Prologue

Esther Mikaelson warmed her hands over the fire, while her friend Ayana stoked the flames with a poker. The fantastic colours of the flames were currently consuming the wood pile that lay inside the circle of stones that they always used to contain the fires rage.

Esther turned to her fellow gifted friend. "Is this the right choice to make Ayana?"

Ayana kept her eyes trained on the calm blaze that she continued to stoke as she gave her answer. "Yes Esther, we cannot allow her to go on like this. She is but eighteen, and has already demonstrated such magic that you and I have not ever been able to perform. And Esther, she does it with such ease. Does that not concern you?"

Esther looked down at her hands that were starting to sweat with nerves. Something about that girl unnerved her. She did not know if it was the raven gleam to her hair, the infernal amber in her eyes, or the way that the words that escaped her mouth sounded so captivating, powerful and old. Esther did know that the power that surged through her veins was something that she herself could sense. And it did certainly unnerve her.

"Yes it does concern me." Esther said with fear and anguish. Ayana turned to face Esther. While Esther could see concern and worry in Ayana's eyes she could also see jealousy. A lot of jealousy.

"Ayana there's one thing that frightens me most." Esther said darkly. "For the time she has been here there have been two full moons, and on those nights the werewolves have come even closer to our village. Growling and snarling with more rage than any being. And I believe that-"

Ayana suddenly cut Esther off in realisation. "That it's her; it is Natasya that draws them closer to our village. If we do not exile her and her darkness then we shall all suffer the savagery of the full moon."

Esther's heart sunk. Finn, Elijah, Niklaus, Kol, Rebekah and Henrik all torn to shreds because of this witch.

"My children….." Esther echoed

"Do not worry Esther, she may have cursed this village but you and I together can protect your family. You and I together can protect the village. Even if it means we do regrettable things. We are going to protect our people" Ayana said fiercely as she covered Esther's hand with her own and squeezed it reassuringly.

Esther only knew now that she did not care what she must do. She was going to protect her family. No matter what. Esther clenched her fist that was free of Ayana's hand. She felt herself boil and burn with a similar rage she'd felt towards someone long ago who had harmed her family. She would not be put through that again.

"Then we shall have to end the problem before it begins." Esther replied through gritted teeth.