CHAPTER 9...part 2

(Raining at Midnight in June — Gemyni)

SLEEP overtook her form, but her mind remained awake, racing with unwarranted thoughts. She tossed and turned, tangling herself in the beds cover like a fly trapped in the spider's web.

With the Hollows' looming presence, and the ever present knowledge of her threat over Hopes' life, Kara found herself on edge.

Alek found himself at a loss, knowing the root of his wife's anxieties but unknowing what to do as a means to bring peace to her mind. Hell, even he was anxious with the hollows' return, not a stranger to the elder witches magical capabilities.

When it came down to it, it didn't matter the level of power between the two, how long either lived or what magik line they steamed from. The only thing that would matter once they faced one another, would be the capability of the witch, and Aleksander Bennett was positive that Kara Bennett was a far better witch than the Hollow could ever be.

After over a millennium of 'life', Kara Bennett found herself at a loss, unsure of what could possibly rid the Mikaelson family of the Hollow.

She peered at her phone, the bright lights showing it was a quarter passed 4am. She sighed, turning to look at her husbands peaceful form. Looking at her phone whence more, Kara found herself getting out of bed and moving towards the bathroom.

She splashed cold water over her face in hopes that it would wake her, and with blurred vision she looked at herself in the mirror. Bags hung under bloodshot eyes, ivory skin paled in exhaustion and her hair frazzled from tossing and turning.

Before she could ponder further on her appearance, she saw a dark figure behind her. Eyes widening, Kara turned, only to find the room empty. Chalking it up to her exhaustion, she rubbed her bleary eyes, before exiting.

***

"Damn it!" Kara exclaimed, flipping through what seemed to be the millionth grimoire. She knew the Hollow was a force to be reckoned with and  someone who shouldn't be trifled with. As she read each page, it became clearer and clearer that time was anything but her friend.

Each page blended into the next, useless words melding into one big blob residing in the back of her mind. She let out a frustrated huff, messily pulling her hair out of her face with a loose elastic, running her hands down her face.

Before she could stress herself further, Kara felt Alek press a soft kiss on top of her head, running his hand down her arm. He placed himself on the couch, setting two mugs on the coffee table. "It's time you took a break Angelo."

She didn't respond, simply waving her hand flippantly before returning her full attention once more towards the aged pages. She heard an exaggerated groan, before feeling his arms lift her up. "What're you doing?" She spoke, letting out an exasperated sigh.

He moved to sit on the sofa, placing Kara atop his lap and wrapping his arms around her waist. "You need rest mia vita." He spoke softly to her, kissing her jawline slowly. She closed her eyes in contentment, turning slowly to capture his lips in hers. It was odd how every kiss felt like their first, pure euphoria filling every sense, emotions guided by ecstasy.

"You know I can't," She uttered, running her fingers through his curls, "If I can't remove the hollow from Hope..." She trailed off, gaze casting downwards as her thoughts flooded with anxiety.

Aleks' lips left her body, his fingers taking place as he lifted her chin, grey clashing with blue. "You would be of more help if you rested Kar."

"I know, I know. It's just-"

"It won't turn out like last time, Angelo." He responded, looking at her with intensity.

Their foreheads were pressed against one another, hands woven together, as the world stood still just for a moment.

***

They surrounded her, mob mentality overtaking their better judgment, fear of the unknown blinding them in rage. It was odd, how betrayal was never at the hand of your worst enemy, but your closest ally. Hamlet's father, killed by his own brother, Julius Ceasar, killed by the senate and his friend Brutus, Robbie Turner, betrayed by his lover's sister. And now? Kara Mikaelson was betrayed by her village, all for being a witch.

"Vedma!"

"Vedma!"

Vedma!"

Spoken like a mantra, ringing in her ears causing her head to ache. The word lost its sting over time, knowing that the very word that branded her pain only reminded them how weak they truly were in her presence.

As sickening as it sounded, Kara relished in the fear that coated their words, the rage that fuelled the terrifying unknown, how their screams echoed in her mind as she sucked the very magic in their core.

She never wanted to be a villain, but sometimes circumstances called for it.

The villagers began to close in on her, the flames of their torches burning her, only to be cooled by the spit of their venomous words.

"This is only a dream, Kara," she muttered to herself, closing her eyes tightly. "None of this real..."

Her final words echoed as the villagers vanished, leaving Kara alone in the woods. "But it is real, isn't it Kara." She heard a voice whisper into her ears, hissing like the serpent to Eve before dark smoke filled her vision.

In her peripheral, a blinding light filled her sight, leading her to see her old home in Rome.

She now stood in a red gown, gold accenting the edges, a silver headpiece lain atop her head. She turned, only to be met with the taunting smile of the Hollow. "That's the problem, isn't that right Kara?"

"What do you want Inadu!" Kara said, rage enunciating every syllable, venom giving every 't' and 'd' diction.

"It's not about what I want child," The elder witch hissed out, reappearing in front of Kara, "it's about what they want."

"Who the hell are 'they'?" She asked incredulously, still weary of the woman before her.

Inadu merely laughed, sarcasm and venom covering her vocal cords. "Why the ancestors of course."

Kara's vision was once again met with darkness, now in another wooded area, 3 ancestral witches stood around a blazing fire.

The youngest of the three began to speak, long blonde hair tied back in a French braid. "Inadu need's be taken care of." She stated, peering towards the witch to her left.

"Have patience, dear sister," the woman stated, curled hair flowing gracefully in the wind, a smirk playing at her lips, "in all due time."

"The girl's powers have grown strong." The eldest of the three spoke out after a long while, her face hooded and hands intertwined before her middle.

"Inadu is sure to know," The curly-haired witch said, "we need to protect her."

Karas' brow furrowed, confusion washing over her masked facade, "What the hell is this?" She inquired, turning towards Inadu.

The hollow simply smirked, no words escaping her lips as she kept her line of sight toward the scene before them.

"Ayana has already been informed of what needs to be done." The eldest witch said, breaking the silence.

"They think you can destroy me," Inadu finally spoke, condescension filling her tone to the brim, "that you will be my undoing."

She began to stalk around Kara, like a predator to its prey. "And as the centuries pass," She spoke, disappearing in a cloud of smoke, "their words become more and more void." She finished, reappearing at Karas' side, whispering harshly into her ear.

Kara, finally fueling the rage bubbling inside of her, turns her body and grasps the Hollow's neck, squeezing as red wisps flow.

But it seemed the witch refused to react, instead taking it upon herself to laugh at the heretic mockingly. "Yes Kara, use that anger, use that rage."

"What's stopping me from killing you right now." Kara gritted out, teeth clenched as she pushed the Native American witch harshly against the nearest tree.

"Kara stop!"

"Because it's not me you're hurting." Inadu sneered, a psychotic smile gracing her lips, "Because of you, everyone around you gets hurt."

"Shut up, you know nothing!" Kara bellowed.

"Kara I don't want to hurt you!"

"Your mother, your father, that wretched Labonair dog." The hollowed laughed out. "Even that bitches daughter is in danger, all because of you."

"Wake up!"

Her vision is once again distorted, gasping as she awoke. But this time, her face contorted into one of horror as she saw who she was choking, Alek.

His body was held against the wall, in her very own vice grip.

She stumbled back, hands shaking and glowing red. Short breaths heaved, and tears pricked her vision as her whole body shook.

Alek recovered quickly, taking quick strides towards his wife, concern painting his irises. He reached to hold her, only for Kara to flinch back. "Kara it's okay, I'm okay." He spoke out quickly, softly, trying to calm his wifes ever racing thoughts.

She stumbled back, creating space between herself and the only person who could possibly make her feel better in the moment.

"What did I do," she whispered out, voice cracking under the pressure against her chest — heart sinking into the deepest depths of her soul. "Alek what did I do."

He was at a loss, what was he supposed to do in that moment? What could he possibly do to make her feel better, to make everything better.

He took long strides, gripping her shaking form against his chest — despite the dull throbbing against his head he still held her.

And, for a moment, Kara believed him, threading her hands in his hair as her tears stained his shirt.

But such joy is always short lived. Because, before Alek could begin to comprehend her actions, her eyes widened and her breathing became heavy once more.

A shaky hand — her hand, was now coated in blood — his blood.

"No, no," Kara stumbled out, trying to create as much space between herself and Alek as possible, "I- I hurt you."

"I'm fine," he told plead, gripping his hand into his own — smearing the sticky substance in his wake. "Kar— amore, this isnt your fault."

But that wasn't where he'd focus lain, instead she found her sight blurring at the sight of her hand print along his neck.

"Oh god," she cried out, each syllable a whisper in comparison to sobs wracking her body.

He held her face now, frantic compared to the usual gentleness that the action usually held. Aleks attempts to convince Kara of her innocence remained futile as her mind filled out his words.

Because only one thing imprinted her mind as she looked upon the chaos she rot;

"Everyone around you gets hurt."

And, in that moment, in Kara's fragile state— she believed it.

She removed his hands from her face, feverishly running her hands through her hair. A madwoman taking Kara's place.

She turned to leave, only to be stopped by Aleks' hand grasping her shoulder, in a futile attempt to bring her into his arms.

But, surprise overtook her and a shock wave of magic burst from her person, knocking Alek into the wall. A groan escaped his lips as Kara's eyes widened, "Oh my god." She whispered out, a shaking hand pressed over her mouth, eyes widened in fear of herself.

"What have I done..." She spoke, tears slurring every syllable.

Aleks' heart broke at the sight, to see his wife look so vulnerable. "Kara it's fine, you didn't hurt me." He spoke, trying to get to her, only for a magical barrier to stop his attempts.

"No, you're not." She shook out, looking down at her hands as chaos flowed. "I-I can't be here."

Aleks eyes widened, "Vita mia, just come over here." He spoke trying to coax her as panic began to fill him. "We can work this out, just please stay." He begged, shaking his head as continued to ram his body into the barrier, each push being more urgent than the last.

Kara merely shook her head, "I'm sorry." She whispered, before turning to leave, "I cannot stay knowing I have done this." And with one final teary-eyed glance, she left.

KOREY SPEAKS !

I would like to issue a formal apology