"Who are the Strix?" asked Davina.
"Oh, just another one of your run-of-the-mill vampire organizations bent on world domination," said Finn.
"Oh, is that all?" said Davina sourly.
"It's a little more complicated than that, but yes, essentially that's correct in this case," said Sage.
"So, why are they here?" asked Davina, "I mean, New Orleans isn't exactly special, now is it?"
"You're forgetting who's in New Orleans, dear," said Sage, gesturing towards Finn.
"Right, the Originals," said Davina, turning her attention to him.
"It's getting late, and you had a long day. Why don't you get some rest, and tomorrow you can decide what you want to do," Finn suggested.
"I know what I want to do. I want to help you, the way you helped me. You give me freedom, I give you magic, remember? You help me with the witches, I help you with the vampires," said Davina resolutely.
Finn grinned, "And we will, but that doesn't mean you can't have a bit of fun in between. You're not trapped anymore. You can go places and do things. All I ask is that you let us know so we can protect you. Sound good?"
Davina's eyes watered as she nodded, hitting him with another hug.
Finn awkwardly embraced her, patting her back, "It's okay, let it all out."
After putting her to bed, he left for the master bedroom.
"I didn't think of it before, but how are the rings working with your necklace?" questioned Sage when he entered, getting ready for bed.
"They were all made with my blood as a component, so the necklace likely sees it as part of me," answered Finn, removing his clothes.
"You do know the witches are gonna ally with your brothers now that you have her, their missing sacrifice," said Sage, slipping under the sheets.
"That is a distinct possibility, and they still won't stand a chance," said Finn confidently, joining her in bed.
…
"Where is she? Must we wait all night?" asked Klaus impatiently.
"Patient's brother," said Elijah.
"Could have used mine," grumbled Kol, though no one paid him any mind.
And right on cue, in walked a woman with light brown wavy hair, fair skin, a tribal tattoo on both her shoulders and chest, and an inscription on her right forearm. Wearing, in addition, accessories such as rings and dangling earrings. She had a slim build and medium stature.
Lucien smiled and took her hand, guiding her toward them. "Here she is, allow me to introduce you to Alexis, my favorite witch."
She respectfully lowered her head. "Is this the one?" she inquired, gazing at Marcel's motionless figure on the ground.
"Yes, now free him," ordered Klaus.
After seeking Lucien's consent, she got to work. Kneeling beside Marcel, she placed her hands on him and closed her eyes, muttering an incantation under her breath.
Determining there was no other cause for his malady, she recited the spell to free him from his compulsion.
Once freed, Marcel instantly jumped up yelling, "I'm going to kill him!" Attempting to run out and begin the search, only to be cut off by Klaus.
"Where do you think you're going?" asked Klaus.
"Out of my way, Klaus, I need to find him," said Marcel, barely containing the rage brewing underneath the surface.
"And then what? You've already lost once," said Klaus.
"I don't have time for this," said Marcel, and attempted to bypass him, only to be pushed back again.
Marcel grinned frustratingly, shaking his head while he paced back and forth, "What do you want, Klaus? Haven't you taken enough from me? What more do I have that you can possibly take? What more can your family take from me that they haven't already?"
Klaus simply stared at him.
"GET OUT OF MY WAY!" Marcel shouted, trying to storm past him yet again unsuccessfully.
"I could always compel you," said Klaus, letting the threat hang.
Marcel froze as the weight of his situation dawned on him. He sneered, "It's always something with you, with this family. You know what? Go ahead, compel me; that's the only way you'll get anything more from me. DO YOU HEAR ME, KLAUS?!"
However, Klaus didn't make a move.
A hybrid walked in.
"Yes?" inquired Klaus.
"Marcel's people are outside asking for him," said the hybrid.
Marcel's jaws clenched at the news, not wanting them to get hurt because of him.
Spotting this, Klaus waved the hybrid away, "Tell me what happened," he ordered Marcel.
"Finn happened, he followed me to the church, and took away the weapon, took away Davina," said Marcel through gritted teeth.
"The girl, no, the witch, is the weapon?" asked Klaus.
Marcel confirmed with a nod, "She is."
"And you care for her?" asked Klaus.
"I do," said Marcel.
Klaus walked over and squeezed his shoulder, looking him in the eye, "I will not compel you, Marcel, and I would like to think I don't need to. We both have the same enemy, and the enemy of my enemy is my friend, as they say. I need you to trust me like you once did. There was no need to hide this witch, we could have protected her together."
Marcel lowered his head. "Alright, just help me save her."
Klaus grinned, "Of course, if that is what you want."
Once he left and Lucien was dismissed, Elijah approached and said, "He now possesses the weapon, this witch girl who kept the other witches in check. We can leverage this to our advantage and recruit them to our side."
"Any alliance with them would only be temporary; they are not to be trusted," said Kol.
Klaus snorted, "And you're witches are?"
"At least my witches' motivations are clear; they only want freedom to practice without prosecution, but the others want something more. This Davina is a failed sacrifice waiting to happen. Should you ally with these witches, you'd be in direct contradiction with Marcel," Kol reasoned.
"What he doesn't know won't hurt him," Klaus remarked, then added to Elijah, "Arrange a meeting with the current regent."