CHAPTER 23

I just want to give a shoutout to all the bonkai shippers out there. I have exciting news at the end of the chapter so stay tuned for that.

Bonnie's head was pounding and there was a high-pitched, shrill noise in her ears. She groaned and rolled onto her stomach. She raised herself up by her elbows and blinked. The world spun, but slowly a horrifying picture came into focus.

Half of the coven was on the ground, the other half was trying to scramble their way to their feet. Worse still, Bonnie saw figures coming toward them. There were dozens of others with him. She blinked and reached out with her magic.

Vampires.

Werewolves.

How had they made it past Kai's wards? Not that it mattered at the moment. What mattered was that if she didn't do something her vision of Hecate burning would come true.

Somehow, Bonnie got to her feet. She stared Death down and something ancient, primal took over her. She knew without knowing how she knew that it was Hecate guiding her.

"Sisters," Bonnie said in a commanding voice to the Weird Sisters, who were all starting to wake up. "Form a protective shield around the teenagers and the elderly."

She looked for Kai and saw he was already striding towards the vampires and werewolves. A handful of witches and warlocks were following his lead. Among them Sheila, the Mikaelsons, Liz Forbes and as well as Liv and Luke.

"What about you?" Lucy said.

"We have to protect you," Katherine said.

"Come with us," Rebekah said.

Bonnie shook her head. "No, you go. I have a plan."

She closed her eyes and summoned the noose Kai had gifted her. She murmured an incantation, quite what it did she didn't know, but she felt Hecate's hand guide her.

The noose grew into a long coil and it wrapped itself around several of the werewolves. It snaked along their legs and pulled. They fell to the ground, thrashing and growling as they struggled to get free. With one thought from her, it tightened into an unbreakable hold.

Finally, Bonnie was through the chaos and she grabbed Kai's hand. He flashed a smile in her direction. The rush of power was instant and it scared her how strong their connection was that they channeled each other with just one touch.

She summoned the rose du mort from her bedroom. She started chanting to make it levitate. It flew higher and higher in the clearing. Soon, Bonnie didn't recognize the words she was chanting. She lost her connection to Kai and finally even her connection to herself.

XXX

Kai stood back when he saw what was happening to Bonnie. She was possessed and he had a feeling it was by Hecate herself. Possession was dangerous and he looked around. All through the clearing members of his coven were fighting. He needed to get them out of here.

He raised his hands and teleported them away to the Academy. They would be safe there. He exhaled in relief once they were gone. He refocused on Bonnie and he threw up a protective shield around them. It glowed a golden shade against the darkness of the night.

Bonnie had now switched to ancient Sumerian, which Kai knew for a fact she didn't speak. Mostly because the only coven members, who learned it were healers. And Bonnie was a psychic, not a healer. No one in her family had been a healer for generations.

Kai himself only understood about every other word, but he had no time to work out what Hecate was using Bonnie for. His powers strained under the constant assault of vampires and werewolves outside of the protective sphere. Everywhere, he turned there were vampires and werewolves all throwing the entirety of their supernatural strength into breaking through.

A sweat broke out on his brow and he felt his magic shake under their combined weight it was a physical strain like running too far or lifting something too heavy.

Bonnie was now levitating along with the rose there was an ethereal glow around her. The rose shone and Kai just had time to register the Sumerian word for 'explosion' when the rose exploded. Thorns and petals went flying in every direction propelled by her magic.

They hit the vampires and werewolves, scores of them collapsed on the ground. The vampires, who had been hit by the thorns fell to the ground and withered away. The werewolves yowled in pain. They either ran away or collapsed, resigned to a much slower death than the vampires.

Kai could only stare at Bonnie as he maintained the shield spell.

"Holy fuck," he breathed. "The ancient casting of the Sumerian death rose."

He had thought that spell was lost forever. And may well have been if Hecate had not taken over Bonnie to cast it. More to the point, Hecate would not be able to use Bonnie like this or cast the spell if Bonnie wasn't capable of it.

Damn Hecate, Kai thought. Possession could damage the host and if this hurt Bonnie, he didn't give a flying fuck if Hecate was the only god left on their side. He would kill her with his bare hands if he had to.

Then Hecate did just what Kai feared. She raised her right hand to the sky and cried out in a loud clear voice. "Κάλεσα τον άμαχο των ουρανών!"

I summon the athame of the heavens, Kai translated quickly from the Greek.

There was a bright flash like a lightning strike and then Bonnie or rather Hecate held a gold athame in her hand. She raised her left hand and Kai roared with rage when Hecate slashed Bonnie's wrist open.

Blood gushed like a fountain. Kai tried to stop her, he summoned every spell he knew, but they simply bounced off Hecate like they were nothing.

"IF YOU KILL HER, I KILL YOU!"

Hecate turned Bonnie's head too look at him. The smile she wore was completely unfamiliar and inhuman. "You can try."

Kai roared again and charged, but he couldn't get through to Hecate. In his haste, he had dropped the barrier spell and something grabbed him from behind.

"INCENDIA!"

The vampire went up in flames and Kai teleported away.

Hecate had carved a V-shape into her chest and was slicing open her right arm. The blood flowed freely from Bonnie's figure and down to the earth. The ground was soaked in blood and Kai reached for Bonnie to pull her safely to the ground.

"αφιερώνω!"

Consecrate, Kai thought. That's what Hecate was up to.

Before he could stop her, the earth rumbled and seemed to disappear from underneath his feet. Everything went black.

XXX

The injured had been rushed to the infirmary at the Academy. The Weird Sisters reappeared at Bonnie's side in a cloud of smoke.

"It is done. The children have been sent with Elena and Caroline," the Weird Sisters said speaking in unison.

"Good," Bonnie said. "Wait, Elena and Caroline?"

"Tyler is with them," Katherine said.

"I'll send Stefan too," Rebekah said after a moment's contemplation.

"Not great, but better," Bonnie agreed.

Caroline and Elena weren't much good in a fight. She had learned that much from Kai's class. She felt better knowing there were more of them in case of another attack tonight.

Rebekah took out a pen and wrote on the palm of her hand. Bonnie knew she was using magic to send a message to Stefan. Witches and warlocks didn't use cellphones. She wasn't even sure her friends even had cellphones.

"They're at the school," Katherine said. "If I'm not mistaken 'Lijah is adding extra wards there now as we speak."

Kai appeared next to Bonnie in a cloud of smoke. "Bring your Night Maidens to the dungeon. Emergency battle council now."

Kai caught her by the elbow and kissed her briefly. His touch was lingering and he stroked her gently on the cheek. It was the first chance they'd had to talk since she woke. Kai had woken first and carried her back to the manor. Then the coven arrived and a war council had been summoned.

Bonnie nodded. She wanted to say something more like maybe how she was happy to see he was alright or ask if anything like this had ever happened before, but Kai kissed her. It was a hard kiss and then he was gone.

Absent-mindedly, she touched her lips and shook her head.

"You heard him," Bonnie said with a defeated sigh. "Let's get to it."

Together they walked down to the dungeon. Occasionally, they stopped to check on the other coven members. More and more people gripped Bonnie's hands. Asking her questions and looking for reassurance.

The Weird Sisters flanked her and kept people at bay. Only allowing one through at a time. Bonnie was amazed by the number of people, who wanted to thank her for what she had done. Apparently, word had spread fast about her possession and that she consecrated the ground of Kai's mansion.

What was even more amazing was how so many of them said she gave them hope. It was overwhelming and Bonnie was relieved when Kol saw them. In spite of the Weird Sisters only allowing one coven member to approach her at a time it was all too much.

"I'm sorry, but the future consort is needed at the council meeting."

Before anyone could protest, Kol grabbed her arm and pulled her inside of the dungeon. No one other than council members were permitted inside and no one else would dare enter. The Weird Sisters were now officially council members and they followed them inside. Closing the doors on everyone outside.

Bonnie exhaled. "Thanks, Kol."

"Not a problem, little witch."

"Nice save, big brother," Rebekah said with a bright smile.

Lucy nudged Bonnie forward and she started walking toward the dais. Kai was already sitting there and she noticed no one mobbed him. Although several people reached out for her. All it took was for Lucy to lightly electrocute one of them for it to stop. Kai smirked when he saw what Lucy did. Finally, Bonnie understood why Kai put on such an act of being evil and cruel. No one bothered a leader that was terrifying.

Bonnie sat down on the consort's throne. The Weird Sisters lined up near the edge of the dais, which made her uncomfortable. This whole thing was too bizarre for her. She would have to talk to Kai about loosening some of the insane customs and traditions. He'd already started cutting a lot of them, but she knew the council was loathe to see most of them go. Sheila said the stodgy old council fought Kai and the younger members on every decision.

"Number of injured?" Kai asked the room at large.

"Twenty give or take a couple," Kol replied lazily as he checked a piece of paper in front of him.

"The battle only lasted a few minutes, but there are several being quarantined for possible lycanthropy," Sheila said.

"How many?"

"Five," Sheila replied. "No children were injured fortunately. Quick thinking, girls," she nodded toward Bonnie and the Weird Sisters.

"Yes, they were awesome," Kai said with a teasing smile in Bonnie's direction. "Now let's just address the sitch at hand. Death wants us all super-duper dead and the only thing that saved our asses from serious losses today is Bonnie here and of course, Hecate. Consecrating the ground bought us some time, but Death will find a way in. In the meantime, I was thinking guerilla tactics."

"Guerilla tactics?" one of the older men in the back said.

Bonnie didn't recognize him.

"Yes, against the werewolves and vampires Death is using as his foot soldiers. Elijah is currently refortifying the Academy, but for now I think all lessons should take place here."

"We should simply suspend lessons," Carol Lockwood suggested.

"No," Kai said immediately. "The Academy's students will need to fight alongside us. The more they know the better armed they will be. I'd love to tell you no one is going to die, but that would be a lie."

Resounding silence fell upon the room and Bonnie glanced at Kol. As an empath, he was the best chance she had at knowing what was going on with the rest of the coven. He looked tense, she assumed he was trying to block out all the fear.

"Guerilla tactics is a start. It would deplete his army," Bonnie said. "But what do we do about Death?"

"I have an idea," Kai said. "I'll need a few choice people's help with it. Those of you, who are chosen know, who you are."

Bonnie had almost forgotten that Kai had an inner circle that already existed within the inner circle of the council. But of course, it would be the same allies, who helped him stay alive long enough to become coven leader and defeat his dad. Although, Bonnie suspected even then Kai had done most of the heavy lifting. Over the past few weeks, she had come to see how much Kai handled on his own. Last night, when he sent the coven away had confirmed that.

It was smart thinking. They needed help to work out the best way to harness the power of the crystal skull. It was volatile magic – too volatile in Bonnie's opinion, but desperate times called for desperate measures. The truly insane thing was that even Kai considered it dangerous and he was convinced their attempts to save themselves might be the very thing that killed them all in the end.

"What do the rest of us do?" Sheila asked and for once there was no light of fanaticism in her eyes when she looked at Kai. Instead, they were sharp and piercing. It was the same look she used to give Bonnie and Lucy when they misbehaved.

"Get the coven ready for war. Sheila for the time being I want you to resume your position as head mistress at the Academy as Elijah will be assisting me. If there is anyone, who can get those kids battle ready, it's you."

Sheila nodded. "It'll be my honor."

"Bonnie and her Night Maidens are responsible for organizing the general defenses and preparing the rest of the coven. They will especially focus on protecting the children."

Bonnie felt something snap and she knew Kai's magical control of the didn't extend when he veered too far from tradition. More specifically, it didn't extend to the consort. No wonder, he was adamant she have added protection, she thought dimly as the council went into an uproar. The only two, who appeared calm were Sheila and Kol. All of the rest looked shocked, scandalized and angry. Even Elijah looked uncomfortable.

"She is too young!"

"Unprecedented!"

Other cries joined in and Bonnie fought to keep her expression steely. Behind her, she felt more than saw the Weird Sisters tense.

"Bonnie is untested. It is not wise to put one so young in charge of such a vital assignment. By the dark lord, she hasn't even graduated the Academy," Elijah said in a calm voice that broke through the din. It was the same voice he used on unruly students, Bonnie had often been stopped dead in her tracks by that voice even when it was not aimed at her.

"It's not wise?" Kai grinned and got to his feet. Bonnie held her breath, she didn't know what level of psycho coven leader was about to be unleashed, but she knew it was coming. And she for one wasn't convinced Elijah was wrong. "You're questioning me?"

"I suppose I am."

"Alright," Kai said with his smile turning manic and something cold appeared in his eyes. "So you think you know better than both the Devil himself and Hecate?"

Elijah balked. "No."

"Kai," Bonnie said in a low voice. She was struggling not to show how annoyed with Kai's decision she was. "Don't be ridiculous. I have never even organized a school class let alone turned a coven into a military force."

"You were chosen. Sink or swim, Bon."

Bonnie grit her teeth and seriously thought about setting him on fire. One limb at a time. Then it hit her just how much darker her nature had become.

Kai looked around at the still full dungeon. He threw his arms out and looked at them like they were dumb. "What are you all still doing here? Decision made. You're all dismissed now get the fuck out."

The coven shuffled out, but Bonnie could tell they were still angry.

"What the hell was that?" Bonnie said when they were all gone. "I am young and I am inexperienced. You have people with centuries of experience, who can help run your army. Why don't you get one of them to do it?"

"You three get out too," Kai said jerking his thumb toward the door. "Seriously, take a hike."

"Kai," Bonnie snarled and rose to her feet. "You don't get to talk to my friends like that."

"Fine," Kai said from between clenched teeth. "Sisters, would you please give us a moment?"

"Certainly," Lucy said in a sarcastic tone of voice and strode off.

Bonnie suppressed a smile when Katherine and Rebekah followed her.

"You need to treat them nicely or one night you're going to wake up to find I set you on fire in your sleep."

"Have I told you how much I love it when you get violent and scary?"

"Enough, you psycho," Bonnie rolled her eyes, but a smile played on her lips. "Can you focus? I'm still not convinced this a good idea."

"Those people you mentioned with more experience? They'll be your council. They will help you make the right choices and I'll be here, Bonster. I'll help you with anything you need."

Bonnie wrapped her arms around herself and considered it. "You really think it's a good idea, huh?"

"I do."

"I can't believe I'm about to say this, but I trust you so alright."

Kai broke into a bright smile that stole her breath away. "That's my girl."

Before she quite knew what had happened, she was in his arms and he was kissing her. She wrapped her arms around his neck and warmth rippled through her as his kisses grew more insistent. Kai's hands roamed her figure and they clutched her thighs. He picked her up and she wrapped her legs around his waist.

Kai stumbled backward and he sat down on his throne. Bonnie dimly registered all of this, but her brain was hazy with lust as she kissed her way down his neck. He moaned and his fingers massaged the nape of her neck, encouraging her to keep going.

"I thought you were dead," Kai groaned. "If you died, I would lose my mind."

"But I didn't."

Bonnie smiled sweetly at him before kissing him once again. The truth was she was as freaked out about last night's events as Kai was. She thought they were all dead. Hell, when Hecate possessed her, she thought she was dead and that everyone she loved was next. It was the single scariest moment of her life and she needed Kai. Needed the reassurance that they were both still alive.

Kai tore her panties off and she grew damp. Normally, she might have protested the destruction of her wardrobe, but under the circumstances it showed her Kai needed her as much as she needed him.

He undid his jeans and his hard length came free. His hands gripped her hips more tightly as he positioned himself to enter her. She sunk onto his hardness and moaned when he filled her to the hilt. He thrust up against her and her hands clung to his shoulders. She moved to meet his thrusts, helpless to resist.

Her fingers knotted in his hair. Heat pooled low in her stomach and she felt her power rise inside of her. Kai's magic crackled through the air like thunder. Her magic snapped inside of her and she heard a loud crack. She glanced up and saw the ceiling had been split in two.

"Kai, oh my God, look."

Kai glanced up and chuckled before thrusting into her again harder than before. She saw stars. His lips ghosted along her chest tracing the patterns of the scars on her chest. Her senses returned just long enough for her to throw up a shield spell. One that would hopefully protect them if the ceiling came crashing down.

Warmth pooled in her stomach and it spread to the rest of her body. A tightening started and she shattered with a loud cry. Her walls tightened around him and he followed her over the edge. She collapsed against him and buried her face in the crook of his neck. Kai's arms circled her.

"I'm not done with you just yet," Kai said in a rough voice that turned her insides to mush.

Bonnie sighed and nuzzled his throat. Anticipation at the rest of the night coursed through her.

XXX

Bonnie blinked blearily. She reached for Kai and was disappointed to see he had already left. There was a rose and a note on his pillow. The rose was as black as night and she touched it. There was a tingle of electricity from it and it sparked with magic. She picked up the note and read it.

Bonster,

Had to run. The vamps and werewolves won't kill themselves. Sheila and the other councilors are waiting for you at the school. See you tonight.

Love,

Kai

She smiled in spite of herself. She knew she should be disappointed Kai wasn't here after their sex marathon, but she loved that he did what he needed to in order to protect the coven. She hugged the note and the rose to her chest for a moment. It was such a contradiction to how she used to respond to his gifts, she could barely believe it herself.

"Knock, knock," Katherine said as she strode inside the room.

Lucy and Rebekah followed her.

"What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be at the Academy?"

"No, silly," Rebekah grinned. "We go where you go, remember?"

"Right, I'm still not used to having an entourage or whatever."

"Get used to it, cuz," Lucy said with a wolfish smile.

"And today, we're your beauty team," Katherine said clapping her hands. She surveyed Bonnie with pursed lips. "Honey, you need a beauty team. Don't get me wrong, this whole post-sex glow suits you, but it won't inspire the troops."

"Chop, chop," Rebekah said and snapped her fingers at Bonnie.

"Anyone seen my pants?" Bonnie asked looking around.

"Oh hon," Lucy sighed. "Like we are letting you wear just any old pants to this thing. Go get your butt in the shower while we dream up an outfit that says witchy-general."

"Or battle-ready," Rebekah said. "Yes, something combat ready."

"No," Bonnie said as she wrapped the sheets around her.

She knew resisting their plans was useless, but she had to try even if she was already on her way to the shower.

"Ooooh, how about something post-sex – ahh I can't even finish my pun!" Katherine complained. "It's just too much fun seeing you get down with your bad self."

"Shower, I so need to get into the shower," Bonnie muttered as she ran from the room.

By the time Bonnie got out of the shower the Weird Sisters had upended Kai's entire room. It was now filled with makeup and hair products. Her first thought was that Kai would not be happy if he saw his immaculate nightstand and desk littered with beauty products. Then there were the racks upon racks filled with clothes the girls had conjured. The girls were standing in front of one of them bickering about a black dress.

"It's divine," Rebekah insisted.

"It's grotesque," Katherine said.

"She really ought to wear trousers for an occasion such as this," Rebekah said.

"Oh my God, will I ever be allowed to dress myself again?" Bonnie interrupted. "Because I really miss jeans."

"You would."

"Basic much?"

"Do you want to look like a hippie?"

"Alright, alright, I get it," Bonnie said with an eye roll. "I was just wondering."

Lucy whisked her aside to do her hair while Katherine and Rebekah continued to squabble about her outfit. The truth was, Bonnie had a feeling they had already decided on an outfit for her, after all, they were dressed in their usual outfits and ready to go.

All three of them wore heavy black leather skirts that hit their ankles. The tops were white shirts with broad sleeves. They even wore black corsets. They all looked battle ready and like they had stepped out of a Victorian novel. The only thing modern about their appearance was their makeup.

Bonnie looked at her scar in the vanity. It was a jagged V-shape with a crescent moon in the center of her chest. It had already healed, faded to a pale shade of white when she woke. It was strange to see it there, it was like it didn't belong. Kai had caressed it lovingly just last night and even then, it felt like it wasn't hers, not truly.

Lucy yanked a fistful of hair to finish styling it and that drew her out of her thoughts.

"Ouch!"

XXX

Kai wasn't sure he had assembled the best team for the job, but they were the only members of his covens he trusted even a little. The only one, he might trust fully was Bonnie and he needed her to lead the others in his stead.

How had he managed all these years without a consort?

"You want to attack right now?" Stefan asked looking around the room.

Liv and Luke were here. Not because he trusted them, but because he liked to keep them under close watch. Klaus, Finn, Liv Forbes, Marcel and Celestia a distant relative of Bonnie and Lucy's was also here. He had also chosen to include Carol Lockwood as well as Luka and Jonas Martin. Again, not trusted acquaintances, but powerful spell casters in their own right. Everyone present had made a name for themselves in battle.

"Yes, did I stutter?" Kai said. "Liv Forbes here has graciously found the vampires' hidey-hole and I vote we set fire to it."

"Solid plan," Marcel remarked with a grimace. "Except what do we do if Death is present?"

"Teleport away," Kai said. He might be a little insane, but he wasn't suicidal. "We aren't ready to go up against him yet. First we weaken his henchmen and then I deal with him."

"How -"

Stefan clearly had more question, none of, which Kai had the patience for. He raised his hand and mimed swiping it in front of Stefan's throat. Good luck questioning him without a voice.

"That is above your pay-grade, buddy."

"I'm in," Marcel said giving Stefan side-eye.

"Follow me."

Kai disappeared in a cloud of smoke. His magic roared to life and the world spun. When it came back into focus, he was standing in front of a mausoleum.

"Seriously?" Kai said to no one.

"Cliché I know," Marcel appearing at his side. "Vampires nowadays have no standards. What happened to decrepit mansions and castles?"

Seconds later, the others appeared.

"Follow me."

Kai threw the doors to the mausoleum open. Sunlight poured inside and he heard screams. He flashed a wicked smile.

"MOTUS!"

Kai waved his arm and a vampire soared into the nearest wall and landed with a crack. He set another one at his throat. Another one launched herself at Kai and Kai raised his hand, he choked the vampire using his magic. He kept squeezing until her head popped off.

Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Stefan was doing what he did best. He had the disturbing ritual of beheading enemies in a fight and once the heat of battle wore off, he put them back on. Kai still had no idea what to make of that and he found it a peculiar habit for such a young warlock. Still, better to have that psycho on his side than running unchecked around the coven. Otherwise, he might have another mess like the one Damon Salvatore created with Caroline Forbes on his hand.

Kai launched himself back into the fight.

XXX

Bonnie stepped nervously over the Academy's threshold. The Weird Sisters were right behind her and that was comforting in its own way. But she had thought she would have a few more minutes before she came face to face with the rest of the coven.

Unfortunately, Elijah, Kol and Sheila were waiting for her right inside of the doors. Along with every teacher in the school.

Bonnie froze and stopped in her tracks. She hoped her face wasn't stuck in a horrified grimace. Instead, she could only hope her wasn't twisted into a horrified grimace.

"You're late," Elijah drawled imperiously.

Bonnie saw red and the only thing that kept her sane was the knowledge that Elijah was Katherine's boyfriend. However, Elijah might feel about it, she was the one in charge. And even though it wasn't a job she wanted she was going to do it as best possible. While she did it, she was going to do exactly what Kai did and that was remain in complete control of the situation.

"Show some respect," Lucy snarled. "The dark lord himself has tasked her with this."

Bonnie raised her hand and smiled evilly at Elijah. "Don't worry, Lucy. I am right on time. Did you really think I would sit here and wait for the rest of you?"

"Very well, I suggest we begin immediately," Elijah said.

"Everyone sit down," Bonnie said. "Someone get me a cup of tea."

"You heard her," Lucy said with an evil smirk in Elijah's direction. There was laughter in her voice and Bonnie suspected Lucy was enjoying bossing their headmaster around a little too much.

Elijah stood stiffly and straightened his cufflinks. With an impeccable air of dignity, he summoned a cup of tea for her.

Rebekah giggled quietly in her hand.

"Thank you, Elijah."

"You're welcome. May we please begin?"

"Of course," Bonnie said with a sly smile in Rebekah's direction. "Anyone, who is under the age of sixteen is to be exempt from battle, naturally."

A murmur of agreement rippled through the assembled witches and warlocks.

"As for the Academy students," Elijah said clearing his throat. "I believe it is best if only those in AP classes prepare to do battle, should it come to it."

Bonnie nodded. "I agree and those, who are not should be charged with protecting the children along with the elders, who wish to sit this one out."

"Not everyone will agree to that," Lucy said. "There are plenty of elders, who still wish to fight."

"And the younger teenagers?" Elijah said. "They will not appreciate being lumped in with the children."

"Too bad," Bonnie said. "This isn't about what any of us want. The dark coven's survival is at stake and anyone, who gets in the way of that can answer to the dark lord himself."

"Good," Sheila nodded in approval.

Bonnie smiled, but it was miniscule. She would not allow herself to show any signs of joy in the middle of a war council.

Elijah waved his hand and a map of the Academy filled with figures showed up. On the map next to the Academy was Kai's manor. Elijah snapped his fingers and the figures began to move. Others that were blood red started to form attack formations around the buildings. Bonnie and the others watched with bated breath as the various battle strategies played out before them.

XXX

The one thing Bonnie enjoyed about being in charge was she got to boss Elijah around. There was something immensely satisfying about it. But the thing she didn't enjoy was that she along with the Weird Sisters had their own group of first year students at the Academy to prepare for an emergency.

Bonnie hated how they all looked to her with eager eyes and even worse was the fear. It was palpable. It rippled through the room and moved through the students like a living breathing thing.

The truth was Bonnie felt it too. She knew the Weird Sisters felt it as well. They like her were hiding theirs better, but really that was nothing to be proud of. The students were fourteen, of course she had to act brave. Set a good example. Be a leader. Fulfil all of the crazy expectations that came with becoming consort. All good reasons not to want the gig, but here she was.

"Alright," Bonnie said looking around at the kids gathered in the gymnasium. "Who here is scared?"

They raised their hands slowly, but every hand in the room was in the air soon enough.

"Good. You should be," Bonnie said flatly. "But we have a plan. You kids are the first circle of defense between the children of the coven, which sounds scary, but it's basically just defensive magic. What have you studied so far?"

Hands shot into the air and Bonnie pointed to a girl at the front of the group.

"We can cast circles of protection and general protective spells."

"Good," Bonnie nodded. "Shield spells?"

The group looked uncertainly at each other.

Katherine sighed audibly. "Do you brats even know what a shield spell is?"

This time, they didn't hesitate. The kids shook their heads.

"Alright," Bonnie said. "Guess that's what we will be studying today. The shield spell is my grandmother's specialty and she will be there with you in case of an emergency. That's a good thing. You'll all pool your power and it'll create a nearly impenetrable shield."

XXX

By the time the lesson was over Bonnie was in a bad mood. She made a mental note never to become a teacher. No wonder Kai was always that perfect blend of crazy and cranky when he taught.

Bonnie collapsed on Kai's bed. She exhaled and before she had a chance to wonder where Kai was, he appeared in a cloud of black smoke.

"Hey," Kai said with a bright smile. "You made it."

"I hate teaching."

"You do? You're always on me to be a better teacher. I figured it would be right up your alley."

"Shut up."

Kai laughed and landed next to her. "You're grumpy."

She rubbed her face and wondered how it was possible to be this exhausted after only four hours.

"That's what happens when you have to answer a million questions and then answer the follow up questions to those answers."

"Sounds brutal."

"It was."

Kai laced their fingers together.

"This is just a precaution," he said and squeezed her hand.

"I know and our actual plan scares me more."

"Can I tell you a secret?"

"Obviously."

"It scares me too."

That softened Bonnie and she moved closer. Her hand played over his heart and she kissed his neck.

"It'll be alright."

"Of course, it will," Kai murmured.

Kai kissed her then and it stole her breath away. His touch was gentle and soft, it drew her in and soon a warm fire was burning through her.

Thank you so much to everyone, who has read this fic! I love that the bonkai fandom is still so active. Does anyone know what this s9 nonsense is? I'm still in shock. Anyway, let me know what you thought of this chapter.

As for the big news, I'm working on the last and final chapter of Chaos, which also happens to be chapter 24. It'll probably be quite long because I plan to wrap it up properly, there might even be an epilogue (although JK ruined those for me...).

- Izzy

Geeest: I am so happy you saw that! FFN was glitching and kept uploading the previous chapter twice, but it's been fixed.