40. Andante, Andante.

It was finally over. Annaliese had turned into a pile of ashes, and I was filled with an overwhelming sense of power. My connection to the hive was stronger than ever, and I could feel Wulfe's presence in my mind, keeping me under control. Power was gushing inside me, swirling, and I was not sure what I would become. The amount that had flooded into me was astonishing and Wulfe kept me grounded. He was incredibly strong, just like Damon, who had discovered the source of my rage earlier. I glanced around and noticed that everyone was staring at us.

I spoke up, declaring, "It is done. We are free to move on now."

Damon nodded, still holding onto Mariella, who was trembling slightly from the surge of power. Wulfe held onto me tightly, and I felt someone else gripping my other arm. It was Magnum, pulling me close. Although he wasn't part of the hive, his physical proximity made it impossible to ignore him.

Dresden, Constatine, Katherine, and Elena stood nearby, wizard's eyes glowing violet. A few Salvatores were also present, and Alaric, with his eyes completely black, stood nearby. Colin emitted his familiar clover scent behind me, and I felt our bond so strongly. Everything that I felt was amped up to the max.

Being part of the hive felt incredible. It made me realize just how much I had changed over the centuries. Heck, I was over 200 years old, having been with Damon for almost 100 years before Mariella came into the picture. I was a relic, not as old as Damon, but still ancient. Of course, almost everyone in our hive was older than me. Even Elena had existed before I was created and had been trapped in that jewel. I was the baby of the hive.

We stood there in silence, not saying much, and then slowly made our way to sit on our thrones. The party was still in full swing, and now it was Damon's job to handle things. He knew, as did everyone else, that the hive would soon be gone. It was time to forge new alliances. I noticed Bran and Samuel talking to a group of vampires. My hive had been ensuring that they wouldn't come after me.

I had no idea what they had done to stop whatever that dream had been. I couldn't even recall it anymore. Wulfe or Damon had taken it away from me. I wasn't supposed to have those kinds of visions. I was tired, yet filled with the feeling that I could conquer the world. It had been one hell of a night. Damon slaughtering Harrison, making it a public spectacle, and then this show with Annaliese. We had come out from the shadows and into the limelight. I was not sure what this meant for the future. For me. 

At the same time, I felt like I was on the verge of losing myself. It was crucial to dismantle the hive. I was a powerful creature, and I didn't want to let my vampire side completely take over. I preferred to keep all sides of myself intact. It just made things easier. Power was seducing me, it was trying to dig out my darkness, and I could feet powerful influence of Wulfe keeping things calm in my mind.

This was a completely different experience and afterglow than I had back then, when I took Damien out completely. It had felt like I was fighting a war I had no chance of winning, all by myself and desperate. But I did it anyway, for others. Even though it was my hatred that broke the link and made him mortal so Damon could finish him off, I was left alone. If Wulfe hadn't been with me during that time, I'm not sure what would have happened to me. I felt so alone, bitter, and hollow.

But now, I'm not hollow or alone. I don't feel like that at all. We accomplished what we set out to do and came out victorious on the other side. It's time to move on. There's no need to go to parties anytime soon, and I knew vampires have a lot of things to do. There are still several piles of ashes from Damon's and other salvatores little purge. He's positively glowing, sitting right next to Mariella. They kissed and looked at each other, and I was perfectly fine with that.

But then something happened that caught the attention of many vampires. Wulfe, who was sitting next to me, grabbed my head and kissed me. Oh my god, he's such a good kisser. There was so much in that kiss. So many emotions, so much unconditional love, and a need to be with me. He was giving me his soul, more or less. I kissed him back with all I had, and this was the moment that got everyone's attention.

Wulfe had been seen as almost asexual, and now our heated, passionate kiss made Damon and Mariella look like schoolchildren pecking each other. The kiss seemed to last forever, and once we were done, we just stared into each other's eyes, not saying a word, catching our breath. His lips were almost calling me to kiss him again. His hands were still around me.

And then, as usual, Mr. Salvatore got heated and jealous. He stepped closer, but before I could react, he kissed Wulfe. Fine, men can kiss each other, but then again, Damon was dominating him and seducing him too.

Magnum, who was sitting next to me but had moved a little further away, said, "I would have never thought that two guys kissing could be so damn hot." I nodded in agreement.

Magnum told me, "I'm not okay yet, but I will be. It will take time, and I'm sorry I can't be stronger and feel fine with all these emotions and sensations."

I looked at him. He looked thin, pale, like he had suffered a lot and there was a hint of vulnerability in his gaze.

I said to him softly, "I'm sorry I couldn't be stronger and set you free sooner. I hate you had to wait all this time."

Magnum said, "It's been less than a year, hummingbird. You've been through much worse, so maybe I'm just inexperienced in dealing with these things. But now I understand what it feels like to be a victim on a whole new level."

I nodded and reassured him, "Take all the time you need. There have been a few changes at work, but I won't spoil the surprise for when you get back. Go be with Higgins. She'll take care of you."

He nodded and stayed by my side as Damon led Wulfe to Mariella, who also wanted to kiss him. Poor boy would have a sore mouth. Damon didn't sit on his throne much for the rest of the night, but walked with Mariella, talking to everyone. Number four had his dagger, still emitting a dangerous aura, and he was on the prowl.

As for me, I was tired yet happy. However, this marked the end of my hive, and I felt a twinge of sadness even though I knew it had to go. I was still myself, but I couldn't predict how long that would last if I allowed the hive to remain. So I simply observed, and for once, I was truly proud of myself. It was a great feeling, and I promised myself that I would continue to feel proud.

Finally, it was time to go home. I had told no one outsider that I planned to dismantle the hive, except those in our hive. It had been an incredible experience being the hive queen, and who knows, maybe I would have to do it again someday. Though I hoped not anytime soon.

We walked out and got into the limo one last time, heading home before I dismantled the hive. It wasn't difficult, just a small burst of my power, and the hive was no more. It had been hard for Damon to accept, but it was a rule of the hive that the one who created it had to be the one to undo it. And that person was me. While we all accepted and knew it was the right thing to do, relinquishing control was a challenging place for both Damon and Wulfe.

Wulfe was once again the center of attention, and I was surprised to smell Mariella starting to emit the scent of vampire heat. It was probably just a reaction, but at least it would keep them occupied. And if they ended up in the Azores afterward, even better. Maybe vampire heat was what Magnum and Wulfe needed too. 

We walked back into the living room, and Damon sat on the couch with Mariella in his arms, smelling a little bit more.

I spoke softly, saying, "It's okay. You go and have vampire heat like no other, and hopefully this time there won't be any old hag trying to take you."

Damon looked at me, feeling a bit ashamed, and replied, "I had some other plans, baby, but it is what it is."

I reassured him, "I am about to dismantle the hive, so you will be free to form your pack. No need to bind us there just yet. You go have vampire heat, and if you still need more time after that, take it. I'm swamped with work anyway, so I probably won't even notice the time passing."

Wulfe snorted, and I looked at him, saying, "You too, boy wonder. Have vampire heat, help Magnum, and if you want, you can come to work. I'll have a full list ready for you by then. I'll be fine, so no need to worry about me."

Wulfe replied, "Sorry, unicorn. I can't help it. I do worry about you. But you're right, this will take some time, and then we'll see where we are."

I focused, and it was easy. The hive was no more. Everyone seemed a little perplexed, as if something was missing. Alaric, the wizards, and the girls looked sad, as they had lost their connection. Colin was beside me, and we were still mates, no matter what.

Damon exclaimed, "Wow, it's a bigger hit than I thought. God damn it, I'm missing something, and I'm missing it badly."

I comforted him, saying, "It will pass. Now you can form your pack, link up again, and choose who to take in. There's no hurry to take me. Take your time and make your pack perfect. Have vampire heat, and when you come back, make sure you're 100% ready, maybe even for work."

Damon walked over to me, took my shoulders, and looked into my eyes.

He said, "Don't try to push me away. We had something there, so damn real, and now it's gone. I want it back. I need that connection to you back. You will be mine, my wife, my vampire wife. Believe it."

I smiled at him. Hmm, let's see if I can do 1-0 here. One last time before our break. 

I kept my expression neutral as I said. "Damon, don't cry over us. Aren't you tired of being sorry? Believe me, I wanna hear your heartbeat, always. But someday things are not the same. Then remember the time that made you see me as your kryptonite. We are not Romeo and Juliet, and I am not Maria Magdalena. All you have to do is wait. Time after time, I will be there, and we will make heaven. Just for us. Remember, everything I do, I do it for you. You are my angel in blue jeans, or in black leather trousers that make you look like a sex god. Even when all is said and done, and it is time to sail away, nothing is over. After all, our eternal flame burns still as I was made loving you. No need for cryin'. This love of ours will stay on. No runaway train will ever take me away from you. Even some of here might have little suspicious minds. This comes straight from the heart."

Damon glanced at me without saying a word.

Mariella remarked, surprised, "Wow, Mimi, that was an impressive 1-0! How many did you manage to fit in there? And you meant every single word!"

I replied, "27. So enjoy, because this little babyboy might have some trouble with the 1-0 I just delivered. He might be a bit rough in the vampire heat, as he's not a graceful loser. I'm not sure if any of these guys are, really. But anyway, I just had to score that one goal."

Damon shook his head, returned to Mariella, grabbed the dagger he had with him, and stabbed her in the gut. She was just too smug. No one was affected, not even Damon, who had put the children to bed. It wasn't the right time for family time yet.

It was the beginning of September, and only time would reveal what was to come and what kind of Christmas they would have. Perhaps they would spend it in the Azores or somewhere else, but I wasn't bothered by it at all.

Wulfe approached me so he could once again come to sit by my side and stared at me, asking, in my mind so no one heard him, "Why are you pushing me away too, unicorn? Why won't you let me support you? They can have vampire heat without me. Let's go on a road trip, just the two of us. You know, I can still feel the hive. It's not completely gone, it's like it's hibernating. You haven't told us everything, have you?"

I smiled at him, and before I answered, Mimosa approached Wulfe and seduced him with her vampire pheromones. I didn't stop her. The vampire heat would help them, forming a pack would help them, and then we could see where we stood. For now, it was time to take things easy, let them simmer, and not overdo anything. 

I stood before everyone, my heart heavy yet hopeful, and said, "One can never truly know when the Hive might be needed again. This isn't a last goodbye; rather, it's just a pause—a chance for all of you to shift your focus from the relentless battle against Annaliese. I want to express my deepest gratitude to each of you. She may not have been your enemy in a direct sense, but you stepped into the Hive and fought valiantly by my side, and for that, I will be forever thankful."

As I spoke, Alaric stepped forward, his voice radiating warmth and reassurance. "I will always be with you, no matter what you need, brat. I guess that you're planning to dive back into work."

I nodded and to my surprise, Mariella went to Alaric too, kissing him. Poor Rick, he was going to have vampire heat, too. Damon smirked at me coldly. Oh, I see. I did not care as I had read a lot of vampire stuff, and I had learned that during vampire heat, those pheromones did affect males as well, so Damon was ready for some vampire heat and during that time, he could be a bastard.

I said to them all, "You have my phone number. If I'm not available, try Taylor or Tim; I keep them in the loop, in case you need me after your vampire fling."

My voice was neutral. It truly felt like the end of an era. This particular era had been short and rough, but I was so proud of getting it done. 

Now, it would just be a matter of self-control—learning to live with my powers and keeping my senses intact. I mean, having a vampire side that was five times stronger shouldn't be such a big deal. I had pent-up emotions I hadn't had a chance to unload in years. Yeah, I could hold it all in. The feelings of my heart being ripped out of my chest as the connection between Damon and me broke off. I've been through worse. 

I have to suck it all in and move on. Time will tell what life has in store for me next. Here I was, stronger and meaner, having completed my duty once again.

What Wulfe had sensed, yeah? Hive was no more, so to speak, but it was. I was the hive queen, and I controlled it. I had just taken it offline, and let them move on. No need for them to know that if I wanted, I could snap it on, just like that. It was just one more backup plan of mine.

My one plan was to keep a few strands active, like between me and Wulfe, but only after vampire heat and if he would want. I was not forcing him. It might be tough a place for him to know I could stop him if that connection would be on. This time would affect them for a long time. I somehow suspected that, in good and bad. 

I kept the hive's existence secret also because I did not want Damon to start to beg me to put it back on. It would always boost my vampire side, and I needed to get myself back under control before I would start to mess with it. I was still on the edge of the razor. The temptation was still there. Work would help, keep me grounded, and not let me plan anything funny, domination games, or such.