𝐀𝐏𝐑𝐈𝐂𝐈𝐓𝐘 ⚜️ ELIJAH MIKAELSON

[ The Fall ]

CHAPTER 33
[ New Orleans, 2013 ]

As Vincent and Georgia left the quiet, sacred space of St. James Infirmary, the weight of what they had just done hung heavy between them. Georgia walked beside Vincent in silence, her mind a storm of grief and uncertainty. The streets of New Orleans stretched ahead of them, familiar and yet distant, as though the city itself had shifted in response to her new reality.

Vincent, ever perceptive, glanced at her out of the corner of his eye. The strain in her shoulders, the way her arms were wrapped tightly around herself—it was all too familiar. He had seen it before in others who had wielded power too vast for their control. He exhaled softly, deciding it was time to speak.

"You tell them yet?" he asked, his voice cutting through the stillness.

Georgia blinked, glancing over at him. "Tell who what?"

Vincent's expression was pointed, his steps steady as they moved through the quiet streets. "The Mikaelsons," he clarified. "Do they know what you're carrying now? That the magic of an entire coven is sitting inside you, waiting to break loose?"

Her lips pressed into a thin line, and she looked away, focusing on the cobblestones beneath her feet. "No," she admitted quietly. "Not yet."

Vincent let out a sharp laugh, one that lacked humor. "You're playing with fire, Georgia. And I don't just mean your magic."

She stopped walking, turning to face him, her arms falling to her sides. "What's that supposed to mean?"

Vincent stopped as well, his expression serious. "It means you have the power to take out an original and you're fooling yourself if you truly believe you're a part of their 'always and forever.'"

"You really think that stupid prophecy was real?" Georgia asked, exasperation coloring her tone as she ran a hand through her hair. "It doesn't make sense, Vince. The Strix coven couldn't kill an Original, so I can't. It's the exact same power, just concentrated."

Vincent crossed his arms, his expression firm but calm. "The Mikaelsons sure as hell aren't going to risk it, no matter what logic you've cooked up," he replied evenly.

The words hit her like a slap. Her mouth opened to respond, but no sound came out. She could only stare at him, her grief momentarily eclipsed by the sting of his statement.

"Look, I'm not saying they don't care about you," Vincent continued, his tone softening just a fraction. "But the Mikaelsons? They look out for their own. 'Always and Forever.' That's a vow for them, for their family. People like us? We're not part of that circle—we're the collateral damage left in its wake."

Her head snapped up, anger flashing in her eyes. "That's not true," she shot back, her voice shaking. "Elijah isn't like that. He's different."

"Maybe," Vincent conceded, tilting his head slightly. "But even if he is, what about the rest of them? Klaus?Freya? They'll protect their own, Georgia. And when push comes to shove, you'll be on the outside looking in. Just like Davina was."

The mention of her sister's name hit like a blow to the chest, and Georgia's anger wavered, giving way to a flicker of doubt. She glanced away, her shoulders stiffening as she fought to maintain her composure.

"Look," Vincent continued, his voice softer now, but no less firm. "I'm not trying to tell you how to live your life. But you've got something dangerous inside you now—something that could tear this whole city apart if you're not careful. And if you let them, the Mikaelsons will use you for it. Not because they don't care about you, but because it's who they are. They'll justify it a hundred different ways, but in the end, it'll still be you paying the price."