WARNINGS: VIOLENCE AND OTHER MATURE THEMES

┌─────── •✦• ───────┐

Wednedsay, June 20, 1918

TRUST was hard to come by, hard to obtain and easy to lose.

Adrienne was drowning in betrayal and thirsting for trust, and confidence in the people around her, but it all just slipping away.

Nowadays, Klaus jerked away from her every touch and every kiss until he decided that it was okay, making it clear he was in control, who was in demand because he didn't know whether he could trust her actions, movements or her words.

Adrienne didn't know what to make of it, feeling more hurt than confused and each time she wanted to confide in him, he would pull away, feigning hurt or insecurity.

Her head was muddled as was her brother's.

Nothing could be solved, cracked or decoded until her head was set straight.

How hard can that be right?

─────── •✦• ───────

Adrienne gasped when Klaus roughly pulled out of her and rolled onto his back. She tried catching her breath, which proved a challenge due to the burning bruise on her neck, caused by his hands.

He had never choked her before and she had never voiced her unwillingness to allow him to do so, but at that moment she felt scared, almost what she felt when that disgusting witch hunter hurt her all those months ago.

Klaus barely looked at her, when she reached out for him, he rolled onto his side, turning away and forcing his eyes shut. No kiss, or 'I love you', just silence.

Adrienne's heart shrivelled in her chest. That was not the first time he had been so rough during sex, he'd been angry before but more recently he seemed vengeful and she was the thing he decided to take his anger out on.

The silence increased the distance between them and she tried ignoring the sliver of rejection but couldn't. She felt much more emotional and more tired despite her glowing appearance.

Wincing as she rose from her place, she grabbed her nightwear and slipped it on, not without sending a look to her partner who continued to act like he was asleep, but she knew he wasn't; his heavy breathing was a clear indicator. What have I done? She kept asking herself as she moved further away from him and out of their room.

Quickly, she wiped away the tear she hadn't noticed escape her glossy eyes and descended the stairs.

It was a rather quiet night in the Mikealson household, the Lumière Queen fiddled with her fingers whilst walking toward the kitchen to grab a glass of water. She wanted to sob or at least scream but she couldn't, I shouldn't make things about me, she thought and took a deep breath and entered the marble-tiled room.

"Well you look completely spent," a voice said ahead of her.

The more she stepped into the dimly lit room, she caught Kol's unwavering eyes as he sat on top of the kitchen island, wearing trousers and a thin white vest, with his hunting-styled jacket not too far from him.

She ignored his teasing smile and moved to where they kept their glasses, "I'm drained. I don't need any commentary Kol."

He feigned hurt, placing a hand on his chest, "You wound me."

"Kol, please," she whispered, quickly glancing at him, before filling up her glass with some much-needed water.

The original was taken back by her timid voice, although, it was not the first time he'd heard it this week, he thought it wouldn't stick. She didn't sound like herself, even during their meetings, which irked him. He wouldn't be surprised if it was his half-brother's doing, because he even caught Valerie saying the same thing to Marcel.

"I know when to stop," he said, raising his hands in surrender.

"Do you?" she asked after gulping down the rest of her drink. The water soothed her voice, but she didn't doubt that the bruise would've darkened by now, and she only hoped that Kol didn't see it.

He noted how she stepped further away from the moonlight and he didn't have a clue why, but he wanted to find out.

"Come on Enny, you know me."

She slowly nodded, "I do."

"I think a walk would do you justice. Just the fresh air slapping against those pale cheeks."

"Pale?"

"You look drained," he pointed out as if he didn't know she was offended.

"Thank you," she sarcastically responded as he drew closer to her and nodded to the door.

"Well, are you coming?"

She sighed with a shrug, "I suppose so."

─────── •✦• ───────

"You're allowed to miss her," Kol spoke up after she informed him of her grief.

Adrienne shook her head, "Many people think I shouldn't, I can't help but feel lost without Kali. But she betrayed me. She attempted to kill my brother and Marcel and was responsible for butchering Mira. How can I miss someone like that?" she asked as they walked alongside the roads of their city streets.

"You love my brother don't you?" he quipped, with a crooked grin.

Furrowing her brows, she replied, "He hasn't betrayed me."

Suppressing an eye roll, he said, "The ones we love do awful things yet we continue to love them regardless. It's a double-edged sword, we will all receive our moment of pain, and we will get our time of misery if we don't eventually drown it in."

"My brother's drowning in it," she stated, trying not to step on any rocks, out of fear they would pierce through her silk-covered slippers that concealed her feet.

"And yet you are not," he retorted, feeling the harsh wind coming along.

"I know nothing of his pain," she mumbled with a shiver, the action caught his eye.

Taking off his jacket, he swiftly presented it to her, knowing that her robe was futile during this time of night. The impending summer heat might've been on the rise, however, that didn't mean the harsh wind wouldn't sometimes attack. Adrienne hesitantly took it and placed it around her shoulders, whilst sending him a small smile.

"You have the tendency to downplay your emotions, don't think I haven't noticed," he remarked, earning a pointed look.

"And you do the same."

"And you also love to deflect," his response caused them both to laugh, "You know of your brother's pain. Most of us do," he paused and she knew his mind drifted to Solana, "The difference is, you've chosen not to drown. You've done what the rest of us do, merely float in a sea of illusion."

She squinted up at him, "You think I'm pretending?"

"Compartmentalisation is not only a tool you use, although you're an expert at it."

"Thank you?" she didn't know whether to take it as a compliment or not.

It wasn't long ago that her brother was scolding her for holding in her emotions, which shocked her because he was her teacher in the subject.

"Do remember that is as helpful as it is unhealthy," he advised, bringing her attention to their home, unaware that they had circled the street.

"Then what do I do?" she questioned, taking him back as he never heard her be so unsure of herself.

He pondered for a moment, then responded, "Whatever you what. As long as you don't drown yourself in the sea of illusion, for that is a place you can never return from."

She socked up his words as they entered the compound, slowly walking up to the first step of the staircase and staring at each other. Kol's gaze lingered more than he intended, but he just couldn't help it because she was simply everything.

"Thank you Kol," she gradually took off his jacket and handed it back to him.

He liked the way she looked in his clothing but doubted if it would ever happen again, so he mentally took a picture of the fleeting sight.

"Anytime Enny."

Shooting her one last grin, that had her contemplating, he sped off to his room, leaving her with a feeling of dread.

After taking the first step up the stairs, she continued to play with her fingers, thinking about their conversation, hoping it would help her in the future.

When she stepped into her and Klaus' shared room, she watched as he emerged from the bathroom after quickly splashing some water over his face.

"How was the walk?" he attempted not to sneer his words, due to smelling his brother's scent mixed in with hers.

She avoided his cold tone and replied, "Refreshing."

Klaus' hand slowly reached up and grazed her face, palming her cheek, then cupped her neck. She tried to not wince at the action, believing that it would sting, but the skin didn't feel sore or bruised, something that Klaus noticed instantly. Shooting one last painful look at Adrienne, he returned to his side of the bed, resting his head on the pillow and trying to contain his rage, how could her skin heal that quickly? He assumed the answer and ignored her joining him in bed.

"I love you," she whispered to him, before turning around and facing away.

She bit her bottom lip to prevent herself from crying because he didn't bother to return the sentiment.

He never did anymore.

But what she couldn't see was a lonely tear sliding down his face believing that his suspicions of Adrienne's betrayal were true.

─────── •✦• ───────

Thursday, June 21st, 1918

Waking up, Adrienne let out a groan and clutched her head. She tried to blink back the pain that knawed at her brain like a parasite, but as soon as the feeling started, it ended.

She didn't even notice Klaus at her side, staring at her with a frown.

Turning to him, she waited for him to ask if she was okay, but that never came, instead, what replayed in his head were flashes of her and his brother walking under the moonlit sky. He could not hear the words that were spoken, all he could see were the smiles and grins exchanged.

"What's the matter?" she asked, seeing the inner turmoil flicker through his eyes.

"Nothing," he answered in a low town then rose from their bed and walked into their bathroom, leaving her with thoughts and growing insecurities.

─────── •✦• ───────

Klaus ran his hands over his face and let out a pregnant sigh.

The painting of the incomplete Fenrir was taunting just as much as the inner wolf that resided in his soul. Finish it, if only it were that easy, that simple. His wrist didn't move the same, whenever the brush grazed the canvas, the colours seemed too weak and the idea felt lost on him.

Some of his paintings took days to complete, yet he was stuck on this one, even though he's been dedicated to it ever since before Adrienne moved in.

Perhaps that's where his issue lay, with Adrienne.

Letting out a dry laugh, he thought of all the times they had spoken in the last couple of weeks.

She had been catering most of her time to him but he knew believed it was out of guilt. Guilt because of the lies she had told him. Love has made you weak, a voice screamed in his head, why didn't I see this before?

He stormed out of his art room, yearning for answers, that he doubted he could find today. Adrienne was an enigma, his enigma, or am I sharing her with my brother?

After speeding up the stairs he rounded the corner and trailed his hands along the bannister that overlooked the courtyard beneath them.

He stared ahead as he walked toward their room... or was it hers? She had taken over his space, not that he minded initially, he implored it, but now, it frustrated him.

Suddenly he halted his stride, due to a familiar aroma invading his senses and kissed his nostrils, it was Adrienne's. But why was it coming from his brother's room?

Not thinking for a second longer, he pushed open the doors of Kol's room, causing the large piece of wood to collide with the wall, drawing his manic brother's attention.

The hybrid narrowed his gaze on the vampire who stood by the phone connected to the wall with a vicious glare.

"What?" Kol hissed, gripping the cord, watching as his brother scanned the room, with a twitching eye and tightening fists.

The hybrid listened out for anything out of the ordinary, but his findings were inconclusive, making him huff, storm out of the room and slam the door behind him.

Kol rolled his eyes at his brother's dramatics, taking note of how it was the third time in the week he had done something like that.

He started to turn the dial, fingers moving senselessly due to muscle memory. He waited impatiently for the operator to put him through, and before the person on the other end could speak, he did.

"Come quick," he demanded, loosening his tie and pulling over his head.

"I'm occupied Kol, you can't keep doing this, I was with you yesterday morning. Besides, I have other things to do," Melinda replied with a sigh, imagining the irritation on his face.

"Like what?"

He heard her scoff, "I'm spending time with a friend."

Kol pressed on, "Who?"

Melinda turned to the half-naked man who come up behind her with his infamous brooding expression, "Frankie."

"Bring him along then," Kol instructed, now wanting twice the distraction, "I'm not the picky sort."

He heard scuffling in the background.

Melinda turned back to the phone and spoke, "You got your wish, we'll be over in twenty."

The dial beeped and Kol placed the phone in its place.

He sat back on his bed, groaning when something poked him in the back. He sighed before pulling out a dress from under his pillow. Realisation flashed on his face when he remembered it was what Melinda wore before he tore it off her the previous night.

He chuckled at the thought.

He was going to have some fun today.

─────── •✦• ───────

Saturday, June 23rd, 1918

Adrienne drifted through the days like a lone boat in the Atlantic Ocean. She didn't know where to go, she just knew she had a destination, no matter how cold or distant it was.

She decided to relieve some stress by dancing through the city, in toe with Rebekah, Clementine and Elijah.

The blonde original decided to bring two of her new friends from work; two witches that Adrienne immediately recognised as Clara and Genevieve, the latter was in awe of the Queen witch and couldn't help inquiring about the different battles she has encountered since her reign started.

Adrienne kept her answers very generic, drawing a pointed stare from Clara who kept a heated stare on the nobleman.

Elijah noticed and disappeared with Clementine.

Rebekah exclaimed many times as she wandered through the crowds of people how what they were drinking was the 'last real gin' of the city, due to the ports tightening up on legislation.

The Guerrera wolves had a part to play in such matters which was discussed during the council meeting last night. William was angry as was Clarence, however, Elijah made sure he would try and help soothe matters. The Saints thrived off entertainment and booze; without the latter, the Lumière's feared what could occur.

"It's the last real gin in the city," Rebekah repeated for the fourth time, to the Lumière witch.

Adrienne recoiled from the drink her friend held up, "If only I had a sip."

Her disgusted tone stunned the original.

"What? Are you mad?" The blonde squeaked.

"I'm not mad, I'm tired," Adrienne reiterated, leaning against the table they were sitting at.

Of course, many people had tried to join them, men especially, but as soon as they knew who Adrienne was, they stayed away, fearing what Klaus would do to them if they came near 'his woman'.

Rebekah's lips morphed into a thin line, seemingly unimpressed, "You're constantly tired, what is it? and please don't inform me that it's my brother that's been wearing you out."

Adrienne's mood worsened, "Shut it."

Rebekah raised her available hand in surrender, missing the sorrowful look on her friend's face.

Adrienne had timidly informed Klaus that she didn't want to feel up to anything last night, claiming it was because she was exhausted from her shift at work, not that he cared to check in or even rub her feet like he used to.

His lack of an apology due to his callousness wasn't shocking, not anymore.

Rebekah couldn't help but add, "It's a wonder that you're out tonight, my brother has been keeping you on a tight leash, I'm shocked you haven't died of asphyxiation."

"Alright Rebekah," Adrienne stunned them both by using her given name, "I'm not in the mood."

"Sorry," the original muttered at her drink.

Adrienne averted her irritated gaze, "I just wanna go home."

"Then let's go," Rebekah insisted, then looked elsewhere, "I just have to inform Genevieve before I leave."

"And Clara?"

"There's something off about that one," Rebekah remarked as she motioned the red-haired to come over.

Adrienne tilted her head, "Because of the way she's been gawking at your brother tonight?"

Elijah and Clementine hadn't been seen throughout most of the night, however, there had been a long line outside the lavatories for over half an hour.

"I just have a feeling," Rebekah informed.

Her intuition only heightened with her vampirism.

Adrienne hummed, "Don't worry you're not the only one."

Rebekah beamed as Genevieve took a seat next to her with a sheepish smile.

Clara continued to stand near the bar.

The original held back copious eye rolls due to the number of compliments she was giving the teen Queen. At first, it was sweet,  but it was becoming embarrassing.

"Again, It's a pleasure to meet the Queen of the city," the redhead added, staring directly at Adrienne, who stood from her chair and grabbed her wrap.

The Lumière woman forced another smile, "Thank you."

"The work you've done is phenomenal."

Rebekah groaned and stood up, "Alright Genevieve if you don't stop singing her praises, her ego will nearly match Klaus'."

"So it will match yours?" Adrienne dryly retorted, and the rest of your brothers.

"Klaus. Is he here tonight?" Genevieve's eager voice grabbed their attention.

Rebekah shot her a warning look, whilst quickly recalling their previous private discussion; Klaus may be a perpetual swine Genevieve and a bad boy, but he wouldn't sway from Addy, don't make a fool of yourself.

The French Quarter witch was aware but couldn't help but want to see the original hybrid.

Adrienne raised a brow, "And why do you care?"

Genevive's eyes widened after hearing the sharp tone of her voice, "I heard that you two were attached to the hip. I-I was just expecting to see him."

"Well expect nothing, it reduces disappointment," Adrienne expressed, ignoring the snort from Rebekah.

"You're right. Take care, ladies," Genevieve said quietly after clearing her voice. Shooting Rebekah a quick nod as she rose from her chair, "I'll be seeing you at work Rebekah," and with that, she hastily made her way back to Clara.

Rebekah shook her head. "Silly girl."

Adrienne nodded, "You said it."

─────── •✦• ───────

"I've been waking up with migraines," Adrienne informed the blonde original, once they settled in the former's shared room.

Fortunately, Klaus was elsewhere so both supernaturals resided in peace.

"Is it a witch thing?" Rebekah asked, walking up to the drink caddy - it had been installed in all of their rooms as well as phones - she didn't want to stop drinking once she started.

Adrienne pondered, sitting at her vanity table and took out her earrings, "doubt it, I'll have to ask Clem. She says she wants to read my tea leaves."

"So little Clem is borderline clairvoyant and you're practically a supreme?" Rebekah teased, wiggling her brows then walked back over to the witch with brandy in her hand.

"I'm not a supreme." Adrienne playfully rolled her eyes, "Evania claims that I'm blessed with many talents."

Rebekah couldn't help but scoff, "I could've told you that."

"I haven't given it much thought you know?"

Truthfully, the teen witch had been prioritizing her relationship over most of her responsibilities. The guilt was eating her alive. Even though the city was safe and had been for a few months, that didn't mean she didn't could just forget her title.

After all, it was a title she had to fight tooth and nail for every damn day.

"Why because my primitive brother has taken up to much of your precious time?" Rebekah challenged, "A painting really?" She added, looking at the crooked crown that was framed and placed on a chest of drawers.

Adrienne shrugged, suppressing the smile on her face, "I thought it was cute."

"It's good," Rebekah's words surprised the witch.

"Really?"

"Yes, really," Rebekah mocked, "I've been by Niklaus' side for almost a millennium and I can barely paint a fruit."

"It's called trusting the process," Adrienne recited his words and lowered her tone, pretending to sound like the hybrid, which made his sister laugh.

"Is that what he said?"

"That is what he said," Adrienne almost chuckled at the thought, but it was such a long time ago.

She and Klaus hadn't had an art lesson in quite some time and she missed it. The smells of the paint clinging to her, the brushes skimming the canvas and his soft yet demanding voice instructing her. It must've been why she had tried recreating the special feeling even if it was by herself.

Breaking out of her thoughts, Rebekah appeared by her side with a glass of whiskey, which caused her to turn her head at the smell.

"No alcohol. Bekah it makes me sick," Adrienne's hand muffled her voice.

The original stepped back, to sniff the drink, "Sick?" she repeated in confusion, "When was the last time you touched a drop," she questioned returning to the drink caddy.

"A few weeks ago."

"What?" Rebekah practically screeched at the news.

Adrienne threw a look over her shoulder, "You heard me."

"Shocking. You drink like a fish," Rebekah quipped, before downing the rest of the glass.

"Says you."

"Precisely."

"'Lijah told me I should see a doctor," Adrienne informed, now slipping off her dress and hastily wrapping her robe around her, neglecting to see how Rebekah's eyes dragged up and down her form.

"I agree."

"Not you too," the witch whined.

Rebekah sighed, "Fine, a witch doctor could assist you if that's more fitting."

"Very funny," Adrienne drawled, earning a cheeky smile, "Although, I know Marie used to be a nurse."

A midwife and herbalist were just a few skills the Voodoo priestess had. After hearing about her son's escapades through Marcel, unsurprisingly Marie had dragged Hadeon back to her house to detox him and drain all the various substances from his body, against his wishes, which Adrienne was grateful for.

Rebekah pointed at the witch, "There you go."

The two giggled, recalling the terrible night and how Elijah and Clementine had yet to return home. Their relationship was blooming in comparison to Adrienne's and Rebekah's which were decaying like a corpse laying in the trenches. Despite the original claiming she had no ties to Marcel it was far too obvious and the Mikaelsons didn't have a knack for subtly.

Rebekah knew the liquor coursing through her body was getting to her, pulling her further into drunkenness, until her heightened scenes unconsciously began to focus on the sounds throughout the room, shuffling, chatting...heartbeats. Which was rather funny because she thought she had heard more than two, hers being one of them.

Her drunken gaze settled on her friend's abdomen which she caught through her reflection. She thought she was going mad, because why could she hear more than two heartbeats in the room? One fainter than the other, but why?

Her loud gasp made Adrienne jump in her chair and turn to her.

"Bekah? I think the booze has gotten to you."

Nervously laughing it off, Rebekah settled down her drink, "I think it has."

Disgreading her previous thoughts, because if she didn't she would have to deal with the reality of the situation that she believed Adrienne was in...pregan- see, she couldn't allow herself to think about it, not with how Niklaus had been acting recently. How is that possible? Adrienne didn't have a disloyal bone in her body. Am I going to be an aunt? It must be because Klaus is a hybrid, right? How else could she be with a child? How could they be with child if it wasn't for his genes?

Pressing her hands to her head, she rubbed at her temples and decided to focus on literally anything else, because being drunk caused her to hear all sorts of things.

She glanced around the room, trailing over the various books decorating Adrienne's side until she noticed a rather good painting situated between the grimmes tales books that the witch loved.

"What is that?" her sudden voice, made Adrienne turn to her and then followed her drunken gaze.

A ghost of a smile tugged at the witch's lips when she looked at what she had been painting for Klaus, whether it was to cheer him or at least get him to acknowledge her as he once did, she didn't know.

It was of a black wolf with thick and spikey fur. Its size was almost as big as a man, its eyes were as dark as night with a hint of red, similar to those of Frenrir, but also quite gentle in its essence. And between its sharp, dagger-shaped teeth, was a single gladioli.

Passing the medium size canvas to her friend, Adrienne bashfully asked, "Do you think I should sign it off Mrs Mikaelson?"

"I think he would adore that," Rebekah couldn't help but squeal at the thought, "It is quite pretty."

"Are you sure?" Adrienne nervously asked, worried that she would somehow offend Niklaus and judging from how he was behaving, she wouldn't doubt it.

Rebekah feigned shock, "Am I ever wrong?"

"It's a common thing. You even said that the Titanic wouldn't sink."

"That was years ago."

"And you were wrong then."

"Oh shut it."

─────── •✦• ───────

Sunday, June 24th, 1918

Klaus darkly chuckled at the sight before him and Marcel. There they stood in front of two vulnerable witches. Magical chains bound their hands and restricted them from using magic against the men.

Astrid and Mary-Alice thrashed around, but their feet were tied to chairs in the secret lab they had been working in for quite some time. Kol's playhouse. A tomb located deep within Layfeyette cemetery.

A few of Klaus's men had informed him of the ladies that Adrienne had been seeing whilst in the company of his youngest brother. They also mentioned another unfamiliar olive-skinned brunette but they didn't have enough information on her.

That was why the hybrid caught the witches alone and captured them before bringing them to the place he'd seen them leave a few times.

Clasping his hands behind his back, he scanned the room, filled with different jars, objects and books.

Marcel thought he'd seen enough as he was never too comfortable around witchcraft, and it unnerved him. Ironic right? Considering he was so close to a couple of them.

Klaus smirked, and turned to the witches, "You ladies have the misfortune of meeting me."

"What do you want?" Mary-Alice snarked, wearing a look of disgust, which matched Astrid's.

Klaus let out a laugh, "The truth, you see my kin and I want answers to questions that only you can only provide."

Marcel gestured to various objects behind them, "Now, tell us what this is all for."

"Don't be silly Marcellus," Klaus jokily patted his shoulder, "they won't tell us about that, nor do we care. It appears rather mundane to us, don't you think?"

"You know what, I do think that," the vampire innocently replied.

Klaus's smirk morphed into a grin, that inspired fear among the witches, "You see, I heard the news about a Dowager Pauline and how she recently was viciously murdered whilst attending a church sermon. I've heard stories of my brother's escapades. How he galavanted through the city last night to find this beauty," he pulled out the large paragon diamond, grinning at the wide-eyed looks on their faces, "and judging by your expressions ladies, you knew," his tone suddenly turned dark.

"We weren't the only ones," Mary-Alice panicked.

"Mary shut up." Astrid snapped, shooting her a look.

"No, let her finish," Klaus hushed her, "I would like to know who else was aware of his schemes, so I can dish out punishments accordingly, speak up."

"The one who you lay next to at night," Mary-Alice's words, brought the hybrid into silence, whereas Marcel tensed up.

"Mary shut up." Astrid hissed, startled by her false confession, "Adrienne knew nothing of the gem. She didn't know what we were doing for Kol."

"And what were you doing for Kol?" Marcel decided to speak up, noting his sire's silence.

He had never seen Klaus so quiet before and it scared him.

Scared them all quite frankly.

Astrid shamefully admitted, "Everything."

"I suggest you produce an answer that isn't so vague, I need specifics, wouldn't you Marcellus?" Klaus's sudden voice shocked them all.

The vampire nodded, "Damn right I would carry on if I were you, Mary-Alice sounds like a chatterbox, you Astrid, not so much."

Noticing the hybrid's fidgeting, Mary-Alice kept going, "Other than the spell for getting his powers back, Adrienne was also helping us with a dagger to put you down."

"Stop lying," Astrid snarled at her friend, irritated by the dishonesty that was spilling from her lips.

"You will do well to be quiet," Klaus snapped, jabbing his finger in her direction, "Now what else was my beloved plotting."

"Klaus listen..." Marcel trailed off, wanting to believe the Malchance witch over the blonde, however, his sire had other intentions.

"No, wouldn't you like to know who we let in our home? Who might ruin our legacy? Your legacy?" Klaus asked, with a hardened face, before letting out an exacerbated sigh after seeing Marcel's reluctance, "For Christ's sake, Adrienne convinced me to give her my bloody daggers."

"Yes but-"

"Continue," Klaus said, dismissing the vampire and turning back to Mary-Alice.

The Claire witch bit down on her bottom lip, pondering her words, "Whenever we were busy carrying out tasks to find the gem for Kol, he would take Adrienne somewhere else and tell her things, things to get her to betray you."

"What things?" Klaus pressed, ignoring Astrid shaking her head.

"About your childhood, about how awful you were to him, how many times you daggered him unfairly."

Astrid fiercely interrupted, "You can't believe this. She's only saying things out of jealousy, because of the envy she had for Adrienne and how much attention Kol would give her."

"I am not jealous of that bitch," Mary-Alice raged, thrashing against her binds.

"Watch yourself Mary-Alice," Marcel warned, glancing back at the hybrid who gritted his teeth at what he was hearing but not the insults that blonde was spitting.

"She ruined everything!" Mary-Alice continued, raising her voice.

"You should've kept your mouth shut." Astrid cried, "Adrienne truly didn't know about this."

She would be damned if she would allow a fellow witch to be condemned for crimes she didn't commit, especially Adrienne. The Queen witch had been nothing but kind to her, therefore she couldn't let her name be slandered.

Mary Alice ignored her, "She knew. She knows everything. They've been plotting since the beginning to put you have done so that he can replace you. Come on you know how much he loves her, how much he wants her, to be where you are. Why else would he kill for her, watch her from afar, stop sleeping with me!"

"He only stopped sleeping with you because you told him to go," Astrid challenged.

"Yes, because he called out her name in bed!"

It was as if a bomb exploded in the room and Mary-Alice's words were like shrapnel, flying through the air and ready to hurt anything in its path.

It was clear that Klaus was wounded from the news, whereas Marcel cringed at what he heard and poor Astrid sighed.

"He what?" Klaus' quiet tone made the blonde recoil as she was aware of the damage she caused and yet she kept going.

"At first I thought it was a sick joke but I was wrong. He wished that I was her when he bedded me."

Marcel exchanged a worried look with Astrid, then turned to Klaus, with a pleading expression. He knew Mary Alice was lying, regardless of her heartbeat, so why couldn't his adoptive father see that?

"You can't believe this," he started to defend the witch he had grown to love, "this is Adrienne, the girl who will go above and beyond for the people she loves. Don't think I haven't seen her neglect her duties to help you for the past couple of weeks."

"She lied to me," Klaus murmured to him.

"Over that stupid note, Klaus listen to yourself," Marcel lowly hissed, not believing for a second that Adrienne would lie about meeting Kol when she had publicly stated that they were only friends and admitted to meeting him to help get his magic back.

Although the lack of confirmation about that note was certainly confusing and suspicious, he didn't think for a second that she would cheat and certainly not with one of his adoptive uncles.

Klaus shook with anger, he growled, "That note wasn't stupid. She could've said who she was conspiring with and yet lied."

He had given Adrienne an opportunity to come forward and be honest and she hadn't. If she was sleeping with his brother, what was stopping her from sleeping with half of the city?

"Adrienne isn't as perfect as everyone thinks she is," Mary-Alice's voice grabbed their attention, forcing them to look back at her.

Marcel rolled his eyes, "She's called the merciless queen, we're aware of her flaws."

"Adrienne knew about everything. I wouldn't be surprised if they are together now, laying up in bed and not thinking about you for a second."

"Shut up," Klaus yelled, not wanting to hear anymore.

"Mary-Alice why?" Astrid pleading her to stop.

Mary-Alice eyes burned to the shaking hybrid's "She doesn't care about you, I doubt she even loved you."

Taking a daunting step towards her, Klaus bellowed, "Shut up!"

"You know nothing of their relationship," Marcel snarled, then turned to the hybrid, pulling him back and resting his palms on his trembling face, "You know Adrienne. She ain't that type of girl. She doesn't play like that and wouldn't do that to you."

Klaus blinked back the tears pooling in his eyes, "Listen to the facts Marcellus, she betrayed me. She's betraying me."

Wincing at his breaking voice, Marcel shook his head, "Ask her."

"What?"

"Ask for her side of the story and don't let that wench defame her character. You said it yourself, you know Adrienne. Your queen. Your love. Your heart."

Marcel watched as Klaus silently debated his words, far away from the arguing witches, soaking in the advice he wanted to swim away from, drown in assumptions and scepticism than be saved by the truth.

And just when he finally came to a decision, his train of thought was interrupted once again.

"And to think that his ritual requires her blood and she still agreed to aid him," Mary-Alice bitterly chuckled at the thought, but then she stopped, feeling the weight of everyone's eyes on her.

"What did you just say?" Klaus shakily breathed out, swiftly pulling away from his adoptive son's hold. "What are you talking about?"

Marcel eyed the witch in anger, then turned to Astrid, whose guilty eyes confirmed some of what she was saying might be true.

Mockingly cocking her head to the side, Mary-Alice taunted, "You didn't know? He would have to feed from a Lumière and you and I both know how much he would love to drink from Adrienne. He said that he'd gotten her to feed off him during some battle last year, so it's right she'd return the favour."

Marcel tried getting his attention, "Klaus, Kol is as sly as a fox, we know that. I'm sure he told Adrienne nothing about this..."

"I've heard enough!" the hybrid snapped, voice sounding almost demonic, inspiring terror around the room. He flashed in front of the witches who fearfully reeled back, "Where is the dagger that my brother swore to use against me?" he asked calmly, before raging once more, "Tell me!"

"Only if you let us go," Mary-Alice countered, earning a look of disbelief from her friend.

"He won't Mary," Astrid's voice was strained because she's been holding back tears.

"Come on," Klaus tutted, "tell me and I'll make sure my brother doesn't harm you. You know how Kol can be when he's angry, blood sweeps the streets and I will advocate for the pair of you, so it will not come to your front door," his voice lowered as his lips settled by the blonde witch's ear, "I am the only one that can control his messy action, I am the hybrid, therefore I am superior to him."

"It's in that jar," she rushed out, making him chuckle.

Astrid screeched, "Mary!"

"Pleasure doing business with you," Klaus hummed, backing away from the pair as he acquired the silver dagger that had traces of gold which was barely hidden away, foolish brother. Very foolish. Hidden in plain sight? how cute. He almost laughed at the very thing that could place him in a deep sleep. How darling. Placing it inside his coat pocket, he instructed, "Marcel untie the binds and undo their cuffs. We shouldn't let them suffer for my brother's actions."

Marcel shot him a questioning look but still complied.

Before the witches could stand up, they were dragged out of the house and taken to a new location.

They could barely plant their feet on the floor before they were left alone in a familiar place.

"What the hell?" Astrid yelled, banging on the door that slammed shut,

Realisation crossed Mary-Alice when she felt the boundary spell she once put up, turn against her. She whispered, "The Fauline mansion."

"No," Astrid panicked, "Where are they?"

Walking down the steps of the mansion, Klaus and Marcel heard the cries and the yells of the witches.

The hybrid quickly thanked an old witch who imprisoned them, before she hobbled away.

Marcel felt bad for Astrid, the witch was defending Adrienne since the beginning, yet he aided in her confinement.

He cautiously turned to Klaus and questioned, "What are you gonna do? You can't be too irrational."

Wearing a scornful look the hybrid faced him, "I suppose you want me to sit done and have a nice chit-chat with Adrienne about her promiscuity."

Marcel raised his hands in surrender, "Easy Klaus. I don't think she cheated, come on now."

"Well, you can think what you want, while I go and find her. Believe me, she will pay for what she's done."

"You can't."

"I can Marcellus." before the vampire could rebuttal, his neck was snapped. Klaus let him fall to the ground, too blinded by his fury to care, "And who will stop me?"

└─────── •✦• ───────┘

a/n:

elyse levesque as 𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘃𝗲
teri wyble as 𝗹𝗮𝗿𝗮 𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝘀𝘂𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗹𝗶𝗻

yikes... don't hate me guys but the next chapter isn't gonna be pretty. it will also be the last of the act, so what do think will happen? adrienne is around six weeks pregnant, klaus is raging, marcel had his neck snapped, hadeon might be getting sober, rebekah isn't, elijah and clem are horny, kol is a fox, melinda is getting her back blown out... and that's what you missed on glee!

i don't know if you guys can remember but clara was possessed by celeste during this time. she won't be mentioned that much because in canon she was harmless at this point.

just a hint... the dress that kol has in his room isn't melinda's... (remember what was said in the last chapter?)

but in all seriousness, any predictions? because there are two cats left, meaning two people who will betray adrienne. (mary-alice wasn't one of them). astrid was a real one, too mad she's imprisoned.