Hurricane / The Originals

Chapter 10

I lay sprawled on the deck of the dilapidated shack, the weight of the unfolding drama settling heavily on my tired body. Elijah stood beside me, his presence a quiet anchor amidst the chaos, while Hayley was locked in a tense explanation about the information Tyler had relayed.

"Klaus must have known," Hayley declared, frustration seeping into her voice. "It's the only explanation that makes sense. He couldn't care less about the baby. He just wants her born so he can use her to create more sired hybrids." She gestured towards the lifeless body lying some distance away, a grim testament to the situation.

I had nothing to add, my thoughts swirling in a haze of exhaustion. Elijah remained silent, absorbing the weight of Hayley's words and the gravity of the situation.

"I should take you guys home," Elijah suggested, his voice a calm offer in the midst of the storm.

"I won't be able to move for weeks. I hate nature," I replied, my voice tinged with resignation. As Elijah extended his hand, I let him help me to my feet. His strength was effortless, lifting me with ease despite my dead weight.

Hayley scoffed, her expression a mix of disbelief and frustration. "Are you serious? Home to what?"

"Regardless of my brother's intentions," Elijah said, his tone firm, "mine remain unchanged. I promised to protect you—even if that means standing against Klaus himself."

"I can take care of myself. I've been doing it for a long time," Hayley snapped, her voice sharp with frustration. Without another word, she stormed off, leaving Elijah to follow in a bid to calm her. I sighed, feeling that any attempt to get involved now would only make things worse. Resigned, I trudged over to the steps and sank down, accepting that we'd be stuck here for a while.

Minutes ticked by, the silence broken only by the rustling of leaves and the distant chirps of crickets. Just when I thought I might have some peace, Klaus emerged from the woods, his presence as commanding and unnerving as ever. His eyes zeroed in on me, a smirk curling on his lips as he took in my attempt at what could only be described as an awkward form of relaxation.

"Well, well, what do we have here?" Klaus's voice was smooth, almost playful, as he approached. "Trying to catch some rays while the world burns around you?"

I looked up, trying to muster some semblance of defiance despite my weariness. "Just needed a break. Your baby mama is out for blood, and I'm exhausted so I was not in the mood to chase after her."

He sauntered closer, his gaze flickering with a mix of curiosity and mischief. "Look at you—caught in the crossfire of family drama. It's almost poetic."

I shook my head, glancing toward the direction Hayley and Elijah had gone. "Poetic, huh? More like exhausting."

Klaus chuckled, a low, dangerous sound that sent a shiver down my spine. "Exhausting, indeed. But isn't that what makes it all so fascinating? I have a feeling this is just the beginning." He said, his gaze shifting to Dwayne's body lying in the corner. "And who might this unfortunate fellow be?"

I glanced at the dead hybrid with a touch of grimness. "No way I'm not involved with that . Leave me out of it."

Klaus's smirk widened as he leaned casually against a nearby post, his eyes locked onto mine with an unsettling intensity. "He's a hybrid, isn't he?"

"Well, 'was' a hybrid would be a more accurate term," I replied, closing my eyes as I tried to focus on calming my racing thoughts.

Klaus moved closer, his voice dropping to a low, flirtatious murmur. "Why so tired, love? I'd have thought you'd have more stamina."