viii. klaus
𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐲 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐥𝐢𝐞.
chapter eight, the difference between you and i!
England, 1492. . .
ZAKIYAH REED STARED UP AT THE NIGHT SKY WITH SILENT TEARS STREAMING DOWN HER CHEEKS. The English native pinched her eyes shut and gritted her teeth. Her body shook at the sobs clawing at the back of her throat.
The antagonizing pain intermingled with the sadness weighing heavily in the cages of her ribs. She wanted to hate Katerina for tearing her to pieces━━ but she only felt heartbroken for her lover having been turned into a monster.
A monster who took her love for granted. Took her life for her own selfish gain.
Yet here Zakiyah Reed lay, hoping and praying that Katerina would be safe and well while she was slowly dying. Zakiyah clenched her teeth together and let out a blood curdling scream that strained her already torn vocal cords.
Blood sprayed from her lips as she cried. Her fingers curled into the grass, yanking at its body. Is this my punishment for loving someone whom was of the same gender as I?
She laughed to herself, but it quickly turned into a bloody cough. This is what she deserved. Her mother always warned her that the devil would take her soul should she continue her sinful activities. She paid her mother no mind, but now she wondered if her mother was right. Was Katerina the devil? Was that why she attacked her?
Zakiyah shook her head, her words slurring together as the blood flowed freely from her lips. The prayers she whispered were heard by death who lay beside her, caressing her hair softly. She let out another broken cry. Zakiyah's eyes stared up at the starry night sky, a single tear streaming down her cheek.
Her breath hitched━━ she began to cough, coating her lips with blood. Zakiyah whimpered as her lungs finally collapsed, in the crimson she was drowning in. She paid no mind to the light breeze that past her. She felt strong arms embrace her bloodied body.
She couldn't look her savior in the eyes. Her vision was becoming out of focus━━ blurring the millions of stars into a ball of white light. She extended her hand to touch it as a loud crunch filled the night sky. "C'mon love, don't you dare leave me! ZAKIYAH!" Her lips pursed into a soft smile as his blood fell into her mouth and dribbled down her lips.
She swallowed, but remained silent as the light began to shine brighter. She let out a breathless laugh as the pain began to subside and her body began to feel numb. For death had claimed its angel whose pure soul was ready to return home.
Mystic Falls, present timing. . .
"SO KLAUS WAS THE ONE WHO TURNED YOU?" Katherine questioned while she spun lazily on a swivel chair. She dragged her foot down, stopping before Zakiyah. The English native was leaning against the wall, examining her nails. "He did."
Katherine nodded, digesting the information. Her heart felt heavy in the confinement of her ribs. She had thought Zakiyah to have been a monster for murdering her family alongside her enemy, but was she wrong? Had it been her all along that was the villain to her own story and Kiyah's?
Had she truly damned them both a lifetime of misery and pain? Katherine inhaled deeply and popped up from her position. Zakiyah still chose to murder her family with Klaus. She was still the bad guy too.
So why was she questioning her own involvement in creating the fall of her lover? The brunette walked towards the kitchen, shuffling through the cabinets only to fish out a bottle of bourbon. She smiled to herself and unscrewed the lid with excitement.
"I guess that explains why you and Klaus are as thick as thieves," she brought the rim to her lips and took a sip. She rolled her eyes at the thought. "Gross."
Zakiyah scoffed, dropping her hand out of boredom. She sauntered her way towards the island and propped herself onto it.
She was studying Katherine again, only this time, her eyes shown with mischief and. . . longing? Katherine felt her heart skip at the thought. Maybe their love was what could salvage their broken souls?
"Don't be sour KitKat, you entertained yourself quite well with the Salvatore brothers from what I've heard," Katherine ran her tongue over her teeth. She rounded the corner of the island and walked up to Zakiyah. She extended the bottle to her. "Jealous?"
"Not at all," Zakiyah smirked. Her lips kissed the rim and the trail of fire burned down her throat. She laughed. "The difference between you and I is that I know I'm irreplaceable to you, but can the same be said for you to me?"
Katherine's heart dropped as did her smile. Zakiyah laughed again, her smile sharp. She took another swing. Katherine yanked the bottle out of her hands and took her own sip.
"Oh, did I hit a nerve, Katerina? How does it feel knowing that both people who you truly fallen in love with have easily replaced you? It must sting, doesn't it?"
Katherine was quick. In a blur, she flung the bottle at Zakiyah who swiftly moved to the right. The Black beauty bellowed in mocking laughter at her lover who lunged. The two fell to the floor with Katherine being on top.
Zakiyah threw her head back, laughing maniacally as Katherine wrapped her hands around her lover's throat. She applied pressure, but Zakiyah remained unphased. It infuriated Katherine who growled.
"Oh, Kat, you forget that you've always been a bottom," with ease, Zakiyah rolled them over so that Katherine was under her. She winked at the brunette whose breath got heavy. "Wanna try again, my angel baby?"
"What do you want from me?" Zakiyah rolled her eyes. She let out a dramatic sigh. "Haven't we been over this, my love? It's simple really. I'm your insurance policy in making sure you don't die at the hands of Nik."
"Why? Why don't you just kill me!" Zakiyah tilted her head. She furrowed her brows, lips pouting in genuine perplexity. "Now why would I kill my one true love? Believe it or not, I want you alive more than you do yourself because deep down I wouldn't be able to forgive myself if you died at my hands."
"Why? I hurt you and left you for dead." Katherine whispered, her eyes feeling watery. Zakiyah sighed. Her voice fell just below a whisper. The vulnerability laced her words in honey. "I guess that's the difference between you and I. I will always fight for your survival. If only the same could be said from you."
Katherine opened her mouth to retort, but was cutt off at Zakiyah's body becoming stiff. The two froze at the sound of voices coming forward from outside.
"I don't think this is a good idea." It was a young woman. She sounded nervous. Zakiyah tilted her head. Katherine felt her heart sink. "Investigative journalism. . .we're investigating."
A male voice. Someone who was familiar to Katherine as the vampire's eyes lit up with panick. Zakiyah giggled at the knock on the door. She felt Katherine squirm under her hold.
"Alaric, are you home? Andie. . .Star, Jenna's friend." Zakiyah turned to Katherine who pleaded with her eyes. "Sounds as though you have some visitors. I wonder who they are."
Katherine shoved Zakiyah and ran towards the door. She reached for the knob only to hiss out in pain at the barrier preventing her from touching it. Zakiyah giggled. Katherine tried it again only to fail once more.
Rolling her eyes, Zakiyah used her vampire speed to stand behind Katherine. She wrapped one arm around her waist from behind while the other reached over her to open the door.
"Hello handsome and gorgeous," Zakiyah greeted with a flirtatious wink. The blonde, who she assumed to be Andie stuttered over her words. Zakiyah chuckled and turned to the tall raven haired vampire who was watching her with narrowed blue eyes that resembled the bottom of the Atlantic. "So how about that investigative journalism, huh?"
"Katherine. . . who the hell is your friend?" Katherine gritted her teeth and tried shrugging out of Zakiyah's hold. Though, the vampire didn't let up and with a heavy sigh, the Petrova doppelgänger gave up. "Damon, this is Zakiyah."
"Ouch, you're not going to correct him? I'm hurt. Though, I wouldn't mention our history when it comes to the baddest Salvatore brother," Damon flashed the beauty a tight lipped grin. "And what history would that be, sweetie?"
"The one where I━━"
"What are you doing here Damon?" Katherine butted in, clearly upset. "Thought you might be dead."
"Unfortunately not." Zakiyah rolled her eyes at the two. "Well, since you didn't answer her I'll be the one to ask again. What are you doing here?"
"We are here to rescue you!" Andie chirped, making Damon pinch the bridge on his nose in exasperation. Zakiyah bit back her giggles. "No, sweetie. We are here to see if she deserves to be rescued."
"Right."
"That sounds nice and dandy, but Katerina doesn't need rescuing. I'm practically her insurance."
Zakiyah released her grip on the vampire who secretly wished to be in her hold again. It felt right. It felt like home.
"Again, still don't know who you are. But judging that you're in Ric's house with her I'm guessing you're working with Klaus." Damon assessed with narrowed eyes. Zakiyah shrugged. "Klaus is more so my friend I'm not here working for him. Rather, I'm only here for her."
Zakiyah gestured to Katherine whose heartbeat fluttered. Zakiyah's lips quirked at the corners in hearing it. She cleared her throat, her smile fading into a sarcastic grin.
"Now, do tell why you're here Salvatore before I'm inclined to rip out Ms. Star's pretty little throat."
Damon's lips thinned. His nostrils flared as his eyes glared daggers at the unflinching English native. His eyes looked over her shoulders to see Katherine watching the trio with her arms crossed over her chest.
"I figured you still might be kicking. Alaric-Klaus was blending way too easily. Figured he probably had some coaching." He showed the two a phial. Katherine immediately perked up. She went to stand by Zakiyah's side eyeing the phial with hopeful eyes. "Is that. . .?"
"Vervain." The two lovers of the Petrova doppelgänger said in unison. Damon glared at Zakiyah who only winked in response.. he shook his head at her, but the slight tilt from the corners of his lips showed his amusement in her. "Your salvation."
"It's not going to undo anything." Damon shrugged. Zakiyah watched the scene unravel before her with interest. "There's always a loophole. Did he tell you to stay in this apartment until he said it was okay to leave?"
Zakiyah lazily turned her attention to Katherine who couldn't formulate the answer. She smirked to herself, dropping her head as she silently laughed.
"You can't say. Did he tell you to do absolutely everything he says until the end of time?"
"No."
"There's your loophole. Drink this and it'll prevent any further compulsion."
Zakiyah hung back, clearly interested in how things would play out. Katherine glanced at her almost hesitantly, but when Zakiyah shrugged and had that crooked smile, Katherine knew.
The brunette came closer to the foot of the door unable to cross it. Zakiyah chuckled earning a glare from Katherine. The English woman raised her hands in mock defense.
"Give it to me." Katherine demanded. Zakiyah chuckled dryly. "Ah, yes Damon. Do give it to her as I'd love to see how this'll all play out."
"Aren't you supposed to be like super evil and wanna stop all of this?" Zakiyah shook her head. "On the contrary I'd rather this go through. It'll make things much more fun."
Damon nodded in approval.
He liked this Zakiyah girl. She was someone who he could see sharing a glass of his bourbon with. Even if she was supposed to be the enemy. He shook off the thoughts and fantasies of them sharing a glass and turned his attention back to a scowling Katherine.
"Answer one question first. You double-crossed us with Isobel, why?"
"I didn't think you could stand a chance against Klaus, so I was looking out for myself." Katherine refrained from looking at Zakiyah who she felt tensed up at her words. Damon shook his head in disappointment. "And where did that get you? Here."
He tossed her the phial. Zakiyah was watching Damon carefully. She could see the slight pain in his eyes. He really did love her. She felt her heart break for him. Loving Katherine only meant destruction and agony.
"Be careful with that. If he finds out you have that, you're never getting out of here. That is of course if England over here doesn't rat you out," Zakiyah jerked her head back. "England? Really?"
"Yeah, yeah, you can whine all about it over some tea and biscuits," Damon retorted with a devilish smirk. Zakiyah caught on and bit her bottom lip seductively. "Will this tea party be in your room or mine?"
"The choice is yours, England. You can find me at the bar if you want more details," he winked at her causing her to laugh. She shook her head as Katherine downed the vervain and coughed. The two's attention fell to the brunette who was wincing. Damon's eyes hardened and his tone instantly changed.
"You owe me. And I will collect." He scowled at her before shifting his eyes back to Zakiyah. "It was nice meeting you, Z. Hopefully we'll see each other soon."
"Most definitely, Day," Zakiyah promised. Nodding, Damon looked at Andie who was staring at them with a look in her eyes that made Zakiyah giggle. "Come on."
"Nice to meet you, both." She sassed while showing herself out with Damon. The door shut with a soft click leaving the two vampires alone once again. "Well that was lovely."
"You're really not going to tell Klaus about this?" Katherine questioned almost innocently. Zakiyah shrugged. "I meant what I said. I'm excited to see how things will play out. And in the end, you won't have to worry because it'll be my annoying love for you that'll prevent you from being killed. I promise you, Katerina."
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