𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 55

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Annalise crossed her arms over her chest as she awaited an explanation as to what had happened, "What the bloody hell is going on?"

Elijah passes the heretic a glass of bourbon that she quickly down as Klaus began shouting at Hayley whilst Freya and Rebekah watched.

"Isn't that the point of a fortress? It does a better job of protecting you when you stay within its walls?"

Embarrassment shone on the female hybrid's expression, "Okay! We get it. Now, let's just figure out what the hell we're gonna do."

Klaus grit his teeth as he seethed in anger, "What I would like to do is take a strong leash—"

Elijah quickly cut his brother off before the argument could escalate, "Children, please. Niklaus, your ire is justified. However, Hayley is quite right."

Anna glared at her lover, "I wanted him to finish that sentence." The vampire sent an apologetic smile towards the brunette before speaking up once again, "We need to find a new strategy." he glanced over at his oldest sister, "Freya, if you please?"

"The spell you described... Dahlia calls it 'kenning'." the blonde revealed causing the heretic's part in realization, "That spell uses proxies to watch enemies from afar."

Freya nodded firmly at what Annalise had said but the blonde looked overwhelmed, causing Klaus to watch her in suspicion.

Freya glanced at the others, "But, I've never seen it done on quite this scale."

Hayley ran her hands through her hair, a clear sign of her distress, "Awesome. So, basically every Hurricane-chugging, boob-flashing tourist on Bourbon Street is a potential spy."

The blonde Mikaelson witch pursed her lips, "The good news is, I know a little about how her magic works." She gestured towards a tray placed upon the dining table that had been set up with six tea cups full of an unknown brown liquid on saucers, "This tonic will at least prevent her from using any of us."

Rebekah and Freya moved to grab a cup while the others stood still. Rebekah glanced around the room before huffing, "Well, come on. This should work like a charm."

Anna blinked at her friend, "Pardon me for being weary of a drink presented before me. It's not like I've been poisoned before due to my lack of caution."

Klaus snickered loudly but quickly straightened up from the look Elijah sent him.

Freya nodded in understanding at the heretic, "I understand, but I can promise you, this isn't poison."

"Oh that out to wash away my guard." Anna patronizingly smiled, Freya rolled her eyes before taking a sip from the cup. The witch lifted a brow before handing the drink to her, "Better?"

Annalise reluctantly grasped the handle of the tea cup before looking back at Elijah who then moved to grab his own, shortly after followed by Hayley.

Klaus stood in the corner of the room as he didn't make a single move to join the others.

Rebekah cheered her cup upwards, "Bottoms up."

The five chugged their tonics and Anna quickly set hers down as her soulmate held the untouched tea cup for the moody hybrid who simply stared at it causing the vampire to heavily sigh, "Niklaus, is there something you wish to contribute?"

Klaus pursed his lips as he shrugged, "I prefer biscuits with my tea."

Elijah rolled his eyes at his brothers paranoia before setting the cup down, "Of course."

Anna sent her friend a look that he ignored as he began to speak, "Besides, our minds are far too strong to be invaded by kenning spells."

Elijah shook his head as he sipped his tonic meanwhile Anna watched the interaction in amusement.

The original hybrid took a step towards the lot as he continued, "No, what we experienced was a test— Dahlia's watching to see how we respond to aggression. She's preparing for battle. My guess is sooner, rather than later."

Hayley clenched her jaw, "Well, if she was watching us, she would know that we have our own army."

Annalise blinked at the hybrid, "No offense, Hayley, but your pack of dogs won't last very long against an old vengeful witch."

Elijah cleared his throat as he fought back an amused smile at what his lover had said, "She also knows where we are. And, given the immense nature of her power, we simply do not know what to expect from her. What we need is to create a new stronghold. Something that Dahlia knows nothing about. A sanctuary from any witchcraft."

Freya took in her brother's words before chiming in, "That's a fine strategy. I offer another— we can use Jackson to trace her magic back to its source. Find out exactly where she is."

"I vouch for Freya's plan." Anna spoke up causing Elijah to glance down at her, the heretic pursed her lips as she patted the vampire's arm, "Sorry, love."

Klaus looked at the other hybrid intently as she seemed to be considering the idea. After a long hesitant moment, Hayley sighed, "Fine. Do it."

A pleased expression found it's way onto the original hybrid's face, "Good! Then it's settled. Off you pop to your respective tasks. Me? I've always been of the opinion that the best defense is a good offense. So, I'm going to find a way to murder that godforsaken witch."

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Annalise glanced around the St. James Infirmary that seemed to be undergoing renovations. The heretic blinked as she looked back over at Marcel and Elijah who were watching her, "Now what is it you two need me to do?"

Elijah held a soft gaze as he spoke, "If you would be able to cast a spell. One that would prevent the use of magic within these walls."

Anna glanced over at Marcel, "Is this for your new community of vampires?"

The male pursed his lips before speaking, "It's for shelter, against witch's that mean to cause us harm. If you're not going to do it just let me know and I'll find another witch." Marcel was on edge, he didn't mean to come off harsh, but times were currently strained.

Annalise narrowed her eyes at the vampire, "Watch your tone, Marcel. I never said I wouldn't cast it, I was merely asking a question."

Marcel let out a heavy sigh, "You're right. My bad."

Anna nodded before taking in the walls that surrounded them, "A blessing combined with a disruption spell should do the trick."

Elijah smiled as he watched the heretic. Marcel looked severely taken back by the expression the original Mikaelson vampire held for the Martin girl.

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Elijah shoved his phone into his pocket as he and Annalise quickly approached the compound, "She left?"

The vampire tightly pursed his lips, "Supposedly."

Elijah strutted into the courtyard as he narrowed his eyes at Hayley and Rebekah who were pacing around the room, "What do you mean 'she's gone?'" the original hissed as Anna stepped into his side.

"She was a risk—" Hayley attempted to speak but the Mikaelson male swiftly cut her off, "She was also the only one who intimately knew the enemy we now face."

Rebekah glanced between the two before gazing over at Anna who looked intrigued with the argument.

"I was protecting Hope from someone who it's obvious none of us completely trust." the hybrid shouted at the vampire who narrowed his eyes, "Correct, we've done nothing but doubt Freya." Elijah glanced over at his youngest sister and raised a brow, "Nevertheless, she kept her promise, and she saved your life. We certainly haven't demonstrated the same kindness towards her."

Rebekah ran her hands through her hair in frustration knowing her brother was right, "So, what the bloody hell do we do now?"

Annalise glanced over at her lover who spoke up, "There is a jazz club in Algiers by the name of the St. James Infirmary. Marcel has acquired it, and Anna did us the favor of fortifying it as a sanctuary against magic." he then turned towards Hayley who looked visibly displeased, "Pack your things. Marcel will escort you and Hope there tonight at nine o'clock."

The vampire pointed over at his sister, "You will wait with Annalise and I."

The witch scrunched up her features in confusion, "What for?"

"If Freya shall return, we will be here. Now, whether we trust her or not, we cannot win this fight without her."

Elijah stormed off into the study and Rebekah glanced over at Anna, "You know how Elijah gets." the heretic told her before following after her soulmate.

The brunette gently pulled open the door as she walked into the room, Annalise caught sight of the vampire pouring himself a glass of whiskey.

"Are you alright?"

Elijah glanced over at the heretic, "Just a tad stressed."

"About?"

"This whole war. The possibility about not being able to trust my own sister." Elijah softly spoke before taking a sip from his glass. Anna pursed her lips before walking over to the male, "Her true intentions will come to light soon enough, and as much as I love to boast about my magic, we still need Freya."

Elijah pressed his lips into a firm line as he nodded, "I'm aware."

The two lovers stared into each others eyes intently when suddenly their super hearing caught the faint sound of footsteps approaching.

"She's here."

Annalise gave the vampire a comforting smile before striding out of the study, the brunette met Rebekah's gaze before looking towards the entrance where the eldest Mikaelson was being denied of entry.

"I need to see Elijah." Freya narrowed her eyes at the werewolf guards. Anna began to walk over where she spoke up, "Let her through."

"Is she serious?" a wolf muttered under his breath.

Annalise raised a brow, "Are you questioning me?"

The wolf quickly shook it's head while Freya slipped through the guards as Rebekah approached her sister, "I'm actually glad you're here."

Elijah reappeared as he placed his hands into his pockets, "Freya."

The blonde took a deep breath as she wore a shaken expression, "I saw her. Dahlia. She intends to make her move tonight. Klaus and our father will be her next victims."

The original vampire frowned, "And you have returned to warn the very people who would cast you out?" he spared a glance towards his youngest sibling who averted her eyes in embarrassment.

Freya chewed on her bottom lip, "I understand Klaus' mistrust, as I do yours, but I did not come this far to see my family die at the hands of the very evil that I've tried for so long to escape. I'm begging you— help me save them."

Elijah looked around until his eyes met the deep sea green eyes that were intently watching him, Anna gave her lover a firm nod and the vampire glanced back at the blonde witch before speaking up, "Tell me what you need."

"Dahlia will lure them into a trap. She prefers places of darkness. She'll be drawn to any site that's been steeped in death." Freya explained as she spared a glance towards the heretic who seemed at loss for words.

Rebekah rolled her eyes at the statement, "Well, welcome to New Orleans."

"Oh no," Freya shook her head before continuing, "I'm talking about dark power created by massacre."

Annalise felt her blood run cold at the few words the Mikaelson witch had spoken. She knew exactly where Dahlia was.

Freya looked straight at the heretic as she spoke, "Sacred ground that's been stained with the blood of the innocent."

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Annalise set her eyes on St. Anne's Catholic Church as she walked with Freya and Elijah at her sides.

The blonde pursed her lips as she glanced at the two soulmates, "Anna and I will attempt to distract Dahlia while you, Elijah, get Klaus and father."

Elijah diverted his attention over to his lover, his eyes set in concern, "Anna—"

But the heretic cut him off before he could continue, "I will be fine. I promise."

"We're on a time crunch." Freya spoke as she darted her eyes between the two.

Elijah ignored his sisters words as he took a step forward and raised a hand to cup the brunette's cheek, he gazed into her eyes as he felt panic course through him, "Please, be careful."

Anna softly smiled, "When am I not?"

"Do you really want me to answer that?"

"Not really, no."

Elijah leaned closer as he rested his forehead against hers, "I'll see you soon."

Before the Martin heir could blink, her lover was gone. She wrapped her coat around herself as she met the Mikaelson witch's gaze, "Let's kick some ass."

Freya pursed her lips as she raised her palms and sent the front doors to the church flying off their hinges as the two females stepped through.

"Enough!" the eldest Mikaelson shouted as she caught Dahlia's attention. The witch glanced over at her niece and stopped the spell she had casted on Mikael.

"My Freya."

Anna scrunched up her features in disgust, "She's not property and considering your history of holding her captive, that sounds unsettling."

Dahlia grit her teeth as she met the Martin woman's gaze, "Annalise, I must say, your reputation proceeds you."

"Threatening the life of a new born child. I can't say your reputation is any better." Annalise narrowed her eyes at the witch.

Dahlia raised her hand, "I thought I gave you orders to deal with your daughter, Harlow."

Annalise inhaled sharply as her father stepped into view with a coy smile, "I was waiting for the right opportunity."

Elijah sneakily slipped through the shadows as he bit into his wrist and fed Klaus his blood in hopes to strengthen him. The vampire glanced up at the sound of a familiar voice and was met with the same face he had seen in Anna's memory.

Harlow Lloyd Martin. Her father. But, how?

Annalise clenched her fists, "Finally stepping into the light you coward?"

Harlow pursed his lips, "A Martin against a Martin. On the very ground our blood was spilled."

The heretic sped quickly as she gripped the males neck and flung him into a wall. She rolled her shoulders back as she drowned out any noise and set her attention on the witch before her.

Harlow let out a humorless laugh before pulling himself up, "You call me the coward, but who's the one running away from the tragedy she herself caused?"

"Shut up." Annalise appeared behind the witch before gripping his arm and twisting it back, she elbowed his back before sweeping him off his feet.

Harlow muttered a quick healing spell before flicking his wrist, "Lec tare sel vipre."

Annalise grunted as her father used a mind spell to flick her body towards the wall where a spike impaled her stomach. The heretic let out a gasp in pain as blood began to seep from the wound.

Elijah winced as he instinctively placed a hand on his stomach, his eyes widened in realization as his gaze wandered around to find his soulmate pinned up on the wall.

Dahlia narrowed her eyes at the blonde witch, "You do realize that this so-called family of yours is simply using you for your power?"

Freya grit her teeth in anger, "No. You're the one that used me for a thousand years. No more."

"So be it." Dahlia held her head high as she began to telekinetically choke Freya who clawed at her throat. Mikael gripped a stake and quickly sped as he tackled the witch whilst impaling her so Dahlia was forced to release Freya.

"Stay away from my daughter!" Mikael seethed in anger. Dahlia flicked her wrist as she threw the vampire across the room before ripping the stake out of her.

"Don't you know I'm too powerful to kill?" Dahlia patronizingly smiled.

Elijah vamp-sped towards Harlow as he used the element of surprise to his advantage. The Mikaelson male dislocated the Elder witch's shoulder before tossing him against a row of seats.

Elijah scurried over to the heretic as he gently gripped her waist, "This is going to hurt."

Anna nodded impatiently as she placed her palms onto the wall and helped the vampire rip her body off the bloody spike. The Martin girl let out a soft cry as she felt the pain begin to subdue.

Harlow picked himself up from the floor and watched with cold eyes as his daughter held onto Elijah.

The vampire held his soulmate close, "What was that about being careful?"

Annalise gave the male a look, "Really? Right now?"

Harlow clenched his jaw before speaking up, "I see you've found your soulmate."

Anna glanced over at her father as Elijah tightened his hold on her, "Was it obvious?"

"With those eyes, I would say so." Harlow took a step towards the pair and Anna flexed her hand, "Perhaps I should show you what losing your other half does to one."

Annalise gripped Elijah's hand as she stood before him, "I'd quicker rip your throat out before you could even lay a hand on him."

A wicked smile spread onto the Elder witch's lips, "You couldn't even save the first man you loved. What makes you think, you can protect him?"

The heretic visibly tensed as her father's words rang through her ears, he was right.

Elijah noticed the brunette falter and sent a menacing glare at the male, "I'd watch your next words very carefully."

Harlow pursed his lips, "You two sicken me. I'll be more than happy to watch the two of you fall." he glanced over at Dahlia who was dodging an attack aimed by Klaus before disappeared into thin air.

His eyes landed back on his daughter, "Until we meet again, Annalise."

The heretic blinked, and her father was gone.

Anna went slack in Elijah's arms and began to take deep breath's. Freya rushed to tend to her father as Klaus stood back up from his place on the floor.

The original hybrid glanced over at the two soulmates and furrowed his brows, "Who the hell was that?"

"My father." Anna blankly answered as her eyes stared out at whatever lied before her.

Klaus' lips parted in shock as he blinked, "What?"

Elijah met his younger brother's gaze and softly shook his head as a sign to not push it any further.

The hybrid reluctantly nodded despite the lingering questions in his mind.

Catching the group off guard, Dahlia appeared before them, "We all have weaknesses."

Klaus spun around but the witch was gone and now stood before the lot, "You came here to exploit mine. And, in doing so, you lost the one thing you could have used against me." she held up the knife that had been enchanted by the witch, Davina, "The weapon you created, now rendered useless."

Dahlia dropped the blade into a basin used for holy water, which caused the knife to burst into flames as it slowly destroyed itself.

Freya's expression went slack with fear and instinctively lunged for her aunt, "No!"

Dahlia waved her hand causing the blonde to be swatted away before she put out the bright flames before sighing in boredom, "Now that we've disposed of that little trinket, perhaps we can focus on the issue at hand? After all, I seek only that which is owed to me, nothing more. Give me the child, and you all may live. Deny me, and, well... you've had a taste of my power. I can't imagine you hunger for more."

As the ancient witch finished the raised her hand before vanishing into thin air once again.

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Annalise watched as Klaus poured himself a glass of scotch before chugging down the liquor. Rebekah and Freya exchanged glances as Elijah sent curious looks towards Mikael who seemed to be annoyed.

"Where's Dahlia now?" Rebekah questioned as she glanced at the others who had fought the ancient witch.

Anna grit her teeth as Elijah let out a tired sigh, "She can be anywhere. There wasn't a trace of her left in the church."

Freya set her expression into an angered one, "She's done with us for the night. No doubt, she wants us to take some time to wallow in our defeat."

Klaus licked his lips before speaking up, "Defeat? I disagree. We saw her face, we took her measure. If that's the best she's got, quite frankly, I'm unimpressed."

Annalise looked over at her friend with an incredulous expression, "You truly love to press your luck."

"Her aim was not to impress us. She wanted us to reveal our sole weapon, and like fools, we did." Mikael bitterly spoke causing Rebekah to blink, "Am I hearing things, or did our brother just exchange words with our father?"

Mikael smiled as he watched the witch, "Rebekah. I'd know that wicked tongue anywhere. What mischief have you gotten yourself into now? No doubt the bastard's doing."

"Enough. My patience, like this farce of a reunion, is at an end." Klaus dryly spoke causing Elijah to scowl at him before taking a step towards their father, "Agreed. There only is one question here— what exactly are we doing?"

Freya grit her teeth in anger, "This was not my plan. You rushed it and made but a single weapon. Of course she took it from you. And now, we've lost what advantage we had and used up the very materials we needed to kill her."

Anna licked her lips as she watched her hybrid friend begin to speak, "It's a bit histrionic. Your materials are easily found. Let's take stock, shall we?" He pointed at the blonde witch, "There's an ample supply of your blood, Norwegian soil is hardly scarce... what else? Ah, yes— the ashes of Dahlia's Viking oppressors."

Mikael huffed in annoyance, "Only priceless relics gotten with great difficulty at a museum. Lost due to your worthless strategy."

Annalise narrowed her eyes at the vampire, "Last I checked, you were in on it and had plenty to do with the idea. Maybe try taking responsibility instead of blaming it entirely on someone else."

Mikael sped quickly as he plunged his hand into the brunette's chest, grasping her dead heart, Anna stumbled back as she found her ability to breath weaken.

Elijah and Klaus had already pounced. Elijah twisted his fathers hand enough for it to break, causing him to yank his hand out of the heretic's chest whilst Klaus pushed the original on the wall and aimed the white oak stake right at his heart.

Anna let out a strangled cough as Elijah held her head to his chest.

Freya's eyes widened in panic as she lunged towards her brother and father. Elijah groaned in annoyance as he gently pulled himself away from the heretic while speeding to hold his sister back.

"If I feel even the faintest touch of your magic, Freya, I will end him with a flick of my wrist." Klaus bitterly spoke to the blonde as he turned to set his eyes on his 'father', "You don't seem surprised."

Mikael let out a grunt as he felt the stake scrape against his heart, "Betrayal is in your nature, boy."

"In my defense, you did try to kill my best friend." Klaus coldly spoke to the vampire before speaking, "But even then, I wasn't born like this. Her, you fight for, lovely Freya, the daughter you barely know. But there was a time where you knew me as your son. A time before all the disappointments, the revelations of betrayal."

The hybrid's tone began to shake as his eyes glossed up with tears, "There were moments where all you had to do was be my father! And even then, you despised me, didn't you?" a single tear rolled down his cheek, "I want to know why."

Anna approached Rebekah's side as she placed a comforting hand on the witch's shoulder.

Mikael watched the original hybrid in surprise by his sudden vulnerability before softly speaking, without any malice in his tone, "I don't know. I just... did."

Klaus inhaled sharply as he felt a sudden weight bring him down by the revelation, he stared into Mikael's eyes. Elijah tightened his grip around Freya who was silently crying as she watched the two.

Klaus blinked rapidly as he fixed his gaze into a hateful one, "Are those your final words?"

Mikael hesitated for a moment before looking over at Freya, his eyes full of affection, "Freya, I'm so sorry, I love yo—"

Klaus' lip began to tremble in rage at his tenderness towards the blonde before he plunged the white oak stake into the vampire's heart. The male let out a painful scream as Freya began to thrash in Elijah's hold, "No!"

Klaus turned towards his oldest sister, masking his emotions as if he was unbothered, "Viking ashes indeed rare? All you really need is a burning Viking corpse."

The hybrid spun on his heel before beginning to stride out of the room. Elijah had to grip the witch with more force as she fought against him to attack the hybrid who had faded from view.

Freya stared at her father's burning corpse as she began to sob uncontrollably, she went slack in her brother's hold.

Annalise watched her lover's conflicted gaze as he watched Mikael's remains. Elijah felt a pair of eyes watching him and he turned to meet a pair of worried emerald eyes.

Anna mustered up a small smile for him and Elijah felt a sense of peace flow through him.

Annalise Martin truly was his safe place.