Hello readers! Like to say thank you to Arianna Le Fay for your review, and for others who have favorited and followed :) Here's the next chapter enjoy!

Marie let her family know she was coming back to New Orleans with Runa, their flight landing today in New Orleans. Runa and Marie took connected flights to give them a chance to stretch their legs and to take their time before another flight. When the plane landed Marie was surprised to see Sage and Finn waiting for them.

Sage waved her hands in the air excitingly, Sage ran towards them Runa grins as the red head flung herself at him. Runa caught her taking her in an embrace Sage laughed, "Runa! It's been centuries! All of us need to catch up." Sage gave Marie a huge hug just as Finn walked his way towards them. Marie smiled at her uncle as she hugged him. Sage smiles at Finn, then turns to Runa, "Runa, this is my other half."

Runa smirks shaking Finn's hand, "It's an honor to finally meet you Finn, Sage has spoken very fondly of you."

Finn smiled at the man, he had to admit he already liked him, "And I had heard a great deal of you."

Sage beams at the couple grabbing Marie's luggage, "Well come on. Let's get some lunch."

Marie smiled at Sage as she took Marie's arm in hers. Marie gazed back at Runa seeing him chuckle, Finn smiles after Sage as he walked beside Runa.

Marie asked, "Where's everyone else?"

Sage shrugs, "Oh you know the honeymoon phases on relationships and how some can come crashing down, my guess they are mending relations before seeing you. Speaking of relationships…" Sage gave Marie a raised eye brow smirking, she whispered, "So tell me anything magical you need to tell me?"

Marie's face blushed, "Sage…"

Sage smiles bigger, "Alright, alright you – me night out for that scoop."

Marie laughs nervously, "Funny you should say that, I was hoping for a girl's day, you know you, me and maybe Rebekah depending if you two buried the hatchet."

Sage winks, "Oh I see it's a date then, and yeah we are fine we are practically sisters now."

Lunch with Sage and Finn was an amusing one, Marie couldn't help how relaxed the couple was in New Orleans, in a city where each faction is at peace looking out for one another. Runa had to admit it was nice to have a place where there were no rivalries amongst species, and it seems even the humans in the town are aware of the werewolves and vampires – the residents are spared from vampires as long as tourism is booming for food supply. He never seen a place quite like it, he was intrigued to see this place at night when the vampires swarm.

Marie was curious about her family being occupied, she would have certainly thought her father would have been right beside Sage and Finn when they got off the plane. Marie frowns in slight annoyance, it was Klaus's worry to have her drop her travel plans and he was too busy with mending his relationship, whatever that means. Marie narrowed her eyes I swear if he is too busy today when I get home… Runa peers at Marie seeing her expression, "Expecting a welcome home party?" Sage looked in the mirror to glance at Marie as well.

Marie sighed, "I don't appreciate my father pressuring me to come home and he doesn't show up when I land."

Runa smirked, "I wouldn't take it too seriously."

Marie gave him an eyebrow raise, "He sounded paranoid in his message, clearly he wasn't that paranoid if he was restless to see me step foot in New Orleans. If he is at home enjoying time with Camille with nothing bothering him, I will be annoyed."

"Maybe he wants to show you his relationship is going well?" Runa remarked, Marie glares ahead of her, if that was the reason he could have just called and tell her about it.

Sage responded with a smirk, "Maybe he just misses you."

Marie sighs, "It only has been a few weeks, we had spent decades away from each other before." Sage parked the car to her family's home, Marie peers out – everything looks like one piece.

Runa nudged her, "Guess you can ask him yourself."

Marie gazed at where he was looking Klaus came from the side of the house, a scowl on his face, apparently something is wrong… Marie mused she stepped out of the car. Klaus smirked slightly seeing Marie, he walked up to her and took her in an embrace. Marie asked, "So what happened to make you anxious of me returning?"

Klaus gave her a reassuring smile, "Nothing that I can't resolve." Marie gave him a suspicious glance, not sure if she can believe his unworried manner. Klaus gazed at Runa as the Incan got out of the car, Klaus remarked, "Can't say I was surprise for you to come back."

Runa remarked scowling, "I would rather leave on better terms this time around."

Klaus grins, "As do I."

Marie rolled her eyes at their face off, "Oh please, for once can you two actually get along when I'm around?" They were able to be civilized by themselves, but apparently when she is around her father and Runa had to put on a show with friction.

Klaus tested him, "Have Marie informed you about the casualties in Mystic Falls?" Marie sighs inwardly of course he had to ask this.

Runa narrowed his eyes catching Klaus's loyalty trap, "I've heard, it's a tragic outcome. They should had taken our warnings seriously." Marie glanced at the two glaring at each other, daring the other to snap. Sage and Finn watched the tension, Sage glancing at Marie with concern.

Klaus sneers at Runa darkly, "Too bad I couldn't slaughter all of them, I was hoping for the little Gilbert to be home – no matter I left the bodies for him."

Runa sucker punched Klaus in the face, with the force Klaus caught himself on the ground. Marie flashed in front of Runa as Klaus snarls in rage. Runa glared at the Original, "I'd plotted with you against them to help you break your curse and I'd helped you track down werewolves. The least you can do is to not mock my integrity by throwing the deaths of children I had known into my face for a reaction." Runa knew Klaus would hold the deaths over him, as taunts to tap into his rage. It was unnecessary, Runa already mourned for them and he knew it was their own doing for not taking Klaus seriously.

Klaus stood up, glaring at the Incan, Marie was holding Klaus back with a hand to his chest. Marie knew Runa wouldn't attack Klaus again for he already made his reasoning known, but Klaus was another story for he doesn't take retaliation lightly. "Very well." Klaus scowls.

Marie sighed gazing at her father, "Why must you bring that up?"

Klaus remarked, "I just wanted to see where his loyalties stand with me."

Runa rolled his eyes it was always loyalty and paranoia with Klaus, "Without your taunts we would be civil. As my answer as before I am not one of your henchmen, my loyalties are based upon neutral respect rather intimidation." Klaus narrowed his eyes, another thing he had to admit he liked about the Incan was his courage, he never was easily frightened.

"Can I come home to something nice, for once please?" Marie remarked glaring at both of them.

Klaus gazed at Marie, "Sure thing sweetheart." Marie nods turning away Klaus followed suit grabbing her bags.

Runa scowls as he went for his bags, Sage smirked at him, "And I thought I was the only one Klaus liked to taunt."

Runa remarked, "He just does it to see if your worthy to be in his presence. I've seen him do it with Stefan Salvatore, Klaus tests people and sees if they can handle his personality and be trustworthy for loyalty."

Sage laughed, "How do we pass?"

Runa smirked, "Retaliation, he respects it even though he hates it. The Salvatore was a mindless puppet that Klaus loved to control when he had him as a ripper. Klaus likes to be in company of people who can stand their own, but he has others under him that are easily intimidated by fear."

Sage smiled, "No wonder, if he can't make you fear him he tries his best to make your life hell to see if you can take it. I have to admit his way in making allies is a complicated one."

Runa nods, "Kol is like that too, but most of the time he just does it to be a bastard."

Sage laughs hugging him, "We are going to come back later today – good luck staying in that house I couldn't handle being under the same roof as Kol or Klaus anymore."

Runa grins, "I don't blame you, lets see how I feel by the end of the week." Sage smirked at his comment, she turns to get back into the car, Finn smiles at him shaking his hand then he left.

Runa gazed up at the mansion, he remembered staying in there when Klaus was in his worse moods after the failed attempt of breaking his curse to become a hybrid, if Runa was able to live through that he was sure this time around wouldn't be that gruesome.

As he stepped into the home, he couldn't help but smirk at Marie seeing her hugging each of her family members. He knew it was her biggest wish to have them all together again and happy – it had been centuries and Runa had to admit he never seen all of the Originals together only during the time when they all decided to reside in Mystic Falls, but even than there was tension. But now it seems they all finally decided to settle down and be a family and he knew that was what Marie only wanted.

Rebekah came up to Runa giving him a hug, "I am glad to see that your path crossed ours again."

Runa smirked at her, "I'm happy to hear things are going well with you Rebekah." Rebekah was one of the relatives that Runa actually liked on first meetings, the others it took some centuries to warm up to. Rebekah smiled warmly at him, to be honest he felt bad for her and Marie with how much smothering the men in the family were on them, he was glad Rebekah was able to find someone who was worthy enough to stay breathing.

Runa shook Elijah's hand, "Elijah."

Elijah smiled at him, "Runa, hope the trip was memorable."

Runa blinked at him, was Elijah joking with him? "Oh yes, it was like five hundred years' worth of memories flash before my eyes."

Elijah smiled in amusement, "Ah, places with historical meaning can have that effect on a person."

Runa smirked at him, "It seems so." Runa peers at Marie as she caught his eye smiling warmly, Elijah saw the interaction making him smile, patting the hybrid on his shoulder for good faith.

Kol sneers at Runa, "I knew I smelt a dog."

Runa rolled his eyes, he kept his remarks light, for he remembered Marie had told him that Kol was aiming to bond with him more over their mutual interest in video games, "Very taunting to the man who lost against me in Call of Duty."

Kol gave him a cheeky smile, "And that will be my last. When you were sent to the pound, I practiced I dare you to try."

Runa grins slightly, "Alright, just don't cause a scene when I beat you."

Kol's smile darken with his eyes burning with the challenge, "Hilarious, let's find out." Marie rolled her eyes at Kol's impetuousness to battle Runa to a match right away, it amused her that her uncle was dying to have someone to co-op with him. Runa winked at her as he followed Kol to the living room where his collection of video games was stash. Runa was amazed by how much games Kol had collected, Marie was right, it seems when Kol was in that human's body he got intrigued with video games more.

Marie smiled at Rebekah, "You, me, and Sage for a night out tonight?"

Rebekah beamed, "Yes! I would love to hear about your travels."

Kol cursed under his breath, it seemed two years was barely an advantage. Runa grins at Kol's growing annoyance, as Runa's kill count was slightly beating Kol's. Kol smirked slightly as he was able to surpass Runa's count, he grins at the Incan, "What you have to say now?"

Runa remarked slyly, "You barely won, you were lucky that the last of the zombies were in your area."

Kol grins at him mockingly, "That's your excuse? Oh, please admit it I got better."

Runa rolled his eyes, "Alright, from your first attempt at this game I can see your improvement."

Kol chuckled as he turned on his other game system, a PlayStation, and put in the game Left 4 Dead. "I've been waiting to test this game, I hear it's better with multiple players, want to test it out?"

Runa grins, "So it's a team effort this time?"

Kol sneers darkly, "No, we are still counting who has the highest kill counts, apparently there are special kills too." Runa gave the Original an amused look, Runa had to admit Kol was different especially with his genuine emotions – before he was always smug with everything at least now he was sincere in wanting company.

Kol gave Runa the other PlayStation remote as they wait for the game to load as the scene played with the introduction of the different types of zombies and the characters. Kol gave Runa a side ways glance, "So, have you been sleeping with my niece?"

Runa coughed setting down the whiskey he was drinking, he wasn't expecting how forward he was, "What made you think of that?"

Kol stared at him, he gave him an amused grin, "I noticed the way you two interact with each other. I've seen the way you two interact before it was flirtatious and somewhat serious, but now you two are more mature with your relationship status." Runa blinked at Kol waiting for some sort of threat or death strike since Kol always gave him some hostility when it came to Marie and he heard stories of Kol's protectiveness on Marie and Rebekah.

Runa responded, "You can get that assumption based upon that?"

Kol narrowed his eyes not getting an exact answer and shrugged, "I'm good at reading people."

Runa awkwardly glanced at the game, but Kol wouldn't let the question go he kept staring. Runa set the controller down glaring at Kol's anticipated gaze, "Marie deserves happiness too, I've been with her for nearly five hundred years and I know everything about her – her fears, her dreams. I will always do what's best to protect her."

Kol smirked in amusement by how the hybrid was listing his qualities to seem fit to be with Marie, "I was aware of your feelings towards her. I applaud you for your patience in having her decide for herself." Kol threw him down, Runa narrowed his eyes there it is… Kol glares at him, "Break her heart and I will rip out your bloody spine – she already cried for you when you forced her hand to compel you. Let that be the last time you make her cry." Kol smirked and let go of him, "I'm glad we had that chat, it's been pestering me for nearly five centuries."

Runa glared at Kol's smirk. He remarked dryly, "The only reason she compelled me was to prevent me from ripping out Esther's throat to end her, while you all played family – look how that turned out."

Kol gave him a cheeky grin, "How bold of you. And I have to admit, I wasn't too fond of Esther surviving the night she came to us. My brothers thought it was better to seek out her plans, I died because of it – but who is pointing fingers its over and done with." Kol turned back to the game, Runa nonchalantly played.

Runa remarked dryly, "I'm surprised by how protective you and Klaus are you, you let Demetri influence Marie."

Kol glares, "It was a hectic time, we were preparing to move and the whole Esther's Ultimate Hunter bit threw us off. Scowl at Marie for her inability in trusting the right people rather me, I looked after her for a thousand years surely there would had been more people like that if I weren't around. Sorry I happen to take some time off from babysitting." Kol remarked sarcastically glaring at the hybrid in annoyance.

"I'm just saying, Marie is usually very hesitant in trusting a person especially a vampire." Runa adds.

Kol rolled his eyes sneering at the hybrid, "Maybe she was so desperate to find a replacement for you she went to the first boy she sees."

Runa glares, "She's not like that."

Kol smirked, "Oh you didn't see her, she was so desperately trying to find the type of loyalty you two shared. She was practically making alliances left and right unable to see right through the other party's intentions to use her." Kol adds with a scowl, "That's another reason I must add – you endangered her with making her unable to realize that devoted loyalty is rare."

Runa narrowed his eyes but didn't want to argue with the Original if Marie was that off balanced from the ordeal it worried him – she is always planning things out ready for any outcome to happen, but he didn't realize her breaking their connection would make her scramble for some security with alliances.

Runa gazed at Kol, "Be honest with me, how was she really?"

Kol peered at Runa slightly he turns away seeing his sincere concern, "When she compelled you away apparently she cried herself to sleep, she couldn't stay in that cabin of yours, so she came to the party where Esther was plotting to kill us. Marie just wanted to be distracted from the pain, you made her feel that lost. She would even risk her own life to prevent herself from losing anything else – I think that's one of the reasons why she went on that bloody suicide mission with Dahlia to make sure she didn't lose any of us."

"Apparently she was scared of being loved." Runa responded, Kol gave him a quick surprise glance covering it up with a solemn mask. "She said she felt cursed that anyone who loved her would be endangered."

Kol rolled his eyes, "It's not her fault it's the bloody witches that kept tweaking her deal with the ancestors. She shouldn't feel that way anymore we are all fine. I swear her, and Nik worry too much."

Runa gazed back at the game I don't blame them… Runa had to admit the things Marie had to endure when she was human – always fearing the magic within her, and when she became a vampire the fear only grew as the ancestors became more determined to end the abominations. And no wonder Klaus developed a terrible habit of being paranoid when it came to Marie, for he would have that worry in the back of his head everyday when she grew up.

Kol peers at the stairs noticing Klaus glaring at them. Kol sneers at Klaus's annoyance, "Are we too loud for your petty self-pep talks?"

Klaus narrowed his eyes by Kol's attempts to piss him off, "I would have thought you would find something useful on your spare time."

Kol rolled his eyes at Klaus's weak comeback, "Ah and plotting against nonexistent threats is a better way to spend my free time?"

Klaus glares, "And I thought death would make you more cautious of people." Runa frowns, he figured something was on Klaus's mind, Marie noticed earlier by the way he acted in attempts to try to make her not worried.

Kol sneers at Klaus, "Death taught me to not let anything hold me back from living life to the fullest and taught me to be cautious of making unnecessary enemies. Clearly you needed that lesson then I."

Klaus growls in irritation, his eyes flickered to Runa, "Can I have a word?"

Kol glared at Klaus in annoyance for wanting to take his video game partner, Kol remarked to Runa, "Watch, he wants you to clean up his mess." Kol paused the game grabbing himself another drink.

Runa walked towards Klaus, "Does this have to do with why you were in a bad mood earlier?"

Klaus glares ignoring the remark, "Have you ever heard of the Strix?"

Runa fumbled over the name, it rang a bell, "Vaguely, Marie said Elijah strategically turned vampires when you all first learned to turn humans and he named them the Strix."

Klaus nods, "Kol and I weren't picky on our turned, we wanted to expand our race in order to distract Mikael. But Elijah figured it was better to give immortality to people who he believed would better the world and he formed an organization of vampires with that idealism. What my brother didn't realize was how dependent they were to have him as their leader to guide them – when Mikael came after Marie we fled leaving the Strix vulnerable for any psychopathic vampire to lead."

Runa narrowed his eyes, "Let me guess you are worried about this group?"

Klaus growls, "They gathered into this city like a swarm of hungry dogs, I don't trust Elijah's bloody cult. He barely can get into their circle making us blind to any motive they have."

Runa peers at Kol, Kol gave him an eye roll as if saying "I told you so."

Runa narrowed his eyes, "And you think I can get close to them?"

Klaus smirked, "You always had a silver tongue."

Runa rolled his eyes disliking Klaus's attempts to get him to do his bidding, "You couldn't risk having your own hybrids with this?"

Klaus sneers, "That would be too obvious, like you had said you have no loyalties to me and we aren't exactly keen on one another. Let this be a sign of good faith for me to allow you to take my daughter's hand."

Runa stared at him in bewilderment, Klaus was holding his blessing right in front of his face only as leverage to have Runa as his informant. Runa narrowed his eyes, "They must really worry you to have you ask for my assistance."

Klaus grins, "I've always get my way with people I want to acquire. I am pleased to have you working by my side again – admit it you were craving to let that warrior side out."

Runa scowls at the Original knowing full well Klaus was intrigued by his darkness, his satisfaction with war. Runa sighs, "Is this just for information or are you planning on exterminating them?"

Klaus's eyes gleam in excitement, "Information for now…" Runa nods glaring at the Hybrid, Klaus sneers at him, "I'm glad we were able to come to terms." Klaus turns away leaving Runa staring after him.

Kol downed his drink, coolly gazing at the Incan, "I got to say, Marie must be something special to have you take Nik's offer to stop his bloody paranoia."

Runa glares at Kol as he sat back down, "If Klaus sees these people as a threat what's the harm in being cautious?"

Kol chuckled, "Oh trust me, he's already cautious he just wants someone else to do the bloodshed. Guess my brother wants to test your tactics to determine if you are as ruthless as he is when it comes to protecting what is yours."

Runa smirked, if Klaus wanted to see that side of him then let him have it, "Then he is in for a show."

Kol peered at him curiously and grinned mischievously, "I knew there was something I liked about you."

Rebekah and Sage pulled Marie along to a high-end restaurant downtown. It has been too long since they had the opportunity to chat about their significant other. Marie teased Sage, "You aren't tired of us yet?"

Sage smirked at her, "Never – although it was great to have something different for a change."

Rebekah giggled, "Finn boring you?"

Sage shrugs, "No, we just haven't been seeing eye to eye, lately he has been obsessing about the scenario of us living our lives as humans and I've been telling him there is nothing wrong with us being vampires, we are able to live multiple human life spans together."

Rebekah gazed down, "I know how he feels, with being human to have children and live everyday as if it were the last."

Marie shook, "I wouldn't want to be a human again, I can't imagine to be that fragile." Marie had seen so much death over the centuries, and many of her friends she witnesses them die of old age. She had experienced her human death, it was so fragile and easily snuffed out plus that death brought out the deepest darkness and despair within her father and she couldn't bring herself to let him go through that again. Her and her family barely survived as vampires with Mikael, Esther, Alaric, and recently Dahlia she doubts she would still be alive if she were human. Worse enough Mikael was the one that watched her die as a human when she was mauled to death, he even drew the werewolves away from her body and he left her there just so her father could find her cold body.

Sage nods, "Thank you, but if having children is the only thing he is stressing about being human, then he needs to learn there are other ways to have children –it's called adoption."

Rebekah peered at Sage curiously, "You would consider adoption?"

Sage shrugs, "If I can't have my own children I could at least try to give other children a chance to accomplish their dreams, giving up immortality just for children is ridiculous."

Rebekah shies away, Marie frowns it seems deep down Rebekah is still hoping to have her own children… Marie mused over it, if there was a way to become human surely Esther would had thought of turning them to humans rather murder them to end the race of vampires.

Sage smiles at Marie winking, "Tell us about your time in South America."

Marie turned slightly pink both Rebekah and Sage gazed at her amusingly.

It seems both Elijah and Klaus were on the same page in having Runa be their inside man. Runa breaths in at least I can see the city at night when the vampires roam the streets. Runa followed Klaus's and Elijah's directions on the well-known mingling vampire site. Apparently the Strix would find him, he was doubtful for he wasn't from Elijah's sire line, but it seems Klaus was convinced he had something to offer.

Runa grins slightly the whole night club was engulfed in vampire scent, he would guess there was a few unlucky humans amongst them. He gazed over the crowd, he had to give it to the Originals they always find places that are booming with the vampire population. Runa downed his drink seeing a tan woman eyeing him, he was sure he had seen her before he couldn't place where.

The woman came towards him smiling, "Fancy meeting you here."

Runa tried to place her face, "Venezuela, right? You are one of Catalina's friends, Aya." Now her face resurfaced to his memory.

Aya smiled at him, "I'm glad you remembered me, so what brings you to New Orleans?"

Runa shrugs, "I've heard this city was run by vampires, werewolves, and witches that were able to set aside old rivalries and make a place where we can all coincide without hiding. I wanted to check it out, so far I'm impressed."

Aya's eyes shine, "You would have been even more impressed if you were born five hundred years earlier you would have loved the freedom without the worries of hunters or witches trying to ruin the fun."

"At least now a days, there hasn't been any issues with hunters that I've seen." Runa remarked.

"Then you have been fortunate, I've heard the mass death of vampires a year ago was due to the Original Kol being killed by a hunter."

Runa mused, he wasn't around vampires when Kol had died to see his sire line fall. But it made sense that the sire lines are connected to the Original creator. Since Esther was planning extermination the creators she created and to ensure she exterminates all of them their had to be a linkage to all of them. "I find it menacing that our lives can be cut short by another's death." Runa responded, when he thought of it he found it poetic that the ones that gives them new life can also take it away once they die.

"Have you ever thought there can be a way to avoid death?" Aya asked.

"The thought to be connected to your creator never occurred to me, but if I were you I would rather be in control of my fate." Runa replies, he was curious on her interest on the subject for it came out of the blue.

Aya smiles, "You and I have the same interests, you should come by sometime and meet the others that have the same concerns."

Runa responds with a smirk, "There is a vampire counseling club?"

Aya laughs, "Of sorts." Aya gave him a card with an illustration of an owl, "I hope to see you there."

Runa smirks at her, she turns away rocking her hip with a sway, he wondered if Aya had any contact with Catalina for he never remembered the vampire being so intent on him. He was curious if Klaus knew Aya knew of him, he guessed Aya didn't know his relations with the Originals for when he knew her he didn't remember his past. Guess Marie's compulsion went in my favor. Runa flips the card around getting an address of the Strix's meeting place. That was easy.

Klaus smirks as the Incan came through the door in the late hours of the night, Runa glares seeing the amusement of his face, "So I'm bait for Aya."

Klaus grins, "When I came across her in this city she was bragging about having the pleasure to meet a Hybrid wrap around her finger that wasn't sure of his linage – I figured her power piece would be you, I bet she was all but pleased to have you right where she wants you. I can just imagine her horrid reaction when I have my influence deeper then hers."

Runa rolled his eyes remarking sarcastically, "Their spew on the concern of being linked to your family is understandable."

Klaus's eyes gleam in interest, "Ah are they cowering amongst themselves in defeat? Their attempts of being rid of us is useless only if they have a suicide wish."

Runa trudged into the house, he was exhausted, "They seem very interested in finding ways to avoid their linked deaths when you die."

Klaus narrowed his eyes, "Have they found a way? If being linked is preventing my sireline from attacking me then I need insurance that my own do not turn on me."

Runa sat on the stairs remarking, "Let me guess you turned many against their will?"

Klaus rolled his eyes, "Some. But word got out about Kol's line dying off, if any of the other lines hear about the Strix's intentions all of them would stop at nothing until they are free from my family. We will all have targets on our backs even Marie."

Runa stared at him, "They wouldn't dare, Marie's line wasn't turned against their wills the accidental ones were turned when they died in the gas chambers with her blood in their system. She put her blood supply in the food to keep the prisoners strong – they wouldn't turn their backs on her."

Klaus narrowed his eyes, "You hold your line so highly, you really think they are as loyal?"

Runa responded, "What negativity would they have towards her if she gave them a second chance of life? If any try to come after her, let me take care of them."

Klaus tilt his head, "Do you truly love my daughter or is it the sire bond that is influencing your dying loyalty?"

Runa growls at Klaus, "I'm not one of your blind hybrids that are influenced by loyalty just because you gave them the chance to not endure the pain of the full moon. I was grateful that she prevented me from endangering the rest of my people, but I reveled in being a werewolf I still transform. Becoming immortal didn't change my feelings towards myself nor to her. I cared about your daughter long before she turned me. My loyalty to her is due to our respect to one another and she actually gives a damn about everyone she turns maybe if you had that mindset you might not have these worries about your own line."

Klaus scowls, "Perhaps. Just wanted to make sure you aren't having any thoughts on breaking our lines."

Runa rolled his eyes, "We've known each other for five hundred years, I thought your paranoia about me was settled long ago."

Klaus remarked, "The two years you were away got yourself aligned with a few members of the Strix, I want to make sure centuries outweigh those two years."

Runa sighs standing up he was ready to go to bed, "How about this, tomorrow let's end this, no more spying – you already know what they seek prolonging it would give them time to prepare."

Klaus smirked slightly, "Danger too close to comfort?"

Runa glares, "I rather neutralize it than set more gasoline to the flame. Are you going to make your dramatic entrance on the Strix or am I taking care of everything?"

Klaus chuckles, "I'm always one for entrances." Runa nods taking that opportunity to leave before Klaus decides to plot more.

Runa trudges upstairs, at this point of the night he was tired and will not be phased by anything anymore, he opened the door to Marie's room ignoring the silent threats he sure he would had gotten. Marie mumbles feeling the bed shift under his weight, she smiled dreamily as he wrapped an arm around her to allow her head to rest on his chest.

"Where have you been all night?" Marie yawns.

Runa sighs, "Oh you know Klaus wanting to pull me into his ranks, nothing like he hasn't done before."

"What is he having you do?" Marie asked.

"Plotting assassinations." Runa remarked sarcastically.

Marie frowns at him, "Why are you doing what he wants? You never liked having him boss you around."

"He is dangling you over me –."

Marie's eyes widen sitting up, "He's using me to get you to do his dirty work?!"

Runa pulled her down kissing her forehead, "More like using his blessing as leverage."

Marie gasped, "He didn't…" Marie jumped up straddling him, "Do you know what that means?! He is finally getting over his werewolf bias –."

"Werewolf bias?" Runa remarked with an eyebrow raise.

"Yes! And you must do what he asks!"

Runa sighs, "Are you serious –."

"This is progress!" Marie exclaimed Runa rolled his eyes, it was too late in the night for this. He turns away having his back to her determined to sleep. "You know he never truly got rid of his grudges from werewolves."

Runa mumbled, "Is your family always going to compare me to that boy?"

Marie frowns he sighs knowing she was still unsettled by that topic, he extended his arm grabbing her hand. Marie mutters, "You are the only other person I brought home to them, of course they will compare. I guess it doesn't help that both of you were werewolves, he contributes to the memory of my death and you remind them of him. But to see my father and even Kol warm up to you to even give you a chance… You know my father is just testing you. On my fifteenth birthday my family decided I was ready to marry, my father wasn't seeking money from the other nobles – no he wanted to assure that I and my future children would be taken care of. He also wanted me to be happy with the man they voted on to court me, everyone except Kol thought Wyatt was a good match for me. I think my father wants to give my judgement of a man another shot, and he wants to determine if you have what it takes."

Runa smiles at her, "Are you worried?"

Marie shook her head, "I've always knew they liked you, it just took them time to come to terms with it. Besides whatever task my father set out for you I'm sure you would succeed."

Runa peers at her, "You know what he wants from me, I'm only a warrior to him."

Marie pat his back, "And I know you are more than that. In time he would see what I see."

Klaus sneers watching Runa go into the Strix's complex, "You all will learn from him – he is one of the greatest Hybrids that I have ever encountered." Klaus's dozens of two-year-old Hybrids watched intently. The first time he met Runa, the man hardly spoke any other language of than his native tongue, but he did know body language and took Kol's attitude threateningly. Klaus was intrigued by how skilled he was to get an upper hand on his youngest brother even managed to bite him – Runa was skilled with combining his wolf and human features making him a powerful assist. Klaus wondered how the man fought as a human – having the wolf emerge in war for the Incan Emperor under the moonlight.

Klaus felt it would be a learning experience for his hybrids to watch an older hybrid in action, plus he didn't want to admit he didn't have nearly enough experience as being a hybrid as did Runa and Marie.

Klaus waited, seeing the numbers slowly growing as the day progressed, he wanted to make sure a good amount of the Strix were behind those walls. He knew Runa was waiting for the right opportunity when he is surrounded by the pieces that brought the Strix in the belief of unbinding the sirelines.

Klaus turns towards his minions a dark grin on his face, "Leave no survivors."

Runa gaze settled on the rising numbers of vampires within the compound, Aya was informing him on their extension on collecting exceptional witches to unlock the secrets behind their linkage. The vampires turned as a man dressed in a suit stepped down from the balcony, Runa narrowed his eyes as the vampires seem to bow their heads before the man, So this is the leader.

The man smirks at Runa, "It's a pleasure to finally meet you. Aya told me so much of your uniqueness."

Runa raised his eye brows, "And what uniqueness do I possess?"

Tristian smirked lightly, "You had told Aya no vampire had turned you, but it was the will of your gods that created you to protect the last of your people. I was intrigued by the divine gift that was given to you. I have never heard such a story."

Runa scowls, Marie's compulsion on my memory made them curious of the world behind this one. "Then you must have not been a worthy follower to your gods to not be granted the gift of immortality, but you chose to enslave your own life in the fate of another." Runa remarked narrowing his eyes, if they were easily influenced by the compelled story Marie created for him than they must truly want to seek every mystery in this world.

Tristian's blue eyes gleam, "And what brings you to come to us if you are unbounded by a creator?"

Runa smirked at his suspicion, "Like you I have friends that are in the same predicament as you."

"Aye, and are you willing to break our ties?" Tristian tilt his head gazing at the Hybrid curiously.

Runa raise his eyebrow noticing the rest of the vampires surround them, "And why are you concern with my stance?"

"It so has happened that a key to break our misfortunate, lies within the gift you were given by your gods." Tristian smirks at him, all the vampires went into a defensive stance. Runa narrowed his eyes apparently against his will.

Runa chuckled causing Tristian's smirk to falter slightly, "Oh you poor fools." Runa put his hands behind his back, under his jacket rested two sabers, Runa smirks as he sliced with vampire speed, he knelt just as the surrounding vampires around him fell dismembered.

Tristian stepped back taken by surprise, Aya screamed, "Take his heart."

Runa surveyed the area, as the vampires came at him he sidestepped slicing the attackers with ease. Runa growls, "Your mistake in thinking I'm defenseless against your numbers." Runa flicked the blood off the blades with the flick of his wrists, he spread his arms out his eyes glaring gold at the huddled vampires. "My gods did grant me immortality, by guiding the Guardian to me. Now you threaten her before me because your hatred towards your creator to create this mutiny." Runa snarls, charging blades colliding into skin and bone.

Tristian narrowed his eyes, Runa cut through more vampires his gold eyes filled with intent rage. Runa snarls feeling magic trying to subdue him, his eyes snapped towards the energy seeing black hooded figures rushing to aid the vampires.

Klaus sneers hearing the sound of chaos within, "Let's join the havoc." Klaus's army of hybrids charged the doors as fleeing vampires tried to escape. Klaus grins as he rips out the throat of a fleeing vampire. Klaus spit out the flesh, his eyes scan over his hybrids as they surprised the vampires, he couldn't be more than pleased by how much power they had over centuries old vampires.

Klaus's eyes surveyed the area, bodies littered the ground. Runa snarls just as he chucks his sabers towards the hooded witches impaling two in the chest. Klaus grins as the hybrids swarm the remaining of the vampires, however his men were struggling with the witches. The vampires were fighting back as the witches aid them, Klaus growls as the throbbing pain shot through him.

Runa snarls through the pain, his eyes glared gold at Klaus he smirked slightly seeing the Original struggle as well. Runa stared at the witches trudging towards him, "I must warn you, I've went through more pain then this." Runa snarls at them his eyes glowed gold his body snaps growing sharp and hairy. His face formed an elongated snot with sharp fangs, he flashed on all fours ripping out the throat of a witch and ripping out two other hearts with his clawed hands.

Klaus's hybrids stared at the creature before them, Klaus grins at Runa it was fascinating that the man can control all the pain of holding the werewolf transformation back to allow himself to be turned partially, to give him control of the animal instincts with the man's intelligence. The remainder of the vampires stared in horror seeing the monstrous creature feasting on their comrades.

Klaus grabbed Tristian by the shoulder, "It's a shame you lot aren't grateful of what we have given you, you greedy bastards wanted more – to find life without us? What would you be without my brother showing interest in you?" Klaus broke Tristian's shoulders as he gripped him hard, the man screamed throw his teeth. Klaus sneers, "Oh yes, you would be a heap of guts and bones on a filthy field with the rest of the worthless humans – you were nothing without my brother, it's only fitting you turn back into nothingness." Klaus rams his fist into his chest, Tristian double over in pain, Klaus smirks into his ear, "Don't worry if I see your sister I will send her your way." Klaus pulled on his heart, Tristian gasped his body shivered turning grey.

Klaus dropped the heart gazing at Runa as he charged on all fours tackling another vampire tarring into her chest with his teeth and claws. Klaus stared at the scene before him, he had a flash of memory of Marie body –bloody from being mauled to death, Klaus shook his head trying to get the image out of his head. Runa growls ending the vampire's life with a snap of his powerful jaw around her neck. Runa eyed Klaus seeing the man stare at him, Runa spit out chucks of flesh his voice was a mix between an animalistic growl and amusement, "You wanted to see me fight, it's not the cleanest tactic." Runa stood up, his bones snapped back into place as he transformed from a wolfman back to himself. Runa stood up covered in blood, his clothes were ripped where his bones grew to become more wolf like.

Klaus blinked at him, "I have to say all those times I've seen you fight you were holding back before now."

Runa smirked slightly as he cracked his neck back into place, "I rather fight with weapons than my own body, but the witches gave me no choice I turned the pain they inflicted on me into mere pushes as I inflicted more pain on myself."

Klaus peers around seeing most of his hybrids surviving, satisfied he turned back to Runa, "I've always wondered how one can master that form?"

Runa walked over to his sabers thrusting them out of the two witches and cleaned the blood off them from the witch's black hood. Runa smirked at him, "Allow yourself to transform into the wolf multiple times until it trusts you enough to merge with you. It takes a lot of concentration to prevent the final stages of becoming the wolf, takes even more concentration to hold the pain of your bones from snapping fully."

Klaus grins, "Interesting…" Runa gazed at the other hybrids seeing them breath heavy from exhaustion, Klaus and his hybrids have not mastered the bond between their wolves – they were too focused in holding back the beast then letting it free.

Runa remarked, "If you want to learn just ask." Klaus stared at him, Runa expected Klaus was too prideful in letting himself be taught, he always wanted to be seen as all knowing in his abilities.

Klaus smirked slightly, "I may take you up on that offer." Runa gave him a surprised look, he didn't expect him to agree, Runa nods as he peered around for undamaged clothing.

Klaus turned to his hybrids, "You all did a splendid job, I think a nice day off would suffice." The younger hybrids grinned amongst each other as they exited the compound, leaving Klaus and Runa amongst the dead.

Klaus peers at the man curiously, "When you are in that form are you conscious of your surroundings?"

Runa nods, "Yes, although it can be easily persuaded by animal instincts if you allow it, going against it also prevents me from fully turning into the wolf."

Klaus stared at him for a few moments and then looked away when he asked, "Have you ever lost control?"

Runa gazed at Klaus intensely determining where the Original was going with this, "No, when I was a werewolf I would turn on battle fields and I was able to differentiate the scents of the enemy from my comrades, when I wasn't in battle I stayed away from my civilization. I've mostly trained myself to pick up hostile targets than innocent ones."

Klaus glares down into his thoughts so Marie's human life ended because of lack of training.

Runa gave Klaus a knowing look, "Don't disregard a part of yourself because of what happened to Marie when she died, in all honesty it should motivate you more to stay in control of yourself when you choose to allow yourself to turn."

Klaus narrowed her eyes, "Why am I not surprised that she told you about her death."

"She told me about it, she had the same concerns as you but I'm hoping she would eventually let go of her fear of her wolf." Runa responded.

Klaus gazed at him in surprise, "I never knew."

"She doesn't mind other werewolves, but I'm hoping to get her to be more open with herself." Runa replied.

"She hasn't turned with you?" Klaus asked.

Runa shook his head, "No, like you she fears to let the werewolf side to take over. I am not surprised the only time you turned to a wolf was when you first broke your curse, especially after the negative experiences you two had with wolves."

Klaus ponders it hadn't occur to him that he and Marie both share the hesitation of their werewolf gene. It may be something for him and Marie to accomplish together. Klaus studied the blooded bodies, "Marie held a wolf form masked with the spirits when she willed them against Dahlia. It was truly magnificent but for a few moments she lost her control."

Runa smiled, she is finally letting herself open up, "It's good that Marie is starting to explore her werewolf side even though it was manipulated by the spirits' power."

Klaus nods, "With a large population of werewolves it may make Marie and I more comfortable with transforming."

Runa grins at Klaus as he walked with the Original as their shoes tracked blood out of the massacred area, "Maybe the next full moon we can join them turning. What's the policy for werewolves under full moons in this city?"

Klaus grimaced at the thought of turning with other werewolves, he thought hearing their grievances would suffice with getting to know his werewolf side.

Runa shook his head seeing Klaus's grimaced, "How can you claim on controlling the power of the wolf if you don't want to experience another change?"

Klaus glared at Runa, seeing the Incan smirking slightly at his dismay, "Fine. I will go with your primitive ways of gaining power." Runa smirked in triumph, the one thing Runa was always curious about was how his wolf would interact with Klaus's and Marie's, he was excited to finally get the chance.

Full moon transformations next chapter! What do you think so far? Runa's skilled ability with the Hybrid ability to will himself to become a wolfman like creature? The interactions with each character like – Kol and Runa, Klaus and Runa, and of course the family interactions?

Comment below!