thirty-five

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Lost But Found

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IT WAS ONE of the most heart-warming of moments. Athena sat with her siblings at a table. Rebekah was professing why she wanted the cure that was currently in Elijah's possession. Klaus was trying not to laugh while Athena and Elijah listened intently. Rebekah really wanted the cure, just Elijah was hesitant to give it to her.

Rebekah spoke with so much emotion that Athena was proud of her. She believed that her sister deserved the cure. After everything they endured, they all deserved happiness. "Elijah, being a human means a fresh start. I can grow old and have a family and fill my days with meaning, knowing that each one matters."

Athena nodded with a smile and that's when Klaus lost it, laughing. "Well, that was poetic."

Her eyes switched to her brother. "It's not like you want it, Nik. Unless you have a good enough reason for you wanting it, then, please."

They all looked over at him and Klaus put his hands on the table. "Silas can appear as anyone. He got inside my thoughts, convinced me I was dying. He will torment me until I give him the cure."

Rebekah added, "And in doing so he will break down the wall to the Other Side."

"So it doesn't trap him there when he dies. He wants to reunite with his lost soulmate." He looked back to Elijah. "You of all lovesick fools should applaud his devotion."

Athena did not appreciate that comment and scowled. "You do realize that once the Other Side is destroyed, all of the supernatural beings that have died will come back to life."

"Including our dear brothers, Kol and Finn. We'll have our family back," Klaus agreed.

She glared because she knew that Klaus knew that wasn't what she meant. Rebekah continued to argue with him. "Please, you hated Kol and you kept Finn in a box for most of his life."

Klaus grinned and then gestured toward Rebekah. "Elijah, please."

"Your personal discomfort might not be sufficient reason for putting the entire world in jeopardy, Klaus," Elijah explained. Rebekah smiled as she realized what was happening. Klaus glared. "I think our sister deserves a shot at happiness."

Their brother wasn't taking it. "Tell me you're joking. Tell me you're not fating me to an eternity of torture."

"I made my decision."

Klaus stood swiftly and leaned down to Rebekah's ear. "When you're sick and dying, and you beg for my blood, I will laugh in your face and compel you to forget me."

With that, he left the room. Rebekah remained calm and touched her hear, clearing her throat. Athena was smiling like an idiot because her sister was finally getting what she wanted. "Where is the cure?"

"Rebekah, it's no secret that you are impulsive, emotional, and at times morally questionable. Prove to me this isn't just another one of your whims, that you know precisely what you are giving up here."

Athena nodded encouragingly to her with a wide smile. Rebekah smiled back giddily. "Fine. Anything."

"I want you to live a day as a human," Elijah told her. "This day. No vampire privileges-- no strength, no compulsion, no nothing. If you succeed, if you still believe this is what you want, the cure is yours."

Rebekah was surprised but then relaxed and nodded. She got up and then left the house. Athena smiled over at Elijah. "Do you think she can do it?"

Elijah smiled. "I think she can."

———

It was like a shift in the air. But it was like it was so much more. Athena had spent the last few hours just going around the house, doing random things because she couldn't sit still. A pit had formed in her stomach. The only odd thing about it was that it wasn't a bad feeling, at least she didn't think so.

Rebekah had left for the dance, leaving the other three siblings in the house. Klaus had calmed down after the morning's events. Dances weren't her thing as she had said before. This time, she was glad she didn't go out of guilt for Rebekah.

Whatever poked and prodded at her was something big. It was almost like she was missing something and it wanted to be known. Athena couldn't even begin to think of what it was. Maybe this is what Esther told her about. Maybe this was something to do with the other Nyx.

She continued to shrug the topic of the male Nyx off like it was nothing. Athena would never find love, at least she didn't think so. With Klaus being so protective of them, if she ever did find love, it would be shattered. And besides, who would love a monster like her anyway?

Rebekah had given the white oak stake to her. Athena was so careful with it, but she didn't want to have it, she didn't need it. Which was why she entered the library to see Klaus painting away. He stopped when she entered and turned to her, seeing it in her hands.

"Where did you get that?"

Athena went toward him. "Rebekah. She doesn't need it when she's human, I don't want it. I want you to have it."

When she extended it toward him, Klaus hesitated before taking it. "Why would you give me this?"

"I want you to have it because then you won't be so afraid of it being used against you. Rebekah won't need it, Elijah doesn't want it, I don't want it."

He raised an eyebrow and walked past her. "Silas will continue to torment me."

Athena turned to where he now stood. "You can take care of yourself, right? Silas is just merely an obstacle you'll pass. Just give it time."

Klaus laughed and turned back around. "Yes, it's that simple. I suppose you want to go and find love yourself just like the rest of them. Perhaps that soulmate of yours." She looked at the ground, hurt by his words. "Just you wait, sister, he'll break your heart and you'll be running home in no time."

"Who said that love was easy? Love demands sacrifices and I'm willing to make them. But I will not abandon you, Nik. You do not wish me to go then I won't. I want your blessing before I run off looking for love."

He got close to her, whispering. "You really mean that, sister. You would give up love to stay with me for all eternity, running from Silas? No. You will never know love because love is weakness, it hurts you. Don't let it hurt you."

Athena stared right into his eyes and shook her head. "But that's exactly what you do. I want to find love one day. I don't know when but I want to. You need me and I'm not going to leave you alone once Rebekah has left. Maybe you'll find love, Nik. Don't give up on it."

Even though his words did hurt her, she smiled at him and then left the room. Klaus watched after her, affected by what she said. Because deep down, he knew she was right.

———

It had been at least a month since he last heard from Marcel. Thomas had completely shut down. Without Athena around, he could not seem to find a purpose to his life. She was all he had left after his family was murdered, including him. He had wandered the Other Side, alone, unable to find them until he found Athena.

Her child-like smile was forever etched into his mind. But that was just the thing: she was a child then. And now the witches had spoken that the girl had been aged to look older. Thomas did not know what she looked like, and he couldn't even imagine what her appearance was.

Thomas had spent time in the bayou, shifting into his wolf and traveling around, getting to know the land. In his other spare time, he'd simply just read, go to Rousseau's for a drink, or just lie there in his new apartment since the other had been destroyed.

Currently, he was lying on his empty bed, staring at the pale ceiling that he imagined was unclosing on him. His phone rang and numbly, he grabbed it from his side and answered it without looking at the caller ID. "Hello?"

There was a familiar voice on the other side. "Thomas." Marcel. The red-head nearly chucked his phone at the wall from just hearing his voice.

He gritted his teeth though he forced himself to stay emotionless. "What Marcel?"

"We found her."

———

That's the end!!!!! I decided to end the first book here since, well, the second book takes place in The Originals. I hope you guys enjoyed this book and stayed tuned for book two which will be coming out soon! :)

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