54

I traced the outline of his face with my eyes. His lips were moving, but I couldn't hear what he was saying, too lost in watching how his face lit up as he talked. The smile on his face made me smile.

He looked up from his glass to look at me. He put his hand on his glass. "I'm going to get a refill. Do you want anything?"

I shook my head. "I'm okay."

He nodded once before getting up. I watched as he walked to the bar.

Ryan said something as he slid into the side of the booth across from me.

"Yeah," I answered absentmindedly, not processing what he said.

"Evelyn." He slapped his hand onto the table.

I watched as Kai laughed at whatever the guy serving drinks said. The confidence he exerted was mouth watering. Everything about him made me feel lighter. My heart fluttered when he laughed again.

The sting of Ryan's hand slapping mine pulled my attention away from Kai. I looked at Ryan with furrowed brows, "What the hell was that for?" I noted that Damon was next to him now.

He scoffed, almost laughing. "Did you not hear a single thing I just said?"

"Of course I did."

"If you had heard him, you would've slapped him," Damon responded.

I looked at him, then back at Ryan. "What do you want?"

"For you to stop eye fucking him and just get married already."

"I was not eye-" I breathed out slowly then sat back. "Kai and I are friends. We're fine as friends."

Damon scoffed. "Not only are you lying to us, but you're lying to yourself. Friends don't have sex."

I looked at him. "Name five of your friends you haven't slept with."

He opened his mouth to speak but stopped. He shook his head, "That's different. At one point or another we were involved."

"Right. At one point, Kai and I were involved. Would you rather I slept with strangers?" I looked at Ryan. "Why are you so concerned with my relationship with him?"

He shook his head once. The look of joy on his face had faded. "Last time you did this with him, it ended horribly."

"Whatever you two have going on needs to stop," Damon added.

I looked between the two of them, "What makes you think you have a say in any of my relationships?"

"All we're trying to say is that we care about you. Every time he breaks you, we have to pick up the pieces."

"It's getting too exhausting. We can't do it again," Ryan added.

The anger that I felt ran through my entire being. "Why are you saying this?"

Damon leaned closer, lowering his voice, "If he stays in your life, we won't."

I looked at him, "We?"

"Everyone," Ryan answered.

I stared at them for a minute. I thought about staying and arguing with them, but what they're saying is absolutely insane and it's not happening. I moved out of the booth, walking out of the restaurant. I started to walk away.

"Ev, wait."

I didn't stop for a moment, but when I did, I turned to face Kai. "What?"

"What happened? Where are you going?" He walked closer.

I shook my head, "Nothing."

He furrowed his brows. "What did they say to you?" I could sense his anger and frustration.

"It doesn't matter."

"Of course it does. Whatever they said upset you, they can't just get away with that."

I tilted my head. "Kai, it's fine." The door opened. I glanced behind him to see Ryan and Damon. I focused my attention on Kai again. "Just let it go," I added quietly.

Before he could say anything else, I turned away from him. I got in my car and drove away. I gave myself a moment to think before driving home. I got out and walked inside. I shut the door. I would've turned on the lights, but they were already on.

I walked into the living room. I felt my heart stop for a moment. A man in all black was turned away from me, staring at pictures on the wall. Beside him was another who held his hands behind his back, but he was dressed more casually.

"The difference in them is quite striking." The familiar British accent made my stomach turn.

"Quite, Niklaus. Yet, they do not share the same father, so it's not quite as surprising."

"They are very similar to us, wouldn't you say, brother?"

"Let's ask our host." After a moment, they both turned to face me.

There was a wide smirk on Klaus' face, sending chills down my spine. Elijah seemed calm and collected.

"Sorry for the intrusion, Evelyn. It was rude, but due to our circumstances... there wasn't much of a choice."

I was too stunned to speak. I haven't seen them in nearly a decade, and they show up unannounced. We were on fine terms, but they still make me feel terrified. Klaus more so than Elijah due to our relationship. It wasn't much of a relationship, but it was something.

"It seems she's frozen," Klaus said.

There was knocking on the front door. It snapped me out of my trance. I glanced over at the door before looking at the brothers again. I turned away from them and walked to the door. I pulled it open only slightly. Kai stared at me; Ryan was a few feet behind him.

"We need to talk."

"I can't."

He tilted his head, "Come on." He took a step closer.

I pressed my hand against his chest, keeping him from coming any closer. "Both of you need to go." Keeping them away from the most dangerous people I know was my only concern.

"Are you okay?"

I nodded, "I just need you to leave."

He furrowed his brows, shaking his head. "What? Why?"

"Who's at the door, love," Klaus asked loud enough for Kai to hear.

The look on Kai's face made my stomach sink. "I will explain later, I just need you to leave. Now." I shut the door then took a breath before walking back to the living room.

"Boyfriend, maybe? Or perhaps a husband."

I stared back at Klaus, who was closer now. "I don't see why that matters to you."

He lifted his brows. "It seems I've touched a sore spot." He stepped closer. He stared deeply into my eyes. "It must be complicated, then."

I crossed my arms. "What are you doing here?" I looked at Elijah. "You're supposed to stay out of town. That was your deal with the Salvatores."

"We've run into a bit of a problem." Elijah took a few steps closer. "Back home, we were dealing with our own war when a name we hadn't heard in quite some time surfaced in a conversation with our enemy. Yours."

I furrowed my brows. "Who? Why?"

"The who isn't relevant, the why, however, is very important."

"How long ago did you transition into a vampire?"

I looked at Klaus. "A few months."

"Who turned you?"

I shook my head, "My ex-boyfriend."

"The one who was at the door?"

"Y-" I stopped myself. "Why does it matter?"

"Your relationship status is of no use to us," Elijah stated, targeting his words toward Klaus. I looked at him as he continued speaking. "What is his name?"

I was hesitant to answer. "Why?"

"You're still very curious, I see," Klaus responded.

"If you won't say his name, at least tell us what he is."

I don't want to answer, but I don't want to die either. "He's a heretic."

He looked perplexed. "A heretic?"

I shook my head. "You don't know what a heretic is?" I glanced at Klaus, then back at Elijah. "It's like a hybrid, but it's a witch and vampire."

They exchanged glances. I pulled my ringing phone out of my pocket. I was hesitant to answer Stefan's call, but I did. I put the phone to my ear. "Hey."

"Hey, are you okay?"

I looked at the coffee table, "Yeah, why?"

"Kai just showed up. He said you looked like you were in distress, and he heard some guy in your house. Then he described what he sounded like and if it's who I'm thinking, you need to tell me."

"Everything's fine."

He was quiet for a minute. "Evelyn, get out of there."

They started walking toward me. "I'll call you back later, Stef." I pulled the phone away from my face, ending the call. I put my phone back in my pocket.

"It's your lucky day," Klaus chirped. I looked up at him. "You're now under our protection."

I shook my head, "I don't need it."

"You need to come with us," Elijah demanded. "Whether it's willingly or unconsciously is your choice."

My heart was beating faster. If I refuse or try to run, I'm not getting out alive. Klaus walked to the door, pulling it open. Elijah stared at me until I turned and walked out. I followed Klaus to their car. He opened the back car door for me, a cocky grin on his face. I got in, sitting in the middle. Klaus got in on one side, Elijah on the other.

Being stuck between the two of them wasn't anything I had ever thought would happen to me. I stared at my hands in my lap.

"I heard you graduated from college," Klaus chimed.

"Mhm," I answered, uninterested in any conversation with either of them.

"If I had heard sooner, I would've sent a gift."

"I think I would rather get run over and dragged for ten miles than accept a gift from you."

"I can arrange that."

I lifted my head and looked at him. "Promise?"

"As much as I enjoy the banter between you two, it's quite annoying at the moment."

I looked at Elijah. "So is being dragged back into your life but here I am."

He looked at me. "You're not nearly as witty as you think you are."

"Aren't I, though?" He took a breath as he faced the window again. I looked forward again, looking at the driver. He looked mindless. "Who's the enemy you guys are fighting and why did they talk about me?"

"Wouldn't you like to know?" Klaus's sarcasm drew my attention to him.

"Yes, that's why I asked."

His head snapped in my direction. "The only thing you need to know about them is that you need to be shielded from them otherwise you lose your life."

"Aw, you care about if I live or die."

He rolled his eyes as he looked away.

The car stopped and they got out. Elijah kept the door open for me to get out. He held out his hand, I put my hand in his as I stepped out. I pulled my hand from his as I stepped away. I turned toward Klaus. The Salvatore house caught my attention.

"What are we doing here?" I looked at Elijah.

He nodded toward the house. "You will see."

I walked alongside them to the front door. They both stopped. I could feel their eyes on me. After I realized they were waiting for me to open the door I walked to it. I opened the door and walked inside, leaving it open.

The living room was occupied by Care, Stefan, Damon, Ryan, and Kai.

I felt Klaus' hand on my shoulder, preventing me from walking further. Elijah shut the door then walked to the other side of me.

"Let her go," Caroline demanded. The fear that was evident in the way she stood was masked by her anger.

"Caroline, I'm fine."

Klaus squeezed my shoulder. "You should listen to your sister, Caroline."

"What are you doing in town," Damon asked rather angrily.

"Wonderful question," Klaus responded. He kept his hand planted on my shoulder, not allowing me a chance to move even an inch from them.

"We've run into someone you may be familiar with." Elijah stepped into the living room, reaching into his suit jacket. "He's taken a liking to the French quarter in New Orleans, which is far too close to home for our comfort." He pulled something from his suit jacket. "He's made an offer, and we intend to accept it, should you choose to help us, voluntarily or not."

I caught a glimpse of the hunk of metal as he passed it off to Stefan. An ascendant for a prison world. I felt Klaus' hand move to my forearm, holding me tighter than before.

"Who's the guy," Ryan asked.

"And how does he pose a threat to you," Stefan added.

Elijah glanced at Ryan, then looked at Kai. "How did your father die?"

I felt a pit in my stomach form as my chest tightened. Kai stared back at Elijah, "I wasn't here for it, but from what I heard he died performing a spell."

"A spell," Elijah repeated.

I opened my mouth to speak, pausing for a moment. "I was there."

Elijah turned to face me. He stared at me for a minute, his eyes boring into mine. "You know the spell."

"No. I know what it did, and why he did it."

He stepped closer. "You were there that night. You remember what they said. It's buried deep inside your memory, so you will be unable to tell us, but you do know the spell, Evelyn."

"He died the night you died," Caroline stated.

I looked at her, "When the spell failed, he, and everyone else who was performing it, died."

"Why did it fail," Stefan asked.

I looked at Kai. He looked at Stefan. "Because she had my blood." He looked at me again. "Before I left, I linked her to me in a different way. In case he got to her and none of us could do anything, I made sure she would always have my blood in her system. It was a failsafe."

I looked at Elijah. "Why is this important?"

He looked at Klaus, turning the conversation over to him. Klaus loosened his grip on me but kept his hold on me. "We've yet to discover a way to kill him to make him stay dead."

"He'll always find a loophole." I looked at him. "Every time we've killed him, he's just come back even worse."

"What prison world is this for," Damon asked.

I looked over at him, waiting for one of the Mikaelson's to answer. "We were hoping one of you could tell us." Elijah took the ascendant back and offered it to Kai.

Kai glanced down at the ascendant before taking it. He held it in both of his hands, staring at it for a moment. "Where did you get this?"

"The last time we snapped his neck, we pulled it off of him," Klaus answered. "We were unsure of what it was, so we gathered what information he had given us, and it led us to Evelyn, and now you."

"So why exactly am I under your protection?" I looked at Elijah.

He turned to look at me, "He still wants to complete the spell, and he's trying to use someone close to us. He's offered to let us trade her for you. We told him we would be willing to make the trade. But since he's made it so difficult for us, the plan changed."

"What do you mean by difficult?"

"When he died, he didn't remember where you were or how to get to you. He knew connections you had, though, and he found his way to us. He's tracked us to get to you."

I was stunned by what I was hearing. "So, you... You decided to come to me for help by leading him directly to me?"

"That's why you're under our protection," Klaus remarked. "No matter how hard he tried to get past us, he was never successful."

There was an indescribable rage circulating through me. I've tried so hard to keep him away from me, to get rid of him. Then they come along just to screw it all up to save themselves.

I looked at Klaus. "Who was he trying to get to?"

He stared at me for a minute. "My daughter. Hope."

"You have a kid?"

He didn't respond. He looked over at Kai, ignoring me again. "Where does that lead to?"

I looked at Kai, "Don't answer him."

"Would you rather he got to you," Klaus asked.

"We are trying to help you, Evelyn," Elijah added.

"The only person you're trying to help is yourself." I looked at Elijah, pushing Klaus' hand off of me.

"Bringing him right to her is exactly what he wants. He used your weakness against you because he knew it would eventually get him to lead you to her." Kai explained it as if he realized it once it came out of his mouth.

I felt a sense of dread wash over me as the realization came over me: He found me again. He never really died. He found a way to stay alive and he's using every chance he has at life to get to me and ruin every chance I have of feeling alive and being at peace.

The only reason he's targeting me is because I'm the only person he can use to complete the spell. He's linked himself to someone or something to keep bringing himself back to life.

"He uses dark magic," I started. I looked at Elijah. "He can't control half of what he does. He won't stop until he finishes what he started. Finishing the spell will kill me then him."

"Then we can't let him finish the spell," Klaus stated.

"Genius idea," Damon remarked sarcastically.

"What does he have to do to finish it?"

I looked at Kai. I thought for a moment. "Bring back everyone who died during the spell, or at least the one who helped start it. Then he'll have to get me. That's pretty much it."

He looked at Damon and Stefan. "Where did you put their bodies?"

They glanced at each other, then started toward the door. Kai started following. I grabbed his wrist as he passed, and he looked at me. He was quiet for a minute.

"You'll be okay."

I opened my mouth to speak, but before I could, his lips were on mine. I was too caught off guard to kiss back. He pulled away, walking out the door before I could say another word. I stared at the door as it shut.

"I thought you said he was your ex-boyfriend," Klaus commented.

I turned to him, "I also said it doesn't matter."

A smirk formed on his lips, "It seems I've touched a nerve."

"Niklaus," Elijah warned.

Klaus stared at me for a moment. "Relax, brother," he looked at Elijah, "it's just a bit of friendly conversation."

I rolled my eyes as I walked over and sat next to Ryan. I kept my back against the couch, holding my hands tightly in my lap. If Kai oversteps around Joshua, he could easily be overpowered.

"Tell me, Evelyn," Klaus started as he walked to the opposite couch, "how did your relationship start with this villain?"

I looked up from the table to his face. "Tell me who was dumb enough to let you knock them up."

A passing look of rage crossed his face. I know Klaus takes his family seriously and any threat or joke made toward or about them is considered dangerous to him and should be taken out immediately.

"Evelyn," Elijah warned.

I looked up at him. "What?"

He looked at me. The expression on his face told me he shouldn't have to explain, and I shouldn't be asking. "You know what."

I tilted my head, "Why would I ask?" His jaw ticked as his patience was fleeting. I smiled, "I can still bother you."

He stared at me for a minute longer before turning his attention back to Klaus. Klaus looked amused by what the conversation had turned to. I looked at Ryan, who seemed confused. He was obviously made aware of who they are but not my history with them. I got up from my seat, walking to the bourbon tray.

"Remind me, Evelyn, of how you and my dear brother left off."

I finished pouring some bourbon into a glass then sat the bottle down. I looked at Klaus as I put my hand on the glass. "We were never together."

"But you wanted to be," Caroline wondered, reminding me of her presence.

I looked at her. "I was 16. We couldn't have been together." I looked at Elijah as I picked up the glass. "That's what you told me." I brought it to my lips and took a drink before bringing it to my stomach and holding it between my hands.

"I was never meant to stay in town, and you were far too... immature." He looked at me. "I believe those were my exact words."

"Immature? Evelyn?" I felt Ryan's eyes on me.

I looked at him. Before I could say a word, Elijah spoke. "Emotionally, she was scattered. She was never sure of what she wanted. I was a proxy for who she really wanted."

I looked at him, "I'm so glad to hear you know everything about my life. I was nowhere close to even guessing what I wanted." The anxiety that was coursing through me caused by my fear of what would happen to Kai was making me feel more on edge.

"Okay!" Caroline walked to block my view of Elijah. I looked down at the glass in my hands. "Why don't you have a seat while we wait for them to get back?" She gestured next to Klaus for Elijah to sit down.

I drank what was left in the glass before walking to sit at the end of the couch. I hugged my knees to my chest as I wanted the front door.

The impatience of everyone was filling the room with tension as hours passed with no return or call from them. The pit in my stomach was growing, making me feel nauseous. I crossed my arms over my stomach, trying to suppress the nerves that made me want to jump up and go find them.

I looked at Caroline as she took a breath. She looked at me. "I'll call Stefan and see where they are." She got up and walked outside as she called Stefan.

"Caroline and Stefan seem very close."

I didn't look over at Klaus. "Yeah."

"Closer than you and Stefan were when we were around last."

I rolled my eyes as I looked over at him. "What are you getting at?"

"Their relationship." He leaned forward, resting his arms on his knees. "How has it changed?"

I pulled my phone out of my pocket after it started ringing. I glanced at the screen and read Kai's name then looked at Klaus again. "You're only asking because you're still in love with her and you want to know if you can." I stood up and walked into the kitchen as I answered Kai's call. I stood behind the kitchen island as I put the phone to my ear. "Hey."

It was quiet for a minute. Just as I was about to speak again, a voice carried through the phone. "Hello, Evelyn. It's good to hear your voice."

The sound of Joshua's voice made my stomach churn. "Where's Kai?"

"He's indisposed at the moment. This call is not about him, though. It's about us."

I closed my eyes. The anger that filled me was hard to control. "Us?" I opened my eyes and looked at the counter.

"Yes. There is no more us. Thanks to the help of your boyfriend, or should I say fiancé... you're no longer needed. He ever so graciously took your place. Which is better for everyone, seeing as it was, he who I wanted dead in the first place."

My heart was beating rampantly. The sinking feeling inside me was deepening. "You killed him?"

"No. Not yet. I can't. Not until I find those infuriating brothers and get my ascendant back. Speaking of... where are they, Evelyn?"

My name in his mouth sounded like venom being shot straight into my bloodstream. "Find them yourself."

"I know they're with you. As soon as they heard your name, they had sprung into action and killed me. Thankfully, it didn't stick." After a minute of silence, he spoke again. "Here's the deal, sweetheart... you want your precious boyfriend to stay alive and I want my ascendant. I will spare his life, and just use him for the spell, if you bring me what I want."

"Using him will kill him. Anyone you use will die, you said that."

He sighed. "I'm not the bad guy you think I am, Evelyn. I just want to save everyone. Killing him is a sacrifice I'm willing to make. All you have to do is bring me what I want, and I will try not to kill him before you get here. One hour. Send the Mikaelsons to the place we last met. I don't want to see you, if I do, neither of you will make it out alive." He ended the call.

I pulled the phone away from my face and stared at the screen. All he needs is the ascendant to finish this spell. He is going to kill himself and everyone involved, including Kai. I can't let that happen.

I put my phone back in my pocket. I took a deep breath before walking out of the kitchen. I stopped at the door, seeing Damon walk through the open front door. He looked over at me, pausing. He looked distraught. After a moment he turned away from me and shut the door.

I walked toward the living room. I stopped at the entrance, scanning the room for the ascendant. I thought back to when they left, trying to remember if he had it in his hand.

"Who called," Ryan asked.

He handed it back to Elijah. I looked at him. "What did he say when he handed it back to you?" I stepped further into the living room.

He was standing by the fireplace. "What are you referring to?"

"You know exactly what I'm referring to." I walked closer to him.

He tilted his head. His eyes skated across my face before he drew in a breath and took a step closer to me. "If you must know, he told me not to let you follow after him, no matter the circumstances."

I held out my hand. "Give it to me or I will take it from you."

He glanced at my hand. "I can't, in good consciousness, do that, Evelyn."

"Why not?"

He looked at my face.

"What's going on?"

After a moment, I looked over at Caroline. "Kai went with Joshua, but he left the ascendant with Elijah." I looked at Elijah. "And unless I take it to him, Kai will die."

He reached into his suit. "Why does he need this?" He held it out.

I put my hand on top of it, "I already told you."

"What's your plan here, Evelyn," Damon wondered.

"Yeah, I mean, what exactly did he say? Nothing with him is ever as simple as trading," Caroline added.

I pulled the ascendant away from Elijah and turned to face the others. "He's going to do whatever it takes to get what he wants. The consequences of not giving him what he wants are much worse than-"

"He will kill you," Stefan stated plainly. "That's been his goal this entire time."

I looked at him, "No it's not. His goal is to bring back people he needs. It will be easier to kill him when he's using his magic. He'll be too distracted to defend himself."

"And you're the one to do that," Damon said sarcastically.

I ignored him and started toward the front door.

"You can't do this, you're going to get yourself killed," Caroline called.

Klaus stepped in front of me, blocking me from reaching for the door. I sighed as I tilted my head. Before I could speak, he put his hand up. "I'm coming with you."

I stepped back and he opened the door. I felt a hand wrap around my wrist. I turned to see Caroline. "Be careful."

I nodded slowly. She let go of me and I walked out with Klaus. After a few minutes, Elijah started following. I held the ascendant tighter in my hand.

The car started moving. I looked down at the ascendant as I turned it in my hands. The thought that Kai would die doing this spell was repeated in my mind.

"He's going to kill me." I looked at the console a few feet from me between the two front seats.

"Are you okay with that?"

Klaus' question rang through my head, filling me with a sense of relief. "Not particularly."

"Then we won't let it happen," Elijah stated.

"What exactly did he say on the phone," Klaus asked. "I imagine it was worrisome, seeing as you are storming with rage. Or could that be because of the fact you're in love with the man who was taken."

I looked at Klaus. My first instinct was to be defensive, but when I opened my mouth, I couldn't find the anger that I felt, only distress. "Joshua has made my life a living hell. The only reason for that is because I love Kai and I make him happy."

"Why would that upset him," Elijah asked.

I looked at him. "Kai was a sociopath, and he.... murdered their family. But Kai wasn't always like that. The only reason he became like that was to shield himself from Joshua's abuse. After he killed his family, Joshua made a plan to trap Kai in a prison world, which is what the ascendants lead to: prison worlds. Kai was trapped for 18 years. The only thing Joshua wants is for Kai to suffer. I'm in his way. When he couldn't get to Kai, I was..." I looked down at the ascendant. For a moment, I had forgotten what he did. "At one point, Kai had linked his life to mine, and then Joshua had taken me. He used me to get to Kai in whatever way he could."

"What makes Kai so worthy of your innocence," Klaus asked.

I thought for a moment, unsure of how to approach answering him. I had never really thought of it. I could run away from him and spare myself the abuse I'm put through when I'm with him, yet I stay. I looked at Klaus. "I don't know."

A smirk turned up the corner of his mouth. A glimmer of something flashed in his eyes, but I couldn't place the look. I was tempted to ask, but I opted not to, scared of the answer.

The car stopped. They both got out. Elijah held out his hand for me to take. I placed my hand in his and he helped me out. I pulled away from him, taking a few steps away from them. I looked up to the cliffside where Joshua is.

"Should you be carrying it?"

I glanced at Klaus, who was standing beside me. "It's fine."

He opened his mouth to speak, but I started walking away. I could hear them talking to each other quietly as they followed me. I held the ascendant in my hand tightly. I ignored their comments that gradually died down as we made our way to the top. I stopped at the tree line, confused by the site of an empty area.

"What exactly are we supposed to see?"

I took a few steps further. "They're supposed to be here."

I held the ascendant tighter. The air around me felt chilling. I stopped a few feet from the opposite tree line, turning to face the Mikaelsons. Klaus was walking toward the edge. Elijah stood in the middle of the open area, analyzing the area.

I glanced down at the ascendant in my hands. The harder I looked, the more I saw. There was a Latin phrase engraved on the outside rim. I looked over to Klaus. He was on the ground, unconscious. I looked at Elijah to see the same.

A wave of panic washed over me. I started toward him, but I felt arms wrap around me as the person pulled me back against them. I screamed, but then a hand slapped over my mouth, keeping me quiet. I tried to break free from the hold, but it was too tight. I felt like I was suffocating. I watched through watery eyes as Joshua walked toward me, emerging from the trees.

He stopped a foot from me, and I leaned into whoever was behind me. He reached out, ripping the ascendant from my hands. A malicious smile formed on his lips.

"Did you really believe I didn't get rid of him the first chance I had?" He shook his head as he looked down at the ascendant.

The sob that escaped my throat was muffled by the hand over my mouth. I felt nauseous.

Joshua looked at me again. "Let her speak."

The hand from my mouth moved to my shoulder. I didn't say anything.

He sighed. "It had to be done. He doesn't deserve to have a life. He should only feel pain. And that's all he felt."

More tears escaped my eyes. "No." I inhaled shakily. "You're so obsessed with ruining his life and making sure he stays a horrible person, that you became one yourself. You're worse than he is."

"Was."

The breath caught in my throat. The whites of his eyes were almost entirely consumed by his pupils. A maniacal laugh bubbled from his throat, sending chills down my spine. He stepped closer, leaving a few inches of space between us. I bit my tongue to keep the cries in my throat.

"Shall we get to work then?" If I wasn't looking at him, I wouldn't know his voice belonged to him.

He looked up at the sky, then over at the horizon. A look of disappointment and confusion swarmed his features. He looked at me, anger masking his expression now. "It's too late." The fear that was consuming me only worsened. His disappointment and anger was turning to rage. After a few seconds, his face went blank. "Let go of her."

I felt the grip on me loosen as the person moved back. I was frozen, too scared to move. The fear he instilled in me was making me lose my mind a little. The darkness in his eyes stayed as he grabbed my arm, squeezing me tightly.

"You're coming home with me. We'll try again there."

I bit my tongue harder to keep myself from breaking down. Out of the corners of my eyes, I could see the brothers moving. I kept my focus on Joshua.

Joshua opened his mouth, but he didn't say anything. His mouth hung open. I felt his grip on me loosen. He gasped softly. I felt hands on my arms, pulling me back from him. My eyes moved to Klaus, who had ripped out Joshua's heart.

I looked at Joshua again. He was still standing upright, gripping the ascendant as if his life depended on it. His free hand moved to his chest slowly. He looked down as he pulled his hand away. I pushed Elijah's hands away as I watched Joshua. Klaus walked toward us.

He should be dead. His heart isn't beating in his chest or pumping blood through his body. I watched as he lifted his other hand, holding the ascendant as his blood dripped onto it.

The ascendant lifted from his hand, the gears spinning slowly. Joshua looked at me, his lifeless eyes pouring into mine. Suddenly it clicked. He's been dead. His soul is gone. He's been using the ascendant to stay under the radar. Every time he "dies" he finds a way to get into a prison world. The prison world being controlled by the ascendant in his hand.

The ascendant is the only thing keeping everything together. Destroy that and all of it is over.

I felt Elijah's hand hovering near mine, reaching for me. I felt like I was being pulled toward Joshua.

"We have to go," I finally said. Joshua's eyes shifted to the men behind me. He lifted his hand.

"Ev-"

I looked to see that they were both on the ground again, their necks snapped. I looked at Joshua again. The smile on his face was sickening. I took a slow step back. He tilted his head as his smile grew.

I turned and started running from him as fast as I could. I could hear whispering from him.

His voice was swarming me, making it hard for me to focus.

I felt something grab my leg, making me fall. I screamed as I was turned onto my back. I kicked, punched, and scratched as I tried to get away. The tears that fell from my eyes warmed my cheeks.

I shut my eyes as a bright white light surrounded Joshua and I.