The Prophecy

Chapter 24

Lizzie's POV: I sat back against the wall, holding Josie in my arms, as I sighed under my breath. "I always dreamed about what my wedding day would look like", I admitted, wiping a bead of sweat away from Josie's head. "Never, in my seventeen years of living, did I think I was gonna be killed", I huffed, causing Josie to groan. "I know. 'There's more important things to be worrying about than your wedding, Lizzie'. Yeah, well, I thought that I was finally getting my happily ever after", I sighed, pushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "I just wish we could go home...", I whispered tearfully, trying to ignore the blood coating my clothes. "We didn't have much, but at least you wouldn't be bleeding to death in my arms again", I sniffed.

"Prin-Lizzie", I heard someone whisper, causing me to look up into emerald eyes. 

"Penelope", I frowned questionably. "What are you doing down here? Have they decided to move the time", I asked her.

"Keep your voice down", she hissed, unlocking the cell as she took a vial out of her pocket. 

"What the hell is that", I demanded.

"It's vampire blood. I have a contact", she waved me off, tilting Josie's head back as she poured the substance down her throat.

"I'd rather her die than become a vampire", I glared.

"This isn't what this is about", she sighed,

"Then-"

"Hope Mikaelson disappeared last night", she admitted, causing me to frown in confusion. 

"What does this have to do with us", I questioned.

"I have sources that claim that they saw a figure exiting Hope's room last night. Does she look familiar to you", she questioned, showing me a photograph as I felt anger burn in my chest.

"Dana...", I said, looking away from the photo.

"We believe that they staged what happened yesterday to isolate Hope. They needed her alone, and you were merely a loose end", she explained as I eyed her cautiously.

"How do you know all this", I asked her hesitantly.

"Because Hope's father, Klaus, hired her to look after his daughter", Josie mumbled, opening her eyes.

"Josie, oh my God...", I laughed, pulling her into a hug as she groaned.

"Still a little sore", she winced, causing me to immediately pull away apologetically. 

"How did you know", Penelope asked Josie in surprise. 

"The necklaces. It had a protection charm on it, but the magic signature didn't exactly match yours, and I got curious", she shrugged, pulling the neck out from under her shirt. "I would've been dead if it wasn't for you", she smiled, leaning forward to place a kiss on Penelope's cheek.

"Aww, is the brave knight blushing", I teased as Penelope smiled shyly. 

"Shut up, Princess asshole", she muttered, causing me to chuckle. "We need to focus", Penelope said seriously. "If what you say is true, then I believe that they may have taken Hope back to the Kingdom Of Light", she said.

"It would make sense. The King and Queen must've sent us ahead as a distraction while they plotted to take Hope right under everyone's nose", Josie nodded.

"So we're the scapegoats", I scowled. "Great", I huffed.

"There's more", Penelope admitted. "I've been tracking these guys for years, and they're not exactly very discreet", she sighed. "You need to know that your mother's death was no accident", she told us, causing my blood to turn to ice. 

"They're taking down the royal families", Josie spoke up, causing Penelope to send her a look. "I overheard them talking last night", she mumbled as Penelope grumbled under her breath.

"Great, in my years of working here, you managed to put together half of it in just days", she huffed.

"Wait, what does our mother have to do with the royal family", I asked Penelope in confusion.

"Hope's father was anything but foolish, Lizzie. He knew you weren't a Salvatore from the moment you stepped foot inside our gates", she shrugged.

"How", Josie frowned.

"Well, for starters, he's aware that Elena's child is no older than twelve years old", she scoffed. "But it wasn't until that incident in the dinning hall that he knew the truth. The way you stood up to him that day? It was as if he was meeting her for the first time all over again. He made the mistake of talking down to Caroline's servant, Bonnie", she smiled as tears filled my eyes. "That was the first time anyone has ever stood up to your father", she chuckled before meeting Josie's eyes. 

"He had a soft spot for your mother, so when he learned about the assassinations of the royal families, he warned Caroline to disappear", she explained. "He was devastated when he heard about your mom, but after you showed up at his door, he knew that her legacy would live on, and that gave him hope", she sighed, taking both of our hands into hers. "You are the last of the royal family", she nodded as Josie and I exchanged shocked expressions.