My brows furrowed at the comment. But, clearly Hope had no intentions of making any further statements as stood from her spot. I followed her with my eyes as she moved to the corner of the room housing many of her paintings. "Any talents?"

"Are we playing 20 questions now?" I chuckled.

"You can't answer a question with a question."

"You can. Just as you can answer a statement with a statement. People just don't like it because they don't get what they want."

Hope turned slightly, sending me a glare. "Any. Talents?" She turned back to the canvases, flipping through them as if looking for a specific one.

"Guitar. Piano. Trumpet."

"You're a musician, then."

"I love the arts. I made a painting once when I was five, but it burned with my village. Among many other things."

"Like what?"

"Uh-uh. If we're playing 20 questions, that means it's my turn to ask you one." I got up and sat at the edge of my bed.

"I never said we were."

"Did your dad teach you how to paint?"

Hope froze in place, staring down at one of the paintings. "Why do you ask?"

"I thought you couldn't answer a question with a question, Princess..."

"One; don't call me that, and two; stop with the smart comments."

I pursed my lips, a smile threatening to form.

"He did. When I was five. I recently lost that painting. We worked on it together for hours, him teaching me the delicacy of each stroke of a brush," she sighed. I could tell she missed him. I understood. He was as much a part of her as she was him. And he's gone, never to be seen again. She gave up on finding whatever painting she wanted, turning around completely then leaning against the wall. "Now, why do you ask?"

"I can see the way the strokes are." I pointed to the front painting. I could see the way the paint was carried. It was similar to Klaus's, if not exactly the same. I saw them all over the compound each time I snuck in. "They're like his."

She shook her head. "Let's move on, please."

"Okay."

"I have to ask, Mel... How did you escape Malivore?"

"It... wasn't easy. It took a long time. I'm not sure exactly how much time, but, I started to try using magic when I saw you leave."

"That was nearly a year ago. But time's a little different there."

"It is," I said, knowing that all too well.

"If you're just a hybrid. No magic. Then how did it work?"

I shrugged. "I don't know. My dad was still a witch. His blood is mine. Maybe if I had spent more time actually trying to do magic, I could do it a lot easier today."

"You're a confusing girl."

"I am. Even I don't understand me."

"Either way, I think you still classify as a tribrid. You said it yourself. Your dad's blood is your blood, just as your mom's is yours."

"Possibly."

Hope smiled, shaking her head. "Not 'possibly,' definitely. You're the world's second tribrid."

"I mean, if you want to get technical... I'm the first tribrid." Hope raised an eyebrow, curious. "I was born a month before you. December 7th."

"Wow..."

"But I mean, sure. World's second. You are, after all, supernatural royalty. Me, I'm just... the royal guard."

"Yeah, right," she rolled her eyes, trying to seem annoyed. But I can see the small smile on her face, barely even noticeable. But it's there. "Your turn."

"Landon..." Hope sighed as if expecting this topic to come up. Whether she deem it fair or not, I needed to know more about him. See if he's to be trusted, knowing his heritage. I've always been taught that even the most unassuming people or things can harm you.

One thing my mom's told me before is that in our world, it's okay to judge a book by it's cover. Chances are, your instincts are correct. One that you think is dangerous may very well be. One you think isn't may not be dangerous. But I always knew to never underestimate someone (or even overestimate).

Bottom line is, I need to keep one eye and one ear on him at all times.

I continued, "Landon is one of Malivore's sons."

"What's the question, Mel..."

"Can you really trust him? Knowing who made him, I mean."

"Of course I trust him," she chuckled. "I don't know if you noticed, but he's my boyfriend..."

I did notice, unfortunately. The fact that they're in bed with each other doesn't mean a damn thing to me. What I care about is whether he can truly be trusted, or if he's going to be a backstabbing pain in my ass.

"I did notice, Hope. That doesn't give me a reason to think he won't turn on anyone. I don't know if you noticed, but Malivore still exists."

"You don't think he'd hurt me do you? I mean that's why you're asking, right? You feel you have this responsibility for me so you want to protect me. You think he'd be the one to betray me."

"I simply know the mind can be altered to do someone's bidding. You're toxic to Malivore. He wants you dead, for sure. What if he tries to persuade his own blood to do his work?"

"Landon wouldn't."

"Landon wouldn't be Landon if Malivore does decide that's the way to get rid of you."

She stomped towards me, pointing an angry finger at my chest. "You don't get to come here and villianize my boyfriend and act like you know me. Because-"

"I don't. I get that. I barely know you and the same goes for you to me. That doesn't stop me from caring, Hope. I'm only asking if you can trust he would be able to resist his father's temptations, if he tries to make a move."

I sighed, removing Hope's finger from my chest. She stood upright and crossed her arms over her belly.

She shook head head at me. "I'm sure he would."

"When someone's 'sure' of something there's always that slim chance they aren't."

"I love him. He loves me."

"Which can be used against both of you. I'm just asking that you consider the possibility." I held my hands up, backing down. "But if you're unwilling to then fine. My beliefs still stand."

"Who else did you lose?"

Okay, wow. She's going in for the kill now. "What do you mean?"

"I can tell when someone's lying to me."

"I haven't lied to you, Hope."

"And if I ask if you've lost someone else?"

I pursed my lips. I haven't earned her trust yet. Or maybe questioning her man child caused me to lose some of it. But I wasn't ready to tell her about them yet. Not really.

I told her the bare minimum. "My two best friends were murdered too."

"The vampires killed children?" I nodded. "That's horrible..."

"It was only two, but two too many," I said quietly. Please don't make me tell you more.

Hope sighed heavily, running a hand through her hair. "I want to help you find them."

My head snapped up from being held down seconds ago. "You what?"

"I mean there's more out there right? Vampires that killed your parents. Your friends. I want to help find them."

"Why?"

"Vampires were the reason my mom died." Hope smiled weakly, probably remembering that day. "If you're going to go and be reckless. I'm coming too."

"That's not a good idea."

"Going after those vampires isn't a good idea either. Yet, you plan to anyway, don't you?"

"I just imagine you have other things to worry about than my problems." Namely, that Malivore kid. But obviously she's not willing to consider that possibility.

"I'm helping you, Collins. That's final."

"What's in it for you, Mikaelson?"

Hope rolled her eyes. "Isn't it obvious? I need to know more about you, which means spending time with you. And since you'll likely be chasing undead people, that's exactly what I'll be doing too."

"I guess if I don't have a choice, it's settled."

"You don't. Therefore it is."

I shrugged and laid back on my bed. Hope continued to flip through her canvases, muttering something under her breath. I didn't understand what she said, but I was right to assume she was probably was cursing me out.

A knock sounded from the door. Hope opened it to find the child demon himself, Landon. He smiled sheepishly, and almost innocently, at the sight of Hope. I get that she's known him longer than I've been here, but he's Malivore's kid. I don't care what anyone says, I refuse to trust him.

I laid myself in a position where I could see better.

"Landon," Hope breathed. "What's up?"

"I-I just came to see how you were doing... Am I interrupting anything?"

"No, actually. We're done here..." She turned towards me. "For now."

I tried to keep a friendly face as I eyed the awkward-looking monster before Hope. "I'll be here. I mean it's not like I have anywhere else to be."

"You should go try making friends," Hope smiled sarcastically.

"Right, because people want to be friends with Melori of Malivore." I laid back completely on the bed with my hands behind my head, eyes closed. "Hard pass, Princess. I'd rather stay here and let my thoughts consume me."

"First of all..." I heard footsteps racing my way before a warm hand grabbed hold of my leg and dragged me towards the edge. "I told you to stop calling me that, and I meant it. Second, you're not staying anywhere where no one can see you."

"Yet, you were about to leave me all alone... Princess."

"You're infuriating."

"I know," I sighed. I forced myself to stand and stretch my arms. "I'll be good and go make 'friends,'" I said with air quotes.

"Thank you."

I nodded briefly at the both of them, then went on my way to mingle with whom I could.

hiya buddies. hopes ya well.

second, to anyone that may be reading Lucienne, I know I need to update, okay? I've just had more inspiration for this book than that one is all. it'll come to me soon, though, don't worry.

thirdly- and lastly- I'm going on vacation today to meet my grandpa for literally the first time so I'm definitely super stoked for that. I dunno how long we'll be staying, but, during that time I likely won't be writing. if I do then that's cash money but I can't be entirely sure.

so that's all I've gotta say :) BESIDES, if course thank you SO much for reading. I hope you're enjoying reading as much as I'm enjoying writing. stay safe, beautiful peeps

kisses x