WAR OF HEARTS ↠ KOL MIKAELSON [1]

1:15

[THE RISE: CHAPTER FIFTEEN]

As Rhea gathered the materials she would need to help Klaus, Elijah, and Rebekah with their plan to stop Esther, she paused momentarily and turned to her brother.

"I'm sorry we haven't had time to really catch up—everything here is kind of hectic."

Ares shook his head. "I'm not disappointed or angry, Rhe. I'm just glad to be back. We've got all the time in the world to catch up."

"Ares?" Rhea's voice softened as she took a deep breath. "Who... who did that to you? I tried so hard to find out who murdered you— but they covered it up with dark magic, even I couldn't break through it."

Ares' face fell, clearly uncomfortable with the question. His next words surprised her. "I don't know, Rhea. I really don't. I can't remember a damn thing from the last three days of my life."

Rhea raised a brow, her concern deepening as she took a seat opposite him. She clasped his hand in hers. "It'll be okay, big brother. We'll find them eventually. We'll make them pay."

It wasn't just a statement—it was a promise. The Monroe siblings would have their revenge, no matter how long it took.

"So, your friend Davina..." Ares began, the mischievous glint returning to his eyes.

"Don't even go there, Ares," Rhea warned.

"Why not?" he smirked.

"She's not like the girls you usually go for. She's my best friend, and I don't want you screwing things up by hurting her."

Ares was momentarily taken aback by his sister's admission. It was rare for Rhea to trust anyone, let alone call someone her best friend. Usually, people were just allies or tools in her eyes. This was something different.

"I know she's different," Ares replied, serious now. "That's why I like her."

"Well, keep it in your pants, and we won't have a problem," she shot back as she left the room to grab her phone.

From the other side of the door, Ares yelled, "It's been two hundred years, Rhea! A guy has needs!"

"Prostitutes are still around. Stay away from my friend, you asshole!" she retorted, shaking her head. Emotional bonding time was officially over.

⸻

The Monroe siblings arrived at the compound just as Kol returned, a smug look on his face.

"Done, as requested. Miss Angelica Barker—good cheekbones and a stomach you can bounce a quarter off! She'll be Rebekah's new host body, instead of Cami."

Rebekah joined them, descending the stairs just in time to hear the end of Kol's sentence.

"Who's Angelica Barker?" Davina asked, her curiosity piqued.

"One of my vampire potentials. I had to turn her down—too lost," Marcel explained, the weight of his decision still lingering.

Cami, still visibly nervous, asked, "Does she know what's about to happen to her?"

"It's better when they don't," Kol replied casually, though his attempt to ease Cami's nerves fell flat.

Marcel sighed. "Hopefully, we won't have to use her."

"Hopefully. But then again, my mother is wily and vindictive, which is why I've got to ask something else of you," Kol said, turning to Marcel, whose confusion only deepened.

"You're already getting the diamond."

"And we're thrilled about it," Rhea quipped, a grin tugging at her lips.