𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 62

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Annalise's heels clacked against the gym's concrete floor as she caught sight of Elijah who was vigorously punching and kicking a punching bag hung from the ceiling. The heretic raised an interested brow as she took in his appearance, his dark grey tank top doing nothing to hide his biceps that seemed to be calling out to her.

Anna shook her head of such thoughts as she attempted to keep her mind on the reason she was there. The heretic watched Elijah send a rather harsh punch to the bag which caused for it to be ripped off its chains and collide into a bench press and hand weights.

The original turned to meet Anna's expectant gaze, "You alright, my love?"

Elijah pursed his lips before reaching for a towel to plot the sweat from his face and neck. The heretic let out a heavy sigh, "Stressing and shutting yourself out isn't going to help anyone."

Elijah raised a brow, "Anna, I admire you, but I do not think you are the person to tell me not to bottle up my emotions."

Annalise clicked her tongue as she rolled her eyes, "Shut it, anyhow, I have an invitation from your darling Tristan." The heretic held out the black invitation before reading it out loud to her soulmate, "I do hope that you can come, old chum. Signed, Tristan."

Elijah knitted his brows together in curiosity as he approached the Martin girl who handed him the invitation. Annalise licked her lips before speaking, "I was about to leave the compound when a vampire dropped it off."

The vampire's eyes skimmed through the hand written invite as he took in the address. The Davilla Estate.

Annalise searched her lovers gaze, "Are we going?"

"I'm not sure we have much of a choice."

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Annalise rubbed her hands together as she and Elijah entered the compound before trudging up the stairs and towards the study where the two could here two hybrids and a witch bickering.

The heretic's lip tugged upwards in a coy smile as stepped into the room, "Well, I can see the chat here is going well."

Klaus let out an annoyed sigh, "Oh good! It's my not-so-loving older brother and my grudge-holding best friend. What a nice, formal gathering."

Hayley rolled her eyes before giving the original hybrid a fake smile, "Charming."

Annalise full-on ignored whatever blubber had left Klaus' mouth and looked towards Hayley, "What's going on?"

The hybrid pursed her lips, "Klaus was just catching me up on how you have no clue which one of your long-lost buddies you can trust and which one is trying to kill you."

Annalise humorlessly chuckled, "Well, clearly what the situation needs is more opinions." The brunette turned to meet her old friends gaze, "Have you told her about the bloody prophecy?"

Hayley turned to shoot glares into the hybrids skull but he merely brushed them off as he smiled in amusement, "I was just getting to that."

Elijah placed a gentle hand upon the small part of Anna's back who leaned into his comforting touch as Hayley stared as Klaus, "Now would be good."

The original hybrid rolled his eyes at her harshness, "Well, it appears my old mate Lucien has acquired a genuine seer, and in an effort to prove his good intentions, he got her to show us some rather dire visions of future doom. It's grim stuff, really— not for the faint of heart."

Hayley tilted her head slightly in confusion, "Who's doom are we talking about, here? Because if it's yours, I think we're all okay with that."

Annalise mockingly smiled as she nodded in agreement with the mother. Klaus shook his head before chuckling, the male was very clearly enjoying their current conversation, "Well, sadly, we're all on the chopping block. But, chin up! This witch claims her visions are constantly evolving. So, you may just get your wish."

Hayley bitterly smiled, "Well, I want to meet this psychic witch." the hybrid turned to glance between Elijah and Annalise, "Tonight."

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Annalise rummaged through her closet as she searched for something to wear for the Strix ball. The heretic muttered a curse under her breath as she gazed over each dress, her eyes fell upon a long majestic mauve dress.

The Martin heir smiled brightly before plucking the dress out from her closet and strolled into her bathroom just as Elijah walked in, already formally dressed in his tuxedo, although his bow-tie is still hanging loose and untied around his neck.

Anna watched her lover gaze around what used to be old room as she slipped off her jeans and colorful blouse before beginning to slip the dress onto her body.

Elijah spared the brunette a glance before quickly averting his eyes to allow her privacy. Annalise let out a soft chuckle, "I'm not going to throw a fit if you watch me, Elijah. Nothing you haven't seen before."

Elijah licked his lips in hopes to hide his small smile, "Nothing wrong with allowing you a little privacy." the vampire clearly spoke as he approached an old wooden dresser and trailed his eyes over his soulmates jewelry.

Anna smoothed her hands over her silk dress before fixing her short hair she had previously curled. The original heretic smiled approvingly at herself, the dress held a slit that went to her mid thigh as well as a slightly revealing sweetheart neckline along with a strappy back design.

Annalise stepped out of the bathroom just as the vampire turned. Elijah's lips parted as he trailed his eyes over the heretic's body. Anna smiled before speaking up, "Close your mouth before you begin to drool, 'Lijah."

Elijah was quick to recompose himself before grinning at her, "You look absolutely stunning."

"Why thank you." Annalise sweetly replied before striding over to her dresser where she picked up a familiar looking northern star necklace. Elijah looked at the piece of jewelry in awe before turning to gaze at his lover, "You still wear it?"

Anna turned and blinked at his odd question, "Of course. Why wouldn't I?"

The original vampire shook his head as the heretic raised her hands to clip the necklace into place but Elijah moved quickly as he stood directly behind her, "May I?"

Anna smiled before nodding as she handed him the jewelry. Elijah slipped the necklace around her neck before clasping the ends together, the Mikaelson male gently trailed his hands down the brunette's exposed skin which caused for her to suck in a sharp breath.

Elijah leaned down, placing a chaste kiss to her bare shoulder, "A part of me doesn't wish to attend tonight's event and stay here with you."

Annalise shivered at the feel of his tender lips against her skin before rasping out a response, "I'm not sure that's possible tonight, love."

Elijah delicately caressed her arms just as he parted his lips to speak but Hayley knocked on the doorframe. Annalise slightly jolted at the sound before recomposing herself as she straightened up.

The vampire pursed his lips in slight annoyance as Anna met Hayley's gaze, the hybrid was dressed in a bright red taffeta gown with open shoulders. "You look beautiful, Hayley."

The hybrid awkwardly smiled, "Thank you. You look mind blowing, Anna."

Annalise chuckled as she rested her hands upon her hips, "This dress does do me justice, does it not?"

Elijah nodded in agreement, "It certainly does, my dear."

Hayley inhaled deeply before speaking up, "So... What exactly am I walking into tonight?"

The Mikaelson males face grew tense as he pressed his lips into a firm line, "Only the most dangerous and influential congregation of vampires the world has ever known."

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Annalise arrived at the doorway, arms linked with Elijah as Hayley stood beside the heretic. Anna's eyes trailed over the room as their arrival seemed to generate much attention, many guests stared at Elijah curiously which began to unnerve Hayley.

"Why are they all staring at you?" the hybrid spoke in a ushered tone towards the original vampire who merely shrugged, "I'm kind of a big deal around here."

Annalise rolled her eyes as she groaned, "Pipe your ego down." Hayley's eyes widened significantly as she realized what the original had meant, "They're all part of your sireline."

Elijah removed his arm from Anna's as he slipped it around her waist instead before beginning to speak to the hybrid, "Most of them, tragically, yes. You see, Hayley, I wanted to assemble minds curious about the world and eager to improve it, along with the time and circumstance to do so. My desire was to create an elite brotherhood devoted to a new, better civilization. It was naive. Eventually, I was forced to abandon them once I realized I'd cultivated a legion of ego-maniacal sociopaths."

With those words spoken, Elijah moved with Annalise towards the tables where the original heretic plucked a glass of wine from a serves tray and downed it. Her lover gazed at her with worried eyes, "Slow down."

"I don't have a good feeling about any of this." Anna muttered as Hayley curiously gazed at every vampire her eyes landed on. The hybrid pursed her lips before turning to look at the two soulmates, "So, where is this Tristan guy? I want to meet him for myself."

Annalise gazed up at Elijah but found his attention elsewhere. The Martin heir turned to see Marcel and Aya, her lips parted in shock upon seeing her friend.

Marcel turned his head as he met Anna's tense eyes for a short moment before turning back to Aya. The heretic knitted her brows together in confusion, "What the bloody hell is he doing here?"

Elijah tightened his grip around his beloveds waist before muttering quietly, "I should have known."

Anna and Hayley averted their attention back to the Mikaelson brother, "What?"

"This isn't a party. It's an initiation."

The heretic's mouth went slack with shock just as a row of caterers with trays of champagne flutes strutted into the room before tapping their glasses with butter knives to get the attention of the party as Tristan, dressed in a fine suit, made his arrival to the gathering known, "Distinguished friends, welcome. It's so rare that we're able to come together like this to revel for one night in the company of true equals. Now, I'd like to take a moment to welcome a very special guest— Marcel Gerard."

Annalise's gaze fell on the vampire who took a step forward as the crowd clapped their hands in applause, "Thank you. I'm honored. Thank you."

"You've got to be rutting kidding me." Anna muttered lowly as Elijah rubbed soothing circles with the pad of his thumb on the brunette's bare back.

Tristan smiled at the chosen vampire, "Of course, before we tell Marcel all of our secrets, there's one small piece of business to which we must first attend. We must determine his worth."

The original shuffled on her feet anxiously as Marcel frowned in confusion, "That's funny... I seem to recall you being the one knocking on my door." Tristan held an amused glint in his eyes, "You'll notice, Mr. Gerard, that over the course of the evening, someone has managed to take something quite dear to you... Your daylight ring."

Marcel glanced down at his hand to see that his ring, in fact, was gone from his right middle finger. He licked his lips nervously, not having expected this drastic turn of events.

Hayley's lips parted as she frowned in worry, "What the hell is going on?"

Elijah could sense Anna's arising distress and tore his gaze away from Tristan to place a chaste kiss to the crown of her head in hopes to comfort her before looking back at the first vampire he sired.

Tristan's gaze fell over the room as he spoke once again, "The test is quite simple. First, you need to deduce the identity of the thief. Then, you are simply to take back what is yours... Although, I doubt the prize will be easily relinquished. After all, despite our refinement, we're still a rather violent bunch."

Marcel gulped nervously but attempted to keep a composed expression as Tristan finished outlining his test, "In victory, you become one of us. In failure, you meet your death. You have a few hours until dawn. I wish you the best of luck."

Annalise turned on her heel and face the bar as she took deep breathes. Elijah licked his lips before falling into his lovers side, "Anna."

"Someone might need to restrain me before I kill everyone of those goddamned vampires." The heretic murderously hissed. Anna clenched her fists in hopes to calm herself because with the way she was slowly loosing control over herself, she might actually kill the lot.

Hayley pursed her lips, "These vampires are ancient. How is Marcel supposed to beat one of them?"

"With guile, courage, perhaps a bit of trickery... Admittedly, it's a long-shot, but then, sometimes the new candidates surprise us."

Annalise clicked her tongue in annoyance as Tristan joined the trio. The vampire turned to address the hybrid, "Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Tristan de Martel, and you must be the famous Hayley Marshall-Kenner, Alpha to the Crescent wolves."

Anna held an irritated glint in her eyes as the male turned to gaze at her, "Annalise Martin. It's always a pleasure and an honor to be before a Martin witch."

The original heretic smiled, "I wouldn't say that."

Tristan softly chuckled before taking her hand to place a gentle kiss to it, Anna scrunched up her features before plucking her hand quickly out of his grasp. Elijah clenched his fists to keep from doing something he would probably regret.

"I see the pleasures all mine." Tristan seemed unfazed by her action. Anna blinked in response as the vampire turned to gaze at his sire, "Elijah! When I sent your invitation, I didn't dare think you'd come. Tell me— as our founder and patriarch, what do you make of our latest candidate?"

"Well, let me see. Marcel... He's arrogant. He's stubborn. Prone to self-aggrandizement. He should fit in perfectly." Elijah sarcastically retorted.

Tristan smirked smugly, "If he survives."

Annalise narrowed her eyes at the male as her mind was screaming for her to give the vampire a good thrash, she inhaled and exhaled slowly.

Tristan noticed the heretic's glare and smiled, "I take it Mr. Gerard is a friend of yours?"

Anna gave the male a bitter smile, "A friend, and even if we weren't— I don't fancy bullies much."

"A bully? My dear, you barely know me! Allow me to remedy that, and, in doing so, I can explain our methods." Tristan held out his hand in an invitation to dance. Elijah grit his teeth as Anna eyed the hand wearily.

"Please. Just one dance." the vampire glanced between the two lovers, Anna gazed up at Elijah's reluctant gaze. Tristan looked at his sire rather pointedly, "If it's not an intrusion."

Annalise noted a defeated shine in her soulmates eyes and took that as her answer, the original vampire smiled bitterly as he attempted to mask his anger, "Why, of course."

The Martin heir hesitantly placed her hand in the males, "Try anything, and I'll rip all your fingers off."

Tristan bit back an amused smile as he lead the brunette onto the floor where the two began to dance. Anna sighed as the vampire began to speak, "I'm glad you came, Annalise. Like it or not, when one refers to the Mikaelsons, they're referring to you, as well. Tonight will allow you to make up your own mind about our organization."

The heretic let out an unamused laugh, "And, you think by killing my friend you'll gain some points for good impression?"

"I think tonight, you'll bear witness to the truth. At the very least, you cannot call us liars."

Anna had to hold herself back from rolling her eyes at the utter bullshit she was being forced to hear. Tristan gazes at the brunette before parting his lips to speak once again, "There are few novelties left in the world, especially to us. A creature such as you is certainly among them."

Annalise blinked at the male before questioned, "Mhm, and what creature might that be?"

"A heretic, of course. The original heretic, at that. The power of a Martin witch with the deadliness of a vampire. You, Annalise Martin, are one of a kind. And, a true beauty."

Annalise hummed, "You've done your research."

"Everyone knows the name of the original heretic. Your coven was very looked up at." Tristan coyly smiled at her.

Elijah was watching the two dance from the far with a scowl firmly set upon his expression.

Anna parted her lips to speak but was cut off as a very drunk Klaus and Lucien entered the ball with a rather large group of Halloween-costumed woman. The heretic stares at her old friend with an incredulous expression as the party crashers spoke up, "I'm ready for my medication."

Lucien gazed over the room and scrunched up his features at the sight, "My God, it's a room full of Elijah's."

Annalise pursed her lips as Klaus threw his arms around a woman whilst slurring his next words, "I had that exact same nightmare once!"

The heretic turned to meet Elijah's questioning gaze.

"Tristan? Tristan! Come out, come out, wherever you are! Unless, of course, you're afraid!" Both Lucien and Klaus howled rather loudly.

Tristan turned towards Anna to lowly whisper, "I'm sorry. Please excuse me."

The original heretic turned her attention towards her lover who already had his gaze set on her, Anna pursed her lips as Elijah held an annoyed glint in his eyes, one directed specifically at his younger brother.

The Mikaelson brother shuffled his feet as he began to make his way towards the Martin heir. "Why must he be like this?"

Annalise pressed her lips into a firm line, "He did always have a flair for unwanted entrances."

Elijah shook his head having seen enough of the scene the hybrid had created before calling out, "Niklaus."

The two soulmates watched Klaus turn in a rather ungraceful manner as if attempting to pinpoint where Elijah had called him out from. The older Mikaelson let out a soft sigh before beginning to walk towards Klaus as Anna followed shortly behind.

"What is it?" The original hybrid slightly slurred out. The brunette rubbed her temples as Elijah spoke up, "Oh, you're hammered. Which should come as very little surprise to anyone here, but it does hamper the festivities somewhat. So, could I recommend that you find the nearest exit?"

Klaus pursed his lips before silently whispering, "Just—" but before he could finish Annalise cut him swiftly off, "Yes, and make sure to take the rest of your entourage with you, mhm?"

The hybrid shoved his champagne glass into his older brothers grasp before staggering further into the ballroom, "You know, I used to find it insulting that I was barred from your special little club. But now, I realize that I lack the flexibility to become a member— I could never get my head far enough up my own ass."

Anna let out a bitter laugh as she patronizingly smiled, "I wouldn't say that."

Klaus stared at the heretic for a moment too long before walking up to Elijah to retake his champagne glass before downing the drink all at once. The hybrid's features scrunched up in disgust as he made eye-contact with Lucien, who to say the least, looked amused.

"Cheap." Klaus sighed before placing the empty glass on a tray, he turned to address Lucien once more, "Come on. Let's go. This party's dead anyway."

The large group turned and howled in laughter as they made their way out of the ballroom.

Annalise licked her lips before letting out a quiet sigh, she turned to see Marcel and Hayley standing next to one another at the bar and furrowed her brows at the sight.

Elijah slipped back into his lovers side and wrapped an arm around her waist as he held her close. Anna grit her teeth in irritation as Aya approached Marcel.

The old vampire led the group up into a room where Tristan awaited. Anna exchanged a slightly worried glance with Elijah as the room began to crowd.

Tristan smiled cheerfully as Marcel approached him, "Mr. Gerard! It's time."

Marcel furrowed his brows in confusion, "You're pushing up the clock? I have another hour." Tristan hummed before parting his lips to reply, "And I'm afraid that an inability to improvise is the most common of failings. Either you have an answer, or you don't."

Marcel paused for a moment as he took a moment to gaze over everyone in the room before giving his answer, "Aya. Aya took my ring."

The woman looked at the younger vampire in amusement before shrugging, "I'm sorry, but I don't have your ri—" but before she could continue Marcel cut her off with a smile spread across his lips, "Hold up! I said you took it. I didn't say you still have it. See, after you lifted it off me, you gave it to my man Mohinder over there."

Mohinder silently raised the vampires ring in the air, when Tristan took notice of it, he looked rather pleased with Marcel's deductions.

Anna slipped her hand into Elijah's as she tightly held onto it, the original gazed down at her and pressed a chaste kiss to her forehead before turning his attention back to the front.

"Well done! Of course, as you know, that was only half the challenge." Tristan walked past Marcel as clapped him on the shoulder affectionately as Aya followed behind him. When Aya joined Tristan on the other side of the room, making space for Mohinder and Marcel to fight, Tristan leaned over to whisper in her ear, "Let's see how he does."

Mohinder and Marcel are in the middle of unbuttoning their suit jackets in preparation for Marcel to fight to get his ring back. The older vampire spoke up, "There's no shame in dying at the hands of one's superior."

Marcel smirked at him, "There's not much glory in it, either."

Hayley pursed her lips in worry as she crossed her arms over her chest as Anna straightened up her posture.

Marcel bounced on his heels for a moment to psych himself up before throwing two consecutive punches, each of which hits Mohinder in the face. However, when Marcel kicks him in the stomach, Mohinder grabbed him by the leg and threw him across the room, where he landed on a table causing for it to be smashed into pieces.

Annalise was quick to move as she shoved through the crowd, Elijah following behind her as the two lovers found themselves standing next to Aya and Tristan.

Marcel has just thrown off all of the broken table that landed on him, before he turned to find Mohinder standing right above him, looking mildly pleased by his quick victory. Marcel grit his teeth in anger before vamp-speeding onto his feet while grabbing one of the broken legs, that belonged to the wooden table, and backhanded Mohinder in the face with it whilst grunting from the exertion.

Mohinder grabbed Marcel in a choke-hold, and Marcel, alarmed, desperately punches at Mohinder's chest in an attempt to free himself from the tight grasp. Mohinder then gripped Marcel by the shoulders before head-butting him which caused for the younger vampire to be  thrown through the brick wall behind them, to which he tumbled onto the floor of the next room.

Annalise turned to look at Tristan, "For your own sake, you better hope Marcel makes it out of this alive."

The older male smiled down at her, "And if he doesn't?"

Anna narrowed her eyes as her demeanor darkened, "Having a heretic against you is quite a threat, don't you think?"

"It wouldn't just be me you'd go up against, Ms. Martin." Tristan gazed intently at her. The brunette patronizingly smiled, "Don't underestimate my strength or power."

"Perhaps when I see such strength and power."

Annalise raised her chin but before she could retort, Mohinder and Marcel tumbled back into the room.

Mohinder pulled the weakened Marcel up to his feet, vamping-out as he sank his fangs into Marcel's neck, feeding deeply. Anna flexed her hands, prepared to murder the Strix member but Hayley gently caught the heretic's wrist, shaking her head slightly.

Anna tilted her head in question but the hybrid did not respond, clearing knowing something the brunette did not.

Mohinder fed on Marcel for a long moment before he pulled away, vamp-speeding Marcel against the wall, pinning him by the throat while also holding up the stake in preparation to kill him, "You fought with honor. Embrace the nobility of this end."

Marcel raised a curious brow, "I will if you will. Or do you still not know?"

Anna blinked as she took in what her friend had responded before glancing over at Hayley who had a ghost smile dancing on her lips.

Marcel chuckled rather weakly, "You must have tasted it in my blood." Just as those words left his mouth, Mohinder began to look uncomfortable before groaning slightly as he wobbled on his feet.

"Oh, now you're starting to feel it, aren't you? That burning sensation in your gut? Wolf's venom. A going-away gift from me. I may not have beaten you, but you lost all the same."

The old vampire squirmed in discomfort as he slightly gagged at the wolf venom in his system. Marcel breathed heavily, "I suggest you make your peace. We're both dead men walking."

Mohinder narrowed his eyes as he fumed in anger before spitting out, "A desperate ploy. A lie."

Marcel lifted up the sleeve of his left arm and held it up so he can see the weeping bite wound on his arm, which stunned Mohinder as Marcel laughed weakly in amusement.

Marcel was quick to spin them around so that Mohinder was now the one pinned to the wall with the stake aimed at his heart, "I don't know why they want you dead, but clearly they do."

Annalise exchanged a hidden glance with Elijah as Marcel let go of the vampire and turned towards Tristan and Aya, "Why else tell me all about his little feeding habits, or give me a taste of his technique when you came into my gym the other day? All I had to do was be observant."

The two head Strix members looked at him with interest but Marcel merely looked annoyed and irritated, "But, I'm done picking up your bread crumbs. You want him dead? You're gonna have to do it yourself. As far as I can see, the only thing he's done to deserve it is picking his friends poorly."

Marcel blinked a few times as the venom began to weaken him before beginning to stumble, Anna sped quickly as she caught him, wrapping one of his arms around her neck to hoist him upwards.

Marcel rasped out a cough while the heretic tightened her grip on him. Tristan and Aya shared a smile before the male started to walk over to Mohinder, who is also getting weak from the werewolf venom, looking utterly horrified by this revelation. Mohinder began to spit up blood as Tristan cupped his face with his right hand, sending him a sympathetic look before patting him on the shoulder and walking past him. Mohinder looks as though he might be spared when suddenly, Tristan rips out his heart from behind, causing him to fall dead to the floor.

Anna's brows shot up in surprise from the sudden action as Marcel looked heavily alarmed.

Tristan dropped the males cold heart before finally smiling, "You chose well! Now, I assure you, he did deserve it. He's been plotting unspeakable crimes against his sworn brothers and sisters. Of course, you couldn't have known. Beating such a worthy opponent is proof of your strength and courage, but your restraint, your refusal to kill without cause, demonstrates a rare integrity. You see, Marcel Gerard... This was the test."

Tristan bended over to pluck Marcel's daylight ring from Mohinders pocket before approaching the vampire, who was still leaning on Anna for support, as he was handed his ring, "Welcome to The Strix." He looked at the two for a moment before smiling, "Provided, of course, you survive your own gambit."

«────── « ⋅ʚ♡ɞ⋅ » ──────»

Fire crackled as heat spread throughout the study whilst Annalise stared down into her glass of bourbon before closing her eyes for a short moment. Allowing her thoughts to consume her.

Birds chirped and young Anna was exploring the woods as she followed a rather beautiful northern cardinal. A soft laugh escaped her lips as she ran after the small animal.

The teenage witch blinked and the bird was suddenly nowhere to be seen. Seventeen year-old Annalise frowned before looking at her surroundings, she had gone farther away from her coven than she had thought.

The Martin witch heard a twig snap in the distance which only served to panic her. Anna eyed the far end of the woods as she breathed heavily, "Hello?"

A gust of wind flew right past her and the teenager shrieked as she turned on her heel. The young witch fumbled with her hands as she attempted to remain calm. Leaves crunched behind her and she spun around, yet not a sign of anyone could be seen.

Annalise sharply inhaled before crossing it off as her mind playing games on her, the witch turned to begin to make her way back home when piercing red eyes stared down at her.

The witch screamed before stumbling backwards, Anna tripped over a branch and landed on the ground. Her eyes darted around before she shuffled around to stand on her own two feet.

The next time the witch blinked, a hungry pair of eyes were before her. Anna's lower lip began to tremble in fear as she mentally smacked herself to use her magic, but she was utterly frozen. The panic, fear, and utter horror consumed her thoughts. She could not move.

"Well, might I say, you look like a tasty little thing." the male spoke. Anna swallowed thickly, she could not get a single word out.

Veins protruded under his eyes as fangs came into a view. One word echoed through young Anna's mind, vampire.

Before she could even react, the male pounced, sinking his sharp fangs into the witch's soft skin. Anna screamed as she began to hit away at his chest, tears stung her eyes. She was utterly helpless and she was supposed to be strong, powerful. Like her coven thought her out to be.

Anna cried as she felt all her strength began to slowly slip her away from her. Spots began to cloud up her vision from the unbearable pain throbbing in her neck.

Within the next moment, Anna felt relief as she no longer felt herself being drained. The witch collapsed weakly onto the floor as blood seeped on her neck. She drowsily looked up to see a rather attractive male grasping the vampire who had just been feeding on her by the neck.

"Such a vile creature." Francis spit out before squeezing the males neck tighter, and tighter.

Anna's ragged breathing caught his attention which caused for him to turn towards her, "You might want to close your eyes, darling. This won't be a pleasant sight to witness."

Annalise's lips parted as she slowly nodded, the witch turned so her gaze was looking elsewhere. Francis used his vampire strength to completely crush the males neck, resulting in a decapitated head.

The body fell onto the ground as his head toppled over the hill, Francis huffed, "That's no way to greet a lady."

Annalise chewed on her lower lip as tears rolled down her cheek. Francis gazed down at the witch and hesitantly made his way towards her. The vampire crouched to meet her eye level, "You're alright now, love."

The witch pursed her lips, "Are you— going to hurt me?"

Francis' gaze softened as he took in her wreaked state, "That would defeat the purpose of me saving you, do you not agree?"

Anna reluctantly lifted her head to meet his dark luring eyes, "Thank you."

The vampire gave her a charming smile, "What's your name, darling?"

The brunette blinked as she thought for a moment before responding, "Annalise."

"A beautiful name. I am Francis."

The heretic reopened her eyes as she took a deep breathe, she downed her glass of bourbon before pouring herself another full glass.

Elijah stepped into the study as he watched his lover sip her drink, "Are you alright?"

Annalise curtly nodded, Elijah pursed his lips before parting his lips to speak once again, "What was your impression of Tristan de Martel?"

The original heretic leaned back in her seat, "He seemed incomplete."

Elijah hid a smile at how right his soulmate was, "He has a sister... Aurora." Anna raised a curious brow as the vampire continued, "To be perfectly frank with you, I'm surprised that he's without her. His devotion to her is absolutely pathological." The Mikaelson male gazed at the fireplace, "It's dangerous."

Annalise chugged the rest of her alcohol before meeting the original's eyes, "Loyalty doesn't make people dangerous, 'Lijah."

But the heretic couldn't have been more mistaken.

«────── « ⋅ʚ♡ɞ⋅ » ──────»

a/n:

im so incredibly sorry i am taking to long to upload lifes just been very busy and with exam season i haven't had much time to write but i hope that all changes very soon. i hope you loves enjoy this chapter xx