WAR OF HEARTS ↠ KOL MIKAELSON [1]

2:10

| THE STAND:
CHAPTER TEN |

"Why were you following Hayley?" Elijah's voice was dangerously calm as he compelled Shen Min, his hand still wrapped around the vampire's throat like a vice. Marcel stood beside him, his eyes narrowed with suspicion, while Hayley hovered nearby, a mixture of relief and unease settling over her. Elijah had arrived just in time to save them from the brutal ambush, and now, they sought answers.

Shen Min's gaze flickered with defiance, but the compulsion was too strong. He spoke through gritted teeth, struggling to resist. "I was ordered... to remove her from the playing field. She's an obstacle to what we truly want."

Elijah's expression darkened, his grip tightening just enough to make Shen flinch. "And what is that?" His voice was low, filled with a controlled fury that made the air feel heavier.

"The Monroe siblings... and Davina Claire," Shen forced out, his voice betraying the fear creeping in despite his best efforts. His eyes darted nervously to Marcel, then back to Elijah. Even under compulsion, he was fighting not to reveal too much, but the strain was evident. The secrets of the Strix hung on his every breath.

Marcel and Elijah exchanged a glance, both unsettled by the mention of the three names. Their concern was palpable.

"What do you want with them?" Marcel asked, his tone sharp, but even he felt the growing dread at the revelation.

"Tristan needs them," Shen continued, his words halting, as though he were choking on them. "Together, the three of them can activate a weapon... one that will be used against your family." His voice cracked, the admission pulling at the last shreds of his willpower. Elijah's compulsion was merciless, and he could no longer hold back.

Elijah's face was a mask of rage, his patience wearing thin. He had suspected Tristan's obsession with Rhea had deeper roots, but this—this was a declaration of war. "What weapon?" Elijah's question was a demand, not a request.

Shen Min's body trembled as he fought against the compulsion with every ounce of strength he had left, his eyes wild with desperation. Silence filled the air as Shen refused to speak, and the only sound that followed was the faint, struggling breaths escaping him.

"Forgive me," Elijah's tone was sharp, the cruel irony in his words unmistakable. "I'm having difficulty hearing you." He squeezed Shen's throat even tighter, his anger manifesting physically, leaving Shen gasping for air.

"I'd... rather... die," Shen managed to rasp, his voice barely a whisper. And with one last surge of defiance, he yanked himself free from Elijah's grip, his body weak and collapsing to the ground. In a final act of rebellion, he removed his daylight ring. The moment the ring left his finger, Shen's body ignited in flames, burning him alive.

Hayley, Marcel, and Elijah stood frozen in shock, watching as Shen Min was consumed by fire, his defiance leading him to a swift and agonizing death. The smell of burning flesh lingered in the air, and the courtyard fell silent.

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Rhea strolled through the streets, her mind on anything but the impending doom that shadowed the Mikaelson family. She had no interest in their endless cycle of conflict, nor did she care for the family drama that always seemed to reach her. But as she headed toward the bar, her path was suddenly blocked by none other than Hayley Marshall, standing firmly in her way.

"Rhea," Hayley's voice was clipped, urgent. "We need to talk."

Rhea raised an eyebrow, her expression tinged with annoyance. "Oh, this sounds serious." Her voice dripped with sarcasm as she folded her arms over her chest. "Let me guess—the usual Mikaelson melodrama? Lives on the line, blood debts to be paid, that sort of thing?" She looked Hayley up and down, fully expecting a dramatic story. When Hayley remained silent, her eyes darkening, Rhea's smirk faltered. "Well, that sounds like a problem... for them. Now, if you'll excuse me." Rhea moved to sidestep her, but Hayley quickly extended her arm, stopping her in her tracks.