Stone Cold

Dangerous Liaisons

Chapter Forty-One

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"It was their mother Esther who was sealed in that coffin." Elena revealed to Stefan and Damon when they came over to her house the morning after their dinner with Klaus and Elijah-- in which they'd reunited the Original family.

"As in the Original witch?" Stefan's eyes widened at the news.

"What? How is she even alive?" Damon asked the obvious question. "I thought her hybrid freak show of a son ripped her heart out a thousand years ago."

"And they thought Brigs was ripped to shreds by werewolves a thousand years ago," Stefan countered.

"I don't know," Elena sighed. "I'm guessing she has a couple of connections in the witching community. Elijah said that she wants to live in peace with her family, including Klaus."

"She was supposed to be the weapon to help us kill Klaus," Stefan frowned at the turn of events.

"Yeah, well, not anymore," Elena shook her head. "At least, not according to Elijah."

"What about according to Brigs?" Damon asked. "What's she got to say about all of this?"

"I don't know. I haven't seen or heard from her. I've been a little busy," Elena told them. "I figured she was stewing and plotting with you guys."

"She was. But she decided to hang back last night. Take part in shaming Klaus and all that," Damon clued her in. "Didn't think she'd stick around the whole night though. Especially not if her un-dead mother-in-law showed up."

"In case you two have forgotten, that coffin was the only thing stopping Klaus from tearing us to shreds." Stefan reminded them, not worried about Brigs at the moment.

"Anyone else feeling a little used right now?" Damon added.

"Look, Elijah promised me that his family wouldn't hurt any of us. And you guys know that Brigs wouldn't let anything happen to us either," Elena tried to reassure them as someone rang the doorbell.

"Eh, maybe not protect all of us..." Damon pursed his lips at the thought of Brigs while Elena went to check the door. Still very much aware of all the times she'd threatened him or Stefan, as well as the various times she'd followed through on her threats and had attacked them.

"I trust them," Elena stressed as she opened the door only to find an envelope with her name on it sitting on the welcome mat.

"What is it?" Damon asked as she stepped back inside.

"It's an invitation." Elena spoke in surprise when she opened it. "'Please join the Mikaelson family this evening at seven o'clock for dancing, cocktails, and celebration.'"

"Who the hell are the Mikaelsons?" Stefan asked, not recognizing the surname.

"The Original family," Elena connected the dots.

"It's not bad enough they're moving into town. Now they want a housewarming gift?" Damon scoffed.

"Wait. There's a note on the back," Elena pointed out. "'Elena, I think it's time we finally meet. Esther.'"

*~*~*~*

Brigs couldn't help but feel out of place as she found herself sitting in one of the chairs in the corner of the living room. Watching as Rebekah had her nails done while Finn and Kol were fitted for suits.

"Here." The sound of Elijah's voice made her jump slightly in her seat. Glancing over her shoulder to find him holding out a cup of coffee to her.