*A/N: Hello everybody! Welcome to Chapter 44. A lot happens in this chapter. I am preparing to break Elara's curse! I hope you enjoy the new characters. As always, let me know what you think.*

"Is there a reason we're rushing!" Elena huffed, taking the stairs two at a time. I glanced up, a giggle building in my throat as I watched her hop on one leg. She had a tennis shoe partially in place, laces hanging haphazardly around her ankles. With a tired exhale, she dropped her leg, blowing strands of hair out of her eyes. She lifted the other shoe above her head, staring down at me with a puzzled look.

I pulled my bag from the hook by the door and shrugged, feigning an air of nonchalance. "Absolutely not. I just thought you wanted a short break. You've dealt with nothing but death, blood donations, and drama these past few days. There is a group tour at Whitmore today; it's an hour's drive, at least. Best to get an early start," I said, practically squeaking as I forced the lie past my lips.

I pulled open the door, avoiding her searching gaze. Fear has been my constant companion since my abrupt awakening last night. Magic had coursed through my veins in a searing warning, a wild alert of the resurgence of the one woman I had never wished to see again. I could hear the frightened dying screams of each version of myself as she took her first breath of life, her magical aura ripping through my consciousness like a vicious virus. There had been no use in trying to go back to sleep after that, so all I could do was lie awake and fight to understand why Niklaus had decided to bring his mother back from the other side.

Rebekah had been no help, choosing to stay absent. Or as my anxiety pointed out, possibly having no choice. There had been a point when I considered calling Elijah but fear had stilled my hand. What if he was aware of Niklaus' plan? With Esther alive again I had to be careful who I trusted. She was powerful and would stop at nothing to keep me away from her children. I had a pack and a human family to protect; things are different now. With that in mind, when the clock on my bedside table had blinked a more reasonable hour, I contacted Tyler and Mason. I needed someone to help me protect Jenna, Jeremy, and Caroline. To say that most of the wolves were unhappy to be protecting a vampire was an understatement, but luckily with Mason's help, I was able to bring them under heel.

I hated asking anything of them. Being an Alpha was never on my 'to-do' list, but right now I needed help and the pack was my best bet. After I brought Mason up to date, I called Caroline and asked her to inform the Salvatores that there was a new witch in town. Bringing them up to speed wasn't something I had to do but I knew Esther would try to use them against me, so I made the uneasy decision to head her off. Caroline was terrified on my behalf, easily catching onto my fear. I reminded her to stay close to Stefan and Damon, and eased her worries with soft platitudes; I had everything under control.

Once the people I loved were in the know, that just left Elena; the Petrova Doppelganger. She was easily the one person who would suffer the most under the thumb of Esther Mikaelson. Not only did she mean something to me, but Niklaus as well. Esther would most certainly search her out. There was no way in hell Elena would stay behind once Esther promised her my safety. I did not doubt that she would stoop to exactly that.

"I want to go but it's five in the morning, Elara Marie! That's entirely too early to wake someone up without at least a pot of coffee."

I led Elena out the door, smiling amusedly at her pout pursed lips. "I promise we will stop at Starbucks on the way, Lena."

Elena clapped her hands together in happiness, her tired eyes lighting up in excitement. "Yay! I am getting a Mocha." I nodded along, amused at her newfound energy. She hopped into my car, listing off the extras she intended to add to her coffee. I jumped when she suddenly released a squeal. "Oh! Can we also get a cake pop? Do you think they will have any made this early?"

"They're pre-made; I am sure they do but why would you want a cake pop this early in the morning?" I giggled, driving toward the center of town. I kept my eyes trained ahead as we passed the road leading toward Lockwood Manor, my fingernails digging into the steering wheel. My chest felt leaden with stress and my stomach rolled as Elena obstinately crossed her arms."Don't judge my breakfast choices, miss pop tart. You know that's just a larger version of a cake pop."

I forced a smile, laughing weakly at her joke. "You got me there. Fine, you'll get your cake pop."

Elena tilted her head, observing me with keen eyes. Her cherry-stained lips thinned and she lowered her crossed arms, unconsciously gripping onto her shirt in fear. "Why are we really leaving town so early, Ellie?"

I briefly closed my eyes and hastily reached out to flip on the air. My skin was starting to feel sticky; my nerves were peaking the surface. I inhaled deeply and prepared to diminish the bleakness of our current situation. I was too afraid to reveal exactly how fucked we all were, but then my lips closed, and I realized how close I was to doing exactly what the Salvatores always tried to do. Elena wasn't a child, she could handle how dark our new reality was. It wasn't my place to shield her. I was her sister, not her mother. I could protect her all I wanted, but eventually, the darkness of the world would find her regardless.

"Elena…last night Nik woke up his mother. Esther is back."

I felt my throat dry as soon as the words left my lips, just saying them out loud was like confirming my coming demise. Fear threatened to overwhelm me and I tried to swallow it back, gripping the steering wheel as tight as humanly possible. My vision started to blur, tears kissing my eyelids, and I felt the cool calming touch of my sister. It brought me back from the brink of a meltdown.

"I'm not sure what to say, or why he would do such a thing, but what I do know is she won't lay a single finger on you. You are my sister. I will die before you get taken away from me. I won't lose another member of my family, Ellie."

This time the tears escaped my careful control. They cascaded down my face in trails of gratitude. I smiled at my sister, grateful in more ways than I could ever acknowledge that I had been born a Gilbert. Who'd have known that I would come to love a Petrova doppelganger? Damn curse.

"Oh, Lena, thank you, but you have to promise that you'll be careful. Esther is no normal witch. All you have seen of her kind comes from a barely trained Bennett. They are powerful in their own right but are nothing compared to Esther's line. Please promise you'll be smart!" I begged, switching on my turn single as I maneuvered onto the Interstate.

The grip Elena had on my arm tightened, and she nodded fiercely. "Of course, I'm not stupid. I know where I stand compared to a witch, but I want a promise from you too."

I shot her a confused glance, turning down the air as shivers danced up my arms. "What am I supposed to be promising?"

Elena released my arm and set back, looking out the windshield, her nose wrinkled. "You have a huge roster of people you can call on for help, I want you to use them"

My eyes widened, fear making its home in my dry throat, but before I could so much as make a peep, Elena glared at me. "No! I want you to listen to me. I know you are afraid that the people you love will get hurt, and that it will be your fault, but shouldn't they decide to risk it or not? They love you too, Ellie; they don't wanna see you hurt. So I want a promise that you will at least give them the option," she said, her chocolate eyes warm with emotion.

Through pressed lips, I exhaled in defeat. Elena smiled in triumph, adjusting her posture. "One more thing. Those daggered Originals, we're gonna need to wake them up."

Silence. That was all he could hear.

Niklaus had never been a man who could claim he loved the peace and contentment of silence. Growing up when darkness fell there was never quiet; the woods that bordered their home were wild with life. After the change, screams and chaos reigned, never silence. So now, when so much was loud, the silence that finally found him left nothing but a feeling of disconcertment. As he sat, cradled in the quiet daylight, he realized how easy it would be to turn such a tactic into a torture technique. A thought for later perusal.

Despite the light that glowed from all four french windows, the room felt oddly cold. Niklaus tapped his fingers along the armrest of the chair he sat in, grimacing down at the flowery design with disdain. With a roll of his eyes, he lifted his wrist, glancing down at his leather watch. His face twisted with annoyance as he bolted from the chair and started to pace in front of the lifeless fireplace.

Before his fifth-round journey, a long-haired blonde, swathed in an ankle-length brown linen dress, stepped into the room. Her blue eyes found him quickly. She held his frozen form with the ease found from years of hard-bought labor for control. Not many could say that they could still the Original Hybrid with a single look, but this wasn't just anyone; this was the Original Witch.

Esther took a graceful step forward, her calm expression never wavering. "My son, I'm glad that you've finally chosen to see reason."

Niklaus moved back at her approach, a grimace of repulsion turning down his mouth. He glanced at his feet. It was as if her words were a poison he couldn't bear to see upon her lips. "I awoke you for one reason alone, mother." he spat, head shooting up the moment she reached out to touch him.

He jerked away from her, his eyes glowing a deep fevered amber. Esther's own eyes widened but she did not make a move to back away. "What exactly do you seek from me? You've become the abomination you so wanted, what more could you want?"

A single glint of pain flashed in Niklaus's eyes and the aquamarine of his birth fought for dominance in the moment of pain. Esther's brows twitched and there was a glimmer of delight hidden behind her calm facade. She squashed the moment of emotion and turned toward the fireplace. Niklaus' throat bobbed as he took the reins, swallowing back his pain. He took a deliberate step away from his mother and stared at her with undeniable hatred.

"I want you to end Elandra's curse."

Esther's brows rose in surprise, her blue eyes shimmering with disappointment. "Oh, now that's too bad. I assumed you'd left that little piece of the past behind. Is your soul not tainted enough, Niklaus?" she said, clicking her tongue with distaste. "And I thought Elijah's fascination with that piece of Petrova trash was bad…"

"You haven't changed a bit, mother, and I can honestly say a thousand years wasn't long enough."

Esther's head snapped to the doorway, eyes rounded with shock. Niklaus followed her gaze with a small smile. "Ah, brother. You're right on time."

Esther turned back to Niklaus, tilting her head. "Are all of your siblings soon to join us then?"

Niklaus was a bit surprised to find the apprehension growing between her furrowed brows, and it warmed his cold heart. "Is that fear I see mother? Are you worried that Kol might rip your heart from your chest? I can say he has wished to do so for a very long time."

Esther shook her head, a facsimile of sadness tainting her calm. Her nose wrinkled as she looked at her two sons. "Oh, sweet child, the only one who ever truly wished to rip the heart from my chest did so."

The breath left Niklaus in a startled rush, and he hastily turned to greet his brother. Elijah watched Esther stare at him expectantly. He smiled, his lips curling over perfectly shaped teeth. "Mother, if you are waiting for me to be angered over your untimely death, then you will be waiting for eternity. Kol informed me of Niklaus's involvement centuries ago. Our dear Elandra let it slip. How she knew, I am not sure. Your bombshell has fallen flat."

Niklaus blinked rapidly, sincerely surprised by the revelation. He had feared for that secret to be revealed for over a thousand years, yet here he was, free of it. He basked in the feeling. Gods he loved that infernal woman!

Esther's eyes narrowed and her jaw clenched in frustration. "It seems dear Elandra has yet to learn her lesson. The little witch has become more trouble than I thought she would. I should have just let your father kill her."

Elijah rotated his shoulders, brown eyes alight with fury, and a deep growl of warning built in his chest. Niklaus stepped in front of his mother, Hybrid teeth barred. "You should watch what you say before I send you back to the Other Side."

Esther rolled her eyes, and a tinkling laugh full of humor fluttered past her lips. With a wave of her hand, she turned on her heel and took a seat on the couch behind her. "I need not fear my sons. You will soon come to see the error of your ways. A celebration approaches if I'm not mistaken." Esther grinned, rubbing a hand down her dress. "Eighteen; what a wonderful age, so full of promise," she said, her grin becoming vindictive.

Niklaus growled and bolted forward in anger. Esther huffed and idly lifted her hand, whispering a spell under her breath. Niklaus froze, stopping in front of her as if sealed in place. Elijah stepped up to the couch and pinned his mother under a stare filled with intense hatred. "You will release him mother or this time I will rip out your heart."

Esther looked up at her son, the one so many called the honorable and less homicidal of her children. She allowed a single brow to lift in question when Elijah merely stared down at her with loathing, her lips twitched with wicked comprehension. It dawned on her face like the start of a new day. "You are in love with the nasty little thing." She barked out a laugh and watched with amusement as he reared back, his face scrunching up with disgust. Turning to Niklaus, Esther muttered a spell, and he fell into step, inhaling deeply.

"How does it feel to know your brother is in love with Elandra, hmm? Did I not tell you that she was no good? Now look what has happened; she is trying to destroy your relationship with Elijah, the same as Tatia. Disgusting."

Elijah joined Niklaus at his side, and carefully placed a hand atop his shoulder. "Niklaus knows I have no designs on Elandra. You know not what you speak. I feel nothing but gratitude and brotherly love for her. Your words will not sow doubt in our minds," he said.

Esther turned to Niklaus and tilted her head, disbelief lifting the corner of her lip. "Really?"

Elijah looked at his brother and squeezed his shoulder in comfort. Niklaus looked away, shoving down the uncertainty and jealousy he felt anytime there was a mention of his brother's possible disjointed feelings. "I trust Elandra. She would never betray me."

Esther's face wrinkled with resentment and she sat back, her arms draped on the armrests. Niklaus stepped closer, his shoulders stiff. "It's time you reveal the secret to her curse mother. You always left a loophole behind in your spellwork; what is hers?"

Elijah made a home standing on her left while Niklaus remained directly in front of her, pinning her with a resolute stare. Esther had to admit she admired their determination. "You wish for me to help you free her?"

Niklaus scoffed, his nose wrinkling with annoyance, and his voice rose in his rage. "Don't act stupid mother. You know exactly what we want from you. Do not play me!"

Elijah crossed his arms as he watched the two interact. His face drew up in repugnance as he watched the mirth shine across his mother's face. She was entertained by watching Niklaus battle his anger. Esther tapped her foot and shrugged.

"And what would you do to garner her freedom, my son?"

Alarm bells rang in Elijah's head, and he stood straighter, a new sort of pain blooming in the pits of his subconscious. "Anything. I will do whatever it takes." Niklaus vowed.

Esther's smile was built on sheer victory and Elijah knew then and there that their world would never be the same. "That's what I thought. Sit down, Niklaus."

Niklaus narrowed his eyes but his vow from moments before rang in his ears, and he sneered, taking a seat on the couch opposite the chair Esther sat in. Placing her hands on her thighs, Esther released a satisfied sigh. "Well, it seems the time has finally come. For a while there I thought she would reincarnate for eternity." A humorless laugh rang through Elijah's ears and he grimaced at the feeling. Niklaus dug his nails into the couch cushions, a frown overtaking his face. Esther ignored both of her children and continued. "When I created her curse it was as much for your protection as it was her punishment. Her kind must not mix with ours. I've seen what would come of it. She is something that should never have been." Niklaus's head snapped up, his searing gaze fixated on his mother's face. Elijah too had caught onto something hidden in Esther's words, and his stomach turned. With her focus trained ahead, Esther continued. "Her magic isn't natural, it comes from the heavens; from a Goddess. That sort of power should never be held by mortals," Esther concluded.

Niklaus lowered his head, hands clamped together in silent prayer. He closed his amber eyes, lips quivering over bared and elongated canines. "You said…what did you see?"

Elijah joined him on the couch as a form of solidarity. Esther didn't seem phased by the question and placed her elbow on the armrest, she placed her head atop her hand. "I had a vision. I saw the future you would have should you remain with Elandra. She would bear you children; a girl and later down the road, a boy. The girl would be something…new and far too powerful. I couldn't let that happen."

Niklaus shuttered, his body slumping as if the years of emptiness had fallen atop his shoulders all at once. Elijah shook his head, suddenly exhausted. Esther clapped her hands, drawing their attention once more. "But that is all in the past, and not to be worried about. Now that you plan to break her curse, she can move on, find a human man, and hopefully die of old age without bearing any children. If she does, and it's a girl, they will be no more powerful than she. I'm sure the child will be handled as easily as her ancestors." Esther said, brushing away Elandra and any of her future children with a brush of her fingers.

Niklaus glared at his mother with malice. "What makes you think I plan to give her up? Any children she has will be mine!" Niklaus snarled.

Esther's answering smile was made of spite. "No, dear, they won't. You either give her up or lose her to the curse. How long do you think it would take you to find her again, Niklaus? You know not when or where she will be reborn. It could be another half century or more. If you do happen to find her, what will you do? Wait for her to age properly and just hope she remembers who you are?" Esther said, ticking off her points with the raising of her fingers.

Niklaus stood to his feet with such force that the couch cracked in two. Elijah sped away from the splintering pieces, his chest rocking with painful gasps of air. He turned to stare at the malicious blue eyes of his mother; she simply grinned back at him. "No! You will not take her from me, not again!" Niklaus screamed, and his rage seemed to send vibrations through the air.

"Oh, please be an adult about this, Nikkie. It's not I who will be sending her away this time. It'll be you. Let's not act like you don't have a choice. That's the whole point of the loophole. It must be your decision and it must be real."

Niklaus snarled, his body bowing forward at her casual use of the old childhood nickname. "Do not talk to me as if you have any rights left as a mother. Now speak plainly!"

Esther sighed and sat forward, elbows on her knees. "The loophole is simple. To save her, you must let her go." Her explanation was met with silence and furrowed brows, so she rolled her eyes and continued. "She must truly believe that you do not love her; essentially you need to break her heart. She cannot become a member of this family, Niklaus, and this way she never will be. When she believes that you do not love her, and there is no future with you, her curse will be broken."

Niklaus whirled around and took a vase from atop the fireplace. With as much force as he could muster, he threw it across the room. The glass shattered when it met the wall, and the water and flowers fell to the floor in a pool of devastation.

Elijah clenched his hands at his sides, his mind refusing to believe what her words had revealed; it would mean the end of their family. "Must you destroy every ounce of happiness? Have you not done enough?" he asked.

Esther looked at her son without empathy, lifeless eyes scanning his face. "I have only ever done what I must, to not only protect my children but the innocent."

Niklaus chuckled mirthlessly, shaking his head in disbelief. "I think I've had just about enough of you." Turning toward the doorway, he cleared his throat. "Jonas, Luka, Greta, Ms Bennett. It's time."

At his words, three people joined the Mikaelsons. A young man, followed by a much older one, an elderly woman with chocolate brown curls, and a woman in a tight green dress. Their dark brown eyes were trained on Esther, like a predator observing prey. Esther watched them warily, feeling the deep magic coursing through their veins. "Mother, I'd like for you to meet the Martins and Ms. Sheila Bennett. They all owe Elandra a great deal of debt and have agreed to assist me."

Esther stood and started to back away as the four witches advanced on her. Low whispered words of magic filled the air. Esther's hands shot forward and she fought against them, spell against spell, but soon she faltered. Having only been awake for a few hours, she was still tired and weak. Sheila took a step forward, head held high. She held out her arm and twisted her wrist. Esther fell to her knees, blond hair falling around her like a waterfall. "You will not awaken until we say otherwise, Esther Mikaelson. You do not belong here!" she sternly said.

Esther glared up at her, hate lining her face, but she could no longer fight their combined power. Falling forward, Esther fell into a deep sleep. Sheila slumped forward and was quickly caught by Elijah. He handed her over to Jonas. "Take her home. Make sure her granddaughter is there to assist her; she needs to rest." Jonas nodded, gesturing for his kin to follow. Niklaus lowered his chin in thanks as they passed. When they were finally gone, he stepped closer to the sleeping form of his mother. "Do you think she spoke the truth?" Elijah asked.

Niklaus lowered to his knee, his eyes closed in defeat. "She had no reason to lie."

"What do you plan to do?"

Standing, Niklaus turned to look at his brother, sorrow etched onto his face. "I plan to do as I promised. I will not let her die again, Elijah."

The sun shimmered brilliantly, and the sky above was a cloudless crystal blue. It was like something out of a picture book; it illuminated the tall picturesque leafy green trees and perfectly tailored students. The yard was trimmed to perfection, and there were people passing footballs, picnicking, and studying beneath the shade of the great oaks. I grimaced internally at the excellence. Maybe it was just me but everything felt impeccably 1950s, and that was one of my least favorite eras.

"Here at Whitmore, we offer an unusually intensive focus on the liberal arts, service, and leadership. Our faculty is top-notch as well." The tall bubbly blonde offered, and I was surprised to find she was giving Caroline a run for her money. Where did they find the energy?

With a giggle of excitement, she clapped her hands and glanced over her shoulder with a wide pink-lipped smile, before continuing the tour. We ambled down the clean, crackles cobblestone sidewalk, heading toward the library. My interest instantly peaked. The bubbly blonde spun around and started precariously walking backward as she grinned, her teeth sparkling in the sunlight just as terrifically as the Twilight vampire's diamond skin. I had to say, I was impressed. Her name tag caught my attention as she gestured widely around us, her smile widening. Emory; a cute name.

"Did y'all know that some of Virginia's oldest buildings are located here on Whitmore campus?" She looked upon our faces as if she expected shock and awe to be present, so I smacked Elena on the arm in feigned surprise. The buoyant Emory nodded, her pink lips spread so wide I thought they would crack. "It's pretty cool, right? What an honor to be surrounded by so much history."

I nodded along as she continued walking backward, grinning at her enthusiasm. I couldn't help it, people like that end up becoming contagious. Just look at who my best friend is. Elena rolled her eyes, following close at my side as we stayed in the middle of the small tour group. "Whitmore was established by Methodists in 1836…" My attention started to waver as Emory began her next history lesson, and I lifted my head toward the warm sunlight, sighing internally. I wasn't sure College was for me, even if I had the opportunity.

"There is a party nearby; are you…guys coming?"

Elena bit her bottom lip, her gaze darting to me nervously. I smiled at her encouragingly, perfectly aware that she was an extrovert who made friends wherever she went. I was most definitely not. Just like any other day, Elena had found herself a group of admirers, or 'friends' as she put it. I didn't mind as much as I used to; she couldn't help her allure, it was a curse she had never asked for. That I could understand.

Elena brushed a strand of chestnut hair behind her ear and smiled. "Sure, we'd love to. Where is it and what time?"

The brunette on her left jumped to attention. He pulled his backpack over one arm and yanked a pad of paper and pen from inside. Pulling the cap off with his teeth, he quickly wrote down the address of the party, the time, and his name. "There ya go. I-I hope you come." With a small wince, his eyes darted to me, and he cleared his throat. "I-I mean the both of you. I'll see ya later then, Elena, Lana," he said. He nodded as he walked away with his two buddies.

I giggled, snorting under my breath at the way Elena gripped the paper in her clenched hand, brow furrowed in annoyance. "Did he really call you, Lana?"

"Uh, yes, he did. It's not a big deal though."

Elena grumbled under her breath. "Disrespect is always a big deal! You should never let someone treat you like shit. We don't have to go, Elara; he's a little shit."

"I brushed her hair from her eyes and tweaked her nose. "Thank you, Elena; I appreciate it. All I meant was, he isn't worth the breath it would take to sort him out. I have bigger fish to fry."

Elena lowered her head, face wrinkling in understanding. She started to crush the paper but I placed my palm atop her hand. "Nah, I say we go. I could use a bit of a break before returning home. Besides, we could ask around about dad's old stomping grounds," I said.

Elena shook her head with a chuckle. "Yeah, 'cause I am sure he used to party it up when he worked here."

I took the note from her hand and straightened out the wrinkles. I looked down at the scribbles with a crinkled brow. "This kid could sure use some help with his penmanship," I mumbled, narrowing my eyes as I tried to discern the address. I tilted my head, raising the paper toward the sun. "Aha! Got it. You are not gonna believe this. We're going to Whitmore House."

I lowered the paper, looking at her unamused face. "What are the freaking odds," she said.

I shrugged, crushing the paper and tossing it in a nearby garbage can. "It's us, Elena. Are you even surprised anymore?"

Rubbing her face, she sighed a deep weary sigh. "Not really, but I have a bad feeling about this.

I took her hand and started to lead her in the general direction of Whitmore House. "Not I little lamb. I think we were always meant to go to this party. It sorta feels like the will of the Goddess."

Elena huffed and lowered her head in silent defeat. "You're so weird, Ellie."

The party had already started by the time we arrived. Elena was the first to notice the older well-dressed man stationed at the door. His dim eyes were narrowed intently on the people who entered the threshold. I wrapped Elena's arm in mine as we stepped inside. The house felt oddly cold. It was devoid of the usual warmth and humanity you felt in a normal home. Something was off and had been for many years. The very foundation was steeped in darkness.

"Did you see that?" Elena asked.

I lowered my chin in affirmation and briefly glanced over my shoulder. The man was still planted beside the front door. "He is watching for vampires. The question is why?"

Elena swallowed nervously, smiling at a young man who offered her a red solo cup filled with beer. I stopped her wrist as it moved to accept his offer. "No thank you. She is fine," I firmly said, staring him directly in the eyes.

The man glared at me, his face twisted with displeasure. He stepped around us and roughly bumped me in the hip, effectively shoving me into the wall. Elena stumbled, gasping in shock. I simply rolled my eyes and took hold of my sister's shoulder. "Elena! You never accept a drink from anyone. That's a good way to get assaulted. Remember that," I said, my expression firm.

Elena's doe eyes rounded and she nodded her head swiftly. I pulled her into the next room where the crowds were sparse. I sucked my bottom lip between my teeth and leaned close. "Something is wrong with this house, Lena. I'm not sure what dad had to do with all of this, but I can't leave until I investigate. Can you handle being on your own for a bit?" I asked.

Elena leaned back, her face wrinkled in anger. "Hell no! You can't leave me alone up here. These people are weirdos. I am not a witch and even I can feel the creepy vibes this place is giving off."

I huffed, tingles of vexation traveling down my spine. She could be such a Drama Queen! "Fine! But you will stay behind me or so help me, Goddess, I will kick your boney ass."

Elena gasped, her jaw dropping in outrage. "I am not boney! I fill out my jeans perfectly, thank you very much."

With a roll of my eyes, I pulled her out of the room, a faux smile plastered on my face. I placed my arm over her shoulder and casually ambled down the hallway and past the elegant dark walnut spiral staircase. It appeared the Whitmores had that old family money.

I glanced around, making sure that we were not being watched, before I placed my hand on the wall, spreading my sparkling fingers out in a wide arch. "Keep watch, Elena."

Closing my eyes, I inhaled through my nose and concentrated on the deep and tragic stain that marred the otherwise beautiful house. Years upon years of devastating pain shot up through the wood panels, stone, and brick to greet me. Uninterrupted screams cascaded down the halls and into my ears. It was all I could do to remain on my feet surrounded by their agony. I felt tears peek through my eyelids. I fought against the cry of sadness that tried to break past my clenched lips. My nails dug at the paneled walls and I pushed with all my might, finally ripping free of the tormented souls. The air tore from my lungs in exerted bursts, and I leaned down, touching my knees as I regained the strength of both body and mind.

"What's wrong? Are you okay?" Elena asked, fear tinting her words.

I stood taller and wiped the tears from my eyes. "Yeah. This is an evil place, Elena. We need to destroy it, for everyone's sake."

Elena placed a shaky hand on my shoulder and nodded. "Okay. How?"

I turned toward the door down the hall, knowing deep down that it led toward the root of the darkness. "We start in the cellar. It's…it's not pretty down there. Be prepared."

Elena followed me without a hint of reluctance. There was of course fear in her brown eyes, but as her sister, I was proud of her bravery. The long wooden staircase that led to the cellar was narrow and the walls were made of cement, so the journey was cold and unforgiving. Every sound we made bounced off the walls and reverberated down the stairs. I prayed no one awaited us at the bottom.

"What's down here?" Elena whispered.

I placed a finger on my lips as we stepped off the staircase and Elena shivered, freight traveling down her spine. We rounded a sharp corner, and two very large brass cells came into view.

"A torture victim and a nasty laboratory."

Leaning against the brick wall in the second cell, was a man with medium-length messy black hair. He wore a tattered shirt and torn slacks; I wasn't sure what the original color of either was because both were so stained by blood and dirt.

Elena pulled me to a stop as I approached, her nails accosting my skin. I reassured her by strengthening the grip I had on her hand. I started forward, standing directly in front of the worn brass cell bars. Elena's startled gasps finally drew the thin man's red gaze, and I took a surprised step backward. A vampire. Did they torture vampires?

"Well hello, angel. Are you real?" the man asked. His smooth British accent sent chills down my spine.

Elena giggled madly before she lost her battle of wills to a barrage of sniffles; the chill had finally won. She wiped her nose with the heel of her hand. I reached up and gripped one of the brass bars. They must keep him so weak he can't break free. How sick!

"I am as real as it gets, sweetheart. Who are you?"

The man weakly leaned forward, palm placed against his knee. "Lorenzo St John, at your service. What are the two of you doing in a place like this?" he asked, narrowed eyes taking us in distrustfully.

I didn't blame him. By the looks of his clothes, he'd been a prisoner for a very long time. I tilted my head and bent my knees into an artful curtsy. "My name is Elara." I pointed over my shoulder. "And this is Elena; my sister. We are here to destroy this miserable place."

Lorenzo stared at us with a straight face for a solid minute before he burst out laughing, his lungs wheezing with the effort it took. "Oh sweet angel, there is no way two human girls can win against the Augustine Society," he said, slumping back against the cold brick wall.

His face had lost all humor, falling into a solid and unbreakable anger-fueled depression. I felt such a sudden kinship with this lost vampire. I placed both hands on the cell bars and smiled wickedly. "Who said I'm a simple human girl?"

The air warmed as my fingertips started to glow. Lorenzo scooted away, alarm widening his eyes. I focused on the strength of the brass beneath my palms and they began to light up with an azure radiance so powerful, that the bars bent to my will. I yanked the broken pieces away, throwing them to my feet with ease. I leaned into the bare cell, holding out my hand. "Ready to get the hell outta here?"

Lorenzo shakily stood, his expression open and awestruck. "You are really something, angel. I have never seen magic like that."

I helped him out of the cell and waved away his astonishment. "It was nothing."

Elena stepped closer, grasping my shirt. "She was born that way and she hates compliments."

Lorenzo grinned, his warm brown eyes crinkling at the corners. "Hmm, I will have to fix that. It's not natural for someone so powerful to not know their worth."

Elena raised her hand, waving it through the air with a scoff of agreement. "Right! That's exactly what I told her."

I stared between the two, blinking with bewilderment. How does she do that? She makes friends so flipping fast!

"Okay! Enough you too. Lorenzo, we need to get you fed before we leave. Then I say we set a fire down here and evacuate the place. We can hunt down the rest of their little secret society later."

Lorenzo turned toward the hallway that led to the other end of the cellar, his throat bobbing with discomfort. "There is a laboratory in the other room. It's where they take us to experiment. "I'm sure they have blood in there."

I moved onto the toes of my feet, glancing in the direction his pain-filled gaze had notated. "I say we start there" I lowered back onto my heels and glanced over at Enzo, staring down at his hands curiously. He noticed my perusal and blinked down at his dirty hands with shame, lifting them out between us. "Is that ring you're wearing for protection against the daylight?" His shoulders dipped and he nodded. I sighed in relief. "Good, that's one less thing to worry about." I turned back to the previous subject. "Now, I bet they have either ethanol or isopropyl. We can use either to start a fire. We'll just have to be careful."

Elena raised a brow, looking me up and down. "How the hell do you know that, firestarter?"

"Eh, I've lived a long time, you learn a thing or two." I shrugged indifferently and headed forward. When I noticed that neither of them was following, I stopped, turning around to glare at them. "Come on! We don't have all day."

Lorenzo grinned, shaking his head. "You have a bit of a temper, angel, and it seems one hell of a story to tell. I look forward to hearing it." I glanced at him, wondering if I could trust the strange tortured soul. His smile dropped as if he could hear my inner thoughts. "Why don't you call me Enzo? It's what my friends call me. Well, they would if I had any," he said, smirking.

I laughed, pushing open the side door that led into the bright white and blue lab. "Enzo. I like it."

"It looks like you have friends now; two of them," Elena said, smiling.

Enzo sauntered into the lab and the kindness on his face evaporated at the sight of the blonde man sitting atop a metal stool; he was completely absorbed in his task. He had one hand placed at the base of a microscope as he stared into the eyepiece, while the other wrote quick-paced notes. Enzo's face blackened with dark veins and I took a protective stance in front of Elena, much to her dismay.

"Well, well, well. Look what we have here; Dr. Wes Maxfield. My luck is on the mend. New friends, old enemies; what an eventful day this turned out to be. My heart is all aflutter."

The blonde Doctor jumped off his stool at the dulcet purr of Enzo's voice. He spun around, and his blue eyes widened with such sheer surprise that I almost laughed at the way it animated his soft face. His hands fell on the metal table behind him and his fingers swiftly searched in vain for something. With a wave of my hand, Wes was yanked away from the table. His body hovered in front of Enzo, legs dangling in the empty air. Enzo smiled wickedly. He turned to look at me with a sudden fondness.

"That was extraordinary. You are really something, angel."

I shook my head and headed toward the table, examining the contents with interest. What had he been searching for?

"I've heard of your kind…b-but you were all wiped out by the true witches," Wes mumbled. He was talking to himself.

My hands moved across the desk, searching in earnest for whatever secret he hid amongst the equipment. My hand brushed against a small rectangular button, and I smiled in triumph. Ahah! A panic button; he had planned to alert whoever else was working in the house to Enzo's escape.

Elena glared at Wes from the other side of the room, her arms crossed over her chest. "My sister is a real witch. She was just gifted magic differently."

Wes looked down at Elena from his position floating in front of Enzo and condescendingly tilted his head. "I am sure you both believe that, but gods and goddesses are not real. If they were, then at some point we would have found evidence of them. Your 'sister' is an offshoot from the real witches. They gained their magic from their familial bloodline; their ancestors developed the gift from a mutation in their DNA. The creation of all 'supernatural' beings can be linked to mutated DNA." Here, he nodded in my direction, feigned regret in his eyes. "She, on the other hand, was a failed experiment by a real line of witches. I'm not sure which one, but they were supposed to handle the extermination of her kind. They failed," he said, his gaze fixated on me.

I smiled up at him and started giggling, surprise tinkling in the timbre of my laughter. "That is the strangest explanation for my existence that I have ever heard. Where did you hear that?"

Enzo reached up and poked Wes when he refused to answer. The Doctor grumbled irritably and glared over at me. "It's common knowledge among the Augustine society. Your familial line was studied when we discovered the origination of vampires."

I scrunched up my chin in understanding. It made sense. Elena huffed and stepped up next to me, side-eyeing the table with disgust. "How are you so okay with this? These so-called Doctors have been poking in your life for years. They believe you should be exterminated!"

Enzo turned his head and glanced at me with no small amount of intrigue. I shuffled through the paperwork next to me and stared down at the educated scribbles with curiosity. I gently shrugged. "Lena sweety, this is not the first time, nor do I fear the last, that someone wants me dead. There will always be people who fear the gifts I have been given. It comes with the territory. As grateful as I am for what the Goddess did for my family, it can be a curse at times." Looking toward the ceiling, I lifted my hand with a small smile. "I mean no disrespect, Lady Freyja."

Enzo released a deep gasp and lowered his head, mumbling under his breath. He looked paler and that was saying something, he appeared close to desiccation.

Wes rolled his eyes and sighed. "There is no such thing—"

With a swipe of my hand, I silenced him and stepped closer to his dangling form. "You should not speak of what you don't understand. The only reason you have not found the proof you seek is that they do not wish you to. Why would they appear to someone so weak? My lady is as real as you are, and you're about to find out what happens to those who anger her."

True fear sparked in Wes's eyes, and he fruitlessly fought my magic, his lips moving with silent speech. My lips twitched viciously "Enzo, why don't you forget about the blood bags?"

Enzo took hold of Wes's shoulder and pulled him closer. "Oh, I do love your mind, angel." The victory that lit up his attractive features dimmed and he turned to look at me with uncertainty. "Why don't you and the kitten step outside? This could get messy; it's been a while."

Elena clicked her tongue in objection at the new nickname. She placed her hands on her hips. "I'm not a kitten," she said.

I grinned in amusement at how close to a hiss her tone sounded. Enzo chuckled, his brow cocked and expression marked with disbelief. I took one last look around the room, searching for ethanol or isopropyl. On a metal shelf in the back of the room, I saw a bottle with a standard white label and the little red flammable warning on the side: Ethanol. Bingo! I rushed over and took the bottle from the shelf, lifting it over my head with a little jiggle.

"Okay, this is all we need. Elena and I will wait outside for you," I said, smiling at Enzo as I led Elena toward the door.

He grinned maliciously down at Wes. "I won't be long, angel."

Enzo was right, he didn't take long. I was a bit surprised by how clean he was upon his exit. Doctor Maxfield, along with others, had tortured him in ways I couldnt begin to imagine. I found myself wishing I could have given him more time to enact his revenge. After Enzo had finished his meal, we all headed up the stairs, leaving a trail of flammable ethanol behind us. Once we reached the top, Enzo sped out the door, heading for the safety of the car. I didn't want him to be seen. It would be better if the society thought he was destroyed in the fire. After he left, I took a book of matches from my bag. Without a hint of emotion, I lit a single match,

"Back up, Elena. This is gonna be bad, " I said and dropped the match. Snapping my fingers, I shielded myself and Elena as we continued toward the exit. "Oh god! There's a fire. Fire! Everyone needs to get out!" I screamed.

Elena rushed into the dining room, her steps frantic. "There's a fire! Get out!"

Smoke was building from the floor below as quickly as rushing water, and the floor was starting to creek menacingly below my feet. People pushed past me with panicked rounded eyes, their faces red with panicked distress. I stood by the door, ushering them out in groups. The man from before was absent and I found I didn't care if he had escaped, or left to go below.

Elena entered behind the last group of students, and her chest rocked with a heavy cough. "That's the last of them, I think."

I lifted my hands toward the floor above, and hastily I used my magic to scan the rooms for the auras of any wayward lovers. "We got everybody, let's get the hell outta here."

Elena pushed me out the door and we stumbled toward the car, breathing through rough coughs. Sirens sounded in the air and I rushed Elena forward. I did not want to be here for the police questioning. It only took us five minutes to reach the car, and Elena sighed in relief.

A fresh-faced Enzo, dressed in jeans and a black band t-shirt, popped out of the back seat. I laughed amusedly through a deep cough. "How the hell did you get in my car; it was locked."

"I am a man of many talents," he smirked, brows wagging suggestively.

Elena rolled her eyes and leaned against the car, staring between us questioningly. I assumed she wondered the same thing I did. Where did he plan to go? I gestured to his new attire, eyeing the Metallica shirt with a smile. "I can see that. Great band. Do you know who they are?" I asked curiously. How long had he been in that cage?

Enzo picked at the shirt and his eyes crinkled in thought. "I'm not up to date on most things, angel. I was locked up for seventy years or so."

Anger burnt through my stomach like dragon fire. "Well, it looks like I have a lot of great music to introduce you to…ohh and movies!"

Enzo looked at me strangely and with an odd sort of longing burning in his eyes. "You want me, angel?"

Elena tilted her head, scanning him with evident concern. I rolled my eyes and punched him on the shoulder. "Of course we want you to come with us! We just rescued you from a horrible torture lab. You are like a fish outta water. Come home with us until you understand the new world better. This is what friends are for."

Enzo took hold of my arm, his grip was soft and gentle. "You are a kind woman, Elara. I accept your offer; at least for now. There are some things I need to do, but youre right, I should learn more about this new world first."

Elena looked at Enzo with a new sort of wariness and pointed to the rear passenger door. "Get in then. It's a long drive and I'm exhausted." She held her throat with a tight face.

Enzo looked at her with a mixture of pity and guilt, and his gaze shot to his side where I still stood. He crossed his arms and pursed his lips in thought. "I could take care of that for you, it's the one good thing about being what I am."

Elena shook her head vehemently. "Nah, thanks but no thanks. I have had enough vamp blood shoved down my throat to last a lifetime. We can stop for some water at a gas station."

I nodded in understanding. "Same. I think it best if we both pass. Thanks though. Let's head out."

Enzo watched us both with a new understanding. "I'm not the first vampire you've met."

I hurriedly slipped into the car and motioned for them both to join me before I shut the door. They hopped in and Enzo leaned between us as I started the car. I shook my head and sighed. "No, you're not. We know several vampires. I will explain everything once we get home."

"And where is home?" he asked as he sat back.

Glancing into the rearview mirror, I caught his eye. "Mystic Falls."

"Of course it is."

The trip back to Mystic Falls was far from silent. Elena spent the majority of the time teaching Enzo road trip games. It was safe to say he would now be joining our weekly game night. By the time we reached the turn-off to our street, I realized I had no idea if Jenna would be comfortable with Enzo staying for the foreseeable future. She had only just become aware of the supernatural world, and now I had invited a vampire to stay in our spare room. Great job, Ellie. I parked the car with a wince of panic. It's too late to back out now. I couldn't exactly ask him to book a hotel room, and I didn't trust the Salvatores to help me.

"Welcome to Casa Gilbert. We have soft beds and decent Wifi. Breakfast and dinner are generally fend for yourself affairs. Any questions?" I asked, turning in my seat.

Elena laughed, shaking her head as she popped off her seatbelt. Enzo stuck out his bottom lip in thought. "Not really. I think I can handle jungle rules," he said with a smile.

My brows turned down as I frowned. "Oh, that reminds me! I forgot to mention our 'rawr' rules." I bared my teeth and used my hands like claws. Enzo's face twitched as he questioned my sanity. "We have a bit of a Town Council problem; they think they are vampire hunters. I would prefer to keep them unaware of the supernatural presence in Mystic Falls. We wouldn't want any real hunters coming around. When you hunt, keep it a town over, okay?"

Enzo lifted a carefree shoulder. I was slightly unnerved by the sense of ease I felt around him. "Alrighty then. Let's get you inside. It's time to meet the family."

A mischievous grin turned up the corner of Elena's lips, and I watched her hop outta the car with an air of fondness.

"She does remind me of an overexcited kitten," Enzo mused.

"She will show you how sharp her claws can be if you keep calling her that."

Enzo's face morphed into a caricature of an old-timey villain as he laughed. "I look forward to it."

I sighed, shaking my head as he followed after her, still cackling madly. I made my way toward the house with much less enthusiasm. Now that I was back in Mystic Falls, I could practically taste the venomous tang of Esther's magic on my tongue. Manic fear rushed through my veins in an urge for me to escape, to run as fast and as far as possible, but I knew I was past that now. I had too many ties to this town and its people. I was essentially trapped as if I had not been at any other point in time. This was always my fate to bear.

The front door stood wide open, and as I stepped onto the porch, I could hear the furious accusatory boom of Jeremy's voice. "Who the fuck is this, Elena? Why are you inviting strange vampires into the house?"

I could feel my steps slow, a pace matching that of a trudge through molasses. I did not want to deal with my angry brother. I passed through the threshold and found Alaric and Jeremy standing in front of Aunt Jenna. Elena hovered rather protectively in front of Enzo, her hands outstretched beside her. My expression morphed into exhausted irritation. Aunt Jenna was the first to notice me. She placed a hand out in front of her, gesturing wildly at the arguing group, and her eyes rolled toward the ceiling. I sighed in agreement and clapped my hands, alerting them to my existence.

"That's enough, children!" Jeremy jumped, his heels rising from the ground at the sound of my stern voice. Alaric turned to greet me with two fingers lifted into the air. He was not at all surprised by my sudden appearance. Aunt Jenna pushed past the two men and stood off to the side with a grumble of discontent. Jeremy pressed close, his uneasy gaze focused on Enzo.

"What is the problem here? Enzo isn't the first vampire who has been given access to the house."

Jeremy crossed his arms and fought the glare that demanded to sear itself into my flesh. He looked down at his feet and sucked on his words, his jaw rotating. I suddenly felt guilt swell in my stomach, but Elena had no such issue. "I texted Aunt Jenna on our way here, Jeremy. She knew we were coming home with a house guest. This isn't just your house. I know who is safe and who isn't. Your repentance sure didn't last long."

Surprised flickered across my face. Elena had texted Aunt Jenna. I felt terrible for my lack of forethought. I smacked Elena's shoulder, my face rumbled with displeasure. "Now that's not fair, Lena. Your reasoning can go both ways. This is Jeremy's home; everyone he invites inside is at risk. He doesn't know Enzo from Adam; give him a moment to adjust. We should have shown him the same respect we demand."

I turned to look at Jeremy remorsefully and held my hand out toward Enzo. "I'm sorry, Jer. I should have called you myself. This is Enzo St John. He was in a bad spot with some terrible people; we helped him escape. There is no need to fear him or the people he was held by. I swear it."

Jeremy's sagged and his neck started to turn a deep maroon. The color started to grow, traveling toward his cheeks, soon even his ears were heated. He swallowed down my apologies and rubbed the back of his neck nervously.

"I-I…thanks, Ellie. I was just worried about Bonnie and Aunt Jenna. I don't want a repeat of what happened with Katherine."

I tilted my head and lowered my gaze to the floor. He had a point. Elena huffed and moved forward with clear hard steps. "Excuse me? Are you trying to say Katherine was Elara's fault because if you are, I'll have to smack the shit out of you," she said, her teeth bared in anger. "Katherine would have come around regardless of Elara's existence. Hello!" She waved a circle around her irritated face, doe eyes wide with disbelief.

Enzo raised a fisted hand to his mouth and cleared his throat, one finger raised in front of his face. "Excuse me, I have a question for the audience."

I snickered, shaking my head. I was shocked by how calm he was in the face of such a disaster. He shot me a smile built on sheer delight. He was enjoying the drama. He turned to Elena. "Katherine is a name I have heard many times before. Is she a relative of yours?"

Aunt Jenna snorted and reached up to place a hand on her forehead. Alaric sighed and gently put his palm on her lower back. I was surprised to find she shook it off, her body stiffening at his touch.

Elena's face wrinkled with disgust. "Yeah, you could say that."

Enzo's entire expression shifted; I watched the shutters drop behind his eyes. In an instant, he turned from warm and funny, to aloof and cool. "How?" he asked.

Something cold and clouded popped into my head; a vision from another's mind. I felt chills raise the hairs along my arms. With a deep inhale, I turned to Enzo and pointed toward the stairs. "Elena is a doppelganger. We can talk about the rest after you settle in. Your room is the third door on the right. Make yourself at home," I firmly said, my tone clear and concise.

Enzo looked down at me, and his brown eyes filled with calculating unrest. I kept my gaze firm and clear of deception. I didn't want him to think I was working with the Salvatores.

Now that I was further away from the Augustine Society, I could more clearly remember some of the darker memories that had flooded my mind when I was connected to Damon. He had spent time there…with Enzo. I buried the painful memories, ones that didn't belong to me, and watched the warmth return to Enzo's gaze the longer we stayed connected. With a single nod, he headed toward the stairs. I watched him go with relief, it warmed the frigid pit of sadness in my chest.

"What was that all about?" Elena asked, coming to stand in front of me.

"Enzo isn't the only Augustine vampire that we know."

Adding another task to my ever-growing list had not been a part of the plan but as it turned out, keeping Enzo away from the Salvatores had been something I wasn't at all prepared for. If it wasn't for the fact that I was trained to handle paranoid, overly obsessive, and resentful vampires(men) then I would have been screwed.

Elena and I told Enzo our entire story only after he had settled in. I was surprised that he didn't seem phased that I knew the Original family, only that Elena and I had a connection to the Salvatores. In the end, the only thing that kept him from rushing over to the Boarding house was my promise to help him enact his revenge. Elena was supremely surprised.

To be honest, there was a part of me that longed for revenge; Enzo's promise won't be hard to keep. Rebekah would be proud. Now that we had a new house guest, or better put, a new accomplice, Elena thought he was the perfect time to wake up the daggered Originals. I thought she was fucking insane. According to the slimy feel of magic that was slithering through town, Esther was still at Lockwood Manor. Which was where Niklaus had hidden the coffins. I had no desire to go join them.

Once Elena had filled Enzo in on our current predicament, he seemed more than happy to help us wake up the dead to kill the witch who had once cursed me. I wasn't entirely sure why Elena was so gung ho about undaggering my siblings, but if I had to wager a guess? She thinks killing Esther will save me. Poor girl.

For days I watched from the sidelines as they planned their 'mission'. It was kinda nice to see Elena bond with someone outside of her tiny friend group. Then at one point, she decided to call Caroline, who in turn, forced me to call Tyler. By the third day, our kitchen was filled with people planning to help Elena wake up my former family. In all honesty, if it wasn't for their insane plan, it would be rather heartwarming.

"I say Elara calls the hybrid artist and asks him out for lunch. Then, Elena, you take Enzo and Tyler and head to the manor. From there, all you will have to do is yank out the weaponry and wake up their dusty asses," Caroline quipped.

My head lowered, and I blinked heavily, staring at her as she sucked on a cherry lollipop. She stood at the end of the dining room table, her gaze trained on Elena who was taking notes.

"Oh, that's all, is it? So we're not worried about the thousand-year-old witch, possible guards, new Hybrids, or Elijah?" I asked, a hopeless tone overtaking my voice.

Elena waved away my concern like an annoying fly and took a few quick notes. Enzo sat at her side, nodding along with whatever she was writing. "Kitten is right. If the witch was able, she would have already made a nuisance of herself. My guess is, your Hybrid and his brother have something up their sleeve."

My teeth met in a dance of irritation. Tyler squeezed my shoulder comfortingly. From my other side, Mason leaned over the table, tapping its surface to gain Elena's attention. "I don't think you should take your sister's concerns lightly. She tends to know what she's talking about. No offense, vampire," he said, his face contorted with repugnance.

Enzo growled and his spine straightened at the perceived insult. I sighed dejectedly, but before I could speak, Elena tapped her pen on the table, clearing her throat. When Mason and Enzo continued to stare at one another, Caroline stomped her foot. "Hey! Pay attention, this is important."

Tyler chuckled in my ear and I allowed a small smile. Caroline glanced over at me, and we shared a brief moment of levity before Elena took hold of our attention. "I understand that Elara knows her family better than we do, but her knowledge can also be a hindrance. It can blind her just as easily as help. Waking up the rest of the Original family is important. If we have their help against Esther, then we can put her down for good."

Enzo kicked his chair back on two legs, his hands cradling his head. "Exactly."

I felt the weight of Elena's decision fall on my shoulders. There was no getting her to back down and I couldn't let her do this alone. It wouldn't work without my help.

"Fine. What have you decided?" I defeatedly said.

Elena grinned widely and lifted her pad of paper. "Here is what we are gonna do."

The Grill was crowded with locals milling in for a late afternoon meal. The atmosphere was charged despite the heat. Whoever was in charge of the thermostat should be fired! The air felt sticky with humidity. The mixture from the warmth of the kitchen and a heater that had been set too high had turned the restaurant into a relative sauna.

I sat in a booth that was centered in the middle of the restaurant, and my gaze was sealed at the entrance. I used my menu as a fan and awaited my guest with nerves collecting in the base of my throat. I couldn't stop the repeated negative thoughts swimming in my mind; my piranha. This is a bad idea. Run!

Miles away, Elena, Tyler, and Enzo were parked on an adjacent street near Lockwood manor. They planned to enter and release the daggered Originals as soon as they saw Niklaus' head here. There was a part of me that felt guilty, but truthfully, there was a much larger part that felt elated. I was finally living up to the promise I made Rebekah. She would be alive again.

The welcome bell wiggled as someone started to open the door, and I felt my stomach flip flop when it jingled cheerfully. Niklaus. There he was; the man I love. The same man who had awoken the woman responsible for my constant agony. At that moment, as I watched him scan the crowd, I didn't know what I felt. There was anger, sadness, and pity, such an odd mixture of emotions. They were all swirling together, and I couldn't pick which feeling was more dominant.

He stood tall the moment he finally found me, and the hardness in his blue eyes disappeared. A gentle smile graced his full lips, and that perfect dimple I so loved made an appearance. Relief spread across his face and I saw his body slump forward, his formerly tall frame diminishing slightly. It was as if he was carrying a heavy burden, one that he had finally lowered upon seeing me. Oh my love, what have you done? I pulled my hands from the table and tore my gaze from his bone-weary form.

I could hear his approach despite the other noises clamoring for attention. His steps stopped beside me, and his voice melted my stiff posture. "Hello, love. What a surprise this was."

It took more effort than it ever had before to look up at my Hybrid. I forced myself to wear a weak smile and glanced up to meet his mildly bemused stare. "Can I not ask you to lunch, Nik? And here I thought I was still your finance," I idly joked.

A deep unfathomable pain shot across his face. I watched the ebb and flow of his emotion with uncertainty and panic battling it out in the recesses of my mind. What is going on? "Nik, are you okay?"

His expression calmed almost immediately and he hid behind the vacant mask he had perfected centuries ago. I despised it. I stared at him for a moment, just looking at the way he had closed himself off to me. It was not something I was used to. As much as I hated to admit it, things had changed between us. I just didn't know when or why. I wish I could get him to talk to me.

"Niklaus…you know that I will never judge you, right? I-I might get angry but I will never leave you…please tell me what is wrong."

His jaw tightened, the muscle in his cheek ticking at the force being used. He fought both his words and his emotions. I remained silent, praying with all my might that he would give into the trust we once shared. His brows scrunched together, and his mouth opened as he gasped, his breathing uneven in his distress. Before I could reach out and comfort him, he bolted from the booth, his hands held out at his sides.

"I think you were right, Elandra," he murmured.

I watched his eyes dart around almost fearfully. It was like he was dreading the words that spilled from his lips. I slowly inched out of the booth and stood in front of him. "I usually am, Niklaus, but which time are we currently speaking of?"

His hand flexed, and he looked down at my shaking hands. With wary eyes, he took hold of my wrist and led me outside. We ended up across the street at the same bench Damon and Alaric once used to spy on Isabel. He released me almost immediately, and for the first time, I felt cold rejection.

"You mentioned…when I was mistaken about Elijah." He stumbled over his words and I glanced up at his tired face with bewilderment. "Maybe…you could have been…" the words left him in disjointed and barely intelligible sentences.

I tilted my head, disconcerted by his tortured wet eyes. He seemed uncentered and dazed. Suddenly, my brain put forth an idea and I felt my heart shatter. "You-do you mean when I mentioned dissolving our courtship? You...would you like to dissolve our courtship?" I asked, taking a few solid steps backward.

I couldn't look at him. Nothing in my world made sense anymore. The only thing I could feel was pain. In all my centuries, when memories of my past would return, it was only the idea that I would someday find him and our family that had kept me afloat. I felt my body shudder, and stress visibly made waves across my body. All I wanted to do was escape. With my hands grasping strands of my hair, I nodded absentmindedly and shakily turned to leave, unable to do more.

In a flash, he was on me, trapping my face between calloused hands. When I refused to meet his eyes, he shook my head. There was not a hint of gentleness in his incessant need. I finally met his gaze and gasped at the crazed struggle in their amber depths. "No! You will not leave me. That is not what I want…there is always another way. There has to be!"

I was confused by his muddled words but lost my train of thought in his frantic eyes. He pulled me into his chest and I struggled to breathe in his tight grasp. Thankfully, it only lasted a moment before I caught air again. Hastily, he placed me in front of him and rubbed my shoulders, his gaze lost and overwrought. His fingers dug into my shoulders as his grip held me tight. I wanted to speak, to tell him that I wouldn't vanish upon release, but I was shocked by this new version of him.

Almost as if on autopilot, he pulled away from me and swallowed down his panic. "I think we should take some time apart. Just for a little while. I have some things I have to take care of," he said, nodding along with his words. It was like he was using them to reassure him of something.

My brows inched together in confusion, and I wrapped my arms around myself in a near cradle. "Okay…sure. But as I said before, you can tell me anything, Nik. Whatever is bothering you, we can work it out together."

Niklaus shook his head swiftly, denying my offer. "Not this time, love. I-I have to work this one out alone."

His blue eyes swam with deep unrestrained emotion, and I reached out, placing my hand on his cheek. For a single moment, he closed his eyes and allowed the embrace, before taking hold of my hand and dropping it into the empty air. "Stay out of trouble. I will have my hybrids keeping an eye on you, and I don't want to hear that you're acting reckless," he warned, a hint of the old Niklaus shining in his amber eyes.

I didn't fight his overprotective display; I was almost warmed by it. He leaned in and swiftly kissed my forehead, but before I could ask any further questions, he was gone. Rage consumed what was left of the fear he had created, and I clenched my hands into fists. If he thought he could avoid me and deal with Esther alone, he had another thing coming.

Reaching into my pocket, I pulled out my cell. I hoped what little time he had spent with me had been enough. It took four long anxiety-producing rings before Elena answered.

"Hey! Sorry, we were in a bit of a rush to leave. I think one of them was starting to wake up, and I did not want to be on the menu."

I felt relief overtake me; I plopped down onto the bench with a heavy sigh. "It worked; you woke them all?"

I could hear annoyance leak through in her outraged grumble. "Of course it worked, Ellie. We took out the daggers, left the blood bags and your note, and skedaddled. Easy peasy."

A powerful surge of rightness passed over me, and I felt a sense of excitement build in my heart. Finally, my family is complete.

I narrowed my eyes at her nonchalance and pushed down my irritation. "You kept the daggers, right?"

A loud clanking passed through the speakers. I could hear Enzo's voice in the background. "Got 'em!"

"Where are you?" Elena asked.

I glanced around and silently watched the normal people pass by with no care in the world. "Outside the Grill; pick me up, will you? I need to dispose of the daggers."

"On it!"

With that, I hung up and patiently waited for the downfall of what we had done.

"What are we gonna do with these?" Elena asked. "You can't just…melt them or whatever, can you?"

I stepped out of my closet and rolled my eyes hard. "Of course not, Lena. They are made from magic."

She huffed and mumbled something under her breath. She propped her foot against the wall beside my closet and tossed the daggers onto my bed. The three white oak-dipped weapons clinked together menacingly, and I grimaced.

"There should be four, right? Where is the other one?" Elena asked, glancing down at my empty hands.

"If you remember, I gave Elijah his. I will get it back eventually. It will need to be destroyed too. There will never be a balance between them if Niklaus has a way to put them all down. Also, there are five, not four. I think Nik has an extra. I'll have to look into that," I thoughtfully said.

Elena exhaled deeply. Her cheeks expanded and small strands of hair scattered around her face. "The drama is thick in that family, Ellie. Good luck."

I laughed, shaking my head in agreement. Sucking on my teeth, I stepped back into the closet. Quickly, I grabbed a map of the United States, my favorite amethyst crystal, a ritual bowl, and a small blade. Before I stepped out, I glanced down at the white oak stake and shrugged, chucking it into the pile. It had been too long since I had scryed for white oak, best to add it to the to-do list.

Elena watched me curiously as I dropped the pile onto my desk. I laid out the map along the surface and placed the blade on an empty corner. Picking up the amethyst, I laid it down in the middle. "Okay. First, I need to locate someone. She will help us keep Finn on the right track, without her, I fear he will fall into Esther's clutches."

Elena stepped up beside me, glancing down at the map. "Finn is the older one, right? Who are you searching for?"

I nodded and picked up the blade, slicing a thin line down the middle of my palm. Elena gasped, her eyes rounded in surprise. "His wife. Now hush!"

I picked up the amethyst and rolled it around in my slick palm until it was saturated with my blood. Into the silent air, I whispered heated words, filled with hope and longing. My mind was centered on images of Sage. When I had a vision of her firmly in place, I dropped the stone atop the map. Slowly, it started to spin, lifting into the air. Trails of blood fell onto the map in tracks of broken red tears. Soon, the broken tracks became one, spreading across the map until they reached Texas. The stone lowered, landing on the sharp angled state. It glowed for a moment, before visions of Sage in an old hotel with a flickering neon cross attached to the side, flooded my mind. Ozona.

The glow of the amethyst died down, and I lowered myself onto the stool below me. "Do me a favor, Elena. Look up the number for a hotel in Texas called Ozona; ask for Sage. Tell her that Finn is awake in Mystic Falls."

Elena brushed the hair from my forehead with avid concern, and nodded, rushing toward her room. With shaky legs, I stood and gathered the daggers, dropping them into the ritual bowl. I sat back down in front of my desk and raised my hand above the bowl. Thick, heavy drops of blood landed atop the daggers. I whispered a silent prayer to Freja.

"Goddess, please accept this tainted magic. I implore you to send this accursed incarnation back to the depths from whence it came."

The daggers sizzled as my blood chipped away at the metal like acid. I watched in thankful awe as they started to twist and diminish. I closed my eyes when nothing but ash remained and projected my gratefulness to the Goddess.

After a silent moment, I lifted my slick palm toward the white oak stake and laid it on the map. Time to see if I have any new trees to destroy.

Of course, the only white oak was in Mystic Falls. I couldn't say I was surprised. I was reborn in this godforsaken town, along with the doppelganger. Where else would the only weapon that could destroy the Original family pop up?

I walked along Wickery bridge, a container of lighter fluid in each hand. Once the top of the bridge, the sign included(one couldn't be too careful) was saturated. I hopped off the bridge and maneuvered down the hill. My feet were cold and wet as the river splashed below, soaking my shoes and pant legs. I couldn't say that I would be sad to see this bridge go, my family had died here after all. I guess you'd call this kismet.

I squirted the lighter fluid all over the supports and along the wood underneath, until I was satisfied that it would all properly burn. I would come back later, just to be sure. I climbed the hill and came to stand in front of my car. Reaching into my pocket, I pulled out a match, and with a flick of my wrist, I set Wickery bridge aflame. I stood there for a solid minute, just watching it burn, a swirl of emotion warming me just as easily as the flames. When I could hear the distant sounds of sirens, I got into my car and headed home. It was time to face the music.