A/N: Thanks for waiting for this one! Sorry its a little later then usual, life is busy! Any who, enjoy the chapter ;)
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Walking into the living room, I sigh and look around at my family and Briar who are clustered together talking quickly and fluently. They don't even hear dad and I walk in, and I clear my throat to get there attention, and they look up and over at me. Uncle Elijah straightens up and fixes his suit, and I couldn't help but notice the blood stains are on his white collar, and Aunt Rebekah looks like she's seen better days.
Nodding to them, I see Briar and clench my jaw before nodding briskly to her. Whatever bad blood we had before, it wasn't worth it anymore. My mom is in danger, and we could use all the help we could get, and at this point I don't even remember why I was mad at her anyway. Looking from her to my Dad, I can almost see the tension and aggravation between them two. I raise one eyebrow at her, and she just nods back.
Shaking that from my mind, I take in a deep breath before walking over to the table and put my plan down on the table. "Okay, dad filled me in. Uncle Elijah, your plan will not work, and you and I both know that - no offense. Its to head on, and we would end up loosing anyway. We need to think this out, and lucky for you I have a new plan that should work better. But, your going to have trust me a little, okay?" Looking at everyone, I nod a few times and look down at my plan.
Uncle Elijah raises his eyebrows and looks at me in surprise. "Excuse me, Adriana, but how is my plan not going to work?" He asks calmly, and firmly.
Turning to look at him, I sigh and tuck my hair behind me ear. "Well, its to head on for it to work. We have no idea what Astra has planned, and what we are walking into. Astra will be ready for us, and we can't risk walking into a trap and dying, or getting bombarded - again." I say, and look him in the eye trying to ignore the wave of heat washing over my ears. Standing up to Elijah and talking back to him was something I never did before, but it felt good to take charge for once.
He only sighs and shakes his head, looking up at me. "Surely you cannot be serious." He stares me in the eyes, and I bite my lip and nod. He sighs, shaking his head in discontent. "You want to save your mother, yes?"
I raise my eyebrows at him, surprised by his answer. "Of course, she's my mother. I want nothing more then for her to be home, safe. But I'm not going to get myself killed trying to save her, that will just everything worse. And you can't have a rescue team without the rescuers, so if were going to do this we need to do it right." Looking him right in the eye, I square my shoulders and hold my ground.
He sighs, and ponders on the idea for a little while before he nods. "Well, lets hear this brilliant plan that you have ever so carefully though out, shall we?" Gesturing to the paper on the table, and nods briskly to me. The look in his eyes though is filled with doubt, and has an edge of cockiness to it.
Nonetheless, I'm not about to give up so easily. Nodding and clearing my throat, I turn and look at the paper on the table. "Right. Well, considering Astra has made her headquarters here, on the other side of the river, we can count on there being rouge wolves in her army. But its close enough to the quarter for her to pick up any outcast vampires, witches, or even humans. The humans to do her bidding of course." Looking up, everyone has that "get to the point, please" look on there faces.
Nodding, I clear my throat again and muster up my confidence and leadership skills that dad drilled into me. "Anyway, as we all know wolves always cover the entrances, and since Astra seems to have given them something make them control there turning, we can count them being in wolf form or something close to it. However, I have something that can give the wolves a headache that will last a century." Smirking, dad chuckles and nods to me to keep going.
"Once the wolves are subdued - quietly I might add, Aunt Rebekah, Uncle Elijah and I will slip in through the entrance while dad stays behind to fend off anyone that tries to follow us. Now don't think I forgot about you, Briar. " Looking up, send her a smile before continuing on saying, "Despite the wolves, there are bound to vampires outside as well - giving the circumstances that Astra has provided daylight rings to them. That's where you come in, Briar. Someone needs to take them down, and since you can fight well and since your the second-well technically third oldest vampire here, you'll stay behind to kill them." I take a moment to put gesture to where people will be on the paper.
Uncle Elijah clears his throat and steps forwards. "Its an okay plan, Adriana but not flawless." He says clearly, and I turn to look at him.
"I never claimed it was. No plan is ever perfect, and we are outnumbered - greatly, I might add." Blinking a few times, I shift my weight to one foot to look up at him.
He nods and takes a moment to consider his words, which is wise considering he just said my plan was flawed. "Your right, of course. But what about the withes? Astra? Laurena? Mikael? They are all key reasons why we cannot go with my plan, correct?" He gestures to me, and waits patiently for me to respond.
Swallowing hard, I nod. "Of course but-"
I don't get a chance to finish, as he cuts me off. "But nothing. Did you forget about them? Or do you think they will not be a problem in us finishing this war?" He asks, and he has that "I'm right and your wrong" tone in his voice.
The werewolf gene in me that gives me that amazing amount of anger kicks in, and I try to remember to breathe and stay calm. But the look he's giving me just makes me want to scream. Instead, I take in a deep breath and try to relax, closing my eyes as I do so. Re-opening them, I square my shoulders again and start again.
Clearing my throat, I look him right in the eye as I speak. "I didn't forget about them at all, I'm actually counting on them all being there. That's what Aunt Rebekah," I gesture to her, "Is coming in with me. She has history with Laurena, and should be the one to end it. While she's fighting her, once Dad finishes off the wolves he will go for Mikael. Considering there past I thought he should have the honor of taking his life, while you," I gesture to my uncle, "Go for mom and get her out. I figured that you would want to be the hero and save her." Smirking slightly, he shifts his weight - obviously uncomfortable with the subject of his feelings for her.
Chuckling inside, I pretend to not to notice and take a brief moment to pause. But, I also couldn't help but relish in the look on his face - a mixture of shock and a even a little bit of comfortableness. Ah, its great to be smart and cocky at the same time...
Turning to the rest my family and Briar, I look at them all warmly. "Our main mission here isn't to kill Astra - at least not yet. Its to weaken the collective - to kill enough of her men so that we will finally have the upper hand. If-when Astra shows her face, I'll take her down. Even if it means killing her myself. After all, her and I do have a debt to settle." I pause for only a second as my mind darts to Kyle and back to the matter at hand.
"Anyway, we can't attack them all ourselves. I called Marcel this morning, and he's more then willing to bring his day-walkers along, and let his night-walkers come after the sun sets. But again, our first thought here is not to take them all out, its to save mom. We do not leave until she's safe, got it?" Looking around at everyone, they all seem willing to go with the plan, but there expressions all slightly differ.
Uncle Elijah seems like he's a little annoyed but proud, and Dad... I could help but smile softly seeing the pride that he shows on his face, and the admiration in his eyes. Looking to his right, Aunt Rebekah seems happy to finally get some action on the playing field, while Briar seems to be processing everything that happens.
Dad steps forwards and smiles at me. "Its a wonderful plan, Adriana, and one that we will all attempt to follow. We'll attack at noon." He nods, and walks off to his study.
After that, everyone pretty just drifted apart. Uncle Elijah followed Dad into his study, and after the sound of the door closing a little to hard, I stopped listening to them. Aunt Rebekah mumbled something about preparing for battle, but the way she skurried out of the room and out of the house hinted that she was up to something more exciting then that. And that excitement was probably named Marcel Gerard. Then again, there relationship is so weird that I can't tell if there dating or hating each other this week.
Grabbing my paper and turning to leave, Briar clears her throat and I cringe inside, not wanting to have the conversation that was about to happen. Plastering a smile on my face, I turn and look at her with as much helpfulness as I can muster. "Do you need something, Briar?" I ask kindly, and even I don't believe the sound of my own voice.
She nods, and tucks her hair behind her ear and swallows hard. "Look, Adriana I know that we haven't always been on the best of terms-"
I don't let her finish, and decide to cut her off. "Actually we were never on good terms to begin with, and that was kinda my fault..." Looking down at my feet and back up at her, I sigh. "Look, when you first arrived in town dad and I weren't on the best of terms. I was going through a lot at the time, and then he started liking you, and paying attention to you, and putting you in my events and... I don't know I just felt jealous, and like he was giving you attention that he wasn't giving me." Sighing, I take a step towards her.
She looks at my and narrows her eyes slightly, and turns her head not knowing what to say. "Adriana, I never meant to impose on you and your father's relationship and your world, but-"
Again, I cut her off. "But that isn't a good excuse for being a bitch to you, and saying things I said. I may have looked like I was sixteen and older, but I wasn't - not at heart anyway. I aged so fast that I didn't get to be a kid, and I was still immature and selfish. But that's not how I am now. Seeing your loyalty to my dad just made me realize even more, how undeniably great you two are together. And I also realized that I was being selfish, and that he deserves you. To be in love, and to be happy." Looking at her, I can tell she is taken aback.
"Look, Adriana your not the only one that said and did things that your not proud of. I said some mean things, and acted irrational. But I never - ever, wanted to take your father from you and I'm sorry. I'm sorry that I acted how I did, and was a bitch to you to." We both chuckle slightly, trying to ease the awkwardness that is in the room.
Swallow hard I suck up all my pride and vanity, I decide to say what needs to be sad. And what I really want to say. "I guess what I'm trying to say is that... That I'm sorry. I shouldn't have acted the way I acted to you, and I'm really, really sorry. I know that its a lot to ask from you considering everything that has happened between us but... Do you think its possible to start over? Clear the indiscretions and put the past behind us, and start over with a clean slate?" I ask nervously, and butterflies shoot through my stomach.
She runs a hand through her hair, and looks at me hard and long. After a few minutes, she sighs and looks me in the eye. "Ever since I got here I've wanted to help you, and make sure that you were okay. And that is why I'm still here. Despite Klaus and I breaking up, and all that drama I'm still here because I care. I know what its like to be made to look like something your not, and to be told that your a monster because your different. So, after everything that happened between you and I, a clean slate is definitely in order. Consider our past indiscretions gone." She smiles, and looks at me warmly and kindly.
Breathing a sigh of relief, I impulsively hug her and she hugs me back. After roughly two seconds I let go, and nod to her. "Thank you. Now, I'm going to tell you something and I want you to listen okay? My dad can be an ass sometimes - well pretty much 99% of the time, but it all because he cares. I know that he compelled you, and that hurts I'm sure. But he did it to protect you, to make sure that you didn't follow him and wind up getting yourself killed. Now, I know that doesn't make it all good again, but that just his way of saying he cares. Trust me when I say that he needs to see a shrink, because his emotions are crazy." Chuckling lightly, I smile softly.
She nods lightly and sighs. "Thanks, Adriana. I appreciate it. But, I just don't know if I'm ready to forgive and forget yet. Besides, we all have must bigger problems then our love lives." She says softly, and I can tell that she's still hurting over the breakup.
Nodding, I notice the time and my eyes widen. "Oh no. Um, I hate to forgive and run, but I'm actually running really late for something important that can't really wait. I'll see you at noon though, okay? Thanks, bye!" Giving her a quick hug, I grab my bag off a chair on the way to front door, barely making it out the front door in time to vamp speed off.
Two Hours Later
Walking back into the house, I close the massive front door and toss my bag onto the couch on my way to Dad's study. I pull my hair up into a ponytail, and spot Aunt Rebekah with her ear pressed against the study door listening intently. Raising one eyebrow, I drop my voice to a whisper. "Aunt Bex!" I ask quickly, and she jumps and whirls around with a guilty expression on her face.
Seeing that is me, she sighs and shakes her head. "Adriana! What are you doing? You scared me half to death!" She whispers yells, and turns putting her ear against the door.
It takes every bone, muscle, and fiber in my body to keep from laughing at her. "What are you doing?" I whisper yell back, and she sighs and looks over at me.
"They turned the stereo on, so I can't hear a bloody thing there saying! I've had to revert back to listening through the door to understand what there say." She whispers back, and sighs in an aggravated way. I snort, and she glares at me. "This is not funny." She says coolly back, and points at me while she speak.
Shaking my head, I put both my hands up in defense. "I'm not laughing, I'm not laughing. Who's in there anyway?" I ask curiously, and tip-toe over to her.
She smirks, and looks me up and down. "You're becoming more and more like me every day - clothes and all. Except those boots... Why are they covered in mud? Those are five hundred dollar boots, that I bought for you in the highest store in town!" She hisses at me in a whisper, and she presses her lips firmly together.
I shake my head, trying to figure out how she ever made it through life with fashion as he number one priority. "Never mind the boots, Aunt Bex. Try and stay focused on the problem at hand, okay? Who's in there, and why are you eavesdropping like a schoolgirl?" I demand, still whispering.
She sighs again, and shakes her head in disapproval of me dismissing the boot issue. "Its Nik and Elijah, there arguing about something but I can't make out what it is. I missed the beginning portion of the conversation, due to other matters at hand." She says disappointingly.
Wrinking my brow, I look down at my watch and back up at her. "They've been in there that long? Its been like, two hours. What could they possibly be talking about that long?" I ask curiously, and we exchange a look before hurrying to the door and listening in.
But, as it turned out the stereo and television that was on blocked out there talking - even with vampire hearing. We exchange a somber look, and the sound of glass shattering and something that I was really hoping wasn't a body slamming into a wall. We look up startled, and jump at the sounds and I grab the doorknob but its locked.
She goes to kick it when I raise one eyebrow at her. "I'm part witch, there's no need to scratch your seven hundred dollar heels." I say, and she rolls her eyes.
"Right. I forgot about your magic, and do you like them, there new?" She asks, and looks down and I look at her surprised she could even go there right now. The sound of something else breaking and another sound that I'm again hoping isn't a body, makes her gesture to the door. "Well hurry it up before they kill each other, love!" She exclaims.
Rolling my eyes, I flick my finger and the door flies open. We run in, and I jump aside just in time to dodge a fireplace poker being launched through the air. It gets lodged in the wall, and Dad growls angrily and looks over at us surprised. "Dad?! What the hell is going on?" I demand, and look from him to my uncle and back again.
Uncle Elijah adjust his suit, and brushes the wood chips and glass shards from the coffee table off himself. "Just having a little sibling argument." He says coolly to dad, and looks over at me and smiles lightly. "Nothing to worry about, Adriana, Rebekah." He says.
I snort and shake my head walking over to the wall where the poker for the fireplace is lodged into the wall. Pulling it out, I hold it up and gesture to my Uncle. "A little sibling argument? And what argument would have you throw pokers at each other, and breaking coffee tables?" I toss the poker aside, and shake my head in disapproval.
"Like Elijah said, its nothing you need to worry about." Dad says, and even Aunt Rebekah snorts at that one. "What, Rebekah? Do you have something to add to this rather uninteresting conversation?" He asks in an annoyed yet loud way.
She sets her jaw, and purses her lips before speaking. "Actually, Nik I do. We are about to go to war, and you two can't stop fighting and bickering like five year old's! War does not come without tension, but that does not mean that you fight your family. Family is power. You should know that better then all of us combined, Elijah. You two make me sick." She says, and her British accent is shows through a lot, and the annoyance and stain in her voice makes them both realize the situation.
Dad starts to say something, but she puts her hand up. "Save it. After all this talk about who gets to kill who on the battle field, who would've thought we'd wind up killing each other instead." She shakes her head, and brushes past me on her way out of the study.
Shaking my head, I look at both of them. "Its ten after noon. Briar is on her way over here to fight to get back mom, and that is all the fighting I plan to do today. If you want to kill each other, wait until after today." Turning, I walk out and after my Aunt. "Aunt Rebekah! Aunt Rebekah, wait!" I say, and hurry over to her.
She stops at the door, and sighs turning to me. "I don't know why but I expected today to go differently. For them to actually put aside there differences long enough to save Hayley, you, and end this ridiculous war for power. Guess I was wrong after all." She reaches for the door handle when the door opens, and Briar steps in.
She almost runs into Aunt Rebekah, and she takes a step back. "Whoa, sorry! I'm not that late am I? I was hoping that you guys would wait a little bit, everyone is out today so I couldn't get her in under twenty seconds, and traffic was horrible so I walked." She rambles, and then notices that were not exactly running out the door. "What's going on?" She asks carefully.
"Nothing important, love! Just a little family business, some prewar rituals, nothing to exciting." Dad says, and him and Uncle Elijah walk over to us. "Ready for war?" He asks, and I look up at him and sigh.
Nodding, I get butterflies and knots in my stomach instantly. A moment of uncertainty washes over me, but no more then five seconds later Astra's coy smile returns, and I get the overwhelming urge to rip it off her face. Anger and revenge washes over me, and I look up at my father and nod. "I'm ready. Lets go kill a witch."