Void

2.18

I sat at the table by Mum. Klaus asked, "Isn't that the point of a fortress?" I felt indifferent about this matter at hand due to the fact that Hayley should be allowed some freedom, but also, Dahlia was trying to get to us. "It does a better job of protecting you when you stay within its walls."

Hayley snapped, "Ok, we get it. Let's just figure out what the hell we're going to do."

Klaus started, "What I would like to do is take a strong leash"

Elijah cut him off, "Children, please." Klaus' bickering ways were starting to get old, and I didn't even have to endure them for 1,000 years. "Niklaus, your ire is justified, however, Hayley is quite right. We need to find a new strategy."

I shook my head, "Whoa, whoa, whoa. Daliah isn't just an old wives tale now?"

Elijah denied, "No."

Mum assured, "She's not going to touch you."

I looked at Freya, "But she wants me and Hope." Freya looked at me. "Why? I mean it's got to be more than just some promise, right?"

Freya admitted, "She needs your power to become the most powerful witch."

I questioned, "So, theoretically, I am stronger than her?" Freya nodded. "I say we let her come and let her attack. If I'm stronger, then she doesn't stand a chance."

Mum scoffed, "No, not in a million years."

Elijah sighed, "Freya, if you please."

Freya looked away from me and to him, "This spell you described, Dahlia calls it 'kenning.'" I had heard of kenning before, and it was something I had tried to use, but horribly failed. "Using proxies to watch her enemies from afar. But I've never seen it done on quite this scale."

Hayley groaned, "Awesome." This meant that we all had to be careful. "So basically every hurricane chugging, boob flashing tourist on Bourbon street is a potential spy."

Freya sat the tray with teacups and the teapot on it down on the table. Freya assured, "The good news is I know a little bit about how her magic works." What really mattered is if her knowledge would help us end Dahlia. "This tonic will at least prevent her from using any of us."

Freya sat down. Freya and Mum each took a cup while the rest of us watched. Mum scoffed, "Well, come on. Should work like a charm." Elijah took a seat as I grabbed a cup. Mum raised her cup as Elijah and Hayley each took one. "Bottoms up."

We all drank from the cups except for Elijah, who held his out to Klaus. Klaus only stared, so Elijah asked, "Niklaus, is there something you wish to contribute?"

Klaus walked over and shrugged, "I prefer biscuits with my tea."

Elijah rolled his eyes as Klaus took a seat. Elijah lowered the cup, "Of course."

Klaus pointed out, "Besides, our minds are far too strong to be invaded by kenning spells." Elijah drunk from the cup. "No, what we experienced was a test. Dahlia's watching to see how we respond to aggression. She's preparing for battle. My guess is sooner rather than later."

Hayley countered, "Well if she was watching us she'd know we have our own army."

Elijah added, "She also knows where we are. Give the immense nature of her power, we simply have no idea what to expect from her." We needed a different strategy if we were to end Dahlia and stop her from trying to take myself and Hope. "What we need is to create a new stronghold, something that Dahlia knows nothing about. A sanctuary from any witchcraft."

I knew a spell for that. Freya butted in, "That's a fine strategy. I offer another." I looked at her. "We could use Jackson to trace her magic back to its source. Find out exactly where she is."