Chapter 16
The ground shook beneath their feet as the explosion reverberated through the air, shattering the stillness of the room. Every muscle in Brittany's body tensed as the noise rattled her bones. The blast was not just a simple explosion; it felt as though the world itself was coming undone. A deep, visceral fear gripped her heart, and for a brief moment, she felt like everything they had been fighting for had just collapsed in on itself.
Santana’s grip tightened on her hand, and Brittany’s gaze locked with hers. They didn’t need to speak; the urgency in their eyes said it all. They were already moving, instinctively running toward the courtyard as Marcel’s urgent shout echoed down the hall. They had no time to think, no time to question what was happening. The world outside was suddenly in chaos, and they were expected to face it head-on.
The panic from the explosion was still fresh in their minds, but something else lingered. A sense of dread was seeping into Brittany’s bones, and as much as she tried to push it aside, the feeling of vulnerability clawed at her. She was still so new to this world of magic, so inexperienced in the power that she had only recently discovered. Her fears swirled around her, clashing with the hope that had begun to grow since her conversation with Santana. There was a comfort in being together, in knowing that they were not alone, but this? This was different. They were about to face something entirely new, and that terrified her.
Santana, too, was struggling with the uncertainty. Her steps were fast, determined, but her mind raced with doubt. She had fought before, but this wasn’t like the battles she had faced as a vampire. This was not a matter of survival, it was something more. They were not just fighting for their lives now; they were fighting for their place in a world that seemed to be growing more dangerous with every passing moment.
As they reached the courtyard, the full scale of the conflict unfolded before them. The air was thick with the scent of smoke, and figures moved through the haze, dark silhouettes against the flickering flames. Vampires. More vampires than Brittany had ever seen in one place. They stood in a loose circle, their eyes glowing with a malicious hunger. At the center, a woman, tall, dark-haired, with an air of command, watched them all. Her eyes narrowed as she scanned the newcomers, lingering on Santana for a moment longer than necessary, before her lips curled into a slight smirk.
Brittany felt her heart pound in her chest as the woman’s gaze met hers. There was something cold, calculating in the way she studied them, and for a moment, Brittany thought she saw recognition flicker in the woman’s eyes. It was then that she realized this wasn’t just some random group of vampires—they were organized, led by someone who knew exactly what she was doing.
The woman stepped forward, and as she did, the other vampires followed suit, their movements synchronized, as if they were waiting for her command. The air grew heavy, thick with tension, and for a split second, Brittany and Santana exchanged a glance, the weight of the moment sinking in. This was no longer just a training exercise. This was real.
The woman’s voice broke the silence, smooth and calculated. "I am Greta Sienna," she announced, her tone dripping with authority. "And you are in my way."
Kol, who had appeared beside Marcel, was the first to react. His eyes flickered with the unmistakable hunger of a predator, his posture shifting as he prepared for what was coming. He had seen his fair share of battles, and he didn’t hesitate now. "You’re trespassing, Greta," he spat, his voice low and dangerous. "And you’re about to find out how badly that mistake will cost you."
Greta’s eyes glinted with amusement as she glanced at Kol. "The Mikaelsons. Always so confident," she said, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "But you’re not the only ones who have power, Kol. And your little friends—" She paused, her gaze falling on Santana and Brittany. "They’re not part of the family, are they?"
Freya, standing off to the side, narrowed her eyes at the comment. Her patience, already frayed by the long hours of tense preparation, snapped. Without another word, she thrust her hands out, her magic crackling in the air as she unleashed a powerful wave of energy. It ripped through the courtyard, sending several of Greta’s vampires flying backwards. The force of the blast rattled the ground beneath their feet, and Brittany’s breath hitched at the sight of the destruction.
Davina joined the attack, her own magic swirling around her in a graceful but deadly display. The combined power of the witches was enough to send several of the vampires reeling, but Greta remained unfazed, watching with a calculating expression.
Vincent stepped forward, his hands glowing with his own magic as he conjured barriers to protect the group. Hope, her face steely and determined, stood beside him, her own abilities crackling in the air. The battle lines had been drawn, and now, there was no turning back.
Hayley and Marcel were already in the thick of the fight, their movements a blur of speed and strength as they tore through the ranks of Greta’s vampires. The sounds of combat filled the air; growls, the clash of fists, and the screeching of vampires as they fell one by one. Kol, always quick to take advantage of an opportunity, was already in motion, his vampire speed and strength cutting through the enemy ranks with lethal precision.
But Santana hesitated. Her instincts screamed at her to join the fight, to help take down the vampires, but fear held her back. She had never fought like this before. She had never been part of something this dangerous. And she knew, deep down, that she was not like the others. The power inside her, the strength she had always relied on as a vampire, was nothing compared to the magic that swirled around them now.
Brittany felt the hesitation in Santana’s pulse, and though she understood it, she couldn’t allow it to stop them. She couldn’t let Santana hold back when there was so much at stake. She squeezed Santana’s hand, offering a small, reassuring smile. "We’re in this together," she said softly, her voice steady despite the chaos around them.
Santana looked down at her, her grip tightening in return. It was a simple phrase, but it was enough to break through the wall of fear that had settled around her heart. She took a deep breath and nodded.
As the battle raged on, Brittany closed her eyes, focusing on the magic she had been struggling to control. The fear that had gripped her was still there, but she pushed it aside, focusing on the power within her. She reached deep, tapping into something primal, something ancient, and as she did, her magic surged to life. It wasn’t like the spells she had practiced. This was raw, uncontrolled power, and it flooded her body with an energy she didn’t fully understand.
The first spell she cast was instinctual, a burst of light that shot from her hands, striking down one of the vampires who had been advancing on them. The force of the blast surprised her, but it didn’t scare her. She had done it. She had finally tapped into her magic, and she wasn’t afraid anymore.
Santana, seeing Brittany’s newfound confidence, moved to join the fray. She wasn’t skilled with magic like Brittany, but her vampire strength was more than enough to make up for it. She fought with a fury that mirrored the rage building inside her. For too long, she had pushed people away, trying to protect them. But now? Now, she would fight for them. For Brittany. For herself.
The battle raged on, with vampires falling left and right. Greta, however, remained unshaken. Her eyes flicked toward Santana, and for a long moment, they locked onto each other. There was something about the way she looked at Santana; something calculating, almost knowing. It unsettled Brittany, but she didn’t have time to dwell on it.
Greta finally spoke, her voice cutting through the chaos. "This isn’t over," she said, her tone dark and threatening. "I’ll be back, and next time, we will finish this."
With a final glance at Santana, Greta disappeared into the smoke, her vampires retreating with her. The courtyard fell silent, the sounds of battle fading into the distance.
Kol, ever eager for a fight, took a step forward, his eyes filled with the hunger for revenge. "We should chase them," he growled, his voice laced with frustration.
But Marcel stepped in front of him, shaking his head. "No," he said firmly. "It’s late. We’ve all been through enough tonight. Let her go. We’ll deal with her next time."
Santana, breathless and shaken, stood beside Brittany, still trying to process the chaos that had just unfolded. The fight had been brutal, and though they had survived, there was a deep sense of unease in the pit of her stomach. They had won this battle, but the war? That was far from over.
And as the group slowly began to regroup, the weight of the coming storm settled heavily over them all. Greta Sienna would return, and next time, they would need to be ready.