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Walking through the woods in heels was a pain in the ass, therefore why Candice pulled them off as she and Kol follow behind Davina and Anthony. Davina had the brilliant idea to drain a dark object, and it didn't take a genuis for Candice to figure out it was the white oak stake. Therefore why Anthony was explaining how to drain dark objects. Though Candice didn't understand why she couldn't just explain seeing as she created the damn spells to do so. "Bleeding power from a dark object is tricky. So it does help to know what kind of object it is."

"The white oak stake," Davina answered simply. "You want to drain the white oak stake, do you?" Anthony glanced behind him to see Candice who clearly didn't have a problem with the plan. "It's a dark object. If I can't stop Mikael, I have to stop that stake from working. Another reason I haven't freed Candice yet." Kol smiles to himself, patting Candice's shoulder. She shrugs him off with a glare, moving to walk in front of Davina and her brother.

"See, usually I like a girl with ambition, but this is just beyond mad." Anthony said, not sure it would even work on the stake. Davina grabs Anthony's shoulder and pulls him back, clearly frustrated with him. "Just show me the spell, Alec-- Anthony-- or whatever your name is." Candice sighs, leaning against the tree that Kol stood next to. Both of them were clearly not enjoying being in the presence of these two. It's almost like they argued more than Candice and Kol, and that was quite impossible.

"The problems not the spell, love. The problems the white oak stake. It's too powerful. We can't just drain it. The best you can hope for is to disable it, but just for a bit." Anthony explains, walking towards his car. Candice and Kol made their way over, Candice's eyes examining the car. "Huh? The bastard used my credit card to buy this. I was wondering who was buying all that stuff." Kol scratched the back of his neck, knowing for a fact that he was the one who bought a car. Anthony had his own money.

"So do you have a better solution? Because I don't have time to argue. So show me the spell and hand me the keys." Davina demands, holding her hand out. Anthony wasn't all that fazed by her, he never was by girls other than his sister and occasionally Rebekah. "Oh, what are you gonna do? You just gonna drive around till you bump into them?" He replied sarcastically. "You may have messed with my bracelet, but I made sure months ago that I would always be able to find Mikael."

"All right. Fine. Your funeral. I'm still not going to allow you to drive my bloody car, though." Anthony pulled the seat up, gesturing for Candice to get in the back. She raised her brows, immediately objecting. "Oh hell no. Have you seen me? I'm as tall as you! I will not fit back there!" Kol snickers in amusement, pulling out his keys and making his way over to his car which was parked nearby Anthony's. "Come on love, you're riding with me."

Candice glares at the man. "No thanks. I'd rather sit in the back than be stuck in a car with your insufferable ass!" Davina rolls her eyes at their fourth argument that day. "Candice, go with him. Follow behind us." She groaned, ultimately having no choice but to follow Davina's order. Gosh did she hate being bossed around by a bloody child. Kol smirked, going to open the door until she stops him. "I can get my own door! You're not my boyfriend!"

"Actually, I still am darling. Been so for a thousand years, not changing a thing." Kol opens her door anyways with a smile. She huffs, stepping inside the car and sliding her heels back on. The drive was quiet, only because Candice refused to acknowledge him. They pulled up to a warehouse of some sort, Kol parking behind Anthony's car. Candice quickly got out, being able to hear the grunts of Mikael and Klaus, clearly they were fighting. "They're here. Let's do this, D." Candice walked into the warehouse behind Davina.

Anthony grabs Davina's arm to pull her back. "Davina, wait. We all need to do this together." He said. "I'm strong enough on my own," she insisted. Candice sighed, running a hand through her hair as she was forced to stand here instead of go and help her brother. "No, you're not. Listen, I know you don't trust me- and that's fair enough. But these are your mates and my bloody sister that we're trying to save here. You can trust that I will do absolutely anything to protect my sister. The only way that we can do this is if we work together."

Anthony grabs her hand, Candice and Kol come over to join them. "You need to trust me, all right? Take our hands. Take our power. Channel us." He says. "Either we do this or you let me go kill Mikael myself. So, are we doing this or what?" Candice exclaims impatiently. Davina sighs, they all grab hands, Kol, Candice, and Anthony having no trouble with the spell. Candice pauses as they continue, "Don't stop. He's coming."

Davina was struggling, causing Candice to chant louder, taking control of the spell. "Alec, I can't hold it." Anthony tightens his grasp on her, making sure she wouldn't let go. "Just trust me. Keep going." Candice opens her eyes to see Mikael and furthers her chants. "Davina, hold him back, I'm taking over." She nods, letting Candice channel her as she continues. "Is this your doing, little witch? Then you will undo it. Return the power to the stake!"

"Davina, let me go. Let me remove the stake." Candice demands. Davina nods and Candice speeds away, finding Cami hovering over Niklaus, trying to pull the stake out. "Move! Let me do it." Candice ran over, resting her hands on the stake, she quickly pulled it out. Cami took the stake as Candice slowly stood to her feet, seeing Mikael approach. "What do you think you're doing?"

Cami jumps in surprise, turning around with the stake in her hands. "Stay the hell away from us. Or, I swear to God, I'll kill you myself." Candice feels Davina calling her back, making her speed away, feeling bad she left Klaus defenseless. Candice runs over to Kol, making sure he was alive before checking on her brother next. Hearing Davina's whimpers, she rushed over and bit into her wrist, letting Davina drink her blood to heal.

"I need to go back. Klaus is defenseless." She nods, letting Candice go back.

Candice runs in to see Mikael holding a broken pipe to the fallen Marcel. She speeds over, throwing her hand out to throw him away. Mikael grunts, glaring at the heretic. "Your mother will be thrilled to see you once I'm finished with you." Candice's falters slightly at the mention of her mother, giving Mikael an advantage as he speeds towards her. Both of them exchange blows but it was clear Mikael was the superior fighter in question. Finally, Mikael shoves his hand in her chest, his other hand holding her throat.

"No!" Marcel yells, and with that, Mikael rips Candice's heart from her chest. Mikael drops her body, looking down at her. "Now enough! This night has been a long parade of fools. I'll enjoy killing every last one of you." Klaus wakes up with a gasp just as Hayley hits Mikael with a large chain. "Yeah. I wouldn't bet on it." Hayley hits him once more as Marcel gets to his feet, still solem about the women he once seen as a mother.

Klaus stands up, Davina, Marcel, Cami, and Hayley all standing with him. "It's over, Mikael. You're outnumbered. Are you going to beg for your miserable life?" Mikael chuckles, unfazed by this. "You think having people makes you strong? It proves how weak you are. Come find me when you don't have fools, women, and children fighting your battles." Mikael speeds off, leaving Klaus to think about that.

"Candice." Marcel rushes over to Candice, lifting her head onto his lap. Klaus looks over in confusion, now realizing what happened. Before he could move, Candice awakes with a sharp gasp, her hand going to her chest as the veins slowly disappeared. Everyone looked on in confusion, seeing how her heart was quite literally ripped from her chest. "Candice?" Marcel furrows his brows, helping the blonde up.

"What? You thought I was gonna fight Mikael without a protection spell on me? I'm not stupid." Candice scoffs. Davina sighs in relief, grabbing Candice's hand. "Let's go. If that was your idea to break the spell, it didn't work. I still control you." Candice cursed under her breath, being forced to follow the teenage witch rather than catch up Marcel on why she was MIA for three days.

Candice walked outside, seeing Kol and Anthony waiting for them beside the car. Kol rushed over to Candice, confused about the blood on her shirt. "You okay, love?" She nods tiredly, laying her head on his shoulder as he embraced her. Pulling away, Candice noticed the cut on his head and bites into her wrist, "here, drink." Kol grimaced before taking a drink, pulling away, he realized how much he actually missed being a vampire. "I miss actually enjoying blood."

Candice chuckles softly, caressing his cheek. "I'm sure you do. But I'm still very pissed off at you." Candice shoves past him to lean against the car as Davina is making sure Anthony was okay. "Are you okay?" She asks, holding his face. "Ah, a bit lightheaded. It might have something to do with being knocked on my arse by Nik's dear old dad." Candice nudges Kol when they see Marcel march his way over like an angry parent.

"You are lucky to alive, young lady. You want to tell me what the hell you were thinking?" Marcel questions. Davina fiddles with her sleeve, Candice sees the resemblance of an embarrassed teenage daughter. "Can we not do this right now?" Kol and Candice both nudge each other, holding back their snickers. "Am I gonna embarrass you in front of your friend?" Davina gives him a look and Marcel looks at Alec, who he had yet to know the real identity of. "Who the hell is this guy anyway?"

Anthony chuckles. "We really gotta stop meetin' like this, mate." Marcel looks at Alec in confusion before Davina cuts in. "He's my friend and he's helping me." Candice tilts her head, if he was so much help why couldn't she just release her. "Help you do what? Wage war on Klaus and help me get killed in the process? Now hold Candice captive?" Marcel retorts. "I just saved Klaus's life trying to protect you!" Davina argues.

"Yeah, from a psycho vampire hunter that you brought back to life!" Marcel points, Candice and Kol both nod in unison, he did make a great point. "All right. Enough!" Anthony raised his voice, Marcel looking to him, not expecting that. "Well, I think it's enough. It should be enough. I mean, we're all friends here, aren't we?" Candice and Kol shared a look, ultimately shaking their heads, nope, nobody here were actually friends.

"Just stay here till I get back. I'll handle Klaus." Marcel walked over to Candice, putting an arm on her shoulder. "Hey, just say the word and I'll get you the bracelet." Candice smiles in appreciation, patting his hand. "That's alright, actually. I'm keeping an eye on her." Marcel chuckles, nodding as he dropped his hand. He glances at Kol, wondering who he was as Candice didn't have many friends. "Who's this?" Kaleb goes to speak, probably to make some sarcastic remark until Candice cuts him off. "Oh, he's irrelevant. Don't worry about him."

Kol rolls his eyes as Candice shrugs. Marcel presses a kiss to her cheek, "I'll be back. Keep an eye on her." Candice and Kol both walk over to Davina and Anthony, making sure Marcel was far enough. "We should get out of here. Trust me. My brother's not the forgiving kind. Even if you did help out back there, his hatred of betrayed far outweighs his sense of gratitude." Kol says.

Davina wasn't too bothered, which would eventually cost her later on. "I'm not afraid of him." Davina pulls out the white oak stake from her jacket, Candice smirks to herself as she looks at Kol. "You out to get yourself killed?" Anthony questioned, baffled by her actions. "I'm out to get even with Klaus. And you're gonna help me. But first, you're right. Let's get out of here." Davina takes the keys from his hand and walks around to the driver's seat.

Candice walks towards Kol's car beside him. "That girl's gonna get herself killed. I can't let my brother get too attached and do something stupid when she receives her fate." Candice says, Kol didn't exactly disagree with her, but he also thought Anthony needed someone like Davina. She kept him balanced. They both climb into the car, Kol backing out so Davina can back out. "So, tell me why we're still following them around when it's obvious that you broke the spell?"

Candice smirked with a mischievous glint in her eyes, impressed that he figured that out. "The point is, make her think I'm her prisoner and completely tarnish any chance she has to kill our family. Now, we are going to finish the plan we had centuries ago. We are going to dagger Niklaus and make up for all the pain he put us through. Are you in? Or are you out, darling?" Kol chuckles, shaking his head with a hint of amusement. "Bloody hell, do I love you." Candice grinned, leaning over to press a kiss to his cheek. "Ah, I'm flattered."

"Let's do it."

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~ ¹⁸²¹ ⁿᵉʷ ᵒʳˡᵉᵃⁿˢ ~

"Marcellus, dear. Come with me." Candice forced a smile on her face despite how Kol was just daggered in front of her by his brothers. The young boy nods, taking her hand, still traumatized by the scene he just witnessed. Over the years, Candice had grown used to Niklaus daggering his siblings any time they would defy him. This wasn't the first time she had to witness Kol get daggered. The first few times she had tried to fight it, but then she had learned to accept it. If she undaggered Kol, she would most likely accept the same fate as him.

"It's growing quite late, isn't it? Have you had your supper?" Candice leads him up the stairs, fighting the tears that threatened to fall. "Yes, ma'am, I have." Marcellus said, following her into his bedroom. Candice smiles softly, "That's good. I am going to run you a bath, go and fetch some clean clothing." The boy nods and she walks into the washroom, running a warm bath. Marcellus runs in with some clothes, Candice gives him a scolding look. "What did I say about running inside?" Marcellus looks down, "not to run or I would hurt myself." Candice nods, taking his hand. "Good. Now, let's get this blood off of you, yes?"

After the bath, Candice tucks the young boy into bed. As she went to leave, he grabs her hand to stop her. "Can you tell me a story?" He requests. Candice takes his hand, "I could never say no to you, sweet boy. Move over." Marcellus smiles, moving over to make room. Candice adjusts her dress as she takes a seat on top of his covers. "Once upon a time, there was a beautiful princess, and she was casted out because she was different."

"Different, how?" He asked.

"Well, you see, she was born to a mother and father who were both witches. They had magic that came from the earth. But, the princess didn't have magic like they did." Candice shook her head softly, caressing the back of his head as he curled into her side. "Why not? Was she not their child?" Marcellus questioned out of curiosity. "You didn't let me finish. See, the princess came with a twin brother, and he was the light of her life. But there was a rule, placed among the witches by the mother. That two twins would have to merge together, and the stronger one would be leader of an entire coven of witches."

"But, what happens to the other twin?" Marcellus received a solem smile from the woman. "The other twin would...go to sleep for a long time." Candice squeezed his shoulder, going to brighten the mood. "But, the princess refused to do the merge. So she ran away, taking her brother with her. They ran far, far away to a huge castle in Southern France." Marcellus smiles, happy that the princess was able to escape. "What happens next?"

Candice hums, looking down at the young boy. "Well, the princess was the fairest maiden in the castle. Many princes wished to marry her, but she did not wish to marry any of them in return. So, she grew lonely, hoping that one day her knight in shining armor will arrive to sweep her off her feet." Marcellus grinned, as he did have a crush on Rebekah, he had hoped one day he would be Rebekah's knight and shining armor. "Did he ever arrive for the princess?"

Candice smiles, tears threating to fall as she thought of Kol. "Uh yes, yes he did. And it was love at first sight. Their souls were binded into one, they were both consumed by their love for each other. The knight protected the princess from evil. And they became each other's safety net and lived happily ever after. The end." Candice sniffles, patting his cheek before she moves to sit up. Marcellus puts his hand in hers, concerned for her. "Are you crying?"

She looks back at him, quick to wipe her tears. Marcellus frowns, "is this about my Uncle Kol?" Candice clears her throat, turning to face him, she takes his hands. "Listen to me. Your Uncle Kol is just going to sleep for everyone's safety, understood?" Marcellus looks down sadly, Candice lifts her hand to his cheek, making him look up at her. "What is troubling you, dear?"

"Why doesn't Uncle Kol like me?"

Candice inhales sharply, thinking of a response. "Kol is, he is not like Elijah, or Niklaus, or Rebekah. He is like the princess. He is far more different from the others. So, your Uncle Kol is simply just, envious of you. He wishes that his family cared for him the way that they care for you. But you don't need to concern yourself with that. When Kol wakes up, you will be old enough to defend yourself against him, and when that day comes, I will be so, so proud of you, my sweet boy."

Marcellus smiles, Candice stands up and brushes down her dress. Candice tucks him into the bed, and kneels down to face him. "I am leaving New Orleans tonight. I'm going to a place called Mystic Falls for a little while." Marcellus's eyes widened, shaking his head in objection. "No, you can't leave. Will you come back?" Candice nods immediately to reassure him. "Of course, I will. I will always come back for you, Marcellus. Okay? Always and Forever."

Marcellus nods softly with a sad smile, going to miss the girl he seen as a mother. "Candice, I will be your knight in shining armor. Always and Forever." Candice chuckles softly and presses a kiss to his head before standing up. "I love you so much, son. Now get some sleep." Candice walks over to the door before pausing in her steps when Marcellus speaks up. "I love you too, mom." A smile breaks out on her face before she carefully shuts the door, tears immediately escaping her eyes. She leaned her head back on the door, sobs threating to escape.

"I will avenge you, Kol. No matter how long it takes."

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a/n: CANDY AND MARCEL >>>>
they're so sweet your honor 🥲

obsessed with candy getting vengeance for her man 🌚🤸‍♀️

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