A New Chance

The Hollow

Hope POV:

Mom had taken point on rescuing all the captured werewolves that Lucien had taken. Dad had joined her, stealing anything of value that we might want. Mom had decided to kill the doctors and anyone who had been paid to look the other way. Dad found two vials that were in specially cooled containers, he had hybrids take special care with bringing those back to the Compound.

I had discovered that it was the Upgraded Original Vampire Serum. I decided that the only people responsible with power like that would be Mom and myself. Dad and Elijah sat with Mom and me, we drank the serum and Dad broke Mom's neck and Elijah broke mine. Mom and I woke up feeling stronger than ever. I never expected to feel stronger than I was in the past.

Mom and I were on a bender on the outskirts of the city when we noticed that birds just started dropping dead. "We need to get home now." I told her, taking her arm and rushing us home. Henrik and his Heretics had been siphoning off Inadu's bones, keeping her at bay. But seeing as the Harvest wasn't performed, the ancestors couldn't hold her back anymore. We placed the bones in one circle and the stone slab that Amara was in another.

The Heretics and my Coven joined together, chanting. Working to merge the trapped immortal with the evil spirit. While Inadu is incredibly powerful, Qetsiyah's spell kept her firmly trapped. "This couldn't have been better timing, there was a bunch of dead birds where we came from." Mom told everyone. "She is the bringer of destruction and death, it is no surprise she would cause apocalyptic events." Henrik responded rubbing his palms together.

We decided to wait on destroying the Hollow. Wanting to see if peace could be discussed. We kept the bones and the trapped Doppelgänger in their circles while we waited. Dad had decided to throw a fundraiser for the city, later having the vampires feed. Jackson had messaged me about two dead teen pack members. I rushed out to the bayou, finding herbs and poisons nearby. I climbed the nearest tree finding a pattern along the forest floor. At first it looked like a large circle, but then I realized it was the snake eating its own tail.

"Was this vampires working with witches?" Jackson asked. "No, this is the product of witches following an ancient and malevolent dead witch. She is the starter of the werewolf curse. It's a long story, we have her trapped but her followers are another story. Leave this to me to get this sorted. Even the hybrids wouldn't be safe, dealing with this." I responded. He nodded, walking off having people bring the bodies back to give them a proper send off.

I pulled out my phone, texting Mom and Elijah that Dominic the High Priest of the Hollow was back in New Orleans. I returned to the Compound, having the Heretics, my Coven and the Hybrids all in one place. The Heretics and my Coven did multiple protection and boundary spells preventing anyone who meant us harm from entering. Mom and I were the only two that could leave the Compound, the two truly immortals in the family. We were patrolling the perimeter separately, when I heard Mom struggle.

I rushed to her side of the house, finding three dead witches, Mom pinned about six feet in the air, against the house. "If you want her to be released you'll do exactly as I say." Dominic said, folding his hand into a ball. Mom started coughing up blood, it hurt to see her in pain but I knew he couldn't kill her. "We'll see about that." I replied putting my hand up in a catching position. His heart shot out of his chest and into my hand.

We killed the rest of the witches, cutting off their heads to ensure they wouldn't come back. I dragged Dominic into the Compound, placing magical inhibitor bracelets on his wrists. We sat him in a chair, Josie and Lizzie sat behind him, ensuring he couldn't use his magic if he got the bracelets off. He soon woke up, looking about and then down at his chest laughing. "The Hollow grants me life a second time." He smiled victoriously.

"The only reason you are going to continue to live, for now, is because I'm going to speak with the Hollow. If she is willing to make an arrangement with me then she and you will continue to live. But if she doesn't concede, then you both shall die." I told him, getting low and in his face. "The Hollow will see us through." He said leaning forward. I headbutted him, almost fracturing his skull. "You should know that my family and I don't take to threats, or intimidation." I told him, standing up fully.

"Elijah, my first protector. You've been my guardian angel of sorts since before I was born. Im placing you in charge of protecting everyone while I deal with Inadu." I told him. He stood straighter, nodding and standing over Dominic. "All will be well." He replied. I entered the circle containing the first Doppelgänger, resting my hand on the top of her forehead. I closed my eyes and heard everyone gasp. I open my eyes seeing a familiar face. "Hey Hope, don't worry I'm not here for you or any members of your family. I'm here for these two, nice work bringing them to me." Death told me.

Suddenly we were all washed in Death's red light, we could hear two different screams as the stone slab disappeared along with Inadu's bones. "Thank you, Death." I said aloud even though she wasn't there anymore. "That was Death?" Josie asked motioning to the area where she once stood. "Yeah, pretty cool right?" Henrik answered. "She delivered us here, a couple years ago now." I continued.

"Not looking too good for you, Dominic." I said turning to the High Priest. "She will see me through." He said, blindly trusting in Inadu. "You are a fucking idiot." Lizzie told him, scoffing as she siphoned away all his magic. We took the bracelets off, not needing them anymore. "Anyone hungry?" I asked looking around. Three of the Hybrids grabbed him, feeding on him ravenously. "Dad, your Hybrids seem to be starving. I think it's time we have a party." I told him, smirking. Knowing how much our family loves a party.

"I quite agree, I could do with a proper blood bath." Kol said, rubbing his hands together excitedly. "And that's my queue to go home." Davina said aloud, kissing Kol and heading off to their shared space. Everyone went out to the streets, putting word out with the tourists to come check out the party scene at the Compound.  I walked around, tequila bottle in hand, looking for Mom. I found her in what would have been my nursery.

"Want to drink and walk about the city?" I asked holding the bottle up. "Sounds like a plan." She responded, smiling sadly. We were walking down Bourbon Street when we were stopped by cops. "Excuse me, can I see some I.D.?" The officer asked stepping in front of us. "Walk away." Mom compelled him. "No I'm good, I.D. or spend some time in the squad car." He responded.

Mom looked to me and back. We both shared the same thoughts, he's either supernatural or on vervain. His partner wasn't paying attention, looking at the street vendors. I grabbed him and Mom, rushing a couple streets away. I bit into his neck, covering his mouth with my hand. "Vervain." I told her, snapping his neck and dropping him. We went up to Royal Street, getting fresh frozen drinks, continuing on our path. "We might have some backlash from that." Mom said, sipping her drink.

"All of us are tough enough to take it. If the human faction wants to start something over one dead cop, we can meet them with just the two of us."  I responded, motioning to get a fresh drink. I can't really get drunk but if I drink enough I do get a mean buzz going. We returned to the Compound in time for the feast, finding the music in full swing. Mom and I separated each finding our own target to feed from.