Chapter Text
Athena stood in the doorway.
Feeling the weight of the tension in the air as Davina sat in the middle of her bed, knees pulled up to her chest, with her face twisted in anger and pain. As soon as their eyes met, Davina's rage spilled over.
"Get out!" she hissed, her voice trembling with emotion. "Get away from me!" She flung her hands forward, and a wave of magic surged through the room, hitting Athena squarely in the chest.
But the nephilim stood firm, her feet rooted to the floor, not flinching even as the magical force hit her. She remained calm, her expression soft and apologetic as she said, "I came to talk, Davina. I want to say that I'm sorry for what Klaus did, and I'm sorry you lost your friend. I know how much he meant to you."
But the young witch's face contorted with anger, her voice raw with pain. "You don't know anything! You don't know what it's like to be helpless and watch someone you care about die right in front of you at the hands of a monster like that!"
Athena didn't back down. She took a deep breath, and gingerly approached the side of the bed. Crouching down, she rested her arms on the mattress, leaning forward to look up at the girl, meeting her gaze with quiet understanding. "I do know what it's like, sweetie," she said. Her voice was gentle, filled with the weight of her own past. "Long ago, before I could fully control my powers, I was taken. I was used in a ritual to fuel someone else's war, for them to gain power and control. They beat me, weakened me, and when their ritual didn't work, they thought they could force me to use my magic. I couldn't. So they used something else to try and make me comply, they took someone I cared deeply for. His name was Basim." Davina's anger faltered for a moment, her eyes searching her mentors face as she spoke. "I begged them to leave him alone," the nephilim continued, her voice thick with the memory. "But they didn't listen. No matter how hard I pleaded, they killed him, right in front of me. All I could do was cry. I was helpless. It wasn't fair, and it shouldn't have happened. People like Tim and Basim, they're innocent. They didn't deserve this." Tears welled up in Davina's eyes, her defenses crumbling as she listened. "It won't bring you comfort if I tell you they've found peace," Athena continued, with a gentle, firm tone. "Because it doesn't change the fact that they're gone. And they're not coming back. But I am here for you, Davina. In whatever shape or form you need, I'm here to help you heal."
The young girls voice broke, and she spoke through the tears threatening to spill over. "I don't want to do this stupid Harvest ritual." Her voice trembled, the anger drained out of her, leaving only raw grief. "I just want to be a normal witch, but even that can't happen. Nothing makes sense anymore. I can't concentrate on the spells you've given me, and all I feel is this… this sense of evil coming. And I'm stuck here with the monster who killed my friend."
Athena reached out, taking Davina's hands in her own, holding them gently but firmly, her touch a grounding presence. "How about we talk about this evil that's coming," she suggested, her voice calm and reassuring. "Is there anything you've noticed? Anything you've written down that could tell us more?"
The witch shook her head. "No, I didn't write anything down. It's just a feeling. I—I draw, but it's just a bunch of random lines on pieces of paper. It doesn't mean anything. And Marcel already showed the drawings to Elijah, and he took them."
The nephilim nodded thoughtfully, understanding that Elijah was already working to decipher what the young witches drawings might mean. She thought back to her own visions, the eerie, drawings that had foreshadowed the fates of those she cared about. But this felt different, more immediate.
She spoke, her words steady as she looked into Davina's tear-filled eyes. "We're not going to abandon you, sweetie," she said, her voice full of warmth and sincerity. "I'm doing everything I can to make sure the Harvest ritual will be a success. We'll bring you back, and this evil—whatever it is—we'll fight it together. All of us. I know that you're scared. But I promise, I will make this right. I can't bring Tim back, and I know how much that hurts. But I can help you, and I can help the witches. We'll get through this, and we'll finally be able to put the Harvest ritual behind us."
Davina's tried to hold back her tears, but the floodgates opened as her fears poured out. Her voice wavered, trembling with the weight of her anxiety. "I'm not scared… I'm terrified," she admitted, her voice cracking. "How do you know they won't leave me dead? And even if I come back, why does it matter? My parents are gone, Tim is gone, and now Cami and Josh—they're both in danger. And I'm stuck here… stuck with someone who used me, and his best friend who killed my friend." Her shoulders shook as the sobs wracked her small frame, her hands gripping the bed sheets. "I don't have anyone."
The nephilims heart broke at the sound of those words. Without hesitation, she stood up and sat on the bed beside Davina. Gently, she wrapped her arms around the young girl, pulling her into a warm, protective embrace. She held Davina tightly, her chin resting softly on the top of her head, her hands soothingly patting her shoulder in a rhythmic, comforting way.
"You have me, sweetie" Athena whispered, her voice steady, filled with comfort. "I know it doesn't feel like it right now, but you do. I promise I'm going to do everything I can to fix this. You won't have to be terrified anymore."
Holding her close as Davina sank into the wolfstar, her body trembling as she allowed herself to fall into the comfort of Athena's embrace. The weight of her emotions seemed to melt into the hug, and for the first time in what felt like forever, Davina felt a small sense of safety, of warmth. It was a hug that felt like a mother's, a hug that she had been missing for so long.
Athena didn't rush her. She held her tightly, letting her cry, letting her release all the fear, grief, and frustration she had been bottling up. As Davina's sobs slowly subsided, Athena continued to stroke her back gently, the motion calming and steady offering nothing but love and understanding.
"We'll get through this," Athena promised, her voice soft but resolute. "One step at a time."
Davina's breathing steadied as she let herself be held. The wolfstars embrace, her words, her presence, they were enough to make the young witch feel like maybe, just maybe, things could be okay again.
They stayed like that for a while, as she provided the comfort that had been missing for so long. In that quiet, tender moment, Athena was not just a mentor or protector; she was a source of unwavering love and support, the kind of love that Davina had been starved of for months. She sank deeper into the wolfstars embrace, allowing herself to feel a moment of peace.
But peace, as Athena knew all too well, was fleeting.
The next day was anything but peaceful. Elijah had been busy, piecing together the cryptic drawings Davina had scattered about. After hours of studying them, he had made a disturbing discovery, the drawings formed a portrait of Celeste Dubois, now, apparently, was the great evil that Davina had sensed coming.
Elijah called Klaus, Rebekah, Hayley, and Athena to his study to discuss his findings. As they gathered, tension filled the air.
He began, his voice calm but laced with an undercurrent of concern. "The Italians called them Strega, the Yoruba of West Africa called them aje, meaning mother. Where my mother was from, they called them haxa; here, they call them witch. Over the centuries, vampires have fought them and fought beside them, bedded them and burned them. Whether adversary or ally, witches have always been a force to be reckoned with. Their ancestral magic anchors this city." He paused, looking at the others before continuing. "There has never been one all-powerful witch, until Davina."
Klaus, who stood beside Athena, leaned forward, his arms crossed but his expression thoughtful. "Who is now tucked in safe and sound down the hall, under our protection," he said, gesturing between himself and his girlfriend. He glanced at the drawings spread out before them, his eyes narrowing slightly as he examined the portrait of Celeste. "Your Celeste was quite beautiful," he said, his tone more playful than anything else. "And a portent of evil, according to our volatile artist in residence."
Elijah nodded, still trying to make sense of it all. "Yes, perhaps Davina has mistaken what she calls evil for power. Celeste was certainly very powerful in her day, but she's been dead for over two hundred years. I don't understand why all these sketches are appearing now."
The older brother sat down, clearly troubled as Klaus joined him. "Why does any witch do anything?"he said with a shrug, though his voice hinted at suspicion.
Athena, who was seated next to Rebekah, wore a light, slightly sheer, gray button-up shirt that was casually left unbuttoned over a fitted white tank top. Her high-waisted denim jeans hugged her waist, fastened with polished metallic buttons and black combat boots. With her signature key necklace hung around her neck, and her long, wavy hair cascaded gently past her shoulders.
She leaned forward with a thoughtful expression, "I don't know," she said, her voice thoughtful, "but I wouldn't ignore a witch's premonition. These things—" she pointed to the drawings spread across the coffee table, "they aren't just visions. Visions can be interpreted in multiple ways, but this… this is all truth. If Davina is sensing chaos while drawing, especially if she's making pieces of the portrait at different times, you can be sure it means evil is coming." Her gaze shifted to Elijah, sympathy in her eyes. "I know it's not what you want to hear, but something's not right, Elijah. I need to talk to Davina about this, see if she can tell me more. Afterward, I'm going to speak with Sophie. She might know something about what's going on."
Elijah's brow furrowed in confusion. "Why would Sophie Deveraux know anything?"
The nephilim sighed, leaning back in her chair. "Yesterday, Sophie was talking about becoming an elder by consecrating Celeste's bones and taking her magic. She wanted my help finding Celeste's body, but I told her no. However, I'm starting to think she didn't listen to me and might have gone ahead with it anyway."
Klaus' expression darkened, his irritation with Sophie surfacing. "I wouldn't doubt it. That whelp is constantly sticking her nose where it doesn't belong. We should have killed her when we had the chance."
Athena raised a hand, her voice calm but firm. "Don't kill her just yet, sweetie. We still need her to break the Crescent Curse. We might still need her help after that."
At that moment, none of them noticed how uncomfortable Hayley had become as she shifted slightly in her seat. Elijah, focused back on the issue at hand. "If Sophie did consecrate Celeste's remains, we need to find out immediately."
The hybrid nodded, his jaw clenched as he stood. "Then we'll pay her a visit."
The nephilim stood as well, ready to move. "I'll talk to Davina first. She might be able to shed more light on the situation, especially with these drawings. I don't want to rush into anything without all the information."
She then made her way to Davina's room. Her footsteps were quick, knowing full well how delicate this situation was becoming. As she opened the door, she found Marcel standing at the foot of the young witch's bed, his usual confident demeanour replaced by something softer, more remorseful.
"I just want to make peace with you," he said to her, his voice carrying a sincerity that Athena recognised, but she knew it wouldn't be easy for Davina to see.
Davina, seated on her knees in the middle of her bed, arms crossed defensively, didn't seem convinced. "Why, so we can be one big happy Frankenstein family?" she snapped, her eyes narrowing as she picked up a small vase with her magic from her nightstand and flung it in the vampires direction. Marcel ducked, just barely avoiding the glass, which shattered against the wall behind him.
Before he could respond, Athena stepped into the room, her presence immediately calming the atmosphere slightly. Davina's sharp demeanour softened for just a moment when she saw her mentor, but the tension still lingered.
"What will it take for you to trust me again, Davina?" the vampire asked, his voice filled with genuine regret. His posture was relaxed, but his eyes betrayed the urgency he felt.
Davina's gaze hardened again, her emotions storming just beneath the surface. "Well, for starters, you can get the hell out of my room!" she shouted, picking up a mug with her magic once more and launching it at him. Marcel barely had time to flinch as the ceramic flew past his shoulder and hit the wall again, splintering into pieces.
Athena stepped forward. "Davina, sweetie, I know you're still hurting," she began, her voice warm but filled with understanding. She moved closer to the bed, standing between Davina and Marcel, as if she were physically and emotionally bridging the gap between them. "I know I can't tell you to just forgive and forget," she continued, her eyes softening as she met her young friends tearful gaze. "Losing someone like Tim will forever be a part of you. Marcel knows what he did was wrong. It was misguided, yes, but the care he has for you, that was never a lie."
Marcel, standing silently, listened intently to Athena's words, his expression showing that he was willing to take whatever was coming his way, as long as it helped Davina heal.
The wolfstar turned slightly toward Marcel, then back to Davina. "Even though his timing to talk to you is… well, crappy as hell," she added with a small smile, hoping to soften the tension with a bit of humour, "he still wants to make peace. He knows you're not ready yet, and maybe you won't be for a long time. But he's not here because he's trying to fix everything with one conversation. He's here because he still cares about you and always will."
Davina looked down at her hands, her fingers trembling slightly. Her voice was quieter now, but still tinged with bitterness. "He used me, Athena. He used me to fight his wars, and when things went bad, Tim paid the price."
Athena sighed, and moved to sit beside her so that she could look Davina directly in the eyes. "I know. And you have every right to feel the way you do. But listen to me… Marcel will be here for you, no matter what. You may want him gone now, and maybe him leaving would make things easier for you in the short term. But one day, if he's gone for good, you'll miss him."
"I don't want to feel anything for him. He let this happen, Athena. He let Klaus hurt Tim."
The nephilim reached out and took Davina's hands and squeezed them gently. "Sweetie, I know. You don't have to forgive him today, or tomorrow, or even next year. But holding on to all that pain, it's going to tear you apart. Letting go doesn't mean forgetting. It doesn't mean that what happened wasn't wrong. But it does mean that you start healing."
Marcel opened his mouth, about to speak, when Davina suddenly doubled over with a groan, her face contorting in pain. She started to cough violently, her body trembling as if trying to expel something deep within her. The colours were drained from her face, leaving her looking pale and sickly.
"What's happening?" Marcel asked, panic creeping into his voice as he moved closer, standing next to Athena. "Davina, Davina!" His hands hovered near her, unsure of what to do.
Athena stood up quickly, concern washing over her as she saw Davina struggling. She moved to hold back the girls hair and rubbing her back gently. The nephilim could feel the rising dread in her chest. Something was terribly wrong.
Just then, the door slammed open, and Klaus stormed into the room, his expression filled with impatience. "What's with all the racket?" he barked, his sharp gaze scanning the room.
Before anyone could respond, Davina coughed again, this time expelling something more horrifying than a normal cough. Chunks of dried soil spilled from her mouth, falling onto the bed with soft thuds.
"Bloody hell," Klaus muttered, his eyes widened with shock. His usual confidence faltered for a moment as he looked to Athena, hoping she had some explanation. But the worried, confused expression on her face told him everything he needed to know, she was just as clueless as he was.
The room shuddered violently as the ground beneath them began to shake. The walls trembled, books tumbled off the shelves, and the portraits on the walls tilted or fell completely. The whole room felt as if it was coming apart at the seams. It was like an earthquake, but something about it felt unnatural, almost as if it were connected to Davina's.
The two vampires exchanged glances, both understanding that this wasn't just a localised event. "Stay with her," Klaus ordered, already halfway out the door. Marcel followed quickly behind him, leaving Athena alone with the young witch as the tremors worsened.
Athena looked at the witch, her heart pounding in her chest. This wasn't normal, this was magic, and it was something beyond her control. The girl was suffering, and the earthquake felt like a physical manifestation of her pain. The nephilim acted quickly, her instincts guiding her. She placed her palm on her back, her hand glowing with warm, divine energy. The glow spread through Davina's body, helping to expel the remaining dirt that had been lodged inside her.
The ground outside continued to shake, car alarms blaring from the streets as the city was rocked by the tremors. Athena focused all her energy on the young witch, watching as the she coughed up the last of the soil. Davina's skin was now clammy, and her breathing was shallow. The nephilim could feel the magic swirling around them, dark and dangerous, like something ancient was being unleashed.
"I don't feel… I don't feel good," Davina muttered weakly, her eyes barely open. Her words were slurred, and before Athena could respond, her body went limp. She passed out, collapsing into the wolfstars arms just as the earthquake came to an abrupt stop.
Silence filled the room as the air heavy with the aftermath of whatever had just happened.
Marcel came rushing back in, his eyes wide with worry as he saw Davina unconscious in the wolfstars arms. "What happened? Is she okay?" His voice was panicked, his concern for the girl evident in every word.
Athena, still holding Davina, looked up at the vampire. "She passed out," she said quietly, her voice calm but edged with tension. "Help me get her into bed."
Without hesitation, Marcel moved forward, gently taking Davina from Athena and laying her down on the bed. He adjusted the pillows beneath her head, his hands shaking slightly as he brushed her hair away from her face. Davina's breathing was steady, but her skin was still pale and her body felt far too cold.
Athena stood beside Marcel, her hands glowing faintly as she reached out, placing them over Davina's chest. She whispered a few incantations under her breath, using her magic to stabilise the girl's energy. The warmth of her power seemed to calm Davina, her body relaxing into the mattress.
"Is she going to be okay?" he asked, his voice rough with emotion. He hated feeling powerless, especially when it came to Davina.
The nephilim nodded, though she wasn't entirely sure. "She'll be alright for now. But this… this wasn't just a random event. Something's happening. Something bigger. And I don't think we have much time to figure out what it is before it gets worse."
Elijah sat at his desk, his elbow resting on the polished wood, his chin on his knuckles, his eyes thoughtful and calculating as Sophie Deveraux stood before him. Klaus, who was lounging at the home bar with a drink of bourbon in hand, seemed unbothered, though the gleam in his eyes betrayed his awareness of the gravity of the situation. Rebekah, curled up on the couch, looked between her brothers and Athena, her expression guarded. The nephilim, seated at the other end of the couch, had her head resting on her hand, her body language weary but her mind sharp, as she kept an eye on Sophie, waiting for answers.
Elijah spoke, his voice calm but tinged with suspicion. "So, you've stolen the remains of the very person that Davina's been drawing for months. Would you care to explain this startling coincidence?"
Sophie shifted uncomfortably, glancing at the drawings that lay across the table "I can't. I didn't even know who Celeste Dubois was until I-" she was cut off by a piercing scream that echoed through the Abattoir. It was Davina.
The walls trembled as Davina's magic shook the foundations of the building. Sophie gasped in shock, while the Mikaelsons and the Mourningstar remained unfazed.
The tremors subsided, and Sophie, visibly shaken, asked in a whisper, "Was that… Davina?"
Klaus, took another slow sip of his drink as if nothing was happening. Then he smirked and replied sarcastically, "Charming little habit she's developed."
Sophie turned to Rebekah, her face pale. "And the earthquake I felt today?"
Rebekah, rolling her eyes, replied dryly, "Also Davina. And she's taken to vomiting dirt."
The gravity of the situation began to dawn on Sophie, her eyes widening in horror. "Oh… we have a huge problem," she muttered, more to herself than to anyone else. "I thought we had more time, but we need to complete the Harvest now."
Klaus, ever dismissive of Sophie's sense of urgency, leaned back in his chair, his tone dripping with sarcasm. "Said the desperate witch. Convenient, isn't it?"
Athena, who had been quietly observing from her seat, lifted her head and spoke with a measured tone. "She's not wrong, Klaus." the hybrid shot his girlfriend a sideways glance, his smirk fading as he noticed the seriousness in her expression. She continued, addressing the entire room now. "I think I know why this is happening, but I don't know how bad it might get. You see, I was born in a body that can perform high levels of magic without getting hurt, but even I have my limits. If I do too much at once, I lose control or pass out. It's the same for Davina, but worse. She wasn't born to house this much power. She's carrying the power of three other witches, and it's destroying her. That power wasn't supposed to stay inside her for months."
Sophie nodded in agreement, her eyes dark with worry. "The earthquake you just felt? That's just a preview of what's to come. It's like a disaster movie. If we don't act soon, we're all going to be caught in the middle of it."
Elijah leaned forward slightly, his chin still resting on his hand, his piercing gaze fixed on Sophie. "Why should we believe you?" he asked, his voice low and calculated.
The witch met his gaze head-on, her frustration bubbling beneath the surface. "You've met Davina. You know her story. You know what she's been through. It's like what Athena said, for months, she's been holding onto the power of the three witches sacrificed in the Harvest ritual. That power was never meant to stay inside her. It was supposed to flow back into the earth. One person wasn't meant to hold that much magic. It's tearing her apart, and if we don't stop it, it's going to tear us all down with her."
Elijah's face remained impassive, but Athena could see the wheels turning in his mind. He was calculating the risk, weighing Sophie's words carefully.
Rebekah leaned forward, her arms wrapped around her knees. "So, what happens next? What's the plan, then?"
Sophie took a deep breath, her voice steady but filled with urgency. "We need to complete the Harvest. It's the only way to release the magic back into the earth. If we don't, the city will burn."
The witch's words hung in the air like a storm cloud. Elijah leaned forward from his seat, his posture betraying the seriousness with which he regarded Sophie's claim. "How do you mean burn?" he asked, his tone calm but laced with an underlying urgency.
Sophie took another deep sigh as she sat on the square ottoman behind her. "There are four stages to the Harvest," she began, her voice grim but resolute. "Each stage represents one of the four elements that bind the magic together. The first stage is Earth, that's why Davina is vomiting dirt and why we've been feeling tremors throughout the city. After Earth comes Wind, then Water, and the final stage is Fire. The worst of all." Elijah exchanged a glance with Athena, his brow furrowing in thought. Sophie continued, her voice growing more insistent. "When the fire comes, it won't just be some minor disaster. The entire city will burn itself to the ground. Nothing will stop it, not even Athena." At the mention of her name, the wolfstar straightened. Sophie turned to face her directly. "Davina can't be fixed. She can't be saved. We don't have time to waste. The first sign's already come and gone. This will not stop at the earth sign. And if you wait it out, you immortals will be the only ones left to argue about it."
Athena and Rebekah entered Davina's room with the intention of handling the conversation delicately. Davina was already lying on her bed, curled up defensively, her face pale and tense. Athena sat at the edge of the bed, her movements slow and measured as she tried to keep the atmosphere calm.
"Davina," Athena said softly, "we need to talk about the Harvest."
At the mention of the ritual, Davina's entire body stiffened, her breathing becoming shallow. She slowly sat up, her eyes wide with panic. "No," she said immediately, shaking her head, her voice shaky. "I told you before, I'm not doing it. I'm not going to let those witches kill me."
Rebekah stepped forward, her arms crossed, but her voice was calm. "Davina, we understand why you're afraid. But if you don't complete the ritual, things will only get worse. You've seen what's happening."
Davina's eyes flickered with anger and fear. "The witches are liars! They always have been. You can't trust them."
Her voice rose with every word, and as her panic took hold, the wind outside began to pick up, another sign. Athena exchanged a worried glance with Rebekah, who was standing by the window, watching as the shutters began to rattle. The force of the wind blasted through the Quarter, sweeping through the streets with an intensity that was unsettling. Papers flew everywhere, shutters were ripped off their hinges, and pedestrians were struggling against the gale outside.
The room itself seemed to hum with the energy of Davina's magic. Athena could feel it building, becoming unstable. Loose objects in the room began to tremble, while a vase tumbled off a nearby shelf, shattering as it hit the floor.
"Davina, you have to calm down," Athena said, keeping her voice steady even as the pressure in the room intensified. "Your magic is reacting to your emotions. You need to breathe, okay? You need to focus."
But Davina was far beyond reason at this point. Her panic was spiraling, and the magic inside her was feeding off it. The wind outside became even more vicious, knocking down anything that wasn't firmly secured. People on the streets were starting to get hit with debris, and the chaos was quickly escalating.
"I'm not doing it!" Davina screamed, her hands flying up as if to push them away. "You can't make me! They're going to kill me!"
The force of her magic surged through the room, sending Rebekah stumbling back a few steps. Athena, feeling the danger, quickly moved to the side of the bed and crouched down beside Davina. Her eyes were full of compassion, but she knew she couldn't let this go on any longer.
"Davina, sweetie," she said softly, her hand reaching out to brush away the hair sticking to Davina's forehead. The young witch was drenched in sweat, her body trembling from the sheer force of her emotions. The nephilims heart ached for her. She knew Davina was terrified, but there was no other choice now. "Shh, it's okay," she whispered, her voice like a soothing lullaby as she leaned closer. "I'm going to help you, alright?"
Gently, she placed two fingers on the center of Davina's forehead. A soft, glowing warmth radiated from her touch, sending a wave of calming magic through Davina's body. The young witch's eyes fluttered as the magic took hold, her body relaxing under Athena's hand as she was casted to sleep.
The wind outside slowly began to die down, the shutters stopped rattling, and the papers that had been caught in the gust settled back to the ground. The chaos in the Quarter ebbed as the storm of Davina's magic was quelled.
Athena remained sitting beside her for a few moments longer, her fingers still resting lightly on Davina's forehead, ensuring that the spell had fully taken effect. She could feel the residual tension in the air, but for now, things were calm.
Rebekah stepped forward, standing beside Athena with a worried expression. "That was close," she muttered, glancing out the window where pedestrians were recovering from the sudden windstorm. "It's getting worse."
Athena nodded, her face serious as she removed her hand from Davina's forehead and stood up. "She's terrified," she said quietly, looking down at Davina with sympathy. "And I don't blame her. But we can't let this continue. Her magic, it's too unstable. It's only going to escalate if we don't do something." She sighed, glancing at the sleeping girl. "I'll talk to the others. We'll figure out the best way to proceed. But we have to be careful. Pushing her too hard could make everything worse."
Rebekah nodded in agreement, her gaze lingering on Davina. With that, they left the room, the door closing softly behind them as Davina slept peacefully, unaware of the storm that was brewing both inside and outside of her.
Athena crouched on the floor of her room. Carefully placing books in a pile that had fallen during the chaos of Davina's panic. She needed to occupy her mind with something, anything, to keep herself from thinking about the inevitability of the Harvest. She didn't want to admit it, but she was spiraling internally, weighed down by the knowledge that she was, in some way, part of this terrible situation.
Klaus walked in quietly, his presence filling the room like a calming shadow. He watched her for a moment, sensing the turmoil in her every movement. "How are you coping, love?" he asked gently.
Athena looked up from where she was crouching, as she organised the books into a neat stack. Her response was laden with sarcasm. "Me? I'm great. So happy that I'm giving a little girl up for slaughter," she said, standing to place the books back on the shelves.
Before she could, Klaus stepped forward and took them from her, placing them on the shelf himself. The nephilims shoulders dropped slightly, her facade starting to crack as she moved toward the broken pieces of a vase on the floor. She crouched down once more to pick them up, her voice softer with vulnerability now. "I hate this, Klaus," she whispered as her voice cracked. "I hate that we have to do this to Davina, and there's nothing I can do to make sure she comes back unscathed."
Her eyes filled with tears, her vision blurring as she accidentally sliced her finger on a sharp piece of ceramic. She let out a hiss of pain, dropping the shard and sitting down, drawing her knees to her chest as she stared at the bleeding finger. The sight of her own blood seemed to unravel something deep within her, memories of all the times she'd lost someone because she was either too weak or too unknowing. The blood made her feel small, powerless, as if she was nothing more than a flawed vessel that couldn't help and protect those she cared about.
Tears began to fall silently down her cheeks. Klaus, seeing her in such a state, felt his heart break. He wasn't used to seeing Athena like this, so vulnerable and broken. She was always the strong one, the one who held others up. But now, here she was, crumbling in front of him.
Klaus crouched down in front of her, his hands gently taking hers as he raised her bleeding finger to his lips and kissed it softly. The small act slowly started to heal, with his actions filled with a love that transcended words. He then wiped the tears from her cheeks with his thumb, his gaze soft and steady as he locked eyes with hers for a long moment before pulling her into his arms for a comforting embrace.
Athena clung to him, burying her head into his chest as her body shook with silent sobs. She gripped the back of his shirt tightly, as if afraid that if she let go, she would fall apart completely. "I can't do anything right," she choked out between quiet sobs. "I can't control my magic when I need it the most. I'm useless, Klaus."
The hybrids jaw tightened at her words, hating how she spoke about herself. "You are not useless, love," he said firmly, his voice filled with a gentle but undeniable authority. "You've helped me in ways even without your magic. You've taught me that I can be vulnerable again, that I'm capable of love. You've shown me that I can be better. You did that, Athena." He pulled back slightly, stroking her hair as he continued, "You expect too much from your powers to fix everything. But sometimes, love, that's not possible. Sometimes, we have to turn to others for help. And that's okay."
Athena, still nestled in his arms, found herself calming as his hand stroked her hair and his words soothed the storm inside her. The smell of him, the familiar warmth of his embrace, was like a balm to her raw, aching soul. Klaus, sensing that she was calming down, gently cupped her face in his hand, making her look up at him. His eyes were filled with nothing but love and understanding.
"You don't have to do this alone, love," he said softly. "Tell me, is there anything you want me to do?"
She sniffled, wiping away another tear, which he mirrored with his thumb. She cleared her throat, her voice still shaky but steadier now. "I think we should prepare for the worst. The Bayou needs supplies, more than just canned food. They need blankets, warm clothing, clean water, tents, tarps…"
Klaus smiled softly, nodding before she could finish. "Done. I'll make sure they have everything they need," he said confidently, his eyes never leaving hers. Then, he leaned in and kissed her eyes softly, his lips lingering there at the last moment, a silent promise that he would always be there to support her.
Athena managed a small, grateful smile, the weight on her shoulders feeling just a little lighter. "Thank you," she whispered, her voice barely audible. Klaus smiled and pulled her back into his embrace, holding her tightly.