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Eliza, Genesis, & Matthew – Age: 3 Years 8 Months

Abigail, Andrew, & Zachary – Age: 2 Years 5 Months

Anastasia & Elizabeth – 1 Year 2 Months

No One's POV

"Kol, wait, where ar-" Alexis reaches for Kol as he spins on his heel, a whirlwind of tense rage and fury bottled up in his lithe form.

"Stay here, angel." Kol bites out tensely, practically vibrating in place with the need to go and avenge the injustice committed against his family.

"No, I want to go with-" Alexis protests.

"No." Kol nearly snaps at his mate. "No… Just- the kids need you here… I need you here."

"Why?" Alexis demands. "Just because you need to go off and play macho, and prove yourse-"

"Because…" Kol tapers off, his rage dying only subtly, instead becoming a burning inferno inside him, smoldering and ready to be ignited at any moment. "I'm not… I'm not strong enough. I can't- I can't lose you."

"So, please… Please stay here. For me. And for the kids. Just in case. Zachary will need us. Need you." Kol turns back to his mate, eyes pleading for her to understand. "And that won't happen if you're in danger or hurt."

"Okay." Alexis relents, softening her expression, hand coming to lie on Kol's chest, directly over his heart.

"I'll be back. With Zachary." Kol promises, the fierceness in his eyes returning. "I'll bring him home."

"Raise a little hell, Kol. Show Dahlia who she's messed with when she took our son." Alexis makes Kol promise, leaning into Kol. "Don't hold back."

"MOMMY! I WANT MOMMY!" Zachary screams, fists flying at Dahlia's face as she places a plate of food in front of her great-nephew, not wanting the very bad lady anywhere close to him.

"MOMMY MAKES BETTER FWOOD! I WANT HER FWOOD! NWOT YOURS!" Zachary screams hysterically, pushing the plate of food away, tipping the bowl over, irrationally angry at the bowl of soup in front of him; no, it wasn't his mommy's soup, he wanted his mommy's soup, it made his tummy warm and him feel better when he was sick.

"She's not here!" Dahlia screams back, frustrated at her great-nephew's inconsolable and insolent attitude; it had been a day, the Original Warlock Hybrid, screaming and throwing a tantrum all through the night, making it nearly impossible for her to think or plan her next moves, let alone rest, having to focus all her attention on making sure he didn't escape, he was much smarter and more resourceful than she had expected, particularly for a toddler.

A thrown cup of water hits the far wall, clearly her great-nephew not pleased.

"Enough of this!" Dahlia stomps back over, grabbing her nephew by the wrist, hauling him up into a standing position.

"NO! DWON'T TOUCH ME!" Zachary wails, jerking hard against her, feet kicking out and other arm twisting and failing in attempts to get free.

No, no, he couldn't break free! Would daddy be mad that he couldn't break free on his own? He was a big boy, he was tough, he should be able to do this on his own. Daddy might be disappointed in him.

"BAD LWADY! WANT MOMMY!" Zachary howls louder, his frantic wiggling only getting more hysterical and his magic bubbling to a boiling point.

A blast of magic takes Dahlia by surprise, the dark Mikaelson witch slamming hard against the far wall, head colliding against it and stunning her; vision blurring back together a moment later, Zachary is gone.

"Mommy! Mommy!" Zachary wanders alone, tottering down the strange streets of New Orleans, all the brick buildings and trees looking big and scary in the morning light, especially after the traumatic events he just suffered.

"Mommy! Mommy!" Zachary continues to cry, tears beginning to track down his cheeks in earnest; he wanted his stuffed bear, he wanted to chase his mother's old cat around the house, he wanted his brothers and sisters, and he wanted his parents.

"DAHLIA!" Kol roars, eyes pitch black, holding all the wrath and fury of Hell and beyond as the Gemini Coven blasts open the doors to the abandoned church Dahlia had taken residence in.

Dahlia immediately is turning from her table where she had been attempting to locate Zachary, her hands raised to retaliate.

"I've come to trade." Kol growls. "My son for something you've lost…" At that he practically tosses Freya at Dahlia, Freya falling towards Dahlia in surprise, landing on her hands and knees, scrambling away from her aunt.

"Oh, how convenient that I find you here, mere footsteps from that which is owed to me." Dahlia comments shrewdly, looking surprised, hand lowering as she begins to circle Freya.

"Let me guess, did you make a promise to your wretched siblings? 'Together we'll fight the wicked witch, side-by-side?' Tell me, darling, how did they respond to your overtures? Did they welcome you with open arms and weep tears of joy at your miraculous return? Hmm? I think not. Clearly, things didn't work out as you wished." Dahlia laughs coldly, hauling Freya up by her hair.

"What are you going to do to me?" Freya looks fearfully at her aunt.

"You always were a selfish, ungrateful child. For centuries, I fed you, clothed you, and cared for you. Granted you powers beyond anything you could have ever dreamed. And still, you yearn for more! Always wishing for another life, never satisfied." Dahlia hisses bitterly, shoving Freya back to the ground.

"But, soon enough, you will beg for me to bring you back into my home. You should know better than to defy me… A lesson your siblings will learn shortly." Dahlia sneers, turning back to Kol and the other Mikaelsons, who by now, had fanned out in the church.

"No." Freya whimpers, hands moving as if reaching for her magic.

Dahlia merely laughed.

"Haven't you learned, my dear Freya?" Dahlia asks, Freya letting out a shriek and scream as she is slammed rather abruptly against the wall, choking for air. "You cannot over power me. I gave you those powers you have. I taught you everything and made you what you are."

"So… The trade's off then?" Kol snarks, mischief and fire dancing in his eyes as he stalks forward. "I mean, I didn't really bank on that plan…"

"You think you can beat me? Challenge me?" Dahlia turns towards her nephew.

"Oh, auntie…" Kol taunts with a cruel smirks, veins appearing fully under his eyes, and eyes nearly black as night. "I know I can… Because I don't fight battles, I win wars."