Rebuild (The Originals, Book Two)

Ch. 1: Rebirth

Even though Francesca and her werewolf lackeys had the vampires exiled from the Quarter didn't stop us from rebuilding from across the river, standing outside Marcel's loft.

Josh, Marcel and I were leading a group of at least a dozen humans. 

"Guys, come on," Josh told us. "This is, like, the 20th group I've brought you. There's gotta be a keeper in there somewhere." 

"I'll be the judge of that," I told him, gesturing for him to go next door, walking toward the group. "I know you're all wondering how you got here. Don't worry about that for now. Instead, I want you to think about your lives." I approached a young man, compelling him. "Don't be afraid. Remember when you were a kid, and you felt like anything was possible? Then, you grew up, things didn't turn out like you planned. But, still, there was that part inside of you that would dream. Maybe you wanted strength. Maybe you wanted to be a part of something, something bigger than yourselves." I looked at a young, tough-looking girl. "Maybe you wanted to be a fighter. Have something worth fighting for. Maybe some of you even wanted to live forever. Well, you can have it. All of it. Because that's what being a vampire is all about." The young girl looked interested. I approached another man in the group, compelling him. "Oh, don't be afraid. What do you have to fear, when you can do this?" 

I picked the man up, throwing him hundreds of feet into the air.

Josh was standing on the top floor of a nearby building, catching the man, smiling. "I know. Pretty cool, right?" 

Marcel looked at the group. "When you leave here, you'll forget this. But somewhere, deep down, you'll know the offer still exists to join us. Be like us. And, only then, will you find your way back here. Because you want it. Because you need it." 

Josh, Marcel and I walked into the loft.

"My money's on the rocker chick," Josh told us.

"I wouldn't bet on it," I told him. "We'll be lucky to get one from that group." 

"How can you tell?" Josh asked. "They all seem tough. What are you guys looking for?" 

I poured us drinks. "We're not looking for tough guys, Josh. We're looking for warriors." 

Josh rolled his eyes. "What's the difference?" 

Klaus appeared in the doorway. "A warrior fights for what they believe in. A warrior fights for his family."

Klaus smiled.

After a moment, Marcel smiled.

**

We were drinking.

"The wolves have numbers," I told them. "Back in 1925, the Guerrera pack was maybe a hundred. We went guerrilla warfare on their asses, and wiped them out over a four day fight. But, we're not just talking about Guerreras now. They've had wolves coming in from packs all over." 

"Well, we don't have to hit them all," Klaus told us. "Only the 12 with the rings that take me out every full moon."

"Wait," Marcel told him. "You want to find 12 rings? Go out and chop off the hands of every wolf you find till you get what you want. I mean, come on. You taught me that." Klaus smiled. "You and Elijah are stalling. Why?" 

"Because it's possible they're in possession of something very dangerous to us," Klaus answered. 

"They have the stake that can kill you," I realized. 

"It went missing... the night I lost my child," Klaus told us. "So, it's in play, and the thought of that makes me very nervous. Especially on nights like tonight."