Chapter 42: Bad Moon Rising

Whitlock Ranch TX

[Jasper's POV]

Most of the family has ported to different locations at the ranch for some 'couple' time after yesterday's battle with Maria and her followers. Charlotte has been hiding her baby's heartbeat. She wanted to keep it secret until after we took out Maria's bunch and the Hollow. The little rascal she is carrying has other plans and bypassed her 'magic' so everyone in the dining room could hear the double heartbeats of mother and child. Pete was too shocked to say anything. That's a first for him.

[Niklaus POV]

"Charlotte what is so important that you have to wake me up?"

"Nik the Hollow is gathering forces in New Orleans for a full on onslaught. I know you think you are its' intended target due to your combination of abilities. There is one other person that has the Witch/Werewolf/Enhanced Original abilities."

I had forgotten Marcel's mother was a witch. It is one of the reasons the Governor kept Marcel and didn't sell him off. "Damn Tristan, Lucien and Aurora: the trio's interference made him the perfect target for the Hollow."

She nods. "We can use our Leylock abilities to help him, similar to how we helped take down Maria's army behind the scenes. The other schools of magic will assist us in this task inconspicuously. This is Marcel and Vincent Griffith's fight. They need to be the ones that destroys 'the Hollow'."

"It will be helpful for you to guide the Werewolf packs and the hybrids from Shreveport LA. We will make amulets for them also. You can't get any closer than that to New Orleans."

Freya enters the room. "I will coordinate with Vincent Griffith and help the witch covens of New Orleans from here. We need to make protection amulets for both Vincent and Marcel also. These amulets will have protection from all the Leylock abilities plus the various witch schools of magic. The Hollow will be throwing all kinds of witch magic at them."

"When you have the amulets ready I will contact Marcel. He is still wary of me. Our history together is preventing him from fully trusting me. He has reasons to be justified for his caution, even after our last encounter."

Freya nods. "The amulets are ready now. We will port them to Vincent for the Witches and port the others directly to Marcel for him and his vampires. The ones for the Werewolves you can take with you when you meet up with Jackson Kenner with the Crescent pack and your cousin Cary with the North Atlantic Pack in Shreveport. They will allow our Astral Leylocks to 'see' what is happening during the upcoming battle and with their guidance it will allow us to channel our energies similar to our defeat of Maria's army. The Hollow is conscripting witches and some other talents to funnel and amplify her magic. Similar to how Aunt Dahlia was able to Shanghai my magical abilities."

Charlotte laughs. "Our job is to make Marcel look really good as a candidate for the Hollow to want to merge with him, taking over his body as an immortal with his hybrid powers. She would be invincible or so she thinks. She is underestimating 'the Beast' and not taking into account there are other magic sources that are working to prevent that from happening. She needs to be contained and then destroyed."

I sigh. "Marcel knows about this plan already?" His phone vibrates, "Marcel, how can I help you?"

"Tell the family thank you for Vincent's and my amulets. Also thanks for sending the other protective items for my vampires and Vincent's witches who are helping us to defeat the Hollow."

"Marcel as much as I want to fight at your side: this is your fight. I want you to know that I have every confidence that you will be victorious. I will meet with you in person after this battle with the Hollow."

"Niklaus, I am looking forward to Vincent and I sharing a good bottle of Bourbon with you at Rousseau's after we eliminate the threat of the Hollow. Bring the family they will be welcome in New Orleans."

"I will see you soon." We both disconnect at the same time.

Freya points out, "Now we need to help Elżbieta set up her command center here again. While you get ready to port to the werewolves' coordinates." She makes sure I am wearing the amulet Charlie gave me. She smiles and waves a goodbye in my direction. I am counting on the family to port me to Shreveport before the battle starts. It is far enough away from the Hollow's influence and I can coordinate activities for the wolves via my amulet and their amulets.

Elżbieta has already found a room and set up electronics at our newest home in Shreveport so she can coordinate strategy with me remotely. I will be able to monitor and communicate strategy with her, Marcel, Vincent, Jackson and Cary to help them defeat the Hollow."

Elijah walks into the room. "Ramont and the Strix are ready to fight by Marcel's side. Charlie has sent amulets of protection for them also."

[Damon's POV]

I pull Charlotte aside. She looks up at me laughing. "I told you Leylocks are fertile."

"Is it too soon for another pregnancy for Bella?" I am concerned for my mate.

"Bella will be fine. I think the term is 'Irish' triplets." She grins at me. I sigh. "After this one we need to talk Leylock birth control."

"I will mention it at the next family dinner."

"Does Pete know he's going to be a daddy?" Charlotte blushes and nods. "You can pick on him too; Jasper has got a few digs in already."

I never thought I would be thinking about Daycare as a vampire, but as fertile as we seem to be, the family needs to think about setting up a Daycare and a School for our current 'supernatural' and future offspring. I shudder to think about what our children will be up to: they have already activated their Leylock magic. I need blood and a strong shot of Bourbon. I hear Bella's laughter from our room. I call back to her, "Our children will give me grey hair!" I smile as she shouts back, "That's not possible."