Broken Souls

39

Esther appeared quite calm, despite knowing she was a vampire. She could feel the slight burn in her throat aching for blood. No one spoke a word for quite sometime. It seems nobody knew how to break the silence. The older woman looked at her children, noticing Kol playing with Solène's hand.

"Will you be killing me now?" With her hands folded in her lap, she awaited a response.

This time, Elijah was the one to speak up. His tone was even, but softer than usual. "No one hurts my family and lives," his head shook. "Not even you, mother."

"Very well," she nodded one. It did not upset her, knowing her death was coming. Death was preferable to living life as a vampire, in her mind. Her children had grown accustomed to their new lives, but it was not one she was eager to partake in. "Who will do the honors?" Her eyes trailed across her children's faces and their soulmates.

No one moved as the siblings shared hesitant glances. Nik took a step, guessing he would have to be the one to kill her this time, too. However, Finn quickly moved to kneel before his mother.

"Finn," her hands found his cheeks. "Find your sister, hm? Save her from the consequences of my poor decisions." Esther did not regret her children, never would she do so. However, she regretted accepting the terms to that deal with Dahlia.

Finn nodded, grabbing his mother's hands. "We will all live well, mother. You should find peace."

"It was nice to see you all happy again, much like when you were children." Her misty eyes moved to Sol. "Use my knowledge well, and take care of my children."

She could only nod in response, having no more words for the woman. A piece of her was happy it turned out so well, that she appealed to the woman's motherhood. However, they still had to be cautious and avoid possible future attacks from her. Esther seemed to understand their caution and refused to finish her transition. Therefore, it was down to them to end her life. The siblings didn't want their mother to suffer in death. A swift heart removal was the best option.

"Goodbye, my loves." Esther smiled once more at each of her children, looking to Finn last with a nod. It was time. After a shaky breath, Finn's hand broke through his mothers chest cavity, removing her heart in one smooth motion. A gasp escaped the woman's lips as her body decayed, turning an ash grey. Gently placing his mother's heart into her lap, he wiped his hand clean with Elijah's offered handkerchief.

Without saying a word, Sol moved to wrap her arms around Finn. He quickly accepted her embrace, relaxing in her arms.

Rebekah was the one to disrupt the moment. "You can have your gross cuddle session later. Are we going to forget the fact those teens tried to work with our mother to kill us?" Venom slipped into the blond's tone.

Not even pulling away from Finn's hold, she looked at Rebekah. "Of course not, Beks. Damon said he, Alaric, and Caroline weren't up for helping her. I don't know all the details, but I'm willing to listen to them. Only them. However, why don't we have some fun first. There is still a ball happening downstairs. Let's go dance." She stepped out of Finn's embrace, taking his hand as she went. "It's no fun if we don't enjoy our own party, correct?" She winked at Bekah over her shoulder as she took Finn out of the room. The brother's quickly followed suit. Kai waiting a moment with his soulmate.

Silently, he offered his arm. Rebekah smiled, placing her arm on his bicep. A smile crossed with a smirk formed on the siphon's lips as he led her back downstairs where Elijah was announcing the beginning of the dancing, directing them towards the ball room behind the foyer.

Solène was pulling Niklaus and Kol now, guiding them to the dance floor. A large smile covered her face as the tune began. Kol pulled her in close, smiling down at her. "I don't know how to dance. Forgive me if I step on your feet." Despite her worries, she couldn't look away from the man in front of her.

"Don't worry, my darling. I'll lead you every step of the way." Kol's voice was soft, but it was still out enough to hear over the music as they began to move to the quick beat.

Happiness flooded the witch's system as she moved with Kol, laughs escaping her lips at the excitement of dancing. Suddenly, Kol spun her away from him and she landed in Elijah's arms. Without a moment of respite, he began to lead her in familiar steps. "You think they see the blood on my back?" She mused, thinking about the possible large patch of blood on the back of her gown; not to mention the tear from the blade.

"You chose a good color, my dear. It's not too noticeable." He placed a kiss on her cheek and spun her off like Kol had done. Sol squealed and chuckled as she grabbed onto her new partner. Finn smiled down at her.

"How are you, my love?" His eyes were soft as he admired her and her still messy makeup from her earlier tears. Carefully, he wipe away what he could from underneath her eyes.

"How are you, my sweet? You did a lot today." You killed two women who previously meant a lot to you.

"Worry not. I will be alright. What I did today, was to protect you. How could I ever have regrets about that." He rested his forehead against hers.

"Talk to me if anything ever troubles you. I'd never judge you, Finn."

"That's what I love most about you," Finn pecked her nose before spinning her off to Niklaus, not leaving her a chance to respond to his confession. She pouted momentarily, looking back at Finn dancing with Rebekah. Meeting Nik's gaze, another smile overtook her pout.

"Hello, Little Witch," he whispered into her ear. A shiver went down her spine. "I'm glad you seem to be having fun."

"I've never danced like this before!" The siphon's face brightened. "It's quite fun. You've always danced like this?"

"It was more popular in the times of lords and ladies, but it's much more fun than the current dancing younger people tend to enjoy these days."

Solène laughed, imagine the ridiculous dancing she'd seen in her high school years.

Once the song finished, the siphon took some breaths to calm her racing heart, resting her head against Nik's jacket. A slower tune began after a few beats. He started to sway them, resting a hand on her hip.

"I think I'm meant to be here." Sol closed her eyes, almost feeling Nik's brows furrow. "My previous life was so full of pain. Sure there were some good moments, but this life with all of you — it feels so perfect. Had I not kept to myself when I first arrived here, had I meant you so quickly, I would've thought I was dreaming, or in some weird coma dream. But I spent a whole year before meeting you. I did avoid you when you were first in town, but then you walked into the Grill with Stefan and my whole world shifted.

Suddenly, I wanted to be next to you despite my fears and worries. I wanted to help you and your siblings. You all deserved so much better than you got and I'm just praying everyday that I'm helping you all feel that. To understand that you all deserve the best no matter what you've done, or said, or what anyone says about you. What if the world brought me here because I am your soulmate? What if I wasn't meant to be in the other world to begin with?"

"Then I would thank the universe for doing one thing in my family's favor."