𝐀𝐏𝐑𝐈𝐂𝐈𝐓𝐘 ⚜️ ELIJAH MIKAELSON

[ The Peripeteia ]

CHAPTER 34
[ New Orleans, 2013 ]

Georgia stepped back into the living area, her heart still heavy from her conversation with Elijah. She tried to draw strength from their shared moment, the way his arms had wrapped around her as though he could shield her from everything. But as she crossed the threshold of the drawing room, and her eyes landed on Davina, the weight of reality crushed her all over again.

Davina was safe, alive in some form, but this wasn't life. Her sister was stuck in limbo, a flicker of existence rather than the vibrant force Georgia knew her to be. Kol was crouched beside the salt circle, speaking softly to Davina, his voice low and laced with regret. Davina tilted her head, listening to him, her face calm but distant, as though her connection to the living world was fragile and fleeting.

Georgia stopped in the doorway, her gaze lingering on the pair. She wanted to run to her sister, to hold her, but the salt ring reminded her of the impossible chasm between them. Instead, she turned her attention to Marcel, who stood on the far side of the room, his arms crossed as he observed the scene in silence.

"Marcel," Georgia called softly.

He glanced at her, his dark eyes narrowing slightly in curiosity. With a nod, he pushed off the wall and followed her as she gestured for him to step into the hallway. Georgia led him down the corridor to a smaller room, her steps purposeful but slow, her mind racing. Once inside, she shut the door and turned to face him, muttering a quick incantation under her breath. The air shimmered faintly as the silencing spell took hold.

Marcel raised an eyebrow, leaning casually against the edge of a nearby table. "Woah... we keeping secrets, G?" he remarked lightly, though his tone carried an undertone of seriousness.

Georgia didn't smile. She crossed her arms, her expression determined but guarded. "I need your help," she said simply.

Marcel straightened slightly, his casual demeanor fading. "What kind of help?"

"I need access to the old Strix estate," Georgia replied.

Marcel's eyes narrowed further, his brows knitting together in confusion. "The Strix estate? Georgia, what are you—" He stopped himself, his expression shifting to one of suspicion. "Why?"

She hesitated, her fingers brushing against the "E" pendant around her neck as she searched for the right words. Finally, she met his gaze, her voice steady but quiet. "I'm looking for a way to bring Davina back."

Marcel's jaw tightened at the mention of Davina. "You think there's something there that can help?"

"They were the reason Davina was able to bring Kol back... that specific spell won't work but there must be others," Georgia explained. "If there's even a chance, I have to try."

Marcel studied her for a long moment, his expression unreadable. "Why the secrecy?" he asked finally. "Why are you doing this alone?"

Georgia sighed, glancing away for a moment before meeting his gaze again. "Because I can't risk it," she admitted. "Vincent said something to me earlier—about the Mikaelsons and how they see power. And he's right. They don't see me, Marcel. They see what I can do. And with this magic..." She trailed off, her voice faltering.

Marcel frowned, his expression softening slightly. "You don't trust them," he said, more a statement than a question.

"It's not that simple," Georgia replied. "I trust Elijah. I do. But even he has his blind spots when it comes to his family. And Freya—she's so focused on protecting them that I don't think she even realizes what she's doing half the time. This magic... it's dangerous, Marcel. And if they knew..." She shook her head, her voice dropping to a whisper. "I'm not sure they'd be able to resist the temptation to use it."