Disclaimer: Not Mine.
Inspire
Rebekah had barely touched Bonnie's shoulder before the air split open and the blonde original was crashing through the shelves full of elixirs. Lucy stepped out of a portal torn all the way from her cabin, her boot landing on the original's neck.
Elijah stood still. One second he was watching his sister fly through the air, the second, crimson light erupted around him producing a very young blonde woman. He had no idea where the small Asian woman had come from, maybe the shadows that still danced in her eyes. Any wrong move, and he would meet an untimely fate. Forward meant the sword against his neck would slice through his skin. Backwards meant the wooden stake at his back would no doubt push its way into his heart. The muscle beat rapidly as if it was trying to flee for him. The white oak seared the skin under the rough point despite the tunic on his back.
The once empty shop was now flooded with crimson, green, and the electric blue of sapphire. Who was this woman? Who had the vampire court, the Merlin, and the house of Qetsiyah at her beck and call? Who was this witch that wore his brother's crest and carried his child?
"Let him go." Bonnie sighed rubbing at her belly. Bean was agitated at all the excitement.
"Bonnie?" Lucy said looking at her cousin, and then over to Mari. Was the stress getting to her? Before Lucy could respond, the door burst open and a huge gray wolf leapt onto Elijah ripping out his throat. Cara shrieked backing away from the beast. Lucy released a fireball. Bonnie froze the spell, the flames close enough to the beast to sear it's fur.
"That is my baby's father." Bonnie said. Everyone watched the ball of fire dissipate into the air. "It's the full moon." She stepped forward her hands outstretched.
The wolf lifted into the air with a yelp and then a piercing howl. Bonnie tried to hold Niklaus there but he was too powerful. He bucked and fought against the spell. She was too tired. He began to fall. Lucy, Salina, Rochelle, Maddox, Phaedra, and Davina clasped hands feeding Bonnie power until the beast rose again, inside the swirl of magic fur smoothed into skin, bones cracked and rearranged themselves into a very pissed off Hybrid King. When he rematerialized, Greta's guards faded into blue light, taking Rebekah's unconscious form with them.
He stood there stark naked, his face smeared in his brother's blood. Sticks and leaves littered his hair. His skin was caked with mud. The King didn't care. He wanted Elijah's head and if she had not stopped him he would have it. Maddox tried to offer the king his cloak but Niklaus ignored him.
"Look at this room." He hissed. "There is no less than 10 people here, and I had to come from miles away to spill the blood of my enemy."
"Sire." Bonnie began. Niklaus turned to her.
"What I truly don't understand is why have you turned me, companion? When my wolf was trying to protect our child? Are you choosing my brother over me as well?"
"Don't talk to her like that." Lucy said, malice slipping off her lips. Niklaus stepped towards her. Bonnie stepped in front of him, her hand on his chest.
"Sire this building is heavily warded. No one who means me, or my child harm can enter. The moment they step over that threshold they would be turned to ash. Notice that your brother lies whole. Your sister was unaffected as well."
"Not when I am done with them." Niklaus said snatching the cloak from Maddox's arm. "And all of you." He said turning to his guard. "Girl, where is your master?" Niklaus said to Cara.
Cara looked to Bonnie. Niklaus looked between his companion and the witchling. "Just as well. Is anyone loyal anymore?" Niklaus said starting for the door. He stopped when Stefan and Marcel walked into the room. "Or competent? Marcel, I want my brother hung up by his toes. And Stefan, find Rebekah, and put her back in her cell. If Greta tries to stop you, bring her as well. And where is Malachi? I need the dark wizard."
"Sire, may I speak with you." Bonnie said her eyes heavy with sleep. Niklaus sighed looking over the haggard appearance of the mother of his child.
"Everyone get out." Niklaus yelled. Lucy and Mari didn't budge. "I am whole, am I not Lucinda. I am not a pillar of ash. Take your stares home to your oaf of a husband. You can go too, Mari. I'm not paying you to be her friend." Bonnie watched the women sneer at the King but slowly made their way out of the shop.
"And again, if you can't take care of yourself. I will be forced to take matters into my own hand."
"Just what you want, me locked up in your castle again." Bonnie spat. Niklaus laughed.
"No. That's what you want." Niklaus said walking out into the night. Bonnie watched him leave, too exhausted to argue, but she couldn't help but get the last word.
"Tell that to your wolf." She whispered turning towards her bed. She didn't know how much the King had control over his beast, but he had spent the last new moon outside her cottage window.
-o0o-
Elijah lay on his cot listening to the chanting. His brother's varlock had been preparing a spell since he had been captured last night. The spell caster had sacrificed no less than five doves, and even self gratified to power his spell. Elijah hadn't realized sex magic was used so haphazardly in this age. Elijah was trying to keep track of his goings on, but the blood, gore, and seed was being used indiscriminately. Elijah was doing well not to vomit.
The concoction was sprinkled on the hemp cloth on the floor. Once the material was stained, the varlock whispered his words and it once again was unmarked. The remaining potion was split into several bottles. Whatever Niklaus had in store for him was dark and, from the looks of this sadist, torturous.
Elijah had dozed off, but woke when the chanting ceased. The man was gone. Elijah looked at the scene before him. The hemp had been stretched over a wood frame. The vials now contained vibrant colors. Of course… Niklaus, canvas and paint. Another of his brother's minions appeared. A young brunette armed with chalk. Elijah watched her draw a perfect circle scribbling ancient runes as she worked. When she was done Elijah was looking at the most complex magic circle he had ever seen. She looked up at him almost with pity. She disappeared as fast as she came.
Hours later two guards brought in a ladle, stand and stool. They leaned the furniture against the wall and left him alone with his dinner. Elijah dosed off again. He started when he heard the scrape of the stool. At the center of the circle sat his younger brother, unfurling white brushes with glyphs etched into them. This man, this creature before him was not the Niklaus he knew. His shoulders hung. The malice bubbling under his skin was contained in a calm cool demeanor. It was disconcerting.
"Brother?" Niklaus ignored him. He just sat outlining the figure in his painting. After several moments, Elijah realized it was meant to be him. Niklaus worked quickly bringing to life every minute detail, every drop of tension that hung in the air. Every misplaced hair and the slashes across his face were recorded on the bewitched canvas. Elijah was staring at himself in awe. Niklaus was beyond talented. Niklaus stood, and stretched, walking slowly over to the bars careful not to smudge the circle.
"Do you know what that is?"
"I can't be sure brother, but is it a painting?" Niklaus smiled.
"Has it been so long Elijah? I have forgotten your dry wit."
"That is easily remedied brother. Let us put aside these foolish squabbles. We are family, always and forever."
"Is Kol family also?" Elijah was taken aback by this question. Kol and Niklaus never got along but Niklaus had never questioned their relationship. Kol was consumed with revenge but it paled to the acts Niklaus had committed 75 years ago. Through the years, no act had been severe enough to sever their kinship. Niklaus's question was threatening the very foundation of who they were. Had it come to this? What had caused this change in his brother?
"Of course." Elijah asked truly afraid for the first time.
"He tried to kill me."
"To be fair Niklaus. You murdered our parents and desiccated us for 75 years."
"My actions were born of desperation."
"Your actions were born of revenge and malice."
"And what exactly were you doing in my companion's home?"
"I wanted to extend an olive branch. I wanted to get your attention."
"You've gotten it." Niklaus said taking the torch from the wall. He moved closer to the bars staring Elijah in the face. "Have you ever studied the Hebrew faith?"
"Niklaus." Elijah said backing up.
"What about Voudon?"
"Brother, I am here to make peace." Elijah tried again.
"No? I am sure you have read The Picture of Dorian Gray."
"Niklaus, please."
"This canvas has been spelled, not to contain your sins, but to make you pay for them."
"And what of your sins?"
"I pay everyday. Everyone I have ever loved has betrayed me, but you made the mistake of attacking the one person who remains pure."
"I had no intention-" Niklaus threw the torch into the circle and a funnel of flames shot to the ceiling. Elijah watched the spectacle spellbound until he realized the heat he was feeling was not coming from the flames in front of him.
Elijah's skin was ablaze. Invisible fire licked at his skin until the original's screams could be heard throughout the castle. His burning hair polluted the hallways. His flesh bubbled off his bones. Niklaus stood there silently watching his brother and the painting turn to ash. He thought it would make him feel better. He thought he would get some relief but his fears still overwhelmed him.
After an hour of watching Elijah's charred body, the clock struck midnight, and the dungeon space stretched and then folded in on itself. Elijah gasped for air trying to figure what happened. His eyes stretched when the memories came flooding back to him. There was pain and heat, and then nothing. Now, he was standing before his smirking brother, completely unharmed. The canvas blank and stool untouched.
"Until tomorrow brother." Niklaus said leaving Elijah alone with his thoughts and the evil glow of white on the wooden stand.
-o0o-
He lay there listening to the cicadas. There song was beautiful like much of his surroundings. It was a full moon. His brother was vulnerable. One shot from his crossbow, a magically poisoned bolt, and it would be over. Kol sighed. This is all he did these days, planned Niklaus's demise. Maybe his sister was right; maybe he should try to live.
Live in a world that he had no knowledge of, a world where everything and everyone he loved was no more. Niklaus had even stolen Haset away from him. He could. He could go back to the taverns and jousting competitions. He could flirt with beautiful women, study the dark arts in the secret corners of the kingdom, and gamble with treacherous men. He reveled in his memories letting hope overtake him until he was seized once again by thoughts of revenge. The life he lived before him was no more, torn away by a petulant man-child, and yet, they all still loved him.
They wanted peace. He would have to cower and hide while Niklaus sat on a throne that did not belong to him. He would be alone while Niklaus populated the earth with a litter of mutts. He would live a half-life while his brother would live abundantly. It could not stand. He had just as much claim to their birthright, more of a claim if everyone was being honest.
-o0o-
It didn't take much to convince the old man to let him share his cabin for the night. He had heard stories about the old sheriff and his exploits, another reason why Niklaus should be dethroned. This pervert should have been dispatched years ago. Even Kol had his standards. The original wasted no time in slicing every major artery in the man's body. Blood pooled on the floor while Kol chanted. At twilight, the old woman appeared at the door as agreed. She looked on the body of the man who had terrorized this village for the past 25 years. She spit on the corpse and gave the young mage the last bit of her magical heritage.
"You will be rewarded for your loyalty." Kol said clasping the sapphire amulet as it began to glow. The air in the cabin began to waver, and then tear slowly.
"My reward is knowing that the prophecy shall come to pass." The woman said smiling. Everything Qetsiyah had foretold had come true, even the tragic death of her sister at the hands of that beast. If the Merlin wouldn't avenge her, she would send the original and let them destroy themselves.
"What prophecy?" Kol said disappearing before he got his answer.
-o0o-
The good news was the intel he received was correct. He could enter the caverns of insanity if he bore the mark of sapphire. The bad news was he had a feeling the old woman had conned him. What was this prophecy she was on about? He knew she could have killed the sheriff herself. He just thought she didn't want to be implemented in his death, and face Marcel's persecution. Everyone had dual motives. Is this the kingdom his brother created?
He needed to focus. He was about to walk into the most magically infused place on the planet. The caverns of insanity sat on an intersection of ley lines. His mother said the caverns existed in all realms and therefore was the home to all sorts of otherworldly beasts. Even the devil himself was thought to roam its passages, but that was a lie. Kol knew the devil lived a kingdom away surrounded by his adoring fans. Focus Kol. Although the plan had gone off without a major hitch, there was still one of his brother's groupies he would have to contend with.
The Merlin controlled who entered and walked out of these caves. He hoped the amulet and spell would let him be the exception to that rule. Kol quickly drank the potion Lena gave him. His hands tingled until he could see clear through them. This was the first time in a long time he would be using magic and his vampiric talents together. He was excited and just a little bit apprehensive of what he might find in the pitch black. He called to his magic and as promised, blue sapphire burst forward. The bitch thought she could double cross me. This was going to be fun.
-o0o-
Bonnie awoke when she heard scratching outside her cottage door. She sighed already knowing whom or rather what it was. She forced the cycle to end before its time last night, but nature always ran its course. She opened the door and the beast bounded into the room. She was entirely too tired to stop it from running about sniffing here and there, and growling at the invisible traces of it's brother blood on the floor. She closed and locked the door and went back to her bed. They had spent the day cleaning and running war drills. They almost had to use those simulations when Maddox tried to install bars on the windows and doors as the king requested. It was a thirty-minute standoff between Crimson and Gemini coven until Kael told everyone to go home.
She lay on her bed listening to the beast, her eyes closing. They popped open when the beast licked her face, and then climbed on her cot, his giant body covering her feet. She looked down at the foot of her bed, about to shoo him away, but she looked into those blue eyes. They were full of worry. He sniffed at her and lay down, watching the door.
She slept soundly for the rest of the night. When she woke up he lay against her his arm wrapped protectively around her middle. She felt everything at once. Joy that he was still here. Fear that when he woke up they would go back to being enemies. Pain because she didn't know how to fix it. Gratitude that his instinct, beast or man, was to protect her child, and lust, because he was stark naked and pressing into her backside. She had shifted back into him before really thinking about it. And his arms tightened around her. Those glorious lips were at the nape of her neck, but she sobered when she thought he was going to stir. She was feeling too much. She would kill him or try to if he ruined this one sweet moment. She slowly detached herself from him and went into the pantry. He wouldn't hear her cry there.
This would be the perfect moment to leave. He had indulged himself long enough. What was he thinking? What was he doing? So, she crying? Did she cry when she sold you out to Greta, either time? She still has yet to ask for forgiveness for any of her crimes. His stomach growled. Of course he was hungry, instead of hunting he spent his night as a lapdog. His human brain railed against every part of being in this bed, but it seemed his wolf, his soul, had no choice but to obey the call of his mate.
The door to the pantry opened, and Niklaus, like an imbecile, closed his eyes again. He heard her enter the room walk across to the stand by the bed and place something there. He could smell the food from here. His stomach rumbled again.
"You did not eat last night, my Lord. Lucy will be here momentarily, Mari and Cara as well." Niklaus opened his eyes and looked at the witch.
"Why would I care about Lucy, Mari, and Cara?" Niklaus said rising eating the ham and egg on his plate.
"I did not think you would want to be seen here."
"And why is that? Is this not my Kingdom?"
"Yes, but it is my shop, you are here with me."
"The shop that's on my land. You're my companion, carrying my child, so why wouldn't I be here?" Bonnie shook her head trying to contain herself.
"I just thought, you usually care about what others think… the kingdom…the upper court."
"Do I? And what do you care about?" Bonnie closed her eyes trying to breathe.
"Niklaus, I am trying to be amenable. I have customers." Bonnie said pulling on her dress.
"You have customers. You're a witch. You're mage." Niklaus said watching her hungrily. How could he be so angry and horny at the same time? He hadn't had sex in weeks.
"What?" Bonnie said turning to him. She knew that look in his eye, and it was very tempting. So was murder. So she brushed her hair instead of moving closer to him.
"I'm just listing all the reasons you have ever betrayed me." Niklaus answered, watching her twist her hair up into a chignon. He ignored the memory of its scent.
"You are such a child." Bonnie said moving towards the door.
"You didn't betray me?" Niklaus said eating his grapes. Bonnie turned quickly unable to contain herself any longer.
"I did. I betrayed you. I sacrificed our relationship to save the mage community, the treaty, and you from yourself. I chose Greta to be the Merlin so you couldn't blow up life, as we know it. I did it. I am here letting you punish me over and over again so my child can have a future."
"Heavens, is that what you tell yourself? Was I not trying to secure my child's future as well?"
"You were trying to secure your future." Bonnie answered coolly.
"And what were you trying to do Special Counselor to the Merlin of Mage. Is it not your dream to restore the Blood Coven? You have the Merlin's ear. You put your lackey in place instead of mine. You just outmaneuvered me this time."
"That was not my intention."
"Mm. The road to hell is paved with good intentions, love."
"I'm not you Niklaus. I'm not Greta, Camille, Marcel, Stefan, or Rebekah. I did not actively seek to betray you." She looked into his face. "I love you." Niklaus pursed his lips.
"And I'm the child. I have no doubt that all of those people love me… dearly. Some more than others, but that does not change the fact they have wronged me in one-way or the other. And you may have a point, because I was naïve enough not to expect that from you."
The bell clanged at the front of the shop. They both looked at the closed door separating them for the rest of the world. The door that kept them here with each other a little longer instead of forcing them back into the real world. The world where he was vampire and she was witch. Niklaus rose from the cot. The blankets fell away from him and revealed how much he enjoyed their morning cuddle. He opened the backdoor, and then pulled on the clothes that had been left on the back doorstep of Bonnie's shop. Bonnie knew she should look away but she watched him dress. She didn't no if it was the extra hormones or the passage of time that had her so aroused.
"You don't want to keep your customers waiting." Niklaus said buttoning his trousers. Bonnie moved towards the door again. He grabbed her elbow pulling her hand into his. He twisted the ring on her finger until the Mikealson crest was straight and upright instead of hidden. She had done it after he banished her. His fingers traced her lips then moved down to her collarbone. He placed a small kiss on her shoulder pulling her hips into his. His palms spread across her ass. She could feel him every inch of him even through all the cloth between them; she craved skin on skin contact.
"And that egg was overcooked. Next time I like 5 minute eggs." Niklaus said letting her go. Bonnie was chest was heaving. It took a minute for her to understand what he had said. He was teasing, no punishing her again.
"Next time? You're amazing. You just accuse me of being a snake. Next time, I won't open the door."
"You will always open the door. I am your baby's sire and more importantly, I inspire the courage you need to truly do what is necessary to restore your coven, to be who you were meant to be." He said pinching her nipple through her dress. She licked her lips.
"And what do I inspire in you my lord?" Bonnie said watching him grow even harder.
"Wrath." He whispered, before biting into her neck.
-o0o-
"We have to do something!" Rebekah said pacing in the Merlin's tower. To her surprise she had awoken in the lap of luxury instead of the cell she thought she was sure to see before she blacked out in the companion's little shop.
"What will you have me do, Bekah? He attacked Bonnie, and more importantly the baby. Even I know better than that." Greta said looking over the proposals for clearing more orc land to grow food. The beasts were greedy and asking for exorbitant prices, but it might still be worth it.
"Elijah would never hurt my niece or nephew." Rebekah said turning to her friend.
"Then why was he at the shop? I didn't think Elijah would go on a killing spree with Kol either, but look where we are." Greta said signing the deal.
"You're still defending him." Greta looked up at Rebekah in bewilderment. "He threw you away, replaced you. He's fathered someone else child. Your words not mine." Rebekah watched as the Merlin's skin began to turn blue. Greta closed her eyes pulling her magic into her center, pulling in the light, and pushing out the hurt.
She whispered, "I could kill you, you know. I have enough power."
"Yes, but then you would be spent and without magic for the foreseeable future. You would be a mere vampire, susceptible to verbane and sunlight, not to mention the whims of the merciless originals, and of course sharp things being plunged into your back. You don't want to be more vulnerable than you already are."
"What does that mean, Original?" Rebekah came over to the desk Greta was working at and leaned in close to her.
"It means… Niklaus is your past, and your enemy. You're the Merlin. You're supposed to help." Greta rolled her eyes.
"Elijah is not a witch."
"No, but I am." Barely. Greta thought to herself. She rose, finally done with her task for the night.
"I am also your oldest friend. Please help me. There is no telling how many pounds Niklaus has taken from his flesh." Rebekah pleaded.
"Actually, to be honest, it probably worse. Torture is Malachi's specialty, and Niklaus has learned to utilize everyone's talents to his advantage, and to delegate." Greta said placing a few books back in their rightful place on the shelf.
"Save him, and all is forgiven." Rebekah said again moving towards the witch.
"How cute." Greta chuckled.
"I swear on my Gamma's spirit. Save him and I will not seek revenge for the biggest betrayal of my life. I will count you as a friend."
"Am I a child Rebekah? Do you think I need your forgiveness that badly? Do you think I would actually believe you would have me as your sister again?" Greta replied starting to get annoyed.
"Yes. Yes, and yes." Rebekah answered honestly.
"Your brain must still be recovering from the rot." Greta said walking over to look out at the night sky, a sky that was starting to seem familiar.
"It isn't fair you know." Rebekah started.
"What's that?" Greta said tired.
"He betrays everyone and yet still has everything, even his power. But look what had to happen for you to obtain yours. How many people have you lost? Your father, Maddox…" Greta spun and eyed the vampire. "Oh yes, I still remember… Me, Stefan, Qetsiyah, Niklaus, Magda…"
"SHUT UP! God, you all cowered from him. You hated him, but every single one of you are just as cruel and manipulative as your father." Greta said remembering hiding Niklaus in the Martin family stables so he could heal from the whippings, Rebekah crying herself to sleep at night, and then jarring awake from the nightmares, Elijah doing his best to act as intermediary, but failing when the cuts on his faces did not satisfy Mikael's bloodlust, Finn working himself ragged just to be ridiculed and humiliated because he had a conscious, and Kol begging, pleading for any amount of meaningful attention, good or bad. Mikael was a terrible father, king, and man. They all knew it, but only one of them had the courage to do something about it. It seems they were all powerless to fight off the effects of having a monster for a father.
"And you are your mother's child. She commanded respect from everyone, even the Vampire King." Greta sighed. When would she be rid of the lot of them?
"Fine, but if you get captured, I'm not coming for you again."
"Agreed."
Greta and Rebekah descended the stairs into the heart of the citadel. It was bustling, even more than usual. The Triumvirate was on a fast, preparing for Emily's ascension, and not seeing visitors, so Greta didn't understand why so many people were here. Before Greta could inquire about the swell in visitors, the Intersect guards were rushing forward to surround her?
"They are coming for you Merlin. We must keep you safe." A burly young man said drawing his sword, while his caster readied a spell.
"Who? What are you talking about?" Greta asked. She was the most powerful mage in the country. She was the knight of the order of mage. Who would dare? Now that she was paying attention everyone seemed to be on the ready.
"The travelers come in force. They are not happy with the execution of their members. They plan to siege the citadel." Phaedra said stepping beside her priestess.
"What execution?" Greta said alarmed. She looked over to Rebekah who looked as lost as she did.
"The traveler witches sent to the caverns of insanity for punishment. We are preparing their remains to return to their coven."
"I did not order an execution. I want scriers there immediately to figure out who did this."
"But Madam, the caverns glow blue, sapphire residual magic lights up the night. We thought you were making a strong statement."
"No." Greta cried. She looked around at her army, spells at the ready, and then the truth dawned on her. "But I will be."
"Sister, I must ask your forgiveness again." Greta said, pulling the white oak stake from her satchel and plunging it deep into Rebekah's heart. The witch tried to ignore the look in the vampire's eyes…again. "I guess we have that in common, Sissy. We both are alone in this world because we always trust the wrong people."
Greta gently lowered Rebekah to the floor, closing those forlorn eyes. She called her maids forth. "Prepare her for burial. I want the ancient rites performed. Use only the finest oils and herbs. Her casket should be made of white oak inlaid with silver."
"Should we hire a carver for the Mikealson crest, Merlin?" Greta thought about this. Her servants were thoughtful and thorough, but the vitch realized that gossip would spread quickly.
"No, we are not ready for war, at least, not yet." Greta said completely dismissing her current predicament.
"But the traveler's, Merlin?"
"This is child's play compared to the soldiers of the royal court, Gawain."
"Dress her in crimson silk, the colors of her mother's coven. Have the woodworker craft another coffin. Make sure to tell them to stitch verbane into the pillow of the spare."
"Two coffins for one body, Merlin?"
"Oh no, this one is for her baby brother. I plan on a family reunion."
-o0o-
Elijah watched Niklaus dig the dull spoon into the canvas. His baby brother applied pressure until Elijah could feel the ache in his stomach. He gasped, and Niklaus dug further until Elijah stomach was being ground open slowly. The pain was unbearable. He passed out, but woke when the guard splashed him with near freezing water. His center burned until there was nothing but the slow steady pressure and finally the sickening snap of his spinal chord ending it all.
When the world came back into focus, Niklaus was standing over him poking at his middle.
"Remarkable." The hybrid said letting his older brother's tunic cover his torso again. Elijah was still too disoriented to sit up. His hands splayed on his belly to confirm the spell had done its work.
"Where is Kol?" Niklaus said peering down at him. Elijah tried to move his lips but sort of just grunted his ignorance. This cycle of death and resurrection was taking a toll on his body.
"Why were you in my companion's shop?" Niklaus said grabbing his chin to hold his rolling head steady. The world faded again. The king slapped him back into focus.
"Where is Kol, brother?" Niklaus said looking into his eyes. Elijah's vision blurred, blue light blinding him. Elijah shielded his eyes, recognizing the familiar voice.
"I'm right here, brother." There was a struggle, and then a loud grunt. Eventually silence and darkness reclaimed the room. Finally, he was left alone, to sleep and hopefully heal in peace.
-o0o-
Bonnie watched silently as Kael, Malachi, and the Gemini Coven worked. She tried to ignore the divination circle in the center of the room. She, like every other mage in the room avoided the canvas as they moved about. What the fuck was Niklaus thinking?
His brother was sitting in the corner. He was quite weak as he should be. Immortal or not, there is only so many times you can cheat death. To resurrect someone over and over in such a short period was …against the laws of nature.
"Sapphire." Maddox said as the magic dome broke.
"Do it again." Bonnie yelled pacing to the back wall.
"Hey." Lucy said coming up her placing her hands on her shoulders.
"I'm fine." Bonnie said moving away from her. She almost smudged the circle, and Bean flipped out.
"Why is this here?" Bonnie said unable to ignore the dark magic any longer.
"The king wanted to have an honest chat with his brother." Malachi said tracing the magic in the cell.
"I bet. Was he told this magic is corrupted?"
"He didn't have to be told witchling. He was raised a dragon's apprentice. If he had an ounce of magic, with his knowledge, he would be unstoppable." Kael said trying to find any other clue that could confirm to the witchling what she already knew.
"Unstoppable? Isn't that what they call him now? He's the hybrid king. He is immortal. He is the original vampire. He murdered his father for his crown. He pillaged and plundered and burnt villages to the ground. He's the devil incarnate. WHERE IS HE?" Bonnie finished shouting.
"Hey, Hey." Lucy said trying to calm her down. "Think about the baby." Bonnie ignored her. Moving towards the cell bars.
"You, tell me again." Bonnie said raising Elijah in the air with her magic.
"Kol. Kol took him." Elijah said his feet dangling against the wall. The original was still woozy.
"How did he get in? Gemini Coven should have been…"
"Bonnie, they have scried three times. The trace is indisputable. Sapphire magic got him in." Lucy said softly. Bonnie shook her head.
"She wouldn't do that."
"Why? Because she's your fiend?" Kael said looking at the girl with pity.
"Yes, and because she loves him. She loves him with every fiber of her being. She's a lot of things…"
"She's a snake. He betrayed her more than once. He killed Magda, her mentor, the only sapphire that took her in when her father banished her, the only person she might have loved more than Niklaus. She swore her revenge. We were both there." Kael said looking at the companion.
"I don't believe it. This isn't her." Bonnie denied, reexamining the feel of the magic. Yes, it was fucking blue… and she had to admit familiar, but it wasn't Greta. It was missing something. Bonnie knew Greta.
"Why?"
"Because Greta would have knocked on the front door, and kicked his balls into his throat. She would pillage and plunder and burn this castle to the ground. Someone else did this." Bonnie said pacing again. Malachi sighed.
"I mean no offense, but what authority does she have here?" Malachi said wiping his hands and throwing the towel at his second.
"Excuse me?" Lucy said turning to the varlock. She had just about enough of Gemini Coven High Priest.
"Tread lightly, boy." Kael said softly.
"Again, no offense, but she was banished. She's not our queen. Marcel? Stefan? You know how the King feels about his companion. She made Greta, Merlin. Why is she even here?"
"Not this again." Marcel said drained.
"Again? Do you have something to say to me Malachi?" Bonnie said stepping towards the Varlock. Kael went and stood between them.
"You show up the same time the originals are released. The Order of Mage attacks after we dispatched with some rogue witches. The Merlin dies by your hand. You befriend Greta. And low and behold, she's the next Merlin. Your coven's numbers have tripled."
"I remember you offering me your friendship, now you are accusing me of what? Orchestrating this whole thing?"
"I don't know. What I do know is that you were banished because you chose Greta and Magic over the King and vampire. Now Greta and Kol have taken the king. And yet, you still deny her involvement." Bonnie laughed at the varlock, but as she looked around the room the King's closest advisors and guards were watching her. Malachi knew he was making sense to a lot of people. He turned to Marcel and Stefan.
"I don't know. Should we really be listening to the King's whor…" Crimson light shot out of Bonnie hands and whipped around the Varlock's neck, snapping it. Malachi crumpled to the floor. Elijah's shirt shredded and the material weaved itself back together into restraints that attached themselves to the original's four limbs. Slowly the makeshift ropes started to pull in four different directions. Elijah screamed. Bonnie's magic ceased.
"Has Greta been colluding with you and your brother?" Bonnie whispered. She knew he could hear her.
"Kol never revealed his plans and accomplices to me." Elijah breathed heavily.
"What do you want?"
"Pardon me?"
"Why were you in my shop?"
"I told myself that I was curious. Who was this woman that carried a Mikealson sire, but honestly, deep down, I wanted to make peace. I am not fond of bloodshed." Bonnie watched him hanging there. His body slumped against the bounds of her magic. She looked into his eyes until she found what she was looking for.
"I don't know you, but I am going to take you at your word, because I believe we want the same things."
"At my word." Elijah said regarding the petite woman before him. Power rolled off her like waves. She reminded him of someone, someone who was once very dear to his heart. She was visibly tired, but she had stood up to the Varlock, commanded a dragon, and was willing to do anything to find his brother despite her clear aversion to dark magic. Her behavior tonight told him all he needed to know.
"At my word, Greta did come to us once a while ago. Her and Kol went off into his study. Kael eyed Bonnie. Bonnie felt numb.
"Maddox, revive your master. Marcel, you and your men hold the castle. Stefan, ready your guards. Lucy…"
"I know little cousin…we're going to war."
Hope you enjoyed it! Happy Klonnie Gothic Week! Happy Halloween, Dia de los Muertos, Samhain, and All Saints Day!