Always and Forever (The Hybrid and The Wolf - Book 7)

Chapter 8 - The Kindness of Strangers

The inside of the compound was shown as a storm raged outside.

Klaus: (voiceover) "These are the tombs of the living, wherein we rot alongside memories of our dead. Crowded with people we've failed and those who have failed us. We are forced to struggle with those we love."

Klaus was leaning against the railing of the balcony.

Elijah stood in the room behind him. "Every last exit is sealed." Klaus turned around, walking closer. "If you're thinking about jumping, don't. I already tried it. I landed in the world's most pretentious wine cellar."

"You sorted it by vintage," Klaus told him. Elijah furrowed his brows. "You don't remember, do you? I thought Marcel was intent to retrieving your memories."

"He was," Elijah replied. "He failed. I still remember absolutely nothing. Antoinette is dying."

"Is she?" Klaus asked, sarcastically. "Right, yes. I'd forgotten."

"What the hell are we doing here?" Elijah asked. "What is this place? This is dangerous, you and I here together."

"We're not actually here together, are we?" Klaus replied. "Not physically, at least." He sighed. "It's called a chambre de chasse. It's a magical, mental prison designed to resemble our home. But don't worry, there's always a way out. A game or a riddle."

"How do we solve this riddle?" Elijah inquired.

"We don't do anything," Klaus told him, walking closer. "We're square, you and I. You got Nina killed and Antoinette will die because of me. I would hate to upset that delicate balance. So I'm gonna find my way out and you're on your own."

Klaus walked away, leaving.

~*~*~

Klaus walked downstairs into the courtyard. He looked at the portrait of Elijah, which was slashed and covered with blood.

A door opened and closed.

Klaus turned. "Who's there? Show yourself!"

Rebekah walked closer. "Oh, Nik." Klaus looked at her. "Always so dramatic."

"Rebekah," Klaus smiled.

Rebekah returned the gesture and walked closer to embrace him, both of them sighing in relief.

Kol appeared.

Klaus and Rebekah pulled away to look at him.

Kol looked down at his naked body, sighing. "Oh, bloody hell. My least favorite recurring nightmare."

~*~*~

Klaus and Rebekah were in the study.

"I was in Corsica drowning my sorrows about Nina when I suddenly dropped," Rebekah said, uncorking a bottle of wine and poured it, only to find it empty. She chuckled, turning around. "What I wouldn't give to spend just a decade without being dragged into a godforsaken chambre de chasse."

Kol walked in, wearing clothes. 

Klaus looked at him. "I suppose you were in a board meeting."

"I was waiting for my wife to come home from work," Kol told them. "Once again, ripped from complete contentment for this. I suppose I'll ask the obvious, piss off any witches lately?"

"Actually, my current enemies are a group of hate mongers who see myself and my children as abominations to the vampire race," Klaus replied.

"They're bigoted and dead," Rebekah stated. "Well, that's new. They must have a witch for hire."