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CHAPTER 14: THIS HOUSE IS NOT A HOME

❝ i see you've met jackson. ❞

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PAPA TUNDE WAS DEAD. They had woken up that morning only to discover his corpse in the courtyard. He had disappeared after the fight last night. They had been expecting to hear from him soon. Whoever left him there knew exactly what they were doing; sending a message. Though why they would use one of their own people was still a mystery.

Life is short and the world is at least half terrible, and for every kind stranger, there is one who will break you. Though Enola would be there to keep it from her children. She is trying to sell them the world. Any decent realtor walking through a real shithole chirps on about good bones: this place could be beautiful, right? She could make this place beautiful. If not for herself, then for her kids. She didn't want them waking up to stuff like this every other day.

"Can I get you anything, brother?" Klaus sarcastically chirped. "A magnifying glass, a pipe perhaps?"

"Do you have a theory that you'd like to share with us, Niklaus?" Elijah scowled.

"Back in the day, when the witches wanted to send a threat, they'd kill a chicken and leave it on your doorstep." Marcel said.

"Well, this is a pretty big chicken." Enola noted.

"Papa Tunde defeated Rebekah with ease, almost got the two of us as well." Klaus pointed out, glancing to Marcel. "If he was supposed to be their prized fighter, why leave him dead in our front yard?"

"Well, don't you all look cheery." Rebekah teased, entering the compound. "Listen to this; a girl literally exploded from a grave today as Sabine was giving her tour of the city of the dead." She paused for dramatic effect. "It was Monique Deveraux."

"What?" Klaus gaped.

"That can't be a coincidence," Enola said.

"The tourists thought it was all part of the show, but the witches are celebrating like it's some kind of bloody miracle." Rebekah continued.

"Maybe it is," Marcel shrugged, a gleam of hope glowing in his eyes. "They think all hope is lost, but now suddenly a harvest girl is resurrected. This is how we're going to get Davina back—kill the witch who took her place."

"I have a theory about who one of them could be," Hayley spoke up from the balcony. Everyone looked up just as she raised the portrait Davina had spent her time in the attic drawing. "Celeste. I mean, it's got to be. Davina was trying to tell us. She was drawing pictures of Celeste. She was warning us that a great evil was coming."

"First Papa Tunde returns to settle old scores. Now your murdered lover is back." Klaus huffed, turning to Elijah in annoyance. "This isn't witches attacking vampires. They're declaring war on us."

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Klaus would do anything to protect Enola. So he sent her away. With everything that is going on, he needed to know she was safe. He knew just the people to ensure her safety. Rebekah and Hayley. They might get on his nerves ninety percent of the time, but he trusted them with her life. So while he was out and about with Elijah, she was pulling up to the plantation with a smile on her face.

"I thought I was going to have to drag you two out here kicking and screaming," Rebekah noted as they climbed out of the vehicle.

"Yeah, well, instead of viewing this as a punishment, I viewed this as an opportunity." Enola informed.

"An opportunity for what exactly?" Rebekah quirked a brow.

"Tonight is a full moon," Hayley informed.

"Oh, I forgot." Rebekah frowned, turning to Hayley in concern. "Should we chain you up in the cellar or something?"

"Actually," Enola began. "I asked—"

"Threatened," Hayley cut in.

"What's the difference?" Enola shrugged. "Anyways, Sophie Deveraux did a little spell to stop Hayley from transitioning tonight."

"Any particular reason why?" Rebekah quirked a brow.

"We wanted to invite some friends over," Hayley informed.

"Some friends of the werewolf variety," Enola continued.

"Right," Rebekah nodded. "Every red-blooded American werewolf will be a bundle of fur and sharp teeth tonight whilst your cursed Crescent clan will be—"

"Human," Hayley finished. "But only for a few hours and won't be again until the next full moon."

"I also figured now would be a good time to speak to someone about my connection to their pack and how my ancestor was involved," Enola chirped. "So I asked Josh to get a message to Eve out in the bayou."

"Josh isn't dead yet? Well, good on him. I love a nice survival story." Rebekah applauded. She paused at the sight of a stranger stepping out of the plantation with some sort of trolly. "Who the bloody hell is that?"

"Kegs out back, right?" Hayley awkwardly cleared her throat.

"Yup," The delivery guy hummed, moving back over to his truck.

"Right," Rebekah scoffed in disbelief. "It appears you weren't going to wait for me to grant you permission to throw a kegger."

"You all want me safe? Fine. I'll do as I'm told. I'll play damsel in a glass tower. But I am getting my answers and this is the one night I can." Enola said. "Now you could rat us out, send us to our rooms—or you can help us throw one hell of a party." She paused. "Besides, Hayley deserves to meet her family. Do you really want to ruin that for her?"

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Enola stood in the backyard. She had set up a clothes line with fresh clothes for their guests who would be arriving shortly. While Hayley and Rebekah were welcoming Eve at the front door, she decided to get everything together. She had planned on playing host while Hayley mingled. She would ask her questions at the end of the night. She wanted her friend to get to know the Crescent werewolves before she started bothering any of them with her inquiries.

Enola was only pulled out of her thoughts by the sound of a twig snapping. Her head immediately shot toward the tree line where she found a familiar brown wolf stood watching her. She wasn't sure whether or not it was there for her or Hayley. All she knew was that it often showed up in her times of need and she would forever be grateful. So she gave it a small but warm smile and gave it her undivided attention.

The wolf bowed its head before looking to the sky. Enola followed its gaze up to the full moon that has nearly reached its apex. It was almost time. She smiled as she turned back to the wolf only to find it gone. She simply shrugged before retreating back inside the house. She greeted Eve with a tight hug. The two had seen each other a lot lately. Eve spent a lot of time in the church with the other wolves, but would return to the bayou often to give comfort to the ones who couldn't go anywhere. Sometimes Enola and Hayley would join her.

Soon enough the werewolves morphed into humans. They saunter out of the woods completely naked before picking a few items of clothing for themselves. As the music played, drinks were made and stories were exchanged. Enola hung back, watching from the kitchen window as Hayley and even Rebekah enjoyed the party. She couldn't help but smile as she began to clean up the mess inside. The last thing she needed was Elijah up her ass about the mess they made. She loved him, but he was a massive clean freak. Sometimes she wished he would pop a xanax and relax.

"I seriously doubt you invited us here to wait on us,"

Enola whipped around to find an unfamiliar man. He had chocolate brown hair that was slicked back to give him more or an edge. His light scruff made him look much more grown than he actually was but his boyish smile said he couldn't have been much older than her—maybe in his early twenties. He had a thick southern accent that seemed to go well with the flannel and jeans he wore. He wasn't Klaus, but he was attractive.

"You're Enola," He continued. "I'm Jackson." He took a few hesitant steps into the room. "Nice to see you again."

"You're the wolf," Enola realized.

"I've gotta keep my eye on you," Jackson smiled softly. "Precious cargo and all."

"Right," Enola looked down at her stomach. "Got to protect the Miracle baby."

"No. That's not what I meant." Jackson denied. "I don't care about the baby." He paused. "Sorry. That came out wrong. I mean, or course I care. But personally my interest is in you."

"Why?" Enola frowned. "You don't even know me."

"But I know your story," Jackson answered.

"My story?" Enola echoed.

"Eve didn't tell you?" Jackson wondered.

"She showed me the family tree," Enola informed. "My ancestor was in it which makes no sense whatsoever."

"Your ancestor—Iliya Petrova—was what we call a traveler. This means she had the ability to jump into another's body." Jackson explained. "Legend has it that she was on her deathbed. But she wasn't ready to die. She was a Petrova after all. So she had a witch preserve her before jumping into the body of a Crescent werewolf. However, she was unaware of this until the night of a full moon when she was forced to transition. It was the most excruciating pain she had ever felt in her entire life. She decided that she needed to find the cure for her dying body before the next full moon."

"Did she?" Enola inquired.

"She did," Jackson confirmed. "Only she took the werewolf curse with her."

"What does this mean?" Enola questioned. "That I am a Crescent wolf?"

"I don't know. No one knows." Jackson answered honestly. "Which is why we are all so curious about you."

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"I see you've met Jackson,"

Enola and Jackson looked towards the doorway to find Hayley entering the room. They had spent the past hour discussing the legend. Quite frankly they were left with more questions than answers. But there was still time to figure it out. And that time was not tonight. No. Tonight was about family.

"I have," Enola grinned.

"Did he tell you that we were supposed to get married?" Hayley wondered.

"What?" Enola gaped in surprise.

"Our parents knew each other. They were of the same people, but not the same bloodline." Jackson explained. "In a pack, everybody has their part to play. Hayley and I—we were supposed to get married."

"That is a little dehumanizing, isn't it?" Enola quirked a brow.

"Like I said; everybody has their part to play." Jackson smiled. "Hayley. Me. You—you and what you represent."

"What could I possibly do?" Enola frowned in confusion.

"Break the curse," Jackson answered.

"What are you talking about?" Hayley wondered.

"Her witch friend," Jackson clarified. "She told Eve she was coming here tonight to set us free."

"What witch friend?" Hayley questioned, turning to Enola. "I didn't know you had a witch friend."

"I—I don't," Enola shook her head.

Enola quickly stood up. She dug her phone out of her pocket before dialing the first person who came to mind; Klaus. She silently cursed when there was no answer before deciding to call Rebekah. This time a cell phone rang, leading her into the living room where she found the phone that belonged to Rebekah on the coffee table. She ignored the lingering questions being asked by Jackson and Hayley as she tried one last number. This time someone answered in the second ring.

"Enola," Elijah answered in worry.

"Something is wrong," Enola informed.

"Listen to me. Hayley was right. Celeste is back." Elijah rushed out. "Niklaus, Rebekah. You're all in danger."

Enola briskly stormed into the kitchen, hoping to make it out the back door to find Rebekah. However, the second she entered the kitchen, the back doors that were once open, slammed shut immediately. She rushed over with panic written all over her face. When they wouldn't budge, she peered out the kitchen window to find the backyard empty and all of their guests gone.

"What's going on?" Jackson questioned anxiously.

"It's a trap," Hayley explained quickly. "We didn't make a deal with any witch."

"What?" Jackson gasped in shock.

"Enola, you have to find Rebekah." Elijah begged. "And you have to stay with her until I get there."

Enola tucked the phone between her shoulder and ear as she tried the back door again. She grunted in annoyance when it wouldn't budge. Instead, it went up in flames. She gasped, nearly dropping her phone to the floor as she scurried away from the burning flames.

"What is it? What is happening?" Elijah questioned worriedly.

"It's some sort of spell. We're trapped inside the plantation and it's on fire." Enola panicked.

Enola was forced to end the call and pocket her phone as she rushed through the plantation with Hayley and Jackson hot on her heels. They rushed towards the open front door. However, it was slammed shut by an invisible force just moments before they could reach it. Suddenly flames engulfed that exit as well, causing them all to stumble back.

Jackson immediately grabbed onto Enola and Hayley. They rushed into the living room, their eyes moving around the room for another exit. Fortunately they spotted the window from across the room and quickly scurried on over. Unfortunately that very same window appeared to be painted shut. They turn to exit the living room only for a fire to suddenly blaze at their only exit.

"We have to get out of here," Hayley gasped.

Jackson quickly grabbed the piano stool before hurling it at the window in hopes it would break. However, the only thing that broke was his pride when the window stayed completely intact. Before he could take another crack at it, the curtains were set ablaze. Now they were all completely boxed in with nowhere to go. Enola started to cough from smoke inhalation as the fire alarm finally caught wind of their situation.

"Breathe through this," Jackson instructed, yanking the cloth off of the piano for Enola to use.

"Thank you," Enola breathed out in relief.

The window suddenly shattered to a million pieces as Elijah finally arrived. His gaze immediately landed on Enola before he was whisking her out of there with his enhanced speed. He set her on the ground in the front lawn before worriedly looking over her. Once he was sure she was okay, he rushed back inside for Hayley which only took him a moment.

"Where's Rebekah?" Elijah questioned.

"Don't know," Enola confessed. "She left her phone inside."

"She went off with one of them," Hayley informed. "Elijah, someone is still in there."

Elijah hesitated but with one look from Hayley, he was caving. He used his enhanced speed to once again rush into the burning plantation. He emerged with Jackson, but didn't stay long. He needed to search the area for Rebekah.

"I have to go," Jackson informed, looking up. "The moon."

"Thank you," Hayley breathed.

"For what?" Jackson frowned.

"For protecting us," Hayley shrugged. "Not just tonight."

"We'll do it," Enola swore suddenly. "We'll find a way to break the curse."

"I know," Jackson smiled. "I know."

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Enola was in full panic mode by the time they had reached the compound. Rebekah and Klaus were missing. Her heart ached and her head pounded as she paced the balcony back and forth. Hayley had tried to calm her down but her ears were trained on the conversation Marcel was having in the courtyard below.

"We've looked everywhere for him," Diego informed. "Tore apart the cauldron, the city of the dead. Wherever they got him, he ain't in the quarter."

"This is a disaster," Enola whispered.

"Klaus and Rebekah will be fine," Hayley tried to reassure. "We both know they are too stubborn to die."

"Let's hope that proves to be true," Enola sighed, leaning against the balcony railing.

"Marcel!" Elijah growled, storming into the compound. While he had been scouring the city for Rebekah, Marcel had been assigned with locating Klaus. "Where is my brother?"

"I got guys out looking for him right now," Marcel informed.

Elijah didn't like this one bit. He took a threatening step forward and two vampires immediately came to the defense of their leader. Unfortunately he wasn't in the mood for a volatile game of cat and mouse. He snapped ones neck and threw the other against the opposing wall.

"Elijah!" Hayley growled from above.

Elijah looked up. His eyes soften for a split second before they harden with anger on Marcel. He was pissed. How could this happen? Under all of their noses? He closed his eyes, setting his anger aside. If he was going to find his siblings, he would have to be smart about this and all his anger would do is cause problems.

"Klaus threw one of his classic temper tantrums, snapped my neck, tried to take on a coven of witches by himself. He got dropped." Marcel explained. "I don't know where he is or how to find him."

"Every one of you will help me to find them." Elijah demanded. "I'm going to kill them all."

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AUTHORS NOTE.
iliya petrova is the twin sister of nadia petrova. i mentioned a few times how katherine gave birth to twins. iliya is obviously dead now, but this all started with her. thank you for reading. until next time, my loves!!!