Masks and Murders

✦✧✦

In your eyes, there's a heavy blue
One to love and one to lose
Sweet divide, a heavy truth
Water or wine, don't make me choose
I wanna feel the way that we did that summer night
Drunk on a feeling, alone with the stars in the sky

I've been running through the jungle
I've been running with the wolves
To get to you, to get to you
I've been down the darkest alleys
Saw the dark side of the moon
To get to you, to get to you
I've looked for love in every stranger
Took too much to ease the anger
All for you, yeah, all for you
I've been running through the jungle
I've been crying with the wolves
To get to you, to get to you

✦✧✦

"Caroline." Adonis announced his presence from behind the blonde as she turned to him with a baffled expression.

"Adonis!" Caroline squeaked before clearing her throat. "What are you doing in school today?" She asked shaking her head but he could practically sense the fear coming off of her.

"I am a student here as well, Care." He smirked before his gaze sharpened. "What are you and the rest of the doppelgang planning?" He questioned.

Caroline looked taken aback but tried to compose her features. "Nothing, why do you think that we are?" She asked in a calm voice.

He looked at her intently for a second before chuckling. She furrowed her brows in confusion.

"I can practically listen to your thoughts, Caroline." He muttered, "although, because you don't exactly trust me with this information, I only hear bits and pieces."

Caroline widened her eyes slightly before she looked around the cafeteria for any prying eyes or ears.

She then grabbed his arm and dragged him to a far corner.

Adonis rolled his eyes, "fess up, Care Bear." He muttered.

Caroline came to a stop and looked at him with an almost regretful expression.

"The Salvatores will try to kill Katherine tonight." She informed.

Adonis did not look phased by that. But Caroline could swear that she saw the ghost of deviousness behind his icy blue eyes.

"At the ball?" She nodded.

Adonis ran a hand through his hair and exhaled. "And what do they think killing Katherine would do?"

Caroline looked dumbfounded. "Katherine is the whole reason why everything is going wrong in this town. What do you mean by that question. Killing her solves every one of our problems!" She ranted.

He almost scoffed at her words knowing that she couldn't have been more wrong.

Killing Katherine would do nothing considering that Elena would have to die in the sacrifice.

"So, you're going to help them?" He questioned, crossing his hands on his chest.

Caroline gave him a pointed glare and nodded. "She killed me. It's only fair." She mumbled.

He grimaced, "fine." He started to leave before turning around to look at her again.

"Just remember that if you are unable to kill Kat, she will make things hell for you all." Caroline's face paled because of his tone. "And trust me, I will make sure that she survives tonight." He added.

Before the blonde could say anything further, he was gone.

Caroline pursed her lips together and shook her head. She knew she had to stay rigid on her decision.

Adonis had helped her a lot but his vagueness about the reason why he was in town had begun to irk her.

So much so that she was even considering informing the Salvatore brothers about him.

Shaking her head, she shrugged off the thought as she walked out of the building to pick up Bonnie.

☽♛☾

Court of Ravenia; 1003 A.D.

Aurelia was hurriedly making her way out of the palace one evening when her eyes fell on the silhouette of the eldest Mikaelson brother sitting by himself in the gardens.

From what she could see in the dim light of the setting sun, he looked deeply saddened by something.

She stopped in her tracks and sighed before she started to make her way to the Original.

"Finn?" She called out once she reached him.

Finn looked up in slight surprise before immediately standing up seeing the queen.

"Your Grace." He greeted politely with a tilt of his head.

Aurelia shook her head and smiled. "You can call me Aurelia, Finn. Just like the rest of your family." She said waving her hand.

Finn nodded but didn't say anything further as he looked at her expectantly.

"Shall we sit?" She asked pointing to the bench he had occupied earlier.

"Yes, of course! After you." He ushered politely making her smile at his mannerisms as she sat down and he joined her.

"What can I do for you?" Finn finally questioned what was irking his mind. He was curious about why she would seek him out.

She took a deep breath, "I wanted to thank you." She whispered.

He furrowed his brows. "I'm afraid that I do not understand the context."

"Your siblings told me that it was you who saved me from the water that day. So, thank you."

Finn smiled, "it was my duty, Aurelia. You have been kind to me and my family over the past year. You invited us into your home, your kingdom. What I did was the least I could."

Aurelia looked at him with an inquisitive look. "And yet, Ravenia does not seem to be making you happy, Finn. May I ask, what it is that is keeping your thoughts occupied?" She questioned softly.

Finn looked taken aback before he chuckled. He had seen how perceptive she was. It was no surprise that she would pick up on his mood.

He sat silently for a few moments before sighing.

"It has been particularly difficult for me to adjust to my reality, Aurelia. That is no secret to anyone." He muttered as she nodded encouragingly.

"Drinking someone's blood to stay alive seems like such a gruesome action to me that I cannot bring myself to accept what I am."

Aurelia pursed her lips together, "your siblings seem to be adjusting well." She noted.

Finn let out a bitter laugh. "They are the same; the four of them." He murmured, "they seek thrill from their lives. They accept it from wherever they can find it."

She shook her head, "I don't believe that to be true. All of them struggled before they could accept what they are."

He scoffed, "they were so eager to learn how to kill someone—"

"Wrong." She interrupted him before he could say anything further. "They were eager to learn how to survive. Especially considering the fact that your father has been wreaking havoc all over Europe." She affirmed.

"Perhaps father's methods will take us to salvation." He spoke in a nonchalant tone. Aurelia could not believe her ears.

She stood up. "I came here in hopes that perhaps I would be able to help you through your troubles. You clearly don't wish to be helped."

Finn stood up after her as he gave her an apologetic expression.

"Forgive me, Aurelia, but no matter what you say, I will never come to see myself anything other than an abomination. Nor will I be able to look at my siblings the way I used to." He said somberly.

The Ravena looked at him with a frown before exhaling. "Never is a very long time when you're immortal, Mr. Mikaelson. Do remember that."

As soon as the words flew out of her mouth, Aurelia turned around and continued on her way to the horse stables while Finn shook his head and walked away.

"Well, that was quite intense, love." Aurelia gasped in surprise when she heard Niklaus speak from behind her after she entered the stables.

"Niklaus!" She shrieked. "Would it absolutely kill you if you announced your presence instead of frightening me like that?" She scolded.

Niklaus chuckled. "Well, frightening you is hilarious, to say the least, Reina."

Aurelia rolled her eyes before going to her black horse who had been dressed for her departure.

"Are you leaving?" Niklaus asked curiously.

Aurelia nodded, placing the hood of her coat on her head. "I have some business to attend to."

"That was a cryptic answer."

"That is all you will get."

"What business does the queen have at this hour that she needs to leave alone and without her soldiers?"

"Considering the last assassination, we all know that my guards are incompetent."

"So, you will let me accompany you?"

Aurelia was getting impatient as she mounted on her saddle and looked down at him with a scowl.

"Will you stop nagging me?" She spat.

"I will if you let me come with you." He said raising an eyebrow with a sheepish grin.

Aurelia huffed, "why must you be so persistent?"

Niklaus laughed, "I worry for your safety. Is that so hard to believe?" He said softly.

She met his gaze and she could only find truthfulness in his eyes.

"Alright." She breathed knowing that he was not going to back down.

"So, I can come with you then?" He asked, double checking.

Aurelia rolled her eyes in annoyance. "Find a bloody horse and do not slow me down!" She muttered before pulling on the reigns and riding out of the stables.

Niklaus chuckled before his eyes fell on a chestnut-coated horse as he quickly put a saddle on it and joined the Ravena who was just speeding out of the main gates.

Niklaus rode beside her in admiration of her face lit up by the shimmering dusk that surrounded them.

The way her forehead was scrunched because of constant thoughts rushing through her mind, the way she was gazing at the path ahead with intent determination while also sparing a few glances to the rising moon above them; he could see it all.

"Niklaus if you keep staring at me, Willow will stumble." The raven-haired witch spoke loudly over the sound of the wind rushing by as she smirked at him.

Niklaus chuckled and patted his horse's neck, "I'm certain that Willow knows his way around." He replied, looking at her with a smile.

He cleared his throat, "where are we going?"

She spared him a smug grin before turning to look ahead again. "You shall see."

"Why must you be so vague?" He whined.

"It is a natural trait, Mr. Mikaelson." She smirked knowing how much that name annoyed him.

She came to a stop near a dense treeline as she proceeded to get off her horse. Niklaus followed with a confused frown on his face.

"What business do you even have here?" He asked coming face to face with her.

She didn't say anything as she looked up and grinned when she saw that the moon above them was almost full.

"Come along." Saying this, she entered the woods as Niklaus shook his head and followed her.

Once they crossed a few good feet of dense trees, they were met by a clearing that was filled with people.

They all bowed their heads when they saw her.

Aurelia smiled as she stepped forward when they started to greet her one by one and Niklaus stood back and watched.

That was when a woman came up to the Ravena with a young teenager beside her.

"Mi Reina!" She greeted as Aurelia smiled.

"How are you, Emily?" She asked politely, "and who is this young man?"

"This is my nephew, Marc. It is his first transition today, my queen." Emily replied as Marc looked up at the queen with a shy smile.

That was when Niklaus's eyes widened in realization. They were all werewolves and it was a full moon.

Now he was intrigued. He was eager to find out about what did the Ravena witch have to do with a werewolf clan.

"How did you turn, little love?" Aurelia asked in a sympathetic smile as she placed her hand on his shoulder.

"I had to kill the man who came to rob our house, your Grace. He was armed and he would have taken my little sister." Marc replied in angst.

Aurelia looked to be seething as she immediately wrapped the boy in her arms. "You did the right thing, son. You did the right thing." She whispered.

Niklaus leaned against a tree as he watched her sympathize with the youngest werwolf.

Ever since her experience with death, the feelings he held for her only seemed to be growing with each passing day.

And perhaps this time, he did not wish to stop.

"Penny for your thoughts?" He heard her sweet voice ask as he looked up from the ground and saw her standing in front of him.

He gave her a dazzling smile and chuckled when he heard her heart race. "Just thinking about you, love." He grinned.

Aurelia felt words leave her momentarily as heat rose up in her cheeks and his smile widened.

"So, you came here to meet werwolves?" He asked, changing the topic for her sake.

"Just like every other full moon." She nodded as she turned to stand beside him and watched the werwolves get ready for their transformation.

"Why?" He asked.

"I am a Ravena. Ravenas were the rulers of the witches and protectors of all werwolves seeking our help."

He was stunned by the revelation as he looked at her with bewilderment in his eyes.

Aurelia met his gaze and chuckled. "Is it so surprising, Nik?" She asked.

Niklaus bit his lip to hide his grin before nodding. "A little, yes."

"I come here to help them ease through the pain of their transition and to make sure that no one would take advantage of their vulnerability." She explained.

"And how do you plan to do that?" He asked over the screams that had begun to escape a few werwolves who had started to turn.

Aurelia turned to give him a smile as her eyes flared up in bright amber and he was left astonished.

"Watch."

She then walked ahead and spread her arms to her sides as cold winds blew past them in a soothing manner.

The vines dangling from the trees formed a fortress around the meadow as soft drizzles eased the pain of the turning wolves.

Niklaus could only stand with his jaw hung as she worked her magic through the meadow which seemed to have turned into a whirlwind of mystical healing energy.

One by one, all the wolves turned as their howls surrounded them through the roaring winds.

Aurelia knelt down to eye level with the youngest wolf as he immediately bowed his head seeing her amber eyes.

"Go rule the moon, son." She whispered just as she ruffled his fur and dropped the vines engulfing the meadow as all the wolves ran free into the night.

Aurelia had a wide grin set on her face when she turned to Niklaus. But her breathing hitched in her throat when she found him standing close to her.

"That was beautiful." He breathed as he looked into her brown orbs with utter devotion.

"Th-thank you." She stuttered, finding it difficult to breathe properly once again.

He slowly raised his hand up to her face and hovered it over her cheek.

"Can you do it once again?" He whispered.

"What?" She furrowed her brows.

"Your eyes..." He trailed off.

Aurelia found herself getting enraptured by his presence as she felt her eyes shift color on their own accord.

She heard him gasp as he finally placed his palms on her cheeks. She involuntarily leaned into the soothing touch.

"Marvelous."

She stopped breathing for a moment when she saw him leaning towards her.

However, before he could come any further, she took a step back and walked away as a dark memory continued to flash through her mind.

Niklaus sighed and looked down in defeat as he watched her get on her horse and ride away.

He was certain that he saw rage on her face.

☽♛☾

"Well, this is fairly boring." Aurelia mumbled to Jenna as she sipped on her champagne flute.

Jenna snorted, "tell me about it." She muttered looking around at the masquerade ball going on in full swing.

"Ladies." They heard Adonis say as he came to stand between them. He looked shaken up.

"What is it?" The Ravena questioned.

"Salvatores are trying to kill Kat. They have her trapped in a room upstairs."

Aurelia's eyes widened, so did Jenna's. "How the fuck did they trap her?" Jenna snapped as they came to a stop in a quiet corner.

Aurelia was already fuming in anger.

"She followed them in hopes of taking the moonstone. Now, they have her trapped." Adonis explained.

Aurelia clenched her fists as she cussed under her breath. "I am going to kill them!"

"I'll help." Jenna spat.

Adonis shook his head. "Would you two calm down?"

Aurelia gave him a look of disbelief. "We have to help her, Addie."

"I already have." Their eyes widened at his words.

"Explain." Jenna demanded.

"I linked Elena with Katherine. Whatever they try to do to Kat, they would be doing it to Elena." He informed.

Jenna looked conflicted as Adonis then turned to her. "I'm sorry, Jen. I didn't know what else to do to save her." He murmured.

Jenna nodded pursing her lips together.

Adonis placed his hand on her shoulder, "I promise, I will heal her when this is over." Jenna gave him a weak smile.

Aurelia looked upset. She still hadn't told Jenna about the sacrifice. She knew that the strawberry-blonde would never go through with it.

She only wished that Jenna would forgive her eventually.

"Lia?" Adonis called out as he and Jenna turned to look at her in concern.

"What's on your mind?" Jenna asked.

Aurelia shook her head, "I am going to save Kat and take the moonstone from the brothers."

Adonis' eyes widened. "Are you sure you wish to reveal your identity to them?" He asked.

Even Jenna looked worried for an instance.

The Ravena nodded, "they need to know who they're dealing with. I am done with Damon putting a kink on my plans." She muttered.

"I'll come with you!" Jenna spoke when she saw the witch leaving the room. Aurelia stopped and turned around.

"No. They shouldn't be aware of your involvement just yet." She snapped. "Go take care of Elena." Saying that, the Ravena walked out.

She could hear the chatters from the party downstairs as she climbed up to the first floor and followed the direction where Katherine's natural aura was the strongest.

Her high heels came to a stop in front of a room with closed doors as she pushed them open and stepped in.

Katherine was sitting on the sofa with a smirk when she looked up surprised to see Aurelia standing at the door with a blank look on her face.

"Mrs. Martinez?" Stefan murmured in confusion as he exchanged glances with Damon.

Damon looked surprised and a little pleased to see the Ravena.

"Aurelia, did you need something?" Damon asked in a polite tone.

The raven witch sauntered inside the room as she flopped down beside Katherine and crosed her legs before looking at the brothers with a daunting expression.

"Yes, I need the moonstone." She deadpanned.

The Salvatores looked like someone had just removed the ground from beneath their feet.

Katherine chuckled cynically, "remember the witch I was telling you idiots about?" She grinned.

Aurelia simply sat staring at the vampires in front of her with a challenging glint in her eyes; as if daring them to make a wrong move.

"It's because of you that Elena's life was in danger!" Stefan growled whereas Damon simply watched the woman with an examining stare.

"And it will be because of me that she will be saved." She retorted. "Now, the moonstone." She said looking at Damon in the eye. She could practically sense the rock on the vampire.

"What do you want with it?" Damon asked.

Katherine shook her head as she bit her wrist and let her blood dribble onto the floor whilst the Salvatores protested.

"Give us what we want. Or Elena will bleed to death." Katherine snapped sharply.

Stefan let out a grumble before rushing to attack Katherine but Aurelia flicked her wrist and the vampire's neck snapped instantly before his body fell on the floor with a thud.

Damon looked stunned and a little fearful because of her powers.

The Ravena then stood up and walked to stand in front of Damon.

"I will not ask again, Mr. Salvatore." She said putting her palm forward.

Damon looked at her warily before doing what he was told. He dug out the stone from his breast pocket and placed it in her hand.

"Who the hell are you and what do you want with this stone?" Damon sneered with hatred.

Aurelia smiled, "all in good time, Damon. All in good time." Saying that, she walked out of the room as Katherine too stood up and smirked at him one last time before walking to the door and stopping.

"Be careful, Damon. You don't want to make an enemy out of Aurelia."

Damon snorted, "duly noted."

Hii, babies! I missed you guys so much! Here is your update and I will be updated The Queen soon.

So, Adonis and Caroline, hmm, as much as I adore Adoline together, I adore Katherine more in this book so well....

Another flashback? Ofc! You know how much I love flashbacks!

This was a little peak into her powers and how exactly she is the protector of wolves. More will be revealed later.

Aww, Klaurelia were about to kiss! My heart 🥺🥺🥺. I promise that their kiss would come soon but first we have to find out about that "dark memory".

Ha! I love how Jenna is getting protective over Kat.

What do you want Jenna's reaction to be when she finds out about the ritual?

Damon finally knows about Lia! And uh-oh, poor Stef.

If it's not already evident, Stefan is going to be the same broody asshole he is from the show. Damon might turn out to be a little more sensible than usual.

Next chapter has my darling husband Elijah in it and I am so excited about that!!!

On a scale of 1-10, how excited are you for Elijah and Kat's meet?

Vote, comment and share if you like this story.

Do tell me your favorite parts.

With Love, Devu.

P.s. Have a brilliant day!