"What do you think?" asked Lucien as they walked the streets into the night.
"They certainly have a presence to them, like nothing I've ever felt before," said Alexis by his side.
"And could you determine whether or not you could break the link?" asked Lucien.
"No, I'll need to touch one of them directly to learn more," said Alexis.
"Then we'll need to get you closer," said Lucien.
"You said he was paranoid, right?" asked Alexis, thinking of a plan.
"He is, though the bastard has the right to be now," Lucien chuckled.
"You could tell him I had a prophecy, and I can show him it through my blood while I analyze him," offered Alexis.
"Are you sure? That's a risky endeavor. We can always hold off until they're captured," said Lucien, faking concern.
"I can handle it, besides nothing's ever certain, no matter how much faith I may have in the Restraining Rod and Chains, and it's better to know now whether it's worth the risk," said Alexis.
"Agreed, it would also go a long way to get him to trust us… And what of the relic Tristan wants, have you found it?" asked Lucien.
"I have," said Alexis.
"Good, it's time I met him again," said Lucien, and they went to retrieve it.
…
Without any intention of hiding, the Strix took up residence in the Davilla Estate.
Finding Tristan looking out a window as others worked around him, Aya strolls over and informs him, "Sage and her group are already here, hounding us from the shadows."
"I trust this isn't a problem," said Tristan.
"We're handling it," Aya confirmed.
"I've been thinking, this Marcel is an ambitious fellow, another person looking to get out from under the stifling grip of his sire. I want you to make contact with him and assess his potential for joining us," said Tristan.
An attendant addressed them, "Sir, Lucien has arrived."
"Send him up," ordered Tristan.
Lucien walked in with a grin. "Nice place. I see you couldn't keep yourself from standing out. Still afraid of living with us riff raffs?"
"I've had enough of that during our forced adventures," said Tristan, recalling the time when they were compelled to believe they were the Orignals, forced to flee from Mikael.
"Hmm, well, I hope you have a plan, because little can stop them if they come at you together," said Lucien.
"Have you found it?" asked Tristan, dismissing his concerns.
"I have," said Lucien, taking out The Serratura and admiring it before slowly handing over the intricately carved bronze medallion with Runic markings.
"Excellent," said Tristan, receiving it, giving it a once-over before handing it off to a cloaked woman, one of the members of The Sisters coven, their personally raised coven of witches.
…
Matt and Bonnie observed as the hunter readied their gear for the next hunt.
"You guys use bullets to fight vampires?" questioned Matt.
"Bullets laced with werewolf venom when we have it and vervain, yeah, and even then if put enough bullets in a vamp it'll go down like anyone else and then from there it's an easy job to finish them with a stake," answered Connor, mixing bullets with the newly acquired venom.
"Buckshot being the most effective," Penny smirked, loading her weapon.
"Never fight vamps with a crossbow straight up; they're too fast. Unless it's your only option, like with hybrids who are far more durable, or if you can get the drop on them. Otherwise, stick to bullets. It's always a much safer bet, so you can at least damage them; no reason to let them catch and dodge wooden bolts and remain unharmed," said Tripp.
Matt could only sigh, reflecting on how foolish he and his friends were for choosing crossbows. To be fair, it seemed like they faced Originals half the time.
"So, what's the deal with you two anyway?" asked Galen, grabbing a drink.
"We came to rescue a friend," said Matt.
"A friend you say? And you think he's still alive?" asked Galen.
"That's what we're here to find out," said Matt.
"And if this friend of yours has been turned?" Galen pressed.
"Then I'll handle it," said Bonnie firmly, leaving no more room for questioning.
…
Today was Davina's day. Finn and Sage took her out to the nearest amusement park and spent the entire day with her, enjoying everything they had to offer.
"This is the best day of my life. I've never had so much fun," said Davina, happily swinging the stuffed animal she won by knocking down pins. Ignoring the bit of magic she used at the end when she grew frustrated from missing so badly, and the funny look she got from the confused employee.
"This has been fun," Finn agreed, walking hand in hand with Sage.
"I'm glad we did this," said Sage, living vicariously through them experiencing everything for the first time.
"Ooh, let's go on this one next," said Davina, pulling them towards the next ride.
"Sure, these things aren't half bad," said Finn, eager for another go, all this just as new to him as it was to Davina.
By the end of the day, Davina was worn out, snoozing in the back on the drive home, when Sage's phone rang.
"What?" she asked, picking up.
"Uh, huh… Okay, bye," she said, hanging up.
"That was Troy, says there's a meeting between Klaus and the witches," she told Finn.
"Well, we mentioned it was probably going to happen… What about Kol? Is he attending?" asked Finn. This irritating brat had stuck to his other sibling like glue ever since their phone call. Finn contemplated whether to call again and threaten to inform Klaus about the golden dagger, hoping that might persuade Kol to leave, or simply tell Klaus so he would be forced out.
"Don't know," said Sage.
"Do you know when it's happening?" asked Finn, checking to see if Davina was still asleep.
"Troy will let us know," said Sage.
…
At the ruined church, Father Kieran was cleaning up the debris and rebuilding with the help of volunteers.
"I see you're still alive," Kieran said when Marcel walked up.
"Can we talk?" asked Marcel.
"Give me a minute," said Kieran, handing off his tools and dusting off his hands. "Thank you Tim, keep up the good work, I'll be right back.
"Sure thing Father," said Tim, taking his place.
"Right this way," said Kieran, gesturing towards the back of the church.
"Look, I need your help. He took Davina and I don't know where they are, or if she's even okay," said Marcel.
"And what makes you think we'll be any better at finding them than your group?" Kieran asked disinterested.
Marcel frowned, "This is Davina we're talking about, you know her. Why wouldn't you help?"
"Look around Marcel, look at what they did to my church... and this isn't even the first time," said Kieran, referencing the massacre of the past. "We mortal men can only do so much against this. What more would you have us do?"
"I would have you fight!" Marcel said heatedly, looking around after letting his voice slip in volume before lowering it back down, "I would have you fight, fight for this city and for yourselves."
"Don't you mean for you?" questioned Kieran pointedly.
Marcel's jaws clenched, "No, what I mean is…" he stopped, taking a breath to gather his thoughts and compose himself. "Look, you need to decide who you want left standing when this is all over. Do you want the Originals in control, who care for no one, the witches, who care for no one, or me? Someone you know," he said, storming out.
Kieran snorted, "Or you vampires, who care for no one else," finishing his sentence for him.
Marcel paused when he heard him, but didn't turn back as he continued on his way out.
He did have a point, though, Kieran thought as he watched him walk away. Maybe it was time for him to revisit his Secret Apartment.