WARNINGS: RACIAL ABUSE, BLOOD, DEATH AND TORTURE

┌─────── •✦• ───────┐

Sunday, March 19th, 1918

LOSS is a harsh reminder that no matter how hard you love someone, they can slip from your grasp and disappear like they never existed at all.

It took everything in Adrienne not to burn the city to the ground.

Not only did her beloved friend lose her life, but her brother was missing as was Marcel.

Wolves had been slaughtered, dozens of humans were mutilated and souls were crushed.

Word had spread of the events that took place, ultimately bringing the leaders of the factions and as well their advisors together, ready to eliminate the axe murderer once and for all.

─────── •✦• ───────

Each faction gathered around the round table in the church attic, all as distressed and tiresome as the other.

Standing or sitting around the minute they arrived, silence prevailed. Whether the grief and sadness were too much to bear, it was frightening to even utter a word, or their reality would settle in and would have to deal with the truth.

Tears had stained the Équilbre witch's cheeks, even more so when they had to explain what happened to Kali who arrived moments later, with an uneasy expression.

Klaus stayed close to Adrienne, as she did him. He didn't cry, although she could feel a trembling body next to her. So she slipped her hand into his. It did not calm him, nor did it calm her, it was only so they knew that the other was near.

Rebekah stood behind Kol and Elijah, wanting to conceal her fear, worry and sadness for her fallen friend.

William didn't bother to express his distaste for those who surrounded him, luckily a few of his pack members survived, but he didn't focus on that, all he felt was pain and anger towards those who were behind the events that had rendered the city far more frightened than usual. He did not doubt a witch was at fault, he just needed to know which one.

Not only was the Crescent wolf pack there, but some were a few members of the Malaux pack, even Easton who mustered up the courage to show.

Clarence was grateful that his friends had survived the attacks so far, as well as his brother and family. Emerson was by his side, aware of his fear of supernaturals.

Clasping his hands together, Elijah decided to break the silence, "Shall we begin?"

Most people turn to him, sceptical and angry, not knowing if they could trust anyone.

Easton cleared his throat and asked, "What do you suggest?"

"Slaughter that bastard," William stated bluntly, curling his hand into a first.

Kol stifled his laugh and turned away.

"Oh gee what an original idea," Valerie quipped, much to the Creasant wolves' displeasure.

"He's a ghost," Klaus said, keeping his gaze on his and Adrienne's interlocked hands.

"A witch or witches are controlling them," Clementine informed.

"A witch is usually behind it," William muttered.

"Oh like the with witch hunters?" Adrienne rebutted, drawing his attention.

Ignoring her words, the Kenner wolf pressed, "How do we know that it's not you that is the alleged puppeteer?"

Adrienne cocked her head to the side, "What did you say?"

"You always state your distaste for wolfs. Hypocritical don't you think? Since you're getting ploughed by one."

His words earned him glares from half of the room and Adrienne's eyes almost faded black.

Klaus looked up and leaned forward, with rageful and unforgiving eyes, "Say another word. Go on, if it's your aim for me to make the axe murderer's crimes look like child's play, keep it up, mate."

Elijah stiffly nodded, "I agree with my brother, it is not wise to make an enemy out of us. Not now and especially on such a grievous occasion. Might I suggest that you keep your opinions to yourself, regarding matters that certainly do not involve someone like yourself. There are only so many Wolves with beating hearts, it bests for you to keep your numbers so that will continue."

A few wolves shifted in their chairs, whilst William kept his mouth shut.

"Then how should we proceed?" Emerson hesitantly asked.

"He's already butchered dozens of people," Clarence said, pinching the bridge of his nose.

"He revealed his end goal, we have proof of that," Rebekah stated.

"What is it?" Easton wondered as he had not seen the note the axe murderer left.

Adrienne sighed, "To get me to give up my crown."

William scoffed, "Then why don't you?"

Klaus abruptly stood up and slammed his hands down on the table, distracting them all from Kol speeding across the room and wrapping his hands around William's neck, causing the wolfs to stand and the humans to reel back.

"Didn't my brother tell you not to speak?" the manic glint that sparkled in Kol's eye rendered the pack leader terrified. He had never seen such a deranged look.

Kol heard the growls of the wolfs, but he did not care about getting bitten.

William's face threatened to turn purple the further he moved from the ground.

Easton and a few of his pack members felt the need to defend him, out of solidarity, but it would be hard to say if they would ever receive the same in return.

"Kol, stand down," Elijah ordered, then snapped his gaze towards the hybrid who seemed more enraged, "he's learnt his lesson, let him go."

Tears filled Williams' eyes and it wasn't long before a wolf attacked Kol, causing Rebekah to flash near her brother and break the arm their arm.

Clarence moved further away, pulling Emerson to the side as leg chairs were broken off and shot through the air, hoping that it would be embedded in any original's stomach.

Elijah caught them with effortless ease and without losing his composure. It was Klaus' turn to stick his arm into the chest of two more wolfs who pushed his sister.

And after a few more minutes the witches rolled their eyes at everyone's antics and pulled them apart.

William finally fell to the ground, wheezing as he backed away from the arranged original, who turned to the witches in disdain. Elijah offered his half-brother his handkerchief, noting he didn't have his, whilst Rebekah huffed and walked back to where she once stood.

"If only we direct this energy to our enemies," Valerie muttered.

"You are our enemies," a wolf mumbled, earning a glare from the majority and an agreeing nod from Clarence.

"Can we start plotting ways to get back our loved ones or do you need to speak out of turn again William?" Adrienne questioned, hoping she would not receive a response and thankfully she didn't. So she clapped her hands and ushered everyone to return to their places, if their chairs were not broken, "let's begin."

─────── •✦• ───────

The vast map of the city covered the table, showcasing where the axe man had attacked and how many victims he'd taken.

It had been almost two hours since the Mikaleons and Équilbre witches had been notified of Hadeon Lumière and Marcellus Gerard's absence, as well as Mira Tate's death and Adrienne was struggling to keep it all together.

There had been at least a few more quarrels between the supernaturals, more threats were dished out and fortunately, all limbs were intact.

Melinda was the one to inform Adrienne of some fallen french quarter witches from her small shared apartment.

Everything was going to shit and it was only a matter of time before they lost a member of the council.

The wolves stood debating, whilst the humans conversed about what they could potentially do to help, whilst the witches and Mikaelsons continued to analyse the map.

"How many skulls were placed throughout the city?" Rebekah asked, playing with her fingers. she couldn't just stand off to the side and do nothing, she had to be involved or her pessimistic thoughts would take over.

Mira is dead. Marcel and Hadeon have been taken.

"Marie said at least twenty. Mainly around tourist attractions," Adrienne pointed to each one, "Jackson square, new canal lighthouse, Lafayette Square, Lafayette Park, Algiers Point, even by lake Pontchartrain."

"What about the new Urselane convent?"

The question made them all turn to Kali.

Valerie rolled her eyes, "Why would Ms Laveau protect a nunnery?"

"It's sacred," Kali gritted.

"To you."

"We're in a church," Kali snapped at the LaMarche witch, while the others merely rolled their eyes at them.

Valerie couldn't help but mutter, "My god."

Kol leaned forward at stared at the pair, "Ladies, I cannot believe these words are leaving my mouth, but please, we do not have time for little spats."

"And I can't believe I'm saying this... Kol is right," Rebekah added, shrugging when her brother gave her an offended look.

"The Saint Louie cemetery is covered, but considering many of the places where the axe man has hit were religious, maybe would could lore him out there," Adrienne suggested.

Elijah hummed, "Perhaps a cathedral?"

"Which one?" Klaus impatiently asked, fiddling with his family ring and keeping a hand on Adrienne's waist.

They all turned to the Sinclair witch who appeared more uncomfortable than usual. Feeling eyes on her she glanced up and asked, "What?"

Valerie scoffed, "So now you're silent on all things religious?"

Kali shot her a glare, "I'm cautious."

"Everyone is!"

"Stop screaming at me!"

"Both of you shut up." Adrienne snapped, startling them and even a few of the wolves in the corner of the room.

She was trying to keep her emotions contained, many were but it proved harder with time closing in.

Her friend is dead. Her brother and Marcel have been taken.

Klaus shuffled closer and wrapped an arm around her. Usually, his contact would decrease the pressure in her chest, but it didn't. It couldn't. Too much was at stake.

Reaching over, Adrienne grabbed her closest friend's hand,  "Kal, don't worry. I won't let anything happen to you, besides you won't be bait," she attempted to reassure her.

Kali's eyes carried more than grief, something much darker. Klaus and Valerie noticed she was far more anxious than everyone else. As the others went back to plotting, they exchanged a look and then turned back to the map.

It wasn't long before the werewolf and human factor returned to the table.

"We've been told that there is a lovely display in Christ Church cathedral," William announced after using the only phone available to talk to his wife.

Easton added, "All his most recent victims were sprayed out in the eleven, eleven."

"Fuck," Emmerson mumbled, saying what they were all thinking.

Clarence rubbed the back of his neck, "We have to act fast."

"Do we even have a plan?"

Adrienne bobbed her head, "Whoever is controlling the axe man is using dark magic, so we have to counter it the same way."

"Vodou," Kol stated, with his grin unsettling many wolves.

"Correct," Adrienne nodded

Klaus explained, "Lore this coward out, so we can find Marcel, Hadeon and all the other presumed hostages."

"Then use a spell to capture him-"

"Before he can kill again." the couple said in unison, surprising everyone with their dark tone.

"But what do we do about whoever is controlling him?" William asked, eyes darting between the couple.

"It's not long until the puppeteer is revealed," Adrienne noted, rather angrily.

Klaus hummed, "And when we do discover them, killing and slaughtering their loved ones is evidently the next step in retribution."

"Lovely," Clementine agreed, earning many unnerved looks and even a smirk from the Mikaelsons.

"Öga för öga," the hybrid voiced as a sinister smile appeared on his face.

All confused eyes were on him.

"That wasn't English," Emerson stressed, running his hands over his face. He was tired and just wanted his friends back, and nothing was making sense.

Kol rolled his eyes, "Because it isn't."

"An eye for an eye." Adrienne translated, drawing a proud smile from her partner. She learnt a few Swedish phrases after Klaus told her about an artist he had discovered.

Easton raised a brow at their coupling. He could smell Klaus' scent all over her and had since his very first meeting with the queen witch. It was potent, no wonder why they were so in sync.

The Mikaelsons were not surprised by her knowledge, nor were Valerie and Clementine, however, the rest of the room was more confused and frustrated than ever.

"Doesn't an eye for an eye make the world blind?" Kali asked after heartbeats had passed.

Adrienne shrugged, "It's already ignorant and destructive, chucking in blind won't hurt..."

Klaus' smile didn't falter, "But I believe ripping out their hearts and feeding it to their loved ones should suffice."

"Yeah, that will hurt."

A nod of agreement spread throughout the dimly lit room. 

"But wait how do we lore him out, who will be the bait?" Clarence questioned.

That was part of the plan Klaus hadn't thought of, but judging from the way Adrienne avoided his eyes, he knew.

"Me," she reluctantly said, "I'm the bait."

─────── •✦• ───────

"Absolutely not" Klaus laughed at the notion.

"I can't believe I'm agreeing with him, but don't be a simpleton Adri," Valerie added.

They exchanged a glare, then stared expectingly at the Lumière who rolled her eyes.

"The axeman wants me. Does anyone have another plan?" Adrienne asked and was hoping to receive silence but she was bombarded by a variation of voices.

Emerson raised his hand, "It doesn't seem smart."

"She's our queen, do not insult her," Kali snapped at him, causing him to raise his hands in surrender.

"Even the human agrees," Klaus exclaimed pointing at a wide-eyed Emerson.

"I cannot believe I agree with him," Kol murmured to himself.

"I can't think of anything else to do," Clementine awkwardly said and Adrienne pointed to her in agreement.

Elijah turned to his seething brother, "She's powerful Niklaus."

Rebekah nodded, "Very powerful."

"I do not care," Klaus hissed.

And that caused an uproar among the siblings.

William kept his mouth shut, knowing if he didn't he would lose his tongue. The rest of his pack remained silent also.

"Are you confident with this?" Easton asked hesitantly, staring at the queen witch.

Adrienne gulped, "Yes."

"Have you thought this through?" Clarence's inquiry grabbed Klaus' attention.

"We haven't got time for anything else."

"That isn't a yes," the hybrid snidely remarked.

Adrienne didn't want to listen anymore, she had to act quickly.

Turning to her witches, she instructed, "Val, Kal, Find the right spell, anything regarding a person's soul, dissecting it from their human form is useful. Make sure you translate it to Haitian Creole if it's in Latin," her tired tone nearly caused Valerie to object, but she nodded along Kali. "There are a few vampires outside, take them and get your grimoires and bring them to Saint Louis Cathedral. Everyone will join you soon."

They grabbed their coats and left, not before Valerie shot her and Clementine a sullen look.

Adrienne forced herself to turn to the wolfs and ignore the complaints from her partner. She loves Klaus, but this was the only way. Fortunately, Rebekah and Elijah were keeping him occupied. Whilst Clementine and Kol checked the time.

"William, Easton is there any way that you could work alongside the Guarrera family?"

The two pack leaders shared an irked expression, silently debating whether or not to put centuries of history aside for one night. They hummed then turned to the witch queen and stiffly nodded.

Adrienne let out an exacerbated sigh, "Good, we'll need as many people as possible. For some reason, the Axe Murderer ain't stopping tonight."

"He's making up for a lost time," Easton grimaced at the thought.

"Killing anything and anyone in his path," William mused.

Adrienne clasped her hands together, "Have at least five of wolfs posted around every corner of Saint Louie Cathedral. If the Guarreras have anything to say about that tell them to take it up with me."

"We're on it boss," Easton responded as he and William motioned for the wolves to file out.

Adrienne nervously shifted as she turned to the humans. She could hear Clementine trying to calm down Klaus, much to her appreciation, but she could tell it was not working.

"What do we do?" Emmrson nervously questioned, stepping up with Clarence. Sweat drenched his forehead and seeped through his dress shirt, Fuck was he scared.

"You're armed. Unlike most of us, the fuzz will not touch either of you if you shoot," Adrienne stated the obvious.

Clarence scoffed, "The cops better not say a thing tonight."

"They won't if you round up your friends and stand alongside the wolfs."

Emerson vigorously nodded, "We'll do our thing, Ms Adrienne."

He grabbed his friend and the pair raced out of the house.

Adrienne grimaced at their excitement, even swearing she caught the glistening joy in Clarence's eyes when he was instructed to use a gun.

Walking over to her friend, Clementine narrowed her eyes, "Is it just me or did they look far too happy to be handling some heat?"

"A problem for a different day."

Adrienne quickly realised it was only a few of them left in the room; the Mikaelsons being the majority.

Klaus' eyes hadn't left her since she announced her plan. He knew better than to raise his voice, yet that was the only thing he wanted to do. To him, she was being reckless and it could cost her life.

His friend is dead. Marcellus and Hadeon have been taken.

He gritted his teeth and turned around to face the lonely window in the attic, whilst his siblings joined Adrienne's side.

"Eli, I trust you have some elite-trained vampires at the ready."

A stricken expression breached his face, only his siblings seemed to understand why nevertheless he nodded.

"That I do," he responded.

"Take Clem and the vampires to retrieve a voodoo doll of the axe man that Deon made. It's stored in Lumiere estate, in his room closet."

Worry furrowed at Clementine's brows, '"Won't it be spelled shut?"

"It will but it is not blood bound, so you can access it."

Taking Clementine's hand firmly in his, Elijah sped out of the room.

Adrienne glanced at the blonde original, who kept fiddling with her fingers. She couldn't stop, even though they were getting closer to being rid of the axeman.

"Bex, you will need to stay close to Val and Kali, they will need to use you."

"Why?" she asked, not understanding what Adrienne meant.

"They're strong, but channelling an original will help," the witch hesitantly replied, feeling guilty for the suggestion.

Rebekah timidly nodded, "Anything to win."

"Thank you."

She flashed out of the room, leaving Adrienne to turn to Kol.

The youngest Mikaelson brother suppressed a smirk because watching her work under pressure was exhilarating.

"Kol."

"Your majesty."

She ignored him and continued, "If the spell works and we somehow extract the axeman's soul from his body, he will be just a man, not a ghost, you know, because of how strong he's become. His soul will go into the voodoo doll, but someone will have to hold it the entire time."

"I'll do it," he quickly agreed.

She was taken aback by his eagerness, "That easy, really?"

"It's practice for when I get my magic back, darling."

"Good, thank you," she shot him a smile before he left.

She was nervous by how quiet Klaus was being, well that was until he let out a humourless laugh, which made her cringe.

"Adrienne a word."

She rolled her eyes at his condescending tone.

"Yes, Niklaus?"

He quickly sped in front of her, studying how she tiredly blinked up at him. Bags took up residence under her eyes, her cheeks were strained with grief and worry, yet she still managed to look perfect to him.

"You are not putting your life at risk," he bluntly stated.

"And you don't get to tell me what to do."

"That rule doesn't apply when you're walking into a bloody trap."

"It's clever," she gritted and took a step back, using her arms to hug herself.

Swiping his tongue over his teeth, Klaus took a step towards her, "I'm not letting you do this, not now, not when too much is at stake. I can not let you do this, too much has already gone extensively wrong. Marcellus might be..." he angrily trailed off, worried where his words might lead him.

"Oh honey, don't you get it? You'll be beside me, hidden with an invisibility spell of course."

He stared at her with a blank stare, trying to process her words.

Shock washed over him, "Hold on..."

Adrienne sighed, "I am not an idiot."

"Why did you not say before?" he stressed, tugging her closer.

"Because I don't trust everyone to know every stage of the plan."

He raised a curious brow, "Not even your witches?"

"I never said that," she ignored his growing smirk and snaked her arms around his neck, "no one can know our every move."

"Three steps ahead so we're out of reach," he recited what she once told him, staring down at her in awe.

"Three steps ahead so we're out of reach."

"Besides, it's you and me until hell freezes over right?" she mustered up a smile as her eyes glossed over.

"Until hell freezes over," he repeated, pressing a kiss to her forehead.

A single tear escaped her eye, "We need to get Deon  and Marcel back, we have to get them back before anything else happens."

"I won't let anything happen to you or them. I promise, trust me when I say this."

Suddenly she winced, feeling her stomach clench and churn.

"What's wrong?" he panicked.

"I'm battling against mother nature it seems," she groaned, frustrated that she started her monthly torture earlier than normal.

It would not be the first time Klaus had to deal with her monthly mood swings and the blood wasn't an issue either. After he took her virtue and she bled, it did not faze him, he was rather proud than anything, much to her chagrin. He caught a slap because of his grinning, nevertheless, it did not falter.  So now, he knew all too well, to give her whatever she desired and keep his mouth shut.

He moved closer, rubbing her sides and down her lower back. It never did anything, but she thought it was sweet.

"I love you," he whispered.

She rested her head against his chest, "I love you too."

"We'll get them back."

"We fucking better."

─────── •✦• ───────

"But I tell you that it will be more bearable for Sodom on the day of judgement than for you!" the axeman raged as he walked through the shaken streets of New Orleans.

Blood stained the axe he swung in his hands as it also clung onto his suit and dried over his pale hands.

"The Lord will not come for you, I will eradicate the city of its plague."

Screams could be heard from the distance, which he relished.

A deep chuckle let his lips as he grew closer to his next destination.

"For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but sent them to hell, putting them in chains of darkness to be held for judgment!" he yelled, hoping everyone could hear him.

He did not fear anything, the dark spirit that resided within, only started as an idea, an opinion and turned into a belief, that strengthened with each kill, each slay, he was more powerful.

One step towards salvation and two steps away from damnation.

As he was more than a mere ghost or a premonition. He was the reckoning. Far stronger than he once was, far more powerful than he thought.

He wanted to cleanse the city of its sinners and filth.

His puppeteers were far more naive than they thought. He could no longer be controlled as the axe had cut the strings loose and led him to a path that he could choose.

The right path in his eyes.

Turning a corner, he grinned at the gates of Saint Louis cathedral. The ivory infrastructure would soon be glazed with crimson and stained for all eternity.

"I will come for you all!" he yelled, seeing figures run toward and around the building.

Before he could take another step, a voice echoed around him.

"Oh, Mr Axeman..."

His jaw clenched at the taunt.

"You don't look so good Mr Axeman!" the voice feigned concern as the sound of heels clicking against the floor grew louder.

His head snapped in various directions.

"Show yourself you bitch!" he snapped, furious that he didn't know where the owner of the voice was coming from.

"That's not very nice Mr Axeman," the feminine voice cooed as the steps grew closer, "didn't your mama raise you to have manners?"

His eyes darkened at the sound of her laughter, "Come out you coward before I slaughter your mother and have you watch!" he sneered, spinning on his heel trying to catch a glimpse of her.

"That's too bad."

"And why is that sinner?"

She cackled, "Because I already killed her!"

The axeman roared in anger, pacing up and down, disregarding the figures he could see within the gates of the cathedral.

"Come out and face me!" he screamed, gripping his axe.

The deafening footsteps finally halted, drawing his attention to a figure that stood only a few yards away from him.

As he took a menacing toward her, he smirked after recognising her features.

"The negress whore. You are brave for facing me," he paused, "coming alone? I thought your beast would be near."

He took another step closer and she took one back, drawing him towards the church in the distance.

"Me too, I guess he left me to fend for myself," Adrienne shrugged, maintaining sharp eye contact with the man who had been haunting her dreams.

A chill tickled her spine as she stared at him, he was everything that she was expecting. A mystery, but he seemed more familiar than she thought.

"You're far weaker than I was informed," he spat, disgusted at the sight of her.

His strides were longer than hers. Fortunately, he was treating her like prey. He wanted to play with her before he sent her to hell.

Raising a brow at his statement, she asked, "And who told you about me, your masters?"

"I have no master. I am everything and you are nothing."

She snorted, "You are a man."

The silhouette of the gates was reaching out for her, almost wanting to drag her back before he would capture her. She only hoped everything was in order.

Nothing could go wrong, lives were at stake, the city was under fire and it needed to be put out before he could strike once more.

"I am far more," he scoffed, "now kneel before me." he jabbed his axe in her direction, sending the blood of his victims towards her coat.

Adrienne grimaced despite not attempting to wipe it away.

"Oh, I assure you. You will be doing the kneeling."

He launched for her, raising his weapon high in the air, but she quickened her pace in time; breath hitching at the monstrous glint in his eyes.

"Bitch! Get here now so I can use you as the staple of my work."

She dryly chuckled, "Oh, how sweet."

"Or should I use your brother instead," he taunted, grinning after noticing the scowl growing on her face, "he will meet his end tonight."

"You dont know how wrong you are."

"You don't even know where he or that negro vampire is. But I trust you liked my gift. That little woman screamed for mercy right before I tore her head from its body."

He chuckled at the way her fingers coiled into her palms because he wanted her angry. Angry people were easier to kill, they were far more foolish than they believed.

"I assure you will do the same thing," she argued, trying to keep her composure as they neared the cathedral.

She couldn't use her magic just yet, the time wasn't right.

"Then come to me," he raged. "Let me give you a chance to save the city. Be the martyr and I'll let them all live," he proposed.

"Cockiness is not a good trait," she remarked.

His eyes narrowed, "Yet you have it."

"For good reason," a sly smirk grew on her lips, angering him further.

"I will tear your head from your body before you can get to my dirty hostages," he snapped, keeping his eyes directly on her.

"That's too bad."

She abruptly stopped walking, catching him off guard.

"Oh is it?"

"You'll have to catch me first."

In a flash she sped away, just as he was about to launch for her again, making a yell tear from his throat.

He eyed the cathedral, watching how the double doors swung open and slammed shut, earning a deep laugh from him.

"Fine, your death will prevail!" he stepped over the threshold of the gates, "By my hand. It shall prevail."

─────── •✦• ───────

Gunshots were heard out front, yet nobody dropped to the ground only the sounds of the shellings smacking the grit and concrete. It was frightening and foreboding.

Klaus settled Adrienne down on the church floor before she removed the spell she cast on him. Candles were placed all around, the Equilbre witches had set more of them up as they colluded in the centre of the room.

Elijah was quick to talk to his brother, whilst their sister stood near Valerie, ready to be channelled. Fortunately, they had found a spell, It would be tough and draining but they didn't care, too much was at stake for them not to try.

"May hell rain down on you all! And god spite you for the rest of eternity!" the axeman's voice was heard around the cathedral.

"Like I haven't heard that before," Adrienne said in a flat tone, clearly bored of the threats.

"Didn't Lou-Anne say that at your coronation?" Valerie asked her.

Kali didn't let her respond, "Ladies, we need to focus."

"Why does my magic feel weak in here?" Clementine thought aloud, panicked as they all turned to her.

Klaus and Elijah flashed over, waiting for what the other witches to say.

"Shit," Valerie cursed, clenching her fists.

"Bekah we need to start now," Adrienne stressed, turning to the blonde who nodded quickly.

Neither of them have ever felt their magic that weak before, how could this be? There was no way the axeman could have known.

As they finished setting up, the front doors slammed open, revealing the perpetrator, who gripped his axe tighter, with more blood covering him, causing them to slightly panic, not knowing who else he had slaughtered.

Elijah and Klaus eyed the man as he stood in front of the witches and their sister.

"You must be put to death you bitch," he hissed, then scanned the room, "All of you. I gave you a chance to hand yourself over to me. You didn't."

Klaus scoffed, "Did you really think I would let you touch her? A funny hat and crafty weapon couldn't possibly make you that delusional mate."

"Silence abomination. I did not come alone," the axeman chuckled as a few familiar men appeared next to him, eyes white and mouths slack, dripping with blood, "I took these heathens from you and turned them into my followers."

"And you think you can win against us?" Elijah asked in a bored tone.

Klaus gritted his teeth, angry at the sight of the vampires that he had protecting Adrienne. If they were under the control of the puppetmaster this entire time, that meant he had been putting the love of his life in danger.

The axeman continued to laugh as the screams of the wolves were heard outside, along with the ringing of gunshots.

"I am about to pour out my wrath on you and spend my anger against you. I will judge you according to your conduct and repay you for all your detestable practices."

Valerie blankly stared at him, "Eli, he didn't answer the question."

─────── •✦• ───────

The brothers lunged at the dazed vampires that appeared beside them, ripping out their hearts and tearing heads from bodies.

The axeman narrowed his menacing eyes on the witches, causing them to quickly turn to each other.

"Churches have never weakened us like this," Clementine whispered.

Valerie shot him a glare, "It's him. He's too strong."

"End the bastard," Adrienne breathed out as he started walking towards them.

A few controlled vampires came through ready to attack the witches, but it wasn't long until a dozen of Elijah's vampires sped in. Trained and ready to fight.

Vampire against vampire, death against death.

"Where's Kol?" asked Kali, panicked.

Clementine shook her head, "No time, start the spell."

"But-"

"Start the damn spell!" Adrienne yelled, looking at the axeman, who let out a battle cry as he rose his weapon to swing.

"retire lespriyo, libere lespri yo,"

"expelle spiritum suum liberam mentem suam."

Like a square, they stood before him, hands steady and held up, cautious of his attack. Adrienne quickly repeated the words as her eyes turned black.

It felt like their magic was being repelled, almost countered by his puppet master. Which meant they would have to try harder.

"retire lespriyo, libere lespri yo,"

"expelle spiritum suum liberam mentem suam."

Elijah and Klaus stayed alert as more injured werewolves made their way in, after presumably being attacked by the possessed vampires.

The axeman tried to fight against the magic, attempting to back away but the magic dragged him between the women.

"retire lespriyo, libere lespri yo,"

"expelle spiritum suum liberam mentem suam."

The wind picked up through the room, causing the candles to flicker and sway, almost sending a few people backwards.

"retire lespriyo, libere lespri yo,"

"expelle spiritum suum liberam mentem suam."

The axeman mustered up the strength to fight back and readied himself to launch at one of the witches. Fortunately, Rebekah sped towards him, reaching out and snapping his arm emitting a groan from the man as she held him in place. Klaus joined her and gripped his shoulder.

"retire lespriyo, libere lespri yo,"

"expelle spiritum suum liberam mentem suam."

Elijah tentatively took a step closer, cautious of the blood trickling from the witches' noses.

"retire lespriyo, libere lespri yo,"

"expelle spiritum suum liberam mentem suam."

More wolves piled into the church, stumbling as they did. Clarence was held up by Emerson, with blood that luckily didn't belong to either of them, clinging to their faces.

"retire lespriyo, libere lespri yo,"

"expelle spiritum suum liberam mentem suam."

The foundation of the building shook as the axeman tried to fight against the siblings, it wasn't long before his chest tensed and it felt like someone was gripping his heart, making him writhe in pain.

"It's working." Rebekah gritted out, slightly tired from being channelled.

"Where is Kol?!" Klaus yelled over the bubbling thunder heard around the church.

"retire lespriyo, libere lespri yo,"

"expelle spiritum suum liberam mentem suam."

Valerie scarily looked around as she mindlessly recited the spell.

She thought they were all out of luck until her eyes met those of Kol Mikaelson, who appeared next to her, with a doll in hand and his infamous grin on his face.

She had never felt so relieved.

"retire lespriyo, libere lespri yo,"

"expelle spiritum suum liberam mentem suam."

The axeman tossed his head back and gasped for breath, gagging and choking on air. He began crying out in pain as Kol drew closer and the witches chanted louder.

"retire lespriyo, libere lespri yo,"

"expelle spiritum suum liberam mentem suam."

With one more gasp, the axeman's eyes rolled back and his body went limp. Klaus sent one look towards his sister before they let him drop to the ground.

Kol felt the energy emitting from the doll, it was mean and deadly, unlike anything he ever felt before. Surprisingly, he couldn't wait to be rid of it.

It wasn't long before the witches' legs gave out and they slumped against whatever service they could reach.

"Never doing that again," Valerie muttered as she surveyed the area.

Klaus and Elijah quickly noted their weakened state and appeared next to them, holding them up before they could drop, the former even let the LaMarche witch lean on him.

"We're not finished," Rebekah stated, glancing at the last of the werewolves that walked in.

Adrienne blinked back her tiredness, "We never are."

─────── •✦• ───────

The injured parties took up refuge within the cathedral, continuing to mourn their dead and be thankful for their success, even though it didn't seem like they won anything.

The axeman's spiritual state was captured in a doll, that Kol placed in a small safe, so they could finally be rid of it all.

A few of Elijah's vampires picked up the body of the man who did not know where he was or what his name is.

"Take him to the abattoir, quickly," their sire insisted, not sparing them a glance as they hastily followed his orders.

Elijah turned around and walked back to the group that gathered near the altar. The witches rolled out a map, revealing the city, despite their exhaustion.

There was no rest for the wicked.

"Have you tried a locator spell?"

They turned to Emerson with a tired or annoyed look. The human avoided their gazes as he shrunk back.

Clarence cringed and patted his shoulder,  "Sonny..."

"That was the first thing I did and nothing came up," Adrienne mumbled, shooting him a soft look, knowing he didn't mean any harm.

"How could we find them?" Easton gently asked, earning an eye roll from the hybrid.

"My brother has been taken," William stressed, running his hands down his face.

"Do not say it like we had a part in it," Kali snapped, startling the group.

Klaus and Valerie shared another look, whilst Adrienne reached out and squeezed her closest friend's hand.

"We've all had people taken from us," Easton added, staring down at his trembling hands.

"Some more than others," Rebekah murmured, eyeing the wolf with disdain.

"Enough of the chatter," Kol huffed, pulling something out of his hidden pocket, making a few wolves reel back out of caution. He almost laughed at their reaction, but remembered himself, "It's a good thing I snatched Hadeon's voodoo doll, isn't it?"

He held up the doll and Adrienne couldn't help but smile.

Elijah sighed in relief, "Well done brother."

"What does it do?" Emerson cautiously asked, meanwhile Kol passed it to Valerie who gently laid it between the witches.

"Short explanation," Clementine started, "One of us needs to project into the doll of the person it imitates. We will then know where they are, by seeing through their eyes and also feeling whatever they feel."

"And who will do it?"

Klaus gritted his teeth, already knowing the answer. He turned to his beloved with sceptical eyes, please do not exhaust yourself more, my love. His lips did not move, but she knew what he was thinking.

"I'll do it," Adrienne breathed out, grabbing their attention.

"Do you have the energy to do that?" Clarence questioned as his brows pinched together.

"She doesn't. But her connection with Hadeon is the strongest here," Klaus reluctantly answered, senselessly grabbing her hand.

Adrienne hummed in agreement, "I have to do it."

Valerie didn't like it, but she knew her friend wouldn't have it any other way.

"Let's begin," she proposed.

A few moments later, Adrienne sat in the centre of the group, with Klaus on one side and Valerie on the other. Her chocolate brown eyes faded and flickered to black as she muttered a chant under her breath, focusing on the doll.

Kol stood with his arms crossed, not letting his eyes off the queen witch. Elijah stood with his witch and sister on either side of him, leaning their heads on his shoulders. The wolves grew tense by the whole ordeal, still not comfortable with the use of magic and they never will be.

The candles that surrounded them flashed, causing a cool breeze to spread through the Cathedral.

Klaus and Valerie gently held Adrienne's shoulders as they started to shake. The Mikaelsons all remembered the time when Hadeon was doing the same not too long ago and Rebekah had to hold Mira's hand because she was squirming in her seat. Oh, how things were different.

"Is it working?" William asked impatiently and Kol shot him another glare, daring him to speak again.

It had been an hour since they all colluded and thirty minutes since they had defeated the axeman and they all just wanted to get their loved ones home.

"It's only started," Klaus snapped, then turned back to Adrienne, feeling her body slowly relax.

"What do you see Adri?" Valerie gently asked, ignoring the wolf entirely.

"A pile of bodies in the middle of a dark room," Adrienne's trance-like voice made every one very uneasy.

"Marcel?" Rebekah mustered up the courage to ask, regardless of their situation, she would always want him safe.

Clementine nervously played with the skin around her fingers, before Elijah held her hand.

"No" Adrienne answered, making Klaus steadily breathe.

"What of the other bodies?" Easton spoke up.

"Their heads aren't attached."

Her words made them all panic and Emerson felt like he was going to be sick.

He nearly gagged, "Oh god."

"Where are they?" William asked, but they did not receive an answer.

Tears pooled in Rebekah's eyes, "Addy, can you see where?"

"Where are they?!" William demanded, shocking them.

"Don't shout at her!" Kol and Valerie yelled, and the former earned a few perplexed looks.

"Don't forget yourself, William," Klaus bitterly stated, ready to rip out his heart.

"Adri, can you see where?" Clementine gently asked as Valerie wrapped an arm around her queen.

"Bourbon Street," Adrienne barely made out the building, " The drinkery."

A few wolves already took off, not caring about the details.

Emerson scrunched up his face in confusion, "Why there?"

"Because it's right under our noses," Klaus angrily concluded.

─────── •✦• ───────

Brain-dead vampires guarded the room full of captives, staring into the distance, listening in to the screams they fed off of. 

A few wolves - of many ages - were bleeding out, fighting for their lives, begging their lord to save them.

Doused in vervains and bound to an old pipe, Marcel let out staggered breaths, forcing his eyes to stay awake. He had managed to move to slowly weaken the ropes and to sit in front of a body he recognised, concealing the horrific sight from his friend who sobbed in agony.

Hadeon wailed, already haven seen his lover's beautiful face ripped away from her body and he had no way of stopping it.

The assailant forced him to watch it all.

He was downing in his pain, but the bruises on his face didn't compare to the pain squeezing his heart.

He regretted not chasing Mira earlier, keeping his distance from Melinda and even picking up a drink that night.

What ifs? Filled his mind, it might've brought more torment, but Hadeon thought he deserved it.

The pounding in his head prevented him from hearing the commotion entering the drinkery

Kol bit into the necks and ripped the throats of many vampires, not caring whether or not they were on their side or not.

Klaus laugh darkly at the blood forming a man's mouth as he gripped onto his heart.

"Niklaus they're in the basement!" he heard his oldest brother's voice in the distance.

"No one hurts my family and lives," Klaus gritted, then sliced off the vampire's head with his arm, then joined his siblings.

The moment he and Kol reached the basement, more blood had been spilt. The Mikaelsons were fighting beside each other, moving in unison, treating the slayings like a creative dance.

Wolves quickly joined their side before the humans used their guns to shoot at the bolted black door.

It was no use, causing them to make way for the witches.

The puppetmaster had been smart, but not smart enough.

The Equilbre coven tiredly raised their hands, muttering a spell, chanting it to their best ability until the hinges ripped from the wood, creaking until it slammed on the ground.

The group wasted no more time as they ran into the vile-smelling room, some covered their mouth, even gagging at the stench of death.

The pile of headless bodies concealed the sight of the survivors.

Klaus swallowed the lump in his throat after finding his captive son, burnt by the vervain drenching his skin.

"Rebekah!" he screamed, hastily making his way towards him, quickly unbinding the ropes, ignoring the sizzling of his skin.

Marcel's groaning made him halt his movements.

Rebekah quickly aided her brother, letting her tears fall at the sight of him.

"I'm so sorry," Klaus sniffled, scared that he was causing more harm than good.

It wasn't long before Marcel was freed and he collapsed in the arms of his sire, gasping for clean air and blankly staring ahead, not taking note of his surroundings, nor could he.

Hadeon's wails caught their attention as he tried reaching for his headless lover, in his sister's hold.

Elijah and Kol tried blocking the sight because they also could not look at Mira... or what was left of her.

Clementine wept in Valerie's arms, whilst Kali stood with her hand covering her sobs.

Adrienne had already taken off her brother's cuffs as they both trembled.

"She's gone," he cried.

Adrienne let out a dead sob.

He painfully hiccuped,  "She...she's gone."

Hadeon seemed to sob with no real tears falling down his face, it was more of a pained cry, feeling that stabbing feeling inside his chest once again. A feeling he had buried, now resurfaced with a vengeance,

"There are three cats still at large," he whispered into her chest.

"I know."

"End them before they end us. Sister."

"We will."

└─────── •✦• ───────┘

a/n:

the lumière can't catch a break.

the mysteries of this act are more complex than it seems, more beneath the surface. don't worry if you haven't properly worked out at least one.

the fact that adrienne was grieving, on her period, scared for her brother and friend and still managed to plan a rescue mission is beyond me. i would've called it a day. other than saving hadeon, marcel and a few more hostages, my favourite part of this chapter was the meeting, i love writing big scenes with most of my oc's.

the spell that the witches were reciting was "banish their spirit free their mind." in both latin and haitian creole. if i mistranslated it, let me know so i can correct it.

although the boys are back, is anyone really safe? especially with traitors around... who could they be and who is the puppeteer? *hint* there is more than one.