Chapter 25

Were it not for the imminent danger Kai was in, they probably would have done more than kiss.

Instead, the instant they disconnected, panting and desiring more than a single heated peck on the lips, Beatrix had to cast a protective spell over him before sending him back off to the airport.

"Don't get yourself locked up again, alright?" he said, smirking at her as he gave her one last smack on the ass. "I can't be flying over every time you get in trouble."

"Thank you for this," she said, waving as the taxi that he was in began to leave.

She didn't intend to stay in the compound. Part of her was actually itching to be impulsive and head back to Mystic Falls with him— to surprise him. But she knew her job here wasn't done. Everything else aside, she was in this to protect Hope.

Therefore, she made quick work of heading to Lafayette Cemetery, where she found Davina, Rebekah, and Cami sitting down and enjoying a few lattes.

"Beatrix!" said Davina happily. "I didn't know if you'd stop by. Freya let you out?"

"Sure," said Beatrix in response, concealing a smug grin. "What's the move, then?"

"We're thinking of transferring Hope's power source into that golem," said Rebekah, pointing at the clay figurine on the table. "We just need to fix the spells."

Cami raised her hand before she spoke. "I spoke to Vincent Griffith, and he said we'd need to replicate a heartbeat to fool Dahlia. He made a few notes for us about that."

"I'll get to work on it, then," said Beatrix, rolling up her sleeves. "I'm sure I can incorporate all that together. Have you decided on what to link the golem to in order to simulate a heartbeat?"

"Freya," said Rebekah. "Elijah wanted it to be her. It'll force her to help us."

Beatrix pursed her lips as she reviewed the notes. "I don't like the idea of that. A witch like Dahlia, if she has any inkling that it's a trap, will sense that the heartbeat is different sounding from how a baby's normally is. I think the golem should be tied to a separate being— a living baby— so that two heartbeats are heard, one of an adult and one of a baby."

"We can't bring someone else's baby into this! Besides, Elijah is insistent upon it being tied to Freya. It won't let her take any sort of outs. She wanted the real Hope for this, and it made him trust her less."

She snorted. "Fine." She was in no mood to argue, given how she'd only just escaped her confinement. Sometimes, she wondered if Elijah had had a recent head trauma. He claimed he wanted to protect Hope, yet he helped lock Beatrix up. Now, rather than listen to a witch's advice, he was dictating part of the plan.

Clearly, his affections for Hayley were clouding his judgement.

Closer to the evening, Rebekah and Cami left, while Beatrix remained behind with Davina, who was looking nervous.

"Are you okay?" she asked her softly.

"Did Rebekah tell you about the unlinking spell?" she said. "The one that Eva Sinclair put up to link herself to me, and the other kids she was trying to take power from?"

"I believe she vaguely mentioned it. Why?"

"Later tonight, we're going to get Rebekah unlinked from us. I just... well, I don't know if I trust her to do the spell. She hasn't ever studied magic, and she's not good with pronunciation. You know how important that is— if she messes up, she could get us killed."

Beatrix winced. "That's why the bayou witches from the 1700s raised me so properly. Reading and writing and history— it tied in with linguistics and made me more well-rounded when it came to spells. In the moment, I found it quite tedious, but it turned out to be useful. Even in my travels, a lot of young witches are taught language applications before they're allowed to start performing spells."

Davina wrung her hands together. "D'you think maybe... you could come? Vincent is going to be there, but it might be nice to have another witch. Would you be able to join in on the spell?" She handed her a piece of paper to look over.

Furrowing her eyebrows, she read into the spell. "I'd need to side-link. You two would hold hands and do the main spell, and I can chant softer, holding each of your shoulders at an angle to aid you with my power, but not disrupt the spell that needs to occur between you."

The younger witch beamed up at her, and let out a small sigh of relief. "Thanks. I appreciate it. I... I don't know Rebekah or Vincent all too well, but I do know Marcel, and even though he has a thing with Rebekah, I know he trusts you most when it comes to this kind of stuff."

Beatrix smirked. "Well, he'd better trust me. I raised him."

"He speaks very highly of you. It's no wonder everyone's in a frenzy lately, you're like the savior that showed up when they needed you most. I'm just glad I'm not being asked to do a thousand spells alone."

"They sure don't treat me like a savior. Locking me in my room... I swear..."

Davina bit her lip. "Freya didn't let you out, did she?"

"What makes you say that?"

"Because we've been here all day and Rebekah didn't get a text from Freya saying you were on your way. She told us that's what she'd do if she decided you wanted to help. I don't think Rebekah even thought twice about it, but I noticed."

Beatrix hummed. "Maybe I broke out on my own."

Davina raised her eyebrows. "Really? I heard about what they did. Spelled manacles. A boundary spell and a silencing spell. Someone let you out."

"What do you want me to say? Casper the friendly ghost came to do me a solid? Er— maybe solid isn't the right word, as opposed to favor. But regardless— I'm out, and I'm not being destructive, if that's what they were worried about."

"Do you think it would benefit you to be around witches again? Like, part of the French Quarter Coven?"

The Heretic scrunched up her nose. "Definitely not. I was only in a coven until I was of age. I haven't been a real part of one since then. No coven has ever wanted me in this country, because of what I am. If I'd chosen to stay in Arabia, I could have called the Kemiya Coven my kin."

"Vincent is wanted as the new Regent of the Nine Covens. But he doesn't want that position, and he was telling me that I should take it up. It would give me the power to bring Kol back, and I would have the authority to bring you back in, if you'd ever like. No pressure, though. If you're not comfortable with it, you don't have to feel obligated to come."

"Thanks... we'll see. Most likely the answer will be no. But, if possible, I would definitely like to help so we can bring Kol back."

This, at least, made Davina smile.

When Rebekah returned later on, she looked highly worried. "Hayley says she's not coming back," she murmured as she gathered the spell for the unlinking. She rubbed her arms, and thunder sounded outside. "This is terrible— a storm is brewing, and she says she's staying away permanently with Hope..."

"Honestly, I don't blame her, but it's kind of messed up," said Beatrix, shaking her head. "Then again, maybe my opinion is biased because I was never in that situation when I was a mother figure. Plus, Marcel wasn't a baby."

"Klaus is going to be furious when he finds out," the witch said worriedly. "I fear my brother may be bent on a rampage once we remove that dagger from him..."

"Let's hope it doesn't come to that. Well, are you ready? We should get going, if Vincent is already here."

The three walked out to the altar outside the lycée, where not long ago, Esther had been planning to put Rebekah into Cami's body. Vincent was waiting on the side, rubbing his hands. Rebekah set the spell down in the center, and Davina set candles around the paper. With a wave, Beatrix ignited the candles.

"All right, then," said Rebekah, clearing her throat. "Just a little bit of witchy business. How difficult can it be?"

Vincent moved closer. "Now, remember the hard part was Eva linking herself to the kids. And now, it's your body, so you just gotta do the unlinking yourself." He gestured toward the paper. "Read what I wrote, 'Abracadabra,' link severed."

"Lovely," said Rebekah, nodding. "I guess I'm hoping I don't turn us all into a horde of bull frogs."

Davina and Rebekah linked hands across the altar, and Beatrix stood at the head of it, putting her hands loosely on each woman's shoulder, all three closing their eyes.

The two began first. "Sai por ce kai sai ma nous couve gran. Sai por ce kai sai ma nous couve gran."

Beatrix then joined them, making sure her voice was much softer, and she was only concentrating enough to aid them. "Sai por ce kai sai ma nous couve gran. Sai por ce kai sai ma nous couve gran."

"Okay, almost there, keep going," said Vincent encouragingly.

One last time. Sai por ce kai sai ma nous couve gran. Sai por ce kai sai ma nous couve gran. Davina and Rebekah's hands were thrown apart, making Beatrix jump back. Looking up both worriedly and eagerly, Rebekah glanced at Vincent. "Is it finished?"

Vincent extracted a switchblade, flicked it open, and handed it to her. "Only one way to find out."

Reluctantly, Rebekah took the place and pressed it onto her index finger, slicing it open. Holding her breath, Beatrix looked toward Davina, who smirked and held up a wound-free finger.

"There we go," said Vincent, looking highly relieved. "Now, Davina and I need to run to get everything settled with the coven. You said Marcel was coming to pick you two up?"

"Yes," said Rebekah, beckoning for Beatrix to follow her as Davina put the candles away. "He should be here by now."

Once they tucked the materials back in the Claire tomb and bade the others farewell, Beatrix followed Rebekah to the exit of the cemetery.

"Freya was at the compound," the Original told her. "Wondered where you ran off to. According to Elijah, he didn't let you out. So... how did you do it?"

"I won't go spilling secrets," she said sternly. "You all had no right to lock me in, and you know it. If I tell you, it'll be used against me if you try to do it again."

"For the record, I didn't want to. Even after we closed the door, I begged Freya to reconsider and to just let you out in the morning. They insisted we needed to do it. I didn't want a fight... I worry about you, Trix. Last time was scary. You were losing it and I thought we'd never get the real you back."

"I assure you, I'm fine, Bex. Don't worry about me."

"You're not fine, though. My idiot brother is toying with your affections. After he thought he lost you, he became so different. I fear he has too many problems committing now. I apologize that he's being terrible. He has no right to do it."

Beatrix shrugged. "It's not your task to apologize for him. If he can't figure things out, he needs to be the one to tell me. I appreciate it, but it's up to him."

"I've always wanted you to marry into the family. We all consider you a Mikaelson, but I think it'd be nice if you could take the Mikaelson surname. You don't even use your last name now because you don't like it."

"Arguably, I haven't liked any of my names. Which is depressing, considering I get to choose them myself, for undercover. I'm too indecisive. Beatrix Mikaelson does have a decent ring to it, though."

Rebekah smiled, and nudged her as they reached where Marcel was, waiting with a black sedan.

"This looks comfortable," said Beatrix. "Maybe I should get a car."

"Who's riding where?" asked Marcel, opening the passenger side doors.

"I'll go in the back, since I got shotgun last time," offered Rebekah, bowing playfully as Beatrix hopped into the seat.

They managed to arrive back at the compound before the rain really started falling, which was nice, but unsettling. The day hadn't looked like this before, and it was concerning to think that now, out of nowhere, it was dark and musty outside. By the time they reached the upstairs sitting room, it sounded like a typhoon outside.

"It's done!" said Rebekah happily. "I'm de-linked from those children, the coven's almost grateful, and we even beat the rain!"

"I trust Davina will play her part?" asked Elijah.

"Yeah, against my better judgement," sighed Marcel.

"Stop being so overprotective," Rebekah chided. "If Davina's made Regent to all nine covens, she'll be granted the power to resurrect Kol and the political clout to unite the witches to our cause!"

Beatrix winced. "Well, things won't be very easy even if everything goes well," she said, glancing out the window. "I have a feeling this storm is Dahlia's doing. It's an insane amount of power."

"Well, regardless of her power, she needs to be dealt with," answered Elijah, giving her a curious look. "Fortunately, we have a weapon." He looked over to where Freya was seated on the couch.

"Look, no offense," said Marcel, "but are we really going to put all our eggs in one still-kinda-mysterious basket?"

Freya looked up, unamused. "I assure you, I am quite motivated to aid in Dahlia's defeat. Particularly now that Elijah has forced me to be the bait."

Elijah seemed unbothered. "And, if we should fail, Davina and the witches will take up the task, at the very least distracting Dahlia long enough for Hope and Hayley to disappear."

There was a loud crash of thunder. Rebekah walked over to the window and started to close the one nearest them, but as she pulled it down, she flinched. "Elijah!" she shrieked, motioning to the window pane, which was covered in blood.

Elijah darted forward to observe, and Rebekah yanked Marcel's arm, presumably to check in the room where Klaus had been in his coffin. The elder Original turned to Beatrix, his jaw set tight. "Tell me you didn't let him out."

"I didn't let him out," said Beatrix honestly. "I considered it, but didn't do it. I swear—"

"No!" they heard Rebekah say downstairs. "Where the hell is he?"

Freya stood up, glaring at the Heretic. "Tell us the truth! Did you let him out?"

"I already said no! Compel me to say the truth, search my mind— I don't care! I didn't let him out. I didn't have the time."

"How did you get out?"

"I'm not telling you that! There is literally no need!"

Elijah's jaw twitched. "Beatrix— was it Dahlia? Did she let you out?"

"No, it wasn't her! You— you don't think she let Klaus out?"

"That would make sense," said Freya gravely as Marcel and Rebekah returned to the room. "It has to have been Dahlia. This was all part of her plan. No doubt, she killed Aiden, hoping that the blame would fall on Klaus. The family would divide, and she could win Klaus to her side."

Elijah gritted his teeth. "Until Niklaus is found, Marcel and I will scour the city."

"Wait— this is absurd!" said Rebekah. "Nik would never align with Dahlia."

Freya threw her hands in the air. "You continue to defend him!"

"He'd kill anyone who'd try to take his daughter," Rebekah insisted.

"Isn't it Hayley who's trying to take his daughter?" muttered Beatrix under her breath.

"Their daughter," Elijah emphasized gruffly. "Now, let's not forget that Dahlia is the true enemy here!"

Freya shot up a fake smile. "How good, then, that the spell we need is finished. Out in the courtyard, I have placed Klaus's paintings on the four ends of the main square. The paint of his artwork, combined with my blood, will render Dahlia vulnerable. The moment she passes between the paintings, she will be mortal." She extracted a small knife and handed it to Elijah. "You can kill her... using this."

Elijah looked down at it in surprise. "Father's knife?"

Freya nodded. "I thought it appropriate. I presume Rebekah will be performing the necessary spell? Beatrix should likely be waiting somewhere nearby us to supervise."

"If that is the plan, then I believe we should divide," said Elijah, nodding toward Marcel. "We will search. You three, rest, we will need you to be ready for tomorrow."

_

"Now, you're certain this will work?" asked Elijah cautiously as Freya sprinkled herbs over the clay golem.

"Let's not toss around words like 'certain,'" said Beatrix. "I don't feel too good knowing we're linking it to Freya's heartbeat. But alas, if that's what you seek... whatever."

"The spell is flawless," said Freya kindly. "You all did a very good job on it. Though, I might have preferred Elijah ask my permission before volunteering me as the bait."

Elijah smirked. "Yes, I'm not in the habit of asking for permission."

"Oh, you gave up on being a gentleman?" said Beatrix, forcing down a snarky tone.

Freya smiled, as if wanting to laugh. "Well, we have all that we need." She turned to her brother. "Once Dahlia is lured into the killing ground, you will do what is necessary.

Rebekah raised her brows at her sister. "You're rather calm, which is odd, because there are a million ways this plan can fall to pieces."

The eldest Mikaelson sighed and began to pace the room. "I admit... first, I was upset when Elijah ignored my plan in favor of his own. You are all so determined to protect Hope at all cost. Perhaps I'm envious— no one ever fought so hardto protect me." She stopped in front of the hung portrait of Klaus, and turned to face Elijah. "Then, I recalled what I saw when I looked inside your mind. The day you all swore an oath to stand by one another— always and forever. There's strength in such vows."

Beatrix, who of course, was not a part of this particular conversation, awkwardly looked at the floor.

"I can assure you," said Elijah, "it has not been free of consequence."

Rebekah snorted lightly. "That is an understatement. Ask me, that vow has been more trouble than it's worth."

"And yet, here you are— proving my point," said Freya, walking to Rebekah and taking her hands. "Family defines you, even if it demands sacrifice. My entire life, I have longed for what you have. It is better to at least glimpse it, facing death, than run forever and know nothing of family." She moved again and stopped before Beatrix. "I think I may be the most jealous of you. Not born of our mother or our father, and yet, you are accepted as a Mikaelson. When I met you in 1914, I thought perhaps you must actually be one of the siblings. When I learned you were not, I was quite surprised. Of course, certain events took place that night that let me in on that fact, but all things aside... I wish I'd have had what you had."

There was an evil moment when Beatrix wanted to say 'Fuck, I wish I could give you what I had.' Perhaps, she might be in a better place if she had never met the Mikaelsons. But, in the end, she was reminded that they were still her family. They were just... quite dysfunctional. She couldn't imagine actually having been born into their ranks.

Evening came once more, and all was ready. The bells of the St. Louis Cathedral once more began to ring in Dahlia's signature tune, echoing through the Quarter and into the compound. Beatrix lurked beside Elijah, who clutched the knife in his hand. In the courtyard, Freya picked up the golem, just as Beatrix heard Rebekah begin the spell in one of the upstairs rooms.

"Would you look at that," Elijah whispered in surprise when suddenly, Freya was cradling a perfect replica of Hope in her arms.

Footsteps. The two froze and watched as Dahlia entered the compound through the hallway, looking toward Freya and 'Hope.'

"I come all this way to collect what is owed to me, and whom should I find?" mused Dahlia.

"Tante, please listen," said Freya shakily. "I betrayed my siblings so I could procure this child."

Dahlia took a few steps forward, not yet entering the space bordered by the paintings. Beatrix felt her heart hammering in her chest. Surely, Dahlia was already sensing this was a trap...

"I offer her to you now, and in exchange, I only ask that you release me from my obligation to you," Freya implored.

Dahlia's gaze wandered away from her niece, and toward the paintings. She took another step forward. "How curious, that you should bargain with me for that which is already mine. But, by all means, make your case for why you should be freed. And then I will decide whether to release you or kill you, once and for all. You surprise me. Betraying the family you meant to coax to your side? How very ruthless of you."

Freya bounced 'Hope' in her arms anxiously. "I had hoped that they would welcome me as a sister... they have neglected to trust me, and continue to rub in my face that they have others they consider family, and not me. I... I was wrong."

Dahlia gave her a sympathetic look. "Of course you were, you poor little fool! To think that Esther's wicked little progeny could ever care for you? They are known the world over for obscene acts of violence, and yet, you sought them out instead of staying where you belong. With me." Another few steps, and she would be within the courtyard boundaries. "I offered to protect you for all time, and you left me. And now, it is you who is alone! But then... who could love a deceitful little wretch?"

Too late, Beatrix had the feeling that they weren't alone. She'd tensed up, and was about to turn to Elijah, when the golem crumbled into dust in Freya's arms, making the witch's eyes go wide as Dahlia realized that this was all a lie.

"What have you done?" she said in a deadly whisper.

Freya lunged forward and yanked Dahlia right into the center of the courtyard. "ELIJAH, NOW!" she cried.

Both Elijah and Beatrix surged forward, Beatrix to hold Dahlia down, and Elijah to stab her. But halfway, they were both tackled onto the floor. Beatrix's body hit the ground painfully, and she let out a cry of pain as both Elijah and Klaus's bodies landed on top of her.

"And so the wheel of betrayal circles round once more!" snarled Klaus as he yanked Elijah up and threw him against the wall. Beatrix shot up, but Dahlia was ready. A forceful sweep of her hands, and both Beatrix and Freya were sent flying to perpendicular ends of the room. Freya let out a terrified scream, and Beatrix made to get up, only to be tackled down again, this time by Marcel.

"What are you doing?" she spat, her eyes wide as he put back on the manacles she'd had on before. "Marcel—"

"I can't stop myself," he said weakly. "I'm sorry."

Above, in the balconies, Elijah and Klaus were still brawling. They were snarling angrily at each other, as if aiming to kill. Beatrix kicked Marcel in the shins and turned to slam the manacles against the wall to try and break them, but he pulled her back.

"Beatrix, stop it!" he said desperately. "I've been compelled to rip your heart out if you fight back— please!"

"Klaus wouldn't dare to do that!" she said, but her words were drowned out by more furious yelling from the brothers. Beatrix could no longer see Dahlia or Freya, but she could hear the cruel witch saying something, masked by the yells.

"He's lost his mind, Beatrix, he told me very specifically to kill you if you fight!" said Marcel. "Please— just stay still! I already had to knock Rebekah unconscious and I don't want to kill you, please!"

An agonizing cry tore out from Elijah, and Beatrix glanced up as Klaus broke his arm, twisting it to a painful angle. The hybrid slammed his brother against the balcony railing, forcing him to watch the scene below as the vampire that Beatrix recognizes as Gia walked in.

"Elijah?" she said fearfully, looking up at the Original with wide eyes.

"Gia," said Klaus wickedly from above, "be a sweetheart and take off your daylight ring."

"NOO!" Elijah bellowed, struggling wildly against his brother's grip. "NOOO!"

"I can't stop myself," said Gia weakly, reaching for her ring.

"GIA, NO!" yelled Marcel, who must have been compelled to do nothing, because as much as his limbs were shaking, he was holding Beatrix so that she wouldn't fight.

Nothing could have been done. The poor woman had no choice. She slipped the ring off and dropped it to the floor. Elijah let out a piercing yell as her body went up in flames. She screamed in pure pain only once, then her body dropped to the floor, completely burned.

"NOOO— NOOO— AHHH!" cried Elijah, thrashing wildly as he whirled around to hit Klaus.

"I have to stop them, Marcel, they're going to destroy each other," said Beatrix weakly, feeling her chest aching from what she'd just witnessed.

Marcel knew there was no way around it. Next thing he knew, Beatrix was going to fight against him, and he'd have to tear her heart out. So, he was left with grasping her head in his hands and snapping it to the side.

At least, she'd wake up once the conflict was over.