𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 41

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Annalise strolled into the courtyard where Hayley was devouring an array of fruit with breakfast food. "I didn't know you had a secret admirer." the heretic raised a brow.

"I assume it was from Klaus or Elijah." Hayley tossed a strawberry into her mouth. Klaus strut downstairs and furrowed his brows, Hayley glanced up at him, "So, which restaurant's missing a compelled chef?"

The hybrid frowned, "It's certainly a card I've played in the past, but I had no hand in this." he gestured over to the table of food.

"Hmm. Well, then, I guess we have Elijah to thank?" Anna suggested hoping it was her soulmate.

Elijah joined the three in the room while looking over the breakfast spread before them, "This wasn't my doing."

Hayley tilted her head, "Then, where did this all come from?"

The silver lid on the platter suddenly began to rattle, which startled Hayley and Anna so much that they jolted in fright for a moment. Klaus looked uneasy as he started to lift the platter, which releases two starlings that fly up toward the ceiling, causing the four of them to reflexively duck to avoid being hit.

"What the bloody hell?" Annalise muttered in confusion. The hybrid reached for the invitation before opening it.

Dinner, Your home, 8PM

Klaus' lips parted in concern, "An invitation from our mother."

Hayley pursed her lips, "It is times like this I'm really glad I never knew my mother."

"We have enough enemies here. And now, the war for our home is to be fought against my own family." Klaus ran a hand over his face.

Hayley raised a brow, "Your wretched mother and her disciples tried to put a carving knife through our baby's heart. I will happily add to the body count."

Elijah shook his head, "You will do no such thing. Esther's a master in the art of possession. We know whose body she currently inhabits. We must decipher her intentions before she finds a new host."

"Oh goody, another body jumper." Anna faked enthusiasm.

"Well, her last invitation was an assassination attempt on all her children. I think we can assume her intentions are decidedly foul." Klaus gave his brother a look.

Elijah shrugged, "Well, then. We have..." the vampire checked his watch, "this afternoon to prepare for the worst."

The original vampire turned towards his brunette, "Anna, how do we find out who my mother jumps into when she does?"

The two hybrids turned to glance at the heretic who looked deep in thought for a moment, "Soul-branding. It's a sacrificial spell. I'm going to need an item that's been spelled by Esther and a python."

Elijah smiled, "I will be right back with those items then."

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Anna amusingly watches Klaus make his way around the dining room as he sets up for the evening dinner. One of the caters approach him and hold out two choices of wine.

"Skip the salad course. Let's not make this dreadful evening any longer than it needs to be." Klaus ordered before glancing at the carter to choose a wine.

"So, I guess letting Oliver live paid off. He just informed me your mother has a partner-in-crime... another witch." Hayley told the hybrid.

Anna pursed her lips, "Witch's rarely work alone."

"Building alliances in her quest to destroy us, I imagine." Klaus muttered. Anna would have said something to attempt to cheer the male up but she was a tad agitated with him.

Hayley furrowed her brows, "Why does she hate you so much, Klaus? She had six kids, it's not like she doesn't have the maternal gene."

"Seven, actually." Klaus corrected before continuing, "And, I think at one time, she loved us very much."

The hybrid turned away and anxiously folded a napkin as a frown embedded itself onto his lips, "One died before I was born."

Hayley's lips slightly parted, "I didn't know that."

Annalise set down the utensils as she listened to Klaus speak, "Years later, my brother Henrik was killed by the werewolves in our village. The loss of another child pushed my mother over the edge. So, she used her magic to turn us into immortals. I think that's when she loved us the most. But, it was her undoing. It triggered a sequence of events that led to the reveal of her long-held secret. My birth father was the werewolf whose pack killed my little brother. Of course, when Mikael found out, he murdered my real father, and so, my mother lost her lover, too."

Anna couldn't help but send the hybrid a comforting smile, she'd yell at him all she wanted later.

Hayley's face went slack with shock, "Wow. No wonder she's crazy. I'm out of my mind having just given away Hope... I can't imagine if she'd actually died."

Klaus pressed his lips into a firm line feeling overwhelmed by many emotions, "You know, my siblings used to tell each other she didn't hate us, she hated herself for what we've become. I think they believed that even after she tried to kill us all."

The female hybrid quietly questioned, "What did you believe?"

"I don't know. I just knew I wanted her dead."

The two hybrids gazed at each other making Anna shuffle awkwardly in her spot.

Hayley smiled, "Well, every good story needs a wicked witch." the hybrid winked at him, "It'll be all the more satisfying when we melt her."

Annalise grinned, "That's the spirit."

Klaus watched Anna frown as she reached into her pocket, "What's the matter?" he questioned his beloved friend.

The heretic pulled out an envelope and examined it with weary eyes, "How the-?"

Hayley tilted her head curiously, "What does it say?"

The Martin heir carefully pried open the letter and her eyes trialed down the words written down, worry taking over her eyes.

"Anna?"

The brunette glanced up, "It's from Esther."

Klaus visibly tenses as he narrows his eyes, "What does it say?"

"I hope you will join my family and I for dinner tonight. It'll be one to remember." Annalise read the witch's words.

Klaus pursed his lips, "You don't think she knows we have you trying to perform a spell, do you?"

"Why else would she want me at dinner?"

The hybrid thought for a moment, "Perhaps a back up witch will come in handy. I'll let Elijah know that he needs to find another witch. I want that spell done tonight, and seeing as my mother now expects Anna to attend I'm curious as to why she wants her there."

Anna rubbed her temples before pulling out her phone, "I know a witch that's in the Algiers. She's one of Marcel's, he can lead Elijah to her."

"Well then, what are waiting for?"

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"It's only been an hour and Esther already kidnapped the witch?" Anna gaped at Elijah who simply sighed, "It appears one of her werewolf lackeys followed Gia and I."

Annalise furrowed her brows, "Gia?"

"The vampire Marcel turned the other day. Marcel insisted she take me to the witch, she's very persistent in me training her." Elijah explained since there was nothing more to it.

Anna merely nodded, "And the ingredients?"

"Gia is acquiring the python while Niklaus went out to fetch his necklace." Elijah answered. Anna tilted her head curiously as Hayley along with Klaus strolled into the courtyard.

"Marcel's witch is being held captive in the Quarter." Hayley told the three, Klaus looked annoyed, "Oh, perfect. Mother's a step ahead, as usual."

"Oliver's with her. I'll go, and I'll get her to do the spell. But, I need the necklace." Hayley glanced over at the hybrid, he reached into his pocket and slipped out the jewelry placing it into the female's palm.

"Thank you."

"Hayley." Elijah called out making the hybrid glance back at him, "A disciple of Marcel's was instructed to fetch another ingredient. Ask for Gia."

The mother nodded in understanding and walked back out the compound.

Anna gazed at the two brothers, "I'm off to get ready for this dreadful evening."

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Annalise entered the dining room where the two Mikaelson's brother were dressed and awaiting their mothers arrival.

Elijah's eyes widened as he took in the heretic appearance, she wore a green thin strapped dress that went a little above her knees. Her hair was pulled into a side braid as she wore Elijah's star necklace.

Anna smiled noticing Elijah's gaze only set on her.

Klaus adjusted the tie on his neck looking annoyed, "Are these outfits really necessary?"

Elijah reluctantly tore his gaze away from the heretic and glanced at his brother, "Appearance is a way of showing respect, Niklaus. Mother will be more likely to surrender her true intentions."

Klaus scoffed, "Well, I doubt her guard will drop just 'cause I'm dressed like a bloody lawyer."

Anna let out an amused chuckle while Elijah sighed, "We need every advantage we can get, Niklaus."

"You always did excel in diplomacy. Just know, if she tries anything, I'll tear her new body to pieces." Klaus grumbled as Anna added, "I'll happily help."

An unknown male arrives in the dining room laughing dramatically, "You two haven't changed a bit!" The man glanced at Elijah, "Linens and silk to disguise your pathetic self-loathing." He then turned towards Klaus, "And you, despite the arrogant façade, you're still the same paranoid little boy, full of hate and fear.

Klaus had chuckled amusingly at the insult Elijah had received but it faltered after having heard what the male said about himself.

Anna clamped her lips, who the bloody hell was this?

"Forgive me, I don't believe I've had the pleasure." Elijah said, his facial expression flushed with confusion.

The man looked offended, "Oh, you mean you don't recognize me? So much for the unbreakable bonds of family, huh? Always and forever indeed."

Annalise furrowed her brows as Klaus scowled at the male having realized who it is, "It's been a long time, Finn."

Anna's eyes widened, Finn? She had only seen him a few times in Mystic Falls but she knew he followed in his mothers footsteps.

Finn extended his arms out wide as he grinned widely, "Now that the introductions are out of the way, let's eat!"

The three siblings along with Annalise took their seats upon the table as Elijah clenched his jaw as he began to pour each of them a glass of wine.

"What an aromatic bordot." Finn politely said making Klaus sigh, "Well, it was a challenge to find a good pairing. What wine goes well with treachery?"

"Don't pout, brother. Tonight is meant to be a happy occasion!" Finn exclaimed making Anna scrunch up her features. What was with his mood?

"What exactly are we celebrating?" Elijah clenched his fists under the table, Anna noticed this and slipped a hand down to rest upon his stressed one. The vampire visibly relaxed a bit but kept his hard gaze set on his brother as he began to trace the heretic's hand with his fingertips.

"Why, my return, of course! Remember, I spent nine hundred years-" Finn/Vincent looked at Klaus for confirmation, "Right? Lying daggered in a box. I'm rather enjoying this new body. Strolling about your lovely city that, uh, you've made your home. But, do tell me, what'd I miss? Regale me with your contributions to society! Medicine? Philosophy? Art?"

Klaus rolled his eyes clearly done with this topic.

"Or, have you two merely cut a path of destruction across time?"

"How long have you been practicing those words?" Anna faked interest as she raised a brow. Finn glared at the heretic before Klaus spoke up, "The last time we met, you were helping our mother try to annihilate the lot of us! Let's not throw stones in glass houses."

Elijah notices the caters place three more plates, glasses, and sets of silverware at the table. The vampire furrowed his brows in confusion, "Are we expecting more guests?"

Finn gestured at the other end of the table, "Mother will sit at the head. And, as for the seat across from me, that's reserved for another of our clan. Care to wager an educated guess? How about a paranoid one?"

Anna frowned as she realized he failed to mention the other set placement.

Klaus scoffed as he sipped his wine, "Well, there's no way Kol would listen to anything other than his ego."

Finn amusingly grinned, "And yet, our mother has made such a compelling argument that even he, the wildest of us Mikaelsons, has seen the error of his ways and accepted his new form with vigor! Change, dear brothers, is inevitable."

Klaus snarled at his oldest brother while narrowing his eyes, "You would dare face us as a mortal? The only thing inevitable is your death."

The hybrid flung a knife at the witch who easily deflected it with magic, causing the knife to embed itself into the chair at the head of the table. "Oh!" Finn removes the knife from the chair and held it aloft, "I suppose the honor of carving should go to the oldest. We have much to discuss."

Anna clenched her jaw before speaking up, "You didn't say who the other seat was for."

The three watched as Finn's smile morphed into a sly smirk, "The last guest, is a gift for you, Anna."

Anna furrowed her brows as confusion struck her, Elijah grit his teeth, "What are you on about?"

"Not to worry, all will be revealed fairly soon."

Finn took his place at the table once more and a dreadful silence fell upon the four. Anna watched the witch happily sip his wine and take a bite from his platter.

Elijah slipped his fingers into Anna's hand providing comfort for the both of them.

"I'm rather enjoying my evening." Finn enthusiastically exclaimed.

Klaus rubbed his eyes frustratingly, "Well, I'd rather enjoy you getting to the point." Finn glanced at his younger brother, "I had nine hundred years to learn to be patient. Although, I am curious why you kept me daggered in a box for so long."

Klaus grit his teeth, "You were daggered for being an ever-simpering sycophant. Did Mother bring you back from the dead so you could wash her knickers?"

Finn glared at his brother as he began to lose his temper, "She raised me because I was treated unfairly! Cheated of all but the smallest portion of my life!" the witch turned towards Elijah who looked unamused, "Elijah, I can understand such cruelty coming from him." He points to Klaus, "But I always thought of you as being the compassionate one! What did I do to deserve you turning your back on me? Were you afraid of Niklaus? Are you still?"

Elijah did not answer, he simply remained silent while rubbing circles onto the back of Anna's hand with his thumb.

"Or perhaps jealousy is what kept me locked in a box? You coveted the duties of the eldest brother, in which case you had near-on a millennium to fix the problems of this family, and instead, produced nine centuries of failure." Finn takes a deep breath as he realizes his anger got the best of him.

Elijah squeezed the heretic's hand for comfort and she glanced up at him but he stared ahead at his older brother, "You might reside, somewhat parasitically, I might add- in another body, but I assure you, in nine hundred years, your tedious sentiments remain quite the same. You see, Finn, like Father, you've always despised our supernatural existence. Father, of course, slaughtered and consumed his own, whereas you became pretentious and dull... much like this meal. I will not ask you again, where is Mother?"

Anna clamped her mouth shut to keep the laughter she was currently holding back from releasing meanwhile Klaus was giggling like a child at the insults Elijah had given their brother.

"Oh, my darling son."

The three turn to see Esther in the fourth Harvest girl's body, glancing over them. Finn immediately rose to his feet in order to greet his mother.

"I've missed you, too."

The original witch joined her sons as well as the Martin heretic at the table as Klaus was beginning to get impatient, "Why don't you say what you came here to say, so this wretched night can end?"

Esther frowned, "It pains me that you and Elijah look at me with such disdain. I wish you could see that my every action has been to protect you!"

Klaus gaped at his mother, "You actually believe that, don't you? I knew you were a liar, but now I see you're utterly delusional."

The witch pursed her lips as she spoke up, "If you can forget the hatred that you cling to and remember all the times I've mended and healed you."

Klaus sarcastically laughed as Esther turned towards Elijah, "Elijah, do you recall the day Niklaus challenged your father to a duel? Did I leave your brother to die alone? What did I say, when you came to me and asked me to help him?"

The original vampire sighed, "That you would rather die than to see any of your children suffer."

The hybrid's lips parted as his face went slack with realization, "The necklace." horror laced his tone.

Klaus looked at his mother in disbelief, "It wasn't spelled to protect me. It made me weak."

"I sought to protect you from yourself! If you had killed your father in that duel, or anyone else in the course of your life, you would have activated your curse!" Esther shouted as she defended her actions.

Klaus angrily slammed his fist down on the table startling Annalise who had been sipping her wine.

"You ruined me! You left me to suffer at the hands of a father who valued only strength!"

Esther shook her head, "I kept you from becoming a beast for as long as I possibly could!"

The hybrid slammed his hands flat against the table as he rose to his feet, "Oh, you lied to me! To hide your own transgressions because of your own fear! My whole life, I sought the approval I was denied by the man I thought was my father! You turned me into the weakling he hated."

Elijah glances between his younger brother and mother finding the conversation took a very angled turn. Annalise frowned, parents were always the ones who left the most damage. With that she could relate to plenty.

Esther gazed down at the table unable to look her son in the eyes.

"Look at me! You rant and you rave about the monster I have become, but you, Mother- you are the author of everything I am." Klaus' eyes were full of rage as his lips were set in a firm line.

Esther finally gazed up, "Think what you will, all I wanted was to keep you safe." the witch turned towards Annalise, "I've brought a gift for you today, my dear girl."

Anna's gaze hardened as she felt uneasy, Elijah squeezed the girls hand under the table as he glared at his mother.

"Take it as an apology for aiding your father in what he sought."

The heretic's glare faltered.

"What better way to apologize, than to bring back the one male you truly loved." Esther smiled. She knew her son and Annalise were soulmates, but she needed the heretic distracted.

Anna's eyes widened as a figure entered the dining room. The brunette audibly gasped as she jolted back from her chair and stumbled away from the table.

No. No. He couldn't be here. She had buried his remains in a place she was sure couldn't be found.

Elijah watched his soulmate in worry as he watched her eyes flush with terror. The vampire glanced back to see a male having entered the room.

"I suggest you find a better hiding place to bury your loved ones." Esther smiled before the body she was in began to become light headed and she fainted.

"Anna? Is that you?"

Annalise couldn't believe her ears, she never thought she would hear his voice again, and yet here he was. Standing, right before her.

"Who the bloody hell is that?" Klaus scrunched up his features in confusion.

Elijah glanced between the two who seemed locked in a trance. The vampire felt a bad pit in his stomach, and it only got worse as she muttered his name.

"Francis."

«────── « ⋅ʚ♡ɞ⋅ » ──────»

Annalise anxiously paced around the compound as her ex-lover sat on the couch taking in his surroundings.

Klaus had fled to save Hayley from their mothers poisonous words as Elijah stayed back to watch his soulmate.

"We aren't in 1658, are we?" Francis' voice spoke up catching Anna's attention.

"2012" Elijah answered the male. The witch's lips parted, "Oh."

Francis glanced over at his lover and frowned, she hadn't seemed very pleased to see him. "Anna? Is that truly you?"

The heretic glanced back at the male and her gaze crumbled, "It is."

Francis' eyes saddened, the girl looked so different than he had remembered. She was more mature for one, but there was a glint in her eyes. One that made it known she'd gone through her share of hell.

"You loo like life's dragged you through the ground, my darling."

Elijah clenched his fists hearing the male speak to his soulmate with such an endearing tone. He had to keep calm.

"Can't say it's been easy since..." the heretic trailed off but her ex lover continued, "Since I died? I presume that's expected."

Anna finally gazed into his dark brown eyes, "I'm so sorry for what happened."

Francis shook his head, "You were not at fault. I know you blamed yourself but you shouldn't have."

Annalise's lower lip trembled as she sucked in a breath. Elijah immediately made his way to her side placing his hand onto her back, Francis furrowed his brows at the interaction.

"Are you alright?" the vampire questioned her.

The brunette nodded, "Yeah, I just wasn't expecting my day to go this way."

Francis stood from his place, "You don't look very pleased to see me."

Anna glanced at the witch, "I-I am. It's just, you've been dead for over 300 hundred years. I'm just processing." Francis smiled in understanding, "Take all the time you need, love."

Elijah was a split second away from committing murder.

Francis glanced up at the ceiling, "What are those yellow things hanging above us?"

"They're lightbulbs." Anna told him, "Lightbulbs? What on earth is that?" Francis furrowed his brows.

Anna chuckled amusingly and approached the witch making Elijah frown that she had left his side.

"It might take awhile for you to adjust to this... era."

"I'm just glad to have you by my side."

Anna smiled awkwardly knowing Elijah was watching them. This was getting too tense for her liking.

Thankfully, Hayley and Klaus strutted into the courtyard but the female hybrid slowed down at the sight of the unknown male.

"Who's this?"

"Anna's ex that magically came back to life." Klaus quickly explained. Francis frowned, "Ex?"

"Yes, ex." Elijah glared at the witch.

Hayley's eyes widened, "Oh.... 'kay."

Klaus turned towards the brunette hybrid, "Besides the offer of rebirth, what else did she say?"

"What are we talking about?" Anna quirked up a brow, "Mother payed Hayley a lovely visit." Kluas annoyedly muttered.

"I don't know. She rambled a lot. She blamed the two of you for what happened to Hope, to me..."

Klaus instantly appalled by this response and turns to stare at the hybrid in the eyes, "Well, I hope you're not thinking of taking her offer?"

Hayley glanced down at the ground looking guilty.

"Hayley, I'm talking to you!"

The female hybrid finally gazed into the original hybrid's eyes and stood tall, "What do you want me to say, Klaus? I lost my daughter. So, yeah, when your mother offers to wipe the slate clean, excuse me if I'm tempted." she shouted rather angrily and stormed upstairs.

Francis watched in utter confusion by what had just taken place, Anna amusingly smiled as she watched the male's lost gaze.

Klaus turned towards his brother, "Our mother, Elijah- the woman who brought us into the world, made us what we are- and the whole time, she lied to me! She made me weak."

Elijah stared at the hybrid in sadness, "You were never weak, Niklaus. You are- you have always been- the most fierce of us all. In a thousand years, I have never seen anyone successfully stand against you. Not even our wicked father. Not one of the countless devoted to your destruction. You'll protect our home, even in the face of an adversary such as our mother, because that, brother... that is what you do."

Klaus' hard gaze faltered as he felt grateful for Elijah's response, the hybrid gripped his shoulder in a gesture to say thank you. "You remain ever the wise counsel, brother. The rest of the family could learn something from you." he truthfully speaks before exiting the room once more.

Francis pursed his lips, "I've only been here for five minutes and I can tell you lot have issues."

Elijah glared at the witch making Anna chuckle nervously, she forgot that Francis had absolutely no filter when he spoke.

"Er, best not say things like that to this family, Francis." Anna warningly told him.

The witch sighed as he ran a hand through his hair, "I just want to know why I'm here and alive."

Annalise frowned, "That does seem to be the question, isn't it."

"Are you alright, my love?" Francis went to tuck her hair behind her ear as he always used to to do. She always loved when he did those little gestures, but this time Anna stepped away from his reach.

Elijah grinned smugly at the interaction that didn't happen.

Anna cleared her throat, "There's an empty room to your left, you're more than welcome to stay there."

Francis pursed his lips and nodded in understanding, "I'll see you all tomorrow morning." the witch gave Anna a soft longing look before walking away.

Elijah grit his teeth, it was obvious the male was still in love with Annalise. A thought that now irritated him.

"You should go get some rest, it's been a long day for you too." Anna gave her soulmate a soft smile.

Elijah approached the girl and placed a chaste kiss to her forehead, "Rest well, my love." he whispered before disappearing onto the second floor.

Annalise's expression went slack with distress as she felt her chest throb. No.

This meant her past was coming back to haunt her. Threatening to spill secrets not even she dared to face.

What a dinner to remember indeed.

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a/n:

I'm in love with my own oc