Kol was bored, and that was a dangerous thing for anyone in his vicinity. He had awoken only to find himself back in the place of his birth—a place he loathed with every fiber of his being. This was where it had all begun: his mother's affair, Henrik's death, their transformation into vampires, and his loss of magic. This was the place where, for the first time, his family had truly abandoned him. All his siblings had wept for poor Niklaus, whose werewolf side had been bound by their mother. Kol hadn't even known Niklaus was a werewolf until after he had killed someone and that part of him was taken away. What was there to miss if you never knew you had it in the first place? But Kol, who had possessed magic since he was a small boy, who had been a prodigy, breathing and living magic—no one spared him a second glance when he lost that part of himself. He was simply expected to keep quiet and stay out of the way.
For a thousand years, he had endured this co-dependent nightmare called family. Daggers, violence, betrayal—they were a constant, repeating cycle. He had been less miserable without them, but still, without them, he missed them. That was the story of his life. Sooner or later, he would return, try to get their attention, only to be daggered again.
But no more, he decided. No more. After this ball, he would leave. When he had awoken, he had discovered a tattoo on his chest, just above his heart—a triangle with a circle inside it and a line through the middle. The Deathly Hallows. He hadn't seen or heard of that symbol in centuries. He knew, of course, the tale of the three Peverell brothers who had acquired the Elder Wand, the Resurrection Stone, and the Invisibility Cloak from Death itself. There was a time he had searched for those artifacts with a group of wand-wielders in the 17th century. He would need to travel to his playhouse in New Orleans and consult his witchy encyclopedias, but for the life of him, he couldn't fathom why the Deathly Hallows would appear on his body now. He toyed with the idea of consulting his mother, but he didn't trust her one bit. The last time he had seen her, she had condemned them to this cursed existence. Now, after a thousand years, she wanted to play happy families? He didn't think so.
One night with his family, and then he was gone. Before he got sucked into whatever plot his mother was brewing. And he was almost certain she was up to something. He could smell the burned sage she used for privacy spells in her wing, and Finn was always at her side. Whatever it was, he wanted no part of it.
Before he could ponder further on the strange occurrence of both the Deathly Hallows and his mother's return from the dead, his thoughts were interrupted by his sister, Rebekah.
"Kol, there you are. I was hoping you could help your baby sister out. I invited the doppelgänger's friend as a date. If I kill him, she suffers, but I've already been scolded once, so I can't do it myself. You in?"
Of course, his sister only appeared when she wanted something. No "Sorry, brother, for getting you daggered."
"Sister, I regret to inform you, you'll have to do it yourself. The last time I joined forces with you and shared my secrets, you babbled to Niklaus, and I ended up with a dagger in my chest for a century. So no, I am not in."
Kol turned away and left Rebekah standing there without a second glance. Rebekah was speechless. It wasn't like Kol to refuse a bit of mayhem. She had thought he wouldn't harbor resentment for her betrayal; after all, it was what they did in their family. A part of her wondered what might have happened if she had helped Kol a century ago, creating a golden dagger for Niklaus and daggering his with it. Perhaps she would be married to Marcel, living in New Orleans, and raising an adopted child. But that thought was too painful, so she didn't entertain it often. She had made her decision to betray Kol, only to be daggered herself for a couple of decades. If only Niklaus could find out who had invited their father to New Orleans, she would have daggered herself to avoid Niklaus's wrath.
Well, Kol would have to get over it sooner or later. It's not as though he had anyone besides their family.
The guests had begun to arrive in the foyer, and Kol was in no mood for this little gathering. He had no desire to entertain the locals or share a room with a bunch of teenagers who fancied themselves tough. He had already heard from Elijah all about the so-called Scooby-Doo gang. It was pathetic how they had thwarted the majority of Niklaus's plans, and even more so that Niklaus, apparently, could not outsmart them. It seemed Klaus had a soft spot for a blonde baby vampire. Kol found it hilarious. Klaus had always preached that love was a vampire's greatest weakness, and now here he was, a lovesick fool himself. Kol watched as Klaus approached the very mediocre blonde vampire. She tried to play coy and hard to get, but her acting was poor. It was clear that Niklaus's attention was flattering her. Well, Nik always had poor taste in women.
Suddenly, Kol felt a wave of powerful magic that nearly swept him off his feet. It certainly wasn't coming from his mother. A second later, he heard with his vampire hearing, "You will let me in. I've already shown you my invitation."
So, some witch was crashing his family's party. Now things were starting to get interesting. He would find out if this newcomer was a foe or an ally, and depending on the answer, he would either kill them or join in on the fun.
The door opened, and a petite, black-haired goddess entered his line of sight. She had long, wavy hair, a heart-shaped face, and emerald-green eyes. Her pouty lips begged to be kissed. She wore a red silk gown that exposed one shoulder, and despite the black stilettos, she was a petite little thing—just the way he liked them. He knew that this small body held power like he had never felt, not even from his mother. He could tell his siblings hadn't felt it, but he was very sensitive to the presence of magic, even after a millennium of craving it. The black-haired goddess swept her eyes around the foyer, trying to locate someone. Her gaze landed on him, and she froze, her heart pounding wildly. Now this was more like it, Kol thought. It wasn't fear; it was excitement, nervousness, and something else. Perhaps the witch recognized him from scrolls, tales, or portraits passed down in her family. He was rather well-known among the magical community, after all.
Before he could dwell on it further, Finn approached the witch, starting to question her about where she had received her invitation. His big brother, always sticking his nose where it didn't belong.
Without thinking, Kol approached them, spreading his arms wide and calling out, "Darling, you made it! You must be thrilled to see me!" He embraced the petite witch, feeling a spark shoot through him as her magic crackled excitedly under her skin. Something within him stirred—something unfamiliar yet laced with longing and anticipation.
The little witch, quick on her feet, returned the embrace almost immediately. "Kol, how could I refuse you? I don't see that handsome face every day."
Kol let out a deep, satisfied laugh. A witch after his own heart—sharp-witted and quick with her words. It pleased him immensely, stroking his ego in just the right way. It was as if she were a female version of himself. And, as he'd suspected, she knew exactly who he was.
"Kol, do you know her? How can you? You only woke up yesterday," Finn asked suspiciously, narrowing his eyes.
"I'm older than I look," the witch replied swiftly. Kol noticed that her heartbeat remained steady, no hint of a lie. It wasn't a lie, then, but some version of the truth. How intriguing. How old was she? She didn't look a day over twenty, about the same as his own appearance.
"Finn, may I introduce you to..." Kol deliberately trailed off, hoping the witch would complete the introduction. Under normal circumstances, he wouldn't bother introducing anyone to his dullest brother, Finn. But he wanted a name, and asking her directly in a room full of vampires would only raise suspicion.
"Holly Rose Potter," the witch finished for him.
Holly. A name full of power, hinting at something extraordinary. Kol had never encountered a Potter before, but perhaps he'd met someone from her mother's side. He made a mental note to inquire about her mother's maiden name in private.
Her introduction, however, sparked an unexpected reaction. Both Niklaus and Elijah turned toward them, disbelief etched on their faces. They were stunned and slightly apprehensive, though neither moved from their respective spots. Curious. Had they encountered this witch before, or had they heard of her? Kol decided to puzzle over their reactions later; for now, he needed to get rid of Finn.
"Now that you know her name, Finn, perhaps you should go check on our mother and see if she needs any help," Kol suggested with a pointed look.
Finn hesitated, shooting Kol a glare before walking away.
With Finn gone, Kol turned his full attention to Holly. Standing beside him, she seemed even smaller, barely reaching the middle of his chest. Her heart rate had stabilized, but he noticed the goosebumps on her skin as he breathed near her bare shoulder. Instinctively, he draped an arm around her, thinking she might be cold. The gesture had an unintended effect—her heart skipped a beat, and her breath quickened. Not cold, then. It was him she was reacting to. He had only been awake a day, and already he had a beautiful goddess at his side, clearly taken with him. Perhaps this little town wasn't so bad after all. He would gladly sweep her off her feet.
Elijah chose that moment to invite the guests to dance—a centuries-old waltz. Without thinking, Kol took Holly's hand and led her to the ballroom before she had a chance to protest. Holly found herself thankful for Narcissa's insistence that she learn a collection of outdated dances—skills that Holly had once deemed unnecessary. Now, she silently vowed to send Narcissa a gift in gratitude. Holly had come a long way since her clumsy attempt at dancing during the Yule Ball in her fourth year.
Kol, too, had mixed feelings about dancing with Holly. On one hand, he was thankful—thankful to hold the most beautiful woman he had seen in his long life, to feel the pleasant current of magic where their skin touched. Something was awakening within him, something deeper than mere physical attraction. It wasn't just his desire that she stirred, though there was no denying that. It was something buried deep inside, something that had lain dormant for a millennium. He wasn't ready to identify it yet. Her magic was so intense, so wild yet comforting, enveloping him like a warm embrace. Yet, he couldn't help but berate himself for not dragging her away to some private corner where he could question her properly, away from the prying ears of his siblings.
Fortunately, the dance required a change of partners, giving Kol the perfect excuse to slip away unnoticed.
"Now, darling," Kol said loudly, steering Holly toward the exit and the rose-filled garden beyond, "I don't like to share, and I believe you owe me a walk. It's been far too long since we last saw each other." He found it fitting that the garden was full of roses, just like the second name of the goddess beside him.
They walked side by side, Kol's arm still around Holly as they left the chatter of the guests behind. Once Kol was certain they were out of earshot, he reluctantly withdrew his arm, immediately missing the warmth of her magic against his skin. But he had more pressing matters to attend to than indulging in magical highs.
Before he could speak, Holly waved her hand, and a blue ward shimmered into existence around them before disappearing. Kol hadn't seen such magic in centuries—not since the last time he encountered wand-wielders. But those witches and wizards had used wands for such spells, not their hands. Now Kol was thoroughly intrigued.
"That was quite the trick at the entrance, darling," Kol said, his voice laced with curiosity. "And just now as well. Almost like a vampire's compulsion, but you used your magic instead. The last time I saw your kind making wards, they needed wands for that sort of thing, not their hands. You're a very interesting little thing. Who are you, and why did you crash the party?" He smiled, but his body was tensed, ready to defend himself if she proved to be a threat.
"My name is Holly, but you already knew that," she replied calmly. "I am a witch, as you've surmised, a wand-wielder. But you knew that too. I'll show you my tricks later; right now, we have more urgent matters to discuss. What you don't know is that you and your family are in grave danger—because of your mother. Let's just say it's in my interest that you all survive the night."
Kol was momentarily speechless. He had suspected something was amiss, but suspicion and confirmation were two different things. And the danger was so dire that even an outsider with no apparent connection to his family was aware of it.
"What do you know? Who sent you?" Kol demanded, his voice low and forceful. The only way she could know about this threat was if she had been involved in it somehow. There was no other explanation.
"I'm sorry to be the bearer of bad news," Holly said, her voice steady, "but your mother was allowed to return to the living world for one purpose: to wipe out the entire vampire race. I know this because I have very good connections in the world of the dead. And although I have no ties to the Other Side, rumors like this spread quickly." Kol detected no lie in her words. She wasn't telling him the whole story, but what she had said was true.
"Why are you helping me?" Kol's voice was laced with suspicion.
Holly knew she couldn't reveal the truth—that he was her mate. He had only just met her, had no reason to trust her, especially after waking from a century-long slumber. A half-truth would have to suffice.
"Because there's a vampire I care about. A great deal," Holly replied, her heart racing uncontrollably. Kol could sense she wasn't telling him everything. The quickened pace of her heartbeat hinted at a deeper truth. He felt a pang of disappointment—perhaps this witch had someone else—but he pushed the thought aside. His focus needed to remain on stopping Esther.
"And if the Original dies, his entire sireline perishes with him. We're talking about genocide here," Holly continued, her voice steady despite the chaos in her chest. "The genocide of an entire race of vampires doesn't sit well with me. Some witches—your mother among them—are mad enough to want that. And the spirits, well, they need to sort out their own lives. Death has its own quarrel with them, and I'm not above showing them what I think of their schemes."
Kol couldn't help but admire her defiance. He noted her mention of connections to Death, a curious coincidence given the mark of the Deathly Hallows that had appeared above his heart when he awoke from his slumber. He'd have to look into that after they dealt with the immediate threat of his mother.
"So, what's my mother's plan?" Kol asked, his tone serious.
"Apparently, she wants to bind all of you together," Holly explained. "If I'm right, the doppelgänger is here at the ball, which means she has the key ingredient. The simplest way to administer her blood would be to lace it in the champagne. During the toast, all of you would drink the potion required for the binding. Fortunately, the full moon is tomorrow, so we have some time. The binding ritual would need to be performed today, but the actual ritual to kill you would take place tomorrow. It's crucial that Esther doesn't realize we're onto her, so we don't lose our advantage. I don't know if she has a Plan B, so I suggest we strike during the ritual tomorrow. I'll turn her own spell against her. But I don't want to endanger you, so binding you is out of the question. However, if we don't let her perform the binding, she'll know something's wrong."
Holly hadn't fully worked out her plan. Death hadn't given her much information—just snippets overheard from entities like Fate and Destiny.
Kol's mind raced as he began pacing, muttering to himself. "So, we need to bind us in such a way that Esther sees the results, but without actually binding us. Finn, our oldest brother, would gladly act as the sacrificial lamb. He follows our mother like a lost puppy. He's likely already part of her plan. He'll offer his blood to bind us all together. His blood will link our names on a piece of paper."
"So, we need to bind some people to him, but not you," Holly summarized.
"Precisely," Kol confirmed.
"Okay, so we need to remove Finn from your family tree," Holly mused. "A classic pureblood spell—parents and grandparents used it to disown children who didn't meet their expectations, especially when it came to pureblood ideals. I've kicked a few shady individuals out of my own family tree. This should be easy. Then, we need to find some shady individuals, give them the same names as you and your siblings, and bind them to Finn. That way, during the ritual, your mother and Finn will see his name connected to yours, but it won't actually be binding you."
"Darling," Kol interjected, a curious glint in his eye, "I've been meaning to ask—why don't I know your family? I've never heard of the Potters. But you obviously recognize me, so your family must have had some connection to mine."
"Well, the answer is complex," Holly began. "First, I attended a magical school in Scotland where we were taught about the Original Family in History of Magic. Second, I'm friends with some very old, powerful wizards you met over the centuries. Alberic Grunnion sends his regards. You helped him with his invention of the Dungbomb—he became internationally renowned for that, and the Dungbomb is now a classic prank in schools."
"Alberic! What an interesting fellow! Yes, we had a grand time with that. I think we met in the 19th century. He's still around, that old coot?" Kol asked, clearly delighted.
"Yeah, I see him every month, along with others you've met," Holly replied with a smile.
Kol noticed that Holly was subtly trying to distract him. He had a feeling there was a third reason she knew so much about him, but for now, his focus needed to remain on his mother. Holly seemed to agree, as she quickly steered the conversation back on track.
"Okay, back to business. We've got a lot to do and very little time. Your absence will be noticed soon. You need to procure some DNA from Finn—blood, hair, anything. Meanwhile, I'm going to break into the state prison and steal three men and one woman who are sentenced to death and awaiting execution."
"Why go to all the trouble of breaking into a state prison? Just grab some random bystanders from Mystic Falls," Kol suggested.
"I'm not doing that," Holly replied firmly. "For one, they'll be recognized, and their disappearance will be noticed."
"So, you're one of those..." Kol trailed off, his eyes narrowing.
"One of what?" Holly asked, arching an eyebrow.
"Protectors of humanity," Kol said, a hint of sarcasm in his voice.
"No. I've got enough blood on my hands," Holly replied, her voice steady. "I am the Mistress of Death. I follow Death's rules, and everything has its time."
Kol's heart skipped a beat. There it was—the Mistress of Death. The mark of the Deathly Hallows had appeared on his chest when he awoke. The pieces of the puzzle were starting to come together. He could almost see the full picture, but why spoil the fun of unraveling such an intriguing mystery piece by piece? What a century to wake up in.
"You're what?" Kol pressed, hoping for more information.
"No time for explanations. Meet me in an hour with Finn's DNA," Holly instructed.
"Alright, darling. We'll do it your way. But for the record, if I die or if you're deceiving me, I'll come back and snap your delicious little neck," Kol warned, his tone half-serious, half-teasing.
"If you die, I can always resurrect you. But please don't get stuck on the Other Side—meaning, please move on instead of lingering in the living world. That's one place I can't pull you out from. Not my territory. So, you and your siblings might want to be nice to me," Holly replied, fluttering her eyelashes playfully. "The downside is that there would only be four vampires in existence. Death would be quite upset—he needs vamps to help reduce the human population and to get the party rolling in the realm of death."
So, the witch could resurrect an Original. Kol wasn't eager to test that theory, but it did take some of the pressure off.
"You're very confident, thinking you could resurrect four Originals with such a little, delicious body, darling," Kol said flirtatiously, stepping closer.
"I don't think—I know it," Holly replied with equal confidence, a teasing smile playing on her lips.
"Don't make me regret trusting you," Kol murmured, leaning in until their lips were almost touching. Then, with a smirk, he turned and walked back toward the house. Halfway there, he glanced over his shoulder to see Holly smiling at him before she disappeared with a pop. Yes, he had missed wand-wielders and their fascinating magic. But Holly herself was more fascinating than anyone he'd ever met. Fascinating, powerful, and incredibly beautiful. Kol knew he'd be seeing her again, even if it meant traveling the world to find her.