As Time Goes On

12

In the three weeks that Jane was gone, we had 47 people willing to fight against Esther and her army. 12 Traditionals, 14 Cold Ones, 3 Witches, 2 Hybrids, 8 Shapeshifters, 6 Cullens and then Demetri from the Volturi and myself included. All we needed now was Jane and the Queens.

I laid on the couch with my head in Jaspers lap while his arm was wrapped around Alice as we watched the others mingle and discuss fighting tactics. I hadn't spoken to any of the Mikaelson's since they got here, I wasn't ready to face Nik. I couldn't.

Everybody stopped what they were doing and turned towards the clearing, hearing the quickly approaching footsteps. All was still as we waited for the footsteps to come into eyesight, and when they did, we all breathed a sigh of relief.

Jane stood with the two Volturi Queens behind her.

I felt tears come to my eyes at the sight of Athenodora and Sulpicia. They had come to save us all, but they had also come to protect the Cold One world.

Esme stepped forward, her face void of any emotion.

"Athenodora, Sulpicia. Thank you for coming."

The  queen held up her hand, signaling for Esme to stop speaking. Her red eyes held venom tears as she gazed at my mother.

"It's the least we could do after the last time we met. You need not thank us."

Esme simply nodded.

"What do we know of this enemy that has threatened the existence of our kind?"

Red eyes looked over each and every person standing before the two.

"Her name is Esther Mikaelson, she was the witch that created the spell of Traditional Vampires, which led to the creation of the Cold Ones. She has tried to destroy my family and me many times, but she has never succeeded. There is no telling what my mother has planned for us this time, but it cannot be good."

Elijah looked at both Queens as they processed what he said. I watched as the vampires surrounding me all sent looks to each other as well as cling to their mates. I wrapped my arms around myself as the Queens contemplated what they were going to do.

"How much time do we have?"

Athenodora placed her attention on Alice, relying on her gift to give the answer she wanted.

"Days. Esther has begun her journey here, there's no telling how long until."

The Queens shared a look before the nodded and Sulpicia began to speak.

"We will fight with you. We will do whatever it takes to save the Vampire community, Cold Ones and Traditionals alike. We will not stand to see our community in danger. Esther will not come out of this alive."

I had never seen the Queen with so much fire in her red eyes or so much authority in her voice. She was more dedicated to her cause as a Vampire Queen than Aro, Marcus or Caius ever was.

The group of vampires quickly scattered as the Queens made their way inside the Cullen house, and Seth quickly rushed over to Jane. I quickly sent Ness a small smile as I walked inside and up to the room I've had here for years.

I smiled picking up the portrait that Nik had drawn me all those years ago. I felt tears prick at my eyes as I ran my hands over the paper, my fingers lingering slightly on the signature that was in the corner.

I could still see the smile on my face as he gifted it to me for Christmas that year.

'Thank you for dancing with my demons.'

I brushed away my fallen tear, setting the drawing down and grabbing my keys, walking out of the house and towards my car.

"Piper, you know you can't."

I stopped and turned towards Alice with Jasper at her side.

"Alice, I have to. It might be the last time I ever see him."

The dark-haired pixie sighed and nodded her head, knowing it was pointless to argue with me about this. I nodded my head gratefully in her direction as Nik flashed in front of me, grabbing the keys from my hand and walking towards the driver's side of my car.

"What are you doing?"

The Hybrid didn't answer me as he started up the car, waiting for me to climb in.

"You're going to need all the emotional support you can get if you go and see him, and I know that I've made so many mistakes over the years, but I am still in love with you Piper and I am not letting you do this alone."

I shook my head, hoping to clear the tears from my eyes as I climbed into the car, knowing it was better not to argue with him.

Nik sped off in the direction of his house as I held my breath, not knowing what to expect or what to say. I hadn't seen him in five years, I had taken away his memories of Bella and me.

When Nik finally pulled across the street from my childhood home, I felt the tears come back as I stared at the old house. His police cruiser sat in the driveway along with Sue's car.

Nik grabbed my hand and brought it up to his lips.

"You don't have to do this."

I shook my head, unbuckling my seatbelt and climbing out of the car. I started across the street and up the steps of the house, finally knocking on the door. I waited for what seemed like years for the door to open and to see my father's face again, and when the door finally did open, it took everything I had in me to hold back my tears.

"Can I help you?"

I didn't say anything, I just stared at his face, taking in every detail. I then made the split decision to throw myself into his arms, breathing in his scent as tears flowed down my face. I knew he wasn't going to hug me back, but I didn't expect him to. I just needed to hug him again.

I pulled back from the hug and looked deep into his brown eyes.

"You won't remember me coming here. You'll only remember opening the door to nothing, just some stupid kids playing ding dong ditch."

His eyes dilated and I flashed back into the car where Nik was waiting with a sad smile on his face. I smiled softly at him, placing a kiss on his cheek.

"Thank you."

Nik didn't say anything, we just drove back to the Cullen house in silence as a pit in my stomach grew. I knew there wasn't much time left before Esther came, and I didn't know what to expect.