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chapter fourteen ━ betrayal to last a lifetime

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❝ run rebekah! ❞

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ATHENA WASN'T SURE what had come over her the night before. She just remembered feeling powerful, wanting to take control of Thomas, wanted to see him react to her doing something like that to him for once instead of the other way around. And all she knew was that she was stuck between that dominant, more wicked part of herself that came forth when she killed some of Marcel's vampires and then her innocent side. She knew she had to find a balance, but didn't know how to. That was the least of her worries.

She slowly exited Thomas's bedroom which she honestly adored. It was simple but the smell of his sheets. . .she had her nose pressed against it all night because they smelt exactly like him and the smell comforted her. She walked to the entrance of the living room as she had the night previous, watching as the male himself moved around the kitchen. Her eyes filled with amusement. Thomas was making breakfast. Just as she asked.

The brunette crossed over to him, her eyes cutting to the side swiftly to see the couch neatly made but there was a blanket hanging over the back, evidence that he had indeed slept there. Just as she asked. Athena pursed her lip, sitting on one of the chestnut wooden stools, breathing in the delicious smell of the food he was making. She knew he was a good cook and she always looked forward to when he did cook for her. "Morning."

He glanced back at her, smiling as he flipped one of the pancakes with the spatula, focusing on the food but he still spoke to her. "Good morning, how'd you sleep? I sincerely hope you enjoyed my bed." The male was dressed in different clothes, leading her to believe he must have snuck in when she was asleep. Oh dear, she hadn't snored when he walked in had she? "Because you drolled on my pillow."

Athena gasped, standing up at lightning speed, jabbing her index finger at him. "Nah uh! I don't droll!" But she quickly wiped her chin as if making sure she didn't have any dried on her skin. Then she raced to his bedroom at human speed, peering over at his sheets as her eyes searched for any sign that she had indeed done as he said. When she found none, the hybrid stomped back to the kitchen, glaring at him as she crossed her arms over her chest, sitting down again. "You liar, there was no drool."

In response, he laughed to himself, shaking his head before he finished up the food. Thomas laid two chocolate chip pancakes on a beautiful white glass plate that had a black wolf etched into the middle. He set a glass of chocolate milk with some ice in front of her, grinning. "Just wanted to see your face when I said that." With ease, he swung a kitchen cloth over his shoulder, placing the pan into the sink before setting his own plate in front of her on the counter since she was sitting at the bar.

Right before she went to dig in, Thomas held up a finger. Athena stopped mid-air, about to cut her food. He went to the fridge, taking out some whip-cream and made two large dots before making a curved line, creating a simple smiley-face. She gasped, her eyes lighting up with wonder and then laughed, remembering the soft substance from when Rebekah made her some ice cream. The smile on her face made it worth it to him.

"Eat up, we have work to do today," he told her gently, cutting up his own pancake, seeing her eyes widen out of the corner of his eye. He noticed that she started eating faster and decided not to get onto her about it this time, eating at his regular pace. "I called Marcel and he told me that they haven't found them or any trace of them yet." Before she could say anything, he continued on. "However, with how determined Elijah has been, I am sure once we get to the compound that there will be news." A thought occurred to him so he added on. "Oh, and I will be taking you shopping for new clothes that you will keep here and at the compound."

Thomas finished right after he finished speaking because he usually ate rather quickly. He often had a big meal but he could eat this to hold him over for later. And yes, he had considered asking her to move in with him or at least stay for longer but chose not to because he didn't wish to move too fast and scare her away. He wanted to go at her pace, that much he has made obvious to her. He scraped off his plate in the sink, setting it down on the need to be clean side before moving around the counter, standing behind her.

"See?" He whispered in her ear, making her shiver, a chill running down her spine. "I can be dominate and give directions too. But you do it so much better." Thomas kissed the side of her head, taking a few steps back and went to his bedroom to freshen up. Athena was left sitting there, mouth full of pancakes, eyes wide as she turned around, seeing him gone. Then she smiled to herself, getting up and tip-toed to the fridge but then a voice spoke up.

"Don't even think about it, Ena," he called softly from his bathroom. She stopped, pouting before she spun on her heel, plopping down onto the stool and resumed eating her breakfast, muttering how he was a meanie pants to which he simply laughed loudly.

Not long after he reappeared, ready for the day while she was still in his clothes. Athena finished her food and he took the plate from her, placing it in the sink. Thomas waited patiently as she finished her milk, drumming his fingers against his countertops, his wolf murmuring something inappropriate to him about what they could do to her on this very surface he was touching. He had gotten skilled at ignoring Sebastian. Yes, he named his wolf after his middle name because it was easy to remember.

Once she downed the rest of it, he picked it up, the ice clinking against the glass as he also placed it in the sink. Athena watched him, her eyes following his movements. Thomas turned back around to face her, causing her to jolt out of her staring. "You're more than welcome to wash up, I'll be here when you're ready to go." He moved around the counter, walking past her and then sat down on the couch, sitting patiently.

———

They drove to the compound to meet up with Marcel and the car ride there was silent, so quiet that Athena actually heard the humming of the car. And suddenly it occurred to her that Thomas had a pretty nice vehicle, expensive looking. When she questioned him about it, he explained that when he was learning everything he needed to know about modern times, he not only explored the music area, but also cars. He knew how to fix one without having to go to something called the dealership. She still didn't understand and he thought it was adorable, laughing and trying not to smile too big.

Least to say, they needed the comedic relief because once they waltzed into the courtyard, Elijah came barreling in behind them before Athena could even ask Marcel for an update. The three turned towards him, seeing the determined look in his eyes.

"Anything?" he questioned.

"They're putting eyes and ears out everywhere," Marcel told the three of them. "Daywalkers are working every contact we've got. Cops, dock workers, guys in the Treme. . .word is out: anyone trying to earn favor with me gets a lifetime of it if they find them." He sounded pretty sure of himself, no doubt worried because of Rebekah's life hanging in the balance, not Klaus's.

Athena didn't care who he liked more, she just wanted her siblings home and safe again. She pushed her hair back, Thomas standing close behind her but not too close for comfort, just for support. "Well let's hope that the people who know are plentiful." Right then she went to announce that it was a new word she learned but then Marcel held his hand up.

"New word, we got it."

She pouted in reply, cutting her words short as her excited smile fell. Thomas pressed a kiss to her cheek and gave a glare to the vampire, not very happy that he made his mate frown. "I'm proud, good job, Ena." He whispered in her ear, making sure that she knew that her efforts of easing into the era wasn't going ignored.

"Good," Elijah spoke, disregarding what Marcel had said to Athena. "I need a pen and paper." He started walking away without any explanation as to why he was asking for those items. Marcel rose an eyebrow, rolling his eyes before he followed after them because the Nyxs were already trailing behind the Original.

"Hey, am I taking orders from you now, or are we in this together?" Marcel asked Elijah when they all reached the study, watching as the noble brother removed his jacket, clearly concentrated on doing whatever was on his mind at that moment.

He spoke with a frustrated tone, in no mood to deal with his complaining because right now, they needed to find the two before something even more disastrous happened. "Pen and paper, Marcellus. Now!"

Marcel sighed in reply. "I want her back just as much as you do, you know. . .the both of them."

Athena scoffed at that, lips twitching in irritation. She was far away from her playful self now, her darker and more sinister side coming out to play. Because no one messed with her family and lived to tell the tale. She didn't have the guts to stick to that in Mystic Falls, so she would do it in New Orleans instead. "Highly doubt that. You only care about Rebekah. You and Nik do nothing but fight and bicker over who's king. If you save him, maybe my thoughts will be swayed."

He didn't respond to her words but he did look at her when she spoke. Marcel left the study to go get the supplies, Elijah stripping off his shirt. Athena wasn't embarrassed because this was her brother, but she was extremely confused as to what he was doing. Then he saw a tattoo of names all over his body. She gaped. "What the. . ."

"Athena, I need you to make a list of these names," Elijah directed.

She nodded without hesitation and moved closer, waiting for Marcel to return though she did start examining the names across his shoulders, arms, back, and abdomen. Thomas took a step closer, his eyebrows furrowed. He didn't understand what the hell any of that was and he made it clear by scrunching up his nose, looking displeased that he didn't know something. Then again, he wasn't extremely familiar with witches and their spells.

One name made her stop, her eyes flickering up to Elijah's. "Why is Sabine's name on your body? Elijah, what is all this?" She wasn't following along with this either because she too was not accustomed to whatever it was she laid her eyes on. It did make her rather concerned, her eyes reflecting so as she was concerned for her brother's wellbeing. When it came down to her family, she would do anything.

"I believe they represent the names of the women Celeste inhabited for the past two centuries," he explained though that didn't exactly give her the full reasoning behind what this was. Surely it had a name. She frowned, turning her head to see Marcel. Before he could get close, Thomas swiped the paper and pen out of his hands and gently handed it to his mate, smiling.

Athena thanked him and Marcel before turning back to Elijah. She clicked the pen and began writing down names just as the vampire spoke up since he could sense the two rulers still weren't grasping the idea of what this was or what the meaning of it was.

"It's called a Devinette," he added, making Thomas nod as the term sounded slightly familiar now. There was a witch in his village who he avoided because she had always scared him. "It's old school. Kind of a riddle. Witches use them to teach their kids. Solve it, and it disappears."

"But what's the point?" Athena asked.

Elijah sighed. "Celeste forced me to make a choice between Hayley and our siblings, and now she means to mock that choice, taunting me with a childish game. The longer the game, the more they suffer. To find Klaus and Rebekah, we need to solve this riddle. The solution lies somewhere in these names."

She did not like that one bit, her right fist clenching around the pen. This was all a game to Celeste, revenge for whatever reason. Her siblings had made so many enemies over the centuries that it was quite upsetting to know that she may never get to settle down without something smashing through her happiness because of a rivalry that happened decades or more ago. And to think she was never a part of any of those things because she didn't walk the Earth. Yet she was a target because of her last name.

"The name next to Sabine. . ." Marcel trailed off, earning her attention. "Annie La Fleur, she's the witch that was shunned from her coven just over a year ago. Never knew why, but I can find out."

———

Athena was in the study with Thomas, researching to find whatever they could about all the names they found. There were many names and the situation had gotten to the point where it was sickening to know all of these people died because Celeste grew bored or them or had to move on for whatever reason. Either way, she felt sympathetic towards the innocent people, knowing that none of them had deserved their fate.

Elijah called not too long after he and Marcel left to go after Annie, telling her the outcome of the witch, making her shut her eyes as she couldn't imagine it. She lowered her head onto her hand which was set on the table, her elbow supporting it. "She killed herself?" Thomas immediately looked over, eyes shining with worry, he listened to the conversation since he had heightened hearing.

"Yes, drowned herself in the Mississippi, to be precise," Elijah added. "Celeste was clearly tired of the body and ready to take Sabine's." Before his sister could question him as to what gave him that impression, he beat her to it. "Because she leaped to her death from the very location Celeste and I had our first kiss."

Her head lifted up and she pushed her hair back, shaking her head. "Wow, she sounds just like a psychopath."

There was no disagreement on the other line. "All these names, these lives, stolen that Celeste might take her revenge. I suppose we have no choice but to see where they take us." He paused. Ena, I have to go. I'll call you back, keep searching."

Thomas rasped his knuckles against the desk, making her look over at him. "Ask him about Brynne."

Athena was quickly reminded of the name they found and written down. "Wait!" Elijah prompted her to continue, hearing the urgency in her tone. "Ask Marcel if he knows anything about a name on that list — Brynne Deveraux. Sophie said that it was her family's bloodline that put the curse on the Crescent wolves, but according to what we've heard from her, Celeste said that she was the only one that could break it. So, if Brynne Deveraux was actually Celeste the entire time, then maybe Celeste can still break it."

"I'll see what he knows," he promised. "Stay safe and stay home, Ena." And then he hung up before she could snap back at him or argue that she wasn't staying put as he kindly asked her to. However, a part of him knew that she wouldn't listen to him. But it was worth a shot.

———

She didn't leave, couldn't actually, attempted so but failed. Thomas had stood in front of the doorway and told her that though he was all for being equal and not treating her like she was weak, he got a bad feeling in his gut and he did not want her to go. He explained that this whole ordeal wasn't fitting, there was something else lurking, so type of secret, something that wasn't revealed yet. And he told her that if he let her go after her siblings and she got caught in the crossfire, he would never forgive himself. So for once, Athena let her stubbornness go, seeing the expression he had. 

They had continued researching the names, Thomas lingering at her side. He wanted to pick her up and place her in his lap but thought better of it, knowing if Elijah ever came back and saw that, he would most definitely get a broken bone, or worse. So he pictured it in his head to satisfy his wolf. And thank goodness he didn't act on it because Elijah did indeed returning, bringing news.

"You two were right about the Deveraux witch."

Athena looked relieved and also torn, knowing that Celeste would never break the curse willingly, so their chances at getting the wolves their freedom were slim. Marcel walked in before either of the rulers could reply. "Find anything about Clara, the mystery witch?"

She shook her head, sighing. "Nothing that is any use to us. She was a nurse at the Fleur-de-Lis Sanitarium." Marcel froze instantly, beginning to panic from the expression on his face. The brunette clicked on a picture and turned the laptop, pointing to the picture of the girl. "Recognize her?"

"No, I don't," Elijah frowned. "Marcel?" They all turned to look at the said vampire who seemed to be alarmed, worried. He knew her.

Thomas stood up, narrowing his eyes. "Look, if you know something, spit it out. Klaus and Rebekah are out there suffering and we can't just leave them. So start talking before I make you talk." His tone was deeper, showing how serious he was about this. Athena didn't react, silently happy for him taking over because it sure persuaded Marcel.

"The Sanitarium. That's where you'll find them."

"How do you know?"

"I just know."

Thomas was getting irritated and moved around the desk, standing in front of him with a fierce glare. "I said, how do you know?"

Marcel looked absolutely terrified, knowing that his life was on the line now, as was Rebekah's. He glanced to Athena who showed no sign of budging from her seat, letting the King do the dirty work for her. She didn't need to say anything, because Thomas already knew what she wanted and that was for her siblings to be found. And the vampire didn't want to know what lengths he would go to to get the Queen what she wanted.

"If I'm right, you need to know exactly what we're walking into," Marcel started, gulping nervously, avoiding all their eyes. "We did something, Rebekah and I. . .I think the witches are trying to use it against her. It was, uh. . .something that you're not gonna like."

He spoke quickly but they caught every single word, listening, and they each held the same expression. Athena wasn't sure she had ever seen Elijah look more enraged than he did at the moment. She too was furious, her body shaking. Yes, she had gotten lucky and never had to run from her father for over a thousand years. But what she did do? She was forced to call him her father, treat him with respect. The memory of when she raced in front of Klaus before he was hit came to her mind. Thomas couldn't share the same anger but could feel his mate's and that was enough to understand the betrayal.

"For the better part of a century, I have wondered how Father found us, what foolish mistake that we had made to destroy our time in the one place that we could finally call home," Elijah started, allowing his temper to grow. What was terrifying was that the entire time, his voice never rose once, but the hurt was there, strong, prominent. "Did you know, I even blamed myself for a time, Marcellus? Niklaus treated you like a son."

"Rebekah," Marcel started, determined to defend himself. "I loved her. I still love her. All we ever wanted was to be together, but as long as Klaus was around, that was never gonna happen. But hey, I guess you wouldn't know anything about that, huh?"

Athena growled and sped to him, shoving him to the wall as she choked him roughly. "I will tear you apart if anything happens to my sister because of your idiocy!" She screamed, letting her rage get the best of her because she truly didn't care, she was seeing red. Elijah didn't stop her, neither did Thomas, and they both merely watched. "When Nik learns the truth, he will never stop until he hurts her. I will not let Rebekah suffer his wrath because of you. You should've known better."

Marcel's eyes widened, gasping for air but he didn't try to pry away her hands, knowing he deserved this. Athena let him go and then spun on her heel, flashing out of the compound. Elijah and Thomas were quick to follow.

———

They decided to split up to cover different issues. While Athena went with her brother and Marcel to the sanitarium, Thomas went after Celeste and brought Hayley along with. He was going to free those wolves from their curse and also knew that following after his love to a family feud was not a brilliant idea. His presence would add fuel to the fire no doubt.

So he and Hayley watched from a distance, waiting for Celeste to appear. When she did, Thomas snuck up behind her and then kicked her in the back, sending her falling to the ground, making a sound that displayed her pain. She looked up at saw the male Nyx grinning down at her, a dark look in his eyes. "Hey, Celeste. You and I are overdue for a chat."

Meanwhile, Athena's group was just arriving outside of the sanitarium. She instantly fired off a demand. "Divided the building, Marcel, you start on one end, Elijah and I will start at the other." He nodded without hesitation, speeding off. Elijah led his sister down one hallway, dodging forgotten picture frames that were shattered on the floors. It was quite dirty but they didn't care.

It took them around ten minutes to finally track down their siblings, arriving to see Marcel already there, ready to fight for Rebekah. The said blonde looked incredibly weak with her hair a mess, sweat all over her face, begging as she cried. "Nik, it was my idea to summon Mikael. If you're gonna hurt anyone, it should be me."

"Such loyalty to your beloved," Klaus sneered. "You know, if you had offered me even a fraction of the same, I wouldn't have to do this." He lifted the blade, about to stab Rebekah in the heart but Athena was quicker, intervening as she stabbed it through Klaus's chest instead.

Both gasped when they saw what she had done, yet Elijah didn't look surprised, knowing she was dedicated to their family and if she had to do something like this to protect another of their siblings, she would do so in a heartbeat. Marcel grabbed Rebekah who was full on sobbing, eyes wide. "Ena, no!"

"Go!" Athena yelled, upset with the choice her sister made but she understood it and she wouldn't, couldn't hate her for it. "Both of you. Go as far as you can as fast as you can. Don't turn around or come back. Run!" Marcel had to pull Rebekah, speeding them away because she wouldn't.

Elijah took a disabled Klaus into his arms so she didn't have to carry him, looking up at her to see the heartbroken expression on her face, the two tears that fell down her cheeks. She was in shock. 

What had their family become?

———

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( credit : @pepperronys )