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CHAPTER 06: FRUIT OF THE POISONED TREE

❝ enola is currently in the middle of a miscarriage. i will have her call you back when it is done. ❞

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ENOLA FELT LIKE NEITHER A CHILD NOR AN ADULT. She was a botched, failed creature, combining the worst qualities of each. All the helplessness and dependency of a child, with the cynicism and despair of an adult. Her mind is stunted, malformed. Her body outgrew her and now she wields it clumsily, hitting others with her overgrown arms as she stumbles over her own feet. She wanted to apologize, but it wasn't her fault that she was treated like something less than human.

Enola woke up alone. The spot that Klaus occupied was once again empty. She had assumed that he was out and about plotting the downfall of empires and kingdoms. She was proven wrong when she descended the stairs into the parlor to find the most strange thing she had ever seen. Him seated on the plush couch across from his brother who sat in the armchair. They both seemed to be reading through two very separate books with almost concentrated looks on their faces. She wasn't sure whether to be concerned or glad that they were getting along.

"What is this—vampire book club?" Enola quirked a brow.

"Reading edifies the mind, little monster." Klaus hummed nonchalantly. "Isn't that right, Elijah?"

"Yes. That is quite right, Niklaus." Elijah agreed.

"And what is this?" Enola wondered, motioning to the dead body on the coffee table.

"This is a peace offering," Elijah waved a hand.

"I presumed that after so much time desiccating in a coffin, that my big brother might be a bit peckish." Klaus shrugged.

"So I explained to my little brother that forgiveness cannot be bought," Elijah said. "I'd simply prefer to see a change in behavior that indicates contrition and personal growth." His eyes flicker to the dead body. "Not this nonsense."

"I couldn't very well let her go to waste, could I?" Klaus defended.

Enola blinked before silently backing out of the room. She made her way down the hall to the kitchen where she found Hayley and Rebekah. One rummaged through the fridge for something while the other collected garbage bags for the body in the parlor she could only assume.

"Good morning," Enola hummed.

"Morning," Hayley greeted. "You hungry?"

"Starved," Enola groaned, plopping down on the stool near the kitchen island.

"Elijah," Hayley froze, spotting the man in the doorway.

"Good morning," Elijah smiled softly.

Enola looked between Hayley and Elijah with a knowing smile. She would be a fool not to notice the attraction the two had for each other. She saw the way they looked at each other. Like they wanted to know each other but they were too scared of getting their hearts broken. She knew that feeling all too well.

"Listen," Hayley cleared her throat. "I know Enola and I are the only ones in this house that actually drink milk, but would it kill any of you to make sure it's on the grocery list?"

"Speaking of, add bleach." Rebekah hummed, leaving the room, garbage bags in hand.

"You know, I do hope my siblings were hospitable towards the both of you in my absence." Elijah hummed.

"In your absence as you like to call it, which is a way too polite way of saying your brother put a dagger in your heart . . . " Hayley began, digging a cartoon of ice cream out of the freezer before setting it in front of Enola with a spoon. "We have been attacked by French quarter vampires, we have had to live in a house with a secret dungeon full of coffins, and we were nearly murdered by witches who are convinced that Enola is carrying the freaking Antichrist." She paused when Elijah dug the milk out of the fridge before setting it on the counter for them to see. "Oh . . . milk." He put the ice cream away with ease. "They've been fine. Your siblings are weirdly protective. I know we have you to thank for that."

"I'm just happy to see that the both of you are in one piece." Elijah smiled softly, pouring them both bowls of cereal for breakfast. "So back to the murderous witches—I have some concerns."

"They are evil and my life is still magically linked to Sophie Deveraux," Enola hummed, taking a big bite of her cereal. "Which is not comforting at all."

"Yes, I think it's about time we took care of that little problem." Elijah agreed.

"I am all for it. As soon as they're unlinked, we get to leave this crap town." Rebekah grinned, strutting into the kitchen with a garbage bag full of body parts. "Who do we have to kill?"

"Probably no one," Elijah hummed, pausing at the looks the three women were giving him. "Alright. Potentially everyone."

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"Time for the demon spawn to snack!"

Enola sat in the parlor with the book Klaus had been reading earlier. It was a poem book about poisoned apples from dead trees. Looks like she wasn't the only one who was worried about impending parenthood. They hadn't really had a conversation about it. He was normally off doing something evil while she stayed home, completing college courses online because she couldn't leave the house without someone wanting to murder her.

"Thank god. I am starving." Enola groaned, reaching for the basket of red apples Rebekah held out. She recoiled immediately when she felt a strange stinging sensation on her neck. Her hand clamped down on the tender area, making her hiss in pain. "Aah!"

"What the hell was that?" Rebekah frowned, looking to the werewolf for answers.

"Hell if I know," Hayley shrugged, leaning over to check on the pregnant girl. "Are you okay?"

"I feel fine," Enola muttered, pulling her hand away from her neck to reveal a drop of blood. "It's probably something Sophie related."

"Well, do me a favor and don't die on my watch." Rebekah teased. "I'll never hear the end of it."

"When I first met you, I thought you were a real bitch." Hayley scoffed.

"What changed your mind?" Rebekah smiled.

"Oh, I still think you're a bitch." Hayley hummed. "I've just grown to love that about you."

"Well, that's sweet of you to say." Rebekah grinned. "Remember it when I'm gone."

"Gone?" Enola echoed. "Where are you going?"

"I only came to town to make sure everything was okay with Elijah. He is fine and he hasn't punished Klaus for daggering him, so, as usual, they'll be as thick as thieves, and I'll be left to clean up the mess." Rebekah sighed. "It's time for me to fly the coop."

"Oh," Enola frowned. "While I am going to miss you, I know it is for the best. You deserve to be happy too, Bex."

"Thank you," Rebekah smiled softly.

Enola reached forward with a grin. She snatched a red apple out of the basket before raising it to her soft lips. However, right when she was about to take a bite, she was hit with a sudden dizzy spell. Hayley and Rebekah immediately rushed to her side like worried mothers.

"What's wrong?" Hayley questioned softly as Rebekah pressed a hand to Enola's forehead.

"I don't know," Enola muttered. "Must be morning sickness."

"No," Rebekah shook her head. "You are burning up actually."

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Enola was having a miscarriage. Elijah had called to inform them of the gravity of their situation. Sophie had got stabbed by some sort of cursed object that induces miscarriages. Agnes was behind this assault obviously. The wicked witch would stop at nothing to ensure the death of this child.

Enola was pulled out of her thoughts by the shrill cry of a cell phone. She blindly reached out and grabbed her cellular device off the bedside table. She wasn't surprised to find her sisters name on the caller i.d. She imagined her sister had probably just coughed up some of that twin goo. Before she had the chance to find out, the phone was immediately being yanked out of her hand.

"Hello, Elena." Rebekah chirped. "Enola is currently in the middle of a miscarriage. I will have her call you back when it is done." She ended the call before turning back to the pregnant woman. "Stop fussing, will you? Elijah will be here any minute."

"I feel like I'm being microwaved," Enola groaned.

"Just because you're carrying a baby doesn't mean you get to act like one." Rebekah scoffed. "I'm sure my little niece is healing you up as we speak."

Just then, Elijah stormed into the room with Sophie following close behind. Rebekah and Hayley immediately took protective stances in front of Enola who smiled weakly at the gesture. She was happy to know that they were there for her no matter what. Though she couldn't help but feel as if something was missing.

"Where is Nik?" Enola muttered weakly.

"He is tying up a few loose ends," Elijah hummed. "But I promise he will be home with you as soon as possible."

"What the hell is she doing here?" Hayley glared.

"I'm trying to help," Sophie defended.

"Help?" Hayley echoed. "You're the reason we're in this mess."

"Why aren't we unlinked with this witch already, Elijah?" Rebekah demanded.

"Let her do what she can," Elijah warned.

"I may know a way to slow the fever down, but I may need some special herbs." Sophie claimed, sending Rebekah a pointed look. "I'll text you a list."

"Fine," Rebekah scowled. "Happy to play fetch girl."

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Enola sat at the edge of the pool. A towel was wrapped snugly around her shoulders as she patiently waited to be tended to. She felt too sick to pay any mind to everyone else running around like a bunch of headless chickens as they tried to figure everything out.

"Elena is calling. Again." Rebekah groaned. She answered the small device with a scowl. "What did I tell you the last time you called? Enola will call you when the opportunity presents itself. Until then, stop calling." She ended the call with a satisfied look. "I cannot stand her."

"She is burning up," Hayley panicked, pressing a hand to Enola's forehead.

"Then we need to do this now," Elijah announced.

"Get her in the water Sophie instructed.

Elijah removed the towel from Enola before jumping into the pool. He was gentle as he wrapped his arms around her waist to lift her into the pool. She leaned into his side as he helped her to the center of the pool. Through her dazed state, she smiled at the fact he was ruining a suit that must've cost a lot of money for her.

"I don't see how a midnight swim is supposed to help," Rebekah grumbled.

"She doesn't need your negativity right now," Hayley huffed.

"Her temperature is sky high, and the water, with the help of the herbs, should cool us down." Sophie explained, climbing into the pool with a herbal mixture. "Drink this." She handed the concoction to Enola who followed her swift instructions with ease. "You're going to have to get her heart rate down."

"And how do you suggest I do that?" Elijah questioned.

"Hold her," Sophie instructed. "It's a natural human remedy to slow the heart rate and reduce blood pressure."

"This is never going to work," Rebekah scoffed.

"Again with the negativity," Hayley scowled.

"Davina will break that link," Elijah promised, lifting Enola up bridal style. "We just need time."

"I can't breathe," Enola gasped, clutching on to Elijah for dear life.

"Take long, deep breaths." Elijah muttered. "Look at me. Long deep breaths. Just focus on the sound of my voice."

Enola inhaled a deep breath. It almost felt like someone was sitting on her chest. She couldn't breathe. She couldn't see. She couldn't think. She just wanted this all to be over. But as the clock struck midnight that dreadful feeling only intensified. A horrific scream escaped her soft lips when a sharp pain began to spread throughout her abdomen. It felt like someone had just gutted her wide open and she prayed to god that it wasn't over because if it was over then her baby was gone. And then the pain disappeared.

"I just felt it lift," Sophie announced. She pulled her earring out before pricking the tip of her finger. Sophie Deveraux was no longer linked to Enola Sommers. "Elijah, as soon as your brother finds out that the link is broken, he will kill Agnes. I know you don't owe me anything, but please don't let him kill her." Elijah climbed out of the pool without a word. "Elijah! She's our only access to the power we need to survive. Promise me that you'll stop him."

Elijah paused at the edge of the pool. He looked as if he was contemplating whether or not to help her. Then he made his way over to the lawn chairs before lifting his suit jacket into his hands. He dug into the pockets before pulling out his cell phone. He dialed a number before pressing the device to his ear and waiting for someone to answer.

"It's me. Where are you? Don't hurt her. I'll be there shortly." Elijah commanded before swiftly ending the call. He turned back to Sophie with a calculating look Enola knew all too well. "I'll make you one last promise. I won't let my brother kill Agnes."

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Elijah left to meet Klaus at St Anne's Church in the heart of the quarter. With the link between Enola and Sophie broken, there was nothing tying them to the witches any more. To celebrate, Enola and Hayley had ordered pizza to the plantation. That is what Enola was expecting when she answered the door. Instead she found Josh standing there in fear. He was the newbie vampire Klaus had compelled.

"Where is he? I've been trying to find him all day." Josh panicked. "Marcel knows that Klaus lied about where he lives."

"Do I look like his wife?" Enola scoffed in disbelief.

"Do you want me to answer that?" Josh quirked a brow. "Just tell him to call me please."

"Okay," Enola hesitated before closing the door and turning to face Hayley who lingered in the foyer. "Do I look like Klaus' wife?"

"Yes," Hayley hummed. "I'm honestly surprised he hasn't popped the big question yet."

"We are taking it slow," Enola informed.

"Who's bright idea was that?" Hayley scoffed in disbelief.

"His," Enola confessed. "He says he has plans for us."

"What the hell does that even mean?" Hayley frowned.

"I don't know, but I trust him." Enola shrugged. "He waited an entire year for me, it is only fair I do the same for him."

"That is so cute," Hayley nodded. "I think I am going to be sick."

"Just wait until you and Elijah finally get together," Enola teased.

"Elijah and I—we are friends." Hayley tried to reason

"Friends don't look at each other like that," Enola smirked.

Before any more words could be exchanged, the doorbell rang once again. Enola looked at Hayley in confusion before turning back to the door. She pulled it open, half expecting to find Josh. However, any and all words died on the tip of her tongue at the sight of the man on their front door step.

"Hi there," He grinned. "I'm Marcel."

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AUTHORS NOTE.
i cannot wait to build the relationships between the characters. enola is a really wise character. she is a ravenclaw after all. so you know she be giving everyone free therapy sessions. even the actual therapist. until next time, my loves!!!