𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 56

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Annalise sipped on her orange juice rather awkwardly as Klaus held a wide grin whilst munching on his pancakes. The heretic glanced over at Elijah who was looked unamused with his younger brother's behavior.

Klaus set down his glass of champagne before meeting the grumpy vampire's gaze, "Is something the matter, brother? Can I fix you a drink, perhaps?" he took a small sip from his juice as Elijah rolled his eyes in annoyance, "Strangely enough, Klaus, I'm not in a mimosa mood."

The original hybrid grinned widely before pouring more liquor into two glasses, "Fantastic! More for Anna and I."

Annalise gripped the glass Klaus had passed towards her and wearily glanced between the two brother's, the atmosphere was horridly tense.

Elijah narrowed his eyes at his younger brother, "Let's discuss strategy, shall we, Niklaus? Just wondering if you actually have one. We can begin with Mikael's ashes— given that they are the main ingredient in our weapon against Dahlia, would you care to tell me where they disappeared to?"

Klaus bit back a bitter smile as he set down his drink, "Elijah! I have compelled the city's finest pastry chef for your own personal edification, and yet, you ignore my efforts in favor of needless concerns."

Anna parted her lips to speak but stopped as soon as she caught sight of Rebekah strutting into the dining room looking awfully tired— and hungover.

"Can we stop talking so loudly?" The witch muttered before her gaze landed on a pot of freshly brewed coffee, "Give me that."

"How many drinks did you have?" Annalise questioned her friend who blinked at her whilst pouring herself a cup of coffee, "A few."

"You smell like more than a few."

Rebekah pursed her lips as she made her way to sit at the table at the other far end of Klaus, "It's not every day you lose your father at the hands of your brother. Again."

The hybrid let out a hearty laugh, "Whoever said opportunity only knocks once, eh?"

Annalise watched Rebekah and Elijah stare at their brother with a blank expression and utterly silent.

Klaus let out an annoyed scoff, "Oh, come on! We all fled Mikael's tyranny together for centuries! I would have thought the mood this morning might be a bit more jubilant." the hybrid glanced over at Anna, "I'm sure the only one to sympathize with me would be Anna. Speaking of fathers, how the hell is yours alive?"

The heretic raised an incredulous brow, "Is that a genuine question? Obviously bloody Dahlia had to do with it."

Rebekah blinked as she took in the information, "I'm sorry— what?"

Klaus glanced over at his youngest sibling, "Anna's dead father, who she had killed, is back from the dead. Keep up."

Anna pursed her lips as she gazed at the hybrid, "Well, in my defense, I wasn't entirely sane when I killed him."

Klaus blinked at the brunette, "Sure you were." he glanced back at his two siblings, "But these two are looking as if I killed a person we actually liked."

Elijah let out a heavy sigh as he spoke up, "Under normal circumstances, the annihilation of our father would be rather commendable, Niklaus. Unfortunately, we have a greater threat to contend with."

Klaus hopped to his feet before pouring more liquor into his glass, "You know, for someone who's been invited to a celebratory breakfast, you're proving quite the buzzkill."

The original vampire let out a heavy sigh, "Well, Niklaus, if anything indeed has killed the—" Elijah made air quotes with his fingers, "Buzz, as you say, perhaps it was because murdering Father alienated the one person who truly knows how to defeat Dahlia."

Klaus downed his glass of champagne before glancing over the table, "If Freya wants to be part of this family, she should be willing to accept us, warts and all."

Anna pursed her lips as she sipped her juice, "Quite a task to commend upon someone."

Rebekah narrowed her eyes at her older brother who looked unbothered, "Elijah's right. Freya loved Mikael, and you've likely ruined everything."

Klaus rolled his eyes petulantly, "Pity. Whatever shall I do?"

Elijah grit his teeth as his brother's attitude was beginning to aggravate him, "Whatever you please, apparently."

Annalise wearily watched as the hybrid slammed his hands on the table as he became angered, "Do not mistake my high spirits for lack of clarity. I know full well the threat we face. And, I intend to deal with it— personally."

The Martin heretic furrowed her brows in confusion but the conversation was cut short as her vamp hearing caught the sound of clacking heels against the stone floor in the courtyard.

"Someone's here." Klaus spoke up making Anna roll her eyes, "State the obvious, why don't you?"

The hybrid quickly rushed out of the dinning room followed by the heretic and the other two siblings.

Anna's glare faltered upon seeing Josephine who is wearing an oddly placed velvet choker.

"Josephine?" Elijah spoke in confusion as to why the witch was here.

The witch smiled before calmly speaking up, "Forgive me for calling so early, Elijah, but, I've come bearing a message from your aunt Dahlia."

Annalise visibly tensed at the mention of the ancient witch as she glanced over at her soulmate who looked stunned.

Josephine blinked as she looked untroubled, "She is owed a debt, and she means to be paid."

Klaus mustered up a weak smile for the witch, "She can writhe in Hell first."

"For merely taking what your mother promised her?"

The hybrid's fake smile fell from his face as his expression morphed into an unpleasant one.

The witch let out a sigh before continuing, "If you must harbor hatred, isn't it better spent on the one who traded your child away a thousand years ago? Blame Esther, if you must, but I seek only to fulfill a bargain. A bargain that, consequently, resulted in your very existence. Perhaps you should be thanking me?"

Anna clenched her jaw in anger as she eyed the female, "Well, if it isn't witch bitch."

Josephine looked over at the heretic and smiled, "I hope you liked your welcoming gift. Your father truly was a talented witch, a pity he fell to the hand of his own daughter."

The Martin heir narrowed her eyes, "You speak as if you know of anything."

The witch slowly smirked, "I speak because I do know. I know of all the atrocities you have caused, and yet, you still play daft. As if your innocent, but my dear, you're no better than any ruthless monster."

"Enough!" Elijah shouted as he grew tired of hearing others speak about his lover falsely. "Quit speaking as if you hold any power over Annalise, Dahlia."

Josephine innocently shrugged, "My child— I prefer Aunt Dahlia."

Klaus inhaled sharply in hopes to calm his unending rage, "You dare enter my home?"

Josephine/Dahlia let out a bored sigh, "I only came for what is mine."

"That little girl is not yours." Anna seethed at the witch as she balled her hands into fists. The heretic wearily watched as Dahlia gave her a wicked smile as blood began to seep from beneath the choker.

"The time has come to add the child's power to my own. Though, I do not detect her here. I see you've used a spell to cloak her. No matter— such spells will yield, as will you. Say your farewells. You have 'til nightfall tomorrow, and then the child shall be mine. Be a dear and inform the mother? No reason we can't be civilized about this."

Annalise grew tired of hearing the witch speak as she quickly sped, pulling all her strength into her hand as she swiftly decapitated what was left of her.

Elijah pursed his lips as he took in what the witch had said as he watched her lifeless body lay limp on the floor.

"What a way to start the day."

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Annalise poured herself a glass of scotch as Francis strutted into the courtyard, "What the bloody hell is all the ruckus I hear going on?"

The heretic raised her hand, "Don't even get me started."

Francis raised his brows but didn't push on the topic, "So, how's dear old dad?"

Anna let out an annoyed groan, "More infuriating than I remembered." Francis huffed before taking a glass to pour himself some whiskey, "You and Rebekah are probably the only tolerable witch's I've known."

"I'm hurt, how on earth did I manage to stoop down to a tolerable level?"

Francis blinked at the girl, "I nearly had an aneurysm because of that cloaking spell you taught me to do so I could shield myself from locator spells."

Annalise bit back a laugh, "Well pardon me for thinking you were more than ready."

"I was out-cold for twenty-four bloody hours!" Francis gaped at the brunette.

The heretic cleared her throat in attempt to keep in the hysterics that were about to slip past her lips, "If we keep on the topic about your failed attempts at a spell I'm going to burst into tears from the laughter and your going to feel like an idiot."

Francis pressed his lips into a firm line, "What a wonderful friend you are."

"I've been told I'm truly one of the bests."

"Did you compel someone to tell you that?"

Annalise audibly gasped but before she could retort with the witch, Elijah emerged from the upper level and joined the two friends who were bickering.

"What happened here?" The vampire curiously glanced between the two.

The heretic sent a glare at the witch before meeting her lover's gaze, "Francis is upset because I was pointing out his tragic trials at magic."

"Anna, I nearly died once." Francis wailed his arms around as Anna rolled her eyes at his dramatics.

Elijah let out a gentle chuckle as the two squabbled. The originals demeanor morphed into a serious one as he spoke, "Annalise."

The heretic glanced at her soulmate curiously, "What happened?"

"Niklaus refuses to enlighten me with the plan he is currently brewing. He's allowing his paranoia to get the best of him. He will not trust me because he knows I will indulge Freya into his plan and his mistrust in her is mighty." Elijah spoke as his tone was laced in concern.

Annalise pursed her lips before questioning, "And what of me? If I were to ask him, would he tell me?"

Francis softly scoffed, "The man trusts you with bloody everything—"

"No, he will not."

The Martin heretic attempted to hide her shock from Elijah's response. The vampire reached out for her as he gently caressed her hand whilst explaining, "He is refusing to trust anyone but himself. The distrust is not entirely because of you, it is just, he does not trust you to stay quiet about his plan. He believed you will tell it to someone else."

Anna bit her lower lip as she tried to feign off her angered expression, "And who the rutting hell would I even tell?"

Elijah slowly turned his gaze to land on Francis who was watching the two. The witch glanced behind him before pointing at himself, "Me?"

"Francis?"

Elijah nodded, "Klaus has made it fairly clear that he does not trust nor like you."

Francis furrowed his brows in confusion, "What have I done to him?"

Anna clenched her jaw, "He doesn't need you to do anything for him to be weary of you. The man is refusing to trust anyone, is that even healthy?"

"When does Klaus do anything remotely healthy for himself?"

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Annalise looked up at Elijah as the two caught sight of a hybrid they were in search for.

"Just how badly might this go?"

The vampire let out a heavy sigh, "Horrendously."

The soulmates watched each other intensely before reluctantly speeding towards Klaus who was strolling around the French Quarter.

"Your transparent attempts to therapize me failed, brother. I suggest you allow me to make my way home in peace." Klaus blankly spoke causing the heretic to frown at his attitude.

Elijah pressed his lips into a firm line, "Enough of the games, Niklaus— now is not the time. I beseech you to stand with us."

The hybrid narrowed his eyes at Annalise and his older brother, "If by 'us' you mean you two and Freya, then I will not be standing with you."

"Nik, stop this madness." Anna pleadingly gazed at her best friend who did not meet her eye.

Elijah couldn't stand the way Klaus was acting, "She is the best chance we have to save your child."

The younger Mikaelson brother nodded, "Yes, Elijah, my child. Which is why— although she feigns innocence— I can't help but recall it was Freya who led our lunatic brother Finn to the safe house where he would have done God knows what if you hadn't intervened."

The original vampire let out a heavy sigh before holding his hand in a fist up, "I was a breath away from taking your life."

Klaus stopped walking and turned to meet his brothers eyes whilst Anna curiously watched the vampire who continued, "Just a few short years ago, when you broke your curse, I held your beating heart in my hand. Do you recall that, Klaus? And yet, here we are, still alive, still family. Now, we need her, Niklaus— Freya is our family. If you cannot see the greater picture here—" but he was cut short by Klaus.

"You see only around the next curve in the road! I am looking from above. Freya gave herself away when she complained of our single weapon to kill Dahlia. Now, I know there is a way to defeat our hated enemy without her."

Anna scoffed as she finally intervened, "So then enlighten us! All we want to do, Nik, is help. It's all I've ever wanted. For three hundred years I have stood by you and been loyal, yet here and now, you treat me as if I've done something for you to misplace your trust in me."

Klaus stared down at his friend with an unreadable expression, "Until Elijah forsakes Freya, then I will let you two in. If I were to trust you, Anna, considering the romantic relationship you hold with my brother, you would no doubt tell him then he would tell our beloved older sister."

Elijah watched the hybrid with an incredulous expression, "Klaus, this is insane! Hope is also my family. Now, if you continue to walk this path, you will lead her towards harm." The younger Mikaelson blankly watched the vampire, "And do not fail to understand me when I say this to you— I will do whatever it takes to prevent this."

Klaus grit his teeth in anger, "So will I. So, the choice remains yours, brother— Freya, or me."

Before the two soulmates could blink, the hybrid was gone.

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Elijah and Annalise storm into the safe house where Hayley began her rant, "Of course I tried to call you, Elijah! But since Dahlia was able to take down both Klaus and Mikael, I'm guessing that a cell phone tower was a piece of cake."

The vampire glanced around before questioning, "And where were the wolves who stood guard?"

"Do you even have to ask?" Anna sent her lover a look before Hayley chimed in, "Getting their asses handed to them by Dahlia, just like Klaus did."

As if he had heard his name, Klaus waltzed into the room wearing a rather pissed off expression, "That's it— you're coming with me to the compound."

Hayley furiously shook her head, "Where Dahlia sent Josephine this morning? No way! We'd be sitting ducks, just like we will be here as soon as that spell breaks." the hybrid nervously sighed as she met the gaze of her child's father, "Which is why we have to go."

Anna and Elijah looked at the mother in alarm before the heretic spoke up, "I beg your pardon?"

"Jackson is out getting supplies, and then we're taking the wolves and we're headed to the Bayou." Hayley firmly stated causing Klaus to scoff incredulously, "The swamp? So my child can be protected by the very wolves Dahlia so easily defeated? Absolutely not."

Hayley clenched her jaw as she aggressively shoved past Elijah before getting up front with Klaus, "You know, I am so over taking advice from you, Klaus. All it has done so far is put Hope in danger. From now on, I am going to do what I want to do. We're leaving."

The mother went to push past the hybrid as well but Klaus moved quickly as he shoved her backwards before pointing at her, "You're not going anywhere unless I tell you to."

Hayley began to grit her teeth harshly, "I am not your prisoner, Klaus!"

Elijah glanced between the parents, "Both of you, please— we're playing into Dahlia's hands."

Annalise innocently shrugged, "I don't know, I'm quite enjoying the show."

Klaus sent his brother a cold glare before glancing back at the hybrid that stood fuming before him, "Not doing as I say plays into her hands! While you two have been kow-towing to Freya and devising ways to flee with your tail between your legs, I've been forging a new path. I know what Freya was planning, and I know how to kill Dahlia."

Anna extended her arms, "Well don't just bloody stand there. Indulge us."

"Freya objected to us making a single weapon because it spoiled her plan." Klaus began to explain but he unable to continue as Jackson stormed into the safe house looking furious as he held a limp body in his grasp with a werewolf guard closely behind him.

"Jack?" Hayley furrowed her brows at her husband. "Klaus!" the alpha shouted once again as he seethed in anger.

Hayley's gaze landed on Aiden's lifeless body and she audibly gasped, "Oh my god."

Jackson laid the wolf's figure on the table as his wife intensely gazed at him, "What happened?"

The alpha clenched his jaw, "Klaus made Aiden spy on us. Instead, he told me everything—" Jackson turned towards Klaus who stood beside Elijah and Anna, "so you killed him."

The original hybrid gazed at Aiden's body with a blank face as Hayley furrowed her brows, "You killed one of the wolves sworn to protect our daughter?"

Annalise glanced over at her friend who laid silent for a second before straightening up, "So what if I did?" Klaus pointed at Aiden's body, "This is what happens to anyone who dares cross me!"

The heretic narrowed her eyes at her friend, in her mind it didn't add up. Klaus truly had no reason to kill him, so why was he claiming he did?

One of the werewolf guards let out a murderous growl, "Just give us the word, Jackson."

Klaus glanced over the wolves before beginning to shout, "Yes! Come and have a go. But you'll be putting your life on the line for one who is all too willing to betray you. Perhaps this never would have happened if he'd had a real Alpha."

Jackson lunged for Klaus before punching the hybrid in the face, which is all the invitation Klaus needed to fight back with all his pent-up rage he had been burying down. The Mikaelson pushed Jackson backward into the other wolves who quickly stood behind their alpha's, ready to defend them. Hayley vamp-sped over to Klaus to get between the two males but Klaus punched Hayley in the stomach so hard she's thrown to the side.

Anna sped quickly as she shoved Jackson backwards and held a hand out towards Klaus who was watching the alpha with a dark expression.

The heretic glanced at Jackson and blinked at him, "Do you have a death wish?"

Hayley sped towards the original hybrid but Elijah and Annalise quickly stood before Klaus to his defense. The heretic harshly shoved the mother backwards making her grit her teeth, "You wanna kill me, too, Anna?"

"Oh enough with the needless fights. You all bicker and fight like children. It's repulsing." The heretic sighed out whilst her soulmate spoke up, "If you come at him, then you come at us."

A wide smile spread across Klaus' lips as he felt pleased with the outcome, "You lot should make better use of your time. I suggest burying your dead."

Anna sent the male a hard glare, "Would you shut up?"

"Get. Out!" Hayley's voice boomed through the room as she shook with rage.

Elijah glanced back at his brother, "Niklaus, you mentioned a plan. I recommend you begin. Hayley and Hope are safe for the time being and not going anywhere."

Klaus sent Hayley one last look before speeding out of the safe house. Elijah met Anna's gaze and whispered, "Go with him."

The heretic eyed her lover for a moment longer, before also disappearing.

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Annalise watched Francis walk into the kitchen and she smiled, "Back from your evening stroll?"

"I feel old in this century." Francis deadpanned and the brunette stifled a laugh, "And why, pray tell, is that?"

"I was approaching an appliance store when the doors, as soon as I neared them, suddenly opened up for me. So I, of course, assumed it was magic and hurriedly asked an employee what spell they had cast on them." Anna tightened her lips together to contain her laughter.

Francis blinked in embarrassment, "They looked at me as if I were a complete nut job."

Annalise let out a strangled chuckle, "Bloody hell, I wish I would have been there to see that."

"They never did tell me how it works, though." Francis frowned. The heretic bit back an amused smile as she spoke up, "It's called an automatic door, Francis. It's able to sense an approaching person and it will slide open automatically."

Francis intensely gazed at her, "Yes, but how?"

"The mechanics."

A confused expression made it's way onto the witch's face, "Mechanics?"

"Oh bloody hell." Anna heavily sighed.

The heretic's train of thought was cut short as a loud thump that came from upstairs caused her to jolt in her place, "What the—?"

"What's going on?" Francis urgently questioned having felt it too.

Anna quickly strutted into the courtyard where Elijah was standing, wearing a horrified expression.

The heretic approached her lover and searched his eyes, "What's wrong, love?"

"What have I done?" his voice came out hoarse. Anna's gaze crumbled seeing her soulmate so torn, she reached for the male and pulled her head towards him as the vampire slipped his arms around the girl waist.

Annalise felt her chest tightened as she felt a single tear fall against her neck, Elijah was crying.

Francis stepped out from the kitchen and the Martin heir quickly waved her arm in a movement for the witch to scurry away, which he didn't need to be told twice to do.

The brunette combed her fingers through her overs hair knowing it brought him comfort, "What happened?" she softly spoke not wanting to push the original too much.

Elijah slightly shook in her arms before croaking out, "I daggered my brother."

Anna's eyes widened significantly as she gently pulled back and cupped the vampire's face as she gazed into his oak-brown eyes, "You daggered Klaus?"

Elijah gave her one firm nod, "I had to. He wasn't going to allow us to help and he—"

"Couldn't beat Dahlia on his own." Anna finished off his sentence. Elijah inhaled sharply, "I'm sorry, my love."

Annalise swallowed down a lump in her throat as many conflicted emotions coursed through her, "He's going to murder you when that dagger gets taken out."

Elijah's gaze saddened at the mere thought, "I know. He will forever hate me."

Anna shook her head, "He's daggered you how many times? Last I checked you still stood by him. He will forgive you, just like you have, though it may take more time than expected."

Elijah leaned his forehead against the heretic's, "And you? You don't hate me for daggering your friend?"

"I could never hate you, 'Lijah. Am I slightly upset, yes. But I also know, there was no other choice. I just hope Nik can forgive me knowing I didn't pull it out."

Elijah reached up as he softly swiped the pad of his thumb over the girl's bottom lip, "You are his dearest friend. I doubt he would do anything in retaliation against you."

The two lovers didn't know just how far from the truth, that actually was.

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a/n:

you guys are gonna absolutely hate me after the next chapter.