"We have to go after her!" Beatrix cried.

"No," said Elijah sharply. "Not you."

"You think I'm going to be able to just sit here while Aurora has Cami?" shrieked Beatrix.

"Do you not hear what I have been explaining?" he demanded. "Aurora is not to be toyed with, and she will certainly not hesitate to kill you if she comes across you."

"I can take her! I have magic and she doesn't!"

"And she is nearly seven hundred years older than you, and even without magic, will put up a fair fight!"

"So I'm just supposed to sit here and do nothing?"

"Not 'nothing.' After all, we have Tristan and will need him to find Rebekah. I'm certain you won't mind helping to torture him."

Beatrix gritted her teeth. "And what if I'd rather look for Cami? She shouldn't be involved in all of this!"

"Niklaus and Marcellus will scour the city for her," he assured her. "Not to mention Vincent Griffith and the other vampires will be more than willing to help if Marcel asks them to. She will not be left to harm. You needn't worry."

"How can't I worry? You're flaunting about how dangerous Aurora is—"

"She will kill you and Camille if you go near them!" he yelled. "If she learns that the both of you have captured Niklaus's affections, she will not wait. She is playing a game, and I assure you, Camille will be found in one piece. You need to stay in this house. Occupy yourself on other things— do not try and go seek Aurora out."

The Heretic growled lowly, but did not argue. "Good," said Elijah more calmly. "You should rest Freya and I will make any necessary preparations in order to get Tristan talking."

Beatrix huffed. "How am I expected to sleep after all of this? No, I'm going right now to help Freya prepare, so that we can find Rebekah quickly."

Elijah caught her arm as she tried to brush past him, and removed her daylight ring, staring into her eyes to compel her. "Go and rest," he demanded. "In the morning, you will meet us in the upstairs study. Fall asleep quickly."

She had no choice. He handed her back the ring, and she glared back at him before going to do what she was told.

Were it not for his compulsion, it would have taken her forever to sleep. She would have been awake thinking of Klaus and the prospect of him having feelings for her. She would have been wracked with guilt, thinking that not so long ago, she'd lost Kai, and now, she was returning her thoughts to her long-hidden feelings for Klaus, which realistically had never fully dissipated.

Instead, she drifted off immediately.

"Beatrix, if you don't come down in four seconds, I will rip your dress to shreds."

She was down in three, casting Klaus a very offended look. "Excuse you, I happen to like this dress," she said, turning in a circle. "Can't rush this sort of fixing up."

It was 1831 and they were off to a party, but Beatrix had been taking too long to get ready, according to Klaus. Her dress was a crimson chiffon, off the shoulder with puffed sleeves, falling down to her toes and barely hanging over the ground once she'd put on her shoes. She'd worn the jewelry that Klaus had gifted her— diamond earrings that flowed down her ears like honey and a diamond princess-style necklace that fit around her exposed throat and collarbones. She had done her makeup to bring out her rosy cheeks, and her hair, long and flowy at the time, was parted down the middle and tied back into an elegant bun, though several strands had been curled delicately beside her cheeks, grazing her shoulders when she turned her head.

Klaus looked over at her, and his snappy retort was forgotten. He gazed up at her as she descended the staircase and found himself at a loss for words. She looked beautiful, and he found himself smiling. "You look ravishing, love," he said, offering his arm. "Perhaps I'll forgive you for taking so long."

"Next time, maybe, you should help me get ready," she said with a shrug. "You're strong, you can help me tighten my corset."

"Well, I'll be rather bored after that, watching you carry on with your preparations."

"You needn't be. It's not like I can't talk while I get ready."

Klaus came closer and put his hand under her chin. "Love, it's not fun because watching you doll up just heightens my urge to tear everything off of you."

She had turned as red as her dress. Without hesitation, she pulled him in for a hard kiss, and they ended up not attending the party. He had, in fact, ripped her dress to shreds that night while removing it from her body before slamming her onto his bed.

Beatrix woke in the morning, sweating from how vivid and dirty of a turn the memory had taken. She had gulped, embarrassed, as if someone was reading her mind, which of course, wasn't true. Shaking her head quickly, she went to shower, forcing herself to tolerate the cold water.

She met Freya and Elijah in the upstairs study after she'd had a bite to eat. Freya was just finishing setting up a magical binding circle made of salt and herbs to trap Tristan, who was chained to a chair.

"How did you sleep?" asked Elijah when he saw her.

She forced a blush to not rise in her cheeks. "Fine. No thanks to you."

"At least, one proper night's rest is better than none at all."

Freya got up and dusted off her hands. "The spell is complete. Tristan cannot cross the boundary of his own will, but we can enter and leave as we please. I took the liberty of injecting him with hibiscus and mugwort to counteract any vervain in his system. All you have to do is compel him to give you the longitude of Rebekah's location."

"He says he's immune," said Elijah.

"He'll talk eventually," said Beatrix. "What type of torture did you have in mind? What's the procedure?"

"Devastate his body, infiltrate the mind, and steal the information we need. To that end, I've invited a friend."

He beckoned toward the door for Hayley to come in, bouncing Hope on her hip. "Elijah. I got your text."

The Original looked over at his niece. "Unless she's violently teething, I don't recommend this as a daycare..."

Hayley let out a sigh, looking saddened. "Jack's gone, and I don't know if he's coming back. I also really don't want to talk about it. So, which one of you will take Hope while I take out my anger on this pompous dick."

Beatrix offered her arms to Hope, who reached over. Grateful, Hayley handed her over. "We can play with aunt Freya while your mama and Uncle Elijah have some fun torturing this bad man," she told her. "That sound fun?"

Hope cooed in response, and Freya and Beatrix made their way to the Kenner apartment, which by now, Beatrix had been invited into. They set up a blanket on the floor and brought all of Hope's toys, sitting on the floor with her.

"Do you know what's the deal between Jackson and Hayley?" asked Freya. "I didn't know they were having problems."

"Me neither, but it's no secret that Jackson grows cross often seeing Hayley coming to help so much. He doesn't like your brothers at all. He might not mind you and Rebekah, but after the Davina thing with hijacking her spell, I think he's been less and less inclined to try and get to know you all."

Freya sighed. "I wish things were different. But the family has so many enemies and well, if Hayley wants to help... he can't stop her. We're related to her daughter. If she doesn't help us, Hope can be in more danger."

Beatrix peered down at her niece and stroked her hair affectionately. "We can't have that, can we, darling?"

Hope babbled incoherently, though some words did come out at random. She crawled over to Beatrix and handed her a small bouncy ball. "Yes, thank you," said Beatrix. "I will cherish this forever."

Hope squealed and stood, walking over to Freya and pulling her into a hug. "I know, babygirl," sighed Freya. "I love you, too. We're sorry that your life is so complicated."

"Hopefully, the complications will end, soon," Beatrix offered even though Hope couldn't really understand her. "All the enemies will go away, and you'll get to be a normal little girl. Eventually, your biggest problem will be who to go to prom with and what dress to wear. Or, maybe, you'll have a new identity by then— whatever you want. We're trying to keep you safe so that you have the freedom to be who you want to be."

Hope clapped. "Trix," she said, making the Heretic smile. "Trix, Trix, Trix..."

"Don't be flattered, maybe she means the cereal," Freya teased.

Beatrix made a face and put Hope on her lap facing Freya. "Tell your mean Auntie Freya that you don't mean the cereal."

Hope giggled. "Fray!"

"See, at least she says my nickname correctly," said Beatrix smugly. She paused for a bit to listen to what was going on. "Ooh. Tristan's yelling over there."

"He deserves it," said Freya, shaking her head.

They played with Hope for about an hour afterward and put her to nap. The two women were looking out the window when an older woman entered the room, taking off her jacket.

"You must be the sister, Freya," said the woman to the Mikaelson witch. She faced Beatrix. "And you, the Heretic. Jackson told me about you."

"Er— hello," said Beatrix. "Who are you?"

"Name's Mary," she answered. "I'm a Crescent. Closest thing your niece has to a great-grandmother. Figure she's napping?"

Freya nodded. "That's right."

"And Hayley?"

Beatrix pursed her lips. "She's across the street helping with a... teensy issue."

Mary rolled her eyes. "Was that Elijah's idea?"

"Sort of, but Hayley was glad to help," said Beatrix. "Nothing major, just a little problem. We're making sure things don't get out of hand."

Mary seemed skeptical. "Well, you may both go— I can take care of Hope."

Freya didn't immediately concede. "Let me just call Hayley to make sure," she said with a tight-lipped smile as she withdrew her phone and dialed Hayley's number. It rang twice before she picked up.

"Everything alright?" asked Hayley, sounding slightly out of breath.

"All good," said Freya. "There's a woman here named Mary— Jackson's grandmother? Is she good to take care of Hope by herself?"

"Yeah, she's fine," Beatrix heard Hayley say. "She's a little rough around the edges, but she's family. Don't worry, I'll be there soon."

Only about a minute passed before Hayley was walking through the door, relieved. "Thank you, Freya, Beatrix," she said, smiling at Mary. "I'll take it from here."

The two nodded and made their way back to the compound, finding Tristan already with two werewolf bites, looking pale and feverish.

"Can you do a spell to weaken his mind?" asked Elijah immediately. Freya nodded and went over, putting her hands on his head and murmuring softly as she started to attack his brain. Tristan twitched and grunted, but said nothing.

"He's as weak as I can make him," said Freya after a few minutes. "If I push further, I might kill him."

Tristan let out a hoarse gasp. "Weak as I am, you still won't take from me what you seek."

Elijah strode over, and sighed dejectedly. "It's an unpleasant thing, delving into such a depraved and repellent mind."

The man in the chair began to doze off, and Elijah kicked him hard in the foot. "Tristan, unless you'd like me to fetch the chainsaw, I recommend you give me what I seek." He grasped him roughly by the head and started to go into his mind. He remained in for about four seconds before gasping and opening his eyes again.

"What did you see?" said Beatrix immediately.

Elijah did not answer immediately, panting for breath. "Just flashes. He's resisting, but still, There's something else. It was a word." He looked down at Tristan and grabbed him by the face. "What was it, Tristan? Hmm? What is 'Cepheus?'"

They all turned as Marcel strode into the room. "What's next? Charades? While you guys host the world's most messed-up game night, you got bigger problems."

Elijah glared at Marcel, annoyed. "Freya, would you mind dealing with this situation, please?"

"Oh, no offense to your lovely sister, but you and I need to talk," said Marcel. "I'm here on behalf of The Strix, and I'm not leaving without Tristan."

Elijah gritted his teeth. "Beatrix, come with us."

Marcel didn't object to this. The three walked down the hallway near the courtyard, and Elijah began to speak. "Elijah, look— the way I see it, you don't have a choice."

The Original rolled his eyes. "Is that so?"

"How long before The Strix decide to come get their guy? And if they destroy half the Quarter in the process..."

Elijah cut him off. "I can handle the Strix."

Marcel scoffed. "Oh, you can't even handle Tristan! He's about to OD on wolf venom, and the only thing that you can get out of him is-is Cepheus, whatever the hell that's supposed to mean. The guy has been around for a millennium. He can withstand all your vampire mind-games. And if you end up killing him, we lose Rebekah for good."

Beatrix pursed her lips. "What do you suggest then, Marcel? How else to we get him to tell us the truth? Are we to simply hand over this fiend and let him be free? His lunatic sister has Cami."

Marcel sighed. "If I take Tristan, make it look like I busted him out, I get in tighter with him and The Strix. I can find out where Rebekah is and keep them from declaring war on the Quarter if you trust me. It could work."

Beatrix looked up at Elijah, as if asking him to consider it, but he shook his head. "Beatrix, go and try a locator spell on Camille. We will figure this out with Aurora, and not the Strix."

"Elijah, maybe we should hear Marcel out," said Beatrix. "He already has the in with the Strix."

"I will not release that filth," he said coldly. "Go."

Beatrix cast Marcel a sympathetic look before making her way to her room, rubbing her forehead. She walked in, and immediately, everything felt off.

Too late. She whirled around just in time to be stabbed in the side with a piece of wood, making her cry out in pain and crumple down on the floor. She tried to wave her hand, but to no avail. Three Strix men were standing over her, and one brought down a little dart, sticking it into the side of her neck, and causing her to go unconscious.

_

When Klaus and Elijah didn't find her in the evening, they were ready to fight each other.

"You mean to tell me," snarled Klaus, "that you didn't go and check on her after the Strix had infiltrated the compound?"

"She always puts Silencing Spells, Niklaus!" Elijah growled back. "I thought she'd gone to your aid, considering how much she wanted to help find Camille!"

"I swear, Elijah, if she comes to any harm—"

"Hello?"

They turned as a young girl came in. Her movements were almost robotic, as though she was compelled. She offered a camcorder to Klaus. "From The Strix," she said, before walking out, now normally, as though her task had been fulfilled.

The two brothers opened the camera, and saw a video had been filmed for them.

It showed Beatrix, tied up and gagged, the camera too close to show her surroundings. She was attached to an IV bag with a clear liquid— vervain. Her face was dirty with sweat, and her hair was in tangles. Her head was downcast, as though she was unconscious.

"Elijah Mikaelson," came the familiar voice of Aya behind the camera. "Niklaus Mikaelson. I have here... Itza Beatrix La Salle, known by many other names. The Heretic who slaughtered seventy four Strix members after refusing to join the Strix Coven. After the ridiculous events that have taken place following the entrapment and torture of Tristan de Martel, we The Strix are no longer inclined to letting her slide by at your side, and intend to give you a taste of your own medicine. You will not have anymore access to this weapon."

Klaus gritted his teeth. "She wouldn't dare—"

There was a snapping sound, and Beatrix shot awake, letting out a croak. A pair of hands moved forward and removed the gag from her. Teary-eyed and looking to be in a lot of pain, she glanced at the camera. The gag had been so tight around her that her cheeks were bleeding, and she wasn't healing with the vervain in her system.

Aya seemed to open a window somewhere behind and suddenly, Beatrix let out a scream of pain, her face beginning to burn. The window shut, and the Heretic whimpered, shaking her head. "N-No!" she snarled. "I-I w-won't— w-won't join!"

"Foolish girl," came the voice of Tristan. "Here we are, ready to pardon you, so long as you join the Coven, and yet you refuse. We offer you a position that will ensure no harm comes to Niklaus or Elijah."

"I-I said— n-no," she spat. "L-Liars— liars—"

Someone came and stood in front of the camera and Beatrix let a howl of pain. The person did not move until they'd made a large gash on her cheek, which would not easily heal. "We ask again that you join," insisted Tristan. "It's simple, really. Your lover wanted to torture me to get Rebekah's location. He got it. Now, he has the advantage, with a little witch like you on his side. We will not allow it after the behavior that they carried out today. Join the Coven, and be released."

"W-Won't," she hissed. "W-Won't help y-you..."

"Last chance before we take your magic."

Elijah went rigid as Beatrix shook her head. "Y-You can't... c-can't take it... I-I have to give... it up..."

"Oh, you will give it up. Perhaps we should alter our request. We aim to acquire the Serratura. It is in the hands of Niklaus Mikaelson."

"W-Won't get it f-for you e-either," snapped Beatrix. "Y-You'll have to k-kill me."

Tristan chuckled. "Well, at least, you and I are similar in our relentless nature. I can't believe... you refuse to betray the Mikaelsons. Marcel did it so easily."

Beatrix swallowed hard, blood dripping down her face. "H-He hasn't known t-them as l-long as I h-have," she muttered. "D-Doesn't... know..."

"We do not wish further harm to come to you. Marcel is vouching for your safety. We want your loyalty, either through joining our Coven, or bringing the Serratura to us. Your choice."

"N-Neither," Beatrix hissed. "N-Never..."

The camera moved back ever so slightly as Tristan came forward, and turned to the camera beside Beatrix. "One of our witches dug into her mind," he stated. "I think, you both should find it familiar what we'll be doing to her."

He plunged his hand into Beatrix's chest and she let out a terrified scream, her eyes rolling back as she tried to stay calm— to no avail. Both brothers felt guilt wracking through their bodies— they had both put her in a similar pain before. Beatrix sobbed as Tristan held her heart, handing her a piano key, though not the same one she usually put her magic in. The Heretic shook her head and he forced it into her hand. He started to tug a bit on her heart, and out of fear, she caved, going limp as she drained the magic into the piano key.

Tristan released her heart and held the key up. "You'll find this piano key, still with its magic inside, tucked inside the camcorder," he announced. "After all, she's going nowhere. When she chooses to concede, you can bring the magic back to her so that you may retrieve her before she begins serving us."

He stepped away from the camera, and the lens zoomed in on Beatrix, who could scarcely breathe, blood all over her shirt. She looked up at the camera and shook her head. "D-Don't... d-don't come," she begged. "D-Don't c-come for m-me..."

"What is she saying?" said Klaus harshly. "How can she demand that of us?"

"P-Please," she insisted. "W-Won't d-do it... I-I'll... g-get out... o-on my own..." she swallowed hard and blinked tears of pain from her eyes. "D-Don't... w-waste time... m-more... i-important t-things..." she choked and shook her head. "G-Get B-Bex. K-Keep... S-Serratura..."

The screen went dark, and the piano key clattered to the floor as Klaus shattered the camera with his fist.