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CHAPTER 21: GOODBYE TO GIRLHOOD

❝ i don't like the sound of that. ❞

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JACKSON AND OLIVER WERE MISSING. They had disappeared late last night to locate the special stones needed to create moonlight rings. Enola had gotten a call from one of the many concerned wolves out in the bayou that morning and was quick to relay the news to Hayley who took it straight to Elijah. Coincidentally enough, Klaus—the leader of this little operation—was nowhere to be found during the widespread panic.

Enola found it almost strange how girlhood feels like forever. Then suddenly she was nineteen and the world became an hourglass and she was watching the sand pile up on the wrong end. Now she is thinking of how when she was just a kid, her heartbeat was like a kick drum at a rock concert and now it is just a ticking time bomb almost running out of time. And it is sad. And she wants to forget about dying. But mostly she just wants to forget about saying goodbye. Goodbye to girlhood. Hello to motherhood.

"Yes, brother?" Klaus answered the phone on the second ring. "What is it?"

"It appears our wolves have gone astray," Elijah noted.

"They should've been back hours ago," Hayley spoke anxiously.

"We need to find them," Enola begged.

"Well, that might be a bit tricky." Klaus informed. "You see, I have located their car on a back road in the middle of nowhere. I suspect they've been shanghaied."

"Kidnapped?" Enola echoed.

"And you didn't feel the need to share this information?" Elijah scoffed in disbelief.

"It was my intention to present you with the problem only after I'd found an appropriate solution." Klaus said.

"Well, do enlighten us." Elijah pushed.

"I'm closing in on it as we speak," Klaus promised. "The only person who would be bold enough to snatch my wolf allies is the one who has the most to lose."

"Marcel," Elijah realized in annoyance.

"No. He'll kill them." Hayley gasped.

"Genevieve assures me that Marcel has procured a cloaking spell." Klaus informed.

"Genevieve," Enola scowled bitterly.

"Now is not the time for petty jealousies, though it can't say it doesn't flatter me." Klaus chuckled in amusement. "The only witch who will aid Marcel is Davina. I just need to get one last bit of leverage before I pay her a visit. And there it is."

"Leave Josh out of this," Enola rolled her eyes knowingly.

"I'm afraid he is our only chance at finding your wolves. Don't worry. I won't hurt him." Klaus promised. "Just threaten him a little."

"Nik!" Enola warned.

"You needn't worry," Elijah promised. "I shall make sure Niklaus doesn't lap a finger on the poor fool."

"Are you sure?" Hayley frowned in concern.

"Well, in order to find the wolves, we will need Joshua alive." Elijah countered. "I am quite sure."

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Enola glared across the study at Genevieve as Hayley paced back and forth. They had spent the past two hours in awkward silence as they awaited news from Klaus and Elijah. They were beyond worried that they had run into some unforeseen issues and were unable to signal for help. They hoped that wasn't the case.

"Elijah should've called by now," Enola muttered, peering out the window onto the street below.

"Worrying isn't going to help," Genevieve warned. "You should sit down, trying to keep calm."

"What are you now, magician-slash-zen life coach?" Enola scoffed, taking a seat on the plush couch while Hayley continued to pace the room back and forth.

"The treatment for pregnant women has advanced remarkably since I was a nurse, but even I know high blood pressure is bad for you and your baby." Genevieve pointed out. "Especially now that you're so close to term."

"I can't help it," Enola grumbled. "I'm worried."

"I know," Genevieve smiled softly. "But they will be okay. Klaus will be okay."

"Still doesn't make this any easier," Enola sighed.

"Don't you get it? This is all because of you. Klaus is only doing this for you. I'm a bit envious." Genevieve confessed. She paused before clearing her throat and swiftly changing the subject. "Is there anything I can get you?"

"How about moonlight rings?" Hayley finally cut into the conversation.

"The spell can't be performed until the full moon reaches its apex, and, of course, I need the stones, which will be here soon enough." Genevieve informed. "Have a little faith."

"Right, well, I need some air." Hayley decided.

"I'm right behind you," Enola agreed.

Hayley led Enola out of the room. They walked in comfortable silence through the hall and down the long staircase until they reached the kitchen to find it empty. When all the vampires lived under this roof, you couldn't turn a corner without bumping into someone. It was a bit of a relief when they moved out—or were forced out by Elijah.

Hayley sauntered over to the fruit bowl in the middle of the kitchen island. Her hand wrapped around a beautiful red apple before she made her way across the kitchen to the knife block. She pulled the smallest knife out into the open before leaning back against the counter. She used the sharp side of the blade to cut a slice off of the apple and slid it into her mouth so she could enjoy the flavor in her tongue.

"I can't stand her," Hayley finally expressed.

"Oh, me either." Enola huffed, knowing exactly who they were talking about without needing a hint. "She has been after Klaus ever since she came back from the dead and she wants me to believe that she sympathizes with me? The bitch is probably gloating in a if I can't have him then nobody can kind of way."

"I just feel like she is up to something," Hayley continued. "Most witches are."

"Are you referring to Elijah and his certain connection to a French quarter witch whose name begins with C?" Enola teased.

"No," Hayley was quick to answer. "Why would I care who Elijah sleeps with?"

"Because you're in love with him," Enola shrugged.

Hayley gasped when the knife slipped. The sharp blade cut deeply into her thumb earning a deep grimace from her friend who grabbed a cup out of the cupboard and used the same knife to cut into her own hand before sliding it over to her friend. Pregnancy made her queasy.

"You do realize I have werewolf healing right?" Hayley quirked a brow.

"But it takes forever and that is grossing me out," Enola cringed at the sight of the deep gash.

Hayley scoffed before snatching the glass and downing the blood in one big gulp. She cringed at the metallic taste but watched in awe as her wound healed up almost immediately. One thing she envied about vampires was their quick healing abilities. While werewolves do heal faster than humans, they don't heal as quickly as vampires do.

"That's it. I'm calling them." Hayley decided. She tugged her phone out of her pocket before dialing the number that belonged to Elijah. She put it on speaker when the call went through so Enola was also in the loop. "What's going on?"

"Jackson is fine," Elijah reassured almost bitterly. "He's a little tied up right now. Could we call you back?"

"Are you trying to kill us?" Jackson growled from somewhere in the distance.

"Where is Nik? Let me talk to Nik." Enola pleaded.

Their call was put to an abrupt halt when a sudden explosion sounded through the phone. Enola got the feeling they wouldn't be calling back anytime soon.

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"You're alive,"

Hayley breathed a sigh of relief, pulling Jackson into a bone crushing hug. They had gotten word as soon as Oliver was dropped off in the bayou that everyone was alive and breathing. If they weren't, Enola would have resurrected them before killing them herself.

"I'm fine too," Klaus grumbled bitterly. "Thanks for asking."

Klaus was yanked into a tight embrace by Enola. They stayed like that for a long moment before she pulled away from him. He was left utterly speechless when her hand came in contact with the side of his face. She had slapped him. He was certain that if she had supernatural strength his head would have flown off on impact.

"Call next time, asshole." Enola scowled.

"Will do," Klaus nodded sheepishly.

"I'm glad you're okay," Enola smiled softly, pulling Klaus into another hug.

Elijah watched the scene unfold with a look of bewilderment. He would have assumed she was bipolar had he not known her for nearly two years. He was certain her mood swings had something to do with how close to term she was. He would have to keep a close eye on her to make sure everything was okay.

"Where are the stones?" Hayley questioned in concern.

"Scattered across the bed of the Mississippi, I imagine." Elijah grimaced.

Klaus gave Enola a quick peck before marching over towards the small table where scotch could be found. He poured himself a glass before offering one to Elijah who graciously accepted. He then grabbed his lover by the hand before guiding her towards the couch so she could sit down. She was close to term and he wanted to make sure she was as comfortable as possible.

"Marcel is no fool. He knows an empowered werewolf army would mean the end of vampires in New Orleans." Klaus expressed. "The explosion is his way of saying he means to prevent that, for all the good it'll do him."

"Well, it did him pretty damn well, didn't it?" Hayley scoffed.

"This is my fault." Jackson sighed. "I will find a way to fix it."

"No, Jack. You're hurt." Hayley shook her head. "And no one is blaming you."

"I am blaming you." Klaus raised a hand. "Those stones will be hard to replace. Fortunately I always have a backup plan."

"Oh god," Enola groaned. "I don't like the sound of that."

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Enola stood on the balcony above with Hayley, watching Elijah and Klaus greet Francesca Correra in the courtyard below. She was armed with nearly ten men who were certainly capable of protecting her. She certainly learned her lesson after Enola oh so easily took down the one who she always had stationed behind her. She made sure Enola knew that the backup was because of her as she glared up at her before facing the Mikaelson brother with a small grin.

"Oh, I cannot stand that woman." Enola breathed in annoyance.

"You and me both," Hayley muttered, glaring down at the woman who bombed the bayou not too long ago.

"Greetings, Ms. Correa. I see you've brought company."

"These are my brothers. I always include them in delicate business matters." Francesca explained shortly, motioning towards four out of the ten men she had brought along. "Fellas, meet Mr. Mikaelson."

"Please, call me Klaus." He grinned. "All my friends do."

Enola couldn't help but scoff quietly. She remembered when she called him Klaus. It was what his enemies called him. She was once his enemy who swore she would hate him forever. And now look at them. Absolutely enamored by one another. The same could not be said for their new friend Francesca.

"I don't know if I'd call us friends," Francesca noted. "But if you and Marcel are planning on having a little throw down, I'd prefer my family to be on the same side as the inevitable victor."

"Then you have what I asked for?" Klaus questioned hopefully.

"Not enough for an army at such short notice, but it's a start." Francesca hummed, handing Klaus a small bag of familiar stones.

"Strange. I wasn't aware that she was familiar with our plan." Elijah narrowed his eyes.

"My price for doing business is full disclosure," Francesca explained shortly. "Your brother complied."

"How does the human faction expect to benefit from all this?" Elijah inquired.

"I only want to solidify our allegiance to the ruling class. It's good for business." Francesca shrugged nonchalantly, though there was something about it that Enola didn't trust.

"If only everyone shared your capacity for reason," Klaus grinned.

"Sadly, they don't." Francesca sight. "Marcel is being especially vindictive. I'm worried he might just come after me and my family just for meeting with you. It might be in our best interests if we combine our efforts."

"So be it. The more bodies we have to defend the compound, the better." Klaus nodded. "Let's get started, shall we?"

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Enola stood in the dining room with Klaus, Elijah, and Hayley—who was supposed to turn tonight but was able to stay human thanks to Genevieve who was chanting away like a lunatic. They all wanted to make sure everything went smoothing tonight. And everything was until Francesca strutted through the double doors with furrowed brows.

"My people say Marcel is on the move and he's bringing friends," Francesca informed.

"I need to know you're safe. Go with Elijah." Klaus pleaded with his lover.

"No," Enola stubbornly shook her head.

"Now is not the time for you to be difficult," Klaus sighed.

"Niklaus is right," Elijah spoke up. "You are our top priority right now."

"Well, that is very sweet of you." Enola nodded. "But I want to make sure the rings get done, so I am staying."

"I will be with her," Hayley reassured, though that did nothing to make them feel any better about this.

"My brothers and their security detail won't be much against a vampire army," Frncesca spoke up. "I'll stay with them. You guys go deal with Marcel."

"Fine," Klaus reluctantly agreed. "Just do not leave this room."

"I won't," Enola reassured. "I love you."

Klaus kissed Enola in response. A soft way of promising he will return soon. And she had no doubt in her mind that he would as she watched him march out of the room with Elijah following close behind. Once the doors were shut, she was left alone with Hayley and the two people she loathed the most—Genevieve and Francesca.

Genevieve worked on the rings as Enola stood back watching along with Hayley and Francesca. Tensions were high as the fighting began in the courtyard. They could hear the battle cries and the destruction just beyond the door. But they paid no mind to it. Not until the door swung open to reveal one of the many bodyguards Francesca had brought along.

"Ms. Correa, we need to go." He warned. "Your brothers are already heading out the back."

"Not yet," Francesca muttered, holding a hand up as she watched Genevieve intently.

Enola frowned at the questioning behavior. Francesca was free to leave at any time. But Enola was unable to question this seeing as her phone began to buzz in her back pocket. She frowned, pulling her cellular device out into the open. She was surprised to find Cami calling. However, she decided that what she was doing now was much more important so she stupidly declined the call.

"The stones are finished," Genevieve announced. "I've done my part. Now it is up to you."

"I'll get them to the bayou," Hayley nodded, readying a hand to take the moonlight rings.

"Actually," Francesca interrupted, snagging the rings before anyone else could get the chance. "She was talking to me."

"What the hell is this?" Enola frowned, steeling her spine.

"Call it a side deal," Francesca shrugged, smirking as if she had just won when she had only just signed her death certificate. "Point is, I'm taking the stones."

"Are you out of your mind?" Hayley scoffed in complete and utter disbelief. "You think that humans can go up against Klaus?"

"No, I don't." Francesca shook her head. "But I'm not human."

Enola and Hayley watched with wide eyes as Francesca pulled a pocket knife out into the open. She whipped around and slit her bodyguard's throat without hesitation, killing the poor unsuspecting man in an instant. She keeled over in pain before her head shot up to reveal her amber eyes.

"Oh, you have got to be kidding me." Enola groaned in frustration.

"I am a werewolf," Francesca smirked. "And I plan to take back my city."

"Like hell you are," Hayley challenged.

Before any moves could be made against Francesca, Genevieve used magic to stall them. Enola and Hayley went tumbling to the ground at the sudden spell of dizziness. Darkness licked at the corners of their eyes as they attempted to stay conscious. The last thing they saw was the wicked smirk belonging to Francesca and the apologetic gaze that Genevieve wore. Then everything was fading into darkness and there was absolutely nothing they could do about it.

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AUTHORS NOTE.
one more chapter and you have reached the end of act one. prepare yourselves. until next time, my loves!!!