Elijah hadn't taken her advice.

Catalina knew it, because she'd heard no word of Klaus and Elijah fighting. No word of Elijah leaving to live somewhere else because he was no longer welcome at the Compound. And no word of a string of murders tied to a mentally unstable hybrid.

She considered marching straight to the Compound and just telling Klaus everything Sage had told her. Completely coming clean even though it meant he'd hate her by association (more than he already did, for that matter).

But instead she did nothing. She'd been perfectly happy, not coming across Klaus. She wanted to keep it that way.

She just worried that Elijah wasn't going to take the opportunity she'd given him.

Just a few days later, she received word from Tristan. She went to see him, having prepared a list of things to discuss, so that it would seem like she was doing something to benefit The Strix.

He wanted to discuss something different. And it confirmed for her that Elijah was too late.

"I wanted to inquire," he said, tapping his fingers against the table once they sat down for lunch inside the Davilla Estate. "Did you happen to hear from my sister? Anytime this past week?"

Catalina furrowed her eyebrows, genuinely confused by this unexpected couple of questions. "No, I don't have her contact information. Why do you ask?"

"Elijah claims she's here."

"Here... in this city? But wouldn't you know before him?"

"That's precisely why I'm wondering. According to him, Rory sent a message to Niklaus this morning, so that he could meet her. If it's true, it means that she sought him out before me."

"No offense," said Catalina, "but you locked her up in a monastery. I highly doubt she would have wanted to find you first. She has a history with Klaus. Which begs the question... why didn't she seek him out earlier, to tell him the truth? Centuries ago, perhaps, when she knew Elijah was nowhere near him?"

Tristan shrugged. "I didn't like the idea of it. Told her myself. She followed my advice. I thought it unwise. I knew he wouldn't be healthy for her. You know him. Rory needs something more stable. Something less like him."

"Well, Lucien's perfectly available."

Tristan rolled his eyes. "You really think my sister would go for that commoner?"

"Careful how you speak of my brother," said Catalina coldly. "This only confirms that your supposed affections for me are merely because of my status. It's a pity, Tristan, really. What about Aya? She seems to be in love with you."

"Aya is obsessed," corrected Tristan. "Much like Rory is with Niklaus. At that point, it ceases to be love. It's simply unhealthy. Would you want your brother to date my sister? Honestly, now."

"No, because I think your sister is a spoiled rich brat," said Catalina truthfully. "Much like yourself. I don't like either of you. Never have. But I work with you now, and I have to have a certain degree of respect for the things you've done."

Tristan's lip twitched. "It's nice to see how much more you tell me about your true feelings now that we're comrades."

"Just to remind you that you're not getting me in bed, ever."

"From what I hear, no one is in your bed these days. Quite loyal to Kol, aren't you? Are you quite sure that's love, and not an obsession?"

Catalina leaned over the table, glaring at him. "I fell in love with him when I was human. I came to realize that I was in love with him when I was a vampire. And when I had my memories wiped, I fell in love with him all over again, even while in another body. That's not an obsession. Maybe it's time we move on to other concerning topics? Like the devotion you and your sister have to each other. Lucien and I aren't actually siblings and at least we understand that there are certain things that are just strange. You and Aurora have a... confusing relationship."

"What you're insinuating is disgusting," said Tristan. "My sister and I do not have that sort of relationship."

"But you have to admit it's really weird."

Tristan just shook his head. "This is far from the point I'm wondering about. Did Aurora contact you, yes or no?"

"No. She didn't contact me. But I expect she'll want to see me. Your baby sister has always been a fan of mine."

"And yet you loathe her."

"Please, have you met her? She's insufferable."

"She's mentally ill."

"Trust me, it has nothing to do with her mental illness. She's just obnoxious." She brought out the slip of paper where she'd written her notes. "Here. Suggestions for improving The Strix Coven. I wasn't impressed when I met the witches yesterday. Has Aya finally finished gloating, or is she going to go at it for another week?"

Tristan's lip twitched. "She's proud. Always has been."

"She's bragging. I dislike it."

"I'd like for you and Aya to get along. My two closest lieutenants ought to be friends, at the very least."

Catalina rolled her eyes. "If you think we're going to screw before your eyes, continue to dream. She's always hated me. Just as I will always hate her. She knows I'm stronger than her. And if you don't tell her to stop, I will kill her."

"Now, now, Lina, must we—"

She held up her finger. "Don't call me that. You can call me 'Cat' if 'Catalina' is too difficult for you to say. But don't ever call me 'Lina.' Got it?"

Tristan sat back in his chair, nodding slowly. "Very well, Cat. I wish you two were not at each other's throats."

"She's the one that started it. I've been wanting to end it. If she doesn't shut up, I will tear more than just her tongue out. Get her to stop, or I will take matters into my own hands. Got it?"

"I will speak to her. Provided you contact me the instant my sister approaches you in any way."

"Fine. I expect she'll be busy the rest of the day, so I doubt she'll approach me in the next twelve hours. Is there anything else we have to discuss?"

Tristan hummed. "The binding agent."

"What about it?"

"I believe I know what it has to be. The witches were discussing it, and I figured... a heart of some sorts. Hearts are commonly used in spells."

"A heart makes sense," mused Catalina. "But it would have to be a specific heart. If we could get Esther's heart, it could help, as she's the one who created vampires, and thus, the sireline linking spell..."

"A heart outside the link. I happen to know where we can find one."

Catalina paled. "You're not seriously suggesting we take Hayley Marshall's heart."

"It's a heart that does not form part of the link. Hayley Marshall was sired by her daughter. Not by one of the Originals. I already have some of my men trying to bring her to our headquarters, unharmed, for the spell."

"Well, get them to stop!" snapped Catalina, slamming her hand down on the table. "We're not killing Hayley! Are you insane? What we're doing is already risky enough. The Mikaelsons will be after us as soon as we break that link if we kill Hayley in the process. I will not stand for murdering the mother of my niece! She has been nothing but kind to me."

"Then find an alternative. If you don't, we will need to kill Hayley."

Catalina drew a deep breath. "It will require duplicating her heart. The Strix Coven would need to do it— it's too dark of a spell for any other witch. If we can subdue Hayley and take some of her blood... along with bringing a heart belonging to anyone else, preferably someone of no importance... then we can create a replica of her heart to use for the spell. Drowned in her blood, the duplicate heart will work, without killing her."

"Very well, then," said Tristan, bringing out his phone. "I will call off my men."

"Who did you send after her?"

"Shen Min, among a few others."

"I ought to rip your head off."

"But you won't," said Tristan. "With me lies your only hope of resurrecting Kol. You're barely getting to know The Strix Coven witches. Aya and I can still keep them from helping you. It would be unwise for you to lose your temper."

Catalina gritted her teeth. "Actually, what's more unwise is you saying that to me. Because you don't want to be the one my rage is directed toward when I inevitably snap."

As expected, Klaus and Elijah fought. Catalina heard it from Freya, who'd arrived at the Compound and found every bit of furniture in the courtyard in pieces after their brawl. Rebekah had been furious. Hayley and Jackson, nervous, because they worried the two brothers would go for another round in front of Hope, who didn't understand why everything had been torn to shreds.

It gave Klaus a reason to seek Catalina out.

She'd been purchasing some groceries when she felt a presence behind her. "Let me guess," she said, when the scent of his annoyingly strong cologne reached her nose. "You found out."

"How dare you not tell me?" sneered Klaus. "How dare you rant and rave about how I took your memories, something of vital importance to you, and yet you saw fit to leave me in the dark about a matter so crucial to my entire being?"

"Feels awful, doesn't it?" she said blandly, turning to face him. "Do you see how you're reacting right now? That's why I didn't say anything. I wanted to tell you two years ago, Klaus. Sage thought it was a bad idea because she knew you might think I was lying, among other things. I would have been risking my life in an already dangerous situation. I told Elijah to tell you sooner, and he didn't. This isn't my fault, so don't you dare take it out on me, because I am still furious about what you did.

"It's been almost a year since Kol died for the second time. And what the hell have you been doing to bring him back? Nothing. Just complaining about me. It's thanks to me that your daughter is still alive! I was the one that figured out how to defeat Dahlia, not you. And even now I'm trying to protect that little girl. You should be thankful that I haven't gone out of my way to try and kill you. Because I could, you know. I could have done so many things that would lead to your death, and I didn't, because you matter to Kol, and because that little girl needs her father. I never had one. She should at least get a chance to know you."

Klaus's throat pulsated, and his previously puffed-up and menacing posture dropped. "What irks me," continued Catalina, "is that you're happy that you did it. Happy that you ruined my life, and Kol's. It was all a game to you, Klaus. Is that what Hope is gonna have to go through, when she starts dating? Are you going to compel her boyfriends to walk away? You don't have any business meddling in other people's happiness.

"Your brother died twice. Desperate to bring my memories back, because it hurt him so badly to look at me, and know that I didn't love him the way he loved me. I hate myself every day because I know how much pain it caused him to even speak to me. But it wasn't even my fault. I shouldn't be hating myself. So if you ever approach me again, I will not hesitate to hurt you. Because there's more I'd like to do to you. So many more ways I'd love to torture you, to make you feel even a fragment of the agony I experienced when you took away the person I love most in this godawful world."

She moved past him, and he did not try to pursue her.

Just mere hours later, she came across Aurora.

"I do love these perfumes," said a familiar voice beside Catalina when she'd gone to look into one of the cute shops set up outside her apartment building, as part of an outdoor market of sorts.

"They suit you," said Catalina calmly, beholding the familiar redhead. "Aurora. Your hair is darker than in the picture your brother showed me."

"I colored it," said the girl proudly, puffing up her locks. "Do you like it?"

"It looks nice. Why are you here?"

Aurora pouted. "Is that any way to greet an old friend?"

"Have you seen your brother yet?"

"No."

"Well, he asked me to tell him the instant I saw you, so..." Catalina brought out her phone, starting to text Tristan, and Aurora pouted.

"Can't we have a chat?" she inquired. "Just us girls. I need to ask you to stop trying to hurt Nik."

Catalina snorted. "I haven't laid a finger on him in months. I gave him a proper and well deserved beating at the start of this year. Goes to show how weak he is if I really scare him enough for you to ask this of me. I figured you'd understand."

Aurora sighed. "I lost a century to compulsion, yes. My entire identity, changed forever. I have held a grudge for a thousand years and have never hurt Elijah directly. Therefore, I am asking you to keep from harming Nik."

"I won't touch him. Doesn't mean I won't try to make him suffer another way, if I end up having an idea. I'm busier, now that your brother has me running errands and working nonstop with the witches."

"I suppose Tristan finally fessed up to his little crush on you? He's fancied you since before we turned, you know. We all heard word of the young little Spanish princess. He was preparing to go to Spain to meet you. Alas, everything changed. And still your paths crossed. How curious. It would be wonderful if we could be in-laws."

Catalina cast her a cheeky smile. "Considering how you're inserting yourself into the Mikaelson family, we're going to be."

"But you and Kol haven't tied the knot," observed Aurora. "Not yet, at least."

"Don't feel the need to. Besides, he's dead. If you'd like to help with that, make sure your brother doesn't sabotage my plan to bring him back. Surely you're aware by now what we're planning."

Aurora nodded. "I am aware, yes. And I did like hearing that you're going to find a way to save the mother of Nik's child. I do hope to meet her sometime soon. Alas, he said that the Compound will be empty tonight, just for the two of us." She giggled. "I'm excited."

"Ugh," groaned Catalina. "I don't want to hear about your sex life with that prat. Keep that to yourself."

"I did want to inquire about something else. Camille O'Connell. Who is she?"

"A bartender at Rousseau's. A friend of mine. So if you think to hurt her—"

"Apparently, she's quite precious to Nik. And I can't have that, so—"

Catalina knocked a perfume display to the ground, spilling its contents everywhere as glass shattered at her feet while she pinned Aurora to the wall.

"Let me get one thing through your thick skull," the vampire sneered. "Cami isn't just some girl that Klaus cares about. She means more than that to me, and to the other Mikaelsons. Klaus hasn't even kissed her, or slept with her. He manipulated her at the start. I've never understood what she sees in him. So don't worry. She won't get in your way now that you're worming your way into his bed. You leave her the bloody hell alone, or I will make sure you regret ever coming up to me in this damn store."

Aurora was the older vampire. She probably could have thrown Catalina off. But she didn't. And it became clear to Catalina when she saw slight panic in her eyes that she literally couldn't. She wasn't as strong as her.

"Good, we have an understanding," said Catalina, releasing her. "Now, go have fun, old friend, if you find it entertaining to be anywhere near that abominable prick that is Klaus Mikaelson."

Aurora didn't tell Tristan, which Catalian found rather surprising. She figured the little whelp would have gone running right to him to complain about Catalina treated her. She'd been tense when she went to the Davilla Estate that night, figuring Tristan had a lecture prepared and maybe even a brawl planned between her and Aya to teach her a lesson. Instead, he greeted her with his usual nod. His eyes flickering over her figure, which didn't escape her notice.

She decided to be extra cautious, just in case. She went to Cami, who was surprised to see her in her real body, and even more surprised to be speaking to her in general, considering they didn't communicate much. She warned her of the danger, and even brought Cami to temporarily live at the apartment with her and Lucien, just so that she'd be protected by an ancient vampire at all times. It was certainly more than Klaus was doing to keep her safe.

"You really don't have to give up your bedroom," said Cami sheepishly once she saw Catalina making herself a place on the couch.

"Trust me, I'll be fine," said Catalina. "It's just for a little while. I don't trust Aurora. And considering Klaus hasn't said anything to you... it's better to be on the safe side."

She was thinking ahead. There would come a point, likely soon, where Catalina would kill Tristan and Aya. Aurora didn't care for Aya, but she obviously cared for her brother, and she would want to retaliate now that she knew who Catalina cared about.

On Thanksgiving, the First Sired met to go over their plan, which was nearly ready to be executed.

"We have everything we need, except the location of the last of the white oak," said Tristan casually. "We ought to know where it is before we do the spell, just in case. I worry that someone will attack the Mikaelsons before we can complete the spell, and we'll be at a loss."

Yeah, right, thought Catalina. You just want to kill them once you prove you've been unlinked.

She had a feeling that Klaus wouldn't be the only one dying if Tristan proved the spell successful. He'd just be the test run. But if the spell worked, as it would, then Tristan would go ahead and kill Elijah and Rebekah as well. Thus, ensuring completely that Catalina wouldn't be able to resurrect Kol. how would she ever face him after letting three of his siblings die? All he'd have left was Freya, and he hadn't even met her. Not recently, at least.

"How can we procure the location of the white oak?" inquired Catalina. "If it even exists, that is."

"Aya believes she may have a lead," said Tristan. "One of our witches, a potential seer named Ariane. She's not at our headquarters, currently, but Aya will bring her, and use Elijah to conjure visions of any white oak that could linger out in the world."

"And why is Aya handling that?" said Catalina sourly. "I'm the one in charge of the witches."

"My dear Catalina," said Tristan, his lip twitching, "you've already shuffled through all the witches to find your favorites for the spell. You've already picked the one who will resurrect Kol when the time comes. What more can you possibly do? You don't even know Ariane. Aya can handle this."

"I think it's Aya's time to... leave," said Aurora thoughtfully. Catalina noticed Lucien staring at her intently from across the table. "Cat is right, Tristan. There's no reason she should be handling anything. She isn't one of the First Sired. She can't be completely trusted. Her hatred of Elijah Mikaelson runs nearly as deep as mine. It could ruin things. Ah... I wish Sage could see this. How proud she'd be."

Catalina doubted Sage would be proud of anything involving the deMartels. In fact, she worried Sage would have been disappointed in her for taking part in it.

"Well, aside from that, it's all settled, then?" said Lucien. "We have what we need. I will not be a part of it, for obvious reasons. The Strix won't wish for me to be there. Catalina will oversee the spell. Tristan will be with the rest of The Strix guarding the gates to ensure the spell goes off without a hitch. And Aurora, where will you be?"

She giggled. "Well, I was going to take a celebratory little trip. You've all got this handled. I figured I'd take the time away from Nik to treat myself. To be ready to completely enjoy him once it's been done."

It dawned on Catalina that Aurora didn't know what Tristan was planning. She noticed the way Tristan failed to meet his sister's gaze once she looked at him, to confirm that this was the plan. He wasn't expecting Klaus to walk away from the spell alive.

"All that's left is to get the white oak, then," said Catalina, to change the topic. "After that, we'll kidnap Jackson Kenner, as his heart is identical to Hayley's. He'll be easier to subdue for the duplicator spell. Hayley will be the one motivated to rescue him, and the Mikaelsons will follow. The Strix Coven will give them all a magical knock on the head and throw them into the Chambre de Chasse..."

She decided to take an extra step, to ensure that even if Tristan got the white oak, he wouldn't easily be able to kill Klaus. He couldn't, not if Aurora was there.

"I think someone should supervise them in the Chambre de Chasse," said Catalina. "Or at least distract them. They've been in one before. If they find that which represents them in there, they might wake far too early. Aurora... the celebratory trip, perhaps, should be postponed. You're the only one who has enough in common with all three of them to distract them enough. If you were to be in the Davilla Estate, and in the Chambre de Chasse simultaneously, you could be there in case anything goes wrong."

There. It looked like she was just being cautious in case the plan went astray. She noticed the slightest twitch in Tristan's jaw when Aurora giggled.

"Ooh, I'd love to!" the redhead said. "Oh, yes, that will be quite fun."

"Excellent," said Catalina, her lips curling upward as she stared directly at Tristan.