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chapter twelve ━ green light

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❝ i see that green light, i want it ❞

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thirty votes and twenty comments for the next chapter!

ATHENA PRESSED HER hands on the counter, staring at Elijah as he prepared breakfast. She wore a scowl on her face, not once moving it into anything else. "I am telling you, Elijah, something was right about that ritual. Davina should have come back with that magic. Someone had to have stolen it before it could revive her. Which means someone is out there planning who knows what right under our noses." Her eyebrows raised in fury, trying to get him to understand just how much of a problem this could be for them.

He merely sighed, rubbing above his brow. "I am well aware, sister. But Niklaus is too worried about chasing after Caroline Forbes and winning the Quarter vampires over to care. I am taking care of Hayley, and Rebekah is vying for Marcellus's attention so why don't you speak with her?"

"Oh, my apologies, I didn't realize I was interfering with your time with Hayley," she replied sarcastically, extremely annoyed by his attitude. "Perhaps if you focused on the problem at hand instead of a pregnant woman who hasn't been attacked in weeks, we could find out what is happening before someone gets hurt." Her eyes glowed with exasperation, absolutely appalled by his words.

Elijah turned to her, setting down one plate which wasn't for her. "I'm sorry Athena, but if our brother won't tend to the woman who is carrying his own child, then I shall do so for him." He moved the plate onto a tray, pouring a glass of orange juice, and then picked it up, brushing past her as if what she had to say didn't faze him.

She bit the inside of her cheek, glaring headedly, tapping her fingers against the dark wood. Her lips twitched and she pushed herself back, walking out of the kitchen and to her bedroom. When she checked her phone, she saw no message from Thomas. This made her frown because he promised to text her that morning and never did. It got her worried but she didn't want to seem clingy, even though they weren't really dating.

He had been acting odd the night that she stayed over, following the events of Davina's passing. The male Nyx had allowed her to sleep in the guest bedroom and while he was in the shower, she had wandered around the apartment. She found a sketchbook from the looks of it, but she found it was a music book. Her eyes had filled with confusion her hand reaching out to grab it before Thomas had appeared from finishing his shower and getting dressed, snatching it away from she could. A blush had coated his cheeks which she smiled at. However, she didn't ask.

Athena sat on her bed and then fell backward, laying on her back while she drummed her fingers on her stomach. She took deep breathes to calm herself, shutting her eyes. Right then and there, her phone rang. A sigh escaped her but she grabbed the device and answered it, pressing the phone to her ear. "I am going to murder you. I have prepared your grave."

"I am so sorry, Athena," Thomas babbled, sounding genuinely upset with himself. "I feel asleep late last night and didn't wake up until five minutes ago."

"You have to do better than that. Beg for my forgiveness before I chop your head off."

"That's awful morbid..."

She laughed, the musical sound making him chuckle, happy to hear her in such high spirits. Athena smiled, no longer feeling angry though she was still irritated. She exhaled, turning to lay on her stomach. "Why did you go to bed so late?"

He suddenly sounded nervous, clearing his throat. "I, uh, just couldn't sleep, that's all."

Lie. The hybrid nodded, hearing it clear as day. But he did sound as if he felt bad for lying. Then why would he try? She didn't want to push, yet it hurt her feelings that he felt the need to keep something for her. Then again, she told herself that she didn't have to know everything. "Oh, okay. Well, I tried talking to Elijah this morning about the magic, he totally brushed me aside."

"You could always try telling Rebekah. She always listens to you from what I have seen." He was making himself some breakfast from what she could hear. "I wouldn't worry, I am sure that everything will be fine. And if something is going on, you can always tell them that you warned them."

Athena shrugged, playing with the fuzzy blanket that she had bought. "I guess. Things just seem quiet around the compound ever since Davina died. Marcel has done nothing but drink his sorrows away and Klaus is working on making his kingdom. And I just stand at the balcony and watch the humans explore."

Thomas frowned on the other line, leaning against the counter as his bagel was being toasted in the toaster. "Why don't you explore then? No one is stopping you."

"I know," she responded, sitting up. "I just don't feel like exploring alone. You know I thought that I was alone when I was in that coffin and now I know that I wasn't. But I still feel like I was because I can't remember. So I don't want to be alone anymore."

She closed her eyes and put her head in her hands. He was quiet on the other line for a long moment. "You aren't alone, you never were. But maybe you could use some time to yourself. You know where I am if you need me and if I am not at my apartment, just call me." She held her head, nodding. "Athena?"

"Okay, yeah, I heard you. I got it. Talk to you later." She hung up and then held her head, bringing her knees to her chest. Athena didn't sit for long before she got up, walking down the stairs to the doorway.

Klaus, Marcel, and the rest of the daywalkers were gathered around, looking over at her sudden appearance. The Original smiled at her. "Sister—

"Bother someone else with your incessant complaining, Nik. Hope you enjoyed Mystic Falls." Then she walked out to the street. She made her way down the sidewalk, glancing around at the people and music as she passed by. Tourist crowded around one man who was playing the saxophone. Athena got out a hundred dollar bill from her purse in her bag, tossing it into his case as she passed him. She smiled at his reaction, seeing his eyes widen.

"Athena!" The said female turned to see Rebekah coming towards her, linking their arms as they continued down the street together. "You will never guess what Niklaus has done."

She rolled her eyes with a groan. "Come on, Bekah! I just left. What could he have possibly done in that short time?"

"It didn't happen today, silly. Elijah told me that our brother showed mercy, to Thierry."

Athena did a double take, her eyes looking skeptical at the words. "He did what?" She would have never guessed that Klaus would actually pardon someone. Yes, he had shown mercy on a few occasions, but this was the first she was hearing of in a while. "He let him go? That is certainly progress."

Rebekah gave her a sideways glance, raising an eyebrow. "Now Ena, who do you think convinced him to let him go?" Her sister looked surprised, prompting her to explain. "Because, despite Klaus' reprieve, Thierry despises him. I like that about Thierry. I also like that he used to date a witch, so he knows about French Quarter covens. Maybe he can lead me to whoever stole off with the Harvest magic."

She went wide-eyed, bouncing up once. "Ha! See! I knew it! Elijah didn't want to listen to me but I told him that someone had to have stolen the magic. Thomas agrees with me though because we were talking about it before." Athena looked relieved. "Thank goodness, I am keeping my sanity for longer." Then as if it occurred to her, she looked at the blonde. "And what do you plan on doing with the witch once you find them?"

Rebekah arched an eyebrow again, her lips forming into a smile before she pulled her sister closer, whispering to her. She trusted her completely and knew that she wouldn't tattle to their older brother. "I'm tired of being threatened and controlled by our tyrant brother. If you want to stop a bully, you need the power to stand up to them."

Athena frowned in concern. "Bekah, it's dangerous to cross him, you know that. Just because I am back, does not mean he will not dagger you out of spite. What would he do if he learned of your treachery? I can not deal with him lashing out on you. I think he is making progress, he is in quite a happy mood today." She stared at her pleadingly, hoping to convince her to change her mind.

"Yes. He's in a brilliant mood now, but for how long? It's his trick, Ena. He lulls you into a false sense of camaraderie and kinship, and then he turns on you like a snake. That is what he does now and I know that you don't understand it, but you will." She smiled at her sadly. "I fall for it every time and wind up with a dagger in my chest for my trouble. No more."

The hybrid looked away, sighing deeply. "I don't like it."

"You won't tell him, will you?"

"Of course not." She shook her head as if the idea appalled her. "If I tell, you will get daggered and I do not wish for you to go through that alone. And if he chooses to be angry, he can be angry with us both."

———

Athena laid down on her stomach, her wolf laying down in the grass with her eyes shut, her ears flat and her paws in front of her, her head laying on them. She had gone into the bayou when Rebekah got a call, saying her goodbyes before leaving. No one was out there and the wolves always stayed far away from any other signs of life, regardless of who was present. Yet they couldn't stay away and had wandered closer to the Queen.

Something that was amazing about being a Nyx was that she was in full control of her wolf. Just sitting there, Athena could move at her own will. And she could also remember every detail once she turned back into her human form. She was tense for some reason so turning was what she used to do back in Mystic Falls. That's what she did in New Orleans too.

Though she was half asleep, her senses were still alert. So when she heard a twig snap, her head went up, her ears perking up at lightning speed. The Queen stood up, growling lowly because she could feel that someone was nearby. Using her smell, she detected the person was behind her. And then she crouched down, spinning before launching herself at the person.

Thomas was quick to act, reaching up to push her head back from killing him. Athena snarled, her razor-sharp fangs appearing. "Woah, woah, Athena!" Her wolf went quiet, realize who it was. She closed her mouth, moving off of him. Bones cracked and she used her speed to grab her dress, pulling it over her before he sat up.

She hissed at him, using her arms to cover her chest even though he couldn't see anything. "What the hell?! I could've killed you! You never sneak up on a wolf. What is this amateur hour?" He stood up and she smacked his arm, narrowing her eyes. "What are you even doing here? Don't tell me you are stalking me now."

The redhead, rubbed his chest where her claws had pressed down. "I'm not stalking you. I come to the bayou every so often to check up on the wolves. And while I was walking, I saw you." He winced. "Damn you got stronger."

Athena huffed in annoyance. "Yeah, that's what happens when you are an ancient creature and age because your mother was feeling generous. Honestly, what were you thinking?"

"I thought you would remember my scent!" He scratched the back of his neck. "Guess not." Then he looked down at her, looking intrigued. "What are you doing out here?"

She grabbed her other clothes and made a motion with her finger. He smirked, turning his back for her as she got the rest of her proper attire on. Athena answered him while she pulled on her undergarments. "I was feeling stressed. And I needed some quiet. This was the first place I thought of. I like it here, it's nice."

When she cleared her throat, her signal that it was clear, Thomas turned back around, looking amused. He nodded along, humming. "You like it here?"

Athena saw his look and became confused, her innocence peaking through. Yes, she did kill and torture but she was still that girl who was in a coffin for a thousand years. There were a lot of things she still didn't know. Caroline couldn't tell her everything so she was learning new things every day. Literally.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" she questioned, wrapping her arms around herself, looking shy and timid by his smirk. "Did I do something?"

Thomas blushed, ducking his head. He had forgotten how pure she was. However, he didn't mind because he found it cute and sweet. "Not intentionally no. Just forget it, you wouldn't understand." He cleared his throat and moved towards her but didn't touch her.

She still looked perplexed and opened her mouth to say something before she stopped, feeling one of her bonds tug on her. Her body tensed. "Something's wrong." Instantly she began to search as to who it was. "Rebekah. Something is happening to Rebekah."

He was quick to act, taking her hand and leading her to his Jeep. Thomas never doubted her instincts because he knew she wouldn't lie about something serious. Because he wasn't fully bonded to her yet, he couldn't feel the connections she had to her pack. He put her into the passenger seat, buckling her in and then went to his side, getting in, closing the door, starting the car, before driving off down the dirt road to the main, paved one.

Athena held her head, wincing. "My phone, get my phone." He grabbed her bag and took out her phone. Instead of handing it to her, he took her thumb and pressed it on her home button to unlock it. Then he called Elijah, praying that he would answer.

"Yes?" The Original answered, sounding worried since he felt bad for how he acted towards his sister earlier that day.

"Elijah, I have Athena with me and we are heading to the compound now but something is wrong with Rebekah, she can feel it. I'll try calling her and I suggest you do the same." His tone of voice held no room for arguing. And if Elijah was going to try, he didn't even have the time before the King hung up on him, quickly calling Rebekah. No answer. He cursed, driving faster.

Athena laid her head on the door, breathing deeply. "She's being drained of her energy. It must be the witches, it has to be." She shook her head, concern in her eyes.

Thomas clenched. "God I hate witches. Haven't met a single good one in my life." He sped down the backroads, pulling into the compound which thankfully wasn't too long of a trip thanks to his speeding. He got out and then helped her.

Both of them ran inside, seeing Elijah and Hayley trying to contact Rebekah. No answer. Athena scoffed, storming over to him, stopping in front of him as she jabbed a finger at him accusingly. "I told you but you didn't want to listen! Now look, our sister is paying the price for your stubbornness."

"Well, she did rather upset this morning. Perhaps she was the one who killed the daywalkers."

"I don't give a damn about some pathetic little vampires who follow orders like trained dogs. I care about saving Rebekah before these witches get bolder and take the rest of us out." She turned her head to see Thierry, going over to him. "Thierry, correct?"

He looked up from his glass, nodding his head. "That's right."

Athena smiled sweetly and then picked him up by his collar, pushing him against the wall. He squirmed yet was no match to her strength. "You have five seconds to tell me what you know before I cut each of your fingers off and then sprinkles them over your grave."

Elijah was a bit taken aback, Hayley was in shock, Thomas was scratching the back of his neck, trying to hide how much this was turning him on. He felt a chill by her demanding but smooth voice, her accent strong with her anger.

Thierry was frightened by her sudden hostility so quickly spoke. "She asked me to keep an eye out on witch stuff. I found something, and when I showed her, we were jumped by some guy. He desiccated her with his touch."

"You. Left. Her." Athena was seething, so close to killing him right on the spot if it weren't for the amount of information she needed from him. "Where was this?"

"The docks, warehouse 57," he answered. He saw her look and defended himself. "I was just doing what she asked. You cannot tell Klaus about this."

She smiled sweetly again, tilting her head a bit. "Oh honey, you shouldn't be afraid of Klaus right now." With one movement, she bashed his head against the wall and then snapped his neck, staring down at his body. "Let's go. Hayley stays here, we don't need you in danger."

Athena moved back and began to leave before the said wolf spoke up. "Rebekah is in trouble. I'm going."

The brunette looked at her still before looking at her brother with a shrug. "You watch her then." Then she snapped her fingers. "Thomas." He got up from where he had sat down at the table, instantly getting up and following after her. She walked out of the compound, tugging her sleeve down. Thomas cleared his throat again and she looked at him with a raised eyebrow. "Can I help you?"

He laughed nervously, shaking his head. "Um, no, I am fine."

———

The warehouse was quiet when they arrived, not a single person in sight. Athena broke the lock on the door easily, pushing the door open. Elijah had called Sophie because apparently, this was a witch's doing, they just hadn't figured out what was going on yet and why. They turned the corner and saw Rebekah laying on the ground. Each one of them raced over.

"Rebekah!" Athena exclaimed, reaching her side but couldn't go any further. She recoiled back, groaning in annoyance once she saw the barrier made by salt. "Come on! Stupid witches!"

"Oh, what's happening?" Hayley asked, her eyes wide with concern.

Thomas hadn't a clue but thankfully Elijah did, speaking up while he was on the phone. "Some kind of boundary spell. Someone is channeling her. Typically, it's a lethal process, but because she's an Original, she can't die. Instead, she's an endless source of power."

Athena bit her lip while she shook her head, nervous. She didn't want something to happen. She just wished people would leave her family alone. Of course, they had made enemies while she was gone which was causing this. "How do we get her out then?"

Her brother didn't have an answer to that, looking anxious and worried. He spoke to Sophie, trying to explain the situation to her. "You're not listening. We cannot enter the circle. There's some kind of confinement spell... If I can't remove her, we can't break the link."

"It's a convoluted spell," Sophie explained. "It's like a witch's recipe. You can spoil the balance by adding a more potent ingredient. A mystical binding agent. I don't know, volcanic ash, rock salt... anything up to and including eye of newt."

"What about the blood of a witch?"

Athena looked over at him, hearing the witch tell him that would work. She went over to Hayley. "We need some of her blood. Your baby is a quarter witch and this is the only option we have right now."

Hayley nodded understandingly, extending it to her. She withdrew her fangs and bit gently, not taking any for herself. Then she led her over to the magic circle, twisting her wrist so the blood dripped onto the boundary line. The salt began to fizzle and deteriorate. And the second there was a break, Elijah flashed in and picked Rebekah up. With one hand he grabbed the pregnant wolf and Athena grabbed Thomas, speeding out of there before anyone noticed that they were there.

———

Athena watched Thomas as he watched the chocolate chip cookies in the oven, tapping her arm as she stared, trying to decipher what he was hiding. He wouldn't stop paying attention to her movements. So clearly he didn't want her to wander off and find whatever was in that music book. She leaned against the counter, biting her lip.

The redhead looked over at her, raising an eyebrow at her action. "Yes?"

She crossed her arms over her chest. "You know, I'm trying to figure out if you are just awful at hiding secrets or if you don't do well hiding them from me." He blushed and looked away quickly. She pushed herself off the counter, using her hand to push him against the counter across from them. "You have been keeping something from me, admit it."

He looked as if he were debating and then sighed. "Fine, maybe I have but it's nothing important—"

"Obviously it is important if you feel the need to hide it from me?" Athena sighed too, shutting her eyes for a moment before opening them back up. "Look, I won't force you to tell me. I just don't want you to feel like you can't tell me things, because you can. If you are worried about me judging you, don't. So tell me if you want and if not, tell me that you don't want to and I will leave you be."

Thomas stared at her for a long moment before nodding, standing up straight. He went to his shelf of CDs and pushed them aside to reveal the music book she saw earlier. He brought it over to her, extending it towards her to take.

Athena was confused but took it gently, opening it up. Her fingers skimmed the along the first page, seeing a title at the top and then words. She didn't understand what it was until she saw a music note sketched in the top, right-hand corner. "This is a song." She looked up to see him staring down at her hesitantly. "You write songs."

He nodded to confirm it, flipping to the latest one. He tapped on the page twice. "I was writing this last night. I couldn't find the right lyrics and I wouldn't let myself sleep until I did."

She read it, smiling softly at how amazing it was. Then she tilted her head to the side, reading the last few lines. And suddenly it hit her. "This is about me." Her eyes went back up to him and Thomas nodded again, smiling shyly with a blush. "You wrote a song about me?" A blush coated her cheeks and she tucked a piece of hair behind her ear. "It is amazing, I love it. Do you sing?"

The King seemed extremely embarrassed to be talking about it. He leaned back on the balls of his feet, shrugging while his blush grew bright and hotter. "Yes, I don't think I am very good though. I used to sing you lullabies actually even though sleeping on the Other Side is pointless. You used to say how my voice sounded like angels singing."

Athena laughed, covering her face with one hand. "Ugh, I was a tragic little thing. But I am sure your voice was amazing otherwise I wouldn't have said that."

He chuckled. "You weren't tragic, Ena." She smiled wider and bit her lip. "I guess so, I mean, you would nag at me all the time to sing to you. No matter how many times I told you 'no', you would slap my face and then I would cave because you would pout and give me those sad puppy dog eyes."

"I did not!" She blushed harder and laughed loudly.

Thomas nodded once more, chuckling. "You did. It was cute so I did."

Once they calmed down, Athena closed the songbook, setting it on the counter. She looked up at him. "Will you sing to me sometime?"

He smiled gently. "Of course. And the reason I didn't want to tell you because it's embarrassing and I didn't want you to not like the song."

"I love it." She reached her hand up to his cheek and he fell quiet, his smile falling because he was in shock. The brunette smiled a tiny bit before leaning forward and pressing her forehead against his, closing her eyes, and inhaling his scent which calmed her immensely. "Thank you, for taking care of me for so long."

Thomas closed his eyes too, leaning his forehead on her's. He smiled. "Athena, I didn't take care of you. You took care of me, you kept me from going insane." He kissed her forehead before wrapping his arms around her, enjoying the quiet moment with her.

She sighed deeply. "Thomas?"

"Mm?"

"The cookies are burning."

———

Look at my precious babies being so cute together! Ugh, I love them so much. But surprise! I updated! This chapter was in the works for a little while, I just never got around to really working on it due to a lack of inspiration. Also, can I just say that Athena is becoming so strong? It makes me soft. She is amazing.

Anyways, what did you think about her taking Thierry down? And what did you think about the Athemas moment at the end there? 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!