Disclaimer: I do not own the Vampire Diaries.

A/N: Thank you for all the reviews for the first chapter! They're deeply appreciated!

Two

AJ had successfully convinced Klaus to let her question Ray on her own. She couldn't bear to see him in pain anymore, and she wanted to do something about it. It'd taken some pleading, but Klaus had eventually agreed.

Although AJ was extremely satisfied that she'd be able to question Ray without him having to fear any more impending pain, she wasn't happy about what Klaus had done upon re-entering the bar. She'd been several steps ahead of him, walking purposefully back towards the dart board when Klaus had sped past her. Two seconds later Ray had been removed, quite painfully, from the dartboard and strewn about on a pool table. Klaus now stood there with his arms crossed over his chest firmly, looking suited. AJ shot him a reproachful look before scanning her eyes over Ray.

Ray was lying on his back on the pool table in the middle of the bar, unable to move. His dark hair was saturated with sweat and matted to his head. Patches of scrapes and cuts sporadically covered his face and neck, crusted with dark dried blood. He seemed to be trembling; from fear, AJ guessed. She was certain that the prospect of coming across an Original vampire would chill most people to the bone, especially the hybrid Original, notorious for his dark ways. She just happened to be the exception to that.

AJ approached the pool table with cautious, slow steps, keeping her eyes averted to the floor. Lying to people wasn't something that appealed to her, but she knew it would be necessary at the time. It was either lie to Ray, or make him suffer more. And she happened to be a very good liar.

She was aware that Ray was looking between her and Klaus now; his frightened stare felt like a heavy weight pressing down on her. A sense of guilt settled on her shoulders—she should have stopped this before. She should have precluded it the moment Klaus walked into the bar.

Taking a shaky breath, she met Ray's eyes. It was like looking into the eyes of an abused puppy; sad and heartbreaking, and she couldn't help but want to console him somehow. He truly was a pitiful sight, and she was certain he knew it. But he'd given up his pride for his survival hours ago. Settling her unsteady hands on the smooth edge of the pool table, she looked down at him.

"Ray," she said quietly, softly, "I'm AJ. I'm sorry about what's happened to you—I'm so very sorry."

A crease formed between Ray's eyebrows. "Why—who are you? Why are you with—"he stopped, and his eyes darted to Klaus, returning to AJ's just as quickly. His shaking became more pronounced, and his voice came out rougher. "Why are you with vampires? You smell human."

AJ looked down at her hands sadly. She, too, glanced at Klaus, but with a fearful gleam in her eye. He raised an eyebrow, but said nothing. Looking off at the ground, her bottom lip trembled. "I don't want to be—he took me," she whispered wretchedly. "He took me from my life, and I've been forced to stay with them ever since. Ray," she said desperately, her voice reaching higher octaves, "He needs to know where your pack is. He said if you don't tell him—"she made herself choke and stop, closing her eyes. Her breathing rattled, and she squeezed the table. "He said if you don't tell him," she began again, her voice cracking, "That he'll kill me. He won't have any more use for me."

She opened her eyes slowly and looked back down at Ray. Much to her surprise, she realized that there were tears dripping down her face. She wiped them away with the back of her hand briskly, sniffling.

Ray searched her eyes, his own holding a newfound fear for her. Then they became dark and angry, turning on Klaus. "You would kill this young girl?" he asked gruffly, but his fury was plain and clear. "You would kill her when you're the one who stole her away from her life in the first place?" He shook his head back and forth. "You're mad. Just let her go—let her go, and I'll tell you. I'll tell you whatever you want."

AJ choked on a real sob. This man—this stranger—was willing to sacrifice himself and his pack for her? For her lie? She felt terribly sick in that moment and a sense of self-loathing washed over her. Lying could be useful, but not when someone's life was at stake. AJ had been so focused on her inner-guilt that she hadn't even realized Klaus was beside her now.

He pulled her close to him roughly, one arm around her waist and his hand pushing back her hair, revealing her neck. AJ sucked in a gasp, her eyes widening. He pressed her into him, and his warmth once again encroached upon her body, sending wild shivers down her spine. His breath tickled her bare neck, and she was almost positive that his fangs were out. Or canines. It was a fifty-fifty.

Her eyes flicked back to Ray. He looked even angrier.

"I believe she made the terms very clear to you," Klaus said, holding her closer still. AJ wanted to protest, but she clamped her mouth shut. Every part of her was tense, waiting to see what Klaus now had planned. "Either you tell me where your pack is, or I'll kill her. Releasing her is not part of the deal."

Ray shook his head. He tried leaning up, but an invisible force pressed him down. Klaus had compelled him. "No," Ray said hoarsely, "You have to let her go. She's what, seventeen? Eighteen? How can you do this to a child?"

Klaus smiled wickedly. His fangs pressed into his bottom lip. "Believe me when I tell you she is no child."

Ray's eyes widened with revulsion. He clearly took Klaus's words in a very wrong way.

"Ray," AJ said in a small voice, "Ray—I know I can't leave. But I don't want to die. Please—I don't want to die."

Ray looked between AJ and Klaus, clearly torn. Klaus bared his fangs, placing them just over AJ's light skin. A dark light shone in his eyes.

"Fine," Ray said, his voice strained, "I'll tell you. Just—just take your hands off her."

Klaus shook his head, pressing his fingers into her more. Her tank had ridden up slightly, and he was touching her bare skin. AJ shivered. "Tell me where your pack is first."

Ray pressed his lips together, and a muscle flexed in his jaw. "In Tennessee," he said, his tone defeated and dull, "The Smoky Mountains. I'll give you directions. Now take your hands off her."

Klaus grinned triumphantly. "Fantastic, Ray." His hands left AJ's body, and she swayed on wobbly legs. She steadied herself by placing a hand on the pool table. Her eyes met Ray's apologetically. "I'm so sorry," she blurted without thinking; her voice was wretched and full of regret. "I'm so sorry you had to do that."

Ray looked at her steadily. "Don't be sorry. Don't ever be sorry."

Klaus clicked his tongue impatiently, looking down at Ray formidably. "Now," he said, "About those directions."

AJ spun on her heel and headed straight for the high-top she'd been sitting at. She braced her hands on it and leaned over, looking at the ground. Her breathing shook, coming in and out as puffs. A pounding surfaced in her head, throbbing and painful. She pinched her eyes shut, willing the surfacing tears to go away. She'd lied to him. She'd manipulated him. And now his pack would suffer—the people he loved would suffer. And it was all her fault. Maybe, she thought bitterly, he really could have held out over Klaus. Maybe he would have been strong. But now she'd never know. And the fate of many people was now molded into something horrific.

She glanced over her shoulder to see Klaus now circling Ray with a dagger in his hands, like a lion circling something it'd made a toy of. His fair hair shined faintly like gold in the dim lights, but his eyes remained dark. The sudden thought that he truly looked beautiful rose in her mind, against her own volition. A beautiful tragedy, like a town gone up in flames. The fire would dance and play, reflecting into the sky like a beautiful painting. But everything that once had been loved was being destroyed slowly as the fire made its way through, burning everything until the landscape was bare and black, and the only thing left was the rubble of what once had existed there. She narrowed her eyes and shook the thoughts away. In this moment, Klaus was anything but beautiful.

"It's a three step process, Ray," Klaus was informing him blithely, "This is step one. I want you to drink from my wrist."

"I already told you where to find the pack," Ray said hoarsely. "What more do you want from me?"

Klaus frowned impatiently. On his elbows, he leaned on the pool table over Ray. "Have you been listening to a word I've been saying, Ray?" He stuck the dagger in Ray's face, who jerked away from it. "I have great plans for you." In one fluid movement, Klaus took the dagger and cut a huge lesion into his own wrist. Then he grabbed a hold of Ray's hair, holding his head immobile, and forced his bloody wrist into the werewolf's mouth. Ray struggled against him, but his words were muffled. His head thrashed from side to side. When Klaus finally released him, he coughed and sputtered blood.

AJ took in a steadying breath and moved immediately to return to the pool table. Her eyes were glued to Ray as he choked on more blood.

"What are you going to do to me now?" Ray asked. His fair skin had a green hue to it. He'd probably never imagined he'd drink blood before. His eyes locked on AJ's, and she knew she'd taken on the same pallor. Her stomach twisted and turned. "What's he going to do to me?"

AJ's mouth opened, but no words came out. She wanted to say something to console him, to make up for what she did. But what could she possibly say? What could make anything right? She'd screwed up so badly, and she didn't have an answer.

"Well," Klaus said in her place, "Now it's time for step two, Ray." Klaus's hands lurched out and had snapped Ray's neck in less than a second. AJ gasped and jumped back, her heart pounding in her chest. Tears surfaced in her eyes as she looked upon Ray's body; the way it stuck out crookedly and wrong. She turned away, a hand over her heart. Klaus was in front of her immediately.

"Don't feel bad," he said simply, "It was going to happen. You knew that."

AJ glowered at him through her tears, and a lump formed in her throat. "No," she said quietly, "I didn't. I never really put much thought to what you'd do when you'd finally found them."

Klaus's brows pulled together. "That's why you're upset?"

AJ shook her head angrily, shoving past him. Her shoulder hit his, and a small spasm of pain shot throughout her. Even though it'd been healed from when it was disconnected, it still hurt. She clenched her fists together, breathing in and out. Klaus caught her by her wrist, turning her back around.

"I let you do as you asked," he stated, searching her face for something, "And yet you're still upset. Even more than you were outside. What's wrong?"

AJ jerked her wrist from his hand, and headed back to the table. "I shouldn't have asked. I should have just let you do whatever you'd planned to do."

Klaus trailed after her. "And since when do you let me do that? Since when do you ever think anything I do is a good idea?"

AJ reeled on him. "Since I just lied to a man so that he'd give up the people he cares about! Since he's now dead because of that, and they will be too!"

Klaus shifted. "He isn't dead. He'll come back—"

"Yeah," AJ said crudely, "As a screwed-up thing that isn't meant to exist! How can you not realize that what you're doing is sick?"

Klaus's hand twitched visibly, and AJ realized that he'd just desisted his natural reaction to hit her. Her mind flashed back to when he'd hit her outside the Grille, months ago. His eyes were dark and fathomless. She knew she'd crossed a line; one she didn't even realize was there.

"Klaus—"she started, but Stefan appeared behind him. She stared at him, unable to tell if he was very solemn, or very impassive. It was always hard to tell with vampires. Especially brooding vampires, but she knew why he had to be that way; why he was that way. She didn't blame him one bit.

Klaus turned, his face was impassive. "You're back."

"Did you doubt me?" Stefan asked. His eyes scanned the bar. He noted Ray's body lying on the pool table with a fractional raise of an eyebrow. AJ felt uneasy.

"Not for a second," Klaus said simply, "I knew you'd passed the test. You still care for your brother, for your old life."

Stefan laughed tiredly, shaking his head. He walked towards the bar. "Nah," he said, "I don't care about anything anymore."

"You put on a good show, Stefan," Klaus observed, following him. "I almost believe you. Let's hope for your brother's sake, he does." Stefan leaned on the bar, all pretenses broken down and shattered. He stared sullenly in front of him. "You never stop caring about family, do you?" Klaus said darkly. "But every time you feed, the blood makes it easier to let go. Isn't that right?"

A muscle flexed in Stefan's jaw. He didn't have to say anything; his eyes said all.

"And what about friends?" Klaus inquired. "Tell me, did you see any old chaps of yours while you were back in town, or just your brother? I'm sure it helps to have AJ here, since she's your dead girlfriend's best friend, after all. Or does it make it worse? Is she the constant reminder of what happened? Is that why you two never speak?"

"Klaus," AJ said crisply behind them, "Just leave him alone. It's been a long night."

Klaus regarded her impassively, but she could feel the underlying anger he was containing like she was standing in front of a fire. "Yes," he said, slapping a hand on Stefan's shoulder similar to the way brother's interacted with each other, "It has been. Why don't you take a break, Stefan?"

Stefan grunted something incoherently, sparing a look at AJ. She thought he looked appreciative, but couldn't be sure. Vampires were so enigmatic, she thought irritably. Stefan shoved away from the bar and headed directly outside. She figured he just needed to be alone; she just wished that didn't mean he was leaving her with Klaus.

Klaus lounged against the bar, but his expression was anything but relaxed.

AJ stepped slowly to the bar, her entire body tense. "Klaus," she said carefully, "I'm sorry about whatever I said that made you angry. But I'm tired of treading precarious waters with you."

Klaus's features remained grim and unhappy. "You seem to be a magnet for precarious things, wouldn't you agree?" he said tersely.

AJ frowned at him. "You're right," she said matter-of-factly. "It's no secret that, in my past, I've been more than a little reckless. And I'm sure I still have those tendencies. But right now, I can't afford to be that way. I have to look out for other people, Klaus. And as usual, I failed. I always fail."

Klaus pressed his lips together, his eyes scanning the bar. It was well into the early morning, and there were still crowds of people left filling up tables. "You cannot fail something that is inexorable," he said. "Death is inexorable, and I am just that. There's no way for you to prevent it."

AJ stared at him, and a crease formed between her eyebrows. "You've said that before, you know." He gave her an impatient look. "That you are Death," she clarified. "But don't you remember what I told you?"

One side of his mouth quirked up suddenly. AJ stepped back without conscious volition, suddenly uneasy. "Not really. But I do remember what happened after that, as I'm sure you do."

She suddenly wished that looks could kill as she glared at him. He had kissed her that night—it'd been the first time he'd kissed her. However reluctant she was to admit it to herself, he was right. She remembered it perfectly. With a huff, she crossed her arms and looked away from him. She also remembered Elijah's reaction afterward, and then finding Lucas's body on the back property. With one somewhat good memory of Klaus came a procession of terrible ones.

"Don't look so glum," he said, stealing a sideways look at her.

She scowled. "Then don't bring up things like that. I'm going out to check on Stefan." She quickly left him and crossed over to the table, then headed out to the front. Klaus's eyes followed her every movement.

The night sky seemed darker than it had before, and the two tall lights seemed to have grown harsher in clarity. Having been reminded of Lucas, she thought back to the lights set up in the yard, and how they'd outlined every detail. How very dead Lucas's face looked, and how ugly and erroneous Klaus's handwriting was on that damned piece of paper. Klaus's words echoed in her head. 'Is she the constant reminder of what happened? Is that why you two never speak?' She may be a reminder for Stefan, but Klaus would forever prove to be that in relation to her missing puzzle pieces.

Her eyes scanned the parking lot. Stefan was extremely hard to miss. Under the harsh lighting, he stood in the center where no cars were parked. His light hair shined like a halo, and it reminded AJ of the Stefan he once was. His demeanor was as statue-still as ever, but something seemed different about it. His shoulders were taut and tense. He was holding a hand up to his ear—with a cell phone. Without further hesitation, AJ walked briskly to him. The gravel crunched under her boots, a dead giveaway that she was there. But he didn't move.

When she saw his face, she knew something was definitely wrong. He looked torn, and moisture shined in his eyes. "Stefan?" she asked fretfully, "What's—"she stopped, looking back to the cell phone. She could just barely hear someone else on the other end. Elena. "Oh my God," she whispered, looking from Stefan to the phone, then back again. "You—"No, she thought. She couldn't possibly say anything. Klaus's senses were nothing short of exemplary, and he could surely hear her.

Stefan slowly closed the phone, restoring his impassive expression. He looked down at AJ. "I was just about to head back in," he said, sounding one hundred percent normal. "I'm sure Klaus will want to leave soon. Better be quick." He turned on his heel, but she called out to him.

"Wait," she said quickly. He stopped and glanced back at her. "Did you—well did you hear anything about Elijah?" she asked nervously. "I mean—did Damon—"

"Damon's not a problem for us anymore, AJ," he said concisely, "I know nothing of Elijah." Then he turned back and left her there, staring after him.

What did that mean? Was Damon okay—was he alive? If he didn't know anything about Elijah, did that mean he didn't care, or just really didn't know? Her bottom lip was quivering, but she maintained control over herself. There was no way to tell what was going on. Not yet.

But one thing finally made sense to her. Stefan chose to contact Elena tonight, after all these months had passed. And it was because it was Elena's birthday. AJ turned and looked up at the moon. It was bright and beautiful, a perfectly round snowball of light. Elena would see the same moon, back in Mystic Falls. She closed her eyes. Happy Birthday, Elena. We'll make it back to you. To all of you.

The air was filled with the smell of pine and nature, and the temperature was growing warmer as the sun reached its peak. Leaves and twigs crunched under their feet as Klaus and Stefan walked up the slight hill. They were now deep into the forests of the Smoky Mountains in Tennessee once more. The forest was vibrant with different shades of green, and they were surrounded on all sides by it. It'd been hours since they started off that morning, walking at a human's pace. The directions Klaus had elicited from Ray were very specific, and Klaus didn't want to make one mistake.

"You okay?" Klaus asked Stefan mockingly. "Is Ray getting heavy?"

"I'm fine," Stefan said briskly, keeping a tight hold on the werewolf. He was holding Ray's arms with one of his arms and Ray's leg with his other. It was the only way to carry the werewolf for as long as he had been.

"You sure about that?" Klaus continued. "You know, we've been walking for quite some time now. If you need some water or a little sit-down . . ." He trailed off, grinning.

"How about you, Klaus?" Stefan countered rigidly, raising an eyebrow. "I know AJ's probably light as a feather, but after holding her for so long you must be a little worn out. Or do you just want to switch? Been dying to carry the werewolf? I'm sure AJ wouldn't mind if I carried her."

Klaus scowled at Stefan. He was supporting AJ's knees and head gently, holding them close to his body so that she wouldn't wake as they walked. "I'd watch your mouth, if I were you. It wasn't my fault that she literally fell asleep while she was walking. How can someone even do that? She was just fine, and then she said she was too tired," he said irritably. "And then, she nearly hit the ground."

"Have you really been so blind to what's going on with her?" Stefan inquired seriously. He controlled his tone, making it neutral. "She doesn't sleep anymore. She always has nightmares. It's been, what, four hours? That's the most sleep she's gotten in days."

Klaus narrowed his eyes at Stefan. "And just how might you know this? She sleeps in the truck. She does for hours at a time, and she did last night."

Stefan shook his head, frowning wearily. "No, she doesn't. She pretends to sleep in the truck. She wants us to think she is."

"And why would she do something silly like that? It's not like she can stake you or me for that matter. She's a clever girl, but attempting that would be suicide. Although she does have her reckless tendencies," Klaus added as an afterthought.

Stefan sighed, shooting Klaus a reproachful look. "That isn't what I meant. She's not trying to be clever or reckless. She just wants us to think she's okay. That's the way she is. It's who she is."

"Right," Klaus muttered mordantly, "Because you know her oh so well."

Stefan frowned again. "I used to."

Klaus looked down at AJ in his arms. Her face was the most relaxed he'd seen it in months. She looked young and peaceful. Her T-shirt and jeans were warmer garments than her tank top and shorts had been the previous day, but she still felt oddly cold. Hours ago, she'd rested her head against his chest. It was strange to see her so content, especially after the prior night.

Klaus regarded Stefan suddenly, with some cheer. "She really hasn't changed much, you know. Her sarcasm is still at its peak. I doubt it'll ever leave the girl."

"You know I get that we're stuck together," Stefan said abruptly, "But if we can maybe just skip the chit-chat, that would be great."

"So much brooding," Klaus said exaggeratedly, "Your self-loathing is suffocating me, my friend."

"Maybe it's because I'm a little tired of hunting werewolves," Stefan suggested in a flat tone. "We've only been at it all summer."

"Yes," Klaus murmured with a twinge of excitement, slowing down, "And thanks to our pal, Ray, we found a pack." Ahead of them, werewolves occupied a small campsite. Trees dotted the land, and there were log-turned-benches and chairs all around. Dozens of werewolves walked about the place, conversing with one another or helping with supplies. Their organization made it very clear that they were, in fact, werewolves, and not just human campers. Before they stepped forward, Klaus looked back down at AJ. "AJ," he said quietly, brushing some hair out of her face. Stefan raised an eyebrow, but said nothing. "AJ, you need to wake up."

AJ shifted in his arms as she sighed in her sleep. A moment later, her eyes opened slowly. She looked up at the sky covered by a green canopy of leaves, and a sudden sense of weightlessness came over her. Then she felt hands on her, and she started. Her eyes went wide when she saw Klaus. Shoving at his chest, she scowled.

"Klaus," she hissed, "What the hell?"

Klaus held a finger to his lips. He bent and set her on her feet, but kept a hand on her arm to hold her steady. She swayed at a little as she blinked at their surroundings.

"We weren't here five minutes ago," AJ noted wearily. "What happened?"

"What happened," Klaus began, irked, "Is that one moment you were walking ahead of us, and the next you'd fallen asleep. It's been a few hours."

AJ's brows pulled together. She studied him, and then Stefan. "You're serious," she said slowly. "Damn. I guess I just didn't get enough sleep last night," she shrugged without worry. "Sorry." She turned around, realizing that they were already at the place where Ray's pack met up. A frown appeared on her lips. These people wouldn't look so happy for much longer. And that was all her fault.

Klaus's eyes narrowed at AJ now that he knew she was lying, but he turned his attention back to the werewolves. Stefan stepped forward purposefully, and Klaus watched, crossing his arms with a contented smile on his face. AJ stood back, wary. The werewolves all began glancing up, sensing that something was wrong. One by one they stood up, eyes on Stefan.

Stefan walked into the middle of the campsite, setting Ray's body down on the ground roughly. A dark haired girl gaped at Ray. She had short black hair, fair skin, and bright eyes. She didn't appear to be more than twenty or twenty-one. "Ray!" she cried out, rushing over to him. She bent on the ground, turning his body so that she could see his face. "Oh my God." Several other werewolves crossed over to Ray, alert. The dark haired girl looked up at Stefan, her chin quivering. "Who are you?"

Klaus stepped up beside Stefan, and instantly an air of formidability formed around him. "The important question," he said, "Is who am I." The dark haired girl glared at him, but he paid no mind. "Please, forgive the intrusion. My name is Klaus."

The girl slowly stood from her crouch, backing away. She held her arms out, pushing the others of her pack back as well. "You're the hybrid," she said warily.

"You've heard of me," Klaus said, a wicked smile appearing on his lips. "Fantastic."

There was a log bench in front of Ray's body, and Klaus walked towards it. As he moved, the werewolves moved back. He laughed humorously as he perched himself on the bench. "Why, no need to be frightened," he said almost mockingly, "I come with intentions of peace."

Stefan followed Klaus's suit, as he always did, and sat on the other side of the bench. He kept a sharp eye on the werewolves' movements, sensing the slightest intake of breath.

In his merriment, Klaus's eyes landed on AJ. "Darling," he said with a twinge of warmness, "Come here. Don't be shy—they won't bite."

AJ's cheeks heated up as all eyes landed on her. She wasn't afraid of them—far from it. It was the 'darling' that made her self-conscious. The werewolves gave her judging looks that made her immediately despise Klaus. She crossed her arms over her chest defensively and kept her head down, slowly walking over to him. If she didn't, then the wolves would think there was a weakness in him. And she didn't want them to think that—she wanted them to realize just how terrified they should be. It was the only warning she could give them at the time.

The leaves and twigs that crunched and snapped under her boots broke the heavy silence that'd settled over the campsite. Klaus patted for her to sit beside him, but she held her head defiantly as she stood. She just didn't want to look like his bitch, whether he meant for it to seem that way or not. His eyes narrowed, but he said nothing. Instead, he turned his attention to the werewolves around him.

"It's fascinating, you see," he said, "A werewolf who is beholden to the moon; a vampire who doesn't burn in the sun." He looked off to the side, his eyes squinting with a small dawning realization. "A true hybrid."

"A true something," AJ muttered. He shot her a dirty look, and she met it with an innocent one.

Suddenly Ray gasped in air, and his body shifted with animation on the ground. AJ flinched and stepped back, regarding him solemnly. His blood stained the front of his grey t-shirt, leaving dark patches everywhere, and his face was still a mess of it. His eyes were wide and confused, gazing up at the canopy of leaves. Then he turned on his side and spotted Klaus. His mouth hung open; Klaus's blood had dried to it.

"Good timing Ray," Klaus commented blithely, leaning forward. "Very dramatic."

Ray began heaving. As he looked up at Klaus, he panted, "What's happening to me?"

Klaus sat back, completely at ease. "Stefan?" he prompted, looking over at the ripper vampire.

Stefan pressed his lips together and nodded, shoving to his feet. He looked around the campsite, meeting the werewolves' frightened gazes with his hard eyes. "Are any of you human?" he called out, looking from person to person. "Your friend here," he said, approaching Ray with a predators step, "He needs human blood. It'll complete his transition into a vampire. If he doesn't get it," he enunciated every word as his eyes locked on the dark-haired girl's, "He will die."

"It doesn't take much," Klaus added, "Just a sip." Klaus stood now, slowly scanning the faces. He stepped around AJ, who was silently glaring at him. "Anyone? A boyfriend, a girlfriend along for the ride?"

The dark-haired girl's breath hitched in her throat. She gave AJ a hard look and pointed at her. "What about her?" she asked in a quivering voice. "She's human—use her."

Klaus raised an eyebrow, amused. "Your deflection makes it so very obvious," he said quietly before turning to a light-haired man beside her. "You," he said to the man before he rushed at him and snatched his arm. In less than a second, he'd sunk his fangs into the human's arm, and then flung him towards Stefan. Stefan shoved the man to the ground, holding his arm out in front of Ray.

"No!" the girl shrieked, hurtling herself towards the man. Klaus grabbed her by her hair, and she cried out.

"This is a new order, sweetheart," he said, keeping a firm hold on her. "You join us, or you die."

Tremors of fear shook her body, but met Klaus's eyes. "I'd rather die than be a vampire," she said through chittering teeth.

Klaus looked down at her darkly, and his grip tightened. The veins around his eyes became visible while his eyes shone gold. "Wrong choice," he said menacingly. He lifted his wrist to his mouth where canines had elongated, and tore into it. Then he shoved it into her mouth, forcing her to drink. A moment later his hands flashed through the air and her neck twisted. The snapping bones made AJ shiver.

Stefan had the human pinned to the ground behind Klaus. "If you don't drink," Stefan was saying to Ray, his chest rising and falling as the smell of fresh blood hit him, "I will. And there's just one problem with that, Ray. I don't know how to stop."

Ray stared at the wound, and slowly began crawling towards the man on his hands and knees. He took the gory appendage in his hands and bit into the flesh, feeding savagely.

Klaus turned around after shoving the girl's body to the ground. A wave of uneasiness washed over AJ as she looked him over. His hand dripped with his own blood, and his stance was predatory. She looked at all the innocent people around her, biting her lip. Sure, they were werewolves, but Tyler was a werewolf. He wasn't a murderer, bent on taking lives for simple entertainment. He was sweet and kind. And these people, albeit strangers, had to have similar qualities, didn't they? But when it came down to it, she supposed their qualities didn't matter. Not even a little bit. Because Klaus wanted this, and Klaus believed he was Death. Death didn't pick and choose between people because of who they are; Death consumed all.

"So," Klaus said with a wicked gleam in his golden eyes, "Who's next?"

"Klaus," AJ said quietly, speaking for the first time since the chaos began. His head whipped around to gaze at her, and his eyes were piercing. "Klaus," she said again, approaching him carefully, "If there's any way I can get you to reconsider—"

"Darling," he interjected roughly, "I recommend you sit down and rest awhile. This may take some time." Then he speed off to the closest werewolf to him, and began feeding him his blood.

AJ looked on with horror. What have I done? She asked herself wretchedly. What the hell have I done?

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