The Causes Of Destiny - Elijah Mikaelson

Chapter One: A New Beginning, A Dark Welcome

Lily Ashford sat in the backseat of the car, watching the unfamiliar streets of New Orleans blur past the window. The historic buildings and crowded sidewalks gave off an eerie sense of both life and death. The air was thick, heavy with something she couldn't quite place.

Her adoptive father, Ross Stirling, sat in the driver's seat, quietly navigating through the narrow streets. Beside him, his son, James, lounged casually, tapping his fingers on the dashboard. To anyone else, they looked like an ordinary family—at least on the surface. But Lily knew there was something about the Stirling men that felt...different. She couldn't explain it, just like she couldn't explain the odd things that had been happening to her recently.

The dreams had started shortly after Ross announced their move to New Orleans—a city she had only ever heard about in stories. Visions of ancient symbols, shadowy figures, and whispers in a language she didn't understand haunted her nights. They left her restless, staring at the ceiling long after the visions faded.

"Are you sure this is a good idea?" Lily finally asked, her voice soft, cutting through the quiet hum of the engine.

Ross glanced at her in the rearview mirror. "New Orleans is a city of opportunity. Fresh start for all of us."

James smirked without turning his head. "You'll love it here. Besides, it's a city with secrets. Just like us."

Lily frowned. She always got the feeling James knew more than he let on. He'd been distant, even protective in his own quiet way, ever since her parents died. And though she appreciated Ross taking her in when she was only eight, there were questions she'd never asked him. Questions she was now beginning to feel she should have.

As they turned onto a quieter street, the car slowed in front of an old, elegant house that looked as though it had been standing for centuries. The house was grand but weathered, as though it had witnessed countless stories and secrets within its walls.

"Home sweet home," James said, pushing open the door before stepping out. Lily followed, taking a deep breath as she looked around. The atmosphere was different here—charged with an energy she didn't quite understand.

While Ross and James unloaded the car, Lily wandered up the front steps, her fingers trailing along the wrought iron railings. She stood on the porch, feeling the weight of the city's history pressing down on her. She closed her eyes for a moment, hoping for calm, but all she could feel was a growing sense of unease.

Suddenly, a sharp pain shot through her temples. She gasped, clutching her head. Images flashed before her eyes—a dark alley, flickering shadows, blood on the ground. Then, just as quickly as the vision came, it was gone. Her heartbeat thundered in her ears as she staggered back, catching herself on the porch railing.

"Lily?" Ross's voice broke through her daze. She blinked, realizing he had been watching her. "You okay?"

"Yeah," she lied, brushing it off. "Just...jet lag or something."

But deep down, she knew that wasn't the case. Something was happening to her, and it had been ever since they decided to move here.

---

That night, after settling into her new room, Lily lay awake, staring at the ceiling. The air outside was humid, the muffled sounds of the French Quarter drifting through the open window. She closed her eyes, hoping for sleep, but it never came.

Instead, she heard footsteps outside her window.

Frowning, she sat up and peered through the sheer curtains. A man stood in the courtyard below, dressed in a crisp suit, his hands clasped behind his back. He was tall, his presence commanding despite the stillness of the night around him. The moonlight reflected off his dark hair, casting an almost ethereal glow around him.

Who was he? What was he doing here? Her heart raced as she watched, frozen by some inexplicable force.

The man turned his head slightly, and for a brief moment, their eyes met. A cold shiver ran down Lily's spine. There was something intense about him—something dangerous and ancient.

Without saying a word, he turned and disappeared into the shadows, leaving Lily breathless.

She collapsed back onto her bed, her mind racing. Something told her that this was only the beginning. New Orleans was far more than just a new home. It was a gateway to something she couldn't yet understand. And the man she had just seen was part of it.