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CHAPTER 55: TAKEN APART

❝ my sire line is broken. ❞

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WHAT DO YOU CALL AN ANIMAL THAT OFFERS ITSELF TO BE EATEN? A martyr? A weakling? No. A beast gaining the rare agency to stop. Yes—the period in that sentence is what makes us human, the period in the sentence lets us stop in order to keep going.

Because submission, Enola learned, was also a kind of power. To be inside of pleasure, Klaus needed her. She had a choice, a craft, whether he ascends or falls depends on her willingness to make room for him. Because you cannot rise without having something to rise over. Submission does not require elevation in order to control. And she was definitely in control. She lowered her head as she put his cock into her mouth. She peered up at him through her lashes, watching his chest rise and fall in pleasure. After a while, she finally moves. And he follows. When she swayed this way, he swerved along. She looked up at him as if looking at a kite, his entire body tied to the teetering world of her head.

He loves me, he loves me not—that is what you are taught to say as you tear the flower away from its flowerness. To arrive at love is to arrive through obliteration. And everyone craves to be obliterated. Especially when it is your own choice. By then, violence was already mundane to Enola and Klaus. It is what they ultimately knew of love. He pulled her up and pushed her down on the bed before slowly climbing behind her. He knocked her knees wider before lining his cock up with her entrance. She cried out in pleasure as he slowly pushed inside of her until they were wholly connected. It felt good to name what was already happening to her all her life. She was being fucked up by choice. In his grip, she had a say in how she would be taken apart. And it felt incredible.

Klaus ruthlessly pounded into Enola from behind. They were not currently using a condom. She was already pregnant with his child. It wasn't like she could get pregnant again. Though they had unanimously decided that they would be taking preventive measures to make sure this would not happen for a third time. Two kids was certainly enough for them. Especially because they had trouble protecting one from the dangers of the world. Two kids is going to be difficult, but three would be damn near impossible.

"There is something I need to talk to you about," Klaus panted.

"Right now?" Enola scoffed in exasperation. "We can have a conversation when I am able to look you in the eye."

Klaus pulled all the way out of Enola immediately. She went to question him only to be flipped onto her back with him hovering over her. Before she was able to complain about lack of touch, his cock was forcing its way back into her dripping cunt. He made sure to keep eye contact with her as he fucked her as if to make some sort of point she didn't care to acknowledge.

"Better?" Klaus teased.

"Much," Enola groaned.

"Good," Klaus kissed the tip of Enola's nose before he continued to pound into her all the while maintaining a conversation. "It is about Rebekah."

"You want to have a conversation about your sister while you are inside of me?" Enola asked in exasperation. "I am not surprised you have a sister complex with how controlling you are of Rebekah."

"This is serious," Klaus said, disregarding that entire statement.

"Ugh," Enola groaned. "Fine. Talk."

"She isn't in the Bahamas enjoying a margarita like you think," Klaus informed. "She is in the cellar with a dagger in her chest."

"Why did you dagger her this time?" Enola questioned. "Jealous she was having the time of her life without you?"

"Why do you immediately assume that it was I who daggered her?" Klaus scowled. Enola blinked. "For the record, it was Elijah. And it was because Rebekah asked."

"What? Why?" Enola immediately panicked only to be immediately stunned into shock when Klaus hit the perfect spot deep inside of her. "Slow down!"

"No," Klaus scoffed before forcing the conversation back on track. "The curse came back. Rebekah thought it was the only way to neutralize herself as a threat."

"Then we will have to find a permanent solution to our permanent problem," Enola decided.

Klaus thrusted into Enola one last time. She tightly wrapped her legs around his hips while he harshly grabbed a hold of her waist. She felt a bone shattering orgasm ripped through her body as she held onto him tightly. She felt him cum inside of her, surmising what she already knew. His pull out game definitely needed some work before they ended up pregnant with baby number three.

Klaus peppered gentle kissed on Enola's shoulder blade. The small gesture did wonders to soothe her tired body. But before she could fully relax, she shrill cry of a cell phone echoed off the walls, alerting them both. He reluctantly pulled out of her before rolling onto the left side of the bed. He reached for his cell phone on the bedside table before reading the caller i.d with furrowed brows.

"Huh," Klaus blinked, looking over to Enola. "It is our good friend Steafan Salvatore."

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"Why am I always the last to know?"

Enola and Elijah watched Freya pace the lengths of the study with an angry look. They knew her statement was true. She was always the very last to know when something was amiss. It was not intentional. But they refused to come to her unless it was absolutely important because they didn't want her to feel like they were using her for her magic. She was their family. Her life mattered too.

"You are not the last," Enola shook her head. "Hayley still doesn't know."

"Speaking of Hayley," Elijah began. "Where did she disappear off to today?"

"Following my very first command as alpha of the crescent werewolves," Enola answered vaguely. "I will explain when I hear back from her."

"Can we get back on track please?" Freya groaned.

"Right," Elijah cleared his throat. "No one would have known the whereabouts of Rebekah had Aurora successfully taken my life."

"The prophecy says you three will be felled by friend, family and foe." Freya Reminded. "Rebekah was fallen by family—that leaves friend and foe."

"And you guys have a lot more foes than friends," Enola noted.

"Just one or two," Elijah shrugged.

"Yeah, Freya scoffed. "One or two million."

It was then that Klaus stormed into the room, making a beeline for Enola. He pulled her into a loving kiss before stepping out of the way to reveal an old friend. She paused, realizing now wasn't the time for any old friends to be making appearances, but she would make the exception if it was her dear friend Stefan Salvatore.

"Stef," Enola grinned, pulling Stefan into a bone crushing hug. He reciprocated the gesture, wrapping a tight arm around her waist. They hadn't seen one another in person since the wedding, but they spoke a lot over the phone. He was her source to Mystic Falls gossip. "It has been a while."

"We spoke on the phone this morning," Stefan deadpanned as they pulled apart.

"On the phone," Enola scoffed. "It is not every day I get to see your handsome face."

"I'm flattered," Stefan smirked. "Though I'm not sure how Caroline would feel about that."

"She would be fine," Enola teased. "We are used to sharing things with each other."

"Freya, this is Stefan Salvatore. He is an old friend. One of my trickle down sirelings. Long story." Klaus spoke up, a tinge of annoyance in his voice. "Stefan, this is Freya. My brand new older sister. Also a long story."

"An old friend?" Freya narrowed her eyes in suspicion.

"Well," Stefan began in thought. "That kind of depends on your definition."

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Rayna Cruz—a mystical vampire huntress—stabbed Stefan with a magic sword before Klaus arrived on the scene. Rayna was killed only to come back to life and Stefan had a stab wound that acted as some sort of supernatural gps. Rayna knew where Stefan was at every moment of every day. That was why Freya was currently concocting some sort of witchy paste to stop Reyna from finding Stefan.

Elijah was anxious with the arrival of Stefan. Especially considering how relaxed Enola and Klaus seemed to be. They all walked down the hallway in deep conversation about the topic of their newest guest who would be leaving as soon as the paste was applied. They were all on different pages when it came to the subject. They should not be inviting people who they are not sure they can trust into their home.

"Stefan will not be a problem," Enola reassured.

"He is already proving to be a bit of a problem," Klaus grumbled at the thought of Stefan hugging Enola a little too tightly. "However, he is not the biggest problem. Perhaps that title should go to Marcel. After all, he is the one who stole the heart that belonged to Jackson and delivered it to the very people bent on harming us."

"Marcel is the least of our troubles," Elijah reassured. "The Strix would still be clamoring over Hayley's heart, they would probably even attempt to claim Enola's, if it weren't for Marcel."

"And now Aya and her mob are free to break the sire line," Klaus shot back. "You know, we have made many glorious enemies over the years, brother. But if they sever their link to us, then they will all come for our heads."

"They are already coming for your heads," Enola reminded.

"They cannot make a move without the white oak," Elijah said.

"And if they already have it?" Enola inquired. "I would not be surprised if Aurora was working with them."

"Which means she dies first," Elijah decided.

"Perfect," Enola grinned.

"Little monster, you once told me you wanted to use her head as a footstool." Klaus smirked. "Why wait?"

Enola went to speak but was interrupted by a vibrating cell phone. She pulled the device out of her pocket with ease. She smiled down at the message that appeared on her phone before looking up at the two patient men.

"Hayley," Enola informed. "The Crescents found Aurora."

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Enola entered Saint Charles Yard alongside Klaus and Elijah. She jumped at every little noise which seemed to amuse them to no end. Was she the only logical one present? They were in the middle of nowhere, secluded from the outside world. It wouldn't be much of a surprise if this was an ambush. She seemed to be the only one who thought about that.

"We should split up—cover more ground." Elijah decided before vanishing into the darkness with enhanced speed, leaving Enola and Klaus alone to figure things out.

"Do you have any idea how stupid this is?" Enola frowned.

"We will be just fine," Klaus reassured. "You needn't be afraid, my love."

"I am not afraid," Enola scoffed in disbelief. "I am cautious. Reasonably so."

"Just call my name if you run into trouble," Klaus said. "I will be around."

Enola went to speak only to be interrupted by Klaus. He pressed a soft kiss to her forehead, nose, and then her lips before disappearing into the night. She huffed in annoyance before reluctantly walking in the opposite direction of both brothers.

Enola only paused at the soft hum of music. She could tell it was a record player due to the small scratches of a needle she would not have been able to catch if not for her enhanced hearing. She hesitated before following the sound to an abandoned trailer at the edge of the yard. She could see light illuminating the rectangular box. Someone was there. Or they were there.

Enola hesitated before entering the trailer. She inhaled immediately, catching a mixture of scents in the air. She spotted a curtain covered doorway just ahead, prompting her to move forward. She tentatively reached forward to peel the curtain back, however, she froze at the sound of a rapid beating heart on the other side. She reluctantly reached out for the silk cloth that covered the doorway before yanking it open only to come face to face with a fist flying at her face. She quickly dodged it with a horrified yelp, shoving her attacker back with supernatural strength.

"What the hell, Hayley?" Enola groaned.

"You scared the shit out of me," Hayley huffed.

"It's that creepy ass music," Enola claimed, marching over to the record player before grabbing the needle to make the horrid sound come to an abrupt halt. "Much better."

"I don't know," Hayley shrugged. "That song was kind of catchy."

"So was the Bubonic Plague," Enola scoffed. "Doesn't mean I want to catch it."

Enola and Hayley paused at the sound of floorboards creaking. Hayley grabbed a baseball bat off the wall as Enola snatched a crowbar from the counter. They share a quick look before stepping back onto the other side of the curtain. They used their enhanced senses to try and locate the disturbance. Before they got the chance, a body fell out of the hallway closet. It took them a second to realize that it was Lucien. They made no move to help the fool up as he slowly rolled onto his back, giving them a few hopeful words.

"Get Nik out of here,"

But it was far too late.

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Enola paced the courtyard back and forth. She had not spoken since they had returned to the compound. She was not in the mood to talk after everything that had transpired tonight. She could not believe they were not prepared for what happened. Of course it was going to be a trap. They needed to get Klaus and Elijah alone so they could weaken them.

"I had no idea that Aya was going to take Klaus and Elijah down," Marcel promised before turning to Lucien with a scowl. "And regardless, why the hell are we trusting this guy all of a sudden? He is the one who ran off with Aurora the first chance he got."

"You can hardly fault a man for following his heart," Lucien argued, squeezing the last remnants out of the blood bag in his hands. "And the moment she started raving about firing a white oak into Klaus—well, words were said, hearts were broken, veins were drained."

"You are one to talk about trust," Hayley turned to Marcel in anger. "Who was it that handed Jackson's heart to the people that helped murder him?"

"I bought your life with that heart," Marcel pointed out. "But hey, you know what, you called me here, so if you have another plan, please let's hear it."

"It is simple," Hayley nodded. "We storm the coven house and stop the Strix from completing the desiring spell. Period."

"Well, that is easy for you to say when your sire is perfectly safe." Marcel spat.

"Everyone stop talking," Enola commanded. The room fell silent almost immediately. "This is not about desiring. This is about stopping an execution."

"What the hell are you talking about?" Marcel questioned stiffly

"The only way to test the success of the spell is by firing a bullet into the heart of one of the Originals and since we now know Aurora is working with Aya, we can assume they have the white oak." Enola explained anxiously. "It is pretty obvious that Aya is not going to be killing Elijah. He was the one who sired her. If the spell does not work, she will die. So how do you think she is going to test the success of the spell?"

"The prophecy witch said she saw Klaus die and his entire sire line burn," Hayley recalled.

"She watched us fall. She watched us burn. Every soul Klaus ever turned." Lucien recited, turning to Marcel. "When Aya tests this spell, Klaus will fall either way. And if the spell fails, the two of us will die as well."

"Actually," They turned to find Stefan storming into the room with a look of determination. "Make that the three of us."

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Enola stood around a table with unlikely allies. They stared down at the blueprint of the mansion they were going to infiltrate. They only had one chance to do this right. They only had one chance not to mess this up. Though they all knew they were way in over their heads. The Strix were an ancient society of ancient vampires. Did they really have the skill set needed to take them down? I guess they were about to find out.

"We could use one of these access tunnels to slip into a back room," Stefan suggested. Lucien cringed. "What? Worried about getting a little dirt on your one thousand dollar shoes?"

"Actually, I will be doing most of the heavy lifting since the vampires we are facing are seven times your age." Lucien shot back. "Is this really the best help we can get?"

"Doesn't matter. We are not getting their bodies back." They turned to Marcel who had just hung up the phone with a dejected sigh. "Strix from all over the world are flying in to make sure that this spell goes off. They are guarding every entrance and exit."

"Well, you are their leader." Enola reminded. "Can you not call a meeting, schedule a retreat, order them to stop?"

"I do that and Aya has no problem staging a coup." Marcel reasoned.

"So you were never actually in charge. Noted." Enola grumbled.

"I am trying my best," Marcel argued.

"Well, your best isn't enough." Lucien deadpanned. "I guess it is on me to come up with a grand plan then."

"No need, Lucien." Hayley stormed into the room with Freya following close behind. "Freya figured out a way to get the boys out of the chambre. They just need a strong power source."

"I would channel Finn, but he is all for letting our brothers parish so I will just channel Lucien." Freya announced. "The older the vampire, the better the battery."

"The rest of us are going to buy her some time," Hayley informed. "Keep the Strix occupied."

"Perfect," Enola applauded. "Now we are getting somewhere."

"No we most certainly are not!" Lucien scoffed. "You want me to stay here holding hands with the leftover sister while two toddler vampires and two amateur hybrids take on the Strix? You must be joking—"

Lucien was interrupted by Freya. She gave her wrist a simple flick and snapped his neck with ease. She was not the leftover sister. She was a Mikaelson witch. She was a lot stronger than he had given her credit for and he was about to find that out the hard way.

"Thank you," Enola sighed.

"You know I work better with silence," Freya winked.

"So the plan is that the four of us are going to keep one hundred of the world's most ancient vampires occupied?" Marcel inquired.

"Well, there could be another way." Enola shrugged. "All you have to do is get us through the front door."

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Enola shifted uncomfortably between Hayley and Stefan. They were all hidden away in the trunk of a vehicle. They were unable to move thanks to the lack of space. They knew the risk they were all taking. They could get caught at any moment. But they knew that if they were going to save Klaus and Elijah, they needed to act now.

"Are we close?" Hayley questioned quietly.

Enola blinked back into reality. She quietly cleared her throat before slipping her phone out of her pocket. She turned the device on to reveal a photo of her daughter. She gently ran her finger over the screen before unlocking the device. She pulled up Google Maps to reveal that they would reach their destination in under five minutes.

"Yeah," Enola hummed, pressing the home button to reveal the background one again.

"Is she the reason you are here?" Stefan inquired, eyeing the photo of Hope.

"Going into a fight we may or may not win?" Enola questioned rhetorically. "She is half of the reason."

"And the other half?" Stefan inquired curiously.

Enola smiled softly, earning a look of confusion from Stefan. All she had to do was place a hand over her stomach for him to realize what she was talking about. He stared at her with wide eyes as if silently asking her if it was true.

"I don't want my kids growing up without ever knowing their father," Enola whispered.

"Then you won't," Hayley decided. "Because we are going to save him."

"Damn right," Stefan agreed, flickering on his own phone to reveal a photo of his girlfriend.

"Is she the reason you are here?" Enola shot back.

"Going into a fight we may or may not win?" Stefan shot back teasingly. "She is half the reason."

"And the other half?" Enola wondered.

"Damon," Stefan confessed. "We fight like dogs, but we would die for each other."

"I get that," Hayley hummed. "There are only a handful of people that I would die for and two of them are about to be sacrificed for the greater good."

"Nik would be flattered to know you care about him," Enola teased.

"Then I guess he will never know. He is far too arrogant for his own good." Hayley said. She paused when the vehicle came to a sudden stop. "I think we're here."

"It's go time," Enola grinned.

"Let's make this count," Stefan agreed. He pulled his shirt out of the way to reveal the paste that covered his wound. He hesitated for a moment before peeling it off only to reveal a stab wound. He knew he had to get out of here before Rayna arrived to kill him.

Marcel popped the trunk to allow Enola to stealthily climb out alongside Hayley and Stefan. They ducked behind a bush just in time to witness the guards inspecting the now empty trunk. They watched as Marcel pulled ahead before jumping into action. Stefan disappeared into the night just as soon as Rayna arrived to slaughter the mass ancient vampires, unknowingly clearing the way for Enola and Hayley.

Enola and Hayley used enhanced senses to avoid Rayna all the while tracking Marcel. They found him in some sort of greenhouse with a few other Strix members. They immediately took them out with ease. He turned to them with wide eyes before rushing over to kill a vampire who was sneaking up on them. They gave him a thankful nod which he reciprocated before turning to his daughter figure with an apologetic look.

"Marcel!" Davina cried out.

"I am sorry, D." Marcel reassured. "We need to get them out of that water now."

"No!" Davain growled.

Enola was magically knocked backwards with both Hayley and Marcel. Thankfully Elijah chose then to awake from unconsciousness. He used enhanced speed to rush out of the pool they had him soaking in before rushing at one of the witches who dared attack his family like this. He watched in disinterest as they bled out at his feet.

Enola and Hayley shared a brief look with Marcel before joining in on the bloodbath. Most of the Strix witches were teenage girls and they had no choice but to murder them all. They would have all felt guilty for the lives they took if it weren't for the simple fact that these people were trying to kill their family. They claimed they had no choice, but that was a lie. They did have a choice. And they chose their family. Always.

"Davina, stop!" Marcel pleaded.

Davina refused to stop the spell which is when Klaus finally awoke in the water. He jumped up with every intention of tearing her to shreds. But before he got the chance, she forced him down with every last ounce of magic she had. He fought her at every point, but she refused to let up.

"You have had your time!" Davina growled.

Enola went to save Klaus only to be blown back by a sudden blast coming from the pool. She was left disoriented for a long moment before she hurried to her feet. She stumbled into the pool, nearly face planting on the way, before rushing over to Klaus who appeared to be out of it.

"I felt them leave," Klaus breathed, grabbing onto Enola for support. "My sire line is broken."

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While Enola went back to the compound to take care of Hope, Klaus disappeared to the city of the dead to bury Aurora once and for all. He decided that death would be too much of a kindness so he had Freya lock Aurora away behind a brick wall with the knowledge that Tristan was still drowning at sea. He stepped out of the mausoleum, surprised to find an old friend patiently awaiting his return.

"So," Stefan began. "The spell worked. We survived. I saved you and you saved me."

"Funny how that works, isn't it?" Klaus grinned cheekily.

"I would be happy to let this be the end," Stefan decided.

"Am I too optimistic in thinking we will ever see each other again?" Klaus teased.

"Well, that depends on one thing." Stefan smiled softly.

"By whom? I do not assume you mean my brother." Klaus said.

"By her," Stefan answered vaguely. "For some reason, she cares about you. Enough to risk her own life. Do right by her."

Klaus knew exactly who Stefan was referring to; Enola. He has always been able to love people for the bad—for the secrets in their palms, for the matching knives in their backs, for the bitterness they held onto like a lifeline—but he loved her for the good. He was so undeserving and she was so relentless. He pushed; she pulled. He wept; she embraced. He bled; she repaired. He faltered; she shushed. He stopped; she smiled. He was a disaster; the worst of its kind. But she still had the audacity to let him know that he was beautiful.

"I love her," Klaus muttered. "I promise I will only do right by her."

"Thank you," Stefan smiled. "But saying you will do right by her and actually doing right by her are two completely different things. If you love her, show her." He paused, noticing how still his old friend has become. "Are you okay?"

"Never better," Klaus lied smoothly, firmly shaking Stefan's hand. "Take care of yourself, old friend."

Klaus watched as Stefan left. When he was absolutely sure that he was alone, he collapsed against the nearest mausoleum wall. He was most certainly not okay. He suddenly felt so very tired as his head began to spin. Thankfully he had someone to reassure him that everything would be okay.

"Hey," Freya greeted softly.

"What is wrong with me?" Klaus questioned quietly.

"You hemorrhaged an enormous amount of mystical energy—enough to create a nexus vorti." Freya explained. "It is nothing a good night of rest will not cure."

"Noted," Klaus confirmed. "But where did all that energy go?"

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AUTHORS NOTE.
hello and welcome back. act three of book two is almost complete. though there are still a few chapters left and a lot can happen in just a few chapters. until next time, my loves!!!