Force of Gravity • NM

•26•

The next morning, everyone gathered in the Salvatore boarding house's living room, their faces tense with anticipation. Finn sat rigidly on the couch, visibly uncomfortable as he opened up about Esther's plan.

"She intends to use Elena's blood to link us all together," Finn confessed, his voice heavy with guilt. "Once we are linked, she'll use the spell to kill us all simultaneously. She believes we are abominations and that our deaths will cleanse the world."

Damon, leaning against the fireplace with a glass of bourbon, scoffed. "Why didn't you guys get rid of her ages ago? Seems like the logical solution."

Elena shot him a sharp glare. "Damon! She's their mother!"

Damon raised his hands defensively. "Excuse me for not being sentimental about homicidal parents."

Bonnie interjected, trying to redirect the conversation. "We could stop her during the full moon tomorrow. I'll need the power of the moon to counteract her spell, but it's going to take a lot of energy. I'll need help."

Naira, sitting cross-legged on the armchair, was unusually quiet. Her mind raced with an idea, one she wasn't ready to share just yet. "Bonnie's plan sounds good," she said finally. "We should focus on gathering everything she'll need."

Elijah, who had been silently observing, nodded in agreement. "If we're going to face her, we must be prepared."

After much discussion, the group agreed to Bonnie's plan. But as the evening wound down, Naira's thoughts lingered on her secret idea.

Later that night, Stefan groaned, half-asleep, as someone jumped onto his bed, jostling him awake. "What the—Naira?" he mumbled, blinking at her grinning face.

"Wake up, sleepyhead!" she chirped, bouncing on the mattress. "We're going on an adventure."

Stefan sighed, rubbing his eyes. "It's the middle of the night. Can't this wait until morning?"

"Nope!" Naira grabbed his wrist, tugging him out of bed. "Come on. It's important."

Grumbling under his breath, Stefan allowed her to drag him outside. Under the pale moonlight, Naira's excitement was palpable.

"So, what's this about?" Stefan asked, crossing his arms.

"I have a plan," Naira whispered conspiratorially, "but it's a secret. And you have to help me."

Stefan raised an eyebrow but nodded. "Alright, what do you need me to do?"

The Mikaelson mansion was eerily quiet as Stefan and Naira slipped inside. Naira led the way to Klaus's study, her steps light as she opened the door.

Stefan looked around, his eyes widening at the sight of the paintings adorning the walls. "Wow. These are... incredible. I didn't know Klaus could do something like this."

"He's not as scary as he tries to be," Naira said softly, rummaging through the canvases. Her eyes lit up when she found the one she was searching for—a small painting, rich with vibrant colors and deep emotion.

"Got it," she whispered, carefully placing the painting in her bag.

"What's in the box?" Stefan asked, gesturing to the ornate wooden box she had also picked up.

"You'll find out soon enough," Naira said with a wink.

As they turned to leave, the faint sound of footsteps made them freeze. Elijah appeared in the hallway. 

Elijah frowned, that was Naira, his eyes narrowing as he caught a glimpse of her disappearing form. He turned and strode to Klaus's room, waking his brother with a firm shake.

"Klaus," Elijah said, his voice serious. "Naira was just in your study. She took a painting and a box. Do you know what she might be planning?"

Klaus sat up, his mind racing. "A painting? Why would she need one of those?"

Doubt and curiosity clouded his mind as he stared out the window, watching the moonlight bathe the estate. "Whatever she's up to, we'll find out soon enough."