𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 45

«────── « ⋅ʚ♡ɞ⋅ » ──────»

Annalise munched on a croissant as Klaus preached to his siblings that had been remade into witch's.

"We arrive into this world as innocents. Wide-eyed. Vulnerable. It is the job of our parents to nurture and protect us. Unfortunately, our own parents failed miserably at even the most basic of parental tasks. But, we are not beholden to the past they created for us."

Elijah pursed his lips as he poured orange juice into a large glass and past it to Anna who smiled gratefully before sipping the beverage.

Klaus clasped his hands as he continued, "Today, a new future awaits. Forget your animosity toward Elijah and myself. Instead, join us against she who truly deserves your ire- our mother."

Kol rolled his eyes while Finn looked tired with boredom.

"Do this, and we will welcome you with open arms."

Kol cleared his throat, "Well," he began to speak as he reached for the platter of pastries. Klaus slipped the plate towards his side making Anna frown.

Klaus watched his younger brother, "But, if you continue to oppose us, a denial of pastries will be the least of your concerns."

Kol leaned back in his chair, "If all you wanted was my allegiance against Mother Dearest, you should have said so. Save me a night shackled to the wall."

Elijah hummed before speaking up, "Yes, this was Niklaus. My recommendation was to remove your limbs, one by one, until you comply."

Anna choked on her juice catching the attention of everyone at the table. The heretic violently coughed as Elijah watched her in concern.

"Pardon me, continue." the brunette croaked out as another cough escaped her.

Klaus hid an amused smile as glanced at his brothers, "We've no desire to torture you." he stands behind Finn and Kol and squeezes their shoulders, "Provided you vow to stand beside us as brothers."

Finn scoffed as he shrugged off the hybrid's hand, "Brothers... Does that word even apply to us? After all these centuries of betrayal? And, has loyalty to you ever rewarded? If so, tell me, Niklaus, where is our sister, Rebekah?"

Elijah sent a glare at their older brother who continued speaking, "She was blindly loyal to you for a thousand years, and now? Nowhere to be found."

Anna rubbed her temples in annoyance as she slid a biscuit towards Kol who's eyes lit up in gratitude.

The older Mikaelson brother pursed his lips, "Where did our sister go? And, how did she escape your vile machinations?"

Klaus rubbed his hands anxiously before letting out a fake laugh, "Heh! You think me vile? What, then, do you make of the one who cursed us?"

Finn groaned in frustration, "She was trying to make you mortal again."

Elijah gripped a knife he saw on the table, feeling annoyed and irritated by the witch's words.

"But you both refused her." He laughed darkly, "Even the Martin heir."

Annalise clenched her jaw as Elijah's demeanor darkened, "Careful there." he threatened.

Finn scoffed, "It only proves how far you've fallen. But, I expect Rebekah will have a different response to her proposal. See, unlike the two of you, she always did cling to her humanity."

Elijah grit his teeth, "Rebekah is off-limits to you. You pursue her, and you will suffer."

Anna gazed up at her soulmate and pursed her lips at his outburst. He wasn't acting like himself.

Kol and Finn look taken back at the vampire's threat and surprisingly, so does Klaus.

The hybrid cleared his throat, "Do not let him goad you, Elijah. Neither he, nor Esther, will find Rebekah unless she wants to be found." he turned to look at the oldest Mikaelson brother, "And she does not."

A taunting grin etched itself onto Finn's lips, "Esther is quite determined. She's been searching for Rebekah since the day she returned. I imagine it's only a matter of time."

Elijah lunges at the witch before gripping him harshly by the neck and slamming his figure onto the table before feeding on his brother.

Anna moved quickly as she grabbed a hold of her soulmate's bicep to push him back. Elijah allowed himself to be guided away from the witch by the heretic.

Annalise raised her gaze and searched the male's eyes, "What is going on?"

Elijah pursed his lips, "Nothing."

"Do not lie to me."

Elijah's gaze softened seeing the worry glint in the brunette's eyes. He reluctantly sighed and ran a hand over his face as Klaus approached the two.

"I enjoy a good bloodletting as much as anyone, but our brothers have power, as well as knowledge of Esther's plans." The hybrid extended a cloth towards the vampire who took it to clean himself.

"We need them alive." Anna told the vampire.

Elijah's tone came out soft and in a whisper, "Imagine what they would do to Rebekah. To Hope."

"Anna cloaked Rebekah meaning she is perfectly safe. Focus on the task at hand." Klaus muttered to his brother before glancing to make sure the two witch's weren't listening, "We need to persuade our brothers."

Francis glanced up from the spell book and gazed over at Anna who was standing between the two Mikaelson brother's.

He caught Anna's gaze and the heretic sent the witch a sweet smile that he returned.

Elijah caught sight of the gesture and grit his teeth before grounding out, "I'm through with persuasion."

The vampire turned to storm away but Klaus quickly gripped his arm stopping him, "Has the earth shifted on its axis? You needing restraint from me?"

Elijah looks taken back as he realizes he let his anger best him, the vampire's phone began to ring, the original answered seeing his sister's name pop up.

"It's me. I have the baby, and we're on the run. Esther found us. We're safe, for now- I've lost her bloody starlings, but I have no idea where to go." Rebekah frantically explained.

Klaus muttered a curse while Anna's eyes went wide with worry.

"Tell her to head west. I'll call Hayley."

"Do not tell Hayley! Esther's too smart for that. The only advantage that we have is that she thinks the baby died. Text me the plans."

Elijah hung up and pursed his lips before glancing over at the hybrid, "Go. I'll take care of Kol and Finn."

Klaus gaped at the vampire, "Splendid. And, in your hands, I assume they'll be dead by nightfall."

Elijah sighed, "I will show restraint. Hope needs her father."

Klaus didn't like the thought either, but he knew it was the right one, "What she needs- what we need- are allies to help us defeat our mother. Finn and Kol must be turned to our side. Without their help, there will be nowhere left for Hope to run."

"Niklaus, your child-"

"I have waited months to see my daughter. I can wait one more day."

Elijah nodded as he turned to look at his soulmate, "Anna, let's-"

"Anna stays."

The heretic glanced over at Klaus while Elijah raised a brow in question, "Excuse me?"

"I need Anna to train the witch that raised from the dead. Do not fret, Elijah. I will make certain they do not swap knickers."

Francis' eyes widened having heard the hybrid since he spoke rather loudly, "I beg your pardon?"

Elijah clenched his fists, entirely against the idea of leaving without the heretic. He'd lose his bloody mind without her for so long.

"Can you not have another witch train the male?"

Anna glanced at Francis who began to approach the trio, "Do you see another witch willing to help?"

Elijah sent a glare at the male who happily returned it. Anna looked between the two and mentally groaned.

"Does it look like I trust any other witch? Besides, I don't trust this ponce." Klaus shrugged as Francis' looked offended at the name the hybrid choose to refer to him by.

"I haven't done anything to offend or betray you?" The witch gaped at the blonde who narrowed his eyes, "Yet. I've known you for a good two days, I don't trust you." Klaus turned to look at Anna who looked annoyed, "Now her, I trust."

The heretic gazed over at Elijah, "Go. Nik's right, I should stay and help Francis."

The vampire mentally cringed at the hurt her words brought. Elijah didn't even reply to her as he began to walk away.

Anna frowned as Klaus called out, "Elijah. Do whatever it takes to keep her safe."

The original turned to give him a firm nod, "I give you my word."

Klaus turned towards his friend, "Watch my brother's. I will be right back."

Anna merely nodded as the hybrid walked away, she turned to look at Francis who was going back to his little table.

She couldn't shack the feeling that she had done something to upset him.

Annalise shrugged it off for the moment and turned to join the witch's back at the breakfast table.

"How are we doing here?" Anna smiled as she glanced over the two.

Kol grinned as he leaned back in his chair, "Well if it isn't my second favorite brunette."

Anna faked a hurt expression, "Well considering I was your number one at the Mikaelson ball, I would like to know who took my place."

Kol held back a cheeky smile as he thought of a certain teenage witch, he let out a chuckle. He liked Anna, she was tolerable, wasn't a pain in the behind, had a sense of humor, and hadn't tried to kill him.

"Best to leave it a mystery." he winked at her. The heretic playfully rolled her eyes before noticing Finn's irritated gaze.

"Am I boring you?"

"As a matter of fact, yes, yes you are."

"Splendid."

The doors suddenly burst open as a grinning Klaus strutted inside, "Gentleman! I apologize for keeping you waiting. Good news is, I've returned with an old friend. Someone who wants to say hello."

Annalise turned to see a pleased Marcel enter the dining area.

"Hello. How's it going, fellas?"

Kol faked enthusiasm as he watched the vampire, "Ah, you again. You ever get bored of getting bullied by my brother?"

Marcel let out a chuckle as he shrugged off his jacket, "Oh, I volunteered for this."

"Did ya?" Kol raised a brow.

"The way I see it, you have it coming." Marcel shoved a finger onto the witch's chest, "First, you messed with Davina." Anna's eyes widened as this was news to her.

"Now, I hear you wanna drag Rebekah into all this. Uh-uh. Not happening." Marcel glared at the youngest Mikaelson male.

Klaus looked beyond amused, "Well, I'd prefer you both to join me against our mother. But, I'll happily settle for one or the other. Either way, if you continue to defy me, your lives will be reduced to an unending sequence of agonizing torture!"

Kol's face went slack with uneasiness before looking over at Finn who maintained a poker face.

"So, which will it be?"

Anna glanced at her friend, "Why not leave Kol to me?"

The witch's eyes brightened up as Klaus raised a brow, "Vouching for my brother?"

"Not everything can be solved with torture." Anna pursed her lips as Kol nodded eagerly, "I vouch for that plan!"

Marcel narrowed his eyes down at the witch, "No, he's mine."

"Marcel-"

"I said what I said, Anna."

Kol gulped nervously, crossing his fingers that his fate would be left with his favorite heretic.

"My dear brother shall be left to Marcellus. I need you teaching that witch my mother brought back." Klaus watched Annalise's expression.

Kol's face crumbled as Anna sighed, "Fine, for both of your sakes, Kol better be in one piece next time I see him. He's the only one in this damned family with a sense of humor." the heretic loudly said as she walked towards Francis.

Marcel rolled his eyes as the hybrid looked at him, "I'd rather not be at the other end of Anna's wrath. Don't cut anything off."

The vampire gaped at his sire and groaned before looking at Kol who held a sly grin.

Thank the gods for Anna's soul.

«────── « ⋅ʚ♡ɞ⋅ » ──────»

Annalise exited the herbal shop with Francis following her shortly behind. "Remind me why you needed to acquire herbs?"

"They are required for the spells I want to teach you. You already know the basics of pain infliction, locator, and now I want to teach you to bind someone's magic with an herbal mix." Anna explained as the two past lowers strutted down the streets toward the compound.

Francis caught sight of a car going full speed across the street, the witch acted quickly as he reached for the heretic who had her attention set on her phone and pulled her back into his chest as the vehicle zoomed by.

Anna's eyes widened before glancing up at Francis who was already gazing at her.

"I believe you're supposed to look both ways before crossing."

The heretic chuckled nervously, a small gesture that sent Francis' heart into a frenzy.

Anna noticed an adoring glint flash through her ex lovers eyes and straightened up before continuing to strut down the side walk.

The two walked into the Mikaelson compound where Davina along with Kol and Marcel watched Cami with worried eyes.

Annalise gaped at Klaus' unconscious figure on the cold ground.

"I leave for two minutes and hell breaks loose." the heretic sighed as Cami turned her gaze towards her, "I was concerned too."

"Cami, you should go. It's not safe." Davina told her friend who harshly scoffed, "No kidding! I woke up with puncture wounds all up and down my spine and no idea how they got there. According to my uncle's files, they're part of this ancient spell, and I don't know about you guys, but when I see 'ancient' and 'spell' in the same sentence, I think Esther."

Anna's face turned serious as she chucked the herbs into Francis' arms who wobbly received the bag. The brunette walked towards the human, "Show me."

Cami nodded as the Martin heir lead her to the couch and carefully examined the puncture wounds on her back as Kol watched over the heretic's shoulder.

"That's Mom's work, all right. She must have wiped your memory." The youngest Mikaelson male told the blonde.

"Not the first time that's been done by a member of this family. What does it mean?"

Anna chewed her lower lip in hesitation, "It's a byproduct of a... preparation spell."

Davina furrowed her brows, "Preparation for what?"

Anna glanced up at Kol who mouthed, 'Not it.'

The heretic pursed her lips in annoyance before answering the young witch's question, "To make her a vessel."

Marcel and Davina's expression flooded with horror as the human glanced around in confusion.

Francis caught sight of this and gently told her, "She means Esther prepared your body for someone to attain."

"Likely herself. I mean, knowing Mother." Kol shrugged making Marcel eye the witch in suspicion.

Cami shuddered a breath as she felt overwhelmed, "Where's Vincent."

Annalise watched Francis set the bag spices down on the table as Cami returned with Marcel after her talk with Vincent.

"How long do I have?" the blonde glanced between Anna and Kol who were the only two who knew how the spell worked.

"Well, now that Esther knows where Rebekah hiding... not long." the witch replied to the human.

The brunette pursed her lips, "The only way to stop it is to stop her."

Cami took a deep breath before speaking, "Then, let's do this. Marcel's a vampire, you two are powerful witch's and we have Anna who is both of those in one."

Francis frowned at hearing the female leave him out.

Marcel paces around the room in clear anxiousness as he processes the information, "Esther's stronger than anything I've ever seen. We go up against her-" the vampire glanced at Davina knowing she was about to get upset, "We're going to need Klaus."

The young witch scoffed, "No. No, we can do this without him!"

Kol carefully chimed in, "Uh, I'm never gonna say this again, but Marcel's right- we do need the bastard."

"Nik's a pain in the ass but he's a brilliant mastermind." Anna added as she watched the dark haired teen.

Camille approaches the girl and takes her hand in her own, "Davina, I know this is asking a lot, but please."

Davina sighed, understanding Cami's dilemma. The witch walked over to Klaus' body and kneeled by his head. She placed her fingertips on his temple and murmured an unintelligible spell under her breath. Klaus suddenly jolted awake, and rolled onto his side before he began to pull himself onto his feet. Once he's upright, he turns towards Annalise and Kol.

"What did she do to me?"

Davina narrowed her eyes at the hybrid, "All you need to know is that I beat you. Again."

Klaus began to pull himself to his feet, "And yet, you relented. You need me, don't you?"

Davina rolled her eyes as the original hybrid grinned.

"Did I really lose?"

«────── « ⋅ʚ♡ɞ⋅ » ──────»

Annalise was in the midst of whisking her freshly made hot chocolate as Klaus urgently rushed into the kitchen.

"Francis is a quick learner I have to say, I wasn't expecting-"

But the hybrid cut her off, "You can tell me all about it on the way."

Anna stopped what she was doing as she turned to meet her friend's gaze, "Where are we going?"

"To see your niece."