chapter nine

the immortal egomaniac & his scary girlfriend

・❥・

        JORDANNA SAT UP, resting her back against the headboard as the bed sheets surrounding her body covered her as she held the bracelet tightly in her hands, looking down at it with a blank expression.

        Hayley was trying to buy her forgiveness. So, using one of the first things Jordanna had forced Marcel's men to teach Hayley ( compulsion ) she had gone off, compelled the jeweller and returned with an expensive gold bracelet. 

        The Marshall had left it by Jordanna's bedside table, a small note attached to the box.

I know I messed up and I shouldn't have accused Klaus of using the baby and I shouldn't have ran off to Elijah, it was stupid of me to do and I was wrong.

I'm sorry, forgive me?

- Hayley 

        When Klaus had entered the room his eyes immediately fell onto the velvet box that sat on the table, he looked down at Jordanna as she held the bracelet between her fingers before an amused look pulled at his face.

        "Secret admirer?"

        "Yep," she held her wrist out with a sweet smile. "Put it on for me?"

        "As you wish," Klaus neared her as he took her wrist in his hand and began attaching the bracelet to her. Just because she was mad at Hayley didn't mean she wasn't going to take the bracelet, that'd be stupid.

        The hybrid, having just finished putting the bracelet on her wrist, began peppering kisses from her palm down her arm slowly.

        Jordanna sighed as he pulled her up from the bed, a hand cupped at her jaw as he pulled her nearer him. His thumb rubbed circles into her jawline as he looked down at her. She sighed in content, her body involuntarily leaning into him as he leant forward, pressing a kiss to her hairline.

        "Come on," he pulled away, taking her hand in his. "We have somewhere to be."

・❥・

        Jordanna clicked her tongue against the roof of her mouth in boredom, the silence surrounding the room made her feel uneasy, her heels clicked under the table irritably as Klaus sent her a knowing  glance before he rose to his feet.

        The Original tapped his fork against his glass, gaining everyone's attention, "let us begin with a toast to our shared gift ━ immortality."

        His eyes drifted around the supernaturals  surrounding him. "After a thousand years, one might expect life to be less keenly felt, for its beauties and its sorrows to diminish with time. But, as vampires we feel more deeply than humans could possibly imagine."

        Klaus' hands gestured for the waiters and waitresses to join them at the table, one stood besides every vampire.

        "Insatiable need, exquisite pain . . . " The compelled waiters and waitresses began slitting their wrists, filling cups up with blood for the vampires, and Hayley.

        Jordanna looked over at Hayley as the brunette stared uneasily at the drink. With a sigh, the witch leant over to the hybrid who was sat at her right with a small sigh. "Small sips, Hayley."

        Hayley nodded lightly, a small, almost timid, smile pulled at her lips as Klaus raised his glass in a toast. "To my city-"

        The Jones snorted, she found it extremely amusing whenever the original mentioned anything about ruling New Orleans, being king, etc ... 

        "-My home again. May the blood never cease to flow ..."

        Marcel lifted his own glass. "And the party never ends!"

        "Amen," Jordanna murmured into her hand as she lifted her knee up to the chair, she was most definitely getting absolutely fucked after this baby was born.

     God, she could kill for a Martini just about now.

Jordanna's eyes followed Marcel's as they landed on a hesitant Diego, who, after a moment, raised his own glass in reluctant compliance. "To New Orleans."

       "To New Orleans!" The Mikaelson repeated, a grin on his face as he looked over at the witch who shook her head in amusement at his simple joy.

        "New Orleans." Everyone raised their glasses in a toast before taking a sip of their drinks. Jordanna side-eyed Hayley as she carefully took a sip of her drink before placing the glass back down with a content sigh.

       Jordanna thought it was adorable how the woman was acting.

        "I understand that some of you may have questions regarding the recent change in leadership, and I invited you here tonight to assure you that you are not defeated. No, my intentions moving forward are to celebrate what we have. What Marcel, in fact took ... " He paused, placing a hand on the Gerard's shoulder. "And built for this true community of vampires."

        "What about them?" Diego turned, pointing at Hayley and Jordanna. "The witch and . . . hybrid."

        Jordanna pouted dramatically, placing a hand on her chest in false sadness. "And just the other day it was JJ, I'm heartbroken, Diego."

        So much for that school boy crush of his.

        I guess killing a few of his friends just didn't do it for him. Oh well!

        Diego rolled his eyes, turning back to Klaus as the Mikaelson spoke up. "Had you let me finish, Diego, you would know that there is, of course, one further matter I would like to address."

        Slowly the hybrid made his way over to the witch, coming to a stop behind her he placed his free hand on her shoulder

        "As many of you know, Jordanna is carrying our child. Consequently, I trust you will all pay her and her friend the appropriate respect. However, I understand that some of you are concerned that I intend to use the blood of our child to create hybrids. I assure you, I do not."

        "Father of the year . . . " Hayley smirked sarcastically, earning a kick in the shin from Jordanna under the table and a glare.

        "It appears I will have to earn your trust." The original announced, walking back over to his seat, brushing off the wary glance Jordanna sent him at his words.

        "Very well. We'll eliminate the root of your anxiety. You see, how can I sire any hybrids if there are no more werewolves alive in the Bayou to turn."

         Jordanna's face dropped into her hands with an internal groan.

        Perfect.

        "What? Klaus, no!" Hayley spoke frantically.

         Klaus ignored the hybrid as he clasped his hands together with a joyous smile. "So, eat, drink and be merry and, tomorrow, I suggest you have yourselves a little wolf hunt. Go ahead, have fun. Kill them all!"

        "Oh, Jesus," Jordanna sighed under her breath.

        The witch rose from her seat as the vampires on the table spoke amongst themselves. Slipping out of her chair she looked over at Klaus and gestured to the stairs. The hybrid nodded with a sigh, following after her.

         The witch made her way up the stairs, Klaus trailing after her as she made a turn, opening the door to their room she walked in, standing by the door as Klaus brushed passed her.

        Once he was in she shut the door and strode toward him, smacking him upside the head in passing as she made her way to the bed.

        "What the bloody Hell was that for?"

        "You're killing Hayley's family, fuckface," she whispered harshly, though no one could hear her as she had already spelled the room.

        "Not much of a family though, were they? What good have they done her?" Klaus rolled his eyes in retaliation.

        "Nik, Marcel had them cursed," Jordanna recalled of what Hayley had told her the night before. "If they wanted to find her, it's not as though they actually could-"

        "Jordanna, sweetheart," Klaus sighed, nearing her. "If I do this, it gives the vampire's less desire to kill you and Hayley. Forgive me for trying to keep you safe, you and this baby are the only things that matter to me right now, so please understand why I have to do this."

・❥・

       The next day, in the early morning Jordanna made her way into the study, looking down at Cami in passing who was sat down at the couch, typewriter in front of her.

        Klaus' words paused as the witch made her way over to the couch, before she could take a seat he grabbed her hand and pulled her into him, colliding his lips with hers into a deep kiss.

        His hands grasped at her hips causing their bodies to pull together, her fingers digging into the skin at the back of his neck as his tongue parted her lips.

        After a moment or two Jordanna pulled away, her teeth clamped over her bottom lip in attempt to conceal her smug smile as she threw her body down onto the couch with a huff, crossing one leg over the other.

        Oh, what the hell?

        She released her lip, revealing her satisfied smile as Cami's eyes darted around the room, anywhere but them.

        "As I was saying," Klaus waved a hand dismissively, a huge smirk plastered on his face as his eyes caught the Jones'. "So, then I bit Elijah, and left him in the Bayou with my hybrid venom in his veins. Serves him right, for making such vile accusations against me. And then . . . " he trailed off.

        Jordanna leant forward, grabbing her grimoire from the table as she looked up at Cami who had stopped typing.

       "Are you taking this down?"

        "To be clear ━ if the Quarter is yours now, you still need me why?" Cami questioned, cautiously catching Jordanna's eye, earning, surprisingly enough, a smile ( though it looked rather creepy, not warm and friendly ━ which scared the absolute living shit out of her.)

        "My memoirs. A thousand years of history isn't going to write itself," Klaus answered in an obvious tone, shooting the blonde a look as he shook his head in exasperation.

        "Cami?" Marcel's voice echoed through the room, causing Jordanna's head to turn to the Gerard man as he stepped foot into the study. "What're you doing here?"

        Cami looked between the three, before her gaze landed back on the Mikaelson. "My question exactly."

       "Oh, it's fine, Marcey," Jordanna brushed it off, waving a hand as she leant her head on the back of the couch looking up at the Gerard. "Little old Cami over there knows."

         "She does?" Marcel frowned, looking down at the witch.

        Cami huffed, "that you're vampires and Jordanna's a witch? Don't worry, he's compelled me to forget everything as soon as I leave. That way, I'm too busy agonizing over whether or not I'm losing my damn mind to realize I'm playing a spy for an immortal egomaniac and his scary girlfriend."

        Jordanna snorted.

       Marcel turned to Klaus in slight betrayal, the thought of Cami not reciprocating his feelings hurt more than he expected. "You compelled her to go out with me, didn't you?" His eyes fell onto the blonde. "And I thought you really liked me."

       Cami lifted a shoulder into a shrug, a small, almost sad, smile sat on her lips. "So did I."

        "I mean, to be clear, I only compelled you to give him a chance," Klaus corrected with a small smirk. "Anything you felt for him was quite real."

        Jordanna rolled her eyes as Marcel and Cami shared an confused, slightly timid glance. "How cute." She muttered, continuing to flick through her grimoire.

        Klaus pursed his lips, looking down at Jordanna in amusement as an unpleasant tension covered the room, " . . . and for the record, the level of awkwardness we're all currently experiencing is entirely genuine."

        All of a sudden, the blonde snapped. "You think you're so clever, don't you? Compelling the poor, naive bartender. Look what I found, real me, not your compelled therapist." 

        Cami rummaged through her bag, pulling out a ripped piece of paper from an old newspaper. Jordanna tilted her head up to see, the Mikaelson lowered the picture to her gaze. 

        Oh. Marcel and Klaus in 1919. 

        Adorable.

        "Actually, I prefer 'devoted stenographer' . . . "

        Cami glared at Klaus. "You think this is funny, messing with my mind? My sanity is not a joke!"

        "No, Cami, we don't believe it is ━ "

        "Who's we?" Jordanna scoffed.

        Klaus rolled his eyes, though a small smile formed on his lips at her words, moving forward he began compelling the blonde. "You never found this. You will remember nothing of our life as vampires when you leave here, do you understand?"

       Cami nodded lightly.

        "I think that just about does it for the day. You may go," he ushered her off, Cami began picking her things up from the table before leaving the room, Jordanna let out a sigh of relief.

        "Thank God, for that," she muttered, kicking her feet up onto the small coffee table perched between her and where Cami was formally sat.

・❥・

        Jordanna sighed in boredom as she looked over at Marcel as he took a seat across from Jordanna and Klaus. The latter playing with the witch's hair as he sat besides her.

        "The humans have called a meeting," Marcel announced, looking between the two ━ his main focus on Klaus. "They're not exactly thrilled with the new status quo."

        "Who cares?" Jordanna grumbled, resting her head on the Mikaelson's chest, shutting her eyes.

        "How unfortunate for them," Klaus spoke bluntly as he looked down at the witch.

        "Look, it's your show now. But, you wanna know how I built what I built? Politics." Marcel stated. "A little diplomacy goes a long way, especially with the human faction."

        "Duly noted," Klaus lifted his gaze from the newspaper in his hand, raising his eyebrows. "I haven't thought about this night in ages. 1919, the opera house, just before it burned. That was the end of an era."

        "Now, in the interest of new beginnings, I feel that there are some things I should probably confess to you. But ... " He reached over onto the table and grabbed his glass of scotch, taking a large sip before he spoke again. "Where to begin? Thierry was never disloyal to you. I set him up in attempt to locate my brother. He's your friend, and consequently, he can return to the compound at your discretion. Cami's part, you just learned. And then, there's young Joshua. I've been compelling him from the beginning, although I suspect you already knew that, as he was the one who led me into your trap."

         "I may have fed the kid some misinformation," Marcel shrugged lightly, watching as one of Jordanna's eyes peered open to look at him, a glare held in that singular stare before she closed them again. 

        "And then there's Davina. She's a powerful weapon," Klaus continued. 

        "Leave Davina alone for fucks sake," Jordanna grumbled in annoyance. "She's a kid, not a weapon."

        The witch felt Klaus sigh against her head as she peeled her eyes open and looked up at him pointedly. "Like I was saying, I think we should have her move into the compound here with us," the original explained before looking down at Jordanna. "For protection, of course."

        Jordanna hummed in approval before her eyes drifted shut once again just as Marcel spoke, a frown etched onto his face. "She can't leave the attic. I already tried to move her once."

        A little snort of amusement escaped Jordanna's mouth, the Gerard looked over to her with a raised brow in question as she looked completely and utterly humoured with his words. "Actually, Davina is almost a better actress than me."

        "Turns out, she made a deal with Elijah while he was in captivity, tricked you into letting her stay put in exchange for some spells from our mother's grimoire and Jordanna's grimoire," Klaus spoke bluntly, a smirk curving on his lips.

       Marcel nodded curtly, a bitter look on his face. "Good to know. Is that all?" 

        "I do believe it is," Klaus sipped on his bourbon.

        Marcel sighed loudly, clearly irritated. "I appreciate the honesty. Meeting's in an hour," he stated, standing to his feet before he started making his way out of the room.

        "Marcel," Jordanna called out as he reached the doorway, the Gerard tilted his head, looking back at her. "I'll come with you both when you pick Davina up. She'll need a girl there to feel better surrounded by all you men."

        Marcel gave a light smile and nod before leaving. 

・❥・

new orleans, louisiana — st. anne's church

        Davina stood in front of her easel, a paintbrush in hand as it softly stroked against the sheet as she attempted to ignore Marcel's rambled words.

        "You're gonna love it at the compound," Marcel said, an encouraging smile sat on his face. "I already got the best room in the place picked out."

        Lies, Jordanna picked the room for her.

        "I can't leave!" The paintbrush's movements stilled, the young girl looked up at the vampire with wide eyes. "Remember what happened last time?"

        "I know about your deal with Elijah," Marcel told her, taking a step closer as he rose a brow. "We can't be lying to each other. I'm trying to protect you. With the witches still looking to kill you for the Harvest, believe me, you're safest with us."

         "Plus, there's excellent light in the afternoon," Klaus joined the two, slipping into the small room, his eyes immediately travelled to the many paintings, he moved forward, taking a closer look at them. "I see you're an artist. Wonderful! I look forward to witnessing your many talents!"

        "Nik, you're being annoying." A voice tutted in the doorway. "Leave her alone, will you?"

        Davina's gaze turned to the lightly familiar voice. Jordanna. Davina's eyes skimmed the witch as she leant against the doorway, an amused smile carved into her face as her tongue met the roof of her mouth.

        "I'm Jordanna, by the way," the older witch pushed her body off of the wall, nearing the younger one. "You know the one who let you borrow my grimoire, you can call me JJ."

        "Hi . . . " Davina spoke hesitantly, looking up at the witch who was not much taller than herself, she looked a lot scarier in real life than she appeared. On the phone she sounded some-what sweet, now Davina was looking at her she screamed crazy, scary witch bitch.

        All in all, what Davina aspired to be.

        Her dark hair ran long down her front, the dark eyeliner made the blue in her eyes pop  ━ she intimidated Davina, a lot. 

         "Was this his idea?" Davina looked at Marcel harshly, getting back on track. 

        "Davina, please," Klaus voiced, a slight condescending tone to his words. "I understand you're devoted to Marcel, but Marcel is devoted to me. I assume you'll want what's best for all of us." Jordanna shot the hybrid a look, in turn he raised his hands in surrender, a teasing smirk on his lips as he walked over to Marcel's side. "We have a meeting to attend to downstairs."

        Marcel nodded, turning to Davina as Klaus brushed passed the Jones witch, pressing a fleeting kiss to her cheek before making an exit. 

        "I'll get someone to pick up your things. We'll get you settled in right," Marcel promised the young girl, nodding his head as he did. "Trust me," he spoke before turning to the older girl in question. "You coming?"

        Jordanna shook her head as he gestured to the door. "No, I'll stay with Davina. Go to your stupid meeting."

        "Thanks, J," Marcel smiled in appreciation, pressing a quick kiss to her cheek in thanks before turning and making his way down the attic stairs, failing to notice how Jordanna's eyes had widened in confusion.

        Okay then  . . . apparently it's kiss Jordanna's cheek day, she was totally not informed about this.

        Davina smiled at the witch's reaction through tearful eyes, causing Jordanna's expression to morph into one of panic. She didn't know how to deal with crying teenage girls . . . 

       Whenever Caroline or Bonnie cried she just shoved Tequila down their throats, she didn't think she could do that with Davina.

        "You good?" 

        Seriously, Jordanna?

        Davina choked out a light chuckle with a nod of her head. "I'm good," she spoke softly, timidly, before her expression fell into one of scepticism. "I'm grateful for the grimoire and everything, but how do I know I can trust you? You're with Klaus."

          Jordanna groaned, throwing her head back in annoyance before she made her way over to the witch's bed, sitting down with a huff, her hands inched slightly behind her back as she held her body up  ━ legs crossed as she rose her eyebrows at the younger girl. "Is your gut telling you to trust me?"

        "No," Davina spoke bluntly, crossing her arms over her chest as she watched the older girl reach over to her bedside table and pull open her grimoire.

          A chuckle fell from Jordanna's lips as she skimmed through the pages, lifting her eyes up to the witch she shot her a playful wink. "Good. Trust your gut."

         "So, you're saying I can't trust you?" Davina rose her brow.

        "That's exactly what I'm saying," Jordanna shrugged. "I haven't given you a reason to trust me, just as you haven't given me a reason to trust you. Trust doesn't happen over night, it comes with time, Davina."

         Davina nodded slowly in understanding. "Okayy, so you don't want anything from me like everyone else?"

         Jordanna scoffed, a playful glint in her eyes, "what on earth would I want from you that I couldn't get for myself?"

         Davina shook her head in amusement, hesitantly moving to take a seat on the bed besides the witch, watching as she flickered through the pages of her grimoire.

        Jordanna looked up at her upon feeling her gaze, she lifted the book lightly, "wanna do some magic?"

・❥・

       A little while after showing Davina a couple of homemade spells by Jordanna, the younger witch had been dragged out of the attic, one of Marcel's men had arrived to pick her up, claiming Jordanna had to come but the witch refused, sat in Davina's room she waited for the meeting to finish before she grew bored, so she ventured to join Klaus and Marcel downstairs before they made their way to Marcel's Nightwalker's Bar. 

         Jordanna sat at a small table with her feet rested in Marcel's lap as Klaus returned to the table, a bottle of whiskey in hand.

        "I think it goes far more gracious than they deserved," Klaus spoke as he placed two glasses down onto the table for him and Marcel before he filled the glasses up.

        Klaus looked up upon feeling Marcel's gaze on him. "You're disappointed by my lack of diplomacy." The hybrid slid Marcel's glass across the table, the Gerard staying silent as Klaus placed his arm across the back of Jordanna's seat, his other hand nursing the drink. "You, out of all people, should need no reminder of the human capacity for cruelty."

        Marcel remained silent just as Klaus' phone buzzed, the Mikaelson rose to his feet, answering the call whilst Jordanna nudged Marcel's stomach with her foot. "You good?"

        "I'm good," Marcel let out with a heavy sigh. 

        The witch gave a slight nod as she turned her head, looking over at Klaus as he spoke. 

        "Hello?" Klaus glanced down at the table, Jordanna and Marcel's eyes on him.

        "Mr. Mikaelson. I just wanted to let you know that the faction's considered your terms. We've reached a decision."

        "Have you?"

        A large explosion heard from outside, the glass from the windows shattered, flying across the room before shards hit the ground. Jordanna's hands raised to cover her face in shock. What the hell had that meeting been about? Marcel hurried forward just as one of his men caught fire before gunfire pierced through the walls and the empty space of the window, Klaus sped in front of the witch, taking a bullet in the chest as Marcel dropped the Nightwalker in his grasp and made his way to her other side, grunting at the bullets piercing through his body whilst doing so.

        Marcel collapsed to the floor just as the shooting stopped, Klaus and Jordanna kneeled down besides him, the witch lifted her head over Klaus' body to get a better look at the nightwalkers, some dead, some still able to save. With a wave of her hand, the fires died down  ━ the aflame nightwalkers now safe.

        Jordanna huffed, pushing her hair out of her face before placing her hand on Marcel's chest. Her eyes fluttered shut as she felt the bullets pull from his body. "Stop being a fucking baby." She scoffed, looking down at him as he grunted, his eyes widened as the crimson bullets floated out of his body  ━ failing to notice he had healed up.

        Jordanna rolled her eyes at his shocked face before turning to Klaus. "You want some help  ━ " she stopped herself short as Klaus reached into his chest, grasping the bullet between his fingers with a groan before dropping it to the ground.

        "Right," Jordanna mumbled.

        Klaus sighed, making his way over to the witch. He cupped her face in his hands, not caring as the blood from his fingers smeared across her face, tilting her head in different directions so he could get a better look at her before he skimmed her body, brushing off the small shards of glass that had stuck to her clothes and hair.

        After making sure she was okay he had offered a hand to Marcel, the Gerard, who looked very pissed, took it. 

・❥・

        Marcel began pacing, his eyes scanning around the room, they fell onto the burnt skeleton on the floor  ━ one of the nightwalkers Jordanna hadn't managed to save, the others had ran off as soon as possible.  

        "Damn it, damn it, damn it," Marcel grunted as he flipped the last standing table before he spun on his feet, angrily prodding a finger in Klaus' direction. "This is on you! Now that you're in charge, these are your guys laying dead. Your guys. You're gonna run this city, that better mean something to you, otherwise no one worth a damn is gonna follow you. No one!"

        Klaus merely smiled as Marcel turned his back on him, Jordanna sighed as she brushed glass off of a seat before sitting down, face in hand as she watched the two boredly. "I was beginning to worry about you. I don't think I could've taken any more of this differential nonsense."

       "I mean, clearly, I underestimated the faction. That won't happen again," Klaus placed a hand on Marcel's shoulder. "But, tell me ━ now that we've arrived to this point, now that they have come into our home, visited this upon our people . . . how would you counsel me to respond?"

       Marcel's eyes met Klaus' as a sly smirk formed on his lips, Jordanna tilted her head curiously at the malicious look on his face, she pushed her body up from the chair, nearing them with an inquisitive look on her face.

       "Let's go kill them all."

        "Now we're talking," Jordanna grinned playfully.

・❥・

        Father Kieran entered Rousseau's, finding the human faction in a meeting without him, the priest made his way over to where the humans sat around a table.

        "Why wasn't I consulted on this?" Kieran demanded harshly, slamming his hands down onto the table roughly, his eyes fleeting between them all.

       "You've been gone for over 8 months, Kieran. We got used to doing things on our own." Yhe Mayor responded carelessly, lifting a shoulder as he gestured to the people accompanying him.

        "This Klaus Mikaelson, I don't care who he is or what the rumours say," the Sheriff spoke blankly, a disgusted look his face at the mention of The Original. "He needed to be taught a lesson."

        "You are gonna start a war!" Kieran's tone turned angry.

        The Sheriff scoffed. "I'd like to see them try. Oh, and Kieran? This is the last time you call a meeting." His fingers tapped the table in displeasure. "Next time you wanna criticize our leadership, send a damn email."

        Kieran's expression fell into one of confusion, "I thought you called this meeting?"

        "The Hell we did."

        After a moment of the humans sharing multiple confused glances, Klaus and Marcel made their way into the room, slowly approaching the table.

        "Actually, I called it. It appears I made a grave error during our earlier conference. My friend Marcel offered me wise counsel, and I failed to heed it."

       The Sheriff appeared smug at Klaus' words, "I'm glad to hear you've learned your lesson."

        "Oh, I won't be making that mistake again," Klaus chuckled lightly, sharing a look with Marcel. "Jordanna?"

         A small click clack sounded through the walls of the room ( she caved, she got rid of the silencing spell, she preferred it when the last sound a person heard before they died was the sound of her heels. ) The humans turned at once to the doorway, finding a smiling Jordanna, Klaus' blood still smeared across her face as she slowly approached the Sheriff.

        She grinned down at the Mayor as she caught his eye before looking back down at the Sheriff, coming to a stop behind his chair she placed both hands on his shoulders with a soft sigh. Leaning forward she turned her head, looking him in the eye, a charming smile planted on her lips. "You don't need this, do you?"

       The Sheriff looked down at the table in a daze as the scent of her long hair filled his nose, he shook his head  ━ looking up from the pencil on the table before back to her eyes. Jordanna nodded softly, smile still intact before she drove it into the Sheriff's neck. 

       Jordanna let out a chuckle, looking up at a grinning Klaus and Marcel  ━ the sound of the rest of the human factions screams filled their ears. The Sheriff grunted, placing his hand on his bleeding neck before one last breath left his lips and he fell face down onto the table.

       Jordanna tutted as the only woman on the table trembled as the Sheriff's blood splattered across her cheek. Jordanna approached the shaking woman, smearing her finger across the blood she smiled before popping her finger in her mouth.

       Klaus watched in adoration as Marcel gaped at her. "Isn't she fascinating?" He whispered, leaning over to Marcel with a grin.

       Marcel shook his head with a large chuckle.

       "Shall we?" Klaus gestured to the group of trembling people as Jordanna joined the pair.

       "Ladies first," Marcel nodded at Jordanna to go first, eliciting a smile from the witch. 

       "I had my fun," she raised her hand, pointing at the dead man, brushing passed the two she grabbed the Sheriff's large body and pulled him off of his chair before she took his seat, crossing one leg over the other. "You have yours."

       Marcel grinned, looking over at Klaus, "after you."

・❥・

      Kieran watched, unable to move from his spot at the other side of the table, as Klaus and Marcel were occupied with draining the remaining people. 

      Jordanna reached forward, grabbing the whiskey bottle that had originally been placed in front of the Mayor and slid it over to Kieran. The priest flinched at the sudden movement, startled, before he looked up at her, the faintest smile on his lips as he gratefully took the bottle and had a large swig.

       Klaus shrugged the body of the dead woman to the floor, taking a deep breath as he rose to his feet. "There he is. Our lone survivor. Such a sad day for our city," Klaus made his way over to Kieran, patting him on the shoulder. "Some of its best and brightest killed in a tragic boating accident on the Mississippi. Rather nasty explosion, I heard. What am I going to do with you?"

       Marcel rose to his feet, joining them, an anxious chill ran through his body. "Okay, hold up. I've known Kieran for a long time. He's smart and he's fair. I think he can do us more good alive than dead. Not to mention- "

       " ━ I won't let you," Jordanna blurted out, surprising the others, she scoffed. "What? So hard to believe I don't want everyone dead?"

      "Yes, actually," Marcel responded as though it was obvious.

      "I have to agree, sweetheart," Klaus pointed in Marcel's direction.

      Jordanna rolled her eyes.

      "Pray tell, why I can't kill him?" Klaus rose his brows.

       Jordanna tilted her head, "I don't know ━ there's just something . . . "

       Truth be told she didn't know why she wanted him alive, the only thing that popped into her brain in reasoning was that he was . . . sweet?

       "Very well," Klaus sighed. "Use this reprieve to remake your human faction."

      "And how do you expect me to remake the Mayor?" Kieran questioned.

      "There's a deputy Mayor, isn't there?" Jordanna questioned as she rose from her seat. 

      "Choose new leaders. Then we'll re-open negotiations," Klaus announced, making his leave, taking a hold of Jordanna's hand in passing.

・❥・

        After Jordanna, Marcel and Klaus had returned to the compound, Jordanna made her way to find Davina. It was a wonder how close people could become after being stuck in an attic for hours on end practicing magic. 

       Jordanna laid on Davina's bed, flicking through her grimoire whilst Davina sat in the middle of the floor, boxes of her belongings surrounding her.

       Jordanna looked up as the younger girl let out a sigh. "Are you not going to unpack that?"

      "Nope," Davina shook her head, closing her eyes, resting her body weight on her hands. "I can't be bothered."

       "Lazy bitch," Jordanna drawled playfully, swiping a finger across the air ━ watching in amusement as Davina's elbow folded, causing her to lose balance and fall onto her back. 

      "JJ!" Davina screeched, picking up a random shoe from the floor she threw it at the witch's head. 

       "Davina!" Jordanna mocked, throwing the shoe back down at her, shutting her grimoire. "Start unpacking or I won't get you them 'witch herbs' you wanted."

       Davina's eyes widened, scurrying up she began to move her boxes about, shooting Jordanna a look, speaking in a hushed voice. "Can you shut up? They'll hear you!"

       Jordanna scoffed, playfully rolling her eyes as she pushed her body up from the bed. "No need to be embarrassed, Dave, you're a teenager, have fun."

       The witch placed the grimoire down onto the table before she stopped in her place upon spotting Hayley making her way into the bedroom. 

       Jordanna internally groaned and made her way over to Davina. She tugged on the younger witch's hair teasingly. "Night, D."

       "Night," Davina called out as Jordanna made her way out of her room, passing the hybrid the Jones sent her a glare, though a smile etched onto Hayley's face as she looked down ━ seeing the bracelet tight on her wrist.

         Making her way down the hallway Jordanna grinned upon seeing Josh, who's eyes widened in caution, looking around for an escape ━ though finding none he paused, an awkward smile on his lips as he hesitantly lifted a hand, sending her a small wave.

      "Hey, Jordanna  . . . " Josh scratched the back of his head as the witch rose her brows.

       "Hey, traitor," Jordanna quipped, a grin on her face as he squirmed. 

        "Look, Jordanna ━ I'm so sorry-" 

       Jordanna dismissively waved a hand. "Don't lie, it's more insulting. Plus, it's fine, Josh. You're new to the whole supernatural world, you don't know who to trust, I get it."

       "You do?" Josh frowned.

       "Hm," she nodded, before her smile widened. "Just don't do it again or I will kill you, understood?"

       "Yep . . . understood," Josh stuttered out awkwardly.

        Jordanna patted his shoulder as she brushed passed him. "Goodnight, Josh."

       "Goodnight, Jordanna." He breathed out before continuing his way to Davina's room.

・❥・

       Jordanna laid in bed, her ears peaked as she heard the loud voices of Klaus and Elijah. 

       She pushed the bed covers off of her, the cold breeze accompanying her naked legs, she strode across the bedroom, clad in shorts and one of Klaus' Henley's, popping her head out of the door she watched as Klaus and Elijah spoke.

        "━well, there is something important we neglected to discuss. I accused you of having ulterior motives regarding the child," Elijah sighed, looking up at Klaus who was halfway up the stairs. "I was wrong. I'm sorry."

      "I imagine that must have been hard for you to say," Klaus looked away from his brother momentarily. 

      Elijah sighed. "You don't make it easy to love you, brother."

       Klaus stared at Elijah for a moment. "And yet, you're obstinate in your desire to do so. When you're ready, should you be so inclined, both you and Rebekah are welcome to join us here." A grin formed on his lips. "It is, after all, our family home."

      Elijah watched as Klaus made his way up the stairs, Jordanna coming into view, a soft smile on her face. Klaus put his arm around her shoulder, face pressed into her hair as he pressed a kiss to her head. The witch sighed contently before she turned lightly, meeting Elijah's eyes. 

       The Mikaelson smiled hesitantly, surprisingly earning a soft smile before she and Klaus disappeared from sight.

      God, she wanted to kick him in the teeth.

{an} dark or light mode to read with?

(edited 03/04/22)