𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 33

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Annalise stood in a candle shop as she glanced around. The heretic was looking to acquire a few for herself as well as for Elijah. She had recently learned that the vampire liked to have them lit in his room.

It had been roughly a month since Rebekah had left town meaning Niklaus was a complete mess. The hybrid didn't leave his room for a whole week. Not to mention he was shacking up with Genevieve, the heretic was rather cross with her best friend for sleeping with the red headed witch.

Anna smiled when she caught sight of a clary sage scented candle. The Martin heretic placed it in her little shopping basket and continued to look around. The brunette finally found one of Elijah's favorite scents, sweet marjoram. She happily smiled and grabbed two of them, one for her and one for Elijah.

The heretic felt her cellphone buzz in her coat's pocket and reached for it, a small smile etched itself onto her face seeing the caller name.

"Hello 'Lijah."

"Anna, I'm in need of a little favor."

"What is it?" Anna curiously questioned as she sniffed the scent of another candle but scrunched up her nose as soon as she did. Too strong for her liking.

"I have to gather up a meeting for the supernatural and human to settle an agreement. Knowing nothing good will probably come from it, I was hoping you could join me. I'd feel a little calmer with you at my side."

Annalise felt her chest tighten as a wide grin spread onto her lips, "Of course, let me finish up some shopping I was doing and I'll meet you outside St. Anne's Church."

"Alright, my dear."

The call ended and Anna finished up her candle shopping and made her way to the register. The lady kindly smiled at her, "Find everything alright?"

"Yes, thank you." the heretic nodded as she watched the human scan her items. "That will be $36.72."

Anna reached for her wallet and swiped her credit card. Vampire's were usually able to acquire any amount of money they pleased.

The lady placed Anna's candles in a brown paper bag before handing it to her, "You have a nice day dear."

"Thank you, the same to you."

Annalise walked out the shop and began making her way down the street and towards the church.

The Martin girl picked up her pace as she saw a familiar figure waiting by the doors. Anna smiled as she came face to face with her vampire soulmate.

"Nervous?" she quirked up a curious brow. Elijah sighed, "A little, I must admit."

"You'll be great. Just don't piss anyone off."

The original amusingly shook his head, "No promises."

Anna glanced at the doors in front of them ,"So all the witches, vampires, werewolves and humans are in one room?"

Elijah crossed his arms over his chest, "Minus the werewolves. This agreement is for the French Quarter grounds, the wolves are in the Bayou so I see no point in telling them to come."

Annalise pursed her lips, "I don't think mama werewolf is gonna be happy about that once she finds out."

"Hayley is the least of my worries at the moment." The vampire raised a hand and aimed it towards the door, "After you."

Annalise huffed and opened the doors waltzing into the room as the atmosphere was crowded with arguing voices.

Annalise and Elijah made their way towards the front of the room. This caught the attention of everyone and they settled down as Kieran spoke up, "St. Anne's has long been neutral ground in our city. So, it's only fitting that we gather in this chamber at the behest of Elijah Mikaelson to bring harmony to this place we call home. Thank you all for coming."

Elijah nodded, "Yes, thank you for coming. And welcome." He held up a signed document, "These are the rules of the city according to Marcel Gerard." the vampire tore the document in half, "Which, of course, no longer apply, because I'm in charge."

Diego narrowed his eyes as he was the first to speak up, "You said that if we came along, that we would get to run things by ourselves. Never mentioned anything about making yourself king."

Elijah clasped his hands together, "Well, you were each selected to represent your own communities. In our honor, however, any issues that arise between factions, it will come to me. Now, we are all responsible for the current chaos in the city. However, you have one very, very simple choice ahead of you here. You can all play nicely together, or you can leave."

The vampire's begin to rile up at hearing this. "This is our city, too! We should be able to go wherever the hell we want!" Diego shouted at the same time that Genevieve began to raise her voice, "We would consider it an act of war!"

Kieran looked agitated and sickly pale, "We're getting nowhere. You vile creatures cannot agree."

Anna gaped at the scene in front of her, "Bloody menaces." she glanced over at her soulmate, "Want me to shut them up?"

Elijah nodded, "Preferably without magic though."

Annalise frowned, "You're no fun." she looked back over the crowd, "Would you all shut up?!" her voice's boomed through the church.

All attention went towards the heretic who huffed, "You lot sound like rabid dogs."

Elijah had to suppress a chuckle, "Thank you, Anna. Now returning to the issue of boundaries, you will all heed to the following-" but the vampire was cut off by the front doors being thrown open and a furious looking Hayley strutting inside.

"Are you serious? You're dividing up the city, and the werewolves don't even get a say?" Hayley harshly scoffed making Diego abruptly stand and point at her angrily, "What the hell is she doing here?"

Elijah sighed as he raised a hand, "Diego, sit. We are not dividing the city. We're establishing boundaries-"

"No, Elijah! There is not gonna be a peace if the werewolves are excluded. They want a seat at the table." the werewolf said making Diego and Genevieve both scoff at her words, "And if they don't get one, I can guarantee that you will all regret it."

Anna leaned over towards Elijah to whisper, "Told you."

The voices begin to rile up and soon everyone is arguing. Annalise makes her way towards Hayley and pulls her aside with Elijah following behind.

"Do you have any idea what it took just to get those people in one room together?" the Mikaelson glared at the werewolf, clearly angered by her interruption.

Hayley crossed her arms, "No, actually, I don't! Because I didn't even know what you were doing out here until someone else told me. Why the hell did you two leave out the werewolves?"

Anna looked over at Elijah and the male sighed knowing he was the one that had to answer, "I excluded them because they no longer reside in the French Quarter. My immediate concern is to end the mounting conflict here. Now, I can assure you once this treaty is solidified, it will expand to include your people."

Hayley raised a brow, "And until then, I should tell them what? Sit? Stay? Roll over?" Anna's eyes widened, "You can make them do that? I thought it was only dogs that could be trained."

Elijah glared at Hayley, "I would prefer you remove yourself from the process altogether."

The werewolf stands straighter, "The wolves deserve a voice. Give them one. You know it's the right thing to do." and she walked away, leaving a frustrated Elijah.

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Annalise walked downstairs into the courtyard where the party that Elijah had so gracefully set up was taking place. The heretic was dressed in a blood red sweetheart neck ruched bodycon, her hair was curled and down while she wore simple earrings and the same star necklace Elijah had gifted her so long ago at the Mikaelson ball. The heretic never took the necklace off, it meant everything to her.

Anna looked around to see Elijah had still not arrived to his own party. She glanced over at Diego who purposely bumped into Jackson, the heretic's eyes widened as she saw the same blonde werewolf from before, Oliver.

The heretic pursed her lips as she strutted over to the two werewolves. "Good evening." she knowingly smiled.

Oliver's lips parted seeing the heretic and Jackson lifted a brow, "Aren't you that vampire that was with Hayley when that keg was thrown?" the alpha questioned.

"In fact, I am. Right before I was staked and my best friend was taken to force an untold amount of torture before being hunted down by her own brother then disappeared from the city." Anna grit through her teeth while looking at the blonde werewolf who's gaze dropped to the floor.

Jackson blinked at her, "Uh-"

"Play nice this evening gentlemen. This peace treaty means a lot to someone dear to me, if you cause anything to harm that." Anna grinned, "The vampire's will be the least of your worries."

The Martin heir walked away leaving a stunned pair of werewolves. She approached Diego and raised a brow, "Don't provoke any fights, Diego."

The vampire grit his teeth, "Yeah, see, his people killed my whole family. My sister bled out on the floor right next to me. The only reason I'm standing here is because Marcel came along and turned me before I bled out, too. So, I'm telling you right now. I cannot be polite and welcoming to that."

Anna sighed, "Your anger is justified. Believe me, the last thing I want to do is play buddies with the witch's. However, there are certain overtures that need to be made, if we are to find a degree of peace." the heretic told him before walking away.

Elijah parted from his conversation with Francesca and glanced around for his soulmate, the male's gaze landed on the brunette who looked absolutely breath-taking.

The original's feet shuffled as he began to approach the young heretic. Anna smiled up at Elijah, "Why hello."

"You look absolutely stunning." Elijah gaped at her. Annalise chuckled as she reached up and fixed his tie, "Thank you. You look handsome as always."

The vampire gaze softened as he stared down at her. He noticed how brightly her eyes were shining this evening. He took a step back and held out his hand, "May I have a dance?"

Anna smiled as she placed her hand in his, "Why of course."

Elijah placed his hands on her waist as the heretic wrapped her arms around his neck, "I never thought your idea of mending bonds would be through a party."

The original chuckled, "Yet some people have the audacity to call me boring." Anna gasped, "You, boring? Clearly they've never gone on a road trip with you. Your vocals are just astounding."

Elijah threw his head back in laughter as he recalled that trip they had taken to Massachusetts. "You had me fooled thinking you were asleep."

Anna grinned, "Who could sleep with a once in a lifetime show taking place right next to them?" The original hadn't laughed that whole heartedly in awhile.

"You truly bring out the best in me, Annalise." Elijah sincerely said. Anna gazed up at him, "What are you waiting for?"

Elijah frowned, "What are you talking about?"

"I'm right here, 'Lijah. What's stopping you from being with me?" Anna furrowed her brows. Elijah's mood dropped, "Anna-"

"Is it the bond you're scared of? I don't understand. You say we can't be together for a reason hell knows what then you continue to pursue me, make me feel things that no one else has ever been able to do. My mind is constantly plagued with thoughts of you yet your the one always pushing me away. I want to know why."

Elijah pursed his lips searching for an answer to give her, "It's complicated-"

Anna dropped her arms and stepped out of his grasp, "What's complicated, Elijah?"

The vampire frowned at the use of his full name, she rarely ever called him that. He preferred the nickname she had given him. She was the only one he would ever allow to use it. "I want to be with you. There is nothing I have ever wanted more than to take you only for myself."

Anna's heart dropped, "I sense a 'but' coming along."

Elijah clenched his jaw. He was scared, scared that what had happened in the past would happen again. Anna would die. He knew that if he ever lost her to death it would completely shred him apart. He wouldn't be able to live, and without her he wasn't sure he even wanted to.

If he accepted their bond, that would be put to a higher risk. He had an itch that he would be her downfall, and he couldn't allow that to happen, but he also needed her by his side. He would go insane whenever he didn't see the heretic. Why did his past have to haunt him?

Annalise chewed her lower lip, "You can't even tell me the reason."

Elijah glanced back up at her. Everything in his mind bloody screamed to reach out for her, to kiss her, hold her, tell the heretic how much he adored and cared for her. But he didn't.

Anna nodded in understanding and walked away from the original. Leaving two hearts torn.

The night continued and Elijah's whole mood had dropped drastically. He hated himself for not being able to give Anna what she wanted, but he couldn't help the need to keep her safe, even if it meant from himself.

Annalise stood by a table as Hayley approached her, "Well, don't you look joyful." the werewolf glanced at her. "Happy as can be." the heretic sarcastically smiled.

"Trouble down lovers lane?" Hayley raised a brow. "I'd rather not talk about it." Anna downed another glass of champagne. "Suit yourself."

The two females turn their attention over to Elijah who has just slammed Oliver against a table. "This ends now. I won't ask again." the original was in a crappy mood meaning he didn't have any patience left in him.

"Oh, we'll end it all right." Jackson narrowed his eyes at the vampire as he held Diego to the wall, a stake aimed right at his heart. Hayley clenched her jaw as she stalked over to them, "What's stopping you? Kill him. Go ahead, Elijah. Do it. I mean, it's not like he doesn't deserve to die." the werewolf told them.

Anna refilled her glass as she intensely watched the scene unfold. At least things got interesting.

"I mean, it was Oliver who handed Rebekah over to the witches so they could torture her. But, then again, wasn't it Diego who led a werewolf massacre last month? And the witches cursed the wolves, while the humans stood back and let it all happen. So, when you think about it, everyone here deserves to die."

Elijah grit his teeth as he narrowed his eyes at the pregnant werewolf, "Are approaching a point?"

"My point, Elijah, is this, if we can't all learn to get along, if our families can't create some sort of community, then what's the point? Kill each other and get it all over with."

Elijah's grip on Oliver loosened as he considered her words. The pregnant female wasn't wrong. The original reluctantly let go of the werewolf as Jackson released Diego from his hold.

«────── « ⋅ʚ♡ɞ⋅ » ──────»

Annalise sat at the edge of her bed as she gazed at the bag that held the candle she had bought for Elijah. Why was he so afraid of being with her?

Anna gripped the paper bag and shoved it into her closet. The girl reached and gripped his necklace, she wanted to take it off. How badly she did, but she couldn't find the strength to do it.

Her hand fell back into her lap as a single tear rolled down her cheek.

When would the heartache end?

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a/n:

for anyone wondering, Anna and Elijah
will get together I promise it will just
take a little time, and once they do get together
they will stay together. Also, thank you
loves for 80k reads. I hope you guys are enjoying the story.