#also hovering on the drawings said silas made them

[lilypixels]

Just a normal day as per usual; Annalise made a dust friend and Silas decided to write a book (maybe due to being a parent soon??)  Also love this romance mod I have and the compliments uwu tho I feel like Silas is a person of many words lol

[thebrotherssalvatore321]

Keeping Secrets Ch. 39

Keeping Secrets Masterlist

Pairing: Katie(oc)xKlaus. Warnings: None that I can think of. Let me know if I need to add one.

Katie and Klaus were spending their morning rolling around in bed, giggling and laughing when her phone started ringing. “Ignore it.” he told her between kisses when she looked over at it where it sat on the bedside table.

“It could be important.” She argued as she wiggled out of his grasp and grabbed her phone. She looked at it to see an unknown number and cautiously pressed talk. “Hello?”

“Scarlett, hey it’s me.” a male voice replied.

It took a few seconds for the voice that called her by her middle name to register. “Dad?” she asked, confused.

“Damon called and let me know you were back.” He told her. “I hope it's okay that he gave me your number.”

“Uh, yeah it's fine I’m just…surprised, I guess.” She told him as she pushed herself back to lean against the headboard.

“So I was hoping that we could get together sometime and try that talk again.” He told her.

“I’d like that.” she told him with a small smile as she watched Klaus move to sit beside her.

“I’ll come by your house this Saturday?” he asked, sounding happy.

“Actually the founder’s council has been cracking down on us vampires lately. They’ve even put vervain in the town’s water supply.” She informed him. “So that’s probably not a good idea.”

“Oh, okay.” He sounded disappointed.

“Why don’t I come to you?” she asked in an attempt to save the conversation. “You can text me the address of where you want to meet and I can come whenever.”

“What about school?” he asked with a fatherly disapproving tone.

“I’m homeschooling now.” she told him. “So long as my assignments get emailed to the school, I’m free to do as I wish.”

“Well, you always were independent.” He commented. “So when can I be expecting you?”

“Well, I don’t really have any plans so it’s up to you.” Katie told him feeling awkward.

“The sooner the better.” He told her with a bit of a laugh to his voice.

“I’ll leave tomorrow morning.” She told him.

“I’ll text you the address and see you then.” Her father told her.

“See you then.” Katie echoed back then hung up the phone. A minute later the address of a bar and grill called Rousseau’s was sent to her in a text message.

“So you’re leaving town?” Klaus asked.

“Yep.” She answered and moved around to straddle him. “I promised my mother I would find my dad and talk things out with him. I owe it to her to give him a chance.”

“Would you like me to accompany you?” he asked as he slid his hands up her thighs under the red satin night gown she wore. “New Orleans is after all one of my favorite places in the world.”

“Really?” she asked, a little surprised. “Why? I mean, I know you lived there once, that’s why my father lives there now, but what’s so special about the place?”

“It’s rich in culture. They like to preserve their heritage. There’s also music, art and really good food.” He told her as he slipped his hands down her thighs to rest on her calves.

“Good food?” she asked as she slipped her fingertips over his chest.

“Have you ever had gumbo?” he asked and she shook her head no. “You should try it. I think you’ll like it. So are you going to answer my question?”

She thought about it for a second. “This is something I need to do alone. Besides, you’re needed here…Silas…impending end of the world and all that.” she answered, slipping her finger tips over his chest, drawing nonsensical shapes over his soft skin.

“Do you know how long you’ll be gone?” he asked and the tone of his voice implied he was going to miss her.

“I’ll definitely be back before prom.” She answered. “And I’ll keep in touch.” She kissed him then pulled back and stood up to look at the framed, hand written letters that hung over his bed. “I’ve been meaning to ask you…what’s with the letters?”

“I was wondering when you were going to ask.” He told her and she looked down at him. “They are mementos.” He answered simply a little afraid to tell her they were taken off the dead bodies of his victims.

She noticed they were all love notes. “Did you take them so you can simply relive and revel in the deaths of the people they were taken from or to serve a greater purpose like making you feel something?” she asked, making him look up at her with a frown. “And there goes my nose, poking around where it’s not welcome again.”

“Your perfect little nose is always welcome in my business.” He told her as she sat down beside him. “Your understanding of my mind still catches me off guard once in a while.”

“Caroline told me that Elena said that during Stefan’s humanity-less time in the twenties, he would write the names of his victims on a wall in his apartment.” she admitted. “The only difference between that and this, is the fact that all of those letters were written from one lover to another.” She pointed out and he didn’t say anything back. “You know, vampires talk about the humanity switch like it’s a magical fix all. Damon and Stefan made it sound like all emotions cease to exist, but…even when it was flipped…when I was as numb as I was going to get, and when I really didn’t want it, there was still one emotion that tried to fight its way in.”

“And what emotion was that?” he asked, looking at her across his shoulder, wondering where she was going with this.

“The one more powerful than hurt and hatred.” She answered and looked across her shoulder at him. “Love.” He blinked, giving her the look that said she was once again doing that thing where she decoded and understood the cracks within him, the same cracks she shared. “I guess what I’m so poorly trying to say is…” she pointed up at the letters on the wall above them, “I get it.” she dropped her hand to her lap.

As usual when she did that, since he wouldn’t let himself tell her he loved her, he slid his arm between her back and the headboard and pulled her around to straddle him and pressed his lips to hers in a deep kiss, pouring it all into her. “You are truly one of a kind, Little Phoenix.”

Katie smiled and looked down at his chest letting her mind wander to lighter subjects like prom that was coming up soon. “I have a question.”

“I may have an answer.” He replied as his hands slid down her back to hold her rear.

“If I asked you to let Tyler come home would you?” his face turned hard. “Not for good, just for prom.”

“Katie…” he sighed.

“Please?” she begged giving him her best puppy dog eyes. “Caroline’s my best friend and she is working her butt off to make prom perfect for everybody. Her night should be just as perfect as everyone else’s”

“Fine, but his welcome wears off at eleven.” He told her.

“Oh, come on, prom isn’t even over until ten thirty. At least give them until twelve.” She reasoned.

“No.” he told her flatly.

“Yes.” She argued with a half serious glare.

“No.”

“Klaus…” she drawled his name out warningly.

“Katie…” he mimicked her.

“Please, for me?” She pulled puppy dog eyes again.

“You,” he grabbed her sides and moved her around to lay on her back making her laugh when he tickled her sides and moved to hover over her, “are lucky you’re cute when you’re being demanding.” She slid directly under him and wrapped her legs around his hips. “He better be out of town by twelve or he’s dead.” He told her and she gave him a bright smile.

“Thank you.” she told him, still smiling.

“You’re gonna thank me with more than just words.” He told her with a lustful glare.

“Oh I am, am I?” she asked with a laugh and he hummed. “In a minute.” She told him as she turned on her stomach and slid up to grab her cell phone off the nightstand.

“What do you think you’re doing?” he asked.

“Telling Caroline the good news.” She replied as she started texting Caroline. A yelp and a giggle left her lips when he grabbed her ankles and pulled her back to him. As she texted Caroline he peppered her back with kisses seeking out her ticklish spots just to hear her laugh. “Okay, where were we?” she asked as she rolled over and smiled up at him.

After a two hour flight she landed at the airport, hailed a cab and gave the driver the address of Rousseau’s. She texted her father to let him know she was on her way to the bar and grill then texted Klaus to let him know she had landed and arrived safe and sound. When she got the bar and grill and walked in she easily found Bradley sitting at a table near the window. “Scarlett.” He smiled when she walked over and sat down.

“Hi.” She greeted feeling awkward as she hooked her purse over the back of the chair and sat down.

A pretty young brunette waitress with a gap between her two front teeth walked over and took her drink order. “You should try the gumbo.” Bradley spoke up and the waitress looked at Katie. “Sophie here is the best cook in the French Quarter.”

“I don’t know about that, Bradley.” She told him with a flirty smile then looked at Katie.

“Sure.” Katie told Sophie with a nod remembering that Klaus had recommended she try gumbo.

“I’ll get that right out.” Sophie told her then walked away.

“So how have you been?” Bradley asked.

“Good, believe it or not.” She answered, still feeling awkward. “What about you?”

“Better now that I know you’re okay.” His answer pissed her off and he could tell. “Look, I know you probably hate me for leaving you with your grandfather, but I did it to protect you.”

“You thought that leaving me to come here and search for people that haven’t lived in this area for at least a hundred years was protecting me?” she asked, trying her best to contain her anger. He sighed and looked down at the table. Sophie walked over with Katie’s drink and a bowl of gumbo and set them down in front of her. “Did you know you and mom have empty graves in the cemetery?” she asked and he shook his head no. “I grew up telling myself stories about where the two of you disappeared to. That you guys were entered into witness protection and weren’t allowed to come back to me or that your bodies were buried in the woods somewhere or eaten by bears or something. Why didn’t you just come home and be a father to me?”

“Because a vampire was the last thing you needed in your life.” He told her quietly.

“And I call B.S.” she told him then took a sip of her sweet tea. “You, even as you are now, would have been better than Grandfather.”

“I was going to pay him a visit and give him a piece of my mind before I left Mystic Falls, but he wasn’t there.” He told her.

“Yeah that’s because I killed him.” she told him with a straight face and he looked at her, his green eyes wide. “Oh don’t judge me when you’re the one that killed my mother.”

“How were you able to speak with her again?” he asked clearly aggravated that she’d learned that bit of information.

“Bonnie Bennett brought Jeremy Gilbert back from the dead and in doing so cracked the door to the other side open. A witch on the other side wedged it open and let the supernatural spirits be able to interact with our side. For a while we were able to see and feel them. Mom found me and we were able talk before Bonnie fixed the balance.” She explained. “She is the only reason I’m here right now.”

“I’m really sorry I didn’t come for you sooner.” He told her seriously. “Maybe if I had you wouldn’t be what you are now.”

“Which is?” she asked as she picked up her spoon and started stirring the gumbo. It looked disgusting despite its mouth watering smell.

“A vampire…and whatever getting Hannah’s memories has turned you into.” He answered then watched her playing with the gumbo. “Would you just try it already?” he asked with a point to the bowl of chicken and sausage gumbo.

“Fine.” She answered and took a bite. “Holy shit.” She commented as she covered her mouth then swallowed. “That’s really good.”

Her father laughed. “Told you.” things got quiet and she was almost through with her gumbo when he asked, “So how’s everyone back home?”

“Well, let’s see, Sheila Bennett, Mayor douche wad and Carole Lockwood, Caroline’s father, Elena’s parents, her aunt Jenna, Jeremy and John Gilbert aka Elena’s bio dad, along with most of the other council members that got blown up in the pastors farm house are all dead. I’m sure I’m leaving some people out, but that’s all I can think of right now.” she told him. “Oh and Caroline and Elena are vampires too. Other than that there’s the impending threat of hell on earth being unleashed, but that’s another story for another time.”

“Wow.” He said, taking time to let it sink in. After a few minutes he blinked out of his thoughts. “So you said you’ve met all of the originals?”

“Yep, even momma and poppa original.” She answered.

“And you live to tell about it.” he observed.

“What can I say, the Mikaelson siblings like me.” she told him with a shrug.

“A little too much if you ask me.” he commented.

She rolled her eyes and looked up at him. “Please tell me you’re not still mad that Elijah and I found each other.”

“My family, your ancestors, devoted their lives to keeping the reincarnations from remembering Elijah.” He told her with a glare.

“I’m sorry, the reincarnations?” she asked with a frown and a shake of her head as she pushed her bowl away from her.

“You think you’re the first of Hannah’s reincarnation attempts?” he asked with a tilt of his head.

“Uh, yeah, I don’t remember any lives other than Hannah and this one.” She answered, completely confused.

“That’s because the reincarnations were never allowed to live past their sixth birthday.” She just stared at him. “Legend has it that Jonah was so disgusted with what his mother had done that he killed his daughter to keep her from turning into his mother…to keep her from suffering at the hands of the Mikealson men.” he explained. “Every Finnegan female was either killed at birth or just before her sixth birthday. I couldn’t kill you so I did my best to protect you. I had Sheila block your memories and after I turned I didn’t come back because if I did it was more likely, with a vampire in your life, that you would become one and break the dam in your mind. I hoped that you would live and die as Katie, never becoming Hannah. I hoped it would break the cycle and free the women of our family.”

After a few minutes of letting it all sink in she sighed and looked up from her empty bowl to her father. “Then I guess I should thank you for not killing me and tell you that the cycle is broken.” he frowned in confusion. “I’m no longer linked to or with Elijah.”

“Really?” he asked with raised brows.

“Yep, the link broke when my soul shattered.” She answered.

“So you’re free of the Mikaelson’s?” he asked.

“Um…” she pulled one side of her mouth up and squinted an eye. “I guess you could say that?” she scratched the back of her neck uncomfortably.

“What does that mean?” he asked a little confused.

“Klaus and I are kind of…together.” She answered.

“Klaus is not an acceptable partner for anyone, much less my little Scarlett.” He told her.

She scoffed and before he could say anything, a guy who looked to be in his mid to late twenties with espresso skin and nice eyes, walked over to them and slapped his hand down on Bradley’s shoulder. “Who, may I ask, is this lovely lady?” he asked, giving Katie a bright, charming smile.

“My daughter, Scarlett.” Bradley answered. “Scarlett, this is Marcel.”

Katie gave Marcel a wave and a polite smile assuming that he was the same Marcel that turned her father. “I hate to pull you away from your family reunion, but we have business to attend to.” Marcel told Bradley.

“Alright.” Bradley told Marcel who walked off giving the father and daughter time to bid each other goodbye. “How long are you planning on staying in town?”

“I’m flying back in the morning.” She answered. “Prom is coming up soon.”

“What time is your flight?” he asked.

“Seven thirty.” She answered.

“We’ll meet here for breakfast at six?” he asked and she nodded. “See you in the morning.” He told her and she gave him a smile and a wave and watched him leave with Marcel.

“Refill?” Sophie asked as she walked over with a pitcher of tea in her hand. Katie slid her empty glass to the edge of the table. “Would you like more gumbo?”

“No, but it was delicious.” She answered then gave Sophie a smile as she picked up her glass of tea. “Thank you.”

She was still sitting there, sipping on her tea, fiddling with her necklace, thinking about everything she and her father had discussed when Sophie walked by with a sizzling plate of fajitas and her stomach flipped. She frowned and ran to the bathroom with her hand over her mouth and barely made it into the stall before her gumbo came back up. “The hell was in that gumbo?” Katie sighed as she shut the toilet lid and flushed it.

“It wasn’t the gumbo.” She heard Sophie say from outside the stall. “You’re tea, however, had a very powerful mixture of herbs in it. A roofie…kind of.”

Katie pushed the stall door open and turned on the sink. “You’re a witch.”

“Yep.” Sophie answered.

“I’ve seen a witch roofie in action, the dude didn’t get sick.” Katie said as she cupped her hand under the stream of water and rinsed out her mouth.

“Yeah that’s not the roofie, that’s morning sickness.” Sophie told her watching her grow weaker and weaker.

“That would imply…that I’m pregnant. I’m a vampire, I…can’t…” she passed out.

Sophie watched her fall then knocked on the door letting Jane-Ann, her sister inside. “This is stupid, and risky, you know that right?”

“We will talk about this later, for now we have to get her out of here without being seen.” Jane-Ann told her.

TVDTVDTVD

Katie woke up in a cabin in the woods, crickets and frogs could be heard outside. “Where am I?” she groaned as she sat up in the cot she was laying on.

“The bayou.” Sophie told her.

“Why?” she asked with a glare.

“Because like it or not, you’re pregnant with Klaus Mikaelson’s child.” Sophie answered reminding Katie what she’d told her before she passed out.

“It’s not possible, I’m a vampire. We can’t have kids.” She sighed, feeling ill. “How would you know anyway. You’re a witch not a doctor.”

“I’m a witch with a gift of telling when a woman is pregnant. I sensed it as soon as you walked into the restaurant.” She told her.

Katie, sure that Sophie was wrong, got quiet and listened. At first she only heard Sophie’s heartbeat and her own, but eventually she heard a small, fast heartbeat and slid her hand over her lower abdomen. “Holy freaking hell…”

“Congratulations?” Sophie asked awkwardly.

“How the hell is this possible?” Katie asked, sounding like she was in shock.

“Your guess is as good as mine.” Sophie shrugged.

“So what do you want with me? Why kidnap me and bring me out to the middle of nowhere?” Katie asked, trying to think about something other than what Klaus was going to have to say about this or the thousand other questions that were running through her head.

“Marcel has been keeping my people under his thumb, but now we have you.” Katie shook her head not understanding. “Your boyfriend is famous in this town. Witches tell bedtime stories about the vampire Klaus. Marcel was nothing but an orphaned street rat until he made him what he is. Now he’s out of control. He does what he wants. He kills who he wants. We’re gonna stop him and you’re gonna help us.”

“And how am I supposed to do that? I don’t even know you people.” Katie asked with a scoff. Jane-Ann walked in. “Who are you?”

“My name’s Jane-Ann.” She answered. “And to answer your question, you’re going to get Klaus here and you’re going to get him to help us.”

“What makes you think I have any control over Klaus?” Katie asked with a glare.

“Because he’s been texting you every hour on the hour for the past day and a half.” Sophie answered holding up Katie’s cell phone. “A guy doesn’t do that unless he’s worried and people only worry when they care.”

“Prom is today.” Katie sighed realizing how stupid that sounded since she just found out that she’s pregnant.

“Yeah, Caroline’s been texting incessantly about that.” Sophie told her. “I’m sorry but you’re going to have to miss it.”

“I gathered as much.” Katie scoffed.

“We need to get started, Soph.” Jane-Ann said.

TVDTVDTVD

After performing a million different witchy tests on her Sophie tossed Katie a clear blue pregnancy test. “Just for shits and giggles. The outhouse is that way.” She told her with a point outside.

“Watch your language Soph.” Jane-Ann scolded her little sister as Katie stood up and went outside.

After taking the pregnancy test she put the cap back on it and watched as the word pregnant showed up on the screen. She headed back inside and showed it to them, then tucked it into her pocket. “How the hell is this even possible?” Katie asked herself more than them.

“Did I hear you tell Bradley that your soul shattered?” Jane-Ann asked, having been at the bar while Katie and her father chatted.

“Yeah, why?” Katie asked as if it were no big deal.

“No one, witch, human, vampire or wolf has ever come back from that before.” Jane-Ann answered. “We have no records of what that can do to someone.”

“Even still, that doesn’t explain Klaus’s roll in this.” Katie pointed out.

“He’s a hybrid, magic made him a vampire, but he was born a werewolf and is the first of his kind. Nature is full of loopholes.” Jane-Ann explained.

“Awesome.” Katie sighed and fell back to lie on the cot hoping to go to sleep and wake up from this nightmare.

TVDTVDTVD

After making sure Tyler was out of town Klaus returned to his mansion to find a note, left for him by Katherine. “Klaus, I hear Elijah has refused you the cure and in return you have refused me my freedom. Shame on you both. But while you boys sort out your problems, I have one last thing to offer you. I’ve caught wind that there is a witch in New Orleans named Jane-Anne Deveraux holding your precious Katie hostage. Hunt her down. What she has to tell you about Katie will rattle you so deeply to your core that chasing little old me will be the least of your concerns. It’s been a fun five centuries, Klaus, but I’ve worn down too many good heels running from you. Love and hate, Katerina.”

Klaus dropped everything, packed a bag and bought a plane ticket to New Orleans.

TVDTVDTVD

Twenty four hours later Katie sat on a wooden bench in a tomb in the middle of a cemetery in New Orleans. “We can talk freely here.” Katie heard Sophie say. She also heard another set of feet walking with Sophie.

“Then I suggest you start talking.” Elijah’s voice made Katie perk up, just happy to hear a familiar voice. “What did your sister want with Niklaus?” Katie tried to leave the tomb, but a couple of witches stepped in her way.

“Isn’t it obvious?” Sophie asked. “We have a vampire problem, and we need help. Marcel has an army backing him. The witches have been trying to fight back, but we haven’t had much luck. Until my sister, Jane-Anne and I met a girl, a vampire girl passing through the quarter from a small town in Virginia, the daughter of one of Marcel’s day walkers. She has a special…connection to your brother.” Sophie explained to him. “By the look on your face I’m guessing you know who she is.”

“What do you want with Katie?” he asked, his tone guarded.

“Wait, are we talking about the same girl? Bradley called her Scarlett.” Sophie asked.

“Scarlett is her middle name.” Elijah answered growing impatient.

“She’s pregnant and the father of the child she’s carrying is your brother, Klaus.” Sophie told him.

“That’s impossible.” Katie could hear the shock in his voice.

“Nothing’s impossible, especially not when it comes to a hybrid and the first being to ever recover from a shattered soul.” Sophie explained. “Let her out.” She called.

The men stepped aside and Katie whooshed out of the tomb, stopping in her tracks when her eyes landed on Elijah, looking at her with narrowed eyes.

He looked at Sophie, “Give us a moment please.” Sophie nodded and jerked her head for the witches to leave them be. Elijah put his hand on Katie’s lower back and led her into the tomb where she sat back down straddling the bench. He started pacing. “So it’s true?” he asked and she nodded. “Have they been holding you here against your will?”

“They witch roofied me, brought me out to the bayou and did all these witchy tests.” She told him then pulled the pregnancy test out of her pocket. “But even the plain old clear blue confirmed it.” She showed him the word pregnant on the test. “I thought it was just a really weird dream at first, but this is really happening…I’m really pregnant.” She tapped the test on the bench, attempting to hold back her tears, then tucked it back into the pocket of her jeans.

Elijah sat down and pulled a leg up on the bench to face her and cupped her cheek in his hand making her eyes slip shut for a second. “How are you dealing with this?”

“I’m shaking in my freaking boots.” She answered, tapping the toe of her shoe down into the tile floor of the tomb. “What if he doesn’t want it…or me?” she asked with a shaking voice. “I can’t do this alone.”

“You are not in this alone.” He assured her. “I do not believe he would turn his back on you.” He wiped her tears away. “Niklaus has never truly been happy, but I believe that you and this baby can achieve the impossible and save him from himself.”

Katie grabbed his wrist and moved his hand from her face. “No pressure or anything.”

“That wasn’t my intent.” He told her apologetically.

“No, I know.” She assured him. “I’m just…a little overwhelmed, I guess.”

“Katie I know I’ve broken my promises to you in the past, but I need you to trust me when I say that no harm will come to you or this baby if I can help it.” he brushed her loose hair behind her ear and rested his hand on the side of her neck.

She took his hand off her and held it in both of hers. “I’m trusting you, please don’t make me regret it again.”

“I wouldn’t dare.” He told her seriously.

She took a deep breath and let go of his hand. “We have to convince the witches to let me tell Klaus about the baby. It’s my business to tell, not theirs.”

“Request heard and granted.” Sophie told her as she walked in.

“What precisely is it that you want and what does it have to do with Katie?” Elijah asked as he stood up and walked over to Sophie.

“We want to run Marcel and his vampires out of town. Klaus is the key. Everything Marcel knows about being a vampire he learned from Klaus. Marcel trusts him, looks up to him. He won’t see the betrayal coming.” Sophie answered.

“Yes. Well, I’m sure you’re aware, my brother Niklaus doesn’t like to be told what to do.” Elijah told her and Katie found that she still liked to listen to Elijah talk.

“Marcel drove the werewolves out of town decades ago. Do you really think he’s going to welcome a hybrid baby to the neighborhood?” Katie placed a hand protectively over her stomach at Sophie’s words. “Convince Klaus to help us and no one has to know about the newest member of the original family.”

“That sounds remarkably like blackmail.” Elijah told her.

“Like I said, I’m desperate.” Sophie told him with a hard voice and face.

“Well, then. We have our work cut out for us don’t we?” Elijah asked with a look back at Katie.

TVDTVDTVD

“What are we doing here?” Katie had been sitting on the bench in the tomb, bouncing her foot nervously since Elijah left to find Klaus. When she heard the younger brother’s voice she stood up.

“You want to know where Katie is and what the witches have in store for you?” Elijah asked rhetorically. “Follow me.”

A few seconds later Elijah and Klaus walked into the empty tomb to see Katie standing in front of the bench with her head held high, doing a good job of covering up how much she was freaking out inside. “Before you get mad, I haven’t been ignoring your texts and calls. The witches took my phone.”

“Are you alright?” he asked as he walked in and slid his hand over her cheek as he pressed his lips to hers. She savored the moment, knowing that after she told Klaus that she was pregnant it may very well be the last time he kissed her.

When the kiss broke she looked around Klaus to Elijah, “Leave us, please?” she could tell he didn’t want to, but he gave her a nod and walked out of the tomb. “I have been wrecking my brain trying to find the right words to tell you this, but I can’t. So I need you to do me a favor.” She told him and he blinked at her as she took his hands in hers and held them to her chest. “Close your eyes and listen.” He rolled his eyes at her as if she were being silly. “Just…do it please.”

He closed his eyes and listened to everything around him. She knew he’d heard the baby’s heartbeat when he took in a deep breath, his eyes shot open and he jerked his hands from hers as if he’d been burned.

“How is this possible?” He whispered looking into her eyes as a tear slipped down his cheek. He wanted the baby, she could see it in his eyes, but if he was willing to let himself have it, to have happiness, she couldn’t tell.

“I am the first known person to come back from a shattered soul and you are a hybrid, the first of your kind. Apparently nature loves loopholes.” She told him quietly to hide the fear in her voice. After a few minutes of silence passed it became too much for her to handle. “I feel like I’m about to have a panic attack, please say something.”

“What do the witches want with you?” he asked, not putting her mind at ease.

“They want you to overthrow Marcel and get them out from under his control.” She answered.

“Why should I?” he asked with a hard face.

Before Katie could answer, Sophie and a few other witches walked into the tomb. Elijah walked over and stood next to Klaus and Katie moved to his other side, looking at the three witches blocking them into the tomb. “Because my sister gave her life to perform the spell that put the lives of this girl and her baby in our control. If you do not help us take down Marcel…so help me Katie won’t live long enough to see her first maternity dress.”

“Whoa, hey, you’re threatening me?” Katie asked shocked at what she’d just learned. “I’ve never been anything but cooperative with you people.”

“We appreciate that, but we aren’t so sure he’ll be as understanding.” Sophie told her with a hard face and a point at Klaus.

“Enough of this.” Elijah told Sophie, “If you want Marcel dead he’s dead. I’ll do it myself.”

“No. We can’t. Not yet.” Sophie argued. “We have a clear plan that we need to follow and there are rules.”

“Sophie can you guys just back the hell off and give us a minute please?” Katie asked and Sophie gave her a look that asked, seriously? “Just a few minutes then you can get back to your threats, blackmail and bullshit.”

“Fine, but just a few.” She nodded and motioned for the witches to leave and followed them out.

With them gone Katie sank down on the bench and placed her head in her hands with a heavy breath. “This is a trick.” Klaus growled being his usual paranoid self.

“No, brother, it’s a gift. It’s your chance. It’s our chance.” Elijah argued.

“You know I would never lie to you. Or is our trust really that one sided?” Katie asked as she stood from the bench and walked over to him.

“It’s not one sided.” He told her with watery eyes.

“Good, then do me a favor and put the witches out of your mind for a second. You haven’t said and I need to know. Do you want this baby?” When a tear betrayed her she quickly wiped it away.

He stared at her for a minute then said one word, “No.”

It felt as if someone snatched the air from her lungs and a pain shot through her chest. She wanted to break down, cry and let it all out, but she wouldn’t let him see how much he affected her. So she held her head high. “I call bullshit.” she told him in a quiet yet strong voice. “I know you want this baby, you want us. I saw it in your eyes.” she didn’t bother wiping her tears away this time. “You made hybrids because you wanted a new family. Well,” she held her hands out to the side, “you’ve got one standing right in front of you. All you have to do is say the word and we’re yours.”

“Listen to her, Niklaus.” Elijah spoke up making Katie look at him then back at Klaus.

“You once told me that Elijah was my first love and you intended to be my last. If you reject this baby again, that will never happen.” His lips drew together, pursed in defiance. “So, I’ll ask one more time. Do you want this baby?”

He leaned down and looked her in the eyes, “No.” he saw hurt flash in them then turn into a blazing fire that he hated seeing directed at him. He thought she was going to hit him, but she didn’t.

Instead she grabbed the silver pendant hanging around her neck in her fist and jerked. Elijah watched her grab Klaus’s hand, put the necklace in his palm and closed it. “Thank you.” he gave her a questioning look. “For reminding me that love…is for children and fools.” She shoved his hand and turned her back on him, leaving the tomb.

One of the witches thought she was trying to leave the cemetery and grabbed her arm. She grabbed his wrist, knocked him to his knees and twisted his arm behind his back, almost breaking it. “You lay a hand on me again and it will no longer be attached to your body.” She shoved him to the ground then looked at Sophie, “Proceeded with the blackmail and bullshit, I’ve gotten the only answer I cared about.” She walked over to the steps of another tomb and sat down on them, crossing her arms over her knees, rested her head on them.

Katie zoned out and lost track of how much time had passed before she felt someone touch her shoulder and she looked up to see that it was Sophie. “Come on.” She jerked her head back to the tomb. “Klaus and Elijah are gone for now, but I’m sure Elijah will be back.” Katie just nodded and stood up.

TVDTVDTVD

Katie sat on the wooden bench in the tomb listening to the witches talk about how Marcel and his vampires were out of control when one of them asked, "What makes you think you can control the hybrid?"

"She can't." Elijah spoke up and everyone looked to see him leaning against the doorway of the tomb. "I'm not entirely certain I can either." He pushed himself off the wall and walked into the tomb. "But now that your coven has drawn his ire, I have a question. What prevents my brother from murdering you instead of cooperating?"

Sophie walked over to the wall of the tomb and grabbed a straw doll off of a shelf. She took a needle out of it and poked her hand. Katie winced and looked at a spot of blood that pooled in her palm. "Are you freaking kidding me? She linked me to you!?" Katie asked angrily.

"Yep. Anything that happens to me, happens to you." Sophie told her then looked at Elijah. "Which means her life is in my hands. If she so much as sets a foot out of this town I will be able to tell." Katie gritted her teeth with flared nostrils. "Klaus may not care about his own child, but it's very clear what it already means to you. If I have to hurt Katie or worse to ensure that I have your attention, I will."

Elijah took a step closer to Sophie. "You would dare threaten an original?"

"I have nothing to lose." Sophie answered. "You have until midnight to get Klaus to change his mind."

Elijah turned and left the tomb.

TVDTVDTVD

Katie was sitting outside the tomb, getting fresh air when she heard the midnight bell toll then let her head fall back. She was staring up at the sky, waiting for the witches to come kill her when she heard someone walking up and looked up to see Elijah carrying a body wrapped in light brown linen. Curious, she followed him inside the tomb. “Klaus does not care about the child.” She heard Agnes, one of the witch elders say.

“I do.” Elijah spoke up getting their attention. “And I bring proof of my intent to help you. The body of your fallen friend.” He kneeled down and placed the body on the floor. “Which I procured from Marcel himself.”

“Jane-Anne.” Sophie sighed and fell to the floor beside her dead sister.

“May she be granted peace.” Elijah told them. “Klaus will agree to your terms.” They all looked at him. “I just need a little more time.”

“You’ve had your time. It’s passed.” Agnes argued.

“Shut up, Agnes.” One of the other witches spoke up and moved to stand next to Sophie.

“For now, accept the deal.” Elijah told them. “Katie and the child remain unharmed, or Klaus will kill you all” He turned and started walking away, but stopped and turned back to look at the witches. “And I will help him.”

TVDTVDTVD

The next morning Katie was brought back to the cemetery. “When can I have my cell phone back?” she asked as she walked in and sat down on the bench. “I’m bored out of my mind.”

Sophie pulled Katie’s phone out of her back pocket and held it up. “You can’t tell anyone about your pregnancy.”

“Duh.” Katie commented and Sophie slapped the phone into Katie’s palm. “Thank you.”

She was going through her texts from Caroline, Klaus and Bonnie when Elijah and Sophie walked in. “Klaus has agreed to help us. You’re free to go, but don’t even think about leaving town. If you do, I’ll sense it and kill both of us.”

“Ten four, rubber ducky.” Katie sighed sarcastically as she pushed herself from the bench and walked over to Elijah. When they got out of the cemetery she asked, “So, how’d you get him to agree?”

Elijah opened the passenger door of his car for her. “Unlike you I didn’t give up on him.” he answered as she slid inside and he shut the door.

“I didn’t give up on him. I’m just done wasting my breath begging people to give a shit about me.” she replied not looking at him as he cranked the car and started driving.

“Do you really think he doesn’t care about you?” he asked and she just shrugged. “He cares, Katie.”

“Yeah, well, he has a funny way of showing it.” she scoffed.

“He is scared.” Elijah defended.

“And I’m not?” she asked, raising her voice.

“You’ve been a parent before. You know how to love unconditionally. Klaus doesn’t because he’s never experienced it.” Elijah reminded her.

“Can we just…stop talking about this, please?” she asked, getting aggravated.

“Of course.” He drove her out of the city and to a plantation house. “Welcome to your new home.” He parked outside the huge two story white house with large columns, black shutters and a black door.

“Well, it’s a lot better than a tomb or a swamp.” She commented then got out of the car.

After he let her inside and gave her a tour, she picked a room with a window seat and pulled the dust covers off of the bed and the rest of the furniture.

She was sitting on the window seat, her back to the door and her head leaned on the wall, looking outside when she heard someone walk up behind her. A bouquet of six red roses appeared in front of her face and she recognized the hand holding them as Klaus’s. She took them, held her hand out to the side then dropped them to the floor. She heard him sigh then a pint of strawberry ice cream and a spoon appeared in front of her. She took it and he thought she was going to drop it too, but she stood from the bench and left the room. He followed her down stairs to the kitchen where she pulled open the icebox that was made to blend with the white cabinets and stuck it in the freezer. When she turned around he gave her a curious look. “I don’t believe in wasting perfectly good ice cream.”

She walked around the island and had to pass him on the way to the door, but he gently grabbed her arm, stopping her from walking away from him. “Please accept my apology.”

“I have yet to hear one.” She pointed out as she took her arm from his grasp.

“I’m sorry.” He told her quietly. “I…”

“Acted like a pig headed dick.” She filled in for him since he couldn’t find the words.

“That’s putting it lightly.” He told her with a nod.

She took in a slow, deep breath then heaved it out, walked back over to the icebox, grabbed the ice cream and the spoon she’d tossed into the empty sink at one end of the island and set the container on the counter across from where Klaus stood on the other side. “I’m really going to miss alcohol…” she stabbed the spoon into the pink frozen treat and took a bite. “I’m sorry too.” She admitted then swallowed. “I shouldn’t have cornered you with an ultimatum like that.”

“How long have you known?” he asked instead of acknowledging her apology.

“I found out not long after I got here. I was hanging out at Rousseau’s after my dad left with Marcel when Sophie walked by with a plate of Fajitas. The smell made me sick and let me tell you, Sophie’s gumbo was freaking awesome, but after it came back up I don’t think I’ll ever be able to even smell it again.” He smirked at her confession, a little happy she had taken his advice and had gumbo. “That was right before I passed out from the witch roofie Sophie put in my tea.”

“Does your father know?” he asked.

“As far as he knows I skipped the breakfast we planned and left without saying goodbye.” She told him. “And I’d like to keep it that way. Bredley is one of Marcel’s day walkers. Marcel sired him and I don’t know where his loyalties lie.” She took one last bite of ice cream then put the top back on it, stuck it in the freezer and washed, dried and put away her spoon. “Speaking of Marcel, can I ask what history you have with him and this city? I know you guys had to leave in 1919, but that’s about it.”

“My family and I practically ran this town. Marcel was just an unnamed boy, a slave, when I found him, named him and took him under my wing.” He told her as he walked around the island to stand across from her where she leaned her hip against the counter. “I made Marcel everything that he is. I loved him like a son, and when my father chased me and my family from here a hundred years ago we believed Marcel was killed. We each mourned him in our own way. Yet when I returned, I found not only had he survived he had thrived. Instead of seeking us out, instead of sticking together as one, he made a choice to take everything my family had built and make it his own. Now he is living in our home. He is sleeping in our beds. There’s an M he stamps everywhere but it doesn’t stand for Marcel, it’s for Mikaelson. I want it all back. I want to be king.”

“And this baby and I…Do we have a place in this kingdom of yours?” she asked, crossing her arms over her chest.

“Every king needs a queen by his side.” he replied as he slid his hand over the side of her neck. “And an heir to his throne.” He leaned into her and pressed his forehead to hers, looking her in the eyes. “Stand with me, be my queen?” he asked and she pulled her head back as he pulled her necklace out of his pocket, the clasp now fixed.

“Let me hear you say it…out right, no talk of kingdoms.” She told him, not giving in to him yet.

His mouth opened to say something but he closed it. She nodded and tried to turn her back on him to walk away, but he grabbed her arm and spun her around, catching her lips with his. It took a few seconds before she let herself kiss him back. When it broke he pressed his forehead to hers. “I want you…both of you.” She gave him a small smile as she gathered up her loose auburn waves and lifted them as she turned her back on him. He put the necklace back around her neck. “And I never want to see this necklace leave your neck again.”

“Good, because I never want to take it off again.” She told him as she slid her fingertips over the smooth metal then put her hand on his cheek. “I’ll be your queen or your little phoenix or…whatever you want to call me.” she smiled to herself more than him. “You’ve really got to stop giving me nicknames.”

He chuckled, happy they were back on good terms. “The nicknames are endless because you…” he grabbed her hips and picked her up, setting her on the island next to the sink, “are my everything.” His words knocked the breath out of her in a good way this time. After taking in a deep, forced breath she caught his lips with hers and the kiss quickly turned heated and a moan left her lips as she pulled him closer with her legs. A sigh left his lips as she started kissing his neck.

She was kissing his lips and about to grab the hem of his shirt and pull it over his head when she heard someone clear their throat. Klaus stopped kissing her and rolled his eyes as they both looked at Elijah, leaning against the door frame. “I see you two made up.” Katie unwrapped her legs from Klaus’s waist.

“We were working on it.” Klaus answered with a smirk that Elijah ignored and made Katie look at the floor with a blush.

“Is it done?” Elijah asked Klaus, making Katie look up at them, confused.

“As a matter of fact, yes.” Klaus answered. “Your underhanded deal worked quite well. Marcel was only too happy to accept my blood, even as he accepted my heartfelt apologies. His man Thierry yet lives and I remain a welcome guest in the French quarter. My only concern now is this coven of impudent witches.”

“You do know I’m linked to Sophie right?” Katie asked Klaus who gave her an interested look. “If she dies I die and while I will come back, the baby might not.”

“I believe them to be honorable though.” Elijah spoke up. “They did release Katie to me, although they haven’t been entirely forthcoming. Marcel obviously has something that they need. They don’t want him dead. There must be a reason why.”

Out of nowhere a wave of nausea rolled over Katie sending her rushing to the bathroom. She was flushing the toilet when Elijah asked, “Are you okay?”

“Ugh.” She responded and rested her forehead on the toilet seat knowing it was clean since they’d just moved into the house. “Please look away.” She groaned.

Instead he walked inside, grabbed a washcloth, wet it and rang it out. “You forget this isn’t the first time I’ve seen you sick.” He pointed out as he handed her the cloth. She took it and his offered hand when he offered it.

He pulled her up. “I didn’t forget. I caught the flu back in Ireland and wouldn’t let you give me your blood.” she remembered then wiped her face and mouth and rinsed the cloth out and draped it over the faucet. “Why was that again?”

“You said it was a human experience that you needed to get through so that you wouldn’t get sick again.” He reminded her.

“And Jonah ever so politely told me I was being stupid.” She said as she put her hand on the counter and leaned on it.

“You were running a fever and not thinking straight.” he added. “Jonah convinced me to heal you while you were sleeping.”

“And I thanked you for it when I woke up.” She gave him a small smile. “At least this time you don’t have to pick stew chunks out of my insanely tight curls.”

“I didn’t have to do it then.” He pointed out with a small smile of his own, reminding her that he did it because he loved her, not because he had to. “And if I may…” he grabbed the rag and rinsed it out then wiped at a spot of puke on her cheek that she’d missed. When he was done he tossed the rag into the dirty clothes hamper behind her.

“So,” Katie started realizing that reminiscing wasn’t the best idea, “Where did you go after I woke up and you left Mystic Falls?” she asked, as she hopped up to sit on the bathroom counter, wanting to stick close to the toilet in case she got sick again.

“I’m surprised Niklaus hasn’t already told you.” he told her as he leaned back on the wall across from her in the small guest bathroom. She just looked at him and shrugged. He narrowed his eyes, thinking about not telling her. “Katherine contacted me and said she had the cure. She thought we could be of mutual use to one another.”

Katie bit her lips closed and narrowed her eyes back at him. “You were with her, with her weren’t you?”

“Katie I-” he started

“Stop, rewind and forget I asked. It’s none of my business.” She interrupted him. “I told you we needed to move on. So you moved on just like I did.”

“I tried to move on.” He corrected her. “It did not work.”

She wanted to ask why. A small part of her wanted to know if he couldn’t move on because he was still hung up on her, but another… much bigger part dedicated to Klaus, didn’t care. “Good.” She saw curiosity flash behind his pretty brown eyes. “You can do better than the colossal bitch that is Katherine Pierce. Now,” she hopped down off the bathroom counter and walked over to the bathroom door, “if you don’t mind I really need to shower.”

She was getting out of the shower when she heard the all too familiar sound of Elijah in pain. With a whoosh she wrapped the towel around herself and went to where she’d heard the sound only to find an empty room. She went back to her room and got dressed then started searching the house. After an hour she found a hidden room containing coffins, one of which reminded her of her bedroom in Klaus’s house in Mystic Falls. She noticed Elijah’s coffin missing and after searching the room thoroughly she found two silver daggers.

TVDTVDTVD

She was removing dust cloths from some of the furniture out of the need to do something when she heard the front door open and close. Klaus heard her and found here. “Where’s Elijah?” she asked flatly.

“Exactly where he needs to be.” Klaus answered and did that thing where he looked down his nose at her.

“Where he needs to be is here, with us, but he’s not.” She replied, her nostrils flaring a bit. “I searched this house over and do you know what I found?” she asked rhetorically as she closed the space between them and glared up at him. “Daggers and coffins…one of each missing and one coffin that looked suspiciously like it could me mine.” He sighed and blinked at her. “Start. Explaining.”

“The white coffin is yours.” he told her and she took in an angry breath, but kept her mouth shut. “I had it custom made when I thought you were dying and I haven’t been able to convince myself to get rid of it. I have no intention of ever seeing you in it.”

She had to admit, he was smart to lead with that. She found it touching that he’d had a coffin custom made for her to be buried in style…or on the even creepier side, kept with him in style. But she shook herself out of her thoughts and put the glare back on her face. “Get to the part where you tell me where Elijah’s at.”

“He was a weakness. Marcel was nervous. It was bad enough that one original returned to town, but two… His crew was getting antsy. He wanted Elijah gone. So I gave him a peace offering.” She frowned and crossed her arms over her chest. “I have a plan to keep you safe. Gain Marcel’s trust, dismantle his empire, and see to it that our baby is born into an environment free of wolf hating vampires and witches threatening to kill you.” He cupped her face in his hands. “I am taking care of you the only way I know how.” She gently grabbed his wrists and took his hands from her face. “Katie…”

“We will continue this conversation after I calm down.” she told him with a tight voice and a hard look. He let her walk away.

She was sitting at the dining table and had finished off the ice cream that Klaus had bought her when he dared to show his face to her again. She didn’t say a word as she watched him pull out a chair and sit down across from her. “Calm yet?”

“As much as I’m gonna get.” She answered, then tossed the spoon into the empty container and pushed it to the side. “Elijah’s not a weakness or a bargaining chip. He’s an asset. With that being said, tell me the full truth. You didn’t dagger him just because of Marcel, did you?”

Klaus sighed and looked down at the table then back up at her. “Contrary to his escapades with Katerina he is still in love with you, Katie.” She gritted her teeth. “I heard the two of you, reminiscing over a time when it was him taking care of you.”

“New flash,” she started with an attitude, “We have seven years of memories together and from time to time those memories are going to resurface. Yes, I look back on them fondly as I’m sure he does too, and yes I still love him, but I am not in love with him and he is not the Mikealson brother I want. You are and you know it.” He nodded, letting her know he understood and the look in his eyes told her he was sorry. “The reason he is an asset is because the old saying, it takes a village to raise a child is incredibly true. Parents are the most important people in a child’s life, but they also need aunts and uncles, people that round out their world. If you keep daggering our village this child doesn’t stand a chance.”

“It will take time, but I will find a way to get him back.” he told her quietly.

“Good.” She stood up and walked around the table to lean her hips against it and look down at him. “And if I’m not mistaken, don’t kings usually keep their queens informed on battle plans?” she asked, with an arched brow.

A small smile pulled at the corners of his lips as he clasped his hands in front of him with his elbows resting on the arms of the dining chair. “I will also do a better job of keeping you in the loop.”

“Thank you.” she told him with a nod and he wrapped his arm around her and pulled her over to stand in front of him and rested his head on her stomach. They both got quiet for a moment, listening to the fast beat of the baby’s heart. “Is there anything you wish to ask of me?” she asked knowing that he was used to doing what he wanted when he wanted and now he was having to accommodate her.

He picked his head up and looked up at her. “As much as I want to show you New Orleans I need you to stay here.” he told her. “If your father sees you out and about in the quarter he’ll start asking questions. As you’ve already pointed out he is part of Marcel’s inner circle. You need to remain a secret.”

“And if my father runs into you in the quarter?” she asked. “He knows we’re together. He’ll want to know where I am.”

“You went on a pre-graduation road trip. Last I heard you were in Chicago.” He told her.

“That actually sounds like something I would do and answers why I’m not in Mystic falls in case he went looking for me. It’s a given that my friends back in Mystic Falls can’t know the truth either huh?” she asked and he nodded, knowing she would hate lying to her friends. “Then they get the same story.” she agreed. “But if I’m going to be locked away in here I’m going to need a few things.”

“Like what?” he asked curiously.

“Internet, a laptop and a three in one printer.” She answered. “Even if I can’t make it to graduation I fully intend on getting my diploma and I have a lot of catching up to do.”

“Your wish is my command.” He told her with a closed lipped smile.

“As yours is mine.” She told him then placed her hands on the arms of the chair and leaned down, looking him in the eyes. “Thank you.” She pecked him on the lips and he smiled.

[chokingonpaper]

Hello!! Could i get a matchup please? No need to if your too tired/busy! Sorry its pretty long ^^;

I’m Silas or Sullivan, i’m a bisexual male(he/they) who’s around 5’1”-5’2” 😔 I have short dark brown wavyish hair, brown eyes and slightly pale skin. Im pretty skinny and have elegant hands :)

Personality wise,, im an ambivert, I dont usually have a big problem talking to people but I will be shy at first. Despite being hella anxious in public im a risk taker and pretty careless, oh you dont have enough seats in your car? Thats fine i’ll go without a seatbelt drive away!~ lmao all jokes aside my love language is acts of services mainly but also kinda words of affirmation? I LOVE physical affection, give me the bare minimum and i’ll go bonkers kfjdkfjdkd. I’m a Sagittarius, I laugh at just about anything, stupid or not so uh- yeah :,) Uhh to sum it up I think im a pretty fun person and up to do just about anything.

I wear a lot of fancy-ish clothing? White button up shirt tucked into black jeans with the ever so ‘famous’ black combat boots… that I wear everywhere. Honestly I my style is a mix between dark academia and alt. I have black earrings and sharp long nails just because i thought why not,,, so now im stuck with it KDJSJDSN

I heavily enjoy camping, drawing, gaming, nature, horror and music! Drawing, gaming and music is a big part of my life since I grew up with it. Although I dont mind many things I hate loud noises, self centered people and talking about grades,, cue the mommy issues 😃 um- aside from that theres not much i dislike, I do love to cook! Im your personal chef now lol OH KDJDDN I LOVE soft things, soft+warm=top tier

I’m a big procrastinator but once i get settled to do something i’ll get so much done. Although it is a bit weird i kinda enjoy cleaning and will clean the whole house no questions asked. On the downside I have a short temper, im usually calm but I can have bursts of anger if things arent going the best hence the short temper,,, Im working on fixing it-

I dont mind children, i do quite like them as long as their pretty well behaved but im more of an animal person. I absolutely love crows/owls and dogs/cats. Uhh thats all :) sorry its so much!!!

I match you with: 📷Brian/Hoodie!📷

- Prepare to be picked up and carried everywhere, he’s extremely affectionate and he loves picking people up

- 👏hand holding👏

- He‘ll attempt to present the logical side of a decision or action to make sure you don’t get yourself hurt. He’s quite protective, so he tends to hover around you a bit

- Compliments and words of affirmation are constantly being said in this relationship

- This man is basically a huge teddy bear, you will be wrapped in a hug most of the time

- Your clothing styles are complete opposites, but if you’re ever in need of an oversized tee shirt, he’s got plenty

- He enjoys cooking as well and is more than happy to help you out in the kitchen

- You like soft and warm things? Perfect! He has a small collection of fluffy blankets and he’s naturally very warm himself, he’s practically made for cuddling!

- He’s a very calm person and doesn’t mind your short temper much. He’s patient and he’ll listen to what you have to say before trying to ease your anger

[letterfromtrenwith]

The Price of Freedom - Prologue & Ch 1

Crime/mystery AU

When Hugh Armitage, Naval hero and nephew of the aristocratic Lord Falmouth, disappears mysteriously while out riding, it first appears to be a tragic accident. However, a ransom note is delivered and magistrates Francis Poldark and George Warleggan, along with constable Captain Ross Poldark, open an investigation.

It soon becomes clear that this is no ordinary kidnap, executed almost invisibly by skilled criminals - but why should anyone wish to target this gentle young man? And what do Hugh's uncle, his sweetheart Morwenna Cynoweth, and the respected Dr Dwight Enys know about the case?

Sequel to Les trois Francais 

~

Prologue 

It was barely a pinprick of sickly yellow light at the other end of the murk of the alley, but it was the only sign of life Silas had seen in this filthy labyrinth. He was far from unused to grimy bolt-holes and dirty, narrow streets, but something about this place made him uneasy. Shaking himself, he crept forward, hand on the hilt of his dagger – he spent his time surrounded by cut-purses, smugglers and worse, now wasn’t the time to get squeamish, especially when there was a pretty penny to be made. That’s what he’d been promised anyhow.

Other than the lantern flickering behind a tiny, grimy window, there was no sign that the building was even occupied, let alone that it was a drinking establishment. He’d never been here before, didn’t know it existed as a matter of fact, and he flattered himself that he was very familiar with the…unofficial establishments of Cornwall.

The inside of the place was barely less gloomy than without, a couple of cheap candles flickering behind the bar and in sconces on the walls. Without prompting, the barman thudded a tankard of something passing for ale on the dirty wooden bar, and he handed over a couple of coins. In a shadowy corner, he saw the man he was coming to meet.

“F – “

“Shhh, no names.” His compatriot hissed, and he nodded. It made sense.

“Well, what is it?” If it wasn’t for how long Silas had known the other man, he would never have agreed to this. Not that he knew exactly what ‘this’ was – he’d been told if he came here tonight he could earn a generous sum, but nothing more.

“How do I know he can be trusted?” He started at the voice emerging from the corner; another man sat there, almost entirely hidden until he sat forward slightly, hovering just at the edge of the poor lighting. He wore a scarf just a touch too heavy for the season, clearly another layer of concealment beyond his lurking in the shadows. His voice was low, guttural, but he was disguising an educated tone.

“I vouch for him.” There was a brief silence while the third man considered.

“Very well. But know this, my employer is a very powerful man. If either of you betray us, you will suffer the consequences. Do you understand?” Silas did not like the sound of that, and began to wonder if he’d got himself into something more dangerous that he’d like. It was too late to back out now, though, and he couldn’t help but remember the promised payout. So, along with his compatriot, he said he understood. “You must do exactly as I say, and once we have extracted the money, you will receive your cut.”

“How much?” Silas’ friend demanded, and Silas winced.

“You’ll get nothing if you don’t do as you’re told.” The shadowed man answered gruffly. “Now listen carefully – “

Chapter 1

“Good morning, Miss Chynoweth.”  It took Morwenna a moment to recognise the young man as Master Chalmers, the haberdasher’s apprentice.

“Good morning, Master Chalmers. A pleasant day.”

“Yes, Miss.” He glanced away shyly and Morwenna smiled to herself. Considering he was training for a profession which chiefly served women, the young man was quite abashed by the opposite sex. She had almost been surprised at his boldness in addressing her, albeit quite properly. Then again, she was alone today, and not in the company of Elizabeth, whose presence often reduced young men to stuttering fools.

“Well, I shall not keep you from your business, Master Chalmers. Good day to you.”

“And to you, Miss.” He touched his hat and then hurried away busily, clutching his packages to his chest. Morwenna clucked her tongue and her horse, Della, continued at a leisurely stroll. She was returning from a pleasant morning’s ride out; the spring sunshine created some beautiful views for her sketches, and she’d found some wonderful daffodils growing wild near the woods. With a gentle tug on the reins, she steered Della down an alleyway which would eventually bring them to the rear yard of the Warleggan townhouse.

It was shame that the house lacked a garden, but she was very much enjoying her stay there otherwise. Cardew was beautiful, but she had spent most of her life in the country and, as much as she still loved the outdoors, town life was quite diverting. Perhaps living here permanently would become oppressive, but George had promised they would return to the country house by July, for the children if nothing else.

A stable boy ran out to meet her as she rode into the yard, and she thanked him with a smile as he offered her a hand to get down. She retrieved her books and pencils from the saddle bag and pulled at the ribbon of her hat as she entered the house, a housemaid, Polly, greeting her with quick bob.

Sarah, another maid, took her hat and jacket, as well as the flowers, which she promised to put into water.

“Did you get some nice sketches, Miss Morwenna?”

“I did, Sarah, thank you. Is everyone at home?”

“Mr Warleggan is still at the Bank.” That was no surprise. “But Mistress is at home. She’s in the parlour. Shall I fetch you some tea?”

“Thank you, Sarah.”

“Ah, Morwenna, there you are, my dear.” Elizabeth looked up from her embroidery with a warm smile. “How was your ride?”

“Lovely. The spring flowers are beautiful and the sea was so calm today, like a sheet of silver.”

“How delightful! Shall we see a painting of it?”

“Perhaps. I have made a sketch.” She paused, sitting back on the sofa. “I had actually thought that Hugh might like it. He is fond of walks by the sea.”

“Oh, I am sure he will be pleased!” Elizabeth looked delighted and Morwenna smiled. It had been Elizabeth – and George – who had introduced Morwenna to Hugh, and as much as they tried to be delicate about it, she knew they had high hopes for the connection.

It was hardly unreasonable of them – Hugh Armitage was an educated, well-mannered young man from an excellent family. Excellent in name, at least – his uncle, Lord Falmouth, was not a pleasant man, completely different to his nephew, and not much thought of outside of his title, to which Hugh was the only heir. George certainly had a low opinion of him, and while Elizabeth was not one to speak ill of anyone, Morwenna knew that even her cousin’s kind heart was not inclined towards the man.

Although the Chynoweths were also an ancient family – much more so than the Lords Falmouth – Morwenna’s marriage prospects had perhaps not been the best. The family fortunes had gradually dwindled over the years, and the last two heirs – cousins Richard and Jonathan Chynoweth – had rather put the final nail into them by producing only daughters: Richard, Morwenna and her three sisters, and Jonathan, Elizabeth.

“They must all marry well,” Morwenna recalled Elizabeth’s mother, Joan, saying to her own mother. “It is imperative.”

Elizabeth had certainly done so. The Warleggans might have been blacksmiths two generations past, but they had become the richest family in the district. Morwenna had been barely ten years old at the time, but she well-remembered the avaricious look in her mother’s eye at the wedding. She had managed to contain herself for a few years before attempting to leverage their connection to secure marriage settlements for her daughters. Knowing George as she did now, Morwenna was quite surprised that he had not refused such a mercenary request on principle; perhaps Elizabeth had prevailed upon him.

Morwenna was the only one of her sisters old enough to consider matrimony as of yet, but that had not kept away the fortune hunters, attracted by the scent of George’s money. Of course, if they thought that he was going to hand over a penny to their grasping likes, then they were fools indeed. Hugh had no interest in her fortune, however, nor even her name. Aside from Elizabeth and George, he was one of the few people who actually spoke to her as an equal, not purely as a connection to be cultivated, whether on a romantic or social level.

Coming to live with Elizabeth and George, ostensibly as a companion to Elizabeth and a help with the children, had been remarkably freeing. Marriage seemed to be her mother’s only thought for some time, and she had certainly set her eyes on much lesser men than Hugh.

“Perhaps he will call upon you soon?” Elizabeth had returned to her sewing, but her tone was not entirely casual.

“Perhaps he will.” Morwenna smiled again. Before her cousin could say anymore, the parlour door opened and a small, unruly mob was admitted, along with Sarah and the tea tray.

“Wenna!”

“Oof!” She groaned as three surprisingly heavy little creatures attempted to clamber onto her lap at the same time. With some pushing and shoving, one finally emerged victorious. Ursula was six, and the oldest of George and Elizabeth’s three daughters. She looked up at Morwenna with blue eyes exactly like her father’s.

“Where have you been, Wenna?” Seeing Morwenna so besieged, Sarah thought better of attempting to hand her a teacup and simply left it on the table before withdrawing with a look of amusement.

“Out riding, and drawing.”

“Can I see? I want to see!”

“See! Please!” Her younger sisters, twins Clare and Susannah, chorused in agreement. Forced off her lap, they had instead settled on either side of her.  

“Girls! Poor Morwenna has barely sat down! Will you never give her any peace?” Elizabeth sighed in fond exasperation as Morwenna shook her head. She loved the children the very much, even if they were rather lively. The girls especially had become particularly attached to her, often trailing in her wake wherever she went, clustering around her on the floor as she painted, and begging her to read to them from her books. Elizabeth called them her ‘little ducklings’.

“All right, but I think you might prefer to see these…” She pulled out the twist of paper tucked into her sketchbook, laughing at the excited noises the girls made when they realised what she held. On the way home, she had stepped into the confectioners and bought a penn’orth of comfits, which she now distributed into little eager hands.

“What do you say?” Elizabeth prompted.

“Thank you!” It was delivered around mouthfuls of sweets, but it would have to do.

“What about you Valentine?” Morwenna extended the paper towards him. At nine, the girls elder brother considered himself very grown up – certainly far too grown up to be clambering on his cousin’s knee. Not too grown up for sweets, however, considering how quickly he hopped down from where he had perched on the sofa next to his mama.

“Thank you, Morwenna.” He sketched a quite proper little bow before sitting down again and Morwenna suppressed a laugh. It would not do for him to think she mocked him, although that was not her intention at all. She saw Elizabeth concealing similar amusement behind her sewing.

There was some noise out in the entrance hall, and the door opened once more.

“Papa!” Morwenna’s companions immediately left her, swarming across the carpet to fling themselves at George. Clare got there first and was immediately swept into his arms, wrapping her own smaller ones around his neck. Elizabeth watched them affectionately before turning back to Morwenna.

“There, my dear, you see what it has been for me these past years? Quite forgotten as soon as Papa appears!”

“Good afternoon, my dears.” Holding Clare tightly, George bent to kiss Elizabeth, who in turn reached up to stroke his arm. Morwenna watched them with a smile – her cousins were certainly a great endorsement for matrimony, but then again, perhaps not everyone should expect such contentment.

George managed to get across the room without tripping over the other two girls and took a seat next to Morwenna. Ursula, deprived of her Papa, settled for climbing back onto Morwenna’s lap, leaving poor little Susannah looking bereft, until she elected to clamber up next to her brother instead. He forgot his gentlemanly formality and put his arm around her.

“How is Nicholas, my dear?”

“Oh, yes, Elizabeth, I meant to ask.” George and Elizabeth’s youngest child, Nicholas, not quite a year old, had been  unwell this last day or so, crying at all hours, Elizabeth struggling to soothe him.

“Much better. Just a slight stomach upset, as we thought. He is sleeping now.”

“I am glad to hear it.” George stroked Clare’s soft curls gently as she cuddled into him. Elizabeth had once told Morwenna that as happy as her daughters’ loving relationship with George made her, it was also a little bittersweet, as it reminded her of her own long gone father. Morwenna knew exactly what she meant, seeing the way the girls clustered around George reminded her of her and her sisters doing much the same with their father, who had also passed from this world into the next.

“Have you had a productive morning, Morwenna, my dear?”

“Yes, George, thank you.”

“She has made sketch for Hugh.” Elizabeth raised her eyebrows, and George smiled.

“Oh, indeed?” Morwenna ignored their teasing. George suddenly looked at her quite seriously. “Anything else?”

“Perhaps.” She knew what he meant, but such things could not be mentioned directly in front of the children. They were entirely too perceptive. “But we can discuss that at dinner.”  

“It will be just the two of you this evening, I am afraid. I have some business I must attend to with my Uncle.” Morwenna did her best not to make a face, although she saw Elizabeth give George a sympathetic look. George’s Uncle Cary was another reason why Morwenna was enjoying staying at the townhouse. She had become used to the old man eventually, but his dour presence could be somewhat draining. He did not approve of George’s marriage to Elizabeth, and although he was not openly rude to his niece-in-law, he evidently had never gone out of his way to accept her into his family, even after all these years. The children avoided him, and he them, frowning whenever they made any noise or played their games in the parlour.

“Do you intend to fill this house with bloody Chynoweth women?” Morwenna had overheard him saying to George the day she arrived at Cardew. In the few months she’d lived there before they came into Truro, she’d barely exchanged a word with him. She couldn’t imagine what it must have been like for George growing up with only Cary for company.

“Will you be back tonight, or will you stay at Cardew?” Elizabeth asked.

“We shall have to see.”

After a swift knock, Sarah re-appeared, holding a letter.

“For you, Sir. From the magistrates’ court. Urgent, the young man says.” George managed to unfold the letter while balancing Clare on his lap. Morwenna saw his face darken as he read it. Considering its origin, it was unlikely to be good news.

“Sarah, will you take the children upstairs, please? Go on, off you go.” Clearly sensing the seriousness in their father’s tone, the children went without protest, trailing after Sarah obediently, holding hands in a little chain.

“George? What has happened?” Elizabeth frowned in concern.

“Morwenna, my dear, when did you last see Hugh?” Morwenna blinked in surprise. She had not been expecting that, and had to think for a moment.

“Last Thursday. I met him in Henderson’s and we walked a while. But he sent me a note on Sunday, with a book. Why?”

“It seems he has gone missing.”

[ashleighxx]

25DaysofKlaroline|Day4|Smut

“I want your confession.”

“My confession? Confession about what? I haven’t done anything?” She giggled out nervously, thinking back at what she could have done. She hadn't played the blonde distraction for a while now, long before he left town too. “Your confession about me?” He smirked at her. “I don’t know what your talking about?” Caroline tried to deflect. He stood forward as she stood back, her back scraped up against a tree. “Yes you do.” Realising he wasn’t going to let the conversation drop, she sighed in defeat, lowering her gaze to the floor while chewing her bottom lip. Could she actually open up and let him in, or scoff and act like he was insane about their connection. The war battled on inside of her until she looked up at him, watching his curious eyes stare into her soul, a perfect balance of fear and hope. She took a chance and shifted her weight from one foot to the other. “Well this will need a bit more privacy. And a lot of alcohol” she muttered, hoping Klaus would understand that she needed the Dutch courage to not only to confess to him, but to admit her feelings to herself. He offered his hand to her, waiting until she took it before flashing them off to his mansion. There was no visitors living there as his siblings were still in New Orleans. Where he was supposed to be. Once they were in his lounge, he finally set her down and she tried to regain her balance. Caroline always loved the thrill and power that vampirism gave her, but traveling at the speed Klaus could amazed her.

The room looked a little sparse from the last time she had been in here, digging out an imaginary piece of white oak from his back. The piano and sofas were still present along with some cabinets, but the room lacked the presence and personal touch from before. Looking around closely, she realised that all the art work had been removed from their places on the walls. 

Klaus opened a cupboard door and grabbed a few tumblers and a bottle of his finest bourbon and led Caroline to the sofa, sitting on the opposite side to her and placing the items on the table, pouring the brown liquor and sliding Caroline’s towards her.

She grabbed the glass and quickly shot the alcohol down in one go, wincing at its harshness before passing it back to him for a top up while asking, “What is it that you want from me?”

“I just want you to be honest with me.”

“Why?” She pleaded desperately, confused at what he wanted from her. She had always wondered what he wanted with her since the first night he spared her life. Was it just the thrill of the chase, or did he actually learn to care for her along the way. The same way she had for him. Her icy exterior had thawed every time her group of friends sent her towards his direction to play the ‘blonde distraction.’ But she still had her insecurities that he could actually love her, that they were the epic love she had dreamed of having.

“I meant what I said to you at graduation Caroline, however long it takes.” He told her.

“I don’t know how I feel about you Klaus, I never let myself go there. Your supposed to be the enemy. That, and I had a boyfriend. Plus I don't even know much about you..”

“Then get to know me.” He interrupted her, trying to keep the desperation out of his voice and failing. “I just know that when you left, and you never said goodbye. It, hurt.” She thought back to the day after prom when she made her way back to his mansion to thank him for the dress, and to return it. Only to find Rebekah walking down the grand staircase looking slightly lost.

“I never meant to leave without saying goodbye, Caroline.”

She gasped, her mind flashing back to when Silas had cornered her in the woods, saying exactly that. Klaus grabbed her hand, sensing her fear. “What is it?”

“Just something Silas said to me.” She looked down at her still filled glass, and took a heavy sip. “So tell me about New Orleans.”

Klaus must have known to drop the subject for now and began to tell his tale of what drew him to New Orleans back in the 1800’s while she listened to him, watched his eyes dance and sparkle as he talked about the architecture of the city, the dreams and plans he wanted for the supernatural world, and she then watched as his face darkened as he carried on to explain how he had to flee the only place he called home due to his father.

She reached up to his face, tentatively stroking his cheek and stubble with the tips of her finger, cutting Klaus’ story off as she heard his breathe hitch. Gazing at his lips, her hand became a bit more confident as she cupped his cheek, being drawn to him. Her eyes flicked up to his as she reached her goal, his eyes shining with hope and unwavering love, body so still as he contained himself. Always letting her move at her pace.

Her lips finally descended upon his and he immediately kissed her back soft and slowly, caressing her tongue with his own. Caroline brought her hand down from his face to the top of his thigh for support as she deepened the kiss.  

Finally pulling back, after what seemed like kissing for hours, a massive smile appeared on the hybrid’s face. One that mirrored her own. She moved her body to get as close to him as she brought herself in for another kiss, wrapping her leg over his waist and settling on his lap, his hands gripping her waist instinctively causing her to hips to grind into him. Both groaning at the sensation of feeling each other’s heat.

Her hands wandered over his chest and reached under his Henley, her fingers exploring his lean muscles that twitched under her contact. Impatient she tore the fabric, exploring the skin she revealed.

Klaus detached his lips from her for a brief moments, leaving her to snarl at him. He peeled her jacket and top off leaving her bra on as he too took his time exploring each piece of skin he exposed, leaving goosebumps all over her body as he gently touched her with his rough hands.

Caroline fumbled for his belt and Klaus stood up, gently making sure she was stood as they raced to take the rest of their clothes off, lips never leaving the others. Once the items were removed she pushed him back down into the sofa and climbed back on top of his lap. His hardened cock pressed by her thigh as she resumed to kissing him. His hands reached up to her shoulder, peeling the straps of her bra down her arms, trailing kisses down her neck and chest as her head rolled back. Moaning as the new sensation he was causing over her skin, he finally unclasped the pale pink bra and tossed it behind him, wrapping his mouth around her left perk nipple.

Grabbing his length carefully, she hovered over him before they locked in each other’s gaze and she sank onto him, forehead to forehead they breathed in the moment of finally being together as one. Slowly she began to move her hips, enjoying how he stretched and felt inside. They both moved in sync, mirroring each thrust, each caress, drawing moans of ecstasy from one another.

Caroline began kissing and nibbling Klaus’ neck and she felt her bloodlust spear around her eyes, her teeth inching out of her gums. “Bite me.” She whispered, her voice hoarse and husky. He looked up at her as she pulled her hair away, leaving her neck exposed and his eyes turned amber. His teeth bit into her the same time as she pierced his skin and his rich, warm blood exploded in her mouth as she finally reached her climax, feeling his essence release in her not long after. She lazily swayed her hips as they came down from their highs and she parted her teeth from his neck and licked her lips, trying to capture all of his blood, not wanting to wastes a drop.

Collapsing into him, she felt his fingers twirling strands of her hair. “Stay.” Caroline whispered, finally opening her heart up. Finally being honest with herself and to him.

Part two will precede for day 12, so keep a look out :)  Also, thanks Abby @3tinkgemini for looking over and calming me obsessiveness down ahaha

[cupidschance-blog]

Chapter Three

 One of Archer's favorite places in the world was at the Japanese Tea Garden in San Francisco, when the cherry blossoms trees were in bloom. The fragrance of the garden and the beauty of the trees seemed to draw in all kinds of people and today two of those people together would come together.

He had cloaked himself and sat beneath a cherry blossom tree; the light-colored petals littered the ground all around him and though he knew he should keep his mind on his work, he couldn't help but close his eyes and enjoy the blissful moment. 

"Sleeping on the job, Archer?"

He didn't have to open his eyes to know who had intruded on his peaceful moment. There were only so many beings that could see him cloaked.

The choice to remain silent danced around in his thoughts for a moment, knowing if he showed annoyance through his words, his peaceful day would come to an abrupt end. The other cupid would hover around him for the rest of the day just to annoy him further. Forcing a smile, he opened his eyes and glanced up at her. 

"Good afternoon, Evony. You are looking lovely today." Though his words were true, he loathed at the need to say them. Evony was one of the vainest cupids he knew and he had made the mistake of crushing her ego through rejection, but that never stopped her from trying over and over. The last thing Archer wanted was for her to think he was playing hard to get. She had a habit of sizing him up with a pair of bright blue eyes that could melt a man's heart in a second flat, and from what he knew about her, she did it often. As far as he knew, he was the only exception. 

"Thank you for noticing, though I must admit, I look this good every day," she said flashing her bright white teeth at him, causing him to shiver.

"I know." Archer said glancing down at his timepiece, he had about 20 more minutes before he needed to be on the job. He sighed then looked back up at her. 

Her presence was enough to annoy him but to dismiss her right now and not find out what was on her mind would end up keeping him up at night. Archer swallowed his pride and asked, "What can I do for you today, Evony?"

"Must I want something? Can't I be here because I enjoy your pleasant company?" She said as she swept blossom petals from her bare shoulder. The throaty coo in her voice, and the blatant attempt to draw his gaze from her eyes to her bare skin, sent another shiver through him. He had noticed it, how could he not? She was the only cupid that deviated from the normal white clothing choices and wore vivid red, tight and little material as if she needed any help to catch attention.

Leaning back against the tree, Archer crossed his arms over his chest and watched Evony. "You only visit when you do. It would be much easier if you told me what it is instead of playing games with me. I'm on a schedule," he said politely as possible, doing his best to hide his irritation.

Evony walked toward him, brushing her fingertips along his shoulder, then strode around the tree placing a hand on his other shoulder. She leaned down and whispered in his ear, "If only you would play my games, we both would have a lot more fun."

His lips formed a smile as he reached up and curled his fingers around her wrist, rubbing the pad of his thumb across the vein that ran along the underside of her wrist. "I enjoy a good game and I have denied myself such for too long," he said in a low tone. Archer brought her hand to his lips and placed a gentle kiss to her knuckle.

The Cupid watched Evony's expression shift from doubt to disbelief, then coming to rest with a victorious grin. Archer was laughing on the inside; Evony was so full of herself that she believed he was giving in after so long. He rose to his feet and drew her in, wrapping his arm around her waist and pressing her body against his. 

Gazing down into her dark eyes for a moment, he placed a soft kiss to her forehead then put his lips to her ear and whispered, "Now why don't you tell me why you're here before we go any further."

Evony trembled beneath his touch, a touch he knew she craved. She placed a hand on his chest and slid it up to his shoulder then the back of his neck, her fingers playing with his dark hair. "Ivar sent me to you, with a special assignment," the purr in her voice hitched as Archer's hands rested on her lower back. 

"It must be a rather important assignment to wrap it in such a... gorgeous package." Archer traced circles into her back with his fingertips causing her to press even closer to him. "What is the assignment?" He asked gripping at her waist and holding her in his arms. He knew he should feel guilty for his actions, playing her the fool, but this was something he watched her do to so many others and he was only giving her a taste of her own medicine. 

"Silas Carter Lockhart, Jr., another human The Fates have washed their hands of in trying to find a match. You are to take up the challenge in finding a mate. Ivar's exact message was when your list clears and you see the single name, your new assignment begins." 

Evony stretched up onto her tip toes, nipping at his chin, but Archer released his hold on her taking a step away to put distance between them.

"I'll have no other assignments while finding a match for a single person, with no suggestions from the Fates?" Archer asked perplexed.

This was the first time he had heard of the Fates issuing an assignment without a match already set for the person and he always had at least five names on his assignment list at a time that's why it was the assignment list.

"Are you sure that was the entire message? I should speak to Ivar or maybe I can schedule a time to see The Fates."

Evony closed in on Archer within a single step and wrapped her arms around his waist. "I'm just the messenger. I wasn't told of other assignments, but when do they ever tell us everything as it is, darling. Go take care of your current assignment, I'll be here," Evony purred unzipping the back of her dress and sliding the straps down her shoulders. 

Archer shook his head and said, "I told you I enjoy a good game, but this one is over."

Hurt and embarrassment shone on Evony's face before she slapped Archer across his face. "You will pay for that, you imp." 

"That will be enough, Evony," a raspy voice came from behind Archer. "That was cruel coming from you, Archer, but I respect that."

Evony huffed and pulled her dress back into place as Ivar Steele their Cupid assignment overseer stepped out from behind a cherry blossom tree with his hands resting casually in his white pants pockets, a color all cupids wore. Ivar's clear blue eyes shifted between the two cupids and a faint smirk touched his lips.

"Thank you for delivering the message, Evony. You may return to your assignments, I will finish things up."

The look on Evony's face silently screamed with anger and Archer knew she would not forget what he did to her. He wondered if it was even worth it considering now he would to have to watch his back for the next century... or two. A smile danced across his lips as he watched Evony, knowing she wanted to storm, rant, and rave, but she wouldn't do that in front of Ivar without consequence. 

Evony faded giving Archer a death glare on her way out.

Ivar looked to Archer and shook his head saying, "Baiting her was not the best idea."

"I know," Archer admitted, feeling like a child being scolded. Ivar was a friend, but he was also like a boss in the cupid world. Archer was always honest with Ivar so he confessed, "Sometimes I don't even understand how she can still be a cupid. The way she treats men, the things she gets away with... She doesn't even stick to the dress code colors."

Ivar laughed, "You don't have a crush on her, do you?"

Archer studied Ivar, thinking about the accusation a moment before responding. "No, I don't have a crush on her, this isn't one of those boy meets girl, boy gets annoyed with the girl then realizes he's in love with her moments. Since we met, she's just put me off and you know it, Ivar."

Ivar laughed again and said, "Well Archer my boy, not everyone is a rule abiding drone like you are. So, did our promiscuous friend tell you about the assignment the Fates have assigned for you? Because there wasn't a lot of talking going on from what I saw."

Archer said with a nod, "She told me the Fates were leaving it up to me to find a match for some guy, they are washing their hands of or something along that line. What is this all about, Ivar? I've never heard of them doing something like this before. Is this something you've done before you were promoted? Will I get anymore assignment during or after? It won't take long to find a match for this guy." Archer's watch beeped notifying Archer he was still on the clock. "Walk with me, I'm on the job and I still want answers."

Ivar obliged and followed along as Archer got to work.

He wasn't thrilled with how the day had turned out. It had been a normal peaceful afternoon, he wasn't prepared for his current assignment nor did he understand his new mysterious one. Archer tried to remain quiet as they walked along the path that led to the location where the current assignment couple would connect and Ivar answered none of the questions.

Archer could feel Ivar's gaze on him as he awaited this task, it made him uncomfortable. He wanted the information then to be alone to do his work, not wait for the answers.

Ivar stopped placed a hand on Archer's shoulder and said, "The Fates wouldn't have given you the assignment if they didn't think you could complete it. Have faith in yourself Archer, the cupid you have grown to be and you'll be fine. The Fates never give you more information than needed to let things fall into place."

"How can I feel good about this? The Fates have done nothing like this before, I feel like it's a test and they are waiting to see whether I pass or fail."

"If that is how you feel, then do whatever you need to do to make sure you don't fail. Archer, I don't think you understand how good this assignment could be for you. There are plenty of Cupids that would love to be in your place," Ivar said sounding a little intense. "I must go now," the cupid said with a smile then took a few steps away into a fade.

"Ivar," Archer Called out, catching the cupid before he faded. "Is it my only assignment or will there be others?" 

"That is up to the fates," Ivar said with a wink then disappeared before Archer could ask more.

A sudden weight settled on Archer's shoulders, he knew the Fates were testing him and he wasn't too sure if he was the right cupid for the challenge. It wouldn't be as bad if they had precedence in doing such a thing but to his knowledge, this was something unheard of which only lead to even more frustration. His own fate was unknown. He glanced down at his timepiece and cursed under his breath. Three minutes left, he was cutting it short.

A sigh parted his lips as he looked at his assignment list, only three names left when there were ten names this morning. Ignoring the last name, he concentrated on the two he was here to bring together now.

A smile lit up his face and lightened his heart as he read over the report. The two soul mates already knew each other. Match: Noah Addison and Grace Brayden Location: Japanese Tea Garden Time and Date: April 20th, 2015 1:27 pm  Noah Addison: 31-year-old high school basketball coach with two children, Matthew 8 and Melody 6. Three years into his marriage, his wife died giving birth to their daughter. Her death weighed heavy on him for years before he could even look at his daughter and not feel the grief of loss. 

The attached picture showed a handsome man that stood tall with short black hair and blue eyes. Though it didn't stand out in the photo, Archer could feel the love Noah had for his children and even the kids he coached. Grace Brayden: 27-year-old grade school teacher at the same school Noah's children attended. She was engaged for two years while her fiancé served in the Army, but while stationed in Germany he met another woman. He broke off their engagement over the telephone and even asked her to mail him the engagement ring. She was heartbroken and swore she would never love again. 

In the attached photo, she was at work finger painting with a student, the child smiling at the picture they were painting. Grace was beautiful with long dark brown hair and matching soulful eyes. 

Archer wondered, as he read her story if a cupid interfered with her previous relationship. Interfering with a committed relationship was against the rules, but as with all rules, there were exceptions. The Fates always had a plan.

Archer smiled and sighed at the feeling that accompanied his matches, bliss. These two deserved love, and they deserved each other, to make each other happy, and to forget about their past. He believed with his whole heart these two were a good match, another bulls-eye from the Fates arrow. He had a flicker of anxiousness about having to do what the Fates did and find his next assignment's mate but then brushed it off. Archer glanced at his wrist, it was time...