*I just want to thank everyone for your support for me, this book, for everything. I love you all and hope you enjoy this chapter. I feel very satisfied with it and enjoyed writing it!*

"Do you think I don't know that?" Finn growls, glaring at his brother. "We're a little short on options at the moment. We have to get Elijah back. Claire is more than capable of handling herself, especially with four other witches to back her up. They just need a moment to weaken Esther, and we'll be able to join them,"

"If Esther harms a hair on her head, I will dedicate the rest of my eternal life; to torturing every single body she jumps into," Kol threatens. He continues to march at the entrance, an invisible force preventing him from entering.

"You won't be the only one," Finn assures him.

Inside the cemetery, Claire, along with Bonnie, Davina, Penelope, and, Kai walk towards the crypt. Bonnie had caught wind of what was happening and instantly volunteered to help. Claire was hesitant, seeing that Bonnie had a newborn at home, but relented, only when they agreed Bonnie would simply be in the background as a backup. It wouldn't be 100% safe, nothing with Esther was completely safe, but it would be safer than taking her head-on.

Sending both Bonnie and Davina a look, the two witches branch off and disappear. They searched for anyone else in the crypt. They also stayed hidden from Esther, only to reveal themselves should Claire, Kai and Penelope need more help.

"-you will reconsider my offer. A new life." Esther preaches in front of Elijah. Claire shares an uneasy look with both Kai and Penelope. While Kai simply returned the glance with an excited grin, Penelope looked a little more reassuring. "A way to be freed from your demons. A chance at peace."

"Funny," Claire says, announcing her presence with Penelope to her right and Kai to her left, both a step back from Claire. Esther sighs, her shoulders dropping while Elijah's head snaps to his mate. Claire's heart clenches at the sight of him before being overcome with anger towards Esther... again. "You speak of peace, yet every time our peace has been disrupted, you or Mikael have been behind the chaos. Our family, our city, was at peace, but you just had to come and inflict your will. I've had enough. It's time for you to leave."

"Hello, Claire," Esther sighs, facing her future daughter-in-law. "Penelope, Malachai," Esther greets the two witches by Esther. Kai instantly glares at Esther harshly for the use of his full name. "I'm not going anywhere. I have a duty to my family, a duty to nature,"

"This isn't your family," Claire shakes her head. "You lost that privilege a long time ago,"

"I am still their mother," Esther said, fiercely.

"No," Claire shakes her head. "You're nothing," Claire states. "You're not welcome here, you never have and you never will. I will only give you one chance to release Elijah and Hanna from your grasp. If I were you, I'd leave while you can." Claire warns.

"I'm not going anywhere," Esther said, falling into a defensive stance.

"Yes, you are," Claire tells her. Esther tilts her head before throwing a silent spell towards Penelope, who just manages to defend herself. Penny's eyes widen as she feels the sheer power Esther possesses.

Kai doesn't hesitate to react. Anger courses through his veins upon seeing his mate being attacked. An invisible force throws Esther back. The original witch is obviously taken back by his power but is quick to recover.

Not wanting to give Esther time to rest and retaliate, Claire raises her hand. Esther is flung back once more and pinned high on a wall. Esther tries to fight back but can't move. She whispers a spell under her breath. The three witches look around as they feel the crypt shake and begin to crumble around them.

Kol growls loudly; he runs into the barrier yet again. Despite fighting against three witches, Esther still manages to keep the brothers from entering the cemetery. The two originals could feel the ground rumble and see the crypt shake. Neither of them could do a thing, and it was angering them both.

"Davina, we have to keep this place from falling," Bonnie says, quickly catching onto Esther's plan.

"Give me your hands," Davina says. The two instantly join hands. Davina whispers the spell to counter Esther. After chanting it a few times, Bonnie joins in. Their joint magic ceases the destruction of the crypt. Esther growls in frustration.

"If you don't let me go, Hanna will die," Esther says quickly. Penelope instantly tenses, her eyes darting between Esther and Claire.

"No, she won't," Claire shakes her head. "You're going to leave Hanna's body. You're not going to hurt her," Esther glares, forcing almost all of her focus against Claire. Esther manages to overpower her, causing her body to drop to the ground. Penelope quickly reaches out to steady her sister. Before any of them could attack again, Esther tries to escape. Only then does she realize that Kai has been muttering a barrier spell of his own, forcing Esther to face them.

"Give me back my mother!" Penelope snapped, losing her patience.

"Why are you fighting against me?!" Esther snaps back. "I am doing the right thing! Why can you not see that?"

"Your actions may have been of pure intent a thousand years ago, but they have adapted to the life you forced upon them. They've not only adapted, but they've thrived. They're happy. How can you not see that?" Claire counters. "You made your choice a thousand years ago; there is no going back." Claire raises her hand once more. "Now," Claire growls, her voice dropping. "Get out of her body, you worthless bitch," Esther fights against Claire but slowly feels herself falling to her knees.

"Claire," Penelope mutters, hesitantly as she sees blood begin to drip down from Hanna's nose. Claire ignores her and continues forcing Esther out of Hanna's body.

"You won't stop me," Esther warns. "I'll just go to another body,"

"Then my mates will get the pleasure of killing you again and again, but this body you will not harm," Claire states fiercely. Esther drops all focus on any other spell in an attempt to get Claire off of her, but it doesn't work.

"Mom!" Penelope races forward, grabbing Hanna before she could hit her head. A second later, Kol and Finn appear behind Claire.

"I'm fine, I'm fine," Claire reassures both of them. "Can you find Bonnie and Davina?" She asks, not caring, which one of them goes to collect her friends. Finn disappears as Claire walks up to Elijah. Kol kneels beside Penelope and looks at Kol.

"She's alright," Kol assures Penelope softly.

"Did it work?" Penny asks, glancing at him.

"Only one way to find out," Kol says, pulling his phone out to call his sister.

"Hi, baby," Claire whispers, caressing both sides of his face. His body relaxes against her touch. His head leans forward to rest against hers. "I'm sorry I'm late,"

"You're right on time, Elsken," Elijah assures her with a tired smile. She smiles, kissing his lips lightly.

"As sexy as you look tied up, let's get you out of here," Claire jokes, hoping to lift his spirits just a little.

"The doll, up there," Elijah says, looking above him. She follows his gaze. "Break it," Claire doesn't question him. She reaches up and tears the doll in half. Finn walks up beside her and breaks Elijah out of his chains.

"Rebekah, did it work?" Kol asks as his sister finally answers his phone. He paces slowly by Hanna's body.

"Beautifully," Rebekah smirks, standing in front of Esther's new body. Her mother's head rolls around groggily. Asher, Archie, and Kaleb stand around her, having finished performing a spell that traps Esther not only in the new body but also in the basement of the Abattoir. "That Parker kid is clever; I'll give him that,"

"Excellent," Kol beams, looking down at Penelope. He gives her a nod allowing the young girl to breathe out a sigh of relief. "We've got Elijah; we'll be seeing you soon,"

"We'll be here, brother," Rebekah says before hanging up.

"She's going to be just fine," Kol assures, kneeling down beside Hanna. Penelope moves to allow the vampire to pick her mother up.

"See, I told you everything would work out," Kai smirks, wrapping an arm around Penelope's neck. She smiles, hugging his waist tightly. He kisses the top of her head, holding her even closer.

"Let's get you home," Claire whispers to Elijah, pressing a calming hand on his chest. He instinctively leans closer to her, not wanting to part from her. She smiles, leaning into his side. He presses his nose in her hair, breathing in her scent, feeling comforted by her presence and scent. "How is she?" Claire asks, looking towards Hanna.

"She's unconscious but seems to be fine," Penelope answers. Claire nods, feeling a little more relieved.

"Esther?" Claire asks, her eyes going towards Kol.

"Waiting for another family reunion," Kol responds, causing Claire to grin. "It worked, Angel,"

"Just like I said," Kai pipes in cockily. Penelope beams up towards him proudly. Kai basks in her attention.

"I want to thank you both for helping us," Claire says to Davina and Bonnie.

"Of course," Bonnie smiles, nodding. "We're family; I'm glad I could help,"

"Anytime," Davina assures before they begin to leave the crypt.

"We need to go to the-" Elijah began, but Claire cut him off.

"Home," Claire tells him. "We can deal with Esther later; she's not going anywhere," She says, putting her faith in her brother's and Kaleb. "We are going home. You're going to get cleaned up, and then you're going to rest." She says, leaving no room for argument. Elijah sighs, giving in as the fatigue begins to take over.

When they arrived at the plantation, Davina and Bonnie both split off from them. Bonnie gave her friends a quick hug before going home to Jamie and her daughter. Davina quickly returns to the Abattoir to lend her help in keeping Esther trapped.

"Well, you look a little worse for wear," Enzo comments opening the door into the plantation. Elijah gives him a small smile while sticking impossibly close to Claire.

"Hey," Caroline says, coming into view. She gives her twin a quick yet tight hug. "Everything work out?" She asks, watching Kol carry Hanna's unconscious body into one of the rooms.

"She's going to be fine; the plan worked," Claire reassures, causing Caroline to smile widely. "Have either of you heard from Henrik and Klaus?" Claire asks. Elijah glances at Claire questioningly.

"The last thing we heard, they were going to the Abattoir," Enzo says. "They called about half an hour ago. They haven't found Mikael yet,"

"Mikael?" Elijah asks, frowning his eyebrows.

"Yeah, we've found one of your parents, and we're now hunting down the other one," Claire rolls her eyes. "But we're going to find him, and we're going to get rid of both of them," She reassures him. Elijah nods tiredly. "Don't worry about it right now; let me take care of you," She whispers, pulling Elijah away from everyone.

Claire leads Elijah up the steps towards their shared room. Once the door shuts behind them, Elijah pulls her close to him. She wraps her arms around his neck, threading her fingers through his hair.

"Do you want to talk?" Claire asks, but Elijah only tightens his grip. Claire doesn't say anything else, pressing a kiss on his neck. He pulls his head back enough to capture Claire's lips with his own. "I'm here, Elijah," She whispers against his lips. Elijah grabs her thighs, lifting her off the ground. She locks her ankles around his waist. "I love you,"

Elijah growls, reconnecting their lips, walking them into their private bathroom. Claire pushes off his shredded shirt and jacket. Her nails drag along his chest, causing a growl to erupt from him. Elijah places her on the bathroom counter by the sink. He quickly rids her of her clothes before stepping out of the remainder of his own.

"Elijah," Claire whispers, pulling him back to her. His fingers dig into her hips as he grinds into her hips but not entering into her. "Stop teasing," Claire pleads quietly. Elijah offers her a small smile before entering her with a single thrust. The wetness from her cunt allows him to slide in easily. "Jesus-fuck!" Claire cries out as Elijah sets a relentless pace.

"Mine," Elijah growls possessively as his blunt teeth nip at her neck. Her fingers grasp the edges of the counter, her back arches against her mate. Elijah's hands glide over her body holding and caressing everything. He felt as if he couldn't get enough of her, as if she would disappear in a heartbeat.

"Elijah," Claire whispers. "Elijah," She says, grabbing his face forcing him to look at her. "Easy, baby," Claire whispers to him. "I'm not going anywhere," She promises. Elijah stares into her eyes. He slows his pace but continues to thrust into her with force.

"You're mine," Elijah growls in her ear, holding her body up against his. "I'm yours. I love you," He whispers, placing tender kisses along her neck. She whines, grinding her hips against his.

"I know you do, Elijah," Claire whispers. "I love you, too. I love you so much," She adds, nuzzling her head into his neck. He wraps his arms around her, his lips kissing her shoulder.

"So beautiful," Elijah murmurs while picking up the pace. Claire moans, tossing her head back as Elijah hits the perfect spot with practically every thrust. She whines and moans his name as his lips claim her neck. Her breath hitches in her throat as Elijah's fangs sink into her neck, and he feeds from her hungrily.

"Elijah," Claire whines feeling herself teetering on the edge. He growls knowing exactly what her tone meant. His hand traveled down stimulating her clit giving her exactly what she needed to fall over the edge bringing Elijah with her.

Elijah pulls his teeth from her neck. His laps at her wound until it heels. She threads her fingers through his hair, holding him close to her. He nuzzles his head into her neck, holding her close to him.

"I love you, Elijah," Claire whispers rubbing his back. She could feel the tension lingering in his muscles. "I love you so much," She whispers feeling as if she couldn't say it enough. He breathes in her scent and tightens his arms around her. "You're safe, love... You're with me. I'll keep you safe," She promises. He grins against her skin.

"I always feel safe with you," Elijah whispers to her. "My protector," He grins kissing her neck lightly.