Finn woke the following morning with Sage curled up next to him.
"Morning," she murmured, snuggling closer with no intention of getting up.
"You stayed up late, I didn't see you when I got back," asked Finn, brushing her hair with his fingers.
"Mn. Took longer than I thought it would to get everyone situated," said Sage.
"How many are we talking?" asked Finn.
"20 elites, 30 competent, and others to help with spying and the like, plus the few witches we have," answered Sage.
"Doesn't sound like a lot," said Finn.
"Trust me, it is in the world of vampires. I don't expect our competition to field nearly as many," said Sage.
"What makes you say that? Their lives are on the line, I'd think they would bring everyone," said Finn.
She sighed, opening her eyes. "Too many can be just as burdensome as not enough; it can be a logistical nightmare. I should know, I just went through it. Where are you going to put them all? How are you going to feed them all? What are you going to do with all the bodies? New Orleans is in for a rough time."
Finn frowned, "Bodies."
Sage rolled her eyes. "Yes, bodies, unless you want to change your mind and take out Elijah first."
"Hmm, I'll think about it. The more I learn about this world, the more I realize there are a whole lot of humans out there. Perhaps too many," said Finn thoughtfully while struggling with his inner turmoil.
"Hey, look at you growing. It's about time you joined us on the dark side," Sage half-joked.
"Don't get your hopes up, I'm still killing everything evil that walks," said Finn.
Sage smirked, "Of course, dear. I'm just waiting for the moment when you realize humans are inherently evil. Different degrees of evil, sure, but evil nonetheless."
Finn frowned, unable to dispute it, and changed the topic, "I couldn't find Kol last night. I'd like you to send out your people to track him for me. The human couldn't keep up."
"Why don't you just call him? I thought you left on good terms," said Sage.
"That was before I killed our sister, but sure, I'll try," said Finn, finding his phone.
"Wait! Let me get you a burner phone so you can't be tracked," Sage said.
"Okay," said Finn, putting his phone away.
...
A young woman with long black/dark brown hair and dark brown eyes. She also had a very dark exterior, wearing a dark leather jacket with a short sword carrying a red, round-cut gemstone with several veins in its hilt, strapped to her back.
Could be seen hopping off her black sports motorcycle, removing her helmet, and taking a stroll through the woods towards the ruins of a familiar recently destroyed witch compound and the scavengers inside searching for anything of value left.
"I found something!" shouted one, discovering a book buried under rubble.
"See, I told you they couldn't have gotten everything. Keep searching," said another.
As the young woman stepped foot inside, she was stopped.
"Whoa, there, stranger. There's nothing left to share here, I suggest you turn around and leave," said a woman spotting her approach.
"Can you tell me what happened here?" asked the young woman with a demanding edge to her tone.
"Who wants to know?" asked the woman warily.
"I'm the slayer, Rayna. I've been sent to investigate this incident," said the young woman.
"Slayer?" the woman snorted, and asked, "Sent by whom?" The conversation alerting the others.
"I won't ask again," said Rayna, drawing her short sword.
The woman sneered, "You won't have to," waving her hand, and then waving again as Rayna marched towards her, unaffected.
"Why isn't it working?" asked the woman fearfully as she backed away, swatting her hand repeatedly back and forth to no avail, magically tearing apart the ground around the would-be slayer, who remained unharmed, walking ever closer.
"Don't just stand there, help me!" shouted the woman.
Suddenly, Rayna vanished and reappeared in front of her in a burst of speed, sword tip resting against her neck.
"Make another move and she dies," threatened Rayna.
Seeing the others freeze, Rayna turned her attention back to the woman, "Now tell me what you know."
The woman gulped. "I don't know much. There was a fight here between the Elder Grove Coven and the Night Garden, and this is what remains."
"And where can I find this Elder Grove Coven?" asked Rayna.
"You can't, they're all dead. Their bodies are below in an underground chamber along with many others," said the woman, her voice trailing off upon realizing how far out of her depth she was.
"What of their residents? Has it been looted?" asked Rayna.
"It has, but they employed many servants; they might know more," the woman said, thinking quickly.
"There, that wasn't so hard," said Rayna, lowering her weapon.
The woman exhaled in relief, only for Rayna to swing the sword back in a flash, cutting her head clean off.
"Almost back to full," Rayna mumbled, looking at the red gemstone veins in the hilt swirling as it absorbed the woman's soul.
A cry of outrage from the side, followed by a blast of magic that swept past her. Rayna turned her attention to the woman's fellow witches, who soon met the same fate.
After wiping the blood off her sword, gemstone full, Rayna sheathed it and headed toward her next destination.
...
Receiving the burner phone, Finn found a nice, comfortable chair to sit in while he made his call.
"Who is this, and how did you get this number?" Kol asked upon answering the unknown number.
"It's me. Was wondering if you've got that golden dagger yet?" asked Finn.
"I do," came the hesitant reply.
"Then we should meet up," said Finn.
"And risk you sticking me with a white oak stake, I think not," said Kol coldly.
"I'm the only one with any white oak ash," said Finn calmly.
"I have enough for one stab," said Kol, brushing him off.
Finn sat a little straighter, digesting what he had just heard, unsure how that could be, and asked, "Then why haven't you done it yet?"
"Because I might need him to fight you!" came the angry retort. "How could you? How could you do that to Rebekah?"
Finn scoffed, "Tell me something Kol, after I was placed in a box, how many did you kill? How many other unspeakable things have you done before you were daggered?"
"At least I never killed family!" Kol yelled.
Finn scowled, "Family! What Family?! 900 years in a box Kol! You better pray I don't find you, for your end will be nowhere near as nice as it was for Rebekah!" he yelled, crushing the phone in his hand.
Kol yells angrily, throwing his phone against the ground in frustration. Cursing moments later, "Shit!" when he realizes he'll need a new one.
"Guess that wasn't a pleasant conversation," said Lenore, walking down the stairs. A dark-skinned woman with long, wavy black hair with a little grey streak.
Kol snorted, "You try having two crazy evil bastards for brothers… Please tell me you have good news."
"Afraid not, the witches have agreed to seek an alliance with Finn," said Lenore.
Kol frowned, "That's not good, but it's not all bad. This is the perfect opportunity to introduce you to Klaus. He won't be able to deny having witches of his own if the nine covens are all allied against him with Finn, regardless of how invincible he thinks he is."