𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 58

«────── « ⋅ʚ♡ɞ⋅ » ──────»

Annalise covered Francis' cold and unlively body with a sheet, Elijah lingered a few feet away with devastation written across his face.

Cami drank up the last sip of the vampire's blood as she felt her wounds begin to heal up. Elijah clenched his jaw as stared at the covered figured, even if he hadn't always gotten along, they had gotten closer recently.

Francis knew how to make Elijah laugh, and the male was always helping around. He didn't deserve to die.

Annalise held a blank expression as she turned to meet Camille's anxious gaze, "I believe you had something to say?"

Elijah mentally cringed at how cold the heretic was speaking. Annalise was livid, anyone who knew the brunette, knew that when she was calm and collected but serious, nothing would stop her anger.

Cami swallowed nervously as the original vampire spoke up, "We had a plan. A plan he has mercilessly destroyed—" but the human quickly cut him off, "Your plan wouldn't have worked, Elijah! When Klaus got into my head, he said your plan would fail, so he had to enact one of his own."

Elijah narrowed his eyes at the blonde, "And what might that be?"

"He has to get her to link to him." Cami firmly spoke to which Anna blinked, "Well, you're right. What a bloody great idea." she sarcastically retorted but her voice was still put into a calm tone, even though she was far from it.

Elijah gaped at the human not sure if he had heard her correctly, "My brother wishes to bind himself to our enemy? She'll be virtually indestructible."

Camille shook her human head, "He said I had to convince you that everything he had to do, he had to do alone. You had the wrong ingredients to kill Dahlia, and he has to buy time before he finds the right ones."

The original vampire knitted his brows together, "How?"

Cami didn't respond so Annalise turned back around to stare ahead at Francis' remains. The blonde human frowned deeply, "I am sorry about your friend."

"Are you?" Annalise sternly questioned. Cami took a step towards the heretic with a sympathetic glint in her eye, "I don't condone Klaus' actions. I'm trying to help you."

Annalise glanced at her with an incredulous expression as the human continued, "All I know is Klaus will do whatever he has to do—"

"Do not finish that sentence, Camille." Anna threatened with murderous eyes. Elijah narrowed his gaze at the human, "Klaus will do whatever he has to do for Klaus!" the male bellowed furiously. He turned away as he slipped his phone out while trying to get into contact with a certain female hybrid.

"Now Hayley isn't answering her phone." he rubbed his forehead in frustration as Annalise grit her teeth, "Now, what has he done?"

Rebekah, who is now in her original body, rushes into the room followed by a guilty Marcel.

"Rebekah?" Elijah questioned with confusion laced in his tone.

The blonde vampire merely shrugged, "Looks like Niklaus had a lot on his to-do list last night."

Marcel hesitantly gazed at the heretic, "Anna, I am so so sorry—" but he was cut off by the Martin heir shaking her head, "Do not apologize for actions you had no control over. Niklaus compelled you. You did against your will. I do not hold any grudges against you, Marcel."

The vampire held a saddened glint in his eyes as he slowly nodded before Rebekah spoke up, "About Hayley..." she trailed off meeting her ex-lover's glance.

Anna narrowed her eyes, "What is it?"

Marcel let out a heavy sigh, "When Klaus attacked me, he stole the spell that I used on the Crescent wolves."

Elijah's lips parted in shock, "When will it end with him?"

Annalise clenched her fists as she struggled to remain calm, she felt her anger beginning to bubble up and she was close to finally losing it.

"Hayley will be human once a month. We will find her and we will help her." Rebekah reassuringly spoke as she glanced between the two soulmates who looked absolutely done with Klaus Mikaelson.

Rebekah pressed her lips into a firm line already hating what she was about to say, "We need to focus on who needs saving today."

Annalise let out a harsh scoff as she gestured over to her friends remains, "Oh, because I'm so bloody great at saving people."

Elijah felt his chest tighten upon seeing his love so distressed.

Cami took a cautious step towards her, "Anna, Klaus needs—"

"I don't give a rats ass about what Klaus needs. I am only doing this because of a little girl who deserves to live fear free. I don't care about Klaus." Annalise viciously spat at the human who staggered back at her tone.

Rebekah softly sighed, "Freya called— Dahlia is... incapacitated. They are two hours north at an orchard near Pale River. She has Hope."

Elijah didn't need to be told twice as he quickly sped away in the blink of an eye.

Cami shuffled nervously as she glanced at Annalise, "I really am—"

"I don't want your apology. And I definitely don't need you excusing what Klaus has done." The heretic sharply spoke. "If you have nothing smart to say, Camille, than keep your trap shut."

The human averted her gaze towards the ground, now feeling guilty for what she had been trying to say.

Rebekah glanced over at her friend, "We'll give him a proper burial."

Annalise stared at the body with an emotionless gaze, "Twice. Not once but twice." she turned to meet Rebekah's soft gaze, "I couldn't save Francis two times, and both, were at the hands of people I had once trusted and loved. What does that make of me?"

The blonde vampire hated seeing her beloved friend in this state, and she knew, it would not get any easier for Annalise.

Marcel grit his teeth in anger, he hadn't known Francis for very long but he had liked the male. He hadn't been bad company and he cared for Annalise to the point where he would help Klaus and Elijah because of her.

Rebekah knew this was not something Anna would forgive so easily. She had never seen the heretic this resentful and hateful towards the original hybrid. The vampire couldn't blame her though, Klaus had gone too far this time.

The compound doors suddenly burst open as Elijah and Freya walked in with baby Hope along with a still-daggered hybrid and neutralized Dahlia.

"We need mothers blood." was the first thing to leave Elijah's lips as he joined them in the courtyard. Freya placed little Hope into her stroller before glancing up at the others.

Rebekah blinked at her older brother, "Nik is demented! Are we really to dig up our mother, burn her to ash, swap said ash with Kol's, and then trick Davina into using up her last chance to bring someone back from the dead? Not to mention we lose the opportunity to save Kol... if Davina doesn't turn us inside out."

Annalise licked her lips, "Well, I'd say its just like him. Screwing others over in the midst of doing things his way."

Elijah nodded in agreement with his soulmate before adding, "Or, we dig a deep hole and leave both our problems at the bottom of it."

Freya unhappily stared at her unconscious aunt, "I say we choose a more permanent option— find the white oak stake, kill Klaus, Dahlia dies with him."

"The offer does sound tempting." Anna hummed quietly as Marcel loudly spoke up, "Well, yeah, and so do I, and every other vampire that Klaus has turned." He turned towards the heretic, "That includes you, Anna. You're in his sireline."

The Martin girl shrugged, "My statement still stands."

Elijah snapped his attention over at his lover at what she was insinuating, "Do not say something like that."

Annalise glanced at the vampire who held a fearful gaze. She turned back to see Rebekah looking over at the neutralized bodies, the golden dagger in Klaus was melting.

"The dagger." Rebekah shouted as she caught the attention of the others in the room. The handle was beginning to get shorter and shorter, "It's bloody melting!"

Elijah reluctantly sighed as he absolutely hated what he was going to say, "We have no choice but to finish the task that Niklaus has set."

«────── « ⋅ʚ♡ɞ⋅ » ──────»

Annalise stays seated as she was tasked to watch the bodies of Dahlia and Klaus whilst the others rushed to gather Esther's and Kol's remains.

The heretic stared intently at the hybrid's face and quickly looked away. Klaus spoken about her betraying him? No, he had been the one to betray her.

Never had she stood against him. In everything she had helped and sided with him. The heretic hadn't even daggered him, yet he had acted as if she committed a bloody crime.

The trust Annalise completely had in Niklaus, was gone. She no longer had faith in him or in his ways. He had gone over the edge this time, and there was no reversing it.

The brunette watched as Freya and Marcel rushed back into the courtyard. Anna blinked at the duo, "Did you find Kol's ashes?"

Marcel shook his head, "They had already been taken. I have a good guess at who."

"Davina." Anna spoke the young girls name as Freya gazed at the dagger that seemed to be getting shorter and shorter, "We need to buy them time."

The Mikaelson witch grabbed some salt and began to sprinkle it over the melting dagger before quietly chanting, "Convultaras distere. Convultaras distere." the blonde furrows her brows as she uses more of her power.

Annalise glanced to see a distressed look upon Marcel's features, "Are you alright?"

The vampire gaped at the brunette, "Are you asking me that? Shouldn't it be the other way around."

The heretic shrugged, "You look tense. I was merely making sure you're okay."

Marcel gazed intently at Anna, "And here I thought you would have been trying to rip my throat out."

Annalise softly shook her head, "Please, do not blame yourself, Marcel. You were not at fault so there is no need to feel guilty."

The vampire's expression faltered, he couldn't remember the last time Anna spoke to him with such a tender voice. Annalise noticed the males conflicted expression and spoke up, "He took something away from you too."

Marcel's lips parted slightly as Anna continued, "Your choice."

Before the vampire could speak Freya groaned in frustration, "It's no use— I can't slow her magic. Everything I'm trying fails."

Annalise opened her mouth to offer her help but was cut off by the sound of vines growing and faint whispering. The trio glanced around the compound to see vines covered in black Dahlia flowers beginning to grow inside the walls. The vines twisted around the rails of the balcony overlooking the courtyard.

The trio glanced at each other in alarm. Marcel anxiously shuffled, "There's gotta be a way to kill her."

Freya grabbed the white oak stake from the inside pocket of her jacket and holds it up, looking upset yet determined, "There is."

Annalise's eyes widened as realized what the witch intended to do, "Freya, put the stake down."

Marcel immediately lunged for the witch, "No!" The Mikaelson witch raised her hand before thrusting it towards Marcel which caused for the vampire to be pinned to the wall behind him.

Anna was having an internal conflict with herself, should she stop the witch? Did she want to stop the witch? Or did she want to watch Klaus' burning corpse?

Freya's hand trembled as she held the stake over the hybrids heart. "Freya, we can find another way!" Marcel desperately shouted as he struggled against the witch's magic.

Freya shook her head fearfully, "I'm sorry, but I see no other way."

Annalise watched a torn glint flicker through the blondes gaze. Marcel glanced over at the heretic who didn't make a single movement.

The vampire glanced at the oldest Mikaelson, "Please! If you kill him, you kill Anna and I too!"

Freya glanced between the heretic and Marcel, the witch was near tears, "I don't want to kill either of you!" she gazed back at her younger brother desperately, "I don't want to kill him."

At this rate, the handle to the dagger was almost completely gone. Freya blinked away her tears as her hand trembled, "This is the family I longed for, but because of her—" the blonde looked at Dahlia's body in pure hatred, "I'll forever be alone."

Freya lifts her hand higher and just as Anna was about to make a move a hand reached out to grip the blonde's wrist from moving any further.

Klaus looked almost touched at his sister's confession, "Sister." He slowly lowered her hand but squeezed it affectionately.

Annalise grit her teeth upon seeing the hybrid awake. Klaus stood to his feet with the help of Freya, the hybrid met Anna's hateful gaze. He looked visibly taken back by the brunette's coldness.

Annalise stayed in her place as Dahlia rose to her feet, "I'm almost impressed by the lengths you'd go to for your little girl. Though, not enough to let bygones be." Dahlia held up her hand and used her telekinesis to rip the white oak stake from Freya's free hand so that it flew into her own.

Anna stood tall as she readied herself. Klaus narrowed his eyes at the witch, "We are still linked, dear aunt. You may not want to punish me with that particular weapon."

Dahlia gave her nephew a smug smile, "Hmmm. I made sure that the link between us melted along with that dagger. Meaning... I'm quite free to kill you."

The witch pointed the stake at Klaus before using her magic to pull the male towards her. Annalise merely watched as Marcel pounced to help the original hybrid.

The heretic let out a cry as she clutched her head as a stabbing sensation shot through her skull. The girl glanced through her eye lashes to see Dahlia clutch Freya before disappearing from thin air.

Anna heard little Hope's cries but she stopped upon seeing Klaus and Marcel rush upstairs towards the baby. The heretic swallowed nervously as she rubbed her hands together, she did not want to be in a room with the hybrid alone. She didn't know what she would do with the amount of anger bottled up inside of her.

So, instead, she left.

«────── « ⋅ʚ♡ɞ⋅ » ──────»

Annalise pushed open the doors to the jazz club as she caught sight of Esther, who had risen from the dead, as she sat on a chair in the cursed shackles.

Elijah sat in a chair at the table behind his mother as he twirled a knife in his grasp. Anna looked visibly taken back at how attractive her soulmate looked.

The original met his lover's gaze and it immediately softened up, Anna offered him a small smile but it was quick to fall off her face.

Elijah pursed his lips before rolling his eyes in annoyance as Esther began to speak.

"Let me guess— you brought me back from the dead to torture me." the original witch gazed at Annalise who held no emotion in her features.

Elijah let out a heavy sigh, "My dear mother, we simply need your blood. Though, in the event that you should suffer horribly, I can't promise I won't enjoy it immensely."

The corner of the heretic's lips tugged upwards, "It would be calming seeing you in pain."

Klaus sped into the room and as Esther caught sight of him she held her usual serene demeanor but Annalise and Elijah didn't have the same reaction upon seeing the hybrid.

Annalise began to grit her teeth in anger in hopes she would be able to control herself.

But Elijah had not a thought in mind about letting what his brother had done go.

"Ah, Mother. I've arrived just in time for another one of your deaths, and as much as I appreciate the front-row seat, I'm afraid I'm going to have to postpone the festivities." Klaus smugly grinned at his mother.

Elijah clenched his jaw tightly, "You're in excellent spirits."

Klaus smiled at his older brother, "Lucky for you, as I'm the one needed to save the day."

The original vampire scoffed as he held an unamused expression, "Is that what it's called?"

"Why not? My plan's worked perfectly." Klaus asked in a nonchalant manner.

Annalise deeply in haled and exhaled. But Elijah did not have the same patience as Anna, the vampire quickly went to lunge at him but Klaus held his hands up to stop him, "Easy, Elijah— I can see your red door swinging wide open, but our job's not yet done."

Elijah narrowed his eyes at his younger brother, "So, we kill her and be done with it."

"To be clear, I do want her blood, but I want it on this blade," the hybrid held up a silver dagger, "Which I've had bound with the soil from Dahlia's homeland, not to mention Viking ash. Mother's demise will have to wait. You see, I need her to weaken Dahlia's defenses."

Klaus leaned over to whisper into Esther's ear, "Bit of psychological warfare before I slaughter the both of you."

The witch blinked at her son, "Ah, yes. You expect me to walk willingly to my death."

Klaus grinned widely, "Well, your willing participation would have been a bonus, but it's far from necessary. If needs be, I'll drag you there myself."

Rebekah struts into the room and Klaus as well as Esther seemed shocked to see her in her original body.

Annalise was still doing breathing exercises as she clenched her fists tightly.

"Yes, dear Mother, you do not have a choice. Then again, why should you be any different from the rest of us? We're all dancing puppets in Nik's end-of-days marionette show. He forces every move we make." The blonde vampire glared at her older sibling.

Klaus rolled his eyes, "And how long are you gonna stand there and pretend you don't need me to? The both of you have fought me at every turn, leaving me no choice but to act alone! We're no strangers to disagreements on the battlefield, but we also have a very long history of doing whatever it takes to win the war."

Elijah took a step forward, "And what of Francis?"

The hybrid merely shrugged, "Collateral damage."

Elijah finally snapped. The vampire punched the hybrid square in the face with great force. Klaus rubbed his jaw as he chuckled before glancing between his siblings, "Of course you two are the ones to hold a grudge. Perhaps learn a thing or two from Anna who seems unbothered."

And that was the last straw for Annalise. The heretic slowly turned towards her old friend with an incredulous gaze, "Unbothered? Unbothered?"

Klaus looked severely taken back at the brunette's venomous tone. Anna's lower lip trembled as she felt her anger getting the best of her, "You are a bloody menace, Klaus Mikaelson."

The hybrid's lips parted as he watched the only person he had considered a true friend, explode.

"You act as if this was some sort of ruse, but no. This was punishment." Annalise angrily spat at him.

Klaus narrowed his eyes, "Punishment? Whatever for? Perhaps the dagger that was put in my heart?"

"Oh stop with the self-wallowing pity. You brought this upon yourself." Annalise held a hateful gaze towards the male as she continued, "You act as if you have not daggered each of your siblings for much less, but, only you have the right to be angered, only Klaus has the right to punish them for it."

Both Rebekah and Elijah looked taken back at seeing the heretic so angered.

Klaus blinked as he tried to keep an blank expression on, but it was no use.

Annalise licked her lips, "How many times have you daggered Elijah? Rebekah? Kol? Finn? How many times, Niklaus?"

The hybrid stayed utterly silent.

Anna let out a humorless laugh, "Oh that's right. You lost count. But heaven forbids they ever did the same to you. Yet, where to do they stand? After all of it, Elijah and Rebekah have stood by you, and hell, even Kol. But only you have the right to lash out, right?"

Klaus was written completely speechless at everything the heretic was saying.

"Well, guess what Klaus?" Anna patronizingly smiled, "I am not your siblings, I won't put up with your horse shit. You crossed the line, you did."

Klaus parted his lips to speak but couldn't as the girl spoke again, "I am not your sister, and I am most definitely not your friend."

That simple sentence was enough to create an aching pain shoot through the hybrid's chest.

Annalise stared into Klaus' glossy eyes, "You are dead to me." each word spoken laced as if with poison.

The Martin heir took a step back and held her arms out, "Congratulations, Klaus, you finally got your wish. You will eternally be alone."

Annalise turned on her heel as she gripped Esther's arm with great strength, "Come along, witch bitch."

«────── « ⋅ʚ♡ɞ⋅ » ──────»

Klaus stepped into the warehouse as Rebekah followed quickly behind him, "Isn't there a saying about stones and glass houses?"

Rebekah watched Dahlia simply stare at the hybrid so she loudly spoke up, "In case the analogy is lost on you, I believe my brother is calling you a hypocritical bitch."

Dahlia looked over at Freya with an amused expression, "Hmm. Bringing vampires to a witch fight. Someone hasn't learned their lesson."

Annalise emerged from the shadows, a sinister smile spread across her lips, "Wrong again."

The sound of rattling chains could be heard as Elijah dragged in a shackled Esther. Dahlia and Esther simply stare at each other for a long moment, before Dahlia began laughing hysterically, "My sister... in chains? Hahaha! Is... is she to be a gift to buy your freedom? Because I brought something."

The ancient witch pulled out the white oak stake and held it up which suddenly caused thunder to crash over them.

"One stake, three of us. Even if you don't hesitate, the other two will rip you in half." Klaus glared at his aunt who simply smiled, "Sound thinking. But... small thinking."

Dahlia held up the white stake up again causing thunder and lightening to ripple through the sky. After a short moment the weapon is telekinetically thrown up into the air, where it explodes into thin pieces that it almost appeared as snowflakes. The witch then focused to that the particles would fly into the mouth of the three originals as they breathed.

Elijah began to viciously cough as he felt his lungs throb in pain.

Annalise lifted her foot as she prepared to use her vampire speed but Dahlia did not forget about the original heretic.

The ancient witch focused on the female's skin and smiled as Anna began to scream from the sensation. It felt as if vervain had been poured all over her.

Elijah's pain doubled as he not only felt his own but also his lover's. The original glanced over at Annalise desperately as she fell the knees whilst clawing at her own flesh.

"You're killing them!" Freya gaped at the sight of her siblings and the heretic.

Dahlia smiled in joy as the Klaus attempted to gasp for air while Rebekah laid weakly beside him. Esther watched her children writher in pain and frowned, apparently not enjoying the sight.

Annalise felt tears sting her eyes as she couldn't bear the burning sensation enclosing her. Elijah shed a single tear in seeing his love wince helplessly yet he was too weak to do anything. And he hated it.

"Now, sister, let us watch together as I burn your children from the inside out." the ravenette spoke to Esther who paused for a short moment before walking towards her sister, "You still carry around so much anger for me after all these years?"

Dahlia narrowed her eyes at the blonde witch before grounding out, "You broke your vow. We were to stand together, always and forever, and you left to marry that brutish Viking imbecile. You ended my family, and they were the result."

Dahlia gestured towards the originals before casting a spell towards the siblings, knocking the trio backwards. Elijah scratched at his throat as veins protruded onto his red and swollen neck.

Annalise breathed rapidly as she attempted to regain some of her mental control to perform a spell.

"You call this my wrongdoing? You made me bargain away my firstborn child. My daughter!" Esther furiously shouted at the other witch who smiled wickedly, "Not just this firstborn, but every firstborn."

Klaus pulled out the blade bound with the ingredients that made up Dahlia's weaknesses and weakly stood on his feet.

"And even then, you found a way to deny me that which you had sworn to be mine. How do you think that felt?" Dahlia tilted her head at her sister as Klaus lunged, but he was too slow.

The ancient witch flicked her wrist causing for the hybrid to be sent backwards.

"Now, Esther, say goodbye to the last of your children." Dahlia tenderly gazed down at the original witch.

Annalise stared blankly at the ground as she muttered a spell, "Asinta Mulaf Hinto, Sho Bala." she let out a sigh of relief as the pain reduced. It was not gone, but at least she could think properly.

The heretic watched Dahlia extend her hand to put Freya into a life-threatening choke-hold. The heretic's eyes scoured around for any signs of a weapon. She caught sight of a rather large nail and smiled.

Anna quickly grabbed ahold of it and aimed it perfectly as it stabbed itself into Dahlia's extended hand.

The witch turned to meet Annalise's determined sea green eyes. Dahlia amusingly laughed as she ripped the nail out, "Did you really think that would do anything?"

Annalise slyly grinned, "No, but it did distract you."

Dahlia's eyes widened in realization as Esther wrapped her chained hands around her sisters throat. Freya was quick to move as she cleared the air of the white oak.

Elijah gripped the magical dagger and tossed it towards Niklaus who blinked away his blurred vision and sped quickly. Plunging the knife into Esther to reach Dahlia's heart.

Killing both witch's at once.

The group watched the bodies fade into nothing but ash. Elijah was already moving as he pulled Annalise into a rib-crushing hug.

"I hate seeing you in pain." the vampire croaked out. Anna shut her eyes as she held onto her soulmate as if her life depended on it.

She was so utterly tired, and not physically.

Klaus pressed his lips into a firm line as he watched the charred bodies, "Seems we're officially orphans."

«────── « ⋅ʚ♡ɞ⋅ » ──────»

Annalise stared into her coffee as she stirred it, the heretic sucked in a sharp breath as she felt an unwanted presence enter the kitchen.

"I thought you would have been long gone." Klaus crossed his arms over his chest as he watched his dear old friend.

Annalise didn't bother looking at the male in the eyes, "Yes, well, I'm here because of Elijah and little Hope."

Klaus pursed his lips, "Well after what you said I'm surprised you still care enough." Annalise abruptly stood from her seat and glared into the hybrid's eyes, "What? What is this you're doing? Do you want an apology for what I said?" she watched a torn expression flicker through his gaze.

The heretic narrowed her eyes at him, "Well, you're not getting one. I meant every word I spoke. Sometimes, Klaus, we fuck up so badly that there is nothing you can do to fix it." Anna licked her lips, "This is that time. I am done with you, Klaus."

The heretic pushed past the person who used to be her friend, her brother, and the person she most trusted.

But he had been quickly stripped of those tittles.

Leaving him with one. Klaus Mikaelson, the hated hybrid.

«────── « ⋅ʚ♡ɞ⋅ » ──────»

a/n:

who needs heartbreak when you can have friend betrayal? Anywho, this is the end of season two, thank you loves for all the comments, reads, and votes. Season three will be next.

-b xx