𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 37

«────── « ⋅ʚ♡ɞ⋅ » ──────»

Annalise ran her fingers over the aged pages of Esther's grimoire as she read the spell she needed to cast for the rings Klaus was in need of.

The hybrid stood next to her, carefully watching the brunette scan the pages of the spell.

"As expected, complicated yet elegant. It would be anticipated from one of the strongest witch's in history." the heretic thought out loud. Klaus points at the page, "Is this the bit, here?"

Anna rolled her eyes, "Like I said, it's complicated. She bound protection magic to black kyanite stones. A werewolf with the stones is free from turning on a full moon."

Klaus nodded as he took in the information, "And what of the improvements?" he questioned his dear friend. Anna read over the page as she answered his question, "This spell will enhance speed, strength, and agility."

The hybrid peered over her shoulder as he spoke up, "There should be something in there about fangs, it's what our mother used on us when she turned us into vampires."

Anna pursed her lips, "Not just fangs. You said you want venom, so the bite is still lethal to vampires."

Klaus grinned, "Perfect. I appreciate you doing this for me."

Anna sent the hybrid a smile, "Having a witch friend comes in handy, does it not?"

The Mikaelson squeezed the brunette's shoulder affectionately, "You truly are a gift."

«────── « ⋅ʚ♡ɞ⋅ » ──────»

Annalise walked into the courtyard when she noticed Hayley and Elijah engaged in a conversation.

The werewolf turned towards Anna and frowned.

The heretic furrowed her brows, "Has something happened?"

"Jackson and Oliver aren't back yet."

"What a shame."

"This is serious, Anna." Hayley groaned as Elijah pulled out his cellphone to call his brother, "Yes, brother, what is it?" the hybrid's voice rang through the call as the vampire placed him on speaker.

"It appears our wolves have gone astray, brother."

Hayley cut into the conversation, "They should have been back hours ago."

Annalise crossed her arms over her chest as she spoke up, "Suppose that means we have to find them."

"Well, that might be a bit tricky. You see, we've located their car on a back road in the middle of nowhere. I suspect they've been shanghai'd." the hybrid revealed.

Elijah clenched his jaw, "And you didn't feel the need to share this information?"

"It was my intention to present you with a problem only after I had found an appropriate solution."

"Do enlighten us." Anna called out.

"I'm closing in on it as we speak. The only person who would be bold enough to snatch my wolf allies is the one who has the most to lose."

Elijah sighed as one person came into mind, "Marcel."

Hayley's face went slack with fear, "No, he'll kill them."

"Genevieve assures me that Marcel has procured a cloaking spell. The only witch who will aid Marcel is Davina. I just need to get one last bit of leverage before I pay her a visit."

Anna narrowed her eyes, "Nik, don't you dare lay a hand on Davina."

"Do not fret Anna, I just need blackmail." the line went silent until the hybrid spoke up, "Found it."

Annalise's lips parted as Klaus hung up.

"Wonderful."

Hayley began to anxiously pace around the courtyard as Elijah awaited news from his brother. Annalise sent Rebekah a good morning text before slipping her phone back into her pocket.

Elijah caught Anna's gaze and the two soulmates locked eyes. Not much words had been uttered since the kiss. Yet a longing sensation could be felt between the two.

Elijah's phone rang and the original checked it to see a message from Klaus.

"They're at the docks. Thierry's old place."

The vampire glanced up at Anna, "I'm off to the docks, join me?"

Anna reassuringly smiled, "Of course."

The two soulmates were close to arriving at the warehouse Klaus had sent the location to. Anna rubbed her hands anxiously, the girl had been on edge for awhile now. That usually never meant anything good. Something was coming, she could feel it, and it was going to bring death, lots of it.

Elijah noticed the brunette's uneasiness and placed his palm on top of her bunched up ones. The vampire didn't take his eyes off the road as he rubbed soothing circles with the pad of his thumb onto the back of her hand.

Annalise smiled at the intimate touch and glanced at the original before gazing out the window once again.

Elijah pulled up to the docks and parked on the side of the street as he noticed his younger brother who was awaiting their arrival.

Anna shut the car door and walks towards the hybrid, "Did we make you wait too long?"

"My feet were getting cramped by standing here like an idiot."

Elijah shook his head as the three entered the warehouse and noticed a figure that was tied up to a chair with a black hood on his head.

Yet no signs of any vampire.

Klaus walks over to the werewolf and notices him flinch as he takes the mask off. "Accolades to Marcel, he did quite a dance across the bridge of your nose. Where is he now?"

"What a way to ask a question." Anna snickered as she and Elijah were surveying the room in hopes to find the stones.

Jackson looks around, he glances down at the floor to find that there is an explosive rigged to the metal legs of his chair, which is connected to a crate that has a large bomb inside.

"Nowhere to be found." Elijah inquired as he opens another crate to find an explosive set inside, "Although, he did leave us a delightful parting gift."

"He wasn't kidding when he said he liked fireworks." Annalise muttered making Elijah hide an amused smile.

"What about the stones?" Klaus questioned the injured werewolf. Jackson frantically thrashed, "I don't know. Untie me, I'll help you find them!"

Elijah sighed in annoyance, "Sit still. You'll be freed as soon as it's safe." The vampire kneeled down to examine the triggers on Jackson's chair, while Klaus looks into another crate, which holds yet another bomb. Annalise glanced around the room, did Marcel know they were here?

"Our focus should be on the stones." Klaus told the other two. Anna rolled her eyes, "As much distaste I have for werewolves, especially these since that blonde one had plenty to do with Rebekah leaving, I do not think we should leave him for dead." the heretic gave her input.

Elijah glanced at the werewolf, "Disregard my brother. Over the course of the last millennium, his capacity for tact has somewhat diminished."

Klaus pursed his lips, "Well, that's typical, isn't it? Marcel fills a room with dynamite, and yet, I'm the tactless one."

Anna studied the bombs and mentally cursed herself, she knew they were familiar, but she couldn't remember where she had seen them.

"I recognize these explosives from the attack on the Bayou. Could you remind me, again, why you believed that Marcel was innocent?" Elijah questioned his brother as Anna's eyes widened.

"That filthy blood sucker. I almost had my insides blown up that day!" the heretic angrily shouted.

Elijah cringed remembering Anna's bruised and bloodied body, it haunted his nightmares seeing her in such pain that day.

Klaus merely shrugged, "Remind me to ask him before I pull out his innards."

Anna walked towards a bigger crate and opened it up revealing at least six bombs placed inside, "Okay. Exercise extreme caution in this general area. Bit of a mess." the heretic gestured over the crate and near herself as she spoke.

Klaus' phone began to ring and the hybrid's eyebrows shot up as he answered the call, "Impeccable timing."

"What's going on?" Hayley's voice could be heard speaking.

"Jackson is fine. He's...a little tied up right now. Can we call you back?" the hybrid questioned as he watched Elijah flip open a crate. Inside are another handful of bombs, with a folded slip of paper on top. Klaus frowns, just as the red blinking light on the bombs turn green.

Anna gulped nervously, "That doesn't look promising."

Jackson glared at the vampire, "Are you trying to kill us?"

"Klaus, tell me what's going on, now!" Hayley yelled at the hybrid through the phone.

Anna picks up the piece of paper and the three males watch her, "This is for Thierry." the heretic read out loud.

Annalise looks at Elijah and Klaus who quickly realized they have been set up. Klaus grabs Jackson as Elijah slipped an arm around Anna's waist, gripping her to him tightly before the four speed out of the warehouse as fast as they can.

Not even a second is able to pass, before the building explodes.

«────── « ⋅ʚ♡ɞ⋅ » ──────»

Anna lets out another cough as the four entered the compound. "I'm going to be coughing up ash for the next week." the heretic groaned.

Hayley let out a sigh of relief as she engulfed Jackson in a hug, "Thank god you're alive!" the werewolf looks over at Elijah, "Thank you."

The vampire merely nodded and turned his attention over to his soulmate, "Water?"

"Yes please." she croaked. The original quickly went into the kitchen as Hayley smiled at Anna, "Good to see you alive."

"I'm fine, too, thanks for asking." Klaus muttered as Hayley sat Jackson down before tending to his wounds.

Elijah reentered the room with a glass of water and handed it to Anna who chugged it down. The vampire took the empty glass from her as she let out a content sigh.

Hayley began to clean up the werewolf's injuries before speaking up, "What about the stones?"

Elijah set down the cup on the coffee table and answered the female's question, "Scattered across the bed of the Mississippi, I'd imagine."

Klaus walked over to pour himself a drink, "Marcel's not a fool. He knows an empowered werewolf army would mean the end of vampires in New Orleans. The explosion is his way of saying he means to prevent that. For all the good it'll do him."

"Well, it did him pretty damn well, didn't it?" Hayley grit between her teeth. Jackson pursed his lips before speaking up, "This is my fault. I'll find a way to fix it."

Hayley placed her hand onto his forearm as she shook her head, "No, Jack, you're hurt. No one's blaming you."

Klaus glared at the two as he set down his drink, "I'm blaming you! Those stones will be hard to replace." the hybrid glanced over at Elijah and grinned smugly, "Fortunately, I always have a backup plan."

Anna was about to question what the hell he was talking about when Francesca entered the courtyard with five other men who were carrying briefcases.

The heretic clamped her mouth shut as Hayley looked fully enraged, "You can't seriously mean her! She's a gangster!"

Klaus shrugged at the mother of his child, "I see her more as a means of procuring rare items at short notice." the hybrid turned towards Francesca and her entourage, "Greetings, Ms. Correa! I see you've brought company."

The human smiled, "These are my brothers. I always include them in delicate business matters." She turned towards her brothers, "Fellas, meet Mr. Mikaelson."

Klaus smiled, "Please, call me Klaus. All my friends do."

Anna glanced at the hybrid, everyone called him Klaus, and it's not like the male had many allies much less friends. The heretic was one of few.

Francesca pursed her lips, "I don't know if I'd call us friends." She reaches into the briefcase her brother is holding, and pulls out a small black drawstring bag, "But, if you and Marcel are planning on having a little throw-down, I'd prefer my family to be on the same side as the inevitable victor." she explained to the lot.

"Then, you have what I asked for?"

The human held out a bag, "Not enough for an army at such short notice, but it's a start."

Elijah quirked up a brow as he joined in the conversation, "Strange, I wasn't aware that she was familiar with our plan."

Francesca glanced over at the older Mikaelson, "My price for doing business is full disclosure. Your brother complied."

Annalise narrowed her eyes slightly, the human gave her a bad feeling. "And what does the Human Faction stand to benefit from all of this?" The Martin heretic questioned.

"I only want us to solidify our allegiance to the ruling class. It's good for business." The human shrugged. Klaus spoke up as he examined the stones, "If only everyone shared your capacity for reason."

"Sadly, they don't. Marcel is being especially vindictive. I'm worried he might come after me, or my family, just for meeting with you. It might be in our best interests if we combine our efforts." Francesca suggested making the hybrid smile.

"So be it! The more bodies we have to defend the compound, the better. Let's get started, shall we?"

«────── « ⋅ʚ♡ɞ⋅ » ──────»

Annalise was setting up the stones as she was getting ready to perform the spell needed for the moonlight rings.

The heretic lit some candles as she sensed Elijah's presence enter the room.

"How's it going in here?"

Anna didn't look up from the spell she was currently glancing over to make sure she hadn't missed anything. "Well. I'm almost ready to begin."

Elijah pursed his lips as he thought of what to say. Annalise turned to face the vampire and tilted her head curiously, "Are you okay?"

The vampire crossed the room and cupped the heretic's face between his hands as he pressed their lips together once again.

Anna closed her eyes as she gripped the male's button up shirt into her palms. She was caught off guard when Elijah licked her bottom lip, the brunette smiled against the kiss and reached up, placing the palm of her hand on his neck as she parted her lips for him.

She felt completely safe, right there in his arms. She felt as if nothing in the world could harm her.

Elijah slipped a hand down to rest on the curve of her waist. The two kissed for another moment longer before parting.

Anna smiled brightly as she gazed up into Elijah's mesmerizing oak brown eyes.

The vampire leaned down and placed a chaste kiss onto her forehead before stepping away. Annalise watched as Klaus entered the room and she realized why the original vampire had stepped back.

"Are we ready?" the hybrid questioned. Anna tore her gaze away from Elijah and nodded before looking down at her workspace.

"The last ingredient is personal. As the spell is designed to control transformation, I need the blood of a werewolf who doesn't turn on a full moon." Anna explained as that is what she had read in the ingredients for the spell, not knowing the original spell had been swapped by a certain witch. Klaus nodded as he extended his hand towards her, "I am half-wolf, I control my form, use my blood."

The Martin heir nodded as she clutched a knife and ran it across the hybrid's palm, she flips his hand over and watches as the blood drips onto the stones creating a hissing sound.

Hayley entered the room and crossed her arms as she watched Anna begin the spell.

"Tua virtuse. Materi lunare tua virtuse. Materi lunare tua virtuse."

Francesca suddenly barged in looking frantic, "My people say Marcel is on the move, and he's bringing friends."

Klaus glanced over at his older brother, "Get Hayley to safety." Elijah nodded in understanding and gripped the werewolf's arm, "Come with me."

"No, I want to be here when the spell is done." she argued. Francesca spoke up looking at the vampire, "You should help Klaus. My brothers and their security detail won't be much against a vampire army. I'll stay with Hayley."

Hayley nodded at the two brothers, "Go."

Elijah glanced down at Anna who had her eyes shut and was muttering the enchantment. He pursed his lips and sped out of the room with Klaus.

Elijah and Klaus strolled into the center of the courtyard and watched as vampire's began to surround them from all sides.

The hybrid smirked widely, "I thought this lot had learnt their lesson!"

"Well, they're not exactly renowned for their genius." Elijah shook his head. Klaus looks around the crowd, "So, where's the ringleader of this circus? Too afraid to show his face?"

Marcel appears on the balcony and looks down at them, "I'm here! And I'm gonna offer you one last chance to pack your stuff and get the hell out of my town."

Klaus gaped at the young vampire, "You'll allow your men to rush to their deaths? Again?"

Marcel flared his arms up, "Look around. Every vampire in the Quarter is coming out! They want their city back. No surrender this time. You're gonna have to kill us all."

The hybrid seemed completely unfazed, "Okay! I think I'll start with you."

"Fine. Then, come get me." Marcel vamp sped away making Elijah glance at his younger brother, "If you don't kill him, I will."

Klaus clenched his jaw, "He's mine. This won't take long." he muttered before speeding away.

Elijah looked bored as he turned to face the crowd, the vampire nonchalantly unbuttoned his jacked and shrugged it off. Elijah smiled, "Gentlemen." He holds his arms out wide, "Shall we?"

Vampires start jumping down from the balconies and lunge for him, the Mikaelson began to shed blood.

Upstairs in the study, Anna continues chanting the spell. "Materi lunare tua virtuse. Materi lunare tua virtuse."

Francesca grinned happily knowing Genevieve was ready to knock the heretic out once she completed the spell.

Hayley's phone buzzes and she reaches to see it's from Cami but doesn't have the time to answer and mentally makes note to call her back later.

"Materi lunare tua virtuse. Materi lunare tua virtuse."

Anna suddenly stopped chanting and peered open her eyes again as she picked up a stone to examine it. A proud smile etched itself onto her lips, the brunette glanced up at Hayley. "It's done. You and your people will be free from the curse."

Hayley looked relieved but the moment was short lasted as Francesca spoke out, "Yes, my people will be free."

Annalise furrowed her brows when Genevieve entered the room, before the heretic could react the witch raised her palm and snapped the brunette's neck using magic.

Hayley's eyes widened as she rushed over to Anna's limp body. "What the hell is going on?" the werewolf questioned.

"I'm taking the stones." Francesca grinned. Hayley scoffed as she gently set Anna's body down to glare at the human, "Are you out of your mind? You think the humans can go up against Klaus?"

Francesca shrugged, "No, I don't. But, I'm not human." She pulls out a knife, and uses it to slit the throat of her bodyguard. When the bodyguard collapses on the floor dead, she doubles over in pain. She looks back up at Hayley with gold eyes and fangs, revealing that she had just triggered her werewolf curse, "I'm like you, Hayley. And now, I'm gonna take back my town!"

"Like hell you are!" Hayley launched herself towards the other werewolf but Genevieve raised her palm once again using magic to knock the pregnant female unconscious.

The red headed witch looks guilty as she stares at the two limp bodies in the room. She had to take Anna, the ancestors wanted her blood as part of the sacrifice. The blood of a Martin witch.

Francesca begins to collect the stones Annalise had made for Hayley and her pack as she glanced at Genevieve, "Don't look so dour, Genevieve. We both got what we wanted."

Back downstairs, the courtyard is painted with blood as it leaked everywhere. Elijah paces around the room and glances at all the severely injured and dead vampires laying on the ground.

"Are we done?" he questioned in a bored tone. Diego lurked in a corner, injured but stupidly ready for another fight.

Francesca grinned as she entered the room, "Well, nice job! Saved me the trouble of killing all these vampires myself!"

Elijah tilted his head in confusion but before he could react, two werewolves viciously bit into his neck. Diego stares in horror as he realizes the moon rings were completed. Elijah weakly fell to the ground.

"Run!" Diego shouted across the room.

Francesca looked at her brothers, "Kill as many of them as you can."

After the courtyard was completely empty, leaving Elijah alone with a room full of dead bodies. The vampire's eyes widened as he remembered Anna.

The Mikaelson sped into the study, his expression crumbled down as he realized the heretic had been taken.

Elijah clenched his fists as a new found anger rose up in him. The male kicked the table she had used to perform the spell against the wall and watched as it broke into pieces.

He was going to kill anyone who laid a hand on her.

The vampire's ear perked up at the sound of Marcel's voice in the courtyard. The original stormed downstairs, "Marcel! Where is she?" his voice boomed through the courtyard.

Cami shrunk back in fear, she had never seen the noble Mikaelson so angered.

Elijah threw a chair against the wall and picked up one of it's broken legs as he stalked over to the vampire. Cami groaned in frustration as she threw herself in front of Marcel.

"Where is Anna?" he seethed. He was ready to kill anyone responsible for her capture.

"He doesn't have her! Please! I know you don't trust him, but you know I wouldn't lie. He doesn't have her." Cami shouted in hopes to stop the original.

Elijah threw the stake and shakily breathed in, he now realized Hayley was missing as well. "Someone does, and I will have their heart once I find out who." the vampire glanced at Marcel, "Where is my brother?'

"I left him in the street. He was gonna kill me. And then he got jacked up by some witch's spell." Marcel weakly panted due to the hybrid bite he had on his neck.

Elijah grit his teeth as he realized what had happened, "Genevieve."

«────── « ⋅ʚ♡ɞ⋅ » ──────»

A group of witches along with Genevieve dragged in a very reluctant Hayley who kept thrashing in their hold.

Monique was pulling in a temporarily dead Anna by the arms into the church, "Does anyone have the magic binding cuffs?"

A witch quickly approached her and handed the dark object to Monique. The witch tightly cuffed them around Annalise's wrists to keep her magic bound.

"I need vervain." she called out once again. Extra steps and precautions had to be taken since Anna was a heretic. Monique got a hold of a syringe and plunged it into her neck injecting the entire bottle into her system.

"That should keep her weak." Monique smiled before glancing over at Genevieve who was struggling with Hayley.

"Get her down on the floor!" the red headed witch shouted. "We should take them to the City of the Dead." Monique suggested.

Genevieve shook her head, "We won't make it, the baby is coming now."

Hayley's lips parted in fear, "No, it's too soon!" but her sentence was cut short as she let out a strangled cry from a contraction.

Monique glanced over at a few witches, "Chain the heretic up. We need to begin draining her."

Hayley began to thrash harder as she looked over at Anna's limp body that was being pulled away, "No! No, don't touch her! Leave her alone!"

Monique gripped Genevieve's arm, "The plan was to induce her when the sacrifice was ready!"

The red head pursed her lips, "I had to subdue her, and the trauma caused a placental abruption. So, the baby is coming, and we'll just have to adapt."

The werewolf fights against the witch's who were pinning her down, "Let go of me!"

"You need to calm down, Hayley." Genevieve told her. Hayley looked up at the witch with frightful eyes, "Why are you doing this to me?"

"To be reborn, you must sacrifice." Monique's expression held no emotion, Hayley narrowed her eyes down at the girl, "What does that mean, you psychotic little bitch!"

"The ancestors demand an offering in exchange for power." Genevieve told the scared werewolf.

"Your child and Anna's blood will be a fine offering. The blood of a Martin witch will grant us more power than anyone could imagine. Especially from a witch as powerful as Anna."

Hayley's eyes widened in fear, "No! No! You will not take my baby!" the werewolf glanced over at Anna who was now chained up on a pole as a witch began to stab her abdomen causing blood to pour down into a bowl below her body, "Leave us alone! I will kill all of you!" Hayley cried.

Monique grinned, "No, you won't! And neither will Klaus, or Elijah! When your baby is born, you will offer her up to those who came before us. Prepare Annalise's blood, we can kill her once we have enough."

Hayley cries and begins to frantically shake her head in fear as she struggles against the witches' restraints.

"I'm sorry, Hayley, but this is the way it had to be."

A horrifying scream echoed through the church.