[ Chapter Thirty-Three ]

THE DAY BEFORE turned out the be one of the best Ryan had in a long time. He spent the day with his Aunt Freya, stuffing their faces with cheeseburgers and fries, before they roamed around the town of Mystic Falls. An average society unaware of the supernaturals who lived right under their noses.

All Ryan's life, he heard stories about the place where his dad met his Aunt Hayley. Where they fought against reckless vampires, a werewolf turned hybrid, a witch, a doppelgänger, and a few humans. A strange combination of creatures, but Ryan did not judge.

They settled into the vacant Mikaelson Mansion built by Klaus on the outskirts of town, and other spots that held a significance for their family. Where his father and his siblings lived as humans over a millennium ago, the same place they were turned into Original vampires, and where his uncle, Henrik, died. Not the happiest trip down memory lane, but Ryan wanted to know everything that made Mystic Falls such an important town.

With the mansion located a half a mile away from the Salvatore School, Ryan made the trek to see Hope earlier the next morning. He could not sleep much, and neither could Hope, according to her many texts. So, the two of them decided to meet up at a place Hope knew would be abandoned.

Ryan stood on the lowest level of the wall-less building dressed in a loose t-shirt, a pair of basketball shorts, and tennis shoes. Attire Hope suggested he wear, considering they were about to have a little fun. "Ready for this?" he questioned his sister.

Hope smirked from where she stood at his side, also dressed in athletic clothing. Leggings and a tight jacket. "I was born ready, little brother."

Ryan smiled and raised his hands. "Catch me if you can." He snapped his fingers, forcing his body to blink out of sight and reappear on the highest level of the building.

Hope did not waste a moment as she kicked off the floor and launched herself toward the low hanging beams. She pulled her body up with ease, jumping to reach the bottom of the third level walkway.

Ryan watched her speed in his direction, before he snapped his fingers again. He plopped onto the lowest floor, claiming his victory in the race. "Yes! I win!" he cheered, punching his fist in the ar. When a whistle of wind answered, he paused and looked up to where Hope should have been. She was nowhere to be seen. "Hope?"

A yelp slipped through Ryan's lips when a thud sounded behind him and arms wrapped around his chest.

Hope laughed. It echoed throughout the hollowed out structure as released her hold on her brother. "Oh, that was great!" she exclaimed, moving to grab her water bottle set on a chair.

"You almost gave me a heart attack!" Ryan whirled around and called after her.

Hope took a swig of her water and then set the bottle back down. "I'm pretty sure it is physically impossible for you to have a heart attack. You'd heal before something liked that happened."

"Doesn't help me. Like - at all," Ryan exclaimed, dropping his hand from where his heart continued to beat fast in his chest. "And anyway, I got back to the ground before you caught me. So, I still win."

Hope pressed her lips together and said, "we should really make it a rule that you can't use magic. I think it's kind of cheating."

Ryan huffed. "You use your vampire abilities. That's the same thing. Still magic."

"Well, that's nothing compared to what I'll be able to do when I turn on my werewolf side." Hope gestured to her brother. "And I don't even want to know what you'll be able to do. You know, with your weird Hollow magic."

"Right," Ryan drawled, not quite sure how to respond to her comment. They never spoke of their werewolf sides. "Has Aunt Hayley ever talked to you about turning?"

Hope shrugged. "A little. And I - I have friends. The whole - killing a human part sounds kind of rough. But..."

"No, I'm talking about the breaking all of our bones part," Ryan cut her off.

Hope nodded, although with a little hesitance. "Yeah, I kind of forgot about that." Her expression fell.

Ryan scoffed. "How could you forget about that? It's like - the most important part. Mom tried to explain it before, but she's not a werewolf, so she doesn't really know. And Dad, well - he's only ever fully transformed completely once."

"Just - um - don't worry about that right now." Hope shook her head. "It's not like we're going to turn tomorrow, or something," she said and released a tight chuckle.

Ryan let out one of his own. "I guess you're right."

_______

Raylynn swiped her phone from her nightstand when she woke. She found several missed call and texts. Almost all of them from Klaus. Something must have gone wrong back in New Orleans, per usual.

Once she dressed for the day and moved out onto the balcony, not sure if Ryan had made it home from his trip to see Hope, Raylynn taped Klaus's contact name and lifted the speaker to her ear. The dial tone sounded for a few moments, before the call went through.

"Love?" Klaus answered.

"What in the hell is going on? I wake up, and it like all hell has broken loose," Raylynn exclaimed to her husband.

"We have a bit of a problem," Klaus breathed. Strained and filled with rage.

Raylynn picked up on it. "A bit? You sound like you're about to rip someone limb from limb?" She paused and asked, "you haven't ripped anyone limb from limb, have you?"

"I'm very close to it, actually," Klaus hissed. "The vampire called Greta Sienna gave me an ultimatum. Either I have Hope and Ryan bind their werewolf sides, or her lackeys kill Hayley."

Raylynn's heart almost leapt from her chest. "She wants them to what?"

"I cannot subject them to the curse placed upon me so long ago. I won't allow it," Klaus stressed each word.

Raylynn tightened her hold on the balcony railing. She closed her eyes and then said, "Klaus, if binding their werewolf sides is the only way to save Hayley..."

"Do you not remember how much I talked about the agony that curse caused in my life? It is a fate worse than death."

Raylynn sighed. "I get that. Believe me, I do. But if Ryan and Hope are not given the choice, knowing that not doing so will kill Hayley, they'll never forgive us. You most of all."

Klaus scoffed. "You sound like Marcel."

"Marcel happens to be right about this." Raylynn's brows creased. "Can't believe I just said that." She shook away the thought and continued. "Anyway, listen to him. Listen to me. Hope will not change her mind once she finds out, so you'll have her to deal with. But if I get to Ryan before Marcel or Hope, I'm sure I can talk him down."

"That still leaves Hope."

"Well, she did get both yours and Hayley's stubborn nature. If anyone is going to change her mind, it's going to be you and only you," Raylynn told him. "Look, this entire situation has become one ultimatum over another. If it comes down to it, kill Greta and we'll find her conspirators another way."

"And if they kill Hayley because of her death?" Klaus questioned.

Raylynn groaned, raised her hand to catch her head when it dropped. "God, I hate this!"

"We'll find her, love. One way or another," Klaus tried to reassure her.

Raylynn was not convinced, but she lifted her head and nodded. "You're right." They were quiet for a moment. "Okay, I'll talk to Ryan. You know Marcel is going to call Freya, so she'll talk to Hope."

"I'm already on it."

Once the call ended, Raylynn released a long breath and pocketed her phone. How did their lives turn into madness, again? Another one of Klaus's enemies wanted to destroy their family and livelihood for their own revenge.

Raylynn shook the thought away and reentered the room, leaving the balcony doors open to let the spring air in.

"Mom."

Raylynn turned to see her son in the main doorway. His brows furrowed as he saw her, or more so her demeanor.

"What's wrong?" Ryan questioned and quickened his pace to reach her side. "Did something happen? Is it Dad? Aunt Hayley," his words caught when he noticed his mother's expression waver. "Aunty Hayley? Did he find her? Is she..."

"Hey, calm down," Raylynn cut him off, stepping forward to set her hands on his shoulders. "No, we still haven't found Hayley, but we may've found a lead."

Ryan's eyes lit up, and he smiled. "Really? That's great!"

"Hold on," Raylynn said to draw his attention back to her. "We have a lead, but - there's a problem."

"What kind of problem?" Ryan asked with creased brows.

Raylynn sighed and led her son over to the bed. "Sit down. We have some things to talk about."

_______

When Raylynn finished in her recount about the supremist vampire, Greta, and her ultimatum to get Hayley back, Ryan did not know what to think. Someone wanted him and his sister to bind their werewolf sides in exchange for Hayley. If they did not, she would die.

How was he supposed to take something like that?

"I know you want to help your Aunt Hayley, but..." Raylynn began, until her son spoke.

"We have to help her," Ryan said. "If this is the only way..."

"You could die, Ryan!" Raylynn exclaimed.

Ryan fell silent at his mother's outburst. He had never seen her so upset. Never to the extent he saw her in that moment.

Raylynn shot up from the bed to stand in front of her son. "The spell to weaken your werewolf side could kill you. It's dangerous and will take away a part of who you are."

"A part I don't even know," Ryan said and rose to his feet. "And who knows if it's even there in the first place. We all know Hope's is there. Aunt Hayley was a werewolf before she became a hybrid, and Dad's half one. But me, I don't even know what I am."

"Ryan..."

"No," Ryan cut her off. "I can't sit back and let something happen to Aunt Hayley, and neither will Hope. We can't just let her," his breathing increased as he said, "we need to do this."

_______

Raylynn hated everything in that moment. She hated the purist vampires and their extremist ideals. She hated that bitch of a woman named Greta Sienna. And as she stood outside of the building dubbed the Old Mill, she kind of hated Freya Mikaelson.

Raylynn had her arms crossed over her chest. Expression placid, unreadable to her sister-in-law, son, and niece. Her stare stayed on Freya, watching the blonde witch ready the spell that would bind both Hope and Ryan's werewolf sides. She collected the ingredients that morning when she learned about Greta's terms. The spell was difficult, so it needed to be perfect.

Despite their deadest ways, Raylynn tried her hardest to talk Ryan and Hope out of going through with the spell. But no matter what she said, the two of them were too stubborn to give up. They had way too much of their father inside of them.

Freya placed the ingredients on a tall stump in a clearing directly in front of the Old Mill building. Next to her, a blazing fire flared in the shape of a pentagram. Ready for her to use to complete the ritual.

Hope stood in front of her, bleeding into a bowl, with her brother at her side. The process was tedious and painful, considering her healing ability prevented the wound for lasting longer that a few seconds. "There's gotta be an easier way to do this," she stated as she sliced into her hand for the dozenth time.

"Your blood is the key," Freya said, proceeding to study the spell laid out on the stump. "Just need enough to soak the moonstone." She picked up an opaque stone from a small, wooden box and then dipped it into the bowl of Hope's blood. It turned a crimson red when she pulled it out and began to chant, "anima marcam. Iskoristi vuka. Anima marcam. Iskoristi..."

"That word," Hope voiced, interrupting her aunt. "Marcam. What does it mean?"

Raylynn pressed her lips together and exchanged a look with Freya.

Both Hope and Ryan noticed.

"To mark?" Hope translated the word herself.

Raylynn nodded, moving to stand next to Freya. They needed to know everything they were about to endure. "The drenched stone is heated and used to brand the inflicted."

"Brand us? Where?" Hope and Ryan questioned together.

Freya sighed. "The palms of both hands, the soles of both feet, and the sight of the third eye chakra," she stated, raising a hand to point at the spot between Hope's eyes.

Hope's expression morphed into one of horror. Ryan's did the same.

"And Hope, Ryan, listen to me," Freya demanded, meeting their gazes. "You can't pas out or ever stop breathing, okay?"

"And if we do?" Ryan asked as his chest began to rise up and down at a faster pace.

Raylynn held in the need to drag her son away from Freya and lock him in his room until the whole mess was done and over with. Instead, she said, "don't. Alright? You stay awake."

Freya released a long breath. "If you ever want me to stop..."

"No," Hope interjected in a stern tone. "Just do it."

"Hope, I..."

"Do it!"

Freya pressed her lips together and glanced toward Raylynn. The shared an uneasy stared, before the blonde turned back to the children and picked up a set of metal tongs. "Anima marcam. Iskoristi vuka. Anima marcam. Iskoristi vuka," she chanted and picked up the blood covered moonstone to bring over to the fire. "Anima marcam. Iskoristi vuka." She held it in the flames, letting it become scorching hot.

Raylynn set her eyes on the children. Ryan looked to his aunt with wide eyes. She knew that he did not want to repress his werewolf side. He just wanted his Aunt Hayley back, and he did not want to let his big sister down. Now that he realized what the spell included, Raylynn could tell that he had second thoughts.

"Anima marcam. Iskoristi vuka." Freya moved back over to the stump with the red hot stone clutched between the tongs. "Anima marcam. Iskoristi vuka." She held it up, aiming for Hope's forehead.

Hope did her best to look determined, read to take the agony that would follow as soon as the stone touched her skin. She took a deep breath, gripping the stump until her knuckles turned white.

Before Freya could touch Hope with the moonstone, Ryan shouted and raised his hand. "Stop!" he shouted, sending a burst of green sparks out of his palm to knock the tongs from his aunt's hand. The stone fell to the grass and stuck to the green blades.

A gust of wind followed Ryan's command as someone sped into the clearing. Raylynn stepped back when she saw Klaus appear and shove Freya from the stump.

"I will not let my past become your future, do you understand?" Klaus exclaimed toward his children. When neither of them answered, too in shock about their father's sudden appearance, his voiced raised, "do you understand?!"

"Hey, whoa!" Raylynn yelled, rushing forward to capture the hybrid's attention. He snapped toward her, but she held her arms up in a surrender. "I'm on your side, remember?"

Klaus seemed to collect his composure for a split second, until his attention turned to his sister.

Freya gave him a dull stare as she breathed, "did Marcel or Ray tell you?"

"It doesn't matter. A thousand years of family has taught me to expect betrayal from those I hold most dear," Klaus stated, pointing toward the children. "Bind them? Really?" He shook his head. "How many times have you heard me rail against the shame our parents gave me?"

"How many times have you heard me cry, devastated about my life without my mother?" Freya countered.

Raylynn sealed her mouth shut. Years of living with the Mikaelson family told her not to insert herself into their sibling squabbles.

The two of them stared at each other. As they did so, the air changed around them. Raylynn shifted her stare from the siblings to the trees. Their leaves began to wither and wilt, as did the grass at their feet faded into a dull grey. All the foliage died in a large circle, encasing Hope and Klaus.

"Klaus, you have to go," Raylynn voiced, noticing what was happening. The Hollow's magic. They were too close. Klaus faced her, following her hand as she pointed to the dead ground. "You can't stay here any longer." She gestured to Hope, who continued to stare between with in shock.

Klaus looked to his wife and nodded. He pivoted on his heel, storming toward his children. "Ryan, Hope, listen to me." He stopped across from the stomp. "This ends - now," he told them, before he took the bowl of Hope's blood in his hands and sped from the clearing.

As soon as he left, the decay of the grass and tress stopped. Hope pressed her lips in a deep scowl, while Ryan's mouth dropped open.

"But, I wasn't going to do it," Ryan muttered with his gaze on his mother.

Raylynn sighed. "I know, little king. I know."

<May 15, 2019>

Enjoy this chapter, because its the last one before a sole-crushing heartbreak threatens to end us again.

Y'all, I'm not ready to rewrite the rest of this book. This will be my first time going through this pain since Season 5 aired. I'm gonna lose it.

Don't forget to vote and comment.

-Jordan

P.S. Unedited chapter.