Rebuild (The Originals, Book Two)

Ch. 10: Gonna Set Your Flag On Fire

Hayley was trying to form a peace between the vampires and werewolves.

The werewolves and the vampires were trying to form an alliance in the courtyard of the compound.

"You wolves are here because you want freedom," Hayley told them. "And, I promise you, if you stay, you will be free. But..." She looked back toward us vampires. "We need as much help as we can get."

"My vamps and I are willing to stand with you against the witches," Marcel told them. "In return, all we want is a promise that there will be peace between our sides after the wedding."

"You're the ones who spent the last one hundred years killing and cursing us," a werewolf named Jerick told us.

"Which means you might wanna listen to what we have to say," I told them.

Finn walked downstairs, between us. "I see you're brokering a truce between mongrels and parasites." Everyone glared at him angrily. "And just how long do you think that's really going to last? A month? A week? A day? What you don't yet seem to understand is that the only thing that can exist between your two degenerate species is hatred, war, and death." He slowly backed away until he was technically outside of the compound. He rubbed his fingers together, blowing at them as he cast a spell, slamming his hand against the doorway of the entrance. The entire building shook, startling everyone as the spell took hold. He smiled at the alarmed looks on everyone's faces. I rushed toward him to attack me. However, I slammed into a barrier that burned me. Marcel stepped closer. "But, I imagine, given a little time confined together, you'll come to see things the way I do."

Finn walked out, leaving.

Hayley sighed anxiously, glancing around the room.

Everyone was furious and worried about what was to come.

**

Gia and I stepped into the dining room.

"Josh and Aiden are gonna check doors, windows, and any other entrance," I told her. "Maybe he missed something."

I started unpacking one of several boxes that were stacked in a corner.

Gia watched, hands on her hips. "Can you get them to manage this guy Jerick's attitude?"

"Gia, I want you to do two things for me," I told her.

Gia crossed her arms over her chest. "Yeah?"

"First, knock it off with the tough-girl routine," I told her.

"I'm--" Gia started.

"I'm serious," I told her. "Don't underestimate those wolves, all right? You're new, but they have a long list of reasons to hate us."

Gia sighed. "Sorry. You're right. What's the second?"

I smiled. "I want you to help watch our guys. All right? Make sure nobody starts looking for trouble."

Gia nodded, turning around, walking into the courtyard.

I unpacked the boxes.

Hayley walked in. "So, you got any brilliant ideas on how to keep this under control?"

I smirked. "What people in New Orleans have always done when trapped in close quarters with mortal enemies." Hayley looked at me in confusion. I pulled a bottle of bourbon out of the box. "Drink, and hopefully blow off a little steam."

I threw the bottle toward Hayley.

Hayley caught it easily, opening it, taking a drink, holding it up in a toast, turning around, walking out, leaving.