WAR OF HEARTS ↠ KOL MIKAELSON [1]

2:03

[ THE STAND: CHAPTER THREE ]

Rhea arrived at the cemetery with a heavy heart, hoping to meet with Davina and Ares, but what she found waiting for her left her frozen in shock. Hayley was trapped within a glowing magical circle, barely covered in a blanket, her wild eyes burning with anger as she glared at Davina and Ares. The scene was stark—nothing like Rhea had expected.

Ares stood with his arms crossed, his eyes cold, the kind of calm that often masked deeper intent. "I used magic to draw you here and to keep you a captive audience," he said matter-of-factly, as if he didn't see the wrong in it.

The fury in Hayley's eyes was almost palpable. "You've got to be kidding me," she growled, her voice filled with frustration. Rhea could see the tension in Hayley's posture, her body coiled like a predator ready to pounce.

Rhea felt a pang of sympathy for the hybrid. Hayley had already been cursed to remain in her wolf form for most of the month, seeing her daughter only on the full moon. The last thing she deserved was this. She had suffered enough.

"Davina, Ares, I need to see my daughter," Rhea spoke softly, but the urgency in her voice was clear. She couldn't understand why her brother and her friend were doing this to Hayley. "You know what this means, don't you?" she added, her voice edged with disbelief. "You're taking that away from her?"

"I'm sorry," Davina said, her calm demeanor a stark contrast to the tension in the air. "But I need you to do something for me first."

Her words only fueled Hayley's frustration. She snarled and tugged at the bonds of the magic holding her. "What the hell do you two think you're doing?"

Rhea couldn't help herself. She demanded answers. "What is this? You can't just—" Her words faltered as she took in the scene again, confusion and anger welling up in her chest.

Davina and Ares motioned for her to step aside with them, just outside the tomb, and after a brief glance at Hayley, Rhea followed.

"Once a month, she gets to see her daughter, and you're taking that away from her?" Rhea demanded, her voice rising in frustration. She wasn't one to shout, but her words came out louder than expected, surprising both of them.

Davina took a deep breath, trying to stay composed. "I just need her to do something for me. Those witches don't respect me. Marcel told me I need to make a show of force."

Rhea stared at her, incredulous. "And we're taking leadership advice from Marcel now?" she scoffed. "He's the one who stopped your people from using magic in the first place, Davina. Don't become him."

Davina flinched, the words clearly stinging, but she didn't respond. Ares, on the other hand, stepped forward, his voice pleading. "Rhea, just trust us. Please."

Rhea couldn't hold back the bitterness that spilled from her. "Fine," she said with a resigned sigh, throwing her hands up in frustration. "Whatever. But this is a bad idea. You're playing with fire."