A/N: As I were planning the story, there was something off about the Harvest resurrected witches in TO: Papa Tunde, Genevieve, Bastianna and Celeste. But Celeste was already possessing Sabine without hijacking the Harvest ritual over a year ago and she didn't need Harvest ritual to be jumping bodies. So in this fanfic, the four resurrected witches are Tunde, Genevieve, Bastianna and Astrid. Those who weren't familiar with Astrid, she's one of Kol's witch protégés alongside Mary-Alice (his love interest), and the two witches were locked in the Dowager mansion on their mission to create a gold dagger that would work on Klaus in The Originals: The Awakening.

And the way this chapter is written it can be confusing as I intended. And stay safe everyone! Practice social distancing and good hygiene!

Chapter 17: Lucerna Liga

Fleur-de-lis Sanitarium

Perhaps it was our arrogance that had been the downfall of us that night. Or perhaps it was our delusion that we are a family. Always and forever, they say. But then again, I am not a Mikaelson. And yet I'd protect them at all cost. The same couldn't be said for them.

"Comfortable?" a voice asked me. I raised my neck, finding Sabine at the door.

"Not really," I breathed, testing the strength of the binding. Magic. "I'd applaud you and your game, but my hands are tied, Celeste."

"You figured it out," she said. I glared as she smiled down at me.

"Just a guess," I said through my gritted teeth.

"I'd have to admit you and Kol weren't a part of this. But the more the merrier I supposed," she said. "When did you figure it out?"

"No one except the Mikaelsons know about Elijah's marriage to Cassidy Pierce. And yet you mentioned it to me on my very first day in the Quarter," I told her. "We thought you'd be one of the resurrected witches but instead, you'd been the one pulling the strings."

"I've planned this for almost two centuries, mon cheri," she said and placed her hand on my cheek as I glared at her. "And you'll help me complete it."

"The church is closed and I don't suppose you're a believer," I said as the dark-skinned witch used her magic to blast the church door opened.

"I'm Astrid Malchance. We spoke on the phone?" she said rather casually and I scowled at her.

"Where's Kol?" I asked.

"Did he mention me? Or perhaps his old lover Mary-Alice?" she asked.

"There are many women in Kol's life. You don't particularly stand out," I replied and she clenched her jaw.

"Kol's life depends on your attitude, Vanessa. And right now, you're making me angry," she said and held her hand, casting a spell on me. Her face fell when it didn't work.

"Righteous Man's Shield. Kol also taught me a thing or two about magic," I said, smirking, gesturing at the protection insignia I've scrawled with Father Kieran's blood on the back of the benches. "Tell me where Kol is."

"It's not where he is, but how will you get him out," she said.

"The Dowager's mansion," I breathed and cursed under my breath.

"Let me tell you a secret. Every Mikaelson is a bit preoccupied right now, including the pregnant wolf. And Elijah can only save one. And we all know Kol will be the last one in his mind even if he has the option to save him," Astrid said and crossed her arms, smirking. "Only you can save him."

"And what do you want from me?" I caved in and she smiled.

"We need you to come with us," she said.

"What for?"

"So many questions to save your love. So unlike Mary-Alice who'd do whatever it is for Kol," she taunted and I raised an eyebrow.

"That'd be because I'm not dumb like your friend," I retorted back.

"You seem to forget that the asylum is full with mad witches. They won't be happy to find a Mikaelson in there," she said and that was it. Marcel and Davina once told me the witches there mutilated each other, aggressive and simply…psychotic.

"Give me your word, that Kol will be released from the mansion now," I asked and she smiled.

"He'll be released in an hour. You have our word, Vanessa," she said and I sighed, stepping out from the protection barrier.

"Where the bloody hell is my girlfriend?"

"Kol-"

"We're trying-"

"Tell me where she is!" he screamed. His hair was dishevelled and his shirt was ripped and torn. His face and neck was covered with scratch marks and blood.

"Kol." It was Hayley that had managed to calm Kol in the midst of his raging outburst. "Cami said she left willingly."

"Bloody hell," he muttered, running his hand across his bloodied face. That explained how he can escape the mad mansion. What he didn't understand was what the witches want from her? To punish him? To torture him?

"Klaus and Rebekah are taken as well," Elijah said. Kol wasn't sure if it was the exhaustion from dealing with psychotic witches last night, but he wanted to punch his brother right now. Perhaps Kol misinterpreted it, but Elijah's tone suggested that they need to focus on getting their siblings instead.

"Do you know what they want with her?" Marcel asked carefully, knowing best not to anger the youngest Mikaelson brother.

"Other than some petty revenge because you and Nik locked my witches in the Dowager's mansion?" Kol snapped. Marcel raised his hands up at him in surrender and stepped back, not wanting to engage in his rage any further than needed.

"Kol, you are not helping. We need clear heads to find them," Elijah intervened and Kol growled as he turned to face his brother.

"Because your ex said so?" He asked. Elijah took a breath to remain calm.

"Calm yourself. We're trying to find their location-" Elijah said but was cut off by Kol's blow on his face.

"Kol," Hayley said, concerned if the situation got out of hands. Marcel held her back as Kol breathed heavily, glaring daggers at Elijah.

"Do you know how many times you've put her in such predicament?" Kol asked, shoving Elijah. When his brother didn't reply to his word or his punches, Kol let out a scoff. "First the bloody Petrova doppelganger and now this Dubois witch."

Fleur-de-lis Sanitarium

"Kol really does have a type, huh?" Astrid said as she walked into the room. I raised an eyebrow at her, not having the mood to be mocked upon after passing out from the migraine they gave me. "Blonde with an attitude."

"What do you want from me?" I asked.

"Firstly, your cooperation," she said with a smile.

"Why don't you release me first then?" I asked, returning her smile.

"So you can rip my heart out?" she asked.

"I'm thinking decapitation," I replied and she made a face. Her heart however sped up a little at my threat. She's afraid of me, that's a good thing.

"First thing first," Astrid said, placing a wooden chest on the table next to me before taking out two identical, thick, deep red candles from it. She placed them on each side of my head and smirked as she felt my curious stare on the items.

"It's a Lucerna Liga. It can link your mind to anyone," she said. "We have your boyfriend to thank for these."

"And whose mind do you want to link with mine?" I asked. My question was answered when she held up Elijah's journal.

"Funny how fate works out isn't it? I found this in your bag." Astrid then pulled out the photograph of Cassandra and Elijah's wedding and ripped them until there was only my doppelganger's face.

"Don't worry, it's a lot easier to link your mind with hers. After all, the same blood runs in your veins," she said, placing Cass's photo on the top of the candle on my left side.

"And then what?" I asked. Astrid was cut off by Rebekah's scream and I gaped. "What did you do to her?"

"I'd worry about yourself first," she answered, slicing my palm. She let my blood spilled on another candle before casting a spell, igniting them. As the flames flare, the pain in my head intensified. It felt like someone was digging their claws in my head.

When I opened my eyes again, I was back at the Mikaelson's compound, but it seemed different. This must be from centuries ago. Then I saw Elijah walking towards me, well, Cassandra and I found my lips curved into a smile.

"Cassandra," Elijah said, and my hands wrapped around his neck before feeling his lips against mine. It was a strange feeling, like I was in a driver seat but the car was driving by itself.

"Where are you going?" I heard her asked.

"To see the Mayor on our expansion. Will you be alright?" he asked and I felt my lips curled into a smile.

"Yes, I'll be in your studies until you returned."

"May I suggest you spend a quality ladies' time with my sister Rebekah?" he asked and I laughed. There was a bitterness and pretence in her laughter. I could feel it.

"One step at a time. I supposed she has warmed up a little to me," I said and Elijah took my hand kissing the knuckles before leaving me.

"It's too early in the morning for me to witness a scene from Romeo and Juliet," Kol's familiar voice snapped me out of my mind and I was back in the hospital bed, gasping for air.

"You can't be startled by your own memories," she said, referring to Kol.

"It's not like I can control it," I groaned, feeling the pounding in my head increased.

"We don't have much time," she said and I glared at her. I noticed her eyes flickered at the melting candle and it didn't take a five-year-old to figure it out. I can stall them until the candle melts away and the mind-linking can stop. I just need to buy Kol some time for him to find me. I was about to say something when she chanted a spell and forced me back into Cassandra's memories.

It was a different year, but at the Mikaelson's mansion. I noticed their paintings as I, Cassandra walked slowly and carefully. I felt her heart in my chest beating loudly, in fear and anxiousness.

Out of nowhere, I was pressed back into the wall, with Kol's vampire face in front of me.

"Having fun, little mouse?" he snarled, tightening his grip on my neck. I struggled to remove his grip but Kol only stepped closer to me, crushing my windpipe even more. "What did you hear?" he asked.

"I didn't!" she gasped. "I swear I didn't hear anything!"

"Liar," he growled and my fear only increases. I kept reminding myself that this wasn't me, this was Cassandra's memories but it all felt too real. Kol's eyes darted to his left as he heard footsteps and release Cassandra.

"Everything alright?" Elijah asked sternly.

"Why wouldn't it be?" Kol asked, smirking as his eyes trained on me. It sent shiver down my spine but Cassandra collected herself as she turned to smile at Elijah.

"Yes, my love. Kol was just asking my opinion on what he should wear tonight," Cassandra lied smoothly. Wow, so that's where I got my lying skill from.

"Lovely," Elijah said before offering his hand to her. "If you'll excuse us."

"Of course, brother," Kol said, rolling his eyes.

Once they were in their room, Cassandra turned to Elijah and planted a kiss on his lips.

"Was he bothering you?" he asked and Cassandra laughed lightly.

"He was intimidating, but he was only trying to make small talk with me," she said convincingly. "But I was thinking if maybe, Nik will let us move into our own house?"

"I'll ask him tonight at the party," Elijah said, making me smiled.

"By the way, I think Kol is bringing a date tonight. He seems awfully nervous. It's adorable," Cassandra said as she headed to the closet.

"Do you know her?"

"Couldn't remember her name. But she's a witch, not from around here," she said lightly, and I watched as Elijah's face changed, processing the information. "I think it's sweet for Kol to have her here for the Christmas party. Being all alone in an unknown city during Christmas." Cassandra glanced at Elijah, and smiled a little knowing Elijah will definitely report to Klaus. I heard Klaus's scream, not from Cassandra's memories, but from my own reality and I ran towards it, before waking up.

"You need to focus," she said and I rolled my eyes. I was still panting, trying to tune in, listening to Klaus. He had stopped grunting in pain, only breathing heavily.

"What are you doing to them?" I asked.

"You need to stay in there," Astrid cut me off.

"It wasn't like I was trying," I said. I noticed her silence, and the frown on her face, and I smirked. "What? The candles didn't come with a manual?" I asked and she glared at me and I felt someone sliced my palm and I hissed in pain.

"That's enough," Sabine interrupted.

"Ah, big ma'am is here," Astrid lowered her voice, winking as she said that. I turned to find Sabine-Celeste walking into the room.

"I'll take over from here," she said and I calmed myself.

"Do you want to send a message to Kol?" Astrid asked and I glared at her.

"Tell him not to kill you. I want us to do that together," I said, and she rolled her eyes at me, leaving the room.

Celeste looked at me as she caressed my head. "Don't worry, it'll be over soon. I assure you this will free you and Kol from this family," she said. I saw the flames flared higher, before I felt Celeste forcing herself into my head.

This time, she was with me. "How are you doing that?" I asked.

"I'm no ordinary witch, Vanessa," she said, smiling. Her smile sent chill down my spine.

"So are we in my head, or are we in Cassandra's head?" I asked, watching the party before us.

"Think of it as the same road, with different lanes," she answered and nodded her head at Rebekah and two girls, drinking.

"That's me, in another body, and that's Genevieve, another resurrected witch."

"What are witches doing hanging out with Rebekah?" I asked.

"Being manipulated to do her biddings," Sabine answered, venom dripping from her voice. And that's…her." I saw Cassandra, sitting down by herself, away from the party.

"It's a fickle business trying to find the right way to access her memories. But I do know my answer lies on this night," she said as we walked towards Cassandra.

"What do you get out of this?" I asked her and she laughed.

"I see Klaus has poisoned you well. I don't have to get into your head to know Klaus and his family has wronged you. Maybe even caused deaths in your life. And yet, you would protect this dysfunctional family." I stopped in my tracks as I stared at her, knowing she was right.

Elijah tortured the hell out of me when I first met him, granted, it was my fault for lying to him, then he manipulated me into doing his biddings by lying to my family, and he threatened to kill me in front of Elena to get her out of the lakehouse.

Klaus killed Jenna, sacrificed Elena causing John to give his life to her, dragged Stefan's humanity out of him, making us have a dreadful summer, turned Tyler into his hybrid slave…but he was also there for me when I had lost Kol. Klaus was my source of comfort and strength when I didn't even want to deal. Klaus was with me, ensuring Kol gets a proper burial.

"He saved my life," I said aloud. Celeste halted in her steps and looked over her shoulder.

"What?"

"Klaus saved my life. Sure, he has done plenty of horrible stuff in the past-"

"This family is toxic, sweetheart," she replied. "Now be a good girl, and concentrate." I took a deep breath, knowing I didn't have a way out. I don't even know where I am and how to get out.

"Hi, do you want to join us?" Celeste, in the black-haired witch's body said, as she approached Cassandra.

"Stalking your ex's girlfriend much?" I asked her and she smiled.

Cassandra turned to see a brunette that had been hanging out with Rebekah.

"That's okay," she replied with a soft smile.

"Are you alright?" the witch inquired. Cassandra's smile faltered slightly.

"Be careful, dear. You and your friend."

"I know she's an Original. But she seems nice." I noticed Cassandra's gaze blanked, before she caught herself and shook her head slightly. She forced a smile to her face as she turned her attention back to the black haired witch.

"Yes, she is. Excuse me," she said, leaving.

"Do you see that?" Celeste asked. "That's your window. We don't have much time," she said as she looked around, as if hearing something/

"My what?" I asked. Celeste chanted a spell that sounded French but not quite; and I watched as if someone just hit the rewind button. Celeste that was possessing the witch in 1919 spoke to Cassandra again and as Cassandra's eyes blanked as she reminisced, the present Celeste held my arm tightly and muttered the enchantment in haste.

And the most intense, piercing pain jabbed my head or perhaps it was my brain.

Before it disappeared completely and I felt numb.

And that was all of it.

It took me a moment before I realized what it was.

Death.

Kol didn't bother to stick around to hear why or how Marcel was convinced Vanessa and the others were in the Fleur-de-lis Sanitarium. He didn't care what Marcel or his sister had done. His only top priority was to make sure his Vanessa was safe and sound. It was more alarming since he couldn't think of a reason why the witches, led by Celeste, would want her.

When he arrived, it didn't take longer than a second for him to find Vanessa in that abandoned sanitarium. He could smell her blood and scent from the entrance. He ignored Rebekah's screams and Nik's mutterings. He couldn't catch a sound of Vanessa's voice, but he ran towards her scent as fast as he could.

"Step the fuck away from her!"

"If you attack me, you'll hurt her in the process," Sabine said hastily, holding her hand up to Kol as a warning.

Vanessa was strapped to the bed, she was breathing but frozen, her back arched and her eyes rolled to the back of her head, with her mouth slightly gaping. It was like when he witnessed a priest exorcising a demon.

"Vanessa," he called out to her.

"Let me finish this," Sabine begged but firmly and Kol had to ignore his instinct to just rip the witch's throat out. He recognized the red candles from the corner of his eyes and a growl escaped from his throat.

"Release her now," he said. Sabine, in that moment, let out a laugh.

"You can't do anything. You just need to wait. Or else…" she continued laughing. Kol couldn't even threat the witch without risking Vanessa's life. "I told your girlfriend. We have no quarrel with you, well, except Astrid but you don't have to worry about her that much."

"Kol," Vanessa breathed.

"Vanessa?" Kol stepped towards her as Sabine watched warily. It was against his nature. This helplessness. He couldn't use violence against the witch unless she releases Vanessa from the enchantment first. He couldn't do anything except wait and let the witches have what they want. "I'm here." It was all he could say to her at the moment. He reached for her hand before glaring up to Sabine.

"Release her now," he seethed and Sabine tilted her head to the sight.

"Are you going to kill me afterwards?" she asked, almost playfully. The tension was cut when Vanessa gasped, waking up. Sabine felt a flash of terror before she realized she didn't even have the murderous Mikaelson's attention. She muttered a quick spell before running out of the sanitarium, knowing at the end of the hall, Klaus Mikaelson was hunting for his sister.

Kol ripped the straps that was binding Vanessa to the bed and once she was released, her arms quickly embraced Kol, clinging to him. Kol sighed in relief, as he held Vanessa tight in her arms, her face buried in his chest. He kissed her hair, finally feeling peace after the chaotic and nervewrecking day that he had.

"You're late," Vanessa complained softly, and Kol somehow managed to chuckle at her remark.

"My timing is impeccable," he replied, their inside joke for a while now, and she laughed albeit weakly.

"Next time, we do everything together," Vanessa said and Kol laughed, pressing his forehead against her.

"Yes, ma'am," he said and she smiled tiredly, before pressing her lips against his.