Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Cozy still from the warmth of her bed and becoming more alert on account of the coffee she held in her hands, Sairena set about getting ready for her day. Humming a quiet tune to herself as she dressed, she tried to place where she’d heard it before, shrugging it off before deciding to get an early start rather than lazing about. She’d meant to take inventory and see how many of the barstools needed re-padding today anyway. Padding down from the upstairs apartment in the quiet of the morning with the sun peeking through the windows, Sairena truly felt as if this was the life she was meant to live. Mundane but with purpose and her own place to call home. That is until she pushed open the door between the stairs leading to her apartment and her beloved bar.

“Oh my gods. You cannot be serious.” She groaned. There passed out on her specially made bar top was a young man she had become quite familiar with. She’d known him barely two weeks, and even though he was currently sending her sales through the roof, he was also the biggest nuisance in her daily life. Not that she had much of a life, she thought wryly, pinching the bridge of her nose for a second before returning her attention to the young man.
Although standing there with one hand now on her hip and the other holding her mug, she sipped her coffee contemplatively while she took him in. It was not for the first time she found herself admiring his face. Without his cheesy grins or infuriating little smirks, the man was actually quite handsome and charming. But she’d rather swallow spoonfuls of salt than admit that to his face. Finding herself already becoming agitated at the thoughts she stomped over to the bar top and set her mug down none too gently.

“Kol Mikaelson, you had better wake up this instant.” She growled out. Only just barely resisting the urge to roll her eyes into the depths of her skull when a grin stretched across his lips. He didn’t even have the decency to open his eyes when he quipped back, “You remembered my name, Sai?”

“Ugh. Not this again. Of course, I remember your name. You sign all your checks in print. Although I’m not sure I remember you ordering an overnight stay in my bar and since this isn’t a bed and breakfast, I’ll be charging you double the rate Miss Flowers down the road charges for a room.” She raised her eyebrows when she glanced over his shoulder to notice two empty bottles of his ridiculously expensive whiskey he insisted that she stock just for him but wisely chose not to comment on it. Instead, picking up her own mug and making her way to the other side of the bar as she griped, “And I never said you could call me that. It’s Sairena to you.”

At this, his grin broadened, and he sat up to watch her. She squinted at him a little and questioned whether he had even been asleep. Choosing to ignore that little thought, she began to sort through the papers she’d apparently left at the register last night when she had started inventory and decided she was too tired. “If you told me your full name, then I wouldn’t have to shorten it to entertain myself.”

“I hope you realize that makes literally no sense.” She muttered distractedly, refusing to give him her full attention in this matter lest he realize how much it meant to her.
“Oh, come on,” he whined, “It’s not like I’m going to do anything nefarious with the knowledge of your last name.” He would. She was under no illusion that someone like Kol, extremely rich and part of an extremely suspicious family, wouldn’t immediately perform a background check on her, and that would spur way too many questions about her family she didn’t want to speak about.

“Just drop it, Kol, please.” But of course, he couldn’t. The younger sibling in him wouldn’t allow it of course. Humming a tune obnoxiously, he spun around on his bar stool, almost knocking over the empty bottle precariously balanced on the edge of the bar before he sang, “How about I guess, hmm?”

Sairena rolled her eyes and continued to measure liquor and count cans, fully ready to ignore Kol as she was sure everyone else who had the displeasure of knowing him did. She heard him rattling off names and chose not to confirm or deny any of them. It wasn’t until she was suddenly aware he was standing behind her that she tuned back in. Startled a little, she wondered how she could have missed him walking around the counter like that, but her thoughts were struck from her mind as she turned around and observed the unusually serious look on his face.

“As fun as guessing is, I am certainly curious as to why you left your coven to come here of all places.”

Staring at the man in shock, the brunette floundered for what to say before spinning back around and snapping, “I don’t know what nonsense you’re muttering about.”
“Oh, come now. The Aldens are quite the large family, even larger now than their main branch! And with all kinds of strange magic. I had heard they had family in the area.”
Even now, almost five months after moving away, hearing her last name still pained the woman. All the townspeople were placated when she told them she was related to Sheriff Forbes and usually left it at that, assuming she was too, but of course, the new family in town didn’t quite roll with the flow. With the bar simply being titled ‘Sairena’s’, the few Mikaelsons who came in always poked around at her last name, although she could never really understand why. But she was beginning to suspect they might also belong to the witch community with how easily Kol had dug up info on her.

“Well? Did you run away, pet? Ohh, maybe with a lover?” Kol joked behind her, apparently oblivious to her discomfort. “Oh I’ve got it! You were chased out!”

Feeling a familiar simmer of anger settle into her gut as he jabbered, Sairena wished for nothing more than silence at the moment. Her anger soared when he reached forward to take her hand after he’d realized she wasn’t listening. What happened next wasn’t her fault, not really. After all, she couldn’t control it or her temper.

“Will you shut up!”

She’d really only meant to grasp his wrist and push his hand off, but as soon as she grabbed him, she felt that surge of power she’d only felt a few times before as something inside her pulled. It only lasted a second, a flash of red from her palm, before she was stumbling back against the liquor shelf.
Couldn’t even find it within herself to be worried when a bottle fell and shattered on the floor as her gaze darted to Kol, the immediate damage control plan spiraling through her mind screeching to a halt when she observed the outright manic look on the man’s face. Smile a little too wide and definitely too thrilled for what had just happened.

Within the space of a blink, Kol was now standing in front of her from where he had been knocked back several feet. With a little yelp, she threw up her hands in front of her and squeezed her eyes shut tightly. When he’d grabbed her a moment ago, she’d felt the familiar feeling of death, had realized he was a vampire, and suddenly, his odd behavior had made all kinds of sense. Her wrists were grasped in his hands, and he pulled them away from her face as he breathed, “How did you do that?”
With a disbelieving scoff, she hastily returned the question to cover up the fact that she herself didn't even know, “No, how did you do that?” A smile was her answer, although she thought she saw a hint of sharp teeth, but after blinking she saw nothing there. Standing there in silence, staring at each other, Kol finally broke it to say, “I knew there was something more to you, but I hadn’t anticipated this, little witch.”

Chapter Text

    If there was one thing Sairena was serious about, it was her bar. So it should come as no surprise that when people cause trouble inside of it they find themselves at the mercy of her ire. The townsfolk had started to respect her as well so it wasn’t often her bad mood was even necessary. Looking up at the ceiling with an exasperated sigh, the woman gave herself a moment to collect herself before returning her attention to the individuals before her. 

    She’d recognized the younger man as Tyler Lockwood, whom she’d heard of through her cousin, Caroline, but was unfamiliar with the second. Not that it mattered to her anyway, seeing as they’d gotten into a fight about nothing important, she was sure, that had sent a chair through a window and showered the nearby patrons in glass. Most people had hastily paid their tabs, or didn’t pay, and had hightailed it out but a few still remained to see the outcome of the fight. One woman had a cut on her face and was threatening to call the police, which Sairena was hoping to avoid as she wanted Liz to think she had everything under control. 

    Annoyingly enough, her own personal thorn in the side had been the one to pull the men apart and currently had them seated at a table on the back wall standing ominously above them as she decided what to do with them. Observing the way they had both paled when they caught sight of Kol, Sairena realized they were most likely in the know as well, perhaps part of the community itself. Not that she wanted to know if they were. Sairena planned on staying out of all of that. Her first step towards that would most certainly be firing her stupid security man, Al, so she wouldn’t have to rely on Kol for any other situations in the future. 

    Cursing Al in her head for being so slow, she knew Kol would use his help in this situation to wiggle his way back into speaking with her after she’d used the energy she sapped from him to block him from being allowed in for almost a week now. The satisfaction when he’d tried to come through the door and had bounced right back with a baffled sound had made her day. 

    He’d spent the next few days standing at the threshold of the door while she went through the opening routine, disappearing only when customers began to arrive, commenting on this and that. God forbid she have a few mismatched chairs in her bar, he claimed; she just didn’t see his vision. Sairena was perfectly fine with her matching furniture, thank you, and she’d told him such by locking the door until exactly opening time every day after that. No more loitering for him.

    She noted in the back of her mind that the spell clearly hadn’t lasted as long as she’d hoped, and she definitely blamed that on her lack of training. 

    Cutting her thoughts short, Sairena slipped back into business mode and away from supernatural boulevard. Ordering everyone who had stayed out of curiosity away from the area before turning to the near-hysterical woman she started trying to placate with a soft smile and her best customer-service voice.

    “I understand, ma’am. I’ll take care of this, and I’ll certainly cover the cost if your clothes are ruined. Come this way please hun, and let me help you get cleaned up.” 

    Sucking in a sharp breath, the woman took barely a second to breathe before she continued yelling, although she did let herself be led to the back room and sat down in the office. Arms crossed and back straight, she began to turn her displeasure on the brunette fluttering about the office.

    Humming and nodding at the appropriate times, Sairena set about digging through her wall cupboards before she pulled a few bottles out with a triumphant sound. 

    “Aha! Here we go hun, let's get you fixed up.” 

    “Do you even know what you’re doing?! Because if you cause any more damage to my face, I will sue this place into the ground and you with it!” Sairena nodded her head dutifully with a thoughtful hum as she gently brushed the glass off the woman, not that she had that much on her, really Sairena wondered how much force the men had used when they’d broken the window for such small pieces to actually cut someone. “Now, be still. I’m going to apply this powder to your cheek, ma’am.” 

    “Well, what is it?” Fuck did this woman ever stop talking? Sairena ground her teeth a little before providing a gentle smile as she began to pat the wound with her covered fingers. 

    “It’s a stop-bleeding powder made from yarrow powder and a type of clay called Kaolin. This will stop the bleeding for you, and I’ll also provide you with a lavender oil for skin regeneration at no cost ma’am. Since this incident happened at my establishment, of course.” 

    Seemingly mollified, the woman sat still enough for someone who’d been drinking previously, and accepted both a small bit of the powder and the oil with strict use instructions before she was all too eager to flounce away. That had been her last portion of her yarrow powder and she sighed quietly when she thought about how difficult it might be to get some more in this town. Shaking her head a little Sairena was of the opinion that the woman was only satisfied now because her entire bill was being waived for the night. 

    After sending the woman, whom she’d learned was named Tiki, on her way Sairena returned to the front. Surveying who was left she was honestly relieved to see that everyone except her two employees and the three in the corner had left. Al was making himself useful sweeping up the glass that was inside and her bar back Maisey was counting cash at the register. No doubt taking stock of how many tabs had been left unpaid, Sairena thought.

    Walking over to where Kol was still proudly standing guard of the two drunkards, she couldn’t help but to roll her eyes at him on the inside. Already envisioning the terse conversation they’d be having later. Coming to stand next to him, she looked down at the men, all her anger and annoyance coming right back up to the surface. Face twisted into a furrowed brow and a stern looking frown.

    “I hope you know that you’ll be paying for my fucking window and reimbursing me for all the tabs I had to comp. Was the dick-measuring contest worth it?” She cocked a hip and crossed her arms when the older man started to laugh, ice-blue eyes rolling as he himself crossed his arms in return. 

    “What? You think a little money is a problem for me? You new in town or what?” He opened his mouth to continue when she didn’t immediately respond to his barbs but was silenced by the menacing laugh that came from beside her. 

    “I’d shut it if I were you, mate. This is my favorite bar in town.” Kol’s voice was layered with all kinds of warnings, and Sairena was willing to let her vexation with him slide just this once as this was also her favorite bar in town. 

    “You fucking her or something? It’s a window for christ’s sake!” 

    Kol laughed again and leaned into the man’s space as Sairena’s jaw dropped at the accusation, seemingly staring him down before he demanded with a grin, “Apologise to the lady. Now.” 

    Gritting his teeth together, the man seemed to struggle physically against some invisible force before he spat out. “I’m sorry.” Sairena could admit that sometimes she had a bit of a problem with pettiness, but she realized Kol was somehow controlling this man so she held no reservations tonight. Complaining, “You’re not even looking at me you dick. You think that’s a good enough apology?” 

    Kol inclined his head at the man, "Go on, tell her how sorry you are," gesturing that he’d better listen which had the man turning to face her. Sitting up a little straighter, the man spoke again, “I’m really sorry.” 

    “Well, since you’re ‘really’ sorry, you’ll have no problem paying for everything and never setting foot in my bar again. Right?” Air quotes accompanied her sentence, looking between the both of them for a few long seconds of silence when neither responded before she snorted, turning her attention to Tyler. 

    “And you? Have anything to say about this?” 

    He seemed to eye Kol before he looked at her, wisely choosing not to lip off. “I’ll have my mom send you a check.” 

    “You’re damn right you will. Now, both of you get the hell out of my bar.” 

    The men both swung their heads to Kol, without moving from their spots, as if to check that was what he wanted, which enraged Sairena on a new level, her voice raising in pitch as she shouted. “Are you deaf?! Get the fuck out!” 

    She could hear the glasses on the nearby table shake a little before one toppled off the table and another popped, shards falling down to the ground and distantly wondered how old Kol was for his energy to last her so long. Telling herself to take a deep breath as she watched both of the men slink off to the front door. 

    “Easy now, Sai. I know you love the bar, so let’s not break anything else tonight.” Kol muttered next to her. He’d moved closer to put a hand on her arm, but Sairena hastily backed away before he could make contact. Shooting him a heated glare. “I told you not to call me that, goddamn it.” 

     Holding his hands up, Kol wisely didn’t comment again and Sairena gave a tired sigh. Turning to look at the room she gave Kol a side-long glance before she began walking away, knowing he’d follow. 

    ”You might as well have a seat at the bar, I’ll grab you a glass.” Wisely he sat without comment, and waited until Sairena had sat two fingers of his whiskey in front of him to quip, “So..did you miss me at all, Sai?” 

    Surprising the both of them, Maisey leaned in and conspiratorily stage whispered, “She’s been complaining that nobody else tips as well as you all week!” 

    “I-what! I most certainly have not!” Sairena sputtered. Clearing her throat at the look Maisey gave her when she said that, she continued, “Okay, well, I’ve certainly missed your money. Besides, you still owe me from your behavior last week.” She knew Maisey was looking between the two of them hoping for some context but Sairena certainly wouldn’t be giving her any thank you very much. Kol shrugged his shoulders at that and Sairena sighed. “Maisey go ahead and get your stuff and head home early tonight, I’ll close up hun. And don't worry I'll pay you for the whole night.” 

    “Are you sure? I can help you clean up!” Shaking her head the brunettee gestured over to the window and the surrounding area. “Al already cleaned it up before he left for the night so you’re fine, thanks for your help tonight.” They both watched as Maisey collected her things before she left, Sairena making herself busy by cleaning up the bar top on either side of Kol. 

    She knew he was weighing his options for conversation on the off chance he could find something she would respond too and she was just hoping he wouldn’t ask her anything about why she’d moved away from her family. And yes she would die on the hill that she chose to move away and her family didn’t kick her out like he had thought. 

    Instead he surprised her. Watching her with eyes that had seen many years, he seemed to take a steadying breath before he earnestly said, “You should let me teach you how to cast.” 

    She had been prepared to bat away personal questions left and right but she wasn’t expecting him to be serious. Offhandedly she thought he must get that a lot with his usual cheeky attitude. Before she could reply he added, “Especially now that you’ve pissed off the eldest Salvatore.” That gave her pause, recollecting the man from earlier, she snorted and shook her head a little before shrugging. “That asshole? Who cares if he’s mad?”

    “I do now, considering he’s also a vampire and will most definitely take his feelings out on you since he can’t hurt me.” 

    She groaned, lifting a hand to rub her temples before she wiggled her fingers at him to ask, “How did you do that anyways? Make him say that stuff?” Kol blinked, apparently confused by her question before replying with one of his own. 

    “Did you not receive any training at all?” 

    Sairena hummed thoughtfully, thinking through all the things she had learned from her mother before her lessons had stopped and then from her Grandmother who had specialized in herbs and elixirs. Carefully responding, “I know vampires exist, and how to tell if someone is one. But that’s it.”

    Scoffing Kol gestured broadly with his hand, a sweeping motion that seemed to encompass many things as he sniped. “What if something bad had happened to you? You should be prepared!” 

    Sairena was unaware that someone who wasn’t a witch could be so passionate about the nature of her witch studies. Wryly responding, “Yes well, I’m sure they thought this little town would be chalk full of the supernatural.” 

    “That’s really not the point, darling. Will you let me teach you?” 

    Shaking her head the woman turned her back to begin washing glasses in the sink, mulling over the offer before she hedged cautiously. “I….Kol I can’t use magic unless I take energy from something. Magical energy.” 

    “You can have some of mine of course.” He tone sounded casual, but a glance over her shoulder at him revealed the serious expression on his face. Inwardly she wondered if he knew how much that mean to her, for him to willingly give her his energy. Scrubbing at the tajin on the rim of a glass she made him wait for several minutes before she shook her head. “No.”

    “Come now, your safety should at least inspire you to learn!” He jibbed. 

    “Let’s not get into this right now. I don’t want to learn!” 

    He didn’t respond and she didn’t look to see his reaction. They both knew her statement was a lie anyways. Even if she wasn’t ready to accept it, deep down she yearned to be able to access the wonders of magic she’d seen growing up. But remembering the way her brother had cried out in anguish when the drain of her energy had started to sap away more than just magic was still painful. 

    Kol finally broke the silence as he stood, “You will one day, and I will always be available to teach you.” Throwing down a few bills on the bar, he headed towards the door, stopping only to look at the window for a second before he looked back at her. “I’ll text you the number of a competent window repair company.” 

    “Text? How do you even have my number?” She looked back at him questioningly, only to blink when he wasn’t there. Pulling her hands out of the soapy water to begin drying the glassware, she groaned. Gods, who knew what he’d do with her number.

Chapter Text

    After the 15th call from Kol’s number on her phone, she had ended up locking the stupid device in the office for the night once she’d opened. It had been nonstop all day she bemoaned. Calls mostly but a string of random texts; answer my calls, witchling. what is a ‘frat bro’? I’m not sure I understand the appeal of modern music. have you restocked my bourbon yet? helllllloooooo? I know you can see this, the checkmark tells me so.

    All had gone unanswered of course but had started after she’d texted him to thank him for the reference on window repair. 

    Rolling her eyes just remembering the way her phone had been buzzing nonstop she moved over to the front to unlock the doors, it was an hour earlier than she usually opened up around three in after noon but maybe someone would need a drink. 

    Returning to the bar for busy work while she waited for customers she was surprised when she heard the door open mere minutes later. Sighing a little as she figured only one person would be here this early she didn’t even turn to look as she griped, “Gods above can’t I get a break from you?” 

    “Um…I can come back later?” Definitely not Kol. 

    Spinning around she was met with her younger cousin, the bubbly blonde a welcome sight. Smiling broadly she waved her hand as she made her way around the bar, “Nonsense, I didn’t mean you!” Sweeping in to give the girl a tight hug she was beyond excited to see the other witch. “I’ve missed you Care!” 

    “I knooow, it’s been so long Sai. You weren’t answering your texts so I decided to stop by.”

    They had played together many times when they were younger, had had sleepovers at Grams, and even saw each other a few times at family holidays before Grandma had passed. Since then they hadn’t seen much of each other. Caroline must have needed the hug as she returned it just as tightly before they pulled apart. Taking the girl in, Sairena was pleased she seemed to be doing well. 

    “I was wondering when I’d see you! Your mom said that you’ve been busy with school when she came to help me set-up the bar.” 

    Sheepishly the girl looked around, apparently pleased they were alone before she shook her head as she said, “School’s fine, I’ve been busy with witch stuff. I have a vampire friend and I’ve been helping them out with something. But you know how my mom feels about vampires.”

    A laugh bubbled up out of Sairena as she nodded, remarking, “Ugh yeah, all the lectures when we were younger! Oh my gods, she gave me another one when I moved here, it makes sense if she knows there's a bunch in the area.”

    “Tell me about it.” Caroline sighed exasperatedly. “That’s actually why I’m here. I need advice and it has to do with a vampire.” 

    See now Sairena really wanted nothing to do with vampires and their ilk, but she couldn’t turn down Caroline, gesturing her up to the barstools so they could sit. “What’s up?” 

    “Well…I’m dating this guy, Tyler.” Sairena barely held back the scoof and eye-roll combo at the name, stupid window breaker. “But there’s this other guy…uh Nik, and he’s done some pretty bad things, but I really don’t think he’s naturally a bad person, he’s just had a really bad life, and his dad hates him which is like the source of all his trauma,” taking a dramatic breath she continued, “Anyways, the point is I think I’m totally into him and I don’t know what to do cause he’s like this big bad vampire and all my friends hate him and so does my mom, and I have a whole boyfriend! But he listens…he sees me for who I am, and he respects me as a witch too. Has even provided me new grimoires and materials without a nefarious reason.” 

    That was a lot of information to take in. It also makes sense why she had come here and not one of her closest friends. Caroline certainly had a talent for anxious rambling. Drawing a steadying breath, the older woman placed her hand on Caroline’s. 

    “Everyone has done something that other people consider bad, Caroline. Every person on this earth, knowingly or unknowingly, has different values and different thresholds for what they consider as bad. Besides, people change, even vampires. If this guy is showing you that he values you for who you are and accepts your magic as it is, then personally, I feel like there’s a chance for him to be good. At least to you.” 

    Caroline nodded, seeming to internalize what Sairena was saying so far. “Also, I think you should break up with Tyler anyway. He broke my window.” She gestured to the wall that was currently covered in a tarp. The blonde didn’t seem surprised at that, sighing, “Yeah..he can be hotheaded.” 

    Sairena was about to respond when the door opened up again, catching sight of brown hair and a familiar wide grin. “Well, isn’t it a good thing I was here to save the day then?” As she was looking at Kol, she didn’t notice the way Caroline paled, shooting back a terse. “Oh get fucked, you were just faster. I could have done something about it.” 

    The way he laughed when she said that made her blood boil, scoffing as she waived him off. “I’m talking to my cousin right now. Come back later.” 

    “And miss this delicious conversation about Miss Forbes's feelings for my brother? How could I?” He put a hand on his chest, and a scandalized tone in his voice, but Sairena swore all she heard was a record scratching. Standing up dramatically, she turned to look at Caroline, “Brother?! Absolutely not! I take it all back. Anyone related to him can’t possibly be good enough for you.” 

    To her credit Caroline didn’t even seem to hear her say that as she pointed accusatorily between the both of them, “How do you to know each other? Sai, how do you know a literal Mikaelson?” 

    Sairena raised her eyebrows, not even looking at Kol as she gestured at him. “What’s so important about his name? He’s just some annoying barfly with way too much money,” she then gritted out, “And apparently way too much free time.” 

    "Barfly? I'm hurt."

    Kol plopped down on the barstool next to Sairena and threw his arm over her shoulder despite her obvious annoyance with him, smiling broadly at the blonde. “I like this little bar. That’s how we met, now, back to how you have the hots for Niklaus.” 

    Eager to escape the sudden change of topic, Caroline shook her head and crossed her arms, “No way, there’s got to be more to how you guys met.” Shoving Kol’s arm off of herself, Sairena thought back to the night she first met Kol.

—---Three Weeks Ago—---

    Scrubbing the bar top on a busy night was nearly impossible, especially when people were spilling drinks left and right, but Sairena would be damned before she let anybody think her bar was gross, and gods forbid, sticky . It was her baby. She was very proud of how well the public reception had been too, although she attributed that primarily to people being sick of the Grille in the middle of town. The bar had been officially open for a month today. Which had been celebrated privately in the back office before opening as she hadn’t made her final decision on the hire of employees.

    Although, she thought, the second training day with the shorter, bubbly girl Maisey currently charming an older couple at the bar was going great for such a busy night. Her thoughts were cut short when a gentleman sat right in front of her. Right where she was clearly cleaning up a spilled drink. Inwardly rolling her eyes, she finished wiping up the spill before dropping the rag behind her in the sanitizer bucket. 

    How can I help you today? In the mood for a drink?” Sairena provided the man a bright smile, turning her customer service smile up a few watts when she realized he looked rich as well. She also certainly didn’t miss the full-length up-down the man gave her before he grinned, leaning forward on his elbows. 

    “Well, I’m celebrating my return so why not a bottle of your best whiskey, beautiful?” Oof, hot and British? Sairena was really in for it now.

    “Return? Just move back to town?” Sairena called behind her as she turned to pull a bottle of Glenlivet from the shelf and a rocks glass from the counter. She heard him laugh behind her, in on some private joke, before he replied, “Yes, I’ve just moved back with my siblings.”

    Setting both items in her hands in front of him, she watched him take in her choice of bottle. She caught the slight confusion on his face before it was gone in a flash, and she realized he’d never heard of it before. Laughing a little, she tapped the cap of the bottle. 

    “It’s a little smoother than something like black velvet but not quite as smooth as maker’s, will this do?” 

    “This is really the most expensive bottle you have, pet?” The skeptical tone of his voice, and stupid pet name suggested all kinds of things she didn’t really want to rise to, pinning it on him probably having rich taste. Providing a smile instead of smarting off, she reached over to crack the seal for him. 

    “I’m sure you’ll find no issue with this bottle, sir.” 

    With that, she turned away from the man and walked back over to Maisey, finding her looking a little confused at the POS system screen. “Hey, are you doing alright?”

    “I’m not sure how to ring in this couple's drinks. They both got a Long Island, but that's like 4 liquors, so it wouldn’t be on a specific liquor screen and, like, I totally forgot what you said when you taught me this system. I don’t know what to do.” 

    “It’s alright. Take a deep breath for a second. On this tab two down, labeled mixed drinks, you’ll find a bunch of different buttons for common drinks that are ordered. This is where you’ll find long islands.” The girl took a breath, ringing in the drinks before smiling up at Sairena. 

    “Sorry I was stressing a little. I’m usually much more collected.” 

    Patting Maisey on the shoulder, the brunette shook her head, “It’s okay to get stressed, you’re still learning, and besides, your training has proven to me that you’d make a great addition to the team!” She left the girl grinning ear to ear, turning back to the bar to continue serving the guests. 

    When she reached the man again, she hadn’t even asked him how he was doing before he spoke, “You seem extremely friendly to the help. Aren’t you the owner?” Wow, rude. She took what she thought about him being hot back. 

    “I’m not sure where you’re from, but around here, we’re generally nice.” 

    To his credit he seemed to think about it for a second and Sairena really thought he might just redeem himself but all he said was.

    “I’ll take another bottle.” 

    “Another..? You already finished the other one?” Sairena looked at him with wide eyes before her gaze darted down to the bar top, the empty bottle lying on its side. How could she not have noticed him finishing it so quickly when that was literally her job? She scolded herself inwardly. She huffed a little with disbelief as she looked at him. “Sir, I’m not sure I can give you another bottle. How about a glass?” 

    Snorting, the man waved his hand in a gesture she’s sure was supposed to help convince her, “Oh come now, I’m celebrating. I’m not pissed yet, so grab me another bottle. I’m good for it if that’s the hang-up.”  

    She really didn’t understand what he was saying right now; watching him unsuredly, she waited for a beat before grabbing him another bottle from beneath the counter when she surmised he wasn’t extremely drunk yet. Setting it in front of him, she held out her other hand, squinting at him. “I’m gonna need your card for your tab. That way I can settle you up when you pass out.” 

    The black card he passed her proved her assumptions that he was rich correct. Pushing the bottle towards him, she went over to run his card before she passed it back to him. When she remembered to look at the name, she only saw the last name between his fingers, murmuring. “Mikaelson huh?” 

    He seemed to perk up at that, his eyes focused on her like he was seeing her for the first time. “So you’ve heard of us, have you?”  

    “Uh, no. The name is on the card, sir.” This guy was weird, Sairena decided. Turning away from him before he could question her further. Not noticing the suspicious gaze he had turned her way. 

    The rest of the night had been uneventful, and Sairena had almost forgotten about their encounter until he was signing his bill, leaving a hefty tip in cash on the bar top before speaking up to her. “Here, get some comfortable chairs and less tacky decor.” 

    She had been about to thank him for such a gracious amount of money when he had said this. Scoffing him off, she took the money and provided a terse smile. “Thank you, sir. Have the night you deserve!” 

    After he’d left that night, he had apparently looked into her because he had come back the next night asking all kinds of questions about her name and how she had come to move here. Seemingly never fulfilled with her vague answers, which, yeah, that was fair. When she hadn’t provided him with the information he wanted, he’d just kept coming back, night after night. Until the day she’d found him sleeping at the bar, and gods know how that had gone.

—---Present Day—---

    “It’s really not a grand story Caroline. He came in to drink, was rude, tipped me a bunch of money, and has barely left since.” The blonde didn’t seem convinced, especially not after Kol blurted out, “And I even know her little magic secret.” 

    Sairena barely told anyone about being a siphoner, only the people in her family who needed to know, Grandma, Auntie Liz, and Caroline. So the way Caroline’s eyebrows damn near lifted off her face in shock was fair. Slapping him in the chest without even looking Sairena rushed to dispel any misconceptions. “He only found out cause he pissed me off and then got in my space, I didn’t tell him. Now he’s got it in his head he should teach me magic.” 

    She’d thought she could trust her own cousin to be on her side but the thoughtful look on Caroline’s face was concerning. Giving her a moment to process, Sairena fiddled with one of the rings on her fingers. She didn’t have to wait long, “That’s actually a great idea. Since he can’t die there’s no way you could drain him to death, and he does know a lot about magic.” 

    Ignoring that Caroline was totally being a traitor, she whipped her head around to Kol, “You can’t die? What does that mean? Everything can die.” The grin on his face told her she might be wrong about that. Leaning in closer to her he said, “Well, I’m a special vampire.” 

    She scoffed, turning away from him and back to Caroline. Sure he was just being all full of himself. The seemingly knowing look on the other girls face was not what she was hoping to see. But instead of teasing her, Caroline responded, “Yeah, he’s an Original. Like one of the first vampires. Didn’t you learn about them?” 

    Cursing her lack of magical teaching once more, Sairena shook her head, “I mean, I’ve seen the terms in some of Grandma’s old books, but I’m mostly self-taught besides herbs and potions, remember?” 

    Caroline grimaced a little as she looked away, “I forgot about that. Sorry to bring it up. But, hey, this would be a great opportunity for you to lear—” Putting up a hand to interrupt the girl Sairena firmly repeated, “Sorry, no. I don’t want to get any further into that world.” 

    She couldn’t see the look they exchanged over her shoulder but she knew they were in agreeance. Thankfully, the awkward silence didn’t last long. Like a true younger sibling Kol didn’t give up when thrown a bit of information. “So, Caroline, my brother?” The girl groaned before dramatically dropping her head into her crossed arms on the bar top.

Chapter Text

    Sairena wouldn’t call herself a hermit. But she’s sure others probably would. Having everything she needed, or trying to, usually meant she didn’t need to leave. Her home was above the bar, and on the back side of the building, she had a decent balcony where she grew all of the plants she had room for. Although, recently they had started to invade the inside as well, not that she minded much. The connection to nature helped her ground herself sometimes. 

    Besides that, she had internet and a computer, so all of her stock for the bar was ordered and delivered easily. Groceries for one person were easy to stretch out for a while, but inevitably, she would have to go shopping. She was thinking about fencing off a small bit of the area behind the bar to start a vegetable and possibly fruit garden. Sairena didn’t think anyone would mind as, on the edge of town her closest ‘neighbor’ was a building about two blocks away, and her bar didn’t have a patio. Just a parking lot directly in front and about 10 meters of empty land before the tree line of the forest behind. But it’d be best to check with her Aunt to see if there were any hang-ups or by-laws that could prevent it. 

    Shaking her head a little before she got too ahead of herself in planning the woman once again looked down at the shopping list in front of her, noting that while not long, it was all things she needed immediately. Sighing a little, she dressed for the day, in a simple blue patterned tank and a pair of black cargo pants. Slipping on a pair of green sneakers that definitely didn’t match the outfit, she grabbed her keys and bag before heading out. 

    It wasn’t until she was already outside standing next to her car that she realized she had forgotten her phone with a groan, looking back at the building before deciding she really didn’t need it anyway. Hopping in the car and heading into town. 

    Passing the police station she thought about the little plans she’d been thinking of and last minute decided to stop and go in, she knew her Aunt would be here without having to check anyway, Liz was married to the badge. Walking in she realized she’d never actually been in the building and surmised she might need to get out a little more. 

    She spotted the front desk and walked over, opening her mouth to speak before the man behind the counter held up his finger. Not even sparring her a glance as he said, “Just a second sweetheart, I’m finishing up something important.” 

     With a nod, she stood silently, fiddling with her fingers idly. Another employee had come up to the counter and was amicably chatting with the man, they started to laugh and Sairena sighed a little. She really was trying to be respectful but after she watched the fifth-minute tick by on the clock she stepped back up to the desk. Sairena smiled, trying to seem extra polite, “I just need a quick pointer in the right direction. Sorry to bother you.” She received a sigh in return as the man rolled his eyes at his coworker and swiveled in his chair to actually face her. “Since we’re in such a rush today, I suppose I can put a pause on this. Where are you looking to go, sweetheart?” 

    A little affronted by his attitude she squared her shoulders and returned the snark. “Well thank you so much! I’m actually looking for my Auntie, the sheriff.” He didn’t pale per say but his face definitely looked more serious. Standing up after sharing a look with the other person standing there, he waved her to the right. “Of course, of course, let me just lead you that way.”  

    She could tell his smile was totally fake but she provided him a real one in return, thanking him after he led her to the office, she knocked. Opening the door when she heard her Aunt call to come in. The short-haired blonde looked up at her, surprised to see her. “Sai, I wasn’t expecting you! I’m surprised you came all this way. How’re you doing?” The woman looked pleased to see her at least so Sairena felt less guilty about coming during the work day. 

    “Oh I’m good, thanks again by the way for helping me settle in and move. I really appreciate it Liz.” The blonde waved her hand, “Oh don’t mention it, you’re family. Besides, you’re just about the most normal out of my nieces and nephews, so having you closer will be good for Caroline.” 

    Sairena ignored the mention of her siblings, changing the topic swiftly. “She actually stopped by the other day just to talk. I’ve missed her so much it was great to catch up with her.” 

    Smiling, Liz looked much younger. The frown lines gone and the stress practically melting off her face. It made Sairena realize just how much Liz was probably dealing with. Silently she vowed to make an effort to try and ease the woman’s heart a little more. Although she wasn’t quite sure how yet. 

    “Although I do have to admit I came to ask about some work stuff today. I’d like to build a privacy fence behind the bar, at the bottom of the stairs on the balcony, to start a big food garden, and I wanted to check that that was okay?” Not meaning to sound nervous, Sairena blanched a little when she realized she sounded like a child asking to play outside, clarifying, “I mean, are there any kind of laws, or property line stuff that would prevent me from doing so?”

    “Ahh. As far as I know at the moment, with the deed to the building in your possession, the land is yours to do as you please. Give me a few days though to check the zoning laws in your area and where your property line ends and I’ll get back to you.” The natural formal tone Liz used when she was working had come back and Sairena found she missed the happy smile and lighter tone, hesitating for a second before she said. 

    “I’d really like for all of us to spend some more time together, is there a night this week I can invite you and Caroline over and I can make you dinner?”  

    Liz looked surprised at the offer, pondering a moment before pointing at the small calendar on her desk, “In two days I have the night off, does that work with the bar schedule?”

    “Yeah, that’s usually a slow night for me so Maisey can cover the bar. It’s a plan then, I’ll see you Auntie.” The other woman stood to give her a big hug and Sairena was reminded of her Grandma. She left the building with a big smile on her face and a giant middle finger for the prick at the desk the whole way to the door. Halfway down the steps she noticed a man leaning on the hood of her car, arms crossed looking across the street. Smile wavering she approached the car which seemed to alert the man, who turned to look at her. She recognized him but couldn’t place from where until he opened his stupid mouth. Condescension roiling off of him in waves. 

    “Here to report me to the police for breaking your little window? It won’t work, I happen to be pretty great friends with the sheriff. I'm pretty respected around here.” His eyes were so piercing it was a little unnerving like he was sizing her up or something. Impatiently, he stepped forward into her bubble eyes seeming to sharpen somehow, “Are you stupid? Answer me.” 

    She cocked a brow at him, placing her hand on his chest and pushing him back a step as she sassed back, “First of all, fuck off. Second of all, no. I came to see my aunt. The sheriff.” Damn, this guy would be great friends with the receptionist she mused, they were both dicks. Although this one was definitly more dangerous, the cold chill she’d felt when touching him had proven he was of other, the vampire flavor apparently. Which explained the shock on his face now when she realized he had tried to use the mind thing on her. Was this town infested or something? 

    Chuckling, the guy shook his finger at her. “Well doesn’t that make you a lucky little girl huh? Have other people take care of everything for you?” Now she was confused. What the actual fuck was he talking about. In a moment of stupidity she stepped forward and grabbed his shoulder. Pulling from inside her she felt his energy fill her the tiniest bit, but that was all she needing to give him an aneurysm. One of the few spells she had memorized by heart from Grandma’s books. “I can take care of my self you dick.” 

    Groaning he held onto his head, his knees seemed to go out a little as well. Realizing someone could see she let up, watching him stand up to his full height again as he panted. Squinting at her a little bit before he jeered, “I will make you regret that.” He walked off then, but not before shoulder checking her on his way. Once she heard a little woosh of air she turned her head to see he had disappeared, letting out a breath of relief. 

    “Maybe I should just be a hermit.” 

    “Oh come now, you’d miss all the fun.” Sairena spun around, finding Kol standing where Damon had been moments before, although she felt much safer around this vampire. Walking around him to get in her car she was unsurprised when he was suddenly in the passenger seat. Just sighing a little before she said, “Did you see all of that?” 

    He smiled at her though it lacked a bit of the unhinged vibe it usually gave off. “Only the end, I was about to step in when you casted. I figured you’d be upset if I ruined your ‘don’t fuck with me’ display. It was excellent, 10 points. Although, if you let me teach you, you could've made him pass out completely.” She didn't respond to this, continuing to drive in silence. Looking at the buildings as they drove he furrowed his brow a bit,

    “Where are we going?” 

    Sairena scoffed a little, “ I am going to the grocery store, I’m sure you’ve never been in one.” She expected him to flake out of annoying her after she said this but it seemed to pique his interest. When they pulled up to the store he got out with her and walked inside. Noting his behavior was somewhat mello today she pulled out a cart and pushed it towards him, “You have to push if you’re gonna stay.” 

    When he didn’t say anything she dropped her bag in the baby seat and walked away, a private smiling pulling at her lips as she heard him follow. Humming a soft tune to herself as she made her way around the produce section, placing bagged items in as she went. She hadn’t realized how quiet Kol had been so far until he spoke, “I haven’t seen you this..content before.” 

    She looked back at him before returning her gaze to the asparagus, “I love to cook. I’ve been told I’m good at it as well, but I attribute that to having a great teacher in the arts. She taught me how to cook, how to brew, and before her health declined she gave me the energy to cast briefly.” Sairena wouldn’t know it, but looking at the wistful expression on her face made Kol yearn to be that important to her. 

    “Is that why you don’t want me to teach you?” 

    The brunette was silent, maybe for too long, before she shook her head. Unwilling, no unable to let that be the reasoning she didn’t want to learn. “I just don’t want to get caught up in the drama of the supernatural, that’s all. It sucks you in.” She didn’t need to look at him to know he probably didn’t believe her, but she heard him hum as if accepting the answer anyway.

    They continued along the store, Kol starting back up with the quips and jokes whilst Sairena had to corral him to stay near her. Lest he scandalize another old lady with his ability to relate various produce to body parts. It wasn’t until they reached the checkout that she realised begrudgingly that she was having a good time with him. She might even call them friends at this point. 

    Arriving back at the bar she made him carry most of the bags inside but ended up telling him to sit at the bar after he complained for the third time. “Really Kol, do you have staff for everything you do or?” Disappearing up stairs to put everything away she made sure to stop and water all her plants, singing to them quietly while she did so. She swore that it made them happier. Grabbing her phone when she got back inside she saw a few missed texts from Kol’s number, which she assumed was why he’d come to find her earlier. 

    The time told her she needed to start opening up the bar, returning downstairs to find Kol no longer in the bar. She didn’t think much of it and went about opening everything: flipping chairs, wiping down the bar, prepping garnishes, and unlocking the office to get the register drawer. 

    Only the office was already unlocked when she got there, and this man was riffling through her cabinets with no shame. “Uh…what the fuck are you doing?” He didn’t even turn to look at her, pulling out various bottles of powders and teas, all labeled of course. 

    “I noticed the use of yarrow powder the other day with that woman, I was wondering what else you’ve concocted.” He smiled over his shoulder then, “And since you’ve deigned to invite me inside your apartment this will have to do.” 

    She blinked a little, a little affronted she had never been told that was even a thing, musing out loud, “I was wonderin’ why you hadn’t bashed your way up yet. Thought you were bein’ polite.” 

    “I am the definition of polite.” Kol plopped down in her desk chair, gesturing up to the cupboard he’d been going through. “I thought you didn’t wanna know anything?” 

    Rolling her eyes she pushed him and the chair out of the way, unlocking the safe and grabbing the drawer out. Side-eyeing him for a moment before leaving the office. She heard him get up to follow her and couldn’t help but think she was suddenly so grateful he couldn’t follow her upstairs. He continued to question her down the hall to the main room as she tried to think of what to say to shut him up. However, they both stopped when another voice joined the fray as they walked into the bar. 

    “Boss? I came in early to help ope–oh. I see you already have some help.” Maisey, bless her, looked a little startled but the wide-eyed expression on her face led Sairena to immediately jump on the defense. 

    “He’s just here to discuss investing in the bar!” 

    She heard him make an odd sound in his throat before he nodded his head, looking at her before looking back at the shorter girl with a charming smile. “Yes, the Mikaelson family are certainly invested in several parts of this town, and I drink here plenty.” 

    If the girl wasn’t convinced, she didn’t say anything, heading back past them into the small room Sairena had designated as being a staff room. Stalking over to the register, she put the damn drawer in it before turning back to Kol. He’d taken place on what she was coming to think of as his barstool and was texting someone on his phone. Glad to have the moment to think they spent a few minutes in silence before she quietly said, “You don’t actually have to do that.” 

    “Oh, I’ve already alerted my brother of the investment, and he’ll be stopping by to talk to you about it.” He grinned at her, leaning his face on his hand as he put the phone down to look at her. He then said, “Although, I’d love to know why you felt the need to lie.” 

   Sairena felt her cheeks heat a little bit with embarrassment. Gesturing to the back, “She thinks we're dating.” He didn’t really have any kind of reaction, his eyes searching her face. 

“Would that be so bad?” 

    She didn’t know what to say to that. Beyond having eyes, she hadn’t gotten past his cheeky attitude and flippant disregard for her personal space long enough to see the Kol underneath the front he put up. Shrugging a little she said, “Well, we’ve only recently become friends.” 

    He chuckled, looking down at the bar top before back up to her, “Yes, you’re right. Friends.  Anyway, I’ve got things to do. My brother will get in touch.” And with that he was gone from the space he’d just been. 

    “Oh hey, did he leave? I didn’t mean to interrupt.” Looking over to where Maisey had just walked through the doorway, she realized his laugh had sounded pretty forced. Wondering what it was she’d said, she turned to flip the sign to ‘Open’. Sighing quietly. 

    “I should just never leave my house.”

Chapter Text

Hey all!

I just wanted to drop in and update those who have been following this story! It is 100% not abandoned! I actually ordered a new PC at the beginning of the year because my old one finally gave up on me 🫠, and it's finally here! Expect updates to resume again shortly!

Also, any advice from other TVD and TO writers for Elijah? I'm finding him so hard to write for some reason. 😅

- SirenSeer 🥰

Chapter Text

     The front door of the bar was always opening and closing, it was basically a revolving door at this point. Customers came in and out as they pleased, and seeing as she spent most of her time in the building Sairena wasn’t in the habit of looking at it every time it opened. If people wanted a drink, they had to come up to the bar top anyway. 

     She was busy with her thoughts today though, and secretly hoped the drink orders would be easy on her current autopilot level. It had been two days since she and Kol had spent most of the day together before he flounced off to wherever he went when he wasn’t drinking all the inventory. The way he left gave her a bad feeling, but she wasn’t entirely sure why. 

     Looking down at her phone, she actually had it on her person for once; she could see she still didn’t have any messages from the young man. Sighing a little, her thoughts were interrupted as someone approached the bar. 

     “Pardon my intrusion. I’m looking for the owner of this establishment.” 

     The man before her was head-to-toe, the poster child for what she thought businessmen looked like all the time. Gelled back brown hair, well-maintained physical appearance, and a full-on suit. It even looked freshly ironed! Not a single wrinkle. In the back of her mind, Sairena wondered if he realized how out of place he looked in a full suit, but she hadn’t had the chance to respond before he spoke again. “I’m here to speak with them about an investment opportunity.” 

     Sairena hadn’t expected Kol to take investing in the bar seriously, but the professional-looking man in the suit sitting in front of her was telling her otherwise. Maybe she would let him off the hook for dropping off the radar; he was clearly busy and not actually avoiding her. The man looked mildly perturbed to be in the building, and she wondered exactly what Kol had said to the man to get him here. 

     “Welcome in! I’m Sairena. The owner. Pleased to meet ya.” She put her hand out for him to shake in greeting and barely resisted yanking it back when she felt the cold chill of a vampire as he returned the gesture. She really should have guessed he would be one if Kol sent him.

     “Hello, my name is Elijah Mikaelson. I’m told you are looking for an investor.” The accent clocked before the name did, and once she processed that he was related to Kol, she then found herself wondering how he could be related to Kol. Although there was definitely a small resemblance in the facial features, they couldn’t be more different. 

     Recovering from the brief shock, she smiled brightly, gesturing across the bar with her hand. “I am, yes. I’m looking to enrich this space to appeal more to customers and contribute to the community in some way.” 

     The man nodded, standing beside her now as he surveyed the bar like an appraiser. All business now that he had found who he was looking for. Contemplation on his face, he said, “What makes your bar stand out from other businesses in town? I’m curious why you think we should invest in it.”

     “I’m glad you asked. Currently, in Mystic Falls, the only other establishment resembling a bar is the Mystic Grille which has proven to provide my own establishment with quite the customer base. Many individuals in this town and from the surrounding smaller towns have been looking for a place they know they can depend on but also have a bit of variety. Gaining an investor would allow me to remodel some key areas in both the front and back of house, add a patio on the side for the summer, refurbish the furniture, expand my alcohol stock, begin the advertisement process, and possibly add on to the workforce team. I believe these changes alone would greatly increase the bar’s gains, and if you chose to invest your return.” 

     Giving a sales pitch was nothing new to Sairena. She was right in her element, and inwardly, she hoped she would come across as confident as she felt. For some reason, this man standing next to her, nodding his head in thought, made her feel as if she were taking a test. Although in a way she really was. She only hoped she would pass. 

     He asked her several more questions while they stood there, and eventually, she also offered him a tour of the bottom floor, stopping to explain she lived on the top floor when he inquired about the door. Time flew as they spoke, and she was glad Maisey was working the bar top today when the rush hit, as she might have had to temporarily close the bar to secure this deal. After some back and forth on the details, they seemed to come to an agreement, with Elijah grabbing her contact information so he could email her a contract in the coming days. When he went to leave, Sairena couldn’t help but inquire. 

     “I’m sorry to keep you, but I just have to ask. I know Kol pretty well now, how are y’all so different from each other? It’s so drastic.” 

     Elijah chuckled good-naturedly, shaking his head a little, “It’s no trouble at all, Miss Alden. Kol is one of many siblings, and they are vastly different from one another. I suppose due to our different outlooks on life. Though I’ve really no right to speak of their character on their behalf.” 

     “Oh yeah, of course, s’cuse me. That was a bit rude of me.” 

     “No need for apologies, and though I’d love to continue our conversation, I must be off. I have more business to attend to.” How formal, Sairena thought, sending him off with a smile and a nod. She relaxed a little when he left, returning to the bar top and striking up a conversation with a few regulars before making her way over to Maisey. 

     “Hey, sorry I couldn’t greet you when you got to work. How are you today?” 

     The younger woman waved off her worries and gave a little wag of the eyebrows and a shoulder shimmy. “Another hot British guy, huh? I noticed Kol hasn’t been around. Is he moping 'cause you got a new beau?” 

     Sairena laughed with her, shaking her head. “No. He’s actually Kol’s brother, and the Mikaelson family wants to invest in the bar. I think Kol sent him. Besides, he has no reason to mope even if I do have a man. We are not dating Maisey, and we’re only just becomin friends!” 

     “Oh puh-leasee Kol looks at you with both lust and affection. Ain’t no friendship in that gaze of his. It’s really so obvious to everyone but you, boss.” 

     Shaking her head, the older woman dismissed this line of thought quickly. “No, no. He’s just interested in the bar, and I happen to be running it. All the guests are extra nice for an extra pour.” She was looking down, cleaning some bar glasses so she didn’t see the incredulous look Maisey shared with a patron who was clearly eavesdropping right in front of them. 

     “Boss, you are so smart and very independent, but you are the most dense person I have ever met. He’s totally into you!” Maisey pushed on with the topic instead of dropping it like usual. Which seemed to spur their eavesdropper to lean forward and whisper conspiratorily, “Oh honey, I drink here almost every day, and all us customers know that boy is into you.” 

     Sairena sputtered a little at the unexpected addition to the conversation. Only able to stutter out a “I…I need to go speak with Al.” Before hastily leaving the two behind to gossip. Making her way up to the front of the bar and stepping outside to check on her security. 

     He straightened up as soon as he saw her and she smiled softly, “Everything going okay out here so far tonight?” 

     “Yeah, nothing exciting yet. Oh yeah, speaking of, when’s your boyfriend coming around? He’s always a hoot to joke around with.” 

     Sairena threw her arms up in exasperation, groaning dramatically as she turned around to go inside, “Not you too! He’s not my boyfriend, just a friend. Gods, I can’t with y’all today.” 

     In his defense, Al looked quite confused, but she didn’t stay around long enough to hear his response. Heading back inside to make herself busy. She spent the rest of the night giving her all to bartending. Grateful for once for the group of girls that came in and asked for all kinds of weird shots and bombs, as it was keeping her distracted. Although there was that thought in the back of her head, was Kol into her? She didn’t think he was, but the more she thought about it, the more she realized he might be. This only made her more distressed; she thought they were finally becoming friends, and this was adding pressure to the situation. Now she was worried he would come in, and she’d have to look him in the eye. 

—-A Week Later—-

     A full week. It had really been a full week since she’d seen Kol or spoken to him. Well, technically, she had caved. Texted him asking him where he was but only received a generic, something urgent came up, out of town for a few days, in response which got under her skin a little. She had actually spoken to his brother more, corresponding back and forth on the contract terms, and they finally settled on an agreement that was going to work out perfectly for both parties. 

     The next day, she received a physical copy of the contract as well as a fancy envelope with her name on it. She spent a good portion of her morning going over the contract again with a pen and highlighter to make sure it was the one she had e-signed and hadn’t been changed at all. After she was done with that, she turned her attention to the envelope. It was clearly from the Mikaelson’s. Heavy, crisp-feeling cardstock with her name in fancy calligraphic writing. Thumbing it open gently to avoid tearing it she pulled the contents out to find a beautiful invitation. 

Please join the Mikaelson family this evening at seven o’clock for dancing, cocktails, and celebration.  

     There was a small blurb beneath the main invitation about being a business affiliated with the Mikaelson’s, which Sairena assumed was why she had been invited in the first place. She flipped it over onto the back but found it so be empty. Humming idly she debated on going but it didn’t really sound like her kind of vibe. Setting the invitation aside to check in with her Aunt about the dinner they had planned for that night. The older blonde didn’t answer which wasn’t unusual so she called Caroline instead. Thankfully she picked up right away. 

     “Hey! Still on for dinner tonight?” 

      She heard the blonde hum distractedly, and the sound of fabric rustling before she responded. “I’m not sure I’ll be able to make it, my friends and I alll got invited to the ball at the Mikaelson’s house. I think I should go so they stay out of trouble.” 

     “That’s so odd, maybe they invited the whole town? I actually got an invitation as well but I assumed it was because I just signed a contract with them.” Sairena contemplated. But she hadn’t heard from any of her employees yet about needing the night off to go. 

     “Wait wait wait, you signed what!?” The blonde sounded vaguely panicked and Sairena had to hold back from laughing. 

     “Yeah, remember when you came in the other day and Kol was here? Well they decided to invest, so it’s a business contract.” A sigh of relief came from the other side of the line. 

     “Okay, haha, you had me worried there for a second. Anyways yeah, so I don’t think I’ll make dinner tonight. Besides aren’t you going to the ball too? Kol’s your friend right? What did he write on the back of the invite?” 

     Confused Sairena picked up the invitation again, flipping it over before checking in the envelope to see if she’d missed something. “Uh nobody wrote anything on it besides the invitation details.” 

     “Oh. Okay, I thought maybe he’d have left a note. His brother left one on mine, and Elena’s had a note as well.” 

     “Eh, he’s out of town right now so I don’t think he even would have had the time to do that.” 

     She heard silence on the other side of the line for a second longer than she’d like, shooting off a quick, “Uh hello? Did I lose ya?” Caroline didn’t answer though, instead responding. 

     “Sai, who told you he was out of town? Cause he’s been drinking at the grill, like literally every night this week, my friend was just complaining about him actually.” 

     Sairena felt a slight twinge of hurt at that but shrugged it off, it’s not like he owed her anything at all. Laughing it off a little as she said, “Ah well, maybe there was a miscommunication. Anyways, if you’re going to this ball then of course I have to go. I’m sure I can find something to wear.” 

     The rest of the conversation went by pretty quickly, talking about what they’d both wear, who they hoped they would see, etc and ended with both women agreeing they’d see each other at the ball. Hanging up Sairena got up to pick a dress from her closet, she had maybe three to choose from. It wasn’t every day one went to such fancy events afterall. She decided two of them didn’t work at all, one much two short and cocktail-esque and the other was much too summery. Turning to her last viable dress she blanched a little. 

     It was truly a very gorgeous dress. Just an insanely expensive one, at least for what she had on her when she bought it. A deep burgundy colored fabric, a column-style cut with an off-the-shoulder top. It had been a moment of weakness purchase the first week she’d lived in Mystic Falls and had been shoved in the back of her closet since. Pulling the dress out and hanging it on the closet door, she looked at the clock. With how long it had taken her to read through the contract, she really didn’t have that long until the event started, groaning a little before texting her employees that the bar would be closed for the night. 

     Several hours later, Sairena found herself standing before a grandiose mansion. All in all it had taken Sairena almost a full hour to get ready, but she was pleased with the results. Her hair tumbled down her back in big but gentle waves, her make-up light but accentuating her features, and a pair of black heels to go with her dress. She had purchased a shawl to match the dress that afternoon and was surprised when an attendant took it after she had stepped inside the mansion. 

     Not immediately seeing anyone she was familiar with, she wandered over to a side room to avoid making small talk. Admiring the paintings and the sheer beauty of the building as she went. Sipping on a glass of champagne she had gotten from a waiter’s tray, she stumbled upon a gorgeous painting. Stopping to admire it, she jumped a little when an accented voice spoke to her left. 

     “A fan of the arts? Not common in this area.” 

     Ugh, and here was the dreaded small talk Sairena thought as she turned to see who had spoken. The man beside her was definitely good-looking although he wasn’t Sairena’s type. A strong stature, loose dirty blonde curls, full lips, and vivid blue eyes greeted her gaze. Directing her gaze back to the painting she shrugged her shoulders a little. “Well, I’m not from around here.” 

     He hummed, coming to stand besides her to look at the painting as well. She thought he might stop questioning her and move on but he continued to question her instead, his voice sounding a little suspicious. “If you’re not from around here, then how did you get invited to this ball?” 

     “Oh, I own a bar that is currently in business with the Mikaelson’s, that’s all.” 

     He seemed interested in her then, turning his gaze to her with a newfound interest. “Ah, you must be Caroline Forbes cousin. Miss Sairena Alden.” 

     “You know my cousin?” It was Sairena’s turn to be suspicious now, crossing her arms and fully turning to face him. He seemed amused by the change in her tone and that had her sassing. “And who are you?”  

     Giving her a smile, he offered up his arm to escort her as he said, “I go by Klaus, care for a dance?” 

     Sairena lifted her glass of champagne up to take a gulp at that information. Not taking his arm as she snapped. “You’re Kol’s brother huh? And what are you doing with my baby cousin?” 

     He had the sense to at least look a little startled at her line of questioning, his arm lowering for a moment before he straightened up again and gave her a charming smile. 

     “Perhaps we can talk about Caroline as we walk to the ballroom.” 

     Taking his arm, she gave a moment pause when she touched him, vampire but also…something else? Sairena shook her head, “You can’t just ask for a dance to avoid my questions.” 

     “You are certainly entertaining, Miss Alden. But I certainly don’t have to answer to anyone.” He sounded bemused but Sairena could sense the underlying threat in his voice. Deciding she didn’t really care she snapped back. 

     “Caroline is some of the only family I have left. You will answer my questions about her if you expect me to be encouraging of your… friendship .” 

     She didn’t expect him to laugh, but she was glad that was his reaction. When he stopped dead and froze she quickly looked to where his eyes had landed, and wow. Caroline looked drop dead gorgeous in her blue dress, the hairdo they had discussed over the phone was the perfect fit as well. Quietly parting from Klaus, she took her exit. Spotting Elijah across the room, she headed over, he seemed pleased to see her. Before she could speak, she found herself whisked to a separate room, stumbling a little she heard. 

     “My apologies Miss Alden. I have a favor to ask and it requires privacy.” 

      “Oh. Um. Yeah, of course, what is it?” Sairena set her glass on the closest surface, sure that whatever he was about to ask of her would need her full attention. 

     “I need you to use your…gift, as I believe something suspicious is afoot.” 

     Sairena wasn’t surprised he seemed to know what she could do, but more uncomfortable about having to use it. Rubbing her hands together in contemplation, she nodded her head before she admitted, embarrassedly. “I’ll help you…but I can’t control it yet. I’ll need your brother.” 

     “Of course you need me, gorgeous.” Sairena turned to see Kol had appeared in the room with them, leaning against the wall behind her. Smirking at her as he asked, “Finally admitting it?” 

Chapter Text

    It wasn’t that seeing him she was immediately overcome with those cheesy feelings she had read about in Grandma Daphne’s old books; it was more subtle, more light than all-consuming. It was the realization that she didn’t have to worry with him there, that she could relax a little and be more of herself. Although one of Sairena’s greatest strengths was also one of her greatest weaknesses, one she shared with most of humanity she was sure, pride. She wouldn’t be the first to crack and say something to the other, and she certainly wouldn’t accept anything Kol said in jest. So Sairena did what she does best and immediately shut off that part of her thoughts to focus on the subject at hand. Leaving Kol’s question unanswered to get more information from Elijah. 

    “What exactly is it you need me to do?” Elijah pondered for a moment before explaining his suspicions of their mother, the way their brother Finn hadn’t left her side, and her request to meet with a doppelganger alone. “Hold on, stop. A doppelganger? That’s a powerful ingredient for a lot of spells.” Sairena worried her bottom lip with her teeth as she thought, churning all the information together whilst wracking her brain for everything she knew about doppelgangers other than that they were quite dangerous to have around, what with every magical force typically fighting over them. And he was standing here telling her that a witch capable of over turning the balance of nature to make vampires was back and meeting with said girl? If Sairena didn’t have a vested interest in this town remaining peaceful, she might have denied to help.

    “Quite. You can see why I have called upon you for assistance. I need to know what is said in that room, and I’m sure our mother will have spelled the room.” Called upon? Gods this man was old and odd. Shaking her head, Sairena turned to Kol. 

    “What do you think? You know a lot more about this.” Kol seemed to pick up on her meaning, stepping forward into the room and shutting the door before pulling a sage stick out of the coat pocket in his suit. 

    “This is likely what she’ll use to have a private conversation, it was one of her favorites when we were younger. Unfortunately for you, because the sage is spelled and not the room itself, you won’t be able to pull the spell from the outside. You’d have to grasp the sage itself for that trick. You’ll need to perform a counter-spell allowing us to hear inside for the duration of their conversation.” 

    That worried Sairena; quick bursts of magic were what she was most familiar with since she hadn’t been properly trained and she had trouble keeping up prolonged spells. Not to mention, she’d be actively battling the magic of a much older and powerful witch. She wasn’t sure the two men in front of her really grasped what they were asking of her. 

    Tentatively, Sairena said, “I’ll try to help you, but I want an assurance that if I fail, you aren’t gonna turn around and try to hit me or somethin’.” She saw Kol stand up a little straighter at that, looking over to his brother. 

    Elijah nodded his head, looking at her as if trying to assess her abilities. “You have my word that I will bring no harm to you should you fail. Now, what do you require to begin?” 

    Sairena rubbed her hands together nervously. “I need to be as close as possible, in the next room if I can, and….I’ll need a power source.” 

    Kol stepped forward towards her, smiling in a softer way than normal. “Well, of course, I’ll offer myself up to you for that, Sai.” She rolled her eyes a little at him at that before turning back to Elijah. “I also need any vampires that might harm me to be dealt with or distracted. I’ll only be able to keep the radius of my spell to a small area, though, so it’s likely that only the people with me will be able to hear the conversation.” 

    Elijah nodded in thought before flashing out of the room quickly. In no time at all, he was back, and a moment later, a stunning blonde woman in a green dress joined them in the room. 

    “Come now, ‘Lijah, I was having fun socializing. What is it you want that was ‘of the utmost importance’?” 

    He seemed quite used to her vicious gaze as he merely waved a hand at her protests and gestured over to where Sairena and Kol were standing. The woman’s sharp gaze found its way to her face, and Sairena only barely avoided flinching, but thankfully she was ignored in favor of Kol. “Well? Out with it then, I’d like to enjoy the ball.” 

    Kol laughed at her, “Oh Bekah, always so impatient. We need you to distract Finn, get him away from Mother for a bit.” 

    Ah, so she was another original then. The woman cocked her hip to the side and crossed her arms, voice a tad more serious now as she snapped, “You brought me here to ask me to play distraction? Why doesn’t one of you dolts do it?” 

    Kol immediately shot back a barb at her that sent the two into a typical sibling squabble, and Sairena found herself lost for a moment before looking to Elijah for his reaction. 

    Elijah sighed from where he was standing, and Sairena noticed both of his other siblings seemed to quiet down and give him their attention at this. “Will you help us or not, sister?”  

    Flipping her hair over her shoulder with an annoyed huff, she nodded her head, and the siblings got started on planning. After several minutes, with their plans made clear to everyone, they dispersed. Kol and Sairena went up to the room beside where their mother had set up, Elijah would join them after making sure that Rebekah had successfully distracted Finn. 

    They still had time to prepare as the doppelgager hadn’t been brought up to the room yet, and Sairena was starting to feel the pressure. Kol was verbally walking her through the spell she would be using, a grimore on the table open to the page he was seemingly reciting from memory at her. 

    She was wringing her hands whilst pacing before she felt Kol’s eyes fully shift to her. He seemed to realize how stressed she was as he stopped speaking and walked over to her before grabbing her shoulders. It was actually quite grounding and Sairena felt relieved. Looking up to see his serious face, she went to speak before he beat her to it. 

    “I know you’re nervous, but you don’t have to be. The spell is right there, and I’m right here. I’ll power you up, you do the spell, we listen, and poof, done. Then you’ll be free to go and dance with all the men who’ve been staring at you since you arrived.” 

    Sairena chuckled at his joke, rolling her eyes as she said. “Yeah right, nobody has spared me a glance all night. I’ll probably try to find Caroline.” 

    “You’re wrong, you know. Many eyes have been on you since you walked in earlier, and who would blame them? You look so…bewitching tonight. Your perfectly done hair and gorgeous dress compliment you, Sairena.” 

    Her eyes snapped up to his when she realized how serious he was. Realized that he had not only seen her arrive but also stayed close enough to see others taking note of her as well. Then his compliments registered, and she felt her face flushing, opening her mouth to respond when the door swung open and Elijah entered. Stepping away from Kol as the other man began speaking. 

    “Rebekah has called Finn down to help her, and our Mother approaches with the doppelganger. Hopefully, you’ve prepared yourself.” 

    Sairena nodded her head and turned back to Kol. He held his hand out to her, and she realized he had let go of her when she’d stepped away a moment ago. Taking his hand, she let that tightly coiled and hidden power of hers reach out. Hungry and searching, it latched onto Kol’s immense magic power. She stopped when she felt like she might burst from the power, but in his defense, he barely looked affected. Shaking her head to focus, Sairena waited until Elijah gave her the signal to begin. He had been listening intently and appeared to no longer be able to hear what was being said. 

    Sairena looked down at the grimore Kol had set out and began to recite the spell, blocking out any other thoughts as she focused on using the power she had taken from Kol. She certainly wasn’t expecting what felt like the wind being knocked out of her a second later. Gasping as she gripped the edge of the table, she realized it was Esther’s magic fighting her and pushed harder. Sweat beaded along her forehead as she continuously recited the spell, noticing out of the corner of her eye that both Elijah and Kol seemed to be listening intently. 

    Surprisingly or unsurprisingly, she should say instead, Kol’s energy was draining from her quickly. Previously, his energy had lasted her for almost a week. She supposed one shouldn’t take the original witch too lightly, especially against an inexperienced one such as herself. It was so much easier to drain magic than to use it, she lamented silently, although maybe she should be glad she hadn’t gotten a nosebleed yet. 

    “Kol.” She gritted his name out through her teeth and saw his attention snap to her; when he noticed she was struggling, he took both her hands from the table and nodded his head at her. Sairena let herself freely take the energy she needed, squeezing her eyes shut as she continued. 

    Seconds felt like hours against the rough and old magic she was fighting and Sairena shuddered to think what an actual strong spell from this woman would require to counter it. She wasn’t actually sure how long it was until she felt Kol let go of her hands and instead grab her shoulders. “That’s enough, Sai. They’re done.” 

    Slumping with a sigh of relief, Sairena looked up at the two men and only then realized the dark expressions on their faces. Standing up a little more sharply as she tentatively said, “It looks like it wasn’t what you wanted to hear..”

    Elijah didn’t respond, flashing out of the room after a moment to presumably deal with whatever they had heard. She turned her head to look at Kol, but he didn’t answer her either, staring down at the floor. She reached up and grabbed his arm, staying silent as he leaned into her touch. 

    They stayed like that for several moments before he straightened up and sadly put up his joker mask once more, jovially pulling to the door. “Let’s go then, we’ll be late for the toast. Besides, you haven’t even asked me to dance yet.” 

    Sairena spluttered at his actions, more confused than anything, but decided that if this was what he needed right now she’d go along with it. Joining him at the bottom of the grand staircase, she looked up at the regal-looking woman who was going to be giving the toast. Surmising this must be their Mother, she silently noted they had some of her features. 

    After calling attention to herself, the woman gave a small speech before presenting a toast. Sairena held the champagne to her lips, but before drinking realized she could feel a twinge of magic from it. Deciding against it, she noticed Kol next to her only pretending to drink it. She surmised it must have something to do with what he had heard earlier and turned to face him fully as people started to disperse. 

    Trying to distract him from whatever he must be feeling, she suggested, “Would you like to dance with me?” He looked surprised at the question before smiling widely at her, “Why, I thought you’d never ask.” 

    He led her into the ballroom and out onto the dance floor, where a classical piece was just beginning to fill the air with its lovely notes. As they began to perform the steps to the song, he seemed a little surprised she knew the dance, “I wouldn’t have pinned you as a ballroom dancer.” 

    She laughed quietly, “You know old families, they teach you the most boring family history and the most tedious things. They even make you learn how to ballroom dance so you might never embarrass them.” 

    Kol smiled down at her. “Well, I happen to be enjoying that you’re such a good student then. You dance wonderfully, Sai.” She had to look away from his gaze this time, feeling the atmosphere from earlier returning between them. 

    “Thank you. You’re pretty light on your feet yourself.” She knew there was a nervous undertone to her words now, she only hoped he wouldn’t pick up on it. He did though, because of course he would, the smirking bastard. “Maybe you’ll let me take you dancing another time then?” 

    “You want to take me dancing?” Her incredulous tone slipped out without her even thinking, but he didn’t bat an eye, nodding his head. “Sai, I’ve been wanting to take you out, haven’t you noticed?” 

    She didn’t know what to say to that. She felt like there was something between them, but he joked around so much she had almost convinced herself that he didn’t like her as much as everyone thought, but maybe she was wrong. 

    “I..Well, I mean, yeah, I thought…I don’t know what I thought, Kol.” Sairena looked to the side. 

    He was silent for a moment before he spoke lowly, “I think you’re drawn to me just as I am to you.” 

    With that, he spun her and then they were swapping partners. Her other hand was taken by the next partner before she had a chance to respond. Unfortunately for her, she’d rather dance with anyone else. 

    “Well, well, well, how’d I know you’d be here clinging onto the Mikaelson’s again?” Damon Salvatore’s piercing gaze met hers, his grip on her hand more painful than guiding. She scoffed at him with a roll of her eyes. 

    “I was invited. Something tells me they definitely didn’t invite an asshole like you.” 

    The way he gritted his teeth told her she was right. He squeezed her hand again until she visibly flinched. A nasty smile spread across his lips as he said, “Tonight is not the night you wanna insult me.” 

    Feeling courageous with Kol’s energy still in her possession, she focused on him and pushed with her mind. She saw his forehead crease and felt his grip weaken on her hand as she gave him an aneurysm, speaking over his groan as she said, “Don’t threaten me.” 

    She had to let up on him, only because they were in public, and hoped he would be silent the rest of their section. He was, thankfully, but he quickly returned to squeezing her hand painfully. She responded in kind by stomping on his feet every chance she got.

    With that, they switched partners again, and she found herself dancing with Klaus, his lips twisting into a smile when he realized it was her. “I suppose we ended up dancing after all then, no?” 

    The absurdity of this night was beginning to get to her now; so many things had happened in such a short period, and she laughed as she nodded. “Yes, I suppose we did.” 

    His smile turned what she could only pinpoint as devious then, before he echoed her words from earlier in the night, “And what are your intentions with my brother?” 

    Sairena laughed at his unexpected words, surprised that someone who was supposed to be feared actually had a sense of humor. Her gaze darted over to Caroline, who was dancing with a man that looked her age, before looking back at Klaus. “You first, you never answered me.” 

    He seemed to consider her question for a moment before he spoke, “To tell you the truth, I quite like your cousin.” Sairena nodded her head at this before she decided to give him some advice. 

    “Caroline is very big on trust and honesty. It probably means more to her than anything else.” 

    Klaus made a sound of consideration before tipping his head to the side in gesture. She followed his motion to see Kol, who was dancing with an older woman she didn’t recognize, looking bored out of his mind. 

    "My brother..feels things very deeply. He takes things a lot more seriously than he pretends to.” 

    Sairena nodded her head at this; the mutual sharing of information painted Klaus in a different light to her now. Her thoughts strayed back to Kol then and the conversation they had, she felt overwhelmed but not in a bad way and soon enough, the dance was over and she was making her way out of the room in need of fresh air. Making her way outside of the first door she saw found her in a beautifully designed garden area. 

    Glass lanterns hung on wrought-iron hooks lined the walkway, each holding a candle that swayed with the breeze, casting golden halos that danced across the hedges. Petals of moonflowers unfurled slowly, their pale blossoms glowing among the darker foliage. Fireflies drifted lazily between the hedges, their flickering lights adding a nice ambiance to this fine southern night.

    She admired the flowers, a wonderful choice for a mainly nocturnal household she thought. A soft rustle came from the hedges now and then, though no wind stirred them. Somewhere deeper within, a fountain murmured, but the sound wasn’t quite right. It echoed oddly, like water trickling through stone where no channel should be, or like voices murmuring just below the threshold of comprehension. A creeping unease suddenly settled in her chest as she moved further into the space, spotting a bench to sit and gather her thoughts.

    With a small sigh she moved to sit down before she found herself thrown to the ground abruptly. Her head bouncing off the cobblestone path with a wicked crack. A shocked cry left her lips but was cut off by a crushing grip around her neck, her eyes laid upon her attacker as they jerked her up from the ground to stand again. Finding the eldest Salvatore’s vicious visage wasn’t a surprise but was certainly unwelcome. 

    “I am having a really bad night, and you are just about the most annoying witch I’ve ever met.” 

    His fingers were crushing her windpipe so she was unable to respond but even if she had been the way her head radiated with pain and her vision swam probably would have kept her from snapping back. His free hand reached out to a spot on her head, his fingers coming back into her vision covered in red. 

    “Oh, a snack? How kind of you to offer.” 

    Sairena squeezed her eyes shut when he sucked her blood off his fingers, her hands coming up to claw at his hands desperately. Without effort this time she began to pull his energy without holding back nor trying to be gentle. 

    “Ah fuck!” He ripped his hand away from her neck when it became painful, and Sairena stumbled back. Reaching a hand up to her wound she held the other one out at him. A small but defensive spell her Grandma Daphne had taught her came tumbling back to her in the fog of thoughts. 

    “ Motus !” 

    Damon went flying backwards into a nearby tree, a branch stabbing through his shoulder an unintentional success for her. She turned and stumbled towards the door, lamenting how far she’d come out into the garden now. Just as she began to run up the path she felt fingers snatch her hair. A hand jerking her head back before fangs plunged into her neck, involuntarily she let out a short scream. 

    Pulling back from her neck he snidely snapped, “Christ, shut the hell up. You’re annoying.” 

    Sairena didn’t know what to do next, the aneurysm she had tried to give him didn’t seem to work, although she blamed that on barely being able to think, but thankfully another voice entering the fray gave her hope that she wouldn’t have too. 

    “My thoughts exactly, mate. How your brother and the doppelganger tolerate you is beyond me.” 

    Kol. Sairena breathed a pained sigh of relief, before letting out another yelp as her head was yanked so that her bloodied neck was on display. Damon’s focus now on the other man, he taunted jovially, “Oh come on! I was just getting her ready for you, you know you’ve been wondering how she tastes, and whew! She is delic–” 

    His voice cut off and suddenly Kol was no longer in her line of sight, Damon was pulled off of her and from the sounds of it thrown closely nearby. Spinning around Sairena could see the men fighting which seemed to have drawn attention of the other supernaturals in the house. 

    She heard running footsteps and both men’s names shouted from different sources, though she didn’t spare them a glance. Focusing on the energy she had taken and shouting out the only ofensive spell she knew. 

    “Cruorem Fractura!” 

    With a sickening crunch and a satisfying feeling of power Damon’s neck snapped to the side fatally and he fell to the ground. Kol looked back to her, his face thunderous as he took her in before his eyes met hers. She swayed, unsteady on her feet and suddenly he was there. Supporting her with his hands. He didn’t even hesitate before he was biting into his wrist and then offering it up to her. With a scrunch of her nose she shook her head, wincing when that sent her vision swimming. Opening her mouth to turn down the blood she heard her name. 

    “Sairena!” Caroline was there then, tears welling up in her eyes. “Drink it, now, don’t you even try to refuse.” Rolling her eyes Sairena took his blood, and ew, she knew this worked but she definitely wasn’t enjoy the metallic twang. 

    Healed but still shaken up she turned to hug her cousin for a long moment. Feeling a soothing hand on her back she pulled away from the girl and turned back to Kol. 

    “Thank you, for well, all of that.” He nodded his head before smiling at her, his gaze going over to Damon, whom was now surrounded by a few people. “You did great Sai, I thought you didn’t study magic?” 

    “I didn’t. Those are quite literally the only defensive and offensive spells I know. But…that needs to change.” 

    She had his full attention once more at that, saw the serious contemplation behind his eyes as he waited for her to speak. This was a decision she had been toiling with for weeks but this moment had solidified her position on it. So it was without a hint reluctance that she said, “I want you to teach me everything you know about magic.” 

    A slow smile spread across his lips then, stepping forward he took her hand before lifting it up to kiss the back of it. “Why, I thought you’d never ask.” 

Chapter Text

Tucked away in the halls of the Mikaelson manor, on the second floor, Sairena found herself in a room she could only describe as an actual study. She had believed Kol when he said he knew a lot about magic, but she never imagined it was this serious of an interest for him. It warmed her heart a little to know that she’d be learning from someone who clearly respected the ancient craft and not just sought out its power. 

Stepping further into the room to inspect everything, she felt like she was stepping into a sanctuary of old-world knowledge. She could feel the aura of magic in the air, likely from all the relics scattered about. Floor-to-ceiling bookshelves stretched along the dark mahogany-paneled walls. Kol explained they were filled not only with ancient grimoires and cursed volumes in forgotten tongues but also with banned philosophical texts. He even claimed that this was only just a small portion of his books, apparently, they had houses everywhere. Sairena hummed in appreciation, impressed with the collection.

The scent of leather and aged parchment clung to the air. Though Kol walked over to the window, where a small table sat, and lit something that filled the room with the smell of cedarwood. A desk caught Sairena’s attention; it dominated the center of the room, and it appeared its surface was cluttered with cracked crystal paperweights, feathers, half-melted candles, and more magical artifacts. The chair didn’t quite match it, which lead Sairena to think Kol might be more of a pace while reading than a sit down and dig in kind of reader.

On one wall, a large, cracked mirror was hung up. She walked over to inspect the mirror, but it seemed distorted with magic, never quite getting her reflection right. Moving on, she walked over to a glass case that housed various different objects. 

“Pretty interesting, right?” Kol’s voice was right beside her ear, causing her to jump a little. Spinning to face him, she flushed at his closeness before nodding her head. He leaned in then, and she thought he might kiss her before he tapped the case behind her head. 

“This collection of artifacts is the most dangerous of the ones I have in my possession; maybe we’ll learn about them in the future.” With that, he pulled away from her and moved to the desk. Pushing it back up against the wall with ease to create space on the floor. She shook her head and finally moved from where she had been standing, it was time to learn not flirt damn it.

 Kol grabbed what looked like chalk and a big candle before turning to the open space to draw a circle big enough for the both of them. He made a few sigils on the outside of the circle too and explained that it should keep her magic contained inside of the circle but would require a touch of magic from her. 

“Feel that energy still inside you, and place your palm on each sigil for a moment. Think of the energy flowing, not simply out of you, but through you and into the markings.” 

Sairena did as he said, trying to focus and willing her magic to listen to her. She felt the energy move into the sigils, but it felt sluggish and didn’t seem very strong. Kol moved until he was standing in the center of a circle he had made on the floor, sleeves rolled to the elbows, smirking like he had all the time in the world. She hated that smirk, although secretly it had started to make her heart stutter.

“That was hard, right? It felt awkward and unfamiliar?” Kol seemed to know everything she lamented, hoping to avoid the embarrassment of failing today. She nodded her head and began to defend herself before he interrupted.

"You’re thinking too much. Magic isn’t polite, darling. Especially not your kind." His voice was smooth then, confident, and in his element. She liked this side of him. 

"You’re a siphoner. A parasite by nature. That’s not a weakness. It’s a weapon. But only if you stop trying to ask magic for permission." His eyes burned for a second, sharp and wise. “You have to take it. Take what you want.”

He held his hand palm up to her, then, the other holding the candle from before.. “Draw from me.” Kol’s voice was so low it was like a whisper. “Like you’re starving.” She gritted her teeth, taking his hand. He didn’t move, confident in her ability to learn.

The pull wasn’t instant, but using his guiding words, she focused. It felt like a vein opening, not of blood but something older, deeper. Sairena could feel his power, ancient and slithering against her. It was like touching the edge of a black hole, ready to swallow her whole.

She gasped, feeling the magic rushing through her as her chest tightened. It was different this time, somehow. Before, she felt like she was taking power, but now she could tell she had only been scratching the surface. No wonder she had struggled to counter-spell during the ball. This power felt limitless. Hot. Wild. Furious.

"Now light it," he said, watching her with wild eyes. Almost like he was daring her, Sairena felt.

“ Incendia .” 

The Latin still felt awkward on her tongue, but the wild power thrumming through her was beginning to feel more normal. A feeling she didn’t realize she wanted at all.

Between them, the candle exploded into flame. 

Sairena felt the magic whipping through her, burning every nerve like fire and ice. Shocked, she staggered back, heart pounding. That had felt so much different than the times, both intentionally and unintentionally, she had cast in the past. Opening her eyes, she realized every candle in the room was lit, so much for those sigils. 

Kol just laughed, dark and delighted. “Now that ,” he said, stepping closer to hand her the candle, brushing the little bit of ash from the flame off of her cheek with a maddening gentleness, “is how you stop asking and start taking .”

The flame danced wildly in the candle’s cradle, flickering like it had a heartbeat. Sairena felt it matched the rhythm of her own. She could still feel the electricity of Kol’s power inside her, humming low under her skin like static.

He circled behind her then, voice low in her ear. “You feel that? The current hasn’t stopped running. It’s in you now.”

She didn’t move, she wasn’t sure she could. 

“Now,” he murmured, “we channel it again. But this time, with intent. Magic without intent is powerful, sure. But magic with intent behind it can accomplish anything.”

He stepped back in front of her, raising a hand. Flipping a silver coin between his fingers, light catching on several runes engraved on the surface. She hadn’t seen him grab it- classic vampire theatrics.

“What’s that?”

“A charm,” he said. “Enchanted with a compulsion hex. Let’s see if you can strip it without siphoning the magic from it.”

She arched a brow at that. “That seems pretty advanced after just lighting a candle.”

Smiling at her, he shook his head a little, “Look at it like this. You just gave something to the candle, it’s flame. Now you’re going to take something away from this charm, the hex. Easy, darling.” 

Sairena huffed an annoyed sound, “The doesn’t seem possible at my level.” 

Kol’s smile twisted, all trouble and promise. “Anything’s possible with enough raw magic and intent.. Something tells me you’ve got plenty of both.”

She sighed at that but figured he probably knew best.

He dropped the coin into her palm then and recited the words she would need for the spell to her. It was cold. Heavy with spellwork. 

Closing her eyes, she reached for the buzz of magic still crackling beneath her skin. The pulse thrumming almost through her chest. She whispered the words he had taught her just moments before:

“ Rescindere incantamentum.”

The coin pulsed in her hands. Heat beginning to radiate from it. She gritted her teeth a little when she felt the magic resisting her, like an immoveable force, like a locked door, she thought. Remembering Kol’s words from earlier, she said the words again, more forcefully; she wasn’t knocking on the door. She was kicking it down.

The enchantment snapped like a brittle bone then.

When she opened her eyes, the coin was glowing. The runes on the surface had shifted. Huh, she thought, maybe it was made to be a tool to train with. Kol was watching her, she noticed, with something unreadable in his eyes.

“Well, well.” His voice had dropped to that smooth and low tone from earlier again. “You are a quick study.”

She recalled their conversation from the ball when she’d mentioned this and smiled up at him, “Well, I have a pretty okay teacher.” 

“No, darling. You have a wonderful teacher.” He stepped closer, too close, Sairena thought. The air between them was palpable with tension. Her heart raced, but she suddenly realized it wasn’t from the spell work. “I can teach you so much magic..and more.”

“You’re dangerous,” She said. Her words were a whisper now as she looked up into his eyes. 

Kol leaned in, his breath fanning over her cheek. “And yet you’re still here.”

Sairena felt her throat bob as she swallowed hard. Kol’s eyes ran down her throat as she did so. He lifted a finger then to her collarbone, tracing a slow, deliberate line that made her breath hitch. It was quiet then, and Sairena admired his face more than she had ever let herself. A moment later his voice broke the silence.

“Once more,” he whispered. “Then we call it for the night.”

She nodded, not trusting her voice. 

Kol stepped back, giving her space, and Sairena was surprised to find she almost stepped forward to follow. She shook her head a little and mentally scolded herself to focus.

“This one’s old,” he said. “Offensive, and violent, if done right.” His eyes scorched when they met hers, a hungry heat in them. “Perfect for you.”

“Sanguinem Laxo.” He spoke with confidence, and Sairena wondered vaguely if he missed magic. It wasn’t hard to pinpoint that at some point, he had been able to use it.

Her fingers tingled, magic building like a storm under her skin. She was ready, she thought. 

“You’ll use this only in extreme cases. It’s not like the bone-breaking spell you used at the ball,” Kol said. “This one doesn’t forgive.”

Sairena nodded her head, squaring her shoulders. “I’m ready.” 

His smirk softened, although she couldn’t quite read the emotion behind it this time- admiration, maybe. Or something more dangerous.

He raised his arms then, gesturing towards his chest, “Go on then. Hit me with it.” 

“But you just said–” 

“I’m not a normal vampire, Sai; it’s almost impossible to kill me.”

She wasn’t confident of that, but he knew more about this world than she did, so she decided she’d trust him. “This might hurt.”

He winked at her, quipping, “Only a little.”

Sairena raised her arm, centered herself, and spoke. 

“ Sanguinem Laxo.”

The spell shot from her palm violently, like lighting. Invisible but vicious , it slammed into Kol’s chest with a force that made the candles in the room gutter and shiver. She saw the blood splatter behind him and stepped forward in shock. A hole in his chest was clear through to the other side. He staggered back a step, lips parting in surprise, and Sairena almost started to cry.

A slow grin bloomed on his face then, and the tissue began to visibly knit back together. A shuddered and ragged breath of relief left her lips. 

“Bloody hell,” he muttered, rubbing the spot like it burned. “You actually did it.”

“You…you told me to.” She studdered.

“Yes, but I didn’t think you’d do it so well ,” he said, eyes gleaming. “There’s a violent little goddess waking up in you, Sairena.”

She tried to think of something snarky to reply but found she couldn’t. She could barely breathe, the rush was too great. She needed to step back and take a moment. But instead—

He was in front of her before she even realized, had she moved towards him? Or maybe he moved. Maybe they both did, she thought, pulled together by something that didn’t need spells or siphoned power to rip through the air.

“You could be terrifying,” he said softly, eyes flicking down to her lips. “And I think I like it.”

His hand came up, fingers brushing a stray hair from her cheek, then lingering along the line of her jaw. The air felt thick with everything unsaid. For once, Kol Mikaelson wasn’t smirking. He looked… captivated.

She didn’t stop him when he leaned in, didn’t step back from him, she wanted this and she was ready to accept that.

Their lips met and Sairena thought it felt just like magic– just right. It was soft for a second, then urgent and hungry. Heat surged between them, the kind that no spell could replicate. Sairena’s fingers curled into the fabric of his shirt, trying to anchor herself to this very moment. He growled low in his throat, hands on her waist, pulling her in closer. And then– 

“Kol.”

The voice was sharp. Cold. Regal.

Breaking apart suddenly like they had been caught stealing fire, Sairena’s angry gaze turned to see who had interrupted. 

Standing in the arched doorway, arms crossed, was Elijah Mikaelson because of course it was, she thought. The stupid immaculate suit, unreadable expression, and judgment practically radiated off him like secondhand smoke.

Kol groaned, pressing his forehead against her shoulder for a brief second. “Bloody perfect timing.”

“Apparently,” Elijah said, arching a brow, “Miss Alden, aren’t you supposed to be busy with the bar? You’ve not been distracting her, now have you Kol?”

Sairena felt her face flush, not just from the kiss but the fact that Elijah had seen it. Of all people. Kol straightened slowly, turning toward his brother with the practiced boredom of someone who’d been reprimanded a thousand times and still didn’t care. “We were training.”

“Is that what we’re calling it now?”

“I'd offer to explain the spellwork,” Kol said, brushing ash off his sleeves, “but I doubt you’d appreciate the finer points.”

Elijah’s gaze slid to her then, polite but piercing. “I’m sure you don’t need a lecture on the ways of business Miss Alden, I sincerely hope our investment wasn’t misplaced.”

She lifted her chin; then, she wouldn’t be talked down to. “He’s not wrong. He was teaching me magic. Not that it’s any of your business what we were doing, but I have employees who are at the bar right now and perfectly capable. Besides, what if you need my help with magic again, huh?”

Kol grinned, proud. “Yeah, Elijah, loosen your tie.”

Elijah sighed like he aged a century in that very moment. Waving his hand as he changed the subject. “Father’s body was moved. We found traces of witchcraft on the coffin. Niklaus thinks we’re being watched.”

Kol’s expression shifted instantly. Tension coiled behind his eyes as he stood up straighter. “Who would even know where he was?”

“That’s why I came,” Elijah said, gaze flicking between us. “Get cleaned up. Niklaus needs us all present. 

And just like that, the moment was gone. Torn away by family, secrets and the ever-churning wheel of Mikaelson drama.

But as Kol turned to leave, he brushed his fingers against hers like a promise. Sairena held onto that touch like it was a spell waiting to be cast. 

~~~~~~~~

The sky over Mystic Falls was the kind of dusky lavender that only the southern sky could produce. Crickets chirped in the grass, cicadas screamed in the trees, and the old windmill near Wickery Bridge creaked with every breeze.

She and Kol stood in the backyard behind the bar. She’d had a fence put up recently, so it provided the perfect privacy in this moment. The garden light glowed warm around them, casting gold on Kol’s cheekbones as he paced around the space.

He was muttering in a language she couldn’t decipher. Which told Sairena he was actually worried about what had happened. Maybe she should try to distract him. 

“I totally blasted a hole through your chest last week,” she said, trying to lighten the air. They had spent nearly every day since then working on her magic, although it hadn’t been quite as charged between them with the looming problems.

Kol stopped. Looking at her in that wild way that only he could, his eyes alight with mischief. “And yet I still find you irresistible. What does that say about me?”

Sairena chuckled, “Poor judgment, maybe?”

He stepped closer, dangerous and magnetic. “Or excellent taste.”

There it was again, that feelings of tension between them. Sairena still hadn’t had time to process the kiss they shared, so focused on the magic. She was still mad it had been cut so short, thanks to Elijah’s impeccable timing.

She was still as Kol brushed his fingers down her arm. His touch sparked and buzzed against her skin where she was still carrying the borrowed magic, the siphoned power an echo of his strength.

“This place,” he murmured, glancing around the little garden she was working on, “suits you. Wild edges. Stubborn roots.”

“You mean the crumbling stairs and the shoddy porch?”

“I mean, you’ve carved out something real. On land soaked in blood and memory no less. I can see the plants flourishing under your touch, and even the bar is thriving under you. That takes a great strength of character.

Before she could answer, the sound of the gate hinges squeaked, and she turned to see who had dared to enter her private space. She wasn’t disappointed though, they had been waiting for her after all, as Caroline emerged from the side trail, her silhouette framed by fireflies and moonlight. She mentally wished more people in Mystic Falls respected her cousin as the competent and dangerous witch she was. 

“Sairena,” she called, “we’ve got a problem.”

Sairena’s chest tightened; she had been expecting Caroline to return from her meeting with Klaus and Elijah with news for Kol, not her.  “What is it?”

The blonde held up an old leather-bound journal. It was worn, cracked, and unmistakably from the Alden coven.

The sight of it had her throat drying up. “Is that–?”

“Your father’s,” Caroline said. “My mom found it buried near where Klaus’s father was. Cloaked and Enchanted. We broke the seal, and... it reacted to siphoner magic. I’m assuming you being around us all the time was enough for it to sense your essence.”

Kol moved to Sairena’s side immediately, protective, eyes narrowed and face thoughtful. “What kind of reaction?”

Caroline’s expression darkened. “A binding glyph. Old-world, complex. Hidden beneath layers of bloodline locating spells. We think they were trying to lure you in with the spell, but we don’t know. If you had found and touched it though, it would have bound you.”

“To what?” Sairena asked, though the answer was obvious. 

“To Edmund, your father,” Caroline said softly. “Or worse— to Liora.” 

A shudder went down her spine at the mention of the high matron of the Alden Coven. She wasn’t sure how she could possibly be Grandma Daphne’s sister nor how she had gained her position. But Sairena did know she was possibly the cruelest witch she’d ever met.

Kol swore under his breath at the look on her face, stepping toward the journal. “Let me see it. Maybe I can figure it out.”

“No,” Caroline snapped, surprising both Sairena and Kol. “It’s spelled with something parasitic. If you touch it while still carrying her siphoned magic, it could backfire. Hard. You’ve been spelled by her magic recently.”

Sairena looked down at her hands, memories flooding back to her., “So what—my father wants to bind me? What could they possibly want from me?”

“They could see you as a weapon,” Caroline said. “You’ve always been something they feared... and feared things are often caged in that family. They know where you are roughly, but they can’t trespass on our warded grounds since Mom blocked them out. The cemetery was probably the closest collection of residual magic they could get to. They’ll keep looking for you.”

Kol was silent. Then, quietly: “Not if we attack first.”

Caroline shook her head, her face had a sour look on it, “Michael is sure to be with them. Klaus thinks they took Michael once they sensed him in the cemetery. He thinks they’re only going after him, but I think they’re going to send him to kidnap you. I’m assuming they’ve promised their services to him in exchange.”

Kol snorted at that. “My father and some half-baked witches? I’d love to see that.” 

Sairena reached for his hand, grounding herself from the news in his touch. “We need to come up with some kind of plan.”

Caroline nodded, her gaze sharp as she turned to leave. “Then we start tonight. My mother is prepping a protection ritual at the house.”

Kol squeezed her hand, turning to face her fully as they were left alone again. His voice was soft, private. “I won’t let my father take you.” 

The smile she returned was small but full of feeling. “You taught me how to protect myself, remember?” 

Chapter Text

The Alden estate in Louisiana was always too quiet in the mornings. Sairena liked it better when Grandma was awake early—clanging mismatched mugs in the kitchen, humming spells she never used, and pretending not to sneak whisky into her morning tea.

But this morning, the grounds were still. The whistle of the breeze and the song of the bayou close by were the only sounds dressing the morning. Sairena, age ten, sat cross-legged on the stone floor of the inner courtyard, dried petals and old mint leaves scattered around her like a halo. Grandma’s brass mortar sat in her lap, the pestle sticky with resin and honey. Her fingers were stained with thyme oil. 

She probably wasn’t supposed to be doing this out here. The High Matron of the Aldens, her great-aunt Liora, had already made it clear that the herbal arts were “training wheels for lesser witches.” And as such should only be done in private spaces.

Sairena was a “lesser witch,” according to Liora. Because she had no magic.

No sparks. No telekinesis. No glowing fingertips when the family chanted by moonlight.

Only plants, oils, and the ability to quiet a fever with bark steeped in something ancient. She knew how to slip herbs under pillows to calm nightmares and how to make a tea that could slow a hex enough for a real witch to break it.

But that wasn’t power . Not to them, and Liora’s switch often graced her backside when she was caught out here concocting. ‘It was shameful’ she had been told over and over again, for someone of the main bloodline to be better at this than casting. 

It was Grandma Daphne who taught her otherwise.

“Magic is many things, child, for nature has provided a small piece of herself in everything living and non-living. So how can an art straight from nature herself be shameful?” Daphne had said once, as they stirred a cauldron in the little bar-turned-café that she ran in the estate. “But magic without consideration of nature? Now that’s dangerous.”

Sairena never forgot that. Even now, as she murmured softly to her herbs, as if they could listen, she felt like she was speaking directly to the essence of nature itself.

A door creaked somewhere behind her, startling her out of her thoughts. She turned, expecting her grandmother. Instead, it was Everett—her older brother. Pale, precise, and cruel in that quiet way people called "disciplined."

“What are you doing out here?” he asked, voice heavy with disdain and disapproval.

“Making a salve for Grandma’s knees. She said the stairs have been—”

“You’re wasting time,” he interrupted, clearly not interested in what she was doing. “Matron Liora says if you can’t cast or conjure by the Blood Moon, you’re to be pulled from the ceremonies. You need to practice”

Sairena looked down at her stained fingers and the herbs surrounding her. “I don’t need to cast or conjure.”

“You’re an Alden. Of course you do.” He took a step closer, sneering. “Stop bringing shame to Father with this gross fascination of yours. The outer families most untalented have already been assigned to potions.” 

That was the first time it had happened. 

Without warning, Everett reached down and jerked her off the ground. He shook her then, hard enough to knock her off balance and into the iron basin of the family altar, where an offering of fire still burned low from the night before. She wasn’t sure if he had meant to but the pain hit her instantly, the flame licking her arm, panic surging.

She screamed, nearly hysterical, instinctively and desperately grabbing for him to pull her self up and avoid the fire. The second her hand touched his skin, everything changed.

Power surged through her like lightning in reverse. His energy, his magic, poured into her in a sudden burst of fire and fury. The air around them cracked. Candles in the courtyard exploded in a ring of flame. Everett had collapsed, gasping as her wounds transferred to him.

Sairena dropped to her knees by the altar, looking down at her hands. They were glowing and injury-free. Power she had never felt before buzzed under her skin. She didn’t understand, couldn’t find a breath, panicking. 

A soft, serene voice brought her back to herself. Her grandma was kneeling next to her then, serious as stone. “Hush up now and go inside right away. I’ll make sure he says nothing of this, and you make sure you do the same. Now go.”

~~ 20 years later ~~

The silence in The Hollow Oak had allowed the memory of that night to slip into Sairena’s thoughts. Shaking her head, she returned to the never-ending task that was polishing glasses. Glancing down the bar top, she noted only two outer family members sat nursing their bourbons near the far end of the bar, but it wasn’t soon until they finished their drinks and headed out. The darkening Louisiana sky was a sign of a storm rolling in. The scent of sage and rainwater mixing in the air was a comforting smell, helping her shake off the unpleasant memory. She’d been reminiscing a lot lately; every memory she had with her, she ran through.

Daphne was gone now. Three months in the ground and already fading from the walls she used to sing in, from the creaky old floorboards that never gave way when she danced, from the daily routines of the coven. Sairena swore the garden had been yielding less out of sadness, too. 

Now it was just Sairena. Twenty years old, magically barren. And taking care of the cafe bar full time, avoiding her family as much as possible, and holding onto the one thing that had ever felt like hers. The bell ringing above the door stole her from her thoughts. “Welcome in.” 

Glancing up to see her brother was the last thing she wanted to see today. He held his head high, though not as high as the stick up his ass Sairena thought, and was dressed in a tailored coat too formal for the bar and too heavy for the humidity. His eyes scanned the place like it was beneath him. Before he moved to stand in front of her.

“You look tired,” he said instead of hello. 

“I’ve been running a bar by myself,” she said coolly. “What’s your excuse?”

He ignored the jab and sat on one of the high stools, the same one Daphne always used to sit in. The insult was so casual it burned.

“I came to talk.” Ugh, this couldn’t be good.

“Well, I’m working right now,” she replied, turning away. Hoping he would get the hint that he wasn’t welcome and leave her alone. She never hunted him down when he was working. 

“I heard about the charm you sold to a tourist last week,” he said casually. “Said it stopped her nightmares.”

Sairena paused where she had picked up her rag once more, she’d told that woman to keep her mouth shut damn it. “I made a charm. I didn’t do anything else.”

“You used magic. You just don't like calling it that.”

She turned around, arms folded. “Because calling it that makes you panic, and then you show up here to grouch at me.”

He stood, mood quick to fire straight to anger. “Because if you're using magic, Sairena, it’s not yours . Where exactly is it coming from?”

She didn’t answer. Her brother had never forgotten what had happened, but Grams had done some kind of spell that left him unable to say out loud what had happened or what she was other than when speaking to her. 

She heard him round the bar and held her hands up to stop him. “Back up. I didn’t steal magic from anyone. Fuck off Everett.” 

He huffed but stopped where he was, gesturing wildly, “Who have you been stealing magic from? The rest of the family will find out eventually!” 

“Is that a threat, Everett?” Sairena raised a brow at him.

“Want to find out?” he asked, voice suddenly sharp.

She felt it before she saw it—a spike of power, a flick of his fingers as he stepped into her space. A hex tossed casually like a slap. It hit her like the lash of a whip, slicing one of her arms. She stumbled back, hissing out the pain, but refusing to scream. They both watched how the blood trickled down to the floor for a moment before Sairena’s head shot back up to look at him. 

“You son of a bicth.” She said through gritted teeth, eyes blazing, hand held over the wound. She should really use her remaining energy to heal herself but she might need it to defend herself now. She didn’t know how to use it effectively, her only self defense spells were for the more powerful supernatural. 

As she though Everett watched her, chest heaving with the high of his own magic, his control fraying as he snapped. “If you don’t reign yourself in, someone has to keep you in check.” 

Sairena stepped closer to him, satisfied with the way he took a half step back at her approach, “This isn’t your coven, Everett. You don’t have the right to enforce balance here, and since you can’t tell anyone what I am they’ll think you attacked me.” 

He was silent for a minute, before a grin split across his lips, “Yet. We both know I’ll be named successor next month under the up coming blood moon. And then it won’t matter who I can tell because I’ll do away with you myself. Not even mother would care.” 

The sting of those truths hurt more than his hex from earlier, and she really didn’t appreciate being reminded that her mother thought she was a failure. Instead she hissed at him, “Does that make you feel powerful?” Rage began to settle in the pit of her stomach, stewing with the resentment she held for him. “Threatening me?” 

He scoffed, “You don’t get to twist this, you’re stealing magic–” 

“I’m not.” Her voice was strong now. “I pulled it from an old charm of granny’s so you can fuck right off. Or else.”

“Who’s threatening who now?” Everett smirked at her, before he spoke again, “Daphne was stupid enough to help you hide it all these years but you’re a snake.” 

“She loved me! She was the only one who did!” 

“No. She pitied you.” 

Sairena held up her bloodied arm eyes blazing, “Motus!” Everett flew back into the wall behind him, smacking against it with a surprised sound. Heaving Sairena ran around to the other side of the bar towards the door. Behind her she heard Everett get up.

“You’re an abomination!”  His voice held a rage she was familiar with, he shared it with their father Edmund, it was a cold and cruel thing.  He rushed towards her, hex at the ready or just going to down right hit her she wasn’t sure, and that’s when Sairena acted. 

Springing forward she grabbed his hand, letting that empty and ravenous part of her pull and tear at his magic power. He tried to fight her off for a second before the drain was too much on him and he fell to his knees. 

She’d let her instincts guide her in that moment and the rush of power was nothing like she’d ever felt. Sairena had never had more than a little magic at a time. It was electric. 

 Somewhere she could hear bottles rattling on the shelves, the glasses that had been sitting on the bar shattering, but she didn’t stop even then. Everett gasped, “Stop, don’t.” It was probably meant to sound commanding but it came off as more of a plea. 

Sairena hadn’t realized the magic was gone until he started screaming and she continued pulling energy from him, didn’t know it but it was his life force, but it felt the same as his magic. She couldn’t stop herself, and with a ragged sound Everett slumped to the ground. 

She dropped his arm, walking around the bar to rifle through a drawer that was usually locked. Pulling out a charmed sachet, the scent of mugwort and dried lavender was a comfort. She pulled the little spell paper Grams had left on it off so she could read it and held the sachet to her wound. 

“Per naturam et sanguinem, sanatio fiat.” 

She repeated this until she felt the wound close up, setting the bag down before sighing. Looking over to where her brother was still on the ground she huffed, “Hey, get up.” He didn’t move, didn’t even twitch, the silence stretched for an uncomfortable minute. The storm outside had started now filling the bar with the sound of the rain hitting the roof and windows. How fitting she thought glumly. She couldn’t believe she’d made him pass out. 

Walking over to him she rolled him onto his back, and it was only then she realized he wasn’t breathing. “Everett?” 

She shook his shoulders, panic staring to settle in her gut. No. No. She had not just killed someone. She hadn’t. Her breath came fast, a cold sweat breaking out along her brow. The coven would have her burned for this she was sure. “Wake up, Everett! Wake up!”

In her panic, she hit his chest as hard as she could and a chill went through her as she essentially shocked him with his energy. He came to with a gasp. Sitting up abruptly before pushing her away from him. They both sat there in disbelief for a long moment. When Everett looked at her again it was with rage and obvious fury. 

“Get the hell out of here, and do not ever come back.” 

Time had flown quickly after that, Everett had been named heir to the coven and used this to officially banished her. Not that anyone had seemed to mind; her mother hadn’t even said goodbye. Sairena gathered her things, along with everything her grandma had left her about magic and the herbal arts, and left. She hadn’t known where to go at first but remembered all the times her Aunt had told her she could live with them.

It was Caroline who welcomed her into Mystic Falls—no questions, just a key and a hug that didn’t let go for too long. Aunt LIz, too, made space where there had been none before. A room in their home. A seat at their table. A place where Sairena wasn't judged by what she wasn’t, but encouraged to find who she could be .

They had helped her find the worn-down building at the edge of town. When she started looking for a space of her own, expressing how much she missed running her Grandma’s business. Just far enough from the chaos. Just close enough to feel like something real.

She named it Sairena’s , as it was the first thing she had that was well and truly hers. She cleaned it up with her own hands, warded it with her own herbs, had it renovated as much as her meager funds allowed, and turned it into a haven for herself. Just the way Grandma Daphne would have wanted.

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    Hey guys! If I still have any dedicated readers or if people have bookmarked this fic, I just wanted to let you guys know I'm going to be rewriting this fic. Some chapters might not change at all, but some will probably change a lot. I was going over my original outline for this story and found a lot of things that aren't going to work out in the long run. I've got a few different things I want to add to the earlier parts as well. It will take me maybe two days, and when I repost it there will be some more chapters as well, haha. Hopefully some of you wanna stay along for the journey, and thanks for reading my first ever try at a fic!! 

     Instead of replacing chapters I am just going to post a whole new fic up and delete this one after its posted!

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Hi all! 

I have finally finished writing, editing, and polishing off the first 4 chapters of the newer version, Blood & Bitters! I just wanted to update y'all! I'll leave this fic and announcement up for a few days to let everyone migrate before removing this fic. 

- SirenSeer