Hopelessly Devoted | Hale- TO/TW [6]

34 | Into An Original

Daylight shines through the trees of Mystic Falls, the leaves creating patches of shade. The crinkle of crusted leaves sounds as three sets of feet walk around.

Lucien is first, dragging Lexi behind him. Her hands are bound with wolfsbane-soaked ropes, but the gag is nowhere to be found. She glares at the back of the vampire's head, knowing better than to pounce on a creature much stronger than she is.

A few paces behind them, Vincent Griffith trails along, his expression carefully neutral.

"After all those gentle looks," Lexi snarls. "And this is your idea of mending our shattered friendship? Or is this your idea of the worst first date, ever?"

Lucien chuckles, tugging on the ropes. "Think of it as a date with destiny, love. Though, I admit, three is a crowd. Vincent is a necessary evil, I'm afraid— here to keep you in check should you misbehave."

Lexi glances back at the Regent, betrayal clear in her eyes. Vincent looks away. "Yeah, you're leaving out the part where I ain't exactly here of my own volition, man," Vincent says angrily. "The Ancestors must have lost their damn minds!"

Lucien smiles as Lexi growls under her breath. "Quite the opposite," Lucien replies. "I've never dealt with a saner bunch. See, when I arrived in New Orleans, I made them a deal. Upon my request, they would grant me access to the Regent," He gestures to the witch as Lexi rolls her eyes. "And, in exchange, I'd provide for them a world without the Originals."

Vincent's heartbeat speeds up as the full weight of what's to come settles in his stomach. Lexi just glares at Lucien. "Didn't take much convincing. They do despise your family." Lucien shrugs.

The group stops in a clearing, a ray of sunshine lighting up a stone basin in the center of the area. Lexi's mind, still fuzzy from the trip to Mystic Falls, vaguely recognizes it. Vincent just huffs as Lucien smirks proudly. "Where the hell are we, man?" The Regent asks.

"What?" Lucien gasps in shock. "How disappointing! A powerful witch who cannot sense when he is on hallowed ground?"

Lexi schools her features into cool disinterest. "You, I understand." Lucien faces her. "It's understandable that you don't recognize where we are, considering I drugged you enough to kill a normal person. Can't be too careful, now can I?" Lucien motions around. "Welcome to Mystic Falls. The place where it all began."

Lexi's mind churns before the full weight of the significance of the basin sets in. Her heartbeat speeds up as she stumbles back a step, fear setting into her bones. Lucien just smirks, linking his arm with hers, keeping her in place. Through Vincent's confusion, he can tell this is not a good place. Especially if a Mikaelson is scared of it.

"Where Esther Mikaelson created the vampire species. Under the shade of the infamous white oak tree, she crafted the spell that turned each of her children." Vincent's expression turns to horror, but nothing can compare to the sheer amount of fear on Lexi's face. Lucien continues to smirk, the curl of his lips turning evil. "And I mean to replicate that spell. I have everything I need to become what I deserve to be."

Lucien's dead eyes find Vincent's. The Regent lets out a defeated chuckle, pursing his lips. "You want to become an Original."

"Do I look like the sort who settles for some shoddy Original model? I intend to be an upgrade," Lucien says.

"You're insane to think I'd ever help you craft any spell," Lexi spits, her voice surprisingly steady.

"Oh, no, no, no," Lucien chuckles, tracing the curve of her neck. "You misunderstand. Vincent will handle the spell."

Vincent rolls his eyes in annoyance as Lucien grabs Lexi's arm, tugging her towards the basin. Lexi's eyes widen as she tries to pull back, a whimper threatening to escape her mouth. "From you, Lexi darling," Lucien tenderly reveals the inside of Lexi's wrist. "I need something a bit more intimate."

Lexi's scream can be heard for miles as Lucien sinks his teeth into the sensitive skin of her wrist.

—|—|—|—

Cora sits in the Mikaelson's study, barely able to keep her head up. A cup of steaming coffee sits before her, the smell creating a calming atmosphere. Yet, Cora's mind is anything but calm.

The entire night, she and Derek had gone searching for Lexi. Elijah had called in a few favors from Marcel, but it is hard to tell the Strix to find her if they can't know that it's Lexi they are looking for. But the blonde had disappeared. Even her scent was gone.

So, after arguing with Derek for a solid hour and a half, her older brother had confined her to the study to eat and rest, if only for a few hours.

Again, Cora curses loudly, glaring at the wall next to her.

She takes a sip of her coffee, leaning back in the grand chair. The cushions do nothing to ease the young werewolf as the guilt swims in her head.

Lexi had protected the Hale family for years, going all the way back to when the first Hale was turned. She had given up everything for Cora and Derek. And Cora couldn't even protect her against whatever took her.

Before Cora can take another sip, Kol bursts into the room. Cora almost spills her coffee. "Hey—" She exclaims as Davina rushes in, a worried expression on her face.

"No time. Where's Elijah?" Kol demands, his face tight with rage.

"Look, if this is about last night, they already got rid of the bullet," Cora lies, lifting the cup to her mouth.

Kol grabs the mug, throwing it across the room. The coffee sprays everywhere. Cora stands instantly, her eyes glowing yellow. "You little—"

"Tell me where Elijah is. Now."

"Why? So you can yell at him?" Cora asks, flailing her arms around.

"Yes, Cora. I would like to know where the hell my older brother is so I can beat the bloody hell out of him for letting Lexi out of his sights!" Kol's voice practically shakes the compound.

Cora's expression goes slack. "You know where Lexi is?" She breathes, her heart rate speeding up.

Before he can answer, Elijah appears in between the pair, his hand pushing Kol away gently. "Do remember she's mortal, Kol." Elijah's voice is deadly.

"And do remember, you're not," Kol snarls. "I thought we were done keeping secrets."

"What do you mean?" Elijah asks as Cora notices Derek behind her, his claws out.

He grasps her arm, pulling her away from the temperamental vampire. His green eyes are questioning as he glances at her.

"He knows something," Cora states. "About Lexi."

Derek freezes completely, his claws sliding back. Kol doesn't glance at him once as he stares down Elijah. "Get Finn here. Now."

"And why should I do that?" Elijah questions, his posture shifting to one less threatening.

"Davina, I'm trying to warn you..." Vincent's voice echoes. Everyone turns to Davina.

The witch holds a phone up, a recording playing. Vincent sits at a bar, the tarot card for Death in his hands. "This is why," she says, her expression carefully neutral. She only lets a hint of fear shine through her eyes.

"Davina, listen... I know we are not on the best of terms, but I need you to listen to me, okay? Um, we're in serious trouble. Now, I'm recording this here because it's-it's free from magic, and magic is our enemy. The Ancestors got me on the hook doing some pretty twisted magic, and I want no part of it, but they're forcing me to help Lucien Castle. And, if you don't help me, Alexis MIkaelson's gonna die."

I'M ACTUALLY SO PROUD OF WHAT'S COMING UP!! IT'S SO GOOD, GET EXCITED!!!! This episode translated into 6 entire chapters! Be ready! Hope you enjoyed!