Just a heads up: this chapter is really long.
The story continues its action in New Orleans, with Camille remaining the central figure, providing insight into the emotions and perspectives of other characters. In this section, she engages with Finn, who I believe is a significant yet underdeveloped character. It's frustrating to see the writers bring him back for the third time, just to demonstrate Lucien's bite on an original vampire has no cure. Seriously, Mercy! I hope I've managed to delve into his psyche a bit and shed light on his motivations and actions.
In case you've noticed the timeline inconsistencies, you're correct. I initially started with a vague outline that has since evolved with each chapter. The story and writing have a life of their own and don't always follow my initial plan. Just to clarify, the events in the Pyramid and recent chapters span approximately 96 hours. The upcoming chapter featuring Klaus and Noe discussing the lake incident will be posted within the week.
Thank you for reading! Your comments mean a lot to me, so please feel free to leave one, and if you enjoy the story, please consider vote.
Kol stormed across the compound's courtyard, with Davina trailing behind him. At the same time, Marcel entered through the main gate and accidentally bumped into Kol.
"Watch it, man," Marcel grumbled, while Davina hurried to catch up with Kol. "Hey, Davina, hold on a sec," Marcel called out to her. "What's going on?" he inquired, noticing her obvious distress.
"Not now, Marcel." Davina brushed him off, attempting to keep up with Kol.
"Hold on, young lady," Marcel interjected. "What's going on, D? You seem upset. What's up with Kol?" He persisted with his questioning.
"If you must know, Kol had a fight with his ungodly family... Really, Marcel, I can't understand how you can be loyal to these monsters." Davina paused. Frustration was evident in her voice. "I need to be there for him, even if you don't agree."
"Slow down and tell me what happened, young lady," Marcel said while taking the girl in his arms, trying to calm her down.
"I know you mean well, Marcel, but Kol, he's gone and the White Oak is out there; I have to find him and protect him."
The tall man hugged the girl tighter in his strong arms, stroking her brown hair. His voice was calm and reassuring as he spoke. "I have the bullet; you don't have to worry about that," the man revealed. "Now tell me what's going on."
The young witch gave a summary of what transpired a few minutes ago in the Mikaelson home.
Marcel's eyes looked like they were going to pop out of their sockets. "You did what?" He asked the girl with the despair of a father whose child had lost his mind. "I don't get it, Davina; do you have a death wish or something? You keep trying to get on Mikaelson's bad side."
Marcel's expression softened slightly as he tried to explain the complexity of her situation. "D, please listen to me. Kol doesn't need protection. I've known the guy for two centuries, and trust me, he is bad news. Whatever happened up there, he is still a Mikaelson. They fight and threaten each other, but they stick to their 'always and forever'. No matter what goes down, they stand by each other. Those of us on the outside, we pay the price."
Davina knew Marcel was right deep down, but her feelings for Kol clouded her judgement. She knew that getting involved with an original meant being caught in the crossfire of their family drama, but she couldn't just admit that to Marcel. So she tried to justify her actions. "This is not just about Kol Marcel. What was I supposed to do?" protested the girl, "letting Finn take the body of an innocent witch?"
The man raised an eyebrow, seeing the fire in Davina's eyes. He could see her point, but he also knew the dangers of going against the Mikaelsons. "I get it, Davina," Marcel advised calmly, "but sometimes it's better to let sleeping dogs lie… You may not see it yet, but Elijah's got a plan. He's focused on making the city safe for Hope. "It is also my priority to ensure the safety of my city and my people, so I choose to support him." Marcel offered, stroking Davina's back and assuring her that everything would be okay in the end.
"With those people, you need to first think, not act. So use your mind for a moment. As long as this situation exists, Elijah needs Finn's power, and Finn recognizes that he has no choice but to work with his family."
Something inside Davina snapped. Cami more or less said the same thing to her: she was acting on impulse, she was not using her mind, and she was causing trouble. But all Davina tried to do was help her friends and the man she was in love with.
"You always defend them, and so does Cami." The girl objected with an angry voice, "I can't forgive them. They are monsters, Marcel." She declared, trying to remove herself from his arms.
The man released her while his fingers caressed the girl's face, wiping away the tears that fell from her eyes. "We're all monsters, Davina; it's just that when you're as powerful as they are, you don't bother to hide it."
"You are not a monster, Marcel; you are my friend; you protected me when no one else did," the girl said with a broken voice.
"I am a monster, D; I have spilled innocent blood. However, the world is not entirely black and white, at least not for the supernaturals." I like it or not, the Mikaelson's are my family; they raised me; they made me who I am; I care about them like I care for you because you are my family too."
The little witch fell into his arms and tenderly kissed her hair.
"What a beautiful and touching moment!" a voice said outside of the main door. Lucien Castel was standing there, a large bouquet in his hands and a wry smile on his face. "I hope I'm not interrupting anything," he said innocently.
"I have to go; we'll talk later." The young woman promised Marcel and left the mansion without wasting a glance at the ancient vampire.
"Looks like I can't get in," Lucien commented.
"You have to take it to Freya," Marcel replied, rushing quickly towards the stairs.
With a sigh, Lucien reached for his phone and dialled the older Mikaelson sister's number, feeling somewhat annoyed.
"What do you want, Lucien?" The witch answered the call indifferently.
"Freya, how much longer will you continue to wound my feelings?" inquired the vampire. "I had sincerely believed that we had moved beyond all of this nonsense."
"What is it that you want, Lucien? I am currently occupied with matters at hand." The witch answered, unaffected by Lucien's act.
"I'm stuck at the gate. Maybe you can invite me in." The man prodded.
"Regrettably, Lucien, I believe it's not the wisest choice at this moment. Vampires are no longer permitted to enter the compound. I trust you understand. You do, after all, seek to ensure your sire's well-being, even though your existence is no longer linked to him.
Freya's implied insult caused Lucien to act offended and recite the same old line he had been using for the previous few months with everyone. "I assure you, I have Nikc's best interest at heart, but I admit, my intentions for coming here are purely selfish," he retorted with a smirk. "I thought maybe you'd like to take me out to dinner tonight," the man explained flirtatiously over the phone.
Freya descended the main staircase while talking on the phone, heading to meet Lucien in person. As she emerged into the inner courtyard, the vampire noticed her annoyance turning into a smile when she saw the flowers he was holding. With an effortless movement, Lucien closed the phone and placed it in his jacket pocket. Then he gave the woman a charming smile. "These are for you," he offered, waving the white and yellow bouquet towards her. "They're freesias and reminded me of you," he said softly, hoping she would appreciate the gesture.
"You sure know how to flatter a girl," Freya remarked, strolling out the gate.
"Won't you offer me an invitation to come in?" Lucien asked innocently, extending the bouquet to her.
"Right now isn't the most ideal moment; next time, better call before you show up at my door," the woman advised. "Thanks for the flowers."
Taking note of her strong resolve, Lucien decided against pressing the matter and carried on with his invitation. "Would you do me the honour of dining together tonight? Let's settle at 8 o'clock; I'll pick you up."
"It sounds like a wonderful idea, and honestly, I wouldn't mind a break from all the family chaos for a little while," Freya replied, a small smile playing on her lips. "Just focus on good food and wine in your plans, and don't you dare use that for any requests involving me or my family unless you want to face the consequences."
"Despite the hurt that your words inflict, my only intention is to savour your company." Lucien brushed off Freya's warning.
Camille and Finn found themselves waiting alone in the library while Elijah held a confidential meeting with Marcel, and Freya ventured downstairs to investigate why Lucien was unexpectedly at their doorstep. It was the first time they had come face-to-face since the events of the previous winter. The awkwardness between them was obvious.
Regardless of how she chose to let bygones be bygones for most of her friends and acquaintances during the conflict with Esther and Dahlia, Cami found it difficult to overlook and forgive the actions of Finn and how he used her to manipulate Klaus.
Klaus, Hayley, Elijah, Rebekah, and Davina have all done atrocious things, and some of those actions were worse than others. Klaus, for example, chose to earn Dahlia's trust by punishing all those who went behind his back. He compelled Gia to burn herself. He asked Dahlia to curse Hayley and her pack. He even used and hurt Cami, who had done nothing more than be there for him, all to convince Dahlia that he cared for no one except Hope.
Despite all this, Camille managed to forgive him quite easily and even attempted to assist him in reconciling with his family. Maybe because a small part of her could relate to the pain and feelings of betrayal the siblings caused to the original hybrid when they daggered him.
She could still recall the icy feeling that latched on her heart when she thought she could lose Klaus forever. "How long are you going to leave him like that? Five years? Ten? A lifetime," she had asked, dreading the answer.
Truth be told, she was angry at all of them for what they did to Klaus, for not believing in him, for not trusting him when he said that he had only Hope's best interests at heart. But at the end of the day, she managed to understand what made all of them act the way they did and helped them rebuild trust.
Maybe it was time to try and reproach Finn; maybe it was time to stop being a hypocrite and admit that nothing is ever black and white. Her inner voice advised.
"Camille, the beautiful human therapist who tried to fix my bastard brother, I see you have paid the price for not walking away from him." Finn was the first to break the silence. "Believe it or not, this was not a fate I wished for you," he said, trying and failing to keep any sighs of judgment out of his voice.
"I don't see how the fate you and Esther chose for me was any better Finn. At least it is me, in my own body, not Rebekah." Cami returned with a bitter tone.
"That was mainly my mother's decision, but I did go along with it. I can comprehend why you may hate me."
"I don't hate you, Finn; as they say, 'water under the bridge," Cami said, attempting to sound as nonchalant as she could, "and being a vampire isn't completely terrible."
"But this is not a path you desired, and I highly doubt Klaus would have chosen this fate for you," Finn remarked. "So, what transpired?" He inquired.
"Aurora happened." Cami said, "You mind if we skip the subject?"
Finn was still shaking from what happened a few minutes earlier. The little witch almost imprisoned him in this body forever. This was the worst form of punishment for him.
How he longed for his human days when he would feel the hot sun on his skin as he harvested the fields. He longed for the heat of battle; his only driving force was survival and victory. To return with loot and honours.
His only drive after his mother turned them into vampires was an unquenchable thirst for blood. There was no honour and no glory in killing indiscriminately, young and old, men and women. None of them had any chance of survival; none of them had a chance of fighting back and dying an honourable death.
Finn Mikaelson hated the endless cycle of violence and bloodshed and how it consumed his existence. He longed for rebirth—a chance to reclaim his humanity and find peace once more. That's why he hijacked Davina's resurrection spell.
Now Cami, whom he tried to hurt and whom he manipulated into trusting him, was forced to suffer the same fate. She was struggling with vampirism; he could comprehend that much, but she was also fighting. Fighting to keep the darkness at bay. To keep her humanity. Something that he and his siblings failed miserably to do.
He liked Camille; he liked her more than he was willing to admit, and the main reason he played along with Esther's plan to place Rebekah in her body was to punish her and mostly to punish Klaus.
"As I discovered from my sessions, Niklaus would never allow you to be harmed." He told her when she asked why he chose her. "Because you're perfect. Healthy, beautiful, smart... and alone. No one would question any personality changes."
He tried to hurt her feelings; he tried to play with her fears that day. He was angry, and he was jealous. Someone made of light believed that there was goodness in his bastard brother.
Camille was in love with Niklaus, the worst monster of all the wicked monsters his family had to present. And Finn, someone trustworthy and honest, was doomed to live without the love and compassion of a woman. His beloved Sage was lost forever, and Cami, a beautiful, smart, good-hearted, compassionate woman, could never see him; she was blinded by Klaus's charms.
She had chosen to stand by Klaus; she had played him, flirted with him, and made him think that maybe he had a chance with her. But that was all in the past. Before his eyes stood the same woman, only now she was a vampire, and she was still fighting; she was still trying to be good. The least he could offer was an apology.
"For what it is worth, I am sorry for the current situation that has affected you, and I am also sorry for any harm I may have caused you in the past."
Camille's smile spoke volumes about how grateful she was for those words. Those around her constantly mistreated her without ever having the courage to say sorry. This often made her feel like she was some sort of saintly figure expected to always be understanding and forgiving. However, that was not always the case. It felt refreshing to finally receive a genuine apology.
It was then that Cami began to consider for the first time that Finn and Klaus might not be so different after all. Finn's assertion was correct; Klaus never intended to turn Cami into a vampire. But he persistently forced her to complete the transition. This was because he could not imagine how to exist without you. The voice in her mind reminded her. "I'm begging you; don't leave me." His words made her heart break a thousand times.
"You know, Fiin, your brother may have been accustomed to the superiority of his power, yet he has trouble accepting himself. You two share the same view of vampirism and despise what you've become. I call that common ground to rebuild on."
Cami said as her mind cited the similarities: Each of them struggled in their own way to uphold the family's unity and win the approval of the people they loved the most. Finn resorted to magic, compelling his siblings to come together as a coven of witches and live as humans. Meanwhile, Klaus relied on fear, daggers, and coffins to ensure they stayed by his side. The brothers both yearned for the same thing: love and approval from their siblings.
This conclusion brought her back to reality, reminding her that she had yet to address his apology.
"I appreciate your apology, Finn," she offered. "Hearing those words truly means a great deal! However, there is another person who deserves your apology more than I do. It's Hope, your niece." Cami took a moment to observe his reaction before adding, "She deserves at least that much, Finn."
We are both aware that the happy family is presently absent from New Orleans.
"That we do," she admitted. "Have you any feelings about the prospect of confronting them or meeting Hope?" She pressed.
"Always the devoted soul-savior, constantly probing into the hard questions."
He gazed up at her. "Niklaus isn't worthy of you; you know that," Finn stated matter-of-factly.
"Perhaps you don't know him as well as I do; perhaps you are more similar than you think, and perhaps you are deflecting my question."
"Perhaps," Finn acknowledged, "but I still believe that he is not the right person for you."
"Are you the right person?" she questioned, not fishing for praise to satisfy her ego. She was just recalling that he had once shown a spark of interest in her.
Finn paused, contemplating the answer: "Probably not! I'm just pointing out that you should have listened to me and walked away from all this lunacy."
A melancholic smile graced Cami's features. "As I said before, you and Klaus are more similar than you like to admit. Leaving New Orleans was also Klaus's advice; he went so far as to compel me to go away. He erased all my memories of him and everything related to the supernatural." Recalling this, she thought back to the person she had been two years ago. It felt like an eternity had passed; it felt as though she had been a different person back then. The memories of that time were clouded with sorrow and heartbreak. Maybe Klaus and her uncle were right; she should have chosen to move away from this city, leaving the chaos behind. A voice in her mind murmured.
"When I met you, you were not compelled, and you chose to stay in this city. What happened?" The original vampire asked.
"Decompulsion spell." She whispered, her heart heavy, "Davina helped me remember everything Klaus took away from me."
"As I said, you were free and still chose to stay. Why?" Finn asked, his eyes filled with curiosity.
Camille looked down at her hands, unsure of how to answer. "I guess I just couldn't let go of the hope that things could be different," she finally replied, her voice barely above a whisper.
Finn nodded slowly, understanding dawning in his eyes. " You stayed because you were already in love with my brother!" he voiced her unspoken words. "Was he worth it?"
Finn studied her intently as she became lost in her thoughts. Her eyes were a window to her soul, always reflecting the words she didn't speak aloud. This was what intrigued him in the first place. She had a pure heart, showing genuine concern for those around her. Despite witnessing the awfulness of the world, human and supernatural, she opted to focus on the positive, believing in the inherent goodness of both mortals and supernatural beings.
When his mother targeted her for information on Klaus, then used her as leverage, and finally as a vessel for Rebekah, Finn obeyed without question. However, this girl managed to win him over from the start. He was willing to protect her; if she had shown any sign of wanting to distance herself from Klaus, he would have confronted Esther and insisted that Cami be left out of her schemes. Unfortunately, she didn't, as love is not a choice but a force beyond our control. Finn resented her for being loyal to a monster.
The turmoil in her eyes now revealed to him the admission: that the price she paid was too high. She had missed out on the chance to live a fulfilling life. Despite never explicitly admitting it during their sessions, Finn was sure that Cami had grown up in a caring family and was part of a tight-knit community, and deep down, she desired to live in a way that mirrored her upbringing. A marriage that could withstand the trials of time, children, a real family...
The moment their eyes met, Cami knew Finn could read her mind. He could perceive the pain for all that was lost to her forever.
"For someone who spent nine hundred years in a coffin, you possess an incredible talent for understanding people." She smiled as she admitted, "I never once doubted your authenticity. And if not for Kieran's files on the supernatural, I doubt I would have realised something was wrong before it was too late. The way you spoke, observed, and carried yourself with that notebook, it's clear you would excel as a psychologist. But as you may know, a skilled psychologist can recognize deflection," the blonde woman challenged. "That's why I find it curious that you're still avoiding my question."
The original vampire stood near the fireplace, deep in thought, contemplating his answer. His finger traced the intricate details of Fenrir, a wooden figurine of the giant wolf that adorned the left corner of the fireplace. Despite his claims of indifference, lack of weaknesses, and disdain for the past, his brother Klaus had preserved numerous keepsakes from their human and early vampire days. This figurine was one such keepsake, prompting Finn to reflect on the time when Odin, Frigga, Loki, and Fenrir held sway over his existence, back to his childhood years.
Once upon a time, their family was inseparable. Finn fondly remembered the overwhelming love his parents showered upon him and the sheer happiness that came from being their cherished child. The loss of their eldest, Freya, left a lasting mark, overshadowing the once vibrant bond they all shared. The memory of that fateful day remained vivid in his thoughts, serving as a poignant reminder of the beautiful past they once had.
Everything after that day changed dramatically, as the once harmonious family dynamic shifted and Finn felt the weight of their grief and loss. The absence of Freya left a void that could never be filled, forever altering the course of Finn's life. After Freya's supposed death, Mikael was inconsolable. Driven by his grief, he forced the family to pack and set sail across the seas. Elijah was born in the new world, but the newborn was not enough to pull Mikael out of his grief and newfound cruelty. Eventually, his despair drove his parents apart, and that's when Esther found consolation in the arms of another. She ventured into the woods to be with him, leaving Finn and Elijah to fend for themselves.
Esther's new pregnancy with Niklaus renewed his father's spirit, and his mother abandoned her lover. The household expanded with the births of Kol, Rebekah, and Henrik, creating a semblance of a family once more. However, the joy of the past seemed elusive. The cruelty of his father remained. Mikael became fixated on moulding his children into formidable, resilient warriors, pushing them to their limits in pursuit of invincibility.
Finn had to conceal numerous truths during his upbringing. Despite witnessing a dark-haired woman take his elder sister away, he had to validate his mother's story that Freya succumbed to the plague. He had to pretend that his mother was devoting time to him and Elijah when, in reality, she was in the company of a man referred to as a "beast" by the villagers.
Finn's upbringing was a solitary one. His parents, once full of love and joy, seemed to have lost their happiness without Freya's presence, leaving Finn feeling inadequate to bring back their joy. His younger siblings, who were closer in age, had formed tight-knit relationships that excluded him. Despite his efforts to earn Mikael and Esther's approval, Finn's attempts were futile. He tried to be a supportive brother to his siblings, but the bond he shared with Freya was irreplaceable; the love they had for each other was unmatched by the new additions to the family. Finn always found himself on the outside, looking in at the strong connection his younger siblings had, a feeling that persisted even when they were turned into vampires running to escape Mikael's anger.
"You ok?" Cami asked, noticing Finn's distant expression.
Her voice abruptly ended his reminiscences, causing a forceful smile to try to grace his features. Finn nodded in response, his eyes reflecting the haunting memories he was about to share. "You need to understand that I was the only one in my family, besides Freya and my mother, who knew about Dahlia. The memories of that day still haunt me," he confessed, his voice quivering as he recalled the traumatic experience. "My beloved sister disappeared into the mist, in the arms of a woman who, in the eyes of a four-year-old child, looked unhuman. Freya was kicking and screaming for our mother. Our mother was heartbroken, and I was crying in pure terror. Dahlia had threatened to take me too." Finn's hands trembled slightly as he spoke, the pain of the past still evident in his eyes. "I never thought I'd stoop so low as to hurt a child, and God knows I've done unspeakable things as a vampire. But when I found out that the baby survived, the terror that possessed me that day returned."
Camille could read the guilt in his visage. "To answer your question, what I tried to do to that baby is unforgivable, and I only hope that my niece can one day forgive me."
The woman considered the complex dynamics between the Mikaelson siblings as she sought to understand the root of their behavior and once more recognise that their tumultuous upbringing had a profound impact on their relationships and sense of identity.
She could add another member of the family to her patient list. But that was for another day; for now, she opted to decongest the conversation.
"She is extraordinary! Hope—your niece—is amazing! She is so much more than a smart and beautiful toddler." Cami's voice softened as she spoke about the little girl. "I don't believe you know that, but that day that Elijah blew up the safe house, she saved us. She and I were in the car, returning from shopping, and just a few meters before the house, the car froze. Like, literally stopped in the middle of the street, and then an explosion happened, and then the car started up again on its own. That was all, Hope. She did it. She sensed the danger and saved us. It was something out of a movie."
With a nod, Finn agreed. "Being a firstborn Mikaelson witch, she possesses immense power. And as a tribrid, I can only imagine that her capabilities exceed anything we could fathom," he stated before taking a seat in one of the luxurious armchairs in the library.
Pouring herself another glass of Bourbon, Camille gazed out at the bustling street below.
"This scenario feels oddly reminiscent; wouldn't you agree?" Finn said, "Here I am, lounging in the armchair, as you prattle on, observing the crowd, delighting in their joy, reveling in their merriment, oblivious to the lurking creatures who could easily snatch their lives and this vibrant, never-ending celebration that spills onto the streets of the French Quarter in the blink of an eye. If my memory serves me well, your words were, 'We may laissez les bon temps rouler, but really, we've turned life here into one big party to distract ourselves from a single, unavoidable truth—we're all going to die.'"
With a raised eyebrow, Cami commented, "You've got a good memory for my words." She moved closer and took a seat on the sofa next to him. "I guess this is the time that you turn the spotlight back on me." She offered a witty smile and nodded with her hand. "Fine, shoot away."
"Not interested in playing with bullets; at the moment," Finn made an attempt to humor.
Cami chuckled and replied, "Fair enough." She took another big gulp of her drink. "Wow! This stuff is amazing! You people sure know how to pick booze," she said, leaning back on the couch. "So what else do you remember from our sessions?"
"Well, I recall that your preferred beverage is a sazurac with spoonfuls of honey, but you also favour Bourbon neat," Finn said, pointing at the drink in her hand. "You are not a beer girl, but you developed your taste for it as an act of rebellion because your mother said it was not ladylike."
"That's right, we had that date at Preservation Hall," Cami admitted with a laugh. "And you spoke about your mother and how close you too were."
"You, on the other hand, never shared anything meaningful about your parents. Nothing more than your rebellion over beer, your anger at being absent at your brother's and uncle's funerals." Finn trailed off.
"Your point exactly?" the woman said wryly.
"My point is that you always had walls; I remember the melancholy surrounding you. The loneliness that you refused to admit, how closed up you were."
"Can you blame me? I mean, really? The whole situation just proved that I was right to be cautious around you. I thought I was confiding in my mentor during my residency, only to find out that I was actually talking to a thousand-year-old vampire who happened to be Klaus's brother." Cami retorted with a hint of humour in her voice.
"You never were that reserved with him." Finn prodded, "With Niklaus, you let him in, you opened up, and you trusted him."
Camille sighed in irritation. "Why does everything have to come down to Klaus?" she asked, raising her voice slightly.
"Maybe because Niklaus trusted you to open up, and he's never done that with anyone. Which is by itself a miracle. And maybe because you gave your trust and faith in him even after you found out he's a monster." Finn suggested, "Be that as it may, it streaks my curiosity."
"Well, maybe that's because Klaus didn't give off the creepy vibes that you did," Cami shot back, a playful smile tugging at her lips.
"However, it appears that you no longer harbor any resentment towards me, regardless of the past events," he signified.
"That took us both by surprise, wouldn't you say?" She affirmed with a chuckle."And seeing as you caught me in a giving mood, and we're chatting like we've known each other for ages," Cami trailed off. "Are you alright? That whole situation with Davina and Kol seemed pretty intense earlier."
"That little friend of yours is in trouble; she's being manipulated, and she's completely unaware of it." Finn leaned back in his chair, his expression serious. "She would end up as another butterfly caught in a spider's web. Another pretty girl that my brother would use and discard without a second thought," he added.
"Perhaps you are right, or perhaps you are wrong. I also have a sense that there is something amiss with Kol and the entire prophecy narrative. However, a piece of friendly advice: You attract more bees with honey." She explained as she lifted her glass in an unseen salute. "Just attempt to curb your judgmental tendencies; they haven't proven beneficial to you thus far."
"Maybe you should take a tip from your own book because you sounded pretty judgmental to me a while ago when Davina attacked you about Klaus," Finn reminded her sternly.
"That was a fair point," Cami admitted. "I still struggle to control my emotions, and I saw red with Davina. That doesn't mean it was right for me to lash out like that, nor was it fair to her."
"Recognizing your own misdeeds does not grant you the ability to comprehend my tendencies," Finn countered, with a tinge of annoyance.
"Regrettably, I am inclined to think that she possesses that particular skill," Elijah interjected as he entered the room with a composed demeanor, his hands tucked into the pockets of his luxurious black trousers. "Camille's grasp of our family and its history exceeds what is advisable for her well-being."
"Yes, I was informed that, during my time trapped in Freya's locket, Cami took on the role of Klaus's biographer," Finn explained.
"It's called therapy; you of all people should know that." She shot Finn with a deadly look. "I'm not Klaus's stenographer, nor Elijah's, for that matter." Camille stated firmly, "I am simply trying to understand the dynamics at play here and help you all." With a snicker, she added, "Besides, if you continue to not pay me for my services, I may have to contemplate sharing your escapades with the world; I could become a billionaire in no time."
Elijah made a fake brow arch in response to Camille's threat. "I sincerely question whether that would result in a favourable outcome for you. And let's not forget that the Bourbon you've been indulging in this afternoon is worth around $53,000. One could argue that we compensate you in spirits."
Camille flashed a mischievous grin as she declared, "Well then, that bottle is definitely coming home with me."
Amidst the lighthearted chatter, Freya reentered the room. "I hate to be the buzzkill, but Kol is out there," she alerted. "We need to do something."
"Kol does not need our help, my darling sister. Marcel just visited us," Elijah stated as he retrieved the bullet from his pocket. "It's done. The remaining piece of white oak is in our possession," he explained.
Freya breathed a sigh of relief, her tension dissipating as she exhaled. Cami's gaze was fixed on Elijah, studying his every move with keen interest. Finn, on the other hand, appeared to be realizing the significance of the bullet in Elijah's possession.
"Sister, if you would be so kind?" Elijah asked, extending his hand that held the bullet.
With a nod and a flick of her wrist, Freya ignited the fire pit nearby. However, as Elijah tossed the bullet into the flames, Finn's screaming "No!" in vain attempted to stop the destruction of the object. With a burst of speed, the eldest brother reached the fire and plunged his hand into it, letting out a pained groan as he finally extracted the bullet that the flames had not fully consumed.
"Finn," Elijah exclaimed, "brother, we must allow it to be destroyed; that is the only way to prevent it from falling into the wrong hands."
On his knees, Finn looked at his brother with horror in his eyes. "I cannot allow this to happen. The little witch almost condemned me to this!" He declared, pointing at his original body. "To remain a beast. Elijah, I cannot bear an eternity with no hope of escape. Can you?" He questioned Elijah with a desperate expression.
Elijah understood Finn's fear and desperation. Assuming this was indeed the final piece of white oak, was it truly possible for him to destroy it? Elijah has lived for over a thousand years, and he knew all too well that eternity can be exhausting. It is not a gift to live forever when everyone you love dies when everything around you changes, and when the memories of joy, sorrow, love, triumph, and defeat begin to blend. As he gazed into Finn's eyes for the first time since his resurrection, it felt as though he was seeing his brother for the first time in a millennium; the fear in Finn's eyes reflected his own. Neither of them asked for immortality, and even if they have learned to endure it, they need the reassurance that there will be an escape when eternity becomes unbearable.
Cami and Freya stared at the two men, locked in a tense moment, waiting for one of them to make a move or say something. "Finn, give it to me," Elijah ordered, but his voice was soft. Finn hesitated, his eyes filled with sorrow as Elijah's tone grew more firm. "I said, Give it to me." Reluctantly, Finn handed over the bullet, keeping his defeated gaze fixed on Elijah.
Elijah peered into the crackling fireplace, his eyes shifting from the dancing flames to the charred item in his grasp. The decision before him seemed insurmountable, a dilemma he never anticipated facing.
From the corner of the room, Freya watched as Elijah's inner conflict played out on his face. With a flick of her wrist, she lifted the object into the air. The room fell silent as the wooden bullet gently settled into her hand.
"No one needs to be denied a way out of immortality if they ever need it. But the white oak can't stay here; I can cloak myself. If it has to exist, at least I can take it far away. Hide it under a thousand spells, somewhere where no one else will ever find it." Assertively, she stated, keeping a close eye on her sibling as relief flooded back into their expression.
Marcel paced back and forth in the ballroom, his expression a mix of anxiety and impatience as he waited for Elijah. He had eavesdropped on their conversation and come to the realization that they had opted to preserve the very thing that could bring about their downfall, along with the two remaining sirelines.
The originals always saw vampirism as a curse, a burden they desperately wanted to escape. But for him, it was a blessing—a life beyond his wildest dreams. Being a vampire was his destiny, and he embraced it wholeheartedly.
Rebekah had frequently reminded him that he was relatively young, at only two centuries old, while she and her siblings had been around for over a thousand years. Their perspectives on being vampires differed greatly.
As he heard Elijah approaching, he poured another glass of scotch and offered it to the well-dressed original.
Elijah accepted the drink and, with a smirk, asserted, "You think I should've turned it to ashes, don't you?"
Marcel tilted his head. "It's your call, not mine. I certainly don't envy your position, though."
Marcel raised his glass to his lips as Elijah posed the question, "What about the one who is behind all of this?"
The dark-skinned man pondered his glass momentarily before meeting Elijah's eyes and saying, "We'll get a name out of our new lady friend soon enough. And without a weapon, all the rest of the revenge seekers are just a bunch of buzzing flies."
Marcel's reassurance meant nothing to the original vampire. He absentmindedly traced the rim of his glass, lost in contemplation of the recent events. "Did it not seem too easy?" he mused aloud.
The original vampire's scepticism didn't rattle Marcel. He simply flashed a confident smile and replied, "Hey! Maybe I'm just that good."
Elijah had known Marcel since childhood. It was evident that the boy possessed remarkable abilities, and both he and Klaus had imparted valuable lessons to the young man. However, Marcellus's strengths also served as his vulnerabilities. His unwavering optimism and self-assurance would ultimately lead to his downfall. Elijah, having lived for so long, could sense that there was something off about the whole situation.
Just as Marcel was about to speak, Elijah's phone began to ring, cutting him off. Seeing Klaus's name on the screen, Elijah excused himself and went out onto the balcony to answer the call in peace.
Klaus, on the other end of the line, sounded exhausted and nervous.
"We have secured the white oak. It is time to return home, brother," Elijah prodded.
"I shall not entertain any discussions of return until I am provided with the answers I seek. Nevertheless, if you bring forth favourable news, I propose that it is time for Hayley and Hope to return to our home. Have you procured what she requested? The original hybrid inquired.
Elijah reassured him, "Everything has been handled. Just reach out to us once Noe provides the information you seek."
Meanwhile, over at Marcel's loft, Sofya lounged on the sofa with a drink in hand, while Josh was engrossed in his phone, scrolling through the profile of a guy the app paired him with.
Out of nowhere, a powerful gust of wind blew through the room, causing Vincent to gasp and lose his balance. As the wind blew the candles out, Sofya's expression changed to one of genuine concern. The room filled with the haunting whispers of the Ancestors as they unleashed a spell that brought Vincent crashing down to his knees in agony.
Josh looked jittery, but given the tough day he had been through, he preferred to seek refuge behind the bar. He was not in the mood to deal with witches after already suffering a severe beating from ancient vampires. He hoped that Vincent, as the regent, could handle the situation. However, as he listened to Vincent gasp and grumble, the young vampire peeked out from behind the bar to see what was happening. Vincent's eyes had turned a cloudy white. He knew his friend was in trouble.
"I understand," the black man said with a heavy heart as Josh emerged from his hiding spot. Vincent, still under possession, swiftly moved his hand, breaking the young vampire's neck and sending him crumpling to the ground. Sofya appeared bewildered as Vincent gestured towards her. "Follow me," he commanded. The Ancestors—they want me to help you. They want me to help him." Vincent uttered the words, nervous. A part of him was free from the ancestor's manipulation, and that part was worried about what the Mikaelsons would do to him once they found out he was conspiring against them, even if he was not fully in control.
Marcel strolled back into the loft with a bottle of Scotch in hand, a little treat taken from the Mikaelson compound. His smirk and confident expression vanished as he discovered Josh lying unconscious on the ground and both Sofya and Vincent missing. He kneeled to check on the unconscious vampire. "Josh, what the hell happened, man?" He muttered, sensing that whatever had taken place was bad news.
Back in the compound, Elijah's orders were clear: Cami needed to gather Davina, Kol, and a few of her deadliest dark objects. Her assignment was to accompany Hayley and Hope from the airport to the compound. With only three hours until the jet's arrival, Cami wasted no time and quickly departed the compound, frantically trying to reach Davina through phone calls and messages.
Getting ready for her dinner date, Freya picked out a trendy pair of pants and a fashionable top and borrowed one of Rebekah's edgy leather jackets.
Freya enjoyed Lucien's attention, or more precisely, she enjoyed the thrill of his pursuit. It was exciting and boosted her ego. Freya never really had the chance to indulge in typical feminine vanity.
Having lost the man she loved and her beloved unborn son in Dahlia's pursuit of ultimate power, she refused to allow herself to give in to love and romance again.
She was finally liberated, and even though the constant family chaos persisted, she made an effort to reclaim what had been missing from her life for countless years. However, there was a change within her; her craving for romantic love had been affected.
At the age of 35, Freya finally found her long-awaited freedom and the inevitable mortality that accompanies it. During her nightly escapades, she sought out brief encounters. Once her desire was fulfilled, she promptly dismissed her partners. Occasionally, that task was given to Klaus, who enjoyed terrorising the men he ran into while unknowingly doing his sister a favour.
Freya walked through the massive door of the compound and headed left to the outdoor parking lot, where she was supposed to meet Lucien. After a hectic day, she was excited to be in a place where the only concern was whether the food they ordered would please their taste buds.
The mortals around them lived their short lives, enjoying every moment, and she yearned for the same. To savour a Creole dish or a fine wine, to dance and wander the city streets without a care in the world—that feeling of freedom and pure joy was what she desired.
A noise behind her brought an abrupt end to her reverie. She turned on the spot, ready to be attacked and retaliate to the max. In the shadows, she made out the familiar figure of Vincent and released a breath she had unknowingly been holding.
"Vincent, why on earth did you scare me? Is something wrong?" She queried, feeling uneasy at the guilty expression on his face.
The man, with obvious remorse, said, "Sorry about that" and raised his right hand to a fist. Using his magic, he knocked her unconscious without offering any other explanation.
Sofya and her crew stepped out of the van, with the woman taking charge as the men carefully carried Freya Mikaelson's limp body and placed her inside the dark vehicle. Vincent, feeling helpless, glanced at the woman, who gestured for him to join them inside. Reluctantly, Vincent followed her instructions and got into the van.
As the van accelerated, Sofya directed the driver to head towards Lucien's penthouse without delay.