"Traitor!"
The word sliced through the tense air like a blade, but Mason remained unfazed by Brady's venomous hiss. With a firm grip, he dragged him forward, into the middle of the clearing.
Mason had never harboured any fondness for Brady. The man was a brute, a beast cloaked in the guise of an Alpha, who revelled in the agony of others. He claimed his cruelty was reserved for vampires alone, but Mason knew the truth. He had witnessed Brady's wrath descend upon an innocent, a mere mortal whose only misstep was a drunken stumble into the Alpha's path.
Stevie on the other hand never bothered to justify his sadism or psychopathic tendencies. He liked killing, enjoyed torturing his prey, usually those weaker than himself. So, Mason hadn't had a single issue with serving them both up to Klaus. If turning them failed, the world would be rid of a few monsters. And if it succeeded? Well, Klaus was confident he would be able to control them both.
"Now, now, mate." Klaus intervened, his hand landing with a force that brought Brady to his knees. "No need for that. My friend Mason here volunteered you for a grand honour. You're going to be my first hybrid."
"I'd rather die," Brady spat defiantly.
"Yes well, that is one of the necessary steps, blood first though." Klaus replied with a disturbing cheer. "Blood first though."
Tearing open his wrist and pressing it against Brady's open mouth, Klaus forced the werewolf to swallow his blood. Then, with a swift, calculated motion, he twisted Brady's neck, sending him collapsing to the ground. A swift, deliberate twist of Brady's neck followed, and the Alpha crumpled to the earth, a puppet severed from its strings.
Stevie, in contrast to Brady's bold defiance, was a quivering mess, held fast by Rose's unyielding grasp, shaking like it was below freezing and he was underdressed. That was the real difference between Stevie and Brady.
Brady, for all his brutality, possessed an unyielding backbone, a resolve of iron that never bent, even in the face of dire adversity. His ferocity, though fearsome, was anchored by a sort of twisted honour—a refusal to cower, even when the odds were stacked against him. Stevie, on the other hand, was a complete coward, as soon as he was faced with someone stronger than him, he'd roll over and show his belly.
"Don't fret, mate," Klaus cooed, the cheer in his voice a macabre melody. "You're next in line for the honour."
With a nod from Klaus, Rose hauled Stevie forward. Klaus's wrist met Stevie's mouth, another forced communion, another life hanging in the balance. And just like before, with a neck twisted and a body fallen, the deed was done.
"So how long before they wake up?" Mason asked.
"No more than an hour, but usually about twenty to thirty minutes."
"And then what?"
"They drink human blood, and if I'm right they'll become Hybrids."
"And if it doesn't work?"
"They'll die, permanently. But let's not go borrowing trouble. Maddox, make sure they'll remain contained when they wake, please."
Maddox stepped forward and began to walk in a circle around, Brady and Stevie's corpses, murmuring a spell in what was probably Latin. Not that Mason was an expert on the language, but it sounded similar to some of the spells he'd heard Maya cast, and apparently most of those were either Latin or Ancient Greek.
"It's done."
"Excellent. Now all we have to do is wait." He turned to Mason, his curiosity piquing. "I've been informed by Rebekah that Maya is quite the Star Trek enthusiast. You've both known her longer than myself and my siblings, what else does she like?"
Mason was a bit taken aback by the total detour Klaus had just taken conversationally, but he answered, after sharing a confused glance with Rose. Who, oh so helpfully, shrugged and gestured for him to answer.
"I'm pretty sure she prefers Star Wars actually."
Klaus's frown was one of genuine confusion.
"And the difference is?"
"Star Wars is more of an epic space saga, unfolding across movies. It's set in a galaxy far, far away, focusing on the timeless struggle between good and evil," Mason explained, trying to keep it simple. "Star Trek, on the other hand, is a television series about humanity's future explorations of space. "
A look of annoyance passed across his face before Klaus turned to Maddox.
"Maddox, add Star Wars to the list," he ordered before his gaze landed back on Mason. "What else does Maya enjoy?"
"She's into music. Damon took her to see Taylor Swift, Lexi and Stefan took her to a Bon Jovi concert, and last I heard, she'd requested tickets for her and her friends to see Imagine Dragons or Lady Gaga as a birthday present.
Klaus nodded, then looked at Maddox for confirmation.
"Outings require Damon's approval, as per Elijah's list, especially if her friends are involved. And we'd need permission from their parents or guardians," Maddox informed, not looking up from his phone.
"Fine. I'll talk to him." Klaus replied, irritation in his tone. "What else does Maya like?"
Klaus pressed on, his interest in Maya's hobbies unwavering.
"She likes art. And she plays in the quidditch and soccer tournaments at the academy."
This was surreal. Mason could not believe he was having this discussion with the feared hybrid. He got it, she was Klaus' daughter and he wanted to get to know her. He just hadn't expected that he would be someone Klaus would ask questions of. Especially not over the dead bodies of his former pack mates, while they were waiting for them to wake up so they could turn them into hybrids.
"Yes, yes. I know that. What does she like doing in Mystic Falls?"
"She likes staging re-enactments with Enzo." Rose said, then took a step back when Klaus turned his attention to her, the look on her face saying she very much regretted opening her mouth.
"Re-enactments of what? History? Shakespeare?"
"They tend to mash it up."
The discussion took an abrupt halt as Brady suddenly sat up with a sharp gasp, clutching at his neck. Klaus' grin broadened, and a sharp glint that made Mason want to take a step back, or possibly run away altogether, entered his eyes. He looked positively gleeful when Stevie woke up as well.
"Excellent. Welcome to the new order," Klaus announced, his voice a mix of welcome and command.
He gestured to Maddox, who promptly placed a blood bag into Klaus's outstretched hand. With a casual flick, Klaus punctured the bag, and the thick, metallic scent of blood filled the air, thick enough to taste.
"The wannabe alpha first, I believe," Klaus remarked casually, pulling Brady forward with an ease that spoke of his supernatural strength.
The blood bag was thrust to Brady's lips, the potent aroma ensnaring his senses. Mason watched, torn between horror and fascination, as Brady fought the primal urge. Yet, it was a losing battle against millennia of instinct. Eventually, his resistance crumbled; his hands shot up, desperately clutching the bag, gulping down the blood with a thirst that spoke of deep, inherent need.
Without missing a beat, Klaus procured another blood bag from Maddox and tore it open. This time, he offered it to Stevie, who seemed devoid of any will to resist. The moment the blood touched his lips, Stevie drank eagerly, surrendering to the call of his new nature.
The air crackled with tension as what was meant to be a triumphant moment spiralled into chaos. Klaus's grin, once filled with anticipation and satisfaction, twisted into a scowl as Brady and Stevie's bodies began to convulse uncontrollably. The sudden onset of trembling was the first sign that something was amiss, a prelude to a more horrifying scene as blood began to seep from their eyes. The sight was stark against their pale skin, a vivid and unsettling indication that the transformation was going terribly wrong.
Mason's heart raced the unease palpable as he realized the gravity of the situation.
"Something's wrong," Klaus murmured, his voice barely above a whisper, yet it carried the weight of looming disaster.
"That shouldn't be happening, should it?" Mason ventured, his voice laced with concern and fear.
"Well, obviously," Klaus snapped, his patience frayed by the unexpected turn of events. His anger was a tangible force, sparking in the air. "Maddox!"
Stepping forward, Maddox took charge of the dire situation, his hands steady as he halted Brady and Stevie's convulsions with a touch, chanting softly as he examined each of them with his magic. First Brady, then Stevie, his hands moved with practiced ease, yet his expression grew increasingly grim. After a moment of tense silence, he stepped back, shaking his head with a heavy finality.
"They're dying. It didn't work,"
"Why not!" Klaus roared, his anger erupting like a volcano. He didn't wait for an answer, his frustration boiling over. "I did everything I was told! I should be able to turn them. I broke the curse!"
"Hoka ni nanigo o hanashimasu ka?" What other languages do you speak?
Maya's inquiry, delivered with a casual ease in Japanese, sparked a flicker of hesitation in him. His proficiency in the language had grown a bit rusty over the years spent daggered in a coffin, necessitating a brief moment of internal translation before he could formulate his response.
"Watashi wa Noruēgo, Aisurandogo, suuēdengo, denmākugo ni totemo kan'nōdesu" I am very fluent in Norwegian, Icelandic, Swedish, and Danish. Finn replied, his voice threading through the words slowly, an accent slightly misshaped by time colouring his speech.
Despite the awkwardness, Maya understood him, though her reaction was not what he expected. A playful wrinkle of her nose and a teasing grimace were her immediate responses.
"Maa, anata wa baikingu desu yo ne, mochiron sorera o shitte imasu, hoka ni dono gengo o shitte imasu ka?" Well duh! you're a Viking, of course you know those, what other languages?
Finn couldn't help but chuckle at her comment. It was evident that Maya found his mention of the Nordic languages somewhat obvious, perhaps even redundant. After all, his Viking heritage made such linguistic skills almost a given in her eyes.
"Watashi wa hotondo no romansu go o sukoshi hanasu koto ga dekimasu, mochiron doitsu go mo. Watashitachi wa nagai kan yōroppa ni taizai shite imashishi, arabia go mo sukoshi shitte imasuga, kesshite ryūchō dewa arimasen." I can stumble through most of the romantic languages, German of course. We spent a long time in Europe, and I know a little bit of Arabic, but I'm by no means fluent.
"Watashi wa Furansugo, Supeingo, Noruēgo o shitte imasu." I know French, Spanish, and Norwegian.
"Sore wa totemo inshō-teki desu." That's very impressive. Finn complimented, his smile broadening as he looked at his niece. This interaction was more than just an exchange of words for Finn. It was a connection, a moment of understanding and appreciation.
The revelation of Maya's existence had initially sent ripples of shock and uncertainty through Finn. The idea that any of them could father a child, especially given their unique circumstances, was baffling. And yet, here was Maya, a direct link to Niklaus, embodying traits that mirrored those of the entire family. Her presence was both a surprise and a puzzle, her personality a vibrant tapestry woven with strands of cleverness, mischief, warmth, and cunning reminiscent of Elijah, Kol, Rebekah, and Klaus. Finn saw in her a reflection of them all, and though he had yet to see his own traits mirrored in her, his fondness for her was undiminished.
In Maya, Finn recognized the complexities and contradictions that defined their family. Her occasional pranks on Niklaus, fuelled by an anger not yet fully explained to him, showcased her fiery temper—a trait not unfamiliar to Finn and his siblings. Yet, beyond the moments of frustration and mischief, Finn saw a sweetness in Maya, a capacity for love and connection that transcended the shadows of their past. In her, he saw not just the legacy of their family but a bridge to a future filled with possibilities.
"Anata wa dekimasu ka –" Are you able to –?
Finn's question hung unfinished in the air, abruptly silenced by the thunderous crash of the front door being flung wide open. The moment was punctuated by the fierce, unmistakable bellow of Niklaus, his voice echoing through the house like a storm,
"KOL!"
In the sudden tension that filled the room, Finn caught a fleeting glimpse of Maya's subtle flinch—a reaction that tugged at his concern and prompted him into action. Rising swiftly, he prepared to intervene, to somehow temper the storm that was his younger brother before it could further fray the already delicate threads binding Niklaus to his daughter.
Finn realized he wasn't alone in his resolve. As he stepped out, the sight that greeted him spoke of an unspoken consensus among them. Elijah and Damon, having arrived perhaps with the same intentions, stood ready to confront the tempest that was Niklaus. There was a palpable tension in the air, charged with the anticipation of conflict, yet also laced with an undercurrent of concern and familial bonds tested by time and turmoil.
Niklaus, for his part, seemed to take a momentary pause at their united front, his eyes flickering with a mix of irritation and something else— something he would think more on later.
It was Damon who broke the silence, his tone laced with his characteristic sarcasm, yet not devoid of underlying concern.
"You know, the door opens just fine with a gentle push; there's no need to knock it off its hinges."
"Oh, I'm terribly sorry. Next time, I'll make sure to send a raven ahead to announce my arrival. Would that be gentle enough for you, or should I also sprinkle rose petals at the threshold?"
Finn didn't quite miss the stifled giggle behind him, and realised Maya had followed him to the door, though she remained hidden beyond the threshold.
"Nikl–" Finn began, only to be interrupted.
"KOL!" Nik thundered, voice echoing through the house.
With a slight shake of his head, Damon chided,
"You do realise literally everyone in this house is blessed with superhuman hearing right? You don't need to shout."
"Oh? So, Kol's just ignoring me then?"
Another barely audible giggle from behind made Finn's smile widen involuntarily.
"Niklaus," Elijah intervened, his tone carrying the weight of years of disapproval and patience, "As I've been trying to explain, Kol isn't here."
"Then where the bloody hell is he?"
Maya popped out from behind Finn.
"That's two for the swear jar!" she chirped, a happy gleam in her eyes.
Klaus was momentarily startled out of whatever had sparked his tantrum this time, as he stared at his daughter, mouth open, confusion in his eyes.
"Swear what?"
"Swear jar." Maya explained with the enthusiasm of someone unveiling a grand secret. "If you say a bad word, you have to put a dollar in the jar. You said two, so you have to put two dollars in the jar."
Niklaus's gaze darted around the room - from Maya's expectant look to Finn, who was on the brink of laughter, to Elijah, whose amusement was thinly veiled by a façade of solemnity, and finally to Damon, who solemnly nodded in agreement, though his eyes danced with mirth. It was a full circle back to Maya, whose joy was palpable, reminiscent of a child on Christmas morning awaiting the unwrapping of gifts.
"You have to, it's the rules," Maya insisted, her voice firm yet bubbling with excitement.
Elijah lent his support to the cause,
"It is indeed a rule, Niklaus. I believe you owe the swear jar two dollars." His tone was serious but not without a hint of amusement. "Once you've done that, perhaps you could tell us in a moderate tone, why you're looking for Kol."
Niklaus's scowl deepened at Elijah's words, yet he complied with a dramatic flair, fishing out his wallet with a show of reluctance.
"Fine. Where is this swear jar?" he grumbled, barely getting the words out before Dobby materialized with a loud crack, presenting a jar that was as colourful as it was crammed with dollar bills. With a sigh that carried the weight of his annoyance, Niklaus begrudgingly slipped two dollars into the jar, watching Dobby vanish as swiftly as he had appeared.
"Now, if we're done enriching the swear jar, perhaps you could enlighten us as to why you're searching for Kol?" Elijah pressed, the room falling into an expectant hush.
"Because it didn't bloody work," Niklaus snapped, his patience wearing thin.
In a blink, Dobby was back, jar in hand, awaiting yet another contribution. With a growl, Klaus shoved another dollar into the jar, his glare promising retribution.
"And what exactly 'didn't work'?" Finn interjected, his curiosity piqued, yet bracing for the inevitable onslaught of curse-laden explanations.
"My hybrids didn't bloody work." Niklaus burst out, frustration lacing his words.
True to form, Dobby reappeared, his presence now a constant reminder of the swear jar's looming threat.
"Should Dobby be leaving the jar till you be done?"
Niklaus, with a growl that seemed to shake the very air around him, reluctantly thrust a hundred-dollar bill into the swear jar. Moments later, as if to underscore his defiance, he added another, casting a challenge with his glare, daring anyone to make a remark.
"There! Satisfied now?" he barked, a storm brewing in his eyes.
"Yes!"
Maya's response was a burst of unadulterated joy, her excitement over the substantial addition to the jar cutting through the tension like a ray of sunlight. Niklaus, taken aback by her reaction, shot her a look of bewilderment.
"What's this all about?" he asked, his irritation giving way to curiosity.
"It's a competition," Maya explained with a seriousness that belied her years, "Whoever has the fewest swears by the end of the month wins all the money. Right now, I'm in the lead."
Damon chimed in,
"Actually, you're tied with Maggie and Stefan."
But Maya was quick to correct him,
"Nope, they both slipped up last week. So, I'm winning."
Finn couldn't hide his amusement, knowing well the competitive spirit that thrived within their household.
"I do believe that Elijah and I are on equal standing with you as well." He teased gently, grinning at Maya's pout, and the devious look that entered her eyes a moment later.
"You are. But not Uncle Elijah."
"Oh?" he raised an eyebrow, "do tell?"
Before the conversation could delve deeper into the rules of their household competition, Niklaus's patience wore thin.
"Enough about the damn swear jar! Where in the bloody hell is Kol? He promised me this plan would work, and now he's nowhere to be found when it falls apart."
"Niklaus. You can talk to Kol about what went wrong later."
Elijah's sigh, heavy with disappointment, filled the room as he subtly gestured towards Maya, silently pleading with Niklaus to moderate his tone for the sake of the younger ears present. However, Niklaus, caught in a maelstrom of frustration, paid no heed to the unspoken plea.
"I'm not waiting, Elijah. Kol assured me his plan was foolproof, that it would shatter the curse. Yet, when I attempted to transform the werewolves, they perished, both of them. It's evident Kol miscalculated. I demand to know his whereabouts," Niklaus declared, his voice a tempest of vexation.
Elijah's disappointment deepened, mirrored by Finn's disapproving shake of the head and Damon's dark scowl. Amidst the adults' growing displeasure, Maya, either oblivious to or choosing to disregard the tension, chimed in with a suggestion that sliced through the heavy atmosphere.
"You probably used the wrong ingredients." She offered innocently.
"Maya—" Damon began, only to be abruptly cut off by Niklaus's interjection.
"I administered my blood, ended their lives—" Niklaus began, only to be sharply interrupted.
"Niklaus!" the collective exclamation rang out.
"—and provided them human blood upon their transition awakening, yet still, they succumbed."
"Yeah," Maya replied like that was blatantly obvious, which to be fair it was, but continued in the same tone with; "You're trying to combine two very powerful curses that don't go together though."
"Maya." Damon's tone was laced with disapproval, "You'd better not have been reading those books on curses that I confiscated."
"Duh." Maya rolled her eyes at him, "I don't need to have read them. It's Potions Making 101."
"And what might that be?" inquired Niklaus, a mix of curiosity and scepticism in his tone.
"In potions if you have two powerful ingredients that don't combine naturally, you have to bind them together with a separate ingredient or your potion blows up." She shrugged, as if explaining the most elementary of concepts. "It's the same principle in Chemistry."
Her words hung in the air, a beacon of youthful insight amidst the shadows of frustration and failure. It was a moment that bridged the worlds of magical lore and scientific principle, reminding everyone that solutions often lie in the blending of knowledge, regardless of its source. Maya's simple yet profound observation offered a new perspective on the problem at hand, suggesting that even in the face of ancient curses and supernatural dilemmas, the answers might be found in the basic principles of combination and balance.