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Marie couldn't stay in the house anymore she needed to leave – it pained her to be around her family while they stubbornly try to find ways to survive. She knew their outcomes would bring death, fighting head strong leave bodies but strategically beating the enemy by their own arrogance is a way to win without bloodshed. Marie sighs as she walked down the street feeling multiple gazes on her no doubt precautions made by her father if she were to leave the house. Marcel seemed to agree to protect the city from Dahlia and by setting out scouts throughout the city that were given a sketch of the woman. Marie didn't doubt her father persuaded Marcel to have his men look after her as well as if she was a liability. Marie can also sense some of her father's older hybrids coming in as extra protection, she expected the werewolves in the bayou would add onto his security detail.

The streets in the French Quarter were becoming crowded as the Harvest girls were ready to reveal themselves back into the community in the Blessing Festival. Marie heard of the magical celebration and she was mindful in giving Davina a gift, especially through all the turmoil the girl experienced. Marie smiles seeing the four girls being carried like royalty through the crowd on thrones, Davina in a beautiful red dress representing the element of fire while the other girls display the elements of earth, water, and air.

The crowd cheers and gasped in awed as the girls performed magic to entertain the crowd with their so called 'special effects.' Marie had to admit the covens within New Orleans knew how to celebrate. Marie caught Davina's gaze, Marie smiled at the girl waving at her. She was glad at least Davina seemed to resettled with what remained of the witch community after Marcel's purge from the aftermath of the Harvest. But Marie can see the uncomfortableness Davina gave off while smiling faintly at the crowd. Marie expected Davina to eventually leave the city that brought her hardships once the hype of the Harvest dies down.

A tap on her shoulder brought Marie's attention away from the Harvest girls, Marie gazed at the man in confusion as he pulled out a beautiful black flower. Marie gazed around curious if one of her family members were the meaning of this – especially Kol he was one for sending flowers when he tries to be somewhat apologetic, but that flower… it was an odd choice of color to give a person. Marie took the flower blinking at the man in bewilderment she gave him a half-hearted smile, "Oh thank you."

The man smiles at her, "Black Dahlias are blooming this time of year."

Marie froze dropping the flower, she stepped back, "What?"

The man grabbed Marie's arm, Marie gasped seeing his eyes turn white like he was possessed, "I came to take what I been owed."

Marie pulled away just as Rebekah snapped the man's neck. Rebekah gave Marie a concerned look, Marie shook her head fear striking her, "Dahlia could possess the living."

"Marie lets go." Rebekah insisted grabbing her hand as they turned multiple people stood before them holding the white gaze, Marie's eyes widen in shock by the amount of power Dahlia must have to possess this many people at once.

"The demons you call family cannot protect you from me." Each person responded in unison.

Marie gazed at Rebekah mournfully, she outstretched her arms, "Maybe not, but I can manage." Marie muttered a banishing spell forcing her hands out to the possessed group breaking the hold Dahlia had on them.

Rebekah grabbed Marie's shoulders shaking her, "What are you doing?! You cannot do this on your own."

Marie smiled at her lightly, "I just want to let her know that I will not be easily taken."

Rebekah shook her head, "Very settle Marie."

Marie sat on the couch as she was scowled by Klaus, the rest of his siblings allowed him to be the sole person to talk to her. Klaus narrowed her eyes, "I explicitly told you to not leave this house unless you have someone accompanying you."

Marie sarcastically responded lightly, "Well clearly I wasn't alone with the scouts and Rebekah so as happened to be there."

Klaus narrowed his eyes, "This isn't a joke."

"I know it's not, but I showed that I am not easily subdued." Marie responded just as Klaus shot her a furious glare.

"No, you showed that you are an appealing prize to be acquired." Klaus growls his voice was deadly low. He expected Marie could hold her own, but it worried him that it would make Dahlia ever so more eager to acquire Marie.

"At least we know she is close, she is powerful to control that many people at once, but I doubt she can do that from a large distance." Marie replied earning her a worried gaze from her father.

"I expected she will come eventually…" Klaus mused, it had been a week since Klaus slayed Freya he thought she would have came sooner, but it seemed she was surveying the area first.

Marie looked at him in concern, "How prepared are you?"

Klaus gave her a reassuring glance, "I always anticipate every move my enemy makes, I can easily play her game."

"I hope, I was worried you would fight her with brute strength." Marie remarked.

Klaus frowns, "Don't worry about me love, I survived for a thousand years – that tells me I am doing something right."

"Or you brought an element of surprise that ensured your survival." Marie responded. Klaus rolled his eyes sitting next to her.

"If you feel you are the only one to protect us, you are wrong. I have protected this family in many occasions." Klaus clutched her hands adding, "If things go bad don't fight, run. I had my fair share of running from a person that haunts me, run until you come across something that can truly end the hunt. I stopped running from Mikael, it took me centuries, but eventually I learned his weaknesses. The same can be said about Dahlia if she so has happened to beat our expectations."

"I won't leave you behind." Marie whispers letting go of his hands.

"Some battles are lost, but it doesn't mean the war is over. If she has me, don't exchange yourself for me – fight another day." Klaus urged.

Marie glares at him, "And if I do and she kills you? What then?"

Klaus smiled at her sadly, "Then let out all that rage and emotion and make this world quiver under your feet and show that hag who is the most powerful being is on this planet."

Marie shook her head, "What makes you think I can not release that energy before she harms you?"

Klaus shrugs gazing at one of his paintings of the mountains responding, "I noticed magic is tied to emotions, and the most powerful emotion is vengeance."

Marie stared at him in horror, she cannot believe he was willing to die in order for her to release that raw power. Marie whispered, "Don't ask this of me." Marie wanted to tell her father that vengeance wasn't the most powerful emotion – it was love, fear of that loss, and the rage for anyone who would harm the ones she loved. She just wanted all of them to run, leave her behind to face Dahlia, at least give them a chance – she didn't want any of them to be in the cross fires.

"I know, but I rather see you live than be tormented by a witch." Klaus replies, it was true for Marie always been in the clutches of the spirits and he rather she run to find a way to defeat Dahlia rather willingly let herself be used in order to save their family.

Marie shook her head, "The only torment I will have is to lose any of you and the thought of not being able to do anything about it. Please stop talking about this." Klaus became silent, he knew loss was difficult, but it never occurred to him that she will be tormented on the inability to prevent that outcome.

"Just whatever happens know that I always loved and cared for you." Klaus whispers, Marie turned to him with tears in her eyes.

"Why does it feel like you are saying goodbye to me?" Marie demanded.

"I'm just looking at all the possibilities love."

Marie scowls, "How about you look at the positive possibilities, you are really worrying me. What happened to not to be a martyr? That should also go to you."

Klaus smiles at her, "What kind of father would I be if I wouldn't sacrifice everything just to keep you safe?"

"An alive one." Marie glared, Klaus couldn't help but chuckled hugging her, he allowed a few tears escape his eyes. He was prepared for the worse and he was hoping Marie was ready for it as well.

Sage frowns as Finn paced around their bed room, he wasn't ready for to face Dahlia he vaguely remembered her, and the woman frightened him. Esther attempted to kill them all, but it would have been a fast death, Dahlia would make it a slow and agonizing one. "We should leave." Finn urged, Sage and him barely made it out alive when his mother made Alaric an ultimate hunter after he deserted her.

Sage stared at Finn in shock, "This woman is going after Marie, we cannot leave after everything Marie did for us."

Finn gazed at her mournfully, "Dahlia only wants Marie, and I know my family will cause conflict that would end with all of us dead. I cannot lose you."

Sage narrowed her eyes, "Did you feel that way when you were willing to kill yourself in order for your mother to end the vampire race?"

Finn sighs being reminded that he was willing to die and only hesitated when Kol reminded him of Sage, "Sage –."

Sage stood up, "No, we had run enough. I am tired of running from your family."

Finn frowns peering away from her, "If we stopped running you will die, if it wouldn't be Niklaus, it would be Dahlia."

Sage smiled at him, "I am not so easy, I survived as long as I did for not just running, but by learning my strengths." Finn sighs, just as he fears she was head strong like the rest of his family.

Finn left the room, he walked down stairs noticing Klaus hugging Marie, shedding quiet tears. Finn's frown deepened solemnly it seems Niklaus is doubtful in his chances for survival… we do not stand a chance. Finn left the house, if Klaus was doubting his own survival then the rest of them were doomed because Klaus was always arrogant of his strength. Finn went to the witch community, he just needed to get information on how much energy they could sense from Dahlia, if there were any weaknesses, for magic always came with a price and having that much power surely there is something…

Finn came to the cemetery, hearing from Kol and Marie is where most of the witches gather for council. Finn was hoping to find any of the Harvest girls for they had went to the other side and must have knowledge to protect the city from darkness like Dahlia. Finn grunts as he hit an invisible barrier, unable to walk deeper into the cemetery. Finn held out his hand on the barrier gazing around, he was slightly impressed.

"Vampires are not welcomed here." Finn peered up seeing four of the girls that he wanted to see, he noticed the darker haired one was the one that spoke to him.

Finn raised his hands, "I mean you no harm, I came with gifts in exchange for information."

The four girls peered at him curiously. He held up four pendants each of the color of the element they represented for the Harvest – Marie had many magical pendants that are used to magnify magic, she told him he can give them to the girls for it seemed she wouldn't be able to leave the house again.

"Marie wanted you to have this, it was one of her favorites." Finn addressed to Davina giving her a pendant that was more radiant then the others, it seemed to crackle alive as if it were flames as Davina touched it.

Finn handed the other pendants to the other girls. He noticed Davina was the only girl that seemed trusting in him, the other girls held a guarded look. Davina smiled at him, "You were her teacher, weren't you?"

Finn was taken by surprise that Marie would tell her of him, "Yes, I have to say not being gifted with magic anymore I still have it's potential."

Davina nods, "What information do you need?"

Finn became serious gazing at them all, "Have you felt the presence of darkness coming into the city? An old dark witch is in search of Marie."

"Why should this matter to us?" The dark-haired girl snarked.

Davina glares at the girl, "Because Monique, a witch consumed by dark magic would cause havoc on whoever crosses her path no matter who gets in her way."

Finn nods, "I just wanted to know if you have felt her presence, and if there is anything that can put her down – wielding too much magic must give her some sort of weakness."

One of the other girls glanced at him with hardened eyes, "There is a shift in darkness north of the city, I have never felt so much power."

Finn knew she would give off an energy of darkness that would spread across the land, "What have your ancestors say in dealing with this darkness?"

Monique narrowed her eyes, "Stay clear away from her, for she only wants one thing."

Finn gazed at Davina desperately, "There is nothing that can be done?"

Davina shook her head, "Give her everything we got to protect ourselves." Finn bows his head in defeat, that was what he was worried about.

Marie sat on the roof staring into the starry night, she remembered how bright the stars used to be they lighten up the whole sky creating beautiful pieces of art. She could sense the rising darkness in the air around her, feel the magic slowly devouring the light. Marie sighs building up her strength letting the emotion of fear to fuel it.

Marie could feel her reach attempting to lure her, but Marie will not allow herself to be used again. She will show everyone that she is not a tool, but a force that needs to be reckoned with. Like her father said she should not back down and give herself up to spare them, but she will not allow them to die either. Marie turns away from the darkness gazing up at the stars, seeing how small their light was but they were able to overcome the darkness that surrounds them. Marie sighs if the stars are able to shine as brightly I shall as well.

"Now this is a beautiful sight." Marie turns hearing the familiar voice in the night, he appeared in thin air he gave her a chiseled grin, his ocean limpid eyes gazed at her with interest.

"Why am I not surprised, here to find out what is releasing this powerful dark energy?" Marie remarked sarcastically as he leaned on the chimney keeping his settled gaze on her.

Demetri gave her a smirk, "Perhaps, I'm not surprised to see you involved sweetheart. You must attract all sorts of attention."

Marie rolled her eyes, "Thought you already have all the power you want in the world."

Demetri shrugs, "True, but old habits are hard to get rid of. I'm more curious then anything." Marie shook her head, it takes a dangerous magic theft to be lured by a vast energy that Dahlia is giving off.

"Worried you will have competition on who is the most powerful?" Marie remarked noticing him staring at her. He always has to stare at me with those eyes…

Demetri leaned off the chimney walking towards her, Marie noticed he placed his kind manner upon himself, but she knew that comment would spark some irritation. Demetri gazed up at the stars next to her, "No, but I can sense the fear in you. I thought you aren't scared of anything for you are the strongest vampire in the world?"

Marie ignored his attempts to create a reaction out of her, "Fear is just another emotion that could empower or cripple magic, it just needed to be channeled correctly."

Demetri gazed at her with his ocean eyes, they held the water's greatest depth, "Wise words coming from the guardian. If you have difficulty in channeling enough magic, let me know madam." Demetri gave her a charming smile.

Marie remarked, "What happened to arrogance being the cause of more casualties?"

Demetri chuckled, "And what of ignorance? I know you can feel the powerful surges of magic within the air, can you go against that kind of magic? You aren't one for using dark magic sweetheart, it out ways the traditional and spiritual magic that you possess."

Marie glares at him, he smirked as he got through to her rage. She sent a pulsing force onto him, he was pushed back slightly, she could sense Silas' magic engulfing him as it became his own it seemed it absorbed most of her attack. Demetri shook his head smiling at her, "Like I said just ask."

Marie narrowed her eyes, 'I do not need charity from you."

Demetri's smile grew as he flashed his teeth, "I wouldn't call it charity sweetheart, more of a peace offering since you helped me gain this power. Take it as a common courtesy."

Marie looked at him suspiciously, "And what you want in return?"

Demetri winked at her, "Very temping question, I think you still owe me a lunch."

Marie wasn't buying it, Marie smiled hearing her father calling for her, "You know I think you never got the honor of meeting my father."

"Oh, but I'm sure he knows about me." Demetri responded, he knew the bodies he left behind from when he obtained Expression magic would catch Klaus's attention.

Klaus flashed in front of Marie, Demetri smiles at the Hybrid, "Did you liked the little gifts I left behind?"

Klaus snarls, "You are the reason Marie went to that bloody island for that suicide mission!"

Demetri remarks, "She went on her own accord." Klaus growls stomping towards the man. Marie tried to hold Klaus back for he didn't know how much power Demetri possesses. Demetri was unphased by Klaus, Marie noticed his eyes became dark. Marie mutters a conjuring spell, she noticed Demetri eyeing her as if allowing her to complete the spell.

The magic shackles appeared on him, Demetri smirked at her, "I thought we are passed this hostility sweetheart."

Marie smiled back at him, "Oh we are, he isn't."

Klaus snapped his neck. He glared at her, "When I said to stand your own with Dahlia, I didn't mean like this."

Marie remarked, "He came here with his own cognizance."

Klaus rolled his eyes pulling the vampire towards the cellar, Marie followed. Klaus stopped her, "You don't need to be there when he wakes up."

"I feel like you only would get a better chance in getting anything out of him when I'm there." Marie responded, Klaus rolled his eyes as he shackled the vampire beyond the black object barrier. Marie noticed the blood splatter everywhere. Marie adds, "You know it could be an advantage in having him willingly help us, he even offered."

Klaus narrowed his eyes, "Let's see about that."

Klaus doesn't forget or forgive easy! And as always Demetri is looking for more magic to consume...Hope you enjoyed leave your comments below!