"You're telling me we still haven't stopped these hunters even after I lent you two hybrids!" Klaus raged in their open courtyard.
"They had help. My guy said that an unknown witch of significant power showed up and saved them. She put them all down by herself," said Marcel.
"An unknown witch," Klaus said skeptically. "And why didn't your secret weapon warn you?"
"It only works on local witches, those that are part of New Orleans," Marcel answered.
"How convenient," said Klaus. "And what does your priest have to say about these supposed rogue hunters?"
"He assured me that these are external hunters who have tracked outside vampires here, and I trust him. We all know that vampires from various places are beginning to move here since Rebekah's downfall," Marcel said as cautiously as he could in an effort not to provoke his anger.
"Let him know that he needs to answer for this as the leader of the humans if he wishes to maintain peace," said Klaus, pointing at Marcel, who gave a dissatisfied expression.
"Don't you think it's time we got some witches of our own?" asked Kol, shifting his focus.
"So you can secretly conspire with them behind my back?" Klaus retorted, sending a glare his way.
"Now you're just being paranoid, or have you forgotten about the bigger threat? Finn is still out there, and if Marcel is right, the nine covens are looking to ally with him. We need witches of our own," Kol persuaded.
"And where will we get these witches?" asked Klaus.
"I know a few we could sway to our side," said Kol.
Klaus's eyes narrowed, "Of course you do."
"We are lacking in the magical department," Elijah added.
"Your estranged brother is growing more unhinged. We've been finding bodies strung up with their mouths cut wider. Cops are calling it the work of a serial killer," said Marcel.
"I'm not sure that was him; they were human," Elijah interjected.
"Doesn't matter," Klaus snapped. "Our city is falling apart at the seams. We need to stop it, all of it, and reclaim control."
"Perhaps I can help," said Lucien with a grin, stepping out from the shadows.
...
Later, Kol and Elijah could be seen having drinks on a little table outside a public space, conversing with one another.
"I can't believe that little weasels back," said Kol.
"If he's right about the line wars, the Strix will follow," said Elijah, not looking forward to it.
"This city isn't going to last. Not under Klaus's rule," said Kol, probing.
"This isn't the time for infighting, not while Finn's out there," said Elijah.
"And what about after Finn's taken care of. What then Elijah?" asked Kol.
"I don't have time to think about that; all I care about is finding and killing Finn," said Elijah.
"Kill him how? Even if he has more of you know what, getting our hands on them won't be easy," said Kol carefully.
"I don't know, I'll think of something," said Elijah, squinting his eyes upon spotting a familiar pretty face standing at the corner with her hand on her hip.
"With how he goes on and on about the box, I feel putting him back in it is justice enough, if we can figure out how he managed to remove the dagger last time we had him cornered," said Kol thoughtfully.
"Indeed," said Elijah, only half listening, standing up.
"You're leaving?" asked Kol.
"I spotted an old friend I wish to talk to, I'll see you later," said Elijah, walking away.
Watching her disappear down the alley, he followed, finding it empty.
Amused, he continued down the alley until she charged into him, knocking him against the brick wall.
"Hello Elijah, long time no see," she grinned, playfully rubbing his chest.
He quickly regained control, spinning them around, so she was trapped against the wall.
"Katherine, to what do I owe the pleasure?" asked Elijah.
"Is it true? Is my life linked to that bastards?" asked Katherine disdainfully.
"It is," Elijah confirmed.
"Well that's just fucking great isn't it, after all the effort I put into fleeing from him, I find out I need to keep the bastard alive," Katherine complained.
"Unfortunately," said Elijah, unable to deny it.
"Well, how did it happen? How did Rebekah die?" asked Katherine.
Elijah remained silent, stepping away from her.
"Oh come on, how am I supposed to help keep him alive if I don't know what I need to keep him alive from? Don't make me stick around longer than I need, just point me in the right direction and I'll see to it that it's taken care of, not like I'll be able to use it against him being a vampire from his line and all," Katherine persuaded.
"I'll protect Klaus, and I suggest you stay clear of Finn. He's already killed your doppelganger," said Elijah.
"Elena's dead? Huh," said Katherine, thinking how devastated her favorite toys must be.
"Her and the Salvatores," said Elijah.
"What?!" Katherine exclaimed in shock.
...
Sage met with Troy and the others outside the city limits in their recently procured building.
"The Strix will be arriving any day now. They've landed at some private airport on the East Coast. Tracking them without getting caught will be difficult until they arrive," said Troy.
"What about the ashes Finn wanted tracked?" asked Sage.
"They got two pings, one in the Originals home and the other on the outskirts. I sent people to check it out, and they found it in the hands of a group of hunters and a deadly witch, who instantly identified them and took one out before they could flee," said Troy, describing her looks.
"Do you know her name?" asked Sage, thinking of someone.
"No. Where is Finn by the way?" asked Troy. "I thought he'd be out there causing mayhem by now."
Sage sighed, "He's watching a Twilight Zone marathon. I'll fill him in after. Anything else?"
"Oh, well, the nine covens are searching for Finn; they wish to ally with him," informed Troy.
"Hmm, could be useful. I'll see what he thinks," said Sage.
"There is one more thing. We've been monitoring Marcel, the former vampire leader, who notably still commands a substantial following, and we have identified some inconsistencies," Troy said.
"Such as?" asked Sage.
Troy took out a map and circled a large portion, "Around this area, we lose track of him, or I should say our memories, our sense of self. There seems to be a powerful protection ward around here keeping us out. We wouldn't have even discovered it if not for our constant check-ins, allowing us to piece together the missing information and narrow it down," said Troy.
"That's still quite large," said Sage.
"I know, I have our witches working on it," said Troy.