i would really recommend listening to this song with this chapter !

'     '     '     '

"HOLY shit. Esther is- she's going to-" "No need to mention it, love. Just enjoy your breakfast that I so painstakingly labored over."

Grace pursed her lips at his attempted joke, but her appetite had now disappeared.

It was beyond her how Nik could act so carefree about his impending death that would take place tonight.

But in reality, Nik was worried. He just could not show that and make Grace panic even more.

After a few minutes passed, Grace finished what she could and excused herself in a curt manner.

She fumbled for her phone in her pocket as she walked outside and paced.

"Pick up, pick u-" "Hello?"

"Bonnie, we've got a problem. Esther is going to do the spell tonight. How long is this process going to take?"

Bonnie paused, then replied, "Come to the Salvatore house as soon as you can, and we'll get started."

The two bade their farewells and Grace hung up, feeling an unusual amount of anxiety.

"I'm so tired," she muttered.

'     '     '     '

MINUTES later, Grace met Bonnie at the Salvatore Boarding house, and could already sense multiple witches present.

Only, most of them were spirits that had been drawn here for this one reason.

Bonnie was there in the room, setting up what would be needed for this spell. Along with her was Abby Bennett, her mother.

Grace gave a small nod to each, feeling constricted and unwelcome by the spirits.

"I don't think they're happy I'm here," Grace said lightly, an uncomfortable smile on her face.

Bonnie felt sympathy for her, and much gratitude. That she would be willing to do this.

"Okay, we're ready for you. A-Are you sure you can handle it?"

Grace walked over and sat in the chair that was encircled by candles and runes. She tapped her fingers lightly, shifting in her seat.

"Uh, sure. What harm is the overwhelming power of hundreds of Bennett witches going into my body at once gonna do?"

Her weak attempt at a joke made a lump form in her throat, and she nearly shed a tear. But not for herself, because how selfish would that be? she thought rather bitterly.

No, she wanted to cry because she knew how much pain was about to come, but in the end it would all be worth it.

"Just in case something awful happens, which isn't likely but... you know. I just wanted to say thank you. You've kept my mom from becoming a vampire and breaking the bloodline. It's a pretty big deal for us."

Abby thanked Grace, holding her hand tightly for a moment.

"Then why are the spirits so mad about me being here?" Grace asked with a small frown.

Bonnie let out a small sigh.

"Um, well... they're not happy that you're a... hybrid, of sorts. You're not supposed to exist, and they definitely didn't want you to channel all of their power."

Grace shrugged, laughing a bit.

"I don't think anyone does. But, you're welcome. And not to sound selfish, but I am partly doing this for myself. I think it's my time."

Bonnie felt deeply for Grace, already mourning for her.

"Let's get to it."

'     '     '     '

IT felt like years to Grace.

The pain was not as unbearable as she was expecting, but it was no walk in the park. These spirits definitely had something against supernatural abominations, no doubt.

But the worst part was everything she saw during the process.

With each spirit taking their turn channeling into Grace's body, she saw their lives and felt how they died.

It was excruciating, but eye-opening nonetheless.

Grace never really had family issues. Matter of fact, that day she left with Katherine was the last time she ever thought about them. After her father convicted her of witchcraft and sentenced her to death by hanging, she went kind of cold toward them.

Not that it mattered now, as they were all dead.

Although, there was some regret inside of her now, feeling all of the anguish of these trapped souls who had lost loved ones and been the loved one lost.

There was another type of pain. Emotional torture, it felt like, because of all the things these people had been through individually.

Some had been depressed, and others oppressed.

There was a particular soul that stood out as it came to her. One with a child she had lost at birth due to pregnancy complications. Her sweet smile could barely hide the pain, which Grace only caught a glimpse of.

People went through so much and still took every day step by step like it was nothing.

Remorse built up in Grace, her guilt for all the killing she had done. That poor girl which she had slaughtered, with a family and friends. And now, she would never have that life.

All because of her.

There was a shaking, and Grace felt herself fall out of the state which she had been trapped in.

Grace blinked, and felt herself shaking. She blinked a few times more, realizing that tears streamed down her face. A sob escaped her, and someone with a familiar scent and voice approached her, picking her up out of the chair.

It was Damon, she realized, but her bawling would not cease. So many people had just poured their whole lives into her just to take out one person. Esther.

Damon put Grace on the couch and sat while she tried to stop crying, wiping her nose with her sleeve and seeing blood. They had really taken a lot out of her.

At once, her sobs had come down to a soft hiccup, while she pulled her knees up to her chest and stared into the lit fireplace.

Damon brought her a cup of something, and Grace took a sip to realize it was a strong liquor.

She winced a bit at the sudden burning, but it was good.

Grace finally looked up to Damon, feeling a bit better after each passing moment.

"God, what time is it? Is it dark yet?" she stood and steadied herself, checking the time on her phone. As well as many missed calls from Nik.

"Esther is going to start this spell, soon. I've got to go-" "I'll come with you. And I know you don't need me to, but you're my best friend and I won't hear any protests."

Grace hesitated for a moment, then smiled softly, holding out a hand.

"Let's go."

'     '     '     '

AT the Mikaelson manor, Niklaus was going crazy out of his mind, worried for Grace. She disappeared without warning hours ago, and she had been gone the whole day.

Something was not right at all, besides he and his siblings upcoming cult death thanks to Esther.

Then, at once, he heard the door open and bolted, meeting Grace with relief.

"Where the hell have you been?" he asked, angry at first but then softening his tone.

Grace seemed almost exhausted, like she barely had the energy to respond.

"Out. Where is Esther?"

Niklaus crossed his arms and paced for a moment, glancing at Damon. He started to question it, but decided not to, to keep the peace for now.

"I don't know, yet. But the sun has gone down and I think she's ready-" "Brother. She's here," Elijah interrupted, rushing in.

Grace tasted something bitter, and a lump formed in her throat.

Before she could follow after Nik, Damon pulled her back.

"Grace. I know what's going to happen to you if you go after Esther. You can leave all of this, you know. It's never too late to turn and leave. None of this is something you should have to deal with-" "I don't want to run, Damon. I don't want to be like Katherine, and I don't want to be like myself anymore. This is what I want."

Damon seemed defeated.

She was set on this, and there was no going back for Grace.

Exhaling, he pulled Grace into a tight hug, tears falling down his face.

"I'll never forget you, Gracie Lou. You've taught me so many great things."

Grace bit her tongue hard to hold back the tears, because she did not want to cry anymore. Finally, he pulled away and met her eyes. She really was tired.

Damon leaned forward and pressed his lips to her forehead gently.

"Hey," Grace said, a small smile on her face, "go get your girl."

Damon let out a breathless laughter, and then, he was gone.

Grace turned and braced herself, wondering where the hell Nik and Elijah had gone.

And she found them, outside, amongst the other Mikaelson siblings and no other than the family matriarch herself.

Grace could not recall anyone she had ever taken a disliking to so quickly as she had with Esther.

At once, the witch noticed her, lurking around slowly but steadily.

"Ah... the mutant is here. Surely it's not because you're trying to stop me, is it? Because I'm afraid you'll be badly mistaken and embarrassed."

Grace stepped past Niklaus, her hand skimming his arm with some consolation.

She was face to face with Esther, who had everything she needed for the ritual.

"Are you here to 'appease the spirits', Esther? When did that ever work for anybody? You wanting to get rid of your own children is not appeasing anything. It's a monstrosity even worse than you making them like this in the first place."

Esther raised her eyebrows, holding out a hand.

"You could join me, you know. Your power combined with mine would be an unstoppable force-" "Mother," Niklaus growled, stepping forward.

"What exactly is your plan here? You've got us all linked together as one. Now what are you waiting for?"

Esther narrowed her eyes and Nik, then a smile formed on her face.

"Why don't you ask Grace? Your star-crossed lover. I'm sure she has the idea in mind."

Nik frowned, looking to Grace. She shook her head, then looked down with some guilt.

"Once you're all turned human, she thinks she's going to kill you all. What she doesn't know is that she can't do that without me."

Esther's grin turned upside down quickly. She seemed puzzled.

Grace continued, "You're not channeling the Bennett witches anymore, Esther. You're channeling me. Well, you would be. But do you think I'm going to let that happen?"

Nik took Grace's hand and pulled her attention to him.

"Grace, wh-what are you talking about? Grace?"

That was when the tears started to flow.

Grace sniffed and tried to show a smile.

"You know I love you, right?" she said, her voice going weak.

"I always will. You showed me the world that I could have. It was beautiful and messy, but I loved it. Thank you, Nik. But... I've found my peace."

Niklaus took her shoulders, his eyes wide and the tears rolling.

"Grace, no! Grace... you can't do this. Please don't do this to me. Please..."

Grace closed her eyes for a moment, then looked over to Elijah. They exchanged a nod, and Grace knew this was doing good for herself.

"I'll wait for you, okay?"

With one final breath, she looked to Esther with an emotionless face and took her hand to her chest, removing her own heart.

Grace's body fumbled to the ground, a bloodied heart clutched in one hand.

Esther stumbled back in shock, and felt Grace's final wrath being poured onto her. Every tortured soul of the Bennett bloodline all at once.

Finally, Esther disappeared without a trace.

Niklaus collapsed to the ground, sobbing and shaking with intense pain. He cradled the lifeless figure of his lover, screaming in anguish as if he might as well have been killed, too.

Between his cries, he leaned down to where it felt like just him and her.

"My... dearest love," Nik whispered, choking back more crying.

"I will love you forever."

The End

a/n: so... this is the end of the book. i want to first and foremost say that i am extremely grateful from the bottom of my heart at how many of you have read and supported my book. i still find it hard to believe some days. i love you all so much and am so thankful for each and every one of you. i'm proud to say i've completed this book. again, i am so so so happy that you all have read this story and come this far with me, because i've loved writing every second of it. always and forever, alana