Fighting For Hope (The Hybrid and The Wolf - Book 3)

Chapter 21 - Fire with Fire

I was still sitting in my bedroom, gazing down at photos on my phone of Jackson and I or Jackson with Hope. These photos were taken after the wedding and just looking at them made me wanna cry. I was still struggling with the ultimatum my brother had given me, he wanted me to choose between him and the Originals and I . . . I just didn't know if I could.

"Nina!"

I stood up, alarmed as I put my phone away and walked out of the room towards Elijah's voice.

"Nina!" He shouted again as we approached each other.

"What is it?" I asked, annoyed.

I was still pissed Elijah compelled me, so I didn't care if I was being rude to him. He deserved it after what he did.

"Where is he?"

I furrowed my brows in confusion. "Where is who?"

"Niklaus."

"Where he was the last time I saw him," I answered in a bitter tone. "Daggered in a box."

Rebekah rushed towards us. "Not anymore. He's gone."

My eyes went wide as I looked between them. "What do you mean, 'he's gone'?"

"Exactly that. The coffin's empty and he is nowhere to be found."

"So, I will ask again, where is he?" Elijah said, accusingly.

I scoffed in disbelief. "How the hell should I know? I didn't take the dagger out. Thanks to your compulsion, I couldn't, no matter how much I wanted to."

Before Elijah and I could argue anymore, Rebekah intervened.

"It doesn't matter how he got loose, we have to find him. If I had to guess, I'd say he's planning a long list of cruel and unusual punishments for his treacherous siblings," she sighed as she looked at me. "Given that we have an ancient witch to kill, why don't you go look for him and try to reason with him. Ideally, before he goes ballistic."

I crossed my arms. "What  exactly am I suppose to say to him?"

"Look, anything is better than nothing, as long as it comes from you. You're the only person he'll listen to."

I uncrossed my arms and raised my brows at Rebekah. "Your brother is an unstable, paranoid narcissist with chronic mood swings and zero impulse control! Right now, he's furious because the people he loves most literally stabbed him in the heart!" I looked at Elijah with a glare before returning my gaze to Rebekah. "That is his worst fear come true. What makes you think he'll listen to anyone, least of all me?"

"Please, Nina!" She pleaded, exasperated. "Isn't it clear by now? He fancies you!"

I was stunned into silence. What?

I looked at Elijah, who tried to keep his face void of emotion but it was clear that this revelation made him uncomfortable.

I turned around, trying to process what I just heard. Klaus fancies me? He has feelings for me?

I faced Elijah and Rebekah again. "What about Cami? He listens to her too."

"Nik doesn't love Cami, he loves you!" Rebekah stressed. "Right now, the only person who can get through to him is you!"

Hearing her say that he loves me made my heart skip, I took a deep shaky breath before getting my phone out and dialling his number. He wasn't answering.

"Fine," I sighed. "I'll go look for him."

I quickly walked out of the compound and ventured into the storm raging outside in search of Klaus.