I throw his head backwards and stand. Taking several steps away, I turn to Ghost and then whistle. Their low growls bounce off the walls in echoes. One by one, they slink their way between the men standing around us. They snap and snarl, looking for permission to descend on our target. Begging to surrenderthemselves to their primal urges. Aren’t we all like that though? Begging to release ourselves from whatever restraints keep us from our base desires. That's the thing about this world, it's not black and white. It’s gray. When you look closer, you'll see hues and tones. You’ll find not some dismal gray but a kaleidoscope of silver, ash, graphite, porpoise, charcoal, slate, and even steel. Life isn’t good vs evil either. It’s opposite sides of the same coin. A bird isn’t all bad when its nest inevitably breaks a branch. For that branch dropped a seed which grew into an immense Redwood tree. A man is not all good for offering a homeless person a meal. For that man is a disingenuous virtue signaler. He offers kindness because it makeshimfeel good, not because it's the right thing to do. So drop the restraints, do what feels right to you, and bask in the hue that is morally gray.
“Avanti.” I command, causing the dogs to step forward. Closing the distance between them and Dominic. (Forward)
“Guarda.” The dogs drop their gazes from me, locking onto their target. (Watch)
“Mangiare.” I say with so much conviction, a few of my men gasp. (Eat)
The dogs descend onto him. He screams in agony as they each take hold of him. One after the other, they rip flesh from bone. Limb from body. All while I watch. I refuse to look away as Dominic begs for mercy. Not even when the dogs consume him piece by piece. I do not look away until the room falls into utter silence and the dogs feel satiated. It’s then that I feel contentment. Dominic was not given peace, mercy, nor retribution because he never offered those to his victims. He deserved nothing but to be disposed of in some nondescript place where he will never be found or put to rest.
“That? That was for me.” I say to the corpse.
Turning around, I find the most important people in my life. Ghost stands stoically, watching as the dogs consume his father. His face rests with a different version of the same expression mine harbors. Relief. Looking over I find Scarlett nestled amongst the arms of James, Ryon, and Lucas. They each wrap themselves around her, both in comfort and defense. She leans into their touches unlike her earlier reaction to Ghost’s attempts. Walking to Ghost, I wrap my arms around his torso and give a small squeeze. After some time, his arms wrap around me like a blanket of warmth. We stand like this for a moment before I pull away. Looking up, we stare into each other's eyes sharing thoughts only the other could decipher. So much can be said with so little sound. I savor this feeling for as long as I can before I recognize the need to leave the area.
Stepping back, we collect each other’s hand and begin to walk away before Ghost halts our movements. Dropping my hand, he walks over to what is left of his father and collects the pendant sitting amongst the mess. He takes a moment of looking it over before he stuffs it in his pocket, reclaims my hand, and leads the way. I whistle to the dogs, observing them as they pass us to climb the stairs. We all retrace our steps, leaving the building one by one, discarding our connection to the man on the ground as we do. I watch as Scarlett walks like a queen surrounded by her court, James to her left, Lucas to her right, and Ryon behind her. They create a deadly wall of power, shielding her devotedly. I had previously had my suspicions about how they all seemed to have an attachment to her, remembering the dinner where Ghost and I held each other at gunpoint. I thought of the way they would all be in competition but it seems it has settled itself. Ryon and Lucas are obviously a thing but interestingly also have feelings for Scarlett. Completing theirdynamic is James. I feel no sense of judgement as I look at this group. If they have managed to find a system where they all feel love and support, I am happy for them. Polyamory is not a new concept and if they hope for my blessing, there is no need. I love them all individually and want nothing more than for them to find connection, even if that means amongst each other. I make a mental note to discuss this with them at a later time.
We claim our places in our respective vehicles. Ghost drives while I sit beside him. The guys climb into the rear just as Scarlett nests herself between their large frames. My eyes dance between their figures, thoughts mulling over today's events; compartmentalizing the untold destruction within it. Choosing to play music quietly, hoping to drown out these thoughts, my hand reaches for the dials. A softer melody dances over the speakers just as Scarlett’s voice cuts through it. I look into the rear view mirror, offering a questioning look as I hadn’t been able to make out what she said.
“How…” she trails off.
“How what, hm?” I question.
“How will someone ever love me? I’m ruined.” Her voice is barely above a whisper. A stray tear rolls from her eye to the tip of her nose and juts off, disappearing below her face.
My stomach tightens just as we all lurch forward, Ghost slamming on the breaks beside me. We squeal to a stop and I take a moment to collect my emotions. Pushing them down until they are nothing more than an idea. Twisting around in my seat, I gather her attention and hold eye contact. What I am about to say is violently vulnerable and I need it to land. I needed someone to tell me this, all those years ago, but no onetruly understood what I had experienced. I wish I didn’t have to be that person for Scarlett but I am selfishly grateful that I am.
“You, Scarlet Mikaelson, arenotruined. You are not dirty. You are not broken. I know that because you are here. Your scars aren’t ugly. They are an unfair parallel to your burdensome experiences. You did not deserve what has happened to you. You did not ask for it. You did not earn it. You are not your trauma. You are a survivor. You are worthy of love. Those were bad people that did bad things and you were the target. You can choose to be a victim or you can choose to be a survivor. That is not something anyone else can choose for you. You have to decide that on your own, but I can tell you that trauma also makes you stronger. It makes you harder to hurt the next time. Don’t let anyone ever define your worth. If they can’t see past your scars, then they are undeserving of knowing you.Theyare unworthy.Theyare ruined. Theyare not enough. You will find someone, orsomeones,that will see your waning fire and stoke it. They will nurture and feed it. They will see your light in all its glory.” My eyes don’t fall when I’m done speaking. I want her to know, devoutly, that she will always be enough.
“I-okay.” Her voice is still low but stronger now. More confident than before.
I turn back around in my seat but not before passing a small look to Ghost, his eyes softened in awe. As if he can read my mind, he knows that speech came from a place in me that I have tried hard to keep from surfacing. No more. I will never again fall victim to the hands of evil. For death runs from me. Hides within me like a coiled serpent in the brush. I am Death. The bestowed violence of retribution. The hand that feeds the demons of chaos. The darkness that quiets the world.
Chapter Thirty Six
T.G.I.F.
Four days have passed since the death of Dominic and the unmeasurable destruction of Scarlett’s life. Life has looked a little different at my house with everyone, Scarlett included, bunking up with me. The guys have been attached to her at the hip while Ghost has been busying himself with his own changes. With his father dead, he is now the Don. The entire empire lays in limbo, awaiting his first announcement as their new leader. Tonight is planned to have a meeting with most of its members and officials in attendance. He has requested the presence of my own family, assuming to be given the opportunity in denouncing our fifty year long rivalry. This alone warms my heart beyond measure. With this impending event, I start looking through my wardrobe for a dress. Wall to wall, countless dresses sit hung and waiting. I realize that all in attendance will be looking at my family tonight. I need a dress that claims power and demands respect. I haven't even thought to ask Ghost if his mafia knows about us.Fuck.If they do, that’s all the more reason to dressthe part. My hand skates over various fabrics until one on the end catches my eye. It’s wrapped in a cover of black vinyl. Hidden beneath, I know all too well, holds the perfect gown. Pulling it from its place before pulling down the zipper, I’m met with the black corset. I remove it from the bag and lay it out to admire. The mid section is a sheer black corset decorated in black lace. It is strapless and hangs low with connecting laced sleeves. The cups of the breasts are underplayed with a deep red satin. Running from midline down to the skirt are red roses accompanied by the same black lace. The skirt is my favorite part. It’s a pattern of black and red ombré that flows up and down, all variously covered in the same roses that can be found on the corset and sleeves. It is designed like a ball gown, flowing out and just touching the floor if I were to be wearing heels. The satin laps open to create a subtle opening in the front. I never wore this one as I always felt it was far too pretty to be seen but tonight is the perfect excuse to raise it from its slumber.
Next step is my jewelry and hair, before makeup. Heading to my jewelry stand, I pull open drawers, adorned in black velvet, until I find what I am looking for. There sits a heavy necklace, covered in large black diamonds. Sitting in the center is a pendant. The moment we returned, I called the jeweler to have it custom made. Ghost will lose his shit when he sees it. I smile as it's fitted around my neck. Like it was always meant to be there. Next step is hair, so I throw it up in an elegant mess of waves ensuring my necklace will be on full display tonight. Finalizing my look, I sit at the large mahogany vanity inside the bedroom to apply my makeup. I settle for a dark eye look, like always. Lips are painted a dark red to match my dress. By the time I am ready, it is nearly five o’clock. I give myself a once-over before sliding into matching heels and heading downstairs. As if we are magnets, I don'tneed to call for Ghost to know where he is. My body has this ethereal draw to his. Like our souls are two ends of the same being. My legs carry me towards the lounge in strides. Arriving at the door, I observe two things quickly. The first is the door being slightly ajar and the second is the conversation that carries from it. Their voices speak in hushed tones.
I lean forward to gather their discussion just as James’s voice comes through clearly, “I don't see what there is to be concerned about.”
“You don't see what there is to be concerned about?” Ghost dryly laughs.
There’s a pause before he speaks again, “What will my family think? In their eyes, she’s been altered by someone that isn’t her husband. You don't understand. My family is very traditional.”
“Fuck traditions. You and Everly have broken many of those. Including ending the feud between families.” Lucas states but I can hardly focus as rage wells up within me. I always worried that I was ruined after my attack and this just confirms it. Ghost is concerned about how his family will react to the news of our engagement.
With shaky hands I remove my necklace and stow it in my handbag. I almost remove my engagement ring but hesitate. No need to cause a scene tonight. Blinking quickly and blowing out a quick breath, I mentally prepare myself to walk in. After a moment, I push the door open and head inside. I survey to find the guys are spread across one long couch as Ghost rests in an armchair parallel from them. A glass of whiskey rests loosely at his fingertips. Our eyes meet and his softens before going wide. They trail from my face and dance their way down until they reach the bottom of my dress. His eyes snap backup and meet my gaze once more before he passes a heated stare. Like a lion seeing its next meal. I offer him a soft smile in return, contrasting the storming anger threatening its way out. Knowing I must act normal, I cross the room and lay a soft kiss to his lips before wiping away any possible residue from my lipstick. He snatches my wrist into his hand before placing my thumb between his teeth and applying gentle pressure. Finally, he removes my thumb and plants a soft kiss on it. This interaction would have me swooning if it wasn’t for what I had heard before coming in. Looking around, I don't find Scarlett anywhere. As if he can read my mind, he speaks.
“She has decided to not attend tonight. She’s not ready and I support her in that.” He states before sipping his whiskey. I nod in response before smiling.
“Ready to go?” I ask way too chipperly.
They all offer some variation of a yes just as they stand. Making the first move, I turn around and make my way from the room. I have no idea how I will bring any of this up to Ghost. If he regretted his decision, why not tell me? Fear of hurting me? Maybe. Nevertheless, tonight is not about me. It is about him and our alliance. So I carry on as if everything is fine. Like I don't feel dirty and unworthy of his love. Like I haven’t been betrayed on some intangible level. We make it to the entryway just as movement draws our attention to one of the staircases. There stands Scarlett in a very revealing, bejeweled red gown. This contrasts her usual cool tones. What truly shocks me is her loss of long red hair, that now sits in shoulder length waves.
The group follows the object of my attention just as Ghost breaks the silence, “Scar, I- I thought you weren't coming?”
“Yes, well hiding doesn’t show strength now does it? They need to know that nothing can break a Mikaelson.” She says and for once, since her attack, she sounds strong. Dare I say, stronger than before.
