DEAREST READERS, FOLLOWERS, REVIEWERS AND FAVOURITERS,
I'm still here. I haven't forgotten about the story. But, I wasn't happy with where I was going with it. Now, with a new bout of inspiration, I've started the rewriting process.
My apologies for keeping you waiting for over a year, you deserve better. And now, instead of a new chapter, I'm giving you a different story. I do hope you like the changes I'm adding. Some parts will seem familiar, because I didn't change everything. Now, without further ado, I will leave you to read this new and hopefully improved first chapter.
Thank you for reading and a special thanks to all the lovely reviewers, followers and favouriters who have stuck by me. You're all awesome :)
The world vibrated as she found her way back to the world of the living. Her time of repentance was over. Evanna walked the earth once more. The young woman was aware that her return wouldn't go unnoticed. But for now, she didn't care. She had a mission and she would not fail. Calling on her magic, she cloaked herself in darkness. New Orleans awaited.
The young woman wasn't surprised to find her two living brothers fighting. She sighed, once again, a girl had wormed her way between them. She leaned against the doorframe, slightly amused by their bickering.
"There's this saying of history repeating itself, I guess it is rather apt for the situation you two seem to be finding yourself in. Honestly, how many times are you going to let a girl come between you? For the life of me, I have no idea why you two idiots allow a girl to ruin what little brotherly affection you have left. For fuck's sake, Hayley isn't worth the calories, hell she's not even worth a single bit of oxygen." Evanna said from her position, observing Nik and Elijah carefully, wondering how they will react to her sudden appearance. Two pairs of astonished eyes fell on her.
"Evanna?" They both uttered in disbelief.
"In the flesh." She said with a wink, making her way to her brothers who stood frozen in surprise.
"So, am I going to get a hug or what?" The girl asked, acting as if this was nothing new. Elijah was the first to recover, enveloping her in a gentle but firm hug.
"How?" He whispered as he let go of her, not sure she was really here.
"Magic, brother dear." A sly smile graced her mouth. Before she could explain any further, Nik wrapped his arms around her, enveloping her in a bone-crushing hug.
"Nik, could you maybe refrain from crushing my bones?" She said through a giggle. He reluctantly let go.
"For someone who just came back from the dead, you seem surprisingly at ease." Nik commented, observing his sister carefully. She shrugged.
"What'd you expect, Nik? I'm immortal. Even death can't keep me away. Let's refer to it as a necessary vacation."
Elijah cocked a brow at her response.
"Necessary vacation? Necessary vacation?" Nik's voice was rising as he continued, "we thought you were gone forever! Yet you come strolling in, merrily, as if nothing happened and you just dismiss it? You knew that you would return, but we believed you to be gone forever, Eva. Forever." He emphasised the last word and the girl flinched slightly. His temper hadn't changed much.
"You think I wanted to die? I had no choice in the matter. It was forced upon me and I had to die, without knowing for certain that I would return. It was easier to have you believe that I was gone forever instead of dangling maybes. I'm back now, so either you accept it or you don't." Eva laid down the way it was going to be.
"You had to die?" Elijah asked in concern.
"It's a long story, one you'll hear in due time. Now, where's Rebekah?" Evanna asked, looking around the room.
"I'm surprised she didn't give you hell for repeating history." The girl continued, making her way to the courtyard.
"She left."
Eva whirled around to face Nik. There was something in his tone, it was a slight change, undetectable to most, but she heard it.
"What did you do?" She inquired, arms folded and staring him down. It wasn't an easy feat, given that Niklaus was taller than her, but she managed.
"The usual. Betrayal, a fight, threat of a dagger. In the end I told her to leave." Nik explained. He at least had the decency to look a bit ashamed of his actions. Eva's stern face faltered and instead was replaced by compassion.
"Why am I not surprised? You know, Nik, you really need to do something about that temper of yours. Anyway, let's ask her to come back, shall we. Can I have a phone?" Elijah handed her a phone and she looked for Bekah's number. Finding it, she dialled her sister.
"Hi Beks, it's your favourite girl in the whole wide world. I'm back. And I really want to see you, so could you pretty please forget whatever squabble you and Nik have and come back to New Orleans? Lots of love. Eva." It had gone straight to voice mail, so she left a message and handed to phone back to Elijah.
Looking around the place, Eva decided on what to do with her down time. It was only mid-afternoon and the sun was touching her face. Leaning her head back, she basked in its warmth. It was only when she heard other voices that she focussed back on her surroundings. She moved closer to her brothers who were talking to Marcel.
"Hello, Marcel." She grinned at him.
"Evanna. You look as beautiful as always. Welcome back." He said while hugging her.
"Flattery will get you anywhere, Marcel. It's good to be back." She said, smiling at being alive once more.
"I'm going to go out for a walk." Eva decided, not being at all interested in the day to day business of ruling the French Quarter.
"Careful, sweetheart. We're trying not to attract trouble." Nik warned.
"Me, trouble?" She feigned ignorance. "I'll be on my best behaviour." She flipped her hair on the side, gave a small wave at the vampires and then stalked out of the Abattoir.
She walked around the Quarter, enjoying its vibrant atmosphere and taking in all the people, the noises, the smells. A small smile graced her face as she made her way to the cemetery. It really hadn't changed at all, she thought to herself as she set foot on the hallowed ground. She could feel the stirrings of magic in this place. Ancestral magic wasn't that easy to hide, apparently. Eva didn't mind, instead opting to see whether she could tap into it. Her smile widened when she felt the power move at her command. She'd promised to be on her best behaviour, but it was all so tempting. Besides, she was rather interested to see what had become of the coven. It didn't take long for her to be noticed.
"Who are you?" A voice came from behind her. Eva slowly turned to face the witch.
"Genevieve. I must say I'm a bit hurt you don't remember me. Did I really not leave an impression?" The redhead's eyes went wide with recognition.
"Evanna." The young woman nodded.
"You do remember me. So, this is what has become of the coven, is it? Quite sad, really." She commented, pointing at the three other witches that stood behind her, looking at her.
"What are you doing here?" Genevieve took a threatening step forward.
"Don't strain yourself, Gen. I'm not here to hurt you. I'm only here to talk to miss Claire." Eva motioned to the young brunette.
"She's part of this coven, Evanna. Everything you wish to say to her can be said in front of me."
"Just because you deign yourself the leader, doesn't mean I recognise you as such." The witch said with an air of nonchalance, though she was getting a bit annoyed at Genevieve's interfering.
"I'd be careful, Evanna. We have a truce with the vampires, but it all depends on the continuation of the stipulated terms."
The ginger-haired woman sighed in annoyance. Her impatience was growing.
"Sweetheart, you honestly think I give a damn about that truce? I could wipe the floor with you, here and now. Now, let me talk to Davina Claire." Eva rarely felt the need to make threats, whenever she made demands, people adhered them, giving her exactly what she wanted. This time was no different.
"You have one hour." The coven elder said, pushing Davina forward after whispering something to the young girl. She hesitantly walked over to the older witch.
"Hello, Davina. I'm Evanna. Care for a walk?" She didn't wait for an answer, instead steering the girl towards the Quarter, believing the girl to be more comfortable if she were in a place with other people.
"What do you want from me?" The brunette finally found her voice.
"For now, just to talk. I'm sorry about the Harvest Ritual. I never quite got the whole sacrificial thing the ancestors got going on. Then again, ancestral magic is rather dependent on the goodwill of the ancestors. Probably the reason why I don't like it all that much."
"How do you know Genevieve?"
"We have some history together, but that is a story for another time. For now, I'd like to talk to you about options."
Davina repeated the last word in question.
"Yes, options, as in, I could help you out with your magic, get you away from the coven or whatever the hell you want. Look at me as your ticket to freedom."
"What do you want in return?"
Eva liked the girl, she got spunk and wasn't as naïve as she'd first thought the young witch to be.
"It depends on what you decide to do. If you wish to leave the coven, I'll ask you for a favour, but if you'd rather not do it, then I'll find another way." The immortal witch didn't see the harm in being honest with Davina.
"Why would I want to leave the coven?" She asked, not sure of Evanna's motivation.
"Honestly, I can't help but wonder why you'd want to stay. The ancestors haven't exactly been kind to you." Eva said with a small inclination of the head.
"But, I can't just quit it, if I do, I'll be left unprotected and if I leave town, I can't practice magic."
They were getting to the root of the problem.
"As for protection, no need to worry there, Marcel will always have your back. So will I, though for now, that may not mean much to you. Magic wise, well, let's just say there is a way for you to detach yourself from the ancestors and become a practicing witch both inside and outside the city limits." Eva explained.
"That's impossible."
"I've learnt long ago that nothing's impossible if you have but the daring and the wits. Your father was a witch from out of town, he has no ties to the ancestors. In other words, your blood is connected to a well of magic outside the ancestors. I can sever your link to the ancestors, freeing you from their impulses and their whims. But, it does come with a price."
"What?"
Eva wondered how best to broach this subject to the girl.
"Normally, it wouldn't be that difficult to cut your ties to the coven, but because of the Harvest Ritual and you being the last one sacrificed, the bond between you and the ancestors was slightly strengthened and modified. I can still break the bond, but doing so would bring you extremely close to death and there is actually a slim chance that you would die."
"So, it would be safer for me to remain where I am." Davina concluded.
"Not necessarily. You're tied to the ancestors, and because of your status as a Harvest Girl, in time, they might be able to take possession of you, or to abandon you completely. If you remain in the coven, you must adhere to its leader's wishes and to the will of the ancestors. You might be tasked to do things that go against your better judgement. If you decide to not carry them out, you could be shunned."
"Why has no one ever told me that?" Davina asked in disbelief, looking at the other witch.
"It took me years to figure it out myself, Davina. I abhor ancestral magic simply because of its dependence of the goodwill of the Spirits. And since we don't always see eye to eye, they don't like it much when I meddle in their business. The extent of the Spirits' powers is unknown, and most guesses have always underrated their prowess. Believe me when I say, if they unite, they can quite literally move mountains. Of course, they rarely do, as they are divided amongst themselves, but still." Eva looked around the quarter once more, deciding that not much had changed since her last visit. People were still drawn to the city like moths to a flame.
"Why me?" Davina whispered.
"I knew your grandmother, delightful woman. You look a lot like her. And I know she'd want more for you than New Orleans has to offer. But, it's your choice. Take your time to decide, I won't be going anywhere anytime soon." Glancing at her watch, Eva decided it might be best to get the girl back to the cemetery. She wouldn't impose on Genevieve's tolerance any more than she already had.
"Let's get you back to your coven."
"Evanna, you say you knew my grandmother, does that mean that you know my father as well? And how do you know her? I mean, you don't look old." The girl commented.
"Your grandmother and I crossed paths many moons ago. I'm a lot older than I appear, as you probably guessed. I'm not like other witches, my powers are greater than most conventional witches and I have had centuries to hone them. As for your father, I have not seen him in years." Considering her recent return to the land of the living, Eva was little up to date with acquaintances from her most recent past.
"But you know him? And he is a witch as well?" Davina couldn't quite hide the curiosity in her tone.
"Ron's a warlock, yes. He inherited that quality from his mother. I only met him as a teenage boy, and as most teenage boys, he was rather arrogant and blinded by his youth. But, he was kind and he loved his mother dearly." Eva didn't know much else to say, but the girl seemed satisfied for now.
"You think I might ever meet him?" She didn't sound wistful, just curious.
Eva wondered what was going through her head, did Davina want to meet her father and inquire as to why he left? Or did she want to know him? Eva resisted the urge to delve into the young girl's mind, allowing Davina the privacy of her own thoughts.
"I don't know Davina, that is up to him as much as it is up to you. I know he wouldn't have left you and your mother without a reason." That much Eva could tell the young girl. Knowing Michelle, she would've instilled some kind of family values onto her son and would scold him if he would abandon his daughter.
"It doesn't really matter much, I'm just curious, I guess." Davina shrugged, but Evanna could hear the dejection in her tone.
"You have every reason to, Davina." Evanna assured the girl.
"I see you're making friends already, Eva." Marcel said as they rounded a corner.
"What can I say, I was rather curious how the coven was faring."
"I'm sure you were." His tone implied that he knew that there was more to the story than she let on, but respecting and trusting Eva, Marcel didn't ask for details.
"You two know each other." Davina stated, looking from Marcel to Evanna.
"I've known Eva since I was a boy, she's pretty close to the Originals. Speaking of Originals, Rebekah called back, saying that she's on her way to New Orleans. She seemed quite happy to hear from you." Marcel informed her.
"Fantastic. I can't wait to see her. Goddess, have I missed her." Eva didn't stay long, choosing to give Marcel and Davina some time alone. She didn't tell him that Davina needed to be returned to the coven or they might get into trouble. With a wave she was gone.
The witch didn't return to the Abattoir immediately, instead she made two stops. One in the plantation house, where she looked around for witch supplies and some fine wine from Elijah's not so well hidden cellar. Once she got out of the house, she went to the store, getting the things that couldn't be found in the plantation house. A jingle announced her arrival. She noted that, like most of the Quarter, the store hadn't changed much, but it had commercialised. New Orleans had become a real magnet for believers in magic. She made my way through the store, trying to locate the ingredients for her spells. There were few people in the store, looking for a thrill.
"Cute." The witch commented as she looked upon the two girls' attempt at finding a hex. Both girls looked at her.
"This bitch from school is making our lives a living hell. It would be fine if she'd just leave us alone, but she just keeps pushing. We want to make her pay."
How petty and yet, Eva understood the need to avenge being wronged.
"You might want to think bigger. That won't work." The young woman drifted through the store and grabbed some bird bones, a Swastika talisman and some lavender.
"Here, all you need to do is put the name of the one you want to torment on a piece of paper, put these items in a small hex bag and give it to them. Then light a candle and burn the piece of paper after sprinkling cayenne pepper in the flame." She infused the talisman with some magic before handing them the items.
"How do you know that?" One of the girls asked, slightly taken aback by Eva's offer.
"How does anyone know anything? You are in the French Quarter after all. Evanna, I did not know you were in town." The witch in question turned towards Nandi, the owner of Nandi's Specials.
"Nandi, how lovely to see you. I must say, you don't look a year over fifty. Some herbs you've been using." She was supposed to be eighty at least. She was a witch and she also happened to be Valerie LaMarche's daughter. A woman Eva had encountered in the past and whom she had little regard for. They'd met when Eva had been in New Orleans before her necessary vacation.
"Herbs won't keep me from dying, Eva. Something you seem to have no problem overcoming. It's been decades and you have not changed one bit."
As the two witches were exchanging greetings, the teenage girls made their way to the exit. Unfortunately for them, Evanna had noticed them moving. She whooshed over, halting their exit.
"You haven't paid yet, it would be a big mistake to steal from a witch."
"We don't want the hex after all. We have to go." For a moment, the witch considered to have some fun with them, but there were other things she needed to take care of.
"Of course. Well, why don't you go then and forget what just happened here, would you?" She put some compulsion in it, so they wouldn't be able to recall it, though no one would believe them. Still, one could never be too careful. She moved out of the way and let them leave.
"Not that it is not good to see you, but I am a bit on a tight schedule. I need Ametrine and mastic."
"Those aren't items one has just lying around. What are you planning on doing?" Nandi asked as she started shuffling through the store.
"I have need of the Original family. All of them."
"You're going to summon the dead." Nandi concluded.
"Don't worry, I know what I'm doing. Besides, from what I've gathered, it has been quite the rage these days. Papa Tundé, Celeste, Genevieve."
While Eva had been wandering the Quarter, she'd made herself a bit more acquainted with its happenings since the return of her family to the city. It hadn't been that hard to do, the magic had still tinged the air, making it easier for her to uncover the spells that had been used.
"The Harvest Ritual, as you may know, was highjacked, yet it wasn't anything too unnatural." Nandi said while handing Eva the stone. The woman had an aversion towards crude methods. Her mother had used expression and Nandi had been rather repulsed by it.
"I'll do whatever it takes to get the Mikaelsons back. Do you have any bat's head root in this shop of yours?"
"That's some dangerous magic you intend to pull off, Eva. Don't let it take control over you." Nandi warned as she went to the back to retrieve the mastic.
Evanna waited, looking around the store once more. The girl cared little for the opinion of Nandi and the dangers that could come with her choice of magic. She was well versed and had a thousand years of experience, there was little to none that Nandi could offer to make her reconsider.
"It appears that you won't be swayed, but I warn you, Eva, be careful. Certain things have a way of catching up to us and be wary, the Mikaelsons aren't some petty vampires you can fool." Reluctantly, Nandi handed her the items she'd asked for. The older witch could only smile.
"I'll be fine, Nandi. I am more than capable of taking care of myself. Now, how much do I owe you?" After paying for the ingredients, the witch left the shop, making her way back to the Abattoir.
"Someone's been busy." Nik commented as Eva put her purchases down on a table.
"You're the one who's been stealing my wine." Elijah said as he looked at the several bottles the girl had brought with her.
"What happened to what's mine is yours?" She said with a smirk. Elijah refrained from commenting on that, instead opting to look at what his sister had brought.
"Tarot cards?" Klaus asked, holding up an old pack.
"It's an art." Eva stated.
With the coming of the whole new age and wicca movement, certain forms of craft were ridiculed. Tarot cards being one of them. Few witches actually used them since they had become closely associated with frauds and wannabe psychics. It annoyed Evanna to no end.
"If you say so. What are you planning on doing with all this?" Nik motioned to the items she'd brought with her.
"I'm planning on building a house." The girl said while giving her brother a pointed look.
"I was wondering what kind of spell you were planning on doing."
Eva shrugged.
"I'm not sure. I just bought these things, in case I might need to improvise. And since we're on the topic, can I have Esther's grimoire?" Elijah disappeared into the house.
Silence hung as Eva arranged everything in a conjured box. She caught Nik's eyes and smiled at his expression.
"It is easy to forget how effortless magic was to you." Klaus admitted, seeing his sister just moving objects around without the least bit of effort, without even uttering a spell.
"Centuries of experience."
"Elijah, I just –" Hayley whined, but she was cut off by Elijah.
"Not now, Hayley, I'm dealing with important family matters." Elijah sighed, stalking into the courtyard.
"Mother's grimoire is missing."
Eva took in his words, dropping the objects gently on the table.
"That's rather unfortunate." Eva said, shuffling through the papers she had brought with her from the plantation house.
"You don't seem too upset about it." Elijah commented, noting Evanna's rather blasé attitude on the matter at hand.
"It was more for reference. I know it by heart, and I doubt that it'd be much help with what I'm planning on doing."
"You do realise that just because you have no need for it, other witches might? There are a lot of spells in it, spells that could potentially hurt us. In case you forgot, not all of us have the power to defend ourselves with magic and not all of us are as popular as you are, Eva. There are witches out there who'd rather see us dead." Niklaus' temper was once again rising.
The girl had almost forgotten how amusing Nik's outburst could be.
"Don't get your nickers in a twist, Niki. The grimoire is very well protected. Anyone who attempts to use it without our permission will have some trouble reading it. And lifting the spell requires the blood of the entire Original Family. Since about half of them are dead, I wouldn't worry about that. Plus, Esther already made sure that some spells were illegible to anyone using the grimoire who doesn't share her blood." The girl explained, as if it was the most logical thing in the world. Klaus was glaring at his sister, not very fond of her nickname for him.
"Who are you?" Hayley asked, looking at the two Originals and the new girl.
"Evanna." She said with a smile, as though that was explanation enough.
"What are you doing here?"
"I don't really see how that's any of your damn business." Eva didn't like this girl at all and she wouldn't waste energy on the little wolf.
"Evanna." Elijah scolded. The girl's eyes went to her brother.
"Don't give me that, Elijah."
"She's carrying Niklaus' child." Her brother gave her a pointed look.
"So she says." Eva replied.
"Do you know something that we don't, Eva?" Nik asked, mingling in the conversation, looking from his sister to the pregnant werewolf.
"I don't know, Hayley, is there something you forgot to tell the Mikaelsons?" The witch' smile widened, enjoying riling the girl up.
"I have no idea what you are talking about." Yet, all three Mikaelsons could hear her heartbeat quickening. Niklaus took action, speeding up to the werewolf and backing her against the wall.
"Careful, Nik, she's pregnant." Evanna warned, concerned about the baby.
"I want to truth." He said, while backing up. Evanna came to stand next to her brother.
"We'll get it. Just not through violence. There are easier ways of determining the baby's daddy." Eva advanced on the girl, holding her in place with magic. The witch grabbed Hayley's hand and delved into her mind, easily breaking through the defences. She was careful not to harm the baby, a child should never have to pay for its parents' mistakes. It didn't take Evanna long to find what she was looking for.
"Oh dear, you have been a busy wolf, haven't you?" Eva said when she let go of Hayley's hand.
"She is not carrying my child, then?" Klaus asked, his words barely a whisper.
"You're not the father." Eva reluctantly said, wondering how Nik would take it. Upon hearing those words, he all but lunged himself at the wolf, Elijah quickly stepping forward restraining him.
"You traitorous little bitch, claiming to be the mother of my child. Using us for protection. You will regret lying to us, you will pay for your deceit." He shouted while struggling against Elijah. Niklaus continued to yell at Hayley, cursing her, threatening her.
"Niklaus." Both Elijah and Evanna shouted, trying to get him to calm down.
"You, leave. Go to the bayou and stay there. Do not try the leave New Orleans, I won't let you. This isn't over." Evanna said, releasing the girl from the magic holding her in place, while at the same time working her magic to make sure that the wolf wouldn't flee town.
"And you…" Eva wasn't able to finish her sentence, because another voice joined in.
"Looks like I got here just in time to join in the fun." Rebekah announced herself, looking at the scene unfolding before her.
"So, what is the problem now?" The blonde asked as she walked up to hug her little sister.
"Rebekah!" Eva twirled around, running to meet her sister, while at the same time making sure that everyone stayed put.
"You have a lot of explaining to do, Eva. But first, what's happening here?" Rebekah motioned to Elijah and Klaus, who was still not calmed down.
"Oh, you know, Hayley lied about her baby's parentage and Elijah's trying to restrain Nik from hurting the little wolf." The female Original let out a surprised noise.
"Let's talk him down." Rebekah said once she was recovered from the shock. The vampire joined Elijah in his efforts to restrain the hybrid. His added strength was making it rather challenging for the male vampire. Eva stood in front of her brother, trying to capture his attention.
"Nik, look at me, look at me." She tried in a soothing tone, hoping that he would stop trying to go after Hayley. Stop fighting his brother and sister. He finally succumbed.
"It's not my child." He sounded a bit broken. The youngest Mikaelson resisted the urge to roll her eyes at his whimpering.
"Nik, look at me. I'm sorry she lied, that was a dick move. It's not fair, dangling a promise like this, a promise that you started to warm up to. But, it's not the end of the world."
"You're damn right it's not fair. She will pay for what she did. I will hunt her down and I will make her pay for the lies she told, for the way she used me." Klaus' anger was close to reaching a boiling point, but Elijah and Rebekah still had a hold on him.
"Niklaus, calm yourself, please. The girl is still pregnant, whether the child is yours or not, no harm will come to her so long as she is with child." Elijah tried and failed to calm his younger brother down.
"Nik, it's okay to be sad about losing the baby, it's okay to care." Rebekah tried.
"I'm not sad, Rebekah, I'm upset and I'm angry. How could she do that to me? To me? I am Niklaus Mikaelson, the Original Hybrid. I will not be played like a fool."
"I give you free reign to do with her as you please, as soon as the baby is born. But for now, you need to calm the fuck down, before I make you." Eva stated, getting tired of Nik's antiques. He made his point. Her brother caught her glare and he stopped resisting.
"Fine, now let me go." He shouted and at once, Elijah and Rebekah let go. Klaus leaned against the wall before sliding down, looking defeated.
"It'll be okay, Nik. We'll get through this." Rebekah said while sitting down next to him. She looked a bit deflated and Eva understood her sister. Beks had always had this nurturing side to her and the prospect of being an aunt had been rather appealing to her.
"You know, there's something I don't quite get, though." Eva squatted down to sit opposite her brother and sister. Elijah did the same.
"What?"
"Don't get me wrong, but what the hell were you all thinking? I mean, I say this with all the love I have for you, but really, supporting Nik in becoming a father? Sure, you were, perhaps, somewhere, warming up to the idea of having a child, a little baby girl that you could love and that could perhaps save you from this miserable existence. And that's great, you wanted to give it a go and care about another living being. Good for you. But, Nik, a kid, really? Honestly, at this point in your life, you'd make a terrible father. You hardly know how to be a decent brother half of the time. Let's be real, you becoming a father was a disaster waiting to happen." She said with a small inclination of her head, hoping that she wasn't being too hard on her brother. Nik reached out to grab her hand and he gave it a small squeeze.
"Leave it to Eva to give us all a good kick in the arse, eh?" Klaus said half-heartedly, mustering up a small smile to his youngest sister.
"I'm sure you would've come to the same conclusion on your own. But, since you're not going to be a father, I guess we can focus your affection elsewhere." Evanna said with a mischievous glint in her eyes, alerting her siblings that she was most definitely up to something.
"Eva, care to inform us of what exactly it is that you are planning on doing?" Elijah inquired, deciding that while his brother was no longer screaming bloody murder, he wasn't entirely himself, it would be good to diffuse the former topic and instead address his sister's whim.
"I'm going to do a reading." She said, reluctantly getting up.
"Are you sure Tarot Cards are the answer?" Nik asked, looking up at his sister.
"There is no right or wrong answer, I'm just curious as to what lies in the cards." She left her siblings and went to the table, clearing some space to lay out the cards.
"I'm a tad bit disappointed, Eva, I'd at least expected a bit of decoration." Marcel said as he walked into the courtyard.
"Please, don't mistake me for one of those charlatans. If they need to play dress up, they most definitely have no idea what they're doing." He chuckled at her answer. Then he noted Rebekah.
"Welcome back." Marcel said, nodding his head at the blonde in greeting.
"How are things going in the Quarter?" Klaus inquired.
"Things are as they ought to be. The witches are off our back thanks to the truce, though I'm not sure whether it'll stay this peaceful when Genevieve's learns of the return of Rebekah."
"Leave Genevieve be, she is no threat. How was Davina?" Eva asked, wondering whether she'd informed Marcel of the choice the witch had placed before her.
"She seemed to have a lot on her mind. I take it you made her an offer?" Marcel deduced.
"I did, but she is free to make her choice without repercussions from me. I merely laid out how it would be. It is up to her what she decides to do with the information given to her." Evanna said, though hoping that the young witch would chose to help her.
"You're planning of involving Davina in whatever you are cooking up?" Rebekah asked, moving towards her sister.
"Not really, I just offered her a ticket to freedom of the New Orleans Coven."
"I didn't know you had the authority to do so." Marcel commented.
"Sweetheart, I am Evanna, surely you know that there is little that I cannot do." The girl said with a pointed look at the vampire.
"That is true. I'll leave you to your cards. I have some business to attend to." With a nod to the others, Marcel was off to do his part of running the Quarter.
"He makes a fine king of the quarter." Evanna noted as he was gone.
"I believe I am the king, Eva." Nik stated.
"Anyone who has to say that he is king, doesn't actually hold the power. Besides, why be king? It's boring and filled with responsibilities. A bastard prince gives you all the more freedom." The witch replied, a sparkle in her eyes as she recalled a distant past.
"I guess you do make a fine point, and Marcel is doing a rather commendable job." Klaus conceded.
"Did you actually yield your title to Marcel?" Rebekah asked in disbelief.
"For the time being, yes. I believe we have rather pressing family matters to attend to, don't we?" Niklaus looked at Eva who had already started shuffling the desk of Tarot cards.
"All in due time, Niklaus." The witch stated as she started laying out the cards. Her siblings took some seats and went to sit by her.
"Aren't you eager to know what lays ahead?" Eva said with a cheeky grin.
"I believe we are more eager to figure out how you got back, Eva. And magic is not a satisfying answer." Elijah remarked.
"The cards will have to do for now." The witch declared before turning around the first card.
"Knight of Pentacles." The witch uttered thoughtfully.
"Is that good?" Rebekah inquired.
"It's definitely not bad, this card means that it is time to assess the situation and take charge. This card does represent a lack of imagination, a more old fashioned approach to whatever task is at hand. The good thing about this card is that it represents determination as well. The Knight of Pentacles does not quit before the goal is achieved." Evanna explained before turning around the next card.
"Two of Wands." Rebekah announced, looking expectantly at her sister to explain its meaning.
"This is getting rather optimistic. When the energy of this card seeps into your life, it represents the power of the Will in achieving ones dreams. It's about shaping and directing power toward whichever area of your life it is needed." The young woman was surprised at the optimistic tones of the cards so far, usually they showed her a rather bleak prospect. This actually sounded good and actually gave her hope in succeeding in her objective. She almost dreaded turning around the last card, afraid of it thrashing the hopes of the previous cards. But, she needed to know. The witch was met by an image of the hanged man.
"Of course, happiness and greater wisdom are at hand, but you must sacrifice something to gain it. Why does that not surprise me." She muttered more to herself than to the others. Regarding the three cards, Eva decided that she would continue on what she had decided to do. Sure, the last card was a reminder of the careful balancing act of the Divine and the Universe, but her course had already been decided upon. It might need to be slightly altered, but Evanna's mind was set.
"So, what's the verdict?" Niklaus inquired when his sister remained silent as she was observing the cards in front of her.
"I'm going to bring Finn and Kol back from the Other Side." She announced to her siblings, gauging their reaction.
"Of course you are." Elijah said with a shrug. He should've seen this coming. Evanna valued family.
Rebekah's eyes had lit up at the revelation. She had been saddened by the death of her brothers, although she hadn't been that close to them in the past centuries. The blonde vampire was pleased that her sister was back and offering them all a new chance at a family reunion.
"I have a feeling things are going to get a lot more interesting around here." Niklaus noted, not quite certain how to deal with the information.
"Look, I know things haven't been that great in the past, but I believe it's time for a new beginning. And I for one, feel that our family deserves a second chance. We will need to work on it, it won't be easy, but always and forever, right?" Evanna stated, aware that she was partially to blame for her family drifting apart. In her defence, though, she did try, but some things were just a bit too complicated to explain. But, the truth could not be hidden for much longer.
"How exactly are you planning on bringing them back?" Elijah inquired, wondering whether it was actually possible.
"I'm not sure you're going to like what I have in mind, it requires some killing," Evanna admitted to her brother. She wasn't a fan of it herself, she hated the idea of having to sacrifice innocent people in order to gain the required power, but it was the only way she could bring them both back. Eva was not a fan of expression, she thought it to be extremely dangerous, but that kind of magic was the only one that would let her resurrect the dead.
"How many deaths are we talking about?" Nik asked, immediately skipping past trying to dissuade her and just getting to the heart of the matter.
Eva thought it over, she knew that there still remained some of the energy of the twelve dead witches from a couple of decades ago, she might be able to create a triangle with two dozens more sacrifices.
"Two dozen," Eva stated, hoping that they wouldn't be too discouraged by that amount.
"That seems an awful lot of work, especially when there is already a readymade potent triangle, without ancestral magic that could get in the way." A new voice joined in.
Eva didn't need to look up to know who that voice belonged to. A small smile tugged at her lips.
"Couldn't stay away, could you?" Eva smirked, meeting the chocolate brown eyes of Roxane.
"I'm a curious woman, Eva." By then Roxane had crossed the distance between them and pulled the witch in for a hug.
"Glad to have you back," Roxane whispered in Evanna's hair.
"Happy to be back, and what were you saying of a readymade triangle?" Eva asked once the other witch let her go.
"It appears that once again, all the roads lead back to Mystic Falls."
Evanna cocked a brow at that. An expression triangle in Mystic Falls, now that was a rather interesting turn of events. And rather fortunate for her as well.
It was then that Nik chose to clear his throat.
"Hello, Niklaus, Elijah, Rebekah," Roxane greeted Eva's siblings, knowing fully well who they were.
"It appears that we are at a disadvantage, love, you know us, but we do not know you," Nik replied.
"I am Roxane, an old friend of your sister's."
Three pair of eyes went from Evanna to Roxane and then back to Evanna.
"Welcome to New Orleans, Roxane," Elijah greeted her, knowing that Eva would not just go around and trust anyone with secrets.
"Thank you, but I won't be imposing on your hospitality for much longer," Rox gave Eva a pointed look. The latter sighed before turning to her siblings.
"Look, my necessary vacation on the otherside served a purpose. There's a prophecy of the return of some ancient evil that has long laid dormant. Because of reasons, reasons that I will one day fully explain to you, when Kol and Finn are back, I had to die to give the power a chance to pass to someone else. Obviously this did not happen and it now falls to me," Evanna said, slightly dancing around the truth. There was an exasperated sigh could be heard from the dark-skinned girl next to her.
"Really, Eva? That's what you're going with?" There was a hint of amusement in Roxane's voice as well. Eva stuck out her tongue to the older witch.
"I'm afraid I don't quite understand," Elijah admitted.
"Neither do I," Bekah stated.
"Of course you don't, not when your sister refuses to tell the whole story."
"That's your job, Rox," Eva said with a glare to the witch.
Roxane sighed again, but relented.
"I remember, tales of old,
nine homes, up in the tree.
In times of old, Chaos,
no land nor sea, no sun nor moon,
no stars to shine down upon you.
The burden lifted, the mighty created.
Then the holy ones assembled,
up in their seats on the marbled thrones,
names they gave, council they held.
Order was established in the cosmos.
Nine worlds I knew,
with strong roots beneath the mould.
Mighty Midgard,
the realm of the mortals.
The battlefield for the gods.
Fire and blood colour the earth red.
A struggle for power,
one that could mean the end of the world.
The ash still stands,
hearing the prayer of a seventh child.
The old crone of the lofty tree,
white water,
cleansing the wickedness.
The call of the daughter was answered,
fair-haired Dayana
became the hope of the world.
The Erodia offered a deal,
Dayana accepted,
bestowing upon her gifts
too great for anyone to hold.
A great and terrible evil was stirring in the East,
the Mother wanted to walk again.
The three-faced Maiden
found herself betrayed by Dayana.
The fair-haired witch
didn't uphold her end of the bargain,
dooming the world.
Heaven and earth bended to her will,
she became unstoppable.
Some tried,
but she refused to yield,
killing those she had once cared for.
But the Yggdrasil still endured,
the Crow Goddess lighted her torch,
calling to the one who had failed before.
Oaths were broken,
words and bonds made anew.
From the home of the gods,
he rose, mighty and gracious.
A last pledge he made,
the Saviour of Cities,
but would suffer the consequences.
Earth's Champion,
the god who had once sworn
to love Dayana forever,
finally managed to drive a sword through her heart.
Nine steps he took,
in swelling rage,
unknowingly linking his faith
with that of the Huntress.
Dayana was defeated,
but the battle wasn't won.
The Old Crone and the Lily
entombed the Mother,
not having the power to rid the world of her forever.
Only Dayana had,
and because of her,
so will others.
The Wild One will hunt again.
But for now,
a new world has come into being,
risen from the ashes of death and destruction.
Time to wash our hands
from the bloodshed
and look to the earth,
in wondrous beauty once again.
A day shall come
when the Mother will walk this earth once more,
the gloomy serpent from below.
Now I must sink."
"That's a prophecy?" Niklaus said in disbelief.
"It's a history from long ago, but it holds true until today. You see, a powerful witch should never have more than six children if her first child is female. Yet, every once in a while it happens. It's like statistics. Every thousand years, give or take a decade, a seventh daughter is born. It's magick to balance the possible return of the Mother. Normally, the witch in question shows extraordinary powers, but she lives a normal life. But with Evanna, something has changed. She was born a little over a millennium ago, and until this day, no seventh daughter has been born to a powerful witch. That's why she had to die, it might be that because she lived, to power couldn't let her go and move on to the rightful heir. Once it became clear that it wouldn't happen, the spell's failsafe brought her back," Roxane explained.
"So, you are going to fight some ancient evil?" Rebekah asked, deducing the implications of the story.
Evanna looked at Roxane and a silent conversation passed between them before Evanna grasped Roxane's personal visit.
"The baby?" Evanna spoke out loud.
"Nexus vorti," Roxane confirmed.
"Damn, she's good," Eva admitted, hating that this had fallen to her.
"Scary isn't it? But I will need to speak to the wolf herself, and you will come with. You've always been more forceful than me," Roxane stated.
"Anyone care to fill us in?" Niklaus asked, watching the exchange between his sister and Roxane.
"This ancient evil, Baba Yaga, she is making her move. Evanna's return to the land of the living has made her step up her game. The legend tells that she was only hidden away somewhere, but she was not defeated for good. She bid her time, slowly regaining her powers, until she would finally be able to make a move. It has been a long and slow process, but now, with the birth of the miracle baby, she will rise again," Roxane explained, giving another glance at Eva.
"There is a spell to resurrect the death, using a nexus vorti, a very rare occurrence. The birth of a hybrid baby would be one such thing," Evanna told them what Rox had left out, ignoring the look Roxane had given her.
"What will happen to the baby?" Rebekah asked, concern lacing her words.
"I will take her, keep her safe. The birth itself will not give Baba Yaga full strength, it will only allow her to break free from the chains. But her followers will come for the baby and will sacrifice it in her name. I will make sure that this doesn't happen." Roxane promised.
"We must get going, they are already coming. Your return has made them restless. I have been tracking them, ever since I learnt of the pregnancy. They won't be deterred, not when knowing that you are at the heart of this," Roxane continued, urging Eva on.
"I'll be back soon," Eva nodded at her family before following after Roxane, not even waiting for a response.
"You will have to tell them the truth about Kyra one day, Eva," Rox said when they were out of the vampires' earshot. The younger witch sighed.
"I know, but it's just, I don't know where to begin. Besides, I cannot bear to relay the story more than once, and getting the family together isn't exactly an easy feat," the ginger haired witch admitted.
"You know what's coming. You cannot do this on your own. And there's also another matter at hand in Mystic Falls. I know you are planning on going there to resurrect your lost brothers, but be careful. My mother has warned me of the instability of the Other Side. Travellers have gathered once more," Roxane warned Evanna.
"Travellers?" Eva repeated the last word in question, not sure whether she had heard it right.
"Yes, and I fear they are planning on bringing back their leader, if they haven't already done so," Roxane said, not sure how Eva would react to it.
"Markos," the name involuntarily toppled from the witch's lips. It was laced with anger, pain, fear and even a hint of longing.
"Don't lose sight of the goal, Eva. It's about the future, let the past be the past."
It didn't take the two witches long to make their way to the bayou. They were both faster than mortals and they could blend in easily with the shadows surrounding them. They found the werewolf sitting on the porch of one of the decrepit houses.
"Lovely," Roxane commented, not just about the surroundings, but about the eyes watching them as well.
"What do you want?" Hayley bit out, venom lacing her every word. She glared at Eva.
"Your daughter," Roxane said, coming to stand in front of the little wolf. She looked from Eva to Roxane in disbelief. Hayley put a protective hand on her stomach. Evanna actually pitied the girl for what was to come.
"You're not getting her," Hayley shouted, "You're not going to take my daughter away from me." She stood up now, glaring at the two witches.
"I beg to differ," Roxane's tone was one of boredom, as if she wasn't the least bit impressed with the wolf's bravery.
"Rox," Eva instructed the witch to back down. She had after all come along to do the talking.
"Look, Hayley, here's how it's going to be. You will go with Roxane and you will do exactly as she instructs, the very survival of your daughter depends on it. That child growing inside of your body, she will be a natural hybrid, not made, but created. People will come for her and they will want to use her for their personal gain. Roxane will make sure that she is protected and that she gets a normal life," Evanna didn't raise her voice, instead opting for an almost business like tone.
"I can protect her and if only you hadn't interfered, the Originals would be protecting her as well. I can take care of her, I'm her mother. And you may not know what it's like to have something growing inside of your body, I will do anything within my power to keep her safe."
Evanna almost laughed at the blind naïveté of the little wolf. But something she said struck a chord and Roxanne gently put an arm on her shoulder, murmuring her name softly.
"I know very well what I'm asking of you Hayley, I was once forced to make the same choice. I gave up my daughter in order to spare her from a faith worse than death. I made the choice then, with a heavy heart, I gave up my daughter, not knowing whether I'll ever see her again, but I did. And for a thousand years, I have felt her absence, I have felt the weight of the choice. But I had to give her up in order to protect her. It was the only way to keep her safe, so that one day, she might live a full life, knowing that I did whatever I could to keep her safe, even if it broke my heart." Evanna told the wolf honestly. She didn't tell her the entire story, but this was all Eva was willing to share. If Hayley were to decide to not give up her baby, Baba Yaga's followers would come for it, just as they had once come for Kyra. It had only been Killian's sacrifice and Eva's magic that had kept them at bay. But it had come with a great cost. But Kyra had been saved from the clutches of the Terrible Mother and her return had been delayed. Until a new hybrid baby would be burn. She would harvest the nexus vorti and break free. But without the sacrifice she would need time to regain her powers.
"I don't want to give up my daughter," Hayley whispered.
Roxane sighed, this was getting nowhere. Eva turned to look at Roxane, and once again a silent conversation passed between them.
"There's one other option. You come with, but you will have to leave New Orleans behind. No contact with the outside world and you will have to do exactly as Roxane says. One wrong move and she will force you to leave your daughter behind," Evanna told the wolf. It was a lie, but they had no time to spare, and until the baby was born, Hayley could stay in hiding and unknowing of the truth.
"Live a life in hiding? But my pack…" Hayley trailed, motioning to the wolves surrounding her.
"This isn't about you, little wolf. This is about the safety of your daughter. Either way, you are coming with me. People are already coming for you and you and your wolves are not match for them," Roxane stated.
"Look Hayley, I am well aware of what I am asking you to do, but tell me something, don't you want your daughter to have the best chance at survival? Roxane can and will protect her, no harm will come to her as long as Roxane is with her," Evanna tried one more time before she would resort to magic. She wanted Hayley to go willingly, only to make it easier for Roxane to disappear without leaving a single trace. To everyone, it would simply seem that Hayley fled from the wrath of the Originals.
"I don't have a choice, do I?" Hayley seemed to understand the gravity of the situation, and how outnumbered she was.
"You always have a choice, you can choose to come willingly or we force you to come along, either way, you will not remain here. Let's just get one thing clear right now, we are giving you the choice, but we're running out of patience. You do not want me as your enemy, Hayley, although you have already wasted what little credence you had with me. I do not like you and I have no regard for you whatsoever. But, mother to mother, I want to give you the decency of choosing to save your daughter and to give her a life that he deserves. So, what will it be?" Eva asked once more, knowing that this time, Hayley would comply.
"I'll go with you," Hayley whispered, defeated.
"This is going to be fun," Roxane commented dryly as Hayley turned to get her bearings.
"I don't envy you, Rox," Eva said, watching Hayley's retreating form.
"I'd rather take care of the little wolf than take up your assignment. Reweaving the fabric of the Other Side and bringing people back from the dead without dying myself is a challenge even I wouldn't accept. Then again, I do not have your powers. Just be careful and remember, you only have one chance to do it right. No second chances will be given once you have succeeded, so if there's anyone else you might need, then is the time for it." Roxane left the words hanging in the air, knowing that Eva understood their implication.
"Time to get going," Roxane said when Hayley walked out of the house, a bag in hand.
Eva pulled the witch in for a hug.
"Take care, Rox. I love you."
"I love you, too, Eva. Until we meet again." Rox slowly stepped back from the woman's embrace, a small smile touched her lips.
"May the moon alight your path," Evanna whispered.
"And may the stars watch over you," Roxane replied before turning away, Hayley in tow.
As Evanna made her way back to the abattoir, she could feel the turmoil in her head. Rox' words still rang in her ears, she knew what she needed to do, but it would be difficult. And how was she supposed to explain everything to her siblings? They were probably already bursting with questions. Why o why had she only shared the existence of Roxane with Kol? She was still saddened by his death, although she would bring him back. And then of course, there was the little problem of the Travelers that were waiting in Mystic Falls. If they were using the triangle for their own ends, she knew that there was a possibility that she would have to face him again. She wasn't sure whether she was ready for that. But she had no choice. For Kyra, she would die a hundred times over if it meant that one day, her little girl could finally have the life she deserved, the life that had been denied to her for all these centuries. She was so lost in her thoughts that she almost passed by the abattoir, but that was without taking Niklaus' impatience in account.
"Eva?" His tone was anger mixed with worry.
Eva's head shot up and she relinquished all thoughts of Kyra and Markos. Time to face the music.
"Let me explain, please," she said while holding up her hands, trying to keep her brother from tearing into something.
Her brother gave her an expectant looking, but held back other words, giving her the chance to explain. Eva was surprised by her brother's self-control, perhaps he had learnt some patience after all. Or maybe it was just that he finally realised the futility of his anger and impatience when dealing with her. Eva had been the only one to never give him the time of the day when he was acting like a petulant child. Evanna looked at her family members before quickly explaining Roxane.
"Many years ago, I found myself in a very bad situation, practically life and death, and she helped me out. She's been by my side for many years and to me, she's family. I know I kept her from you, but there are reasons for that, that I cannot explain just yet. Roxane has aided me in my quest to understand who I am and where my powers come from. You heard the legend, you know where my powers come from and although it might not be entirely clear, I hope that you understand the gravity of my predicament. I'm not asking you to trust her, or to see her as family, but I am asking you to trust me. To believe me when I say that she would never do anything to jeopardise my family or my life."
Rebekah was the first to move, she hugged her sister.
"I trust you, always and forever, Eva. Never doubt that," she whispered to her baby sister.
"I believe you, Eva. I'm by your side," Elijah said while reaching out for his sister's hand. He gave it a small squeeze.
Evanna looked at her remaining brother, catching his eyes. She gave him a small smile.
"Always and forever, right?" Niklaus shrugged half-heartedly.