𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 24

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Annalise stood before the fireplace as she let her thoughts consume her. She was caught in a crossfire between the Mikaelson family and more specifically between two brothers.

Klaus thought because the heretic was spending more time with the older original it meant she was abandoning him, which was completely untrue. The hybrid helped her through a dark time, after all he was the one who helped her flip her switch back on. Even if he didn't know it.

Anna felt as if she owed Niklaus her life. So she would never leave him, but Elijah. Noble Elijah, also known as the man who has made her feel alive again. She forgot what it was like to laugh at the smallest things. How a small act can brighten up her day.

But it was terrifying her. She had always been afraid to move on from Francis, she had never truly loved someone since his death but Elijah was making his mark fairly quickly. She was allowing herself to fall for him faster than she thought was possible.

Anna heard footsteps approach and snapped out of her trance.

"Is there something wrong?" Elijah's voice spoke up. 

The heretic turned to face the vampire, "Just thinking."

"That can be dangerous."

Annalise rolled her eyes when she heard people coming in and out of the house. Elijah heard his sister begin to bicker and sighed. The brunette chuckled as the two walked out to the entrance.

"Absolutely not! I paid for that!" Rebekah was shouting at a worker.

Elijah scoffed, "Please. You never paid for anything in your life."

"I hardly see how that's relevant. Nik's just punishing us." the blonde Mikaelson crossed her arms. Annelise raised a brow as she leaned on the stairs.

"Well, we've hurt him. Deeply, it would appear." Elijah turned towards Anna, "Care to join me?"

"And where are you going?" Rebekah asked her older brother.

"To make sure Hayley doesn't suffer from our mistakes. Niklaus is feeling vindictive. And that never ends well." he looked back at Anna who stepped down from the steps walking past him.

"Keep up old man."

Elijah hid a smile and walked after the girl. But Rebekah was left smirking at the sight of her sibling grinning.

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"There's vampires hiding in every corner of that house." Anna said as they approached the Abbatoir.

"Then we take them out."

The heretic grinned, "Marvelous." the two entered the house and parted ways.

Elijah spotted Diego before Hayley and sped throwing the vampire against the wall hard enough to snap his neck.

"Elijah, you shouldn't be here. Klaus has his guys watching me." Hayley stressed. The vampire merely shrugged, "I wouldn't worry about them." knowing his beloved soulmate was taking them out.

After a short moment, Anna appears kicking two vampires down who were hiding in the corner of the house.

"Rebekah should be here any moment now." the brunette sighed and as if on call the blonde appeared. "Such nasty attitude these menaces hold."

"I'm glad I'm not the only one thinking it." Anna grinned.

"We need to get you some place safe." Elijah told the werewolf. Annalise couldn't help the pang of jealously that ran through her, and it was ticking her off.

"No, you don't have to worry about me. I'm fine. I've been deemed under protection by the almighty Klaus. It's the werewolves who need help. He ordered a wolf hunt as some jacked-up peace offering to Marcel's crew. You have to help them." Hayley pleaded.

"Out in the Bayou? Do we look like a bloody vampire-rescue-squad? I think you should be grateful we came to save you!" Rebekah incredulously stressed.

"Listen. Rebekah. All my life, I've wanted to know who my real family was, and just as I find out that they're out there in the Bayou, Klaus orders them killed. You wanna help me? Help my people. Please."

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Anna frowned as she laid on the couch. Hayley rested on the armchair, reading a book.

"Why do I always get elected babysitter?" the heretic dramatically sighed.

"Such a shame I'm sure." the pregnant werewolf muttered as she turned the page in her book. "I'd rather hang out with Kol, and that's saying something."

Hayley's head perked up, "Kol?"

"Youngest Mikaelson brother. Of course he's dead now but he was a bit fun to be around I'm not going to deny." Anna thought out loud as she stared at the ceiling.

Hayley pursed her lips as she took in the new found information, "Can I ask you a question?"

"Go ahead love."

"How... old are you?" Hayley cautiously questioned. Anna chuckled at the question, "371, but if I may say so myself, I look quite enchanting for someone that could be your great-great-great-great grandmother."

Hayley let out a small laugh, "I thought witch's lost their magic when turned into a vampire?"

"I was a siphoner witch, so I channeled my vampire side for magic." the heretic explained. The werewolf closed her book as she looked over at Annalise, "You're histories first ever heretic, how did that happen?"

Anna's smile faltered, the tortures of how she turned haunted her mind once again. A night she wished she could completely forget. "As any other vampire has come to be. I died with vampire blood in my system."

Hayley noticed her drastic change in mood and kept her mouth clamped after that, she didn't want to upset her with past memories.

Anna turned her attention back towards the ceiling and felt a heavy weight on her chest. The heretic felt like she couldn't breath.

Annalise abruptly stood from the couch earning herself a questioning gaze from the werewolf that she ignored as she dragged herself into the kitchen.

The brunette pulled out a blood bag and began drinking it. She didn't understand why suddenly got dizzy.

Anna sensed Klaus approaching the living room, she leaned against the counter with the bag in her mouth as she listened in to the conversation.

"Those werewolves you ordered killed, that's my family." Hayley spat at the hybrid.

"Not for long, love. I mean, this so-called family of yours, they haven't done you much good, have they?" Klaus watched as the werewolf avoided his gaze, " You said it yourself, they abandoned you and left you on your own. Now it's simply your turn to do the same."

Hayley glanced back up at him, "Maybe they had their reasons."

The hybrid let out a harsh scoff, "Yes, well, I have reason too, little wolf. If the werewolves are dead, then the vampires have less desire to kill you. I am trying to keep you safe. Not that you appreciate the effort."

Hayley crossed her arms as she raised a questioning brow, "And as soon as I have this baby, what happens to me then?"

Klaus says nothing and looks both guilty and awkward. After a moment, Hayley gulps nervously and begins to speak, "Right... Well, lucky for me, I have a little while before I find out." She smirks bitterly, "And, in the meantime, I will find a way to pay you back for this. As long as I'm in the family, you can't do a damn thing about it."

Hayley struts out of the room leaving Klaus to shift uncomfortably in his place.

Anna shook her head as Klaus walked into the kitchen his gaze landing on her.

"Annalise."

"Niklaus."

The hybrid raised a brow, "What are you doing here?"

Anna pushed away from the counter and threw her empty blood bag away and looked back at Klaus, "Oh you know, playing babysitter as usual."

"Babysitter?"

The heretic pursed her lips, she couldn't tell Klaus that his siblings were currently stopping the order he had given, "I wanted to make sure Hayley was alright."

"She's carrying my child, I assure you I wouldn't have her harmed." The hybrid narrowed his eyes at her.

"I was also talking about mentally. The mind can be the greatest pain of all." Anna voided her expression of any emotion as she saw the hybrid's glare falter.

"Whatever the reason may be, you are always welcome here, little one." Klaus truthfully spoke. He would always welcome Anna with open arms, the young heretic was like another sister to him.

"Klaus, you know I'll always be here. You're my best friend."

The hybrid smiled gratefully before stepping out. Perhaps he shouldn't have gotten so annoyed seeing the girl with his older brother.

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Anna sat on a bench at the city park. She was looking up at the sky and smiling at the stars that came into view.

Elijah slowly approached the girl but stopped when he saw her beaming at the night sky. A soft gleam shined in her eyes and her smile was contagious.

The original's eyes softened seeing such a calm expression on the brunette.

"You're staring 'Lijah." Anna quietly chuckled as she turned to meet his gaze.

"Just admiring the view."

Annalise felt her cheeks warm up, the effects this man had on her were certainly troublesome. "How did it go with the werewolves?" she decided to change the subject.

"Alright, I managed to keep them from harms way which didn't end up sitting right with Niklaus." the male explained as he took a seat next to her on the bench.

The heretic chuckled, "I can imagine."

Elijah turned to face her just as Anna had met his eyes. The two felt entranced in the gaze. The brunette sucked in a sharp breath as Elijah slowly raised his hand to caress her cheek.

The brunette asked a silent question with her eyes, Elijah swiped the pad of his thumb over her cheek bone. She was absolutely beautiful. Never had he seen someone as magnificent as the woman he had before him.

Elijah mentally frowned, he wanted her. How badly he wanted to have the ability to press his lips against hers, the want to claim their bond and for her to be only his as he would be only hers. He craved her touch, needed it. Without it he feared he would go insane.

The woman had taken over his heart and soul quicker than thought possible.

But when did he get anything he wanted. The vampire dropped his hand and stood up from his place, turning away from her once again.

The original walked away and Anna winced. She felt a single tear run down her cheek, she swiped it away and frowned. Did it hurt her soul so much that he kept pushing her away?

The ache in her chest only seemed to be getting worse.