Shadows Within

TEN

It was Hope Mikaelson that was walking towards him closer and closer with each passing second, her long brown hair swaying dramatically along her hips. It was Hope Mikaelson who was accompanying his little brother with a genuine, tight smile, quite tired looking old man accompanying them like he wished to be anywhere but here, playing along with their childish schemes. And now, don't get him wrong. Ryan Clarke was in no way a cowardly man. He had survived through the monstrous creature that was his father for whole centuries. He had survived in that torturous, never-ending black hole that was his father for years. But immediately upon seeing them walking side by side, Ryan's first thought was to turn on his heel and to escape. All the progress he had made in thinking through this plan to get himself to receive his father's forgiveness for what he had done all those centuries ago would turn into nothing if Hope were to recognize him. Hope, who had seen him in his countless fancy looking, expensive specifically tailored one piece suits would never believe he was a social worker. She would start asking questions, pleading him for answers with those wide, doe-like eyes and he never himself well enough to be aware that sooner or later, he would give in to her power. So, Ryan merely turned on his heel and walked away before Hope could see him.

It was the safest choice he had right now. Stalking his little brother would have to wait for a later date. A much later date when the thoughts of Hope Mikaelson weren't occupying his nights like some sort of a nightmare; the bitter memory of that fateful night haunting him forever, the tears that had fallen down her soft cheeks as she spoke frantically, almost in an anger, the taste of her lips against his own as she took and took almost every bit of the will power he had then before he finally forced himself to stop right there before he crossed a line he wouldn't be able to uncross and with one last look at her, had walked away from her before she could do anything to convince him to say. Because in the end, whatever feelings he may have for Hope; the broken girl from Mystic Falls, he couldn't allow them to possibly get in the way of all the planning he had done to ensure his success throughout the years. Otherwise, he was afraid that the consequences of such actions would be very much drastic. His father would never forgive him if he had failed him yet again. There wouldn't be another chance.

It was long after Hope was gone with his little brother and the headmaster of that school that he bothered to knock on the door, the ever pleasant smile present as the woman opened the door for him, gazing at him suspiciously. "How can I help you?" She asked.

"Miss Seylah, I do fear we have something very important to discuss." He began. "Mainly about Malivoire."

A realization dawned on the woman's face. "What do you want?" She asked.

"Tell me, Miss Seylah, how far are you willing to go for your son?"

Veronica Greasley regarded him with curious eyes. "So, how did it go?" She asked. "Did you find anything?"

He smiled. "Nothing of importance, I am afraid, Ver." The name was easy on his lips. It had always been since the day he had first met the child all those years ago; the newest leader of the Triads, the group he had created with the intention of destroying his father, but over the years, it had gone down a path he hadn't intended when he had first asked the witches to assist him in his plan to take down his father. They've started going after anyone that was even remotely supernatural. Anyone different. It wasn't exactly a responsibility he had wished to bear on his shoulders. If it weren't for the fact that they were useful when they could be, Ryan would have disposed of them long time ago. But alas, they were still of some use.

"Ryan, you have to tell me things when you discover them."

Ryan lifted his head, glaring. "Need I remind you that you are in no position to order me around? I've put your family on the lead a few centuries ago. I can just as easily put you off it. So, I shall advise you to not test me, Ver. Unless of course, if you wish for your husband where exactly his son had gone."