Caroline let out a squeal, jumping up and down slightly and clapping her hands together as Professor Fawley led the baby unicorns over. Maya grinned at how excited she was to meet a unicorn. Bonnie grinned as well, but there was awe in her eyes too, as she gazed at the pure gold unicorn foals. Maya handed them both some sugar lumps, that she'd begged off the school elves earlier.

"Just hold your palms out flat and let them come to you." She advised, demonstrating.

Unicorn foals were more curious and friendly than their adult counterparts. They also adored sugar lumps, so they came trotting closer as soon as they saw what Maya had in her hand. Bonnie and Caroline were quick to follow her example and soon each of them was stroking one of the foals. Pure delight in their eyes.

Bonnie and Maya were supposed to be with Professor Aradia, Sheila, and Himiko, who were investigating the moonstone, searching for a solution to unbind the curse without killing three people to do so. Caroline had tagged along because she didn't have anything else to do today and she'd really wanted to see Maya's school. The elder three witches had shooed the three of them away after about an hour, around the time Himiko had suggested they should ask Director Calhoun and some of the Horde's cursebreakers to help.

Maya had given them both a tour of the school, describing some of her classes as she did so. It had been hard to miss the absolute longing in Bonnie's eyes when she'd talked about learning magic in school alongside her more mundane lessons. Caroline had had looked interested as well, when she realised vampires also attended the academy's senior school. Knowing that Caroline really wanted to see some magical creatures if she could, Maya had sweet-talked her Magizoology professor into showing them the unicorn foals that had been born to the herd that lived on the school's grounds.

"They begin to turn silver at around two years of age, these foals were born last summer so they're not quite one yet. They don't start to grow horns until their about four and they wont go pure white until they're fully grown which is usually at about seven years of age." Professor Fawley explained to the girls.

Maya had heard the lecture before, so she grabbed one of the horse brushes that was lying around and gently began to run it through one of the foal's shining manes, while Bonnie and Caroline listened to the lecture intently.

"The unicorns are one of the purest of magical creatures, and they are known to be highly intelligent. There also known to be quite shy, they prefer a woman's touch to a male's, though foals tend to be a bit more trusting. Their horn is often used in potions, particularly healing ones, and unicorn hair is internationally known to be one of the most common wand cores."

"Their lovely." Caroline said, awe filling her voice.

The foal she was stroking nuzzled her hand, searching for more sugar lumps. Maya pulled another bag out and divided it up between the three of them.

"Their absolutely amazing." Bonnie agreed. "When grams first told me I was a witch, I never dreamed that one day I'd be stroking an actual baby unicorn."

"Can we take a photo?" Caroline asked, looking up at the professor. "I mean I know we won't really be able to show anyone, but just for us?"

Professor Fawley looked amused, but she nodded in agreement. Maya pulled out her phone, since she hadn't thought to bring her camera, opened up her camera app and handed it over to the professor, who took several pictures of the three girls and the unicorn foals that they were stroking.

They stayed with the foals, brushing their manes, feeding them sugar lumps, and playing with them until Himiko came to find them.

"I thought I'd find you here."

"Caroline wanted to see a real unicorn." Maya replied, a hint of defensiveness in her voice.

Himiko's grin was sharp and knowing but she chose not to argue with Maya's statement, despite knowing of Maya's own delight and fascination with unicorns.

"Well, I believe it's time for Evelyn to take the foals back to their parents and your presence, Maya, is required to test out a theory."

Maya, Caroline, and Bonnie said goodbye to the foals, thanking Professor Fawley for allowing them to visit with them and followed Himiko back inside the school. Maya recognised Director Calhoun from the day they'd moved into the Boarding House, but neither of the goblins who had arrived in their absence, were known to her. Nor were the other four wixen, though the tall redhead looked vaguely familiar. Caroline and Bonnie went to stand with Sheila. Maya could hear them telling her about the baby unicorns, as Himiko guided her over to Director Calhoun.

"Hello Maya, it's lovely to see you again."

"Hello, Director Calhoun."

He smiled at her and began to introduce her to all the strangers, starting with a leggy blonde woman who was dressed very similarly to him.

"This is Athanasia Fairchild; she works for me in the Department of Magical Mysteries."

Maya flashed her a small smile and received a grin in return as they shook hands.

"This is Bloodaxe, head of Gringotts Cursebreaking department, and Havrezz who is in charge of the North American teams."

Maya greeted them both traditionally, as Kalital the Black account manager had taught her she should do when being introduced to a goblin for the first time. A fist pressed to her heart and a bow of her head, while maintaining eye-contact with each goblin in turn. He'd also drummed into her the titles associated with the different positions a goblin might hold within a bank, in case it wasn't made clear by whoever was introducing her to them.

"Good afternoon, Deputy-Director Bloodaxe. Good afternoon, Leader Havrezz."

Both goblins returned the greeting, which earned surprised glances amongst the three wixen she hadn't been introduced to yet. Probably because they greeted her in the traditional manner in which they would greet a member of the Horde who was not of their clan. It was a greeting rarely bestowed on wixen, reserved for those named as goblin-friends or who were, like Maya, considered to be under the Horde's protection and therefore something of a fosterling of the Horde. At least that's how Kalital had explained it when he'd been teaching her the different greetings.

Director Calhoun didn't seem at all surprised, but then again, he was already well aware of Maya's status in regard to the Horde. Once she'd exchanged greetings with the goblins, he moved her along to the other three wixen, shaking hands with each of them in turn.

"And last but not least, our three cursebreakers. This is Cora Vyn, David Randall, and last but not least Bill Weasley."

"Oh, you're Ron, Fred, and George's big brother."

It slipped out before Maya could stop herself. He gave her a bemused glance before his eyes slid down to the bracelet she still wore upon her wrist and lit up with understanding.

"It's a pleasure to finally meet you, Maya. I've heard a lot about you." He replied with a grin, eyes dancing with mischief just like Fred and George's, but his grin was all Ron.

Bloodaxe looking at Bill, spoke gruffly in a language Maya didn't understand, but Bill obviously did, because he nodded firmly and replied in the same language. Whatever it was he said seemed to satisfy Bloodaxe, because he grunted, and his body language went from tense to relaxed. Director Calhoun ignored the byplay, guiding Maya back to Himiko and gesturing for everyone to be seated around the table.

"Now we've examined the moonstone and the curse that's bound within it. We think we have a possible solution or at least the beginnings of one. We just need to verify we're on the right track before we continue."

Caroline and Bonnie were relieved to hear that. They were still a little angry with Elena for how she'd reacted to the news that Caroline was a vampire. But Elena was still their best friend. They loved her and didn't want her to die. Maya was relieved too. She didn't like Elena, but Elena wasn't the only one at risk. Someone had to kill a vampire and a werewolf too. Most of the vampires in Mystic Falls were Maya's family or friends. She didn't know Mason well, but she didn't want Tyler's uncle to die. Especially not by her dad's hands.

"What do you need from me?" Maya asked.

She wasn't sure what he needed from her. She'd been able to contribute nothing to the conversation earlier, not far enough along in her studies for that. It was possible they needed her for her magical abilities, but she doubted it. She might be powerful, but so were the rest of the people in the room and aside from Bonnie they were all far more experienced than she was. She was willing to bet they all had much better control too. As much as she had improved under Himiko's tutelage, she still had a very long way to go.

"For now, all we require, is a few drops of your blood."

Maya looked from him to Himiko who nodded reassuringly, and back to him.

"Just a few drops?"

"Three to be precise." He replied with a smile, "And I swear on my magic that they will be used only to test our theory."

Maya bit her lip and nodded.

"Okay."

"Excellent. If you could give me your hand."

Maya extended her left hand to him, her palm facing up. He wrapped his fingers gently around hers and tugged her hand slightly, positioning it over the moonstone that lay on the table. Picking up a small silver knife, he sliced a small cut across the tip of her index finger. Squeezing out the required three drops onto the moonstone, before the cut could heal over. Leaving no trace that they had ever been there. As her blood hit the moonstone it sizzled, and the stone began to glow faintly.

Director Calhoun nodded, looking satisfied, as if it was what he had expected. Maya glanced around the table at everyone else and saw that other than Bonnie and Caroline, who just looked surprised, they all seemed to have the same satisfied but considering look that Director Calhoun bore.

"Good. We have a starting place at least." He said after a moment. The rest of the group nodded.

"It would help if we had the original spell to examine. Is there any chance of that?" Athanasia asked, looking at Professor Aradia.

"Possibly. But we should proceed as if it won't be." Athanasia nodded and Professor Aradia turned to Director Calhoun, "Do we need Maya for anything else today? It's getting close to when I told Damon I would have her home by."

He shook his head.

"No. We've got what we needed for today."

Professor Aradia nodded again, and Maya found herself hustled out of the room, alongside Caroline and Bonnie, so that the two witches could apparate the three of them and Sheila back to Mystic Falls.

After his semi-enlightening conversation with Elijah, Damon left the Historical Society's high tea. He grabbed Jenna and Alaric on his way out, hoping they could talk some sense into the stubborn girl. John Gilbert followed him like a shadow, sensing that something was wrong. Damon didn't bother to shake him off; he figured the man had a right to know what his daughter had done. He quickly texted Anna, telling her to bring Elena and Jeremy to the Boarding House as soon as possible. He also sent a message to the rest of the gang, summoning them to the same place. They had to find out the exact terms of the deal Elena had made with Elijah. Who was safe and who was not. And why on earth she had agreed to it when he had clearly told her that he had people working on a way to break the curse without her sacrifice.

Damon sped back home from the Lockwood mansion, his mind racing with questions. What could possibly motivate Elijah to kill his own brother, and would he spare Maya if he ever found out about her? Or was his daughter doomed to face his wrath as well? He also tried to understand Elena's logic. He knew she was terrified that Klaus would unleash a bloodbath on the town, starting with her loved ones, if she didn't give herself up for the sacrifice. But he thought they had resolved that issue when Stefan had saved her from Rose's idiocy and Elena's own reckless stupidity in Richmond.

Despite all the logical arguments they had presented Elena with afterwards. Such as there was no evidence Klaus knew where she was. Or that even if Klaus did find her, he didn't have the moonstone and wouldn't be able to get it without Damon. Or Damon's personal favourite, that if they figured out a way to break the curse without her death then Klaus would have no reason to slaughter her family or anyone else in town. It was obvious to Damon after Elijah's little reveal, that not one of those or any of the other arguments they'd presented her with had had any affect.

As he parked in front of the house, he checked the time and realised that Maya should be home by now. Hopefully Aradia, Himiko, and Sheila had figured something out. He really didn't want Maya's first meeting with her dad to be marred by his being there to kill people she knew and possibly loved. Also, good news meant they might be able to talk Elena down from the ledge she was currently wobbling on, which would be good for Jenna and would hopefully keep John off all of their backs.

Alaric pulled in behind him and both Jenna and John climbed out of his car. Damon did not envy him one bit, that could not have been a fun journey, for all that it was a short one. Damon sent him a commiserating glance as he opened the door of the house and allowing him and Jenna to enter, before blocking John's path.

"You can come in John. I'm saying that because as a father myself, I believe you deserve to know what I've learned. But –" Damon raised his voice slightly as John opened his mouth to speak. "If you make any threats, if you are rude to anyone, if you do anything… anything at all that I dislike. And I will personally throw you out. And when I say throw, I mean I will pick you up and chuck you as far as I can manage. Got it?"

John was silent for a moment before giving a grudging nod.

"I understand Damon."

"That's good John. You get one chance. One."

He moved out of the way and allowed John to enter, leaving the door open for Mason and Tyler who had just arrived. Checking his phone, he saw a reply from Anna, she was on her way with both of them. Good, the sooner they could have this discussion, the sooner he could get John out of his house. Maya and the others were back from the Academy and in the living room as well, alongside Maggie, Enzo, and Stefan. None of them looked happy about John's presence, but most of them were able to hide it a lot better than Maya who's open and welcoming grin, turn into a ferocious scowl as she saw the man.

"Why is he here?"

Damon was pretty sure that if Maya had the ability to make someone drop dead with a single look, then John would be a corpse on the floor right about now.

"Because despite my personal dislike for him, he has a right to hear what we're going to discuss."

Maya's scowl didn't give an inch as she threw herself down onto the sofa, crossed her arms with a huff and continued to glare daggers at the man. She didn't even stop when Tyler and Mason entered, just greeted them without lifting her angry eyes from John for a single second. Mason looked startled by this, but Tyler just took it in his stride, just sitting down next to Maya and joining in with glaring at John. Damon had a feeling Tyler would have done so even if he didn't know why Maya was glaring at the man.

"What are we going to discuss?" John asked.

Damon didn't answer straight away, pouring himself a drink and sitting down on the other side of Maya to Tyler.

"The deal Elena made with Elijah." Damon replied, just as Elena entered the room.

"How did you know?" Elena asked, staring at Damon shock and guilt in her eyes.

"It's true?!"

Elena spun round to face Jenna, guilt and pain suffusing her face as she locked eyes with her aunt.

"It's true."

"Why Elena?" Jeremy asked, staring at his sister with troubled eyes, "Why would you do that?"

"I had to, Jer."

"Did Elijah force you?" John questioned staring at her, "Did he threaten you? Jeremy? Jenna? Is that why you agreed to a deal?"

"No. I agreed willingly, I had to." Elena repeated.

"Elena, you didn't have to agree to anything." Jenna said, "Damon's looking for another way, we'll find another way, you know that."

"No Jenna, you don't understand." Elena was shaking her head, tears in her eyes as she looked at her aunt and her brother, "None of you understand."

"Then make us understand!"

"He said he'd heal mom!"

Utter silence greeted her words as the realisation of what Elijah had promised Elena to gain her cooperation settled in.

"He said… He said he could keep everyone safe from Klaus, that no one else I loved had to die. Then he said he knew about mom, that he knew some people who could help, that he'd ask them to help… and it's mom, Jer. I had to, I had to at least try. Even if it doesn't work, if he can't do what he said, I had to try… I had to try."