon's grasp and shutting the door behind me. "You can honor that promise you made to me last night when Esther announced the engagement to the guests."
The smirk dropped from Damon's face.
"I see." He said, straightening up and turning to face Elijah who had approached my car and leaned casually against it, arms crossed over his chest. "How can I help?" He took a generous, nonchalant sip from his drink as Elijah studied him suspiciously. I smiled, realizing that Elijah had been expecting the more volatile brother to be the one who would buck the most.
"We need some assistance with a rather delicate and somewhat difficult situation." Elijah explained, a little brusquely.
"Let me guess. It's got something to do with mommy dearest?" Damon asked.
"To put it bluntly, yes it does." Elijah replied. "May I assume that your brother is not home right now?" He asked Damon, glancing casually at the house.
"Assume away." Damon retorts, and I nudge him in the ribs with my elbow out of annoyance.
"Damon…" I berate him warningly, underneath my breath as Elijah's eyes narrow at the cheeky response. Damon gives me a sharp look before sighing and answering Elijah's question properly. "Yeah, Stefan's out. He's looking for Elena." Damon said, eyeing Elijah curiously.
"Trouble with Ms. Gilbert?" Elijah inquired, pleasantly.
"Something like that." Damon confirmed. "You've got something to do with it, I bet." He added, slightly accusatory.
Elijah merely shrugged.
"Assume away." He responded, smirking slightly. Damon glowers then notices Jeremy getting out of my car and walking around the back to stand beside me.
"What the hell is he doing out here?" He demanded, and both Jeremy and I feigned innocence.
"What do you mean?" I asked, lightly.
Damon glared at me, "Don't give me that. Seriously, what is baby Gilbert doing here? Stefan could be back at any minute." Damon panicked, causing both Jeremy and I to chuckle.
"Chill, man. I'm not gonna get caught." Jeremy insisted.
"You stick out like a sore thumb." Damon pointed out, draining the rest of his bourbon.
"Not if he doesn't wear his spelled necklace." Elijah said, straightening up from the car.
"Necklace?" Damon zeroed in on Jeremy's neck and saw the thin, but durable silver chain that hung inconspicuously around the teenager's neck. If Elijah hadn't pointed it out, it was doubtful that Damon could've spotted it. "What's that for?" He asked, dubiously.
"It allows the wearer to project an image of their choice to the outside world or people they wish to remain hidden from." Elijah explained.
"We had it spelled for Jeremy yesterday so that he could mingle with the other guests without getting caught by Elena." I added, draping my arm casually over Jeremy's shoulder. Damon nodded and looked sympathetically at the teen.
"Cabin fever?" He guessed.
"Yep." Jeremy confirmed. Damon grinned before turning on his heel and heading back indoors. He waved a hand carelessly at us, indicating to follow him.
"Feel free to wait inside. Mi casa es tu casa." He suggested, chipper suddenly.
"Thank you." Elijah replied, ever the gentleman, while Jeremy and I merely nodded and rolled our eyes at Damon's weird behavior. Damon sauntered into the parlour and headed straight for the wet bar, pouring himself another bourbon and holding up the decanter at both Elijah and me.
"Drink?" He offered.
"Driving." I immediately responded, flopping down on one of the red couches and curling my legs underneath as Jeremy sat down beside me and made himself comfortable.
"Scotch, please." Elijah requested absently.
He accepted the glass of scotch that Damon had poured for him and wondered over to half-heartedly examine the Salvatore's massive fireplace, taking a casual sip from his scotch every now and then. I quietly chatted away with Jeremy who despite looking worried about Elena's safety, was also looking chuffed that he was involved in something supernatural for once and was being useful and included. Damon suddenly flopped down between us on the couch, earning twin glares from both Jeremy and me.
"So, where's Elena? Do you know where Elijah's hiding her?" Damon was blunt and casual, as he crossed his legs and took a large sip of his bourbon, beaming at both of us.
"Don't answer that." Elijah immediately piped up and all three of us looked at him. "That's on a need to know basis." He scowled at Damon, warningly. Damon let out an exaggerated sigh.
"Fine. But you can't blame a guy for trying." He 'pouted' and I couldn't help but giggle which earned me a warm smile from him. Suddenly the front door opens, and in strides somebody with heavy footfalls rapidly approaching the parlour.
"I can't find her anywhere." It was Stefan, who immediately pauses when he spots Elijah standing at the fireplace and Jeremy and me sitting with a very jocular Damon on the couch.
"Hello, Stefan." Elijah greets him, as Stefan looks at Damon for an explanation.
"They, or rather he has Elena." Damon explains, disinterestedly as Stefan immediately glares at Elijah, dismissing Jeremy and me as redundant for the time being. Elijah casually examines his old-fashioned glass before addressing Stefan and Damon and getting to the crux of why we were here in the first place.
"Actually, Elena's with Rebekah." He corrects Damon before draining his glass and setting it aside on the mantle top. Both brothers looked at him with shock then panic as Damon immediately got to his feet and started to pace, looking agitated. "As you can imagine, my sister is just dying to tear her throat out." Jeremy stiffened and I reached over to grab his hand. He glanced at me and smiled a little, realizing that I was attempting to comfort him. "So…" Elijah strolled casually over to the coffee table to take a seat in front of us. "…if you want to save Elena's life, I need you to help me stop my mother."
Damon stopped pacing and drew in a deep breath; obviously conflicted.
"I'm a little embarrassed to admit, but when it comes to killing thousand-year old resurrected witches, I'm a little rusty." Damon stated, dryly.
Elijah and Jeremy snorted, "Yes. Unfortunately, even when killed my mother doesn't seem to want to stay dead." My brother explained. "Not with the spirits of nature at her side."
"So, what are we supposed to do?" Stefan asked, looking resentful but determined to save his ex-girlfriend despite their current differences.
"The witches that released my mother, she's drawing her power from their bloodline, that line needs to be broken." Elijah explained.
"Broken?" I blurted out, exchanging glances with Jeremy who looked just as confused as I did. Damon and Stefan looked at me; one with obvious disdain on his face, and the other brother with a deadpan expression.
"Yeah, he means…" Damon mimes slitting his own throat with his index finger.
My eyes widen in shock.
"You want us to kill them." Stefan concluded. Elijah nodded with a 'sorry, not sorry' expression on his aristocratic face.
"You know I'd do it myself," Elijah began as Jeremy immediately started to protest, because it meant the death of his girlfriend, Bonnie, in order to sever the link binding Esther to this plane. Elijah eyed him sternly, and Jeremy mellowed; but only a little as he scowled resentfully at him. "But I have absolutely no idea where they are. Besides, seeing me, they'd immediately know my intent." Elijah stated.
"He's right." I piped up, looking solemn. "They're less likely to be suspicious if you show up, and they won't expect to be harmed by you."
Elijah nodded, "In any case, you have until six minutes after nine to find them."
"Oh, how super specific of you." Damon sneered. Elijah smiled, but his eyes flashed in annoyance.
"By 9:07, the moon will be full, my mother will have the power she needs to kill me and my family. If you do not stop her before then, Rebekah will kill Elena." Jeremy looked murderous. "So, we all have our timeline? I suggest you get started."
Elijah then immediately gets to his feet and extended a hand towards me to help me to my feet. Jeremy gets to his feet as well, and all three of us walked towards the front door leaving Damon and Stefan to ponder their next move.
But neither Jeremy nor I knew what ours was.
Once outside, Elijah immediately releases my hand and turns to face us.
"You two are free to do whatever you please. I have some business that I need to attend to that relates to the current situation." Elijah told us, and Jeremy nodded not really saying a word and immediately hops into my car. I eyed him worriedly.
"Okay. I guess I'll see you back at the mansion." I stated, smiling awkwardly at him.
"Of course." He smiled, cordially. "Stay safe, Grace." Elijah warned me, before heading over to his car and getting into it, then driving off to his unknown destination. I couldn't help but feel a little irritated at this point. My brother had just stuck me with a moody teenager who was worried about his undeserving sister's safety, and I was at a complete loss about how to handle the dicey situation without incurring Jeremy's possible wrath in the process.
Thanks, Elijah. You're a lotta help!
Sighing and raking a hand through my hair, I went to open the car door to get in and drive Jeremy back to the mansion, when I suddenly felt like somebody was watching me. I paused and glanced around before spotting Damon standing at one of the Boarding House windows, watching me. I smiled a little at him and waved, earning a half-hearted wave back before he disappeared completely from the window.
The drive back to the mansion was a very silent and uncomfortable one, with all the tension radiating from Jeremy. The very second we got back to the Mansion and made it through the electric gates, Jeremy had unbuckled and made a desperate bid for freedom straight inside without an explanation.
"Jeremy, wait up!" I called out, bolting straight inside after him and making it just in time to see him part of the way up the staircase. "Oi! Where's the fire?" He paused halfway to the landing with his back facing me. "What's wrong?" I asked, concerned.
"It's nothing. I just wanna be alone for a while." Jeremy explained and I frowned at the explanation.
"You're just as bad of a liar as I am." I pointed out, not buying it at all. Jeremy just turned and frowned at me impatiently. "If you're worried about Elena's predicament, you shouldn't be. Elijah was just trying to jump start Stefan and Damon to get them to act quickly, he and Rebekah are not going to harm your sister." I felt like a broken record at this point.
"I know that. I just don't like that she's being used as a hostage again. That's all." He admitted.
"It means you have a conscience and are a good person." I told him with a smile. I turned and headed back downstairs for the front door.
"Where are you going?" Jeremy asked, and I shrugged.
"Don't know yet. You?" I responded, pulling my crossover purse over my shoulder.
"I might do some sketching or play on my X-Box. Haven't decided yet." Jeremy also shrugged and I grinned at him approvingly.
"Sounds like fun." I opened the front door. "See you later." I promised and watched him continue his way upstairs and disappear in the direction of the bedrooms. I pulled my phone from my back pocket and speed-dialed Nik's number. I was really missing him today.
"Hello, love. Are you having a good day?" Nik answered after a couple of rings. I immediately got the warm fuzzies; like I always did whenever I heard his voice.
"Of course. I was just calling to see where you and Kol were." I replied, walking towards my car and hopping back into it.
"Currently at the Mystic Grill having a few drinks. Why the sudden interest? I thought you were spending time with Rebekah, Henrik and Jeremy?" Nik asked, curiously.
"Yeah, there was a slight change of plans. I went instead with Elijah to interrogate Elena about her suspected involvement with your mum's plans." I explained and heard a displeased growl down the line.
"What on Earth possessed Elijah to allow you to tag along?" He demanded, disapprovingly. I rolled my eyes at the conclusions he drew.
"On the contrary. Nothing possessed him. He was very much against me tagging along with him." I defended Elijah's actions. "Besides, I wanted to help, and so did Jeremy." I heard an even louder growl from my fiancé.
"Of all the stupid things, Grace—"
"Oh, lay off, Nik. She's obviously in one piece." Kol suddenly piped up, and I smiled.
"Hi, Kol." I greeted my 'twin'.
"Hello, darling. Did you have fun with our overly moral brother this morning?" Kol questioned me, sounding amused.
"That's… debatable." I replied a little awkwardly.
"Not sure I like that answer, sweetheart." Nik said, a little short, but at the same time sounding curious too.
"If you're willing to hear me out, I can go into more detail when I see you?" I bargained with them both. I didn't have to wait very long for an answer.
"Why not? The more the merrier." Kol replied, enthusiastically, and I could almost picture the mischievous little grin on his puckish face. "What say you, Nik?" He questioned his brother, who I was sure was scowling disappointingly at the phone as though picturing my face.
"You know I wouldn't pass up an opportunity to spend time with you, love. I just wish you weren't so reckless at times." Nik agreed, and I grinned with triumph, pleased.
"I'll see you in a few minutes." I confirmed and rang off, sliding my phone back into my purse and putting my car into drive as I made my way down into the street and headed towards the town's square.
Mystic Grill.
Day.
As expected, the Mystic Grill wasn't too busy when I stepped inside the restaurant and glanced around for Nik and Kol. In fact, it was deserted except for Alaric, who was standing near the pool table, on the phone with somebody while glancing occasionally at an attractive but ultimately unfamiliar young woman with long dark brown hair who was playing what looked like a solo game of pool. I nearly jumped out of my skin when a pair of room temperature hands suddenly covered my eyes, blinding me for a split second.
"Guess who?" A playful, very familiar voice chirped in my ear. I pretended to give my answer some very serious thought.
"Santa Claus?" I played along, before reaching up and pulling the hands away from my face as I spun around to raise an eyebrow at a smirking Kol.
"So close. But no, he's sitting right over there." He responded, pointing over towards the bar where I spotted Nik sitting at his stool, drinking scotch and observing us, and subtly giving Kol the finger and an unamused glare for his unimaginative comment.
"Cute." I drawled, walking down the steps deeper into the restaurant and heading towards Nik. Kol casually drapes his arm around my shoulders.
"I rather thought so myself." He agreed, unfazed by the lack of enthusiasm from either Nik or me. I noticed out the corner of my eye Alaric eyeing me curiously, but then speaking rather urgently to his unknown caller. Shrugging, and not particularly caring, I returned my attention towards Nik who momentarily set aside his drink on the bar and opened his arms wide to give me a welcoming hug and a kiss.
I immediately stepped into his embrace.
"Hello, love." Nik greeted me warmly, wrapping his strong arms tightly around my waist. "Care for a drink?" He offered, gesturing towards the bartender.
I nodded, "Only if it's a soft drink. I'm driving." I explained.
"Of course." Nik nodded, and turned towards the bartender. "A coke for the lady, please." He ordered, and the bartender nodded and moved off to fill the order. Nik then looked back at me, scowling a little. "Now then, care to elaborate more on what you uncovered with Elijah, love?" He requested as he refused to let me budge from standing in front of him.
"And Jeremy, apparently. Can't forget about him." Kol added, obviously intrigued by what I had to offer up as well. Nik bristled slightly.
"Don't remind me. Still trying to decide if he is like his sister when it comes to recklessness too." Nik groused, and I rolled my eyes.
"Wasn't he supposed to be in Denver, as a matter-of-fact?" Kol asked.
"That's what we want Elena to believe." I replied. "The only one in the so called 'scooby gang' who know that he's still here in Mystic Falls is Damon." I confirmed. Kol nodded, as Nik cleared his throat impatiently.
"Back on point, sweetheart." He insisted, and I sighed wearily.
"After you and Kol left, Elijah came back into the Living Room carrying some burnt sage he had found in Esther's study." I explained. Kol's eyes widened for a split second before narrowing suspiciously as I nodded, confirming his thoughts without him having to verbalize them out loud. "Apparently, your mother desperately wanted to keep something strictly confidential between herself and Elena." The bartender places a high ball glass full of coke in front of me on a bar napkin. "Thank you." I said, smiling at him.
"Hence why she was burning sage." Kol concluded, before looking seriously at Nik. "Mother used to do that back then when she was trying to hide something from us that she knew we wouldn't like. Do you remember, Nik?"
"Vividly." Nik replied, obviously less than happy with what he was learning. "I gather that you, Elijah and Jeremy discovered what Mother was hiding, right?" Nik asked me, and I gave a half-nod.
"It was mostly Elijah who coaxed it from Elena. I stayed hidden with Jeremy while Elijah uncovered the facts." I confessed.
"Why?" Kol frowned, confused.
I shrugged, "Elena hates my guts because of my relationship with Nik and my refusal to put up with her bullshit, and Jeremy, like you said before, was supposed to be in Denver and 'blissfully' unaware of what's been happening here in Mystic Falls." I grimaced. "Besides, Elena would probably rather be force-fed red hot embers from the fire pit than admit any plans she might have been privy to to me." I told Kol, who immediately looked intrigued.
"What a vivid picture you've just painted, sister. I must try that as a method of torture next time." Kol mused rather sadistically.
"Kol, focus…" Nik spoke up, rather exasperatedly. "What did Elijah discover, darling?" I took a sip from my drink to lubricate my mouth.
"Nothing good, unfortunately." I said, looking sympathetically at both brothers, who blinked at me with confusion and trepidation. I then proceeded to tell both exactly what Elijah had uncovered from Elena about what she had discussed with Esther during the ball. Unsurprisingly, neither Nik nor Kol were pleased.
"So, Mother is trying to kill us. How disappointing." Kol observed, darkly. Nik didn't say anything. His face was a mask of anger and deep sorrow.
"I'm so sorry." I acknowledged, sincerely. Nik looked up at me, as a single tear broke loose and trailed down his cheek. He then reached out for my hand and pulled me towards him, trapping me in a desperate embrace as he buried his face into my neck.
"I remember her from last night." Kol suddenly spoke up, out of the blue, causing both Nik and I to pull apart a little to look over at him. He was grinning and pointing over towards the entrance. But the grin was anything but friendly; Kol was still hurt and angry like Nik was and I would bet good money he was out to cause some mayhem to deal with his raw emotions. "She looks like a tasty little thing." He observed, as both Nik and I recognized a very reluctant looking Caroline standing in the doorway and looking in the direction of Alaric and his date.
"Don't you dare, Kol!" I growled, pulling away from Nik.
"Agreed." Nik straightened up and picked up his drink to take a sip. "Say another word and I'll tear out your liver." That was the last thing I heard Nik utter as I walked briskly over to my friend.
"Caroline!" I greeted her. A quick observation told me that the baby vampire was still obviously grieving for her father but was slowly adjusting and returning to her normal bubbly personality. Caroline's doe-like blue-green eyes widened when she spotted me coming towards her.
"Hey, Grace!" She recovered from her surprise and greeted me with a warm hug. "What are you doing here?" She asked, curiously.
"Nothing much, just having a drink with Nik and Kol." I responded, gesturing towards my boys across at the bar. Nik smiled politely at Caroline and saluted her with his glass, while Kol also saluted her, but winked shamelessly. I rolled my eyes as Caroline, understandably, grimaced in revulsion. "Just ignore him." I suggested, before changing topics. "So, how have you been since I last saw you?" I asked, concerned.
Caroline gave a sad little smile, "The pain comes in waves still, but I'm soldiering on."
"Atta girl." I winked, earning a smile and laugh from Caroline, whose smile immediately dropped, and she stiffened when Nik approached us wrapping his arms around my waist.
"Caroline, it's lovely to see you again. Join us for a drink?" He offered. My eyes narrowed slightly when I noticed Caroline about to say something possibly unkind but thought the better of it before responding to Nik's invitation.
"No thanks. I was really only in here looking for Bonnie." Caroline declined, turning for the door. "I'll talk to you later, Grace." Nik frowned a little at the dismissal, then frowned for real when Kol blurred behind Caroline, blocking her route.
"No, please stay. What's wrong with a few drinks among friends?" He insisted, a slightly predatory grin on his face. Both Nik and I groaned, as Caroline fixed Kol with a catty smile.
"Mmm, I'd rather die of thirst. But thanks." She smoothly walked around a mildly taken aback Kol and left.
"Caroline, wait!" I went to follow her to apologize, but Nik intercepted.
"I got it, love." He reassured me, shaking his head at Kol before following Caroline outside. I fixed my 'twin' with an annoyed glance.
"Well, that went well." I grumbled, walking back over to the bar to order another coke.
"Don't see why you're getting so huffy. I was only trying to be friendly." Kol protested, defensively. I picked up my new coke and swiveled round on my bar stool, taking a sip.
"I think we need to work on your social skills, Kol. You came across as a bit creepy just then." I gestured towards the entrance where Nik and Caroline had just disappeared out of with my head, then froze when Kol suddenly takes an interest with Alaric's date over by the pool table. Alaric himself had mysteriously and suspiciously disappeared.
"Well, let's try again. Shall we?" He said, getting up from his bar stool and sauntering over before I could stop him.
"No, Kol. Wait!" I protested. But Kol was slipperier than an eel when he wanted to be and easily evaded me, making it to the pool table before I intercept.
"A woman of your caliber ought to choose more suitable company." Kol smoothly began chatting up the poor woman who immediately stiffened as she was making her shot. "What's your name, love?"
The woman glared at him, "None of your business."
Kol's pleasant demeanor immediately shifted to a more sinister one, as he chuckled and tried his luck again. He perched casually on the side of the table.
"Let's try that again. I'll start. I'm Kol." He introduced himself. I grimaced uncomfortably; it was like watching a cat taunting a thoroughly disgruntled mouse. I got up from my bar stool and cautiously approached them, attempting to rescue this poor woman from my brother. But apparently, this chick didn't need saving.
"Why don't you get lost, Kol?" The woman suggested, pointedly. I paused when I spotted Alaric walking back out from the corridor leading to the restrooms and narrowing his eyes at Kol. He didn't appear to have noticed me.
Oh, shit! Nik, where are you? I need your help… I thought desperately as Kol hops down from the pool table and walks towards his prey.
"And why would I do that?" Kol asked, casually. "I like pretty things with sharp tongues." He reaches out towards her face and touches it. His hand is slapped away, as Alaric approaches him from behind.
"I'm pretty sure she told you to get lost." Alaric reminded Kol, who smirked; obviously seeing a challenge in the warning Alaric had just given him.
"I'm pretty sure I don't care." Kol retorted. I walked quickly over to the trio, aiming to stop Kol from maiming Alaric as well as apologizing for his actions. My unpredictable brother turned to face Alaric … only to double over with a pained grunt when the vampire hunter stabs him in the heart with a silver dagger.
"KOL!" I screamed, racing over to them as Alaric glowered at Kol's rapidly greying face.
"Next time, take a hint." He suggested, as I managed to catch Kol when he toppled forwards after going stiff-as-a-board. I looked up at Alaric in absolute horror.
"What are you playing at?! What the hell did you do that for!?" I demanded, angrily. Alaric looked down at me with genuine remorse.
"I'm sorry, Grace. But it's all part of the plan." He told me. I looked back down at Kol, questioning what sort of plan would require stabbing my brother in the heart with a silver dagger to put him of out of commission.
"Plan? What pl-ˮ I was immediately cut off mid-sentence when somebody jumped me from behind, placing something strong and sweet smelling over my mouth and nose. I started struggling and fighting back before a sudden sleepiness started to overwhelm me and I fell unconscious…
NO P.O.V
Day.
Outside, before Kol and Grace's little misadventure inside the Grill, Klaus had kept his word with Grace and followed Caroline to apologize for his little brother's actions and to offer his own brand of advice for the obviously still mourning baby vampire; whom Klaus wasn't ashamed to admit he had a soft spot for, despite the friendship she shared with his troublesome doppelgänger. He quickly runs across the street almost getting collected by a car in the process, to reach Caroline who had just finished crossing the road.
"Caroline!" He calls out to her, and she stops and turns to look at him. She glowers out of annoyance.
"Are you serious? Take a hint." Caroline spat before turning and continuing to walk away from him. However, Klaus is quicker and can easily outmaneuver her.
"Don't be angry, love. I'm just here to apologize on behalf of my brother." Klaus explains, calmly. Caroline doesn't stop her stride.
"Then why didn't he come and do it himself?" She retorted. Klaus looked pained.
"Unfortunately, Kol can be a bit unpredictable and abrasive. It's one of the reasons why I uh, daggered him for so long." He admitted, sheepishly. Caroline stops and turns around.
"What were the other reasons?" She asked, aiming to wound. Klaus bristled, but somehow managed to calm himself down.
"That's personal." He eventually responded, matter-of-fact. "How can I quit myself?"
Caroline frowned at him mistrustfully, "What you and your brother can do is leave me alone." She snapped.
"Oh, come on, take a chance, Caroline. Talk to me, maybe I can help you with your grief?" Klaus offered, taking a seat on a bench they had both stopped beside. "Come on, get to know me. I dare you." He baits Caroline, who hesitates.
"Fine." She sits down next to him, stiffly. "How can you help me?"
"First of all, I want to talk about you. What your hopes and your dreams are. Everything you want out of life." Klaus requested.
"I hope you're not trying to seduce me. I'm too smart for that." Caroline warned him, and Klaus looked a bit insulted by the accusation.
"Not at all. I am happily engaged to Grace. All I'm trying to do is help you cope a bit better with your grief, the same way Grace has been attempting to help you." He explained. "And, if you want, I'm also offering my friendship and protection should you need it in the future." Klaus added, smiling politely.
Caroline studied him cautiously, "As long as that's all you're offering." Klaus chuckled, understanding her hesitance. That was why he liked and respected Caroline; she possessed some brains, compared to most other women he had come across over the centuries. She was also extremely loyal to her friends, indicated when she immediately questioned him about his faithfulness to Grace when he was persistent in his wishes to chat with her.
So, Caroline and Klaus began a semi-relaxed conversation between them about herself, which Caroline eventually realized was Klaus's way of letting herself be at ease around him, since it was obvious that she was uncomfortable and disliked him; and judging by the slightly smug but not-threatening smile that spread across his face, Caroline realized that he was very much aware of her drawn conclusion.
Eventually, Klaus realized that he had to get to the point and sighed, "You know. You never really get over the loss of somebody you love. I hope you understand this."
Caroline blinked, thrown by the change in topic.
"Of course. I'm not an idiot." She replied, then she bit her bottom lip as she hesitated to broach a possible sensitive question. "Grace told me that you lost Henrik to a werewolf." Caroline stated tentatively, picturing the mini-Elijah lookalike she had noticed hanging around Grace a lot, and during the ball the night before. She winced when she noticed Klaus stiffen almost immediately the very second Henrik had been mentioned.
"Yes, I did. I was there when he was killed." Klaus confirmed, quietly.
"How did you deal with the loss? It must've been so horrible." Caroline questioned, gently.
Klaus awkwardly ran his fingers through his hair and scratched the back of his head, as he attempted to think of an appropriate response. He was never comfortable exposing his emotions to anybody except for Rebekah and Grace (or as she had been known back then as Gráinne), as he saw it as a weakness. If Grace had not been in his life and he had not fallen in love with her; he'd have seen love as a weakness that could be exploited.
"I didn't really. Not entirely." He admitted, much to Caroline's surprise. "Back then, I blamed myself for Henrik's death because I felt that I could've prevented it from happening. That I should've been firmer with him when he had expressed that interest in seeing our werewolf neighbors shifting."
"Did your parents blame you?" Caroline asked, looking appalled.
"Mikael did." Klaus confirmed, darkly. "But there was very little that I could've done that wouldn't have set him off." He added. "My mother didn't blame me, but she was cold and a bit distant from me for several months after the incident."
Caroline looked outraged, "But that's not fair!"
"Life's not supposed to be fair, sweetheart. We just learn from it, accept it and move on. A lesson that was hard learned for me." Klaus stated, sagely. There was a comfortable silence between them as Caroline let Klaus's words sink in. She swallowed hard.
"How did you forgive yourself?" Caroline asked, in a suspiciously small voice that made Klaus raise an eyebrow at the personal question.
"When Henrik returned." Klaus confirmed, causing Caroline to look at him with hope. "I immediately sought forgiveness from him that I hadn't protected him enough. But it turned out that I didn't have to; Henrik stated that I was forgiven. He did not blame me at all." Klaus studied Caroline intensely, which made her a little uncomfortable.
"What?" She asked him, avoiding eye contact as she attempted to discreetly wipe away a sneaky tear from her eye.
"Do you blame yourself for your father's death? Is that why you asked me?" Klaus coaxed, gently. Caroline immediately shook her head.
"No. I don't blame myself for my dad's death." She frowned at him. "He was injured and taken to the hospital where he had to have surgery for his wounds." Caroline recalled, deliberately omitting the fact that Bill Forbes had been attempting to help Tyler break his sire bond with Klaus; but Tyler shifted and ended up seriously injuring the man. "The day he was discharged from the hospital, somebody had stabbed him to death with a knife. But, as it turned out, dad had been given vampire blood during surgery, so he came back into transition." Caroline explained.
"And he decided not to complete the transition." Klaus realized, and frowned sympathetically when Caroline started choking back tears. "I'm so sorry."
"The funny thing is, I can still remember what his last words to me were: 'This is life. This is what it means to be human.' I never understood what he meant by that. But after hearing your story about Henrik's death and how you suffered afterwards, I think I get it now." Caroline smiled gratefully at him.
"Glad I could be of assistance." Klaus said, graciously. Suddenly, he starts choking and struggling to breathe. He gets up and puts his hand on his heart, hunching over to balance on his knees for support.
"Klaus?! What is it?" Caroline was immediately alarmed and got to her feet to lend the Hybrid some assistance. However, Klaus sharply jerked away and looked at her accusingly.
"What did you do?" He demanded.
"Nothing." Caroline was confused, then fearful when Klaus grabs her by the shoulders forcefully.
"What did you do?!" He yelled in her face. Caroline manages to push him away, putting him at arm's length.
"I didn't do anything. I swear!" She insisted, as Klaus immediately went white.
"Kol!" He blurs away, leaving Caroline standing at the bench looking bewildered and concerned.
Klaus burst into the Mystic Grill, looking frantically around for his brother and fiancée. He swore loudly when he saw no trace of anyone except for the employees who were going about their business. Grace's coke and Kol's bourbon were still standing on the bar, unattended, and the pool game that had been in progress seemed to have been prematurely abandoned altogether.
But where did they go?
Just as Klaus was about to turn around and search somewhere else, he heard a commotion coming from the back alley. Wasting no time, he immediately blurred for the backdoor that led to the alleyway where he spots Alaric holding an unconscious Grace in his arms bridal style, and a daggered Kol who was lying in the middle of the dirty alleyway. The vampire hunter was talking to a stony-faced Stefan as he gently leaned Grace against the wall, before turning and grabbing Kol underneath the armpits and attempted to pick him up to drag him.
"Here, grab him!" Alaric asks Stefan, who moves to help him.
"Tell Meredith 'Good work!'" Stefan requested to Alaric who nodded, looking somewhat uncomfortable with what was happening. Klaus decided to make his move and rushes over, removing the dagger from Kol's heart and shoving Alaric against the wall, knocking him out cold. Stefan drops Kol in a heap just as Klaus glares at him with a cold fury.
"I should've killed you months ago." Klaus confesses, privately disappointed that his ex-best friend had fallen (in his opinion) so far from how he used to be. Stefan sneered at him unconcerned.
"So, do it. It's not going to stop Esther from killing you." He told him, causing Klaus's eyes to flash in anger.
"What did you say about my mother?" He demanded.
"Oh, you didn't know that I was in league with your mom?" Stefan seemed amused by this. "Yeah, she hates you as much as I do." Klaus is about to attack Stefan for the insolent comment, when Elijah appears at the top of the stairs. The elder Original takes one look at the scene and is immediately angry; especially when he notices Kol slowly reawakening from being daggered and Grace who is still out cold from being chloroformed by an unknown adversary.
"Leave him!" Klaus looks at his brother incredulously. "We still need him, Niklaus." Elijah reminds his brother before indicating towards Grace. "Check and see if Grace is unharmed." He suggested. Klaus immediately goes over to his fiancée's side and checks her pulse, relaxing in relief when he could feel it thudding away at a steady pace underneath his fingers. He gently cradles her in his arms.
"She's alive." Klaus confirmed, and Elijah nodded descending the staircase towards Stefan, holding out a phone.
"You tell me where the witches are, or I'll have my sister kill Elena right now." He threatened, forcing Stefan to look up at the clock tower. He sees that the time is 8:30. He frowns at Elijah.
"You told Damon and me that we had until after nine." Stefan protested vehemently, causing Elijah to frown out of confusion.
"Yes. Now that you bring it up, where is your brother?" He requested, also causing Klaus to glance over at them with thinly veiled interest. Stefan looked like he could care less about his brother's absence, but responded to Elijah's question, nonetheless.
"Shortly after you left, Damon decided he wanted no part of the plan to take you all out; once we learned that Esther apparently linked all of you together with Elena's blood." He explained.
Elijah and Klaus exchanged surprised looks.
"Indeed. But we're digressing, and I'm sure Rebekah will be more than happy to start her work early." Elijah hinted, and threat very clearly implied. Stefan had no choice but to reveal the location. Even though he and Elena were estranged, he wasn't about to let her die just to preserve the location the witches, Finn and Esther were hiding out in to perform the ritual.
"The ritual is being performed at the Old Witch House." Stefan reluctantly revealed. Elijah nods, indicating that he and Alaric were free to leave, which Stefan immediately does, taking his out cold friend with him. Once Stefan had gone, Klaus scoops Grace up into a bridal hold, allowing her head to rest on his shoulder.
"How is she?" Elijah asked Klaus with mild concern.
"She's fine. I found no obvious injuries." Klaus reassured him as he shifted her weight in his arms. Kol suddenly sits up, groaning and looking confused. However, after a few minutes he suddenly scowls and gets to his feet; looking pissed.
"Okay, where is the bastard?" He demanded, before noticing what Klaus was holding in his arms. "Shit! What happened?" He asked, looking worried.
"Relax, Kol. Grace was just knocked out." Elijah reassures his younger brother. "We better get going if we're going to stop Mother and Finn in time." He stressed, and all three of them blurred off.
The woods nearby the Old Witch Place.
Night.
(Grace P.O.V)
I found myself waking up with a thumping headache, snuggled up to something warm and smelling strongly of leather, blood and expensive bourbon. Frowning, I opened my eyes; slowly registering that it was now nighttime, and that for some reason I was out in the woods and cradled in the arms of:
"Damon?" I mumbled, attempting to sit up and regretting it almost immediately when my head started to swim, and I felt like upchucking on Damon, who started fussing over me the second I called out his name.
"Grace, are you alright?" He demanded, urgently. I didn't respond, as I was trying hard not to vomit all over him. "Woah, don't you dare hurl on me." He warned, half-serious. Or at least, I hoped that he was only half-serious and wasn't likely to dump me on my ass if I somehow managed to throw up on him. When the world stopped spinning, I made another attempt to ask what the hell was going on.
"Where are we?" I slurred, still feeling nauseous as he set me down on my feet but continued supporting my weight because I was unable to support myself for the moment.
Damon frowned looking serious, "We're close by the Old Witch Place. Stefan spilled his guts to Elijah and Klaus about where their mom was going to be casting some sort of ritual to take them out." He said.
"That's not possible. I know for a fact that Elijah, Kol, Rebekah and Nik never drank the tainted champagne. They couldn't be linked together." I insisted, taking a tentative step forward and wobbling a little like a toddler taking their first steps. Damon followed behind me, ready to catch me if my legs gave out.
"Well then, somebody better give us all an explanation as to why Klaus, Elijah, Rebekah and most likely Finn were affected after Alaric daggered Kol." Damon looked puzzled, and I didn't blame him. "Because according to your fiancé, right after he handed you over to me on pain of death if I let anything happen to you, that he felt like somebody had stabbed him through the heart without the need of a knife." He told me.
"Maybe after we stop Esther." I suggested, leaning against a nearby tree and glancing about for something familiar. But the only thing that stuck out to me was my car, which Damon had been sitting on when I first woke up. "Where is Nik and Kol?" I asked, suddenly panicking.
"Probably down at the Old Witch House by now with Elijah; dealing with their mother and Finn." Damon answered, and I immediately set off down the trail after them, with a highly objecting Damon blurring in front of me to stop me from going any further.
"Hey, where do you think you're going?" He asked me, placing a restraining hand on my shoulder. I impatiently brushed it aside.
"Going after them. What does it look like I'm doing?" I retorted, darting around him and continuing to stumble down the trail. My legs feeling like jelly.
"Uh, I'll take the worst idea in the world that will get me hurt or killed for $200, Alex." Damon quipped sarcastically, as I scowled at him for the unnecessary pop cultural reference. "Klaus will have my head if I just let you go. Besides, you can barely walk as it is with whatever was introduced to your system." He pointed out, and I smacked my lips tasting something unfamiliar on them.
"It was probably Chloroform." I told Damon, who blinked at me in surprise. "I vaguely remember tasting something sweet before I blacked out. Plus, I have this thudding headache too." I paused, realizing that if I persisted and continued walking towards the Old Witch Place, that I would be killed; and Nik, Kol and not to mention Rebekah would likely skin Damon alive if that happened. So, I decided for once to stay put. "You know what, Damon. I think I will sit this one out. Because I really don't feel so good right now."
"Yeah, I think that would be a smart thing." Damon deadpanned, as I came over to him and leaned against him. "Thanks for sticking around, Damon." I mumbled. I heard Damon chuckle and then felt his warm, leather clad arm wrap itself around my shoulders as I made myself comfortable against him.
"That's what friends are for, babe." Damon reminded me, and I grinned before slowly drifting back off to sleep.
The feeling of somebody carding their hand through my hair coaxed me awake, and I fluttered open my eyes and looked around to see where I was now. I was laying on the backseat of a car; my car as a matter of fact, using someone's thigh as a pillow and my own personal teddy-bear.
Fantastic.
I hope whoever this person is, doesn't mind that I'm clinging for dear life to their leg. Upside? My headache seems to have abated for the time being. The nausea was still there, but it wasn't threatening to expel out of my mouth and all over the upholstery or the carpeted floor of my car.
Ugh, there is nothing worse than the smell of vomit; it takes forever to wash out and even removing the bile part itself is a pain in the ass. But that wasn't important. Right now, finding out what was currently going on; and where Nik, Kol, Elijah and Damon had disappeared off to, was the main priority. The hand carding through my hair stops and starts stroking my cheek. I froze, wondering what was going to be happening next.
"Welcome back to the land of the living, sweetheart." I relaxed immediately, recognizing Nik's voice and smiled happily with relief that he hadn't been harmed by Esther or Finn. "How are you feeling?" He asked, quietly. I groaned, putting a hand to my head.
"Like I'm experiencing the world's worst hangover, and I didn't even have a drink." I replied, grumpily. "But I will survive." I reassured him. I attempted to sit up with some assistance from Nik and noticed Kol and Elijah sitting in the front seats, with Elijah driving. Kol grinned at me through the rear-view mirror.
"Hello, cutie." He greeted me, winking. I smiled back, gingerly resting my head on the headrest behind me as Elijah smiled at me through the rear-view and nodded in greeting. I turned my gaze upon Nik who was looking at me with deep concern.
"What? Nik, I told you I'm okay, I just need to eat something light and I'll be right as rain." I attempted to placate him. He didn't smile, but instead nodded then turned to look out of the window, taking my hand in his and holding onto it tightly like some sort of lifeline.
I frowned. "What's going on? What happened while I was passed out?" Elijah cleared his throat, sounding incredibly disgruntled about something.
"We set out from that restaurant to the woods leading to the Old Witch House. That's where Stefan told Elijah and Nik where Mother, Finn and a couple of witches would be to complete the so-called ritual to kill us all." Kol explained, also looking uneasy.
"Stefan? Damon wasn't there?" I asked, surprised, wondering where he was since I last saw him earlier. Elijah shook his head. "Where was he then? Last thing I remember was Alaric daggering Kol and then somebody jumping me and knocking me out with chloroform." I asked, suspicious.
"As it turned out, Damon wanted nothing to do with the plan to take us down." Nik piped up from beside me, bristling at this new piece of information I had just supplied, and still looking out of the window. "He surprised us just as we were about to close in on Mother. And after a brief interrogation, we learned his motives and instructed him to look after you while we took care of some family business." He added, as he squeezed my hand a little too hard.
I winced, "Bet he didn't like that."
"He protested and was his usual insolent self … up until he saw you." Elijah nodded. "After that he agreed without further questioning."
"When we were satisfied that you were safe, we went after Mother and Finn." Kol took over the rundown.
"Did you stop her?" I asked, hopeful. All three of them didn't say anything straight away, which I took as bad news.
"Not exactly." Nik replied, sounding frustrated.
"What happened?" I asked, feeling a little bit of dread.
Flashback.
Old Witch Place.
Night.
(No P.O.V)
The three Originals cautiously approached the seemingly innocent abandoned house, after leaving their precious cargo behind with an unexpected ally. In the clearing the brothers could see Finn standing in the centre of a pentagram that had been drawn into the dirt, with Esther and both Abby and Bonnie Bennett surrounding him in urgent conversation. It was Finn who spotted them first.
"They're coming, Mother!" He yelled, much to Kol, Elijah and Klaus's disgust. Klaus could see his mother looking alarmed but trying to hide it.
"No, it's too soon, the moon is not high enough." Esther turns towards Abby and Bonnie. "Go! Quickly!" Both witches retreat swiftly into the house just as Kol, Elijah and Klaus walk up looking stony-faced at their mother and eldest brother. "My sons, come forward." Esther reaches out to her sons, who look back at her with hostility. Finn reaches out to his mother, frowning at his younger brothers with suspicion.
"Stay behind me, mother." He suggests, and Esther steps into the 'safety' of the pentagram.
"It's okay. They can't enter." She reassures Finn, who nods, but doesn't take his eyes off his brothers. Kol makes a face at the picture his mother and Finn make together, and he approaches the pentagram. However, the torches surrounding them suddenly flare brighter which drives him backwards away from the pentagram.
Kol sneers, "That's lovely. We're stuck out here, while the favorite son plays sacrificial lamb." He eyes Finn with disgust. "How pathetic you are, Finn."
"Be quiet, Kol." Esther snaps back. "Your brother knows virtue you cannot even imagine."
"Whatever you think of us," Elijah walks up beside Kol slowly and calmly, before eyeing his mother angrily. "Killing your own children will be an atrocity." He pointed out, not that it fazed Esther who merely shrugs.
"My only regret is that I did not let you die a thousand-years ago." She confessed, and Klaus had heard enough to come forward to put an end to the pointless conversation brewing between his family members. It was clearly falling on deaf ears.
"Enough!" Klaus spoke out in a loud, clear and forceful voice. "All this talk is boring me. End this right now, Mother, or I'll send you back to Hell. I wish to go and check on my sleeping fiancée. An unfortunate victim in your scheme to try and rid yourself of your shame." He declared confidently. Esther glared at Klaus with condemnation.
"For a thousand-years, I've been forced to watch you. Felt the pain of every victim, suffered while you shed blood. Even you, Elijah, with your claim to nobility, you're no better." Elijah bristled at being singled out. "All of you. You're a curse on this Earth. Stretched out over generations. If you've come to plead for your life, I'm sorry, you've wasted your time." Esther felt the need to inform them.
Klaus lets out a humorless laugh at that.
"Plead? That's beneath my dignity to even consider doing that, Mother." He stated, turning towards Elijah and Kol. "Do you agree, brothers?" Elijah grunted and nodded but made no other response.
"I concur." Kol confirmed. Suddenly, Esther jerks like she had been prodded with a red-hot fire poker. Her eyes widen in horror, grabbing her other sons' interest.
"No! Sisters! Do not abandon me!" She wails, alarming Finn and raising the suspicion in Elijah, Kol and Klaus.
"Mother!" Finn cries out in fear as the pentagram torches flare up. He grabs Esther while Elijah, Kol and Klaus cower away from the radiant flames. When the torches die out after a few moments, all three of them are left shocked and bewildered when they realise Finn and Esther have disappeared without a trace.
"Damnit!" Klaus snarls, angrily. Elijah sighs, and pulls out his phone.
"Calm down, Niklaus." He said, although you could tell from his tone of voice that he was also less than pleased with what had just happened. Klaus immediately spun on him.
"Don't tell me to calm down! They've escaped!" Klaus roared.
"Yes, Nik. We noticed this. We've all got eyes." Kol snarked, as Klaus growls and Elijah rolled his eyes.
"Thank you, Kol. You're not helping the situation." Elijah attempted to be mediator, so a brawl did not start up between his extremely volatile younger brothers. "The only thing we can do now is fall back and regroup." He suggested.
"Who are you calling?" Kol asked, as he watched Klaus taking out his frustrations on a nearby tree with dark amusement.
"Our sister. I'm calling her off watching Elena." Elijah replied, putting the phone to his ear as the call connected. Kol made a face.
"Do you have to? Wouldn't the world be a hell of a lot better with one less bloody doppelgänger buggering it all up?" He whined, causing Klaus to whirl around from whaling on the tree and glare at him.
"She better bloody not!" He growled, causing Kol to raise an eyebrow at his brother's reaction. "If Rebekah knows what's good for her."
"My, my, Nik. It almost sounds like you care about this girl. Should Grace be worried?" Kol smirked, obviously enjoying egging Klaus on.
"That's enough, Kol. Come, we need to go and check on Grace's condition anyway." Elijah reminded them.
A/N: Let's stop here for now. The next chapter will be out soon. Hope this alleviates any boredom you might be experiencing wherever you are in the world during this pandemic. Remember when you review, please tell me which country you are reviewing from. Cheers guys xx