𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐬

𝟷

Mississippi River, 1717

They were hiding in various spots on the ship that the men they heard from ashore step onto, listening in on their conversation.

"Where in hell is everyone?"

"Deserted. Which makes everything in the hold legally forfeit. Take what suits you."

"What do you make of that?"

"Open it up."

"What the hell?!"

Aeliana smirked, assuming they must have found Kol or Finn with daggers in their bodies.

"Hello," she could now hear Rebekah, making her shoot up from her coffin and vamp sped past the men, making them look in the direction.

"Lovely to see such a handsome face after a long journey," she whispered from behind the one man, making him jump.

Rebekah nodded her head in agreement. "Can I eat him, brother?"

"I'd rather you didn't," Aeliana heard the voice of her husband behind her.

"But I'm so hungry, Eli. The journey was just way too long," she pouted in her husband's direction, who just chuckled and planted a small kiss on her forehead.

Elijah looked into the man's eyes. "There's no need to be afraid. And do exactly as I say. You will remember nothing."

"I will remember nothing."

"We've had a very long journey, wherein which, unfortunately, we lost all of our crew," he gave a pointed look at the two girls who just smirked. "Therefore, I will ask you kindly to transport our belongings to the shore."

The man looked between them all. "What kind of hell demons are you?"

"We're vampires, darling. The Original vampires: Rebekah, Elijah, along with his dear wife Aeliana, our brothers Kol and Finn, may they rest in peace," Rebekah explained.

Aeliana shrugged. "I'm not actually an Original vampire, but you get the point."

They heard Nik finally make his appearance. "Are we saving the best for last?"

"And our half-brother, Niklaus. Ignore him; he's a beast."

They looked over at him, the first man was now a dead body drained of blood. Nik's face was vamped out as he pushed the body to the ground, making Elijah look at him disappointed.

"How come he got to feed but Rebekah and I didn't!"

"We fled Europe and survived the seas. Would you rather I arrive hungry on the shores of our new homeland?" Nik gave a pointed look.

"Niklaus, your manners are, as always, without equal," he looked away from Nik and over to the man. "Sir, would you be so good as to tell us where it is that we have landed?"

"The French colony of Louisiana, off the shores of a town they have named New Orleans."

"Thank you so much. Oh, I do recommend that you find yourself further assistance for the luggage. My sincere apologies," Elijah commanded as he linked arms with Aeliana and walked off.