Chapter Eight

It was the Salvatore Boarding House. My home, where I should have been living with my brothers. With my family. Rage and fury reignited within when the thought of Stefan Salvatore crossed my mind. Reminding me of my purpose. Reminding me of what I had lost and who was responsible. I had to end him if I wanted to find peace, if I wanted to avenge my dead family. If I wanted their salvation. The longer I let him live the more enraged I felt. The further away finding peace seemed. I stormed forward intent on finishing it tonight. Before I made it to the door I was pulled back. "Motus." I yelled, sending my assailant back. He a gave a deep bellied laugh. Kol. I looked at him irked. "What are you doing here?!" He slowly rose to his feet, but I flung him back.

"Phasmatos Morsinus Pyrox Allum." I yelled, giving him multiple aneurysms. Causing his blood vessels to pop over and over again, decelerating his healing. He cringed and withered around. I would allow no one to get in my way. Looking back at the house I shot forward.

"Sophia...don't." He materialised, flickering.

I froze. "Enzo?" I shook my head screaming. "Go away Enzo!" I screwed my eyes shut, grasping my head. He was here and as usual stopping me from spiralling. The only difference, I didn't want him here in that moment. I didn't want to hear him. He fell silent and I glanced up, removing my hands from my head. He was gone. I stalked forward, shaking with boiling anger.

"Stop!" Kol pleaded. I whipped around raising my hands throwing another attack. "Hurt me all you want but I will not let you go in there, blinded by rage. Powerful heretic or not, you'll die. I know you can't control your powers. It overtakes you."

My arms fell to my sides, eyes wide, staring back at him. I tried to speak but I just kept fumbling over my words, unable to string a clear sentence. "H-how did you-you-"

"Know" He assisted, sitting up with his legs stretched out before him. "I've been watching you for a while, Sophia Salvatore. I've seen it drain you. Your magic is the most powerful kind I've ever seen. I've seen what you can do-"

I raised my hand, instructing him to stop. "So, you follow me and let me guess, you're going to go and tell Klaus that the witch he's been in search of is here...I'll have to kill you as well then!"

He jumped to his feet, edging closer, peering into my eyes, his expression meaningful. "No, I would never hand you over to my brother. If I wanted to, I already would have done that. I'll protect you and that is why I won't let you go in there." Every fibre in me, every nerve in my body relaxed to his touch as he softly caressed my face. I stood before him, defeated and I detested it.

"Why are you here Kol?" I managed in a small voice.

"I wanted to take you home, but you rushed off. I was a little hurt that you didn't wait for me darling." That mischievous smile burned brighter. He closed the space between us. "And I quite liked the little show you put on...throwing my brother across the floor, well no one has done that in years." His words washed over me. I couldn't focus on anything but the grief that crept back in. "What's wrong?" He asked cupping one side of my face, brushing my cheekbone with his thumb.

My tearful eyes look into his. "He gets to live despite everything he has ever done! He obliterated my entire family and yet he is still here...in there! Damon knew all along and yet chose him. He took everything from me...I can't even look at him! I can't stand the sight of him! Kol...he doesn't deserve to live...yet-yet he still lives!" I weeped, uncontrollably. It was more than crying, it was the kind of devastated sob that comes from a person drained of all hope. I sank to my knees, not caring about the concrete that slashed at me. My gasping wails echoed around the estate. The pain flowing through me was as palpable as the wind. The only person by my side was Kol Mikaelson. I crashed into his chest as he pulled me into his arms. He held onto me, his hold only growing tighter the more I sobbed. "I can't live in peace knowing he's alive. I will never know peace."

"Shhhh...it's okay." He mumbled into my hair. His voice had a soothing effect on me. He leaned back, cupping my face in his hands. "Let's get you home." With tears still pooling and spilling over I nodded, swallowing the rough lumps in my throat, barely able to breathe. Rising to his feet he extended out his hand. With shaky breaths I reached out and grasped his hand, allowing him to pull me up to my feet. I caught a glimpse of Damon and Stefan standing outside in the driveway. Grabbing a hold of my arm, Kol bolted.

~

He walked with her arm in arm. The look of rage, the pain, the thirst for revenge he had known all too well. He once felt all this too, for his siblings. For Niklaus. The hybrid brother that daggered him several times and kept him in a coffin. He spent countless centuries loathing him. Plotting against him. He knew what she was thinking and plotting. He had done that too. Till one day he couldn't kill his brother or go against his family. He learnt to forgive. Let go of the bitterness. His brother still infuriated him, but he learnt from the past, he learnt from the betrayal. She spoke of her deceased family as if they were still very much alive. She spoke of London, she spoke of her life and all she ever wanted, was to make those responsible for her pain, pay. He listened to her rants, her sobs, her chatter. He listened to her wholeheartedly. He kept searching for that smile he had seen the first day he ever lay his sights on her. But it never appeared. Her smiles were weak. He longed to catch a glimpse of that radiant smile that lit him up, creating a burning affection in his heart.

"Tell me about your life and what you did other than spend years searching for my brother..." He asked with a playful tone, waggling his brows. She laughed lightly and nudged him in the ribs.

"I spent years practicing magic and learning how to control my magic, I... spent a lot of time with someone I considered a brother. He taught me to live life carefree." She smiled to herself, lost in memories.

"Come on, get out of bed." He peeled the duvet off her.

She groaned. "Enzo...go away I'm not in the mood. I'm angry and I don't want to talk."

"Correction, you're angry with Damon, not me! Get up, we have lots to do." He yanked back the duvet She pulled over her again. Seeing there was no other option but to get up, she staggered out of bed and trudged to the bathroom, sticking her tongue out at him. He rolled his eyes.

Her mouth hung open when She returned to an empty room. The entire room had been cleared. He left nothing, not even the bed. Every sound that was made echoed. "What the bloody hell Lorenzo St John! What have you done!"

He swaggered over to her and directed her to the centre of the room and spun her around once. Stepping away he stretched his arms and did a 360 turn. "Look around."

She crinkled her nose and creased her brows. "What? It's empty, you numpty!"

He chuckled. "Fair point...but look around, you have all this space. It gives you an opportunity to reinvent your room. You can change how it looks and feels-"

"Your point exactly?" She pivoted on her heels, inspecting the room from every angle.

He sighed. "Now that everything is gone, what can you do to make the room better?" He rested an arm on her shoulder.

She surveyed the room. "I... I would change the walls." She walked around the space, visualising the changes in her head. "Instead of blinds I'd get curtains...ahh I'll hang a picture of you, me, and Damon, just right there..." She pointed to the opposite wall where the dressing table had once been.

He smiled widely. "What else?"

With no objects in the room to reflect off the sounds, the tapping of her feet echoed. "I'll add a swinging chair by the window so when I read my books, I can sit and peer out." She flashed him a toothy smile that always warmed him. It brought him peace. His sister who he loved and adored more than his own life.

"Exactly! You can do anything! You have the power to do whatever you want. The same way you can go out there and do what makes you happy."

She furrowed her brows searching for words, but She had none. He continued. "Let's go out there and make the most of life! We have an eternity, yet life seems numbered. All I want for you, is for you to be happy."

Remember you can do anything.

His gentle voice played in her head. "Enzo never gave up on me. He always made sure I was living the best life and it's because of him I stopped wasting time on searching for klaus and Stefan...I was learning how to live life. Damon and Enzo both gave me that chance."

"I've met Enzo a few times. We never got on well at first..." He chuckled darkly. "He never liked me, no one really does at first, it comes with being a Mikaelson."

"Yep, I've heard all the stories. The original family and the ones of Klaus from all across the globe. Pretty dark and intense stuff...Enzo never mentioned you."

"Does that bother you?" His question took her off guard. The pace of her heart beats picked up.

"I don't know..." She answered truthfully. He gazed into her eyes, undressing her soul. Unnerved she looked away, her face flushed; cheeks heated, a subtle pink materialising on those soft cheeks of hers. He admired her. He liked how he affected her and just standing and inch away from her, he liked how she did the most to avoid his gaze.

"I'm sorry about what Damon did back at the ball. He's Damon, it's what he does. He forgets I can handle myself and I don't need protection." She said as they came to a stop, standing on the porch. "Why do they detest you so much?"

He chuckled, eyebrows quirking amused. "They're just bitter of the past and what can I say, our family name exceeds our reputation. And... we did try to kill the lot of them." He grinned wolfishly.

"I'm glad you didn't." There was that smile he craved to see. The light freed itself from within her, floating around her. He wondered what it would feel and taste like if he stepped in for one fleeting moment. She lit him up again. Their eyes locked, lingering, burning with want and desire. He was burning for her love, her touch. He wanted her and wanted to make her his. She was his. She stole another glance. His eyes fell to her lips. He could hear the racing beats of her heart. His fingers brushed hers tentatively, slowly intertwining. All it took was one slight tug and he had her face in his hands, her arms mid-air, taking her off guard. Time stopped when his lips met hers, the flutter only intensifying. Her knees grew weaker, heart pounding harder in her chest. All she could focus on was how soft he felt against her mouth. All he could focus on was how addictively she invaded his senses. How he invaded her senses. How he left her breathless. She pulled away, her fingers running through her hair; her messy bun finally coming undone.

"Goodnight Kol." She gave him one last lingering glance before heading in, the door closing behind her.

Sophia

I ran my fingers along my lips, his kiss still lingered. What happened and why it did, I couldn't explain but all I knew in that fleeting moment, I was safe. I wanted him despite not knowing him, despite knowing he's a Mikaelson. That was the scariest part of it. The ringing of the phone interrupted my trail of thoughts. My thoughts of Kol Mikaelson.

"Hey Caroline?"

"Hey Soph... just thought I'd let you know, Kol Mikaelson came by...and snapped Damon's neck-"

"He did what?!" I exclaimed. There was a brief silence before she spoke again.

"He attacked them both...at least Bonnie came just in time. Just be careful. I know Klaus and Kol have their sights on you but please, just be careful."

I heaved out a sigh. "Don't worry about me, I can take care of myself. Are you all fine? And I know Damon can hear me so...Damon just stop fighting them and just leave it alone! You can't keep trying to protect me! I'm not a child for God's sake!"

"You sure act like one." He chided. "If you listened and did what I asked of you, then maybe we can avoid neck snaps."

"Okay Care, thanks for letting me know. I'll deal with it."

"Okay...bye" she sighed one last time and the call disconnected. I threw my phone to the bed. What was going on?! Why did Kol need to go and make a mess? Make matters complicated as if it weren't complicated enough. Kol Mikaelson was going to be trouble for me whether I liked it or not. I had to keep away from him. The more I let him in, the harder it'll be to focus on my revenge and the harder it'll be to leave. I couldn't let him get under my skin like that. Most of all, knowing his true reality and who he was and all the things he's done, I couldn't get involved. Yet I couldn't help but ponder whether he really was that bad. Whether there's any good left in him.

You are a monster, just like him

You let him live

You were never one of us

Hypocrite

How can you let our murderer roam free!

You do not deserve to live!

Die! Die! Die!

Die!

Came the witch like shrieks. They circled around me, hurling abuse. Their faces transformed; bloody and torn. "No... mama please. No no no no.." I begged and pleaded. I cried. She charged at me, her voice ringing in my ears. A shrill cry escaped my lips. My arms shot up, crossing over my face. My natural instincts kicking in to protect myself from the oncoming attack. Nothing came. Slowly, I lowered my arms, opening my eyes. They weren't there. Panting, I glanced around. They weren't here. They were haunting me, punishing me for allowing him to live. For not avenging them. I staggered to my feet in a frenzy, looking around.

They appeared once again. Mama and papa, circling me like a wild pack. Their abuse chant like. They growled and slashed at me. "No...no no Pa... mama...please." Shielding my ears, a desperate attempt to drown out the sounds but to no avail. They were already in my head. Kill him. Kill him. Kill him. Kill him. Went round and round in my head. A broken record. It was getting louder. Louder and monstrous. I collapsed to my knees in a fit of tears. "I'll Kill him. I'll do it." The screaming ceased. Slowly lifting my head, my eyes meet theirs, smiling down on me; an unfamiliar, cold smile. Not the one I was so used to.

I sat on the kitchen floor weeping in silence. Broken. I had disappointed them. I Let them down. I had to fix it. I had to kill Stefan and then everything would be fine again. Their words remained, echoing in my head. A constant reminder. There was no Salvation. There would never be salvation. Not as long as he lived.

Stefan

I sat at the bar. It was midnight but yet the mystic grill remained open for those late drinkers. Matt poured me another glass of bourbon as I waited for Kol Mikaelson to arrive. The grill door chimed open, and footsteps approached me. "Well, pour me a drink." He took the seat next to me. With a scowl Matt slid him a drink, his lips pressed thinly together, his jaws clenched. He hadn't forgiven Kol for killing Elena and Jeremy.

"Well, what is it?" He bleated.

"I need you to stay away from my sister."

Kol stared at me, unblinking. "And why would I do that? What is it with you brothers?"

"Look, I don't know why you-what you have for my sister, but you need to stay away. If Klaus figures out who she is- I don't trust you to do the right thing. She's going to get caught up in the crossfire and she will die! I don't care if she hates me, but she is my family, and I would do anything for her. Maybe you care about her, and this isn't some twisted game you're playing but I won't let her get caught between all this. She seems to trust you."

He chugged down his drink and sat there, tapping at the empty glass and eyes fixed on the shelves of bottles behind the bar. "What do you suggest I do?"

I sighed. "Make her hate you. Make her believe you to be the monster that you are, that way she'll steer clear."

He got out of his seat and looked towards me smirking. "Very well then. But warn your mates to not stop me or come in my way." He patted my back and walked off. I expected him to react differently, pick a fight but nothing of that sort happened. I began to question this change within him. He was not the Kol I encountered a decade ago. The last time he tried to burn the town down with us in, in an attempt to stop us from raising Silas for the cure. In hindsight, if we had listened, things may have turned out better. I remained at the bar, glued to my seat as I thought of all the things I had missed out on and how I wished there was a way I could reverse the clocks and go back in time, to change what I did in 1922. I would have still had my sister and had a bond. She hated me. I had to believe that there was hope for us, hope for reconciliation. If I didn't have hope, then I would be lost. I had to find a way to right my wrongs.

September 15th, 1922

Laughter and chatter filled up the ballroom, bodies swayed to the upbeat tune of the violins. Klaus sat beside me; an arm draped around my shoulder, raising a toast to the gentleman sitting before us. The man guffawed, slapping his hand on his knee. "Once again, to Mr Harrington, for offering his wife to us, for the rest of this beautiful evening." Klaus grinned maliciously. My eyes remained fixed on the distasteful man.

Leaning forward, I stuck a finger out at him, keeping up my act of a drunk young man. "Your wife is a fine thing, are you sure you want to give her to us?" It was entertaining watching Klaus fiddle with their feeble minds. Klaus broke into a fit of laughter, watching me interrogate the man.

"Oh Stefan, he has no choice." His chuckle grew darker.

Leaning back in my seat I chortled. "It's fascinating. Now..." I began, turning my sights back on the puzzled Harrington. "Do you really love your wife?"

He tried so hard to seal his mouth shut but the words choked themselves out. "She-she's..."

"No need to be afraid, speak freely." Klaus encouraged, drumming his fingers on my shoulder.

"She's what you call a trophy wife, the ideal housewife with her looks and behaviour. She fails to please me-we're both having affairs but can't leave for obvious reasons." He took several sips of his drink, smiling after finding this newfound confidence.

"You may leave." Klaus ordered. Harrington placed down his glass and got up to leave.

I grinned wickedly. "I think, I just found myself my new victims." Looking ahead, he was visible. Returning to his wife with a forced smile and forcing himself to peck her cheek. She returned the gesture, leaned in, and whispered in his ear. My grin burned brighter.