As promised.
"What you're saying is unnatural," Sheila stated furiously once again as Rebekah sighed in complete frustration. There had to be a way. "This breaks the balance."
"Garnet is going to break the balance with the ritual and we can't take her down without immense witch power—we need Bonnie," Rebekah said. "And she didn't deserve to die, you know that, Sheila."
"I know," Sheila said sadly. "But we can't. It isn't right."
"Her death isn't right," Rebekah said. "And if you could just help me decipher these markings and what's missing, perhaps I can bring her back."
Sheila hesitated. Despite her better judgments, her heart kept telling her that she needed to do whatever necessary to bring her granddaughter back. Bonnie wasn't supposed to die this way. She wasn't supposed to die young without having lived.
"I shouldn't," Sheila started, raising her hand to shush Rebekah's protests. "But I'll try to see if I can help you figure out the correct spell."
Rebekah's blue eyes shined and she glanced quickly at Matt, her eyes hopeful that it would work. He gave a nod of encouragement.
"Then help me," she said.
Sheila let out a strangled breath and nodded, taking hold of the parchments. There was a sharp knock at the front door and Matt's eyebrows scrunched. Suddenly the handle broke and the door swung open, an angry Kol present.
"Excuse you, you're going to fix that," Sheila said, her eyes never moving from the papers.
"Of course," Kol said. He looked at Rebekah. "Something is up with the Otherside. It seems less solid."
"How do you know?" Rebekah asked.
"Because I could feel Bonnie there next to me. Something is up."
"It must be because of the ritual," Rebekah assumed, her blue eyes critically thinking. "We need to hurry—perhaps with the Otherside barrier being more vulnerable means it'll be easier to get Bonnie back."
"What?" Kol interjected quickly, his eyes full of concern and something much more manic. "When did you decide on this?"
"When we found out that there's a spell for it and we need her," Rebekah said. She crossed her arms. "And let's face it, you're a complete mess without her."
"I figured it out," Sheila said. "This spell calls for a blood connection," she looked up. "Which is obviously me in this case, and it calls for a tether—someone willing to become Bonnie's anchor to this side."
"It should be someone invincible, shouldn't it?" Matt suggested. All three heads turned to look at him and he shrugged. "It doesn't make much sense for it to be a human—so many bad things can happen and pretty much kill us on accident. It should be someone who's difficult to kill, kind of like an insurance."
"I'll do it," Kol chimed in. Rebekah turned to look at her brother.
"You're sure?" she asked. He nodded.
"We need to go to the site where she died," Sheila said. She looked up at Kol. "Do you remember where that is?"
"Of course I do," he said sourly. "How could I forget?"
"Then let's waste no time," Sheila said, folding up the parchment. "Rebekah, grab the candles."
When they made their way to the spot where Kol had found Bonnie's body, they hastily set up the candles to depict the pillars of the elements: five of them spread into the points of a pentagram.
Rebekah outstretched her hand and the flames ignited on the candles. Sheila took out a knife and looked at Rebekah, nodding.
"Okay," Rebekah said. She shut her eyes and began to chant in harsh Latin. Her hands began to tremble and Kol could swear he saw her body sway a bit. Matt looked both intrigued and concerned.
"Elementa da mihi virtutem contra dicere. Ignis. Terram. Aquam. Aer. Sanguis," Rebekah muttered. Sheila sliced her palm and let her blood drip onto the candle that formed the top point of the pentagram. The flames grew bigger. "Da virtutem excitare ad soror mea."
Kol squinted as the wind became stronger. He could feel Bonnie's presence standing next to him.
"Ut vitae! Ut vitae!" Rebekah shouted above the wind, her hair flailing aimlessly in all directions. Matt could see her veins darkening and popping out more prominently. He was no witch but even he could tell how painful that must be.
"Hold on, Rebekah!" Sheila shouted. "Concentrate!"
"Ad vitam continuat vitam aeternam," Rebekah shouted. Kol moved on cue, slicing his palm open and letting his blood drip onto the same candle. He watched as the thin crimson lines moved almost animatedly, forming the outlines of the pentagram.
The blonde shut her eyes tight, her body trembling from the power and the pain. She felt something drip from her nose and down her face.
"She's bleeding!" Matt shouted. "It's too strong!"
"She's a fighter, Matt," Kol said. "She can do this!" He shouted as his palm healed.
Rebekah stopped chanting and gasped, one final push of power rippling across the earth and blinding. She fell to her knees, wheezing and trying to gather air into her lungs. She felt arms support her before she could fall completely onto the dirt.
"You did it," another voice said.
Kol's head shot up, his eyes widening in awe. "Bonnie."
"Hey," she said softly, glancing at Sheila, Rebekah, Matt, and Kol again. "You did it. I'm back."
Sheila grabbed Bonnie into her arms and hugged her tight. "Don't you ever do something like that again, child."
"Grams," Bonnie said, burying her face into Sheila's shoulder. The familiar feel of family made the new transition easier, although something in her gut pulled and pulled. She let go of her Grams and stared at Kol.
"You tied me to you," Bonnie stated factually.
Kol shrugged, almost defeated. "What else could we do?"
Bonnie shook her head, her eyes stinging a bit. "You're such an idiot!" she exclaimed, moving quickly towards him. She stood in front of him, her eyes strong. "Why?"
"Because I love you," he said in absolute certainty. "And that's saying something considering I don't necessarily love anybody."
Bonnie glanced down at his mouth briefly before connecting their mouths. Kol made a noise at the back of his throat before returning the kiss, his hands cradling her face. She pulled away after a few seconds.
"We need to stop her," she said. "In a few hours she's going to start the ritual—we need to stop her."
The moon was almost at its apex, causing Caroline's heart to race with panic.
She needed to find a way out—she couldn't let her dreams become a reality. The thought of losing Klaus was painfully sharp and although she had begged him to stay away—she had the feeling he'd do the exact opposite.
Caroline assumed that they had probably gathered and made some kind of plan to scatter and ambush Garnet and Devin during the ritual in order to stop them. Caroline wished she could've done more instead of becoming the sitting duck. What kind of witch was she?
A pathetic one if you ask me, her mind rambled.
Now she was here, spelled to remain on the stone plat surrounded by darkness. Caroline was alone; they were probably still trying to gather all of the necessary parts for the spell.
There was another sharp reminder. She couldn't put Kol, Rebekah, or Elijah in danger, especially Rebekah. They were essential to the sacrifice but Caroline would not, could not, picture having to see them die.
As weird as it sounded, they were almost like family. Throughout the months spent together, they had all grown so accustomed to each other. Caroline had been strung into the supernatural world and they had all been there to help her.
They were her family.
Her eyes glanced at the night sky. The moon hadn't moved much but it was getting there. Behind her there was a crackle of leaves and she stiffened, afraid to look.
"Are you ready, Caroline?" Devin asked.
The blonde blinked, never turning over.
"It would be wise to answer my question," he added on almost cautiously, causing Caroline's eyes to focus on him in suspicion.
"Go to Hell," she spat.
He chuckled darkly. "My my, you are a little spitfire, aren't you?" he shook his head. "It's not as bad as it sounds, however I'm sure that with your angelic blessing I'll pass the Other Side completely and move on."
"I'll never do the spell," Caroline said. "Much less bless you with an all-season pass to Heaven. I'm not a wish granting factory."
He moved forward, getting on the platform. His hand grabbed her neck roughly and pulled her head to the side so he could whisper in her ear.
"Would you do the same for my son Niklaus?"
Caroline's chest heaved.
"I know you love him as he loves you. But would you bless the cursed?"
Silence.
"Would you?"
"Why do you care?" Caroline argued, struggling to look at him. There was a tinted glow in the irises of his eyes. They weren't the normal brown she'd remembered. Her breath caught as she noticed his small stern nod.
This is a plan. It has to be.
Beyond them, a wolf howled in the distance.
"It's time."
Caroline felt him move away, her eyes searching in the black darkness. She head more footsteps followed by the crackling of ignited fire. Suddenly flickering flames illuminated the area.
Garnet appeared, a smirk plastered on her face. "Did you really believe that we wouldn't find your friends?"
Caroline's eyes widened in surprise as Rebekah and Kol struggled against a band of witches.
"I first found Rebekah—it's easy to find witches. Then of course, Devin found Kol. Bless the boy's heart, he tried to put up a fight against my horde of witches."
Devin cleared his throat.
"Yes, the only one that seems to be missing is Klaus. He's had centuries to perfect his cloaking abilities, but you," Garnet edged closer to Caroline. "You're different."
She stared at Caroline. "You are his weakness and he will come for you."
Caroline clenched her fist. "What makes you so sure?"
The older witch smiled. "Because he's already here."
The atmosphere became increasingly still as Klaus approached from across the field. He was alone.
"Now Garnet," Klaus said. "Trying to take my girl away again?"
"Nikaus," Devin stated. For a split second Caroline saw something—a flicker of vulnerability. "You're here at last."
"What kind of man would I be if I left Caroline alone?" His blue eyes stared into Caroline's green ones. "She's important to me."
Caroline felt a knot forming in her throat. She already knew that Klaus loved her; he didn't need to say those exact three words for her to believe him. He was here out of all the stupid things he's done and will do, he was here.
"The apex approaches," Garnet stated. "Enough with the pleasantries."
This is either the smartest move or the most idiotic plan, Klaus thought as he took another step forward.
Devin's posture turned rigid as Klaus' eyes turned golden and he bit harshly into his own wrist.
Blood heavily dropped onto the ground.
"Better hurry while you have the chance, Garnet," Klaus taunted, flaunting his hybrid teeth menacingly.
She chuckled. "There's no need to hurry in getting your blood this way, Niklaus. You have caused me great pain," her eyes threw daggers at him. "I intend to do the same."
Out of nowhere, Devin curled in pain. This was definitely not a part of the plan.
"What are you doing?" Devin choked out.
Garnet smiled. "Did you really believe that I wouldn't know about your little vendetta against me?"
Devin gasped for wire, the sensation of his lungs collapsing taking over every nerve of his body. Garnet was trying to force his hand.
"You will not be deceiving me for your son. We're brother and sister, Devin."
He felt his will give in, thoughts muddled and his vision clouded in red. The need for air ceased but his body felt like an automaton.
"Get his blood," Garnet said. "Then make him suffer."
Caroline watched with wide eyes as Devin moved in a blur in Klaus' direction. Her human eyes couldn't keep up.
Her head began to throb as Garnet began chanting, making it hard to focus on the fight that broke out in front of them.
Devin threw a punch, his fist connecting with Klaus' jaw. The hybrid returned the blow, throwing Devin onto his back. The older wolf growled, his eyes turning completely golden.
"Snap out of it!" Klaus groaned, dodging another punch. "You have to try!"
Devin's now golden eyes never wavered; instead he launched his body towards Klaus. They both ended up on the ground, rolling violently.
"I can't stop her-" Devin strangled. Klaus shoved him, getting up quickly as his father lunged again. "She's always been the stronger one."
"Just because she's a witch," Klaus said, catching Devin's fist. "Doesn't mean there's no hope for you to fight."
They twisted and turned, throwing out punches and dodging blows.
"Show her—show her she doesn't own you."
They were locked. Klaus had a hand on Devin's shoulder and the other on his arm. There was a moment as Devin relapsed. He could see his son's fierce determination by looking at his face. From the Otherside, he had seen all the terrible things Klaus had done. But he had also watched how an isolated human boy was treated because of how he came to be.
Devin had watched how Mikael had abused Klaus he grew. He'd heard the rumors, seen the truth for himself. It had only gotten worse after a thousand years until Klaus had killed Mikael.
This had been Devin's mistake. He'd let his son become a guarded, butter monster and he thanked the universe for giving Klaus Caroline.
There was a sharp pang in his chest—he wanted to fight Garnet's power but he really wasn't strong enough. The only reason he was here was because of her. She's always been the ringleader.
"I'm sorry," he managed to say as he shoved his free hand into Klaus' chest.
Klaus' blue eyes widened. Devin hadn't reached for his heart; he'd missed it by a couple of centimeters.
That did not entail that it didn't hurt like hell.
Devin pulled out his hand, now drenched in Klaus' blood. He let his son's body fall to the ground as he flashed to Garnet, where she greedily took blood from his stained hand.
Klaus held his chest tightly. It was taking too long to heal and he had no clue why.
His eyes struggled to meet Caroline's frightened ones. But when they finally made eye contact, his heart broke.
There she was, the girl he loved. Afraid. Broken. Bruised.
He hadn't expected this to happen. Where was Elijah when he needed him? Where was Bonnie? Shouldn't she have done the spell already?
Klaus saw Caroline shake her head softly, tears in her eyes.
That's when he knew that she had lied to him to protect him. This night wouldn't end without one of them dead. Just one.
Anger sparked inside of him and he struggled to stand up. He was weak—the hole in his chest slowly healing itself.
No. For everything that he was, Klaus wasn't about to let Caroline die for him. He had lived a thousand years. Klaus had seen the world many times—he'd lived through most of the rich history. Caroline had just begun to live; it would be selfish of him to keep living if she wasn't going to.
Their eyes never disconnected. He could see that she was trying to plead with him, to make him understand, to waver.
Then he smirked. He was Klaus. No one—not even Caroline—could make him do anything.
"Take me," he breathed out.
Caroline's eyes widened. No! she thought in panic.
Garnet halted her chanting briefly. "I plan to make you suffer, Klaus. I know about the girl's plan to save the rest of you—after all, I was the one to give her the idea."
Klaus didn't flinch. "Take me instead," he reiterated.
"What makes you believe that I want you dead?" Garnet hissed.
"You need a great sacrifice. Who else would be greater than me? I'm the hybrid—the perfect imperfection of nature."
"But she is something else," Garnet said. "A witch and an angel. Heavenly blessed. She must die in order to fulfill the Divine Destiny. This," Garnet motioned. "This is her fate."
Above them the sky roared.
"Are you prepared to die for him, Caroline?"
Her green eyes flickered. No, she wanted to say. She didn't want to die but there was no other way. She winced as Rebekah hissed in pain and Kol protested as vials of their blood were brought up to Garnet.
"I love you," she said looking at Klaus.
He clenched his fists, his heart pounding at her words and unwavering voice.
Caroline turned to Garnet. "I wouldn't just die for him, Garnet." She grit her teeth, feeling a spark rush through her veins. "I would die for my friends. My family. For Kol, Rebekah, and Elijah. It's my choice—something I'd do out of love. But I know that's a concept you would never understand."
Garnet's smirk faltered, her dark eyes glancing up at the full moon. "The apex has come. It's time."
She chanted a single verse before putting the chalice to her lips. Caroline winced in disgust. Garnet was drinking blood as if it were no big deal. When Garnet removed the chalice, her lips were ruby red. Next, Devin took a sip.
"Do the spell, Caroline."
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