Davina was making the best of a bad situation.

It was clear that nobody could be remotely happy with the news of Aiden's death. Andra hadn't known him very well (or at all, really), but she hated the idea of a relationship ending in such a violent way. She'd lost past partners in similar ways, and wouldn't even wish that pain upon her worst enemy.

However, Davina was trying to think positively, trying to figure out the best way to continue onward even with this horrible event. While Andra prepared the weapons she figured she'd need once the plan kicked off, Davina held Landon, thinking of what Marcel had told him.

My girls.

And that was no accident. There was absolutely no way he didn't mean to say it, deep down. He knew it, Andra knew it. Davina and Landon even knew it.

She and Josh had thought of setting them up, but what if there wasn't need for that anymore? What if she just had to encourage one of them to speak up?

Andra was there, so available, with no idea what was coming...

"I think I really like Kol," murmured Davina when Andra was trying to pick between three slightly different spears. "I started thinking about what I might do if I ever lost him, and I don't think I could survive it. I thought I liked Tim in the same way. But things were different then, I'm different now."

The golem glanced up between her lashes, not at all stupid. All she could hear while sorting the knives was 'my girls'repeated over and over again. Marcel's perfect lips and comforting voice and that smile and those muscles and that not-too-strong but still beautifully-scented cologne she was starting to associate with happiness. It was making it hard to concentrate on her sorting.

"Just remember one thing," said Andra. "How much older Kol is than you. I know they say now age is just a number– often in very strange contexts– but in this case you should consider it. Mainly because you are still very young, a teenager. And while he may act like a teenager and was stuck as one, he isn't a teenager, he hasn't been one in a long time. He's seen kingdoms all across the world, he's had all sorts of relationships, experiences that make him far more mature. Not to mention his reputation. The killing, the bloodlust, the inappropriate games he would play. Marcel told me about the time Kol compelled actors to perform a play and he witnessed people being stabbed. Kol almost turned him by force when he was eleven. All of Marcel's warnings are for a reason. He worries because he knows what Kol is capable of. I like to believe people can change but never forget what they've done in the past. Maybe he is a better man now but he is still capable of gruesome things and can flip as easily as a switch if provoked."

"I know," said Davina. "He is just... so funny and sweet with me, he teaches me all this magic and when I see him, I see a future, I see possibility..." she hesitated, "Have you felt that before? How do you even... go about it, once you know? I don't know if I should say something to him or if I should do something different now that I'm aware..."

"I've been in love a few times in the past. I've learned to just seize the moment and say what you feel. Unless there is a really strong reason not to. I don't think anything is really stopping you from telling Kol how you feel. It's up to you. I just worry, Davina, but I know that after what you've been through... I have no right to command you to do one thing or another. I only hope you are smart with your choices and you really listen to your gut if something feels wrong. And never forget that I am here to help you. If you ever feel odd or just need to talk something out, I want you to feel you can talk to me about it. I won't judge you and I won't tell Marcel... unless it is really bad. In which case I will skin Kol alive myself."

Davina smiled. "Yeah, that's a good point. What's stopping you, then?"

Andra stared at her for a moment, lips curling upward when Davina stared back as intensely as she could. "It would be dangerous for all parties. And I'm not sure I can handle another loss. You're young, you still have a lot to learn, mistakes to be made that, while we hope you don't have to suffer for them, do technically help a person grow. I've lived my life, I know what to look out for and this... this scares me."

"He probably feels the same way. Because I know Marcel. He would have just told you, but something is obviously holding him back."

"It's probably for the best," said Andra quietly. "Doesn't matter what I want, I have to think about how my choices affect Ryan and Landon. He has to think about how his choices affect you, the vampires, his city. There's a lot at stake. People we want to protect. And we also don't want to get hurt."

"Isn't it better to take a chance? This could be a really, really big missed opportunity if you don't. Malivore can't come after you. And Klaus won't hurt Marcel to hurt you; he cares about him even if he's a complete dick."

"I suppose so. I just don't think it's the right time."

"It's never going to be the right time. You have to just... say it. Work things out as they go. At this point you guys are casually dating, you always see each other alone, you protect one another, and you clearly like each other."

Andra considered it, staring down at the blade of her spear. "Let's see what happens when Dahlia dies. Then... maybe."

Elijah contacted Andra half an hour later, informing her that Klaus was daggered, and that the plan was in motion.

It was relatively simple. Freya had suggested a plan to lure Dahlia in before she could realize Hayley and the wolves were gone (though Andra warned them that Dahlia probably already knew that and was likely working to bypass the magic of the bracelet Davina fabricated in order to find Hope).

Andra and Ryan had shared a look the instant Freya suggested using Hope as bait. Elijah and Rebekah's reactions had been argumentative immediately, refusing to allow it.

"Well, it doesn't actually have to be Hope," said Ryan slyly.

"What do you suggest?" asked Elijah.

The golems pointed at themselves. "A fake," said Andra. "We made a golem to store Cami's soul in case the spell went wrong. That golem can be used to make a fake Hope."

"Dahlia would know it is a fake," said Freya. "It would not work."

"Unless you made it really really hard to tell," said Ryan. "Andra used Hope's blood on a stillborn to deliver a fake tribrid to Malivore. Could her blood make Dahlia sense Hope's magic on the golem?"

"It could work," said Kol, rubbing his chin. "But let's add a layer. A heartbeat. We could link it to a living being, make it very hard to distinguish between real Hope and fake Hope."

Andra nodded. "Let's do it then. Marcel is checking in on Josh right now, I think he can stay there. Someone else needs to go get Hope–"

"I will do it," offered Elijah.

"Good. Witches to work on the golem with me–?"

"Freya, Rebekah, and I," said Kol. "Davina's just told me Vincent Griffith approached her about being Regent of the Nine Covens."

"I can get to work on the weapons," said Ryan. "Make some lobelia flower bombs and make a few with the ashes, soil, and blood before infusing other stuff for battle."

Andra assented. "Everyone has their tasks. Let's get to work."

Landon watched her carefully while she kneaded the clay in her hands, molding a little golem the same size as him. He giggled when she grabbed his hand to measure, when she tickled his nose before carving one onto the golem. Andra wiped her brow as she finished, mud-stained hands offering the golem to Rebekah, who set it into a bowl infused with salt, herbs, and blood that Elijah brought from the Bayou, from Hope.

Marcel came by once Andra had washed her hands, leaving the witches to handle the spell.

"Hey," said Marcel. "Doing okay?" He ruffled Landon's hair, eliciting a squeal. "And you, little buddy, you okay?"

"We're okay," confirmed Andra, a soft smile cast to him. "How is Josh?"

"I really am worried about him."

"As soon as Dahlia is gone, I would very much appreciate your help in making him some sort of care basket. A few little things to make this time easier. You know him best."

"I'm sure he would really appreciate that."

My girls.

Landon cooed like he thought an elephant might trumpet. Andra cleared her throat, wishing to break the awkward silence and simultaneously wishing it would last forever so she wouldn't have to admit anything to Marcel. Everything was still a maybe.

"I have news," came Elijah's voice, disrupting their quiet time (which was probably for the best). "Niklaus didn't kill Aiden."

Marcel rubbed his face with his hands, unable to believe what he was hearing. "So... who the hell did it, then?"

"Freya, Dahlia, any number of witches with the desire to turn me against my brother," murmured Elijah.

"How do you know?" asked Andra. "Not about the witches, but that Klaus didn't do it?"

"Camille. Niklaus admitted it to her. He wished for us to be afraid of him, to encourage us to follow through with his plan."

Andra chose to remain silent, but many rude words came to mind. "So," asked Marcel, "given that taking out enemies is sort-of Klaus' forte... you thinking about pulling that dagger out?"

Elijah shook his head. "Until Hope is safe, I would rather not unleash that Shakespearean rage."

"Well, whoever did frame him for Aiden's death got us to take our biggest weapon off the table, which means... you're gonna have to think like him."

Elijah frowned, perhaps unsure what this meant, or not believing himself capable of it. Andra let out a light laugh, causing both men to look at her strangely.

"Thinking like the enemy is my specialty," she said. "Let's think... Klaus can sometimes be very meticulous, but when emotion gets in the way, he is impulsive. I think the latter is at play here because Hope's safety is compromised and he thinks everyone is against him. As such, he would want a direct attack, an aggressive approach. This is somewhat possible now; Ryan has made several weapons, and when I finished making the golem, Freya let me know she turned the courtyard into a killing ground using the ingredients. She employed my idea of a Boundary Spell. We can attack in there, and Dahlia will be trapped and rendered mortal. We battle with the weapons we have.

"If Klaus were compliant with this plan, he'd want eyes and ears on all the supernatural communities. To know every single thing the wolves are doing; sure, it's great if they want to be far away when this happens, but how are they being protected in case this goes astray or Dahlia sends acolytes after them? Jackson may know the Bayou well but at the end of the day they're out in the open and trees burn very easily. Witches start fires with the snap of a finger and Dahlia's acolytes can perform small bursts of magic. Enough to smoke them out or burn them all alive. The Bayou isn't enough. We need someone out there from our group protecting them in case an acolyte is sent there.

"As for the other communities, Klaus would certainly want the witches locked onto our side. They accepted Freya, but we don't actually know how they feel about this or how things might turn on us. He'd want something ensuring they can't be used by Dahlia and that if worst comes to worst, they will back us, not her. Ryan helped distribute the anti-kenning tea thing. But what else will either keep them occupied and out of range, or kept in an alliance and ready to help at a moment's notice? To that end..." she looked at Marcel, "Davina. Vincent approached her because they want him to be leader, but he doesn't want to practice magic. We know Davina isn't selfish the way other witches are and she isn't allied to any one coven, meaning she can be objective. She's also young and inspirational and most importantly does have Hope's best interests at heart because one, she's a kid who doesn't want anyone to get hurt, least of all a baby, and two, she likes you, me, Cami, and Kol, all of whom are committed to seeing Dahlia vanquished. I think she's a good person for the job and I think encouraging her to accept this position right now would be very good."

Marcel hesitated. "This could take a toll on her. It's a lot to be a leader. She's hardly active as a member of the covens and a lot of them still think of her as a traitor. Then again, she's the only Harvest girl left, and the points you bring up are good..." he sighed, rubbing his forehead, "I need to talk to her about it. My guess is she will accept. And if she's hesitant, I've no doubt Kol would encourage her to do it. He'd want her to take this step and better herself for greater access to magic and the ability to command rather than be a follower. I want her to have the power to protect herself and if this could help... maybe. I'll think about it. Continue."

"Last are the vampires. Still a young community but not useless. We could either have them in battle with us or have them helping in other ways. Searching the city for Dahlia, maybe even going out and protecting the wolves, or simply making sure nobody comes and interferes with the fight. We have a plan to fight Dahlia. I think as long as we get some protection out there for Hope and Hayley, ensure the witches are on our side, and do something about the vampires, there's a very good chance we can defeat Dahlia today."

Ryan cleared his throat behind them.

"I can go," he offered. "To the Bayou. I'm all for a good fight but I don't think I want to be here fighting Dahlia. I get along pretty well with Jackson and wouldn't mind hiking; I'd like it a lot more than being in here. I could ask Gia if she's willing to go with me. She's interacted a lot with the wolves because of Josh. My guess is a vampire and a golem– who, not to brag, is great with weapons– could give the wolves a bit of an edge if an acolyte does come. I don't doubt they're great fighters but I think you're right, Malia, Klaus would want someone watching over them if he were to be okay with them being out there in the first place."

Elijah nodded. "If Gia would be willing to accompany you... yes."

"I'll go and ask her. If not, Malia, you're coming with me."

Andra hoped Gia said yes; she had absolutely no desire to walk through mud and not encounter a good fight.

Naturally, Gia agreed. If it meant she could be with Ryan and learn a few new things while protecting someone, she was up for it. It's what Ryan liked about her. She was always eager to know more, just like him.

The golem was finished by nightfall, shortly before Ryan and Gia reached the wolves. Marcel had gone to speak with Davina, leaving Andra and Landon alone with the Mikaelsons as they continued discussing the logistics of their plan. Elijah hadn't realized his phone rang during their discussion, puzzled when he held it up and saw a voicemail from Hayley.

"Elijah," came Hayley's voice, "I'm calling to say goodbye. Hope and I... we can't be part of your family anymore. All Hope's life, her family has tried to destroy her. That can't be my little girl's story. Family is supposed to love you. Even if she is free of Dahlia's first-born curse, Hope would still be Klaus' daughter. She'd inherit a thousand years of enemies, all his anger and rage... I don't want Hope to be a Mikaelson, all the pain that comes with that name... She doesn't deserve that. Elijah, I..." she sighed, "Goodbye."

Andra chose not to speak up, knowing she had nothing kind to say. She would always understand a mother's desire to keep her child away from danger, but wondered why Hayley even had Hope in the first place. She always knew what kind of people the Mikaelsons were and how Hope might suffer living amongst them. She opted to take a deep breath and stop her train of thought. She could never fully understand what Hayley was going through, and didn't want to criticize her. She couldn't judge; she wasn't a parent in the same capacity that Hayley was. Maybe this choice was good in ways Andra couldn't see. She was upset because of the betrayed looks on Elijah and Rebekah's faces. But in reality she didn't blame Hayley for wanting Hope to be safe.

A storm began to brew outside within fifteen minutes of them hearing the voicemail. Rebekah was trying not to show that she was upset. Elijah stared out at the rain, contemplating everything. Freya and Kol were more or less unbothered, but still concerned. What would happen if Hayley really didn't come back, even when Dahlia was gone? Was there really no chance she might change her mind?

"Dahlia said she'd come for the baby," said Marcel, returning from his chat with Davina, "and now a storm springs up out of nowhere? This isn't a coincidence."

"No, it definitely isn't," said Andra worriedly.

"Regardless of her power," said Elijah, "she needs to be dealt with. Fortunately, we have a weapon." He looked to where Freya was completing the spell on the weapons binding and infusing the ingredients within them.

"Look," said Marcel, "no offense, but are we really going to put all our eggs in one still-kinda-mysterious basket?"

Freya glared at him. "I assure you, I am quite motivated to aid in Dahlia's defeat."

"And," said Kol, "it will work. Our plan is good. Not to mention Davina has accepted to becoming Regent. The witches will take up the task if we fail. Which we won't."

Rebekah ran in, having gone to fetch herself a coffee. "Elijah!" she cried. "Nik is gone!"

"What the hell do you mean he's gone?" asked Andra, clutching Landon to her chest.

"I don't know how, but he isn't in the coffin and neither is the bloody dagger!"

"Find Camille," said Elijah. "If anyone could calm our brother, it would be her. Until Niklaus is found, Marcel and I will scour the city."

"You know as well as I do he'll be on the warpath. Which again raises the question– how in the hell is he even awake?"

A lightbulb went off in Freya's head. "It was Dahlia. This was all part of her plan. No doubt, she killed Aiden, hoping that the blame would fall on Klaus, the family would divide, and she could win Klaus to her cause."

Rebekah scoffed. "That is absurd! Nik would never align with Dahlia."

Freya stared at her. "You continue to defend him."

"He'd kill anyone who'd try to take his daughter."

"Isn't it Hayley who's trying to take his daughter?"

"Their daughter," corrected Elijah gruffly. "Let's not forget that Dahlia is the true enemy here!"

"I have not forgotten," said Freya, sitting up. "The spell is done. The weapons are ready. It is time to set the trap. Finding Klaus will have to wait."

Marcel escorted Rebekah to see Cami at Kol's request. Andra left Landon with one of the maids, in the study beside where the spell to power the golem would be cast. Her heart would serve as the conduit.

Rebekah returned alone, informing her that Marcel was sending his vampires out to find Klaus. They split into the two rooms they required: the study and the courtyard. Everyone handled preparing their own areas and triple checking that everything was accounted for. As soon as Rebekah was set, she reached out to hold Andra's hand, bringing the golem to life.

They waited for the signal to broadcast. Downstairs, they could hear Kol chanting, ensuring that Hope's faux magical signature radiated outward. Freya had sat down, sending a message to Dahlia pretending she'd kidnapped Hope and wanted to offer her in exchange for her freedom. It was time.

"You're doing great," said Andra encouragingly as Rebekah chanted repeatedly. She would be in charge of protecting Rebekah if anything went wrong. Which she hoped it wouldn't, but she didn't doubt it was possible Dahlia may come accompanied by acolytes.

It seemed she came alone. They couldn't hear what was going on downstairs, and Andra couldn't afford to step away, just as Rebekah couldn't chant any quieter or be silent altogether. It was up to the others to carry the plan out smoothly.

She sensed a presence behind them, whipping around with her knife raised, but relaxing when she saw Marcel. "Here to protect her, too?" she asked.

"I'm sorry," said Marcel, an exhausted look in his eyes as he suddenly barreled toward them, catching both women off-guard and knocking Rebekah into a bookshelf before slapping a set of cursed manacles on her wrists.

"What are you doing?" shrieked Andra. "Oh my god, the golem–" She dove to the side as Marcel rushed to attack her. "What are you–? Oh shit..."

"I can't stop myself, I'm so sorry," said Marcel quietly, making another attempt to strike her. "I have no choice."

"He's compelled!" cried Rebekah. "But that would mean... no... Nik would never... he wouldn't–"

Andra couldn't bring herself to hurt Marcel. There was no way in hell she could stab him with anything. She could hear yells downstairs, she could feel the house practically shaking as people and objects were thrown around. She was scared, so scared, because while she couldn't die, she knew Marcel could, and if she put any effort at all into stopping him, she would inevitably kill him. She didn't bring a vervain injection because she didn't think she needed one. She didn't have a stake, only knives. And despite her strength, she couldn't break a vampire's neck.

He managed to subdue her with ease, yanking her arms behind her back and dragging her to the balcony.

Their worst fear was confirmed when she saw Klaus in the courtyard. Freya lay in a heap on the ground, Kol was sporting a deep wound in his abdomen and leaning against the fountain, whose water was becoming a crimson red as blood mixed into it. Elijah was unconscious and there was blood all over his chest. His twitches informed her what his fate had been. It shocked her to see Cami just a few feet away, neck bloody and stomach barely moving.

What had he done?

"There she is," said Klaus wickedly. "Just the person I wanted to see. Marcel, be a good lad and wait right over there for me. Quietly now."

The look in Marcel's eyes just about tore her heart out. She knew how much it killed him inside. She tried to be brave for the both of them.

That was hard.

"I can't kill you, Andra Clarke," said Klaus, grabbing her throat and lifting her off the ground. Even just bringing her to eye level was enough to prevent her feet from scraping the floor. "Not only would it be ineffective, but it would also be boring. It wouldn't teach you a lesson."

She choked, clawing at his hand as he began to squeeze. She tried to remind herself she didn't need to breathe, but Klaus made it impossible to focus on anything but the pain.

I can't die but I can hurt.

"First–" he tossed her into a pillar, satisfied with the sound of a bone cracking when she landed on her ankle, "you come into my city, intending to kill my daughter."

"B-But I didn't–" she spluttered.

He kicked her in the stomach, sending her back into the pillar, head pushed roughly into it. "You live here, lying, pretending to be an ally, and then, how convenient, you tell us about Malivore and the fact you need my daughter to be rid of him."

She cried out as he lifted her up by the hair, tossing her to the side of the fountain, ribs bashed into the stone edge. Kol trembled, the feeling of her impact worsening his bleeding. But he didn't speak. And she was glad he didn't. She wasn't sure what Klaus would do to him, and he didn't have another body to go to; he didn't have a guarantee of living.

"And then I learn you and Mikael are the best of friends," Klaus said coldly, pushing her head into the water and holding her down for a good couple of seconds before yanking her out as she spluttered, "The friend of my enemy is, in fact, my enemy, too." He shoved her back in, making it last longer, and apparently enjoying the feeling of her fighting to escape his hold. Bruised and broken ribs, a broken ankle, a buzzing sensation in her head, Klaus wondered how long she could possibly last, how much pain he could inflict on her until she was begging for release.

"I was thinking," he said the next time he pulled her out, stomping on her leg and shattering her kneecap, "I ought to make an ally of Malivore. Perhaps even a friend. How wonderful would that be?"

"I'm s-sorry!" she sobbed, whimpering when he pressed her face onto the stone, so hard she felt a tooth starting to chip. "I-I knew him– I knew him d-differently, he was different with m-me–"

"How fortunate for you, Andra Clarke. I almost enjoyed the hurt in your eyes more than the act of killing him. He was a monster. We are all monsters... especially you. For believing a man such as he could be a friend. Not only are you a fool, you're complicit."

She moaned in pain as he shoved her back onto the ground, delivering another painful kick to her abdomen. In the corner of her eye she could see Marcel shaking, fighting as hard as he could to reach her, but being unable to. She coughed out blood, pressing her face to the cool tiles of the floor. Klaus wouldn't allow her that one comfort.

"You don't belong here, Andra Clarke," he said wickedly, picking her up. "In fact, you shouldn't exist. Marcel, come here."

He walked over obediently. "Take her," he said, shoving Andra into his arms. "Go find one of the other vampires I compelled, and have them take her to Kansas and toss her in the pit. You will remain here to ensure no one interferes with the rest of my plan. If Rebekah or Kol attempts to escape in any way, you will kill them."

"Please no," whimpered Andra. "Please– please no–"

Klaus's lips curled upward. "Actually, Marcellus, I've changed my mind. I want you to toss her into the pit yourself."