𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 53

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Elijah gazed down at the woman who was currently sound asleep on his chest. A wide smile etched itself onto his lips as he used two fingers to lightly trail up and down her arm.

Annalise slightly stirred as she snuggled closer to the vampire's side. Elijah leaned down to press a chaste kiss to her head. The male sighed in content, she was finally in his arms again.

The heretic inhaled deeply as she placed her chin onto her lovers firm chest and gazed into his inviting eyes.

"Morning." her hoarse voice whispered out.

Elijah's face crumbled at the tenderness of her voice. He reached up to tuck a stray lock behind her ear, "Good morning, my love."

Anna felt her cheeks heat up at the sweet endearment, "I like this." she softly spoke. Elijah pressed her closer to him as he nodded, "Now that I had the privilege to wake up with you by my side, I don't think I will be able to awake alone."

The heretic attempted to stifle back a cheeky smile, "Who knew such a deadly vampire could go so soft." she softly laughed before reaching up, she trailed the tip of her fingertips against his jawline, his slight stubble scratching her fingers.

Elijah instinctively leaned into her touch as he visibly relaxed, "For you? Always."

Annalise smiled and delicately cupped his cheek before pressing her lips to his soft ones. The vampire leaned over causing Anna to fall back against the pillows as Elijah continued to kiss her.

The original made an irritated noise as his phone rang, he pulled back ran a hand over his face, "I'm going to kill whoever interrupted us." Elijah glanced over at his phone and saw a message from a panicking Marcel.

Anna pulled the covers closer to herself as she watched her soulmate's brows furrow with concern.

The brunette pursed her lips, "Everything all right?"

Elijah let out a frustrated sigh, "It appears Marcel is in need of my presence." he turned to glance down at Anna who was smiling softly, "It's okay. Go."

The vampire looked reluctant before nodding, he pressed his lips on hers once more before standing up from the bed. Anna watched her lover walk around the room in nothing but boxers, she sighed contently before wiggling around in the sheets.

Elijah emerged from the bathroom fully dressed in his signature suit, he glanced over at Annalise who was laying comfortably in bed.

A smug grin spread onto his lips, "Don't tell me I tired you out, my dear."

Anna narrowed her eyes as she scowled at him, "Cocky bastard."

Elijah chuckled as he made his way towards her side of the bed, Anna held the covers closer to her bare body as his intense gaze burned through her.

The vampire leaned down and kissed her forehead, his lips lingering for a moment longer before pulling back, "I'll see you later."

Annalise slowly nodded and the next time she blinked, he was gone.

«────── « ⋅ʚ♡ɞ⋅ » ──────»

Annalise let out a yawn as she entered the compound. Francis was nowhere in sight but she couldn't allow herself to think of that. She approached Klaus who seemed to be expecting her.

"Long night?"

The heretic gaped at her friend who held a coy smile, "How-?"

"It's not very hard to assume what happened since you went to Elijah's loft. The constant sexual tension between you two was a giver."

Annalise narrowed her eyes into a glare, "Zip it."

Klaus held up his hands in a defensive manner, "As you wish."

Anna slipped her hands into her jacket as footsteps echoed through the courtyard. Klaus let out an annoyed sigh, "There you are. Finally."

The heretic turned to see her soulmate shrugging off his coat before hanging up on the rack, he caught her gaze for a second and softly smiled.

His attention then went back to his brother, "I was delayed."

Klaus mischievously smirked, "Our guest of honor will be here momentarily." Annalise turned to look at the hybrid with a questioning gaze.

Elijah pursed his lips, "Strange, our house is conspicuously absent of our lupine guests. I do hope it wasn't on my account. The wolves still seem to have a problem with vampires."

Klaus let out a loud laugh, "I sent Hayley and her poorly groomed husband off to spend the day with their werewolf brethren to test the limits of their new abilities. Leaving me to deal with family business as I see fit."

Elijah furrowed his brows in suspicion, "Niklaus, Rebekah's situation has taken a turn. We may need Freya's assistance. So, whatever you are planning here? Don't."

Anna glanced back at the vampire, "What's wrong with Rebekah?"

Klaus rolled his eyes, cutting the heretic's question off, "All I'm planning is a simple chat with a long-lost relative. You yourself said to hear her out."

Elijah crossed his arms over his chest, "And you yourself said that would be idiocy."

The hybrid held an amused expression, "Did I?"

"Oh for heavens sake, just explain what the bloody hell you're on about, Nik." Annalise glared at her friend.

Klaus hummed as he looked deep in thought, "Well, it does sound like me. Regardless, on the off-chance Freya has some information that could protect my daughter, I'd prefer she share it on my terms." the hybrid pointed at his ears, "Ah! I think I hear her now."

Annalise had an unamused glint in her eyes as Freya strolled into the room, smiling at her two siblings and the brunette.

Klaus held a patronizing grin, "Sister! Well, come in. Come in. Make yourself comfortable."

Freya shuffled anxiously as silence suddenly fell over the four of them. Anna glanced over at Elijah who held the same questioned gaze.

The blonde witch glanced at the shelf on the walls that held an artifact. Freya grasped the item in her hand and examined it, "This witch-hoop, it's Danish. Is this from when you all lived in Copenhagen in the 1500s?" she finally cut off the quiet atmosphere.

Klaus hummed, "Quite the eye."

Elijah sighed impatiently, "Forgive me, are we here to discuss family heirlooms, or do we have more pressing concerns?"

The hybrid rolled his eyes at his older brother, "Please excuse my brother's lack of decorum. He's been in a foul mood of late. But, he is right. I did ask you here in the hopes that you would share some of Dahlia's secrets. So, without further ado, let's get to it."

Klaus gestured towards the dining room causing Freya to take a seat upon the table. Annalise blinked in utter confusion but followed in pursuit.

The four of them had taken their seats, Klaus at the head with Freya and Anna at his sides whilst his brother sat beside his soulmate.

Freya cleared her throat rather awkwardly before beginning to speak up, "The first thing you should know is that Dahlia is the most powerful witch I've ever seen. She craves more power still. Right now she is like me, limited to one year of life in a century. But, she wants to be free of that restriction. To gain true immortality. And that is why she will come here, drawn by your daughter to take the child's power for herself. And she would kill anyone who would defy her."

Elijah narrowed his eyes suspiciously, "And yet you would defy her?"

Freya glanced at her younger brother, "I don't have a choice. She will never let me be free. My one chance is to align with you and kill her."

The vampire furrowed his brows at this revelation while Anna blinked in confusion, "Just how strong is she?"

Freya swallowed nervously, "Tremendously."

Klaus leaned back in his seat clearly not convinced, "Well, now that we're all suitably motivated, let's talk specifics"

The witch sucked in a deep breath, "For you to understand, I need to start from the beginning." Freya fumbled with her hands as began to tell her story, "After taking me from my family, Dahlia used me to forge a new brand of connective magic, one that augmented my power even as it allowed her to draw from me."

Anna's lips parted in shock, that would have made Dahlia significantly stronger.

"She wasted no time proving her might. The chief of a nearby village threatened to run us off, accusing Dahlia of witchcraft. She decided to make an example out of the entire encampment, men, women, children." Freya clenched her fists as the memory flooded her mind.

The witch grit her teeth as she glanced between the three before herself, "She killed them all with a wave of her hand. That was my first inkling of the power Dahlia had. Over the course of a thousand years, she's only grown stronger." The oldest Mikaelson siblings turned towards her hybrid brother, "And she will bring all her power to bear against you when she comes for your child."

The conversation was cut off as Elijah's phone began to ring, all eyes went towards the vampire who glanced down at the device. "Excuse me, it's Rebekah." he told the others before picking up the call and stepping out into the hall.

Annalise mentally winced at the dreadfully awkward atmosphere and moved to take a sip from her orange juice.

Freya glanced up at Annalise, "You're magic is strong."

The heretic tilted her head in confusion. Freya clasped her hands together, "I can feel power radiating from you. I've only had the pleasure to meet one other Martin witch before yourself. They are as strong as history makes you all out to be."

Anna shuffled awkwardly, "There is a reason there weren't many of us."

Freya nodded, "Such power, no wonder the ancestors favored you all. You made them stronger."

The heretic huffed, "I wouldn't say me personally-"

"Power creates arrogance. Arrogance creates the need to be the top. Your coven was held high in the witch's eyes. Yet, that became their very downfall."

Annalise narrowed her eyes, "You-"

The brunette was cut short as Elijah walked back into the dining room, "My apologies."

Anna eyes the blonde suspiciously before Klaus spoke up, "Your stories are fascinating, and Dahlia does indeed sound dreadful, but Elijah and I have killed our fair share of evil witches. Not to mention, we have Anna."

Freya scoffed, "You think Dahlia didn't take that into account? I presume she's taken precautions with Anna."

The Martin heir's eyes widened as she remembered her father, could Dahlia be responsible for his awakening?

Elijah placed a comforting hand onto his lovers thigh noticing her sudden uneasiness before glancing at his sister, "What are her weaknesses?"

"She's paranoid. Obsessed with power. She hungers constantly for what's been denied her, be it love, or revenge."

Annalise rolled her eyes, "You've just explained every witch known."

Elijah sipped his tea, "I'm familiar with the type."

The heretic glanced at her lover with a brow raised. Elijah clamped his mouth shut and watched Freya who began to speak.

"When I was a child, she would tell me tales of her own youth, being victimized by those stronger than her. Dahlia vowed never to be weak again. She bargained for the firstborn of Esther's bloodline, intending to raise us in her own image, forming a coven of her own from which she could draw endless power. That plan was foiled the day she learned that Esther had ended her bloodline by turning her children into vampires." Freya's voice began to waver with emotions.

Elijah furrowed his brows in concern as Annalise placed her hand over his that was still on her thigh. Freya sharply inhaled before continuing.

"And so the burden fell to me. Dahlia demanded that I bear the firstborn that would add to her power, but, I would not allow a child of mine to live as I did, as a slave." The blonde pursed her lips in attempt to maintain her tears, "So, I vowed never to love. Never to have a child of my own."

Annalise frowned as a tender gaze crossed her look.

"Of course, the more I resisted, the harder Dahlia fought to control me." Freya gazed down at her plate in sadness, "Til the day that she took the last of what little freedom I had left."

Freya bit her lips as a single tear rolled down her cheek, "And so we slept, our magic accruing over time. Until we woke, filled with immense power and allowed to live a single year of life. That has been the existence I've suffered for the last ten centuries."

Annalise grit her teeth in anger, "What is it with witch's and their need to traumatize innocent children?"

Freya sent the heretic a kind smile, "I wish I knew."

Klaus gave the witch a fake laugh and Anna shot him a warning look that the hybrid ignored, "Well, that's quite the ordeal, isn't it? But, it does beg the question, why not end it yourself?"

Elijah scrunched up his features in disgust at his brothers words.

The hybrid continued, "A high enough bridge, a tight enough noose? You must have considered it."

Annalise gaped at her friend, "What the rutting hell is wrong with you?"

Freya pursed her lips, "Long ago, I did consider it. But, Dahlia would never give me even that freedom."

Klaus looked taken back by the answer as his sister continued, "I would later learn that the spell made me like her, immortal and impervious to harm." the blonde laughed bitterly as she wiped a tear from her cheek, "So, you see, I am like you, a creature of great power, cursed for all time."

«────── « ⋅ʚ♡ɞ⋅ » ──────»

Annalise roamed around the courtyard with Elijah and Klaus by her side as they awaited Rebekah's arrival.

"She should be here soon." Elijah glanced at his watch.

The hybrid sighed, "I would bloody hope so."

Annalise felt her cellphone vibrate and shrugged it out, her eyes widened seeing a message from Francis.

"Spotted your father heading towards the Marshalls."

The heretic grit her teeth before glancing at the two brothers who seemed to be watching her, "Something came up. You two can hold off on your own with this family reunion."

Elijah furrowed his brows, "What happened?"

"I'll explain later." Anna placed her hand onto the vampire's shoulder before quickly pecking his cheek and strolling out of the compound.

The heretic used her vamp-speed to rush over towards the Marshall. Anna glanced around in panic before she listened carefully. Soft groans and winces of pain could be heard.

Annalise sped quickly, she approached the area she had heard the sounds come from and surely, werewolves laid on the ground. On the brink of death.

The heretic's eyes widened at the sight as she saw their bodies completely crushed.

"Such horrid dogs, don't you think?"

Anna whirled around and clenched her hands as she met her father's icy gaze. "What the hell did you do to them?"

Harlow looked unfazed, "Those filthy animals took a step on these lands. A sacred ground for our coven, you would know though."

The brunette's glare hardened as she stood tall, "Not everything is punishable by death."

Harlow let out a harsh scoff, "As if you are one to speak on that."

"Leave. I won't ask again." Annalise grit her teeth. Harlow raised a brow, "You dare protect those things rather than the soil where your mother was buried?"

"Don't you dare lecture me about what I should or shouldn't protect. You have no right."

Harlow sighed in annoyance, "Really? By the looks of it, you're stronger than you were before. Witch's fear you, creatures cower at your mere existence, and yet you resent me for giving you that gift."

Anna scrunched up her face in disgust, "Gift? There was nothing pleasant about the way you brought this upon myself, Harlow."

"I gave you the power other people would kill for!"

"I never asked for it. I was a mere child wanting to live her life as any normal witch, but you, you just had to cross the line. I didn't even have a father growing up."

"I beg your pardon?" Harlow raised a challenging brow as anger took over his expression.

"You weren't a father. A father doesn't resent their child, a father doesn't insult his child at any given moment as a way to release pent up anger, a father doesn't disappear for weeks leaving a tiny child to scour a village for food, a father doesn't purposely hurt their own child! You, Harlow, you are a coward."

Harlow fumed in anger as he clenched his jaw, "Errox femus"

Anna screamed as she collapsed onto her knees, the heretic hissed as all the bones in her body seemed to be breaking. She groaned as her shoulder popped out of place.

"You are ungrateful. I spent years attempting to figure it out, and when I did, I blessed the right upon you. You should be thanking me." Harlow flicked his wrist causing Anna to be flung back into a tree.

The heretic groaned a she slid down the bark, Annalise grit her teeth before speeding out of his view. The girl appeared behind him and kicked his knee the other way, Harlow yelped in pain as he clutched his now dislocated bone.

Annalise narrowed her eyes  before quietly muttering, "Phasmatos navaro pulsus sanguinox."

Harlow yelled as he felt his blood turn to acid. The heretic smiled contently before gripping a perfectly sharp piece of wood, she strutted over to the Elder witch.

"History repeats itself, doesn't it?" Anna held a menacing glint in her eyes as a sinister smile spread across her red tainted lips.

Harlow panted as he grit his teeth, Annalise clicked her tongue before holding the piece of wood right over his heart.

"Do it." the witch spit out. Anna swallowed nervously, she clutched the wood tighter but made no move to stab it into his heart. Why couldn't she do it?

Harlow smiled wickedly before ripping the stake from her grasp and plunging it into the brunette's abdomen. Anna gasped in pain before staggering back.

Harlow rose the ground and dusted off his hands, "You're still as weak as ever."

The witch walked away from the heretic who fell to her knees, hands on the stake as she struggled to breath.

Annalise ripped the wood out and felt air return to her lungs, the heretic frustratingly yelled. She felt a single tear escape her eye and she struggled to contain the rest.

She couldn't get herself to do it.

«────── « ⋅ʚ♡ɞ⋅ » ──────»

Annalise numbly limped into Elijah's loft where her lover was pacing worriedly. Anna sneezed and it immediately caught the vampire's attention.

Elijah rushed over to the heretic and pulled her into an arm-crushing hug, "I felt your pain, what happened?" he urgently questioned.

Anna winced only fueling up the vampire's concern, he pulled back and cradled the brunette's face in his hands as he took in her condition.

"Anna, please talk to me."

The heretic went to speak but a certain hybrid stormed into the loft. Anna sighed in irritation and Klaus tapped his foot against the floor before glancing around.

"So, this is where you live? It's nicer on the inside." The hybrid huffed causing Elijah to grit his teeth in annoyance. The vampire dropped his arms back to his sides as he glared at his younger brother, "Can I help you, Niklaus? Or, did you cross the river purely to critique my décor?"

Klaus glanced between Annalise, who still looked shaken up, and Elijah, who looked irritated.

"7 of my wolves were found dead in the Marshall. One claims they saw Anna leave the area." Klaus crossed his arms over his chest as he watched the brunette who gazed up at him.

Elijah looked over at his lover who pursed her lips, "I didn't kill them."

"I assumed you didn't, but, I imagine you know who did."

Anna inhaled sharply as she fumbled anxiously with her hands, "My father did."

This caught both Mikaelson brother's off guard. Elijah's face went slack with shock as Klaus gaped at the heretic.

"Repeat that?" The hybrid blinked.

Anna sighed before running her hands through her shoulder-length hair, "My father, came back from the dead, and killed your wolves."

Klaus' jaw dropped even more if possible, "For what bloody reason?"

Anna's gaze hardened as she met her friends eyes, "You bloody well know why. My mothers remains were consecrated on those grounds, and you were planning to have your little wolves over run it. I myself was prepared to do something."

Elijah looked taken back by the revelation and turned his attention over towards Klaus who seemed to be thinking.

Klaus pursed his lips, "I... I forgot about that detail."

Annalise scoffed, "Oh sure you did." The hybrid shook his head, "I truly did. Had I remembered I would have left the land alone, Anna."

The heretic pressed her lips into a firm line as Elijah spoke up, "Okay, hold one, your father?"

Anna frowned, "I was shocked too. Some witch brought him back and if I had to guess who, Dahlia."

Elijah clenched his jaw in anger, "He hurt you?"

"Staked me. I could of killed him." Annalise was still irritated with herself. She hadn't been able to go through with it.

Klaus wailed him arms around, "Well, why didn't you?"

"I don't know. I've killed him before but I don't know why I couldn't now."

Elijah blinked down at the brunette, "You killed him?"

Annalise slowly nodded, "Not my proudest moment."

Klaus shrugged, "Been there, done that."

The Martin girl straightened up before glancing between both brothers, "I will deal with Harlow. Have you guys acquired Freya's help?"

Elijah scoffed as he remembered what Klaus did, "Why don't we ask Niklaus?"

Anna looked over at the hybrid who rolled his eyes, "I thought you might like to know that I was moved by what you said about my decision not to trust our long-lost sister. So, I waited until she revived, and when she did, we had quite a chat."

Elijah crossed his arms over his chest, "And your position remains unchanged."

Klaus merely shrugged, "I looked into her eyes, and I saw only anger and fear. The will to do whatever it takes to survive, no matter who she hurts. I can use her to my own ends, but I could never allow so damaged a creature to have a say in my plans."

The vampire narrowed his eyes at his younger brother, "You may not trust her, or trust me, brother, we may have had our differences of late, but we shall exercise the same caution we have always demonstrated toward our allies."

Klaus held a bothered expression as he spoke up, "Fine. I'll let you pursue it. But, should Freya betray us-"

Elijah swiftly cut the male off, "If Freya should even attempt to betray us, I shall bury her beneath a thousand wretched torments."

The hybrid did not look amused, "I don't doubt it. But, what if you're too late?"

The vampire rubbed his temples in frustration as his brother continued, "What if Freya is duplicitous? What if Hope should be harmed through her actions? You will not have to worry if I will never forgive you, because you will never forgive yourself. You will suffer a guilt that will be impossible to endure."

Klaus clenched his jaw as he gripped Elijah's forearm, making the vampire look at him, "A terrible fate for one who cannot die."

Annalise wearily glanced between the two brothers. What had happened in her absence?

Elijah pursed his lips, "Nothing will happen to that child. But, we have to consider every weapon at our disposal, brother. Dahlia is coming."

"The only question is when."

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a/n:

how are you loves liking it so far?