Claudia Lockwood-Mikaelson

Chapter 22 - Witchy interference

I wake up to Jannah, no Celeste, at my side. I look up at her confused as her eyes widen in shock. She was clearly expecting me to be asleep. I pull myself up on my elbows fighting the drowsiness I feel.

"Celeste? What are you doing here?" I ask her.

"I wanted to talk to you," she says and I'm immediately cautious not trusting a word she says. "I'm not sure what Maeve's told you about me."

"Maybe the fact that your not actually Jannah, you're Celeste taking over her body?" I suggest to her rudely. "Why are you here? I don't want to be friends if you continue to steal Elijah's attention away from his mate."

"Wow I'm surprised Nik finally told you," she says to me. "I suppose I shouldn't have underestimated the strength of an Originals' mate bond. It has been getting in the way of Elijah remembering his love for me. Made my spell rather difficult."

I narrow my eyes at her. "What spell?"

"Oh it's tricky little spell, took me ages to do it properly," she says vaguely before making it clear to me. "It will overpower Elijah and Maeve's bond and he will only want me."

"No you can't do that," I struggle to get out of bed as she uses her magic to hold me down. Where is everyone? Surely they can hear us?

"I can and I have honey. But not to worry I have my own plans for you. Would you like to know before you forget this conversation?"

I don't answer her glaring at her angrily. I can't believe this is the same woman who I used to go out for brunch with, who was so kind and welcoming to me, showing me around New Orleans.

"No?" She laughs at me. "Well you'll find out after a while no need to worry. Klaus will never be able to prove this was me. It will destroy him."

She reaches out and holds my hand tightly and I can't pull away. After muttering some words I don't recognise she smiles at me. It's unnerving to see the same kind smile on her face now as when I first met her. She's anything but kind.

"What have you done to me?" I demand answers from her as anxiety builds up in my chest.

"I thought you didn't want to know honey? Don't worry, I'll be back soon." She answers me and I slowly feel exhaustion building up until I can't keep my eyes open any longer.

Nik rushes into my room worriedly waking me up. "Are you alright love?" He asks when he sees me.

"Yes of course, are you okay?" I respond sleepily.

"I felt something through the bond." He studies me carefully.

"I just woke up, I'm fine Nik. Did you speak to Elijah last night? I couldn't find Maeve."

"Yes, he's being incredibly stubborn. He wouldn't answer me when I asked about him and Celeste. They're downstairs discussing our plan on controlling the witches with Marcel now."

"You didn't tell him we know about the kiss did you?" I say worriedly.

"No of course not love,  I did promise." He smiles at me and I'm grateful it for.

"Thank you," I smile back at him and he climbs on the bed next to me raising an eyebrow at me as if daring me to stop him. I don't. I lay my head on his chest.

"Can you tell me more about mates?" My request is happily received as he picks up where we left off last night. I learn a lot from him as he talks.

"I'll have to mark you, biting your neck. It's the first stage of completing our bond which will then strengthen. After mating, when we have sex, the bond will be complete. Everything we experience now will be much stronger."