𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 54

«────── « ⋅ʚ♡ɞ⋅ » ──────»

Annalise crossed her arms over her chest as Elijah tucked away his handkerchief. Klaus rummaged through a box of dark objects that belonged to Kol whilst Marcel and Francis watched.

The original hybrid narrowed his eyes, "I should really stop packing these away. There's always one family member or another in need of a good shackling." he pulls out the binding shackles and hands them to his vampire prodigy, "Find Rebekah— or Eva, or whoever the bloody hell that was— use these to stop her from doing magic. And don't hurt her. The non-psychopathic bits are still my sister."

"Rebekah must be fighting the witch for control constantly." Elijah thought out loud.

Marcel's face went slack with worry, "Alright, I won't be the only one looking for her. She killed witch-kids. The twenty-four hour hold that Elijah got the covens to agree to? Ended at midnight. Every witch in the city is gonna be gunning for her."

Annalise pursed her lips, "Well, we should move this along quickly then."

Klaus turned towards his older brother, "Go charm the elderly witch into calling off the hunt."

Elijah raised a brow as he watched the hybrid, "Where are your manners?"

Klaus rolled his eyes in annoyance whilst Anna amusingly snickered, "Please go charm the elderly witch into calling off the hunt."

"Much better." the original vampire smiled before turning towards the heretic, "Join me?"

Francis was in the midst of playing with an antique as Klaus spoke up, "I'm afraid not, brother. Anna will be staying in the compound."

Irritation flashed through the vampires look at being told his soulmate couldn't accompany him, "Pardon me?"

Anna glanced over at Francis and an idea popped into her mind, "Go with Francis."

"What?"

"What?"

Both males spoke instinctively and in sync. Elijah sent a look towards the witch who huffed, "I'd end up with my heart in my own hand if I went anywhere alone with him."

"He's not wrong." Elijah deadpanned.

Marcel glanced between the two males before looking over at Annalise who looked annoyed, "Shove a stick in it, the two of you are going. End of discussion." the heretic ordered before strutting out of the room.

Klaus felt an amused grin tug at his lips, "You lot would be foolish to disobey her."

Elijah pressed his lips into a firm line before gazing over at the witch. It was going to be a long day.

«────── « ⋅ʚ♡ɞ⋅ » ──────»

Francis shuffled awkwardly as Elijah held a bothered expression, the witch found the living room they were currently standing in very interesting.

"I'd rather you get on with my death than be stuck in this uncomfortable situation." Francis muttered while clasping his hands together.

Elijah hummed, "Don't tempt me."

"Your distaste for me is alarming."

The vampire glanced over at the witch, "I can't say you've made yourself very likeable."

Francis pursed his lips, "I didn't know you and Anna had a thing. Had I known I wouldn't have flirted with her."

Elijah raised an incredulous brow, "Oh really?"

"I wasn't trying to jeopardize any chance Anna had at true happiness. It wasn't until I saw her relief that day you awoke from that coma that I realized. You give her a sense of comfort, something I know she hasn't been accustomed to feeling. Was I upset that it wasn't me anymore, yes. I won't deny that. I loved her— I still do. She was my first love, the first person to pull me out of a drowning darkness, but I know that you are her anchor. Someone who keeps her going. I won't do anything to ruin that."

Elijah couldn't help the surprise that took over his features. Francis shuffled on his feet before continuing, "I love Anna, I always will. She holds a place in my heart no one else will ever be able to take. But I love her enough to let her go."

The vampire's glare faltered as he took in the witch's words.

Francis licked his lips, "Just— just promise me, promise me you'll be there for her."

"I would never abandon her in any way, shape, or form. The second I laid my eyes on her there was no getting rid of me. She was officially stuck with me." Elijah reassuringly told the male.

Francis softly nodded, "Good. She deserves someone who'll stay by her, through thick and thin."

Elijah studied the tender gaze in his eyes, "You truly do love her."

The witch softly laughed, "I do. I may not have been it for her, but she was everything to me. I will stay by her side, even if it is just as friends. She's a wonderful soul to be around."

Elijah smiled in agreement, "That she is." his features shifted into a blank one as he stood the moment the elder witch entered the room.

"Madame LaRue."

The woman nodded at him, "Mr. Mikaelson."

The witch settled into the armchair as she looked around, "Where's your partner?"

Elijah fixed his coat before answering, "Sadly, she had other matters to attend."

Josephine glanced over at Francis who held a kind gaze, "What, pray tell, does this one do?"

Elijah looked over at the male before meeting the Elders eyes, "This ones a friend." he took a deep breath before continuing, "But, we've come to ask for a favor."

The witch tilted her head in curiosity.

The vampire pursed his lips before speaking up, "Miss Sinclair seems to be regaining control of her body whilst my sister is asleep."

Josephine's eyes widened in shock, "If Eva is back in control of her body then, you need to let the witches put that body down. Eva will use up your sister, just like she did the others."

Francis furrowed his brows in confusion, "The others?"

The Elder witch held a hard gaze, "Eva was a wild beauty practicing a wild magic. But, she and Vincent were so happy, we let them be."

"And then the children began to disappear." Elijah spoke up.

The woman nodded before continuing, "But, because of Vincent's tenacity, she was caught."

Francis' lips parted in horror, what person kills innocent young children just for power?

"She need just three more kids to complete the Rite of Nines."

The male witch looked at her in confusion, "The Rite of Nines?"

Josephine nodded, "Eva thought if she sacrificed a witch from each of the nine covens, it would create a new witch order in New Orleans. She would have been more powerful than any Elder— any Harvest girl."

Francis' eyes narrowed slightly before questioning, "Wait, but, why children?"

"Because their magic is untapped. It's pure. And, they're a of a lot easier to subdue."

Elijah clenched his jaw in anger, "That's why she went after Hope."

Josephine sighed, "She would have killed your niece, channeled her powers, as she did with those other poor children." the witch stood from her seat and looked the vampire in the eyes, "We agree she must be stopped— no more of our youth will die. That is why, Mr. Mikaelson, I will not extend your twenty-four hours."

The older Mikaelson's face went slack with fear.

"Eva Sinclair now has a bounty on her head."

Elijah looked at the witch in rage, "You would condemn my sister to her death?"

Josephine pursed her lips, "I dislike the term 'collateral damage,' but there it is. If one or two must fall to take Eva down for good? So be it."

Francis narrowed his eyes, "Rebekah shouldn't pay for the actions of another person."

"I assure you, Madame LaRue, we will defend your witches with a fearsome vengeance." Elijah firmly spoke to the elder.

"You have a wonderful way with words. Really. Your cadence is pleasant. Normally, I could listen to it all day long, but I grow tired of this. My mind remains unchanged." Josephine said looking quite unbothered.

Elijah grit his teeth in hopes to calm his nerves, "We came here to honor the alliance between us. If this is something you wish to rescind, so be it."

The vampire turned to leave and Francis was going to follow behind.

Josephine narrowed her eyes as she glared at the two, "Don't you dare walk into my house and threaten me. I am not the one that needs you, Elijah Mikaelson— it is you who needs us. Or, you will soon enough."

«────── « ⋅ʚ♡ɞ⋅ » ──────»

Annalise and Marcel stood by Elijah's side as Hayley anxiously paced with little Hope in her arms. Francis tucked his hands into his pockets as the five discussed their current situation.

"Great. Eva is in the wind, although now she has a sidekick." Hayley faked enthusiasm. Elijah placed a gentle hand onto the small part of Anna's back as he muttered, "The charming Vincent Griffith."

Marcel sighed as he reluctantly spoke up, "It gets worse— if Eva has Davina, then she has eight of the witches she needs to finish the ritual." Anna looked at the vampire in horror as he continued, "She just needs one more."

Hayley's features morphed into determination, "If she comes after Hope, Rebekah or no Rebekah, I will put her down for good."

Annalise narrowed her eyes at the hybrid who made a threat against her best friend.

Elijah shook his head, "Fortify this house. When they do come— kill him, capture her."

Hayley's eyes widened, "Capture?"

"I will not abandon my sister!" Elijah shouted in anger at the hybrid. Annalise looked rather deadly as she met the mother's gaze, "You'll have another war on your hands, Hayley, if you even attempt to hurt Rebekah. We do not turn on each other."

Hayley glanced at the ground in guilt for her harsh words.

Elijah stood tall backing up what Annalise had said before speaking up himself, "Now, gather what wolves you have. With Vincent by her side, she will strike with considerable force."

Annalise watched Elijah check his phone repeatedly before Marcel got a call and excused himself before leaving the compound. Anna looked over at her soulmate who was speaking rather kindly to Francis.

"What the hell happened to you two?"

Francis gave the heretic a cheeky smile, "My charms help me even when near death."

Anna's eyes widened and she snapped her attention over to Elijah who was shaking his head, "You tried to kill him?"

"Sadly, it did not get to that point. Yet." the vampire teased. Francis nodded proudly before his smile fell and terror replaced his once happy look, "Yet?"

Elijah patted the males back and walked towards the coffee table where drinks were set out. The male witch blinked rapidly, "You're still planning to kill me?" he panicked.

Anna couldn't help the amused smile that decorated her lips, she was glad the two were finally getting along.

Hayley groaned as she shoved her cellphone back into her pocket, "Still no sign of her. What the hell is Eva waiting for?"

Marcel suddenly rejoined the group and quickly informed them on what he had found out, "She didn't wait. She took Josephine LaRue not half an hour ago."

Hayley furrowed her brows, "If Eva doesn't need Hope, then where would she go?"

"The same place she kept all the other captives. Where she took Davina." Marcel spoke before glancing over at Elijah who sighed, "A place no one has been able to find for two years."

Marcel's cellphone began to ring and he pulled the device out before scowling at the screen. He grit his teeth before reluctantly answering, "When I find you, I am going to rip your head from your neck."

Anna blinked at the vampire, "What a lovely way to start a conversation."

"You may want to hold off on that decapitation— I found them all. Davina's alive." the witch's voice could be heard speaking.

Marcel looked stunned whilst Anna sighed in relief.

"Sorry, I had to make it look convincing. If you were in on the plan, Eva would have known."

Marcel huffed in annoyance, "Yeah, blasting me through a couple glass doors really sold it. Alright, round of applause. Now what?"

Everyone with super hearing could hear the male witch sigh before explaining, "Now, we got a problem. These kids, they're all linked to her. If she dies, they all die."

Francis pursed his lips before speaking up, "So, we'll find a strong witch to unlink them." he still didn't have enough power to unlink so many powerful witch's.

"Gonna need somebody with some serious power."

All eyes went to Annalise.

«────── « ⋅ʚ♡ɞ⋅ » ──────»

Annalise, Elijah, and Marcel arrived at Eva's hideout which happened to be in a warehouse district. The trio meet up with Vincent and they walk towards the enchanted triangle that had been made of salt and herbs. Each point held a lit up candle.

"Lay her inside the salt, and lie on either side of her. Each of you take her hand." Annalise turned towards her lover, "I will act as a bridge into her mind, I need you to anchor me, my love."

Elijah's gaze softened and he firmly nodded, "Whatever you need."

Marcel laid Eva down on the floor in the middle of the triangle, and then he and Vincent look up at Anna, "Rebekah is buried deep. Eva will not give her up without a fight."

Marcel wore a determined expression, "Then she gets a fight."

Annalise pursed her lips as she looked over them, "Be careful. You're entering Eva's mind. If she kills you in there, you will be lost. And, if you kill her before you free Rebekah, then Rebekah will be gone forever. Once you have Rebekah, then, and only then, can Eva be dealt with." the heretic strictly told the three males.

Vincent took a deep breath before nodding, "We got it."

Vincent and Marcel each lay down on either side of Eva inside the triangle and hold her hands. Anna kneeled beside the witch and handed him a dagger, "You'll need to protect yourself."

Vincent raised a curious brow, "How am I supposed to take that with me?"

Annalise clutched the knife before beginning to chant a spell, "Lamina ferri in mentem. Lamina ferri in mentem." she suddenly stopped and looked hesitant before speaking to the witch, "This may hurt like a bitch." She stabs Vincent in the arm with the knife. He screams in pain and begins to thrash before his movements slowly begin to falter rendering him unconscious, as does Marcel.

The Martin heretic stood and walked over at Elijah, she held out her hand and the vampire gripped it before swiftly pulling the girl towards himself. Elijah leaned down and softly pecked the girls lips before pulling away.

Annalise gazes up at her soulmate who nods firmly at her, the two grip each others elbows and the brunette takes a deep breath before starting the spell, "Pontem praesidio. Anchora immortalibus. Pontem praesidio. Anchora immortalibus."

Anna's body twitched in pain as her arms instinctively went to free themselves. Elijah had to use his strength to keep her from falling.

Annalise continues to unconsciously pull herself away from the vampire who is desperately latching onto her.

"Pontem praesidio. Anchora immortalibus. Pontem praesidio. Anchora immortalibus."

Elijah noticed Marcel's eyes twitch when not even a moment later, blood began to seep from them.

The original tightens his grip on his lover and grits his teeth in frustration as he feels himself slowly losing his hold.

"Pontem praesidio. Anchora immortalibus. Pontem praesidio. Anchora immortalibus."

Elijah latches onto the heretic for dear life as she looked up at him in fear, "I'm losing them!"

Annalise clenches her jaw as she uses every ounce of her magic to keep the males from slipping away. Elijah breathed heavily as he used all his strength to keep from letting go.

A hand suddenly places itself onto the heretic's forearm and she glanced to see Klaus watching her, "Save her."

Annalise nodded firmly before beginning to channel the hybrid as well, she groaned in pain before chanting, "Pontem praesidio. Anchora immortalibus. Pontem praesidio. Anchora immortalibus."

The Martin heir gave the spell one last push before Marcel and Vincent gasped awake from the floor of the warehouse.

Annalise, Elijah, and Klaus were all thrown backwards as the spell finished.

The heretic laid tiredly on the ground as she felt her energy completely drain away from her.

The original hybrid wobbly stood back up before glancing around anxiously. Elijah looked over at his soulmate and quickly sped over to her.

"Are you alright?"

Anna blinked up at the ceiling, "I want a nap."

Marcel ran over to Davina who began to awake as did the other children and Josephine who had all been unconscious.

Klaus gazed at Eva's motionless body and pursed his lips, "Why isn't she waking."

Elijah slipped his arm around the girl's waist as he helped her stand on her two feet once again. Annalise leaned into his comforting hold and watched the witch's body intently.

Rebekah awoke with a gasp and immediately sat upright, she glanced over her family and sighed in relief.

"Bloody hell."

«────── « ⋅ʚ♡ɞ⋅ » ──────»

Esther fumbles with a rock when Freya suddenly appears out of the blue.

"Freya." Esther's voice spoke in surprise.

Freya narrowed her eyes at her mother, "You were wrong about me. I loathe Dahlia more than you could ever know."

Esther stared at her eldest child in confusion before the blonde continued, "You don't see that light in me? That's because she snuffed it out! I was five, and she was the devil. She took my light. My love. My will to live." Freya smiled bitterly, "My ability to die. You are no longer my mother, but I am not her child."

The original witch and stood before walking towards her daughter, "I am so sorry."

Freya closed her eyes and grumbled in annoyance, "It's a little late for that. But, it turns out, you were right about one thing— maybe Klaus shouldn't have let me glimpse inside his mind."

Esther glared at the other witch, "I warned him to be wary of you. Of what you might see."

"Oh, I saw quite a bit. But, I only learned one thing— Klaus and I can never be allies. I now see that he will never trust me. So, he leaves me no choice— I will have to turn the family against him." Freya firmly spoke.

Esther looked at her in surprise and uncontained horror, "Annalise Martin won't allow you to do this, she is powerful and is apart of your siblings. She will not turn on any of them. Least of all Niklaus."

Freya pursed her lips, "I know. I've watched her interact with him. Klaus treats her like his own blood, but even the strongest of bonds have a weak point. I know how to do it."

Esther furrowed her brows, "Why are you telling me this?"

Freya looked at Esther in feigned sympathy as she took a step toward her, "Because you won't be around to see it."

Freya grabbed her blue crystal talisman and held onto it as she placed two fingers on Esther's forehead, the original witch shrieked from the pain and cried.

After a short moment, the witch burst into a humongous cloud of starlings. The birds fluttered around the inside of the tomb before they all fell dead to the floor.

Freya gazed over the dead animals and stepped out the tomb.