Sophie glanced over to Alexis' form and saw her eyes open and she yelled to her. "Alexis! Protect yourself!" Alexis crawled to her feet and pulled herself up to stand. She was a little wobbly at first but once she could keep her eyes open she caught a stench and made a face.

"Yikes those things stink!" Unable to see them in her human form she tried to wake herself up more. Alexis bounced up and down and shook herself to wake up more fully. When something grabbed her by the shoulder and whipped her into the air as if to fly away with her she felt her adrenaline start pumping and she felt the magic coursing through her. Looking up towards the invisible goblin through eyes glowing with a bright white light she could see it. She had woged and although her face was not changed by much her claws came out and she ripped the talons holding her in the air apart and when she fell she was able to slow her decent and land delicately on the ground.

Immediately looking around her she saw the others fighting the goblins. She had the advantage of being able to see them through her magic. Seeing that Sophie was in danger she let out a sudden hex scream and it diverted attention to herself allowing Sophie to get out of danger. Sophie looked up to see Alexis staring right behind her and she stabbed backwards and heard the scream of an injured goblin. Turning around she climbed up it and dug her blade into its head.

Alexis turned slowly in place looking for Elias. She saw Wayne and when she saw Elias she couldn't help but smile until she saw more of them heading towards him. Angrily she ran over to him and took a defensive position protecting his back. "I got your back!" Alexis glanced over her shoulder. "They are circling us. Stay right behind me!"

Alexis felt the anger and fear for her friends lives and the magic coursed through her and she shoved her power out in a telekinetic push and she saw the goblins near her and Elias thrown into the nearby trees. As she depleted the last of her energy she felt herself dropping to the ground. "Elias" She murmured before falling unconscious onto the ground.

Sophie had caught sight of what Alexis did and she smiled at her until she saw her collapse. Running over to take her place she protected Elias' back and kept Alexis safely between them. She glanced up and saw Wayne. "I think we need to go while we can!"

@December

@Wick

---

Golden ichor pulsed through the veins in the Wesen's eyes, fueling his vision with magical insight. Inhaling deeply, Wayne fluidly spun under the claw of a Luftkobold and brought his lusting blade upwards into the fleshy underpart of its neck, grimacing in pleasure as his weapon met the resistance of bone, colliding against the top of the skull with a sharp crack.

Pulling back, he spun around again, flinging his blade into the beast approaching Alexis' unconscious body. The knife sailed towards the goblin's eye with deadly accuracy, but a quick bash of its elbow knocked the blade from the air, eliciting a triumphant roar from the creature.

Wayne barely had time to process that as another creature leaped at him, forced him to dive with the creature to avoid being slashed to pieces. Tumbling across the ground, Wayne twisted his leg and wrapped it around the creature's neck, giving it a brief stab to the bicep before flinging his second dagger at Alexis' attacker. The creature's hand was stayed as the knife plunged into its wrist, forcing it to jerk back instead of finishing her off.

Turning back to the creature at hand, Wayne grappled with it for a moment before reaching down to his belt, feeling his daggers magically materialize back in his grasp as they transported across the clearing to him. Within seconds, he had gutted the goblin he battled at the cost of a large gash across his chest.

Turning back, he barely had time to shout as the goblin brought its heavy arms down on Alexis. An instant before it pulverized her head into a sickly mess, a glowing blue chain snaked out from the woods with lightning speed, wrapping around Alexis' leg and pulled her across the field. The unconscious Grimm literally flew through the air into the arms of a battered man with blood pouring down his face. Wielding a now-glowing chain-scythe, the Grimm growled ferociously and swung Alexis around, tossing her onto the back of a horse sprinting directly past him.

Growling in pain, Wayne shouted out a quick Wesen command to Sophie before sprinting forwards, letting his knifes sail through the air at the Goblin Sophie was engaged with. Before they had the chance to make it halfway to their target, Sophie darted forward with lightning agiilty, placing her blade directly into the eye socket of a creature she was unable to perceive.

Wayne quickly jerked his hands into a short, curt motion, summoning his blades back to his belt before sprinting after Elias with Sophie in quick pursuit.

The four creatures quickly made it through the woods, with Hundar quickly outdistancing the three on foot. Wayne was surprisingly almost unable to outrun Elias. Despite his Wesen blood, Elias was thrusting his legs forward with unparalleled endurance.

After almost ten minutes of sprinting, Elias shouted a brief command in a language Wayne didn't recognize. The horse slowly emerged from the woods in the distance, trotting towards the three on foot.

Gently reachign up, Elias brought Alexis down from the saddle and laid her form on the ground, looking her over. "Alexis? Wake up. Now."

Alexis felt herself being pulled off of the horse but she recognized Elias and she was trying to reach her mind out to him and wake herself up. "Elias." she murmured. She pushed herself to sit up. "Where are we?" Looking around she saw Sophie and Wayne. "Where did the goblins come from? Did we get them all?" Sophie reached down and took her hand and let Alexis pull herself up with Elias' help. She reached out and grabbed Elias' hand in hers.

Shaking her head Sophie looked her over for injuries. "No, but I'm guessing you really made the coven mad. I'd bet you anything they set those goblins after you."

Alexis narrowed her eyes in anger. "They certainly are not happy about me being a Grimm." She sighed sadly. "I feel like an outcast and now I have..." She gives an ironic dry laugh "...a magical hit on me? I guess that's not really all that different than before, now they just see me as a bigger threat."

"I have to get caught up on sleep so I can get this magical energy thing leveled out before it gets me killed. I can't be dropping to the ground every time I run out of energy."Alexis yawned as they walked.

"I need your help. I need you three to help me figure out my powers better and help me train. That is...if you guys still see me as one of you." She looked to Elias for an answer but Sophie answered her first.

"Alexis, you are still the same person. That didn't change. You are still a Grimm, even more so now that you know you are by blood. The only difference now is that you have more powers to fight with."

Alexis nodded but quietly said, "but is that what people will see or will they see me as a monster?"

It was bothering her that Elias was so quiet. Was he seeing her as Alexis or as a creature of the coven?

Once they got back to the house Alexis went inside and straight to Jean's room to talk to her. After a couple of hours she arranged for a bath and she slipped into the hot water and the bubbles, sighing at her sore muscles.

@December

@Wick

---

As the four moved through the underbrush, Wayne constantly cast a wary eye behind them, searching for any sign that they were still being pursued. After roughly ten minutes of walked, it seemed the Goblins had peeled off and returned to the Coven, however, the Wesen still continued to watch for any danger.

The male Grimm beside him walked in silence, eliciting a slight about of concern from Wayne. Was he refusing to acknowledge the situation, or was he simply thinking of it? He had made it fairly clear he had lost no love for Alexis, however, he was still raised for the sole intent of killing Wesen, and now his love interests were intertwined with an abomination. While Alexis' dual nature didn't bother Wayne, there was no arguing past the questionable morality of that union of Grimm and Wesen.

"We will guide you through what we can, however, me and Sophie are not the most magically inclined," Wayne spoke quietly. "Our magics are far more natural and primal than yours. Where we use instinct and intuition for our channelings, Hexenbiests perfect an art."

After a long while, the group finally made it back to the manor. Alexis quickly split off while Elias mounted Hundar the instant she was inside and galloped off, exiting the area and making his way off towards the northern woods.

Turning to Sophie, Wayne wrapped him arms around her waist and pulled her smaller form into his, taking a deep breath as he relaxed his body into hers. "It's been quite the hectic past few days. I'm glad you're safe."

Sophie smiled up at Wayne and let him hold her close. She reveled in the companionship they had in their relationship. Leaning her head against him she wondered aloud. "As I am you. I'm worried, do you think that he will turn on her now? Is he strong enough to accept her as she is and defend her from the others of their kind? The Wesen world is not too likely to accept her easily if at all. I think that if he were to condemn her she would do one of two things." She glanced up at Wayne and saw the conflict in his eyes already.

"I think she would either turn to her hex side and fight everyone and everything including the Grimm's or she would run away in defeat. If she runs, she could be killed by groups of wesen if they ganged up on her or rogue wesen or possibly another Grimm pair. The question is...does he love her enough to stand by her."



Alexis climbed out of the tub dried off and dressed in a long white nightgown and a shawl. She quietly opened the door between her room and Elias' room. Feeling so very alone and worried about his reaction to her change she crawled onto his bed and waited for him to return. After a while, Alexis was feeling restless so she put on riding pants and a top and went outside to do a little training behind the barn. The longer Elias took in coming to talk to her the more she felt he would reject her and that scared her to death. She was really in love with Elias and she wasn't sure she could handle his rejection.

Her heart hurt as she thought about it and decided to focus on training. She ran through her normal training routine with Elias and then she added some of her newfound abilities to her repertoire. She decided to try moving things at will and the first couple of tries she was able to move her objects quickly to where she wanted them. When she tried bigger things it became a mind over matter thing. She kept thinking it was too big or heavy even though it wasn't she would fail because of her own doubts. Elias was always good at boosting her confidence. The more she thought about him the less she got done.

Soon she was just sitting there when she heard a carriage in front of the house. Going around to the front to see who was there at such a late hour she stayed in the shadows and almost shrieked when she saw not only her Uncle Marcus and Elinora but also Nathan Broussard. She backed up and literally fell over a water pail. Scrambling to her feet she felt the panic setting in. What was Nathan Broussard doing here? Oh no! What are the odds I'll be forced to marry him? He is obstinate and his father is close friends with Marcus. An arranged marriage could be a real possibility. Her heart began to pound so hard she was sure that they would hear it. She ran into the barn to wait for Hundar's return. "Hurry Elias, I need you." She whispered to herself.

@December

@Wick

---

Wayne allowed his body to mold into Sophie's, the pair fitting together like a glove. His golden eyes were troubled, peering deep into an invisible storm only he could see. Vision and sight were the specialty of his race without question, and insight had always accompanied those two abilities. However, the future was now uncertain to Wayne, something that brought him great unrest. The Wesen and human worlds were on the brink of colliding. Something was moving, something powerful. It wasn't just Alexis, but something far larger. More elaborate. More... sinister.

"I fear that if he does not choose her, great misfortune will befall more than just the Grimms." Resting his chin atop of Sophie's head, Wayne gently rubbed Sophie's back as he continued to think. Alexis was special. She was the pivot point of a far grander scheme. Her dual nature was... unprecedented, and if it ran unchecked, it would likely be the spark that starts a wildfire.

---

Crack!

The tree branch practically exploded under the impact of the fist that collided with it, splintering into a hundred different pieces as it flew across the forest. The shrapnel lodged itself in various different plants as Elias shook his hand, dispelling the pain in his knuckles. Without another though, Elias whirled around and brought his elbow down onto the thick oak tree behind him, causing a significant dent and forcing the bark into the tree, creating a small crater.

The Grimm's breathing was ragged and erratic, aptly reflecting the man's mental state. Everything about the past few days agitated him, from their new Wesen friends to Sophie's true nature. The emotions whirled around inside Elias like a hurricane, tearing apart any sense of rhyme or reason.

Uttering a guttural scream, Elias slammed his open palm into the tree once more, causing an audible crack to ring through the quiet woods as the oak fractured more, tearing his skin in protest.

"Why can't I just have a single, simple day?" Elias groaned, pounding his other fist into the bark. "First, it's Taric."

Snap!

"Then, surprise, it's time for you to go meet your bastard Uncle in the East!"

Crunch!

"But oh no, oh no no no! That's not enough! Then, you meet this bitch who's not even related to you!"

Crack!

"Then it's off to the city to get her ungrateful ass married!"

Slam!

"But could I just lie around and sleep with the wonderful city women? No! Then, these random Wesens show up inside the mansion!"

Bang!

"And as if two Wesen weren't enough, suddenly, Alexis is both a Grimm and a Wesen because why the fuck not?!"

Thump!

"And on top of everything else, the woman who I think I'm in love with-!"

Thud!

"-Doesn't even know I love men!"

Lifting his leg into the air, Elias slammed it into the heavily damaged tree, his eyes widening in shock as the entire structure exploded. Wood, bark, and leaves filled the air as the raw, unchecked brutality was unleashed. Taking in deep, ragged breaths, Elias looked down, shocked that he had entirely demolished what had to be an over 100-year-old oak with his bare hands. Grimms had special abilities that placed them above other humans, and Elias had always been exceptionally strong, however, this was a new high for him.

A gentle chortle sounded behind him as a warm snout nuzzled against the crook of his neck, goaded Elias to turn around to face Hundar. The horse met Elias eyes with unnatural intelligence, bowing his head against his master's to place their foreheads together.

Sighing heavily, Elias reached up and rubbed Hundar's snout, smiling weakly. "You're right, I am dramatic. But only a little. It's been a shit week."

After mounting Hundar, Elias returned to the mansion within half an hour, trotting into the stables to find Alexis waiting in Hundar's stall, a look of panic on her face. Quickly hiding his hands from her view to avoid revealing the extent of the damage the bark had dealt to his unprotected fists, Elias frowned, urging Hundar to trot quickly. "What's wrong? Where are the Wesens?"

"I'm so glad you are back!" Her voice started to break. "Marcus and Elinora are here. They brought Nathan Broussard here to marry me! Elias, what am I going to do?" She rests her head on his chest for a moment and realizing that he still hasn't said anything about anything she steps back and looks at him. She is truly scared to hear what he is thinking but she has to know. With little confidence Alexis "I don't know where Sophie and Wayne are right now." The darkness is keeping her from seeing much more than the barest of light from the barn's lantern in his eyes. Wringing her hands with worry she could feel the sizzling of her powers running through her body.
"Not now, not now, not now!" She said trying to control her powers. She closed her eyes and took deep breaths and focused like Wayne had told her. When she reopened them she saw Elias watching her. "What? Wayne told me how to try to focus my power so I don't cause too much mayhem." She paused."Elias, if he forces me to marry Nathan, one of us will kill the other. You and I are bonded forever by the Grimm oath we swore so I am asking you to help me figure out what to do. I know that's a lot with all the changes with me right now but...I need to know how you feel about me, these new powers, about Nathan marrying me?" Her voice broke and she turned her face down and her shoulders slumped in defeat.
"Please, I love you but if you can't stand me anymore then I'll leave and figure it out on my own. I dont want you to suffer because of me." Alexis looks up and touches his face drawing his eyes to her."Elias?"

@December

@Wick

---

Elias was silent as he processed the new information. At the mention of their Grimm oath, a stray thought about the validity of the oath traced through his mind as Elias considered if she was even a true Grimm. Before it could affect his facial expression, he quelled the thought, moving past Alexis to peer outside of the barn. Once he had ensured that no other entities lurked outside, and that all interested parties had entered the house. he turned back to face his steed.

"Hundar, Wächter, in den Wald!" Elias spoke in a foreign language as he commanded his mount to guard Alexis in the woods. Locking eyes with Alexis, Elias motioned for her to mount Hundar, aware that she was unable to speak the language Hundar understood. It was a foreign and ancient dialect, taught only among Elias particular immediate family. "Go with Hundar, he'll watch over you for the time being. I don't want you near anyone that will agitate you until we can get your powers under control. I'll handle the situation for now; I'll tell them you're out with a potential suitor."

Before Alexis could get a word in edgewise, Elias immediately left the barn, quickly climbing the side of the house in the afternoon light and slipping into his room window, calling for a bath to be drawn for him immediately. Within fifteen minutes, he was soaking in a tub of warm water, washing away the dirt, blood, and grime of the day's events. If he were to present himself to the Broussards, it would have to be without any sign that he had been in combat. It would alert them to any sign of danger and make them highly suspicious.

Elias had barely begun to relax into the water when the door opened without so much as a knock, revealing Nathan's arrogant face as his form strode into the room, glancing around the room before his eyes settled on the Grimm. A servant boy was behind him, clearly displeased that he hadn't been allowed to properly warn Elias, however, his eyes flashed a sign of relief when Elias raised his hand, signalling him it was okay.

Nathan practically begged for attention as he strode into the room, his haughty air failing to garner the respect he craved. Stepping up towards the tub, but careful not to get close enough to get wet, Nathan stared down his nose at Elias, failing to be stealthy as he gave Elias more than one glance over. Without any clothing to inhibit Nathan's view, the vast amounts of scars covering Elias body were clear signs of his combat victories. The Grimm also took the liberty of tightening his muscles, attempting to intimidate the other man. Nathan gave a haughty scoff before locking eyes with Elias, not speaking.

After a long pause, Elias chuckled dryly, looking away from Nathan and returning his attention to cleaning himself. "Broussard, what a surprise. Come to size up the competition?"

Nathan grinned menacingly at Elias and walked towards the window as he spoke. "Now where is she? I half expected to see my fiance in here. You have quite the reputation and the doctor who treated you sent word to us that Alexis was behaving...lasciviously when it came to you. Now I can't have her tainting her reputation. It wouldn't look good for me when we marry. I hope at least that you taught her something when you bedded her." He looked over at Elais and saw his knuckles grip the tub more tightly before he continued smirking at his reaction.

"Of course it won't matter much." Nathan sighed dramatically for effect as he punched his fist into his other palm. "Of course I'll have to curb her attitude, she has a sassy mouth on her and I can't have that." Turning to Elias he grinned. "That should be easier after I break her spirit. I'll have as many women as I want and all of her money too." His eyes sparkled as he thought of the money.

"So Elias, where is my soon to be wife?" Nathan looked down at him with a haughty expression on his face.

@December

@Wick

---

Elias had to repeatedly hold his tongue from lashing out at the other man, reminding himself that any form of direct aggression would get him nowhere. If Nathan were to be inhibited, it would require tact and verbal proficiency.

"Brusselsprout, I find it disconcerting that you will believe any wild servants tale that happens to make its way from the kitchens to your overeager ears," Elias casually responded, making sure to never give Nathan his gaze. "If you find yourself searching for a bitch of whorish tendencies and disreputable behavior, I would advise you go back and search in the same gutter that you pulled that forsaken pair of boots from."

Shifting his weight so that he could scrub his back, Elias cast an arrogant glance at his unwelcome guest. "Please, at least try to show some class when speaking of a woman such as Alexis. Count your blessings that you find yourself able to set foot in this respectable establishment despite your obvious disregard of proper conduct, as well as the knowledge that I have never sought after or engaged in intercourse with Alexis, for if I did, I know she'd find your actions and stamina in bed quite underwhelming in comparison. After all, I fear that your pompous lifestyle has robbed you of physical vigor and a woman's touch in exchange for a soft hand and a strengthened right arm."

Elias snorted derisively as he returned to his own hygiene, mentally preparing himself to not break the bastard's nose.

Alexis was sitting in the middle of the field behind the woods. No one would see her from the house unless something big happened. She was brushing Hundar as she spoke to him softly. Confiding in him as if he were human she told him of her problems. The steed seemed to understand that something had changed about her. Magic seemed to roll off of her like electricity. It crackled as she touched the horse and it seemed that Alexis was incredibly nervous. She had been out here for an hour and she had hidden in the woods when she heard her uncle and some of the stable hands out looking for her on horseback. She was certain that she had swallowed her heart at one point.

What was Elias going to do? What could he do? She trusted him implicitly but what if his plan failed? Her heart was beating at an alarming rate and she was worried that she would lose control of her magic soon if she didn't calm down. Alexis closed her eyes and took deep breaths trying to focus. When she opened her eyes she saw her Aunt Jean coming towards her on horseback. Alexis felt her stomach tighten with anxiety and she moved towards her aunt.

"Alexis! I've been looking everywhere for you. I take it that you know they are here? Alexis nodded. Jean sighed tiredly.

"I've been arguing with Marcus and Elinora for the last hour and he is not budging. He says you have to marry Nathan. The lovely doctor has done some serious damage to your reputation and he isn't giving you more time. As your legal guardian he can force you to marry. Why he is hellbent on you marrying that, that nincompoop Nathan Broussard is anyone's guess."

Alexis nods slowly. "He is in business with Nathan's father and it would benefit him to tie his family to ours. But Jean....I hate Nathan. He is cruel and only wishes to use me and get to my money. With my magic...-" Realizing that she hadn't told her aunt all of the details of her magic she stopped. "I don't want to be forced to kill him. What do I do?" Jean pulled her into her arms and comforted her as best that she could as Alexis cried softly. "Elias sent me out here. He said he was going to take care of it or do something but I don't know what. Do you think there is anything I can say to change Marcus' mind?"

"I seriously doubt it sweetheart. I don't trust Nathan Broussard. He gives me a bad feeling in my stomach. Elias might be your best chance although I don't know what he is up to? Your money stays in my possession until you get married according to the conditions in the contract your mother had set up for you. It is sitting in a trust untouched and it will stay there until it is released by the conditions set in it. Marcus can't touch it but your husband can. I'm sure he has a deal in place with Nathan about it. It is quite a large amount of money. Enough for Royalty to live on for decades."

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

"WHERE IS SHE?" Nathan stomped around the parlor in a near fit. He had checked every room in the house and he had even struck the butler and the stable boy when he didn't get answers. Marcus was pacing the room while Elinora sat with her mouth in a pursed line fanning herself furiously.

"Calm down Nathan. For god's sake you are scaring the staff!" Marcus yelled back at him. Nathan turned towards him and his eyes looked like he was losing his mind. For a brief moment he wondered if Nathan was going to hurt Alexis when he got a hold of her. Deciding that many women beat their wives and it wasn't his business he ignored it and looked at the man like he was a fool.

"Where is Elias? Maybe he knows where she is."

@December

@Wick

---

As soon as Nathan stormed out of the room, the boy that had been attempting to stop him poked his head in, hurrying to apologize.

"I-i'm so sorry, Master Elias, I-!" He stopped as Elias stood and held up a hand, his face firm but kind.

"It's okay, Damien, asses are stubborn creatures." Elias said, grabbing a towel and beginning to dry himself off. Damien's eyebrows raised at Elias blatant disrespect of a noble, however, he quickly put the thought aside and rushed to get Elias clothing.

Within seconds, Elias was dressed in a pair of leggings and a rich blue tunic, finishing it off with a pair of black hunting boots. Moving past Damien, Elias instructed him to wait out back for Alexis and inform her of Broussard's detestable mood. Without glancing back, Elias rushed down the stairs, silently approaching the front room where Nathan's roars were echoing outward from. Casually moving into the room, Elias leaned against the frame of the door, his arms crossed and a look of judgement on his face.

"Really, Marcus, this is the best you could find?" Elias scoffed, shaking his head at the childlike outburst. "Men of the West would never let themselves lose control like this. It's-!"

Elias was cut short by some kind of curse from Nathan, but he just raised an eyebrow and looked between Marcus and Nathan. "Alexis is above him, Uncle."

---

Wayne gently checked up on Sophie to ensure she hadn't been injured in the fight before brushing off her returned concern, pretending that he hadn't taken a glancing blow to the ribs. "We need to find Alexis. I don't think letting her near humans unchecked is a wise idea. Her magic is uncontrolled and disruptive, and you and I both know the hell that will be raised if the Downworld catches whiff of a rumor that there's a Hexenbiest in upper human society."

Sophie shook her head. "I know you are right. We need to find her but then what do we do? How are they handling this Nathan Broussard? Her aunt Jean went to get her and bring her back. I have to get back to work. I'll do my best to keep her calm. If Elias doesn't think of something and she loses control...I'll have to do something to distract them???" Shrugging her shoulders she groaned, "I'll figure something out if it comes to that."



Alexis felt her spine stiffen as she got closer to the house and stables. She was doing everything she could think of to try and keep control of her magic. The stable boys took Hundar and her Aunt Jean's horses from them after they dismounted. Jean reached out and took her hand trying to encourage her and give her some support. Alexis took a deep breath and tried to calm her nerves. She wondered where Elias was and if he had come up with something. She walked behind Jean and tried to ward off the nausea building in her stomach as she heard voices on the other side of the door. She breathed out and put on a smile and tried to remember her manners and grace as she had been taught.
Marcus' response to Elias' comment went unspoken as the ladies entered the room. As Alexis stepped into the room she caught site of Elias leaning against the doorway. His face showed no surprise other than his eyes at her arrival. However, when she looked up at Nathan Broussard she was unable to look away from the fury on his face. When Jean stepped to the side to speak with Elinora and Marcus, Nathan stepped forward and grabbed Alexis roughly by the arm steering her into the room. Alexis was trying to keep her emotions under control as Nathan manhandled her to the couch before he sat next to her.

"Uncle Marcus, I request more time. You specified that I had more time and now I demand to know why you are changing that." Alexis demanded slightly jutting her chin in stubbornness. Nathan became angered at her words and he grabbed her by the arm and dragged her out of the room and into the hallway. "Ouch, Nathan!" Embarrassment flooded her cheeks as he slammed her up against the wall roughly. His hand was open when he slapped her hard across the face.

"You will NOT disobey me! You will become my wife in spite of your whorish ways!" Alexis was holding her hand against the side of her face that he had struck. The tears in her eyes were from genuine pain. He raised his hand to hit her again.

@December

@Wick

---

Elias watched in irritation at the entire display, looking blatantly disappointingly at Marcus as Nathan dragged Alexis from the room. After a moment, he heard Alexis cry out in pain. Crossing the room, Elias glared at his Uncle. "You've truly proven yourself to be spineless, Marcus Grimm."

Entering the hallway, Elias witnessed Nathan forcing himself upon Alexis, pinning her against the wall as he raised his hand to strike her again. Without thinking of the consequences or even of the action itself, Elias produced a chain from his waist and lashed out, narrowing his eyes as a faint blue energy imbued the chain with magic as it curled itself around the abuser's wrist. With a harsh jerk, Elias pulled on the chain and forced Nathan to stagger backwards at the immense amount of strength he used. As Broussard stabilized himself, surprising the Grimm with his incredible balance, Elias ensured the magic was no longer imbuing the chain, pleased that Nathan had been so consumed with his actions that he had failed to notice the cerulean energy.

[color=royalblue]"You might think you hold some sort of sway at home, pretty boy, but here, in this city, I have the power," Elias barked, stepping forward and glowering down at the shorter man. "Whatever 'whorish' tendencies you think she has developed is quite insolent of you. I wouldn't hesitate to be honest about our relations, if they existed, and your lack of class and tact is-!"

"Elias, enough!" Marcus boomed, entering the hallway with Jean close behind. "You've overstepped your bounds. You will stand down."

As soon as Elias had turned Nathan away from her she hurried to stand behind Elias. She could feel the magic coursing through her veins in her fear. Realizing the truth of Jean's words she stumbled over her words but very clearly stated. "Nathan I would never marry you! I wanted more time before my wedding to Elias. He just asked me to marry him the other night." The horrified look on Nathan's face and the tension she suddenly felt beneath her fingertips from Elias' back made her bite her lip in worry that he would deny her claim. "I guess since Uncle Marcus is adamant that it happen sooner than later I'll have to speed up our plans!"

Hearing this from the doorway Jean smiles and turns to Marcus who is red faced and about to explode with rage. "Now dear brother as I have already given my approval of this marriage you no longer have any say to deny it."

"This isn't over Alexis! I WILL have you as my wife!" Nathan raged as he pulled his fist back to punch Elias in the face. Alexis' magic infused itself protectively through Elias at her touch.

@December

@Wick

---

Alexis claim was bold, and Elias immediately stiffened at her words. He wouldn't abandon her, but who was she to claim that about him? It not only took away his life, but also his choice. He would be locked in marriage to her if he wanted to save her.

But I do love her... And it's going to be a cold day in hell before I let her marry this bastard of a child.

As his eyes came into focus, he registered the new threat. As Nathan raised his fist, something coursed through Elias. It wasn't adrenaline, or hormones, or anything else that would normally affect him during combat. It was something... new, yet familiar. It was like there were two souls of one mind in his body, raging to stop the attack.

Without a second thought, Elias and the new force stepped forwards, catching the crook of Nathan's arm with his own forearm. While instinctively Elias sought to strike Nathan in the solar plexus, the new mind displayed disapproval, instead guiding Elias' right hand towards the soft, tender part of Nathan's shoulder. Instead of a full powered fist, a light, gentle jab of straight fingers was dealt, pulling back as soon as the mind gave the approval to do so.

The Grimm's next move was to strike Nathan's throat, however, once again, the new mind goaded him into a different course of action. Repeating the first strike, yet this time on Nathan's left side, Elias meekly jabbed once more, entirely contrary to his regular, rage-induced fighting style.

For a moment, a second look of horror crossed Nathan's face as his arms fell limp to his sides, no longer responding to his movements. His fingers were twitching wildly, yet there was still no response from the upper arm.

Smirking confidently, Elias stepped forwards and thrust his knuckles into the inside of Nathan's left inner thigh, following it up with two more close hits down the leg.

Like a sack bag, Nathan crumbled, wailing as his fall resulted from his limbs betraying him. Standing tall, Elias growled menacingly at the man, glowering down intimidatingly. "I don't believe you'll be finding a partner in Ellesphere today, Brusselsprout." (I forgot the name of the city okay)

Turning back to face the woman behind him, Elias locked eyes with Alexis' magic fueled eyes. His body was blocking Nathan from seeing the spectacle, however, blue and purple energy churned in her irises as Elias came face to face with the secondary mind that had guided him during the fight.

Alexis' eyes locked on Elias' when he turned to face her. She knew he was probably very angry with her for her claim. Taking his hand in hers she hugged him and kept her eyes downcast. She knew that her magic was in her eyes for all to see. She needed to get to a private room to speak to Elias as soon as possible.

"Elias! Is this true? Did you really ask her to marry you or is this a ruse to avoid marriage to Nathan?" Marcus demanded as Elinora rushed past Jean and yelled to the butler to get Nathan to his room. She followed upstairs to make sure he was alright.

Alexis went to move past Elias to head to her room but stopped at Marcus' words. "Alexis! If you are lying there will be severe consequences and I mean severe!"

Alexis nodded and murmured, "Excuse me." quietly. It was all she could do not to run up the stairs. The magic was subsiding a little bit but not enough to be able to look her uncle in the eyes. She hurried into her room and sat down. She sat there just thinking about what she had done. Elias was going to kill her. She had effectively changed the course of his life without asking him and she felt horrible about it. She paced back and forth wondering if he was going to deny her claim as he had every right to do.

Alexis focused on controlling her magic until he got there. She smiled at how well he had fought with her magic guiding him. "Wow, together we could be such a force for good. I hope he sees that." Nervously she also mumbles to herself, "I also hope that he loves me enough." Sighing and unable to hold the tears back she cries quietly. "What have I done to him?"
@December

@Wick

---

Elias slowly straightened his back and took a deep breath, mentally steeling himself. Either his life was changed forever, or Alexis suffered for the rest of her's. It was an unfair ultimatum, yet instead of the normal rage Elias typically felt, there was... numbness. Stronger than sadness and heavier than anger, Elias was familiar with this feeling, as it afflicted him for months after Taric's death.

The Grimm could feel all eyes on him, and he had to acknowledge them. Meeting Marcus eyes, Elias faked confident expresssion. "It's true. A few evenings ago I asked Alexis to give me her hand in marriage."

There was a small gasp from someone in the room, though Elias couldn't tell who. Perhaps it was one of the many servants that thought they weren't detected, listening to the conversation around corners and behind closed doors. The silence stretched on for a few moments longer before Elias spoke again. "I don't intend to allow Broussard to see Alexis again. That boy is vile, volatile, and repulsive. Inform him an actual suitor has claimed Alexis' hand and that he will never touch her again."

With that, Elias turned and left, his boots echoing loudly as the only noise in the hallway. As he made his way up the stairs, he saw three servants, one being his own personal helper, quickly scrambling up the stairs and out of sight. Disregarding them as he went, the newly engaged man turned right at the top of the stairs and swiftly walked towards Alexis room. Without bothering to knock or request entrance, he opened the door, shutting it behind himself.

Alexis was waiting for Elias, sitting on the edge of her bed. Before she had the chance to say a word, Elias gently grasped her shoulder, leaning in close with a soft whisper. "If your magic can make us unheard from prying ears, I suggest you do it."

After speaking, he pulled away as the numbness overtook his body, making reality feel inauthentic as he moved to the window and gazed outward.

Alexis got up and locked the door and then came back to Elias and they became surrounded by a dome of magic effectively soundproofing them from the outside world. "I'm so sorry, I didn't have the right to do that to you." Alexis looked him in the eyes. "I kind of blurted it out without thinking and once it was out there I was to scared to take it back. I was completely thrown off when Aunt Jean backed me up." She looked down a second in fear of what he would say next. Glancing up at him she said, "I completely understand if you want to tell them that I lied or that we had a fight and broke up." Tears filled her eyes at the thought of losing him.

"I beg you though, if you want to do that I need a few hours head start. I refuse to marry Nathan and I would have to run. He only wants my money and to hurt me." The pain at the thought of having to leave him forever made her turn away from him. "I'd much rather marry you even if you don't love me the same way I do you." The magic of the dome keeps shifting colors from red to pink and blue and purple depending on which emotion she is displaying.

"If we marry we can still work together, we are such a good team. I was surprised at how well you worked with the magic I infused with you." Turning back to him Alexis reached out and hugged him tightly. "Thank you for stopping him."

@December

@Wick

---

Elias decided not to speak during the entire process, allowing Alexis to talk unhindered. The magical dome around them altered gradients, providing a soothing aura that brought a small bit of peace to his mind.

For a long moment, Elias said nothing as Alexis trailed away into silence, giving way to the soft glowing aura of the orb around tehm as the only noise in the room. Finally, Elias took a deep breath and let out a long sigh. "Alexis, listen... I'm not mad... Hell, yes I am."

Running his hand through his hair, Elias turned around and faced the magical wall. There was a deep rumble in his chest, from anger or frustration or exasperation, he didn't know. He considered punching the wall, but Elias had no idea if that would end well or anyone. "This changes everything, Alexis. We're bound now. Once and forever, no turning back"

Turning back around to face her, he searching for something in her eyes, an answer, anything. "Do you get that? Do you understand what you've done?"