𝐀𝐏𝐑𝐈𝐂𝐈𝐓𝐘 ⚜️ ELIJAH MIKAELSON

[ The Confliction ]

CHAPTER 22
[ New Orleans, 2012 ]

Davina stood in the dimly lit pool room, her eyes scanning her scattered notes on the de-linking spell. As her fingers hovered over the pages, the sound of footsteps approaching reached her ears, and she let out a deep sigh, her stress evident in the stillness of the room. Marcel appeared in the doorway, his expression soft with concern. He took in her frazzled state, and the unspoken worry between them lingered in the air, an unspoken acknowledgment of how high the stakes had become.

"You got everything you need to break the sire link?" He asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Almost. Aya's getting the rest. I should be ready by sunrise. It'll be fine, I promise. You may feel some warmth when the spell begins, but it'll pass when the link's broken." Marcel stared at her apprehensively, at war with his thoughts. Davina pondered for a moment, searching for a reason, it wasn't the spell and what was to come after it, there was something wrong. "I know that face. What is it?"

"Georgia. She almost died."

Davina's face dropped, her eyes swimming in guilt. She had been so wrapped up in desiring her friends and finding a way to save Kol that she had completely forsaken her sister. The realization hit her like a cold wave that Georgia would have been the first to notice if Davina was in danger, she would have been the first to help her. The weight of her own negligence was suffocating. She should have known. She should have been there. She had promised Georgia she would always protect her, yet here she was, consumed by her own guilt, standing in a room filled with broken spells and shattered promises.

Marcel, sensing the shift in her, stepped closer. He didn't need to ask what was wrong—Davina's guilt spoke louder than words. He placed a steady hand on her shoulder, grounding her in that moment, offering his silent support. But the guilt wouldn't leave her. It clawed at her, relentlessly. How had she allowed herself to lose sight of what mattered most? How had she failed her sister?

"She's alright, back on her feet like nothing happened. There's nothing a little original blood can't fix." Marcel chuckled nervously, watching as her mind slowly reentered the room.

"Was it Aya? Who was it?" Davina's features grew cold. She was willing to do anything in order to save Kol, but working along side someone who had harmed Georgia was where she crossed the line.

Marcel shook his head quickly. "Aurora."

Davina nodded, looking around.

"Hey, you just focus on this spell. You're gonna need it." Marcel rubbed his face, staring at the scrambled notes that decorated the pool room. "Crazy spell. Substitute hearts. Creepy witches helping you out. Sounds great!"

She rolled her eyes at his sarcasm. "I'll be careful."

"I get that. And I am game. But, we are on a tight rope with the Mikaelsons. I mean, that's not just anybody's heart. Jackson was a friend to them, and he was to us. At least Georgia has your back, can't say the same for me."

"You know when it comes down to it, she will." Davina sighed, running a hand through her hair. "This entire thing - it's a long shot. But, if I don't save you, then I can't save Josh, and I can't save Kol. I wouldn't be able to live with myself if something happened to you guys."

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Klaus jolted awake with a sharp gasp, his body hitting the cold floor of the hunt room. He blinked rapidly, disoriented, before rolling over to see Elijah, who was struggling just as much to get to his feet.

"What is this?" Elijah asked, his voice full of horror.

Before Klaus could respond, a familiar giggle echoed through the room. Both brothers turned, startled, to find Aurora standing there, her smile smug and knowing.