WARNINGS: GRIEF, BLOOD, SMUT, SELF HARM AND MORE MATURE THEMES

┌─────── •✦• ───────┐

Monday, April 3rd, 1918

MARIE had finally got what she wanted after twenty-two long years... to be a mother.

Hadeon opened up his heart and life to the woman he thought was his mentor when she truly gave him the life that was crumbling all around him.

He'd told his sister that he would be fine, which didn't inspire much faith in Adrienne, however, she trusted Marie and trust was hard to come by.

Knowing her brother was being comforted by someone he always wanted and sought out after brought her contentment.

She had to admit she was jealous. He had a mother and she had...

... three people who were lying or going to lie to her, betraying or will betray her.

Mira was already dead. The axeman was currently being taken care of and Adrienne still didn't know who the three cats were.

But what she did know was Klaus' birthday conveniently landed on the day of the full moon and she needed a good distraction.

To preoccupy her paranoia that festered and ate away at her peace.

─────── •✦• ───────

Surprisingly, Klaus Mikaelson didn't want to be the centre of attention.

Shocking... to everyone.

Of course, he needed everyone to know that it was the day he was cursed to the world, that he is the big bad of the city and the epitome of atrocity.

Usually, a birthday bash with an elite guest list would keep him satisfied, but because of the issues and tragedies he faced recently, he didn't crave it, not as much as something... someone else.

"I don't require a party," the hybrid huffed, not taking his eyes off the present that Adrienne blessed him with.

He sheepishly smiled at the gift, trailing his fingers over the silver chain that she acquired with the help of his sister.

The soul that sees beauty, may sometimes walk alone.

From the second he read the inscription he shed a few tears and pulled her close, mumbling small 'thank yous' and refusing to let go of her. She understood him. She knew him better than most people.

He had to force himself to move away, to fight the urge to rip off her sheer gown and keep a safe distance.

"A soirée," Adrienne suggested again, shifting closer to the bed, snapping him out of his trance.

He gave her a warning look, hoping that she wouldn't come any closer not that she gave a damn. Her robe loosely hung to her figure just like her undergarments that beckoned him closer.

She was his walking sin and he was always tempted.

"No," Klaus paused, "I told you to want I want." what I need. He thought and judging from the way her lips twitched ever so slightly she knew as well.

"Which is..." she humoured him.

"You."

His words inspired the embers burning within to heat up and turn her gaze away from him, trying to fight off the smile on her lips.

Fuck, a bubbling feeling pooled in her stomach, similar to his. Klaus clasped the chain around his neck, whilst keeping his eyes on her, cocking his head to the side and licking his bottom lip.

Adrienne slowly rose from the bed, "But you said that you couldn't be with me on the full moon."

"I can't," he said with a stiff nod, resisting the urge to reach for her.

"I want to stay with you tonight."

His eyes snapped shut as his hands coiled into a fist, "No."

"I'll be fine."

"And I won't be in control," he sharply exhaled, moving off the bed, cautiously opening his eyes and keeping his gaze off Adrienne.

She nodded, smirking at the thought and shuffled closer, "I know."

"I will not put you through that. I cannot put you through that," not yet.

"You've almost done it a few times," she countered, sighing at the memories.

Klaus rolled his head, "Those were different instances entirely, you know that and you were not grieving then."

He knew the things she did and said whenever she was going through something. She tended to ignore the issues until they presented themselves or simply carried on until she burnt out.

Mira's execution affected them all in ways that they were still dealing with today.

Hell, even Klaus missed the little human, her kindness was rare.

Adrienne blinked at him, "I'm always grieving my love. I need to stay distracted."

He finally stared at her, saddened by her confession, before he replied, "Well this distraction isn't something you need right now, it could kill you."

She took a step closer and he didn't move, "I trust you."

"I don't trust myself."

Adrienne huffed and moved in front of him, brushing her hand over his face and trailing her finger over his new chain that dare not to tangle with the others.

Klaus' heart pounded at their proximity and nostrils flared from her scent.

Without blinking he tugged her closer, letting their bodies collide and making her breath hitch at his roughness.

With every breath he took it became harder for him to stay away.

"Every time you've fucked me, you've been holding back. I feel it, almost hurts you. So tonight you'll take me until I'm full to the brim, my king," she purred and Klaus' lustful gaze intensified.

Only seconds passed before the hybrid pulled away and briskly stalked in an opposite direction.

Adrienne almost huffed, believing he rejected her, well, that was until he yelled, "Pack a bag, we won't be back until the morning."

─────── •✦• ───────

A few hours had passed since the couple departed.

The doors to the Abattoir were slammed open, alerting the family that lounged in the living room, mindlessly turning pages of books and mumbling a few words of exchange.

Their gaze snapped towards Clementine and Valerie who clutched their bags.

Elijah's eyes gleamed and he stood up, placing his book to the side.

Rebekah smiled, "Oh dear Clem, Elijah has been so lost without you."

Kol hummed, "Like a babe without a mother."

The youngest Mikaelsons teased but their smiles faded once she saw their daunting looks.

"What's wrong my love?" Elijah appeared next to them, stroking Clementine's face.

"We know who betrayed us," Valerie spoke through clenched teeth, squeezing onto her bag even more.

The Mikaelsons immediately gave them their full attention.

Marcel sped towards Valerie and uttered, "Tell us everything."

─────── •✦• ───────

As the moon approached, the hybrid's needs grew.

His inner beast wanted, no, need to burst from its case, not that he would transform and Adrienne understood why.

He found the remnants of his true father's family: The North East Atlantic Pack. One of his father's children managed to survive Mikael's slaughter and continued their bloodline.

Initially, Klaus didn't know how to react. He remembered the time that he discovered Ansel, drenched in his own blood and amongst the dead of his own family. Or that he had siblings that he would never know, a father that might have loved and cared for him, unlike Mikael. All that hope was overshadowed by being a bastard and the curse that came with it.

Both a beast and a demon.

An abomination that was loved by a witch.

Klaus also informed Adrienne of his mother's grimoire and the moon rings she wanted to make for her lover and family, but for now, he didn't wish to be plagued by events of the past.

He needed to best the present.

That is why he'd bought out an entire floor in a local hotel, mindful of Adrienne's screams that would tear through the building due to his sensual and primitive actions.

Klaus didn't bother to speak, instead, he stood between his girl's legs which rested on their bed for the night. She smiled up at him as he cupped her face. Both were as naked and bear as the day they were born.

She could feel the heat pouring from him, the desire burning in his eyes and the hardness between his legs.

"If you wish to leave, say now my love, for I fear I won't stop," he hesitantly said, hoping that she would stay.

"I'm staying Mr Hyde," she whispered and he roughly pushed her down, "do your worst."

─────── •✦• ───────

"What is that you have there, child?" Marie asked, strolling over to Hadeon, who sat in the spare room of her house.

She made sure that it was comfortable for his stay, for however long he would reside at the Laveau estate. She hoped it would be lengthy, oh how she wished to make up for the years that were squandered and wasted on Keyara Lumière.

Marie cocked her head to the side as he revealed a few vials of blood sitting in a box seething with mist.

"Insurance," he quietly answered and closed the lid, spelling it shut.

"Clever boy," she praised, kissing his forehead, despite not knowing what it was for, still it earned a bashful smile in response.

Her praise was something he would never get used to. Despite years of Keyara's constant adoration, it didn't feel real, due to her spite directed at Adrienne. He was glad that he had someone to call mother.

"I don't trust anyone," he murmured turning away from her.

"Not even your queen?" she jested and sat beside him.

"Adri will know in due time."

"Not now? She can keep a secret."

Hadeon softly scoffed, "Tonight is the full moon and she is spending it will the Klaus," he muttered, shooting her a glance, "She can be a fool, but I didn't know she was an idiot."

Marie raised a brow at his irritant tone, but she knew he was overcompensating for his overwhelming need to protect his sister. Mira's death had only amplified that.

"She loves him," she stated, snorting at the eye roll she received, "watch it."

Hadeon shot her an apologetic look, then uttered, "And that is why I won't tell her about the doppelgangers blood."

They both turned to the box, that now sat on his bedside table.

Marie chuckled, "Tell me, how did you acquire this without that dog knowing?"

"A friend told me about the doppelganger long before I told Klaus," he murmured, rolling and twirling a ring on a finger.

The ring that Keyara gifted him was in her will. Both he and his sister inherited something, and neither knew why they kept such possessions, perhaps for power or maybe because no matter what hurt they experienced they will continue to let it have a hold over them.

"And tell me, dearie, did you sleep with this friend?"

Hadeon said nothing, leaving Marie to eye him sceptically.

"Is this friend also a doppelganger?" she pressed on and he continued to avert his gaze.

Katerina, the name that was on his tongue but didn't roll.  He knew if anyone was aware of their entanglement his loyalty would be questioned. It was a few lonely nights before they set for mystic falls, under the nose of the Mikaelsons. He promised her protection and she promised him a good night, therefore he had no trouble, welcoming her into his bed.

"Promise me you won't tell a soul about the blood," he pleaded, meeting her softening eyes.

"Your sins are my sins my boy," she proclaimed, reciting the Lumière siblings' famous credo.

Hadeon smiled as he took her hand, interlinking their fingers and leaning his head on her shoulder.

He could finally breathe.

─────── •✦• ───────

The Mikaelsons sat back in shock, reeling from the news that the two witches blurted out in anger.

They all move to Elijah's study, wary of their employees and not wanting anyone to listen in, despite their compulsion.

The nobleman kept hold of Clementine's trembling hand, upset by her angry state.

Each member of the family was equally as upset by the witches' discovery, some more than others.

"But she was with us at the Saints," Marcel broke the silence as he leant against the door of the study.

"Not for long," Rebekah muttered, staring at the ground, still trying to understand everything.

"She left around ten," Clementine recalled, trying to pull her fingers away from Elijah and attempting to pinch them.

He knew she did it out of anxiety but it only caused her more pain.

"Many people left," Kol scoffed, throwing up his hands, "it's a club."

His reaction drew their irritant attention.

Valerie let out a bitter chuckle from where she stood next to him, "Yes, I remember you left as well Kol."

His head snapped towards her, "What are you implying, that I did this? That I am the one working with that traitorous bitch," he spat and immediately groaned at the aneurysm she gave him.

"Watch your tone," Valerie hissed, then was pulled away by Rebekah.

"Why did you leave?" Marcel curiously asked his adoptive uncle.

Kol cast him a glare, "Not for the same reasons as you Marcellus, after all, you left multiple times isn't that right?"

Elijah quickly jumped to his defence, "Kol, be quiet, we all know of Marcullus' motivations for leaving the Saints, the same can not be said for you."

Clementine rolled her eyes at the bubbling sight, "Despite your treacherous ways Kol, we know you didn't do anything apart from show you're obvious crush on Adrienne."

Her words made everyone turn their gaze back to the seething original.

"Knew it," Marcel chuckled to himself.

Kol quickly called out, "And you know what I know Marcellus? That you and my sister routinely sneak around!"

"Is that all you think you have against me, brother?" Rebekah spat, "you're ridiculous, why would I be with a man who prioritised immortally over me."

"Oh please sister, we all know you lack self-respect," Kol hissed, ignoring the looks he received, "half the population has been between your legs yet you wonder why you are not loved."

"Enough!" Elijah yelled just as his brother received a slap from his sister.

The Mikaelsons fighting would've usually amused the witches, but their displeasure was as evident as the tears stinging their eyes.

"Is it so hard to have a normal discussion right now?" Valerie's voice rose with each word, making the siblings back away from each other.

"Where's Deon?" Marcel asked, knowing he needed to be aware of the news, after all, they were the victims of such betrayal.

"With his mother," Clementine tiredly answered, earning a confused look from the vampire.

"But Keyara is-"

"Marie Laveau is his mother," all of them cut him off.

Marcel reeled his head back, stunned by the news. Despite the constant celebration of his safe return from the war, he was left to fill in the cracks of the years he had missed and revelations left unsaid.

"Do keep up Marcellus," Kol taunted, earning a glare from the rest.

"Where is Adri anyway?" Valerie needed to inform her close friend, worried that she might be in danger if she were with her betrayer.

"Away for the night," Marcel informed, fiddling with his daylight ring.

"It's the full moon," Valerie exclaimed, blinking back her shock and staring directly at the young vampire, who kept his gaze to the ground, knowing exactly where she was and who she is with.

"She's aware."

Kol cracked his fingers and glanced at Marcel, "But is she aware that her closest friend has been fraternising with the enemy since the beginning?"

His words sober up the room.

"If she was, Kali would be burning on the stakes," Rebekah murmured, angered by what has been going on under their noses for months.

Clementine's eyes held a fury that rarely anyone had seen, "She needs to suffer not burn. As does Cindy Hughs," her voice grew louder, "Lou-Anne ruined Adrienne's coronation. Ruined the day all because of prejudice, so Cindy took it upon herself to ruin us. To conjure up some spirit and place it within a man of god and who better to help her than Saint Kali Sinclair."

Rebekah reached for her hand, "Oh, Clem."

She hadn't realised that she'd been crying, clearly distressed and betrayed by what was discovered.

"She left the door open in the Euphoria so the witch hunters could strike," Clementine hiccuped before Elijah pulled her closer.

Realisation flashed through Valerie's eyes, "She was only grazed that day, during the battle,  not shot at, not beaten only grazed."

"Why didn't we see it before Val?" Clementine cried more and Elijah swiftly pulled out his handkerchief to wipe her dampened cheeks.

Marcel mumbled, "This isn't your fault, it's hers."

"She caused Mira's death."

Rebekah's dreaded words silenced them all.

Kali's betrayal cut deep, it was raw and they had to reap the consequences.

Well at least until Adrienne found out.

─────── •✦• ───────

Pillows muffled Adrienne's pleasured moans as Klaus roughly took her from behind, and grunted with each clench he felt.

His nails dug into her waist and left marks over her skin.

The brown complexion grew darker and meaner in his hold, it was a surprise that it hadn't ripped and bled yet.

She gripped the tousled sheets harder with every thrust, but it didn't deter his pace.

A song of moans filled the room, feeding his primitive nature, along with a seductive symphony of skin colliding.

His nails marked her in ways that his claws would but he couldn't unleash that part of himself on such delicate flesh.

Adrienne had already reached her second peak, but he was ravenous. Hungry, relentless and she welcomed it.

Her back arched as she cried out his name, allowing deeper angles for his deadly pace.

"Tell me again," he grunted, tightening his grip on her waist.

"I'm yours," she shrieked when he hit a certain angle.

An arm snaked under her stomach and pulled her up, slamming her back into his chest, emitting a gasp from the witch.

"Again," a growl vibrated against her ear.

"I'm yours."

The moonlight crept over to their bed, illuminating their bodies colliding and binding together.

He forcibly craned her neck to the side and slammed her lips against hers, tasting himself on her lips and she did the same. Adrienne found herself getting lost in his every movement, drowning in his essence and feverishness.

She gasped as his lips found her neck, licking a stripe up her pulse point, with his fangs poking out momentarily and lightly dragging against her skin.

"Mine to love, to kiss, to cherish, to ruin and to treasure. Mine."

"Fuck," she mustered out as his thrusts turned agonisingly slow.

Her eyes rolled back when she felt his fangs break through the barrier of skin ever so slightly, drawing blood that dripped and entranced him further, before he lapped it all up.

Neither needed sex, they needed sex with each other.

"I'm insatiable," Klaus murmured against her skin, sucking and nipping at her neck, marking her up and teasing her, until she caved in. He darkly chuckled, feeling her arousal soaking his thighs, "All for me? Are you that desperate? Tell me how desperate you are."

The only response he received was her walls clenching around him, stilling his motions and making him grunt loudly. Fuck.

─────── •✦• ───────

"Let Adrienne have a moment of peace," Elijah suggested, not wanting to ruin the teen queen's downtime.

"Kali has betrayed us Elijah or does that mean nothing to you?" Kol sneered at his brother, earning a hard glare.

"Tread lightly Kol," the nobleman warned.

Clementine reluctantly nodded, "'Lijah is right."

"Of course, you would think so," Kol muttered and immediately flinched when his blood vessels popped, "Alright. Alright!"

"Stop pissing off witches," Marcel scolded, despite enjoying every moment of his torment.

"Once Adrienne finds out the truth, its heart will break. Kali is her oldest and closest friend." Valerie didn't care if she sounded spiteful or not.

"How did you even find out? I doubt she was stupid enough to leave clues around," Marcel asked, blinking back his tiredness.

He hadn't been sleeping, even before the mishap with the axeman, the images of war flashed through his eyes whenever he would close them.

They all turned to the oldest witch, awaiting her response, "The Saint's photographer was out on the other side of town, by Saint Louis Cathedral because he's fond of the architecture and he start taking pictures, at first he didn't capture anything special until he saw this..." Valerie pulled out her first photograph and held it all for all to see, making everyone take a step forward.

It showed a picture of Cindy and Kali, talking, clear as day.

"But that could've been a coincidence," Kol scoffed at Marcel's words.

"That's what we thought at first," Clementine nodded along.

"But then every day for the past couple of weeks, they had been in the same spot," Valerie paused and presented them with more pictures, that Elijah passed around the room.

The pictures started calm, but they gradually turned angsty and spiteful. The one that caught their eyes was the one showcasing a silhouette of an axe and a top hat.

"Small things have happened over time and I thought they were coincidences but I can't just ignore this," the LaMarche witch added, pinching the bridge of her nose.

"But Hadeon is grieving still, we all are. I fear what he will do if he finds out. Not to others, himself, remember that Kali was also a good friend of his," Marcel stated.

Kol turned to him, "She sharpened the knives before she stabbed them in the back didn't she?"

"I can't believe this," muttered Rebekah, grimacing at the picture of witches the day before Mira's death seemingly shouting at one another.

Did she detect guilt on Kali's face, or was it worry?

"I can," Valerie said, staring at nothing in particular, "Lou-Anne was killed in front of us, it was only a matter of time before Cindy would seek revenge."

Clementine tiredly leant against Elijah, before saying, "Cindy shared the same views as her sister, she just hid it well."

"So why did Kali decide to work with her? Why her of all people?" Rebekah cautiously asked.

Marcel and the witches exchanged a look. They were considerably darker than the Sinclair witch, meaning they were supposedly less socially acceptable despite their supernatural status. Kali always put herself on a pedestal because of that, whether she did it subconsciously or not, her true colours tended to shine whenever she chose to lean into it.

Valerie stood still and thought back to every moment Kali acted suspiciously, many came to mind. But she tended to brush it off, ignoring her gut feelings and blaming it on her envy because of how close she was to their queen.

Her feelings were never wrong. Ever since the death of Keyara, Kali had been acting strange - or was she anxious? It was all starting to make sense now.

But Valerie didn't realise it sooner. How could I be so stupid?

"'May hell rain down on you all! And god spite you for the rest of eternity!'" Clementine recited, breaking the silence, "Lou-Anne said that on Adrienne's coronation, I knew it wasn't all in my head..."

"That's verbatim what the axeman stated," Elijah added.

Clementine let out a small gasp, "They must have been working together since the beginning, the moment Keyara was killed-"

"Rightfully so," Kol and Valerie muttered, then exchanged odd looks.

"-a new queen would come into power."

"Adrienne," they all concluded.

"Most of the witches couldn't stand Keyara but they respected her. She was a Lumière, by name not by blood, but she was still powerful," valerie started.

Marcel's face scrunched up in confusion, "Wait, I don't understand."

"Of course, you don't," Kol said, however, his tone didn't carry the usual level of spite, stunning them. "Succession is succession. Erebus' mother was the queen before Keyara, her reign was long because the only child she bore was Erebus and male witches in their bloodline are usually kept on the sidelines."

"Rightfully so," Rebekah praised alongside the witches.

"According to Hadeon, Erebus didn't want to marry because he refused the women that were available to him at the time," Kol continued, "until Keyara came along."

Marcel tilted his head, "What about Marie?"

"She's a Voodoo priestess," Valerie interjected and Kol nodded in agreement, "Lumière's practice witchcraft. Grey magic, but witchcraft nonetheless, just like the rest of our coven."

"Meaning?"

"Voodoo and witchcraft have two different belief systems. Mainly Voodoo is associated with the devil."

"Which is surprising because that wench Kali was a devil in disguise," Clementine bitterly said with a scoff, causing Elijah to squeeze her hand tighter.

Valerie hummed, "Neither are intended for wickedness, rather, the rituals are meant to reflect the choices of the practitioner. However, Voodoo and Witchcraft are much different because Voodoo relates to a human's connection to spirits, while Witchcraft relates to the innate power that exists within humans."

"So Erebus' mother wouldn't accept Marie?" Marcel questioned, becoming immersed in the history.

"Exactly, but it seemed that he didn't care. He knocked up the priestess as well as a pure-blooded witch and created two powerful children," Valerie further explained, "Despite not knowing who his mother was for two decades, Hadeon's power shone through and revealed darker traits than Adrienne's. I knew many witches were scared about his influence over his sister. Not just that, but Adrienne was born on the blood moon."

The fact came as a shock to the Mikaelsons. A blood moon was rare and to be born on its eclipse - as a witch - meant many things, one of which is that drawing on objects or even nature was rather effortless.

"Shit," Marcel's mouth fell agape, "So that means-"

"She's a walking beacon of power and once she became queen she was a big threat. Not just to the witches in this city. The ancestors as well," Kol blurted out, wishing he knew this fact sooner.

Valerie eyed the originals' excitement, then returned to her explanation, "At least Keyara knew her lane and stayed in it. But with Adrienne. She got with Klaus," her eyes landed on the floor, "An abomination in the eyes of many. Neither of us cared- well I thought it was disgusting, no offence," the Mikaelsons waved off her quarry with their brother and allowed her to continue, "Kali's hatred towards Klaus was potent. Anyone within a 20-mile radius could smell it."

"I don't care for her motive. But it's clear, she wanted Adrienne gone. Because of her power, what she stood for and her partnership with you all, especially Klaus." Clementine grew tired of the idea that Kali was still alive.

She wanted her to burn for all eternity.

"And we all thought Lou-Anne Hughs' death was the catalyst for everything but it just fuelled their hatred," Elijah uttered, staring down at his lover.

"How could she do that to Addy?" Rebekah thought aloud.

"Jealousy is powerful," Kol spoke lowly and his words carried a lot of weight.

"And so are the people she betrayed."

─────── •✦• ───────

Klaus threw his head back as he kept up his unwavering pace, chasing his own high and bringing his free hand down to Adrienne's clit, rubbing it harshly to keep her wrapped tightly around him.

Her arms tightened around his neck as their lips met in a feverish kiss.

She was beginning to come down, but Klaus was still rapidly chasing his high with his unforgiving thrusts. Sobbing was an understatement; the overstimulation sent her into a weeping puddle that he basked in.

She was exhausted and all she could do was lie there and watch him as he watched her.

She still felt the energy buzzing through her veins with every motion of fingers and thrusts drawing her to the highest pleasures.

Klaus growled, eyes flickering golden, gripping her thighs tightly after feeling her tighten and grasp him once more. Perfection. Finally, his eyes rolled back as he spilt into her, simultaneously bringing her to her climax, moaning loudly before collapsing onto her as they rode out their highs.

Adrienne whimpered at the emptiness she felt when Klaus began slowly pulling out of her. When he noticed the pool of arousal dripping from her thighs he scooped it up, plunging his fingers inside and gently stroking until he knew she was full to the brim.

She hissed at the contact, still extremely sensitive as glanced up at him, locking eyes with the glistening man she called hers glowing in the moonlight from the sheen of sweat that lay over his skin. Still, that didn't stop her from noticing the slightly worried expression that took over his features.

"What?" her coarse voice asked, surprising the both of them.

"I hurt you," he whispered, eyes darting over the various marks that stained her skin.

"Then heal me."

Instead of biting into his wrist, he pressed his lips to hers, spreading the love and lust that overwhelmed his soul. He groaned, feeling her teeth pierce his tongue and blood filling their mouths, alleviating her pain and fueling the ember entwining their souls.

─────── •✦• ───────

"You must stay the night," Rebekah didn't leave any room for argument. She looked around the room, seeing her family nod in agreement.

Elijah refused to part from Clementine.

Marcel pressed a kiss to Valerie's forehead before exiting the room, having many things on his mind, but the main one being, how am I going to tell Deon?

"Val..." the blonde original noticed how quiet she was.

"I'm fine," she whispered, waving her off.

Kol went to approach her but was met with a glare, one that unnerved him more than usual, so he turned on his heel and sped out of the room presumably leaving the house due to the loud slam of the front doors.

Valerie needed to control her emotions and sieve through the bad thoughts, knowing that her predictions will be wrong otherwise, just like they have been all this time.

"Want to keep me company tonight?" Rebekah proposed quietly, with a small smile.

Valerie remained quiet and took her hand and followed her, hoping to get a good night's sleep.

If that was possible.

─────── •✦• ───────

Tuesday, March 4th, 1918

The sun would soon rise and Clementine still hadn't slept, tortured by the betrayal they had all suffered.

"You haven't slept," his voice cut through the deafening silence.

Elijah pulled her closer, causing her to turn on her side and face him.

He gently grabbed her hands and cringed at the damaged skin surrounding her fingers. He pressed a kiss to each one and didn't bother to offer her blood, aware that she wouldn't take it as the taste disgusted her.

"Neither did you," she replied.

"Because you didn't sleep, my sweet Cleo," his words brought a temporary smile to her lips.

"This betrayal means that the coven is broken 'Lijah," she stated, tiredly sitting up.

"And what is broken can be fixed," he argued, staring longingly at his shirt that was draped around her half-naked body.

His desire to wake up to her had increased, just like his feelings had grown far stronger than he believed.

"We should've seen it coming, we were blinded by her false loyalty," she rushed out, "I can read aura's far greater than Val, yet she can see things in a better light than the rest of us. Adri has strong premonitions but none of them saw a thing."

His eyes softened, "Kali is a witch, a strong witch at that, perhaps she was blocking you all."

"With the help of Cindy."

"And dark magic."

She hummed, "I have to practice more."

"And the revenge you seek?" he asked, lacing their hands.

"Is priority, as is what we have to tell Adrienne and Hadeon."

─────── •✦• ───────

"You're tickling me," Adrienne giggled, slapping his hands away, whilst the water splashed around them.

Klaus sat behind her as they bathed, grinning widely at her attempts to move forward.

"You were stained in my blood and other bodily fluids..." he teased, earning a smack to the chest.

She groaned at the fast action she made, "My body..."

"No amount of blood will remedy what took place last night."

Adrienne tried to move once more, despite the pain flowing through her legs.

Klaus watched in amazement before holding her against him and placing a hand on her stomach, eliciting a moan from her lips, until she slapped a hand over her mouth.

Klaus just laughed at her.

"Nik," she whined as his fingers pulled her mind back to the memories of last night, not like it was hard.

"Apologies," he said disingenuously.

"Remind me to stay away from you on the next full moon."

"Never."

His hands moved to her breasts, grabbing them and making her moan at the action.

Their bodies burned together and yearned for each other. Mind, body and soul, all one. He was unapologetically himself as was she. He could never leave her alone. He wished to paint her as she was, just like he loves her as she is. Well, he had already put his thoughts and feelings to the canvas but hid them away, so no one could feast on what he thirsted over daily.

"Ou te etonan," he whispered, trailing his lips down her neck.

Hearing him speak in her mother tongue only made her fall harder. His accent was choppy, but she understood him completely.

"E lanvi w pa janm fini."

The way her tongue rolled as she spoke, caused Klaus to tug her closer, ignoring the water spilling out of the bath.

"My love for you never ends," he corrected.

"I would believe that, if you took me to France," her teasing voice earned an eye roll.

"And I will."

"And I will," she said mockingly as she turned on his lap.

He suppressed a groan at the movement, before gently placing his hands on her waist, "I will," he promised.

"When?" she asked, raising a hand to his forehead and moving the curls from his face.

"Patience my love, there are still many things to do."

Adrienne nodded, "The axeman is taken care of, I just need to find out who was controlling him."

He raised a brow, recalling what her plans were for the man that slaughtered some of the city and his eyes filled with mirth from the memory.

"Any ideas?" he asked with a sly grin.

"One of the Hughs relatives. Mainly Cindy as she is the oldest living one."

He hummed, "You did burn her sister alive, her wanting vengeance wouldn't surprise me, however, I doubt a witch with her abilities or lack thereof could pull off something like that alone."

"I know. I still dream of three black cats. None of them has been discovered or killed," she murmured, grimacing at the thought.

Klaus' face scrunched up in confusion, "Black cats mean..."

"Someone or someone(s) have set out to betray me."

His eyes darkened in anger, "Three people will betray you, how?"

"That is unclear. But for now, I want peace," she whispered, desiring the very thing money couldn't obtain.

Klaus remained quiet, wishing for something he could not give her, at least not now.

They had new enemies every day and it seemed that peace would never be in their grasp.

"You're beautiful."

He wasn't only talking about her looks, how could he?

"All mine," he muttered then attacked her with kisses, which brought a smile to her face.

She had no energy to stop him, nor did she want to. She felt like she had been attacked by a wild beast, pardon the pun.

"If it's peace you want, then I'll make sure you get it," Klaus promised, "No matter what."

She stared deeply into his eyes and found the sincerity and admiration he felt as well as the love and passion they both held for one another.

"Until hell freezes over," she exclaimed as he took her hand and pressed a kiss to it, then her lips.

"Until hell freezes over."

They kissed once more.

She moaned feeling the tingle in her magic crackling against her skin as she kissed Klaus deeply. The fire once calm now raged within them flowing through their skin and ruffling his hair.

Adrienne pulled away and glanced at the light that shone from the sky, drawing the sun closer to them whilst they held one another. The clear blue sky made their eyes glow, shining in their natural state.

"The sun loved the moon so much, he died every night to let her breathe," Her voice bounced around him and kissed his senses, "My brother told me that whenever he saw me in pain. He also showed me something, as did someone else."

"What?"

Adrienne took a deep breath, keeping her dark eyes locked on his golden specs. She held out her hands between them as the sparks tingled through her veins and formed bright lights along her skin.

Klaus's mouth opened, but nothing came out after seeing what she was doing.

The sparks drew together, making a fiery wolf that danced amongst her palms and slowly dropped into his.

It did not burn, he noted, it only made him feel free.

They chuckled when the wolf attempted to howl, before slowly dying out.

"Who else?" he softly asked, "Who else taught you that?"

"Kali," she smiled, whilst summoning up the wolf once again, "Kali taught me."

─────── •✦• ───────

"They should burn those sheets," Adrienne chuckled as she and Klaus walked closer to the Abottoir, hand and hand.

His hair was unkempt and only his overcoat concealed his body. He kept peeking down at his witch, dazzled by how she managed to still look so regal, despite the scars decorating her body, which was only covered by his thin shirt and her wrap.

The full moon still had her reeling and sore.

"What is it with you and fire my love?" he asked, wearing a teasing smirk as he nodded to the vampires who stood protecting their home.

She shrugged, "It's pretty."

"Sometimes I believe you're crazier than I."

"Would that be a bad thing?"

"For others...yes."

She raised a questioning brow, "And for you?"

His lips grazed her ear as he replied, "Utter perfection."

They laughed when they entered the compound, strolling into the courtyard, wrapped up in their bubble, they failed to see the worried glances everyone exchanged upon their presence.

Adrienne smile only spread when she felt her witches in the room, "girls, I didn't know you stayed the night," she teased, eyes darting between them and the Mikaelson men.

"We need to tell you something," Valerie didn't want to waste any more time and approached her, sending Klaus an apprehensive look.

The hybrid was taken aback by her expression, never had he seen her stare at him without malice or annoyance. He glanced at the rest of his family who were nervously occupying themselves with whatever drink they could find.

"We were only gone for a night, what could have possibly happened in our absence?" Klaus groaned, not letting go of Adrienne's hand.

His scent clung to her like a second skin, it was potent and he was proud of it, especially when he locked eyes with Kol, seeing envy but it was coated with slight concern.

"It didn't happen while you were away," Clementine spoke up, voice slightly trembling, catching their attention.

"Clem, what's wrong?" Adrienne stepped towards her, ready to comfort her, "are you okay?"

"I'm sorry we didn't realise before Adri," she choked back a sob, confusing and worrying the couple whole exchanged a look.

"Will someone just tell us what other problem has transpired?" Klaus exclaimed, growing aggravated, "Where is Marcellus?"

The desperate edge to his voice was clear as day.

"Marcel is at Marie's informing Hadeon," Rebekah quietly told them, averting her eyes and turning back to her drink.

"Telling him what?" Adrienne asked, glancing around the room.

"Answer her!" Klaus suddenly yelled, startling them all, "Enough. Stop being cryptic."

Valerie found the courage to speak up and grab her friend's hand, failing to hold back her tears, "We found out who betrayed us."

Those words instantly caused darkness to swim through the pools of Adrienne's eyes.

"Who was it then?" Klaus impatiently asked, still angered that he wasn't getting answers.

"Who?" Adrienne demanded, gripping her friend's hands.

As Clementine started to sob, so did Valerie, who finally said, "Kali."

And just like that Adrienne's world shattered around her. She froze, with her hands falling to her sides as they turned numb and her pulse thrumming in her ears and her vision blurring as the name washed over her like a vicious tsunami.

Everyone stood there breathless, awaiting for magic to jolt out of her, but nothing came. Nothing at all.

"No," she found her voice and laughed.

That's all she could do.

She covered her mouth as laughter spilt from her lips, not even the tense atmosphere could stop her, only when she stared at her witches once more she quieted down, but her disbelief was clear as day.

"Adrienne-" Elijah cut himself off when a glare was sent his way.

"You're wrong, she's my closest friend. You're wrong," she breathed out and stared between her witches who were crying, "There is no need to cry sisters, it was someone else, okay?" she offered them a strained smile.

Kol stepped forward with a pitiful look, "Enny, listen to them."

"They're distraught about Mira and everything else. They don't know what they're talking about."

"Listen please," Rebekah tried.

"No!" she yelled, stunning them, "Kali wouldn't do that," her voice was suddenly calm. Too calm, "She wouldn't do anything like that to us, or me."

"Sweetheart," Klaus appeared next to her, taking her face in his hands, forcing her to look into his eyes, "Listen to them."

"Think about it. Why is she never here? When you were attacked by that witch hunter, we looked after you," Valerie explained, voice breaking with every word, "Kali somehow discovered you  were attacked and was the first to tell us all, despite being with us throughout most of the day, so how did she find out unless she orchestrated it?"

Adrienne continued to mumble no and tried to pull away from Klaus but he didn't let her.

"When we were attacked by those witch hunters, she was only grazed," Clementine sniffled and wiped away her tears, numb to the arms wrapping around her, "the secret backdoor was left open that day and only a few people knew it existed, she told them about it."

"She and Cindy Hughs have been working together."

"Cindy?" Adrienne vigorously shook her head, "that's a joke if I ever heard one.."

When she was presented with different photographs that dated back months she couldn't look away, but it still didn't make sense to her. Why was Kali talking to Cindy?

Valerie continued, "Hell, you even said she believed you shouldn't have killed Lou-anne, why would she do that Adri if she wasn't only their side? She defended someone who wanted your crown, who slated all of us."

Adrienne felt her chest tighten and her head pound.

"She's on our side," she muttered, blinking back her blurry vision, "she's always been on my side."

Unshed tears pooled in her eyes as she stared up at Klaus, determined to convince him, but he let out a sad sigh because he believed them.

"I'm afraid you're wrong Adrienne," Elijah sadly spoke.

"She was the reason for Hadeon and Marcel's capturing and torture," Klaus clenched his teeth at his sister's words, "She was aware you would immediately go to their rescue because that's what family does."

"She got Mira killed, just because you wouldn't step down as queen. She might've looked upset at the funeral but it was the guilt catching up with her," Valerie added, violently wiping away her tears.

"She left the Saints that night and never returned," Clementine stated, remembering it clearly despite being drunk.

Adrienne shrugged, turning her gaze to the floor, "Many did."

"But she wanted to go before eleven, eleven, Adri, use your brain," Valerie hissed, catching her off guard, "She only liked you when you were passive when you needed help and had to escape your mother."

Klaus sent her a look, then moved out of the way, allowing her to grip Adrienne's shoulders.

"Even when Deon began teaching us more Voodoo, she criticised us, you. She berated the idea and claimed that it was wrong," Valerie continued, "She slated you for allowing yourself to be courted by Klaus."

The hybrid wasn't surprised by this in the slightest, neither were his siblings.

"She tried convincing you to kick me out of the coven, remember that? And even that was when Keyara was in charge. But when she died, Kali dropped it, because of what you said to her..."

Adrienne's lips quivered as she spoke, "That... I would never get rid of someone I love unconditionally and who has always been loyal to me."

"And she hated that," Valerie nodded with conviction.

The Mikaelsons all watched on from the sidelines, waiting for the lightbulb to switch on Adrienne's head.

"She's never been on our side, especially not yours," Valerie said, teary eyes staring deeply into Adrienne's.

Klaus nodded, "They're right my love."

Adrienne had no choice but to listen to everything, despite wishing to block it out, but how could she when everything sounded so annoyingly right?

"All the things that the axeman said, Lou-anne said the same thing. It's too much to be a coincidence," Clementine couldn't help but recall those scriptures that were spat at them on that fated night. "Yes, you can say that they were brought up by the church, but they were eerily quoted the same."

Valerie cupped Adrienne's face, "She wanted you gone. So she worked with someone who also wanted you gone for what you did to her sister."

"Cindy and Kali have been planning this for months," Clementine sniffled, then was passed a handkerchief, before Elijah finally let her go.

"She's always envied you, you know this."

"Jealousy is powerful Enny," Kol repeated his previous words, staring ahead and eying the witches.

"Who was it that was so adamant on letting you be the bait for the axeman?" Valerie asked, "Who was it?"

"Kali," Adrienne gritted out.

Clementine gulped as she asked, "Who was it that didn't actually want the witch hunters dead?"

"Kali," Adrienne choked back a sob with her answer.

Valerie dropped her hands, then grabbed both witches as the atmosphere darkened.

"Who hesitated to entrap the axman man at Saint Louis Church?"

"Kali," Adrienne mindlessly muttered, growing angrier and angrier by the second.

The Mikaelsons exchanged worried looks as the ground beneath them trembled.

"Who avoided us after we ended the witch hunters?"

"Kali."

"Who barely spoke to you when you moved into the Abbotoir?"

"Kali."

"Who haven't you seen since Mira's funeral?"

"Kali."

"A who betrayed us?" Valerie and Clementine furiously asked.

The realisation dried up Adrienne's tears and wrath glazed her eyes, "Kali Sinclair."

The saddest thing about betrayal, it never comes from your enemies. Adrienne was blindsided. Since the beginning. She turned her back on every little dispute, all the red flags because she neglected to think they were true. She had been wearing red-tinted glasses so she couldn't see what had been in front of her. A friend until the end, bullshit! It was lies and deceit.

A black cat had revealed itself and yet she wished she'd never seen it, that she was wrong, that it was anyone else.

Will the other two cause such pain?

How could have been so stupid? Even Klaus thought she couldn't be trusted, why did I?

Adrienne stepped back and ran her hands over her face, muttering to herself, worrying everyone. Years of friendship and for what? What had this all been for? Why is it always me? She cursed herself, Hadeon was the one to lose his paramore, yet she was feeling sorry herself.

"So stupid," she breathed out, "So weak and stupid."

Klaus neared her, "You mustn't say that-"

"Stand back Klaus," Valerie's daunting tone caused them, par Adrienne to turn to her.

"What?"

"Stand back," Clementine repeated, pushing him away as the ground convulsing.

A gutwrenching scream tore through Adrienne's throat and erupted the room, shattering the glass, shaking the chandelier and knocking all of them off their feet.

Tables broke down and chairs ripped apart.

Tears streamed down her face as she dropped to the floor and sucked in a deep breath.

Heartbreak had never felt so cruel.

She had the overwhelming urge to break and tear apart everything in sight, but why direct her energy to things that hadn't earned her wrath? Innocent things that require nurture and not destruction.

She was hurting and there was only one thing that could ease the wounds that sliced her heart.

"I'm gonna end her."

└─────── •✦• ───────┘

a/n:

in the words of mason hewitt, "intense."

between the smut, the betrayal and the reveal of doppelganger blood, there was so much happening.

yes, hadeon is using elena's blood as insurance, because he doesn't truly trust anyone anymore, he may like the mikaelsons but he knows if it came down to it, his family would be used like a sheep for slaughter. he was aware of elena's existence because of katherine. their little past will be revealed more in the next couple of chapters. honestly, hadeon has always been a whore guys. I'm just glad that he is taking a break from it all and spending time with his mum.

klaus is aware of his father's bloodline and wolfpack. he still hasn't turned into a wolf yet, but i have plans for that.

my plans for kali and cindy... don't worry it's gonna be gruesome. one cat revealed, two more to go. many of you were right, but trust me the others are more obvious than you think.

if anyone wants me to explain the blood moon and that little history more, i will.

but what does the full moon mean for adrienne and klaus? *squeals into my pillow*