Reincarnated as Elijah Mikaelson: A Power Beyond Klaus

Chapter 9: A Balancing Act

Marcel's grip on the city's witches was tighter than I'd realized. Every flicker of magic, every whispered incantation—it all passed through Davina Claire, his living surveillance system. She wasn't just powerful; she was the reason no witch dared practice openly.

This made Sophie's rebellion all the more impressive—or reckless, depending on your perspective. It also meant I needed to tread carefully if I wanted to avoid exposing my plans—or myself—to Marcel's scrutiny.

One evening, as I observed another meeting of Sophie's coven, I couldn't help but marvel at their creativity. They cast their spells in bursts, quick and precise, like thieves picking locks under the cover of darkness. Every movement, every word, was calculated to slip past Davina's radar.

It was fascinating, really. If witches were artists, these were their forgeries—works of magic so subtle they barely left a trace.

"And yet," I thought, "even the best forgers get caught eventually."

The next morning, as I walked through the French Quarter, I caught sight of Marcel and his entourage. He was charming a group of humans at Rousseau's, his laugh loud and confident, his presence magnetic. To the untrained eye, he was a man enjoying a drink with friends. To me, he was a king holding court, every interaction a display of dominance.

I joined him, because why not?

"Elijah," Marcel greeted, his smile as sharp as the blade hidden in his coat. "To what do I owe the pleasure?"

"I thought I'd check in," I replied smoothly. "The city seems unusually... tense these days."

Marcel's eyes flickered with amusement. "Tense? I'd say things are running smoothly. No witches causing trouble, no wolves sniffing around. Just how I like it."

I tilted my head, feigning agreement. "Ah, yes. The calm before the storm."

His smile faltered slightly, just enough to let me know I'd struck a nerve. "Storms don't last long in this city, Elijah. Especially when I'm in charge."

"We'll see about that," I thought but said nothing.

That evening, back at the estate, I decided to test the waters with my siblings. If I was going to push against Marcel's rule, I needed to know where they stood.

Rebekah, as expected, was eager to see Marcel's regime crumble.

"I've always said he's too arrogant for his own good," she said, lounging on the sofa with a glass of wine. "A little humility would do him wonders."

Klaus, predictably, was more measured—or at least his version of it.

"Marcel is useful," he said, pacing the room like a caged animal. "Toppling him prematurely could destabilize the city, and we'd be left cleaning up the mess."

"And if he decides we're the mess?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.

Klaus smirked. "Then we remind him who built this city in the first place."

As the conversation continued, I decided to reveal a little more about my abilities. Nullify magic had already proven useful, but it was time they understood the full extent of what I could do.

"Tracking magic," I said, leaning back in my chair. "It allows me to locate anyone, anywhere, no matter how well they hide."

Rebekah's eyes lit up. "You mean we could finally find whoever Klaus has managed to enrage this week before they get to us?"

Klaus rolled his eyes. "Amusing. But how does this help us with Marcel?"

"Imagine," I said, "knowing exactly where Davina is at all times. Knowing when and where Sophie's coven plans to strike. It's a tactical advantage we can't afford to ignore."

Rebekah grinned. "Now that's something I can get behind."

Klaus looked less impressed but nodded. "If it gives us the upper hand, so be it. But remember, brother—information is only valuable if it's used wisely."

I smiled faintly. "You wound me, Niklaus. Have I ever been anything less than wise?"

Rebekah snorted into her wine, and Klaus gave me a look that could've curdled milk.

The night ended with me in the study, pouring over maps of the Quarter and tracing the web of influence that connected Sophie's coven to Marcel's rule. The path ahead was fraught with challenges, but I was confident we could navigate it.