Claudia Lockwood-Mikaelson

Chapter 30 - Attempted Murder

Pressing the final submit button to take a leave of absence from Stanford, I sigh. I know I'm doing the right thing. I'm not physically well enough to go back to university at the moment, however much I'd like to pretend Nik's concerns about my health are unfounded.

I spoke with him the other night and discussed staying here until the hex is broken, if it ever is. He was happy with my decision as he was reluctant for me to go back anyway, thinking the hex will gain a stronger influence on my mind without him to watch over me like a hawk.

I get up to find my mate and tell him about finalising my decision, walking down the stairs carefully. The last thing I want to do is pass out again making Nik decide not to let me out of his sight until he finds a way to reverse the hex. My eyes are immediately drawn to a man lingering in the doorway looking around, someone I never would have expected to be here.

"Tyler?"

He blinks, "Claudia?"

I give him a hug and he stiffens, not returning my gesture. "What's wrong?" I ask him. He obviously wasn't expecting me.

"What's wrong? What's wrong? Why are you here? With them?" He points at Nik and Elijah who have arrived, hearing our voices from another room. "You look so ill," he comments on my emaciated body.

"I'm staying here at the moment," is all I explain. No need to tell him about the hex. Why is he here?

"With the Mikaelsons? Why? I thought you were at Stanford."

"She's my mate," Nik says proudly draping an arm around my waist. I'm annoyed he is trying to purposefully irritate my cousin and upset him more. Can't he be nice to him for once?

"Your what?" Tyler grits out menacingly focusing on Nik's arm around me.

"We're mates Tyler," I tell him and his eyes flit between us.

"With Klaus?" He questions in disbelief. "How could you Claudia? Do you know what he did to your mum? My mum? To me?"

"Yes I know, but he's my mate. You have to understand that." To him I must sound crazy, he's right, Nik has harmed our family just out of spite. But we're mates. And an Original's mate bond is so precious and rare, I couldn't deny it even if I wanted to. I love him.

"He killed my mum. He killed your mum. And you're here warming his bed. It's disgusting."

I don't respond, I have nothing to say. I can't expect him to forgive Nik as I have done so easily. But I do want them both to leave it all in the past and stop making each other's lives a misery.

"If you are not here for Claudia, why are you in New Orleans?" Elijah asks and I'm grateful for his interruption. I don't want to listen to Tyler's harsh words.

"I told you I would kill you if I ever saw you again," Nik announces when Tyler doesn't answer. "And yet here you are, seeking me out. For some ridiculous revenge plan no doubt."

My mouth opens and I gape at him. Surely he won't, he must know I would hate it if he kills Tyler.

"You think you're untouchable don't you Klaus?" Tyler sneers.

"I'm an Original hybrid. I can't be killed. You're foolish to think you can try," Nik declares arrogantly. My nerves are on edge as I sense both men's wrath and hatred for one another. They're going to tear each other's throats out if they get the chance.

"Niklaus, I do believe we can come to some sort of agreement. Claudia will certainly not be pleased if you kill him, and he cannot kill you," Elijah says diplomatically.