𝐊𝐀𝐋𝐎𝐏𝐒𝐈𝐀

𝐦𝐨𝐝𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞 . XXI .

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The Mikaelson made his way down the stairs and towards the nave of the church. He had every intention to have spent as much time with Davina as he possibly could but he'd heard something she had not, she'd heard the footsteps beneath them.. an impatient pacing coming from the large room that echoed and came to a crescendo in his ears. Seems Inadu wasn't going to grant him a peaceful moment with his love. This further explained the attitude that followed him as he entered the main room. He came to a halt, looking to the elder witch who stood in the center of the room; watching him like a hawk.

     " Are you going somewhere Kol? " She questioned, watching as the Mikaelson stepped forward into the room. He exhales slowly. " I wanted some time alone with her before you use me to do your dirty work. " Kol began to walk towards her, stopping a few feet from her and failing to hide the annoyance in his tone. " You have been dead 1,500 years; surely you can spare an hour. " A agitated grin rested on his expression. The Hollow turned her body to face the vampire, closing the gap between the two of them " Every second counts if you want Davina to continue breathing - " she spoke, threatening yet calm in tone. She tilted her head slightly to the side and raised her right hand, twisting it. " - Or Evelyn. " She concluded, turning to face the empty congregation. Kol followed her focus and looked to the benches which had been completely deserted before but now held one audience member.

     " Evelyn! " Kol exclaimed, speeding over to where she was sat in the front row. Her focus was straight ahead in front of her and she was sat unnaturally still, back deadly straight, posture immaculate, hands placed flat on her knees; her wrists still bound by the luminous blue braids. Her breathing was so slow it was almost undetectable, her heart was slower than a conscious mortals should be. The Mikaelson knelt before her, moving his hands to try and take her own but pulling back instantaneously due to a sudden burning sensation to his palms. He couldn't touch her, couldn't sense that she was there. The only thing that remotely resembled the LaRue witch was the softness of her eyes as the rest of her remained so still. His worry for the witch soon turned to anger as he stood upright and faced Inadu once more. " What have you done to her? " He spoke sharply through gritted teeth, standing between The Hollow and the LaRue witch; almost like his presence would interrupt the connection between them. " She's keeping me company whilst you're busy. " The Hollow said simply, pacing slightly upon the raised platform as her almost black eyes never left the Vampire.

     " What is it that you need, then? Am I to handle your errands? Or your laundry? " His rage shifted to sarcasm in light of how ridiculous the situation truly was. The Hollow raised her brow before she continued. " It's actually quite simple. I have long wanted to be mortal but now that I am alive, I can die. In fact, your own family is relentless in their quest to kill me. " Her words caused a stifled snort to leave the Mikaelson. " Look, if you want me to put in a good word, that ship has sailed, darling. " He chuckled through his words, only losing the smirk as he concluded.

Inadu took a few steps closer to the Original. " I have my own protection spell,- " she walked past him, Kol keeping his gaze upon her as she did. "- cast in the form of a totem. You will safeguard my totem, until I'm done with your family. " She turns to look back to the Mikaelson. " If you falter, if any harm comes my way, Davina will suffer. " She looks towards the stairs behind her. " Evelyn will suffer. " The Hollow now looking towards the witch who remained sat deadly still. " All because of you. " Kol stood still for a few moment, looking with the elder witch to the stairs and then to Evelyn; he breathed in deeply and didn't say a word.

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     " Hey Bex , what's up? "

" Someone's floating around with a trinket that's fuelling our enemy's power, what say you help me track down and exterminate this scoundrel? "

     " I'd like nothing better. "

" Perfect. "

He lowers the phone and ends the call; exhaling slowly, Kol looks to the glowing blue totem that rested in his opposing hand. " Dammit. " He muttered under his breath as he continued to pace back and forth as he had been doing for the last three hours. Here he was once again working against his family. Sometimes he wonders if this was what he was destined to be? The Betrayer? The traitorous fox. The Mikaelson renegade. Mutiny was his untrusting ally, one that never seemed to escape him. Kol grimaced at the thought, he'd have to work against his sister in order to keep his end of the bargain and secure the safety of Davina and Evelyn. There was too much at stake here.

The luminous totem that he kept within his hand radiated a sickening feeling. Like the stench that lingered after burning a body, the metallic charcoal odour that one had grown too accustomed to within his time. Yet even that couldn't describe the feeling this totem gave, it was like the concealing of life ; cold and shrouded in shadow yet still present, still there. The feeling of a snuffed out candle, the atmosphere after the passing of a soul. The sight of an eclipsed sun, the light is still there yet it's strangled by the darkness within that moment.

Why did it always come down to this? Working against ones kin to do what he felt was right? Will they see it from his perspective? Understand how tightly bound his hands are in this situation. How this is the only option that he has? Will they forgive him for what he must do? Or will a dagger and disappointment lay in his path.

He continued to pace back and forth, allowing his thoughts to consume him as he waited for his sister to locate where the totem and the 'unidentified' acolyte. How long could he play the part of being on her side? How quickly would his flesh and blood see through his façade? Within the hour he could hear the sound of voices outside, not just his sisters but the ever present Mikaelson reject that seemed to cling to her heel like a lost puppy. The Mikaelson brother exhales slowly in annoyance, this just got a lot more difficult.

     " You're the king of this city can't you condemn this dump. " The blonde sister spoke, having entered the front room. Kol stood still just out of sight of the doorway, listening into their squabble. " How about we skip the criticism and just focus on what we're looking for? " Marcel quipped back, his footsteps close enough to trigger the Mikaelson to intervene. "

     " Totem's not here. " Kol spoke, stepping into their line of sight. Totem safely tucked into his jacket pocket. " I scoured the house. There's no sign of it " He concludes, leaning against the doorframe towards the two. " You were supposed to wait for me and where's Evelyn? She's normally following you around. " Rebekah retaliates, looking past her brother as if expecting to see the witch behind him. " Just me Sister. " He spoke, looking behind him then back to the blonde. " I got bored and it looks like you've got accosted by the local riffraff " Kol turned his attention towards Marcel who was quick to snap back. " Oh you got a problem? " He spoke, taking a step closer to Kol. " Get over yourselves. All right? " Rebekah interrupts the two, opening up the parchment she held. " The map says that the totem is still here, so it must be hidden somewhere in this hovel. "

Kol exhales slowly. " Look, if you don't trust me, help yourself. Come on in. " He gestures around them, watching as both Marcel and Rebekah stepped further into the room. Within two steps the self proclaimed king of the city himself collided with a barrier, stepping back and looking up to where the branch-circlet dwelled above them. " What? " He questioned out of confusion. Rebekah paused for a moment, allowing her gaze to turn to the ceiling and then back to her brother. " What the hell Kol?! " She exclaimed, Kol lowered his head; pursing his lips. " A dark object? Really? Kol you better undo this right now. " Marcel spoke through gritted teeth towards Kol who only kept his gaze upon his sister. " I'm sorry Rebekah. I truly am. " He concludes before speeding out of the backdoor and leaving the two trapped within the dark object.

The Mikaelson stopped a few houses away and pulled out the totem from his pocket to look over it, making sure it was still in one peace and active. He held it tightly in his hand and gritted his teeth in frustration, an anger building from his own actions. This wasn't right, but it's what he had to do.

Betray to protect.

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