𝐋𝐗. 𝐎𝐥𝐝 𝐓𝐢𝐞𝐬
𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 60
«────── « ⋅ʚ♡ɞ⋅ » ──────»
Annalise swirled her wine around in her glass as she crossed one leg over the other. The heretic's eyes narrowed themselves in annoyance as Klaus strutted into the courtyard.
"Anna—"
"I can assure you, Niklaus, that anything you have to say I truly do not wish to hear." Anna firmly spoke before raising her wine glass to her lips as she took a small sip.
The hybrid mentally frowned but did not let his disappointment show upon his face as Jackson and Elijah rushed into the compound.
A patronizing smile spread on Klaus' lips, "I thought I smelled swamp."
Annalise tilted her head curiously as she watched Jackson fume in anger and Elijah didn't look quite pleased either.
"What'd you do with Hayley?" Jackson spat at the original hybrid. "Tell me what you know." Elijah strictly demanded as Klaus took a step towards them, wearing a coy expression as he spoke, "Has Jackson misplaced his bride? Come to think about it, I did read that global warming was affecting migration patterns. Try Georgia."
Jackson narrowed his eyes at the hybrid, "I just left the bodies of people I care about to rot in the woods because you left them defenseless against poachers."
Klaus looked taken back upon hearing this but wore a fake smile to mask it. Jackson grit his teeth, "Like Kingmaker Land Development. Does that ring a bell?"
Annalise scrunched up her nose in confusion, "Who?"
Klaus' face went slack at what the alpha was onto. Annalise took another sip from her wine as Jackson spoke up, "Yeah, the CEO is Lucien Castle."
Anna choked on her wine as she began to cough violently. All eyes went to the heretic who looked in complete shock as she stared at Jackson, "What did you just say?"
"The owner is some guy named Lucien Castle." the alpha answered Anna's question. The heretic's lips parted in complete surprise upon hearing the vampire's name, once again.
Elijah narrowed his eyes as he watched his lover's gaze, she knew him.
The werewolf gazed back at the hybrid, "Elijah tells me you two go way back."
Annalise licked her lips as she absorbed the information being revealed.
Klaus pointed towards his older brother, "As it happens, I just came back from a romp with our good friend Lucien. You can find him in the penthouse of the gaudy new construction on Canal. And while you two are catching up, be sure to ask him about the prophetic vision he showed me of our family's spectacular downfall. You could use a good laugh."
Elijah pointed at Jackson, "You stay here. Anna, Niklaus and I will deal with this."
Klaus stood tall as he shook his head, "Actually, as long as Hayley's prowling about on two legs and unaccounted for, I'm staying with my daughter." the hybrid stalked towards Jackson, "And, should I discover that this is yet another cock-eyed scheme for Hayley and you to abscond with her, the paltry remains of your beloved wolf pack will be sniffing at your entrails come morning."
Annalise stood from her seat as she smiled bitterly, "You truly have a thing for taking people's friends away."
Klaus gazed back at her with a guilty glint hidden in his eyes. Elijah grit his teeth as he spoke, "This doesn't frighten you, brother. But, one day, your daughter will know exactly the kind of man that her father is."
Klaus' smile faltered upon hearing such words, especially from his brother.
Elijah turned towards Annalise, "How do you know Lucien?"
The heretic's lips parted as she shuffled awkwardly, "I met him two hundred years ago, at a party."
Elijah pressed his lips into a firm line as he glanced between Jackson and his soulmate, "We have someone to meet then."
Annalise mentally cringed, this reunion would not go well.
«────── « ⋅ʚ♡ɞ⋅ » ──────»
Annalise watched her lover ring the doorbell to Lucien's penthouse. She really did not want to be here.
Elijah noticed Anna's uneasiness and placed a gentle hand on the small part of her back as the front door opened.
Lucien's eyes went to the original vampire first as he had not seen the heretic, "Elijah! What a glorious pleasure." the males eyes looked down at the Martin heir at his side and looked visibly taken back.
"Annalise?"
The heretic pursed her lips, "Hello Lucien."
The vampire let out a breathy laugh, "Now this is a surprise, I haven't seen you in centuries."
Annalise gave the male a fake smile, "Just two."
Elijah didn't appreciate the look Lucien was giving his soulmate. Anna cleared her throat rather awkwardly as the original vampire attempted to step through the door but was blocked by an invisible force. Lucien chuckled lightly before pointing towards the threshold, "It's a boundary spell. No vampire from another sireline can enter without an invitation." he glanced quickly at Anna before looking back up at Elijah, "Given the circumstances."
Elijah parted his lips to speak but was cut off by Lucien voice, "Annalise, you look different. For instance, your hair is short."
Annalise mustered a polite smile, "Mhm, I cut it."
Elijah couldn't help the question that left his mouth, "How is it that you two know each other?"
Lucien glanced up at the original vampire before tilting his head curiously until his eyes landed on the hand placed upon Anna's back, his lips parted in realization before a grin etched itself onto his lips, "I courted Annalise for some time."
Annalise did not want to look up at Elijah's expression, "Much like courted, I'm not sure, but we simply have a past that's long gone now."
Lucien frowned, "Because you disappeared on me."
Elijah scrunched his features up in distaste, "I regret asking."
Lucien clenched his jaw as he found himself rather angry with the vampire and heretic's closeness, "So, I suppose that means you two?"
Elijah pulled Anna closer to his side, "Yes."
Annalise muttered a curse, bloody great. Now, Elijah was jealous.
The Mikaelson male straightened up as he remembered as to why he was here in the first place, "Lucien, I didn't come here to chin-wag. Your little corporation has been butchering wolves in the Bayou Lafourche."
Lucien crossed his arms over his chest, "It's population control. There's viable land out there— viable, that is, once the sudden influx of mangy wildlife has been eliminated."
"I take it you are alluding to the Crescent Pack." Annalise narrowed her eyes at the male.
"What do two vampires have to care about wolves." Lucien curiously asked as he glanced between the couple.
Elijah blinked upon hearing the male call Anna a vampire, meaning he had no knowledge she was a heretic. Annalise smiled, she was thanking her younger self for not telling the bloody vampire her true identity.
Annalise pursed her lips, "Hayley Kenner, one of the Alphas, is missing."
Lucien's eyes lit up in realization, "The hybrid Nik knocked up?"
"My, you do have a pleasant way with words." the brunette patronizingly smiled. The heretic watched as Lucien stepped back into his apartment while talking with the soulmates, "What I didn't know, was that Annalise had gotten close to a certain Mikaelson male. Does Nik know? I know he has a history of going after Elijah's beloveds."
Annalise took a step forward as she stepped through the threshold making Lucien take a cautious step back, "We're from the same sireline, genius."
"By the way, Lucien, how's that one sided love going for you?"
"You wound me, Anna."
The heretic took another step towards the vampire, "Only people I like can call me Anna. You are most certainly not on that list."
"The you I met that night would say much differently." Lucien smirked at the short haired girl.
Elijah grit his teeth in anger before he punched a table, leaving it in small pieces as he grabbed the leg and threw it at Lucien with vampire speed.
The weapon impaled Lucien's neck which caused him to groan in pain as he pulled it out. Before he could react, Jackson lunged at the vampire, fangs bared and golden eyes blazing.
The werewolf viciously bit into Lucien's arm as Anna leaned against a wall simply watching.
Jackson retracted his fangs as Lucien cradled his bitten arm, the alpha glared down at the male, "Now, he asked you what your hunters did with my wife. Answers. Now."
"I'll have them inspect the roadkill in the morning." Lucien spat back at the wolf who took another threatening step before Anna spoke up, "That's enough, Jackson. Head back to the compound and fetch the chains from the carriage room."
The wolf let out a heavy sigh before doing at the heretic told.
Elijah smirked in amusement, "My darling Lucien— I'm quite happy to stand here and watch you die. Or, you could invite me in. The choice is yours."
Lucien looked over at Annalise who was smiling brightly.
"You're not going to help me?"
The heretic let out an amused laugh, "You really think I would side with you over Elijah? Let's get one thing clear, Lucien, whatever we had years ago, was nothing. You wanted to get your mind off the woman which whom you loved but evidently did not love you in return. Not much of a shocker there, and I wanted a distraction. We both used each other, and that was it, nothing more."
Lucien knew Anna was right, in the beginning, that was all it was to what him and the heretic had. But Lucien had made a grave mistake, he began to actually care for Anna. Not to the degree that he loved and adored Aurora but enough that her words stung his heart.
The vampire slumped in defeat as he turned towards Elijah, "You're free to enter."
Lucien stood as he excused himself to the bathroom. The original vampire approached his lover, "Past?"
Annalise rolled her eyes, "It lasted around a year, it really wasn't anything long so there's no reason to be so hostile."
Elijah smiled down at his beloved, "You clearly haven't seen the look he's been giving you."
Anna tilted her head, "What look?"
Before the original vampire could reply, Lucien emerged into the room holding a towel to his werewolf bite, "My contacts will get back to me if they have any information about a wolf matching your description." the male took a seat before beginning to pour himself a glass of scotch.
Elijah eyed the vampire wearily, "You're going to need Niklaus' blood for that wound, just FYI. I'm sure he'll respond favorably once the mother of his child has been recovered."
Annalise gazed over at the woman who held two puncture wounds on her neck as blood decorated the wounds, lie still and motionless on a chair.
Lucien noticed Elijah and Anna's gazes on the human and spoke up, "Oh, feel free to have a drink! She's not dead... just mouthy. I compelled her quiet." The vampire then took a large gulp of his alcohol.
Elijah held an annoyed glint in his eyes, "You can spare me the counterfeit camaraderie. So, you say you're in conflict with those of my sireline. Am I to assume that the Lord Tristan de Martel is up to his usual tricks?"
Lucien groaned in frustration, "This is no quarrel, Elijah! We are on the brink of war! Tristan knows that if he kills Klaus, he will eliminate all his enemies."
Annalise narrowed her eyes as her demeanor darkened, "By that logic, is that supposed to mean Elijah is your target?"
Lucien blinked at the heretic's protectiveness over the original, "If I kill him, then I trade all of the money, the women, the jets, for an eternity on the run from Nik and Rebekah. More importantly, you apparently, would kill me."
Elijah gazed intensely at the vampire, "Leave the city. No one needs your protection. The white oak is destroyed. We cannot be killed."
Lucien clenched his jaw tightly, "You're wrong. Talk to Nik. He's seen the prophecy. Visions of darkness surround your family. You are not immune to death, Elijah."
Annalise knitted her brows together, "What prophecy?"
Lucien merely smirked in response as Elijah spoke up, "Well, I'm no stranger to death, young Lucien."
Elijah takes Anna's hand as the two made their way towards the exit when Lucien spoke for the last time, "Or maybe immortality has finally soured you. After all, you've abandoned your eternal efforts to save Nik's soul. What's left for the legendary Elijah Mikaelson if not that singular motivation?"
«────── « ⋅ʚ♡ɞ⋅ » ──────»
Elijah and Annalise stood outside the Mikaelson compound where the two caught angry shouts from none other than Hayley.
The heretic rushed through the doors as her lover followed behind. Her steps faltered upon seeing the mother, who was covered in blood, smack against Klaus' chest in frustration, "She deserves something better than what we had, and all I have ever wanted for her is something better." she shoved the original hybrid.
Klaus merely gazed at Hayley which only served to fuel up her frustration, "Fight back. Fight back!"
But the original's gaze went to a little girl behind Hayley, who was slowly toddling over to them. Hayley's mouth opens in shock before waves of guilt crash over her. The mother placed a hand over her mouth in disbelief, "Ohhhh. She's walking. When did she start walking?"
Annalise watched with a saddened gaze as tears began to well up in the mothers eyes.
Hayley slowly approached her daughter as she picked her up and choked back a sob as little Hope cooed in her arms, "I missed it. I missed everything."
Hayley walked back downstairs with her daughter in her arms as Klaus followed shortly behind them.
Freya finally broke the shackles that bounded Jackson and he rushed towards Hayley and Hope to engulf them into a hug, "What happened? Is the curse broken?"
Hayley sighed tiredly, "I'll explain later. We're safe... for now."
Elijah slipped an arm around Anna's waist and the heretic leaned into his side for comfort as Klaus politely spoke up, "Good for you. I'll have your bedroom made up."
The hybrid shot the father of her child a glare, "The only way that I will stay under your roof is if I'm in a coffin."
"Don't give the dog any ideas." Annalise muttered as Klaus ignored her comment whilst angrily speaking, "If you think I will allow Hope out of my protection for a second—"
Hayley narrowed her eyes at the original, "What you'll allow doesn't matter, Klaus. Welcome to a 21st century custody battle. Moms win them now."
Annalise let out an annoyed sigh, "Good god you lot can never come to terms."
Elijah interrupted the parents as he wished to prevent another fight, "If I may? The apartments across the street have recently been renovated. I might pay a visit to the management." he turned towards his brother who looked unhappy, "The fact that Hope will never be out of earshot should assuage your incessant paranoia."
Klaus narrowed his eyes, "So we are to listen as my daughter is raised by savages?"
Jackson let out a harsh scoff, "Because everyone here is so civilized?"
"I have to agree with the hairy alpha." Annalise chimed in but earned herself a look from the werewolf at what she had called him.
Elijah kept his gaze on his younger brother, "Brother, you created the problem. This might well be the solution."
Hayley gratefully nodded at the vampire, "Put the place in Jackson's name." she turned on her heel to glare at the original hybrid, "Klaus won't be invited in."
"Right, because that'll do anything."
«────── « ⋅ʚ♡ɞ⋅ » ──────»
Annalise downed a glass of whiskey as Freya watched her, the heretic met the blondes curious gaze, "What?"
Freya paused for a moment, "Why didn't you side with Klaus? By the faces you were making I know you don't completely agree with Hayley."
The brunette glanced down at her glass, "Maybe, once before I would have stood up for him. Do I believe what Hayley is doing is right, no, not completely, but Nikaus lost me on his side the day he took Francis. He can deal with this by himself, he's a grown male, not a child."
Annalise reached for an ice bag and tossed it over to the witch who caught it, "I could give you my blood to help with the bruise."
Freya smiled, "The ice will do just fine, but thanks."
Elijah entered the kitchen as he glanced between the two females before the Mikaelson witch spoke up, "I supposed I was misguided to believe Hayley's return would ease tensions in this house."
The original vampire grinned widely, "Misguided. Delusional. Refreshingly optimistic." he paused for a second, "You're new."
Annalise watched a worried glint linger in his eyes as knew the prophecy Lucien had mentioned was bugging him.
Freya noticed her brother looking off, "What is it?"
"I received some unsettling information from Lucien Castle. I don't trust the source, but I... trust you."
A few moments later, Freya is preparing a spell with Annalise by her side as Klaus bleeds into a bowl for her.
The blonde glanced at the hybrid before speaking, "If you fed on this prophetic witch, her blood is still in your system. If there's a weapon that can kill you, we need to know."
Freya lights a tall black candle and placed it in the middle of the table, surrounding it with smaller lit white candles. She took the bowl of blood from Klaus before setting out three small pieces of paper with Norse runes written on them. Elijah, Klaus, and Rebekah.
Freya stared at the black candle in the center as she swallowed anxiously before she dunk her fingers into the bowl of blood to make a connection with the witch and her visions.
Annalise pursed her lips in worry as Elijah stood by her side.
"No mentre le prophecie que la otra ve. No mentre le prophecie que la otra ve."
As she chants, blood starts to drip from inside her right ear, and the house starts to shake. Freya's voice becomes more and more strained, as though the effort is hurting her, Annalise eyed the blonde in worry.
"Freya, stop. You're going to hurt yourself." The heretic spoke with her voice laced in concern but she made a mistake as she placed her hand upon the witch's shoulder. Anna gasped as she caught glimpses of Elijah's painted portrait in the living room splashed with blood and the beast with large, long, and wickedly sharp fangs roar as he bared his bloody teeth.
Elijah and Klaus narrowed their eyes at the sight of the pieces of papers with the names of the three original vampires that suddenly caught of fire.
Annalise ripped her hand away as she stumbled back, visibly shaken from what she had seen. Elijah was before the heretic as he held her close to himself.
Freya breathed heavily, "It's true. You have a terrible shadow over you. Rebekah, too. If this prophecy is fulfilled, you will all fall..." she looked up at her brothers clearly not happy by what she had learn, "One by friend, one by foe, and..." Freya cut herself off, unable to say it.
Elijah and Klaus glanced at one another in concern at their sister's trailed off words.
Annalise inhaled sharply, "One by family."
Bạn đang đọc truyện trên: AzTruyen.Top