persephone's orchard : k.m.

rayna - chapter 39 part 3

'Klaus'

Astrid had sat down with the gentleman in the bar as the two exchanged awkward glances, the hybrid woman seemed confused to see Stefan seem unsure of her husband's demeanour. Klaus only smirked, expressing amusement to the vampire's confusion. 'As I live and breathe' Stefan turned more to face his old partner in crime.

'Stefan Salvatore in the Crescent City.. this ought to be good.. or entertainingly bad.'

That was when Astrid caught on.

'Hm. Well I'm just in town for a little R&R... hate to disappoint.' He replied and took a sip of his drink, provoking Astrid to pipe up. 'What a coincidence he chose this bar in particular.' She hummed while looking at Nik and the vampire looked between the two, trying to keep up a failing act. He changed the subject quite quickly, 'So, how are Elijah and everyone else you brought back from the dead?'

Nik shot back quickly, 'Oh, you know the Mikaelsons. Never a dull moment.'

Damon Salvatore had impeccable timing as he confirmed the Mikaelsons suspicions. Stefan's phone almost seemed to be an alarm and Nik made it obvious, 'You know what mate.. my wife here was quite right. Out of all the gin shacks in New Orleans you pick the one that keeps you hidden from locator spells.'

'Damon and I had a bit of an argument.. I didn't want to be found.'

Klaus looked back at Astrid with an eyebrow raised as she sighed and stood up, sauntering over to the pair and slinging an arm over Stefan.

'Well, let's keep your brother occupied then mhm?'

...

'So.. where were we? Siphon babies.. vampire witch heretics. You've been having quite a bit of fun since you last crossed paths with my husband.'

Niklaus was off ordering more drinks whilst the two chatted and of course Astrid couldn't help herself. Something that always caught Nik was Astrid's need to only refer to him as her husband in front of someone else, never by his name.

'Yes well, let's not mention that Caroline nearly died in childbirth and that the babies aren't actually hers..' he trailed off as the hybrid's ears pricked up, as her husbands did too.

'Caroline..' Astrid allowed the name to drip off her tongue like intoxicating venom, recalling the fight with Tyler Lockwood. 'I've heard that name before.'

'What was your relationship like with him back in Mystic Falls? What was he like with your friends too?'

Stefan almost choked on his drink, 'Well..'

The tone had instantly changed as the Salvatore was almost grateful Klaus wasn't sat at the table, yet he was still listening.

'He wasn't the man you know now, Astrid. I'm not sure if I should tell you.'

'You think I don't know how evil my husband can be?'

'All I know now is that the man I see today isn't the one I knew then. He walked through the door and looked completely different.' Stefan sat back in his chair, tapping his glass, 'Something tells me it's got to do with you.'

Astrid almost felt humbled as she smiled with a tight lip, leaning back in her chair also and looking back over at Nik, 'Someone's gotta keep him from himself.'

Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed red appear on his blue shirt and frowned, keeping an eye on it as it grew bigger - in the form of an X.

Her heart dropped through her stomach as she stood up with a flared anger, only muttering one name.

'Rayna.'