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WARNINGS: VIOLENCE, BLOOD, RACISM

┌─────── •✦• ───────┐

Monday, December 5th, 1917:

EVER since the attack on The Saints, The Euphoria and other local black business, the witches of the Équilbre coven had placed a protection spell on them.

Windows were smashed and several buildings were burnt but they continued to succeed, rising and trying again.

The attackers were witch hunters and peers that shared similar goals as them.

The menacing note that was attached to the brick that aimed for the Lumière's hung over their heads like a looming cloud, waiting to drop the toxic rain that the hunters believed would end them all.

But perseverance was a strong trait, that Adrienne and her confidants all shared and continue to share, even after all the vile men that wanted to be rid of them, were all dead.

And then some.

─────── •✦• ───────

Since her birthday, Klaus didn't let Adrienne leave his sight, he wanted to protect and keep her safe, which was very hard for him, especially because she loathed being told what to do.

Klaus was much more controlling than he intended to be, he knew that and so did she, but that didn't stop him from being that way.

It had already been four days since the attack and he had been on a killing spree, despite his brother's warnings.

He had cut, killed and butchered an entire group of hunters and flayed them, leaving their corpses lying around for their families to see.

Many called it vicious, but he believe it was a means to an end, something he enjoyed and will continue to fill his homicidal tendencies until the people he cared for were safe.

Valerie even applaud him for his efforts, which shocked many people, but at least they had something in common.

Vengeance.

Klaus and Adrienne stayed in his bedroom for most of her stay at the Mikaelson compound. Hadeon knew that he would keep his sister safe so he had no issue with it, however, Erebus' disdain for the hybrid grew, but only the four walls of his room could see that.

The Lumière teen snuck out of Klaus' tight hold, replacing her body with a pillow, so she could get some water to drink in the early hours of the morning.

As she descended the stairs, she felt the aura of the compound change slightly, not in an eerie way, perhaps more mystical.

Her thoughts bounced around in her head, she loved the feeling of being in Klaus' hold, especially because he never seemed to sleep with an undershirt on, meaning his bare skin touched her all night and all morning.

When she entered the kitchen, she was taken back by the scene.

Her breath became lodged in her throat at the sight of many dead civilians, all of their bodies drained and what stood above them, was a young man, blood dripping from his mouth, without a care in the world.

He already seemed to hear Adrienne step into the room, so he sped over to her, causing her back to press against the door.

But before he could attack, she wrung out her hand, her eyes flickered black as she made him fly across the room, he groaned as he hit the wall, but quickly got back on his feet.

He chuckled when he locked eyes with her, noting how her face remained stoic and her heartbeat kept steady.

He narrowed his eyes as they hungrily raked over her body, smirking at each curve that was concealed by a silky nightdress. Her dark Afro hair surrounded her face, merely ending at her bust, which only attracted his attention.

The young man seemed a similar age to her, yet his menacing eyes carried many lifetimes, leading her to believe that he had to be a Mikaelson.

"Well aren't you a pretty one," his accent was rich, sounding British but it held a slight edge. His voice was fairly deep, but not enough to make her swoon, "I've never seen you before."

He stayed still and watched her movements, the way her hips swayed as she neared closer, picking up her nightdress, avoiding the blood that was trailing over the floor.

Her brow raised questioningly, she picked up a glass from the counter and let the tap fill it up, "How are you so sure?" her sultry voice caught him off guard.

It was almost enough to intrigue him, almost.

She wasn't afraid of him even though he wanted her to be.

"Because you stand out."

She side-eyed him, picking up on his mocking tone, it sounded similar to hers but he had a horrific edge.

She pulled the glass away and turned off the tap, "Obviously." she shrugged with a smug smile and took a sip of the water.

His smirk broadened and his eyes never left her, almost anticipating what she would do next and what she would say.

"Confident too, a woman of my dreams," he hummed before holding his hand out, "Kol Mikaelson."

Kol, exactly how Rebekah described.

She mirrored his actions, he pressed a chaste kiss to her hand, causing her to cringe when the blood that dripped from his lips touched her, "Adrienne Lumière." she tossed him a rag, that he caught swiftly and wiped his face, leaving it with a red tint.

To her, he seemed to take after Elijah in the looks department, only slightly better looking.

His smirk morphed into a grin, "Oh a Lumière?" she nodded at his question, "I knew your brother before I got daggered a few years back."

"Funny that, Deon has never mentioned you."

Perhaps the three years since Kol had been lying in a box, caused Hadeon to forget their interaction.

Kol tutted, "The cheek of him," he stepped closer, "oh well, maybe it's time we get reacquainted but first I suppose I could take you out sometime." he said, nearing closer to her, her scent invaded his nostrils, but he caught a hint of someone else's as well.

So bold, she thought.

"Shame, I'm already taken." she shrugged, smirking at the way his face scrunched up.

"By who?" he waited for a response as she gulped down the rest of her water.

"Your brother." she wiped her mouth and placed the glass down.

He rolled his eyes, "I have a few."

They stood only a few inches away from each other. She noticed he was adorning an outfit from a few years ago.

He assumed that Rebekah was the sibling to undagger him and then went to sleep since he only came to consciousness a few hours ago, so obviously he went out to get a small bite to eat.

"The big bad wolf," she spoke dramatically, then noticed the shock that flashed over his eyes, "yes, he broke his curse."

Kol's mood darkened, she caught the change in his demeanour.

"Of course he did," Kol rolled his eyes, bitterness danced around his face at the thought of it, "he gets everything, a pretty girl and part of his identity back." he let out a laugh, but it contained no humour.

"Were you a wolf too?" she asked, slightly intrigued.

He seemed disgusted by her question, "God no, as if I want to be something ghastly as that. A dog?" she held back a chuckle, "I would rather dagger myself."

She squinted up at him, he practically towered over her, although it wasn't an accomplishment, she was quite small.

She believed that Kol was a few inches taller than Klaus, something that must've aggravated the hybrid.

"Then what did you lose all those years ago?" she cocked her head to the side.

"Something you have coursing through your viens." he trailed his hand over her arm before she smacked it away.

Her eyes widened, "Magic..."

She was aware that his mother was the original witch, but she didn't know whether or not any of her children would've tapped into their magic just yet.

"Correct," he drawled, "but oh well," he shrugged carelessly, however she could detect the irritants in his tone, "why does Nik always get the pretty ones," he almost pouted,  "in another life then aye?"

She laughed, "In your dreams."

"I like you." a smile danced across his lips as he leaned forward.

"Oh I know." she stepped backwards, creating more distance between them.

"Hello, Niklaus."

They both snap their heads over to glaring original.

Klaus didn't bother to cover himself, not after waking up and noticing that his girl wasn't next to him, so he sped downstairs angrily, especially when he caught the smell of blood.

He feared what might've happened to her and grew even more fearful after remembering he had allowed his youngest brother to be undaggered.

He strolled over to Adrienne, but his eyes remained on Kol, "So here you are, only been out of your box a day, and you're killing the locals and bothering my girl."

The witch pressed a kiss to his cheek, dissipating the anger that boiled in his body, the action caught the younger original's eye.

"I'm surprised that you could find someone that could deal with your constant whining about the past."

"And I'm surprised that you can be so carelessly aggravating when it only takes one dagger to the heart to shut you up."

The brothers made no effort to back down from their staring challenge, competing for dominance as veins were about to grow under their eyes.

Adrienne rolled her eyes and shoved them away from each other, "Nik, leave him alone," she snaked an arm around his neck, "He's quite entertaining."

Both brothers were shocked by her words, one amused and the other irritated.

Klaus stared down at her, a frown etched onto his face as he wrapped his arms around her waist, trying to conceal her body from his brother.

"You said that about Elijah."

Kol laughed behind them, but they only ignored him.

"Eli amuses me, Kol Entertains me," she replied as she nodded behind her.

Kol laughed louder at the scowl that appeared on his brother's face, "And what about Niklaus?"

Her hands cupped Klaus' cheeks, "All of the above." she spoke softly, making him smile.

"Great answer." he placed a kiss on her forehead.

Kol attempted not to gag at their interaction, "Bye Pretty witch."

Klaus sneered in his direction, feeding his brother's anarchical appetite.

Adrienne called out, as Kol walked away, "It's Adrienne."

"I know."

Once he left the room, Klaus remained slightly tense but the way the witch curled her fingers into the strands of his neck, massaging small circles into his skin, caused him to let out a sigh.

He took in a deep breath and pressed their foreheads together.

"I need to get changed," she said quietly.

"Where are you going?"

She pulled away from him, but interlocked their fingers, "Équilibre meeting,"

He nodded stiffly, not wanting for them to part, "Be careful."

"What? You aren't going to help me get ready?" she teased.

He smirked and sped her upstairs.

─────── •✦• ───────

The winter air was chilling. Adrienne had no choice but to wear a pair of Rebekah's strangely well-fitted trousers to the Équilbre meeting.

She struggled to leave the compound, with Klaus' constant need to have his hands all over her.

The witch meeting was straightforward if one were to exclude the simmering feud between Valerie and Kali. The two kept bumping heads and almost hexing each other before Adrienne had to put her foot down.

The Lumière witch was drained and everything around her felt as if it were crumbling down.

She had already agreed to have tea with Rebekah, so that was where she was headed, back to the abattoir, but unfortunately, the street seemed further away and the sky was darkening.

She picked up the pace, knowing that she was foolish for walking alone. Times like this she wished had super speed so she wouldn't have to be in these situations...fearing for her safety.

She tensed when she heard drunken whistling from across the street.

"Oh, little witch."

The man yelled and crackled when she sped up.

"Oi, I'm talking to you."

Don't engage, don't engage, don't engage, don't engage, she kept telling herself.

She let out a shaky breath and continued her way.

For some reason, the roads seemed bare, despite being the first day of the week.

She couldn't decipher whether it was her fear that made her vision foggy and blurry or if it was the weather working against her.

So she tugged on her floor-length coat and sped up, scared to turn around.

Don't cry. She kept telling herself.

Regardless of being a witch or a queen, she's still a young woman, a young black woman.

She let out a scream when she was suddenly pushed into an empty alley, tumbling onto the floor, groaning in pain due to her wrists breaking her fall.

"Stupid black bitch."

The man stepped closer, revealing his identity.

His dirty blond hair was spiked up and away from his face, and his piercing blue eyes raked over her form, he hungrily licked his lips after noticing how vulnerable she truly was.

She shuffled away from the man she believed to be the drunken and incredibly idiotic Ren Cross.

He was just as bulky as he was intoxicated.

He grinned, showcasing his crooked and missing teeth.

"You really shouldn't have done that," she spoke lowly as she blinked back her tears.

Her body ached and the cruel air only worsened the feeling.

She felt as if the walls were closing in. No matter how many times she experienced something like this, it didn't make it any easier.

She was still a young girl, a young woman, who carried the pain of generations, but she also carried the power of thousands of Lumière's that came before her.

"You know what you are?" Ren spat and came closer, towering over her. Liquor dripped from his tongue, his stench was potent, it reached up and clung to her. He grew mad when she didn't respond, So he roughly gripped her neck, and she gasped and fought his painful hold, "that's it struggle like the mongrel you are." he chuckled maliciously.

His other hand gripped onto her arm, pinning her down as she thrashed around.

"But that's not all," he shook his head, "you're a beast but you've would've made such a good whore," he bit down on his lower lip, as his eyes travelled over her physique.

Tears pooled in her eyes as he continued to torment her.

She could barely breathe.

"And just because you choose to taint my race by mixing with that hybrid, doesn't mean the rest of the world should too."

He snapped and went to slap her across the face, but her mumbling and chanting caused him to recoil and stagger backwards.

Simultaneously letting go of his grip around her neck, she choked and coughed as she swallowed harshly, her chest heaved up and down fighting for the very air, he tried taking away.

She painful sat up, revealing her charcoal black eyes before holding out her hand, "tenebris fallaciae," her voice grew louder, despite the strain on her voice.

He screeched and landed on his behind, his vision was now replaced with vicious memories and premonitions she conjured up.

His worst nightmares, illusions of change and what the world will eventually mould into.

Things he couldn't abide by.

"No," he yelled, but she didn't allow anyone to hear him, she simply carried on with her tormenting.

He clawed at his eyes, wishing that he could take his sight away, needing to be rid of the pain he felt, the pain he saw.

He couldn't allow it.

The illusions weren't pretty, nor were they intended to be. But soon his worse fears would turn into insanity and insanity would soon become suicide.

The spell was a devilish little creation.

She mustered up a smirk when he started scratching at his flesh, causing blisters and blood to blur his vision and ruin his prime sense.

She finally rose from the ground, finding the strength to do so and lurched over to the vile man.

"Stop," he screamed and thrashed around, begging for her mercy.

She shook her head, "You love your words so much, why don't you choke on them," she clenched her fist, "angebant in aerem," she spoke the incantation.

And he quickly began choking on air, he held onto his chest as the blood from his eyes dripped onto the ground.

"You're a monster." he choked out, his face quickly lost its colour and gradually turned a dark shade of blue. Drool trickled down his chin as he stared up at her.

"Better a monster than an ignorant man," she spoke through gritted teeth and inflicted more pain on him.

He tried fighting for the air that was leaving his lungs, but his attempts were futile against her power.

There was something more powerful than a humiliated man... a pissed-off woman.

And nothing could ever defeat that.

Ren took his final breath and laid still with a discoloured and bloodied face, alcohol clung to the air that orbited him.

Adrienne folded her lips inward, trying to stop the sobs that wanted to escape.

Her neck was bruised and her body felt violated.

She didn't need a saviour, but she did need someone to lean on.

─────── •✦• ───────

"Klaus!" Adrienne screamed as soon as she entered the compound.

Tears streamed down her face as her body shook with fear and sadness.

"Klaus!" she repeated and suddenly the double doors burst open, Klaus sped towards her with a concerned expression, "h-he-"

"Take your time," his eyes darkened in anger as he noticed the handprint marking her neck.

He heard the raw gritty sound of her voice. It took everything inside him, not to leave her and find the bastard that did this.

"R-ren," she cried out, she gestured to her neck, and he softly grabbed her shaking hands with his own.

He had just left his art studio, luckily his hands were not covered in paint. As for his siblings, Elijah had been out discussing business with the Guerrera wolfs and Rebekah had been showing Kol all the new sites in the city before she would come back to entertain her friend.

The name that stuttered out of her mouth, burned through his mind, scorching each cell, which soon ached and itched with guilt.

He wasn't there.

He wasn't there to protect his girl, his Adrienne.

He shouldn't have let her leave the compound, if he kept her locked away, maybe she wouldn't have been attacked, touched or traumatised.

Every part of him felt responsible, almost as guilty as the man that hurt her, if not more.

"He touched me and-" he pulled her into his chest before she could finish her sentence.

He had always been so protective, so on guard whenever someone mentioned Adrienne, always ready to kill, maim or injure those who attacked her.

But now, the moment she was walking the streets alone and ready to be prey to a witch hunter, he was nowhere to be seen. Shacked up and confined to the walls of his art studio, pouring his emotion into his work, instead of spilling the blood of those who dare touched his girl.

It shocked him to see her cry, Adrienne had never been in such a broken state before. He would say that it picked away at his icy heart, but most of it had already melted away, partly because of her.

"He kept saying things," her voice was muffled as it vibrated his chest.

"Shhh, you don't have to tell me."

"I do," she shakily pulled away from him, staring up at him with a defeated look.

She just wanted to crawl into a ball and die.

He sighed, "Ria-"

She hastily cut him off, "Ren attacked and yelled horrible, vile things at me," she ran her hands over her face, "I killed him with my magic."

She wiped away the stray tears that escaped her eyes.

She was bored and embarrassed by the feeling.

Stop crying, stop crying, stop crying. She kept telling herself.

A grin slowly appeared on his face, "It's a good thing you had your powers then sweetheart."

His expression dropped when he noticed her glare.

"That's not the point."

He nodded quickly, "I know it isn't but-"

She shook her head as her shoulders slumped, "No, you don't understand." she stared and blinked at the ceiling a few times when she felt her eyes start to burn.

Adrienne turned away from him and that's when Klaus began to panic.

He stepped took a step closer, but she only took a step back, causing him to frown, "You escaped him, Ria," he tried but she only shook her head, "he was lucky I didn't rip his throat out with my teeth." fury laced his tone.

She threw up her hands in frustration, "Ugh, I shouldn't have come here." she mumbled.

"No, let's get you cleaned and we can talk." he couldn't take his eyes off the bruising on her neck.

How could anyone do that to his girl?

He would offer her blood, however, he knew how much she hated the taste.

"No."

"Come here." he held a hand out for her but he slapped it away, startling him.

She laughed bitterly, "Just because you saved Marcel from being enslaved doesn't mean you single-handle erased racism, Klaus."

He stared down at her, stunned and confused.

He swallowed nervously at her tone.

"I know-"

Her eyes darted around his face, "no you don't, you can try to understand but you will never know my experience or Marcel's or even Hadeon's." she stressed and he just stood there, "You just have to listen to me, I will go through this whether you like it or not and you can't stop it."

"I'm sorry."

He didn't know what to say or how to act, all he wanted was to help her any way he could.

His mind raced back to seeing how Marcel was treated, less than a century ago. He was lashed, beaten and treated like property.

Klaus believed that taking his adoptive son away from that inhumane environment was what was best, raising and grooming him so he wouldn't have to grow up the same way he did.

He continued to protect Marcel from the hatred and prejudice he received, but maybe it wasn't enough.

Maybe it would never be enough.

Klaus just wanted to help.

"Don't," she whispered, "I'm tired of hearing that," she blinked slowly, "just know that you will get more hate because of me, can you deal with that or not?"

She stared up at him, exhausted, as she awaited his response.

He stepped closer to her with a pleading expression and luckily she didn't back away this time.

"I will and I can because your skin colour won't dictate whether I want to be with you or be friends with you or even be around you," he exclaimed sternly.

She raised a brow questioningly, "Are you sure because you certainly aren't gonna be my white saviour okay?"

He took her hands in his, soothing her palms with his thumbs, "I'm certain, I won't."

"Why?" she asked incredulously. She knew how he could be and how quickly he would react to things.

She could handle herself, but she wanted a partner, an equal.

She would hate to be victimised or worse... a damsel, even though she was in distress but certainly didn't need or want to be saved.

Klaus exhaled deeply, and stared at her, completely infatuated, "Because I just am, you're beautiful and everything I look for in a partner, for a 1000 years I've never found someone more perfectly imperfect than you. My Adrienne, my sweetheart, my love."

Butterflies flew around her stomach, at his words.

Her body may have still ached but his exclamation almost soothed her pain.

"Being together won't be easy."

Many laws in other states dictated that they couldn't be friendly, let alone be together.

The couple rarely kissed in public, the most they could do was hold hands, despite everyone bone in their body's wanting, no, needing to do more.

Klaus shrugged, "I wouldn't have it any other way."

"Why would you do that for me?" she asked and a small smile tugged at her lips.

"Other than the fact that you single-handedly bewitched my mind body and soul?"

She pretended to think, before she nodded, "Yes."

"Adrienne Lumiere, I'm in-"

He was cut off by the sound of the double doors slamming open.

Revealing none other than Elijah Mikaelson and Hadeon Lumière.

Klaus cleared his throat and stepped away as the pair ran over to the injured girl.

"Adrienne we heard what happened, are you alright?" Elijah questioned, his anger was simmering, he scanned her tear-stained face. Both his and Hadeon's eyes widened, then darkened at the sight of her neck.

"I'm taking you home," Hadeon said darkly, his tone even stunned the Mikaelson brothers, "Kali told me what happened, Val and Clem dealt with the body of that piece of scum."-

Hadeon was rarely serious, but when it came to his sister, there was nothing he wouldn't do for her.

Nothing.

"Yes, take her home," Elijah agreed quickly, sending the teen a sorrowful look.

"Rest well sweetheart," Klaus spoke up as she was escorted out, she sent him a tired smile.

When the Mikaelsons heard the Lumière siblings exit the property, Elijah turned to his younger brother, "Brother she will be alright."

"I still need the heads of those men."

"We'll get them, we have to be calculated about this, although the witches might get there before us."

"I don't doubt that."

Elijah pondered his next words, "Brother, I may have overheard what you were about to say-"

"Don't," the hybrid cut him off, holding up his hand to silence him, "don't tell anyone, especially not Rebekah."

Elijah started to smirk, "Not even poor Nikolai?" he ducked when Klaus threw a vase at his head, "I'll be off to go and find our siblings." he yelled as he dashed away.

Klaus growled, "Elijah, don't you dare!"

─────── •✦• ───────

"Look after her, whilst I go and check on the witches," Hadeon told his girl, the moment he and Adrienne stepped into their home, his tone was low and his anger was evident.

He couldn't bear to see the marks that were on his sister, his guilt for not being present for the attack ate away at him, but he had to keep going, moving forward or his guilt would consume him.

He was aware that their father also assisting the Équilbre witches.

"O-okay, do you want any help?" Mira asked quietly, scared that she would frighten the two siblings.

Adrienne was sitting on the couch in the hallway, not caring about their conversation in the slightest.

Hadeon shook his head at her question, "No, I'm fine my lovely, just make sure you take care of my sister," he pressed a kiss to her lips, before glancing to Adrienne, "I'm leaving to deal with-"

"I know, I'll be fine." the young queen interrupted and waved him off.

He nodded stiffly and left the house as his anger increasingly boiled.

Mira kneeled in front of the stoic witch, "What do you need?"

"A bath."

The Tate girl sheepishly smiled and held her hand out to Adrienne, who stared at her hand sceptically before taking it and getting off the couch.

The two nineteen-year-olds made their way up the stairs.

Mira had been staying with the Lumière's for a while, coming accustomed to their ways and lifestyle. She had made sure not to step on any of their toes. So she cooked and cleaned despite not needing to, but she felt like it was her duty, so she didn't stop.

As they reached the landing, she brought Adrienne over to the bathroom, carefully assisting her with taking off her clothes, "I like your trousers," she complimented.

"Thank you," the witch replied.

"I could never pull them off, I haven't got the legs for them," Mira laughed at herself, which made Adrienne smile slightly.

"You could."

"No, I prefer dresses and skirts, just makes me feel special." she rambled as she walked over to the bath and turned on the tap. The sound of the water running allowed Adrienne to let out a sigh of relief.

"I like dresses, I just get cold easily."

Mira nodded ecstatically, "there was a winter I got so cold, my mama and I covered each other with dozens of dresses," she smiled at the memory, "but then we had to wrap them around our legs so we didn't freeze to death."

"You should get some trousers," Adrienne advised, finally ridding herself of her underwear, not caring if another woman saw her in the nude.

Mira pondered for a moment as the water started getting higher, "I will, with my next pay cheque" she stated excitedly.

Her mood dropped when she could see the bruising around Adrienne's neck.

She was only told small details about what happened to the Lumière queen, she didn't want to impose or overstep a boundary so she pretended like everything was okay.

It was Mira's motto for life, even though it often irritated many people.

"Ooo, the bath is ready," Mira hastily switched off the tap, basking in the warmth radiating off the water, she turned to the injured witch and helped her slowly get in, Adrienne sighed in contentment as her feet touched the surface, "I could stay in the bath for hours, I almost drowned once," she said as he quickly picked up a bar of scented soap.

Adrienne pulled her legs into her chest, staring at the ripples that formed around her.

"People say it's like a remedy," Mira carefully rubbed the soap over the witch's back, she felt Adrienne stiffen at the action before she calmed herself and allowed the human to continue, "which is why I soak in there for two hours each day, once before I sleep and do it again when I wake up."

"Same."

"Deon complains that I take too long to get ready but he doesn't know what he's talking about."

"He's an idiot," Adrienne huffed out a laugh, her muscles slowly starting to relax as the water continued to seep into her skin.

"He is, but he's also caring, handsome and smart." The Tate girl tried not to gush about her lover in the presence of his sister, especially noting her vulnerable state.

"But mainly an idiot."

The two girls giggled quietly.

Mira stopped her actions, making the witch turn to her, "can I ask you something?" she asked cautiously. Adrienne nodded.

"Do you want to tell me what happened?"

Adrienne looked down and pulled her knees as close to her chest as she could. She felt the ghost of Ren's hands clutch and press against her neck.

Mira immediately regretted her question, she feel that beyond the grave her mother was cursing her for speaking out too much.

Adrienne managed to clear her throat, wincing at the pain she felt, "Ren," she started, "a witch hunter," she added, informing the human who he was, "touched me."

"I would kill him if you didn't already."

Adrienne was taken back at Mira's intolerant tone. The Tate girl never lost her patience, or even seemed remotely angry, which occasionally made Lumière siblings care for her more, due to the serene aura she carried.

"He tried hitting me," Adrienne whispered, trying not to tear up again.

"At least defended yourself honey and that's the best thing you could've done, especially against scary men."

Mira resumed cleansing her, softly tracing the bar of soap around her back, arms, and thighs, avoiding her neck entirely.

Adrienne stiffly nodded, "I know."

"I've only had to deal with a few attacks." Mira was a considerably small woman, no matter the inch of shoes she wore, she would constantly be towered over and sometimes she didn't care, but most of the time, she was an easy target.

She had been verbally abused because of her skin colour and often had things thrown at her, but she tried not to let it discourage her spirit.

Adrienne sighed, "It's still bad."

"Agreed, but I have hope that things will change." the Tate woman said optimistically.

"Yeah me too."

"That's good."

"But it's hard to have hope when change happens as slowly as it does."

─────── •✦• ───────

Tuesday, December 6th, 1917:

"Nik, I'm fine, I just need to go visit a friend." Adrienne stood downstairs by the family phone, already dressed for a new day.

Valerie and Clementine came by, an hour before, checking to see if she was okay, the duo even made sure she used a healing spell on her neck, so the bruising would fade.

Kali, unfortunately, couldn't come by, but she sent her love regardless.

"What friend?" Adrienne could hear the jealousy in his voice.

"A witch."

Klaus scoffed and tugged on the cord, "I know all of your friends." he hissed through the phone, making her roll her eyes.

"Well, not this one."

He scoffed angrily, "Then tell me who they are and I'll come with you." she could hear him shuffle around,

"You sound controlling." she mused.

He painfully gripped the phone, sighing before he spoke up, "I sound protective and I should be, especially after yesterday." he huffed, then rolled his eyes when he saw his siblings in the corner of the room, peaking their heads around the corner. So he picked up the nearest vase and threw it in their direction, causing them to laugh and leave, "and you shouldn't be seeing this friend," his chest heaved up and down in distress, "alone."

"Hadeon will be there."

"You're lying."

She smiled and played with the cord, "I know, but you trust me don't you?"

"Yes," he responded instantly, believing that she wouldn't be unfaithful, but he still had his doubts.

A lot of doubts, but he didn't want to let the green-eyed monster scare her away.

"So convincing." she drawled.

"Yes, yes, but if another wretched man or woman lays a hand on your pretty little face, body or even soul, I'll kill slaughter, flay and even butcher more peop-"

She stared at the phone, alarmed, "What do you mean mo-"

He laughed awkwardly, "No worries, just call me when you get home."

"What's the point when you have your men following me?" she questioned.

She caught the sight of several vampires watching her house last night and in the morning. Vampires aren't subtle, especially if they were employed by Mikaelson men.

He shrugged and an innocent smile tugged on his lips, "I don't know what you're talking about."

"Sure, bye Nik."

"Bye beautiful."

She put the phone back on the dial and let out a sigh, she remembered to write a note for the brother, letting him know where and who she would be with.

Adrienne rolled her shoulders back, then draped her coat over her back and exited her house.

─────── •✦• ───────

Adrienne stepped out of her automobile, grabbed the keys and tucked them away in her clutch.

She huffed when she noticed two similar cars, parking behind her, knowing that they were employed by Klaus.

She didn't pay them any attention as she stared up at the house she parked in front of. Vines and leaves encircled the property, suffocating the infrastructure and cracking the bricks and walls.

Despite the damage, the view was fairly pleasing, but she was apprehensive about going inside.

She stalked over to the gate, and slowly pushed it open, feeling a wave of energy pour over her as she stepped past the threshold.

Weeds grew throughout the front garden, snapping and freezing in the winter air.

Adrienne pulled on the bronze door knocker and let it bang a few times.

Seconds later a tall, dark-skinned woman opened the door, with a sly grin on her face, her hair was braided down, her cheekbones were prominent and her eyes were cat-like.

A silk scarf covered the woman's forehead. She wore a long flowy skirt and a tight-fitted shirt. A collection of bracelets encircled her wrists and clashed against one another as she moved her arms.

"I'm surprised it took you so long for you to come and visit me." the woman's southern accent poured from her voice.

She turned on her feet and let Adrienne stroll in, not before taking a peek through her blinds and muttering a spell, stopping any outsiders from hearing or getting in.

The door slammed shut.

Adrienne strolled behind the woman, "I've been busy Ms Marie."

Ms Marie Laveau was born and bred in New Orleans, even when disappeared for periods of time, her spirit still hung to the very surface of the city.

But being an immortal voodoo priestess, came with a price. A price that no one knew of, nor did they want to.

Adrienne smelt the boiling and stewing of a pot of gumbo as she turned the corner and entered the kitchen.

"Shacking up with that halfbreed is taking up too much of your time huh?" Marie chortled at the scowl that appeared on the young queen's face.

They settled near the stove, the older woman stirred the pot and continued adding more ingredients.

Adrienne folded her arms, "Let me guess, you don't approve." she said and glanced around the different ornaments and sculptures in the room.

Candles were scattered around. Skulls sat in each corner of the room, adorning what Adrienne believe to be Marie's hats and accessories.

The Voodoo priestess waved her off, "No, I don't care," she replied bluntly, getting a smile out of the teen, "He's easy on the eyes," she added, "but I don't trust him."

"Understandable."

"You wanna know why I don't trust him?" Marie asked and added more greens and tomatoes into the pot.

"'cause he's white."

"No," Marie laughed before narrowing her eyes at her, "He'll hurt you."

Adrienne sighed, "My dad said the same thing."

She didn't want to listen to their warnings, because she was confident in their relationship.

But she couldn't just ignore what they were saying.

Marie hummed, "Your handsome father says all kinds of things," she kissed her teeth,  ", especially about a broach he wanted me to find a few nights ago."

Adrienne stiffened, "My mother's broach."

The Laveau woman noticed her change in demeanour, "Oh I know child, I told him I couldn't find it and it would be lost forever." she said ominously, side-eyeing the young Queen.

"Why?"

"Because it most likely will be."

They shared a knowing look, before turning back to the stewing pot.

"Right." Adrienne nodded along, watching as more chicken, ham and spices were added.

Marie pursed her lips, "But you owe me a favour child."

"I've given what I owe you."

Yes, Adrienne had met the Voodoo priestess a few times with her brother, they had to sort out certain dealings. It might've led them to owe the older woman, but they always paid their debts.

Marie scoffed, "I don't want money I want to talk to Hadeon but he seems to be avoiding me." she scooped up some of the gumbo and had a taste. She hummed in contentment, then offered some to Adrienne, who hesitated, "it's not poisonous and if it was at least you won't die hungry."

"That inspires so much hope," Adrienne laughed humourlessly, before taking a sip off the spoon, licking her lips as she digested the deliciousness, "Deon's busy, he's not avoiding you."

"Doing?"

"Well a couple of weeks ago; planning a wedding."

Marie's eyes bulged out of her head, "He's engaged?"

"Was, the idiot almost got married but I talked him out of it."

"My, my, Lumière men are insane," she said and turned off the stove and placed a cover over the pot.

"Lovesick."

"Precisely."

"But tell me the history you have with my father." Adrienne had been wondering about their history, ever since Erebus slipped up the day before her birthday.

It surprised her but she was learning how to expect the unexpected.

"That's grown folks business." Marie pointed the spoon in her face, giving her a pointed look.

"I am grown," Adrienne whined.

Marie scoffed playfully and raked her eyes over the young queen's body, "Lose that chastity belt and then tell me that."

Adrienne took a step back and gawked at the older woman, "How did you-"

"I can smell the purity off of you..." she told her knowingly, before narrowing her eyes, "well some purity."

"That's odd."

"Very, but not for long."

"Can we stop talking about my virginity?" Adrienne stressed. Not wanting to think about being intimate with Klaus around an acquaintance.

"Yes, if you tell me what happened to that pretty little neck of yours." Marie motioned to the fading bruising on her neck.

Adrienne painfully gulped, "Something tells me you already know."

"I do, but I want you to tell me first."

"None other than good old Ren Cross." Adrienne plastered on a smile, which didn't reach her eyes.

"What did he do?" Marie asked, anger lacing her tone.

"Berate, bruise and try to end my life."

"What did you do?"

"Tormented, then killed the bastard."

"Good on you." Marie stepped closer, noticing the tears welling in her eyes.

"Yes, good on me." the young witch bowed her head, concealing her pain.

Marie held her arms open, "Oh child, come here," Adrienne sobbed into her chest "something tells me those men will get what's coming to 'em, very soon," she said darkly, "a very bloody ending."

└─────── •✦• ───────┘

a/n:

𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗹𝗶𝗲 𝗵𝘂𝗻𝗻𝗮𝗺 as ren cross
𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗹𝗮 𝗯𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘁𝘁 as marie laveau

kol is the best mikaelson brother, argue with the wall.

i loved writing his interaction with adrienne, he acts more like a predator than klaus sometimes, especially because he has that psychotic glint in his eyes. i don't like Nathaniel, but he captured kol's mannerisms so well.

how do you think his relationship with adrienne will be?

i make up a lot of spells in this book, let me know if you want to know what they mean, if you're confused.

ren cross is the first main witch hunter to die. when adrienne was describing him in the 3rd chapter, she described him as a dumb idiot, which is why he was the first to die. yes, adrienne was scared because he was most likely going to do something awful to her, so didn't use her powers straight away.

also when i watched the show, i felt like klaus used to hold the fact that he 'saved' marcel from slavery and held it over his head a lot and it pissed me off. he needed to learn that adrienne doesn't need saving, just a partner.

opinions on marie laveau and adriennes relationship? what do you think they're hiding?

any theories?