"If she is really working with our mother perhaps we can make some sort of deal. Get Lex into our protection and out of our mother's clutches," Elijah suggested.

"The time for talking is over brother. She could have come to me and asked for help but she chose not to!" Klaus shouted, "She chose our dead mother's word over me! I asked her if she entered into the contract willingly and she said yes."

"To be fair, our mother did bring the girl back to life," Rebekah argued, "That was before she met you, Klaus. You of all people know how manipulative dear old mumsie can be. After all, you learned it all from her."

"Shut up sister," Klaus barked, "before I have you strung up like Lex. "

Rebekah held her hands up, "I was trying to help you get your girl Friday back but, if you're so intent on killing her; good ridden. I never liked her chipper attitude anyways."

It was later on in the afternoon that Anthony, one of Klaus' compelled vampire minions came back.

"So glad you bothered to show up. We are honored by your presence," Klaus remarks sarcastically.

"I have a message from the Grayson- Lex Grayson," Anthony announced.

"And when was this?"

Anthony rubbed his neck, "About a week ago. But honestly, that girl is crazy."

Klaus snorted.

Antony rushed to speak, "I'm serious. I was keeping an eye on her -like you asked. Following her as she's going home from a bunch of boutique stores when she suddenly turns off into a residential street. I follow and then wind up getting a knee to the groin and shin, a dagger stuck behind my back. That crazy bitch even cut me. Right down the middle," he gestured to his chest, "Threatened to do a live lobotomy if she saw me again. I wasn't able to get out the vervain soaked chains she bound me in until two days ago."

Klaus chuckled, "The pup's got bite."

Anthony just stared, "You're twisted dude. But don't you want to hear the message?"

"You're a day to late mate. Besides, I think I have a good idea what it was."

"Really?"

"I know," Klaus said, sounding almost proud, "Haven't you noticed the similarities?"

"That both of you are insane sociopaths," Anthony muttered.

"What was that?" Klaus asked.

Anthony shook his head, "Nothing."


I turned away from him, "I'm sorry.I don't know you."

He stopped my swiveling bar chair by placing a hand on my bare legs. A hand which I promptly slapped away. Then I pulled on the hem of my skirt.

Muscular build, brown eyes, dark black hair and an arrogant grin I'd seen too many times in my high-school days. The ones before I died and came back to life as Ester's minion.

"But I know you," he insisted, grinning "You're the witch who has become Klaus' flavor of the month. By the state you're in, I'd say you just got thrown out."

So he was hotheaded-like Nicklaus. I wonder if it was some sort of repressed hybrid thing.

I sniffed myself. I had gotten new clothes, washed the blood off in the female washroom's sink and was currently enjoying a sandwich and a glass of bad wine.

Tyler tapped his nose, "Hybrid senses all thanks to your old lover. You smell like dirt, rust, and frustration."

"Thank you for the introduction Tyler, but Klaus and I were never together. Unless you're going to pay for another glass of the good stuff," I raised my glass of wine, "Then goodbye."

He looked ready to jump out of his skin and desperate. Weren't we all?

I wasn't surprised when he slapped a bundle of folded bills onto the counter.

I sighed, this night was going to be longer than I thought. Though it was technically already morning. Three in the morning to be precise.

"Now will you talk to me?" he asked.

"What do you want?" I sighed again.

"I want your help to get Klaus. He turned my girlfriend against me, killed my cousin -not to mention my friends- and nearly destroyed Mystic Falls- the place I call home. Rumor has it you're his new pet."

My look had him back-peddling.

"But obviously not," he rushed, "since you're sitting here. So help me get revenge for both of us."

I looked him up and down, "Sorry, that won't be happening."

He pushed forward, "Why not? By the cuts on your wrist I'd say you need me right now."

I pulled my bandaged wrists behind me, "Because you can't control your temper, Tyler. I know that because you're insulting the only person alive in this bayou who might have -before you started talking- actually helped you. How long have you been alive?"

"I'm eighteen," he replied.

"How many years as a hybrid?" I crossed my arms.

"Less than that," he faltered.

"Exactly. The only way you can attract him to you is to give him something he wants. And you're not good bait. You lack the hair and X chromosome," I replied.

"So you noticed his thing for blondes?" he chuckled, "It's really sad that he only uses brunettes as rebound. Which, make no mistake -you are."

"Look Tyler. You don't seem like a nice guy but you're not a bad one. I won't stop you if you want to try and get Klaus. But let me warn you: you will die and he will make you suffer. Niklaus Mikaelson doesn't spare anyone."

"But if we team up together-" he insisted, "Klaus is the reason that-"

A pair of strong hands picked me up from the chair and moved me away from Tyler.

I jumped out of their grip in surprise.

"Diego!" I exclaimed in confusion, "Why are you here?"

"I was driving by and smelled your blood in the winds. Came to investigate."

Tyler frowned at the vampire, "We're fine man. Nothing to worry about."

Diego looked Tyler up and down before quickly dismissing him and turning his attention back to me.

"Are you hurt? Last time I saw you, you were being carted away by Klaus Mikaelson."

I nodded, "We had a... falling out of sorts. He doesn't know how to play nice."

Diego grinned, "That's the original family for you. But I heard some interesting news about you, Miss Grayson. You are a witch."

"That I am," I admitted.

That's when Tyler tried to interrupt the conversation by bringing a wood chair leg down behind Diego into his back.

I gasped. Before I could comprehend what was going on Diego had Tyler pinned to the side wall of the bar.

No one budged from their seats which simply showed the kind of clientele this place catered to.

"Let's talk somewhere else," I suggested, gently tugging on Diego's shirt sleeve, "he's lost something and is having a hard time coping Diego."

He eventually let Tyler go.

I gave Tyler a warning look and mouthed be careful before placing my hand in Diego's and walked out.

Diego assured me I'd be safe in the quarter since I was with him. Marcel had ordered everyone to stand down as a favor to Klaus.

An early morning stroll on the streets sounded nice.

"You should probably tell him you and Klaus are on the outs. It'll probably make him like you more," Diego commented.

I laughed, "Probably."

I was glad he wasn't in the last group that attacked me. It was also nice to joke and talk to an outsider. Some who didn't really have a stake in the outcome of things. Someone who was sweet and wasn't secretly plotting my demise. I had asked him why he hadn't tried to kill me.

Although Marcel didn't remember our more...tumultuous visits he still had reason to hate me.

"If Marcel wants you dead then he'll give me a reason for it and I'll probably kill you," Diego admitted, "Family first."

"You're loyal like the Mikaelsons in that sense," I said.

"But that's where the similarities fade," he assured me, "From the stories I've heard they've messed each others' lives up too much. I couldn't do so much damage if I tried."

He leaned in and whispered conspiratorially in my ears, "My family's better than that."

"You're vampiric one or your mortal one?" I asked.

His features tightened and he quieted. He began to walk ahead of me, faster than I could keep up.

"I'm sorry," I called out, "I didn't mean to hurt you. Honest!"

He looked back at me darkly, "My mortal family was killed by werewolves so excuse me if I'm no longer in a friendly mood."

"And when you found out I was a werewolf...oh god. I'm surprised you haven't already gone for my throat."

"I still might," he admitted.

"I haven't turned if it makes you feel any better," I held up my hands, "no blood on these hands. At least no one I've killed."

"...I heard Klaus messed up your life too," he started.

"Killed what was left of my family when I was...god, I don't even remember what age anymore. Which is why I'd understand it if you hated me. Being part werewolf and all."

"You're so flippant about the death of your family?" he questioned.

"Forgive but never forget. That's my motto. I would've died on a stupid quest for revenge long ago if I chased after everyone that's tried to kill of blood mages," I clamped a hand over my mouth as the words slipped out.

Damn, he wasn't suppose to know I was a blood mage.

Diego looked at me knowingly, "I'll forget I ever heard the words blood mage -not that I know what it means- and that you're one if you'll forgive me for attacking you..."

"Which time?" I wondered, "the night where you brought me to a vampire party intending to feast on my neck or that time with Marcel?"

He grimaced, "Both."

"And don't forget," I teased, "how you never called me back after our first date."

He rolled his eyes and bowed formally, "I offer my sincerest apologies."

I laughed aloud and gently slapped his on the shoulder.

"Get up," I ordered as I pulled him by his hands so he stood.

"I guess formality doesn't suit me," he said.

"You're right about that," I smiled.

His hands tightened on mine for a moment.

"You're warm," he murmured.

"Warm-blooded mammals tend to behave that way," I commented.

His hold on my hands slowly slipped away.

Then came a voice that nearly broke any composure I had.

"Aren't you two cozy," Klaus chuckled darkly, "Looks like you're becoming fast friends."

"Bonding over the death of our families," Diego shot back.

"I'd like to speak with Lex alone," Klaus had phrased it in a question but there was no mistaking the authority behind it.

"Yeah, well I don't think she wants to speak to you," Diego said, stepping between Klaus and I.

I gently nudged him, gesturing that he should stand by my side. I didn't need anyone to protect me from Klaus. I had already seen the worst parts of him.

"Threatened by a little competition?" Klaus chuckled, "Lex doesn't like her men weak."

"She also doesn't like psychopaths," I pointed out.

"But we are ever so attentive," he teased.

His words rolled onto me and I couldn't help but smile -a tiny bit.

"What do you say?" Klaus asked, opening his arms, "I promise I won't harm you."

"This time?" Diego snorted.

"You're comments are getting tiring. Go back to your chores Dobby and leave us werewolves to talk."

"You've read Harry Potter?" I gasped.

"It was one of your favorites -wasn't it?" Klaus smiled sheepishly.

Diego tensed next to me.

I reached out to lay my hand over his, squeezing gently to tell him it was alright.

Klaus' smiled slipped and was replaced with a dangerous brooding. Something terrible was bubbling behind those eyes.

"I've caught you at a bad time. We'll talk later," Klaus said.

I looked down at my arm.

Diego was pointedly tracing the inside of my elbow. Where a large bruise was still healing. A bruise Klaus caused.

"I'm not interested," I dismissed Klaus

"But I am," Klaus murmured.

He left anyways, whispering into my ears as he brushed passed, "I truly am sorry. I'll make it up to you."

"You're still looking at him like that," Diego said in disgust.

"Like what?" I blinked.

"Like he hung the stars...Are you under compulsion?" he asked warily.

I rolled my eyes, "Don't be silly. I downed vervain the moment I escaped."

"Just making sure," he said slowly.

"Can we go before he comes back?"

"Think he'll come back?"

"I don't trust the look in his eyes," I explained. Not sure how he intended to "make it up to me".

That night, after I'd spoken all day with Diego and went to visit Marcel -of course. I collapsed in my room.

Marcel liked that fact that I could teach Devina some tricks while I stayed here. Help her control her powers like I'd so long ago promised. He'd even set me up -imprisoned rather- me in a home on the outskirts of New Orleans. In the home of an old compelled couple, whose daughter had "gone off the college".

I was fast asleep, curled on one side beneath my covers when I heard the deep rumbling voice of the hybrid next to me. I dropped out of bed.