AUTHOR'S NOTE
YES, I'M ALIVE AND WRITING. It was week-end, I turned back to this story and finished the chapter that I've had on my computer for almost three years. Sorry to keep you waiting. I hope that this burst of inspiration isn't a one time thing and that I'll be able to provide you with "regular" updates.
Anyway, for those who stuck with me, thanks. For those who have given up on me completely, I get it.
I hope you like it and reviews are always appreciated!
Stay safe, stay sane, stay healthy 3
As soon as they exited the bar, Eva knew that something was up. She could feel the change in the air. It had grown thick with some ancient power. She stopped dead in her tracks, reaching out to the source. The witch immediately drew back, realising where it was coming from.
"Eva, what's wrong?" Rebekah asked once she saw Eva stand still.
"Remember what Roxane said about the Mother? About her followers coming for Hayley's hybrid baby?" Evanna felt her coming closer. She shielded herself and her siblings.
"You mean to tell me that they're coming here? Didn't Roxane leave with the bitch?" Nik inquired through clenched teeth.
"Just one. The others have already started their pursuit of Roxane. I'll deal with her." Eva had already recognised whose magic it was, they'd crossed paths many moons ago.
"You should leave," Eva stated while stepping forward. She disentangled the cloaking spell, making the woman appear in the streets.
"You do not command me, Huntress," she responded.
"No, you bow down to the Great Mother," Evanna's tone was hostile and disgust laced her words.
"And so should you, Huntress," the woman snapped back, meeting Eva's eyes.
"I do not bow down to anyone, Riya." Eva waited for Riya to decide whether their magics would meet or not.
"Arrogance does not suit you, Evanna, especially when we know your weakness. Tell me, how long do they have? How long do you have? We have felt it too, a storm is rising. Soon the world will be enveloped into darkness and you will regret choosing the wrong side. The lily will not save you this time around. Dahlia is one of us and she is not keen on letting go what is rightfully hers. Blood will not suffice," Riya warned before disappearing into the night.
Evanna debated whether to follow after Riya. The witch knew more about what was coming, but was it really worth the effort? She decided that she would tackle this one step at a time. First her brothers, than the lily and then, only then, the Great Mother. Riya might believe that blood would not suffice, but Eva knew better. She had learnt long ago that blood was power. And she did not abhor the dark, so if it came, she would not run from it, instead, she would become the light.
"What was that all about? A storm is coming? The lily? Dahlia? You speak in coded plant language?" Nik inquired after Eva had dropped the shield.
"It's a warning, though it missed its purpose. I do not feel inclined to diverge from my intended plan. I will need some extra power though. Perhaps a Bennet witch might help. Or maybe I should release Kai from his prison," Eva mused out loud. If Dahlia had the power of the Mother on her side, she would not release Freya that easily. Especially after what happened the first time around.
"There's a Bennett witch in Mystic Falls. She might be able to help," Elijah suggested.
"Let's see about that once we get there." Eva had a feeling that the Bennett witch might not be able to help out. Evanna continued her way to the abattoir. She still wasn't overly fond of the place, mostly because of the echoes of the dead, but even she had to admit that it was a rather beautiful building.
The items she had bought from Nandi's store were still on the table. She rummaged through them, looking for the amatrine. If she was going to rip open the fabric between this world and the spirit world she would have to consult Qetsiya. She was not so foolish to underestimate the witch's power and do whatever she wanted without consulting the creator of said spirit world. Eva grabbed the stone and let her barriers down, searching for a place that would allow her to easily make a connection with the spirits. Eventually she settled on, where else, the cemetery. For some reason, places where the dead lay buried always enabled a better connection between the worlds.
"Where are you going?" Nik asked as she was getting ready to head out again.
"Cemetery. I need to consult Qetsiyah and it will be easier to do it there," Eva explained.
"Are you sure that it's a good idea? The witches…" Elijah started, but upon seeing Eva's glare, he thought better of it. His little sister was more than capable of fending for herself.
"Good luck," Bekah offered.
The witch was happy none of her siblings were interested in joining her. At least they had learnt something over the years. Certain magical rituals were better left unattended by non-witches.
Night had fallen. The city was still alive, crackling with energy. It was so tempting to just yield it and bring her brothers back, but she could not just kill off an entire city filled with people who were only looking for an escape. Finn would be thrilled to learn that at least some of his morality had seeped into his sister's conscience. She settled on one of the crypts, carefully rearranging the barriers and tying them to the stone. The amatrine would serve as an anchor point, a doorway between worlds.
"I did not think I'd be disturbed this quickly," an annoyed voice huffed.
"Quickly? You've been dead for almost two thousand years. I would not describe that as quick," Eva replied.
"For someone who seeks my aid you should do well not to get on my bad side," Qetsiyah warned. "I have recently returned to the land of the living to ensure the continuation of the punishment."
Eva looked at the witch in amazement.
"I am afraid my siblings have been partially to blame for that. Rumours of the cure have reached them and they were rather intrigued by the possibilities. However, they did not stick around Mystic Falls to see the denouement," Eva explained.
"The denouement was rather spectacular, though it has unfortunately destabilised the Spirit World. I fear, even with the anchor, that my world is falling apart. The transference of the anchor to a being neither here, nor there, has made the world unstable. It cannot fully hold its tether to the world of the living. This world is on the brink of collapsing."
"Amara is no longer the anchor?" Eva inquired. Things had just got even more complicated. She feared for what was to come next. The transference of the power of the anchor would have an effect on the world. It would explain Markos' return. This did not bode well.
"The bitch took the cure, regaining her mortality. The doppelgänger asked to transfer the status of anchor to her dead witch friend, a Bennett witch. As selfish an act it was of her, I could not deny the request. The world had to endure," Qetsiyah gave Eva a pointed look. "I know who you are. I can sense the power pulsating through your veins. You know why this world is created and you know what will happen when it collapses. Time is running out, Evanna."
"Is there anything I can do?" She was almost afraid to ask.
"It is too late to repair the damage. I am doing what I can from my side, but my strength is waning. I can only advise you to be cautious, though it is unavoidable that something will slip through the cracks."
"I know. But I have to do this, consequences be damned."
Qetsiyah let out a hearty laugh.
"You are a formidable woman, Evanna. I do have one task for you. As soon as you have brought back who you needed, I need you to destroy the Other Side."
"Is that even possible?" Eva inquired, uncertain of the consequences of such an act.
"Yes. From my side, I will tie the anchor to the spell I have placed on Roxanne. You can then dissolve the power of the anchor by transferring it to someone you will then have to sacrifice. I trust you know how to do this, and you will not be opposed to it."
"I know just the right person to sacrifice," Eva replied. At least Markos' death will have some purpose other than the sheer satisfaction it would bring her.
"Markos," Qetsiyah started, "would make a fine sacrifice. But do not make the mistake of underestimating him, Evanna. He has been on this side for a very long time. It is unavoidable that he has learnt a thing or two," the witch warned.
"I can handle him," Eva said confidently. She refused to give him the satisfaction.
"Nonetheless, be careful. And," Qetsiyah's echo flickered, "good luck." And with those words the other witch was gone.
Eva remained seated for a moment, processing everything that had been related to her. She wasn't sure what to make of it all. Complication after complication was thrown her way and she was starting to think that the war would not be easily won; at least not without any casualties on her side. But she had to persevere. It was too late to turn her back on this now. Too much depended on her succeeding. It was no longer just about reuniting her family, the cosmic balance was at stake. And the fates had decided to throw another curve ball her way. She would need help, more help than her vampire siblings could offer. She needed magical help. And there was only one person who could provide her with that. Freya. She still remembered, but how was she supposed to draw Dahlia out of hiding. Her aunt knew what she wanted, she would not be so foolish as to be lured in by a simple ploy. Perhaps she could ask Katherine for help, of course there was the slight problem of the Petrova doppelganger being dead. Could she figure out a way to bring her back as well? Should she? Evanna cursed herself for actually taking the cosmic balance in account. There was a time when she would've damned it all to hell. Unfortunately, the situation was too pernicious to just do anything she fancied. It would require planning, some divination and a careful balancing act between life and death. She sure had her work cut out for her. The witch got up, debated whether to head back to the abattoir or release some of the tension that had been building up since her return. She wandered around for a moment, but nothing peaked her interest, so she decided to get some rest.
Rest would not come. She lay tossing and turning, restless. She would need to release the energy soon. Sunrise was close, she felt it. Eva gave up on sleep and left the bed. If she was awake, she could just as well take in the view of the sun rising above the city.
"Good morning, Marcel," Eva stated while she was leaning against the balustrade, waiting for dawn to break. She had been wondering when he would approach her.
"It would seem I am no less capable of sneaking up on you than I was when I was still a child." Marcel came to stand next to Evanna, handing her a book.
Eva smiled and accepted her mother's grimoire.
"I hear you are leaving today. I had hoped you would stick around a bit longer. It's been over a decade since we have seen each other last. There is so much to catch up on. Davina, Jane-Anne, Sophie…" Marcel's voice hitched when he uttered the last name.
The witch looked at Marcel with a sad smile. The death of the Devereaux witches was an unfortunate fate. They could have been allies, but alas, it had been decided otherwise. Eva was sorry for Marcel's pain, he deserved better. The vampire was one of the few people in the world she trusted. The witch was even a bit sorry that she had to go, she had missed him over the years. He was good company, kind, loyal and trustworthy. She sometimes wondered how he turned out so good, after everything he had been through.
"Do you remember when we last met?"
"I couldn't forget even if I wanted to. It was a pretty intense conversation." The usual joviality had disappeared from his voice.
"Can I still count on you?" Eva turned to look Marcel in the eye. This was a grave situation.
"I will stand with you until the very end, Eva, if that's where you want me." Marcel met the witch's eyes unflinchingly.
Eva knew he was being sincere.
"I need you here, Marcel. I need to know that if all else fails, she will be safe. I need my siblings by my side, I cannot spare them. And you are the only one that I can trust to take care of her. To make sure that she lives." There was a strain in her voice. She was almost pleading. Eva hoped it would not get this far, but she needed a contingency and of all the people she had known over the years, Marcel was the one she know she could build on. She had known him ever since he was a little boy. She had witnessed his hardships, his burdens and she had observed how he had grown, how he had confronted his demons head on. He had mastered control and he had grown into a good man.
"Then I will see to it, Eva, this I promise," Marcel solemnly stated.
Silence enveloped them as the sun rose over the city, bathing it in golden light. It had been a long time since she had witnessed dawn. The warmth spread over her, she felt the slight tingle the rays brought to her skin. Her body had always reacted to power sources and the sun was a true powerhouse. What was power but energy in potentiality? The witch only had to guide the energy into a state of being. Eva had learnt a lot about magic through understanding natural philosophy. Yet, magic sometimes escapes basic principles. It can become something slippery, dangerous, and it can get a life of its own. Magic sometimes ran wild and she had seen what wild magic was capable of. Unleashed potential was a pernicious state of being. Magic that refused to be tamed. Wild magic. Its very ability to slip away had always been mesmerising to Eva. She had hunted for it, yearned for it, hoping to bathe in it, and let it seep into her very core. It was magic of the most perilous kind, treacherous, menacing and unstable, but for those who could yield even the slightest sliver, it could create the most wonderous of things.
"Did I ever tell you about our attempt at family bonding in the Amazon?" Eva asked, her mind having wandered towards one of the more fruitful searches in her hunt for wild magic.
"Family bonding in the Amazon, now that sounds like a fascinating tale." Marcel's tone had lightened a bit, grabbing on to her suggestion as a way to make the mood less heavy.
"It most definitely was. You know Nik has a penchant for keeping half of the family in boxes, right. Naturally, I sometimes ignored Nik's whims and would occasionally take one of them out for an adventure. This time, as I was planning on exploring a bit of magic, I took Kol out. He was always more attuned to the finesse required of magic hunting."
Eva thought back on that time. They'd just come from Cadiz. Mikael had been upon them. Klaus had daggered Kol for his actions. She had helped them get out of Spain, securing them passage before their father arrived. Acting as mediator, she had tried to reason with Mikael, but for her, it had always been a careful balancing act between her love for him and for the preservation of her brothers. Her brothers had been able to get out to the sea. It had taken her five years before she could meet up with them, keeping Mikael of their trail. When she finally did, she suggested they'd head to the Amazon.
"It was sometime in the eighteenth century. I'd heard rumours from a witch about a hidden temple that held wild magic – a perilous, unstable type of magic. I was intrigued and unfamiliar with the practices of the indigenous cultures, so I set out to scope the place, with Kol. Only my dear brother Klaus, believed that I needed protection." She almost laughed at the memory, her overbearing brother, trying to protect her from some evil he couldn't even fathom. There was something endearing about it.
"I don't need you to save me." Eva muttered.
Klaus shook his head at her antiques. Of course she didn't. But that didn't mean that he wasn't worried for her wellbeing. Besides, if she was going to visit some hidden temple in this godforsaken forest, he was going to come with her.
"Alright then, I'll just wait out here while you go explore some ancient temple that could cave in any moment." Klaus said as he leaned back against one of the trees. Eva huffed in annoyance. Nik chuckled.
"Come on, Eva. Just let me lend you a hand."
"I'm fine," she shouted back at him when she disappeared through the trees. Eva figured that Nik wouldn't leave her to her own devices. Stubborn man. He was in for a treat then, because she was not going to abandon Kol.
Klaus had counted to twenty before speeding off after her. Eva might be a powerful witch, but that did not mean that he wouldn't be by her side when she dived into danger headfirst.
He found her not much later, standing in front of an old temple, pre-Columbian. It was located in a clearing. The green foliage from which they emerged gave way to a barren ground. No trees, nor flower, nor anything. There was an eerie silence that clad around them. Klaus wondered how she had stumbled upon it. Probably magic. He hadn't paid much attention to his surroundings, though he surmised they had retreated far back into the forest. If he had to find his way back, he'd have to rely on his hearing, making for the river he heard in the distance. Eva would know, yet her attention was on the building in front of them. It wasn't as derelict as he thought it would be. It was an odd construct. There was something a bit off about it, he couldn't quite but his finger on what it was. It emitted an ancient feel, yet the stones were still mostly intact, few seemed to crumble or break. A spell might rest on it to hold it together. The build was not unlike some of the other temples he'd encountered in the area. Yet, none of those had made him feel like this. There was a threatening aspect to the temple, as though it was warning its spectators of the danger that lurked within. Glancing at his sister, he figured she was examining the enchantments that were strung around it. She regarded it carefully, as if it would attack if she made the wrong move. He wondered why she hadn't gone in yet. Maybe she was waiting for someone.
"You never listen, do you?" Eva said turning back to look at him.
"Elijah would find it irresponsible of me to let you explore something like this alone."
"I'm not some helpless girl, Nik. Besides, who said I was going to be alone?" He rolled his eyes at her.
"Why don't you want me around?" Nik inquired.
"This is a dangerous place, Nik. Many people that have ventured in here have died."
"Luckily I am not some puny human, Eva." A movement caught his eye, but it was just a bird, flying towards the temple. He looked at his sister, she seemed to be observing the bird carefully. Then she shook her head and turned towards her brother, seizing him up.
Sighing, she reconciled with the idea of having Nik tag along. She had been the one who suggested the detour in the first place. Her brother had reluctantly agreed to head down south, toward the rainforest. He had seemed a bit wary when she mentioned a temple that she wanted to explore. An old site of pre-Columbian culture, she had a fairly good grasp of what kind of rituals went on there. She also had a sneaking suspicion of what she would find there. Bringing Kol around had been for two reasons. The first was that she would need someone to bounce ideas off. The temple would be heavily protected and it was easier to work out how to circumvent enchantments when there were two of them. Kol had proved himself extremely useful in that department, keeping up with the witchcraft of the times, though unable to practice it himself. Second, if her suspicions about the magic proved to be true, she would need an anchor. Hence, her choice for undaggering Kol and dragging him out here. He seemed to welcome the fresh air.
Looking at the temple, Eva examined the tendril of magic that were woven around it. She had expected the spells. It would not be a walk in the park. Breaking in was going to be the easy part, the temple would not stop anyone from entering. Exiting was going to be a more challenging matter, which was why she was studying the lay of the enchantment and interweaving a charm of her own. She drew some strength not only from herself, but she tethered it to her bloodline. It was a risk, given that the tug would be felt by all that were related to her by blood, but it was the safest bet. Once she was certain it would hold, she turned toward Nik.
"Fine, but, I need you to promise me you won't throw a tantrum," Eva offered.
"Why would I?" Nik seemed confused, not sure why she would ask that of him.
"Just do it, Nik," Eva gave him a stern look, ending all discussion.
"Alright, I promise I will not, under any circumstance, throw a tantrum." Nik looked at her, as through saying, happy now.
"Marvellous. Now, this temple is filled with ancient magic. People have died trying to break through to the centre of it. None lived to tell the tale. Powerful witches have perished here. And while we may not die here, we could find ourselves in excruciating pain. So, I'll need you to do exactly as I say. Can you do that?"
"Yes, Nik, can you do that?" Kol suddenly popped out of nowhere. He looked at Eva and then to Kol.
"Weren't you supposed to be in a coffin, brother?"
"Eva wanted to explore this temple. She thought I'd prefer a visit to a magical temple of doom over being stuck in a box."
Klaus sighed and turned to look at his younger sister. He should've expected this. There had been something about the way she'd waved him off that should have made him aware of her intentions. Eva was sneaky that way. It lead him to wonder how many time she had taken them out of their coffins when he believed them to be there. He wasn't sure whether he ever wanted to have that conversation with her.
Nik gave his agreement, he would follow each and every order Eva gave.
"You'll both have to behave. Don't antagonise each other. Don't fight," she emphasised that last point. The last thing she wanted was to worry about two vampires going at it in a hexed temple.
"That might be asking a bit much of them, don't you think so, Eva?" Rebekah joined them.
"I don't remember Eva inviting you along for this trip." Kol said.
"I wasn't invited. But I saw Eva going off into the forest, followed by Nik. I was curious. Can I come? Please?" Rebekah asked. She'd grown tired of having nothing to do. She wanted some excitement. And exploring an old temple seemed like a great idea. Maybe they'd uncover some great mystery.
"Why don't we all go, right Elijah?" Evanna suddenly spoke up. She'd sensed Elijah coming after them as well.
"This is a dangerous place, Eva," he warned her, while he stepped out of the forest and into the clearing.
"Some family bonding, isn't that nice? Maybe we can invite Finn along as well. I'm sure he'd be thrilled to tag along in some ancient, hexed temple. Maybe there, he will find a way to no longer be a monster he despises." Kol added sarcastically.
"You're always going off with Eva on some witchy business and I never get to come." Rebekah countered.
"That's because none of you understand the dangers of it." Kol threw back at his sister.
"We understand plenty, Kol. Eva explained to me exactly how dangerous it is." Klaus sided with Rebekah.
"Enough," Eva said, looking at the temple once more. Biting her lip, she weighed her options. Maybe this could be beneficial. More anchor points. Stronger connections. It would be risky, to gather than many original vampires in one place, though. The wild magic might react differently, more potent. There was a chance it would feed off of them, complicating matters. She thought it over, wondering whether it was worth the risk.
"You can all tag along. But you'll do exactly as I tell you to. No questions asked. Those are the conditions, either you follow them or you wait out here." Her tone left nothing open for negotiation. They all nodded.
"It's funny how everyone was so intent on tagging along. I mean, Kol was there because I had invited him along. Bex because she wanted to be with her family, no matter the cost. Elijah's a curious man. He'd been intrigued by the pre-Columbian culture. Nik, well, he'd hate to be left out and, in some way, this offered him control," Eva uttered, breaking out of the memory and coming back to the moment with Marcel.
"So, what happened then? Did you uncover some great mystery?" Marcel had been taken in by Eva's narrative.
Eva looked at him, wondering how much she was going to give up.
"We did, but more importantly, we had to work together to get through. It was something akin of an escape game, I suppose," she stated, deciding to leave Marcel in the dark about the what and the how.
"You're not going to tell me, are you?" Marcel picked up on Eva's hesitance to divulge more.
She just smiled and turned to walk away, "take care, Marcel," she said over her shoulder. With a final wave, she disappeared into the buildings, leaving the vampire to stare after her, nodding his head in amused exasperation. That witch was something, alright.