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chapter six ━ death on her shoulders

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❝ it's raining blood and tears ❞

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THE TEARS DIDN'T stop as Athena cried silently into her pillow. Her cover was soaked and evidently was cheap fabric for you could see the actual pillow through it. She curled up in the sheets, trying so hard to stop the endless waterworks. Now Thomas—who was at his apartment not too long ago—was currently speeding down backroads to reach the woman whom he called his soulmate. Athena couldn't stop crying, clutching her blanket like a small child would when they were afraid.

Nightmares were something she could say she was fortunate enough not to have. At least, not too many of. But this one was stuck in her mind. Every single time she shut her eyes it came right back in full force. How could she be so selfish? He was her brother and she just went on like nothing happened. Pathetic. Athena couldn't even get revenge for him. White hot anger clouded her vision and right before the hybrid could jump out of bed and flash off towards Mystic Falls, soft hands were on her arms.

"Hey."

Thomas stood next to her bed, eyes full of concern, and eyebrows knitted together. His red hair was messy, indicating to her that he'd arrived in a rush. The previous day he had decided to stay at his apartment for good, no staying at the Mikaelson mansion unless Athena requested it. Even though the said werewolf was upset about the news, she knew it was for the best. Klaus nearly killed him—again.

She sighed, sniffling and then burying her head deeper into the pillow. Athena didn't want him to see her like this. Weak. It was almost like he knew what she was thinking because he sat down next to her, rubbing his hand up and down her exposed arm.

"What's wrong? I could feel that you were upset—" The tears started to slow so she lifted her head to look at him. He frowned. "Do you want to talk about it?"

Athena thought for a moment, deciding to stay silent. She reached forward and grabbed his arm, dragging him so he'd be closer. Thomas smiled slightly. He pulled back, earning a sharp look from her. When he bent down to take off his shoes, she understood. Once he got them off, Athena used her strength to pull him next to her. He didn't argue and moved so her head was on his chest, their bodies close together. A soft and gentle kiss was pressed to the top of her head.

The hybrid looked up at him. "It was a nightmare about my brother Kol. He was killed by Elena and Jeremy Gilbert. He was killed by the Salvatores, Bonnie, all of them!" She began to cry again. "And I wanted to get revenge for him. But I didn't. I could've torn Elena and her stupid little brother apart I—"

"If you did you wouldn't be here right now," he pointed out. Thomas combed his fingers through her hair. "Everything happens for a reason and Kol's passing isn't any different. It may hurt but time does heal wounds; not all, but most. People dying is just a part of life. And though you may not think so, you became a stronger person after Kol died. His death made you more powerful." He moved his lips to her ear. "I may not have known him, but I know he loved you like a brother should. He wouldn't want you to grieve. He'd want you to move on."

He pressed a kiss to the side of her head which lolled Athena. Being together felt so right. And all they were doing was lying together—holding each other. It meant everything to her and to him. She'd known him for what? A few weeks, maybe a month? Time didn't matter when you were immortal so she hadn't a clue. But what did matter was that somehow he made her feel okay. Thomas made her feel happy.

"You really think so?" Athena asked, tilting her head up so she could run her hands through his hair.

Both of them blocked out the talking of the other three Mikaelson siblings downstairs. They almost didn't even try to block it out. Athena was focused on Thomas and Thomas on her. She didn't realize that the tears were all gone until he dragged his finger down her cheek fondly, catching the stray tears. "Oh, I know so. And I also know that we should probably get up before we're stuck here forever."

Musical laughter filled his ears as she laughed. "Would that really be so bad though?" In complete and utter honesty, she'd stay in his arms until the world ended and after the world ended. Forever. Despite her memories of him no longer being intact, she still felt tied to him in a way she couldn't explain through words, emotions, or gestures. And just like that, the worries of her nightmare were gone.

Thomas smiled, glad that her happy spirit had returned. "No. But I'm afraid we have pressing matters to attend to downstairs. And besides, Klaus might succeed in killing me this time."

Athena nodded and then stood up. He followed her and went to grab his shoes when she flashed and took them. Thomas grinned and was about to pounce when she flashed out of the room, her laughter following. He shook his head, still smiling to himself. "Damn she's amazing."

———

The first thing the two saw when they entered the living room was Elijah and Klaus reading and Rebekah standing nearby with a pointed look. It was then they saw Elijah with Esther's grimoire. Athena was surprised. Thomas, however, didn't know the importance of the spellbook. Klaus saw the pair and narrowed his eyes at Thomas with distrust. Athena finally decided to say something. "Why do you have Esther's spellbook?"

Elijah flipped to a new page. "Well, in exchange for my freedom, I promised the witch Davina that I would share a few pages from Mother's grimoire to help her learn to control her magic. I thought we'd begin with a little un-linking spell."

Athena thought she heard wrong at first and looked to Rebekah who had the expression she did. She leaned over and put a hand on her brother's forehead. "You okay, Elijah? You're not sick, are you? Did being in that coffin make you manipulative and a total genius?"

Klaus chuckled, looking up from his book. "I have to agree with our sister on that one. Seems like Elijah has taken a page from my book."

Normally, Elijah was the moral and noble one. Though he would be willing to do anything to keep his family safe, never had Athena seen him go to such lengths as to trick a young witch who could tear them down—unfortunately—with her mind. Even Klaus could see that this Elijah was a new Elijah. Perhaps he finally saw that this family could not protect Hayley without some bloodshed and loss.

Thomas rose an eyebrow. "So you intend to use Davina to un-link Hayley and Sophie?"

Rebekah sent her sister a sly wink to which Athena smiled shyly. Even a blind man could see the devotion Thomas had to the female hybrid. While Klaus wasn't thrilled about it, the blonde was and fully supported the two. If she couldn't find love, the most she wanted was Athena to find happiness.

"Sophie brought us here under false pretenses! She doesn't just want us to take down Marcel and his minions, she wants to take Davina back. So, she yolked her own cause to ours with magic threats and half-truths! Well, no more. As of now, our deal with Sophie Deveraux is null and void."

Everyone else in the room smirked. Now he was definitely beginning to sound like Klaus. Thomas hadn't even known the guy for long and he could already tell the hybrid was rubbing off on the older brother. Athena intertwined her hand with Thomas's, earning a side smile from him. Elijah continued on, giving each one of them a specified job. "Niklaus, I need you to come with me. I need five minutes alone with Davina. You need to make certain that I am not interrupted." He looked at the other three and pointed at them, thinking for a moment. "You three stay here and watch Hayley. We need her well protected."

The brother left without another word and Klaus stood up. Rebekah gaped. "How did we get elected super-nannies?"

Athena's nose scrunched up. "That's what I'm saying."

"More importantly, who put him in charge?" Klaus questioned, standing up and also exiting the house.

Rebekah threw her hands up, the rubber glove she was using to wash the blood off the floor hitting her leg. Athena looked to the side and pointed to the ground. "Rebekah, you missed a spot."

Her sister threw the glove, trying to contain a smile. "Not funny." Then she got an idea. She grabbed back the glove and handed it to Thomas who looked perplexed. "You scrub the floor, Thomas." He was about to argue when Rebekah cut him off. "Athena, tell your boyfriend to clean the blood off the floor."

"He's not my—"

"Do you want me to clean up the blood, darling?" 

Athena went wide-eyed, gaping and trying to find the correct reply. Rebekah laughed and left to check on Hayley. Thomas smirked at his Queen, sending her a teasing wink. She gained her composure and slapped him on the arm. "Clean the floor."

He saluted. "Yes, ma'am!"

———

The day was going smoothly. Rebekah and Athena were in Hayley's room while Thomas was just finishing scrubbing the floor. He didn't think that his mate would actually make him but there he was on his hands and knees, scrubbing the wood floor to perfection. Athena was scrolling through her phone, Rebekah doing the same while Hayley took a nap.

Suddenly, the wolf yelped, waking up with a start and jumping up. Athena and Rebekah were over to her in a flash. Thomas heard the commotion, having just finished, and hurried up the stairs and entered the room. "What happened?"

Athena pressed her finger lightly into Hayley's neck to find a puncture wound. Her pack mate winced. "Hell if I know. It felt like I was being stabbed."

They all had the same look on their face after that. Rebekah grabbed out her phone and left the room, no doubt to call Klaus and Elijah. Athena got up. "I'm going to get you something to eat. Wouldn't want that baby to die."

She was gone too so Thomas was left with Hayley. He got a wet washcloth from the bathroom and then began to clean the small wound. Both of them were quiet until Hayley spoke up. "So,  should I call you my alpha or...?"

"No," he told her, shaking his head. "Just call me Thomas." He moved the washcloth to the clean side and continued cleaning the cut. "I want your honest opinion. Do you think I'm doing well so far? With Athena."

The said girl was downstairs, preparing a bowl of apples and luckily wasn't listening. Hayley's eyebrows rose up in confusion. "I think you're doing fine. She needed you back in Mystic Falls. But I'm glad she has you now."

He lowered the cloth. "What makes you say that?" Though he did know that Athena had a hard time in Mystic Falls—mainly because of everything she lost—the werewolf didn't think she needed him all that much. Besides, Thomas did not know where she was and if he did, he would've gone and murdered the Gilberts and the Salvatores himself. Oh that scene would've been a bloody sight.

Hayley sighed. "Because she was so... unhappy. It was rare to see a smile on her face. She would spend all day wolfing out and training. She'd lock herself up in that mansion for days. And it hurt to know that I couldn't do anything. Athena's my alpha, my queen. And because of the bind she has to the entirety of werewolves, it was almost like I could feel her sadness. I could feel her pain."

Thomas frowned. Well, now he felt really bad for not finding Athena sooner. "That's how it works. If one of the Nyxs feels an emotion strongly, every werewolf will feel it too." He looked up at the ceiling as he thought. "It's kinda like how we meet people and they are automatically in our pack. Those people feel the bond the strongest." He smiled. "And you're one of them."

Athena opened the door, carrying a pure white bowl of apples and a glass of water in the other. Thomas got up and smiled at her. She smiled back at him. He looked back at Hayley. "Well, if you two need anything, I'll be downstairs." When he passed by, he gave the hybrid a quick kiss on the cheek. She blushed, ducking her head.

Clearing her throat once he was gone, Athena glided over to Hayley. "Here." The wolf picked one and Athena put it on a table nearby. "You feel better?"

"I feel fine... which is weird. I'm sure it's Sophie-related."

Her alpha nodded. "Probably. Just let me know if you feel more pain." She sat in the chair next to Hayley. "Rebekah told me that she'll be leaving."

The news was not something she'd wished to have heard. It was something she should've seen coming. Rebekah just wanted to make sure she and Elijah were safe. Her sister longed to find a love that would stay and travel the world with her. Athena did not blame her in the slightest. If everything going on in New Orleans wasn't happening, she could see her and Thomas exploring the world. Maybe they'd even find a way to get her memories back along the way.

"Really? Why?" Hayley questioned.

Athena shrugged to show that it didn't affect her. "She just wanted to make sure Elijah and I weren't punished by Nik. She said she was usually the one to clean up their mess, she doesn't want to do that anymore."

"Oh."

She went to bite the apple but then inhaled deeply. Athena got up, looking concerned. "What's wrong?"

"I dunno, probably morning sickness."

The hybrid put her hand on Hayley's forehead, leaning to her. She felt warmth and flipped her hand. "Hayley you're burning up. Thomas! Rebekah!"

He was in the room in a flash, Rebekah following after him. They both looked extremely concerned due to the urgency that laced her voice. Athena then felt the pregnant wolf's cheek and got the same results. Hayley leaned to her side, eyes closing shut. Rebekah caught her before she could fall off the bed.

Athena raced to the bathroom to apply more cold water to the washcloth. She sat next to Hayley and patted it on her face and neck. But the wolf wouldn't sit still. If she were to die now, the baby would die. This couldn't just be a coincidence. Something was happening to Sophie but the witch wouldn't allow the baby to die. Which only meant something had happened to Sophie by someone else.

"Elijah's on his way," Rebekah revealed, indicating to Athena that her sister must have texted him as soon as she called to them.

Not even a few moments later the said brother barreled in, Sophie on his trail. Athena looked appalled. "First of all, how'd you get here so fast and second why is she here?"

"We were already on our way," Sophie explained. "And I'm here to help."

"Help?" The three repeated in disbelief. 

Rebekah was the one who further elaborated on the statement. "You're the reason we're in this bloody mess! Why aren't we unlinked with this witch already, Elijah?"

Her sister had a valid point. Athena felt her own body heating up slightly and she was positive Thomas was feeling the same thing. If Sophie and Hayley weren't linked, the male Nyx would've torn the witches head off right then and there for so much as entering the room. Because the deal no longer stood, it did not make sense as to why Sophie hadn't unlinked herself.

"Rebekah, let her do what she can," Elijah said softly.

Sophie gulped, casting a glance at Hayley who was watching helplessly. "I may know a way to slow the fever down. But, I'm gonna need some special herbs." She looked at Rebekah. "I'll text you a list."

Elijah nodded to her encouragingly. Rebekah gritted her teeth then smiled patronizingly. "Fine. Happy to play the fetch girl."

She left without another word. Athena stood up when Sophie spoke. "We need to get her body temperature back down. A pool or a bathtub would work."

"We have a pool." Elijah walked over and was about to pick Hayley up when Athena flashed to put herself between the two.

Trusting Sophie could be dangerous and putting Hayley at risk was not something she was willing to do. If the two died, Athena would never forgive herself and yet another death would lie on her shoulders. Just another weight to hold up. Thomas put a hand on her shoulder. "I don't like this any more than you do, love. But we have to help Hayley. She'll be fine."

Despite her instincts, she moved out of the way and into his arms, allowing him to hold her to his chest. Sophie watched with a guilty look. This was her fault to begin with. And she had to fix it. Elijah heaved Hayley up into his arms and carried her bridal style outside and to the pool.

———

Night had approached and so the pool's lights were on, giving a source of light for them to see. Rebekah had returned with the ingredients and so Sophie worked hastily, Elijah and Thomas assisting her while the girls tried to keep Hayley warm. But her body temperature was rising quickly. The two men saw the looks on the two female's faces as they calmed Hayley down. It now or never.

Elijah shrugged off his jacket and rolled up his sleeves. "She's burning up! We need to do this now."

Thomas nodded to him, spinning to Sophie. "Work faster!"

She nodded, not even bothering to reply with something sarcastic. Athena helped Hayley get into the pool with Elijah. Rebekah began to rub her hands up and down her arms nervously. If this didn't work, it would mean war between the Mikaelson family and everyone else in that damned city. Sophie stirred the herbs in a cup, going over to the edge of the water.

"Her temperature is sky-high. The water, with the help of the herbs, should cool us down." She held it out to Hayley. "Drink this!" She listened and the witch looked over at Elijah. "You're going to have to get her heart rate down."

Elijah questioned her. "How do you suggest I do that?"

"Hold her. It's a natural human remedy to slow the heart rate and reduce blood pressure."

Athena couldn't help but grit her teeth, standing next to Rebekah and Thomas. "If this doesn't work your dead, Sophie!" The same white-hot anger from that morning came rushing back. Thomas lashed out and grab a hold of her, trying to calm his mate down before she killed the older female. He didn't blame her, but they needed to save Hayley.

"Davina will break the link, we just need time," Elijah told her, carrying Hayley further into the pool.

The wolf gasped for air, struggling to breathe. She started to hyperventilate and the rest watched with worried looks. " I can't breathe!"

Sophie looked at the werewolf rulers. "You two can help calm her. I get that you two are angry with me but if you two calm yourselves down, it will help." Reluctantly, Athena nodded and squeezed Thomas's hand, forcing herself to swallow her rage and focus on him and her pack mate.

It almost looked like it was working until Hayley began to scream, thrashing in Elijah's grip. Water splashed everywhere. Then, the screams died out and turned to deep breaths. Sophie looked up toward the night sky. "I just felt it lift."

They all sighed in relief. Athena pressed her head to Thomas's chest and he welcomed her, wrapping his arms around her body. Hayley climbed out of Elijah's hold and stood in the water on her own. To prove the spell was lifted, Sophie took out an earring and poked her palm. Elijah checked to see no mark. Hayley continued to gasp for air but started to calm down. The two stared at each other for a long moment and the rest of them noticed.

Athena smiled slightly, snuggling closer to Thomas. Elijah helped Hayley out of the pool, making Sophie look worried. "Elijah... as soon as your brother finds out that the link is broken, he'll kill Agnes. I know you don't owe me anything, but please, don't let him kill her."

Once Hayley was out of the pool, Elijah flashed over to his phone, ignoring the witch. She pleaded, "Elijah! She's our only access to the power we need to survive. Promise me that you'll stop him!"

He still didn't reply and dialed a number, pressing the phone to his ear. "It's me, where are you?" He paused. "Don't hurt her. I'll be there shortly." He hung up and looked over at Sophie. "I'll make you one last promise. I won't let my brother kill Agnes."

Sophie nodded at him gratefully, and Elijah picked up his jacket and shoes, walking away. The witch made it back onto the ground and was about to leave when Athena flashed to her, gripping her arm so tightly her skin turned red. "Be happy that you were able to help Hayley. If you ever try to hurt my family again—" She leaned into her ear and hissed, "I'll rip out your heart and feed it to you."

———

Athena ran her finger along the rim of the glass. Thomas sat next to her at the bar, setting down his own glass. With Hayley safe at the house, Athena and Thomas were given the green light from Elijah to take the rest of the night off. But the night had ended with Rebekah giving a tearful goodbye to her only sister. Thomas was there for her in the aftermath, seeing the sadness that pooled in her eyes. It helped to have him by her side. Yet there was always that voice in her head that said he'd leave eventually.

The two were quiet. However, their hands that were intertwined were loud. Athena adored the feeling. She loved the comforting and warmth that filled her body when he even looked in her direction. She felt like she'd known him her entire life. And they had, for the most part.

Before either of them could say a word to each other, Athena's phone rang. She sighed and answered. "I thought you said we had the night off, Elijah!"

He sounded concerned. "Is she with you? She's not with Rebekah."

"Who? Hayley? Why did something happen?"

Thomas looked over, raising an eyebrow and listening to the conversation. Elijah replied, his voice full of dread. "Hayley's gone."

Athena felt her face drain of color, her blood ran cold, her hand detached from Thomas's. "What?!" No. Her whole mind screamed at her. How could she be so stupid as to leave Hayley alone? Even though Elijah said it was fine for her to be alone for a little while, she should've stayed. This could've been prevented.

Then there was a voice in the background that Athena and Thomas heard. "Marcel was here."

Not even a second past before Athena hung up. Her mate pulled her up and flashed them away. That single sentence was enough for the Queen and the King of Werewolves to have a reason to kill Marcel Gerard. Oh, New Orleans was about to rain blood. Because the Nyxs were ready to kill every last vampire in the French Quarter.

———

Athena and Thomas are a power couple already, to be honest. I'm so excited to get into the werewolf stuff. I've been thinking and I will have this book go through all of the seasons. I hope you guys have a great day/night and don't forget to vote on this chapter, comment your thoughts, and follow me for updates!