Chapter Sixteen

Sophia

This was the place I first laid eyes on Kol. The place where I bumped into him. It stirred up a mass of emotions and feelings. All too raw. All too real. I sat in the exact spot I had the day I met him. The day he was there, observing me, watching me. I looked up but he wasn't sitting there. We ordered our hot drinks and I sat there in silence. It was somewhat a pleasant time, sitting with them and speaking, though I barely spoke. They in fact have been keeping up with my life, no thanks to Rebekah and her bad habit of live streaming anything and everything. Over a thousand years old and she still seemed to be fascinated by the ways of social media.

"Your brothers are well fit. Didn't even know you had brothers. They're all fit you know! Who knew there were fine men like them!"

I rolled my eyes at them. "If we're getting technical, they are my half-brothers. And Rebekah...she's kind of a family friend and we get along pretty well. The man you saw is her eldest brother-"

"Her recent story was that guy who was staring at you the last time we were here. What a coincidence, he's her brother too. She said he's madly in love with you and he said yes. You never told us you had a boyfriend?"

Recent story?

"I what?" I muttered almost choking on the drink. "How did you even find her insta? She adds anyone."

"By the way you looked gorgeous in that dress. Amelia went searching high and low for one. We couldn't find it." The thought of Amelia squeezed my heart.

I tittered. "It's a Mikaelson thing, curtesy of her other brother Klaus." I felt extremely uncomfortable discussing the Mikaelsons with my friends. It was an odd thing. I was baffled and at a loss for words. "Excuse me, I need some air...you guys carry on, I'll be back." I rushed out the shop in need of that air. It was restricting inside there. I certainly did not want to talk about him, let alone think about him. I didn't want my heart to break all over again. I didn't have the strength for that. I leant over the terrace, the stone wall pressing into my core. The tower was visible from where I stood, although, partially obscured by a large tree. Yet under the moonlight it was magnificent.

"Hello, darling." It was his voice. Extra smoky. Even with my back facing him I abhorred how it made me feel. Shaking my head, gripping the terrace ledge harder, almost laughing hysterically at the ridiculousness of the situation. Fighting against my better judgment I whipped around to face him.

"What are you doing here?!"

He stepped closer, trapping me. My lower back pressed against the concrete wall. "How could you leave without telling me! You are so reckless! How could-"

"Excuse me! Who are you to question me? Why do you care if I ran off! You. Betrayed. Me. YOU BROKE MY HEART!" I was incredulous and raging. "You do not get to come here and ask why I acted reckless! You are the reckless one after what you did!"

He grabbed my arms furiously. "I thought I lost you! The barrier fell and you-"

"You did lose me. So what? Why are you pretending to care?! I expect this from Klaus and my brothers, but you...shouldn't your face be buried in some poor souls' neck?" His grip tightened, face a centimetre from mine. His peppermint breath caressed my skin, and I had that urge to sink into him and just give in. Remembering what he did, I shoved him back. The anger dissolved from his face, his brows relaxed, and his mouth pulled down in a frown.

"I didn't want to break your heart, but I thought you'd be better without me-"

"What d-"

"Oh, for god's sake let me talk!" He impeded, rolling his eyes. I stared at him, taken aback by the abruptness and his body language.

"I... what you saw that night was not what you thought it was. Darling, I knew you were coming, and I compelled the girl to behave that way. I needed you to believe I had broken your heart so you would stay away. I did it for you." He grabbed my face in his hands, caressing my cheeks with his thumbs. "I would never intentionally hurt you, it pained me to see you that way and to see you in Nik's arms, dancing with him and at the dinner table when your hand was in his..." He peeked into my eyes, with his swimming with hurt, guilt and all things grey. "I was afraid to lose you. Freya reminded me of how everything we touch we destroy, and I could not do that to you of all people. I got scared when she said as long as we hover around you, you're doomed. You will lose your life and we will be responsible for it..."

I scoffed. "That's what the other witch said. I'm doomed as long as I have you guys. But it wasn't your decision to make! It's my choice! Since when you care about rules Kol?"

"Since I met you! I will not let anything happen to you!" His left arm snaked its way around my waist, pulling me into his chest. I turned my head side to side refusing to accept it. To accept him.

"It doesn't matter! I don't care! you broke me first! You were slobbering all over another woman! WE BLOOD SHARED-YOU GAVE ME YOUR BLOOD! How could you betray me after that! You promised to never hurt me! You said you were bored and just wanted to mess around! You wanted to get me before your brother did! To you...I was just a challenge. You were literally the only person I didn't expect would do that to me...that's why it hurts so bad. You don't get to come back here and say all this, as if it's going to change anything Kol, because how can I trust you?!"

"Did you not listen to a word I said? I did not kiss her or do anything! I wanted you to believe that and you did and ran into my brother's arms-"

I shoved him back in tears. "I didn't run into his arms! He was there and he asked for a dance, so I danced! You were there with another girl Kol and don't pretend you didn't hear me tell him I love you. I don't want Klaus! This has nothing got to do with your brother! Even if I wanted him, you have no right after what you did! You know that so why would you think that?!" My lips trembled; the tears trickled down. I wiped at my cheeks every few seconds. "If you wanted to break my heart to protect me, then you should have said you didn't want me! I would have gladly left but no! You chose the most brutal way! YOU HURT ME BAD! Why are you saying it now?!"

His eyes sparkled with tears. "I was terrified when Freya trapped us and you came out here on your own, and then the barrier fell. I knew something terrible happened. I couldn't stop thinking about you, so I ran to you. I want you. Even though it'll probably ruin you...I want you! I thought you'd be safer, better without me but I can't stop thinking about you! I close my eyes and I picture your face! Over a thousand years of living and there's been no one... and then you came along..." Voice drenched in agony.

"Why?" I questioned, watching as his head tilted to his right.

"Do you know the first time I saw you?"

I looked around us. "Here?"

He shook his head, a smile appearing on his face as he reminisced. "No, it was the night before that. I was dead for ages Sophia. And when I woke up, it was a mess of manipulation and family drama. All this anger I couldn't shake. And that very night, I saw you walking out Waterstones, with this look on your face like the whole world was on your shoulders. You walked past a little sad child, and you stopped. And you asked the child, why she was upset. She was upset because the flowers were dead. You looked around and bought the flowers back to life with your magic and you smiled, and something inside of me cracked wide open. I was dead for ages, Sophia Salvatore and only then did I feel alive again. I love you..." He gazed into my eyes, penetrating my soul. The pain conspicuous. His eyes flickered from mine to my lips, back to my eyes then lips. I grabbed his face in my hands and kissed him deeply. A kiss full of gentle longing. I pulled away, my hands resting on the side of his neck.

"I love you." I declared through tears of relief and joy. "I love you, Kol Mikaelson!" I looked up at him, smiling exceptionally big. Both his hands wormed down to my waist, gripping me tight. One tug and I was snuggled under his chin. Smiling he planted a kiss on top my head. It was that safe feeling again. In his arms. I gripped him tighter, just to reassure myself. I fell for him harder and deeper. Everything was right again.

"I'm sorry." He mumbled into my hair.

I grinned pulling away, arms still latched onto him, his arms still wrapped around me, snug and tight. "You were jealous of Klaus? Did you really think I'd fall for your brother?" I brushed his hair with my fingers, helplessly smiling.

"No, but I hated seeing him with you and how much he enjoyed it. Then he-I heard the story of how you first met. When you hugged him, I lost it. I thought...I thought I lost you then. I know you care about him as a mate, but he loves you and I am terrified it's what will make you love him. I swear to you, I will not leave you again or hurt you, darling."

"It's you I want...I missed you Kol Mikaelson." I tried to gaze in his eyes once again but his were lingering on my lips. Feeling cheeky I bit my lower lip, watching his tongue run over his upper lip. Before I could withdraw, his arms were around me, hard and sure as ever. That rush of helplessness, that sinking yielding, surging tide of warmth crept up all over again, that made me limp. He bent my head back in his arm and kissed me slowly and softly, the kiss intensifying. All I could do was cling onto him, the only stable thing in my new swaying world. His tenacious mouth, parted my trembling lips, sending a shockwave of wild tremors through my nerves. I was kissing him back.

"Sophia where are you-" Laura stopped as soon as she spotted us. "Oh my god! We're so sorry." I pulled away from him, running my fingers through my hair, face turning red. He eyed them with a smirk.

"It's okay. I'm sorry for taking long... I got distracted ..." I turned my head to him as he slid his arm around my waist, a self-satisfied smirk playing full across his soft pink lips. My friends looked at us beaming, except Ethan who had his fists clenched. The grinding of his teeth reached my ears.

"We have your stuff. They're closing down in a few mins and you had us worried." Theo held up my bag and coat. Kol gladly reached out, taking them from him, exchanging a quick smile. Theo seemed impressed. He gave me an approving look.

He moved closer, his head leaning down to my ear and whispered. "We ought to go darling." He said, nibbling my ears in between each word. That mere action invoked sensations within me that I never knew I was capable of feeling. Shaking off that feeling, I turned my attention back to my friends who stood there, awkwardly waiting.

"I'm sorry guys we have to leave, but I'll message you soon." I hugged them as they said their goodbyes and expressed their grief. When Ethan approached, I refrained from hugging him too long. I watched them disappear round the corner. How unusual it was, not having Amelia with us. It would have been her that made all the noise. Grief struck again. She should have been amongst us. Alive. Kol pulled me into his embrace. I didn't need to tell him what I was feeling, he already knew. I allowed myself to cry into his chest as he held onto me, one arm firmly wrapped around my back, the other clutching my nape. He murmured words of comfort and affection into my hair and streams of tears flowed faster than my heartbeat.

We walked hand in hand, fingers interlocked, him squeezing my hand tighter than he had ever done. His touch as warm as I remembered it. Stopping, he spun me around in his arm till our noses touched. "Don't do that again." He was stern, jaws clenched tight and eyes boring into me.

"What?"

"Leave and go off on a suicide mission! Why did you not tell us? Why involve my brother and sister? Do you not have faith in me?"

I huffed, freeing cold air. "Elijah and Freya are the only ones that are strategic. They don't let their emotions cloud their judgement. They believe in me, they don't doubt me, Kol. Everyone else...you all don't think straight! My brothers think I need saving and don't think I can protect myself and everyone else! Stefan and I, our relationship isn't solid. You and Klaus, your feelings will get in the way, and you'll stop at nothing to make sure I'm safe...you won't think twice about what you would do."

"You're right, I won't think. I don't. But when it comes to you and your safety, I will do whatever it takes even if I have to kill, I will kill."

"That's the thing! You don't care about who gets hurt in the process or-"

"I care for you and that's all that matters. If it's not you, it's not anyone."

"I don't want to argue, i just want to go home. I've lost too much.... I can't..." I trailed off, the events of the day on loop, making rounds in my head.

"Alright, we shall go but make no mistake love, I am still cross with you for what you did, but we can discuss that another time. As for you thinking I have no faith in you, you're wrong. You're powerful, scary and remind me not to piss you off." He took my hand to his lips and pressed them down.

•

Rebekah stood in the doorway, looking down at me, displeased. Elijah was by the island, pouring three glasses of scotch. "Young Ara will join us tomorrow. She sent her regards." He stated without glancing up.

"Why the bloody hell would you do that?!" She chided, still eyeing me.

"To protect you! Plus, I don't want to bother you and nor can I lose you...any of you. You guys are a pain in the backside. And my family...your family are too invested and it's messy. It's better I deal with it alone in fact, I made a mistake involving your siblings" I glared at Elijah. He raised his arms up and shrugged.

She offered me her glass which I refused. "Oh right...I forgot..." She chugged down the rest. "Well, if you ask me, family is a pain in the behind, and as for being in it alone...how dare you! I don't ruin a perfectly, fabulous pair of boots, traipsing through the country for just anyone-"

The front door opened. In rushed my brothers and Klaus right behind. "Ah, miss I'm the heretic, I will go off on my own on a suicide mission and get killed-"

"Damon! Stefan!" I run to them, enveloping my arms around them. "Damon you were right all along...about Mary...." My eyes erupted with tears. "I should have listened and left them alone and now...now they're both gone and it's all my fault." They held onto me.

"No no, it's not your fault, okay."

"Damon's right, stop blaming yourself." Stefan reassured. Pulling away from Damon, I hugged him tight.

Looking at both my brothers, I couldn't help but smile.

"I'm sorry I went without telling you, but I knew you'd stop me, and I'll never get the answers I came here looking for!"

Klaus cleared his throat. I stepped to one side and faced him, giving him a warm smile. His brows were lowered, pulled closer together, the inner corners angled up. The corners of his mouth drew downwards. Visibly upset yet he still had a menacing look, declaring he would wage war on those that harmed me. "The barrier fell, what happened to you? What did those gnarly witches do to you! I swear I will tear them limb from limb-"

"Klaus." the words come out soft and low. "I killed them all."

He crossed the floor, holding my arms. "What did they do to you?"

I sighed knowing that whatever I said won't make it any better and not only will it anger him, but it will also anger everyone. "They stopped my heart-"

"They what?!" Kol spun me around. "Why didn't you tell me?!" He gnashed his teeth. I smoothed out his brows, then softly stroked the side of his face.

"It doesn't matter, I'm here now, let me finish speaking, please Kol." I turned slightly, still in his arms. "They stopped my heart in order for my spirit to enter into the past...they wanted me to get the white oak stake from when your mother made it indestructible. They needed me...the spell would have killed them if they projected themselves-"

"BUT YOUR LIFE DOESN'T MATTER?!" Klaus boomed, making me sink back in Kol's arms.

"Klaus....i am fine I promise. I barely died and nothing happened, but listen please, I have the white oak stake again. She wanted to kill you all, since you killed her family and the other witches. Oh, and it gets better! They were in cahoots with the witches of New Orleans. I have the stake! No one other than me can lift it. I'm going to destroy it once again so no other witch can use it. Ara thinks it's not over-"

"Who is this, Ara? You just happen to trust this witch? She could be transpiring against us! There's no shortage of enemies for this family!"

"Nik, would you relax! Let her speak and stop acting so paranoid." Scolded Rebekah.

"We can trust her Klaus, but if you can't then, have faith in me-"

"You want me to trust you when you can't trust me! You should have told me, yet you failed to do so and you nearly as well and went and died!" He barked.

Pulling away from Kol's arms I approached the trembling man. "Come outside with me, please?" The look of contempt faded. He followed me out the door, closing it behind him.

"I'm quite offended love, you thought me of not trustworthy."

I groaned. "It's not because I don't trust you Klaus! Because I do! But I knew that unlike your elder siblings, you don't think so rationally, and I know you'd do anything, whether it's right or wrong and whether I like it or not. I didn't tell anyone because you all seem to believe I don't have it in me. You see me as the one that needs saving, needs protecting! I was doing what I felt was right by you all! I was protecting you all. If I had told you Klaus, what would you have done? Would you have let me go?" I waited for his response. "See! You wouldn't let me go."

"You're right love, I wouldn't let you go but I would hunt down those that plot against us and kill them with my bare hands." He was smug about it.

"I didn't want any of you doing that. Not you, not my brothers, Rebekah and certainly not Kol. I lost a lot, Klaus. I lost too much in these last few days and I can't lose anymore! Had you all run after me the second I left, there is no doubt that the witches would have killed you all. Please try and understand me! I know you would do anything to protect me, but I can't have you doing that." I took his hand in mine. "We can trust Ara. If it eases your mind, I can give you the stake. I'll alter the spell, so it won't harm you."

"No, I don't need the stake...you keep it, friend...I don't know how or what it is about you love, but I'm quite fond of you." His voice crisp and smooth. "For what it's worth, I am glad Kol, he has you." He beamed at me, a hint of mischief sneaking its way in his smile. He reached for the door.

"Klaus one last thing, just because I have you guys, it doesn't mean I'm doomed. I don't believe that."

He gave a small, sad smile. Somehow, he didn't believe it to be true. Did they all think I was doomed with them lingering around me?

"I'll be in, just give me a few minutes to clear my head."

He nodded and disappeared behind the closed door. One arm wrapped around my shoulder, the other around my stomach. Protective and pulling me closer to him. Kol. Though his face wasn't visible I could sense his winsome smile. He gently rubbed my arm. My stomach fluttered at the feeling of my back pressed against his front. I sunk further into his warmth, inhaling it in. We were the perfect puzzle pieces.

"You met my mother." He quizzed, his tone teasing.

"...I saw you Kol, you were-"

He swivelled me around by the waist so now in his arms, facing him. "A psychotic maniac...the worst of the worst." His smile wily. "For so long I never learned to keep it in check, I never cared to. But I didn't have you. I told you darling, you are worth being good for." Taking my hand, he led me back in.

Everyone remained in their spots, drinking as they awaited our return. I didn't want to sit and rehash all that transpired. I just wanted to be alone. With the journals in hand, I flopped down to the floor, clutching them to my chest. I trembled. I wondered what they had written in there. Their most private thoughts. When was the last time they made an entry? I stared down at Amelia's journal. She hadn't written much as it was fairly new, but there were photos and clips tucked in. I ran my fingers over the photo strip of her and Theo. They looked beautiful together. I turned to the next few pages and an old picture of me caught my attention. A picture from 1982. My hair curled and pinned up. Confusion aroused within. Mary was the one who captured this candid shot. In the photo, I was laughing, teeth exposed excited at the arrival of little Hunter. I hadn't realised she was there, taking a photo. Why did Amelia have this? I read her entry. Mary disclosed to her the truth of our relationship, how I saved her, helped raised Hunter and how we lost him to an illness not even my abilities could cure. Mary told her my secret days after I left. Her respect for me grew. Amelia wasn't frightened. She grew to love me more. A tear trailed down my face. She knew my truth and she wasn't here today. Neither of them were. I turned the page over. There was another picture of me glued to the fine lined page. A picture of me holding baby Hunter, my smile wide. Baby Hunter gazed back up at me with big, dark eyes.

"You look gorgeous there darling." I turned to face his disembodied voice.

"Kol, you're still here?" Turning away, I looked back down at the photo. She did a great job at preserving the photos, Mary.

"Of course, I am love. I won't leave you even if you told me to." He sat crossed legged across me. "What is it?"

"Amelia had known all along...Mary told her. They're not here and I can't share things with them. I can't tell Mary that I found love after centuries of never being in love or letting a man court me. I... I miss them and I wish they were here. They didn't deserve to die, I know you don't really care Kol, about other people but..." I trailed off, afraid to look him in the eyes. I sensed him shuffling closer till I was in his arms.

"I care about you, and I don't want you being upset. As far as other people...if it matters to you then I shall respect that." He ran his fingers up and down my arms. I relaxed in his warmth. After a few minutes of nuzzling, I jumped to my feet, my back facing him, gesturing for him to undo the zipper. He sprung to his feet, grabbing my arms. I stared ahead into the standing mirror. Lips trembling as he slowly took the zipper down. I turned to face him, letting the dress slip and pool around my feet, revealing my black Lacey undergarments. Grabbing the back of my head with his right hand, his lips attached themselves to mine. I felt around for his shirt, tugging. Pulling it off of him. His breath fanned down my neck as he spun me around, my back pressed against his chest. I melted as he left a trail of hot, open-mouthed kisses down my neck. His moist lips lingering around my collarbone, gripping the back of his head, I pulled him closer to my neck. He skimmed his lips over the skin, tickling me, awaking sensations within. My breathing was out of control, my heart was at an all time high. Every part of me was sensitive and aroused. I could feel the wetness. Just by a simple touch he sent me on overdrive.

A yelp of surprise escaped my lips as his fangs sunk into me. My eyes rolled back to him sucking the blood from my veins, flooding me with a sexual sensation. My body arched; toes curled at this sensation. Was this what he had felt the day I drank from him? He pulled me away, cornering me, till my back was against the cool wall. In seconds, he unclasped my bra, leaving me bare. The light breeze only hardened my nipples further. Pinning my hands above my head, his thigh pushed between my legs, earning him a whimper. Lifting me up, he wrapped my legs around his waist, smirking as I slid my hands down, unbuckling his jeans. The kisses grew fierce, full of want, lustful, desperate. My hands slid down his back, along his spine. Panting in between kisses as he walked to the bed, throwing me. I landed on my back, spreading my legs as he crawled in between. He began to kiss me esuriently, devouring my neck, earlobes, and chest, moaning in between. His voice husky and low. I clawed at his back, nails tearing into him as he slid into me roughly.

I rolled my head back in pure bliss as his thrusts grew more powerful, and deeper. He grunted in satisfaction, our moans fuelling one another. Using my legs I flipped him over, landing on top of him with him still inside of me. My fangs protruded from my gums as I leaned into his neck, sinking my teeth in, and drawing out blood. He grabbed me by the hips, fingers digging in. I retreated back, tongue wiping the corner of my mouth. He groaned with pleasure. Slowly shaking my head, I let my hair cascade down in a glowing wave over my shoulders. Lowering myself down, I straddled him. There was nothing but annihilating sensation, thrill and swelling, the sound of fabric against fabric, skin against fabric, skin on skin as our limbs slid across one another with restless, sensual wrestling.

~

He looked down at the sleeping beauty in his arms, his naked body wrapped around hers. She looked so peaceful. The little light lamp on the bedside table, cast a glow over her. He kissed her shoulder lightly. He watched her like this for over an hour, desperate to turn her so she could be facing him while she slept on, but he dared not disturb her in her deep slumber. A smirk flickered on his face as he thought of all they had done that night. She was just as wild as him, perhaps far wilder than he was. She was freaky and he adored it. It pleased him. That high they both felt from the blood sharing. It had thrown them in a frenzy. That look on her face, how her eyes rolled back when she discovered she wanted to submit and have him ravish her, dominate her. He was mesmerised by her. She was the most peaceful creature he laid his eyes on. He watched as her chest rose and fell to her breathing softly. Running his fingers up and down her arm, trailing little circles. It was a wonder how she was still in sleep. He was happy. A feeling he never experienced, never believed he would ever feel. She was in his arms and his world felt right. He had her and that's all he cared about. The door to her room opened. His head snapped up. Careful not to wake her, he gently pulled out his arm from under her, ensuring she wasn't exposed to his brother. He jumped out of bed, wearing nothing but his black boxers.

"Oh bloody hell!" Burying his forehead in his hand, head shaking side to side. "My least favourite recurring nightmare." Kol groaned, placing his hands on his sides. "What do you want?"

His eyes lingered on the sleeping beauty. "I suggest you both join the rest of us downstairs. We have pressing matters to tend to!"

"Don't you knock?" He scowled, pulling his shirt over his head. "I'll see you later brother!" His attention falls to her, sensing her stir in her sleep. A second more he lingered, then turned and left the moment he sensed her move. Her eyes slowly fluttered open. Her glowing face met his and he beamed. "Morning."

"Morning...what time is it?" She mumbled, sitting up. He couldn't help but lean over to plant a kiss on her forehead. Warmth and love surged through her the moment his lips connected with her head. It touched her soul.

"It's only about ten, but get fresh everyone is downstairs-"

She stared at him alarmed. "What? Did they not go home last night?! WHAT THE HELL...we were so..."

He guffawed at her reaction. He couldn't help but feel smug. They were both loud, she was loud. Her eyes narrowed at him, and a pillow hurled his way. He caught it in his hands and tossed it in the air. She slid out of bed, her naked body now in full view. His eyes grew dark with wonder. Everything about her was ethereal. He watched her every move, studying her. The way she moved with grace, how she dressed herself. Entranced, Kol followed her to the attached bathroom; his hands on her, feeling her and itching to tear the clothing off, to hear her moan his name, to scream and squirm and watch how her head fell back after her release. She brushed her teeth not so gracefully but yet he admired her in every way. He noticed no ring on her finger, alarming him.

"Darling, your daylight ring?"

She turned to the side, all the while brushing her hair out. "Oh, that wasn't a daylight ring, it was a gift from Bon. I don't need a daylight ring, the only positive about being a heretic-I can walk in daylight." Radiant she was, hair let out and tucked behind her ears, yet they still fell loose around her face. She glided past him, back into the room. Like a crazed lover he chased after her. Following her everywhere she went. She turned her head and smiled at him. Side by side, hand in hand they entered the kitchen, greeted by her brothers sat at the table, smiling at her invitingly. The Mikaelsons were spread out. Elijah leaning against the fridge, rubbing his fingers together in thought. Rebekah on the island, swinging her legs. She looked to the original Hybrid. He had his stiff back to them. With her head tilted to one side, Rebekah glanced at her smirking, a twinkle in her eyes. The afterglow of sex was evident on their faces. Specially hers. Sophia's face flushed red. She was overjoyed that her brother got the girl. Sophia changed him. He no longer was the old Kol. Make no mistake, he still was the wildest, he still retained all his titles, but she grounded him, opened him up to a world of love, happiness, and a chance at peace.

"Has Ara not arrived yet?" Came her sweet, delicate voice. "She said she'll be here, Elijah?"

"So back to the murderous witches, I have some concerns." He looked up, smiling at her, fingers still rubbing. "Ara will be with us shortly, but how do we deal with this unknown threat?"

"Well, I killed Lamees and siphoned away her magic and killed the witches that were present here...some remain hidden, and I suspect that they may be rounding up the others. We can't be sure until Ara arrives. I did try and do a locator spell, but it came out blank. So, there's two possibilities...they're either dead or cloaked." She paused. All eyes and ears were on her. "Elijah, remember the cemetery it was desolate, no magic, nothing. They have relocated elsewhere...but I do know on their own they're weak...that's why they stick together, whenever they perform a massive spell, they have to do it as one. We may not be able to take them all at once, but we can take them on one by one-"

"Alright, so who do we have to kill?" Rebekah asked grinning, plopping herself down, grabbing an apple from the fruit bowl.

"Probably no one..." Elijah began but as he glanced at his brothers who raised their brows at him, his tone changed. "Okay, potentially everyone."

Sophia

Damon stood up dusting off his leather jacket. "That I can agree with. Where is this witch?"

"She has a name Damon!" I rebuked. "Her name is Ara and you all will be civil with her. Enough of the paranoia and let's get our heads out of our assess and stick together! Frankly, I don't need your help, I can do this on my own but unfortunately you all..." I moved my finger around the room, pointing at them. "Will not let me go it alone, so just do as I say!"

"Breakfast?" Stefan offered.

I shook my head. "I need a blood bag, excuse me while I go grab one. Anyone else care for blood?"

A couple of approvals and I returned with four o negative bags. My personal favourite. Keeping one to the side for myself, I opened up the rest, pouring them into glasses and handing them out. I noticed how Klaus remained fixed, not giving me eye contact. Blowing out air I picked up his glass and walked over to him, holding it out. Tilting my head to the right, I smiled. He met my gaze but returned no smile. Eyes fixed on me, he snatched the glass and gulped it down, returning the empty glass to me. His sudden change of behaviour worried me. Why had he acted so cold? I returned to Kol with the glass in my hand and a frown on my face.

Noticing my glum expression, he stroked my cheek. He was so sweet, so gentle. Taking a blood bag from the worktop he poured a full cup and pushed it up to my lips, urging me to drink. I obeyed and took sips every few minutes until it emptied only to be refilled up again. I didn't require much as draining the witches of their blood was suffice for at least a whole week. I never drank as much blood as I did that night. Yet I drank out the glass Kol held in his hand, tipping it up so the blood trickled down my throat. I sensed the glares of my brothers sizzling through us. They weren't particularly pleased with the news of our getting back together and nor were they delighted by how he behaved around me or how close he was. They were sceptical of him. But I did not care. With Kol Mikaelson by my side, the world was at my feet. That's how he made me feel. Despite everything I had been through, despite being dead, I felt alive with him. I looked back in his eyes, and I saw forever.

There was a gentle rap at the front door. Knowing it was Ara, I rushed to open it. She wasn't too keen on the Mikaelsons regardless of what I felt or thought. It was best if I greeted her solo. Opening the door wide, she smiled at me, but her smile faltered. Inspecting her head to toe, it was clear she had not slept. "Ara, were you up all night?"

She gave a nervous laugh. "I couldn't sleep, and I had to figure this out-"

"Ara! No! I will not have you lose sleep over this! I undoubtedly appreciate your help and efforts but do not use up your time trying to solve this! I never wanted that. You don't look so well Ara!" I gently took a hold of her hand, grimacing. "You're burning up!" I hurried to the living room and sat her down. Her face grew pale as the seconds ticked by. Heaving, she tried to string a sentence, but it failed her.

"It must be a cold." She managed, blinking severely, trying to get a hold of her vision.

Examining her for a few minutes, I disagreed. Blood seeped out her left nostril. Something was amiss. My hand flew to my mouth as the realisation sunk. I was so lost in grief; hunched over Lamees, draining her lifeless body of its rich blood, completely forgetting Ara attempted to pull me off, but I knocked her back. Thus, injuring her fatally.

"What's going on?" Rebekah questioned as they all filed in. "Is everything okay?" Ara shifted in her seating, doing the best she could to steer clear of the Mikaelsons.

I shook my head. "I am so sorry Ara, why did you not mention anything? Why did you not let me know!" I bit into my palm and quickly drew my hand to her lips, prompting her to drink. "It'll heal you." She eagerly drank. When confident, I pulled my hand back and listened out for the healing within. A bone snapped back in place, and she let out a gasp.

"Thank you." She mouthed.

I sighed in relief, removing my hands from my mouth. "What were you doing all night long?"

"I did several spells trying to find out what I could, using their blood. They're all scattered everywhere! I also had a vision, and you won't like what I saw, but please reconsider what I said to you-"

"What vision?" Kol interrupted, snarky.

She looked back and forth at the Mikaelsons and then my brothers. "I saw Sophia die. I don't know what that means but my visions are never wrong! Sophia, I saw you die because of your need to protect them!" She stuck her finger out at the Mikaelsons. Pushing past me she came to look them in the eye. "She will die because of you all..." She turned to my brothers. "Your sister will die because of them if you don't do something about it! I won't allow that to happen. It's them or her! Are you willing to sacrifice your sister for these originals-"

I grabbed her by shoulders and spun her to face me. "Ara! What did you see exactly?"

"The witches killed you. All I know is I saw your dead body and the Mikaelsons looming over you. If that isn't enough for them to-"

"ENOUGH!" A growl reverberated from Klaus's throat. "I will not have you coming here," He charged towards her, arms swinging, rage flowing through him like lava.

"Motus." I sent him flailing back. "Enough! Fighting isn't going to resolve the issue! I will not die no matter what Ara thinks!"

He bounced back on his feet, wiping at his mouth, eyes throwing daggers. Holding my head high, composing myself I continued on. "I will not die, I know i wont! I promise you all I won't let anything happen to us! Visions can be wrong sometimes." I ran my fingers through my hair, suddenly unsure of my own words. The room filled with a palpable sense of tension. Jaws and fists were clenched. Rage rolling off like thick waves.

Stefan stepped forward. "We can avoid this right?" His hand stretched out in front. "Tell me, there's something we can do?"

"There isn't! Not unless we find the witches, which is impossible since they're cloaked. But I have a gut feeling it's not done yet. They want the Mikaelsons dead for what you did, but why they want Sophia dead, I don't know! Other than the fact she's the last heretic and that terrifies them." She pivoted and addressed me. "Sophia, what happened back in August 1925?"

I froze in place at the mention of 1925, staring at them blankly as they looked to me for a response. The memory of 1925 etched into my brain for an eternity. The brutality of that day vivid, making me wince. Kol was there in an instance, arms coiled around me.