Force of Gravity • NM

•28•

The night was heavy with tension as the full moon reached its zenith. At the witches' cottage, Esther's screams of rage echoed through the woods as Bonnie completed the spell to strip her of her powers. The backlash of energy rippled through the air, shaking the ground as if nature itself was resetting.

Far away, Naira sat on the floor of Klaus's study, her voice steady despite her trembling hands as she whispered the last incantation of her spell. The stolen dagger and Henrik's painting sat in the center of her ritual circle, the stolen white oak ash forming intricate patterns around them. She hated lying to everyone, especially Klaus and her brothers, but this was something she had to do.

The energy Esther had released surged through her, and she barely held on as it linked to her spell work. The room seemed to vibrate as the final words left her lips, her body collapsing forward in exhaustion.

"I'm sorry," she whispered softly, her fingers brushing against the edge of the painting. With what little strength she had left, she replaced the dagger and painting in their proper places, her mind clinging to the hope that her efforts hadn't been in vain.

As she turned to leave, her vision blurred. The room spun violently, and she crumpled to the ground, unconscious, her head hitting the edge of a table as she fell.

The Mikaelsons and the others returned to the mansion, weary but triumphant. Bonnie had done what she promised, and Esther was no longer a threat.

As they walked through the door, Damon immediately pulled out his phone. "Where's Naira? She hasn't answered all night."

Stefan's brows furrowed in concern. "She said she'd stay out of the fight. Maybe she's asleep?"

Klaus froze, his keen ears picking up a faint sound. "Do you hear that? Her phone... it's coming from my study."

The group rushed down the hallway, the sound of Naira's ringtone growing louder. Klaus was the first to push open the door. His breath caught in his throat at the sight before him.

Naira lay crumpled on the floor, her face pale, a small cut bleeding on her forehead. Around her, the dagger, the ash, and the painting were meticulously placed back where they belonged.

"Oh my God!" Damon was by her side in an instant, scooping her into his arms. "What the hell happened here?"

Klaus moved closer, his face stricken. "Let me—"

Damon shot him a glare. "Back off, hybrid. She's my sister."

Rebekah let out a choked sob, falling to her knees beside them. "She... she brought everything back," she whispered, her fingers trembling as she touched the edge of Henrik's painting. "Why didn't she tell us?"

Stefan knelt beside her, pulling her into a hug as tears streamed down her face. "She'll be okay," he murmured, though his own voice wavered. "She's strong. Stronger than all of us."

Bonnie stepped forward, her expression calm but worried. "She's exhausted. Whatever spell she cast took a lot out of her. She needs rest, but she'll be fine."

Damon's grip on Naira tightened protectively as he glared at Klaus. "This is your fault. You accused her of betrayal when she was clearly doing something for you."

Klaus's voice broke as he replied, "I didn't know... I..." His eyes softened as he looked at Naira's unconscious form. "I would never want to hurt her."

Kol, uncharacteristically quiet, knelt by the painting. "Henrik," he whispered, his fingers ghosting over the canvas. "What did she do, Stefan?"

Stefan hesitated, glancing at Naira before taking a deep breath. "She linked Henrik to Rebekah. She thought... maybe this could give him a chance at life. And Rebekah..." He looked at her meaningfully.

Rebekah's sob caught in her throat as realization dawned. "She wanted me to have a child. A real family," she whispered, her voice trembling.

Stefan nodded. "She wanted to surprise you. She didn't want to ask because she thought you'd say no. She was adamant. Stubborn. A lot like Damon."

Rebekah's tears flowed freely as she hugged Stefan tighter. "I never... I never thought this could be possible."

Damon kissed Naira's forehead. "She's reckless. She's crazy. But damn it, she's ours."

Klaus, his eyes brimming with unshed tears, moved closer despite Damon's glare. "Please," he said softly. "I only want to make sure she's alright."

Damon hesitated, then relented slightly, watching Klaus like a hawk as he knelt beside them. Klaus gently took Naira's hand in his, his thumb brushing over her knuckles.

"You've done something extraordinary," he whispered, his voice breaking. "I just wish you'd told me."

Kol broke the silence with a strained laugh. "Trust her to outdo all of us in one night."

As they carried Naira to a room to let her rest, a quiet sense of awe filled the mansion. Each person was left grappling with the enormity of what she had done—and the lengths she was willing to go to for those she loved.