Hurricane / The Originals

Chapter 16

Dinner ended earlier than expected for both Hayley and me. When Hayley stormed off, I quickly got up to follow her.

"I have to stop him," Hayley said, her frustration palpable as she paced the hallway.

I leaned against the wall, arms crossed. "I know, Hayls, but what can you really do?"

She sighed deeply, a mix of anger and helplessness in her voice. "I don't know. But that's my family."

She started toward the side of the corridor where a door to the outside was. I muttered under my breath, "Nothing can ever be easy," and followed the pregnant werewolf on what seemed like a suicide mission.

As Hayley reached the door, I was only a few feet behind her, nearly free.

"Going somewhere?" Diego's voice came from a dark corner, making me tense.

"Well, that's not creepy," I said, crossing my arms. Diego started to approach, but before he could get far, Elijah appeared, grabbing Diego and slamming him against the wall, breaking his neck with a swift motion.

"Elijah, you shouldn't be here. Klaus has his guys watching me," Hayley said, her voice a mix of relief and irritation.

Elijah shrugged. "I wouldn't worry about them."

Just then, Rebekah came around the corner, dispatching two vampires who had been hiding there.

Elijah motioned for us to move. "Come, we mustn't linger. We'll get you someplace safe."

"No," Hayley protested. "You don't have to worry about me. I'm under Klaus's protection. It's the werewolves who need help. He's ordered a hunt as some twisted peace offering to Marcel's crew. You have to help them."

Rebekah's eyes widened in disbelief. "Out in the Bayou? Do we look like a bloody vampire-rescue squad to you? You should be grateful we came to save you!"

"Listen, Rebekah," Hayley said, her voice firm and desperate. "All my life, I've wanted to know who my real family was. And just as I find out they're out there in the Bayou, Klaus orders their deaths. If you want to help me, help my people. Please."

Both vampires glanced at me, almost as if they were silently asking me to talk some sense into Hayley. But I only sighed, questioning my decision to wear a tank top about to go into the bayou, and started toward the front door.

"Where are you going?" Elijah's voice was sharp, pulling me from my thoughts.

"I'm heading to the Bayou," I replied, continuing to walk. "You wouldn't want me to go there alone, would you?"

I could hear Rebekah's laughter behind me as both vampires footsteps joined mine.

—

I hate the Bayou. It ruins every pair of shoes I own, and the mosquitoes seem to have a personal vendetta against me. Not to mention, every time I'm here, it's either running to or away from supernatural beings. My parents would roll over in their graves if they could see me now.

I was pulled from my thoughts by a cold hand on my bare shoulder. I turned quickly, coming face-to-face with Elijah.

"Yes?" I asked, trying to keep my tone steady.

Without a word, Elijah gently turned me back around. He reached out, pulling my tank top down just enough to reveal the birthmark on my back. I felt his thumb brush over the skin where the mark was.

"Have you never seen a birthmark before?" I asked, laughing to break the tension.

"I've seen them before," he said quietly, pulling his hand away. The tank top slid back up, nearly covering the mark again.

"Yeah, I've had it since birth. It's a funny-looking thing, isn't it? It looks like a moon."

"A crescent moon," he corrected softly.

Our conversation was abruptly interrupted by Diego's voice. "Hey, they're obviously here. Fan out, find 'em, and bring me some heads!"

I locked eyes with Rebekah and Elijah. In a flash, they disappeared, reappearing a few meters away from Diego. I could see and hear them from my spot, so I stayed put.

"I'd rather you didn't," Elijah said, his voice carrying a hint of command.

"The hell are you doing out here?" Diego demanded, his tone dripping with arrogance.

"I've come to suggest you seek other hunting grounds," Elijah replied, his tone calm and measured.

Diego shrugged. "Suggestion noted..."

Instead of backing off, Diego attempted to move past Elijah. Rebekah stepped in, her presence intimidating.

"Oh Diego," Rebekah said, her voice sweet but dangerous. "It would be such a shame to have to rearrange that pretty face."

She swung at him, but Diego caught her arm, stopping the punch mid-air.

"What the hell do you care about wolves?" Diego sneered.

"Generally, I don't. However, this particular clan is not to be touched," Elijah said, his smile a thin veneer of politeness. "Goodbye."

Rebekah leaned in, her smile deceptively sweet. "Bye."

"Yeah bye" I say walking towards the group.

Diego waved his fellow vampires off. "Nothing here anyway."

He whistled, and the hunting party left.

"Ah, great. I think our job here is done," Rebekah said, sounding relieved.

Elijah, however, was still alert. "Not quite."

He vamp-speeds away, finding Eve standing by a tree, waiting for them. After a moment, Rebekah followed again, having me trek through the mud to get to them.

"We're not here to harm you. Hello again, Eve, was it?" Elijah greeted.

Rebekah added, "One of Hayley's litter-mates, I presume?"

Eve nodded. "Hayley sent you here to protect us, didn't she? Tell her we appreciate the concern, but we've been looking out for ourselves for a while now. Nobody finds us unless we want to be found." Eve doesn't try to hide the look she is giving me, mixed with confusion. But that seems to be a common thing I've been getting ever since I've been fraternizing with this family.

Rebekah raised an eyebrow. "Well, we found you, so..."

Eve gave her a pointed look. "Like I said, there's something I thought you and your family should know about."

Eve began walking along the path, holding a stake and a map, leading the way for Elijah, Rebekah and me.