บท 16: Born Wicked
• I am wicked in many ways. After all, I am witch. •
".."
Walking inside a Coffeeshop a few towns away from Mystic Falls, Hayley didn't waste time sitting at a table. She directly walked behind the empty bar and knocked on a hidden door underneath a big wall of coffee makers.
"State your visit," a monotone voice was heard from the other side.
Hayley rolled her eyes. "Stop playing, Slater. Open the door."
"You're no fun." She could practically hear the pout in the man's voice before she heard a clack and the door opened.
Hayley looked up to meet Slater's blue eyes, greeting him with a nod. "I got your text last night. You found her?"
Slater moved aside to allow her in and closed the door behind her, hiding their meeting away from the world. The hidden room was similar to a living room, which Slater used for meetings such as these. Hayley dragged a finger on the closed door, muttering an old secrecy spell before she motioned for Slater to answer.
"She wasn't hard to find," Slater said as he sat on the table in the middle of the room, opening his laptop. "At least not as hard as vampires."
Hayley hummed. "Did she agree to meet with me?"
Slater laughed. "Would she refuse you? Even though she's a Bennett, she's no match for you."
Hayley snorted. "I'm not looking for a fight," she stated. "I just want a little chat."
The vampire looked at with a little distrust. "Hayls, the last time you had a 'chat' with someone, you cut his hand."
The hybrid shrugged. "Shouldn't have tried to grope me. He was an insignificant vampire anyways."
Slater lifted his eyes to the sky. "Of course, only you can be this willful," he groaned. "You're not the one who ended up dealing with his lackeys."
"Can we speed this up?" Hayley put their conversation back on track. "I have a meeting with the cheer squad in a few hours."
"Popular cheerleader by day and wicked witch by night," Slater stood up, guiding her towards the second room that usually served as his resting place. He opened the door and swept an arm before her. "After you, Hayls. I have something to do so I'll let you girls talk. You know what to do when your little 'chat' is over."
Hayley walked inside and waited to hear the door close before she looked at the young woman standing in front of a tall, renaissance painting. Lucy Bennett was a beautiful black woman, standing at five feet nine with brown hair and eyes. She looked around when she heard Hayley and eyed the younger girl up and down. It was clear she was sizing her up. Or trying to.
"Hayley Marshall," Lucy's tone held a little discontent. "I've heard about you." It looked like her popularity was growing in the supernatural circle.
Hayley arched a brow at her tone. "Lucy Bennett ... I'm afraid I've heard nothing about you." She was the one who asked for this meeting but it wasn't to make friends with the Bennett, only to scoop out information and lay a trap for Katherine.
Lucy snorted. "Funny how I'm here because you called," she jeered.
Hayley exposed a small, mocking smile. "Yes. Funny." It wasn't as if the other witch had a gun to her temple. She was just embarrassed to be called over by a younger girl.
Exasperated, Lucy crossed her arms on her chest. "Well, what do you want?"
"Katherine Pierce."
The second Hayley said the vampire's name, Lucy winced, her hands tightening into fists. "What about her?" She asked, trying to sound casual.
"I know you owe her," Hayley confessed, sitting at the foot of Slater's bed. "I can help you."
Lucy narrowed her eyes on the younger girl. "How do you know that?"
Hayley shrugged. "I know many things. Do you want me to help you or not?"
The Bennett rolled her eyes. "Listen, girly, you're not even legal. What could you possibly help me with?"
Hayley sighed, tired of being looked down upon by older witches, even if it benefited her. She lifted her left hand and slowly clenched it, watching as Lucy screamed and held her head. The hybrid let it go on for several more seconds before she released the other woman.
"Believe me now?" She asked Lucy with a flat smile.
Breathing heavily, Lucy took a few moments to gather herself before she looked back up at Hayley. Where it had been contempt before, now her eyes exposed a small sliver of fear towards Hayley. "What are you going to do?"
"The question is, what are you going to do for me, Lucy Bennett," Hayley leaned back. "Katherine will call for you in a few weeks. Go along with her plan and place a subtle spell on her for me."
"That is all?" Lucy asked, a bit baffled by the young witch's demands.
"What I demand of you is a tracking spell. A permanent one."
Immediately, Lucy flew into a rage. "Are you mad? A little girl is a little girl indeed! That spell could kill me. It necessitates a coven of witches, which, by the way, I do not have!!"
Lucy wasn't wrong. Unlike a simple locator spell, a permanent tracking spell expanded a witch's energy to near death, especially if it was done on another supernatural being.
Hayley rummaged into her bag before she pulled out a small star pendant. "Don't fret, Bennett. This will allow you to channel me."
Lucy hesitantly took the pendant and eyed it with suspicion. "Are you sure you're strong enough?"
"I am," Hayley said without ego or pride since she was simply telling the truth. "I would've caught Katherine myself but it appears she's aware of me so I need to be as sneaky as her."
The Bennett snorted. "No one is as cunning as Katherine."
Hayley hummed, a mysterious smile playing at her lips. "We'll see."
Lucy frowned down at the young girl and shook her head. "You know, you shouldn't be this cocky, powerful or not."
Hayley pointed at herself. "This is not being cocky, dear. This is me creating a beautiful trap."
"Cocky," Lucy muttered once more. "Tell me you at least follow the witches' ways."
Hayley laughed, looking at the Bennett up and down. "Tell me, Lucy Bennett, what exactly are the witches' ways?"
Lucy lifted her chin, looking cockier than she was accusing Hayley. "All witches must know this rule; nature is to be kept balanced."
Rolling her eyes, Hayley said. "Nature can take care of herself."
"We've been following this rule since the beginning of times," Lucy stated. "I don't think a small witch like you could change that."
Instead of being insulted, Hayley smiled. "You know, you witches' closed minds is what will cost our people. You may stay in your lane but I intend to explore and exploit every bit of magic 'Nature' has offered me."
"Listen to yourself talk," Lucy scoffed. "Do you think of yourself higher than us? Do you see yourself as queen? Last time I heard, we live in a democracy and the witches will never follow you."
"Ouhh," Hayley's tone was sarcastic. "Don't put smart ideas inside my mind, Lucy Bennett. Who knows, a crown might tickle my fancy one day."
Hayley was amused by the Bennett witch. She was fighting her this hard when she had already agreed to do Hayley's bidding. She mused it must be her pride talking.
"One thing you'll never be is a ruler."
Hayley stood up. "I don't intend to be your queen," yet. "And let me remind you of this; one doesn't need a piece of jewelry to be a conqueror." Without letting the other witch argue more, Hayley lifted her right hand, her palm facing upwards. "The oath." She ordered.
Sometimes, when two witches made a deal, they swore an oath to each other that would help upkeep the promise. If the oath was broken, one witch would be alerted and was allowed to kill the other one in cold blood. It was an ancient and barbaric practice but Hayley was not here to play. She might joke around with her high school friends but ultimately, she was here to remain alive, by any means possible.
Lucy hesitated but under Hayley's pressure, she lifted her hand, dragged a finger across the hybrid's palm and a small blue fire lit Hayley's hand before it quickly disappeared. This was her assurance.
Thus, the trap for Katherine was laid. She only needed to wait for the Petrova to fall right into it.
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_fleur
_fleur For my darlings who didn’t read the synopsis, this a true reverse harem where Hayley ends up with Finn, Elijah, Klaus and Kol. Any flirty banter she might have with any other character is just that — banter.
Continue at your own risks and peril and glad you’re so many that are enjoying the fic! Heart on you, loves.
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