chapter forty-six

mad hatter

・❥・

    JORDANNA'S HEAD HURT like a bitch. A constant ringing formed, blaring through her ears like an annoying chime that couldn't be put to a stop. But her head was the least of her worries, no, the most concerning thing at the moment was where she was.

    She was no longer slumped on the floor of the elevator with Aurora hovering over her with a smug look etched on her face, a werewolf venom syringe laced with vervain held in her hand, rather, she was in a house. And if she was being honest, it was a gorgeous home, if she wasn't so damn confused she'd be envious — it was definitely how she would decorate it.

    Her manicured nails reached up to her temples, tentatively rubbing the spot with the pads of her fingers. Which was weird, she hadn't gotten her nails done yet, and she knew this wasn't a fresh set because she broke one from dragging Aurora around by her hair earlier on.

    So to say she was confused was an understatement, it was like a damn fever dream. Jordanna wasn't a fan of such, fever dreams were fickle things, like a goddamn gnat, always picking and picking away, and in this instant it was picking away at her sanity.

    She didn't like this feeling that was flowing through her body, the confusion, the dazy mind, it reminded her of waking up everyday in her coma, not a single clue in the world of what was going on.

    And her confusion only set deeper and deeper when she heard a voice call out to her, one would think that the youth on the voice would be compelling, but it was the single word that rang out to her.

    "Mom!"

    She removed her fingers from her temple, lifting her head up she caught sight of a young boy, no more than eight or nine, a gleeful smile on his face as he looked towards her.

    ". . . What the actual fuck?" Was all she could manage out as she looked toward him in confusion, the boy merely pulled a face at the foul language that left her tongue as he sent her a pointed stare.

    The boy looked around cautiously before a relieved sigh left his mouth. "Good! She didn't hear you. If she heard you swear, again," he gave her a look, though he was mildly amused, "I'd owe her ten dollars. I'm eight, where does she think I'll get ten dollars from?!"

    "What?" Jordanna was at a loss for words, she hadn't a single clue as to what was going on as she stared at the boy in front her, but yet, she knew exactly who it was.

Call it a mother's instinct.

    Or the fact that he did just call her mom . . .

    The young boy gave her a sheepish look, "Me an' Ana made a bet. I bet that you wouldn't swear for a week and she said you couldn't make it a day without saying something bad. Don't be angry. Just remember, I'm the child that had faith in you, not Ana."

    "Sebby? What  . . .  the . . . fuck?"

    The boy, Sebastian, let out an exasperated groan, "I told you to stop calling me that, you make me sound like a baby! It's Seb  now."

    Before Jordanna could get any more words of confusion out, another child entered the room at a rapid pace, hair flailing about behind her. "That's cause you are a baby," the girl retorted, snarkily rolling her eyes at her brother. "Mom, seriously, take him to aunt Caroline's he's being extra annoying today — uh, are you okay? You're acting really strange. What's wrong?"

    The boy turned around quickly, without giving a Jordanna time to process what the fuck was happening. "I'm annoying? Really-"

    "Shut up, Seb, something's wrong with mom," the girl snapped, pushing her way passed her brother and making a bee-line for Jordanna. As she neared her, she crouched down to her level. "Is it dad again? I know you miss him, but he'll back soon, you and aunt Hayley will fix it, don't worry."

    "Is she good?" The boy asked somewhat dumbly, eyeing his mother and sister.

    Anastasia's head snapped to her brother and she narrowed her eyes at him and sent him a look, "Read the room, dumbass!"

    The boy prodded a finger in her direction and his mouth gapped open, "Mom!"

    Jordanna snapped out of her daze and eyed the two, "What the fuck?"

    Anastasia brushed the thought of her brother owing her ten dollars to the back of her mind and frowned at the sight of her mother, "Is this another one of your weird, witchy things? You're being really weird."

    "How . . . " Jordanna stammered out in confusion. "What the fuck?"

    Anastasia huffed, "Definitely a witch thing. Okay. Sebby, call aunt Hayley."

    "Seb! It's Seb now and you call aunt Hayley, I'm busy!"

    "Now, Sebby!" She snapped in irritation earning a sigh of exasperation from the boy himself who sauntered out the room eccentrically.

    Jordanna leaned back against the surface behind her, what appeared to be a couch, and stared at the girl in front. "This is a dream. I'm dreaming. This is some fucked-up dream."

    "Not a dream," Anastasia softly shook her head, falling to sit down in front of Jordanna.

    "You're not real," Jordanna whispered to herself. This had to be her mind making stuff up to help her through the pain — which, if she thought about properly was absurd, she wasn't in that much pain.

Anastasia let out a short, gentle sigh as she looked before her mother, "I thought this stopped, mom. You haven't had problems with your magic in ages, what happened?"

Jordanna couldn't move her gaze from the hardwood ground, eyes narrowing in at the glistening floor. "I got better?"

Anastasia's brows crinkled, a larger frown forming as she stared at the Jones, "Uh, yeah. Yeah, you did. Are you alright?"

Jordanna swallowed roughly, looking up to meet the child's gaze for the first time this close and she never wanted to look away. Anastasia's eyes were just as blue as her own, like the bright sea's of somewhere exotic, her hair was dark, not as dark as Jordanna's, but it still held that same glimmer.

The Jones could see the worry shining him her daughter's eyes and thought it best not to scare her, she didn't care nor dwell on the fact that this wasn't real, she simply didn't want to frighten her, so she merely cleared her throat and plastered a smile on her face with a sharp nod.

"No, yeah, I'm fine, sorry I just, uh — I'm just a little drowsy, that's all," she assured the young girl.

"You promise?" Anastasia rose her brows, holding her pinky out to Jordanna.

Jordanna stared down at the small finger for a moment and lifted her hand, interlocking their pinkies before she sent her a nod, "I promise."

Sometimes Jordanna didn't read into the depths of magic, or the supernatural world, she didn't realise that everything happens for a reason, she didn't realise that some things were already set in stone, from that very moment Anastasia had passed it was already written in, it was meant to happen — it all made sense, but she had yet to realise why, but soon enough? Soon enough she would realise why.

・❥・

Jordanna groaned, eyes fluttering open as she fidgeted uncomfortably in what seemed to be a very small space. Her hand awkwardly reached for her neck, elbow banging against what she soon figured out to be the roof of the trunk, her fingertips grazed over the slowly healing scar on her neck where Aurora had jammed the syringe.

Her head was spinning, eyes droopy as she quietly grunted in discomfort. As the car came to a sudden stop, Jordanna's body jolted backwards, hitting the back of the trunk. "Mother fucker-" The slam of a car door echoed through her ears as well as the sound of Aurora's heels clicking against the ground.

Jordanna relaxed her body, letting her eyes fold shut when a bright light hit her eyes, the sun beamed down at her, hitting every prominent bone perfectly. Aurora rolled her eyes as she stared at the woman, how she still looked good in the condition she was in, Aurora didn't know.

Yet that annoyed look cleared off of her face as she continued to look down at the younger vampire, instead, a smug look formed, "Aw, poor dear! Still sleeping-"

You wish, you bitch.

"-Well, you have a big day ahead of you. We should get started."

    Aurora's smile was wide as she bent over to pick Jordanna up out of the trunk. However, before she could even begin to lift her up, Jordanna's eyes fluttered open with haste and a menacing smile pulled at her lips. "Hiya Rory." Jordanna announced all of a sudden before lifting her hand, sending Aurora flying back at a quick speed — back colliding with the wall of the building opposite them.

    Aurora cried out in pain whilst Jordanna used the advantage to push her body out of the trunk, she stumbled as her feet hit the ground and she began to speed off — due to the large amount of werewolf venom and vervain in her system she kept faltering, stopping every other second to grasp onto something to keep her up straight as she caught her breath.

    Jordanna felt her back slam against the hard wall of the building she was using to hold herself up, Aurora glowered down at her as she held both her shoulders up against the wall.

    "That was not nice." Aurora spoke, pouting mockingly and before Jordanna even had a moment to push her away or use her magic against her, Aurora injected the already weakened vampire with more vervain. "Okay, you and I need to have a little heart-to-heart conversation," Aurora said, dropping the syringe to the floor as she grabbed the Jones by the arm, dragging her towards the back entrance of the church. "Come along."

    Once inside the building, they were greeted with at least half a dozen men working out and one young boy, around twenty, he looked just as dazed and confused as Jordanna, though, he was chained to the fighting ring, a terrified look dancing in his brown eyes.

    "You didn't bring me here for confession, did you?" Jordanna grumbled, eyes droopy as the added dose of vervain kicked in. "Or is it one of those weird obsession movies? You're not gonna dye your hair, kill me and wear my skin, are you? Are these idiots the witnesses for your creepy ritual?"

    Aurora tutted, "I would never. Besides, I have much better skin than you."

    "Of course," Jordanna muttered, rolling her eyes and forcefully pulled herself out of Aurora's grip once she felt her grip fall. "Why are we here, Aurora?"

    A cheery look crossed the De Martel's face. "I heard a rumour these men train here, hoping to be made into vampires. So, I'm going to grant them their wish and before you think of running, I already ever-so-kindly asked one of the witches who work for my brother to spell the building, leaving you trapped."

    Jordanna internally groaned, pushing her hair from her face before she turned to Aurora, "And what the fuck has that got to do with me? And who the fuck is that?"

    Jordanna turned behind her, gesturing to the boy chained up against the ring.

    "That, my dear, is my incentive! I heard after your little . . . incident-"

    Jordanna rolled her eyes.

    "-You became soft hearted. Weak. You care for people now," Aurora rolled her eyes as though it was the worst thing to happen in the world. "I brought him here, Jordanna, because if you even try make a move against me I will kill him."

    Jordanna wanted to laugh so hard in this very moment . . . who the hell had been running around spreading little white lies about her giving a damn about the human population, everybody who knows her knows that she doesn't give a fuck about anyone but her family, herself and her hair. . . duh!

    In Aurora's head, all she had known Jordanna to be was this . . . woman who was scared of her loved one, scared of her own goddamn shadow, she thought her to be weak and caring towards people.

    Oh, how she was wrong.

    Jordanna tried to hide the look of amusement that ever so desperately wanted to part on her face, but nonetheless, she hid it well. Something in her changed, and that was because of Anastasia. Because of what she said. She had gotten over her fear of her magic . . . she was better.

    She was better for them.

    And she'd be dammed if she let this spoilt brat of a woman tell her otherwise.

    "Niklaus and I are having just a little bit of a spat at the moment, as, you know, he took my brother captive. It hadn't skipped my attention that he still . . . cares for you, so I took you," Aurora let out a bitter laugh, nastily looking Jordanna up and down.

    At the mention of Klaus, Jordanna's lips upcurved into a smile. "I gotta say, I was impressed with your dedication in making me believe you two had fucked, I mean hats off to you and everything, I believed it for a good few hours."

    Aurora deflated at her words, irritated by the fact that Jordanna knew what happened between herself and Klaus . . . which was nothing. "I'm glad to know I tricked you," she huffed, trying to keep what little pride she had left. "Like I said, I had heard how you have grown frail. I figured it would be easy. And it was."

    Jordanna pursed her lips, "And now I wanna tear your eyeballs from your head and feed them to your creep of a brother."

     Aurora's face dropped, a finger harshly being prodded in the Jones' direction, "Every time you seem okay, you say something that ruins it, you shall not mention my brother again!"

Jordanna lightly rolled her eyes, holding her hands up in mock surrender before she moved, taking a seat on the bench as her legs grew weaker. She crossed one over the other and leant back against the wall, watching as Aurora stepped forward, clapping her hands together, raising her voice to call out to all the men working out in the gym.

"Gentlemen! Come down, quick quick. Off you pop!" She smiled as the men in question reluctantly gathered around her, the wariness seeped from their bodies ever so obviously. "Thankyou! Congratulations. You have all been selected to receive the highest honour bestowed upon your pitiful species."

Jordanna leant her head up against the wall, boredly watching on. "I don't see the point in doing this," she voiced, eyes on the young boy who was chained up against the ring, he sent her a pleading stare she merely ignored. "I don't care what happens to him. Just a waste of a snack if you ask me."

The werewolf venom had began to sink, taking even more of an effect than before and one thing that always seemed to take effect on Jordanna when she was in this state was she got hungry. Very hungry and that boy sitting there? Even from across the room Jordanna could smell the blood pumping through his veins, she could smell the sweetness of it and God all she wanted to do was rip into his artery and feed until there was not a single drop left.

Aurora huffed, "I didn't just bring the boy here because I assumed you would care for him, no, I had the tiniest of inkling that you may not care so . . . he is also here so that when these gentlemen wake up, they can feed on human blood, completing their transition. In order for me to keep them all alive, they have to beat you, inevitably killing you."

    "Right . . . yeah, okay."

    Aurora looked around at the men for a moment as they took in her words when she finally stopped her gaze at a blond man standing closest to her. A grin fell upon her face, eyes brightening as she sped over to him, she lifted her wrist and bit into it, harshly shoving her skin into his mouth.

    Without any warning she snapped his neck, then turning to look at the other men, blood stained her teeth and chin as she sent them all a wide smile, "Next?"

It was only a few seconds later when Jordanna was boredly staring over at all the men laying dead on the floor, their bodies sprawled out all over the gym, mouths smeared with Aurora's blood.

Jordanna looked over at the humans boredly, eyes skimming their features as she silently judged the dead men . . . what? she was bored, sue her.

Aurora took a quick glance over at Jordanna, curiosity gleaming in her forest green eyes. "Wasn't you killed right about . . . " Aurora sauntered forward past Jordanna, pointing towards the space behind her. "There."

Jordanna turned her head, puffing her cheeks out in resentment, "Ding-ding, one point for you."

An amused look crossed Aurora's face as she stripped off her jacket. "Tell me, was it hard?"

"No," Jordanna offered sarcastically, squinting her eyes at the red-head. "It was the best day of my fucking life."

"Hm," Aurora brushed off her mocking tone. "You and this Church don't seem to have the best of luck, do you?"

Jordanna rose from her seat in haste, no hesitation in her movements as she sensed where Aurora was heading, the Jones prodded a finger in her direction, "If you even breath her name I swear to God I will kill your brother in the most torturous way I can think of and make you helplessly watch as he begs for his life, pleading and pleading for the pain to stop . . ."

Aurora rose her hands with a shrug, "Tough topic, got it. Maybe I'm just looking for the ways in which we are alike." The De Martel walked by her, sitting down at the bench press Jordanna was previously at. "See, Nik's been obsessed with me for centuries, and now he's infatuated with you . . . what do you think the overlap is between us? Is it . . . crazy family members? I heard your father was quite mad, I mean going after your mother like that?" Aurora huffed out her cheeks in exaggeration.

"Positively mad. And my brother? Well . . . Tristan, I love him, but he can be a bit daft sometimes. You know, he likes to have me committed every so often. Hoping to cure my more . . . eccentric predispositions. Thanks to him, I've been plunged into ice baths, bled for melancholia, and exorcised for demons five — no, six — six times."

Huh . . . funny story, actually, the same thing happened to Jordanna! Yeah, you see, going after somebody who just so happened to be related to a priest probably wasn't her best idea as she ended up being strapped down to a table, a rag stuffed in her mouth to silence her screaming and cursing.

She wasn't surprised that happened, if she was being honest, she was young, waltzing into a Church covered in blood as she searched for her victim, it was bound to happen sometime in her life.

"And my latest diagnosis is bipolar disorder. I imagine you're familiar with it?"

"I'm familiar with the term, yes," Jordanna spoke wryly, throat feeling as dry as sand paper each time she spoke.

Aurora nodded in approval and rose to her feat, pacing as she spoke. "Now, tell me a bit more about you, starting with how you feel about Nik. And do bear in mind — I'm a stickler for honesty."

"You?" Jordanna rose her brows. "A 'stickler' for honesty? Really? Just twenty-four hours ago you lied about fucking him because you was feeling insecure."

"I recall asking you to talk of you and Nik, not silly little things in the past," Aurora waved her hand dismissively. "Now, go on, how do you feel about him?"

Jordanna stared at her for a moment, "What do you want me to tell you? That I don't love him? 'Cause you're not that stupid, you know I do."

・❥・

The sound of Aurora's laughter made Jordanna want to bang her head against a wall repeatedly . . . she couldn't think of a more irritating noise. God, it was dreadful, it shrilled through the Church at a high volume, almost making her ears bleed.

"Ha! You said that to him?"

"Well . . . I just told you I did, so yeah?"

"Wow! A bit saccharine, no?"

Jordanna rubbed a hand across her forehead. "I don't even fucking know what that means," she muttered to herself before lifting her head, meeting Aurora's eye. "Why don't you ask him yourself?"

A giggle left Aurora's lips. "You feeling jealous? It seems as though you are."

"What do I have to be jealous of?" Jordanna asked, head tilting aside. "A delusional woman who has convinced herself that he still loves her after so long? Definitely not. He loves me, Aurora, I know that, you know that."

Aurora pulled a face. "You're not even together anymore."

"So? Doesn't mean I don't love him." Jordanna shrugged, lifting a shoulder. "You haven't seen him in, like, a thousand years and you still love him, don't you?"

"I suppose," Aurora nodded at her point. "Though, the difference is, he doesn't care about you, darling. You're just a thing that he uses from time to time. That's all. Me, he loves."

Jordanna scoffed. "You're only saying that to make yourself feel better, because you're worried. I mean, you're hot, yeah, and you do have a 'history'," Jordanna mocked, "But that's all it is, Aurora, history, the past. All you have now are memories. He doesn't love you anymore, get over it."

Jordanna could see that Aurora was getting more irritated by the second and all she wanted to do was make her more furious than ever, she was bored, what can I say?

"Maybe he saw the truth about you a long time ago, that your mind, it's a bit damaged, isn't it?"

And Jordanna had gotten what she wanted. A bit of fun. Aurora snapped, speeding towards Jordanna at a fast pace and shoved her backwards by her shoulders, the Jones' back hitting the fighting ring.

Jordanna let out a laugh, hair flailing around her face before she pushed it away, lifting her head. "I really hope that the Mikaelson's are killing your brother as we speak, maybe he's dead already. Oh! I hope so."

At the mere mention of her brother Aurora's fist met Jordanna's face, her head swung aside at the contact. Jordanna flexed her jaw, turning back to face the furious red-head, licking the blood off of her lips with a grin.

"There she is! Took you long enough to get mad, didn't it?"

Aurora's hands wrapped around Jordanna's throat, pushing her further against the wired ring, "You dare mention my brother again-"

Though she did not get to continue as Jordanna's hands wrenched around Aurora's, forcefully releasing the grip on her neck as she did so, a quiet groan left her mouth as she pulled her hands off of her. Before Aurora could retaliate Jordanna sent a healed shoe her way, kicking the red-head in the abdomen.

Aurora was sent reeling back, an insolent scream left Aurora's lips, frustration dripped from her body like honey. The De Martel sped to the corner of the gymnasium, grabbing a hold of a lone chair and sped behind the Jones, smacking the wooden seat against her back, the wood breaking as it collided with her skin.

Jordanna doubled over, hands bracing her knees as she tried to steady herself. The younger vampire didn't even have to turn around to spot the smug look on Aurora's face, she could feel the victory oozing off of her like a potent odour.

Jordanna could feel herself growing weaker and weaker by the second, werewolf venom taking more of an effect as time went on, vervain seeping deep into her bloodstream. But like Hell would that stop her.

"Hey Aurora?"

Aurora turned to look back at the Jones, arrogant grin still painted across her features as she rose a questioning brow; thinking that she had already won the fight, but it hadn't even began yet.

A hard smack flew across the side of her face, bones moving out of place and cracking loudly, the sound reverberating around the room. A pained noise left Aurora's mouth as her body flung to the side, smacking against the wall painfully and harshly.

"Made ya' look."

In turn Jordanna grinned, lifting the kettlebell she was holding between her fingers up to her eyeline, eyeing the spot of crimson red that tainted the gym equipment. "Jesus Christ they're heavy," Jordanna groaned eccentrically, dropping the steel ball to the floor.

She took a step over it, coming closer to Aurora before she held her hand out. The red-head squirmed in anguish, woefully grabbing her head in her hands, face scrunching up in pain.

Jordanna rolled her eyes, stumbling in place as her free hand nursed her ribs, right hand still being held out to Aurora, she twisted her wrist, magic getting stronger, but that was as far as she could go; it felt as though there was a barrier between herself and her magic, and she was yet to break through.

"Oh grow up, I thought shit like this only tickled you," Jordanna goaded wryly, eyes skimming across Aurora's pained features, the crease between her brows grew tighter.

Aurora gritted her teeth together, straining her eyes open almost chillingly. "No matter what you do to me, darling, it won't change anything. It won't change how Nik feels for me, and it won't change the fact that you, my dear, are nothing but a desperate wench, climbing into bed with the first man who bats an eyelid your way."

Before either could blink, Aurora sprung forward, pushing past the aneurysm playing at her mind and grasped Jordanna's wrists in hand, holding her still in place.

The Jones glanced down at her hands and pulled a face. "Fuck you need a mani' bad, do you need me to recommend you somewhere? I know this lovely little place downtown," she pulled a face. "Although, I already told my nail boy about you and I'm glad to say he isn't a fan."

In a quick motion the Jones flipped the De Martel onto her back, snapping her wrists as she dropped her to the ground. Aurora grunted, glowering up at the Jones as she snapped one hand in place, before she could move onto the other, she felt the tip of Jordanna's heel meet her neck, barely just skimming over the skin.

"Also, that was fucking rude, I'm not a whore," Jordanna goaded, applying more pressure onto her neck.

Aurora merely laughed at her words, brushing it off as she stared up at the younger woman. "Kill me or not, it won't make a difference, Jordanna, you'll still be stuck here until my witch deems you freedom, you might as well sit, our conversation is far from over."

"Fuck," Jordanna cursed under her breath, she had forgotten about that. Annoyance bubbled through the raven-haired woman's body and she stomped her foot down harshly, splitting the skin of Aurora's neck, the red-head choked on blood as it pooled in her mouth, crimson dribbling down the side of her face as her eyes turned into a temporary lifelessness.

Jordanna hastily lifted her foot and let out a scream of frustration, wiping her hands down her face she clenched her jaw, groaning in dismay.

The Jones stared down at the temporarily dead De Martel and rose her brows as she maundered towards her, crouching down to her level, Jordanna slipped her hands in her pockets, searching for something.

When her hands recognised the feel of her phone she grinned, pulling it out of Aurora's pocket with a victorious smile.

The vampire rose to her feet and held the phone up to her ear, listening to it ring and ring before it dropped the voicemail. "The one time I need you to answer," she muttered to herself with a sigh before speaking into the phone. "Uh, hi gorgeous . . . " she trailed off awkwardly scratching the back of her head. "Your psycho ex girlfriend — girlfriend, I don't know, vampnapped me and she's got me in the church, one of the Strix witches spelled me here, but I don't know which one so kill all of them, please. Also, this'll be very awkward if you aren't, like, looking for me, so if you're not, forget I said anything. Bye."

The vampire grimaced, shutting her phone off. Falling back into that same crouching position she shoved the phone back into Aurora's pocket; raising no suspicion. The Jones narrowed her eyes down at the red-head for a moment, glaring at her dead body before she pursed her lips, smile begging to twitch onto her face as an idea popped into her head.

The idea got the better of her as she reached down, tip of her finger meeting the crimson pool of blood that lay beside her head.

Jordanna's finger met Aurora's forehead, smile widening as she continued to dip and dab her fingers until she was done.

A snort left her nose as she looked down at the red-head. 'BITCH,' ran across her forehead in large, bold crimson letters. It kind of looked like a finger painting.

Jordanna rose to her feet, petty smile sitting on her face and slapped her hands against her thighs as she moved, stalking over to the workout bench where she took a seat. Eyebrows raised as she only just noticed that boy from earlier cowered behind a table.

Jordanna debated on two things to do, awkwardly wave at him or scare him. She went with the latter, what? She was bored again!

At the sight of purple veins bulging under her waterline and the red pooling in her eyes, the boy let out a gasp, scrambling backwards before he passed out.

Jordanna huffed out her cheeks, "Night then."

・❥・

The wide, amused smile that sat on Jordanna's face failed to leave as she watched Aurora scrub the bloodied word off of her forehead with the sleeve of her top.

"Honestly, Rory, I don't know what to tell you, I have no clue how that got there. Really, I don't," Jordanna shook her head but failed to hide the wide smile that indicated the words that had just left her mouth was nothing but a big fat lie.

"Do not call me that," Aurora snapped, dropping her hand to her side as she was sure there was no longer a trace of blood on her face. The red-head let out a deep breath. "Okay. I think we've dealt with my analysis. Let's shine the light on you, shall we? Tell me your deepest, darkest secret. And if I sense that you are holding back . . . well you might not live long enough for Nik to get here."

Jordanna stared at her blankly "You wanna know my darkest secret?" She asked to which Aurora nodded. "Hell if I know," the raven-head scoffed with a shrug, fingers tapping at her chin as she thought.

"I will not ask again. Your greatest shame. Admit it."

"Well-"

"-And do not bother lying, because I will know, and then I will end you," Aurora warned, pointing a finger in Jordanna's direction.

"Hello? Miss. Motor-mouth? Can I get a sentence finished? Fuck me," she grumbled to herself. "I'm tryna' think."

At the silence that enveloped the gym, Aurora rolled her eyes, folding her arms over her chest as she watched the younger vampire lean back against the ring.

Aurora clapped her hands together loudly, the noise echoing across the room. "I just told you, I will not ask you again. Your deepest shame?"

Jordanna shrugged, "I'm not ashamed of anything I've done. I don't know what to tell you, Aurora."

"God, you're useless," Aurora muttered. "I heard you desiccated your best friend's brother then put him in a coffin and dumped him in the bottom of the ocean, is it that? Surely you feel shame for what you did. That was bound to break your best friend's heart, how you could betray him like that. Also, if I'm being honest, it's kind of unoriginal, darling."

"If you're going to be like that then technically I did it first and no, I felt nothing but pure happiness when I did that. The second I compelled the delivery guy the instructions, it was like a weight had been lifted off of my shoulders. Pure bliss," Jordanna said slowly, a happy, relaxed grin on her lips; even though she felt like her head was about to explode any second now and her legs were about to give out on her.

"Surely there's something," Aurora assessed her, dragging her eyes over her body in suspicion. "Everyone does something they're ashamed of, everyone."

Jordanna huffed, an earnest look taking over her face, "Fine, uh, just before I moved to New Orleans I cut this old woman's hands off, I guess I felt a little bad after."

Aurora stared at her for a moment. "You're lying you didn't feel bad."

That staid look dropped and she groaned all of a sudden, head falling back to ring. "Yes, of course I'm lying! I didn't give a fuck about that woman or her wrinkly hands, she deserved what she got and I can only hope she bled out on that fucking table!"

"Aren't you ashamed at how you enjoyed it? You found amusement in hurting that woman as you did desiccating your best friend's brother. Do you not even feel the smallest ounce of sympathy? Everyone is ashamed of something, Jordanna, hiding your shame is not going to get rid of it, now, you have one last chance to tell me, or perhaps I can take a visit to little Mystic Falls and visit a lovely little lady by the name of Caroline Forbes. Your choice."

Jordanna clenched her jaw. Turing her head she ignored the eyes of the red-head burning into her cheek. "I killed Nik." Aurora rose her brows. "In that, like, dream-coma thing," she swallowed roughly, still gazing out the window as her eyes followed and counted each and every star. "Nothing different, same old, same old, he came at me like usual but eventually I snapped. I just kept going and going and going until there was barely a body left . . . anyway!" Jordanna snapped her attention back to Aurora clapping all of a sudden. "You got what you wanted, happy?"

"Is that why you distanced yourself from him? Because you can't look at him after what you did-"

"-Here I thought Camille was the shrink, but apparently not. I'd prefer to be psycho analysed by her, if you don't mind, Cami's a lot more . . . well, I don't want to tear her to shreds like I do you."

Aurora merely chuckled at her words, "Ha! Well, I see why Nik is so taken with you. The trouble is . . . my burgeoning respect for you is overshadowed by my somewhat puerile jealously. So, I suppose we've reached the inevitable . . . wouldn't you say, my love?"

Just then, a very unhappy Klaus walked into the room. Jordanna's face lit up at the mere sight of him. Something within her had changed during the day, she didn't know what — but something had. That mere something was enough for her to know what she wanted and she wanted him.

She wanted him on his bad days, on his good days, smiling, angry — whatever, whenever.

Finally, she knew.

Just as Jordanna took a subconscious step forward, towards him, Aurora smirked, grabbing her arm and bending it backwards, popping it out of place.

"Oh, Jesus Christ," Jordanna muttered under her breath at the uncomfortable sensation.

Klaus' eyes flickered between the two women, he spread his arms out wide in a matter of defeat. "Stop this game."

"This is not a game, Nik." The woman in question shook her head. "This is an intervention. You're in danger of losing the love of your life . . . me.-"

Jordanna rolled her lips into her mouth to cover the laugh that so desperately wanted to escape.

"-We're finally together after so long apart, all the world before us, if we can just dodge a few minor obstacles. Like this nuisance of a prophecy, my brother's internment, the insufferable influence of Elijah . . . but what I cannot overcome is your affections for someone else."

Klaus let out a dramatic sigh, rubbing a hand across his forehead, his eye caught Jordanna's just for the smallest second and he watched as she tried to conceal her chuckles.

"I've waited far too long to share you now," Aurora continued, shrugging as her voice dropped an octave, becoming softer. "Call me jealous."

"Or psychotic," Jordanna crooned.

Klaus slowly sauntered over to the two, continuing to make what he deemed 'pleasant conversation'. "I remember full well the extent of your jealousies. But what surprises me is that they extend to the, uh . . . " Klaus gestured to Jordanna and smiled. "Whirlwind of romance, that lasted all of a few months."

"Years, but sure, let's go with months." The Jones muttered to herself. Albeit the situation she was in, a blissful smile pulled at Jordanna's lips; it was exactly what he said when he had found her in New Orleans after he had found out about the baby.

"Aurora, you can't believe she means anything to me."

"But I do believe it, Nik!" Aurora spoke lowly, face falling. "I see it, the fear in your eyes."

Klaus' eyes widen in alarm as he met Jordanna's and she sent him a quick look.

"Do you actually love her?" Aurora spoke. Her breath fanned the side of her face and Jordanna could practically feel the disgust falling from her lips at the immediate thought.

"You know I love you," Klaus told her, small faux smile painted across his features.

"I'm so glad you admitted that. I wanted Jordanna to hear it . . . " Aurora said before turning Jordanna at a quick speed, releasing her arm before she grasped her in a choke-hold. "Before I rip out her throat."

"Try it," Jordanna muttered lowly, fingers digging into Aurora's hands like they did earlier that evening. Crescent shaped nail-indents were left on her skin as Jordanna pried her hand off of her.

"Honestly, Aurora . . . these petty displays are so far beneath you." Klaus stated as he paced, turning a side glance towards the pair as he watched Aurora's hand forcefully move from Jordanna's neck. The red-head rolled her eye at Jordanna's action, merely moving her hand to her shoulder, holding her down against the ring. "Wild scavenger hunts, threats against innocent acquaintances . . . they cast you in a very unflattering light. Jealousy's more my game."

Jordanna pulled a face in agreement thinking back to their time in Italy.

"Oh, would that I didn't have need for it."

"Why should you? Jordanna is no rival to you."

"Thanks, Nik." Jordanna's hand smacked against her heart in mock offense, "I'm hurt, truly."

"Here I am lying for you and you ruin it," Klaus huffed, hands held out wide in exasperation. "Good job, sweetheart, great teamwork."

Jordanna grinned at the sarcastic tone to his voice. "Sorry," she shrugged. Aurora looked between the two with fury blazing in her eyes.

"You will both pay for thi-"

Jordanna twisted her head awkwardly and bit into the red-head's arm, teeth sinking in sharply and painfully, just giving the Jones enough time to muster up enough magic to throw Aurora across the room.

Aurora shot up from the ground, speeding out of the gym in a hurry. Klaus looked between the two but ushered after her when Jordanna wafted a hand in the red-head's direction, gesturing for him to go after her.

The man in question didn't move without the smallest utter of a promise falling from his lips, he promised his return delicately, the familiar language slipping off of his tongue with ease.

Once everyone had left the gym Jordanna had finally let go, all day she had gone through fighting through pain, holding her grimaces back underneath a nonchalant stare.

The Jones took her heels off, dropping the shoes to the ground with a soft thud. The vampire sauntered over to the small, broken mirror in the corner, eyes narrowing in on the needle prick on her neck — only it wasn't a needle prick anymore, no, it had spread, a nasty open wound sat between her shoulder and neck, painfully pulsating with each movement.

The Jones groaned to herself in dismay and moved her hair from the wound, keeping it in safe distance. A wave of dizziness crashed over her body as she turned, the Jones licked her dry lips — she was hungry, she needed to feed soon.

At the sound of shuffling feet Jordanna looked up, the human boy from earlier on had reappeared, fear held within his eyes. "Please," he started, hands clasping together in a pleading motion. "I beg, help me, please!"

Jordanna clicked her tongue, sighing dramatically as she ran a hand through her hair, "Jesus, your whining is giving me a headache. Please! Shut up!"

The boy, however, didn't give up. He continued his pleading, tears streaming down his face as his voice grew frantic when he noticed the other men slowly wake up. "Please!"

Jordanna let out a scoff, shaking her head, flipping her hair over her shoulder in exasperation, "Fucking Christ! Jesus, okay, fine. I suppose I need the exercise."

Just as the words left her mouth, the in-transitioning vampires all slowly came to a stand, eyes ravenously devouring the human boy who tried to scramble away.

"I'm so hungry," the first transitioning vampire stated, slowly walking in the boy's direction. The human's head whipped around after hearing rustling, finding that the rest of the vampires were slowly headed towards him.

All of a sudden, the heel of Jordanna's shoe embedded into his neck, the man dropped to the floor with a strong thud, shoe intact, mouth pooling with crimson liquid.

Jordanna stood behind him, pursed lips as she glared down at her shoe. What a waste! The woman quickly spun on her feet, plunging her hand into the chest of another man who tried to come at her on his way to the human boy, she jolted her, now, bloodied hand out of his abdomen and held his heart in hand before dropping to the ground with a squelch.

From the quick glance she had gotten there was ten more men to get through. No biggie, just another night! As fast as her weakened state allowed her she sped over to the nearest man, wrapping her hands around his neck before a sickening crack echoed through the church.

Her hand flung out naturally, sending another vampire flying across the room, deeming him dead as the sharp perch that hung on the wall pierced his heart. The sound of a yell, or what she would call a hiss, cue eyeroll because what the actual fuck? caused her to turn her head, a man ran straight toward her, but she merely grabbed each side of his head between her hand and jolted her foot out at a strong force, separating his head from his body.

The Jones spun, throwing the head at the human boy whose eyes widened as his gaze found the body part. "Heads up!" She called, turning away just after watching him instinctively hold his hands out to catch it before he dropped it with a gag upon realising what it was.

Turning back to the last few remaining men she swung her hand back, angling straight for the crook of his neck in a fast motion, decapitating his head.

A gleeful smile pulled at her lips. "Holy fuck I did it!" She turned the human boy, all bloodied and pale. Excitement seeped off of her body at the fact she perfected her swing without Elijah's help. "Did you see that? That was so cool!"

In the corner of her eye she watched as the last transitioning vampire slowly edged behind the human and without removing her gaze from the boy, she jolted her fist, the man's heart flew into her grip before she dropped it to the ground.

Jordanna inhaled deeply, moving forward toward the boy. She could hear his heart beating loudly in her ear as she crouched down to his level, her tired eyes zoning in on his, "I gotta say, all that fighting's made me really hungry and if I'm being honest, I only killed them so I could get to you first. Sorry, sweetheart."

And she simply tore into his throat.

Jordanna ripped her teeth from the human's neck after draining him, inhaling a sharp breath of air as she licked the remaining blood from her lips.

Just as she shoved the human's body away from her and rose to her feet she felt his presence before he even spoke. "You gonna give me your blood now or what?" She asked, turning around to face him.

But Klaus didn't answer her question, instead he made his way over to her and immediately wrapped his arms around her. Holding her tight, her warmth being enough to comfort him. Jordanna tensed up momentarily before relaxing, softening in his arms.

As he pulled away, he kept one hand on her waist whilst his other cupped the side of her neck that wasn't injured, the Mikaelson tilted her head, getting a better look at the growing wound. His jaw clenched at the mere thought of Aurora hurting her.

Jordanna, on the other hand, just stared at his face. Taking everything in. Every perfection, every imperfection. Her voice was low, soft, as she spoke, "I'm, uh, ready to talk about everything now. Okay? Everything. But first I need to check on Seb, then I promise we'll talk, okay?"

"Okay," Klaus nodded softly, his own voice just as low as her own. The original rose his wrist, biting into it before he held it out to her.

After taking his blood, his hand latched onto her lower back naturally as he steered her towards the exit before she paused.

"Uh, Little Miss. Psycho got a witch to spell me in here, remember?"

A small grin fell upon Klaus' face, "Don't worry, sweetheart, I killed them all just like you said."

"Oh, so you do listen to some of the stuff I say to you then?"

"Sometimes." His grin grew, a light teasing tone taking over. "Most of the time I air it out, luck must be on your side tonight."

"Must be." She spoke, something shining in her eyes as she continued her path towards the exit. "So, what'd she say to you? Is she still pissed?"

Klaus huffed, side eyeing her, "She claimed that you don't excite me the way she does and I managed to get Rebekah's location."

Jordanna pulled a face as the cold air hit her as she stepped outside. "Okay, ew. Freak. Why does she wanna know about our sex life?"

・❥・

It was a little while later back at the Mikaelson compound and Jordanna was sat on the couch, sipping a glass of whiskey as Sebastian rolled around on his back beside her.

Jordanna side-eyed the child. "Pack it in, will you?" She said as the child found amusement in smacking his hand on her leg.

She grabbed the child, lifting him to sit on her lap, resting her head against his as she closed her eyes. Klaus made his way into the room, stopping at the doorway as he watched them for a moment, something in his dead heart swelled at the sight.

"Can I get you anything?" Klaus voiced his arrival, looking at her with concern.

"A stake," she muttered, eyes still shut before she pried them open at the mere look she imagined Klaus gave her. Which, he did. "Not for me. For you girlfriend so I can turn her into ash."

Klaus took a seat down beside her, sighing as he stretched out his legs. "Not my girlfriend," he muttered before turning his head to look at her. "But not quite yet, when the time is right I will provide you with anything you wish, but for now, I would like it if you stayed here."

A small, almost invisible smile painted across her features, "I was planning on it anyway."

Klaus nodded, a smile forming before it faltered ever so slightly. "I heard what you said to Aurora about . . . killing me."

"Oh, lovely," Jordanna rolled her lips into her mouth. "Well, I guess now is a good time to talk, huh?"

"I would say so, yes."

"Uh, fuck, where do I start?"

"Perhaps with us? You already . . . expressed your feelings on what went on during your coma, I know it'll be hard to talk about again."

Jordanna huffed, "Well, I know you didn't sleep with her, I kinda figured that one out yesterday, I guess I just ignored it so I had a reason to be mad — but really, really I was jealous. Gross, I know."

"You had — you have nothing to be jealous over, I made a promise to you Jordanna and I intend to keep it for however long you wish."

Jordanna nodded slowly, "You didn't kiss her did you?"

"I wouldn't. You know I wouldn't."

Another nod was sent his way as she rolled her lips into her mouth, face scrunching up as she clicked her tongue, "I'm sorry I called you a whore."

Klaus frowned, "You didn't."

"No, I did," she pursed her lips. "A fuck ton behind your back . . . and to your face but you didn't hear me. I cursed you out to Elijah a lot, too. There may have been a teeny, tiny witchy voodoo session wishing bad luck on you."

Upon seeing the widened eyes and aghast look on his face she continued.

"Not like death bad. Jesus, no. Like a bad hair day or something, maybe a run in with Papa Tunde's blade, you know, something mild."

Klaus rose a brow, "Perhaps I'll dig out the blade and you can decide for yourself how mild it is."

Jordanna cringed. "Sorry." She said, leaning back into her seat, turning her head to look at him. "And not just for that."

"I know," Klaus nodded. "I'm sorry too. I shouldn't have let Aurora have her fun. I thought if I let her get close enough she would reveal to me where she had Rebekah."

"She's your sister," Jordanna shrugged. "I get it, you'd do anything to get her back. Questionable methods, but understandable."

Klaus huffed out a laugh but before he could speak Jordanna spoke up once again.

"Also, thank you for saving my ass back there. Almost thought for a second that Crazy was gonna send me to Hell."

"Yes, well, I got your message."

"Ah," Jordanna grinned. "That the only reason?"

"I may also have been running around like a prick looking for you all day," Klaus smiled in her direction.

The Jones stared at him for a moment, "You know, I had the weirdest dream earlier. I was . . . well, I don't know what it was but I'm pretty sure I saw our little Anastasia and she . . . she made me realise something."

Klaus rose a brow, "And what was that?"

"That I can't get better alone, I can't fix everything by myself, no matter how much I tell myself I'll be fine and it'll get better I realised I can't do that without . . . you. I pushed you away Nik, and I shouldn't have. I made a mistake, a shitty mistake, so . . . if you'll have me, I want to come back, back to this creepy, ancient compound, back to your weird family and back to you."

"You think my family is weird?" Klaus questioned, a teasing tone to his lips.

Jordanna rolled her eyes, huffing as she fell further into the couch, "Fuck off, forget I asked, asshat."

A laugh boomed from Klaus' chest, "I'm kidding — I'm kidding. You know I want nothing more than you to come back to me."

Jordanna swallowed roughly, "All of me, damaged goods and all?"

"All of you," Klaus confirmed with a nod of his head, glancing down at her. "Back here, where you belong."

Jordanna pulled a face, "That sounds weirdly possessive."

Klaus shrugged, "I don't have much care for it, you already slipped through my fingers more times than I can count, I won't let it happen again."

"We'll see," she hummed, discreetly scooting closer to him so that their shoulders touched. "You haven't got anymore psycho ex's lurking about, have you?"

Klaus shrugged lazily, "A couple hundred somewhere or other."

Jordanna rolled her eyes, "Lovely."

"Not that you need to worry, I fear one psychopath is enough for me."

She rose her brows, "Are you talking about me or Aurora?"

Klaus' face fell into a deadpan. "Did she hit you too hard on the head? Are you alright?"

Jordanna swatted away his hand that reached out towards her forehead, "Fuck off."

Klaus gave her a pointed stare, "I don't think it's good parenting using foul language like that around a child."

Jordanna's gaze fell onto the sleepy child in her lap, who was now curled into her chest, eyes slowly dazing off. She looked back up at Klaus, "I don't think anything we do around this kid is considered good parenting."

"So, if I asked to kiss you right now, would that be awfully terrible parenting?"

Jordanna's eyes snapped up to his. "Probably." She nodded. "But I guess we're pretty shitty parents as it is so I don't think he'll care if you do."

"Of course," Klaus smiled widely, looking down at her.

Jordanna's lips curved upwards as she silently stared at him for a moment before she spoke quietly, "I love you, you know?"

"I know," he nodded. "I love you too, sweetheart." Klaus sighed. "Why don't you have a rest, I'm sure you'll need it after the day you've had."

Jordanna rolled her eyes, "You're joking, right? I feel like I could run a fucking marathon right now."

"I'm sure you could," Klaus rolled his own in turn. "But, I'd prefer it if you did, if you don't sleep soon you'll be in a mood with everyone including myself."

Jordanna inwardly groaned, "Ew, okay mom. Just don't move, I'm comfortable."

"As you wish," Klaus muttered, turning his head to press a chaste kiss to her forehead as her head rested on his shoulder.

AUTHOR'S NOTE !
i had wayyyy too much fun writing jordanna and her kids and ik it was confusing her seeing them but its kinda like a drugged up deja vu or a vision like how she mentioned klaus not being there it was like her seeing into s4 without knowing it

ALSO THANK YOU MY SEXY @ViaVolterra for giving me the idea of what JJ's deepest secret is!!!!

AND for clarification; yes, that was them getting back together